Course 1: Discipleship

Faith pleases God! Faith in God is more than simple agreement or affirmation. It is a deep, unwavering conviction and belief in Him. A trust so firmly rooted that it is not shaken despite the circumstance. Everything with God begins with faith. We must remember that He is not limited by any circumstance or situation. God has never failed to perform His perfect will. When the angel Gabriel announced the coming messiah to Mary, he declared, “with God nothing shall be impossible.” (Luke 1:37)

 

Biblical hope is much more than wishful thinking. It is a confident expectation and anticipation of a future event. This is precisely what Peter expressed when he wrote calling us “strangers and pilgrims.” (1 Peter 2:11) Our hope extends beyond the world that we live in today. Lifting up our eyes, we clearly see a home not of this world.

Faith is for the immediate present, while hope pertains to the future.  Hope helps us transcend current difficult circumstances. Understanding that this life is temporal, and the future of the believer is eternal, is critical to navigating any hardship we face. God spoke through the prophet Jeremiah and let us know that His plan is for us to have a future full of hope!

The Bible is an amazing book. Where did it come from? It came directly from God. What the Bible says is what God wants us to know! It cannot be improved upon. We should be careful not to misread the Bible or interpret it improperly. Let the Bible say exactly what it wants to say. Everything contained in the Bible agrees because these men were inspired by God to write. The word inspiration means “the breath of God.” These men did not write their personal opinions but wrote under the supernatural influence of God’s Spirit. All the writers of scripture had a direct connection to the same source – God!

Truth is a very important word connected with the Bible. In the Bible, we will see the truth of God and also the truth about ourselves. The Bible will personally speak to us. We need to open our hearts when hearing the Word of God taught and allow it to speak directly to our lives. Always remember that God deals only in truth. Often this truth requires action. It will challenge us in ways that can be uncomfortable and even lead us to an altar. However, we must never attempt to challenge or change it in any way. We look into its pages for sanctification, not justification.

Biblical authority refers to the concept that the Bible represents the word of God and is authoritative and useful in guiding matters of Christian practice. It is imperative that we regard the Word of God as the highest source of truth in our world today, not the traditions and philosophies of men. The bible must be entirely accepted as authoritative, or it must be entirely rejected. We cannot be concerned about what man’s opinions are, unless those opinions are soundly based upon the Word of God. We must be willing to obey God rather than man, or even that of our own persuasions.

Acts 5:29 KJV  Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

In Genesis chapter 4, Cain offered to God of the fruit of the ground and it was not accepted. Why? Cain offered to God what he wanted to offer, not what God required. He worshiped the way he wanted to worship. But God did not accept his worship/offering. Yet, God did accept Abel’s offering because Abel did it God’s way.

Studying the Bible is different than studying any other subject. It must not be done from a purely academic perspective. One who approaches Bible study for the wrong reasons or in the wrong way will end up frustrated and confused. However, Bible study is essential to every Christian. Therefore, it is important to learn to love the truth found in God's Word, and also to learn how to approach studying the Bible.

twist

2 Peter 3:16 KJV  As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest (twist), as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

David understood the importance of the Word of God and getting it into his heart. We do not accidently get something into our heart. This is accomplished through careful study of the Word. Here are some study resources to assist in your journey to understanding meaning of particular passages in the Bible.

 

Text:

Psalms 119:10-12 KJV  With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.  (11)  Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.  (12)  Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.

Intro:

David understood the importance of the Word of God and getting it into his heart. We do not accidently get something into our heart. This is accomplished through careful study of the Word. Here are some study resources to assist in your journey to understanding meaning of particular passages in the Bible.

Concordance:

A concordance is useful for finding verses that contain a particular word, and for getting basic information about the original Hebrew or Greek word. Concordances have two main features. First, they list every occurrence of a given word in the Bible. Second, they give very brief definitions of the word. Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance is the most well-known and frequently used concordance. It lists every English word in the King James Version of the Bible, and where it is found. Along with the word, it gives a number that corresponds to the Hebrew or Greek word that it is translated from. Using this number, you can look up the Hebrew or Greek word in the dictionaries at the back of the concordance and learn the origin of the word, a brief definition, and also every English word that is used in the KJV to translate that Hebrew or Greek word.

 

Strong's Concordance

Suppose you wanted to study the doctrine of baptism. The first step would be to see what the Bible has to say about baptism. The most effective way to do that would be to use a concordance. A concordance allows you to find every place in the Bible that a certain word is used, and then find the definition of the original Greek or Hebrew word from which it was translated. So, using our example, the first thing to do would be to look up “baptism” in Strong’s Concordance.

So now you have a list of every verse in the Bible using the word “baptism.” However, you’re not through yet. For one thing, one of the most important verses in the Bible that mentions baptism – Acts 2:38 – is not listed here. Why not? Because in Acts 2:38, the word “baptism” is not used; the word is “baptized.” Therefore, the next step is to look up other forms of the word “baptism.” These would include baptisms, baptize, baptized, baptizest, baptizeth, and baptizing. You now have a very good starting point for studying what the Bible has to say about baptism.

The next step is to look up the word’s meaning. Remember the number to the right of the reference? Now turn to the back of the concordance and find the Greek dictionary section. The literal meaning of baptism includes the act of making someone fully wet by fully submerging them in the water. This, along with context from Scripture, shows us that Biblical baptism means to fully immerse in water, not to sprinkle or pour a small amount of water on them, as some churches teach.

