Sunday School Lessons-for IBMI
Lesson #1
WHY SALVATION IS NEEDED BY MAN
Memorize: Romans 6:23 (N. W. Isa. 53:6) Lesson: Gen. 3
To understand man's need of salvation, we must study concerning the fall of man. This event is referred to in various places in the Bible, but the historical record is found in Genesis 3.
I. MAN'S CONDITION BEFORE HE SINNED
Man was created in a state of innocence, with a capacity to fellowship with God.A. Man Was Created in The Image of God. Gen. 1:27
Although we do not fully know the meaning of this passage, it at least means the following:1. Man is a spiritual being. John 4:24, "God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." Heb. 12:9, "Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?" Zech. 12:1, "The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him." Pro. 20:27, "The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly." Eccl. 12:7, "Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it."
2. Man is imbued with the knowledge of reason. Gen. 2:19-20; Col. 3:10, "And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him."
3. Imbued with uprightness and holiness. Eccl. 7:29, "Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions." Eph. 4:24, "And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness."
4. With conscience which either excuses or accuses. Rom. 2:15, "Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another."
5. With a freewill, having the power of choice.
6. Capacity for worship and communion with God.
7. With immortality of the soul and provision for immortality of the body. Gen. 3:22
8. With capacity for labor, apart from struggle for existence. Gen. 2:15
9. With the power of speech, which places an infinite chasm between man and beast. It is next to blasphemy to speak of man being "an animal."
(NOTE: Since man's fall into sin, many of the above characteristics have been drastically altered. For instance man still has a will, but it is no longer free. It is not because God no longer allows him to have a freewill, but because sin has marred man's will so that it is no longer free).
B. Man Was a Possessor of Life. Gen. 2:15-171. He was in charge of the garden. v. 15
2. He had the privilege of eating. v. 16
3. He had the warning of death. v. 17 (This shows that he had life.)
C. Their Innocence. Gen. 2:25
II. THE CONFUSION INTRODUCED BY SATAN'S TEMPTING MAN TO SIN. GENESIS 3:1-5
Satan is jealous of God's glory and power. Therefore he set out to confuse and destroy God's supreme creation.
A. Satan and the Word of God.1. He questions God's Word. v. 1
2. He denied God's Word. v. 4. Modernists and new evangelicals are doing the same thing today, so they are working for Satan. II Cor. 11:13-15, "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works."
B. He Slandered God's Love. v. 5
He implied that God was withholding a blessing from man whom he created.
C. He Beguiled Eve. v. 13
He blinds today. II Cor. 4:3-4, "But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." II Tim. 2:26, "And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will."
III. THE CHOICE OF MAN TO SIN.
A. Why Man Yielded to Temptation.1. Disobedience because of lust and covetousness. v. 6. I John 2:16, "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world."
2. Rebellion because of unbelief. Satan was believed instead of God.
B. The Kind of Choice Made by Man.1. It was a voluntary choice. v. 6. I Tim. 2:14, "And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression."
2. It was a personal choice. "he" v. 6. Man is still choosing to sin today. Rom. 1:32, "Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them." Rom. 3:9-12, "What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one." Rom. 3:23, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." II Pet. 3:5, "For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water."
IV. THE CONSEQUENCES OF MAN'S SIN.A. A Drastic Change Was Wrought.
1. Man became alienated from God. Gen. 3:8; Eph. 2:12, "That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world."
2. Physical judgment. Gen. 3:16-19,23,24.
3. Physical death. Gen. 3:19
4. Spiritual and eternal death was the supreme consequence. Gen. 2:17. Ezek. 18:4, "Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die."
B. Because of the Fall, All Men Are in Need of Salvation.
Rom. 5:12, "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned." Eph. 2:1, "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins." John 3:18, "He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." John 3:36, "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him."Lesson by E. L. Bynum
Lesson #2
SALVATION COULD ONLY BE PROVIDED BY GOD
Memorize: Isa. 53:6 (N.W. II Cor. 5:21) Read: Isa. 53
I . MAN HAS NEVER BEEN ABLE TO SAVE HIMSELF.
