John 12:46 (NIV) "I [Jesus] have come into the world as a li ht!

so that no one who "elieves in me should sta# in dar$ness%"

NJ Institute of Theological Studies

Chaplain Mark H. Stevens, Th.D

Introduction

Lesson # 1 What Does The Bible Teach About Money? Lesson # 2 What Does The Bible Teach About The Cares of This World? Lesson # What Does The Bible Teach about the Truth?

Lesson # ! What Does The Bible Teach About "aith? Lesson # # What Does The Bible Teach About The $os%el? Lesson # & What Does The Bible Teach About The Last Days? Lesson # ' What Does The Bible Teach About (rayer? Lesson # ) What Does The Bible Teach About Test and Trials? Lesson # * What Does The Bible +ay About "or,i-eness? Closin, ./a012A0 I a Christian?2

Introduction

In too many of our churches we have the ancient slave mentality that says, I dont need to go to school to be a preacher, I got the anointing! Well during the days of slavery and Jim Crow we didnt have an opportunity to go to eminary or !ible Colleges" #y grandfather was a deacon and his brother was a pastor bac$ in the days when fol$s only got a grade school education and had to %uit because they had to help pic$ tobacco" #y forefathers made due the best they could under harsh circumstances" &ow there is &' e(cuse for a preacher not getting formal training! )ou may not be able to afford *arvard or +rinceton ,heological eminary, but every denomination should have a local !ible school" #ost churches today have their own !ible Institutes or chools" When you accepted the call to preach you also accepted the call to discipleship -training." Jesus spent 3 years training His disciples for ministry. He taught them how to pray, how to cast out devils, how to lay hands on the sick, how to carry themselves, and how to make more disciples. I am disgusted at how easy it is to be ordained in our churches" Just because a brother or sister can testify loud or run their mouth doesnt mean they are called to preach! If they are called they will be willing to be trained !/0'1/ being given a piece of paper ordaining them" 1emember this2 if the preacher is ignorant and unlearned, then the people will be too! ,he gospel preacher must devote his -or her. life to purity of doctrine" +aul warned ,imothy to avoid fables and old wives tales" Its very easy for preachers to get involved in the flavor of the month teachings" #ost church fol$s can tell you what the !ishop said two years ago at the state meeting but cant tell you what Jesus said about a situation" We have &' /3C4 / today! ,he !ible is almost 01// it is so cheap, you can go on line and read the !ible, and you can buy one in the 5'6671 ,'1/!!! ,his manual will help you 8&'W what Jesus taught on various topics"

,his manual was put together to refute much of the false teaching we receive in our churches" I originally gave it the title My Pastor teaches this, ut what does Jesus !"#$ !ecause most of our church members can %uote the +astor and the 5enominational *andboo$, but $now very little about W*7, J/ 4 7I5! ,his is not a boo$ per se2 it is a reference guide to the words of Jesus, and the teachings of *is 5isciples" 7fter using this boo$ you will be challenged to '!/) J/ 4 or continue to follow the false teachings you may have been under for )/71 ! I $now some will read this and thin$ I am over reacting or over9ealous, but remember this one thing: atan wants you to remain ineffective! If your church is stagnant, prayer meetings dead, and the people of ;od immature thats where the devil wants you to stay % &ise up and decide today to address the 'uestion, ()hy *on+t , -now )hat .he /i le .eaches$ Chaplain #ar$ *" tevens, #"#in

What Does The Bible Teach About Money?

Luke 16:13 (NIV) "No ser ant can ser e t!o "asters# $ither he !ill hate the one and lo e

the other% or he !ill &e de oted to the one and des'ise the other# (ou cannot ser e &oth )od and *one+#" *at 6:1,-.1 (T$/) "0o not sa e riches for +oursel es here on earth% !here "oths and rust destro+% and ro&&ers &reak in and steal# Instead% sa e riches for +oursel es in hea en% !here "oths and rust cannot destro+% and ro&&ers cannot &reak in and steal# 1or +our heart !ill al!a+s &e !here +our riches are#" 2 It is eas+ enough to "e3'lain a!a+" one or t!o erses to co"e to the conclusion !e !ant# /ut !hat +ou are a&out to read is "ore than one or t!o erses: Scri'tural teaching a&out "one+ is clear, consistent, and radical# 4ll is re5uired% and the flesh "ust die to o&e+# Be Content With 3our 4eeds Bein, Met 5 Be6are 7f Materialis0 6e& 13:7 (8SV) "9ee' +our life free fro" the lo e of "one+% and &e content !ith !hat +ou ha e#" :s 3;:;%16 (N4S) 8est in the Lord and !ait 'atientl+ for 6i"< 0o not fret &ecause of hi" !ho 'ros'ers in his !a+### /etter is the little of the righteous than the a&undance of "an+ !icked# :ro .3:=-7 (NIV) 0o not !ear +ourself out to get rich< ha e the !isdo" to sho! restraint# >ast &ut a glance at riches% and the+ are gone% for the+ !ill surel+ s'rout !ings and fl+ off to the sk+ like an eagle# The Test of 8iches and The Test of (o-erty 1 Sa" .:; (NIV) The Lord sends 'o ert+ and !ealth< he hu"&les and he e3alts# :ro 3?:@-, (NIV) ###)i e "e neither 'o ert+ nor riches% &ut gi e "e onl+ "+ dail+ &read# Ather!ise% I "a+ ha e too "uch and diso!n +ou and sa+% "Bho is the LordC" Ar I "a+ &eco"e 'oor and steal% and so dishonor the na"e of "+ )od# 2 If 'o ert+ is acco"'anied &+ 'h+sical dangers% 'ros'erit+ is acco"'anied &+ s'iritual dangers# )od !ill often "o e us through &oth for the 'ur'ose of testing us# :hil =:11-13 (:hi) ###1or I ha e learned to &e content% !hate er the circu"stances "a+ &e# I kno! no! ho! to li e !hen things are difficult and I kno! ho! to li e !hen things are 'ros'erous# In general and in 'articular I ha e learned the secret of eating !ell or going hungr+--of facing either 'lent+ or 'o ert+# I a" read+ for an+thing through the strength of the Ane !ho li es !ithin "e# :hil =:1. (N4S) I kno! ho! to get along !ith hu"&le "eans% and I also kno! ho! to li e in 'ros'erit+< in an+ and e er+ circu"stance I ha e learned the secret of &eing filled and going hungr+% &oth of ha ing a&undance and suffering need#

:hil =:1.-13 (Jer) I kno! ho! to &e 'oor and I kno! ho! to &e rich% too# I ha e &een through "+ initiation and no! I a" read+ for an+thing an+!here: full sto"ach or e"'t+ sto"ach% 'o ert+ or 'lent+# There is nothing I cannot "aster !ith the hel' of the Ane !ho gi es "e strength# Will We "ollo6 if 9esus As:s ;s to .nter (o-erty "or a +eason? *ark 1?:.1-.;%31 (Jer) Jesus looked steadil+ at hi" and lo ed hi"% and he said% "There is one thing +ou lack# )o and sell e er+thing +ou o!n and gi e to the 'oor% and +ou !ill ha e treasure in hea en< then co"e% follo! "e#" /ut his face fell at these !ords and he !ent a!a+ sad% for he !as a "an of great !ealth# Jesus looked around and said to his disci'les% "6o! hard it is for those !ho ha e riches to enter the kingdo" of )odD" The disci'les !ere astounded &+ these !ords% &ut Jesus insisted% "*+ children%" he said to the"% "ho! hard it is to enter the kingdo" of )odD It is easier for a ca"el to 'ass through the e+e of a needle than for a rich "an to enter the kingdo" of )od#" The+ !ere "ore astonished than e er# "In that case%" the+ said to one another% "!ho can &e sa edC" Jesus gaEed at the"# "1or "en%" he said% "it is i"'ossi&le% &ut not for )od: &ecause e er+thing is 'ossi&le for )od### *an+ !ho are first !ill &e last% and the last first#" 2 Is it likel+% !ith all of his contacts and e3'erience% that this "an !ould ha e re"ained 'oor for longC 4nd +et he !as un!illing to o&e+ >hrist !ith all these ad antages% e en te"'oraril+# Loosenin, 3our $ri% 4cts .:==-=7 (:hi) 4ll the &elie ers Foined together and shared e er+thing in co""on< the+ sold their 'ossessions and goods and di ided the 'roceeds a"ong the fello!shi' according to indi idual need# 4cts =:3.%3=-37 (NIV) 4ll the &elie ers !ere one in heart and "ind# No one clai"ed that an+ of his 'ossessions !as his o!n% &ut the+ shared e er+thing the+ had### There !ere no need+ 'ersons a"ong the"# 1or fro" ti"e to ti"e those !ho o!ned lands or houses sold the"% &rought the "one+ fro" the sales and 'ut it at the a'ostlesG feet% and it !as distri&uted to an+one as he had need# 2 )od is calling all of us to let go of our 'ossessions# Be "a+ e en get to use the" in the future if !e "loosen our gri'"# If !e do not do this !illingl+ oursel es% )od !ill# It is a sure sign that !e are sons# Be should thank the Lord !hen 6e !renches a dangerous thing fro" our hands# *a+&e !e could e en coo'erate a littleD If !e donGt% "oths% rust% and thie es !ill do their Fo&# 2 4#B# ToEer: "Ne er A!n 4n+thing--)et 8id Af The Sense Af :ossessingD" Luke 1=:33 (:hi) "Anl+ the "an !ho sa+s good&+e to all his 'ossessions can &e "+ disci'le#" Luke 1=:33 (T$/) >oncluded Jesus% "none of +ou can &e "+ disci'le unless he gi es u' e er+thing he has#"

Luke 1=:33 (8SV) "Bhoe er of +ou does not renounce all that he has cannot &e "+ disci'le#" Luke 3:11 (NIV) John ans!ered% "The "an !ith t!o tunics should share !ith hi" !ho has none% and the one !ho has food should do the sa"e#" Luke 6:3? (Jer) ")i e to e er+one !ho asks +ou% and do not ask for +our 'ro'ert+ &ack fro" the "an !ho ro&s +ou#" 9esus $i-es In-est0ent Ad-ice<<< Luke 16:,-11 (:hi) "No! "+ ad ice to +ou is to use G"one+G% tainted as it is% to "ake +oursel es friends% so that !hen it co"es to an end% the+ "a+ !elco"e +ou into the houses of eternit+# The "an !ho is faithful in the little things !ill &e faithful in the &ig things# So that if +ou are not fit to &e trusted to deal !ith the !icked !ealth of this !orld% !ho !ill trust +ou !ith true richesC" (lay Money Luke 16:,-1. (NIV) "I tell +ou% use !orldl+ !ealth to gain friends for +oursel es% so that !hen it is gone% +ou !ill &e !elco"ed into eternal d!ellings### If +ou ha e not &een trust!orth+ in handling !orldl+ !ealth% !ho !ill trust +ou !ith true richesC 4nd if +ou ha e not &een trust!orth+ !ith so"eone elseGs 'ro'ert+% !ho !ill gi e +ou 'ro'ert+ of +our o!nC" Luke 1=:1.-1= (NIV) "Bhen +ou gi e a luncheon or a dinner% do not in ite +our friends% +our &rothers or relati es% or +our rich neigh&ors< if +ou do% the+ "a+ in ite +ou &ack and so +ou !ill &e re'aid# /ut !hen +ou gi e a &an5uet% in ite the 'oor% the cri''led% the la"e% the &lind% and +ou !ill &e &lessed# 4lthough the+ cannot re'a+ +ou% +ou !ill &e re'aid at the resurrection of the righteous#" *at 6:.= (NIV) "No one can ser e t!o "asters# $ither he !ill hate the one and lo e the other% or he !ill &e de oted to the one and des'ise the other# (ou cannot ser e &oth )od and *one+#" Luke 1.:33 (NIV) "Sell +our 'ossessions and gi e to the 'oor### " =e Who Dies With The Most Toys<<< Loses> Luke 1.:17-.1 (:hi) ###"/e on +our guard against co etousness in an+ sha'e or for"# 1or a "anGs real life in no !a+ de'ends u'on the nu"&er of his 'ossessions### 4 rich "anGs far"land 'roduced hea + cro's# So he said to hi"self% GBhat shall I do% for I ha e no roo" to store this har est of "ineCG Then he said% GI kno! !hat IGll do# IGll 'ull do!n "+ &arns and &uild &igger ones !here I can store all "+ grain and "+ goods and I can sa+ to "+ soul% Soul% +ou ha e 'lent+ of good things stored u' there for +ears to co"e# 8ela3D $at% drink% and ha e a good ti"eDG /ut )od said to hi"% G(ou fool% this er+ night +ou !ill &e

asked for (AH8 SAHLD###G That is !hat ha''ens to the "an !ho hoards things for hi"self and is not rich in the e+es of )od#" Luke 16:1,-31 (NIV) "There !as a rich "an !ho !as dressed in 'ur'le and fine linen and li ed in lu3ur+ e er+ da+# 4t his gate !as laid a &eggar na"ed LaEarus### The &eggar died and angels carried hi" to 4&raha"Gs side# The rich "an also died### In hell% !here he !as in tor"ent% he looked u'### GI a" in agon+ in this fire#G /ut 4&raha" re'lied% GSon% re"e"&er that in +our lifeti"e +ou recei ed +our good things% !hile LaEarus recei ed &ad things% &ut no! he is co"forted here and +ou are in agon+###G GThen I &eg +ou### I ha e fi e &rothers### !arn the" so that the+ !ill not co"e to this 'lace of tor"ent#G GThe+ ha e *oses and the :ro'hets% let the" listen to the"#G" :s =,:16-1, (NIV) 0o not &e o era!ed !hen a "an gro!s rich% !hen the s'lendor of his house increases< for he !ill take nothing !ith hi" !hen he dies% his s'lendor !ill not descend !ith hi"# Though !hile he li ed he counted hi"self &lessed--and "en 'raise +ou !hen +ou 'ros'er--he !ill Foin the generation of his fathers% !ho !ill ne er see the light of life# $cc 7:1?-17 (NIV) Bhoe er lo es "one+ ne er has enough< !hoe er lo es !ealth is ne er satisfied !ith his inco"e# This too is "eaningless# 4s goods increase% so do those !ho consu"e the"# 4nd !hat &enefit are the+ to the o!ner e3ce't to feast his e+es on the"C The slee' of a la&orer is s!eet% !hether he eats little or "uch% &ut the a&undance of a rich "an 'er"its hi" no slee'# I ha e seen a grie ous e il under the sun: !ealth hoarded to the har" of its o!ner% or !ealth lost through so"e "isfortune### Naked a "an co"es fro" his "others !o"&% and as he co"es% so he de'arts### :ro 11:=%.@ (NIV) Bealth is !orthless in the da+ of !rath% &ut righteousness deli ers fro" death### Bhoe er trusts in his riches !ill fall###

Money as An Insulation "ro0 $od 2 >hristians ho'e in eternal securit+% and )od !ould ha e us gi e u' "carnal securit+" to get it# The flesh !ants the securit+ of "one+# It !ants to &e in control% to &e "aster% to "&e god"# So !e drea" of and cling to "one+ &ecause !e donGt !ant to &e totall+ de'endent on )od### Jo& 31:.=-.7%.@ (NIV) IJo&:J "If I ha e 'ut "+ trust in gold or said to 'ure gold% G(ou are "+ securit+%G if I ha e reFoiced o er "+ great !ealth% the fortune "+ hands had gained### then these also !ould &e sins to &e Fudged% for I !ould ha e &een unfaithful to )od on high#" .ncore? .ncore>

2 >#S# Le!is !rites in :erelandra% "This itch to ha e things o er again% as if life !ere a fil" that could &e unrolled t!ice or e en "ade to !ork &ack!ards### !as it 'ossi&l+ the root of all e ilC No: of course the lo e of "one+ !as called that# /ut "one+ itself--'erha's one alued it chiefl+ as a defense against chance% a securit+ for &eing a&le to ha e things o er again% a "eans of arresting the unrolling of the fil"#" $Ee .@:.-1? (N4S) ###"Thus sa+s the Lord )od% G/ecause +our heart is lifted u' and +ou ha e said% GI a" a )od###G +et +ou are a "an and not )od% although +ou "ake +our heart like the heart of )od### (ou ha e ac5uired riches for +ourself### and +our heart is lifted u' &ecause of +our riches--Therefore% &ehold% I !ill &ring strangers u'on +ou### and the+ !ill dra! their s!ords### and defile +our s'lendor### and +ou !ill die### Bill +ou still sa+% GI a" a god%G in the 'resence of +our sla+er% although +ou are a "an and not )od% in the hands of those !ho !ound +ouCG" What in The World is Wron, With The Tele-an,elists? 1 Thes .:7 (Jer) ###Ne er at an+ ti"e ha e our s'eeches &een si"'l+ flatter+ or a co er for tr+ing to get "one+# . >or .:1; (N$/) 4t least !e do not go ha!king the !ord of )od a&out% as so "an+ do### . >or .:1; (NIV) Hnlike so "an+% !e do not 'eddle the !ord of )od for 'rofit# . >or .:1; (L/) Be are not like those hucksters--and there are "an+ of the"--!hose idea in getting out the )os'el is to "ake a good li ing out of it# 1 Ti" 6:7 (:hi) ###a"ong "en of !ar'ed "inds !ho ha e lost their real hold on the truth &ut ho'e to "ake so"e 'rofit out of the >hristian religion# 1 Ti" 6:7 (T$/) ###The+ think religion is a !a+ to &eco"e rich# 1 Ti" 6:7-, (NIV) ###"en% !ho ha e &een ro&&ed of the truth and !ho think that godliness is a "eans to financial gain# /ut godliness !ith content"ent is great gain# 1or !e &rought nothing into the !orld% and !e can take nothing out of it# /ut if !e ha e food and clothing% !e !ill &e content !ith that# :eo'le !ho !ant to get rich fall into te"'tation and a tra' and into "an+ foolish and har"ful desires that 'lunge "en into ruin and destruction# 1 Ti" 6:1?-1. (NIV) 1or the lo e of "one+ is a root of all kinds of e il# So"e 'eo'le% eager for "one+% ha e !andered fro" the faith and 'ierced the"sel es through !ith "an+ griefs# /ut +ou% "an of )od% flee fro" all this% and 'ursue righteousness% godliness% faith% lo e% endurance and gentleness# The 4obility of (o-erty? Ja"es 1:,-11 (Jer) It is right for the 'oor &rother to &e 'roud of his high rank% and the rich one to &e thankful that he has &een hu"&led% &ecause riches last no longer than the flo!ers in the grass< the scorching sun co"es u'% and the grass !ithers% the flo!er falls< !hat

looked so &eautiful no! disa''ears# It is the sa"e !ith the rich "an: his &usiness goes on< he hi"self 'erishes# Ja"es 1:,-11 (:hi) The &rother !ho is in need "a+ &e 'roud &ecause )od has raised hi" to the true riches# The rich "a+ &e 'roud that )od has sho!n hi" his s'iritual 'o ert+### Just as surel+ !ill the rich "an and his !a+s fall into the &light of deca+# The 8is:s 7f Wealth<<< *ark =:1@-1, (:hi) "Then there are the seeds !hich !ere so!n a"ong the thorn &ushes# These are the 'eo'le !ho hear the "essage% &ut the !orries of this !orld and the false gla"our of riches and all sorts of other a"&itions cree' in and choke the life out of !hat the+ ha e heard% and it 'roduces no cro' in their li es#" Luke @:1= (:hi) "4nd the seed so!n a"ong the thorns re'resents the 'eo'le !ho hear the "essage and go on their !a+% and !ith the !orries and riches and 'leasures of li ing% the life is choked out of the"% and in the end the+ 'roduce nothing#" Luke ,:.7 (NIV) "Bhat good is it for a "an to gain the !hole !orld% +et lose or forfeit his er+ selfC" The (ros%erity @"at Cats@ Bite The Dust<<< 2 *an+ of us ha e &een fer entl+ 'ra+ing that )od !ould turn the church u'side do!n and igorousl+ shake it (6e& 1.:.7-.,)# Bhen this ha''ens% those !ho lo e "one+ and ha e lost their gri' on the truth !ill &e the first to fall# 1 >or =:@-.1 (NIV) 4lread+ +ou ha e all +ou !antD 4lread+ +ou ha e &eco"e richD (ou ha e &eco"e kings--and that !ithout usD 6o! I !ish +ou reall+ had &eco"e kings so that !e "ight &e kings !ith +ouD## Be are fools for >hrist% &ut +ou are so !ise in >hristD Be are !eak% &ut +ou are strongD (ou are honored% !e are dishonoredD To this er+ hour !e go hungr+ and thirst+% !e are in rags% !e are &rutall+ treated% !e are ho"eless### H' to this "o"ent !e ha e &eco"e the scu" of the earth% the refuse of the !orld# I a" not !riting this to sha"e +ou% &ut to !arn +ou% as "+ dear children### I !ill co"e to +ou er+ soon% if the Lord is !illing% and then I !ill find out not onl+ ho! these arrogant 'eo'le are talking% &ut !hat 'o!er the+ ha e# 1or the kingdo" of )od is not a "atter of talk &ut of 'o!er# Bhat do +ou 'referC Shall I co"e to +ou !ith 'unish"ent% or in lo e and !ith a gentle s'iritC Ja"es 7:1-3%7 (T$/) 4nd no!% +ou rich 'eo'le Isee Ja"es .:.-;J% listen to "eD Bee' and !ail o er the "iseries that are co"ing u'on +ouD (our riches ha e rotted a!a+% and +our clothes ha e &een eaten &+ "oths# (our gold and sil er are co ered !ith rust% and this rust !ill &e a !itness against +ou% and eat u' +our flesh like fire# (ou ha e 'iled u' riches in these last da+s### (our life here on earth has &een full of lu3ur+ and 'leasure# (ou ha e "ade +oursel es fat for the da+ of slaughter#

