#15 – How To Witness Effectively
“How To Witness Effectively”
Introduction to Master Study Outline 15
One day as Jesus walked by the sea of Galilee He saw two men, Simon, called Peter and Andrew, his brother. they were fisherman. “And He said to them, ‘Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men’” (Matt 4:19). Soul winners are made, not born. Therefore, to be an effective witness, you must be taught, trained, and motivated by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus took three years to teach and train His disciples in the art of soul winning. After His resurrection He instructed them to stay in Jerusalem and, “wait for what the Father had promised” (Acts 1:4-8). When the disciples asked Jesus if the time had come for Him to restore the kingdom of Israel, He answered, “It is not for you to know times and epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses…”
On the day of Pentecost, the hundred and twenty received power to witness; and any believer who will acquire the know-how can be an effective soul winner.
He can know that he and the Holy Spirit are a witnessing team. Peter said, “And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him” (Acts 5:32). Therefore, when you witness remember that “your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you” (1 Cor 6:19, 20).
When you witness, trust the Holy Spirit to do three things:
· Illuminate the mind of the unbeliever. All lost souls are in spiritual darkness (2 Cor 4:3, 4).
· Stir the heart of the unbeliever. As Peter preached Christ the listeners, “were pierced to the heart” (Acts 2:37).
· Move the will of the unbeliever. The prodigal returned home when he came to his senses and said, “I will get up and go to my father” (Luke 15:18).
You may be up-to-date in all modern techniques and technologies of soul winning, and able to quote the necessary Scriptures without a flaw; but if you do not evangelize in the power of the Holy Spirit, your soul winning efforts will be ineffective.
Approach this last Master Outline Study (How to witness effectively) with an open heart and receptive mind, willing to be made fishers of men.
Index of Master Study Outline #15
I. The Importance of Witnessing
Read: Rom 10:13-17
II. The Qualifications of a Witness
Read: Col 2:6, 7
III. The Approach
Read: John 1:40-42
IV. The Follow-Through
Read: Matt 13:3-8 and 18-23
V. How to Share God’s Plan of Salvation
Read: Acts 4:12
VI. How to Give the Invitation
Read: Rev 22:17
VII. How to Follow Up
Read: Acts 2:41-47
I. The Importance of Witnessing
Read: Rom 10:13-17
… for “Whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved” (Rom 10:13). Do not lift this text out of context. There are three questions in verse 14 that must be considered along with verse 13, they are:
· First question, “How then shall they call upon Him in whom they have not believed?” The answer is, the lost cannot call on the Lord to be saved until they believe:
o “That Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
o And that He was buried,
o And that He was raised on the third day according to Scriptures” (1 Cor 15:1-4).
· Second question, “And how shall they believe in Him whom they have not heard?” The answer is, the lost cannot believe in Him until they hear the good news of salvation.
o The eunuch had to hear to believe (Acts 8:26-39).
o Paul had to hear to believe (Acts 9:1-18).
o Cornelius had to hear to believe (Acts 10:1-48).
o The Philippian jailer had to hear to believe (Acts 16:25-40).
· Third question, “And how shall they hear without a preacher (witness)?” The answer is, they cannot hear the good news of salvation without a witness.
o Three thousand were saved at Pentecost because the 120 witnessed.
o The eunuch was saved because Philip witnessed.
o Paul was saved because Stephen witnessed (Acts 7:54-60)., and Jesus the God-man witnessed, and Ananias witnessed (Acts 9:1-18).
o Cornelius and his household were saved because Peter witnessed.
o The Philippian jailer and his household were saved because Paul and Silas witnessed.
o You were saved because someone witnessed to you!
According to the word of God, the lost cannot be saved without a witness. They must have a witness to hear, they must hear to believe, they must believe to call, and they must call to be saved. But they cannot call until they believe and they cannot believe until they hear and they cannot hear without a witness.
“So faith (saving faith) comes from hearing” (Rom 10:17). We are not born with saving faith; it comes only when we hear the gospel. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that every born again child of God obey the great commission to evangelize, to go with the gospel!
II. The Qualifications of a Witness
Read: Col 2:6, 7
A qualified witness is one who is:
1. Established in the faith. To be established in the faith is to be rooted and grounded in God’s Word. Peter said, “But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence” (1 Pet 3:15).
The fifteen Master Outline studies i this Bible study were prepared to help establish you in the faith. Study them, carry your Bible with you and take advantage of every opportunity to ponder a portion of one of the great doctrines. They will give you a foundation on which to build a strong faith (2 Tim 3:16, 17).
2. Saved and knows it. I know that I am saved because God tells me so in His Word and God cannot lie.
We have the:
· Witness of the Spirit (Rom 8:16).
· The witness of the Word (1 John 5:13).
· The witness of faith “The one who believes in the the Son of God has the witness in himself” (1 John 5:9, 10).
3. Separated. Paul said that he was “set apart for the gospel of God” (Rom 1:1-16). This is positive separation and Paul analyzed it as:
· A holy desire to share spiritual gifts (verse 11).
· A holy purpose to bear fruit (verse 13).
· A holy obligation to pay a spiritual debt (verse 14).
· A holy eagerness to share the gospel (verse 15).
· A holy boldness to exalt the cross (verse 16).
To be separated unto the gospel is to share the Good News with the lost (see Master Outline #11, Section #3).
4. Filled with the Holy Spirit. “Be filled with the Spirit” (Eph 5:18). We are commanded to be filled with the Holy Spirit (see Master Outline #11, Section #4). Evidence of the Spirit-filled life as seen in the early Christians:
· They spoke the word of God with boldness (Acts 4:31).
· They witnessed with great power (Acts 4:33).
· They witnessed with great grace (Acts 4:33)
· They shared their wealth (Acts 4:34-37).
· They worshiped in unity (Acts 2:42-47).
· They suffered persecution (Acts 8:1-4
· They glorified in tribulations (Rom 5:3).
· They sang in prison (Acts 16:25).
· They loved and prayed for their executioners (Acts 7:54-60).
· They rejoiced to suffer shame for His name (Acts 5:41).
They were accused of:
· Filling Jerusalem with the gospel (Acts 5:28).
· Upsetting the world (Acts 17:6).
The 120 Spirit-filled Christians witnessed on the day of Pentecost and the people were:
· Bewildered, that is, they were mentally arrested (Acts 2:6).
· Amazed, that is, they were mentally frustrated (Acts 2:7).
· Marveling, that is, they stood in mental awe (Acts 2:7).
· Mocking, that is, some mentally reacted (Acts 2:13).
· Inquiring, that is, some mentally acted (Acts 2:37).
The gospel proclaimed in the power of the Holy Spirit will motivate the hearer to act or react.
On the day to Pentecost three thousand acted as evidenced by repentance and baptism, while others reacted mocking.
No one, but no one, ignored the witness of those Spirit-filled believers!
III. The Approach
Read: John 1:40-42
There are two ways to approach the prospect.
The first is:
· The direct approach. This approach can be used when witnessing to:
o A relative. Andrew used the direct approach to bring his brother Simon Peter to Christ (John 1:40-42).
o A friend. Phillip the apostle used the direct approach to bring Nathanael to Jesus (John 1:45, 46).
o The concerned. Jesus used the direct approach to win Nicodemus (John 3:1- 1).
o The seeker. Paul and Silas used the direct approach to lead the Philippian jailer to Jesus (Acts 16:19-34).
The second is:
· The indirect approach. This can be used when witnessing to: o A stranger. Jesus used the indirect approach to witness to the Samaritan woman (John 4:7-26). o The religious. Phillip the evangelist used the indirect approach to lead the Ethiopian eunuch to Christ (Acts 8:26-39).
The method in either case will vary according to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Whether you use the direct or the indirect approach, be sure to follow through until you have presented God’s plan of salvation and invited them to accept Christ as their personal Savior.
IV. The Follow-Through
Read: Matt 13:3-8 and 18-23
The parable of the sower illustrates the importance of the follow-through. Only one fourth of the soil was ready for the seed, so only one fourth of the seed brought forth fruit. Jesus explains the parable in (Matt 13:18-23), and we learn that:
· The sower is the witness.
· The seed is the word of God.
· The soil is the heart.
We also learn that there are four types of hearts. They are:
· The hard heart; this is the wayside soil, fertile but hard.
· The shallow heart; this is the stoney soil, fertile but depthless.
· The worldly heart; this is the thorny soil, fertile but possessed.
· the understanding heart: this is good soil, fertile and prepared.
The lesson here is a simple one if we expect the seed, the word of God, to bear fruit, the heart must be made ready. The hard heart must be broken; the shallow heart must be given depth; the worldly heart must be taught that the things of this world are temporal (Mark 8:36, 37). This requires time, work, and patience.
V. How to Share God’s Plan of Salvation
Read: Acts 4:12
There are seven simple steps to take in sharing God’s plan of salvation:
· Share your personal experience of salvation. Don’t give your life story. It should not take more that a few minutes to tell how the Lord saved you. As you come to the close of your testimony, bring out your Bible and say, “May I share with you God’s plan of salvation that changed my life?”
· Now share fact number one, “It is a fact that God loves you.” Read (John 3:16-17) and the study notes with them. When you come to the close of the study notes, say something like this: “Will you now admit that God loves you?” Lead them to admit it, if you can. This will get them involved in the plan of salvation.
· Now share fact number two, “It is a fact that you are a sinner.” Read (Rom 3:23) and the study notes with them. When you come to the close of the study notes, ask them to admit that they are a lost sinner. When they admit that they are a lost sinner, say something like this, “Isn’t it wonderful? God loves you even though you are a sinner!”
· Now share fact number three, “It is a fact that you are now dead in sin.” Read (Rom 7:23) and the study notes with them. When you come to the close of the study notes, ask them to admit that they are dead in sin. When they admit that they are dead in sin, say something like this, “Isn’t it great? Even though you are a lost sinner, dead in sin, God loves you!”
· Now share fact number four, “It is a fact that Christ died for you.” Read (Rom 5:6) and the study notes with them. When you come to the close of the study notes, ask them to admit that Christ died on Calvary for them. When they admit that Christ died for them, say something like this, “Isn’t it wonderful? Isn’t it great that God loves you so much that He died on Calvary bearing your sins?”
· Now share fact number five, “It is a fact that you can be saved by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.” Read (Acts 16:30, 31) and the study notes with them.
· Now share fact number six. Lead them to call upon the name of the Lord in prayer: for “Whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved!” Read (Rom 10:13).
When you come to the close of the study notes, be ready to ask them to accept, by faith, Christ as their personal Savior!
VI. How to Give the Invitation
Read: Rev 22:17
To give the invitation is to invite the person witnessed to, to, by faith, accept the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior
After reading the above verse (Rev 22:17) you can simply say something like this, “Will you kneel with me in prayer as I ask the Lord to save you, right here and now?” Don’t wait for them to get on their knees; you lead the way!
· If they will not kneel with you, don’t force it.
o Pray a short prayer that the Lord will convict them of sin and bring them to repentance.
o Get up and make an appointment to return for another witness session.
· If they kneel with you, ask them to accept Him now, by faith, by praying with you (repeating after you) the following prayer:
“Lord Jesus, I know You love me, because You died on the cross bearing my sins. Thank You, Lord, for revealing to me my lost, sinful condition. I confess that I am a sinner, dead in sin, and cannot save myself. I do now, by faith, gladly accept You as my personal Savior, and thank You, Lord, for eternal salvation. Amen!”
When you have finished leading them in the prayer, stand up, shake their hand, or preferably give them a hug (Christians are big on hugging!) and say something like this, “Welcome aboard! Upon the authority of God’s Word you are now a child of God!”
VII. How to Follow Up
Read: Acts 2:41-47
When you have led a soul to Christ your responsibility does not end. You have a spiritual baby, and that baby needs help if it is to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. There are some things that you can do to help the new Christian to grow spiritually.