In no dispensation has man ever been able to save himself. Neither the O.T. or N.T. record a single instance of man saving himself through any abstinence good deed or religious ceremony.
A. Because God Demands Total Righteousness.1. The law cannot give righteousness, it can only bring judgment upon those who break the law. Gal. 3:10-11, "For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith."
2. The law demands absolute obedience. Rom. 10:5, "For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them."
3. Self righteousness is not good enough. Matt. 5:20, "For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven."
B. Because By Nature, Man Cannot Comply.1. The fleshly nature of man can never please God. Rom. 8:3, "For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh." Rom. 8:7-8, "Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God."
2. The fleshly man does not seek God. He hides just as Adam did. Rom. 3:9-12, "What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one."
3. The law was meant to stop the mouth of boasting man. Rom. 3:19-20, "Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin."
4. No man can keep the law. John 7:19, "Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me?"
C. Because Having Come Short, Man Is Condemned.1. Sinful man always comes up short. Rom. 3:23, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."
2. Break one commandment and you are guilty of being a lawbreaker. James 2:10, "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all."
II. GOD'S REDEMPTION PROMISED THROUGH THE REDEEMER.
The central theme of the Bible is Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Throughout the Old Testament, we see Christ in the sacrifices, types and prophecies.
A. Promised By Prophecy.1. The very first prophecy promises a redeemer. Gen. 3:15, "And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel."
2. This redeemer was purposed before the foundation of the world. I Pet. 1:18-20, "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you."
B. Promised By Type.1. The coats of skin, which involved the death of an innocent animal. Gen. 3:21, "Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them."
2. Abel's offering. Gen. 4:4, "And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering."
3. Noah's ark. Gen. 7:23, "And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark."
4. The Passover Lamb. Ex. 12:13, "And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt." John 1:29, "The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." I Cor. 5:7, "Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us."
5. The substitute ram which took the place of Isaac. Gen. 22:13, "And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son."
III. THE PROMISED REDEMPTION MADE.
Gal. 4:4-5, "But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons."
A. The Redeemer Came Into The World.1. He existed in all of eternity passed. John 1:1-2, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God...." John 1:10-14, "He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not ... And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."
2. He came to this world to save. Luke 19:10, "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." Mark 10:45, "For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many."
B. The Redeemer Lived A Perfect Life.1. He never committed sin. I Pet. 2:22, "Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth."
2. He was tempted, but he never sinned. Heb. 4:15, "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin."
3. He always pleased the Father, and no man could justly accuse Him of sin. John 8:29, "And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him." John 8:46, "Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?"
C. The Redeemer Died In Our Place.
1. A voluntary death. John 10:15-18, "As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father." Isa. 53:7, "He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth."
2. A substitutionary death. Isa. 53:11, "He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities." II Cor. 5:21, "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." I Cor. 15:3, "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures."
3. A sufficient sacrifice for complete redemption. Heb. 10:9-14, "Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified." I John 1:7, "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." I Pet. 2:24-25, "Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls." I Pet. 3:18, "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit."
D. The Redeemer Rose Again.
I Cor. 15:4, "And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures." Rom. 4:24-25, "But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification." Rom. 8:34, "Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us."Lesson by E. L. Bynum
Lesson #3
GOD'S GRACIOUS INVITATION TO SALVATION
Memorize: II Cor. 5:21 (N. W. John 1:12) Read: Lk.14:16-24
I. GOD'S INVITATION IS BY GRACE.
A. Man Can Never Deserve to be Invited.
1. Man is not worthy. Matt. 22:8, "Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy."
2. Man is an enemy of God. Rom. 5:10, "For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life."
3. Man is an alien. Eph. 2:12, "That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world."
4. Man is dead. Eph. 2:1, "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins."
B. Man Can Never Deserve God's Grace.1. Grace is God's unmerited favor. If man could merit or deserve it, it could not be grace. Gal. 2:21, "I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain." Rom. 5:20-21, "Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord." Rom. 11:6, "And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work." Eph. 2:8, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God."
