If You Are New to Our Bible Study This Year . . . This Is Going

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For those of you who were with us last year for our series titled “The Prophets Speak,” I know you’re happy with expectation that we’re back in the New Testament – more “boots on the ground” for Christians than visions of prophecy mostly concerning the Jews.

Of course, if you read our brochure and saw we’re studying the books of Galatians through Jude (excluding the three letters penned by John), you realize this is a BIG chuck of New Testament Scripture – 15 of the 27 books to be exact. Some are general letters to the churches and some are personal letters. We last did this series in 2002.

If you are new to our Bible study this year . . . this is going

to be so exciting for you! For many of you this is familiar Scripture

and you're excited because you know what's coming! No matter howmany times we read, reread and study the truths of Scripture, theycome alive and we find new and fresh application to our lives.

(CLICK) Hebrews 4:12 says, "For the word of God is living and active. Sharperthan any doubleedged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudesof the heart." The very fact you're here and committed to a study of God's Word gives the Holy Spirit the opportunity to do somethingwonderful in your life this year.

Christianity is radical! Listen to what A. W. Tozer says about a

Christian: (CLICK)

"A real Christian is an odd number anyway. He feels supreme lovefor One whom he has never seen, talks intimately every day to Someonehe cannot see, expects to go to heaven on the virtue of Another,empties himself in order to be full, admits he is wrong so he can bedeclared right, goes down in order to get up, is strongest when he isweakest, richest when he is poorest, and (CLICK) happiest when he feels theworst. He dies so he can live, forsakes in order to have, gives awayso he can keep, sees the invisible, hears the inaudible, and knowsthat which surpasses knowledge. . . .The man who has met God is notlooking for something – he has found it. . . he is an original newcreation from the hand of the Holy Spirit."

When we studied Acts we learned about the beginnings of the earlychurch. The radical changes from Judaism brought about persecution andtemptation to go back to the familiar . . . the comfortzone of Judaism. God had given Moses the Ten Commandments and that was apowerful anchor in Judaism. But Paul's testimony was strong in a newway. . .the evidence of a changed life after he met Jesus on the roadto Damascus. Once he was a feared persecutor of the early church, but Godcalled him to be the apostle to the Gentiles even though his heartwas always to show his fellow Jews the new and better way.

Whereonce he was the instigator of persecution against the Christians, henow became the one persecuted by the Judiazers.

Paul made three missionary journeys establishing new churches as he went. If you think you were excited to hear the gospel whensomeone shared it with you, believe me, the messenger was even moreexcited to share it. There is no feeling like sharing the good newsof the gospel with a receptive heart!

We’re going to study the books of Galatians through Jude almost in the order that they appear in our Bible; however, that is not the order in which they were written. The chronology of the books is actually: (CLICK) 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, (CLICK) Colossians, Philemon, James, 1 Peter, Hebrews, 1 Timothy, (CLICK) Titus, 2 Peter, 2 Timothy and Jude. They cover a period of time (CLICK) from 52 a.d. to 75 a.d.

We begin with Galatians. This book has done more than any other in the New Testament to free our Christian faith from the burden of salvation by works. You’re going to hear the words “grace” and “liberty” a lot this year. We need to remember that liberty is not freedom from law (that is recklessness) . . . but liberty is freedom within the law. (CLICK) The Law says do, grace says done!

Do you ever get mad? I’m not talking about the normal things in life that frustrate us, but righteous anger. You know we never unseat wrong until we become sufficiently angry to take action.

In Galatians Paul tells us to stand on our feet in the liberty that Christ gives! When people get their hands on religion, one of the first things they often do is turn it into an instrument for controlling others, either by putting or keeping them in their place. It’s called legalism. Galatians is the Magna Carta of Christian liberty. It’s a strong affirmation of liberty based on grace and a bold assault on legalism based on works.

Through Jesus, Paul learned that God was not an impersonal force to be used to make people behave in a prescribed way, but a personal Savior who set us free to live a free life. It was a glorious experience and he set off to tell the world about it. A few years later Paul learned that the leaders of the old school were trying to reintroduce the old ways back into the church of Galatia, herding all the freedom-loving Christians back into the corral of religious rules and regulations. He was furious with those of the old guard for coming in with strong-arm religious tactics and intimidating Christians into giving up their free life in Jesus . . . and he was furious with Christians for caving into being intimidated. Galatians is his strongest argument that (CLICK) we are saved, kept and finally redeemedby grace without works of the law.

