HOW TO KNOW GOD AND HAVE PEACE WITH HIM
John 1:1-5
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.
John 1:10-13
He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.
John 3:14-18
Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.
John 5:24
I tell you the truth; whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.
John 6:29
Jesus answered, The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."
John 6:40
For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.
John 11:25-27
Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this? Yes, Lord, she told him. I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.
John 14:6
Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
John 20:30,31
Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Acts 2:22-28, 21
Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge: and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.. (v21) And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
Acts 4:12
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.
Acts 13:38-39
Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sin is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified by the law of Moses.
Romans 3:10-12,23
There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless: there is no one who does good, not even one. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Romans 5:1-2
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith in this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
Romans 5:8
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 10:9,13
..That if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ...for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
Ephesians 2:8
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast.
Ephesians 2:13-16
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one (Jew and Gentile) and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.
Colosians 1:15-20
He (Christ Jesus) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood shed on the cross.
Revelation 3:20
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.
CHRIST'S RETURN
Matthew 24:36
No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, NOR THE SON, but only the Father.
Luke 12:40
You must also be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
Acts 1:6-7
So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?"
He said to them, "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority..."
I Thessalonians 1:10
...and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead -- Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.
I Thessalonians 4:13-18
Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not proceed those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words.
I Thessalonians 5:1
NOW, BROTHERS, ABOUT TIMES AND DATES WE DO NOT NEED TO WRITE TO YOU. FOR YOU KNOW VERY WELL THAT THE DAY OF THE LORD WILL COME LIKE A THIEF IN THE NIGHT
II Thessalonians 2:1-12
Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come. Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God. Don't you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things? And now you know that is holding him back, to that he may be revealed at the proper time. For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work: but the one who holds it back (the HOLY SPIRIT) will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the spender of his coming. The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.
CHRISTIAN LIVING, HARDSHIP, SUFFERING
What is the offense of the Gospel? What is it about the Gospel that causes us to ignore it or brings out contempt in those who disbelieve?
- The veracity of the man Jesus Christ and HIS story - the virgin birth, death and resurrection.
- We become responsible / accountable for our actions / lives.
- The FREE GIFT OF LIFE obtained by FAITH rather than salvation by works and effort.
- The life of a Christian is lived by faith, demonstrating faith by a life of love towards others and a secure, well founded hope stored up for us in heaven.
Persecutions come because of :
- Those who refuse to accept responsibility / accountability for their actions or who are forced into a position of being responsible / accountable for their actions ~~ kill the messenger with the message thinking that responsibility and accountability will go away.
- Envy and jealousy of those who don't accept the message.
- Envy and jealousy of those who may realize a decline in income as a result of the message.
- A life-style change from that of the group norm.
Psalms 34:19
A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all......
Daniel 7:21
As I watched, this horn was waging war against the saints and DEFEATING THEM, until the Ancient of Days came and pronounced judgment in favor of the saints of the Most High....
Daniel 7:25
He will speak against the Most High and oppress his saints and try to change the set times and the laws. THE SAINTS WILL BE HANDED OVER TO HIM FOR A TIME, TIMES AND HALF A TIME.
Daniel 11:32
With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist him.
Daniel 11:35
Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the end,.....
John 16:2
...in fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God.
II Corinthians 6:4-10
...in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as imposters; known yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.
II Corinthians 12:10
...I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Philippians 1:29
For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him,...
Philippians 3:10
I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.
I Thessalonians 1:6
...You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of SEVER SUFFERINGS, you welcomed the message with the JOY given by the Holy Spirit.
Thessalonians 2:2
...but with the help of God we dared to tell you his gospel in spite of strong opposition...
I Thessalonians 2:4
...We are not trying to please men but God, WHO TESTS OUR HEARTS.
I Thessalonians 2:14
...You suffered from your own countrymen the same things those churches suffered from the Jews, who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out.
I Thessalonians 3:2-4
We sent Timothy...to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. YOU KNOW QUITE WELL THAT WE WERE DESTINED FOR THEM. IN FACT, WHEN WE WERE WITH YOU, WE KEPT TELLING YOU THAT WE WOULD BE PERSECUTED....
CHRISTIAN ATTITUDE
Luke 12:15
..."Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."
