Salvation, 9

What happens to those that don't believe?

What happens to those that do believe?

What happens to those that don't believe?

Eze 18:20 - The soul that sinneth, it shall die.... What happens to those that don't believe?
Mt 10:28 - And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.What happens to those that don't believe?
Mt 25:41 - Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:What happens to those that don't believe?
Mt 25:46 - And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
Mk 9:43 - And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:What happens to those that don't believe?
Mk 9.44 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. What happens to those that don't believe?

Mk 9.46 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. What happens to those that don't believe?

Mk 9.48 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. What happens to those that don't believe?

Lk 16:19-31 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift (he's still there) up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. Where did the rich man end up?
Jn 5:29 - And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. (another “resurrection,” but to hell instead of heaven) Where do “the evil” end up?
Jn 3:36 - He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. Who “shall not” see everlasting life? (he the believeth not)
Rom 2. 6-11 - Who will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: 11For there is no respect of persons with God. Does God judge fairly? Yes, “no respect of persons”
Rom 6:23 - For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. What is the payment (wages) for sin?
2 Thes 1:8 – In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. On whom does God take vengeance? “them that know not God or obey the gospel”
1 Jn 5:12 - He that hath the Son hath life; [and] he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. Who has life, those that know the Son or those that don't?
Jude 1:7 - Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. What did the wicked cities who practiced sin, suffer?
Rev21:8 - But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. What is the end for unbelievers/sinners?
Rev 20:15 - And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. Who was cast into the “lake of fire?”

So you see, NO ESCAPE for unbelievers! But that's not all of the story....

What happens to those that do believe?

Mt 18.3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. What does it take to “enter into the kingdom of heaven?”

Jn 14:6 - Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. How does one “come to the Father?” through belief in His Son
Rom 2:6-11 Who will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:11 For there is no respect of persons with God. What is the reward for those that “worketh good?” glory, honour: and peace Whom is the reward given to?” Jew and Gentile
Rom 10:13 - For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Who can be saved?”
Saved from what? Eternal damnation, hell

I Tim 4.12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. How does the world know one is a “believer?” one is “an example...in word, conversation, charity/love, spirit, faith, purity.” Simply put, one “behaves straight, true and right”

1 Jn 5:12 - He that hath the Son hath life; [and] he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. Who really has “life,” that is, the right kind of life?

3. What keeps one out of heaven and sends another to hell?

Mat 13:58 And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

Mat 17:20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

Mar 6:6 And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.

Mar 16:14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.

Rom 3:3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?

Rom 4:20 (Abraham) He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;

Rom 11:20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:

1Ti 1:13 (Paul, speaking of himself) Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

WARNING:
Heb 3:12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.

Heb 3:19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.

Heb 4:6 Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:

Again, What keeps one out of heaven and sends another to hell? UNBELIEF!

Which one are you, A believer or an unbeliever?

Salvation, 8

Who are the Redeemed? Are you one of them?

Today, let's talk about the folks who love the Lord Jesus.

Redeemed: (W)Ransomed (rescued from captivity, by the payment of an equivalent.); delivered from bondage, distress, penalty, or from the possession of another, by paying an equivalent.

Remember the preacher we had recently? I told you he love to sing this song:

I am one of them today

1 How I came to love these pilgrims, Is to me a great surprise; And the way the Lord has led me, Is a wonder in my eyes;
No, I never thought I’d be one, But I’m happy now to say, That, although I used to hate them, I am one of them today!

Refrain:
I feel constrained to tell it, I love this narrow way; O glory, hallelujah, I am one of them today.
2 Well I knew the world despised them, So I said ‘twould never do; I would lose my reputation If I join that noisy crew;
But I heard in Sinai’s thunder “You must surely go that way;” I am not ashamed to own it, I am one of them today.
3 Oft I sneered when they were telling That they felt no foe within, That the grace of their Redeemer Daily kept them free from sin;
But conviction seized my spirit, Took my hatred all away; Now I know this great salvation, And I’m one of them today.

Who are “the redeemend?”

Exo 1:19 - “lively people.”

“And the midwives said unto Pharaoh, Because the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women; for they are lively, and are delivered ere the midwives come in unto them.”

Paul told wrote as an encouragement to the church at Corinth that:

(2 Cor 4:8-10) “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; (WHY?, because we are) Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.”