Jer 7:.;-., (NIV) ###"The+ ha e &eco"e rich and 'o!erful and ha e gro!n fat and sleek### the+ do not 'lead the case of the fatherless to !in it% the+ do not defend the rights of the 'oor# Should I not 'unish the" for thisC" declares the Lord# Ad-ice on +ecurity In-estin, 1 Ti" 6:1;-1, (:hi) Tell those !ho are rich in this 'resent !orld not to &e conte"'tuous of others% and not to rest the !eight of their confidence on the transitor+ 'o!er of !ealth &ut on the li ing )od% !ho generousl+ gi es us e er+thing for our enFo+"ent# Tell the" to do good% to &e rich in kindl+ actions% to &e read+ to gi e to others and to s+"'athiEe !ith those in distress# Their securit+ should &e in ested in the life to co"e% so that the+ "a+ &e sure of holding a share in the life !hich is real and 'er"anent# Luke 1.:.,-3= (:hi) "(ou "ust not set +our heart on !hat +ou eat or drink% nor "ust +ou li e in a state of an3iet+# The !hole heathen !orld is &us+ a&out getting food and drink% and +our 1ather kno!s !ell enough that +ou need such things# No% set +our heart on his kingdo"% and +our food and drink !ill co"e as a "atter of course### Sell +our 'ossessions and gi e the "one+ a!a+ to those in need# )et +oursel es 'urses that ne er gro! old% ine3hausti&le treasure in 6ea en% !here no thief can e er reach it% or "oth destro+ it# 1or !here +our treasure is% +ou "a+ &e certain that +our heart !ill &e there tooD" 1 Ti" 6:@-1? (:hi) Surel+ then% as far as 'h+sical things are concerned% it is sufficient for us to kee' our &odies fed and clothed# 1or "en !ho set their hearts on &eing !ealth+ e3'ose the"sel es to te"'tation# The+ fall into a tra' and la+ the"sel es o'en to all sorts of sill+ and !icked desires% !hich are 5uite ca'a&le of utterl+ ruining and destro+ing their souls# 1or lo ing "one+ leads to all kinds of e il% and so"e "en in the struggle to &e rich ha e lost their faith and caused the"sel es untold agonies of "ind#

Jer ,:.3-.= (N4S) Thus sa+s the Lord% "Let not a !ise "an &oast of his !isdo"### let not a rich "an &oast of his riches% &ut let hi" !ho &oasts &oast a&out this% that he understands and kno!s *e### " 4o6 3ou Ano6<<< 1 Jn 3:16-1@ (:hi) Be kno! !hat lo e is &ecause >hrist laid do!n his life for us# Be "ust in turn la+ do!n our li es for our &rothers# /ut as for the !ell-to-do "an !ho sees his &rother in !ant &ut shuts his heart against hi"% ho! could an+one &elie e that the lo e of )od li es in hi"C *+ >hildren% let us lo e not "erel+ in theor+ or in !ords--let us lo e in sincerit+ and in 'racticeD (. >or @:,) Luke 1.:=;-=@ (NIV) "That ser ant !ho kno!s his "asterGs !ill and does not get read+ or does not do !hat his "aster !ants !ill &e &eaten !ith "an+ &lo!s# /ut the one !ho does not kno! and does things deser ing 'unish"ent !ill &e &eaten !ith fe! &lo!s# 1ro" e er+one !ho has &een gi en "uch% "uch !ill &e de"anded< and fro" the one !ho has &een entrusted !ith "uch% "uch "ore !ill &e asked#"

:ro .@:.? (NIV) The faithful "an !ill &e richl+ &lessed% &ut one eager to get rich !ill not go un'unished# 8e 3:1;-1, (:hi) IJesusJ "Bhile +ou sa+% GI a" rich% I ha e 'ros'ered% and there is nothing that I need%G +ou ha e no e+es to see that +ou are !retched% 'itia&le% 'o ert+stricken% &lind and naked# *+ ad ice to +ou is to &u+ fro" "e that gold !hich is refined in the furnace so that +ou "a+ &e rich% and !hite gar"ents to !ear so that +ou "a+ hide the sha"e of +our nakedness% and sal e to 'ut on +our e+es to "ake +ou see# 4ll those !ho" I lo e I correct and disci'line# Therefore% shake off +our co"'lacenc+ and re'ent#"

What Does The Bible Teach About The Cares of This World?
What? Me Worry? 2 Borr+ is a !ord that sounds so negati e that !e are sure that onl+ other 'eo'le are doing it# /ut !hat is !orr+% reall+% stri''ed of its 'eForati e connotationsC To !orr+ is to furtively plan for possible future contingencies, "ost of !hich are not likel+ to take 'lace# The old 9ing Ja"es rendered it as "take thought for the "orro!"# 4t its essence% to !orr+ "eans to &e caught u' in the cares of this !orld# Jesus tells us not to# *att 6:.7-.6 (T$/) "###0o not &e !orried a&out the food and drink +ou need to sta+ ali e% or a&out clothes for +our &od+# 4fter all% isnGt life !orth "ore than foodC 4nd isnGt the &od+ !orth "ore than clothesC Look at the &irds fl+ing around: the+ do not 'lant seeds% gather a har est% and 'ut it in &arns< +our 1ather in hea en takes care of the"D"

*att 6:.;-3? (T$/) "Bhich one of +ou can li e a fe! "ore +ears &+ !orr+ing a&out itC 4nd !h+ !orr+ a&out clothesC Look ho! the !ild flo!ers gro!: the+ do not !ork or "ake clothes for the"sel es# /ut I tell +ou that not e en Solo"on% as rich as he !as% had clothes as &eautiful as one of these flo!ers# It is )od !ho clothes the !ild grass--grass that is here toda+% gone to"orro!% &urned u' in the o en# BonGt he &e all the "ore sure to clothe +ouC 6o! little faith +ou ha eD" *att 6:31-3= (8SV) "So do not start !orr+ing: GBhere !ill "+ food co"e fro"C or "+ drinkC or "+ clothesCG (These are the things the heathen are al!a+s concerned a&out#) (our 1ather in hea en kno!s that +ou need all these things# Instead% &e concerned a&o e e er+thing else !ith his 9ingdo" and !ith !hat he re5uires% and he !ill 'ro ide +ou !ith all these other things# So do not !orr+ a&out to"orro!< it !ill ha e enough !orries of its o!n# There is no need to add to the trou&les each da+ &rings#" Where 3our =eart Is Luke 1.:31-3.%3= (:hi) "No% set +our heart on his kingdo"% and +our food and drink !ill co"e as a "atter of course# 0onGt &e afraid% +ou tin+ flockD (our 1ather 'lans to gi e +ou the kingdo"### 1or !here er +our treasure is% +ou "a+ &e certain that +our heart !ill &e there tooD"

2 As!ald >ha"&ers: "The great !ord of Jesus to 6is disci'les is abandon. I""ediatel+ !e look at these !ords of Jesus% !e find the" the "ost re olutionar+ state"ent hu"an ears e er listened to# GSeek +e first the kingdo" of )od#G Be argue in e3actl+ the o''osite !a+% e en the "ost s'irituall+-"inded of us--G/ut I "ust li e< I "ust "ake so "uch "one+< I "ust &e clothed< I "ust &e fed#G The great concern of our li es is not the kingdo" of )od% &ut ho! !e are to fit oursel es to li e# Jesus re erses the order: )et rightl+ related to )od first% "aintain that as the great care of +our life% and ne er 'ut the concern of +our care on the other things#" Accusin, $od of I,norance? *att 6:@ (N9J) "###(our 1ather kno!s the things +ou ha e need of###" Luke 1.:3? (N9J) "###+our 1ather kno!s that +ou need these things###" 2 Note the i"'lication: to !orr+% then% is to accuse )od# /+ !orr+ing !e are sa+ing either: 1) ")od doesnGt kno!"% or .) ")od doesnGt care"# Think a&out it# 0oes )od reall+ not kno!< does 6e not see it so clearl+ as !e doC 0oes )od reall+ not care< is 6e so unlo ing that 6e !ill not 'ro ide for usC 8ather% )od kno!s< and 6e lo es us !ith great and tender care# Such kno!ledge needs to course through "ore than Fust our heads% it needs to &e e"&raced &+ the heart--resulting in 'eace% Fo+% and lo e# 1or if !e reall+ kno!

)od% then !e !ill reall+ trust 6i"# )od kno!s !hat !e need# )od cares# To suggest other!ise% &+ !orr+ing% is a tacit for" of slandering )od# That is !h+ it is for&idden# +oil Chec: <<< 1 :eter 1:.3 (NIV) No! that +ou ha e 'urified +oursel es &+ o&e+ing the truth so that +ou ha e sincere lo e for +our &rothers% lo e one another dee'l+% fro" the heart# 1or +ou ha e &een &orn again% not of 'erisha&le seed% &ut of i"'erisha&le# *att 13:1@%..-.3 (:hi) "No! listen to the 'ara&le of the so!er### The seed so!n a"ong the thorns re'resents the "an !ho hears the "essage% and then the !orries of this life and the illusions of !ealth choke it to death and so it 'roduces no Gcro'G in his life# /ut the seed so!n on good soil is the "an !ho &oth hears and understands the "essage# 6is life sho!s a good cro'% a hundred% si3t+ or thirt+ ti"es !hat !as so!n#" *ark =:13-1= (Be+) "0o +ou all "iss the "eaning of this 'ara&leC" 6e added< "ho! then !ill +ou understand the rest of "+ 'ara&lesC Bhat the so!er so!s is the *essage#" *ark =:1, (9JV) "4nd the cares of this !orld% and the deceitfulness of riches% and the lusts of other things entering in% choke the !ord% and it &eco"eth unfruitful#" *at 6:.7 (9JV) "Therefore I sa+ unto +ou% Take no thought for +our life###" 2 As!ald >ha"&ers: "GTake no thought###G 0onGt take the 'ressure of forethought u'on +ourself# It is not onl+ !rong to !orr+% it is infidelit+% &ecause !orr+ing "eans that !e do not think that )od can look after the 'ractical details of our li es% and it is ne er an+thing else that !orries us# 6a e +ou e er noticed !hat Jesus said !ould choke the !ord 6e 'uts inC The de ilC No% the cares of this !orld# It is the little !orries al!a+s# I !ill not trust !here I cannot see# That is !here infidelit+ &egins# The onl+ cure for infidelit+ is o&edience to the S'irit#" Luke @:1= (9JV) "4nd that !hich fell a"ong thorns are the+% !hich% !hen the+ ha e heard% go forth% and are choked !ith cares and riches and 'leasures of this life% and &ring no fruit to 'erfection#" Careless Treat0ent of an A6eso0e In-itation Luke 1=:16-.= (Jer) "There !as a "an !ho ga e a great &an5uet% and he in ited a large nu"&er of 'eo'le# Bhen the ti"e for the &an5uet ca"e% he sent his ser ant to sa+ to those !ho had &een in ited% G>o"e along: e er+thing is read+ no!#G /ut all alike started to "ake e3cuses# The first said% GI ha e &ought a 'iece of land and "ust go and see it# :lease acce't "+ a'ologies#G 4nother said% GI ha e &ought fi e +oke of o3en and a" on "+ !a+ to tr+ the" out# :lease acce't "+ a'ologies#G (et another said% GI ha e Fust got "arried and so a" una&le to co"e#G ###I tell +ou% not one of those !ho !ere in ited shall ha e a taste of "+ &an5uet#"

*att ..:=-; (NIV) "Then he sent so"e "ore ser ants and said% GTell those !ho ha e &een in ited that I ha e 're'ared "+ dinner# *+ o3en and fattened cattle ha e &een &utchered% and e er+thing is read+% >o"e to the !edding &an5uet#G /ut the+ 'aid no attention and !ent off--one to his field% another to his &usiness# The rest seiEed his ser ants% "istreated the" and killed the"# The king !as enraged# 6e sent his ar"+ and destro+ed those "urderers and &urned their cit+#" Luke 1=:.6 (NIV) "If an+one co"es to "e and does not hate his father and "other% his !ife and children% his &rothers and sisters--+es% e en his o!n life--he cannot &e "+ disci'le#" 2 As!ald >ha"&ers: "Bhene er !e 'ut other things first% there is confusion# GTake no thought for +our life###G Aur Lord 'oints out the utter unreasona&leness fro" 6is stand'oint of &eing so an3ious o er the "eans of li ing# Jesus is not sa+ing that the "an !ho takes thought for nothing is &lessed--that "an is a fool# Jesus taught that a disci'le has to "ake his relationshi' to )od the do"inating concentration of his life% and to &e carefully careless a&out e er+thing else in co"'arison to that# Jesus is sa+ing--G0onGt "ake the ruling factor of +our life !hat +ou shall eat and !hat +ou shall drink% &ut &e concentrated a&solutel+ on )od#G So"e 'eo'le are careless o er !hat the+ eat and drink% and the+ suffer for it### the+ are careless a&out their earthl+ affairs% and )od holds the" res'onsi&le# Jesus is sa+ing that the great care of this life is to 'ut the relationshi' to )od first% and e er+thing else second# It is one of the se erest disci'lines of the >hristian life

to allo! the 6ol+ S'irit to &ring us into har"on+ !ith the teaching of Jesus in these erses#" 6e& .:1-3 (NIV) Be "ust 'a+ "ore careful attention% therefore% to !hat !e ha e heard% so that !e do not drift a!a+# 1or if the "essage s'oken &+ angels !as &inding% and e er+ iolation and diso&edience recei ed its Fust 'unish"ent% ho! shall !e esca'e if !e ignore such a great sal ationC The Martha +yndro0e Luke 1?:3@-=. (Jer) In the course of their Fourne+ he ca"e to a illage% and a !o"an na"ed *artha !elco"ed hi" into her house# She had a sister called *ar+% !ho sat do!n at the LordGs feet and listened to hi" s'eaking### No! *artha !ho !as distracted !ith all the ser ing said: "Lord% do +ou not care that "+ sister is lea ing "e to do the ser ing all &+ "+selfC :lease tell her to hel' "e#" /ut the Lord ans!ered: "*artha% *artha%" he said% "+ou !orr+ and fret a&out so "an+ things% and +et fe! are needed% indeed onl+ one# It is *ar+ !ho has chosen the &etter 'art< it is not to &e taken fro" her#" 2 There is nothing "orall+ !rong !ith doing household chores% or of eating or slee'ing# The 'oint is what comes first !hen the Lord is s'eakingC Shall !e li e at the le el of "ere instincts% or li e in the S'irit and a&ide in the LordGs 'resenceC 1or dishes and food and &eds can !ait% and !ill all one da+ &e destro+ed# Let us &egin li ing our eternal life now &+

sitting at the LordGs feet% listening to 6i"% in the da+ of isitation# In such "o"ents our 'riorities co"e into shar' focus# 4nd !hat is trul+ "needed"% reall+C Let us choose the better part that can ne er &e taken fro" us# *at 6:.?-.1 (N4S) "Store u' for +oursel es treasures in hea en% !here neither "oth nor rust destro+s% and !here thie es do not &reak in or steal< for !here +our treasure is% there +our heart !ill &e also#" 1 >or 6:13 (N9J) 1oods for the sto"ach and the sto"ach for foods% &ut )od !ill destro+ &oth it and the"# . :et 3:1?-11 (NIV) ###The da+ of the Lord !ill co"e like a thief# The hea ens !ill disa''ear !ith a roar< the ele"ents !ill &e destro+ed &+ fire% and the earth and e er+thing in it !ill &e laid &are# Since e er+thing !ill &e destro+ed in this !a+% !hat kind of 'eo'le ought +ou to &eC## The Better (art :s .;:= (N4S) Ane thing I ha e asked fro" the Lord% that I shall seek: That I "a+ d!ell in the house of the Lord all the da+s of "+ life% to &ehold the &eaut+ of the Lord% and to "editate in 6is te"'le#

:s .;:@ (NIV) *+ heart sa+s of +ou% "Seek his faceD" (our face% Lord% I !ill seek# Isa .6:3 (N9J) (ou !ill kee' hi" in 'erfect 'eace% !hose "ind is sta+ed on (ou% &ecause he trusts in (ou# :s 11,:1?3 (N4S) 6o! s!eet are (our !ords to "+ tasteD (es% s!eeter than hone+ to "+ "outhD Jo& .3:1. (NIV) I ha e not de'arted fro" the co""ands of his li's< I ha e treasured the !ords of his "outh "ore than "+ dail+ &read# The Cares of This World *att 6:.= (Jer) "No one can &e the sla e of t!o "asters: he !ill either hate the first and lo e the second or treat the first !ith res'ect and the second !ith scorn#" :s 3,:6 (NIV) *an is a "ere 'hanto" as he goes to and fro: 6e &ustles a&out% &ut onl+ in ain< he hea's u' !ealth% not kno!ing !ho !ill get it# :s 1.;:. (*of) Vain is it to rise earl+ for +our !ork% and kee' at !ork so late% gaining +our &read !ith an3ious toilD##

1 Ti" 6:@-1? (NIV) /ut if !e ha e food and clothing% !e !ill &e content !ith that# :eo'le !ho !ant to get rich fall into te"'tation and a tra' and into "an+ foolish and har"ful desires that 'lunge "en into ruin and destruction# 1or the lo e of "one+ is a root of all kinds of e il# So"e 'eo'le% eager for "one+% ha e !andered fro" the faith and 'ierced the"sel es !ith "an+ griefs# :hil 3:1,-.? (N4S) ###!hose end is destruction% !hose god is their a''etite% and !hose glor+ is in their sha"e% !ho set their "inds on earthly things. 1or our citiEenshi' is in hea en% fro" !hich also !e eagerl+ !ait for a Sa ior% the Lord Jesus >hrist# *att 16:.3 (NIV) Jesus turned and said to :eter% "Aut of "+ sight% SatanD (ou are a stu"&ling &lock to "e< +ou do not ha e in "ind the things of )od% &ut the things of "en#"

When Consu0ed With Cares :hil =:6-; (:hi) 0onGt !orr+ o er an+thing !hate er< !hene er +ou 'ra+ tell )od e er+ detail of +our needs in thankful 'ra+er% and the 'eace of )od% !hich sur'asses hu"an understanding% !ill kee' constant guard o er +our hearts and "inds as the+ rest in >hrist Jesus# 1 :et 7:; (:hi) (ou can thro! the !hole !eight of +our an3ieties u'on hi"% for +ou are his 'ersonal concern# 6e& 13:7 (NIV) 9ee' +our li es free fro" the lo e of "one+ and &e content !ith !hat +ou ha e% &ecause )od has said% "Ne er !ill I lea e +ou< ne er !ill I forsake +ou#" >ol 3:1-= (Be+) If% ho!e er% +ou ha e risen !ith >hrist% seek the things that are a&o e% !here >hrist is% enthroned at )odGs right hand# )i e +our "inds to the things that are a&o e% not to the things that are on the earth# 1or +ou ha e died% and +our life is hidden !ith >hrist in )od# Bhen >hrist a''ears--6e is our true Life--then +ou also !ill a''ear !ith 6i" in glor+# :s =.:7 (NIV) Bh+ are +ou do!ncast% A "+ soulC Bh+ so distur&ed !ithin "eC :ut +our ho'e in )od% for I !ill +et 'raise hi"% "+ Sa ior and "+ )od#

What $od Cares About <<< . Ti" .:=%; (NIV) No one ser ing as a soldier gets in ol ed in ci ilian affairs--he !ants to 'lease his co""anding officer### 8eflect on !hat I a" sa+ing### the Lord !ill gi e +ou insight# 1 Ti" 6:11 (NIV) /ut +ou% "an of )od% flee fro" all this% and 'ursue righteousness% godliness% faith% lo e% endurance and gentleness# Luke 1?:33-37 (N$/) "/ut a Sa"aritan !ho !as "aking the Fourne+ ca"e u'on hi"% and !hen he sa! hi" !as "o ed to 'it+# 6e !ent u' and &andaged his !ounds% &athing the" !ith oil and !ine# Then he lifted hi" on to his o!n &east% &rought hi" to an inn% and looked after hi" there# The ne3t da+ he### said% "Look after hi"< and### I !ill re'a+ +ou on "+ !a+ &ack#" . >or 11:.@ (NIV) /esides e er+thing else% I I:aulJ face dail+ the 'ressure of "+ concern for all the churches# Bho is !eak% and I do not feel !eakC Bho is led into sin% and I do not in!ardl+ &urnC 1 >or ;:3.-37 (8SV) I !ant +ou to &e free fro" an3ieties# The un"arried "an is an3ious a&out the affairs of the Lord% ho! to 'lease the Lord< &ut the "arried "an is an3ious a&out !orldl+ affairs% ho! to 'lease his !ife% and his interests are di ided# 4nd the un"arried !o"an or girl is an3ious a&out the affairs of the Lord% ho! to &e hol+ in &od+ and s'irit< &ut the "arried !o"an is an3ious a&out !orldl+ affairs% ho! to 'lease her hus&and# I sa+ this for +our o!n &enefit% not to la+ an+ restraint u'on +ou% &ut to 'ro"ote good order and to secure +our undi ided de otion to the Lord# 1 :et 7:; (L/) Let hi" ha e all +our !orries and cares% for he is al!a+s thinking a&out +ou and !atching e er+thing that concerns +ou# +ince $od Is Watchin, 7ut "or ;s <<< Luke 1.:3; (Jer) 6a''+ are those ser ants !ho" the "aster finds a!ake !hen he co"es# I tell +ou sole"nl+% he !ill 'ut on an a'ron% sit the" do!n at a ta&le and !ait on the"# It "a+ &e in the second !atch he co"es% or in the third% &ut ha''+ those ser ants if he finds the" read+# *att .=:=. (Jer) So sta+ a!ake% &ecause +ou do not kno! the da+ !hen +our "aster is co"ing# 2 4#B# ToEer: "The "an !ho has )od for his treasure has all things in Ane# *an+ ordinar+ treasures "a+ &e denied hi"% or if he is allo!ed to ha e the"% the enFo+"ent of the" !ill &e so te"'ered that the+ !ill ne er &e necessar+ to his ha''iness# Ar if he "ust see the" go% one after one% he !ill scarcel+ feel a sense of loss% for ha ing the Source of all things he has in Ane all satisfaction% all 'leasure% all delight# Bhate er he "a+ lose he has actuall+ lost nothing% for he no! has it all in Ane< and he has it 'urel+% legiti"atel+#"

