“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,” Galatians 5:22 (KJV)

          There are two things we should notice in this verse.

First of all is the “fruit” of the spirit.” This is definitely not the same fruit as is talked about in John 15:16. This is not the “fruit” to which we have been ordained and that remains. This fruit comes and goes based upon the condition of obedience. As you can clearly see in I john 4:7-8 not all believers love and not all believers know God in a personal way. These come through obeying God (II John 6). The fruit to which all believers have been ordained is the souls of lost people (Proverbs 11:30).

          The second subject, which has already been discussed somewhat in the previous paragraph, is love. Since love is part of the fruit of the spirit, it comes through obedience to God’s instructions. As long as you obey you will have the fruit of the spirit. Only a believer has the power to love, but few believers do, because most believers will not obey God’s instructions to love. When we quit doing the actions of love, we quit feeling love. So, rather than starting to obey again, most people will throw up their hands and say, “Well, I guess we fell out of love.” No, you didn’t fall out of love. You became disobedient. You probably became self centered. Instead of trying to please the other person and laying down your own desires, dreams, friends, family, and goals, you tried to please yourself. In other words you did not lay down your life.

          Isn’t that what Jesus did for us? He had rightful claim to the throne of Israel and heir and owner of world and universe, yet He laid it all aside, because of His love for us. He laid it all down, yes, His very life. His love is unconditional. It is without expectation, prerequisite, or preconditions. He loves us without a promise of returned love, work, intention, or response. All we have to do is receive it. We don’t even have to ask Him to do anything for us to get us to heaven to live in His loving presence, and it won’t do any good if you do. If you ask Him to save you He will do no work to accomplish that, because He already has done everything required to get you to heaven. All you have to do is believe it. Believe that Jesus is God the father that came to earth to die to get you to heaven. If you’ll do that then you have everlasting life with Him in heaven.                 Pastor Jerry

Memory Verse

“The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.” Proverbs 31:11 (KJV)

The heart doth what? ______________________________

Whose heart safely trusts? __________________________

 Look at verse 10. What kind of woman is this? ___________

             It’s obvious that if his heart can’t safely have confidence in his wife’s staying with him and not “running home to mama” that she has failed in the very first description of a _________________ woman.

To what would “spoil” refer? _________________________

 To what is the value of a virtuous wife compared? ________

 

Memory Verse

“Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.” Ephesians 5:33 (KJV)

What is the husband supposed to do? ”__________ his wife”

 What is the wife supposed to do? “_________ her husband?

Would a man that leaves his wife and kids as soon as she comes home from work to go play softball be loving his wife?

 ________________

Would a wife who leaves her husband at home to go out with her friends be “reverencing” her husband?

                                                                             _____________

 Plan to spend more time with your spouse than anyone else.

Memory Verse

“And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.” Genesis 1:28 (KJV)

            There are two basic movements in this verse. One is the instruction, which can be summed up in the words “be fruitful.” The second is actually more of a promise. The first is the job. The second includes the resources to do that job.

            The Genesis account records that men set out doing just that, except they missed the point. The earth was pretty well populated by chapter six of Genesis, but men only did half the job. When God gave them the command to replenish the earth, there was no such thing as an unsaved person. There was yet to be the first sin committed, and Adam and Eve walked with God. When sin entered, the mandate had to be amended. This is brought out clearly in Ephesians 6:4. The man was supposed to bring up children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. However, a mere 1,500 years after the creation of man, while the earth had been well populated, the believing sons of God had had children by unbelieving women and the result was that there were only eight souls who were saved of all the population. So God destroyed the incomplete (because they were unsaved) “fruit” along with the resources to raise that fruit.

            Then, just four generations after Noah, Man, who again had done a pretty fair job of increasing the population, failed in the main aspect of fruit bearing which is bringing up the children in the admonition of the Lord. Nimrod, in order to keep men from spreading throughout the earth as God had commanded, built a tower on which to worship the heavens, thus creating a religion in which man could not be saved. They had had plenty of children, but they failed to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

            As you can see, the original plan of God was to populate the earth with believers. He gave that job to mankind. Woman is supposed to help him accomplish that. There is now little need to increase the population, so we need to bear fruit among the lost children of others in addition to leading our own children to the Lord. Pastor Jerry

Memory Verse

“And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.” Genesis 2:18 (KJV)

Of what was Adam in need? “an ________ meet for him.

If you are a help to someone, it by no means indicates that you are inferior to them. They are the one who had the need, and you helped fulfill their need. The next verses tell from where the help came.

What kind of help was Eve? “an help ______ for him.

 “Help meet” is not one word, nor is it two words with one meaning. “Help” means “help” and “meet” means “suited for” or “fit for.” Eve was well suited to help Adam fulfill his goal. 

What were they supposed to do? “___________ the earth”

 _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Memory Verse

“Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” Genesis 2:24

What is mankind commanded to do?

_________________________________________

            The importance and universality of this command is better understood when we realize that, when this command was made, there had never been a father or mother in the history of mankind.

            The woman was given to man to fulfill their purpose. The first command to fulfill this purpose is to join together as one flesh. As the wedding vows say, “forsaking all others.” In view of this verse, it becomes evident that, while forsaking all others definitely refers to old girlfriends and boyfriends; it primarily refers to our parents. There is nothing worse for the purpose of marriage than a “momma’s boy.”

 

Memory Verse

“Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.” John 15:8 (KJV)

What must we do to glorify our heavenly Father?

 “bear much ________________”

Can we be disciples if we do not bear fruit? ________

Is this the way we “show” we are His disciples, or is this how we “shall be” His disciples?

                                                ____________________

A disciple is a follower. Do we have to follow Jesus to be saved?

                        ________________

What is the fruit of an apple tree? _______________

 

Memory Verse

“And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19 (KJV)

If you follow Jesus, what will He make you?

 ____________________ of _________

 If you are not fishing for men, are you a follower of Jesus?

____________________

 Is it possible to be saved and not be a follower of Jesus?

_______________

 What are you doing to “fish for men?”

________________________________________________

Memory Verse

“And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.” II John 1:6 (KJV)

What is love? “this is love, that ______________________ ”

Two things are clear from this verse.

(1)  Love is and action rather than a feeling.

(2)  Love is a command of God you can choose to do.

 

It is evident that if you don’t love someone, it is your choice, not some emotional deficiency.

 

Memory Verse

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” II Corinthians 6:14 (KJV)

            The first command of God concerning “yokes” is found in this verse. A yoke is a collar placed on an animal for work. If two animals are yoked together, they are obviously yoked together for the same work. It is imperative that they be going in the same direction and to the same place. The very best example of a human “yoke” is marriage.

To whom does God forbid us from being yoked. __________

            All yokes to unbelievers are unequal, because you are not working for the same goal or cause, and you are not even going in the same direction and will not go to the same destination.

 

Memory Verse

“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.” I John 4:7

 

Every one that loveth is ________________________

 Does this say that everyone that is born of God loves? ____

So, do all believers love? ___________

What do you have to do to know God? __________

 So, do all believers know God? __________

“Let us love one another:” is an imperative. That’s a nice way of saying that it is a command. It is also a way of saying that this is something that you must choose to do. It’s not something you fall into or feel.

Notice that ever single person that loves is born of God. In other words, only a believer has the capacity to love in the fulfilling lasting way. An unbeliever can experience sexual attraction, infatuation, friendship, and companionship, but only a believer has the capacity to do the things necessary to have a lasting completely satisfying love.

You can also see from this verse that all that love know God, however, since all believers do not love, not all believers know God. In fact it is evident that very few believers know God. They are going to heaven, because they have accepted what God did in His love when he died on the cross to take away all their sin, but they don‘t love God back.

Don Francisco wrote the words: “You say you can’t take it. The price is too high. The feeling is gone. It seems the rivers gone dry. You never expected it could turn out this tough. You give and give and give and still it’s never enough. Your emotions have vanished that once held a thrill. You wonder if love could be alive in you still. But that ring on you finger it was put there to stay. You’ll never forget the words you promised that day. But Jesus didn’t die for you because it was fun. He hung there in love, because it had to be down, and in spite of the anguish His love He fulfilled, because love is not a feeling. It’s an act of the will.”

 

Memory Verse

“He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” I John 4:8

 Who does not know God? __________________________

 God is what? _______________________________

 Do all Christians love? __________

 Do all Christians know God? _____________

            Since God is love, and love is an action, then whatever action love is, God must do. So as we learn more about love, we learn more about God. This may even give us an insight into why God gave man a free will. I’ve often said that I’d rather hear Julie say that she loves me lots more than to have it in writing on a computer that I have programmed to say so no matter how many times I copy and paste it. God would rather have one man choose to believe in Him and then love Him than 10,000 robots.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Memory Verse

“In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.” I John 4:9 (KJV)

Why did God send Jesus into the world?

____________________________________________

God sending His only begotten Son manifested what?

____________________________________________

It is significant that God did not send Jesus so that we could work for Him. We could have worked for God without His coming to earth. There were plenty of people in the Old Testament that worked for God without His coming to earth. In fact, now that Jesus has ascended back into heaven, we can still serve Him. Jesus came for our benefit, not His.

 

Memory Verse

“Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” I John 4:10 (KJV)

This is what Christ came to earth to do for us.

 Who does the loving in this verse? ____________

Who does not do any loving here? ____________

 Jesus came to be what? ____________________________

            Propitiation means “satisfactory payment.” Jesus did not come to be a down payment. He did not come to be the first installment. He was the satisfactory payment. That means that he paid for all sins completely. That would be like going to a car lot and paying cash for an automobile. You never have to make another payment and never have to worry about it ever getting repossessed.

It’s that way with salvation, too. God will never repossess it.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Memory Verse

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13 (KJV)

 What is the greatest act of love? ______________________ 

            This verse gives us some insight into why Christ died. Of course, Jesus had to die to pay for our sins to make the way for us to get to heaven. Another reason is it fulfills the attribute of the love of God. If God is love, and this is the greatest act of love, then Christ had to die to love us to the greatest degree. God doesn’t do anything half way.

 Notice that Jesus wasn’t killed to save. He ____________ His life. Read John 10:17-18 and tell what the difference is between being killed and laying down your life.

 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

John 3:16

          The first step of any aspect of life begins with obtaining everlasting life. According to Ephesians 2:1, before we are born again, we are dead in trespasses and sins. Obviously, if we are dead, then we have no life, so we need to get a life.

          Wedding counseling must begin with salvation, as must marriage counseling, substance abuse counseling, violence, depression, obsessive behavior, addictions and any other counseling. Until a person trusts Christ as his Savior, the help that is available to that person is extremely limited.

          So how can we get this everlasting life? It’s all right here in this most famous of verses.

          Notice, first of all, who does the work in this verse. All of the work is done by God. He does the loving and he does the giving. Have you ever heard anyone say, “Give your heart and life to Jesus?” You should do that, but that has nothing to do with gaining everlasting life. God gave His heart (loved) and life on the cross. It doesn’t say that he exchanged it for yours. It was given-it’s a gift (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8). A gift is paid for by the giver, not the receiver (John 1:12).

          Notice, secondly, what is required to obtain the everlasting life. It is obtained by simply believing in Him.

          Lastly, notice the results. There is one present result and one future result. In the present we have everlasting life. We don’t have to wait until we die to get it. Also, notice that it is EVERLASTING life. If we have everlasting life right now, then we can never lose it, or it really isn’t everlasting. Plus, in the future we don’t ever have to worry about “perishing.” There are very few things we can know about the future. The only things we can know about the future are the things God says about the future. Here He tells us that if we believe on Him we will never perish or go to hell.

