"Husbands, love your wives as Christ also loved the church and gave himself for her" Ephesians 5:25.

Welcome to our study of the godly home. Today's lesson deals with the role and responsibility of the husband who makes the godly home what God desires for it to be. If the home is going to be what God wants it to be the husband has the awesome responsibility in leading each individual in that home in the spiritual direction they ought to go.

Today's lesson will deal specifically with the subject of husband. What does God say concerning the home as it relates to the husband and what can the husband do to be the godly leader God has designed him to be? You see my friend, the husband is to be the spiritual leader. He is to be the head of the home. He's the one that God has placed at the helm to direct the home. With such a serious responsibility, what characteristics and what mindset should he have as a leader of the home?

First, we must realize that the husband must take up the responsibility of being the head of the home. I want you to notice what Paul says in Ephesians 5:23. The Scripture says, "For the husband is head of the wife as Christ also is head of the church and he is the Savior of the body." 1 Corinthians 11:3: “The husband is head of the wife, he's head of the home, and he is head of the wife.” 1 Timothy 3:5: “He is to rule his own house well up.” 1 Peter 3:7: “He's to dwell with his wife with understanding.”

As head of the home, as head of the wife, as ruler of the home, what is his responsibility?

Well, as head of the home, he ought to set the direction both spiritually and physically for the home. The head is the one who puts things in order; he takes direction and places that into a practical setting as it relates to spiritual growth. He has the responsibility to set guidelines, to set things in order that will make it a place where everybody can grow spiritually.

As head of the wife, that doesn't mean that he's a dictator. It doesn't make him a boss in that sense of it. It doesn't mean that it's a hierarchy where he is to boss everybody around and tells them what to do. That's not the idea.

He's to be head of the home just as Christ is head of the church. What does it mean that Christ is head of the church? You know, from that idea, we can understand so much more about the home. Well, Christ as head of the church gave himself for the church. Christ as head of the church, he indeed sets the guidelines and puts things in their proper place for the church. It doesn't mean that he's going to force, make, or cause someone to do something necessarily against their will. It means that he loves the church supremely. He loves the church because she's his bride, and he wants her interest to be first it. He loves the church in the sense that he wants to protect, direct, and guide that church in every way. The church, Christians, must be willing to do that of their own free will.

As we think about the husband as the head of the home, he has a very serious responsibility. Husbands- listen carefully- sometimes the home is not lead in the direction it ought to go, because husbands are too weak, cowardly, and spineless to stand up and say and do what they ought to do. Many times the wife has ended up being put in a position that she's not designed to be put in.

Husbands need to have the backbone to set some direction, to set things as it relates to the church, to place things in order as it relates to the family, and the home to set times for Bible study to make opportunities for spiritual growth to make sure that the values, morals, dress, and things of that nature the things we listen to the things we watch. Who's going to make those decisions? Well, God ultimately does but husbands have the

responsibility, as head of the home, to put those principles into practice. The principles should be made applicable and relevant to each person's life. That also includes putting discipline in place when those guidelines are not followed by those in the home as well.

As we think about a godly husband not only is he the head of the home the Scripture says: ‘He is to love his wife.’ Notice again Ephesians 5. I want you to look at verse 25 and then I want you to notice verses 28 and 29. The Scripture again says ‘Husband is the head of the wife as Christ also is head of the church, he's the Savior of the body.’ Verse number 25 along with verse 23 says ‘Husbands love your wives just as Christ also loved the church and gave himself for her.’ Now notice verse 28 and 29 ‘So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself for no one ever hated his own flesh but nourishes and cherishes it just as the Lord does the church.’

What do we know about the husband as a godly leader the head of the home? He's to be a man who loves his wife and who isn't afraid to show and to express that love to his wife. The husband is to love his wife. How? Just as Christ loved the church. How do we know Christ loved the church? Look at what He did. He left heaven. He came to this earth. He gave Himself. He purchased the church with His own body. Husbands ought to love their wives in that same way. The things they do, their words, their actions, and the sacrifices they make ought to express their love for their wives and for their children as well. The idea of a husband being someone who's strong and someone who stands solid- that's all good and well- but a husband also ought to be seen as a caring, loving, and sacrificial individual. A man who can't express his love both by his words and his actions is not feeling fulfilling the role that God set for the man in the home.

Should he be able to tell his wife he loves her? Absolutely! Should his actions show by his caring, by his work ethic, by his actions at home, the way speaks to his wife and his children, by his desire to put the kingdom first, and help others in the home do that -should they be able to see that that man is a loving, caring individual? Absolutely! That's the kind of home where spiritual growth, responsibility, and people who love God- those are the kind of actions that foster those types of people.

When we think about a loving, godly husband the Scripture also says that he is to be a man who understands his wife and strives every day to know her more. I want you to think about the words of Peter in 1 Peter 3:7. Listen to these words. The Scripture says in 1 Peter 3:7, “Husbands likewise dwell with the wife as with understanding, giving honor to the wife as to the weaker vessel and as being heirs together of the grace of life that your prayers may not be hindered.”

What are husbands to strive to do? To understand their wives, giving honor to the wife as to the weaker vessel, and striving to understand her. There's no doubt that we're each made by God a little differently. We're each made to have different roles and responsibilities. Each made to maybe even react in certain situations differently. But the husband's responsibility is to strive to understand his wife. She's built a little different. She's made a little more uniquely. Her thoughts, ideas, and the way she responds may not be quite the way I would respond or another husband would respond.

What are we to do in those situations? I'm to strive to understand her. You know, that implies several things. It implies that it takes a little work on my part. If I'm going to understand her, we've got to get to know each other. We've got to communicate. If I'm going to understand her, I can't just assume things. I can't assume this is what she's thinking. I can't assume this is how she would like this situation to be. To understand this correctly, I have to realize that as a child of God I've got to think about her. I've got to put myself in her shoes as it relates to making decisions whether big or small. I've got to ask myself: how would my wife like for me to think about this? How would this decision make her feel? Can I understand the way she's thinking?

You know, sometimes when fights occur in the home, we don't take the time to really do what 1 Peter 3:7 is saying. We don't ask ourselves how will my husband, how well my wife feel in this situation? What are they thinking? What are the factors that are really important in situations like these? And so as part of the responsibility of the husband instead of jumping to conclusions, instead of getting angry and saying ‘well you should've known,’ -No, I've got to take the time to think about it, to understand, to put myself in the other person's shoes for a moment, and then strive to think about how that will affect all in the home. And you know, there's nothing wrong with before decisions are made asking the person:

How do you feel about this? How does this situation affect you? What are you thinking related to these scenarios that affect the home? And then and so doing, we can definitely understand one another even better.

You know as we think about the godly husband, a part of his responsibility as well is to honor his wife. Again 1 Peter 3:7, the husband is to give honor to the wife. He is to in essence place her on a pedestal, if you would. He’s to realize just how important and how valuable she is. If we really appreciate our mates- whether they be husband or wife- we're going to do what it takes to honor them by our actions. We want to show them we appreciate you. We want to do with our speech let them know how much they're loved, how much their hard work in the home, and just how much they mean to us as individuals.

You know if I have something that is really worthy of honor-whether that be some type of treasure- you're going to keep that clean, well- organized, and you're going to place it where it can be seen. You're going to do what it takes to show that it really is a valuable asset in your life. Friend, how much more husbands and wives? If we really honor one another, let's honor one another with our speech. Let's not speak in a way that will show disrespect that just treats one another as a common thing. Let's honor one another with our actions whether it be the small things whether it be that the day-to-day things that we do that help the home. Let's realize the husband and the wife truly are -especially husbands- it's our responsibility to show honor indeed to the wife.

Then as we think about the godly husband let's realize this: the husband is to be the spiritual and physical provider for the family. Especially in the physical sense, he's got the responsibility to provide for all who are in the home. 1 Timothy 5:8-9, “If a man won't provide for his own,” the Bible says, “he's denied the faith he's worse than an infidel.” Genesis 3:17-19 God said to Adam, “You'll provide by the sweat of your brow.” He would have to go out and work now for his family. Christians are not to be lazy. 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 teaches that laziness is even something worthy of dis-fellowship inside the Lord's church and the Lord's kingdom.

What's the husband part of the husband's responsibility? He's to be a provider. It's his job to get up to go to work at to make a living, provide for that family, to make sure that there is a roof over their head, that food is provided for the family, that everyone has clothes, and the necessities of

life. Yes, we understand that if we ‘Seek first the kingdom of God,’ God's going to provide food, shelter, and clothing- but God provides that by teaching us to work and to make a living for ourselves and provide for the family.

It's so sad that sometimes you see husbands who truly are lazy. There's nothing wrong with inside the home if a wife can be the Queen of that home, put the home first and take care of the family, and the children there'd be nothing wrong according to Proverbs 31 just as the virtuous wife worked outside the home- there'd be nothing wrong with a wife doing that today. But, it ultimately falls to the husband to be the provider in that home. Husbands don't be lazy. Don't put it off on your wives. Don't expect them to do that. You be the provider in that home.

Then as part of the responsibility of a godly husband, that man has the responsibility to also be a protector inside that home. Ephesians 5:25, “Husbands are to love their wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her.” If we're to love our wives as Christ loved the church and in Christ protected the church, He provided for the church. He built the church, and He set guidelines to ensure its protection today. How husbands just as well ought to do those things which are going to protect their family!

Now, let's deal with that in a couple of areas. He ought to do what's necessary to protect his family spiritually. As it relates to morals and values and guidelines, things that might come into the home that would cause them to be vulnerable, the husband needs to be thinking: What can we do to protect ourselves from that? What can be done to protect this family from Satan? What can protect against his forces entering into the home whether it be through radio or TV or the movies that we see? What about dress or immoral actions? What can he do to protect the family morally and spiritually? He should make sure that each person in the family has opportunities. I understand we can't make anybody, but making sure that opportunities are made available. Every time the doors are open at Bible study and worship, the husband ought to be the leader making sure that they're there to protect the family as well.

And then to protect the family physically to make sure that the environment is safe. It is where everyone can feel safe; where it's a good environment that will foster growth and spirituality, and where people can

just grow closer together. That's the type of role and responsibility each husband has in the home and within the family. Then let's realize this as this the spiritual leader in the home, the husband the father has the responsibility to be the spiritual leader to nurture and admonish everyone in the home- children, himself, and his wife to grow spiritually.

I want you to listen to the words of Ephesians 6:1-4. The Bible says, “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. And you fathers do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.”

Sometimes maybe a different wording of that might help us get the idea of what's being said. For example, I like the way JB Phillips paraphrase says this- and I understand it's a paraphrase- but he says this: ‘Fathers don't over correct your children or make it difficult for them to obey the command rather bring them up with Christian teaching in Christian discipline.’

Does he get the idea of discipline? No doubt, but you know sometimes you can overdo that. Sometimes we can be so harsh that we can't see the joy of really obeying and following God and following Christian principles. The father has the responsibility to bring up his children in the nurture that's the idea of care, love, affection, and the admonition. Yes that's the idea of correction, reproof, and discipline. Both go hand-in-hand. Love and discipline have to go hand-in-hand. It's the father's responsibility to make sure that every person in the family is led in a direction that will indeed help them to get to heaven and ultimately know God better.

As a good husband and a good spiritual leader, the husband is also to be a leader by his example. Do you remember Matthew 5:16? Jesus taught every Christian, “Let your light so shine among men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” A Christian is to be an example in every way, and surely the father, as head of home and a spiritual leader, ought to be an example.

Now, let's make that practical. If we're going to teach or going to nurture and admonish people, to talk like a Christian, then fathers it isn't right for us to talk in a way that is not Christian. If we're going to encourage

people to have our minds on godly things and talk in a godly way, we need to make sure that our minds and our speech is in a godly way. If we're going to teach that we ought to go to Bible study and worship. We ought to act as a Christian. We ought to be involved in good Christian works. And if we're going to teach that the kingdom and evangelism are important in our life and they're a priority, then as fathers, we need to be there every time the doors are open. We need to be seen as doing the good works a Christian ought to do, and we need to be seen as an example of evangelism in our home and in our family.

Fathers also ought to be seen for their spiritual leadership in prayer. The Bible says in 1 Timothy 2:8-9 that ‘Men are to be the leaders in prayer.’ They're to lead in prayer always. They ought to strive to be the type of leader that God wants them to be a. 1 Thessalonians 5:17, “We ought to pray without ceasing.” “The effective fervent prayer of a righteous man,” the Scripture says, “it overcomes much.” Fathers have the responsibility to stand up and to step up and to be leaders in prayer. Not only just to lead the prayer but to teach their family about prayer. They need to teach the children and the wife what God says about prayer and how to pray.

If we don't teach our children how to pray, do we just somehow expect them to learn that? Yes, they can see from our example, but more than that we ought to point them to the word of God.

And then as leader of the home, a final way in which the husband ought to be seen as the spiritual leader is relating to Bible study. We believe in Bible study as it relates to having a Bible class maybe on Sunday night or Wednesday night. But do we really believe in Bible study in the home? Deuteronomy 6:1-6, the Bible ought to be in every facet of our life even in the home. If we're to study to show ourselves approved unto God that ought to apply to the home. We ought to search the Scriptures daily inside God's home and God's family. Fathers have to be the one to take the initiative, to initiate those Bible studies, to encourage everyone in the family to read their Bible, to study their Bible, and to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the home.

And so as the spiritual leader, every husband is encouraged step up and be the type of man God wants you to be. Don't be a coward. Don't be someone who's afraid to lead. Don't be spineless and think ‘well I'll just leave that for the wife or the children to decide.’ That's your responsibility.

God put you in that position. That's why you are the head of the home. Your family, your wife, and your children need you to do that. God commands you to do that.

Take up that role with grace with love, caring, and every day live in such a way that your home is protected and provided for as part of God's family.

What an awesome responsibility it is to live as a Christian in the home every day! Husbands, let's be the leaders and the examples God wants us to be so that ultimately we can have the joy of knowing our family is prepared for the other side with God.

Study Questions for: “Godly Homes: Lesson 6”

1. According to Ephesians 5:25, how are husbands to love their wives?

2. According to 1 Corinthians 11:3, what’s the husband the head of?

3. According to 1 Peter 3:7, how is the husband to dwell with his wife?

4. How should a husband love his wife according to Ephesians 5:28-29?

5. What should be nourished and cherished as the Lord does the church according to Ephesians 5:29?

6. What are husbands and wives heirs of according to 1 Peter 3:7?

7. What does it say about a man who won’t provide for his own in 1Timothy 5:8-9?

8. According to Genesis 3:17-19, how was Adam to provide?

9. What does 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 tell us about laziness?

10. What does Ephesians 6:1-4 tell us about the interaction between fathers and their children?

“Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord she shall be praised,” Proverbs 31:30.

Welcome to our study of godly homes in an ungodly world.

As we think about the godly home, each person in the home plays such an important role in the home being what God wants it to be. For example we noticed last time that the husband was to be the head of the home, the spiritual leader. He sets the direction spiritually for the home.

In complement to that, today we think about the godly wife and mother.

The Bible identifies her as such a valuable asset in the home. The proverb writer says in Proverbs 31:10, “Who can find a virtuous wife? She is more precious, her value is more precious than rubies.” The godly wife is more important and more valuable than those gems could ever be to the home.

As we think about this godly wife and her role in the home, let's realize first this is indeed a position of honor. It's worthy of respect, reverence, and honor by all who are in the home. For example 1 Peter 3:7 the Bible says, “Husbands are to give honor to their wives as to the weaker vessel.” If you honor something, what do you do with that? Well if you have something that is really valuable, very important, or very special to you and you want honor that you might put it on a pedestal. You might place it

where it can be seen. Keep it in a way that it'll be taken care of. The wife is to be given honor by the husband. He is to recognize her importance. He is to praise her for her value. She is to be rich, treated with respect by all who are in the home. This position of honor is also seen in Proverbs 18:22. The proverb writer says, “He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.” She is viewed as something from on high. She's viewed as a gift from God reminding us all the way back to creation. Genesis 2:18, “The Lord God saw that is not good for man to be alone.” What did God do then? He made man a helper comparable to him. God took a rib out of man and made woman. God brought it to him. Adam said, “This is bone of my bones and flesh my flesh, she shall be called woman.” The man who finds a good wife, he finds a good thing. He needs to respect and honor her for that in each and every way.