Luke 12:22-31
Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what your will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.....your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
Philippians 3:7-8
But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus, my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him.
Philippians 3:13-14
...But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called he heavenward in Christ Jesus
Colossians 1:3-5
We always thank God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints -- the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven..
I Thessalonians 1:3
We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by FAITH, your labor prompted by LOVE, and your endurance inspired by HOPE in our Lord Jesus Christ.
I Thessalonians 2:13
...when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.
DEFINITIONS
- Freedom:
- (in Christ) Free from the requirement to observe the (Mosaic) "LAW" for justification and salvation. In Christ we are set "free" from the grip of our base human nature with it's passions and lusts and "free" to serve Christ and develop the fruit of the spirit.
- Gentiles:
- Anyone who is not Jewish
- Jews:
- People of the covenant of God
- Law / Mosaic law:
- (rules, regulations, commands, ceremonial obligations) the Jews had to keep in order to stay in God's favor and maintain God's covenant.
- Love:
- (human point of view) An emotion dependent on circumstances, situation, the object being "loved".
- Love:
- (God's point of view) An attitude independent of circumstances.
DISCIPLINE
Proverbs 22: 14
The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit; he who is under the Lord's wrath will fall into it
John 15:1,2
I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, so that it will be even more fruitful.
Hebrews 12:7,10
Endure hardship as discipline........but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
I Peter 1:6-7
in this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your FAITH - of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire - may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
FAITH AND OBEDIENCE, RIGHTEOUSNESS
- FAITH
- is the door by which we enter into God's kingdom. OUR CHOICE is the key to open the door
- is a seed that is planted in every person that must be watered and cared for in order to grow and mature.
- is a gift given by God that must be developed and refined.
- OBEDIENCE
- is the action, attitude, desire to do what God asks of us. It is OUR CHOICE.
FAITH AND OBEDIENCE working together produce RIGHTEOUSNESS. We are considered RIGHTEOUS when we FAITHFULLY OBEY GOD in all that HE asks us to do.
Deuteronomy 6: 24, 25
The Lord commanded us to OBEY all these decrees and to fear the Lord our God, so that we might always prosper and be kept alive, as is the case today. And IF we are careful to OBEY all this law before the Lord our God, as he has commanded us, THAT WILL BE OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Habakkuk 2:4 (Galatians 3:11)
...but the righteous will live by his faith....
John 1:12
Yet to all who received (chose) him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God -- children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.
Romans 10:17
"Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard though the word of Christ."
Romans 12:3
"For by the grace given to me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you."
Galatians 2:16
We...know that a man is not justified by observing the (Jewish) law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the (Jewish) law, because by observing the (Jewish) law no one will be justified.
Galatians 2:20
...The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loves me and gave himself for me.
Galatians 3:8-9
The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: "All nations will be blessed through you." So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
Galatians 3:14
He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
Galatians 3:22, 24, 25
But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe. ...So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law. You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus
Galatians 5:6
...The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.
Ephesians 1:13
...Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 3:12
In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.
Ephesians 3:16-17
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.
Hebrews 10:38
But my righteous one will live by faith, and if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him.
Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:3
By faith........(read the complete chapter)
Hebrews 11:6
"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who come to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."
Hebrews 12:2
"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
James 1:2, 3
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
I Peter 1:6, 7
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith - of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire - may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
James 2:17, 22, 26
"In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."
"You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did."
"As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead."
II Peter 1:1
Faith is a gift from God. It is our responsibility to ADD TO OUR FAITH....
II Peter 1:5-7
....Goodness, Knowledge, Self-control, Perseverance, Godliness, Brotherly kindness, Love
GIVING THANKS - ACKNOWLEDGING / HONORING GOD
Deut. 8:17, 18
You may say to yourself, My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me. But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirming his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today.
Psalm 44:3
It was not by their sword that they won the land, nor did their arm bring them victory; it was your right hand, your arm, and the light of your face, for you loved them.
Psalm 44:6-8
I do not trust in my bow, my sword does nor bring me victory; but you give us victory over our enemies, you put our adversaries to shame. In God we make our boast all day long, and we will praise your name forever.
