Wednesday 14 April 2010

                                                                              Bible Study

                                           IN THE TIME OF TROUBLE WHERE IS YOUR TRUST?

                                                                                                         John 14:1-6

 
I. Trouble will come
a. Have you ever had one of those days when everything goes wrong? It doesn’t make any difference how hard you try; it just seems that everything backfires on you? The harder you try, the worse it gets. I’m convinced that all of us have had days like that.
b. Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward. Job 5:7
c. I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother's belly. Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help. Psalm 22:10-11
d. Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
II. Trust in the Presence of Jesus

a. Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. John 14:1 NIV
b. What is Jesus saying there? Is He saying, "You trust in God, now it’s time to trust also in Me?" Or is He saying, "I know you trust in God, & you also trust in Me. Now remember, when you can no longer see Me, don’t stop trusting in Me."
c. It is easy to trust when you can see it. The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. John 20:25
d. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen Hebrews 11:1
e. When things are worse than you can imagine do you trust that Jesus is Present. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matthew 28:20
III. Trust in the Promise
a. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. John 14:2
b. What has God Promised You?
1. While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease. Genesis 8:22
2. Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine. Proverbs 3:9-10
3. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want…Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. Psalm 23:1-6
4. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
c. How long does it take for God to fulfill his Promise? That depends…
1. ON PEOPLE: So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work. But it came to pass, that when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, heard that the walls of Jerusalem were made up, and that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very wroth, And conspired all of them together to come and to fight against Jerusalem, and to hinder it. Nehemiah 4:6-8
2. ON PRINCIPALITIES: But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia. Daniel 10:13
3. ON PERSONALITIES: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear. Isaiah 59:2
d. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. Habakkuk 2:3
IV. Trust in the Person
a. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. John 14:3-4
b. THE ONE BORN OF A VIRGIN. Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Matthew 1:23
c. THE ONE THAT WAS SLAIN. 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; Revelation 5:9
d. THE THAT GOD HAS EXALTED: Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; Philippians 2:9-10
V. Trust in the power of Jesus
a. Jesus saith unto Him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6
b. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Matthew 28:18
c. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17
d. Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy. Jude 24

                                                                                         Wednesday 3 Mar 2010

                                                                                                   Bible Study

                                                                                           Dealing With Disaster
                                                                                              John 11:1-11:45

I. How do you handle bad or traumatic situations. Whether it is a natural disaster like a tornado, or a health disaster like cancer, or relationship disasters like a broken marriage, or …we are often knocked off our feet and regardless of our degree of spirituality we struggle.
a. Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength. Isaiah 26:3-4
b. Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
c. The above are two great verses to KNOW. However it is sometimes difficult to make them work in the middle of a disaster. Often times well meaning people exacerbate a situation by trying to be super spiritual and “defending God.”
II. The text John 11:1-45
a. The Lord Loved Lazarus
b. Lazarus died
c. The family was in crisis
d. Jesus came and shared there sorrow
e. The family survived the crisis

III. This text teaches at least five thing things about handling disaster:
a. Prayer is a Must
1. Prayer requires relationship: It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. John 11:2
2. Prayer requires action: Therefore his(Lazarus) sisters sent unto Him(Jesus), saying, Lord, behold, he whom Thou lovest is sick. John 11:2-3
3. When disaster threatens we must get Word to Jesus.
4. Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you. 1 Peter 5:7
5. Jesus said WHEN not IF you pray, Three times in Matthew

b. Emotion is Natural.

Did Christ o`er sinners weep and shall our cheeks be dry…in heaven alone no sin is found and no weeping there

1. When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, He groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto Him, Lord, come and see. Jesus wept. John 11:33-35
2. Often we make the mistake of trying to be strong for… I often look at funerals to see how people are expressing their grief. It is not healthy to bottle up emotions.
3. It is okay to have questions: Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. John 11:21
4. Sometimes we feel down: O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar Psalm 42:6
5. Grieving is a process: And he charged them, and said unto them, I am to be gathered unto my people: bury me with my fathers in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite…And forty days were fulfilled for him; for so are fulfilled the days of those which are embalmed: and the Egyptians mourned for him threescore and ten days. Genesis 49:49-50:4
6. Don’t rush it. The faster you get out of grief the easier it is to get back into it.
7. Don’t get stuck. If YOU feel you are getting stuck and becoming “unfunctional” get help. 
 

c. Perseverance is a must. 

 I believe I will run on and see what the end is gonna be…
 Ninety-nine and a half won’t do…

1. When He(Jesus) had heard therefore that he(Lazarus) was sick, He(Jesus) abode two days still in the same place where He(Jesus) was. John 11:6
2. God does not always end the situation immediately. He waited in the same place two days after He heard Lazarus was sick.
3. And He spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;…And shall not God avenge His own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though He bear long with them? Luke 18:1-7
4. These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33
5. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. Romans 5:3-5

d. God uses disaster for His Glory

Glory to His Name,
Glory to His Name:
There to my heart was the blood applied;
Glory to His Name! 
 

 1. When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby. John 11:4
2. Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? John 11:40
3. Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son. Genesis 18:14
4. Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah, saying, Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me? Jeremiah 32:26-27
5. This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. 1 Samuel 17:46
6. I KNOW GOD CAN…

e. God changes lives through crisis

Just a closer walk with thee.
Grant it Jesus, is my plea
Daily walking close to thee
Let it be dear lord let it be 
 
1. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? John 11:25-26
2. Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him. John 11:45 

                                                                                         Wednesday 17 Feb 2010

                                                                                                   Bible Study

                                                                                            So THAT IS GRACE!
                                                                                                   John 8:1-12

I. Imagine driving down the road doing 20 miles above the speed limit and a policeman pulls you over and after checking your license and registration say “please slow down and have a nice day.” That is GRACE.
a. Grace is God’s unmerited favor shown toward man.
b. 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. Ephesians 2:8-9
c. And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. Genesis 6:7-8
d. But we(Gentiles) believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they(Jews). Acts 15:11
e. Don’t abuse grace:
1. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. Jude 1:4
2. Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound… What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Romans 5:20-6:2
II. GRACE REQUIRES CONFORNTATION John 8:1-5
a. And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. John 8:3-4
b. And the man that committeth adultery with another man's wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death. Leviticus 20:10
c. It is easy to become self righteous and condemn everyone but your yourself. It is easy to attack/blame those that cannot defend themselves.
d. And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul… Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon. 2 Samuel 12:7-9.
e. For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Romans 3:23
f. We need to be confronted in order to get better.
1. And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Ephesians 4:11-12
2. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
III. GRACE INSTILLS CONVICTION John 8:6-9
a. So when they continued asking Him, He lifted up Himself, and said unto them, he that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her… And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. John 8:7-9
b. For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Romans 3:23
c. And this is the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN… TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. Daniel 5:25-27
d. There is a marked difference between conviction and condemnation .
• There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Romans 8:1
e. Grace inspires one to do more: But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 1 Corinthians 15:10
f. The next time you feel superior and ready to “stone” someone for their sins stop and read YOUR LIST. And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32

IV. GRACE PROVIDES COMFORT John 8:10-11
a. When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. John 8:10-11
b. Grace says in spite of our sin we are somebody:
1. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. Psalm 139:14
2. But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
c. Grace says in spite of our sin we need compassion
1. Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you. 1 Peter 5:7
2. And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. Luke 15:20
d. Grace says in spite of our sin we need the Truth:
1. Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that It cannot save; neither His ear heavy, that It cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear. Isaiah 59:1-2
2. For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Romans 3:23

e. Grace says in spite of our sin we need hope:
1. Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. Isaiah 1:18
2. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9