In fact the Bible will say in Proverbs 19:14 this concerning the value of a godly wife: “Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the Lord.” When we think about the godly wife in that position of honor, let's do what we can in the home to let her know how important she is. Both husband and children alike need to recognize that without the mother in the home it would be greatly lacking in so many areas.

Not only is the godly wife a position of honor in the Bible, it is seen as a position of submission to the husband. Now as we think about submission I understand that in our day and age today many don't like that idea and it may be because they have a misunderstanding of what submission really is.

Please understand when we mention submission, we're not talking about inferiority. We're not talking about the wife being of no value. We already mentioned that she is. We're talking about the hierarchy that God set up in the home and how the wife has the responsibility to be in submission to her husband. Listen to Ephesians 5:22-24. The Scripture says, “Wives submit to your own husbands as to the Lord, for the husband is head of the wife as also Christ is head of the church and he is the Savior of the body therefore just as the church is subject to Christ so let the wives be to their own husbands.”

In everything what's the model and the background for submission? The church is in submission to Christ. He is the head. The church is the body. We're in submission to Him. So also wives are to be in submission to their husbands.

How's that a fair parallel? Here's how: Christ serves as the perfect head. He gave Himself for the church. He looks out for the church's best interest. Everything he did was for the saved and the church. He's not selfish. He's not self-glorifying. He is selfless in that area. When the wife is to be in submission to the husband, just as the church is to Christ, the husband has to be the background for her doing that. His actions must be selfless not self-glorifying. He's not a glorified dictator. He's not to look at himself as a boss and boss everybody around- rather what he does is in the best interest of everybody in the home. He's not forcing people. He's not making people. He's being the spiritual leader he ought to be.

When those characteristics exist, it's not hard for a wife to be in submission to someone who's in submission to God themselves.

What is this position of submission related to it and are there any barriers to those guidelines for it?

Sure there are! Colossians 3:18 says, “Wives are to be in submission to their husbands as is fitting in the Lord.” What does that little phrase “as is fitting in the Lord,” mean?

Well naturally if the husband is being a godly, leader following the Scriptures, trying to guide everybody in the right path; spiritually the wife will naturally want to follow that. But the moment he stops following Christ, the moment he starts doing things or requesting things or wanting things for the family that are immoral, ungodly, unethical, and that are contrary to Scripture- a wife can't submit to that.

For example, if a husband and wife ran a business and he being head of that home and head of that business asked his wife to do something unethical (whether cheat on the taxes, lie to customers- whatever it may be) because she's in submission to the husband does that mean she has to follow him in sin? Of course not. “As is fitting in the Lord,” as is in compliance with the teaching of Christ, and as he is following the

teaching of God. She is absolutely bound by God to submit to him but in things that are immoral or unethical she's not to follow his leadership- if his leadership is not indeed following the teaching of Christ.

What else does it mean for wives to be in submission? Titus 2:5 tells us that, “Wives are to be obedient to their own husbands.” Is there a sense in which she has the responsibility to obey him just as Sarah did Abraham? 1 Peter 3:5-7. Titus 2:5 says, “Wives are to be obedient to their own husbands.” In what sense? In the sense that he's a dictator? Again that's not the idea, but rather as he is striving to lead this family in a godly direction, as he striving to help people grow spiritually, to set guidelines for discipline and godly guidelines for the home. He is to help people grow spiritually. She is to submit to and be obedience in obedience to those practical principles that he sets up. But again, this is not something that would be hard if the man is really doing what God wants him to do. He's already in obedience to God as a godly husband; he must live in obedience to the will of God and as he lives in obedience to the will of God the wife is to be obedient to her own husband.

Now what about a scenario that is a mixed marriage? A husband who's not a Christian? And a wife who is a Christian? Are there any guidelines or boundaries in such a situation as that? There absolutely are!

We want you to hear what Peter has to say beginning in 1 Peter 3:1. How is a wife remained to keep that submission, strive to fulfill her role, in a scenario where a husband may not be a Christian- or a faithful Christian? Look to 1 Peter 3:1. “Wives likewise be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word they without a word may be won by the conduct of their wives when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear. Do not let your adornment be merely outward arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel. Rather let it be the hidden person of the heart with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit which is very precious in the sight of God.”

Friend this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves- being submissive to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham. Calling him ‘Lord’ whose daughters you or if you do good in, are not afraid with any terror. What do we know about the relationship, and maybe a marriage, where the husband is not a Christian? The wife is still to try, as best possible, to remain in submission to him.

Don't let it be the outward that it is attractive. What is it that will really draw this man to Christ? Her inward beauty. Her submission. Her willingness to follow his leadership as much as she can and to be in submission to him shows she's trying to follow the Bible- even though he may not. How is he going to be won without a word to the Lord through her powerful example? Wives ought to try to encourage their husbands. Wives ought to open doors where he can learn the gospel as well. But when all else isn't working her example, her submission, her faithfulness to the Lord and the consistency of her faithfulness to Jesus, no matter what will reach that man's heart that may not be reached by anything else.

What else do we know about the wife as the godly role model and godly mother in the Scripture? She is also seen as a homemaker or keeper of the home. Titus 2:5 mentions that “wives are to be keepers of the home.” 1 Timothy 5:14, as well as Proverbs 31:27-29 teach this idea as well. Are we saying that in being a keeper of the home the wife can't have any kind of work outside the home? I don't think you'll find that in Scripture. Both Lydia in Acts 16 and the virtuous woman in Proverbs 31 had some kind of labor and venture both inside and outside of home. I don't think when we say ‘homemaker’ or ‘keeper of the home’ that means you have to stay in the house no matter what. That's not the idea.

Let's parallel it this way. What is the church? Is the church the building? No. “God does not dwell in temples made with hands,” Acts 7 48-50. What's the church? The church is the people. 1 Corinthians 12:20-27 the writer says, ‘You are the body of Christ and members individually one of another.’

So if the church is not the building, it's the people, what's the home? The home is not the house, the dwelling per say, it does include that- but it's not that only. We talk about the wife being keeper the home. What's her responsibility as a homemaker? To take care of everybody in the home- just as the church is the people. The members inside the home are her responsibility. And so when we talk about the wife being a godly mother, a godly wife, we're talking about somebody-listen carefully-whose first and main priority are the members in that home. Would that include things like keeping the home? Taking care of keeping the house? Taking care of feeding, clothing? Sure, that'd be inclusive in that. But she's not the only one who can do that as well. Although, that would fall under her guideline. But more importantly than that, she supplements the family in such a way

that her first interest is to make sure that everyone in the home is provided for in a way that only she can do. Nurturing, loving, caring, tender, and in a providing way that is how she takes care of the home as a homemaker. And so when we hear that word ‘homemaker’ let's realize that the family must be first that's the priority that's being mentioned in Titus 2:5.

Let's then think about another quality of a godly wife and godly mother. The Scripture identifies her position as a position of love. I want you to hear what Paul will say to the young evangelist Titus as he thinks about especially younger mothers and their relationship and role in the home being that of love. Listen to Titus 2:4. The Bible says that “The older women are to admonish the younger women,” listen now, “to love their husbands, to love their children.” What kind of position is hers? It's a position of love. Anybody will tell you no one has the ability to love like a mother or wife. There's just something special or unique about that.

The older women are to be the example to the younger women teaching them ‘here is your first and main priority: love your husband, love your children.’ 1 Thessalonians 2:7 illustrates that just as a nurturing mother loves and cares for her children and her husband, the husband and children should come first. Other things must not be as important as them. And so with this godly wife and godly mother there is the position of love. She is to be the expression of and the recipient of love in her family. How does she do that? By her many actions. Look at how she's the keeper of the home, what she's doing for the family in providing, caring, taking care of, making sure everybody's fed and clothed, and all the things that go along with that. Then not just that hers is a position of in her tenderness that only a mother a wife can give, it ought to be reciprocated back to her just as well in her position.

Now as we think about the responsibility and role of the godly wife, let's also realize she is to respect her husband. We've already mentioned according to 1 Peter 3:7 that husbands are to honor and respect their wives. The wife is also to respect her husband. Notice Ephesians 5:33 the Scripture says, “Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she reverences or respects her husband in the hierarchy of the home.” If the wife doesn't respect the husband, the children and the family won't respect him as well.

Now that goes both ways. If the husband doesn't respect the wife, the children won't respect her either. We need to set the tone of respect. We recognize we do that not because that person necessarily is inherently valuable of that, rather we do that because that's what God says. May they be worthy of it? Absolutely! But more importantly than that, it is a position of respect because God says so. We respect God. We respect Jesus Christ. We respect the breakdown of the home. God has told husbands and wives to respect and honor one another. Listen to another passage that mentions how wives are to respect their husbands. We mentioned it a while ago, but notice 1 Peter 3:1-2. The Scripture says, “Wives likewise be submissive to your own husbands that even if some do not obey the word, they without a word may be won by the conduct of their wives when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear.”

When we think about the responsibility that a wife may, especially when there's a husband who hasn't obeyed the gospel, what can she do let her role be accompanied by fear and respect? As best as possible, as is fitting in the Lord, as he's following the guidelines found in the Bible, respect and honor him and that will have the ability as much as anything else to soften his heart towards her- knowing that she's doing that because of what the Scriptures and God sets in order.

Another principle that relates to both husband and wives, but we mention it here because the proverb writer mentions this in relation to the wife. Husbands and wives must not nag one another. I want you to listen to these passages in the book of Proverbs that address the idea of not badgering, not heckling if we can use that word, not nagging one another. Listen to Proverbs 21:9. The Bible says, “Better to dwell in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a contentious woman.” Again we recognize this could go either way, but look at the extreme setting the proverb writer sets here for us. “It's better to dwell in the corner of the housetop,” not just on the house top, not just on the roof, but better to dwell in the corner- the farthest position you can get away. “Than to live in the house with a contentious wife,” again it can go both ways. The principle is this: nobody wants to live near, be around, and enjoy the companionship of someone who is contentious, fighting, nagging, and bickering all the time. Those are not things you need in the home. Those things won't foster good relationships.

Now listen to another passage Proverbs 25:24 says it again. “It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a contentious wife.” Notice Proverbs 12:4. “An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who causes shame is like rottenness to the bone.” The one who would nag, belittle, make fun of, live her character in contradiction to the teaching of Christ, and bring shame to the husband that's not something we want to see among God's people or in the home as God would set it.

And so as we think about godly character, as we think about things that Christ sets up for the home, we want to think about real women of godly character and what that means.

Let me give you an example from Scripture. If we were to define women of godly character based on a few descriptions in Scripture it'd be hard to improve upon the words of Titus 2:3-5. Here is that godly character. “The older women likewise that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things that they admonish the younger women to love their husbands, love their children to be discreet, chaste homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands.” Why? “That the word of God may not be blasphemed.”

In a day and age where feminism has run rampant in our society, where that the mantra and the idea is that the woman needs to be the out of the home professional and her job needs to be first, friends we simply need to go back to what the Bible says.

We're not saying it's wrong for a woman to have a job outside the home, but her first priority set by God is to be the one who takes care for all in the home. She is such a fundamental and foundational piece of that home that just like if the husband is not the head of the home, if the wife is not the keeper of the home, that home is on the very verge of ruin and destruction.

What do we need today to really have godly homes in an ungodly world?

We simply need husbands and fathers, mothers and wives who will put their role in the family above their career, recreation, or any other priority they may have.

In this life your main responsibility, my main responsibility, as a husband or a wife, as a father or mother, is to help the people in my home get to heaven. I want to make sure that I can do what I can to provide an environment where spiritual growth, communication, love, and where Christ is the center of that home. It should be a home where the wife and the children can have every opportunity available to grow, prosper, and transform themselves every day into the image of Christ.

Friend nothing greater could be done for the home than for husbands and wives to take their responsibility seriously and to strive to be what Christ wants them to be: godly fathers, godly mothers, godly husbands and wives in a godly home.

Study Questions for: “Godly Homes: Lesson 7”

1. According to Proverbs 31:30, what is deceitful and passing?

2. According to Proverbs 31:30, who shall be praised?

3. How should husbands treat their wives according to 1 Peter 3:7?

4. Having a good wife obtains what kind of favor from the Lord according to Proverbs 18:22?

5. According to Proverbs 19:14, what is from the Lord?

6. In Ephesians 5:22-24, what is the wives submitting to the husbands compared to?

7. According to Titus 2:5, wives are to be keepers of what?

8. What are the older women teaching the younger women in Titus 2:4?

9. What is like rottenness to the bone according to Proverbs 12:4?

10. Why are the older women teaching the younger women to love their husbands and children in Titus 2:3-5?

The apostle Paul asked a great question in Romans 4:3, “What does the Scripture say?”

We’re going to be discussing those doctrines and teaching of Scripture that are fundamental to one understanding God's word and New Testament Christianity.

As we think about fundamentals of the faith, laying the correct foundation, it is so important to have that fundamental idea of knowing where our faith comes from. Let’s begin by talking about having the right source and the right doctrine, as our fundamental guide. When you think about the word doctrine, it’s a big word, or a word we don't use a whole lot, but it just simply means teaching. The Greek word didasko, just simply meant teaching. So, when we talk about doctrine, we’re talking about following the right teaching.

Let's begin by asking, whose doctrine and whose teaching does the Bible encourage us to follow? In Scripture there are three sources of doctrine specifically mentioned, but only one of those is approved by God. The major fundamental source of doctrine is that of Christ and of God. John said, in 2 John 9, “Whoever transgresses,” listen now, “and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ, does not have God. He abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.” Whose doctrine, teaching, must I abide in to have God as my father? God's doctrine. Titus 2:10, “It is the doctrine of God that records godliness and creates the spiritual life that God wants us to have.” We want to emphasize and put our focus on the teaching of Christ and the teaching of God, as the fundamental source in our doctrine.

But as we mention, there are two other sources and these are sources that one needs to be aware of. For example, in the Scripture there is mentioned the doctrines of demons, which in reality, was a departure of the faith. 1 Timothy 4:1, the Bible says, “The Spirit expressly says that the latter times some will depart from the faith.” What you mean Paul? “Giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, forbidding to marry, commanding abstain from food, which God created to be received with

thanksgiving by those who know and love the truth.” What is this doctrine of demons? It's false doctrine. It's doctrine that emanates from the depths of hell. It is trying to sway people away from God & the truth, and align them with the devil and his teaching. So, the idea there is false doctrine or doctrines of men that do not bring about Godliness.

Then there's a third doctrine that's mentioned. It’s this doctrine that we especially want to encourage people to be on the watch for. There is also mention in Scripture the doctrine of men, and we absolutely must be aware of that. In Mark chapter 7, we find a great example. As well as in Matthew 15:9, Jesus said of the religious elite who were putting their trust in the doctrines of men, Jesus said, “Well did Isaiah prophesy about these people saying, they draw near to me with her mouth, honor me with their lips, but their heart is it far from me.” now listen, “in vain do they worship me teaching as doctrine, the commandments of men.”

When we think about doctrine, it's not what a commentary says that matters; it's not what men say that matters; it’s not what the popular opinion says that matters; it's not any of those things that originate with men; our doctrine, to have good doctrine and to stay true to the Scripture, must be based off of the word and the will of our Heavenly Father.

Let’s ask another question. Once we consider that the source must come from God, what type of doctrine then are Christians encouraged in Scripture to look for? Friend the Bible teaches that we need sound doctrine. 1 Timothy 1:10, Paul encouraged Timothy to, “give heed to sound doctrine.” 2 Timothy 4:3, upon the heels of saying, “Preach the word, be instant in season and out of season, reprove, rebuke, and exhort with all long-suffering and teaching, for the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine.” What is that idea of sound doctrine really mean? When we say ‘sound doctrine’ that really doesn't carry the connotation may be that it originally did. The word sound means healthy. It means well. It means solid. It means a pure is the idea. We’re talking about healthy doctrine. We’re talking about that which promotes spiritual health and growth. I want sound doctrine. What is that sound doctrine? How do we have true sound doctrine? If our teaching comes from God in the Bible, it will promote spiritual well-being. The Scripture says that God's word is, “A living and powerful, sharper than any two edged sword able to pierce even to division of soul and spirit joint tomorrow it's a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Sound doctrine is based on the words of this book. “God's word is able to build us up and give us an inheritance among all those who are sanctified, Acts 20:32.” This book, God's word, is the power of God unto salvation. And thus, when we think about the right doctrine, we want to be sound. We want it to be well. We want it to be healthy doctrine that comes from God and his message of salvation, not from the ideas and teachings of men.

