Archive for February, 2013

The Final

Posted: February 28, 2013 in Bible Talks
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Use this Bible Talk (Real Talk) on campus or in a home to inspire visitors to study the Bible. This is good for religious visitors especially but also for all types of people.

The Final

Opening Question: What is your name and how do you picture the final judgment?

As we get ready for that big test or finals week what type of feelings do we have? (fear, anxiety, stress, etc.)

Why do we have these type of feelings? (test determine whether we will graduate or not in the long run)

When do you ever feel great about a test? (When you know the information or the test is going to be easy)

Many people will spend hours, tuition money, and energy into studying for a test to get a degree, but are you ready for The Final…judgment day!

Revelation 20:11-15– There are 2 things everyone in this room has in common, everyone will die at some point and secondly, everyone will face God for judgment.

Do most people think about Judgment Day? Why or why not?

What is opened before God? (many books)

I want to talk today about 3 books today:

The Book of Life

 

If your name isn’t written in the book of life what are the consequences? (Lake of Fire/Hell)

From this verse, what determines whether are name is written in the book of life or not? (deeds)

That is interesting that it doesn’t say faith, grace, or how much you prayed but by your deeds!

The Book of Deeds

 

If The Book of Life shows who is saved, what do the other books contain? (your life deeds!)

PAINT PICTURE: Imagine if a TV was in this room and began to play all your deeds good and bad in front of this whole group how would you feel?

The Bible teaches that Jesus will judge us based on how we lived.

Do you think it is fair that Jesus judges us based on our deeds? (discuss)

What does “Christendom” today teach determines whether we make it to heaven or not? (nothing since they teach we aren’t saved by works)

Ephesians 2:8-10

Wait…if we are not saved by works, how come we are judged by our deeds/works? (have fun discussion)

All scripture has context…read on v.11-13

So what works is this verse referring to? (works of the Old Testament law, ie. circumcision etc.)

Now we know for a fact that the deeds Jesus will judge us on aren’t Old Testament law deeds such as sacrificing animals or whether you are circumcised or not, so what deeds are they? (Commands in the new testament, Jesus’ teachings, etc.)

What does the bible say we are saved through? (faith)

James 2:14-19, 24

 

What do deeds reflect? (Faith!)

Are demons saved? (No) Why not they have a “faith” in God? (they don’t have the deeds meaning it isn’t a true faith)

Why do so many “Christians” today teach we are saved by faith alone and it that are deeds don’t count for anything you think when the Bible is so clear they do count? (easier path, misunderstanding of what grace is, demons influence others to have their type of “faith”, etc.)

The Book

 

We know deeds are now necessary for a saving faith, but how would we know what deeds Jesus is looking for? (The Bible)

You see, we may not have the Book of Life or the Book of Deeds here on earth since God has those in heaven, but we do have The Book…The Bible and it is the standard that is going to be used in our judgment.

John 12:48- Jesus will use His word to judge us. (SHARE EXAMPLE: Imagine your professor is going to give you a pass/fail exam and it is dependent on whether you study the text book or not. The Bible is our text book for The Final Exam/Judgment yet unlike a text book it must not only be studied but lived out.)

What are some ways students get ready for a final exam? (study, get tutoring, have a professor, study groups, discipline, consistent repetition, etc.)

Using those same principles, what would it look like to study to get ready for Judgment Day? (study the Bible, get someone who knows the Bible to teach you it, be disciplined in studying and reading it, etc.)

CHALLENGE: Study the Bible today with the person who brought you in order to pass The Final!

Bought with Blood: Keys to Spiritual Power & Fruit

Posted: February 26, 2013 in Sermons
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This lesson was given to my campus leaders d-group on the key to tapping into God’s power to bear much fruit!

Behind Enemy Lines

Posted: February 23, 2013 in Sermons
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What is the story behind Satan’s fall? What are demons really? How can we overcome the spiritual forces that war against us? This sermon uses clues from the Bible to piece together the history of our enemy as well as equip disciples to battle Satan in the spiritual war!

