The New Christian's Handbook Part 4

Preface

I'll be posting a part each day, then when done will post a link to a downloadable pdf that is .

There are many other pamphlets and courses for new Christians that are much better than this, but perhaps this might help, encourage, stimulate, and ground someone in the faith. That is my only intent. This copy is Copyright © 2019 by Len Gane All rights reserved but the pdf download version 10 April 19 only is .

The New Christian’s Handbook Part 4

Basic Doctrine

B1 Statement

http://www.ccel.org/creeds/apostles.creed.html

1. I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:

2. And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord:

3. Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary:

4. Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead and buried: He descended into hell:

5. The third day he rose again from the dead:

6. He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty:

7. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead:

8. I believe in the Holy Spirit:

9. I believe in the holy Christian church: the communion of saints:

10. The forgiveness of sins:

11. The resurrection of the body:

12. And the life everlasting. Amen.

B2 You can read my comments on the Apostle’s Creed here.

B3 Study the material. Look up the Bible verse to know the context. You might want to look up the topic in Torrey's New Topical Textbook . If you go to the link, look up the topic (the first one is God). Hover over the verse and the reference will be readable. You can also find more themes of these topics from Manser’s Dictionary of Bible Themes. For further study with explanations, consider Great Doctrines of the Bible by Evans. If you want more in your study consider the Society of Evangelical Arminians Links and Books.

C8 Statement 8: I believe in the Holy Spirit: (further study)

D1 Acts 5:3-4 NKJV But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? 4 While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.

D2 Acts 13:2 NKJV As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, "Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.

D3 1 Corinthians 2:13 NKJV These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

C9 Statement 9: I believe in the holy Christian church: the communion of saints:

D1 I believe in the holy Christian church (further study)

E1 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 NKJV For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free--and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. For in fact the body is not one member but many.

E2 Romans 12:4-5 NKJV For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.

D2 the communion of saints: (further study)

E1 1 John 1:3 NKJV that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.

E2 John 14:23 NKJV Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.

E3 1 Corinthians 1:9 NKJV God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

C10 Statement 10: The forgiveness of sins: (further study you might want to scroll down. Also see here)

D1 Ephesians 1:7 NKJV In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace

D2 Hebrews 10:17-18 NIV Then he adds: "Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more." And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary.

C11 Statement 11: The resurrection of the body: (further study here and here)

D1 1 Corinthians 15:12-13 NIV But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised.

D2 Romans 6:5 NKJV For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection.

D3 John 5:28-29 NKJV Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice "and come forth--those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.

C12 Statement 12: And the life everlasting. Amen: (further study)

D1 John 6:40 NRSV This is indeed the will of my Father, that all who see the Son and believe in him may have eternal life; and I will raise them up on the last day.

D2 John 3:36 NRSV Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but must endure God's wrath.

B4 Questions

C1 Define the term (each line) in your own words.

C2 Do the Scriptures offered explain and give reasonable credence to the statements? Explain.

C3 How does knowing the creed and what it means helpful to your Christian faith?

C4 If any of the creed is not believed, can that person be a Christian? Explain.

New Christian's Handbook Part 3

Preface

I'll be posting a part each day, then when done will post a link to a downloadable pdf that is .

There are many other pamphlets and courses for new Christians that are much better than this, but perhaps this might help, encourage, stimulate, and ground someone in the faith. That is my only intent. This copy is Copyright © 2019 by Len Gane All rights reserved but the pdf download version 10 April 19 only is .

The New Christian’s Handbook Part 3

Basic Doctrine

Apostles' Creed

B1 Statement

http://www.ccel.org/creeds/apostles.creed.html

1. I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:

2. And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord:

3. Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary:

4. Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead and buried: He descended into hell:

5. The third day he rose again from the dead:

6. He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty:

7. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead:

8. I believe in the Holy Spirit:

9. I believe in the holy Christian church: the communion of saints:

10. The forgiveness of sins:

11. The resurrection of the body:

12. And the life everlasting. Amen.

B2 You can read my comments on the Apostle’s Creed here.

B3 Study the material. Look up the Bible verse to know the context. You might want to look up the topic in Torrey's New Topical Textbook . If you go to the link, look up the topic (the first one is God). Hover over the verse and the reference will be readable. You can also find more themes of these topics from Manser’s Dictionary of Bible Themes. For further study with explanations, consider Great Doctrines of the Bible by Evans. If you want more in your study consider the Society of Evangelical Arminians Links and Books.