Psalm 50:9-15, 23
I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens, for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird in the mountains and the creatures of the field are mine. If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it. Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats? Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the most high, and call upon me in the day of trouble, I will deliver you, and you will honor me. He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God.
Daniel 4:17
...so that the living MAY KNOW that the Most High is SOVEREIGN over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest of men.
Daniel 4:25-27
...Seven times will pass by for you UNTIL YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE MOST HIGH IS SOVEREIGN OVER THE KINGDOMS OF MEN and gives them to anyone he wishes. The command to leave the stump of the tree with its roots means that your kingdom will be restored to you WHEN YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT HEAVEN RULES.
Daniel 5:20, 21
But when his HEART became ARROGANT and HARDENED with PRIDE, he was deposed from his royal throne and stripped of his glory. He was driven away from people and given the mind of an animal: he lived with the wild donkey's and ate grass like cattle; and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven, UNTIL HE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE MOST HIGH GOD IS SOVEREIGN over the kingdoms of men and sets over them anyone he wishes.
Ephesians 5:19-20
Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Philippians 4:4-7
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: REJOICE! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, WITH THANKSGIVING, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Colossians 2:6-7
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
Colossians 3:15, 17, 23
...And be thankful.
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
WHATEVER you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. IT IS THE LORD CHRIST YOU ARE SERVING.
I Thessalonians 5:16
Be Joyful always, pray continually; GIVE THANKS IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES, FOR THIS IS GOD'S WILL FOR YOU IN CHRIST JESUS.
GOD'S ATTRIBUTES
Psalm 145:8-9
The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.....
Psalm 145:13-20
...The Lord is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he had made. The Lord upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.....The Lord is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made. The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them. The Lord watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.
Psalm 147:10-11
HIS PLEASURE IS NOT IN THE STRENGTH OF THE HORSE, NOR HIS DELIGHT IN THE LEGS OF A MAN; THE LORD DELIGHTS IN THOSE WHO FEAR HIM, WHO PUT THEIR HOPE IN HIS UNFAILING LOVE.
Ezekiel 18:23
Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign Lord. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live? .....For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. REPENT AND LIVE!
GOD'S GIFTS
Ephesians 1:3
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
Ephesians 1:6
...to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves...
Ephesians 1:7-8
...in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding...
Ephesians 2:8
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith ~ and that not from yourselves, it is the gift of God ~ not by works, so that no one can boast.
Ephesians 4:7-13
But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.........It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
GOD'S JUDGMENT
Matthew 12:35,36
The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.
Romans 14:10-12
You, then, why do you judge you brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? FOR WE WILL ALL STAND BEFORE GOD'S JUDGEMENT SEAT. It is written, " 'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.' " So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.
II Corinthians 5:10
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
II Thessalonians 1:5, 7
All this is evidence that God's judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. GOD IS JUST. He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled...
..This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
Jude 1:4-7
For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord. Though you already know all this, I want to remind you that the Lord delivered his people out of Egypt, but later destroyed those who did not believe. And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their own home - these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day. In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversions. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.
GOD'S PURPOSE
Genesis 17:10-11 Purpose of Circumcision
This is my covenant with you and your descendants after you, the covenant you are to keep: Every male among you shall be circumcised. You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and you.
Deut. 4:6 Purpose to keep God's Commandments
Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, "Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people."
Deut. 9:4-6 Why God drove out the other nations so Israel could possess the Promised Land
After the Lord your God has driven them out before you, do not say to yourself, The Lord has brought me here to take possession of this land because of my righteousness. NO, it is because of the wickedness of these nations that the Lord is going to drive them out before you. It is not because of your righteousness or your integrity that you are going in to take possession of their land, but on account of the wickedness of these nations, the Lord your God will drive them out before you. to accomplish what he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Understand, then, that it is not because of your righteousness that the Lord your God is giving you this good land to possess, for you are a stiff-necked people.
John 1:31,33 Purpose of Baptism
I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel. ...I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, "The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit."
GOD'S PURPOSE / DESIRE FOR UNITY
Psalm 133
How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron's beard, down upon the collar of his robes. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For then, the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.
John 9:49-50
"Master," said John, "We saw a man driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because he is not one of us." "Do not stop him," Jesus said, "for whoever is not against you is for you."
