Bible Study

Wednesday, June 1, 2016

You Can Serve God Successfully:

I. What Power Does God Make Available?

A. You Can Have the Power to Know and Believe the Truth.

Some people get confused by the different teachings they hear. They say, "I don't believe I can ever understand the Bible. One person teaches it one way and the next teaches it differently. I'll never know what to believe." But God can meet this need.
2 Timothy 3:15-17 - The Scriptures are inspired of God and able to make us wise to salvation. They are profitable to provide us to every good work.
1 Corinthians 2:4,5 - Paul's preaching was in the demonstration of the Spirit and power, so our faith can stand in the power of God.
Romans 1:16 - The gospel is the power of God to save those who believe. But faith comes by hearing God's word (10:17). The gospel is able to produce true faith in the heart of any honest person.
By human power alone truly we never could determine how to obtain eternal life. But God meets our needs by giving us the means to know and believe the truth if we study diligently with an honest, open heart.
[Mark 7:14; Eph. 3:3-5; John 8:31,32; Isaiah 55:11]

B. You Can Have the Power to Become a Child of God.

John 1:12 - Jesus gave the right ("power") to become children of God, to those who believe in His name. Faith alone, without obedience, does not make one a child of God, but simply gives the power to become a child.
1 Peter 1:22,23 - The power to make us children of God is in God's spiritual seed, His word. To be purified and born again, we must obey the truth. This includes repenting, confessing, and being baptized (Acts 2:38; 22:16; 17:30; Mark 16:16; Rom. 10:9,10).
Hebrews 7:25 - Jesus is able to save us to the uttermost. By human power alone we could never obtain forgiveness and become children of God. But God has made this power available to us.

C. You Can Have the Power to Resist Every Temptation.

People often excuse their sins saying obedience is just too hard. "I just can't do it. God will just have to understand." We may even blame God for being too demanding.
1 Corinthians 10:13 - God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. This is true of every temptation. We can be sure this is true because it is based on God's faithfulness.
Ephesians 6:10-18 - The Lord provides strength and power such that we are able to stand against the power of Satan. We can quench every one of his fiery darts (temptations). Again, this is not possible by human power. Perhaps Satan can defeat us if we face him alone, but we can succeed by the power of God's armor.
These verses teach that a Christian can overcome every temptation. There is never any excuse for committing even one single sin. In practice we all commit sin, because we fail to use the weapons properly (1 John 1:8,10). But this is not necessary. If we believe our human nature compels us to sin and nothing can be done about it, we are looking at human power when we should be looking at God's power.
[James 4:7; 2 Cor. 10:4,5; Jude 24]

D. You Can Have the Power to Endure Suffering and Hardship.

Often hardship, grief, sickness, and persecution tempt us to quit serving God. We think, "What's the use?"
2 Corinthians 1:3-10 - Paul suffered beyond power such that he despaired of life. Someone may ask, "Doesn't that prove there are temptations which are beyond our power?" Yes, perhaps we may face temptations beyond our power, but not beyond God's power. Paul here says we should learn to trust in God.
Romans 8:31-39 - No suffering or hardship of any kind is able to separate us from God's love. Rather, we are more than conquerors! We can defeat them all if we are on God's side.
Nowhere does God say He will remove all our problems. Rather He promises we can endure, remain faithful, and receive eternal life despite our problems.
[Phil. 4:11-13; Heb. 11:34]

E. You Can Have the Power to Serve Others.

Discouragement sometimes comes when we try to help others, but we see no positive results. We may decide to quit trying, thinking, "It just doesn't do any good."
2 Corinthians 9:8-10 - God is able to supply all our need, so we can abound in every good work and increase the fruits of righteousness.
John 15:4-8 - Jesus is like the vine that supplies the needs of the branches. Apart from Him, acting by human power alone, we can do nothing. But in Him we can bear much fruit.
2 Timothy 2:2 - Faithful men shall be able to teach others. This is part of the power God promises us.
Romans 15:14 - We shall be able to admonish one another. As in other areas, degrees of ability will vary, but all can develop some ability in teaching.
There is no need for Christians to live barren, unfruitful lives. We can accomplish much good for God if we will make use of His power.
[2 Thess. 1:11,12; 1 Peter 4:11; 2 Tim. 1:7,8; 2 Cor. 1:4]

F. You Can Have the Power to Do Everything Necessary to Receive Eternal Life.

Ephesians 3:20,21 - God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think according to His power that works in us.
Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
1 Peter 1:3-5 - By God's power we are guarded to an eternal and incorruptible inheritance in heaven.
2 Peter 1:3 - His power grants us all things that pertain to life and godliness.
The Bible nowhere teaches that it is impossible for a child of God to fall from grace. But it most certainly teaches that it is not necessary for us to fall!
[Mark 9:23; Isaiah 40:28-31; Eph. 1:19,20; Acts 20:32; Jude 24]

I. What Methods Does God Use to Provide This Power?

This power does us no good unless we know how to obtain it. As we study the methods God uses, note that all of them require effort on our part. There are conditions we must meet in order to have God's power.

A. There Is Power in Jesus' Blood.

1 Corinthians 1:18,23,24 - The power of God is the word of the cross, the message of Christ crucified.
Hebrews 7:25; 9:14 - Jesus' sacrifice is able to save to the uttermost.
"There is power in the blood." But the power is conditional. To receive it, you must repent and be baptized (see earlier discussion). If we sin afterward, we must repent and pray (Acts 8:22; 1 John 1:9).

B. There Is Power in God's Love.

Ephesians 3:16,17 - We may be strengthened in the inner man, being rooted and grounded in love [cf. v19-21]. All of us need to know that we are loved and cared for.
When a person knows he is wrong, he may not care if he does more wrong. He is already alienated, so what will it hurt? But when he knows he has been right and he feels a sense of being loved, he does not want to do anything to break that bond.
1 John 4:9,19; 5:3 - God loves us so much that He gave Jesus to die for us. This knowledge compels us to love God and obey Him. People in sin often talk about the sense of loneliness they feel, knowing they are alienated from God.
Love is a powerful motivation. God's love is the most powerful love there is. It is a bond that draws us to God and motivates us to serve Him successfully. But there are conditions: love must lead to obedience.
[John 14:15]

C There Is Power in the Scriptures.

Romans 1:16 - The gospel is the power of God unto salvation.
1 Corinthians 1:18 - The word of the cross is the power of God.
Ephesians 6:13-17 - Every part of the armor of God is related directly or indirectly to the word: loins girt with truth, feet shod with the preparation of the gospel, the sword which is the word, etc.
Further, the Scriptures are involved in every area in which we need power: they are the basis of knowledge and faith, they tell us how to become children of God, they strengthen us to overcome temptation and comfort us in trouble, etc. [Matt. 4:4,7,10; Rom. 15:4]
Joshua 1:7,8 - To be successful in God's work, Joshua had to meditate on God's law. Again, the power of the word is conditional. We must study and follow the word in order to benefit from the power it provides.
[James 1:21-25; Acts 18:27,28; 20:32; Rom. 15:14; 2 Tim. 3:15-17; Heb. 4:12f; 1 Cor. 10:12f; 16:13]

D. There Is Power in Prayer.

Ephesians 6:18 - There is power in God's armor, but we are to take it on with prayer. We should make our requests known so God can supply what we need to serve Him.
Psalms 138:3 - In the day when I cried out, You answered me, And made me bold with strength in my soul.
James 5:16 - The effective fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
There is no need to bear our burdens alone. We can give them to God. But again there are conditions. We must use the privilege of prayer.
Too many of us are like a man with a powerful automobile who, instead of getting in and turning on the engine, stands behind the car pushing it. He tries to do it all himself and gets nowhere.
[1 Peter 5:7,8; Col. 1:9-11; 2 Thess. 1:11; Phil. 4:6,7]

E. There Is Power in Associating with Other Christians.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 - Two are better than one. If one falls, his companion can lift him up. An enemy might prevail against one alone, but instead there are two to withstand him. A threefold cord is not easily broken. There is strength in working together.
Galatians 6:2 - Christians bear one another's burdens.
2 Corinthians 1:4 - They comfort one another in times of affliction. Sometimes our problems are bigger than we can handle alone. We need help. But remember, if we want others to help us, we need to be willing to help them when they have needs.
Hebrews 10:23-25 - One excellent time to strengthen one another is when the church meets. We can provoke one another to love and good works. We can exhort one another.
Again, the strength God supplies is conditional. We must make use of it. Strangely, many Christians neglect or flat refuse to use this source of strength at the very times they need it most. Facing the greatest spiritual dangers of their lives, when they are tempted to fall away, they neglect to attend church meetings.
We can only be strong when we use what God provides to make us strong!
[Heb. 3:12-14; Eph. 4:16; Col. 3:16; Rom. 15:14]

F. There Is Power in the Hope of Eternal Life.

2 Peter 1:8-11 - The desire to enter the everlasting kingdom motivates us to make our calling and election sure by developing the needed qualities in our lives. Instead of being near-sighted, we should keep our eyes on our goal.
1 Corinthians 9:25 - Goals motivate us to work hard, as illustrated by athletes. Without a clear vision of our goal, we may easily give up in hardship. With a clear and valuable goal, we are strongly motivated to persevere.
Matthew 6:24,33 - But again there are conditions. We must keep our eye on the goal and not become overly involved in affairs of this life. We cannot serve two masters, but must seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. We must keep our priorities straight.
[1 Peter 1:3-5; Acts 20:32; Jude 24]

Conclusion

Acts 10:34,35 - God is no respecter of persons. In every nation, those who fear Him and work righteousness are accepted by Him. Everyone can serve God successfully. This is not just for other people. It includes you and me. [2 Peter 3:9; 1 Tim. 2:4,6; Titus 2:11-14; Acts 2:38,39; Mark 16:15,16; Matt. 28:18-20; Rom. 1:16]
Why then are so many people being defeated in God's service? Because they are not using the armor properly!

Imagine an army of soldiers sworn to protect the country where you live.

