Grasp the Bible

Welcome to episode 32 of Grasp the Bible.  In this episode, we continue our study of the Book of Jonah, covering chapter 2.  The series is called “God loves your enemies.”  Today, we discuss the patience of God and cover: 

• Jonah’s despair (vv. 1-6) 
• Jonah’s dedication (vv. 7-9) 
• Jonah’s deliverance (v. 10) 

Key takeaways: 

• Many of us are like Jonah:  We wait until our situation is really bad before we turn to God and pray.  
• Like Jonah discovered, we all deserve death, not deliverance. No one deserves deliverance. It is an act of mercy by a gracious God. 
• When a person comes to acknowledge his or her sin and confess it before God, He restores the broken Creator-creature relationship. 
• If you come to God claiming privileges, boasting of your own special achievements and therefore expecting God to accept you or acknowledge you on the basis of your own merit, you have no hope of salvation. 

Quotable: 

The mercy of God can be found in the misery of our lives. 

Application: 

• Some of you may be a little like Jonah in that you accept thankfully the Lord’s merciful forgiveness but deny it to others who have wronged you. 
• No matter your circumstances, you are never out of God’s reach. 
• Want a more effective prayer life?  Incorporate elements of Jonah’s prayer into your prayers. 
• Be honest 
• Be penitent 
• Be thankful 

Connect with us: 

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Need us to pray for you?  Submit your prayer request to https://springbaptist.org/prayer/ 

If you haven’t already done so, please leave us a rating and review in your podcast provider. 

Welcome to episode 31 of Grasp the Bible.  In this episode, we continue our study of the Book of Jonah, covering chapter 1:8-17.  The series is called “God loves your enemies.”  Today, we discuss the patience of God and cover: 

• The confrontation (v. 8) 
• The confession (vv. 9-11) 
• The counsel (vv. 12-14) 
• The calm (vv. 15-16) 
• The fish (v. 17) 

Key takeaways: 

• Our lifestyle and our verbal profession of faith must match.   
• Many of us, when we sin, harden our heart, keep our back turned to God, and plunge on into even greater alienation from Him. 
• Sometimes lost people act in ways that honor God more than how Christians conduct themselves. 
• It is sad but true that there are some who seem to recognize the power of the Lord but refuse to receive him as Lord and Savior. 

Quotable: 

The Christian is not just called to give evidence—we must be evidence 

Application: 

• It’s not enough to live a “good” live and hope that someone will ask you about what makes you different.  We need to verbally proclaim the gospel. 
• Superficial solutions to the entanglements caused by our rebellion and disobedience seldom work. Repentance often requires radical action. 

Connect with us: 

Web site:  https://springbaptist.org 

Facebook:   

https://www.facebook.com/SBCKleinCampus (Klein Campus) 

https://www.facebook.com/SpringBaptist (Spring Campus) 

Need us to pray for you?  Submit your prayer request to https://springbaptist.org/prayer/ 

If you haven’t already done so, please leave us a rating and review in your podcast provider. 

In this episode, Pastor Marty and Pastor Darrell talk about the background of Grasp the Bible, how Pastor Darrell prepares for each message, and they reflect back on the first 29 episodes.

Welcome to episode 29 of Grasp the Bible.  In this episode, we begin our study of the Book of Jonah, covering chapter 1:1-7.  The series is called “God loves your enemies.”  Today, we discuss the patience of God and cover: 

• The background and important information about the book 
• God’s orders (vv. 1-2) 
• The objection (v. 3) 
• The furious storm (v. 4) 
• The fear (vv. 5-7) 

Key takeaways: 

• Many people in the world today ignore God and assume that He also ignores them. Many believe that God set the world into motion and allows it to continue along unnoticed. This text portrays God as one who notices, as a God who is active, and as a God who takes sin seriously. 
• God could use any means to reach lost people, but He chooses imperfect people for the mission. 
• As much as you may want to try, you can never flee from the presence of God.  There is nowhere you can go where He is not. 
• God cares enough about sinners to send a word of hope, love, and grace. 
• Disobedience always leads downward. 
• It is a sad commentary when those who are committed to the truth of God’s word have to be prodded by a lost world into spiritual activity. 

Quotable: 

God pities the undeserving...which is you and me. 

Application: 

• If God loves your enemies, what are you doing to reach them with the gospel? 
• You don’t have to be a “super Christian” for God to use you to fulfill His mission. 
• Trust God, and leave the consequences to Him. 