· If they don’t already have one, give them an “Open Bible” (we prefer the New American Standard “Open” Bible) which is simply a Bible that contains a good study guide (like the one that this entire study has come out of), a Biblical Cyclopedia, a Concordance and a lot of other very useful and fascinating study aids.
Thomas Nelson also publishes “The Christian Life New Testament” which contains this bible study. This is a small new testament that you can carry in your pocket.
· Lead them to a New Testament church. (Invite them to yours!)
o Take them to church and sit with them.
o When the invitation is given by your Pastor, ask them to go with you to make their public profession of faith in Christ (Matt 10:32).
o Arrange with your Pastor to get them baptized as soon as possible.
· Start them out right:
o Point out that we have a “Now Salvation”.
o Stress the fact that they need to obey the Lord in all things.
o Teach them how to pray effectively on a daily basis.
o Teach them to read and study their Bible on a daily basis.
· Explain the Master Outline system of study that we have been using. o Show them how the Outlines work.
o Be sure to show them how to look up each Scripture reference when they are studying.
o Help them through the Master Study Outlines.
· By the time that they have reached Outline #15, they should be in a church, and have a solid doctrinal foundation on which to continue to grow spiritually.
· Encourage them to evangelize and to witness. “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so” (Ps 107:2 OT).
At this juncture, the new Christian should be fully prepared to “go with the gospel!”
You have accomplished a great thing! Now, don’t rest on your laurels, go find another lost soul! 
On to study # 1 – The Bible – the word of God
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#14 – God’s Plan Of Salvation
“God’s Plan Of Salvation”
There are seven facts revealed in God’s plan of salvation, and as you study them, keep in mind that this is God’s plan-not man’s-it is God’s. There is no other plan that can save your lost soul and make you a child of God (Acts 4:12).
All roads may lead to Rome, but all religions do not lead to God and salvation. There is only one way, and that is God’s way; and God’s way is a person, and that person is His Son the Lord Jesus Christ (John 14:6).
God’s salvation is threefold:
· First, Christ appeared on this earth to save you from the penalty of sin, by putting away your sin by the sacrifice of Himself on the Cross (Heb 9:26).
· Second, He appeared in heaven, in the presence of God, after His resurrection, to save you from the power of sin (Heb 9:24 and 1 John 2:1, 2).
· Third, He will appear again on this earth, the second time, as “Lord of lords and King of kings” to save you from the very presence of sin (Heb 9:28).
Now come to the seven facts of salvation with an open mind and a receptive heart, that God may bring salvation to your soul!
Index of Master Study Outline #14
I. It is a fact that God loves you
Read: John 3:16
II. It is a fact that you are a sinner
Read: Rom 3:23
III. It is a fact that you are now dead in sin
Read: Rom 6:23
IV. It is a fact that Christ died for you
Read: Rom 5:6-8
V. It is a fact that you can be saved by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ
Read: Acts 16:30, 31
VI. It is a fact that you can be saved and know it
Read: 1 John 5:10-13
VII. It is a fact that you are now a child of God and you are to obey Him
Read: Acts 5:29
I. It is a fact that God loves you
Read: John 3:16
It is an eternal fact the God loves you with and everlasting love that cannot be fathomed; it is so boundless that it can only be known by faith.
The little word “so” in John 3:16 is most expressive. It gives you some concept of the magnitude of God’s love. God so loved you, that He gave His only begotten Son, to be made sin for you, that you might become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Cor 5:21).
Jesus Christ was made that which God hates: sin-that you might become that which God loves: righteousness. Because God so loves you, you can exchange your sins for His righteousness. Could you ask for greater evidence of love? Calvary is proof that God loves, and longs to save you.
Before going to the next fact, admit to yourself that: “God loves me!”
II. It is a fact that you are a sinner
Read: Rom 3:23
What is sin?
· Sin is lawlessness (1 John 3:4).).
· Sin is unbelief; it calls God a liar (1 John 5:10).
· Sin is active rebellion against God (1 Sam 15:23 OT).
· Sin is passive rebellion against God (Is 1:2 OT).
· All unrighteousness is sin (1 John 5:17).
God, who cannot lie, said: “All have sinned.” “All” includes you! You have sinned against God by thought, word, and deed. You have committed sins of commission and sins of omission. In the sight of God, you are a lost sinner.
Before going to the next fact, admit to yourself that: “I am a lost sinner, because I have sinned.”
III. It is s fact that you are now dead in sin
Read: Rom 6:23
You have already confessed and admitted that you are a sinner. Now God would have you know that “… the wages of sin is death.” You are dead in sin until you accept Christ as personal Savior. The Apostle Paul said, “And you were dead in your trespasses and sins” (Eph 2:1). To be saved is to be made spiritually alive in Christ.
What is death?
· Death is spiritual separation. Your sins have separated you from God; you are dead in your sins.
· Death is physical separation. It separated the spirit and soul from the body.
· Death is eternal separation. If you remain lost in your sins, you will stand before God at the great white throne judgment. And there your sins will separate you from the mercy of God forever; this is Hades (Rev 20:11-15).
You know that God loves you, and that you are a sinner-dead in sins.
Before going to the next fact, admit to yourself: “I am dead in sins.”
IV. It is a fact that Christ died for you
Read: Rom 5:6-8
He died for those who are unlike God; this includes you! “While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom 5:8).
“He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Cor 5:21).
Knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like sliver or gold …but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ” (1 Pet 1:18, 19).
For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, in order that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit” (1 Cor 15:3).
In light of these wonderful Scriptures, will you now thank God for His great love in sending His Son to bear your sins in His own body on the cross, and admit to yourself that: “Christ died on Calvary for me!”
V. It is a fact that you can be saved by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ
Read: Acts 16:30, 31
The Philippian jailor asked Paul and Silas: “Sirs, what must I do to be Saved?” The answer was quick in response, and positive in content: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved, you and your household.” Paul and Silas preached the gospel to the jailer and those in his house; they believed and were saved.
What is this gospel that saves when believed?
· First, it is: “that Christ died for your sins.”
· Second, it is: “that He was buried.”
· Third, it is: “that He was raised on the third day” (1 Cor 15:3, 4).
Jesus Christ the God-man died for you, was buried for you, and rose form the dead for you; and is now at the right hand of the Father interceding for you (1 John 2:1).
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Rom 1:16). The gospel is the power of God for salvation only when you believe. Your faith in Jesus Christ releases the power of God that saves your soul.
The man born blind received physical sight by a miracle; but, spiritual sight came when Jesus asked, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” He answered, “Lord, I believe” (John 9:35-38). Salvation came to Thomas when he believed and confessed, “My Lord and my God” (John 20:24-29).
When you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved (Rom 10:9, 10).
Accept Him now by faith, and pray this prayer: “Lord Jesus, I know You love me, because You died on the cross bearing my sins. Thank You, Lord, for revealing to me my lost, sinful condition. I confess that I am a sinner, dead in sin, and cannot save myself. I do now by faith, gladly accept You as my personal Savior, and thank You, Lord, for eternal salvation. Amen!”
VI. It is a fact that you can be saved and know it
Read: 1 John 5:10-13
“… that you may know that you have eternal life… ” (1 John 5:13). Upon the authority of God’s Word, you can be saved and know it. Your faith in God’s infallible Word is your assurance of salvation. “He who believes in the Son has (present tense) eternal life” (John 3:36).
The Bible is a book of certainties. It strengthens convictions, and establishes beliefs. God would have you know:
· That you are now a child of God (1 John 3:2).
· That you have been made the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Cor 5:21 and Rom 10:1-4).
· That you are now a new creature in Christ (2 Cor 5:17).
· That you are now a son and heir of God (Gal 4:7).
Could you have greater assurance than is found in God’s infallible Word? “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words shall not pass away” (Matt 24:35).
VII. It is a fact that you are now a child of God and you are to obey Him
Read: Acts 5:29
“We must obey God rather than man” (Acts 5:29). You now belong to Jesus Christ. He is your Lord and Master, and “no one can serve two masters” (Matt 6:24). Determine now to obey your Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, in all things:
· Unite with a New Testament church. “And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47).
· Follow Him in the ordinance of baptism (Acts 2:41).
· Join a Sunday school class (Bible Study), and study the Word with God’s children (2 Tim 2:25).
· Attend the worship services of your church (Heb 10:25). You need the preaching of God’s Word and Christian fellowship.
· Be a faithful steward (1 Cor 4:2). All that you are and have belong to God. “… you are not your own. For you are bought with a price …” (1 Cor 6:19, 20). As a faithful steward, you pay God His tithe (Mal 3:10 OT). The tithe is one-tenth of your income, and it is the Lord’s (Lev 27:30 OT).
· Make time in your daily life to pray and read God’s word, that you may grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.
On to study # 15 – How to Witness Effectively
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#13 – The New Birth
“The New Birth”
It is of the utmost importance that we have a clear understanding of what Jesus meant when, speaking with Nicodemus, He said, “You must be born again”. The new birth is a spiritual birth. It is as much a birth as the natural birth; it is not just a figure of speech.
The first birth is of the seed of man.
The second birth is of the seed of God (1 Pet 1:23).
Therefore, you cannot become a child of God by joining the church, any more than a monkey could become a man by joining the human race. He may act like a man, dress like a man, and try to live like a man… but he would still be a monkey. Now, if by some miracle, the monkey could be born again of the seed of man, then… and only then, could he become a man.
The only way to become a child of God is to be “born again” (John 3:3); “not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and abiding word of God”.
What is the new birth?
· The new birth is a new creation (2 Cor 5:17).
· The new birth is a spiritual resurrection (Eph 2:1-9).
· The new birth is regeneration (Titus 3:5).
· The new birth is partaking of the divine nature of God (2 Pet 1:4).
· The new birth is receiving Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, by faith (John 1:12).
· The new birth is being made the “righteousness of God” (2 Cor 5:21).
· The new birth is compulsory if you are to become a child of God: “You must be born again”.
Index of Master Study Outline #13
I. Jesus and The Two Births
Read: John 3:1-8
II. The New Birth Issues a New Sinless Nature
Read: 1 John 3:9
III. The New Birth is Imperishable
Read: 1 Pet 1:23
IV. The New Birth-Its Means
Read: John 3:14-18
V. The New Birth-Its Threefold Proof
Read: 1 John 5:1, 2
I. Jesus and The Two Births
Read: John 3:1-8
In John 3:1-8, we see Jesus and Nicodemus face to face-Jesus the Son of God, and Nicodemus the son of natural man.
Nicodemus was a very religious man, but he was not a child of God. What a shock it must have been to learn that his religion was not enough! It never is.
He came to Jesus, addressing Him saying, “You have come from God as a teacher”.
Jesus knew Nicodemus , as He knows all men (John 2:24, 25), and Jesus knew that he needed more than a teacher-he needed a Savior. He needed more than religion-he needed regeneration. He needed more than Law-he needed life.
Jesus began by going right to the point when He said, “You must be born again.” Nicodemus asked, “How can a man be born when he is old?” Then Jesus pointed out the dissimilarity in the two births:
· “That which is born of the flesh is flesh” (the flesh will never change).
· “That which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (the Spirit will never change (John 3:6).
First, let us take a brief look at the flesh birth:
· It produces an old sinful nature (Ps 51:5 OT).
· It produces a perishable nature (1 Pet 1:23).).
· It produces an old nature under the sentence of death (Rom 6:23).
· It produces an old nature that makes every unsaved person a child of the devil (1 John 3:10 and John 8:44).
Second, let us say a word about the new birth:
· It produces a sinless nature (1 John 3:9).
· It produces a nature that can not sin (1 John 3:9).
· It produces a righteous nature (2 Cor 5:21).
