Friday, February 28, 2014

So Great Salvation - J. F. Strombeck




Is a Gradate of Northwester University in 1911













True Fellowship - Gregg Bing



  The fellowship we enjoy with oter believers is a wonderful blessing of the Lord, but often we take a rather shallow view regarding what fellowship is. To many, fellowship is basically viewed as friendship and having fun with other believers. In many churches, fellowship is almost always associated with the idea of food. Many churches have a fellowship hall in their building; and what is almost always connected to this fellowship hall? A kitchen! We speak of fellowship breakfasts or fellowship dinners as if the two ideas naturally go together. There is certainly nothing wrong with believers enjoying a meal together, but fellowship is much more than friendship, fun and food. In this lesson, we will examine the Scriptural concept of true, spiritual fellowship.

 In the opening verses of his letter to the Philippian saints, Paul writes: 

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now. (Phil. 1:3-5) 

What a love Paul had for these saints at Philippi. Every remembrance of them and every reminder he had of them caused him to give thanks to God. They were constantly in his prayers, making request for them all with joy. It is interesting that, even though Paul wrote this letter from a prison house in Rome (Acts 28, Phil. 1:7,13), the tone of the entire letter is one of joy and rejoicing. One of the key reasons is found in Philippians 1:5.

His joy was for their fellowship in the gospel from the first day unto now. The Greek word translated for is a word that literally means upon or based upon. Thus, the basis for Paul's joy regarding these saints was their fellowship in the gospel. 

The word fellowship is translated from the Greek word koinonia. Vines Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words gives the meaning of this word as communion, fellowship, sharing in common. To have fellowship means to have a common bond, to have something in common with someone else, to share together with another. What did Paul have in common with these saints at Philippi? The gospel! Their fellowship was in the gospel. 

The word gospel means good news. It was clearly an important bond he had with the Philippians for he mentioned the gospel 5 times in the first chapter alone (vs. 5, 7, 12, 17, 27). What was the gospel that Paul referred to? It was the gospel of Christ (Gal. 1:7): that Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day, according to the Scriptures. (1 Cor. 15:1-4). It was the gospel of the grace of God (Acts 20:24): For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast (Eph. 2:8-9). It was this glorious gospel message that Paul had in common with the brethren at Philippi. 

How did they share in this gospel? First, they had a common salvation. They believed the same gospel message. They trusted in the same wonderful person, the Lord Jesus Christ, as their Savior (Acts 16:31). They enjoyed the same glorious position, spiritual blessings, and hope in Christ (Eph. 1:3-14, Phil. 3:20-21). What a wonderful fellowship we have, as believers in Christ, rejoicing together in a common salvation. These are joys that can't be understood by those outside of Christ. As we read further in Philippians 1, we find that Paul's idea of their fellowship in the gospel went beyond just their common salvation. 

Just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace. For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ. (Phil. 1:7-8) 



Paul also enjoyed fellowship with these believers in the ministry of the gospel. They were in his heart, for these saints shared with Paul in his preaching and teaching of the gospel, from the first day until now (Phil. 1:5). How did they share with Paul in this work? 

To begin with, they shared with Paul by helping supply his needs. When Paul departed from Macedonia after visiting Philippi the first time, theirs was the only church who consistently shared with Paul and supported his ministry, sending aid once and again for his necessities (Phil. 4:15-16). Even in his chains, as he wrote this letter from prison in Rome, the Philippians were still supporting Paul, having sent a gift by the hands of Epaphroditus (Phil. 4:10,18). Paul spoke of the Philippians sacrificial giving when he wrote to the Corinthians. 

For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God. (2 Cor. 8:3-5)


These saints also shared with Paul in being willing to suffer and endure the same type of conflict he experienced, all for the sake of the gospel of Christ (Phil. 1:28-30). Sharing a common suffering often brings people closer together, even unbelievers. For instance, people who have a serious illness, such as cancer, often feel close to someone who has shared the same experience. The bond is even closer when the sufferings are for the cause of Jesus Christ. In a very real sense, as we suffer in the ministry of the gospel, we are sharing in the sufferings of Christ Himself (Phil. 3:10). 

