In John 12:48 Jesus said, “He who rejects me and does not receive my word has that which judges him. The word that I've spoken will judge him in the last day.”

Welcome you to our series of personal evangelism lessons. In our last series we noticed the importance of only listening to the Bible as our guide in religion. Today we're going to continue that idea and talk about the one church that Jesus built.

We hope that you'll have your Bible handy as we study the word of God together.

In our last lesson if you saw that we noticed that the Bible is our only authority in all matters of religion, that the Bible was given through the apostles by the Holy Spirit, and that the Scripture says the word of God is our only guide in all matters of religion. Remember 2 Peter 1:3. Peter said, “God has given to us in the Scripture all things that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us.” We don't need other books. We just need the Bible.

We continue today with the idea of our authority being the Bible by noticing that we must not add to or take away from the word of God. If

2

God's word is going to be our authority, we've got to let the word of God stand as it is without addition, without editing, without changing the Bible at all. In fact, did you know that the Scripture says there is going to be a curse from God upon anyone who tries to change the word of God in any way? Listen to Galatians 1:6-9. Paul said to the Christians in Galatia, “I marvel that you turned away so soon from Him who called you into the grace are in the grace of Christ to a different gospel which is not another, but there's some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.” Now notice this, “Even if we or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel than that we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so now I say again if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what we've received let him be accursed.”

Does that passage teach that we'll be accursed if we add to or take away from the Bible? Well it absolutely does! If anyone teaches any other gospel than what we've preached, Paul said ‘let him be accursed.’ When God gave us the Bible as the only authority, it doesn't need man's help. God doesn't need us to change it or edit it in any way. In fact let me share with you an example of sadly what happened to two young men when they tried to change the will and the word of God. If you want to follow along in your Bible, we're looking at Leviticus chapter 10. I want you notice what happened to two men who tried to change God's command. Leviticus 10:1 the Bible says, “Then Nadab and Abihu the sons of Aaron each took his censer and put fire in it put incense on it and offered profane fire before the Lord which He had not commanded them.” So fire went out from the Lord and devoured them, and they die before the Lord. As we think about this example, these men the Bible clearly says right here ‘these men offered strange,’ some versions will say ‘unauthorized fire before the Lord,’ notice, ‘which He had not commanded them.’ Did Nadab and Abihu alter or change God's command? Absolutely! Did they did something God hadn't commanded them? Was God pleased with them? Did God say to Nadab and Abihu ‘Well I know you made a little change, but that's okay come here and let me pat you on the back and everything's all right anyway’? No! God was not at all pleased with them. What happened to Nadab and Abihu? They altered God's commands, and God rained down fire from heaven on them because of their disobedience.

What do we learn from their example? We learn that when God tells us something in the Bible, when God gives us His word which the Bible is

3

the word of God, when God gives us His word; God doesn't want me to change it. I need to be very careful that I follow the Bible and do what the Scripture says to be right with God. In fact in 2 John 9 we're told exactly that. John says this in 2 John verse 9, “Whoever transgresses and does not in the by abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God whoever abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.” If we don't abide in the doctrine, doctrine means teaching, if we don't abide in the teaching of Christ is God pleased with us? No! He doesn't have God as His Father. Just like Nadab and Abihu, we’re separated from God and suffered the consequences. The New Testament teaches us if we don't stay true to the teaching of Christ, God is not pleased with us. Each of us want to please God, right? How do we please God? By abiding in the teaching of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Now I want to show you that man's traditions, according to the word of God, man's ideas man's traditions these catechisms and confessions of faith have no place in the Bible. Matthew 15:9 of people who were really good at putting their tradition in the way Jesus said, “Hypocrites well has I Isaiah prophesied about you saying they honor me with their lips they glorify me with their mouth, but their heart is far from me.” Now listen to Matthew 15:9, “in vain do they worship me teaching as doctrine the commandments of men.”

Why was their worship unacceptable to God? Because they taught as doctrine the commandments of men. Do the commandments and the commandments of men and does do my commandments do men's commandments and anywhere have a place in the Bible? The commandments of men and have no place in the word of God. In fact Jesus clearly said that the person who's going be allowed into heaven is going to be the one who submits to God's word. Listen to Matthew 7:21. Jesus said, “It's not everyone who looks up into heaven and says ‘Lord, Lord’ that's going there but he who does the will of my Father in heaven.” According to Jesus, who's going to be allowed to enter into heaven? The one who does the will of the Father in heaven. Don't you want to go to heaven? If that's the case, you must submit to the will of the Father.

Now as we think about the idea of putting our trust and hope only in the word of God as our only and final authority, we also need to realize that as we look to the Bible we today are under the law of Christ. The Bible

4

contains both the old and the New Testament. The Old Testament was written specifically to the Israelites, and the New Testament was written to followers of Christ. We can learn from both laws. But which law today are we under and which law are we going to be judged by?

As we begin, let's turn our attention to what the Bible says. Listen again to Hebrews 1:1-2. “God who at various times and in various ways spoke in times past to the fathers by the prophets has in these last days spoken to us by His Son.” Now friend that text clearly shows us that God formerly gave His Revelation to the fathers, to the patriarchs, by the prophets. But notice this, “but today God speaks to us through whom through His Son.” Which law are we under today? Wherever we find God's son’s law. That's the law we're under today. Of course we know that's in Matthew through Revelation in the New Testament. Now remember it's Jesus- not Moses, not the prophets that have all authority over us today. Matthew 28:18 Jesus said, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.” How much authority does Jesus have? All. If Jesus has all authority, then that's the law that we want to follow. Do you remember John 12:48? Jesus said, “He who rejects me and does not receive my word has that which judges him.” What is it Lord? “The words that I've spoken will judge him in the last day.” It's not the 10 Commandments. It's not the prophets. It is not the law of Moses. For the child of God, it is the law of Christ that's going to judge them today. If I'm going to be but judged by the words of Christ, then friend it's the law of Christ in the New Testament in Matthew through Revelation that I'm under today. I'm not going to look and say ‘Lord do you want me to go alter of offer a bull as a sacrifice? Do I need to go build an ark to get in today? Do I need to do what King David did?’ No. I'm under the New Testament. I'm under the law of Christ, and specifically for us today that's the law that we follow.

Now I want to direct your attention to the words of Jesus in John 1:17. Jesus said, “The law was given through Moses but grace and truth came by Christ or in Christ the law.” What was it given by Moses? What about grace and truth? Would you rather be under law? Or would you rather be under grace and truth God's unmerited favor and the truth can set you free? I don't want to be under the law. The law was given by Moses. It doesn't mean we don't have a law today, but a system of law without salvation without a Savior, that's not what we want to be under. Christ is God's grace and God's truth and that's what we're under today.

5

Now I want to show you the exact moment in time when the law of Christ went into place. The old law went out and the new law went in and that's found in Hebrews chapter 9. I want to direct your attention to Hebrews 9:15-17. It clearly shows us when exactly in time the law of Christ when into place. Listen to these words. The Bible says in Hebrews 9:15 “And for this reason He, Jesus, is the mediator of the new covenant by means of death for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant that those who were called may receive the promise of the eternal here inheritance. For where there is a testament there must also of necessity be the death of a testator for a testament is in force after men are dead since it has no power at all while the testator lives.” Now is it the case that that verse teaches us Jesus is the mediator of the New Testament? Yes! He absolutely is the mediator of the New Testament. Now let's ask the next question. When did the New Testament of Jesus go into effect? According to the word of God, the Scripture says ‘a testament has no force at all while men are alive,’ listen to this now, ‘it's in force after they are dead.’

Let's say you've got a will. Let's say your parents write a will, and they're going to leave you everything. They're still alive. They're in good health. Can you go over and say ‘You know what? I want to claim my inheritance today. I want you to give me what's…’ No, it doesn't work that way. They die, the will is read, and then their lawyer goes into place about their inheritance. Jesus gave His law while He was alive. A testament is in force after men are dead. When Jesus died on the cross, from that point forward His law went into place. Friend it is the case today that we're living under the new covenant, Hebrews 8:13, in that He says a ‘new covenant.’ He's made the first obsolete. Now what is growing old and ready to part is vanishing away. We're living under the new covenant of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In fact Colossians 2:14 clearly teaches that the bond written in ordinances was done away with or abolished at the cross.

There are a lot of people who wonder about the Old Testament and the 10 Commandments. Are we living under those today? Let's let the Bible teach us on that. Let's let the Bible show us what it says about that. Would you turn in your Bible to Ephesians 2:14? Look at Ephesians 2:14 the Bible says of Jesus, “For He, Himself, is our peace who has made both one Jew and Gentile and has broken down the middle wall of separation.” Now

6

notice verse 15, “Having abolished in His flesh the enmity that is the law of commandments contained in ordinances so as to create in himself one new man from the two thus making peace.” What did Jesus abolish in His flesh on the cross? The law of commandments contained in ordinances. When did the old law go away and the new law come in? On the cross. Does that mean the old law wasn't God's word? It was, but it was given to the Israelites. The new law is specifically given for Christians today. And so, here's the application. It's okay, what's it mean? We're under the old we're under the new law and not under the old law. Friend when it comes to matters of salvation, where am I going to look to answer the question, ‘What must someone do to become a Christian today? What must I do to be saved?’ I'm not going to do what Abraham did. I'm not going to take up a lamb up on Mount Moriah and sacrifice it today. I'm not going to do what Noah did and build an ark to be saved. I'm not going to do what David did and offer animal sacrifices as an atonement for sin. If I want to know today, if a person wants to know today, what must I do to be saved? I need to look to the New Testament. Here's another important fact about the authority of God's word today. When I want to learn how to worship correctly as a Christian, where do I look? I don't look to what Nadab and Abihu did in offering's burnt offering incense and sacrifice. I'm not going to open to Leviticus and offer a peace offering. I'm not going to do what Elijah or Elisha or Solomon did. If I want to know how to worship correctly today, where do I look? To the New Testament to the new law of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ- that's the law that we're living under today.

Now here are the things that we've noticed in our study of the authority and inspiration of the Scriptures, the teaching of God through Jesus Christ, it was from God. Jesus himself received all authority from God in heaven and on earth over all flesh and over the church today. It is the words of Jesus that we're going to be judged by today, and the apostles under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit wrote and taught those words. That inspired word in the New Testament is our guide today. We must not add to or take away from the word of God. The New Testament is the law the Christians are living under today.

Now let's direct our attention in this personal evangelism series to the church that Jesus built and how to worship God correctly. What church is one going to become a member of when he obeys the gospel? What do we know about the church of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?

7

In Matthew 16:18 Jesus said this He said to Peter “I say to you that you are Peter and on this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Now Peter had just made the great statement, “You're the Christ the Son of the living God.” And Jesus said to Peter, “On that rock I'm going to build my church.”

Let's ask some questions about Matthew 16:18. Who built the church? According to Matthew 16:18 Jesus said, “I will build my church.” Who built it? Jesus did. To whom did Jesus say the church would belong? Jesus said, ‘I'll build John's church.’ No that's not what He said. “I'll build my church.” Jesus built the church, and the church belongs to Him according to Matthew 16:18. Did Jesus promise to build churches plural or the church singular? “On this rock I will build my church.” Jesus did not say upon these rocks I'll build my churches. Jesus said, “Upon this rock I will build my church. I'll build my church.” Jesus built one church singular.

Now friend as we think about the church of the New Testament, let's realize that Jesus is the head of that church. Do you remember Ephesians 1:22-23? “And He made Him to be head over all things to the church which is His body the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” God made Christ to be head over all things to the church. We ask the question-Is Jesus the head over all things to the church today? According to that verse He absolutely is. In verse 23, what is the church also called? “He made Him be head over all things to the church,” listen now, “which is His body,” verse 23. The church is also called the body. When we talk about the church and the body, we're talking about according to the Scripture, one and the same those are synonyms for the same organization that God himself built.

Now with that being true, I want you to flip over with me to Ephesians 4:4 and I want you to notice an important truth here. Look in Ephesians 4:4. The Bible says “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.” Now is according to that verse is there only one hope? Sure just one hope and that hope's in Christianity. Is there only one Holy Spirit? One and only one Holy Spirit. Is there only one body? How many bodies does Ephesians 4:4 say there is? Now notice this. From Ephesians 1:23 we learned that the church is the body. Okay- that's a synonym for one and the same. How many

8

bodies are there? Look at Ephesians 4:4 again. There's one body. If the church is the body and if there's only one body, how many churches are there? One church. That's all that God ever built in the New Testament. Jesus only promised to build His church, and the Bible says there is but one church.

Now this is so significant because God wants us to have unity. Do you remember Jesus’ prayer to the Father in John 17:17? Jesus said to the Father, “I pray that they all may be one as you Father are in me and I in you that they all may be one in us that the world may believe that you sent me.” Now is it the case from that verse that Jesus prayed that His followers would be one? You bet it is! God built one church, and He wants all His followers to be one.

Friend you don't have to look very far to see the answer to this. Does it look like we're one? Today when you've got a different sect and a different religious organization almost on every street corner, does it look like we're one? Denominationalism has done a lot of damage to the church that you read about in the New Testament. In fact did you know that religious division is actually condemned? I want you to turn your Bible to 1 Corinthians chapter 1, and I want you to see what Paul says about division, how that it is not a part of God's plan for the church. Notice 1 Corinthians 1:10. Paul says, “Now I plead with you brethren 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 be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” Now let's just ask a very basic question here. Did Paul condemn religious, did the Holy Spirit, did God condemn religious division here? “Let there be no division among you.” God absolutely taught in the Scripture teaches in the Scripture that religious division is condemned. Since that's the case, since religious division is condemned and since Jesus prayed that all His followers would be one, must we strive to be one and unite under the word of God and headship of Christ? Colossians 1:18 the Bible says that in all things Jesus might have the preeminence since He is the head of the church. If Jesus needs to have preeminence and He is the head of the church today, should we go to any other person than Jesus to learn about the organization, the worship, and the name of His church? No, Jesus is the only person we must go to learn about these things.

9

In the New Testament the church of the Lord Jesus Christ can be identified clearly by its organization, worship, and name. How is the church of the New Testament organized? Meaning, does it have a pope somewhere in Rome Italy ruling over it? Does the New Testament church have a one-man pastor system where one person is calling all the shots? Does it have a board of deacons ruling and running everything? How is the church you read about the Bible designed to be organized by God? Let's realize that the organization of the church is important. In Matthew 15:13 the Bible says in Jesus speaking “Every plant which my heavenly Father has not planted will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” He's not talking about plants. For the very next verse Jesus said of the religious elite “Let them alone. They're blind leaders of the blind. If the blind lead the blind they'll both fall into the ditch.” Is it the case from that verse that if a religious group is not built in accordance with the word of God, it will be rooted up and thrown into the fire? Jesus absolutely said it would! It's essential that the church be organized the way God wants it to be organized. The New Testament is where we find that the church had elders a plurality of elders working under the headship and authority of Jesus. Jesus has authority in all matters of doctrine. We don't make decisions about matters of doctrine. But in putting in place God's principles, in making sure that we heed and feed and teach the word of God to the congregation, elders are put in place. Working under elders as servants are deacons, and both of these have specific qualifications in the New Testament.

Now friend we say this for this purpose as we close out this idea in this lesson, we want you to realize in the Lord's church there is no clergy laity system in the Bible-meaning that there's no ‘big me and little you.’ There's no one person who's holier than thou and dresses differently and talks differently and is looked up to differently. All in the New Testament church, all men are equal and stand on level ground at the foot of the cross. We all have sinned. We all need the blood of Christ, and the organization of the church gives glory to God and to Christ and not men today. It's so significant that we organize the church the way God wants us to.

We hope that you'll continue to study the next series of lessons. The next lesson we’ll think more about the organization, the worship, and the name of the church. Maybe you're thinking to yourself ‘I want to be a part of the New Testament church.’

10

We hope and pray that you'll call us at the information given, that you will write to us or email us. We would love to sit down and study God's word with you so that we can all one day live in heaven with God forever.

11

Study Questions for: “Evangelism Series: Lesson 2”

1. What will judge us in the last day according to John 12:48?

2. According to 2 Peter 1:3, how many things has God given us through scripture?

3. What will happen if people change or add to the word of God according to Galatians 1:6-9?

4. In Leviticus 10, what happened to Nadab and Abihu when they changed God’s command?

5. What does 2John verse 9 say about people who don’t follow God’s doctrine?

6. According to Jesus in Matthew 7:21, who will be allowed to go to Heaven?

7. According to Matthew 28:18, how much authority does Jesus have?

8. When did the new law of Christ go into place according to Hebrews 9:15-17?

9. Who built the church according to Matthew 16:18?

10. According to Matthew 16:18, who does the church belong to?

How is the church of the New Testament organized? How does it worship according to the Bible? By what designation or name is the church identified in the New Testament?

