Some Responses
Charles Templeton
“Farewell to God”
Bart Ehrman
“God’s Problem”
The Bible’s Response
The Bible gives no excuses, or apologies, for suffering in the world,
even though God exists. It gives many different answers.
Jesus did not come to address the issue of suffering, or to take it away, but to pay for the penalty of sin.
The fact remains, that Jesus, being
God, even suffered!
Bad things do happen to good people!
The miracles of Jesus did not eliminate that person’s suffering forever, but allowed them to be in right relationship with God.
(2 Timothy 3:12)
All who desire to live Godly in Christ Jesus will suffer.
(Colossians 1:24)
Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share
on behalf of His body (which is the church) in filling up that which is lacking
in Christ's afflictions.
Our response
What do you believe? We have the unspoken expectation that if we believe in God that somehow we will be spared suffering in this life. We have absolutely no biblical support for that idea, yet we continue to look in the Bible for references that will emancipate us.
We always seem surprised and even offended when the innocent suffer, or when someone dies, or if we experience personal suffering, because we want to be able to control the events of life.
When God made humanity and gave us free will, He never took away our responsibility for the suffering in this world, or said that we would be spared.
We should not be asking the question why does God allow suffering, but rather why do we, and what are we doing about it.
But not all suffering is the result of free will. When natural disasters occur we call them “acts of God.” Why? Because they are unexplainable, unpredictable, uncontrollable and only God knows when and why they happen.
Natural disasters will come regardless, because according to the Bible the earth along with ourselves are going through birth pains (Romans 8:22).
The acts of God are what follow the
natural disaster
when God’s people become “God’s language.”
When people become agnostics they are saying that the Bible, God, and His ways don’t seem to make sense to them. The irony is they are right!
We assume that we will understand and agree with, or like the answer. So instead of turning to God and trusting Him, even though we don’t understand, some turn away from God, or look to other belief systems that makes more sense to them, such as atheism and agnosticism.
God is very concerned about the human condition and participated in it through Jesus, but suffering is a part of the human condition that cannot be removed to its fullest extent while on this earth for reasons that God only knows.
Our goal should be to seek and to
do God’s will even if it requires our own suffering.
Suffering can be redemptive for the human condition.
It’s not as simple as good things come from God and bad things from the devil. God is God because He is able to use even suffering, not just take it away.
There are many reasons why people suffer and we are all able to learn from suffering. If this is all there is then going through suffering holds no hope.
What will be your response to suffering?
We can either allow those that suffer to be used as examples we can learn from and honor their sacrifice, or let their suffering be in vain.
It is not a question of where does
suffering come from and why God allows it, but rather where does it lead.
It’s all in how we respond to it.
We are the “living testimony”
of God’s Word. We must actually live out the Gospel. We must embody
the Gospel.
We are the continuation of the Bible.
The Book of Acts is still being written
through our lives.
(Hebrews 4:12)
“The Word of God
is living.”
It’s not some book
you put on a shelf
that collects dust!
So what is being written
in your book?
Maybe you need to
dust yourself off
and get back in the game?
2. Living Sacrifice
(Rom.12:1)
I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
Israel was reminded many times by God that He took no pleasure in the sacrifice of animals, but that it was a “symbol” of their own life that was to be offered up as a pleasing sacrifice.
3. Living Temple
(I Cor.3:16, 17)
Do you not know that you are a living temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If any man defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are.
(I Cor.6:19, 20)
Do you not know that your body is a living temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.
(II Cor.6:16)
For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, "I will dwell in them and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
(II Cor.5:1)
We are a spiritual house not made with human hands, but heavenly.
4. Living Stones
(I Pet.2:5)
You are living stones, and are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
Whenever God would do something special in a certain place, a stone was erected to commemorate that event, so when people would look upon it they would be reminded of what God had done in memorial.
We are not to be just some stones planted in a spot, but we are to be living stones that continue to give testimony of what God has done in our lives and in the lives of others.
I’ve heard it said…
that if we don’t have a testimony about what God has done in our lives recently, that maybe we are in need of a confession.
The Bible is a
“living testimony”
of what God has done, but you also are to be a
“living testimony”
of what God has done.
We are to live our lives
as an open book.
(James 1:2-8)
Is the definition of a belief and
faith mean that we trust in something that
doesn’t exist?
What do we believe Jesus
was like?
Many times we
distort that picture
and create a Jesus
that does not exist.
What do we believe
about ourselves?
What we believe about ourselves and
what we can and should do
as believers must be grounded in scripture.
The Bible is a
“mirror of the soul,”
(II Cor.3:18).
Are you willing to look into the mirror of scripture and test what you believe in?
The apostles were willing to die for what they believed in.
(James 1:2-4)
says to rejoice in times of “testing of your faith” because of
what it is able to reveal.
There are a lot of
“theoretical Christians.”
Unless your belief is
“testable and verifiable”
it isn’t faith at all,
it’s just a theory.
To say that we believe in Christ is just the beginning; it’s what we do with that belief and how we act on it that distinguishes us as Jesus’ disciples.
An action tests
a theory
and brings a belief
into reality!
That action is
powered by faith!
Are we so confident
in the fact that
we “believe” in Jesus?
Even demons
believe in God
(James.2:19).
(James 2:20)
Faith
without action
is useless!
What is faith?
(Hebrews 11:1)
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things
not seen.
It is saying that what
we are hoping for
does exist,
but is just
not seen now.
If you can have faith to believe that
Jesus saved you and you’re going to heaven,
why can’t you have faith to believe God for other things?
Faith is NOT a blind step in the dark!
It is based on reality and testing!
It is verifiable!
Faith doesn’t cease being faith if it is seen.
Our faith in Christ and what the Bible says is true is not a blind faith in something that doesn’t exist, or is a matter of one’s own opinion, but it is a verifiable faith.
The apostles testified of that which
they had
“seen and touched,”
(I John 1:1)
and they had great faith.
Peter was being asked by Jesus to test and see if what he believed in was true when He asked him to come walking on the water to Him.
A disciple
is always
expected to do
what His
Rabbi does.
All of us go though faith lessons
to test and see what we are made of,
but if we never step out of the boat we will never know, grow, and learn.
We are not
“testing or tempting God” when we step out in faith
and do what Jesus said we could and should already be doing through the
power and guidance of the
Holy Spirit.
(James 1:5-8)
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously
and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
1:6 But let him ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts
is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.
1:7 For let not that man expect that he will receive anything from the Lord,
1:8 being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
The Bible assumes
that you will be doing
what Jesus did.
What do you believe
is possible?
Seeing is not believing,
believing is seeing!
Faith and action
go hand in hand!
(Mark 9:23)
“All things
are possible
to him
who believes.”
Go show
the world
what you
believe!
“Doing What Jesus Did!”
(I John 2:6)
What did Jesus do?
1. healed the sick
in body and mind
2. fed the hungry
3. taught scripture
4. made disciples
5. confronted injustice
and corruption
6. called people to repentance
7. came to serve
8. spoke the truth
9. suffered persecution
10. baptized
What did Jesus do
that only He could do?
