James 1:21-27 – What is the law of liberty?

First, think about the word “law.”

I Corinthians 9:20-21 – the law of Christ

Galatians 6:2 – the law of Christ

Law cannot be contradictory to Christ because both are mentioned together.

Second, think about the word “liberty.”

Galatians 2:3-5 – liberty from the law of Moses

Galatians 5:1

II Peter 2:18-19

John 8:31-33 – freedom from sin

Romans 6:20

So, what does “law of liberty” mean in James?

James 1:21-25

The law of liberty is the New Testament.

“Liberty” is in regard to sin. Through Jesus, we gain freedom from sin.

James 2:8-13 – The royal law is the law of King Jesus.

What does all of this mean for us?

Parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32)

In a study, many people from the United States failed to notice the famine in Luke 15:14. People from Russia who read the same story noticed the famine much more readily. The Russians had more recent history with famines, so that detail stuck out to them more.

What might we be missing when we read the Bible?

Try an unfamiliar translation (and do some double-takes)

Nehemiah 8:1-8

Numbers 28:7 – NASB says “strong drink.” CSB reads “beer” here and other places.

II Timothy 3:16 – “inspired by God” (NASB) vs “God-breathed” (NIV)

The KJV, NKJV, ASV, NASB, and ESV are recommended.

Parallel Bibles can help when comparing translations, as can Bible study software.

Read the Bible in a different order (switch reading plans)

II Peter 3:1

Chronological plans help you see the overall story.

Slower plans allow for more thinking.

Reading whole books gets us closer to the original.

Beyond the Verse by Wes McAdams

In 1560 A.D., the Geneva Bible was the first English Bible printed with chapter and verse markings.

Mixed plans add variety.

An audio Bible may provide a whole new twist.

Luke 4:16

DwellApp.io

The Word of Promise

Remember that you are a new you.

Psalms 71:5-6, 15, 9, 18

II Kings 22:11

II Timothy 3:15

Psalms 119:105

Acts 9:10, 36; 11:26; 16:1; 21:16

Matthew 28:16-20

Learn from the teacher

Mark 2:18

John 9:28

Matthew 28:20

Mark 12:43 – Jesus used this as a teaching opportunity.

Luke 6:17-20; 11:1-2 – The disciples wanted to learn!

Acts 6:1-7; 14:21

No one’s ever been more qualified to teach us than Jesus!

Imitate the teacher

Luke 6:39-40

John 13:5-14, 34-35; 15:8 – Our love for each other shows people we are disciples of Jesus.

John 8:31 (John 8:37-39, 42-44; Luke 6:46) – We are truly Jesus’ disciples if we abide in His word. We must obey Jesus!

Give yourself to the teacher

Matthew 16:24-25; 10:24-25

Acts 14:22 – Our devotion to Christ should far exceed everything else.

Luke 14:26, 27, 33 – We must be prepared to sacrifice even our own lives for Jesus.

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Sin tends to continue (and get worse).

Judges 21:25

Unrighteousness is much easier, but it’s not good for the next generation. What one generation permits, the next embraces.

Therefore, we need to take action.

Judges 2:8-10

If we love our kids and grandkids, we have to take action to stop the slide into sin!

Israel fell away in only one generation!

Eli was a priest and judge for 40 years, yet his sons were worthless! I Samuel 8:3 This is part of the reason Israel wanted a king.

We can’t deny the power of generational influence.

What should we be teaching our kids and grandkids?

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Acts 18:24-28

Skilled

Acts 18:24-26

Romans 12:4-8

Apollos was Alexandrian and knew the scriptures well, although he knew only the baptism of John.

Apollos had good character and enthusiasm.

What skills can I develop and improve?

Humble

Acts 18:25-26 – Apollos evidently accepted instruction humbly.

Acts 19:1

I Corinthians 1:11-12 – The Corinthians had a problem latching on to certain people. It would be easy for Apollos to play into that, but he did not.

I Corinthians 3:4-9, 21-23; 16:12

I Peter 5:5-6

Courageous

Acts 18:26, 28, 27 – Apollos greatly helped!

Titus 3:13

I Corinthians 15:58 – Always abound in the work of the Lord!

Corinth was not an easy place to go preach, but he went anyway!

Authority is specified to a certain degree.

Exodus 25:14

Example #1: Transporting the ark.

Exodus 25:14; Numbers 4:15; 7:6-9; I Chronicles 3:7-14; 15:2, 12-15

They did not seek God according to His ordinances.

