LHIM Weekly Bible Teaching

The Bible’s consistent focus is on planet earth. It does talk about heaven as the domain of God and His angels. Also, Jesus is there temporarily until he returns to establish God’s Kingdom. However, earth is where all the action is. It was God’s original creation, and it’s what He ultimately will restore to paradise.

Today, we’ll focus on three problems the coming of God’s Kingdom on earth will solve.

Micah 4:1-7   The prophet pictures the last days when God will instruct and judge the nations, bringing about an unprecedented and enduring age of peace.

Isaiah 35:1-7   Isaiah prophesies of a time when the deserts will blossom.

Romans 8:19-22   Paul tells about the link between humanity and creation. Creation is groaning, awaiting the day when God will free it of its bondage to corruption.

Revelation 21:3-8   In the end, God Himself will come to earth and dwell with us like it was in Eden. He will wipe away our tears and make all things new. However, the wicked will suffer judgment in the second death.

This Kingdom is God’s dream. He will bring it in its time. In the meanwhile, we can live in anticipation of this magnificent hope.

In the end, the wicked and unrepentant will also rise from the dead for judgement. Those not found written in the book of life will be destroyed in the second death.

Romans 2:5-11   The principles of divine justice are revealed throughout the Scriptures. The righteous judgment of God is clear.

Psalm 89:13-14; Romans 11:33-36   Righteous and just are His judgments.

Daniel 12:2   Disgrace and everlasting contempt [abhorrence]

Matthew 25:31-34, 40-41, 46   Eternal punishment

John 5:28-29   The resurrection of judgment

Acts 24:15-16   The resurrection of the wicked

Revelation 20:1-15   Lake of fire (Jude 1:7)

Revelation 21:5-8   “The lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death”

Psalm 37:18-20; 68:1-2; 73:27; 145:17-21

Romans 12:19-21; 1 Peter 2:21-23   Never take your own revenge.

“Spiritual gifts” (Gk. charismata) = any enablement that God bestows upon believers by His grace

1 Corinthians 12:4-11

The “manifestation” (or demonstration) of the spirit is a product of God’s power and grace in us, and it is given for the “common good” (i.e., for the benefit of all).

1 Corinthians 12:27-31

There are more than nine spiritual gifts. And some are better than others.

Romans 12:3-8

“Gifts that differ” – God empowers believers in different ways. The body of Christ is diverse, just as the gifts of grace that God energizes are also diverse.

1 Peter 4:10-11

We are to be stewards of God’s grace and the gifts that we receive. That means we are to use spiritual gifts in service to each other, to encourage, comfort, and strengthen the body of Christ.

1 Corinthians 14:1-5

Earnestly desire the “things of the spirit” (i.e., spiritual gifts), and specifically prophecy.

Spiritual gifts build up the church: 1) speaking in tongues with interpretation, and 2) prophesying.

1 Samuel 1:1-5 Hannah was probably Elkanah’s first wife. In those days, it was common to marry a second wife if the first was barren. Because Elkanah was good to Hannah, such favoritism inspired jealousy in Peninnah, his other wife.

1 Samuel 1:6-11 Peninnah provoked and irritated Hannah, which caused her to weep bitterly and cry out to God. She prayed for a child.

1 Samuel 1:12-18 I love how graceful Hannah was with Eli. He completely misread the situation. Instead of taking offense, she respectfully corrected him.

1 Samuel 1:19-20 Finally, she conceived and bore a son. After he was weaned, she brought him to live at the shrine where Eli served. As part of this, she made a thanksgiving offering (Lev 7:11-15).

1 Samuel 1:26-28; 2:18-21 Hannah gave Samuel up to serve God. After this, God enabled Hannah to have five more children. Because she was deprived of having kids for so long, she was probably extremely grateful when she had them.

Luke 17:11-13 Lepers are people who had a skin disease. As a result, the priests banished them from living in town (Lev 13:2-3; 45-46).

Luke 17:14 Jesus told the lepers to show themselves to the priests. The priest had to coordinate a detailed sequence of events to return the leper to society (Lev 14:2-32)

Luke 17:15-19 Only one turned back to thank God and Jesus. We want to be like that one who gave thanks.

As Moses was the mediator of the old covenant to ancient Israel, so Jesus is the mediator of the new covenant to the church. Christ-followers are not obligated to live by the law of Moses but are beholden to the mandates of Christ and his apostles.

Matthew 26:26-29 Every time we eat, we should acknowledge the new covenant established with the death of Jesus on the cross. His blood ratified this blood covenant.

Jeremiah 31:31-35; Hebrews 8:8; and 10:16

Hebrews 7:22- 28

Hebrews 8:1-13 A more excellent ministry, better covenant, better promises

Hebrews 9:11-15

Colossians 2:16-17; Romans 14:1-10

Galatians 5:1-3; James 2:10-11 Keeping the whole law is literally impossible today since Christ has come.

Galatians 3:24-25; 5:18

2 Corinthians 3:6-18

Romans 7:4-10

OLD COVENANT

NEW COVENANT

People are not able to save themselves by their good deeds (Eph 2:8; 2 Tim 1:9). Rather, salvation is by faith in the gospel message (Rom 1:16). Genuine faith is always accompanied by obedience (Jas 2:17). Though God is willing to forgive the repentant when they sin (1 John 1:9), continuing in disobedience can lead to falling away from the faith and ultimate exclusion from the Kingdom of God (1 Cor 15:2; Heb 6:6; 10:26).

Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 1:16-17   Salvation is a gift of God, not the result of works.

John 15:4-6; Romans 11:16-23   Biblical analogies make it plain that endurance is necessary.

1 Corinthians 15:1-2; Colossians 1:22-23   Conditional statements in Scripture show that falling away is possible.

Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 5:5-6   Warnings about sin indicate that it’s possible to become deceived, thinking you can live in sin and still inherit the Kingdom.

Titus 3:3-7   We are initially saved, not because of righteous deeds, but because of God’s immeasurable mercy and grace.

Galatians 6:7-8   Still, God is not mocked. If someone sows to his own flesh, he will not reap eternal life.

2 Timothy 2:11-13   If you endure, you will also reign. If you deny him, he will deny you. Still, he will always remain faithful since that is his nature.

Genesis 2:7 – God gives man the breath of life.

Genesis 3:19 – Man disobeys God and as a result will die.

Genesis 1:30; 7:21-22; Ecclesiastes 3:19 – Man and beast have the same breath of life.

Psalm 49:12,14 – Man and beast alike will perish.

Ecclesiastes 12:7; Psalm 146:4 – The breath of life departs when we die.

Ezekiel 18:4 – Man is a soul; the soul is not a separate entity.

Job 13:14; Psalm 89:48; Psalm 49:12-15 – The dead are asleep in the grave or Sheol.

1 Kings 2:10 – David is asleep.

Ecclesiastes 9:5-6 – The dead know nothing.

Psalm 115:17 – The dead do nothing.

John 11:11-14 – Jesus explains the sleep of death to the disciples.

Psalm 39:4-7 – Our days in this life are numbered.

Psalm 90:12 – Counting our days brings wisdom.

Daniel 12:2; John 5:29; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14; Revelation 20:13-14 – Resurrection of the just/unjust

Revelation 20:14 – Death is destroyed.