Luke .1:3=-36 (T$/) "Batch +oursel esD 0onGt let +oursel es &eco"e occu'ied !ith too "uch feasting and strong drink% and the !orries of this life% or that 0a+ "a+ co"e on +ou suddenl+# 1or it !ill co"e like a tra' u'on all "en o er the !hole earth# /e on !atch and 'ra+ al!a+s that +ou !ill ha e the strength to go safel+ through all these things that !ill ha''en% and to stand &efore the Son of *an#" *att 6:3?-3= (Jer) "###+ou "en of little faithC## 0o not !orr+< do not sa+% GBhat are !e to eatC Bhat are !e to drinkC 6o! are !e to &e clothedCG It is the 'agans !ho set their hearts on all these things# (our hea enl+ 1ather kno!s +ou need the" all# Set +ou hearts on his kingdo" first% and on his righteousness% and all these other things !ill &e gi en +ou as !ell# So do not !orr+ a&out to"orro!: To"orro! !ill take care of itself#"

What Does The Bible Teach About the Truth

The ./clusi-e Clai0s 7f Christianity Isa =3:11 (NIV) "I% e en I% a" the Lord% and a'art fro" "e there is no sa ior#" 6os 13:= (9JV) "(et I a" the Lord th+ )od### and thou shalt kno! no god &ut "e: for there is no sa iour &eside "e#" John 1=:6 (NIV) "I a" the !a+ and the truth and the life# No one co"es to the 1ather e3ce't through "e#" 2 *oha""ed% /uddha% 9rishna% and others taught a way to )od% some truth a&out )od% and ga e instructions on how to live life. These religions did not originall+ clai" to &e e3clusi el+ true% Fust &etter than co"'eting &rands# >hristianit+% ho!e er% is uni5ue# It clai"s "re elation" truth: that )od has once and for all "e3'ressed 6i"self"# Jesus >hrist is !hat )od !anted to sa+# John 1=:6 (:hi) "I "+self a" the !a+ and the truth and the life# No one a''roaches the 1ather e3ce't through "e#"

4cts =:1. (NIV) "Sal ation is found in no one else% for there is no other na"e under hea en gi en to "en &+ !hich !e "ust &e sa ed#" B The (arable of The Carious 7%inions About The Door I"agine that +ou are tra''ed inside a large &uilding% !here 'eo'le are arguing a&out arious o'inions a&out if there is a door and how to get out# So"e &elie e that this !all has a door in it% others that !all# )rou's are for"ed to encourage &elief in !hich 'hanto" door is &est# Ane grou' asserts that the !a+ out is u' through ladders that e3tend into the sk+# 4nd here is a grou' tr+ing to tunnel out using dark% secret% ancient "a's# 4nother grou' is sure that an+ !all !ill ha e a door if +ou "Fust &elie e" that there is one (this grou' is fa"ous for &ig lu"'s on their heads)# 4nd +et another grou' insists that "the door" and "outside" are "erel+ a state of "ind# So"e ha e seen through all this nonsense and gi en u' the search entirel+# $nter one !ho sa+s: "I ha e so"e good ne!sD There is a !a+ out% &ut onl+ one# ItGs a narro!% lo! door# I !ill 'ro e it# )i e u' +our dee'% so'histicated% or sill+ notions and follo! "eD" /ut the arious grou's are so ena"ored !ith their o!n ideas that fe! 'a+ "uch attention# The "'hanto" door" grou' thinks it uns'orting to assert that there is onl+ one door# The "sk+ e3it" t+'es co"'lain that this "good ne!s" lacks so'histication or intellectual a''eal# The "dee' ones" go to ins'ect the door% collect facts a&out it% e en "hang out" around it% &ut ne er go through it# The+ &eco"e e3'erts at door tri ia# The "Fust &elie e" t+'es are al!a+s ha''+ to hear of a ne! door and are e"&oldened &+ this ne!s to tr+ e er harder to !alk through doors that donGt e3ist# *ore lu"'s on the head# In the end% for arious reasons% er+ fe! "ake it out through the re ealed door# 7ne Way? John 1?:;% ,a-1? (NIV) Jesus said again% "I tell +ou the truth% I a" the gate for the shee'# 4ll !ho e er co"e &efore "e !ere thie es and ro&&ers% &ut the shee' did not listen to the"# I a" the gate< !hoe er enters through "e !ill &e sa ed#### The thief co"es onl+ to steal and destro+< I ha e co"e that the+ "a+ ha e life% and ha e it to the full#" 4cts =:1. (:hi) "In no one else can sal ation &e found# 1or in all the !orld no other na"e has &een gi en to "en &ut this% and it is &+ this na"e that !e "ust &e sa edD" 2 *an+ find this as'ect of >hristianit+ offensi e# "6o! arrogantD Bhat an insult to the other great !orld religionsD" /ut consider this: If )od e er did desire to e3'ress !hat 6e !as like% !ouldnGt 6e also "ake sure to sa+: "This is it--the true ersion" to differentiate 6is re elation fro" contradictor+% "an-"ade religionsC If )od e er has reall+ re ealed 6i"self% that religion !ould "stick out" &+ clai"ing to &e e3clusi el+ true# So"e are likel+ to &e u'set &+ this% &ut if there is an+ truth to &e had% it "ust &e 'ackaged like this# $od Decides To Co00unicate With Man

John 1:1-.%1= (:hi) 4t the &eginning )od e3'ressed hi"self# That 'ersonal e3'ression% that Bord% !as !ith )od% and !as )od% and he e3isted !ith )od fro" the &eginning#### So the Bord of )od &eca"e a hu"an &eing and li ed a"ong us# John 1:1=& (NIV) Be ha e seen his glor+% the glor+ of the Ane and Anl+% !ho ca"e fro" the 1ather% full of grace and truth# 1 Ti" .:7-; (:hi) 1or there is onl+ one )od% and onl+ one inter"ediar+ &et!een )od and "en% the *an >hrist Jesus# 6e ga e hi"self as a ranso" for all "en--an act of rede"'tion !hich stands at all ti"es as a !itness to !hat he is### (I s'eak the so&er truth< I do not lie)#### "act 7r "iction? 2 >hristianit+ has clai"ed to &e true fro" the er+ &eginning# These e ents really ha''ened# 1 >or 17:1-; (N$/) 4nd no!% "+ &rothers% I "ust re"ind +ou of the )os'el that I 'reached to +ou< the )os'el !hich +ou recei ed% on !hich +ou ha e taken +our stand% and !hich is no! &ringing +ou sal ation# 0o +ou still hold fast the )os'el as I 'reached it to +ouC If not% +our con ersion !as in ain# 1irst and fore"ost% I handed on to +ou the facts !hich had &een i"'arted to "e: that Christ died for our sins% in accordance !ith the Scri'tures< that he was buried< that he was raised to life on the third da+% according to the Scri'tures< and that he a''eared to >e'has% and after!ards to the T!el e# Then he a''eared to o er 7?? of our &rothers at once% "ost of !ho" are still ali e% though so"e ha e died# Then he a''eared to Ja"es% and after!ards to all the 4'ostles# 1 John 1:1-= (:hi) Be are !riting to +ou a&out so"ething !hich has al!a+s e3isted +et !hich !e oursel es actuall+ heard and sa! !ith our o!n e+es: so"ething !hich !e had the o''ortunit+ to o&ser e closel+ and e en to hold in our o!n hands% so"ething of the Bord of lifeD 1or it !as LI1$ !hich a''eared &efore us: !e sa! it% !e are e+e!itnesses of it% and are no! !riting to +ou a&out it# It !as the er+ life of all ages% the life that has al!a+s e3isted !ith the 1ather% !hich actuall+ &eca"e isi&le in person to us# Be re'eat% !e reall+ sa! and heard !hat !e are no! !riting to +ou a&out# Be !ant +ou to &e !ith us in this--in this fello!shi' !ith the 1ather% and Jesus >hrist his Son# Be !rite and tell +ou a&out it% so our Fo+ "a+ &e co"'lete# 4cts 3:17 (NIV) "(ou killed the author of life% &ut )od raised hi" fro" the dead# Be are !itnesses of this#" 4cts .:3. (NIV) ")od has raised this Jesus to life% and !e are all !itnesses of the fact#" The $os%el Truth 4cts 13:3?-31 (NIV) "/ut )od raised hi" fro" the dead% and for "an+ da+s he !as seen &+ those !ho had tra eled !ith hi" fro" )alilee to Jerusale"# The+ are no! his !itnesses to our 'eo'le#"

4cts 1?:3,-=. (:hi) "No! !e are e+e!itnesses of e er+thing that he did% &oth in the Judaean countr+ and in Jerusale" itself% and the+ "urdered hi" &+ hanging hi" on a cross# /ut on the third da+ )od raised that sa"e Jesus and let hi" &e clearl+ seen% not indeed &+ the !hole 'eo'le% &ut &+ !itnesses !ho" )od had 're iousl+ chosen# Be are those !itnesses% !e !ho ate and drank !ith hi" after he had risen fro" the deadD *oreo er% !e are the "en !ho" he co""anded to 'reach to the 'eo'le and sole"nl+ !itness to the fact that he is the one a''ointed &+ )od to &e the Fudge of &oth the li ing and the dead#" . :et 1:16-1, (NIV) Be did not follo! cle erl+ in ented stories !hen !e told +ou a&out the 'o!er and co"ing of our Lord Jesus >hrist% &ut !e !ere e+e!itnesses of his "aFest+# 1or he recei ed honor and glor+ fro" )od the 1ather !hen the oice ca"e to hi" fro" the *aFestic )lor+% sa+ing% "this is "+ Son% !ho" I lo e< !ith hi" I a" !ell 'leased#" Be oursel es heard this oice that ca"e fro" hea en !hen !e !ere !ith hi" on the sacred "ountain# 4nd !e ha e the !ord of the 'ro'hets "ade "ore certain% and +ou !ill do !ell to 'a+ attention to it% as to a light shining in a dark 'lace% until the da+ da!ns and the "orning star rises in +our hearts# . >or =:.&-= (:hi) Be s'eak the 'lain truth and so co""end oursel es to e er+ "anGs conscience in the sight of )od# If our gos'el is " eiled"% the eil "ust &e in the "inds of those !ho are s'irituall+ d+ing# The god of this !orld has &linded the "inds of those !ho do not &elie e% and 're ents the light of the glorious gos'el of >hrist% the i"age of )od% fro" shining on the"# The Truth =as 4othin, To "ear "ro0 +crutiny 1 Thes 7:.1 (NIV) Test e er+thing# 6old onto the good# 4cts 1;:11 (NIV) No! the /ereans !ere of "ore no&le character than the Thessalonians% for the+ recei ed the "essage !ith great eagerness and e3a"ined the Scri'tures e er+ da+ to see if !hat :aul said !as true# . >or 13:@ (NIV) 1or !e cannot do an+thing against the truth% &ut onl+ for it# The Whole Truth And<<< 1 Ti" =:1-.%6-; (:hi) )odGs S'irit s'ecificall+ tells us that in latter da+s there !ill &e "en !ho a&andon the true faith and allo! the"sel es to &e s'irituall+ seduced &+ teachings of de"ons% teachings gi en &+ "en !ho are l+ing h+'ocrites% !hose consciences are as dead as seared flesh#### (ou !ill &e a faithful "inister of >hrist Jesus if +ou re"ind +our church "e"&ers of these things# (ou !ill sho! +ourself as a "an nourished &+ the "essage of the true faith and the sound teaching he has follo!ed# /ut steer clear of all these heathen old-!i esG tales# An 7%en Mind is A Cess%ool of Thou,ht< 8atherD

. >or 1?:7 (NIV) Be de"olish argu"ents and e er+ 'retension that sets itself u' against the kno!ledge of )od% and !e take captive e er+ thought to "ake it o&edient to >hrist# *at ;:13-1= (NIV) "$nter through the narro! gate# 1or !ide is the gate and &road is the road that leads to destruction% and "an+ enter through it# /ut s"all is the gate and narro! the road that leads to life% and onl+ a fe! find it#" Truth As Tri-ia? 2 4#B# ToEer: "Truth in Scri'ture is "ore than a fact# 4 fact "a+ &e detached% i"'ersonal% cold and totall+ disassociated fro" life# Truth% on the other hand% is !ar"% li ing% and s'iritual#### 4t !hat 'oint% then% does a theological fact &eco"e for the one that holds it a life-gi ing truthC At that point where obedience begins.... Truth that is not e3'erienced is no &etter than error% and "a+ &e full+ as dangerous# The scri&es !ho sat in *osesG seat !ere not the icti"s of error< the+ !ere the icti"s of their failure to e3'erience the truth the+ taught#" The 8es%onsibility of Ano6in, The Truth Ja" =:1;& (:hi) If a "an kno!s !hat is right and fails to do it% his failure is a real sin# 6e& 1?:.6 (NIV) If !e deli&eratel+ kee' on sinning after !e ha e recei ed the kno!ledge of the truth% no sacrifice for sins is left% &ut onl+ a fearful e3'ectation of Fudg"ent and of raging fire that !ill consu"e the ene"ies of )od# :hil 3:16 (:hi) It is i"'ortant that !e go for!ard in the light of such truth as !e ha e alread+ learned# Do We 8eally Lo-e The Truth or Do We (ic: and Choose? 2 4#B# ToEer: "Be can hold a correct ie! of the truth onl+ &+ daring to &elie e e er+thing )od has said a&out 6i"self# It is a gra e res'onsi&ilit+ that a "an takes u'on hi"self !hen he seeks to edit out of )odGs self-re elation such features as he in his ignorance dee"s o&Fectiona&le#" . Thes .:1?&-1. (NIV) The+ 'erish &ecause the+ refused to lo e the truth and so &e sa ed# 1or this reason )od sends the" a 'o!erful delusion so that the+ !ill &elie e the lie and so that all !ill &e conde"ned !ho ha e not &elie ed the truth &ut ha e delighted in !ickedness# . Ti" =:.-7 (:hi) :reach the !ord### 8e'ro e% correct and encourage% using the ut"ost 'atience in +our teaching# 1or the ti"e is co"ing !hen "en !ill not tolerate !holeso"e teaching# The+ !ill !ant so"ething to tickle their o!n fancies% and the+ !ill collect teachers !ho !ill s'eak !hat the+ !ant to hear# The+ !ill no longer listen to the truth% &ut !ill !ander off after "an-"ade "+ths# 1or +ourself% kee' +our "ind sane and &alanced% "eeting !hate er suffering this "a+ in ol e# )o on steadil+ 'reaching the gos'el####

The +%irit 7f Truth 1 Jn .:.?-.1%.=a%.6-.; (T$/) /ut +ou ha e had the 6ol+ S'irit 'oured out on +ou &+ >hrist% and so all of +ou kno! the truth# I !rite +ou% then% not &ecause +ou do not kno! the truth< instead% it is &ecause +ou do kno! it% and also kno! that no lie e er co"es fro" the truth#### /e sure% then% to kee' in +our hearts the "essage +ou heard fro" the &eginning#### I !rite +ou this a&out those !ho are tr+ing to decei e +ou# /ut as for +ou% >hrist has 'oured his S'irit on +ou#### 1or his S'irit teaches +ou a&out e er+thing% and !hat he teaches is true% not false#### John 16:1.-13 (NIV) "I IJesusJ ha e "uch "ore to sa+ to +ou% "ore than +ou can no! &ear# /ut !hen he% the S'irit of truth% co"es% he !ill guide +ou into all truth#" The Truth Is Worth 8e%eatin, . :et 1:1.-17 (Jer) That is !h+ I a" continuall+ recalling the sa"e truths to +ou% e en though +ou alread+ kno! the" and fir"l+ hold the"# I a" sure it is "+ dut+% as long as I a" in this tent% to kee' stirring +ou u' !ith re"inders% since I kno! the ti"e for taking off this tent is co"ing soon% as our Lord Jesus >hrist foretold to "e# 4nd I shall take great care that after "+ o!n de'arture +ou !ill still ha e a "eans to recall these things to "e"or+# John @:31&-3. (NIV) "If +ou hold to "+ teaching% +ou are reall+ "+ disci'les# Then +ou !ill kno! the truth, and the truth !ill set +ou free#" John @:31&-3. (N$/) "If +ou d!ell !ithin the re elation I ha e &rought% +ou are indeed "+ disci'les< +ou shall kno! the truth% and the truth shall set +ou free#"

What Does The Bible Teach About "aith?

Luke 1@:@& (NIV) Bhen the Son of *an co"es% !ill he find faith on the earthC Belie-in, the Truth 2 1aith is &elie ing in !hat is true# 1aith has t!o ele"ents: 1) &eing con inced of the truth% &eing certain of realit+% ha ing e idence of unseen things% and .) &elie ing% ho'ing in% e"&racing% seiEing the truth# 6e& 11:1 (9JV) No! faith is the su&stance of things ho'ed for% the e idence of things not seen# 6e& 11:1 (NIV) No! faith is &eing sure of !hat !e ho'e for and certain of !hat !e do not see# 6e& 11:1 (N$/) 1aith### "akes us certain of realities !e do not see# 6e& 11:1 (*of) No! faith "eans that !e are confident of !hat !e ho'e for% con inced of !hat !e do not see# 6e& 11:1 (Be+) No! faith is a !ell-grounded assurance of that for !hich !e ho'e% and a con iction of the realit+ of things !hich !e do not see# 2 Bhile faith re5uires &eing con inced that !hat !e &elie e in is true% Fust kno!ing the truth is onl+ half of faith# )odGs !ord "ust &e ho'ed for% e"&raced% seiEedD Luke 1;:7 (NIV) The a'ostles said to the Lord% "Increase our faithD" 6e re'lied% "If +ou ha e faith as s"all as a "ustard seed% +ou can sa+ to this "ul&err+ tree% G/e u'rooted and 'lanted in the sea%G and it !ill o&e+ +ou#"

2 /elie ing is not e3actl+ the sa"e as faith# 1or &elief to &e faith% it "ust light on !hat is certainl+ true# (et Scri'ture gi es e3a"'les of situations !here &elief alone is re5uired% e en co""anded# ThereGs no time for e idence collection% to !ait% to hear% for certaint+# Just &elie e# Like :eter !alking on the !ater--donGt think% actD )od e en re5uires us to &elie e in hi" !hen% te"'oraril+% the e idence looks &ad: to trust# IBe !ill stud+ belief and trust se'aratel+#J )od re5uires &elief and trust in "o"ents of hu"an !eakness% &ut faith is !hat "akes us strong# 1aith is the state of &eing con inced a&out !hat !e ho'e for#

=o6 To $et More "aith 2 >ontrar+ to 'o'ular teaching% faith is not "ental delusion% 'resu"'tion or selfdece'tion% &ut a !ork of the 6ol+ S'irit and the Bord of )od# 8o" 1?:1; (NIV) 1aith co"es &+ hearing the message, and the "essage is heard through the !ord of >hrist# 8o" 1?:1; (:hi) 1aith% +ou see% can onl+ co"e fro" hearing the "essage% and the "essage is the !ord of >hrist# 8o" 1?:1; (Be+) 4nd this 'ro es that faith co"es fro" a *essage heard% and that the *essage co"es through ha ing &een s'oken &+ >hrist# 4e65A,e "aith $Ee 13:6 (NIV) ### the+ e3'ect their words to &e fulfilled# 2 >#S# Le!is: "Be "ust not encourage in oursel es or others an+ tendenc+ to !ork u' a su&Fecti e state !hich% if !e succeeded% !e should descri&e as "faith"% !ith the idea that this !ill so"eho! insure the granting of our 'ra+er#### The state of "ind !hich des'erate desire !orking on a strong i"agination can "anufacture is not faith in the >hristian sense# It is a feat of 's+chological g+"nastics#" 2 Be&sters: >8$0HLIT( K kri-du-let-ee% >8$0HLAHS K kreF-u-les 1) Nai e% not critical% &elie ing on slight or uncertain e idence# .) 4 tendenc+ to &elie e too readil+% es'eciall+ !ith little or no 'roof# 2 /elief detached fro" the truth is not faith# /elie ing in !hat is not fro" )od% not true% &elie ing in "the !ord of +our o!n i"agination"% or e en the "!ord of Satan"% is deception 'ure and si"'le# >alling this dece'tion "faith" does not "ake it so# 2 4#B# ToEer: "I do not recall another 'eriod !hen "faith" !as as 'o'ular as it is toda+# If onl+ !e &elie e hard enough !eGll "ake it so"eho!# So goes the 'o'ular chant# Bhat +ou &elie e is not i"'ortant# Anl+ believe... Bhat is o erlooked in all this is that faith is good onl+ !hen it engages truth< !hen it is "ade to rest u'on falsehood it can and often

does lead to eternal traged+# 1or it is not enough that we believe; we must believe the right thing about the right One. . Thes .:1?&-11 (NIV) The+ 'erish &ecause the+ refuse to lo e the truth and so &e sa ed# 1or this reason )od sends the" a 'o!erful delusion so that the+ !ill &elie e the lie# 2 "It is no sin to dou&t so"e things### it "a+ &e fatal to &elie e e er+thing# 1aith ne er "eans gulli&ilit+# >redulit+ ne er honors )od# The health+ soul% like the health+ &lood s+ste"% has itGs 'ro'er 'ro'ortion of !hite and red &lood cells# The red cor'uscles are like faith: the+ carr+ the life gi ing o3+gen to e er+ 'art of the &od+# The !hite cells are like discern"ent: the+ 'ounce u'on dead and to3ic "atter and carr+ it out to the drain# In the health+ heart there "ust &e 'ro ision for kee'ing dead and 'oisonous "atter out of the life strea"# This the credulous 'erson ne er sus'ects# 6e is all for "faith"# The Way 7f "aith "or Tho0as<<< And ;s 8o" 1=:7& (NIV) $ach one should &e full+ con inced in his o!n "ind# *at .=:=-7 (NIV) Jesus ans!ered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. 1or "an+ !ill co"e in "+ na"e% clai"ing% GI a" the >hrist%G and !ill decei e "an+#" *ark 13:7-6 (:hi) "Be very careful that no one deceives you. *an+ are going to co"e in "+ na"e and sa+% GI a" heG% and !ill lead "an+ astra+# Luke .1:@ (Jer) 6e said% " ake care that you are not misled. 1or "an+ !ill co"e clai"ing "+ na"e and sa+ing GI a" heG#" John .?:.7-.@ (NIV) Bhen the other disci'les told hi" ITho"asJ that the+ had seen the Lord% he declared% "### I !ill not &elie e it#" 4 !eek later### Jesus### said to Tho"as% ":ut +our finger here< see "+ hands# 8each out +our hand and 'ut it into "+ side# Sto' dou&ting and &elie e#" Tho"as said to hi"% "*+ Lord and "+ )odD" Then Jesus told hi"% "/ecause +ou ha e seen "e% +ou ha e &elie ed< &lessed are those !ho ha e not seen and +et ha e &elie ed#" John .?:31 (NIV) These are !ritten that +ou "a+ &elie e that Jesus is the >hrist% the Son of )od% and that &+ &elie ing +ou "a+ ha e life in his na"e# Belie-in, The $os%el Truth >ol 1:7&-6 (:hi) ### that hope that first &eca"e +ours !hen +ou heard the "essage of truth. This is the )os'el itself% !hich has reached +ou as it s'reads out all o er the !orld# Bhere er that gos'el goes% it 'roduces >hristian character% and de elo's it% as it has done in +our o!n case fro" the ti"e +ou first heard and realiEed the truth of )odGs grace# >ol 1:.3 (:hi) This reconciliation assu"es that +ou "aintain a fir" 'osition in the faith, and do not allo! +oursel es to &e shifted a!a+ fro" the hope of the gos'el% !hich +ou ha e heard....