          If you have never trusted Jesus to give you everlasting life and the assurance that you will never perish spiritually, then why not trust Him now? Simply believe that Jesus is God the Father who came to earth to pay for all of your sins. He did that to give you eternal life, because he loves you. So, trust Him. He’s trustworthy.     Pastor Jerry

         

 

 

“Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.” Hebrews 6:2 (KJV)

          The context of this verse is extremely important, as is the context of all Scripture. The verse before this points out that these things are “foundational truths.” That is a kind way of saying that these doctrines are considered the milk of the Word. In the previous four verses God is telling us that we ought to go on to the meat of the Word, but, while we have been saved long enough to be teachers, many have remained “babes in Christ” and must still be fed with milk. Verses one and two tell us what milk is.

          “Baptisms” points out the truth that there is more than one baptism. The truth of the two separate baptisms, water and spiritual, which happen at different times (Mark 1;8) is foundational. The fact that there are two resurrections, one for the saved, and a separate one for the lost, is basic (Revelation 20:6 & Revelation 20:14).The fact that there are two judgments, one for the lost, and one for the saved to see how many or whether the saved will receive rewards is considered milk (II Corinthians 5:10 & Revelation 20:13).

          Laying on of hands, which is ordination, is also considered milk. It is our final milestone of training and growth. It is by no means the end of training and growth, but it is the recognition by the church that your vow before God and witnesses to walk in newness of life (water baptism) is evidently being fulfilled. So, the church is recognizing the ministry to which that vow has brought you. What is that ministry? It is your effort to win souls to Christ (John 15:16), and labor in Word and doctrine (I Timothy 5:17).

          How? We must be faithfully sharing the good news of what Christ has done, and explaining clearly the only condition that is required to receive what Christ has done is to trust what He has done as the only thing required to get us to heaven apart from any turning, sorrowing, stopping, starting, asking, working, joining, committing, giving, or confessing. We must clearly teach that all of those things must be done for rewards, but is not required for salvation.                                          Pastor Jerry

 

Memory Verse

“Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.”

I Timothy 5:17 (KJV)

What are the elders supposed to do well? _____________

n what are the elders supposed to labor?

________________ And ________________

“Honor” (honour) refers to “pay.” That’s where we get the term “honorarium” when paying a guest speaker. Compare this verse with I Corinthians 9:13-14. What are these verses telling us to do?

                        _____________________________________

To what does the word “double” refer? _________________

 “Counted” is an accounting term. Whose? ______________

________________________________________________

 

Memory Verse

“For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:” Titus 1:5 (KJV)

Titus was left in Crete for a (For this…) _______________

 What was wanting that Titus was supposed to set in order?

_________________ elders in every city.

 Would that be plural or singular? _____________________

What if a church does not ordain anyone? These would be things that are  ____________________________

 

Memory Verse

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10 (KJV)

 

This verse points out the truth that we, being created in Christ Jesus as children of God, have been ordained unto good works.

We love to exercise the administering of the two great ordinances of the church: baptism, which is a one time vow before God and witnesses that we plan to walk in newness of life, and Passover or communion, which is an annual event at which we examine ourselves so we can better have fellowship (communion) with Jesus Christ and His body, the church.

However, we neglect the ordaining (ordinance) of men into the ministry. Think about it. Shouldn’t this be the ultimate purpose of every church and ultimate goal for every believer?

 Concerning good works, we _____________ walk in them.

 Why? Read Matthew 5:16. “That (they) may __________ .

 What should they cause them to do? ________ your Father.

 What glorifies God? Read Romans 4:20.

 Strong in _____________”

 How do we glorify God? Read John 15:8.

“Bear much ___________”

If we do this we become what?

His _______________________.

 “Disciple” means “follower.” Jesus told us that if we follow Him we will become

                                    ____________________ in Mark 1:17.

Memory Verse

“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” John 15:16 (KJV)

 What happens to the fruit? your fruit should  ___________

 The fruit of the spirit does not remain. Only that which is eternal will.

 You have already been ordained by God. Who does God choose to be ordained? (Ephesians 2:8, 10)

 _______________________________________________

What have we been ordained to do? __________________

What was Adam and Eve told to do in Genesis 1:28.

________________________________________________

 

Memory Verse

“And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,” Mark 3:14 (KJV)

What did Jesus ordain people to do?

 __________________ Him, and that He might

______________ to ________________

 Does it say they all would do this? _______________

 It’s interesting that He ordained them to go forth, yet He said that they should be with Him. How is that possible?

 Read Matthew 28:20.

________________________________________________

Realize He is with you today.

Memory Verse

“Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.” Acts 1:22 (KJV)

 What is the beginning of the process spoken of in this verse?

 ________________ of John

Ordination was to be a __________________________

Who was taken up? (verse 9) _____________________

What does a true witness do in Proverbs 14:25?

_______________________________________________

Read Proverbs 11:30. He that wins souls is ____________

 What is the fruit of the righteous? ____________________

_______________________________________________

 

Memory Verse

“The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.” John 1:7 (KJV)

Of what was John a witness? _______________________

Look at verse 4. What was the light? __________________

 What is the purpose of a witness? “That”

 ________________________________

 John 3:15-21 also speaks of this light. Verse 21 says their deeds “are

                        ________________ in God.

 “Wrought” means “worked” like wrought (worked) iron. So in verse 21, who does the work?

                                                            _______________

“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?” Romans 6:1 (KJV)

          This verse is the pivotal verse in the book of Romans. Up until this verse Romans has been talking to believers about salvation. From Romans 6:1 until the end of the book God is no longer talking about salvation, but the Christian life, (Ch 6-8) Christian responsibility (Ch. 9-11), and Christian application. (Ch. 12-16). According to Ephesians 2:8-9, we are saved by grace through faith. No matter how much or bad your sins are, God will still save you by His grace if you trust what He did when He died on the cross to pay for all of your sins. But the question comes up, “Since the more sin a person has the more grace God will give to save him when he believes, then why not simply sin more so you can receive more grace?”

          We might scoff at such an absurd question today, but there were actually people back during the writing of the book of Romans who believed that. The question is similar to the skeptic who says of the security of the believer, “If you can’t lose your salvation, then what keeps people from going out and living in sin?” Of course, the question is spawned from ignorance. There are many deterrents to sinful living and motivations for godly living without treading  underfoot the Son of God, and counting  the blood of the covenant, wherewith Christ was sanctified, an unholy or incomplete thing, and doing despite or insult unto the Spirit of grace? (Hebrews 10:29)

          So God says, “God forbid!” The implication is clear. When a believer sins, it doesn’t affect whether or not he is saved in any way. Salvation just doesn’t depend on us at all. There is no degree of sin or amount of sin that will cause God the Father to disgrace His grace, His Son or His Word by withdrawing the free gift of eternal life. Nor is there any amount or degree of good works that will cause God to save you or keep you saved. It depends only and completely on what Jesus has already done on the cross.

          If you have never understood that before, and you do now, why not trust Him to get you to heaven. Trust Him. He’s trustworthy.

Pastor Jerry

 

Memory Verse

“Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:11

            The word “reckon” in the Bible means: “To place to one’s account.” It’s a banking term. In this context a more contemporary meaning might be: “You can take that to the bank.” In other words: “Consider it so.”

To what should we consider ourselves to be dead? ______

To whom should we consider ourselves to be alive? _____

Except for reflexes or reactions, we think about things before we decide to do them. We “consider” the options and possible outcomes. This should lead to a wise choice.

 

Memory Verse

“Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.” Romans 6:13 (KJV)

To what are we not to yield? “unto ___________”

To whom are we suppose to yield? “unto ___________,”

To yield simply means to say “yes.” So, we are to say “yes”

 to ________ and to say “no” to ________.

 The word “members” refers to your body. An instrument sitting alone is not doing anything wrong, nor is in doing any good. Used correctly it can play beautiful music or make an awful noise. Used with other “members,” it can play in harmony or discord. Dedicate yourself to use your “instrument” to create a beautiful harmonious life for God.

 

Memory Verse

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;” Titus 3:5 (KJV)

  This verse is talking about being “saved.” The word “saved” means “delivered.” Spiritual or eternal salvation speaks of our being delivered to heaven. When something is delivered it is delivered from one thing or place to another. In spiritual salvation we are delivered from being under the wrath of God and the destination of the lake of fire to being under the grace of God and the destination of heaven.

 Being saved is not by ______________________________

Being saved is according to ____________________ .

   “According to” means to be in “accord” or agreement. To be saved by mercy agrees with God’s merciful nature. To be saved by good  works would not agree with God’s mercy.

 There is work that is done to save us, however. This verse tells us of two works done to save us.

 The two works that save us are by:

 _____________________ and ______________________

 Who does these two things? “of the ___________________”

 Ephesians 2:8 tells us that we are saved by grace through faith. Grace means “undeserved mercy.” Verse 9 tells us that salvation is “not of works.” So the conclusion of the three verses could be summed up in the phrase in verse eight that tells us that salvation is “not of yourselves.” This is the test of grace: “Is it of yourselves?” Nothing we do of ourselves enters into our salvation other than faith. We must believe in the work of God as our only and complete hope for salvation. If we are depending on anything of ourselves, then we are not trusting in what Jesus did as a finished product. We do not believe what He said when He said, “It is finished. What did he do? He took our sins onto Himself on the cross, then He died and came back from the dead.

Memory Verse

“I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.” Mark 1:8 (KJV)

 How many types of baptism are mentioned here? _______

John the Baptist is speaking here. He baptized with ______

John was speaking of Jesus. Jesus would baptize with

__________________________

Did these baptisms take place at the same time? ________

The word “baptize” simply means “wash.” What synonym for “baptizing” is in Titus 3:5?

 

Memory Verse

“For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.” I Corinthians 1:17 (KJV)

This verse is written by Paul. What did Christ NOT send Paul to do?

                        _____________________________

 What was Paul sent t do? “Preach the _______________”

 Look at Romans 1:16. What is the power of God unto salvation?

                        _________________________

            It is clear from the above verses that the plan of salvation does not include baptism.

            Baptism is extremely important. It is the outward sign of an inward decision to follow the Lord in a dedicated Christian life, but don’t confuse salvation with dedication.

 

Memory Verse

“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”

Romans 6:4 (KJV)

This verse tells us the purpose of baptism. It is “so we also

 _____________________________________________

 Does the verse say that we MUST do this? ____________

Does the verse say that we WILL do this _____________

Water baptism is “____________ Christ was raised.”

 Water baptism is not the same as, but “__________ as”

 

Memory Verse

“For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:” Romans 6:5

 We are planted together in the ____________

“of His ________________” and “also in the  

____________________ of His resurrection.”

            These likenesses are one reason that baptism by emersion is so important. It’s pretty hard to show a death, burial, and resurrection by sprinkling. Coming up out of the water demonstrates a new birth and a new life (John 3:3-6; I Peter 1:23). Coming up out of the water also demonstrates the resurrection and cleansing. (Titus 3:5)

            Going under the water demonstrates being placed into the body of Christ, which is the church. (I Corinthians 12:13; Colossians 1:24)

Memory verse

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” II Corinthians 6:14 (KJV)

A yoke with two workers in it requires that both workers work toward the same goal. Who are we not supposed to be yoked with?

                        _____________________________________

 All of these yokes are always unequal.

