How Can We Learn Jesus’ Will?

Jesus Is Lord — Lesson #4

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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.

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I. Jesus' Teachings Are Recorded in the Bible.

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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.]

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II. The Gospel Is a Perfect Revelation.

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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.]

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

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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.]

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IV. We Should Reject Man-Made Doctrines.

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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?

Is Obedience Nessasary to Salvation

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]

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II. Obedience and Loving Jesus

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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]

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III. Obedience and Believing In Jesus

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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]

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IV. Obedience, Repentance, and Confession

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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.

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V. Obedience and Receiving Eternal Life At The Judgment

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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.]

Opposition to Jesus Grows

Opposition to Jesus GrowsLesson 2

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Jesus Heals a Paralytic

>>> Read Mark 2:1-12. <<<
As a result of His teaching and miracles, Jesus' popularity grew rapidly. So many wanted to hear Him that they filled the house in Capernaum where He was teaching and crowded around it. Just then, five men arrived, eager to see Jesus too. One of them was paralyzed and the other four carried him on a stretcher. It was impossible for them to get in through the door, so they climbed up on the roof, dug a hole in it and let the paralytic down through the opening they had created. You can imagine the commotion among the crowd in the house below.
When Jesus saw the faith they had demonstrated, He told the lame man that his sins were forgiven. That was probably not what the man had expected, but it is every man's greatest need. The scribes who were present thought Jesus had blasphemed because God alone can forgive sins. Jesus read their minds and asked: Which is easier to say--your sins are forgiven, or get up and walk? To prove His ability to forgive sins (something invisible and therefore impossible to verify), He healed the paralytic who then got up and walked. Jesus proved His power to conquer invisible, spiritual problems by overcoming a visible, physical problem. The crowd was dumbfounded. They had never seen anything to compare with Jesus.
Note -- Who will reach Jesus? Consider the five men as they approached the house in which Jesus was teaching. They had come in order to see Him, but their way to Jesus was blocked by a big obstacle: the crowd. Many would have simply turned around and gone back home. Not these men. They were determined, even desperate, in their desire to see Jesus. Their procedure, unroofing the roof, was radical but it worked. Even today, those who want to come to Jesus frequently encounter barriers in their path. The only ones who actually reach Him, are those who are absolutely determined and who refuse to allow anything to keep them from following Him. How determined to be with Jesus are you?
*1* What did the paralytic and his friends do when they were unable to reach Jesus? a) gave up and went home; b) waited for God to open a path through the crowd; c) offered a financial contribution; d) took off part of the roof so the paralytic could enter the house through the opening. Answer: ______.
*2* What did Jesus do for the paralytic before healing him? Answer: He ______ his sins.
*3* Who alone can forgive sins? Answer: Only ______ can forgive sins.
*4* How did Jesus prove He has the power to forgive sins? Answer: He ______ the paralyzed man.
(Thought question: If only God can forgive sins, but Jesus proved that He could forgive sins, what does that prove about the nature of Jesus?)

Jesus Socializes with Outcasts

>>> Read Mark 2:13-17. <<<
One of Jesus' more surprising actions was calling Levi to be a disciple. Levi had been a tax collector. In that era, tax collectors were viewed as both thieves and traitors because they used dishonest tactics to raise funds for the hated Roman invaders. Adding a tax collector to His inner circle was hardly a move that could be expected to increase Jesus' popularity! Later, Levi held a banquet in Christ's honor. He invited his friends: other tax collectors and sinners. The scribes and Pharisees were outraged because they thought it improper for a teacher of religion to eat with immoral people. When Jesus overheard their criticism, He asked: Who needs a doctor--the sick or the well? His purpose, He said, was not to call righteous, but sinners. The Lord never hesitated to break society's norms and customs.
*5* Name the tax collector whom Jesus called. Answer: His name was ______.
*6* What reason did Jesus give to explain why He socialized with sinful people? a) He wanted to participate in their sins; b) He did not believe that sinful people can be a bad influence on good people; c) He wanted to teach the sinners to repent; d) He believed sinners will be saved, even if they don't change. Answer: ______.

Jesus' Disciples Don't Fast

>>> Read Mark 2:18-22. <<<
Some of the Pharisees and disciples of John came to Jesus asking why He and His disciples didn't fast like other religious people did. Jesus explained by illustration. He said that no one would fast at a time of celebration, such as a wedding. His own presence on the earth made it a joyous time of feasting because He was the bridegroom. Since fasting should fit the occasion, it was inappropriate in this situation. He also explained that just as no one would put new wine in old bottles or a new patch on old jeans, it was equally out of place to put the newly revealed gospel of Christ into the old traditional forms of the Jews. Fasting was just not the right thing to do when the Son of God Himself was present.
*7* How did Jesus explain why His disciples didn't fast? a) He said they did fast, but did it secretly; b) He said that His presence made it a time of joy in which fasting was inappropriate; c) He condemned all fasting; d) He admitted they were wrong and should have fasted. Answer: ______.

Disciples Break Sabbath Traditions

>>> Read Mark 2:23-28. <<<
The more popular Jesus became, the more outspoken His opponents' attacks. Jesus and His disciples provided easy targets for their critics, because they refused to follow the religious traditions of their age. Jewish tradition regarding the Sabbath day prohibited all activity, including plucking grain to eat, but Jesus and His followers ignored these cherished doctrines. When the Jewish officials criticized the disciples, Jesus defended their actions by noting His opponents' inconsistency: they justified David when he broke God's law, but they condemned Him when He merely violated men's traditions. Then He explained that God had intended for the Sabbath command to provide relief for man, not be an additional burden. Finally, Jesus proclaimed His authority over the Sabbath saying that He Himself was Lord of the Sabbath. If Jesus created the Sabbath, surely He knew what activities violated it.
*8* What did Jesus call Himself? Answer: He was Lord of the ______.