So, “the redeemed” are happy all the time? No, of course not. They just look at life through God's eyes instread of their own.

How do the “redeemed” respond to life?

Look at what the Psalmist said of God's chosen earthly people: He told us by unction of the Holy Spirit, that:

• he was committed to the Lord because of redemption (31.5) Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.
• redemption caused him to sing (71.23) My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed.
• recalled that he was part of a promised “inheritance” (74.2) Remember thy congregation, which thou hast purchased of old; the rod of thine inheritance, which thou hast redeemed;...
• praised the Lord for redemption from their enemies(77.15) Thou hast with thine arm redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah.
• Have an understanding of the enemy beyond what the eye can see (106.10) And he saved them from the hand of him that hated them, and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy.
• had the privilege to “say so” (also known as grace) as one of the redeemed (107.2 )Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;
• rejoiced in the Lord's mercy that endures forever for the redeemed (136.24) And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever.

The prophet, Isaiah reminded us of where the redeemed would end up:

(Isa 35.9) “No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there:”

What place does this sound like, according to scripture? Yes, heaven

Only in this passage, another group of “redeemed” have been included, the Gentiles.

• What about “the other” chosen people, the Gentiles?:

(Lk 1.68) “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for He hath visited and redeemed his people”

• Who are “His” people? From this verse it would seem that only Israel are counted as “His people.”
• But what about Jn 3.16? Who is considered “a believer?” “whosoever believeth”
• Would that be Jew or Gentile? Yes – let's look further

(Lk 24.21) “But we trusted that it had been He which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.”

• What had been done after “the third day?” the Resurrection

How is one “Redeemed?”

(Gal 3.13) “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us:”

• What did His death accomplish? Redemption from the curse of the law
• How? He was made “a curse for us”
• He was made a curse for whom? “us” or “whosoever believeth” (Jn 3.16)

(Eph 1:7) "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace"

• How are we “redeemed” according to this passage? “through His blood”

Paul writes, “in whom WE have redemption...”

If He is writing to the church at Ephesus and they are Greeks,

• would you say he is talking to Jews or Gentiles? Gentiles

(1 Pet 1:18) “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;”

• What could not “redeem” us? Silver, gold, vain conversation, tradition

(Rev 5.9) “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

• Who are “they” that “sung a new song?” the redeemed
• Where did they come from? “every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation”

(Rev 14.3) “And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.”

• Who are the only ones that could “learn that song?” 144,000
• Would you say this is everybody? Nope
• If it isn't everybody, then who is it? “the redeemed from the earth”

(Rev 14.4)”...These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.”

• Who is “the Lamb?” The Lord Jesus
• One more time, who are classified as “the redeemed?” “...they which follow the Lamb withersoever He goeth...”

Last question, are you one of “them?”

Salvation, 7

“The Wonder of It All”

What is grace?

Lesson: (Eph 2.8, 9): “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

G od's R iches A t C hrist's E xpense

Begin lesson by “gifting” each student with something from reward jar, teacher's choice.

The wonder of it all
There's the wonder of sunset at evening, The wonder as sunrise I see;
But the wonder of wonders that thrills my soul Is the wonder that God loves me.
O, the wonder of it all! The wonder of it all! Just to think that God loves me.
O, the wonder of it all! The wonder of it all! Just to think that God loves me.
There's the wonder of springtime and harvest, The sky, the stars, the sun;
But the wonder of wonders that thrills my soul Is a wonder that's only begun.

Amazing Grace

1. Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me....I once was lost but now am found, Was blind, but now, I see.
   
2. T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear. And Grace, my fears relieved.How precious did that Grace appear the hour I first believed.
   
3. Through many dangers, toils and snares we have already come.T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far and Grace will lead us home.
   
4. When we've been here ten thousand years bright shining as the sun.We've no less days to sing God's praise then when we've first begun.
   

What is grace?

(W) the free unmerited love and favor of God. It means To favor or to honor. Quite simply, a gift.

(Rom 11.5) “And if by grace then it is no more of works.” Favorable influence of God; divine influence or the influence of the spirit, in renewing the heart and restraining from sin. (2 Cor 12.9)“My grace is sufficient for thee. “ The application of Christ's righteousness to the sinner. (Rom 5.2)“Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.”

