Bible Studies

April 2, 2017

The most important subject of our life is how this question can be answered: Have I been saved and am I living for Christ? This is the one concern of life that matters most. My Dad's favorite song was " I am a Child of the King" . I can hear his voice singing that song! It is most important to be able to say, " I am a Child of the King"!

Our theme in the month of April is about the Resurrection, a Living Saviour. Jesus told, the Samaritan Woman, "Ye worship ye know not what...." John 4:22. You should know who you worship. We have a Living Saviour. Jesus said in Revelation 1:18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

We have a living hope, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 1 Peter 1:3

We have the Living Word, For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Heb. 4:12

We are a living Body . 1Ti 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.'

We are living stones , Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 1Peter 2:5

The more you value eternal things the more tangible things you do for Christ

If you are a part of His Body, If you are saved, you should honour Him with

tangible acts done unto Him. Tangible means: real, solid, touchable, concrete and such. So the more you value eternal things the more tangible things you do for Christ. That is why we are told by the Bible to see the things that are eternal, 2Co 4:18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Seeing the Eternal should translate into doing solid things for Christ: definite things.

1. As much as possible it should be secret - between you and the Lord. The LORD which seeth in secret rewards you openly. Pro_5:21 For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings. Mat_6:2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. Mat_6:5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. Mat_6:16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward

2. It should involve a sacrifice. The cost is real. The bible says we are to count the cost and then make the choice and make the sacrifice. If there is not a sacrifice, then there is most likely no reward. Luk 18:30 Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting. One of the best illustrations I have ever seen was given by David Johnson, a missionary.  He said for 25. 00 dollars he count print 25, 000 tracts - about the price for two (2) at Cracker Barrel.

3. It should be done unto the LORD, Col 3:22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: Col 3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Col 3:24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. Col 3:25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

You wonder why verse 25 is put in the context of the previous verses. If you don't know who you are serving, you will quit when something goes wrong. If you want to be recognized by others you will quit if recognition it is not given. Also, He is saying you must leave your wrongs received from others in the hands of God. If you want vengeance for all the wrongs done toward you, you will quit.

4. It is always something you can do. I have heard this: If I could win the lottery, I would give so and so to the LORD. It is not giving to the LORD what you don't have but rather giving to Him according as He has given you. It is never about what I can't do but rather about what I can do. It is about today! His name is not: I was or I will be but rather His name is "I AM"

Mat_16:26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

A pastor was sharing this story: He said, I received a call requesting prayer. (He did not share the details) But in the story. he said, " I felt so helpless. Not because the LORD cannot answer prayer but because prayer was not the answer. He went on to say, the answer is Christ and people must be saved to receive help. Multitudes of people never come to the point of asking am I in Christ?

The Word of God says man has a need for Salvation

John3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 1Pe 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. Being Born again and being saved mean the same, Romans 10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Rom 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Consider the walls of unbelief that Jesus had to tear away from the Samaritan woman before she could believe on Him for eternal life.

Keep in mind the master deceiver is satan, 2Co 4:3-4 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

1. She was prejudice, 4:9. She was above being preached too by a Jew. Keep in mind this is the LORD, the Son of God that is talking with her. Look at all He did before she could receive any spiritual help.

2. She is spiritually blind, 4:10. Salvation is in Christ and you get in Christ by being born into Him, John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Jesus told her she did not know Him.

3. She is religious, 4:11-12. Everybody is religious - some form of religion. He made her face her religion, 4:13 (

4. She thought her religion could satisfy , 4:14-15.

5. She did not see her need to be forgiven. (She is a sinner and needs forgiveness), 4:16-18

6. She thought worship was a place - Jesus explains true worship, 4:19-22. Worship is about a person.

7. She thought salvation was by earthly knowledge, 4:23-24. (Must be born from above)

8. She did not know that Jesus was the Son of God. 4:25

Illustration: My Mother. One morning as I was driving back from Pennsylvania , it was several years ago, Mother called very early in the morning and talked about her experience with the LORD the night before. She related that now she knew Jesus is the Son of God and her Saviour. She went on to say, I always knew as a historical fact Jesus was the Son of God; but last night I understood, while reading the bible, He is Son of God my Saviour. You could feel the excitement in her voice. (There is more to the story but time space does not allow for more at this time)

You cannot help anyone spiritually until they are saved, John3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 1Co_2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

The Value of the Words we speak:

Mat_12:37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned

We are to speak in agreement with God, we are to speak His Words. Proverbs 18:20-21 A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. Pro 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

Our words affect the quality of our life. The fruit of your mouth is your words. What you sow with your lips you reap. According to verse 21 you will eat the fruit of your words. We speak blessing or death every day over our life. Psa. 107:20 He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. He is saying are you in agreement with life or death.

Between God and man is a great gulf called sin. He sent His Word, His Son, and healed us. He bridged the separation between us and Him. We walk across that bridge by faith, Romans 10:8-10. explains it this way. It is the belief in your heart that is confessed with your mouth, Matthew 12:33 Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit. The tree is your heart and the fruit is your words.

Christ spoke the worlds into existence - He is the Word of God John 1:14. But we don't have creative powers! It is not that God is to agree with our words - but the point is our words are to agree with His Words. Our words must agree with His plan.

Look again at Pro. 18:20 -21 A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

Remember, I said this morning that in Col 3: 25 seemed out of place with the context: Col 3:22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: Col 3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Col 3:24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. Col 3:25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

You wonder why verse 25 is put in the context of the previous verses. If you don't know who you are serving, you will quit when something goes wrong. If you want to be recognized by others you will quit if recognition it is not given. Also, He is saying you must leave your wrongs received from others in the hands of God. If you want vengeance for all the wrongs done toward you, you will quit.

So you read in Proverbs 18 :20 A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. Pro 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. Pro 18:22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.

He is saying you better speak words of life into your home, to your marriage, and about your wife.

Also, should always speak words faith, the promises of God, words of life about the work left to us , His Body. How can one speak words praise about Christ and at the same time make disparaging remarks against His Body (His people) who are engaged in His Work? Have you believed on Him for Eternal Life? Are you engaged in the work He left you to do?