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Why the Testing?

For

June 20, 2018 Bible Study

 

 

  1. Why the Testing?

 

 

Why-For what purpose, reason, or cause; with what intention, justification, or motive

 

Testing -A procedure for critical evaluation; a means of determining the presence, quality, or truth of something; a trial

 

Featured Texts

 

  1. Psalm 26:2

 

Commentary: Faithfulness to God is proven by how we endure and confront the trials and tribulations of life. When faced with those trials do Christians abandon the Way or hold firm to it.

 

  1. Purpose
    1. 1 Peter 1:6-7
    2. James 1:3

 

Commentary: Trials of life are to refine our faith. Testing teaches the Christian patience and to lend on the Lord and not their own understanding.

 

  • Proves worth

 

  1. Deuteronomy 13:1-4
  2. Proverbs 17:3
  3. 1 Corinthians 3:13

 

Commentary: Testing is used to see if the Christian will remain true to Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ or will we backside and forget so great a salvation.

 

  1. Refines

 

  1. Job 23:10
  2. Psalm 66:10

 

Commentary: Job faced the trials thrown at him by Satan. Job keep the faith neither falling to left nor right. Trials prove and refine our faith.

 

  1. Turns us to God

 

  1. Psalm 119:71

 

Commentary: Trials and tribulations should turn the Christian to God because in God Christians have a refuge for their souls.

 

  1. Disciplines

 

  1. Deuteronomy 8:5
  2. Psalm 94:12
  3. Hebrews 12:5-11

 

Commentary: Testing can be a way of disciplining the Christian to remind the Christian to rely on God and not himself/herself.

 

  • Produces patience

 

  1. Romans 5:3
  2. James 1:12

 

Commentary: Trials and tribulations can either strengthen a Christian’s faith or break it. The Christian will either learn patience and wait on the Lord or become impatient and turn from God to other so-called solutions.

 

  • Makes perfect

 

  1. Hebrews 2:10
  2. Hebrews 5:8-9

 

Commentary: Christians enduring trials and tribulations for the Lord’ sake travel further down the road of perfecting their faith.

 

  1. Works for good and glory

 

  1. Romans 8:28

 

Commentary: The trials and tribulations Christians suffer works for their good in strengthening the faith.

 

  1. Passable

 

  1. 1 Corinthians 10:13
  2. 2 Corinthians 13:5-8

 

Commentary: God does not allow the Christian to be tested beyond what the Christian can bear. Testing shows whether the Christian is real or counterfeit.

 

Quotes for Introspection:

 

A gem cannot be polished without friction, nor a man perfected without trials.

 

Lucius Annaeus Seneca

 

Biblical Excuses

For

June 13, 2018 Bible Study

 

 

  1. Excuse

 

A plea offered in extenuation of a fault or for release from an obligation, promise, etc.:

 

  1. Featured Text

 

  1. Romans 1:20

 

Commentary: People make excuses to why they do not bow to God’s will and accept the gift of salvation. This verse in Romans states they have no excuse.

 

  1. Feel Unqualified

 

  1. Exodus 3:11
  2. Exodus 4:10
  3. Jeremiah 1:6

 

Commentary: Moses and Jeremiah felt inadequate to be God’s chosen deliverer or messenger. They tried to get out of the task by claiming they were poor public speakers. Jeremiah further stated that he was unqualified because of his youth. Many Christians use the excuse of being unqualified to spread God’s word.

 

  1. Buck Passing

 

  1. Genesis 3:11-13
  2. Exodus 32:22-24
  3. 1 Samuel 13:7-14
  4. 1 Samuel 15:20-21

 

Commentary:  Adam, Eve, Aaron and Saul try to past the blame on to someone or something else. They try to deflect blame from themselves for failing to do God’s will.

 

  1. Not the right time

 

  1. Acts 24:22-25

 

Commentary: Felix was not ignorant of what Paul taught. His wife was a Jew and would have some knowledge concerning Christ. What Paul taught shook Felix but not enough to convert. He gave the excuse that the time was not right.

