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TRINITY BASICS
How do you describe the trinity? (discussion)
It is interesting that the word “trinity” does not appear in the Bible. Consequently we have some controversy in the Christian community. (Jesus Only)
It is interesting that we are created in God’s image having body, soul and spirit.
God the Father,
God the Son,
And God the Holy Spirit
All three appear throughout the Bible, beginning with creation in the first chapter of Genesis.
Let’s start with God the Son.
What can you tell me about God the Son?
Remember, when we learn about God, we can only know those things about him which he has chosen to reveal.
(example of trying to reveal yourself to an earthworm)
Colossians 1:15-20
“He is the image of the invisible God…”
“…the firstborn over all creation.”
“For by him all things were created…”
“He is before all things…”
“…in him all things hold together.”
“he is the head of the body, the church”
“he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead”
“in everything he might have the supremacy”
“God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him”
“through him to reconcile to himself all things …by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.”
What can you tell me about God the Father?
John 4:24
What is he called in the Old Testament Hebrew?
(If Jesus is the body, would God be the Mind?)
What do we know about God the Spirit?
(discussion)
Function of the Holy Spirit:
John 16:5-16
(1) He will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin, righteousness, and judgment.
(2) He will guide you into all truth
(3) He will tell you what is yet to come
(4) He will bring glory to me
(discussion)
When you go to heaven, will you see God, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit?
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
WASTE
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WASTE (Give credit to Watchman Nee for these principles)
Be thinking: What does Jesus mean to you?
This occurred at the home of Simon the Leper, in the town of Bethany, where Lazarus lived. Some think Lazarus was a relative of Simon.
A costly vial of perfume (a year’s wages) is poured on Jesus. Jesus said this story would always accompany the gospel, so there is something Jesus intends for us to understand.
Be thinking about that as we read: Matt 26: 6-13; Mark 14:3-9; John 12: 1-8
What do you think Jesus intends for us to understand?
(he wants people to waste themselves on him)
The immediate reaction of Judas is that it could have been sold and money given to the poor.
The word we want to focus on is: Waste.
Waste simply means giving too much.
If you eat a $5 meal and leave a $5 tip, it is a waste.
Waste means you give too much for what you get back.
Parents get angry when they invest their lives in their kids and get nothing back.
When you lose your quarter in the machine, you say “what a waste.”
“waste” means what you are receiving is not worth as much as you give.
Now let’s look at the disciples reaction: Judas led the attack.
Remember Judas had never accepted Jesus as Lord of his life.
To Judas, anything poured out, even water, would have been a waste.
Judas represents the world. He wanted to channel money into social programs. I have nothing against good social programs, but let’s keep our priorities straight.
If you do expend any energy on spiritual things, the world considers it a total waste. “You go to church every Sunday? …Wednesday night???”
Have you ever heard this one: “It’s too bad that man is a preacher…he would have been a real success in the business world.”
The fact is, if the Lord is worthy, then how can it be a waste?
He is worthy to be served.
He is worthy to be worshiped.
Worthy is the lamb!
Jesus replied…”don’t bother her”
So let’s not be bothered by the world.
When our eyes have been opened to how worthy Jesus is, then nothing is too good for him.
What about the other disciples?
We don’t mind too much what the world says, but we do care what our fellow Christians say.
The other disciples joined in the chorus. They didn’t understand what she was doing either. “This could have been sold and given to the poor.”
But Jesus approved of Mary wasting all she had on him.
It is important to use our talents for worthwhile activities, but has Jesus been satisfied? It is not a question of whether the poor have been helped or not. We’ll take care of the widows and orphans, but Jesus comes first. Remember what Elijah said to the widow” Feed me first.
Our service to the Lord is not to be measured by tangible results!!
The Lord’s first concern is with our position at his feet and our anointing of his head.
What did Jesus say about what Mary did? (Mark 14:8)
“She did what she could”
What exactly did she do?
She wasted her all. That’s all he wants! He wants you to pour all you have on the alter of God. God will never be satisfied without our wasting ourselves on him.
The principle of waste is the principle of power.
What is your position at the feet of Jesus?
Are you kneeling, pouring yourself out, or standing, pointing out to God where he can use you?
If we are standing, then the danger is that we will be destroyed by spiritual pride.
Let’s talk about waste from a different angle:
Did you ever find your ministry in the church put on the shelf?
God dares to put his greatest ambassadors behind bars (why?)
God has every right to suspend our ministry, in order to discover whether we are captivated by the ministry, or captivated by Jesus.
The apostle Paul could have prayed from prison …”Oh God, use me again as you did in times past.”
What was his attitude” “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content…”
Back to the story…What brought this whole issue to the attention of the disciples? (the fragrance)
John 12:3 It filled the house.
When you meet someone who is wasting themselves on Jesus, there is a fragrance about their life.
The fragrance of Mary is in the church today. Not what we do, but what we are.
Those who have the fragrance of Mary create a hunger in others to know Christ. (2 Cor 2: 15-16)
Let’s pray that our lives would have the fragrance of Mary.
WASTE (Give credit to Watchman Nee for these principles)
Be thinking: What does Jesus mean to you?
This occurred at the home of Simon the Leper, in the town of Bethany, where Lazarus lived. Some think Lazarus was a relative of Simon.
A costly vial of perfume (a year’s wages) is poured on Jesus. Jesus said this story would always accompany the gospel, so there is something Jesus intends for us to understand.
Be thinking about that as we read: Matt 26: 6-13; Mark 14:3-9; John 12: 1-8
What do you think Jesus intends for us to understand?
(he wants people to waste themselves on him)
The immediate reaction of Judas is that it could have been sold and money given to the poor.
The word we want to focus on is: Waste.
Waste simply means giving too much.
If you eat a $5 meal and leave a $5 tip, it is a waste.
Waste means you give too much for what you get back.
Parents get angry when they invest their lives in their kids and get nothing back.
When you lose your quarter in the machine, you say “what a waste.”
“waste” means what you are receiving is not worth as much as you give.
Now let’s look at the disciples reaction: Judas led the attack.
Remember Judas had never accepted Jesus as Lord of his life.
To Judas, anything poured out, even water, would have been a waste.
Judas represents the world. He wanted to channel money into social programs. I have nothing against good social programs, but let’s keep our priorities straight.
If you do expend any energy on spiritual things, the world considers it a total waste. “You go to church every Sunday? …Wednesday night???”
Have you ever heard this one: “It’s too bad that man is a preacher…he would have been a real success in the business world.”
The fact is, if the Lord is worthy, then how can it be a waste?
He is worthy to be served.
He is worthy to be worshiped.
Worthy is the lamb!
Jesus replied…”don’t bother her”
So let’s not be bothered by the world.
When our eyes have been opened to how worthy Jesus is, then nothing is too good for him.
What about the other disciples?
We don’t mind too much what the world says, but we do care what our fellow Christians say.
The other disciples joined in the chorus. They didn’t understand what she was doing either. “This could have been sold and given to the poor.”
But Jesus approved of Mary wasting all she had on him.
It is important to use our talents for worthwhile activities, but has Jesus been satisfied? It is not a question of whether the poor have been helped or not. We’ll take care of the widows and orphans, but Jesus comes first. Remember what Elijah said to the widow” Feed me first.
Our service to the Lord is not to be measured by tangible results!!
The Lord’s first concern is with our position at his feet and our anointing of his head.
What did Jesus say about what Mary did? (Mark 14:8)
“She did what she could”
What exactly did she do?
She wasted her all. That’s all he wants! He wants you to pour all you have on the alter of God. God will never be satisfied without our wasting ourselves on him.
The principle of waste is the principle of power.
What is your position at the feet of Jesus?
Are you kneeling, pouring yourself out, or standing, pointing out to God where he can use you?
If we are standing, then the danger is that we will be destroyed by spiritual pride.
Let’s talk about waste from a different angle:
Did you ever find your ministry in the church put on the shelf?
God dares to put his greatest ambassadors behind bars (why?)
God has every right to suspend our ministry, in order to discover whether we are captivated by the ministry, or captivated by Jesus.
The apostle Paul could have prayed from prison …”Oh God, use me again as you did in times past.”
What was his attitude” “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content…”
Back to the story…What brought this whole issue to the attention of the disciples? (the fragrance)
John 12:3 It filled the house.
When you meet someone who is wasting themselves on Jesus, there is a fragrance about their life.
The fragrance of Mary is in the church today. Not what we do, but what we are.
Those who have the fragrance of Mary create a hunger in others to know Christ. (2 Cor 2: 15-16)
Let’s pray that our lives would have the fragrance of Mary.
IT'S ALL ABOUT YOU JESUS
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It’s All About You Jesus, Introduction
(IT’S ALL ABOUT YOU JESUS, BY FAWN PARRISH)
A SERIES OF EIGHT LESSONS
What makes Christianity more than a religion?
(discussion)
Today we want to look at two aspects of what Jesus did.
I John 1:9 …by grace are you saved through faith…
Hebrews 10:14 …those who are being made holy…
Too often we accept the grace, but fail to accept the power.
Ephesians 3:20 …according to his power at work in you…
Phil 2:13 God works in you
Remember what happened after the resurrection—Jesus instructed the disciples to wait for the Holy Spirit, who would do what?
So, there are two parts to your being saved—the salvation, and the life that follows
**Did you trust him to die for you?
**Will you trust him to live in you?
Three keys to abiding in Christ
1. Absolutely give up.
Be totally dependent on Jesus
II Cor 5:17 you are a new creation
John 5:19 Jesus could do nothing without the Father
Am I better than Jesus? No—I can do nothing without Jesus. I will take no step except in recognition that I can to nothing apart from Christ.
John 15:5 …without me, you can do nothing…
How much could the Father do through the Son?
How much can the Son do through you?
He is limited only by the measure of our availability.
Colossians 2:9-10 in Him dwells all the fullness of the godhead bodily...
2. Relate everything as it happens to the power of Jesus working in you.
I Thess 5:16 rejoice evermore
17 pray without ceasing
18 in everything give thanks
Let’s paraphrase these verses in our own words: (discussion)
Rejoice evermore—(be incorrigibly cheerful)
Pray without ceasing—(expose every situation to the all-sufficiency of Jesus)
In everything give thanks—
**Is there anything in your life happening right now that you are not willing to give to Jesus? If so, you are saying that He has nothing to give you for that situation.
3. Allow the H.S. to occupy your entire personality with the adequacy of Jesus
Ephesians 5:19-20
Expose every temptation, every trial to the divine H.S.
Remember the two parts of our being saved—
To be in Christ=salvation=fit for heaven
To have Christ=fit for earth!!
We are called to walk by faith; to walk in the Spirit.
We are more than conquerors.
Isaiah 58:8-end A promise to those who walk in faith.
A promise to you!!
God can turn your life around!!
It’s All About You, Jesus (Fawn Parish)
(Lesson One)
Who is Jesus?
Hebrews 1; Colossians 1 (discussion of the Trinity & the role of Jesus)
There is a tendency for our eyes to wander off Jesus and on to the need. Can you name some organizations that have gone down that path?
What is the difference between Christians gathering and Jesus being the subject vs. the assumed subject?
Is Jesus the end or the means?
Example: Should we seek revival, or should we seek Jesus?
Jesus is not a means to an end, but Jesus is the end. Revival is Jesus. Signs and wonders are the result.
How can we as a church avoid seeking the means?
God’s intention is for Jesus to be all-in-all.
I. Cor. 15:25 He must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.
Jesus, the heart of my devotional life.
(lesson two)
Let’s look at some ways on how not to approach devotions, and then discuss how to do it correctly.
How not to—
1. a school assignment
2. like an accountant
3. a refrigerator
4. our focus becomes something other than Jesus
5. our thirst becomes the focus
6. seeking a spiritual experience becomes the focus
How to do it correctly:
(list ideas from the class)
remember Jesus is a person, not a principle
read—meditate—prayer—contemplation
keep a journal
turn scripture into prayer
worship & praise
Jesus, the heart of my worship
(lesson three)
Three big dangers to our worship:
1. Pride
Thinking you have the key to worship causes a spirit of pride, leading to the next two:
2. Gnosticism
This was a problem in the early church.
It means having a contempt for material things and a lust for the secretive.
3. Religious Spirit
Any time we embrace anything other than Jesus, the focus becomes inward.
With God, the Holy Spirit points us outward to Jesus
Pride divides; love includes.
Discussion: What is true worship?
(It centers on Jesus.)
Exodus 34:6-7 Moses asked to see God’s glory. How is it defined? (Hebrews 1 “exact representation”)
True worship is to bring who I really am to who God really is.
Worship is an act of the will. It is a natural result when we understand who God is.
Jesus, the heart of my thought life.
(lesson 4)
II. Cor. 10:5 “take captive every thought” (read)
(discuss the power of a creative mind)
II Samuel 11:1-5 Discuss—
What did David do wrong?
Where did it start?
Is Satan mentioned in the story? Was he involved?
List some keys to taking captive your thoughts--
Phil 4:8 “whatever things are true…”
Feast on what is good.
Be a gatekeeper of your heart (3 monkeys)
Ps. 139:23-24 David’s prayer
Other scriptures?
I.Cor. 2:16 (read)
What is the mind of Christ? (list)
--thoughts
--prayers
--desires
Jesus, the Heart of my Salvation
(lesson five) (think back to your initial salvation experience)
Every experience is different. What was yours? Were you in church?
(page 68, Parish)
Fawn Parish says that the net growth of Christianity in the U.S. for the past 10 years is zero.
Why?
What are we doing wrong?
--we have lost our passion for the lost
--other?
Jesus had many turn away and never follow him again.
Read John 6:53-69
Why did they walk away?
Why do new Christians walk away after six months, or two years, or five years?
**Jesus is never in a hurry.**
If Jesus is never in a hurry, then what draws people to Him?
Be care of formula prayers for salvation. (describe) It’s possible to pray with someone to receive Jesus as savior and they have not been drawn by the Holy Spirit. Consequently, there is no repentance.
When would we be tempted to do this with a new Christian? (p 73, Parish)
Beware of a message about the benefits instead of a message about Jesus. Can you describe the difference?
What would Jesus say today if he gave an alter call?
(p. 77, Parish)
**Salvation is a person. (“I am the way, the truth, and the life”) (discuss)
Conclusion: read p. 85 Parish
Jesus, the Heart of my Relationships
(lesson six)
God made us to experience relationships.
“No man is an island.”
Jesus had 12 disciples.
The military uses small teams.
Jesus sent out the 70 by twos.
Prisons use solitary confinement as punishment.
People will do just about anything to not be alone.
Why did God create us like this?
We are created to have fellowship with God—Father, Son, H.S.
Have you ever met someone on a plane or bus who was a Christian? Were you strangers long? Why not?
“Friendship Evangelism” is a popular phrase. What does it mean?
1. love people for who they are
2. see them as Jesus sees them
3. become a true friend
4. actually enjoy their company
5. other?
How do you love the unlovely?
How do you enjoy talking to someone who has a different value system?
We need to love people for who they are—not what they believe.
**Do not become their friend with an “agenda”**
How will Jesus in my heart affect my relationships?
Finish this sentence:
Jesus in my heart will…
**Jesus in my heart will give me a love for people.**
(Am I critical or compassionate?)
**Jesus in my heart will make me an encourager.**
…make me a listener
…help me appreciate diverse interests
…keep me from being intimidated by the opinions expressed by others
…cause me to have an open heart to those around me
Read Parish, page 103
Jesus, the Heart of my Story to Other Cultures
(lesson seven)
Tell me some cultural differences we have with England.
France?
Mexico?
(discuss Bruchko)
We are still considered by most 3rd world nations to be a “Christian” nation.
What is the difference between Christianity and Jesus?
(list)
--Christianity had a beginning
How do you think missionaries should live in other cultures—as they are accustomed; or like those around them? What are the advantages/disadvantages of each?
How do we introduce them to Jesus without asking them to accept our culture?
**Can we trust God when other cultures express their faith in ways that are unfamiliar to us?**
Is our fear of the unfamiliar greater than our love for Jesus?
Jesus, the Heart of my Story to a New Generation #8
Last week we talked about cultural differences.
This week we will talk about sub-cultural differences.
Is there a sub-culture in our country that you have to work at accepting?
Can someone with multiple piercing be a Christian?
How about dreadlocks?
What is your comfort zone?
How do we cross the divide?
Suggestions for bridging the gap….(overhead)
(Joshua and Caleb had the ultimate generation gap)
--seeking the compassion of Jesus
--acquiring knowledge about them
--becoming acquainted with them
--starting a church ministry for that subculture
--developing a “sister” relationship with
a church in North Portland
--other?