Suppose a powerful enemy is coming to attack your city, destroy your wives and children, causing great pain and grief. The enemy has a powerful weapon which your army is convinced it cannot defeat.
Then the soldiers learn of someone who has a powerful new weapon. Everywhere it has been used, the enemy has been defeated.
The new weapon is obtained so every soldier can have one. The weapons come with an instruction manual. Meetings are set up so the soldiers can learn how to use the weapon. Your army can successfully win the victory! All the soldiers have to do is attend the meetings, study the manual, and use the weapons provided.
Would you want those soldiers to stay home from 1/2 to 2/3 of the meetings, when they could come? Should they daydream through the meetings? Should they take the manuals home, lay them on the shelf, and rarely read them?
The enemy is Satan. You and I are the soldiers. We will surely lose, not just our lives, but our souls eternally unless we learn how to defeat Satan's forces. God has provided armor that is guaranteed to defeat Satan, but we must learn to use it. It comes with a manual we must study - the Bible. The church is instructed to provide meetings so we can learn to use the weapons.
You can successfully win the battle against Satan by the means God has supplied. Are you studying and attending the meetings diligently so you can be successful? Are you as diligent as you would want soldiers to be if they were defending you and your family in wartime? Have you even yet enlisted in the army?

Thursday, May 5, 2016

Obedience and Accepting Jesus As Lord And Savior

Introduction

Some people tell sinners, "You don't need to do anything to be saved. Just accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior." But is it really possible to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior to receive His salvation without obeying Him? What does it really mean to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior? Consider:

A. What Does It Mean to Accept Jesus as Lord?

"Lord" means ruler, master, one who exercises authority. So to "accept Him as Lord" means to obey His rules and submit to his authority.
Luke 6:46 - "But why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do the things which I say?" Your master is the one you obey (cf. Rom. 6:16; Matt. 6:24). What right do you have to claim Jesus is your Lord, if you don't obey Him? None! If you don't obey, you have not accepted Him as your master.
Matthew 7:21-27 - To enter the kingdom of heaven, it is not enough to call Jesus "Lord, Lord." Remember, the preacher we quoted earlier said there is nothing to do. But Jesus said one must do the will of the Father (v 21).
Hearing and doing what Jesus says is like building on the rock. If you hear and don't do, you are building on the sand. Note that Jesus is discussing how to enter the kingdom of heaven (v 21). To enter, you must do. Your claim to accept Him as Lord is empty till you obey His teachings.
Acts 10:35 - To be acceptable to Him, one must fear Him (respect authority) and work righteousness (obey authority).
When a person claims that one must accept Jesus as Lord to be saved but does not have to obey Jesus to be saved, he contradicts himself and He contradicts Jesus. It is like claiming you are lying in bed and running an Olympic marathon at the same time. One cannot run a marathon lying in bed, and one cannot accept Jesus as Lord without obeying Him.
[Matt. 28:18-20; Luke 12:47f; 17:9f; 1 Cor. 7:19; Col. 3:23f; Heb. 13:20f; John 8:31]

B. What Does It Mean to Accept Jesus as Savior?

To accept Jesus as Savior, you must come to Him to receive the forgiveness of sins. But if He is the Savior, then you must come on His terms. He is the one who determines whom He will save and what has to happen in your life for Him to save you. What does He say about this?
Hebrews 5:9 - He is author (source) of salvation to all that obey Him. To accept His salvation, you must obey. If you believe obedience is not necessary, then you have not accepted the Savior according to the terms He requires in Scripture.
Romans 6:17,18 - To be made free from sin and become servants of righteousness, people in sin must obey the teaching delivered. When were people made free from sin? When they obeyed the teaching. That's what the Savior says. Do you accept Him as Savior? Then you must accept what He says about the conditions of salvation. [Cf. v16 and v23.]
1 Peter 1:22,23 - You purify your soul and are born again by obeying the truth. When people claim that obedience is unnecessary, they often emphasize being "born again." But how is a person "born again"? By obeying the truth, the Word of God. The Bible doctrine of the new birth requires obedience. [Rom. 6:3,4; Gal. 3:27; 2 Cor. 5:17]
Acts 22:10 - When Jesus spoke to the lost sinner Saul, Saul asked, "What shall I do, Lord?" The preacher we quoted earlier would have replied, "It's too late to do anything." But Jesus said to go into the city and "you will be told all things which are appointed for you to do" (9:6).
The Lord then sent Ananias, who told Saul to "be baptized and wash away thy sins" - 22:16. The Savior does not agree with those who say there is nothing to do to be saved. He says sinners must do something to be saved.
Jesus is the Lord and Savior. To be saved, you must accept Him as Lord and Savior. But you must accept Him on His terms as revealed in His word. His word says you cannot accept Him without obedience.
If you believe obedience is not essential to salvation, then according to Jesus' word you fail to understand what it means to accept Him. As in Matthew 7:21-27, He will say, "Depart from me..."
[James 1:21-25; John 15:14; Phil 2:12f; Acts 2:40; 1 Tim. 4:16; 2 Pet. 2:20-22]

II. Obedience and Loving Jesus

All people recognize the importance of love. 1 Corinthians 16:22 - If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed." [1 Cor. 13:1-3.]
When discussing obedience, some say, "I don't think it matters how you serve the Lord or what you do in His service. All that matters is if you love Him." But is it possible to love Him if you don't obey Him? Consider:

A. Love Is a Form of Obedience.

Matthew 22:36-39 - The two greatest commands are to love God and love your neighbor. So, if you believe that love is essential to salvation, then you must believe that obedience to commands is essential to salvation, because love is a command that must be obeyed!
John 13:34; 15:12 - "This is my commandment, that you love one another, even as I have loved you."
Love is essential to salvation. But love is a command. Therefore, obeying commands is essential to salvation, for here is one command all agree is essential.
The man who says obedience to commands is not necessary, is saying love is not necessary, for love is a command. It is the greatest of all commands.
[John 15:13f; 1 John 3:22-24; 4:21; 2 John 5; 1 Tim. 1:5; Jas. 2:8]

B. Love Requires Us to Obey Other Commands.

John 14:15,21-24 - "If ye love me, you will keep my commands." One who loves Jesus is one who keeps his commands (v21 & 23). One who doesn't love, doesn't keep His commands (v24). Conclusion: The person who says obedience is not essential, is saying (unintentionally) that you can please God and be saved without loving Him!
1 John 5:3; 2 John 6 - "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments." [cf. 1 John 5:2]
1 John 3:18 - "Let us not love in word, neither with the tongue, but in deed and truth."
Love must show itself in our actions. We must obey God's commands. If we don't obey, we don't really love. So obedience is essential to love. But love is essential to salvation. Therefore, obedience is essential to salvation. Instead of proving obedience is not required, the Bible doctrine of love proves the opposite: obedience is required.
[Rom. 13:8-10; 1 John 2:5; Rev. 2:4,5; 1 Thess. 1:3; John 15:10; Luke 6:27-36]

III. Obedience and Believing In Jesus

All who claim to be Christians agree that one must have faith to be saved (Heb. 11:6; Mk. 16:16; John 8:24 etc.). But some claim that faith makes obedience unnecessary. "We are saved by faith alone. As long as you believe in Jesus, it doesn't matter whether or not you do these other things." When some people are told about the need for obedience, they begin describing people who believe in God and Jesus, as though that is all that is necessary to salvation. But is this a correct conclusion?

A. Faith Is a Form of Obedience.

1 John 3:23,24 - God commands us to believe in Jesus; we must keep His commands to abide in Him. If we recognize the importance of faith, we must recognize the importance of obedience, since faith itself is a command from God that we must obey.
John 6:28,29 - People asked what they must do to work the works of God [cf. 1 Cor. 15:58; 16:10]. Jesus said the work for them to do is to believe. [Acts 16:30f]
Faith is essential to salvation. But faith is a command - a work - something required in obedience to God. Therefore, obedience is essential to salvation, for here is another act of obedience that is required for salvation. If someone claims that works of obedience are not necessary, he is (unintentionally) saying that faith is not necessary. If he then says faith is necessary, he contradicts himself.

B. Saving Faith Requires Us to Obey Other Commands.

Galatians 5:6 - What avails in Christ is faith working through love.
James 2:14-26 - Regarding the saving of the soul (v14), faith without works is dead like the body without a spirit. It is the kind of faith that demons have. Works are necessary to complete faith (make it perfect). Without obedience, faith is dead and incomplete. The faith that justifies is the faith that leads to works.
Hebrews 10:39; 11:8,30, etc. - Here are examples of the kind of faith we must have to save our souls. All examples show that men received the blessings of God only after their faith led them to obey His commands. Faith that does not obey is faith that cannot save. [Vv 7,33,4,17,24f]
The Bible doctrine of justification by faith is like the doctrine of love in that, instead of proving obedience is not essential, it proves the opposite. It shows that faith will not save until it moves us to obey. Justification by faith includes obedience; it does not exclude it. We are saved by faith when that faith has moved us to obey the conditions of salvation. Without that obedience, we do not have a saving faith.
[Cf. Rom. 1:5; 16:26 - "obedience of faith." 2 Thess. 1:11; 1 Thess. 1:3 - "work of faith." See also Gal. 2:20; 2 Cor. 5:7; John 7:17; 1 John 2:29; 1 Pet. 1:14; Matt. 12:50; Luke 8:21; Acts 5:32 with Rom. 8:9]

IV. Obedience, Repentance, and Confession

Most people who study the Bible will agree that repentance and confession are essential to salvation. But what is the connection between these acts and obedience?

A. Repentance Requires Obedience.

Repentance is a Divine command that we must obey to be saved.

Acts 17:30 - God commands all men everywhere to repent. So, repentance is a command that must be obeyed.
2 Peter 3:9 - All must come to repentance or they will perish (Luke 13:3,5).
Acts 2:37,38; 3:19 - When people asked what they should do (about their sins), Peter taught that everyone must repent in order to receive remission of sins., so their sins may be blotted out. (Luke 24:47; Acts 5:31)
2 Corinthians 7:10 - Godly sorrow produces repentance unto salvation.
As with love and faith, repentance is a command that must be obeyed in order to receive salvation. If so, then here is another act of obedience that is necessary to salvation. To say that obedience is not necessary to salvation would be to say that repentance is not necessary to salvation.

Repentance also requires that people must obey other commands.

