The apostle Paul said, "I have been crucified with Christ, it's no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me", Galatians 2:20.

We welcome you today of our study of great Bible characters in that we think today about the apostle Paul.

Who is that man who went from Saul of Tarsus, the persecutor, to Paul, the apostle and preacher of the Gospel?

What a wonderful example Paul serves, as a man who did a complete 180° turn in his life.

What do you know about Saul, who changed his life and became the apostle Paul?

Saul of Tarsus was a man, who was born in the city of Tarsus, in the area of Cilicia. That was his hometown, according to Acts 9:11. Cilicia is a little bit north and a little bit east of what we think of as Israel today.

When we think about Saul, he was a Hebrew. ‘Of Hebrews,’ Philippians 3:5. He referred to himself, as concerning the nation of Israel, a Hebrew of Hebrews. He was a Benjaminite, zealous for the law of God. He was of the chief stock of Israel. He would say, in the top rungs, you might say, of the

people of Israel. He was a very proud Jew trying to follow the law of Israel and the traditions of the fathers who'd been passed down.

By trade, Saul was a tent maker, Acts 18:1-3. We learned that when Paul met up with Priscilla and Aquila, because they were of the same trade.

They were tentmakers. They had some association, naturally, that way. He wasn't afraid to work. Hard work wasn't the issue. He worked on the side, as well, but he always strove to put the kingdom first. He was, as he referred to himself, a Pharisee.

Now a Pharisee, the word Pharisee literally means separate. They tried to live a separate life. They tried to be separate from the rest of Israel.

They wanted to follow the law and the mission of the traditions of Israel to the strictest sense. They sometimes, as you'll see in the speaking of Jesus to the Pharisees, elevated their tradition right up there with the word of God. But, these are people who took their religion very seriously and who had a rich history in that. Paul said a ‘Pharisee of Pharisees,’ zeal for the law, concerning righteousness. He wasn't afraid to be persecuted for those things. Saul had a great training in that law, even at the feet of the man known as Gamaliel, Acts 22:3. One of the great scribes and scholars of his day and age was the man Paul sat at the feet of to learn about these things. Saul of Tarsus excelled exceptionally above many of his own contemporaries, he'll say, in the law and the traditions, Galatians 1:13-14.

When we think about this man, he was a man steeped in the rich history of Israel. He loved the law of God. He wanted to stay true to those traditions. He was trying honestly, with a good conscience, to follow that law. We are now first introduced to Saul. The first mention of Saul by name in the Bible, is in Acts 7:58.

I want you listen to these words in Acts 7:58. Where did we first learn about Saul of Tarsus? At the stoning of Stephen. We learn this: verse 58 says, "And they cast him, that's Stephen, out of the city and stoned him. The witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul." Here's Saul, a young man, and he's participating, even by holding the coats. He is a witness to, as the old law has taught, they were living by; "Let everything be done at the mouth of two or three witnesses." He is a witness. He's holding their coats. He's watching them murder this man. He is no doubt consenting to his death as well. Acts 8:1 following.

When we think about Saul, he was zealous for what he believed in. Saul, if there's one thing you could say is a constant about Saul who became Paul, he was always zealous in what he believed in. Paul, or Saul, zealously persecuted the church.

Acts 8, you'll notice these words beginning in verse 1, "Saul was consenting to the death of Stephen. At that time a great persecution

arose against the church", look in verse three, "as for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house dragging off men and women, and committing them to prison."

You look in Acts 9, right before Jesus confronts him. He has letters of approval from the synagogue that if he finds any of the 'way', he can bind them and put them in prison. He was zealous for what he believed in.

And friend, what made Saul such a great candidate, when he learned the truth was, that same zeal, now that he's got truth, is going make Saul a powerful worker for the cause of Christ and the cause of God.

Friend, if there's one thing God wants of us, it's for us to be zealous for good works, Titus 3:14 following. To have that zeal combined with knowledge and really be active and aggressive in the cause of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Now, how is it that Saul, the persecutor, is changed to Paul, the apostle?

I want to direct your attention to Acts 9. Let's begin reading in verse number one, the Bible says, "Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked letters from him to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the 'way', whether men or women,-he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

As he journeyed, he came near Damascus and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?' He said, 'who are you Lord?' and the Lord said, 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It's hard for you to kick against the goads.' So he, trembling and astonished,

said, 'Lord, what do you want me to do?' The Lord said to him, 'Arise and go into the city. You'll be told what you must do.'"

How is it that Saul made this great change in his life? Here he is, and he's breathing threats. He's threatening people.He says if we find you and your family are of the 'way', you can be put to death. And so he's dragging them out of their houses. He's putting them in prison. Children are left without parents. He's doing great harm to the church. Does he think it's right? You bet he does!

Acts 23:1, Paul said, "I lived in all good conscience before God

until this day." And so, Paul thinks he's doing the right thing. He's actively trying to do right. Jesus confronts him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” ‘Who are you Lord? I don't even know who you are. What do you mean 'Why am I persecuting you?' I'm Jesus whom you're persecuting. It's hard for you to kick against the goads.’

Saul now begins, through this message from God, to realize he's not doing right. He realizes the very 'way' that he is doing harm to be the very 'Way' God wants him to go.

God spoke directly to Saul. Saul recognized that as God. ‘God what do you want me to do? He didn't argue. He didn't complain. He said,

"Lord what would you have me to do?" "Go into the city and it'll be told you what you must do."

Friend, here you get insight into the heart of God heart of Saul. Did Saul, no matter what, want to please God? Absolutely!

Well, how do we know that? Saul went from persecuting the church, dragging men and women in prison, likely helping in the killing of Christians we know, to being the very one who is now on that side of the field. Saul is going to be persecuted. Saul is going to be stoned. Saul, his life is going to be on the line now; and he's going to be preaching the gospel.

His conversion shows he had the right heart. And so, what did Saul do? He heard Christ and he believed in Him. The Bible says to become a Christian one must hear the word of God and believe in Jesus, Romans 10:17, John 8:24. Was Saul willing to change his ways? You bet he was!

Jesus told him, "You’re going in the wrong path. Here's what I want you to do."

Saul spent great time in prayer, Acts 9:11-12. He had an attitude of repentance and wanting to do the right thing;

Was Saul saved at the point of belief? Was Saul saved when he repented? Was Saul saved when he prayed those three days? No, he wasn't saved by belief alone. He wasn't saved by praying. He wasn't saved at the point that he just recognized.

At what point was Saul saved? Well, let's let the Bible tell us. Notice Acts 22, we now get the rest of the story. God sends one of His servants,

a man by the name of Ananias, to Saul of Tarsus, who's been there in that house, waiting for God to come. Do you remember what God said?

"You go here and be told what you must do." Here is that 'must'.

Look in Acts 22:16. Ananias comes to Saul and says, "And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins,

calling on the name the Lord."

Friend, listen very carefully, there's no doubt Saul believed in Jesus. There's no doubt he prayed, and he realized he was a sinner. There's no doubt that he was willing to change his life and repent.

But the question I would ask you is this: at what point, in the Bible, does it say Saul had his sins forgiven? "Arise", listen carefully now, "and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord."

Friend, we want to say what the Bible says. We want to say it in love and hope you listen real carefully. There are a lot of people who will teach all you got to do to be saved is believe. A lot of people, who will say,

"Just say the sinners’ prayer and you can be saved." You'll not find the sinners prayer in the Bible. Where is that at? But here's what we do know: when Saul had his sins forgiven, it was at the very point of baptism.

Now listen carefully, if it's sin that separates me from God, and it's sin that separates you from God - and it is- Isaiah 59:1-2 and if all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23, then friend, whatever moment in time my sins are washed away, I'm made right with God.

When is that? Listen again, "Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”

Now, here's another question we want to let the Bible answer. Often times I will hear people say and they'll quote passages like Acts 2:19-21

that will say, "Whoever calls on the name of the Lord, will be saved."

Friend, there's no denying that's in the Bible. That's true. We agree with that 100% as the Scriptures teach that, but the question remains: What does it mean to 'call on the name the Lord'? I hear people argue this, just call on the name of the Lord and that by that they mean this if you will say this prayer: "Dear Lord Jesus, we recognize you as Savior. We except you

into our heart. Come now and save us." That's what they mean by 'calling on the name of the Lord'.

Is that what the Bible teaches?

Friend, we've already said you don't find that prayer in the Bible. What does the Scripture mean when it says 'whoever calls on the name of the Lord, will be saved'? Acts 22:16 is God's divine commentary. Listen to it again, Ananias comes to Saul and he says, "Why are you waiting? Arise be baptized, wash away your sins," don't miss this, "calling on the Lord's name.”

How do you call on the name of the Lord? By getting up and doing what God says to be saved. Does that include baptism? It absolutely does.

Do you find the sinners prayer in there? No, you don't find that anywhere in the Bible. Friend, as we think about this principle, let's let the Bible be it's on best commentary. When God says, "Call on the name of the Lord", I want to know what the Bible means by that. Acts 22:16 tells us.

Now, another thing we want to mention: this is such an important principle, as it relates to the need not to procrastinate. Saul was asked a great question. Friend, we're asking that same question today. If one has never obeyed the gospel, here's the question: Why are you waiting? Those were Saul’s; those were Ananias' words to Saul, "Why are you waiting?"

We ask that today. If one has never become a Christian, why are you waiting? God's done everything possible. He sent His son to die for me

and you, John 3:16. He's made that great invitation, "Whosoever will, let him come drink freely." "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden." There is a great reward to be offered. If we remain faithful unto death we can have the crown of life.

And so friend, we ask with all seriousness, if you've never become a Christian, just as Ananias asked Saul, we're asking you today, "Why are you waiting?"

Consider seriously the need to obey the gospel and become a Christian, become a child of God.

Let's now direct our attention to some great lessons that we can learn from Paul's life. What was Paul's commission? Paul had a commission, and he faithfully followed that. Acts 26:16-18, God said

He was going to send him to Gentiles, Kings, peoples, nations, to preach the gospel far and wide. And did Paul do that? You bet he did! All the way to Rome, itself. He went to Caesar, himself, with the gospel. In fact, at the end of Acts, you have recorded some of Caesar's household had even heard the gospel.

When we think about Saul and his commission, he had a commission. He fulfilled that faithfully. Let's make application.

Do Christians have a commission today? Do we have a mission? You bet we do! We are to go into all the world and preach the gospel unto every creature. Friend, let's take our mission, our commission, just as seriously as Saul did. Where does that world start? Right next door, at work, with your friends and family, with your neighbors, with the people that we come in contact with. Are we saying you can force them or you've got to make them? That's not what we're saying.

Friend, please listen carefully, baptism is not our work. Baptism is a fruit of the work. What is the work? My mission and your commission is to preach the gospel. Baptism is what happens when good hearts hear that gospel and obey it. Let's not gear that off of okay we've got to baptize

so many people.

That's not what we're saying. My job is simply to preach the word.

God will give the increase, the Bible says in 1 Corinthians 3:6.

What else do we know about Saul of Tarsus who became Paul? Paul was indeed a hard worker in the cause of Christ. Look at what he did. Think about this. You hear about the three evangelistic journeys of Saul. Have you ever thought about how much distance Saul covered? If you took from point A to point B in a straight line, and Paul didn't go in a straight line. If you took all those three journeys and took a straight line on a map,

did you know that would be 13,000 miles, traveling for the gospel, as the crow flies?

Paul didn't go as the crow flies. 13,000 miles before the invention of the car, before the invention of modern transportation today. Do you remember he was often in the deep, shipwrecked, and faced a lot of troubles?

Paul was a hard worker for the cause of Christ.

Friend, as I think about my life, and as you think about yours, what is it God wants of me and you?

Here's what he wants: "Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain", 1Corinthians 15:58. Jesus said we got to work the works of Him who sent us while it is day; night comes when no man works. Now is the time. Now is the opportunity. Let's be working diligently and hard workers in the cause of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

What other practical lessons can we learn from Paul? Paul wasn't ashamed of the gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Paul would say in Romans 1:14-16, “I'm indebted to preach the gospel. I'm ready to preach the gospel. I'm not ashamed to preach the gospel.”

You know there's a threefold way of thinking about our relationship to the gospel: I am indebted to preach the gospel. Do you feel - if you're a child of God, do you feel a certain sense of indebtedness? By that, we mean do you recognize what God did for you? Do you appreciate the great sacrifice that was made? And do you, in some small way, want to do your best to honor that sacrifice? There's a sense of indebtedness. I'm indebted to preach the gospel.

Are you ready to preach the gospel? 1 Peter 3:15 says, "Be ready always". To be ready, you've got to get ready. Have we been studying? Have we been preparing? Have we been thinking about and are we looking for opportunities?

And then, thirdly: I'm not ashamed. Are we sometimes ashamed of the gospel? Friend, shame on us, if we're ashamed to tell others about the gospel. It's the good news. It's the hope of salvation. It's what makes life worth living. It's what helps us to lay down at night and sleep, knowing that all is well. Wouldn't you want somebody else to have good news and hope?

Don't ever be ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is the good news unto salvation.

Paul also, from his life we learn that he made a lot of changes in the things he was in the past. He didn't let those things shape who he would be in the future and how he would live his life.

I want to direct your attention to Philippians 3, and I want you to notice what things Paul had to give up for the gospel of Christ. Look in Philippians 3:4, Paul said, "Though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so:

(What do you mean, Paul) circumcised the eighth day of the stock of Israel

of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But, what things were gain to me, these I counted loss for Christ, yet yes indeed I count all things lost for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I suffer the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ."

Did Paul have to give up to gain Christ? You bet he did! Here's a practical lesson: whatever you were, and whatever I was before we came to Christ, I will assure you, is worth giving up and never looking back. Could Paul have been something in the Hebrew nation? He already was, and he was destined to become more, no doubt, chief of the stock of Israel,

tribe of Benjamin, Hebrew of Hebrews, taught at the feet of Gamaliel, zealous, righteous, blameless. He had the top pedigree in Israel. Did it cost him to give that up? Oh, you bet it did! Ultimately, it's going to cost him his life for the cause of Christ.

But was it worth it? Absolutely, it was. Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5:14-15, "The love of Christ compels me, compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and he died for all, that they who live should no longer live for themselves, but live for him who died for them

and rose again." Paul sacrificed. He gave up, to gain Christ. How did he look at all that in the past? He didn't look back. He said it's all garbage

compared to what I've gained.

Friend, all of us have had to come out of something to become a Christian. Whether that was worldliness, maybe you had to give up things in the world, maybe had to give up lust and passion and pleasure and friends and things, or maybe a job even. Maybe you've come out of denominational error, and that there's been some cost and sacrifice involved in that- friend, rest assured, just as with Paul, it is the same with us. Whatever we've given up, can't begin to compare with what we'll receive.

Listen to Romans 8:18, Paul said, "I consider the sufferings of this present day are not worthy be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us in the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

You know when I think about Saul, who later became Paul, we think about his humility as a practical lesson. Ephesians 3:8, Paul said he considered himself the least of all the Saints.1 Timothy 1:15, Paul said, "This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief." How did Paul view himself? Least of all the Saints. How did he look at himself? Chief of sinners. Friend, there's a sense of humility, honesty, owning up to his own sin, his own deeds.

When we think about our life, let's not think we’re better than we are, let's not put ourselves on the pedestal and look down to others. Let's realize all men stand on level ground at the foot of the cross. Let's realize we needed the blood of Jesus just as much as the next person. Jesus tasted death for every man, Hebrews 2:9.

From Saul, we learn to have humility. Whoever humbles himself, he's the one God is pleased with. Let us humble ourselves mighty hand of God that he might exalt us in due time", 1 Peter 5:6-8.

So as we think about Saul, who later became the apostle Paul, what a great man of God who really shows us the need to do what's right and live according to the truth of God.

Friend, we want to ask you to consider seriously today, from Saul, who later became Paul, the need to change in one's life and become a Christian.

If you've never obeyed the gospel, maybe you've got the zeal, maybe you've got the passion, and maybe you've got the desire of Saul.

We hope, today, that you can combine that desire, passion, and zeal with understanding what God wants you to do to become a Christian.

Maybe you have to come out of something. That's okay. Saul had to leave a lot behind, too. But what he gained was worth it.

And so, let's ask the question of the hour, let's ask this question: what does a person need to do? Just like Saul of Tarsus, what does a person need to do to become a Christian?

Friend, it's not hard. It's not complicated. It doesn't take looking to religious leaders of today's day to figure it out. It's right here in the Bible.

The Bible says you've got to hear the word of God. That voice came to Saul. He said, "Who are you Lord?"

"I'm Jesus, whom you are persecuting". He had heard the voice of Christ. I hear the voice of Jesus today in the Bible. God has spoken to us in these last days through His Son and that's recorded in the word of God.

“Faith comes by hearing, hearing by the word of God,” Romans 10:17. Then, once I've heard the message about Christ, I've got to be convicted and committed to it and believe it. I must believe.

Acts 8, as Philip and Ethiopian eunuch are traveling down the road,

he sees water in the distance. "Here's water, what hinders me? If you believe with all your heart you may", Acts 8:35-39.

Are you willing to do what Saul did, change? Will you turn from

whatever in life you need to turn from? Leave behind what you need to leave behind, and turn to God? Acts 3:19, Peter preached,”Repent and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out.” Would you confess Jesus as Christ, Paul did? "I'm Jesus whom you persecuted", "Lord, what would you have me to do." He recognized Jesus as Lord. In Acts chapter 8, we see the Ethiopian Eunuch doing the same thing, "I believe Jesus is the Christ,

the Son of the living God."

And then friend, would you do what Peter told them to do in the very first gospel sermon? They cried out, "Men and brethren what shall we do?" The answer was this, "Repent and be baptized", listen now, "for the remission of sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit", Acts 2:38.

And so, whatever you've got to give up, whatever you've got to leave behind, whatever you've got to do to become a Christian, I'll assure you, it's worth it.

Saul stands out as a man who made a 180° turn from sin and selfishness to God. He had hope.

Friend, our hope and prayer today is that you'll obey the gospel. You also can have that hope.

Study Questions for:

“Great Bible Characters Lesson 4: The Apostle Paul”

1. According to Titus 3:14, what does God want us to be?

2. What was Saul doing in Acts 7:58?

3. What happened to prompt a change in Saul in Acts 9?

4. Trembling and astonished Saul asked what question in Acts 9?

5. According to Acts 9:11-12, what did Paul spend a great deal of time doing?

6. In Acts 22:16, what does Ananias tell Saul to do to be saved?

7. According to Acts 22:16, at what point were Saul’s sins forgiven?

8. According to Acts 22:16, how do you call on the name of the Lord?

9. What did God want Paul to do in Acts 26:16-18? Did Paul?

10. What does God tell us in 1 Corinthians 15:58?

The Scripture says “God wants all men to be saved and to a come to a knowledge of the truth,” 1 Timothy 2:4.

Welcome to our personal evangelism lessons on the subject of salvation. As we begin these lessons, we hope that each person will understand that our aim and motive in discussing these things is ultimately for all people everywhere to go to heaven. We encourage you to get your Bible as we think about God's plan of salvation in this series of lessons.

In studying on the subject of salvation and ‘What must I do to be saved?’ a person must begin by understanding God's authority in religion and the all sufficiency of the Bible.

Before we actually get into the content of our personal evangelism series, we want you to know two very important things.

First and foremost as we study the word of God together on this wonderful subject, please know that our motive in discussing these things with you is out of love. More than anything in all the world we want you to go to heaven. We want you to be saved. We want one day to be in heaven with you for all eternity.

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And then friend we also want you to know this, more than anything God wants you to be saved. He wants all men everywhere to be saved, 1 Timothy 2:4.He wants it so bad that He sent His only begotten Son into the world that He would taste death for every man, 1 John 2:1-2 and John 3:16.

As we think today about laying a foundation for becoming a Christian and obeying the gospel, the very first thing we've got to understand is- what is our authority in religion? Is the Bible everything we need to build our faith upon? As we think about this idea, let's understand the word of God, the Bible that we have, is our authority in all matters of religion. We hope you've got your Bible handy. We'll be putting some of the verses on the screen for you to look at as well.

As we think about this subject of authority in religion, we begin by asking the question: What is it what is it that the Bible says will make us free from sin?