2. God's invitation is a gift of His grace. Rom. 5:15, "But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many." Rom. 6:23, "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Eph. 2:9, "Not of works, lest any man should boast."
II. GOD'S MEANS OF EXTENDING THE INVITATION.A. God Invites By His Word (Bible).
1. The Word enlightens the lost. Rom. 10:14, "How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?" Rom. 10:17, "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." John 5:24, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." Psa. 119:130, "The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple."
2. The Word is the Sword of the Spirit. Heb. 4:12, "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Eph. 6:17, "And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."
3. The Word quickens (make alive). James 1:18, "Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures." I Pet. 1:23, "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever."
4. The Father draws the sinner through the Word. John 6:44-45, "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me."
B. God Invites Through the Holy Spirit.1. The Spirit quickens (makes alive). John 6:63, "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life."
2. The Spirit convicts. John 16:7-11, "Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged."
3. In salvation, we are born of the Spirit. John 3:8, "The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit."
Note: In the work of God two Divine forces are used. They are the WORD and the SPIRIT of God. God calls the sinner by His WORD and SPIRIT. Gen. 1:2-3, "And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light."
C. God Invites Through the Ministry of the Church.
A Scriptural "church" is a body of saved, baptized people who are covenanted together according to the teaching of the Bible. Each member is important.1. The Great Commission was given to the church. Matt. 28:19-20, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." The church is to carry the Gospel to all. Luke 24:47, "And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem."
2. The church is the pillar and ground of the truth. I Tim. 3:15, "But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth."
3. The Spirit works in, through and with the church. Acts 5:32, "And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him." Acts 13:1-4, "Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus."
"Beloved, all the hope of our ministry lies in the Spirit of God operating upon the spirits of men. I want all the members of this church to feel this more deeply and practically than ever. Do not put trust in the preacher: if he happens to be away, do not think that God is tied to him. Look for a blessing upon the gospel itself whoever preaches it. If the Holy Ghost be with us we shall see thousands flocking to Jesus. No sinner will over come to Christ apart from the quickening, enlightening, drawing, converting power of the Holy Ghost, supernaturally exercised upon the conscience and heart. Let us believe this; and, next, let us be assured that the Spirit of God is with us, and let us then go forth with all boldness. To the street-corner, the cottage, the lodging-house, the wayside, let us go forth and publish abroad the invitation of the great King: `My oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.'"C. H. Spurgeon
III. IT IS DANGEROUS TO REJECT GOD'S INVITATION.
A. His Spirit May Be Withdrawn.
The Spirit stopped striving with man in the days of Noah. Gen. 6:3, "And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years." I Pet. 3:20, "Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water." II Pet. 2:5, "And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly."
B. The Door Of Opportunity May Be Closed.
Pro. 1:22-31, "How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you. Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices."
C. God Warns Against The Hardened Heart.
See Heb. 3:7-19.
D. Death May Come Suddenly.
Prov. 27:1, "Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth."Lesson by E. L. Bynum
Lesson #4
THE RECEPTION OF SALVATION
Memory Verse: John 1:12 (N . W. Rom. 10:11) John 3:1-21
Today there is too much emphasis on the "plan" of Salvation, and too little emphasis on the "man" of Salvation. Salvation must be received, but this cannot be done without receiving Christ.
I. WHAT IT MEANS TO RECEIVE SALVATION.A. The Positive, What It Is.
1. It means to receive Christ. John 1:12, "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name."
2. It means to believe with all the heart. Rom. 10:9-10, "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Acts 8:37, "And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."
3. It means to commit the soul to God. II Tim. 1:12, "For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." I Pet. 4:19, "Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator."
4. It means to trust only in Him. Heb. 11:6, "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."
B. The Negative, What it is not.1. Not the keeping of the Law. Rom. 9:30-33, "What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed."
2. Not reformation, or turning over a new leaf. Rom. 4:1-5, "What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness." Rom. 10:1-4, "Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth." Titus 3:5, "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost."