 

  1. Fear

 

  1. Genesis 19:17-20
  2. Numbers 13:31-33
  3. Proverbs 22:13

 

Commentary: Fear causes many people to engage in excuses. Lot gave God an excuse as to why he could not flee to the mountain. The spies feared the giants of the land with their report. Fear can cause Christians to turn from the task of spreading God’s will.

 

  1. Duty

 

  1. Matthew 8:21-22
  2. Luke 9:59-62
  3. Luke 14:16-24

 

Commentary: Each one of the guests that were invited to the great supper gave excuses of duty to why they could not attend. People give excuses to the calling of the Lord to salvation. The call is open to all but many excuse themselves from answering the call. Sometimes Christians put duty to others before God.

 

  1. Almost

 

  1. Acts 26:24-28

 

Commentary: King Agrippa knew and believed the words of the prophets. Paul took this opportunity to try and convince Agrippa to head the call of salvation.

 

  1. Tradition

 

  1. Matthew 15:1-3

 

Commentary: People use the excuse of this is the way it has always been done or tradition. Many Jews rejected the teachings of Christ because they were following the traditions of their fathers and not searching the Scriptures to ascertain the truth.

 

  1. Lack of Social Standing

 

  1. Judges 6:15

 

Commentary: Gideon tried to use the excuse that he lacks social standing to lead and deliver Israel. He may have felt he was qualified, but the people would not listen to him nor follow him, because of his social level.

 

Quote of Introspection

 

Ninety-nine percent of the failures come from people who have the habit of making excuses.

 

George Washington Carver

 

 

 

Why the Church of Christ?

For

June 6, 2018 Bible Study

 

 

  1. Church of Christ

 

 

Church-The company of all Christians regarded as a spiritual body.

 

Christ-The Messiah, as foretold by the prophets of the Hebrew Scriptures. The Son of God

 

Why- for what reason or purpose

 

Featured Text

 

  1. Jeremiah 31:31-34

 

Commentary: The Lord told Jeremiah that a new covenant would come. The new covenant would replace the covenant made with his forefathers. The new covenant would encompass all of mankind.

 

  1. Foretold

 

  1. Isaiah 2:1-3
  2. Isaiah 28:16
  3. Daniel 2:44
  4. Micah 4:1-3

 

Commentary: The Old Testament prophets spoke of the coming of the new dispensation. The Old Testament pointed to the coming of salvation.

 

  • Foundation

 

  1. Matthew 16:13-20
  2. Romans 9:32,33
  3. 1 Corinthians 3:10,11
  4. Ephesians 2:19-22

 

Commentary: Every strong building that wishes to withstand the elements must be built upon a sound foundation. The Church is built upon the strongest of foundations. The Church is built upon the Word of God through his son, Jesus Christ. The apostles added to that foundation by seeing the Word of God spread to the four corners of the world.

 

  1. Head

 

  1. Colossians 1:18
  2. Ephesians 5:23

 

Commentary: Christ is the head of the Church. He is the founder of the faith. Christ is the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last.

 

  1. Establishment

 

  1. Matthew 16:18
  2. Acts 2:41
  3. Acts 5:11
  4. Acts 8:1

 

Commentary: Christ began the building of the Church while speaking to the disciples. He sacrifices himself for the establishment of the Church. The fruition of that sacrifice occurs on the day of Pentecost.

 

  1. Old gives way

 

  1. Hebrews 10:9

 

Commentary: As told by the prophets the old covenant gave way to the new covenant of grace.

 

 

  • Paid for

 

  1. Matthew 20:28
  2. Matthew 26:28
  3. 1 Peter 1:18,19

 

Commentary: Christ was the blood sacrifice for the sins of the world. Goats and sheep blood was not enough to blot away the sins of ma so Christ suffered the ultimate sacrifice Going through on the cross.

 

  • Admission

 

  1. Romans 10:17
  2. Hebrews 11:6
  3. Luke 15:7
  4. Romans 10:10
  5. Colossians 2:12

 

Commentary: The non-believer must be ready to turn his/her back on the beckon elements of the world and grab hold on salvation.