We direct our attention to the words of Jesus in John 8:32. Notice what Jesus said. Jesus said, “You shall know the truth and the truth will make you free.” What makes man free from sin? The truth. If we know God's truth, we can be free. Truth is absolutely essential to being free from sin and really knowing that we're right with God.

As you think about that idea of the truth setting you free, we also understand from the Scripture that truth is essential in worshiping God. How do we worship God correctly? By worshiping in truth. Notice John 4:24. Jesus said, “God is spirit and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth.” How do I worship God in such a way that it's acceptable and pleasing to Him? I've got to worship in spirit and in truth. Notice these two attributes of truth. The truth makes man free from Satan; the truth is how I worship God in an acceptable way.

Naturally then we ask the most significant question related to this: What is truth? The Bible directs us to the subject of truth in Jesus' prayer in John 17:17. Notice what Jesus said about the truth. Jesus in praying to the Father said these words, “Sanctify them by your truth. Your word is truth.” What is truth? You know that's a question Pilate asked in John 18:36 and it's a question that a lot of people are asking today. We've already seen the

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significance of it. It's the truth that makes me free- free from sin. It's the truth by which I worship God acceptably. What is truth? Listen to Jesus again. “Sanctify them by your truth. Your word is truth.” We want to clearly understand that the word of God is absolute truth on all matters related to God and salvation and authority- in putting God first in our life.

It's so pivotal that we understand the word of God is the basis for worshiping God correctly and for being saved. As we talk about this matter of authority and truth, we're going to also realize that the words that our Lord spoke, the teaching of Jesus, was from God- and it also is truth. Listen to the words of John chapter 14. I want you to notice verses 23 and 24. Jesus is speaking about His truth, about what He's saying, and He says these words in John 14:23. Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves me he will keep my word and my Father will love him. And we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me does not keep my words,” now notice this, “and the word which you hear is not mine but the Father who sent me.” Remembering that God's word is truth Jesus just clearly said, ‘and oh yeah, what I tell you as well that is truth.’ And so, we hear the word of God- it's truth. What Jesus said, it's also true and it's from God and it's necessary for salvation. In fact, did you know that the way God speaks to us today is through the words of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?

We might ask the question- how does God speak to men and women today? Listen to Hebrews 1:1-2. The Bible says, “God who at various times in various ways in the past spoke in times past to the fathers by the prophets has in these last days spoken to us by His Son.” How does the Bible say God is speaking to us today? Through His Son, through the words of Jesus which Jesus himself said are the words of Almighty God. As we think about the matter of authority and the word of God being truth Jesus' word being truth, that's how Jesus' words are how God is speaking to me and to you today.

Friend we also want to realize those words are authoritative. Those words are words that every person must listen to. In John 3:35 the Scripture clearly says that Jesus is the one who has authority over all men. Listen to these words. John 3:35 “The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand.” How many things has the Father given into the hands of Jesus? All things, everything, is under the authority and the power

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of Jesus Christ. As we think about laying the foundation for personal Bible study, personal evangelism, we've got to understand Jesus has all authority. And I must submit to Him. In fact, I want to direct your attention to these words in Matthew 28:18. Jesus said this to His disciples He said “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.” Then He said, “Go and make disciples of all nations.”

Now friend, let's stop and think about this for just a moment. How much authority does Jesus have? Matthew 28:18 says ‘Jesus has all authority.’ If Jesus has all authority, how much does that leave for me and you or some man to create today? Well, none! Jesus has all authority in matters of religion, and we must absolutely submit to His will. We also want to emphasize that Jesus has authority over all flesh- meaning all people living everywhere are under the authority of Jesus. Notice John chapter 17, and I want you to listen to what the Scripture says in verse number two. John 17:2 Jesus prayed to the Father and He said, “As you have given Him authority over all flesh that He should give eternal life to as many as you have given to Him.” What about people halfway across the world? What about me and you today? What about other people in other places? Jesus has authority over all flesh and all people everywhere, and we must to be saved. We absolutely must understand He's the one in charge. In fact, we realize today that it is Jesus who is the head over the church, who's in charge of the church. You know, sometimes I hear people say ‘well in the Catholic Church it is the Pope in Rome who is the head of the church.’ Wait a minute now! The church of the Lord is not decapitated. It still has a head, and Jesus is that head. Let's notice that from Scripture. I want to direct your attention to Ephesians chapter 1, and I want you to notice what the Bible says in verses 22 and 23. Who is the head of the church?

Look in Ephesians 1:22. The Bible says, “And He,” that is God, “put all things under His feet and gave Him to be head over all things to the church which is His body the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” God has made Jesus to be head over all things to the church. If Jesus is head over all things to the church, how much does that leave for me and you today? Jesus is in complete control of His church.

Now friend as we think about this, does this mean that Jesus has all authority over the church? If He's head over all things and He's head of the church, how much authority does Jesus have over the church? All

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authority. Matthew 28:18 He's got all authority in heaven and on earth and that includes the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. As you think about this we as we think about this idea, we want to understand that in talking about the Bible as our authority we want to understand that on the Day of Judgment, on the last day, on that final day when I stand before God what is it that's going to be my judge? Listen to Jesus' words in John 12:48. Jesus said, “He who rejects me and does not receive my word has that which judges him,” listen, “the word that I've spoken will judge him in the last day.”

When I stand before the throne of God, when my life has been completed, when I give an account for the things I've done in this life, books are opened- what is going to be the standard of judgment? Is it going to be man's opinion? Is it going to be some catechism or some book written by men? No. Jesus said, “My words are going to judge him.” If it's the word of Christ that's going to judge us, what's our authority today and what must we listen to? The words of Jesus. Listen to John 6:68. Jesus had made some hard statements. The Bible says some of the disciples walked with him no more. He looked at the rest and said, ‘Do you want to go away also?’ Here's what Peter said, ‘Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.’

Who has the words of eternal life? Who is it that can tell us what we need to do to go to heaven? Jesus. Friend if that's the case; if Jesus has the words of eternal life should we go to anyone else to learn about how to go to heaven? Should I go to parents? Should I go to a preacher? Should I go to relatives or friends for them to tell me what they think I need to do go to heaven? No. If Jesus has the words of eternal life, then I need to go to Jesus and let His word teach me what I need to do to be saved.

As we lay this foundation for obeying the gospel, please understand the Bible, God's word, and Jesus have all authority. He's the only one that I need to listen to know what I need to do to go to heaven. How do we get that word from God which is authoritative today? Friend we read the Bible, and we realize that it is the Holy Spirit of God who guided the first century apostles into all truth which we now have today. I want I want you to notice with me John chapter 14. I want us to look in verse number 26 as we think about God's word being given to us through the Holy Spirit by the apostles. Listen to John 14:26. Jesus said, “But the helper the Holy Spirit whom the

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Father will send in my name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” In that verse, did Jesus say the Holy Spirit would teach the first century apostles all things and bring everything Jesus said to their remembrance? Well, yes. He absolutely did- thus when the apostles when the apostles taught by inspiration of the Holy Spirit were they teaching their own words or the words of Jesus? Jesus just said He's going to teach you all things and remind you of what I said. When John, Paul, and when Peter wrote under inspiration, it wasn't their words. It was the words of God, the words of the Holy Spirit. In fact, look at what the Bible says with me in John 16:13. Listen to these words. John 16:13 Jesus made another promise to His apostles, and it was this “However when He, the spirit of truth, has come He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on His own authority but whatever He hears He will speak. And He will tell you things to come.” Jesus said in this verse that the Holy Spirit would guide the apostles into how much truth? ‘When He the spirit of truth has come He'll guide you into all truth.’

The promise was made in the first century that those apostles who took up pen under inspiration of the Holy Spirit would receive all truth. Now, did that happen in the lifetime of the apostles? Notice with me Jude verse three. Jude writes and he says, “Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith,” watch this now, “which was once for all delivered to the saints.” Is it the case that Jude said in the first century, in the life the apostles, they would receive all truth? Was that faith delivered in their lifetime? Jude said it ‘was once for all delivered’ by the close of the New Testament. God had fulfilled the promise. They would receive all truth.

Now friend, here's the practical application of that- since the apostles were guided into all religious truth in their lifetime, should we be expecting some new Revelation? Should we expect to receive some new revelation today? Friend we're basically asking, did the promise did God make the promise they would receive all truth and was that completed? The Bible says it was! Therefore can you have more than all? If God fulfilled that promise, and He did according to Jude verse three, you can't have more than all truth today in the word of God. What we want to see is God fulfilled His promise through the Holy Spirit by the apostles. We want to notice that that written word- what they wrote down under inspiration of the Holy Spirit-

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that's our guide in religion today.

In John 20:30-31 the Bible says this “Truly many other signs Jesus did in the presence of His disciples which are not written in this book, but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of the living God and that believing you might have life in His name.” Friend that verse teaches us that the things that are written are written so that we might believe Jesus is the Son of God and that we might have eternal life in His name.

Why did God write the Bible? So that I can believe in Christ and go to heaven. Did God give us a book that is able to do that? Absolutely He did! 1 John 5:13 John writes, “These things we've written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know you have eternal life.” Why did John write those things? Listen now, “These things are written.” Why? “That you may know you have eternal life.” The Bible, the inspired word of God, is written so that I can know Jesus, so that I can go to heaven, and so that I can be confident I have eternal life. Now you think about this. If somebody tells you this is what God says you need to do, how do you know that person's telling you the truth? Somebody says this is what we think our tradition or our catechism says you need to be to do to be right with God- how do you know? You read it in the Bible, and it's the word of God. Can you be sure? You can't be sure about these other books. I've read other books of men, and you know those books may have some truth to them- but how can you know what they're telling you is true?

You can know the Bible is the word of God and the inspired word of God ought to be our only guide in religion. Listen to Romans 10:17. The Scripture says, “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.”

Now each of us realizes faith is essential to salvation, but here's the big question: How do you get faith? Do you get faith by my words? Do you get faith by reading the books of men? No! “Faith comes by hearing.” And hearing what? “By the word of God.” The only way to get real faith, faith you can build your build your Christianity and your salvation around, is by the word of God. It's our only guide in matters of religion.

James 1:21 says it this way. “We are to receive with meekness the

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implanted word which is able to save our soul.” What's able to save my soul and your soul? The word of God. Do you remember 1 Peter 1:23? “Seeing that we've been born again, not by things perishable or incorruptible, but by the word of God.” We're born again by the word of God which lives and abides forever. We hear a lot about being born again. How does the Bible say you're born again? We're born again by the word of God, 1 Peter 1:23.

Friend if that's the case, should I go to any other source to learn how to be saved? If the word of God is able to help me to be born again, if it creates faith, do I need any other source than the Bible to know God and to go to heaven? Not according to the Scripture. Listen to these words in 2 Timothy 3:16-17. The Scripture says “All Scripture all Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped, for every good work.” In that passage, does the Bible claim that it is able to thoroughly equip us for every good work? Well it absolutely does! Listen now; if the Bible promises it can thoroughly equip us, all Scripture can thoroughly equip us for every good work- do we need additional revelations to be complete before God? Well no! If the Bible makes that claim, and it is truth we've already seen that, I don't need additional revelations to be complete before God.

Do I need the book of Mormon which was written claimed be written by God 1800 years later? We know that that doesn't hold up to truth. But do I need the book of Mormon if the Bible claims it's everything we need to get to heaven? No! Do I need church traditions? Do we need manuals? Do we need Creed Books or confessions of faith to make us complete spiritually? Friend that verse clearly says all we need to be thoroughly or completely equipped before God is His word. 2 Peter 1:3 puts it in a beautiful way. “According to His divine power God has given to us all things for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue.” Friend let's ask the question based on that verse. Does that verse say God has given to us all things pertaining to life and godliness? Well notice the verse, and it does. God's given to us all things.

Now let's make application to that. Since God has given us all things pertaining to life and godliness in the Bible, do I need to go to any other source as my religious authority today? Think real carefully about this. It's

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the truth that saves us. We worship God according to the truth. The Bible is all truth, 2 Peter 1:3, it has everything we need to equip us and make us right before God. If that's the case, then I don't need any other books. What we're trying to really impress from the Scripture today is this book, the Bible and the Bible only, is all we need to be right before God. If that's the case, whatever this book says- regardless of what other books may say, regardless of what other men may say, regardless of what family members or some preacher somewhere may say- whatever this book says and all it says is what I've got to do to be saved. If I can come to the realization, if the individual can come to the realization, Jesus' words are going to judge him, this book has all truth, this book is everything I need for life and godliness, and this book in and of itself will completely equip me for every good work, then friend my faith can be built on the word of God- Listen, I can know that I'm saved because the Bible tells me I'm saved. If this book is the word of God breathed out of the mouth of God and I do what it says, then from the mouth of God I can know that I'm right and that I'm true in His sight.

We ask you today to consider your own salvation. We ask you to consider your view religious belief and religious background. Is your faith really built on the word of God or is it built on the traditions of men?

We hope that you'll continue to study in this series of lessons because we're going to discuss what the Bible says one has to do to be saved and be a member of the one church.

If you've never obeyed the gospel, friend we hope that you'll continue to study with us. Write to us, or call us. We'd love to study the word of God with you as we think about matters concerning salvation.

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Study Questions for: “Evangelism Series: Lesson 1”

1. What does God want according to 1 Timothy 2:4?

2. What makes us free according to John 8:32?

3. According to John 17:17, what is truth?

4. How must we worship according to John 4:24?

5. What does Jesus say about His words in John 14:23?

6. How does God speak to us today according to Hebrews 1:1-2?

7. According to John 17:2, who does Jesus have authority over?

8. According to Ephesians 1:22, who is the head of the church?

9. What will judge us on the last day according to John 12:48?

10. Why are the things written according to John? 20:30-31

Jesus said, “I will build my church,” Matthew 16:18.

Welcome to our study of answering denominational doctrine. The Bible tells us that we are to contend earnestly for the faith, Jude verse three. The Scripture tells us that we are not to divide in the name of Christ- then that denominationalism is against the will of God, 1 Corinthians 1:10-13. As a child of God we must expose the unfruitful works of darkness and not have fellowship with them, Ephesians 5:11.

Today were going to be considering the Baptist denomination. As we study this together and look at the word of God, we ask you simply to get your Bible and see if the things we are saying are true to the word of God. Our responsibility is to search the Scriptures daily, Acts 17:11. We’re asking the great question, “Is there any word from the Lord?’ Jeremiah 37:17. As we search the Scripture today and attempt to prove all things and hold fast that which is good 1 Thessalonians 5:21, we encourage you to look to the word of God. Decide for yourself if what's being said is true. Can a person be a part of a certain religious group and do things that are not right- and still be right with God?

We begin by examining the history of the Baptist religion. When did the Baptist religion start? Most people place it between 1607 and 1609. What is important about that? In the fundamental teaching of God on the church, we know exactly when the church started. Did the church of the Lord Jesus Christ begin in 1607 or 1609? No, not at all! The Scriptures

teach us when the Lord's church was prophesied to begin and when that church the Lord's church actually started.

Notice what the Scripture says. The prophet Daniel says in Daniel 2:44 about God's kingdom, God's church, “And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed and the kingdom shall not be left other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.” Now here God's prophesying during the time of Israel about a new kingdom. Remember Jesus said, “I'll build my church.” Hey said to Peter in verse 19 “I give you the keys of the kingdom.” The kingdom is the church. When we hear that word kingdom, we’re talking about God's church. It is God's kingdom today. It's the domain of Christ the King, Mark 9:1.

Daniel prophesies of that new kingdom coming. Daniel says ‘in the times of these kings, four Kings are mentioned, four kingdoms, there in the time of one of these four kingdoms God's going to set up a new kingdom which shall never be destroyed.’ From history we know that following this time you have the Babylonian kingdom. Did any new kingdom of God's people get established during the time of Babylon or Nebuchadnezzar? We know during that time Israel was still God's kingdom, although they were taken in captivity- they were still God's kingdom. What about during the time of the Medo Persians? Cyrus arises in Isaiah 45:1 and he now allows God's people to go back home and to rebuild. We have Ezra, Esther, Nehemiah, and the events of restoration going on there during the Medo Persians there was no new kingdom. What about during the Greek? We have a lot of information during the Greek. Alexander the great and people like unto that. No new kingdom established during the Greek time. Then we come to that fourth and final kingdom the Roman kingdom. It is in this kingdom at this time that God establishes his eternal kingdom. Remember Acts chapter 2:47? The Bible says of praising God and having favor with all the people, “and for the very first time the Lord added to the church, to the kingdom, daily those are being saved.”

What time frame was Acts chapter 2 happening? It's right in the midst of the Roman error. When did the Lord's church begin? Friend listen carefully. According to prophecy and according to the New Testament, the Lord's church did not start is 1607 or 1609 that's 1600+ years too late. The Lord's church, by prophecy and by the teaching of God in Acts 2, started on Pentecost in the first century. Now that's very important as an identifying

trait. If I can know when the Lord's church started, A.D. 30, Pentecost, first century- then by the process of elimination, I can exclude denominations that started at the wrong time.

Secondly as we study the history of the Baptist denomination we next ask, where? Where did the Baptist movement start at? Historians as well as Baptist historians will put this movement beginning around London, England. Did the Bible specify where the Lord's church was going to start? And again, and prophecy and in fulfillment God does tell us.

Notice Isaiah 2:2-4. Isaiah prophesied, “Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established on top the mountains, shall be exalted above the Hills, and all nations shall flow to it. Many people shall come and say, ‘let us go to the mount of the Lord, the house the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, and we should walk in his paths.’” Notice this, “for out of Zion shall go forth the law and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem, He, God shall judge between the nations, rebuke many people. They shall beat their swords into plowshares. Their spears into pruning hooks. Nation shall not lift up sword against nation; neither shall they learn war anymore.” In the time of God establishing that that new house, that new kingdom, that new place of worship the Bible says ‘it will go forth from Zion and the word of the Lord shall come out of Jerusalem.’ Well did that happen? It sure did. You open to Acts chapter 2 and here is Peter. They have received the Holy Spirit just as Jesus promised. In Luke 24:44 Jesus said ‘you stay in Jerusalem, wait until you received the spirit from on high.’ They’re in Jerusalem. They received that miraculous ability to speak in unlearned languages. Notice what the Scripture says Acts 2:5 and in Acts 2:47. In Acts 2:5 the Bible says, “And they were dwelling in Jerusalem, Jews devout men from every nation under heaven.” Here they are there waiting in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit. As spirit comes upon them Peter begins to preach the gospel that he opens up his mouth, and they hear them and all the various languages. Peter tells them they need to ‘repent and be baptized,’ verse 38. Those who gladly received his word, verse 42 were baptized. And notice again acts 2:47 the Bible says, “Praising God and having favor with all the people and the Lord added to the church daily those are being saved.” Just as it was prophesied, so it came true in fulfillment. The Lord's church promise it would started in Jerusalem.

Now here's another identifying characteristic, the Baptist Church started thousand years later and thousands of miles from where the Lord's church started. If it didn't start in Jerusalem on Pentecost in A.D. 30 how can it be the church you read about in the Bible? You can’t have a wrong time and the wrong place and the right church. It is just not the way God set it up. This denomination started thousands of years later. It was started thousands of miles from where the Lord's church did. It is not the church you read about in the Bible. It's not what God wants us to do to be right with Him and get to heaven.

How did this movement start? How did the Baptist Church come about? Well history records for us that this movement began during the Reformation of the 16th century. Baptist were originally called Anabaptist and were closely associated and even partly indoctrinated by Menno Simmons the founder of the Mennonite religion. Anabaptist or Baptist were considered unique in this Reformation movement because they believed those who had been sprinkled as children need to be re-baptized as adults. You have people who are sprinkling and one group says sprinkling is not right. You got to be baptized, and so they’re known as re-baptizers or Anabaptist. Today we called them Baptist.

The Lord’s Church did not grow out of the Reformation or the restoration or any other movement. The Lord's church began in the mind of God all way back to eternity. Genesis 3:15 God said, “The seed of woman would crush the head of Satan.” From that time forward the Lord has been working and weaving His plan into human history to bring His son and His church into the world. Ephesians 3:10-11 says the church is the eternal plan of God. The Lord's church started because God from eternity planned it that way. Mark 9:1 Jesus said, “Assuredly I say to you there are some standing here today who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God present with power.” Jesus knew what was coming. He knew what the prophets said.

