Lesson by Scott Shifferd
Recorded August 21, 2016
After archers critically wounded him, King Saul feared the Philistines would capture and mistreat him. The king commanded his armor-bearer to draw his sword and kill him, but the armor-bearer refused. King Saul drew his sword and fell on it (1 Sam 31). Was Saul right to take his life at this moment? Did Saul have the prerogative to take his own life when he was dying and facing torture? He was already in rebellion against God. In his last moments, Saul would have to choose either turning to God or to control his own end. This lesson addresses life-and-death issues. How should Christians view human life and face death? How do the Scriptures apply? Psalm 139:13–16 revealed that God forms every person in the womb. God’s works are wonderful including everyone that He created. God even knows the days of our lives before He created us. The Christian faith consists of divine principles that endear the value of human life and revere God’s image. Scripture Reading: Genesis 1:26-27 (read by Dutch Dekker)
Lesson by Scott Shifferd Recorded August 21, 2016
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Secularism is thriving in America. “Do not talk about politics or religion.” Americans have been excluding God from public life because it offends people and it is not so professional. Many consider secularism as a “neutral” position. Secularism does not recognize religion, faith, and God. How can secularism then defend freedom of religion and conscience? The Christian faith has produced tolerance by its very nature of following Jesus who never forced anyone to believe. Jesus sought to persuade the hearts and minds of the crowds that listened to him. Secularism is a huge step backwards from the preference of Christianity. Following Jesus has been the only ally to the freedom of conscience. The faith of Christians is more than a private conviction. Christianity is a public need. Faith in Jesus is a blessing to society and one that Christians must continue to argue and uphold. However, the apostle Paul spoke of those who will no longer honor and thank God. Paul revealed what would happen to them, and America appears to have gone down that path. This study observes God’s revelation in Romans 1, its fulfillment today, and pleads for the only path toward true freedom by a national preference for the Christian faith Key Scripture: Romans 1:18-28
Scripture Reading: Romans 1:18-21 (read by Gene Bryant) Lesson by Scott Shifferd Recorded August 14, 2016 What can Christians do as civil citizens? Some preachers have suggested the Christian’s role as a citizen is to focus on heaven and that this world matters little. However, the apostle Paul used his rights as a Roman citizen to spread the Gospel. He made choices that many Christians are afraid to make today. Paul gained greater liberty when Roman leaders persecuted him and later found that he was a citizen. Christians wonder about voting. Can a Christian vote for “the lesser of two evils”? How is one candidate better than another? Must someone completely agree with the candidate? Despite the circumstances of the apostle Paul, Paul honored and revered the government leaders. He gave instructions of praying for them and speaking for evil of them. How should Christians apply these principles today? Scripture Reading: Acts 23:1-5 (read by Steve Berg)
Lesson by Scott Shifferd Recorded August 7, 2016 Some secular politicians have suggested that government cannot exist if they followed Jesus’s “golden rule.” Did God intend for the government to turn the other cheek to evil and love its enemies? The apostle Paul revealed that God instituted the governing authorities as His ministers and gave them the power to exercise the sword against evil. God has a role for civil government. For this reason, Paul instructed Christians to submit to the government. How can Christians submit when Rome would persecute Christians? Does God want Christians to turn the other cheek when others a threatening to abuse and murder their families? Furthermore, how should Christians act when the government moves toward gun control? What would Jesus think of the Second Amendment? Would Jesus have commanded his disciples to possess swords? Scripture Reading: I Peter 2:13-17 (read by Jimmy Sullivan)
Lesson by Scott Shifferd Recorded July 31, 2016 Soon after the establishment of the church, the apostles preached openly in the Solomon’s portico. For this, the chief priests imprisoned the apostles. However, an angel opened the prison and commanded the apostles to go preach in the temple. Again, the chief priests had the apostles brought back to the council and questioned them for filling Jerusalem with their doctrine. Now, Can the church do this again? According to Jesus, filling Jerusalem with the doctrine was the first step before spread the Gospel throughout the surrounding regions. Christians need to think big about evangelizing the world. Jesus sent twelve men out with a message and the world has never been the same. What was there about the apostles that gave them the boldness to attempt what they accomplished? Lesson by Scott Shifferd