Matthew 21:28-32 - The son who had refused to obey his father afterward regretted it ("repented" - KJV, ASV) and went. He did the will of the father.
Luke 3:8,9; Acts 26:20 - Those who repent are required to bring forth fruits of repentance: works worthy of repentance. Those who do not bear good fruits will be cast into the fire.
Repentance is a decision - a change of mind or a choice - in which a person determines to turn away from sin and start obeying God. Like love and faith, it is an act of obedience in and of itself, but it also necessarily requires that we obey other Divine commands. The person who denies that obedience is necessary to salvation has not truly repented of sins, for if he truly repents he will acknowledge that obedience is necessary!

B. Confession of Christ Requires Obedience.

Confession of Christ is an act of obedience that is stated in Scripture to be necessary to salvation.
Romans 10:9,10 - In order to be saved, one must both believe in Christ in his heart and confess Christ with his mouth. Note that confession is here separated from faith: faith is in your heart, but confession is an outward act done with the mouth. Yet, the confession is made "to salvation."
John 12:42,43 - Some rulers believed in Jesus but refused to confess Him, because they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. Note again that confession is distinguished from faith. These people believed, but they refused to confess Christ. Were they saved?
[Matthew 10:32; 16:15-18; John 1:49; 4:42; 9:35-38; 11:27; 12:42,43; Acts 8:36-38; 1 Timothy 6:12,13; 1 John 4:15]
When people deny that obedience is necessary to salvation, generally what they are objecting to is baptism. But the gospel clearly states that baptism is essential to salvation, just as it does repentance and confession (see Mark 16:15,16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Romans 6:3,4; Galatians 3:27; 1 Peter 3:21). In particular, confession involves a physical outward obedience just as surely as baptism does. If we understand that repentance and confession are necessary to salvation, why object to the idea that baptism is necessary to salvation?
For further evidence that baptism is a step that is necessary to salvation, see our article on the purpose and importance of baptism.

V. Obedience and Receiving Eternal Life At The Judgment

Anyone who is concerned about Bible teaching will be very concerned about the Judgment day and eternal life. Yet, note the connection between these and obedience.

A. We Will Be Judged on the Basis of Our Deeds, Works, and Obedience.

Romans 2:6-10 - God renders to each man according to his works (v6). Those who continue patiently in doing good will receive eternal life (v7). Those who do not obey the truth but obey unrighteousness and work evil, will receive tribulation and anguish, etc. (vv 8,9). But glory and honor await all who work good (v10). The things we do determine our eternal reward.
2 Corinthians 5:10 - Before the judgment-seat of Christ, "each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether it be good or bad." Does it make sense for men to teach that there is nothing to do to receive salvation, when the Bible says the things we do will be the very basis on which our eternal destiny is determined?
Revelation 20:12,13; 22:12 - Every man will be judged according to his works.
Challenge: Can you think of any passage that discusses the judgment and says that we will be judged on the basis of our faith or love, or that says we will give an account for these? For every one you find (if any) there will be 2 or 3 others that say it will be on the basis of works, deeds, actions, or things done.
Why is this? It is not because faith and love do not matter, but because "works" include faith and love, and because "obedience" is the test and the measure of our faith and love [John 14:15; Jas. 2:18].
[Matthew 25:31-46; Acts 17:30f; John 5:28f; 1 Pet. 4:17f; Matt. 16:27; 24:46-51; Jas. 2:12; Matt. 25:21ff; 1 Pet. 1:17; Rev. 2:23,26; 3:15].

B. Eternal Life Is for Those Who Obey God.

John 5:28,29 - All people are raised to life or condemnation depending on whether they did good or did evil.
1 John 2:17 - "He that does the will of God abides forever."
2 Thessalonians 1:8,9 - Those who obey not the gospel will receive vengeance in flaming fire. They are punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord.
Romans 2:7 - Eternal life is for those who are patient in doing good.
So, our eternal destiny depends on whether or not we obey God's instructions. We must love and believe, we must accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, but all these things require obedience; they do not exclude it.
[Luke 10:25,28,37; John 6:27; Rom. 8:12f; 1 Tim. 6:17-19; Gal. 6:8-10; Matt. 12:50; Jas. 4:17 with Rom. 6:23; Gal. 5:19-21; John 12:50; 2 Pet. 1:10f; Heb. 10:36; Eph. 2:2; 5:6; Col. 3:6; 2 Cor. 10:5f; Heb. 2:2ff; Phil. 2:12f; Rev. 14:13].

Conclusion

Consider the consequences if a person believes the denominational doctrine that obedience is not necessary to salvation:

* Since accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior requires a commitment to obey him, it follows that such a person has not truly accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior.
* Since loving God requires and includes obeying Him, it follows that such a person does not truly love God.
* Since saving faith requires and includes obeying Him, it follows that such a person does not have a saving faith.
* Since repentance, confession, and baptism require obeying Him, it follows that such a person has not truly repented. Furthermore, he has not been properly baptized, since true baptism requires the person to believe that the purpose of baptism is to receive forgiveness of sin.
* Since obedience is necessary for one to stand justified before the Lord in the Judgment Day, it follows that such a person is not ready to face God in judgment.

So, obedience is essential to salvation. We must be "doers of the word."

1 John 2:3-6 - To know Him and abide in Him, we must keep his commands, keep his word. If we are not doing so, but still claim to know Him, we are liars, and we don't abide in Him. [Note what happens to liars - Rev. 21:8; John 15:5,6.]
1 John 3:6-8,10 - If we want to be righteous, we must practice righteousness. If we practice sin, we are of the Devil. If we don't practice righteousness, we are not of God. [Cf. 3:24]
We have learned that the obedience that God requires includes love, faith, repentance, confession, baptism, and a faithful life (1 Cor. 15:58). Have you obeyed the Lord? Are you willing to do so?

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Has Jesus Forgiven Your Sins?

How Can You Be Sure Jesus Has Forgiven Your Sins?

Jesus Is Lord - Lesson #5

Introduction:
To receive eternal life according to the gospel of Christ, a person must be forgiven of sins by Jesus' blood (Ephesians 1:7; Matthew 26:28; 1 Peter 2:24). But many people are unsure about whether or not they have been forgiven. Others may think that they have been forgiven, but would be surprised to learn that Jesus does not agree.
Matthew 7:21-23 - Many people, who believe in the Lord, will expect Jesus to accept them at the judgment. Instead He will reject them because they have not done the will of the Father.
Acts 23:1; 26:9 - Saul was a Jew who opposed Jesus in all good conscience, doing what he sincerely believed he should do. Yet he was the chief of sinners (1 Timothy 1:12-15). Clearly he had been misled.
What about you and me? Is it possible we have been misled like these people? Surely this matter deserves our careful investigation.
This study is designed to help you be sure about salvation.
Please begin with a brief self-examination to show where you are now (2 Cor. 13:5). Then we will study what the Bible says about salvation, and you can compare your case to Jesus' teaching. (Since these are personal answers, the computer cannot grade them, so you must ask and answer them to yourself.)
*A* Have you made a personal commitment to serve Jesus? (Yes or no) Answer:
*B1* Have you been baptized? (Yes or no) (If not, skip to question #3.) Answer:
*B2* If so, about how old were you? Answer:
*B3* How were you baptized (sprinkling, pouring, or immersion)? Answer:
*B4* Why were you baptized? (a) to please loved ones, (b) as a sign I had been saved, (c) to receive forgiveness of sins, (d) because others were doing it, (e) to join a denomination, (f) other (write your reason in the blank). (You may give more than one reason.) Answer:
*B5* After you repented of sin and determined to live for God, about how long was it till you were baptized? Answer:
*C* Suppose a person sincerely does the following things. At what point do you believe his sins would be washed away? When he (a) hears the gospel, (b) believes, (c) repents, (d) confesses Jesus, (e) prays for forgiveness, (f) is baptized, (g) I don't know, (h) other (write in the blank the point at which you think sins are washed away). Answer:

I. The Nature of Sin

Some churches teach that people inherit guilt from Adam through their parents. They conclude that little babies are born guilty of sin. What does Jesus teach? Remember that His teaching is found in the Bible.

A. Sin Is Committed, Not Inherited.

>>> Read 1 JOHN 3:4. <<<

*1* What is sin? Sin is: (a) breaking social customs, (b) displeasing other people, (c) violating human tradition, (d) transgression or breaking of God's law (lawlessness). Answer: ______.
*2* Sin is something a person: (a) commits (practices), (b) inherits. Answer: ______.
>>> Read ROMANS 6:16 and John 8:34. <<<
*3* How do people become slaves of sin? (a) they inherit a corrupt nature from Adam, (b) everyone is born a slave of sin, (c) whoever commits sin (presents himself to obey sin) is a slave of sin. Answer: ______.
We may sin in word, deed, or thought, but our own conduct is what makes us sinners.
>>> Read 1 PETER 2:22. <<<
*4* What sins was Jesus guilty of? (a) He was born a sinner, (b) He was guilty of Adam's sin, (c) He was guilty of no sins because He committed no sins. Answer: ______.
Note that Jesus was a descendant of Adam, born of woman (Luke 3:38; Galatians 4:4). He shared in flesh and blood, being made in all things like us (Hebrews 2:14,17). If people inherit Adam's sin, then Jesus must have been guilty of sin. Yet in Him there was no sin, because He did no sin (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 John 3:5; Hebrews 4:15). Therefore guilt is not inherited. People are guilty of sin when they commit sin.
>>> Read EZEKIEL 18:20. <<<
*5* Who bears the guilt of a person's sins? Answer: The wickedness of the wicked will be upon (charged against) ______.
*6* What sins are we guilty of? (a) just the ones we commit, (b) our father's, (c) Adam's. Answer: ______.
Sin is doing, practicing, committing things that are not in harmony with God's will. When the Bible says people are "in sin," "slaves of sin," or "under sin," it refers to the guilt and consequences a person experiences because of his own sinful conduct.
We may sometimes suffer in this life because of something our ancestors did (such as a child who suffers because his parent is an alcoholic). But guilt itself cannot be inherited through our parents. None of Adam's descendants bear the guilt of his sin. Adam's sin is upon Adam alone. If you are guilty of sin, it is because of what you have done.
[See also Mark 7:20-23; Romans 3:9-18,23; 1 Timothy 6:10; James 1:14,15; 2:10,11.]