· It produces a divine nature (2 Pet 1:4).
Every born again person has two natures:
· The old from the old birth. By the old birth, we are children of the flesh.
· The new from the new birth. By the new birth, we are children of God.
This is why, “You must be born again.”
II. The New Birth Issues a New Sinless Nature
Read: 1 John 3:9
This is one of the most misunderstood verses in the Bible. Do not try to understand it in the light of personal experience. Keep in mind that the above verse is speaking of the new nature-not the old nature-because the old nature is not born from God. The old nature is born of fallen man and is depraved. The new nature is born of God and is holy.
First, let us see what the verse says about the new nature:
· The new nature does not commit sin, because it is the product of the seed (sperm) of God.
· The new nature cannot sin, because it is the divine nature of God (2 Pet 1:4) and since God cannot sin, the new nature that issues from His holy seed cannot sin.
Second, let us see what the Bible says about the old nature:
· The old nature does sin any time you let it sin (Rom 6:12). As a child of God, you will keep under the old nature (1 Cor 9:27) by not yielding to the desire of the flesh; or the old nature will keep you under, and you will live a defeated Christian life (Rom 6:13).
· There is nothing good in the old nature (Rom 7:18). The power to live a righteous life cannot be found in the old nature; it can be found only in the new (Gal 2:20).
If you have been “born again”, you have two natures-the old and the new-and you are walking according to one of the two. Examine your Christian walk in the light of God’s Word (Rom 8:5, 6).
III. The New Birth is Imperishable
Read: 1 Pet 1:23
In the verse (1 Pet 1:23) we have two seeds, two births, and two natures.
· The corruptible seed issues a corruptible nature (Rom 1:23). The seed of man became depraved in the seed of Adam when he sinned in the garden of Eden (Gen. 3:6-10 OT). Corruptible man can produce only corruptible seed (Matt 7:18). “All have sinned…” (Rom 3:23) because all are born in sin (Ps 51:5 OT). You are not a sinner because you sin-you sin because you are a sinner.
· The incorruptible seed issues an incorruptible nature (2 Pet 1:4). You cannot corrupt that which is incorruptible; therefore, the incorruptible seed of God issues a new nature that cannot be corrupted at any time, or in any way. The new birth produces the life of Christ, and this life is made living in man by the indwelling Holy Spirit (Rom 8:8-10).
The seed of man is corruptible; the birth of man is natural. Therefore, the nature of man is sinful.
The seed of God is incorruptible; the new birth is spiritual. Therefore, the new nature is sinless.
IV. The New Birth-Its Means
Read: John 3:14-18
“Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness” (Num 21:5-9 OT). He lifted up the serpent for a sinful, disobedient people. When anyone was bitten by a serpent, he had a choice: He could humble himself and by a simple act of faith look and live Is 45:22 OT); or he could refuse to look on the serpent of bronze and die.
“Even so must the Son of Man be lifted up.” Just as the serpent in the wilderness was the only means for the healing of Israel, so the death of Jesus Christ is the only means for the new birth. And the only way to appropriate the regenerating power of God is by faith in the vicarious death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Cor 15:1-4).
The sinner must come to Christ by faith, believing:
· That Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures (Is 53:1-12 OT and Zech 13:6 OT).
· And that He was buried. This is the proof of His death. He was in the grave three days and nights.
· And that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures. This is the gospel that saves-but it is powerless to save until the sinner believes it (Rom 1:16).
The means of the new birth is found in that:
· “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son”-to be the only means of the new birth (John 3:16 and Acts 4:12).
· Jesus Christ gladly came into the world to become the only means of the new birth (John 12:27 and John 17:1-5).
· The Holy Spirit came into the world on the day of Pentecost to convince men of their need of the new birth (John 16:7-11). A personal faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the only means of the new birth.
V. The New Birth-Its Threefold Proof
Read: 1 John 5:1, 2
Every “born again” child of God has the threefold proof of the new birth-proof that he is a child of God. This threefold proof is: first, inward proof; second, outgoing proof; and third, outward proof.
· “Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God” (1 John 5:1). Your faith in Christ-that He is God-is personal evidence that you are a child of God (1 John 5:10-13). This is inward proof of the new birth.
· “Everyone who loves is born of God” (1 John 4:7-11). We are to love our fellow man with the love of God. This we are not capable of doing in the flesh; we must let God love man through us (Rom 5:5). This is outgoing proof of the new birth.
· “Everyone also who practices righteousness is born of Him” (1 John 2:29). If you are born of God, you will make a practice of doing right at all times and at all cost (2 Cor 5:17). This is outward proof of the new birth.
If you do not have the threefold proof of the new birth, now is the time to get on you knees and accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior-by faith in His Vicarious death, burial, and resurrection!
On to study # 14 – God’s Plan of Salvation
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#12 – Repentance
“Repentance”
“He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper. But, he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion” (Prov 28:13 OT).
God desires “truth in the innermost being” (Ps 51:6 OT) and commands all men everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30). The sinner must repent before he can become the recipient of salvation by grace through faith (Eph 2:8, 9). The saved must practice repentance if he is to enjoy unbroken fellowship with God (Job 42:1-6 OT). Someone said, “I repented before I understood the meaning of the word, but since then, as a Christian, I have repented many times.”
Repentance is granted by God (Acts 5:31 and Acts 11:18). “The kindness of God leads you to repentance” (Rom 2:4). The kindness of God is not merited; therefore, the results of His kindness which is repentance is a gift. This gift of repentance is an inward change produced by the convicting power of the Holy Spirit as the Word of God is proclaimed (Acts 2:38,38 and John 16:7,11). The results, “repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21); faith that Christ died for our sins; and that He was buried and that He rose from the dead (1 Cor 15:1-4).
Repentance qualifies a man for salvation, but it takes a faith in Christ to acquire it. True repentance is always coupled with faith. It is impossible to have saving faith and not repent. “Repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ” are essential and inseparable in salvation.
Faith without repentance is the ultimate of hypocrisy and repentance without faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ is sheer folly.
Index of Master Study Outline #12
I. Repentance Defined
Read: 2 Pet 3:9
II. Repentance Preached
Read: Mark 1:1-4
III. Repentance From Dead Works
Read: Heb 6:1
IV. Repentance and God
Read: Heb. 7:21
V. Repentance, Impossible to Renew
Read: Heb 6:4-6
VI. Repentance, The Importance of
Read: Acts 17:30
VII. Repentance, The Evidence of
Read: Acts 26:19, 20
I. Repentance Defined
Read: 2 Pet 3:9
First, let us see that repentance is not:
· Sorrow. “Sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation” (2 Cor 7:9, 10). Godly sorrow is a guilty feeling that leads to repentance, but it is not repentance.
· Penance. Penance is an act on the part of the guilty to render payment for sin. It is to make an effort, in some way, to atone for wrongs done against God of man. God calls all men to repentance, not to do penance.
o Jesus did not say, do penance and believe the gospel. He said, “repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15).
o Peter did not say, do penance and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ. He said, “Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of you sins” (Acts 2:38).
o Paul did not say, God is declaring all men everywhere to do penance. He said, “God is now declaring to men that all everywhere should repent” (Acts 17:30). If penance is repentance, then salvation is not the gift of God, and we are not saved by grace through faith (Eph 2:8, 9).
· Reformation. Reformation is a change brought about by the efforts of man for self-glory (Matt 12:43-45). It is a turning away from known sin, or giving up bad habit, or trying to overhaul the old nature, or turning over a new leaf, or making restitution. Judas reformed but it did not save him and neither can it save you (Matt 27:3-5)!
Second, let us see what repentance is:
· A change. The change is always evidenced in three elements.
o The intellectual element, a change of mind.
o The emotional element, a change of heart.
o The volitional element, a change of will.
· The parable of the prodigal is a perfect illustration of repentance. He had a change of mind, a change of heart, and a change of will (Luke 15:11-32).
o The intellectual element, “He came to his senses.”
o The emotional element, “I have sinned.”
o The volitional element, “I will get up and go to my father.”
Repentance is a change. The prodigal had a change of mind; and his change of mind effected a change of heart; and his change of heart effected a change of will. No one is ever saved until he wills to be (Rev 22:17). Repentance is change of mind, of heart, and of will.
II. Repentance Preached
Read: Mark 1:1-4
Repentance was preached in the Old Testament before the birth of Christ, and during the life and during the life and ministry of Christ. It was preached on the day of Pentecost, and in the Book of Acts after Pentecost. It is taught in the Epistles and the Book of Revelation. It is a doctrine to be preached and practiced in all dispensations.
· John the Baptist preached repentance.
o He preached the baptism of repentance (Luke 3:3).
o He preached. “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt 3:2). He was “THE VOICE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, ‘MAKE READY THE WAY OF THE LORD’” (Matt 3:3). John’s preaching of repentance exalted Christ, denounced sin, warned of judgment, and it cost him his head.
· Jesus preached repentance.
o He preached, “Repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:14, 15). He went about doing mighty works and calling sinners to repent and to have faith in the good news of God.
o His preaching of repentance was an ultimatum, repent or perish (Luke 13:1-5 . Salvation by grace is for the repentant soul, and judgment, without mercy, for those who resist!
· Peter preached repentance.
o At Pentecost he preached, “Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins” (Acts 2:38).
o In his second Epistle he preached that, the Lord “… is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance” (2 Pet 3:9). Every soul that goes to hell goes against the will of God .
· Paul preached repentance.
o He preached that God “.. is now declaring to men that all everywhere should repent” (Acts 17:30). This message was given on Mars’ Hill to the intelligentsia of Athens. The results were three-fold:
· Some sneered
· Some procrastinated
· Some believed (Acts 17:32-34)
III. Repentance From Dead Works
Read: Heb 6:1
What does the writer of Hebrews mean by, “repentance from dead works”? First, we need to see the other two categories of works. They are:
· Good works (Matt 5:16). Only saved souls can do good works and please God. Of the lost, He said, “There is no one who does good, not even one” (Ps 14:1-3 OT). The believer is not to hide his good works, but lit them be seen to the glory of the heavenly Father. Mary of Bethany anointed the head and feet of Jesus with precious perfume while He sat at the table of Simon the leper. Some of the disciples called her deed an extravagant waste, But Jesus said, “She has done a good deed to Me… She has done what she could” (Mark 14:3-9). Like Mary, we are to do all we can to the glory of God, not in order to be saved , but because we are saved, having no other motive. This is the way to do good works.
· Evil deeds (Col 1:20, 21). Evil deeds are deeds done by the unregenerated, natural man ( 1 Cor 2:14).). He walks according to this world system. He is motivated by the “prince of the power of the air (Satan)”. His talk is filled with the lust of the flesh and he lives to gratify the desires of the flesh and the natural mind, He is a child of wrath and his works are wicked because he is dead in sin (Eph 2:1-3).
· Dead works (Heb 6:1). Dead works could be called religious works. They are done by the religious for the purpose of meriting eternal life. It is legalistic effort to keep the moral and ceremonial laws of God for the purpose of winning God’s favor and be saved by works (Eph 2:8, 9). Paul said, “because by works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight” (Rom 3:20).
Dead works are performed by the religious, “For not knowing about God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God” (Rom 10:1-4).
Paul is a good illustration of repentance from dead works. He clearly stated the he had “no confidence in the flesh”; then he lists his dead works of which he had to repent (Phil 3:1-9). When he compared this righteousness which is by dead works of the law, with the righteousness of Christ which is by faith, he counted the former but rubbish. He knew the meaning of “repentance from dead works”.
IV. Repentance and God
Read: Heb 7:21
“God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent” (Num 23:19 OT). Yet the Bible tells us that He does repent (Gen 6:5-7 OT). This is not a contradiction. It is paradoxical, but not contradictory.
