Asheville church of Christ

But Abel Is Dead

rickharrington — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 11:49:29 +0000

In Genesis 4 we read about Cain and Abel, two sons of Adam and Eve. After just a few verses of the chapter Abel dies but Cain lives on to have a wife and progeny and to build a city. So Cain is the more successful of the two brothers, right?

Anyone familiar with the Biblical record about these two men knows that Cain’s outliving Abel does not mean that Cain was better off than Abel. For one thing, Cain also died in time, so longer physical life is not endless life.

Recollections of Cain tell of his having murdered his brother and the curse that he bore as a result of his sin and lack of contrition (Genesis 4; I John 3:12; see also Jude 11). Cain remains through thousands of years an example of unrighteousness and impenitence.

Abel on the other hand is recalled among the faithful (Hebrews 11:4). Cain outlived Abel and had more experiences on earth, but that has very little meaning when all is said and done. Jesus said, “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26).

We may live a long life or a short life on earth, but what matters is whether we live by faith in God. That type of life requires that we learn His word and surrender to its message.

By Joe Hickman

Lessons From John 21

rickharrington — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 13:48:09 +0000

Lessons From John 21

Sunday Morning Bible Study: A Harmony of The Gospels

rickharrington — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 13:16:58 +0000

In our auditorium class we are currently undertaking a study of ”A Harmony of the Gospels.” The four gospels of the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John), give us four different perspectives of the life of Jesus, each with their own respective audience and purpose in view. By studying these books in conjunction with one another, we are often able to gain insights (and sometimes presented with challenges) that we would not necessarily encounter when studying them as independent units. We invite you to come join us and take part in this interesting and edifying study.

Sunday, January 1st 2012: “Is Reality TV Real Life”

rickharrington — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 08:49:19 +0000

We invite you to come join us on this first day of the new year for a sincere and honest “reality check” by hearing a lesson based on Biblical reality.

Zechariah 14 Study Questions

rickharrington — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 09:50:27 +0000

1) What will be done with the spoil that is taken from the inhabitants of Jerusalem? (Zech. 14:1)

2) What will happen to the “rest [or remnant] of the people”? (Zech. 14:2)

3) What will the Lord do regarding the nations that come against Jerusalem? (Zech. 14:3)

4) What will happen to the Mount of Olives in that day? What will apparently be created by this event? (Zech. 14:4)

5) How will the people flee? Who will come with them? (Zech. 14:5)

6) What is one of the things that will happen “in that day”? (Zech. 14:8)

7) What will not exist at that time for Jerusalem? (Zech. 14:11)

8. What will happen to those who have gone to war against Jerusalem? (Zech. 14:12)

9) What will those of the nations who are left do? (Zech. 14:16)

10) What will happen to those who do not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King? (Zech. 14:17-19)

11) What will be inscribed on the bells of the horses and what will all the cooking pots in Judah and Jerusalem be? (Zech. 14:20)

12) What will there no longer be in the house of the Lord in that day? (Zech. 14:21)

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Zechariah 13:1-9 Study Questions

rickharrington — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 11:07:33 +0000

1) What will be opened for the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem in that day? (Zech. 13:1)

2) What three things will be cut off from the land in that day? (Zech. 13:2)

3) What will the parents say to the son who continues to prophesy? What shall they do to him? (Zech. 13:3)

4) What will be the prophet’s attitude toward his vision? (Zech.13:4)

5) How will the prophet explain his wounds? (Zech. 13:6)

6) Who is the shepherd of verse seven and to what does this prophesy refer? (Zech. 13:7; Mt. 26:31; Mk. 14:27)

7) What appears to be the purpose of the “third part” being brought through the fire? (Zech. 13:9)

8) What will be the end result of this refining? (Zech. 13:9)

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Malachi 3:13 – 4:6

rickharrington — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 22:51:02 +0000

Lesson 5

Outline:
III. Day of the Lord – Condemnation of religious indifference and skepticism,
2:17-4:6
C. New Defense of Jehovah’s justice, 3:13-4:3
1. 3:13-15 – Verse 13 – What charge does the LORD make at the beginning of this verse?

- What was the response of the people to this charge?

- Verses 14-15 – God describes how the people have spoken against Him. Put the thought of these verses into your own words.

2. 3:16-18 – Verse 16 – Who spoke to one another here?

- How did the LORD respond to those who spoke?

- Verse 17-18 – “In that day,” God would acknowledge the people as His own and He would spare them as a man spares his own ________ who serves him.

- What is the message of verse 18?

3. 4:1 – What is in store for the proud and wicked in the coming day of judgment?

