1

Outline # 1: The BIBLE-THE WORD OF GOD

Intro:
It is so important for a young Christian to start right, therefore this first lesson is designed to help established
our faith in the Bible, for it is the Word of God. Keep in mind that the Bible is not a book of philosophy,
although it is philosophical. Do not go to the Bible for a scientific treatise (essay, thesis, article), however, there
is no discrepancy between ascertained facts of science and the Bible. The Bible is not a book of history, but is
found to be accurate when recording history. The Bible was given to man from God, revealing Jesus Christ, the
Son of God, and God the Son the Only Saviour. (John 14:6). He is the center and the circumference. It is Christ
from Gen. to Revelation. The Bible is as high above all other books as heaven are above the earth. Someone has
said of the Bible: Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be right. Ps.[Link]

 THE BIBLE CLAIM TO BE THE INSPIRED WORD OF GOD. 2 Timothy:3:16-17.

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God.. Inspired mean “God’s breathed”. . By inspiration we mean
that the Holy Spirit exerted His supernatural influence upon the writers , for the Bible nowhere claims to
have been written by inspired men.
1. The Holy Spirit is the author of the Bible. 2 Peter 1:21. Christ told His disciples that He would leave
“many things” unrevealed, and that the Holy Spirit would come and choose certain person and through
them reveal His perfect will unto man; and that the Holy Spirit would be the believer’s teacher. John
16:12-15.
2. Man is the instrument used by the Holy Spirit to write the Bible.
3. Results: the infallible Word of God. therefore , the Bible is free from error and absolutely trustworthy.
Ps 119:89 , Mat 24:35

 THE BIBLE IS A DIFFICULT BOOK. 1 CORINTHIANS 2:14.

“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him, neither
can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned”
1. The Bible is a difficult book because it came from the infinite to the finite,-from the unlimited, all
powerful God, to limited man therefore, you cannot understand the Bible as you would understand the
writings of Plato or Socrates. You can study the great philosophers with the natural mind and by diligent
application, grasp their profound meaning. If the Bible could be understood by natural man, it would be
a natural book and could not be the Word of God. Since, the Bible is from God,, and therefore spiritual,
before you can receive its teachings, you must be born of the Spirit. John 3:6 and filled with the Spirit,
Eph.5:18. Always approach the Bible praying that the Spirit will be your teacher and will guide you to a
better understanding of His Holy Word. , or it will remain a difficult, closed book John 16:12-15.

REASONS WHY THE BIBLE IS HARD TO UNDERSTAND.

1. SPIRITUAL GAP.. The Bible is spiritually discerned. 1 Cor. 2:14. John 16:13-15. tells us that the one
who guides us into all truth, the one who takes the things of God and reveals them to us in the Holy
Spirit, our teacher.
2. LINGUISTIC GAP. The Bible was originally written in Hebrew, Aramaic & Greek
3. PHILOSOPHICAL GAP. There is a difference in sets of standards
4. HISTORICAL GAP. The Bible was written many years back.
5. CULTURAL GAP. The need for the Bible reader today to transport himself with the cultural context
where and when the Bible was written.

 THE BIBLE IS A BOOK OF ONENESS. 2 PETER 1:21

2
“For the prophesy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved
by the Holy Ghost”
1. The oneness or unity of the Bible is a miracle. It is a library of 66 books, written by over 35-40 different
writers, in a period of approximately 1500-1600 years. These writers had different backgrounds, personality,
writing styles, and gifts but they agree in what that they wrote. It is because there are many writers but ONE
AUTHOR_GOD HIMSELF. Represented in the writers is a cross section of humanity, educated and
uneducated, including kings, fisherman, public officials, farmers, teachers and physicians, include in the
subjects are religion, history, law, science, poetry, drama, biography and prophesy. Yet its various parts are
as harmoniously united as the parts that make up the human body. For 35 authors, with such varied
backgrounds, to write on so many subjects, over a period of approximately 1500 years , in absolute
harmony, is a mathematical impossibility. It could not happen! Then how do we account for the Bible? If
the Bible is really the Word of God, then it should be harmonious, not contradictory. The only adequate
explanation is: “Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

 THE BIBLE CLAIMS SPECIAL POWER. HEB.4:12

“For the Word of God is quick and powerful”
1. The Bible claims dividing power as a sword. The Bible will separate man from sin, Ps. 119:11 or sin
will separate man from the Bible., Isaiah 59:2
2. The Bible claims reflecting power as a mirror, James 1:22-25. in the Bible , we see ourselves as God
sees us- as sinners , Rom. 3:23
3. The Bible claims cleansing power as water, Eph5:26 David prayed that God would “wash him from
iniquity” and “ cleanse him from sin” Ps.51:2
4. The Bible claims reproductive power as seed. 1 Peter 1:23. we are children of God because we have
been born into the family of God by the incorruptible seed of God, this is the new birth, John 3:1-7
5. The Bible claims nourishing power as food, 1 Peter 2:2. The Bible is spiritual food for the soul. No
Christian can remain strong in the Lord and not study the Word of God.

 THE BIBLE COMMANDS THE BELIEVER TO STUDY THE SCRIPTURES. 2 TIM.2:15

“Study to show thyself approved unto God” Is a command. As you study the Bible, you will discover that it
does not just contain the Word of God—it is the Word of God. You must also keep in mind that the Word of
God contains the words of God, as well as the words of Satan, demons, angels and man.—both good and
bad. God is truth and cannot lie. Satan “is a liar and the father of it” John 8:44. Man is natural and is
therefore limited, and does not always speak the truth. To illustrate, Mat.22:15-46. In this portion of
scriptures, we have the words of Jesus, of the Pharisees, of the Herodians and of the Sadducees. The
Pharisees, Herodians and Sadducees were trying to entangle Jesus in His teachings, that they might accuse
Him of breaking God’s law. Their words were spoken with evil intent, revealing the thinking of the natural
man, along with the words of God that came from the lips of Jesus.

REASONS WHY DO WE HAVE A BIBLE STUDY?

1. That we might be approved by God.
2. That we might grow in our Christian life. We cannot separate the Wor of God from Christian growth.
3. That we might have a clean life. John 15:3. It is the Word of God that gives us a clean living because it
is sanctifying.
4. That we might grow in our knowledge. If we lack the knowledge of the Word of God we will have no
restraining tactics against Satan.

As you study the Bible, ask yourself these questions:

1. Who is speaking, God, demon, angel or man?
3
2. To whom is he speaking: to the nation of Israel, to the Gentiles, to the church, to men in general or to
some individual man or being?
3. How can this Scripture be applied to my own life to make me a better Christian?

The Bible is the greatest book that has ever written. In it God Himself speaks to men. It is
a book of divine instruction. It offers comfort in sorrow, guidance in perplexity
(confusion), advice for our problems, rebuke for our sins, and daily inspiration for our
every need.

The bible is not simply one book. It is an entire library of books covering the whole range
of literature. It includes history, poetry, drama, biography, prophesy, philosophy, science,
and inspirational reading.

The bible alone truly answers the greatest questions that men of all ages have asked.
1. Where have I come from? Gen.1:26
2. Where I am going? Rom. 6:23
3. How can I know the truth? John 5:13
God has given us the Bible in order that we might know Him and that we might do His
will here on earth. The greatest purpose of the written Word of God, the Bible, is to
reveal the living Word of God, the Lord Jesus Christ. John 1:1-18

The Bible was given to man from God, revealing Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and God
the Son, the only Saviour. John 14:6. He is the center and the circumference. It is Christ
from Genesis to revelation.

Someone has said of the Bible “ Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to
be right.”

Here are several important practical suggestions when you study the Bible.
1. Begin your Bible reading with prayer. Ps.119:18
2. Ask yourself the following questions.
A. What is the main subject of this passage.
B. Who are the persons revealed in that passage. Who is speaking? About
whom is he speaking? Who is acting.
C. What does this passage teach me about the Lord Jesus Christ?
D. Is there any sin for me to confess and forsake in this passage?
E. Is there any command for me to obey in this passage?
F. Is there any promise for me to claim?
G. Is there any instruction for me to follow?
H. Is there any prayer that I should pray?

2Tim3:16.. as Apostle Paul said to Timothy.. “all scripture is inspiration of

God…../. the Bible has been given to us that we may live a holy life, well
pleasing unto God. Therefore God says… “be ye doers of the Word, and not
hearers only” James 1:22… Obey the Word of God.

Outline # 2: GOD
4
Intro: The Bible reveals God as the only Infinite (endless, never-ending, unlimited, inestimable,
immeasurable) and Eternal Being, having no beginning and no ending. He is creator and sustainer of all
things. He is the Supreme Personal Intelligence, and Righteous Ruler of His universe. He is life, and
therefore, the only source of life. –John 5:26

Man is natural and cannot know God by wisdom, “Canst thou by searching find out God”-Job 11:7. God is a
person and can be known only by revelation. In the OT He revealed Himself to and through His prophets. In
the NT He reveals Himself through His Son Jesus Christ.-Heb.1:1-3

 THE EXISTENCE OF GOD. HEB. 11:5-6

“For he that cometh to God must believe that he is.” The Bible nowhere attempts to prove or argue the
Existence of God. The existence of God is a fact taken for granted by the writers of both the OT and NT.
“In the beginning God”- Gen1:1. The Bible opens by announcing the sublime fact of God and His
existence. There are arguments of God; they are not conclusive, but are food for thought.

1. Universal belief in God comes from within man. It is innate in man, and comes from rational intuition.
2. The argument from “cause and effect”. Everything that began owes its existence to a cause. We have a
watch; we must have a watchmaker. We have a building; we must have a builder. We have a creation;
then we must have a creator. This creation could not have come into existence without an intelligent,
personal creator, any more than the alphabet could produce a book itself without an author.
3. The argument from anthropology. Man’s moral and intellectual nature argues for a moral and
intellectual creator.
4. The Bible and the Christ that it reveals, His virgin birth, His sinless life, His vicarious death and His
bodily resurrection—all of this and much more—argue for the existence of God.

 THE PERSONALITY OF GOD: 1 THESS.1:9

“and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God” the bible reveals God as a
personality. He is called “the living and true God”—One possessing self-consciousness and self-
determination. His personality is shown in what He does, such as.

1. God loves. “God so loved the world”-John 3:16

2. God hates. “ These things doth the Lord hate.-Prov. 6:16
3. God cares. “ He careth for you.”- 1 Pet. 5:7
4. God grives. “ It grieved Him at His heart”. Gen. 6:6

Only a personality can love, hate, care and grieve, therefore, God must be living, eternal, personal being.

 THE NATURE OF GOD: 1 JOHN 4:8

“He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.”
There are four definition of God in the Bible. Since God cannot be defined, they are incomplete,
However, they do throw light upon the nature of God. They are:

1. “God is love”. This is the nature of God in His divine compassion. -1 John 4:8
2. “God is light”. -1 John 1:5. This is the nature of God in His divine character; in Him there is no
darkness.
3. “God is consuming fire”- Heb. 12:29. This is the nature of God in His Holiness
4. “God is a Spirit”.-John 4:24. This is the nature of God in His divine essence.
The attributes of God reveal His nature. Do not think of His attributes as abstract, but as vital mediums
through which His holy nature is unveiled.—attributes ascribed (credited, attributed, qualified) to Him,
such as:
5
1. Life is ascribed to God-John 5:26
2. All knowledge is ascribed to God.-Ps. 147:5
3. All Power is ascribed to God.-Rev. 19:6
4. Filling the universe with His presence is ascribed to God.-Ps 139:7-10

God is everywhere present. God is everywhere present that requires his presence. God is not present
where his moral presence is not required. (Presence here means the visible and special manifestation of
God’s presence.(He is present when He is needed) but He is not in everything. If God were in
everything, man could worship any object and he would be worshipping god. God is a spirit being.
“And they that worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in Truth”. –John 4:24

 THE GRACE OF GOD: EPH.2:8-9

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God”
Grace means unmerited favor of God to man. Grace is the love and mercy of God in action. Mercy is
negative, and love is positive; both together means grace. To show mercy in love is grace. God showed
mercy in love when He sent His Son to bear our sins in His own body on the cross.-John 3:16

1. The grace of God saves forever.-Rom.8:38-39

2. The grace of God is unconditional; that is, we are not saved on the condition that we “hold oout unto
the end” or that we “fail not” or that we “do our best”. We are saved by the grace of God, apart from
works.
3. The grace of God is suffiecient.-2 Cor. 12:9
4. The grace of God makes no discrimination-Rev. 22:17
5. The grace of God justifies.-Rom. 3:23-24
6. The grace of God makes every believer an heir.-Titus 3:7
7. The grace of God teaches the believer how to live.-Titus 2:11-12

The grace of God is nothing less than the unlimited love of God expressed in the gift of His Son, our
Saviour. It is the undeserved love of God toward sinners.

 THE TRINITY OF GOD: MAT.3:16-17

By the Trinity of God we mean His tri-personal existence as Father, Son and Holy Spirit- three distinct
person in one God.
1. The Father is recognized as God-1 Pet1:2 and is all the fullness of the Godhead invisible-John 1:18
2. The Son is recognized as God-Heb.1:8. and is all the fullness of the Godhead manifested in the flesh-John
1:14
3. The Holy Spirit is recognized as God-Acts 5:3-4 and is all the fullness of the Godhead acting upon man,
convicting him of sin-John 16:7-11 and guiding the believer into all truth-john 16:12-15
4. The doctrine of Trinity is not explicit in the OT, but is rather implied, “And God said, Let us make man…”
Gen:126
5. The doctrine of the Trinity is revealed in the NT. In Mat 3:16,17, we have Christ being baptized in water. The
Father speaking from Heaven, and the Holy Spirit descending as a dove. We are to be baptized in the
“name(not names) of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” Mat 28:19
6. Even creation implies the doctrine of the Trinity. In creation, we have space, matter and time in one creation.
In space, we have length, breadth and height in one space. In matter, we have energy, motion and phenomena
in one substance. In time, we have past, present and future in one time. In man, we have body, soul and spirit
in one man.-1 Thess 5:23
7. In the Holy Trinity, we have Father, Son and Holy Spirit in one God.
Outline # 3: JESUS CHRIST THE SON OF GOD.
6
Intro: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are four books written by four different men about the same Man, the God-Man,
Jesus Christ. Matthew wrote to picture Jesus as the King; Mark wrote to picture Him as a servant; Luke wrote to picture
Him as the Son of man; and John wrote to picture Him as the Son of God

He is the supreme subject of each book of the New Testament., and fulfills all the promises of God in the
OT, from His incarnation to His second coming as “Lord of Lords and King of Kings”-Rev 17:14. He is the
God-man Christ Jesus in glory, exalted above all creatures, having “all power in heaven and in earth”-Mat.
28:18

During His earthly ministry, He claimed to be God incarnate (in Human flesh). John 1:14a “And the Word
became flesh” The word incarnation means “clothed upon” God was clothed upon with human flesh. Herein
is the real Christmas story. He is all that He claimed to be, or He is less than the least-Rev/1:8. Before His
claim can be denied, there are some things that must be accounted for:

1. His virgin birth

2. His holy, sinless life
3. His many miracles
4. His vicarious death and His bodily resurrection.

THE DEITY OF JESUS CHRIST: JOHN 1:1

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” ”
IN THE BEGINNING WAS THE WORD,” John 1:1a. According to Revelation 19:13, Jesus is called “The Word of
God.” Here we have the fact that Jesus was from the beginning. Though He became man at Bethlehem, the Son
of God is eternal. He prayed in John 17:5, “...O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I
had with thee before the world was.” He said in John 8:58, “Before Abraham was, I am.”

“...AND THE WORD WAS WITH GOD, AND THE WORD WAS GOD,” John 1:1b. Here is a picture of the deity
of Christ. One cannot be a Christian unless he believes in the deity of Christ. Christianity differs from all religion,
because it is more than a religion- it is the life of the Son of God made living in man.. Christ is Christianity,
and Christianity is Christ..