 

Lexicon:

Lexicons (Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew-English Lexicon / Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon

Although concordances provide some basic information about Hebrew or Greek words used in the Bible, it is often useful to find more detailed information about a word. There are several other word study resources that are based on Strong’s and include the Strong’s numbers for ease of use. Two of the most important are the Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon and Thayer’s Greek Lexicon. These lexicons provide in-depth information about a given Hebrew or Greek word, including how it is used in different contexts.

 

How to Use a Lexicon

In the conversation between Jesus and Peter in John 21:15-17, you might notice how frequently the word “love” is used:

So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. (John 21:15-17)

Using a concordance, we can see that Jesus actually used two different Greek words, “agapao” and “phileo.” Peter only used “phileo.” This observation might prompt us to study these two Greek words further to determine whether there is any significance to which word is used during each part of the conversation.

Strong’s Concordance provides the following basic meanings:

Agapao (G25) - To love (in a social or moral sense).

Phileo (G5368) - To be a friend to (fond of [an individual or an object]), i.e. have affection for (denoting personal attachment), as a matter of sentiment or feeling.

 

Understanding the meaning from context.

One of the primary ways that we understand the meaning of a word is by context. Strong’s does not consider context. It simply gives the basic definition and a list of other English words that have been translated from the original word. The lexicon will help us identify the meaning of the word in its context.

 

Locate the scripture reference that contains this Greek word.

The lexicon abbreviates the book name and uses Roman numerals for the chapter numbers. So, our text John 21:15-17 would look like: Jn. xxi. 15-17. However, you will not find it listed specifically under G25 “agapao”.

 

Online Tools:

Blue Letter Bible (http://www.blueletterbible.org)

This is an online study source with many useful study tools. It is especially good for word studies. Here you can search many Bible versions by chapter, verse, word or phrase. Phrase searches are especially useful because one can search either for an exact phrase or for multiple words used together in the same verse, whether they match the exact phrase or not. You can also limit your search to a section of the Bible, to a particular book or books, or even to a particular passage within a book.

 

BibleHub (https://biblehub.com)

This is a very good website for comparing multiple bible versions of a passage.

 

OpenBible (https://www.openbible.info/topics)

This is a very good website for topical studies.

 

eSword (https://www.e-sword.net)

This is a very good software that can be installed on your computer or your mobile device. It has many free resources ang those you can purchase.

 

 

Conclusion:

A Process for Word Study

There are three main steps involved in word studies. First, identify key words in the passage you are studying. Second, for a given word, identify the range of possible meanings. Finally, figure out the appropriate meaning (from the range of possible meanings) for your word in context.

 

Identify Key Words

Any verse or passage of Scripture contains key words that are especially significant to the meaning of the passage. These are the words that it is most useful to study further. To identify key words, consider the following tips.

·         Find the key concept or theme in the passage and look for words that relate to that

·         Pay attention to any words that you already know to be theologically significant (grace, sin, world, law, etc.)

·         Look for repeated words in the passage

·         Look for unfamiliar, confusing, or difficult words

 

Identify the Range of Possible Meanings

Using a concordance or lexicon, identify the range of possible meanings for the Hebrew or Greek word used. This is called “semantic range” and gives you a broad understanding of the different ways the word may be used. For example, consider the English word “hand” in the following sentence: “I gave David a hand.” The word “hand” has many possible meanings, including a part of the body, applause, help, and a part of a clock.

Note that not all of these meanings make sense in context; finding the semantic range is only the first step in a word study, and must be followed by careful consideration of context.

 

Find the Meaning of the Word in Context

Once we have the semantic range of a word, we can consider which of those meanings makes the most sense for this particular usage of the word. Lexicons can be useful here, but nothing takes the place of careful consideration of the context of Scripture itself.

Returning to the example of the word “hand” in the sentence “I gave David a hand,” we probably need more context to determine which meaning makes the most sense. If David needed help of some sort, then “a hand” might refer to assistance. If David had just performed a beautiful piano piece, then “a hand” would more likely refer to applause. To understand what the author intended to say, it is essential to choose the correct meaning in context.

What is God? Throughout the centuries, many have asked the question, “Who is God?” Seldom do we focus on the question of “What is God?” The Bible opens with an introduction to the creation of the world, but simply states that in this momen,t God was already present. 

Genesis 1:1-2 KJV  In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.  (2)  And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

Two things that we learn from these opening passages. First, God was there before anything was created. Second, God is a spirit. While it seems that these two characteristics of God seem insignificant, we will learn that the Devil has managed to attack even these fundamental truths.

What is God like unto? Can the finite adequately understand or describe the infinite God? As we read through the scriptures, we catch glimpses of the characteristics of God, penned by mortal men doing their best describe what they were witnessing.

Definition of Attribute - a quality, character, or characteristic ascribed to someone or something (Websters)

When speaking of the attributes of God, we are speaking of the characteristics that define who He is. Scripture details all of the characteristics which God has made known about himself. No ideology about “who God is” or “what God is like” can be derived from any other source.