2 >#S# Le!is: "The &attle is &et!een faith and reason on one side and e"otions and i"agination on the other#### Su''osing a "anGs reason once decides that !eight of e idence is for >hristianit+# I can tell that "an !hat is going to ha''en to hi" in the ne3t fe! !eeks# There !ill co"e a "o"ent !hen there is &ad ne!s% or he is in trou&le% or is li ing a"ong a lot of other 'eo'le !ho do not &elie e it% and all at once his e"otions !ill rise u' and carr+ out a sort of &litE on his &elief# Ar else there !ill co"e a "o"ent !hen he !ants a !o"an% or !ants to tell a lie% or feels er+ 'leased !ith hi"self% or sees a chance of "aking a little "one+ in so"e !a+ that is not 'erfectl+ fair: so"e "o"ent% in fact% at !hich it !ould &e er+ con enient if >hristianit+ !ere not true. 2 "No! faith### is the art of holding on to things +our reason has once acce'ted% in s'ite of +our changing "oods#### *ake sure that% if +ou ha e once acce'ted >hristianit+% then so"e of its "ain doctrines shall &e deli&eratel+ held &efore +our "ind for so"e ti"e e er+ da+# That is !h+ dail+ 'ra+ers and religious reading and churchgoing are necessar+ 'arts of the >hristian life#### 2 "If +ou e3a"ined a hundred 'eo'le !ho had lost their faith in >hristianit+% I !onder ho! "an+ of the" !ould turn out to ha e &een reasoned out of it &+ honest argu"entC 0o not "ost 'eo'le si"'l+ drift away!" 6e& .:1-3 (:hi) Be ought% therefore% to 'a+ the greatest attention to the truth that !e ha e heard and not allo! oursel es to drift away fro" it# 1or if the "essage gi en through angels 'ro ed authentic% so that defiance of it and diso&edience to it recei ed a''ro'riate retri&ution% ho! shall !e esca'e if !e refuse to 'a+ 'ro'er attention to that greater sal ation !hich is offered usC 1or this sal ation ca"e first through the words of the Lord hi"self# . Ti" .:17-1; (:hi) 1or +ourself% concentrate on !inning )odGs a''ro al% on &eing a !ork"an !ith nothing to &e asha"ed of% and !ho kno!s ho! to use the word of truth to the &est ad antage# /ut steer clear of these unchristian &a&&lings% !hich in 'ractice lead further and further a!a+ fro" >hristian li ing# 1or their teachings are as dangerous as &lood-'oisoning to the &od+% and s'read like se'sis fro" a !ound# 6+"enaeus and :hiletus are res'onsi&le for this sort of thing% and the+ are 'al'a&le traitors to the truth### . Ti" 1:1.&-1= (NIV) I kno! !ho" I ha e &elie ed% and a" con inced that he is a&le to guard !hat I ha e entrusted to hi" for that da+# Bhat +ou heard fro" "e% kee' as the 'attern of sound teaching% !ith faith and lo e in >hrist Jesus# )uard the good de'osit that !as entrusted to +ou% guard it !ith the hel' of the 6ol+ S'irit that li es in us# Abraha0? an ./a0%le of "aith 8o" =:1@-.1 (:hi) 4&raha"% !hen ho'e !as dead !ithin hi"% !ent on ho'ing in faith% &elie ing that he !ould &eco"e "the father of "an+ nations"# 6e relied on the !ord of )od !hich definitel+ referred to "th+ seed"# Bith undaunted faith he looked at the facts-his o!n i"'otence (he !as 'racticall+ a hundred +ears old at the ti"e) and his !ife SarahGs a''arent &arrenness# (et he refused to allo! an+ distrust of a definite 'ronounce"ent of )od to "ake hi" !a er# 6e dre! strength fro" his faith% and% !hile gi ing the glor+ to )od% re"ained a&solutel+ con inced that )od !as a&le to i"'le"ent his o!n 'ro"ise#

8o" =:..-.7 (:hi) This !as the "faith" !hich !as counted unto hi" for righteousness# No! this counting of faith for righteousness !as not recorded si"'l+ for 4&raha"Gs credit% &ut as a di ine 'rinci'le !hich should a''l+ to us as !ell# 1aith is to &e reckoned as righteousness to us also% !ho &elie e in hi" !ho raised fro" the dead Jesus our Lord% !ho !as deli ered to death for our sins and raised again to secure our Fustification# "aith To Crucify The "lesh 2 4#B# ToEer: "The Bord of )od !ell understood and religiousl+ o&e+ed is the shortest route to s'iritual 'erfection# 4nd !e "ust not select a fe! fa orite 'assages to the e3clusion of others# Nothing less than a !hole /i&le can "ake a !hole >hristian# 2 "True faith re5uires that !e &elie e e er+thing )od has said a&out 6i"self% &ut also that !e &elie e e er+thing he has said a&out HS# Hntil !e &elie e that !e are reall+ as &ad as )od sa+s !e are% !e can ne er &elie e that 6e !ill do for us !hat 6e sa+s 6e !ill do# 8ight here is !here 'o'ular religion &reaks do!n#" Luke ,:.3-.= (NIV) Then he said to the" all: "If an+one !ould co"e after "e% he "ust den+ hi"self and take u' his cross dail+ and follo! "e# 1or !hoe er !ants to sa e his life !ill lose it% &ut !hoe er loses his life for "e !ill sa e it#" John 11:.7-.6 (NIV) Jesus said to her% "I a" the resurrection and the life# 6e !ho &elie es in "e !ill li e% e en though he dies< and !hoe er li es and &elie es in "e !ill ne er die# "o you believe this!" )al 7:.= (Jer) (ou cannot &elong to >hrist Jesus unless +ou crucif+ all self-indulgent 'assions and desires# 2 4s )od calls each >hristian to "die to self" and 'ro"ises "ne! life"% the flesh 'rotests: "Bhat if it doesnGt !orkC Bhat if IG" left e"'t+-handedC Bhat if )od isnGt faithfulC" /ut !e ha e the gri''ing e3a"'le of JesusGs faith--!hen 6e let the life drain out of 6i" on the cross--!ith the attitude% "1ather% into +our hands I co""it "+ s'iritD" 4nd a&out that "uch easier thing 6is S'irit is con icting +ou to gi e u' no!% this sa"e Jesus sa+s fro" the cross: "1ollo! "eD" 6e& 1.:1-3 (:hi) Surrounded as !e are &+ these serried ranks of !itnesses% let us stri' off e er+thing that hinders us% as !ell as the sin that dogs our feet% and let us run the race that !e ha e to run !ith 'atience% our e+es fi3ed on Jesus% the source and goal of our faith# 1or he hi"self endured a cross and thought nothing of its sha"e &ecause of the Fo+ he kne! !ould follo! his suffering< and he is no! seated at the right hand of )odGs throne# Think constantl+ of his enduring all that sinful "en could sa+ against hi" and +ou !ill not lose +our 'ur'ose or +our courage# A Life 7f "aith 6e& 11:6 (NIV) Bithout faith it is i"'ossi&le to 'lease )od####

6e& 11:.=-.; (:hi) /+ faith### *oses### refused to &e called the son of :haraohGs daughter# 6e 'referred sharing the &urden of )odGs 'eo'le to enFo+ing the te"'orar+ ad antages of sin# 6e considered the "re'roach of >hrist" "ore 'recious than all the !ealth of $g+'t% for he looked steadil+ at the ulti"ate re!ard# /+ faith he left $g+'t< he defied the kingGs anger !ith the strength that co"es fro" o&edience to the in isi&le king# 6e& 1?:3.%37-3, (NIV) ### in the face of suffering### do not thro! a!a+ +our confidence< it !ill &e richl+ re!arded# (ou need to 'erse ere so that !hen +ou ha e done the !ill of )od% +ou !ill recei e !hat he has 'ro"ised# 1or in Fust a little !hile% "6e !ho is co"ing !ill co"e and !ill not dela+# /ut "+ righteous one !ill li e &+ faith# 4nd if he shrinks &ack% I !ill not &e 'leased !ith hi"#" /ut !e are not of those !ho shrink &ack and are destro+ed% &ut of those !ho &elie e and are sa ed# . >or =:@-1? (:hi) Be are hard-'ressed on all sides% &ut ne er in des'air# Be are 'ersecuted% &ut are ne er deserted< !e "a+ &e knocked do!n &ut !e are ne er knocked outD $ er+da+ !e e3'erience so"ething of the death of Jesus% so that !e "a+ also sho! the 'o!er of the life of Jesus in these &odies of ours# (es% !e !ho are li ing are al!a+s &eing e3'osed to death for JesusG sake% so that the life of Jesus "a+ &e 'lainl+ seen in our "ortal li es# . >or =:16-1@ (:hi) This is the reason !e ne er lose heart# The out!ard "an does indeed suffer !ear and tear% &ut e er+ da+ the in!ard "an recei es fresh strength# These little trou&les (!hich are reall+ so transitor+) are !inning for us a 'er"anent% glorious and solid re!ard out of all 'ro'ortion to our 'ain# 1or !e are looking all the ti"e not at the isi&le things &ut at the in isi&le# The isi&le things are transitor+: it is the in isi&le things that are reall+ 'er"anent# 1 :et 1:6-; (:hi) This "eans tre"endous Fo+ to +ou% e en though at 'resent +ou "a+ &e te"'oraril+ harassed &+ all kinds of trials# This is no accident--it ha''ens to 'ro e +our faith% !hich is infinitel+ "ore alua&le than gold% and gold% as +ou kno!% e en though it is ulti"atel+ 'erisha&le% "ust &e 'urified &+ fire# $'h 6:16 (:hi) 4&o e all &e sure +ou take faith as +our shield% for it can 5uench e er+ &urning "issile the ene"+ hurls at +ou# 6e& 11:1 (:hi) 1aith "eans that !e ha e full confidence in the things !e ho'e for% it "eans &eing certain of things !e cannot see# 8o" =:16 (:hi) The !hole thing% then% is a "atter of faith on "anGs 'art and generosit+ on )odGs# 6e gi es the securit+ of his o!n 'ro"ise to all "en#### Jo& 13:17 (N4S) Though he sla+ "e% +et !ill I ho'e in hi"#### Jo& 1,:.7 (N4S) I kno! that "+ 8edee"er li es% and that in the end he !ill stand u'on the earth# 4nd after "+ skin has &een destro+ed% +et in "+ flesh I !ill see )od< I "+self !ill see hi" !ith "+ o!n e+es--I% and not another# 6o! "+ heart +earns !ithin "eD

What does The Bible Teach about the $os%el?

. Ti" .:@ (NIV) 8e"e"&er 9esus Christ, raised fro" the dead% descended fro" 0a id# This is "+ ,os%el# 2 The gos'el is a "essage# It is also referred to in Scri'ture as a "!ord"% a "doctrine"% a "seed"% the "good ne!s"% "the truth"# /ecause )od uses the "essage of the gos'el to reconcile "en to hi"self% it "ust &e taught% heard% understood% &elie ed% confessed and defended# The Messa,e is That 9esus is The Christ? that =e Was Crucified? and 8ose A,ain> 1 >or 17:1-= (NIV) No!% &rothers% I !ant to re"ind +ou of the ,os%el I 'reached to +ou% !hich +ou ha e recei ed and on !hich +ou ha e taken +our stand# /+ this gos'el +ou are sa ed% if +ou hold fir"l+ to the !ord I 'reached to +ou# Ather!ise% +ou ha e &elie ed in ain# 1or !hat I recei ed I 'assed on to +ou as of first i"'ortance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scri'tures% that he !as buried% that he !as raised on the third da+ according to the Scri'tures# The Messa,e Must Be Tau,ht 8o" 1?:1= (NIV) 6o!% then% can the+ call on one the+ ha e not &elie ed inC 4nd ho! can the+ &elie e in the one of !ho" the+ ha e not heardC 4nd ho! can the+ hear !ithout so"eone 'reaching to the"C The Messa,e Must Be =eard 8o" 1?:1; (NIV) >onse5uentl+% faith co"es fro" hearing the message, and the "essage is heard through the word of >hrist# The Messa,e Must Be ;nderstood *at 13:1;-.3 (:hi) "/elie e "e% a great "an+ 'ro'hets and good "en ha e longed to see !hat +ou are seeing% and the+ ne er sa! it# (es% and the+ longed to hear !hat +ou are hearing% and the+ ne er heard it# No! listen to the 'ara&le of the so!er# Bhen a "an hears the message of the kingdo"% and does not gras' it% the e il one co"es and snatches a!a+ !hat !as so!n in his heart# This is like the seed so!n &+ the roadside# The seed so!n on

the ston+ 'atches re'resents the "an !ho hears the "essage and eagerl+ acce'ts it# /ut it has not taken root in hi" and does not last long--the "o"ent trou&le or 'ersecution arises through the "essage% he gi es u' his faith at once# The seed so!n a"ong the thorns re'resents the "an !ho hears the "essage% and then !orries of this life and the illusions of !ealth choke it to death and so it 'roduces no Gcro'G in his life# /ut the seed so!n on good soil is the "an !ho &oth hears and understands the "essage###" The Messa,e Must Be Belie-ed 6e& =:. (:hi) 1or !e too ha e had a gos'el 'reached to us% as those "en had# (et the message 'roclai"ed to the" did the" no good% &ecause the+ onl+ heard and did not &elie e as !ell# The Messa,e Must Be Confessed 8o" 1?:@-, (NIV) /ut !hat does it sa+C # he word is near +ou< it is in +our "outh and in +our heart%" that is% the word of faith !e are 'roclai"ing: That if +ou confess !ith +our "outh% "Jesus is $ord,# and &elie e in +our heart that )od raised him fro" the dead% +ou !ill &e sa ed# The Messa,e Is "oolishness To +o0e? $ood 4e6s To 7thers 1 >or 1:1@%.1-.3 (NIV) 1or the message of the cross is foolishness to those !ho are 'erishing% &ut to us !ho are &eing sa ed it is the 'o!er of )od### 1or since in the !isdo" of )od the !orld through its !isdo" did not kno! hi"% )od !as 'leased through the foolishness of !hat !as 'reached to sa e those !ho &elie e# Je!s de"and "iraculous signs and )reeks look for !isdo"% &ut !e 'reach Christ crucified: a stu"&ling &lock to Je!s and foolishness to )entiles# 1 >or .:. (:hi) ###It !as "+ deter"ination to concentrate entirel+ on 9esus Christ. and the fact of his death u'on the cross# The Messa,e Is True? and It Wor:s >ol 1:7-6 (:hi) ###that ho'e that first &eca"e +ours !hen +ou heard the message of truth. This is the %ospel itself% !hich has reached +ou as it s'reads out all o er the !orld# Bhere er that gos'el goes% it 'roduces >hristian character% and de elo's it% as it has done in +our o!n case fro" the ti"e +ou first heard and realiEed the truth of )odGs grace# (1 Thes .:13) The Messa,e Was a +ecret? But it is 4o6 "ully 8e-ealed >ol 1:.7-.6 (:hi) ###that I "ight full+ declare )odGs Word&&that sacred "+ster+ !hich u' till no! has &een hidden in e er+ age and e er+ generation% &ut !hich is no! as clear as da+light to those !ho lo e )od#

. >or =:.-=%1@ (:hi) ###Be s'eak the 'lain truth and so co""end oursel es to e er+ "ans conscience in the sight of )od# If our gos'el is " eiled"% the eil "ust &e in the "inds of those !ho are s'irituall+ d+ing# The god of this !orld has &linded the "inds of those !ho do not &elie e% and 're ents the light of the glorious gos'el of >hrist% the i"age of )od% fro" shining on the"### 1or !e are looking all the ti"e not at the isi&le things &ut at the invisible. The isi&le things are transitor+: it is the in isi&le things that are 'er"anent# The Messa,e Is Caluable? and CulnerableE It Must Be $uarded 2 /ecause the gos'el is an in isi&le message, it is thus ulnera&le to attack# Jesus la&eled Satan the "father of lies" (John @:==-=7%=;)# SatanGs agents are "!ol es in shee'Gs clothing" (*at ;:17%..-.3)# SatanGs efforts are to "infect" the gos'el !ith lies (4ct 13:,-1?)# *uch of the Ne! Testa"ent is !ritten to instruct and encourage us to 'rotect the message ($'h =:1=-17)# 6e& .:1-3 (:hi) Be ought% therefore% to 'a+ the greatest attention to the truth that !e ha e heard and not allo! oursel es to drift a!a+ fro" it# 1or if the message gi en through angels 'ro ed authentic% so that defiance of it and diso&edience to it recei ed a''ro'riate retri&ution% ho! shall !e esca'e if !e refuse to 'a+ 'ro'er attention to that greater sal ation !hich is offered usC 1or this sal ation ca"e first through the words of the Lord hi"self# *ark 13:..-.= (NIV) "1or false >hrists and false 'ro'hets !ill a''ear and 'erfor" signs and "iracles to decei e the elect--if that !ere 'ossi&le# So &e on +our guard< I ha e told +ou e er+thing ahead of ti"e#" . Ti" 1:13-1= (NIV) Bhat +ou heard fro" "e% kee' as the 'attern of sound teaching, !ith faith and lo e in >hrist Jesus# )uard the good deposit that !as entrusted to +ou--guard it !ith the hel' of the 6ol+ S'irit !ho li es in us# . >or 1?:3-; (NIV) 1or though !e li e in the !orld% !e do not !age !ar as the !orld does# The !ea'ons !e fight !ith are not the !ea'ons of the !orld# An the contrar+% the+ ha e di ine 'o!er to de"olish strongholds# Be de"olish arguments and e er+ pretension that sets itself u' against the kno!ledge of )od% and !e take ca'ti e e er+ thought to "ake it o&edient to >hrist### (ou are looking onl+ on the surface of things### +tron, Words About The Dan,er 7f Corru%tin, The Messa,e 1 Ti" =:1-3%6-; (:hi) )odGs S'irit s'ecificall+ tells us that in later da+s there !ill &e "en !ho a&andon the true faith and allo! the"sel es to &e s'irituall+ seduced &+ teachings of de"ons% teachings gi en &+ "en !ho are l+ing h+'ocrites% !hose consciences are as dead as seared flesh### (ou !ill &e a faithful "inister of >hrist Jesus if +ou re"ind +our church "e"&ers of these things# (ou !ill sho! +ourself as a "an nourished &+ the "essage of the true faith and the sound teaching he has follo!ed# /ut steer clear of all these heathen old !i esG tales#

)al 1:6-, (:hi) I a" a"aEed that +ou ha e so 5uickl+ transferred +our allegiance fro" hi" !ho called +ou &+ the grace of >hrist to another "gos'el"D Not that it is another gos'el% &ut there are "en !ho are u'setting +our faith !ith a tra est+ of the gos'el of >hrist# (et I sa+ that if I% or an angel fro" 6ea en% !ere to 'reach to +ou an+ other gos'el than the one +ou ha e alread+ heard% "a+ he &e da"nedD (ou ha e heard "e sa+ it &efore and no! I sa+ it again--"a+ an+&od+ !ho 'reaches an+ other gos'el than the one +ou ha e alread+ heard &e a da"ned soulD "alse Teachers .itherD 1F Add5To 7r Modify The Messa,e? or 2F Are @Antichrist@ )al 3:1-7 (:hi) A +ou dear idiots of )alatia% !ho sa! Jesus >hrist the crucified so 'lainl+% !ho has &een casting a s'ell o er +ouC I !ill ask +ou one si"'le 5uestion: did +ou recei e the S'irit &+ tr+ing to kee' the La! or &+ &elie ing the message of the gos'elC Surel+ +ou canGt &e so stu'id as to think that +ou &egin +our s'iritual life in the S'irit and then co"'lete it &+ re erting to 'h+sical o&ser ancesC 6as all +our 'ainful e3'erience &rought +ou no!hereC I si"'l+ cannot &elie e itD 0oes )od% !ho gi es +ou his S'irit and !orks "iracles a"ong +ou% do these things &ecause +ou ha e o&e+ed the La! or &ecause +ou ha e believed the gospel! )al .:=-7 (:hi) In fact% the suggestion !ould ha e ne er arisen &ut for the 'resence of so"e 'seudo->hristians% !ho !or"ed their !a+ into our "eeting to s'+ on the li&ert+ !e enFo+ in >hrist Jesus% and then atte"'ted to tie us u' !ith rules and regulations# Be did not gi e in to the" for a "o"ent% for the truth of the gos'el for +ou and all the gentiles !as at stake# ()al 7:1-1?) )al .:.1 (:hi) I refuse to "ake nonsense of the grace of )od# 1or if righteousness !ere 'ossi&le under the La! then Christ died for nothing# 8o" 1:16-1; (NIV) 1or I a" not asha"ed of the gos'el% &ecause it is the 'o!er of )od for the sal ation of e er+one !ho &elie es: first for the Je!% then for the )entile# 1or in the gos'el a righteousness fro" )od is re ealed% a righteousness that is &+ faith fro" first to last% Fust as it is !ritten: "The righteous !ill li e &+ faith#" 2F The @Antichrist@ in +cri%ture is Any Minister Who Denies 9esus as The Christ 1 Jn .:1@-.. (:hi) ###(ou ha e heard of the co"ing of antichrist# /elie e "e% there are antichrists a&out alread+% !hich confir"s "+ &elief that !e are near the last hour# These "en !ent out fro" our co"'an+% it is true% &ut the+ ne er reall+ &elonged to it# If the+ had reall+ &elonged to us the+ !ould ha e sta+ed# In fact% their going 'ro es &e+ond dou&t that "en like that !ere not "our "en" at all# 1 Jn =:1-3 (NIV) 0ear friends% do not &elie e e er+ s'irit% &ut test the s'irits to see !hether the+ are fro" )od% &ecause "an+ false 'ro'hets ha e gone out into the !orld# This is ho! +ou can recogniEe the S'irit of )od: $ er+ S'irit that ackno!ledges that Jesus Christ has co"e in the flesh is fro" )od% &ut e er+ s'irit that does not ackno!ledge Jesus is not fro" )od# This is the s'irit of the antichrist% !hich +ou ha e heard is co"ing and e en no! is alread+ in the !orld#