He is God. In Isaiah 9:6 and 7, He is called “The mighty God, The everlasting Father.” This same truth is given in John
1:2 which says, “The same was in the beginning with God.”

The deity of Jesus Christ, or His God nature, is well established in the NT, some of the facts are:

1. He is called God by the Apostles John- John 1:1

2. He is called God by the Apostles Thomas-John 20:28
3. He is call God by God the Father –Heb. 1:8
4. He claimed to be God in that He was with the Father before creation.-John 17:5
5. He claimed to be God in that He was before Abraham, “ Abraham rejoice to see my day…-John
8:51-59
6. He received worship, and only God is to be worshiped. –Mat. 14:33. angels refused worship.-
Rev.22:8-9. Man refused worship- Acts 10:25-26.
7. He forgives sin.-Mark 2:5-11. Only God can forgive sin
8. He is creator and maker of all things-Col.1:16
9. He is sustainer of all things.-Heb. 1:3. Only God can control the universe.
10. He claimed to have” all power in heaven and in earth”- Mat. 28:18. only God has all power.
11. He walked upon the blue water of Galilee. The winds and the waves obeyed His command, He
healed the sick and raised the dead. He gave sight to the blind and hearing to the deaf. He cast out
7
demons and made the lame to walk, He turned water into wine, and fed five thousand with the lunch
of a lad.

 THE HUMANITY OF JESUS CHRIST: ROM.1:3-4

“Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the
flesh” The humanity of Jesus Christ is seen in His human parentage.-Mat2:11
1. He developed as a normal human being. Luke 2:52
2. He was subject to all the sinless infirmities of the human nature.
a. He hungered –Mat. 4:2
b. He was thirsty- John 19:28
c. He was weary- John 4:6
d. He wept- John 11:35
e. He was tempted- Heb. 4:15
Jesus is man, and yet He is more than man. He is not God and man, but the God-man. He is God in
human flesh. His two natures are bound together in such a way that the two become one, having single
consciousness and will.

 THE VIRGIN BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST: LUKE 1:26-35

“Verses 31.,34,35 )”
The virgin birth of Jesus is without parallel (similar, equivalent, comparable) in human history. It was by
the virgin birth that God became man., one perfect person but two natures; one nature being that of
Almighty God, the other being that of man—man without sin.-Heb. 4:15. the union of the two natures
became the God-man Christ Jesus.

1. The first hint of the virgin birth is found in Gen.3:15. The One to defeat Satan was to be born of “the
seed of the woman”. This is a biological miracle; there is no “seed of the woman”, from this, we are
to understand that One was to be born of a woman without a human father. V.34,35
2. Isaiah prophesied that a “virgin would conceive, and bear a son and shall call His name Immanuel,
(God with us).-Isa 7:14
3. Again Isaiah prophesied saying. “Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given” Isa. 9:6-7.. this
means that God gave His only begotten Son who was with Him from eternity, and the Child Jesus
was born of a virgin, God gave His Son “unto us”
4. According to prophesy, He was to be born in Bethlehem. –Micah 5:2. Joseph with Mary went up to
Bethlehem to be taxed, and to fulfill prophecy.- Luke 2:1-7

 THE DEATH OF JESUS CHRIST: PHIL. 2:8

“And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the
death of the cross.”
The death of Jesus Christ is mentioned more than one hundred twenty times in the NT and is spoken of
many times by the Prophets in the OT.

1. The death of Jesus Christ was vicarious.(explicit, shocking) –Mat 20:28. He was God’s substitute for
sinners-2 Cor.5:21,. On the cross, Christ was made sin for the sinner. By faith in Him, the sinner is
made righteous with the righteousness of God.
2. The death of Jesus Christ was natural. –John.9:31-37. By a natural death, we mean that His spirit and
soul were separated from his body.
3. The death of Jesus Christ is unnatural. Rom.6:23. By unnatural death, we mean that since He was
sinless, in that He “Did no sin”-1 Pet.2:22.-“Had no sin”- 1 John3:5.- “Knew no sin” -2 Cor.5:21-.
Before He could die, He had to be “made sin for us”. Therefore, His death was unnatural.
4. The death Of Jesus Christ was preternatural - Rev.13:8., By this we mean that the death of Jesus
Christ
8
was not an afterthought with God. It was the forethought of God.
5. The death of Jesus Christ was supernatural. –John 10:17-18. Jesus said..” no man taketh life from
me”. Then He said “ I lay down to myself” (supernaturally). “ I have power to take it up again
“(supernaturally). This He did on the cross, and three days and three nights later, He took life up again
when He arose from the dead. Only God in the form of man could die a vicarious, natural, unnatural,
preternatural and supernatural death.

 THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST: MAT. 28:1-20

“Jesus said. “ I am the resurrection and the life” John 11:25. The resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ
was the doctrine of every disciple, the faith of every true believer, the courage of every martyr, the
theme of every sermon and the power of every evangelist.

Luke tells us that we have “ many infallible (reliable, dependable) proofs” of His resurrection-Acts 1:3.
Lets us look at some of these “ infallible proofs” according to eye witnesses.

1. After His resurrection He appeared first to Mary Magdalene.-John 20:11-18

2. He appeared to the woman returning from the sepulcher-Mat. 28:5-10
3. He appeared to Peter. Luke 24:34
4. To the Emmaus disciples. Luke 24:13-31
5. To the apostles, Thomas not present. Luke 24:36-43
6. Again to the Apostles, Thomas present-John 20:24-29
7. To the seven by the Sea of Tiberias -John 21:1-23
8. To over five hundred brtheren-1`Cor 15:6
9. He was seen of James.-1 Cor 15:7
10. He was seen again by the eleven apostles-Mat. 28:16-20 Acts 1:13-12
11. He was seen of Stephen, the first martyr- Acts 7:55
12. He was seen of Paul on his way to Damascus-Acts 9:3-6, 1Cor 5:8

Many of these eye witnesses died martyrs’ death because they preached the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
They were glad to die for a living God. They had the “infallible proofs)

When Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, all of His disciples “forsook Him and fled”-
Mat. 26:56. From the time until after His resurrection, the disciples lived in fear. They did not believe
that He would rise from the dead-John 20:9.. Had Jesus not come from the dead, the cross would have
been the end of Christianity. After the death of Jesus, we see His disciples dejected, discouraged and
defeated. The death of Jesus meant but one thing to them: the end.

How do we account for the great change that came into their lives three days and three nights later? The
only logical explanation is that they had the “infallible proofs”, that He had risen from the dead, and
was alive tomorrow. They saw Him talked with Him, touched Him and ate with Him.

Now, look at some “infallible proofs” according to circumstantial evidence.

1. The change that came into the lives of the disciples after the resurrection- from fear to unlimited
courage. They rejoice in persecution-Acts 5:40-42. They chose death, with faith in the resurrected
Christ, rather than to deny that faith and be delivered. – Heb.11:35
2. The early Church began to worship on the first day of the week, the day of the resurrection. It was
not a law—it was spontaneous-Acts 20:7.. For almost 2000 yrs, the church has worshiped on the
first day, For the Christian, every Sunday is a Holy day not holiday.
3. The early Christian went everywhere with the word of the resurrection-Acts.8:1-4
9
4. The empty tomb—for if Jesus is not alive, what happened to His body? The Roman guards were
paid to say “His disciples came by night, and stole Him away while we slept” Mat.28:12,13..

First :the disciples lacked the courage.. Had the disciples stolen His body?, then how do you account
for the fact that they all suffered, and most of them died a martyrs’ death?. In the face of death, one of
them would have revealed the hiding place of the “stolen body” to save his own life.
Second: no one was ever arrested or tried for stealing the body of Jesus.. It is evident that the governing
body officials did not believe the story of the guards.
Third. The guard could have been put to death for sleeping while on watch.
Fourth, if they were asleep, how could they have known that it was the disciples who “stole” the body?
Fifth, had the enemies of Jesus moved the body, they could have produced it and brought a quick end
to Christianity, and they would have.

5. The grave clothes found in the empty tomb are proof of the resurrection-John 20:1-10. Had friend or
foe stolen the body, they would not have removed the grave clothes, since He had been dead 3 days
and nights. When John saw the grave clothes and recognized that they were folded the same as when
they were wrapped about the body, he knew that a miracle had taken place. Jesus came out of the
clothes, and they collapsed without disturbing the folds. They were left in the empty tomb as “infallible
proof” and when John saw and understood, he believe that Jesus had come from the dead.

 THE ASCENSION AND SECOND COMING OF JESUS CHRIST: ACTS.1:9-11

After 40 days of instructing His disciples, the risen Christ ascended up on high, and is seated at the right
hand of the Father- Heb. 10:12. The message of the Second Coming of Jesus is so important, thatis
mentioned over 300 times in the NT.

1. He is coming to take His church to be with Him- 1 Thess. 4:16-17 , also John 14:1-6
2. He is coming to save Israel-Rom. 11:25-26
3. He is coming to sit upon the throne of David.- Luke 1:31-33, also Isa. 9:6-7
4. He is coming to judge the nations. Matt. 25:31-46
5. He is coming to bring righteous government to this earth- Heb. 1:8

Jesus Christ is coming back to this earth again. “Even so, come, Lord Jesus”. Rev. 22:20

Are you ready? If not be saved today.

What must I do to be saved?

SALVATION IS IN RECEIVING HIM. John 1:12, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the
sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” Ah, salvation is in receiving Jesus and believing on His
name. It is not by baptism, not by good works, but by receiving Christ and His payment on Calvary. (Teacher,
teach the Roman Road here. Teach the pupils exactly what it means to be saved.)

THE “HOW NOTS” OF BEING SAVED. John 1:13, “Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of
the will of man, but of God.”
1. “...not of blood.” Salvation cannot be inherited. A big nose may be inherited, brown eyes may be inherited,
short or tall stature may be inherited, big ears may be inherited, a certain type of disposition may be
inherited, but salvation cannot be inherited! One is not saved because his father is saved, because his mother
is saved, or because he comes from a long line of preachers. One is saved “not of blood.” He must be born
again!
2. “...nor of the will of the flesh.” In other words, there is nothing a man can do to save himself. Faith is the
only thing that can please God. A man can turn over a new leaf, but that won’t save him. He can become
10
religious, but that won’t save him. He can quit his cussing, but that won’t save him. A man is not saved by
the will of the flesh. He is saved by God when he is born again.
3. “...nor of the will of man.” Not only can man not be saved by the will of his own flesh, but he cannot be
saved by the will of another. A preacher may baptize him, but that cannot save him. One may give him
communion, but that will not save him. One may try to absolve his sins, but that will not save him. The
simple truth is, there is nothing a man can do to save himself, and there is nothing one man can do to save
another. Not another Christian, not a preacher, not a group of people forming a denomination, not a pope,
not anyone can save another!

THE “HOW” OF SALVATION. Notice the last words in John 1:13, “but of God.” This is the secret: A man must be
born of God! No one can be a child of God unless he is born of God. One is born of God by putting his faith in
Jesus Christ and the finished work of Calvary.

Outline # 4: THE HOLY SPIRIT

11
Intro: The Holy Spirit is God, and is equal to the Father and the Son. Don’t ever speak of Him as “It” or
refer to Him as an influence. He is God the Holy Spirit, and is set forth in the Bible as being distinct from
the Father and the Son. In Gen account of creation, He is seen actively engaged in the work of creation,
along with the FATHER, and the SON. In the OT, He came upon men to empower them for service, but
when they were disobedient, He (Holy Spirit) departed from them.

When David sinned against the Lord, he prayed, “take not thy Holy Spirit from me”-Ps.51:11. In the NT,
after Pentecost, we see the Holy Spirit indwelling the believer, never to leave him, filling and empowering
him for service. The study of the person and work of the Holy Spirit is of utmost importance. A scriptural
understanding of God the Holy Spirit will make you a better Christian and servant of God.

 THE DEITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT: ACTS 5:3-4

In dealing with Ananias, Peter revealed the deity of the Holy Spirit when he said, “Ananias, why hath
Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Spirit…. Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.”. In the
scripture it is very clear that the Holy Spirit is God, and He is co-equal, co-eternal and co-existent with
the Father and the Son.

His Deity is also set forth in that He possesses divine attributes.

1. He is everywhere present in the universe. Omnipresent- Ps 139:7-10, also Jer. 23:23-24
2. He has all the power-Omnipotent.-Luke 1:35
3. He has all knowledge-Omniscient- 1Cor. 2:10-11
4. He is eternal- Heb.9:14

His deity is revealed in that His name is coupled in equality with the name of the Father and the Son
1. In the baptism of the believer- Mat.28:19
2. In the apostolic benediction- 2 Cor.13:14

His deity is seen in relation to the life and ministry of Jesus Christ
1. Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit- Luke 1:35
2. He was anointed by the Holy Spirit for service.-Acts 10:38
3. He was led by the Holy Spirit-Matt. 4:1
4. He was crucified in the power of the Holy Spirit-Heb. 9:14
5. He was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit-Rom.8:11
6. Jesus gave commandments to the apostles and the Church through the Holy Spirit-Acts.1:2

If Jesus needed to depend solely upon the Holy Spirit during His life and ministry here on the earth, can
we afford to do less?

 THE EMBLEMS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT: LUKE 3:16

“ he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire”
It is often difficult to impart truth by the use of words. Frequently they reveal only half truth, leaving the
other half hidden. The writers of the Bible used certain emblems when upholding the mysteries of the
Holy Spirit, because they illustrate more about Him than volumes can contain. They are:

1. Fire as an emblem.v.16.. Fire speaks of His consuming, purifying power in the life of the believer-
Acts2:3 also Isa.6:1-7
2. Wind as an emblem-John 3:8. Wind speaks of His hidden depth in His mighty regenerating power.
3. Water as an emblem-John 7:37-39. Water speaks of His power to fill the believer to overflowing
with spiritual life.
4. Seal as an emblem-Eph. 1:13. seals speaks of His ownership of the believer; it is a finished eternal
transaction.
12
5. Oil is an emblem- Acts 10:38. oil speaks of His power to anoint for service.
6. Dove as an emblem-Mark 1:10. the dove speaks of His gentle, tender, peaceful nature.

We may know “the peace of God, which passeth all understanding” –Phil. 4:7, only when fully
surrender to God.

 SINS AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT: MATT. 12:31-32

“but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men”.
This is a solemn study, because the Holy Spirit is God and can be sinned against by both the believer
and the unbeliever. May help you search your heart as you consider:

1. The sin of blaspheming the Holy Spirit. V 31-32. This sin is committed by unbelievers . It is often
called the “unpardonable sin”. Its has no forgiveness. It was committed by the enemies of Jesus
when they accused Him of casting out devils by the power of Satan.-Mat.12:24. when Jesus claimed
to cast them out by the “Spirit of God”. Mat. 12:28
2. The sin of resisting the Holy spirit.-Acts 7:51. This sin is committed by the unbeliever when
rejecting Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord.
3. The sin of grieving the Holy Spirit.-Eph. 4:30-32., This is sin committed by believers. He is grieved
by us unless He controls our lives to the glory of Jesus Christ
4. The sin of quenching the Holy Spirit.-1 Thess. 5:19. This is sin committed by Christians when
known sin is allowed to go unconfessed. -1 John 1:9 also Isa. 59:1,2
5. The sin of lying to the Holy Spirit. –Acts 5:1-11. The sin of Ananias and Sapphira was deception,
born in jealousy. They tried to mock God- gal. 6:7. The Holy Spirit can be sinned against, because
He is God.

 THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT: JOHN 16:7-14

“v.8 -And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness and of judgment”
In instructing His disciples, regarding the coming of the Holy Spirit, Jesus said.. “If I go not way, the
Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will depart, I will send Him unto you; and when He
is come, He will…

1. Convict men of the sin of unbelief.-John 16:9

2. Convict men that Jesus is the righteousness of God.- v.10, Rom.10:3-4
3. Convict men that the power of Satan has been broken. –v.11
4. Regenerate the believer.-John 3:5 also Titus 3:5
5. Indwell the believer.-1Cor 6:19-20
6. Seal the believer. –Eph. 1:13-14
7. Baptize the believer.-Acts 1:5, also 1Cor. 12:13
8. Infill the believer.- Eph. 5:18
9. Empower the believer.-Acts. 1:8
10. Lead the believer.- Gal 5:16-18
11. Administer spiritual gifts to the believer.- 1Cor. 12:1-11

The Holy Spirit came on the Pentecost, to remain with the church until it is complete and presented to
the Lord Jesus at His coming, Just as Jesus Christ finished the work He came to do in the flesh, so the
Holy Spirit will finished the work He came to do in the church.

 THE FRUIT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT: GAL. 5:22-23

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy…”
13
“The fruit of the Spirit is love.”. Only as we live in love can we fulfill the will of God in our lives. The
believer must become love-inspired, love-mastered and love-driven.-2Cor. 5:14. without the fruit of the
Spirit (love) , we are just a religious noise. -1Cor. 13:1
“The fruit of the Spirit is love”. And it is manifested in joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness,
faith, meekness, temperance.

1. Joy is love strength

2. Peace is love’s security
3. Long-suffering is love’s patience
4. Gentleness is love’s conduct
5. Goodness is love’s character
6. Faith is love’s confidence
7. Meekness is love’s humility
8. Temperance is love’s victory

“Against such there is no law”. A Holy Spirit controlled man needs no law to cause him to live a
righteous life. The secret of a Spirit-controlled life is found.-Rom 12:1-2. Put your all on the altar, and
the Holy Spirit will fill your heart with love of God. –Rom 5:5

Outline # 5: SIN
14
Intro: In considering the question of sin, we are faced with two startling facts.

1. The fact is that man makes so little of sin. To some, it is an illusion-a religious mirage-the invention of
some fanatic. It is denied, joked about and laughed at by man. Many who belive sin to be a fact,
continue in it with little thought of its penalty.
2. The fact is that God makes so much of sin. God said. “The soul that sinneth ,it shall die”-Ezek. 18:20.
“The wages of sin is death”-Rom .6:23. “all sins are an abomination unto God”-Prov. 6:16-19. “and He
hates those who work iniquity”- Ps. 5:5. Moses said.. “All that do un-righteously, are as abomination
unto the Lord”- Deut. 25:16.

Sin is an evil force. It’s presence cannot be escaped in this life, but it can be overcome by the power of God.

 THE ORIGIN OF SIN: JUDE 1:6

“ he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day..”
The origin of sin is one of the mysteries of the Bible. “The secret things belong unto the Lord our God”-
Deut. 29:29.. Its origin is one of the “secret things”, that will remain wrapped in obscurity.(darkness)
Sin is first noted in the heart of Satan. He was created a perfect being, “… till iniquity was found in
thee” –Exek.28:11-19. Satan fell from perfection when he exerted his will above the will of God, Five
times he said “I will”-Isa. 14:12-17. It was his will over God’s will- this is sin.

 WHAT IS SIN: 1 JOHN 3:4

“for sin is the transgression of the law”
It is impossible to deny the existence of sin, when the whole world is in conflict between good and evil..
If sin were not fact, there would be no crime; we would not need jails or prisons. We would need no
locks on our doors, or vaults for our valuables. To some, sin is being indiscreet, or it is a weakness of the
flesh. To others, it is the absence from God. To the so-called scholar, sin is ignorance, and to the
evolutionist, it is the nature of the beast. The latest theory is that sin is a disease to be treated by science,
because man is not a sinner.-he is only sick. To others, sin is a form of selfishness, but God declares
that:

1. Sin is a transgression of the law-v4

2. Sin is coming short of the glory of God-Rom.3:23
3. Sin is rebellion against God.-Isa.1:2
4. Sin is unbelief; it makes God a liar.-1John 5:10
5. Sin is going your own way, planning your life according to your own will, without seeking the
will of God.-Isa.53:6
6. All unrighteousness is sin.-1John 5:10
Sin is a folly to deceive you, a force to destroy you and a fact to condemn you. Sin is volitional act
of disobedience against the revealed will of God.-

 HOW SIN ENTERED INTO THE WORLD: ROM 5;12

“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world.”
The fall of man is found in Gen.3:1-24.. When Adam sinned, his seed became corrupt.-1 Pet.1:23.
Therefore, we are sinners, because we are born in sin.-Ps. 51:5.. You do not have to teach children to be
bad, but you do have to teach them to be good. You do not have to teach them to lie, but you do have to
teach them to tell the truth. “Therefore as by the offence of one )Adam) judgment came unto all men to
condemnation”. Rom 5:18.. According to the Word of God, all men are judged sinners; all are
condemned already.-John 3:18. “all have sinned”- Rom. 3:23.
Sin entered the world through our first parents in the Garden of Eden, and “all have sinned” because all
are sinners. Man sins by choice, because he is a sinner by nature. Therefore, the dominion sin has over
you is according to the delight you have it.
15

 THE RESULTS OF SIN: EPH. 2:1

“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins.”
“The wages of sin is death..” As a result of man’s sin, there are three deaths. Keep in mind that death
does not annihilate.(destroy), it only separates. In the Garden of Eden, it separated man from God
spiritually; this is spiritual death. In natural death., it separates the spirit and the soul from the body; this
is physical death. In final death, it separates man from the mercy of God forever, this is eternal death.

1. The wages of sin is spiritual death. Just as sin separated man from God spiritually and drove him
from the presence of God out of the Garden, so sin will separate you from God.-Isa.59:1-2. The only
way back to God is to confess your sins to Him.-1John 1:9, and forsake your sins-Isa.55:7., that you
may restored to fellowship with God.
2. The wages of sin is physical death. Physical death is a result of sin. Death had no claim on man until
man sinned. Now all die, because all are in sin. Death is universal. And since we have a universal
effect, we must have a universal cause, and that cause is universal sin.. All men die—the good and
the bad—the young and the old—and a man will continue to die until death is destroyed by the Lord
Jesus Christ.-1Cor.15:26/, and swallowed up in victory.-1Cor.15:54-57
3. The wages of sin is eternal death. “The soul that sinneth it shall die”-Ezek. 18:20. This is eternal
separation from the Love of God.-Rev 20:14.. Once the soul passes beyond the portal of hell he is
lost and lost forever. He will continue to exist, but without hope. He is damned and damned to al
eternity. Eternal death is eternal separation from God.-Luke 16:19-31.

 GOD’S REMEDY FOR SIN: 2 COR. 5:21

“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made righteousness of God
in him.”

Man, not willing to accept God’s remedy for his ruin, strives to bring about his own salvation human means.

1. He strives for self-righteousness, when he needs to be made the righteousness of God. V21 also Isa. 64:6
2. He strives to reform, when he needs to be regenerated—Titus 3:5
3. He strives to turn over a new leaf, when he needs a new life.—John 10:10
4. He strives to be justified by the law, when he needs to be justified by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.—
Gal.2:16.
5. He strives to clean up the old man, when he needs to be made a new man in Christ. Eph. 4:24
6. He strives to be saved by good works, when he needs salvation by the grace of God. –Eph. 2:8

God’s remedy for the ruin of man is the Son of God, being made sin for us on the cross. The only way to
God’s remedy is by faith in Him as personal Saviour.—John 20:31-34

Outline # 6: JUDGMENTS
16
Intro: In the Scriptures, we are instructed to “rightly divide the word of truth” 2 Tim.2:15. This is the most
essential when studying the judgments.. Do not endeavor to make all the judgments conform to the theory of
one “general judgment”. The “general judgment” theory is the invention of religion, and is not taught in the
Word of God. There are five separate judgments revealed in the Bible, and they differ as to time, place and
purpose. Yet, they all have one thing in common: The Lord Jesus is the judge.-John 5:22

Everyone-from Adam to the last man to be born on this earth – will stand before the Lord Jesus Christ to be
judge.

In the first judgment, the sins of the believers have already been judged in Christ on the cross.
In the second judgment, the believer is to judge self, or be judged by the Lord Jesus Christ and disciplined.
In the third judgment, all believers must appear at the “judgment seat of Christ” where their works are to be
judge
In the fourth judgment, all nations are to be judged at the second coming of Christ.
In the fifth judgment, the wicked dead are to be judged at “the great white throne.”

 THE JUDGMENT OF THE BELIEVER’S SINS: JOHN 5:24

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath
everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death unto life.”

 THE JUDGMENT OF THE BELIEVER’S SELF: 1COR.11:31-32

“For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged”
The judgment of the believer’s self is more than judging things in the believer’s life. When the believer
judges self, the good and the bad in his life come to light, and he will confess the bad. 1John 1:[Link] forsake
it. Isa.55:7.. However, it is not enough just to judge sin in the believer; he must judge self.
1. To judge self is to practice self-abnegation. For when the believer sees self as God sees him, he will
renounce self. It is replacing the self-life with the Christ-life. Col. 3:4. Christ is the believer’s life.
2. To judge self is to deny self. This is more than self-denial. Self –denial is denying one’s self of the
gratifications of the flesh. If we practice self denial only, it is treating the symptom and not the cause.
But when we deny self, we are attacking the cause, for in self (that is, in the flesh) “dwelleth nogood
thing” Rom. 7:18. to deny self is to take up our cross and follow Christ. Mark 8:34-38
3. To judge self is to lose the self-line, and find the Christ-life. Gal. 2:20
4. To judge self is to no longer be self-conscious, but become Christ-like conscious. Mat. 28:20
5. To judge self is to no longer be self controlled, but to become Christ controlled. Acts. 9:6
6. To judge self is to no longer practice self esteem, but to esteem others better than self. Phil. 2:3. To
judge self is to become selfless.

 THE JUDGMENT OF THE BELIEVER’S WORKS: 2COR.5:10

:For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in
his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”
The believer’s work will be judge at the “judgment seat of Christ” The term “judgment seat of Christ is
found only twice in the Bible, but it is referred to many times, It is found in 2 Cor. 5:10, also Rom.14:10. A
careful reading of both verses with the contexts reveals that only believers will appear at the “judgment seat
of Christ”. Their works will be judge not their sins, for we have already seen that the sins of the believer
were judged in Christ on Calvary, and “there is therefore now no judgment to them which are in Christ
Jesus. Rom. 8:1

1. This judgment will take place “in the air”., following the first resurrection. The dead in Christ shall rise
first. 1 Thess. 4:14-18. There will be a thousand years between the resurrection of the saved and the
unsaved. Rev. 20:4-5., and there will be a thousand years between the “judgment seat of Christ” where
only saved will appear and the “great white throne” where only the unsaved will appear.
17
2. At the judgment seat of Christ, the believer will give an account of himself to God. Therefore, we should
look to our own works, and not judge the works of others. Rom.14:10-13
3. It is a most humbling thought to know that some day, the bel;iever will face of his works “good or bad.”.
Some will be ashamed. 1 John 2:28. and “suffer loss”, not the loss of salvation but of rewards. 1 Cor.
3:11-15. So whatever you do, do it to the glory of God. Col. 3:23

 THE JUDGMENTS OF THE NATIONS: MATT. 25:31-46

“v31..When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit
upon the throne of his glory.v32.. And before him shall be gathered all nations: …”

This judgment is not the judgment of the great white throne. Rev.20:11-15. A careful comparison of the two
judgment will established the following facts:

1. The judgment of the nations will take place “ when the Son of man shall come in His glory”… the shall
He sit upon the throne of His glory”. Rev 20:11-15. The great white throne is never called “the throne of
His glory”
2. At this judgment, He will judge the living nations. –Joel 3:11-16, At the white throne judgment, He will
judge the wicked dead.
3. At this judgment, there will be no resurrection of the dead. At the great white throne, all the wicked dead
are raised; “the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which
were in them…” Rev. 20:13
4. At this judgment, the judge is God “the King” judging the living natios in His earthly kingdom, at the
great white throne, the judge is God, judging only the wicked dead.
5. At this judgment, there are no books opened. At the great white throne, the “books were opened”
6. At this judgment, there are three classes judged; “sheep”-the saved-Rev.7:9-17.; “goats”-the unsaved-2
Thess. 1:7-10; “brethren”-the elect of Israel-Rev. 7:1-8 also Rom. 11:25-28. At the great white throne,
there is only one class; “the dead”
7. At this judgment, the King gives the kingdom to those who have eternal life. At the great white throne,
there are no saved and no kingdom; they are all “cast into the lake of fire”

 THE JUDGMENT OF THE WICKED: REV. 20:11-15

“And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled
away; and there was found no place for them”
This is the great white throne judgment.
1. At this judgment, the wicked dead will seek a hiding place from the face of the Lord Jesus Christ, the
judge. But there is no hiding place.
2. At this judgment, the “dead, small and great” will stand before God. But the greatness of the great will
be of no value. “ There is none that doeth good, no, not one”- Rom 3:12
3. At this judgment, the “ book of life” will be opened. Why the “book of life” if there are no saved at this
judgment? The wicked will be shown that God in His mercy provided space for them in the “book of
life” so that they are without excuse-Rom. 1:18-20
4. At this judgment, the dead will be judged “according to their works” God is a just God, and since there
are degrees of punishment in hell, some will be punished more than others. –Luke 12:42-48
5. At this judgment, there will be no acquittal, no higher court to which the lost may appeal. It is lost, and
lost forever; it is damned to all eternity. And that without hope. There is hell –Luke 16:19-31. and in
hell, there is no hope, no sympathy, no love, even the love of God does not extend beyond the portals of
hell.
OUTLINE # 7- REWARDS.
18
Intro: There are a vast difference in the doctrine of salvation for the lost, and the doctrine of rewards for the
saved. Salvation is “the gift of God” not of works- Eph. 2:8-9. Salvation is received by faith in the finished
work of the Lord Jesus Christ-John 3:36. Rewards are according to the works of the believer- Mat. 16:27
A most revealing scripture on rewards is found on 1 Cor. 3:8-15.
1. Every believer will be rewarded according to his own labor v.8. we do not labor for salvation.
2. “we are labourers together with God” v9- not for salvation, but for rewards.
3. The believer is to build on the Lord Jesus Christ, the only foundation v.11
4. The believer has a choice of two kinds of building materials, “gold, silver, precious stones” –this is building
with materials; or “wood, hay, stubble- this is building with temporal materials. V.12-2 Cor. 4:18

The believer who builds on Christ, with eternal materials, “gold, silver, precious stones, “shall receive a reward.
Those who build on Christ with temporal materials., “hay,wood,stubble”, will receive no rewards. The “wood,
hay, stubble” will be destroyed at the “judgment seat of Christ”, and the believer will suffer loss-not the loss of
salvation., but the loss of eternal reward.

Some believers will be ashamed at the “judgment seat of Christ” -1 John 2:28- ashamed of their works of
“wood, hay, stubble”.

Story of a preacher: In the first year of ministry, he sat at the bedside of a dying friend. As he talked of his
home-going, tears filled his eyes, being young in the Lord, he thought he was afraid to die, and attempted to
speak words of encouragement to him; He said, “I am not afraid to die, I am ashamed to die”. He went on to say
that Christ was his Saviour, but he had lived for self, and now had to meet the Lord Jesus Christ empty-handed.
His life loomed up before him as “wood, ha, stubble”. He was “saved so as by fire”

Rewards are called “crowns”. In the NT.

 THE CROWN OF LIFE:-JAMES 1:12

This reward could be called the lovers crown. Upon examinations of the above verse, we discover that
the believer finds strength to overcome temptation and endure trials, through the love of God, Paul said
“we glory in tribulation also” the question is: do we glory in tribulation? We can, only if the “love of
God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit” –Rom.5:3-5. Without the love of God in the heart
of the believer, trials can cause him to become bitter and critical and lose the “crown of life”.