It’s All About You Jesus, Introduction
(IT’S ALL ABOUT YOU JESUS, BY FAWN PARRISH)
A SERIES OF EIGHT LESSONS
What makes Christianity more than a religion?
(discussion)
Today we want to look at two aspects of what Jesus did.
I John 1:9 …by grace are you saved through faith…
Hebrews 10:14 …those who are being made holy…
Too often we accept the grace, but fail to accept the power.
Ephesians 3:20 …according to his power at work in you…
Phil 2:13 God works in you
Remember what happened after the resurrection—Jesus instructed the disciples to wait for the Holy Spirit, who would do what?
So, there are two parts to your being saved—the salvation, and the life that follows
**Did you trust him to die for you?
**Will you trust him to live in you?
Three keys to abiding in Christ
1. Absolutely give up.
Be totally dependent on Jesus
II Cor 5:17 you are a new creation
John 5:19 Jesus could do nothing without the Father
Am I better than Jesus? No—I can do nothing without Jesus. I will take no step except in recognition that I can to nothing apart from Christ.
John 15:5 …without me, you can do nothing…
How much could the Father do through the Son?
How much can the Son do through you?
He is limited only by the measure of our availability.
Colossians 2:9-10 in Him dwells all the fullness of the godhead bodily...
2. Relate everything as it happens to the power of Jesus working in you.
I Thess 5:16 rejoice evermore
17 pray without ceasing
18 in everything give thanks
Let’s paraphrase these verses in our own words: (discussion)
Rejoice evermore—(be incorrigibly cheerful)
Pray without ceasing—(expose every situation to the all-sufficiency of Jesus)
In everything give thanks—
**Is there anything in your life happening right now that you are not willing to give to Jesus? If so, you are saying that He has nothing to give you for that situation.
3. Allow the H.S. to occupy your entire personality with the adequacy of Jesus
Ephesians 5:19-20
Expose every temptation, every trial to the divine H.S.
Remember the two parts of our being saved—
To be in Christ=salvation=fit for heaven
To have Christ=fit for earth!!
We are called to walk by faith; to walk in the Spirit.
We are more than conquerors.
Isaiah 58:8-end A promise to those who walk in faith.
A promise to you!!
God can turn your life around!!
It’s All About You, Jesus (Fawn Parish)
(Lesson One)
Who is Jesus?
Hebrews 1; Colossians 1 (discussion of the Trinity & the role of Jesus)
There is a tendency for our eyes to wander off Jesus and on to the need. Can you name some organizations that have gone down that path?
What is the difference between Christians gathering and Jesus being the subject vs. the assumed subject?
Is Jesus the end or the means?
Example: Should we seek revival, or should we seek Jesus?
Jesus is not a means to an end, but Jesus is the end. Revival is Jesus. Signs and wonders are the result.
How can we as a church avoid seeking the means?
God’s intention is for Jesus to be all-in-all.
I. Cor. 15:25 He must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.
Jesus, the heart of my devotional life.
(lesson two)
Let’s look at some ways on how not to approach devotions, and then discuss how to do it correctly.
How not to—
1. a school assignment
2. like an accountant
3. a refrigerator
4. our focus becomes something other than Jesus
5. our thirst becomes the focus
6. seeking a spiritual experience becomes the focus
How to do it correctly:
(list ideas from the class)
remember Jesus is a person, not a principle
read—meditate—prayer—contemplation
keep a journal
turn scripture into prayer
worship & praise
Jesus, the heart of my worship
(lesson three)
Three big dangers to our worship:
1. Pride
Thinking you have the key to worship causes a spirit of pride, leading to the next two:
2. Gnosticism
This was a problem in the early church.
It means having a contempt for material things and a lust for the secretive.
3. Religious Spirit
Any time we embrace anything other than Jesus, the focus becomes inward.
With God, the Holy Spirit points us outward to Jesus
Pride divides; love includes.
Discussion: What is true worship?
(It centers on Jesus.)
Exodus 34:6-7 Moses asked to see God’s glory. How is it defined? (Hebrews 1 “exact representation”)
True worship is to bring who I really am to who God really is.
Worship is an act of the will. It is a natural result when we understand who God is.
Jesus, the heart of my thought life.
(lesson 4)
II. Cor. 10:5 “take captive every thought” (read)
(discuss the power of a creative mind)
II Samuel 11:1-5 Discuss—
What did David do wrong?
Where did it start?
Is Satan mentioned in the story? Was he involved?
List some keys to taking captive your thoughts--
Phil 4:8 “whatever things are true…”
Feast on what is good.
Be a gatekeeper of your heart (3 monkeys)
Ps. 139:23-24 David’s prayer
Other scriptures?
I.Cor. 2:16 (read)
What is the mind of Christ? (list)
--thoughts
--prayers
--desires
Jesus, the Heart of my Salvation
(lesson five) (think back to your initial salvation experience)
Every experience is different. What was yours? Were you in church?
(page 68, Parish)
Fawn Parish says that the net growth of Christianity in the U.S. for the past 10 years is zero.
Why?
What are we doing wrong?
--we have lost our passion for the lost
--other?
Jesus had many turn away and never follow him again.
Read John 6:53-69
Why did they walk away?
Why do new Christians walk away after six months, or two years, or five years?
**Jesus is never in a hurry.**
If Jesus is never in a hurry, then what draws people to Him?
Be care of formula prayers for salvation. (describe) It’s possible to pray with someone to receive Jesus as savior and they have not been drawn by the Holy Spirit. Consequently, there is no repentance.
When would we be tempted to do this with a new Christian? (p 73, Parish)
Beware of a message about the benefits instead of a message about Jesus. Can you describe the difference?
What would Jesus say today if he gave an alter call?
(p. 77, Parish)
**Salvation is a person. (“I am the way, the truth, and the life”) (discuss)
Conclusion: read p. 85 Parish
Jesus, the Heart of my Relationships
(lesson six)
God made us to experience relationships.
“No man is an island.”
Jesus had 12 disciples.
The military uses small teams.
Jesus sent out the 70 by twos.
Prisons use solitary confinement as punishment.
People will do just about anything to not be alone.
Why did God create us like this?
We are created to have fellowship with God—Father, Son, H.S.
Have you ever met someone on a plane or bus who was a Christian? Were you strangers long? Why not?
“Friendship Evangelism” is a popular phrase. What does it mean?
1. love people for who they are
2. see them as Jesus sees them
3. become a true friend
4. actually enjoy their company
5. other?
How do you love the unlovely?
How do you enjoy talking to someone who has a different value system?
We need to love people for who they are—not what they believe.
**Do not become their friend with an “agenda”**
How will Jesus in my heart affect my relationships?
Finish this sentence:
Jesus in my heart will…
**Jesus in my heart will give me a love for people.**
(Am I critical or compassionate?)
**Jesus in my heart will make me an encourager.**
…make me a listener
…help me appreciate diverse interests
…keep me from being intimidated by the opinions expressed by others
…cause me to have an open heart to those around me
Read Parish, page 103
Jesus, the Heart of my Story to Other Cultures
(lesson seven)
Tell me some cultural differences we have with England.
France?
Mexico?
(discuss Bruchko)
We are still considered by most 3rd world nations to be a “Christian” nation.
What is the difference between Christianity and Jesus?
(list)
--Christianity had a beginning
How do you think missionaries should live in other cultures—as they are accustomed; or like those around them? What are the advantages/disadvantages of each?
How do we introduce them to Jesus without asking them to accept our culture?
**Can we trust God when other cultures express their faith in ways that are unfamiliar to us?**
Is our fear of the unfamiliar greater than our love for Jesus?
Jesus, the Heart of my Story to a New Generation #8
Last week we talked about cultural differences.
This week we will talk about sub-cultural differences.
Is there a sub-culture in our country that you have to work at accepting?
Can someone with multiple piercing be a Christian?
How about dreadlocks?
What is your comfort zone?
How do we cross the divide?
Suggestions for bridging the gap….(overhead)
(Joshua and Caleb had the ultimate generation gap)
--seeking the compassion of Jesus
--acquiring knowledge about them
--becoming acquainted with them
--starting a church ministry for that subculture
--developing a “sister” relationship with
a church in North Portland
--other?
Monday, January 21, 2008
THAT I MIGHT KNOW HIM
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That I Might Know Him (read)
Phil 3:10-11
10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
(from New International Version)
We are going to break this down into five prayers.
To know Christ…
To know the power of his resurrection…
To know the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings…
To become like him in his death…
To attain to the resurrection from the dead.
Think of someone close to you—a friend or spouse, perhaps a parent.
How well do you know them?
Do they let you get close, or do they hold you at arm’s length?
For years, my wife would tell me, “I don’t feel like I really know you.” Why do you think she may have felt that way?
How well do you know Jesus?
Jesus himself prayed that we might know him.
John 17:3
Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
(from New International Version)
According to this verse, how important is it to know God?
We need to ask ourselves: “Do I really know Christ?” Matt 7:21-23
21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23 Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'
(from New International Version)
The problem is too many Christians are doing the right things—going to church; giving money; reading their Bible—but if Jesus came back today they wouldn’t be ready. They don’t really know Christ.
Let’s use the analogy of our spouse or best friend that you thought of earlier. What do you know about their desires; their likes and dislikes; their passion?
What makes them angry? What makes them happy?
If I really know God, what kind of things will I know about him? What kind of things will I have in common with him?
Jesus said the sheep know the shepherd’s voice:
John 10:3-4
3 The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.
(from New International Version)
Do I know the voice of Jesus? Can I hear his voice in the night? When wild animals are at the edge of the camp, does his voice calm my spirit?
How do you know that you really know Christ?
(Discussion)
If I know him, I will
--Obey
--Seek
--Share
Obedience—
John 14:21
21 Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."
(from New International Version)
This scripture is talking about obeying. Aren’t we under grace? Didn’t the law end with Christ?
(Discussion)
Too often our “trials” are a result of disobeying the revealed Word of God.
Can you think of an example?
--Unequally yoked
--Materialism, resulting in improper spending habits
--Other
Seeking after God
As children of God, we will seek him. Lin used the example of our dog when she spoke to the ladies a few months ago. Our dog likes to be in the same room as we are. (describe)
Do I enjoy being in the same room as God? Do I enjoy worship? Do I enjoy talking about the things of God?
Is there another voice in my life? What is it saying?
When I hear the voice of the enemy, do I flee?
Do I have a heart that is looking toward the cross?
Col 3:1-4
3:1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
(from New International Version)
Comments about seeking?
Share the Love of Jesus
Sharing is a natural outgrowth of obedience and seeking.
We share what inspires us. Have you ever met someone obsessed with sports? Hunting? Money?
Sex? It’s all they can talk about.
We need to ask ourselves, “What do I talk about? What gets me excited?”
How do I get excited if I’m not?
The Power of His Resurrection
How much power is there for us?
Eph 3:20
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,
(from New International Version)
How do I plug into the power?
Let’s look at some ways we are impacted by the power—
Phil 3:9-10
not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ-the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.
(from New International Version)
We are made righteous before God through the finished the work of Christ. We have no righteousness of our own.
Rom 8:11
And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.
(from New International Version)
Our future resurrection from the grave is made possible because of the power of his resurrection.
Heb 4:14--
14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-yet was without sin. 16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
(from New International Version)
Because of the resurrection power, we can approach the throne of God with confidence.
John 15:6-8
If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8 This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
(from New International Version)
(Pass out power of attorney form)
Heb 10:14
because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.
(from New International Version)
Because of the resurrection power, there is nothing we can do to add to the finished work of the cross. We are perfect now, covered by the blood.
The Fellowship of Sharing in His Suffering
What does this mean?
The logical question becomes, when does Jesus suffer, and how do we share in it?
Jesus suffers when he sees unbelief. Remember what he said when he looked out over Jerusalem? How do we share in that?
Why did Jesus weep over Lazarus?
(discuss) How do we share in that?
When else does Jesus suffer?
What makes God grieve?
--Immorality
--Abortion
--Violence
--Other?
Summary—how do we share in his suffering?
Scriptures about suffering:
(discuss each)
Phil 1:29
For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him,
(from New International Version)
1 Peter 1:6-
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that your faith-of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire-may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
(from New International Version)
1 Peter 2:19-21
But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
(from New International Version)
1 Peter 4:12-18
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
(from New International Version)
1 Peter 4:1
Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin.
(from New International Version)
That I Might Know Him (read)
Phil 3:10-11
10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
(from New International Version)
We are going to break this down into five prayers.
To know Christ…
To know the power of his resurrection…
To know the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings…
To become like him in his death…
To attain to the resurrection from the dead.
Think of someone close to you—a friend or spouse, perhaps a parent.
How well do you know them?
Do they let you get close, or do they hold you at arm’s length?
For years, my wife would tell me, “I don’t feel like I really know you.” Why do you think she may have felt that way?
How well do you know Jesus?
Jesus himself prayed that we might know him.
John 17:3
Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
(from New International Version)
According to this verse, how important is it to know God?
We need to ask ourselves: “Do I really know Christ?” Matt 7:21-23
21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23 Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'
(from New International Version)
The problem is too many Christians are doing the right things—going to church; giving money; reading their Bible—but if Jesus came back today they wouldn’t be ready. They don’t really know Christ.
Let’s use the analogy of our spouse or best friend that you thought of earlier. What do you know about their desires; their likes and dislikes; their passion?
What makes them angry? What makes them happy?
If I really know God, what kind of things will I know about him? What kind of things will I have in common with him?
Jesus said the sheep know the shepherd’s voice:
John 10:3-4
3 The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.
(from New International Version)
Do I know the voice of Jesus? Can I hear his voice in the night? When wild animals are at the edge of the camp, does his voice calm my spirit?
How do you know that you really know Christ?
(Discussion)
If I know him, I will
--Obey
--Seek
--Share
Obedience—
John 14:21
21 Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."
(from New International Version)
This scripture is talking about obeying. Aren’t we under grace? Didn’t the law end with Christ?
(Discussion)
Too often our “trials” are a result of disobeying the revealed Word of God.
Can you think of an example?
--Unequally yoked
--Materialism, resulting in improper spending habits
--Other
Seeking after God
As children of God, we will seek him. Lin used the example of our dog when she spoke to the ladies a few months ago. Our dog likes to be in the same room as we are. (describe)
Do I enjoy being in the same room as God? Do I enjoy worship? Do I enjoy talking about the things of God?
Is there another voice in my life? What is it saying?
When I hear the voice of the enemy, do I flee?
Do I have a heart that is looking toward the cross?
Col 3:1-4
3:1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
(from New International Version)
Comments about seeking?
Share the Love of Jesus
Sharing is a natural outgrowth of obedience and seeking.
We share what inspires us. Have you ever met someone obsessed with sports? Hunting? Money?
Sex? It’s all they can talk about.
We need to ask ourselves, “What do I talk about? What gets me excited?”
How do I get excited if I’m not?
The Power of His Resurrection
How much power is there for us?
Eph 3:20
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,
(from New International Version)
How do I plug into the power?
Let’s look at some ways we are impacted by the power—
Phil 3:9-10
not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ-the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.
(from New International Version)
We are made righteous before God through the finished the work of Christ. We have no righteousness of our own.
Rom 8:11
And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.
(from New International Version)
Our future resurrection from the grave is made possible because of the power of his resurrection.
Heb 4:14--
14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-yet was without sin. 16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
(from New International Version)
Because of the resurrection power, we can approach the throne of God with confidence.
John 15:6-8
If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8 This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
(from New International Version)
(Pass out power of attorney form)
Heb 10:14
because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.
(from New International Version)
Because of the resurrection power, there is nothing we can do to add to the finished work of the cross. We are perfect now, covered by the blood.
The Fellowship of Sharing in His Suffering
What does this mean?
The logical question becomes, when does Jesus suffer, and how do we share in it?
Jesus suffers when he sees unbelief. Remember what he said when he looked out over Jerusalem? How do we share in that?
Why did Jesus weep over Lazarus?
(discuss) How do we share in that?
When else does Jesus suffer?
What makes God grieve?
--Immorality
--Abortion
--Violence
--Other?
Summary—how do we share in his suffering?
Scriptures about suffering:
(discuss each)
Phil 1:29
For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him,
(from New International Version)
1 Peter 1:6-
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that your faith-of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire-may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
(from New International Version)
1 Peter 2:19-21
But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
(from New International Version)
1 Peter 4:12-18
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
(from New International Version)
1 Peter 4:1
Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin.
(from New International Version)
DYING TO SELF WILL
BACK TO HOME PAGE
A.B. Simpson gets the credit for many of the ideas in this lesson.
DYING TO SELF WILL
(A. B. Simpson)
James 1:13-15
I John 2:15-17
When we read scriptures about sinning, we naturally tend to think of the more obvious sins—adultery, murder, rage, etc.