4. 4:2-3 – In contrast to the punishment of the wicked, those who fear the LORD shall find blessing in “the day of the LORD” of this passage.

- Verse 2 – Who would arise with “healing in His wings?”
- What other promise is made here to those who fear the LORD

- Verse 3 – What would the righteous do, according to this verse?

D. Closing admonitions, 4:4-6
5. 4:4-6 – Verse 4 – What exhortation is given here?

- Verse 5 – Who would come before the “great and dreadful day of the LORD?”

- Who do you think is talking about?

- Verse 6 – What things would this one who was to come do?

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Malachi 2:17 – 3:12

rickharrington — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 22:44:48 +0000

Lesson 4

Outline:
III. Day of the Lord – Condemnation of religious indifference and skepticism,
Mal. 2:17-4:6
A. Jehovah’s approach in judgment, Mal. 2:17-3:6
1. Mal. 2:17 – What accusation does the prophet make here?

- How did the people reply?

- What kinds of things were they then accused of saying?

2. Mal. 3:1-2 – The LORD promises what things in verse 1?

- Mal. 3:2 – As what things does the LORD appear in this verse?

3. Mal. 3:3-5

– Mal. 3:3 – Who would be purified according to this verse?

- Mal. 3:4 – What would be a result of this purification?

- Mal. 3:5 – Describe the “coming near” of the Lord here.

4. Mal. 3:6 – What does the Lord declare about His nature here?

- What result of this is stated here?

B. Wrongful withholding of tithes and offerings, Mal. 3:7-12
5. Mal. 3:7-9

– Mal. 3:7 – What did the LORD require of the people in this verse?

- What was their reply?

- Mal. 3:8-9 – Describe the exchange between the LORD and the people here?

6. Mal. 3:10-12 – What kinds of things would result if the people carry out their responsibilities to God?

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Malachi 2:1-16

rickharrington — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 22:41:21 +0000

Lesson 3

Outline: (Adapted from Hailey and others) – Interspersed between questions, etc.
Title: Author and subject of prophecy: 1:1.
I. Condemnation of the priest’s faithlessness, 1:2-2:9.
C. Curse pronounced upon the faithless priests, 2:1-9

1. 2:1-4 – What details of the curse are given here?

- What results would come from the curse, according to verse 4?

2. 2:5-7 – Verse 5 – What was the nature of the covenant made with Levi?
- For what purpose?

- Verse 6 – What kinds of things marked the character and service of the priest described here?

- Verse 7 – What should the lips of the priest do?
- What should the people seek?
- Why?

3. 2:8-9 – Verse 8 – What the priests of Malachi’s day done?

- Verse 9 – What would the LORD do in return?

- What specific sin is mentioned at the end of verse 9?

II. Condemnation of divorce and mixed marriages, 2:10-16

4. Verse 10 – What had they profaned?
- Verse 11 – What specific part of God’s instructions had they profaned?

- Verse 12 – What is this verse saying , in your own words?

- Verse 13 – Of what are the people accused in this verse?
- How would the LORD respond?

- Verse 14 – When the people want to know why the LORD was reacting this way, what did He say?

- Verse 15 -16 – Sum up the teaching of these two verses.

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Zechariah 12 Study Questions

rickharrington — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 16:03:31 +0000

1) The “in that day” statements seem to be key to understanding the events of the last three chapters of Zechariah. There are seven occurrences of this phrase in chapter twelve alone and ten more in the two chapters to follow. To what historical timeframe do the following references of this phrase appear to refer? (Zech. 12:10-12; 13:1; 13:8)

2) In chapter nine, the “burden of the word of the Lord” is described as being “against” the nations surrounding Jerusalem (Zech. 9:1). In chapter twelve, how is “the burden of the word of the Lord” described in regard to Israel? (Zech. 12:1)

3) What two metaphors are used to describe what Jerusalem will be? (Zech. 12:2-3)

4) What two metaphors are used to describe Judah? (Zech. 12:7)

5) According to the text what will the Lord do “in that day” regarding the inhabitants of Jerusalem? (Zech. 12:8)

6) How will the “one who is feeble” be “in that day”? How will the house of David be? (Zech. 12:8)

7) What will the Lord set about to do “in that day”? (Zech. 12:9)

8) What will be poured out upon the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem? (Zech. 12:10)

9) Who will they look upon? To whom is this referring? (Zech. 12:10; Jn. 19:37)

10) To what event might the reference to Hadadrimmon be alluding? (Zech. 12:11; II Chr. 35:22-27)

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