 

  1. Keeping membership current

 

  1. Titus 2:11-14
  2. Acts 20:7
  3. Hebrews 10:25
  4. 1 Corinthians 16:1,2

 

Commentary: Once saved always saved is a myth. If the Christian turns his/her back on Christ all that can be said is that he/she is in the hands of a just God.

 

  1. Spread the Word and try the spirits

 

  1. Matthew 10:32,33
  2. 1 John 4:1

 

Commentary: The Christian is tasked with growing the church by spreading the Word of God. Not every church that says church of Christ is teaching truth and the way to Christ.

 

  1. Going through the motion?

 

  1. Isaiah 29:13
  2. Matthew 15:8
  3. Hebrews 10:25

 

Commentary:  Why are you going to church? Are you going to praise God and be with the faithful or are you just going to be seen? Are you going to please others or to please God?

 

Quote of Introspection:

 

Going to church doesn't make you any more a Christian than going to the garage makes you a car.

 

Laurence J. Peter

 

 

 

Knowledge and Wisdom

For

May 30, 2018 Bible Study

 

 

  1. Knowledge

 

Knowledge- facts, information, and skills acquired by a person through experience or education; the theoretical or practical understanding of a subject.

 

Wisdom-the quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment

 

  1. Featured Text

 

  1. Proverbs 4:7

 

Commentary: Jesus used parables to get across a point that common people would understand the comparison and to fulfill all righteousness.

 

  1. Good and evil

 

  1. Genesis 2:9
  2. Genesis 2:16-17
  3. Genesis 3:22

 

Commentary: When Adam and Eve ate of fruit of the tree they gain the knowledge of good and evil. Through one man’s weakness sin entered the world. Adam and Eve both gained knowledge, but the cost was disobedience, exile and punishment.

 

  • Given by God

 

  1. 2 Chronicles 1:12
  2. Psalm 119:66
  3. Proverbs 2:6
  4. 1 Corinthians 1:5

 

Commentary: All wisdom and knowledge flows from God.  Christians need to be like Solomon and ask God to increase our knowledge and wisdom in his word.

 

  1. Lack of

 

  1. Proverbs 1:7, 22
  2. Hosea 4:6
  3. Romans 1:21-22
  4. 1 Corinthians 15:34
  5. Philippians 3:18

 

Commentary: Fools do not seek knowledge and wisdom. Fools prefer to remain in their own ignorance regarding what God commands. They have itching ears that prefer fables to the truth. (2 Timothy 4:3). Christians also have to be aware of other so-called Christians professing the faith.

 

  1. Responsibility

 

  1. Numbers 15:30
  2. 1 Kings 11:4-13
  3. Luke 12:47
  4. John 15:22
  5. James 4:17

 

Commentary: Once knowledge has been presented and obtained a person cannot profess ignorance. In the past God winked at ignorance that is no longer the case. (Acts 17:30) Christians have the responsibility to do good failure to do so is sin. Christians must not be like Solomon who was granted great wisdom, but in his old age turned from God because of his many wives and their heathen practices.

 

 

 

  1. Pray for

 

  1. John 17:3
  2. Ephesians 3:14-19
  3. Colossians 1:9
  4. James 1:5

 

Commentary: Christians should ask for wisdom and knowledge in prayer. Christians still have to study God’s word, but are asking God to grant the ability to understand and/or the courage to seek that understanding.

 

  • Study to gain knowledge and happiness

 

  1. Proverbs 3:13-14
  2. Matthew 13:44
  3. 2 Timothy 2:15
  4. 2 Peter 1:5-10

 

Commentary: Studying God’s word is essential to Christian growth. Studying grants knowledge. Putting that knowledge into action gives wisdom.

 

  • Imperfect Human Knowledge

 

  1. Ecclesiastes 1:16-18
  2. 1 Corinthians 1:19
  3. 1 Corinthians 3:19

 

Commentary: The wisdom of the world is foolishness in the eyes of God. Human knowledge is imperfect. Perfect knowledge and wisdom comes from God and is written in his word.

 

Quote of Introspection:

 

We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid.