However, Satan doesn’t generally tempt Christians on that level. With Christians, the sins take on a more sophisticated look. I like to call them “sins of sophistication.” They are sins that are not easily noticed by others. They can creep into a Christian’s life and destroy our effectiveness.
We are going to discuss eleven different sins. I am including myself as we talk about our struggle with these. None of us is immune. Like Paul, we need to press on to take hold…Phil. 3:12
1. self-indulgence
Doing a thing because you like to do it to the detriment of God’s kingdom.
Examples: What should be our attitude toward food if we are to “die” to self-indulgence?
Gluttony is a direct result of the sin of self-indulgence. Remember there are more skinner gluttons than fat ones. You can’t tell a glutton by their weight!
How can the sin of self-indulgence manifest itself in materialism?
2. Self-complacency
Dwelling on the work that you have done.
Self-complacency is being more interested in what others think of you, than in what you are really like.
This is actually a form of vanity. “Resting on our laurels.”
A real danger here is to create this attitude in others by building up their vanity. How could this be done?
3. Self-confidence
Confidence in our own strength.
We try to instill self-confidence in our children. However, where does our strength come from?
The correct terminology is “God-confidence.”
Humility is the opposite of self-confidence.
I doubt that it is possible for a self-confident person to become a Christian. We must humble ourselves before God.
To have humility simply means to recognize our source of strength. We have been fooled by the world. We need to teach our children who they are in Christ, not who they are in themselves.
4. Self-sensitivity
The susceptibility of your feelings to being wounded.
This is an easy one to have.
I wish every one of us in this church could have a deep, caring sensitivity to others; and yet have a hard shell when our own rights are violated.
The Bible makes it very clear that we should rejoice when treated wrongly for the sake of Christ. (I. Peter 4:12-19)
Self-sensitivity is the greatest cause of church splits. Someone gets their nose out of joint, and it goes from there.
There is no disagreement that they were treated wrongly. However, the burden of forgiveness is always with the one who has been wronged, even if the other person never asks to be forgiven!
As Christians, we are called to rise above self-sensitivity.
Ephesians talks about “making allowances”
It breaks down communication;
It causes people to take sides;
It destroys the power of binding together in prayer.
If you are dealing with bitterness from past years, ask God to cut it out.
As Christians, we have a calling on our lives to be an example of righteousness to others.
5. Selfish affection
Wanting people to love you because you like to be loved.
We should not love others to please us, but to bless them.
Paul said in 2 Cor. 12:15 “I will gladly spend and be spent for you—the more I love—the less I am loved…”
Selfish affection is the motive behind Scientology. What goes around comes around. Be nice to your neighbor so he will be nice to you. What is the real reason for being nice to your neighbor?
6. Selfish desires
James 4:3 “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with the wrong motive…”
Can you give me a practical example of selfish desires?
7. Covetousness
Desiring for yourself what rightfully belongs to someone else.
You wouldn’t think Christians would have a problem with this! However, it is easy to covet a job in the church that has been given to someone else.
Example: your class is given to another teacher
Who does that class belong to? You or God?
8. Selfish motives
Having actions which fulfill selfish desires
This is a continuation of #6. We actually go out and fulfill those desires.
Another definition: Manipulating circumstances so you benefit to the detriment of others.
Example: you walk in a room—6 tables, 4 with treats, and 50 more people are behind you. Where will you sit?
Example: a church potluck where there is not enough food. We you be in the front of the line?
What would Jesus do?
9. Selfish possessions
Refusing to relinquish property in our stewardship to its rightful owner.
Who is the rightful owner?
We don’t own it, and yet we refuse to give it up.
Selfish possessions shows itself when we are asked to give sacrificially.
Example: You’re saving money for tires—God asks you to give to a special need. Whose money is it?
10.Selfish sorrows
Tears we shed for our own sorrows.
This doesn’t mean we are never sad.
Rather—crying the blues because we don’t have better “bread.”
Or someone has a nicer car…etc.
We weep because something is dearer than Christ.
God wants us to weep, but in intercessory prayer.
11.Self-sacrifice or denial
Denying pleasure to ourselves with the intent of becoming more acceptable before the throne of God.
This is the essence of humanistic religions the world over.
Mormans—work your way to heaven
Jehovah’s Wit.—witness
Eastern—crawl to the shrine
Self-denial was taught by Plato. Deny the flesh to build up the mind.
However, it has crept into the church. We established monasteries. They denied themselves things God has meant for us to enjoy.
Man’s attempt to reach God has always been through this avenue of self-denial.
But we are also tempted—
Maybe if I never miss church…
Pray one hour each day…
Drive a new car…
Drive an old car…
Wear old clothes…
Wear new clothes…
The beauty of salvation is that we are acceptable by what Jesus did on the cross. We can add nothing to that finished work.
We are not under bondage, but freedom. We attend church because we enjoy worshiping God and the fellowship of the Saints. We serve God not out of guilt, but love.
A.B. Simpson gets the credit for many of the ideas in this lesson.
DYING TO SELF WILL
(A. B. Simpson)
James 1:13-15
I John 2:15-17
When we read scriptures about sinning, we naturally tend to think of the more obvious sins—adultery, murder, rage, etc.
However, Satan doesn’t generally tempt Christians on that level. With Christians, the sins take on a more sophisticated look. I like to call them “sins of sophistication.” They are sins that are not easily noticed by others. They can creep into a Christian’s life and destroy our effectiveness.
We are going to discuss eleven different sins. I am including myself as we talk about our struggle with these. None of us is immune. Like Paul, we need to press on to take hold…Phil. 3:12
1. self-indulgence
Doing a thing because you like to do it to the detriment of God’s kingdom.
Examples: What should be our attitude toward food if we are to “die” to self-indulgence?
Gluttony is a direct result of the sin of self-indulgence. Remember there are more skinner gluttons than fat ones. You can’t tell a glutton by their weight!
How can the sin of self-indulgence manifest itself in materialism?
2. Self-complacency
Dwelling on the work that you have done.
Self-complacency is being more interested in what others think of you, than in what you are really like.
This is actually a form of vanity. “Resting on our laurels.”
A real danger here is to create this attitude in others by building up their vanity. How could this be done?
3. Self-confidence
Confidence in our own strength.
We try to instill self-confidence in our children. However, where does our strength come from?
The correct terminology is “God-confidence.”
Humility is the opposite of self-confidence.
I doubt that it is possible for a self-confident person to become a Christian. We must humble ourselves before God.
To have humility simply means to recognize our source of strength. We have been fooled by the world. We need to teach our children who they are in Christ, not who they are in themselves.
4. Self-sensitivity
The susceptibility of your feelings to being wounded.
This is an easy one to have.
I wish every one of us in this church could have a deep, caring sensitivity to others; and yet have a hard shell when our own rights are violated.
The Bible makes it very clear that we should rejoice when treated wrongly for the sake of Christ. (I. Peter 4:12-19)
Self-sensitivity is the greatest cause of church splits. Someone gets their nose out of joint, and it goes from there.
There is no disagreement that they were treated wrongly. However, the burden of forgiveness is always with the one who has been wronged, even if the other person never asks to be forgiven!
As Christians, we are called to rise above self-sensitivity.
Ephesians talks about “making allowances”
It breaks down communication;
It causes people to take sides;
It destroys the power of binding together in prayer.
If you are dealing with bitterness from past years, ask God to cut it out.
As Christians, we have a calling on our lives to be an example of righteousness to others.
5. Selfish affection
Wanting people to love you because you like to be loved.
We should not love others to please us, but to bless them.
Paul said in 2 Cor. 12:15 “I will gladly spend and be spent for you—the more I love—the less I am loved…”
Selfish affection is the motive behind Scientology. What goes around comes around. Be nice to your neighbor so he will be nice to you. What is the real reason for being nice to your neighbor?
6. Selfish desires
James 4:3 “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with the wrong motive…”
Can you give me a practical example of selfish desires?
7. Covetousness
Desiring for yourself what rightfully belongs to someone else.
You wouldn’t think Christians would have a problem with this! However, it is easy to covet a job in the church that has been given to someone else.
Example: your class is given to another teacher
Who does that class belong to? You or God?
8. Selfish motives
Having actions which fulfill selfish desires
This is a continuation of #6. We actually go out and fulfill those desires.
Another definition: Manipulating circumstances so you benefit to the detriment of others.
Example: you walk in a room—6 tables, 4 with treats, and 50 more people are behind you. Where will you sit?
Example: a church potluck where there is not enough food. We you be in the front of the line?
What would Jesus do?
9. Selfish possessions
Refusing to relinquish property in our stewardship to its rightful owner.
Who is the rightful owner?
We don’t own it, and yet we refuse to give it up.
Selfish possessions shows itself when we are asked to give sacrificially.
Example: You’re saving money for tires—God asks you to give to a special need. Whose money is it?
10.Selfish sorrows
Tears we shed for our own sorrows.
This doesn’t mean we are never sad.
Rather—crying the blues because we don’t have better “bread.”
Or someone has a nicer car…etc.
We weep because something is dearer than Christ.
God wants us to weep, but in intercessory prayer.
11.Self-sacrifice or denial
Denying pleasure to ourselves with the intent of becoming more acceptable before the throne of God.
This is the essence of humanistic religions the world over.
Mormans—work your way to heaven
Jehovah’s Wit.—witness
Eastern—crawl to the shrine
Self-denial was taught by Plato. Deny the flesh to build up the mind.
However, it has crept into the church. We established monasteries. They denied themselves things God has meant for us to enjoy.
Man’s attempt to reach God has always been through this avenue of self-denial.
But we are also tempted—
Maybe if I never miss church…
Pray one hour each day…
Drive a new car…
Drive an old car…
Wear old clothes…
Wear new clothes…
The beauty of salvation is that we are acceptable by what Jesus did on the cross. We can add nothing to that finished work.
We are not under bondage, but freedom. We attend church because we enjoy worshiping God and the fellowship of the Saints. We serve God not out of guilt, but love.
MOSES--ANY OLD BUSH WILL DO
BACK TO HOME PAGE
Please give credit to Major Ian Thomas for this lesson. I highly recommend his book, The Saving Life of Christ.
Any Old Bush Will Do (Ian Thomas)
God is a God of second chances. God loves every single one of you!
You may think it’s too late for God to use you—you may be telling yourself “it’s over for me”—but God is here to meet you today at your point of need! If you have failed God, He wants to give you another chance.
Acts 7:20-22
God miraculously preserved Moses when he was an infant. He didn’t have any say in that. 400 years earlier God had told Abraham that He was going to raise up a deliverer for His people and save them from a wicked Pharaoh.
This is the hour God was speaking of. Moses was raised in the house of Pharaoh. He had the best education. He was trained as a statesman, a soldier, and an administrator. He was groomed to rule. He was in the prime of life.
However, he was only hours from the greatest mistake of his life—a mistake that would make him useless to God or man for 40 years.
Acts 7:23-25
Moses had a plan. He “assumed” that they would understand, but they did not. Have you ever “assumed?” He was ready to roll. He had a strong sense of mission, but was baffled at his failure to rally the troops.
Have you ever felt “the call?” Your heart burned with a holy vision? But nothing happened?
Let’s look at exactly how Moses lost the way.
Exodus 2:11
Try to imagine the natural emotions when you see your own people being horribly mistreated. I’m sure he felt grief, anger, resentment—but it is just at that stage that he allowed his feelings to rob him of his true calling.
Exodus 2:12
The enormous need he saw that needed to be fixed made him make a wrong decision. In a false sense of dedication Moses committed himself to the task instead of to God.
“Glancing this way and that…” Which way did he forget to look?
The one direction he did not look was up!
“seeing no one…”
In his sensitivity to what people would think, he became strangely insensitive what God thought!
How easy it is for us to do exactly that.
We base our actions on the approval or disapproval of others.
Am I “man-conscious” or “God-conscious?”
If Moses had been confident that he had God’s approval, he would not have cared what men thought. He wouldn’t have glanced this way and that; he would have just done it.
You can afford to be lonely in the center of God’s will. You don’t need man’s approval.
How about:
Nehemiah building the wall—a lonely job.
Peter taking the gospel to the house of a gentile—you can’t get any lonelier than that!
David Wilkerson taking the gospel to the streets of New York (The Cross and the Switchblade)
Moses lost his sense of God. Have you ever lost your sense of God?
We are not called to commit to a task. We are called to commit to Christ.
He is Lord of the Harvest!
He is Head of the Body!
Sometimes in our church culture we emphasize the need; the task. There are a thousand needs, but you are not committed to these. You are committed to Christ. It is his business to commit you to the need he chooses.
He is the head.
First Corinthians 12:18 “But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.”
The moment I commit the life of one of you to some field of service, I am taking God’s place as Lord of the Harvest.
God can take care of his own affairs. So many times we spend money on man’s promotional activity. God doesn’t ask us to…but we take it upon ourselves to do it for him.
This doesn’t mean we are not sincere, but too often we confuse
--bustle for business
--plant for power
--perspiration for inspiration
Think how embarrassing it would be if your hands determined to show you how busy they were. You would wake up in the morning; they would be wiggling. Could you be successful playing the piano? I would hate to get a haircut from someone with those fingers!
God demands restful availability and instant obedience.
We often hear “…Do more, Be more, Give more!” What does God say?
“Be still, and know that I am God.”
In other words, don’t panic. Let God be God.
Moses had not learned that lesson. He rolled up his sleeves, and said to himself…”If there ever was a time to fulfill my calling, this is it.”
With the best intentions in the world, he became a murderer instead of a missionary.
Exodus 2:13-14
Yes, it was known. Moses could not even bury one Egyptian successfully. When God did it, he buried the whole army in the Red Sea!
When Pharaoh heard about it, he tried to kill Moses. Moses ended up spending the next 40 years in the desert.
God had raised Moses up for a specific task, but Moses, on the basis of his own sincerity, on the basis of his own enthusiasm, committed himself to the task instead of to God.
Moses tried to do God’s work man’s way.
He was prepared by the best that Egypt could offer, but…with God--
It’s not scholarship but relationship…
It’s not ability, but availability…
I cannot imagine the awful sense of failure that overwhelmed Moses for the next 40 years.
He was useless, he was unrecognized, he was unknown. He probably thought he would die there. He even forgot his public speaking ability!
Perhaps you have felt that way about your Christian life…perhaps you blew it—you have a deep sense of being unfulfilled—you have focused on the task instead of on Jesus. You may have lost the abilities and strengths you once had. It’s not too late! God is a God of second chances!
A commitment to the task will always result in frustration. A commitment to Jesus will result in fulfillment.
Back to Moses—
Exodus 3:1-3
Here’s something that gets his attention—a bush that burns and burns and burns. As far as he can see, it will burn on forever.
He thinks to himself…”I have never seen such a thing. I’m not like that bush. 40 years ago I burned out in 24 hours. I went from prince to fugitive. I’ve been ashes ever since. That must be a wonderful bush. I think I’ll go look at it up close.”
Moses had a holy curiosity, and so did a very wise thing—he did an intelligent investigation; He turned aside, and made a very wonderful discovery!
So often, we have a holy curiosity, but we don’t follow it up with investigation; consequently we don’t make the same discovery that Moses did.
For example,
We have heroes in Christianity—men and women of God that flow in the Spirit. They walk in the anointing. Lives are changed. We look at them and say…”Now there is a bush that burns. I would like to be a bush like that.”
So we discuss it with others—we go to their meetings—but we have resigned ourselves to remain a pile of ashes. It has never dawned on us that we could be anything different.
This is the attitude Paul was fighting in Philippians 2:12-13. “Work out your own salvation…”
They were trying to lean on Paul, but Paul was saying, “All that God has given to me, He has given to you.”
It is not Paul who works in you, but God.
This is the message of the Bible, that God has chosen the weak to confound the strong.
All God demands is availability.
--To be what you were created to be: Inhabited by God, for God.
What you are is not a factor—your nationality, your money, your education, your personality.
It is God that works in you, to will and to do His good pleasure.
We have a tendency to want to be like the great heroes of the past, but we won’t turn aside and see the reason why. We will not make intelligent investigation like Moses did. God gave us a brain, and He expects us to use it. He expects us to investigate—to pursue.
Who were these great saints? What made Hudson Taylor tick? Were they God’s favorites? No, they were simply men and women who had qualified in the school of failure and despair. They came to the end of themselves and discovered that apart from God, they were nothing.
Moses started out as a failure. Abraham started out the same way. Jacob started as a failure. Isaiah was a man of “unclean lips.”
You will graduate into usefulness when you discover that apart from God you are totally bankrupt. (repeat) These men made this discovery, and were blessed.
