LHIM Weekly Bible Teaching

By [wbt_preacher_link preacher=”Sean Finnegan”]

Christians hold to two main views on spiritual gifts (healing, prophecy, tongues, etc.).  Cessationists believe such miracles have ceased with the death of Jesus’ original apostles while continuationists hold that these activities continued beyond the first century and will remain available until Christ returns.

Five Reasons for Cessationism

Responding to Objections

When it comes to God’s exciting presence in our lives through His spirit, we should not be afraid or close ourselves off from His influence, nor should we haphazardly embrace spirit expressions that break from the pattern we see exemplified in Scripture.  Let us instead step out in faith, knowing that we serve a living God who is at work in our

By [wbt_preacher_link preacher=”Jerry Wierwille”]

God’s Law

Christ kept the Law

Paul kept the Law

Christians must keep the Law

The Law was never meant to be permanent

Christ is the end of the Law

Christ made the Law obsolete

Christians are not under the Law

By [wbt_preacher_link preacher=”Sean Finnegan”]

Mark 11:24; Matthew 7:8; 18:19; 21:21-22; John 14:13-14; 16:23 Jesus spoke about having faith and expecting God to answer our prayers.  He told his followers to have faith without doubting.  Our Lord performed dozens of healings and miracles throughout his powerful ministry.  Does this mean that faith is sufficient to make the supernatural happen in our lives today?

Does God always want his people to be healthy, wealthy, and successful?  Let’s take a few examples to answer this question.

Some were rich (Matthew, Lydia), but most were poor (fishermen, craftsmen, carpenters, tentmakers).  Some received healing (Jairus’ daughter, Lazarus), others did not (Paul’s thorn in the flesh).  Some were successful (Joseph), others were unsuccessful (Jeremiah).  Some were saved from danger (Peter broken out jail), others were not (Stephen, Jesus).  The simple fact is wealth, health, and success are secondary while enjoying a covenant relationship with God is primary.

John 4:31-34; John 5:30 Jesus did his Father’s will.  This is our example for walking with God.  We do not come up with the plan and make God do our will.  It works the other way around.

1 John 5:14-15 Praying for something that goes against God’s will won’t work, especially if it’s sinful.

by John Cortright

1 Thessalonians 5:18

Deuteronomy 8:7-18 They were warned. “Beware” that you do not forget.

Romans 1:20-22 They did not honor God or give thanks. Their foolish heart

Ten things you can always be thankful for any day, anytime, anywhere!

1 Corinthians 11:24

by Vince Finnegan

For more information visit lhim.org

Matthew 22:36-40   Love is the most important; doctrine is not as important.

2 John 1-4   Truth and love must have an inseparable connection. Our love must be in truth, in right doctrine. Truth is the foundation and thrust of love. Love is the aim of truth.

1 Timothy 1:3-5   The goal of right doctrine is love.

2 John 4   Why did John and all the other Christians love the members of this church? Because of the truth which lives in us. Truth is the ground of reciprocal Christian love.

1 Peter 1:22   Obedience to the truth → sincere love of the brethren  

2 John 5-11   Truth should make our love discerning. There can be nothing inconsistent with the command to love one another and the clear instruction to refuse fellowship with false teachers, who are deceivers and antichrists. Our love for others is not to undermine our loyalty to truth. On the other hand, we must never champion the truth in a harsh or bitter spirit. Those who are “walking in the truth” are exhorted to “love one another”. So, the Christian fellowship should be marked equally by love and truth, and we are to avoid extremism which pursues either at the expense of the other. Our love grows soft if it is not strengthened by truth, and our truth hard if it is not softened by love. Scripture commands us both to love each other in the truth and to hold the truth in love.

1 John 3:18-19   In contemporary movements towards church unity and growth, we must never compromise the very truth alone on which love and unity depend.

2 John 1:7   Already in the first century, “deceivers” regarding the identity of Jesus went out into the world. We are not just talking about dissenting opinions, but those determined to spread the wrong doctrine about our Lord. 1 John 2:22, 23; 4:2; 5:1, 5 – this false doctrine could influence the listeners’ eternal life. Big deal!

2 Corinthians 11:3-4; 13-15

Wolves in sheep’s clothing – Matthew 7:15

Ephesians 4:13-15

1 Timothy 1:3-5; 4:1-3; 6:3-6; 2 Timothy 4:3; Titus 1:9-11

by Vince Finnegan

For more information visit lhim.org

Genesis 3:1; Revelation 12:9; 20:2   The serpent is called the devil and Satan.

Ezekiel 28:12   Did God create the devil?  Why was he in Eden?

14   Cherubim – Genesis 3:24; Ezekiel 10; and Revelation 4:6-9 – four living creatures

They were above the ark of covenant in the tabernacle and temple.

15-17   He exercised his free will and rebelled against God.

Genesis 2:24-26   When God spoke in the plural, the cherubim included Satan.

The word “serpent” is a figure of speech where an animal is put for the devil, like “wolf” in John 10:12; “lion” in 1 Peter 5:8; and “dragon” in Revelation 12:9.

Revelation 12:9   “Satan” is a word that became a name.  In Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, “Satan” means adversary (Matthew 16:23 – Peter).

Revelation 12:4   The adversary and 1/3 of the angels hold evil influence upon the world.

12:9   He deceives the whole world (oikoumene – inhabited earth).