=olly6ood Ter0inolo,y and The ;ndiscerned Infection<<< 2 6oll+!ood has used the ter" "4ntichrist" to refer to !hat Scri'ture refers to as "the /east"% and >hristians ha e 'icked this u'# The shoe fits% and !e all kno! !ho is &eing referred to !hen the ter" "4ntichrist" is used: "the /east" of Scri'ture# /ut &+ "isunderstanding the &i&lical "eaning of antichrist% !e "a+ "iss the i"'ortant 'oint that the ene"+ is within our camp. . >or 11:13-17 (:hi) ")odGs "essengersC" The+ are counterfeits of the real thing% dishonest 'ractitioners "as5uerading as the messengers of >hrist# Nor do their tactics sur'rise "e !hen I consider ho! Satan hi"self "as5uerades as an angel of light# It is onl+ to &e e3'ected that his agents shall ha e the a''earance of ministers of righteousness--&ut the+ !ill get !hat the+ deser e in the end# 4otice The Moti-e? And The 8esult . :et .:1-3 (NIV) /ut there !ere false 'ro'hets a"ong the 'eo'le% Fust as there !ill &e false teachers a"ong +ou# The+ !ill secretl+ introduce destructi e heresies### *an+ !ill follo! their sha"eful !a+s and &ring the way of truth into disre'ute# In their greed these teachers !ill e3'loit +ou !ith stories the+ ha e "ade u'# 1 Ti" 6:3-7 (:hi) This is the sort of thing +ou should teach and 'reach% and if an+one tries to teach so"e doctrinal no elt+ and does not follo! sound teaching (!hich !e &ase on our Lord Jesus >hristGs o!n words and !hich leads to >hristlike li ing)% then he is a conceited idiotD 6is "ind is a "or&id Fungle of dis'utation and argu"ent% things !hich lead to nothing &ut Fealous+% 5uarreling% insults% and "alicious innuendoes--continual !rangling% in fact% a"ong "en of !ar'ed "inds !ho ha e lost their real hold on the truth &ut ho'e to "ake so"e 'rofit out of the >hristian religion# Who Causes Di-ision? 8o" 16:1;-1@ (NIV) I urge +ou% &rothers% to !atch out for those !ho cause di isions and !ho 'ut o&stacles in +our !a+ that are contrar+ to the teaching +ou ha e learned# 9ee' a!a+ fro" the"# 1or such 'eo'le are not ser ing our Lord Christ, &ut their o!n a''etites# /+ s"ooth talk and flatter+ the+ decei e the "inds of nai e 'eo'le# Jude 1:1, (NIV) These are the "en !ho di ide +ou% !ho follo! "ere natural instincts and do not ha e the S'irit# Jude 1:16-1, (:hi) These are the "en !ho co"'lain and curse their fate !hile tr+ing all the ti"e to "old life according to their o!n desires# The+ "talk &ig" and 'a+ "en great res'ect if it is to their o!n ad antage# No! do re"e"&er% dear friends% the !ords that the "essengers of Jesus >hrist ga e us &eforehand !hen the+ said "there !ill co"e in the last da+s "ockers !ho li e according to their o!n godless desires#" hese are the men !ho s'lit co""unities% for the+ are led &+ hu"an e"otions and ne er &+ the S'irit of )od# 2 4re !e "causing di ision" to re&uke false teachers< or are !e o&e+ing )odC

Titus 3:1?-11 (NIV) Barn a di isi e 'erson once% and then !arn hi" a second ti"e# 4fter that% ha e nothing to do !ith hi"# (ou "a+ &e sure that such a "an is !ar'ed and sinful< he is self-conde"ned# 1 Ti" 1:3-= (NIV) ###co""and certain men not to teach false doctrines an+ longer nor to de ote the"sel es to "+ths and endless genealogies# hese 'ro"ote contro ersies rather than )odGs !ork--!hich is &+ faith# +%iritual Aids? 2 The /od+ of >hrist% functioning 'ro'erl+% should &e e3cising these false teachings and standing against the "!ol es" (Titus 1:,)# /ut so"eho! Satan has du'ed us into &elie ing that if !e o&e+ )odGs instructions% we are the ones "causing di ision"% instead of the false 'ro'hets and teachers (!ol es) !e are co""anded to re&uke (Titus 1:11-.:1)# Satan has attacked the churchGs "i""une s+ste""% and !e acce't the !ol es% !ho take ad antage of the flock% in as "&rothers" (. Jn ;-11)# . Thes .:1? (NIV) ###The+ 'erish &ecause the+ refuse to lo e the truth and so &e sa ed# 1or this reason )od sends the" a 'o!erful delusion so that the+ !ill &elie e the lie... Biblical ./a0%les of 8ebu:es G (rinci%les for (rotectin, The Message . Ti" .:17-1; (:hi) 1or +ourself% concentrate on !inning )odGs a''ro al% on &eing a !ork"an !ith nothing to &e asha"ed of% and !ho kno!s ho! to use the word of truth to the &est ad antage# /ut steer clear of these unchristian &a&&lings% !hich in 'ractice lead further and further a!a+ fro" >hristian li ing# 1or their teachings are as dangerous as &lood-'oisoning to the &od+% and s'read like se'sis fro" a !ound# 6+"enaeus and :hiletus are res'onsi&le for this sort of thing% and the+ are 'al'a&le traitors to the truth... . Ti" =:1=-17 (NIV) 4le3ander the "etal!orker did "e a great deal of har"# The Lord !ill re'a+ hi" for !hat he has done# (ou too should &e on +our guard against hi"% &ecause he strongl+ o''osed our message. Are We As Concerned About The (roble0 As The Writers 7f +cri%ture? . Ti" =:.-7 (NIV) :reach the word; &e 're'ared in season and out of season< correct% re&uke and encourage--!ith great 'atience and careful instruction# 1or the ti"e !ill co"e !hen "en !ill not 'ut u' !ith sound doctrine. Instead% to suit their o!n desires% the+ !ill gather around the" a great nu"&er of teachers to sa+ !hat their itching ears !ant to hear# The+ !ill turn their ears a!a+ fro" the truth and turn aside to "+ths# /ut +ou% kee' +our head in all situations% endure hardshi'% do the !ork of an e angelist% discharge all the duties of +our "inistr+# (Titus .:17a) =old 7n<<< . Thes .:17 (NIV) So then% &rothers% stand fir" and hold to the teachings !e ha e 'assed on to +ou% !hether &+ !ord of "outh or &+ letter#

6e& 13:, (NIV) 0o not &e carried a!a+ &+ all kinds of strange teachings# Chec: It 7ut 1 Thes 7:.1 (NIV) Test e er+thing# 6old onto the good# 4cts 1;:11 (NIV) No! the /ereans !ere of "ore no&le character than the Thessalonians% for the+ recei ed the message !ith great eagerness and e3a"ined the Scri'tures e er+ da+ to see if !hat :aul said !as true# 1 Ti" =:11%16 (NIV) >o""and and teach these things### Batch +our life and doctrine closel+# :erse ere in the"% &ecause if +ou do% +ou !ill sa e &oth +ourself and +our hearers# The 8ole of The =oly +%irit in The Discern0ent of "alse Teachin, 2 Bhile onl+ so"e &elie ers ha e the s'ecial s'iritual gift of discern"ent% all &elie ers ha e the a&ilit+ &+ "the S'irit of Truth" to detect a false gos'el# This is not de'endent on kno!ledge or intelligence% it is a &asic "s"ell test" of an+one !ho has recei ed the 6ol+ S'irit# 2 )od has not 'ro"ised us that 6e !ill tell us !ho to "arr+% !hat to do ne3t% etc#% although 6e "a+# /ut 6e has 'ro"ised that 6e !ill always allo! us to detect lies that !ould lead us astra+# If !e ha e reall+ recei ed the 6ol+ S'irit% 6e !ill teach us !hich teachers are false and true% and this !ill &e confir"ed &+ others# 4re !e listening to the S'irit of ruth! 1 Jn .:.?-.; (NIV) /ut +ou ha e an anointing fro" the 6ol+ Ane% and all of +ou kno! the truth. I do not !rite to +ou &ecause +ou do not kno! the truth, &ut &ecause +ou do kno! it and &ecause no lie co"es fro" the truth# See that !hat +ou ha e heard in the beginning re"ains in +ou### I a" !riting these things to +ou a&out those !ho are tr+ing to lead +ou astra+# 4s for +ou% the anointing +ou recei ed fro" hi" re"ains in +ou% and +ou do not need an+one to teach +ou# /ut as his anointing teaches +ou a&out all things and as that anointing is real% not counterfeit--Fust as it has taught +ou% re"ain in hi"# John 16:13 (:hi) "(et !hen that one I ha e s'oken a&out co"es--the S'irit of truth--he !ill guide +ou into e er+thing that is true#" .-en If The Moti-es Are Wron,? If The Messa,e Is 8i,ht55(raise $od> :hil 1:17-1@ (NIV) It is true that so"e 'reach >hrist out of en + and ri alr+% &ut others out of good !ill# The latter do so in lo e% kno!ing that I a" 'ut here for the defense of the gos'el# The for"er 'reach >hrist out of selfish a"&ition% not sincerel+% su''osing that the+ can stir u' trou&le for "e !hile I a" in chains# /ut !hat does it "atterC The i"'ortant thing is that in e er+ !a+% !hether fro" false "oti es or true% Christ is 'reached# 4nd &ecause of this I reFoice# 7ur Co00ission

John 7:.= (NIV) "I tell +ou the truth% !hoe er hears my word and &elie es hi" !ho sent "e has eternal life and !ill not &e conde"ned< he has crossed o er fro" death to life#" John @:31-3. (NIV) ###Jesus said% "If +ou hold to my teaching, +ou are reall+ "+ disci'les# Then +ou !ill kno! the truth% and the truth !ill set +ou free#" Luke .=:=7-=; (NIV) Then he o'ened their "inds so the+ could understand the Scri'tures# 6e told the"% "This is !hat is !ritten: The Christ !ill suffer and rise fro" the dead on the third da+% and re'entance and forgi eness of sins !ill &e 'reached in his na"e to all nations% &eginning at Jerusale"#" *ark 16:17-16 (NIV) 6e said to the"% ")o into all the !orld and 'reach the good news to all creation# Bhoe er &elie es and is &a'tiEed !ill &e sa ed% &ut !hoe er does not &elie e !ill &e conde"ned#" John 3:16 (9JV) "1or )od so lo ed the !orld% that he ga e his onl+ &egotten Son% that !hosoe er &elie eth in hi" should not 'erish% &ut ha e e erlasting life#" >ol 1:.3 (:hi) This reconciliation assu"es that +ou "aintain a fir" 'osition in the faith% and do not allo! +oursel es to &e shifted a!a+ fro" the ho'e of the gos'el% !hich +ou ha e heard###

What Does The Bible Teach About The .nd of the A,e?
1 Ti" =:13 (NIV) Hntil I co"e% de ote +ourself to the 'u&lic reading of scri'ture% to 'reaching and to teaching# 8e 1:3 (8SV) /lessed is he !ho reads aloud the !ords of the 'ro'hec+% and &lessed are those !ho hear% and !ho kee' !hat is !ritten therein< for the ti"e is near# 2 The 'ur'ose of this stud+ is not to teach a s'ecific eschatolog+% &ut to "editate on the Scri'tures concerning the ra'ture and da+ of the Lord for the 'ur'ose of 're'aring oursel es--%re%arin, our hearts and 0inds--to "eet the Lord Jesus !hen he returns# B 8eady 7r 4ot<<< 4re !e looking to the skies% longing for the return of Jesus !ith 'o!erC Is the cr+ of our hearts: ">o"e% Lord JesusD" or is it "LetGs !restle so"e "ore%" or "Just let "e indulge "+ flesh a little longer% then IGll re'ent#" Bill the e ents of the end of the age strike us !ith ho'e and Fo+% or dreadC This stud+ is "eant to &e an act of !orshi'# 0onGt ski" or read it 'iece"eal# Bait until +ou can de ote .?-=? "inutes to "editate on the Lord# If 'ossi&le% read the Scri'tures aloud !ith so"eone# Be "a+ need these scri'tures% lodged in our souls% er+ soon# Be start !ith the !ords of >hrist in the Ali ette discourse# Notice ho! Jesus focuses on ho6 6e should res%ond# The things 6e "tells us in ad ance" are "eant to 'roduce the 'ro'er res'onse in us% the 'ur'ose for !hich the Bord !as s'oken# Things like re'entance% holiness% and faith% NAT s'eculation% o&session% di ision o er the s'ecific details of the 'ro'hec+# In the sa"e S'irit% Joel% :aul% John% and :eter encourage us to %re%are oursel-es for the end of the age# The 7li-ette DiscourseD Inter6o-en "ro0 Matthe6? Mar:? and Lu:e *at .=:3-, (NIV) 4s Jesus !as sitting on the *ount of Ali es% the disci'les ca"e to hi" 'ri atel+# "Tell us%" the+ said% "!hen !ill this ha''en% and !hat !ill &e the sign of +our co"ing and of the end of the ageC" Jesus ans!ered: "Watch out that no one decei es +ou# 1or "an+ !ill co"e in "+ na"e% clai"ing% GI a" the >hrist%G and !ill decei e "an+# (ou !ill hear of !ars and ru"ors of !ars% &ut see to it that you are not alar0ed# Such things "ust ha''en% &ut the end is still to co"e# Nation !ill rise against nation% and kingdo" against kingdo"# There !ill &e fa"ines and earth5uakes in arious 'laces# 4ll these are the &eginning of &irth 'ains# Then +ou !ill &e handed o er to &e 'ersecuted and 'ut to death% and +ou !ill &e hated &+ all nations &ecause of "e#"

*at .=:1?-1= (NIV) "4t that ti"e "an+ !ill turn a!a+ fro" the faith and !ill &etra+ and hate each other% and "an+ false 'ro'hets !ill a''ear and decei e "an+ 'eo'le# /ecause of the increase in !ickedness% the lo e of "ost !ill gro! cold% &ut he 6ho endures to the end !ill &e sa ed# 4nd this gos'el of the kingdo" !ill &e 'reached in the !hole !orld as a testi"on+ to all nations% and then the end !ill co"e#" *ark 13:11 (:hi) "###do not 6orry &eforehand a&out !hat +ou are going to sa+--si"'l+ sa+ the !ords +ou are gi en !hen the ti"e co"es# 1or it is not reall+ +ou !ho !ill s'eak% &ut the 6ol+ S'irit#" Luke .1:1.-16 (:hi) "###handing +ou o er to s+nagogue or 'rison% or &ringing +ou &efore kings and go ernors% for "+ na"eGs sake# This !ill &e +our chance to !itness for "e# So 0a:e u% your 0inds not to think out +our defense &eforehand# I !ill gi e +ou such elo5uence and !isdo" that none of +our o''onents !ill &e a&le to resist or contradict it# /ut +ou !ill &e &etra+ed% e en &+ 'arents and &rothers and kinsfolk and friends###" Luke .1:.? (NIV) "Bhen +ou see Jerusale" surrounded &+ ar"ies% you 6ill :no6 that itGs desolation is near#" *at .=:.1-.7 (NIV) "1or then there !ill &e great distress% une5ualed fro" the &eginning of the !orld until no!--and ne er to &e e5ualed again# If those da+s had not &een cut short% no one !ould sur i e% &ut for the sake of the elect those da+s !ill &e shortened# 4t that ti"e if an+one sa+s to +ou% GLook% here is the >hristDG or% GThere he isDG do not belie-e it# 1or false >hrists and false 'ro'hets !ill a''ear and 'erfor" great signs and "iracles to decei e the elect--if that !ere 'ossi&le# See% I ha e told +ou ahead of ti"e#" *ark 13:.3 (NIV) "So be on your ,uard% I ha e told +ou e er+thing ahead of ti"e#" *at .=:.6-.; (NIV) "So if an+one tells +ou% GThere he is% out in the desert%G do not ,o out< or% G6ere he is% in the inner roo"s%G do not belie-e it# 1or as the lightning co"es fro" the east and flashes to the !est% so !ill &e the co"ing of the Son of *an#" Isa 3=:= (NIV) 4ll the stars of the hea ens !ill &e dissol ed and the sk+ rolled u' like a scroll< all the starr+ host !ill fall like !ithered lea es fro" the ine% like shri eled figs fro" the fig tree# *at .=:.,-31 (NIV) "I""ediatel+ after the distress of those da+s% Gthe sun !ill &e darkened% and the "oon !ill not gi e its light< the stars !ill fall fro" the sk+% and the hea enl+ &odies !ill &e shaken#G 4t that ti"e the sign of the Son of *an !ill a''ear in the sk+% and all the nations of the earth !ill "ourn# The+ !ill see the Son of *an co"ing on the clouds of the sk+% !ith 'o!er and great glor+# 4nd he !ill send his angels !ith a loud tru"'et call% and the+ !ill gather the elect fro" the four !inds% fro" one end of the hea ens to the other#" Luke .1:.7-.@ (NIV) "There !ill &e signs in the sun% "oon and stars# An the earth% nations !ill &e in anguish and 'er'le3it+ at the roaring and tossing of the sea# *en !ill faint fro" terror% a''rehensi e of !hat is co"ing on the !orld% for the hea enl+ &odies !ill &e

shaken# 4t that ti"e the+ !ill see the Son of *an co"ing in a cloud !ith 'o!er and great glor+# Bhen these things &egin to take 'lace% stand u% and lift u% your heads% &ecause +our rede"'tion is dra!ing near#" *at .=:3.-37 (NIV) "No! learn a lesson fro" the fig tree: 4s soon as its t!igs get tender and its lea es co"e out% +ou kno! that su""er is near# $ en so% !hen +ou see all these things% +ou kno! that it is near% right at the door# I tell +ou the truth% this generation !ill certainl+ not 'ass a!a+ until all these things ha e ha''ened# 6ea en and earth !ill 'ass a!a+% &ut "+ !ords !ill ne er 'ass a!a+#" *at .=:36-=. (NIV) "No one kno!s a&out that da+ or hour% not e en the angels in hea en% nor the Son% &ut onl+ the 1ather# 4s it !as in the da+s of Noah% so it !ill &e at the co"ing of the Son of *an# 1or in the da+s &efore the flood% 'eo'le !ere eating and drinking% "arr+ing and gi ing in "arriage% u' to the da+ Noah entered the ark< and the+ kne! nothing a&out !hat !ould ha''en until the flood ca"e and took the" all a!a+# That is ho! it !ill &e at the co"ing of the Son of *an# T!o "en !ill &e in the field< one !ill &e taken and the other left# T!o !o"en !ill &e grinding !ith a hand "ill< one !ill &e taken and the other left# Therefore% :ee% 6atch% &ecause +ou do not kno! on !hat da+ +our Lord !ill co"e#" *at .=:=3-== (NIV) "/ut understand this: If the o!ner of the house had kno!n at !hat ti"e of night the thief !as co"ing% he !ould ha e ke't !atch and !ould not ha e let his house &e &roken into# So +ou also "ust be ready% &ecause the Son of *an !ill co"e at an hour !hen +ou do not e3'ect hi"#" *at .=:=7-71 (NIV) "Bho then is the faithful and !ise ser ant% !ho" the "aster has 'ut in charge of the ser ants in his household to gi e the" their food at the 'ro'er ti"eC It !ill &e good for that ser ant !hose "aster finds hi" doing so !hen he returns# I tell +ou the truth% he !ill 'ut hi" in charge of all his 'ossessions# /ut su''ose that ser ant is !icked and sa+s to hi"self% G*+ "aster is sta+ing a!a+ for a long ti"e%G and he then &egins to &eat his fello! ser ants and to eat and drink !ith drunkards# The "aster of that ser ant !ill co"e on a da+ !hen he does not e3'ect hi" and at an hour he is not a!are of# 6e !ill cut hi" to 'ieces and assign hi" a 'lace !ith the h+'ocrites% !here there !ill &e !ee'ing and grinding of teeth#" Luke .1:3=-36 (:hi) "Be on your ,uard--see to it that +our "inds are ne er clouded &+ dissi'ation or drunkenness or the !orries of this life% or else that da+ "a+ catch +ou like the s'ringing of a tra'--for it !ill co"e u'on e er+ inha&itant of the !hole earth# (ou "ust be -i,ilant at all ti"es% 'ra+ing that +ou "a+ be stron, enou,h to co"e safel+ through all that is going to ha''en% and stand in the 'resence of the Son of *an#" 9oel? (aul on The 4ature of The .nd Joel .:.@-3. (NIV) "###I !ill 'our out "+ S'irit on all 'eo'le# (our sons and daughters !ill 'ro'hes+% +our old "en !ill drea" drea"s% +our +oung "en !ill see isions# $ en on "+ ser ants% &oth "en and !o"en% I !ill 'our out "+ S'irit in those da+s# I !ill sho! signs and !onders in the hea ens and on the earth% &lood and fire and &illo!s of s"oke# The sun