We need to understand it's the plan of God. It’s not the reaction or overreaction of men to certain things happening.

Now here's an interesting side note. The Baptist name comes from a desire to re-baptize and yet Baptist don't even believe baptism is essential to salvation. Why even re-baptize if you don't even think it's essential to salvation? There's a glaring contradiction. Baptist are named after an act

that they don't believe is essential to salvation. Jesus clearly said, “He that believes and is baptized will be saved.” What a contradiction of terms that is!

There's no reference in the Bible to the church ever being called the Baptist Church. Sometimes people will say the Baptist churches named after John the Baptist. John never said that, the Bible never says that, and really according to history that's not true. Baptist were labeled Baptist because they once insisted on the real baptism of adults who'd been sprinkled. And thus, it's only a myth that it came from John the Baptist.

Here's what's really important. What about the name Baptist? Is it okay to be called Baptist or the Baptist Church? Well again if we’re going to do what the Bible said, if we’re going to speak with the Bible, speak as the oracles of God, 1 Peter 4:11 then we have to ask- does God in His word, His Oracle ever call the church the Baptist Church? He does not. You can search from Genesis 1:1 all the way through Revelation 22:21 and not one time will God ever called the church the Baptist Church.

How could someone be a part of a group that you don't even find in the Bible? The Bible calls it the church of God, 1 Corinthians 1:2. The Bible calls it the church of the Lord, Acts 20:28. Scripture calls it the church of Christ, Matthew 16:18, and four plural congregations the churches of Christ, Romans 16:16.

Next we ask as we think about the fundamentals of this denomination and the unique identifying characteristics of the Bible, who founded who started the Baptist religion? History records that it was started by a man by the name of John Smith. He was a British separatist. He separated from the Church of England trying to get back and go back toward the Bible. He became infatuated with the teaching of Menno Simmons a Mennonite. What's wrong with John Smith starting the Baptist Church? Friend he has no right, no authority, or no power to start any church. No man alive has that power. Only God has the power and His son was given that power to start His church.

Think about these words again with me. Look at what Jesus said in Matthew 16:18. Jesus said, “And I say to you,” speaking to Peter, “and I say to you that you are Peter and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” Now whose church did

Jesus say He would build? Did he say he would build the Baptist Church for John Smith? Did he say he would build the Lutheran Church for Martin Luther? Did he say he would build the Presbyterian Church for John Calvin or the Methodist Church for John Wesley? What did Jesus say? He said, “I will build my church.” Jesus only built one, and He said it was going to be His. Here in Acts 20:28 the Scripture says, “Therefore take heed to yourselves and all the flock among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers to Shepherd the church of God which He,” which Christ, “purchased with His own blood.” Jesus paid the price. It was His blood. No man anywhere has the right to start a church and say this is God's church. Jesus owns it, and it must wear His name.

Who is the head of the Baptist religion? It is claimed that Christ is the head, but the Southern Baptist convention or whatever convention it may be American Baptist counsel, whatever it may be- they make the statements of faith and doctrine for what this group is going to believe. They are saying Jesus is the head, and yet under that they have people deciding what the head actually believes. Friend that sounds a lot like what Jesus condemned in Matthew chapter 15. Listen to these words. Jesus said, “Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you saying these people draw near to me with her mouth and honor me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. And in vain do they worship me teaching as doctrine the commandments of man.” They were teaching doctrines of men. They were coming together, the Pharisees, whoever may be in the deciding. Ephesians 1:22-23 says Jesus is the head of the church. He's the one who makes the decisions. He's already decided right here in his word. “God who at various times, various ways spoke in times past the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His son,” Hebrews 1:1-2. The Scripture records in Psalm 119:89 “God's word is forever settled in heaven.” Heavens already decided. There's no need to take a vote. There's no need for a group of religious people to get together to decide. Heaven has already decided. That's recorded in the word of God.

Any organization that lets men decide or has manuals that tell you what to believe besides the Bible, friend you need to run from that as fast as you can. That's not the church you read about in the Bible.

What's the authority of the Baptist Church? Again Scripture is claimed to be their guide in all matters; however, tradition and creeds are very important. In 1607 or 1609 what did those who founded this movement

believe? Again the Southern Baptist convention, a manual, the idea of a pastor system. I remember speaking to a lady one time about God's plan of salvation, and we talked about God's plan and what the Bible said we need to do. I remember in that conversation she said she said would have to ask her pastor. Friend in the New Testament, our authority is not of man. It's not a manual made by men, and it surely isn't a one-man pastor system which is foreign to the New Testament. We need to let the word of God have absolute authority on all matters. We did ask, ‘what does the Bible say?’ “Is there any word from the Lord on this subject?” What does God and His word want us to do? What does He want us to believe and teach to be the New Testament church?

Christ promised to build and start His church in the time of the four kingdoms mentioned in Daniel 2. Of those four kingdoms, no new kingdom is started until you get to that Roman era. Jesus promised, Mark 9:1, that during that time His kingdom would be established. Not only did He promise it, He said He would build it in Matthew 16:18. Not only did He promise and say He would build it, Acts chapter 2, the church of the New Testament was started by Jesus in AD 30 on Pentecost. Jesus also through Scripture told where it would begin. Isaiah chapter 2 promised the Lord should go forth from Jerusalem. God's new Temple where all nations could flow to it. God's new house where all nations, not just Israel. All nations could flow to it would begin in Jerusalem. Jesus told his disciples Luke chapter 24, ‘You stay in Jerusalem. You wait for the Holy Spirit.’ When the Holy Spirit came upon them, they stood up and they for the very first time preached the death, the burial, and resurrection of Jesus. He is God's son. In Acts 2:36 says Peter said, ‘therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly God's made this Jesus whom you crucified both Lord and Christ.’ The Scripture says those people, when they heard that message, were pricked in the heart. They cried out, “Men and brethren what shall we do?” The answer was very clear, “Repent and be baptized for the remission of sins,” Acts 2:38. The Scripture tells us, ‘those who gladly received His word,’ Acts 2:42, ‘the Lord in Jerusalem in the first century added to the church.’

The church existed 1600 years at least before the Baptist religion. We see that it was founded by our Lord and Savior. I want to be a part of the church that Jesus started. Don't you? Jesus said, “I'll build my church.” Matthew 16:18. Jesus said, “I purchased it with my blood,” Acts 20:28. There is only one church, Ephesians 4:4. If Jesus built it, if He died for it,

and there's only one- don't you want to be a part of the church Jesus built? The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 3:11, “No other foundation can any man lay except that which is laid which is Jesus Christ.”

If someone says, “So some of the characteristics, identifying marks of the Baptist Church really don't meet with the New Testament church. Are you saying that a person can't be saved in the Baptist Church?”

Friend I want you think about these passages with me. The Bible says in Ephesians 5:22 that Jesus is the Savior of the body. Whose body? John Smith’s body the Baptist? No. Whose? Jesus, the Savior of the body. If you look in the context the body is His church. Jesus is the Savior of His church. He is not going to save any man's church. We must be in the Lord's church. Absolutely you must be a member of the body of Christ, the church that Jesus died for, to be saved.

Hebrews 12:22 following teaches us that those who have their names reserved in heaven are a part of the general assembly and church of the firstborn. Who’s the firstborn? Firstborn over the dead according to Colossians 1:15-19, is Jesus Christ. Don't you want have your name on that heavenly register? Won’t it be great to stand before the throne of God and hear these words, “Well done good and faithful servant”? To hear that you have got to be a part of the church of the firstborn. They're the ones who have their names registered in heaven. Then of course the Bible said in 2 Timothy 1:10 that salvation is in Christ. How do I get into Christ? We’re baptized into Christ, Galatians 3:27. We’re baptized into that one body, 1 Corinthians 12:13.

If salvation is in Christ and in His body, then it is absolutely essential that I be a part of the Lord's church.

Friend we ask you today kindly consider the things that have been said from Scripture. Take your own Bible and search for yourself and see if these things really true. And if they are true, we encourage you for the sake of your soul, leave denominational error. Get out of it. Don't be a part of it.

Won't you strive simply for New Testament Christianity?

Have you heard the word of God? The Bible says to have faith you got hear God's word. Romans 10:17 faith comes by hearing and hearing by

the word of God. Have you heard that word, committed to it? Have you believed in Jesus? Jesus said, “Unless you believe that I'm He, you'll surely die in your sins,” John 8:24.

Are you willing to repent? Jesus said in Luke 13:3, “unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” Have you turned from sin and turned to God? Would you, just as Jesus commanded, confess Him before men? Jesus said in Matthew 10:32-33, “if you won't confess me before men, neither will I confess you before My Father who is in heaven.”

Would you, to get into the one body, be baptized? Peter said, “Repent and be baptized for the remission of sins,” Acts 2:38.

We hope today that you'll study these things for yourself.

Study Questions for: “Answering Denominational Doctrine: Baptist Lesson 1”

1. According to Matthew 16:18, what will Jesus build?

2. Is denominationalism wrong according to 1 Corinthians 10:13?

3. What are we not to have fellowship with according to Ephesians 5:11?

4. According to Acts 17:11, what are we to search?

5. What are we to prove according to 1 Thessalonians 5:21?

6. What did Jesus do for the first time in Acts 2:47?

7. According to Ephesians 3:10-11, what is the eternal plan of God?

8. According to Psalm 119:89, what is settled forever in heaven?

9. According to 2 Timothy 1:10, where is salvation found?

10. What are we baptized into according to 1 Corinthians 12:13?

“Is there any word from the Lord?” Jeremiah 37:17

Jesus taught us very clearly that He is the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, Hebrews 5:8-9.

I want to love God, and I want to keep His commandments just as Jesus taught in John 14:15. To do that sometimes it is necessary to oppose error. Jude tells us we must contend earnestly for the faith, Jude verse three. We must have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness; rather we have got to expose them.

In answering denominational doctrine this series, we’re looking at the second part in a lesson examining the Baptist denomination.

Friend our purpose is simply to ask, “What does the Scripture say?” Jeremiah 37:17. We want to ask, “What does God say on the matter?”

As we think about these things and look at the core beliefs of the Baptist denomination, all we ask of you is to you get out your Bible with us. As you hear the things or maybe you know these things already that are taught and believed by this group, won't you get out your Bible with us? Do like the noble Bereans. Don't you love the Bereans? Acts 17:11, “They were more noble.” Why? They didn't turn their ear away. “They searched the Scriptures daily to see if what was being said was true to the will of God.” Won't you do that with us today? Search your own Bible. Test what's

being said and prove all things, 1 Thessalonians 5:21. Don't believe it because any man said it. Believe it because God in the Scripture teaches that to be true.

Last lesson we notice some identifying characteristics of the Lord's church that the Baptist religion cannot meet. The Lord’s church was started in Jerusalem. It was started by Jesus. It was started in the first century and that soul authority is the Bible.

Today we want to look at some of the various teachings of the Baptist religion and see if these lineup with New Testament teaching.

First we want to look at what the Baptist believe and teach in their manual. Can a church leave out certain requirements of the gospel and still be a church that is pleasing to God?

The Baptist standard, Baptist manual on page 12 under note number one says, ‘A body of Christian disciples may fail to meet some of the requirements of the gospel and still be a true church of Christ.’ Does that sound like what Jesus is teaching us? Can a band of Christians leave out some requirements of the gospel and still be a true church? If that's true, which could you leave out? Which would you have to include? What's essential and what's not essential? There's so much left open with that statement. The main problem is the Scriptures teach if we leave out any of the requirements of the gospel, we’re no longer pleasing to God. The gospel is the good news of Jesus. The gospel contains the life and teaching of Christ, but also at its core is what Jesus did- his death, burial, and resurrection.

According the 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9, we must obey the gospel of Jesus Christ. To the churches in Revelation in Asia Minor Jesus said over and over again in Revelation 2 and 3 ‘to him that has ears to hear let them hear,’ and then He would tell those congregations what they weren’t doing. They were about to lose their hope. They needed to get right. These were people who left out some of the course of the gospel. Jesus didn't say it was ok to do so. Jesus said, “Repent or perish.” This shouldn't come as anything new to us for Jesus said this in Matthew 7:21. Jesus said, “It’s not everyone who says to me ‘Lord, Lord’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father in heaven.” It is not just enough to say ‘Lord, Lord.’ If you don't do what Jesus said, Jesus said “You're not

going to make it to heaven.” This passage teaches us that it's not okay to leave things out. I got to check carefully and make sure I've done what the Lord says. John 14:15 Jesus said, ‘If you love me keep my commandments.”

We need to make sure though that we don't add to or take away. Here's the major problem. Many times because of what happened in the past or because of what family members have believed, we sometimes change things a little. Let's hear what God said. Revelation 22:18-19 the Scripture says, ‘For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book, if anyone adds to these things God will add to him the plagues are written in this book. And if anyone takes away from the words the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part in the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things that are written in this book.” Is it okay to leave out certain things? No. You cannot have certain things left out. You cannot add things. I've got to do exactly what God says. If I want to be right with God, I can't leave out certain teachings about the gospel and be a true New Testament church.

2 John 9 says “Whoever transgresses and goes beyond the doctrine of Christ, he doesn't even have God as his father.” 1 Corinthians 4:6 we’re told don't go beyond that which is written. God has given us His word. That word is simple to read, Ephesians 3:4. It's meant to say exactly what the words teach. It is not hard. God is not going to try to confuse me.

As I think about problems with the Baptist religion, any group that says you can leave out certain things about the gospel and still be a New Testament church, friend that's just not taught in the Bible. God tells us to search to prove and to do exactly what He says in His word.

In Mark 16:16 Jesus said, “He that believes and is baptized will be saved.” That's a very clear and plain teaching of the Lord in the New Testament. Baptist doctrine teaches quite the opposite of that. Baptist doctrine teaches that baptism is a good command of Christ to follow, but not essential to salvation. The Baptist manual says ‘baptism is not essential to salvation for our churches utterly repudiate the dogma of baptismal regeneration.’ But it is essential to obedience since Christ has commanded it. Listen those words again, ‘Baptism is not essential to salvation,’ that's the standard Baptist manual page 20 and 21 note number eight. Anybody can look and see for themselves. They clearly believe and teach this. What

does the Scripture say? Does the Scripture say baptism is not essential to salvation? Listen to what Jesus said, “He that believes and is baptized will be saved.” To be saved I must, I absolutely must, be immersed in water for the forgiveness of sins.

Now I want you think for just a moment about what Peter said in Acts 2:38. Listen to the words of Peter. Here's the context. Peter for the very first time has stood up with the 11. They have proclaimed Jesus as Lord and Messiah. The people who hear it are cut to the heart. They cried out, “Men and brethren what shall we do?” The answer is clear. Notice Acts 2:38. The Scripture says then Peter said to them, “Repent and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” What did Peter say? Did Peter say you don't have to do anything to be saved? Did Peter say ‘don’t worry about baptism right now, it's not essential’? No! Peter said, “Repent and be baptized.” Why? “For the remission of sins.”

Friend listen carefully. The Scriptures teach that we've all sinned, Romans 3:10. There is none righteous, Romans 3:23 all have sinned. Because of that sin, we've been separated from God. Ezekiel 18:4 “the soul who sins shall die.” I've sinned. You’ve sinned. That sin causes spiritual death. If something's not done, man will be lost due to sin.

If sin is what causes us to be lost, then the point at which sins are forgiven I can know is the exact time when man is saved. “Repent and be baptized for the remission of sins.” God made it clear that baptism is for the removal of sin.

Acts chapter 9 Saul is traveling down the road to Damascus. He's been doing harm to the Lord and harm to His church. Jesus confronts him. “Who are you Lord?” “I'm Jesus whom you're persecuting. Go in to the city to be told you what you must do.” Acts 22 opens up Paul is recounting this vision these events that occurred. The Bible says Ananias comes to him and says ‘Why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized,’ and listen, ‘and wash away your sins calling on the name the Lord.’ Baptism is essential to salvation. We do not believe there is something mystical or magical in the water. The water is just water. It is essential that I do what God said. Colossians 2:12-13 says ‘at the point of baptism the work takes place in the mind of God, who takes a sinner, who's done His will and cleanses him in the blood of Jesus, and places him among the saved.’ The idea baptismal

regeneration that's not what is taught in Scripture, but we do have to be baptized to keep the commands of God. It is simply this, ‘God said it, I do it. I have kept the commands of God.’ It is no different than the believing. It's no different than repenting of sin. It's something I've got a do.

You can't get much clear than the teaching of Peter in 1 Peter 3:21. Listen to the plain language of this verse. The Scripture says, “There is also an anti-type,” listen, “which now saves us, baptism not the removal of the filth of the flesh but the answer of a good conscience toward God through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” Could God have said it any clearer if he wanted to? King James says, “Baptism does now also save us.” If the Bible says ‘baptism now saves us’ then friend how dare anyone say baptism isn't essential to salvation! And yet, that's the very thing that the standard Baptist manual says. The majority of Baptist preacher's will preach and that the those who make up the Baptist religion believe that all you got do to be saved is believe in Jesus and say the sinner’s prayer. Friend that's just not true. The Scriptures teach baptism is absolutely essential unto salvation.

Another doctrine that we must consider about the Baptist religion has to deal with the Lord's Supper. Baptist believe that the Lord's Supper is a command of which the time of the frequency have been completely left up to the Baptist manual. It says ‘as to the time, place, and frequency of the ordinances know scriptural directions are given these are left optional with the churches. They’re usually observed on Sundays, but not necessarily as to the supper. Our churches have very generally come to observe it on the first Sunday of each month.’

Friend understand this command when and understand how God has authorized us to partake of the Lord's Supper. 1 Corinthians 11:21 through the end the chapter teaches us that we're to do this as often as we eat or drink we remember the Lord's death until he comes. We’re to do it in the manner that Jesus set forth as found in Scripture. What is that manner? Acts 20:7 gives us an example of how Christians did that in the first century. Listen to the words of Acts 20:7. The Scripture says, “Now on the first day of the week when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul registered to depart the next day spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.” Now here's an example of Christians partaking of the Lord's Supper, “They came together to do what Jesus said, ‘Eat, drink partake of this until I come,’” 1 Corinthians 11. Matthew 26, Well when did they come together? They came together on the first day of the week. God says the

day first day the week and that's all it says. And thus, every first day of every week that rolls around God expects us to remember the Lord's Supper.

Now think about the Sabbath. Exodus 20:8, God said to the people ‘Remember the Sabbath. Keep it holy.’ They knew every Sabbath that rolled around they were to remember that. Just as God wants remembered weekly in the New Testament. When God said, ‘First day of the week,’ that settles it. Every week has a first day. I'm to remember the Lord's Supper every first day the week. This really isn't hard to understand. Confusion among denominationalism, those who of wrote other ideas and prejudice and bias, have confused it.

I want you to see today that in a similar command men have no problem understanding this. Look in your Bible in 1 Corinthians 16 the Scripture says now concerning the collection for the saints, ‘As I given orders to the churches of Galatia so you must do also,’ listen, ‘on the first day of the week that each one of you lay something aside storing up as he may prosper that there be no collections when I come.’ Anywhere you go in any religious group, they're going to pass the plate every Sunday. Why? The same language that authorizes this and it does, 1 Corinthians 16:2 authorizes the Lord's Supper on the first day the week. How can we can understand on the first day the week lay something by, lay up, and store- and yet we can’t understand on the first day the week we meet together to break bread? Friend there's a big contradiction in that. God intended among His people for them to remember the Lord's Supper every first day of the week. Not just first Sunday of the month, not Christmas and Easter. God told us exactly how to worship Him through the Lord's Supper.

