chaplain

February Bible Study

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 17:50:49 +0100

Two Types of Builders

Scripture:

Matthew 7:24-27

Introduction:

There are two foundations that the Bible tells us that we are to build on in life. The choice is ours. How we build our foundation in life will determine if we are wise or foolish. Jesus gives us two types of builders here in this passage of scripture. The question that we need to ask ourselves is what kind of foundation are we standing on? Let's look at these two builders and see what Christ is trying to tell us.

I. Wise Builder vs.24-25

A. Things that a person needs to do to be on a firm foundation:

1. Listen to the Lord.

a. The biggest problem people have today is that they don't listen. Notice the first thing the Bible says in verse 24;"Therefore who ever hears these sayings of mine,." You learn more by listening than you do by talking. When your mouth is open your ears are always closed. The Bible says a fool utters his entire mind.

2. Be wise to the teachings of God.

a. Notice the wise man listens to the Lord. Because he listens to the Lord, the foundation that he lays for his life to live on is placed on the solid rock.

b. Building your life on the foundation of God prepares you for the storms of life that will come your way. Notice what the Bible says in vs.25. The Bible gives us three types of storms; 1. The rain descended, 2. The floods came, 3. The winds blew. Life's trials will some times come at us gradually (rain descended), trials may take you to the point that you think you are about to drown in them (floods came), or maybe your trial is so severe that you feel like it is going to blow you away (winds blew). Remember the Lord gave us a victorious promise in vs.25; even though our house was beaten on it did not fall because we were placed on the foundation of God (the Rock). Hebrews 13:5 tells us that the Lord will never leave us nor forsake us. The Lord never said life was going to be easy, but He did say that He would go through it with us. Great individuals in the Bible went through trials but God was with them. Not only will the Lord be with us here on earth but also at death. In the 23rd Psalm He tells us that He will walk with us through the valley of the shadow of death. Death is only a shadow to the believer. A shadow can never harm you. When we trust Jesus as Savior we have victory over death. Jesus took the sting of death away on the cross for all those who trust Him as Savior. Amen...

II.Foolish Builder vs. 26-27

A. The foolish builder built his house on the sand (a weak foundation). Notice what the Lord says about the foolish man:

1. The foolish man listens to the Lord but he didn't follow the instructions of the Lord.

2. The foolish man went about building his foundation the way he thought it should be built.

3. There is one problem; his foundation is built on sinking sand and not the rock of Jesus.

4. The storms of life came upon him. They came on him more and more intense and his house eventually fell. Notice the Lord said, "great was it's fall".

5. No one is exempt from the trials of life. Everyone will face them eventually. The question is will you go through the storms of life on the rock or sinking sand.

Conclusion:

The Bible gives many examples of individuals who were faced with trials:

Peter was drowning in the sea but the Lord's hand was there to grab him.

Moses went through the Red Sea but the Lord was with them.

Daniel was thrown in the lions den but the Lord was with him.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Negro was thrown in the fiery furnace but the Lord was walking in the flames with them.

Noah went into the Ark with his family but the Lord protected them.

We could go on and on but I believe you get the point.

1 Samuel 2:2 says "No one is holy like the Lord, For there is none besides you, Nor is there any rock like our God".

Amen!

Bro. Sam

Chaplain C.P.F.D.

Nahum 1:7

January Bible Study

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 17:44:18 +0100

Two Types of Believers - False and True.

Scripture:

Matthew 7:21-23

Introduction:

The Bible tells us that there are two types of believers. Jesus didn't pull no punches here. He tells us here that you are either lost or saved. There is no in between. In this passage of scripture Jesus discusses the religious but lost individuals. Jesus is talking to individuals who are of accountability. One may act like a Christian, talk like a Christian, is morally clean, prays in church, takes up the offering, teaches in church, recites the creeds, never misses a Sunday, and yes even preaches in a church, but if the individual does not believe that Jesus is the God man, the savior of the world, who died for our sins is lost and on their way to the most horrible place imaginable called hell. Good people die and go to hell everyday. Remember the Bible gives us the exact size of Heaven, but Hell the Bible says gets bigger everyday. The question most often asked is does everyone who professes Christ is going to heaven? The Lord says no. There are some who profess in name only. As a minister/chaplain I hear people all the time when someone dies weather it is in a hospital, on a wreck, or some other type of tragedy, they will say that they are better off now. My question is this; are you sure about this? If they know Christ as their savior they are, but if they do not know then I wouldn't want to think about it. Let's look at God's Word and see what the Word of God has to say.

I. The requirements for entry - vs.21

A. An individual must profess Christ as savior and Lord.

1. Its one thing to claim to be a Christian, it's another thing to live it.

2. James 2:18 tells us to show your faith by your works.

3. James 2:19 tells us that even Satan believes in God.

4. James 2:20 tells us that faith without works is dead.

5. Jesus makes it very clear that not all who profess Him possess Him.

6. Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 13:5 to examine yourself weather you are of the faith or not.

