A Few Thoughts About Preaching

2 Timothy 3:16-17 CSB All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

All preaching is to be based solidly on the Bible.

To teach

B1 To know what we believe

C1 Gospel

C2 Doctrine

B2 To know why we believe what we do

C1 Apologetics (we have a reasonable faith)

C2 How Christianity answers the big questions of life

B3 To know what a Christian worldview and lifestyle is

To convict

B1 Of sin

B2 Of truth

To expose sin leading to repentance

B1 The purpose of exposure is to lead to repentance and be converted (from their sin whether Christian or non-Christian).

B2 It is not unloving to preach about sins listed in the Bible

B3 We do NOT have to mention names or situations, unless it is abuse or other crime that we have to warn others of

B4 It protects the church, so we will be more pleasing to our Father

B5 To explain heresies

To encourage

B1 In words

B2 In deeds

B3 In help

B4 In fellowship

B5 In emotions

B6 In faith

B7 In families

B8 In persecution

To strengthen

B1 Faith

B2 Belief

B3 Trust

B4 Bible study

B5 Prayer

B6 Fellowship

B7 Serving

B8 Evangelism

Some things to not preach

B1 People are naturally good

B2 A pep talk

B3 A little tidbit to entertain

B4 A cute story to amuse

B5 A little story

B6 Politics

B7 Only current events

B8 Only social issues

B9 And many other similar things that can be discussed elsewhere other than church

A Few Thoughts on Proverbs 21:21

Proverbs 21:21 NKJV He who follows righteousness and mercy Finds life, righteousness, and honor.

Pursues (follows)

B1 The word pursue (follows) is רָדַף râdaph (Strong’s H7291). It means “to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively (of time) gone by).”

B2 We need

C1 Desire

C2 Motivation

C3 Ability

C4 Strength

C5 Dedication

B3 God’s grace awakens the desire and need. God’s grace will give the ability and strength, and we have been delegated the motivation and dedication.

Righteousness

B1 Is doing God’s will in thoughts, desires, words and deeds.

B2 The Lord Jesus is our example: Hebrews 1:8-9 NIV But about the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.”

Mercy

B1 The foundation and motivation for mercy is love.

B2 Showing mercy does not mean forgive and forget.

B3 Mercy is a kindness.

B4 Ephesians 2:4-5 NLT But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God's grace that you have been saved!)

C1 Mercy because of love.

C2 Even though we deserved death, He gave us life when He raised Jesus from death. This is for us who believed and put our trust into Jesus.

C3 Without God’s grace to initiate salvation, we would have no salvation.

Find

B1 Something that was lost, hidden, not available.

B2 It implies our effort.

B3 God’s grace is necessarily.

Life

B1 We can best understand what life means when we consider what dead is.

B2 Starting human life is important, but the most important choice is eternal life or eternal death.

B3 We find eternal life after being awakened by God’s Spirit and place our trust in Jesus.

B4 The contrast shown; a choice to be made:

C1 Matthew 7:13-14 GNB Go in through the narrow gate, because the gate to hell is wide and the road that leads to it is easy, and there are many who travel it. 14 But the gate to life is narrow and the way that leads to it is hard, and there are few people who find it.

C2 The choice between luke and fate (Gad and Meni) or Yahweh. Of the Jews, God said: Isaiah 65:11-12 GNB But it will be different for you that forsake me, who ignore Zion, my sacred hill, and worship Gad and Meni, the gods of luck and fate. 12 It will be your fate to die a violent death, because you did not answer when I called you or listen when I spoke. You chose to disobey me and do evil.

Righteousness as already mentioned

Honor

B1 To a lesser extent, it refers to honor and blessings in this life. To Israel God gave the blessings and curses (Deuteronomy 30:19), which are mainly to the things in this life.

B2 To a much greater extent, it refers to the honors and blessings we receive after death (if we are believers). 1 Corinthians 2:9 NLT That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.

If God is our shepherd, then Psalm 23:1, 6 NIV The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. ... Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

So let us pursue God and His ways.

John 14:15 NLT If you love me, obey my commandments.

A Few Thoughts About Teaching the Christian Life

Philippians 4:9 WEL Those things, which you have learned, received, heard, and seen in me, do, and the God of peace will be with you.