There are many theories about where we and the world come from. Some speculate that we have evolved from nature and that nature is a result of a cosmic explosion. However, the Christian holds firm to the belief that God created all things. The scriptures declare that it was God who spoke everything into existence. It is important to note that this truth is the first recorded words of the Bible.

Psalms 24:1-2 KJV  A Psalm of David. The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.  (2)  For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.

Many of the patriarchs and prophets acknowledged God as being the “Creator.” Even accepted science does not contradict this notion. The more that humanity learns about our race and our world, the more it becomes evident that we are intelligently formed. If we can believe this truth of God’s capabilities, we can believe Him for anything. Perhaps this is why the doctrine of creation has been under attack for centuries. If we relinquish our position on creation, how can we possibly hold our position of salvation?

When studying the nature of God, many describe Him as a “triune” God. When asked to explain the trinity, it gets very complicated. Many resort to simply believing that it is such a great mystery that we cannot understand it. But when speaking of the nature of God, or as some call it, the godhead; Paul says that God’s nature can be seen and understood.

Romans 1:20 KJV  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

 If the explanation is too difficult to understand, perhaps our definition is not in harmony with the scriptures. According to Duet 6, we can clearly see that God is one. According to John 3:4, He is a spirit, not a persons. Already, we see challenges attempting to define God as three persons. According to traditional religious teachings of the trinity, He’s three persons. But according to the scriptures, He’s one Spirit.

Love is one of the many attributes of God that define who He is. John proclaimed that “God is love.” Not simply that He loves, but He IS love. We must be careful in applying our own concept of what love is when we are relating it to God. Love is defined in many ways in our world. Some will perform very heinous acts upon another person, yet say they love them. Some will allow others to abuse them and say they are permitting it because they love that person. These distorted views of love can cause us to misunderstand God’s love.

Is there anything that a person can do that God will not forgive them? Are there sins we can commit that God would not hear a cry for mercy? Much discussion has been made regarding Jesus’ meaning behind His statements to the Pharisees. (Matt 12:31-32) Many refer to this as the “eternal and unpardonable sin.” He clearly states that they are at risk of sinning beyond forgiveness. This seems to contradict the essence of the gospel and Jesus’ other messages of repentance.

Looking closely at who Jesus was addressing, He was warning these religious leaders that they were dangerously close to having a hardened heart. They were quickly reaching a place where their hearts were no longer capable of repenting. Jesus was not telling us that we can commit a specific sin and God would turn a deaf ear to our repentance. He was warning these hypocrites that they might “never have forgiveness” because they will never meet the simple, invaluable, softhearted condition for it: repentance. The one sin we are certain to never be forgiven of is the sin we will not humbly repent of.

What is God’s name? Reading through the scriptures we commonly see God addressed by many titles.

El Shaddai (Lord God Almighty), El Elyon (The Most High God), Adonai (Lord, Master), Yahweh (Lord, Jehovah), Jehovah Nissi (The Lord My Banner), Jehovah-Raah (The Lord My Shepherd), Jehovah Rapha (The Lord That Heals), Jehovah Shammah (The Lord Is There), Jehovah Tsidkenu (The Lord Our Righteousness), Jehovah Mekoddishkem (The Lord Who Sanctifies You), El Olam (The Everlasting God), Elohim (God), Qanna (Jealous), Jehovah Jireh (The Lord Will Provide), Jehovah Shalom (The Lord Is Peace), Jehovah Sabaoth (The Lord of Hosts).

All of these titles indicate attributes of God, none of these are His name. When Moses was being sent to Egypt, he wanted to know the name of the one who was sending him. (Ex 3:13) As Solomon began to write of God’s creative powers, he asked the same question. Only, he desired to know His name and the name of His son.

Proverbs 30:4 KJV  Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou canst tell?

God desired for His name to be known; but hid it from humanity for ages. Thus, through the progressive use of titles we begin to know God by His actions. Understanding the titles of God were wonderful, only they had no saving power. We did not know His saving name until He revealed it to Joseph. His name is Jesus!

Have you ever wondered why there are so many Christian denominations? According to some sources, there are nearly 45,000 different “Christian” denominations. According to biblical writers such as the Apostle Paul, there is only “One Lord, on faith, and one baptism.” (Eph 4:5) Of the 45,000, who is right? The answer to that question is, the Bible. In it are the important truths about God and how to be saved. It is a book that can be understood and applied. There are many ways to apply the scriptures; but there is only one interpretation of them.

What does it take to be saved and go to heaven? Many of the modern denominations today have their own “spin” on this doctrine. That should be alarming to us, particularly because it deals with our eternity and we only get one opportunity to get it right. If we get the message of salvation wrong, nothing else matters. Jesus clearly taught that MANY people will arrive at judgment believing they got the answer to salvation correct. But he said only a few people will bother to look for that small gate and that narrow path to salvation.

Matthew 7:21-23 KJV  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  (22)  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  (23)  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

What is sin? Sin is defined in I John 3:4 as “the deliberate breaking of God’s law.”

1 John 3:4 KJV Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

Transgression: To break a law or command; go beyond the limit. In the New Testament the word specifically means a deliberate breach of the law. God is righteous and His law is righteous. Therefore “all unrighteousness is sin.” Thus, if we engage in unrighteous acts contrary to His law, we have sinned.