With whom are we not supposed to have fellowship? ___________________________________

There are three words that are used as synonyms. They are communion, yoke, and _______________

 

 

Memory verse

“And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 3:9 (KJV)

 What are supposed to make all men do? All men might ____

 Look at verse 6. What is the mystery?

 ________________________________________________

 What are men supposed to see in us? ______________  of the mystery.

 You can see that Christian fellowship is vitally important in relation to our witness for Jesus Christ. Pray that the fellowship you display to the world will be a strong evidence of your faith in Jesus Christ. 

 

Memory verse

“That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.” I John 1:3

            This verse tells us many things about fellowship. First of all we see that fellowship is the purpose of this portion of the Bible. Bible study is vital to have fellowship with God and other believers. If you are not having fellowship with other Christians, then you are thwarting one of he purposes of the Bible you are to study. In fact, you might even find it difficult to understand the Bible altogether.

            Second we see that fellowship with God is conjoined to fellowship with other Christians. You cannot have fellowship with God if you have a broken relationship with another Christian.

            It is obvious that when we separate ourselves from the church, or neglect the study of God’s Word or prayer, we are out of fellowship with God, yet it is amazing how much emphasis God puts on our relationship with other Christians.

            The plan of salvation is of utmost importance. To explain the plan of salvation to others so that they can understand that salvation is a free gift that has already been completely paid for by Jesus Christ is of unsurpassed importance. To help someone understand that all they have to do to get to heaven is to believe that Jesus is God the Father who came to earth to pay for our sins by His death, burial, and resurrection is our primary purpose on earth. However, to be effective in this endeavor, our relationship to other believers is of high importance. Nothing has brought more discredit to Jesus Christ and His body, the church, than bickering, fussing, gossiping, and  backstabbing of believers by other believers.

There are four entities that are said to have fellowship in this verse. Who are they? __________ , _____________,

 ________________ , ____________________________

 Pray that your fellowship with God and his body of believers will be a testimony to the lost world this week.

 

Memory verse

“And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.”

I John 1:4

 These verses are written that your ____________________

            While there are other purposes to having fellowship with other believers and with God, we need to realize that without maintaining our fellowship with other believers and with God we cannot have full joy.

            I’ll never forget in the week before I went to Bible college a person told me that if Jesus would tell them personally that they could know that they had eternal life, they would believe it. Which is more binding, a verbal contract or a written contract? Praise God, He wrote down the fact that we can know that we have eternal life in I John 5:13. However, here in I John 1:4 God writes a contract that if we want to have joy we must have fellowship with other believers. Yet it would seem that few believers find that believable.

_________________________________________________

 

Memory verse

“If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth.” I John 1:6

Does this verse say that we have fellowship with Him? _____

Is it possible for a believer to say that they are walking in fellowship with God, and really not be?                     _____________

What causes a believer to not have fellowship with God?  ____________________________________________

In view of the context, what do you suppose it means to walk in darkness?

____________________________________________

 

Memory verse

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” I John 1:7 (KJV)

What is the evidence of walking in the light in this verse?

we have _______________________________________

If we have fellowship one with another then we are walking in

the _____________ .

Is there a believer with whom you have trouble enjoying fellowship?                         _____________________

 What can you do to increase your fellowship with God?

_________________________________________________

 

Memory verse

“And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” Ephesians 5:11 (KJV)

 What are we commanded not to have fellowship with here?

_________________________________________

How are the works described here? ______________ works

We have seen what we are not supposed to do here. What ARE we commanded to do?                                                           _______________ them

 What would fruitful works be? _______________________

What would unfruitful works be? ______________________

 If someone has unfruitful works, what must we do? ________

“Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” I Corinthians 5:8

          After a person has trusted Jesus to get him to heaven, the first step in the Christian life is symbolized by Passover. Passover actually symbolize the sacrifice of Jesus, the lamb of God, and should be a time of remembering what Christ did for us and teaching others what Christ has done for them.

          In this verse the Corinthian Gentile believers, probably the most ungodly carnal believers in the New Testament, were instructed to keep the feast. That shows us that this feast was not for the Jews only, nor was it for spiritual Christians only. The very purpose of the feast was to give the believer a time to remember, restore fellowship with God and other believers, and reminds others what Christ had done.

          Passover was the most exciting time of the year. It was like our Christmas and New Year put together. It in fact was the Jewish new year. Passover is a time to examine ourselves and recommit ourselves to share the good news about what Christ has done when he died on the cross to save us.

          Unfortunately, a few hundred years after Christ, it began to be believed that the Passover celebration was necessary for salvation, not a means to fellowship. Since it was believed that a person had to partake in Passover to get to heaven, Passover began to be celebrated weekly. After Passover began to be celebrated weekly, it was reduced to a mere taking of a cup and unleavened cracker. Can you imagine what would happen to our Christmas holiday if we celebrated it every single week? Eventually, there wasn’t even a feast connected to it at all.

          We need to realize that Passover is extremely important to our spiritual welfare, fellowship, and growth, and we should celebrate it every year. However, salvation is a onetime deal that Jesus accomplished almost 2,000 years ago, and is received one time by faith when we believe that Jesus is God and trust His death, burial, and resurrection to get us to heaven.     

                                      Pastor Jerry

 

“Let all things be done decently and in order.”

I Corinthians 14:40 (KJV)

          Have you ever wondered how the disciples could have the courage and knowledge to commit their lives to Christ the moment He called them to follow Him? Well, actually, that’s not exactly the way it happened.

          While not all of the disciples were called the same way, the indication is that the apostles were really called a number of times. Originally, they were disciples of John the Baptist. After the baptism of Jesus, John would go from place to place proclaiming that Jesus was coming. Then Jesus would follow some time later upon which time John would point Him out. Then John would go somewhere else and prepare the people for Jesus’ coming. After seeing this a while the disciples were well aware of who Jesus was. After John was put into prison, John’s disciples went back to their homes and resumed their occupations. Then Jesus came to their towns and called them again. This was kind of a local call to follow Him while He was in their area. When Jesus was leaving their town, He would call them still another time to follow Him wherever he went. The point is, there was an order to their growth and training.

          So it is with us. We begin our journey when we trust Christ as our Savior. Then we begin a time of fellowship and growth. This is symbolized by the annual Passover celebration. Soon, we should want to vow before God and witnesses that we are going to walk in newness of life. This is what baptism symbolizes. Finally, we should come to the place that we plan to serve the Lord for the rest of our life. This is what ordination or laying on of hands is all about.

          The first step of this process must be salvation. We must trust Christ alone and Him completely to get us to heaven by believing that He is God and that His death, burial, and resurrection accomplished everything necessary to get us to heaven. You don’t take communion or Passover, be baptized, or be ordained to get you to heaven. Hopefully, all those come later. Be that as it may, those things don’t change whether you are going to heaven or not.                            Pastor Jerry

 

Memory Verse

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”

Romans 3:23 (KJV)

There is only one step that we must do to get to heaven. That is to trust Jesus as God who did everything required to get us to heaven. However, to understand what that means and what He did, there are seven steps that many have found helpful. Some of you have seen these steps a number of times. Have you memorized them yet? Then you need to go over them again so you can lead someone else to Christ.

Step #1-All have sinned.

How is sin defined in the last part of today’s memory verse?

________________________________________________

 The definition of sin is “to miss the mark” (of God’s glory)

________________________________________________

Memory Verse

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23 (KJV)

Step # 2- The payment (wages) of sin is death.

Death means “separation from the source of life.” The source of life of our physical body is our soul, so physical death would be separation of our body from our soul, (not stoppage of existence).

The source of spiritual life is God. So, spiritual death, which is also called eternal death, is separation of your spirit from God.

 What kind of life is the verse talking about-spiritual (eternal) or physical?

                        _________________________

So what kind of death would this be talking about? ________

 

Memory Verse

“Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” Matthew 5:48 (KJV)

Step #3- You must be perfect to get to heaven.

In the Bible, perfection refers to maturity or completeness. What is the standard of perfection in this verse?

                                                                                    __________

 How good is that? _________________________________

That leaves us in a hopeless situation. You have to be perfect to get to heaven, and we all have sinned. Furthermore, the payment for our sin is eternal separation from God, which will ultimately be in the lake of fire. So we are hopelessly lost.

Is there anything you can do to get yourself to heaven? ____

 ________________________________________________

 

Memory Verse

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:” Ephesians  2:8 (KJV)

Step #4- There is nothing you can do to get yourself to heaven.

Salvation is “Not of ______________________________.”

Read verse nine. It says salvation is not of _____________.

 Can you work to get a gift? ______________

 Is going to church done by you or God? _______________

Is being baptized done to you or God? ______________

 Is turning from sin what you do or what God does? _______

 

Memory Verse

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 (KJV)

#5- Christ paid the death penalty by dying on the cross.

Christ did what for us? ________________

 Christ did this while we were ________________________

 Did Christ do this for us while we were seeking Him? _____

Did He do this while we were working for Him? ________

 Look back at Romans 6:23 (#2). What is the payment for sin?

 Did Jesus pay for our sins? ________________

 Must we pay for our sins, too? ________________

________________________________________________

Memory Verse

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 (KJV)

Step # 6- We must simply believe (trust) what Jesus did on the cross to receive everlasting life in heaven.

 Who does the loving in this verse? ______________

 Who does the giving here? ___________________

What is the condition that we must do here? _____________

What do we have if we believe in Him? _________________

How long will we have that? _________________________

 If we believe, what will NOT happen to us? ______________

Go back to the previous six devotions and fill in the blanks below.

Step #1- _____________________________________________

 Romans 3:23 (p# ___ in your Bible) ________________________

 ____________________________________________________

 #2- _________________________________________________

 Romans 6:23 (p# ______) _______________________________

 ____________________________________________________

 #3- _________________________________________________

 Matthew 5:48 (p.# ______) ______________________________

____________________________________________________

 #4- _________________________________________________

 Ephesians 2:8 (p.# ______) _____________________________

 ____________________________________________________

#5- _________________________________________________

 Romans 5:8 (p.# ______) _______________________________

 ____________________________________________________

 #6- _________________________________________________

 John 3:16 (p.# ______) _________________________________

 ____________________________________________________

#7- The result is you can know you are going to heaven.

I John 5:13 (p.# ______) “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life.” I John 5:13

 Now cut this page out and tape it in the back of your Bible.

 

“Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.” II Corinthians 2:11

          A brief study of the context of this verse will give us two devices of Satan. The first, which is brought out in the previous verses, is our relationship with other believers. The reason this problem is so dangerous is that it causes unbelievers to blaspheme God (I Timothy 6:1 & Romans 2:24). That is Satan’s ultimate goal.

          The verses that follow show Satan’s initial device which is to try to stop the gospel (II Corinthians 4:3-4).

          If we study Satan’s tactics we find at least three distinct steps.

          First, he tries to compromise the gospel by making it unclear (II Corinthians 11:3, I Corinthians 14:9).

          Next, he tries to get the person to go beyond lack of clarity into heresy. Lack of clarity is not heresy, but adding anything to the gospel that God does not is heresy.

          Finally, Satan will get the person to blaspheme. Blasphemy is by definition: “The act of claiming for oneself the attributes or rights of God.” What is God’s basic right? He has the right to save us the way he wants. That’s why we are told to “obey the gospel.” We cannot go to heaven by doing things our way. We must get saved God’s way. What is God’s way? He said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.” You can’t work for the Lord Jesus Christ to get saved. That would be elevating your own works above the work of God. That’s blasphemy. Any time you add any human works to the work of God for salvation you are blaspheming.