He encourages them in (CLICK) Galatians 5:1 “Stand firm and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” (legalism). And he warns them in (CLICK) Galatians 5:4 “You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.”

Paul always wanted to go to Rome and how he got there is in the book of Acts. Paul was a prisonerthere and the books of

Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon are prison epistles.

Ephesians was called by Samuel Taylor Coleridge “the queen of the epistles.” In it is the reminder of our spiritual blessings in Christ; the reassurance we have been saved by grace through faith, not by works; a request for unity; and reliance on the spiritual armor we have as we enter the battle that is not against fleshand blood but against the rulers, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenlyrealms. We’re reminded to expect struggles with Satan. We know he often attacks when we’re, (CLICK)

H ungry

Angry

L onely

T ired

Paul’s encouragement is in (CLICK) Ephesians 3:12 “In him and through him (Jesus) we may approach God with freedom and confidence.” God’s armor is ready and available for us to put on and do battle. There is victory in Jesus!

Philippians is truly a book of encouragement; and encouragement is astrength transfusion, isn't it?

Let me encourage you with somethingright now . . .(CLICK)"God is FOR us – that is good. (CLICK) God is WITH us – that isbetter. (CLICK) God is IN us – that is best!" Doesn't that encourage yourheart? Philippians is a book about *joy in living, *joy in serving, *joy in sharing and *joy in resting. (CLICK)Philippians 4:19 “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”

As Paul wrote to the Colossians he affirmed that they had "understood God'sgrace in all its truth." If there's one goal for this year's studyit's that you might fully understand what God's grace really means. Now again legalism was undermining the Colossian's faith. We're going to hear a great deal about legalism in this study. Itsimply means someone is telling you that you HAVE to do this or thatin order to be spiritual or acceptable to God. It is subtle teachingthat we still need to be aware of today and Paul was concerned aboutall Christians that they know and understand God's grace to itsfullest extent.

Not only are we to understand grace, but we’re to clothe ourselves with the inner garment of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience all covered by the outer-garment of love.

Paul gives the Colossians a warning in (CLICK)2:8 “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than in Christ.”

In the letters to the Thessalonians Paul addresses the subjects of (CLICK) living in order to please God (1 Thess. 4:1), the Second Coming of Jesus and the Day of the Lord. And in light of thathe gives us the challenge: (CLICK)

1)We have been reached, are we reachingothers?

2)We have been fed, are we feeding others?

3)We've beeninstructed in righteousness, is it producing fruit

others can see?

4)We've been encouraged in faith, are we encouragingothers?

In (CLICK) 1 Thessalonians Paul warns in 5:21 “Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil.”

He encourages his readers in (CLICK) 2 Thessalonians 3:3 “But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.” And warns in (CLICK) 2 Thessalonians 2:10 against ” . . . every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refuse to love the truth and so be saved.”

Paul's personal letters to Timothy, Titus and Philemon help us tounderstand principles in leadership, making wise choices, motivation,integrity and forgiveness. Those are still "hot topics" for ustoday, aren't they? I don’t know about you, but when the mail comes I usually quickly sort through all the junk mail and solicitations to see if there is a personal letter or card.

Doesn’t it just make your day when one does arrive? I’m quick to admit that emails are nice and convenient, but there’s nothing like a real letter or a card from a friend. Someone has taken the time to put pen to paper, get a stamp and see that it gets mailed. Certainly when it contains encouragement, insights to your problems or even a rebuke if needed, the bond between writer and reader become deeper.

Young Timothy needed (CLICK) Paul’s guidance as a mentor for his ministry. His wise words in (CLICK) 1 Timothy 6:20 were personal, “Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith.” In 2 Timothy 1:7 Paul encourages him with these words, (CLICK) “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline.”

Titus needed (CLICK)Paul’s counsel as he too faced a challenging ministry. Paul’s advice . . . take charge, appoint elders, rebuke the disobedient, give godly advice, and do whatever is good.

Philemon needed (CLICK)Paul’s reminder of forgivenessfor a brother in the Lord.Haven’t we all been at one time a fugitive in need of grace and an intercessor? Like Paul said to Philemon, Jesus says to us, “Charge it to my account.”