We must have these traits already.

Learned

• Purpose: Proverbs 1:1-7 NLT These are the proverbs of Solomon, David's son, king of Israel. Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline, to help them understand the insights of the wise. Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just, and fair. These proverbs will give insight to the simple, knowledge and discernment to the young. Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. Let those with understanding receive guidance by exploring the meaning in these proverbs and parables, the words of the wise and their riddles. Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
• Correction: Proverbs 12:1 NLT To learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction.
• God teaches us, too: Matthew 16:17 NLT Jesus replied, "You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being.
• From illustrations: Matthew 24:32 NLT "Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branches bud and its leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is near.
• From godly mentors: Philippians 3:17 NLT Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example.
• Know the source of all wisdom and knowledge: Colossians 1:9-10 NLT So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.
• Learning from chastisement: 1 Timothy 1:20 NLT Hymenaeus and Alexander are two examples. I threw them out and handed them over to Satan so they might learn not to blaspheme God.
• Learning to live Godly lives (from New Testament instructions: 1 Timothy 4:8, 11 NLT "Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come." ... Teach these things and insist that everyone learn them.
• Learned from gentle instruction before we were believers: 2 Timothy 2:25 NLT Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people's hearts, and they will learn the truth.

Received

• Acknowledge the source: John 3:27 NLT John replied, "No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven.
• By reading and studying the Scriptures: 2 Timothy 3:15 NLT You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.
• From others living a Christian lifestyle: 2 Timothy 3:10 NLT But you, Timothy, certainly know what I teach, and how I live, and what my purpose in life is. You know my faith, my patience, my love, and my endurance.
• From our brothers and sisters: Colossians 3:16 NLT Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.

Heard

• From hearing the Scriptures read: 1 Timothy 4:13 NLT Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them.
• We need someone to tell us: Romans 10:14 NLT But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?
• Hearing encouraging words: Ephesians 4:29 NLT Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

Seen

• Seeing the damage of bad examples: 2 Kings 13:6 NLT But they continued to sin, following the evil example of Jeroboam. They also allowed the Asherah pole in Samaria to remain standing.
• Follow Jesus’s good example: John 13:15 NLT I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.
• By working diligently to supply for ourselves and a little more to help others: Acts 20:35 NLT And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"
• Live a life of love. This does include telling hard to hear truths: Ephesians 5:2 NLT Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.
• Live what you teach both in private and pubic: Titus 2:7 NLT And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching.

Apply

• Confessing and forsaking sins: Proverbs 28:13 NLT People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.
• Apply what we read and are taught (in truth): Proverbs 22:17 NLT Listen to the words of the wise; apply your heart to my instruction.

Results

• How to live: Psalm 119:7 NLT As I learn your righteous regulations, I will thank you by living as I should!
• How to know God’s ways: Romans 12:2 NLT Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
• By learning and apply it, we receive: Proverbs 14:14 NLT Backsliders get what they deserve; good people receive their reward.
• We learn and apply it: Proverbs 14:22 NKJV Do they not go astray who devise evil? But mercy and truth belong to those who devise good.

Do

• The Lord Jesus says: John 13:17 PickNT If you understand these things, you are blessed if you do them.
• The Apostle says: James 1:22 NKJV But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
• We do what we believe. Doing does not forgive sins. Doing shows we are forgiven and changed: James 2:18 NLT Now someone may argue, "Some people have faith; others have good deeds." But I say, "How can you show me your faith if you don't have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds."
• Finally, Matthew 7:24-27 NLT "Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won't collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn't obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash."

We need and He gives grace to help us: Hebrews 13:9 NLT So do not be attracted by strange, new ideas. Your strength comes from God's grace, not from rules about food, which don't help those who follow them.

A Few Thoughts On The Last Days Church

Tommy Ice lists:

The following is a list of the seven major passages that deal with the last days for the church: 1 Timothy 4:1-3; 2 Timothy 3:1-5; 4:3-4; James 5:1-8; 2 Peter 2:1-22; 3:3-6; Jude 1-25. Every one of these passages emphasizes over and over again that the great characteristic of the final time of the church will be that of apostasy. The New Testament pictures the condition within the professing church at the end of the age by a system of denials.