John 10:16
I have other sheep (GENTILES) that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them in also. They too will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock and one shepherd.
John 11:49-53
Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, "You know nothing at all! You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish." He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one.
John 17:11
...so that they may be one as we are one.
John 17:20-23
My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one. I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
Romans 15:5-7
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
Galatians 3:26-29
You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male or female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Ephesians 1:9-10
And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment ~ to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.
Ephesians 2:13
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.
Ephesians 2:14-18
For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
Ephesians 3:6
This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 4:3-6
Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit -- and as you were called to one hope when you were called -- one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father to all, who is over all and though all and in all.
Ephesians 4:7-13
But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.........It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Colossians 3:11
Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcision or uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
Colossians 3:12-14
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
John 17:3 What is Eternal Life?
Now this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
Romans 11:25 When Christ will return
I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in.
Romans 13:5-7 Purpose of Taxes
Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment, but also because of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
Romans 15:4 Purpose of Scripture
For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
II Corinthians 9:11,12 Purpose of Wealth and the Result of Giving
You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous in every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in may expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ.
Ephesians 4:28 Purpose of Work
...but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.
Galatians 3:19,24 Purpose of the Law - Mosaic
What, then, was the purpose of the law? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come.
So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has some, we are no longer under the supervision of the law.
Ephesians 1:13-14 The Holy Spirit
...Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession ~ to the praise of his glory.
Ephesians 2:6-7 God's overall purpose and design
And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 3:10-12 The Purpose of the Church
His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.
Ephesians 4:11-13 Purpose of God's gifts to believers
It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
I Peter 4:10 Purpose of God's gifts to believers
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.
Hebrews 12:7,10 Purpose of God's Discipline
Endure hardship as discipline........but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
I Peter 1:6-7 Purpose of Trials / Suffering
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your FAITH - of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire - may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
I Peter 1:9 Purpose of FAITH
...for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
I John 3:8 God's First Appearance
The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work.
GOD'S REDEMPTION
Galatians 1:3-5
"...Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father..."
Galatians 2:16
We...know that a man is not justified by observing the (Jewish) law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the (Jewish) law, because by observing the (Jewish) law no one will be justified.
Ephesians 1:7
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.
Ephesians 2:8-10
For it is by grace you have been saved, through FAITH, ~ and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God ~ not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Ephesians 2:13
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.
Colossians 1:19-20
For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him (Christ), and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood shed on the cross.
Hebrews 9:14
How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God.
Hebrews 9:26-28
But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.
GOD'S SOVEREIGNTY
PREDESTINATION, FOREKNOWLEDGE, WILL, PROMISES
Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
- Establishes Ownership - authority to do as he pleases when he pleases with the things he created.
- Establishes Sovereignty - created the heavens and the earth by his own will, purpose and plan.
- Demonstrates God's eternal qualities / attributes - creativity, knowledge, wisdom, understanding, communication, planning, power, absolute control, love.....
It's a matter of PERSPECTIVE:
GOD'S PERSPECTIVE or point of view - (1) He is sovereign, (2) knows the future, (3) and has an all encompassing plan for His creation (all things created, i.e. mankind, animals, nature, the world).
God exhibits his attributes of Justice, Fairness, Love, Compassion, Foreknowledge, Power, Planning, Communication within the framework of His position as Creator of all that is known and unknown, seen and unseen.
MAN'S PERSPECTIVE or point of view - (1) He has freedom to chose, (2) must take responsibility for his choices, (3) and benefits or suffers the results of his choice.
ABRAHAM
God deals with him unilaterally, not "if / then". HOWEVER, AT ANY TIME ABRAHAM COULD HAVE MADE THE DECISION TO NOT FOLLOW GOD AND GO HIS OWN WAY
Genesis 12:2
I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse, and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.
Genesis 12:7
The Lord appeared to Abram and said, To your offspring I will give this land..........
Genesis 13:14-17
The Lord said to Abram after Lot had parted from him, "Lift up your eyes from where you are and look north and south, east and west. All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever. I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted. Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you."