John 14:30   Ruler of the world (kosmos – the world)

2 Corinthians 4:4   The god of this world (aion – age)

Ephesians 2:2   The prince of the power of the air

Matthew 13 – evil one; Mark – Satan; Luke – devil; he attacks everyone.

1 Peter 5:8   He prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour.  Denying or ignoring him is a deadly mistake.

2 Corinthians 11:3, 13, 14   He is not the angel of light, rather the evil communicator.

Ephesians 6:12-ff   There is a spiritual warfare, even if you do not believe it.

Galatians 1:4-5   We have been delivered.

Colossians 1:13

by Jerry Wierwille

For more information visit lhim.org

In 1098, Anselm of Canterbury wrote Cur Deus Homo (“Why God Became Man”) to demonstrate the rational basis explaining why Jesus had to be God incarnated as a human being. The basis of his argument can be summarized as follows:

1)    God is an infinite being.

2)    A transgression against God is of infinite scope and consequence.

3)    God’s justice demands payment for transgression against Him.

4)    Humankind cannot repay God the infinite debt they owe Him.

5)    Only an infinite being can pay the price necessary for an infinite offense.

6)    Jesus’ life was of infinite value and made atonement for sin.

7)    Therefore, Jesus is God and had to become a human and pay the penalty for sin and satisfy God’s justice.

What we need to ask: “Is it true that Jesus had to be God to pay for sins?”

Romans 3:23-26

1 John 2:2; 3:5; 4:10

Romans 5:12-21

Ephesians 1:17

by John Cortright

For more information visit lhim.org

Last week, we looked at the myth of “Once Saved, Always Saved” or that “Salvation is Permanent”. Continuing on in this same thought, this week we’ll look at the myth that “Obedience is NOT Required for Salvation” -- the idea that once you make a one time commitment of making Jesus your Lord, faith and obedience are no longer required. You’re in, no matter what you do from this point forward.

1 – How did we get here, and why does it matter? 2 – Is obedience required? 3 – What are we to do now?

1. How did we get here, and why does it matter? Before the time of the Reformation, the Roman Catholic Church was the central authority for Christian doctrine. Luther attacked this system. His primary concern was for ethical and theological reform of the church: Scripture alone is authoritative (sola scriptura), and justification is by faith (sola fide), not by works. Other reformers of that century included Huldrych Zwingli, John Calvin, and John Knox in Scotland. All of the reformers became known as Protestants and vary in the understanding of salvation by grace. In some of the subsequent Confessions of Faith, the idea of “Eternal Security”, or “Once Saved Always Saved” is expressed by the term “Perseverance of the Saints”. This idea has continued in different forms through the centuries by various sects of Protestantism even until today.

2. Is obedience required? From last week’s teaching … “not a sinless life, but a life of obedience to the best of your ability” • Mt 7:21 - but he who “does” the will of my Father • Mt 7:23 - you who “practice” lawlessness • Mt 7:24 - he who hears these words of mine and “acts on them” • Mt 16:17 - if you wish to enter into life, “keep the commandments” • Mt 25:40 - you “did it” to one of the least of these brothers…you “did it” to me. • Ro 2:6 - render to each person according to “his deeds”

Yes, obedience is required. John 3:36; Acts 5:32; Hebrews 5:9; 1 Peter 1:2. Once you confess Jesus as your Lord (Rom 10:9), you are to continue in obedience (Mt 7:21-23; Lu 6:46; Jo 8:31-32; Jo 15:1-10 – abide in the vine).

3. What are we to do now? • Repent. If you are not being obedient, repent, and you will overcome. (Revelation 2:3-5; 25-27; 3:1-5, 8, 10-11, 15-19). • Warn others. Do not be deceived. (1 Co 6:9-11; 15:33-34; Ga 6:7-8; 2 Ti 3:13; 2 Pe 2:12-22) • You don’t have to do it alone. Christ is with us! (2 Pe 2:9; 1 Co 10:12-13; Mt 28:20; Mt 11:28-30) • God is rich in mercy. Confess your sin. He is faithful and just to forgive. (Ps 103:11-12; Eph 4:4; Heb 2:17-18; 4:14-16; 1 Jo 1:6-9).

by Vince Finnegan

For more information visit lhim.org

The myth we bust this morning is eternal security–the doctrine that people who believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior cannot lose their salvation. This is also known as “once saved, always saved.” This belief has many supporters in Christianity, and the biblical evidence for it seems strong. However, this subject has been disputed since the Reformation, 500 years ago. The importance of rightly understanding it is paramount.

Romans 3:10-24 The great discourse in many of Paul’s writings is busting the myth that adherence to the Law of Moses is necessary to receive salvation.

Galatians 2:21; 3:21-22

Ephesians 2:1-9

Is everyone saved?

Romans 3:22-24 even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace…

Galatians 3:22 But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God

The answer is: only those who have faith; so what is faith?

What is faith?

James 2:14-26 Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. (V.17)

Matthew 7:21-29; 10:22; 19:16-22; 25:31-46; Luke 8:15

Romans 2:5-11

Galatians 5:14-26

Ephesians 5:1-6

Colossians 1:21-24

1 John 2:28–3:10 Yes, indeed, we are saved by grace, but we must have faith to receive it, and all faith has corresponding action or works. If Jesus is your Lord, then you must be submissive to his commandments. He is not your Lord just because you call him Lord.

Hebrews 3:6, 14; 10:26-29 We are saved by grace. Salvation is accepted by our faith. Faith always has corresponding actions–obedience that endures to the end.