All believers have eternal life. –John 3:15., but not all believers will be rewarded with the “crown of
life”. This crown will be given to those who are “faithful unto death”.-Rev.2:10. To receive the “crown
of life, the believer must love the Lord more than his own life. “Whosoever shall save his life(live for
self) shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s (live for Christ at all
cost) the same shall save it. –Mark 8:35. this reward will be given to those who live for Christ. And
endure temptation, in the power of the love of God.-1Cor. 10:13.

 THE CROWN INCORRUPTIBLE-1 COR.9:24-27

Apostle Paul makes use of the Greek games to illustrate the spiritual race of the believer, They ran to
win a “corruptible crown”; but we an incorruptible crown. No young man could contend in the games
unless he was a Greek citizen, born of Greek parents,. No unsaved person can participate in the service
of the Lord for rewards; only the born of God are eligible. –John3:3.

Just the athlete must deny himself many gratifications of the body, so the believer must “keep under his
body, and bring it to subjection” or he will become a “castaway” . He will not lose his salvation, but he
will lose the “incorruptible crown”.
The Greek games had hard and fast rules for all participants. The New Testament contains rules for
believers who would enter the spiritual race to win the “incorruptible crown.”
19
1) The believer must deny self of anything that would weigh him down and hold him back.-
Hwe.12:1
2) The believer must keep his eyes fixed on the Lord Jesus Christ, and not look to the right or the
left,.Heb.12:2
3) The believer must find his strength in the Lord.- Eph. 6:10-18
4) The believer must place his all upon the altar of the Lord.-Rom.12:1-2
5) The believer must, by faith, refuse anything that would impede spiritual progress .-Heb. 11:24-29

Do not be a spectator. Enter the race and run to win the “incorruptible crown”

 THE CROWN OF REJOICING-1 THESS 2:19-20

This is the soul winner’s crown. The greatest work you are privileged to do for the Lord is to bring
others to a knowledge of Christ as personal Saviour.. The degree of your joy in heaven will be
determined by the souls you have had a part in bringing to Christ. Paul tells the Thessalonian believers
that they are his hope, or joy , or crown of rejoicing, now and when Jesus comes.
1) it is wise to win souls for Christ.-Prov. 11:30
2) it is a work against sin to win souls for Christ. –James 5:20
3) it is a cause for joy in heaven to win souls to Christ. –Luke 15:10
4) Every soul winner will shine as the stars forever.- Daniel 12:3

How you can win souls to Christ?

1) Witness with your life, live that others may see Christ in you. 2Cor. 3:2, Gal. 2:20
2) Witness with your mouth, trusting the Holy Spirit to give power to the spoken word.-Acts 1:8
3) Witness by tithes and offerings that others may preach Christ and you will have “fruit”(reward) that
may abound to your account. –Phil.4:15-17, 2Cir. 9:6

God has promised that your labor will not be in vain in the Lord. 1Cor. 15:58.. The soul winner will
not rejoice alone- all of heaven will rejoice with him when he receives the “crown of rejoicing”.-John
4:36

 THE CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS-2 TIM.4:5-8

The “crown of righteousness” is a reward, and it is not to be confused with the “righteousness of God.”
Which the believer’s receive when he becomes a Christian; for at the time, the believer is “made the
righteousness of God in Him.- 2Cor.5:21.

This saving righteousness is a gift to be accepted by the lost,. The “crown of righteousness” is a reward
to be earned by the save. If the believer looks for, and loves the doctrine of the second Coming of
Christ., it will affect his whole life..

Look at the dynamic impact this truth had on the life o Apostle Paul. He could say..
1) “I have fought a good fight” 2Tim. 4:7. ,1Cor. 5:21. He fought a spiritual battle
throughout his Christian life, and won, He never surrendered to the enemies of
righteousness. –Eph.6:12
2) “I have finished my course” . He had a course to travel, and he did not detour the hard
places; neither did he look back. –Luke 9:61-62. He finished his course with his eyes
fixed on Christ. –Phil. 1:6
3) “I have kept the faith” .He preached all the “counsel of God”, never betraying any of
the great doctrine.-Acts 20:21-31.. The apostle Paul looked ahead to the “Judgement
seat of Christ” where the ‘Crown of righteousness” will be given to those who “love his
appearing”. How important it is for the believer to look with a heart of love for the
20
second coming of our Lord and Savoiur Jesus Christ, that he may receive the “crown of
righteousness”. 2Tim 4:8

 THE CROWN OF GLORY-1 PETER 5:2-4

This is a special reward for the faithful, obedient God called pastor.. He will receive this reward when
the “chief Shepherd shall appear”. It is eternal; it “fadeth not away”. Every believer may share in the
pastor’s “crown of glory”. He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s
reward. –Mat 10:41.

Support your faithful, God called pastor by praying for him and encouraging him in the work of the
Lord. Under gird his ministry with God’s tithes and your offerings. –Mal 3:10, giving freely of your
time to the service of the Lord; and God will reward you in supporting His chosen servant by allowing
you to share in your pastor’s reward. The pastor will earn this “crown of glory” by:
1) Feeding the church. He is to proclaim the Word of God without fear or favor, and when
necessary, he will “reprove, rebuke, and exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. -2 Tim
4:2-5
2) Taking the oversight of the church. The pastor is responsible to God for the messaged
preached to his people. No pastor should preach to please the people; he is to please his Lord.
–Gal.1:10
3) Being an example to the church.. He is not to serve for the reward of money. Yet, the church
is responsible to care for his every material need. -1Tim. 4:18. He is to be a spiritual leader.
And not a dictator. He is to walk with God by faith. . 1Peter. 5:4 “ And when the chief
Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away

OUTLINE # 8--THE CHURCH

21

Mat. 16:18.. Jesus said.. “I will build my Church” (ecclesia) . the word “ecclesia” in the New Testament is
used to designate any assembly whether it be political .-Acts 19:39, Christian.- Eph 1:22-23. or national –
Acts 7:38.. it means a called out assembly or congregation. God called Israel out of Egypt, they congregated
in the wilderness, they were the church in the wilderness”

Today, God calls the saved out of the world to congregate in worship. This is the church in the world, in it
but not of it.

Unlike the church in the wilderness, the church that Jesus is building will never cease. He said.. “the gates
of hell shall not prevail against it” His church is not synonymous with Christendom, Christendom is made
up of those who profess to be Christian but they know not Christ as a personal Saviour. Mat.7:21-23… it
only means only blood washed, born again Spirit baptized believers constitute the Church that Jesus is
building. It is called a.1`) mystery-Eph 3:3-10. #2 Body- 1 COr 12:12-31. #3 Bride -2Cor.11:2

 THE CHURCH: ---ITS FOUNDATION-MAT>16:13-18

“Upon this rock I will build my church”..Leading up to this declaration He asked His disciples…” Whom
do men say that I the Son of man am? They answered naming some of the prophets. Then He said unto them
in v 15“but whom say ye that I am? . Peter answered “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. ..in
verse 13 Jesus spoke of Himself as the “Son of man”. Now Peter speaks of Him as the “Son of the living
God”. V17..Jesus blessed Peter and said that this great truth came from God the Father.

Again He said to Peter. Thou art Peter (Petros , a little rock) and upon this rock (Petra, a big rock), I will
build my church” Jesus did not say that He would build His church upon Peter, but upon Himself, the Rock
of Ages.

Simon Peter called Jesus the “living Stone”, the chief corner stone… Christ is the foundation and believers
are the building stones. 1 peter 2:1-10.. Paul speaks of Christ as the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets
–Eph 2:19-22. He also said “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Christ- 1Cor.
3:11. Although the church was a mystery in the OT yet Isaiah said, “ Thus saith the Lord God, behold I lay
in Zion for a foundation a stone, a precious corner stone,.. a sure foundation.. Isaiah 28:16, Christ is the sure
foundation of His Church and all believers are little building stones built into a Holy Temple in the Lord.

 THE CHURCH:---ITS HEAD;. Col.1:18.

Christ is the Foundation, cornerstone and head of His Church. He is head of the local church, and He is head
of the church in it’s all inclusive broader sense, including all born again, blood washed, Spirit baptized
believers in heaven and earth. This is the church in it’s broadest sense. You cannot join this church, the
only way to become a member of His body is to be spiritually born. –John 3:1-7, and baptized into it by the
Holy Spirit.

The church is more than a religious organization. It is an organism, with Christ as the living head. It is alive
with the life of Christ made living in each member.

Let us examine briefly the church, and observe its role as the body of Christ. 1Cor 12:1-31.
2.) The members of the body are given spiritual gifts according to the will of the Holy Spirit . 1st
Cor:12: 1-11.
3.) The unity of the body is seen in it’s many members with different operations all related and
coordinated under one Head, 1Cor.12:12.
4.) All are baptized by one Spirit into one body 1Cor 12:13
22
a.) There is one Holy Spirit
b.) There is one Holy Spirit baptism
c.) There is one body (church)

5.) The members differ one from the other, yet they function as one in the will of God.1Cor.12:14-
18
6.) The least or weakest member is necessary for the proper function of the whole body-vs 22,23
7.) If one member suffers the whole body suffers, if one is honored, all are honored, v.26
8.) The members are to covet the best spiritual gifts and minister in love. V-31.

The Lord Jesus Christ has never delegated His authority to any one. Whether he be a pope, pastor or
deacon or the majority of the congregation. He is head over all things to the Church Eph. 1:22, the
only absolute and final authority.

 THE CHURCH: ---IT’S ORGANIZATION- Titus 1:4-5

There is scriptural evidence of some organization in the local church. Paul left Crete to organize the
believers into local church bodies. and to “set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every
city. v. 5.

OFFICERS:
He gave to the church “apostles” (this refers to the twelve) there are no apostles in the church today.
“prophets” (we have no prophets and have not had since last book of the NT was written) “evangelists” (the
evangelists will serve the church until Jesus comes.) “pastors and teachers”- Eph 4:11-12. Pastors and
teachers are local ministries, the apostles, prophets, and evangelists are ministries at large.

Another officer is the deacon. His qualifications are set forth in 1Tim.3:8-13

MEMBERS:
The church must have records of its members. The book of acts tells us that there were about 120 in the
Upper Room –Acts.1:15-16. Simon Peter is the pastor, he takes the lead and gives direction in choosing one
to take the place of Judas, “And they gave forth their lots” and Mathias was chosen to be an apostle. On the
day of Pentecost abut 3,000 souls were added to the body of Christ by Holy Spirit baptism, 1Cor 12:13, and
to the local church in Jerusalem by water baptism. Acts 2:41.. Again the records show another 5,000 added
in Acts 4:4. The scriptures tell us that “ The Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved” Acts
2:47.

ORDINANCES:
B) Baptism… The Lord commands the believer to be baptized. This is the believers first
opportunity to obey his Lord Saviour Jesus Christ. Baptism identifies the believer with Christ
death, burial, and resurrection. 1Cor.11:23-24
C) The Lord supper: (is a memorial). The bread is symbolic of His broken body and the wine, of
His shed blood for the remissions of our sins.

 THE CHURCH: --IT’S DISCIPLE. Mat. 18:15-17

This is the most difficult and necessary of the local assembly, and its importance cannot be exaggerated. “
1Cor.5:6-7 “Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump” Purge out therefore the old leaven.
23
Leaven in the Scripture is always a type of evil (sin). The Church is to purge out any evil in it’s
membership. The motive for disciplining a brother is love. 1John 4:7-11, the goal is to restore him to
fellowship with his Lord and the church. “if thy brother shall sin against thee”

Steps:
1.) The first step is to be taken but the one sinned against. He is to go to his brother alone, not seeking
revenge or self justification, but “to gain thy brother.”
2.) If he does not repent, the second step is, to take one or two believers and go to him again.
3.) If he will not hear the two or three, the 3rd step is, take it to the church.

A good example of church disciple is reported in Paul’s letter to the church at Corinth. 1Cor 5:1-13. He used
strong words calling upon the church to discipline a member for fornication. He wrote, “put away from
among yourselves that wicked person.”. In his second letter to the Corithian church we learn that the man
repented and was restored to the fellowship of God’s people. Now Paul writes, “forgive him, comfort
him…. And confirm your love toward him.. 2Cor. 2:3-11.

The attitude of the church toward a repenting brother should always be that of forgiveness in love.

 THE CHURCH:- IT’S WORSHIP AND WORK.—Mat.28:16-20

‘
1) The church :It’s worship
V17..To worship is to bow down in awe: to pay divine honors to God in humble, reverent homage.
There are 3 essentials in worship
1.) Faith.. “the people believed.. “then they bowed their heads and worshiped” Ex.4:31
2.) Spirit, “they that worship Him must worship Him in Spirit.” John 4:23-24. Spiritual worship is
worship directed by the indwelling Holy Spirit –Phil 3:3
3.) Truth.. “they must worship Him in truth”. Jesus Christ is truth.-Jonh 14:6. Therefore, there can
be no pretense or hypocrisy in true worship.
The parable of the Pharisee and the publican illustrates true and false worship. Luke 18:9-14. The publican
worshiped in truth and he went home justified , the Pharisee worshiped in religious pride and he went
home rejected.

2) The church: It’s work

The work of the church is, to go with the Gospel, because:
6) The Church is commissioned to work ..Vs 18-20
7) The church is to work with Christ .2Cor. 6:1, and the Holy Spirit-Acts 5:32
8) The church is to work with Christ in His field (the world).-Mat 13:36-43, Mark 16:15
9) The need for the church to work is great.- John 4:35
10) The time for the church to work is now.-2Cor.6:2
11) The church will be rewarded for it’s work,-1Cor.3:9-15

God’s program for the local church is ,COME and WORSHIP, GO and WORK (witness) –Acts 8:1-4

 THE CHURCH:--- IT’S POWER--- Acts 1:8

On the day of Pentecost the church received power to evangelize the world. When the 120 came down from
the Upper room, they came in the dynamics of the Holy Spirit. It was spiritual phenomenom issuingforth in
joyful ecstasy and miracle working power, resulting in conviction of sin, “repentance towards God, and
faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” –Acts 20:21.

You can always recognize a Holy Spirit powered church. The evidence is obvious, they have power to;
24

1) Evangelize: they share their faith with the lost and souls are saved.. Evangelism is the only way to make
full proof of your ministry. --2Tim. 4:5. when the church is not involved in winning souls it grieves the
Holy Spirit and is void of power.
2) Reproduce; souls are born into the family of God by the “incorruptible seed” which is the word of God
-1 Peter 1:23. The Spirit filled believers sow the seed, this is evangelism, the Holy Spirit hovers over
the seed, convicting, converting, and leading the lost to repentance. This is the spiritual birth.
3) Change people; - Acts 2:37-41

This is the power that filled the Upper Room congregation on the day of Pentecost. That power is with the
believer today in the person of the Holy Spirit, He is the power of the church.

 THE CHURCH: ITS FUTURE--- 1 Thess. 4:16-17

The true church of Jesus Christ has a glorious, victorious future in the world, in the air, in the kingdom and
in eternity, it cannot fail. “The gates of hell shall not prevail against it” –Matt. 16:18

1. The future of the church in the world. At Pentecost the Holy Spirit set the course for the church as it
journeys from the Upper Room to the Rapture. It is to:
a) Wage war –Eph.6:10-18
b) Run a race –Heb. 12:1-2
c) Labor in love –1Cor. 3:9

The church of Jesus Christ will emerge triumphant for, “we are more than conquerors through Him that
loved us” –Rom. 8:35-39. The church cannot fail because Christ is its head, the Holy Spirit is its power and
the Word of God is its guide.

2. The future of the church in the air. We shall be caught up in the air. 1 Thess. 4:16-17. Caught up:
a) In our incorruptible, glorified bodies.—1 Cor.15:42-44
b) To meet the Lord in the heavens and for the great majority of the church we will see Him in His
resurrected body for the first time.—1John 3:2.
c) That our works may be judged at the judgment seat of Christ.—2 Cor.5:10. This is the bema judgment.
d) that we may be rewarded or suffer loss of reward. –1 Cor 3:11-15.

