Believers Serving One Another

Ephesians 4:11-16 Mace It is he then that made some, apostles: some, prophets: some, evangelists: and others, pastors, and teachers: 12 thus fitly qualifying his servants for their respective offices, in order to build up the body of Christ: 13 till being united in a perfect belief, and acknowledgment of the son of God, we grow up to that full state of maturity required by Christ: 14 that we should be no longer children, fluctuating, and carried about with every empty doctrine, by men vers'd in sleight and the crafty arts of deceit: 15 but being sincere in mutual love, may be entirely united to Christ, who is the head: 16 from which the whole body fitly framed, and compacted by the entire adherence and contribution of every part performing its respective function, increases and improves itself by the mutual concern of the parts.

We learn

B1 There is no teaching on 2 classes of church workers—priests and laity

C1 We are brothers and sisters.

D1 Matthew 23:8 CSB But you are not to be called 'Rabbi,' because you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers and sisters.

D2 Galatians 6:10 Williams So then whenever we have an opportunity, let us practice doing good to everybody, but especially to the members of the family of faith.

C2 Each brother and each sister has a gift given by God for a purpose. There might be different measures and different affects but each has a gift from God.

D1 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 NIV There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.

D2 1 Corinthians 12:12 NIV Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.

D3 Romans 12:4-5 NIV For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.

D4 1 Corinthians 12:13-14 NIV For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body--whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.

C3 The one standing before the congregation is only a human who is exercising the gift God gave.

C4 There are fakes who are only naturally gifted with intellect, theology, philosophy, etc.

C5 God’s gift to us has spiritual fruit. Galatians 5:22-23 NLT But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

C6 We need to use that gift. 1 Peter 4:10 NLT God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.

C7 We need to be faithful to use it. 1 Peter 4:10 NIV Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms.

B2 Our motive for using gifts is to edify the brothers and sisters and to glorify God.

B3 Using our gifts properly will help all of us stay faithful to the end instead of vacillating from one belief to another.

Thoughts on Discipling Part 3 Doctrine Part C

E6 Holiness

F1 Definition

G1 The Hebrew word is קֹדֶשׁ qôdesh.

G2 It seems to have the idea of separation. God’s face is hidden in the fire and cloud. He is separate from sinners. It also seems to me that it has the idea what is dead stinks. All of creation in dying. Sin brings death. What is dead stinks. God doesn’t like the smell. There is no death or stench in heaven or in the presence of God. So the illustration shows the avoidance of God regarding sin and sinners.

G3 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. In this passage we notice the sinless (holy) Messiah, Jesus, being a wonderful odor as the pleasing sacrifice for our sins. Note too, sin is mentioned as repulsive to God. God wants us to have a changed life.

G4 The holy anointing oil was pleasant: Exodus 30:25 CSB Prepare from these a holy anointing oil, a scented blend, the work of a perfumer; it will be holy anointing oil.

G4 There also seems to be a contrast between something clear and pure and something filthy. Thus, a separation of the two.

H1 One translation: Isaiah 35:8 NASB A highway will be there, a roadway, And it will be called the Highway of Holiness. The unclean will not travel on it, But it will be for him who walks that way, And fools will not wander on it.

H2 Another with additional verses: Isaiah 35:8-10 GNB There will be a highway there, called "The Road of Holiness." No sinner will ever travel that road; no fools will mislead those who follow it. 9 No lions will be there; no fierce animals will pass that way. Those whom the LORD has rescued will travel home by that road. 10 They will reach Jerusalem with gladness, singing and shouting for joy. They will be happy forever, forever free from sorrow and grief.

F2 Bible verse:

G1 Hebrews 12:14 CSB Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness—without it no one will see the Lord.

G2 Hebrews 9:28 NLT so also Christ died once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him.

G3 Hebrews 10:10 NLT For God's will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time.

G4 God alone can cleanse from the filth of sin: Isaiah 1:18 NLT Come now, let's settle this," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.

E7 Humility

F1 Definition: The Greek word is ταπεινός tapeinós. It means humble. Sometimes we understand the word better if we see the opposite, the antonym—arrogant, conceited, egotistical, etc.

F2 Bible verse: Matthew 11:29 NRSV Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

F3 Example: Matthew 21:5 NLT Tell the people of Jerusalem, 'Look, your King is coming to you. He is humble, riding on a donkey—riding on a donkey's colt.

F4 Philippians 2:5-8 NLT You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal's death on a cross.

E8 Judgment

F1 Definition

G1 He is the Supreme Judge.