3. Not baptism or a religious ceremony.
4. Not joining the church.
II. HOW TO RECEIVE SALVATION.
Man receives Christ through the operation of two inseparable graces, repentance and faith. Acts 20:21, "Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
A. By Repentance.1. Repentance is a grace of God. Acts 11:18, "When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life." II Tim. 2:25, "In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth."
2. Repentance is a change of heart. The meaning of the word demands it. Matt. 21:32, "For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him."
3. Repentance is necessary for salvation. II Cor. 7:10, "For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death." Luke 13:5, "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." Acts 17:30, "And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent."
4. Meaning of Repentance. A Sunday School teacher said, "Tell me, class, what is repentance?" Someone replied, "Repentance is being sorry for your sins." Everyone thought it over a moment. Then someone else spoke up: "Repentance is being sorry enough for your sins to give them up."
B. By Faith.1. The meaning of faith. Saving faith is entrusting our soul to Christ upon the authority of the written word of God. The New Testament word, "believe" indicates faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. In fact, they can be traced back to the same root word.
2. The exercise of believing faith. John 1:12, "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name." John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:18, "He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." John 3:36, "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." John 5:24, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." John 20:31, "But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name."
III. THE RESULT OF RECEIVING SALVATION.A. We Receive a New Birth.
1. We become sons of God. John 1:12 (Quoted above). John 8:44 tells us what we once were. "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it."
2. We are born again. John 3:7, "Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again." John 1:13, "Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." I Pet. 1:23, "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever."
B. Our Sins Are Forgiven.1. They are washed away by God. Eph. 1:7, "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace." I Cor. 6:11, "And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God."
2. Which sins are forgiven by God?a. Past sins.
b. Present sins.
c. Future sins. Rom. 4:7-8, "Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin." NOTE: This does not mean that we are free to sin without consequences after we are saved. When a child of God sins, they will be chastised. Study Heb. 12:5-11.3. What happens to our sins.
a. They are removed as far as the east is from the west. Psa. 103.12, "As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us."
b. He casts them behind His back. Isa. 38:17, "...for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back."
c. They are cast into the depths of the sea. Mic. 7:19, "...thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea."
C. We Receive Eternal Life.
I John 5:12, "He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." Eph. 2:1, "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins."
D. We are Justified.
Rom. 5:1, "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Rom. 3:28, "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law."Lesson by E. L. Bynum
Lesson #5
THE DECLARATION OF SALVATION
Memorize: Rom. 10:11 (N. W. John 5:24) Acts 8:26-40
The Bible declares that every saved soul should publicly confess Christ as Lord and Saviour. Although a person may be saved secretly, the existence of the salvation of the Lord and the indwelling Holy Spirit will cause the believer to declare before the world, what the Lord hath done. Let us discover the Scriptural pattern for declaring this salvation.
I. CONFESSION OF OUR FAITH DECLARES SALVATION.A. There Should Be A Verbal Confession.
1. The Bible teaching is clear. Rom. 10:9-11, "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed."
2. The Bible examples are clear. Acts 4:20, "For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard." Acts 8:37, "And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."
B. There Should Be A Public Confession.1. Jesus taught public confession. Matt. 10:32-33, "Whoso-ever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven."
2. Jesus warned against failing to publicly confess. Mark 8:38, "Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."
II. SCRIPTURAL BAPTISM DECLARES SALVATION.
A. Baptism Declares Certain Truths In Picture Form.1. It is a picture of Christ's death, burial & resurrection.
2. It pictures our death to sin, burial of the old life, and resurrection to walk in newness of life. Rom. 6:1-5, "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection."
B. Baptism Declares That We Are Already In Christ.
Acts 2:41, "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." Acts 8:37-38, "And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him." Acts 16:30-34, "And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house." Mark 16:16, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned."
C. Baptism Is To Follow Salvation.
Acts 8:36-37, "And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."
III. CHURCH MEMBERSHIP DECLARES SALVATION.A. All Saved Should Be In The Local Church.
1 Added through Salvation and Baptism. Acts 2:41, "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." Acts 2:47, "Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."
2. Scripturally baptized people may join. Acts 9:27, "But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus."
B. The Lord Loves The Church.1. The church brings glory to Jesus Christ. Eph. 3:21, "Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen."
