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It’s Not Just Love – audio
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Colossians 2:1-3
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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1 Peter 01:13-21 Obedient Children – audio
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Text: 1 Peter 1:13-21
Introduction
1. In our previous study, we saw from 1 Peter 1:13 that we have the responsibility to fortify the focus of our hope and set it upon the grace that we are to receive when Jesus comes again
2. Another responsibility we have as Christians is to conduct ourselves as obedient children – 1 Peter 1:14
3. While the need to be obedient is often misconstrued by some as sounding legalistic, it is stressed in the New Testament nonetheless – Hebrews 5:9; 2 Thessalonians 1:8
4. In what way are we to be obedient? There is much the Bible has to say on the subject:
a. But in this lesson we shall focus our attention to 1 Peter 1:14-21
b. Where we learn that Proper Conduct as Obedient Children has both negative and positive connotations
Body
I. WE ARE NOT TO CONFORM TO FORMER LUSTS
A. UNDERSTANDING WHAT PETER IS SAYING
1. The word conform means to conform one’s self (I.e. one’s mind and character) to another’s pattern
2. The former lusts refer to the evil desires and behavior in which we once engaged, and in which the world continues to engage
3. In essence, then, Peter is saying:
a. Don’t act like you once did, or like those still in the world.
b. Do not adopt their sinful habits, mannerisms, dress, and speech, which you did before you became Christians.
B. APPLYING WHAT PETER IS SAYING
1. We will not seek to act like those who are not Christians
2. For Christians are not to be conformists, but true non-conformists, or transformists – Romans 12:1-2
a. Conformists simply imitate others, sometimes claiming to do so only outwardly
b. But transformists are those who:
1) Have undergone a true change on the inside
2) And who manifest the difference on the outside
3. To behave properly as obedient children, then, we need to be sure we are not adopting the sinful habits or mannerisms of those in the world
a. Like accepting the popular fashions of our society which appeal to fleshly desires
1) Short dresses, tight designer jeans, and other immodest apparel
2) Christians, rather than conforming, are to adorn themselves in modest apparel – 1 Timothy 2:9-10
b. Like filling our speech with suggestive language or jokes – Ephesians 4:29; 5:3-4
c. Delighting in various forms of entertainment which cater to fleshly desires – Philippians 4:8
4. But too many Christians DO conform to the world and its lusts
a. Therefore it is not surprising to hear many becoming entrapped by the world
b. As is indicated by the rise of marital unfaithfulness and divorce
5. So Christians need to heed what Peter is saying
6. As well as what was said by John – 1 John 2:15-17
II. WE ARE TO BE HOLY IN ALL OUR CONDUCT
A. CONCERNING THE WORD HOLY
1. It is closely related to the words sanctify and sanctification
2. All of which stress the idea of being set apart
3. To be holy, then, means that we are set apart or dedicated to God
B. WE ARE TO BE HOLY FOR AT LEAST TWO REASONS
1. The first reason is that given in our text: For I (God) am holy.
a. The God who has called us through His gospel is a holy God
b. He Himself is set apart from sin and wickedness
c. His very nature demands a similar holiness on our part – Hebrews 12:14
2. It is also Jesus’ desire that we be holy (He died for this very purpose!) – Ephesians 5:25-27
C. NOTE ALSO THAT WE ARE TO BE HOLY IN ALL OUR CONDUCT!
1. Holiness is not something we put on when convenient, like on Sundays
2. Instead, our daily life, our entire conduct is to be set apart in service to the Lord – Romans 12:1
3. For this to be true, every aspect of our life must be in harmony with God’s demand for holiness!
a. This means our work, our speech, our dress, our recreation
b. …ALL should be in harmony with the principles of God’s Word
4. Even the most mundane things, when done in keeping with God’s Will, become a part of our holy service to God!
5. Can it be said of our lives, that we are holy in all our conduct?
a. Do we go about our business, our play, with the thought of being set apart to the Will of God, so that it is evident in our business or play?
b. I am sure that all of us can improve in this area of our service as obedient children!