Baptist also believe to become a part of their church you have to be voted in. For example the Baptist manual shockingly said, ‘it is most likely that in the apostolic age when there was but one Lord, one faith, and one baptism and no differing denominations existed. The baptism of a convert by that very act can constitute him to be a member of the church and at once and doubt him with all the rights and privileges of full membership. In that sense baptism was the door into the church. Now it's different and while the churches are desirous of receiving members, they are wary and cautious that they do not receive unworthy person. The churches therefore have candidates come before, them make their statement, give their experience, and then there is reception is designed it decided by vote of

the members and while they cannot become members without baptism,’ listen, ‘yet it is the vote of the body which admits them into the fellowship on receiving baptism.’ I want you to stop thinking about the idea of voting for just a minute. Think about that for statement. ‘It is most likely the case that in the apostolic age in the New Testament when there is only one, Lord one faith, one baptism, and one church. No differing denominations existed.’ Baptism put one into the church. Even the Baptist right there admit that. Friend that's clear teaching. The little words ‘now it's different,’ and I asked why is it different now? Has God changed? No! Malachi 3:6. Has Jesus changed? No Hebrews 13:8. What's changed? The word of God hasn’t. We need to go back to what God says and simply be a New Testament Christian.

Is it okay to vote somebody into the church? Where does the Bible authorize people deciding on someone's membership inside a religious group? Friend you can read your Bible frontward, backward and you'll never find that! Acts 2 when people hear the word when that word pricks their heart, when they repent and are baptized for the remission of their sins the Bible says, “And the Lord added to the church daily those are being saved,” Acts 2:47. Man has no right, no power. How pious and prideful it is when we think we have the right to vote men in or out of the Lord's church! Let's realize you don't vote people in. When people obeyed God's plan of salvation, we need simply just be Christians. Nothing more nothing less and obey the will of God.

Baptist teaching on salvation is also in conflict with the New Testament. The most well-known and respected Baptist preacher Billy Graham will often say that you need to number one admit your sin, that you need to believe in Jesus, that he died for you and be willing to turn your life over to Him, and then throughout this century he has encouraged people through prayer invite Jesus Christ to come in and control your life. Here's that prayer. He often says ‘Dear Lord Jesus I know that I'm a sinner. I need your forgiveness. I believe that you died for my sins. I want to turn from my sin. I now invite you to come into my heart and life, and I want to trust and follow you as Lord and Savior.’ That's often known as the Sinner’s Prayer. Billy Graham has promoted that a long time. You know what is amazing? You cannot find that prayer or any prayer like it anywhere in the New Testament! That's exactly right. You can search from Genesis 1:1 from Matthew 1:1 all the way through Revelation 22:1 and you will never one time not even once find that prayer in the New Testament. Think about this.

If Billy Graham has taught for centuries and multitudes of Baptist preachers have taught to be saved you need to say the sinner’s prayer and it's not even in the Bible, where is the authority for that? You just don't find that in God's word.

What do you find? You find people being told to hear the word, Revelation 2 and 3, Romans 10:17. You find people being encouraged to believe in Jesus, Acts 8:36-39. You find people who are told to repent or turn from sin, Acts 3:19. You find people who are told ‘believe and be baptized to be saved for the remission of sins,’ Acts 2:38, Mark 16:16, 1 Peter3:21. In the Bible there is no sinner’s prayer anywhere in Scripture. Why would you want to put your trust in a made up by men and sinner’s prayer? We must oppose the idea because it's not found in Scripture.

But Baptist also will offer misguided examples of salvation like that of the thief on the cross. For example Baptist believe that the Bible teaches baptism they will say is important, but not necessary for salvation. For example they will say the thief on the cross experience salvation without the necessity of baptism. What about the old thief? Luke 23:39-43 the thief in penitents turned to Jesus and said ‘Lord remember me when you come in your kingdom.’ Jesus to that thief said, ‘This day you will be with me in paradise.’ Now here's how the argument goes, the thief was never baptized and the thief was saved- therefore I don't have to be baptized to be saved. Wait just a minute now! What law was the thief living under what I know according to Hebrews 9:15-17 that a testament is in force after a man is deceased. Was Jesus dead yet? No, Jesus is still alive on the cross. He's not dead yet. His gospel not been preached yet, and so both Jesus and the thief at that moment are under the Old Testament.

Why is the thief not an example of salvation? Number one he was living under a totally different covenant then we are. If anything, he's an example of Old Testament salvation. But you know the major problem with this doctrine- the thief was never baptized? When we find that in Scripture, prove that. How do you know the thief was baptized? John chapter 3, Matthew chapter 3, I believe as well in Luke chapter 3, all Jerusalem, Judea, and all regions roundabout went out to John to be baptized. The fact when someone says ‘the thief was never baptized’ is an absolute assumption that can neither be proven nor disproven. The thief is not a good example of salvation.

Instead you know what we ought to do? We should look to good examples- those who heard God's word, those who believed, those who repented of sin, and those who were immersed into Jesus Christ.

Let's use first century examples. Acts 2 they were told ‘repent and be baptized for the remission of your sins.’

Friend may we oppose that which is ungodly, that which is Baptist doctrine and not teaching of the New Testament, and may we only asked for a ‘Thus saith the Lord.’

May God help us as we strive to do only His will.

Study Questions for: “Answering Denominational Doctrine: Baptist Lesson 2”

1. What great question is asked in Jeremiah 37:17?

2. What does Hebrews 5:8-9 say about Jesus?

3. According to Acts 17:11, what made the Bereans more fair-minded?

4. According to 1 Thessalonians 5:21, what are we to do?

5. What must we do according to 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9?

6. Who will go to heaven according to Matthew 7:21?

7. If we love Jesus, what will we do according to John14:15?

8. What does Revelation 22:18-19 say about adding to or leaving things out of the Gospel?

9. What does 2 John 9 say of someone who goes beyond God’s doctrine?

10. According to 1 Peter 3:21, what is the answer of a good conscience toward God, through Jesus’ resurrection that saves us?

The Scripture says, “As He who called you is holy you also be holy in all your conduct,” 1 Peter 1:14-15.

Did you know that there is something you cannot live without?

In Hebrews 12:14 the Bible says, “Without holiness no one can see God.” Holiness is that key attribute that if it doesn't exist in my life and yours, I'll never be able to be in the presence of Almighty God. And friend, holiness is such an important idea especially in the day and age in which we live. You realize that we live in a time of impurity, immorality, ungodliness, and unholiness. Sin is as commonplace as breathing is to so many people today. This fact alone makes it especially difficult for Christians to win the battle for holiness. It is a battle; it is a fight every day for the child of God to really be holy as God who called us is holy. Today, we want to offer some help from Scripture to help us overcome the battle and win the battle for holiness.

Let's think about today: What is it that will help me to really win the battle for holiness? Let's first realize that we are in a battle for holiness. I'm in a battle right now, and you're in a battle right now. I want you to listen to the words of 2 Corinthians 10 as we think about being in a battle. Paul so beautifully pictures this battle that we're in in the words of 2 Corinthians 10:3-5. The Scripture says, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments, and

every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.”

Here we clearly learn, yes, I'm living a fleshly life, but I'm not fighting a fleshly battle. Our battle is against the spiritual host of wickedness, Ephesians 6:10-18. I've got to be ready to fight the good fight of faith, 1 Timothy 6:12. From which some have strayed in their sinfulness and have suffered shipwreck, 1 Timothy 1:16-18.

In this spiritual battle for holiness, let's realize there is an enemy out there who is striving every day to make our lives impure and unholy. That enemy is none other than Satan himself the serpent in the garden Genesis 3, the Dragon in Revelation 12, the roaring lion looking to cause people to be lost, and the tempter who tempted Job in Job 1 and 2 is the same one who's after me and you today. We mention again the words of Jesus for they give us an ever present reminder of the activeness of Satan. “Simon, Simon,” Jesus said “Satan,” listen to this, “desires to have you that he may sift you as wheat, but I've prayed for you that your faith would not fail,” Luke 22:31. There is an enemy, Satan is what we identify him as the devil in the Bible and he wants me and you to be lost.

In this battle let's also realize in the battle of holiness that with God's help we can and will win the battle. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” With Christ, as a Christian, with God on our side, we can definitely win the battle. He Himself is our Savior and our leader. “He through death overcame him who had the power of death and has released those who all their lifetime were subject to bondage.” Jesus has already defeated Satan. The good news is this: Christ came to this earth, He lived that perfect life Hebrews 4:15, and in His death on the cross He dealt that deathblow to Satan. The battle's already been won. I've just got a stay true to the Lord and be faithful in His army. The Bible teaches with God's help, I don't have to worry about man, what man can do. Hebrews 13:6, “The Lord is my helper. I will not fear. What can man do?” If I stay faithful in this battle, regardless of what external forces may do, God's on my side. I can and will win the battle.

But as we think about this battle that we're in, let's also realize this friend listen very carefully, the stakes in this battle are extremely high. We're not talking about land or power or money or pride or governmental

control that of which many wars are fought over; we're talking about something far greater. The stakes in winning this battle are eternal in their nature. My soul and your soul are on the line in this battle. Do you remember the two questions Jesus asked? Two rhetorical questions that the Lord asked in Mark 8:36-37 Jesus said, “What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”

Right now my soul and your soul is what is up for grabs, is what's on the line, maybe a better wording what's on the line in this battle. Jesus clearly taught us that ‘The righteous will go away into eternal life the unrighteous into eternal condemnation.’ So we're fighting in this battle for our soul. God is on our side. The battle's been won; the enemy is a very militant and aggressive enemy. But we can win the battle if we realize and wake up every day with the mindset ‘I'm in a spiritual battle.’ I will do my best to fight it every day and to live for God.

In this battle let's also realize and understand the dire need that the dire need to live holy lives every day. Do we realize that God Himself is the epitome of holiness? Isaiah 6:3, “Before the throne of God the cherubim cried out ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty.’” That same echo goes forth in Revelation 4:8 where God is seen as the holy one sitting upon the throne. From all ages, God's the epitome of holiness. I've got to live a holy life if I'm going to see God. Without holiness I can't see Him. 1 Peter 1:15 God says this, “Be holy as He who called you is holy.” Quoting from Leviticus 11 verse 44, the command and the edict from the throne of heaven is “Live a holy life.” Again we mention Hebrews 12:14 ‘Without holiness no one can see God.’

Now friend we're not talking about perfection. I understand that we want to strive to live right. We want to strive to do, we want to be what God wants us to be, but all of us from time to time do make mistakes. We do fall short. Yet, we realize we can still be holy through the blood of Christ and through the sacrifice that He makes. ‘As we strive to walk in the light, we have fellowship one with another and the blood of His Son Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin,’ 1 John 1:7-8. So let's do our part every day to strive to live a holy life like God wants us to.

Then part of overcoming the battle of holiness and winning is to recognize some of the challenges we face today to holiness. Friend we're living in a day and age where there's no beating around the bush but to say sometimes it is a real challenge for every child of God to live holy. Do we want to live holy? Sure we do! Are we striving to? Absolutely! But is it a fight and is it a challenge every day? For most, it is indeed a challenge! Although holiness is an achievable task, it is not always easy. It takes diligent work and effort on my part to overcome sin.

And so part of overcoming some of these things is to understand, what are some of the challenges to holiness?

First and foremost in my life and yours, sin is the ultimate challenge to holiness. What is it that separates us from God? Sin, Isaiah 59:1-2. What is it that caused Adam and Eve to fall into death? Sin, Genesis 3:1 following. What is it that causes us to be lost? The wages of sin is death. While there may be a passing pleasure to sin, Hebrews 11:25 that pleasure is passing. In view of what sin does to us, let's realize it is that which we must battle each and every day. The Bible clearly teaches we've got to discipline our body and bring it into subjection every day, 1 Corinthians 9:27.

Secondly, let's realize that the world and worldliness is a real challenge to holiness. Friend if I'm going to be holy, I can't live a holy life and live it up in the world, live a worldly life as well. By worldly we mean those things which are often opposed to God. Listen to James 4:4 James says, “Adulterers and adulteresses,” such strong language, “Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity or division with God? Whoever therefore desires to be a friend of the world makes himself God's enemy.” John said it so clearly in 1 John 2:15-17, “Do not love the world or the things that are in the world for all that is in the world lust of flesh, lust the eyes the pride of life, it's not of the Father but is of the evil one, and the world and all that's in it is passing away, but he does the will of God that's the one who'll abide forever.”

Let's illustrate the world's attachment to some people and how that causes great problems for them. There are some words that are ever going to echo down the halls of hell that are repeated in Luke 17 and found in the book of Genesis. Jesus simply said this, “Remember Lot's wife.” What about Lot's wife? What did she do that's so memorable? Well God is

sending Lot and his family out of the wicked and immoral unholy place of Sodom and Gomorrah, and God sends two Angels, two servants, to lead them out. But here's His command, “When you start to go out of the city, don't look back or you'll turn to a pillar of salt.” Family takes off; they're going down the road. They're out of that horrible city. Lot’s wife has to have just one more look. “Remember Lot’s wife,” there she is a pillar salt.

Luke 15, we think of a man there who had a great crop year in Luke 18 as well. You've got Luke chapter 12 mentioned, Luke 12:15-21, all these people were caught up in various things, but this man is so memorable. Here's a man in Luke 12:15-21, who had a great year as far as his crops went so much so that he tore down his barns and built bigger barns. And he said to his soul, “Soul you've got many goods laid up for many years take it easy.” In essence eat, drink, and be merry was the old philosophy. Do you know what God said to that man? “You fool this night will your soul be required of you, then whose things will these be whom you acquired?” And here's the point, so is he who is rich but not in godliness. What was the problem with that rich fool? He had made preparations, been very successful, been a good planner, and a good businessman for everything except the one most important thing: his soul.

Friend how much time do we spend planning at the job? How much time do we spend planning for school and education? How much time do we spend planning for recreation and all these? Host of a person, may be one of most successful people in all the world, and yet they don't make preparation for their soul. Their life has been lived in ultimate foolishness. Your soul is the most important thing and this world is indeed a challenge to holiness.

Another challenge to holiness that we have today is peer pressure. We live in a world where there a lot of people who not keen on doing the will of God, and who try to pressure us not to as well. The Scripture teaches us do not follow a multitude to do evil. I've got to realize that just because everybody's doing; it doesn't make it necessarily right or wrong. It's only right when God says it, and it's only wrong when God says it. Matthew 7:13-14 teaches us that there are few who are going down the path that leads to Heaven. Don't let peer pressure, don't let friends, don't let associates, and don’t let somebody else pressure you into not doing what God wants you to do.

But you know there's another temptation and that is it is indeed a strong challenge to holiness and that's the lust of the flesh. 1 Corinthians 6 Paul spoke specifically about these lusts of the flesh, and I want you to notice what he said beginning in verse number 9. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 6:9 these words, “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you, but you were washed you were sanctified, you were justified in the name the Lord Jesus, and by the spirit of God.” As you read that list of sins there many of those are directly related to the lust of the flesh.

You know sometimes it's as Paul said, “The very things I want to do those are the things I don't do, and the very things that I don't want to do,” according to Romans 7 Paul said, “those are the very things I do.” Sometimes this old flesh, if we're not careful and if we don't have control over it, can cause us to get caught up in sins that we know are not right. Great men of God throughout time have faced that. Do you think David wanted to sin against God? Do you think he wanted to commit murder and lying and adultery? Not necessarily, but the lust of the flesh took over in his sin with Bathsheba. Friend let's realize Hebrews 13:4 says this, “Marriage is honorable the bed undefiled whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.”

Now let's think about some things we can do that will help us develop a pattern for living lives of holiness each and every day. What can I do in my life and what can you do in your life to help have a daily pattern that will promote holiness in my life and yours?

First let's realize if I want to have a pattern for daily holiness, I need to read my Bible each and every day. Friend we cannot over emphasizes the importance of reading God's word and having a holy life. Acts 17:11 there is the daily emphasis, “These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica in that they searched the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.” “Study to show yourself approved unto God,” 2 Timothy 2:15, give attention to reading 1 Timothy 4:12. Since the Bible is God's message of holiness, since the Bible tells me about God, since the Bible tells me how to live a holy life, and since this book has everything I need, the more I read it the stronger I'm going to grow and the more I let it direct

my life. God's word is truly a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Psalm 119:105 the psalmist said it this way and here's the practical application of what we're talking about, how can the Bible help me to have holiness every day? The psalmist said, “Your word I've hidden in my heart that I might not sin against you.” The more of God's word I can have in my heart and my mind, the more that's going to be a preventative to sin.

Secondly to have a daily pattern for holiness, we need to pray each and every day. The psalmist said in Psalm 86:3, “I cry unto thee daily.” “Jesus arose early went out by Himself to pray departed to a solitary place and went out and prayed,” Mark 1:35. Luke 18:1 teaches us ‘men ought always to pray and never lose heart.’ Don't we realize the power of prayer? James 5:16 says, “The effective fervent prayer of a righteous man overcomes much.” If God's throne is the throne of holiness, then I can approach that throne from which I can receive help to live a holy life. Do you remember Hebrews 4:16? The Bible says, “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace that we might find grace and mercy to help in time of need.”

What can I do to help me live a holy life? Pray every day. In fact Paul said it this way, “Pray without ceasing,” 1 Thessalonians 5:17.

Also to develop that daily pattern of living as God wants us to live, let's also avoid any questionable places. The Bible says in 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21 that we are not to have fellowship with unrighteousness. Ephesians 5:11 and the Scripture teaches us that we are not as Christians we are not to be involved in things that are not right in the sight of God. “Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness.” We are to avoid that which is evil and strive to do what is right in the sight of God.

And so in a world that's filled with immorality, let's be convicted and motivated every day to live a life of holiness. I want to live like Jesus and live the best life possible. John 10:10 Jesus said, “I came that you may have life and that you may have it more abundantly.” What motivates you to live a holy life? By living like Christ, you can live a life of holiness every day. Philippians 2:5, I want to have the mind of Jesus Christ a selfless, sacrificial mind that puts God's will before his. Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” We want to be an example, not an example of unholiness; rather we want to be a godly example to the world. We want people to see

we're trying to walk in the footsteps of Jesus, 1 Peter 2:21 and that we've been with Christ, Acts 4:13.

What motivates us to really live a holy life? The desire to go to heaven more than anything ought to motivate holiness. Do you really want to go to heaven? In this life is that your main goal? Is your soul your most important possession? If so, let that motivate you to live a life of holiness each and every day. You see it is that motivation that Paul often used to really be encouraged to serve God. “I consider the sufferings of this present world not worthy be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

When we get down, when we find discouragement, when life tries to encourage us to live an unholy life, don't lose sight of heaven. ‘If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above where Christ is sitting at the right hand of the throne of God.’ Jesus would say to set your mind on things above not on things of this earth. So that's the encouragement that each of us have in this life to really live as God wants us to live.

Let's seriously think about our lives. Are we really striving to live holy as God wants us to live? Don't forget these two verses they're found in your Bible in Hebrews 12:14, “Pursue peace with all people and holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” 1 Peter 1:15, “As He who called you is holy you also be holy in all your conduct.”

Friend we've thought today about a life of holiness, we thought about things that will encourage us to really live that life as God wants us to live.

Now let's do a little self-examination. 2 Corinthians 13:5 says, “Test yourself to see,” if you're in the faith, “examine yourselves.” Let's look to our own lives and let's be honest for God knows. God knows and sees all things. Let's see are we really living a life of holiness as God wants us to live? Is my life, I'm not talking about when you go to church, when we go to worship, but when I'm out in the world, when I'm with my family, when I'm with my friends, is my life really an example of holiness as God would want it to be? The way I talk, does it represent holiness? Do I speak in such a way that God would be pleased with the way I speak? Or do I sometimes use language that's not appropriate and brings shame to the name of God? My actions, the things that I'm involved in, the relationships that I have, are those pure and holy and right in the sight of God? The way I treat others,

those who are strangers, my friends, my family, does that exhibit the command to love your neighbor as yourself? Are we doing good unto all men, especially those of the household of faith?

Friend as we've said throughout the lesson, there can be no holiness without God and without Christ.

Today our encouragement to you is, if you've never obeyed the gospel you can begin to live a life of holiness by putting on the Lord Jesus Christ in baptism. If you know that Jesus is the Savior of the world you're willing to make a commitment to Christ (John 8:24), to turn from a life of sin (Acts 3:19), and turn to God. If you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and Savior (Acts 8:36-37), would you be baptized to get into Christ? Paul said it this way in Galatians 3:27 “As many of us as were baptized into Christ have clothed ourselves with Christ.”

Have you been clothed with holiness by obeying the gospel and becoming a Christian? And if you are a Christian and things in your life have not been lived right, maybe you know ‘Hey I've done things that are not pleasing to God. I've said things that God wouldn't approve of. Satan has had his way in my life, and I need to be done with that.’ Friend the Bible says if we're willing to confess and repent of those sins and turn back to God, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all iniquity, 1 John 1:7-10.