C1 Statement 1: I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.

D1 I believe in God (further study)

E1 Isaiah 44:6 NRSV Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god.

E2 Isaiah 37:16 NRSV O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, who are enthroned above the cherubim, you are God, you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; you have made heaven and earth.

E3 Deuteronomy 4:34-35 NRSV Or has any god ever attempted to go and take a nation for himself from the midst of another nation, by trials, by signs and wonders, by war, by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, and by terrifying displays of power, as the LORD your God did for you in Egypt before your very eyes? 35 To you it was shown so that you would acknowledge that the LORD is God; there is no other besides him.

D2 [I believe in] the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth (further study God, God’s Work, and The Trinity)

E1 Genesis 1:1 NRSV In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth.

E2 John 1:1-4 NRSV In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4 in him was life, and the life was the light of all people.

E3 Acts 14:15 NRSV Friends, why are you doing this? We are mortals just like you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them.

C2 Statement 2 [I believe in] And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord: (further study)

D1 [I believe in] and Jesus Christ

E1 Luke 2:11 NRSV to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.

E2 John 20:28 NRSV Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!"

D2 his only begotten Son,

E1 John 3:16 WEL For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, so that anyone believing in him should not perish but have everlasting life.

E2 Proverbs 30:4 GW [To the audience] Who has gone up to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in the palm of his hand? Who has wrapped water in a garment? Who has set up the earth from one end to the other? What is his name or the name of his son? Certainly, you must know!

D3 our Lord:

E1 Romans 1:3 WEL Concerning his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who came from the offspring of David, according to the flesh.

E2 Acts 2:36 WEL "Therefore let the whole house of Israel confidently know that God has made this same Jesus whom you have crucified both Lord and Christ."

C3 Statement 3 Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary:

D1 Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit (further study)

E1 Luke 1:35 PickNT In answer the angel said to her: "Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will hover over you; precisely for this reason the holy One who is to be born will be called 'Son of God'!

E2 Matthew 1:20 NIV But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.

D2 born of the Virgin Mary (further study)

E1 Luke 2:5-7 PickNT to enroll himself with Mary, the woman who had been betrothed to him,3 who was pregnant. 6, So it happened that when they got there the days for her to give birth were completed; 7, and she gave birth to her firstborn Son, wrapped Him in pieces of cloth and laid Him in the manger, because there was no room for them in the lodging place.

E2 Matthew 1:25 NIV But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

E3 Galatians 4:4 NIV But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law.

C4 Statement 4: Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead and buried: He descended into hell:

D1 Suffered under Pontius Pilate (further study: Jesus’s suffering, Crucifixion, Body of Christ, Prophecies about Christ)

E1 Luke 23:24-25 GW Pilate decided to give in to their demand. 25 He freed Barabbas, who had been put in prison for rioting and murdering, because that's what they wanted. But he let them do what they wanted to Jesus.

E2 John 19:1 NIV Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged.

D2 was crucified, dead, (further study)

E1 John 19:33-34 NIV But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus' side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water.

E2 Mark 15:43-45 NIV Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body. Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already died. When he learned from the centurion that it was so, he gave the body to Joseph.

D3 and buried (further study)

Matthew 27:59-60 NIV Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.

John 19:40-42 NIV Taking Jesus' body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.

D4 He descended into hell: (further study)

E1 Psalms 16:10 NKJV For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. (Note, it is written “...my soul in Sheol,” and not body in Sheol).

Luke 23:43 NKJV And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise." (Note, some believe that Jesus and the saved criminal went to heaven).

(Also see Ephesians 4:9-10, 1 Peter 3:18-20, Matthew 12:40). “Hell” has 2 compartments as seen in the Lord Jesus speaking of Lazarus and the Rich Man. Lazarus went to a place of comfort, but the Rich Man went to a place of torment. They were in the same place. Each side was separated by a great chasm. Compare Did Jesus Go To Hell?

C5 Statement 5: The third day he rose again from the dead: (further study: here (this is a pdf book by Dr Gary Habermas) and here (Dr. Habermas’ articles and books)).

D1 1 Corinthians 15:3-6 NKJV For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. 6 After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep.

D2 Acts 10:39-40 NKJV And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree. 40 Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly.

C6 Statement 6: He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty:

D1 He ascended into heaven, (further study)

E1 John 6:62 NRSV Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?