Moses said, “I will turn aside and see…”
(I suspect his training in the sciences was kicking in) It turned out to be the best decision he ever made.
Exodus 3:4
When did God call him? When he admired from a distance? No, when he turned aside to see, God called him by name. Would you like for God to call you by name?
Maybe you have never had an urgent call—
Maybe you have never had a real sense of purpose—
Maybe you have never taken the time to turn aside and see—time to make intelligent investigation. It could be the best decision you ever make.
No matter what our gifts, God cannot use us until we turn aside and see. When I am busy, God cannot call me by name.
Read Exodus 3:5-6
God had something to say to Moses—
Something like…”Moses, you have done a wise thing in making intelligent investigation—you thought this bush was very remarkable. Something unique, that would make it burn and burn and burn. But you are wrong, Moses. Do you see that bush over there? The scraggly one. That bush would have been fine. Do you see that beautiful bush in the distance? That would have done fine as well. The fact is, Moses,
Any old bush will do, if only God is in the bush.
The trouble with you Moses, is that 40 years ago you admired your own foliage. You thought you were some bush! You were ready to roll! But in 24 hours you burned up. You have been a heap of ashes for 40 years. If this bush in front of you, Moses, were depending on its own strength, then it too would burn up quickly. It would be a heap of ashes just like you! But listen Moses. It is not the bush that sustains the flame; it is God in the bush.”
Have you ever made this discovery? Have you ever come to the place where you realize that all you can ever produce in your own strength is ashes? It’s at that point we become useful to God.
We come to God for what we are, which is nothing—to be filled with what He is—everything.
The eternal I AM is all you need for all His will.
God is the God of NOW. Present tense.
Too often we live in the past tense or future tense. We thank him for what He has done—or we praise him for what He is going to do. We forget that He is the eternal present tense—adequate right now for every need. God is the God of Today. God can meet you today at your point of need. God is a God of second chances!
Did you have a burn-out experience like Moses? Do you feel hopeless—helpless—angry—defeated?
God is asking you right now to turn aside so He can call you by name.
But wait!! Perhaps you didn’t make any big mistakes. But maybe you’ve been put on the shelf! You’re not fulfilling your calling, and you’re fighting anger and resentment. Maybe you’re just waiting—for a spouse—a career—your health to return? That happened to the Apostle Paul—one of the greatest evangelists was put on the shelf. He could have gotten bitter and angry. Instead, we have most of the New Testament, written while he was in jail. David Wilkerson says “God dares to put his greatest saints behind bars.” Have you been put behind bars?
If you are a Christian, then
All you need is what you have, and what you have is what He is!
If you are not a Christian, you can ask, and He will freely give.
He does not give you strength, He is your strength. He does not give victory, He is your victory. Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Every day can be a fulfillment of God’s perfect will for your life, as we present our bodies a living sacrifice to Him.
I want to be like that bush that was consumed by the fire of God and just kept on burning and burning. Not burning in my own strength, but totally in His strength.
We’re starting a new chapter in this church body with a new pastor. Let’s start it by pursuing God with all our heart.
Let’s turn aside, so God can call us by name.
Please give credit to Major Ian Thomas for this lesson. I highly recommend his book, The Saving Life of Christ.
Any Old Bush Will Do (Ian Thomas)
God is a God of second chances. God loves every single one of you!
You may think it’s too late for God to use you—you may be telling yourself “it’s over for me”—but God is here to meet you today at your point of need! If you have failed God, He wants to give you another chance.
Acts 7:20-22
God miraculously preserved Moses when he was an infant. He didn’t have any say in that. 400 years earlier God had told Abraham that He was going to raise up a deliverer for His people and save them from a wicked Pharaoh.
This is the hour God was speaking of. Moses was raised in the house of Pharaoh. He had the best education. He was trained as a statesman, a soldier, and an administrator. He was groomed to rule. He was in the prime of life.
However, he was only hours from the greatest mistake of his life—a mistake that would make him useless to God or man for 40 years.
Acts 7:23-25
Moses had a plan. He “assumed” that they would understand, but they did not. Have you ever “assumed?” He was ready to roll. He had a strong sense of mission, but was baffled at his failure to rally the troops.
Have you ever felt “the call?” Your heart burned with a holy vision? But nothing happened?
Let’s look at exactly how Moses lost the way.
Exodus 2:11
Try to imagine the natural emotions when you see your own people being horribly mistreated. I’m sure he felt grief, anger, resentment—but it is just at that stage that he allowed his feelings to rob him of his true calling.
Exodus 2:12
The enormous need he saw that needed to be fixed made him make a wrong decision. In a false sense of dedication Moses committed himself to the task instead of to God.
“Glancing this way and that…” Which way did he forget to look?
The one direction he did not look was up!
“seeing no one…”
In his sensitivity to what people would think, he became strangely insensitive what God thought!
How easy it is for us to do exactly that.
We base our actions on the approval or disapproval of others.
Am I “man-conscious” or “God-conscious?”
If Moses had been confident that he had God’s approval, he would not have cared what men thought. He wouldn’t have glanced this way and that; he would have just done it.
You can afford to be lonely in the center of God’s will. You don’t need man’s approval.
How about:
Nehemiah building the wall—a lonely job.
Peter taking the gospel to the house of a gentile—you can’t get any lonelier than that!
David Wilkerson taking the gospel to the streets of New York (The Cross and the Switchblade)
Moses lost his sense of God. Have you ever lost your sense of God?
We are not called to commit to a task. We are called to commit to Christ.
He is Lord of the Harvest!
He is Head of the Body!
Sometimes in our church culture we emphasize the need; the task. There are a thousand needs, but you are not committed to these. You are committed to Christ. It is his business to commit you to the need he chooses.
He is the head.
First Corinthians 12:18 “But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.”
The moment I commit the life of one of you to some field of service, I am taking God’s place as Lord of the Harvest.
God can take care of his own affairs. So many times we spend money on man’s promotional activity. God doesn’t ask us to…but we take it upon ourselves to do it for him.
This doesn’t mean we are not sincere, but too often we confuse
--bustle for business
--plant for power
--perspiration for inspiration
Think how embarrassing it would be if your hands determined to show you how busy they were. You would wake up in the morning; they would be wiggling. Could you be successful playing the piano? I would hate to get a haircut from someone with those fingers!
God demands restful availability and instant obedience.
We often hear “…Do more, Be more, Give more!” What does God say?
“Be still, and know that I am God.”
In other words, don’t panic. Let God be God.
Moses had not learned that lesson. He rolled up his sleeves, and said to himself…”If there ever was a time to fulfill my calling, this is it.”
With the best intentions in the world, he became a murderer instead of a missionary.
Exodus 2:13-14
Yes, it was known. Moses could not even bury one Egyptian successfully. When God did it, he buried the whole army in the Red Sea!
When Pharaoh heard about it, he tried to kill Moses. Moses ended up spending the next 40 years in the desert.
God had raised Moses up for a specific task, but Moses, on the basis of his own sincerity, on the basis of his own enthusiasm, committed himself to the task instead of to God.
Moses tried to do God’s work man’s way.
He was prepared by the best that Egypt could offer, but…with God--
It’s not scholarship but relationship…
It’s not ability, but availability…
I cannot imagine the awful sense of failure that overwhelmed Moses for the next 40 years.
He was useless, he was unrecognized, he was unknown. He probably thought he would die there. He even forgot his public speaking ability!
Perhaps you have felt that way about your Christian life…perhaps you blew it—you have a deep sense of being unfulfilled—you have focused on the task instead of on Jesus. You may have lost the abilities and strengths you once had. It’s not too late! God is a God of second chances!
A commitment to the task will always result in frustration. A commitment to Jesus will result in fulfillment.
Back to Moses—
Exodus 3:1-3
Here’s something that gets his attention—a bush that burns and burns and burns. As far as he can see, it will burn on forever.
He thinks to himself…”I have never seen such a thing. I’m not like that bush. 40 years ago I burned out in 24 hours. I went from prince to fugitive. I’ve been ashes ever since. That must be a wonderful bush. I think I’ll go look at it up close.”
Moses had a holy curiosity, and so did a very wise thing—he did an intelligent investigation; He turned aside, and made a very wonderful discovery!
So often, we have a holy curiosity, but we don’t follow it up with investigation; consequently we don’t make the same discovery that Moses did.
For example,
We have heroes in Christianity—men and women of God that flow in the Spirit. They walk in the anointing. Lives are changed. We look at them and say…”Now there is a bush that burns. I would like to be a bush like that.”
So we discuss it with others—we go to their meetings—but we have resigned ourselves to remain a pile of ashes. It has never dawned on us that we could be anything different.
This is the attitude Paul was fighting in Philippians 2:12-13. “Work out your own salvation…”
They were trying to lean on Paul, but Paul was saying, “All that God has given to me, He has given to you.”
It is not Paul who works in you, but God.
This is the message of the Bible, that God has chosen the weak to confound the strong.
All God demands is availability.
--To be what you were created to be: Inhabited by God, for God.
What you are is not a factor—your nationality, your money, your education, your personality.
It is God that works in you, to will and to do His good pleasure.
We have a tendency to want to be like the great heroes of the past, but we won’t turn aside and see the reason why. We will not make intelligent investigation like Moses did. God gave us a brain, and He expects us to use it. He expects us to investigate—to pursue.
Who were these great saints? What made Hudson Taylor tick? Were they God’s favorites? No, they were simply men and women who had qualified in the school of failure and despair. They came to the end of themselves and discovered that apart from God, they were nothing.
Moses started out as a failure. Abraham started out the same way. Jacob started as a failure. Isaiah was a man of “unclean lips.”
You will graduate into usefulness when you discover that apart from God you are totally bankrupt. (repeat) These men made this discovery, and were blessed.
Moses said, “I will turn aside and see…”
(I suspect his training in the sciences was kicking in) It turned out to be the best decision he ever made.
Exodus 3:4
When did God call him? When he admired from a distance? No, when he turned aside to see, God called him by name. Would you like for God to call you by name?
Maybe you have never had an urgent call—
Maybe you have never had a real sense of purpose—
Maybe you have never taken the time to turn aside and see—time to make intelligent investigation. It could be the best decision you ever make.
No matter what our gifts, God cannot use us until we turn aside and see. When I am busy, God cannot call me by name.
Read Exodus 3:5-6
God had something to say to Moses—
Something like…”Moses, you have done a wise thing in making intelligent investigation—you thought this bush was very remarkable. Something unique, that would make it burn and burn and burn. But you are wrong, Moses. Do you see that bush over there? The scraggly one. That bush would have been fine. Do you see that beautiful bush in the distance? That would have done fine as well. The fact is, Moses,
Any old bush will do, if only God is in the bush.
The trouble with you Moses, is that 40 years ago you admired your own foliage. You thought you were some bush! You were ready to roll! But in 24 hours you burned up. You have been a heap of ashes for 40 years. If this bush in front of you, Moses, were depending on its own strength, then it too would burn up quickly. It would be a heap of ashes just like you! But listen Moses. It is not the bush that sustains the flame; it is God in the bush.”
Have you ever made this discovery? Have you ever come to the place where you realize that all you can ever produce in your own strength is ashes? It’s at that point we become useful to God.
We come to God for what we are, which is nothing—to be filled with what He is—everything.
The eternal I AM is all you need for all His will.
God is the God of NOW. Present tense.
Too often we live in the past tense or future tense. We thank him for what He has done—or we praise him for what He is going to do. We forget that He is the eternal present tense—adequate right now for every need. God is the God of Today. God can meet you today at your point of need. God is a God of second chances!
Did you have a burn-out experience like Moses? Do you feel hopeless—helpless—angry—defeated?
God is asking you right now to turn aside so He can call you by name.
But wait!! Perhaps you didn’t make any big mistakes. But maybe you’ve been put on the shelf! You’re not fulfilling your calling, and you’re fighting anger and resentment. Maybe you’re just waiting—for a spouse—a career—your health to return? That happened to the Apostle Paul—one of the greatest evangelists was put on the shelf. He could have gotten bitter and angry. Instead, we have most of the New Testament, written while he was in jail. David Wilkerson says “God dares to put his greatest saints behind bars.” Have you been put behind bars?
If you are a Christian, then
All you need is what you have, and what you have is what He is!
If you are not a Christian, you can ask, and He will freely give.
He does not give you strength, He is your strength. He does not give victory, He is your victory. Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Every day can be a fulfillment of God’s perfect will for your life, as we present our bodies a living sacrifice to Him.
I want to be like that bush that was consumed by the fire of God and just kept on burning and burning. Not burning in my own strength, but totally in His strength.
We’re starting a new chapter in this church body with a new pastor. Let’s start it by pursuing God with all our heart.
Let’s turn aside, so God can call us by name.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
REAPING & SOWING--THE LAW OF HARVEST
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LAW OF HARVEST
REAPING AND SOWING
(Discuss the concept)
1. One sows, another reaps
John 4:35-38 the sowing is the harder work
2. We reap only what has been sown
3. We reap in kind as we have sown
Job 4:8 those who sow trouble will reap trouble
Hosea 10:12 sow righteousness, reap love
Romans 6:20-23 the wages is sin is death…the gift of God is eternal life
4. We reap in a different season than we sow
Galations 6:8 death vs eternal life
5. We reap more than we sow
Matt 13:8 30, 60, 100 times
6. We reap in proportion as we sow—sparingly or generously
Ecc 11:4 whoever looks at the clouds will not reap
II Cor 9:6 sow sparingly, reap sparingly
7. We reap the full harvest of good only if we persevere
The evil comes to harvest on its own
Ps 126:5 Those who sow in tears will reap in joy
Galations 6:9 do not become weary
We cannot do anything about last year’s harvest—but we can about this year. “Today…”
Can you think of bible examples of sin and of righteousness and what was reaped?
David—murder—the sword will not depart from your house
Eli—gluttony—sexual addictions and death of his sons
Moses—murder—exile
Joseph—obedience—leadership and responsibility
Daniel—wisdom & obedience—leadership and responsibility
Jesus—obedience—death and resurrection
The path of obedience is not always easy.
Practical application: (discussion)
What has been sown in my life that I am now reaping?
What is currently being sown that will be harvested 20 years from now?
LAW OF HARVEST
REAPING AND SOWING
(Discuss the concept)
1. One sows, another reaps
John 4:35-38 the sowing is the harder work
2. We reap only what has been sown
3. We reap in kind as we have sown
Job 4:8 those who sow trouble will reap trouble
Hosea 10:12 sow righteousness, reap love
Romans 6:20-23 the wages is sin is death…the gift of God is eternal life
4. We reap in a different season than we sow
Galations 6:8 death vs eternal life
5. We reap more than we sow
Matt 13:8 30, 60, 100 times
6. We reap in proportion as we sow—sparingly or generously
Ecc 11:4 whoever looks at the clouds will not reap
II Cor 9:6 sow sparingly, reap sparingly
7. We reap the full harvest of good only if we persevere
The evil comes to harvest on its own
Ps 126:5 Those who sow in tears will reap in joy
Galations 6:9 do not become weary
We cannot do anything about last year’s harvest—but we can about this year. “Today…”
Can you think of bible examples of sin and of righteousness and what was reaped?
David—murder—the sword will not depart from your house
Eli—gluttony—sexual addictions and death of his sons
Moses—murder—exile
Joseph—obedience—leadership and responsibility
Daniel—wisdom & obedience—leadership and responsibility
Jesus—obedience—death and resurrection
The path of obedience is not always easy.
Practical application: (discussion)
What has been sown in my life that I am now reaping?
What is currently being sown that will be harvested 20 years from now?
ABIDING IN CHRIST
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John 15: 1-17 Abiding in Christ
This section of scripture begins with John 13 and goes through John 17. It was the night before the crucifixion. Imagine if you knew you had one day left; what kind of information would you leave with your children? Jesus was feeling that same intensity as he talked to his disciples in these five chapters.
This section of John 15 deals with the subject of abiding in Christ. It was an analogy the disciples could understand. They knew grapes, and fruit trees.
Read—
Be thinking: How does this apply to me?
(draw picture of tree, branches, gardener)
Do you see any words that Jesus repeats over and over?
I counted “remain” 11 times, and “love” 8 times.
A good teacher repeats themselves a lot, and they keep it simple.
Tell me about pruning.
Its purpose:
(v 2 & 6) Isn’t cutting off unfruitful branches rather harsh?
(v 4 & 5) What is the key to producing fruit?
(v 7, 8, & 16) What do these verses tell us about asking?
Are there any conditions?
(Ps 37:4)
(James 4:3) Practical examples of things to not
ask for?
(v 11) Joy is the result
(v16) What part do we play in becoming a Christian? Are we puppets on a string?