          The book of John is the only book of the Bible that is written to the lost. How many times does John say to commit your life to get to heaven? How many times does John say to confess to get to heaven? In John it says that the believers did not confess because they were afraid (John 12:42).

          So what does God say you have to do to get to heaven? You must simply believe of the name of Jesus Christ. In other words believe that He is God the father that came to earth to do everything required to get us to heaven. We must simply trust who He is (God), and what He did (He died, was buried, and rose again the third day). He has already done everything it takes to get you to heaven, so trust Him. He’s trustworthy.                                 Pastor Jerry

Memory Verse

“But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.”  II Corinthians 11:3 (KJV)

The indication is that the corruption of the gospel comes from whom?

                         The  ____________________

Read John 6:47 which is probably the simplest instruction of how to have everlasting life in the Bible. To add any human response other than what God says here is to corrupt your minds away from the simplicity of the gospel.

 Does John 6:47 require you to ask for anything?__________

 Does John 6:47 require you to confess? ________________

 Does John 6:47 require you to make Jesus anything? _____

 

Memory Verse

“Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:” II Corinhians 3:12 (KJV)

 In view of what we have learned, God gives us a very practical instruction. The instruction is based upon what? Seeing then that we           

 ________________________________

We are to use what in this verse?

______________________________________

 Does this verse say to use our changed life? __________

In view of that, if you are not using a verbal witness, you are not obeying this instruction. Pray for boldness and opportunities to share the gospel (Ephesians 6:18-20).

 

Memory Verse

“Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matthew 7:14 (KJV)

 How is “the way” described that leads to life? ____________

 How is the number that find the way described? __________

 Read John 14:6. What is His way? ____________________

             This week’s memory verses should be very familiar. Review is an important aspect of memory. Enjoy the break in your memorization. If you didn’t memorize them the first time, (What do you mean “if”) now’s your chance.

             The indication here is that God is narrow-minded. In other words, you either come to God by His way, or you don’t come to God. Just how important is clarity in our gospel presentation? Well, if it seems right, what are the chances that we are OK? (Proverbs 14:12; 16:25; 21:2)

 The ends thereof are _______________________________ 

            If most people are teaching the same thing, then is it a pretty safe bet that it’s the right way? (Matthew 7:13)

____________________ there be that go in thereat.

             I recently read a wonderful presentation of the plan of salvation. The man gave clear illustrations and salvation verses with accurate understandable explanations. He made it clearer than I usually do. However, when it came time to explain what you had to do to receive the free gift of eternal life, he added at least six things that must be done. What Jesus did was made crystal clear, but what we must do was confusing at best. In truth if you add one work to salvation, you blaspheme, because that elevates the work of man above the work of Christ.

            Exactly what must a person do to have eternal life in

 I John 5:13?                  ________________________________________

Memory Verse

“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” Matthew 7:15 (KJV)

How do false prophets come? ______________________

What is the “fruit” of the false prophet in verse 22?

 1-___________________ 2- _____________________

   3-_____________________________ in ____________

 

What kind of works? _____________________

 

In verse 23 God says their work is _______________

 

Read John 6:40. What is the will of the Father for us to do?

 

 

Memory Verse

“In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”

II Corinthians 4:4 (KJV)

What is the god of this world doing?____________________

Who is he doing this to. _____________________________

There are at least three ways Satan (the god of this world) is blinding the unsaved mind.

First, he keeps the mouth of the believer shut.

Second, he tries to get the believer to make the gospel hard to understand.

Third, he gets the believer to fall into sin so that the unbeliever won’t listen to the plan of salvation.

As long as the believer confuses the gospel, Satan has him exactly where he wants him.

 

Memory Verse

“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.” II Peter 2:1 (KJV)

There are two kinds of people mentioned here. They are:

False ________________ and false ___________________

God says that these people reside in two places. They are:

Among the _______________ and among ______________

 False prophets preach and teach heresy. What kind?

______________________ heresies.

What do they bring? Swift _________________________

________________________________________________

 

Memory Verse

“Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” II Corinthians 11:15 (KJV)

Read verse 14. Tell whose ministers these ministers of righteousness are.

                                    _________________ himself

 What do these teach? Ministers of ____________________

Their end will be according to what? Their ______________

Read verse 13. These false apostles transform themselves into apostles of

                                    ________________________

Pray for discernment to recognize false prophets.

 

“And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.” Matthew 2:11 (KJV)

          As we continue our study of traditions, most people have done even a cursory study of the birth of Christ realize that, when the wise men came to visit Jesus ,He was no longer an infant in a manger. It is very clear that, by the time the wise men arrived, Mary and Joseph were living in a house, and the child was about two years old. How do we know? Because the Scripture says, “Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared…Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.” Matthew 2:7, 16

          I have a granddaughter that is about seventeen months old at this writing. She says many words, some of which are several syllables such as the name of her cousin, “Arrabella.” She is very articulate, so there is no doubt what she is saying. As a proud grandfather or “Papa” as she and the other grandchildren call me, I would say that she is quite exceptional. She may or may not be. However, I’m sure that when the God of the universe took on human flesh, He was quite exceptional. Being quite a bit older than what my granddaughter is when the wise men visited, I have no doubt but that  Jesus was able to converse with them to some degree.

          More importantly than the acceptance or rejection of the traditions is what they did while they were there. They worshipped Him and gave Him gifts.

          To get to heaven, we neither have to worship Him or give Him gifts. We simply trust what He has done and accept the gift He offers to us. He did all the work, and the only thing he requires of us to receive this free gift is to believe that He is God and that he has done everything it takes to get us to heaven.

          After we have received the gift of God, eternal life, we should worship Him, because of what He has done, and give Him gifts. What have you given Him that doesn’t already belong to Him?           Pastor Jerry

 

Memory Verse

“Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” Revelation 2:10 (KJV)

 A person receives this crown because he is:

_____________________________________________ 

“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” James 1:12 (KJV)

This crown of life is promised to those who ______________ 

“And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.” I Corinthians 9:25 (KJV)

 

Memory Verse

 “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?” I Thessalonians 2:19 (KJV)

What is our crown of rejoicing? _______________________

 “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”       II Timothy 4:8 (KJV)

Why do we get this crown? _________________________

 “And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.” I Peter 5:1, 4 (KJV)

 For whom is this crown? (Verse 1) ____________________

 

 

Memory Verse

“Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem.” Matthew 2:1

            There are a number of traditions that we hold concerning the birth of Christ. One of the most common is the teaching that three kings followed a star in the eastern sky to a manger in Bethlehem. Here we see that the New Testament account makes no mention whatever of there being any kings at all. They were wise men.

            However, while we are warned of God to beware of traditions of men (Colossians 2:8), we are commanded by God to keep Biblical traditions (II Thessalonians 2:6).

            The point is we should make sure our faith is grounded in truth: not human teaching.

            The reformers who came out of the Catholic Church held to two philosophies concerning the Catholic Church.           One philosophy was: “If it’s not taught in the Word of God, throw it out. “Those denominations were very different than the Roman Catholic Church.

            Then there was the philosophy that taught: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” In words, unless it was expressly forbidden in God’s Word, we’ll keep it. Much that should have been “fixed” was left in those new denominations, because tradition was a resilient animal that just wouldn’t die. Mode of baptism and baptismal regeneration, the frequency of Passover, works for salvation, the possibility of  losing your salvation, and many other traditions, including many about Easter, Christmas, Lent, etc. were kept to some degree by most Protestant denominations.

            However, some Biblical traditions were lost or even abandoned such as the freeness of salvation apart from works, The annual celebration of the Passover feast, and the security of the believer, along with others.

            Let us recognize the “traditionality” of traditions and beware of them, while keeping the Biblical traditions taught in the Word of God.                      Pastor Jerry

From what direction did the wise men come? ____________

 

Memory Verse

2-“Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.”

Matthew 2:2 (KJV) 

In what direction did the wise men see the star? __________ 

“I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.” Numbers 24:17 (KJV)

This very likely was the verse that convinced the wise men that the star that they saw was heralding the birth of Christ.

If the wise men were in the east, and they saw the star in the east, then they followed the star, which direction would they have gone?

Memory Verse

”And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.” Matthew 2:6

“But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” Micah 5:2 (KJV)

In Matthew 2:6 the priests were quoting Micah 5:2. When they stopped quoting the verse, what part did they leave out?

            ___________________________________________________________________________________________

 

What was the time of the origin of ruler of Israel? 

From ________________________________

Memory Verse

 “And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.” Matthew 2:11 (KJV) 

What did they bring to Christ? ________________________

“Because of thy temple at Jerusalem shall kings bring presents unto thee.” Psalms 68:29 (KJV)

“The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.” Psalms 72:10 (KJV)

“And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba: prayer also shall be made for him continually; and daily shall he be praised.” Psalms 72:15 (KJV)

Could these verses be prophecy about the wise men?

Memory Verse

“The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,” Revelation 4:10 (KJV)

What do the twenty-four elders cast before the throne?

________________________________

“And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. 9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;” Revelation 5:8-9 (KJV)

From where did these elders come?

 

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.” Luke 2:8 (KJV)

          The activity of the shepherds in this verse show us the time of year of the event.

          During the winter shepherds would keep their sheep in folds in the valley. Bethlehem, which was in the highest elevation of the hill country, would have shepherds keeping watch over their flock by night during the spring when they would be moving their flocks from the valley to the hill country. As the grass would die in the fall, it could be assumed that they took their flock back down to the valley then, too. However, they never kept watch over their flock by night in the winter around Bethlehem. In view of the fact that Bethlehem was known for raising sheep to be taken to Jerusalem for sacrifice at Passover, which is the middle of April, there is a good chance that we could assume that this movement of sheep was after that time---probably in May. If you count nine months from the sixth month, when the angel appeared to Mary, you come to about the time of May. Maybe that’s when Jesus was born. Maybe not. However, we can be certain of one thing. The shepherds would not be out at night on the first week of winter.

          Then why do we celebrate the birth of Jesus on December 25^th?

The birthday of Nimrod was celebrated on December 25^th. After he was killed by Noah’s grandsons for worshiping the heavens from the top of the tower of Babel, his followers deified him and worshipped him as the sun god. The shortest day of the year is December 21^st or 22^nd.  So this day was mourned as the death of their sun god by putting a Yule log in the fireplace. On the third day after his “death,” as the days began to get noticeably longer, the kids were sent to bed mourning the burning out or death  of their sun god. In the night the parents would bring in a fir tree covered with decorations (Jeremiah 10:2-5). This represented the resurrection of their sun god. Take note of verse five: “Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil,” Jeremiah 10:5 (KJV)  Should we not have a Christmas tree on December 25^th? Well, it can’t do any harm, and we need to remember the birth of Jesus at some point. I say we continue to celebrate His birth on Christmas Day. What is important is not so much when he came, but that He did come and pay for all of our sins by dying on the cross. We must believe that Jesus did in fact come in the flesh, and that He died to pay for all sins.                  Pastor Jerry

         

 

Memory Verse

“And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.” Luke 2:17 (KJV)

 What did the shepherds do? _________________________

They made known concerning what? __________________

Was their conversation mainly about the angels? _________

Was their conversation mainly about Mary? _____________

 What did the angel tell them about the child? ________________________________________________

What should be our focus when talking about what God has done for us?