G2 It is related to His justice (see below).

G3 It is seen in His words (Deuteronomy 5:1), His deeds (Exodus 6:6), and His promise of future decisions.

G4 God is judge of all beings: Acts 10:42 NLT And he ordered us to preach everywhere and to testify that Jesus is the one appointed by God to be the judge of all—the living and the dead.

G5 He judges our public and private life: Romans 2:16 NLT And this is the message I proclaim—that the day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone's secret life.

F2 Bible verse

G1 Micah 4:3 NLT The LORD will mediate between peoples and will settle disputes between strong nations far away. They will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will no longer fight against nation, nor train for war anymore.

G2 Psalm 96:12-13 NLT Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy! Let the trees of the forest rustle with praise before the LORD, for he is coming! He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with justice, and the nations with his truth.

E9 Just

F1 Definition

G1 Something perfectly aligned with a standard without favoritism to anyone.

G2 The Hebrew word is צַדִּיק tsaddîyq. It means just, honest, righteous, virtuous, etc.

H1 Isaiah 53:11 NASB As a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see it and be satisfied; By His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many, As He will bear their iniquities. [Emphasis is mine]

H2 Deuteronomy 32:4 NIV He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.

H3 Isaiah 45:21 NLT Consult together, argue your case. Get together and decide what to say. Who made these things known so long ago? What idol ever told you they would happen? Was it not I, the LORD? For there is no other God but me, a righteous God and Savior. There is none but me.

G3 The Greek word is δίκαιος díkaios. It means to obey laws, innocent, without guilt. In the Bible, it has the sense of perfectly obeying God’s laws in thoughts, desires, words, and deeds aligning ourselves to God’s thoughts, desires, words, and deeds.

H1 1 Peter 3:18 MKJV For Christ also once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, indeed being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the Spirit.

H2 John 5:30 NIV By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.

H3 1 John 2:29 CSB If you know that he is righteous, you know this as well: Everyone who does what is right has been born of him.

G4 It also has the idea of fulfilling assigned duties perfectly.

F2 The standard for this obedience is God Himself. He is just in every good way we have defined. Psalm 96:12-13 NLT Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy! Let the trees of the forest rustle with praise before the LORD, for he is coming! He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with justice, and the nations with his truth.

F3 A comment from the Biblical Illustrator OT on Ecclesiastes 8:11 regarding 2 methods of God’s judgment:

G1 There is a swift method the Lord sometimes takes with sinners (Malachi 3:5). Sometimes the sinner has an ill work in design, and the Lord counts his will for the deed, and prevents by a speedy execution; as in Haman's case. He hatched the mischief, but be did not see it come forth. Sometimes the sinner is in actual motion to the ill work, and execution is done on him ere he get it performed. So it fared with the rebellious Israelites, in their attempting to go into the promised land (Numbers 14:44, 45).

G2 There is a slow method the Lord takes oftentimes with sinners (Nehemiah 9:17). They commit their evil works; the sentence is presently passed for them: but then the execution is delayed (Psalm 50:21). The sinner may get his evil work contrived and accomplished, without any let in this way from Heaven, by any execution against him. The ill work being done without let [hindrance—editor], the sinner may also for a time pass unpunished, and as little notice may seem to be taken of it as if there were not a God to judge upon the earth (Ezekiel 9:9). Nay, sinners may prosper in an ill course. So far may they be from execution done against them, that they may thrive in the world in it (Psalm 37:35). When execution is at length begun, it may be carried on very leisurely for a time: the drops may come very few and soft before the shower (Isaiah 9:1). More than all that, the execution may be entirely put off during this life.

A Few Thoughts About Assurance

A short time ago I had a conversation with a brother who claimed that Arminians can be saved today and lose their salvation tomorrow. I challenged him to provide me the theologian, theological article, book, teacher, pastor, church group that believed that. He absolutly refused to do so, but he insisted that I provide a time frame for how soon a person can lose their faith.

The conversation:

JK I would want to be clear that the Arminian version of Lordship salvation and insecurity are even worse, and that at least Calvin and Luther rejected the Catholic and Arminian teaching that you can have eternal life and be truly saved one day/month/year and be lost again the next. May God be gracious to all the godly souls who have been unnecessarily fearful because of that teaching. “Perfect love casts out fear.”

