Learn About God and His Kingdom – Part 2

 

He will help you – Seek and you shall find, Knock and it shall be opened

  • The Bible is the divine inspired word of God
    • “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16)
  • The Holy Bible is called “The Word” and it captures the essence / nature / personality of God in words
    • “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1)

<<< click here to read more about the bible as an owners manual for your life >>>

Be an Active Learner: Read about it, Hear about it, Think about it, Talk about it

  • Read the scripture
    • “…you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32)
    • “Give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh (Proverbs 4:20-22).
    • << Click here for a discussion of the Bible as a user manual for your life >>
  • Listen to sermons/messages
    • Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17)
  • Dwell in The Word, it is the truth and the Light
    • Research scriptures for current areas of interest: Faith, Fear, Trust, Salvation, Healing
    • Spend time meditating over scriptures in your chosen theme
    • Find scriptures that resonate in your mind, or in your heart – that is His voice speaking to you
  • Connect with others and discuss

Fully understand the primary Gospel messages

  • Man was originally created in God’s image – perfect in every way – with eternal life in the Garden of Eden.
  • We now live in a fallen world – separated from God
    • Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden by eating of the forbidden tree
    • Sin became part of their soul
    • All people descended from them, and inherited a sinful nature, a tendency to lust after self-centered interests 
      • “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23)
    • Sin separates us from God and His protection
    • Sin has consequences, including death
      • “For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23)
  • God Loves us so much He sent his only begotten son here to save us from sin and it’s consequences
    • “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
  • Jesus came here to rescue us
    • Jesus was a God and was wiling to come here as a mere human
    • He sacrificed his life as an innocent Lamb to pay the price of your sin.
      • “…Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! “(John 1:29)
      • “He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.”(1 John 2:2)
    • He suffered the consequences of all sin on His Body – He paid the price for all sin.
      • He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed” (1 Peter 2:24)
      • “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”(Romans 6:23)
    • By his blood you are saved, and by his stripes you are healed
      • “But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5)
    • By his Grace we receive forgiveness we do not deserve and can not earn. 
      • “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace” (Ephesians 1:7)
    • By his Mercy we avoid the penalty we deserve as a sinner
    • Jesus was resurrected and now has full authority on heaven and earth
      • “God raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named….” (Ephesians 1:20-21)
  • If you believe in His resurrection, and accept Him to be your personal Lord and Savior, you will be saved from eternal death
    • “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9)
  • If you believe in Jesus and follow His ways, you are restored to righteousness in perfect union with the Father
    • “For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)
  • You owe Him your life
    • “For you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:20)

    God intends for His Love and Truth to be visible through the life of each of His children 

    • “Who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.” (Titus 2:14)

Understand the Guidance and Expectations provided in the Bible

  • The Word is written in parables and has many layers of meaning (Matthew 13:13)
  • There are several key themes or messages  
    • God is the source of everything – the True Vine (John 15)
    • God works to save you when you are lost – The Lost Sheep (Matthew 18:10-14)
    • Pay attention to the Bible message while there is time – The Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31)
    • Be humble and Confess your sins – The Pharisee and The Tax Collector (Luke 18:9-14)
    • God will embrace you when you confess sin and return to him – The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32)
    • There is celebration in heaven when each person finds the Lord – The Lost Coin – Luke 15:8-10
    • Big things start small – The Mustard Seed (Matthew 13:31-32)
    • You need to nurture your faith for it to grow – The sower (Matthew 13:1-23)
    • Be persistent in Faith and Prayer – The Persistent Widow – (Luke 18:1-8)
    • All good things take time – Sow, Nurture, Mature, Blossom, Fruit, Harvest
    • God works inside you once you plant his seed – The Growing Seed (Mark 4:26-29)
    • You have to invest what God gives you – Ten Talents or Gold Coins (Matthew 25:14-30)
    • Take mercy and help others – The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:29-37)
    • If you keep your harvest and not share it with God you will lose it – The Rich Fool (Luke 12:13-21)
    • Focus your resources on those that need help – The Invited Guests (Luke 14:7-14)
    • Forgive others the way God forgives you – The Unforgiving Servant (Matthew 18:23-35)
    • Watch what you say… words come from your heart – the Heart of Man (Matthew 15:10-20)
    • You reap what you sow (Galatians 6:7)
    • You need to do be a visible model serving His kingdom – The Lamp – Matthew 6:14

Seek and you will learn of His unconditional Love for You

  • Learn and understand all he has already done for you
    • (Creation, Salvation, You, A place in heaven)
    • God created you individually and He Loves you unconditionally as a father
      • “…you formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb… (Psalm 139:13)
    • God Loves you so much He sent his only begotten son to die so you could have eternal life
      • “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
    • He works continuously towards your best interest
      • “…all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
  • Learn and understand what he has promised his followers
    • (Prosperity, Protection, Long life, Blessings)
  • Understand His will for mankind – Jesus is the expressed image of God,  we can understand God through Him.

Seek and you will gain a better perspective on yourself, your life and your role here

  • Understand the He loves you unconditionally
  • Understand that eternity is the focus and doing things in this life to set yourself up for success in the next
  • Understand His intent is for us to serve others on behalf of Him
  • Spend time in quiet reflection – get to know your heart – Proverbs 27:19, 37:4
  • Understand He will help you become your best in this life and the next

Seek it daily and you will receive blessings now and forever

  • Start and end the day with prayer – “Look up and thank god for his lovingkindness, and faithfulness” Psalm 92:2
  • Spend time feeding your spirit with other sources
  • Spend time with someone who supports your development
  • Thank the Lord 7 times a day for his faith and good judgement