We welcome you to our third series in our evangelistic lessons. We hope that you'll have your Bible ready as we're going to study these subjects together today.

In Acts 14:23 the Bible clearly teaches that the organization of the church it is governed by a plurality of elders. When we're talking about organization, we realize Jesus is the head of the church, but those whom God has put in place are elders and deacons. All members work for the same common goal with them. Notice the plurality of elders mentioned in Acts 14:23. The Scripture says, “So when they appointed elders in every church and prayed with fasting, they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.” Now the question we want to ask based on Acts 14:23 is, didn't these inspired men appoint elders in every church? Bible clearly says they did. They appointed elders in every church. Well friend, would we be right if we did as they did in appointing elders, a plurality of elders, in every congregation? If we followed that pattern, wouldn't we be following the pattern of organization of the Bible? What about if we put something in place different than that? Could we be wrong if we did not organize the

2

church the way these inspired men did? Meaning if we put one man in place, we put a board of deacons or a one-man pastor system is that according to the Bible? No, it's not. In fact in Acts 20:17 and verse 28 the elders are designed to be the overseers of the church. Acts 20:17 Paul is writing to or discussing with the elders of the church in the area of Ephesus. He says to these men in Acts 20:28 “Take heed to yourselves and all the flock among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.” Are the elders designed to be overseers? Yes, they watch over they care for people's souls. They try to help keep the church pure as God designed for it to be.

Now friend as we think about elders in the New Testament, there are clear qualifications that you find in the Bible for who can and who cannot be an elder and what their responsibility is. Notice Titus 1:5-7 as it discusses the qualifications of an elder. The Bible says for this reason, Paul speaking, “I left you in Crete that you should set in order the things that are lacking and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you. If a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children, not accused of dissipation or insubordination, for a bishop must be blameless as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but hospitable.” When we think about the qualifications of elders in the church, it's clear that not everybody meets those qualifications. You got to be an older person, married, have children. It must be a man. The husband of one wife clearly designates that responsibility was given for male leadership in the New Testament. We want to make sure that these men are qualified who are put in. 1 Timothy 3:1-7 again mentions these qualifications. From that, must an elder be married? Well yeah. He's got to be the husband of one wife. Must an elder have children? Having faithful children the text clearly says. Can a new convert or a novice be an elder? The Bible clearly says that he cannot. There are definitive guidelines for putting in elders in every congregation. Each congregation is autonomous in that that local eldership tries to oversee and lead that congregation according to the word of God.

Now what about further noting about the organization of the church? According to 1 Timothy 3:8-12 the church also has deacons. Listen to 1 Timothy 3:8 of the qualifications and roles of deacons. The Bible says, “Likewise deacons must be reverent not double tongued, not given too much wine, not greedy for money, holding the mystery of the faith with a

3

pure conscience, but let these also first be tested. Then let them serve as deacons being found blameless. Likewise their wives must be reverent not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. Let deacons be the husband of one wife, ruling their children, and their own houses well.” Now what's the office under discussion here? It's a deacon. As we find in the Bible, the word Deacon means a servant. They're given an official capacity to serve in, and thus is it God's plan that there be qualified elders and deacons in every congregation? Yes, that's the pattern that you see. In fact Philippians 1:1 kind of puts in a nutshell. Paul writes to the elders, deacons, and the bishops or the bishops and the deacons and all the saints in Philippi. Here you've got kind of organization in a nutshell bishops or elders deacons and all saints or all Christians. If we're going to think about being the if we want to be the church of the New Testament, then it's got to be organized the way God wants it to. Someone says, ‘well what's the importance of all that?’ I ask you to consider this; where in the New Testament do you find things like you find today for organizations of various groups? Meaning, where do you find the Pope in the New Testament? Where do you find one man running the whole show? We don't find that. In fact here's what you do find in Matthew 23:9 Jesus said, “Call no man Father.” We're not to look up to someone and call him Father in a religious sense. Where do you find a board of deacons running the congregation? Not without elders, and the elders are always the ones who are the overseers or the shepherds of the congregation. Where do you find women elders or deacons? We don't find that in the New Testament. Both are to be the husband of one wife- which clearly designates that as a role that men are to fulfill and to submit to.

And so, the organization of the church helps us to identify the Lord's church as the body you find in the New Testament. As we think about the new church, New Testament church, and being a member of the Lord's church, we also want to realize that the way the church worships helps us to designate it as the church you find in the New Testament.

How did the church worship in the first century? Do you remember John 4:24? Jesus said, “God is a spirit and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth.” Friend is it the case that we've got to worship God in spirit? Meaning are our whole person emotion it be engaged it and in truth? Absolutely! I've got to worship God not just with the emotion and the feeling it and heartfelt, but it's got to be guided by truth which is the word of God. John 17:17 reminds us what truth is. Jesus prayed to the

4

Father “Sanctify them by your truth. Your word is truth.” What is truth? Jesus clearly said the word of God is truth. Here's the application. Since we've got to worship God according to the truth, must we worship God as He's told us to in the New Testament? Friend that's where we find what truth is.

Let us never forget that the putting of man's tradition as commandments and doctrine is clearly condemned in the Bible. Jesus said this in Matthew 15:9 “In vain do they worship Me teaching as doctrine the commandments of men.” First question we ask is, is it possible to worship God in vain? Well, yeah. Jesus clearly said there some were worshiping Him in vain. How did they do that? If we worship God according to the commandments of uninspired men, is God going to accept that? He's clearly not because that would not be following the teaching of the Bible.

Let's then direct our attention to how the church of the New Testament worshiped and how we ought to follow that pattern as well. What did the New Testament Christians do as part of their worship? The first thing we notice is that Jesus commanded His disciples to eat the Lord's Supper. I want you to listen to the words of Luke chapter 22 as Jesus discusses the Lord's Supper as an action of paying honor and glory to God. He said these words beginning in verse number 19 Jesus said, “And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it and gave it to them saying ‘This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.’ Likewise He also took the cup after supper saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood which is shed for you.’” Do, Jesus will then go on to say again ‘do this in remembrance of Me.’ Is it the case that Jesus commanded His site disciples to partake of the Lord's supper? He absolutely did! Jesus clearly said ‘Do this.’ There's the command. ‘Do this in remembrance of Me.’ Now we learn from 1 Corinthians 10:16 the cup that we bless is the cup of the communion of the blood of Christ, and the bread that we break it's the communion of the body of Christ. As we think about the Lord's Supper, the cup represents the blood and the bread represents the body the totality of the sacrifice that Jesus gave.

Here's another question we want to consider. How often should Christians partake of the Lord's Supper? Some people do it three times a year, some monthly, some maybe even different than that. Is there any type of designation in the Bible when Christians did that? Would you direct

5

your attention to Acts chapter 20? And I want you to notice what the Bible says in verse number 7. That's Acts chapter 20. Let's see how often did the New Testament church partake of the Lord's Supper? Acts 20:7 the Bible says, “Now on the first day of the week when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul ready to depart the next day spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.” They came together on the first day of the week. Now there's a parallel in the Old Testament that helps us to really crystallize how God wants us to interpret this language. Let me give you an example. Do you remember in Exodus 20:8 where God said to the Israelites ‘Remember the Sabbath. Keep it holy’? Okay. When God told the Israelites ‘Remember the Sabbath,’ how did they interpret that? Did God mean for them to keep every Saturday that rolled around? Well He absolutely did and that's how they interpreted that. When those Christians met on the first day of the week to eat the Lord's Supper, did they do it on the first day of each week? Absolutely! Should Christians today eat the Lord's Supper on the first day the week? According 1 Corinthians 16:1-2, they came together every first day of the week. What's the purpose of their coming together? To break bread was a big part of that purpose. They're coming every first day of the week, and it's for the purpose of breaking bread and remembering the great sacrifice that Jesus made for them.

Now a second item that we see that the New Testament Christians participated in was giving. I want you to notice 1 Corinthians chapter 16. And friend please understand as we're talking about giving, we're talking about an individual giving at the local level at the congregation that he is a member of all the first day of the week. We're not begging you for money today or things like unto that. This is a command of God between God and man, and it occurs in the local congregation. Listen to 1 Corinthians 16:1-2. The Bible says, Paul speaking, “Now concerning the collection for the saints as I given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also on the first day of the week.” Some versions say ‘every week on the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside storing up as he may prosper that there be no collections when I come.’ Is it God's will that we give as we've been prospered? Yes. Paul specifically said, ‘give as you've been prospered.’

Are we to make a contribution to the local congregation on the same day we partake of the Lord's Supper? I want to show you an inconsistency here that helps us to realize people can understand the language of the

6

Bible. 1 Corinthians 16:1 says ‘on the first day of the week, we're to lay by in store as we've prospered.’ Anywhere you go, almost 99% of places anywhere you go, are going to pass the collection plate every Sunday. You know what's amazing? The languages are parallel on the first day of the week. We're to ‘lay by in store, eat the Lord's Supper on the first day of the week.’ How come we can understand that when it comes to contribution, but we have a hard time understanding that when it comes to the Lord's Supper? That shows an inconsistency that we can actually and people do understand that language.

Now a third action that Christians participate in when it comes to worship of the church is singing. Ephesians 5:19 designates that we are to sing and praise God with our voices. Listen to these words. The Bible says we are ‘speaking to one another in Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.’ Are Christians to sing as a part of the worship? Well the Bible specifically says ‘sing and make melody.’ Does this passage here though mention mechanical instruments of music? When we read through it, it says ‘sing, make melody in your heart, praise God with our voice.’ We find no mention here of mechanical instruments of music. In fact church historians tell us that the followers of Christ did not use musical mechanical instruments of music in their worship. For hundreds of years after Christ left the earth, the Greek Orthodox Church which split off from the Roman Catholic Church has never used it in their worship. In fact when you attend the worship of the church of Christ, you'll notice we don't use mechanical instruments of music. And here's maybe you a comparison to help you understand why, in Genesis 6:14 think with me about Noah building the ark. In Genesis 6:14 here's what God told Noah, ‘Make you an ark of gopher wood.’ Now think about this with me. When God told Noah what to do, was that all that He wanted doing? Did God specify? Would Noah have sinned if he had built the ark out of let's say mud or metal? Well, yeah. God said make it out of wood. Would Noah have sinned if he built the ark out of oak or Ash or Hickory? Yeah! God not only told of the type, but the kind of wood to be used. And so, God told Noah of the three that we mentioned today metal, mud, or wood- which did God say? Wood- of three different types of wood oak, Ash, or gopher which did God say? Gopher. He not only told the kind or the type, He told the kind.

7

Now when we think about music, this is a parallel. When God said ‘gopher wood’ that automatically eliminated any other kind of wood. When God said ‘sing make melody in your heart’ that automatically eliminated any other kind of music.

You’ve got music, and then you got two types of vocal and mechanical or instrumental. God said ‘sing’ not play. God specified how we're to worship Him according to song. Remember Leviticus 10:1-2? Nadab and Abihu offered an unauthorized fire to the Lord which He had not commanded them. Where in the New Testament is the command to use instruments of music? Now I know people say ‘well wait that was under the Old Testament. Remember we've already studied in the Bible authority lesson that we're living under the New Testament. That's the law we're to be judged by. I don't worship, and I'm not saved like they were under the Old Testament.’ Think about it this way, was God upset when Nadab and Abihu when they made changes to His law? You bet He was! Must we be careful not to make changes today?

Let me illustrate it like this. In Matthew 26:26-29 Jesus instituted Lord's Supper. He took the unleavened bread. It represented His body. He took the fruit of the vine. It represented His blood, and He commanded them. ‘Eat this bread and drink this fruit of the vine. Do this in remembrance of Me.’ You ask yourself, this would it be a sin if we put grape jelly on the bread to make it taste better? Would that be okay? Might taste a little better. Would that be alright with God? Well God has not commanded us to. Would it be a sin if we were to spice up the grape juice a little bit instead maybe we put Dr Pepper on the Lord's supper on Sunday morning, would that be okay? Just make it taste little better. Maybe someone doesn't like grape juice. I like Dr Pepper better. Would it be okay if we did that can we make changes like that? Would it be a sin to put maybe hamburgers and milkshakes or pizza and sweet tea on the Lord's Table? Would that be okay? Friend we realize those things are not authorized. God told us what He wanted. He wanted unleavened bread, fruit of the vine-not bread and jam, not hamburgers not milkshakes. God wants music, and He specified the type and the kind. ‘Sing and make melody in your heart to the Lord.’ We realize Noah would've sinned if he used any other kind of wood beside gopher. God didn't approve at all of Nadab and Abihu making changes to the fire, and He reigned down fire from heaven and killed those men.

8

Friend if it was wrong for them to make changes, why would it be right for us to do the same today? We need to realize, God has authorized how we're to worship Him in the New Testament.

But friend as we think about the Lord's church today, let's also realize that God has specifically told us how the church is to be designated- that is the name that is to be called by. Do you remember Matthew 16:18? Jesus said to Peter, “And I say to you that you are Peter on this rock, this statement you made, I am the Christ the Son of the living God, on this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Friend who built the church according to Jesus words in Matthew 16:18? Jesus said, “I will build my church.” Jesus said He was going to build whose church? His church. If Jesus said He was going to build whose His church, whose name should it wear? In Acts 20:28 Paul told the elders in Ephesus, “Take heed to yourselves and to the whole flock among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers to Shepherd the church of God or the church of the Lord which He purchased with His own blood.” Who paid the price? Who purchased the church? Jesus did with His own blood. If Jesus purchased the church, whose name ought it to wear? Whose name should it wear that brings glory and honor to the one who purchased it? In fact not only that, but do we realize that naming religious groups after men is actually condemned in the Bible?

I want you to listen to 1 Corinthians chapter 1. In the New Testament, they tried to name the church after men and Paul specifically forbids them from doing that. 1 Corinthians chapter 1, I want you to notice what the Scripture says beginning in verse number 10. Paul says, “Now I plead with you brethren 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 be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it has been declared to me concerning you my brethren by those of Chloe's household that there are contentions among you.” Now watch what they're doing Paul says, “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?” Ask yourself this, would it have been a sin in the New Testament according these words to name the church after Paul or Apollos or Cephas or any other human being? Absolutely! Paul said ‘Don't do that. Division's wrong.’ If the church were named after Paul, who that glorify? Well it would glorify the apostle Paul. If

9

the church were named after some religious act such as repentance, who would be glorified? Repentance. If it's a sin to name the church the Pauline church, would it be a sin to name the church the Lutheran Church glorifying Martin Luther? If it were a sin to name it the repentance church glorifying repentance, would it be a sin to name it the Baptist Church glorifying baptism? Where do you find Lutheran, repentance, or Baptist Church in the Bible?

And so, we want to consider that these names are not authorized in the New Testament. But here's what we do know, did you know the church of the New Testament is specifically called the church of Christ in the Bible? Now I want you to see for yourself. Look in Romans chapter 16. I want to direct your attention to verse number 16. That's Romans 16 look in verse number 16. The apostle Paul says, ‘Greet one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ greet you.” The churches of who? Christ. Does that designation give honor to Christ? Does it show praise and glory to the one who died for and built the church? Absolutely.

Now friend here's the challenge we would leave with you today. The denominational names that exist today, find those in your Bible. Search the Bible. Are those names in there? Remember Colossians 3:16 says ‘whatever we do in word or deed, we've got to do all by the name or the authority of Christ.’ You can't find them in the Bible. How can we say our faith is based on the word of God and we're a part of the church that you read about in the New Testament?

In our third lesson, we've noticed these things about evangelism, about these lessons: We've learned that Jesus is the builder and owner of one church. It is His church, and He is the head of it. Christ wants unity among His followers, and He wants them all to be one. For that to exist, we've got to go to the New Testament as our only guide to learn the organization, worship, and name of the church. If we're going to worship as a church the way God wants us to, we've learned that we partake of the Lord's Supper. We teach God's word. We pray. We sing. We make a contribution on the first day of the week, and we learn that the name church of Christ is scriptural and found in the Bible and would be a name that brings glory and honor to God and to His Son.

10

Friend if you're not a member of the Lord's church, we're begging you to become one. If you'd like to learn more about how to become a Christian, please call us or write to us or email us.

Keep studying with us. In the next lesson we discuss what God says one must do to be a Christian to be a member of the Lord's body.