 

Benjamin Franklin

 

 

 

Soul Winning

For

May 23, 2018 Bible Study

 

 

  1. Soul Winning

 

Soul-Is the immortal essence of a human

 

Winning-Beating the opposition

 

Soul winning –helping a lost soul establish or re-establish a connection with God through Jesus Christ.

 

Featured Text

 

  1. Psalms 51:13

 

Commentary: The task of a Christian is to do bring more souls to Christ. Christians are the workers in the vineyard bringing forth the fruit for the Master’s harvest.

 

  1. Fishers of men

 

  1. Matthew 4:19, Mark 1:17, Luke 5:10

 

Commentary: Like the apostles Christians are tasked with being fishers of men. Christians must cast the net of the Gospel to bring in the catch.

 

  • Harvest

 

  1. Matthew 9:37-38
  2. Acts 15:3

 

Commentary: A Christian is like a farmer. One may plant. Another may water and God gives the increase, but all Christians must work to bring in a successful harvest.

 

  1. Value of a lost soul

 

  1. Matthew 18:12-14
  2. Luke 15:6-10
  3. 1 Timothy 2:4

 

Commentary: All souls are precious to God. God would have all men to repent and not be subject to the second death. There is joy in heaven over finding of a lost sheep and the recovery of a lost brother or sister.

 

  1. Acceptance and Refusal

 

  1. Matthew 13:3-9

 

Commentary: The Christians task is to sow the word. It is upon the hearer to accept or refuse what has been offered. You cannot save a person who chooses not to be saved. Remember Christ cane first to the lost sheep of Israel and they rejected him.

 

  1. Why?

 

  1. 2 Corinthians 5:11
  2. 1 Peter 3:15

 

Commentary: Christians spread the word out of reverence for the Lord and to be ready to give an answer to those who seek knowledge of Christ.

 

  • How?

 

  1. Psalms 96:2
  2. 1 Corinthians 3:5-10
  3. Jude 21-23

 

Commentary: Christians are to proclaim the good news of God’s plan of salvation. Christians are to go forth and be messengers for Christ. Christians must lead a life that glorifies the Father. This may cause an observer to wonder and ask why we can be happy in adversity and calm in a sea of trouble.

 

  • Winner’s Joy

 

  1. 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20

 

Commentary: A Christian’s joy is to be in the presence of Christ at his second coming with all the other saints. A Christian’s joy is in knowing that the gospel was spread and a life was led that exemplified God bringing others to Christ.

 

Quote of Introspection:

 

"The gospel is only good news if it gets there in time.”

 

 Carl F. H. Henry        

 

 

Miracles

for

May 9, 2018 Bible Study

 

 

  1. Miracle

 

  1. Is any event or experience that defies natural order and is clearly the result of supernatural intervention.

 

  1. Nature

 

  1. Miracles depend on God’s will and his power. The one who does the miracle does so through God’s power.
  2. God allowed Satan and others to performed miracles.

 

  1. Purpose of

 

  1. Mark 16:20
  2. John 5:36
  3. John 20:30,31
  4. Hebrews 2:3,4

 

Commentary: The purpose of miracles was to verify the Son’s message, bare witness of the Son, glorify God, so that people may believe and affirm their faith.

 

  1. Types of Miracles

 

  1. Healing the Sick

 

  1. Matthew 8:1-13
  2. Luke 17:11-19
  3. Luke 22:49-51

 

Commentary: Christ had the power to heal both near and far. Christ had the power to heal both believer and unbeliever. Those who believed on Christ were healed because of faith. The unbelievers were healed because of Christ’s mercy.

 

  1. Casting out demons

 

  1. Mark 1:23-27
  2. Mark 5:1-20
  3. Mark 9:14-29

 

Commentary: Christ had power over Satan and his angels. No demon could resist the power that was granted to the Son of Man.

 

  1. Miracles that help others

 

  1. Matthew 17:24-27
  2. John 2:1-11
  3. John 6:5-13

 

Commentary:

 

  1. Raising the dead

 

  1. Luke 7:11-15
  2. Luke 8:40-56
  3. John 11:17-44

 

Commentary: Christ showed his power over death by bringing the dead back to life. Christ showed that he had the power to convey life.

