In this lesson we will study the story of the rich man and Lazarus and notice: 1) The characters, 2) The circumstances, 3) The cries of the rich man, 4) The conclusions of the story. Each listener should be able to understand the story, repeat it, and explain it. I hope to to familiarize everyone with this story and teach its lessons so as not to fall into similar circumstances as the rich man.
“Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” Peter uses a metaphor that is not familiar to us. “Gird up your loins” refers to the act of pulling up one’s tunic, tying a belt around it, and preparing to walk.
Holy living is not just being a moral person: one who doesn’t commit fornication, drink booze, gamble away money, take advantage of other people, lie, cheat, steal, etc. Holiness certainly avoids these things, but that is not all it is.
How do missionaries work? The word “missionary” means “a person sent by a church into an area to carry on evangelism or other activities, as educational or hospital work” (dictionary.com). The word stems from a Latin word meaning “one who is sent.” In the New Testament, we can identify several missionaries. Philip seems to be the first of these.
I am grateful to the elders for permitting me the time to go, to Rafael Barrantes for the invitation, and to God for the opportunity to lift up His Son Jesus Christ to the people of Costa Rica.
In this lesson we will answer the question, “What is Evangelism” in a fourfold way. Evangelism is 1) Prayer, 2) Opportunities, 3) Work, 4) Teaching. I want each hearer to understand what all is involved in evangelism. The aim of this sermon is to educate and encourage each Christian to be evangelistic.
Everyone knows that person who wallows in self-pity. Ask them how they are doing, and their response is “I’m OK, I guess.”
In this study, we will look at different kinds of risks that Christians must take to be Christians. There is the risk of 1) Leaving the ones we love, 2) financial loss, 3) our life and health, 4) public rejection and failure. Each Christian should know what kind of risks he or she faces each day in living the Christian life and be prepared to handle those risks understanding that while there may be "risks" while we are upon the earth, the outcome is guaranteed. I want to spur the brethren on toward taking more risks in these areas because the greater risk one takes the greater reward that is associated with the risk.
2 Corinthians 12:8-10 “For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”
In this lesson, we will look at what Jesus did not do that most people would have done given the same circumstances. The listener should understand that Jesus was extraordinary in His behavior. We will conclude that Jesus was divine.
We praise the Maker of our mothers because He made our mothers to be 1) Kind, 2) Compassionate, and 3) Caring. Each listener should be able to understand why God made mothers and the importance of their role within the home.
As we were running, I matched his pace, talked to him about the run, and encouraged him to keep going; we had great conversation and fellowship. As we were running, walking, talking, and enjoying our time together, I realized that our run illustrated the concept of the Greek word parakletos.
In this lesson, we will look at what it means to be a friend of God. One is God's friend when he 1) Loves God with all his heart, soul, and mind, 2) Does what God wants him to do simply because God has asked us to do it, 3) Tells others about what a great friend God is. Each hearer should be able to understand what it takes to be a friend of God. I want everyone to be motivated to make God their friend.
There is much we can learn from a person with Down Syndrome.
In the conversion of Saul we see 1) Confrontation, 2) Contrition, 3) Concern, and 4) Conversion. The objective of this study is to understand the conversion of Saul so that we may explain it to others. Saul's conversion serves as a model for everyone's conversion.
In this lesson, we will look at why it is wrong to use instrumental music. That each listener would understand why we should not use instrumental music in worship because it is sinful.
Justice for the Earth entails: 1) Common Justice, 2) Cry for Justice, 3) Coming Justice. Each listener should understand that justice in the earth now is incomplete, but not final. One day God’s justice will be finished through Christ Jesus.
We want to do a study of Luke 14:15-24. From this passage we learn about God's 1) Invitation, 2) Expectations, 3) Anger, and 4) Love in relationship to the proud and humble. God rejects the proud but exalts the humble.
We can’t save ourselves because 1) just one sin separates us from God, 2) sin distorts our efforts to do good, 3) the good works we do are not sufficient to save us. The listener should understand that only by trusting in Christ Jesus can we be saved.
This movie has great moral messages. First, all people deserve love and respect--even people who are different from us.