II.The cries out for entry - vs.22

A. The Bible says many will cry out unto the Lord that day about all the good works that they have done. Notice the three things they tell the Lord:

1. Have we not prophesied in your name?

a. Prophesied means to reveal by some divine inspiration, to preach, teach or declare.These individuals were sincere about what they were doing. They were so busy working for the Lord that they forgot to know Him personally.

2. Have we not cast out demons in your name?

a. Always remember just because a miracle is preformed does not necessary mean it is of God. Satan can perform miracles too. Don't ever forget that. Satan is the master of deception. The Bible says in the end times there will be many false prophets and many will be fooled by them.

3. Have we not done many wonderful works in your name?

a. The problem here is that they were doing great and wonderful works for self gratification instead of glorifying God. Many people boast about what they have done and accomplished and never give God the glory.

Notice all these people were very religious but lost. It is said that 75 percent of the United States population is Christian. If that was true why do people continue to do the things that they do that are not the teachings of Christ? If 75 percent of this nation was sold out to Christ this country wouldn't be in the shape it is in today.

III.The Judgment - vs.23

A. Two of the most terrible statements an individual would ever hear:

1. Depart from me.

2. I never knew you.

a. Why would an individual be cast out? Why would the Lord say that He never knew them?

The Bible gives the reason in verse 23. They practice lawlessness. In other words if you are not a child of God; you have to be a child of Satan. You are either following the God of Heaven or the god of this world which is Satan until Christ comes back.

Bible verses to reference this is found in 2 Timothy 2:19, Rev. 20:11-15, Luke 16:13, Acts 13:10.

Conclusion:

Many people measure themselves by other individuals. The bottom line is we should measure ourselves by the teachings of the Word of God. It is one thing to be religious and know about Christ, but if we don't know Him personally every good thing we have done will be of no good (Rev. 20:12). Remember faith in Christ produces good works (James 2:17-18).

Bro. Sam

Chaplain CPFD / NAMB

2 Corinthians 8:9

December Bible Study

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 17:43:41 +0100

The Two’s of Matthew Chapter Seven – Two Identities

Scripture: Matthew 7:15-20

Introduction:

Last month in November’s Bible study we looked at the two choices that we make in life. Now we are going to look at two types of individuals. We are going to look at the warnings from Jesus Christ about those who are of the truth and those who are false. There are many that dress up good outwardly, but inwardly they are rotten to the core. Always remember the outer appearance isn’t what makes up the individual, but it is what the individual is on the inside that describes him. Let’s look and see what the Word of God is trying to reveal to us.

I. The Warning - vs.15

A. The Bible says to beware. In other words; watch out for. False teaching and false living (the way we live before others) sends more people to hell than anything. That is one of the many reasons why so many people say they do not attend church. We will be held accountable by how we live before others. The sad thing today is that many people follow false teaching because it gives to them what they want to hear instead of what they really need. Read 2 Timothy 4:3-4. Do you realize that one of the major signs of Christ’s return is that of many false teachers amongst us.

II. Their Makeup – vs.15

A. Outward Appearance

1. The Bible says that they come at you in sheep’s clothing. They appear harmless, innocent and good people. False teachers remind me of a polar bear. When you see a polar bear they just lie around and play and look so innocent. You would want to play with them because they look so cuddly and soft. But if you get to close to them they will rip you to shreds. The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 that Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. The Bible describes him a lot different than the way the world describes him. Remember the Antichrist is coming in peace first. He is coming with a bow but no arrows (Rev. 6:2). His true nature will be exposed later.

B. Inward Appearance

1. The Bible says that inwardly they are raving wolves. I would say that is a strong warning. The sad thing is that there are a lot of false teachers that do not realize that they are false. They are deceiving people because they are being deceived (2 Timothy 3:13).

III. Their Nature and Character – vs. 16-18

A. The Bible tells us if someone is true or false.

1. The Bible tells us to test the spirits – 1 John 4:1.

2. The Bible tells us to examine all things – 1 Thessalonians 5:21.

Now we are not talking about judging the heart of an individual; only the Lord can do that. We are talking about judging right from wrong. The Bible tells us to separate ourselves from anything that is unclean - 2 Corinthians 6:17. You can’t do that unless you judge what is right or wrong. How do we do that? We do that by the Word of God – 2 Timothy 3:16. The sad thing is many Christians can’t examine what is right from wrong because they are doing the same thing as the world. It is hard to tell the difference between the two. Always remember you cannot always tell a tree or vegetable plant by its looks, but you can tell if it is bearing good or bad fruit.

Remember it’s not only important how we live, but also how our lives have an impact on the lives of others.

IV. The Warning from God – vs. 19-20

A. Bad fruit will be cut down and cast into the fire. These last two verses reveal’s the seriousness of God’s word to us about truth and false.

Conclusion:

The question is what kind of fruit are we. Are we good or bad fruit. In other words do we have enough evidence against us if we were in a court of law to convict us as a Christian. Only you would know that – 2 Corinthians 5:10.

Bro. Sam

Chaplain C.P.F.D. / N.A.M.B.

Job 31:6