God makes two convenants with man.
The first is unconditional. When He makes and unconditional covenant, He never repents (change His mind [Ps 110:4 OT]). He made such a covenant with Israel (Rom 11:25-36).
The second is conditional. The Lord said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever because he also is flesh; nevertheless, his days shall be one hundred and twenty years” (Gen 6:3 OT). In the days of Noah, God gave the human race a 120 years to repent. Only Noah and his family repented and “found favor in the eyes of the Lord: (Gen 6:8 OT). They met God’s condition and were not judged with the rest of the human race who refused to repent. “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance” (2 Pet 3:9). It is clear that God wills to save all lost souls. He is “not wishing for any to perish”. To be saved the lost must meet His condition, “repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21). Now if a man does not repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, God will repent. He will change and judge that man. In love He bestows grace; but, if salvation by grace is rejected, in justice He terminates it. In this way God repents.
V. Repentance, Impossible to Renew
Read: Heb 6:4-6
The key that unlocks the mystery to this difficult portion of Scripture is the word, “impossible” in verse 6. The writer is saying, that the person who so sins will find it impossible to repent again.
First, let us see what the writer does not mean. He does not mean a backslidden Christian. Simon Peter backslid (Matt. 26:69-75), repented (John 21:3-17), and was restored to fellowship with the Lord. King David sinned (2 Sam 11:1-27 OT), repented (Ps 51:1-19 OT), and was restored to fellowship with the Lord (2 Sam 12:13 OT). Any backslidden Christian can repent and be restored to fellowship with God.
Second, let us see what the writer does mean. Hebrews 6:4-6 is proof that being religious is not enough to save you. They professed, but did not possess eternal life. In outward appearance they would be called Christians. But Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord’, will enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matt 7:21-23).
Esau so sinned against the Lord when he sold his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of stew (Gen. 25:27-34 OT). Later he tried to repent, but found it impossible to do so. The Scripture says, “he found no place for repentance, though he sought for it with tears” (Heb 12:16, 17).
At the great white throne judgment where only the wicked dead are judged (Rev 20:11-15), they too, will try to repent but will find it impossible.
VI. Repentance, The Importance of
Read: Acts 17:30
Repentance is so important that God commands that “all everywhere should repent” (Acts 17:30).
· The lost are to repent. Jesus said, “I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners” (Matt 9:13). Again, He said, “Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish” Luke 13:3-5).
· Backsliders are to repent. Paul said, “I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance” (2 Cor 7:9). There were fleshly Christians in the church at Corinth. In Paul’s first letter to them he called upon the church to discipline the guilty. In his second letter he rejoices because the guilty repented.
· Local churches are to repent. In the Book of Revelation (Rev 2-3), our Lord sent seven letters to seven local churches. He called upon five of the seven to repent.
o The church at Ephesus was to repent because she had left her first love.
o The church at Pergamos was to repent because she permitted the doctrine of Balaam to be taught, and to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit acts of immorality.
o The church at Thyatira was to repent because she tolerated Jezebel to teach and lead God’s servants to commit acts of immorality.
o The church at Sardis was to repent because she was a dying congregation.
o The church at Laodicea was to repent because she taught she was rich and did not need anything. In her opinion, she had arrived. She did not know that she was neither hot or cold, but lukewarm and God was ready to spit her out of His mouth.
The Lord called upon these five churches to repent or else He would remove their candlestick and they would cease to be a light in darkness.
The lost are to repent or perish.
The backslider is to repent or be disciplined.
The local church is to repent or lose its effectiveness in a world lost in sin.
VII. Repentance, The Evidence of
Read: Acts 26:19, 20
The evidence of repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ is seen in:
· The repentance of unbelieving Thomas (John 20:24-29). Thomas would not believe that Christ had been raised from the dead until he saw the risen Savior and was given the opportunity to touch His nail-pierced hands and put his hand into His wounded side. Thomas repented, believed, and made his great confession of faith. “My Lord and My God!”
· Three thousand changed their minds, hearts, and wills on the day of Pentecost and immediately gave evidence of repentance (Acts 2:41-47).
· Saul of Tarsus experienced repentance when he met Jesus on the Damascus road and gave evidence of repentance (Acts 9:1-22).
· Cornelius, his family, and friends repented when they heard the gospel preached by Simon Peter, and evidence of repentance followed (Acts 10:24-48).
· The Philippian jailer and his house repented when witnessed to by Paul and Silas; the evidence of repentance followed (Acts 16:26-34).
Repentance is a change of the mind, the heart, and the will. The proof of repentance is:
· turning from “transgressions” (Exek 18:30 OT).
· turning to God (Acts 26:19, 20).
· followed by good deeds (Acts 26:19, 20).
On to study # 13 – The New Birth
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#11 – The Abundant Life
“The Abundant Life”
“… I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly” (John 10:10). The only way into eternal life is through faith in Jesus Christ as personal Savior (John 3:15). But do not stop here; to have eternal life is great-but there is more. Christ came that you might have life abundantly. All believers have life, but not all have abundant life. You are living beneath your privilege if you are a believer and not enjoying the abundant life
For life to be abundant, it must have abundant resources, and the only unlimited source of life is in the person Jesus Christ, the son of God (John 14:6). To possess this fuller life, the believer must abide in Him (John 15:1-5). Dynamic, abundant living is not for just a few, it is God’s norm for all believers. It is spiritual life in depth, and without it, the Christian life becomes inane and meaningless.
If you do not have abundant life within you, you will soon yield to the fleshly life around you (1 Cor 3:1-4). The fleshly life is circumstance-controlled; the abundant life is Holy Spirit-controlled. The fleshly Christian life leads to defeat; the abundant life leads to victory in Christ. Man seems to know everything about life except how to live it abundantly. From this moment on, determine not to be satisfied with anything less than God’s best: living life abundantly.
Index of Master Study Outline #11
I. The Abundant Life is a Yielded Life
Read: Rom 6:10-13
II. The Abundant Life is a Service Life
Read: Rom 12:1, 2
III. The Abundant Life is a Separated Life
Read: Rom 1:1
IV. The Abundant Life is a Spirit Filled Life
Read: Eph 5:18-20
V. The Abundant Life is a Mature Life
Read: 2 Pet 3:18
I. The Abundant Life is a Yielded Life
Read: Rom. 6:10-13
How to live the abundant life is no secret; it is revealed in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. ”For the death that He died, He died to sin, once for all; but the life He lives, He lives to God” (Rom. 6:10). Faith that saves identifies you with Christ in His death-this is eternal life. Faith that yields identifies you with Christ in His resurrection-this is abundant life (Col. 3:1-4).
· It is one thing to have eternal life by faith. It is quite another thing to have abundant life by faith.
· It is one thing for you to “… become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Cor. 5:21); it is another thing for you to realize His righteous life in in you (1 John 3:7).
· It is one thing for you to live in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17); It is another thing for Christ to live His life through you (Col. 1:27).
In the above verse (Rom. 6:13), the believer has a choice. He may yield to God by faith and enjoy abundant life or he may yield to sin and endure a defeated life (Rev. 3:1). God would have you know the power of a yielded life; it will lift you above circumstances that circumvent abundant living. The abundant life begins when you yield to Him as Master, allowing Him to live His life through you by faith.
II. The Abundant Life is a Service Life
Read: Rom. 12:1, 2
To live abundantly, you must serve the Lord Jesus Christ, who Himself became our example. He served all the way to Calvary, and there He was the obedient servant,” …obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross (Phil. 2:7, 8).
In the verses (Rom. 12:12, 2), the believer is urged to take the necessary steps for abundant living.
· You are to “present”. This is volitional surrender to the perfect will of God, even though you may not know God’s perfect will for your life; it is, on your part, an act of faith (John 7:17).
· You are to “present your bodies”. God must control and use the whole man. “And may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord, Jesus Christ.” Your whole man was redeemed on the cross and sanctified (set apart for service) (1 Thess. 5:23).
· You are to “… present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice”. This is exemplified in the life of the Apostle Paul; he was a “living sacrifice”.
o In life, he was “a bond-servant of Christ Jesus” (Rom. 1:1).
o In battle, he was a warrior (Eph. 6:10-18).
o In the will of God, he was a “prisoner of Christ Jesus” (Eph. 3:1). These words were spoken from a Roman prison; he never referred to himself as a prisoner of Rome. To the Apostle, prison was a part of the perfect will of God. With this conviction, he lived abundantly (Phil. 1:12).
o In death, he was victorious (2 Tim. 4:7, 8).
You have been “transformed”, changed by the power of God, and no longer “conformed to the world” but now you can be conformed to the “good and acceptable and perfect” will of God, and live abundantly!
III. The Abundant Life is a Separated Life
Read: Rom 1:1
Separation is both positive and negative. You are to be “… set apart for the gospel of God”, this is positive (Rom 1:1). You are to come out from anything that is contrary to the perfect will of God (2 Cor 6:17), this is negative.
To be separated means to be sanctified (set apart) for salvation and service.
· The word of God has the power to separate the believer from sin (John 17:17 and Ps 119:11 OT).
· God the Father has the power to separate the believer to the “… coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess 5:23).
· God the Son has the power to separate the believer to righteousness, “… having no spot or wrinkle (Eph 5:24-27).
· God the Holy Spirit has the power to separate the believer unto salvation and service (2 Thess 2:13).
Without being separated, you can have relationship with God; but, you cannot have fellowship with Him. You may be united to Him in Calvary, but separated from Him in sin (Is 59:1,2 OT). Without separation, you can have influence without power, movement without achievement; you may try, but not trust; serve, but not succeed; war, but not win. Without separation to God from sin, your whole Christian life will be “wood, hay, straw”. The abundant life is made possible by death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and made a reality by being separated to Him.
IV. The Abundant Life is a Spirit Filled Life
Read: Eph 5:18-20
The Holy Spirit indwells every believer. You may be immature, weak and imperfect; but, if you have been “born again” of the Spirit (John 3:3-7), He dwells in you (1 Cor 6:19 and Rom 8:9). It is one thing for you to have the Holy Spirit dwelling in you, but does the Holy Spirit have you, that He may fill you with abundant life?
The abundant life is not found in environment or circumstances, or in the things you may possess. It is found in the infilling of the Holy Spirit.
“But filled with the Spirit” (Eph 5-18) is a command. You may be filled many, many times (Acts 2:4 and Acts 4:31). The apostles that were filled in Acts chapter 2, were filled again in Acts chapter 4. To be filled with the Holy Spirit is to be: Spirit-possessed, Spirit-empowered, Spirit-led and Spirit-controlled (Acts 8:26-40).
· You are filled with the Spirit that you might have joy (Eph 5:19, 20).
· You are filled with the Spirit for service (Acts 6:3 and Acts 11:22-24).
· You are filled with the Spirit for power to be a witness (Acts 1:8 and Acts 2:4-7).
· You are fille with the Spirit for the hour of persecution Acts 7:54-60).
· You are filled with the Spirit that you may “walk by the Spirit (Gal 5:16-26).
· You are filled with the Spirit that you may be led by the Spirit (Rom 8:14).
How can you be filled with the Holy Spirit? first, You must desire Him to fill you. Second, you must ask Him to fill you. third, you must believe that He does fill you (John 4:14 and John 7:37, 38).
V. The Abundant Life is a Mature Life
Read: 2 Pet 3:18
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ” (2 Pet 3:18). The scriptures reveal four stages of spiritual growth in the Christian life:
· The baby stage (1 Cor 3:1-4). A baby thinks only of self; and, if denied the things desired, it will raise a rumpus. It seeks its own; its feelings are easily hurt and it is often jealous. A baby lives to be served-it never serves. It drinks milk, and cannot eat strong meat. It cries, but never sings. It tries to talk, but never makes sense. These infant characteristics are so prominent in the lives of many church members. They have been born into the family of God, but have failed to develop spiritually. They are spiritual babies-carnal Christians.