Denial of GOD — Luke 17:26; 2 Timothy 3:4-5

Denial of CHRIST — 1 John 2:18; 4:3; 2 Peter 2:6

Denial of CHRIST’S RETURN — 2 Peter 3:3-4, Luke 12:45

Denial of THE FAITH — 1 Timothy 4:1-2; Jude 3

Denial of SOUND DOCTRINE — 2 Timothy 4:3-4, 1 Timothy 4:1-2

Denial of THE SEPARATED LIFE — 2 Timothy 3:1-7, 2 Peter 2:19

Denial of CHRISTIAN LIBERTY — 1 Timothy 4:3-4

Denial of MORALS — 2 Timothy 3:1-8,13; Jude 1:18

Denial of AUTHORITY — 2 Timothy 3:4, 2 Peter 2:10-12

Denial of Truth [My add] — Romans 1:18, Romans 1:25, 2 Timothy 3:8

These are areas of theology and the Christian Life.

Notes:

Some relevant passages

• 1 Timothy 4:1-3
• 2 Timothy 3:1-5
• 2 Timothy 4:3-4
• James 5:1-8
• 2 Peter 2:1-22
• 2 Peter 3:3-6
• Jude 1:1-25

We need affirmation

Affirmation of GOD — Romans 1:18-20, John 1:1, 1 Corinthians 8:5-6

Affirmation of CHRIST — Romans 1:18-20, John 10:30-33

Affirmation of CHRIST’S RETURN — Matthew 24:30, Matthew 25:31, Acts 1:11

Affirmation of THE FAITH — Hebrews 11:6, James 2:23

Affirmation of SOUND DOCTRINE — 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Titus 2:1

Affirmation of THE SEPARATED LIFE — 1 Corinthians 9:21, Romans 6:1-2

Affirmation of CHRISTIAN LIBERTY — Galatians 4:8-12, 1 Peter 2:16

Affirmation of MORALS — 1 John 2:15-17, Romans 12:1-2

Affirmation of AUTHORITY — Matthew 28:18, Ecclesiastes 12:14, John 5:22, 2 Corinthians 5:10

Affirmation of Truth [My add] — John 17:17, Proverbs 6:16-19

The Denials

Denial of GOD

• Denial as in rejection
  • Titus 1:16 NLT Such people claim they know God, but they deny him by the way they live. They are detestable and disobedient, worthless for doing anything good.
  • 2 Timothy 3:4-5 NKJV Traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
• Denial as in atheism
  • Romans 1:25 NKJV Who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
  • Romans 1:28 NKJV And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;

Denial of CHRIST

• Denial as in reject
  • 1 John 2:18 NKJV Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour.
  • 1 Peter 2:7 GNB This stone is of great value for you that believe; but for those who do not believe: "The stone which the builders rejected as worthless turned out to be the most important of all."
• Denial as in disown
  • 2 Timothy 2:12 GNB If we continue to endure, we shall also rule with him. If we deny him, he also will deny us.
  • Mark 8:38 GNB If you are ashamed of me and of my teaching in this godless and wicked day, then the Son of Man will be ashamed of you when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."

Denial of CHRIST’S RETURN

• 2 Peter 3:3-4 NKJV Knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation."
• Luke 12:45 NKJV "But if that servant says in his heart, 'My master is delaying his coming,' and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and be drunk,

Denial of THE FAITH

• 1 Timothy 4:1-2 NKJV Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron,
• Jude 1:3 NKJV Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.

Denial of SOUND DOCTRINE

• 2 Timothy 4:3-4 NRSV For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths.
• 1 Timothy 4:1-2 WEB But the Spirit says expressly that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 through the hypocrisy of men who speak lies, branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron.

Denial of THE SEPARATED LIFE

• 2 Timothy 3:1-7 NKJV But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
• 2 Peter 2:19 NLT They promise freedom, but they themselves are slaves of sin and corruption. For you are a slave to whatever controls you.