2. The Lord loves his church in a very tender and intimate way. Eph. 5:25, "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it."
C. Our Light Is To Shine In The Church.1. We are commanded to let our light shine. Matt. 5:16, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Luke 8:16, "No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light."
2. The Church is the candlestick upon which that light is to shine. Rev. 1:20, "The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches."
IV. GOOD WORKS DECLARE SALVATION.A. By Godly Living.
1. The Bible teaching is clear. Salvation in the heart, should be revealed through our good works. Good works cannot produce salvation, but salvation does produce good works. James 2:18, "Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works."
2. God has ordained that believers should walk in good works. Eph. 2:10, "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."
3. God has instructed us to be careful to maintain good works. Titus 3:8, "This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men." Titus 3:14, "And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful."
4. We are to deny ungodliness any place in our lives. Titus 2:12, "Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world."
B. By Witnessing.1. Every person needs to hear the gospel. Col. 1:28-29, "Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily."
2. We are commanded to take the gospel to them. Mark 16:15, "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."
3. We need to be ready to tell every person a reason for our hope. I Pet. 3:15, "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear."
C. By Faithfulness in the Services of the Church.1. Christians are admonished to assemble in church services. Heb. 10:25, "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."
2. The church met on the first day of the week. Acts 20:7, "And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight."
3. The Christians brought their offerings on the first day of the week. I Cor. 16:2, "Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come."Lesson by E. L. Bynum
Lesson #6
THE BLESSED ASSURANCE OF SALVATION
Memorize John 5:24 (N .W . I I Peter 3:18) Read John 10
One of the most precious truths of the Bible is the absolute eternal security of the believer. Nearly all who teach the INSECURITY of the believer, are those who are trusting in the flesh. They are confused about the way of salvation. The assurance of eternal security is based completely upon the keeping power of God. Romans 8:3, "For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh." I Peter 1:5, "Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."
I. WE ARE KEPT BY GOD THE FATHER.
A. God's Word Promises Us Security.
1. Old Testament promises. Psa. 89:30-34, "If his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments; If they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments; Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes. Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail. My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips."
2. New Testament promises. I John 5:13, "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God." John 5:24, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." Rom. 8:28-31, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?"
B. We Are Secure In God's Care.1. His hand holds us up. John 10:29, "My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand." Psa. 37:23-24, "The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand."
2. His power keeps us. I Peter 1:5, "Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."
C. God's Love Surrounds And Secures Us.
Rom. 8:32, "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" Rom. 8:35-39, "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Heb. 12:5-8, "And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons." Psa. 103:13-14, "Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust."
II . WE ARE KEPT BY GOD THE SON.A. By His Perfect Sacrifice.
1. His blood cleanses from ALL sin. I John 1:7, "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin."
2. Our iniquities laid on Him. Isa. 53:6, "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all."
3. Our sins ore covered and cannot be imputed to us. Rom. 4:4-8, "Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin."
4. His one offering perfects forever. Heb. 10:10-14, "By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified."
B. By His Continual Intercession.1. He prayed that we might be kept. John 17:11, "And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are."
2. We are kept by His life of intercession. Rom. 5:9-10, "Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life."
3. He ever liveth to make intercession. Heb. 7:25, "Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them."
4. He is our advocate (attorney) to defend us. I John 2:1, "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous."
5. There is no one with authority to condemn us. Rom. 8:34, "Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us."
III . WE ARE KEPT BY GOD THE SPIRIT.A. He Assures Us By His Presence.
1. All believers are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Rom. 8:9, "But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his."
2. He bears witness that we are children of God. Rom. 8:16, "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God."
3. He assures us of God's presence. I John 4:13, "Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit."
4. Our body is His Temple. I Cor. 6:19-20, "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."
B. He Seals Us By His Power.1. Sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise. Eph. 1:13, "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise."
2. Sealed unto the day of redemption. Eph. 4:30, "And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption."
3. He has given us the "earnest" of the Spirit. II Cor. 1:22, "Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts." II Cor. 5:5, "Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit." Eph. 1:13-14, "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory."