1 John 5:17 KJV  All unrighteousness is sin:

Crucifixion is one of the most horrific and humiliating executions ever. During Roman rule, it was reserved for those to whom the government wished to use an example to others. This shameful form of torture was used and perfected by them for over 500 years.

Mark 15:12-15 KJV  And Pilate answered and said again unto them, What will ye then that I shall do unto him whom ye call the King of the Jews?  (13)  And they cried out again, Crucify him.  (14)  Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him.  (15)  And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.

It began with the victim being completely disrobed and tied to a pole. An excessive scourging took place which weakened them and caused excessive bleeding. Soldiers often used this time to taunt the victim and add their own personal forms of brutality. They were then forced to carry their own cross to their place of execution. Often, they would not die immediately. It could take from 3 hours to 4 days before they perished.

To investigate crucifixion (without actually killing anybody), German researchers tied volunteers by their wrists to a cross and then monitored their respiratory and cardiovascular activity in the 1960s. Within 6 minutes, the volunteers had trouble breathing, their pulse rates had doubled, and their blood pressure had plummeted, according to the 1963 study in the journal Berlin Medicine (Berliner Medizin). The experiment had to be stopped after about 30 minutes, because of wrist pain.

That said, victims could have died from various causes, including multiple-organ failure and respiratory failure. Given the pain and suffering entailed, it's no wonder that crucifixion spawned the word "excruciating," which means "out of the cross." (Live Science – April 19, 2019)

John the Baptist declared Jesus Christ to be the spotless lamb of God. His purpose was to take away the sins of the world. In order to fully understand and appreciate Jesus’ atoning work, we must recognize our need of salvation. We must face our desperate need of a savior. Without Him, we could do nothing about our sinful condition and our eternal damnation.

1 Peter 1:18-19 KJV  Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;  (19)  But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

Our sinful nature requires us to be redeemed from the debt of our sin. Paul states that the “wages of sin is death.” (6:23) A payment was required to purchase our redemption. Our salvation was purchased with the precious blood of Jesus Christ. He who knew no sin, became sin for you and I. (2 Cor 5:21)

Our present world is full of skepticism and unbelief. People have been deceived by so many that they find it difficult to put their complete trust in anything or anyone. If trust is extended, it is in a very measured way. It’s as if we put forth a bit of faith expecting to be disappointed or deceived. The result is equal parts doubting and believing. This is the recipe for unbelief.

This mindset greatly affects our ability to fully believe in God. Too often, prayers are being made about a situation, and at the same time, a plan B is being formulated. When we say we believe God, what do we mean exactly? Certainly, we can relate to the man who petitioned Jesus to heal his son.

Mark 9:23-24 KJV  Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.  (24)  And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

Repentance is one of the most commonly taught and preached subjects in the Bible. Scripture teaches us that it is a fundamental step in being saved. The basic definition of repent is “to change one's mind for the better, heartily to amend with abhorrence of one's past sins:” (Thayer’s Lexicon)

In Jesus’ earthly ministry, He preached that repentance was a requirement to be saved. He did not come to save humanity in our sins. He came to save us from our sins. In order for us to be delivered from sin, we must be willing to repent of EVERY sin.   

Matthew 4:17 ESV  From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Mark 1:15 KJV  And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

Luke 24:47 KJV  And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

If we do not repent, we cannot be saved. Our minds and our direction must be changed. It is not possible to live a sinful life and then go to heaven. The Bible teaches that we are to obey the gospel if we desire to be saved.

Baptism is a subject that is seen both in the Old Testament as well as the New Testament. It is seen throughout the Old Testament in types and shadows. In Genesis 1 the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the water and new life began. The children of Israel passed through the Red Sea after leaving Egypt. It is taught as an early church doctrine for the purpose of “remission of sins.” Humanity is born in sin and separated from God. In order for us to be saved, we must have our sins remitted.

What is the Holy Ghost? Paul said it is Christ in us, the hope of Glory. God had hidden this great mystery from the ages and from generations. But now it is manifested to His saints. Paul was the Apostle to the Gentiles thus signifying that the infilling of the Holy Ghost was not just for the Jews, but to us as well. The baptism of the Holy Ghost is an important Bible doctrine and is essential for salvation. When John the Baptist was baptizing with water, he prophesied that the Messiah, Jesus Christ, would come and baptize with the Holy Ghost.

Luke 3:16 “John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire.”

 

John the Baptist could only baptize with water unto repentance. But Jesus would baptize them with the Spirit of God, which would purify their hearts and lives. Thus, the person receiving the Holy Ghost would be immersed, or covered completely, with the Spirit of God. As we look into this study, we will find that the Holy Ghost is for us today. We will understand that it is necessary to be filled with the Holy Ghost in order to be saved. And, that the initial sign of someone receiving the Holy Ghost is that they will speak in tongues as the Spirit of God gives them that ability.

How many times have we heard these familiar words while we were yet children at home: “It’s time to grow up.” It is expected that a child will continue to grow and develop according to their age. When this happens, we say that person has “matured.”  Just as there is natural growth or maturity, there is also spiritual growth. In John 3:1-7, Jesus taught that a person “must be born again.” In Matthew, Jesus instructed them to continue on to perfection.

Matthew 5:48 KJV  Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Developing as a Christian is not optional. It is a rightful expectation that God has for us. Growing spiritually is a process that continues our entire life. At times, it is very rapid growth. At others, it takes a little time. Our desire should be to continue daily growing in our Lord Jesus.