III. WE MUST CONDUCT OURSELVES IN FEAR
A. AS PILGRIMS, FEAR HAS A PROPER PLACE DURING OUR SOJOURN
1. Even as Jesus taught His disciples – Matthew 10:28
2. And as Paul wrote the Philippians – Philippians 2:12
B. PETER GIVES TWO REASONS FOR SUCH FEAR:
1. In view of the judgment by our Father – 1 Peter 1:17
a. He will not be partial – without partiality
b. He will be personal – judges according to each one’s work
c. No one will receive special favors, no one will escape His discerning eye!
2. In view of the high cost of redemption – 1 Peter 1:18-21
a. We were not redeemed from our sins with silver or gold
b. But only by the precious blood of Christ!
1) Who was without blemish and without spot
2) Who was foreordained to die for our sins before the world began
3) Who came to this earth for our sakes
4) By whom our faith and hope are in God!
c. Any Christian who does not conduct himself in a manner appreciative of the price paid for his sins, can expect a fate worse than death if he does not repent! – Hebrews 10:26-31
Conclusion
1. From verses 1 Peter 1:14-21, then, we learn that proper conduct as obedient children means that:
a. We are not to conform ourselves to former lusts
b. We are to be holy in all our conduct
c. We are to conduct ourselves in fear
2. Paul said much the same thing in writing to the church at Corinth:
Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God – 2 Corinthians 7:1
3. This we cannot do on our own, but by the redeeming grace of God:
a. We can be forgiven by the precious blood of Christ
b. We can be strengthened by the power of His Spirit to live the sort of lives pleasing to our Heavenly Father
4. Have you responded to the grace of God in order to receive such wonderful blessings?
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Salvation Comes From Obeying God’s Truth
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(Eternal salvation comes from God only by obeying the truth)
Introduction
- The source of man’s eternal salvation is Jesus Christ – Hebrews 5:8-9. Since God showered His love upon us, by giving us a perfect substitute sacrifice, for ours sins – John 3:16.
- God has provided the means by which man can be saved (Grace) – Ephesians 2:4-5. But man must be willing to obey Jesus for their eternal salvation – Matthew 7:21. Obedience means that man must also continue to abide with Christ, or obey Him, to retain their eternal salvation – John 8:31-32. Don’t be deceived by Satan, you can lose your salvation, by departing from the faith and returning to disobedience – Hebrews 3:12-14; 1 Timothy 1:18-20; 1 Timothy 4:1-2.
- There is a false doctrine rooted in Calvinism, called “Perseverance Of The Saints”, that erroneously asserts the impossibility of apostasy; the unconditional security of the believer in Jesus Christ. Also called once saved always saved. Therefore, let us make sure we are abiding in the true doctrine of Christ that we might have fellowship with the Father and the Son – 2 John 9-11.
Eternal Salvation is Made Available to All by God’s Grace
- It is through God’s love and mercy that He has prepared a way, through Jesus, that all sinners might avoid the wages of sin (Death) and be saved – John 1:17. This favor bestowed upon us without merit on our part is God’s wonderful grace – 1 John 3:1.
- In Titus 2:11-14, the Bible emphatically teaches the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to everybody. This does not mean that every soul will be saved, but that all humanity has the opportunity to access the benefits of God’s grace through His divine plan of redemption (By faith) – Romans 5:1-2; Ephesians 2:8-9.
- Before one can access the blessings of God’s grace, one must be first taught of God through His Word – John 6:45. God’s grace is not dispensed apart from instruction (Teaching) and obedience of His Word (Taught religion). Once this is done, it produces faith – Romans 10:17.
Eternal Salvation is Conditional Based of Your Faithfulness
- To have eternal salvation, to be saved, you must have faith in God. Faith in God will require you to obey the works of obedience which God has commanded – James 2:17-24. If you do not do these things you will not be saved. These are condition required for salvation – Mark 16:16.