Died for our sins
What did Jesus do that He expected
His disciples
to do?
People knew that the disciples had
been with Jesus,
because they did and said the things Jesus did and said.
“People will know you are my disciples, when you have love for each other.”
(Mat. 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-18)
The Great commission
“Go into all the world and
preach the Gospel.”
“These signs shall follow
those who believe.”
What did Jesus
and the disciples do
that we are expected
to do today?
(John 14:12)
"Truly, truly, I say to you,
he who believes in Me,
the works that I do
shall he do also;
and greater works than these shall he do;
because I go to the Father”.
Was there anything
that the disciples did
that we are not
expected to do today?
Write scripture.
Doing the things that Jesus did
is dangerous and involves risk!
Part of the reason we have the particular
challenges to Christianity that we have today is because we were ashamed of
the Gospel and didn’t do the things
Jesus did.
Are you willing to do
whatever it takes,
to do the things
Jesus did?
How can we do the things
Jesus and His disciples did,
after all, He was God?
Where God leads
He empowers.
Only through the
power and guidance
of the Holy Spirit.
Paul gave lists of various gifts
of the Spirit that would
be at our disposal
for the purpose of
equipping the saints
for the work of the ministry
(I Cor.12, Eph.4: 11-13).
If all you’re going to do
is keep the car parked
in the driveway
you don’t need to fill
the gas tank.
Are you being
Faithful,
Available
Teachable?
What are you willing
to step out and trust God for?
When was the last time
you did what Jesus did?
When you do the things
Jesus did miracles can happen!
Being a disciple is defined
as being a “follower of Jesus,”
and as a “walk.”
(I John 2:6)
“Whoever is in Christ
must walk as Jesus walked.”
Being a Christian
is to do what Jesus did.
(Romans 1:16)
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel,
for it is the power of God for salvation
to everyone who believes!”
D o
W hat
J esus
D id
Today’s Message
January 20th…
“Follow Me!”
Matthew 16:24
How did someone become a disciple?
In the time of Jesus, a disciple, or student, would follow and learn from the Rabbi of a local synagogue. If they showed talent the Rabbi would allow them to follow him in order to be like him. They would take upon themselves the “yoke of the Rabbi.” To be a disciple of a Rabbi means to be like the Rabbi and to do the things the Rabbi did and to walk like him.
How did Jesus choose disciples?
Jesus chose His disciples, they didn’t choose Him.
(Mat 4:18-20) “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.”
(Mat.16:24) “Take up your cross and follow Me.”
Jesus didn’t choose the
cream of the crop.
If they really wanted to be a disciple they dropped everything!
In the early church you had to go through classes for a year to become a Christian and then be baptized on Easter.
What does it mean to be a disciple
today?
(I John 2:6)
“Whoever is in Christ
must walk as Jesus walked.”
We must do the things
that the Rabbi did.
(Matthew 20:28)
Following Jesus means
becoming a servant.
“I did not come to be served, but to serve.”
Are we to suffer
like Jesus?
(Romans 8:17)
“We are to endure hardships as He did.”
(Colossians 1:24)
Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body (which is the church) in filling up that which is lacking in Christ's afflictions.
What does that mean?
We may not be suffering individually, but when one of our fellow believers
in the body of Christ suffers, we all suffer.
Are we willing to be persecuted as others have been?
Will we be hated and persecuted like Jesus was?
Jesus epitomized God’s love
and He was hated.
Being a disciple of Jesus is Dangerous!
Are we just dabbling
in discipleship?
Have we confused church membership and attendance with discipleship?
People knew when someone had been
with Rabbi Jesus.
They did and said the things Jesus did and said.
God uses people who are passionate
about following Him.
Passion isn’t taught
it’s caught!
The disciples sat under Jesus’
tutelage.
Where are you being taught?
(Matthew 28:19)
“Go and make disciples of Jesus!”
Be replicated and
go replicate!
Go do what Jesus did!
What’s stopping you?
What are you afraid of?
What do you have to drop
to be a disciple?
Are you too tangled up?
Jesus chose us and believes in us!
(Matthew 11:29)
"Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me,
for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest
for your souls.”
In order to
meet the challenges
we face today
you must be a disciple,
there is no substitute!
What are the requirements
in order to be a disciple?
Be Faithful,
Available,
and Teachable,
not perfect.
(I John 2:6)
“Whoever is in Christ
must walk
as Jesus walked.”
You Are Dangerous!
January 13th…
“The End of Christianity?”
Pastor Brian
(II Timothy 4:3, 4)
For the time will come when people will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires; and will turn away their ears from the truth.
What are some of the challenges
to today’s Christianity?
Challenges
1. Ongoing legal battles to remove any reference to the Judeo / Christian
faith from public display
2. Atheism and Revisionism in America
3. Scientific community
4. Apathy
5. Lack of Education
6. Secularization
7. Marginalization
8. Lack of Outreach
9. Institutionalization
10. Islam
Is today’s Christianity the changing force and presence in our world
as it started out as, or is it changing?
(1 Peter 4:17)
For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it
begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the
gospel of God?
The Church will never come to an end
because Jesus said that the “gates of hell
would NOT prevail against it.”
"What Child Is This?"
(Isaiah 9:6, 7)
For to us a child will be born and a son will be given; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government, or of peace, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore.
There seems to be a secular, atheistic, and revisionist movement in America that is trying to take Christianity and any reference to God out of our society, culture and politics?
Christianity has always struggled
with being secularized.
5 Challenges
1. Ongoing legal battles to take God out of the pledge of allegiance and off
the currency.
2. Various attempts to remove displays
of the Christmas nativity and the Ten Commandments from public display.
3. Atheism and Revisionism.
4. Atheistic curriculum in our schools.
5. Political pressure.
So what does all this have to do
with a child
that was born 2,000 years ago?
Does Christianity continue to create political, cultural, and religious change, or are we changing our theology so as to not make waves in our attempt to just get along?
What does it mean to have a
personal, or private relationship
with God?
Matthew 10:34
He did not come to bring peace,
but a sword.
The Apostles
were not ashamed
of the Gospel,
are we?
November 25th
“Is Anything Sacred?”
( Romans 12:1, 2)
The Bible defines the word “sacred” as the same word for “holy
and sanctified.”
It means to be set apart, and separated for
a single purpose.
God defines
what is holy,
because
God is holy.
The Bible gives examples of what
is to be holy:
God’s Name
People
Relationships
Actions
God’s Temple
(2 Corinthians 6:17)
"Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,
says the Lord.”
(I Pet.1:15, 16)
“Be holy as I am holy.”
(Genesis 1:26, 27)
We are made in the Image of God.
(Which is “holy.”)
(I Cor.3:16, 17, 6:19, 20)
“You are the temple of the Holy Spirit.”
You have been purchased; therefore, you are not to “desecrate the temple.”
