Bible Study

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Reference:  Nehemiah 4:6

Topic:  “Get Your Head in the Game”

The lesson aim is to show that there is always an action associated with the “work” of God.  More importantly, the “work” has to become part of our everyday life.  The “work” should not be segregated from our personal lives, but integrated into our daily routines. Whatever work we’ve been called to perform must have our full attention. 

Nehemiah and the children of Israel were under attack from the outside.  Sanballat and Tobiah expressed their anger and discontentment about the “work” that was being initiated in Jerusalem. The enemy will always try to throw you off balance and disrupt your game plan.  However, as offensive players in the game of life we must learn to read the defense.  The art of the game is to keep the defense from preventing you from reaching the goal.  One of the most common tactics of the opposition is to get into the mind of the players, thereby becoming a distraction. Those who win the game are those that play the game with excellence.  Those who win in the spirit realm are those that follow the instructions recorded in Psalms 37:5 and Proverbs 16:3.  The term “commit” connects our desires to God’s will.

I can appreciate the fact that the text does not focus on the condition of the people’s hearts or minds prior to Nehemiah’s arrival.  We know that the people were in “great affliction and reproach”.  According to Hanani’s report, the people had lost their desire to rise above their circumstances.  Nonetheless, something powerful takes place between chapter 1 and chapter 4, “transformation”.  During the transformation process, Nehemiah conveys to all the people God’s plan for Jerusalem. (Read: Nehemiah 2:12)  Nehemiah’s spirit became contagious. 

Subsequently, Nehemiah 4:6 is a summarization of the people’s attitude toward the visible enemy.  Through deductive reasoning we can conclude that our commitment to the “work” has to be from the heart.  Otherwise, the enemy will work to create fear in our hearts and cause the work to slow down or even cease.  The heart is the control center for spiritual maturity and the mind records and executes the protocol for spiritual renewal.  (Read: Psalms 51)  The people’s mind toward God had been restored and their confidence in God’s ability had been rekindled. Thus, the “work” was a manifestation of their commitment to the God-centered plan that Nehemiah presented.

References:

Psalms 110:3; II Corinthians 8:15-17; Philippians 2:13; Hebrews 13:21 

Bible Study

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Reference:  Nehemiah 1; Acts 1 & 2

Topic:  “What Are the Needs?”

The lesson aim is to show that we all have a role to play in the building of God’s kingdom.  More importantly, the “work” is not for one person nor can it be completed without a collaboration of folks working together.  The enemy has managed to use the same strategy of “divide and conquer” to hinder the “work” of the ministry. 

Last week, we broke ground on the foundation for building new relationships and strengthening existing connections to the “Holy One”.  As we embark upon this present journey to reconciliation, we must consider the current state of the church and its relationship with the God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. 

In our study of Nehemiah, Acts and Philippians, each book provides us with a description of what happens when God calls us to a “work” for HIM.  In your assessment of each situation, take a close look at the similarities that supports the premise of our argument that we’re all called to this “work”. 

RECAP  (Read: Nehemiah 1:2-3) “That Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, which were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem.  3 And they said unto me, the remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire.” KJV 

What is the Nehemiah’s reaction to the report?

What is Nehemiah’s first action in response to the news?

Review the content of his prayer:

(Read: Acts 1:8) “But ye shall receive power, (after that) the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” KJV

How does the fellowship respond to Jesus’ instructions? (Read: Luke 24:29)

What is the apostle’s response to the loss of their brother Judas?

What course of action did they take to move forward in the “work”? (Read: Acts 1:22-26)

Bible Study

Wednesday, September 10, 2013

Reference:  I Corinthians 12:31

Topic:  “Which Way Should I Choose?”

The lesson aim is to show each individual that “the way” to live.  More importantly, each believer must choose of his/her own will and accord which direction he/she will travel in pursuit of God’s righteousness.  Many of us are familiar with the phrase, “you take the high road and I’ll take the low road”.  There is a right and wrong way to choose.  The Lord, Jesus said to his disciples, “broad is the way that leadeth to destruction; but narrow is the way to leadeth to eternal life”. 

The Apostle Paul’s primary objective is to show the church (ekklesia) how to rise above its present dilemma.  [What is the current condition of the church?] If we hope to choose the right “way”, we must have a clear picture of our current situations.  We must give way to the spirit of God to help lead us through any spiritual assessment of the church.

(Read: Nehemiah 1:2-3) “That Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, which were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem.  3 And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire.” KJV

How do I know what God has called me to do in the body?  Our assignments are determined before we are born.  (Jeremiah 1:5) However, the assignment is not revealed until we enter into a covenant relationship with God through the Lord Jesus.  Our relationship with Christ opens the way for the Holy Spirit to work in our lives.  Everything we do for God is activated by the spirit.

(Read: Acts 1:8) “But ye shall receive power, (after that) the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” KJV

Paul inserts this notation to encourage the church at Corinth to pursue a path of excellence. However, they lack understanding. (Proverbs 4:7) He pointed them in a direction that would lead them to a new level of spiritual maturity.  Paul teaches that LOVE is the key to spiritual maturity.  LOVE bridges together purpose, function and mission of the body.  LOVE helps an individual reach their full potential in Christ through the use of gifts in the body.  More importantly, LOVE balances unity and diversity which are essential to the various functionalities of the church.

If the church does not learn to function as God designed it, the work of the ministry will continue to suffer greatly.  The church has a purpose that has been clearly identified through scripture.  Unfortunately, the church has not pursued God’s will as a collective body.  Therefore, the church has been damaged and injured.