B. Each Person Will Be Judged for His Own Life.

Each person's eternal destiny is determined by his/her own conduct, and it is determined individually. Each person is held accountable for what he did, not for what his ancestors did.

>>> Read MATTHEW 7:21,23. <<<
*7* Who will enter the kingdom of heaven (v21)? Answer: He who ______ the will of the Father.
*8* Jesus will reject those who work (practice/do) what (v23)? Answer: ______.
>>> Read ROMANS 2:6-10. <<<
*9* To receive eternal life, what must we do (v7,10)? Answer: We must continue in ______.
*10&11* Who will receive tribulation and anguish (v8,9)? Answer: Those who reject (do not obey) the ______ but obey (follow) ______.
Note that, at judgment, each will be rewarded according to his works or deeds (v6).
>>> Read 2 CORINTHIANS 5:10. <<<
*12* How many people must appear before Jesus' judgment seat? Answer: ______.
*13* On what basis will each one be judged? (a) what his parents did, (b) what he has done in the body, (c) what Adam did. Answer: ______.
Note again that the above passages all show that sin is something a person does, works, or practices. Folks who believe in original sin teach that every person is passive in becoming a sinner and passive in being saved from sin. He is a sinner before he does anything and saved without doing anything. Jesus' teaching says man is active both in sin and in salvation. He becomes a sinner because of what he does, and we will see that he must choose to act in order to receive God's offer of salvation.
[See also Rom. 1:32; 14:12; Matt. 16:27; Rev. 20:12,13; 22:12.]

C. Babies Are Innocent, not Guilty.

If original sin is true, then babies are born guilty of sin, totally depraved, destined for eternal punishment. But note what Jesus' word says.

>>> Read PSALM 106:37,38. <<<
*14* When people sacrificed their babies to idols, what kind of blood did they shed? Answer: They shed ______ blood.
If babies inherited Adam's sin, they would be guilty; but God's word says they are innocent. [Cf. Jer. 19:4,5.]
>>> Read HEBREWS 12:9. <<<
*15* God is the Father of what? Answer: Our ______.
Our fleshly nature comes through our earthly fathers (like Adam). But God is the Father of our spirits. He gives the spirit and forms it within man (cf. Zech. 12:1; Ecc. 12:7). If our spirits come from God, not from earthly parents, how can our spirits inherit sin from our parents?
The doctrine of original sin says man is born with a soul that is "wholly defiled." Does the sinless Father in heaven give us spirits that are wholly defiled?
>>> Read MATTHEW 18:3 and 19:14. <<<
*16* What is taught about little children? (a) they inherit the sin of Adam, (b) we must be converted and become like little children to enter the kingdom of God, (c) they are sinners. Answer: ______.
If little children are guilty of sin and wholly defiled, why should we want to become like them? Does conversion make us like sinners? Does the kingdom consist of those who are wholly defiled?
Jesus considered little children to be acceptable to Him just as they were. He did not require them to be forgiven of sins. Rather, He taught those who are sinners to be converted and become like little children.
No passage of Scripture anywhere teaches that little children are born sinners. Sin is not inherited. God does not hold children accountable for their conduct till they are old enough to understand His will and accept the responsibility to serve Him. Then they become sinners when they themselves participate in sinful conduct. Eventually, we all become guilty and need forgiveness (Romans 3:23).

For more information about inherited guilt and original sin, please see the link at the end of this lesson.

II. Some New Testament Examples of Conversion

People need forgiveness when they themselves commit sin. That forgiveness comes only through Jesus' blood. Jesus died to offer forgiveness to everyone, yet not everyone will receive forgiveness. How can you and I be sure we have been forgiven by Jesus' blood?

The book of Acts contains many examples of people who received forgiveness. Since God is no respecter of persons, we can be saved only if we do as these people did (Acts 10:34; Romans 2:11). Consider a few of these Bible examples. (Note: As you study, please consider the chart at the end of this section.)

A. The Jews on Pentecost

On a Jewish feast day called Pentecost, Jews came to Jerusalem from all over the Roman empire. The Holy Spirit empowered the apostles to preach to the people (Acts 2:14-36).

>>> Read ACTS 2:36-41. <<<
*17* What did Peter tell the people to believe (v36)? (a) Jesus is Lord and Christ, (b) people can save themselves without Jesus, (c) it does not matter what we believe if we are sincere, (d) all the preceding. Answer: ______.
*18&19* What did Peter command them to do (v38)? Answer: ______ and be ______.
*20* For what purpose were they to do this (v38)? Answer: For the ______ of sins.
Three thousand people heard, believed, repented, and were baptized. As a result, they were forgiven of sins. (See the chart.)
Please note that Peter said these same blessings are available to all people everywhere, as many as hear the gospel, including future generations (v39). This includes you, me, and all people today.

B. The Ethiopian Treasurer

The treasurer of the queen of Ethiopia had come to Jerusalem to worship. He was returning home riding in his chariot, reading from Isaiah. Then a preacher named Philip approached (Acts 8:26-34).

>>> Read ACTS 8:35-39. <<<
*21* As Philip taught about Jesus, what did the eunuch want (v36)? (a) baptism, (b) money, (c) a direct revelation from the Holy Spirit. Answer: ______.
*22* What did the eunuch have to do first (v37)? (a) pray for forgiveness, (b) tell Philip that he believed in Jesus, (c) pay a fee. Answer: ______.
The treasurer heard about Jesus, believed in him, confessed his faith, and was baptized. (See the chart.) Would you and I receive the same blessings he received, if we do the same things he did?

C. Saul of Tarsus

Saul was an unbelieving Jew who was traveling to Damascus to persecute Christians (Acts 8:3; 9:1-3). On the road, Jesus appeared to him.

>>> Read ACTS 9:3-6,18; 22:16. <<<
*23* What did the Lord tell Saul to do (v6)? (a) wait in the city to be told what he must do, (b) pray through at the mourner's bench, (c) send a financial contribution. Answer: ______.
*24&25* What did Ananias tell him he must do (22:16)? Answer: He said to be ______ and wash away his ______.
Saul learned about Jesus, was told what he must do, and was baptized to wash away his sins.

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Learning The Lords Will For Our Lives

How Can We Learn Jesus’ Will?

Jesus Is Lord — Lesson #4

Introduction:
In our last lesson we learned that we should honor Jesus as the Lord of our lives. He is the Son of God who died to save us from our sins, and He will one day return to judge us. We should obey His will, imitate the principles He lived by, and serve Him as our highest priority.
However, Jesus is no longer on earth to personally teach us. Where can we go to learn His will today? This is the theme of this lesson.

I. Jesus' Teachings Are Recorded in the Bible.

Jesus knew that He would leave earth and return to heaven, so during His lifetime He carefully gave instructions to His apostles. After He left, He sent the Holy Spirit to guide the apostles to write His instructions in the New Testament Scriptures.
>>> Read JOHN 16:13. <<<
*1&2* What did Jesus say the Spirit of truth would do for the apostles? Answer: The Spirit would ______ them into ______ truth.
>>> Read JOHN 20:29-31. <<<
*3* How can people believe in Jesus even when they have not seen Him? (a) they can't believe, (b) they need a modern-day prophet, (c) they can believe by reading what the inspired men wrote in the Bible. Answer: ______.
*4* What blessing can people receive if they believe what is written? Answer: By believing we can have ______ in His name.
>>> Read EPHESIANS 3:3-5. <<<
*5* What did Paul do with the knowledge revealed to him? (a) he wrote it down, (b) he kept it a secret, (c) it is still an unknown mystery. Answer: ______.
*6* How can other people learn what Paul knew? Answer: We can understand when we ______ what he wrote.
Note that, although the gospel message had been unknown (a mystery) in the past, it was revealed or "made known" to the New Testament apostles and prophets. Now we can know it by reading what they wrote.
>>> Read 1 CORINTHIANS 14:37. <<<
*7* Whose commands did Paul write? Answer: Paul wrote the commands of the ______.
You and I today can know the teachings of the Lord Jesus by reading the New Testament Scriptures written by His inspired prophets.

For more information about the importance of the Bible, see the links at the end of this lesson.

[See also Matt. 10:19f; Luke 10:16; John 14:26; 1 Cor. 2:10-14; 11:23; 15:3; Gal. 1:11,12; 2 Peter 1:12-15,21; 3:1,2; 1 John 1:1-4; 2:1-17; Rev. 1:11.]

II. The Gospel Is a Perfect Revelation.

Sometimes people wonder how adequately the Scriptures reveal the teachings of Jesus for us today. Do they contain all we need to know, or are there teachings that we need but do not have? Can we understand what is taught? Has the message been lost or perverted over the years, so that we today no longer have the true and complete will of Jesus?

A. The Scriptures Reveal All God's Will for Us.

Remember, Jesus promised that the apostles would receive "all truth" (John 16:13), and they wrote down what they received.

>>> Read ACTS 20:20,27. <<<
*8* How much of God's will did Paul teach to others? (a) he kept back parts that were needed, (b) he preached the whole counsel of God, (c) there were important truths that he never even received. Answer: ______.
>>> Read 2 PETER 1:3. <<<
*9* How much of God's will had people in Peter's lifetime received? Answer: They received ______ things pertaining to life and godliness.
>>> Read 2 TIMOTHY 3:16,17. <<<
*10* For what purposes are the Scriptures profitable? (a) teaching and instructing us in righteousness, (b) reproving and correcting us, (c) completely providing all good works, (d) all the preceding. Answer: ______.
*11* If the Scriptures provide us to all good works, then do we need some standard of religious authority in addition to the Bible? (yes or no) Answer: ______.
The gospel is the perfect law of liberty, which is able to save our souls (James 1:21,25). We need no further revelation because the Bible completely reveals all God's will for man. It teaches everything we need to know to be saved. Since the first-century apostles and prophets received all truth, it follows that any doctrine taught today, which they did not record in the Bible, must not be true.
[See also Matt. 28:20; Col. 4:12; Heb. 13:20,21.]

B. The Scriptures Are Understandable.

Remember that the apostles wrote down what had been revealed to them, so that others could understand the message (Ephesians 3:3-5).