E2 Acts 1:9-11 NRSV When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. 11 They said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.

D2 and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty (further study scroll down)

E1 Colossians 3:1 NIV Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

E2 Mark 14:62 NIV "I am," said Jesus. "And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.

E3 Romans 8:34 NIV Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died--more than that, who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

C7 Statement 7: From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead: (further study)

D1 1 Peter 4:5 NKJV They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

D2 2 Timothy 4:1 NKJV I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom.

D3 2 Corinthians 5:10 NRSV For all of us must appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may receive recompense for what has been done in the body, whether good or evil.

New Christian Handbook Part 2

Preface

I'll be posting a part each day, then when done will post a link to a downloadable pdf that is .

There are many other pamphlets and courses for new Christians that are much better than this, but perhaps this might help, encourage, stimulate, and ground someone in the faith. That is my only intent. This copy is Copyright © 2019 by Len Gane All rights reserved but the pdf download version 10 April 19 only is .

The New Christian's Handbook Part 2

Basic Doctrine

Reasonable or Not?

B1 The beginning (I don’t necessarily agree with all the presenters, but they give some reasons for a beginning).

C1 Videos

D1 God vs Atheism: Which is more rational? (Video link)

D2 Does Science Argue For or Against God? (Video link)

D3 Does God Exist? 4 New Arguments (Video link)

D4 Teleological Argument - Dr. William Lane Craig vs Dr. Sean Carroll (Video Link)

D5 Professor John Lennox | God DOES exist (Video link)

D6 What is the Kalam Cosmological Argument? - William Lane Craig (Video link) or The Kalam Cosmological Argument (Video link)

C2 Questions

D1 Are we Christians because of experience (“I feel God”) or because of evidence (“I believe, because it is most reasonable”)?

D2 Does science, properly understood as observation, refute Christianity?

D3 Which arguments seem best to you for explaining God’s existence that are most reasonable?

B2 The Gospels (Is it reasonable)?

C1 Videos

D1 Good Reasons to Trust the Gospels As Eyewitness Accounts (Video link)

D2 Are The New Testament Documents Historically Credible? (Video link)

D3 Compare these 2 videos

E1 Bart Ehrman: The Gospels Were Not Written by Eyewitnesses (Video link)

E2 Are the Gospels Eyewitness Accounts? From J. Warner Wallace at Cold Case Christianity (Video link)

D4 Eyewitnesses Never Agree (Video link)

C2 Questions

D1 Is it reasonable that the Gospels are eyewitness accounts (those titled Matthew and John) or journalists who had collaboration with eyewitnesses (Mark and Luke)? Support your answer.

D2 How does one evaluate if one is an eyewitness?

D3 Why don’t eyewitnesses tell exactly the same account?

The New Christian's Handbook Part 1

I'll be posting a part each day, then when done will post a link to a downloadable pdf that is .

There are many other pamphlets and courses for new Christians that are much better than this, but perhaps this might help, encourage, stimulate, and ground someone in the faith. That is my only intent. This copy is Copyright © 2019 by Len Gane All rights reserved but the pdf download version 10 April 19 only is .

The New Christian's Handbook Part 1

Pray at the start

Read the material

Answer the questions

Pray again

Basic Bible Interpretation

B1 This is based on the Principles of the Literal Bible Interpretation by Cooper Abrams III. 
B2 The 11 Rules given by by Dr. Abrams III.