11

Study Questions for: “Evangelism Series: Lesson 3”

1. According to Acts 20:28, what are the elders designed to do in the church?

2. What are the qualifications of an elder according to Titus 1:5-7?

3. How do we know it is a male position according to Titus 1:5-7?

4. Must an elder be married and have children according to 1 Timothy 3:1-7?

5. What are the qualifications of a deacon according to 1 Timothy 3:8-12?

6. According to Philippians 1:1, what organization of the church is there?

7. What does Jesus tell us not to do in Matthew 23:9?

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

9. According to Acts 20:7, when did the New Testament church take the Lord’s Supper?

10. What does Ephesians 5:19 tell us to do as a part of our worship? Does it mention mechanical music?

The Psalmist said, "Zeal for your house has eaten me up." And while those words, in Psalm 69:9, are no doubt applied to Jesus as he cleansed the Temple, it would also apply, in practicality, to one great man in the Old Testament who was fed up with sin and took righteous action.

His name is Phinehas, the grandson of Aaron and high priest will ultimately be high priest to God.

We welcome you today to our study of great Bible characters.

The Scripture records in Romans 15:4,"The things that were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we, through patience and comfort of the Scriptures, might find hope." Of the lessons in the Old Testament that can encourage, that can instruct, that can give us hope and comfort, many of those can be found in the lives of godly men and women who stand as examples.

As we think today about the righteousness and the zeal of Phinehas, let's take just a moment to get a little background on who this Phinehas is.

In Exodus 6:25, we note that he is the grandson of Aaron, who was Moses' spokesperson and high priest of God. The Bible records that he was one of the chief officers of the Korahites, who also were of the priestly order of the tribe of Levi. Later he became high priest after Eleazar died. Phinehas is most remembered, his greatness, remembered for there was a plague going on in Israel and his zeal in killing an ungodly man and woman committing adultery is what stopped that plague, Numbers 25:8. In fact, this was such a righteous action, a such a very important action, that this action is actually commemorated in Psalm 106:28-30.This service, that he performed to God in fulfilling that righteous act, secured the succession of the priesthood to his house for future generations, Numbers 25:11-13.

I want us to take just a moment and notice the context of Numbers 25:1.The Scripture records, "Now Israel remained in Acacia Grove, and the people began to commit harlotry with the women of Moab. They invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods. So Israel was joined to Baal of Peor, and the anger of the Lord was aroused against Israel. Then the Lord said to Moses, "Take all the leaders of the people and hang the offenders before the Lord, out in the sun that the fierce anger of the Lord may turn away from Israel." So Moses said to the judges of Israel, "Every one of you kill his men who were joined to Baal of Peor." And indeed, one of the children of Israel came and presented to his brethren a Midianite woman in the sight of Moses, in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who were weeping at the door of the tabernacle of meeting.

Now when Phinehas the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the high priest, saw it, he rose from among the congregation took a javelin in his hand; and he went after the man of Israel into the tent and thrust the both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her body. So the plague was stopped among the children of Israel. And those who died in the plague were 24, 000."

You know, when you think about this very important and dramatic event that is going on here, the background is that God had commanded his people, when they came out of the Exodus wandering, when they became that chosen special people, special people, God clearly commanded them, ‘I don't want you to marry, I don't want you to have interaction with, don't take them as your friend- you don't have anything to do with these heathen, idolatrous, ungodly nations.’ Well, in spite of that

command, Israel had become intermingled with the people of Baal of Peor, even to the point that they had taken some of the heathens as their wives and were actually cut. They're up on the mountaintop. There they are with their wives up on the mountaintop. They're actually worshiping, involved in this horrible idolatrous action. This was clearly done in a direct violation of God's commands and rebellion to his will. Now, as result of this, there was a very scary, serious, and stiff, penalty. God told Moses, "I want you to gather all the leaders. I want you to gather all the officers. I want you to hang them in the sunlight for all Israel to see, as an example." While the people are taking care of this, there is one man who is so brazen, has so much showmanship in what he's doing- that not only is he out there worshiping, and committing this harlotry, and adultery-he has the brazenness to bring this woman there in front of Moses and the camp, and take her into his tent. He's just doing it out in front of everybody, no respect for God or His will in doing this.

Now, this is where Phinehas enters the scene. There is a death going on. The death of 24,000 occurs. What stopped this horrible plague that was going on? It was Phinehas, a righteous man of God. He knew that Zimri had taken this woman into his tent to commit lewdness and idolatry with her. He grabbed the spear, went to the man's tent drove it through him and her together.

Friend, it was this righteous act, his zeal for God and his house was to the top. He couldn't take it anymore and so it was this righteous act that stopped that plague. In fact, in Psalm 106:31, it is said of God, "And that it was accounted to him for righteousness. To all generations forevermore."

Because of what he did, God honored him and his house with having the priesthood among them forever. Are we to take up swords and spears today? That's not the idea. Here's a man who is serious about God. Here's a man who is serious about sin, about righteousness, and about keeping the camp in the house of God and no doubt that tabernacle within pure. He saw God as holy and righteous as he should be. He went to extreme lengths in making sure this man's sin was dealt with in an according manner.

Now as you think about Phinehas, and as we say to ourselves, "okay, great story, great lesson, great man of courage, righteousness, and zeal. How does this apply to us today?

Let's make a practical application from the life of Phinehas for ourselves, in the church, and the Kingdom of the Lord today.

What do these lessons teach us? Friend, we first learn a very practical lesson from God's dealings with Israel in this context. It is this: God expects His people to obey him. God had clearly told them as they left Exodus, as they entered the Canaan land, God had clearly told them, "don't mingle with these people, don't marry them, don't take their wives, don't have children with them, they're going to be a thorn in your flesh, don't have anything to do with them. They didn't listen and it was a thorn in their flesh.

Friend, God expected His people to obey Him now as we make practical application from that lesson. Let's realize just very practically, very simply, as God's people today, He expects us to obey Him. Jesus said, "If you love me, keep my commandments," John 14:15. Jesus clearly said, in Matthew 7, when some were saying, "have we not done this in your name and this in your name and done many good works in your name." Jesus said some of you, "I'm going to say I didn't know you. Why? "It's not everybody that looks up into heaven and says, 'Lord, Lord', that's going there, but he who does the will of my father in heaven."

Jesus said to the pious Pharisees and scribes who would take themselves and say yes we're the religious elite. Jesus said, "Why do you call me Lord Lord, and don't even do the things which I say." You can't call Christ, Lord, the point is, if you're not willing to follow and obey him. Revelation 22:11-14 clearly teaches us that blessed are those who keep His commandments. Yes, we must obey God. We absolutely must keep His commands.

Are we then going to look up to heaven and beat our breast and say I've earned salvation? No! We're still saved by the grace of God; don't get me wrong, Ephesians 2:8-9. But don't miss this either: "Jesus is the author of eternal salvation to all who obey him."

Friend, when the Bible tells us, gives us command, for example, when the Bible says we're to worship God in spirit and in truth, I can't avoid that command and be right with God. I can't look the other way. I've got to worship God with all my heart and soul, mind, and strength, and then I also must worship God according to truth, which is this book, John 17:17. I've got to worship in the manner that God tells me to. I don't want to add to or take away things that are in the Bible and so I must do exactly what God teach as it relates to things like the plan of salvation.

This is such a practical lesson. Think about this: When Christ tells me, and tells you, commands us to do something to be saved, can I fail to do that and still be saved? For example, Jesus said in John 8:24, "Unless you believe that I'm He, you'll surely die in your sin."

Let's say I'm not going to believe in Jesus, but I want to go to heaven. Is that going to work? Of course not. When Jesus says, "Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish", can I keep living in sin and not repent and think I'm going to go to heaven? Well, no, I can't do that.

What about when Jesus says to be baptized for the remission of sins and people don't do that? "He that believes and is baptized will be saved", Mark 16:16. "Repent and be baptized for the remission of sins." People sometimes say, ‘well I might have been baptized but it wasn't for the remission of sins.’ Wait a minute now; if Jesus commanded that and I don't keep that command, can I be right with God?

A second very practical lesson that we learn is this: God has always wanted his people to be separated from the world and from sin. God wants us to draw a line. He wants us to not become intermingled with, to remain on the righteous side, to try to do right. Does that mean we're not going to try to reach the world, live in the world? That's not the idea; but I don't want to take on their values, their morals, their gods, and their way of life. Rather, we want to be God's own special people.2 Corinthians 6:17-18, "Come out from among them and be ye separate says the Lord

I will be your God you shall be my people." That's the mentality of a Christian. I want to come out of the world. I want to be separated to God. I don't want to live like, think like, and act like, the world.

Now, why is it we've got to come out of the world? Here's why, "All that is in the world, lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, the pride of life, it's not

of the father but of the evil one and the world and the lust of it, one day going to perish", 1 John 2:15-17. Why is it that we as Christians need to be separated from the world? Here's why: the Bible says in James 4:4, "Adulterers and adulteresses do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God whoever therefore desires be a friend of the world makes himself God's enemy."

You cannot serve God and worldly riches, Matthew 6:24.

Then think about this: if I become unequally yoked together with unbelievers, 2 Corinthians 6:14-15, what kind of problem does that present? Well, you think about it as it were maybe a man's working in the field. He's got a plow hooked up to two mules and one of those mules is really good and one is really not very good. What's going to happen to the good mule? He's going to do all the pulling. He's going to do all the work. He's going to drag the other one part of the way. What if a Christian is intermingled with a non-Christian? He's going to end up doing a lot of that. He's going to end up having to pull that person. It's not going to be very good yoke. It's going to be very unequal. The principle is: your morals are not their morals. Your way of life is not their way of life. Your God is often not their God. Why would you want to join yourself to someone who doesn't have the same values that God and Christ want us to have?

Thirdly, as we think about practical lessons, here's a very valuable one. Friend, in the Bible God always means what He says. Now, we ought not to think that to be hard but sometimes it is hard for people to understand when God told the people, I don't want you to intermingle-did He really mean it?

When God told the people: I don't want you to go up on the mountain top and worship their gods and to not be involved in idolatry and adultery did God really mean what He said?

Friend, you bet He did. God always means what He says.

Another couple of examples we might give you: think for yourself about Nadab and Abihu. They offered a sacrifice that was unauthorized to God, that God had not commanded it, Leviticus 10:1-2, and fire rained down from heaven. They died in the presence of the Lord. Did God really mean it when He said only do what I say? Absolutely!

Think about in the New Testament, Ananias and Sapphira, they lied to the Holy Spirit. They tried to keep back some of the money of themselves. They both dropped dead on the spot, because God really means what He says. When God teaches us, from the Scripture, what He wants, I need to take Him at His word. When God says sin is sin and that it will separate us from Him, friend, I need to believe that. When God says the wages of sin is death, I need to realize, if I get caught up in sin, I'm going to face those consequences. When God tells us not to cheat, or to lie, or to steal, or whatever practical application we may make, God means what He says.

There will be blessings if we do what He says. There will be consequences if we don't do what our God says.

Which leads us to our next point: As always, when we don't obey God, there will always be harsh consequences, hard consequences to follow. Is that because God's a mean and angry God? No, but friend, God tells us the best way to live. John 10:10, Jesus said, "I came that you may have life, and that you may have it more abundantly."

If I follow Christ, stay on the right path, and do His will, I've got the best life possible.

What if I get off that path? I've chosen to live the life that's not the best, and, friend, there will be harsh consequences to that.

You remember the rebellion of Korah in the Old Testament. They thought Moses had too much authority. They said give us a little authority too. We're also Levites; in essence, we ought to have some priestly authority. They rebelled against Moses; they rebelled against God; and the ground opened up and swallowed people into it. Were there stiff consequences when they rebelled against God? You bet!

What about today? Friend, there are more serious consequences today than there ever was in the Old Testament. Hebrews 2:1-3 asked the question, "How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?" There was a penalty under the old law. We face a stiffer penalty today, not in the sense that God is going to open up the ground and we're going to be swallowed in it -but friend, if people live in sin, listen carefully-God doesn't

want this to happen. We don't want this to happen. If people live in sin and die in sin and they're in sin at the judgment of God, the blood of Christ is not applied to their spirit. They have not walked in the light.

Friend, there is a place called hell. There is a place of eternal torment. God wants all men to be saved. We want all men to be saved, but rest assured there is a majority of people who are going down that wrong path that leads to destruction.

I need to know there are consequences to my actions. I must be aware of that.

Then, as a practical lesson, we mention this: As God's children, we need to stand up for what's right. We need to stand up and oppose those living in sin and trying to please God at the same time.

The very idea of standing up for what's right is something that we all should believe in. Just imagine if you saw some travesty. Let's say you're walking down the street and somebody steals an old lady's purse and just starts really having his way with her, and is going to try to take all her money. Would you stand up for that if at all possible? Would you stand up for her and what's right? Well, sure you would! That's a travesty. That's something people ought to stand up for.

What about when it comes to God's truth and souls and things that are eternally important? Christians ought to stand up for what's right. Stand up and oppose those who are living in sin and do something about it.

By that I mean this: we've got to contend earnestly for the faith. Are we fighting today? You bet we are! What kind of fight? The sword of the spirit, Ephesians 6:11 - 18. We're battling against the foes of darkness, Ephesians 6:10-18. We're taking the word of God as our guide, as our sword. We're doing battle against ungodliness and sin. How am I to do that? Speak the truth in love, Ephesians 4:15. I'm to reach out the best way possible to those who may be opposing what's right, to those who may be living in sin, 1 Corinthians 5, among the people of God. If there are those living in sin, there is an action just as zealous and just as righteous as what

Phinehas did.

In 1 Corinthians 5, Paul said disfellowship that ungodly man. Put him out of your assembly. Don't have anything to do with him. Don't associate with him. Don't even eat with him is the idea. I’m going to treat him as an enemy. I'm going to admonish him as a brother. At the same time you've got to draw a line and make sure that we don't allow sin to continue for the saving of people’s souls,1 Corinthians 5:4-5.

Another very practical lesson is: we need the zeal and the courage to stand up and speak out about morality.

Friend, as we think about having zeal, having courage, speaking out about things that are morally wrong. You've got a heinous situation going on here -a man living in brazen sin and rebellion to God. God said don't marry him. He says. God, not only am I going to marry him, I will take her in my tent right here in front of everybody and I don't care what you say. How brazen was he? And yet we need the courage, just as Phinehas had, to stand up and speak out about morality.

Let me mention a few things as it relates to the subject of marriage. We need the courage to stand up and say what God says - one man, one woman for life. The only reason for divorce is fornication and then it's not a must. Genesis 2 verse 24, "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother, be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." How the world needs to hear God's principles of morality there!

Then, as Jesus said in Matthew 19:9, the only scriptural reason for divorce is 'except for fornication, sexual immorality.' Then and only then, does the innocent party have the right, according to Jesus, to remarry.

We need to stand up and speak out about morality as it relates to things that especially are relevant to us today- whether be gambling, which is a horrible tax on the poor, whether it be moral issues like abortion, where even Planned Parenthood, these days, as seen on video are doing these heinous and ungodly things.

Where are Christians when those videos are seen? When the evidence is there? When we're selling out baby parts after abortion? Where's the outcry? Where's the zeal?

Stand up for morality on times like those. We also must take action against those who are ungodly. Now by action, again, please don't misunderstand our words, are we saying we're going to take up a javelin, go looking? No! That's not the idea, of course not. We want to fight with the sword of the spirit, Ephesians 6:17.We want to, in love, speak the truth. Does that mean it might make it uncomfortable for some? Sure! Is it ever comfortable to have sin pointed out and people turn the Bible and say, we're encouraging you to stop living like this? Never comfortable, but listen carefully, it's the right thing to do. In United States of America, we are still a Christian majority. As a Christian majority, who believes in the Bible, when will we rise up and with one voice say what God has said, put a stop to some of this immorality and ungodliness by people who believe in the Bible uniting together and letting God's voice and this one nation under God be heard?

And then finally, we mention this, as we think about courage, as we

think about righteousness, as we think about zeal, friend, zeal and doing the right thing is to be commended, not looked down on.

I wonder what some of the people in Phinehas' day thought. Can you imagine the cries that went out when that happened? Can you imagine the looks on people's faces? Some said he really shouldn't do that. He did the right thing at that time. He was commended by God and, friend, when people stand up and speak the truth, even if that's uncomfortable and unpopular, we need to encourage and hold up their hands, We need to do everything we can to support that in the desperate times we now live in today.

As we think about Phinehas, as we think about his righteousness, zeal, and about his life, he stands as an example of a man who went to great lengths to make sure that God, His truth, His kingdom, and He came first in the choices Israel made. He had to make a hard decision, but it was a right decision.