!ill &e turned to darkness and "oon to &lood &efore the co"ing of the great and dreadful da+ of the Lord# 4nd e er+one !ho calls on the na"e of the Lord !ill &e sa ed### " 1 Thes =:16-1@ (:hi) Ane !ord of co""and% one shout fro" the archangel% one &last fro" the tru"'et of )od and the Lord hi"self !ill co"e do!n fro" 6ea enD Those !ho ha e died in >hrist !ill &e the first to rise% and then !e !ho are still li ing !ill &e s!e't u' !ith the" into the clouds to "eet the Lord in the air# 4nd after that !e shall &e !ith hi" for e er and e er# So &+ all "eans use this 0essa,e to encoura,e one another# 1 Thes 7:1-6 (:hi) /ut as far as ti"es and seasons go% "+ &rothers% +ou donGt need !ritten instructions# (ou are !ell a!are that the da+ of the Lord !ill co"e une3'ectedl+% like a thief in the night# Bhen "en are sa+ing ":eace and Securit+"% catastro'he !ill s!ee' do!n u'on the" as suddenl+ and inesca'a&l+ as &irth-'angs to a 'regnant !o"an# /ut &ecause +ou% "+ &rothers% are not li-in, in dar:ness the da+ cannot take +ou &+ sur'rise% like a &urglarD (ou are all sons of light% sons of the da+% and none of us &elongs to darkness of the night# Let us then ne er fall aslee'% like the rest of the !orld: let us :ee% a6a:e% !ith our !its a&out us# An .%istle of Correction to +et 8i,ht a Counterfeit Letter . Thes .:1-= (NIV) >oncerning the co"ing of our Lord Jesus >hrist and our &eing gathered together to hi"% !e ask +ou% &rothers% not to beco0e easily unsettled or alar0ed &+ so"e 'ro'hec+% re'ort or letter su''osed to ha e co"e fro" us% sa+ing that the da+ of the Lord has alread+ co"e# DonHt let anyone decei-e you in any 6ay% for that da+ !ill not co"e until the re&ellion occurs and the "an of la!lessness is re ealed% the "an doo"ed to destruction# 6e o''oses and e3alts hi"self a&o e e er+thing that is called )od or is !orshi''ed% and e en sets hi"self u' in )odGs te"'le% 'roclai"ing hi"self to &e )od# . Thes .:7%,-1.%17 (NIV) 0onGt +ou re"e"&er that !hen I !as !ith +ou I used to tell +ou these thingsC The co"ing of the la!less one !ill &e in accordance !ith the !ork of Satan dis'la+ed in all kinds of counterfeit "iracles% signs and !onders% and in e er+ sort of e il that decei es those !ho are 'erishing# The+ 'erish &ecause the+ refused to lo e the truth and so &e sa ed# 1or this reason )od sends the" a 'o!erful delusion so that the+ !ill &elie e the lie and so that all !ill &e conde"ned !ho ha e not &elie ed the truth &ut ha e delighted in !ickedness### So then &rothers% stand fir0 and hold to the teachin,s 6e %assed on to you% !hether &+ !ord of "outh or &+ letter# 1 >or 1:;-, (:hi) 4nd +ou ha e &een eager to recei-e his ,ifts during this ti"e of !aiting for his final a''earance# 6e !ill kee' +ou steadfast in the faith to the end% so that !hen his da+ co"es +ou need fear no conde0nation# )od is utterl+ de'enda&le% and it is he !ho has called +ou into fello!shi' !ith his Son Jesus >hrist% our Lord# 6e& 1?:.7 (:hi) 4nd let us not hold aloof fro" our church "eetings% as so"e do# Let us do all !e can to hel% one anotherHs faith% and this the "ore earnestl+ as !e see the final da+ dra!ing nearer#

Body Buildin, 1 :et =:;-11 (NIV) The end of all things is near# Therefore &e clear-"inded and selfcontrolled so that +ou can 'ra+# 4&o e all% lo e each other dee'l+% &ecause lo e co ers a "ultitude of sins# Affer hos'italit+ to one another !ithout gru"&ling# $ach one should use !hate er s'iritual gift he has recei ed to ser e others% faithfull+ ad"inistering )odGs grace in its arious for"s# If an+one s'eaks% he should do it as one s'eaking the er+ !ords of )od# If an+one ser es% he should do it !ith the strength )od 'ro ides% so that in all things )od "a+ &e 'raised through >hrist Jesus# To hi" &e the glor+ and the 'o!er for e er and e er# 4"en# 1 Jn .:.@-3:3 (:hi) (es% no!% little children re"e"&er to li e continuall+ in hi"# So that if he !ere to re eal hi"self !e should ha-e confidence% and not ha e to shrink a!a+ fro" his 'resence in sha"e# (ou all kno! that )od is reall+ good# (ou "a+ &e Fust as sure that the "an !ho leads a reall+ good life is a true child of )od# >onsider the incredi&le lo e that the 1ather has sho!n us in allo!ing us to &e called "children of )od"--and that is not Fust !hat !e are called% &ut !hat !e 48$# This e3'lains !h+ the !orld !ill no "ore recogniEe us than it !ill recogniEe >hrist# 6ere and no!% "+ dear friends% !e are )odGs children# Be donGt kno! !hat !e shall &eco"e in the future# Be onl+ kno! that !hen he a''ears !e shall &e like hi"% for !e shall see hi" as he isD $ er+one !ho has at heart a ho'e like that :ee%s hi0self %ure% as >hrist is 'ure# 1 >or 17:7?-7. (:hi) Listen% and I !ill tell +ou a secret# Be shall not all die% &ut suddenl+% in the t!inkling of an e+e% e er+ one of us !ill &e changed as the last tru"'et soundsD 1or the tru"'et !ill sound and the dead shall &e raised &e+ond the reach of corru'tion% and !e shall &e changed# 8e 11:17%1@ (:hi) The se enth angel &le! his tru"'et### No! is the ti"e for destro+ing the destro+ers of the earthD" :hil 1:6%@-1? (:hi) I a" confident of this: that the Ane !ho has &egun his good !ork in +ou !ill go on de elo'ing it until the da+ of Jesus >hrist### )od kno!s ho! "uch I long% !ith the dee' lo e and affection of >hrist Jesus% for +our co"'anionshi'# *+ 'ra+er for +ou is that +ou "a+ ha e still "ore lo e--a lo e that is full of kno!ledge and e er+ !ise insight# I !ant +ou to &e a&le al!a+s to recogniEe the highest and &est% and to li-e sincere and bla0eless li-es until the da+ of >hrist# . :et 3:1-; (:hi) I ha e tried to sti"ulate +ou% as "en !ith "inds unconta"inated &+ error% &+ re"inding +ou of !hat +ou reall+ kno! alread+# This "eans recallin, the 6ords s%o:en of old &+ the hol+ 'ro'hets as !ell as the co""ands of our Lord and sa ior gi en to +ou through his "essengers# 1irst of all +ou "ust realiEe that in the last da+s c+nical "ockers !ill undou&tedl+ co"e--"en !hose onl+ guide in life is !hat the+ !ant for the"sel es--and the+ !ill sa+% "Bhere is his 'ro"ised co"ingC Since our fathers fell aslee'% e er+thing re"ains e3actl+ as it !as since the &eginning of creationD" The+ are deli&eratel+ shutting their e+es to the fact that there !ere hea ens in the old da+s and an earth for"ed &+ )odGs co""and out of !ater and &+ !ater# It !as &+ !ater that the !orld of those da+s !as deluged and destro+ed% &ut the 'resent hea ens and earth are% also &+

)odGs co""and% &eing carefull+ ke't and "aintained for the fire of the da+ of Fudg"ent and the destruction of !icked "en# . :et 3:;-, (:hi) /ut +ou should ne-er lose si,ht of the fact% dear friends% that !ith the Lord a da+ "a+ &e a thousand +ears% and a thousand +ears onl+ a da+# It is not that he is slo! a&out kee'ing his o!n 'ro"ise as so"e "en see" to think< the fact is that he is er+ 'atient !ith +ou# 6e has no !ish that an+ "an &e destro+ed< 6e !ishes that all "en should find the !a+ to re'entance# (et the da+ of the Lord !ill co"e as une3'ectedl+ as a thief# In that da+ the hea ens !ill anish in a tearing &last% the er+ ele"ents !ill disintegrate in heat and the earth and all its !orks !ill disa''ear# . :et 3:1?-1= (:hi) In ie! of the fact that all these things are to &e dissol ed% what sort of people ought you to be! Surel+ "en of good and hol+ character% !ho li e e3'ecting and !orking for the co"ing of the da+ of )od# This da+ !ill "ean that the hea ens !ill disintegrate in fire and the &urning ele"ents !ill "elt% &ut our ho'es are set on ne! hea ens and a ne! earth !hich he has 'ro"ised us% in !hich Fustice !ill "ake its ho"e# /ecause% "+ dear friends% +ou ha e a ho'e like this &efore +ou% I urge +ou to "ake certain that the da+ !ill find +ou at %eace 6ith $od? fla6less and bla0eless in his sight# 8e ..:1.-16%.? (NIV) "/ehold% I a" co"ing soonD *+ re!ard is !ith "e% and I !ill gi e to e er+one accordin, to 6hat he has done# I a" the 4l'ha and the A"ega% the 1irst and the Last% the /eginning and the $nd# /lessed are those !ho !ash their ro&es% that the+ "a+ ha e the right to the tree of life and "a+ go through the gates into the cit+# Autside are the dogs% those !ho 'ractice "agic arts% the se3uall+ i""oral% the "urderers% the idolaters and e er+one !ho lo es and 'ractices falsehood# I% Jesus% ha e sent "+ angel to gi e +ou this testi"on+ for the churches# I a" the 8oot and the Affs'ring of 0a id% and the /right *orning Star#" ###"6e !ho testifies to these things sa+s% "(es% I a" co"ing soon#" 4"en% >o"e% Lord Jesus# B Why DoesnHt $od 9ust +ho6 ;% 4o6? >#S# Le!is: ")od !ill in ade# /ut I !onder !hether 'eo'le !ho ask )od to interfere o'enl+ and directl+ in our !orld 5uite realiEe !hat it !ill &e like !hen 6e does# Bhen that ha''ens% it is the end of the !orld# Bhen the author !alks on to the stage the 'la+ is o er# ")od is going to in ade% all right% &ut !hat is the good of sa+ing +ou are on 6is side then% !hen +ou see the !hole natural uni erse "elting a!a+ like a drea" and so"ething else-so"ething it ne er entered +our head to concei e--co"es crashing in< so"ething so &eautiful to so"e of us and so terri&le to others that none of us !ill ha e an+ choices leftC 1or this ti"e it !ill &e )od !ithout disguise< so"ething so o er!hel"ing that it !ill strike either irresisti&le lo e or irresisti&le horror into e er+ creature# It !ill &e too late then to choose +our side### That !ill not &e the ti"e for choosing: it !ill &e the ti"e !hen !e disco er !hich side !e reall+ ha e chosen% !hether !e realiEed it &efore or not# "No!% toda+% this "o"ent% is our chance to choose the right side# )od is holding &ack to gi e us that chance# It !ill not last fore er# Be "ust take it or lea e it#"

What Does The Bible Teach About (rayer?

Luke 11:1 (NIV) Ane da+ Jesus !as 'ra+ing in a certain 'lace# Bhen he finished% one of his disci'les said to hi"% "Lord% teach us to 'ra+% Fust as John taught his disci'les#"

The LordHs ./a0%le (rayer 2 In this stud+ !e discuss insights into the 'ra+er outline (in ALL CA(s) Jesus gi es us# 8ather than racing through this &+ rote% let us "editate on each ele"ent so that !e "ight 'ra+ !ith understanding (1 >or 1=:17)# 4s Larr+ Lea 'ut it% the idea is to 'ra+ through the LordGs 'ra+er "r-e-a-l s-l-o-!"# To &egin% s'end fi e or ten "inutes on each 'hrase% letting each stee' and soak in# Let the 6ol+ S'irit re eal other Scri'tures (&e+ond these listed here to get +ou started) that a''l+ to each 'hrase% and "editate on the "eaning and a''lication in +our life each da+# Mat &D*51 (NIV) "T=I+ I+ =7W 37; +=7;LD (8A3D (:hi) "(8A3 T=.4 LIA. T=I+55 (9JV) 7;8 "AT=.8 W=IC= A8T I4 =.AC.4% (:hi) 7;8 =.AC.4L3 "AT=.8 )al =:6 (NIV) /ecause +ou are sons, )od sent the S'irit of his Son into our hearts% the S'irit !ho calls out "4&&a% 1ather"# 1 :et 1:.3 (NIV) 1or +ou ha e &een &orn again% not of 'erisha&le seed% &ut of i"'erisha&le% through the li ing and enduring !ord of )od# 6e& 1.:7-; (N9J) 4nd +ou ha e forgotten the e3hortation !hich s'eaks to +ou as to sons: "*+ son% do not des'ise the chastening of the Lord% nor &e discouraged !hen +ou are re&uked &+ 6i"< for !ho" the Lord lo es 6e chastens% and scourges e er+ son !ho" 6e recei es#" If +ou endure chastening% )od deals !ith +ou as !ith sons< for !hat son is there !ho" a father does not chastenC 1 :et 1:1; (NIV) Since +ou call on a 1ather !ho Fudges each "anGs !ork i"'artiall+% li e +our li es as strangers here in re erent fear# 1 Jn .:.,-3:3 (:hi) (ou all kno! that )od is reall+ good# (ou "a+ &e Fust as sure that the "an !ho leads a reall+ good life is a true child of )od# >onsider the incredi&le lo e that the 1ather has sho!n us in allo!ing us to &e called "children of )od"--and that is not Fust !hat !e are called% &ut !hat !e 48$### This e3'lains !h+ the !orld !ill no "ore recogniEe us than it recogniEed >hrist### 6ere% and no!% "+ dear friends% !e 48$ )odGs children# Be donGt kno! !hat !e shall &eco"e in the future# Be onl+ kno! that !hen he a''ears !e shall &e like hi"% for !e shall see hi" as he isD $ er+one !ho has at heart a ho'e like this kee's hi"self 'ure% as >hrist is 'ure# $'h 3:1= (NIV) 1or this reason I kneel &efore the 1ather### (9JV) =ALL7W.D B. T=3 4AM.# (:hi) MA3 37;8 4AM. B. =7478.D< 2 *an+ find it useful to "editate on )odGs nature as re ealed in adFecti es associated !ith 6is na"e in 6e&re!#

S64LA* :eaceL8estL>ontent"ent MI09$NH 8ighteousnessL:erfection *G9400$S6 SanctifiesL:urifies S6$*4 Is There 8A:6$ 6eals (I84 Bho SeesL:ro ides NISSI /annerL>a'tain

Is 73:7% 6& =:,-1?% Jn 1=:.;% :l' =:;% >l 1:.?-.. . >or 7:.1% 1 >or 1:3?% 8o" 1:1; 1 >or 6:,-11% 1 Thes 7:.3% 8o" @:., $3 3:13-17% $E =@:37&% $' .:.1-..% 6& 13:7& 1 :et .:.=% 8o" @:.% )al 3:13% >ol .:13-1= . >hr 16:,a% )en ..:1=% :s 3=:17-1@ $3 1;:17% Jn 1.:3.% Is 11:1?% .>o .:1=a% So .:= $3 17:.% Is 1.:.% *t 1:.1% 4c =:1.% :r 3?:=

8A6I She'herdL>o"'anionL1riend :ro 1@:.=&% :s .3% 1 :et .:.7 ($S6H4 JesusLSal ation

:ro 1@:1? (NIV) The na"e of the Lord is a strong to!er% the righteous run to it and are safe# 8o" 1?:13 (N9J) 1or "!hoe er calls on the na"e of the Lord shall &e sa ed#" (9JV) T=3 AI4$D7M C7M.< T=3 WILL B. D74. I4 .A8T=? A+ IT I+ I4 =.AC.4# Luke 1;:.1 (9JV) "###the kingdo" of )od is !ithin +ou#" 8o" 1=:1; (NIV) 1or the kingdo" of )od is not a "atter of eating and drinking% &ut of righteousness% 'eace and Fo+ in the 6ol+ S'irit# John =:3= (NIV) "*+ food"% said Jesus% "is to do the !ill of hi" !ho sent "e###" *at .6:3,%=. (NIV) "###(et not as I !ill% &ut as +ou !ill### *a+ +our !ill &e done#" *ark 3:37 (N4S) "1or !hoe er does the !ill of )od is *+ &rother and *+ sister and "other#" $'h 7:1?%1; (NIV) ###find out !hat 'leases the Lord### understand !hat the LordGs !ill is# *at 16:1, (:hi) "###!hate er +ou for&id on earth !ill &e !hat is for&idden in 6ea en and !hate er +ou 'er"it on earth !ill &e !hat is 'er"itted in 6ea enD" 2 >#S# Le!is: "Th+ !ill &e done% &+ "e no!D"

(9JV) $IC. ;+ T=I+ DA3 7;8 DAIL3 B8.AD% (:hi) $IC. ;+ .AC= DA3 T=. B8.AD W. 4..D "78 T=. DA3% :ro 3?:@ (NIV) 9ee' falsehood and lies far fro" "e< gi e "e neither 'o ert+ or riches% &ut gi e "e onl+ "+ dail+ &read# $3 16:1=-.? (NIV) Bhen the de! !as gone% thin flakes like frost on the ground a''eared on the desert floor# Bhen the Israelites sa! it% the+ said to each other% "Bhat is itC" I"*anna"% in 6e&re!J 1or the+ did not kno! !hat it !as# *oses said to the"% "It is the &read the Lord has gi en +ou to eat# This is !hat the Lord has co""anded: G$ach one is to gather as "uch as he needs###G No-one is to kee' an+ of it until "orning#" 6o!e er% so"e of the" 'aid no attention to *oses< the+ ke't 'art of it until "orning% &ut it !as full of "aggots and &egan to s"ell# John 6:3.-37 (N4S) Jesus therefore said to the"% "Trul+% trul+% I sa+ to +ou% it is not *oses !ho has gi en +ou the &read out of hea en% &ut it is *+ 1ather !ho gi es +ou the true &read out of hea en# 1or the &read of )od is that !hich co"es do!n out of hea en% and gi es life to the !orld#" The+ said therefore to 6i"% "Lord% e er"ore gi e us this &read#" Jesus said to the"% "I a" the &read of life< he !ho co"es to *e shall not hunger% and he !ho &elie es in *e shall ne er thirst#" :hil =:6-; (:hi) 0onGt !orr+ a&out an+thing !hate er< !hene er +ou 'ra+ tell )od e er+ detail of +our needs in thankful 'ra+er% and the 'eace of )od% !hich sur'asses hu"an understanding% !ill kee' constant guard o er +our hearts and "inds as the+ rest in >hrist Jesus# (9JV) A4D "78$IC. ;+ 7;8 D.BT+? A+ W. "78$IC. 7;8 D.BT78+# (T$/) "78$IC. ;+ T=. W874$+ W. =AC. D74.? A+ W. "78$IC. T=. W874$+ 7T=.8+ =AC. D74. ;+# Luke 11:= (N4S) 4nd forgi e us our sins% for !e oursel es also forgi e e er+one !ho is inde&ted to us# Luke 11:= (:hi) 4nd forgi e us our failures% for !e forgi e e er+one !ho fails us# *ark 11:.7 (N4S) "Bhene er +ou stand 'ra+ing% forgi e% if +ou ha e an+thing against an+one% so that +our 1ather !ho is in hea en !ill also forgi e +ou +our transgressions# *at 6:1=-17 (NIV) "1or if +ou forgi e "en !hen the+ sin against +ou% +our hea enl+ 1ather !ill also forgi e +ou# /ut if +ou do not forgi e "en their sins% +our 1ather !ill not forgi e +our sins#" $'h =:3. (N4S) /e kind to one another% tender-hearted% forgi ing each other% Fust as )od in >hrist also has forgi en +ou# >ol 3:13 (N9J) ###&earing !ith one another% and forgi ing one another% if an+one has a co"'laint against another< e en as >hrist forga e +ou% so +ou also "ust do#

(9JV) A4D L.AD ;+ 47T I4T7 T.M(TATI74? B;T D.LIC.8 ;+ "87M .CIL: (:hi) A..( ;+ CL.A8 7" T.M(TATI74% (Jer) B;T D.LIC.8 ;+ "87M T=. .CIL 74.# Luke ..:=? (NIV) ###":ra+ so that +ou !ill not fall into te"'tation#" $'h 6:11-1; (NIV) :ut on the full ar"our of )od so that +ou can take +our stand against the de ilGs sche"es### Therefore 'ut on the full ar"our of )od% so that !hen the da+ of e il co"es% +ou "a+ &e a&le to stand +our ground% and after +ou ha e done e er+thing% to stand# Stand fir" then% !ith the &elt of truth &uckled round +our !aist% !ith the &reast'late of righteousness in 'lace% and !ith +our feet fitted !ith the readiness that co"es fro" the gos'el of 'eace# In addition to all this% take u' the shield of faith% !ith !hich +ou can e3tinguish all the fla"ing arro!s of the e il one# Take the hel"et of sal ation and the s!ord of the S'irit% !hich is the !ord of )od# . Thes 3:3 (NIV) /ut the Lord is faithful% and he !ill strengthen and 'rotect +ou fro" the e il one# . Ti" =:1@ (N4S) The Lord !ill rescue "e fro" e er+ e il deed% and !ill &ring "e safel+ to 6is hea enl+ kingdo"< to 6i" &e the glor+ fore er and e er# 4"en# (9JV% onl+) "78 T=I4. I+ T=. AI4$D7M? A4D T=. (7W.8? A4D T=. $L783? "78 .C.8#" 1 >hr .,:11 (NIV) "(ours% A Lord% is the greatness and the 'o!er and the glor+ and the "aFest+ and the s'lendor% for e er+thing in hea en and earth is +ours# (ours% A Lord% is the kingdo"< +ou are e3alted as head o er all#" 1 >or =:.? (NIV) 1or the kingdo" of )od is not a "atter of talk &ut of 'o!er# $'h 6:1? (NIV) /e strong in the Lord and in his "ight+ 'o!er# :s 1=7:1?-13 (NIV) 4ll +ou ha e "ade !ill 'raise +ou% A Lord< +our saints !ill e3tol +ou# The+ !ill tell of the glor+ of +our kingdo" and s'eak of +our "ight% so that all "en "a+ kno! of +our "ight+ acts and the glorious s'lendor of +our kingdo"# (our kingdo" is an e erlasting kingdo"% and +our do"inion endures through all generations### Isa =.:@ (N4S) I a" the Lord% that is *+ na"eD I !ill not gi e *+ glor+ to another### Benediction Jude 1:.? (NIV) /ut +ou% dear friends% &uild +ourself u' in +our "ost hol+ faith and 'ra+ in the 6ol+ S'irit# $'h 6:1@ (Jer) :ra+ all the ti"e% asking for !hat +ou need% 'ra+ing in the S'irit on e er+ 'ossi&le occasion# Ne er get tired of sta+ing a!ake to 'ra+ for all the saints#

8o" @:.6-.; (:hi) The S'irit### also hel's us in our 'resent li"itations# 1or e3a"'le% !e do not kno! ho! to 'ra+ !orthil+% &ut his S'irit !ithin us is actuall+ 'ra+ing for us in those agoniEing longings !hich cannot find !ords# 6e !ho kno!s the heartGs secrets understands the S'iritGs intention as he 'ra+s according to )odGs !ill for those !ho lo e hi"# 4cts .:=. (NIV) The+ de oted the"sel es to the a'ostlesG teaching and to the fello!shi'% to the &reaking of &read and to 'ra+er# 4cts 6:= (9JV) /ut !e !ill gi e oursel es continuall+ to 'ra+er% and to the "inistr+ of the !ord# 1 Thes 7:1;%1, (:hi) Ne er sto' 'ra+ing### Ne er da"' the fire of the S'irit# 0eut =:; (NIV) ###The Lord our )od is near us !hene er !e 'ra+ to hi"###

What Does The Bible Teach About Tests G Trials?

