(5/15/16) TNH
SERVICES
* PASTOR'S BIBLE CLASS
Putting the "Personal" in Personal Salvation is a Personal Responsibility.
We are each responsible for working out our own salvation (Ph. 2:12)
We have not, because we ask not, or because we ask amiss (Ja. 4:2-4).
We have as much of God as we want, that's why we have as little of Him as we do (Mt. 13:10-16).
Though Christ died for the entire world (1 Jn. 2:2), and He saves all those who come to Him by faith (Ac. 2:21; Ro. 10:13), individual development is based on the individual's faith and submission to God (1 Jn. 1:6-10).
God does not force anyone into salvation, and He does not force anyone into a victorious Christian experience, but He provides everything that pertains to life and godliness (2 Pe. 1:3).
Ephesians 4:11-32
GOD PROVIDES CORPORATE SALVATION
(11) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
(12) For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
(13) Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
(14) That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
(15) But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
(16) From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
(17) This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
(18) Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
(19) Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
GOD REQUIRES PERSONAL RESPONSE
(20) But ye have not so learned Christ;
(21) If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
(22) That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
(23) And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
(24) And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
(25) Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
(26) Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
(27) Neither give place to the devil.
(28) Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
(29) Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
(30) And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
(31) Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
(32) And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
* MESSAGE
TO BE IN CHRIST, IS TO BE IN RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Ephesians 4:22-32
(22) That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
(23) And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
(24) And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
(25) Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
(26) Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
(27) Neither give place to the devil.
(28) Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
(29) Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
(30) And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
(31) Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
(32) And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Quick Overview
GOD CREATES THE NEW MAN, THE INNER MAN IN RIGHTEOUSNESS
Ephesians 4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
We must put off the old life, old self, old man, corrupted and stained with sin. The longer we live in sin, the stronger the sin becomes. We must not simply improve ourselves, nor does God simply improve us. We are in need of a new beginning, and this is why God refers to it as being created and putting on the new life, the new self, the new man.
GOD'S WORD INSTRUCTS US IN RIGHTEOUSNESS
2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
God not only gives us a new beginning, through the new birth, created in true righteousness and holiness, God has given us His word in order to instruct us in righteousness. Righteousness is the standard of living that God expects from His children.
CHRIST WILL JUDGE AND WAGE WAR AGAINST THE LOST WORLD, IN RIGHTEOUSNESS
Revelation 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
Though Jesus is the Prince of Peace, to those who submit to His rule, He is the Mighty God who makes war and judges His enemies. This is a picture of Christ returning to set up His kingdom.
GOD WILL JUDGE THE WORLD IN RIGHTEOUSNESS
Acts 17:31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
Christ, Who came, died and rose again in order to become our Savior and Lord, will sit at the judgment bar of history, judging the lost for all of their ungodly deeds and words and thoughts. Righteousness will be the standard.
