God's Everlasting Word

During the latter part of the 19th century, a group of courageous, godly men found that the simplicity of New Testament worship had been corrupted by innovations directed by the will of man rather than God, and they plead for a return to New Testament patterns and practices. They succeeded in that plan...but, have we restored the spirit? Are other restorations needed? What does the Bible say?

Knowing the God of the Bible is so very important. John 14:3 tells us that knowing God is necessary, because eternal life with Christ depends on it. Plus, according to Second Thessalonians 1:7-8, we must know God if we expect to escape the wrath to come for those who DON'T know Him. Solomon said, "We know God and serve Him with a willing mind." If we're going to know God, we need to know something about Him, and be able to answer the question: "What is God like?"

One of my favorite passages in the Bible is Second Timothy 4:1-4, where, in verse 2, the apostle Paul tells young Timothy to "preach the word; be instant in season out of season: reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering and doctrine." A whole sermon could be preached on the entire passage…but for today's lesson, we'll focus on Paul's charge to "be instant, in season, out of season." In other words, we're going to be discussing, "Seasonal Religion."

In the first chapter of Timothy, the apostle Paul called himself the chief of sinners...and said that, in saving him, Christ had demonstrated the fact that He could save anyone. Jesus Christ is a friend of sinners, and the Savior of them, as well. He loves the sinner, but not the sin...which means that we must meet certain conditions before we can receive His mercy and pardon -- and that is the subject of today's episode.

There are many sermons in the Bible, and most, if not all of them, are easy to understand. But the simplest one was delivered by someone who wasn't even a preacher...and it's found in Second Kings 5:13. In fact, it's the basis of today's lesson -- "The Simplest Sermon Ever Preached."

The term, "Christian," is mentioned three times in the Bible -- in Acts 11:26, Acts 26:28, and First Peter 4:16. In those passages we're told that "the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch,"that Agrippa told Paul, "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian," and that, if we suffer as Christians, we should not be ashamed. But what exactly is a Christian? That's something that a lot of people claim to be. Buto, what are the marks of a real Christian? That's the topic of today's episode.

In the first part of John, chapter 2, we have a very human story. Jesus and his disciples were at a marriage, and His mother was there. And in talking of her Son, she used this language: "Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it."

Have you thought about what a transformation would take place in the world if everyone were to take the wise advice of this woman! It would bring happiness on earth and eternal life in the world to come. And that's the topic of today's episode -- "Whatsoever He Sayeth."

In First Thessalonians, chapter 4, the apostle Paul talks about "them which are asleep." Jesus even talked about those who were "asleep." Exactly what did He and Paul mean by that expression and why should the idea be so comforting for the Christian? That's the topic of today's episode: "Concerning Them Which Are Asleep."

Our lesson today is about the gospel Paul preached. And I suppose the first question someone might have would be, "What's the difference between the gospel Paul preached and the gospel that was preached by the other apostles?" What was so special about Paul's message regarding the gospel of Christ and why is it so important for us today? That's what we'll be talking about in today's episode...and it very well could be the most important lesson you've heard in a long time.

Here's a question for you -- have you repented? Or better yet, have you really repented? Maybe some more questions would be: do you know what repentance is and how to do it? Our purpose in today's episode will be to show what repentance is, how to repent, and, if you haven't, to encourage you to do so. Nobody denies that repentance is taught throughout the Bible...but...have you repented?