________________________________________________

 

Memory Verse

“But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.” I Thessalonians 2:4 (KJV)

What are we supposed to speak about? ________________

Speaking the gospel pleases whom? __________________

What is God doing to our hearts? _____________________

Who does God trust to give out the gospel? _____________

If we don’t speak the gospel, have we been trustworthy? ___

Does this verse promise that speaking the gospel will be pleasing to men?

                                    __________________

 

Memory Verse

“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” Luke 2:10

            The phrase “good tidings of great joy” is the very meaning of the word “gospel.” While the reason that men need the gospel is because of man’s sin and man’s failure to teach their children, and the responsibility to give out the gospel has been entrusted to men, here is one place that the Bible records an angel giving men the gospel. The word “angel” means “messenger,” and this angel had the message of good news or the gospel.

            Notice, also, that this good news is to ALL people. It wasn’t just to those shepherds, the Jews, or the people of that time. It was to all people. That would include you and me.

            What do you suppose this good news is? You can find the answer in verse 11. Let me just tell you what it is.

            As with good news, there usually is some bad news that makes the good news good. In our case the bad news is that we have done things wrong. The reason that is so bad is the wrong things we do makes us and others unhappy. In fact the bad we do, which the Bible calls sin, causes us to be sad, sick, and eventually die. So the payment for sin is death, because that is what sin does. However the payment for sin is also spiritual death, because if we were to go to heaven with any sin, then there would be sickness, anger, sorrow, and death in heaven. God can’t allow any sin into heaven. So, there’s the bad news. We are hopelessly lost, and there is nothing we can do to change this situation.

            The good news is, Jesus took all of our sin off of us onto Himself. Then He died. With sin having been placed on Him, all the sin died with Him. He paid completely for all of our sin when He died on the cross and came back from the dead.

            All we have to do to receive this solution is to believe it. Believe that Jesus is God who became a man, and that His death did everything necessary to get us to heaven.

            If we will believe that, then we can know that we are going to heaven. Trust Him. He’s trustworthy. Pastor Jerry

 

Memory Verse

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” Romans 1:16 (KJV)

What is the power of God unto salvation? ____________

The power unto salvation is given to everyone that does what?

            _____________________

Is this verse written to Jews only? ___________________

 Is this verse written to Gentiles only? _________________

Look at verse fifteen. What will we do if we are not ashamed?

                        ________________________

 

Memory Verse

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11 (KJV)

What three things are said about the one born in the city of David?

1-    ______________ 2- ___________ 3- __________

 Unto whom was this child born? ______________________

The first title tells of the purpose of Christ-He would die.

The second title tells the position of Christ-He will rule.

The third tells of the person of Jesus-He is God

 “But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,” Titus 3:4 (KJV)

 Who is our Savior in this verse? ____________________

  

Memory Verse

“But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.” Luke 2:19 (KJV)

Where did Mary keep these things? ________________

What did Mary do with these things? _______________

 

Memory Verse

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:” I Peter 3:15 (KJV)

 Sanctify means “to set apart.” This verse is telling us to put Him up on a pedestal. Don’t seek the Lord’s will first in a situation. Seek Him only.

If your heart is right, what will you be ready to do? 

________________________________________________ 

People will want ask you about what?  

________________________________________________ 

How will they know that there is a hope in you? 

___________________________________________

Memory Verse

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1 (KJV)

Who was the Word? ______________________________

When was the Word? _____________________________

Where was the Word? _____________________________

Read I Peter 1:23 and compare that to John 1:12. What are these two verses talking about?

Being born _____________________________

Becoming sons of _______________________

 What must we do to become sons of God?__________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

 

Memory Verse

“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 (KJV)

Into what was the Word made? _____________________

What was the Word made flesh full of?

_______________________ and _____________________

 Look at verse17. Grace and truth came by whom? ______________________________

 Read John 3:16. What word is used in John 1:14 that is also used in John 3:16?

                                    Only ______________________

 

Memory Verse

“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2:7 (KJV)

            The term “inn” is a very interesting one in the Bible. In present day usage the word “inn” can be used as a bed and breakfast, a hotel, a motel, and even a restaurant. There is no distinction in the word any more.

            However, in the Bible there were two Greek words which could be translated “Inn.”

            The first was much like our term. You assumed that there was a host or inn keeper, and that there would be provisions, rooms, and a bed.

            The second term never had any of those things other than a well. The word meant simply that it was a place to drop off your bags and animals. Now, to be sure there was a great deal of variance within the concept of each word, but the main idea of the second word was simply to indicate an enclosure for cattle. This second word was the kind of inn the Bible speaks of in Luke 2:7.

            Before the time of King David, who moved the tabernacle to Jerusalem, Bethlehem was known for being a “house of bread.” Maybe they grew a lot of grain around there. While the name still has the same meaning, by the time Jesus was born Bethlehem was known for its sheep. Many of the sheep offered at the temple came from Bethlehem. Consequently, it could be assumed that shepherds often would frequent Bethlehem. When they came into town, they would have to have a place to keep their sheep. They would deposit the sheep at the shepherd’s inn, then they would go into town and do their business, or find an inn in which to stay the night that had rooms, or maybe they would return and sleep at the inn with their sheep. Of course, there would a manger there in which they could provide food for their sheep. However, apparently, there were no rooms in that inn.

            This would be the logical place that the shepherds who had been keeping watch over their flock by night would come first as they came into town to search for the babe, Jesus.                           Pastor Jerry

 

Memory Verse

“But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law” Galatians 4:4 (KJV)

Whom did God send? _____________________________

 When did God send Him? _________________________

 Read John 3:17. God sent whom? __________________

 Why did God send Him? __________________________

 ______________________________________________

 Why did God NOT send Him? ______________________

 ______________________________________________

 Compare His arrival with John 3:16 and Isaiah 9:6.

 

Memory Verse

“Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.” Daniel 9:25 (KJV)

The time was measured from the command until whom?

_______________________________

 Read verse 26. What would happen after His coming?

________________________________________________

 Titus destroyed the city and the sanctuary in A.D. 70. What does that tell us about the person in this verse?

 _______________________________________________

 

Memory Verse

“But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” Micah 5:2 (KJV)

 The ruler of Israel was supposed to come from where?

 _________________________________________

His goings forth would be from when? 

____________________________________________ 

There is only one person who came from the time mentioned above. Who is that?                                    _______________

 

Memory Verse

“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14 (KJV)

 Who would give this sign? _________________________

What was the sign? ______________________________

Read Matthew 1:23. What is the meaning of the name “Immanuel”? __________________________

Read I John 5:13. What are we supposed to do about His name?

            _____________________________________

Read Isaiah 9:6. What is His name called? Mighty ________

Memory Verse

“That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:” Hebrews 6:18

“Immutable means “unchangeable.” What is immutable in this verse?

                        ____________________________________

 What is immutable in verse 17? _____________________

 What is impossible in this verse? ____________________

What kind of consolation does that give us? ___________

 What do we lay hold upon? ________________________

What hope? (Titus 1:2) ____________________________

 Is “fled” related to saved (delivered)? _________________

_______________________________________________

 

Memory Verse

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:6 (KJV)

What is required to please God? _____________________

The two aspects of the doctrine of Christ that are required to be believed for salvation are mentioned in this verse. Write the statement that refers to each:

His person: ____________________________________

His work: ______________________________________

What is the purpose of God’s creation according to Revelation 4:11.

______________________________________________

 

Memory Verse

“Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come.”

Luke 17:1

             Jesus sets forth a very basic truth in this verse. The fact is that all have sinned (Romans 3:23). There is none righteous; no not one (Romans 3:10). There is not a just man upon the earth that sins not (Ecclesiastes 7:20). It is this sin that has caused sorrow, sickness, misery, and death on the earth.

            Now heaven is going to be a perfect place. No sin will be there or be allowed to enter there. If God would allow sin into heaven, then there would be sickness, sorrow, misery, and death in heaven as well. Eventually, heaven would come to an end, just as there is going to be an end to this world because of sin.

            That leaves us in an impossible situation. We want to go to heaven, but we cannot, because we have sin. Therefore, there is nothing we can do to get ourselves to heaven.

            However, Jesus, who is God Father, came to earth in human form for the purpose of dying to pay for all of our sin. He did what was impossible for us, not only by dying to pay for all of our sin, but He came back to life after three days.

            God is not an ogre that would force life with Him in heaven on anyone. So, He gives man a free will and a choice. He offers salvation from the consequences of sin, which would, eventually, be eternal conscious agony in  the lake of fire; and life forever with Him in heaven. All He requires of us is that we believe that He is the one true God the father who came to earth in the flesh, and that He paid completely for all of our sins by dying on the cross. If we trust Him that way to get us to heaven, then we can know that we have eternal life in heaven with Him. He says:

“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life.”

1 John 5:13 (KJV)

            If you have never trusted Him that way to get you to heaven, trust Him, now.  We owed a debt we could not pay, so He paid the debt He did not owe.                  Pastor Jerry

 

Memory Verse

“And he said, ‘The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.’” Luke 18:27 (KJV)

In yesterday’s devotion, what was impossible for men?

___________________________________________

What did God do in yesterday’s devotion that we could not?

 ____________________________________________

 Do you believe that Jesus did everything required to get you to heaven, or do you have to work, too?      _______________

 Have you trusted Jesus completely to get you to heaven? _____________

Memory Verse

“Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.”

Acts 2:24

Read verse 22 and tell who this is talking about. _________

What did God do to Jesus here? ______________________

Read John 10:17-18. Who had the power to take Christ’s life back once it had been laid down.

                                                            _____________________

 Explain the apparent contradiction here. ________________________________________________

 Notice that there was never any doubt but that Jesus would accomplish what He set out to do. What hope does that give us?

Memory Verse

“For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.” Hebrews 10:4 (KJV)

Read Leviticus 4:3. Who instituted the offering of bulls for a sin offering?                         _______________________

Read Hebrews 10:3. What did those sacrifices do?

________________________________________________

Read I Corinthians 11:24-25. What is the church commanded to do for this same reason? 

_______________________________________________

 The blood offering was under the law. Read Romans 3:20.

 

Memory Verse

“If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.” Hebrews 6:6 (KJV)

Read verses 4-5. What is impossible?

______________________________________________

In verse one from  what are we told to repent from? _______

 Read 10:10, 14, and 17-18, then tell why there is no more need to repent again. ____________________________

 Read Acts 13:39. When Jesus died, for how many sins did He die?

            ___________________________________________

 Is it possible for one to get saved after falling away? ______

“For with God nothing shall be impossible.” Luke 1:37 (KJV)

          What an awesome statement! Yet, in a convoluted way, there are some things that are impossible for God to do. (Did you catch the difference there?) For example, it is impossible for God to be wrong or do wrong. That’s because these are against God’s nature. It isn’t hard for God to lie. It’s impossible, because God is truth (John 14:6). A lie is against His very nature. God cannot sin, because God is righteous. So, the operative word in the above verse would be “with” God as opposed to “against” God.

          Seeing the importance of this difference, how does that relate to us? Many people use this verse as kind of a blank check. They think that God will give them whatever they ask as long as they ask in faith, and it isn’t sinful. Again, the operative word would have to be “with” God. In other words, our request must be going along “with God,” and His plans.