Connect with us: 

Web site:  https://springbaptist.org 

Facebook:   

https://www.facebook.com/SBCKleinCampus (Klein Campus) 

https://www.facebook.com/SpringBaptist (Spring Campus) 

Need us to pray for you?  Submit your prayer request to https://springbaptist.org/prayer/ 

If you haven’t already done so, please leave us a rating and review in your podcast provider. 

Welcome to episode 28 of Grasp the Bible.  In this episode, we wrap up our study of the Book of 2 Thessalonians, covering chapter 3.  The series is called “Waiting and Watching.”  Today, we discuss the establishment of Christian living and cover: 

• Paul’s request (vv. 1-2) 
• Paul’s reassurance (vv. 3-5) 
• Isolating troublemakers (v. 6) 
• A model work ethic (vv. 7-10) 
• Working in a quiet manner (vv. 11-12) 
• Paul’s closing commands (vv. 13-15) 
• Paul’s Final Remarks (vv. 16-18) 

Key takeaways: 

• Although Paul is working tirelessly to share the gospel in Corinth, he knows that results will come only if people pray for it. 
• Although Christians face difficulties and even persecution, God continues to protect those who remain faithful to His calling.  
• The church is a family made up of brothers and sisters in the Lord.  Members of properly functioning families contribute by working in some way.  When they don’t, they are reprimanded with the goal of having them contribute.  The same in the church.  All able-bodied members need to contribute to meet the needs of the church.  When they don’t, they need to be corrected, but in love and with grace, so that they may be productive in the church. 
• Peace, a right relationship with God and the tranquility of soul it produces, comes through the work of Christ and should characterize our lives and our churches.  Peace does not come from within us, nor is it dependent on our circumstances. 

Quotable: 

The peace of Christ is anchored in the presence of Christ.  If you are a Christian, Jesus is with you through your most challenging times...he will never leave you alone. 

Application: 

• Your pastor needs prayer to do the often times difficult work that God has called him to do.  Please pray for him regularly. 
• When living out your faith in the workplace, in school, or in your family just seems like too much, don’t give up.  Remain faithful...persevere...and God will give you the strength to continue. 
• Our practice must always be to work and pay our own way, using the extra we accumulate to help the needy rather than to wait for others to help us. 
• Church discipline, when needed, must be carried out in a restorative manner.  The offender must be confronted, but with love and grace, with the goal of bringing the person back into full fellowship. 
• In the midst of church turmoil, persecution, and challenges from the outside world, the peace of Jesus is available to his followers. 

Connect with us: 

Web site:  https://springbaptist.org 

Facebook:   

https://www.facebook.com/SBCKleinCampus (Klein Campus) 

https://www.facebook.com/SpringBaptist (Spring Campus) 

Need us to pray for you?  Submit your prayer request to https://springbaptist.org/prayer/ 

If you haven’t already done so, please leave us a rating and review in your podcast provider. 

Now you can listen through any Amazon Alexa-enabled device!  Click the link below to find out how. 

https://mashable.com/article/how-to-play-podcasts-on-alexa 

Welcome to episode 27 of Grasp the Bible.  In this episode, we continue in our study of the Book of 2 Thessalonians, covering chapter 2.  The series is called “Waiting and Watching.”  Today, we discuss the man of lawlessness and cover: 

• The underlying issue (vv. 1-2) 
• The rebellion and the man of lawlessness (vv. 3-5) 
• The restraining of the man of lawlessness (vv. 6-7) 
• The coming of the man of lawlessness (vv. 8-10) 
• The result:  Divine judgment (vv. 11-12) 
• Paul’s thanks (vv. 13-14) 
• Guard the truth (v. 15) 
• A prayer for comfort and strength (vv. 16-17) 

Key takeaways: 

• Before Jesus returns, a man of lawlessness will appear, setting himself up to be the political and religious leader of the world. 
• He will perform signs and wonders, leading many to follow him. 
• His power comes from Satan. 
• Although he is currently on the scene, the man of lawlessness is being restrained by some unidentified source.  When that source is removed, he will be revealed and will unleash his full power. 
• His purpose is to draw away people from God to worshipping him. 
• Jesus will one day destroy this wicked person. 
• Those who persist in rejecting the truth and believing the lie will be handed over to the lie. 

Quotable: 

Sin uses every possible trick to seduce, deceive, control, and ultimately destroy its victim. 

Application: 

• Despite the great tribulation that will result from the man of lawlessness, he can do nothing without God’s permission.  God is in control and is using Satan to fulfill His divine plan. 
• Salvation involves the work of the Holy Spirit AND the human response of faith to that Spirit work. 
• In an age of “I’m ok, you’re ok” and “speak your truth,” Christians cannot compromise the gospel. We must continue to stand firm on salvation by grace alone, in Christ alone, through faith alone. 