We then ask the question, where do we get this doctrine? As we've alluded to, that doctrine is going to come from the Bible. I want you listen to the words of Jesus in John chapter 7:17, as he spoke about doctrine. Jesus said of the doctrine that, “It is not

my own, if anyone desires to do my will, he shall know, concerning the doctrine, whether I speak of only my own authority or from God.”

When we talk about the source of doctrine, that doctrine emanates from the throne of heaven, from God himself, from Jesus Christ, who is our Savior, that's where we get that that doctrine. Now someone says, ‘Okay, well that's all good and well, but you are you saying God speaking to me? Christ is speaking to me today?’ Only as he has told us in Scripture. Where does our doctrine come from, if it comes from God? It's found in the pages of the Bible. That's how God speaks to us today. How do we know that? Listen to the words of Hebrews 1:1. The Scripture records, “God who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past, to the fathers by the prophets,” listen now, “has in these last days spoken to us by his son.” How is God speaking to me and you today? He's speaking through Jesus Christ. Where are the words of Christ at? They’re found in the pages of the word of God. Do you member that passage in 2 Timothy 3:16- 17? Paul is writing to the church and through Timothy speaking to the church in Ephesus, and he reminds them of their source of authority being the Bible from God. He says these words, the Bible says, “All Scripture,” not some, not a few, not most, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God.” That means God breathed, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable, for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped, thoroughly equipped unto every good work.”

As we think about our Bible, and as we think about how important it is that we get our doctrine from God, from Jesus Christ, from the Holy Spirit, the only way I can do that is right here in the pages of this book. “Holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit,” 2 Peter 1:19-21. Jesus promised his apostles that the spirit was going to come upon them and they were going to be guided into all truth, John 16:13. We open to Acts 2, “And the spirit did come upon those men they began to preach and speak by the power and spirit of God.” And what they said and wrote which we have today in the Bible comes from God and is the absolute source we need to trust on this matter.

Now, as we think about doctrine, please understand there is a sense in which in the Lord's church, God's elders do have doctrine in matters of fulfilling the word of God, and in matters of expediency, and elders have the responsibility to labor in doctrine. Meaning that they're going to study; they're going to teach. 1 Timothy 5:17 says that, “Elders are worthy of double honor especially those who labor in word and doctrine.” So when we think about elders, they have a big responsibility in shepherding the flock and making sure that it's taught and fed as it ought to be. Acts 20: 27 and following, elders have the responsibility of keeping the flock pure by convicting and exhorting those who contradict true doctrine. Titus 1:9, they're told to stop the mouths of those who are contradictory good doctrine. Elders do play a role in this. They are to study and to teach and to make opportunities where people can learn God's doctrine in the Lord's church. And they are to stand up and oppose those who do not teach the doctrine of God as they ought to teach.

But you know, as we think about that good doctrine in the Lord's church and especially as it relates to teaching and preaching, Bible class teachers from every level starting at the youngest all the way up, gospel preachers have a great responsibility as it relates to doctrine. A good evangelists and teacher must follow the doctrine of Christ closely. 1 Timothy 4:6 Paul said, “Give attention to doctrine, to reading, to exhortation until I come.” Part of the teacher’s work is to focus on the doctrine of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. You know, I understand there's a place for an application, there's a great place for application, understand there's place for illustration there's no doubt about that, but we want people to leave when they’ve come; we want them to leave with their bucket full of the word of God and what does the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ says. Part of the work of a good teacher is he must make sure his doctrine is in a life with the harmony of the Scriptures. The Bible says Paul said that, “I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest when I have preached to others, I myself should become a castaway, 1 Corinthians 9: 27.

We also want to emphasize this idea, a good teacher, preacher, and evangelist must preach sound doctrine. Paul said in Titus 2:1 to Titus, a young evangelist, “As for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine.” 1 Peter 4:11 the Bible says, “If any man speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God.” “Preach the word,” 2 Timothy 4:2. Bible class teachers, preachers, evangelist, we’re not in the business of saying what society wants us to say. We’re not in the business of reading up on the latest commentary and divulging that. That’s not what we're about. We’re about saying what God says, preaching the gospel, and only emphasizing from Scripture what God wants to be emphasized and taught according to the Bible.

It is sad that we live in a day and age where there is a mass amount of false doctrine that's being taught. And listen very carefully, that false doctrine breaks our heart. And it breaks the heart of God, because those who buy into it listen to it, and live it and die in that state; they're not living according to the teaching of Christ. 2 John 9 says, “They do not have God as their father.” And so, we must be aware of any doctrine that places man's teaching and ideas above God. Remember again Matthew 15:9, “They draw near to me with their mouth, they honor me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.” But why Jesus? “In vain do they worship me teaching as doctrine the commandments of men.”

When we think about false doctrine, we need to be wary of those who teach other ideas that are not found in the Scripture. Paul mentioned the idea of fables and endless genealogies and that a suchlike would, bring false doctrines that we need to avoid. You know there are things in Scripture that God tells us clearly on, and we need to follow those. The idea of fables or somebody’s got an idea about this or that, or whatever it may be, let’s just stick to the Bible, and let’s not get caught up in all the other stuff goes on in our world today. In fact, Scripture teaches that the false doctrine that's out there has the ability to sear one’s soul. The Bible says of those doctrines of demons in 1 Timothy 4:1-2, “That some had their conscience seared with a hot iron.” That

searing makes it hard for the word of God to get in, into their life, and affect them spiritually as God wants them to. And so, false doctrine, it hardens one's heart against the truth and makes it difficult for the word of God to penetrate that, and really be what God wants it to be. Hebrews 13:9 mentions it this way, Paul says, or the writer of Hebrews says that, “there are strange various and strange doctrines.”

I think we live in a world today where we can see that's the case. There are a lot of strange doctrines, a lot of strange doctrines about salvation that you don't find in the Bible. Saying the sinner’s prayer, did you know that is not even in the Bible? Where is that sinner’s prayer that you've heard likely and I've heard? People say, ‘you need to say the sinners prayer,’ and then they'll say something like this, ‘dear Jesus I accept you in my heart, I now ask you to come into my life and help me to live for you,’ whatever maybe. Where is that at in the Bible? Friend, that's a strange doctrine, meaning it's not in the pages of the Bible. It's foreign to the teaching of the New Testament. Another strange doctrine that we have in our world today simply relates to the church. And it says, concerning the church, that you can just go out and choose the church of your choice, and God's can be happy with you. Is that really what God has taught in the Scripture? Friend, I think as you read the Bible, you can see that's a strange doctrine. God never teaches that. In fact, Jesus said, “I'll build my church,” Ephesians chapter 1 verses 21 through 23. Jesus taught that the church belong to him, Matthew 16:13-18. The Bible teaches, “There is but one church, one body,” Ephesians 4:4. God adds one to the church when he obeys the gospel, Acts 2:47.

Now I want to take just a moment, and I want to emphasize the importance of Christian doctrine, good Christian doctrine, and why that is so important, such a high value. It ought to be such a high value in my life and yours. Do you realize that we can't know God's will without knowing the doctrine? I want to direct your attention to the words of Jesus again. They’re found in the gospel of John 7:17. Remember we can't know God without knowing his doctrine. John 7:17 Jesus said, “If anyone wills,” and the idea there is to want, “If anyone wants to do his will, he shall know concerning the doctrine whether I speak of God, or whether I speak on my own authority.” If you want to do God's will, you've got a make sure you're following the doctrine of Christ. And so I can't do God's will, without first knowing the doctrine. Some people say, ‘well give me Jesus, but always commands and all these various ideas, I don't need all that.’ Friend, you can't know God and Christ and be a Christian, without the teaching or the doctrine of Christ. You can’t be free from sin without it. John 8:32, Jesus said, “You will know the truth and the truth will make you free.” “Buy the truth and sell it not,” the proverb writer said in Proverbs 23:23.

Then we emphasize the importance of God's doctrine, Christ’s doctrine, because that doctrine has the power and the ability to set me free from sin. I want to direct your attention to Romans 6:17-18. As we think about the importance of Christ’s doctrine, God's doctrine, in making sure that we’re free from sin. Listen to these words, Romans 6 beginning in verse 17, Paul says, “But God be thanked that though you were the slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which we’re

delivered, and having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteous.” In this context, what is it that set them free? They were slaves of sin, what set them free? “God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart, that form of doctrine which was delivered to you.” The doctrine of Christ has the power to free me from sin. What's that mean? “All have sinned and fallen short of the word of God,” Romans 3:23. “The wages of that sin is death,” Romans 6:23. But the Bible says, the gospel, the doctrine of Christ, the good news of Christ, it's God's power to save.

We emphasize as we did earlier in the lesson, you cannot, why is the doctrine of Christ so important? You cannot have God as your father without following the doctor of Christ. Now, that's pretty stern and that's pretty serious. And I want you to see that for yourself from the Scripture. Notice 2 John verse 9, look at what the Bible says on this idea of making sure, if I'm going to have God as my father, I've got to follow the doctrine of Christ. 2 John 9 says this, the Bible begins by saying in verse 9, “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ, does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the father and the son.” So, if I'm to abide in the doctrine of Christ, in the teaching of Christ, I've got to have God to do that. To have God as my father, I've got to abide in his teaching and make sure that teaching is what God wants me to follow.

We also mention this; it is the doctrine of Christ that produces godliness in my life. 1 Timothy 6:3, “The doctrine of Christ, which records or promotes godliness.” How do I become a godly person? How do I really live as God wants me to live? How do I honor the father in my everyday life? By following the doctrine of Christ. You know, the Bible teaches in Matthew 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your father who is in heaven.” How am I to be that light? By following the doctrine and the teaching of Christ.

Now with this doctrine, I also have a certain amount of responsibility to it and to God. New Testament doctrine is something each Christian must learn and follow all his life. You know, when we talk about responsibility to him and accountability, we’re talking about my relationship toward it. We've seen what doctrine can do for us. What's my relationship to doctrine? I've got a make it my aim, as a child of God, to want to learn and follow that doctrine all my life. Acts 2:42, of the early church, it is said, “They continued steadfastly in the apostle's doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread, and in prayers.” That early church, early group of Christians made it their aim to follow the doctrine given to the apostles by the Holy Spirit. Friend, that needs to be my desire and yours, to search the Scriptures daily to see if these things are so.

And then, as we think about part of our responsibility to this doctrine, the Christian is to adorn the doctrine of Christ in his life. Titus 2:10 mentions this in a beautiful fashion. “I am to adorn the doctrine of Christ,” which literally means, I am to put on as a beautiful outer garment; I'm to put on the doctrine of Christ every day. How do I do that? How do you wear a doctrine? By every day letting its principles be lived in your life and seeing of others seeing Christ living in us. This is just a beautiful way of saying,

being the type of example we all to be by following Christ. Matthew 5:16, as we mentioned, “Let your light so shine before men that they may see our example and glorify your father who is in heaven.” Acts 4:3, of the early Christians, James and Peter, there Peter and John, they realized they had been with Jesus. Why? They were adorning the doctrine of Christ in their life.

And then, if I want to have the correct relationship with doctrine, I must study and give attention to that doctrine and do my best to teach it to others. You can't sit on this doctrine. You can't be the Lord silent partner, as it relates to the doctrine of Christ. God wants His people to freely and passionately speak about the gospel. “Go into all the world,” Jesus said Mark 16:15. “Him we preach, warning every man, teaching every man, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus,” Colossians 1:24.

As we think about the doctrine of Christ today, friend we want you to consider seriously this doctrine in your life. We want to consider it in ours. We want everyone to simply give heart and heed to the teaching and the doctrine of Christ. But ultimately that teaching is the good news of Jesus. And here's that wonderful news, of Jesus it was said, “You shall call his name Jesus, he will save his people from their sins,” Matthew 1:19 -21. Have you obeyed the doctrine of Christ? Have you heard the word about Christ, Romans 10:17? Do you believe Jesus is the son of God Savior of the world, John 8:24? Would you be willing to turn from sin and repent, Acts 3:19? Confessing the beautiful name of Jesus, would you be immersed in water for the forgiveness of your sins, Mark chapter 16:16? If you've never obeyed the doctrine of Christ, friend we love you, God loves you, we encourage you today become a Christian. Submit to the doctrine of Christ.

Study Questions for: “Doctrine”

1. According to 2 John 9, if we abide in the doctrine, who do we have?

2. In Titus 2:10, what does it say we should do with the doctrine?

3. What did Jesus say of the people who follow commandments of men, in Mark 15:9?

4. What does Paul encourage Timothy to do in 1Timothy 1:10?

5. What is God’s word able to do, according to Acts 20:32?

6. According to Hebrews1:1, how does God speak to us today?

7. Where does the scripture come from, according to 2 Timothy 3:16-17?

8. What does Paul say to give attention to in 1 Timothy 4:6?

9. What should we speak of according to 1 Peter 4:11?

10. According to Mark 16:15, what does God want us to do with this doctrine?

In John 10:10 Jesus said, “I came that you may have life and have it more abundantly.”

Today we're going to be considering: What are the greatest things of the Christian life?

We hope that you'll stay tuned as we think about this motivational lesson on the great privileges of the Christian life. The greatest privilege of the Christian life is to be called sons and daughters of Almighty God. To be adopted into the family of the God of heaven is the greatest privilege we could ever have. In fact the Scripture says in 1 John 3:1, “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us that we can be called children of God! And this we are!”

Look at the love that God has exhibited toward mankind. When we were separated by sin, God sent His Son to this world and through His love and through the sacrifice of Christ, we can now be called sons of God, and not only sons but heirs of all that belongs to God. “For as many of us as were baptized into Christ we've clothed yourselves with Christ and we've become heirs of the things that are God's,” Galatians 3:26-27.

When you think about the great privilege of being called sons of God, you know it's such a great privilege, because then we really can look up to

heaven, as Jesus taught us and pray ‘Our Father who art in heaven,’ Matthew 6:9. As you think about the great privilege of being sons of God, that means we must also be children of God to be heirs of God. Romans 8:16-17 clearly teaches us that if we are children, then we are heirs of God and as heirs, joint heirs with Christ. Galatians 4:4 says that we have been adopted into the family of God. In the fullness of time God sent forth His Son born of a woman, born under the law that we might receive the adoption as sons.

What a privilege it is that though we were separated from God, though we were wondering aimless aimlessly in sin, God was willing through His Son to adopt me and to adopt you into His family.

And so the greatest privilege a man could ever have is to look up to heaven and say, “Our Father who art in heaven.”

Let's think about another great principle of the Christian life, and this is the greatest joy. What is the greatest joy in life? Friend there's no greater joy in life than the joy of salvation. You remember the conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch. Philip and Ethiopian eunuch are traveling down the road. He teaches him about Christ. He learns what he's got a do to be saved. He obeys the gospel. He comes up out of the water and the Bible says that Ethiopian eunuch, who we know nothing else about, went on his way rejoicing. Why was that man so happy? Because he had learned the gospel, because all his sins had been washed away, because now he has a purpose and something to look forward to: a home in heaven with Almighty God.

David prayed in Psalm 51:12 “Restore to me the joy of your salvation.” 1 Peter 1:8, it is that joy that we as Christians look forward to and we build upon in our faith. There is now no condemnation to those who are in Christ. What makes Christianity such a great joy? On that that great day, that judgment day, as a child of God, I can hear the words and you can hear the words: ‘Well done good and faithful servant enter into the joys of your Lord.’ Our joy is based on the fact that we can enter into the fullness of God's joy and His love in the eternal realm, by following the teaching of Christ. You see, as a Christian salvation is found in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 1:10-11 the Bible says that we have all spiritual blessings in Christ. No wonder then the apostle Paul would later say to the church in Philippi, ‘Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice.’