- God admonishes repeatedly to overcome all things, that we might obtain the crown of life that He, the Lord, will give us – 1 Timothy 6:12; Revelation 2:10; Revelation 3:21-22. In 2 Peter 1:5-11, it is clear a Christian must add these virtues to their faith to be fruitful (We access God’s grace through faith) and to diligently make their calling and election sure.
- If an individual disciple of Christ stops being faithful to God, they have departed from the faith – 1 Timothy 4:1. They need to repent of the sins that caused them to depart from the faith to be reconciled back to God – 1 John 1:7-9; 1 John 2:1. In Acts 8:12-13, 18-24, Simon had been baptized and erred from the truth and was then admonished to repent and pray to God for forgiveness.
Salvation: Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully
Content by Harry (Andy) Anderson Jr.Return to the Home Page
John 13:01-17 Are You Service God or Self?
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Text: John 13:1-17
Introduction
- It must be determined, who’s the master, and who’s the servant? A master is one that has the ownership and authority over another – Matthew 28:18-20. Our heavenly Father, the great I AM, the one that has created us & owns all things including our souls is our master! The mark of a master is one that teaches and leads by example and action.
- It is an error in judgment, for a man or woman to conceive themselves as a master, the one that is in control. Pharaoh, the King of Egypt thought he was in control until he was confronted with the God of Israel – Exodus 5:2.
- A servant is one who expresses submission, and service to another. A servant is a sheep that follows and obeys the shepherd. You and I, God’s special creation, need to serve Him completely instead of our own desires – Psalm 100:1-5.
Being a Servant is not Belittling or Shameful
- It is commonly taught in our society that being a servant, or under the authority of another, is not desired because it restricts your freedom, and is viewed to be lowly and degrading. This is the same thought Peter had when Jesus came to wash his feet – John 13:8. Jesus came down from heaven to serve man by sacrificing His life that we might live – Matthew 20:20-28. [The mother of James and John asked Jesus to set them on His right and left hand]
- Being a servant to God in any capacity is a great blessing – Ecclesiastes 9:10. Why does the world shun being submissive to the one in authority in the family, in the church, or your employer? Why not just obey God and serve Him – Colossians 3:17-25.
- Instead of being selfish and stepping on everybody else, trying to get to the place you want to be in life, why not find ways to help one another out, so that we can all enter the gates of heaven together – John 13:12-15.
Your Mind Must Turn from Selfish Interests to God’s Ways
- To be an obedient servant of the Lord you must transform, alter, and change the way you think, behave, and live in such a way that your intellect, body and soul will become just like the mind of Jesus Christ our Lord – Romans 12:1-2. The Apostle Peter learned this – John 13:4-9.
- To be a servant of the Lord you must be willing to remove all forms of selfishness from your life. You must decide whom you will serve, God or man – Matthew 6:24. Jesus teaches if you want to save your lives, you must be will to lose it. In other word you must deny self – Matthew 16:24-26.
Are you serving God, or are you serving yourself?
Why not give up self, and submit yourself to God and serve Him with joy. Jesus is extending His arms of love to you today why not come?
Salvation: Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully
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Take Heed Unto Thyself And The Doctrine
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Introduction
- As a Christian, it should be your earnest desire to be able to enter in the everlasting Kingdom of our Father in heaven. In order to do this, it is important to look at yourself in relationship to the Word of God. Because it is possible that some of us might miss heaven.
- Let us focus on a passage of scripture in 1 Timothy 4:16, where Timothy is admonished to take heed to himself and the doctrine that he might save himself and those that hear him.
You Must Take Heed Unto Yourself
- In Romans 12:3, we are taught not to think of ourselves more highly than we ought to think. Anytime we place ourselves or exalt ourselves to a place where God has not placed us, we will find ourselves in trouble with God – Proverbs 16:18.