Acts 2:42 KJV  And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

The name Christian has taken on various meanings throughout history. Certainly, when those early believers were called Christian, it was not intended to be a kind label. The basic definition of a Christian is a follower of Christ. The name Christian was not given to someone simply because they possessed certain behaviors that Jesus exhibited. It was a name given to those who were disciples of Jesus. Those who diligently pursued and studied Jesus in order to become like Him.

We must embrace and take up everything about Christ if we desire to wear the title “Christian.” Remember, it was not the believers who called themselves Christians. It was the unbelievers who recognized the transformation into the image of Christ that first called them Christian. Many want to simply claim the blessings or the benefits of Christ. They want to be Christian in title but not in lifestyle. Jesus instructed us to learn of Him and to put on His yoke.

Matthew 11:28-30 KJV  Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  (29)  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  (30)  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Prayer is one of the most powerful weapons that the church has today. It is also sadly the most underused weapon. Prayer is a two-way communication that God established between Himself and us. In your bible, many prayers are recorded there for our benefit. Hannah prayed for a child, God gave her a son. (1 Sam 1:11) The church prayed for Peter while he was in Jail and God led him out by an angel. (Acts 12:5) Jairus prayed that Jesus would heal his dying daughter, and He did! (Mark 5:23) Moses prayed a very interesting prayer and asked to see God’s glory. (Exodus 33:18) The disciples asked that Jesus teach them to pray. He did not introduce a prayer language. He gave a model/template prayer as a pattern for us to follow, not to repeat. Your relationship. The kingdom. Our needs and the needs of others. Search your heart and ask God to forgive you of anything you have done that displeased Him. Pray for direction and the leading of the Spirit in your life. 

Immediately following the Lord’s teaching on prayer, he continued with a lesson on fasting. Fasting is when we abstain from eating food for a period of time for religious purposes. According to Jesus, there was a right way to fast and also a wrong way. Fasting should never be used as an attempt to convince God to do what we are asking Him to do. We are not to use fasting to bring honor or glory to ourselves. In general, no one but God should know that we are fasting.

It is one of the most effective spiritual weapons that we have access to. Fasting has many physical and spiritual benefits and it should be done with a purpose. Though the act of fasting can be extremely uncomfortable, the rewards are great. Proper preparation is often helpful. Prepare ahead as many days as you intend to fast. Cutting out all sugar and caffeine beforehand will help reduce the headaches and cramping.

In the modern times that we live in, reading any book is quickly becoming something that people seldom do. This is particularly true with the reading of God’s Word. A Bible is a wonderful thing to possess; it is an even greater thing to read. The more we read it, the more we understand it. The more we understand it, the more we can apply it to our lives. The more it is applied to our lives, the more Christ-like we will become.

In a moment of great temptation, the “tempter” came to Jesus in order to cause him to sin. Jesus’ response was to use the Word of God. The Bible is the very words of God that “proceeded out of His mouth” and given to us. Paul told Timothy that “ALL scripture is God-breathed and useful.” (2 Tim 3:16)

We must never become satisfied with a lack of spiritual growth in our lives. Though the pace at which we grow can vary, it is critical that we never stop. Just as some children do not mature because of illness, a deficiency in their body, etc., this can also happen to the child of God. Some Christians have spiritual illnesses that must be corrected for growth.

If your spiritual growth has slowed or ceased, prayerfully examine your life to determine the cause. Our goal should be to grow until we reach heaven. Every day we must become a little more like Jesus in this life. When some part of this life affects that growth, we should commit ourselves to eradicate whatever the cause.

Mark 9:43-47 KJV  And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:  (44)  Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.  (45)  And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:  (46)  Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.  (47)  And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:

Jesus was not advocating that we do ourselves bodily harm. He emphasized that we must not allow anything to keep us from getting into heaven. It does not matter how important it seems to us. Anything that slows your spiritual growth should be viewed as a threat to you making heaven your home.

We live in a world that wants instant gratification. Declarations are made each New Year to lose weight, pray more, get closer to God, etc. Most of those resolutions are abandoned as quickly as they were started. The wisdom in the Proverb is that those things we often need the most require consistent action. Every day doing the right thing until the right result happens.

Faithfulness is a characteristic that should shine in the lives of every believer. In order to be Christ-like, how can we be anything but faithful? There is none so faithful as our God. He never changes and even His name is Faithful and True. (Rev 19:11) Through every adversity and challenge, He remains the same.

Hebrews 13:8 KJV  Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

Faithful saints of God have persevered throughout time. Standing firm and sure despite the challenges they faced. They were faithful because it was in their character, not because their life was easy. They were faithful because they understood that their God had been faithful to them. If we are to see the blessings and the rewards that they received, we must learn to endure and be faithful.

Matthew 24:13 KJV  But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

To understand the Biblical doctrine of stewardship, we must first get a revelation of the fact that everything belongs to God.  He is the creator of all things; therefore, all things fall under His dominion.

Psalms 24:1 The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

The Biblical idea of stewardship means that God’s children have the responsibility of wisely managing the resources that God has so graciously granted to our care. Scripture has a lot to say about managing finances.

Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Money is the test of our character. Whether we put God first or last in our affairs, reveals how we feel about God. God does not want all our money or time—He just wants to be first in our lives. Seek ye first…

While there are many churches throughout the world today, there is only one true church in the sight of God. The word “church” is the term used most frequently in the New Testament to describe a group of born-again persons professing trust in Jesus Christ, meeting together to worship Him, and seeking to enlist others to become His followers.

The word “church” is the English translation of the Greek word “ekklesia” meaning “called out.” Truly, the Church has been called out of sin and separated unto God.

Matthew 16:17-19 KJV  And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.  (18)  And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.  (19)  And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

The Greek word for Peter is Petros, referring to a fragment of a rock or stone. Jesus used the word petra, which refers to a massive living rock. The Church is not built upon Peter, but Jesus was saying He would build it upon the rock of revelation that Jesus is “the Christ, the Son of the living God!”

Therefore, it is so important to receive the revelation that the God of heaven was manifest in human flesh. He was not just another man, he was not an eternal son, but God in the flesh came to save the lost.

Acts 2:46-47 KJV  And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,  (47)  Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

The book of Acts reveals to us the birth of the church. The early days of the New Covenant were certainly some exciting times. These new believers could not get enough of gathering together to worship our great God. The church should always have a special place in the heart of God’s people. It is where God meets with us and we can come to worship him freely in “spirit and truth.”

Our church attendance is an indication of our spiritual condition. The church in Acts has just recently been born again the way the bible teaches. Their zeal was a reflection of that new birth experience. They wanted to be in church and around other believers EVERY DAY. The more sinful a person becomes, the less they want to be near God and God’s people. So, they draw back from attending church, offering many excuses that seem as though they are justified.

Every Christian recognizes the importance and power of prayer. There is power and spiritual victory that only comes when we pray. A consistent prayer life is necessary for a true relationship with God to develop. While many view prayer as simply making our needs known unto God, its purpose is much deeper than that. Our level of consecration unto God determines our usefulness to Him. Certainly, we can and should make our needs known to Him. But what about His needs from our prayer life? Do we stop to consider what is on His mind during our time of prayer?

This is even more so when we pray together as believers. Unity in all spiritual things has a compounding effect. When we gather together, a powerful multiplying effect happens. Praying with our fellow believers is a powerful force. This type of corporate prayer is fully capable of bringing down spiritual strongholds. Praying together encourages the believers and gets the attention of heaven and hell. This is why the enemy does his best to keep us from praying together.

James 5:16 KJV  Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Some people use the terms praise and worship synonymously. They are quite different in that you can praise without worship, but you cannot worship without praise. Biblical worship is when honor or respect is shown to God as being superior to us. In demonstrating this honor, bowing or kneeling is often used to express that honor. So true worship involves submission to God. When we willingly submit, naturally we want to express our respect for God through things like praise.

Scripture tells us that nature teaches us things about God. (1 Cor 11:14) One commentator says that dogs express reverence to their master by licking their master’s hand. God is a spirit; therefore, we cannot lick His hand. Nevertheless, for our actions to be deemed worship, God must accept it. Christians should know how and why they are worshipping God. They should know ways to worship God that are acceptable to Him. From the garden, we learn a valuable lesson on worship. God does not accept just any form of worship that we bring before Him. Able brought a sacrifice that God had seemingly already made known to be acceptable. The redeemed should always desire and be determined to please their redeemer.

Matthew 15:6 KJV  ….Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.

Matthew 15:9 KJV  But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

From the time God created humanity, He has used mankind in His doings upon the earth. Despite our shortcomings, regardless of the many times we have let Him down; He continues to use us in vital roles in His kingdom. Preaching is one of those assignments. Preaching is the concept of God using humanity to declare what He wants to be said. It is specifically used for the public proclamation of the gospel and matters pertaining to it.

Jesus gave a warning to the leaders in his day of the effects of preaching done improperly. Even then, He did not dismiss the importance of preaching. Rather, he corrected what was being said and the lifestyle behind the one doing the preaching. Regardless, we need pastors who will preach whatever God puts upon their hearts. Your confidence in your pastor will greatly affect how preaching impacts your life. If you are not submitted to him, you are not likely to benefit from his preaching. If he is not preaching the bible truths and living a godly lifestyle, it is time to seek God for one who will.

Since the creation of mankind, God has used humanity to accomplish His will on earth. He assigned Adam a responsibility in the garden. He called upon Noah to build a life-saving Ark. He involved Moses in delivering His people from Egypt. Today, He has placed the responsibility of leading sinners to salvation upon the ministry.

The relationship we have with our Pastor will determine if we are saved. Many have had a bad experience with a Pastor. Because of this, they dismiss the importance of this role in their life. Our Pastor is the single most significant person in our life. They are not perfect, and certainly, some do fall short.

Romans 13:1-5 KJV  Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.  (2)  Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.  (3)  For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:  (4)  For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.  (5)  Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

God’s kingdom is established with order and spiritual authority. (Government) The ministry is a critical part of that authority structure. Paul warned the church in Rome that to resist your Pastor, was to resist the very ordinance of God. But he also instructed the church in Corinth that they were only to follow him as he was following Christ. (1 Cor 11:1) May the shepherds of today lead God’s flock in a manner worthy of their calling. May the sheep of God’s church submit themselves to His ministry.