Len I do not know of any reputable Wesleyan or Baptist (Free Will, etc.) that would believe that saved one day and lost the next. NONE! Check it out: http://evangelicalarminians.org/?s=apostasy 

JK Len, which is why I specifically said "day/month/year". Do Arminians not believe that you can be saved in 2019 but be "cut off" in 2020? Or does it take longer than that? The article doesn't give any time frame required for a cutting off, but according to what they teach, it has to happen at a point or in a range of time, for it obviously can't happen apart from time.

Len JK No, we don't believe that. There is no time. Only Calvinists believe in exhaustive determinism and all is rendered certain. How can anyone state a time? You are the first I ever heard this in studying this topic for over 50 years. Only God knows the future. When someone crosses that point, only God can judge. Where do you get these ideas? Please give me a link to the article you get your information on "...according to what they teach..." I would like to read it.

JK I guess I would simply ask you the question: Is it possible to be once saved and subsequently lost again? If yes, then time is of necessity at issue. If no, then you admit eternal security, and the final cutting off of one who once gained eternal life is impossible.

Len I absolutely do not understand this time factor. Did you dream this up on your own thinking, my brother? I have never in over 50 years have heard anything of this nature. I have not read it in theology books, articles, theologians, pastors, absolutely no one. I also do not understand your black/white demand of time. Are you thinking of one moral sin in losing salvation? Most Arminians would reject that. We believe there is a drifting from the faith which results in final apostasy. I cannot answer your question without a reference to a theology book, theology article, theologian, church group, pastor, teacher anyone who teaches your misunderstanding of Wesleyan Arminians and Baptist Arminian belief. Please provide someone, anyone, who teaches what you claim so I can study this. I cannot find any Wesleyan or Baptist Arminian theologian or article that addresses that topic. Please provide this, in the mercies of our Lord Jesus.

JK Len, I’d rather not continue a potentially fruitless discussion. I believe you and I should be able to discuss such a matter without asking for a link or citation from others; it would be regrettable if we couldn’t. When you speak of a drifting from the faith that results in final apostasy, could I really be faulted for believing that such drifting involves time? I would challenge you, brother, to explain how you haven’t just used temporal references to describe the path to final apostasy and, I assume, perdition.

Len JK I do believe, J, you know of no one who teaches this. The following link is what I and most Arminians believe. I have links to what I believe. Your strawman arguments are fruitless, brother.

Cheers. http://evangelicalarminians.org/the-facts-of-salvation-s.../ 

What most of us believe. I’ll let your imagination find a date.

The FACTS of Salvation S: Security in Christ

I’m not a very wise person, but pray I honored the Scriptures and the Lord Jesus.
—oOo—
The possibility of falling (being cut off—Romans 11:22). Some do not believe this, so I will not argue you.
The main verses usually cited for the possibility to apostatize. I read and understand the Scriptures in their plain, normal sense in context:

B1 Notice, God is the one who cuts off. We must not be arrogant. Romans 11:22 CSB Therefore, consider God's kindness and severity: severity toward those who have fallen but God's kindness toward you—if you remain in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off.

B2 Hebrews 3:12 CSB Watch out, brothers and sisters, so that there won't be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.

B3 Persecution sometimes will cause one to apostatize: Luke 8:13 CSB And the seed on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy. Having no root, these believe for a while and fall away in a time of testing.

B4 Turning away from God’s love and love for God to love something else instead: 2 Timothy 4:10 CSB because Demas has deserted me, since he loved this present world, and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.

B5 They were partakers of the Holy Spirit: Hebrews 6:4-6 WEB For concerning those who were once enlightened and tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the age to come, 6 and then fell away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance; seeing they crucify the Son of God for themselves again, and put him to open shame.

Assurance

B1 Romans 8:16-17 CSB The Spirit himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God's children, and if children, also heirs—heirs of God and coheirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

B2 The verse implies that we can know: 2 Corinthians 13:5-6 CSB Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith. Examine yourselves. Or do you yourselves not recognize that Jesus Christ is in you?—​unless you fail the test. And I hope you will recognize that we ourselves do not fail the test.

A video: Matt O’Reilly, “Can Christians Lose Their Salvation (Arminianism vs. Calvinism) | Romans 9-11” (5+1/2 Minute Video) If that link does not work, try this: http://evangelicalarminians.org/matt-oreilly-can-christians-lose-their-salvation-arminianism-vs-calvinism-romans-9-11-51-2-minute-video/

An article: John Wesley on Assurance: Can You Know You’re Saved?

We can safely sleep at night, for it is not us to keep it, it is God who is faithful. If we continually and persistently live in unbelief, then God will cut us off.