NOTE: The "earnest of the Spirit," is a very interesting truth that deserves explanation. The following quote from W. E. Vine explains it well. "`Earnest' (ARRABON), originally, earnest-money deposited by the purchaser and forfeited if the purchase was not completed .... In general usage it came to denote a pledge or earnest of any sort; in the New Testament it is used only of that which is assured by God to believers; it is said of the Holy Spirit as the Divine pledge of all their future blessedness ... particularly of their eternal inheritance." VineLesson by E. L. Bynum
Lesson #7
SPIRITUAL GROWTH
Memorize: II Peter 3:18
Christianity is afflicted because of the lack of spiritual growth among professing believers. Churches are disabled with large numbers of members who are still babes in Christ. Many others have started to grow a little, but because of lack of proper nourishment they are suffering from spiritual malnutrition. Others are sickly because they have not been fed a balanced diet of God's divine word. They are like children who have been fed only sweets, without meat, vegetables, or fruits. No wonder they are weak and sickly, and this weakens the whole Church. Other believers are sadly afflicted with the disease of sin, because they have not practiced separation from sin and the pursuit of holiness. Every army is given proper nourishment as they are trained to go forth into battle. These lessons are being given to equip the Saints for service.
I. THE MEANING OF SPIRITUAL GROWTH.A. Growth Occurs in The Living.
Some people are trying to grow into grace, and they find it impossible, because they are not saved. There must be life, before than can be growth.l. We are saved by grace. Eph. 2:8-9, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."
2. We are born again, receiving new life in Christ. We have a new standing and we are open under new management. I Pet. 1:23, "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever." II Cor. 5:17, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."
3. A conflict comes as a result. Gal. 4:28-29, "Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now."
B. Growth Should Indicate Progress.
Let us note three illustrations of growth in the Bible.1. Plant growth indicates progress. The Bible uses the same word to refer to plant growth as it does for spiritual growth. Luke 12:27, "Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these."
a. Seed, sprout, blade, ear, corn. Mark 4:26-29, "And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come."
b. There are four things needed for plant growth.(1) Good soil. We need to be rooted and grounded in love. Eph. 3:17, "That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love."
(2) Good atmosphere. We need to be like a tree planted that is planted in the right place. Psa. 1:3, "And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper."
(3) In the sun, and not only rooted by "built up." Col.2:6-7, "As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving." Eph. 4:11-15, "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ."
(4) Plants need water, and water is an emblem of the Holy Spirit, of Christ, and of the Word. Eph. 5:26, "That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word." John 4:14, "But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." John 7:38-39, "He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)"2. Child growth indicates progress.
a. As newborn babes. I Pet. 2:2, "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby."
b. As growing children. I John 2:12, "I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake."
c. As young men. I John 2:13, "I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father."
d. As fathers. I John 2:14, "I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one."3. Building growth indicates progress. Eph. 2:19-22, "Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit." II Peter 1:5-8, "And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." I Cor. 3:11-15, "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire."
Thoughts on growth: All growth that is not toward God is growing to decay. As long as you're green, you're growing. As soon as you're ripe, you start to rot. (Continued in Lesson #8)Lesson by E. L. Bynum
Lesson #8 (Continued from Lesson #7)
SPIRITUAL GROWTH
Memorize: II Peter 3:18
II. THE THINGS IN WHICH WE ARE TO GROW.
A. We Are to Grow in Grace.
II Pet. 3:18, "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen."1. The DOWNWARD growth in the Word.. Some trees blow down easily because of shallow roots. In the parable of the sower, we read of those who hear and receive the Word with joy, yet they have no root in themselves.
a. Hearing and Understanding. Matt. 13:23, "But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty."
(1) Understand our own worthlessness.
(2) Understand the all-sufficiency of Christ.