What exactly does it mean as a Christian to have ethics? Ethics deals with what is morally right and wrong. Ethics could be defined as morals, morality, values, rights and wrongs, principles, ideals, standards (of behavior), a value system, virtues, or dictates of conscience. Christian ethics are based on the Word of God and are absolute. God commands us to take on His moral attributes when we become Christians. “Be holy, because I am holy”, “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” We as Christians are commanded to be as He is. If ethics have no absolutes by which we can be guided, then they become definable by each individual’s interpretation rather than God’s definition of right and wrong. Without a moral compass, every man will do that which is right in their own eyes. Without a biblical standard, we will adapt our cultural standard of values.

You decide the type of person you will be. God gave to every person a free will to determine what kind of life they will live. Will we follow the scriptures and live godly, or follow the world around us and live sinfully? We have all seen the fall of who some called great. They said the right things. They looked the part. But soon, what was on the inside, surfaced and exposed what they really were. You can be someone else for a while, but YOU will eventually surface. People, especially leaders, cannot rise above the limitations of their character. Talent and ability may promote you; your character will sustain you.

There is a difference between Ethics and Character. Ethics, a set of moral standards, determines the right thing. Character is an act of doing those right things. A commitment to a set of ethics without compromise.

Self-imposed discipline and conviction to do what biblical values have already determined as right. Whether you know it or not, you have character, and it is either good or bad. There is no in-between with character.

If you change your actions based on where you are or who you are around, you have no character. A Christian is called upon to do the right thing no matter the circumstance. The idea that “everyone sins sometimes” is a lie from hell. That is simply a justification for not having character. Our values come from the unchanging scriptures. Our example to follow is Jesus Christ!

John 8:29 KJV …. for I do always those things that please him.

Genesis 3:19 KJV  In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

Many people have attempted to answer this question. Some rely upon the near-death experiences of others to tell them what happens. Others simply ignore the subject as if it will never happen to them. But as the writer of Hebrews said, we all have an appointment with death. While it is an uncomfortable subject, it is one that MUST not be put off. Personalizing this question helps us to understand its great importance. “What will happen to me when I die?”

James 4:14 KJV  Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

In comparison to eternity, our time on the earth is very short. No one knows when our life here on the earth will be finished. However, we must do everything necessary to ensure that we are ready for that day. If you have never repented of your sins, been baptized in Jesus’ name, and filled with the Holy Ghost: what are you waiting for? Nothing should be more important to us than being born again and living a pleasing life to God. Hell has been created for those who have not been born again. For those that have been born again the Bible way, we welcome the day in which we pass from this life to the next. We know that Heaven awaits us and we will live forever with our Lord.

This promise from Jesus sparks faith in the hearts of all those who have made themselves ready. I believe with all my heart that we are living in the last days. Because of this, it seems that the Devil has pulled out all the stops on a global scale and these are unsettling times. I echo Paul’s statement to the church at Corinth,  “1 Corinthians 15:19 KJV  (19)  If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.” It would seem that the very atmosphere is saturated with despair, gloom, doubt, and fear. After all, when was the last time you heard an encouraging word outside the walls of the Church?

 

Jesus warned that the end times would be like this. The church has not been left uninformed and ignorant about what is going on around us. But despite all the warnings and all the indicators, if we are not careful, we can become as cynical as anyone else in the world. If we continually look through natural eyes and focus on earthly things, it will rob us of our faith and leave us in despair. In times like these, we have a commandment from the Lord that would be imperative for us to hold to.

Luke 21:28 KJV And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

A record of our life and deeds is being kept in Heaven. Each of us will be rewarded according to the life that we have lived. If we are never born again and live in sin, that payment will be death. (Rom 6:23) However, if we are born again; if we do live a life holy and pleasing to God; there is a wonderful reward waiting for us.

Romans 2:6 KJV  Who will render to every man according to his deeds:

The scriptures express the beauty and splendor of Heaven. Prophets and Apostles have given us glimpses here and there of what our reward will be. Paul lets us know that it is a prepared place for a prepared people. It is a reward prepared for those who love God and those whom God loves. No matter how much information we have regarding Heaven, its beauty and wonder will surpass anything we have imagined.

Psalms 31:19 KJV  Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!

The doctrine of holiness is not one that we choose to agree or disagree with. Rather, it is one that should govern every aspect of our life. It is a doctrine that allows us to grow into a life focused on pleasing God and His acceptance. The scriptures teach that God’s love is unconditional. This does not, however, translate into His unconditional acceptance. We most clearly see this in the passages detailing the lives of Cain and Able. To recklessly proclaim God’s unconditional acceptance will lead one down a pathway of careless disobedience. God desires to influence every aspect of our life. It should be no surprise that scripture commands us to be holy. Not by our definition of holy, but as He is holy. (1 John 3:3) Thanks be to God that in His wisdom, He incorporated the infilling of the Holy Ghost into the plan of salvation. Holiness is a work of the Spirit. Holiness and sanctification are not a means of earning salvation, but a result of salvation. Through the power of regeneration, we can become holy. We can reflect the image of a holy God.

