The Ready Defense God has given us what we need to knowThe study of the Bible is a look into God’s own words. Our Bibles are a com-pilation of credible sources that have unmatched historical veracity. If youdon’t believe that, or would be interested to know more, keep reading! Youare welcome to contact this project for questions about material found here.
Nature of The Gospel Why Discuss? Importance of Study“My message and preaching were “But sanctify the Lord God in your “Remain in the things which younot in persuasive words of wis- hearts; and always be ready to give have learned and have been assureddom, but in demonstration of the an answer to everyone who asks of, knowing from whom you haveSpirit and of power, so that your you a reason concerning the hope learned them. From infancy, you havefaith would not rest on the wisdom that is in you, with humility and fear” known the holy Scriptures which areof men, but on the power God.” able to make you wise for salvation 1 Peter 3:15 through faith, which is in Christ Je- 1 Corinthians 2:2-5 sus. Every Scripture is God-breathed “But even though we, or an angel and profitable for teaching, for re-“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, from heaven, should preach to you proof, for correction, and for instruc-Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of any gospel other than that which we tion in righteousness, that the manHeaven; but he who does the will of preached to you, let him be cursed.” of God may be complete, thorough-my Father who is in heaven. Many will ly equipped for every good work. “tell me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t Galatians 1:8we prophesy in your name, in your 1 Corinthians 2:2-5name cast out demons, and in yourname do many mighty works?’ Then “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday andI will tell them, ‘I never knew you. De- today and forever. Do not be carriedpart from me, you who work iniquity.’” away by varied and strange teachings” Matthew 7:21-23 Hebrews 13:8-9
God is Creator God is the designer of the universeEverything we see (and don’t see) is a display of His power, order,and perfection. He made the universe to mirror His perfectionand beauty. As creator, He has all right and authority to order,not only the universe, but our lives.
Existence of God Arguments for God Implications of GodThe Bible already accepts God Natural Argument God is Creator- We are notTwo options expalin the universe • Size and state of universe • Gives purpose • Gives responsibility • Supernatural • Galaxy vs Atom • Covers all parts of life • Natural • Decay?We look for consistency • Complexity • Not all questions will be answered. • Human creation vs Nature • ‘Evidence’ does not prove or dis- • Design in Both prove anything • Time • Pick what fits data the best. • Begining of life • Created or Eternal Matter Moral Argument • Morals exist • Morality not Scientific • Cannot be explained by Nature • Morals are ‘Un-natural’ Historical Argument • History is based on eye-witnesses • Bible Documents not like Myth • Bible Documents are highly verifiable history • Rejected based on world-view, not historical validity
God is Pure LoveEverything God does is motivated by holiness and loveMan is made in the image of God. Because of this, man can love. Forcedlove is no love at all. Therefore God designed us with the choice tolove Him. When we love Him, we fulfill our purpose and are rewarded.When we ignore or hate Him, we deny our purpose and face the natu-ral consequences of doing so.
God is Holiness God is Justice God is LoveHoliness is God’s primary attribute God is Unbiasedly Fair Love is perfect display of Holiness • He is light • All Wrong must be corrected • He offers us an escape • He is perfect • All Evil must be removed • He blesses us in spite of sin • He is righteous • All Wickedness must be punished • He is pure Love is key to salvation Life for LifeNo impurity or imperfection in God • Love drives mercy • All life is found in God • Love drives solution • No flaw • Deviation from God deserves instant • Jesus came to redeem us • No mistakes • When we truly love we can share in • No lack of Knowledge death His holiness againImpurity/imperfection found in God is Mercyman’s choices Patience in Judgement • Deviation from perfection is evil • Coming short of His glory is sin • God forstalls judgement • No being can live up to His perfec- • He waits to punish • We have every oportunity to correct tion on their own ourselves
God Provides the Answer God has formed a plan to save usBecause we fail to live up to His image, He has designed, from the beginning, aplan to redeem us. He first set up a model by which to send a savior and teachthe world about holiness. God chose Abraham as the man through which tobuild a nation. These Israelites received the Law and anticipated God’s coming.They were a template that was fulfilled through the Christ.
What are the Stakes? Through Sacrifice Through a SonWe are destined for destruction Sin needs Punishment The Story of the Bible is about a Son• Evil, war, sickness, tragedy, and death • Justice demands death • God allows something to stand in our • God promise a ‘seed’ who wouldare results of sin defeat the Satan• We still have some blessing in this place • He told Abraham that his ‘seed’corrupted world; imagine no mercy? would bless all mankind • We face an eternity of no goodness The Sacrifice • The Israelites were formed to pre- pare for this sonAlternative? • A pure life can die in our stead • No Human can die for self or another • They began to anticipate a king • Instead of death we can have life • Animals used to be temporary sacri- • They expected a personal and politi- • Etertity with a perfect Creator • Sharing in Holiness fice cal deliverer • No anger, war, heartbreak, pain, or • Nothing on earth sufficiently equal to Jesus is what its all about death value of our life or depth of our sin • Jesus is God’s Son • Jesus is the ‘seed’ to save usGod Provides the Plan In Spite of Resistance • Jesus came to Israel first because they were looking for HimHe did not have to We have an Enemy • They did not recognize Him because His salvation was spiritual instead of • Any plan is Mercy • The “Satan” fights God physical. • The most drastic expectations should • Satan hates us too • He tries to lure us away from God still be met with thanksgiving • He has used humans and nature toHis plan is simple fight God’s plans since the beginning• So simple it seems foolish Nothing Stops God• Many want to make it elaborate• We must trust His plan over our own • No being is more powerful than God • All of Satan’s and Man’s attempts to fight God have failed
Jesus: God with usJesus came to establish a perfect union between man and GodHe came as both God and man to bridge the void that our sins have created. He was bornan Israelite to fulfill the model of the law, but offers his peace to all men of all time. He is notthe savior mankind expects. He focuses on changing the heart. We must deny ourselves inorder to be like God. Because of this, Jesus was martyred. That death is a sacrifice which canforgive our faults.