          Suppose you have an unsaved relative that was deathly ill. God knows that , given just a little more time, this person will trust Him as Savior. The person’s eternal destiny is of paramount importance to God, and should be to us. It is far more important than the person’s comfort, health, or desires. Yet rather than pray for this person to see the purpose of his sickness, we might have a tendency to pray for the person’s healing. If God answered that prayer, it would go against His purpose for the sickness. (After all, God does have a purpose for everything that happens. Ecclesiastes 3:17) So, we would be praying against God rather than with Him. Bottom line, we must pray with God, if we are to expect a yes, response from God

          So, how do we get “with Him?” In Hebrews 11:6 God says, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” We get “with Him” by believing in Him.

          Can you begin to see God’s purpose in our being saved by faith alone in Christ alone? Faith in our own works glorifies us, while faith in the completed work of Christ on the cross glorifies God. After all, isn’t glorifying God the reason we were created (Isaiah 43:7)?

          If you have never trusted Jesus as your only and complete hope to receive life in heaven, why not trust Him now? You can’t make a mistake, because He is trustworthy.           Pastor Jerry

 

Memory Verse

“And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.”

Matthew 22:12 (KJV) 

All the guests at a wedding during Jesus’ time were expected to wear a wedding garment. This garment was (at least in some cases, if not all) provided by the groom and his family at no charge to the guests. One reason for the use of a wedding garment was so that people could not sneak in and out of wedding feasts. Since the garment was provided by the host, there would be no excuse for someone who was at the feast not wearing one.

Read Revelation 16:15 & 19:8. Then write a devotional thought from these to three verses. (Devotional---not necessarily exegetically accurate)

 ________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________

 

Memory Verse

“But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.” Matthew 25:12 (KJV) 

Read verses 1-13. About what event is this passage talking? 

______________________________________________ 

After a year of marriage, the groom would come for his virgin bride to take her from her parent’s home to the home he had prepared for her. During the procession along the way, her friends and family would join the parade. Once they reached the home, which was considered his father’s “house” or family, they would shut the door and feast for a full week.

How does this relate to us, devotionally? Read John 14:2-3. 

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

 

Memory Verse

“Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.” Matthew 1:19 (KJV)

             There are several things in this verse that are better understood in light of the customs of Jesus’ time.

            First of all is the fact that Joseph is Mary’s “husband.” If you read verse 20 you see that Mary is Joseph’s “wife” at this point in time. That stands to reason in view of the fact that he was her husband. However, if you read verse 18 you find that they were “espoused” and had not yet come together and consummated their marriage. This espousal period was usually a period of one full year from the time they exchanged vows, “signed” the written contract, and were legally married until death (or divorce) would part them.

            To make a woman “a public example” during this time meant to execute her by public stoning. This was not simply disgracing her publically or embarrassing her.

            Because of the hardness of men’s heart toward this instruction of God, God gave them a merciful alternative. That was to write her a bill of divorcement and put (divorce) her away privily.

            For Joseph to keep her as his wife was a huge step of faith. If this child were a product of Mary and another man, then, being the firstborn, Joseph’s inheritance would, eventually, pass on to what initially appeared to Joseph to be an illegitimate son. The inheritance would pass into someone else’s family. This would not simply be the firstborn right to property and leadership of the clan, but, since Joseph was an heir to the rightful throne of Israel, and Mary was also a direct descendant of King David, it could mean that the potential king of Israel would not be a blood heir to the throne.

            The only way to solve this problem was to believe that this child was to be born of a virgin, and the Father would be God Himself.

            Now, there is faith put to the test! 

Do you believe that Jesus was virgin born? _____________ 

If He was not virgin born, what was He? ________________

Memory Verse

“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21

 According to this verse, who would be saved from their sins?  

_______________________________________________ 

Read John 8:44. Are all people God’s people? ___________ 

This verse tells us part of the meaning of the name “Jesus.”  What is it?

                        _____________________________________ 

Read Romans 6:23. From what aspect of sin do we need to be saved?

                        ____________________________________ 

On what must we believe to avoid condemnation? (John 3:18)

                                                                                                          

Memory Verse

“Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” Matthew 1:23 (KJV)

 

In this verse we see the rest of the meaning of Jesus’ name. What is it?

                        _________________________________ 

On what must we believe to have eternal life? (I John 5:13) 

_______________________________________________ 

Is Jesus the name of the only one true God? ____________ 

Do you believe that Jesus is God? ____________________ 

Believe that Jesus is God, and that He did what it took to save you by dying to pay for sin then being resurrected.

Memory Verse

“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14 (KJV)

 

How old are women of child bearing age? ______________ 

“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.” Matthew 1:18

The espousal period of Jesus’  time was a very unique time when compared to today’s society. When girls were growing up, and young men were contemplating marriage, they would become engaged or make a non-binding promise to marry some girl any number of times. Engagement was not binding and was easily broken. Then came the time when the “friend of the bridegroom” (John 3:29) and the father would negotiate the price of the dowry and terms of the marriage. Vows were made and a contract was signed. The couple was legally and finally married. The only thing that could change that was death or divorce. However, she remained a virgin for the first year of their married life while the bridegroom would go and prepare a place for her. This was called adding a room to his father’s house. After a year he would come again and take her to their new home, and the marriage would be consummated for the first time. As they arrived at their new home, people who were waiting and others who had joined the processional along the way would begin a feast that would last for a full week. To leave and return to the feast was considered extremely disrespectful. There would be no ceremony, vows, or contract at the wedding feast. Those had taken place a year earlier.

          You can begin to see why it is so important to translate this portion of Scripture correctly. While we find the term “engaged” easier to understand, that translation is just plain wrong. A far more accurate translation would be “married,” but the best translation would be “espoused.”

          Check your Bible. If your Bible uses the term Engaged or promised, it is a very inaccurate translation of the Bible. However, it might be more easily understood. Which would you rather have? Accuracy or understandability? Both are important. Which is more important to you? I prefer accuracy.              Pastor Jerry

And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:4

          This is really the only responsibility parents, especially fathers, have concerning their children. If your children are being brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, then God promises to provide for your needs (Matthew 6:33). He promises that you will have the correct social development according to Proverbs 16:7; & 3:3-4. You will have the correct political outlook (Acts 23:5 & Romans 31:1).

          Since the primary responsibility is to bring the children up in the nurture and admonition of the lord, what would that mean? Nurturing implies feeding and caring for the child. The Bible instructs us to feed on the milk of the Word (I Corinthians 3:1-2; I Peter 2:1-3) which according to Hebrews 5:12-6:2 is the doctrines of the deity and sacrifice of Christ for our sins; the freeness of salvation through faith alone in Christ alone; baptism (a vow before God and witnesses that you will walk in newness of life); of laying on of hands (ordination into the ministry) of resurrection and eternal judgment. That’s milk.

          We just might have quite a bit of nurturing of our young people to do before we can start feeding them “meat.”

          Meat refers to the doctrines of eternal security, eternal rewards, witnessing, enduring persecution, chastening, submitting to authority, and many other things.

          So nurturing refers primarily to giving Biblical instructions.

          Then it says “admonition.” To admonish means to “warn and instruct.” The focus here is on the negative such as pointing out sin, and warning of judgment by God, the church, and by the parents.

          Of course, it goes without saying that the most important scriptural principle that must be taught is the plan of salvation. What good would it be to raise a fine upstanding citizen only to have them die and spend eternity in the lake of fire?

          We must teach them the simplicity of salvation - how that Christ took all of our sins onto Himself, then He died for them so that we can go to heaven by believing in what He has done as the only way to get to heaven.                     Pastor Jerry

 

 

Introduction:

            Baby dedication is not simply a time to show off a new baby. It is a vow by the mother and father of a child before God and witnesses to raise the child in the nurture and admonition of the Lord as is instructed in Ephesians 6:4. Since the very first instruction to mankind was “to be fruitful and multiply,” and this fruitfulness was not only having children, but having believing children, it becomes evident that this ceremony may be the most important ceremony of the church. Yea, THIS ceremony demonstrates the basic purpose of the church. It is more important than the marriage ceremony, because marriage is simply the first step in fulfilling God’s original purpose for mankind.  Therefore, borrowing words from the wedding ceremony, “This ceremony is not by any to be entered into lightly or unadvisedly, but rather reverently, soberly, discreetly, and in the fear of God.”

 But, really, we can’t dedicate a baby. We can only dedicate ourselves. To borrow words of Abraham Lincoln when he was called upon to dedicate the Gettysburg Battlefield, he said,  “But in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate-we cannot consecrate-we cannot hallow (this child) …It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the great task remaining before us.”

            Understand that there are three things that are necessary in the raising of a child. First, a dedicated Christian family. Second, a dedicated Christian education. And third, a dedicated Christian church.

            As it takes all three legs of a stool for it to sit upright, so it takes these three elements to raise a child upright.

   Dedication:

Will  you vow before God  that you will endeavor to raise your children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and that you will live a Godly example for them to follow? If so please tell God so.

           Remember: God says in Ecclesiastes 5:4-6

“When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.  Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.  Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?”  Ecclesiastes 5:4-6 (KJV)

 Abraham Lincoln said at the end of the dedication at Gettysburg, “The world will little note, nor long remember, what we say here…” But if we follow through with what is done here---or do not---it will have infinite impact on the child and eternity.

Memory Verse

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33 (KJV)

Read verse 31 and tell three things that shall be added.

 

1-    ___________ 2-  ____________ 3-  ____________

Read verse 30 and tell from where these things come.

___________________

 What must you do obtain these things from that source?

 ____________________________________________

 What two things are you commanded to seek?

 1-___________________________________

 

 

Memory Verse

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12 (KJV)

Read verse 10 and tell exactly in what name we are supposed to believe.                                                _________________________

 Does it matter who we worship as long as we are sincere?

 ____________________

As  you probably know, the name of Jesus means “God who saves and keeps, etc.

 Do you believe that Jesus and God the Father are the same person?                        ____________

(If you don’t, you’re not saved.)

Memory Verse

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6 (KJV)

 

            This is a short verse. It ought to be easy to memorize.

            While this verse gives us a very comprehensive command to fulfill, it also contains a wonderful promise.

What is the promise?

 ___________________________________________

 When does this promise say it will be fulfilled?

_______________________________

 

            Notice, it doesn’t say to teach the child, but to train him. Nor does it say to teach or tell him the way to go. You are to train him IN the way. That means that you must be in the way also, because that is where you are supposed to train him. Notice that the verse says to train him in the way he should go, not in the way he must go. That would suggest that this is not just teaching the law, but demonstrating Godly principles.

            Something else of dire importance is that you are in the way with the child. There are a lot of parents that think their children are just “in the way” alright, but the indication here is that you must spend time with the child. If you wait until he is ten or twelve years old, you’ve probably waited too long.

            Read John 14:6 and tell what would be the most important “way” you must teach your children.

 

________________________________________________

 

Read Isaiah 53:6 and Proverbs 16:25; 14:12,14 and tell what God says will happen to those who are not shown the right way.

            _______________________________________________________________________________________

Memory Verse

“But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.” I Thessalonians 2:4 (KJV)

Does God trust us? _______________________

With what does God trust us? _______________________

What are we supposed to do with the gospel? ___________

 What is God doing with our heart concerning the gospel?

 __________________________________________

Does this verse present this as a privilege or a command?

______________________

____________________________________________

 

Memory Verse

“For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.”

 I Corinthians 9:17 (KJV)

 Read verse 16 and tell what we are supposed to do, here.

____________________________________________

If we do this thing, what will happen?

____________________________________________

 A dispensation is a stewardship. What this is saying is there are a certain number of people that only you can reach with the gospel. If you do not “preach” or proclaim the gospel to them, they will never hear it. How does God feel about that?