Why does Jesus link “abiding” and “love” so closely?
John 16:33 What is there about remaining in Christ that produces peace?
Matthew 25: 1-13 The Parable of the Ten Virgins
Here is a parable about five who were abiding, and five who let down their guard.
Read: What is the point of this story?
What is the symbolism: who is the bridegroom?
Who are the virgins?
What is the oil?
What are the lamps?
What is the banquet?
Practical application:
Does anything in my life need to be pruned?
Can you share with the class a time in your life where you were pruned by God?
John 15: 1-17 Abiding in Christ
This section of scripture begins with John 13 and goes through John 17. It was the night before the crucifixion. Imagine if you knew you had one day left; what kind of information would you leave with your children? Jesus was feeling that same intensity as he talked to his disciples in these five chapters.
This section of John 15 deals with the subject of abiding in Christ. It was an analogy the disciples could understand. They knew grapes, and fruit trees.
Read—
Be thinking: How does this apply to me?
(draw picture of tree, branches, gardener)
Do you see any words that Jesus repeats over and over?
I counted “remain” 11 times, and “love” 8 times.
A good teacher repeats themselves a lot, and they keep it simple.
Tell me about pruning.
Its purpose:
(v 2 & 6) Isn’t cutting off unfruitful branches rather harsh?
(v 4 & 5) What is the key to producing fruit?
(v 7, 8, & 16) What do these verses tell us about asking?
Are there any conditions?
(Ps 37:4)
(James 4:3) Practical examples of things to not
ask for?
(v 11) Joy is the result
(v16) What part do we play in becoming a Christian? Are we puppets on a string?
Why does Jesus link “abiding” and “love” so closely?
John 16:33 What is there about remaining in Christ that produces peace?
Matthew 25: 1-13 The Parable of the Ten Virgins
Here is a parable about five who were abiding, and five who let down their guard.
Read: What is the point of this story?
What is the symbolism: who is the bridegroom?
Who are the virgins?
What is the oil?
What are the lamps?
What is the banquet?
Practical application:
Does anything in my life need to be pruned?
Can you share with the class a time in your life where you were pruned by God?
HONOR AND SHAME
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This is a lesson based on the book by Muller. Read the book; then adapt the lesson to your particular age group.
HONOR AND SHAME
Roland Muller
Genesis 3:1-11
Read and identify what Adam and Eve experienced:
V.7 their eyes were opened (guilt)
v. 7 they realized they were naked (shame) (2:25 no shame)
v. 8-10 they hid themselves (fear)
Define: Guilt: I did something bad
Shame: I am bad
Fear: I am afraid
Do we experience these when we sin?
What does scripture say about each of these?
Identify several scriptures for each:
Guilt: Romans 6:23 the wages of sin is death
Isaiah 53:9 nor was any deceit in his mouth
Shame: I Tim 1:12 I am not ashamed
Romans 9:33 the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame
Isaiah 53:3 He was despised and rejected by men
Fear: II Tim 1:7 God has not given us a spirit of fear
Identify the positive of each:
Innocence vs guilt (right vs wrong) (truth vs lie)
Honor vs shame
Power vs fear
Now, let’s look at shame, guilt, and fear in the world today.
The Roman/Greek culture was the foundation of our western civilization. Which of these three do you think was dominant?
Why?
Roman law had a profound impact on Western Christianity. Our nation is a nation founded on the “rule of law.”
Define “Rule of Law:”
What makes it work?
The other main branch of Christianity was in the East. The early
Eastern theologians were influenced by the honor of shame of Israel, and other Middle Eastern countries. They did not place such an emphasis on sin and guilt. Rather, their emphasis was on being able to stand with honor before a holy God.
Into this culture of honor and shame came Islam about 600 A.D. To them it is unthinkable to have a “rule of law” because God establishes all law. In Islam, their religion and culture are interlocked. Our culture is the opposite: “separation of church and state” is taken to ridiculous extremes.
Let’s look at our culture first. What do we value? In what order?
Truth, honor, power.
Have we changed in the last 200 years?
What cultures value honor over innocence?
How is that demonstrated in what you observe?
How might a culture be different that places a higher value on honor? How might their priorities be different?
What do you know about “saving face?”
How would becoming a Christian be different for them compared to our culture? What would be a good salvation scripture for this type of culture?
What cultures value power over honor and truth?
How is that demonstrated in their culture?
What would be a good salvation scripture for this type of culture?
Tell me an example of something that another culture does that just doesn’t make sense to us. Let’s analyze it in these terms and see if it is understandable.
Examples: loudspeakers in the Iraqi war insulting their mother
(Newsweek)
WWII Japanese soldiers committing suicide when their captain dies
Terrorists visiting strip clubs in the US when their own culture bans them…
Other?
Paul told the jailer…”and your house.” How would we interpret this in a culture of honor and shame?
How about fear based cultures?
What motivates them?
How are they brought to the gospel?
Have we been successful?
This is a lesson based on the book by Muller. Read the book; then adapt the lesson to your particular age group.
HONOR AND SHAME
Roland Muller
Genesis 3:1-11
Read and identify what Adam and Eve experienced:
V.7 their eyes were opened (guilt)
v. 7 they realized they were naked (shame) (2:25 no shame)
v. 8-10 they hid themselves (fear)
Define: Guilt: I did something bad
Shame: I am bad
Fear: I am afraid
Do we experience these when we sin?
What does scripture say about each of these?
Identify several scriptures for each:
Guilt: Romans 6:23 the wages of sin is death
Isaiah 53:9 nor was any deceit in his mouth
Shame: I Tim 1:12 I am not ashamed
Romans 9:33 the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame
Isaiah 53:3 He was despised and rejected by men
Fear: II Tim 1:7 God has not given us a spirit of fear
Identify the positive of each:
Innocence vs guilt (right vs wrong) (truth vs lie)
Honor vs shame
Power vs fear
Now, let’s look at shame, guilt, and fear in the world today.
The Roman/Greek culture was the foundation of our western civilization. Which of these three do you think was dominant?
Why?
Roman law had a profound impact on Western Christianity. Our nation is a nation founded on the “rule of law.”
Define “Rule of Law:”
What makes it work?
The other main branch of Christianity was in the East. The early
Eastern theologians were influenced by the honor of shame of Israel, and other Middle Eastern countries. They did not place such an emphasis on sin and guilt. Rather, their emphasis was on being able to stand with honor before a holy God.
Into this culture of honor and shame came Islam about 600 A.D. To them it is unthinkable to have a “rule of law” because God establishes all law. In Islam, their religion and culture are interlocked. Our culture is the opposite: “separation of church and state” is taken to ridiculous extremes.
Let’s look at our culture first. What do we value? In what order?
Truth, honor, power.
Have we changed in the last 200 years?
What cultures value honor over innocence?
How is that demonstrated in what you observe?
How might a culture be different that places a higher value on honor? How might their priorities be different?
What do you know about “saving face?”
How would becoming a Christian be different for them compared to our culture? What would be a good salvation scripture for this type of culture?
What cultures value power over honor and truth?
How is that demonstrated in their culture?
What would be a good salvation scripture for this type of culture?
Tell me an example of something that another culture does that just doesn’t make sense to us. Let’s analyze it in these terms and see if it is understandable.
Examples: loudspeakers in the Iraqi war insulting their mother
(Newsweek)
WWII Japanese soldiers committing suicide when their captain dies
Terrorists visiting strip clubs in the US when their own culture bans them…
Other?
Paul told the jailer…”and your house.” How would we interpret this in a culture of honor and shame?
How about fear based cultures?
What motivates them?
How are they brought to the gospel?
Have we been successful?
Saturday, January 19, 2008
PRINCIPLES OF REPENTANCE
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PRINCIPLES OF REPENTANCE
II CHRONICLES 29-31
(background)
Hezekiah’s story is remarkable. He was the son of wicked king Ahaz, and the daughter of Abijah. The Northern tribe of Israel had already been carried off into captivity. The tribe of Judah was left by itself. It was another 140 years until Judah would be destroyed. The last part of Chronicles tells us about those kings.
We’re going to look at Hezekiah’s story and examine principles of repentance that might parallel our own lives, church, and nation.
We’ll read small sections at a time. As we read each passage, look for principles that we can glean.
29:1-11
Facts: reigned age 25-54
He did what was right in God’s eyes
He began the purification of the temple immediately
What did you do in the first month and the first year of your conversion? Did you throw out the old stuff? Did you remove the defilement?
Hezekiah recognized why their relatives to the North had fallen.
What was the reason?
PRINCIPLE:
RECOGNIZE THE OFFENSE: WE HAVE OFFENDED GOD
(v 10) MAKE A COVENANT (REPENT)
29: 12-19
What happened in this passage? They cleaned house.
They cleaned house quickly, thoroughly, with diligence. When God deals with me, I need to take action. There should be no room for compromise, no hidden rooms, no locked closets.
There were a lot of Levites cleaning the temple. It took 16 days. Why do you think the writer divided the time into two 8 day increments?
CLEAN HOUSE
29: 20-24
Describe this passage. They get to work, using the temple, making restitution for the whole nation.
What did their sin offering focus on? (v21)
Who ordered it? The king.
Notice this repentance is “top down.” How is our salvation different today from the days when they offered sacrifices? (Heb 10:14)
MAKE AMENDS
29: 25-31
What was the next phase? Worship & Praise
Worship & Praise are a natural outgrowth of repentance. And it is done in a spirit of gladness & joy.
Who participated? All whose hearts were willing. Did they have any holdouts? Yes. Where were they? Where are they today?
WORSHIP AND PRAISE ARE A NATURAL RESULT OF REPENTANCE.
29: 32-36
What type of offerings are dedicated in these verses?
Sacrifice offerings, thank offerings, fellowship offerings, drink offerings that accompanied burnt offerings.
V 34 There were too few to skin all the animals, so they worked together to get the job done.
As we respond to the Lord, we will respond to the needs of the body. We will help each other.
FELLOWSHIP IS A RESULT OF REPENTANCE
30: 1-9
Hezekiah took the initiative. What about taking the initiative?
James 4:8 draw near to God and He will draw near to you
What else did they do right? (invited others)
WE NEED TO BE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN RESTORING OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD AND BRINGING OTHERS WITH US
30: 10-12
What was the attitude of the people? How many joined? What was their attitude?
How about Judah? God gave them unity of mind.
What is unity of mind?
REPENTANCE REQUIRES HUMILITY AND RESULTS IN UNITY
30: 13-14
What “altars” do we cast into the valley?
(pride, time, affections, ….)
30: 15-16
They were “ashamed.” What does that mean? Why were they ashamed?
REPENTANCE PRODUCES SHAME FOR PAST AFFECTIONS
We pull away from worldly affections and draw towards God.
30: 17-20
What is God’s attitude toward those who were not doing it “right?”
How essential was the prayer of the King for the people? (God healed them)
How essential is your prayer for your children?
GOD RESPONDS TO INTERCESSORY PRAYER
(The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man…)
30:21
Describe the feast. (great joy)
HUMILITY AND OBEDIENCE RESULTS IN GREAT GLADNESS AND JOY
What does v. 22 tell us about the positive role of leadership?
Leaders encourage learning
Leaders inspire others
v. 23 They all agreed to do it again!
Do you see any modern day parallels?
(Sunday school, Wed eve, Sat night services, etc)
Our current traditions are born out of past revivals.
v. 24-27
Leadership models:
Unrestrained giving
Faith
Boldness
Self control
Love
The people respond. God heard their prayers!!
HEALING
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HEALING (be thinking: a healing or miracle in your life)
Three topics: 1. Basic healing doctrine
2. Faith
3. When healing doesn’t happen
An umbrella of sovereignty extends over our heads like a giant canopy. Can you think of times in the bible when someone did not know why God was allowing a trial in their life? (Job, Jer. 31:15)
A. Basic doctrine: Healing is provided in the atonement.
Isaiah 53
Matthew 8:17
Just as we receive salvation by faith, we also receive healing by faith. We are saved by the Blood of Christ, and we are healed by his stripes.
The pattern we follow is in James 5:14-15. Healing and forgiveness are given together. Notice it involves several Christians praying for the one in need. It is much more unusual to see a person have a specific gift of healing (I Cor. 12:9) and pray for someone by themselves. Why would God design it this way? Why not more healing evangelists?
As we study healing it is important to never allow your personal experience dictate your theology. Rather, the Bible dictates our theology, and if our personal experience doesn’t line up with what the Bible teaches, then there is something we need to change.
B. Jesus is not only able, He is willing. He desires to heal. If Jesus were here now and you asked him to touch you, would he?
Matthew 8:3 and Mark 1:40-41
Compassion: a key ingredient in Christian ministry.
We can never go wrong praying for compassion.
We need to be careful in our prayers to not pray faith-busting prayers. Example: “If it be your will…”
We already know it is his will! We can pray with authority!
His name is Jehovah Rapha—the Lord that heals.
C. Read Numbers 21:6-9
Who was the healing for?
Who is salvation for?
Who is healing for?
Healing is for all!
Why didn’t God just heal them all? Why did they have to look?
Ans. God has designed that the element of faith must operate to receive healing.
He gave them “life for a look.”
The healing, however, was not in the serpent; not in the look; it was a manifestation on God’s power to those who obeyed.
Obedience brings God’s presence.
FAITH
Read Joshua 5:13-6:2
Four facts about faith:
1. Faith is established upon evidence. (Heb. 11:1)
What was the evidence that gave Joshua faith?
2. Faith is being convinced in my heart that God’s word is true.
Why was Joshua convinced?
3. Faith operates in the supernatural—outside of reason.
It allows us to leave the world of things that seem to be, and climb into the realm of things as they really are.
There were 12 spies. 10 spies came back and said what they saw. (there are giants in the land)
2 spies came back and saw what God said. (God has given them into our hands)
In the natural, Joshua was facing an insurmountable obstacle. Are you facing such an obstacle?
Do you say what you see, or do you see what God says?
Faith blows the ram’s horn before the walls fall. Noah built the ark before the rain.
How do we avoid the trap of trying to manipulating God (name it & claim it)?
4. Faith is the persuasion of the heart and mind of things not seen. It is based on evidence (not a pipe dream)
We have a statement of faith in I. Samuel 17:45-47
(discuss)
What enabled David to speak with authority?
2 Kings 6:16-17 What allowed Elisha to see the army of God? What allowed his servant to see?
STEPS OF FAITH
1. Acknowledge your inability (Phil. 4:13)
When self-reliance dies, faith is birthed.
Faith is a gift from God.
Repeating a mantra will not impart faith. You cannot control God.
2. Press in (James 4:8)
Call on God. Don’t wait for God to visit you.
Only God can impart faith, and then only to the man and woman who knows God.
Discover what God’s plan is, and do it.
Cleanse your heart, get serious.
3. Get hold of a promise
Whatever your situation, there is a promise in the Word to meet it.
Grow your faith like a muscle—little by little.
Walk in all the faith you have today, and you will have more tomorrow.
If God immediately answered every prayer, how would your faith grow?
I. Sam 17:36 David’s answer was based on past hard evidence of God’s deliverance. (the lion and the bear)
WHEN HEALING DOESN’T HAPPEN
1. Lack of faith of the one praying.
2. Lack of faith of the one receiving.
3. Timing—perhaps God’s discipline. Healing will be delayed until the discipline is past. (Heb 12)
4. God is sovereign. As much as we would like to control God, we can’t.
What about Paul? 2 Cor 12 tell us it was a messenger from Satan. Why did God allow it to continue?
Acts 28:9 Since Paul did not allow it to diminish his faith in praying for others, why should it hinder our faith in ministry?
Why isn’t everyone instantly healed?
Epaphroditus was “sick nigh unto death.” (Phil 2:27)
Practical application:
Do I need healing in my life?
Is God slow in answering?
Have you had answers to prayer you can share with the class?
Have you had prayers in the past that God did not answer, or answered at a later date?
Remember, it is my job to believe; it is God’s job to heal.
If God doesn’t provide healing like we think he should, there isn’t anything we can do to twist his arm. Our job is to believe.
HEALING (be thinking: a healing or miracle in your life)
Three topics: 1. Basic healing doctrine
2. Faith
3. When healing doesn’t happen
An umbrella of sovereignty extends over our heads like a giant canopy. Can you think of times in the bible when someone did not know why God was allowing a trial in their life? (Job, Jer. 31:15)
A. Basic doctrine: Healing is provided in the atonement.
Isaiah 53
Matthew 8:17
Just as we receive salvation by faith, we also receive healing by faith. We are saved by the Blood of Christ, and we are healed by his stripes.