· The little child stage (1 John 2:12). Some Christians grow to be little children spiritually, but stop there. Here are some of the characteristics of children: they are often untruthful, envious, and cruel. If rebuked, they become martyrs; if crossed, they are resentful and often make a scene. They are talebearers, repeating everything they hear (in adults, it is called gossip). They are given to emotional outbursts, and are easily puffed up. They love praise, and will accept it from any source. They seek only the things that appeal to self. Are you a spiritual child?
· The young man stage (1 John 2:13). Spiritual growth to that of a young man is not reached by many. He is strong and virile and is well able to overcome his enemy. He has a vision for the future and the faith and courage to tackle it. He is preparing for his productive years. You, too, can become a young man spiritually by doing “away with childish things” (1 Cor. 13:11) and grow.
· The father stage (1 John 2:13). This stage of spiritual development can be reached by all, but so few ever attain it. The spiritual father has peace with God (Rom. 5:1). He knows the peace of God (Phil. 4:7). He rejoices in his spiritual children (1 Thess. 2:19 and 1 Tim 1:2). He has learned contentment under all circumstances (Phil 4:11).). He knows the only source of true strength (Phil. 4:13). He does not brood over the past, but looks to the future (Phil 3:13, 14). He knows that all things work together in his life for his eternal good (Rom 8:28). He enjoys abundant life now and will enjoy it in the life to come (Eph 2:7).
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#10 – Faith
“Faith”
The righteous shall live by faith. This declaration of the Christian’s principle of life is found four times in the bible: Hab 2:1-5 (OT), Rom 1:17, Gal 3:10, 11 and Heb 10:38. In Habakkuk we see the difference between the lives of the unrighteous and the righteous. The unrighteous are puffed up and live by their own self-sufficiency. But the righteous live by faith. Their confidence is in God. To them, faith is more than a philosophy of life it is the very principle of life (Acts 16:31); he is kept by faith (1 Pet 1:5); and he lives by faith (Gal 2:20). His faith shall be tried many times and in many ways (1 Pet 1:7), but faith will always be vindicated, because it is more than equal to any occasion. Faith knows how to wait on the Lord (Is 40:31 OT), and it is always victorious (1 John 5:4).
Faith defies reason; it moves mountains (Matt 17:14-21). Faith does not always face facts; it never gives up (Heb 11 :32-39). Faith says, “God is working out His perfect will in my life and I can wait, endure, and suffer”. Faith does not make anything easy, but it does make all things possible.
Proceed to the Index of Master Study Outline #10 to continue your study.
Index of Master Study Outline #10
Read: Heb 11:1-3
Read: Eph 6:16
Read: Matt. 14:29-33
Read: John 11:21-44
Read: Heb. 11:32-39
I. What is Faith?
Read: Heb 11:1-3
“Now faith is the assurance (title deed) of things hoped for …” Your faith is your title deed to eternal life. Just as a title deed is evidence of real estate, so your faith is evidence of your eternal estate in God (2 Cor 4:18).
· Faith is taking God at His word and asking no questions (Heb 11:6).
· Faith is knowing that: “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God” (Rom 8:28). Faith does not believe that all things are good, or that all things work well. It does believe that all things (good or bad) work together for good to those who love God.
· Faith has two sides. One side has to do with the intellect. It is an intellectual conviction that Jesus Christ is God. The other side has to do with the will. It is a volitional surrender of the will to Jesus Christ as Master. This is seen when Thomas believed and confessed, “My Lord and my God” (John 20:28). “My Lord”, this was a volitional surrender; “My God”, this was intellectual conviction. Together you have saving faith (John 20:31). Saving faith is an intellectual conviction that Jesus is God, and volitional surrender to Him as Lord (Master) of your life. By faith, the mind trusts in god; the heart responds to the love of God; the will submits to the commands of God; and the life obeys in the service of God.
· Faith is paradoxical. It goes beyond reason. It believes without understanding “why”. It sings in prison (Acts 16:25). It exults in tribulations (Rom. 5:3). It chooses to endure ill treatment (Heb. 11:25). It accepts all things as a part of God’s will (Phil 1:12).
You are not born with this faith. It comes by hearing the Word of God (Rom 10:17). This is why we are commanded to preach the gospel to every creature, that they may hear and believe (Rom 10:13, 14).
II. The Importance of Faith
Read: Eph 6:16
The shield of faith is a vital part of the Christian’s armor. You are to put on the “… full armor of God” (Eph 6:10-18), because the Christian life is a warfare, a spiritual conflict. As Paul names the different parts of the Christian’s armor, he comes to the shield and emphasizes its importance by saying, “in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith …” (Eph 6:16). For with the shield of faith, nothing can hurt you; “… in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him” Rom 8:37).
The importance of faith is seen in that:
· You cannot be saved without faith (John 3:36).
· You cannot live victoriously over the world without faith. (1 John 5:4)
· You cannot please God without faith (Heb 11:6).
· You cannot pray without faith (James 1:6)
· You cannot have peace with God without faith (Rom 5:1).
· You cannot have joy without faith (James 1:6).
· You are justified by faith and not by works (Gal 2:16).
· You are to live by faith (Gal 2:20).
· You are made righteous by faith (Rom 10:1-4).
· Christ dwells in your heart by faith (Eph 3:17).
· The Holy Spirit is received by faith (Gal 3:2).
· “Whatever is not from faith is sin” Rom 14:23).
Faith is important because it honors God, and God always honors faith!
III. Little Faith
Read: Matt 14:29-33
At this stage in the spiritual growth of Peter, he was a man of “little faith” However, after Pentecost, he became a spiritual giant. Let us take a good look at his “little faith” and profit from it. Jesus came to His distressed disciples, walking on the water in the midst of a storm. Peter asked to come to Jesus on the water. He must have thrilled at the thought of doing the impossible. Jesus said, “Come.”
· Peter did the impossible thing: He walked on the water, by faith.
· Next, Peter did the conceivable thing: He saw the storm and had a second thought-he doubted. For a moment, he lost sight of Jesus. He may have turned and started back to the boat (Luke 9:62).
· Now Peter did the natural thing: He feared destruction. Doubt always breeds fear.
· Then Peter did the expected thing: He began to sink-he failed.
· Now Peter did the right thing: He prayed, “Lord, save me.” Immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand and caught him. Once more Peter made contact with Jesus by faith.
· Again, Peter did the impossible thing: He walked on the water with Jesus, to the boat.
In this lesson, we see the success and failure of “little faith”.
Now, let us recap the steps that led to failure.
· /span>Peter started by faith, and walked on the water.
· Then he saw the storm, and had a second thought that led to doubt, that produced fear, that caused him to turn back, that brought about the failure.
You need a faith that is bigger than the elements that would drag you down to defeat. You can have big faith by “prayer and fasting” (Matt 17:20, 21) and by feeding your faith on the word of God (Rom 10:17).
You can have mountain-moving faith!
IV. Three Kinds of Faith
Read: John 11:21-44
n this chapter, we see the faith of Martha in connection with the resurrection of her brother Lazarus. Now Lazarus fell ill, and Martha and he sister Mary sent for Jesus to come and heal him. Jesus delayed His coming until Lazarus was dead and in the tomb for four days. Then He came to raise him from the dead, and found the limited, fundamental faith of Martha His only obstacle.
· Martha’s faith was limited. She said, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died” (John 11:21). The death of Lazarus meant the end of Martha’s faith. She believed that Jesus had the power to raise her brother up from the sick bed, but not from the dead. Her limited faith restricted the power of Christ (Matt 13:58). Limited faith is controlled by circumstances, and motivated by fear of failure.
· Martha’s faith was fundamental. Jesus said, “Your brother shall rise again” (John 11:23). These words were spoken to kindle hope and faith in Martha; but she said, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day” (John 11:24). Martha declared her fundamental faith in a great truth, but that is not enough. Jesus stated, “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25). Jesus was saying that He had all power over life and death. Then He asked, “Do you believe this?” (John 11:26). Martha evaded the question by stating her fundamental faith in her creed (John 11:27). It is not enough to believe in a creed only; faith must go beyond your creed to the living, all powerful Christ. Her faith limited the power of Christ (Mark 10:27), and “Jesus wept” (John 11:35). Jesus wept when He came to raise Lazarus form the dead and found limited, fundamental faith only.
· At last, unlimited faith came to Martha when she consented to have the stone moved from the grave (John 11:41). When Jesus first ordered the stone taken from the grave, Martha objected in unbelief (John 11:39). Then Jesus, challenging her to believe said, “Did I not say to you, if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” (John 11:40). Martha believed and waited to see the glory of God, and she was not disappointed. We often hear that “seeing is believing”, but this is not so. You believe and then see. Faith comes before sight. Now Martha’s faith no longer limited the power of Christ. She consented to have the stone moved from the tomb and Jesus “cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come forth’” (John 11:43), and Lazarus was raised up.
Don’t be satisfied with limited, fundamental faith only, when you can have unlimited faith that pleases God and reveals His glory.
V. The Hall of Faith
Read: Heb 11:32-39
This chapter is often called the “Hall of Faith”. You need to come here often and linger long, that your faith may become strong in the Lord; for in this Scripture we get a view of the history of Israel and the church, as it is written by faith, in the blood of the saints.
· They worshiped by faith as Abel.
· They walked by faith as Enoch.
· They worked by faith as Noah.
· They lived by faith as Abraham.
· They governed by faith as Israel.
· They fought by faith as Joshua.
· They conquered by faith as Gideon.
· They subdued kingdoms by faith as David.
· They closed the mouths of lions by faith as Daniel.
· They walked through the fire by faith as the three Hebrew children.
· They suffered by faith as Paul.
· They died by faith as Stephen, the first Christian martyr (Acts 7:54-60).
By faith they were patient in suffering, courageous in battle, made strong out of weakness, and were victorious in defeat. They were more than conquerors by faith. It is only by faith in the all-powerful Christ that you can be superior to circumstances, and victorious over all the evil forces that would destroy you. “Fixing your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith” (Heb 12:2). The faith of the saints inspires us, but we look to Jesus as our example of faith.
On to study # 11 – The Abundant Life
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# 9 – Prayer
“Prayer”
Prayer is as old as man, as universal as religion, and as instinctive as breathing (Gen 4:26 OT). It is practiced in some form by all men of all faiths. Prayer springs from the heart with a need, a need greater than man’s ability to encounter. Prayer is man’s acknowledgment of a being higher than himself.
Most men try to pray, yet so few know how. There are two kinds of prayers: the prayer that does not reach God and the prayer that does reach God. This is illustrated by our Lord in the parable of the Pharisee and the publican (Luke 18:9-14). Both men went to the same place, at the same time, for the same purpose, to pray.
The Pharisee prayed in his religious pride, expecting God to answer because he thought himself worthy. He informed God of his own goodness, that he was better than others. He boasted of his good works. He said, “I fast; I pay. “This is the kind of prayer that does not reach God. It is self-righteous prayer.
Now look at the publican and his prayer. He came to God in great humility, conscious of his unworthiness, confessing himself a sinner, and begging for mercy. This is the kind of prayer that does reach God. This is righteous prayer.
It is a rare privilege to pray; because it brings you into close fellowship with God, admitting your need for Him and your utter dependence upon Him!
Index of Master Study Outline #9
I. What is Prayer?
Read: Matt 7:7-11
II. Why Pray?
Read: Luke 18:1
III. How to Pray.
Read: Matt 6:9-13
IV. Where to Pray.
Read: Acts 12:5
V. Hindrances to Prayer.
Read: 1 Peter 3:7
VI. Does God Answer All Prayer?
Read: John 15:7
I. What is Prayer?
Read: Matt 7:7-11
Prayer is asking and receiving; it is talking with God. It is making your request known to Him in faith. The above Scripture is so simple on the surface, that we are in danger of failing to recognize its immensity. Our Lord instructs the believer to ask, seek, and knock; because these three words cover the whole spectrum of prayer.