Whatever the need is today our encouragement is, let's live lives of holiness and win the battle for holiness.

Study Questions for: “Motivational Lesson 12”

1. How are we to conduct ourselves according to 1 Peter 1:14-15?

2. Hebrews 12:14, “Without ________________ no one can see God.”

3. How does 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 describe the battle we are in?

4. According to Luke 22:31, who desired to have Simon? What did Jesus do to help?

5. What 2 questions did Jesus ask in Mark 8:36-37?

6. Isaiah 6:3 tells us God is what?

7. How should we be according to 1 Peter 1:15?

8. What separates us from God according to Isaiah 59:1-2?

9. What does Jesus tell us to remember in Luke 17?

10. Who will not inherit the Kingdom of God according to 1 Corinthians 6:9?

In Spain the name Paco is a very popular male name. It would be like us using the term of the name John, Bill, or Bob. It's probably the most popular boys’ name in Spain. The city of Madrid is one of the major cities in the region of Spain. It has somewhere around 3 1/2 million people in it. It's a major metropolitan area in Spain.

Today I want to tell you a story about a boy named Paco in the city of Madrid. Up until this point, Paco and his father had had a great relationship but on this day something changed. Paco and his father got into a horrible flight, and from that point on they became estranged from one another. They went their separate ways. They didn't speak. They didn't know anything about the others lot. Finally, Paco's father had had enough of that. He wanted his son back, and he wanted to have that relationship again.

There was a problem. In the city of Madrid, with 3 1/2 million people, he didn't know how to contact him. He didn't know how to get a hold of them. He had no way of calling or writing him. That day as a last-ditch drastic effort, he took out an ad in the local paper that said this: “Dear Paco, All is forgiven. I love you. Come home. If you read this, meet me in the Court Square on Saturday at noon.”

Well that Saturday at noon there were 800 Paco's in the Court Sq. in Madrid Spain. Why? They were all seeking forgiveness and reconciliation with their father.

I tell you that story because I believe it represents in some ways the forgiveness and the love that God has toward us. Like the son, all of us

today have made poor choices which have caused us to be estranged from the father. The Bible says, “All have sin and fallen short of the glory of God.” If all have sinned, then I have sinned. I've fallen short of the glory of God and because of that sin at one time all of us have been estranged from God. Isaiah 59:1-2 Isaiah on behalf of God said, ‘Lord's ears not heavy that he cannot hear, his arms not shortened that he cannot save,’ what's the problem? ‘Your sins, my sins, our iniquities have separated us the holy God.’

Like the young man in the story, we've all been estranged from the Father. Ezekiel 18:4 says ‘the soul who sins shall surely die.’ Like the father in the story, God has expressed His love and His desire to forgive. “God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes should not perish but have everlasting life,” John 3:16. Not only has God expressed that God, like the father, has put it in print- this message is God's message of hope and forgiveness and reconciliation. “God wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”

When we think about our God, He is alive, and as we think about what that means and who God is- I want to impress on our minds today that God is a God of forgiveness. Does God want us to go to hell? Absolutely not! “God wants all men to be saved.” There may be people who make bad choices, but it's not because God wants it. “God wants all men to be saved.”

The God of the Bible is a God of forgiveness. I hope the forgiveness of God encourages me and encourages you to live more faithful to God every day. Did God have to grant forgiveness? Absolutely not! If we got what we deserved, we would all go to hell and be lost forever.

Today we want to think about the forgiveness of our God. Let's realize, first of all, that the God of the Bible is ready to forgive. Open your Bible with me to Psalm 86:5. Look at the readiness of God to forgive. The Scripture says, “For you Lord are good and ready to forgive and abundant and mercy toward all those who call on you.” How does God stand? God stands with His arms out ready to forgive. Am I always ready to forgive and are you always ready to forgive? Sometimes we might want to put off forgiveness until that person does something where we feel like I'm ready to forgive. Not God. God stands ready to forgive. That's the kind of God whom we serve. Psalm 85:2, “You have covered all our iniquity. You have

forgiven our sins,” the psalmist said. I love the beautiful words of Psalm 103:10-12. I think you'd be hard-pressed to find more beautiful passage on forgiveness than this. The Bible says in Psalm 103:10 “The Lord has not dealt with us according to our iniquities nor punished us according to our sins. As far as the east is from the west so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As high as the heavens are above the earth so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him.” Did you hear what David said? ‘God has not dealt with us according to our sins.’ If we got what we deserved, we would be lost forever.

That's not the kind of God that you read about the Bible. He's ready to forgive when we're ready to make that step. If God made a mark every time we sinned, who could stand? The answer is no one. There's forgiveness with God that He may be feared. Our God stands ready to forgive.

Now when I think about God, not only is He ready to forgive- God wants to forgive. He's not holding any grudges. He's not got anything that's keeping them from forgiving. God wants to forgive our sins. Turn to Jeremiah 31:34. I want you to notice what Jeremiah said about the new covenant in the long-ago. Prophetically Jeremiah said, “No more shall every man teach his neighbor and every man his brother saying ‘know the Lord’ for they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest of them says the Lord. I will forgive their iniquity and their sin I will remember no more.’” How do I know God's ready to forgive? God says, ‘When I forgive, I forget. I'll remember it no more.’ I think of a great example David said Psalm 51:2, ‘Wash me that I may be clean.’ That's the image that we see in the forgiveness of God. God is ready. Isaiah 1:18, He wants to forgive. “Though your sins be as scarlet,” God said, “I'll make them white as snow.” God wants to completely forgive our sin.

As I think of God as a God of forgiveness, I believe it's God's long-suffering that shows to each of us He is a forgiving God. How many times in my life and yours can we count where we can say ‘Thank God that I was given more time. Thank God in this situation my life was spared,’ Friend that's the long-suffering nature of God. In the long-ago in Numbers 14:18 Moses wrote ‘you are long-suffering and abundant in mercy forgiving the iniquity and transgression of your people.’ God was surely long-suffering with Israel. He gave chance after chance for them to get right with Him.

Friend that's just as true for me as it is for you. Look in 2 Peter 3:9. I want you to see the beauty of God's forgiveness. The Scripture says, “The Lord is not slow or slack concerning His promises as some men count slackness or slowness. He is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” When I think of God, who is ready to forgive, you can't help but see is long-suffering nature. Again, think in your own life. Are there times when you can look back and say thank God that you were given more time? Christianity is about second chances. ‘If anyone's in Christ, he's a new creation. All things have passed away. Behold all has become new.’ When I became a Christian, God gave me a second chance. As I repent, as I try to walk in the light, God continually does that.

As I think about the nature of God that encourages me so much. God is ready to forgive each one of us. He's long-suffering and ready to forgive. That's clearly seen in the sacrifice of His Son. How do I know God's a forgiving God? Because of the extent that He went to trying to make that forgiveness possible. The God of heaven wanted to forgive me and you so much so that He sacrificed His own Son- the one who had been with Him from eternity, John 17:2. He gave Him up for me and you, John 3:16. 1 Peter 2:24 tells us “He, himself, bore our sins in His own body upon the tree that we having died to sin might live for righteous.” 2 Corinthians 5:21 says ‘God made Christ, who knew no sin, to be sin on our behalf that we might be His children.’

One of the most beautiful passages that I'd like for you to open your Bible to is Romans 5:6-8. The Bible says, “For when we were still without strength in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man one dies yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die but God demonstrates his own love toward us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Look at what Jesus did! He lived a perfect life, went around healing the sick, feeding the poor, spreading the message of hope and peace and love, and yet ultimately dying on a cruel cross. Why? God is a forgiving God. More than anything God wants to forgive us and to have up a place of hope and rest with Him forever.

Take your mind back to 2 Samuel 11 and 12. King David was a man after God's own heart. He was a great King and great worker in the kingdom of God at that time. He fell into a trap. At the time when the king

was out to war, he found himself up on the rooftop. As he looked, he saw a beautiful woman by the name of Bathsheba bathing. He desired to have her. He lusted after in his heart so much so that he was willing to be an accessory to murder. He lied. He cheated and stole to get this woman. He had adultery with her. How did God feel about that? It broke God's heart. God didn't want him to do that. When Nathan came to him and said ‘you are the man.’ He was willing to say ‘I have sinned.’ What did God do? Psalm 51 ‘God completely cleansed and washed me thoroughly.’ Friend from that example I learned a real-life lesson for people who fall into sin- there isn’t a sin so bad that you can't be forgiven and can't find hope.

Think with me about a man by the name of Peter. He was impetuous. He was often impulsive. He said things sometimes before he thought. In the New Testament Jesus said to Peter, ‘Before the rooster crows you will deny me this night.’ What happened when that rooster crow that final time? Peter cursed and swore that he didn't know Jesus. Can you imagine that walking with the Savior of the miracles like he did first hand and then being a coward and fleeing? How did Jesus feel about that? Jesus said to Peter, ‘Peter do you love me?’ Every time Peter said, ‘You know I do Lord.’ Jesus there confirmed to Peter that he had been forgiven and had been restored. Now if Peter, who personally denied the Lord in His hour of need, can be forgiven- friend there's no sin so bad that I can't be forgiven also.

Think about Simon. Simon obeys the gospel. In his past life he's been up a magician, a trickster we might say. He obeys the gospel, but then he sees that miracle. He says to the apostles, ‘I’ll give you money for that.’ Peter said to him, ‘Your heart is not right with God.’ Simon said when they confronted him with sin ‘pray for me that none of the things you spoken will fall upon me.’ They were willing to do that. Simon, who was still wet from the waters of baptism, received forgiveness of sin when he did the right thing.

As we think about God's forgiveness, make this is practical and as personal as possible, let's realize that sometimes I think if we’re not careful, we can take God's forgiveness for granted. By that I mean we don't really think about and understand just how much it costs God to make this forgiveness possible. You can be immersed in water and become a child of God. That's wonderful and true, but do you stop and think about the depths God had to go to make that possible? Think about that for just a moment. When I think about the high cost of sin, do you realize that forgiveness

demanded that Jesus leave heaven?

Open your Bible to 2 Corinthians 8:9. The Scripture says, “For you know the grace the gift of our Lord Jesus Christ that though He was rich yet for your sakes he became poor that we through his poverty might be made rich.” Think about all that said in that one verse. ‘The gift of our Lord Jesus.’ What is that gift? ‘Though He was rich in heaven yet for your sakes He became poor.’ The psalmist said, “Out of the ivory palace.” Friend that's exactly what Jesus did. Jesus left the very place I'm fighting to go to every day. Jesus left that. Why? So that I through His poverty, I might be made rich. Jesus gave up heaven. Stop and think about that the cost of forgiveness. Jesus left the very place we're trying to go and came to this earth to suffer and die- so that we can go to heaven. It didn't stop there. Not only did Jesus have to leave heaven to make salvation forgiveness possible, he had lived a perfect life. Friend, again, this is one those things it's hard to imagine. Can you imagine never ever making a mistake? Never say anything mean or never committing any action that was incorrect? Jesus lived a perfect life, so that I can have the hope of heaven. Was He tempted? You bet He was! Matthew chapter 4 Satan throws everything at Him, and yet Jesus still said to Satan ‘Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ Jesus went through this life and committed no sin ‘nor was guile or deceit found in His mouth,’ 1 Peter 2:21-22. ‘He was tempted in all points as we are yet without sin Hebrews 4:15. He committed no sin the Bible says 2 Corinthians 5:21. He left heaven came to this earth and lived that perfect life. The Old Testament and New demanded that the sacrifice be without spot or blemish, 1 Peter 2:20-22. On top of that, Jesus suffered a horrible death for me and you.

Friend when I think about the forgiveness of God, think about just a moment what Jesus had to endure to make that possible. Here's the high cost- Jesus came to this earth and for the most part how was he treated? Man laughed at Him. They mocked Him. They said ‘He is the prince of the devil's, Beelzebub.’ They spit on Him. They twisted a crown of thorns, and they placed that on the Savior's head. They beat Him with the rod. They brought a whip across His back multiple times, and ultimately they took Jesus to Golgotha. They nailed His hands and feet to a wooden Roman cross. For every breath Jesus struggled in agony.

Why did He do that? That's how bad and that's how much our God is

a forgiving God. He did that for me and he did that for you so that I can have the home of heaven.

I’m thankful to God that Jesus’ sacrifice was sufficient. You read in Hebrews 10:3-4 that ‘the blood of bulls and goats could never take away sin.’ All that multitude of sacrifices that were made in the Old Testament could never take away sin. We know that a sacrifice is necessary for Hebrews 9:22 says ‘without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin.’ Open your Bible to Hebrews 10:12. I want you to see the nature of the sacrifice that Jesus made. The Scripture says of Christ ‘but this man after he'd offered one sacrifice for sins forever sat down at the right hand of God.’ No more multitudes of sacrifices. No more sacrifices that could never really take away sin. Jesus said in Matthew 26:28, as He instituted the Lord's Supper, “This is my blood which was shed for many for the forgiveness of sin.” That one sacrifice met God's requirements. The cost was high, but friend the value cannot be underestimated.

We ask today, have you been forgiven? If you're not a child of God ask yourself, where do I stand when it relates to my sin?

The Bible says all have sinned and will suffer the consequences. Romans 6:23 the wages of sin is death. If you've never obeyed the gospel, friend, we want you to know more than anything that God does love you. God has made way possible for you to be reunited. Have you heard God's word? Romans 10:17 says, “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” This message is the greatest message of forgiveness you'll ever read in your life. You have to do more than hear it. You have to believe it. Are you willing to believe that Jesus is the Son of God? Jesus said in John 8:24, “Unless you believe that I'm he, I'm the only way to salvation, you will surely die in your sins.” Having believed that message, would you be willing to change? The Bible teaches us to be forgiven you have to turn from sin. Acts 3:19 the Scripture says, “Repent and turn again that your sins may be blotted out.” Jesus said in Luke 13:3, “Unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” Having repented, would you make that great confession? “I believe Jesus is the Christ the Son of the living God,” Matthew 10:32 and Acts 8:36-39.

Jesus said, “He that believes and is baptized will be saved.” That's clear and simple. Peter said the same thing Acts 2:38. Peter said, “Repent and be baptized.” Why? “For the remission of sins.” Acts 22:16 Paul

recounts his own conversion where Ananias came to him and said ‘Saul, Saul arise and be baptized and wash away your sins calling on the name the Lord.’

God stands ready to forgive. More than anything, right now, if you're in sin and you've not made right with God- I can promise you that's what God desires the most.

If you're not a member of the Lord's church, become a Christian today. If as a child of God, maybe you've made the decisions that you know are not right. Maybe you have said or done things you know that are not Godly. We all do from time to time.

Sin doesn't end when we obey the gospel. We're cured by the blood of Jesus in the sense that it's been dealt with then and there- but when I find sin in my life, I still have got to make changes. I still got to get right with God.

We're begging you; won't you make it right with God? Won't you, for the love of your soul, make that right before it's too late?

Study Questions for:

“Nature of God: Lesson 1”

1. Ezekiel 18:4 says what about the soul that sins?

2. According to John 3:16, why did God give His son?

3. How many people does God want to be saved?

4. What does Psalm 86:5 tell us about God?

5. According to Psalm 85:2, what has God done?

6. How is God’s forgiveness described in Psalm 103:10-12?

7. According to Jeremiah 31:34, does God forgive AND forget?

8. What is he asking God to do in Psalm 51:2?

9. What are our sins compared to in Isaiah 1:18?

10. What is said of God’s forgiveness in Numbers 14:18?

And now, Ben Bailey.

The word of God says, "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. Old things are passed away. Behold, all has become new," 2 Corinthians 5:17.

We welcome you today to our study of the benefits of being in Christ. Today, we're going to talk about why does a person want to make sure that he's in Christ and that he's a child of God, and we hope that this encouragement will motivate all of us to make sure we're right on the side of God.

In Ephesians 1:3, the Bible says that, "Every spiritual blessing is ours in Christ Jesus." What a joy and a privilege it is for the child of God to be in Christ. We're going to think about- what are the benefits, why is it such a wonderful thing to make sure that a person is actually in Christ, and what does it mean to really be in Christ?

The first benefit of being in Christ is that that's where redemption is found. As we think about the idea of redemption, we're talking about being bought back, the idea of redeemed is to be bought back. Paul mentions this beautiful idea of redemption in Romans 3. I want you to listen to verse number 24. The Scripture says, "Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." Redemption carries the idea of being bought back or bought from sin, bought back to God by the blood of Jesus. How wonderful it is to be redeemed! Colossians 1:14, "In whom we have redemption in His blood, the forgiveness of sins." Christians often sing

this song, "I'm redeemed," and what a beautiful idea that is, but to do that, we've really got to be in Christ. You see, Jesus gave His life as a ransom to buy us back to God. We're ransomed in Christ, Galatians 1:4 following. Revelation 5, you see that scene where John begins to weep because there's no one there to open the seals, to unleash the wrath of God to save mankind, and then forward steps that lamb who is slain from the foundation of the world. He’s able to open the seals. He's able to save man from sin and to give salvation because God wants all to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth. The price that was ultimately paid to buy us back to God was with the life of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

I want you to hear the words of Galatians 1 as it relates to this idea as Paul speaks about man being ransomed by the blood of Christ and by the great sacrifice that he made. Galatians 1:4 the Scripture records these words, "Of Jesus Christ who gave Himself for our sins that He might deliver us from this present evil age according to the will of our God and Father." There's the idea of freely giving to buy us back to God. Titus 2:14, He has purchased for himself his own special people, zealous for good works. Being in Christ means that I'm redeemed. The price has been paid for my sin. By the blood of Jesus, I'm now bought back to God, and I am, indeed, a child of the Almighty.

What's another wonderful benefit of being in Christ? Friend, in Christ, there's no condemnation. Romans 8:1 says it this way, "Therefore, there is now no condemnation to those who are in Christ." We talk about condemnation, we're emphasizing, and the Bible is emphasizing the idea that when God separates the righteous from the wicked, there will be a pronouncement of condemnation. Jesus will say to some, "Depart from me. You workers of iniquity, I never knew you." We read of that in Matthews 25, and for the unbelieving, there's definitely a condemnation. Jesus said, "He who believes and is baptized will be saved. He who does not believe shall be condemned." There's the condemnation. Christ is coming in judgment one day to reap that judgment on those who do not obey God and all those who do not obey the Gospel of Christ; these shall be punished with every lasting destruction from the presence of the Lord. Revelation 21:8, the liars, the cowards, the ungodly, the immoral will be cast in the lake of fire. There'll be weeping and gnashing of teeth. When we think about no condemnation, we have to emphasize as well, there's going to be a day of condemnation, but because of Christ, He's overcome sin. We can overcome through him.

Revelation 3:21 clearly says, "We can overcome through Christ," and the good news is if I'm in Christ, I won't have to hear those words, ‘Depart from me. You worker of iniquity.’ This is the promise He's promised those who are in Christ, eternal life, 1 John 2:5. "God who cannot lie promised before time that man would be saved,” Titus 1:2. I'm living with that hope in my life every day, and so are you that on the Day of Judgment, instead of hearing those words ‘depart from me,’ if I'm in Christ, here's the alternative. "Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joys of your Lord."

Thirdly, if I'm in Christ, I have triumph or victory in Christ. I want you to notice the words of 2 Corinthians 2:14 as it relates to this idea. The Apostle Paul here says in verse number 14, "Now, thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ and through us, diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place as Christians were led in triumph. " Where? ‘In Christ.’ You see, for there to be a victory, there's got to be a battle. For there to be a triumph, there has to be something to triumph over, and Christians are, indeed, in a battle. Since the days of Genesis 3, there's been a battle for man's eternal soul when that serpent slithered in and tempted Adam and Eve, and he's been aggressively trying to tempt men ever since, 1 Peter 5:8. The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 that, "We do not wage a fleshly battle. The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds and arguments and casting down every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God."