Genesis 15:4-6
Then the word of the Lord came to him: "This man will not be your heir, but a son coming from your own body will be your heir." He took him outside and said, "Look up at the heavens and count the stars - if indeed you can count them." Then he said to him, "So shall your offspring be.: *****Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.*****
Genesis 15:13-16
Then the Lord said to him, "Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years. But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will come out with great possessions. You, however, will go to your fathers in peace and be buried at a good old age. In the fourth generation your descendants will come back here, for the sins of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure."
Genesis 15:18-21
On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram and said, "To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates --......"
TO HAGAR AND ISHMAEL
Genesis 16:9-12
Then the angel of the Lord told her, "Go back to your mistress and submit to her." The angel added, "I will increase your descendants that they will be too numerous to count," The angel of the Lord also said to her; "You are now with child and you will have a son. You shall name him Ishmael, for the Lord has heard of your misery. He will be a wild donkey of a man, his hand will be against everyone and everyone's hand against him, and he will live in hostility toward all his brothers."
Genesis 17:1-8
When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, "I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless. I will confirm my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers." Abram fell face down, and God said to him, "As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you and kings will come from you. I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you. The whole land of Canaan, where you are now an alien, I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your descendants after you, and I will be their God."
Genesis 17:15,16
God also said to Abraham, "As for Sarai your wife, you are no longer to call her Sarai; her name will be Sarah. I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations; king and peoples will come from her."
Genesis 17:18-21
And Abraham said to God, "If only Ishmael might live under your blessing!" The God said, "Yes, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will call him Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him. And as for Ishmael, I have heard you, I will surely bless him. I will make him fruitful and will greatly increase his numbers. He will be the father of twelve rulers and I will make him into a great nation. BUT my covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you by this time next year."
Genesis 18:10
Then the Lord said, "I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son."
Genesis 18:13, 14
Then the Lord said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh and say, 'Will I really have a child, now that I am old?' Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son."
Genesis 18:18,19
"...Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him. For I have chosen him so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just, so that the Lord will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him."
Deuteronomy 7:7-9
The Lord did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But it was because the Lord loved you and kept the oath he swore to your forefathers that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh King of Egypt. Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands.
Deut. 8:17,18
You may say to yourself, My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me. But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirming his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today.
Job 41:11
Who has a claim against me that I must pay? EVERYTHING UNDER HEAVEN BELONG'S TO ME.
Psalm 50:9-15, 23
I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens, for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird in the mountains and the creatures of the field are mine. If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it. Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats? Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the most high, and call upon me in the day of trouble, I will deliver you, and you will honor me. He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God.
Psalm 135:5-12
I know that the Lord is great, that our Lord is greater than all gods. THE LORD DOES WHATEVER PLEASES HIM, IN THE HEAVENS AND ON THE EARTH, IN THE SEAS AND ALL THEIR DEPTHS. He makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth; he sends lightening with the rain and brings out the wind from his storehouses. He struck down the firstborn of Egypt, the firstborn of men and animals. He sent his signs and wonders into your midst, O Egypt, against Pharaoh and all his servants. He struck down many nations and killed many kings -- Sihon king of the Amorites, Og king of Bashan and all the kings of Canaan - and he gave their land as an inheritance, and inheritance to his people Israel.
Psalm 139:1-4
O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise, you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord.
Psalm 139:16
...All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
Proverbs 16:4
The Lord works out everything for his own ends - even the wicked for a day of disaster.
Proverbs 16: 9
In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.
Proverbs 16:33
The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.
Proverbs 17:3
The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart.
Proverbs 19:21
Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.
Proverbs 20:24
A man's steps are directed by the Lord, how then can anyone understand his own way?
Proverbs 21:1,2
The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, he directs is like a watercourse wherever he pleases. All a man's ways seem right to him, but the Lord weighs the heart.
Proverbs 21:30, 31
There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord.
The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the Lord.
Ezekiel 18:4
For every living soul belongs to me, the Father as well as the son -- both alike belong to me. The soul who sins is the one who will die.
Ezekiel 18:20,21
The soul who sins is the one who will die.....The righteousness of the righteous man will be credited to him, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against him. But if a wicked man turns away from all the sins he has committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, he will surely live; he will not die.
Ezekiel 18:23, 24
Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign Lord. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live? But if a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits sin and does the same detestable things the wicked man does, will he live? None of the righteous things he had done will be remembered. Because of the unfaithfulness he is guilty of and because of the sin he has committed, he will die.