Example #2: Strange fire

Example #3: Priesthood

II John 1:9

“Please go buy me a dog.”

Genesis 6:14 – “Make for yourself an ark of gopher wood.”

Singing

Matthew 26:30; Mark 14:26; Acts 16:25; Romans 15:9; I Corinthians 14:15; Colossians 3:16

Do we have authority to play instruments? No, God did not authorize it.

Work of local churches

II Corinthians 8:1-4; I Corinthians 14:26; Philippians 4:15

Provide for needy saints

Provide for worship and edification

Provide for preaching

Even when my choice is not explicitly stated. I’m okay as long as I’m still within the authority.

Where is the authority for song books?

Where is the authority for a church building?

I Corinthians 14:23, 26; Acts 20:7; Hebrews 10:25

A building is just a utility to allow us to assemble.

[Sorry, due to technical difficulties, no audio or video recording is available for this lesson. -MRW]

Hebrews 12:2

Job

Job 1:20-22; 3:11

Job 27:1-6 – Job’s mindset, how he made it through his suffering.

Job was certainly miserable, but he knew God was in control.

Job 28:12, 23

Job thought about greater things to keep from dwelling on his misery.

Paul

Acts 27:35 – Paul looked for something positive in the midst of suffering.

Philippians 4:4-7

Our brains change based on how we use them. We have to train them on positive things!

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Ephesians 5:1-3

Romans 13:8

Luke 6:27-36 – Love is not just for those who are near and dear to us.

I John 4:9-10

Romans 5:8-9

Ephesians 2:4-7

Mark 2:1-12 – Jesus heals a paralytic man. The man’s friends showed great love in moving the man to Jesus and going well out of their comfort zone opening up the roof to lower him to Jesus.

There are many ways to show love to others:

Praying for people – Ephesians 5:1; Luke 23:34; Matthew 5:43-45; John 8:44

Correcting bad behavior – Matthew 18:15-17

By forgiving – Matthew 18:21-22

Graciously serving each other – John 13:1-17

Be seeing to the physical needs of others – I John 3:17

By bestowing honor on others, regardless of apparent social status. – I Corinthians 12:21-26

By showing kindness to the loved ones of others – II Samuel 9:1-13

By using influence to help – Acts 9:27-31; Philemon 1:8-11

By helping others work out their differences – Philippians 2:2-3; Hebrews 10:24-25

Jesus is the example of brotherly love! John 15:12-13

Ephesians 5:1-3

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I Peter 2:2-3

I Timothy 4:13

Hebrews 10:23

Colossians 3:16

I Corinthians 14:17

II Corinthians 8:4

II Corinthians 9:10-15

Why did the brethren come together in Acts 20:7?

To break bread!

I Corinthians 11:20

I Corinthians 11:23-26

The Lord’s Supper is a memorial and a declaration to others of Jesus’ death.

A memorial

The Lord’s Supper helps us remember Jesus’ sacrifice.

Romans 5:6-8

Many earthly memorials exist to help us remember important events, but none are as important as Jesus’ death.

Other memorials in the Bible:

The Passover

The stones from the Jordan (Joshua 4:5-6)

A proclamation

A fellowship

I Corinthians 11:17-34

I Corinthians 14:23-25 – Our conduct in the assembly affects how outsiders view us!

The Lord’s Supper also gives us strength. Neglecting it weakens us.

Ecclesiastes 7:2 – Memorials are for the living.

Titus 2:11-14

I Peter 1:17

Romans 6:1-4

Matthew 5:13-14 – Christians are salt and light.

Salt

Job 6:6; Ezekiel 16:4

What did Jesus mean by calling His disciples salt?

We are to be active in the way God needs us to be. We are a tool to be used for God’s purposes. God needs us to spread the gospel to a dark world.

Salt was a necessity. It represented something that was lasting. It is a preservative.

When we see salt around us, let us remember that Jesus wants us to be like salt in this world.

Light

Light brings comfort and safety. It radiates outward.

Light brings knowledge. II Corinthians 4:4-6; Psalms 119:105

Light is essential. It was created on Day 1 of Creation.

Ephesians 5:6-16

If a light is hidden, it does no good.

Ephesians 4:11-13

Sheep

Sheep are helpless and reliant on the shepherd. They have no defenses and are not smart!

Matthew 26:31

Sheep are social and need to be in a flock.

They need consistency. They won’t follow a stranger.

Jesus is our shepherd. We rely on Him totally!

Matthew 5:13-16 – It is our job to reach others and teach the truth.