Friend I hope you'll listen real carefully, there a lot of things in this life that may give one a sense of passing pleasure, maybe even a sense of passing happiness, but friend you will never find true lasting eternal joy outside of Christ. He is our joy. He is our hope. He's our peace. Everything that we have is in Him and without that there's no real happiness or joy in this life.

Then I want us to think about another great aspect of the Christian life, and it's this, the greatest fellowship, joining together in communion that Christians have in this life is with Christ and other Christians. Now to fully understand this, we've got to realize that before Christ, we weren't in communion with God or Christ. The Bible says in Isaiah 59:1-2 that our sins had separated us from Almighty God. We had been severed from Christ, Galatians 5:4, by sin, and we had no brotherhood or fellowship outside of this world which is passing away. And yet the Bible says of those who obeyed the gospel in Acts 2, they continued steadfastly in the apostle's doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread, and in prayers, Acts 2:42. We have that that joint effort that communion, that closeness with Christ and other Christians. And friend that's an encouragement, because we know we're not in it alone. We know God is indeed on our side. We know that Christ is our Lord and Savior, Acts 2:36; and if we trust in God, we can overcome the things of this world.

You see the Bible teaches us, ‘Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness.’ This world and all that is evil of it that's not what I'm to place my effort and my emphasis, rather I'm to have that joint fellowship with God and other Christians. You see this world, so many people, hope you’ll listen carefully, so many people are in fellowship with a world that is passing away, a world that is against God, and in a world that doesn't look on the eternal principles that Christians desperately need to.

The Bible says, ‘Do not love the world or the things of the world, for all that is in the world lust of flesh, lust the eyes, the pride of life, it's not of the Father but it's of the wicked one and the world and all that's in it is passing away, but he who does the will of God that's the man who will endure forever.’ And so instead of having our fellowship, our closeness, a relationship with the world, we want to be in closeness with God and naturally with other Christians.

Listen to this verse. One the most beautiful in all the New Testament, the Bible says “if” here's the condition, “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.” That fellowship not only looks up and goes up to heaven itself with God and Christ, but it laterally as with other Christians who are trying to walk in the light and live as God wants us to live. And so, greatest fellowship, having a joint communion with Christ, and other Christians.

Well what then is the greatest work in this life? There is work to be done. A lot of people get caught up in work. In fact in my life and in yours, we spend a lot of time on the job and at work. But what's the greatest work in all the world? Friend the greatest vocation or work in all the world is the Christian work that is a life of service to God and others. You know when you think about serving God, and you think about the things that are really important, I'm reminded of that question that the lawyer asked Jesus in Mark 12:30. “Teacher what is the greatest commandment of all?” Jesus said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. And the second like unto it, is love your neighbor as yourself.” What's the greatest work that a person could ever do? Working in the kingdom of God, seeking first the kingdom of God, Matthew 6:33. Being busy about the Father's business, Jesus in Luke 2:49-52 was questioned by His parents. “Why did you leave the caravan? Why did you go and do these things?” And He was in the temple listening and hearing what they were saying. And so when they questioned Jesus, “Why did you do this?” His response was, “Did you not know, I must be about my Father's business?”

Friend that's what we're here to do. Our work that we need to put the most emphasis and interest upon is working for Almighty God. And you know the things that we do for God, that's what's really going to count in this life. Do you remember Paul's words to the church in Corinth? In 1 Corinthians 15:58? The apostle Paul said to the Corinthian Christians, ‘Be steadfast immovable,’ listen to this, ‘always abounding in the work of the Lord knowing that your labor is not in vain.’ Not only am I to be abounding in God's word, to be fruitful in it, but when I think about the work of God, I know that labor is not in vain. What's that mean?

The things I do for God and for Christ and to serve others in this life, those are the things that are really important and really of esteem principle

importance in my life and yours. Think about Jesus’ words in Mark 10:45 the Bible says of Christ, “For the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve and to give His life a ransom for many.”

Now friend I just want you to think about your life, and let's think about our own lives for just a moment. All the work, all the effort, all the toil and all the labor that we do, how much of that is for God? How much work are we really doing in the kingdom for the cause of Christ and to promote God and the gospel?

Christians sing the beautiful hymn, “I will work, I will pray, I will labor every day,” we sing that; we believe that, but are we really doing that every day in our Christian life?

Let's then think about another great thing about the Christian life. And we ask this: What's the greatest knowledge that a person could have in this life? And friend, the answer is the greatest knowledge in life is to know God and His Son Jesus Christ. In fact, did you know, listen very carefully; did you know that knowing God is what eternal life is all about?

When we think about eternal life, we think the idea of just living forever; that's not the real essence of eternal life. Jesus said in John 17:3 as He looked up to heaven and prayed to the Father He said, “This is eternal life what that they may know you, the true and living God.” What's the greatest knowledge? To know God and to be known by Him.

Jesus emphasized the power of knowing the truth when He said in John 8:32, “You shall know the truth and the truth will make you free.” ‘I know,’ Paul said, ‘whom I've believed in and am persuaded. He's able to keep that which I've committed unto Him until that day.’ On the very last day when we stand before God, we can have confidence knowing that our faith has been placed in something that's sure and solid and will not fade away.

I want you to think for just a moment about Jesus' words in John 14:6, as Thomas said to the Lord Jesus had just told them, ‘I'm about to go away where I'm going you cannot come at this time.’ and Thomas said, ‘Lord we don't know where you're going. How can we know the way in essence?’ Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life no man comes to the Father except by Me.”

Jesus is the way, without Him there is no going. Jesus is the truth, without Him there is no knowing. Jesus is the life, without Him there is no living. Do you see the greatest things of this life include knowing God and knowing His Son Jesus Christ?

Now friend as we talk about knowing God and knowledge of Him it isn't enough just to say, ‘Well I know the facts.’ Knowing involves keeping God's commands and being approved by God by the life that we live. You know, when we say we know someone, it creates the idea of a relationship and creates that idea of some kind of a communion and fellowship involved in that. The same is true of God and Christ. If I'm to know God, it requires more than just the facts, requires me to submit to and obey the will of God.

Jesus said this in Matthew 7:21 Jesus said, “It's not everybody that looks up in heaven is says, ‘Lord, Lord,’ that's going there, but he who does the will of my Father in heaven.” Friend it is essential that more than just paying lip service to Christ, I obey Him. Jesus said to the Jewish elite in Luke 6:46, “Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord’ and do not do the things which I say?” And in Hebrews 5:8-9 the Scripture affirms the idea that if we're going to obey Christ, if we're to follow Christ, we must obey Him. He is the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him. And so, I must walk in the footsteps of Jesus Christ every day to say that I really know Him.

Well let's think about another great thing about the Christian life. As we think about motivational encouraging ideas from the Christian life, let's realize the greatest victory in life is to overcome self and this old world.

Friend the struggles that I face and the struggles that you face often deal with self and often deal with the temptations of this world. Do we realize that in Christ we can overcome and be victorious, even over self and this world? 1 Corinthians 9:27 Paul said, “I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest when I've preached to others I myself should become a castaway.” This was even up a challenge for Paul, but Paul through his obedience to Christ could overcome that. Friend the same is true for us. We might at times say like Paul, ‘The very things I don't want to do sometimes those are the things I do; the very things I do want to do sometimes those are the very things that go undone.’ Yes, it's a fight; it's a battle, but in Christ we can have the greatest victory ever.

When I think about that victory there is a key to that victory and it's found in 1 John 5:4, ‘this is the victory we have even our faith.’ What's that mean? When I think when I think about having the victory, I think about overcoming self, overcoming sin, overcoming this world; it all happens based on my faith and my trust in God. “If faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God,” Romans 10:17, then my faith in Christ, trusting Him implicitly would help me to win the battle and be victorious. Thus we can say, as Paul so beautifully elaborated, “Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

As a Christian, friend you've got the greatest victory in all the world.

Let's then think about another item that is so encouraging about the Christian life, and that is the greatest gift. What's the greatest gift in this life? Well you can probably imagine the greatest gift ever given was given by God. The greatest gift in this life is to give oneself unto God and of course to others. Now we see that in the prime example of our Lord and Savior. You remember the passage very well John 3:16 Jesus said, “God so loved the world He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

When I think about the greatest gift, I think about God giving His Son for mankind and for others, so that they could be saved. And as I think about the practical aspects of that the greatest gift in this life is to give oneself to God and to others. Do you remember the words of Jesus recorded only in Acts 20:35? The Lord said, “It is more blessed to give that it is to receive.” We can all understand that. It makes you feel better to give. It feels good when you to do good to others, to help out and especially as it relates to the cause of Christ. In fact of the Macedonians, it was clearly said in 2 Corinthians 8:1-5 that, “They first gave themselves unto the Lord.” Here's a group of people, who before they put the first dollar in the collection plate, made up their mind the greatest gift ever is not what we put in monetarily, but giving ourselves unto God. Jesus said, “Give and it'll be given to you. Good measure pressed down, shaken together, and running over will then be put back in your bosom,” Luke 6:38.

And so, let's think about sacrifice. Let's think about giving. We live in the ‘me generation’ but that ‘me generation’ will never make us happy. Giving to God and giving to others and serving them, that's the greatest gift that a person could ever have in this life.

As we think about great things, it's also important for us to emphasize the greatest loss in this life would be ones' soul. Oh there are great things about Christianity, but friend let's realize that it would be horrible, it would be a tragedy, it would be the greatest loss ever if one were to lose his soul. Do you remember the words of Jesus in Mark 8:36-37? Jesus asked two rhetorical questions, “What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”

My soul and your soul is the most important thing ever. And friend to lose that, to put selfishness, to put worldly interest, to let the devil into my life, and have his way with it that would be the greatest, most horrible loss you could ever imagine.

Let me give you an illustration. Luke 12:15-21, there was a man there who had a great harvest, so much so that he said to himself, ‘Soul you've got many goods laid up for many years take it easy,’ eat, drink, and be merry in essence. He said, ‘I'll tear down my barns and build bigger barns,’ that he did. But you know what thing he left out? Jesus said to that man, “You fool this night will your soul be required of you, then whose things will those be whom you've acquired?” So is he who is rich, but not toward God.

Friend the greatest loss, the absolute most horrible devastating loss ever is the loss of someone’s' soul. And I hope you'll listen real carefully to these words, each of us possess a soul that soul is going to live somewhere forever. Now is the time that I have opportunity and the ability to do something about it. If I squander that time, if I if I don't take action, if I ignore it, if I say to myself I'll deal with that later, and the chance and opportunity never came, can you imagine what a horrible loss that would be?

Think about it this way, let's say that you said yourself, out ‘I've heard the gospel; I believe in the gospel; I want to become a Christian; and one day in the near future I'm going to do that.’ And you said yourself and even made a promise, ‘I'm going to become a Christian one day,’ and before that day came your life was snuffed out. Can you imagine a greater loss in all the world than that? Your soul and my soul is the most important thing that we have in this life.

But then along those same lines, I want us to think about one of the greatest neglects in this life, and that is the neglect of salvation. Listen to Hebrews 2:3. The Hebrew writer asked this question, “How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?” You know all of us from time to time are prone to neglect things. Maybe we neglect our chores. Maybe you neglect mowing the yard, because it's hot outside. Maybe you neglect doing some chores in the house, maybe even neglect doing a few things at work, and we can probably skate by with neglecting those things if we're careful. If you neglect salvation, you have neglected something that is of eternal importance. And listen again to that question, “How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?” If I fail to take advantage of salvation, that’s greatest neglect in all the world.

Friend we want to close on a positive note by noting this: of all the great things we might find in Scripture the one great question that rises above all else is found in Acts 16:30-31. The Philippian jailer asked of Paul, ‘Sirs what must I do to be saved?’

There's no greater question in all the world than that. And Paul gave him that answer, and we find it throughout the book of Acts. On the day of Pentecost when they realized they'd killed their own Messiah, they cried out ‘Men and brethren what shall we do?’ And the answer was, ‘Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins,’ Acts 2:38. To those who heard the message about Jesus, and believed it, John 8:24, if they were then willing to change their life and repent turn from sin to God, Acts 3:19, having acknowledged Jesus as Lord and Savior with the mouth, Acts 8:36-39, those who did that were baptized in water, immersed in water for the forgiveness of their sins.

Friend we ask you today, have you really taken advantage of the great things of Christianity?

There's no greater life, no greater joy, and yet at the same time no greater neglect than the neglect of salvation.

If you've never obeyed the gospel, friend we're encouraging you today be a Christian. Obey the gospel. Enjoy the great life.

Study Questions for: “Motivational Lesson 5”

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

2. Christians are children of whom according to 1 John 3:1?

3. According to Galatians 3:26-27, Christians become heirs of what?

4. What did David pray to be restored in Psalm 51:12?

5. What do we have in Christ according to 2 Timothy 1:10-11?

6. According to Isaiah 59:1-2, what separated us from God?

7. In Luke 2:49-52, when questioned by his parents, what did Jesus say he must be about?

8. According to 1 Corinthians 15:58, why should we always be abounding in the work of the Lord?

9. According to Mark 10:45, why did Jesus come?

10. Who is going to Heaven according to Matthew 7:21?

In the gospel of John Jesus said “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them and they follow Me,” John 10:27.

What does it really mean to hear the voice of Jesus? Get your Bible as we let God's word answer this very important question for us today.

As Jesus said in John 10:27 ‘My sheep, My followers, they'll hear My voice. I know them, and they follow Me.’ John 10 is the beautiful words about Jesus being the shepherd and His people being the sheep.

Now friend we pose the question from Scripture today: What does it mean to hear the voice of Jesus?

If Jesus said ‘His sheep and His followers hear His voice.’ What does it mean to hear the voice of Jesus? What must we be listening to the voice of Jesus about as it some of the most important questions in scripture?

First let's realize that hearing the voice of Jesus means that we're going to listen to what Christ said about God His Father. It means these things: If I'm going to hear Jesus' voice as He teaches us about God, it means that I'm going to hear what He said about loving God.

Jesus said in Mark 12:30 following, when He was asked by a lawyer about the greatest commandment, Jesus said “The first and greatest of all commandments is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.” This is the first and great commandment. The second, like unto it, is ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’

When I hear the voice of Jesus, those words resonate within my life. That I must love God first and foremost with every part of my being. That's what it means to be a follower of Christ. I must have devotion. I must have commitment. I want to love Christ. I want to put my trust in Him, and never ever waiver from His teaching. Jesus taught us what it means to love someone as well.

In the gospel of John, Jesus also said “If you love Me.” What? “Keep My commandments.” Loving Christ and loving God means that I'm willing to submit, to bow down before, and to worship and obey God and Christ as Father and as the ultimate sacrifice in our lives.

Secondly as we think about hearing the voice of Jesus, this means that we're going to be willing to live by every word that God gives us. In Luke 4:4 and in Matthew 5:6 we are told ‘man shall not live by bread alone,’ or Matthew 4:4-10 we're told ‘man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’

What does it mean to hear the voice of Jesus about God? It means that I'm going to live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. Interesting in that context is Jesus has just been tempted by the devil. In response to the devil's temptation, He's been out in the wilderness, the Bible tells us, He's out there alone. The verses tell us, He was hungry as well, and so the devil throws the temptation out. ‘If you're the Son of God prove it to me. If you're the Son of God turn these stones to bread.’ How did Jesus respond to that temptation? He said ‘No. Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’

Hearing the voice of Jesus means that I'm willing to obey and follow the teaching of our Lord and Savior. Jesus clearly taught this throughout His life. Matthew 7:21 Jesus said “It's not everybody that says to Me ‘Lord, Lord’ that's going to heaven, but he that does the will of My Father in

heaven.” In Luke 6:46 Jesus asked the Pharisees “Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord’ and do not do the things which I say?” The Bible says in Hebrews 5:8-9 that ‘God is the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.’ If I'm going to submit to the words of my master and my Lord as it relates to God, I must live not by bread- not by carnal things alone- but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of Almighty God.