The pattern we follow is in James 5:14-15. Healing and forgiveness are given together. Notice it involves several Christians praying for the one in need. It is much more unusual to see a person have a specific gift of healing (I Cor. 12:9) and pray for someone by themselves. Why would God design it this way? Why not more healing evangelists?
As we study healing it is important to never allow your personal experience dictate your theology. Rather, the Bible dictates our theology, and if our personal experience doesn’t line up with what the Bible teaches, then there is something we need to change.
B. Jesus is not only able, He is willing. He desires to heal. If Jesus were here now and you asked him to touch you, would he?
Matthew 8:3 and Mark 1:40-41
Compassion: a key ingredient in Christian ministry.
We can never go wrong praying for compassion.
We need to be careful in our prayers to not pray faith-busting prayers. Example: “If it be your will…”
We already know it is his will! We can pray with authority!
His name is Jehovah Rapha—the Lord that heals.
C. Read Numbers 21:6-9
Who was the healing for?
Who is salvation for?
Who is healing for?
Healing is for all!
Why didn’t God just heal them all? Why did they have to look?
Ans. God has designed that the element of faith must operate to receive healing.
He gave them “life for a look.”
The healing, however, was not in the serpent; not in the look; it was a manifestation on God’s power to those who obeyed.
Obedience brings God’s presence.
FAITH
Read Joshua 5:13-6:2
Four facts about faith:
1. Faith is established upon evidence. (Heb. 11:1)
What was the evidence that gave Joshua faith?
2. Faith is being convinced in my heart that God’s word is true.
Why was Joshua convinced?
3. Faith operates in the supernatural—outside of reason.
It allows us to leave the world of things that seem to be, and climb into the realm of things as they really are.
There were 12 spies. 10 spies came back and said what they saw. (there are giants in the land)
2 spies came back and saw what God said. (God has given them into our hands)
In the natural, Joshua was facing an insurmountable obstacle. Are you facing such an obstacle?
Do you say what you see, or do you see what God says?
Faith blows the ram’s horn before the walls fall. Noah built the ark before the rain.
How do we avoid the trap of trying to manipulating God (name it & claim it)?
4. Faith is the persuasion of the heart and mind of things not seen. It is based on evidence (not a pipe dream)
We have a statement of faith in I. Samuel 17:45-47
(discuss)
What enabled David to speak with authority?
2 Kings 6:16-17 What allowed Elisha to see the army of God? What allowed his servant to see?
STEPS OF FAITH
1. Acknowledge your inability (Phil. 4:13)
When self-reliance dies, faith is birthed.
Faith is a gift from God.
Repeating a mantra will not impart faith. You cannot control God.
2. Press in (James 4:8)
Call on God. Don’t wait for God to visit you.
Only God can impart faith, and then only to the man and woman who knows God.
Discover what God’s plan is, and do it.
Cleanse your heart, get serious.
3. Get hold of a promise
Whatever your situation, there is a promise in the Word to meet it.
Grow your faith like a muscle—little by little.
Walk in all the faith you have today, and you will have more tomorrow.
If God immediately answered every prayer, how would your faith grow?
I. Sam 17:36 David’s answer was based on past hard evidence of God’s deliverance. (the lion and the bear)
WHEN HEALING DOESN’T HAPPEN
1. Lack of faith of the one praying.
2. Lack of faith of the one receiving.
3. Timing—perhaps God’s discipline. Healing will be delayed until the discipline is past. (Heb 12)
4. God is sovereign. As much as we would like to control God, we can’t.
What about Paul? 2 Cor 12 tell us it was a messenger from Satan. Why did God allow it to continue?
Acts 28:9 Since Paul did not allow it to diminish his faith in praying for others, why should it hinder our faith in ministry?
Why isn’t everyone instantly healed?
Epaphroditus was “sick nigh unto death.” (Phil 2:27)
Practical application:
Do I need healing in my life?
Is God slow in answering?
Have you had answers to prayer you can share with the class?
Have you had prayers in the past that God did not answer, or answered at a later date?
Remember, it is my job to believe; it is God’s job to heal.
If God doesn’t provide healing like we think he should, there isn’t anything we can do to twist his arm. Our job is to believe.
FROM SUCCESS TO SIGNIFICANCE
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A Vision of Serving God
Serving God is the destiny of all Christians. We get there in different ways, but if we remain faithful, we all are marching toward that goal. It isn’t having a lofty position, or making a lot of money, or entering full time service as a pastor or missionary. It is simply being where God wants me to be today.
Today I’m going to talk about your future. However, the most important question is “Am I where God wants me to be today?”
The answer is yes or no. I’m either walking in obedience to his moral laws, or I’m not.
Ex 2:11-13
One day, after Moses had grown up, he went out to where his own people were and watched them at their hard labor. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his own people. 12 Glancing this way and that and seeing no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand.
Vision=success=service (significance)
Vision=our attempt at success (failure)=service
“Without a vision the people perish”
I don’t want any of you to die. I want you all to have a vision. Vision is not limited to age. The very young to the very old can have a vision.
What is a vision? It is a God-given picture in your mind of where you are going.
If I’m going to take you on a trip to China next year, and start showing you photos of where we are going to visit, and start talking it up, I would be instilling a vision in you of where you are going to go. Parents do that with Disneyland. Did it happen to you? Of course you remember the anticipation.
It’s the same way with God. He wants to impart a vision in your heart and mind of where you are going. You say “I wish he would.” I say “He already is.” You just have to know the rule. The rule is Ps 37:4
Delight yourself in the LORD
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
The desire of your heart is your vision. Delighting yourself in the Lord is the pathway.
You say “But wait, I am a Christian and have no vision.” I beg to differ. When you lay awake at night and can’t sleep, what do you wish you could do? If it doesn’t conflict with God’s moral law, I say it is a vision put there by God. It doesn’t have to be “religious,” although many times it is. We tend to discount those daydreams as just daydreams. I like to think of them as God whispering visions into our brain when we are not occupied by the daily tasks of life.
The important thing to remember is that we must open ourselves to the possibilities of what God may want to do in our future. “Nothing is impossible with God.” Too many times we are limited by our refusal to take those visions seriously.
Let me clarify that this doesn’t give you license to sail around the world because you’ve always wanted to do it. All visions must be viewed through the God filter. Filter out selfish ambition, and ask yourself “What is God’s vision for my future?” Am I a prisoner of a 9 to 5 job for the next 30 years? Maybe you are. But God had Moses in the desert for 40 years. That’s a lifetime. Then his ministry started. He thought it was over. God had other ideas.
When was Moses given the vision?
Ans. When he say the Israelites being beaten.
What was Moses’ response?
Ans. Take control.
Was the vision correct? Yes.
Was his implementation of the vision correct? No
When did the vision actually take place? 40 years later
What slowed Moses down?
Ans: He took control.
Who is in control of your life? Is your hand on the stick, or is God’s?
A Vision of Serving God
Serving God is the destiny of all Christians. We get there in different ways, but if we remain faithful, we all are marching toward that goal. It isn’t having a lofty position, or making a lot of money, or entering full time service as a pastor or missionary. It is simply being where God wants me to be today.
Today I’m going to talk about your future. However, the most important question is “Am I where God wants me to be today?”
The answer is yes or no. I’m either walking in obedience to his moral laws, or I’m not.
Ex 2:11-13
One day, after Moses had grown up, he went out to where his own people were and watched them at their hard labor. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his own people. 12 Glancing this way and that and seeing no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand.
Vision=success=service (significance)
Vision=our attempt at success (failure)=service
“Without a vision the people perish”
I don’t want any of you to die. I want you all to have a vision. Vision is not limited to age. The very young to the very old can have a vision.
What is a vision? It is a God-given picture in your mind of where you are going.
If I’m going to take you on a trip to China next year, and start showing you photos of where we are going to visit, and start talking it up, I would be instilling a vision in you of where you are going to go. Parents do that with Disneyland. Did it happen to you? Of course you remember the anticipation.
It’s the same way with God. He wants to impart a vision in your heart and mind of where you are going. You say “I wish he would.” I say “He already is.” You just have to know the rule. The rule is Ps 37:4
Delight yourself in the LORD
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
The desire of your heart is your vision. Delighting yourself in the Lord is the pathway.
You say “But wait, I am a Christian and have no vision.” I beg to differ. When you lay awake at night and can’t sleep, what do you wish you could do? If it doesn’t conflict with God’s moral law, I say it is a vision put there by God. It doesn’t have to be “religious,” although many times it is. We tend to discount those daydreams as just daydreams. I like to think of them as God whispering visions into our brain when we are not occupied by the daily tasks of life.
The important thing to remember is that we must open ourselves to the possibilities of what God may want to do in our future. “Nothing is impossible with God.” Too many times we are limited by our refusal to take those visions seriously.
Let me clarify that this doesn’t give you license to sail around the world because you’ve always wanted to do it. All visions must be viewed through the God filter. Filter out selfish ambition, and ask yourself “What is God’s vision for my future?” Am I a prisoner of a 9 to 5 job for the next 30 years? Maybe you are. But God had Moses in the desert for 40 years. That’s a lifetime. Then his ministry started. He thought it was over. God had other ideas.
When was Moses given the vision?
Ans. When he say the Israelites being beaten.
What was Moses’ response?
Ans. Take control.
Was the vision correct? Yes.
Was his implementation of the vision correct? No
When did the vision actually take place? 40 years later
What slowed Moses down?
Ans: He took control.
Who is in control of your life? Is your hand on the stick, or is God’s?
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
APOLOGETICS
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APOLOGETICS: A RESPONSE TO “WHY I AM NOT A CHRISTIAN,” BY BERTRAND RUSSELL (APPROXIMATELY 13 WEEKS)
OUTLINE
1. Beginnings
2. God and Physics
3. Evolution vs. Creation
4. Morality
5. Injustice
6. Pacifism and Christianity
7. Jesus the Man-God
8. Fear and Religion
9. Suffering
10. Predeterminism
11. Reason vs. God’s Existence
12. Miracles
13. Sources of Malevolence
14. Superstition
Introduction to Apologetics
List some common arguments:
1. “Are you saying you’re better than I am?”
2. “I’m not a Christian, yet I have a good job, happy marriage, obedient children.”
3. “We had revival, but 6 months later everyone went back to their old ways.”
4. other….
It is important to remember there are no stupid questions.
I Peter 3:15-16
Discuss the important exhortations in these verses:
1. be prepared
2. be polite
3. your reputation will defend you
II Timothy 2:15
discuss
We have a responsibility to prepare ourselves.
Let’s establish a basis for our own theology:
Biblical Theist: One who believes in the existence and primacy of one God who is three persons, transcending and yet immanent in the universe who has revealed himself in the Bible.
Primacy: first
God has always existed
No one existed before God
He was not created by anyone
Transcending: Beyond
God exists beyond all creation and separate from
it
He is “out there”
If the universe ceases to exist, God’s existence
would continue.
Immanent: God is here.
He is all around us now.
All mankind began as Biblical Theists. Romans One describes the slippery slope into depravity. They dreamed up alternative theology and ideas about God. Their thinking became futile.
Alternative belief systems to Christianity:
Atheism: Psalms 14:1 The fool has said in his heart “there is no God”
Darwin’s theory of organic evolution was the first real viable alternative to Biblical creation. (What does organic evolution teach?)
Biblical Creation stands in total contrast: God purposefully and willfully created the earth, man, and animals, etc.
Agnosticism: A “who cares” attitude.
“It doesn’t make any difference anyway”
“You can’t prove or disprove the existence of God”
Psalms 8:3-4 describes the attitude of the agnostic
Deism: God is transcendent but not immanent
He is an impersonal non-caring God
He watches from above with disinterest.
Pantheism: God is immanent but not transcendent.
If the universe blew up, God would die.
God is inseparable from matter
“I don’t need to attend church, I feel God when I go
hiking”
They worship the creation instead of the creator.
Existentialism: “I exist”
Any meaning I create for myself is temporary
It’s like a man in a rowboat in the ocean.
“It doesn’t matter which way I row”
“Any direction is as good as the other”
The result of existentialism carried to its logical conclusion is depression and suicide. Ernest Hemmingway and Jack London were existentialists.
People who are intelligent without God usually follow this route, not necessarily to suicide, but usually to depression. They desperately seek a purpose in life, and they find it in humanism.
Humanism: The betterment of the human race.
Glorify man and enjoy him forever.
This can be confusing to a casual observer,
Because many goals of the humanist merge with
Those of Christian ministry. (soup kitchens, etc)
A true humanist is usually an atheist, but they call themselves a humanist. They could just as easily be an agnostic, pantheist, or deist.
Three types of humanism:
1. Hedonistic: Live for today, party all night. (Luke 12:19)
2. Idealistic (secular)
This is what the existentialist will turn to.
“Let’s have a better world”
The end is more important than the means.
(discuss)
(justification of abortion and euthanasia.)
“Every child a wanted child”
3. Christian humanism
This is a person who combines Christianity and humanism.
A Christian says “How will this glorify God?”
A humanist says “How will this glorify man?”
A Christian humanist says ….
I’ll become a Christian, but what’s in it for me?
(Phil 3:18 …their god is their belly…)
(Matt 7:15 …many will say Lord, Lord….)
John 1:12 says …to all who received him…(not his benefits)
Luke 15: the prodigal son.
How would his response been different if he had been a humanist?
(A true Christian looks at the Father)
Practical application:
1. Don’t glorify the benefits, but the person of Jesus. He is worthy. (prosperity gospel looks at benefits)
2. When witnessing, lift up Jesus. Don’t appeal to their selfish nature. (you get back your marriage, a good job, etc.
It is important to remember that every belief system is a closed system. By that, I mean that if you are an atheist, then everything you experience is seen through atheistic eyes. It justifies your belief system.
Only an outside independent observer can look into a closed belief system and see the flaws. A person in a closed system remains there until they can “see” outside the circle.
What broke into your thinking that caused you to look outside the circle and become a Christian? (share personal testimonies)
An atheist would say the same about us—we need to look outside the circle and join them as atheists.
The important thing to remember is that it is futile to debate. The only effective witnessing occurs on the “heart” level. –personal testimony for example.
The Bible says we are a fragrance of life to the believer and a fragrance of death to the unbeliever. If God’s Spirit is drawing someone and your fragrance is noticed, then they will truly listen and will not try to defend their belief system.
This points out the importance of prayer. Prayer brings circumstances into a nonbeliever's life which causes them to consider Christ.
Apologetics #1 First Cause
If God made me, then who made God?
“First Cause” argument
What is the assumption behind the “first cause” argument?
(everything has a beginning)
The person who asks this question has a naturalistic interpretation of life. Naturalistic means follow natural physical laws; therefore all things have a beginning, even God. The assumption is that God is composed of atoms like we are. Since all things have a beginning and an end, there is no such thing as God. To an atheist, a spiritual world does not exist.
What do we know about the composition of God? (John 4:24)
Can you see any flaws in this logic?
Carl Sagan is an atheist. He claims it is just as easy to believe the universe has always existed as to believe in God. He chooses to believe the universe has always been around.
The interesting thing about this view is that it requires faith. We have faith that God has always existed. The atheist has faith that universe had no creator. As an atheist, you must have this faith. The alternative is to acknowledge that a higher force had a hand in creation.
This is the logic problem:
(1) God does not exist because he would have to have had a beginning.
(2) Therefore, the physical universe has always existed.
Dilemma: Is it easier to believe that God has always existed, or that the universe has always existed? Who is more logical, the Christian or the atheist?
It is interesting that the recent “string theory” put forth by Steven Hawking says that the universe simply sprang into existence. We know that God simply spoke the universe into existence.
Unfortunately, it is not logic that makes Christians.
Too often our belief system is a result of the need to justify our immoral lifestyle. (examples?)
We appease our conscience.
If Biblical morals applied to my lifestyle my conscience would condemn me. Therefore I must align myself with a belief system that allows me to live like I choose to live.
Apologetics #2
God and Physics
Basic laws in physics do not need deity to explain their existence, because that deity would have to be subject to those same laws.
Do you see any flaw in this argument?
This argument does not accept the Biblical concept of God. Of course, if he were not God, he would have to be subject to natural physical laws.
What do we know about God that makes him immune to the laws of physics?
John 4:24 God is spirit
Hebrews 1:3 Jesus is the creator of the universe and therefore all its physical laws
God, being the creator, is greater than the universe he created.
What kind of God does an atheist envisage?
subject to physical laws, and: a. therefore a physical being
b. not able to know the future
c. other?
An atheist will say that the laws of physics prove that God does not exist; a Christian will say that those same laws point to God’s existence.
The same evidence leads to opposite conclusions.
Is there an answer for this dilemma?