Jesus Heals on the Sabbath

>>> Read Mark 3:1-6. <<<
As their hatred of Jesus mounted, His enemies searched for every possible chance to attack Him, but He kept evading their traps. On this occasion, a man with a withered hand was in the synagogue. Jesus asked His opponents' opinion on whether or not to help the man, but they refused to reply. Jesus then told him to stretch his hand out. Apparently He neither touched him nor did any other physical thing--He merely asked the man to reach his hand out. When he did, it was healed. Jesus' critics were furious and began plotting to assassinate Him.
Note -- To save a life or to kill: In 3:4 Jesus asked His opponents: Should one save a life or kill on the Sabbath? They chose not to reply, which showed that they were not interested in truth, but only wanted to discredit Him. It is always easy to find fault, but it is much harder to give a positive recommendation. Normally Christ healed men by laying His hands on them or performing some other physical sign. If He had accompanied the healing by physical action in this case, they would have attacked Him for doing medical work on the Sabbath, something contrary to their tradition. This time, however, Jesus did nothing--He merely told the man to reach his hand out. Even Jesus' enemies did not believe it wrong to stretch out your hand on the Sabbath. Thus, He outsmarted His opponents; they were furious. When a man in an argument begins to get angry, it is a sure sign that he is losing. As it turned out, Jesus' enemies are the ones who plotted to kill on the Sabbath, because He had done good.
*9* How many sins did Jesus commit during His lifetime (see 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:21,22; Hebrews 4:15)? Answer (give a number): ______.
*10* The activities Jesus did on the sabbath violated what rules? a) only uninspired Jewish traditions; b) the 10 commands; c) the Law of Moses; d) the New Testament; e) all the preceding. Answer: ______.
*11* What did Jesus' enemies do after He had healed the man with the withered hand? Answer: They plotted to ______ Jesus.

Jesus' Popularity Grows

>>> Read Mark 3:7-12.<<<
Though Jesus frequently tried to withdraw, people followed Him from everywhere. He continued teaching, healing and casting out demons. While neither the crowd nor the religious leaders seemed to have recognized His true identity, the demons confessed Jesus as the Son of God. He declined their testimony, however, since He did not want the recommendation of the Devil.

Jesus Appoints Twelve as Apostles

>>> Read Mark 3:13-19. <<<
Jesus needed to train apprentices to represent Him and preach the gospel after His departure. He chose twelve of His followers for that job. The twelve He chose were an unlikely bunch: included were four fishermen, a tax collector, a revolutionary (Simon the "Zealot"), a skeptic (Thomas), and a traitor (Judas Iscariot). Jesus proved that He could work with and make something out of even the most unpromising material.
*12* What work did Jesus empower the apostles to do (read Mark 3:15,14 and Matt. 10:1)? a) preach the gospel; b) heal diseases, c) cast out demons, d) all the preceding. Answer: ______.

Accusations of Satanic Influence

>>> Read Mark 3:20-30. <<<
While Jesus' family thought He had gone crazy, the Pharisees charged that He accomplished His work through the power of the devil. They were desperately seeking to discredit Him and diminish His influence. Jesus' devastating reply silenced them. First, He said that it would be unreasonable and even disastrous for the devil to begin attacking himself. Civil wars don't produce strong kingdoms. Second, Christ explained that He had come to rob the strong man (the devil), taking from him the souls that had been under his control. Logically, He would need to disarm Satan to accomplish this goal, so expelling demons was a predictable facet of His strategy. Finally, He warned of the serious consequences of hardening one's heart to the point of blaspheming the Holy Spirit. These scribes were demonstrating a malicious and possibly fatal attitude toward the work of God.
* 13* How did Jesus' enemies explain His ability to cast out demons? a) He did it by the power of the devil; b) He did it because He was the Son of God; c) it just seemed like He expelled demons but He really didn't; d) they didn't try to explain it. Answer: ______.
*14* What did Jesus say would happen to a kingdom that was divided against itself (v24)? Answer: He said that kingdom cannot ______.

Jesus' True Family

>>> Read Mark 3:31-35. <<<
Jesus' physical family didn't understand Him. They came to try to talk to Him, perhaps to persuade Him to take a break. He refused to give them a private hearing, explaining that His family no longer had a special claim on His attention. Jesus' true family consists of those who hear and do His will. This incident shows that Mary had no special influence or privilege; Jesus treats all of His obedient followers equally.
*15* Who wanted to talk to Jesus? a) His aunt and cousins, b) His mother and brothers, c) His father, d) all the preceding. Answer: ______.
*16* Who did Jesus say are His real family members? Answer: Those who ______ the will of God.
Summary: Jesus was continually under attack. He was criticized because He forgave sins, ate with sinners, didn't fast, didn't observe the religious establishment's Sabbath doctrines, and cast out demons. He never cracked under the intense scrutiny and pressure. Much to the contrary, He continually affirmed principles that are extremely important even for our service to Him: 1) the priority of forgiveness of sins over physical healing, 2) the importance of recognizing one's spiritual sickness, 3) the fact that fasting is to be done only when it fits the circumstances, 4) the uselessness of religious traditions, and 5) the critical danger of hardheartedly rejecting the work of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus Teaches in Parables