Now friend we tie this in directly with in relation to our very next principle that is we've got a be willing to do the Father's will. If the Bible says it, I need to be willing to do it. Philippians 4:9 Paul said “The things which you heard and learned or received and saw in me,” listen now, “these do and the God of peace will be with you.” There is that that ever important little word “do.” What does it mean to hear the voice of Jesus? I'm going to do what God says. Not enough just to hear. Jesus said to the churches in Revelation 2 and 3 “To him that has ears to hear, let him hear what the Spirit says.”

We're not just emphasizing hearing, the sake of taking it in and knowing there's a noise that occurred- but rather hearing the Scripture is used with the emphasis of taking it in and doing what God wants us to do.

We also then would note this. If we're going to hear the voice of Jesus as it relates to God, we've got to have faith in God's care for each and every one of us. I want you to hear specifically. You know Jesus said it is some of the most beautiful language in the Bible, and if I'm going to really let the words of Jesus resonate in my life, I've got to hear and take to heart what He said about God caring for me and about God caring for you.

Look at Matthew chapter 6. If you're following along, I want you look at Matthew chapter 6 beginning in verse number 25 as Jesus discusses in detail, very beautifully in detail, the care of God. Here's what it says. Matthew 6:25, Jesus said “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life what you will eat, or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air. They neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow they neither toil nor spin. And yet I say to you that even Solomon in all

his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you? Oh you of little faith! Therefore do not worry saying ‘what shall we eat, or what shall we drink, or what shall we wear?’ for after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows you need all these things, but seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own thing. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

Part of hearing the voice of Jesus is I have to have the faith to trust the fact that Jesus said “God will take care of you.” That's hard, and it's challenging at times as we live in this world that is so fraught with problems and danger and anxiety. ‘Where's my next meal coming from? Where are the clothes that I'm going to put on my back and my families back? Where are we going to sleep?’ You know for the child of God the Bible says, ‘You seek first the kingdom. God will take care of the rest.’

I cannot help but think of the beautiful words of Psalm 37:25. David said basically the same idea. David said ‘I've been young and now I'm old.’ Take a snapshot of life and here's what I know: ‘I've never seen the righteous forsaken nor His seed begging bread.’

Let's now turn our attention to hearing the voice of Jesus as He spoke on another subject and that is our relationship and responsibility to other people in this life.

What did Jesus say about my responsibility and relationship with others? Here's what He said. Jesus first and foremost taught each of us to love one another. John 13 is a very beautiful scene where Jesus, He, washes the disciples feet. He gives them a powerful example of how they're to treat one another, how they're to love one another, and here's how He concludes that. John 13:34-35, Jesus said, “A new commandment I give you that you love one another. As I have loved you that you also love one another by this all will know you are My disciples.”

What's my responsibility toward other people? To love them, to love lost souls as Jesus loved them, to love those who are in sin, in the sense that we want them to be saved and to go to heaven, to love those inside

the family and the church of God, and to have a deep abiding respect and care for all people everywhere.

Friend in a world that is so fraught with prejudice and problems and man's inhumanity to man, let's realize all men have been created by God Genesis 1:27. Let's realize that God gives us the responsibility to love one another.

Do you remember that second commandment we mentioned earlier? The first was to ‘love Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.’ The second like unto it is ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’ Friend, those two commands would solve the multiplicity of problems that exist in our world today.

Then we mention this. What else does Jesus say my responsibility is as it relates to others? If I'm going to hear the voice of Jesus, I've got to hear what He said about my enemies. Look to the words of Christ in Matthew 5:44. Jesus said “But I say to you, you heard it was said,” verse 43, “you shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” Verse 44 Jesus said, “But I say to you, love your enemies. Bless those who curse you. Do good to those who hate you. Pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.”

Hearing the voice of Jesus isn't always something that is easy for us to follow, meaning that at times it creates a challenge within us. Loving your enemies is indeed one of those challenges.

Now, let me show you that Jesus not only said this, but He also practiced it. On the cross as people mocked Him, as people spat at Him, as people made fun of Him up there, Jesus prayed these words “Father forgive them they know not what they do.”

Friend, did you ever wonder if Jesus loved His enemies? You know He did! Jesus wanted His enemies to be saved so much so that He went to the cross for them. My responsibility and yours is to love our enemies, to try to do good, to try to help, to try to open the door, so that the gospel can be preached to those who are enemies of Christ and no doubt Christianity.

Now as we think also about the words of Jesus and hearing the voice of Christ as it relates to others, let's also realize that Jesus clearly taught that it's better to help than to be helped. Listen to Acts 20:35, Paul mentions the words of Jesus as he thinks about the good that he can do. And he said “I want you to hear the words of our Lord where He said it's more blessed to give than it is to receive. We often live in a society that has both hands out looking for a handout, wanting something, expecting everybody to give it to them, but you know what Jesus said? “It's more blessed to give than it is to receive.”

Now friend don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with helping people who are in need. That's not the point here. But we need to be of the attitude and the mindset that ‘I am not expected of, nor do I deserve people to do for me. I'm going to try to do for myself; so that I can do good to those are in need.’ It's more blessed. If I hear the words of Jesus, I hear what He says about giving and helping and doing good to other people.

What is pure and undefiled religion anyway? To keep oneself unspotted from the world, and to take care of or visit the orphans, and the widows in their affliction. Do good unto all men, especially those of the household of faith,” James 1:27 and Galatians 6:10.

As we think about hearing the voice of Jesus, let's also realize we want to hear the voice of Jesus as it relates to Himself and what Christ said about himself, His teaching, and what He requires of His followers today. As it relates to Jesus and what He taught about Himself, let's realize the Lord said we must be willing to believe in Him. We must be willing to follow His teaching.

In John chapter 14 Jesus said these words you “Let not let not your heart be troubled, you believe in God believe also in Me.” Christ wanted us to realize that He is the Messiah that He is the Son of God, and that without Him there can be no salvation. This is why Jesus said just a few verses later “I am the way the truth and the life no man comes to the Father except by Me,” John 14:6. 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.’

I've got to believe He's the Son of God. I've got to believe He's the Savior of the world, that He is the Christ, and that ultimately He is both Lord and Master of my life. I must do my best to obey Him all the days of my life.

Friend as we hear the voice of Jesus about Himself, let's also hear the beautiful invitation He gave to those to follow Him. Jesus said in Matthew 11:28 these beautiful words “Come unto Me all ye who labor and are heavy laden. I'll give you rest. My yoke is easy. My burden is light.” Jesus said, “You will find rest for your souls. Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I'm meek and lowly in sight,” the Lord would say. Jesus, as I hear His words, I hear the invitation that ought to resonate within every man's heart. “Come unto Me, those who labor and are heavy laden, let whosoever will come and drink freely of the water of life,” Revelation chapter 22 says. “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature,” Matthew 28:18. Christ wants all men to come to Him and to ultimately be saved from their sin.

What else did Jesus say about Himself? Jesus said some things also that were challenging and that are rather difficult and were difficult for some. Let me illustrate one of those to you from the Scripture. Jesus taught us as we hear His words that we must be willing to put Him above all else, and at times we must be willing to forsake all to follow Christ. Listen to Luke chapter 14 what Jesus said in verse number 33. Jesus said “So likewise,” listen to these words “whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.” If I hear the words of Jesus correctly, I've got to hear Him say ‘Put Me first.’ All else has to take a backseat to following Christ, to seeking first the kingdom, to living as God wants us to live, and to following Him in each and every way.

As we hear His voice, let's hear what Jesus said about keeping His commands and obeying Him. John 14:15 Jesus said “If,” here's the condition, “you say you love Me, keep My commandments.” You are My friends if you do whatever I ask, John 15:14. It's not enough. Some people say ‘Well I love God, and I love Christ. I've got this warm feeling in my heart.’ Wait a minute now. “If you love Me, do what I say.”

It isn't enough to say ‘I believe in the Bible. I believe in God. I believe in Christ.’ The demons believe and tremble. James says in James 2:17 ‘put your faith into action by letting the love of God motivate you to serve Him

and to live for Him each and every day of your life- so that you can really have the hope and joy of going to heaven and being what God ultimately wants you to be.’

Jesus also said that He wanted us to hear His voice. As it relates to Him about these things also Christ said ‘Hear My voice as it relates to false prophets’ and false prophecies that are so prevalent in our world today. You know sometimes we hear people say ‘God's going to do this, or Christ is coming back, and He's going to do this, and world's going to come to end on such and such day.’

What did Jesus say as it relates to false prophets? Listen to Matthew 7:15 Jesus said “Beware, watch out for false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? Even so every good tree bears good fruits, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown to the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them.”

You can look at a person's life. You can look at the things they said, their fruit, and know it hadn't happened. You know you look at people who at throughout history who have made all these prophecies and one after another keeps failing, what do I know about that person? They're not a prophet of God. What they said, it's not true. I don't have to worry. So-and-so says ‘Well the Lord's coming on this day.’ The Lord didn't come, what do I know? That man's a liar and a false prophet. Somebody says ‘God's going to do this and here's what you.’ Wait a minute now. If the Bible says ‘God's will to do this’ and you said God's going do the opposite or something different, I'm going to take God.

‘Let God be true and every man a liar.’ We need to hear what Jesus says in, and be confident that there are false prophets and false prophecies out there, and not to let them sway us in this life.

Let's also hear the voice of Jesus as it relates to the narrow gate and the narrow way of salvation.

You know we live in a world where people want to have this idea that everybody's going to be saved, and everybody's going be okay. You know, ‘You just believe in Jesus and everything's going to be all right.’

Does the Bible teach it that way? Look at Matthew chapter 7. I want you to see what Jesus actually said. Matthew 7 Jesus says this beginning in verse 13, “Enter by the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction and there are many who go in by it .” Why? “Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way that leads to life and there are few who find it.”

Did Jesus give the impression that everybody's going to heaven? No. Jesus said it's quite the opposite. ‘Narrow is the gate, difficult or restricted is the way, and there are few who find it.’ Jesus didn't have this mindset that ‘You know everybody who's got a warm feeling for Me in their heart and everybody who claims to be a Christian is going to heaven.’ Jesus said ‘It's a challenge. You got to work. There are few who find the right way.’

I want to hear the words of Jesus also as it relates to where I put my treasure and what's really important to me in this life. Listen to the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:19-20. Jesus said “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

Let's hear Jesus words about what's the true treasure in this life. Don't focus on earthly. Don't focus on the physical things that tarnish, things that thieves can break in and steal. That which is temporary and earthly, it's not your treasure. Put your treasure on spiritual things. Seek those things which are above where Christ is, Colossians 3:1-3.

Let's hear the words of Jesus as it relates to going to heaven and salvation.

Jesus clearly taught that whoever would obey the gospel could be a child of His and have the hope of heaven. “Come unto Me all ye that labor and are heavy laden I'll give you rest.”

What does that mean to obey the gospel and become a child of God? Here's what Jesus said about believing in Him. Hear the words of Jesus about belief. Jesus said “Unless you believe that I'm He you'll surely die in your sins.”

Hear what Jesus said, not only about believing but about repenting of one's life of the things that are wrong in one's life, Jesus said in Luke 13:3 “Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”

Let's hear what Jesus said about acknowledging and confessing Him before men as the Savior. Matthew 10:32-33 Jesus said “If you won't confess Me before men, neither will I confess you before My Father who is in heaven. But if you will confess Me before men, I'll also confess you before My Father who is in heaven.”

Let's hear what Jesus said about baptism being essential to salvation.

Jesus said in Mark 16:16 “He that believes and is baptized will be saved. He that does not believe shall be condemned.” Did Jesus say in verse 16 of Mark chapter 16 that a person must believe and be baptized to be saved? We just noticed it. He said those exact words. And friend, that's not the only time He said something like that. In John 3:5, Jesus said “Unless a man is born of water and the spirit he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” Peter said “Baptism does now also save us,” 1 Peter 3:21.

As we think about this marvelous idea today from John 10:27 “My sheep hear My voice. I know them, and they follow Me,” here's the question we ask ourselves: Are we following Christ? Are we listening to His voice? Are we really that sheep that follows the good Shepherd to the green pastures?

If you've never obeyed the gospel, friend our plea to you today is hear the voice of Jesus, submit to His will, obey the gospel, and follow Him to heaven itself.

Study Questions for: “Topical Lesson: Voice of Jesus”

1. In John 10:27, what does the sheep hear? What do they do as a result?

2. According to Mark 12:30, what is the greatest commandment?

3. What is the second greatest commandment according to Mark 12:30?

4. According to Luke 4:4 & Mark 4:4, what can man not live by alone?

5. How does Jesus respond in Mark 4 when the devil tempts Him?

6. What does Matthew 7:21 say about who is going to heaven?

7. What question does Jesus ask in Luke 6:46?

8. In Philippians 4:9, what does Paul say about the things we have heard and learned?

9. In Matthew 6:25, what does Jesus tell us about worrying?

10. What does David say about life in Psalm 37:25?

An evil king asked a great question, ‘Is there any word from the Lord?’ Jeremiah 37:17.

As we think today about God's truth and how it's been revealed to us and what it teaches, we need understand God has spoken. There is word from God. That word is found for us in the Bible.

Paul repeated a similar question in Romans 4:3 when he asked “What does the Scripture say?” What does the Bible say? Has God revealed Himself to us? Has He revealed His will to us? If so, where is that will? What does it teach us about how to live and how to do the things that God wants us to do?

First let's realize that God has revealed Himself to each and every one of us. I want you to notice Hebrews 1:1-2. The Scripture says “God, who at various times in various ways, spoke in times past to the fathers by the prophets has in these last day's spoken to us by His son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds.”

Here God clearly teaches us that although He used to speak in various ways through the prophets and angels, now how does God speak to men and women today? Does God whisper in their ear? Does God send some inner feeling? How does God speak to us today?

Notice again, “God has in these last days, the Christian era, spoken to us by His son.” If men and women are going to hear the voice of God today, if they are going to obey His will, it will be done by listening to and doing what Jesus Christ teaches us. Here's what's great about the word of God, we have that word. It’s everything we need to get to heaven. I love the words of 2 Timothy 3:16-17. Paul said “All Scripture,” not some or few. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God. It is God breathed and profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,” listen, “that the man of God may be complete thoroughly equipped for every good work.” This book, the word of God, is God's message to us today.

God has spoken. It gives us everything we need to get to heaven. Peter said in 2 Peter 1:19-21 “The holy men of God spoke as they were moved or guided by the Holy Spirit.” Can you imagine what it would be like without the word of God? It would be like trying to navigate through a dark room. It would be like trying to make it through this life without the sunlight. That reminds me of Psalm 119:105. Look at what the psalmist said about God's word. The psalmist said “You’re word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” It gives us direction. It keeps us from stumbling. Ultimately it shines the light on the way to heaven itself. So has God spoken? Absolutely! God has spoken to each and every one of us today.

Then as we think about the idea of God speaking to us, and ‘Is there any word from the Lord?’ we ask next: Where is that word? How do we find God's message for us today?

Many people become confused. We talk about understanding the Bible, understanding where God's law is for us today, and sometimes they'll go back even as far as the 10 Commandments. They may say ‘We need to live under the Mosaic Law. We need to live under the 10 Commandments. We need to do the things that they there did and live like them.’ As you look to the Bible, God's revealed will, it tells us we've got to rightly divide the word of truth, 2 Timothy 2:15.

We need to understand today the God's revealed will for us is in the New Testament. When we ask the question: Is there any word from the Lord? The answer is a resounding yes! But we ask then, where is that? It's in the New Testament of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

I want you notice the words of John 1:17. Look at what Jesus here said. Jesus said, “For the law all was given through Moses but grace and truth,” are where? “Are in Christ.” That grace that brings salvation down, Titus 2:11-13, that grace that makes salvation possible, Ephesians 2:8, that grace that calls God to send His son from heaven and come and live a human life and die a perfect sacrifice- that grace is in Christ! Truth is in Christ. That's important because ‘it's the truth that will set us free,’ John 8:32.

Notice grace and truth are not in Moses; they’re in Christ. Today we have the New Testament of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We have the better covenant, Hebrews 8:5-6. We have the covenant under which there is immediate forgiveness of sins when one obeys it. Hebrews 10:3-5 the Bible says that “The blood of bulls and goats could not take away sin.”