· Prayer is asking and receiving. When you know the will of God regarding a need, whether it be material or spiritual, you can ask and receive. This is prayer according to the revealed will of God (1 John 5:14, 15).
· Prayer is seeking and receiving. When you do not know the will of God regarding a need, whether it be material or spiritual, then you are to seek His will in prayer concerning this need until you find it. This is prayer for knowledge of the unrevealed will of God in a specific need (Col. 3:1 and Jer. 29:12, 13 OT).
· Prayer is knocking and opening. When you know the will of God, and yet you find a closed door, you are to knock, and keep on knocking until God opens the door. This is tenacious prayer, prayer for mountain-moving faith. Knocking prayer perseveres until the impossible becomes the possible. This is miracle-working prayer (Matthew 17:14-21). All things are possible when you ask, seek, and knock.
II. Why Pray?
Read: Luke 18:1
· Because Jesus said, “at all times they ought to pray” (Luke 18:1). Prayer is imperative. You are commanded to pray (Matthew 26:41).
· Because prayer is the only way to get things from God. “You do not have because you do no ask” (James 4:2).
· Because there is joy in prayer (John 16:24).
· Because prayer will save you out of all your troubles (Psalms 34:6 OT).
· Because prayer can unlock the treasure chest of God’s wisdom (James 1:5).
· Because prayer is a channel of power (Jeremiah 33:3 OT).
· Because it is a sin not to pray (1 Samuel 12:23 OT).
· Because sinners can be saved when they pray in faith (Romans 10:13, 14).
· Because Jesus, while here in the flesh, prayed often to the Father. Now, if Jesus, the Son of God, needed to pray, then we should “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5-17).
III. How to Pray.
Read: Matt 6:9-13
“Pray, then, this way.” Our Lord gave this as a model prayer after one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples” (Luke 11:1).
· We are to pray to “Our Father who art in heaven,” because He is all-wise, all-loving, and all-powerful. We are also instructed to pray in the name of Jesus (John 14:13, 14), depending on the mediative influence of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:26, 27).
· We are to pray for His will be done in everything (James 4:15).
· We are to pray for the coming of the Kingdom (Matthew 25:31-46).
· We are to pray for our daily necessities (Luke 11:3).
· We are to pray for forgiveness, and practice forgiving others (Matthew 18:21, 22).
· We are to pray for the leading of the Lord, and deliverance from evil (Luke 22:42).
· We are to pray in faith, for “without faith it is impossible to please Him” (Hebrews 11:6).
This model prayer is brief, to the point, and not repetitious. It is the perfect prayer.
IV. Where to Pray.
Read: Acts 12:5
There was a remarkable change in the prayer life of the disciples after the resurrection of Jesus, and it is noted again after Pentecost. Before the death of Jesus, the disciples slept while Jesus prayed in the Garden (Matthew 26:36-46). But, after His death and resurrection:
· They assembled in the upper room, waiting for the coming of the Holy Spirit; and, they prayed. We should always pray when assembled with
believers (Acts 1:13, 14).
· They prayed as they went from house to house (Acts 2:42-47).
· They prayed in the church when Peter was in prison (Acts 12:5-19).
· Paul and Silas prayed in prison (Acts 16:25). Here we see Christians praying in the presence of unbelievers, but not to be heard of them. Never pray to please others present; pray only to please God.
· The most important place to pray is any place where you can be alone with God (Matthew 6:6).
· We are instructed to pray in all places at all times (1 Timothy 2:8).
It is a great joy to be able to talk with God, any time, any place, under any condition or circumstances, and to know that He will hear and answer!
V. Hindrances to Prayer.
Read: 1 Peter 3:7
When prayers are not answered you should examine yourself in the light of God’s Word. If you find anything not pleasing to God, confess it, believing God for forgiveness that your prayers may be answered (1 John 1:9).
· An unharmonious relationship between husband and wife will hinder prayer (1 Peter 3:1-7).
· Selfishness will hinder prayer (James 4:3).
· An unforgiving spirit will hinder prayer (Matthew 5:22-24). Many Christians go without answers to prayer because they have wronged others, or have been wronged and have failed to humble themselves and seek reconciliation.
· Unbelief will hinder prayer (James 1:6, 7 and Hebrews 11:6).
· Known sin in the heart will hinder prayer (Isaiah 59:1, 2 OT and Psalms 66: 18 OT).
When you pray, go to God in all humility. Ask Him to reveal anything in your life that is not pleasing to Him. Then judge it; confess it, calling it by name and forsake it. Pray in all simplicity and earnestness, believing, and God will hear and answer!
VI. Does God Answer All Prayer?
Read: John 15:7
The Bible is filled with answered prayers from Genesis to Revelation. You are commanded to pray, and God has promised to answer (Jeremiah 33:3 OT). In (John 15:7), there are two requirements for answer to prayer.
· First: You are to abide in Him; that is, to continue in Him. It means to remain in His perfect will at all cost (Romans 12:1, 2).
· Second: His words are to abide in you; they are to become a vital part of your life. You are to be filled with, and guided by, His words (Colossians 3:16, 17).
Meet these two requirements, and your prayers will be answered.
· The answer is sometimes immediate. Peter walked on the water to go to Jesus, and he began to sink, he prayed, “Lord, save me”! The answer was immediate. (Matthew 14:22-31).
· The answer is sometimes delayed. The delay is according to His will (Romans 8:28). The resurrection of Lazarus is a good example of delayed answer to prayer. Lazarus was dead and in the tomb for four days. Then Jesus came and raised Lazarus from the dead. The answer was delayed, but not denied (John 11:1-44).
· The answer is sometimes “no”. When God answers with a “no”, He always accompanies the answer with peace (Philppians 4:6, 7) and grace (2 Corinthians 12:7-10).
· The answer is sometimes different from what you expect. You pray for perseverance and God sends tribulation, because “tribulation brings about perseverance (Romans 5:3). God answers all your prayers, not according to your wishes, but according to His perfect will.
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# 8 – The Church
“The Church”
Jesus said, “I will build My church” (ecclesia) (Matt 16:18). The word “ecclesia” in the New Testament is used to designate any assembly whether it be political (Acts 19:39), Christian (Eph 1:22, 23), or national (Acts 7:38). It means a called-out assembly or congregation. God called Israel out of Egypt; they congregated in the wilderness; they were, “the church in the wilderness.” today, God calls the saved out of the world to congregate in worship. This is the church in the world, in it but not of lt.
Unlike the church in the wilderness, the Church that Jesus is building will never cease. He said, “The gates of Hades shall not overpower it.” His Church is not synonymous with Christendom. It is Christendom in the same way in which it is in the world, in it but not of lt. Christendom is made up of those who profess to be Christians, but they know not Christ as a personal Savior (Matt 7:21-23, also, 2 Tim 3:5 and Titus 1:16). Only blood-washed, born again, Spirit-baptized believers constitute the church that Jesus is building. It is called a:
· Mystery (Eph 3:3-10).
· Body (1 Cor 12:12-31).
· Building (Eph 2:10-22).
· Bride (2 Cor 11:2).
Index of Master Study Outline #8
I. The Church: Its Foundation
Read: Matt 16:13-18
II. The Church: Its Head
Read: Col 1:18
III. The Church: Its Organization
Read: Titus 1:4, 5
IV. The Church: Its Discipline
Read: Matt 18:15-17
V. The Church: Its Worship and Work
Read: Matt 28:16-20
VI. The Church: Its Power
Read: Acts 1:8
VII. The Church: Its Future
Read: 1 Thess 4:16,17
I. The Church: Its Foundation
Read: Matt 16:13-18
“Upon this rock I will build My Church.” Leading up to this declaration He asked His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They answered naming some of the prophets. Then He said to them, “But who do you say I am? Peter answered, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matt 16:16). In verse thirteen Jesus spoke of Himself as the “Son of Man”. Now Peter speaks of Him as the “Son of the living God”. Jesus blessed Peter and said that this great truth came from God the Father. Again He said to Peter, “You are Peter, (Petros, a little rock) and upon this rock (Petra, a big rock) I will build My church.” Jesus did not say that He would build His church upon Peter, but upon Himself, the Rock of Ages.
Simon Peter called Jesus the “living stone,” the precious “CORNER stone,” a “STONE OF STUMBLING,” and a “ROCK OF OFFENSE”. He spoke of all believers, including himself, as “living stones”. Christ is the foundation and believers are the building stones (1 Pet 2:1-10).
Paul speaks of Christ as the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets ((Eph 2:19-22). He also said, “For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor 3:11). Although the church was a mystery in the Old Testament, yet Isaiah said, “Thus says the Lord God, ‘Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, a costly cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed”‘ (Is 28:16 OT). Christ is the sure foundation of His church and all believers are little building stones built into a holy temple in the Lord.
II. The Church: Its Head
Read: Col 1:18
He is also head of the body, “The church”. Christ is the foundation, cornerstone, and head of His Church. He is head of the local church, and He is head of the church in its all-inclusive sense, including all born again, blood-washed, Spirit-baptized believers in heaven and earth.
The church is more than a religious organization, it is an organism, with Christ as the living head. It is alive with the life of Christ made living in each member (1 Cor 12:1-31). Let us examine the church and observe its role as the body of Christ.
· The members of the body are given spiritual gifts according to the will of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 12:1-11).
· The unity of the body is seen in its many members with different operations all related and coordinated under one Head (1 Cor 12:12).
· All are baptized by one Spirit into one body (1 Cor 12:13).
o There is one Holy Spirit.
o There is one Holy Spirit baptism.
o There is one body (the church).
This is the church in its broadest sense. You cannot join this church. The only way to become a member of His body is to be spiritually born (John 3:1-7) and baptized into it by the Holy Spirit.
· The members differ one from the other, yet they function as one in the will of God (1 Cor 12:14-18).
· The least or weakest member is necessary for the proper function of the whole body (1 Cor 12:22, 23).
· If one member suffers, the whole body suffers; if one is honored, all are honored (1 Cor 12:26).
· The members are to desire the greater spiritual gifts and minister in love (1 Cor 12:31).
The Lord Jesus Christ has never delegated His authority to anyone, whether he be pope, Pastor, deacon, or the majority of the congregation. He is “head over all things to the church” (Eph 1:22), the only absolute and final authority!
III. The Church: Its Organization
Read: Titus 1:4, 5
There is scriptural evidence of some organization m the local church from its inception. It was a definite and permanent organized congregation, but not as we know it today.
Paul left Titus in Crete to organize the believers into local church bodies and to “set in order what remains, and appoint elders in every city” (Titus 1:5).
The local New Testament church is a microcosm of the complete body of Christ in heaven and earth. The word “church” is used over one hundred times in the New Testament, and the great majority of the references refer to the local congregation.
Organization in the local church is seen in:
· Its Officers.
o He gave to the church “apostles” (this refers to the twelve; there are no apostles in the church today), “prophets” (we have no prophets and have not had since the last book of the New Testament was written), “evangelists” (the evangelist will serve the church until Jesus comes), and “pastors and teachers” Eph 4:11, 12). Pastors and teachers are local ministers; the apostles, prophets, and evangelists are ministers at large.
o Another officer is the deacon. His qualifications are set forth in: (1 Timothy 3:8-13). Deacons are never called a board in the Scriptures. They are not to run the church; they are ordained to assist the Pastor by ministering to the saints (Acts 6:1-7).