Recorded July 24, 2016 Jesus revealed to His disciples, “But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear.” Jesus Christ did all on His own. Jesus brought the message, lived the life, died for sins, and rose and lived again. In a bright light, Jesus appeared to Saul for which Saul fell to the ground. Jesus commanded Saul whose name was also Paul, “Rise and stand on your feet.” Jesus had a mission for this new apostle. By God’s providence, the apostle Paul stood before people apart from his own planning. God opened doors for Paul and He does so now for Christians to share their faith. Paul stood before the Jewish Sanhedrin, Governor Felix, Festus, and the king Agrippa. Eventually, Paul went to the emperor in Rome. How can Christians prepare themselves for the open doors to teach the Gospel? How they speak to different people? This lesson considers biblical examples for evangelizing to the world. Scripture Reading: Matthew 7:13-14 (read by Undre Griggs)
Lesson by Scott Shifferd Recorded July 17, 2016 He went on the housetop to pray. He saw a vision and the heavens opened. A sheet lowered with all kinds of animals, and God commanded, “Rise Peter; kill and eat.” Peter learned that no one was unclean or common. Peter learned again that the Gospel was for all the nations. Prayer was an essential part of spreading the message of Christ. The apostle Paul spoke of the preparation that Christians need. Paul taught Christians to pray for open doors, to walk in wisdom toward outsiders, and keep one’s speech gracious. Do you lack any of these? Consider the preparation necessary to proclaim the Gospel to the world. Scripture Reading: Acts 10:34-43 (read by David Johnson)
Lesson by Scott Shifferd Recorded July 10, 2016 Have you ever thought that you were under obligation to spread the Gospel? Obligation is not necessarily a negative motivation. Duty compels many people, and the Christian obligation to tell of the Gospel was no different for the apostle Paul. Paul confessed that he was under obligation to the world to preach the Gospel. For this, Paul admitted, “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.” This is one of two reasons that Paul was not ashamed. Christians need to consider whether the Gospel embarrasses them. Can we defend the truth of the Gospel? Consider that according to the Bible Jesus despised the shame when He endured the cross. The lesson will present the scriptures and give reasons that encourage us never to become embarrassed of the Gospel. Scripture Reading: Romans 1:1-7 (read by Christopher Howell)
Lesson by Scott Shifferd Recorded July 3, 2016 How would you explain the church? Would that explanation differ from how Jesus would explain the church — His people? This lesson considers how starting with Christ and His words is essential for revealing the church to the world. If our explanation of the church does not begin with Christ and His words, would we describe another church: our family’s church, a television church, and a dream church? There are people skilled in making churches for the masses. However, Jesus did not always please the masses. The Christian plea to the world should be that everyone follow Christ to His church, and not to follow a church to their version of Christ. What are some qualities that Jesus described about His church? This lesson will simply turn to Jesus and His words to see the church of Christ. Scripture Reading: Matthew 16:13-19 (read by Ken Adams)
Lesson by Scott Shifferd Recorded June 26, 2016 God has made His people holy according to the Bible. The Scriptures also reveal that without holiness no one will see the Lord. Do you have a desire for a pure and holy life? Christ makes His church holy without spot and blemish. While hostility and evil deeds have stained all people, Jesus makes believers blameless if they continue in the faith and do not shift from the hope of the Gospel. This begins when one is washed in the name of Jesus Christ. Christ helps believers put off the old self and put on the new by the renewal in the spirit of one’s mind. This includes changing one’s behavior from profane language to pure speech that thanks God. Holiness also includes putting away all forms of sexual immorality to walk in the light. Consider more about how Christ can wash and make people holy. Scripture Reading: Ephesians 4:17-24 (read by Steve Berg)
Lesson by Scott Shifferd Recorded June 19, 2016 |
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