• Why would someone give you a gift? Write student answers on white board.
  
• Does a gift cost you anything? No
  
• Does a gift cost the giver anything? Yes, What? Write student answers on white board
  
• Again, why would one give another a gift? Revisit answers on white board
  
• Did the receipient of the gift do anything to earn the gift? No
  
• Would you say the gift of salvation is free? Yes
  
• Would you say salvation cost the Lord something? Yes
  
• What did it cost Him? His life
  

The Lord Jesus tells us in Jn 15.13, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
Is there anyone you would literally die for?

It's a hard question because one doesn't really know what they would do in that situation.

What if a loved one or close friend needed a kidney or blood donation that you could provide, would you do it? Yes, you proably would

Look at the answers you gave for why someone would give you a gift.

Do any of those answers apply to the gift of Salvation? Give students a moment to reflect

A gift is freely given. The giver expects nothing in return, except gratitude and recognition that the receipient is pleased with the gift. Any reaction less than gratitude is rejection.

GRACE is a free gift. You did nothing to earn it. You do nothing to keep it. IT IS FREE! Just like a gift you gave.

What you CAN do is remain thankful and grateful that the Lord bothered to give it to you.

Do you have the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ living in your heart? This is between you and God, regardless of the answer you give me.
How are you saved? Look at our memory verse. The verse says “by grace.”
What is your role in receiving grace? Faith
Did you do anything to earn or deserve it? No, its “not of yourselves”
How was grace given or bestowed, according to the verse, what is grace called? “a gift”
Is there anything you can do to receive it? “believe” may be given but again point out what one did to earn a free gift. Nope, it's an entirely a “gift of God.”
Paul tells us in (2 Cor 9.15)“Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.”
Jesus says, of Himself in (Jn 4.10)“If thou knewest the gift of God, ...” He was telling the woman at the well how she would never be thirsty, for fellowship, again...
Paul says in (Rom 5.15, 15) “the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ,...gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.”
(Rom 6.23) “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
What is the “gift of God” according to this verse? “Eternal life through Jesus Christ”
(Rom 11.29) concludes: “For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.” In other words, God has no regrets, ever, whom He chose to give the “GIFT” of salvation.

When He comes knocking on your hearts door – When He breathes life to your dead soul – you must respond. Just like you choose to whom you will give a gift – So does the Lord.

Has the Lord ever given you the gift of Life in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ?

We began the lesson by singing/saying the song “Amazing Grace.”

Well, is grace, the gift of God “Amazing to you?

Salvation, 6

Why did He come? Who are His people?

Today – let's examine “Why He came to earth and Who He came for.”

A well known verse will answer, why He came to earth; Lk 19.7-10, the story of Zaccheus; “And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.

8And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord: Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. 9And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. 10For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

Remember Adam in the garden of Eden? (Gen 3.9) Adam and his wife, Eve had disobeyed the Lord in only one commandment. They were told they could eat of any other tree that gave fruit but one. They disobeyed and were ashamed of their nakedness. What changed? They had been without clothing all that time and didn't realize it until they disobeyed. Shortly after that the “voice of the Lord God (came walking in the garden in the cool of the day...and called unto Adam, and said...”Where art thou?”

Was God really “seeking” Adam? If He placed man on earth, do you really think He didn't know where Adam was? Of course, He did. But God wanted Adam to know where he was spiritually. Because of sin, Adam was no longer in fellowship with the Lord. Further, the Lord killed an innocent creature to make “coats of skins,” (Gen 3.21) to cover their nakedness.

• The truth is, without His righteousness on our soul – we are naked before God and destined for destruction because “our righteousness is as filthy rags.” (Isa 64.6)

This is a picture of what Jesus came to do. That is, “clothe” His people in His righteousness and to be an offering for our sin. Isaiah 61.10 reads this way: “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.”

You see, “to seek and to save that which was lost,” is a phrase for our benefit. God knows where you are in your relationship to Him.

So, let's examine again, Why did Jesus come? To save the lost

The answer begs the question, “Who are the lost?”

We are told in the most read verse from the bible; (Jn 3.16) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Addtionally; 17For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

18He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

When studying the bible, you must understand text, context and “who is being spoken to.” (watch your pronouns!)

