In this lesson, we will look at Romans chapter 8 and discuss the blessings of being free from the law and righteous in Christ: 1) Life, 2) Adoption, 3) Glorification, 4) Love. Each person should understand that this chapter is about the blessings of being free from the Law.
There are several illustrations given within the New Testament that exemplify the limited authority of the Old Testament. Let’s look at a few of those illustrations.
In this lesson, we will look at the song “Wonderful Words of Life.” These words are 1) Beautiful, 2) Given, 3) Sanctifying to understand more about this song that we sing and the great message that it teaches.
In this lesson, we will look at Jesus’ teaching regarding acts of devotion. Each person should understand that acts of devotion are to be directed toward God, not man.
There are several illustrations given within the New Testament that exemplify the limited authority of the Old Testament. Let’s look at a few of those illustrations.
With all of these wonderful things to think about and work on throughout the year, 2022 will be filled with greatness! Let’s resolve to be a faithful child of God this new year!
So, would it be sinful to make an appearance of Jesus? What is one going to do with an image or likeness of Jesus? Admire it? Appreciate it? Respect it? If that is the purpose, then why would that not be idolatry? In Exodus 20:4-5, God told Mosees, "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me…."
The Bible has more to say about what it means to love than merely "to love." One must eventually focus the discussion to the question of what it means to love God and neighbor. This is not up to one's subjective beliefs. John said in 1 John 5:2-3 "By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous." We cannot love God without keeping His commandments. We cannot love our neighbor without keeping God's commandments.
The Bride’s blessings are 1) Endowed, 2) Enriching, 3) Exclusive. Each person should understand that the Bride’s blessings are God’s gift, fruitful, and only for her. Each hearer should have a greater appreciation of the unique nature of these gifts that tend toward the Bride’s fruitfulness.
The Good Shepherd cares for the sheep by 1) Warning them concerning dangers to the flock, 2) Guarding the entrance and exit to the fold, and 3) Laying down His life for the sheep. Each listener should be able to state how the Good Shepherd warns concerning dangers to the flock, guards the entrance and exit to the fold, and lays down His life for the sheep. The aim of this lesson is to emphasize our constant need to be vigilant against the enemy by following the Good Shepherd.
Christians have an obligation to love their enemies because 1) Jesus Christ Taught It 2) God the Father Exemplifies It 3) People Need It. Each listener should understand that God expects us to love our enemies. Loving our enemies is a uniquely Christian behavior that shows others the truth of Jesus Christ.
Having more money in the bank, or a greater education, or being better looking, or possessing a superlative of any quantitative measure, does not improve one’s moral status. One may have all these and still be a horrible person! On the other hand, one may be poor, ugly, and uneducated yet be a very good person. Pragmatism does not make one morally superior! Only God does that through His Son, Jesus Christ (Romans 7:24-25).
In this Psalm, David contrasts the words of men with the words of God. He enumerates several characteristics of each. Each listener should understand that man’s words are not to be trusted because they are self-seeking whereas God’s words seek our well-being.
If we do not love the truth, God will let us wander off into darkness. He will not force us to do something against our own will. However, there will be consequences for all eternity. Second Thessalonians 2:11-12 says, Oh how important it is to pursue, believe, and love the truth! May God help each one of us to make our best effort to do so.
The Bible indicates that there will be different levels of punishment in hell. Several passages stand out in this regard.
Many commentators appeal to in this passage to justify the coming of a second literal earth. They suggest that the "creation groaning" refers to the physical creation and it will be renewed after the second coming of Christ. This is not correct. The Bible teaches that this creation will be burned up (2 Peter 3:7-12). So the creation as a whole is not going to be redeemed. Only the individuals who become sons of God will be redeemed, both body and spirit.
Eternity matters because 1) God is Real, 2) Life is Short, 3) Heaven and Hell are Forever. Each listener should understand why and that eternity matters and order his life based on this truth.
The basic truth of the matter is this. We either believe that people need to respond to the gospel of Jesus Christ or we do not. If we do not, then there is no use in giving an invitation. If we do, then we must make every effort with all of our heart, soul, and mind, to appeal to that person who needs to repent. We are finite humans who are limited in knowledge. We just do not know if there is someone listening who needs to respond to the gospel of Jesus. Do you want to gamble with someone’s soul by not offering them the opportunity to respond to the invitation? I sure don’t.
The invitation is that final five or ten minutes of a sermon in which the preacher invites anyone who needs to come forward to confess fault, or to become a Christian to do just that. But it is not upon the authority of the preacher—it is upon the authority of the word of God that the invitation is offered.
The Law cannot make a person righteous because 1) It died when Christ was crucified, 2) Sin deceives a person trying to obey the law, 3) Only Jesus can deliver us from the body of death. Each listener should understand that the Law cannot make one righteous.