Connect with us: 

Web site:  https://springbaptist.org 

Facebook:   

https://www.facebook.com/SBCKleinCampus (Klein Campus) 

https://www.facebook.com/SpringBaptist (Spring Campus) 

Need us to pray for you?  Submit your prayer request to https://springbaptist.org/prayer/ 

If you haven’t already done so, please leave us a rating and review in your podcast provider. 

Now you can listen through any Amazon Alexa-enabled device!  Click the link below to find out how. 

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Welcome to episode 26 of Grasp the Bible.  In this episode, we begin our study of the Book of 2 Thessalonians, covering chapter 1.  The series is called “Waiting and Watching.”  Today, we discuss God’s righteous judgment when Christ returns and discuss: 

• The greeting (vv. 1-2) 
• Paul’s praise of the church at Thessalonica (vv. 3-4) 
• Paul’s promise to the church at Thessalonica (vv. 5-10) 
• Paul’s prayer for the church at Thessalonica (vv. 11-12) 

Key takeaways: 

• Persevering through trials is hard enough.  But growing in our faith, hope, and love toward others is God’s goal for us and is praiseworthy. 
• Perseverance and faith are two parallel virtues in the face of persecution. 
• Our willingness to suffer for God’s kingdom is evidence that God is right to declare us worthy of His kingdom. 
• God is just in His treatment of the faithful and in His judgment of the persecutors of the church. 
• Those who would reject God receive as punishment God’s rejection of them. 
• When we die, we don’t simply cease to exist (so called annihilationism).  Rather, our soul lives on in eternity in either heaven (eternal bliss) or hell (eternal torment). 
• We always act on the basis of our inner wants. 

Quotable: 

God is a just judge. 

Application: 

• How do you behave when you think that life is not fair?  When you are being treated badly by others, do you want revenge?  Paul makes it clear that God sees the treatment you are receiving and that one day He will impose the appropriate judgment. 
• Refusing to obey the gospel means both to refuse God’s salvation and to live a life of sin. 
• The fact that lost people will spend eternity in hell ought to terrify Christians and spur us on to compassionately and regularly share the gospel. 
• The future promise carries with it present responsibilities.  While we await Jesus’ return, we are to live a life worthy of his calling. 
• There are two areas in which we need that divine strength: 
• the internal and personal desires (desire for goodness), and  
• the external actions that result (every deed prompted by faith).  
• Christlike behavior is more important than words of praise in the glorifying of the Lord. 

Connect with us: 

Web site:  https://springbaptist.org 

Facebook:   

https://www.facebook.com/SBCKleinCampus (Klein Campus) 

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Need us to pray for you?  Submit your prayer request to https://springbaptist.org/prayer/ 

If you haven’t already done so, please leave us a rating and review in your podcast provider. 

Now you can listen through any Amazon Alexa-enabled device!  Click the link below to find out how. 

https://mashable.com/article/how-to-play-podcasts-on-alexa 

Welcome to episode 25 of Grasp the Bible.  In this episode, we wrap up our study of the Book of 1 Thessalonians, covering chapter 5.  The series is called “A Life of Hope.”  Today, we discuss when Christ returns and cover: 

• Be ready (vv. 1-3) 
• Stay alert (vv. 4-8) 
• We have a great destiny (vv. 9-11) 
• Responsibility toward the pastor (vv. 12-13) 
• Responsibility toward one another (vv. 14-15) 
• Responsibility toward worship (vv. 16-18) 
• Dealing with prophecies (vv. 19-22) 
• Benediction and encouragement (vv. 23-24) 
• Final requests (vv. 25-28) 

Key takeaways: 

• Although we don’t know when Jesus will return, we do know that he will.  In light of this, we need to live our lives in a state of readiness for his return. 
• Before we know Jesus, we are unaware of and apathetic about our eternal destiny.  Instead of being awake to the reality, we are asleep, not knowing what lies ahead. 
• Christians are called to clothe themselves, to wear, to put on the virtues of faith, hope, and love to successfully wage war in this age. 
• No matter how uncertain this life is, we know that we will have eternity with Christ and will not suffer eternal punishment. 
• Godly pastors work hard for the congregation, care for the congregation, and warn the congregation when members are engaged in sin. 
• The Christian life was never meant to be easy, but it has always been meant to be joyous. 

Quotable: 

People get ready, Jesus is coming. 