Thoughts on Discipling Part 3 Doctrine Part B

E3 Forgiving

F1 Definition

G1 Definition:

G2 The Hebrew word is נָשָׂא nâsâʼ It means  (Qal) to take, take away, carry off, forgive.

G3 The problem is a standard—God’s standard as seen in the 10 Commandments (Exodus 20).

G4 Any person can obey God’s law or disobey God’s law.

G5 Those who disobey will be judged and sentenced.

G6 Somebody must be punished.

G7 Sin is a debt that must be paid, but no one can pay it:

H1 Peter’s question and the Lord Jesus’s answer and illustration of sin and forgiveness as debt is written in Matthew 18:21-35.

H2 Matthew 6:12 NIV And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

G8 Sin is spoken of as something earned in Romans 6:23 NLT For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.

G9 Jesus died in our place. He is the perfect sacrifice. He is sinless and stepped in voluntarily to be the Savior, our Messiah. Hebrews 9:22, 27-28 NLT In fact, according to the law of Moses, nearly everything was purified with blood. For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness. ... And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment, so also Christ died once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him.

G10 Forgiveness is granted because God paid the debt. It is not earned:

H1 Romans 4:3-5 NLT For the Scriptures tell us, "Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith." When people work, their wages are not a gift, but something they have earned. But people are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners.

H2 Colossians 2:13-14 NLT You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.

G11 We died to sin with Christ: Colossians 2:20 NLT You have died with Christ, and he has set you free from the spiritual powers of this world. So why do you keep on following the rules of the world, such as...

G12 God’s forgiveness is for all who confess their sins, believe, trust, and ask God for forgiveness, which God will give. Romans 10:9-11 NLT If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. As the Scriptures tell us, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.

G13 An example of calling and trusting in God. Luke 18:13 NLT But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, 'O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.

F2 Bible verse

G1 Belief is necessary. God wants to forgive, if we are willing: Acts 10:43 PickNT To Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes into Him will receive forgiveness of sins.

G2 Through Jesus’s shed blood as the perfect sacrifice: Ephesians 1:7 PickNT in whom we have the redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace

G3 We must agree with God and confess our sins: 1 John 1:9 PickNT If we confess our sins He is faithful and righteous so as to forgive us those sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

F3 Example:

G1 God forgives on certain conditions. We must admit the truth that we have sinned, broken God’s rules. 1 John 1:9 CSB If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

G2 Sometimes God never forgives: Mark 3:28-29 WEL Truly I say to you, ‘All sins can be forgiven the sons of men and blasphemies as many as they will blaspheme. 29 “But the one who blasphemes the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness but is in danger of eternal damnation.” (Pickering remarks: Perhaps 1% of the Greek manuscripts, of objectively inferior quality, read 'sin' instead of 'condemnation', to be followed by NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.).

E4 Giving

F1 Definition

G1 There are 3 Hebrews words that have the idea of giving:. There is one in Greek δίδωμι, dı́dōmi.

G2 Giving is an attitude best understood as the opposite of getting. Acts 20:35 CSB In every way I've shown you that it is necessary to help the weak by laboring like this and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, because he said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.

G3 It is related to compassion and kindness.

F2 Bible verse

G1 God gives many things: Psalm 65:9-13.

G2 God gives people many things. Much of the suffering and poverty is the result of greed—greedy governments, greedy people, greedy_____. God gets blamed but He is not greedy. Some of the food shortages come from the curse because of Adam’s sin.: Acts 14:17 CSB Although he did not leave himself without a witness, since he did what is good by giving you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons and filling you with food and your hearts with joy.

F3 Example:

G1 One of the many things God gives is wisdom: James 1:5 NLT If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. G2 Another is life: 1 Corinthians 15:45 NLT The Scriptures tell us, "The first man, Adam, became a living person." But the last Adam—that is, Christ—is a life-giving Spirit.

E5 Goodness/Grace (gracious)

F1 Definition

G1 The Hebrew word for good is טוֹב ṭôwb. It means good in the sense of cheerfulness, pleasant, prosperous, happy, pleasing, etc. This is indeed a very pleasant being to interact with. This is Yahweh’s character.

G2 Contrast the character of God with the character of all people: Psalm 14:1 NLT For the choir director: A psalm of David. Only fools say in their hearts, "There is no God." They are corrupt, and their actions are evil; not one of them does good! 

G3 Romans 2:4 WEB Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and patience, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? 

F2 Bible verse

G1 A part of His character: Psalm 25:8 CSB The LORD is good and upright; therefore he shows sinners the way.

G2 Psalm 86:5 NLT O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help.