3. The future of the church in the kingdom.

a) The twelve apostles will sit on thrones and judge the twelve tribes of Israel.—Matt. 19:28
b) All who overcome the evils of Christendom (Laodicea) will sit with Christ on His Kingdom Throne.-
Rev. 3:21
c) We shall reign with Him a thousand years. –Rev. 20:4-6

4. The future of the church in eternity. After the kingdom reign of one thousand years there will be “a new
heaven and a new earth” – Rev. 21:1. The earth will be restored to its original created state. –Gen. 1:1.
God’s earthly people Israel will inherit the new earth. –Ex.32:13.
The church, His bride will remain in His presence forever. If in His human form He is in the new heaven or
the new earth we will be with Him, to serve and worship Him. He will continue to bestow upon His bride
the riches of His eternal grace.- Eph. 2:6-7. Even in our perfect, glorified bodies it will take eternity (time
without end) to begin to comprehend the greatness of His grace.
25
OUTLINE # 9--PRAYER

Prayer is as old as man, as universal as religion and as instinctive as breathing.(Gen 4:26). It is practiced in
some form by all men of all faiths. Prayer springs from the heart with a need- a need greater than man’s ability
to encounter. Prayer is man’s acknowledgement of a being higher than himself.

Most men try to pray, yet so few know how. There are two kinds of prayers: the prayer that does not reach God
and the prayer that does reach God. This is illustrated by our Lord in the parable of the Pharisee and the
publican. Luke 18:9-14. both men went to the same place, at the same time, for the same purpose.—to pray.

The Pharisee prayed in his religious pride, expecting God to answer because he thought himself worthy. He
informed God of his own goodness, that he was better than others. He boasted of his good works. He said,
“I fast, I give.”. this is the kind of prayer that does not reach God. It is self-righteous prayer.

Now look at the publican and his prayer. He came to God in great humility, conscious of his unworthiness,
confessing himself a sinner and begging for mercy. This is the kind of prayer that does reach God. This is
righteous prayer.

It is a rare privilege to pray, because it brings you into close fellowship with God, admitting your need for Him
and your utter dependence upon Him.

 1. WHAT IS PRAYER? .. Mat.7:7-11

Prayer is asking and receiving; it is talking with God. It is making your request known unto Him in faith. The
above Scripture is so simple on the surface, that we are in danger of failing to recognize its immensity. Our
Lord instructs the believer to ask, seek and knock, because these three words cover the whole spectrum of
prayer.

1. Prayer is asking and receiving. When you know the will of God regarding a need, whether it be material or
spiritual, you can ask and receive. This is prayer according to the revealed will of God. --1John 5:14,15
2. Prayer. is seeking and finding. When you do not know the will of God regarding a need, whether it be
material or spiritual, then you ask His will in prayer concerning this need until you find it. This is prayer for a
knowledge of the unrevealed will of God in a specific need.—Col.3:1 also Jer. 29:12,13
3. Prayer is knocking and opening. When you know the will of God, and yet you find a closed door, you are to
knock, and keep on knocking until God opens the door. This is tenacious prayer---prayer for mountain-moving
faith. Knocking prayer perseveres until the impossible becomes the possible. This is miracle-working prayer.
Mat.17:14-21. All things are possible when you ask, seek, knock

 2. WHY PRAY? .. Luke 18:1

Pray….
1. Because Jesus said, “Men ought always to pray.” Prayer is imperative. You are
commanded to pray. Mat. 26:41
2. Because there is joy in prayer. –John16:24
3. Because prayer can unlock the treasure chest of God’s wisdom—James 1:5
4. Because prayer is the only way to get things from God. “Ye have not because ye ask
not” James 4:2
5. Because prayer will deliver you out of all your troubles. Ps.34:6
6. Because prayer is a channel of power. Jer. 33:3
7. Because it is a sin not to pray. 1Sam. 12:23
8. Because sinners can be saved when they pray in faith. Rom.10;13,14
9. Because Jesus, while here in the flesh, prayed often to the Father. Now if Jesus, the Son
of God, needed to pray, then we should “pray without ceasing” 1 Thess.5:17
26

 HOW TO PRAY? .. Mat.6:9-13

“After this manner therefore pray ye,” our Lord gave this as model prayer after one of His disciples said unto
Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples” –Luke 11:1.

1. We are to pray to “Our Father which art in Heaven,” because He is all-wise, all loving and all powerful. We
are also instructed to pray in the name of Jesus.—John 14:13,14., depending on the meditative influence of the
Holy Spirit ---Rom 8:26,27.
2. We are to pray for His will to be done in everything.
3. We are to pray for the coming of the Kingdom.—Mat 25:31-46.
4. We are to pray for our daily necessities.
5. We are to pray for forgiveness, and practice forgiving others.
6. We are to pray for the leading of the Lord, and deliverance from evil.
7. We are to pray in faith, for “without faith it is impossible to please Him. –Heb.11:5-6.

This model prayer is brief, to the point, and not repetitious. It is the prayer perfect.

 4. WHERE TO PRAY? .. Acts 12:5

There was a remarkable change in the prayer life of the disciples after the resurrection of Jesus, and it is noted
again after Pentecost. Before the death of Jesus, the disciples slept while Jesus prayed in the Garden—
Mat.26:36-46. But after His death and resurrection:

1. They assembled in the Upper Room, waiting for the coming of the Holy Spirit, and prayed. We should
always pray when assembled with believers.---Acts 1:13-14.
2. They prayed as they went from house to house.---Acts 2:42-47
3. They prayed in the church when Peter was in prison.—Acts 12:5-19
4. Paul and Silas prayed in prison. –Acts 16:25. Here we see Christians praying in the presence of unbelievers,
but not to be heard of them. Never pray to please others present; pray only to please God.
5. The most important place to pray is any place where you can be alone with God.---Mat. 6:6
6. We are instructed to pray in all places at all times. 1Tim. 2:8

It is a great joy to be able to talk with God, anytime, any place and under any condition, and to know that He
will hear and answer.

 HINDRANCES TO PRAYER. 1Peter 3:7

When prayers are not answered, you should examine yourself in the light of God’s Word. If you find anything
not pleasing to God, confess it, believing God for forgiveness that your prayers may be answered.—1John 1:9

1. An harmonious relationship between husband and wife will hinder prayer.—1Pet.3:1-7

2. Selfishness will hinder prayer.—James 4:3
3. An forgiving spirit will hinde prayer. –Mat. 5:22-24. Many Christians go without answers to prayer because
they have wronged others; or have been wronged, and have failed to humble themselves and seek reconciliation.
4. Unbelief will hinder prayer. –James 1:6-7, Heb.11:6
5. Known sin in the heart will hinder prayer …Isa.59:1-2 also Ps. 66:18

When you pray, go to God in humility. Ask Him to reveal anything in your life that is not pleasing to Him.
Then judge it; confess it; calling it by name; and forsake it. Pray in all simplicity and earnestness, believing ,
and God will hear and answer.
27

 DOES GOD ANSWER ALL PRAYERS? John 15:7

The Bible is filled with answered prayers from Gen. to Rev. You are commanded to pray,and God has promised
to answer.—Jer.3:33. In the above Scripture, there are two requirements for answers to prayer.
First, you are to abide in Him; that is, to continue in Him. It means to remain in His perfect will at all cost.—
Rom 12:1-2.
Second, His words are to abide in you; they are to become a vital part of your life. You are to be filled with, and
guided by, His words.—Col. 3:16-17. Meet these two requirements, and your prayers will be answered.

1. The answer is sometimes immediate. Peter walked on the water to go to Jesus, and as he began to sink, he
prayed, “Lord, save me.”. The answer was immediate.—Mat.14:22-31.
2. The answer is sometimes delayed. The delay is according to His will. –Rom.8:28. The resurrection of
Lazarus is a good example of delayed answer to prayer. Lazarus was sick. Mary and Martha sent for Jesus to
come and heal him. But Jesus delayed coming until Lazarus was dead and in the tomb for four days. Then He
came and raised Lazarus from the dead. The answer was delayed—but not denied.—John 11:1-44
3. The answer sometimes “NO”. when God answers with a “no”. He always accompanies the answer with
peace.—Phil. 4:6-7. and grace, 2 Cor. 12:7-10.
4. The answer is sometimes different from what you expect. You pray for patience and God seds tribulation—
because “tribulation worketh patience”.—Rom. 5:3. God answers all your prayers—not according to your
wishes, but according to His perfect will.

OUTLINE # 10--FAITH
28
“The just shall live by faith.” This declaration of the Christian’s principle of life is found four times in the
Bible: Habakkuk 2:1. Rom. 1:17; Gal. 3:10-11; Heb.10:38.

In Habakkuk we see the difference between the lives of the unjust and the just. The unjust are puffed up and live
by tier own self-sufficiency. But the just live by faith—their confidence is in God. To them, faith is more than a
philosophy of life; it is the very simple of life. (Hab. 2:4). The righteous shall live his whole life by faith. He is
saved by faith. –Acts 16:31. He is kept by faith.- 1Peter 1:5; and he lives by faith.—Gal.2:20. His faith shall be
tried many times and in many ways. – 1Peter 1:7, but faith will always be vindicated, because it is more than
equal to any occasions. Faith knows how to wait on the Lord.-Isa. 40:31, and it is always victorious. 1John 5:4

Faith defies reason; it moves mountains. Mat. 17:14-21. Faith does not always face facts; it never gives up. –
Heb.11:32-39. Faith says, “God is working out His perfect will in my life and I can wait, endure and suffer.”
Faith does not make anything easy, but it does make all things possible..

 WHAT IS FAITH.?.. Heb.11:1-3

“Now faith is the substance (title deed) of things hoped for….” Your faith is your title deed to eternal life. Just
as a title deed is evidence of real state, so your faith is evidence of your eternal state in God.—2Cor. 4:18

1. Faith is taking God at His Word and asking no questions –Heb.11:6

2. Faith is knowing that: “All things work together for good to them that love God.” –Rom 8:28

Faith does not believe that all things are good, or that all things work well. It does believe that all things (good
or bad) work together for good to them that love God.

3. Faith has two sides. One side has to do with intellect. It is an intellectual conviction that Jesus Christ is God.
The other side has to do with the will. It is a volitional surrender of the will to Jesus Christ as Master. This is
seen when Thomas believed and confessed, “My Lord my God” –John 20:28.
“My Lord”—this was volitional surrender; “My God”—this was intellectual conviction. Together you have
saving faith. –John 20:31.

Saving faith is an intellectual conviction that Jesus is God, and a volitional surrender to Him as Lord(Master) of
your life. By faith, the mind trusts in God; the heart responds to the love of God; the will submits to the
commands of God; and the life obeys in the service of God.
4. Faith is paradoxical.(impossible). It goes beyond reason. It believes without understanding “why”. It sings in
prison –Acts.16:25. it glories in tribulations. –Rom.5:3. it chooses to suffer. –Heb.11:25. It accepts all things as
a part of God’s will/ Phil. 1:12

You are not born with this faith. It comes by hearing the Word of God.—Rom. 10:17. This is why we are
commanded to preach the gospel to every creature that they may hear and believe. –Rom. 10:13-14.

 THE IMPORTANCE OF FAITH. Eph.6:16

The shield of faith is a vital part of the Christian’s armor. You are to put on the “whole armor of God”. Eph 6: V
10-18., because the Christian life is a warfare, a spiritual conflict. As Paul names the different parts of the
Christian’s armor, he comes to the shield and emphasizes its importance by saying, “Above all, taking the shield
of faith”… for with the shield of faith, nothing can hurt you; you are more than conquerors through Him. Rom
3:37
29
The importance of faith is seen in that:

[Link] cannot be saved without faith.-John 3:36

2. You cannot live victoriously over the world without faith.—1 John 5:4
3. You cannot please God without faith.—Heb.11:6
4. You cannot pray without faith.—James 1:6
5. You cannot have peace with God without faith.—Rom. 5:1
6. You cannot have joy without faith.—1Peter 1:8
7. You are justified by faith and not by works.—Gal.2:16
8. You are to live by faith.—Gal.2:20
9. You are made righteous by faith.—Rom. 10:1-4
10. Christ dwells in your heart by faith.—Eph. 3:17
11. The Holy Spirit received by faith.—Gal.3:2
12. “Whatsoever is not of faith is sin”.---Rom.14:23

Faith is important because it honors God, and God always honors faith.

 LITTLE FAITH. ..Mat.14:28-33

At this stage in the spiritual growth of Peter, he was a man of “little faith”. However, after Pentecost, he became
a spiritual giant. Let us take a good look at his “little faith” and profit from it. Jesus came to His distressed
disciples, walking on the water in the midst of storm. Peter asked to come to Jesus on the water. He must have
thrilled at the thought of doing the impossible. Jesus said, “Come”.

1. Peter did the impossible thing: he walked on the water, by faith.

2. Next, Peter did the conceivable (possible) thing: he saw the storm, and had a second thought—he doubted.
For a moment, he lost sight of Jesus. He may have turned and started back to the boat. –Luke 9;62
3. Now Peter did the natural thing: he feared destruction. Doubt always breeds fear.
4. Then Peter did the expected thing: he began to sink—he failed.
5. Now Peter did the right thing: he prayed., “Lord save me” Immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand and
caught him. Once more Peter made contact with Jesus by faith.
6. Again Peter did the impossible thing: he walked on the water with Jesus, to the boat. In this lesson, we see the
success and failure of “little faith”

Now let us recap the steps that led to failure. Peter started by faith, and walked on the water. Then he saw the
storm, and had second thought that led to doubt, that produced fear, that caused him to turn back, that brought
about failure.

You need a faith that is bigger than the elements that would drag you down to defeat. You can have big faith by
“prayer and fasting”—Mat 17:20-21. and by feeding your faith on the word of God—Rom. 10:17. You can have
mountain-moving faith.

 THREE KINDS OF FAITH. John 11:21-44

In this chapter, we see the faith of Martha in connection with the resurrection of her brother Lazarus. Now
Lazarus fell ill, and Martha and her sister Mary sent for Jesus to come and heal him. Jesus delaying His coming
until Lazarus was dead and in the grave for four days. Then He came to raise him from the dead, and found the
limited, fundamental faith of Martha His only obstacle.

1. Martha’s faith was limited. She said, “Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died” v [Link] death
of Lazarus meant the end of Martha’s faith. She believe that Jesus had the power to raise her brother up from
30
the sick bed, but not from the dead. Her limited faith restricted the power of Christ.—Matt. 13:58. limited faith
is controlled by circumstances, and motivated by fear of failure.

2. Martha’s faith was fundamental. Jesus said, “Thy brother shall rise again” v23. These words were spoken to
kindle hope and faith in Martha; but said, “I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day” v24.
Martha declared her fundamental faith in a great truth, but that is not enough. Jesus stated, “I am the
resurrection, and the life” v25. Jesus was saying that He had all power over life and death. Then He asked.
“Believest thou this?” v26. Martha evaded the question by stating her fundamental faith in her creed, V 27. It is
not enough to believe in a creed only; faith must go beyond your creed, to the living, all powerful Christ. Her
faith limited the power of Christ.—Mark 10:27. and “Jesus wept” v35. Jesus wept when He came to raise
Lazarus from the dead and found limited, fundamental faith only.

3. At last, unlimited faith came to Martha when she consented to have the stone moved from the grave.v41.
When Jesus first ordered the stone taken from the grave, Martha objected in unbelief. V39..Then Jesus,
challenging her to believe, said “Said I not unto thee, that if thou wouldst believe thou shouldst see the glory of
God.”v40. Martha believed and waited to see the glory of God, and she was not disappointed. We often hear
that “Seeing is believing”, but this is not so. You believe and then see. Faith comes before sight. Now Martha’s
faith no linger limited the power of Christ. She consented to have the stone moved from the grave, and Jesu
“cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth” v43. and Lazarus was raised up. Don’t be satisfied with limited,
fundamental faith only, when you can have unlimited faith that pleases God and reveals His glory.