>>> Read MARK 7:14. <<<
*12* What did Jesus expect his hearers to do? Answer: They were supposed to hear and ______.
Notice that Jesus spoke here to the "multitude" of common people and He required "everyone" of them to understand what He taught.
>>> Read ACTS 17:11. <<<
*13* How did these people determine whether or not the things they heard were true? (a) they searched the Scriptures daily, (b) they needed a college education, (c) they needed a priest to explain it to them. Answer: ______.
Could they do this if the Scriptures are impossible to understand? If people cannot understand the Bible, why did God give it to us?
>>> Read 1 CORINTHIANS 14:33. <<<
*14* God is not the author (or cause) of what? Answer: ______.
God is the author of the Scriptures. Now if the Bible has been written in such a way that it is impossible for men to study and understand it, then God would be the author of confusion. Since He is not the author of confusion, then the Bible must be a book that we can understand.
Remember that the Scriptures are profitable to teach, reprove, instruct, and supply us completely to all good works (2 Timothy 3:15-17). They are able to make one wise to salvation. But if we could not understand the Scriptures, then they would not profit in any of these things.
God revealed the Scriptures so men could understand His will. Anyone who believes God is all-wise and all-powerful, must also believe the Bible is a book that can be understood.
[See also 2 Tim. 2:15; Eph. 5:17; Isa. 55:11; Psalm 119:104,105,130.]

C. The Scriptures Have Been Accurately Preserved.

The Holy Spirit guided the New Testament writers to record Jesus' teachings so those teachings could guide future generations. In order for the Scriptures to accomplish this, God would have to preserve them.

>>> Read 2 PETER 1:12-15; 3:1,2. <<<
*15* Peter was writing so that people would have a record of his teachings after he died. What would this message do for them? Answer: It would ______ them of the apostles' commands.
>>> Read JOHN 12:48. <<<
*16* By what standard will men be judged? (a) by their own consciences, (b) by the teachings of their priests, (c) by Jesus' words. Answer: ______.
Jesus' words will judge men at the last day. This means that Jesus' words must endure till the judgment and must be available to men, so we can know what to do to prepare for the judgment. Jesus' words are preserved for us in the written word of the Scriptures.
>>> Read 1 PETER 1:22-25. <<<
*17* What is the seed by which we are born again? Answer: We are born again by the incorruptible seed, which is the ______ of God.
*18* How long will God's word endure? (a) forever, (b) 2 generations, (c) like a plant that grows then dies, it was lost in the middle ages. Answer: ______.
>>> Read 2 JOHN 2. <<<
*19* How long will the truth be with us? Answer: The truth will be with us ______.
God intended for the faith to be delivered to His people only "once" (Jude 3). He delivered it in the first century, then He preserved it through the centuries till today. We today have the perfect and complete teachings of Jesus in a form we can understand in the Scriptures.

For more information about the preservation of the Bible, see the links at the end of this study.

[See also Psa. 12:6,7; Heb. 13:20; Isa. 30:8; 59:20,21; Matt. 24:35.]

III. Jesus' Instructions for Today Are Found in the New Testament, Not the Old.

Some people believe that we today need a special priesthood or should rest on the seventh day of the week because the Old Testament law required this. Others claim that God never changes His law, so if He ever commanded anything, then everyone must always keep that command. But God once commanded a man to build an ark and another man to sacrifice his son (Gen. 6:13-7:5; 22:1-19). Must we do these today?

God Himself says He has changed His laws about circumcision (cf. Gen. 17:9-14 to 1 Cor. 7:18-20; Gal. 5:1-8; 6:12-16), the Levitical priesthood (cf. Ex. 40:12-16; 29:1-9 to Heb. 7:11-18; 1 Pet. 2:5,9), and animal sacrifices (cf. Num. 15:1-6 to Heb. 10:1-18), just to name a few examples.
These Scriptures clearly prove that God has made changes in his laws. Some commands were intended just for certain specific people, not for all people everywhere. Other commands served a temporary purpose. When they fulfilled their purpose, they were no longer needed, so God removed them.
What about the Old Testament laws, including the laws given through Moses. Are they still in effect today, or do we follow only the teachings of the New Testament?
>>> Read ROMANS 7:2-6. <<<
*20* When is a woman free from her husband? (a) when she divorces him, (b) when she becomes a Christian, (c) when he dies. Answer: ______.
*21* What is our relation to the law? (a) we are subject to it, (b) we are freed from it and joined to Christ, (c) we should still keep parts of it. Answer: ______.
>>> Read HEBREWS 10:9,10. <<<
Hebrews is a lengthy comparison of the "first" or "old covenant" compared to the "second" or "new covenant." The first covenant included the animal sacrifices, the Levitical priesthood, the tabernacle, and the "tables of the covenant" or the 10 Commands (see 7:11-14; 9:1-5; 10:1-8). In fact it included "every precept" given through Moses (9:18-21).
*22&23* What did Jesus do to these two covenants? Answer: He ______ the first that He may ______ the second.
Because of what Jesus did, "the law" (first covenant) was changed or annulled (7:12,18). It was made old, so it vanished away (8:6-13). All this was done in harmony with God's will, not contrary to it.
>>> Read COLOSSIANS 2:14,16. <<<
*24&25* What did Christ do to the handwriting of ordinances? Answer: He took it ______ nailing it to His ______.
*26* Should we let people judge us for not keeping the sabbath? (yes or no) Answer: ______.
The Old Testament law, given through Moses, applied only to the nation of Israel and only till Jesus died. The teaching of Jesus for people today is recorded in the New Testament, the gospel. It is the "power of God unto salvation" (Romans 1:16).

For more information about the Old Testament law, see the links at the end of this study.

[See also 2 Cor. 3:6-11; Gal. 3:24,25; 5:1-6; Eph. 2:11-16.]

IV. We Should Reject Man-Made Doctrines.

Many people today claim to follow Jesus, but they participate in religious practices and organizations that are not authorized in the gospel. Yet the New Testament provides us to all good works, so other practices cannot be from Jesus. They are human in origin [cf. Matt. 21:25].

A. What Does Jesus Think of Man-Made Doctrines?

>>> Read MATTHEW 15:9,13,14.<<<

*27* How does Jesus describe our worship if it is based on human doctrine (v9) ? (a) it is vain, (b) it is acceptable, (c) it doesn't matter. Answer: ______.
Fallible men cannot know what pleases God without revelation from God. The "way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps" (Jeremiah 10:23). Only by following the teaching of Jesus can we know what is pleasing to God.
>>> Read GALATIANS 1:8,9. <<<
*28* What is the condition of one who preaches a different gospel? Answer: He is ______.
"There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death" (Proverbs 14:12).
>>> Read 2 JOHN 9. <<<
*29* What happens to someone who teaches things not found in the teachings that come from Jesus? Answer: He does not have ______.
Remember that all Jesus' teachings were recorded in the New Testament by the original apostles and prophets. To follow Jesus, we must do only the things taught in His word. If we follow practices He has not authorized, then we are following men instead of following Jesus.
Even if no passage specifically forbids a certain practice, that does not mean the practice is acceptable. Instead, we should ask, "Where did Jesus say we should do this?" If a practice is not authorized in His word, we should avoid it.
[See also Rev. 22:18,19; Col. 3:17; Prov. 3:5,6; 2 Cor. 10:12,18.]

B. Some Examples of Human Authority in Religion

People often accept man-made religious practices without realizing why they accept them. Often they are following human authorities such as those we are about to consider. (Note that some of these things do have a right to exist. The danger comes when they are viewed as authority which people follow to determine what they believe or practice.)

Family Religion

Some people think, "It was good enough for my mother (or wife, etc.), so it's good enough for me." This makes the family our authority, instead of Jesus. We should be glad if our families follow the Bible, but most people's families are in error (Matthew 7:13,14). Most Christians in the New Testament had to leave their family religion.
*30* If our family is involved in practices not found in the gospel, should we still practice as they do? (yes or no) Answer: ______.
[Note Matt. 10:34-37; Acts 5:29; Gal. 1:13,14.]

Conscience, feelings, sincerity

We need sincerity and a good conscience, but these become the standard for some people. "Just let your conscience be your guide. It doesn't matter what you believe as long as you're sincere."
>>> Read ACTS 23:1; 26:9. <<<
*31* Even before his conversion, Paul was sincere and had a good conscience. At that time was he (a) right, (b) wrong, (c) it didn't matter? Answer: ______.
One can be sincere and have a good conscience, yet be the chief of sinners (1 Timothy 1:13-15). Your conscience only tells you whether or not you are doing what you believe to be right. Like a clock, it will not be reliable unless it has been set properly.
[See also Prov. 14:12; 28:26; Matt. 7:21-23; 2 Cor. 10:18.]

Preachers

Some people just accept whatever their preacher says. "My preacher is well educated, and he would not mislead me?." Preachers can help us learn Jesus' will, but they must not become the standard of authority. Preachers are wrong when they differ from what Jesus said. [See also Acts 17:11; 20:29,30; Matt. 7:15; 15:14; 1 John 4:1,6; 2 Cor. 11:13-15.]
*32* Should we accept what our preacher says if he cannot show it in the Bible? (yes or no) Answer: ______.

Church creeds, traditions, and decrees of councils

Many denominations write books that the group follows as authority or doctrinal standards. Any creed that contains more than the Bible contains too much. Any creed that contains less than the Bible contains too little. All human creeds and church laws are made on the assumption that fallible humans can write a better standard than the Bible!

For more information about man-made doctrines and religious confusion, see the links at the end of this study.

Conclusion

"And by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments" (1 John 2:3-6). A true disciple devotes his lifetime to serving his Master's will. During your lifetime you must choose whether or not you will serve Jesus. "If you love Me, keep My commandments" (John 14:15; cf. 1 John 5:3). Do you follow Jesus or do you follow men?