Friend, have you made the decision to follow God? If you've never become a Christian, you can make the decision, today, to be filled with God's righteousness and have the zeal to do right by obeying Christ.

Jesus said, "If you love me, keep my commandments."

Have you heard the word? Do you really believe Jesus is the Christ? Would you turn from sin and turn to the Lord? Would you make that great confession, Acts 8:37-39? Would you be immersed in water for the forgiveness of your sins?

Here's what Jesus said, "He that believes and is baptized will be saved. He that does not believe shall be condemned."

If you've never become a Christian and obeyed the gospel, have the courage and the zeal today. Regardless of the cost, obey Christ and live with fervor for him every day.

Study Questions for:

“Great Bible Characters Lesson 1: Righteousness of Phinehas”

1. According to Romans 15:4, why were the things written?

2. What consumed him in Psalms 69:9?

3. What should we do if we love Jesus according to John 14:15?

4. According to Revelation 22:11-14, why should we obey God?

5. What saves us according to Ephesians 2:8-9?

6. What is truth according to John 17:17?

7. According to John 8:24, what will happen to us if we don’t believe?

8. According to 2 Corinthians 6:17-18, should we separate ourselves from the world?

9. Should we befriend the world according to James 4:4?

10. According to John 10:10, why did Jesus come?

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord for this is right," Ephesians 6:1.

Welcome to our final lesson of Godly Homes in an Ungodly World.

In this series of lessons, we have tried to reach out to those who are

in the home whether it be father, mother, children, or those thinking about

getting married. These lessons help to set some biblical standards for

dating, having a successful marriage, or the role and responsibility of each

in the home.

These lessons have had the mindset and desire of making our homes

godly homes in an ungodly world.

Today, as we conclude our series on Godly Homes in an Ungodly

World, we think about the role and responsibility of children in the home.

Now, we understand that the father is the head, and the mother is

that keeper of the home, the one who takes care of those in the home as

well.

What about the responsibility of children?

Children are in submission to both parents and have the responsibility

to obey, submit, and comply with the guidelines of God and their father and

mother.

I want to begin by just mentioning some Proverbs that I hope will set the tone and tenor for children in the home and offer encouragement as well.

Proverbs 27:11 says this, "My son, be wise and make my heart glad that I may answer him who reproaches me." What do parents really want from children? Children who will have the forethought to think about the decisions they make and make their parents glad by making the right choices in life. That's what every parent wants.

Listen to Proverbs 20:11 the Bible says, "Even a child is known by his deeds, whether what he does is pure and right." What are parents looking for? Children who will make decisions and choose the right action because it's pure and it's right. I understand there's a lot of peer pressure today. There is the desire to be popular and liked but what parents and God are really looking for is children who will make decisions first and foremost because they're pure and they're right in the sight of God.

Listen to this proverb: Proverbs 10:1, the Bible says, "A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is the grief of his mother." Parents want children they can be proud of, who are following God and the dictates of his heart, as well as living up to their responsibility in the home.

Notice this proverb as well: Proverbs 17:25 says, "A foolish son is a grief to his father and bitterness to him who bore him." Don't live your life in such a way that your actions and choices grieve your parents or make them become bitter toward you, rather strive to live as God wants you to in the home.

How is that? Listen to Ecclesiastes 12:1.The Bible says to all young people, "Remember now your creator in the days of your youth before the difficult days come and the years draw near when you say I have no pleasure in them."

What's one of the key ideas for young people to live a successful and godly life? Here it is: "Remember your creator". What's that mean? Put God first in every decision you make in the home, in the job, in dating and

recreation. Ask yourself, "Does this, will this decision help me to ‘seek first God and His kingdom?’” Matthew 6:33.

Now, we begin by thinking about the home and the role of children in the home with a blockbuster passage concerning this idea in Ephesians 6:1-3.Notice what the Bible here says, "Children, obey your parents in the Lord for this is right. Honor your father and mother which is the first commandment with promise" and here's the promise: "that it may be well with you and that you may live long on the earth."

When you think about the Holy Spirit's instructions to children, you've really got two breakdowns here. Children are to obey their parents. The Bible says, in Colossians 3:20 that they are to "obey their parents in the Lord." Ephesians 6:1-4 "as is fitting in the Lord". Romans 1:30 mentions those, among those sins of the Gentiles, those who were disobedient to the parents.

Children, listen carefully, you're not the authority. You're not the decision-maker. Your responsibility in the home is to obey.

Does that mean that your ideas, suggestions, and your feelings are to be completely ignored? That's not what's being said. Any godly father or mother who is seeking to have a godly, productive home is always thinking about what's best for the welfare, spiritually, physically, emotionally, of our children. You've got to trust that your parents, if they're godly parents, are striving to do that even though you may not see eye to eye in every situation.

Your responsibility is to obey, not to talk back, not to rebel, not to belittle, not to make fun of, and not to degrade. You are to obey. That's what God said your responsibility is in the home.

Secondly, in Ephesians 6:1-3 the Bible says, “Children are to honor father and mother, which is the first commandment with promise that it may be well with you and that you may live long on the earth.”

What does it mean to honor father and mother? Do you remember Proverbs 31 where, of the virtuous woman, her children rise up and call her blessed? That's the idea. When you honor father and mother, you're going to obey them. You are going to respect them. You are going to want to follow their guidelines and you're going to appreciate and be thankful for what your parents do.

Listen very carefully. Around this world and even the United States of America, there are a host of children, multitudes of children, who have parents who really don't care very much for them. We hate to say it that way, but it's true.

Be thankful if you've got godly parents. Be thankful that your parents love you enough to try to look out for your spiritual welfare, to try to help you and guide you and set standards for you to follow that are based off of the teaching of Scripture. You have such a blessing that you fail many, that we fail many times to realize in having godly parents who love us enough to discipline, care, and protect us in so many ways. Honor and your parents. That's the responsibility of children to their parents.

What else can a godly child in the home do? Godly children need to be a good example for their family in every way. You know, when we think about what can a young person do in the home?

Here's one of things that is so powerful. The Bible says in 1 Timothy 4:12 Paul speaking to Timothy, a young person, said, "Be an example to the believers, in word and in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith and purity. What can you do in the home? Be a godly example. That's what your parents need of you. That's what you need to do in the home. Set the example. I want to study my Bible. I want to pray. I want to honor father and mother. I want to obey them. I want to live up to the example of Christ in every way. I want to walk in the footsteps of Jesus in the home, 1 Peter 2:21-22.

Now, I want to show you the power of this by mentioning some young people who were indeed great examples to their family.

David stands out as a young person who was a great example. Do you remember the story of David and Goliath? 1 Samuel 17:33, David had heard that Goliath taunt the people of God. He said “I'm going to trust God. I can defeat this giant.” He went over there and with those few small stones, the young man David defeated Goliath. He knocked him to the ground, cut off his head, and became a great leader in Israel.

Look at the example. What about his brothers? They were scared to death of Goliath and yet David went over there, put his trust in God and became a powerful example of a young person to his family.

A couple of other examples: both Timothy and Titus are told to be examples. Look at the example they set: preaching the word of God, teaching others, becoming young evangelists who no doubt would instruct and teach the lost as well. No doubt that had a great impact on their family as well.

You know, when I think of another example of a young person, who no doubt was an influence to their family, I think of Jesus at the young age of 12. Jesus had gotten separated from his family. Luke 2:49, they find Jesus in the Temple and it's as though they're going to scold him, "Did you not know that your mother and I were looking for you. Where have you been?” Jesus said, "Did you not know I must be about my Father's business?"

What did that mean? Jesus was in the Temple asking questions and teaching the teachers of the law at the young age of 12. What a powerful example for Bible study and evangelism that must've set for both Mary and Joseph concerning their son.

You know, as we think about young people in the home, one of the things that every young person desperately needs in the home, all people need, but especially young people, is to put God first-even if family may not.

Now, the actual design that we've been discussing much is where you've got a father and mother who love the Lord supremely, who are

putting God first, who are setting guidelines for the home, and who desire that their children do that.

But even if you live in a home where you may be the only Christian as a young person, what can you do? Put God first. As a young person, 'remember your creator' Ecclesiastes 12:1.

Remember that your desire, responsibility, and privilege is to put God first. The writer of Ecclesiastes said in 12:13, "Let's hear the conclusion of the whole matter.” What's life all about? “Fear God, keep his commandments. This is the whole duty of man." That's why we are created. Isaiah 43:7 God says, ‘everyone who's created by me, who gives my name honor and glory, I have formed him, yes, I've made him.’ God said "I've created him for my glory."

Whether we eat or whether we drink or whatever we do, we're to do all to the glory of God, 1 Corinthians 10:31.Young people need to have the mindset of Paul: "For to me, to live is Christ." "Seek first the kingdom of God", Mat. 6:33.

Think about the good you can do in your classroom, on the ball field, and among other young people. You need to set the example of leadership for putting God first as a young person.

Let me give you some examples: on the ball field, remember you're still a child of God. Set the example of how a Christian would act in dress, on the ball field, in your language on the ball field, in the love and care and concern you ought to have for others. Those are the actions we need among young people at school. Be an example to your fellow students. Behave like one even when other people may be doing things that are immoral or immodest. Don't partake in that. Use language that encourages others to live in a godly way. You'll be surprised if you'll stand up for Christ, even as a young person, and live as God wants you to live, you'd be surprised how many people respect and actually want that and would follow your leadership in that area.

Young people, be an example on a date. When you're dating, remember God's teachings. We all understand there may be desires and passions that naturally, God has given for the right place. Let's remember that place "marriage is honorable, the bed undefiled, but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge" Hebrews 13:4.

As a young person dating, let your standards be known. Let people know that you don't believe in those relations before marriage and that you're going to keep a high standard that you expect those whom you date to set that same standard. And friend, when you do that, the kind of person you want to help you get to heaven is not far away. You'll be looking for that person, and they'll be looking for you as well.

Remember to be an example to yourself. Even when you're alone, you've got to set that example, because God is always watching. Hebrews 4:13 says there's no creature hidden from His sight. All things are open and naked before the eyes of Him with whom we must give an account. Proverbs 15:3 says, "The eyes of the Lord are in every place." When you're at home, maybe by yourself, God sees the kind of music you listen to. God sees the programs you watch. When you're on the computer, God knows what you looking at. Don't look at things, don't listen to things, don't watch things, don't do things even when you're alone that would not be approved in the sight of our God. And so, as a young person in the home, be a godly example to everyone.

What else is God's encouragement for people in the home? One of the things that God encourages in the home is for young people to really be the kind of example, especially when it comes to hard work that God desires in the home.

Let me give you an example. I want you to listen to a not very well-known passage in the book of Lamentations 3. Listen to what the Bible says to young people about hard work .Verse 27 says, "It is good for a man to bear the yoke in his youth."

What's the idea there? 'Bearing the yoke' is working hard, bearing the burden, carrying the load. What is needed of you in the home? To be a

hard worker. Don't be lazy. Don't expect mom and dad to do everything for you. Don't expect to be waited on hand and foot. Rather, bear the yoke in your youth. Work hard as a young person. Ultimately, we want you; God wants you, to work hard first and foremost to getting to heaven that's the first thing you need to work hard on. Revelation 21 describes that place as a place where 'there'll be no sorrow, pain, crying, all the former things have passed away'. A place of rest, Matthew 25:46. Hebrews 4:9, above everything else, work hard on getting to heaven.

But, you know what? In the home, you need to work hard as a part of the family. That means that you need to do your share of the chores when it comes to vacuuming or doing the dishes or keeping your room clean, or whatever it may be, mowing the yard-whatever it is- work hard. Work hard at growing in Christ. The Bible says 'grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ'.

Then as a young person in the home, such an important aspect that we want to illustrate from Scripture for every young person in the home is: you need to be teachable.

Listen to Psalm 71:17 every young person needs have the mindset that is mentioned in Psalm 71:17. The Scripture says, "Oh God, you have taught me from my youth and to this day I declare your wondrous works."

You know what's great about the psalmist? He was teachable. God had taught him from his youth. We need young people today, who are teachable. I understand there is the idea, the mentality, that at this age we know everything. We can do everything. We don't need to be told anything. Friend, that is just not true. Young people need to be teachable. Don't have a know-it-all attitude. I know it all right now, I've got it all figured out, and I can accomplish everything. That's not the attitude you find in Scripture.

The correct attitude is found in Luke 11:1, where Jesus' disciples said, "Lord, teach us." That's the mindset young people need, 'Lord teach us'. We want to learn and know. Hey, let's all realize we don't know everything. Deuteronomy 29:29 says, "The secret things belong to the Lord, our God but the things that he has revealed belong to us and our

children." None of us have it all figured out. There are some things we may never know. But as young person, you're at the point in life where you need to be one who's ready to learn, to grow, to receive instruction when someone tries to correct or teach or, maybe even show you a better way to do something. Don't rise up and act like you've already got all figured out even if you may have a better way. Still be respectful enough to listen and you'll be surprised at just how much you can learn in situations like that.

What else do we need from young people in the home? We need young people who are willing to let the Bible mark them. The Bible says in Psalm 119 especially to young people beginning in verses 9 through 11 the Scripture will say that ‘young people are to let God's word make an impression or a mark on their heart.’ The Scripture records of a young person that they had been taught by God, "Your word, I've hidden in my heart.” How should a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to your word." And then he says, "Your word I've hidden in my heart that I might not sin against you."

How can a young man make his way right? By letting the word of God make the correct mark upon them. You know, as a young person, you need to study the Scriptures diligently. "Study to show yourself approved unto God." That's what Paul would say to Timothy, a young evangelist. Acts 17:11, we're all to “Search the Scriptures daily." Your words were found and I did eat them," Jeremiah said in Jeremiah 15:16.

You know, as someone who may be young in the faith or a young Christian especially, you need to study and apply the Scripture very diligently to your life. Paul would say in Philippians 4:9 "The things which you've heard and received and saw in me, these do and the God of peace will be with you."

We also want to impress upon every young person's mind, every person, but especially young people, that as a young person, you desperately need to flee those things which are not right, which are ungodly in the sight of our God.

Listen to 2 Timothy 2:22. Paul would say, "Flee also youthful lust but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace, with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”

You know, as we think about the responsibility of young people one of those responsibilities is to flee, to run from, to get away from, certain things. What are those things? Youthful lust. There's no doubt that sometimes emotions, attraction, desire, and passion, run very high among young people. There's no doubt that many of the movies, songs, things you see in magazines, and things you see from day-to-day, even the way people dress, cause that problem to be exacerbated sometimes.

What does the young person need? Flee youthful lust. Talking about things like sexual immorality. A young person needs to run away from, do nothing with be separate from immoral things sexually. Remember again Hebrews 13:4 says, "Marriage is honorable, (inside the marriage or marriage relationship) the beds undefiled but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge."

1 Peter 2: 11gives such sage advice for young people. The Bible says, "Abstain from fleshly lust which war against the soul.” How can you flee youthful lust? Abstain from it. Don't put yourself in a situation where that's going to be an attraction or temptation. Don't be alone with somebody when that, where that might occur. Don't be in a movie or somewhere where that might be something you are prone to give in to. Abstain from it is God's guideline.

And then of course young people need to flee other desires and passions as well: drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. The Bible says ‘wine is a mocker strong drink is a brawler and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.’

To young people today, God wants you to know and we want you to know as well you have, in the home, such a wonderful responsibility and privilege. You have the power to set the example to encourage your parents to give them something they can be proud of and just as God desires to have godly children, parents want children who are also putting God first. Your role in the home, although it is a role of obedience and

submission and respect your parents, can do so much good for making the home a place where people are happy, where the relationships are loving and joyful. You can actually help and encourage your parents to be what God wants them to be. And no doubt you can do so much to encourage your friends and your peers to learn more about Christ.

You know one of the things that young people especially have a great opportunity for is evangelism. Young people have as much or more opportunity to evangelize at your age than you will at any other. You're around more people, you contact different people in so many ways, and look at the good you can do for reaching others for Jesus Christ.

And so, the words of Paul, "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother which is the first commandment with promise that it may be well with you and that you may live long on the earth."

Our hope and prayer is that each child will strive to obey and honor their parents to truly have a "Godly Home in an Ungodly World."

Study Questions for: “Godly Homes: Lesson 8”

1. According to Ephesians 6:1, what are children to do?

2. Why should children obey their parents according to Ephesians 6:1?

3. According to Proverbs 10:1, what makes a glad father?

4. What sends grief and bitterness to his father according to Proverbs 17:25?

5. According to Ecclesiastes 12:1, why should young people remember their creator in the days of their youth?

6. What should we be according to 1 Timothy 4:12?

7. In Luke 2:49, at the age of 12, what did Jesus tell his parents he must be about?

8. What is the whole duty of man according to Ecclesiastes 12:13?

9. According to Matthew 6:33, what should we seek first?

10. According to Proverbs 15:3, what are in every place?

To Jesus' disciples, He made this wonderful promise: “I go to prepare a place for you and if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself that where I am, there you may be also,” John 14:1-4.