To commit “sacrilege” means to make common, secularize, defile, disrespect, profane, blaspheme, be irreverent and desecrate.
Marriage, the family, and the body, become empty and cheapened of its design when they are taken out of the context of the sacred.
God’s love and design is not correctly expressed in other forms, or expressions, of sexuality, other than that which is expressed in Godly love and marriage between a man and a woman.
(Hebrews 13:4)
Let marriage be held in sacred trust among all, and let the marriage bed be
undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge.
(Ephesians 5:23-32)
Marriage is supposed to reflect the kind of relationship Christ has with the
Church, His bride.
Human relationships are supposed to
be sacred.
Society has cheapened them and made them
secular instead of sacred
recreational instead of reverential.
Sex outside of marriage is not God’s design. Everything we do with this body is considered to be sacred and an “act of worship.”
(Romans 12:1)
I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies
as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual
service of worship.
Human beings are created by God, therefore, God defines what constitutes a marriage and the family, not the government, or the state.
We have interpreted free will, free choice, and free speech, as a license to do and say what we please and redefine as we please.
Should we tolerate the redefining of what God calls sacred, or take a stand and reclaim it?
So if the family, marriage, and the
human body, are not considered sacred in our society, are we called to be
“counter cultural,”
or to reflect our society’s norms and mores?
(I Peter 2:9)
As Christians we are a called out people!
(James 4:4)
“Friendship with the world’s values is to be an enemy of God.”
(I Jh.2:15)
“We are not to love the world.”
Will you recommit yourself to be sacred?
September 2nd...
What Would it Take?
(Philippians 1:21)
Do you remember the last time you made a promise you later didn’t keep?
The things we do in life have various
consequences.
It’s one of the reasons we place worth and value
on something.
What are
you willing
to sacrifice
your life for?
What we value the most forms our priorities.
What would it take for you to change your priorities?
Is what you are doing
have eternal worth?
Are you storing up heavenly treasure?
How seriously
do we take
our faith?
Ever heard the term “cheap
grace”?
It’s the idea that the grace and forgiveness of God carries with it
little cost, responsibility and gratitude on the part of the believer.
There is nothing cheap
or free
about the grace of God,
it costs dearly.
(Phil.1:21)
“For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
(Gal.2:20)
“It is no longer I who lives, but Christ who lives in me.”
Have we forgotten that our “citizenship
is in heaven” right now?
(Phil.3:20)
What would it take…?
1. To make a change in your relationship with God?
2. To make a change in your relationship with your loved ones?
3. To make a change in your attitude about worship and learning more of God’s
word?
The Bible declares that in order to
be fit for the Kingdom of God that
we “must change.”
August 19th…
“Dealing With Disappointments”
James 1:2-8
Some areas of disappointment
relationships
physical
financial
occupation
the church
or God?
Should we just lower our expectations
so we are not disappointed?
Are our expectations realistic?
How does the Bible use the word disappointment?
“to be put to shame,
or humiliated”.
It states that we need
not be disappointed,
or let down,
if we have hope.
(Rom.5:5, 9:33, 10:11)
hope is not disappointed.
(Psalm 22:5).
Trusting in God never leads to disappointment.
James 1:2-8
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing
that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have
its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously
and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith
without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea driven
and tossed by the wind. For let not that man expect that he will receive anything
from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
1 Peter 1:7
the result of the testing of your faith, is more precious than gold which
is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise
and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
Is it possible to
“consider it all joy”
when disappointed?
Is it even possible to have a positive attitude when you are disappointed?
How did people
in the Bible
deal with
dis-appointments?
(Acts 16:25)
Paul sang hymns to God
in the midst of trials.
Paul never became
a victim of his circumstances.
Is there a personal and eternal purpose, or lesson to learn, even if there seems to be no benefit?
It is only beneficial if we see things
through God’s eyes.
We fail to see the bigger picture.
If this is all there is, then no, things don’t make sense and life is filled with random and purposeless disappointing events.
When I think about those who have
gone before me that are waiting for me and cheering me on, life has purpose.
When I think about those here on earth that depend on me,
life has purpose.
When I think about all that Christ went through for me,
life has purpose
Do we need an attitude adjustment
today?
Do we truly trust that God is looking out for our welfare?
Nothing takes God by surprise,
with Him there are no dis-appointments,
only
“Godly appointments.”
Repeat after me:
I will not be a victim of my circumstances.
I will not allow disappointments in my life to rule me.
I will trust in God’s faithfulness, no matter what comes my way.
July 29th...
"A House of Cards!"
The scripture compares
us to a House and a Temple
(1 Peter 2:5) you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual
house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to
God through Jesus Christ.
(1 Corinthians 3:16) Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
Jesus is over our
house
(Hebrews 3:6)
but Christ was faithful as a Son over His house whose house we are, if we
hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end.
What is your house
built upon?
Is the foundation that you are building on stable, or just a house of cards?
Are you one card away from collapse?
Is Christ your foundation, or just an accessory?
What is your faith
built upon?
What would it take for your faith in God and the Church to collapse?
A moral failure?
A tragedy?
Disappointments?
Important Foundations
1. Prayer
2. Study
3. Worship
4. Service
What are your relationships
and family structure built upon?
Important Foundations
1. Communication
2. Honesty
3. Love
4. Commitment
How do I stop building a house of cards and start building a house that will stand?
Building a house
that will stand and endure the storms of life.
(Matthew 7:24-27)
"Everyone who hears these words of Mine, and acts upon them, may be compared
to a wise man, who built his house upon the rock. 25 "And the rain descended,
and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house; and
yet it did not fall, for it had been founded upon the rock. 26 "And everyone
who hears these words of Mine, and does not act upon them, will be like a
foolish man, who built his house upon the sand. 27 "And the rain descended,
and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house; and
it fell, and great was its fall."
(Matthew 12:25)
a house divided
against itself
shall not stand.
What are you doing to make and keep your house unshakeable and impenetrable?
Maybe it’s time for some spiritual spring cleaning in order to get our house in order.
(Joshua 24:15)
As for me
and my house,
we will serve
the LORD.
What are Catholicism’s
5 teachings
on Mary?
To learn more click on this link Mary
We must understand "Typology"
1. Mother of God
/ God bearer.
“Theotokos”
While Mary was pregnant
she was greeted by Elizabeth in (Lk.1:43)
“the mother of my Lord.”
“new Ark of the Covenant,” (II Sam.6:9, 11)
housing the Word of God
(2 tablets)
bread of life
(manna)
and the new high priesthood
(Aaron’s rod).
2. The Perpetual
Virginity of Mary
remained a virgin
before,
during, and
after
the birth of Jesus.
“Spouse of the
Holy Spirit”
“the Woman and New Eve”
of (Gen.3:15).
She is also called the
“Mother of the Church.”
Jesus being the bridegroom
3. The Immaculate
Conception
Mary was conceived
without the stain
of original sin
“Full of Prevenient Grace”
(Lk.1:28, Eph.1:6) means to be
perfected in grace.