1. Follow the Customary Usages of the language (Example: Revelation 20:6). This is the rule, "If the literal sense makes sense, seek no other sense." 
2. Commit no historical or cultural blunders. (Example: Deuteronomy 13:5. Israel was to stone to death false prophets, but we have no command for this today). 
3. Make Christ central in all interpretations. (Example: John 5:38) 
4. Be conscious of context. (Example: 1 Corinthians 15:32. Is Paul teaching that our life is to be spend as "let us eat, drink, for tomorrow we die?" No, we understand by the context that Paul is teaching the opposite). 
5. Interpret by the analogy of the faith. (Example: 2 Timothy 3:16. Scripture is not the words of religious leaders but God Himself. Also, Hosea 12:10 teaches that God spoke to the prophets and gave the visions that they wrote about). 
6. Recognize the progress of revelation. (Example: Genesis 3:15 is understood by most to be foretelling the coming of Messiah, but no details are given to recognize him. The details are revealed over thousands of years by the prophets). 
7. Grant one interpretation to each passage. (Example: Genesis 15:18. Abraham understood the passage to be a promise of a chunk of real estate from the river in Egypt to the Euphrates, so should we. We are not to surmise that the mention of the Euphrates means the Persian Gulf). 
8. Choose the simplest alternative. (Example: Judges 11:30-40. Did Jephthah really cut up and burn his daughter as a sacrifice? NO! God would have punished him, for God hates murder. His daughter took a vow of virginity. Read the context and choose the simplest alternative). 
9. Never invent explanations to silent areas of Scripture. (Example: Heaven is spoken up as being up. Where is up? To guess a certain area of the universe would be inventing an explanation). 
10. Never theorize to accommodate man's views or modern science. (Example: God spoke the knowledge of creation to Moses. Do we assume the higher authority of science or believe God? Is the "gap theory" of past generations the explanation because of science)? 
11. Never base a doctrine on one passage of Scripture. (Example: 1 Corinthians 15:29. Are we to baptize dead people like the Mormons? Since it is not taught anywhere else, it seems most reasonable that Paul is not giving a command but an example).

B3 Read and study the Bible in its plain, normal sense. For example: John 3:16 NKJV For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. Some interpret the word world not to mean all humans but only the elect. When they read this verse, they would understand that it means all humans. But, they think, this cannot be, for I know that God died and was sent only for the elect. So instead of understanding it correctly, they corrupt it by their theology. The same could be said for hell, second chance, soul sleep, rapture, and many others. We MUST make sure that we don’t put our theology over the Scriptures. 

B4 Assignment. Give the plain, normal sense to the following Scriptures.

1. 1 Timothy 2:1-4 GNB First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, requests, and thanksgivings be offered to God for all people; 2 for kings and all others who are in authority, that we may live a quiet and peaceful life with all reverence toward God and with proper conduct. 3 This is good and it pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to come to know the truth.
2. John 3:12-18 WEL "If I told you earthly things, and you won't believe, how will you believe, if I tell you about heavenly things? 13 "No one has gone up to heaven, except he who came down from heaven, the Son of Man who is in heaven. 14 "As Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, even so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 “So that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, so that anyone believing in him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 "For God did not send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through him. 18 "The one who believes in him is not judged, but the one who does not believe is judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 
3. James 2:14-26 WEL What does it profit, my brothers, if a man says he has faith and not works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister becomes naked and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say to them, "Leave in peace, may you be warm and filled [with food]," yet you do not give them those things which they need for the body. What good [is it]? 17 And so, if faith does not have works, it is dead in itself. 18 Someone may say, "You have faith, and I have works. You show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works." 19 You believe that God is one? You do well; the devils also believe and shudder. 20 But will you understand, you senseless man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Wasn't Abraham, our father, justified by works when he had offered Isaac, his son, on the altar? 22 See how faith worked together with his works, and [how] faith was made complete by works? 23 The Scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him for righteousness," and he was called the Friend of God. 24 You see then how a person is justified by works and not by faith only. 25 In the same way, wasn't Rahab, the harlot, justified by works when she had received the messengers and sent [them] out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

A Few Thoughts on Matthew 11:28

Matthew 11:28 NKJV Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28 WEL Come to me, all who are exhausted and burdened, and I will give you rest.

This well known passage spoken by the Lord Jesus is still wonderful in its meaning and applications.

Matthew 11:25-30 is a prayer and message from the Lord Jesus.

Prayer

B1 He begins by praying. Prayer is not that difficult activity that many people make it out to be. Like my daughter states, “People have a way of making God’s ways complicated.” Prayer is simply talking to God, our Father.

B2 In His prayer, He thanks His Father that the Gospel is easy to understand. It is not complicated that it needs specially gifted intellects and thinkers to study, understand it, and then communicate it to us. It is easy enough for children to understand.

B3 Next, He mentions how good this is, which reminds me of God’s creation (before Adam’s sin) was judged to be good (Genesis 1:31).

Message

B1 The Lord Jesus then speaks of what Arminians label prevenient grace.

B2 God initiates salvation.

B3 No one can know God, Father or Son, unless God reveals it to all people (Romans 3:10-18 and John 16:8-10).

B4 It is simply impossible for humans to seek or know God, unless God reveals Himself but opening the heart and clearing the mind and understanding (Acts 16:14, John 1:9, and John 12:46, etc.).