We welcome you today to our study of the subject of the second coming of Jesus Christ.

This is a part of our Be Faithful series in which we're offering motivational lessons that will encourage every Christian to live faithful to the Lord all the way to their very last day.

One of the things that really ought to motivate us to be faithfully is the second coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

As you think about one of the subjects that is replete throughout the New Testament, it is the second coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It's been said that the second coming of Christ is mentioned about 318 times in the 260 chapters in the New Testament. Christ's second coming is said on average of every 25 verses. About 1/20th of the New Testament deals with the second coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

You can see that that is a very big part, a very important part of the New Testament and the message of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. What do we know about the second coming of Christ? We know that

Christ's coming is going to happen. There is no getting around it. Everybody's going to have to face God in judgment one day, and the Lord will one day come. How do we know that?

Listen to the words of Hebrews 9:28. The Bible says, ‘Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him, He will appear a second time apart from sin for salvation.’ Someone once said to me, ‘You know the Bible never mentions second coming.’ I beg your pardon? It does. He will come a second time; there's the second coming.

Now it's different than the first coming. The first time Jesus came was to deal with sin, right? Matthew 1:19-21, ‘You'll call His name Jesus. He'll save His people from their sins.’ The second time He comes won't be to deal with the sin problem- it'll be for salvation. He'll come back and claim His own-those who have lived right, done well, and are faithful at his return. They'll be caught up together with Him in the air. They'll always be with the Lord. If you're alive when the Lord comes back, you won't miss it. You'll know what's happened. There'll be the voice of an archangel, the trumpet of God; it'll be something that all men everywhere will see and know is happening.

Let's think about another detail about Christ's coming and this refers to the timing of the second coming. Friend, there's always been a lot of speculators, a lot of people who like to guess, and a lot of false prophets about the second coming of Christ throughout history. It's one of the ways you can spot a false prophet because they always try to put a time on the second coming of Christ.

For example, a Seventh-day Adventist leader, and one of the original founders, William Miller, said in 1833 that Jesus would come back in 1843. Ten years he's coming back. Well 1843 came and went and guess what? He changed his mind, and said it'd be 1844. Well that never happened either. Charles Russell, Jehovah Witness leader said, in 1914, Jesus is coming back. Well it didn't happen then; he said well I got it wrong that it was 1919. Finally he said, ‘well Jesus really came, but it was only to his inner circle.’

If you read your New Testament much, you'd know that's not the nature of the Lord's coming. And so throughout history, there have been religious leaders who tried to tell us when the Lord was coming. It wasn't too long back, I believe in 2011, a man by the name of Harold Camping, he put billboards across California and other places and he said the Lord's coming back May 21, 2011. Well May 21st, 11:59:59 and the clock rolled over and Jesus hadn't come back. We knew that wasn't right. We knew ahead of time because the Bible teaches nobody knows the timing of the Lord's coming. Here's the truth on the matter. Any time anybody says the Lord's coming back at this time on this day- you can put a check mark beside their name and write them down as a liar and a false prophet. That's pretty bold; I know it is. That's what the Bible says. Do you remember Matthew 24:36? Let's look at this together. Matthew 24, what did Jesus say about the timing of His coming? Well Jesus made it very clear about the timing of His coming and didn't leave any room for doubt. Jesus said, “But of that day an hour no one knows, not even the angels of the heaven, but my Father only.” When's Jesus coming back? Nobody knows. The angels don't know, only the Father knows that. I know that'll be like this. 1 Thessalonians 5:2, ‘it'll be as a thief in the night.’ What's that all about? A thief in the night doesn't call you up and say ‘get ready, I'm coming over to rob you,’ does he? No; he robs you when you're not ready. He robs you when you're not looking. Nobody knows when it's going to happen. That's the idea. Friend, when we think about the timing of the Lord's coming, let's realize that's not something that men know. No one knows the day or the hour that the Lord is coming back.

And so, what's the message then? Be ready always. Mark 13:35, ‘the Bridegroom can come at an hour when you're not expecting him.’ Matthew 25, ‘make sure your lamp, your oil lamp is trimmed and you've got oil in.’ Meaning make sure your life's ready when the Lord does come. When He comes, that'll be the opportunity to go back and be with Him forever.

Then I want to encourage you to think about this. Let's think about what the Lord's coming going to be like. When the Lord does come, what's that day going to be like? Well the Bible gives us some details about that day. The Lord's coming is going to be with great power and authority.

Matthew 25:31, “He'll separate His people, the goats on the right hand, the sheep on the left; He'll separate them. It'll be, the King will speak and all will hear His awesome and magnificent voice.” It'll be personal. The Lord will come back to claim his own. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, John 14:1-4, “If I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself that where I am you may be also.” It's personal. He's coming back for me. He's going to come back for my loved ones. It's something that we'll all be a privy to and we'll know has happened. What else do we know about the nature of the Lord's coming? It's going to be unannounced. The Lord's not sending an email or a text or a memo telling people when He's coming. As we mentioned, Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 4 and 1 Thessalonians 5, that it's ‘like a thief in the night or like labor pains upon a pregnant woman.’ Think about that illustration. Imagine your wife's pregnant, maybe you've been through it. Your wife's pregnant and you're sitting next to her and all of a sudden she just jumps. What happened? Labor pain and she didn't know it was about to happen. Didn't know it was coming, and it just hit her all of a sudden. That's kind of the idea- like a thief in the night, like labor pains, it's going to be unannounced.

On that day, another aspect of the nature of his coming is it'll be audible. You will hear and know the Lord is come. John 5:28-29, ‘all who are in the grave will hear his voice and come forth. Those who've done good to the resurrection of life, those who've done evil to the resurrection of condemnation. The trumpet will sound; the voice of an archangel, that great shout will be made. And all men will know at that point what's taken place.’

Another aspect of the Lord's coming is that it'll be visible. ‘Every eye shall see him,’ Revelation 1:7. Acts 1:11, ‘this same Jesus who you saw ascend will also in the same matter descend. He left on a cloud, he'll come back that way,’ 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. So the Lord's coming is an amazing event that we all, all Christians want to be watching and ready for.

Along with the Lord's coming, there are some events that will also, according to Scripture, coincide with that. Now let me illustrate that. The resurrection, the bodily resurrection, will take place at the time of the Lord's coming. All who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth. When

are people going to be resurrected? According to 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, ‘all,’ again, ‘all who are in the graves are going to come forth. They're going to meet the Lord in the air.’ We're not going to precede those who've died. We're all going to be caught up. They're going to be with the Lord just as we are. So, the resurrection, the bodily resurrection, is going to take place along with the second coming.

Judgment is going to take place along with the second coming as well. Listen to 2 Timothy 4, and I want you to notice what Paul will say about the judgment in 2 Timothy 4:1. The Bible says, ‘I charge you therefore, before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead, at His appearing in His Kingdom.’ When the Lord appears, when He comes back, judgment is also going to begin as well. I want to make sure I'm right at that time. I want to be judged according to the Word of God, John 12:48 and I want to make sure that my name's written in the Book of Life, Revelation 20:12-15.

Friend, we also know that coinciding with the second coming of Christ, is the fact that God's vengeance is going to be meted out, given out, to the ungodly. I want you to listen to the book of Thessalonians for just a moment, 2 Thessalonians 1. Paul notes that at the Lord's coming, God is going to bring vengeance on the ungodly. 2 Thessalonians 1:7 says, ‘and to give you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angles in flaming fire, taking vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power when He comes in that day to be glorified in His saints, and admired among all those who believe in Him, because our testimony among you, testimony among you was believed.’ On that day, those who do not know God and those who have not obeyed the gospel, God's vengeance will be meted out to those people.

God doesn't want them to be lost; Christians don't want them to be lost. God's done everything He can to make it possible for them to be

saved. If they ignore the warning, if they rebel against God and live in sin there is a day coming, and all men will have to give an account for that.

Another interesting thing that's going to happen on the day of Christ's coming is every knee is going to bow, and every tongue is going to confess that Jesus is Lord on that day. I know there are a lot of people who don't believe today. There are a lot of atheists, and there are a lot of people who aren't sure, or agnostics about the idea- a lot of people who just don't care, or don't believe. On that day, all those people will realize the truth. They will bow, and they will confess. How do we know that? Listen to the words of Philippians 2, and I want you to notice what Paul says about this. In Philippians 2:9-11. The Scripture records, ‘therefore God has also highly exalted Him, this is Jesus, given Him the name which is above every name. That at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, every knee should bow of those in heaven, of those on the earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.’ There is a day coming when all men will realize Jesus is Lord and Christ.

Now, why mention all these things going to happen with the second coming? Again, this is designed to motivate and encourage. If I'm living right, the resurrection's a good thing. If I'm living as I ought to, the judgment is not a scary day. The fact that God's vengeance is meted out, that's not something I'm going to worry about. How wonderful it'll be to know that every knee will bow and tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord and Christ.

And so, designed to encourage us to be ready for that awesome day when those things will indeed happen. We also know on that day that the Kingdom is going to be delivered to the Father. 1 Corinthians 15:24, ‘when Christ comes He will deliver the Kingdom to the Father.’ Those who are in the Kingdom of the Church will also go to be with the Father forever. We know that on that day, the righteous are going to be changed. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, we'll be changed, Paul said. Our lowly body will be changed; let's put on that immortal or that immortal body, corruptible body, let's put on incorruption- that's the idea. We'll be crowned with a crown of righteousness. Paul said, ‘I fought the good fight, I finished the

race, I've kept the faith; henceforth, in the future, is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous judge who will give to me on that day, but not to me only, to all those who've loved His appearing.’

Another event that the Bible teaches will coincide with the coming of Christ is that this whole world and all that's in it, the universe, the world, and all that's in it, the Bible teaches is going to be destroyed. How do we know that? Notice in your Bible, 2 Peter 3:10-12. Talking about the Lord's coming in 2 Peter 3:9, the Bible says beginning in verse 10, ‘but the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, the elements will melt with fervent heat, both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up; therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be? In all holy conduct and godliness. Looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God because which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire and the elements will melt with fervent heat.’ Friend, think about this for just a moment. When the Lord comes back, this whole world and the earth and the universe and everything's going to be dissolved or destroyed, why would you want to put your interest here? Why would you want that to be your main focus? This earth is temporary. The things of this world, they're fading; they're passing. The eternal side, the spiritual side, the spiritual realm, that's where Christians want to put their hope and their focus.

Alright then, let's think about some lessons then that want to really emphasize as it relates to the second coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. How does this motivate me? What does it help me to do? Friend, number one, as I think about the second coming, and as I think about the idea of being faithful until death, the second coming of Jesus reminds me that I need to live soberly, righteously, and godly. Titus 2:11-13, the Bible says that ‘we as Christians ought to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world.’ 2 Peter 3:11, ‘seeing all these things are about to be, what manner of conduct should you be? Live in all holy conduct and godliness in view of Christ's coming.’ Live like you ought to live. Live soberly. Live a righteous life. Live godly. It ought to affect the way I live my life each and every day. I'm trying to live as a Christian. I'm trying to do what I ought to do. If I might remain faithful and stay true and the Lord

comes back, that'll be a wonderful day. But imagine if I slip and give into sin; imagine how horrible it'd be if the Lord came back and that's where He found me. ‘Live soberly, righteously, and godly in view of Christ's second coming.’ Hebrews 12:14 says it this way, ‘pursue peace with all people and holiness without which no one will see God.’

Secondly, this emphasizes how we need to watch and be ready all the time. I want you to hear the words of Jesus as He spoke to His disciples. He had spoken about the end of the world, no doubt connected to His coming, and Jesus then made the application to His own disciples in the gospel of Mark 13. Listen to what the Lord said in verse 35. Jesus said, in Mark 13:35, ‘watch therefore, for you do not know when the Master of the house is coming in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning, lest coming suddenly he finds you asleep. And what I say to you, I say to all, watch.’ Friend, there's the idea, be on alert. Be watchful, mentally and spiritually; be mindful that the Lord could come at any moment and be ready for that day. Paul would teach us to be pure and to be blameless in the sight of God. Philippians 1:10, we're to live lives of purity. First Thessalonians 3:13 and 1 Thessalonians 5:23, we are to be blameless.

Now, I understand that I'm not pure and I'm not blameless on my own-but if I've obeyed the gospel, God has purified me. If I've obeyed the gospel, by the blood of Jesus, I've been made holy. Friend, I want to do my part to every day walk in the light. ‘If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another and the blood of his son Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin.’

As you think about lessons that this really emphasizes, how Christians really ought to put their hope on the second coming. We ought to be looking forward to that day. I think a lot of lessons we hear about the second coming give us times of pause where we want to really stop and examine our lives and there's no doubt at all to do that. But for the faithful child of God, shouldn't that be something we're hoping for? We're looking forward to? Listen to 1 Peter 1:13. Peter said, ‘therefore, gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be

brought to you at the revelation, the revealing, the unveiling of Jesus Christ.’ As a child of God, my hope ought to be set on how God's grace is going to be so wonderfully given to Christians when he comes.

As you think about the second coming, not only does it encourage, not only do we want to emphasize some things, but friend, this should motivate us as well. We ought to be motivated by the second coming. Motivated to what? Well here are the things that the second coming ought to motivate every Christian toward. It motivates me to realize now is the time, remember, I don't know when the Lord's coming, you don't know when the Lord's coming. No one outside of God knows when the Lord's coming is going to be. If that's the case, now is the time. Listen to the words of 2 Corinthians 6:1-2, ‘now is the accepted time, today is the day of salvation.’ Not yesterday, and not tomorrow, or not in the future sometime, right now is the day-now is the time to get ready. You want to know why that's so true? James says in James 4:14, ‘what is your life, it's but a vapor. Here is for a little while, and then it vanishes away.’ Now is the key word- because that's all I'm promised. That's all I know for sure that I've got is right now. Take advantage of it and be motivated by that to get ready for the Lord's coming. Get ready then would be our second encouragement to you.

In Acts 26:28, along with realizing the importance of now, Paul stood before Agrippa and he proclaimed the gospel. Agrippa said ‘almost, you persuade me to become a Christian.’ Paul said ‘I wish that you were almost and all together as I am without these chains.’ Realize the need to get ready. This is your opportunity. This is your chance. Don't forget about the example of the 10 virgins. When the bridegroom came, five weren't ready, and five were ready. The five who weren't ready didn't have their lamp trimmed, didn't have oil in it, they went to the city at the last minute, procrastinators, at the last minute, to try to get ready in a hurry, and the door got shut. They didn't get to go in. Don't procrastinate; don't wait. Don't say to yourself, I'll do it tomorrow.

Finally, a motivation we have from the second coming of Christ is, we need to live faithful every day. “Live faithful until death to the Lord each and

every day,” Revelation 2:10. Certain Christians in Ephesus were thrown in prison, some might even die there, here's what Jesus said to them: “Be faithful until death and I'll give you the crown of life.” Live for the Lord every day, Luke 9:23. Live as a sacrifice to God each moment of your life, Romans 12:1-2.

Maybe you're not ready for that day. Maybe it's because you've become a child of God, but you haven't lived like you should. Friend, as long as you have now, you've got an opportunity to make it right. Simon was a Christian, and almost immediately, he fell into sin in Acts 8. And yet, there was a way for him to be forgiven. Peter said ‘repent and pray to God that the evil thought of your heart might be forgiven you.’ Simon said, ‘pray for me.’ Simon repented; he changed his life. He got right with God. You can do the same thing. If you're an unfaithful child of God or if you're not sure you're ready for the judgment day, whatever sin may be in your life, make it right.

If you're not a Christian, why not become one? Hear the message of Jesus Christ. Believe that to be true, make a commitment in your life to turn from sin and turn to God. Confess the beautiful name of Jesus Christ and be baptized in water. Jesus said, “He that believes and is baptized will be saved. He that has not believed shall be condemned.”

Our hope and prayer for each of us today is that this lesson will motivate us that, if we're alive and we hear that day come, it'll be a day of joy- not a day of sadness.