F3 Example: Exodus 33:19 WEB He said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you, and will proclaim Yahweh’s name before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.”

Thoughts on Discipling Part 3 Doctrine Part A

Doctrine

B1 What it is

C1 God’s character traits

D1 Communicable (a few for example) These are those humans have in common. Even though we have these in common, we do not have them in the same way as God. His are perfect; ours are not. His love is untainted; ours may be. His compassion is perfect; ours is not. As Christians grow in faith, the Holy Spirit progressively works in our lives to have these character traits more fully and godlier.

E1 Compassion

F1 Definition

G1 Definition: a feeling of sharing another's suffering, prompting a desire to relieve that suffering; commiseration; clemency.

G2 The Greek word is σπλαγχνίζομαι splanchnízomai. It means

F2 Bible verse

G1 Matthew 20:34 CSB Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes. Immediately they could see, and they followed him.

G2 Luke 10:33 CSB But a Samaritan on his journey came up to him, and when he saw the man, he had compassion.

G3 Luke 7:11-13 NLT Soon afterward Jesus went with his disciples to the village of Nain, and a large crowd followed him. A funeral procession was coming out as he approached the village gate. The young man who had died was a widow's only son, and a large crowd from the village was with her. When the Lord saw her, his heart overflowed with compassion. "Don't cry!" he said.

E2 Faithful

F1 Definition:

G1 Fulfilling one's duty or obligations in life

G2 The Greek word is πιστός pistós. It means to be trustworthy and reliable.

F2 Bible verse:

G1 Luke 16:10 NASB He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much.

G2 1 Corinthians 1:9 NIV God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

G3 1 Corinthians 10:13 NRSV No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.

Thoughts on Discipling Part 2 Gospel Part B

C3 Messiah

D1 Sin must be punished.

D2 Either I must be punished for my sin or a voluntary substitute.

D3 The substitute must be sinless or else the substitute must die for their own rebellion.

D4 The only sinless human is the eternal Messiah, Jesus (Yeshua). Hebrews 4:14-15 NRSV Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin.

D5 He had to NOT have Adam as an ancestor. Adam’s sin brought the curse of all the universe and as part of that curse, gave each descendant a sinful nature. Exodus 34:7 NLT I lavish unfailing love to a thousand generations. I forgive iniquity, rebellion, and sin. But I do not excuse the guilty. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children and grandchildren; the entire family is affected--even children in the third and fourth generations.

D6 His death was not only for you and me but for all humans. John 1:29 NLT The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

D7 He would have to be resurrected to prove He was sinless and God.

E1 Romans 1:4 NRSV and was declared to be Son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness by resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord.

E2 Many witnesses: Acts 4:33 MKJV And the apostles gave witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus with great power. And great grace was on them all.

C4 Faith

D1 Faith is believing God, that is, what He has said, what He has done, what He is doing, and what He will do.

D2 In faith, we must ask for salvation.

E1 Luke 18:13-14 NLT But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, 'O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.' I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

E2 Romans 10:13 NLT For "Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved."

B2 Application—Have you believed?

B3 Assurance—Knowing you are forgiven

C1 Faith is not a feeling.

D1 John 1:12-13 NLT But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.

D2 John 3:15-16 NLT So that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life. "For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

C2 Change of thoughts, desires, words, and deeds. For example, King Manasseh of Israel. 2 Chronicles 33:2-5, 10-13, 15-16 NLT He did what was evil in the LORD's sight, following the detestable practices of the pagan nations that the LORD had driven from the land ahead of the Israelites. He rebuilt the pagan shrines his father, Hezekiah, had broken down. He constructed altars for the images of Baal and set up Asherah poles. He also bowed before all the powers of the heavens and worshiped them. He built pagan altars in the Temple of the LORD, the place where the LORD had said, "My name will remain in Jerusalem forever." He built these altars for all the powers of the heavens in both courtyards of the LORD's Temple. ... The LORD spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they ignored all his warnings. So the LORD sent the commanders of the Assyrian armies, and they took Manasseh prisoner. They put a ring through his nose, bound him in bronze chains, and led him away to Babylon. But while in deep distress, Manasseh sought the LORD his God and sincerely humbled himself before the God of his ancestors. And when he prayed, the LORD listened to him and was moved by his request. So the LORD brought Manasseh back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh finally realized that the LORD alone is God! ... Manasseh also removed the foreign gods and the idol from the LORD's Temple. He tore down all the altars he had built on the hill where the Temple stood and all the altars that were in Jerusalem, and he dumped them outside the city. Then he restored the altar of the LORD and sacrificed peace offerings and thanksgiving offerings on it. He also encouraged the people of Judah to worship the LORD, the God of Israel.