Invitation

Come

C1 The word come is imperative; it is emphatic. Often, the Bible speaks of obeying or disobeying the Gospel. If we obey God’s, “Come,” we are wise, but the disobedient are foolish. Compare Romans 10:16, 2 Thessalonians 1:8, and 1 Peter 4:17.

C2 God does not give an invitation that is not genuine. He comes to seek and save the lost, and all people are lost (Luke 19:10).

C3 The word for labor (exhausted) is κοπιάω kopiáō Strong’s G2872. It means to work until one is worn out, exhausted. This word, for instance, is used by Peter in Luke 5:5 NIV Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” So, the burdened writer states in Psalm 38:4 WEB For my iniquities have gone over my head. As a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me.

C4 The word for heavy ladened (burdened) is φορτίζω phortízō Strong’s G5412. It means be weighed down, overloaded with a burden too heavy to carry.

C5 The Holy Spirit opens our soul to the heavy burden of sin. We feel guilty. Examples:

D1 Genesis 42:21 NASB Then they said to one another, "Truly we are guilty concerning our brother, because we saw the distress of his soul when he pleaded with us, yet we would not listen; therefore this distress has come upon us.

D2 Psalm 51:2, 9 CSB Completely wash away my guilt and cleanse me from my sin. ... Turn your face away from my sins and blot out all my guilt.

C6 The word for rest is ἀναπαύω anapauō Strong’s G373 which means to lie down and relax, to be at ease, to rest. The heavy burden is not being carried any more. We cannot do this our self; it is the work of God who can.

C7 It is rest that we long for. If we come, he will give us rest. This is the rest from guilt. Life still will be tough. The world does not like the Jesus of the Bible. I read the other day that on the average 115 Christians die every day for the faith, but they still have rest in their souls.

Take

C1 The word take is also a command (imperative).

C2 God does not just forgive us but gives us a responsibility, too.

C3 Our former Master and slave owner is the devil. He is harsh and controlling. Beware of people and pastors like that.

D1 John 8:44 NLT For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.

D2 The Lord Jesus came to destroy the devil’s work. 1 John 3:8 NLT But when people keep on sinning, it shows that they belong to the devil, who has been sinning since the beginning. But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil.

C4 A yoke is referring to the yoke of animals to control and work. Instead of a heavy yoke and unbearable work, the Lord Jesus offers us a light yoke and work that we can bear.

D1 Luke 6:46 NLT So why do you keep calling me 'Lord, Lord!' when you don't do what I say?

D2 John 14:15, 23-24 NLT If you love me, obey my commandments. ... Jesus replied, "All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them. Anyone who doesn't love me will not obey me. And remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me.

C5 Vincent (Vincent’s Word Studies) comments: ...though it is impossible to find an English word which combines them all. Christ's yoke is wholesome, serviceable, kindly. “Christ's yoke is like feathers to a bird; not loads, but helps to motion” (Jeremy Taylor).

C6 Matthew Henry comments: Here we may find rest for our souls, and here only. Nor need we fear his yoke. His commandments are holy, just, and good. It requires self-denial, and exposes to difficulties, but this is abundantly repaid, even in this world, by inward peace and joy. It is a yoke that is lined with love. So powerful are the assistances he gives us, so suitable the encouragements, and so strong the consolations to be found in the way of duty, that we may truly say, it is a yoke of pleasantness. The way of duty is the way of rest.

God bless!

Addictions An Evangelistic Message

Problems of addiction

Personal

Overwhelmed, isolated, out of control, anxiety (themselves and others), prone to other problems, fetal alcohol syndrome (as well as various drug damaged baby brains), cancer, impaired judgment, pain, injuries, won't deal with problems except more addiction, being taken advantage of, prison, loss of everything including job, family, self esteem, increased early death, loss of love, etc.

Family

Interpersonal problems, jealousy, arguments, all types of abuse, pulling apart, conflict with children, fear, conflict over money, loss of employment, health costs, emotional trauma, yelling, falling down, insults, manipulating, violence, cheating, other addictions (porn, internet sex, prostitution), risky behavior in family members, acting out, children more likely to follow your addiction, emotional problems in children, loss of love, loss of commitment, homelessness, etc.

Society

Health care, accidents, poor judgment, out of control character, stealing, etc (need for money), etc.

How many addictions are there?

B1 No one knows.

B2 Whatever is pleasurable, demanding, repetitive, a necessity.