Personal application questions:

(These questions are for you to ponder. Your answers will help us understand your thinking, however they will not affect your "score.")
*33* Do you believe we need any source of religious authority other than the Bible? ___________
*34* What conclusion do you believe we should reach about religious doctrines or practices that are not found in the Bible? __________
*35* What do you believe about Old Testament practices that are not included in the New Testament? __________

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Final Teachings of Jesus

Portraits of Jesus

A Study of the Gospel of Mark

Final Teachings of Jesus

Lesson 9

Jesus Warns of Coming Events

>>> Read Mark 13:1-13. <<<
As they left the temple area, one of the disciples pointed to the magnificent buildings and commented on their splendor. Jesus replied that they all would be torn down. This remark astonished the disciples and they asked when this would happen and what sign there would be of the temple's impending destruction. Jesus began answering by telling about some things that would happen before the temple was destroyed. He warned of false Christs, wars, natural disasters and great persecution. These events would be unsettling for the Christians, but Jesus assured them that they were not signs of the overthrow of the temple. It is remarkable that some people have taken these things that Jesus said were not signs of the destruction of the temple and used them to try to predict the date of the return of Christ.
*1* According to v1-4, what subject was Jesus discussing in these verses? Answer: The destruction of the ______ in Jerusalem.
*2* Instead of saying that the events of these verses were signs of the immediate end, what did Jesus say in v7? Answer: The end is ______.

The Destruction of the Temple

>>> Read Mark 13:14-30. <<<
This paragraph is one of the most difficult in the gospel of Mark. Several things should be carefully observed: 1) Jesus said that all of these things were going to occur within that generation (13:30). 2) We know that Jerusalem and the temple within it were destroyed by Roman armies in the year 70 A.D. Contemporary reports chronicle Jerusalem's horrible siege and tell that thousands (possibly more than a million) died in the conflict. 3) Jesus warned the Christians to flee to the mountains. History records that the disciples fled to a mountain fortress near the Dead Sea. As far as we know, no Christians perished in that war. It always pays to listen to Jesus.
*3* What did Jesus tell the disciples in Judea to do when they saw the evil thing in the temple (v14)? Answer: They should ______ to the mountains.
*4* When did Jesus say all the things in 13:1-30 would occur? a) when He returns for the final judgment; b) within that generation; c) no one knows; d) 2000 years later. Answer: ______.

Jesus Warns of His Return

>>> Read Mark 13:31-37. <<<
In verse 30 Jesus said that the destruction of the temple would occur within that generation. But in verse 32, He spoke of an event that would occur at a totally unknown time. He was referring to His own return and the destruction of the world. Not even Jesus Himself knew when that would occur. So, He exhorted everyone to be alert and constantly prepared His return.
Note -- Practical lessons: 1) We should not believe anyone who claims to be able to predict the date of the Lord's return. If Jesus didn't know, surely no mere man does. Anyone who claims to be able to discern the time of Jesus' return by a careful study of prophetic texts is claiming to know more than the Lord Himself and should not be taken seriously. 2) Since we don't know when the Lord will come back, we should always be ready. If you knew for sure that the Lord would come back today, would you change some things in your life? Then why not just assume that He is returning today (for He might), and make the changes immediately. It is utterly foolish to procrastinate in our repentance.
*5* Who knows when Jesus will return (cf. 1 Thess. 5:1,2)? a) those who study prophecies; b) the angels; c) Christians; d) only the Father. Answer: ______.

Anointing of Jesus

>>> Read Mark 14:1-11. <<<
What contrasting attitudes toward Jesus! The chief priests and scribes searched for a way to kill Him. Judas offered to betray Him. But a single woman spent 300 days' wages for perfume which she poured over His head. The disciples criticized her for this extravagant act of love. They viewed it as a waste of money, and thought it would have been better to have sold the perfume and given the money to the poor. But Jesus defended her saying that she had anointed His body for burial and that in all the world people would tell of her deed.
*6* What did the woman pour over Jesus' head? Answer: She poured out a flask of expensive ______ made from nard (spikenard).
*7* What did the disciples think should have been done with the perfume? Answer: They thought it should be sold and the money given to the ______.

The Last Supper

>>> Read Mark 14:12-26. <<<
Passover was an annual feast commemorating God's sparing the Jews in the tenth plague on Egypt (see Exodus 11-12). Jesus sent the disciples to prepare the feast, then He ate it with them. During the meal, Jesus warned that one of them would betray Him. He was trying to prepare the apostles for the traumatic night to follow. The Lord also took some of the bread and grape juice of the Passover and said that it was His body and blood. In this way, He initiated the observance of the Lord's Supper, a feast that was continued by the early Christians (Acts 2:42; 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34).
Note -- Is it I? It is interesting to observe the disciples' reaction to Jesus' prediction that one of them would betray Him. Each asked: Is it I? They were thinking of the possibility of their own fall. Unfortunately, this moment of introspection soon vanished and in the next paragraph they return to brash overconfidence. Surprisingly, they did not ask: Is it Judas? Apparently they had not observed anything in Judas' behavior during the months they had spent together that signaled that he was disloyal. When we read Jesus' warnings in the Bible, we also should ask: Is it I?
*8* When Jesus predicted that one of the disciples would betray Him, what did they ask? Answer: They asked, "______?".
*9&10* In the Lord's supper, what do the bread and fruit of the vine remind us of? Answer: The bread reminds us of Jesus' ______, and the fruit of the vine reminds us of His ______.

Jesus Predicts the Flight of the Disciples

>>> Read Mark 14:27-31. <<<
Jesus told the disciples that they would all fall away. Peter retorted that though the others might, he would never abandon Him. Christ replied that he would deny Him three times that very night. Again Peter denied it saying that he would even be willing to die with Him. Perhaps Peter's overconfidence was one reason he fulfilled this very prophecy a few hours later.
*11* What did Jesus predict Peter would do that very night? Answer: Peter would ______ Jesus three times.
*12* How did Peter respond to this prediction? Answer: He said he would rather ______ than deny Jesus.

Jesus Prays in the Garden

>>> Read Mark 14:32-42. <<<
Jesus took His disciples into a garden and asked them to watch and pray. He told them that He was deeply distressed. He went a little farther and prayed that God would take the cup of suffering away from Him. Jesus knew how terrible His death would be. He asked, however, that God's will be done above all. Each time He returned to His disciples, they had fallen asleep. Jesus wrestled with His griefs and fears alone, without human support.
Note -- The true suffering of Jesus: This paragraph reveals Jesus' deep grief as He thought about what He was going to suffer. He knew exactly what was about to happen and He dreaded it. Was He thinking only of physical pain? Crucifixion certainly was an agonizing experience--the victim slowly suffocated as he grew gradually weaker and finally unable to pull his body up against the nails to breathe. But others have suffered similar executions with less dread than Jesus. There must be something Jesus feared besides pain. Several passages teach that Jesus bore the sins of the world on the cross (Isaiah 53; 1 Peter 2:24; 2 Corinthians 5:21). He suffered the punishment for man's sin, which was spiritual death, separation from God. His greatest agony was being cut off from His Father on the cross (study Mark 15:34). Because He suffered this punishment of utter separation from God, His faithful followers will never have to.
*13* What did Jesus pray for in the garden? Answer: He asked for the ______ to pass from Him.
*14* Whose will did Jesus say should be done? (a) His own will, (b) His Father's will, (c) the will of the Jewish leaders, (d) all of the preceding. Answer: ______.

Jesus Is Arrested

>>> Read Mark 14:43-52. <<<
Judas had bargained with the chief priests to betray his Master. He had promised to lead them to the place where He spent the night, away from the crowds. Although Jesus knew the plan, He went again to the usual spot where He knew Judas could easily find Him. A troop of soldiers with the traitor leading the way interrupted the calm of the night. Judas kissed Jesus, a signal that it was safe to arrest Him. One disciple tried to defend Jesus by sword, severing the ear of a man in the arrest party in the process (see Luke 22:50-51; John 18:10-11 for more details). But then the disciples lost their nerve and fled. Jesus remained alone with His captors and Judas.
*15* Who betrayed Jesus for money (cf. v10,11)? Answer: Jesus was betrayed by ______.
*16* What sign did he use to identify Jesus for the captors? Answer: He betrayed Jesus with a ______.

Jewish Trial of Jesus

>>> Read Mark 14:53-65. <<<
Though it was very late at night, Jesus was brought before the Jewish supreme court and tried. They bribed false witnesses who told contradictory stories about Him. For a time, it appeared that the court would be unable to find consistent testimony by which to convict Jesus. Finally, the high priest asked Him if He were the Christ. When Jesus said, "Yes," they used this statement as evidence of blasphemy and convicted Him. Then they spat on Him, mocked Him and beat Him.
*17* Why was the Jewish court unable to convict Jesus on the basis of the testimony of the false witnesses? a) their testimony was inconsistent; b) the witnesses refused to testify; c) they could not allow false witnesses to testify in their court; d) Jesus refuted what they said. Answer: ______.
*18* What was finally used to convict Jesus in the Jewish trial? Answer: He admitted that He was the ______, the Son of the Blessed One.

Peter Denies Jesus

>>> Read Mark 14:66-72. <<<
Peter had slipped into the courtyard to watch the trial. Various people began to recognize him. A servant-girl asked him if she hadn't seen him with Jesus. Peter claimed not to understand what she was talking about. Then she began to tell others that he was a disciple and he flatly denied it. Finally, others noticed his Galilean accent and accused him of following Jesus. With this, Peter panicked, vehemently denying Jesus, even asking God to curse him if He knew the man. The cock crew and Peter remembered Jesus' warning. He came to himself with a sickening awareness of the horrible deed he had done. He rushed out and began weeping in despair.
Note -- Failure of the disciples: The disciples failed Jesus miserably in His hour of greatest need. They fled. Peter denied Him. Why? They had been such loyal supporters. Think back upon contributing factors in their failure: 1) They hadn't listened when Jesus had frequently warned them of His impending suffering. They had been too eager to argue about who would be the greatest in the kingdom. 2) They were overconfident. Earlier that evening, Jesus warned them that they would flee, but they didn't believe it. 3) They didn't watch and pray in the garden as He instructed. Thus, they were not mentally prepared to face the challenge. We could fail in the hour of temptation for these same reasons.
*19* How many times did Peter deny Jesus during the Jewish trial? Answer (give a number): ______.
*20* How did he react when he realized that he had denied Jesus? a) killed himself; b) apologized to Jesus; c) gave up being an apostle; d) fled away and began to cry. Answer: ______.