Thoughts on Discipling Part 2 Gospel Part A

B1 What it is

C1 God’s character, kingdom, laws

D1 God’s character

E1 God’s character regarding the Gospel

F1 Holiness

G1 The summary of the Law: Mark 12:28-34 MKJV And coming up one of the scribes heard them reasoning, knowing that He had answered them well, he asked Him, Which is the first commandment of all? 29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, "Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord; 30 and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength." This is the first commandment. 31 And the second is like this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these. 32 And the scribe said to Him, Right, Teacher, according to truth You have spoken, that God is one, and there is no other besides Him. 33 And to love Him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love the neighbor as himself, is more than all the burnt offerings and sacrifices. 34 And seeing that he had answered intelligently, Jesus said to him, You are not far from the kingdom of God. And no one dared to question Him any more.

G2 The Ten Commandments

H1 A set of 10 commands (Exodus 20:1-17). These are broad sets of all types of sins.

H2 For example, Exodus 20:16 MKJV You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

I1 One article lists 7 lies: White lies, Bold-faced lies, exaggerated lies, deceptive lies, compulsive lies, lies of fabrication, duplicitous lies.

I2 These lies can be in thoughts, desires, words, and/or deeds.

H3 One can do this for all of the 10 commandments.

F2 Consistency

G1 What God believes and how He acts today has been, is, and will always be the same.

G2 Hebrews 13:8 MKJV Jesus Christ the same yesterday and today and forever.

E2 God’s character traits (see below under doctrine)

D2 God’s kingdom operates under His laws. There can be no disobedience.

C2 Obedience or rebellion

D1 We obey; we live. We disobey; we are punished.

D2 Obedience is based on

E1 Believing God

F1 John 14:1 MKJV Let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in Me.

F2 Hebrews 11:6 NLT And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

E2 Loving God: John 14:15 NLT If you love me, obey my commandments.

D3 Rebellion is based on

E1 Me first. The Bible has much to say of selfishness. I’ll paste 2:

F1 Matthew 16:24 NLT Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me.

F2 James 3:16 NLT For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.

E2 God’s way is this: Romans 15:1-3 AMPC WE WHO are strong [in our convictions and of robust faith] ought to bear with the failings and the frailties and the tender scruples of the weak; [we ought to help carry the doubts and qualms of others] and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each one of us make it a practice to please (make happy) his neighbor for his good and for his true welfare, to edify him [to strengthen him and build him up spiritually]. 3 For Christ did not please Himself [gave no thought to His own interests]; but, as it is written, The reproaches and abuses of those who reproached and abused you fell on Me. [Psalm 69:9]

E3 Punishment is forewarned to those who rebellion.

F1 God warns. His warning is not symbolic or to be taken allegorically.

G1 Matthew 10:28 NLT Don't be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

G2 Ezekiel 18:4 NLT For all people are mine to judge—both parents and children alike. And this is my rule: The person who sins is the one who will die.

G3 Romans 3:10 NLT As the Scriptures say, "No one is righteous—not even one.

F2 Eternally conscious torment and suffering. It is also not symbolic or to be taken allegorically. In the verses below the emphasis is mine.

G1 Luke 16:24 NLT The rich man shouted, 'Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.'

G2 Jude 1:12-13 NLT When these people eat with you in your fellowship meals commemorating the Lord's love, they are like dangerous reefs that can shipwreck you. They are like shameless shepherds who care only for themselves. They are like clouds blowing over the land without giving any rain. They are like trees in autumn that are doubly dead, for they bear no fruit and have been pulled up by the roots. They are like wild waves of the sea, churning up the foam of their shameful deeds. They are like wandering stars, doomed forever to blackest darkness.

G3 Revelation 14:11 NLT The smoke of their torment will rise forever and ever, and they will have no relief day or night, for they have worshiped the beast and his statue and have accepted the mark of his name.

G4 Revelation 19:20 NLT And the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who did mighty miracles on behalf of the beast—miracles that deceived all who had accepted the mark of the beast and who worshiped his statue. Both the beast and his false prophet were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.

G5 Revelation 20:10 NLT Then the devil, who had deceived them, was thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulfur, joining the beast and the false prophet. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

F3 It never ends. The door to hell only opens to let someone in; it never opens to let someone out. Matthew 25:46 NLT And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life.