Think about this friend, why would you want to go back to a law that couldn't take away sin anyway? At its best there was a reminder of sin. Would you want to go to a law that reminded you of your sins? Even when you made the bloodiest sacrifice you can imagine, it didn't take away the sin. That's the old law. Thank God that we're living under the sunshine age and the sunshine age of Christianity. We have that better covenant now.

Sometimes people struggle with the idea of the old covenant being removed and us being under the new covenant. The Bible does make it abundantly clear. Hebrews 8:13 the Hebrew writer said “That the old law was growing old and ready to vanish away.” It had become obsolete. It was no longer useful for the people in the New Testament.

Then of course we think of the words of Ephesians 2:14-15. “Jesus at His death nailed the old law, the handwriting of requirements, to the cross.” It's no longer a viable law for each and every one of us today. In fact Jesus Himself taught us that when we stand before the judgment seat of God and give account of our life, we will be judged by the words of Jesus- not the words of Moses.

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

On that final day when men's lives are opened up, when the books are opened, what's our judge going to be? It's going to be the words of Jesus Christ, not the words of Moses. Well if God has spoken and if then that law for us today is the New Testament, do we have all of it?

Some people say ‘Well have got bits and pieces. We need a little more here and little more there. Maybe we need another Revelation.’

Do we have everything we need today to get to heaven? The answer to that is very clear also.

God has not only spoken, and not only do we have the new law of Jesus Christ, but we have everything we need to get to heaven and live the best life. Jesus made this promise to His apostles, to His disciples while He was alive. He promised they would receive everything necessary to get men and women to heaven.

Look at John 16:13. Jesus said “However when He, the spirit of truth, has come He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak. And He will tell you things to come.” How much truth did Jesus say the disciples were going to get? Can’t get more than all, and that's what God promised us today.

In the pages of the New Testament, I've got everything I need to get to heaven.

I love the words of 2 Peter 1:3. The Scripture says “According to His divine knowledge God has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness.” Not only has God given me everything I need, but he's given it for two areas. God's given us all things for life.

Friend if you obey the gospel and live the Christian life, you are the most well-equipped person for this life right now. John 10:10 Jesus said “I came that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly.” There's no better life in the here and now than the Christian life. Notice that second part “I have all things for life and godliness.” In the New Testament I've got everything I need to be the godly person God wants me to be and change my life and live in such a way that I can be guaranteed heaven will be my home.

Don't you love the words of Jesus in John 8:32? Jesus said “You shall know the truth and the truth will make you free.”

What is that truth? Jesus stated later in John 17:17 “Sanctify them by your truth, your word is truth.” This book is truth. It's all truth. The promise to each one of us is if we obey it and do what it says, we can live with God forever. “Is there any word from the Lord?” Absolutely! I've got everything I need and so do you to be the godly person that we need to be.

Would you look at the beautiful words of Psalm 119:160? The psalmist said “The entirety of your word is truth and every one of your righteous judgments endures forever.” How much? The entirety. What's that mean? Every bit of God's word is truth from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21. Every bit of that is absolute truth from heaven on high. It is what man needs to save his soul.

Then let's think about another question. If this book contains all truth, how am I going to get that truth? I know it's there, but is it just somehow going to feel my life? Is it going to go through the process of osmosis somehow? Are God's words just going to absorb in my life? Of course not!

I've got to study to know the truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 the Scripture says “Study to show yourself approved unto God a workman who does not need to be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth.” If this book is all truth, friend that ought to encourage and motivate us to study this book. I want to know it. I want to live my life by it. I can’t help but think of the people in Thessalonica. These were the people who weren't as noble. They didn't give their lives as well to the word of God. In contrast with them, Acts 17:11 of the Bereans Paul said, “They were more noble in that they learned the word of God with all readiness, and they searched the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so,” Acts 17:11.

We've got to be ready always. We have got to study. We’ve got to give ourselves to all who desire to know and do the will of God. As we think about the great question: ‘Is there any word from the Lord?’ we can know the word. We can know what it is. We can know how to get it.

Let's talk for just a minute about some specifics. Let's think specifically about the question, “Is there any word from the Lord on salvation?’ “What must I do to be saved?” the great question of Acts

16-30:31. It was asked in Acts 2 when the Jews realized they'd killed their own Messiah. They were cut to the heart. They cried out “Men and brethren what shall we do?” Acts 2:37. Is there any word from God on my salvation and on yours? There is friend. The good news is God has made salvation available. Romans 1:16 the gospel, this book, the message of Jesus Christ is God's power unto salvation. James 1:21 James said “If you receive with meekness the implanted word it’s able to save your soul.” ‘The word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two edged sword.’

If the Bible is God's message of salvation, what does it teach us? What a person must do to be saved. I want you to stop for just a moment and think about your own salvation. What did you do to be saved? Where were you? How old were you? What steps did you take by which you know you had obeyed the plan of salvation and were saved? I want you think about that. Then let's examine for just a moment what the Bible says a person must do to be saved.

First the Scriptures teach you must hear the word of God. Romans 10:17 says “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” That truth that sets us free, to initially be saved I've got a listen to it.

I can’t help but think of the words of Mark 9. Jesus takes Peter, James, and John upon the high mountain. He's there transfigured before them. He begins to shine. They’re in a state of awe and reverence and in that context. Peter, because he's afraid, doesn't know what to do. He blurts out “Lord it is good for us to be here. Let's make three Tabernacles. One for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” God's voice came from heaven and said “This is my beloved son. Hear Him.”

If I'm going to be saved, I must hear the word of God. Hearing is essential. The Bible says without faith I can't be saved. Hebrews 11:6 says “without faith it's impossible to please God.” It's impossible. There's no way to please God without faith. Well if it's impossible to please God without faith, then whatever process by which I get faith is also essential. Think again about Romans 10:17 “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” If we’re going to be saved, we have got to put aside prejudice. We got a put aside bias. We have got to put aside what other people of told us. We have got to give ear to the word of God only and do what it says.

So what must I do to be saved? First you've got to hear the word of God.

Secondly you must believe in Jesus as the son of God. Jesus said “I am the way, the truth, and the life no man comes to the father except by me.” Do you believe that Jesus is the son of God? Acts 8 Philip is teaching the Ethiopian eunuch the gospel. He got up in the chariot with him. They’re traveling down the road. In the process of teaching him from Isaiah 53 about the Messiah being Jesus, in the distance they see water. This man is excited. He's heard the message. He's ready to do what God says. As he sees that water he says “Here's water what doth hinder me from being baptized?” Do you member the hindrance? Acts 8:36-37 “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” To be saved a person must believe Jesus is the son of God. Jesus said in John 8:24 “Unless you believe that I'm he you'll surely die in your sins.”

Be sure of this: it doesn't stop there. Salvation does not occur in the New Testament at the point of belief alone. If it did there would have been no need for Philip and Ethiopian eunuch to get down out of the chariot.

A person must also repent. You have got to change your way of thinking and change your way of living. Listen to Jesus’ words in Luke 13. Certain people came to Jesus and it looks like they’re there to tell on other people who've been living ungodly. They think acts of God's justice. There are these people who had the blood mingled with their sacrifice- meaning at the time of sacrifices they killed those people, their blood was mixed with the blood of the animals. They say to Jesus weren't they worse sinners than all else because that happened? Well Lord what about these 18 people who are walking down the road aimlessly minding their own business and this tower comes from nowhere and crushes them? Wasn't that your justice on those evil ungodly people?

Jesus said in verse 3-5, “I tell you no, but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” Repentance is essential to salvation. Acts 3:19 Peter preached “Repent and turn again that your sins may be blotted out the seasons of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.”

Hear God's word. I'm willing to believe. I'm willing to repent, change my life and turn to God. Then I must make that good confession. Matthew 10:32-33 Jesus said “If you won’t confess me before men neither will I

confess you before the Father who is in heaven. If you will confess me before men, I'll also confess you before the Father who is in heaven.” Making that confession that Jesus is the Christ the son of the living God, Acts 8:36-37, is essential to salvation. In fact in Romans 10:10 Paul said “With the heart with the mind one believes unto righteousness,” and listen “and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

Have we publicly, orally acknowledge that Jesus is the Christ the son the living God? Both Jesus and Paul said that was essential to salvation. But again it doesn't stop there. What does God say a person must do to be saved? To be saved a person must also be baptized for the remission of sins.

Now I want you look at two passages with me that beyond a shadow of a doubt teach from God's word truth that we must be baptized to be saved.

The first is found in Mark 16:16. Look at the simplicity of what Jesus said. Jesus said “He who believes and is baptized will be saved, but he who does not believe will be condemned.”

Now did Jesus say the person who believes alone will be saved? No, but there's a lot of people in this world who teach that. Did Jesus say the person who is baptized prior to belief will be saved? No, but every baby that's been sprinkled has gone through that process.

What does Jesus say? “He who believes and is baptized will be saved.”

Friend so many people get caught up in the doctrines of men. ‘All you got to do to be saved is believe.’ The only time ‘faith only’ occurs in the Bible is found in James 2:24 and God says “Man is justified by works and not by faith only.” It’s not by belief alone. It’s not by baptism alone. You can't just run out of the street grab some fellow who has never heard about Jesus and dunk him in the water and he be okay. You have to believe and be baptized to be saved. Although baptism is not the only step in God's plan of salvation, God does say it's essential to salvation. Some may say ‘well that's Mark 16:16, are there any other passages?’ Absolutely there is.

Look in Acts 2, and I want you notice what the Bible says in verse 38 on that great day of Pentecost. Peter said “Repent and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

When those Jews cried out “Men and brethren what shall we do? We realize our hands are dirty with the blood of the Messiah whom we killed. What do we need to do to be saved?” Peter said “You need to repent and be baptized.” Why? “For the remission of sins.”

Now someone says what does “for” mean? For doesn't mean because of. I know that when we look at how that language is used in the Bible. Think about Matthew 26:28 as Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper. He took that fruit of the vine. He said “This this is my blood of the new covenant which was shed for many for the remission of sins.” What does for mean there? Did Jesus shed His blood because of sins that had already been remitted? No, exact same language in the Greek syntax there it means in order to receive and the same is true in Acts 2:38. Well someone says ‘I don't know if that's really what God said.’

Friend that's not the only passage it occurs in. Think about Acts 22:16 when Ananias came to Saul. God told Saul ‘You go into the city, be told you what you must do,’ Acts 9:4-6. When God comes to Saul in the messenger of Ananias, Ananias says ‘Why are you waiting? ‘Arise and be baptized,’ and listen, ‘and wash away your sins calling on the name the Lord.’ 1 Peter 3:21 Peter said “Baptism does now also save us.”

Friend I want you listen real carefully. If God says explicitly and in His own words ‘baptism does now save us,’ how dare any man say baptism is not essential.

Someone may say, ‘Are you saying I have to be baptized to go to heaven?’ Friend that's the exact language of Jesus in John 3:5. Jesus said “Unless a man is born of water and the spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”

A person cannot be saved, cannot get to heaven, and cannot be in a relationship with God- outside of obeying what He says in the waters of baptism.

Now someone says, “That sounds like you're saying that I earn my salvation, that baptism is some magical or mystical work.’ That’s not what we’re saying. We don't believe there's anything magical or mystical in the water. We don’t believe that we’re earning our salvation. But we do believe it is in obedience to the commands of God.

Here's how Peter describes it, “Baptism is the answer of a good conscience,” 1 Peter 3:21. When God says you must be baptized to be saved, Mark 16:16, I respond with a good conscience by doing what God says and obeying His will. We don't believe we earn our salvation. Even at the point of baptism, salvation is available by the grace of God and thus it is grace and faith. The Bible says in Hebrews 5:8-9 that ‘Jesus is the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.’

I must do what God says to obey God and receive the free gift of salvation.

As we conclude these matters today, I want you think about the words of John 14:50. Jesus said “If you love me keep my commandments.”

The fact is there is word from God. God has spoken. That message tells us exactly what we must do to be saved. Do we really love God enough to obey His will?

Do you love God enough today to put aside maybe what you’ve always believed or what others have told you and just search the Scriptures for yourself?

Friend if you've never obeyed the gospel, we're urging you today in view of the fact that God has spoken and that message is clear and one day I'll be judged by it, won't you obey the gospel? Won't you become a Christian?

God has spoken. That message is a message of hope and love. Today we urge you to become a child of God. Obey the gospel. Submit to God in baptism and rise out of that to live a new life.

As we think about these matters the truth is, God has spoken and that message is a message of hope for me and you.

Study Questions for Topical Lesson 3:

“How God Communicates Today”

1. What did the evil king ask in Jeremiah 37:17?

2. What did Paul ask in Romans 4:3?

3. According to Hebrews 1:1-2, how did God speak to us in times of past?

4. According to Hebrews 1:1-2, how does God speak to us in these last days?

5. According to Hebrews 1:1-2, who did God appoint heir of all things?

6. According to 2 Timothy 3:16-17, how much of scripture is from God?

7. According to 2 Peter 1:19-21, when did the holy men of God speak?

8. What does the psalmist compare God’s words to in Psalm 119:105?

9. According to Hebrews 8:5-6, what can’t take away sins?

10. According to Ephesians 2:14-15, what did Jesus nail to the cross?

"Your words were found and I did eat them and they were to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart," Jeremiah 15:16.

We welcome you today of our study of the word of God together.

In this series of lessons we're talking about the inspiration, importance, and really getting the most out of our Bible and our Bible study usage.

I remember vividly my wife and I were looking at a home, to buy that. We walked into the home, and as we walked through, it was kind of a mess. I’ll just be honest, and as we walked through, we walked into what seemed to be a great room, and in that room was a pool table, and on the corner pocket of that pool table something caught my attention. Evidently, they had had a party there the night before and the pool room was littered with longneck beer bottles, but I especially remember something: a beer bottle sitting on something.

As I draw closer, I'll never forget the image. In the corner pocket of that pool table was a Bible, and right on top of that Bible was a beer bottle. I thought to myself, isn't that the strangest use of the Bible that I've ever seen. I've seen the Bible used for a lot of odd things. Some of those things were very strange indeed. Some have used it to prop doors open. Others have used it for purely decorative purpose. I've seen even in worship

children get a spanking with the backside of a Bible. This image was probably the most unusual use of the Bible and most striking use that I've ever seen.

Today we're going to talk about how to get the most out of your Bible.

We begin by mentioning some ways not to use the Bible. For example, don't use the Bible as just a purely decorative art piece. Now, don't get me wrong, Bibles are indeed beautiful. They have a beautiful, significance to them in the various bindings that we have today. They are beautiful, but friend the Bible is not meant to be a decorative art piece. The Bible is meant to be a tool that is used like a tape measure, like a hammer, and like a shovel. The Bible has a use. It is meant to be used. It is meant to be worn out with one's study of the word of God; not just to sit on a bookshelf or a coffee table to look nice.

We encourage you as well: don't just use the Bible to gain knowledge alone. "Knowledge puffs up," Paul would say in 1 Corinthians 8:1. The idea is knowledge alone, without use, puffs one up or could puff one up. So when I come to the Bible, I don't want to just gain knowledge.

Listen carefully, you can know every fact from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 2:21 and still never please the Lord-if you don't use it properly.

Paul said in Philippians 4:9, "The things which you heard and received a saw in me," listen carefully, "these do." There's the application, “and the God of peace will be with you.”

We also mention this; another incorrect use of the Bible would be to prove self right and someone else wrong. Now, friend, don't get me wrong, the Bible has the answer. We want to look to the word of God when decisions, problems, and discussions come up. We want to let God's word decide, but I don't ever want have the mindset: I'm going to go to the Bible and prove them wrong and prove that I'm right.

Listen carefully, it's not about me; it's not about them. It's about what does God says. I don't want to prove somebody wrong. I want to let truth shine forth as right; I don't want to prove myself right. I want to find what God says is right and let God receive the honor and glory. You've got

to remove the idea of self. It's not about me. It's not about you. Let's let God shine forth. Let's let His words have the glory and never make it about a personal contest in that sense.

How can I get the most out of my study and use of the Bible?

Here the ways: Number one you can use your Bible correctly, first and foremost, by obeying it.

Do you remember what Jesus said in Luke 11:28? Jesus said this,

"Blessed are those who hear the word of God," now listen, "and obey it."

