Lesson by Scott Shifferd
Recorded November 13, 2016 at the Dean Road church of Christ in Jacksonville, FL
What is so important about learning to read? What is the most important that someone can read? Our elders have encouraged us to read the New Testament in 40 days. This lesson is an exhortation to spend time in God’s Word. His Word is a gift to humanity. James’s epistle reveals that every good and perfect gift is from God. God brings forth believers into new life by the Word of Truth. However, that Word must implant within one’s heart and soul for the Word to save the believer. The reader must approach the Bible with meekness and honestly consider its teachings. God intended for His Word to dwell within Christians. He commanded this. Becoming doers of God’s Word demonstrates that God’s Word in implanted. There is only one book that living and active. Therefore, you are responsible to read the Bible. Scripture Reading: James 1:16-21 (read by Gerrit Dekker)
Lesson by Scott Shifferd Recorded November 13, 2016 at the Dean Road church of Christ in Jacksonville, FL
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Are Christians praying for laborers for the harvest? Jesus depicted the growth of the kingdom like sowing where the seed sprouts and grows, and the sower does not know how. This is the power of the Word of God. The earth is the heart of every person. God made the heart for God’s word just as God made the soil for the seed. The Gospel belongs in the heart to produce fruit. That must give Christians confidence that God’s Word is for the heart. Jesus saw the harvest as plentiful because the crowds were in need of a shepherd. Should Christians see the same? For this reason, Jesus exhorted His disciples to pray for laborers. Christians must see what Jesus sees, proclaim what Jesus proclaimed, and pray for laborers. This lesson will challenge the believer to make great changes in evangelizing to the lost especially when young children have no shame in telling their friends about the message of Jesus Christ. Lesson by Scott Shifferd
Recorded October 30, 2016 at the Dean Road church of Christ in Jacksonville, FL Fear is a motivator. Fear is good for keeping children away from a busy road. Fear is also good for keeping everyone away from Hell. Jesus proclaimed, “Fear him who can ruin both soul and body in Hell” (Matt 10:28). Jesus preached more about Hell than all others in the Bible. Why? Fear of Hell is a real fear of a real place. Jesus observed that both soul and body go to ruin in Hell. On the last day, Jesus depicted a bodily resurrection of the just and the unjust. Hell is not a place of disembodied spirits. The unjust will rise in a body that goes to the fires and darkness of Hell where there is wailing and gnashing of teeth. In context of all people in history, each person is most likely going to Hell. However, Jesus preached that life is through the narrow gate and the way is hard. Jesus wants all to come to salvation. Hell is completely just for all people who do not know God, continue in sin, and do not obey the Gospel (2 Thess 1:7–9; Heb 10:26–31). This lesson will expand on the reality of Hell and those who escape and find life. Scripture Reading: Matthew 5:29-30 (read by: David Johnson)
Lesson by Scott Shifferd Recorded October 23, 2016 Should Christians say, “I am proud of you” to their children or should they say, “I thank God for you?” The apostle Paul confessed that he had reason to be proud in his work for God (Rom 15:17). Paul also declared that he was humble (2 Cor 10:1–2). Why? How can Paul confess that he is proud and declare that he is humble? The Scriptures teach throughout that believers must only boast in the Lord. How does someone boast in the Lord? This lesson addresses that matter. Serving God is humbling. God has called the powerless, foolish, and weak in the world to shame the powerful, wise, and strong. For this reason, the Scriptures instruct the Christian to boast in the Lord and have pride in Jesus Christ. Christians must boast in their weaknesses to demonstrate the strength of God. Christians must boast of God, Christ, the Gospel, and the church. Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 9:23-24
Lesson by Scott Shifferd Recorded October 9, 2016 Every Christmas season, numerous ads and reports quote, “Tis better to give than to receive.” Almost none cite the source. Are they ashamed? Jesus declared, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). A great Gospel preacher, V.P. Black, observed that Acts 20:35 is the most disbelieved passage in the whole Bible. Do you believe Jesus that it is better to give than receive? Numerous surveys report the number one lesson that people do not want to hear at church is a message about giving. How much do parents enjoy giving to their children? How much do husbands love to give to their wives? Who wants to give to the church? This minister perceives that people simply do not see the purpose of the church anymore. The church’s eternal mission is to evangelize to the saved and the lost. The church’s eternal purpose is to proclaim the Gospel and make disciples. There is no greater world-changing message than the Gospel message that has shaped humanity for so much good. If you give, Jesus promised that God will give more back to you (Luke 6:38). Do you believe him? This message encourages believers to give to church and to others. God will bless you. This lesson presents these promises of God. Scripture Reading: Luke 6:38 (read by Christopher Howell)