· Its membership records.
o The church must have kept some records of its members. The book of Acts tells us that there were about 100 in the upper room. The account (Acts 1:15-26) reads like the average local church business meeting. Simon Peter is the Pastor; he takes the lead and gives direction in choosing one to take the place of Judas. “And they drew lots,” and Mathias was chosen to be an apostle. On the day of Pentecost about 3,000 were added to the body of Christ by Holy Spirit baptism (1 Cor 12:13) and to the local church Jerusalem by water baptism (Acts 2:41). Again, the records show another 5,000 added (Acts 4:4). The Scriptures tell us that “the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47).
· Its ordinances.
o Baptism (baptize means to immerse). The Lord commands the believer to be baptized. This is the believer’s first opportunity to obey his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In the early church no one ever questioned water baptism; they obeyed (Matt 28:18-20 and Rom 6:1-4). Baptism does not save. It is a picture of your faith in His death, burial and resurrection. It is faith in Christ that saves (John 3:36) and the Ordinance of Baptism that identifies the believer with the risen Savior.
o The Lord’s Supper. There is no saving power in the Lord’s Supper. It is a memorial. The bread is symbolic of His broken body and the wine of His shed blood for the remission of our sins. Baptism identifies the believer with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection; and the Lord’s Supper is a memorial to be observed by the believer to “proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes” (l Cor 11:23, 24).
IV. The Church: Its Discipline
Read: Matt 18:15-17
This is the most difficult and necessary function of the local assembly, and its importance cannot be exaggerated. “Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough? Clean out the old leaven” (1 Cor 5:6, 7). Leaven in the Scripture is always a type of evil. The church is to clean out any evil in its membership. The motive for disciplining a brother is love (1 John 4-7-11). The goal is to restore him to fellowship with his Lord and the church.
“If your brother sins…”
· The first step is to be taken by the one sinned against. He is to go to his brother alone, not seeking revenge or self justification, “if he listens to you, you have won your brother.”
· If he does not repent, the second step is to take one or two believers and go to him again.
· If he will not hear the two or three, the third step is to take it to the church.
A good example of church discipline is reported in Paul’s letters to the church at Corinth. He used strong words calling upon the church to discipline a member for fornication. He wrote, “REMOVE THE WICKED MAN FROM AMONG YOURSELVES” (1 Cor 5:1-13). In his second letter to the Corinthian church we learn that the man repented and was restored to the fellowship of God’s people. Now Paul writes, “forgive and comfort him… reaffirm your love for him” (2 Cor 2:3-11). The attitude of the church toward a repenting brother should always be that of forgiveness in love.
V. The Church: Its Worship and Work
Read: Matt 28:16-20
The church: its worship.
· “When they saw Him, they worshipped Him” (Matt 28: 17). To worship is to bow down in awe; to pay divine honors to God in humble, reverent homage. There are three essentials in worship, they are:
o Faith, “the people believed… then they bowed low and worshipped” (Ex 4:31 OT).
o Spirit, “those who worship Him must worship in spirit…” (John 4:23, 24).
o Truth, “those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24). Jesus Christ is truth, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). Therefore, there can be no pretense or hypocrisy in true worship. The parable of the Pharisee and the publican illustrates true worship (Luke 18:9-14). The publican worshipped in truth and he went home justified. The Pharisee worshipped in religious pride and he went home rejected.
The church: its work.
· “For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you” (1 Thess 1:8). The church in Thessalonica did the work of the Lord so well that the apostles did not have to evangelize Macedonia and Achala. The church shared its faith with the lost and, after all, that is the main work of the church. This is how that, “this took place for two years …all who lived in Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks” (Acts 19:8-10). All of Asia did not journey to Ephesus to hear Paul. It is evident that the believers went everywhere sharing the gospel. The work of the church is to go with the gospel because:
o The church is commissioned to work (Matt 28:18-20).
o The church is to work with Christ (2 Cor 6: 1), and the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:32).
o The church is to work with Christ in His field (the world) (Matt 13:36-43 and Mark 16: 15).
o The need for the church to work is great (John 4:35).
o The time for the church to work is now (2 Cor 6:2).
o The church is to work until Jesus comes to judge the works of the saints (2 Cor 5:5-10).
o The church will be rewarded for its works (1 Cor 3:9-15). God’s program for the local church is, come and worship, go and work (witness) (Acts 8:1-4).
VI. The Church: Its Power
Read: Acts 1:8
On the day of Pentecost the church received power to evangelize the world. When the hundred and twenty came down from the upper room, they came in the dynamics of the Holy Spirit. It was a spiritual phenomenon issuing forth in joyful ecstasy and miracle-working power, resulting in conviction of sin, “repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21). Some were empowered for special service, but all received power to witness.
The real power of the church is not found in:
· Modern buildings or unique methods of preaching and teaching.
· Its great wealth or how that wealth is used.
· The church’s prominence or popularity. The Laodicean church was the first bragging congregation, but not the last (Rev 3:14-17).
o They said, “We are rich”. God said they were poor.
o They said, “We are wealthy”. God said they were wretched.
o They said, “We do not need anything”. God said they needed everything.
o They said, “We are busy in the church”. God said they were miserable.
o They said, “We have a vision”. God said they were blind.
o They said, “We are clothed in fine garments”. God said they were naked.
o They said, “We are satisfied”. God said they made Him sick.
You can always recognize a Holy Spirit-powered church. The evidence is obvious; they have power to:
· Evangelize: They share their faith with the lost and souls are saved. Evangelism is the only way to make full proof of your ministry (2 Tim 4:5). When a church is not involved in winning souls, it grieves the Holy Spirit and is void of power.
· Reproduce: Souls are born into the family of God by the “imperishable” seed which is the word of God (1 Pet 1:23). The Spirit-filled believer sows the seed; this is evangelism. The Holy Spirit hovers over the seed, convicting and leading the lost to repentance. This is spiritual birth.
· Change: people (Acts 2:37-41); places (Acts 5:28); and things (Matt 17:20, 21).
· Turn the world upside down (Acts 17:6).
This is the power that filled the upper room congregation on the day of Pentecost. That power is with the believer today in the person of the Holy Spirit. He is the power of the church!
VII. The Church: Its Future
Read: 1 Thess 4:16,17
The true church of Jesus Christ has a glorious, victorious future in the world, in the air, in the kingdom, and in eternity; it cannot fail. “The gate of Hades shall not overpower it” (Matt 16: 18).
· The future of the church m the world: At Pentecost the Holy Spirit set the course for the church as it journeys from the upper room to the Rapture. It is to:
o Wage war (Eph 6:10-18).
o Run a race (Heb 12:1, 2).
o Work in love (1 Cor 3:9).
The Church of Jesus Christ will emerge triumphant for, “we overwhelmingly
conquer through Him who loved us” (Rom 8:35-39).
· The church cannot fail because:
o Christ is its Head.
o The Holy Spirit is its power.
o The Word of God is its guide.
· The future of the church in the air; “We shall all be caught up” (1 Thess 4:17). Caught up: o In our imperishable, glorified bodies (1 Cor 15:42-44).
o To meet the Lord in the heavens and for the great majority of the church we will see Him in His resurrected body for the first time (1 John 3:2).
o That our deeds may be judged at the Judgment seat of Christ (2 Cor 5:10). This is the bema judgment.
o That we may be rewarded or suffer loss of reward (1 Cor 3:11-15).
· The future of the church in the kingdom.
o The twelve apostles will sit on thrones and judge the twelve tribes of Israel (Matt 19:28).
o All who overcome the evils of Christendom (Laodicea) will sit with Christ on His Kingdom Throne (Rev 3:21).
o We shall reign with Him a thousand years (Rev 20:4-6).
· The future of the church in eternity:
o After the kingdom reign of one thousand years there will be “a new heaven and a new earth” (Rev 21:1).
o The earth will be restored to its original, created state (Gen 1:1 OT).
o God’s earthly people Israel will inherit the new earth (Ex 32:13 OT).
o His bride, the church, will remain in His presence forever!
If, in His human form, He is in the new heaven or the new earth, we will be with Him, to see Him, to serve Him, and to worship Him. He will continue to bestow upon His bride the riches of His eternal grace (Eph 2:6, 7). Even in our perfect, glorified bodies it will take eternity (time without end) to begin to comprehend the greatness of His grace!
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# 7 – Rewards
“Rewards”
There is a vast difference in the doctrine of salvation for the lost, and the doctrine of rewards for the saved. Salvation is “the gift of God not as a result of works” (Eph 2:8, 9). Salvation is received by faith in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ (John 3:36). Rewards are according to the works of the believer (Matt 16:27).
A most revealing Scripture on rewards is found in (I Cor. 3:8-15):
· First, every believer will be rewarded “according to his own labor” (I Cor 3:8). We do not labor for salvation.
· Second, “We are God’s fellow workers” (I Cor 3:9), not for salvation, but for rewards.
· Third, the believer is not to build “a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (I Cor 3:11).
· Fourth, the believer has a choice of two kinds of building materials: o “Gold, silver, precious stones”, this is building with eternal materials. o “Wood, hay, straw”, this is building with temporal materials (I Cor 3:12 and 2 Cor 4:18). The believer who builds on Christ with eternal materials, “gold, silver, precious stones” shall receive a reward. Those who build on Christ with temporal materials, “wood, hay, straw” will receive no reward. The works of “wood, hay, straw” will be destroyed at the “judgment seat of Christ”, and the believer will suffer loss, not the loss of salvation, but the loss of eternal reward.
Some believers will be ashamed at the “judgment seat of Christ” (1 John 2:28), ashamed of their works of “wood, hay, straw”.
From Porter Barrington’s, (the author/commentator of this bible study) personal experience:
· In the first year of my ministry, I sat at the bedside of a dying friend. As we talked of his home-going, tears filled his eyes. Being young in the Lord, I thought he was afraid to die, and attempted to speak words of encouragement to him. He said, “I am not afraid to die; I am ashamed to die.” He went on to say that Christ was his Savior, but he had lived for self, and now had to meet the Lord Jesus Christ empty handed. His life loomed up before him as “wood, hay, straw”. He was “saved, yet so as through fire”.
Rewards are called “crowns” or “wreaths” in the new testament.
Index of Master Study Outline #7
I. The Crown of Life
Read: James 1:12
II. The Wreath Imperishable
Read: 1 Cor 9:24-27
III. The Crown of Exultation
Read: 1 Thess 2:19-20
IV. The Crown of Righteousness
Read: 2 Tim 4:5-8
V. The Crown of Glory
Read: I Pet 5:2-4
I. The Crown of Life
Read: James 1:12
This reward could be called the lover’s crown. Upon examination of this verse, we discover that the believer finds strength to overcome temptation and endure trials, through the love of God. Paul said, “We also exult in our tribulations”. The question is Do we, today, exult in tribulation? We can, only if the “love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit” (Rom 5:3-5). Without the love of God in the heart of the believer, trials can cause him to become bitter and critical and lose the “crown of life”.
All believers have eternal life (John 3:15-16), but not all believers will be rewarded with the “crown of life”. This crown will be given to those who are “faithful until death” (Rev 2-10). To receive the “crown of life” the believer must love the Lord more than his own life. “For whoever wishes to save his life (live for self) shall lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s (live for Christ at all cost) shall save it” (Mark 8:35). This reward will be given to those who live for Christ, and endure temptations, in the power of the love of God (1 Cor 10:13).
II. The Wreath Imperishable
Read: 1 Cor 9:24-27
Paul makes use of the Greek games to illustrate the spiritual race of the believer. They ran to win a “perishable wreath; but we an imperishable” wreath. No young man could contend in the games unless he was a Greek citizen, born of Greek parents. No unsaved person can participate in the services of the Lord for rewards; only the born of God are eligible (John 3:3).
Just as the athlete must deny himself many gratification’s of the body so the believer must say, “I buffet my body and make it my slave” or he will become “disqualified”. He will not lose his salvation, but he will lose the “imperishable wreath”.