Study Questions for:

“Be Faithful Unto Death: Lesson 2”

1. According to John 14:1-4, what has been prepared for Christians?

2. How often is the second coming mentioned in the New Testament?

3. What does Hebrews 9:28 say of the second coming?

4. According to Matthew 1:19-21, why did Jesus come to Earth the first time?

5. What does Jesus say about His second coming in Matthew 24:36?

6. What does 1 Thessalonians 5:2 tell us about the second coming?

7. What will the second coming be like according to Matthew 25:31?

8. What will we hear at the second coming according to John 5:28-29?

9. According to Revelation 1:7, who will see the second coming of Christ?

10. According to 2 Timothy 4:1, when will judgement take place?

“Enter by the narrow gate for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction and many there are who go in by,” Matthew 7:13-14. Jesus here made it abundantly clear that the road that leads to eternal destruction is a wide path, and abroad gate, and many are going down that path. Who is it exactly that is going down that wide path to destruction? Why is it that God is going to send them to eternal destruction?

Welcome to our study of: Who will God punish, and why?

It is true that God is a loving God, 1 John 4:8 “God is love.” It's true that “God wants all men to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth,” 1 Timothy 2:4.

In fact the Bible says the ‘Lord's not slow concerning His promises as some men count slowness but is long-suffering toward us not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.’ God is a God of love. He wants all men to be saved. God doesn't want anyone to be lost or perish; however, God being a fair and just judge, Genesis 18:25, it is also the case that God will punish some people out of His fairness and His righteousness. He must do exactly that. So who will God punish, and why will He punish those people?

The Scriptures teach that God will punish those who do not know Him that is those who were not New Testament Christians. Listen to the words of 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10, “And to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, taking vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power when He comes in that day to be glorified in His saints and be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed.”

Paul makes it abundantly clear that part of those people who were going to be punished are those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Jesus said in Matthew 25 when there was that great separation scene between the sheep and the goats, he said “Those who are going to be punished are those who do not know God they will go away into everlasting destruction.”

When we think of those, who one day are going to be lost, we’ve got to realize it's those who were not New Testament Christians. Friend how important it is that we obey the gospel and become children of God. God does want all of His children to live faithfully and to go to heaven.

To escape punishment you've got to become a New Testament Christian. There's no other way. Peter said in Acts 4:12 “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there's no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Christians are the only ones who have their sins washed in the blood of the Lamb, Revelation 1:3-4. They’re the only ones who have their sins forgiven. Acts 2:38 when Peter preached the gospel he preached “Repent and be baptized for the remission of sins.” If you're not a New Testament Christian you are in that class of people who will one day suffer in eternal torment.

As you notice 2 Thessalonians 1 there are two classes of people: those who do not know God and those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Those who don't know God are those who have never entered into a relationship with Him. Those who do not obey the gospel doesn't just include initially obeying the gospel-but it is a continual idea. Those who don't live faithful to the gospel every day, not

only will those of never become Christians suffer punishment, but wayward children of God will also be punished in that day. Listen to what Paul said to Christians in 1 Corinthians 10:12. Paul said “Let him who thinks he stand take heed lest he fall.” It is the case that Christians must be vigilant. We must make sure that were living like we ought to. If we're not careful, we can fall.

Some people of talk the idea that once you become a child of God you can never be lost, once saved always saved. That's just not what the Bible teaches. In fact in Galatians 5:4 Paul said, writing to the church in Galatia, “You who attempt to be justified by law you have become severed from grace,” listen “you have fallen from grace.” You have fallen out of Christ. They cannot be right with God if they don't stay faithful.

Let me give you an example. Acts 8 Simon the sorcerer hears the word of God preached. In verses 12-13 he is baptized. He obeys the gospel and becomes a Christian. He reverts back to his old way very quickly. He sees that through the laying on the apostles hands the power of the Holy Spirit is given. He says ‘I'll give you money if you will give me that power.’ Peter says “Your money perish with you. You thought the gift God purchased with money you got neither part nor portion in this matter your hearts not right with God.” Peter said “You need to repent and pray to God if the evil thought of your heart might be forgiven you.”

What's significant is Peter said “Your money,” listen “is going to perish with you.” Who is in that class of people who will be punished? Christians who live in sin. There is nothing more repulsive the God then a child of His who goes back into the world. It's disgusting in God's eyes. How do we know that? 2 Peter 2:20-22. Here's the grotesque image God chooses to think of when a child of His goes back. “It's like a dog returning to its own vomit or a sow having washed returning to its wallowing in the mire.” What a filthy and disgusting image that is! That's how God feels when one of His children, who have been washed in the blood of the Lamb and who's been sanctified and made holy, turns back to the world.

A child of God can so sin as to be lost. If they remain in that sin, they will be a part of that group who one day is going to be punished.

We also know that God is going to punish all the disobedient throughout the ages in that final day. All those throughout the ages that lived in disobedience will be punished. I want you notice what the Scripture says in 2 Corinthians 10:5-6. The apostle Paul says “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 notice, “and being ready, Jesus is ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.” On that final day when all men stand before the bar of God and give an account, those who lived in disobedience will be punished. They'll hear that horrific statement ‘Depart from me you worker of iniquity. I never knew you. Cast the unprofitable servant into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ This reminds us of the need to obey God. Matthew 7:21 Jesus said “It's not everybody that that looks up into heaven and says ‘Lord, Lord’ that's going there, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” It’s not just enough to name a name. You've got a do what God says. Luke 6:46 as Jesus thought about the Pharisees and their hypocrisy, Jesus asked them this, “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord’ and do not do the things which I say?” You can’t just call Him ‘Lord, Lord.’ You've got to do what He says. You have to obey Him. Jesus said “If you love me, if you say you love me, keep my commandments,” John 14:15. He is the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him. There is a dire need to make sure that I am living obediently to God and His cause.

Who else is going to be punished by God? The Scriptures teach that all the wayward angels, who did not submit to God and who left their proper domain or authority, are also going be punished on that day. Listen to the words of Jude. The scripture says “And the angels who did not keep their proper domain but left their own abode, He, God, has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of that great day as Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them in similar manners to these, having given themselves over to sexual morality, gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example,” notice, “suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.” God created these angels. They’re ministering spirits the Bible tells us. Some of them rose up against God and didn't remain under proper authority. God says those angels, on the final day, are also going to be punished.

What's the practical lesson for us? I'm not listening for a voice from an angel. I'm not infatuated with the idea of angels. I know they were God's

servants. The Bible teaches us “Even if we,” Paul said, “or an angel from heaven preached to you any other gospel that we have preached, let him be accursed,” Galatians 1:6. We do not worship Angels. We are not waiting to hear a message from an angel. Angels can and have disobeyed God in the past, and thus we have to listen to the word of God.

Our message today is found in the Bible. Hebrews 1:1 “God who at various times in various ways spoke in times past of the fathers by the prophets,” notice, “has in these last days spoken to us by His son.” I'm listening today to the word of Jesus. John 12:48 Jesus said “He who rejects me does not receive my word has that which judges him. The word that I've spoken will judge him in the last day.” I am going to be judged by the word of God. Don't be infatuated so much with Angels and listening for a message. Some of them are going to be punished, because they did not obey God.

Who else will be punished? The Bible teaches that enemies of the cross of Jesus Christ will be punished by God on the last day. Notice Paul's words in Philippians 3:18-19. Paul said “For many walk of whom I told you often, and now tell you even weeping that they are enemies of the cross of Christ whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, whose glory is in their shame, who set their mind on earthly things.” What about the enemies of the cross? Their end is also going to be eternal destruction.

Now you might be thinking to yourself, ‘Who would we identify as an enemy of the cross?’ Anyone who promotes anything other than the simplicity of Christ and His doctrine is an enemy of the cross. False teachers are enemies of the cross. ‘They have itching ears.’ Bible says ‘they’ll heap up for themselves teachers after their own desires and draw many away.’ That's why we've got to preach the word, 2 Timothy 4:1-4. the Bible teaches that those who don't know God and those who do not acknowledge Him as God are also enemies of the cross. Atheist are enemies of the cross of Jesus Christ. Remember the Bible says “The fool says in his heart there is no God.” You can know there's a God. You can look around and see. Those who claim not to believe in God are enemies of the cross. Agnosticism and agnostics are enemies of the cross. An agnostic is someone who really is not sure and doesn't know whether you can know or not. ‘Might be a God. Might not be a God. Who really knows? We just live the best life and hope for the best in the end.’ That is not the mindset Jesus promoted. Jesus said “You shall know the truth and the truth

will make you free.” Ungodly, immoral people who live in debauchery and sin are enemies of the cross of Christ. They trample and knew the son of God, Hebrews 10:26-29.

There's another class that will be punished. The Bible teaches those who are worldly, that is those whose mindset and goals and hope is set on this world, they're going to be punished in the last day. Matthew 7:13-14 again teaches us most of this world is going down the wrong path that leads to destruction. This world that we live in right now, although there are many beauties created by God, this world is temporary. We must not put our hope on this old world. Listen to what Peter said as he thought about the end of all things. In 2 Peter 3:9 the Scripture says “The Lord is not slack concerning His promises as some men count slackness, but is long-suffering toward us not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise and the elements will melt with fervent heat,” notice, “both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore since all these things will be destroyed what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God because of which the heavens will be dissolved being on fire and the elements will melt with fervent heat.” What's going to happen to this old world? Jesus had already said Matthew 24:34-36 “The earth and all that’s in it will one day burn up, will pass away, will cease to exist, but he who does the will of God that's the person who will live forever.”

We must not put our hope on this world. James 4:4 uses very strong language to describe worldliness. James says “Adulterers and adulteresses do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore makes himself a friend of the world has become God's enemy.” You can't have both. Jesus said “You cannot love God and man or earthly riches, Matthew 6:24. The command is do not love the world or the things of the world, 1 John 2:15. God is saying that not just because he despises the world, which is gone after Satan and his devices, but because He wants to warn us not to get caught up in that trap.

Who else is going to be punished on the last day? The Bible also teaches that great enemy of old, Satan himself, is going to be punished in everlasting fire on the last day. Look in Matthew 25:41. The Scripture reads in Matthew 25:41 “Then He, Jesus, will also say to those on the left-hand

‘depart from me you cursed into the everlasting fire,’ notice ‘prepared for the devil and his angels.’ Revelation 20 is a great separation scene again and that old serpent that Dragon of old, is cast into the bottomless pit of fire and brimstone- again a picture of Satan and his eternal destruction.

Friend if we follow the devices of Satan, if we give our heart to his things: his teaching, his worldliness- then we’re going to go where Satan himself will spend eternity. It's not that much fun to follow the devil when you think about the end result. Too many times we get caught up in the here and now and the impulse and immediacy of the fun. When we lose sight of the fact the devil has already lost. You’re on the losing side if you follow Satan. You will be punished forever.

The Bible also teaches that the unjust of this world will be punished by the Father. People who don't deal righteously, people who cheat, and lie and deceive, and steal, the swindlers, the ponzi scheme- people of this world, those who try to trick people, and be a great con artist- the unjust- will also be punished- if they don't change their ways. Notice the words of 2 Peter 2:9. The Bible reads “Then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and reserve the unjust under punishment for the Day of Judgment.” Here we’re clearly taught that people who are not fair, just, and righteous in their standards and their judgments will not go to heaven on the final day. And so judges, those who run businesses, those are in places of authority; how we need to strive to make sure that we have just standards and that we follow the teaching of God.

Another class of people the Bible teaches that one day will be punished are the immoral of this world. From the time of Genesis all the way up to today the world has had it. Those of the world who have run immorality, they follow the path of immorality and ungodliness. We have got to make sure, if we’re going to be saved, we avoid immorality.

Now I want you to notice what the Bible says in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11. Listen to these words. The Scripture says “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 liars, nor extortioners.” Nor will what? “Nor will they inherit the kingdom of God and such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified which were justified in the name the Lord Jesus and by the spirit of our God.”

It's clear from this text that those who live in immorality will not make it to heaven. Notice the people mentioned: adulterers (those who take other spouses), fornicators (those who live in sexual immorality before marriage), and notice especially those who do not hold to God's standard of marriage. God’s standard is a ‘man shall leave his father and mother be joined to his wife and the two shall become one flesh,’ Genesis 2:24. One man, one woman for life. Look at what the text says ‘homosexuals and sodomites will not inherit the kingdom of God.’

Friend the homosexual agenda is often times being pushed down our throat like it's something that everybody ought to except and if you don't accept you're like a racist. Friend, that's not at all a fair comparison. Listen very carefully. The Bible says in no uncertain terms: homosexuals will not go to heaven. That's what God says. That's how clear it is. They will not, if they continue in that lifestyle, inherit the kingdom of God. And so immorality, thieves, murderers, extortioners- those are people who one day sadly will suffer eternal punishment- if they don't change.

Now one more class that we want to look at of people who will be punished, if they don't change, and that is all the complainers and grumblers of this old world will be punished on the final day. Notice what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 10:10. The Scripture says ‘Nor complain as some of them also complained and were destroyed by the destroyer.’ He is talking about the Israelites, who throughout the traveling from Egypt to the Promised Land, began to complain and murmur. They saw the miracles. They received the food from heaven. And yet, how did they show God their thanks? ‘What did you know bring us out here to kill us? Oh that we were back by the flesh pots in Israel. We’re tired of this manna.’ When God gave them something different, they began to complain again. God despises those who are not thankful.

Too many times instead of being humbly grateful, we’re grumbly hateful. Are we really doing God right if we complain and murmur and speak against God in a way that's not pleasing to Him and dishonors all that He's done for us? We have got to make sure not complain or murmur. The Bible says this, Philippians 2:14-15, ‘Do all things,’ listen to that ‘all things without murmuring and complaining.’ At times that's hard. It's hard for each of us, because sometimes our human nature takes over. We want to complain and grumble a little bit. That's not what God wants us to do. God says “In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ

Jesus for you,” 1 Thessalonians 5:17-21. Let's be careful to make sure that we're not in this class of people whose one day going to be destroyed.

What you might be thinking to yourself, ‘What is it then that I need to do to make sure I'm not one of these people who's going to be destroyed?’

First of all, you need to obey the gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus said “I am the way, the truth, the life; no man comes to the Father except by Me.” Jesus is the only way.

Are you sure today that you're a child of God? How do you become a Christian? The Bible makes it abundantly clear to become a child of God; you have to hear God's word. Romans 10:17 says “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.”

Once you’ve recognized the message of God, the truth of the Bible, and once you’ve accepted that message, then you must believe in Jesus. Jesus said in John 8:24 “Unless you believe that I'm he you'll surely die in your sins.” I've got a believe Jesus is the Savior of the world.

Having believed, I can't stop there. I've got a make that life change known as repentance. Jesus said in Luke 13:3 “Unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” I have got to change my way of thinking and change my way of acting to God's way of thinking, acting, and way of living.

Then I have got a make that good confession. In Matthew 10:32-33 Jesus said in essence, ‘If you won’t confess Me before men neither will I confess you before the father who is in heaven. If you will confess me before men, I'll also confess you before the Father who is in heaven.’ I have got to say like the Ethiopian eunuch did “I do believe Jesus is the Christ the son the living God,” Acts 8:36-38.

Then the Bible teaches to be in that class of people, who’s one day going to live in heaven, you must be immersed in water for the forgiveness of your sins.

Acts 22:16 we have Paul's own accounting of his salvation experience. In Acts chapter 9 the Lord told him ‘now you go into the city and it'll be told you what you must do.’ We turn to Acts 22:16 and the Bible says, Ananias speaking to Saul, ‘Why are you waiting? Arise and be

baptized.” Listen, “and wash away your sins calling on the name the Lord.” Jesus said “He that believes and is baptized will be saved. He that does not believe shall be condemned.”

Then once you've obeyed the gospel, you've got to live faithfully every day. Romans 6:4 the Bible teaches us ‘we come up out of the waters of baptism to walk in newness of life.’ You’re a new creature. You've got a second chance.

If anyone's in Christ, he is a new creation. Old things have passed away. All is new. I'm getting a second chance and with that the Bible says ‘we must live faithful.’ Jesus said “Be faithful unto death, and I'll give you the crown of life.” You’ve got to seek first God's kingdom. Above all else seek first the kingdom of God, Matthew 6:33.

Make it your life’s aim and goal to glorify God in everything that you say and do.

We ask you today of those two classes, those who are going down the wide way that leads to destruction, and those on the narrow road that leads to heaven-which class are you in?

Are you sure you're on the right path to heaven? If not, we encourage you today obey the gospel. Become a child of God. Live faithfully so that one day you can know for sure ‘I’ve got a home in heaven with all the redeemed of the ages.’

Won't you do that before it's too late?

Study Questions for Topical Lesson 1:

“Who will God punish, and why?”