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

Jesus vs. Jewish Leaders

Portraits of Jesus

A Study of the Gospel of Mark

Jesus vs. Jewish LeadersLesson 8

Jesus Enters Jerusalem

>>> Read Mark 11:1-11. <<<
Jesus sent two disciples into Jerusalem to bring him a colt. As He rode it into the city thousands of people lined the route, spreading their clothes and leafy branches in His path to honor Him. While the enthusiastic crowd cheered, Jesus remained calm. Why had He chosen to enter the capital on a donkey, not on some great white steed (see Zechariah 9:9-10)? His life reflected one of His favorite sermons: greatness in the kingdom comes to the one who humbles himself.
*1* What did Jesus ride when He entered Jerusalem? (a) a horse, (b) a boat, (c) a chariot, (d) a donkey colt. Answer: ______.
*2* As Jesus entered Jerusalem what did the crowd not do? a) put their clothes in the road; b) shout praises; c) try to prevent Him from entering the city; d) lay leafy branches in His path. Answer: ______.

Jesus Curses a Fig Tree and Expels Commerce from the Temple

>>> Read Mark 11:12-26. <<<
Jesus was hungry and saw a fig tree in leaf. When He approached, He observed that it had no fruit. He cursed it and by the next day, it was withered up. Jesus' action taught the amazed disciples some lessons. First, people who bear no fruit will be cursed by God. This principle applied to the Jewish nation as a whole, because it was bearing no fruit for the Lord. Second, Jesus noted that God has the power to wither fig trees and move mountains; in short, to respond to prayer. What we must do is to trust Him and turn to Him with our needs.
When Jesus entered the temple He saw a stockyard and money-changers' booths. Some people were selling the special coin used to pay the temple tax, while others sold animals for sacrifices. Jesus began to cast out these merchants, overturning the money-changers' tables and the vendors' chairs. He said that the temple was supposed to be a place of prayer but had been turned into a robbers' den.
Note -- Would Jesus cleanse the temple again? Why did Jesus vehemently oppose these activities? It wasn't because He was against selling animals or changing money; rather, He opposed the perversion of the temple's function. God had given the temple for spiritual purposes, and it was wrong to make it a bazaar. We must never use what God has given us for purposes He has not authorized. God gave us a pattern for the local church. Its function is to worship, teach the gospel and help needy Christians. But many churches have begun to do other things: they sponsor recreation, entertainment, secular education, etc. If Jesus returned, would He not come to churches and begin to cast out all of the unauthorized practices that have crept into them?
*3* What was on the fig tree that Jesus saw? a) figs; b) leaves, but no figs; c) neither figs nor leaves; d) rotten figs. Answer: ______.
*4* Whom did Jesus expel from the temple? a) money changers and animals sellers; b) priests; c) harlots and murderers; d) Gentiles. Answer: ______.
*5* What was the main problem with the money changing and animal sales? a) it was always wrong to sell animals and change money; b) they were cheating people in the transactions; c) these activities weren't a part of God's purpose for the temple; d) there was no problem with it. Answer: ______.
(Thought question: What else have we already studied about people who change what God has revealed in His will? Hint: Restudy Mark 7.)

Question about Jesus' Authority

>>> Read Mark 11:27-33. <<<
Jesus' bold actions in the temple stirred opposition. The Jewish leaders thought that the temple belonged to them, so they questioned Jesus' right to come into it and make such drastic revisions. Jesus replied to their challenge with a question. He asked whether John's baptism came from God or men. They consulted among themselves and decided that it would be politically unwise to answer. Their refusal demonstrated that they were not sincerely seeking truth. Therefore, Jesus refused to answer their question.
Note -- Jesus' question is a model: Jesus asked the Jewish leaders an outstanding question: Did John's baptism come from God or man? This is the question that we should ask about every religious practice. Anything that originates in man should be rejected; all that God commands should be carefully observed. There is an easy way for us to determine whether a given teaching or activity comes from God or man. Everything that comes from God is in the Bible. If a particular doctrine or practice is not in the Bible, it is not from God. We should verify everything we do by this simple test: Does it come from God or from man?
*6&7* When Jesus asked the Jewish leaders about John's baptism, what two choices did He give for its origin? Answer: He asked whether it came from ______ or from ______.
*8* Why did Jesus refuse to answer the Jewish leaders' question? Answer: They proved they were dishonest because they refused to ______ His question.

Parable of the Vineyard

>>> Read Mark 12:1-12. <<<
Jesus told about a man who planted a vineyard, equipped it with first-class installations and then rented it out. His rent was to be a share of the crop. When the harvest time arrived, he sent servants to collect, but the renters beat, mistreated and even killed them. Finally the owner of the vineyard sent his son to demand payment, but they killed him too. How outrageous! The owner would undoubtedly destroy his tenants and rent the vineyard out to others. The story meant this: God was the owner of the vineyard; the Jews were the renters. God blessed the Jews greatly and expected them to bear the fruit of righteousness, truth, mercy, etc. He sent prophets to collect this "fruit," but they were mistreated and killed. Finally He sent His son, Jesus, whom they murdered. God would certainly destroy the Jewish nation and give His blessings to others. The religious leaders understood that Jesus had spoken this story against them (12:12).
Note -- God's stone: Jesus spoke of the stone the builders rejected which God used as His chief cornerstone (12:10-11). He was speaking of Himself, rejected by the Jewish leaders, but selected by God as the foundation of His great building. These words were being fulfilled as Christ spoke. The Jewish authorities, intent on building their own religion, decided Jesus was unsatisfactory--He wasn't suitable for their building. God often reverses human values, however. That which men rejected, God chose and exalted above all (see Philippians 2:5-11).
*9* What did the renters not do to the ones sent to collect the fruit? a) mistreat; b) beat; c) kill; d) give the fruit. Answer: ______.
*10* Jesus spoke this parable to rebuke whom? a) His disciples, b) the religious leaders of the Jews, c) Old Testament prophets, d) no one. Answer: ______ .
*11* In the Scripture about the stone rejected by the builders, the stone referred to whom (see also Acts 4:11)? Answer: The stone was ______, who was rejected by the Jews' religious leaders.

Question about Taxes

>>> Read Mark 12:13-17. <<<
The Jews were desperately seeking to discredit Jesus. To do so, various groups began to ask Him questions designed to trap Him. They asked about paying taxes. At this time, the Jews were ruled by the Romans, who were the ones receiving the tax money. The people hated the Roman government and thought it was contrary to the will of God. So Jesus was trapped. If He said not to pay taxes, He would be guilty of treason and liable to prosecution. If He told them to pay, patriots would view Him as a traitor and even disloyal to God. Jesus didn't answer the question at first. Instead, He requested a coin. He asked whose name and picture were on it. They replied: Caesar's. Since you put your name and picture on something you own, Caesar's markings on the coin showed that it belonged to him. The Jews had no right to withhold Caesar's property from him when he requested it. So Jesus said simply: Give back to Caesar what belongs to him; and give to God what belongs to Him. His answer could not be challenged. It still provides the basis for our relationship to government. We should pay our taxes and serve the Lord.
*12* What question was Jesus asked (v14)? Answer: Is it lawful to ______ to Caesar.
*13&14* What answer did Jesus give (v17)? Answer: Render to Caesar the things that are ______ and to God the things that are ______.

Question about the Resurrection

>>> Read Mark 12:18-27. <<<
The Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection. They asked a question designed to show that the doctrine of the resurrection was absurd. It involved the invented case of a woman who was married to seven brothers in succession. They asked Jesus to tell them whose wife she would be in the resurrection, since all of them had been married to her. Jesus' reply revealed the ignorance of the Sadducees: There is no marriage in heaven. Furthermore, Jesus showed how even the Old Testament proved the resurrection. He cited the text where God appeared to Moses in the burning bush and described Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, even though they had been dead for hundreds of years. If death was the end of existence (as the Sadducees believed), then God would have been calling Himself the God of that which doesn't exist. For God to call Himself their God, in some sense Abraham, Isaac and Jacob must still have been "alive" and thus the Sadducees' view of death was wrong.
*15* What did the Sadducees believe? Answer: They believed there is no ______.
*16* How did Jesus answer their question about marriage? Answer: He said that, when we rise from the dead, there will be no ______.
*17* How did Jesus prove the Sadducees' belief about resurrection was wrong? Answer: He quoted a passage in which God said, "I am the ______ of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob," even after those men were dead.

Question about the Greatest Commandment

>>> Read Mark 12:28-34. <<<
A scribe tried his hand at stumping Jesus. He asked Him to name the greatest commandment in the law. Jesus easily replied that it was to love God. He added that the second was to love others. This response demonstrated remarkable insight. Instead of choosing a specific command, Jesus cited the principles that form the foundation for all of the God's laws. Even the scribe had to admit that Jesus' answer was right.
*18&19* What did Jesus say are the greatest commands? Answer: The greatest command is to ______ God, and the second greatest is to ______ your neighbor as yourself.

Jesus Condemns the Scribes

>>> Read Mark 12:35-40. <<<
After weathering their barrage of questions, Jesus asked His opponents a question: How could the Christ be both David's son and David's Lord? This question was crucial, because the scribes' objection to Jesus was that He (a mere man they thought) claimed divine authority. Jesus showed by His question that the Old Testament had predicted that the Messiah would be both David's son (human) and David's Lord (divine).
*20* How did Jesus show that the Jewish leaders misunderstood the Christ? Answer: They thought the Christ would just be David's son (i.e., He would be human), but Jesus quoted a passage showing He would also be David's ______ (i.e., He would be Divine).

Observations on the Collection

>>> Read Mark 12:41-44. <<<
Jesus sat and observed people contribute into the temple treasury. He saw many rich people deposit large offerings. He also saw an impoverished widow give two small coins which were nearly worthless. The Lord explained that the widow had contributed more than the rich--she put in everything she had, while they had simply given their surplus.
Note -- Jesus contradicts modern views of giving: Many modern churches seem to regard large donations more highly than small ones. Some honor wealthy donors in special ways and allow them more influence in church policy; occasionally they even ridicule small contributions as unworthy of the Lord. It is clear that the Lord Himself viewed giving in a very different way. He was unimpressed by the absolute size of the offering, whether large or small, but very concerned with the attitude of the giver. To Jesus, the gift of the widow, while having almost no monetary value, was worth much more than the large and impressive donations of the rich. We need to think of riches like Jesus did.
*21* How did Jesus' view of giving differ from that of most religious leaders then and now? He said the most important thing is: a) how much we give, b) the attitude with which we give, c) we must give a tenth, d) we must give as much as others give. Answer: ______.