 

  1. Stupendous

 

  1. Matthew 14:24-33
  2. Mark 4:35-41
  3. Luke 5:4-10
  4. Matthew 28:7

 

Commentary: Christ showed that he had the power to defy the natural laws of the universe. The greatest miracle is Christ rising from the dead.

 

  1. Power given to:

 

  1. Jesus
    1. Matthew 28:18
    2. John 11:47
  2. Apostles
    1. Matthew 10:7,8
    2. Acts 2:1-11
  3. Apostles laying of hands
    1. Acts 8:14-18
    2. 2 Timothy 1:6

 

Commentary:  The power to perform miracles was given by the Father. Christ being equal to the Father passes on the power to perform miracles through the Holy Spirit to the apostles. The apostles were able to pass on that power to others. Those people were unable to pass the ability on. The age of miracles ended with the apostles.

 

  1. Satan’s Miracles (Allowed and not allowed)

 

  1. Exodus 7:9-12
  2. Exodus 8:17-19
  3. Matthew 24:24
  4. 2 Thessalonians 2:9
  5. Revelation 13:11-18

 

Commentary: God allowed Satan to perform miracles so that God could show his dominion over all. God allows Satan to test the faith of believers. God allowed Satan to use miracles to deceive.

 

  1. Miracles Now?

 

  1. 1 Corinthians 13:8-10
  2. Ephesians 4:11-13

 

Commentary: Has the age of miracles passed? Miracles are no longer necessary for Christians because the Word of God (written down by inspired men in the Bible) is available of all to believe. There are no apostles to pass on the gift by laying of hands. Satan can still use signs and wonders to deceive.

 

Quote of Introspection

 

That we must love one God only is a thing so evident that it does not require miracles to prove it.

 

Blaise Pascal

 

 

 

Defending the Faith

For

May 2, 2018 Bible Study

 

 

  1. Apologetics

 

Apologetics- means to give a defense or reply.

The objective, as Clark Pinnock puts it, "strives at laying the evidence for the Christian Gospel before men in an intelligent fashion, so that they can make a meaningful commitment under the convicting power of the Holy Spirit."

 

Faith- A secure belief in God and a trusting acceptance of God's will based on the knowledge gained from studying his Word.

 

Defense-the act of resisting attack to protect from harm or danger.

 

Featured text:

 

    1. 1 Peter 3:13-15

 

Commentary:  The word apologetics comes from the Greek word apologia which means to give a defense or reply. Christians must be ready to defend the faith and give an answer to people who ask about or question the faith.

 

  1. Preach and teach Christ

 

    1. Philippians 1:12-18
    2. 1 Peter 2:9

 

Commentary: The Christian task is to preach and teach the Gospel. Christians are to defend what Christ and the apostles taught and preached. Christians must be ready to reason with the nonbeliever why they believe in Christ.

 

  1. Study

 

    1. 2 Timothy 2:15
    2. Matthew 11:28-29
    3. Acts 17:11
    4. Acts 17:30
    5. Hebrews 1:1-2

 

Commentary: Christians must know the Word of God to be able to defend it. Study is required of the Christian both for his or her well being and to be able to instruct others by providing answers based on the Bible. A Christian cannot defend the faith if he or she knows little about it. Christian do not blindly believe.

 

  1. Persuade Men

 

    1. Isaiah 1:18-20
    2. Acts 17:2-4
    3. Romans 10:17
    4. 2 Corinthians 5: 11-12
    5. 2 Corinthians 4:2
    6. Hebrews 11:1
    7. John 6:40
    8. Romans 4:18-22

 

Commentary: Christians are to persuade men what Christ and the apostles preached and taught is true. Christian are attempting to persuade others to believe in a God they cannot see and the hope of eternal life.

 

 

 

 

 

  1. Defend and confirm

 

    1. Philippians 1:7
    2. Matthew 28:18-20
    3. Acts 8:4
    4. Acts 26:24-25
    5. Titus 1:9

 

Commentary: Christians are to defend and confirm that the Bible is right. Christians are to defend the faith like Paul did before King Agrippa.