1. In Matthew 7:13-14, what does it say about the path to destruction?

2. According to 1 John 4:8, what is God?

3. According to 1 Timothy 2:4, what does God want?

4. Who will be punished according to 1 Thessalonians 1:7-10?

5. According to Matthew 25, who did Jesus say would be punished?

6. What did Peter preach in Acts 2:38?

7. According to Galatians 5:4, can you fall from grave/fall out of Christ?

8. According to 2 Peter 2:20-22, how does God view a Christian living in sin?

9. According to Matthew 7:21, who is going to heaven?

10. According to John 14:15, if we love Jesus what will we do?

In Acts 11:26 the Bible says, “They were called Christians first in Antioch.”

Why are there so many Christians in the world today? And more importantly, why should you become a Christian?

Stay tuned as we let God's word answer the question: Why am I a Christian?

Why should someone become a child of God? Why be a Christian? What is it that that motivates and encourages one to want to be a child of God? As we think about this today if you're already a Christian, we want to ask why are you a child of God?

There are some answers that might be given to that would be incorrect to this question. For example, someone might be a Christian because of family pressure. Jesus said in Matthew 10:37, “He who does not love me more than father or mother is not worthy of me.” Maybe someone was pressured by family, or a husband, or a wife, or parents to become a Christian. Friend I can't obey the gospel, become a Christian because somebody else pressured me to do something I wasn't quite ready to do.

Some may have become a Christian because it was the popular thing to do. But Jesus clearly taught that there are many who go down the wrong way but there are few who choose the right path. Did you do it just because it was popular thing to do? Or did you do it because you wanted to become a child of God? Some may have become a Christian simply because it feels right; and while feeling may be involved, we want to combine feeling and truth, John 4:23-24. Apart from a good fuzzy feeling, did you really know the truth? John 8:32

Today we want to offer some reasons as to why a person should become a Christian with the impact hopefully of encouraging, if you're not a child of God, encouraging you today to become a Christian. If you are Christian, encouraging you, motivating you, to greater service in the Lord's army.

Why am I a Christian? Friend, I'm a Christian because I'm convinced from the Scripture it is the Right Way. Christianity is the only right way. Being a Christian means that we recognize it is the exclusive way to get to God. Not through Buddha, not through Hindu, not through Judaism, not through all the world religions today, Jesus said the one and only way to the Father was through Him. Do you remember John 14:6? Jesus said, “I am the way,” listen to the exclusive nature of that, “I am the way, the truth, and the life no man comes to the Father except by me.” Friend there are not a hundred and one ways, there are not 20 ways, there are not two ways, there's one way. Christianity is the only right way to God, the only way. Acts 4:12 Peter proclaimed, “Nor is there salvation in any other for there's no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Friend a person needs to be a child of God, because if you want to go to heaven it is the one and only way by which you can get there.

But when we think about Christianity as the right way, let me illustrate some of the ways in which it is right. Christianity is right in its origin, in its beginning, in its founding. Who originated Christianity? Well God did. From the beginning God had planned that salvation would be through His Son. Genesis 3:15, “The seed of woman would crush the head of Satan.” Jesus comes on the scene being born of a virgin, Matthew 1:19-21. And to Christians Paul said in Romans 16:20 that “God would crush Satan under

their feet shortly.” It is of the right origin. Isaiah 62:1-2 God said, “My people, when my people are called by a new name the Gentiles will see my righteousness.” Acts 11:26, for the very first time they were called Christians, after Cornelius, a known Gentile, obeyed the gospel. And so, it's right in its origin.

Christianity is right in its destiny. That is Christians are destined to go to Heaven. Now does that mean you can't fall away? That's not what we're saying, but if someone lives faithful the end result of the Christian life will be the reward of Heaven. 1 John 2:25 says to Christians, this is the promise He's promised us, eternal life. “I am the way, the truth, and the life no man gets to the Father except by Me.” The idea is if we go through Him, we can get to the Father. It's right in its destiny, and Christianity is right in its purpose.

What are we here for? What's the Christian life all about? Are we here to serve ourselves? Are we here to live it up? Course not! The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 12 verses 13 and 14, “Let's hear the conclusion of the whole matter fear God, keep His commandments this is the whole duty of man.” Our purpose is to love God and to love others, to live a selfless life, and to strive to do good just as Jesus did.

Why be a Christian? Friend listen carefully, it is the only right way to get to God. There are no other alternatives. There are no other side roads. There are no other paths. Jesus is ‘the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father except by Him.’

Why else should one become a Christian? I'm a Christian because of God's amazing love for me. No one's ever loved you like the God of heaven loves you. Jeremiah 31:3 God says, “I have loved you with an everlasting love.” From before time, God loved mankind. God is love, 1 John 4:8. 1 Peter 5:7 says, “God cares for you.” Why am I motivated be a child of God? Because of God's amazing love for me and for you on an individual level.

Well someone says, ‘Okay I understand people talk about that. I hear that, how do I know God loves me?’ God's love is evidenced in the sacrifice of His Son. How do I know God loves me? “God so loved the world He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Jesus went to the cross to bear my sins

and yours. He bore our sins in His own body upon the tree, 1 Peter 2:24. I can know God loves me more than I can begin to imagine, because He sacrificed His Son. I know God loves me and that's evidenced that's demonstrated in the forgiveness of sins. Jesus said, “This is my blood of the new covenant shed for many for the remission of sins.” When Peter proclaimed, ‘Repent and be baptized for the remission of sins,’ that sacrifice had become available. “God has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities,” Psalm 103:10.

I know God loves me, and He loves you and that's evidenced by His providential care of each one of us. Do you remember the words of Psalm 37:25? David said, “I've been young and now I'm old, yet I've never seen the righteous forsaken nor his seed begging bread.” Does God take care of His own? You bet He does! That's proof positive of His love. “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be given unto you.” It is this this love, the amazing love of God, for me that motivates us to want to live faithful to the Savior. I'm compelled. Paul said, “I motivated by the love of Christ to live every day for Christ,” 2 Corinthians 5:14. Paul said in Galatians 2:20, “I've 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.” What made Paul live the life of faithfulness that he lived? What made Peter, what made James, what made John face the difficulties that they did and still triumph? God. His amazing love motivated them every day to serve Him.

Friend that's what motivates us that God loves me and He loves you so much. And He's been so giving, and so kind, and so caring to each and every one of us.

Thirdly we're motivated to become Christians because of the power of Christianity. When we talk about being a Christian you're talking about being a part of the most powerful group of people in all the world. Now what do I mean by power? Am I talking about physical might and strength and ability to overcome in that sense? No. We have spiritual power. I have as a child of God these powers. Number one I have the power to overcome the world. James said in James 4:4, “Adulteresses and adulterers and adulteresses do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore desires to be a friend of the world makes himself

God's enemy.” The one who's tied up in the world, he's on the opposite side of God. Yet as a Christian, I can overcome the world. 1 John 5:4 the Bible says, “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” This is the victory we have even our faith, 1 John 4:4. Jesus said, “You can overcome don't be afraid, you can overcome because I've overcome,” John 16:33. I have the power in this life to overcome this old world which is one day going to be burned up and destroyed, 1 John 2:15-17.

Secondly as a Christian I have the power to overcome sin. Now friend this is something we've all got to understand, “There is none righteous no not one,” Romans 3:10. “All have sinned fallen short of the glory of God,” Romans 6:23. That sin leads to death, “The soul, who sins shall surely die,” Ezekiel 18:4. But the good news is, through Christ I have the power to overcome sin! Can you imagine when they heard for the very first time “Repent and be baptized for the remission of sins.” You mean that sins can be absolutely removed and taken away? Not rolled forward, not based on the blood of bulls and goats which could never take away sin, Hebrews 10:3-4, but through Christ our Messiah, sins can be wiped away. That was the Clarion message that Peter preached. Saul heard it, Saul of Tarsus. Acts 22:16, Ananias came to Saul and he said ‘Why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized!’ and listen this, ‘wash away your sins calling on the name the Lord.’ I have the power by obedience to the gospel and contacting the blood of Jesus in baptism, Romans 6:1-4, to access forgiveness and overcome the power of sin.

As a child of God, I also have the power to overcome Satan, the greatest enemy that that ‘roaring lion that active militant aggressive enemy,’ Job 1. That one who desires to have us, Luke 22:31. The murderer and a liar from the beginning, the Bible says I can overcome him. Listen to Hebrews 2:14 the Bible says, “Jesus He through death overcame him who had the power of death and released those who all their lifetime were subject to bondage.” On the cross, what did Jesus do? Jesus overcame Satan and death. The Bible says in Romans 16:20, “The God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly.” Can I overcome Satan through Christ? Absolutely! I can defeat the greatest enemy.

But you know there's another idea. I hope you'll listen real carefully to this, why am I a Christian? I'm a Christian because of the power of Christianity. That power means that I can overcome death.

Ponce de Leon is known in history and mythology for searching for the fountain of youth. He wanted to find this pool, alleged pool, that if a man would bathe in it he could live forever. There is no fountain of youth in some water pool somewhere in the world. But did you know Christianity promises the power to overcome death? Ponce de Leon had to look no further than the word of God to learn that. The Bible says in John 11:24-25 Jesus speaking about the resurrection after raising Lazarus from the dead. Jesus said “I am the resurrection and life,” listen to this, “he who dies he believes in me and dies,” Jesus said, “will never really die.” Do you want to overcome death? That can only be done through 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 Corinthians 15:51-55 clearly teaches that that death has been defeated. ‘Oh death where is your sting? Oh Hades where is your strength?’ The strength of sin is death. The strength of the law and it goes on to mention all that there, but Christ has overcome them. Death and sin and the Hadean realm has been defeated through Christ.

How do you overcome death? How do you live forever? Matthew 25:46 Jesus said, “The righteous will go away into everlasting or eternal life.” Why am I a Christian? Because of the power of Christianity!

I'm a Christian because of eternity. Let's realize that eternity is real. I may not understand every facet and idea of eternity, but Ecclesiastes 3:11 says that ‘God has put eternity in our hearts.’ I have the idea to understand to some extent that when this life ends, there is going to be a land of forever where there will be no end and time will not exist. Hebrews 9:14 teaches us that we have the eternal spirit of God in that we know that God's eternal. Jesus said in John 17:3 “Restore to me that which we had from eternity.” Thus, the idea of eternal life is something that we recognize to be true according to the Scriptures.

I'm a Christian not only though because I believe eternity is real, but because I know about the two options. I want more than anything to go to Heaven. Jesus said in John 14:1 “Let not your heart be troubled. Yes, I'm about to leave but don't get discouraged you believe in God believe also in me, and if you believe in me believe also in God. In my Father's house are

many mansions. Were it not so, I would've told you.” Then He said this, “I go to prepare a place for you, and if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself that where I am there you may be also.”

Don't you want to live in that place? No more sorrow, no more sin, no more death, no more crying, all the former things have passed away. Paul looked at it this way he said Romans 8:18, “I consider that the sufferings of this present world are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Why become a Christian? Because of eternity and because of the promise of Heaven in eternity.

Also realize this, I want to be a Christian because of eternity. I realize there is an another option on the other side that's not heaven. I realize that hell is a real place. Jesus said in Mark 9:44 that “Hell is a place where the worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.” Can you imagine a place where there's a continual worm maggot as it were eating on your flesh, and nobody ever turns down the fire? What a horrible place that would be! Revelation 20:12-15 it is described as a “Place of eternal torment.” Matthew 25, “Great weeping and gnashing of teeth.” You remember the vivid story of Luke 16:19-31 where the rich man went to torment. And in that place, he wanted just one drop of water. ‘Give me just one drop of water to put on my tongue. I'm tormented in these flames.’ Can you imagine living in a place like that with no end forever? Time doesn't exist. No way out.

I'm a Christian because of eternity. I realize the two options: either heaven with God or hell with the devil.

Surely in view of that one would want to become a child of God.

Why else should one become a Christian? I'm a Christian, because I also fell in love with the teaching of the Bible. I fell in love with the author of the Bible itself. God is a God of love. “God wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” I fell in love with the beautiful style that it is written in, the message of love that God sends about His Son to the world, and no doubt you fell in love with the Bible in that it is from God and the ending pictures Christians as being victorious. “Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” The Bible, it's God's power to save, Romans 1:16. If I receive with meekness the

implanted word it's able to save my soul, James 1:21.

The Bible is so wonderful, because it contains everything we need for life and godliness. I don't need anything else to get to Heaven except the Bible, 2 Peter 1:3. And the Bible is something you can fall in love with, because you can know it's from God. “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,” listen to this, “may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” It is all truth, John 16:13. It has the power to set you free. Jesus said in John 8:32, “You shall know the truth and the truth will make you free.”

Friend I'm also a Christian because of the immense joy being a Christian brings to my life. I don't have to worry about tomorrow. Jesus said, ‘Don't worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will take care of itself,’ Matthew 6:34. ‘Sufficient for the day is the trouble therein,’ Proverbs 27:1. As a Christian, I can put my trust and joy in Christ. This is why Paul would say, “Rejoice in the Lord always again I say rejoice,” Philippians 4:4. This is why Paul and Silas in a deep, dark dungeon were praying and singing hymns to God and the prisoners were listening to them, Acts 16:25. This is why in the Beatitudes, Jesus will over and over again say, “Blessed.” “Blessed is he who is happy. Blessed is he who mourns. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness.” That's divine happiness given upon God's children.

I see the great joy being a Christian in the peace that I have as a child of God. The Bible teaches, “We have peace that surpasses all understanding.” Think about that. I can't even begin to understand the peace that Christians can have. In the times of great crisis, in times of great loss, in time of great struggle, we can have peace that isn't even understandable because of who Christ is and what He’s done for us.

Let me mention one of the major reasons that I'm a Christian and that most people in this world are Christians. I'm a Christian simply because of Christ, because of the life that He lived. Think about Mark 7:37. “He has done all things well.” What do you mean done all things well? He went about doing good, healing the sick, feeding the poor, helping those who are in need, making the ultimate sacrifice for sin, and He lived the perfect life. ‘He was tempted in all points as we are yet without sin.’

I’m a Christian because of that that life that exemplary life that Jesus lived. I'm a Christian because of Christ's teaching. “Love your neighbor as yourself. Do good unto all men.” The Bible clearly teaches that we ought to be the kind of people who exhibit the love.

You want to solve a host of the world's problems? Whatever it may be, friend I'll assure you Christ has the answer to that. We're to love our enemies. That solves a whole bunch of problems right there. We're to love one another. That solves a whole another host of problems. We're to feed the hungry and take care of the poor. Look at the good that would do in our world today! Look at the teaching of Christ! ‘No man has ever spoken like this man,’ that's what the critics of Jesus said.

I'm a Christian because of Christ's death on the cross. He was willing to be beaten. Now you think about this, Jesus was willing because He loved me and you, to be mocked, to be beaten, to have stripes laid on His back over and over again, to be to be one who was hit in the face, have that crown of thorns placed on His head, and ultimately Jesus was willing for His hands and feet to be nailed to a cruel Roman cross. That cross to be suspended between Heaven and earth, and there to hang struggling for every breath until He said these words, “It is finished.” Why did He do that? Me and you. Because He loves us that much.

Friend I'm a Christian because of the promises that Christ makes to me as His child that He'll never leave me nor forsake me, Hebrews 13:6, that if I remain faithful unto death I can receive the crown of life 1 John 2:25, that He is going to prepare a place for me, and that He will come again, and receive me to Himself John 14:1-6, and that on that great day those who have fallen asleep in Christ and those who are alive can be caught up in the air with Christ to ever live with Him.

And so we come full circle. And we ask you the very important question again: Are you a Christian? If you're not a Christian, friend we're urging you we're begging you today in view of these principles, won't you become a child of God?

Maybe you've heard the message about Jesus Romans 10:10 Romans 10:17, maybe you believe that Jesus is God's Son John 8:24, and that belief maybe it'll motivate you to turn from sin and change your life, Acts 3:19. Would you confess Christ as the Lord and Savior of your life? Matthew 10:32-33

Would you do what Jesus said to get into the kingdom? “Unless a man is born of water and the spirit he cannot enter the kingdom of God,” John 3:5.

If as a Christian maybe your zeal and in your faithfulness to the Lord is not what it needs to be, friend we hope today that whatever the case your status is that you will be encourage based on the love of Christ to live faithful to God every day and ultimately go to Heaven.

Study Questions for: “Motivational Lesson 10”

1. Where were they called Christians first according to Acts11:26?

2. Who should we love Jesus more than according to Matthew 10:37?

3. According to John 14:6, how do you get to God?

4. What’s our purpose in life according to Ecclesiastes 12:13-14?

5. What kind of love does God have for us according to Jeremiah 31:3?

6. According to 1 John 4:8, what is God?

7. Who cares for us according to 1 Peter 5:7?

8. According to Psalm 37:25, what had David never seen?

9. What does it say about being a friend of the world in James 4:4?

10. Where do the righteous go according to Matthew 25:46?

“The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man overcomes much,” James 5:16.