Finally, the Philippians also stood with Paul in the defense and confirmation of the gospel (Phil. 1:7). The ministry of the gospel involves preaching or proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ and Him crucified so that people may believe and be saved, but it also involves much more. In preaching the gospel, there is often much opposition, fueled by Satan himself. The apostle Paul was set or appointed by God, not only to preach the gospel (1 Cor. 1:17), but also to defend it (Phil. 1:17). As he stood firmly for the truth of Gods Word against the adversaries of the gospel, the Philippian brethren stood with him, striving together for the faith of the gospel (Phil. 1:27). 

The church at Philippi also shared with Paul in the confirmation of the gospel. The word confirmation, according to Strong's Lexicon, means to make firm, to establish, or to make sure. After people hear the gospel and believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior, they need to be established in the truth of the gospel and Gods Word. Though often neglected, this is an important part of the gospel ministry. After Paul preached the gospel in a city, he would often return, strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith (Acts 14:22). This is one of the key functions of a local church, and a wonderful work to share together in; seeing believers grow and mature, and become rooted and built up in Him (Christ) and established in the faith, as they have been taught (Col. 2:7). 

Paul's relationship with the church at Philippi is a wonderful example to us of true, spiritual fellowship. What was the secret of their continuing and consistent fellowship in the gospel? They were all partakers together of grace (Phil. 1:7). Gods grace not only saves us from our sins, it also sustains us and supplies our every need. It is sufficient for us (2 Cor. 12:9). As we yield to the Lord and the strength of His grace (2 Tim. 2:1), He will work in and through us to accomplish His will (Phil. 2:13). We can be confident, as Paul was, being fully persuaded, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ (Phil. 1:6). 

When we recognize that true, spiritual fellowship with other believers is centered in the gospel of Jesus Christ, it causes us to have a genuine longing and affection for one another (Phil. 1:8). As we share together in the blessings of our salvation in Christ, stand and suffer together for the cause of Christ, and spread the gospel of Christ to others, we experience a unity and closeness that brings real joy to our hearts and great pleasure to our Lord. 



How God Saves Men
Believing Christ DIED, that’s HISTORY.
Believing Christ DIED for YOU SINS and Rose again that’s SALVATION.

Read Romans 1:16, Romans 10:9-10 and 1. Corinthians 15:1-4


(A 10 Minute Video)

Posted By Cecil and Connie Spivey
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Trends of the End - By Charles Wages





"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come." (2 Tim. 3:1-5)
The verses in 2 Timothy 3:1-5 give a vivid account of what we can expect in "the last days." There are approximately twenty distinct characteristics given that portray for us the "trends of the end." The "last days" spoken of by the apostle Paul refers to the end of this age of grace.
In a right division of God's Word we must "try the things that differ," therefore the "last days" of the church here mentioned are different from the last days of Israel. The apostle Peter, while preaching on the day of Pentecost spoke of the "last days" of Israel and accounted the tremendous physical and outward manifestations that would precede and accompany those days. For example, he tells of sons and daughters prophesying and seeing visions and dreams, the showing of wonders in heaven; signs in the earth; sun turned into darkness; and the moon into blood. These "days" are further shown in the early chapters of the Revelation.
In the "last days" of this present church age, the characteristics given are more of a moral, ethical, and spiritual nature. For example, a few of these include, men to be lovers of self; without natural affection; disobedient to parents; heady and high-minded; and "having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof." This last one is a good example of what we are seeing today. It is surely a "trend of the end."
We must be constantly reminded that all that goes on under the heading of "worship" is not always true worship of God. Worship can be just an exercise directed toward and for man or even the devil! It must be noted that the Scripture says: "Having a form of godliness." This means that there is emphasis on an outward semblance of worship instead of a real worship from the heart in accordance with God's Word and will. This "form" can take on many forms. The apostle Paul had to correct the philosophers at Athens for their confusing superstitions and ignorant worship of every false god. (Acts 17:18-23). Then he concluded by telling them the true God had created all things by stating,
"God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needeth anything, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things." (Acts 17:24-25)
Throughout the history of man, both secular and biblical, we find human beings worshipping everything under the sun, including the sun. The early inhabitants of this earth are described in Romans, chapter one. We are told that they did not glorify God, but became vain in their imaginations, and were so foolish that they:
"Changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping thing." (Rom. 1:23)
And then further, we are told,
"Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen." (Rom. 1:25)
In the book of Colossians, chapter two, we find a stern warning to the "worshippers" of that day (and today) who worshipped angels. Paul's warning was,
"Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind." (Col. 2:18)
No doubt this kind of worship took on itself a religious "form." They went through certain rituals and possibly looked good and appealed to the eye and the senses (Col. 2:20-21). This kind of worship is described as "will worship," and false humility in Colossians 2:23. It satisfies the flesh, but does not honor God.
In one sense, it is good to live in a land where there is freedom of worship, and most of us, I am sure, are glad and thankful we do. However, it has its problems as well. Apart from the leading of the Spirit of God, sinful man invariably chooses that "form of worship" that satisfies the flesh. The "god of this world" (Satan) doesn't mind people being "religious" as long as they do not worship the God of glory. Satan loathes the saint; God loves the sinner, but hates the sin. The antichrist, when he appears and takes charge of this world system, will forbid all worship except that which acknowledges him as god (2 Thess. 2:4).
This "false" worship—this "form" worship that denies the power of God, is the outstanding "trend of our times" (2 Tim. 3:5).
How wonderful to worship the One who loved us, even when we were lost in sin, and took our place on the cross of shame. It is God's great desire through His grace "that all men be saved, and come into the knowledge of the truth" (1 Tim. 2:4). It is good to acknowledge that "there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the man, Christ Jesus" (1 Tim. 2:5). When we trust the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour, God saves and justifies us and makes us "new creations" in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17). Further, the Holy Spirit baptizes us into the one body, (the Church, which is Christ's body), seals us unto the day of redemption (Eph. 1:13-14), and the Spirit of God comes to dwell in the child of God (1 Cor. 6:19).
Then, we are able to distinguish the false, and worship the true God, and understand (in some manner) the "trends of the end."

