We believe the passage in Acts 28:28-31 is when the Apostle Paul declares to the Jewish leadership that the final opportunity for their acceptance of Jesus as Christ is over. From that point on the message for the plan of salvation is now authorized to be sent from the Gentiles, apart from Israel. Prior to this point in scripture, salvation was always either through or with the Jew. At this point the nation of Israel has been put on hold but will be still receive the promises and blessings made to them through Abraham in the future (when Elijah restores the revealed plan of God).
Almost Obedient. The lesson on March 2, 2008 was given by Leland Maples of the LOOPS Ministry. Leland visited Northside Bible Church and provided the lesson from Luke 5:1-10 (KJV) . This passage in scripture details Jesus Christ borrowing Peter’s fishing boat so He could minister to the crowd that had come to hear him speak. As it says in Luke 5:1-3 “And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.
Colossians Study - Part 16 (final). The audio lesson for March 9, 2008 is now available. The lesson is part 16 of a study in Colossians and finishes the audio series.
The lesson on March 16, 2008 was on the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ and covered John 1:29 KJV "The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." This lesson will be delivered in two parts. Part one will look at the Lamb of God and part two will look at what this means to members of the body of Christ.
The lesson on March 23, 2008 was part two of "the Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Christ". The scripture covered was in 1 Corinthians 15:12-20a KJV "12 Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: 14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
The Warfare - Part 1. The lesson on March, 30, 2008 started a new series on the warfare that is discussed in Ephesians 6:10:17. Paul was warning the church at Ephesus to be cognizant of the warfare that is taking place with the devil... as he said in Eph. 6:10-12 “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
The Warfare, Part 2. The lesson on April 6, 2008 continues with the second lesson in the Warfare audio series. This series studies the spiritual warfare we face as Christians and points out that this warfare is something we should be aware of and participate in according to the scriptures. In Ephesians 6:12, the scripture tells us of a spiritual warfare and the armor of God that we have to participate in the warfare.
The Warfare, Part 3. The warfare that we are made aware of in Ephesians 6:13,14 has us standing with the armor of God. We see a reference to wrestling in Ephesians 6:12 but the primary way we participate in the warfare is to stand. This is not our fight. We are protecting ourselves with the armor of God but we are not fighting with our own might. In Ephesians 6:10 it says “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” which indicates we have a choice to make in the fight... which is to choose to rely on the Lord.
The Warfare, Part 4. Lesson 4 of the audio series entitled “The Warfare” is a study based on Ephesians 6:10-17 which tells of a spiritual warfare that involves us by standing. This warfare involves several pieces of armor and this lesson focuses on the feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Ephesians 6:10-15 “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
The lesson on May 11, 2008 was on Mother's Day 2008 and the scripture reading was from Proverbs 6:20-24 KJV "20 My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother: 21 Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck. 22 When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee. 23 For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life: 24 To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman."
The lesson on Sunday May 35, 2008 was honoring Memorial Day. The scripture reading was in Ephesians 2:11-13 KJV "11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ."
1There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. 3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
Ambassador for Christ. An ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents their country. Ambassadors are usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization, to serve as the official representative of their country. In everyday usage it applies to the ranking government representative stationed in a foreign capital. The host country typically allows the ambassador control of specific territory called an embassy, whose territory, staff, and even vehicles are generally afforded diplomatic immunity in the host country.
The Old and New Nature. The lesson on October 5, 2008 was the second part of the lesson given on September 21 on being an Ambassador for Christ. This lesson covers the Old and New nature which is what we find within us when we become Christians.
Walk in The Lord - Part 5 (final) This lesson continues with the study of our “Walk with the Lord” with part five and it covers our rewards or “Crowns.” This is not to be confused with salvation, which is a free gift to all who believe in Jesus Christ as our only Saviour. Rather , our rewards are for our walk or service in this life and we will appear before the Bema Seat (not the great white throne) one day to be judged as to our service in this life.
Receive and Believe. Some might say that Pilate asked the most important question in the Bible as told in John 18:38 when he said “ What is truth?” Perhaps that is the most important question but when you consider what the rich young ruler asked Jesus in Matthew 19:16 “And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?” This seems to be the most important question because it says what must I do to inherit eternal life. Jesus answered his question and the man said that he had done all that Jesus has said from his youth.
A Really Scary Story. In the book of Ephesians, the Apostle Paul tells us of a really scary situation for us. In Ephesians 2:11-12, we are told that we are considered to be uncircumcised, without Christ, aliens from Israel, strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God. This sounds really bad! What does all this mean! Why is circumcision important? When was I without Christ? Should I become Jewish? What covenants of promise were made? I would think I have hope, but in what? I really would like to have God on my side, isn’t he?
Has God Abandoned America? - Part 1. Has God Abandoned America?In Deuteronomy 8:11-20, we read of a warning given to the nation of Israel regarding their mindset towards the Lord when things are good. If they forget that the blessing they received were from God, they will be turned away by God. As stated in Deut. 8:17, 19 “And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth.
The elections in the United States are over and it may seem that America has voted in people that are in need of prayer. As it says in 1 Timothy 2:1-4, we are to pray for those that are in authority which was deemed a good thing to do: “ I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior;”.
Has God Abandoned America? - Part 3. God Abandoned America?This is the 3rd lesson that answers the question: Has God abandoned America? It was given on November 19th and looks at the scripture reading of Acts 20-28-31 which covers the topic of grievous wolves and those entering in who speak of perverse things to try and draw disciples away from the truth. 98% of the people in this nation live above the poverty level of the world... yet people think they have done this themselves.
The lesson on November 23, 2008 was the fourth lesson looking at the question: Has God Abandoned America? and we have learned that America has fallen a long way down this slippery slope since the U.S. has abandoned God in may aspects of the nation. God sets up Nations. We learn in Job 9:24 that “The earth is given into the hand of the wicked: he covereth the faces of the judges thereof; if not , where, and who is he?” In America, man has taken a position that is contrary to the nature and the attributes of God.
The Providence of God. The lesson on December 7, 2008 covered a topic about the providence of God. Providence is made up of two words: “pro” meaning “before”, and “video” meaning “to see”. One of the attributes of God is being omniscient which is where he gets his providence but he still has given us free choice in the matter. If you looked up the definition of PROVIDENCE in the 1828 edition of Webster's American Dictionary of the English Language, you would see this “The act of providing or preparing for future use...” God’s providence is simply broken down into these three: 1.
The Name of God. In Psalms 103:1 (KJV) it says “Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.” There is something special about the name of God. When God decided to give man 10 commandments, when He got to the third one, He said not to take His name in vain. That’s how important God’s name is to Him.
Songs of Christmas. The lesson on December 21, 2008 was a lesson celebrating Christmas which is the traditional holiday commemorating the birth of Christ. (Here is a poem that explain way Jesus is better the Santa Claus). Does Christmas have you all stressed out, running around trying to get all your gifts prepared and wrapped to be opened? Are you in a hurry and don’t know what to do next? The traditions of Christmas shopping seam to make people all worked up, running around with busy work and sometimes having to wait.
The Importance of the Name of God. Christmas is over but New Years is next. Do you want to make New Year’s resolutions? Go ahead and make them even though the prospects for 2009 don’t look good. America is in a recession and the economic outlook is poor. Things can really get bad. No matter how bad it gets, the worse of it all is taking your last breath without knowing the Lord Jesus Christ and believing on his name. What’s in a name?