This does NOT mean that she never sinned, or that she was not in need of salvation.
4. The Assumption
of Mary
did not “ascend” into heaven
like Jesus did.
She is considered to be a type or foreshadowing of an “assumption”
or “catching up” that all believers will experience (I Thes.4:17).
Similiar to that of Enoch and Elijah.
5. Mediatrix / Co-advocate
/ Co-redemptrix
since Christ is our Mediator and Advocate, Mary as His mother, and as a Christian,
participates in these aspects.
Mary as co-redemptrix does not mean she is also our redeemer, but as a result of her birthing the redeemer, she participated in humanity’s redemption
Do Catholics “pray to” Mary for her intercession rather than Jesus?
They believe in the
“communion of saints,”
and that all believers in heaven are in constant intercession for believers
here on earth.
Mary is NOT supposed
to be worshipped,
Only revered.
Mary is the
“Queen of Heaven”
Givarah
(I Kings 2:13-19)
Since Jesus is still King, Mary as his mother would still be Queen
What did the
Reformers believe?
Luther
Calvin
Wesley
They believed in the first 3 dogmas
To honor the mother of Jesus is to honor Jesus, there isn’t a competition.
The doctrines of Christ
are supported by the doctrines of Mary
July 1st…
“The Inconvenient Truth”
(John 8:32)
Are we living out the truths of the
Gospel, or what is convenient?
How many things do we believe and actually do out of convenience, rather than
out of conviction, commitment and study?
An unexamined life
is not
worth living.”
Do we measure
our success in life
by how
convenient things
are?
Is telling
the truth
ever
convenient?
It’s easy for us
to believe a lie
as truth
through our own rationalizations and denial; it’s convenient.
There are things
that we believe and do
that are not totally honest,
many times as a result
of fear of what others
may think about us.
I wonder how many
of the bad things that have happened throughout history are based upon believing
a lie, or dishonesty.
Sometimes telling the truth won’t
bring about the result we want in others, but maybe it’s meant to bring
about the right result in us.
Give God a chance to do a work in you.
Are you living a lie?
How about in
your relationships?
We tend to hide the truth
and hide from the truth.
Sometimes knowing the truth is painful,
but isn’t believing and living a lie
more destructive?
Truth brings about change,
and change makes our lives “inconvenient,”
thus truth makes our lives “inconvenient.”
Jesus said that He was the Truth
(John 14:6).
Jesus also said that the truth
would set us free
(John 8:32).
Speaking and living the truth
can be risky, but yet we are still
called to live lives of integrity.
Telling the truth is not easy, but we are still called to “speak the Truth in love,” (Eph.4:15).
We are to confront
and be confronted
with the truth,
no matter how it inconveniences us.
Truth is eternal and the goal of eternal life is the search and discovery of the truth.
Heaven will be the most truthful place, so let’s start being truthful now, even though it may be inconvenient.
“I Stand at the Door!”
Revelation 3:20
In the Bible, a “door” is a metaphor for a way or opening to the soul and it was a place where decisions were made.
James 5:9 The judge stands
at the door
John 10:1, 2, 7, 9 “I am the door / gate,”
Rev. 3:20 “Behold I stand at the door
and knock.”
Rev.3:8 “Behold I open a door that no one can shut”.
Luke 13:24, 25 A closed door represents lost opportunity.
What doors of your life
are open
or closed
to God?
Doors of your life
Financial
Relationships
Thoughts
Temptations
(Genesis 4:7)
Sin is knocking
at your door…
but you must
“master it.”
What sin
knocks
at your door?
(Hebrews 12:1)
“lay aside the sin
that so easily
entangles you.”
What you feed
grows
and what you starve
dies.
What are you feeding?
Job said
that he had
“made a covenant
with his eyes,”
so that he might
not sin
against God”.
Are you striving
against sin,
or submitting
and in slavery
to it?
Open the door
to Christ and
close the door
to sin.
Admit you need help,
confess your sins,
become accountable
and renew the covenant
with God
to help you watch the
doors of your life.
March 4th…
“The American Dream?”
What is the American dream?
Is America truly
one nation
under God?
Is America in a
Covenant relationship
with God and a
“Christian Nation?”
Are we living up
to our dream,
or has it become a
nightmare?
The separation of church and state does not mean infringing on the free expression of religious speech, thought, worship and dialogue in our society.
As Christians, we believe that human beings have the freedom “to” worship God, not the freedom “from” the worship of God.
Many in the Bible were guided by God
through their dreams and visions:
Jacob and his son Joseph,
ungodly rulers,
Gideon, Solomon, Daniel,
Joseph and the Magi,
Peter and Paul.
(Joel 2:28)
“your old men will dream dreams and your young
men will see visions.”
(Prov.29:18)
Without a vision or dream the people will perish
What are your dreams?
What are your nightmares?
Does God still use dreams today?
February 18th
God’s Message
to the Church
Part 4
Revelation 3:14
To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this: I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I would that you were cold or hot. 'So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.
Because you say, "I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing," and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire, that you may become rich, and white garments, that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes, that you may see.
Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; be zealous therefore, and repent. 'Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with Me. He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. 'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
Laodicea: the Luke warm church Was a very rich area known for its wealth (gold), medicinal eye salve and healing waters. Cold and hot springs were near the area, but by the time it got there it was lukewarm water.
What is God saying to the Church?
Being “lukewarm” means to be apathetic, or neutral. Be either cold, or hot, and good for something. Being lukewarm is good for nothing.
Being “gold refined by fire” means focusing on things that really matter and are of eternal worth, not just financial. It follows in line with the phrase “those whom God loves as children He disciplines” (Heb.12:5-11). In order for God to get the impurities out of our live we have to go through the refining fire.
“I will dine with them”. In the Middle East, to sit down and eat with someone was a sign of friendship and acceptance. You would never refuse to accommodate someone who knocks on your door, even at night, even to this day.
“Sit down with Me on My Father’s throne”. The place of authority was represented by the king’s throne. To be able to sit with the king was a great honor that very few if any shared.
Revelation 4:1
After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven, and the first voice which I had heard, like the sound of a trumpet speaking with me, said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things."
Is the Church here after chapter 3?
What is the Rapture?
A secret and invisable catching away of the church to meet the Lord in the clouds either before, during or after the Tribulation.
What is the second coming of Christ?
A physical return of Jesus with the saints to the earth after the Tribulation which ushers in the Millennium.
So what have we learned about the messages to the 7 churches?
Ephesus – knowledge of Christ does not necessarily lead to a relationship with Christ. We must not leave our first love.
Smyrna – we must be willing to give up our comfort zones for Christ. True riches are stored in heaven.
Pergamum and Thyatira – do not tolerate false doctrine and immorality in yourself and in the Church.
Sardis – do not rely on past experiences with God and become complacent in well doing.
Philadelphia – God will open up doors that no one can shut if we are obedient.
Laodicea – God will not tolerate neutrality,
or lukewarmness.