Denial of CHRISTIAN LIBERTY

• 1 Timothy 4:3-4 NKJV Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving;

Denial of MORALS

• 2 Timothy 3:1-8, 13 NKJV But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; ... But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.
• Jude 1:18 NKJV How they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts.
• Jude 1:4 NLT I say this because some ungodly people have wormed their way into your churches, saying that God's marvelous grace allows us to live immoral lives. The condemnation of such people was recorded long ago, for they have denied our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

Denial of AUTHORITY

• 2 Timothy 3:4 NKJV Traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.
• 2 Peter 2:10-12 NRSV —especially those who indulge their flesh in depraved lust, and who despise authority. Bold and willful, they are not afraid to slander the glorious ones, 11 whereas angels, though greater in might and power, do not bring against them a slanderous judgment from the Lord. 12 These people, however, are like irrational animals, mere creatures of instinct, born to be caught and killed. They slander what they do not understand, and when those creatures are destroyed, they also will be destroyed.

Denial of TRUTH

• Romans 1:18 NRSV For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and wickedness of those who by their wickedness suppress the truth.
• Romans 1:25 GW These people have exchanged God's truth for a lie. So they have become ungodly and serve what is created rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen!
• 2 Timothy 3:8 LEB And just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these oppose the truth, people corrupted in mind, disqualified concerning the faith.

We need affirmation

Affirmation of GOD — Romans 1:18-20, John 1:1, 1 Corinthians 8:5-6

Affirmation of CHRIST — Romans 1:18-20, John 10:30-33

Affirmation of CHRIST’S RETURN — Matthew 24:30, Matthew 25:31, Acts 1:11

Affirmation of THE FAITH — Hebrews 11:6, James 2:23

Affirmation of SOUND DOCTRINE — 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Titus 2:1

Affirmation of THE SEPARATED LIFE — 1 Corinthians 9:21, Romans 6:1-2

Affirmation of CHRISTIAN LIBERTY — Galatians 4:8-12, 1 Peter 2:16

Affirmation of MORALS — 1 John 2:15-17, Romans 12:1-2

Affirmation of AUTHORITY — Matthew 28:18, Ecclesiastes 12:14, John 5:22, 2 Corinthians 5:10

Affirmation of Truth [My add] — John 17:17, Proverbs 6:16-19

The Affirmations

Affirmation of GOD

• 1 Corinthians 8:5-6 NIV For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many "gods" and many "lords"), yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.
• John 1:1 NIV In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
• Romans 1:18-20 NIV The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

Affirmation of CHRIST

• Romans 1:18-20 NIV The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
• John 10:30-33 NIV I and the Father are one." Again his Jewish opponents picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus said to them, "I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?" "We are not stoning you for any good work," they replied, "but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God."

Affirmation of CHRIST’S RETURN

• Acts 1:11 NIV "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."
• Matthew 24:30 NIV "Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.
• Matthew 25:31 NIV "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne.

Affirmation of THE FAITH

• Hebrews 11:6 NIV And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
• James 2:23 NIV And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's friend.

Affirmation of SOUND DOCTRINE

• Titus 2:1 NIV You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine.
• 2 Timothy 3:16-17 CSB All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Affirmation of THE SEPARATED LIFE

• 1 Corinthians 9:21 NLT When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ.
• Romans 6:1-2 NLT Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?

Affirmation of CHRISTIAN LIBERTY

• Galatians 4:8-12 NLT Before you Gentiles knew God, you were slaves to so-called gods that do not even exist. So now that you know God (or should I say, now that God knows you), why do you want to go back again and become slaves once more to the weak and useless spiritual principles of this world? You are trying to earn favor with God by observing certain days or months or seasons or years. I fear for you. Perhaps all my hard work with you was for nothing. Dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to live as I do in freedom from these things, for I have become like you Gentiles--free from those laws. You did not mistreat me when I first preached to you.
• 1 Peter 2:16 WEL [Live] as freeborn, yet not using [your] freedom as a cover for evil but as servants of God.

Affirmation of MORALS

• 1 John 2:15-17 NIV Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.
• Romans 12:1-2 NIV Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God--this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Affirmation of AUTHORITY

• Matthew 28:18 NIV Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
• Ecclesiastes 12:14 NIV For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.
• John 5:22 NIV Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son,
• 2 Corinthians 5:10 NIV For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

Affirmation of Truth [My add]

• John 17:17 NKJV Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
• Proverbs 6:16-19 NKJV These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.