- In Numbers chapter 12, two prominent Israelites, Aaron and Miriam attempted to exalt themselves over Moses as prophet but God punished them [Numbers 16; Numbers 26:9-11 Korah].
- We must take heed to ourselves, because oftentimes self will prevent one from having a right relationship with God. Did not self get in the way of Peter’s relationship with Jesus? – Matthew 16:21-24; Luke 14:26-27.
- We must also take heed to ourselves and make sure we are not spotted by the evil, filthy, and profane influences of this world that Satan presents as harmless. In James 1:27, we are reminded of what pure religion is.
You Must Take Heed Unto The Doctrine
- It is also important to take heed to the doctrine of Christ. What is doctrine? Doctrine is the body of authoritative teachings of God, found in the New Testament (Salvation, Worship, Organization, Personal Responsibilities) – 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
- You must understand that the doctrine of Christ is exclusive, meaning that no other doctrines or teachings from other sources are acceptable to God – Galatians 1:6-8. This is why Christians are instructed to mark and avoid those that are causing divisions by teaching false doctrine – Romans 16:17-18.
- In (Jude 3-5), Jude admonishes the church to earnestly contend for the faith.
- Did you know, if you’re transgressing and abiding not in the doctrine of Christ, you hath not God and you have no relationship with God? – 2 John 9-10.
- As we take heed to ourselves and to the doctrine of Christ, let us not forget to make sure we continue in the Word of God and to serve Him faithfully to the end – Acts 2:42; Acts 14:22; James 1:25
- Therefore, let us be encouraged to take heed to ourselves and to the doctrine and continue in them that we may save ourselves and those that hear us.
Salvation: Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully
Content by Harry (Andy) Anderson Jr.Return to the Home Page
Jonah 01:01-17 Are You Running From God?
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Text: Jonah 1:1-17 – Scripture Reading: Psalm 139:1-14
Introduction
- In life, a number of us may have the tendency to run away from following God’s commandments and precepts. In (Romans 13:1) God instructs us to be subject to the higher powers (Rulers, government, etc.). In (Matthew 5:44), Jesus teaches us to love, bless and pray for our enemies. In (Ephesians 5:22-25), God says husbands are to love their wives and wives are to submit themselves to their own husbands. In (Matthew 28:19-20), Christians are charged with teaching the gospel of Christ to the world.
- For some reason, we have conceived in our hearts that we can get away with, running away from God and not performing our duty to God without God punishing us for it. In (Genesis 3:1-21), we find Adam and Eve trying to hide themselves (In the trees of the garden) from the presence of the Lord.
Why Do We Flee in Disobedience When God Commands Us?
- In Jonah 1:1-2, God commands Jonah the prophet to cry against, or preach repentance, to the city of Nineveh because of their sin. The question, we must ask ourselves is, what type of reasoning or thought process in Jonah’s mind lead him to flee from the presence of the Lord and disobey God?
- Jonah, had an improper attitude toward God and His will. We know this to be true because when God delivered him from the fish’s belly (Jonah 2) and commanded him to preach to Nineveh, the response to Jonah’s preaching was the people repented with sackcloth so that God changed His mind about what He thought to punish them with (Jonah 3). Now the natural response to this should be joy – Luke 15:10. But Jonah’s response was the opposite, he was displeased and angry – Jonah 3:10; Jonah 4:1-3.
- This is why it’s important to learn how to make our will conform to God’s will. This means we must submit ourselves totally to God. Peter, and the disciples of Jesus learned this lesson in Matthew 16:21-24. Our attitude needs to be like Jesus attitude when he prayed in the garden, “… nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” (Matthew 26:39).
God is Merciful Concerning Our Disobedience If We Return to Him
- When Jonah, disobeyed God, God did not write him off, He was patient and merciful to him. And caused events to happen in his life to help him understand it’s best to obey God – Psalm 103:8.