Jesus Teaches in ParablesLesson 3

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Parable of the Sower

>>> Read Mark 4:1-20. <<<
Please read this story in your Bible before studying the lesson. Jesus frequently taught in parables. A parable is a story with a spiritual application. Here, Jesus described a farmer who went out to sow seed in his field. Naturally, as he went along scattering it with his hand, the seed fell onto different types of ground. The harvest depended on the kind of soil where the seed fell.
The disciples did not understand what Jesus meant, so they asked Him to explain. Jesus described four types of people who hear the word of the gospel. The first type is like hard-packed soil. These hard-hearted people do not let the word penetrate into their life; they reject it immediately because they have closed their mind. The second type is like seed sown in rocky places. The idea here is of a thin layer of topsoil covering a large rock. When seed is sown in such a place, it will germinate and grow in the shallow soil, but it will not develop deep roots. When the sun comes out and it doesn't rain for a few days, the plant will wither and die. This represents a person who eagerly receives the word, but doesn't develop roots through faith and Bible study. This person will not have the ability to withstand the temptations and persecutions that come along in life. Third, Jesus described the thorny soil. In this ground, the plant is overshadowed by taller weeds which suffocate fruit production. This soil symbolizes people who receive the word and although they allow it to continue in their lives, permit competing interests to dwarf it. These other influences may not be bad things in themselves, but they dominate the person's life so much that the seed can't bear fruit. Finally, Jesus described good soil in which plants bear abundant fruit. This soil represents Christians who are diligent in the service of God.
Note -- Which soil are you? Everyone has a place in the parable of the sower. Jesus wants us to evaluate which type of soil we are. 1) Hopefully, we won't be the hardened, wayside soil. If we are, we will close our mind to the truth and refuse to allow the gospel to penetrate our heart and change our life. 2) Perhaps we'll be the rocky soil. On the surface we appear to be growing and serving the Lord enthusiastically. But we aren't deepening our roots through faith, through study and through a deeper personal relationship with Jesus Christ. When times become tough, we will fall away and others will marvel, because on the surface it looked like we were doing so well. 3) If we end up being the thorny soil, we will continue to "be a Christian," but our life will be dominated by other activities and we will never have much time or attention to share with spiritual concerns. This is probably the most subtle danger, because the plant in thorny soil never completely falls away. As a result, we can soothe our conscience and believe that we are still doing OK, when in fact, we aren't bearing fruit. 4) Ideally, we will be the good soil that bears the fruit of righteousness for the Lord.
Note -- Meditations on the seed: Jesus explained that the seed represents the word of God (Luke 8:11). There are many lessons that can be learned by the analogy between seed and the word. For example, seed always produces after its kind. That is, rice seed always produces rice plants, corn seed produces corn plants, and pumpkin seed pumpkin plants. There are no exceptions. By the plant that results, one can determine what seed was planted. So it is in the spiritual realm. When the pure word of God is planted, the resulting plants are Christians. When you end up with other things--say Buddhists, Mormons, or Jehovah's Witnesses, you know that something besides the word of God was planted. To produce a Buddhist, you must plant the teachings of Buddha. To get a Mormon, the book of Mormon and the teachings of the Mormon church must be planted. Jehovah's Witnesses are formed by planting the teachings of their organizational headquarters, the Watchtower Society. What would happen if you merely planted the Scriptures, without mixing in any other teachings?
Seed never changes. It would be theoretically possible to eliminate pumpkin plants from the face of the earth. Yet if pumpkin seeds were preserved, someone many years later could plant them, and again produce pumpkins. So also in Christ. The seed is the word of God (1 Peter 1:23-25). Even if there had not been servants of Christ on the earth for a long time, when people returned to following the Bible only, they would become Christians. Our goal should be to reproduce pure disciples of Christ in the twentieth century, just like they were in the first.
*1* What is a parable? Answer: A parable is a physical story with a ______ application.
*2* What kind of soil did Jesus describe? (a) wayside soil, (b) stony soil, (c) thorny soil, (d) good soil, (e) all of these. Answer: ______.
*3* What does the seed represent? Answer: It represents the ______ of God.
*4* What does the wayside soil represent? Answer: It represents people whose hearts are hardened, so that Satan takes the ______ from their hearts.
*5* The rocky soil represents people who do well for a while, but then fall away because of what? a) hardened hearts, b) tribulation or persecution, c) too much Bible study, d) all the preceding. Answer ______.
*6* Is it possible for a person who has received the word to fall away (see also Galatians 5:4)? (yes or no) Answer: ______.
*7* In the thorny soil, the thorns represent what? a) hardened hearts, b) false doctrines, c) cares of the world and deceit of riches, d) all the preceding. Answer: ______.
*8* What was the principal characteristic of the good soil (v20)? Answer: It bore ______, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.
*9* How does seed reproduce (see also Galatians 6:7)? Answer: Whatever a man sows, that is what he will ______.
*10* What causes people to become members of various different religious groups? Answer: They hear and accept the ______ taught by those groups.

Parable of the Lamp

>>> Read Mark 4:21-25. <<<
Jesus compared the Word of God to a lamp. It would be useless to buy a lamp, and then stick it under a bed. After all, a lamp's purpose is to illuminate--if you can't see it, it does no good at all. The Bible is a light. But it is useless if it remains closed on the bookshelf. In order to receive profit, we must open it up and read it.
Although studying the Scriptures is essential, many read the Bible in vain, because they don't read it correctly. It is significant that in the middle of a text stressing the importance of hearing the word, Jesus emphasized the need to be careful how we hear (4:24). The fact that people who read the Bible come to markedly different conclusions about what it means demonstrates that many are not understanding it properly. Some are careless and simply don't put much effort into their study. Others twist the Scriptures intentionally, misinterpreting them to try to confirm the beliefs and practices they have already determined to follow.
Note -- How to study the Bible: There are some common sense principles that can help you understand the Scriptures as you study. First, learn to study in context. The Bible has two main divisions: the Old Testament (first 39 books) and the New Testament (last 27 books). The New Testament is the part that directly relates to us today since it contains the teachings of Christ and the apostles. The Old Testament gives the background of God's preparation of the Jewish nation for the coming of Christ. These Testaments are subdivided into books (66 in all). It is probably best to study book by book. This Bible course was designed to take a person through the gospel of Mark step-by-step.
You need to concentrate on what you read in the Bible to be able to understand it. Since each book is divided into chapters, it is helpful to approach your Bible study by working with a chapter at a time. Read through the chapter two or three times. On the first reading, work to simply discover what the chapter contains, but on the second reading, you can begin to try to analyze the main points. Keep a notebook handy. Jot down a note or two about the main ideas or events of the chapter. A notebook is a good place to write down questions that arise as you study. Writing them down so that you won't forget them allows you to progress in your study without getting sidetracked. Later, you can search for the answers to these questions yourself, or you can ask someone else to help you. Those who are mailing you these lessons would be happy to try to help answer your Bible questions.
*11* What does the lamp in 4:21 represent? Answer: It represents the word of ______.
*12* When people do not study the Bible diligently enough, what will result? a) sin, b) false teaching, c) ignorance, d) all the preceding. Answer: ______.

Parable of the Seed

>>> Read Mark 4:26-29. <<<
Jesus said that the kingdom of God was like a farmer who planted a seed. That night he went to bed. The next morning he got up and tended to other responsibilities. Meanwhile, the seed germinated, began to grow and finally bore fruit. Jesus was teaching several things by this story. First, the one who plants the seed is not responsible for its growth; that is, the one who teaches the gospel doesn't control the growth of the word in the heart of the one who heard. Second, the growth of the word in a person's life is gradual. One does not hear the Bible today and become a mature Christian tomorrow. But if the hearer's heart is right he will allow the word to shape and mold his life step-by-step so that he can become the kind of person God wants him to be.
*13* What part did the farmer play in the growth of the seed? Answer: He just planted the ______.
*14* Who decides whether or not a person who hears the word will believe and obey it? a) God decides for the person, b) the person who hears decides for himself, c) Satan decides, d) no one decides. Answer: ______.