Ezekiel 18:32
For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!
Ezekiel 33:11, 12
...As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn form their wicked ways and live.... ...The righteousness of the righteous man will not save him when he disobeys and the wickedness of the wicked man will not cause him to fall when he turns from it....
John 13:18
...I know those I have chosen...
John 15:19
...but I have chosen you out of the world...
John 17:2
...For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him.
I Corinthians 12:11, 18
All these (spiritual gifts) are the work of one and the same spirit, and he gives them to each one just as he determined. But in fact God has arranged the parts of the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.
Galatians 1:15-16
But when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles....
Ephesians 1:4-6
For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ in accordance with his pleasure and will ~~ to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.
Ephesians 1:9
And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ.
Ephesians 1:11
In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.
Ephesians 2:10
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Colossians 1:15-17
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
II Thessalonians 2:13
But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.
Hebrews 2:4
...and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.
LOVE
GOD'S PERSPECTIVE or point of view - an ATTITUDE, a determination independent of circumstances, situations or the object of love. Unconditional love (i.e. mothers and children).
MAN'S PERSPECTIVE or point of view - an EMOTION, a feeling that comes and goes depending on circumstances and situations. We love someone or something as long as it is pleasing or useful to us - conditional love (i.e. husbands and wives).
John 13:34
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. BY THIS ALL MEN WILL KNOW THAT YOU ARE MY DISCIPLES, IF YOU LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
John 14:15
If you love me, you will obey what I command
John 14:21
Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.
John 14:23
Jesus replied, If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching, My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.
John 14:31
...the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me.
Romans 13:8-10
Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. The commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not covet, and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: Love your neighbor as yourself. Love does not harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
I Corinthians 13: 4-7
LOVE IS Patient, Kind, does not Envy, does not Boast, is not Proud, is not Rude, is not Self-Seeking, is not easily Angered, keeps not Record of Wrongs, does not delight in Evil, rejoices with the Truth, always Protects, always Trusts, always Hopes, always Perseveres, never Fails
Ephesians 1:4-6
For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ in accordance with his pleasure and will ~~ to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.
Ephesians 2:4,5
But because of his great love of us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions....
Philippians 1:9
And this is my prayer: that your LOVE may abound more and more in KNOWLEDGE and DEPTH OF INSIGHT, SO THAT YOU MAY BE ABLE TO DISCEN WHAT IS BEST AND MAY BE PURE AND BLAMELESS until the day of Christ.
Colossians 3:12-14
Therefore, as God chosen people, holy and dearly beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
MAN'S RESPONSIBILITY
Proverbs 16:32
Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city.
Proverbs 17:9
He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.
Proverbs 19:11
A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.
Proverbs 20:3
It is to a man's honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.
Proverbs 21:21
He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.
Proverbs 22:4
Humility and the fear of the Lord bring wealth and honor and life.
Proverbs 23:17
Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord.
John 13:34
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. BY THIS ALL MEN WILL KNOW THAT YOU ARE MY DISCIPLES, IF YOU LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
Acts 17:11,12
Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.
Romans 13:8-10
Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. The commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not covet, and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: Love your neighbor as yourself. Love does not harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
II Corinthians 5:9
So we make it our goal to please him.........
II Corinthians 5:15
And he (Christ) died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
II Corinthians 5:20
We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.
II Corinthians 6:14
Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common. Or what fellowship can light have with darkness.....
II Corinthians 7:1
Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.
Galatians 5:13-16
You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: Love your neighbor as yourself.....So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
Galatians 5:26
Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
Galatians 6:6
Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with the instructor.
Galatians 6:10
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Ephesians 4:1-3
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle, be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
Ephesians 4:15
...speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
Ephesians 5:20-21
...always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Putting on the FULL ARMOR OF GOD
Ephesians 6:11-18
Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. THEREFORE PUT ON THE FULL ARMOR OF GOD, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground and after you have done everything to stand. Stand firm then, with the BELT OF TRUTH, buckled around your waist, with the BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the GOSPEL OF PEACE. In addition to all this, take up the SHIELD OF FAITH, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the HELMET OF SALVATION and the SWORD OF THE SPIRIT which is the WORD OF GOD. And pray in the Spirit on all occassions with all kinds of prayers and requests.