 THE HALL OF FAITH. ..Heb. 11: 32-39

This chapter is often called the “Hall of Faith”. You need to come here often and linger long, that your faith
may become strong in the Lord, for in this Scripture we get a view of the history of Israel and the church, as it is
written by faith, in the blood of the saints.

They worshiped by faith as Abel. They walked by faith as Enoch. They worked by faith as Noah. They lived by
faith as Abraham. They governed by faith as Moses. They followed by faith as Israel. They fought by faith as
Joshua. They conquered by faith as Gideon. They subdued kingdoms by faith as David. They closed the mouths
of loins by faith as Daniel. They walked through the fire by faith as the Three Hebrew Children. They suffered
by faith as Paul. They died by faith as Stephen, the first Christian martyr.—Acts 7:54-60.

By Faith they were patient in suffering, courageous in battle, made strong out of weakness, and were victorious
in defeat. They were more than conquerors by faith. It is only by faith in the all powerful Christ that you can be
superior to circumstances, and victorious over all the evil forces that would destroy you. “Looking unto Jesus
the author and finisher of our faith”—Heb.12:2. The faith of the saints inspires us, but we look to Jesus as our
example of faith.

OUTLINE # 11--THE ABUNDANT LIFE.

31
“ … I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly’. John 10:10. The only
way into eternal life is through faith in Christ as personal Saviour. -John 3:15. but do not stop here; to have
eternal life is great- but there is more. Christ came that you might have life more abundantly. All believers have
life, but not all have abundant life. You are living beneath your privilege if you are a believer and not enjoying
the abundant life.

For life to be abundant, it must have abundant resources, and the only unlimited source of life is in the person
Jesus Christ the Son of God.—John 14:6. To possess this fuller life, the believer must abide in Him. –John
15:1-5. Dynamic, abundant living is not for just a few—it is God’s norm for all believers. It is spiritual life in
depth, and without it, the Christian life becomes inane(mindless, childish, immature) and meaningless.

If you do not have abundant life within you, you will soon yield to the carnal (fleshly) life around you.-
1Cor.3:1-4. The carnal life is circumstance-controlled; the abundant life is Holy Spirit-controlled. The carnal
Christian life leads to defeat; the abundant life leads to victory in Christ. Man seems to know everything about
life except how to live it abundantly. From this moment on, determine not to be satisfied with anything less than
God’s best: living life abundantly.

 THE ABUNDANT LIFE IS A YIELDED LIFE. …Rom. 6:10-13

How to live the abundant life is no secret; it is revealed in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ…” In that he died,
he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.” V10. Faith that saves identifies you with Christ
in His death—this is eternal life. Faith that yields identifies you with Christ in His resurrection-this is abundant
life.—Col.3:1-4.

1. It is one thing to have eternal life by faith. It is quite another thing to have abundant life by faith.
2. It is one thing for you to be “ made the righteousness of God in him” 2Cor. 5:21; it is another thing for you to
realize His righteous life is in you. 1John 3:7
3. It is one thing for you to live in Christ. 2Cor. 5:17; it is another thing for Christ to live His life through you.-
Col 1:27

In Rom 6:13, the believer has a choice. He may yield unto God by faith and enjoy abundant life, or he may
yield unto sin and endure a defeated life .—Rev. 3:1. god would have you “know the power of a yielded life; it
will lift you above circumstances that circumvent abundant living. The abundant life begins when you yield to
Him as Master, allowing Him to live His life through you by faith.
 2. THE ABUNDANT LIFE IS A SERVICE LIFE. .. Rom.12:1-2

2. You are to “present your bodies.” God must control and use the whole man. “I pray God your whole spirit
and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of Jesus Christ.” Your whole man was redeemed on
the cross and sanctified (set apart for service).-1Thess. 5:23
3. You are to “present your bodies as a living sacrifice”. This is exemplified in the life of the Apostle Paul; he
was a “living sacrifice.” In life, he was a “servant of Jesus Christ”. Rom. 1:1. In battle, he was a warrior. –Eph.
6:10-18. In the will of God, he was a “prisoner of Jesus Christ”. Eph. 3:1. These words were spoken from a
Roman prison; he never referred to himself as a prisoner of Rome.

To the Apostle, prison was a part of the perfect will of God. With this conviction, he lived abundantly.-Phil.
1:12. In death, he was victorious. -2Tim. 4:7-8

You have been “transformed”—changed by the power of God, and no longer “conformed to this world” but
now you can be conformed to the “perfect will of God”—and live abundantly.
 [Link] ABUNDANT LIFE IS A SEPERATED LIFE. Rom. 1:1
32
Separation is both positive and negative. You are to be “separated unto the gospel of God”- this is positive.
Rom.1:1. You are to come out from anything that is contrary to the perfect will of God.—2 Cor.6:17—this is
negative.

To be separated means to be sanctified (set apart) for salvation and service.

1. The Word of God has the power to separate the believer from sin. –John 17:17, also Ps. 119:11

2. God the Father has the power to separate the believer unto the “coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” 1Thess.
5:23
3. God the Son has the power to separate the believer unto righteousness, “not having spot, or wrinkle” –Eph.
5:24-27

4. God the Holy Spirit has the power to separate the believer unto salvation and service. –2Thess. 2:13.

Without being separated, you can have relationship with God, but you cannot have fellowship with Him. You
may be united to Him in Calvary, but separated from Him in sin.—Isa. 59:1-2. Without separation, you can
have influence without power, movement without achievement; you may try, but not trust; serve, but not
succeed; war, but not win. Without separation unto God from sin, your whole Christian life will be “wood, hay,
stubble”. The abundant life is made possible by the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, and
made a reality by being separated unto Him.
 THE ABUNDANT LIFE IS A SPIRIT-FILLED LIFE. …Eph. 5:18-20

The Holy Spirit indwells every believer. You may be immature, weak and imperfect, but if you have been
“born again” of the Spirit.—John 3:3-7. He dwells in you.-1Cor.6:19.; also Rom.8:9. It is one thing for you
to have the Holy Spirit dwelling in you, but does the Holy Spirit have you that He may fill you with the
abundant life?

The abundant life is not found in environment or circumstances, or in the things you may possess. It is
found in the infilling of the Holy Spirit. “be filled with the Spirit” Eph 5:18 is a command. You may be
filled many, many times –Acts 2:4; also Acts 4:31. The Apostles that were filled in Acts chapter 2, were
filled again in Acts chapter 4. To be filled with the Holy Spirit is to be Spirit-possessed, Spirit-led and
Spirit-controlled. Acts 8:26-40.

1. You are filled with the Spirit that you might have joy. Eph.5:V 19 and 20
2. You are filled with the Spirit for service. –Acts 6:3; acts 11:22-24
3. You are filled with the Spirit for power to be a witness.—Acts 1:8 ; Acts 2:4-7
4. You are filled with the Spirit for the hour of persecution. –Acts 7:54-60
5. You are filled with the Spirit, that you may “walk in the Spirit” –Gal. 5:16-26
6. You are filled with the Spirit that you may be led by the Spirit.—Rom 8:14

How can you be filled with the Spirit?

First, you must desire Him to fill you.
Second, you must ask Him to fill you.
Third, you must believe that HE does fill you. –John 4:14; john 7:37-38

 THE ABUNDANT LIFE IS A MATURE LIFE. 2Peter 3:18

33
“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” v18 2Peter chapter 3. The
Scriptures reveal four stages of spiritual growth in the Christian life:

1. The baby stage.-1Cor. 3:1-4. A baby thinks only of self, and if denied the things desired, it will raise a
rumpus (disturbance, tumult, commotion). It seeks its own; its feelings are easily hurt and it is often jealous. A
baby lives to be served—it never serves. It drinks milk, and cannot eat strong meat. It cries, but never sings. It
tries to talk, but never makes sense. These infant characteristics are so prominent in the lives of many church
members. They have been born into the family of God, but have failed to developed spirituality. They are
spiritual babies—carnal Christians.

2. The little child stage—1John 2:12. Some Christians grow to be little children spiritually, but stop there. Here
are some of the characteristics of children: They are often untruthful, envious and cruel. If rebuked, they
become martyrs; if crossed, they are resentful, and often make a sense. They are talebearers, repeating
everything they hear (in adults it is called gossip). They are given to emotional outbursts, and are easily puffed
up. They love praise, and will accept it from any source. They seek only the things that appeal to self. Are you a
spiritual child?

3. The young man stage---1John 2:13. Spiritual growth to that of a young man is not reached by many. He is
strong and virile, and is well able to overcome his enemy. He has a vision for the future and the faith and
courage to tackle it. He is preparing for his productive years. You, too, can become a young man spiritually by
“putting away childish things” -1Cor. 13:11, and grow.

4. The father stage. -1John 2:13. This stage of spiritual development can be reached by all, but so few ever
attain it. The spiritual father has peace with God.—Rom. 5:1. He knows the peace of God. –Phil. 4:7. He
rejoices in his spiritual children. 1Thess. 2:19; 1Tim 1:2. He has learned contentment under all circumstances –
Phil. 4:11. He knows the only source of true strength.—Phil.4:13. He does not brood (feel sorry) over the past,
but looks to the future.—Phil 3:13,14. He knows that all things work together in his life for his eternal good.—
Rom 8:28. He enjoys abundant life now, and will enjoy it in the life to come. Eph 2:7

OUTLINE # 12--REPENTANCE
34
“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” –Prov.
28:13.

God desires truth in the inward parts. –Ps. 51:6. and commends all men everywhere to repent.-Acts 17:30. The
sinner must repent before he can become the recipient of salvation by grace through faith..—Eph.2:8-9.

The saved must practice repentance if he is to enjoy unbroken fellowship with God,. Job 42:1-6. Someone said,
“I repented before I understood the meaning of the word, but since then as a Christian I have repented many
times.”

Repentance is the gift of God.-Acts5:31 also Acts 11:18. “the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance” –
Rom. 2:4. The goodness of God is not merited; therefore, the results of His goodness which is repentance is a
gift. This gift of repentance is an inward change produced by the convincing power of the Holy spirit as the
Word of God is proclaimed. – Acts 2:37-38.; also John 16:7,11.. The results, “repentance toward God, and faith
toward the Lord Jesus Christ.-Acts 20:21, faith that Christ died for our sins, and that He was buried and that He
rose from the dead.-1Cor. 15:1-4.

Repentance qualifies a man for salvation, but it takes faith in Christ to acquire it. True repentance is always
couple with faith. It is impossible to have saving faith and not to repent. “Repentance toward God and faith
toward our Lord Jesus Christ”, are essential and inseparable in salvation.

Faith without repentance is the ultimate of hypocrisy, and repentance without faith in the death, burial and
resurrection of Christ is sheer folly.
.
1. REPENTANCE DEFINED. 2Peter 3:9

First, let us see that repentance is not:

1. Sorrow, “Godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation.” –2Cor.7:9-10. Godly sorrow is a guilty feeling that
leads to repentance, but it is not repentance.
2. Penance. Penance is an act on the part of the guilty to render payment for sin. It is to make an effort in some
way to atone for wrongs done against God or man. God calls all men to repentance, not to do penance.

a) Jesus did not say, do penance and believe the gospel. He said,” repent ye, and believe the gospel” –Mark
1:15.
b) Peter did not say, do penance and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ. He said, “Repent
and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.”—Acts 2:38.
c) Paul did no say, God commendeth all men everywhere to do penance. He said, “God commendeth all men
everywhere to repent.”—Acts 17:30. if penance is repentance, then salvation is not the gift of God, and we are
not saved by grace through faith. Eph. 2:8-9.
3. Reformation. Reformation is a change brought about by the efforts of man for self-glory.—Matt. 12:43-45. it
is turning away from known sin, or giving up a bad habbit, or trying to overhaul the old nature, or, turning over
a new leaf, or making restitution. Judas reformed but it did not save him and neither can it save you. –
Matt.27:3-5

Second, let us see that repentance is:

1. A change. The change is always evidenced in three elements.
a) The intellectual element, a change of mind.
b) The emotional element, a change of heart.
c) the volitional element, a change will.
35
2. The parable of the prodigal is a perfect illustration of repentance. He had a change of mind, a change of heart,
a change of will. –Luke 15:11-32
a) The intellectual element, “he came to himself”
b) The emotional element, “I have sinned”
c) The volitional element, “I will arise and go to my father.”

Repentance is a change, the prodigal had a change of mind, and his change of mind effected a change of heart
and his change of heart effected a change of will. No one is ever saved until he wills to be..—Rev. 22:17.
Repentance is a change of mind, of heart and of will.

2. REPENTANCE PREACHED. Mark1:1-4

Repentance was preached in the OT before the birth of Christ, and during the life and ministry of Christ. It was
preached on the day of Pentecost, and in the book of Acts after Pentecost. It is taught in the Epistles and the
book of the Revelation. It is a doctrine to be preached and practiced in all dispensations.

1. John the Baptist preached repentance.

a) He preached the baptism of repentance.—Luke3:3
b) He preached, “Repent ye for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”—Mat.3:2. He was “the voice of one crying
in the wilderness, prepare ye the way of the Lord.”.—Mat.3:3. John’s preaching of repentance exalted Christ,
denounced sin, warned of judgment, and it cost him his head. –Mat. 14:6-11.

2. Jesus preached repentance.

a) He preached, “Repent ye, and believe the gospel.” Mark 1:14-15. He went about doing mighty works and
calling sinners to repent and to have faith in the good news of God.
b) His preaching of repentance was an ultimatum, “REPENT OR PERISH”. –Luke 13:1-5. Salvation by grace is
for the repentant soul, and judgment without mercy for those who resist.

3. Peter preached repentance.

a) At Pentecost he preached, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the
remission of sins” –Acts2:38
b) In his second epistle he preached that, the Lord “is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should
perish, but that all should come to repentance”..-2Peter 3:9. Every soul that goes to hell goes against the will of
God.

4. Paul preached repentance.

a) He preached that God “commendeth all men to repent”- Acts 17:30. This message was given on Mars hill to
the intelligentsia of Athens. The results were three-fold.
First, some mocked
Second, some procrastinated
Third, some believed . –Acts 17:32-34.

3. REPENTANCE DEAD WORKS. Heb. 6:1

What does the writer of Hebrews mean by, “repentance from dead works”?

First, we need to see the other two categories of works. They are:
1. Good works. –Mat. 5:16. Only saved souls can do good works and please God. Of the lost He sai, “there is
none that doeth good”, no, not one.—Ps.14:1-3. The believer is not to hide his good works, but let them be seen
to the glory of the heavenly Father. Mary of Bethany anointed the head and feet of Jesus with precious ointment
while He sat at the table of Simon the leper. Some of the disciples called her deed an extravagant waste. But
36
Jesus said, “ she hath wrought a good work on me.”---She hath done what she could”—Mark 14:3-9. Like Mary
we are to do all we can to the glory of God, not in order to be saved but because we are saved, having no other
motive. This is the way to do good works.

2. Wicked works.- Col 1:20-21.. Wicked works are deeds done by the un-regenerated, natural man.—1Cor.
2:14. He walks according to this world system. He is motivated by the “prince of the power of the air”(Satan).
His talk is filled with the lust of the flesh and the natural mind. He is a child of wrath and his works are wicked
because he is dead in sin. –Eph. 2:1-3

3. Dead works. Heb. 6:1. Dead works could be called religious works. They are done by the religious for the
purpose of meriting eternal life. It is a legalistic effort to keep the moral and ceremonial laws of God for the
purpose of winning God’s favor and be saved by works. –Eph. 2:8-9
Paul said, “ Therefore by deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight” –Rom.3:20
Dead works are performed by the religious, who are, “ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to
establish (by dead works) their own righteousness having not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of
God.” –Rom. 10:1-4

Paul is a good illustration of repentance from dead works. He clearly stated that he had, “no confidence in the
flesh” then he lists his dead works of which he had to repent.—Phil.3:1-9. When he compared this righteousness
which is by dead works of the law, with the righteousness of Christ which is by faith, he counted the former but
rubbish. He knew the meaning of “repentance from dead works”

4. REPENTANCE AND GOD. Heb.7:21

“God is not a man, that He should lie; neither the son of man, that He should repent” –Numbers 23:19. Yet the
Bible tells us that He does repent. –Gen. 6:5-7. This is not a contradiction. It is paradoxical, but not
contradictory.

