Today we discuss another prominent father of Christianity and Judaism.
Jacob; later named Israel by God; was a deceiver. He took his brother Esau's birthright and blessing. However, being chosen by God, our Heavenly Father still desired to redeem Jacob. In a similar fashion, God -through the person of Christ Jesus is in constant pursuit of the lost in this world.
He is equally and simultaneously helping and keeping those who have accepted Him (Jesus) as LORD and Saviour. Just as he carried for Jacob in when he went to search for a wife and flee the wrath of his brother Esau. God protected Jacob, even in those moments when Jacob made mistakes or when Jacob was deceived.
Am I willing to submit my life completely to God's plan & will even when everyone else around me is not?
Happy Easter!! He is Risen!! Christ Jesus our LORD is Risen indeed!
Act 2:22-41
We all share a personal testimony of when we gave our heart to Jesus and focus on the personal part of our relationship with Him.
Hebrews 11:20; Genesis 24:1-26, 60-67; Genesis 26: 1-5, 23-25; Matthew 22:23
Takeaways from the life of Isaac:
1. Love my spouse
2. Family Faith
3. Living peacefully
How do I treat my spouse?
How do I treat my siblings? step-siblings? half-siblings?
How can I be more peaceful?
Am I allowing my faith to grow?
Hebrews 11:17-19; Genesis 17:15-21; Genesis 21:1-5; Genesis 22:1-18; James 2:19-24
Abraham's faith and works are actively united. To have the faith and trust in God to take his only son, bind him, raise a knife to kill his son. This was Abraham's self-sacrifice amidst his faith and works. The possibility that his heirs' life would be extinguished was evident. Yet, Abraham believed that even if he did extinguish his sons' life as a sacrifice, Almighty God would raise him (Isaac) from the dead.
Let us stop justifying our sins & faults; instead like Abraham let us justify our faith.
We discuss the miracle and history of the flood in accordance with Biblical Scripture.
Genesis 6:5-8; 11-22; Genesis 7:1-5; 11-12; 17-21; 24; Genesis 8:4-7; 8-12; 15-16
Matthew 24: 36-42; Hebrews 11:7; 1 Peter 3:18-22
We ask some fun questions (for example...Did a giant hold to the back of the Ark and then later bring about the propagation of a giant race after the flood?)
We also ask some important questions (for example...How is the flood foreshadow of water baptism in the future, for today?)
Genesis 3:1-6; Romans 5:12-17; 1 Corinthians 15:21-25, 42-45, 53-57; James 2:10-13
What is sin? Who is the judge over what sin is? What is original sin?
When Eve was being tempted...where was Adam?
How long did it take for Adam to eat the fruit after Eve ate?
What was the fruit Adam and Eve ate? Does it matter?
What was the serpent? a dragon? Does it matter...other than the fact that the tempter was the devil; bent on wanting to separate man from God.
Are we to ignore our sin and the sins of others and pretend as though we live in a perfect world or a soon utopia? (John 8:7)
What is our responsibility to each other? (1 John 5:16-17)
The solution to sin...is Salvation through the person/Godhead of Jesus Christ. He is our Saviour. He is our Master. He is our true King. He is our Redeemer. He is our solution.
John 14:18 - Jesus said, "I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you."
In Ephesians 6:10-24; What are the final instruction given? Why should I put on the whole armour of God? Who is my real enemy? What does the armour of God enable you to do? What additional things should be done? Re-read verse 24, describe your own feelings about Jesus.
2 Peter 3:14-18
A few steps to help prepare your testimony:
1. Live outside your home.
2. Allow people to see your activities.
3. Let people hear you speak.
4. Follow Jesus in Water Baptism.
5. Rely on the Holy Spirit and His power, boldness, and witness.
6. Write down a description of when you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord and Saviour.
7. Tell Jesus in prayer and others in a corporate worship setting what you wrote down.
8. Tell others what you wrote down as your testimony.
9. Tell a family member who does not know Jesus the transformation Jesus gifted you with.
10. Tell a close friend what you wrote down.
11. Tell your neighbors what you wrote down.
Romans 10:12-17; Matthew 5:14-16; Acts 2:36-39; Acts 20:18-24; Luke 24:46-49
Happy New Year! Welcome to Season 3!!
Today we discuss our Scripture of annual meditation.
Matt - John 3:30 (1Corinthians 3:9-16)
Xavier - Philippians 4:8 (Matthew 24:1-14)
Blair - Luke 1:38
Mallory - Colossians 3:23-24
What is the Scripture you will allow God to speak in, too, and through you this 2022?
Matthew 10:32-34, 39
Testimony as a Christian is...a statement of Jesus Christ is to you. My declaration of love for Him and others He so lovingly created. Worship of God is more than singing a song, attending a prayer meeting, or corporate worship service.
Matthew 10:28-34; Why is it important that you tell of your love for Christ before others?
2 Corinthians 5:17-21 shows us that beyond pastoral ministry there is a ministry we are all called to...what is yours? What message has been committed to you?
Romans 10:1-4, what is to be desired above all else?
What areas of your life are you to increase in? Who should be affected by your increased attention? (1Thessalonians 3:11-13)
As a result of God's love, what natural emotion will be evident in your life (1John 4:7-11)
How do I overcome fear(1John 4:17-19)?