The Greek games had hard and fast rules for all participants. The New Testament contains the rules for the believers who would enter the spiritual race to win the “imperishable wreath”.
· The believer must deny self of anything that would weigh him down and hold him back (Heb 12:1).
· The believer must keep his eyes fixed on Jesus, and not look to the right or the left (Heb 12;2).
· The believer must find his strength in the Lord (Eph 6:10-18).
· The believer must place his all upon the altar of the Lord (Rom 12:1, 2).
· The believer must, by faith, refuse anything that would impede spiritual progress (Heb 11:24-29).
Do not be a spiritual spectator. Enter the race and run to win the “imperishable wreath”.
III. The Crown of Exultation
Read: 1 Thess 2:19-20
The “crown of exultation” is the soul winner’s crown. The greatest work you are privileged to do for the Lord is to bring others to a knowledge of Christ as personal Savior. The degree of your joy in heaven will be determined by the souls you have had a part in bringing to Christ. Paul tells the Thessalonian believers that they are his “… hope or joy or crown of exultation” now and when Jesus comes.
· It is wise to win souls to Christ (Prov 11:30 OT).
· It is a work against sin to win souls to Christ (James 5:20).
· It is a cause for joy in heaven to win souls to Christ (Luke 15:10).
· Every soul winner will shine as the stars forever (Dan 12:3 OT).
How you can win souls to Christ:
· Witness with your life live that others may see Christ in you (2 Cor 3-2 and Gal 2:20).
· Witness with your mouth, trusting the Holy Spirit to give power to the spoken word (Acts 1:8).
· Witness by tithes and offerings that others may preach Christ, and you will have “profit which increases to your account” (Phil 4:15-17 and 2 Cor 9:6).
God has promised that your toil will not be in vain in the Lord (1 Cor 15:58). The soul winner will not rejoice alone, all of heaven will rejoice with him when he receives the “crown of exultation” (John 4:36).
IV. The Crown of Righteousness
Read: 2 Tim 4:5-8
The “crown of righteousness” is a reward, and it is not to be confused with the “righteousness of God” which the believer receives when he becomes a Christian; for at that time, the believer is to become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Cor 5 21). This saving righteousness is a gift to be accepted by the lost. The “crown of righteousness” is a reward to be earned by the saved. If the believer looks for, and loves the doctrine of the second coming of Christ, it will affect his whole life. Look at the dynamic impact this truth had on the life of the Apostle Paul. He could say:
· “I have fought the good fight” (2 Tim 4:7 and 1 Cor 15:32). He fought a spiritual battle throughout his Christian life, and won. He never surrendered to the enemies of righteousness (Eph 6:12).
· “I have finished the course.” He had a course to travel, and he did not detour the hard places; neither did he look back (Luke 9:61, 62). He finished his course with his eyes fixed on Christ (Phil 1:6).
· “I have kept the faith.” He preached the “… whole purpose of God”, never betraying any of the great doctrines (Acts 20:24-31). The Apostle looked ahead to the “judgment seat of Christ” where the “crown of righteousness” will be given to those who “loved His appearing”. How important it is for the believer to look with a heart of love for the second coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, that he may receive the “crown of righteousness” (2 Tim 4:8).
V. The Crown of Glory
Read: I Pet 5:2-4
The “crown of glory” is a special reward for the faithful, obedient God-called Pastor. He will receive this reward when the “Chief Shepherd appears. It is eternal; it is “unfading”. Every believer may share in the pastor’s “crown of glory”. “He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward” (Matt 10:41). Support your faithful, God-called Pastor by:
· Praying for him and encouraging him in the work of the Lord.
· Undergird his ministry with God’s tithes and your offerings (Mal 3:10 OT).
· Giving freely of your time to the service of the Lord.
And, God will reward you for supporting His chosen servant by allowing you to share in your pastor’s reward. The Pastor will earn this “crown of glory” by:
· Feeding the church. He is to proclaim the Word of God without fear or
favor; and, when necessary, he will “reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction” (2 Tim 4:2-5).
· Taking the spiritual oversight of the church. The Pastor is responsible to God for the message preached to his people. No Pastor should preach to please the people; he is to please his Lord (Gal 1:10).
· Being an example to the church. He is not to serve for the reward of money. Yet, the church is responsible to care for his every material need (1 Tim 5:18). He is to be a spiritual leader, and not a dictator. He is to walk with God by faith. “And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory” (1 Pet 5:4).
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# 6 – Judgement
“Judgement”
In the Scriptures, we are instructed in how we should be “handling accurately the word of truth” (2 Tim 2:15). This is most essential when studying the judgments.
Do not endeavor to make all judgments conform to the theory of one “general judgment”. The “general judgment” theory is the invention of religion, and is not taught in the Word of God.
There are five separate judgments revealed in the Bible, and they differ as to time, place, and purpose. Yet, they all have one thing in common: the Lord Jesus Christ is the Judge (John 5:22).
· Everyone, from Adam to the last man to be born on this earth, will stand before the Lord Jesus Christ to be judged.
· In the first judgment, the sins of the believers have already been judged in Christ on the cross.
· In the second judgment, the believer is to judge self, or be judged by the Lord Jesus Christ and disciplined.
· In the third judgment, all believers must appear at the “judgment seat of Christ” where their works are to be judged. In the fourth judgment, all nations are to be judged at the Second Coming of Christ.
· In the fifth judgment, the wicked dead are to be judged at the great white throne.
Index of Master Study Outline #6
I. The Judgment of The Believer’s Sins
Read: John 5:24
II. The Judgment of The Believer’s Self
Read: I Cor 11:31, 32
III. The Judgment of The Believer’s Works
Read: 2 Cor 5:10
IV. The Judgment of The Nations
Read: Matt 25:31-46
V. The Judgment of The Wicked
Read: Rev 20:11-15
I. The Judgment of The Believer’s Sins
Read: John 5:24
In the above verse, our Lord tells us that the believer “does not come into judgment.” Our sins were judged in Christ on Calvary and every believer “has passed out of death into life.” This is present salvation. Christ paid for our sins. He was judged in the believer’s stead. The believer will not come into judgment because:
· Jesus Christ paid the penalty, and on the grounds of His substitutional death, the believer is separated from his sins forever (Ps. 103:12 OT).
· The sins of the believer have been wiped out and God has promised that He “will not remember your sins” (Is 43:25 OT).
· Our Lord suffered for our sins, “the just for the unjust,” that we might be saved and never come into judgment as sinners (1 Pet 3:18).
· The believer will never be condemned with the world, because Christ was condemned in his place. “He made Him …to be sin on our behalf” (2 Cor 5:21). Christ was made a curse for us on the cross, and on our behalf redeemed us from the curse of the Law (Gal 3:13). “He has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself” (Heb 9:26). The believer will not come into judgment because his sins have been purified (Heb 1:3).
II. The Judgment of The Believer’s Self
Read: I Cor 11:31, 32
The judgment of the believer’s self is more than judging things in the believer’s life. When the believer judges self, the good and the bad in his life come to light; and he will confess the bad (1 John 1:9) and forsake it (Is 55:7 OT). However, it is not enough just to judge sin in the believer; he must judge self.
· To judge self is to practice self-abnegation, for when the believer sees self as God sees him, he will renounce self. It is replacing the self-life with the Christ-life (Col 3:4). Christ is the believer’s life.
· To judge self is to deny self. This is more than self-denial. Self-denial is denying one’s self of the gratification’s of the flesh. If we practice self-denial only, it is treating the symptom and not the cause. But when we deny self, we are attacking the cause, for in self (that is, in the flesh) “nothing good dwells” (Rom 7:18). To deny self is to take up our cross and follow Christ (Mark 8:34-38).
· To judge self is to lose the self-life, and find the Christ-life (Gal 2:20).
· To judge self is to no longer be self-conscious, but become Christ-conscious (Matt 28:20).
· To judge self is to no longer be self-controlled, but to become Christ-controlled (Acts 9:6).
· To judge self is to no longer practice self-esteem, but to esteem others better than self (Phil 2:3). To judge self is to become selfless.
III. The Judgment of The Believer’s Works
Read: 2 Cor 5:10
The believer’s works will be judged at the “judgment seat of Christ”, which is referred to many times in the Bible. A careful reading of 2 Corinthians 5:10 with the context reveals that only believers will appear at the “judgment seat of seat of Christ”. Their works will be judged, not their sins, for we have already seen that all sins of the believer were judged in Christ on Calvary, and “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom 8:1).
· This judgment will take place “in the air,” following the first resurrection. “The dead in Christ shall rise first” (1 Thess 4:14-18). There will be a thousand years between the resurrection of the saved and the unsaved (Rev 20:4-5), and there will be a thousand years between the “judgment seat of Christ” where only the saved will appear and the “great white throne judgment” where only unsaved will appear.
· At the judgment seat of Christ, the believer will give an account of himself to God. Therefore, we should look to our own works, and not judge the works of others (Rom 14:10-13).
· It is a most humbling thought to know that some day the believer will face all of his works, “good or bad”. Some will be ashamed (1 John 2:28) and “suffer loss” not the loss of salvation, but the loss of rewards
(1 Cor 3:11- 15). So whatever you do, do it to the glory of God (Col 3:17).
IV. The Judgment of The Nations
Read: Matt 25:31-46
This judgment is not the judgment of the great white throne (Rev 20:11-15). A careful comparison of the two judgments will establish the following facts:
· The judgment of the nations will take place “when the Son of Man comes in His glory …then He will sit on His glorious throne.” The great white throne is never called “the Throne of His Glory” (Rev 20: 11-15).
· At this judgment, He will judge the living nations (Joel 3:11-16 OT). At the white throne judgment, He will judge the wicked dead.
· At this judgment, there will be no resurrection of the dead. At the great throne all the wicked dead are raised: “The sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them…” (Rev 20:13).
· At this judgment, the judge is God “the King” judging the living nations in His earthly kingdom. At the great white throne, the judge is God, judging only the wicked dead.
· At this judgment, there are no books opened. At the great white throne, the “books were opened.”
· At this judgment, there are three classes judged: “sheep” the saved (Rev 7:9-17); “goats” the unsaved (2 Thess. 1:7-10); “tribes”, the elect of Israel (Rev 7: 1-8 also Rom 11:25-28). At the great white throne, there is only one class: “the dead”.
· At this judgment, the King gives the kingdom to those who have eternal life. At the great white throne, there are no saved and no kingdom: they are all “thrown into the lake of fire”.
V. The Judgment of The Wicked
Read: Rev 20:11-15
The great white throne judgment will follow the thousand year reign of Christ. This is the final judgment, and only the wicked dead are to be judged. According to Revelation 20:5, “the believers were resurrected a thousand years before this judgment, and their works were judged at the “judgment seat of Christ” (2 Cor 5:10).
· At this judgment, the wicked dead will seek a hiding place from the face of the Lord Jesus Christ, the judge. But there is no hiding place.
· At this judgment, the “dead, the great and the small” will stand before God. But the greatness of the great will be of no value. “THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD, THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE” (Rom 3: 12).
· At this judgment, the “book of life” will be opened. Why the “book of life” if there are no saved at this judgment? The wicked will be shown
that God in His mercy provided space for them in the “book of life,” so that they are without excuse (Rom 1 18-20).
· At this judgment, the dead will be judged “according to their deeds. God is a just God and since there are degrees of punishment in hell, some will be punished more than others (Luke 12:42-48).
· At this judgment, there will be no acquittal, no higher court to which the lost may appeal. It is lost, and lost forever; it is damned to all eternity, and that without hope. There is a Hades (Luke 16:19-31), and in Hades, there is no hope, no sympathy, no love; even the love of God does not extend beyond the portals of Hades.
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