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Jesus Accepts the Lowly

Portraits of Jesus

A Study of the Gospel of Mark

Jesus Accepts the Lowly

Lesson #7

Jesus Announces His Death, Rebukes Pride

>>> Read Mark 9:30-37. <<<
Please read the text in your Bible as you study each part of the lesson. Jesus wanted to prepare His disciples for the tragedy that was nearing. He warned them that He would be betrayed into men's hands and be killed, but encouraged them by announcing that three days later He would rise again. The disciples did not understand; they were too busy arguing about who would be the greatest in Jesus' coming kingdom. Knowing what they had been disputing, Jesus took a child into His arms and used him as a model of the humility that should characterize disciples. It must have disappointed Him greatly to see the disciples vying for power while He was preoccupied with His coming suffering.
*1&2* What did Jesus predict was going to happen to Him? Answer: Men would ______ Him, but on the third day He would ______ from the dead.
*3* About what subject were the disciples arguing? Answer: They disputed about which of them was the ______.
*4&5* What did Jesus say one should do, if he wants to be first of all (v35)? Answer: He should be the ______ of all and the ______ of all.

Jesus Warns of the Dangers of Stumbling

>>> Read Mark 9:38-50. <<<
John related how he had seen someone expelling demons in Jesus' name and had forbidden him to do so. Evidently John thought that no one should have been doing any work for the Lord who was not following in their immediate company. But Jesus had commissioned many to go out, preach, and expel demons (see Luke 10). He was pleased with those who were faithfully serving Him in other places.
Jesus went on to warn of the danger of causing someone to fall. He said that it would even be better to tie a huge stone around a man's neck and cast him into the sea than for him to cause another to stumble. He also warned of the danger of allowing anything to cause us to stumble. The Lord encouraged radical, decisive action: cutting off a hand or a foot or plucking out an eye in order to avoid abandoning Him. He was not speaking literally--but He was forcefully declaring that we should sacrifice anything that is tempting us to sin. He described Hell as a horrendous place of maggots and perpetual fire that must be avoided at all cost.
*6* What had John tried to stop someone else from doing? Answer: Someone was casting out ______.
*7* A person would be better drowned in the sea rather than to do what? Answer: It would be better to be thrown into the sea with a millstone around the neck rather than to cause someone to ______.
*8* What lesson is taught by Jesus' statements about cutting off a hand, foot, or eye? a) if we pray, He will miraculously restore the missing member; b) He doesn't care if we suffer; c) we should be willing to make great sacrifices to avoid the consequences of sin; d) we won't miss the body part anyway. Answer: ______.

Question about Divorce

>>> Read Mark 10:1-12. <<<
Jesus' opponents decided to test Him with a hard question. They asked Him whether it was right to divorce. In their society as in ours, there was much disagreement, even among religious people, as to whether or not it was right to divorce and, if so, under what circumstances. Jesus answered their question by reminding them that in the beginning God created only one man and one woman. He intended for marriage to be a permanent union. Because God joins people together when they marry, it is wrong for man to separate them. Later He explained to the disciples that it is not only wrong to divorce, but that a divorced person who remarries is committing adultery.
Note -- The need for commitment in marriage: Many people today enter marriage with the notion that they will divorce if it doesn't work out. This is wrong. Throw-away marriages are opposed to God's created order. God forbids divorce. The only exception is when one divorces his mate because of sexual immorality (Matthew 19:9). In any other case, divorce is sinful and remarriage is adultery. The fact that men frequently disobey God does not change what He said.
*9* What principle did Jesus use to forbid divorce (v9)? Answer: What God has joined together, man should not ______.
*10* In what circumstance did Jesus allow divorce and remarriage (Matt. 19:9)? a) when one of the partners no longer loves the other; b) when there is abuse; c) when one divorces a spouse because he/she committed fornication; d) when irreconcilable differences exist. Answer: ______.
*11* If a man or woman divorces his/her spouse (not for fornication) and remarries, what did Jesus say about the remarriage (v11,12)? Answer: It is ______.

Jesus Blesses the Children

>>> Read Mark 10:13-16. <<<
The disciples never seemed to want Jesus to be bothered, so they were constantly trying to keep certain kinds of people away from Him (see 10:46-52). In this case, it was children. When Jesus saw that they were hindering the children from approaching Him, He was indignant and rebuked them. He said that the kingdom of God itself belongs to people who become like children. He took the young people into His arms and began to bless them. He always had time for children.
*12* Whom did the disciples try to stop from coming to Jesus? a) Pharisees; b) children; c) sinners; d) tax collectors. Answer: ______.
*13* What reason did Jesus give why He wanted to receive children? a) He wanted to baptize them; b) He wanted to give them candy and ice cream; c) He hoped their parents would give Him money; d) the kingdom of God belongs to people who are like little children. Answer: ______.
(Thought question: If the kingdom belongs to those who are like little children, then are little children born guilty of sin?)

Rich Man Considers Cost too High

>>> Read Mark 10:17-31. <<<
A rich young man ran up to Jesus requesting information on how to receive eternal life. Jesus first told him to keep the commandments, which the man said he had done. Then Jesus ordered him to sell all that he owned, give the proceeds to the poor, and start following Him. The man wanted eternal life, but not at that price. He turned away, saddened. Many follow in this young man's steps. They desire eternal life . . . as long as they don't have to make too many sacrifices. Jesus referred to these people when He remarked about how difficult it is for those who are rich to enter heaven. He said that it is easier to thread a camel through a needle than for a rich man to be saved. The disciples were shocked. The Lord explained that with God all things are possible, but that it is hard for rich people to go to heaven, because of the tendency to trust in material possessions and not in God.
Note -- The lack of one thing: As Jesus talked to the rich man, He observed that he lacked only one thing: he only needed to get rid of his possessions. It became obvious that Jesus had properly diagnosed the man's need, because the man was unwilling to do so. He indeed was valuing his possessions over the Lord. To follow Jesus, we must give up anything in our life that is more important to us than He is. It is interesting that this man lacked only one thing. Some people have the idea that one sin is not all that bad. They think that while they may be failing in one area, at least they serve the Lord faithfully in all the others. This story shows clearly that even one thing can keep a person from being accepted by God. Is there one thing in your life that is separating you from faithfulness in the Lord's service?
*14* What did the rich man want Jesus to tell him? Answer: He wanted to know what he should do to inherit ______.
*15* What was the rich man's reaction when Jesus told him that he needed to sell all and give the money to the poor? Answer: He went away ______.
*16* How many things in our lives that we refuse to repent of does it take to keep us from pleasing God? (a) none, (b) one, (c) we must do more evil than we do good, (d) the Bible does not say. Answer: ______.

Greatness in God's Kingdom

>>> Read Mark 10:32-45. <<<
For the third time, Jesus warned the disciples about what was going to happen when they got to Jerusalem. He gave a detailed description of the suffering He would experience there. Meanwhile, James and John were imagining a different scenario. They asked Jesus to agree to do whatever they would request. Jesus asked them what they wanted; He was not going to sign a blank check by agreeing before they made the request. They replied that they wanted to sit on Jesus' right and left hand; that is, they wanted the chief positions in His administration. Jesus responded by asking if they could drink the cup He was going to drink or be baptized with His baptism, and they said they could. Jesus was referring to His sufferings which were often spoken of as a cup of agony that He would have to drink (see Mark 14:36) and as a baptism (immersion) in pain (see Luke 12:50). They had no clue as to His real meaning, but they enthusiastically accepted the challenge. Jesus then replied that He did not have the authority to grant their request, because He was not the one who assigned the positions of honor in the kingdom.
The other disciples were incensed. James and John had gotten the jump on them. They themselves wished to have the highest positions and resented the fact that the sons of Zebedee had requested them first. Jesus took some time to define what greatness in the kingdom really meant. He said that in human affairs, whether government or business, the greatest have the most authority. But, He explained, it isn't that way in the kingdom of God. Rather, the greatest is the one who humbles himself most and serves most. He pointed to Himself as the model. He had not come to be served, but to serve and to offer Himself as a sacrifice for others.
Note -- True greatness: We still desperately need these lessons of Jesus. Many, even in religion, are seeking to be great by trying to gain honor, glory and power. Churches are infested with "politicians" who want the limelight and who vie for positions of maximum control and authority. We should be ashamed. Jesus was born in a stable outside a small town. He lived His life as a village carpenter and itinerant preacher. He accumulated neither riches nor worldly power. Yet, today, many of His self-proclaimed followers seek and promise the very things He rejected, as they pursue higher and higher positions in churches. It is hard to imagine that Jesus would feel at home in their costly cathedrals. It is impossible to believe that He would preach the "gospels of health and wealth" so popular today. Jesus said the way to true greatness was the road of service and suffering.
*17&18* What did James and John want Jesus to do for them? Answer: They wanted to sit one at Jesus' ______ and the other at His ______in His glory (kingdom).
*19* According to Jesus, how can you become great in the kingdom? a) attend the biggest church with the most beautiful building; b) give lots of money; c) take a high position of authority in the church; d) humble yourself and serve others. Answer: ______.

Jesus Heals Bartimaeus

>>> Read Mark 10:46-52. <<<
As Jesus passed through Jericho, a blind beggar cried out. The crowds tried to silence him, thinking that the Lord should not be bothered with such unimportant people. But Jesus called the blind man to come to Him and healed him. The beggar began to follow Him. Few rich men followed the Lord (see 10:17-22), but many of the poor and downtrodden did.
*20* What was the name of the blind man Jesus healed (v46)? a) Peter; b) Bartimaeus; c) Thomas; d) Andrew. Answer: ______.
*21* What did the blind man keep calling Jesus (v48)? Answer: He called Him ______.
Summary: Jesus accepted the humble folks, even though the disciples tried to turn them away. He accepted the man who worked for Him but was not in His personal company; He welcomed the children; He invited the blind beggar. He rejected those we might have accepted: a rich ruler with so much to offer, and all those who sought position and greatness. The great one in the kingdom is the servant.