God makes two covenants with man.

First, is unconditional. When he makes an unconditional covenant, He never repents. He made such a covenant
with Abraham. –Gen 12:1-3. It will stand forever because, “The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent” –
Ps.110:4. He made such covenant with Israel. –Rom. 11:25-36.

Second, is conditional. “The Lord said, My Spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet
his days shall be an hundred and twenty years” .Gen. 6:3. In the days of Noah God gave the human race a
hundred and twenty years to repent. Only Noah and his family repented and “found grace in the eyes of the
Lord” –Gen 6:8. They met God’s condition and were not judged with the rest of the human race who refused to
repent. “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness, but is long-suffering to us,
NOT WILLING THAT ANY SHOULD PERISH, BUT THAT ALL SHOULD COME TO REPENTANCE.-
2 Peter3:9

It is clear that God wills to save all lost souls, He is “not willing that any should perish”. To be saved, the lost
must meet His condition, “repent toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” –Acts 20:21. Now if a
man does not repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, God will repent. He will change and judge that man.
In love He bestows grace, but if salvation by grace is rejected, in justice He terminates it. In this way God
repents.

5. REPENTANCE, IMPOSSIBLE TO RENEW UNTO. Heb:6 4-6

37

The key that unlocks the mystery to this difficult portion of Scripture is the word, “impossible” in Heb 6:4. The
writer is saying, that the person who so sins will find it impossible to repent again.

First, let us see what the writer does not mean. He does not mean a backsliden Christian. Simon Peter backslid.
—Mat.26:69-75. repented, --John 21:3-17, and was restored to fellowship with the Lord. King David sinned, --
2Sam 11:1-27. repented, -Ps.51:1-19 and was restored to fellowship with the Lord. 2sam 12:13. Any
backslidden Christian can repent and be restored to fellowship with God.

Second, let us see what the writer does mean. Heb.6:4-6. is proof that being religious is not enough to save you.
They professed, but did not possess eternal life. In outward appearance they would be called Christians. But
Jesus said. “Not everyone that saith unto me Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven”- Mat.7:21-23.

Esau so sinned against the Lord when he sold his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of pottage. .Gen 25:27-344..
later he tried to repent, but found it impossible to do so. The scripture says, “He found no place of repentance
though he sought it carefully with tears”—Heb 12:16-17

At the great white throne Judgment where only the wicked dead re judged Rev. 20:11-15. they too, will try to
repent but will find it impossible.

6. REPENTANCE THE IMPORTANCE OF. Acts. 17:30

Repentance is so important that God commands “all men everywhere to repent: v30.
1. the lost are to repent. Jesus said, “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”—
Mat.9:13. Again, He said, “Except ye repent ye shall all likewise peris”—Luke13:3-5.

2. Backsliders are to repent. Paul said, “Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to
repentance”—2Cor. 7:9. There were carnal Christians in the church at Corinth, in Paul’s first letter to them he
called upon the church to discipline the guilty. In his second letter he rejoices because the guilty repented.

3. Local churches are to repent.. In the book of Revelation, Rev. chapters 2 and 3, our Lord sent seven letters to
seven local churches. He called upon five of the seven to repent.

The church at Ephesus was to repent because she had left her first love.
The church at Pergamos was to repent because she permitted the doctrine of Balaam to be taught, and to eat
things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
The church at Thyatira was to repent because she suffered Jezebel to teach and seduced God’s servants to
commit fornication.
The church at Sardis was to repent because she was a dying congregation.
The church at Laodicea was to repent because she thought she was rich and did not need anything. In her
opinion, she had arrived. She did not know that she was neither hot or cold, but lukewarm and God was ready to
spew her out of His mouth.

The Lord called upon these five local churches to repent or else He would remove their candlestick and they
would cease to be a light in darkness.
The lost are to repent or perish.
The backslider is to repent or be discipline.
The local church is to repent or lose it’s effectiveness in a world lost sin.

7. REPENTANCE THE EVIDENCE OF. ..Acts 26:19,20

38

The evidence of repentance towards God and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ is seen in:
1. The repentance of unbelieving Thomas.—John 20:24-29. Thomas would not believe that Christ had been
raised from the dead until he saw the risen Saviour and was given the opportunity to touch His nail pierced
hands and thrust his hand into His wounded side. Thomas repented, believed, and made his great confession of
faith, “My Lord and my God.”

2. Three thousand changed their minds, hearts, and wills on the day of Pentecost and immediately gave
evidence of repentance. –Acts. 2:41-47.

3. Saul of Tarsus experienced repentance when he met Jesus on the Damascus road and gave evidence of
repentance. Acts 9:1-18

4. Cornelius, his family and friends repented when they heard the gospel preached by Simon Peter, and
evidence of repentance followed. –Acts 10:24-48

5. The Philippian jailer and his house repented when witnessed to by Paul and Silas, the evidence of repentance
followed. Acts 16:26-34.

Repentance is a change of the mind, the heart and the will. The proof of repentance is:
1. “turning from sin” –Exek. 18:30
2. “turning to God”—Acts 26:20
3. followed by good deeds –Acts 26:20

OUTLINE # 13---THE NEW BIRTH

39

It is of the utmost importance that we have a clear understanding of what Jesus meant when speaking with
Nicodemus said, “Ye must be born again”. The new birth is a spiritual birth. It is as much a birth as the natural
birth; it is not just a figure of speech. The first birth is of the “seed of man.” The second birth is of the “seed of
God”-1Peter 1:23. Therefore, you cannot become a child of God by joining the church, any more than a monkey
could become a man by joining the human race. He may act like a man, dress like a man and try to live like a
man—but he would still be a monkey. Now, if by some miracle, the monkey could be born again of the “seed of
man” then- and only then-could he become a man. The only way to become a child of God is to be “born from
above.” By the “incorruptible seed of God,” What is the new birth?

The new birth is a new creation..2 Cor.5:17

The new birth is a spiritual resurrection. Eph. 2:1-9
The new birth is regeneration. Titus 3:5
The new birth is partaking of the divine nature of God. 2Peter 1:4
The new birth is receiving Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord, by faith.—John1:12
The new birth is being the “righteousness of God”. – 2Cor.5:21
The new birth is compulsory if you are to become a child of God. “Ye MUST be born again.”

1. JESUS AND THE TWO BIRTHS. John 3:1,8

In the above Scriptures, we see Jesus and Nicodemus face to face—Jesus the Son of God, and Nicodemus the
son of natural man. Nicodemus was a very religious man, but he was not a child of God. What a shock it must
have been to learn that his religion was not enough! He came to Jesus, addressing Him as “a teacher come from
God”. Jesus knew Nicodemus, as He knows all men.—John 2:24-25., and Jesus knew that he needed more than
a teacher.—he needed a Saviour. He needed more than a religion—he needed regeneration. He needed more
than law---he needed life. Jesus began by going right to the point when He said, “Ye must be born again.”
Nicodemus asked, “How can a man be born when he is old?”

Then Jesus pointed out the dissimilarity in the two births: “That which is born of flesh is flesh” (the flesh will
never change); “and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit”.(the Spirit will never change) –John 3:6

First, let us take a brief look at the flesh birth:

1. It produces an old, sinful nature. –Ps.51:5
2. It produces a corruptible nature.—1Peter 1:23
3. It produces an old nature under the sentence of death.—Rom.6:23
4. It produces an old nature that makes every unsaved person a child of the devil. 1John 3:1; John 4:44

Second, let us say a word about the new birth:

1. It produces a sinless nature. 1John 3:9
2. It produces a nature that cannot sin.—1john 3:9
3. It produces a righteous nature. –2Cor. 5:21
4. it produces a divine nature. 2Peter 1:4

Every born-again person has two natures: the old from the old birth, and the new from the new birth. By the old
birth, we are children of the flesh; the new birth, we are the children of God. This is why “Ye must be born
again.”

2. THE NEW BIRTH ISSUES A NEW, SINLESS NATURE.- 1John 3:9

40

This is one of the most misunderstood verses in the Bible. Do not try to understand it in the light of personal
experience. Keep in mind that the above verse is speaking of the new nature—not the old nature--- because the
old nature is not born of God. The old nature is born of fallen man, and is depraved.(corrupt, evil, wicked,
immoral) The new nature is born of God, and is holy.

First, let us see what this verse says about the new nature:
1. The new nature does not commit sin, because it is the product of the “seed” (sperm) of God.
2. The new nature cannot sin, because it is the divine nature of God. --2Peter 1:4, and since God cannot sin, the
new nature that issues from His holy seed cannot sin.

Second, let us see what the Bible says about the old nature:
1. The old nature does sin anytime you let it sin. –Rom. 6:12. As a child of God, you will keep under the old
nature. (1Cor. 9:27). by not yielding to the desire of the flesh; or the old nature will keep you under, and you
will live a defeated Christian life. –Rom. 6:13.
2. There is nothing good in the old nature. –Rom. 7:18. The power to live a righteous life cannot be found in the
old nature; it can be found only in the new, Gal.2:20.

If you have been “born again” you have two natures—the old and the new—and you are walking according to
one of the two. Examine your Christian walk in the light of:--Rom. 8:5-6

3. THE NEW BIRTH IS INCORRUPTIBLE. -1Peter 1:23

In the above verse we have two seeds, two births and two natures.
1. Corruptible seed produces a corruptible nature. –Rom.1:23…. Corruptible man can produce only corruptible
seed. ---Mat. 7:18. “All have sinned…” –Rom. 3:23 because all are born in sin. Ps. 51:5.

You are not a sinner because you sin,--you sin because you are a sinner. Hindi ka makasalanan
dahil ikaw ay nagkasala.. nagkakasala ka dahil ikaw ay makasalanan.

2. Incorruptible seed produces an incorruptible nature. 2Peter 1:4. You cannot corrupt that which is
incorruptible; therefore, the incorruptible seed of God issues a new nature that cannot be corrupted at any time,
or in any way. The new birth produces the life of Christ, and this life is made living in man by the indwelling
Holy Spirit.—Rom.8:8-10.

The seed of man is corruptible; the birth of man is natural. Therefore, the nature of man is sinful.
The seed of God is incorruptible; the new birth is spiritual. Therefore, the new nature is sinless.

4. THE NEW BIRTH-ITS MEANS . John 3:14,18

“Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness”—Num. 21:5-9. He lifted up the serpent for a sinful, disobedient
people. When anyone was bitten by a serpent, he had a choice: he could humble himself and by a simple act of
faith look and live. –Isa. 45:22; or he could refuse to look on the serpent of brass and die.

“Even so must the Son of man be lifted up”. Just as the serpent in the wilderness was the only means for the
healing of Israel, so the death of Jesus Christ is the only means for the new birth. And the only way to
appropriate the regenerating power of God is by faith in the vicarious (shocking) death, burial, and resurrection
of Jesus Christ. 1Cor.15:1-4.

The sinner must come to Christ by faith, believing:

41
1. That Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures. –Isa. 53:1-12.; also Zech. 13:6
2. And that He was buried. This is the proof of His death. He was in the sepulcher three days and nights.
3. And that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures. This is the gospel that saves.—but it is
powerless to save until the sinner believes it.—Rom.1:16.
The means of the new birth is found in that:
1. “God so loved the world, that he gave His only begotten Son”—to be the only means of the new birth, John
3:16; also –Acts 4:12.
2. Jesus Christ gladly came into the world to become the only means of the new birth.-John 12:27; -John 17:1-5.
3. The Holy Spirit came into the world on the day of Pentecost to convince men of their need of the new birth.
—John 16:7-11. A personal faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the only means of the
new birth.

5. THE NEW BIRTH-ITS THREEFOLD PROOF. ..1John 5:1

Every “born again” child of God has the threefold proof of the new birth—proof that he is a child of God. This
three fold proof is: First, inward proof. Second, outgoing proof. Third, outward proof.
1.”Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God”—1John5:1. My faith in Christ—that He is God.
—is personal evidence that I am a child of God . 1John 5:10,13.. This is inward proof of the new birth.
2. “Everyone that loveth is born of God” 1John 4:7-11. We are to love our fellow man with the love of God.
This we are not capable of doing in the flesh; we must let God love man through us.—Rom. 5:5. This is
outgoing proof of the new birth.
3. “Every one that doeth righteousness is born of Him.” (1John 2:29). If you are born of God, you will make a
practice of doing right at all times and at all cost.—2Cor. 5:17. This is outward proof of the new birth.

If you do not have the threefold proof of the new birth, now is the time to get on your knees and accept Jesus
Christ as your personal Saviour.—by faith in His vicarious death, burial, and resurrection.

OUTLINE # 14---GOD’S PLAN OF SALVATION

42

There are seven facts revealed in God’s plan of salvation, and as you study them, keep in mind that this is God’s
plan—not man’s---it is God’s., there is no other plan that can save your lost soul and make you a child of
God.---Acts 4:12.

All roads may lead to Rome, but all religions do not lead to God and salvation. There is only one way, and that
is God’s way; and God’s way is a person, and that person is His Son the Lord Jesus Christ. –John 14:6

God’s salvation is threefold:

First, Christ appeared on this earth to save you from the penalty of sin, by putting away your sin by the sacrifice
of Himself on the cross. –Heb.9:26.
Second, He appeared in heaven, in the presence of God, after His resurrection, to save you from the power of
sin—Heb9:24 also 1John 2:1,2
Third, He will appear again on this earth, the second time, as “Lord of Lords and King of Kings” to save you
from the very presence of sin. Heb.9:28

Now come to the seven facts of salvation with an open mind and a receptive heart, that God may bring salvation
to your soul.

1. IT IS A FACT THAT GOD LOVES YOU.. John 3:16

It is an eternal fact that God loves you with an everlasting love that cannot be fathomed; it is so bountdless that
it can only be known by faith.

The little word “so” in the above verse is most expressive. It gives you some concept of the magnitude of God’s
love. God so loved you, that He gave His only begotten Son,, to be made sin for you, that you might be made
the righteousness of God in Him.—2Cor.5:21.
Jesus Christ was made that which God hates: sin—that you might be made that which God loves;
righteousness. Because God so loves you, you can exchange your sins for His righteousness. Could you ask for
greater evidence of love? Calvary is proof that God loves, and longs to save you.

Admit to yourself that: “God loves me”

2. IT IS A FACT THAT YOU ARE A SINNER. Rom.3:23

What is sin?

Sin is the transgression of the law.—1John 3:4

Sin is unbelief; it calls God a liar.—1John 5:10
Sin is passive rebellion against God. Isa.1:2
All unrighteousness is sin.—Isa. 1:2

God, who cannot lie, said “All have sinned”. “All” includes you. You have sinned against God by thought,
word, and deed. You have committed sins of commission and sins of omission. In the sight of God, you are a
lost sinner.
Admit to yourself: “I am a lost sinner, because I have sinned”

3. IT IS A FACT THAT YOU ARE NOW DEAD IN SIN. Rom.6:23

43
You have already confessed and admitted that you are a sinner. Now God would have you know that “the wages
of sin is death”. You are dead in sin until you accept Christ as personal Saviour. The Apostle Paul said, “You
hath quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins” –Eph. 2:1. To be saved is to be made spiritually alive in
Christ.

What is death?
1. Death is spiritual separation. Your sins have separated you from God; you are dead in your sins.
2. Death is physical separation; it separates the spirit and soul from the body.
3. Death is eternal separation. If you remain lost in your sins, you will stand before God at the great white
throne judgment, and there your sins will separate you from the mercy of God forever; this is hell.—Rev. 20:11-
15.