The Story of Jesus Resurrection The Teachings of JesusHis Life Death The master teacher • Jesus’ death satisfies God’s Justice• Born as the Son of God and the Son • Teachings are legend • His innocence and divinity becomesof Man • Often quoted but not understood more powerful than sin• Born as a legitimate heir to Jewish • Simple for those who wish to hearKingship• Lived as peasant, not a king Burial Identity• Displayed compassion through heal- • Placed in a new tomb under guard • Claimed to be the kinging and providing • Jesus’ burial symbolizes the covering • Claimed to be God’s Son• Demonized by contemporary leaders of sin and passing of old self • Claimed Divine authorityfor making them look bad • Followers can become adopted sonsHis Death Resurrection of God • Jewish leaders manipulated false ac- • Jesus comes back to life in the body Expectations cusations • His death and burrial took on sin, but • Trust • Charged with treason to Rome resurrection allows continued life • Obey • Roman authorities were indifferent, after atonement • Die with Jesus • Witnessed by hundreds of persons • Be Fruitful in the Kingdom but couldn’t ignore the pending riot • Proclaimed risen by eye-witnesses• Crucified alongside criminals immediately• Jesus willingly died, praying that the • Meets every criteria of valid history ExclusivityFather would forgive them. • Rejected by many based on religious • Jesus is the only way to God grounds • Jesus is the only way to Salvation • Is the centerpiece of Salvation, Hope, • Those who reject Jesus and His au- thority reject eternal life and Christianity • Those who claim Him but fail to obey reject life • All welcomed to follow • He expects complete deovtion
Jesus in you Jesus continues to reign as kingJesus, as the Son of God, has all authority over death. Thereforedeath couldn’t hold Him. He rose as the final redeeming act, whichsymbolizes how we too can rise up from our past. When we obeyHis teachings, we can benefit from His Spirit living in us. The Spirithelps separate us from the world so we will be ready for His return.
What Jesus Offers What do I do? How will I know?Passage to God Not by Merit God’s Spirit upon apostles • Jesus is Creator and has all authority • Nothing we do can earn grace • God validated the message through to forgive and unite • God gifts Life to those who prove miracles and signs • By His death and life, we can join His they love and trust Him • The chosen apostles had unique em- pattern toward eternal life with Him • Faith is the primary metric powerments to prove the messageVictory over Evil • The apostles were Jesus’ spokesmen • The power to fight the Satan Obedience • The Strength to deny self • Faith without obedience is a sham God’s Spirit upon you • Removal and forgiveness of ALL past • Love without effort is worthless • God promises His Spirit to each of us sins • We must place God’s will at the top • The Spirit intercedes in prayer and • Our own resurrection and vic- of our list brings peace tory over both physical and spiritual • The Spirit gives different gives to His death Die to self people as they needEternal Joy • Now that the Word of Jesus is with • We must repent of evil • We may bring our King honor • We must place our selfish self and sin us, physical empowerments have • Our purpose is fulfilled little purpose • An eternity in the perfection of God’s on the cross with Jesus glory instead of an eternity of painful • We must die and be burried with Trust in Jesus self-loathing and agony Jesus • Better than anything this world offers • We do not affirm our salvation by our • We must symbolize this through Faith feelings via immersion • We return to faith in Jesus’ proven • We must be raised from immersion promises as a new person • We know we are saved because Je- • We must live like children of God sus says so, not because I say so
Jesus in us God’s followers gather to support and praiseThose who call upon God and follow His pattern gather togetherweekly to praise, give thanks, and encourage. God designed the‘church’ as a family who are united by the blood of Jesus insteadof genetics, gender, or race. Many people fall into error due to self-promotion or lack of knowledge of God’s will. While we strive toplease God through the church, we must be careful to do it His way.
What are we called? Church’s Purpose Importance of AuthorityChristians Edify Jesus is King and Head • All things the church does is for the• Named after Jesus the Christ (King) • The King has the right to make de- purpose of building up God’s people• Name denotes ones who act like mands • The local church is to refrain from any • The Head has the right to call theJesus activity which does not edify its body • The gathering of God’s people can shotsChurch encourage and teach in a unique way • Citizens and members must listen • Word “assemble” • The purpose is not to self-entertain Personal Opinion has no say • A gathering of God’s people • God has not left it up to us to de- termine how the church works and• We are a gathering of Christ’s people• Be careful of man-made followings Glorify • The collective effort of many Chris- worshipsWho is the Church? tians in the gathering can bring God • My opinion is no better than yours much glory • Instead of opinions, we go back to • The church praises and thanks God God’s stated will on the matterUniversal in prayer and song• Each Christian belongs to God • The church petitions God for aid in Stated Will properly glorifying Him• Each Christian is part of God’s peo- • What has God specifically said Heple • The purpose is not to promote self wants from the Church? Do it• God’s ‘Church’ can refer to all of • What has God suggested we do? Do God’s people from the beginning to Proclaim it the end of time • Has God approved others? Do what • The church teaches God’s word to itsLocal body they did • The church ought not do anything • Location and Time dictate local gath- • The church builds up the body so erings of God’s people that all Christians can be impactful to which God has not said it should- this the world takes authority on self and ignores • Each gathering or “congregation” the plan of God for His church • The church supports those whoreports to Jesus alone preach and teach sound teachings• All authority comes from God • The purpose is not to invent doctrine
© Luke Moyer 2016www.thebibleword.org 1st Print 2016
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