Parable of Mustard Seed

>>> Read Mark 4:30-34. <<<
Jesus said that the kingdom is like a mustard seed. The mustard seed is tiny, but grows to be a great shrub. So also, God's kingdom began in a small way during the ministry of an impoverished carpenter, Jesus, but gradually became a dominant world force. Christians' efforts to work for the Lord's kingdom may seem insignificant, but God is able to grow large mustard trees from tiny seeds.
*15* What is the lesson of the mustard seed parable? Answer: God's ______ began small but would grow and become powerful.

Jesus Does the Impossible

Jesus Does the ImpossibleLesson #4

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Jesus Stills the Storm

>>> Read Mark 4:35-41. <<<
Jesus consistently demonstrated His authority by doing things which were totally beyond human capacity. In this case, while the disciples were crossing the Sea of Galilee by boat, Jesus fell asleep on a cushion. A great storm arose, and the disciples panicked. In desperation, they awoke Jesus saying: "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" He got up and calmly rebuked the wind and the sea. The storm ceased. He then turned to the disciples and reproved them for their lack of faith. Though they had seen Jesus perform many miracles, they were always amazed by each new one. They said: "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?"
Note -- How well do we sleep? Considering the things that the disciples had already seen Jesus do, their doubts about His ability to quiet the storm are astonishing. They had seen Him heal multitudes of people, cast out demons and prove Himself equal to any task at hand. Suddenly, they despaired because of a storm on the sea. Obviously, they didn't really think Jesus could solve this problem because they were amazed when He did. How could they have been so slow and so distrustful? What about us? Do we not believe that Jesus can handle any situation, if we trust and obey His will? Have we not seen in the Scriptures how Jesus can solve every problem? How do we react when we confront a fresh crisis in our lives--do we trustingly and confidently turn to Jesus, or do we throw up our hands in despair? How well do we sleep?
*1* What was Jesus doing when the storm arose on the sea? (a) praying, (b) reading Scripture, (c) sleeping, (d) rowing. Answer: ______.
*2* How did Jesus calm the storm? Answer: He calmly ______ the wind and the sea.
*3* How did the disciples react to this miracle? (a) They ignored it. (b) They were afraid, (c) They were angry. (d) All of the preceding. Answer: ______.

Jesus Casts out a Legion of Demons

>>> Read Mark 5:1-20. <<<
When Jesus got out of the boat, a wild man met Him. The man, inhabited by thousands of demons, could not be subdued by human force, and so he lived as a savage among the tombs. The demons within the man were scared of Jesus. They asked Him not to send them out of the country (to the abyss, Luke 8:31). Instead, they wanted to be able to enter a nearby herd of swine. Evidently, if the demons had been expelled without having permission to go into another being, they would have had to return to Hell. No doubt it was better to inhabit a pig, if necessary, than to be sent back to that awful place. Surprisingly, Jesus granted the demons' request. They left the man and entered the pigs. The herd went berserk because of the presence of the demons within them, ran headlong and plunged off the cliff. The pigs drowned and presumably the demons had to return to the abyss. Perhaps they thought they had outsmarted Jesus when He allowed them to enter the swine, but the truth is, Jesus outsmarted them! In the end they had to return to the abyss--they merely took a roller-coaster ride to get there.
Meanwhile, those who had been tending the hogs went into the city and told the townsfolk about what Jesus had done. What a tremendous opportunity for this small town to have Jesus present! They didn't look at it as an opportunity though; they asked Jesus to leave. The man who had been healed wanted to follow Jesus, but He told him to return to his home and start preaching.
Note -- They asked Him to leave! At first, it may seem incredible that the people of the town didn't want Jesus to stay. But think about what they had just lost: 2000 pigs. Some people owned them; some folks were planning to make money slaughtering, processing and selling them. He had hurt the town's economy. They evidently loved material possessions more than they loved Jesus; because of that, they missed out on the supreme privilege. They asked Him to leave. Do we ever invite the Lord to leave our lives because we love material things more than we love Him?
Note -- Jesus' surprising instructions: When the man who had been healed wanted to follow Him, Jesus gave him strange orders. He refused to allow the man to accompany Him, but asked him to return and tell about his healing in the city. There are two surprising things about this command: 1) Jesus didn't allow the man to accompany him. Putting myself in the demoniac's place, I can see why he would have wanted to be with the one who cured him; but Jesus said no. Would it not have been a wonderful thing to be in Jesus' presence? Certainly. But what Jesus preferred was for the man to testify of His work in the city. Sometimes God may not want us to remain in secure and comfortable surroundings, but rather go to the lost and preach. 2) Jesus normally was telling folks not to tell about their healings (see Mark 1:40-45). Why the sudden change here? Remember where Jesus was. He was on the east side of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus had not wanted to be thronged by spectators in the Capernaum area, west of the Sea, but in this wicked town, He was in no danger of becoming too popular. The people in this place needed someone to report the miracle.
*4* What measures had been attempted to subdue the demoniac (v4)? a) psychology, b) shackles and chains, c) shock therapy, d) drugs. Answer: ______.
*5* What name did the demons wear (v9)? Answer: ______.
*6* Where did the demons say they wanted to go? Answer: They wanted to go into a herd of ______.
*7* What happened to the swine when the demons entered them? Answer: They ran off a cliff and drowned in the ______.
*8* What did the townspeople ask Jesus to do? Answer: They asked Jesus to ______.
*9* What did Jesus tell the demoniac to do after he had been healed? a) Tell no one what had happened, b) Lie about what happened, c) Tell everyone what happened, d) Commit himself to an asylum. Answer: ______.

Jesus Heals Woman with Hemorrhage

>>> Read Mark 5:21-34. <<<
A synagogue official named Jairus requested Jesus to come and heal his daughter who was dying. As Jesus was journeying to his house, a desperate woman in the multitude touched the Lord. She had been bleeding for 12 years, had gone to many doctors, and spent all of her money, but had only worsened. She thought that by touching Jesus she could be healed. Sure enough, when she touched Jesus' coat, she could sense that the flow of blood immediately dried up and she was well. Suddenly, Jesus asked who had touched Him. The disciples thought it was a strange question since there was a huge crowd thronging Jesus. Many had "touched" Him. But the woman knew what Jesus meant. Terrified, she came forward and confessed. Jesus reassured her saying that her faith had made her well.
Note -- Why did Jesus embarrass her? Obviously, the woman with the bleeding was hoping to avoid publicity. She didn't make her presence known, but silently touched Jesus' clothes and was healed. Then Jesus put her on the spot by asking who touched Him. She was trembling as she admitted what she had done. Why did He draw attention to this shy lady? Perhaps there are two reasons: 1) If He had not, the woman would have believed that she had been healed by some sort of magic associated with Jesus' clothes. He wanted her to know that He had consciously healed her. Many touched His clothes and were not healed; she was healed by the will of the Lord. 2) If Jesus had allowed her to leave thinking she had "stolen" the healing, her conscience might later trouble her. By publicly identifying her, He was able to comfort and encourage her, telling her to go in peace.
*10* How long had the woman had her problem of bleeding? Answer: ______ years.
*11* How had she tried to get well previously? Answer: She had spent all her money on ______.
*12* When was the woman with the bleeding healed? a) she was not healed; b) when she believed on Jesus; c) when she asked Him to heal her; d) when she touched Jesus' clothes. Answer: ______.
*13* How did the rest of the multitude find out about Jesus' miracle? Answer: He asked who had ______ Him, and the woman confessed.