Bible Study

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Reference:  I Samuel 30:6

Topic:  “Is There Any Hope?”

Over the last five years, many Americans have posed this question to various leaders within politics, corporations and communities.  Unfortunately, very few people have sought answers from God regarding any of the matters that shape our earthly lives, such as economics, medicine, education and family.   

The lesson aim is to show how we should deal with issues that arise in our lives.  More importantly, believers are equipped with an internal barometer that helps to gauge when we reach our boiling points which causes many to fall into self-pity and depression.  HOPE in God is the by product of the “believer’s walk of Faith”. (Read: Hebrews 11:1-6)

HOPE initiates prayer to God for HIS divine will to be done. 

David is the primary focus of the text.  However, his situation is very common and real.  We all face unexpected setbacks.  In every instance we must wrestle within ourselves (deny the flesh) on how to best resolve these unwarranted problems.  When we are confronted by life’s challenges, David’s action to help restore his confidence in God is a perfect script for the body of Christ to study.  Even though David is directly impacted by the matter at hand, he doesn’t try to direct his energies into figuring out his own solutions. 

“And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.” (KJV)

“David was now in great danger because all his men were very bitter about losing their sons and daughters, and they began to talk of stoning him. But David found strength in the Lord his God.” (New Living Translation)

“And suddenly David was in even worse trouble. There was talk among the men, bitter over the loss of their families, of stoning him.  David strengthened himself with trust in his God.” (THE MESSAGE)

When trouble arises in our lives, we must maintain our confidence in God.  When the storms of life are raging, we must stand firm on the promises of God.  When there seems to be no hope, we must dig within ourselves and draw from the well that never runs dry, which is Christ Jesus. “My hope is build on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.  I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but holy lean on Jesus’ name. On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand”.   

Please take time to study the following reference scriptures:

Phil 4:13, John 7:37-38, I Peter 1:3-5, Psalm 42:11, Psalm 118:8 

Bible Study

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Reference:  St. John 8:31-32

Topic:         “Do You Know the Truth?”

Can you list at least two spiritual truths about Jesus that you have discovered in your studies? (Example: “I am the way, the truth and the life”)

1. 

2.  

The Church of the Living God stands on the several beliefs regarding the Lord, Jesus that also serves as a foundation for our theological posture.   The basis for Christian living is centered around the life, earthly ministry and redemptive work of the Lord, Jesus. (Read: St. John 10:10) An in-depth study into the works of Jesus Christ during the Protestant Reformation presented several theological and fundamental beliefs.  These beliefs have been summarized in one single phrase, “Sola Christus or Sola Christo” (“salvation is through Christ alone and that Christ is the only mediator between God and man”). 

The lesson aim is to validate our knowledge of “the truth”.  More importantly, we, the believer, must be able to articulate to others our insight and comprehension of the scriptures. (Read: II Peter 3:17-18)  In a previous statement we determined that there is no greater liberator than the truth.  The truth has the power to set the captive free.  Thus, John 8:32 expresses the Lord’s view on becoming “free” through faith in him.  John’s record of this statement of truth sheds light on the overall contrasts between freedom and bondage.  Our knowledge of the truth will free us from the bondage of sin. Verse 31 outlines the path to freedom: “then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;”

Key words:

Believe – [pist-yoo-o] – to have faith; i.e. credit; to entrust

Continue – [men-o] – to stay

Finally, Jesus’ proclamation to his disciples in John 14:6 should be the continuous message of all who walk in and live for HIM.  

Bible Study

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Reference:  Romans 12:2

Topic:         “In Search of Spiritual Truths”

In most situations the truth has to be revealed or discovered.  In the absence of substantial evidence to support an argument, the burden of proof must be presented.  As we grow in our knowledge of the scripture we must learn to apply the truth to our lives. Applying the word will give every believer the power to stand. (Read – II Peter 3:13-18)

Grow - auzano (owx-an'-o); to grow ("wax"), i.e. enlarge

The lesson aim is to motivate the believer to seek the truth of God.  More importantly, we, the believer, must understand the impact the truth will have on our lives. The truth works as a support in the battle for the mind.  (Ephesians 6:14 – “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth” - KJV)

However, as it relates to Christ the truth has to be revealed.  (Read: Matthew 16:17) Part of the role of Jesus and the Holy Spirit in the lives of the believer is to represent, reveal and recall the truth. (Read: John 14:6; 16:13)

    John 14:6 – “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me”. KJV

    John 16:13 – “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come”. KJV

There is no greater liberator than the truth.  The truth has the power to set the captive free.

    John 8:32 – “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free”. KJV

Bible Study

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Reference:  Romans 12:2

Topic:  “Digging for the Truth”

The power of scripture cannot be experienced until the believer learns to apply “the word” to his/her life.  The dept of a believer’s knowledge of the scripture can be measured by their use of the word (wisdom) in their everyday life. (Read – John 5:39; Matthew 22:29)

The lesson aim is to establish a path to true transformation.  More importantly, we, the believer, must understand that the word of God is our greatest asset and weapon in the battle for the mind.  (Read Ephesians 3:3-5)

Paul reveals the most significant aspect of the Christian journey in Romans 12:2.  Being

“transformed by the renewing of your mind” has become the backdrop for the battle for the mind.  Many saints have yet to grasp the importance of embracing this process.

Romans 8:1 (verses 2-6)

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (KJV)

Key Words:

Condemnation –

Flesh –

Spirit –

The Three Conditions of the Mind:

Carnal –

Spiritual –

Natural –