Lesson by Scott Shifferd Recorded October 2, 2016 King of Judah at the age of 16, Uzziah reined for 52 years. He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD. God helped him to win great victories over the Philistines and the Arabs. Uzziah built the walls of Jerusalem, towers in the wilderness, and cisterns. He had large herds and vineyards on fertile lands. Uzziah amassed a well-armed army of 307,500 soldiers with war-machines. However, Uzziah grew proud to his own destruction He became unfaithful to the LORD, and entered the temple to burn incense. Eighty priests confronted him. Because of his actions, God struck him with leprosy while Uzziah had the censor in his hands. For the rest of his life, his son governed Judah while Uzziah lived alone. Most people see worldly pride in others, and rarely see such in themselves. Are we willing to look into our hearts? Christ remains the example of humility. He gave up all to come and live as a bondservant among humanity. This lesson observes what conceit looks like and encourages Christians to avoid becoming inflated with worldly pride. God help all Christians to humble themselves before you. Scripture Reading: Colossians 3:12-15 (Read by Will Salisbury)
Lesson by Scott Shifferd Recorded September 25, 2016 Our lesson begins with an illustration of a mountain climber, Aron Ralston, who had to cut his arm off to save his life. Aron was hiking alone in a Utah canyon when his right arm became pinned beneath an 800 pound boulder. Aron's story is the perfect allegory for the words of Jesus found in the Gospel of Mark 9:43-48. Jesus was talking to His disciples about some difficult decisions we may have to make in our lifetime in order to serve Jesus and reach heaven. Jesus used some extreme illustrations to convey what these decisions might require. The examples of cutting off a hand, foot, or eye are most important to us and we don’t want to give them up. We may prize and treasure certain things in life that God’s Word says are not good for us. We discuss four examples that we need to care about. The boulders of: Friendship, Ambition, Entertainment, and Family. We can either hold on to it all and die or give it all up for Christ and live (Luke 9:24-25). Scripture Reading: Matthew 18:7-11 (read by: Christopher Howell)
Lesson by Maynard Booher Recording September 18, 2016 Some came to Jesus who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. By Jesus’s response, their focus was on their suffering as consequence of their sins. Jesus revealed that these were not worse sinners to suffer in this way, and he declared, “No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” Whether anyone likes this answer or not, everyone will die and face God in judgment. This study addresses the cause of suffering and its link to God’s judgment. This lesson answers a very pressing question, “How can an all-powerful God allow suffering and remain benevolent?” Because all have sinned, all face death (Rom 3:23; 6:23). By man’s sin, death spread to all men (Rom 5:12). Suffering is the consequence and God’s judgment against sin. Those who do wicked are storing up wrath on the day of God’s judgment. On that day, God will render to each one according to one’s works. God shows no partiality (Rom 2:1–11). No matter one’s suffering, which is the result of sin; God will judge justly and without partiality. From the biblical perspective, calamities consist of justice and blessing. How? Scripture Reading: Romans 2:5-11 (read by David Johnson)
Lesson by Scott Shifferd Recorded September 11, 2016 Everyone is tempted. Jesus was tempted and yet did not sin. However, most people are not comfortable knowing that those sins tempt their spiritual leaders who may have committed those sins recently. Jesus warned about looking to lust after others because this means that adultery is within one’s heart. How did the first Christians address lust and sexual sins? Did they have to face pornography? In the Bible, the apostle Paul addressed the Christians at Corinth who were once adulterers, sexual immoral, homosexuals, and effeminate. Paul exhorted these Christians to remain pure and avoid these sins that are contrary to the kingdom of heaven. Christians are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6). This study focuses on the definitions of sins and “pornography,” the sin of looking to lust, how to prevent and overcome sexual sins. Scripture Reading: Matthew 5:27-30 (read by Jimmy Sullivan)
Lesson by Scott Shifferd Recorded September 4, 2016 How can one act of mercy make a difference? Ask the apostle Matthew. Because Jesus called Matthew, tax collectors and sinners joined to eat with Jesus and his disciples. Jesus offered God’s Word to the outcasts and fringes of society. While Christians are not to become unequally yoked with unbelievers, Christians are to act with mercy and kindness to reach those who are “outsiders.” Christ exhorted critical Pharisees to “Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’” Sacrifice is meaningless without mercy. This study encourages believers to follow Christ’s example. Jesus called sinners to repent (Luke 5:32). Repentance is essential to the forgiveness of sins and publishing of the Gospel message (Luke 24:46–8; Acts 2:38; 3:19). How can Christians learn from Christ to lead others to mercy and repentance? Scripture Reading: Matthew 12:1-8 (read by Barry Rutkowski)
Lesson by Scott Shifferd Recorded August 28, 2016 |
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