Effective Biblical Praying

Colossians 4:2-4

1. Continual Prayer (4:2)

2. Watchful Prayer (4:2)

3. Grateful Prayer (4:2)

4. Intercessory Prayer (4:3-4)

Part 2 – What the Bible Says About Baptism

2 Thessalonians 2:15

Romans 6:3–4

Colossians 2:12

Acts 2:38

1. Christ Explained in Baptism Acts 8:26-35

● Christ explained through divine direction

Luke 19:10

Acts 8:26–27

Acts 8:29

● Christ explained from the Scriptures

Acts 8:30

Acts 8:35

Romans 1:16

2. Christ Embraced in Baptism Acts 8:36,37

Acts 8:37

3. Christ Confessed in Baptism Acts 8:38

Matthew 10:32

Mark 1:9

Mark 1:10

John 3:23

4. Christ Displayed in Baptism Acts 8:38–39

Romans 6:5

Three Final Lessons from the Desert Road

1. The Spanning Scope of the Gospel

2. Swift Surrender and Obedience

Acts 8:27

Acts 8:30

3. The Sequential Step of Believer’s Baptism

Acts 8:37

Matthew 28:19

Colossians 3:22-4:1

1. If Christ is first, employees will diligently serve their employers because they fear God (3:22-25)

2. If Christ is first, employers will justly compensate their employees because they will answer to a Master in Heaven (4:1)

Part 1 - “Salvation — From Death to Destiny”

I. Our Hopeless Condition (What We Were) Ephesians 2:1–3

1. Dead to God

Ephesians 2:1; John 5:25

1 John 5:12; Romans 10:13

2. Directed by the World

Ephesians 2:2

John 8:34 & 36

3. Dominated by Disobedience

Ephesians 2:2; John 8:44

4. Driven by the Flesh

Ephesians 2:3; Mark 10:18

5. Destined for Wrath

Ephesians 2:3

II. Our Gracious Invitation (What We Are Now) Ephesians 2:4–10

Four Breathtaking Things God Did for Us:

1. Motivated by

Mercy

Ephesians 2:4; Psalm 85:10

Three Sets Of Two Words That Change Everything:

“You were” — Ephesians 2:1

“But God” — Ephesians 2:4

“Through faith” — Ephesians 2:8

2. Moved by Love

Ephesians 2:4; Romans 5:8

3. Manifested by Grace

Ephesians 2:5

4. Made Available as a Gift

Ephesians 2:8–10

Three Phrases That Remove Confusion:

By grace

Romans 11:6

Through faith

Acts 16:31

Unto good works

v.10

III. Our Heavenly Commission (What We Shall Be) Ephesians 2:7

Christ First in the Home and Church

Colossians 3:16-21

1. If Christ is First, the Church will Make the Word of Christ the Centerpiece (3:16)

Psalms — Scriptural songs from the Old Testament

Hymns — Worship and praise addressed to God

Spiritual Songs — Religious poetry describing the Christian experience

2. If Christ is First, the Christian will Seek to Please Christ in Word and Deed (3:17)

3. If Christ is First, Wives Will Biblically Submit to Husbands (3:18)

4. If Christ is First, Husbands Will Sacrificially Love Their Wives (3:19)

5. If Christ is First, Children Will Respectfully Obey Their Parents (3:20)

6. If Christ is First, Fathers and Mothers Will Be Purposeful with Their Children (3:21)

The Seven Stones of Ebenezer

1 Samuel 7:12

Stone 1: A Repentant People — Returning to the Lord (1 Samuel 7:3–6)

Stone 2: A Praying People — Relying on the Lord (1 Samuel 7:7–9)

Stone 3: A Praising People — Rejoicing in the Lord (1 Samuel 7:10)

Stone 4: A Remembering People — Recounting the Lord’s Help (1 Samuel 7:12)

Stone 5: An Honoring People — Revering the Lord (1 Samuel 7:13–14)

Stone 6: An Ordered People — Reflecting the Lord’s Design (1 Samuel 7:6)

1 Corinthians 12:12

Stone 7: A Spirit-Filled People — Released in the Lord’s Power (1 Samuel 7:10)