- Even after Jonah preached to Nineveh and after they repented, after God changed His mind about the punishment he thought to do to them. And after Jonah was angry with God for saving them, God extended his patience and mercy to him in trying to get him to understand he should not be angry, using the illustration of the gourd – Jonah 4:4-11.
- When we disobey God, or run away from Him, He has a way of turning us around to see the need for us to do what He has said. Let us be encouraged and stop running from God as Jonah did because, God has provided us His Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins. God raised Him up to life conquering sin in the flesh. Why not come to Him today in obedience?
Salvation: Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully
Content by Harry (Andy) Anderson Jr.Return to the Home Page
Mark 15:01-39 Necessity of the Cross
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Text: Mark 15:1-39
Introduction
- The cross of Jesus Christ is essential to every soul. It has even more importance than food, shelter, and love have on you and I. Without the cross of Calvary, we would be lifeless, hopeless and in despair – Ephesians 2:16.
- The cross of Calvary is the most significant event in human history that has changed the outlook and well being of nations and peoples that have embraced the power of God to save man – Romans 1:16-17. The cross of Jesus Christ overshadows all tragedies that mankind has seen because through the cross of Jesus, His death, burial, and resurrection one can be saved & be reconciled with God – Romans 5:8-10.
The Preaching of the Cross is Necessary to Save the Lost
- Men, women, boys, and girls will never have true love, joy, peace, and unity with their Creator until the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ is planted in the minds of the lost – Romans 10:14-15.
- Christians should feel the necessity of teaching the message of God because it is our ministry – 2 Corinthians 5:18; 1 Corinthians 9:16. Without faithful servants of Jehovah teaching the gospel the world will be lost because only the preaching of the cross will save those that will believe – 1 Corinthians 1:18, 21.
- Examples of those confronted with the cross of Jesus Christ: Acts 2:36-41 (Day of Pentecost); Acts 8:26-39 (Ethiopian Eunuch); Acts 16:19-33 (Philippian Jailer). There will be two responses when one is confronted with the cross of Calvary – Obedience or Rejection
The Cross of Jesus is Necessary for Eternal Happiness
- It is through the cross of Jesus Christ, His death, burial, and resurrection that Christians can look forward to being resurrected in that Great Day – John 6:40. Without the cross of Jesus Christ we would be forever separated from God. Without the cross there would be no salvation, no forgiveness of sins, no peace, no hope, only condemnation for all, no possibility of eternity in heaven, and we would always be at enmity with God. Therefore let us be thankful for the cross!
- The cross of Calvary is so necessary to us because without it, the preaching of the gospel would be meaningless. We could not enjoy and rejoice in some of the songs we sing such as “The Old Rugged Cross”; “Lead Me To Calvary”; “Lift Him Up” Your faith in God would be without strength & value, and we would live in constant misery – 1 Corinthians 15:12-19.
- Jesus Christ the only begotten of the Father has bore the pain, agony, and shame of sin on the cross. Why not make a decision today to follow Jesus, to take up your cross and follow him. Why not come obeying today?
Salvation: Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully
Content by Harry (Andy) Anderson Jr.Return to the Home Page
Keep My Commandments
Keep My Commandments – John 14:15
We keep the commandments of Christ because we love Him.
Obedience is a crucial part of our relationship with God. Jesus has said, “Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21). Keeping the commandments of Christ is what we do because we love Him and we appreciate the wonderful things He has done for us (John 14:15; 1 John 5:3).
Keep the Lord’s commandments as they are!
It is interesting to note that the word, “keep” is translated from a Greek word, which means, “to preserve something as it is.” Not only does the Lord require our obedience; Hebrews also requires us to be careful not to change His Word, in any way. There are numerous passages in which the Bible warns us not to tamper with its contents (Deuteronomy 4:2; Revelation 22:18-19; et al). Let us heed the Bible’s warning and keep the Lord’s commandments as they are!
Content by Russell Kline
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