I'm in a spiritual battle right now. I've got to contend earnestly for the faith, Jude verse 3. I've got to prepare for that battle. I've been given everything possible to prepare. As Ephesians 6:10-17 teaches we have the whole armor of God. We've got the captain, perfect captain of our salvation. If we follow that plan, Christ will save us. Friend, I've got to follow Christ and be in Him if I'm going to be victorious. Now, do we know that's going to happen? Absolutely, it can happen in my life and yours. Paul's life illustrates that. Paul says this in 2 Timothy 4:6, "I’ve fought the good fight. I’ve finished the race. I've kept the faith. In the future, henceforth, there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness for those who love the Lord, and look forward to His coming and it’s not for me only but for all those who look forward to His appearing.”

Friend, the good news is if I'm a child of God, if I walk in the light and I am truly in Christ, on that day, there will be victory.1 Corinthians 15:57 says it this way, "Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our

lord Jesus Christ.” We can hear our name called. We can know that we're right in the side of God, and we can be on the winning side when the battle does finally come to an end. You see, Hebrews 2:14 teaches the battle's already been decided. The winner's already been decided. Through God, through Christ, we can be victorious. ‘He, through death, Jesus, through death, overcame him who had the power of death and released those who, all their lifetime, were subject to bondage.’ Jesus has already won. I need to make sure I'm in Christ, and I am, indeed, on the winning side.

Now, let's talk about another aspect of being in Christ, and this is the one that we opened with. A wonderful aspect of being in Christ is I get a second chance.

Friend, you ever wish you had a second chance on some things? You ever said or done or acted in a certain way and you say to yourself, "I really like to have that to do over. I need to do over. I'd like to restart, get a second chance." Listen again to 2 Corinthians 5:17. "If," here's the condition, "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. Old things are passed away. Behold, all has become new." Where's the joy in being in Christ? I get a do over. I get a second chance. I get to take the eraser and clean the board and start over. What a wonderful idea that is. Before Christ, we were dead in sin. Ephesians 2:5, "And you, he made alive, who were dead in sins and trespasses." That's talking about all of us. All have sinned and fallen short the glory of God, Romans 3:23. "The wages of that sin is death," Romans 6:23. Paul says, "Thanks be to God that though you were the slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered." Before Christ, we were dead in sin, but as new creatures, we now have a new life and a new focus. Romans 6:4, "We've been raised out of the watery grave of baptism to walk in newness of life." I get a second chance to be faithful to God. “Be faithful until death,” Revelation 2:10. "I'll give you the crown of life." Paul said it in 1 Corinthians 15:58, we're to, "be steadfast, immovable, and always abounding in the work of the Lord knowing that our labor is not in vain."

Of all the things in this life, all the mistakes I've made, all the things that I've said that are wrong and you've said that are wrong, the things that we've done that are contrary to the will of God, where's the beauty of being in Christ? Every one of those. Paul said it this way. 2 Corinthians 5:17, "If anyone's in Christ, old things are passed away." All that's been put behind us, Paul said, "Forgetting those things which are behind, pressing forward

to those things which are ahead," Philippians 3:10-12.God said, "I'll be merciful of their sins, their lawless deeds I’ll remember no more," Hebrews 8:12.

There's another idea that's so wonderful about the benefits of being in Christ, and it's this. The Bible says, "Every spiritual blessing is in Christ," Ephesians 1:3. We can innumerate a host of those. For example, we have the privilege now of being God's children. 1 John 3:1, the Bible says, "Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us that we can be called children of God.” I have the privilege of doing just like Jesus said. I can look up in Heaven and say, "Our Father who art in Heaven," Matthew 6:9. I can know that God, as loving Father, cares deeply for me. Cast all your cares upon him. He cares for you, 1 Peter 5:7.

Part of that spiritual blessing not only means I have the privilege of being a child of God, but I have part of that inheritance of God, that Heavenly inheritance can be mine. How did Paul look at his true citizenship? In Philippians 3:21, the Apostle Paul said, "Our citizenship is in Heaven from which we eagerly wait for the Lord Jesus who will transform our lowly body into his glorious body." One day, I can hear the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant," and I can enter in to that glorious home in Heaven. What a great spiritual blessing that, indeed, is.

Now friend, let me offer such an encouraging one to us today as it relates to being in Christ. Here's a very encouraging one. Every child of God who has died faithfully in the Lord will rise and meet the Lord in the air. The dead in Christ will be with the Lord and we can be reunited with them. Listen to Revelation 14:13. The Bible says, "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord." That's the idea of being in Christ. "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.’Yes,' says the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors and their works do follow them." 1 Thessalonians 4:16 says that, "We will not precede them. Rather, if we're alive and remain, we'll be caught up together with them in the air to meet the Lord in the clouds, and thus, we shall always be with the Lord." They're going to be with the Lord. We're going to be with the Lord. The dead in Christ will rise first, and what a joy that will be! My loved ones and your loved ones who've passed on, God's going to take care of them. We can be reunited. They have that joy and hope of being with the Lord in Heaven forever.

As we think about the idea of putting God first and making sure that we're right, friend, what a joy that is for every child of God!

There's another idea that is as important as it relates to being in Christ, and it's this: One of the great principles of the Bible that we find is that grace is found in Christ. I want you to notice with me, Titus 2:11, we talk about the grace of God that saves, Ephesians 2:8-9, and how true that is, but where's grace found at? Listen to Titus 2:11. The Bible teaches, "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all man." Grace has appeared, it's here, well, where is it at? John 1:17, "The law came through Moses," listen to this now, “but grace and truth are in Christ." Where's grace? In Christ.2 Timothy 2:10 says salvation is also in Christ. That grace that saves that grace that brings God's favor toward us is only found in the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

As we think today about every spiritual blessing being in Christ, friend, we also have to think about and ask the question to ourselves. Am I in Christ?

Friend, let's think about what the Bible says one's got to do to be in Christ. Here's what the Bible does not say. The Bible does not say that you believe only and you're in Christ. The Bible does not say that you say the sinner's prayer and you get in Christ. The Bible doesn't say you lay your hand on the TV and you'll get it. No, that's not what it says. How does the Bible say one gets in Christ?

Remember, again, why this is important. Every spiritual blessing's in Christ, Ephesians 1:3. Salvation is in Christ, 2 Timothy 2:10. How does man who is lost in sin get in Christ? Well, let's open our Bible and let's see for ourselves how the Bible says we get in Christ.

The Bible makes it abundantly clear that we get into Christ by being baptized into Christ. It's God that saves. It's Christ that saves. It's God's grace that saves.

What requirement does God give to get into Christ? Notice for yourself Galatians 3:27. Paul says, "For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ." Question. How does the Bible say, according to Galatians 3:27, how does a Bible say a person gets into Christ? “As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourself with Christ.” 1 Corinthians 12:13, ‘by one spirit, we're baptized into the one

body.’ We get into Christ by being baptized into his body, baptized into His death and His sacrifice.

Now, friend, I understand that there's a lot of confusion, that there's a whole lot of people who teach a whole lot of various ideas about salvation and how to be saved and how to get into Christ. Here's what we want to ask you to think about. As we think about the benefits of being in Christ and how important that is, let's just think, what does the Bible say, what does God's word actually say a person has to do to be saved and to get into Christ? Not what's popular, not what are men teaching, what does God say?

The Bible says, first of all, you've got to hear the word of God. Romans 10:17 says, "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Now, why is hearing the word of God so important? It's the only way you get faith, right? Faith comes by hearing, hearing by the word of God. Hebrews 11:6 says, "Without faith, it's impossible to please God." If it's impossible to please God without faith, whatever way I get faith is essential, right? Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. I've got to hear the message of salvation. “Today, if you will hear his voice, do not harden your hearts,” the Psalmist said in Psalm 95:7. "He who has ears to hear," Jesus said, "let him hear," Revelation 2 and 3. Are we willing to listen to the message of salvation to study our Bible and see if what we're being told is true? Once I've heard the word of God, the Bible then teaches that I must believe Jesus is the Son of God.

I want you to think about the example of the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8. Here, Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch are traveling down the road. He's in the chariot teaching the Gospel. He's been talking to him about Christ, telling him about the Scriptures, about the Messiah. In the distance, this Ethiopian eunuch sees water, and here's what he says, "See. Here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?" Do you remember the hindrance? “If you believe with all your heart, you may,” Acts 8:35-38. To be saved, a person must believe Jesus is the Son of God. He's the Savior of the world. You shall call His name Jesus. He'll save His people from their sins, and that without Him, there's no hope. Jesus said, "I'm the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father except by me." There's no other name you can be saved by. Acts 4:12, "Nor is there salvation in any other where there's no other name under Heaven given among men by which we must be saved," and so once I hear the word, I must believe in

Jesus as the Son of God. Then, I must be willing to repent of sin in my life. The Great Day of Pentecost, when they cried out, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" The answer was repent and be baptized, Acts 2:38. Jesus taught the essentiality of it when He said, "Unless you repent, you'll all, likewise, perish," Luke 13:3.

What is repentance? It's a turning, a turning from sin and turning to God. It's a changed way of thinking that leads to a changed way of acting. Acts 3:19, Peter preached, "Repent and turn that your sins may be blotted out, that seasons of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord." God has commanded that all men everywhere must repent, Acts 17:30 and 31. Once I've heard the message, I have believed Jesus is the Son of God. I am willing to repent and turn to God. I also must confess Christ as Lord and Savior. Here's what Jesus said. In Matthew 10:32-33, Jesus said, "If you won't confess me before men, neither will I confess you before the Father who is in Heaven, but if you will confess me before men, I'll also confess you before my father who is in Heaven." We need to do just like the Ethiopian eunuch was told. If you believe with all your heart, you may. He said, "I believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God." Romans 10:10, “With the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation.”

Then, friend, the Bible teaches that for a person to get into Christ, for a person to be saved, the Bible says he must be baptized.

I know there are a lot of folks who say baptism's not essential, and friend, don't misunderstand me. It's God who saves. It's the blood of Jesus that saves. It's the sacrifice of Christ, no doubt, that saves. But does the Bible say one must be baptized to access the death of Christ? Romans 6:3-4 says, "As many of you as were baptized into Christ ... " there's that word again, "As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourself with Christ," or baptized into his death. We're baptized into the death, the sacrifice, and the blood of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. This is why Jesus said, "He that believes and is baptized will be saved."

Friend, did Jesus say in your Bible and mine, did Jesus say baptism's essential to salvation? John 3:5, He absolutely did! Jesus said, "Unless a man is born of water and the spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God." What were people told to do in the New Testament when they asked what they had to do to be saved? Acts 2 was that exact question, "Men and

brethren, what shall we do?" Acts 2:37. They were cut to the heart and they asked that question. Peter said, "You need to repent and be baptized, every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins."

Baptism is for the remission of sins. Think about the Apostle Paul. In Acts 9, he is told by the Lord, "You go into the city, it'll be told you what you must do." Must to do to what? Be saved. He goes in the city, and Ananias comes to him. "Why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized and wash away your sins calling on the name of the Lord," Acts 22:16.

Friend, I want you to listen carefully to this one. God could not make it any clearer if he wanted to. Sometimes, people say to me, "Oh, the Bible never says you got to be baptized to be saved." Friend, it explicitly does.

1 Peter 3:21 listen to these words, “Baptism does now also save us.” If God's word says, "Baptism saves," then friend, that's essential, and man cannot be saved until he obeys what God says.

We're begging, we're pleading with you today to become a Christian. We hope you'll be encouraged by the benefits we have of being in Christ, and we hope that every one of us will strive to live in such a way that our life brings honor and glory to the ultimate King of kings and Lord of lords, Jesus Christ.

Study Questions for: “Great Bible Lessons: Lesson 4”

1. What does 2 Corinthians 5:17 say about being in Christ?

2. According to Ephesians 1:3, where are spiritual blessings found?

3. According to Romans 3:24, how are we justified?

4. In Revelation 5, who was worthy enough?

5. According to Galatians 1:4, who gave himself for our sins? Why?

6. What does Romans 8:1 say of people who are in Christ?

7. According to Revelation 3:21, how can we overcome?

8. According to 2 Corinthians 2:14, what do we have triumph and victory over?

9. According to 1 Corinthians 15:58, what are we to always be?

10. What does 1 Peter 3:21 tell us saves us?

“Fundamentals of the Faith: Bible”

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable,” 2 Timothy 3:16.

Welcome to our study of fundamentals of the faith. Of all the lessons we can think about that are extremely important and play a fundamental role in the Christian’s faith, the Bible's inspiration is at the top of that list. My understanding that this book is from God, is so critical to having the type of faith that pleases God and that brings honor to Him every day.

As we think about Bible inspiration, the Bible does claim it is from God. The apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 14:37, “If any man thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual,” Paul said, “Let him acknowledge the things which I write to you, they are the commandments of God.” Paul's writing, John's writing, Mark’s writing, James’ writing, the Bible as a whole, whose book is it? The Bible teaches it is from God.

Throughout history great men of renown have shown the importance of the Bible with their words and their actions and even some of their statements. I just want to mention a few of these, to show you that throughout history, the Bible has been so important to the world. For example, Napoleon, great conqueror, said this, ‘The Bible is no mere book but a living creature with a power that conquers all that oppose it.’ What a great statement about the all-encompassing power of God's word from a conqueror himself. Then we think about W. H. Stewart, who made this statement, he said, ‘The whole hope of human progress is suspended on the ever-growing influence of the Bible.’ When we think about progress today and so many focuses on science and technology and that being the progress and medically, that’s going to lead us in the right direction. Mr. Stewart was right; our progress depends on our ever-growing knowledge and influence of the word of God. And I think of the statement of Sir Isaac Newton who said this, ‘There are more sure marks of authenticity in the Bible then in any profane history.’ Is the Bible authentic? Is it from God? Can I put my hope and trust in the word of God and really live as God wants me to live every day? Can I be sure this is the right way? This is what George Washington said, “It’s impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible.” The only way our nation can think succeed is if we truly are one nation under God and based on the Bible. Daniel Webster, a noted dictionary writer, said, ‘I've read it through many times, and I pity the man who cannot find in it a rich supply of thoughts, rule, and conduct.’ It was that general in the Civil War, who made one the great statements, Robert E Lee said this, ‘In all my perplexities and the

stresses, the Bible has never failed to give me light and strength.’ I understand as well as you, those are human statements, those are not from God. It shows throughout history, even American history, world history, the important role God's word has played.

Let’s now direct our attention, in this study on fundamentals of the faith, let's think about: is this book, does it claim, to be the word of God? Many people just think of the Bible as a good book of moral or religious suggestions. Are there good moral stories here, a lot of religious suggestions? Yes. But, is it really the word of God? Many people stop short at that. Evolution and humanism, which are being taught so much today in our schools, through our media, on TV programs that you hear, they cause people to wonder: is the Bible really from God? The Bible doesn't teach that, here's what science says. So, it pits God against man's scientific ideas. Which is true? Is the Bible really inspired? There is so much religious skepticism that creates confusion today. Some believe this, some believe that. There are a whole host of ideas, and there's a lot of confusion in the religious world. Is the Bible really true, with all this confusion? I'll assure you, God's not the author of confusion, 1 Corinthians 14: 37-40. Then, if the Bible is not inspired realize this everything that I doing you do as a Christian is in vain. This is how critical it is, if this book is not from God, I may as well close it, put it in the back shelf, and go live and do as I want to do. If it's not from God, everything we’re doing is pretty much in vain. So, this is an extremely important subject, as we think about our faith and the fundamental of what we really believe about God and about Christianity.

Let's now direct our attention to several passages in Scripture that do teach this book is from God. I want to direct your attention to 2 Timothy chapter 3. I want you notice what the Bible says in verses 16 and 17 about the inspiration of the Bible that we hold in our hands and that we draw near to our heart. Paul writes to the young evangelist Timothy, as he encourages him to do the work of God in Ephesus, he says, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness that the man of God may be complete thoroughly equipped for every good work.” What does 2 Timothy 3:16-17 teach us about inspiration? It teaches us the completeness of inspiration.

How much Scripture is inspired of God? All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21, every verse is inspired by Almighty God and is the product of his breath. What do we mean when we say inspiration then? I understand all of it is. But what is inspiration? Are we saying that the Bible is inspired like Shakespeare was inspired to write a play? No, that’s not the idea. When we say inspired, the literal Greek word means God breathed out. Theopneustos, God exhaled and on his breath that came out of his mouth, was the word of God. And so, we’re talking about the literal breath of God, God's breath, the Holy Spirit being the part that brought that to men and women today being the force that gave us the Bible. David said in 2 Samuel 23:2, “His word was on my tongue.” That’s what we’re talking about. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable and it makes one complete thoroughly equipped for every good work. We see the scope of inspiration being all the Bible. We see the force behind it being God. The Bible being inspired is complete. It’s

everything I need to get to heaven. You know what is great about the Bible? This book has everything you and I need, everything we need, to please God and get to heaven. Do you believe that? 2 Peter 1:3, “All Scripture not only is given by inspiration of God,” but Peter said, “that it within the pages of the Bible we have everything God is given to us everything for life and godliness through the knowledge of him who called us.” I’ve got everything I need to please God and get to heaven.

Then I want to mention to you another passage that teaches the Bible is indeed inspired. I want you look in 1 Corinthians chapter 2. I want you notice verse number 13, this is a wonderful passage where Paul is illustrating the power and the beauty of God and giving man His Revelation. 1 Corinthians 2:13, here's what Paul says to the church at Corinth, “These things we also speak,” notice now, “not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches comparing spiritual things with spiritual.” What do we learn about Bible inspiration here? God revealed the Bible not in pictures, God didn’t send us a picture book or movie show, not in ideas where man could take that idea and put in his own word, God spoke in words. God gave us His writing, His word; in the very words He wanted us to have it. These are words which the Holy Spirit teaches. God used the Holy Spirit, third person, the Godhead that we often think of, as the force to get his word to men and women today. When John Mark or when Luke sat down with pen to write the epistles they wrote, whose word was that? The Holy Spirit teaches second Peter 1:19, “Holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” So when we think about the Bible being inspired, it's the product of Almighty God in the words that God himself wanted us to have.

Another passage I want to mention is found in 1 Thessalonians chapter 2. Direct your attention to verse number 13. As we think about Bible inspiration, this is one of those great passages that teach us the fullness of God's word and its truth. The Bible says, “For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God which also effectively works in you who believe.” When you heard this word, you welcomed it rightly, not as our word, Paul said, but as it is in truth. What is in truth? The word of God which also effectively works in you. When I read the pages of the Bible, what am I reading? I’m not reading men's ideas. I’m not reading first century opinions. I’m not reading what somebody sent out a poll and produced of populous on that, that’s not what I’m reading. I'm reading the word of God. Remember again 1 Corinthians 14:37, the Scripture proclaims that Paul speaking, “If any man thinks himself be a prophet or spiritual let him acknowledge things which I write to you these are commands of God.” Not Paul's ideas, not Paul's opinions, not John, or Mark, or James, or Luke, whoever’s, these are the words of God. That's what the Bible claims as far as inspiration.

Now if we were to define inspiration, get maybe a little better handle on the idea of inspiration in Scripture, how could we describe that to help us understand it? Well the word inspiration, as we mean, is a compound word in the Greek Bible. It is the word theopneustos, but in our English language, we divide up into two words the Greek word

‘theos’, is the word for God, and the word ‘pneuma’ literally means to breathe out. When we talk about the Bible as being inspired, literally that compound word means, God exhaled. God breathed out and the product on his breath was the Bible. When we talk about defining inspiration, we're talking about the Bible being infallible. The Bible is not made up of errors. The Bible is not a book of things that are hit and miss, right and wrong, here and there, you can pick and choose. The Bible is infallible, and that's what the Scripture proclaims. John 17:17 Jesus prayed to the Father, “Sanctify them by your truth, your word is truth.” Friend if truth is true, and it is, it's also infallible. James 1:25, James said to Christians, “We have the perfect law of liberty.” Again, the idea of complete, perfect, not lacking anything, is what the Scripture proclaims. Psalm 119:160 says this, “The entirety of your word is true, your law is truth and every one of your righteous judgments endures forever.” How much of the Bible is true? The entirety. What's that mean? Genesis 1:1, Revelation 22:21 and everything in between is true. Psalm 19:7, “How I love your law O Lord, the law of the Lord is perfect in every way,” the psalmist will say.