Isaiah 59:17
He put on RIGHTEOUSNESS as his BREASTPLATE, and the HELMET of SALVATION on his head;...........
I Thess. 5:8
But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on FAITH and LOVE as a BREASTPLATE, and the hope of SALVATION as a HELMET.
- text
- BELT OF TRUTH
- BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
- FEET FITTED WITH THE GOSPEL OF PEACE
- SHIELD OF FAITH
- HELMET OF SALVATION
- SWORD OF THE SPIRIT - THE WORD OF GOD
- PRAY IN THE SPIRIT ON ALL OCCASIONS, ALL KINDS OF PRAYERS AND REQUESTS PRAYING FOR ALL THE SAINTS
Philippians 1:9
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, SO THAT you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ.
Philippians 1:27
Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.
Philippians 2:3-4
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests but also to the interests of others.
Philippians 2:14
Do everything without complaining or arguing.
Philippians 4:4-7
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: REJOICE! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, WITH THANKSGIVING, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:8-9
Finally, brothers, whatever is TRUE, whatever is NOBLE, whatever is RIGHT, whatever is PURE, whatever is LOVELY, whatever is ADMIRABLE -- if anything is EXCELLENT or PRAISEWORTHY -- THINK ABOUT SUCH THINGS. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me -- PUT IT INTO PRACTICE, AND THE GOD OF PEACE WILL BE WITH YOU.
Colossians 2:6-7
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
Colossians 2:16-17
Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.
Colossians 3:2
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things
Colossians 3:5
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.
Colossians 3:8-9
But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other....
Colossians 3:12-14
Therefore, as God chosen people, holy and dearly beloved, clothe yourselves with COMPASSION, KINDNESS, HUMILITY, GENTLENESS and PATIENCE. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Colossians 4:5
Be wise in the way you act towards outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.
I Thessalonians 4:1
Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living...
I Thessalonians 4:3
It is God's will that you should be sanctified; that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you. For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.
I Thessalonians 4:9
...you...have been taught by God to love each other...we urge you, brothers, to do so more and more. Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands..., so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders, and so that you will not be dependent on anybody
I Thessalonians 5:8
...let us be self controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.
I Thessalonians 5:14
And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.
I Thessalonians 5:19
Do not put our the Spirit's fire, do not treat prophecies with contempt. TEST EVERYTHING. Hold on to the good. AVOID EVERY KIND OF EVIL.
Hebrew 10:24
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.
MORAL BEHAVIOR
Exodus 23:5
If you see the donkey of one who hates you lying under its burden, you shall refrain from leaving him with it, you shall help him to lift it up.
Leviticus 19:17
You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason with your neighbor, lest you bear sin because of him.
Psalms 15
WHO may dwell on God's holy hill in His sanctuary?
He whose walk is blameless
who does what is righteous
speaks the truth from his heart
has no slander on his tongue
does his neighbor no wrong
casts no slur on his fellowman
who despises a vile man
honors those who fear the Lord
who keeps his oath - even when it hurts
lends money without high interest
does not accept a bribe against the innocent
Romans 12
- Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice - holy and pleasing to God
- Don't be conformed to the pattern of this world
- Be transformed by the renewing of your mind
- Do not think of yourself more highly than your ought
- Love must be sincere
- Hate what is evil
- Cling to what is good
- Be devoted to one another in brotherly love
- Honor one another above yourselves
- Be joyful in hope
- Patient in affliction
- Faithful in prayer
- Share with God's people who are in need
- Practice hospitality
- Bless those who persecute you - bless and curse not
- Rejoice with those who rejoice, mourn with those who mourn
- Live in harmony with one another
- Do not be proud, but willing to associate with people of low position
- Do not be conceited
- Do not repay anyone evil for evil
- Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone
- Live in peace with everyone
- Do not take revenge
- Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good
Galatians 5:22 FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-Control
Galatians 6:10
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
PRAYER
Proverbs 30:7,8,9
"Two things I ask of you, O Lord; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, 'Who is the Lord?' Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God."
Habakkuk 3:2
Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O Lord. Renew them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy.
Habakkuk 3:17-19
Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.
The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights.