B3 The 8 main ones are gambling, sex, internet, shopping, video games, plastic surgery, food, risky behavior.

B4 A quote from Everyday Health:

But alcohol, uppers, downers, and other commonly abused substances aren't the only things Americans abuse or think they're addicted to. In fact, just substitute the word "behavior" for "substance," and you open up the definition of addiction to all kinds of dependencies, some of which may surprise you. Whether it's sex, the Internet, or bungee jumping, the desire to experience a "high" becomes so strong that the so-called addict loses control and seeks the activity despite all negative consequences.

As serious, troubling, sorrowful, burdensome addiction is, there is one addiction that is the worst. It affects all of us.

That addiction is sin.

B1 Sin is pleasurable: Hebrews 11:24-25 GW When Moses grew up, faith led him to refuse to be known as a son of Pharaoh's daughter. 25 He chose to suffer with God's people rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a little while.

B2 It is the “natural” thing to do. It is what we want to do: Ephesians 2:3 GNB Actually all of us were like them and lived according to our natural desires, doing whatever suited the wishes of our own bodies and minds. In our natural condition we, like everyone else, were destined to suffer God's anger.

B3 Desires for pleasure: James 4:1-3 GNB Where do all the fights and quarrels among you come from? They come from your desires for pleasure, which are constantly fighting within you. 2 You want things, but you cannot have them, so you are ready to kill; you strongly desire things, but you cannot get them, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have what you want because you do not ask God for it. 3 And when you ask, you do not receive it, because your motives are bad; you ask for things to use for your own pleasures.

B4 Our own desires. We cannot blame anyone but ourself: James 1:14-15 GNB But we are tempted when we are drawn away and trapped by our own evil desires. 15 Then our evil desires conceive and give birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

What is sin?

B1 Lawlessness is rebellion against known law or a standard. 1 John 3:4 WEL Everyone doing sin, also is doing lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.

B2 God has summarized His law in 10 precepts:

C1 You must not have any other Gods except me.

C2 You must not have any idols. (a physical representation of a god made of wood, stone, metal, etc.).

C3 You must not blaspheme God’s name or character.

C4 You must keep the Sabbath holy. (This one is for Israel, for it is not repeated in the New Testament. Christians celebrate Jesus’s resurrection. So, 1 Corinthians 16:2 NIV On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made).

C5 You must honor your father and mother.

C6 You must not murder.

C7 You must not commit adultery. (This includes porn).

C8 You must not steal. (This includes stealing of time).

C9 You must not bear false witness against your neighbor. (This includes any lying).

C10 You must not covet.

B3 These 10 must be kept perfectly in thoughts, desires, words, and deeds. Compare:

C1 Thoughts and desires: Matthew 5:28 NIV But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

C2 Words: Revelation 16:11 WEL And blasphemed the God of heaven, because of their intense pain and ulcers, but they did not repent of their deeds.

B4 The penalty for breaking God’s laws is death.

C1 The penalty is compared to a paycheck: I work and my payment is death. Romans 6:23 WEL For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

C2 The one who sins will die: Ezekiel 18:4 BSB Behold, every soul belongs to Me; both father and son are Mine. The soul who sins is the one who will die.

C3 The body dies and becomes compost: Genesis 3:19 NIV By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.

C4 The soul is punished for eternity: Matthew 25:46 NRSV And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.

What is the solution?

B1 Truth. For any addiction, we must acknowledge that we are addicted. We must acknowledge the truth about us. We are addicted. Regarding sin, we have sinned.

B2 God sends light for us to understand that we have sinned. He shed this light, this understanding, over us by the Holy Spirit, who initiates salvation.

B3 We must confess, that is, agree with God’s opinion about us.

B4 Believe and trust into Jesus Christ.

B5 Live by His grace.

What Can We Learn?

B1 All of us have an addiction. This addiction is sin.

B2 Sin is breaking God’s law.

B3 Breaking God’s law requires punishment.

B4 Punishment is physical death, spiritual, and eternal death.

B5 Someone must be punished. It is either me for my sin, or a substitute.

B6 The only substitute is the Son of Man, Jesus Christ.

B7 He requires agreement that we are sinners, acknowledging He is the only savior, and trust in Him for forgiveness of sin.

B8 There is a Christian life to live.

B9 There is a hope for heaven after death and a sin free world coming in the future.

B10 Our only hope is Jesus Christ.