January 21st…
God’s Message to the Church
Part II.
Revelation chapter 2
Revelation 2:12
"And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: The One who has the
sharp two-edged sword says this: 'I know where you dwell, where Satan's throne
is; and you hold fast My name, and did not deny My faith, even in the days
of Antipas, My witness, My faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan
dwells.
But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit acts of immorality. 'Thus you also have some who in the same way hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans.
'Repent therefore; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of My mouth. 'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it.'
There were many fertility cults. Where Satan dwells – there was a temple dedicated to the god Asclepius the healing god and son of Apollo whose symbol was the serpent. The serpent has always been a symbol of fertility.
Doctrine of Balaam 2:14 He tried to curse the people of God and allure them away from God.
Doctrine of Nicolaitans 2:15
a false teaching that promoted sensuality.
White stone and a name on it was given as a pass or acquittal as opposed
to a black stone.
Revelation 2:18
"And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: The Son of God, who
has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet are like burnished bronze, says
this: 'I know your deeds, and your love and faith and service and perseverance,
and that your deeds of late are greater than at first.
'But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray, so that they commit acts of immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. 'And I gave her time to repent; and she does not want to repent of her immorality. 'Behold, I will cast her upon a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation,
unless they repent of her deeds. 'And I will kill her children with pestilence; and all the churches will know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts; and I will give to each one of you according to your deeds. 'But I say to you, the rest who are in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not known the deep things of Satan, as they call them-- I place no other burden on you. 'Nevertheless what you have, hold fast until I come.
'And he who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations; and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, as the vessels of the potter are broken to pieces, as I also have received authority from My Father; and I will give him the morning star. 'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'
Tolerate Jezebel symbolically refers to what the OT false prophetess Jezebel did to the nation of Israel and led them into idolatry and eventually exile.
What is God saying
to the Church?
Both Churches were tolerating immoral behavior;
“I have this against you;
you tolerate Balaam,
Jezebel
and the
Nicolaitans.”
What are we tolerating in ourselves that we shouldn’t? What are we participating in that we shouldn’t? The cure is always repentance!
“God’s Message to the
Church”
Part 1
Jesus is revealing what He wants these churches to know.
How are we to interpret the Book
of Revelation?
4 Views
Historicist
Futurist
Spiritual
Preterist
Is the picture of Jesus that is painted in the Gospels different then in the Book of Revelation?
The Churches are represented by the menorah, a 7 branched oil / candle stand, which was in Solomon’s temple in the Holy Place and what is before the throne of heaven
Revelation 2:1
"To the angel of the Church in Ephesus write: The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lamp stands, says this: “I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot endure evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false; and you have perseverance and have endured for My name's sake, and have not grown weary. 'But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 'Remember therefore from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you, and will remove your lamp stand out of its place-- unless you repent. Yet this you do have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He who overcomes I will give to eat of the tree of life which is in the paradise of my God.”
What is God saying to the Church?
Sometimes you can get so caught up with pursuing knowledge of Christ, that you miss the point of a relationship with Christ. Knowledge does not necessarily lead to a relationship.
Revelation 2:8
"And to the angel of the Church in Smyrna write: The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life, says this: I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 'Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.'
What is God saying to the Church?
They were willing to give up their comfort of financial riches through imprisonment in order to gain eternal riches. They were storing up their treasure in heaven by their willingness to suffer for the Faith.
What does it mean today?
What Jesus was saying to these Churches that existed in the first century still holds true for us today. We can forget that one of major things in life is our relationship with Christ. Rules without a relationship leads to rebellion. We can get all the points right, but still miss the bigger point. We must be willing to give up everything for Christ, even our comforts.
December 31st
“It’s a Wonderful Life!”
A movie clip from the movie "It's A Wonderful Life."
How has Jesus Christ influenced our world?
1. If we remove the birth of Christ, we also must remove all reference to a coming of a Messiah throughout the Bible.
2. We then have to remove the very
idea of a messiah, or savior, in Judaism throughout the prophetic books.
How has Jesus Christ influenced our world?
3. We must remove the parts in Genesis about a savior coming after the fall
of man to redeem mankind from sin.
4. Judaism as a religion would have to drastically change.
5. We then must remove the entire
New Testament and the influences that Jesus’ birth had on the Nation
of Israel and the lives it touched.
How has Jesus Christ influenced our world?
6. There would be no Gospel, or apostles, to spread the Gospel to the known
world.
7. There would be no influence of Christianity on Europe as we know it today.
8. The judicial system would drastically
be affected because much of it was based on the Judeo-Christian influence.
How has Jesus Christ influenced our world?
9. There would be no churches throughout the world, or Christian organizations
to help those in need; from schools, to helping the poor and feeding the hungry.
10. All of our ancestors whose lives
were changed as a result of the Church would be affected.
How has Jesus Christ influenced our world?
11. America would not have been discovered by Columbus because it was financed
by the Church.
12. If you were born in the U.S. you would not have been born because the U.S. would not have existed.
13. Even the very building you are sitting in and the relationships that you have would not exist.
So do we really need Christ in Christmas and in our lives?
The Bible says that all things came into being through Christ, and that Jesus was the incarnate Word before the foundations of the world (Jh.1:1-3).
So, in the final analysis, the world
would not even exist.
So, how do you like a world without Christ?
Is Christ
just a
preference?
Do we owe anything to Christ?
Our very
Existence!
“Are You Peculiar?”
(I Peter 2:9)
(Deuteronomy 14:2)
For you are a
holy people unto the LORD your God,
and the LORD has chosen you
to be a peculiar people unto Himself,
above all the nations
that are upon the earth.
(Exodus 19:6)
and you will be to Me a kingdom of priests
and a holy nation.
(1 Peter 2:9)
But ye are a chosen generation,
a royal priesthood,
a holy nation,
a peculiar (purchased) people;
that you should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness
into his marvelous light.
(II Cor.6:17)
Church / Ecclesia =
called out
“Come out from
among them.”
Our morality
and conduct
should reflect
our distinctiveness
as believers.
Does peculiar
mean
weird?
Can we
be effective
without
being affected,
or infected?
So how
can we
make a
difference?
One person,
One church,
One family
and
One community
at a time
“all it takes for evil to prosper, is for good people to do nothing.” Edmund Burke
(John 17:21)
… May they all be one;
even as You, Father, are one with Me, and I am one with You,
may they also may be in one in Us; so that the world
may believe that You have sent Me.
We are called
to bring a light
into the darkness!
Christians are called to be peculiar and distinctive and not allow social pressure to shape our doctrines and morality.
So go out there and be Peculiar!
"What Did
You Expect?"
What’s the difference between
having
realistic expectations
and
lowered expectations?
Are there such things
as
Godly
expectations?
You can expect to have
times of success
and times of failure,
times of joy and
times of sorrow,
times of new birth
and times of passing.
(Phil.4:11-13)
For I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how
to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity;
in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and
going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things
in him who strengthens me.
How long
do you expect
to live?