Read Ezekiel 3:18                                    ______________________________

 

 

Memory Verse

“Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” I Timothy 4:12

 What does God say for us to be here? _________________

How can you be a Christian example in your word?

________________________________________________

How can you be a Christian example in purity?

_______________________________________________

Charity means love in the Bible, because love is an action in the Bible. How can you show charity toward the people in church?

____________________________________________________________________________________

 

Memory Verse

“Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.” I Timothy 4:13 (KJV)

What three things does God command us to attend?    1-_____________ 2- _______________ 3- _____________

            Attendance means a couple of things. Of course, to attend, you’ve got to be there. However, this word also means to pay attention. The idea is you come to learn and do. So to be an example of the believer in attendance you must go to church with the attitude that you want to build up the church, and want to pay attention so you can be built up yourself.

            Our young people are watching us to see what kind of example to follow. Remember, what the parents allow in moderation, the children will indulge in excess.

Memory Verse

“That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.” Psalms 26:7 (KJV)

What are we supposed to publish abroad?

_________________________________

For what are we supposed to be thankful?

_________________________________

What does it mean to “publish.”

_________________________________

What are we supposed to use to publish this?

_________________________________

 

“Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.”

Romans 1:21 (KJV)

In this  verse you begin to see a clear progression, (or should I say “digression”?) There was a time when all had knowledge of God. We were born with a “God-consciousness.” According to verses 19-20, God revealed Himself both “in man” (through the inborn god-consciousness) and unto man through nature. No animal has any concept of God. Animals have intellect, emotion, and will-all the elements of the soul, but they do not have a spirit. The spirit in man is what sets him apart from animals. The spirit is that part of man by which he may know God. Man was born with body, soul, and spirit thus giving him a unique potential to know God.

Then God revealed Himself through nature. The creation requires a creator. The order and complexity of nature shows that the creator must have intelligence beyond our ability to comprehend, and the magnitude of power of the creation demonstrates the enormous power of the creator. Finally, since the creator created all things in the beginning, He must be before the beginning. Thus, He must be eternal. In other words, the creation clearly demonstrates the creator’s eternal power and godhead.

But man, in his ignorance chose to glorify and honor the creature more than the creator. He chose to accept the religion of evolution that teaches that man, the highest form of creation, contrary to the laws of nature sprang from lower life forms. They refused t be thankful to God for what He had done for mankind, and turned to rocks and minerals as the source of existence. This lead inevitably to worthless imaginations in order to deny God. Then that led to a darkened heart. The darkened heart led to all sorts of wickedness mentioned in the following verses. All this came about, because man refused to acknowledge God and be thankful to Him.

What should we be thankful for? Everything, of course, since God has created everything for mankind; but primarily for the salvation that God has provided for us absolutely freely by dying on the cross to pay for all of our sins so that we can enjoy this life, and the eternal future with God.

Pastor Jerry

Memory Verse

“For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy.” II Timothy 3:2 (KJV)

Read verse 1 and tell when these characteristics take place.

            _________________________________________

List the characteristics of this time. ________________________________________________________________

Read verse 3 and tell other characteristics of this time. _____________________________________________

 Pray a prayer of thanksgiving right now.

 

Memory Verse

“Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.”

II Corinthians  9:15 (KJV)

Now, there’s another verse I think I can memorize!

            Just because this verse may be short, that doesn’t mean it is unimportant. In literature, short sentences are used for emphasis. Likewise, we should give this verse emphasis in our life. This verse is short enough that you could memorize it right now. Then you could go throughout the day repeating it. Maybe you could even do what the verse says to do throughout the day.

            What do you think is the most important thing for which you should be thankful to God?

______________________________________________

 

            Recently, there appeared during a Tampa Bay Rays game a clip of several of the players being asked a question.

            “What is one thing you would not want to live without?” Different players gave different answers. One: a long pause. Another: “One thing?” One player, however, answered immediately. “My Bible!”

            If there were only one of all God has given you that you could keep, what would that be? Of all that God has given you and done for you, for which are you most thankful?                    

    ___________________________________

            Giving thanks gives the indication of speaking. Yet God tells us that we are to give thanks for this “unspeakable” gift. Could that mean that we should never “finish” speaking of it?                                                 _____________________

 Read Romans 6:23 and Ephesians 2:8 and tell what the gift is in each verse.

                                    Romans 6:23: _________________

                                    Ephesians 2:8 ________________

Memory Verse

“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” I Thessalonians 5:18 (KJV)

Where does this verse tell us to give thanks?

_________ everything.

Does this tell you for what you are to give thanks? ______

 

Memory Verse

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” Philippians 4:6 (KJV)

 What is the word before “everything”? _______________

“Be care for nothing” means “Don’t be full of care about anything.” In other words: “Don’t worry.”

 What things are referred to in this verse? _____________

Our requests are supposed to be given with what?

______________________________________________

 Thank God for everything that you can think of in the next two minutes.

 

Memory Verse

“Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.” Psalms 100:4

 Where are we supposed to enter? __________________

We are supposed to enter with what two things?

1-    ___________________ 2- ______________

 

We are commanded to do what two things?

 

1-    ___________________ 2- ________________

List some things for which you are thankful, today.

______________________________________________

What are you most thankful for? __________________________________________________________________

 

Memory Verse

“Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” Psalms 106:1 (KJV)

 We are really only told to do one thing unto the Lord in this verse. What is it?

                                    ______________________________

 When you praise someone, you can do it to their face, or you can praise them to others. Which do you think is more important: giving praise to God, or praising God to others?

______________________________________________

 For what two things are we supposed to praise about God?

1-    __________________ 2- __________________

 

What is forever? ______________________

 

“And when He was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to Him, and asked Him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” Mark 10:17

What seems to be the problem here?

          The problem is there is nothing you can do inherit something. Inheritance by its very nature excludes the possibility of doing any works to receive  it. Inheritance comes by being born into a person’s family, by that person dying, and your being in that person’s will. Inheritance has nothing to do with what you do.

          So it is with eternal life as well. To inherit eternal life, one must be born of an eternal being. Only God is eternal, so anyone that wants to be eternal must get His life from God.    In other words, we must be born of God. Second, for us to inherit this eternal life, God would have to die. Thirdly, we would have to be in His will.

          Well, guess what. If we believe on the name of the Son of God (Jesus) we become sons of God. “To as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.” John 1:12. And He died. “God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8. Plus, if we believe on Him, we are in His will. “This is the will of Him that sent Me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on Him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.” John 6:40.

          A few verses after our memory verse Jesus comments about this His conversation with the young man who asked the question when He says, “With men this is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.” Verse 27.

          You see, salvation is: “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy he has saved us.” Titus 3;5.

Why? That’s because all have sinned, and no sin can enter heaven, because heaven is going to be a perfect place. If we went to heaven with even one sin, there would be sickness, sorrow, and death in heaven. So, Jesus paid for sin by dying on the cross. The only thing He requires of us is we must be born again into His family by believing on His name.

Pastor Jerry

 

Memory Verse

“But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.” Mark 10:30

 

When do we get the hundredfold? _____________________

 

Are the hundredfold things physical or spiritual? _________

 

Compare Matthew 19:29 and write how that verse says we obtain eternal life.

                                    ________________________________

 

With what does the hundredfold come? ________________

 

Explain what an hundredfold means.

 

_______________________________________________

 

 

Memory Verse

“And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?”  Luke 16:12 (KJV)

 

Who do you suppose “the other man” is in this verse?

 

___________________________________________

 

What is the requirement to receive that which is our own in this verse?

                        __________________________________

 

A person who is faithful with another man’s stuff is called a

 

_________________ in I Corinthians 4:2.                                   

 

The meaning of the word found in I Corinthians 4:2 is “manager.” Of what are we mangers according to verse one?

            ______________________________________

Memory Verse

“For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ”

Galatians  3:26

What must we do to become children of God?

 

_____________________________________

 

How many believers are children of God?

 

______________________________

 

There are a great many verses in the Bible that speak of our being children of God and sons of God. There are many verses that speak about our being heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ. This is true of the Old Testament as well as in the New. In the Old Testament the inheritance usually referred to the promised land that God promised to Abraham and His descendants. In the New Testament we see that our inheritance is reserved in heaven and has eternal benefits. These truths seem to indicate a change in God’s plan or maybe even a contradiction. However, the answer lies in our lack of understanding of the concept of inheritance in the Bible.

            When a child was born he was considered just that-a child- until he was around twelve to thirteen years old. Then he was “adopted” (into his own family), and he became a “son of the law.” At that point he was considered an adult. Unless he was going to “college” to become a “doctor of the law” (so to speak) he was finished with his education. He would start working for his father as an apprentice (with no pay) until he was about thirty years old at which time he would buy a wife and start his family.

            Oh, yeah, if all this time he was working to learn his trade without pay, where would he get the money to pay the dowry? When he finished his schooling he received his inheritance. This would probably consist of land, cattle, and maybe some money. This is what he would use to begin building his house, crops, flocks, and clientele. These would be what he would use to raise the price of the dowry.

            Only the firstborn would receive anything at his father’s death.

Memory Verse

“To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you.” I Peter 1:4 (KJV)

 

Where is our inheritance? ___________________________

 

For whom is this inheritance reserved? _________________

 

Name three characteristics of this inheritance. It is:

 

__________________________

 

__________________________

 

And it ____________________________________

 

Would we receive this inheritance before or after we die?

 

_________________________

 

Memory Verse

“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” I John 3:2 (KJV)

What are we according to this verse? _________________

When is this true of us? ___________________________

How is this different from what we read in Galatians 3:26?

 _______________________________________________

If we are sons in contrast to children, what should we expect to be doing?

_____________________________________

Suggest how you think this might relate to us spiritually.

 ________________________________________________

Memory Verse

“And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” Romans 8:17 (KJV)

 Read verse 15 and tell what kind of children we are.

______________________________________________

 Read verse 16 and tell whose children we are.

 _______________________________________________

 If we are children, then we are _______________ of God.

This verse tells us that we are joint heirs with whom? ______

Who is the first born of God? ____________________

 

Memory Verse

“Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.” Colossians 3:24 (KJV)

 In this verse the inheritance is also called a ____________ .

 According to I Corinthians 3:14, we receive rewards for doing what?

                        ______________________________

 Now, it begins to get confusing. Here’s the deal. When we trust Christ as our Savior, God immediately gives us the gift of the Holy Spirit. According to Ephesians 1:14, He is the earnest payment of our inheritance. Then the Holy Spirit “gifts us” with enough of God’s goods to enable us to accomplish the business that God wants us to do here on earth. If we invest that portion of our inheritance wisely, we will receive an hundredfold return.

If we waste this inheritance, we will still inherit the Kingdom in the position of Jesus Christ, but we will not receive a reward of our own.

 

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

Herein is the greatest demonstration of love possible. According to John 15:13 the greatest action of love is to lay down your life for your friends. However, in the above verse Jesus died for us while we were enemies of God (Verse 10). In this verse we are at best “potential” friends of God. Whether we become His friends or not is irrelevant. At the point in which He died for us we were His enemies.

Even after we trust Christ as our Savior few of us become friends of God in this lifetime. Jesus said that We are His friends “If ye do whatsoever I command you.” However, we cannot be saved by keeping His commands (Galatians 2:16), nor can we stay saved by keeping His commands (I Peter 1:5), so it is possible, yea, it is certain that many that are saved are not keeping Christ’s commands. Consequently, many who are saved are not friends of God.