Again, the Bible proclaims that not only did it come out of the breath of God, but it is infallible. It is without error. When we talk about inspiration, we’re also caring the idea of it being verbal. That is that again, God didn't send a picture show, God didn't send the drawing, God didn’t send an art book, God didn’t just throw out some ideas and say go put them in your words, the very words of the Bible God used the medium of language in words. And those words make up the content of the word of God. Again 1 Corinthians 2:13, “We speak not in words, which man speaks, but words which the Holy Spirit teaches.” That's the idea, God spoke in words. 2 Samuel 23: 2, “His word was on my tongue.” God said to Jeremiah, “My word I've put in your mouth.” He said, “Jeremiah go and preach that word.”

So as we think about the Bible, God revealed his message in words. Those words are important. In fact, not only the words are important, but every letter in the words are important. Let me give you an example, in Galatians 3, where there is a big discussion between the Jews and Christ and the Christians there in first century about who's the seed of Abraham. Jesus, or the writer the Holy Spirit, goes back to the old argument in Genesis 12. He says, “He does not say ‘and to seeds as of many’ but ‘seed and to your seed with Christ.’” What’s this old argument based on? One letter in one word. Not seeds plural and your seed singular, who is Christ. The very words and the very letters of those words are important in our understanding.

The Bible is indeed inspired by God. Another idea that we combine with Bible inspiration is that it is full, complete that it has everything we need for life and godliness. Again here are some passages that teach that. 2 Peter 1:3, “As his divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge of him who called us by glory and virtue.” Question: can you have more than all? That's a silly question. All is all. It is complete; it’s full. God has given to us all things. Peter, what do you mean by all things? ‘For life and godliness,’ I have all things to live the best life. I have all things to be a Godly person. Where at? Through knowledge, of Him who called

us by glory and virtue. Found within the pages of God's wisdom and knowledge, in the Bible. John 16:13, Jesus promised his disciples would later become the apostles. He said, “When He the spirit of truth has come, He'll guide you into,” listen again, “all truth” Again you can’t have more than all. If the Holy Spirit came, and he did, in Acts chapter 2, He guided those men and women into all truth, and we have that in the pages of the Bible today.

How can I be sure? Let’s say that someone says, ‘okay, I understand the claim, I know that the Bible says it, but how can I be sure that the Bible is really of the word of God? How can we be sure of that?’ Let me give you several ideas, several proofs that will help us with that. You can do some research on your own on these as well. You can find that very easily in researching that. Several of the proofs for inspiration are the uniqueness of Scripture. There are a multiplicity of writers writing over 1500 years, all coming from different backgrounds, different time periods, speaking different languages, being of different trades, and backgrounds, not most of them not knowing each other, and the Bible perfectly harmonizes on every subject. Now think about this. How could, could men today write one book, on one subject that completely harmonized? Take for example a medical book. Imagine you were to gather the top medical doctors in the world and ask them to write a certain medical practice. You know how many opinions you’re going to get? You’re going to get a lot. Would they harmonize? Not all of them. Every book, every writer, uniquely harmonizes through God. That in of itself is proof of inspiration.

Then a second proof would be prophecy. For example, Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah prophesied 750 years before it happen that a virgin would give birth to a son. “You'll call his name Immanuel,” which is translated ‘God with us.’ A virgin giving birth to a son? That's unheard of! How could Isaiah have known these 750 years before? Did it happen? You open to Matthew 1, exactly like Isaiah 7 said, “Mary, who is a virgin, gives birth to a son. He is identified as Immanuel, ‘God with us’, Savior of the world.” Those minute details, which go against the grain of everything that we know biologically, reproductively, how did Isaiah know that? God told him. Psalm 22, the crucifixion of Christ. 1000 years before Christ is crucified, Psalm 22 occurs and in detail. In fact it is quoted from multiple times in Matthew 27 in detail. All the things that were said in Psalm 22 came to fruition 1000 years later. You could look at hundreds of passages where such is the case.

Another great proof is that of scientific foreknowledge. The Bible is not a study book; it is not a science textbook. But are there are things in there that the creator the world included to show us it's scientifically accurate? You bet it is. You can think of some of these. In Psalm 8, the psalmist mentions paths of the sea. People now know that the sea does indeed have paths. Vitamin K, the clotting factor mentioned the book of Leviticus, when circumcision happen on the eighth day, it's at its highest level. Medically, scientifically, biologically, those things go hand-in-hand. You can determine that the Bible is from Almighty God and that we absolutely must follow its teaching.

Let’s make practical application to this. If I say, and if I realize, this book is from God, that it's God's word, what does that mean practically speaking? First, it means everything a Christian does must have God’s stamp of approval on it. His stamp of approval is so important and understanding that. Colossians 3:17 teaches this, “Whatever you do in word or in deed, do all the name the Lord Jesus giving thanks to God the father through Him.” If I want to please God, I've got to do it by the authority of Christ. Where do I find the authority of Christ? In the Bible, where God has spoken to us in these last days by his son (Hebrews 1:1). Practically speaking, the Scriptures teach us, if this is the word of God, I have no right to add to nor take away from it. Deuteronomy 4:2 says it in the Old Testament at the close of the New Testament, Revelation 22:18 -19 says, “Do not add to nor take away from the words of this book.” God says, “Lest the prophecies, the woes, the condemnations be added up on you.” Does God want me to edit his book? Does God need me to help them with it? God doesn’t want me to add to or take away. Proverbs 30:6, “Do not add to his word, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.” What is it God really wants? If the Bible's inspired, God simply wants me and you to follow it.

I want to mention to you passage in 1 Corinthians 4. I want you to notice what Paul says. He uses an illustration to show the need to follow God's word. 1 Corinthians 4:6, Paul says this, “Now these things brethren I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sake, that you may learn in us,” don't miss this, “not to think beyond what's written that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other.” What does the Scripture say about staying true to the Bible? Don't think beyond what's written. That's pretty plain, that’s simple, and that’s so helpful. God wants me to keep my thinking spiritually, biblically about God, about salvation, about heaven, about how to live within the pages of that book. Listen very carefully, now hope you understand the way we’re saying this, how wonderful it is to have the Bible. 1 John 5:13-16, John says, “These things I’ve written you, believe in the name the son of God that you may know that you have eternal life and that you may continue to believe in his name.” The Bible, being God's word, it's a joy to have this. How? Because if I read this book, if I study, if I live by it, if I let my life be governed by it, I can know, listen carefully, I can know that I'm safe and that I'm right with God. You cannot have a greater joy in the entire world than that. Practically speaking, when we talk about the inspiration of the Bible, we need to live it.

Let's not be hypocritical. Let's live the Bible every day. Let's walk in the footsteps of Jesus, 1 Peter 2:21. Let's, “Let our light shine for Christ,” Matthew 5:16. And then practically speaking, let's love. The psalmist said in Psalm 119, “How I love your law, it’s my meditation all the day.” Do we love the Bible? Does it really have a place of honor in our lives? Do we really cherish its precepts, its teaching, and the God who gave it to us?

Then practically, let's let others know about it. If I believe this Bible, this book, is the very word of God, I want to share that. I want to really do what Jesus said. Matthew 28:18, Jesus as he descended back before he was sent to the father, he tells his disciples that they are to, “Go into all the world, all nations, baptizing them in the Father and Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things. I command you go all nations go into all the world that world.” That world begins with my friends, my neighbors, my family; everybody who we know is not a Christian.

As God's children, let's live by the Bible. Let's let it govern our lives each and every day. As I live by the Bible, I'm living the way God wants me to live. Let's love it. Let’s study it. Let’s read it. Let’s really let it be the influence and the emphasis in our life that changes things. Let’s let others know about God's saving power. God sent His son to the world to die for mankind. If people hear that message, they're willing to believe in Jesus, change their lives, and repent, confess the beautiful name of Christ before men, and be immersed in water, Acts 2:38 says they can be forgiven of sins. We encourage you today. Let's let God's book, the Bible, be our guide.

Study Questions for: “Fundamentals of the Faith: Bible”

1. According to 2 Timothy 3:16, where does the inspiration of the Bible come from?

2. What should we use scripture for according to 2 Timothy 3:16-17?

3. 2 Peter 1:3 tells us we have what from scripture?

4. According to Psalm 19:17, the law of the Lord is what?

5. According to Colossians 3:17, how should we do all things?

6. According to Proverbs 30:6 should we add to the Bible?

7. How should we feel about God’s law according to Psalm 119?

8. In 1 Peter 1:19, what were the Holy men of God moved by?

9. According to 1 Thessalonians 2:13, what should we thank God for?

10. What did Jesus pray for in John 17:17?

Is your life really as happy and joyful as you'd like for it to be? Do you really have the blessed life that we find described in the Bible? If not, we encourage you to study with us as we think about the blessed life from Psalm 1.

The psalmist said, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the paths of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful,” Psalm 1:1.

There are a host of people who are searching for happiness and joy. This is what most of us are really looking for in this life, and yet so many people struggle to find real happiness and satisfaction. Where does it come from? How do I really get the blessed life that we find in Scripture?

It's not found in the many avenues that people look for it in today. You can't find real joy and lasting satisfaction in pleasure, wealth, lust, human pride or power, or authority. Those things won't achieve what we really sometimes think they will. True happiness can be found in God's pattern for true happiness, found in Psalm 1. I want you notice for just a second with me the words of Psalm 1. We're going to look at God's pattern for really happy and blessed lives.

Notice Psalm 1 beginning in verse number 1 the Scripture says, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful, but his delight is in the law of the Lord and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water that brings forth its fruit in its season whose leaf also shall not wither, and whatever he does shall prosper. The ungodly are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind drives away, therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish.” Here's a plan given by God in the very first Psalm of how to have a blessed or happy life on this earth.

What do you have to do to have a blessed life? First you have to learn to avoid certain things. If I'm really going to be happy and if you really going to be happy, I've got a make up my mind to avoid certain things to really be happy in this life. For example, the Bible teaches in this Psalm to avoid ungodly advice or ungodly ways of life. Notice again Psalm 1:1, “Blessed is the man,” notice this, “who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly.” That idea of walking in Scripture always represents a practice of life, a way in which one lives. When the psalmist says, ‘happy or blessed is the man, who walks not,’ he's talking about living, living practicing, making that my lifestyle. ‘In the counsel of the ungodly,’ counsel represents guidance or advice or up maybe the way of life that they espouse and want to propagate to other people.

If you really going to have the blessed life, friend you've got to learn to avoid ungodly advice or ungodly philosophies of life. I've got to learn to avoid ungodly advice as it relates to a Christian living. Real Christian living is about really dedicating myself to Christ. Luke 9:23 Jesus said, “If any man desires come after me let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me.” Too many times I think people, even people who are Christians or claim to be Christians, are not really as happy as they want to be; because they have adopted a philosophy that says if I go to church on Sunday, if I do certain things throughout the rest of the week, if I espouse the Christian ideas most of the time, I'm going to be happy. Friend, that's really not what the Scripture teaches.

Jesus said, “If any man desires to come after me let him take up his cross daily.” Christianity is an everyday lifestyle. It's something that I strive to do every waking moment. There are a host of people who claim affiliation with Christianity who are miserable, because they want Christianity and the world. They want to have the best of both. Friend, that's an ungodly lifestyle that will not lead to the blessed life.

Then you've got to learn to avoid, if you're really going to have the best life, you've got to learn to avoid ungodly moral practices. 1 Corinthians 10:31 the apostle Paul said, “Whether we eat or whether we drink or whatever we do, do all to the glory of God.” In my life and in my moral practices, and by moral we mean that which is right or wrong that which is approved by God or not approved by God, I've got a learn to avoid ungodly moral practices in this life. I want to let the Bible be my guide in determining what is right and what is not right. You see the Bible is the perfect law of liberty, James 1:22-25. The Bible of itself, by itself, has the power to teach man how to live the best life you can ever imagine.

And so as it relates to our speech, we want to let the Bible tell us to how to speak. “Speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine,” Titus 2:1. As it relates to moral practices, whether it is working hard, honesty, truth, goodness, all those things that we find in Scripture, let's let the Bible be our moral guide. Too many times we let the world shape us into its mold, when Scripture teaches really we ought to be shaped into the mold of God. Paul said in Romans 12:1, “I beg you by the mercies of God that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God which is your reasonable service.” And listen to verse 2, “And do not be conformed to this world.”

The idea there is do not let the world squeeze you into its mold. ‘Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.’ I want to avoid ungodly practices related to pseudo-Christian living. I want to avoid ungodly principles as it relates to morality.

And then friend if I'm to be happy, I've got to avoid ungodly advice as it relates to God. My whole system of happiness is directly related to my relationship to God. If I've got a skewed view of God, for example some people believe that that God is everything. That everything is God: the

trees, the ground, the water. While God created all of that, the Bible doesn't teach God is those things. They represent His nature and His deity. But that's not God going out and hugging a tree or of being close to a rock is not going to give you true happiness and peace and joy in this life. Some people have a view of God that is really amoral. That God doesn't really care, that He just kind of wound the world up and let it go, and that whatever man thinks is good and right, is good and right in His sight, otherwise known as humanism. A little bit of postmodernism involved in that. Friend that kind of thinking won't make a person happy.

What do we need to know about God? God is our father, that He is the creator of all life, that in the beginning God spoke and the world came into existence, and that the God whom we serve is a God of love mercy and compassion, 1 John 4:8, so much so that He sent His own Son to die for our sins.

But you if I'm also going to have the happy, blessed life not only do I have to avoid ungodly advice, I've got to avoid the influence of ungodly people.

Listen again to Psalm 1:1 the psalmist said, “Blessed,” which represents the idea of divine happiness, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel or advice of the ungodly,” now notice this, “nor stands in the path of sinners.” To really be happy don't let people of this world, people who have no desire to serve God and put their trust in Him, don't let them influence you. We should be influencing the world.

One of the passages that we often mention and especially as we think about young people, as we try to encourage our children based in 1 Corinthians 15:33 the Bible says, “Evil companions corrupt good morals.” Let's say that a person wants to really be happy and is trying to live his life off the Bible. He's trying to walk in the light, 1 John 1:7. He's trying to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, 1 Peter 2:21. He's doing his best to defend himself from Satan and his attacks. And then he aligns himself with people of this world, people who are children of the devil, people who are not trying to live right, how well is that scene going to unfold for that person with people of the world constantly pulling at them, with people of the world constantly striving to do things are not right, and bring them along with that? Friend such a friendship, such a companionship or an association,

will not help one to really be happy. Because you're going to have that inward struggle, you know you want to do right. You know you want to talk right, deep down you want to act right, and then you've got this group of friends that you're following, who doesn't have any of those morals, and you do things that they do. Deep down that's going to be an inward struggle in which you'll never really have true happiness.

Listen carefully; do we want to try to win people of the world? Do we want to be good to them? Do we want to try to be friendly to them? Absolutely! But I don't want to make my closest friends children of the devil. I don't want to make my closest friends people of this world, who have no desire to follow God and His teaching. That's not going to be. The Bible speaks of not being unequally yoked together, 2 Corinthians 6:16-18. And friend, that would indeed be an unequal yoke. I want to be careful that I don't that I avoid the influence of ungodly people, and that I really have the influence for Christ that I need to.

Let me illustrate. Do you remember Matthew 5:16? In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says these words, “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your father who is in heaven.” The Christian’s influence ought to be that of good and light. If I'm being affected by people of darkness and the world, that's going to be very difficult. Jesus uses the illustration there he says, “No man takes a lamp and puts it under a bushel, a everyone who lights something sets it as it were on the hill.” He says where it can be seen by everybody, ‘let your light so shine that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.’

Now not only do you have to avoid ungodly counsel, not only to be happy do you have to avoid ungodly associations, but you've got to avoid the lifestyle of ungodliness. Notice again there's a third thing mentioned in Psalm 1:1, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the paths of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful.” This idea of sitting represents a complete adoption of, entrenched in, part of that life of ungodliness.

Now this is just a side point, but I want you to notice this. Did you notice the progression of sin in Psalm 1:1? Standing, walks not, stands not, and sits not. The opposite of that, is one who walks, stands, and sits in. Look at the progression. You're walking in it, you're standing in it, and before you know it you're sitting in it. The progression of sin, although slow it may seem like at times, has the ability to take one from walking, standing, until he sitting in entrenched in a lifestyle of sin.

The encouragement is to avoid the lifestyle of ungodliness. What are some of the things that are kind of characteristic of that lifestyle? It's a lifestyle of selfishness. Friend this life is not about me and you. We live in very much a ‘me’ society, a society that focuses on man and what can be done for the individual. A having his pleasure met almost immediately, that's not what Christianity is about. “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, who being in the form of God did not consider it robbery to be made equal with God, but He humbled Himself, became obedient to death, even the death of the cross,” Philippians chapter 2 verses 5 through 8. Look at the selflessness and humility of Jesus, that's the lifestyle we need.

When we talk about avoiding a lifestyle of ungodliness and some of the characteristics of it, worldliness and greed are a big part of that. Can we really have the world and everything in it and God? Listen to James 4 verse 4, “Adulterers and adulteresses do you not know friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore desires be a friend of the world, has made himself God's enemy.” We're not talking about enjoying nature, enjoying the beauty of God's creation. We are speaking of the worldliness that represents all the, the pleasure, desires, and materialism in and of selfishness, which the world so many times focuses on.

Do you remember a man who it really cost him a big part, when he got caught up in the world? Luke 12:15-21. It wasn't that he was a foolish man necessarily in all ways. He had a great crop year, thinking ahead he tore down his barns, and built bigger barns. He said to his soul, ‘Soul you've got many goods laid up for many years take it easy.” In essence eat, drink, and be merry. God said to that man, “You fool,” here's the point, “This night will your soul be required of you.” Jesus' point was so is, he who is rich but not toward Godliness. Here's a man who took advantage of every opportunity. It looks like was a good businessman so much so that

he's planning for the future. But that man, who was good at business, who was a great farmer, who is looking forward to the future, left the most important thing out. His soul was in great desperation, because he didn't put his trust and his hope in Almighty God.

Moving away from the negative, let's then notice what do I have to do to have the blessed life? Look at Psalm 1:2 with me. The Bible says, unlike the man is walking, standing, and sitting in sin, the Bible says, “Blessed,” or happy, “is the man whose the delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he does meditate day and night.” To live the blessed life, I’ve got to find true happiness in God's law and God's teaching. If I'm really going to be happy like God wants me to, I've got to love the word of God and live my life based off of its teaching. I've got to accept this book. God's word is truth. Jesus said, “Sanctify them by your truth, your word is truth,” John 17:17. I've got to realize that that the Bible has the power to free my soul from the snare and entanglement of sin. Jesus said, “You shall know the truth and the truth will make you free.”

If I'm to really be happy like God wants me to, I've got to meditate in God's law day and night. Meaning, I've got a study the word of God. “Study to show yourself approved,” 2 Timothy 2:15. Job said in Job 23:12, “Your word is more important to me than my necessary food, I treasure the word of your mouth more than my necessary food.”

To find real happiness, let's look to God's word to find out: How does God want us to live? What does he want me to do? What is a life that finds real joy and satisfaction? I assure you that is a life that makes it its aim to glorify God. Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, “That's the whole duty of man.” It's a life that isn't so focused on self, but it's a life that tries to serve others. “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve,” Mark 10:45.

Then I want you notice this, if I make it my aim to really follow the law of God, what's the benefit you're going to reap? Notice Psalm 1:3 the Scripture records, “He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water.” Who is that? The man “Whose delight is in the law of the Lord that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither, and whatever he does shall prosper.”

So when I think about this man, you know when you think about all the things he's got and how he's going to find that that really happy life, the psalmist clearly tells us exactly how that is. He's going to be rooted, takes roots by the river of water. He's going to be fruitful. He's going to have a solid foundation to build his faith on in the word of God. He, because of putting his trust in the word of God, is going to be fruitful in what he does. Do you remember John 15? Jesus said, “If you're connected to the vine, you will bear fruit.” Being connected to Christ, having a mindset of focusing on the word of God, indeed does help us to really be what God wants us to be. Then of course that person is going to be faithful; he's not going anywhere.

You know when we think about Psalm 1:3, “brings forth fruit in its season its leaves shall not wither, whatever he does shall prosper,” here's a man who is not going anywhere. His faith is sure; it's firm. He has conviction and trust in Almighty God. He can be faithful until death, Revelation 2:10.