Do you view life
from the viewpoint
of eternity?
God does not promise long life, but he does promise eternal life in His Kingdom for all those who believe in His Son.
God does not promise that you will not be sick, or to heal every sickness, but He does promise to strengthen us and give us a new body in the resurrection.
God does not promise financial wealth, but He does promise that He will supply
all of your needs as you supply the needs of others.
God does not promise that evil will never touch us, but He does promise that He will judge those who are evil and ultimately justice will prevail.
What do you expect
from
the Church?
Do you expect
people
in the church
to be perfect?
What Does the Church Expect From You?
Your
Time,
Spiritual Gifts,
Sacrificial Giving,
Presence in Worship
What does God expect from us?
(Micah 6:8)
God has told you, O man,
what is good;
and what does the LORD
expect (Ask / Require) of you?
But to do justice, to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God.
“The Hardest Thing To Change!”
“You can have change without
growth,
but you can’t have growth
without change.”
Does the Bible record people who
have changed for the good?
Jacob
Peter
Paul
What will it take to change you?
A tragedy or crisis of some sort?
or
A realization, illumination
or revelation?
(II Cor.5:17)
“if anyone is In Christ, they are a new creation; the old has passed
away and the new has come.”
The believer is in a state of constant change.
(I Cor.15:51)
even our mortal bodies will be “changed”.
So how do we stay open to change?
1. Realize and resign yourself to the fact that life is all about change.
2. Be open to the Holy Spirit.
We all have a tendency
to get set in our ways,
but God cannot bring us to the next level of spiritual maturity
if we will not be open to change.
God never
leaves you
where He
finds you.
July 23rd…
“What is Eternal?”
1. God
(Rom.16:26)
The Bible refers to God
as being eternal.
2. Humans (soul /
body)
(Gen.1:26-28, 2:7)
God breathed into them life and they became a living soul, who were also made
in God’s likeness
(I Cor.15:51-55)
The body will be resurrected
and changed
for eternity.
3. Life
(Jh.3:15, 16)
The term “eternal life” is mentioned 42 times in the NT. The Gospel
of John speaks of eternal life the most out of all the Gospels; 15 times
4. Love
(Rom.8:38, 39)
“Nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus…
not even death
5. Truth / Word of
God
(Mat.24:35)
“Heaven and earth may pass away, but God’s word is eternal”
6. Worship / Prayer
The Book of Revelation presents the idea that out role
as worshipper and intercessor
goes beyond our life
here on earth.
7. Relationships
The Church is called the body of Christ and therefore we will be with each
other for all of eternity.
8. Kingdom of God
(Rev.11:15)
Christ’s reign and kingdom will never come to an end
9. Covenant
God made an everlasting covenant with the earth, Abraham, Israel, David and
through the New Covenant.
10. Judgment
(II Cor.5:10)
God has record of our actions while on
this earth of
both good and bad
deeds
(Rev.20:11-15)
The Bible teaches that God’s final judgment
is eternal
All life returns to God
as its source of being!
We must remember that everything
that is on earth
is a type, pattern or shadow of what exists in heaven.
(Heb.8:5, 9:23)
Moses’ tabernacle and worship was based on
what he was shown by God that exists in heaven,
but it was merely a type, pattern or shadow.
When God did away with the earthly Temple, Jerusalem and worship, the heavenly Temple, Jerusalem and worship remained.
What does the place where God is
(the temple)
look like?
Unfortunately, we think that
Revelation is just a book about the future,
but it is actually a book
about what is going on in heaven right now.
Revelation 4:2-6
Reveals a worship service before the throne of God.
Who is before the throne right now?
The 24 Elders,
the 4 living creatures,
and a myriad of
saints and angels
(Rev.4:4-6, 5:11, 7:9, 15).
(Rev. 21, 22)
describes the heavenly Temple, Jerusalem and garden.
(Phil.3:20, Heb.11:16, 12:22)
Heaven is a city
and a
kingdom
with citizens
(Jh.18:36)
Jesus said that
“His Kingdom was not
of this world.”
Jesus is our High Priest (Heb. 2:17, 3:1, 4:14, 5:10, 6:20, 7:26, 8:1, 9:11)
Mediator and Advocate (I Tim.2:5, Heb. 8:6, 9:15, 12:24).
(I Peter 2:9, Rev.5:10)
There is only One Mediator or High Priest of the New Covenant, but there are
many intercessors.
We are all called to be “priests”
or intercessors.
(Rev.5:8, 8:4)
When we pray,
our prayers
are stored in heaven
and offered
before God.
The menorah in the Temple represents
the Church (Rev.1:12, 13).
The Ark of the Covenant is also before the throne (Rev.11:19)
(I Cor.15:49, II Cor.5:1-10)
Even our bodies
will have a
heavenly form.
(Mat.22:32)
God is a God
of the living
not the dead!
(Heb.12:1)
So what is the
Communion of Saints?
A living community of all believers past, present
and future.
How often does heaven pray?
Priests offered prayers
at least 3 times a day
and during certain
holy days.
Is heaven
detached
from
human history?
Our worship should be patterned after
what is going on in heaven
right now.
Prayer is more than speaking…
it’s also listening.
Heaven is speaking…
Are you listening?
"Being Like God"
Genesis 1:27, 2:7
Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness;
and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and
over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that
creeps on the earth."
While it is true that we are measured against God’s holiness, it is
also true that we are able to share in God’s holiness.
(Gal.2:20)
“It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me”
“I am the Temple of the Holy
Spirit”
(I Cor.3:16).
(I Cor.12:27)
We are called the “Body of Christ”
If God didn’t expect us to be like Him; why or how could He judge us
for not living up to His standards?
(I Pet.1:16)
“be holy as God is holy”
(Mat.5:48)
Jesus coming to this earth as a man showed the possibilities of a human being who is made in the image of God.
Jesus came to restore the image of God that was marred through original sin.
If we see ourselves as sinners and
define ourselves as sinners;
then what will we act like?
We need to start seeing ourselves as God sees us; as those who have been made in His image and redeemed by His Son!
What is your reflection, or image,
you are seeing and reflecting?
Who is it of?
God, or yourself?
To be like God is to be
Godly
and to not be like God is to be
ungodly
“Know Your Enemy”
Realize that Satan is a liar, a deceiver, a false accuser and co-conspirator and a defeated foe who has no power over you. He only creeps through the door we open; it’s our own sinful desires that make us take steps over the threshold.
Luke 10:19
Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over
all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
1 Peter 5:8, 9
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion,
walks about, seeking whom he may devour: resist him, steadfast in faith, knowing
that your fellow believers throughout the world undergo the same sufferings.
Ephesians 6:12
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against
the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual
forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 4:27
don’t allow opportunities
and footholds!
“All it takes for evil to triumph
is for good people
to do nothing!”
Genesis 4:7
“sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must
master it."
1 Timothy 5:14
do not give the enemy an occasion for the potential for sin or accusation.
How can we be liberated from our
enemy?