Is it any wonder that Christians aren’t being blessed by God? While we are no longer His enemies, and we are now at peace (no longer at war) with God, most Christians don’t have the peace OF God. The peace of God is the fruit of the Spirit. Is it not revealing that in Proverbs 10:16 labor and fruit are equated? The fruit of the Spirit comes through obedience. We have to work to receive it. Peace with God is free. The peace, love, and, joy are fruits of our own labor for God.

Praise God, He provided salvation for us while we were in our rebellious sinful condition. It’s free. All we have to do is receive it by trusting that Jesus is God the Father in the flesh that died to pay for all of our sin. There are none of your works involved, however, works are important. If you want to be a friend of God, you must be obedient to His Commands. Unfortunately, not only do we not keep them, and usually don’t even know what He requires of us, but many Christians don’t even care.   

Pastor Jerry

Memory Verse

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”  John 15:13 (KJV)

What is the greatest action of love?

_______________________________

 Who laid down His life for His friends? _______________

 In the Bible, love is an action. In other words it is something that you do regardless of the way you feel. We have become an infantile society. We are prone to act upon or act out our feelings. That is infantile, because even an infant will do that. It takes character and maturity to do the right thing even though you do not feel like it.

By the laws of nature, when you act upon something, there is an equal amount of reaction. The reaction to acting out our love is a feeling that the world calls love.

 

Memory Verse

“Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.”

John 15:14 (KJV)

What is the condition Christ gives to be His friend?

__________________________________________

Do all believers keep God’s commandments? ___________

 Are all believers friends of God? _____________________

 Do you think that there are benefits to being a friend of God in this life?

                        ______________________

Name a few. _____________________________________

 

 

Memory Verse

“For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.”

For whom did Christ die in this verse? ________________

 When did He die for us according to this verse?

___________________________________________

Notice that this verse is nowhere complimentary of us. Also notice that there is no action required of us in this verse. Christ’s death is viewed as talking place “When we were yet without strength.” We had no strength of character. We did nothing to deserve His favor. We had no strength of stamina. There is no indication of our holding on, holding out, or enduring to the end. We had no strength of faith. God does not offer salvation on the basis is strong faith, enduring faith, or sincere faith. The Bible never speaks of saving faith. The only difference between faith that saves and faith that does not save is the object of faith. If you place your faith in your own turning, sorrow, commitment, or perseverance, you have placed your faith in the wrong object. Weak faith, wavering faith, and workless faith (Romans 4:5) will do just fine. How do I know? I know, because that faith you have came from God. Romans 12:3 points out that God gives to every man the measure of faith (a small measure or a large measure), then it’s up to us to place that faith in the correct object (the payment for sin that Jesus made), then strengthen that faith by studying the Word of God (Romans 10:17)

What two ways are we described in this verse?

1-    ___________________ 2- __________________

What did Jesus do in this verse? ___________________

What do we have to do in this verse?

 ______________________________________________

Memory Verse

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

What did Christ do for us in this verse?

______________________________________________

What condition were we in when Christ died for us?

____________________________________________

Obviously, we weren’t even born when Christ died, so why do you think God tells us that He died while we were sinners?

 ________________________________________________

Have you accepted Christ’s death to pay for your sin? _____

 

Memory Verse

“Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.”

What does this say justifies us? ____________________

 When are we considered justified? _________________

 What are we saved from? ________________________

Who is under the wrath of God? (Read John 3:36)

______________________________________________

 We are saved from wrath through what? ______________

 “Justified” means “Declared Righteous.” It is much like a declaration of “Not Guilty” at the end of a trial. That means that we have a legal standing before the judgment of God of not guilty.

 

Memory Verse

“For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” Romans 5:10 (KJV)

 Being “Reconciled” means to be brought back into a right relationship. It would be like a separated couple getting back together. In this verse we are not just separated, but we are actually at war with God and are His enemy. What is it that reconciles us?

________________________________________________

What is the timing (tense) of this reconciliation?

 _________________________________

 What does this say to do to be reconciled? ______________

 ________________________________________________

 

Memory Verse

“Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” I John 4:10 (KJV)

Propitiation means “Satisfactory Payment.” That could be contrasted with a “Time (unsatisfactory) payment.” If you buy a car on time payments, and you quit making the payments, what will happen to the car?

________________________________________________

If you make a propitiatory (complete) payment, could the car be taken back?

                                    ______________

 What is the payment for sin? (Romans 6:23) ____________

Did Jesus make that payment? (Romans 5;8) _______

Are all of your sins paid for? _____________

“And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.” Acts 13:39

This verse gives us a couple of absolutes that are very important. First of all, we see that this truth is true of all believers-every single one of them. If you have trusted Jesus as your only and complete hope to get you to heaven, this verse is written to you. The first three words of the verse makes it clear that, whatever this verse is saying about all believers, the truth of this verse was accomplished by Him (Jesus). The next absolute we see is that all things are included. That would include all past things, all future things, all forgotten things, all intentional things, etc. We also see that we are justified concerning these things. That means we are “declared righteous.” That would be the equivalent of a judge pronouncing us “not guilty.” Oh, we are guilty all right. However, Jesus took our sins upon Himself. Then He died and paid for them, because the wages of sin is death. Since He paid the penalty for all of our sins-He paid the fine, so to speak-that leaves nothing for which we can be considered guilty. So God, the righteous judge, declares us “not guilty.” Finally, in this verse, we see that this process is not accomplished by us or our own relationship to the law. We couldn’t be considered “not guilty” by our relationship to the law , which would be our works or lack of sin, because we have broken God’s law.

However, there is something else almost unrelated at work in this passage. In Verse 38 God tells us that through Jesus Christ we also receive the forgiveness of sins.

“Isn’t that pretty much the same thing?”  some would ask.

Not at all! Actually, the forgiveness in salvation took place before we believed (Luke 23:34) and is really the basis upon which God took our sins upon Himself to begin with.

“But doesn’t the word ‘and’ show equality?”

Yeah, sometimes, but, as any student that has worked math word problems knows, whenever you see the word “and” you probably are going to have some addition. So, in this verse God is telling that in addition to God forgiving us for all of our sins so that God is not mad at us for His having to die, His death paid for all of our sins as well, and justifies us. All we have to do is believe in Him.   Pastor Jerry

 

 

Memory Verse

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” I John 1:9 (KJV)

What is the condition to receive forgiveness in this verse?

_____________________________________________

Read Verses 3, 6, and 7. What word do you see used twice in verse 3, and once in verse 6 and 7?

                                                                        ________________

From the above question, what is the purpose of confession and forgiveness? __________________________________

Read verse 4 and tell what the by-product of fellowship is.

 

Memory Verse

“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” James 5:16 (KJV)

We learned that our fellowship begins with confession of our sins. Obviously we must confess our sins to God, but this verse tells us that we should also confess to whom? _________________________________

This does not mean that you go around telling people about you sins, nor does it mean that you confess to a priest or pastor. It means that you confess to the person you have wronged. You must confess private sins to God alone. Sins against another must be confessed to that person you sinned against. However, if it is a public sin, it must be confessed publically.

 

 

Memory Verse

“Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.” II Corinthians 2:11 (KJV)

As believers, we do not have to be ignorant of Satan’s devices, because they are revealed in the Word of God. However, most Christians are in fact woefully ignorant of Satan’s devices due to the fact that they do not know the Word of God.

 

 “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.” II Corinthians 12:7

If you were to determine to memorize this verse, you would find it encouraging to note that there is a lengthy phrase that is repeated in this verse. The purpose of the situation mentioned in this verse is “lest I should be exalted above measure.”

To be sure, those who display humility will be exalted in heaven, but those who are exalted above measure are those that seek glory for themselves in this lifetime. We can see the manner in which this is accomplished in the life of Job. Satan was given permission by God to destroy all of his family, his substance, and even his health, but Satan was the one who did it, not God. Unbeknownst to Satan, he was accomplishing the very thing that God wanted to teach in and through the life of Job. Secondly, it is important to note that Satan brought his protest to God in the midst of the assembly of the children of God as they sacrificed and were present before God.

While it definitely could have been a physical malady that afflicted  Paul in the above verse, the point is that whatever this persecution was, it was done by the messenger of Satan. It is far more likely that the messenger of Satan in the verse was a person. We know that there were legalistic Jews that incessantly undermined God’s ministry that Paul was trying to accomplish by bringing lying attacks on his person, method, and message.  

Of even more import is the place pride has in our salvation. “Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.” Romans 3:27-28

God eliminated any chance of our boasting about our salvation by eliminating the element of human works altogether. Salvation is “Not yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

If you have been trusting your own good works in any way to help get you to heaven, you have not trusted Christ. Jesus claimed that He finished the work for salvation on the cross. You either trust His statement, or not. Trust Him. He’s trustworthy.                Pastor Jerry

 

 

Memory Verse

“Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.” Galatians 5:2 (KJV)

In the Bible the word “Vain” means: “worthless” or “empty.”

What is vain in this verse?   _________________

 What are we not to desire? _________________

What two things does glory cause?

_____________________ one another

_____________________ one another

The printed portion after the last two blanks shows us that glory affects who?

                                    _____________________ 

 

Memory Verse

“It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.” Psalm 119:71

What is good in this verse? _______________________

The purpose of affliction is to teach us what?

 ____________________________________________

 If you can, name some people in the Bible who were afflicted, and how they were afflicted. (Hint: Read Hebrews 11:11:35-40;

 II Corinthians 11:23-30; Acts 5:40; 7:57-60;

 _____________________________________________

______________________________________________

 ______________________________________________

Memory Verse

“Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.” Romans 3:27 (KJV)

According to Ephesians 2:8-9, we are saved by faith and not of works. Verse nine tells us why our works have no part in saving us. It is so no man can boast about his salvation. God is very careful about excluding pride in salvation. The reason for that is probably best demonstrated by Satan himself. The original sin in the universe was the sin of Satan. The original sin of Satan was that his heart was lifted up because of his beauty. In other words he became proud. Consequently, Satan appealed to the pride of Eve when tempting her to commit mankind’s original sin by appealing to her pride. He told her that she would be like a god.

Man’s basic bent to sin is the bent of pride. The main reason people don’t get saved is pride. Pity the poor person who said, “If I can’t earn my salvation, then I don’t want it.” You can be certain that, unless that person changed his mind, he died without salvation.

However, for us that are saved, there is also a consequence to pride. Pride causes our own destruction. It is the sole root of contention. It is the cause of envy and provocation, and is the extinguisher of grace. If you want God’s unmerited favor (to be treated like His favorite) then you must quit doing things for yourself and your own welfare, and start doing things for God and other people’s welfare.

                                                Pastor Jerry

 By what law is boasting excluded? ___________________

By what law is boasting not excluded? ________________

Read Verse 28. What is the goal of these two verses?

___________________________________________

What may we conclude? __________________________

 

Memory Verse

“Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.”  Proverbs 13:10 (KJV)

What causes contention? ________________________

The first three words in the verse point out that pride could come from where else?

                                                ______________________

 What will a wise person not have? ____________________

In this verse, from where does wisdom come? ___________

Does it take humility to accept advice? _________________

 What is the best kind of advice? ______________________

 

Memory Verse

“Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18 (KJV)

 Pride is also called a ________________ spirit.

What two things are the results of pride in this verse?

1-    ____________________ 2- ____________________

What are some ways a person with a haughty spirit might treat someone else? 

 ________________________________________________

What can you do to choose to be humble? ________________________________________________

Memory Verse

“For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”