You know that God loves you, and that you are a sinner—dead in sins.
Admit to yourself: “I am dead in sins”

4. IT IS A FACT THAT CHRIST DIED FOR YOU. Rom. 5:6-8

He died for those who are unlike God; this includes you. “While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” Rom.
5:8
“For he (God the Father) hath made him (God the Son) to be made sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might
be made the righteousness of God in Him. 2Cor. 5:21
“For as much as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold…. But with the
precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” –1Peter 1:18-19.
“For Christ also hath once suffered for sin, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to
death in the flesh but quickened in the spirit” –1Cor.15:3
“Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures” 1Cor 15:3

In the light of these wonderful Scriptures, will you now thank God for His great lone in sending His Son to bear
your sins in His own body on the cross, and admit to yourself that: “Christ died on Calvary for me”

5. IT IS A FACT THAT YOU CAN BE SAVED BY FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. Acts
16:30-31
The Phillipian jailer asked Paul and Silas: Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” The answer was quick in
response, and positive in content: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”.
Paul and Silas preached the gospel to the jailer and those in his house; they believed and were saved.

Note: Some references are made as direct statements to an unsaved person, some to the faithful Christian. Let
your heart judge which you are.

What is this gospel that saves when believed?

First, it is, “that Christ died for our sins”
Second, “that he was buried”
Third, “that he rose again the third day” –1Cor.15:3-4

Jesus Christ the God-man died for you, was buried for you, and rose again from the dead for you; and is now at
the right hand of Father interceding for you. -1John 2:1

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that
believeth” –Rom. 1:16. The gospel is the power of God unto salvation only when you believe. Your faith in
Jesus Christ releases the power of God that saves your souls.
44
The man born blind received physical sight by a miracle, but spiritual sight came when Jesus asked, “Dost thou
believe on the Son of God?” He answered, “Lord, I believe” –John 9:35-36-38. Salvation came to Thomas when
he believed, and confessed, “My Lord and my God” –John 20:24-29.

When you confessed with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God hath raised Him from
the dead, you will be saved. Rom.10:9-10.

Accept Him now by faith, and pray this prayer:

“Lord Jesus, I know You love me, because You died on the cross bearing mg sins. Thank you, Lord for
revealing to me my lost, sinful condition. I confess that I an a sinner, dead in sin, and cannot save myself. O do
now by faith, gladly receive and accept You as my personal Saviour, and thank You, Lord, for eternal salvation.
Amen.”

6. IT IS A FACT THAT YOU CAN BE SAVED AND KNOW IT. 1John 5:10-13
“That ye may know that ye have eternal life”…. v.13, Upon the authority of God’s word. You can be saved and
know it. Your faith in God’s infallible Word is your assurance of salvation. “He that believeth on the Son hath
(present tense) everlasting life” –John 3:36.

The Bible is a book of certainties. It strengthens convictions, and established beliefs, God would have you
know:
1. That you are now a child of God. –1John 3:2
2. That you have been made the righteousness of God in Chrisat.-2Cor. 5:21; also Rom 10:1,4.
3. That you are now a new creature in Christ..2Cor. 5:17
4. That you are now a son and heir of God.- Gal.4:7.

Could you have greater assurance than is found in God’s infallible Word? “Heaven and earth shall pass away,
but my words shall not pass away”-Mat.24:35

7. IT IS A FACT THAT YOU ARE NOW A CHILD OF GOD AND YOU ARE TO OBEY HIM. Acts
5:29

“We ought to obey God rather than men” v.29. You now belong to Jesus Christ. He is your Lord and Master,
and “no man can serve two masters”—Mat.6:24. Determine now to obey your Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, in
all things.
1. Unite with a New Testament church. “And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved” –Acts
2:47.
2. Follow Him in the ordinance of baptism. Acts 2:41
3. Join a Sunday School class, and study the Word with God’s children..2Tim 2:15
4 Attend the worship services of your church.. Heb. 10:25. You need the preaching of God’s word and Christian
fellowship.
5. Be faithful steward.-1Cor.4:2. All that you are and have belong to God. “Ye are not your own. For ye are
bought with a price”..1Cor.6:19-20.

As a faithful steward, you will pay God His tithe .Malachi 3:10. The tithe is one tenth of your income, and it is
the Lord’s .Lev.27:30
6. Make time in your daily life to pray and read God’s Word that you may grow in the grace and knowledge of
the Lord Jesus Christ.
45
OUTLINE # 15--HOW TO WITNESS EFFECTIVELY.

One day as Jesus walked by the sea of Galilee, He saw two men, Simon, called Peter and Andrew, his brother,
they were fishermen. “And He said unto them, Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men” –Mat. 4:19.
Soul winners are made not born. Therefore to be an effective witness, you must be taught, trained and motivated
by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus took three years to teach and train His disciples in the art of soul winning. After His resurrection He
instructed them to stay in Jerusalem and, “wait for the promise of the Father”-Acts1:4-8. when the disciples ask
Jesus if the time had come for Him to restore the kingdom of Israel, Jesus answered, “it is not for you to know
the times or the seasons, which the Father has put in His own power. But you shall receive power, after that the
Holy Spirit is come upon you: and you shall be witness unto me.

On the day of Pentecost, the hundred and twenty received power to witness, and any believer who will acquire
the know-how can be an effective soul winner.

He can know that he and the Holy Spirit are a witnessing team. Peter said, “We are His witnesses of these
things; so is also the Holy Spirit, “WHOM GOD HATH GIVEN TO THEM THAT OBEY HIM” –Acts 5:32.
Therefore, when you witness remember that “your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you.” 1Cor
6:19,20)

When you witness trust the Holy Spirit to do three things.

1. Illuminate the mind of the unbeliever. All lost souls are in spiritual darkness. 2Cor 4:3,4.
2. Stir the heart of the unbeliever. As Peter preached Christ the listeners, “were pricked in their hearts” –Acts
2:37
3. Move the will of the unbeliever. The prodigal returned home when he came to himself and said, “I will arise
and go to my father” Luke 15:18
You may be up-to-date in all modern techniques of soul winning, and able to quote the necessary scriptures
without a flaw, but if you do not evangelize in the power of the Holy Spirit, your soul winning efforts will be
ineffective.

1. THE IMPORTANCE OF WITNESSING..Rom.10:13-17

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” Rom .10:13. Do not lift this text out of
context. There are three questions in v14 that must be considered along with verse 13, they are:

First question, “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed?” .The answer is the lost
cannot call on the Lord to be saved until they believe.
1. “That Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures:
2. And that He was buried.
3. And that He rose again the third day according to the scriptures” -1Cor.15:1-4

Second question, “How shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?” The answer is, the lost cannot
believe in Him until they hear the good news of salvation.
1. The eunuch had to hear to believe.—Acts 8:26-39
2. Paul had to hear to believe.—Acts 9:1-18
3. Cornelius had to hear to believe. –Acts10:1-48
4. The Philippian jailer had to hear to believe.-Acts 16:25-40.
46
Third question,, “How shall they hear without a preacher (witness). The answer is, they cannot hear the good
news of salvation without a witness.
1. Three thousand souls were saved at Pentecost because the 120 witnessed.
2. The eunuch was saved because Philip witnessed.
3. Paul was saved because Stephen witnessed. –Acts7:54-60, and Jesus the God-man witnessed, and
Annanias witnessed. –Acts 9:1-18.
4. Cornelius and his house were saved because Peter witnessed.
5. The Philippian jailer and his house were saved because Paul and Silas witnessed.
6. You were saved because someone witnessed to you.

According to the Word of God the lost cannot be saved without a witnessed. They must have a witness to
hear, they must hear to believe, they must believe to call, and they must call to be saved. But they cannot
call until they believe and they cannot believe until they hear and they cannot hear without a witness.

“So then faith(saving faith) cometh by hearing” Rom. 10:17. We are not born with saving faith. It comes
only when we hear the gospel. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that every born again child of God obey
the great commission to evangelize, To “GO WITH THE GOSPEL”

2. THE QUALIFICATIONS OF A WITNESS. John 1:40-12

A qualified witness is one who is:

1. Established in the faith. To be established in the faith is to be rooted and grounded in God’s word. Peter said,
“Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with
meekness and fear”. 1Peter 3:15

Open Bible were prepared to help established you in the faith. Study them, carry the Bible with you and take
advantage of every opportunity to ponder a portion of one of the great doctrines. They will give you a
foundation on which to build a strong faith. 2Tim.3:16.

2. Saved and know it. I know that I am saved because God tells me so in His word and God cannot lie.
We have the:
A) Witness of the Spirit. 1John 5:13
B) The witness of the Word. 1John r:13
C) The witness of saving faith “He that BELIEVETH” on the Son of God hath the witness in himself.-
1John 5:9-10 see note (It is a fact that you can be saved and know it.)

3. Separated, Paul said that he was “separated unto the gospel of God” . Rom 1:1-16. This is positive separation
and Paul analyzed it as:
a) A holy desire to share spiritual gifts. V11
b) A holy purpose to bear fruit-v13
c) a holy obligation to pay a spiritual debt.-v14
d) a holy eagerness to share the gospel.-v15
e) a holy boldness to exalt the cross.-v16

To be separated unto the gospel is to share the good news with the lost. See note “The abundant life is a
separated life”

4. Filled with the Holy Spirit, “Be filled with the Spirit” .Eph 5:18. We are commanded to be filled with the
Holy Spirit ( See note) The abundant life is a Spirit-filled life).
47
Evidence of the Spirit filled life as seen in the early Christians:
a) They spoke the word of God with boldness—acts 4:33
b) They witness with great power. –Acts 4:33
c) They witnessed with great grace.- Acts 4:33
d)They shared their wealth. Acts.4:34-37
e) They worshiped in unity.-Acts 2:42-47
f) They suffered persecution. Acts 8:1-4
g) They glorified in tribulations. Rom 5:3
h) They sang in prison.. Acts16:25
i) They loved and prayed for their executioners. Acts 7:54-60
j) They rejoiced to suffer shame for His name. Acts 5:41

They were accused of:

1. Filling Jerusalem with the gospel .Acts 5:28
2. Turning the world upside down.. Acts 17:6

The hundred and twenty Spirit-filled Christians witnessed on the day of Pentecost and the people were:
1. Confounded, that is, they were mentally arrested. Acts 2:6
2. Amazed, that is, they were mentally frustrated.. acts 2:7
3. Marveling, that is, they stood in mental awe. Acts 2:7
4. Mocking, that is, they stood mentally reacted. Acts 2:13
5. Inquiring, that is, some mentally acted. Acts 2:37

The gospel proclaimed in the power of the Holy Spirit will motivate the hearer to act or react. On the day of
Pentecost 3000 acted as evidence by repentance and baptism, while others reacted mocking. No one, but no one,
ignored the witness of those Spirit filled believers.

3. THE APPROACH. John 1:40-42

THERE ARE WO WAYS TO APPROACH (The person to whom you are witnessing)
The first is:
1. The direct approach:
a) A relative. Andrew used the direct approach to bring his brother Simon Peter to Christ. John 1:40-12
b) A friend. Phillip the apostles used the direct approach to bring Nathaniel to Jesus. John 1:45-46
c) The concerned. Jesus used the direct approach to win Nicodemus.//John3:1-21
d) The seeker. Paul and silas used the direct approach to lead the Philippian jailer to Jesus.. Acts 13:19-34

The Second is:

1) The indirect approach. This approach can be used when witnessing to:
a) a stranger. Jesus used the indirect approach to witness to the Samaritan woman.John4:7-26
b) The religious. Philip the evangelist used the indirect approach to lead the Ethiopian eunuch to Christ. –Acts
8:26-39

The method in either case will vary according to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Whether you see the direct or
the indirect approach, be sure to follow through until you have presented God’s plan of salvation and invited
them to accept Christ as their personal Saviour.
48
4. THE FOLLOW THROUGH. –Mat.13:3-8, 18-23

The parable of the Sower illustrates the importance of the follow through. Only one fourth of the soil
was ready for the seed, so only one fourth of the seed brought forth fruit. Jesus explains the parable in
Mat. 13:18-23. and we learn that.
1. The sower is the witness
2. The seed is the word of God.
3. The soil is the heart.

We also learn that there are four types of hearts, They are:
1. The hard heart; this is the wayside soil, fertile but hard.
2. The shallow heart; this is the stony soil, fertile but depthless.
3. The worldly heart; this is the thorny soil, fertile but possessed
4. The understanding heart; this is good soil, fertile and prepared.
The lesson here is a simple one if we expect the seed, the word of God to bear fruit, the heart must be made
ready. The hard heart must be broken, the shallow heart must be given depth, and the worldly heart must be
taught that the things of this world are temporal.. Mark 8:36-37. This requires time, work, and patience.

5. HOW TO SHARE GOD’S PLAN OF SALVATION. –Acts 4:12

There are 7 simple steps to take in sharing God’s plan of salvation.

1. Share your personal experience of salvation.. Don’t give your life story. It should not take more than a
few minutes to tell how the Lord saved you. As you come to the close of your testimony, bring out your
bible and say, may I share with you God’s plan of salvation that changed my life?
2. Read John 3:16..It is a fact that God loves you.. When you come to the close of the note say something
like this. Tom, will you now admit that God loves you. Lead him to admit it if you can. This will get him
involved in the plan of salvation.
3. It is a fact that you are a sinner. Read the Scripture, and as you come to the close of the note, ask him to
admit that he is a lost sinner. When he admit that he is a lost sinner, you say something like this, Tom, is
it wonderful, God loves you even though you are a lost sinner.
4. Share the fact that you are now dead in sin., ask him to admit that he is dead in sin.. When he admits
that he is dead in sin. Say .Tom, isn’t it great, even though you are lost sinner dead in sin, God loves
you.
5. Share the fact that Christ died for you.. read scripture., ask him to admit that Christ died on Calvary for
him., say,, To, isn’t wonderful, isn’t great that God loves you so much that He died on Calvary bearing
your sins.
6. Share that it is a fact that you can be saved by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Read Scriptures and be
ready to ask him to accept Christ as His personal Saviour.
7. Now lead him to call upon the name of the Lord in prayer. “For whosoever shall call upon the name of
the Lord shall be saved”

6. HOW TO GIVE THE INVITATIONS. Rev 22:17

Invite the person (to whom you are witnessing) to by faith accept the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal
Saviour. Say something. Tom, will you kneel with me in prayer as I ask the Lord to save you, right here and
now?

Don’t wait for him to get on his knees. You lead the way. If he will not kneel with you, don’t force it.
49
Pray a short prayer that the Lord will convict him of sin and bring him to repentance. Get up and make an
appointment to return for another witness session. If he does kneel with you, pray a brief prayer. Ask the
Lord to save him now.

Now ask him to pray after you the prayer of acceptance, you pray, “Lord Jesus I know you love me,. Now
he prays, “Lord Jesus, I know you love me. “ Continue in this manner until you have lead him through the
prayer.

Now when you have finished leading him through the prayer stand up and say, “Tom, did you by faith
accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Saviour as you prayed. I do now by faith, gladly
accept you as my personal Saviour, and thank you Lord, for eternal salvation?

When he answers yes, take him by the hand and say, “UPON THE AUTHORITY OF GOD’S WORD YOU
ARE NOW A CHILD OF GOD”

Read Rom.10:13/ “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved”

7. HOW TO FOLLOW UP. Acts 2:41-47

When you have led a soul to Christ your responsibility does not end. You have a spiritual baby, and that
baby needs help if it is to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.

There are things that you can do that will help the new Christian to grow spiritually.
Start him out right, stress the fact that we are to obey the Lord in all things.

Lead him to a New Testament church. say something like this, Tom. I am a member of a New Testament
church, and I want you to be my guest at the next service. Take him to church, sit with him, and when the
invitation is given, ask him to go forward with you to make his public confession of faith in Christ.
Mat.10:32

When you have reached him and profess, he should be in the church, with doctrinal foundation on which to
continue to grow spiritually, and by now he should be involved in Evangelism. He is ready to GO WITH
THE GOSPEL.