Baptism is a biblical subject, but one about which many have questions. As with most biblical subjects, there are those whose beliefs argue against the beliefs of others, and there are those who, honestly, have real concerns, and serious questions. Let us see if we can find the answers from the Word of God.
Jesus instructs us 1) Not to Treasure Earthly Treasures, 2) To Treasure Heavenly Treasures, and 3) To Understand Our Heart. Each person should understand that Jesus does not want us to value and trust in earthly possessions, but to value and trust spiritual matters. Each person should prioritize spiritual matters in their lives over earthly concerns.
The walking dead are all around us, living in darkness, seeking after fleshly things. Mindlessly, they wander, stumbling and groping, lost, and headed to hell. Before being quickened (made alive; Eph. 2:1), we were all among the dead who walked according to the world (Eph. 2:2-7).
Would You Explain "Rock of Ages" and "Cleft of the Rock"? The Bible compares God to a rock in many different places. Some of our beloved hymns use these images in their lyrics. What do these images mean and how should we understand them?
There are better ways of dealing with life’s difficulties than to end one’s own life, and it may very well be a choice that separates one from God eternally. Job was a man who endured great loss. He lost his family, his possessions, and his health, but he never lost his faith and trust in God, and that is what kept him going through all of the pain and problems that he suffered. We should look to his example of faithfulness and try to do what he did when we are faced with such suffering. It is much better to suffer through this life and to end up in eternal life than to risk ending suffering in this life only to face an eternity of more suffering. Paul wrote, "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us" (Romans 8:18).
By God’s Good Pleasure, the Bride has the blessings of 1) Redemption, Forgiveness, and Grace, 2) The Revelation of the Mystery, 3) Unity in Christ. Each person should understand that God’s desire is to bring everyone together in Christ and His good pleasure makes this happen. I want each person to appreciate what it means to have God’s good pleasure.
Evangelism is important because all need to hear the GOOD NEWS: "Jesus loves ME!" This IS good news! That is what evangelism is, "bringing good news," and that is what Christians do. We seek to tell people about Jesus, who can bring them from the despair of being downtrodden to the delight of being lifted up, from the depths of darkness to lovely light, and from death in sin to life in the Savior. By evangelism, we can help the lost to escape the shackles of doubt, fear, uncertainty, and crippling discouragement.
In this lesson we want to study the qualifications and responsibilities of elders. The hearer should be able to locate and discuss the New Testament passages dealing with the office of the elder.
In this lesson we will study the Lord’s Model Prayer. The Lord’s Model prayer teaches us to 1) Ascribe to God all glory and honor, 2) Acknowledge our dependence upon God, 3) Ask for our daily needs, 4) Accept all of the blessings with which God has provided for us in thanksgiving. Each should understand how the Lord taught His disciples to pray in this model prayer.
Peter knew that the gospel stayed the same, but people change. This is why he wrote to remind them even though they knew it and were established in it. Life has a way of pulling us in many different directions. As we live, we experience joys, heartaches, pleasures, and pains. The powerful emotions that well up within us because of these things change our behavior and our thinking. God wanted us to have something solid to hold onto for all time. That is why He gave us the Bible.
Talking about Bruno means that we must discuss: 1) The Issue of Diversity, 2) The Problem of Gossip, 3) The Need for Communication, and 4) The Role of Acceptance. Each person will understand the need to overcome the desire ostracizing people unlike us and the sins involved in so acting. To be God’s people, we must pursue His agenda of unity in the body of Christ.
The Psalmist asks God to 1) Count, 2) Consider, then 3) Shows his Confidence. Everyone wonders about God’s involvement in their lives and how important it is to trust God despite our circumstances.
Instead, preachers should enjoin those who so behave to turn their attentions and efforts toward Jesus Christ. They should have the attitude of John the Baptizer who said, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). They should think about the teaching of the apostle Paul when he said, “so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death” (Philippians 1:20). Preachers are servants of Jesus Christ, and the focus should be on Christ and His will for the lives of people.
Jesus died so that we may live for Him (1 Thessalonians 5:10)! He wants us to have lives of peace, love, grace, and joy. That was His original intention from the outset.
The bride of Christ is blessed with acceptance because of 1) Choice, 2) Adoption, 3) Grace. God only accepts Christians by virtue of their being in the body of Christ. Each person should desire God’s acceptance and receive Christ’s offer.
The church is not a pack of useless playing cards packed away with other memorabilia never to see the light of day again. God did not buy us for that reason. He bought us so that we could be used for His glory and be zealous for good works. Let’s not be useless souvenirs, but useful citizens in God’s kingdom.
Jesus died on the cross to 1) Prepare the Way to Heaven, 2) Prepare His People for Heaven, 3) Participate with His People in Heaven. Each person will appreciate Jesus’ work to get us to heaven.
Jesus evangelized by 1) Preaching God’s Word 2) Going After Everyone 3) Empowering Disciples 4) Promising Results. Each hearer should understand how Jesus evangelized and seek to follow His example.
Our discontents originate from self’s desires relative to decisions that we choose. We do not want to live with the consequences of our choices!
In this lesson, we will discuss the Christian’s inheritance: 1) Who Gets it, 2) How they get it, 3) When and Where they get it, and 4) What do they get? Each person should understand the Christian’s inheritance. Each person may be motivated to receive this great inheritance.