How God Saves Men
Believing Christ DIED, that’s HISTORY.
Believing Christ DIED for YOU SINS and Rose again that’s SALVATION.

Read Romans 1:16, Romans 10:9-10 and 1. Corinthians 15:1-4


(A 10 Minute Video)

Posted By Cecil and Connie Spivey
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Thursday, February 27, 2014

GRACE BIBLE STUDIES - Posted By Cecil Spivey





    Wednesday, February 26, 2014

    SALVATION - By Lewis Sperry Schafer





    SALVATION

    by

    Lewis Sperry Chafer,

    Bible Teacher and Author

    Founder of

    Dallas Theological Seminary

     
    TABLE OF CONTENTS



    Title
    Size (Kb)
    41.83
    51.04
    62.83
    52.34
    55.88
    63.71
    49.11
    46.53
    50.99
    74.21
    74.19



    34.1

    Also Read Dr. Schafer Bible Study
    Accuracy in Proclaiming the Gospel - Lewis Sperry Schafer


    How God Saves Men
    Believing Christ DIED, that’s HISTORY.
    Believing Christ DIED for YOU SINS and Rose again that’s SALVATION.

    Read Romans 1:16, Romans 10:9-10 and 1. Corinthians 15:1-4


    (A 10 Minute Video)

    Posted By Cecil and Connie Spivey
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    The Omnipotent God - By Lori Gardner




    One of the first things children learn in Sunday school is that God is omnipotent. They may not understand such a big word, but even the smallest child can comprehend that God is all powerful. Children never question how He could create the world in six days or how He had the power to calm an angry sea. With their childlike faith they accept that He is powerful enough to do these things simply because He is God.

    It's sad that as we get older and face the trials and challenges of adulthood, we tend to forget God's power. We listen to the world's logic and lean upon our own reasoning instead of trusting that God is big enough for anything that comes our way.

    Throughout the book of Joshua we see many examples of how powerful God is. Joshua 10 tells us the Israelites were in a fierce battle against an alliance of Amorite kings. God demonstrated His power by casting down great hailstones from heaven that killed more of the enemy than Israel did with the sword (Joshua 10:11).

    In this same battle, Joshua did something very unusual; he spoke to the Lord before the children of Israel saying, "Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and Moon, in the valley of Aijalon" (Joshua 10:12). Miraculously, the sun and the moon stood still until Israel had avenged themselves upon their enemies.

    Scripture does not say that Joshua privately prayed for this to happen. It says he spoke to the Lord "before the children of Israel," and he commanded the sun and the moon in their sight. What tremendous confidence Joshua had to speak this command in front of his army. We can only imagine the humiliation and loss of respect if Joshua had been wrong, but he knew God was mighty enough to stop the sun and moon from moving so they could successfully finish the battle.

    It is interesting that the Lord used the very things the Amorites worshipped, the sun and moon, to defeat them. They learned that Israel's living God was more powerful than anything they had ever seen.