Know the “tactics” of the enemy.
“Keep your friends close, but keep your enemies closer.”
Remember this…
1. Sin does things in secret and in the dark where there is no accountability.
2. Know your limitations and don’t place yourself in possible compromising situations (footholds).
3. Work on making your weaknesses your strengths and pray for God’s wisdom.
4. Stop making excuses or blaming and realize that sin no longer has power over us because of Jesus.
5. Submit yourself to God and stop believing the lies. Learn the truth and immerse yourself in it.
Hebrews 12:1, 2
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let
us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles
us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking
to Jesus the author and perfector of our faith.
"Things you need to know" Part 4
Things you need to know Part IV.
The Holy Spirit and End Times
I. Who is the Holy Spirit?
What are the Four Views of end time events:
1. Futurist / Dispensational 2. Preterist 3. Historicist 4. Allegorical
3. The Resurrection / Glorification of the Body / Eternal Life (I Cor.15:51, 52).
4. The “Millennium” “New Jerusalem” “New Heavens and Earth” (Rev.20,21, 22).
5. Christ returns all things to the Father (I Cor.15:24).
6. Believers are judged (I Cor.3:12-16, II Cor.5:6-10, Rom.14:10-12).
7. Final Judgment / Great White
Throne Room (Rev.20:11-13).
a. Armageddon / Final battle between good and evil / Marriage Supper of the
Lamb (Rev.16:16, Chapters 19, 20).
b. Heaven / Paradise (Lk.23:43,
II Cor.12:4, Rev.2:7, 22).
c. Hell / Hades / Gehenna (Rev.20:14). The Lake of Fire / Second Death (Rev.20:14).
Angels Judged (Rev.20:10).
Who or what is Satan? (Rev.12:10, Gen.3:14, 15). Anti-Christ (I John 2:18, 22, 4:3, II John 1:7). False Prophet (Rev. 16:13, 19:20, 20:10). Beast (Dan. 7:6, 11, Rev. 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20). Mark of the Beast (Rev. 13:16, 17).
Things You Need To Know - Pt. III.
Jesus, Salvation and the Church
I.
What is a Messiah or Christ? The word “Messiah” is Hebrew for “anointed one.” The Greek word equivalence is the word “Christ,” mentioned 532 times in the NT.
What did the Messiah represent and why did we need one? It represented a person who would reign as king and bring about God’s rule on the earth. Israel was promised and longed for someone who would bring them to prominence and restore God’s rule among the nations through the Nation of Israel.
Was the Messiah to be a man or God? The messiah was to be a man from the tribe of Judah as well as from the kingly line of David. He also represented a “Suffering Servant,”(Isa.53). But throughout the OT, the prophecies seem to indicate and symbolize that this man would be much more than just a man. His birth would be miraculous and represent God’s very presence among His people, and He would be called the “Son of God;” representing God Himself (Isa.7:14, 9:6, 7).
How would this be accomplished? The means and purpose of His birth was announced from the very beginning in (Gen.3:15) “Protoevangelium”. This was a foreshadowing of Jesus’ birth through his mother Mary. The process of God becoming a man is called the “Incarnation,” (Phil.2:7, Col.2:9), also called the “hypostatic union.” “The fullness of the deity dwells in bodily form.”
Why do we say that Jesus was the Messiah? Jesus’ name means “salvation;” used almost 1000 times in the NT. His birth and life fulfilled every biblical prophecy about who the Messiah would be and what He would accomplish.
What was the Messiah going to do? Literally, He would “save His people from their sin,” (Mat.1:21).
How would God accomplish this? Many had preconceived ideas on how God would accomplish this. So the NT clearly states that salvation and a “New Covenant” would be accomplished through the birth, death, resurrection and exaltation of the Messiah.
What does it mean to be saved? It means to be reconciled and redeemed by God, through the substitutionary death of God’s Son for all of humanity (II Cor.5:21, Rom.3:25, 5:11). By accepting this atonement, or propitiation; one can be forgiven, justified, declared righteous before God and adopted as sons of God.
II.
What is the “Church?” The word “church” is a Celtic word based on the Greek word Ecclesia; which means; a “called out assembly of people.” It is mentioned 115 times in the NT. The word “church” also represents the “universal / catholic and mystical Body of Christ.”
What does it mean to be called the “Body of Christ?” Mentioned in (Rom.12:5, I Cor.12:12, 27, Eph.4:4-13). The Church represents the presence of Jesus on this Earth. It also represents the fact that “In Christ” we have become a “new creation” (II Cor.5:17). Jesus is the “second Adam and the last man,” (I Cor.15:45-49) and so through Him we have a new identity.
What does it mean to be called the “Bride of Christ?” Mentioned in (Eph.5:23-33, II Cor.11:2). In the Gospels Jesus was called the “bridegroom,” (Mat.9:15). This represents the OT idea that God and the Nation of Israel were considered to be in a type of “marriage” with God. So too, the Church as the “Bride” are in a type of marriage relationship with God through His Son.
What are the Church’s responsibilities?
(I Tim.3:15) The Church, as the “pillar and ground of truth,”
is to carry out the “ministry of reconciliation” (II Cor.5:18)
on this Earth. The Church is the sole authority on this Earth that is capable
and commissioned to; proclaim and teach the Gospel to all nations, commission
ministers and administer the sacraments.
Things You Need To Know Part II.
Ourselves and Sin
1. We have an Adamic nature. We all have a common heritage from the same original parents Adam and Eve (Gen.1:26, 27). Therefore we have a shared nature. The woman proceeded from the man (Gen.2:21, 22). The Hebrew word for Man and Woman are ish = man / isha = woman. The word for Woman means “bride.” This is to be a type or foreshadowing of the Godhead's relationship with humanity, one of bride and groom (Eph.5:23-32).
2. We are made in the “Image of God” (Imago Dei) (Gen.1:26, 27, I Cor.3:16, 6:19). What does it mean to have been created in the image of God? We share with God certain moral attributes, but not non-moral attributes. We also share a physical bond with God, we are able to create new life. Our body is a living theology.
3. We are Moral and have a Conscience (Rom.2:15). It is universal that humanity is able to make “moral choices.” The Bible speaks of the idea that each person has a conscience and that ones conscience can be severed or darkened. Therefore, the conscience is something innate in a human that must be educated.
4. We are body and spirit - Trichotomy. The Scriptures teach that (Gen.2:7) God formed the body of man of the dust of the earth, and breathed into him the breath of life and he became a living soul. According to this account, man consists of two distinct principles, a body and a soul / spirit: the one material, the other immaterial; the one corporeal, the other spiritual
5. We have a Sinful nature (Rom.3:23, I Cor.15:22, 45). “For all have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God.” We are in a fallen condition as a result of our parents Adam and Eve and so we are in need of salvation. We have a great capacity for doing good and evil, but our tendency is to choose evil. We suffer the effects of what is called “original Sin.”