We welcome to our study of prayer. The disciples said to Jesus, ‘Lord teach us to pray.’ We're going to be thinking about in this series of lessons, the beautiful subject of prayer. We encourage you to get your Bible, and stay tuned as we study this wonderful subject together.

As we think about prayer we begin by asking, what is prayer? Is prayer just wishful thinking? Is prayer just some hopeful idea? Is it a maybe? Is it a guess? Is there doubt involved in that? What exactly is prayer to the child of God?

When you think about prayer, there are some interesting ideas that go along with that. Prayer gives the child of God great strength. Jesus said in Luke 18:1, “Men ought to pray always and never lose heart.” In fact it was Leonard Ravenhill who once said, ‘If weak in prayer, we are weak everywhere.’ Prayer has a certain amount of strength that it gives to the child of God. How true it is that we need prayer in our life.

Prayer is also a necessity. It's something that the child of God cannot go day-to-day without having in his life. Like breathing, like eating and drinking, prayer ought to be second nature to the child of God. Francois Fenelon said this, "Of all the duties enjoined by Christianity, none is more essential and yet more neglected than prayer." We all talk about prayer; we think about it; we sing about prayer; we know that the Scripture says, ‘We

can come boldly to the throne of grace that we might find grace and mercy to help in time of need.’ But, do we really make prayer an active part of our life, or is prayer something we just kind of neglect at times?

I believe it was Corrie ten Boom who once said, “Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?” Do we really utilize the power of prayer as found in Scripture, or is it something we just lean up on when bad times come?

We can use prayer at any time. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says we ought to, ‘Pray without ceasing.’ Prayer needs to be more than just a last resort for the child of God.

Let's let the Bible and the language of the New Testament define what prayer is. If we were to look up the word prayer in the dictionary, Webster would define it this way: prayer is to address God with adoration, confession, supplication, or thanksgiving. It is the communication between God and His children to express their praise, to express their thanksgiving, and no doubt to find help in time of need.

And while that's a textbook definition of prayer, the Greek language does help us a little with this subject. The Greek word proseuchomai, proseuchomai is the word that's most common used for prayer. And really it's a combination of two words. The word 'pros' literally means to express one's desire or longing toward in the direction of. When we talk about prayer from the original language, it's the expressing of one's desire with a direct purpose toward Almighty God. Our desire, our longing is expressed through the avenue of prayer directly to God. It's our way of showing our praise and thanksgiving to Him. Another Greek word that is used to describe prayer is 'erotao.' This word is defined: to ask or to make one's request.

When we think about prayer in this aspect, we're making our request toward God. We're asking Him for help. We're letting our cares fall upon Him, as 1 Peter 5:7 teaches.

But then there's a third word that we emphasize from the Greek language, and this is the word 'parakaleo.' This word paints a beautiful picture of the idea of prayer. In fact the word means: to call to one's aid or to entreat, to ask for help. A perfect example of this is found in Matthew

26:53. Notice what Jesus here said. Jesus used this word when He said, “Do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father and He will provide Me with more than 12 legions of angels?” When you look at prayer from this viewpoint, it's asking God to come to our side, to come to our aid. We know Hebrews 2:16-18 says that we can find grace to help in time of need and that Christ is able to aid those who are in need. This picture of prayer is that we’re petitioning the throne of God, and God's forces are coming to the aid of His children. What a beautiful picture these ideas paint of prayer.

As we give an introduction to the idea of prayer, let's also realize that prayer is not just a figment of somebody's imagination. Prayer is not just wishful thinking. It's not talking to the sky we might say. In prayer there is real power, strength, and praise that is given to and received from Almighty God. Christians believe prayer is real, because the Scripture says so. Matthew 6:9 in the disciples' prayer, Jesus taught them ‘Pray our Father who is in heaven.’ Jesus didn't think prayer was a figment of somebody's imagination or a hoax or a trick. Jesus believed prayer was real communication with Almighty God. James 5:16 tells us it's real, “For the effective fervent prayer of a righteous man,” here's how it's real, “overcomes much.” Prayer has real results. It has real power, and the child of God can take true faith in that. Isaiah 38:5 God said, “I've heard your prayer and your supplication.” 1 Kings 9:3 speaking to the king there God said, “Your prayer and your supplication that you've made before Me,” in essence “I have heard.”

We know God heareth not the prayer of the ungodly, implied from that is He hears the prayer of the righteous, Acts 10:31 and John 9. And so, when we think about prayer let's realize, prayer is real, that it's something Christians can take comfort and encouragement in. Now someone says, ‘well how do we know prayer is real?’

Let me offer just a few ways that one can know from experience and from the things that happen that prayer is real. For example the Bible teaches us to pray for those who are sick. "If anyone's sick let them call for the elders the church, let them pray over him,” James 5:13-16. We know that prayer is real, because it helps those who are in need to get better, to overcome sickness, and to overcome the struggles, and the diseases that they may have. Prayer is real, because it has real power in evangelism. Matthew 9:36-38 Jesus, He looked out upon the multitudes, and He said to

His disciples, “Truly the harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few,” and listen to this, “pray the Lord of hosts He'll send laborers into His vineyard or His harvest.”

Prayer has powerful results in reaching the lost. How many of us have prayed for someone who was lost, who never obeyed the gospel, whose heart was hardened, and God through the power of prayer and the word and those who were working with it, began to work on their heart?

Prayer is also real because we know it helps us in overcoming our troubles. Do you remember 1 Peter 5:7? Peter says, “Cast all your cares upon Him, the Lord, He cares for you.” When we find ourselves in trouble and in difficulty and in turmoil and difficulty of heart, how do we overcome that? “Cast all your anxieties or cares upon Him, He cares for us.” A Christian can pray and know that the burden and the weight that he is carrying, God is more than able and willing to help with that. Remember again Luke 18:1, Jesus said, “Men ought to pray always and never lose heart.”

When we get discouraged and we go down on her hands and knees to the Father in prayer, there is strength, there is help, and there is power to be attained through Almighty God. But you know we also know prayer is real because we believe in our faith in Almighty God. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” One who truly has faith in God's word, we're not talking about a leap into the dark, we’re talking about faith in the inspiration of the Bible, faith in the evidence that shouts to us there is a God, faith in that creates a faith in God's word and faith in God, and prayer go hand-in-hand. This is why James would say, ‘If anyone lacks wisdom let him ask of God who gives to all liberally without reproach and it will be given to him, but let him ask in faith with no doubting for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea tossed to and fro and driven by the wind.’

When we ask in faith, we can have confidence; we can know God is more than able and willing to help His people. And so in understanding what prayer is, it also helps us to understand the reality of prayer. When a man bows his head, when a person gets down on his hands and knees at night, he's not just talking to the air. He's communicating with the creator of the universe, who spoke and all things came into existence, who sent His son to die for the sins of the world, and who ultimately wants to help His people go to heaven.

Now as we think about prayer, let's also realize we’re not talking about naturalism. And by that we mean this, we're not just saying that the things that are naturally going to happen are going to happen anyway. When we talk about prayer, we’re talking about God intervening and helping in someone's life. The naturalist approach to life just simply says that that we are completely governed by the laws of nature, which cannot be changed. What's going to happen is going to happen, and there's nothing we can do to change that. Friend, this is where prayer has power. If things are going to happen no matter what, what's the purpose in praying? Christians realize the Bible teaches that prayer has the ability to change the outcome, to change the course, to supplicate the will of God, and as a result intervene. God intervene on man's behalf. If such is the case that whatever's going to happen is going to happen anyway, then when Dan Barker said in "Losing Faith" that if the answer to prayers are merely what God's will is all along, then why pray?

We believe that prayer has the ability to change things. Prayer has the power to move the hand of God in the direction of and for the comfort and help of His people. And while we don't live in the age of miracles, we understand that we’re not living in a day and age where God's going to raise the dead or put the lame person's arm back together, that happened in the First century. We do believe God intercedes in human affairs. Ambrose Pierce said it this way, ‘In the devil's dictionary he defines prayer as to ask that the laws of the universe be annulled on behalf of a single petitioner confessed unworthy.’ We're speaking on behalf of God. God through His word speaks to us.

As we think about prayer, when we pray we’re asking God to intercede, to do something on the behalf of His children. And to make sure that as God's children, we are indeed striving to do His will and put first things first. So when we pray for somebody to get well, what are we asking? Are we asking God to just let things naturally work out the way the going to? No, we're asking God to intervene through means, providential means, through the means that He is more than able to use.

We’re asking God to help in this matter. It is different from miracles in that miracles were designed to specifically confirm the word. That word has been confirmed today. We know that God's word, the Bible, is true but prayer and the working of God in Providence, is different in that God through His own means and time whatever that may be. I don't have to

know, to realize, and understand and believe in the power of prayer whatever that may be. I know that God is more than able to work and to help in times like those.

As we think about the idea of prayer, let's also realize that God does answer all prayers that are heard, and we say it this way for a purpose. The Bible does teach that God does not hear certain prayers. I want you to; for example, look with me in Psalm 66:18. The Bible teaches that someone who's living in sin, God does not hear their prayer. The Scripture says, ‘if I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear.’ Now watch verse 19, ‘but certainly,’ David said ‘God has heard me, He has attended to the voice of my prayer.’ Is it the case that everybody who prays God hears? Not necessarily. The Bible teaches if ‘we regard iniquity in our heart,’ what's that mean? If I know I've got sin in my life, I'm living in sin, and I'm blatantly ignoring the will of God in doing what I want instead of what the will of God wants me to do, the psalmist clearly said if ‘I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear.’

God does not acknowledge; God does not bless the prayer of someone who's living in sin. But to those whom God does hear their prayers David said Psalm 66:19, “I know He's heard my prayer.” To those who are trying to walk in the light, 1 John 1:7, God answers their prayers. God does not ignore the prayers He hears. The Bible pictures God as attentive to our needs, as listening to our prayers, and as ready to help those who are his children. Let me give an example 1 Peter 3 pictures God beautifully listening to and ready to help those who pray to Him. Listen to 1 Peter 3:12 the Bible says, “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,” watch this now “His ears are open to their prayers, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” What's the picture of God? His eyes are open. He's attentive. His ear’s, they’re ready to hear their prayers.

When we think of God, God's a God who's ready to hear, who's ready to help in time of need. This is what we find again in 1 Peter 5:7. The Bible word there is 'to hurl', literally took to the cast to throw, “cast all your cares anxieties upon Him.” Why? Listen to this beautiful wordage, “He cares for you.” What's the result of God caring for you? I can cast my cares upon Him. He cares for me. The anxieties, the troubles, the difficulties we have, we can know and have confidence in the fact that God hears and that He is willing to answer those prayers and help His people who are in need.

When we think about prayer that God answers, you know there's been a lot of damage done with the old country music song that Garth Brooks sang: "Unanswered Prayers". ‘I thank God for unanswered prayers.’ You know for the child of God that's really not correct language. Here’s what I mean by that, when we say ‘unanswered prayer’ likely what we mean is, I prayed and the outcome was not what I wanted. But friend that doesn't mean God didn't answer the prayer. If I asked, if I seek, if I pray to God, and whatever it is I may be praying, just because the end result is not what I thought it ought to be doesn't mean God didn't answer.

Let me illustrate. The answer to prayer can come in several forms. Let's say that we're praying for somebody who's sick, and we’re asking God to heal that person, and God hears our prayers. Friend whether we like it or not the answer may at times be no. It may not be in that person's best interest. It may not be for their spiritual outcome. It may not be best for the longevity of their life for that person to get well. Although God heard our prayer, God knew what was best in His infinite wisdom. His answer and He did answer it, may be no. And you know that's the hard part. Sometimes I've got to realize my will may not be God's will. This is why Jesus prayed, “Not my will but thine be done.” Did God hear His prayer? Sure did! God answer that prayer in the immediate sense which Jesus wanted it answered. Then ‘if it's possible Father, let this cup pass from Me.’ What was the answer? No, it's not possible. Jesus knew that in the moment that he saw and felt the struggle and the difficulty and temptation. God heard His prayer, but God's will interceded and overcame at that time.

And then there may be another answer, the answer may be ‘not right now.’ Not just, ‘no’, but ‘not right now in my own time, in my own way.’ The timing of working things out for the furtherment of His kingdom, for the betterment of His children, and for the overall purpose of salvation is dependent upon God's time not ours. And so we may pray, and God may say the time's not right. ‘Not right now’ may at times be the answer.

Sometimes when we pray, it may be that things need to work out differently than what we realize. Then sometimes, the answer maybe yes, and we can positively identify certain times when that happens. That's why we say God answered my prayer.

Friend if we're walking in the light and we’re a child of God, God answers our prayer every time. But the answer may not always be what we

want it to be. When I look at my own life, when you look at yours, can't we really see times when we're glad that God was in control of that? Let me illustrate. Let's say that a man prays to take a different job, whatever that job may be. He prays to God and the answer is no to that job. As life passes, as years pass some other door opens up and it works out for his betterment, the betterment of his family, the betterment of the kingdom, and the end result that person looks at that scenario; and he looks back and said how thankful to God I am that God knew better than I did. That other job may not have really been what he needed, may not have helped him develop spiritually, and may not have been best for his family, best for the church.

When we pray, let's have the attitude, ‘not my will but thine be done.’ Let's realize just because God doesn't say yes, doesn't mean He doesn't answer. And thank God that God doesn't answer everything we want the way we want, because sometimes we don't always see things God's way.

What do we know about prayer? Friend we know positively that prayer is a very valuable asset for the child of God. Jesus used prayer multiple times throughout His ministry to praise God, to ask for help, to overcome the struggles in the garden, and to honor the Almighty plan that God had set forth.

But then we also see prayer like in the lives of Paul and Peter when they prayed in time of difficulty. We can to gain strength from prayer to overcome and be victorious in this life. We’re not just praying that things are going to naturally work out the way they are. We’re asking God to help, and we’re prefacing that with the Lord's will.

Friend ultimately as 1 Peter 3:12 says, “The eyes of the Lord, they're on the righteous. His ears are open to their prayers, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” One thing we've certainly seen today is that God does not hear the prayer of those who are living in sin. His face is against those doing evil. ‘If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear.’ Friend that alone ought to encourage and motivate one to make sure he is in a right relationship with God, so that he can access and have the power of prayer.

We ask you today, are you a child of God? Are you sure that you're in a relationship with God knowing that God is able to hear your prayer? Friend if you've never obeyed the gospel, more than anything God loves you and wants you to become His child. And we do as well.

The Scripture says God wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth, 1 Timothy 2:4. The Bible says that ‘the Lord's not slow concerning His promises as some men count slowness, but He is long-suffering toward us not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.’ Friend, ‘God so loved you and He so loved me that He gave His only begotten son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.’

Do you really believe that Jesus is God's son? Do you believe it enough that you're willing to repent of things in your life that are not according to the will of God, turn from sin, and turn to God? Jesus said, “Unless you repent you will all likewise perish,” Luke 13:3. Would you confess the beautiful name of Jesus as the son of God and Savior of the world? The Bible says in Romans 10:10, “With the heart, with the mind one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Having heard God's word, believed in Jesus, repented of your sin, and confessed His beautiful name; would you be immersed in water for the forgiveness of your sins? In Acts 2 on the day of Pentecost, when they realized they'd killed their Messiah they were lost in sin. They cried out, ‘Men and brethren what shall we do?’ Here is the answer, ‘Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins.’

Have you obeyed the gospel? If not friend, then God does not hear your prayer, if one's regarding iniquity in his heart. But He can, and you can become a child of God. You can have access to one of the greatest powers all the world, the power of prayer that has the power to overcome. If you're not a child of God, friend we urge you become one today. And if we are, let's utilize prayer. It truly has powerful results.

Study Questions for: “Prayer: Lesson 1”

1. According to James 5:16, what overcomes much?

2. What does Jesus tell me to do in Luke 18:1?

3. How shall we pray according to 1 Thessalonians 5:17?

4. In Matthew 26:53, what did Jesus have the ability to do?

5. According to Hebrews 2:16-18, what can we find to help in time of need?

6. According to Matthew 6:9, who did Jesus teach them to pray to?

7. In Isaiah 38:5, who heard the prayer?

8. According to James 5:13, who should we pray for?

9. What shall we do with our trouble according to 1 Peter 5:7? Why?

10. According to Psalm 66:18, whose prayer does God not hear?