 

  1. Meek and with reverence

 

    1. 1 Peter 5:5
    2. Ephesians 4:15
    3. 2 Timothy 2:24-25
    4. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

 

Commentary: Christians are to defend the faith but must be careful in the manner that is chosen. Christians are to defend the faith with humility and love. How you defend the faith can either attract another to it or repel the person from it.

 

  1. Love the Truth

 

    1. 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12
    2. 1 Thessalonians 5:21

 

Commentary: Christians who love the truth will be ready to defend the truth always by preparing themselves by putting on the whole armor of God. Christians will test what they hear and see.

 

Quote for Introspection:

 

"The heart cannot delight in what the mind rejects as false."

 

Clark Pinnock

 

 

 

Biblical Contradictions?

For

April 18, 2018 Bible Study

 

 

  1. Biblical Contradictions

 

Contradiction-Inconsistency; discrepancy

 

Featured Text:

 

Number 23:19

Genesis 3:1-4

Matthew 4:1-7 (see Psalms 91:11,12)

 

Commentary: With God there are no contradictions. Man attempts to trip up God’s messengers by trying to find contradictions. Did not the devil try to use Scriptures to tempt and trip up Christ? Did Satan not use God’s words to trick Eve?

 

  1. Creation

 

  1. Genesis 1:31
  2. Genesis 6:6,7

 

Contradiction:  Is God satisfied or dissatisfied with his creation?

 

Commentary: Both statements are true. The difference lies in the events that occurred between the two statements, Man’s fall from grace.

 

  • Where God lives

 

  1. 2 Chronicles 7:12,16
  2. Acts 7:48

 

Contradiction: Does God live or not live in the temple?

 

Commentary: God can be everywhere at the same time. God can be in the temple and everywhere else because God is a spirit that does not have mortal limitations.

 

 

  1. God lives in Light and Darkness?

 

  1. Psalm 97:2
  2. 1 Timothy 6:16

 

Contradiction: How can God live in both light and darkness?

 

Commentary: These two verses are metaphors that express the same idea the unsearchableness of God.

 

  1. God tires and rests?

 

  1. Exodus 31:17
  2. Isaiah 40:28

 

Contradiction: Does God get tired and needs rest?

 

Commentary: The Exodus verse means that God creased from the work of creation and took delight in his work.

 

  1. God is not all seeing and all knowing?

 

  1. Proverbs 15:3
  2. Genesis 11:5

 

Contradiction: Why did the Lord have to come down to see the city?

 

Commentary: The verse from Genesis does not mean God did not know what was happening. The verse means that God is turning his attention to the matter.

 

  • God knows the heart?

 

  1. Acts 1:24
  2. Deuteronomy 8:2

 

Contradiction: If God knows the heart why must God test?

 

Commentary: God is not ignorant of the people’s minds. God was showing the people that he knew all about them by the tests. Testing works in two ways it allows the Christian to show his or her faith in God. Testing also allows other Christians to show their faith (through works) by helping the Christian who is being tried.

 

  • How did Judas die?

 

  1. Matthew 27:1-5
  2. Acts 1:18

 

Contradiction: Did Judas hang himself?

 

Commentary: Are Matthew and Luke contradicting each other. Matthew records that Judas died by hanging which is correct. Luke who is a physician is also correct. Luke sates what happens to the body after the hanging. Judas’s body hung in the hot sun. The body started to decay and gas from the decomposition accumulated in the body causing it to bloat. The body was probably cut down from the tree or the rope or branch broke. The bloated body hit the ground and exploded.

 

Quote of Introspection:

 

“The bible is so simple you have to have someone else help you misunderstand it.”

 

Harmon Okinyo

 

 

 

 

Resurrection of Christ

For

April 11, 2018 Bible Study

 

 

  1. Resurrection

 

Resurrection: the event of a dead person returning to physical life

 

Featured text

 

Luke 24:1-5

 

Commentary: The women who went to the tomb were greeted by two figures in white that told the women what Christ had told about the resurrection had occurred. God’s power had fulfilled the prophecy concerning Christ.