Loving God. Loving yourself. Loving others.
Regardless of how others appear, talk, where they come from, what their background is Jesus loves them. We must also love others. The hatred for differences, because of jealousy, or just plain meanness must come to an end. One of the greatest ways to show love is forgiveness/repentance.
Matthew 25:31-46 - The dividing of the sheep and goats.
Colossians 3:12-17; What qualities am I to enact in my life?
What must I do in order to live in the light, 1John 2:9-11?
1John 3:13-15; What does it mean to love other Christians? What does our love for the brotherhood show the world? What does it mean if we fail to love the brotherhood?
What would your life look like if you truly loved fellow believers; 1 John 3:16-22?
1John 4:7-13; Why should we love each other? What happens when we love each other? What happens when we love others outside the brotherhood?
Today we discuss worship of the LORD. This is more than singing a song or attending a conference full of like-minded believers. Worship is any/all expression of love we can offer to The King above ALL.
Psalm 150 - A Psalm of Worship
Matthew 4:1-10; What did Jesus reveal worship to be?
According to John 4:19-26; Who does the Father seek to worship Him? Does God place any limitations on what worship is?
Hebrews 13:10-16, Is it okay for me to worship and praise God in my heart? Is it acceptable to worship The Father in solitude? When is the right time to praise God?
Why is it important to praise the LORD, 1 Peter 2:7-10?
In Psalm 103:1-4 there are reasons given for praising the LORD; why do you praise the King above all kings?
John 3:14-17
Love is giving your best. Love is giving your all. God is love.
How did Christ prove His love for you (John 15:12-13)?
Romans 5:5-8; What did you do to earn Christ's love?
Matthew 22:36-40; How do you apply the greatest commandment? How do you apply the second commandment?
In Deuteronomy 10:12-13, what actions does God expect out of his people?
What commandment does God make to those who love Him, John 14:22-24?
Ephesians 5:1-2; How am I to live for God?
1 John 4:7-8; What do you need to be in order to love?
How is your love for others to affect your relationships with others, 1 John 4:17-21?
In today's episode, we discuss money as it relates to budgeting, tithing, and giving.
To whom does our tithe (10% of our earnings) belong? (Leviticus 27:30)
Malachi 3:6-12 - How often has God changed? Does God change? Who changes? Who robs God? Where should the tithe be taken? What is promised to those who tithe?
According to 2 Corinthians 9:6-11, What attitude does an unselfish giver have? Give 2 reasons why God blesses you with His abundance:
How are ministers, evangelists, prophets, Gospel teachers, and Apostles to be supported (1Corinthians 9:13-14; Galatians 6:6)
The ordinances of the church are Water Baptism and Holy Communion
Water Baptism - O.T. examples - Noah (1Peter 3:18-22) and Moses & the Israelites leaving Egypt (1Corinthians 10:1-3)
- N.T. examples Jesus (Matthew 3:13) New believers (Mark 16:16)
Holy Communion - 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Who should be baptized? (Mark 16:16)
(Romans 6:1-4) What new changes need to take place in your life?
What do the bread and cup symbolize (Matthew 26:26-30)? Why did Christ shed His blood?
What are we sharing when we participate in communion (1 Corinthians 10:14-17)?
(1Corinthians 11:17-34) What happens when someone takes communion in an unworthy manner? Why does the Lord discipline those He loves? Can you avoid the Lord's discipline? Would you want to avoid the Lord's discipline?
Corporate Worship - 1 Peter 2:17; "Honour all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the King."
What are the attitudes, beliefs, activities, etc. that corporate worship incorporates (1 Thessalonians 1:5-10; 1 Thessalonians 2:10-13; 1 Thessalonians 4:7-12)
Was this church/fellowship perfect? Why or why not? (1 Thessalonians 3:9-13)
Will you church/fellowship be perfect?
What are the characteristics of a good church/corporate fellowship? (1 Thessalonians 5:11-22)
In this episode, we discuss Family and our family priorities.
Order of importance:
1. God
2. Spouse
3. Children
4. Mother, Father, Sister, Brother, Cousins, Aunts, Uncles
5. Fellow Believers = Family of God
6. Work/Job - this includes relationships with people who think differently from you.
Read Acts 16:25-34, What promise was given to the jailer if He would believe in Christ? How many people heard the Gospel that night? How many people believed in God? How many people were immediately baptized?
In what practical ways is the Christian to love their family? (1Timothy 5:3-8)
Ephesians 5:21-33, How am I to treat my spouse (or future spouse/dates)?
1 Peter 3:1-7, How are we to love our spouse? How does a believing spouse win an unbelieving spouse?
Character traits = Courage, Loyalty, Diligence, Modesty, Frugality, Honesty, Meekness, Reverence, Gratitude...
Galatians 5:13-25, What 2 influences are contending for control of your life? As a follower of Christ, what have you crucified?
According to 1 Timothy 6:3-11, What is the godly person of good character to pursue?
How long will it take you to take on the character of God? (2 Corinthians 3:15-18)
1 John 1:8-10, Why is confession essential? What is God's reaction to your confession of sin?