Ephesians 3:16-19
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through the Spirit in you inner being, so that Christ may dwell in you hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all his saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge -- (so) that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Colossians 1:9-14
For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may (1) live a life worthy of the Lord and may (2) please him in every way; (3) bearing fruit in every good work, (4) growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have (1) great endurance and (2) patience and (3) joyfully given thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.
Colossians 4:2
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
Hebrews 13:20,21
...equip you with everything good for doing his will, AND MAY HE WORK IN US WHAT IS PLEASING TO HIM, THROUGH JESUS CHRIST....
PROPHECY - past and future
Daniel 11:27
...because an end will come at THE APPOINTED TIME.
Daniel 11:29
At THE APPOINTED TIME......
Daniel 11:35
Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the end, FOR IT WILL COME AT THE APPOINTED TIME.
Daniel 11:36
The king will do as he pleases. He will exult and magnify himself above every god and will say unheard-of things against the God of gods. He will be successful until the time of wrath is completed, FOR WHAT HAS BEEN DETERMINED MUST TAKE PLACE.
Daniel 12:1-3
"At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until now. But at that time your people ~ everyone whose name is found written in the book ~ will be delivered. Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.
Zech. 12:10
...They will look on me, the one they have pierced....
I Thessalonians 1:10
...and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead -- Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.
I Thessalonians 4:13-18
Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not proceed those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words.
REVENGE
Proverbs 24:17, 18
Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when he stumbles, do not let your heart rejoice, for the Lord will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from him.
Proverbs 24:29
Do not say, 'I'll do to him as he has done to me: I'll pay that man back for what he did.'
Proverbs 25:21,22
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing so, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.
SINFUL (EVIL) NATURE, EVIL DESIRES
What is sin?
Disobedience to God's clear commands and will
What is an evil desire?
A desire to do what is contrary to God's clear command and will
It is not evil to be like God - Be Holy for I AM Holy!
It is evil to want to take God's place and put Him aside. Our position is not in the center - God is the center and we are conformed to His image.
II Corinthians 12:20
...I fear there may be quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder...
Galatians 5:19-21
The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissentions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:26
Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
Galatians 6:12, 15
Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ.......Neither circumcision nor un-circumcision means anything: what counts is a new creation....
WHAT GOD HATES
Exodus 18:21
Moreover choose able men from all the people, such as fear God, men who are trustworthy and who hate a bribe.....
Deuteronomy 16:22
And you shall not set up a pillar, which the LORD your GOD hates.
Psalms 11:5
The LORD examines the righteous, but the wicked and those who love violence his soul hates
Psalms 26:5
I hate the company of evildoers, and I will not sit with the wicked.
Psalms 45:7
you love righteousness and hate wickedness.
Psalms 97:10
The LORD loves those who hate evil; he preserves the lives of his saints; he delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
Psalms 101:3
I will not set before my eyes anything that is base. I hate the work of those who fall away.....
Psalms 119:113
I hate double-minded men.
Psalms 119:128
...I hate every false way.
Psalms 119:163
I hate and abhor falsehood.
Proverbs 6:16
There are six things which the LORD hates, seven which are an abomination to him;
haughty eyes
a lying tongue
hands that shed innocent blood
a heart that devises wicked schemes
feet that are quick to rush into evil
a false witness who pours out lies
a man who stirs up dissension among brothers
Proverbs 8:13
To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.
Isaiah 61:8
For I the LORD love justice, I hate robbery and wrong.
Amos 5:21
I hate, I despise your religious feasts. I cannot stand your assemblies. Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them. Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never failing stream.
Habakkuk 2:18-20
Of what value is an idol, since a man has carved it? Or an image that teaches lies? For he who makes it trusts in his own creation; he makes idols that cannot speak. Woe to him who says to wood, Come to life! Or to lifeless stone, Wake up! Can it give guidance? It is covered with gold and silver; there is no breath in it. But the Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him.
Zechariah 8:17
do not devise evil in your hearts against one another, and love not false oath, for all these things I hate, says the LORD.
Malachi 2:16
I hate divorce, says the Lord God of Israel, and I hate a man's covering himself with violence as well as with his garment, says the Lord Almighty.
Hebrews 1:9
Thou hast loved righteousness and hated lawlessness.