Hebrews is real meat for growing Christians. While the author is unknown, nevertheless we'll learn about the Lord Jesus and His fulfillment of Old Testament sacrifices andthe superiority of the New Covenant over the Old Covenant. Anunderstanding of Hebrews will open a whole vista for understandingthe Old Testament, especially in the area of types and shadows ofthings to come. But most of all Hebrews is a warning and ajustification not to go back into Judaism . . . the blood of Christ has forall time superseded the blood of any other sacrifice for theforgiveness of sin. There have been faithful witnesses in the past (we’ll read about them in chapter 11), and we have faithful witnesses among us today. Your life is a witness every day you live it. As they say, “You may be the only Bible some people will ever read.”

Like a magnifying glass, (CLICK) James is the book that brings us face to face with ourselves like no other. (CLICK) Are we practicing true religion? Are we in control of our tongue? Isour faith demonstrated in what we do? Are we submissive to God or guilty of pride? Are we praying people? Are we intercessors? Basically, (CLICK) are we what wesay we are???

J. Vernon McGee in his commentary on James says, (CLICK) “The Christian life is like a good watch – an open face, busy hands, pure gold, well regulated, and filled with good works.”

The Bible has two major themes: (CLICK)

1)to show the sinner the way toGod and

2)to show the saint how to walk with God.

In Peter's letterswe are counseled in the grace . . .(CLICK)

1)togo on (especially in times ofpersecution)

2)to stand firm (especially against false teachings) and

3)to rejoice in the hope of the Lord's return.

Peter knew a lotabout times of weakness and what’s better than to learn from one who'sbeen there. His letters are full of H O P E. (CLICK)

H eed what you already know

O pen your eyes and ears

P ursue a godly life

E xpect Christ’s return

The little one chapter book of Jude will close our study. His

message is to contend for the faith. How can you defend or stand

firm in your faith unless you know why you believe what you believe?

For that very reason we commend you on participating in this year'sBible study. We have an obligation to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Scriptures. This is a year to sink deep roots as we are watered by the Word and securely fastened to the Vine. The Scripture is rich in application and relevant toexactly where you're living today.

When you sit down tomorrow to do Day 1 of your lesson, look

carefully at the question about your goals for this year's study.

Take some time and think about that. You won't accomplish goals if

you never set them for yourselves.

Your goal may just to know where to find the book of Philemon.

Or it may be to make at least one new special friendship . . . or to deepenyour prayer life . . . or to be into your Bible on a daily basis . . . ormaybe to let the Holy Spirit teach you some new truth.

The song "Lord, Set My Feet on Higher Ground" says a lot. To

grow in grace and knowledge we have to stretch ourselves and

encourage others when their elastic snaps back and they have to startall over. Over the years this Bible study has ministered in countless ways by preparing disciples to be witnesses in our community; lending support to our church outreach goals; and coming alongside those who encounter the trials of life. Our goal as a collective Bible study group this year is toimbed God's word in our souls, to be "doers" of the Word, not just"hearers," to know without a doubt the love of our Lord Jesus and theassurance of God's presence ever in us.

The lessons are divided into five days. There are many advantagesto daily Bible study. Each day takes about 1015 minutes. You workthe lessons at home, come share your answers with your group, and thelecturer will go over the same material with some special insightsfor you.

Also included in this year’s study is a continuation of the historical biographies we began in our Acts study two years ago. We’re using the Scripture from Hebrews 12:1 that says, (CLICK) “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”

The lives we examined during the Acts series were of those people who had a significant contribution to the advancement of Christianity. Those we intend to cover this year are the lives of people who were faithful witnesses in their sphere in influence as to the importance of God in their lives. It should be inspiring to all of us. As we did last time, we’re going to ask for volunteers to read the short biography each week. It’s all printed out, you just have to read, so I’m hoping many of you will volunteer to participate. The biographies will also be posted each Friday on Dan’s website.

We're excited and anticipating great blessings from this study.

Your leaders are here to help and encourage you.Again, we welcome you as we set our feet toward higher ground. (CLICK)

Betty, will you close us in prayer and lead us in the Doxology?

Eric, will you close us in prayer?