If you take a word out of context, the entire meaning may be changed. Thus, you will be in error of the intent of the Holy Ghost when He gave scripture to us. (2 Pet 1.21 – holy men of God...)

Who did He come to save? “that which was lost, the world.”

Are you sure?

Let's review another passage in answer to this question. Jn 1.10, 11 says “He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not.”
If His chosen earthly people did not “receive Him,” and of course, He knew this, then Who did He come to save?

Look again at John 3.16; Who is doing the believing? “whosoever.”

Obviously, I don't know who that is and you don't know who that is but He does.

One more verse to keep the “who” of salvation in perspective:

One of the most misinterpreted verses is found in 2 Pet 3.9: “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” “All”does mean all but it has a qualifier – Who is the Lord “long-suffering” towards? “us-ward”

I understand that much of this explanation sounds overwhelming and incomprehensible but it is necessary in order to answer the questions for today's lesson.

1. Why did Jesus come? To save the lost from their sins.
2. Who did He come for? “whosoever believeth, us-ward” (Jn 3.16, 2 Pet 3.9)

Bro. Davy will be with us this week, Lord willing and He sings a song that says, “I am one of them.” Are you?

Salvation 5

What Jesus did, What Jesus taught

What He taught

Repentance Mt 4.17

Beatitudes – who and why one is blessed Mt 5.3-12

Salty christians Mt 5.13

Light filled christians Mt 5.14-16

He came to fulfill the law Mt 5.17-20

How to manage anger Mt 5.21-26

against Adultery and Divorce Mt 5.27-32, 19.1-12

Against swearing Mt 5.33-37

Loving enemies Mt. 5.38-48

Giving to others Mt. 6.1-4

Prayer Mt. 6.5-15

Fasting Mt. 6.16-18, 9.14-17

Where one's real treasure is Mt. 6.19-21

Trust Mt. 6.24-34

Judging Mt 7.1-11

the “Golden rule” (do unto others...) Mt. 7.12.12

Living right Mt (strait gate) 7.13, 14

warned of false prophets Mt 7.15-20

warned against works only salvation Mt 7.21-23

encouraged who was wise Mt 7.24-27

not enough laborers to the task of spreading the gosple Mt. 9.38.39

instructed his disciples/followers Mt. 10

Judgment Mt 11.20-27

where to bring one's burdens Mt. 11.28-30 “my yoke is easy...”

which sin is not forgiven Mt 12.32

how to be a good “fruit inspector” Mt 12.33-37

parables: sowing the Word, tares and wheat, mustard seed, leaven, what and why he used parables Mt. 13

things that defile Mt 15.1-20

wicked to seek a sign instead of faith Mt 16.1-12

that He would be going to the cross Mt. 16.21-28

the danger of unbelief 17.14-23

one's attitude in conversion Mt 18.1-5

forgiveness Mt 18.21-35

His resurrection Mt 20.17-19

love Mt 22.34-40

against religion Mt 23.1-39

things to come Mt 24.1-44

warned of Hell Mt 25.30

What He did

was baptized Mt 3.13, 14

was tempted Mt 4.1-1

called disciples Mt 4.19, 9.9-13 (Matthew)

healed a leper Mt 8.1-4

healed the centurion's servant who was paralyzed Mt 8.5-13

healed Peter's mother-in-law, who was sick of a fever Mt. 8.14, 15

cast out devils Mt 8.16, 17

rebuked the stormy seas Mt. 8.23-27

cast out more devils Mt. 8.28-34

healed another paralytic Mt. 9.1-8

healed “the ruler's” daughter Mt. 9.18,19

healed the woman w/t issue of blood Mt 9.20-26

made the blind to see Mt 9.27-31

made the dumb/mute to speak Mt 9.32-35

healed a man with a “withered hand” Mt. 12.9-14

“healed multitudes” Mt. 12.15, 15.30

healed one possessed, blind and dumb Mt. 12.22

fed 5,000, then 4,000+ women/children, Mt. 14.15-21, 15.32-38

walked on water Mt 14.25

cast devil out of womans daughter demonstrating a mother's faith Mt. 15.21-28

gave a glimpse of His glory in Heaven Mt 17.1-12

anointed with oil against His death Mt. 26.6-13

eat with the chosen few Mt 26.17-30

prayed before being betrayed and killed Mt 26.1-46

(Jn 21.25)

“And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.”