1 Thes 3:3 (T$/) ### None of +ou should turn &ack &ecause of these 'ersecutions# (ou +oursel es kno! that such 'ersecutions are 'art of )odGs !ill for us# 4cts 1=:.. (Jer) ### "Be all ha e to e3'erience "an+ hardshi's%" the+ said% "&efore !e enter the kingdo" of )od#" When Bad Thin,s =a%%en

2 The Scri'tures s'eak of three t+'es of "trou&le" for the &elie er: 1) 0isci'line% Fudg"ent% or re&uke fro" the Lord< .) tests% trials% 'ersecutions% suffering< and 3) te"'tations or attacks fro" Satan# So is this 'resent trou&le the hand of the Lord in direct re&uke% or the 'ro"ised testing of our faith% or are !e &eing "had" &+ SatanC Be should kno!% so !e can res'ond accordingl+# Ja"es 1:1. (NIV) /lessed is the "an !ho 'erse eres under trial% &ecause !hen he has stood the test% he !ill recei e the ictorGs cro!n% the life )od has 'ro"ised to those !ho lo e hi"# +T;D3 2D Tests? Trials? (ersecutions? +ufferin,s 1 :et =:1.-13 (NIV) 0ear friends% do not &e sur'rised at the 'ainful trial +ou are suffering% as though so"ething strange !ere ha''ening to +ou# /ut reFoice that +ou 'artici'ate in the sufferings of >hrist% so that +ou "a+ &e o erFo+ed !hen his glor+ is re ealed# 0eut @:.-3 (NIV) 8e"e"&er ho! the Lord +our )od led +ou all the !a+ in the desert these fort+ +ears% to hu"&le +ou and to test +ou in order to kno! !hat !as in +our heart% !hether or not +ou !ould kee' his co""ands# 6e hu"&led +ou### to teach +ou that "an does not li e &+ &read alone &ut on e er+ !ord that co"es fro" the "outh of the Lord# )en ..:1-. (NIV) So"e ti"e later )od tested 4&raha"# 6e said to hi"% "4&raha"D" "6ere I a"%" he re'lied# Then )od said% "Take +our son% +our onl+ son% Isaac% I!hat a&out IsaacGs older &rother% Ish"aelC See 8o" ,:@% )al =:..-31% John 6:63J !ho" +ou lo e% and### sacrifice hi" there as a &urnt offering on one of the "ountains I !ill tell +ou a&out#" $3 .?:.? (NIV) *oses said to the 'eo'le% "0o not &e afraid# )od has co"e to test +ou% so that the fear of )od !ill &e !ith +ou to kee' +ou fro" sinning#" :s 66:@-1. (NIV) :raise our )od% A 'eo'les% let the sound of his 'raise &e heard< he has 'reser ed our li es and ke't our feet fro" sli''ing# 'or you, O %od, tested us; +ou refined us like sil er# (ou &rought us into 'rison and laid &urdens on our &acks# (ou let "en ride o er our heads< !e !ent through fire and !ater% &ut +ou &rought us to a 'lace of a&undance# @"ollo6 Me<<<@ 1 :et .:1,-.3 (:hi) 4 "an does a fine thing !hen he endures 'ain% !ith a clear conscience to!ards )od% though he kno!s he is suffering unFustl+# 4fter all% it is no credit to +ou if +ou are 'atient in &earing a 'unish"ent !hich +ou ha e richl+ deser edD /ut if +ou do +our dut+ and are 'unished for it and can still acce't it 'atientl+% +ou are doing so"ething !orth!hile in )odGs sight# Indeed this is your calling. 1or >hrist suffered for +ou and left +ou a 'ersonal e3a"'le% so that +ou "ight follo! in his footste's# 6e !as guilt+ of no sin### (et !hen he !as insulted he offered no insult in return# Bhen he suffered he "ade no threats of re enge# 6e si"'l+ co""itted his cause to the Ane !ho Fudges fairl+# +ufferin,? The Cost 7f Disci%leshi%

John 17:1@-.? (NIV) "If the world hates +ou% kee' in "ind that it hated "e first# If +ou &elonged to the !orld% it !ould lo e +ou as its o!n### 8e"e"&er the !ords I s'oke to +ou< GNo ser ant is greater than his "aster#G If the+ 'ersecuted "e% they will persecute you also#" 1 :et =:1 (NIV) Since >hrist suffered 'h+sical 'ain +ou "ust ar" +oursel es !ith the sa"e inner con iction that he had# To &e free fro" sin "eans &odil+ suffering% and the man who accepts this !ill s'end the rest of his ti"e here on earth% not in &eing led &+ hu"an desires% &ut in doing the !ill of )od# . Ti" 3:1. (NIV) In fact% everyone !ho !ants to li e a godl+ life in >hrist Jesus !ill &e 'ersecuted% !hile e il "en and i"'ostors !ill go fro" &ad to !orse% decei ing and &eing decei ed# John 16:.-= (NIV) "### In fact% a ti"e is co"ing !hen an+one !ho kills +ou !ill think he is doing a ser ice to )od# The+ !ill do such things &ecause the+ ha e not kno!n the 1ather or "e# I ha e told +ou this% so that !hen the ti"e co"es +ou !ill re"e"&er that I !arned +ou###" Destiny<<< 1 Thes 3:3 (NIV) so that no one !ould &e unsettled &+ these trials# (ou kno! that !e !ere destined for the"# . Ti" 3:1. (:hi) :ersecution is ine ita&le for those !ho are deter"ined to li e reall+ >hristian li es# 1 :et 1:6-; (:hi) This "eans tre"endous Fo+ to +ou% e en though at 'resent +ou "a+ &e te"'oraril+ harassed &+ all kinds of trials# This is no accident--it ha''ens to prove your faith, !hich is infinitel+ "ore alua&le than gold% and gold% as +ou kno!% e en though it is ulti"atel+ 'erisha&le% "ust &e 'urified &+ fire# Ja"es 1:.-= (:hi) Bhen all kinds of trials and te"'tations cro!d into +our li es% donGt resent the" as intruders% &ut welcome them as friends( 8ealiEe that the+ co"e to test +our faith and to 'roduce in +ou the 5ualit+ of endurance# . Ti" 1:@ (:hi) ### 4cce't +our share of the hardshi' that faithfulness to the gospel entails in the strength that )od gi es +ou# This Is $ood 4e6s? 1 :et =:1.-1= (:hi) 4nd no!% dear friends of "ine% I &eg +ou not to &e undul+ alar"ed at the fier+ ordeals !hich co"e to test +our faith% as though this !ere so"e a&nor"al e3'erience# (ou should &e glad% &ecause it "eans that +ou are sharing in >hristGs sufferings# Ane da+% !hen he sho!s hi"self in full s'lendor% +ou !ill &e filled !ith the "ost tre"endous Fo+# If +ou are re'roached for &eing >hristGs follo!ers% that is a cause for Fo+% for +ou can &e sure that )odGs )pirit of glory is resting u'on +ou#

1 :et 1:6 (NIV) In this +ou greatl+ reFoice% though no! for a little !hile +ou "a+ ha e had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials# . >or =:16-1; (:hi) This is the reason !e ne er lose heart# The out!ard "an does indeed suffer !ear and tear% &ut e er+ da+ the in!ard "an recei es fresh strength# These little trou&les (!hich are reall+ so transitor+) are !inning for us a 'er"anent% glorious and solid re!ard out of all 'ro'ortion to our 'ain# +%iritual +urfin, 8o" @:3; (Jer) These are the trials through !hich !e triu"'h% &+ the 'o!er of hi" !ho lo ed us# 2 As!ald >ha"&ers: "The I!a eJ that distresses the ordinar+ s!i""er 'roduces in the surf-rider the su'er-Fo+ of going clean through it. 4''l+ that to our o!n circu"stances% these er+ things--tri&ulation% distress% 'ersecution% 'roduce in us the su'er-Fo+< they are not things to fight. Be are "ore than con5uerors### su'er- ictors% !ith a Fo+ !e !ould not ha e &ut for the er+ things !hich look as if the+ are going to o er!hel" us### The saint kno!s the Fo+ of the Lord not in s'ite of tri&ulation% but because of it.# 8eIoice> >ol 1:.= (:hi) ### It is true at this "o"ent that I I:aulJ a" suffering### +et I a" glad% &ecause it gi es "e a chance to contri&ute in "+ o!n sufferings so"ething to the uncompleted pains !hich >hrist suffers on &ehalf of his &od+% the >hurch# 8o" 7:3-7 (NIV) Not onl+ so% &ut !e also reFoice in our sufferings% &ecause !e kno! that suffering 'roduces perseverance; 'erse erance% character< and character% ho'e# 4nd ho'e does not disa''oint us% &ecause )od has 'oured out his lo e into our hearts &+ the 6ol+ S'irit% !ho" he has gi en us# 8o" @:1@ (Jer) I think that !hat !e suffer in this life can ne er &e co"'ared to the glor+% as +et unre ealed% !hich is !aiting for us### 6e& 1?:3.%37-3, (NIV) ### in the face of suffering### do not thro! a!a+ +our confidence< it !ill &e richl+ re!arded# (ou need to persevere so that !hen +ou ha e done the !ill of )od% +ou !ill recei e !hat he has 'ro"ised# 1or in Fust a little !hile% "6e !ho is co"ing !ill co"e and !ill not dela+# /ut "+ righteous one !ill li e &+ faith# 4nd if he shrinks back, I !ill not &e 'leased !ith hi"#" /ut !e are not of those !ho shrink &ack and are destro+ed% &ut of those !ho &elie e and are sa ed# 1 :et =:16-1, (NIV) ### if +ou suffer as a >hristian% do not &e asha"ed% &ut 'raise )od that +ou bear that name. 1or it is ti"e for Fudg"ent to &egin !ith the fa"il+ of )od< and if it &egins !ith us% !hat !ill the outco"e &e for those !ho do not o&e+ the gos'el of )od# 4nd% "If it is hard for the righteous to &e sa ed% !hat !ill &eco"e of the ungodl+ and the sinnerC" So% then% those !ho suffer according to )odGs !ill should co""it the"sel es to their faithful >reator and continue to do good#

Ad-ice "ro0 9esus 8e .:, (Jer) "I kno! the trials +ou ha e had% and ho! 'oor +ou are--though +ou are richD" 8e .:1? (NIV) "0o not &e afraid of !hat +ou are a&out to suffer# I tell +ou% the devil !ill 'ut so"e of +ou in 'rison to test +ou% and +ou !ill suffer 'ersecution for ten da+s# /e faithful% e en to the point of death, and I !ill gi e +ou the cro!n of life#" Luke 1.:=-7 (NIV) "I tell +ou% "+ friends% do not &e afraid of those !ho can kill the &od+ and that can do no "ore# /ut I !ill sho! +ou !ho" +ou should fear: 1ear hi" !ho% after killing the &od+% has the 'o!er to thro! +ou into hell# (es% I tell +ou% fear hi"#" 8e 3:1? (Jer) "/ecause +ou ha e ke't "+ co""and"ent to endure trials% I !ill kee' +ou safe in the ti"e of trial !hich is going to co"e for the !hole !orld###" B6$N T8AH/L$ >A*$S% B64T 9IN0 IS ITC

0IS>I:LIN$ 18A* 8$SHLT A1 6AB TA 0IS>$8N 8I)6T 8$S:ANS$ 0A NAT )A0 IS S4(IN) The Lord 0iso&edience 1its >ri"e 8e'entD *ake Light of Be are Sons

T$STLT8I4L )od% Borld% Satan 1ollo!ing )od :ro es 1aith :erse ere Shrink /ack 6is Na"e is in Hs 0eath and )lor+

T$*:T4TIAN The 0e il :ride or $3'osure Leads 4stra+ 8esistD 1all into The 1lesh is Beak Sin or Victor+

$N0S BIT6 1ear and 6oliness The Bi, (icture

8o" @:.@ (NIV) 4nd !e kno! that in all things )od !orks for the good of those !ho lo e hi"% !ho ha e &een called according to his 'ur'ose# 8o" @:37%3;-3, (:hi) Bho can se'arate us fro" the lo e of >hristC >an trou&le% 'ain% or 'ersecutionC >an lack of clothes and food% danger to life and li"&% the threat and force of ar"sC### No% in all these things !e !in an o er!hel"ing ictor+ through hi" !ho has

'ro ed his lo e for us# I ha e &eco"e a&solutel+ con inced that neither death nor life% neither "essenger of 6ea en nor "onarch of earth% neither !hat ha''ens toda+ nor !hat "a+ ha''en to"orro!% neither a 'o!er fro" on high nor a 'o!er fro" &elo!% nor an+thing else in )odGs !hole !orld has an+ 'o!er to se'arate us fro" the lo e of )od in >hrist Jesus our LordD Belie-in, The $os%el<<< 1 >or 17:1-. (Jer) /rothers% I !ant to re"ind +ou of the gos'el### &ecause the gos'el !ill sa e +ou onl+ if +ou kee' &elie ing e3actl+ !hat I 'reached to +ou--&elie ing an+thing else !ill not lead to an+thing# 1 >or 17:3-= (:hi) 1or I 'assed on to +ou%--as essential% the "essage I "+self recei ed-that Christ died for our sins% as the Scri'tures said he !ould< that he was buried and rose again on the third da+% again as the scri'tures foretold# 2 4#B# ToEer: "4s long as !e re"ain in the &od+ !e shall &e su&Fect to a certain a"ount of that co""on suffering !hich !e all share !ith the sons of "en# /ut there is another kind of suffering% kno!n onl+ to the >hristian: it is oluntar+ suffering deli&eratel+ and kno!ingl+ incurred for the sake of >hrist# 2 "Such is a lu3ur+% a treasure of fa&ulous alue# 4nd it is rare as !ell as 'recious% for there are fe! in this decadent age !ho !ill of their o!n choice go do!n into this dark "ine looking for Fe!els# )od !ill not force us into this kind of suffering< he !ill not la+ this cross u'on us nor e"&arrass us !ith riches !e do not !ant# Such riches are reser ed for those !ho a''l+ to ser e in the legion of the e3'enda&les% !ho lo e not their li es unto death% !ho olunteer to suffer for >hristGs sake and !ho follo! u' their a''lication !ith li es that challenge the de il and in ite the fur+ of hell# 2 "Such as these ha e said good-&+e to the !orldGs to+s< the+ ha e acce'ted toil and suffering as their earthl+ 'ortion# The "arks of the cross are u'on the" and the+ are kno!n in hea en and in hell# But where are they! 6as this &reed of >hristian died out of the earthC"

What Does The Bible Teach About "or,i-eness?

7%enin, 8iddleD The Miracle of "or,i-eness *ark .:;-11 (Be+) "Bh+ does this "an use such !ordsC" the+ said< "6e is &las'he"ing# Bho can 'ardon sins &ut Ane--that is% )odC"### Jesus asked the"% "Bhich is easierC--to sa+ to this 'aral+tic% G(our sins are 'ardoned%G or to sa+% G8ise% take u' +our "at% and !alkCG /ut that +ou "a+ kno! that the Son of *an has authority on earth to 'ardon sins"--6e turned to the 'aral+tic% and said% "To +ou I sa+% G8ise% take u' +our "at and go ho"e#G" Conditional "or,i-eness *at 6:1. (T$/) "1orgi e us the !rongs that !e ha e done% as !e forgi e the !rongs others ha e done us#" Luke 6:3; (NIV) "###1orgi e% and +ou !ill &e forgi en#" *at 6:1=-17 (NIV) "1or if +ou forgi e "en !hen the+ sin against +ou% +our hea enl+ 1ather !ill also forgi e +ou# /ut% if +ou do not forgi e "en their sins% +our 1ather !ill not forgi e +our sins#" 2 4ssu"ing the teaching of *at 6:17 and other such erses is understood and ackno!ledged as true% rather than e"'hasiEe the need to forgi e in this /i&le stud+--i#e#% the la!--!e !ill instead look at fi e chea' su&stitutes or i"'edi"ents to forgi eness% and then at !hat real forgi eness is% ho! to attain it% and ho! to re"ain in it# 4nd !e "a+ find that forgi eness is "ore difficult% and "ore eas+% than !e first thought# +in Is 7nly =u0an<<< 2 Bhat is natural to "the flesh" (the carnal nature) !hen !e ha e &een hurt or a&used or insulted is to strike &ack% to 'lot re enge% or to si""er in &itterness# This is "onl+ hu"an"# /ut )od re5uires forgi eness% else 6e !ill NAT forgi e us# If !e are un!illing--or una&le--to forgi e% then there is no use asking )od for !hat 6e has told us 6e !ill not gi e# 1or &elie ers% dealing !ith the sin of unforgi eness is first 'riorit+# *ark 11:.7 (NIV) "4nd !hen +ou stand 'ra+ing% if +ou hold an+thing against an+one% forgi e hi"% so that +our 1ather in hea en "a+ forgi e +ou +our sins#"

2 4s a !a+ to test the eracit+ of the follo!ing 'oints% let us consider forgi eness in the "ost radical sense !e can# Think of so"ething trul+ !icked that has &een done to +ou or so"eone +ou lo e% not &+ accident or error &ut deli&eratel+ and !ith "alice--!here +ou ha e co"e right u' against e il and the 'ain caused &+ it in +our o!n e"otions# 1F What "or,i-eness Is 4otD (lay Actin, "or +ho6<<< 2 8e"e"&er !hen as a child +ou !ere forced &+ so"e adult to "forgi e" so"eone !ho !as first forced to "sa+ sorr+" to +ouC Is this reall+ re'entance &+ the 'er'etrator### or forgi eness &+ the icti"C Bell% 'erha's so--in a fe! rare cases# /ut let us &e honest and ackno!ledge that this charade &+ children is "ore often a te"'orar+ cessation of hostilities for the sake of the gro!n-u's% !ith the full intent to do "ore of the sa"e iolence (and not get caught) andLor get re enge later--!hen &e+ond the adultGs !atchful e+e# 2 4dults force children through this ritual &ecause strife in a fa"il+ or grou' of kids is an un&eara&le 'ain< and the+ !ant to teach# :la+-acting does gi e at least a te"'orar+ re'rie e# /ut )odGs 'ain is "ore acute !hen 6e sees our strife !ith each other% and 6is solution ai"s a little dee'er than "ere !ords or "i"icr+ or dela+ or coating o er# 1or 6e is ai"ing not at h+'ocritical 'la+-acting% &ut at truth fro" the inside out# 2 This childish 'anto"i"e of "forgi eness" often carries into adulthood as a su'erficial su&stitute for the real thing# Be think &+ "sa+ing so"% it is so# /ut is )od fooled &+ suchC Is there e er a 'lace !here !e can esca'e 6is 'enetrating gaEeC 0oes 6e not see the secret "editation of re enge or the &itter hatred &ehind the nice s"ileC Since !hen is 6e i"'ressed !ith "ere !ords !hen hearts do not "atchC *ark ;:6 (:hi) Jesus re'lied% "(ou h+'ocrites% Isaiah descri&ed +ou &eautifull+ !hen he !rote: GThese 'eo'le honor "e !ith their li's% &ut their hearts are far fro" "e#G These teachings are &ut rules made by men." 2F Is Denial "or,i-eness? 2 The ina&ilit+ to reall+ forgi e is often due to a false conce't that "forgetting is forgi ing"# 1orgetting is NAT forgi ing# To &e sure% if !e forgi e !e will forget as a result# /ut the re erse is not true: forgetting is not forgi ing--it is denial# :s 71:6 (N4S) /ehold% (ou desire truth in the inner"ost &eing### 2 If !e atte"'t to achie e a &ogus forgi eness &+ deli&eratel+ 'utting "out of "ind" the offense% !e "ight &e fooling oursel es and others that !e ha e "forgi en"# /ut all of the e"otions and 'lots and hurt are still there--onl+ held &ack &+ force of !ill in deli&erated denial# /ut then !e see "that 'erson" again and all the &itterness and 'ain rise u' again !ithin us# Ar% in the off "o"ent--!hen such "ental g+"nastics cannot &e "aintained--!e catch oursel es in an ela&orate "editation of re enge or fit of rage and anger# Then !e see Fust ho! dee' and effecti e this sort of "forgi eness" is# 2 4 "ind "&ent" &+ denial has a nast+ ha&it of "sna''ing &ack" in the !orst of "o"ents#