A Few Thoughts About Living a Christian Lifestyle

Lifestyle defined: noun the habits, attitudes, tastes, moral standards, economic level, etc., that together constitute the mode of living of an individual or group. (Source)

The foundation, the first principle, of a lifestyle is

• Our human nature is corrupted by sin.
• Adam was the first sinner. Even though Eve committed the sin first, Adam is credited with the curse being on the universe. Sin brings destruction.
  • Romans 5:14 BSB Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who did not sin in the way that Adam transgressed. He is a pattern of the One to come.
  • 1 Corinthians 15:22 NKJV For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.
• Original sin is not that we are punished for Adam’s sin, for we are punished for our own sins. Original is the sin nature that we all have. It is “Me First.”
• We need to be born again, to have the new nature.

When God created the universe and everything in it, He made it according to His rules and attitudes.

• The first principle, in my opinion, is truth.
  • Psalm 31:5 CSB Into your hand I entrust my spirit; you have redeemed me, LORD, God of truth.
  • Hebrews 6:18 CSB So that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us.
• The second is love. Love is a choice, not necessarily an emotion. The actions of love in public and in private are found in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a.
• Love and truth are found together: 3 John 1:1 NET From the elder, to Gaius my dear brother, whom I love in truth.
• So we have the summary of the Law: Matthew 22:36-40 NIV "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
• This, in turn, is based on the Ten Commandments. The Ten Commandments are a summary of all God’s laws. Each commandment is a board category (I wrote about this here; scroll down to “Knowing temptation comes in 10 broad areas). Each can be in thoughts, desires, words, and deeds. Each is to be followed in public and in private.

In the New Testament

• There are approximately 1,000 rules for Christians. Here is one list: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22 NET Always rejoice, constantly pray, in everything give thanks. For this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not extinguish the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt. But examine all things; hold fast to what is good. Stay away from every form of evil.
• To know God’s rules for Christians in different categories for marriage or lying, we can see
  • Open Bible Topics
  • Knowing Jesus Topics

God’s rules don’t change

• Often people make the statement about God’s ways changing, but
  • God’s character does not change
    • 1 Samuel 15:29 NLT And he who is the Glory of Israel will not lie, nor will he change his mind, for he is not human that he should change his mind!"

• Numbers 23:19 NLT - God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?
• Hebrews 6:18 NLT - So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us.

• He rules His kingdom with His laws that do not change
• God’s character does not change regarding His laws or promises
  • Malachi 3:6 NRSV For I the LORD do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, have not perished.
  • James 1:17-18 NRSV Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. 18 In fulfillment of his own purpose he gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of his creatures.

What God hates: Galatians 5:19-21 WEB Now the deeds of the flesh are obvious, which are: adultery, sexual immorality, uncleanness, lustfulness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies, outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these; of which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit God’s Kingdom.

What God loves: Galatians 5:22-23 WEB But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, 23 gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

So living the principles of the Christian life today are the same as they were when Christianity began at Pentecost. The rules, the promises, what God loves, what God hates are the same. We can safely read the Bible and live a Christian life.

We learn God’s will by things we must do, things we must not do, examples of things that pleased God or displeased Him, and principles that we can apply in many ways.

A Few Thoughts About Temptation

1 Corinthians 10:12-13 WEL Therefore, the one who thinks he stands, beware lest he fall. 13 No temptation has taken you but what is common to humanity, but God is faithful who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, and with the temptation he will also make a way to escape, so that you can endure it.

We must be aware that we are weakest when we think we are strong.

A false confidence will lead to problems.

You’ve probably see pictures as this:

If we are confident we can overcome a temptation, a tempting situation, a tempting environment, etc., we probably will fall.

So Peter thought: Mark 14:31, 69-71 NET But Peter insisted emphatically, "Even if I must die with you, I will never deny you." And all of them said the same thing. ... When the slave girl saw him, she began again to say to the bystanders, "This man is one of them." But he denied it again. A short time later the bystanders again said to Peter, "You must be one of them, because you are also a Galilean." Then he began to curse, and he swore with an oath, "I do not know this man you are talking about!"

Temptation

Will happen:

• God does not tempt: James 1:13 NET Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one.
• The underlying principle of temptation is our desires. Even as Christians, we have desires. A desire that is godly is OK, but ungodly desires are wrong. A desire to eat is expected, but when it consumes us, overpowers us, and we indulge in overeating, we are addicted. Note, sin itself is addicting, for we cannot stop. Only God’s grace is suffice.