Example: a famous magician does a trick, and you are the assistant. You know how the trick was accomplished, but an outside observer develops an elaborate theory (evolution).
Here we are, billions of people, all coming to different conclusions about our being here and what our purpose is.
Today, an atheist would say that if God exists, he would logically reveal himself to the world. He would do miracles on TV with independent judges to verify the authenticity.
It is interesting that in Bible prophecy, such a person will appear. The Antichrist. He will do a great miracle (heal the beast) and the whole world will accept him as their new leader.
What will change the heart of an unbeliever?
--Only a direct personal experience with the Living God. The Bible says that before you can become a Christian, you must be drawn by the Holy Spirit. You cannot become a Christian on intellect alone.
What should this tell us if someone asks you a question about your faith?
Ans. It is important to determine the basis of their questioning—either a true interest; or to play intellectual games.
Apologetics #3
Creation vs. evolution
Creation: God did it
Evolution: Chance caused it
There is not a more definitive distinction in our western civilization between believers and nonbelievers.
Someday we will look back and see that evolution was the greatest hoax of the twentieth century.
Define evolution: random events result in increasing complexity of life. (over long period of time)
Define creationism: purposeful creation by an intelligent being
Within creationism, there is the “long earth” vs “short earth” viewpoint. (explain each)
Catastrophism vs. gradualism.
Evolutionists favor gradualism. The latest theory is called punctuated equilibrium. It means there were long periods of quiet interrupted by catastrophic events.
Recommend reading: Hugh Ross, Henry Morris, Donald Chittick
Web site: jplawson.com
Apologetics #4
Morality
If God existed, He would have had to give the order for the creation of right and wrong. Therefore, both are equal to him and there is no difference.
Can you see any basic assumptions in this statement?
1. If God exists, then right and wrong were created
2. If God exists, he is amoral.
What do we know about God that contradicts these assumptions?
1. God is right (holy).
2. Therefore, God is moral.
Let’s look at the concepts of “right” and “wrong.”
We usually look at them as being two sides of any moral issue. For example, it is right to give; it is wrong to steal. We have a choice, and as children we began making moral decisions from our early years with the guidance of our parents.
However, God is totally different. God is right. There is no “wrong” with God. In fact, we can define “wrong” or “sin” as anything that does not conform to God’s total holiness.
Our definition of wrong is only possible because of God’s holiness being the standard by which we measure all moral decisions.
To compound the problem, wrong cannot exist in God’s presence. It is a real problem, because no one is holy. We are all condemned to hell and to being separated from God.
However, God has wisdom beyond understanding, and has devised a plan by which the most wicked person who ever lived can be ushered into His presence after death. He arranged for a scapegoat—the Lord Jesus Christ.
It is only because of this that anyone can have any hope of coexisting with God’s holiness. As you know, we are talking about the Plan of Salvation.
Of course intellectuals such as Bertrand Russell analyzed this in detail and decided it was too fanciful of a dream to hope for. Imagine such a pipe dream! God in heaven figuring out how a puny human can join Him for eternity is the work of dreaming visionaries from centuries past. It is too good to be true!
After all, God would not hand us heaven on a silver platter—He would make us work for it! (Have you heard that before?)
This issue of working for acceptance before God is what separates Christianity from all other world religions.
Consequently, this is one of the great proofs of Christianity—that mankind by nature believes in the concept of reciprocity. You have to give something to get something.
In Christianity, however, you do nothing and receive everything. It is totally against our human nature to think up the Plan of Salvation, and that in itself is evidence that it was not developed out of the human mind. I. Cor. 1:18 “…the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing…”
Apologetics #5 Injustice
Since injustice exists now, it must exist everywhere, have always existed, and will exist in the future.
Do you see any errors in this statement?
1. The concept of time is not correct.
2. The concept of change is not correct.
Time:
God exists outside of time. Imagine holding a yardstick with one end being creation and the other end the great judgment. You can look at any position on the yardstick and see what is happening. You have the power to intervene at any point. In addition, you can see all the infinite possibilities of what might have been.
God is not subject to time or confined by time. In fact, Peter tells us that God is more “event sensitive.” Peter says one day is as a thousand years. In other words, some events which occur in one day have the significance of 1,000 years of human history somewhere else on the yardstick. (example, the resurrection)
(Esther 4:14 for such a time as this)
As mortals, we reason that all things must have a beginning. Time is simply a measurement of event passage. Remember God existed when no events were occurring. There was a “time” when nothing was happening—no light rays, no gravity, no rocks hurtling through space. Therefore, there was nothing by which to measure time.
Time began when God created the means to measure it. Another way to say it is that when God created the first event, then time started. Time was created by God, and God exists outside of time.
Change:
Bertrand Russell finds it inconceivable that there may have been a time in history when injustice did not exist. If fact, we know such a time did exist before Satan’s rebellion.
From God’s perspective, this whole period of time from Satan’s rebellion to the final judgement is just a blip in eternity. I. Cor 15 tells us that when all is completed on earth then Christ will give the keys of the Kingdom back to God and things will go on as they did before Satan’s rebellion.
Suggested reading: The Invisible War by Donald Barnhouse
Bertrand Russell is like a man in a rowboat in the ocean. All he sees in water, so he concludes that the whole earth is water. His logic is the product of a closed mind.
Apologetics #6 Pacifism
Christians would be pacifists if they obeyed the Bible.
I want to state clearly that this can be considered an interpretation of scripture and does not address essential elements of salvation. You can be a pacifist and be a Christian. We are going to talk about why most Christians are not pacifists.
Read Matt 5: 38-42
It seems to be contradicting the Old Testament law. Remember God never changes.
Read Exodus 21:22-25
Who is the deciding authority in this scripture? The court. This is setting down law for civil justice.
Jesus was talking about personal vengeance.
The Jews had personalized a scripture meant for civil justice and turned it into justification for personal vengeance.
Personal vengeance says if you kill my child I will track you down and avenge my child’s death. Jesus clearly taught us to avoid all forms of bitterness and anger. We are to turn the other cheek. James says the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.
Exodus 21 is referring to a civilization’s responsibility to maintain law and order. Jesus was merely putting justice back in the box.
Application: If you kill my child, I have a responsibility to forgive; the State has a responsibility to prosecute.
Rule of government has been established by God to keep the peace in our society. God instructs us to obey civil authorities. We are to allow the government to do its job without taking on the task ourselves. We were not constructed by God emotionally to handle that kind of responsibility.
When the government fails to exercise timely justice, crime increases. (Ecclesiastes 8:11)
We’ve discussed events in the community—how about war?
Hitler used war and 50 million civilians and soldiers died. Were we right to oppose him?
A pacifist might say that God would defend us. Remember Hezekiah relied on God, and God destroyed their enemy. (2 King 19:35)
How about terrorism?
How about a school bully?
Is there a Biblical principle we can apply?
Would you respond differently if your sister was being attacked?
What if God was being cursed?
What if your character is being maligned?
These are not easy questions.
Apologetics #7 Jesus the Man-God
Jesus believed he would return in that generation, therefore he was not God because he did not return.
Matt. 24:34 “this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.” (also Luke 21:32)
How would you answer this argument?
What about the early Christians? They thought Jesus would return shortly. After all, the first four Jewish Feasts had been fulfilled prophetically. Passover, Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits, and Feast of Weeks (Pentecost) had all reached fulfillment on the exact day of their historical observance. Jesus had fulfilled the first three, and the Holy Spirit coming to the upper room was the fulfillment of the fourth feast. Only three feasts remained. I can imagine their excitement as those dates drew near. (explain) Most Christians in the evangelical churches such as our believe that Jesus will return on the date of Feast of Trumpets, followed by the repentance of Israel on the Day of Atonement, and God ruling from Jerusalem and we dwelling with him to fulfill the Feast of Tabernacles.
B. Russell says: Jesus was imperfect because he believed in hell.
Where was his reasoning wrong?
This is totally subjective. Jesus was simply warning us of the reality of hell, just as we warn our children to keep their hand off a hot stove.
Apologetics #8 Fear and Religion
B. Russell says: People turn to religion on emotional grounds. The basis for the existence of religion is fear.
Are you a Christian out of fear?
What do we mean when we say we “fear God?”
As we have discussed previously, Christianity is the only religion where you don’t have to “do something” to be acceptable to God. Heaven is a free gift. It is not earned or deserved.
What is there in our heart as men & women worldwide that causes us to turn to some type of religion? (discussion)
--to find a sense of meaning, a reason to live?
--other?
Apologetics #9 Suffering
B. Russell says: Suffering would not exist if God existed.
We can turn that around and say…if God existed he would not allow suffering.
Do you see any problems with that statement?
What does he not understand about God?
Ans. God’s compassion
Isaiah 26: 9b-10 God judgement is actually his compassion.
Here’s why: Judgement brings repentance, which results in godliness.
No judgement causes hardness of heart resulting in eternal damnation.
What will God do to save a soul?
What did he do to save your soul?
Did you go through hard times to learn a spiritual lesson?
Spiritual principle: God is more concerned about our spiritual welfare than he is our physical well being.
What about the suffering of the innocent?
Why doesn’t God step in? (child abuse, crime, physical deformities)
All was perfect until sin entered the world. We are seeing the consequences of sin. There is a Biblical principle called the Law of the Harvest. We reap what we sow. It still happens in our individual lives. Right not you are reaping the results of choices you made 20 years ago.
Let’s carry the above statement to its logical conclusion: God exists, so he will interfere.
Will he keep a man from leaving his wife, or a wife from leaving her husband? If so, will he intervene right before they appear before the judge, or will he go back 20 years and prevent a selfish thought from entering the mind of the offender?
Will he limit a pregnant woman from drinking alcohol to protect the baby? Will he let her have one drink, and then she will feel her arms unable to reach for the bottle?
Would there be editorials complaining that no one can do anything they want, because God is always stepping in?
What is wrong with this line of reasoning?
Ans. We are not puppets, but free moral agents. We have been given a brain with which to make wise decisions, and we will be held accountable by God for how we use our talents.
Types of suffering: 1. Suffering because of God’s judgement
2. suffering because of our own mistakes
3. Suffering caused by persecution of our faith.
4. Suffering of the innocent.
Apologetics #10 Determinism
B. Russell says:
We are not responsible for our actions because we are a product of our environment. Therefore, we cannot be held accountable for decisions we make, and there is no such thing as judgement in the Biblical sense.
Interpretation: Our decisions are determined for us by things that happened in the past. We have no free will, we only think we do. You think you chose to become a Christian, but in reality that decision was made for you by circumstances.
Why would an atheist embrace this view?
Ans. By believing in determinism, a person can absolve themselves of any responsibility for their actions.
People who are not Christians have a built-in scale—guilt must always balance blame. (explain) Becoming a Christian takes off the weight on both scales.
Since B. Russell would not accept Christianity, he needs lots of blame to handle the guilt. He blames his mother, society, etc.
There are some real differences in how justice is dispensed depending on your world view. If the crime is a product of environment, then the solution is correction. If the crime is sinful rebellion, then the solution is punishment. It is interesting that our penal institutions have become correctional facilities.
Biblically, we are individually responsible for our decisions. This is the opposite of determinism. Although environment has its influence, we will all stand before God to be held accountable for our choices.
B. Russell chose a lifestyle that required a deterministic philosophy. He was not equipped to deal with the guilt except by using blame.
(conclude with overhead “Too often…)
B.R. says: God may exist, but outside of reason.
What is your response?
Ps 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
“The fool has said in his heart there is no God”
Prov 9:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Rational reasons for God’s existence:
1. First Cause
2. Physical laws
3. Design
4. Moral arguments
B.R. says: Since there is no God, miracles do not exist.
Response?
What is a miracle? Have you ever experienced one?
Apologetics #12 Malevolence
B.R. says: Proper teaching can eliminate fear and hatred in society. Malevolence does exist, but its sources are fear, envy, and disappointment.
Do you see a basic premise behind this statement?
Ans. Man is basically good. All it takes is proper training and education to eliminate evil.
How does this affect the way we raise our children?
Humanism: emphasis on early training, self-image. I treat others nice because what goes around comes around.
Bible: emphasis on discipline of negative attitudes, proper relationship with God, understanding the Plan of Salvation. I treat other nice because they are God’s creation and God loves them. I am an instrument of God’s love to others.
(List the first one, have the class give the Biblical view)
Blame vs. accepting responsibility
Self-image vs. humility (strength through Christ)
Do what feels good vs. edify and encourage one another
Education and environment vs. religious training and repentance
APOLOGETICS #14
B.R. says: Superstition is the origin of moral rules.
Who is superstitious?
B.R. would says that Christianity itself is a superstition. Any other perspective brings his own lifestyle into condemnation.
B.R. chose his lifestyle, and then picked a belief system to justify his morals.
It is human nature to rationalize our behavior. Even as Christians, when confronted with an inconsistency in our life, are tempted to say “My God is love. He tolerates my behavior.” (ex: taxes)
How can we safeguard ourselves from rationalizing our behavior?
B.R. says: If God created us, he must be a fiend.
What is a fiend?
What do we not understand about God if we think he is a fiend?
APOLOGETICS: A RESPONSE TO “WHY I AM NOT A CHRISTIAN,” BY BERTRAND RUSSELL (APPROXIMATELY 13 WEEKS)
OUTLINE
1. Beginnings
2. God and Physics
3. Evolution vs. Creation
4. Morality
5. Injustice
6. Pacifism and Christianity
7. Jesus the Man-God
8. Fear and Religion
9. Suffering
10. Predeterminism
11. Reason vs. God’s Existence
12. Miracles
13. Sources of Malevolence
14. Superstition
Introduction to Apologetics
List some common arguments:
1. “Are you saying you’re better than I am?”
2. “I’m not a Christian, yet I have a good job, happy marriage, obedient children.”
3. “We had revival, but 6 months later everyone went back to their old ways.”
4. other….
It is important to remember there are no stupid questions.
I Peter 3:15-16
Discuss the important exhortations in these verses:
1. be prepared
2. be polite
3. your reputation will defend you
II Timothy 2:15
discuss
We have a responsibility to prepare ourselves.
Let’s establish a basis for our own theology:
Biblical Theist: One who believes in the existence and primacy of one God who is three persons, transcending and yet immanent in the universe who has revealed himself in the Bible.
Primacy: first
God has always existed
No one existed before God
He was not created by anyone
Transcending: Beyond
God exists beyond all creation and separate from
it
He is “out there”
If the universe ceases to exist, God’s existence
would continue.
Immanent: God is here.
He is all around us now.
All mankind began as Biblical Theists. Romans One describes the slippery slope into depravity. They dreamed up alternative theology and ideas about God. Their thinking became futile.
Alternative belief systems to Christianity:
Atheism: Psalms 14:1 The fool has said in his heart “there is no God”
Darwin’s theory of organic evolution was the first real viable alternative to Biblical creation. (What does organic evolution teach?)
Biblical Creation stands in total contrast: God purposefully and willfully created the earth, man, and animals, etc.
Agnosticism: A “who cares” attitude.
“It doesn’t make any difference anyway”
“You can’t prove or disprove the existence of God”
Psalms 8:3-4 describes the attitude of the agnostic
Deism: God is transcendent but not immanent
He is an impersonal non-caring God
He watches from above with disinterest.
Pantheism: God is immanent but not transcendent.
If the universe blew up, God would die.
God is inseparable from matter
“I don’t need to attend church, I feel God when I go
hiking”
They worship the creation instead of the creator.
Existentialism: “I exist”
Any meaning I create for myself is temporary
It’s like a man in a rowboat in the ocean.
“It doesn’t matter which way I row”
“Any direction is as good as the other”
The result of existentialism carried to its logical conclusion is depression and suicide. Ernest Hemmingway and Jack London were existentialists.
People who are intelligent without God usually follow this route, not necessarily to suicide, but usually to depression. They desperately seek a purpose in life, and they find it in humanism.
Humanism: The betterment of the human race.
Glorify man and enjoy him forever.
This can be confusing to a casual observer,
Because many goals of the humanist merge with
Those of Christian ministry. (soup kitchens, etc)
A true humanist is usually an atheist, but they call themselves a humanist. They could just as easily be an agnostic, pantheist, or deist.
Three types of humanism:
1. Hedonistic: Live for today, party all night. (Luke 12:19)
2. Idealistic (secular)
This is what the existentialist will turn to.
“Let’s have a better world”
The end is more important than the means.
(discuss)
(justification of abortion and euthanasia.)
“Every child a wanted child”
3. Christian humanism
This is a person who combines Christianity and humanism.
A Christian says “How will this glorify God?”
A humanist says “How will this glorify man?”
A Christian humanist says ….
I’ll become a Christian, but what’s in it for me?