 

  1. Predicted

 

  1. Genesis 3:15
  2. Psalm 16:9-10
  3. Psalm 49:15
  4. Matthew 17:9
  5. Mark 14:28

 

Commentary: Christ’s death and resurrection were predicted from the beginning. God set a plan in motion for the redemption of mankind. Christ told the disciples of his death and subsequent resurrection by the Father.

 

  • The Event

 

  1. Matthew 28:1-7

 

Commentary: All the gospels have an account of the resurrection of Christ. The resurrection is also referenced by Paul and Peter in their writings to the faithful.

 

  1. The Cover up

 

  1. Matthew 27:62-65
  2. Matthew 28:11-15

 

Commentary: The Jewish and Roman officials had to cover up the fact that Christ as he stated would rise from the grave. The Jewish officials could not let the populace know that they had participated in the killing of the Son of God. The Roman officials could not allow the spreading of a power greater than Caesar and the Roman Empire.

 

  1. The Proof

 

  1. Acts 1:3
  2. Acts 2:22-31
  3. Romans 1:1-4

 

Commentary: Christ appeared to many witnesses, so that they could testify to his resurrection from the dead and the power of the Almighty.

 

  1. Not Believed

 

  1. Luke 24:11-12
  2. John 20:24,25
  3. Acts 17:32
  4. Acts 25:19

 

Commentary: The reports of Christ’s resurrection were not believed partly because of the Roman and Jewish cover up. Another reason is because people find it hard to believe that someone could overcome his own death. Christ had raised others from the dead, but people thought it was beyond his power to raise himself. The people failed to consider the power of God the Father.

 

  • God’s Power

 

  1. 1 Corinthians 6:14
  2. Romans 8:11
  3. Ephesians 1:18-21

 

Commentary: Christ did not raise himself from the dead. God the Father fulfilled the prophecy. God’s power brought forth his Son and gave him victory over death.

 

  • Impact

 

  1. Acts 17:1-4
  2. Romans 6:4
  3. 1 Corinthians 15:12-17
  4. 1 Peter 1:21
  5. Revelations 1:17-18

 

Commentary: If Christ had not risen we Christians would be worshipping in vain. We would still be a guilty distance from the Almighty cloaked in our sin. Christ has been given all power in heaven and on earth. Christ is our mediator who came in the flesh to understand us.

 

  1. Other Resurrections

 

  1. Matthew 9:18,23-25
  2. Luke 7:11
  3. John 11:42,43

 

Commentary: There were other resurrections in the Bible. The power of God works though earthly vessels to bring about the raising from the dead to prove that there is no other god. Christ’s resurrection is unique. No earthly vessel rose Christ. The Father performed the action for his Son.

 

Quote of Introspection:

 

The Resurrection is at the core of our beliefs as Christians. Without it, our faith is meaningless.

 

Joseph B. Wirthlin

 

 

 

Absolutes

For

April 4, 2018 Bible Study

 

 

  1. Absolutes

 

 

Absolute-without doubt; unquestionable; fundamental

 

Featured Texts

 

Psalm 9:7-10

 

Commentary: God is our refuge in a time of storm. God is the rock that we can cling to in troubled waters. He will never forsake those who truly love him.

 

 

  1. Physical Death

 

  1. Ecclesiastes 3:2
  2. Hebrews 9:27
  3. James 4:14

 

Commentary: Christians are born into the world and eventually we must leave it. No one will live forever in his or her present body.

 

  • Eternal Life or Death

 

  1. Romans 6:23
  2. Titus 1:2

 

Commentary: God has given us a choice. We can choose to live with Him eternally or be eternally separate from Him. We will either follow the straight and narrow path to salvation or the broad and wide path to destruction.

 

  1. One Way

 

  1. John 10:1-5
  2. John 14:6
  3. Ephesians 4:4-6

 

Commentary: Christ is the only way to salvation and eternal life. There is no other door or path that we can take to heaven.