Need to be alert, aware, that temptation will happen:

• Matthew 26:41 NKJV "Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
• 1 Peter 5:8 NKJV Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

Help to be delivered. We cannot do it on our own: 2 Peter 2:9 NKJV Then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment.

Satan hates God and believers

He tempts, so Believers will fall away: 1 Thessalonians 3:5 NKJV For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain.

He makes sin attractive and stirs up our desires: James 1:13-15 NIV When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

Deliverance. We need to be

• Awareness of God’s grace: Romans 6:14 NLT Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God's grace.
• Awareness of seeking His wisdom: 2 Corinthians 1:12 NLT We can say with confidence and a clear conscience that we have lived with a God-given holiness and sincerity in all our dealings. We have depended on God's grace, not on our own human wisdom. That is how we have conducted ourselves before the world, and especially toward you.
• Awareness of temptation, even temptation from fake Christians: 2 Corinthians 1:12 NLT We can say with confidence and a clear conscience that we have lived with a God-given holiness and sincerity in all our dealings. We have depended on God's grace, not on our own human wisdom. That is how we have conducted ourselves before the world, and especially toward you.
• Avoid those things we know are dangerous as an alcoholic should not be a bartender.
• Be humble. As our verse states, “Therefore, the one who thinks he stands, beware lest he fall.” (1 Corinthians 10:12 WEL).
• Knowing that temptation comes in 10 broad areas.
  • Related to God
    • No other God except Yahweh, so anything of greater importance is sin
    • No images of God, since we do not know what God looks like, so no idols.
    • No blasphemy, so not to diss His name, His character, His actions, His decisions, His rules, His judgment, His attributes, etc.
    • One day a week special to God. The Sabbath is not repeated in the New Testament for Christians. Still, there needs to be one day of rest and worship.
  • Related to Humans
    • Honor parents, so respect them and help them if possible.
    • No murder
    • No adultery, so no sexual sins.
    • No stealing
    • No false witness, so no lying.
    • No coveting
  • These sins and temptation to sin can be in thoughts, desires, words, and/or deeds.
  • Temptation itself is not a sin
• We need to know God’s ways and thoughts. This can come only from reading and studying the Bible in its plain, normal sense.
• We need fellowship. We can’t make it alone if there are other believers available.
• We need to pray. Hebrews 4:16 NIV Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
• We need to realize that all sin is addictive. John 8:34 NLT Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin.
• We need to understand that even the greatest saints are tempted: Romans 7:23-25 NLT But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God's law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.

Some resources (I can’t vouch for the website but found these helpful).

7 Tips to Avoid Temptation

Overcoming Temptation

Daniel and many other sought God’s help: Daniel 6:11 NLT Then the officials went together to Daniel's house and found him praying and asking for God's help.

A Few Thoughts About Covering Up Sin

The Houston Chronicle has printed Abuse of Faith Part 4.

It is a must reading how religious leaders cover up their sins and the sins of other leaders, pastors, missionaries, teachers, and members. It is a disgrace to God, to Christianity, and to the leaders and members who are godly.

These fake Christians need to be exposed.

Covering up sin is dealt with in the Scriptures.

Ai

• Great victories had come to Israel. The army approached Ai, a small town. “Surely,” they thought, “we will easily win this battle.” They lost. They grieved. Joshua and the people wept, prayed to God, and complained, but God was angry and explained that Israel had sinned.
• God had commanded that whatever was in Jericho was God’s, not any individual’s. This had not been obeyed. It was covered up.
• A few of the verses:

Joshua 7:1, 3-4, 6-7, 10-11, 13-15, 20-22, 26 NLT But Israel violated the instructions about the things set apart for the LORD. A man named Achan had stolen some of these dedicated things, so the LORD was very angry with the Israelites. Achan was the son of Carmi, a descendant of Zimri son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah. ... When they returned, they told Joshua, "There's no need for all of us to go up there; it won't take more than two or three thousand men to attack Ai. Since there are so few of them, don't make all our people struggle to go up there." So approximately 3,000 warriors were sent, but they were soundly defeated. The men of Ai ... Joshua and the elders of Israel tore their clothing in dismay, threw dust on their heads, and bowed face down to the ground before the Ark of the LORD until evening. Then Joshua cried out, "Oh, Sovereign LORD, why did you bring us across the Jordan River if you are going to let the Amorites kill us? If only we had been content to stay on the other side! ... But the LORD said to Joshua, "Get up! Why are you lying on your face like this? Israel has sinned and broken my covenant! They have stolen some of the things that I commanded must be set apart for me. And they have not only stolen them but have lied about it and hidden the things among their own belongings. ... "Get up! Command the people to purify themselves in preparation for tomorrow. For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Hidden among you, O Israel, are things set apart for the LORD. You will never defeat your enemies until you remove these things from among you. "In the morning you must present yourselves by tribes, and the LORD will point out the tribe to which the guilty man belongs. That tribe must come forward with its clans, and the LORD will point out the guilty clan. That clan will then come forward, and the LORD will point out the guilty family. Finally, each member of the guilty family must come forward one by one. The one who has stolen what was set apart for destruction will himself be burned with fire, along with everything he has, for he has broken the covenant of the LORD and has done a horrible thing in Israel." ... Achan replied, "It is true! I have sinned against the LORD, the God of Israel. Among the plunder I saw a beautiful robe from Babylon, 200 silver coins, and a bar of gold weighing more than a pound. I wanted them so much that I took them. They are hidden in the ground beneath my tent, with the silver buried deeper than the rest." So Joshua sent some men to make a search. They ran to the tent and found the stolen goods hidden there, just as Achan had said, with the silver buried beneath the rest. ... They piled a great heap of stones over Achan, which remains to this day. That is why the place has been called the Valley of Trouble ever since. So the LORD was no longer angry.

Covering up a crime discussed: Genesis 37:26 NLT Judah said to his brothers, "What will we gain by killing our brother? We'd have to cover up the crime.

False prophets (and pastors and other religious workers today) cover up sins:

B1 Ezekiel 22:28 NLT And your prophets cover up for them by announcing false visions and making lying predictions. They say, 'My message is from the Sovereign LORD,' when the LORD hasn't spoken a single word to them.

B2 Another translation: Ezekiel 22:28 GNB The prophets have hidden these sins like workers covering a wall with whitewash. They see false visions and make false predictions. They claim to speak the word of the Sovereign LORD, but I, the LORD, have not spoken to them.

We are not to cover up but to expose.

Proverbs 28:13 NLT People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.

We are to hate evil, not cover it up: Romans 12:9 WEL Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil. Stick tightly to what is good.

The Lord Jesus exposed sin:

B1 John 3:20 NLT All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed.

B2 John 7:7 NLT The world can't hate you, but it does hate me because I accuse it of doing evil.

The prophets exposed sin: Amos 5:10-11 NLT How you hate honest judges! How you despise people who tell the truth! You trample the poor, stealing their grain through taxes and unfair rent. Therefore, though you build beautiful stone houses, you will never live in them. Though you plant lush vineyards, you will never drink wine from them.

The purpose of exposing sin is to bring conviction and repentance. Consider King David after he had raped Bathsheba and ordered her husband to be murdered.

B1 He acknowledges his sin: Psalms 51:3 NRSV For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.

B2 He acknowledges his sin is against God: Psalms 51:4 NRSV Against you, you alone, have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are justified in your sentence and blameless when you pass judgment.

B3 He acknowledges original sin (the sin nature that all humans have except for the Lord Jesus): Psalms 51:5 NRSV Indeed, I was born guilty, a sinner when my mother conceived me.

B4 He acknowledges God’s value placed on truth. God knows everything, so we might as well agree with God’s opinion. Psalms 51:6 NRSV You desire truth in the inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart.

B5 He acknowledges that only God can forgive sin: Psalms 51:7 NRSV Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

B6 He acknowledges that only God can fix what is broken in a person’s soul: Psalms 51:10 NRSV Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.

B7 David doesn’t ask for happiness; he pleads for joy in his soul that only God can give: Psalms 51:12 NRSV Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit.

B8 He acknowledges that God doesn’t want penance, instead God wants a broken (that is not proud) attitude: Psalms 51:17 NRSV The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

Please Forgive Me