Jesus Heals Jairus' Daughter

>>> Read Mark 5:35-43. <<<
During the delay caused by the healing of the woman, people came to tell Jairus not to bother Jesus any longer because his daughter had died. Jesus told them to believe and He continued on to the house. There, the mourners laughed when Jesus told them that the girl was "sleeping." He wasn't denying the reality of her death, but was affirming that He would soon raise her; therefore, her death was more like sleep. He took only three disciples and the girl's parents, went into her room, and told her to get up. She did. The witnesses were astounded.
Please notice the theme that runs through the stories in this section of Mark: Jesus can do what is humanly impossible. First, the storm. The disciples were desperate, but Jesus calmed it with a mere word. Then, the demoniac. Though many had tried, no one had been able to bind nor subdue him. Jesus expelled the demons with a word and the man returned to normal. Then, the woman. No physician had been able to heal her though she had spent all her money in the effort. With one touch, she was completely cured. Finally, the daughter of Jairus. When one dies, all attempts to cure the sickness end, because everyone knows you can't raise the dead. Jesus did. Four times in this part of Mark, Jesus entered situations that were humanly impossible and emerged victorious.
*14* Why did people suggest that Jairus not bother Jesus any more? Answer: Because the girl had ______.
*15* Who was in the room when Jesus raised the daughter (v37,40)? a) Jesus, b) the girl, c) the girl's parents, d) Peter, James, and John, e) all the preceding but no one else. Answer: ______.
*16* What does the Bible account say that assures us the girl was really alive again? Answer: She arose and ______.
(Thought question: Considering the nature and purpose of these miracles, who alive on earth today can do such things as these? What can we learn as a result?)

Rejection at Nazareth

>>> Read Mark 6:1-6. <<<
Jesus returned to His hometown of Nazareth. Despite convincing proofs that He was the Son of God, His own townspeople rejected Him. They knew His family and His background and they refused to believe that someone they viewed as a peer could be greater than they. Because the people didn't have enough faith to bring their sick to Him, Jesus healed few. The people in Nazareth forfeited an ideal opportunity to have the Lord with them.
Note -- Great opportunities: It is tragic to see people discarding the fantastic opportunity to be blessed by Jesus. In the country of the Gadarenes, they simply asked Jesus to leave (5:1-20). Here in Nazareth, they refused to believe and therefore didn't even bring their sick for Jesus to heal. As a result, they missed out on the opportunities that others, like Jairus and the woman with the bleeding, benefited from. What about us? Do we take advantage of the opportunity to know Jesus and to be blessed by Him?
*17* What had been Jesus' profession before He began His ministry (v3)? Answer: He had been a ______.
*18* Which of Jesus' family members did the people of Nazareth know (v3)? a) His mother Mary, b) His brothers, c) His sisters, d) all the preceding. Answer: ______.
(Thought question: What does this tell you about Mary?)
*19* How did the people of Jesus' hometown (Nazareth) react to Him? a) They rejected Him, b) They believed in Him, c) They made a hero of Him, d) all of the preceding. Answer: ______.

Authority of Jesus

Authority of JesusLesson 1

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Jesus lived almost 2000 years ago, but even today people all over the world serve Him. We know this man primarily through four Bible books: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. First-hand acquaintance with these writings will help us understand Jesus and His message.
This course surveys Mark's narrative of Jesus' life. As you study each lesson, please keep a Bible at your side so that you can verify what you are learning by the Scriptures. You will notice that Mark is divided into sixteen major sections (chapters), each of which contains small divisions (verses). When a notation like 5:12 is used in these lessons, you should look at the fifth chapter of Mark and the twelfth verse.
A couple of items before we get started: to profit most from these lessons, you need an open heart to receive what Jesus taught and did. Allow His words to direct you as you read. A prayer for God's guidance at the beginning and end of each study is recommended. If you don't understand something mentioned in this course or in your reading of Mark, please feel free to write your question down and send it to us along with your completed lesson. We'll be happy to answer it if we can.

John Prepares the Way

>>> Read Mark 1:1-8. <<<
Please read Mark 1:1-8 in your Bible before continuing the lesson. In the very first verse, Mark announced that he would write about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It is surprising, therefore, that he did not start out by telling about Jesus Himself; instead, he described the work of John the Baptist. This was because John was to prepare the way for Jesus. John fulfilled this mission by preaching to get people ready for the coming of the Lord.
John's message focused on two themes that will help us get ready to receive Christ. First, he preached about repentance. To repent means to decide to change. John was telling his hearers that they had to reverse their life's direction to get ready for Christ; those unwilling to change could not come to Him. Second, John declared the greatness of Jesus. He said Jesus was so great that he himself was not even worthy to stoop down and untie His shoes. This was an amazing declaration because one does not have to have much worth to untie somebody's shoes. In fact, in John's day, untying shoes was considered to be a slave's lowest duty - John wasn't worthy to be Jesus' humblest slave! So, for us to be ready to receive Jesus, we must repent (change our lives) and recognize His awesome greatness.
*1* John came to prepare the way for whom? (a) Moses, (b) Mohammed, (c) Jesus, (d) Peter. Answer: (put the letter of the correct answer in the blank) ______.
*2* What word in our study means "to decide to change"? Answer: The word is (put the correct word[s] in the blank) ______ .
*3* John said he was unworthy to: a) untie Jesus' shoes; b) carry Jesus' bags; c) stand beside Jesus; d) talk to Jesus. Answer : ______.