6. We are Accountable because of our Free Will (Rom.14:11,12, II Cor.5:10). The Bible presents the idea that humans are “judged” based on “their choices.” If we are born sinners, can we not help from sinning? Are we Morally Depraved, Distorted, or Wounded? Calvinism teaches the “total depravity” of humanity as a result of original sin as part of the 5 tenants (TULIP). Other theologies teach that humanity has become distorted or wounded as a result of sin and that we are in need of being “spiritually healed” (Isa.53:3-5). Each of us must struggle against our sinful nature, not excuse it.
7. Because of sin we can feel Condemnation and Guilt. (Rom. 8:1-2) "in Christ there is therefore now no condemnation. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death”. We are in need of reconciliation (Rom. 5:6-11).
8. We also can be Tempted and Tested because of our carnal nature (James 1:13-15, I Pet. 1:7). But the Lord is capable of delivering us (2 Pet. 2:9, I Cor.10:13).
9. The Heart of Man is considered to be the seat of decision making (Gen.6:5, Romans 10:9, 10, I Cor.2:9). It also can be deceitful and hardened.
10. God Convicts us through the work of the Holy Spirit (John 14:16, 26, 16:7-13). Conviction of the Holy Spirit brings an awareness of sin and results in confession and cleansing the conscience. Conviction of our sins brings us to the cross and shows us our need for forgiveness and salvation.
11. We have an Eternal Soul. The Church has always taught that the Bible teaches that humans are eternal beings and that they can NOT be annihilated, but live eternally in or out of God’s presence (Rev. 20:11-15).
Things You Need To Know Part I.
God and the Bible
The Bible assumes God’s existence, it does not defend it; (Gen.1:1) “In the beginning, God…” Even concerning the existence of God and the existence of suffering, which is called “Theodicy.”
So what are some of the arguments for the existence of God?
1. Ontological God is a being of which no greater exists or can be thought of. Therefore, since we can conceive of God as the greatest of all beings, or things that exist, then God must exist.
2. Cosmological appealing to the principle that all things have causes. There cannot be an infinite regress of causes; therefore, there must be an uncaused cause: God. God is the prime mover.
3. Teleological based upon the premise that the universe is designed and therefore needs a designer: God.
4. Intelligent Design the universe and things in it exhibit attributes of design. A design must have a designer. Since the Universe appears designed, it had to have someone who designed it. A watch needs a watchmaker.
5. Moral / Anthropological
since we are made in God’s own image; everyone has within themselves
the same irresistible evidence that God is a personal Being; that He is intelligent,
voluntary, and moral; that He knows; that He has the right to command; and
that He can punish and can save.
(Others: Aesthetic, Historical, Probability, Religious, Rational / Intuition)
Why should we believe what the Bible says about God?
The Bible was written by over 40 different authors over a period of 1,500 years of human history, all in agreement when speaking about the same God. It is not a collection of opposing or contradictory views. The Bible claims to record the very words of God within real human history. It claims “inspiration and infallibility” (II Tim.3:16, II Pet.1:20, 21) concerning who God is and it is not just the opinion of a single person. How is it different from other religious records? The Bible is actual history, not mythology, and written within the lifetime of the author. It is placed within an historical and culturally verifiable context. Most religions and their texts cannot be confirmed through archaeology. Even the many prophecies and miracles of the Bible were confirmed by witnesses.
What does the Bible say about what God is like?
God is...
1. Spirit (Jh.4:24). 2. One (Deut.6:4) (“composite unity”) yet exists in a Trinity (Father / Son / H.S.) 3. Eternal (Ex.3:14, Ps.90:2) 4. Holy (I Pet.1:16) “Be holy for I am holy.” 5. Unchanging (Mal.3:6, Hb.13:8) 6. Omnipotent (Deut.32:39) 7. Omnipresent (Prov.15:3) 8. Omniscience (I Jh.3:20) 9. Sovereign & Providential (Luke 12:7) 10. Transcendent yet Immanent (Isa.55:8) 11. Righteous & Just (Ps.111:3) 12. Merciful (Lk.6:36) 13. Longsuffering (Ex.34:6) 14. Jealous (Ex.20:5) 15. Divine / Perfect (II Pet.1:3, Mat.5:48) 16. Trustworthy / Truthful (Jh.14:6, Titus 1:2) 17. Good (Rom.2:4) 18. Love (1 John 4:19. Rom.8:39).
"Children of God"
The
absence of correction
is the absence of love.
Hebrews
12:5-11
you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, "My
son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, Nor faint when you
are reproved by Him; For those
whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and He scourges every son whom He receives."
It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for
what son is there whom his father does not discipline?
But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then
you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides
this, we have had our earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them.
Should we not (then) submit all the more to the Father of spirits and live?
For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines
us for our good, that we may share His holiness, eternally.
All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to
those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit
of righteousness.
What does it mean to be a child of God?
You cannot be a child of God if you do not have the
“Spirit of Adoption.”
(Rom.8:14-17).
(John 14:16-18).
Jesus said that He would not leave us as orphans.
It is the role of the Holy Spirit, as the Spirit of Adoption, to convict and correct us and it is His presence in our lives that reminds us that we are God’s children.
We can resist, and even quench the Holy Spirit’s work in our life as the great teacher and disciplinarian.
What are some signs that we are in need of
Godly correction?
1. A guilty conscience, conviction rather than condemnation.
2. Prayers hindered. The lines of communication will be affected.
3. Reoccurring issues or opportunities (lost opportunities for growth).
4. Trials, tests and temptations.
5. Spiritual stagnation
(slow or no growth).
We are being developed for eternity!
Hebrews 12:2
fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the
joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down
at the right hand of the throne of God.
“Whom the Lord loves, He corrects”.
“Birth Pains!”
“Why do we have
to go through suffering
in life?”
The Bible speaks of Godly change as
“birth pains.”
Matthew 24:8
“Birth pains
of the
Messiah”
Godly change
is always preceded by some form of suffering, but it always leads to something
great.
“Coming of the Lord”
&
“Day of the Lord”
Romans 8:18-21
For I consider that the sufferings of this present age are not worthy to be
compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the anxious longing
of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. For the
creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who
has subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself will also be delivered
from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of
God.
Romans 8:22,23
For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth
together.
And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit,
even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption
as sons, the redemption of our body.
Romans 8:26
And in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know
how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings
too deep for words.
II Corinthians. 5:1, 2, 4
For we know that if the earthly tent which is our body or house is torn down,
we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
For indeed in this house we suffer the pains of child birth, longing to be
clothed with our dwelling from heaven. For we that are in this tabernacle
do groan, being burdened:
I Corinthians 15:53, 54
For this corruptible nature must put on incorruption, and this mortal nature
must put on immortality. So when this has occurred…, then shall come
to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
What will be birthed, or the final product?
A new child!
“The revelation of the
sons God”
(Rom. 8:19).
Romans 8:18
“the suffering of today
is nothing compared
with the glory later.”
Romans 8:28
“all things work together for the good to them that love God, for those
who are called according to God’s purpose.”