Application: 

• Instead of being preoccupied with trying to figure out exactly when Jesus will return, what if we spent that time examining our lives and preparing ourselves for when he does? 
• We are all responsible to “build each other up.” This is a very important point for the church today. None of us can overcome the flesh and attain spiritual victory on our own. We need each other.  The stress is on every single one of us involved with each other. I need you, and you need me. 
• We obey our pastors not because of the office or authority, but because we love and esteem them. 
• Although it is hard to do so, we are called to work hard to put up with those who engage in behaviors that rub us the wrong way. 
• God desires to make us holy not just in action, but in word and thought as well.  He wants us to be holy in the entire person, body, soul, and spirit. 

Connect with us: 

Web site:  https://springbaptist.org 

Facebook:   

https://www.facebook.com/SBCKleinCampus (Klein Campus) 

https://www.facebook.com/SpringBaptist (Spring Campus) 

Need us to pray for you?  Submit your prayer request to https://springbaptist.org/prayer/ 

If you haven’t already done so, please leave us a rating and review in your podcast provider. 

Now you can listen through any Amazon Alexa-enabled device!  Click the link below to find out how. 

https://mashable.com/article/how-to-play-podcasts-on-alexa 

Welcome to episode 24 of Grasp the Bible.  In this episode, we continue our study of the Book of 1 Thessalonians, covering chapter 4.  The series is called “A Life of Hope.”  Today, we discuss the model walk of the believer and cover: 

• Walking to please God (vv. 1-2) 
• Walking in holiness (vv. 3-8) 
• Walk in hope (vv. 14-18) 

Key takeaways: 

• Our daily walk…what we think, say and do on a daily basis should be aimed at pleasing God. 
• Although the will of God can be difficult to discern at times, He has clearly revealed that part of His will is for us to be set apart from the world. 
• We all have certain immoral tendencies, and yet we are called to gain “control” over our own bodies and refuse to do engage in those activities. 
• When we reject God’s instructions, we show contempt for His will and plan.  Therefore, we should expect discipline when we do. 
• When Christians work and contribute to their community, their actions win the respect of those outside the church. 
• Christians who have died will not miss out when Jesus returns.  Their souls (already in heaven) will be united with an eternal body and we who still are alive will be caught up in the clouds to meet them. 

Quotable: 

Live daily in a manner worthy of being called a child of God. 

Application: 

• One reason we hear today for people actively engaging in sinful behavior is “that’s just how I was made.”  I think the problem is that we don’t have a desire to bring under control the immoral behaviors that we all encounter.  It’s much easier to give in than to do the hard work of denying ourselves and battling temptation. 
• We should not be asking God to reveal more of His will to us if we are not already being obedient to those parts He already has revealed. 
• Although the death of a loved one is one of the most painful events we can experience, we do not grieve because we have no hope.  We grieve because we miss them, but we know that we will be with them again when we pass. 

Connect with us: 

Web site:  https://springbaptist.org 

Facebook:   

https://www.facebook.com/SBCKleinCampus (Klein Campus) 

https://www.facebook.com/SpringBaptist (Spring Campus) 

Need us to pray for you?  Submit your prayer request to https://springbaptist.org/prayer/ 

If you haven’t already done so, please leave us a rating and review in your podcast provider. 

Welcome to episode 23 of Grasp the Bible.  In this episode, we continue our study of the Book of 1 Thessalonians, covering chapter 3.  The series is called “A Life of Hope.”  Today, we discuss the ideal model Christian brotherhood and cover: 

• Paul’s review (vv. 1-5) 
• Paul’s report (vv. 6-9) 
• Paul’s request (vv. 10-13) 

Key takeaways: 

• Suffering and persecution are inevitable.  Christians are set on the path of following a Savior who suffered at the hands of evil men; therefore, they should expect the same treatment that he received. 
• When we pour ourselves out in serving others, we are often blessed in return. 
• In the New Testament, the church is much more than just an assembly of believers; it is both a community of people who share the faith and a family who love and care deeply for one another. 

Quotable: 

Ministering to others is not about getting what we want or having our needs met.  It often involves putting ourselves last for the benefit of others. 

Application: 

• Spiritual obstacles can only be moved by spiritual forces.  When Satan hinders us, prayer is our most powerful weapon...asking God to clear the path. 
• Churches ought to be known for their love for God, for those in the church, and for the lost world. In doing so, we fulfill the command to love as Christ loved us. 
• If we desire to live blameless and holy lives, then our lives should reflect the values and character of the God. 

Connect with us: 

Web site:  https://springbaptist.org 

Facebook:   

https://www.facebook.com/SBCKleinCampus (Klein Campus) 

https://www.facebook.com/SpringBaptist (Spring Campus) 

Need us to pray for you?  Submit your prayer request to https://springbaptist.org/prayer/ 

If you haven’t already done so, please leave us a rating and review in your podcast provider.