    Psalm 62:11 tells us that power belongs to God. Because God is eternal, His power is unending. The God that we learned about in Sunday school is just as powerful today as He was in Joshua's time. Jeremiah 32:17 says, "Ah Lord GOD! Behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee,





    How God Saves Men
    Believing Christ DIED, that’s HISTORY.
    Believing Christ DIED for YOU SINS and Rose again that’s SALVATION.

    Read Romans 1:16, Romans 10:9-10 and 1. Corinthians 15:1-4


    (A 10 Minute Video)

    Posted By Cecil and Connie Spivey
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    Tuesday, February 25, 2014

    PRAYER A DISPENSATION STUDY - By Pastor J. C. O'Hair




    In this lesson we shall learn that prayer is certainly a dispensational study. No Christian, in this age of grace, in the light of Romans 12:17 to 21, would pray any of the many imprecatory prayers by God’s most spiritual servants under the reign of law.
    Note Matthew 21:22 - I Timothy 2:8 - John 14:13: “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” “I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.” “And whatsoever ye shall ask in My name that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”
    Every one should know that God does not hear the prayers of unsaved people, no matter how religious and sincere and earnest they may be. But James 5:16 is always true, “the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” “The ear of the Lord is open unto the cry of the righteous.” (I Peter 3:12).
    It is true, that Stephen, when dying, prayed unto the Lord Jesus; but that was for Israel’s benefit concerning the Son of man. (Acts 7:51 to 58). The Son instructed His disciples to pray to the Father.
    It is true that many spiritual Christians claim rich blessings praying to Christ and the Holy Spirit. But strictly speaking prayer should be offered in accordance with John 14:13 and Romans 8:26, to the Father, in the name of the Son, through the intercession of the Holy Spirit.
    Christians well taught in the Scriptures, do not address the Saviour, as “Jesus.” When we speak of our Saviour, let us call Him our Lord Jesus Christ.
    Note Romans 8:26 and I John 5:14: “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit Himself maketh intercession for us with groaning which cannot be uttered.” “And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us.”
    These two conditions of answered prayer have been a great blessing in my own Christian life, together with James 1:5 and 6: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering: for he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.” And let us never forget Psalm 66:18, “if I regard iniquity, in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.”
    I confess that I am impotent and ignorant apart from God’s Divine wisdom from above made known to me by the indwelling Spirit: “And He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” Romans 8:27. Only in this way can any Christian ask according to God’s will.
    As we study the prayers of Luke 18:13 - Acts 10:4 - Acts 8:15 in the light of I John 2:2-Titus 2:11 - Ephesians 1:13 and 14, and especially in the light of the Lord’s message of reconciliation committed to Paul with the dispensation of grace, (II Corinthians 5:18 to 21), no Spirit-taught messenger of grace will tell any sinner that he must pray to be saved or pray through to receive the Holy Spirit. God’s “grace” way is not of works - not by works - not of yourself. (Ephesians 2:9 - Galatians 3:2 - Titus 3:5 to 8) - Salvation and the Holy Spirit are God’s “grace” gifts when the sinner believes. Christians should pray without ceasing; should pray for one another, with all prayer and supplication for all saints and for all things. (I Thessalonians 5:17 - Philippians 4:6 to 8 - Ephesians 6:17 and 18 - James 5:16).
    Note these prayers in God’s program of grace: Philippians 1:9 - Colossians 4:2 - II Corinthians 13:7 - Romans 12:12 - I Timothy 4:5.


    How God Saves Men
    Believing Christ DIED, that’s HISTORY.
    Believing Christ DIED for YOU SINS and Rose again that’s SALVATION.

    Read Romans 1:16, Romans 10:9-10 and 1. Corinthians 15:1-4


    (A 10 Minute Video)

    Posted By Cecil and Connie Spivey
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    Monday, February 24, 2014

    Mid - Acts Dispensational Bible Studies - By Pastor Robert E. Hanna



    ... a dispensational exposition
























    THE DOCTRINE OF PURE GRACE! - By Robert E. Hanna  (Click Here)







     
                             How God Saves Men
    Believing Christ DIED, that’s HISTORY.
    Believing Christ DIED for YOU SINS and Rose again that’s SALVATION.
    Read Romans 1:16, Romans 10:9-10 and 1. Corinthians 15:1-4


    Posted By Cecil  and Connie Spivey


    cspivey1953@gmail.com
     

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