 

  1. Message

 

  1. Mark 1:14-15
  2. 1 John 2:24-25

 

Commentary: There is only one message that Christ and the apostles delivered to mankind that can save our souls.

 

  1. Undying Love

 

  1. John 3:16

 

Commentary: God’s love for his creation is absolute. He loves us so much that he sent his Son as a sacrifice to bring us back into relationship with Him.

 

  • Truth

 

  1. Romans 15:4
  2. Hebrews 6:17-20
  3. 1 Timothy 3:15
  4. 2 Timothy 2:19

 

Commentary: God’s Word is truth because God cannot lie. What is written will come to past just as it did for the patriarchs of old.

 

  • God cares

 

  1. Psalm 37:25

 

Commentary: God will never forsake the righteous. He may not give us what we want, but he will provide for our needs.

 

 

 

  1. Changeless

 

  1. Isaiah 40:7-8
  2. Malachi 3:6-7
  3. Hebrews 13:8
  4. Revelations 1:8

 

Commentary: Christ is the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last. God is the same God then, now and forever.

 

Quote of Introspection:

 

When you find your definitions in God, you find the very purpose for which you were created. Put your hand into God's hand, know His absolutes, demonstrate His love, present His truth, and the message of redemption and transformation will take hold.

 

Ravi Zacharias

 

 

 

 

Repentance

For

March 28, 2018 Bible Study

 

 

  1. Forgiveness

 

 

Repentance-sorrow for sin. The act of turning from sin to serve God and do what is right.

 

Featured Texts

 

  1. 2 Peter 3:8,9

 

Commentary: Christians must have patience. God does not work on our time clock. God works his will on his schedule. God is giving man and woman time to come to know Him, repent of sin, take on Christ and serve him before it eternally too late.

 

  1. Source of

 

  1. Gift of God
    1. 2 Timothy 2:25
  2. Gift of Christ
    1. Acts 5:31
  3. Goodness of God
    1. Romans 2:4
  4. Tribulation
    1. Deuteronomy 4:30-31
    2. Deuteronomy 30:1-6
  • 2 Chronicles 6:36-39

 

Commentary: Repentance is a gift from God. God’s goodness is allowing man and woman a way back to him through his Son. Man and woman need only to accept the gift and change his or her heart seeking out the Son.

 

  • Condition

 

  1. Of forgiveness
    1. Luke 13:1-5
    2. 1 John 1:9
  2. Of divine favor
    1. Leviticus 26:40-42
    2. 2 Chronicles 7:14-15

 

Commentary: Repentance is a gift from God’s divine favor. If we repent after doing wrong God will restore us to the family. Sin separates us from God, but Christ died to give us a chance at repentance and admittance to the family.

 

  1. Reward

 

  1. Isaiah 59:20
  2. Proverbs 1:23
  3. Acts 11:15-18

 

Commentary: God will reward those who repent of their sins and turn their lives over to Him. Christians are to be Christ-like following the teachings of the Master and the apostles. After repentance comes confession and baptism. After the change of heart, one must follow through. Repentance alone is not enough for salvation, but without repentance there can be no salvation.

 

  1. The truly penitent

 

  1. Psalms 51:9-12
  2. Acts 26:19-20
  3. Acts 20:21
  4. Luke 15:17-20
  5. 2 Corinthians 7:10
  6. Colossians 1:21-23

 

Commentary:  A person must be truly penitent. The change in heart must lead to a lifestyle change. Christians must model the life that Christ led. Christians must dedicate themselves to the Word.

 

  1. Repentance without change of heart

 

  1. Matthew 27:3-4

 

Commentary: Judas saw what happened to Christ and repented of the sin he did. Judas did not have a complete change of heart because he went and committed suicide. If Judas was truly penitent, he would have gone to Christ and the disciples asking for forgiveness. Judas could have re-dedicated his life to serving the Master.

 

Quote for introspection:

 

God is not looking for repayment, but repentance. What heals a broken relationship is sincere love and contrition.

 

Frederica Mathewes-Green

Study to show thyself approved unto God
a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,
rightly dividing the word of truth. 

II Timothy 2:15