Leadership Lessons from Angels

Posted: February 19, 2013 in Sermons
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A bible study on Angels and also the lessons we can learn on leading God’s people from them.

Quick On the Spot Holy Spirit Study for Refuting Pentecostal False Teachings

Posted: February 18, 2013 in Articles, Discipleship Course
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ImageHave you ever been studying the Bible with someone or sharing your faith and they ask you about what the Bible says about speaking in tongues or any other miraculous gifts even though they may not be heavily into Pentecostalism? You don’t have time to go through the Holy Spirit studies but want to give them a sound biblical answer; that is what this mini-study is for. 5 simple scriptures that help you show the miraculous gifts are not available to the church today since we have the Bible which brings faith (Romans 10:17).

QUICK MIRACULOUS GIFTS OF HOLY SPIRIT STUDY

Introduction: God is a God of miracles and through faith and prayer God can work powerfully, yet today no one has the supernatural ability to perform miraculous gifts.

Ask: Did the first century disciples have the New Testament? No

Mark 16:15-20

  • What was the purpose of the miracles the apostles would perform? To confirm the word
  • Miracles were necessary to validate the apostles message until the word was confirmed (completed).

2 Corinthians 12:12

  • What are the marks of an apostle? (signs, wonders, and miracles)
  • Who would write most the New Testament? (Apostle or someone close to one)
  • Only apostles could perform the gifts and pass them on. They were part of the foundation to the church (Ephesians 2:19-20). Since the Old Testament was written by the prophets, once the apostles teachings were confirmed there would be no need for miracles.

1 Corinthians 13:8-13

  • As Paul wrote this he teaches that they’re prophecy, tongues, and supernatural knowledge was done only in part since the Bible was still being written.
  • When perfection (completion) comes the imperfect (in part) disappears. Paul teaches tongues and other miracles will cease. What is perfect in this world? (The Bible ref. James 1:25). The Bible brings faith now and is the foundation of the church. This means these gifts ceased upon the Bible’s completion around 150 AD.
  • Faith, hope, and love will remain as God works according to our faith.

Matthew 12:38-40

  • An adulterous and wicked generation seeks a sign but those who follow Jesus understand the greatest miracle was his death and resurrection.
  • Experience is not a determination of truth, the Bible must be our truth. (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10). Where do these ‘miraculous signs’ usually occur today and in those groups what doctrine for salvation do they teach? (almost always false doctrines of salvation are taught in groups who claim these miraculous gifts exist today- Satan wants to lead people away from the truth through counterfeit miracles or people trusting in their experience.)

Matthew 7:21-23

  • At judgment day why didn’t the people not make it to heaven in this passage? (they still practiced miraculous gifts!)
  • The key is following the will of God (v.21) which is the Bible.

Conclusion: The miraculous gifts of the Spirit that the apostles and those they chose to give them to could perform ceased after the completion of the Bible. The Bible now produces the faith needed to become Christians and God still does miraculous through us praying to Him, not an individual possessing an ability or laying on hands.

Lost and Found

Posted: February 18, 2013 in Sermons
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This sermon was given at church Sunday. We go through Luke 15 and take a look at 4 ways we can become lost. Be inspired to be like Jesus who will do whatever it takes to seek and save the lost!

How to Put a Sermon Together

Posted: February 17, 2013 in Sermons
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This lesson takes you behind the scenes on what work must go into putting together and delivering an effective sermon. Whether you are preparing a short charge, communion, contribution, or a full fledged sermon this lesson will equip you with the tools you need. Learn to speak effectively and powerfully, how to structure your notes, the different types of sermons and much more!

The Battle for Purity

Posted: February 16, 2013 in Sermons
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A honest look at the effect of sexual sin and how to overcome impurity, sexual sin, or sexual addiction using the Bible. This sermon was given at a Men’s Midweek and contains explicit and an honest testimony about battling for purity in a sex driven culture. Learn the principles for living God’s will out to be pure.