(Phil 3:18 …their god is their belly…)
(Matt 7:15 …many will say Lord, Lord….)
John 1:12 says …to all who received him…(not his benefits)
Luke 15: the prodigal son.
How would his response been different if he had been a humanist?
(A true Christian looks at the Father)
Practical application:
1. Don’t glorify the benefits, but the person of Jesus. He is worthy. (prosperity gospel looks at benefits)
2. When witnessing, lift up Jesus. Don’t appeal to their selfish nature. (you get back your marriage, a good job, etc.
It is important to remember that every belief system is a closed system. By that, I mean that if you are an atheist, then everything you experience is seen through atheistic eyes. It justifies your belief system.
Only an outside independent observer can look into a closed belief system and see the flaws. A person in a closed system remains there until they can “see” outside the circle.
What broke into your thinking that caused you to look outside the circle and become a Christian? (share personal testimonies)
An atheist would say the same about us—we need to look outside the circle and join them as atheists.
The important thing to remember is that it is futile to debate. The only effective witnessing occurs on the “heart” level. –personal testimony for example.
The Bible says we are a fragrance of life to the believer and a fragrance of death to the unbeliever. If God’s Spirit is drawing someone and your fragrance is noticed, then they will truly listen and will not try to defend their belief system.
This points out the importance of prayer. Prayer brings circumstances into a nonbeliever's life which causes them to consider Christ.
Apologetics #1 First Cause
If God made me, then who made God?
“First Cause” argument
What is the assumption behind the “first cause” argument?
(everything has a beginning)
The person who asks this question has a naturalistic interpretation of life. Naturalistic means follow natural physical laws; therefore all things have a beginning, even God. The assumption is that God is composed of atoms like we are. Since all things have a beginning and an end, there is no such thing as God. To an atheist, a spiritual world does not exist.
What do we know about the composition of God? (John 4:24)
Can you see any flaws in this logic?
Carl Sagan is an atheist. He claims it is just as easy to believe the universe has always existed as to believe in God. He chooses to believe the universe has always been around.
The interesting thing about this view is that it requires faith. We have faith that God has always existed. The atheist has faith that universe had no creator. As an atheist, you must have this faith. The alternative is to acknowledge that a higher force had a hand in creation.
This is the logic problem:
(1) God does not exist because he would have to have had a beginning.
(2) Therefore, the physical universe has always existed.
Dilemma: Is it easier to believe that God has always existed, or that the universe has always existed? Who is more logical, the Christian or the atheist?
It is interesting that the recent “string theory” put forth by Steven Hawking says that the universe simply sprang into existence. We know that God simply spoke the universe into existence.
Unfortunately, it is not logic that makes Christians.
Too often our belief system is a result of the need to justify our immoral lifestyle. (examples?)
We appease our conscience.
If Biblical morals applied to my lifestyle my conscience would condemn me. Therefore I must align myself with a belief system that allows me to live like I choose to live.
Apologetics #2
God and Physics
Basic laws in physics do not need deity to explain their existence, because that deity would have to be subject to those same laws.
Do you see any flaw in this argument?
This argument does not accept the Biblical concept of God. Of course, if he were not God, he would have to be subject to natural physical laws.
What do we know about God that makes him immune to the laws of physics?
John 4:24 God is spirit
Hebrews 1:3 Jesus is the creator of the universe and therefore all its physical laws
God, being the creator, is greater than the universe he created.
What kind of God does an atheist envisage?
subject to physical laws, and: a. therefore a physical being
b. not able to know the future
c. other?
An atheist will say that the laws of physics prove that God does not exist; a Christian will say that those same laws point to God’s existence.
The same evidence leads to opposite conclusions.
Is there an answer for this dilemma?
Example: a famous magician does a trick, and you are the assistant. You know how the trick was accomplished, but an outside observer develops an elaborate theory (evolution).
Here we are, billions of people, all coming to different conclusions about our being here and what our purpose is.
Today, an atheist would say that if God exists, he would logically reveal himself to the world. He would do miracles on TV with independent judges to verify the authenticity.
It is interesting that in Bible prophecy, such a person will appear. The Antichrist. He will do a great miracle (heal the beast) and the whole world will accept him as their new leader.
What will change the heart of an unbeliever?
--Only a direct personal experience with the Living God. The Bible says that before you can become a Christian, you must be drawn by the Holy Spirit. You cannot become a Christian on intellect alone.
What should this tell us if someone asks you a question about your faith?
Ans. It is important to determine the basis of their questioning—either a true interest; or to play intellectual games.
Apologetics #3
Creation vs. evolution
Creation: God did it
Evolution: Chance caused it
There is not a more definitive distinction in our western civilization between believers and nonbelievers.
Someday we will look back and see that evolution was the greatest hoax of the twentieth century.
Define evolution: random events result in increasing complexity of life. (over long period of time)
Define creationism: purposeful creation by an intelligent being
Within creationism, there is the “long earth” vs “short earth” viewpoint. (explain each)
Catastrophism vs. gradualism.
Evolutionists favor gradualism. The latest theory is called punctuated equilibrium. It means there were long periods of quiet interrupted by catastrophic events.
Recommend reading: Hugh Ross, Henry Morris, Donald Chittick
Web site: jplawson.com
Apologetics #4
Morality
If God existed, He would have had to give the order for the creation of right and wrong. Therefore, both are equal to him and there is no difference.
Can you see any basic assumptions in this statement?
1. If God exists, then right and wrong were created
2. If God exists, he is amoral.
What do we know about God that contradicts these assumptions?
1. God is right (holy).
2. Therefore, God is moral.
Let’s look at the concepts of “right” and “wrong.”
We usually look at them as being two sides of any moral issue. For example, it is right to give; it is wrong to steal. We have a choice, and as children we began making moral decisions from our early years with the guidance of our parents.
However, God is totally different. God is right. There is no “wrong” with God. In fact, we can define “wrong” or “sin” as anything that does not conform to God’s total holiness.
Our definition of wrong is only possible because of God’s holiness being the standard by which we measure all moral decisions.
To compound the problem, wrong cannot exist in God’s presence. It is a real problem, because no one is holy. We are all condemned to hell and to being separated from God.
However, God has wisdom beyond understanding, and has devised a plan by which the most wicked person who ever lived can be ushered into His presence after death. He arranged for a scapegoat—the Lord Jesus Christ.
It is only because of this that anyone can have any hope of coexisting with God’s holiness. As you know, we are talking about the Plan of Salvation.
Of course intellectuals such as Bertrand Russell analyzed this in detail and decided it was too fanciful of a dream to hope for. Imagine such a pipe dream! God in heaven figuring out how a puny human can join Him for eternity is the work of dreaming visionaries from centuries past. It is too good to be true!
After all, God would not hand us heaven on a silver platter—He would make us work for it! (Have you heard that before?)
This issue of working for acceptance before God is what separates Christianity from all other world religions.
Consequently, this is one of the great proofs of Christianity—that mankind by nature believes in the concept of reciprocity. You have to give something to get something.
In Christianity, however, you do nothing and receive everything. It is totally against our human nature to think up the Plan of Salvation, and that in itself is evidence that it was not developed out of the human mind. I. Cor. 1:18 “…the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing…”
Apologetics #5 Injustice
Since injustice exists now, it must exist everywhere, have always existed, and will exist in the future.
Do you see any errors in this statement?
1. The concept of time is not correct.
2. The concept of change is not correct.
Time:
God exists outside of time. Imagine holding a yardstick with one end being creation and the other end the great judgment. You can look at any position on the yardstick and see what is happening. You have the power to intervene at any point. In addition, you can see all the infinite possibilities of what might have been.
God is not subject to time or confined by time. In fact, Peter tells us that God is more “event sensitive.” Peter says one day is as a thousand years. In other words, some events which occur in one day have the significance of 1,000 years of human history somewhere else on the yardstick. (example, the resurrection)
(Esther 4:14 for such a time as this)
As mortals, we reason that all things must have a beginning. Time is simply a measurement of event passage. Remember God existed when no events were occurring. There was a “time” when nothing was happening—no light rays, no gravity, no rocks hurtling through space. Therefore, there was nothing by which to measure time.
Time began when God created the means to measure it. Another way to say it is that when God created the first event, then time started. Time was created by God, and God exists outside of time.
Change:
Bertrand Russell finds it inconceivable that there may have been a time in history when injustice did not exist. If fact, we know such a time did exist before Satan’s rebellion.
From God’s perspective, this whole period of time from Satan’s rebellion to the final judgement is just a blip in eternity. I. Cor 15 tells us that when all is completed on earth then Christ will give the keys of the Kingdom back to God and things will go on as they did before Satan’s rebellion.
Suggested reading: The Invisible War by Donald Barnhouse
Bertrand Russell is like a man in a rowboat in the ocean. All he sees in water, so he concludes that the whole earth is water. His logic is the product of a closed mind.
Apologetics #6 Pacifism
Christians would be pacifists if they obeyed the Bible.
I want to state clearly that this can be considered an interpretation of scripture and does not address essential elements of salvation. You can be a pacifist and be a Christian. We are going to talk about why most Christians are not pacifists.
Read Matt 5: 38-42
It seems to be contradicting the Old Testament law. Remember God never changes.
Read Exodus 21:22-25
Who is the deciding authority in this scripture? The court. This is setting down law for civil justice.
Jesus was talking about personal vengeance.
The Jews had personalized a scripture meant for civil justice and turned it into justification for personal vengeance.
Personal vengeance says if you kill my child I will track you down and avenge my child’s death. Jesus clearly taught us to avoid all forms of bitterness and anger. We are to turn the other cheek. James says the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.
Exodus 21 is referring to a civilization’s responsibility to maintain law and order. Jesus was merely putting justice back in the box.
Application: If you kill my child, I have a responsibility to forgive; the State has a responsibility to prosecute.
Rule of government has been established by God to keep the peace in our society. God instructs us to obey civil authorities. We are to allow the government to do its job without taking on the task ourselves. We were not constructed by God emotionally to handle that kind of responsibility.
When the government fails to exercise timely justice, crime increases. (Ecclesiastes 8:11)
We’ve discussed events in the community—how about war?
Hitler used war and 50 million civilians and soldiers died. Were we right to oppose him?
A pacifist might say that God would defend us. Remember Hezekiah relied on God, and God destroyed their enemy. (2 King 19:35)
How about terrorism?
How about a school bully?
Is there a Biblical principle we can apply?
Would you respond differently if your sister was being attacked?
What if God was being cursed?
What if your character is being maligned?
These are not easy questions.
Apologetics #7 Jesus the Man-God
Jesus believed he would return in that generation, therefore he was not God because he did not return.
Matt. 24:34 “this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.” (also Luke 21:32)
How would you answer this argument?
What about the early Christians? They thought Jesus would return shortly. After all, the first four Jewish Feasts had been fulfilled prophetically. Passover, Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits, and Feast of Weeks (Pentecost) had all reached fulfillment on the exact day of their historical observance. Jesus had fulfilled the first three, and the Holy Spirit coming to the upper room was the fulfillment of the fourth feast. Only three feasts remained. I can imagine their excitement as those dates drew near. (explain) Most Christians in the evangelical churches such as our believe that Jesus will return on the date of Feast of Trumpets, followed by the repentance of Israel on the Day of Atonement, and God ruling from Jerusalem and we dwelling with him to fulfill the Feast of Tabernacles.
B. Russell says: Jesus was imperfect because he believed in hell.
Where was his reasoning wrong?
This is totally subjective. Jesus was simply warning us of the reality of hell, just as we warn our children to keep their hand off a hot stove.
Apologetics #8 Fear and Religion
B. Russell says: People turn to religion on emotional grounds. The basis for the existence of religion is fear.
Are you a Christian out of fear?
What do we mean when we say we “fear God?”
As we have discussed previously, Christianity is the only religion where you don’t have to “do something” to be acceptable to God. Heaven is a free gift. It is not earned or deserved.
What is there in our heart as men & women worldwide that causes us to turn to some type of religion? (discussion)
--to find a sense of meaning, a reason to live?
--other?
Apologetics #9 Suffering
B. Russell says: Suffering would not exist if God existed.
We can turn that around and say…if God existed he would not allow suffering.
Do you see any problems with that statement?
What does he not understand about God?
Ans. God’s compassion
Isaiah 26: 9b-10 God judgement is actually his compassion.
Here’s why: Judgement brings repentance, which results in godliness.
No judgement causes hardness of heart resulting in eternal damnation.
What will God do to save a soul?
What did he do to save your soul?
Did you go through hard times to learn a spiritual lesson?
Spiritual principle: God is more concerned about our spiritual welfare than he is our physical well being.
What about the suffering of the innocent?
Why doesn’t God step in? (child abuse, crime, physical deformities)
All was perfect until sin entered the world. We are seeing the consequences of sin. There is a Biblical principle called the Law of the Harvest. We reap what we sow. It still happens in our individual lives. Right not you are reaping the results of choices you made 20 years ago.
Let’s carry the above statement to its logical conclusion: God exists, so he will interfere.
Will he keep a man from leaving his wife, or a wife from leaving her husband? If so, will he intervene right before they appear before the judge, or will he go back 20 years and prevent a selfish thought from entering the mind of the offender?
Will he limit a pregnant woman from drinking alcohol to protect the baby? Will he let her have one drink, and then she will feel her arms unable to reach for the bottle?
Would there be editorials complaining that no one can do anything they want, because God is always stepping in?
What is wrong with this line of reasoning?
Ans. We are not puppets, but free moral agents. We have been given a brain with which to make wise decisions, and we will be held accountable by God for how we use our talents.
Types of suffering: 1. Suffering because of God’s judgement
2. suffering because of our own mistakes
3. Suffering caused by persecution of our faith.
4. Suffering of the innocent.
Apologetics #10 Determinism
B. Russell says:
We are not responsible for our actions because we are a product of our environment. Therefore, we cannot be held accountable for decisions we make, and there is no such thing as judgement in the Biblical sense.
Interpretation: Our decisions are determined for us by things that happened in the past. We have no free will, we only think we do. You think you chose to become a Christian, but in reality that decision was made for you by circumstances.
Why would an atheist embrace this view?
Ans. By believing in determinism, a person can absolve themselves of any responsibility for their actions.
People who are not Christians have a built-in scale—guilt must always balance blame. (explain) Becoming a Christian takes off the weight on both scales.
Since B. Russell would not accept Christianity, he needs lots of blame to handle the guilt. He blames his mother, society, etc.
There are some real differences in how justice is dispensed depending on your world view. If the crime is a product of environment, then the solution is correction. If the crime is sinful rebellion, then the solution is punishment. It is interesting that our penal institutions have become correctional facilities.
Biblically, we are individually responsible for our decisions. This is the opposite of determinism. Although environment has its influence, we will all stand before God to be held accountable for our choices.
B. Russell chose a lifestyle that required a deterministic philosophy. He was not equipped to deal with the guilt except by using blame.
(conclude with overhead “Too often…)
B.R. says: God may exist, but outside of reason.
What is your response?
Ps 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
“The fool has said in his heart there is no God”
Prov 9:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Rational reasons for God’s existence:
1. First Cause
2. Physical laws
3. Design
4. Moral arguments
B.R. says: Since there is no God, miracles do not exist.
Response?
What is a miracle? Have you ever experienced one?
Apologetics #12 Malevolence
B.R. says: Proper teaching can eliminate fear and hatred in society. Malevolence does exist, but its sources are fear, envy, and disappointment.
Do you see a basic premise behind this statement?
Ans. Man is basically good. All it takes is proper training and education to eliminate evil.
How does this affect the way we raise our children?
Humanism: emphasis on early training, self-image. I treat others nice because what goes around comes around.
Bible: emphasis on discipline of negative attitudes, proper relationship with God, understanding the Plan of Salvation. I treat other nice because they are God’s creation and God loves them. I am an instrument of God’s love to others.
(List the first one, have the class give the Biblical view)
Blame vs. accepting responsibility
Self-image vs. humility (strength through Christ)
Do what feels good vs. edify and encourage one another
Education and environment vs. religious training and repentance
APOLOGETICS #14
B.R. says: Superstition is the origin of moral rules.
Who is superstitious?
B.R. would says that Christianity itself is a superstition. Any other perspective brings his own lifestyle into condemnation.
B.R. chose his lifestyle, and then picked a belief system to justify his morals.
It is human nature to rationalize our behavior. Even as Christians, when confronted with an inconsistency in our life, are tempted to say “My God is love. He tolerates my behavior.” (ex: taxes)
How can we safeguard ourselves from rationalizing our behavior?
B.R. says: If God created us, he must be a fiend.
What is a fiend?
What do we not understand about God if we think he is a fiend?
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