1 Peter 1:13-16 KJV  Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;  (14)  As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:  (15)  But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;  (16)  Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

Once a Christian is born again of the water and the spirit, a transformative process begins. It is a cooperative work between God and man to make man more like God. That change is based upon the idea that man was made in God’s image and sin destroyed that image. The new birth justifies man in the eyes of God and therefore the born-again Christian can now be transformed into His image. We can become holy because the word of God commands it. God does not command things that are irrelevant or impossible.

“Follow holiness” suggests that there is an alternative pathway that one could follow if they so choose. Every believer must remember that God’s kingdom and this “worldly system” are going in opposite directions. We can only “follow” one way and see the Lord. When we experience the power of the new birth experience, God places us on a path to holiness that is contrary to EVERYTHING this world stands for.  Therefore, we cannot maintain acceptance of the Lord while maintaining close proximity to this sinful world. This is why the scriptures command us to distance ourselves from the world in EVERY aspect of our life.

2 Corinthians 6:14-18 KJV  Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?  (15)  And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?  (16)  And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.  (17)  Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,  (18)  And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

Holiness must start from within, from the heart and the mind. Without the proper mindset and attitudes, we can never be holy, even if we conform to a form of outward holiness. In other words, it is possible to do the right things for the wrong reasons. Holy living does not consist of conforming to standards to make a show of holiness, to be seen by others, or to seem spiritual. Rather, true holiness stems from a deep, heartfelt desire to live in such a way that is pleasing to God every day. All outward holiness must be a result of that desire.

Matthew 23:27-28 KJV  Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.  (28)  Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

Jesus rebuked the religious leaders of his time for focusing solely on the outward and neglecting the importance of inward holiness. When others looked at them and the things they did, they declared them to be spiritual based on their limited perspective. God does not have this same limitation. He looks inwardly and outwardly as He did when the prophet Samuel was preparing to anoint David the king.

Romans 12:1-2 KJV  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  (2)  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Often when discussing the importance of the Christian’s outward dress, many different arguments are presented. Most twist and ignore the scriptures while saying “God only cares about the inside, not the outside.” Some say that their clothing is perfectly normal compared to today’s standard. Some will say that they dress according to the norms of their local culture. We must understand that God does not need the world to approve of His word for it to be valid. An individual who truly desires to please God and be holy will never argue against holy adornment from a position of cultural norms. No scriptural command should be disregarded or discounted as something “only for that time and their culture.” Our desire is for those around us to see Christ when they look at us. For that to be possible, every aspect of our outward appearance must glorify Him. A Christian’s manner of dress is an outward expression of an inward holiness.

The Gospel letters conclude by Jesus’ meeting with those who would carry out the mission of the church. His command was to “Go, teach, and baptize.” Without a supernatural impartation, these instructions seem daunting. Where were they to go, what were they to teach, and what and how should one be baptized? Jesus explains that it would not be by their own power that they could fulfill this assignment.

The power, or grace, to be a witness would come ONLY after they are filled with the Holy Ghost. The two things Jesus was certain about in Acts 1:8 were that they “shall receive power” and that they “shall be a witness.” Receiving the Holy Ghost is certainly a requirement to be saved. Its purpose is also to enable us to accomplish the command to reach lost and dying souls.

Acts 2:32 NIV  God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it.

Nothing in this world has an effect on an individual's life like that of the gospel. Paul said that when we are born again, EVERYTHING about us is new. This newness of life also includes our purpose and motivations. Before Christ comes into our lives, we are selfish and self-interested. But when we experience the saving power and love of our God, we are equipped with an enthusiasm to work with God to help others find the same relationship with Him. It is fascinating that the Apostle Paul would compare our role in working with God to that of an ambassador. It is considered a high honor to be asked to represent your country on foreign soil. As ambassadors for Christ, our assignment is to facilitate the work of reconciliation in the lives of those around us. We represent the Kingdom of God while living in a world which is under the dominion of Satan. We are not ashamed to represent God and to promote His interests. It is our duty, our calling, and should be our passion!

The Bible puts everyone in one of two categories. We are either saved and will spend eternity in heaven or we are lost and will spend eternity in hell. Without being born again of the water and the spirit, we are in a lost condition. (John 3:5) Jesus lets us know that the majority of people in the world are lost and will be condemned to hell when they die. (Matt 7:21-23) Despite the fact that we will go to hell if we are not born again, it is not God’s will for ANYONE to go to hell. (2 Peter 3:9)

Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

1 Jn 3:8 ..For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

Jesus’ purpose in coming to the earth was to rescue humanity from our sins and the consequences of our sins. To seek out those who desire to be saved and reconcile them back to himself. Jesus’ work on the earth made it possible for lost souls to be saved. His death paved the way for us to have eternal life. (John 3:15) Just before his ascension into heaven, Jesus placed the responsibility of reaching lost souls into the hands of the church.

As Jesus departed this world, he gave us what is commonly referred to as “The Great Commission.” In that commission, Jesus references teaching twice. In souls winning, there is great significance in teaching. Much of the actions of our Lord, the twelve Apostles, and the early church involved teaching. Apostle Paul included the ability to teach as a qualification for an individual pursuing ministry.

2 Timothy 2:24 And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach……

One of the most effective methods to win a soul is through teaching. You do not need to be a theologian to teach a bible study. REBUKE FEAR OF TEACHING BIBLE STUDIES!!!! Most religious people and sinners do not know the basics of the Bible. Meaning, that each of us are capable of sharing the gospel with anyone.