It’s not enough just to hear. Jesus wanted people to hear. Jesus did want people to hear and does today. In fact to the seven churches of Asia, Jesus said, in every one of those letters, "Him that has ears to hear let him hear." Jesus would say, "Take heed how you hear," "take heed who you hear," "take heed what you hear." Those ideas we find in the Bible in Mark 4.

It's not just hearing, that's not -hearing the word of God alone is not going to save. If you want to get the most out of your Bible and use it correctly, you've got to obey this book. That's really what God wants. What did God want of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden? God said, "You can eat of every tree of the Garden of Eden. In the garden you can do as you please. You can do these things, all this is yours to enjoy. Don't eat, just don't eat now of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and miss the Garden. The day you eat it, you shall die therein. What did God really want of Adam and Eve? To obey Him and to love Him. Isn't that what Jesus said in John 14:15, "If you love me," what? "Keep my commandments." "You are my friends if you do whatever I ask," John 15:14.

And so when I think about the Bible, I open its pages. I hear its messages. I see its change that needs to be made in my life. I see correction, and what I may need to do or believe. How am I going to get the most out of this book? Not just here, not just mentally, but in the changes I make in my life. There have been a host of people, and Jesus spoke directly to these types of people in probably some of His harshest language, was to those who wanted to, you know, recognize Him, but not really follow Him.

Let me give you an example. In Matthew 7:21 Jesus said this: He asked of those who claimed to be followers of His, in Matthew 7:21, you know, "Why do you call me Lord, Lord and do not do the things which I say?" Luke 6:46. Jesus said in Matthew 7:21, "not everybody that looks up in Heaven and says Lord, Lord is going there, but he who does the will of my Father in Heaven."

What is it we're really trying to get out of the Bible? I'm not just trying to gain knowledge. I'm not just trying to learn the facts and read the Bible. I've got to let it change my life; I've got to obey the word of God.

Remember again Luke 6:46, Jesus said to the Jewish hypocrites, "Why do you call me Lord, Lord and do not do the things which I say?" His point is this: don't call me Lord unless you're willing to submit and follow me. The words of Christin Hebrews 5:8-9 strike such a powerful tone in our hearts. Jesus is the author of eternal salvation, how we want Him to be to all those who obey Him. Friend I've got to let the word of God take full course in my life by obeying it.

Now let's make that practical what do we mean by obey the word of God? Here are some practical applications: I've got to change my mind and my thinking to match the thinking of Scripture.

Do you remember Philippians 2:5? The Scripture said, "Let this mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus." If I'm going to let the Bible affect me, really get the most use out of it, I've got to learn to transform my mind and thinking to the mind of Christ. I've got to transform my actions into Christ's actions. John 2:5, Jesus' mother said, "Whatever He, Jesus, says to you do it." Friend, can you find better advice than that in all of Scripture? Whatever Jesus says to you and to me, we've got to do it, John 2:5.

Another practical application: I've got to, as I read my Bible, I've got to strive every day to step where Jesus stepped; to walk where he walked and to pattern my actions after Him. 1 Peter 2:21, "For to this were you called, because Christ also suffered and died leaving us an example that we should follow in His footsteps." I love the example of Acts 4:13. Peter and John have been questioned about the healing the lame man in Acts 3, they respond by saying, you know, "It's through the power and the name of Jesus in whom only there is salvation." They quote from the Old Testament

Scriptures to show Jesus is the chief cornerstone. And so when these religious leaders realize that and when they look at these untrained and uneducated fishermen, here's what Acts 4:13 says, "And then, they realized they had been with Jesus." What a powerful impact Christ made in their life, not just in knowledge alone, but by their actions and their decision to follow Him. And so, you can read your Bible all day long, you can read every book in the Bible, you can know every fact, every big-name, every big word, have a dictionary meaning for it. Until I let it hit me here, until I let it really change who I am, I'm not getting the most out of my use of the Bible.

Secondly, we mention this, and it goes hand-in-hand with the first. If I'm going to get the most use out of my Bible, I've got to devour it.

Let me remind you again of that beautiful passage we began with- Jeremiah 15:16. Jeremiah said this, "Your words were found and I ate them and your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart, for I am called by your name Oh Lord God of hosts." You know, coming from Jeremiah and what he faced, what a powerful lesson that was. Jeremiah had been beaten, slapped, put in prison, thrown in the dungeon, nobody wanted to hear him, and everybody wanted to hear the message of the false prophet Hananiah. Jeremiah said: it's your word I'm going to devour.

Friend, listen carefully, if I'm going to get the most out of my Bible,

I've got to devour it. I've got to have a spiritual appetite for the word of God.

Let me give you a couple of passages from the life of Jesus that teach us about this; both of them are found very close to each other. The first is Matthew 4. Here's the context, Jesus has been out in the wilderness. Forty days he's been there, with a wild beast, Mark records for us. No doubt he's hungry. He's lonely. He’s thirsty. In fact the Bible tells us he's hungry. Satan seeing that physical temptation said to Jesus “If you're the son of God prove yourself. If you are the son of God turn these stones to bread." Christ could've done that. It probably would've tasted good; It would've taken away some of his hunger. But you know what Jesus said? "It is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by it every word that proceeds from the mouth of God."

I've got to make sure that I have that longing and desire to know God's words, to consume it, and to let it really take full course in my life.

Second passage that we mention is found in Matthew 5. In the Beatitudes of Christ, Jesus talked about things which would give one the blessed, the happy, the peaceful, the joyful life. He said this in Matthew 5:6, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness."

Do you have that in insatiable desire to really know the word of God? There is power to be found in knowing it. John 8:32, do you remember what Jesus said? “You shall know the truth” - and what? “The truth will make you free.” "Study to show yourself approved unto God," 2 Timothy 2:15. "The heart of the righteous studies how to answer," Proverbs 15:26. Be ready always to give an answer. I've got to be ready, I’ve got to get ready, 1 Peter 3:15.

And so when we think about, how I'm going to get the most out of my Bible, I really want to maximize its use in my life. I've got to devour this. Part of devouring it is taking what you devour and letting it work in your life.

Let's take an illustration from the human body. A man sits down to supper, he eats his supper, and he may not like everything on his plate. There may be - in my case there are about three things I really don't like to eat - I don't like liver, sweet peas, and sweet potatoes. I've tried them every way in the world, and I just can't be happy with any of those. Let's say I sit down, and I eat those. I eat one of those; I may not like it, but I eat it. Does that help me in any way? You bet it does, it provides the nutrients my body needs. My cells become enamored that protein, vitamins, and minerals that are in there. I can function and live from day-to-day because of what I take in, spiritually or physically.

Now let's make the application. Spiritually speaking, as I devour the word of God I've got to let it take full course in my life. I've got to let the word of God work in my mind, my heart, my actions, my thoughts, and the speech that I have. I've got to let it be that which I feed off of spiritually. Friend, I promise you it provides great, great support for one's spiritual life. Remember again 1 Peter 2:2. The Bible says, "As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word that you may grow thereby." I start off as a Christian maybe on the milk of the word, but I don't stay there. Hebrews 5 says, "By this time you ought to be on the meat of the word," and yet some were still stuck on the milk. I've got to put the word

of God in my heart and mind and be able to use that in my everyday life.

Then friend, we mention this about using the Bible; getting the most out of it. If I'm going to use the Bible and get the most out of it, I've got to really love and cherish this book. Listen the Psalm 119:97, the psalmist said, "Oh, how I love your law it is my meditation all the day." Do we really love and cherish the Bible? Now just as a backdrop or background here's why we ought to.

Why do I love the Bible? Friend, the Bible tells me how I got here. I was created in the image of God- that's special in and of itself. I have a soul that is going to live somewhere forever and the only two options heaven or hell. And to make sure- although I had doomed myself by sin- to make sure that I can live with God in heaven. The Bible tells me about what God did through history, and ultimately we cherish the Bible because of the great sacrifices it tells us about. “You shall call his name Jesus; He'll save his people from their sins.” He left heaven and came to this earth. “You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that we through His poverty might be made rich.” It tells me that “God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten son.” It tells me that he went through life doing good. Mark 7:37,"He has done all things well." It tells me ultimately about the sacrifice He made for me and you. That one called Jesus, who would save His people from their sins. John saw Him approaching and He said something different, "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins the world." It tells me that Jesus suffered. He was beaten. He was mocked. He was spit upon, a crown of thorns was placed into his brow, and He hung on a cruel cross of Calvary struggling for every breath. It tells me that Jesus said the words, "It is finished." He did that so that I can have the hope of heaven. Friend, the Bible tells me how much God loves me. That makes me want to and causes me to cherish and love the word of God.

Now let's make some application of that. If I really love the Bible and I really cherish it, how does that impact my life?

It impacts it because I want to give it a priority. It impacts it because I want to let it be the final standard. It impacts my life because I want to draw near to God. I want to know Him more. I want to be more like Christ. I want to in some small way, show my love back to God. I cherish the Bible

because of all God has done for me and all God has done for you in this life.

Then as we have mentioned already and we say it for emphasis sake, if you're going to use the Bible and get the most out of it, you've got to live it every day. There is nothing I can do to put in its place. There's no substitute for living the Bible every day.

Listen again to James 1:22. James says, "But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." If I'm going to get the most of the Bible, I've got to use it. What does that mean? I've got to live by it. "Things which you received and heard and learned and saw in me, these do," Philippians 4:9. When Jesus says to me and when he says to you that for example, "Go unto all the world."

How do I get the most out of the Bible? By getting up and going with the message of Christ. When Jesus says to me and he says to you, "Come follow me," and I read that my Bible; how do I get the most out of that? By getting up and following Christ. When Jesus says something is sin or temptation or against the will of God, how I get the most and really live that? If I'm doing it, I have got to change. If it's a temptation, I've got to watch out for it, and I've got to be on guard. I've got to make changes in my life where that's necessary. If someone has problem with their speech or someone has problem with maybe an anger issue or problems in their marriage. When I hear Christ's words on those subjects, if I'm really going to maximize the Bible in my life, I'd have to control my anger better, I'd have to say to myself it's not what Christ wants you to do. I'd have to say that's not the way God wants you to act. I'd have to say, when I say words that maybe aren't right to God, I'd have to say to myself you can't do that anymore; you've got to work on that, you've got think about it. I'd have to love my family, love my wife more if that was - if that was a challenge that I was facing. And so really, to maximize the Bible, friend, you have got to use it every day and make that a big part of your life.

And then we mention a hard one as we talk about maximizing the Bible. We mentioned this in the last one just a little bit, but here's what it is: If I'm going to maximize the Bible in my life and its use I've got to change to it.

Friend, this is where it all becomes a challenge. This is what we might say where the rubber meets the road. Joel said this in Joel 2:13, the Scripture says, "Rent your hearts not your garments." I've got, you know, here's the background of that. You know that passage may not make a whole lot of sense to us until we think about what the Jews were really good at doing and what they weren't good at doing. Joel is writing to a people who are steeped in idolatry and these people, they have some historical background in the Bible. They do certain things, but they don't follow it through. Here's what they do: when something happens and they're confronted with the word of God and they recognize sin or change that needs to occur, they were great about casting dirt in the air. They were great about tossing ashes on themselves. They would even go as far as to pluck the hair out of their beard or their head or their eyebrows, which seems crazy to us. They do those things and then they'd go right back and start living the things they were doing -and feel somehow justified. Joel said this: tear your hearts and stop tearing your clothes, they would tear their clothes, but they never changed their heart. Joel said quit tearing your hearts, quit tearing your clothes, quit plucking hair out of your beard in essence; quit throwing dust and ashes on your head. Make changes in your life first.

It reminds me of what Jesus said in Luke. In Luke 3, certain Jews came out to be baptized by Jesus and Jesus said, "Brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come," and then he said this, "Bring forth fruits worthy of repentance."

What's the point we're driving home? It's this: If the Bible is ever going to mean anything in your life and it's ever going to be anything in my life I've got a change my life to match this book.

Again, that's challenging. That's hard. Nobody likes change. We're all a little bit resistive to that, but friend, here's what we say as far as application goes. If for example, you study the Bible, you read it you hear the message about Christ and about salvation and someone hears what to do to become a Christian. Let's say, they hear that you've got to hear the word Romans 10:17. "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. “Once they've heard that message about Christ, the Scripture teaches that we must believe in Jesus. John 8:24 Jesus said, "Unless you believe that I am He, you'll surely die in your sins." Someone says, well I've heard

the word, I believe in Jesus, and then they're willing to repent of their sins. Luke 13:3,"Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish." Having repented, we've got to make that good confession. Jesus said, "If you won't confess me before men, neither will I confession you before the Father who is in heaven, "Matthew 10:32-33.

On the day of Pentecost, people were told, "Repent and be baptized for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of eternal life." Let's say someone says, well, I've never done that. I didn't know that I had to repent, I didn't know that I needed to make the good confession, didn't know that I had to be baptized for the remission of sins. Friend, if you want to get the most out of your Bible, you've got a change to it. That may mean breaking some ties. That may mean admitting wrong, that may mean that one have to make some serious changes. But may I ask you this? Whatever I have to give up, whatever I have to change, whatever I have to do differently because the Bible tells me to, wouldn't it be worth it in the end?

Here's what Jesus promised you: Jesus said, "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I'll give you rest." Jesus said, "I go to prepare a place for you, if I go to prepare a place for you, I'll come again and I'll receive you to myself, that where I am, there you may be also," Matthew 11:28-30 and John 14:1-6.

And so, we hope today that as we think about our Bible and as we think about getting the most out of it that these principles will encourage all, encourage all of us. I'm not just going to study and gain knowledge out of my Bible; I want to really let it change my life. I want to transform my life into the image of Christ. I want to walk closer to Him every day. I want to love Him more.

More than anything, I want to let this book have free course in my life so that one day I can go to heaven and live with God.

Study Questions for: “Inspiration and Use of the Bible Lesson 4 – How to use the Bible”

1. In Jeremiah 15:16 what was the joy and rejoicing of the heart?

2. According to 1 Corinthians 8:1, what alone “puffs up”?

3. According to Philippians 4:9, what should we do with the things we’ve heard and received? Why?

4. According to Luke 11:28, who are blessed? What two things did they do?

5. If we love Jesus, what should we do according to John 15:14?

6. According to Matthew 7:21, who is going to Heaven?

7. What practical, wonderful advice is given in John 2:5?

8. What will make you free according to John 8:32?

9. What should we do to show ourselves approved unto God according to 2 Timothy 2:15?

10. According to Proverbs 15:26, what does the heart of the righteous do?

What does the Bible say that a person has to do to become a Christian? There could be no greater question all the world than the question found in Acts 16:30-31, ‘What must I do to be saved?”

We hope that you'll get your Bible as we're going to think about what the word of God says concerning the matter of salvation.

As we think about the great question, ‘What must I do to be saved?’ how does one become a Christian?

Understand there are a lot of man's opinions that are given about this. Some people say all you got a do is believe. Others say you got to follow our tradition, and then some will say you know just say the sinners’ prayer.

All we're worried about today is- what does the Bible say? What does God say from His word and backed up by Scripture that a person must do to be saved? We’re going to talk about God's very simple and plain sent plan of salvation, and let the Bible be the answer to that.

As we do that please realize we want you to know up front that the reason this lesson is being presented is because we want people to go to

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heaven. More than anything, we want you to know that God loves you and God wants all men to be saved and to come a knowledge of the truth, 1 Timothy 2:4 and 2 Peter 3:9.

As we think about this lesson on salvation, just think about in your own mind. Maybe right now you say ‘well I am saved.’ Here's what we would challenge you to do today, just think about your own salvation experience. Think about when you obeyed the gospel. Think about how old you were and where you were at and the things you did. Just for now make it clear in your mind this is what I did, by which I know I can be saved. Maybe somebody told you to pray this prayer; maybe you went down front to an altar and somebody told you were saved, or maybe something different. Just make it clear in your mind right now, and then we just ask each of us to examine our own experience and see if that lines up with the word and the will of God.