Early Events in Jesus' Career

>>> Read Mark 1:9-15. <<<
Just like thousands of others, Jesus came to John to be baptized. But as He emerged from the water, something startling occurred: The Holy Spirit came down upon Him in the form of a dove and a voice from heaven said, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." God was showing His approval of Jesus in a dramatic way.
Then Jesus entered the wilderness where the devil tempted Him. While Matthew and Luke provide more specific information about the temptations (Matthew 4; Luke 4), Mark's brief account shows two things. First, Jesus experienced temptation as all men do. Second, doing what pleases God, as Jesus did when He was baptized, does not exempt one from temptation. Satan often intensifies his efforts when a person begins to serve God.
*4&5* What two amazing things happened when Jesus was baptized? Answer: The ______ came on Him in a form like a dove, and a voice spoke from ______ saying, "This is my beloved Son."
*6* Where was Jesus baptized (v9)? Answer: He was baptized in the ______ River.
*7* For how many days was Jesus tempted by Satan in the wilderness (v13; cf. Luke 4:1,2)? Answer: ______ days (give a number).
*8* What message did Jesus preach (v15)? Answer: He told people to repent and believe in the ______.

Jesus Calls Four Fishermen

>>> Read Mark 1:16-20. <<<
As Jesus walked along, He saw two of His friends, Peter and Andrew, who were professional fishermen. He asked them to follow Him and become fishers of men. At once, they quit their jobs and began following Christ. He next found James and John, and requested that they do the same. With no hesitation, they left not only their occupation but also their father, and began to accompany the Lord. Clearly, these men recognized Jesus' greatness. He was the one whose shoes John was unworthy to untie. God had specially acknowledged Him by His own voice from heaven. So when Jesus demanded radical action (to drop everything and follow Him), they responded immediately.
Note -- Characteristics of followers of Jesus: These fishermen demonstrated the meaning of discipleship. When Jesus called, they: 1) acted immediately, 2) left both job and family, and 3) started following Him.
Christ calls today through His Word. When we perceive His greatness, we too will: 1) obey immediately all He says, 2) put Him ahead of everything, including our job and family, and 3) follow Him, allowing His example to direct every step.
People who know that Jesus wants them to change, but put it off, are not like these four fishermen.
*9* Which of these things did the disciples not do when Jesus called them? a) decide immediately; b) leave family and job; c) follow Jesus; d) go to school for training. Answer: ______.
*10* What did Jesus say He would make these men (v17)? Answer: He would make them fishers of ______.

Jesus Amazes the Crowds

>>> Read Mark 1:21-28. <<<
Jesus' teaching astounded the multitude in the synagogue (a synagogue was like a church among the Jews). He taught with authority. He issued His commands as if He had the right to tell others exactly what to do!
Jesus' actions showed that He really had the authority that He claimed. In this paragraph, He cast out a demon. How? By His words! Nothing more. When Jesus merely said, "Be quiet and come out of him," the demon left the man. His words had authority even over demons. The calmness with which Jesus expelled demons reflected His power: He never argued or struggled or created a scene. He simply ordered the demons to leave and they left. No wonder people were amazed. He had demonstrated the credentials to prove His authority.
Note -- Need for authority: In every area, authority is essential. To determine distance, it is necessary to have a yardstick or standard of measure by which to calculate length. Thus, if someone wishes to know how long a room is, he measures it. There is no other way to know for sure. God has provided a yardstick in religion: Jesus and His words. When we wish to know whether something is right or wrong, we should evaluate it by the standard of the Scriptures. This should be done with every teacher and teaching - even this correspondence course. Therefore, you need to have a Bible at your side while you are studying, and continually refer to it to be sure that what is taught in these lessons is true. The Bible is our yardstick.
*11* What amazed the multitudes about Jesus? a) physical appearance; b) intelligence; c) wealth; d) authority in teaching. Answer: ______.
*12* How did Jesus expel the demon? a) by conducting a seance; b) by a magical formula; c) by a simple command (rebuke); d) by taking up a collection. Answer: ______.
*13* What purpose did Jesus' miracles serve? a) they made Him rich, b) they demonstrated His authority and proved He was from God, c) they proved people today can do miracles, d) they served no purpose whatever. Answer: ______.

Jesus Heals Many

>>> Read Mark 1:29-34. <<<
Jesus came into Simon Peter's house and found his mother-in-law sick in bed with a high fever (see Luke 4:38). He spoke to her, raised her up, and the fever left her. She then began waiting on Jesus and the disciples. He also healed many others who were brought to Him.
Several features of Jesus' healings are noteworthy:
* He healed immediately, with no delay.
* He healed everyone who came to Him regardless of their disease. (Compare Matt. 8:16,17; Luke 4:40,41.)
* He healed so completely that Simon's mother-in-law was able to get up and start waiting on them. After a fever breaks, it normally takes a few days for a person to recover his strength. Jesus' healings put people back as if they had never had their maladies in the first place!
* Jesus sought to avoid publicity. He ordered the demons not to announce who He was.
*14* Whom did Jesus heal in this story? Answer: He healed Simon Peter's ______.
(Thought question: If Peter had a mother-in-law, what does this tell you about Peter? Note that "Simon" is just another name for Peter -- Matt. 4:18; 8:14,15.)
*15* Which is not characteristic of Jesus' healings? a) He healed many (i.e., all of the many who came); b) He healed completely; c) He healed immediately; d) He healed so He could become rich and popular. Answer: ______.

Jesus Continues His Journeys

>>> Read Mark 1:35-39. <<<
Jesus frequently sought solitude for prayer. Prayer during the daytime was nearly impossible since the crowds continually pressed on Him, so He skipped sleep to be able to talk with His Father that He missed so much. After finally finding Him that morning, the disciples reported that everybody in the town where He had been was seeking Him. Nevertheless, since He wanted to be able to get the message to as many people as possible, He insisted on moving on to other towns.
*16* Jesus arose early in the morning for what purpose? Answer: He arose to ______.