Ephesians 5:18

Lesson 11

Colossians 3:12-15

1. The Description of a Christian (3:12a)

a. Elect – Chosen of God

b. Holy – Set apart for God

c. Beloved – Loved of God

2. The Obligations of a Christian (3:12-14)

a. “Bowels of Mercy”—Compassion

b. Kindness – A gracious sensitivity toward others

c. Humility – Considering others more than myself

d. Meekness – Strength under control

e. Long-suffering – “Long-tempered, Patient”

f. Forbearing – To “hold back”

g. Forgiving – Granting grace to people

h. Love – “Agape” Self-Sacrifice

3. The Congregation of a Christian (3:15-16)

a. Let the peace of God rule in your heart

b. Be thankful

Revelation 20c – The Last Sentence in God’s Court

● Illustration: “The Happiest Place on Earth”

○ Contrast Disneyland with the Kingdom of God

Romans 8:22-23

○ Matthew 6:10

○ Revelation 20:14–15

I. The Disposal of Death

Revelation 20:14a

○ Hebrews 9:27

II. The Definition of the Second Death

Revelation 20:14b

○ James 2:26

○ John 11:26

○ Matthew 25:41

○ The Beast and the False Prophet cast alive into the lake of fire

○ (Revelation 19:20 – selected phrase)

○ Matthew 10:28

○ John 5:29

III. The Decision of the Book of Life

Revelation 20:15a

IV. The Destination of the Lost

Revelation 20:15b

○ Matthew 8:12

○ Matthew 22:13

V. Six Biblical Facts About Hell

1. Hell is a place of banishment

○ Matthew 8:12

○ Matthew 22:13

2. Hell is a place of separation

○ Matthew 25:30

3. Hell is a place of darkness

○ Matthew 25:30

○ (Visual: outer darkness)

4. Hell is a place of torment

○ Luke 16:24

5. Hell is a place of relentless conscience

○ Mark 9:48

6. Hell is a place of unquenchable fire

○ Matthew 3:12

Ten Undeniable Truths About the Millennium

1. The Millennium is a literal kingdom

2. Satan is completely removed

○ Revelation 20:3

3. Jesus rules with a perfect, godly government

○ Isaiah 9:7

4. The curse is largely rolled back

○ Isaiah 11:6

○ Isaiah 35:5–6

○ Amos 9:13

5. Human life is dramatically extended

○ Isaiah 65:20

6. Sin still exists but is rare and swiftly judged

7. The Millennial Temple is rebuilt

○ Ezekiel 43:7

8. Jesus rules from Jerusalem

○ Zechariah 14:4

○ Isaiah 2:3

9. David rules under Christ

○ Jeremiah 30:9

10. Believers reign as kings and priests

○ Revelation 20:6

Cooperating With God’s Plan of Sanctification

Colossians 3:5-11

1. Put Your Mind in Heaven

2. Put Your Members in the Grave

Sensual Sins:

Fornication —Any sexual act outside of God-sanctioned marriage

Uncleanness — Any dirty sexual behavior

Inordinate Affection — Uncontrolled lust

Evil Concupiscence — Craving for what is forbidden

Covetousness — The greedy desire to have more

Social Sins:

Anger— Continuous state of smoldering, seething anger

Wrath — Explosion of anger in words and deeds

Malice — Attitude or action that intends to harm another

Blasphemy — Slander toward God and others

Filthy Language — Foul, obscene speech

Lying — Literally, "Stop lying to one another"

3. Put Your Master in the Lead

Submit to His Process

Surrender to His Priorities

The Final Rebellion & The Final Courtroom

Revelation 1:3

Revelation 20:7–12

1. The Parole of the Serpent (v. 7)

Isaiah 65:20

2. The Persuasion of the Seducer (v. 8)

● John 8:44

● John 17:17

● Proverbs 14:12

● Acts 3:19

Genesis 22:17

3. The Panic of the Surrounding Army (v. 9)

● Isaiah 59:19

● John 15:18

● Revelation 16:20

4. The Purging Fire from the Sky (v. 10)

● Revelation 20:9

● Luke 9:54

● Revelation 20:10

5. The Position of the Sovereign Throne (v. 11)

● John 5:22

● 2 Peter 3:10

6. The People Before the Sovereign Throne (v. 12)

● John 5:29

● Book 1: The book of works

● Book 2: The Book of Life