1 Jn .:, (Be+) 4n+ one !ho 'rofesses to &e in the light and +et hates his &rother is still in darkness# 2 0enial is "erel+ a delusion: fli"s+% fake% and shallo!# 1orgi eness is real: ro&ust and solid and dee'# It is not an a oiding of the truth% &ut a dealing !ith it s5uarel+% ho!e er 'ainful# 2 >onsider )odGs 'ers'ecti e# Nothing is hidden fro" 6is sight: the e il intent% the hidden lust% the da"age done% the choosing of that !hich is !rong% etc# 4nd +et 6e is the author and originator of forgi eness# If !e are going to reall+ forgi e% !e are going to ha e to do it 6is !a+: !ith our e+es o'en# 2 1or those )od chooses to forgi e% 6e !ill "forget" their sins% "re"e"&ering the" no "ore"# /ut let us not accuse the o"niscient )od of not kno!ing so"ething or of &eing ignorant of an+ fact# 6e has told us that nothing is &e+ond 6is sight# 8ather let us understand the "figure of s'eech" and s'iritual d+na"ic of how )od forgi es# 6e& @:1. (NIV) "1or I !ill forgive their !ickedness and !ill remember their sins no "ore#" 2 The order here is essential# 1orgi eness first% forgetting second# Hntil real forgi eness takes 'lace% the offense is "in our faces" as regards that 'erson% and it is the sa"e !ith )od# The sin co"es &et!een us% and cannot &e "forgotten" until dealt !ith# If and !hen !e enter into true forgi eness% !e can then regard the 'erson !ithout the "offense" loo"ing first and fore"ost &et!een us# Isa =3:.7 (NIV) "I% e en I% a" he !ho blots out +our transgressions% for "+ o!n sake% and remembers +our sins no "ore#" F I0%edi0ents To "or,i-enessD The Lure 7f +in 2 4nother i"'edi"ent to forgi eness is that &itterness% re enge% hatred% etc# ha e a 'er erted sort of a''eal# Bho has not felt the into3icating lure of a grandiose "editation of scorching retri&utionC Bhile !e kno! this is !rong% it sure is great fun in the "o"ent to fondle such thoughts# $'h =:.6-.;%31 (NIV) "In +our anger do not sin": 0o not let the sun go do!n !hile +ou are still angr+% and do not gi e the de il a foothold### )et rid of all &itterness% rage and anger% &ra!ling and slander% along !ith e er+ for" of "alice# !F Cen,eance Is The LordHs<<< But 7nly If =e Acts As My A,ent? 8o" 1.:1, (NIV) 0o not take re enge% "+ friends% &ut lea e roo" for )odGs !rath% for it is !ritten: "It is "ine to a enge< I !ill re'a+%" sa+s the Lord# 2 Surel+ )od has "ore 'o!er to 'our !rath on our ene"ies than !e do% and 6e surel+ sees the e il done all too clearl+# So the thought "a+ strike us to let 6i" do the dirt+ !ork# /ut !hen !e think this through% it "a+ not turn out as the carnal "an !ithin us "ight like#

1or let us face the 'lain fact that )od has this ha&it of forgi ing 'eo'le and e3tending great "erc+% at least for the ti"e &eing# 2 So### !e "a+ not see fire fro" hea en co"e do!n to consu"e those !e !ish !ould recei e )odGs engeance# It is not that 6e is letting the" off &+ so"e "agic or deflection of "ind% it is Fust that 6e "a+ take the 'ainful 'unish"ent 6i"self# :ro .=:1; (N4S) 0o not reFoice !hen +our ene"+ falls% and do not let +our heart &e glad !hen he stu"&les# *at 7:==-=7 (N$/) "/ut !hat I tell +ou is this: lo e +our ene"ies and 'ra+ for +our 'ersecutors< onl+ so can +ou &e like children of +our hea enl+ 1ather% !ho "akes his sun rise on good and &ad alike% and sends the rain on the honest and the dishonest# If +ou lo e onl+ those !ho lo e +ou% !hat re!ard can +ou e3'ectC Surel+ the ta3-gatherers do as "uch as that# 4nd if +ou greet onl+ +our &rothers% !hat is there e3traordinar+ a&out thatC $ en the heathen do as "uch# There "ust &e no li"it to +our goodness% as +our hea enl+ 1atherGs goodness kno!s no &ounds#" 2 Let us "count the cost" of letting )od deal !ith our "ene"ies"# 6e "a+ &less the"% 'ros'er the"% and sa e their eternal souls% rather than strike the" dead !ith a lightning &olt# 1or this is !hat )od is like% and !hat 6e is "u' to" Fust no!# 4nd this "a+ not satisf+ our sense of !hat should ha''en# If !e "let go and let )od"% 6e "a+ !ell forgi e and &less and lo e those !e ha e 'lotted against and s"oldered in hatred for% and e en gi e us this sa"e "foolish" (1 >or 1:.7) "indset# Luke 1;:3-7 (:hi) "So &e careful ho! +ou li e# If +our &rother offends +ou% take hi" to task a&out it% and if he is sorr+% forgi e hi"# (es% if he !rongs +ou se en ti"es in one da+ and turns to +ou and sa+s% GI a" sorr+G se en ti"es% +ou "ust forgi e hi"# 4nd the a'ostles said to the Lord% Ggi e us "ore faith#G" #F Is 8eal "or,i-eness =u0anly (ossible? 2 It has &een said% "To err is hu"an% to forgi e di ine#" There is a truth in this# Luke ;:=, ()LT) 4nd those reclining !ith 6i" &egan to sa+ !ithin the"sel es% "Bho is this !ho e en forgi es sinsC" 2 1or !hat "see"s right to a "an" (:ro 16:.7) is re enge# If the offense is not a enged% !ill not the 'er'etrator &e sanctioned in his &eha ior to do "ore of the sa"eC Bhat a&out Fustice and fairnessC 0oes forgi eness e en "!ork" at a "ere hu"an le elC Bhat !ould ha''en to our societ+ if e er+one 8$4LL( did thisC Is "lo ing our ene"ies" so"ething that a''eals to our sensi&ilitiesC 0oes it e en "ake an+ sense to the natural "anC Which Is .asier? 2 :erha's the greatest i"'edi"ent to forgi eness is the idea that !e could actuall+ do it on our o!n% that it is a hu"an 5ualit+# >onsider that !e are as ca'a&le% and likel+% to

supernaturally heal so"eone in our o!n strength### as to &e a&le to forgi e the"# 1or !hich is easierC *at ,:7-6 (NIV) Bhich is easier: to sa+% G(our sins are forgi en%G or to sa+% G)et u' and !alkGC /ut so that +ou "a+ kno! that the Son of *an has authorit+ on earth to forgi e sins###" Then he said to the 'aral+tic% ")et u'% take +our "at and go ho"e#" What 7nly $od Can Do 2 Bhen )od sa+s !e should do so"ething that is reasona&l+ !ithin our 'o!er% then !e can "istake our o!n carnal self-efforts for S'irit-led o&edience# /ut !hen !e hear 6i" sa+ so"ething i"'ossi&le or i"'ractical like "&e 'erfect" (*at 7:=@) !e des'air and realiEe that it !ill onl+ &e &+ grace that !e are sa ed% through faith in 6i" !ho alone has the 5ualities )od re5uires# 1or this is ")od stuff" !e are talking a&out here# If "'erfection" is not gi en to us fro" >hrist% !e !ill ne er get it on our o!n# John 17:7 (N9J) "###1or !ithout *e +ou can do nothing#" 2 An the scale of things Jesus told us !e "ust do% 'erha's Fust &elo! 6is de"and of "'erfection" as &eing i"'ossi&le to attain in our o!n resources### is forgi eness# 2 Let us recogniEe that onl+ )od can forgi e# It is not hu"anl+ 'ossi&le# If !e "get it" at all% it !ill &e &+ )odGs er+ nature &eing i"'uted to us# 4nd right here is the secret to real forgi eness# It is di ine# Luke 7:.?-.1 (NIV) Bhen Jesus sa! their faith% he said% "1riend% +our sins are forgi en#" The :harisees and the teachers of the la! &egan thinking to the"sel es% "Bho is this fello! !ho s'eaks &las'he"+C Bho can forgi e sins &ut )od aloneC" B ./%eriencin, $od It is assu"ed that e er+ &elie er !ill ha e had so"e e3'erience at true forgi eness% e en if icariousl+ through a "o ie or &ook or stor+# 4nd in the range of hu"an e"otion% true forgi eness ranks as one of the s!eetest and "ost 'leasura&le that a hu"an can feel# >orrie Ten /oo" called this after-effect of forgi eness "a flood of Fo+ and 'eace"# The &urden of &itterness is re"o ed% there is a su'ernatural "rightness" to it% conflict is re'laced !ith resonance% and lo e floods in !here hatred once ruled# This is no accident% it is the er+ nature of )od coursing through us# It is grace at !ork# 1or the onl+ !a+ to trul+ forgi e is to ha e 6is life in us# 4ll else is 'la+-acting% denial% or ca'itulation to sin# *a+ !e &e encouraged all the "ore to this as'ect of ">hrist in us"% no! that !e ha e tasted and seen that the Lord is good# Bhile "an+ >hristians are off chasing &ogus re i als and s'iritual hucksters "aking selfclai"s to &e "anointed" or chasing so"e !ind of doctrine to get so"e s'lash of s'iritual thrill% !hat often goes untried is )odGs !a+ of o&edience# Bant to e3'erience )odC 1A8)IV$# Bant to feel 6is 'resence and 'o!er coursing through +our &od+ in a thrilling "o"ent of su'ernatural encounterC 1orgi e#

What Co0es 4aturally To The +%irit In ;s *at 6:1. (NIV) 1orgi e us our de&ts% 4S B$ also ha e forgi en our de&tors# 2 In other !ords% this forgi eness stuff should &e e3'ected as nor"al and intuiti e for >hristians# 4nd it is# 4s an analog+% grace !orking in us through the 'o!er of the 6ol+ S'irit is like !ater 'ressure fro" a faucet% !here !e are a hose through !hich that !ater should flo!# If !e are attached% the 'o!er is not ours< &ut the !aters of life can course in and through us as !e are connected to the source# 2 Accasionall+% though% forgi eness can &eco"e elusi e--e en see"ingl+ i"'ossi&le# The hose has gotten "kinked" so"eho!# It is not as if )od has failed% or that !e do not kno! &etter% or !hat should ha''en% !e Fust cannot% for so"e reason% enter into o&edience# If this is the case% here is so"e 'ractical /i&lical ad ice to again find the flo! of )odGs nature and S'irit in and through +ou# 1or the !a+ of forgi eness should &e "second nature" for those &orn again# 8e0e0ber What We =a-e Been "or,i-en "ro0> *at 1@:.1-.; (NIV) Then :eter ca"e to Jesus and asked% "Lord% ho! "an+ ti"es shall I forgi e "+ &rother !hen he sins against "eC H' to se en ti"esC" Jesus ans!ered% "I tell +ou% not se en ti"es% &ut se ent+-se en ti"es# "Therefore% the kingdo" of hea en is like a king !ho !anted to settle accounts !ith his ser ants# 4s he &egan the settle"ent% a "an !ho o!ed hi" ten thousand talents !as &rought to hi"# Since he !as not a&le to 'a+% the "aster ordered that he and his !ife and his children and all that he had &e sold to re'a+ the de&t# "The ser ant fell on his knees &efore hi"# G/e 'atient !ith "e%G he &egged% Gand I !ill 'a+ &ack e er+thing#G The ser antGs "aster took 'it+ on hi"% canceled the de&t and let hi" go#" *at 1@:.@-37 (NIV) "/ut !hen that ser ant !ent out% he found one of his fello!-ser ants !ho o!ed hi" a hundred denarii# 6e gra&&ed hi" and &egan to choke hi"# G:a+ &ack !hat +ou o!e "eDG he de"anded# 6is fello!-ser ant fell to his knees and &egged hi"% G/e 'atient !ith "e% and I !ill 'a+ +ou &ack#G /ut he refused# Instead% he !ent off and had the "an thro!n into 'rison until he could 'a+ the de&t# Bhen the other ser ants sa! !hat had ha''ened% the+ !ere greatl+ distressed and !ent and told their "aster e er+thing that had ha''ened# Then the "aster called the ser ant in# G(ou !icked ser ant%G he said% GI canceled all that de&t of +ours &ecause +ou &egged "e to# ShouldnGt +ou ha e had "erc+ on +our fello!-ser ant Fust as I had on +ouCG In anger his "aster turned hi" o er to the Failers to &e tortured% until he should 'a+ &ack all he o!ed# This is ho! "+ hea enl+ 1ather !ill treat each of +ou unless +ou forgi e +our &rother fro" +our heart#" 2 Bhere this ser ant failed% then% is in 1A8)$TTIN) the "erciful treat"ent 6is "aster ga e hi"# 6e 1A8)AT the great sin he !as forgi en of# . :et 1:, (N4S) ###1or he !ho lacks these 5ualities is &lind or short-sighted% ha ing forgotten his 'urification fro" his for"er sins#

2 Let us not "ake the sa"e "istake# Let us "ake sure to re"e"&er our sal ation fro" for"er sins% e en if it "eans so"e 'eo'le (!ho think the+ are ser ing )odD) accuse us of &eing "negati e"# 2 Various 'eo'le and teachers !ill ha e arious o'inions and ad ice a&out forgi eness# /ut &+ /i&lical re elation% not remembering a''ears to &e the *4JA8 reason for "kinking" the su'ernatural flo! of forgi eness in our li es# 4re !e less in need of forgi eness than those !e are Fudging and holding in unforgi enessC 8eall+C 6a e !e so 5uickl+ forgotten the great "erc+ )od has sho!n us !hen !e needed itC Luke 1@:,-1= (NIV) To so"e !ho !ere confident of their o!n righteousness and looked do!n on e er+&od+ else% Jesus told this 'ara&le: "T!o "en !ent u' to the te"'le to 'ra+% one a :harisee and the other a ta3 collector# The :harisee stood u' and 'ra+ed a&out hi"self: G)od% I thank +ou that I a" not like other "en--ro&&ers% e ildoers% adulterers--or e en like this ta3 collector# I fast t!ice a !eek and gi e a tenth of all I get#G /ut the ta3 collector stood at a distance# 6e !ould not e en look u' to hea en% &ut &eat his &reast and said% G)od% ha e "erc+ on "e% a sinner#G I tell +ou that this "an% rather than the other% !ent ho"e Fustified &efore )od###" *at 7:.1-.. (NIV) "(ou ha e heard that it !as said to the 'eo'le long ago% G0o not "urder% and an+one !ho "urders !ill &e su&Fect to Fudg"ent#G /ut I tell +ou that an+one !ho is angr+ !ith his &rother !ill &e su&Fect to Fudg"ent###" 1Sa" 16:; (NIV) ###The Lord does not look at the things "an looks at# *an looks at the out!ard a''earance% &ut the Lord looks at the heart#" AuthoriJed By $race<<< We Can Do What $od Does >ol 3:1.-13 (Jer) (ou are )odGs chosen race% his saints< he lo es +ou% and +ou should &e clothed in sincere co"'assion% in kindness and hu"ilit+% gentleness and 'atience# /ear !ith one another< forgi e each other as soon as a 5uarrel &egins# The Lord has forgi en +ou< no! +ou "ust do the sa"e# 1 :et .:.1-.3 (N$/) To that +ou !ere called% &ecause >hrist suffered on +our &ehalf% and there&+ left +ou an e3a"'le< it is for +ou to follo! in his ste's# 6e co""itted no sin% he !as con icted of no falsehood< !hen he !as a&used he did not retort !ith a&use% !hen he suffered he uttered no threats% &ut co""itted his cause to the Ane !ho Fudges Fustl+# 1 :et 3:, (N$/) 0o not re'a+ !rong !ith !rong% or a&use !ith a&use< on the contrar+% retaliate !ith &lessing% for a &lessing is the inheritance to !hich you yourselves ha e &een called# Luke 6:.;-3; (N8S) "/ut I sa+ to +ou that listen% Lo e +our ene"ies% do good to those !ho hate +ou% &less those !ho curse +ou% 'ra+ for those !ho a&use +ou### 0o to others as +ou !ould ha e the" do to +ou# If +ou lo e those !ho lo e +ou% !hat credit is that to +ouC 1or e en sinners lo e those !ho lo e the"# If +ou do good to those !ho do good to +ou% !hat credit is that to +ouC 1or e en sinners do the sa"e### /ut lo e +our ene"ies% do good### and +our re!ard !ill &e great% and +ou !ill &e children of the *ost 6igh< for he is

kind to the ungrateful and the !icked# /e "erciful% Fust as +our 1ather is "erciful### 1orgi e% and +ou !ill &e forgi en#" $'h =:31-3. (:hi) Let there &e no "ore &itter resent"ent or anger% no "ore shouting or slander% and let there &e no &ad feeling of an+ kind a"ong +ou# /e kind to each other% &e co"'assionate# /e as read+ to forgi e others as )od for >hristGs sake has forgi en +ou# 6e& 1.:17 (Jer) /e careful that no one is de'ri ed of the grace of )od and that no root of &itterness should &egin to gro! and "ake trou&le< this can 'oison a !hole co""unit+# 8o" 1.:1;-.1 (:hi) 0onGt 'a+ &ack a &ad turn &+ a &ad turn% to an+one# See that +our 'u&lic &eha ior is a&o e criticis"# 4s far as +our res'onsi&ilit+ goes% li e at 'eace !ith e er+one# Ne er take engeance into +our o!n hands% "+ dear friends: stand &ack and let )od 'unish if he !ill# 1or it is !ritten: "It is "ine to a enge% I !ill re'a+%" sa+s the Lord# 4nd it is also !ritten: "If +our ene"+ is hungr+% feed hi"< if he is thirst+% gi e hi" so"ething to drink# In doing this% +ou !ill hea' &urning coals on his head#" 0onGt allo! +ourself to &e o er'o!ered &+ e il# Take the offensi e--o er'o!er e il !ith goodD

Final Examination.Am I a Christian?

.>or 13:7 (N4S) Test +oursel es to see if +ou are in the faith< e3a"ine +oursel esD### 2 No! then< let us reflect on these "tests" and gi e oursel es an honest self-rating of ">hrist in Hs" in these fi e areas# 1# $os%el Belief and Confession: 0o +ou &elie e the )os'el of Jesus >hristC 6a e +ou held fast to sound doctrine against the many false 'ro'hets offering a different gos'elC .# Born A,ain K +%irit of Ado%tion K The LordHs Correction: 4re +ou &orn fro" a&o eC 0o +ou ha e that ongoing "4&&a% 1atherD" instinct !ithin% that inner knowing of +our relationshi' !ith 6i"C Is )od treating +ou as 6is child !hen +ou fall into sinC 3# 8e%entance K "reedo0 fro0 +in: 6a e +ou resolutel+ turned a!a+ fro" sinC 0o +ou ha&ituall+ sin% or can +ou 'raise )od in s'irit and truth that 6e has trul+ "set +ou free indeedC" =# $ood Wor:s by $odHs $race: 6a e +ou &een gi en a grace-gift of "inistr+ to ser e others !ithC Is +our life li ing 'roof of >hrist in +ou% or ha e +ou onl+ ""ere !ords" and self-delusion to cling toC 7# The "ruit of the +%irit: 4re lo e% Fo+% 'eace% 'atience% kindness% goodness% faithfulness% gentleness and self-control "anifesting and gro!ing in +our lifeC 4re +ou 'roducing fruit in kee'ing !ith re'entanceC 2 4s !e go through the arious seasons of life !e "ight !ell find oursel es deficient in one or "ore of these tests# Seeing the !hole of the" can illu"inate !here !e ha e stu"&led% and encourage us to deal honestl+ and urgentl+ !ith an+ 'ro&le" areas# >ol 1:.;-., (NIV) ###)od has chosen to "ake kno!n### the glorious riches of this "+ster+% !hich is Christ in you, the ho'e of glor+# Be 'roclai" hi"% ad"onishing and teaching e er+one !ith all !isdo"% so that !e "a+ 'resent e er+one 'erfect in >hrist# To this end I la&or% struggling !ith all his energ+### )al =:1, (T$/) *+ dear childrenD Ance again% Fust like a "other in child&irth% I feel the sa"e kind of 'ain for +ou until >hristsG nature is for"ed in +ou#

1John 7:1.-13 (NIV) 6e !ho has the Son has life< he !ho does not ha e the Son of )od does not ha e life# I !rite these things to +ou !ho &elie e in the na"e of the Son of )od so that you may know that +ou ha e eternal life# .:et 1:1?-1. (:hi) Set +our "inds% then% on endorsing &+ +our conduct the fact that )od has called and chosen +ou# If +ou go along these lines there is no reason !h+ +ou should stu"&le# Indeed% if +ou li e this sort of life a rich !elco"e a!aits +ou as +ou enter the eternal kingdo" of our Lord and sa ior Jesus >hrist# Therefore I shall not fail to re"ind +ou again and again of things like this% although +ou alread+ kno! the"### $'h 3:16-.1 (:hi) I 'ra+ that out of the glorious richness of his resources he !ill ena&le +ou to kno! the strength of the S'iritGs inner re-enforce"ent--that >hrist "a+ actuall+ li e in +our hearts &+ +our faith# 4nd I 'ra+ that +ou% rooted and founded in lo e +oursel es% "a+ &e a&le to gras' (!ith all >hristians) ho! !ide and long and dee' and high is the lo e of >hrist--and to kno! for +oursel es that lo e so far a&o e our understanding# So !ill +ou &e filled through all +our &eing !ith )od hi"selfD No! to hi" !ho &+ his 'o!er !ithin us is a&le to do infinitel+ "ore than !e dare to ask or i"agine--to hi" &e glor+ in the >hurch and in >hrist Jesus for e er and e er% a"enD

Works Cite

Wilmin!ton"s #$i e to The %i&le Sailhammers %i&le han &ook A'ts ()*(( We& +a!e The ,I- St$ . %i&le +hillips Translation ,e/ Testament The ,e/ Ameri'an Stan ar %i&le The ,I- %i&le The 01- %i&le Wh. #o Ha to Die 2Mark H. Stevens3