Jesus Heals a Leper

>>> Read Mark 1:40-45. <<<
Painful open sores caused everyone to dread leprosy. Those who contracted it were quarantined because the disease was highly contagious. In this story, Jesus did what no one else dared do - He touched a leper. When He did so, the man was healed immediately. His sores were instantly transformed into smooth skin. The Lord then instructed the cleansed leper to report his healing to the priest (a requirement of the law of Moses - Leviticus 13-14), but to tell no one else. The man, however, went out and told everyone - the exact opposite of what Jesus had said. Undoubtedly he was thrilled that he had been healed and probably imagined that spreading the news about Jesus would honor Him. But the fact remains that he did just what Jesus had said not to do. As a result, the Lord was thronged by such large crowds that He could no longer publicly enter into cities, but had to remain in unpopulated areas. We should learn a lesson: All disobedience, even well-intentioned, hurts Jesus' work.
*17* After Jesus spoke, how long was it till the leprosy was healed? a) several weeks, b) several days, c) immediate, d) the Bible does not say. Answer: ______.
*18* After Jesus had healed the leper, He told the man to show himself to whom? Answer: He was to show himself to the ______.
*19* What result occurred because the leper disobeyed Jesus' orders? a) he became a leper again; b) Jesus was thronged by crowds so large that He couldn't enter a town; c) Jesus praised his evangelism; d) he became an apostle. Answer: ______.
Summary: This chapter shows the greatness of Jesus: John was unworthy to untie His shoes; God spoke from heaven endorsing Him; He expelled demons by a mere word; He healed the sick immediately regardless of the nature of their infirmity. This chapter also indicates how we should respond to His greatness: immediately obey everything He says no matter what sacrifice is required; respect the authority of His message; and, obey Him even when His command seems unreasonable.

I. Sin and Its Consequences

Sin came into the world as a result of the disobedience of Adam and Eve (Genesis 3). Since then, all people become sinners when they too disobey God's law (Romans 3:23). Sin is a universal problem, and the solution to the problem of sin constitutes the theme of the Bible.
The purpose of this study is to examine what the Scriptures teach about the nature of sin and about God's plan to provide forgiveness of sins through the death of Jesus Christ.
As we study, we will ask personal application questions to help each of us evaluate whether or not we personally are guilty of sin and whether or not we have been forgiven by the blood of Jesus. Please give honest consideration to these questions throughout the studies.

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I. Sin and Its Consequences

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A. The Nature of Sin

What is sin, and how does a person become a sinner? 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 in the Bible?

Sin is committed, not inherited.

>>> Please read 1 John 3:4. <<<
*1* What is sin? Answer: Sin is __________ .
*2* Is sin something a person: (a) commits (practices), or (b) inherits? Answer: ____.
>>> Please read Romans 6:16. <<<
*3* How do people become slaves (servants) of sin? Answer: They present themselves to __________ sin.
>>> Please read John 8:34. <<<
*4* Who is a slave to sin? Answer: Whoever __________ sin is a slave of sin.
We may sin in word, deed, or thought, but our own conduct is what makes us sinners.
>>> Please read Ezekiel 18:20. <<<
*5* Who bears the guilt of a person's sins? Answer: The wickedness of the wicked will be upon __________ .
*6* What sins are we guilty of? (a) just the ones we commit, (b) our father's, (c) Adam's, (d) all the preceding. 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 (1 Peter 2:22; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 John 3:5; Hebrews 4:15). Jesus was made like us in all things but He did not inherit guilt; therefore guilt is not inherited.
Sin is doing, practicing, committing things that are not in harmony with God's will. Guilt 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.]

Each person will be judged for his own life.

Each person's eternal destiny is determined by his/her own conduct. It is determined individually. Each person is held accountable for what he did, not for what his ancestors did.
>>> Please read Romans 2:6-10. <<<
*7* To receive eternal life, what must we do (vv 7,10)? Answer: We must patiently continue in doing (working) that which is __________ .
*8* Who will receive punishment (vv 8,9)? Answer: Tribulation and anguish will be upon everyone who does __________ .
Note that, at judgment, each will be rewarded according to his works or deeds (v6).
>>> Please read 2 Corinthians 5:10. <<<
*9* How many people will be judged? Answer: We must __________ appear before Jesus' judgment seat.
*10* 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: ____.
[See also Matthew 7:21,23; Rom. 1:32; 14:12; Matt. 16:27; Rev. 20:12,13; 22:12.]
Note again that the above passages all show that sin is something a person does, works, or practices. Jesus taught that man is active both in sin and in salvation. He becomes a sinner because of what he does; and we will see that what he does also determines whether or not He receives God's offer of salvation.
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.
Have you disobeyed God's laws? If so, and if you are old enough to understand God's teachings about sin and salvation, then you need to learn and understand God's will about how to be forgiven of sin.
[Read Psalm 106:37,38; Hebrews 12:9; Matthew 18:3 & 19:14.]
For further information about original sin and the doctrine of inherited sin, please see the links at the end of this lesson.

B. The Universality of Sin

Some examples of sin

The gospel contains many specific lists of sins. Of course, these lists are not intended to be complete catalogs of every imaginable kind of sin; but they do illustrate the kinds of things that constitute sin.
>>> Please read Galatians 5:19-21. <<<
*11* What happens to those who practice works of the flesh such as are listed here? Answer: They will not inherit the __________ .
>>> Please read Revelation 21:8. <<<
*12* What will be the destiny of those who commit these sins? Answer: They will have their part in the lake that burns with __________ .
>>> Please read 2 Timothy 3:1-5. <<<
*13* What are some sins that Paul warned about here: (a) lovers of self, (b) lovers of money, (c) proud, (d) disobedient to parents, (e) unthankful, (f) all the preceding. Answer: ____.
>>> Please read Galatians 1:8,9. <<<
*14* God's curse (anathema) also comes on those who do what? Answer: Those who teach a different __________ .
>>> Please read James 4:17. <<<
*15* Who is guilty of sin according to this verse? Answer: Those who know to do __________ and do not do it.
Think carefully: Have you been guilty of any of these sins? If so, which ones? Have the sins you committed been forgiven? How do you know?
[See also Matthew 15:18-20; Romans 1:29-32]

People who are guilty of sin

Consider now how many people are guilty of sin.
>>> Please read Romans 3:10-17. <<<
*16* How many people are righteous and good because they have lived without sin? Answer: __________ .
>>> Please read Romans 3:23. <<<
*17* How many people commit sin? Answer: __________ have sinned and come short of God's glory.
>>> Please read 1 John 1:8,10. <<<
*18* What is our case if we say we have no sin? Answer: The __________ is not in us.
All people eventually disobey God and become guilty of sin. This is a universal problem.
What about you? What is your condition before God? If you are accountable before God, then you have committed sin. Have your sins been forgiven?