(3) Understand the purpose of God in saving us. Eph. 1:4, "According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love."b. Hearing and receiving the Word. Mark 4:20, "And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred."
c. Hearing and keeping (doing) the Word. Luke 8:15, "But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience."2. The UPWARD growth in Christ.
a. Growing in our rejoicing and glorying in Him. Phil. 3:3, "For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh."
b. Growing in our knowledge of Him. Phil. 3:8, "Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ."
c. Growing in our apprehension of Him. Phil. 3:12, "Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus."
d. Growing in him and seeing His calling. Phil. 3:14, "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."
e. Growing in Him and seeing His keeping power. Phil. 4:6-7, "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
f. Growing in Him and having all supplied. He supplies our needs, and not our wants. Phil. 4:19, "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."3. The OUTWARD growth in blessing to others. Pay attention to each phrase here. I Cor. 15:58, "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." God's people are to be abounding in the work of the Lord. Notice some of the things we are to abound in.
a. Abound in fruit bearing. Phil. 4:17, "Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account."
b. Abound in love. Phil. 1:9, "And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment."
c. Abound in contentment. Phil. 4:12, "I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need." Phil. 4:18, "But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God."
d. Abound in thanksgiving. Col. 2:7, "Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving."
e. Abound in giving. II Cor. 8:7-8, "Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also. I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love." All of this chapter is centered around the grace of giving, and this is something that the believer should abound in.
g. Abound in suffering with Christ, and for Him. II Cor. 1:5, "For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ."
B. We Are To Grow In Knowledge.
1. Growing in knowledge of God as we walk worthy. Col. 1:10, "That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God."
2. Growing in knowledge of Christ we become like Him. Matt. 11:28-30, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."3. Growing in the knowledge of His will. Col. 1:9, "For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding."
4. Growing in the knowledge of His love. Eph. 3:19, "And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God."
5. Growing in the knowledge of His power. Phil. 3:10, "That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death."
6. Growing in the knowledge of His purpose. John 16:13, "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come."
C. We Are To Grow In Faith.1. Our faith should grow exceedingly. II Thess. 1:3, "We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth."
2. Our faith should be a testimony to others. Rom. 1:8, "First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world." I Thess. 3:6, "But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you."
3. Our faith should be a working faith. I Thess. 1:3, "Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father."
4. Our faith should be increasing. Luke 17:5, "And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith."
5. There are many things that we should add to our faith. II Pet. 1:5-8, "And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."
These are only suggestive "things" in which we are to grow, and not exhaustive. For the Bible says that we are to "GROW UP INTO HIM IN ALL THINGS." Eph. 4:15, "But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ."(We received considerable help from the writings of F. E. Marsh on the subject of Christian growth.)
Lesson by E. L. Bynum
Asking God (author unknown)I asked God for strength that I might achieve. I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey. I asked God for health that I might do greater things. I was given infirmity that I might do better things. I asked for riches that I might be happy. I was given poverty that I might be wise. I asked for power that I might have the praise for men. I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God. I asked for all things that I might enjoy life. I was given life that I might enjoy all things. I got nothing that I asked for-- but everything that I hoped for. . . Almost, despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered. I am among all men most richly blessed.
"Where to Find Happiness"
Psalm 146:1-10
By
Dr. Steven G. CookI. Introduction
1. Give something away (no strings attached)
2. Do a kindness (and forget it)
3. Spend a few minutes with the aged (their experience is a priceless guidance)
4. Look intently into the face of a baby (and marvel)
5. Laugh often (it's life's lubricant)
6. Give thanks (a thousand times a day is not enough)
7. Pray (or you will lose the way)
8. Work (with vim and vigor)
9. Plan as though you'll live forever (because you will)
10.Live as though you'll die tomorrow (because you will on some tomorrow)
your elbow?
II. Happiness Is Found in Praising the Lord (Ps. 146:1)
III. Happiness Is Found in the Help of the Lord (146:5a)
IV. Happiness Is Found in the Hope of the Lord (Ps. 146:5b)
V. Happiness Is Found in the Truth Given by the Lord (Ps. 146:6)
VI. Happiness Is Found in the Provisions of the Lord (Ps. 146:7-9)
VII. Happiness Is Found in the Reigning of the Lord (Ps. 146:10)
VIII. Happiness Is Found in the Greatness of the Lord (Ps. 147:5)