What does the Bible teach a person must do to be saved? First one has to be willing to listen to or hear God's voice on salvation. In Romans 10:17 the Bible says this “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” If faith comes by hearing and hearing is done by the word of God, then that passage clearly teaches we get faith by hearing, listening, to the word of God. Now you may ask yourself, well that's all good and well but ‘how does that apply to salvation?’ Without faith it's impossible to please God. Hebrews 11:6 says ‘without faith it is impossible to please God.’ If I can't please God without faith, then faith is essential to salvation. Right? How do I get faith? Whatever way by which I get faith is also essential to salvation. Listen again the Romans 10:17 “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” If faith is essential to salvation and I can't get faith without hearing the word of God, then friend hearing the word of God is also essential to salvation. In the long-ago David said in Psalm 95:7 “Today if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.” So yes, a person must be willing to hear the word of God.

What does it really mean when we say ‘hear the word of God’? What does that mean? Does that mean just somebody who stands up and says ‘I've got a message from God’ you just take it do whatever they say? How do you hear the word of God correctly? Well the Bible defines what true hearing is for us. For example hearing the word of God first of all means that I recognize the authority of only God's word. I want you to think about

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an example with me from the life of Jesus. Mark chapter 9 Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up on that high mountain. There He was transfigured before them. An amazing event occurs, and Peter, because it's so amazing, he says ‘Lord,’ he's afraid and doesn't know what else to say so he says ‘Lord it's good for us to be here let's make three tabernacles one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ How did God feel about that? God's voice boomed down from heaven saying “This is my beloved Son,” listen now “in whom I'm well pleased. Hear Him,” Jesus. If I'm going to hear the word of God correctly, I've got to realize that Jesus, the New Testament, is God's pattern for man to follow today. Matthew 28:18 Jesus said, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.” He has the final authority. I've got a do whatever I do in word or deed by the authority or in the name of Jesus, Colossians 3:17.

Let's realize this as we think about hearing the word of God correctly, there is the seriousness involved in that for on the Day of Judgment it's going to be the words of Jesus that I am judged by. Jesus said, “He who rejects Me does not receive My words has that which judges him. The word that I've spoken will judge him in the last day.” For practical application as we think about the plan of salvation, let's realize it's not man's opinions. It's not man's traditions. It's not what somebody somewhere makes up and says you've got a do that matters. If we're going to hear the word of God correctly, I've got to realize this book is God's a final authority on salvation and what it says and only what it said it's is what I must give my attention to in listening to God.

Secondly, as we think about hearing the word of God and the importance of that hearing also means that I'm willing to the will of the test that I'm willing to search and to seek it out and see if what I hear is true. Now friend this is one of the major problems that often occurs in religion today. Somebody may be dressed nicely and somebody that people look up to with the religious stature says something and people just rubberstamp it and take it to the bank and feel like that's a message from God without first checking it in the Bible. That's not how hearing is defined in the Bible. In the Scripture correctly hearing means that I go to the word of God to determine if what I'm being told is true to the book and the gospel or if it's a lie.

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I want you to think about Acts 17:11. Paul comes to the region of Berea. He knocks on the door, says he's got a message from God. Acts 17:11 says “These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica in that they received the word with all readiness and searched the Scriptures daily to find out if these things were so.” Did those people just up and take Paul right at his message? Paul came in and taught them the gospel. Did they say ‘Yeah that's got to be right. We believe it right here, right now’? They said, ‘No we're going to search Scripture.’ They searched the Scriptures daily to see if what Paul was telling them was true to the gospel.

Friend that's the idea when you hear something, today's lesson, when you hear that when you hear a lesson given get out your Bible and check and see if those things are true- that's correctly hearing the word of God. God wants you to prove it. 1 Thessalonians 5:21 commands that ‘Prove all things. Hold fast to that which is good. Test the spirits to see whether they are of God.’ Why? ‘For many false prophets have gone out into the world.’ Don't just buy into everything you hear hook line and sinker- check it from the Bible and see if it's true.

Then as we think about hearing the word of God, we need to realize that God places a high importance on carefully listening to His message. Luke 8:18 “take heed how you hear.” Mark 4:24, “take heed what you hear.” Mark 9:7 “take heed who you hear.” Do you remember that refrain that occurs in every one of the seven letters to the churches in Asia? “To him that has ears to hear let him hear.” God wants man when God speaks and the Bible is His spoken word, God wants man to listen up, to pay attention, and to be ready to obey His voice. First when we think about God's plan of salvation, I've got to hear God's word- which leads right into the next step to have faith or believe in Christ.

Understand well that the Bible clearly teaches that if a person is not willing to obey, to believe in Jesus, and submit to Him as Lord and Christ he cannot be saved. The Bible clearly says that John 8:24. Jesus said ‘Unless you believe that I'm He you'll surely die in your sins.’ If we don't recognize Jesus as Messiah, as the Christ, as Immanuel, God with us- friend we cannot be saved. In Acts chapter 8 Philip is teaching the Ethiopian eunuch, and they're traveling down the road. In the process of teaching him, he sees water and he says ‘Here's water. What hinders me from being baptized?’ Here's the condition, ‘If you believe with all your

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heart you may,’ Acts 8:36-37.

So friend listen carefully, there's no denying you've got to believe in Jesus. But just as well, I want you to hear this. The Bible never teaches all I've got to do to be saved is believe. I know I hear it a lot probably just like you. There are people who stand up and teach and proclaim that all you got a do to be saved is believe in Jesus. Friend the Bible never says faith only will save. In fact did you know the only time ‘faith only’ or ‘belief alone’ occurs in your Bible and mine, it says it won't save? That's right! The only time those two words are combined God said, the Holy Spirit says, ‘it will not save.’

Now let me show you that from the Scripture. Notice your attention to James chapter 2. I want you to look at what the half-brother the Lord James says in James chapter 2. Look with me if you would in verse number 24. That's James 2:24. James says, “You see they then that a man is justified,” just as if I'd never sinned, “you see then that a man is justified by works,” watch it now, “and not by faith only.” The only time ‘faith only’ occurs in the English Bible and friend God says you're not justified by ‘faith only’. As we read our Bible, we recognize that to be true. Matthew 7:21 Jesus said “It's not everybody that looks up in heaven and says ‘Lord, Lord,’ that's going there.” People acknowledge Him as Lord. They believe in Him, but they're not going to heaven. Jesus said, “It's he who does the will of my Father in heaven.” Jesus is the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, Hebrews 5:8-9.

I remember the words of Jesus well when He spoke to the religious elite in Luke 6:46. He asked this striking question, “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord’ and do not do the things which I say?” Don't you remember the admonishment of Jesus? John 14:15 Jesus said, “If you love me keep my commandments.” Belief alone is not all it takes. Don't get me wrong, it's essential. The Bible clearly teaches that, but I've got to be willing to do more than just believe in Christ.

Along those same lines sometimes I hear people say, ‘Well to be saved here's what you need to do,’ and they've got this little prayer ready. They say you need to say the sinners’ prayer. It'll often go something like this: ‘Dear Lord, dear Jesus I recognize you as saver Savior. I honor you as master. I ask you to come in my heart and life and save me. In Jesus name

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amen.’ Friend here's the question I ask- where is that found in the Bible? Where does the Bible say to be saved you need to say the sinners’ prayer? Friend here's what's amazing- you can look from the very first verse Genesis 1:1 to the very last verse Revelation 22:21 and not one time will you find that prayer mentioned in the Bible! What? I, we, hear it like it occurs all the time, and it's not even in the Bible! That's right check your Bible and see! You can't even find that one time in the Scripture. It is a man-made prayer. It's man-made doctrine, and it is not found in the teaching of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Now on to the third step, once I hear God's word, once I believe in Jesus, I then must be willing to repent of sin in my life. Repentance means to change one's way of thinking that leads to a changed way of acting. I change the way I feel about my life. I don't do the old things I used to do, or make up my mind try not to do those things, and now I'm ready to follow God. I know repentance is essential to salvation for Jesus said in Luke 13:3, “Unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” Must a man repent of sin to be saved? Jesus said ‘If you don't repent, you will perish.’ Acts 2:38 in the first gospel sermon when he preached Jesus was the Christ, they're cut to the heart with sin. They cried out “Men and brethren what shall we do?” The answer is, “Repent and be baptized for the remission of your sins.” Acts 3:19 Peter preached ‘Repent and be converted that your sins might be blotted out that seasons of refreshing might come from the presence of the Lord.’ Repent be baptized for the forgiveness of sins. Repent that your sins may be blotted out. Repentance is no doubt connected in God's plan of salvation to forgive man of sin and to cleanse him of iniquity.

When we talk about repentance, sometimes there's confusion along those lines. Sometimes people think that repentance is equated with tears and sorrow. Don't get me wrong, repentance may have that as a part of it but tears and sorrow alone is not real repentance. 2 Corinthians 7:10 the Bible says ‘Godly sorrow produces repentance,’ not godly sorrow is repentance. Feeling sorrowful, even in a godly way about sin, may lead one to repentance that implies that sorrow alone is not repentance.

What is repentance? Luke 3:8 we learn that repentance demands a changed life. Certain people came out to John to be baptized of him and these are the religious elite who want to do it looks like because everybody

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else is doing it. John said, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth fruits worthy of repentance and do not say to yourself ‘we've got Abraham as our father.’” John clearly taught them repentance has fruit. It has some kind of indicator in one's life that a person is trying to change. Does that mean we are going to be perfect? That's not what we're saying. Nobody is perfect, or we're not from time to time we do make mistakes. We do mess up. We're trying we turn from the old, and we turn to the new. Thus, we want to put on the new man, put off the old man as the Scripture teaches us throughout the books of Colossians and Romans.

Now let's move to that fourth step in God's plan of salvation. Once I have heard the word of God, I believe the evidence that Jesus is the Messiah, and I'm willing to change my life- the Bible also teaches I must confess/ acknowledge with my mouth that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God. Romans 10:10 the Bible says it this way ‘With the heart or with the mind one believes unto righteousness and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.’

We see an example of that in Acts 8:36-38. Do you remember we mentioned earlier that Philip is traveling down the road with the Ethiopian eunuch? They've come to a certain water. ‘Here's water. What hinders me?’ ‘If you believe with all your heart, you may.’ Peter said these words or the Ethiopian eunuch said these words, “I believe Jesus is the Christ the Son of the living God,” and that's what we're talking about-making the good confession.

You can know that is an essential part of salvation. Here's why we know that. Jesus said in Matthew 10:32-33, ‘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 my Father who is in heaven.’ Is it necessary that I acknowledge Jesus as the Christ to be saved? Jesus indeed said that it was.

Sometimes people want to stop short in what the Bible teaches about salvation, but friend the Bible teaches there is a another essential element command that God wants man to do to be saved and that is to be saved the Bible teaches man must be baptized.

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Listen carefully, I know a lot of people teach and a lot of people claim baptism's something good you ought to do. It's an outward sign of an inward grace, but it is not essential to salvation. You remember in the beginning of this lesson we encouraged each of us that what we hear we check it by the Bible to make sure that's true. That's all we're asking right now.

The Bible teaches baptism is essential to be saved not something you do after you're saved. How we know that?

Let's begin by thinking about what baptism is. Sometimes people talk about baptism, and they use a rather loose and un-biblical definition for that. They will say it may mean sprinkling. It may mean pouring, or it may mean immersion. If one's not immersed in water, he's not met the Bible requirement for baptism. Let me illustrate that.

What is baptism according to the Scripture? In John 3:23 John was baptizing in the region of Aenon near Salim. Why? Because there was much water there. How much water does it take to sprinkle? Not much! What about to pour a little water? Not much! How much water does it take to immerse an adult? Much water!

Listen to the other examples. Romans 6:1-4, Paul likened baptism unto a burial. Imagine last time you went to a burial, graveside funeral. What'd they do with the body? Did they lay it on the ground and sprinkle a little dirt on it? Did they pour a little dirt on it? They dug a hole in the ground. They placed that body all the way on the ground. It's covered on the bottom and covered on every side by dirt, and then they completely covered it. They engulfed it. They immersed it. They encased it in the ground. The Bible says baptism is a burial not a sprinkling or not a pouring. It's a burial.

Now two other passages, Mark 1:9-11 at the baptism of Jesus it says as He was coming up out of the water the spirit descended upon Him like a dove. To come up out of water, what must you first do? Well you’ve got to go down into it. Jesus went down into the water to come up out of it, and thus for His mode of baptism He was immersed. It was the same thing with the Ethiopian eunuch. In Acts 8:37-39 both Philip and the eunuch stop the chariot. They got down out of the water. They went into the water. He

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baptized him, and they came up out of the water-again a picture of immersion. You don't find sprinkling in the Bible. You don't find pouring. We find people being immersed for the forgiveness of sins.

What then does the Bible teach is the purpose of baptism? I want to direct your attention to these passages with us. The Bible teaches that baptism is essential to be saved. It is essential for salvation. Mark 16:16 Jesus said it this way, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved. He who does not believe will be condemned.” Did Jesus say you- just answer the question for yourself from your own Bible- did Jesus say a person must believe and be baptized to be saved? Friend if He said that, let's believe it. What about Acts 2:38? Peter stood up with the 11 proclaimed the gospel. When they wanted to know ‘what must we do to be saved?’ Peter said, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ why for the remission of sins.” Does the Bible say you've got to repent and be baptized to have your sins remitted? Can't be saved without your sins being forgiven. Does the Bible say you've got to repent and be baptized to be saved, to be forgiven? Acts 22:16 Saul is told “Arise and be baptized and wash away your sin calling on the name the Lord.” At what point is man's sin washed away? It's at the point of baptism, and thus it is essential to salvation.

Let's also realize this, one of the things that the Scripture clearly teaches is that all spiritual blessings are found inside of Christ- Ephesians 1:3. 2 Timothy 2:10 says that salvation is also in Christ. If all spiritual blessings are in Christ and if salvation is also in Christ, then we've got to ask the question- how does the Bible say a person gets in Christ? And again it's at the point of baptism. Galatians 3:27 the Bible says “As many of us as were baptized,” listen, “into Christ have clothed ourselves with Christ.” We’re baptized into His death, Romans 6:3-4. If I want access all spiritual blessings, if I want to be in Christ, I've got to be baptized to get into Christ.

Now I know the objection. Sometimes people will often give objections as it relates to these things. Sometimes people say ‘you know that's all good and well but the Bible never says you baptism saves or you have to be baptized to be saved.’ It absolutely does! 1 Peter 3:21 “Baptism does now also save us.” That's the explicit language of the Bible. Listen to it again. “Baptism doth now also save us.”

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If the Bible says baptism saves, why would we ever make up a doctrine or why would man ever make up a doctrine that says it's not essential? Somebody says ‘Okay, but the Bible never says you got to be baptized to get into God's kingdom and go to heaven.’ It absolutely does! John 3:5 Jesus said, “Unless a man is born of water and the spirit he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”

We ask you today to think about-remember when that the initial part of this lesson we encouraged each one of us to think about our own salvation experience or asked you think about where you were, have maybe how old you were- and then to make clear in your mind exactly what steps you took by which you knew you were saved.

Here's all we ask you to do, now hold that up look at it in view of what we've studied today. Do the two merge?

If they don't match up, then friend we're encouraging you today- won't you obey the gospel? Won't you become a Christian? Have you heard the message about Christ? Do you believe He's the Savior of the world? Are you willing to repent of sin that's in your life and turn from it and turn to God? Would you acknowledge Jesus is the Christ the Son of the living God with your mouth? Would you be baptized for the remission of your sins?

If you haven't done that, you'd like to study more, or if we can help you in any way- please contact us and may God help each of us to every day obey the gospel of Christ.

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Study Questions for: “Topical Lesson 15: Plan of Salvation”

1. According to Romans 10:17, how do we get faith?

2. What does Hebrews 11:6 say about faith?

3. According to Matthew 28:18, who has authority?

4. What made the Bereans more fair-minded in Acts 17:11?

5. What does 1 Thessalonians 5:21 tell us to prove? What should we hold fast to?

6. What must we do according to John 8:24?

7. What was the condition for the eunuch to be baptized in Acts 8:36-37?

8. If we love Jesus, what will we do according to John 14:15?

9. According to Luke 13:3, what must we do?

10. Who will be saved according to Mark 16:16?