C. The Consequences of Sin

Even before the first sin, God had warned Adam and Eve of the consequences of sin (Gen. 2:16,17). Throughout history, as people have continued to sin, sin has continued to have consequences in this life and in eternity.
>>> Please read Isaiah 59:1,2. <<<
*19* What consequence does sin have? Answer: Your sins (iniquities) have __________ you from God.
>>> Please read Colossians 3:6. <<<
*20* What does disobedience bring upon us? Answer: The __________ of God comes on those who disobey.
James 4:4 adds that whoever wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy to God.
>>> Please read Matthew 25:41,46. <<<
*21* Where will the wicked go after the judgment day? Answer: The wicked will go into __________ .
Please note that, not only will the wicked be eternally lost, but they will also miss eternal life.
>>> Please read 2 Thessalonians 1:8,9. <<<
*22* What is the destiny of those who do not obey the gospel? Answer: They will be punished with __________ from the presence of the Lord.
The righteous will receive eternal life and will be with God forever in heaven (1 Peter 1:3,4). But the wicked will miss this great joy.
So all of us eventually sin. If those sins are not forgiven, we are separated from God in this life and in eternity. His wrath is upon us and He views us as His enemies, so that we suffer everlasting punishment in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:11-15).
Knowledge of the consequences of sin causes great fear and guilt (Psalms 38:4-6). The guilty have every reason to fear their eternal destiny. God views sin as something horrible, and we should do the same.

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The Grace of God and the Sacrifice of Jesus

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Sin is a universal problem, but God did not want the people He created to be lost eternally. Let us consider the provision God has made to deal with our sin problem.

A. God's Grace and Mercy

Consider the following passages about God's grace and mercy. (When the lesson asks for a definition, please look the term up in your dictionary.)
>>> Please read Ephesians 1:7. <<<
*23* What has the grace of God made available to us? Answer: We have redemption through Jesus' blood, the __________ of sins, according to the riches of His grace.
*24* What definition of "redeem" would best fit the Bible meaning? (a) to condemn eternally, (b) to pay a purchase price to recover something, (c) to neglect or overlook, (d) all the preceding. Answer: ____.
Sinners are slaves of sin, condemned to be punished for our guilt. God's grace led Him to desire to forgive us and pay the price to recover us from guilt and condemnation.
>>> Please read Romans 5:1,2 <<<
*25* What can God's grace do for us? Answer: (a) we are justified by faith, (b) we have peace with God, (c) we rejoice in hope of glory, (d) all the preceding. Answer: ____
*26* What definition best fits the Bible meaning of "justify"? (a) to deny or hide our guilt, (b) to find a psychologist or preacher who will excuse our guilt, (c) to absolve or forgive ones guilt so that they stand right or just, (d) all the preceding. Answer: ____.
>>> Please read Titus 2:11-14. <<<
*27* To how many people has the grace of God appeared? Answer: The grace that brings salvation has appeared to __________ .
>>> Please read Hebrews 2:9. <<<
*28* What did Jesus do for us by the grace of God? Answer: By the grace of God he tasted __________ for everyone.
>>> Please read 1 Peter 1:3,4; Acts 20:32. <<<
*29,30* To what has God's mercy begotten us? Answer: We are begotten to a living hope, to an __________ incorruptible and undefiled, reserved in __________ for us.
*31* What definition of "grace" best fits the Bible meaning? (a) unmerited or undeserved favor from God, (b) goodness inherent within people, (c) ability to hide guilt so no one else knows, (d) all the preceding. Answer: ____.
All of us, at some point in our lives, sin against God and deserve to be punished. We then bear the burden of guilt and will receive everlasting punishment in hell if our sins are not forgiven.
God does not want this to happen, so He chose to offer us forgiveness, redemption, justification, and the hope of eternal life with him in heaven. Since sinners do not deserve such favor, by definition it constitutes "grace." Every one of us should be forever grateful to God for offering us such a hope.
[See also Acts 15:7-11; 20:24; Romans 4:4-7; 5:1,2; 2 Corinthians 9:8; Ephesians 1:5-11; 2:5-10; 1 Timothy 1:13-16; 2 Timothy 1:8-10; Titus 3:3-7.]

B. The Sacrificial Death of Jesus

Grace motivated God to determine a means to offer us forgiveness despite our sins. But this offer expressed itself in a specific, practical form, which required God's Son to come to earth in the form of a man.
>>> Please read Luke 19:10; Matthew 20:28. <<<
*32,33* For what purpose did Jesus come to earth? Answer: He came to seek and save that which was __________ and to give His life as a __________ for many.
>>> Please read Matthew 26:28. <<<
*34* Why did He have to die? Answer: He shed (poured out) His __________ for many for remission of sins.
>>> Please read Romans 5:6-9. <<<
*35* How did God demonstrate His love for us? Answer: While we were still sinners Christ __________ for us.
As a result, we can be justified by His blood (death) and saved from God's wrath.
>>> Please read 1 Peter 2:24; Hebrews 2:9. <<<
*36,37* What is the relationship between our sins and Jesus' death? Answer: He bore our __________ in His body on the tree. By the grace of God, He tasted __________ for everyone.
By His stripes we are healed. This means that He was punished so that we do not need to be punished. He suffered so we could be forgiven and counted righteous (justified) despite our sins.
As stated in Ephesians 1:7, Jesus' blood was the means by which God's grace made redemption and forgiveness available to sinners. His blood was the purchase price that redeemed us from our sins (1 Peter 1:18,19).
>>> Please read Acts 4:12; John 14:6. <<<
*38* How important is Jesus' death to us? Answer: There is salvation in no one else. No one can come to the __________ except through Jesus.
Throughout the Bible, the penalty of sin is referred to as "death" (Ezekiel 18:20; Romans 6:23). Ultimately, this death requires eternal punishment separated from God, in contrast to eternal life (cf. Matthew 7:13,14). 
Since He lived a sinless life, Jesus did not deserve to die for His sins. Yet God allowed Him to be slain, even though He was innocent, so that we who are guilty might not have to suffer for our sins. His death satisfied the demands of God's justice, making it possible for us to be forgiven of our sins. But we must properly come to Jesus to be forgiven by His sacrificial death.
It follows that every one of us will be eternally punished for our sins, unless we receive forgiveness through Jesus' death. There is no other way of salvation, no other way to be made right with God, and no other way to receive eternal life.

Personal application questions:

Do you feel guilty and fearful about your sins? __________ 
Which of the following words would you use to describe yourself right now in your relationship to God: sinner, Christian, saved, lost, guilty, forgiven, pleasing to God, displeasing to God? __________
If you were to die right now, what eternal reward would you receive? __________ 
Have you received forgiveness through His blood? How do you know? ________________________________________