And notice again, “whatever that man does, he will prosper,” that's not saying that this is a social gospel and that if you become a Christian today, you're going to have all the material blessings and wealth and the health in the world. “Prosper” here is not the idea of the necessarily of the physical sense, although that may come as well, prospering is spiritual prosperity. The man who makes it his aim to turn away from evil, to seek God and His word, and to live his life to the best of his ability following the Bible, that man's going to prosper because ultimately it's his soul that's going to prosper.

What's the most important thing you possess? Some might say gold, some might say wealth or money, and some might say jewels or diamonds, or even family. Friend while those things may have a time and place in our life, they're not our most important possession. Jesus asked two questions in Mark 8:36-37. “What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”

Do you recognize that the most important thing that we have is our soul, that this is what the psalmist is encouraging us about? Do you want to find real happiness? Then turn away from evil. Turn to God, make it your aim no matter what comes, no matter what happens; I'm going to put my

trust in the Bible. I'm going to live for Christ. Then you can be like that tree that's planted by the water that has all the support and sustenance that it needs based off of the word of God.

Now the psalmist closes again by noting that, ‘the wicked are not so, but they're like the chaff that is driven away by the wind.’ They don't have that blessed hope that God's people have. There are only two paths really in this life. One can choose the path of wickedness, the path of apathy, the path of not fully committing to God, and that path is not going to be a good path. That path is not going to lead to true happiness and trust and joy in God. Or you can choose the path that leads to eternal happiness in Christ Jesus, a path where if we stay faithful to the Lord, one day we've got this hope. Jesus will say to those who follow Him, “Well done good and faithful servant enter into the joys of your Lord.”

We ask you today, what path in life are you really on? What path are you walking down? Again we ask you, do you really have that that happiness, that joy, that peace, that lasting satisfaction in life?

Friend if we don't have that, it very well may be the case that our lives are not being lived by God's plan for happiness in the Scripture. Or maybe you've never obeyed the gospel. Maybe you don't have that happiness, because you've never come to know Christ and be a child of His. Friend if that's the case; you can surely remedy that situation by obeying the gospel.

You might be thinking, ‘Well what do I need to do to become a Christian?’ Friend the Bible makes it abundantly clear. Do you believe that Jesus is God's son the Savior of the world, John 8:24? Would you be willing, based on that commitment, to turn from sin turn from the way of evil and turn to God, known as repentance, Luke 13:3? Would you confess that Jesus is the Christ the son of the living God, Romans 10:10? Would you, to have every sin and evil washed away, would you be immersed in water for the forgiveness of your sins?

Here's how Jesus said it at the conclusion of the gospel of Mark, in Mark 16 Jesus tells His disciples, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel unto every creature, the one who believes and is baptized will be saved. He who does not believe shall be condemned.”

Have you believed and have you been baptized to be saved?

If maybe at one time your life had that that happiness and that satisfaction and that joy, because you were walking down that blessed life. And maybe you've turned back to the world. Maybe you're a lot like the prodigal son, who'd gone into a far land and spent your time and life on worldly living, just like in Luke 15. The father stands with open arms ready to receive you back.

If you need to change your life, you need to obey the gospel, or you're just looking for a pattern for true happiness, I'll assure you, Psalm 1 has that.

Friend, our hope and prayer is we'll submit our lives to that plan, to have real happiness.

Study Questions for: “Motivational Lesson 1”

1. How is the blessed man described in Psalm 1:1?

2. According to Psalm 1, what does he delight in?

3. What does he meditate on day and night in Psalm 1?

4. According to Psalm 1, what is the fate of the ungodly?

5. Psalm 1:1 tells us to avoid what kind of advice?

6. What must we do if we desire Jesus according to Luke 9:23?

7. How does 1 Corinthians 10:31 tell us to do all things?

8. According to James 1:22-25, what kind of law is the Bible?

9. How does Titus 2:1 tell us to speak?

10. According to Romans 12:1, how shall we present our bodies?

Jesus said, “I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it,” Matthew 16:18.

Today we think about the importance, the fundamental subject of the Lord's church. We began with just a several questions related to the church. Think about this with me. Why are there so many religious groups today? Why are there so many churches in the world's view today? Where’d they all come from? How do they all get here? Do all of them belong to Christ? Do any of them belong to Christ? Or does it even matter? Does it matter what church one goes to? Friend these are subjects that throughout the lesson, we’re going to let God's word address. Again, they’re questions that a lot of people have. There's a lot of confusion, and there is not the unity that Christ wants within his church. What's the reason for that? And how do we solve that problem?

Let’s begin by realizing that man's standard is not God’s standard. Proverbs 14:12 and Proverbs 16:25 says this, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end thereof is the way of death.” It's not what man thinks or man's standard or man's ideas that's going to be the final word. God’s standard is what we must look to. Remember Jesus’ words, John 12:48 “He who rejects me,” Jesus said, “does not receive my word has that which judges him.” Well what is it? “The word that I've spoken,” Jesus said, “will judge him in the last day.” Let's consider, if we were thinking about something’s nature, something’s identity, how is identity, we’re talking about the identity, the nature of the church in the Bible, how is identity determined? I want you to think about John 20:25. Thomas is here wondering about the Lord, and is this the risen Savior, is this really Jesus? And Jesus says, ‘See the nail prints in my hand, feel the piercing in my side, I am He,’ in essence. What did Jesus do to express to Thomas that his identity really was the Savior? He said, ‘Look, see, touch, and feel identify me and you'll know.’ You identify things by their traits or characteristics. The nail print in his hand, the piercing in his side, definite, definitive answer that Jesus was the Lord and Christ. Well what about with the church? Friend, the church that you read about in the Bible has qualities and characteristics; its nature is clearly laid forth in the Bible. I can come to the Bible. I can see what the nature, unique identity, of the church is. I can know based off of Scripture, if a religious group that claims to be that church really is the church you read about in the New Testament.

Let’s look at the nature of the church and determine if it is truly the church you read about in the Bible. We begin by thinking about who started, who founded, who is the beginner of the New Testament church you read about in the Bible? Of course the natural answer from Scripture is Jesus Christ. Jesus started, founded, and began his church. Do you remember, 1 Corinthians 3:11? Paul wrote to the church in Corinth that was dealing with a great amount of confusion. He said, “No other foundation can any man lay, except that which is laid which is Jesus Christ.” Who is the foundation, the founder of the Lord's church? Jesus is. Matthew 16:18, Jesus promised, “I will build my church the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” He’s said to be the founder. He promised to build it. Mark chapter 9:1 Jesus said to his disciples, “Assuredly I say to you that there are some standing here today who will not taste death until you see the kingdom present with power.” The kingdom and the church are the same thing; Matthew 16:18-19. And thus, Jesus promised it would start. He's the foundation stone it’s built on. He began his church. Acts 4:11-12 says this, “Nor is there salvation in any other name for there's no other name given among Heaven given under Heaven among men by which we must be saved.”

Now let's be practical as we asked this question. Who founded the New Testament church? The Bible’s answer is Jesus Christ. Now friend, we wouldn't do ourselves any favors if we didn't asked this question, who founded most modern religious groups that exist today? Whether be John Wesley, whether be Martin Luther, whether be John Calvin, John Smith, men founded and are notably identified with in these groups themselves, as being the founders of them. The only founder of the Lord's church is Jesus Christ himself.

Let's then think about a second and unique identifying trait about the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. Let's asked this question, when does the Bible say the church you read about in the New Testament, when was it founded? Well according to Daniel 2:44, Daniel prophesied that during the time of the reign of four kingdoms, God would set up an eternal kingdom, which would never be destroyed. Now we from history know what those kingdoms are. You’ve got the Babylonian, you’ve got the Medo Persian, you’ve got the Greek kingdom, and the Roman kingdom. During the Babylonians, the meads, and the Greek kingdom, the God is still reigning through Israel. No new kingdom has been set up yet. And then Jesus comes on the scene during that fourth kingdom, promises his kingdom reestablished, Mark 9:1, and identifies the church as the kingdom. The words of Acts 2:47 say this, “And the Lord,” for the very first time, “added to the church daily those who are being saved.” When did the New Testament church begin? When was it founded? In that fourth kingdom, as prophesied, during the Roman era. Colossians 1:13 Paul said to the Christians in Colossae, in the first century, “God had translated them out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of his beloved son.” Did the kingdom exist in the first century? Absolutely it did. People were in it, according to Colossians 1:13 and Paul was preaching it as a reality Acts chapter 28:30-31.

Again, another practical question begs our asking. When did most religious groups today have their start? Most of them started just in the last 200- 300 years; some of them maybe go back as far as 500- 600 years. But you know what? The Bible, the church of the Bible, started in the first century. It started during that Roman time period. And friend, a religious group did not start, according to the blueprint of the Bible, was not founded in the first century just as Scripture prophesied and reveals. Can it be identified as the church of the New Testament?

Then a third unique characteristic about the church, we ask where did the Bible say, where does the Bible say that the Lord's church would start at? And of course Scripture reveals to us. Isaiah 2:2-3, God prophesied that his house would be established in Zion and that all peoples would go to it. God already had a house during the time of Isaiah, so we know is looking forward to a future event that's going to come. Not all people, only the Jews went to that. What kind of house is this? Well we learn a little more about it as we open our Bible to 1 Timothy 3:15. Paul said, “These things I write to you though I hope to come to you shortly, but if I'm delayed I write so that you may know how to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of truth, prophecy, Scripture prophesied, the church would be founded in Jerusalem, that’s where Zion was, according Isaiah 2:2-3 and Micah 4:1-2. Paul mentions the church as that house of God, and when you open to Acts 2 exactly what was prophesied prophesied is what occurs. They have killed the Messiah. Peter now stands up with the 11 and proclaims, ‘This Jesus whom you crucified, God has made both Lord and Christ.’ The Bible says they’re the heart. Why? They realized they'd killed their Messiah. They cried out, ‘Men and brethren what shall we do?’ Peter responds by saying, ‘Repent and be baptized for the remission of your sins,’ verse 38, ‘those who gladly received his word were baptized,’ verse 42 following. And then listen to verse 47, ‘In Jerusalem just as was prophesied, for the first time the Lord added to the church daily those are being saved.’

Where did most religious groups begin at? Most of them began in England or America thousands of miles from the place the New Testament identifies as a trade of the church. If a religious group started in Springfield, Missouri, or Brooklyn, New York, when the Bible says the New Testament church would begin in Jerusalem, can it be the church you read about in the New Testament? Friend, those are clear identifying traits that we learn about the church. Now let's address some other ideas that relate to this very fundamental subject about the church. Who does the church belong to? Well we naturally realize the church belongs to Jesus Christ. He's the owner, and He is the founder of His church, right? I want you look in your Bible in Matthew chapter 16:18 with me. We’ve mentioned this several to several times, but I want you to see the clarity with which Jesus spoke about his church. Matthew 16:18 Jesus said, “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” Who does the church belong to? Jesus did not say I’ll build John's church. Jesus did not say I'll build John the Baptist Church. He did say I'll build Martin Luther's church. He didn’t say I'll build John Wesley or John Calvin or anybody else's

church. Jesus said, ‘I will build my church.’ That is so essential to understanding the unique nature of the church. The church only belongs to Jesus Christ.

Now let's make that practical. If the Scripture reveals that the church does belong to Christ, whose name should it wear? Well just take an everyday illustration; let's say that you buy a home. You’ve been in the bank, you make a loan, buy a home, you paid that off, and the deed is signed over; it’s yours. Whose home is that? Are you going to put your neighbor's name on the deed? Are you going to put your best friend’s name on the deed? Who does that house belong to? You! You paid the note. You paid the price. It was your sweat and tears of blood the purchased that house. It belongs to you. Why is it different then, for the Lord's church? It’s not. Acts 20:28 the Scripture says, “Christ purchased the church with his own blood.” He shed His blood on Calvary for the church. It belongs to Him.

Let's make it practical. If the church belongs to Christ, whose name ought to be on the deed? The church of the Lord Jesus Christ. Not some man, not some religious act, not some newfangled idea that people may have today, the church of the Bible belongs to Christ. If Christ said, “I will build my church,” and you replace ‘the my’ for whose church it is, whose would it be? ‘I will build Christ church,’ it is the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 16:16 Paul said, “Greet one another with a holy kiss the churches of Christ, greet you.”

As we think then about Christ’s church, there's another very important principle and unique identifying trait that we want to look at from Scripture. Today you go out into the world, you go into the community or town, and you're going to see a multiplicity of denominational groups. How many churches does the Bible say God has? I hope you listen very carefully, we’re saying it in love, with all kindness, we want people to go to heaven, but the Bible plainly declares Christ has one church. Let me illustrate it to you. Look in Ephesians 1:22-23. Does the Bible teach Christ just has one church? It absolutely does, and I want you to see from Ephesians 1:22-23. The Bible says, “And he, God, put all things under His feet, Christ’s feet, and gave Him be head over all things to the church, which is His body the fullness of him who fills all in all.” Now from Ephesians 1:22-23, we notice Christ is head of the church, and we notice the church is also called His body. Body and the church are used synonymously, for that same group of believers who obeyed the gospel and are now part of God's family. That’s equated together body and the church.

I want you look at Ephesians 4:4. The Bible records, “There is one body and one spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God, and father of all, who is above all and through all and in you all.” How many God's are there here? One. Does one mean one? Absolutely. How many Lords? One. Does one mean one? You bet it does. How many Holy Spirits? How many just means one. Now look at Ephesians 4:40, “There is but one body.” Now remember, if the body is the Church, according to Ephesians 1:22 and 23, and there is ‘one body’ Ephesians 4:4, how many churches are there? God only ever built one. Jesus did not

say in Matthew 16:18, ‘Upon these rocks I'll build my churches,’ not what he said. “Upon this rock,” singular, “I'll build my church,” singular. The church of the New Testament is singular in its identity. It belongs to Christ. He, himself is the head of the church, and it is unique in that way.

We also want to illustrate from the Scripture that the confusion, the division, and the denominationalism that exists today, it was never a part of God's plan. Denominationalism is contrary to the will of God. I want to direct your attention to 1 Corinthians 1. I want you to look in verses 10 through 13 with me, as we think about denominationalism being against what God wants. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 1:10, “I plead with you brethren,” Paul is speaking, “by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ that you all speak the same thing and that there be no divisions among you, but that you all be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it is been declared to me concerning you my brethren, by those of close household that there are contentions among you. Now I say this each of you says ‘I am of Paul or I'm of Apollos or I'm of Cephas or I'm of Christ’ is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul?” Does God from this context want division? “I plead with you brethren by the name of Jesus Christ that you all speak the same thing,” listen now, “let there be no divisions among you.”

What is it that that God is trying to get across here? The seeds of denominationalism had some of the beginning right here. What do I mean by that? Some were saying, ‘Yes I'm a part of that a part of the body we just like Paul and so we're followers of Paul. We like Peter, or Cephas, we can relate to him, I’m of Cephas or Apollos was eloquent man, you know we’re not part of the big body, we’re just followers of Apollos, we’re Apollos Christians, we’re Cephas Christians, we’re Paul Iike Christians.’ What’d the Bible say about that? “Let there be no divisions among you.” Now friend I want you listen real carefully, think practically with me, if in the first century it was wrong to be a follower of Paul or Cephas or Apollos, how can we call ourselves by men's names today and think that's right? Martin Luther wasn’t trying to make Lutherans. When we think about John Smith, he didn't want his people calling themselves Baptist. Where do all these names come from? John Wesley, was he trying to make Methodist? That is not the idea. Are men's names, to follow those, to name the religious group, is that approved by God? “Let there be no divisions among you.” Friend denominationalism was wrong in the first century. It is at the heart and core, and part the problem in Corinth, and it’s just as wrong and creates division today.

Let me ask you think about this, what church would the Bible alone produce? Think about that for a moment. If we just took the Bible, we don't know anything about Reformation history, we don't know the restoration history, and that's not important, because this is our judge. If I just took this book and this book alone, and I went to it and I said I want to be a part of the church you find in this book and this book only. What church would come out of this book? Could you just take the Bible and get a Catholic, or a Baptist, or a Presbyterian, or a Methodist, or a Lutheran, or a Mormon church? Not in there. Could you take this book alone and get the Lord's church? Jesus said, “I'll build

my church,” Matthew 16:18. The church of the Lord Jesus Christ is the church that you find within the pages of the New Testament.

Now let's then think about this as it relates to the church, what with these people inside the body, what would they call themselves? Would they call themselves by denominational names? In the New Testament it was called the church, Acts 8:1. In the New Testament it was called the church of God at Corinth, 1 Corinthians 1:2. It is called the church of the Lord, Acts 20:28. It's called the churches of Christ, congregations, churches of Christ in Rome. Notice the thing that binds all these together, Church of God, church the Lord, church of Christ, all those names, who do they honor? Who do they bring glory to? God, the Lord Christ. That's who the church belongs to. And so, that's what the church was called in the New Testament.

Let's think about even more practically. What would the members inside that body called themselves? How would they be identified according to Scripture? They were simply called ‘Christians’ Acts 11:26. They were called Christians first at Antioch. Who does that name honor? You can’t say Christian without saying Christ. It brings honor to Him. They were disciples of Christ, Acts 20:7. Disciples came together the first day of the week to break bread. Disciples who? Learners, disciples of Christ. They're called children of God. 1 John 3:1, the Bible identifies us as children of God. We’re God's children. We’re servants of God and Christ. Romans 6:16, we’re servants of Christ. We’re called brethren, 1 Corinthians 15:6. The family of God, Ephesians 2:14-16. Again, you don't find these denominational names attached in the Bible. All you find: Christians, disciples, servants, members the body of Christ, those are names that bring honor to God and to Christ and leave men out of the picture. God's the one who purchased the price; he's the one who paid the ultimate debt. He's the one deserving of our honor and our glory.

Now as we think about this idea, there's another very important question that uniquely ties to the nature of the church. It's this: what doctrine would people who followed the New Testament church follow? You can turn to the Bible and clearly see they follow biblical doctrine. Acts 2:42 it is said of the New Testament church, “They continued steadfastly in the apostle's doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread, and in prayers.” How do we know God's church is the church of the New Testament? Are they following what the Bible says? Let’s just say somebody has a name on it that says church of God, can I be 100% sure that they're doing what’s right in that group? If when we go, we find their following the apostle's doctrine, are they staying true to the teaching of Christ? Are they worshiping God in spirit and in truth? John 4:24. Are their lives being lived to the honor of God every day? Are they living like they ought to live? When they pray, do they pray to God? Do they not bring things inside God's house that are not right and approved in his sight?

We encourage you today to think practically about the identity of the church. Can one look in the pages of this book and find out what the church is? Absolutely! Jesus said He built it, Matthew 16:18. It belongs to Him, 1 Corinthians 3:11. It is not a denominational organization. And friend the church Lord Jesus Christ brings honor to God in what it says and does.

We ask you today are you a member? Are you a member of the Lord's church, just simply the church that you read about this Bible? I understand that some of these things may not be popular. I understand that some of these things are maybe different than what someone may have heard before. Please listen carefully, we’re saying these things because we love you, we want you to go to Heaven, we want men and women everywhere to go to Heaven. Our motive of speaking about the church and against denominationalism is so that people can go to Heaven.

If Christ is coming back to take his church home with him, and he is, 1 Corinthians 15:24, it's essential that men and women be a part of that. If you've never obeyed the gospel, we encourage you today to become a Christian. If you'd like to learn more about God's plan of salvation, please write to us. We'd love to study the Bible with you and may we always do everything possible to glorify God and His church.

Study Questions for: “Fundamentals of the Faith: Church”

1. According to Matthew 16:18, what will not prevail against the church?

2. In Acts 2:47, who were added to the church?

3. How did Christ purchase the church, according to Acts 20:28?

4. According to Ephesians 1:22-23, who is the head of the church?

5. How many bodies are there according to Ephesians 4:4?

6. What did Paul plead to them in 1 Corinthians 1:10?

7. What did they continue steadfastly in according to Acts 2:42?

8. In Ephesians 1:22-23, his church is also called his what?

9. In Acts 11:26 what were members of the body called?

10. What does 1 John 3:1 identify us as?