It's definately been too long since my last post here. I apologize once again for that. The problem is that with everything I do I tend to drop the priority on my posts until I get so busy with other work that I don't manage to get them made before I run out of time. So I've come up with an idea that will raise the priority that I hope you will like. I'll still continue to post personal things and announcments as always but I'm also going to add a new feature. I have a Bible study group on facebook. It's not large as facebook groups go, only about 200 of us. But for most of the last year we have been using a study I wrote that I post once a week. You will also soon be able to find it on the website. It's not really a beginner's study but I wrote it ib a way that beginners can use and ubderstand it. I included several thousand Bible verses to prove what I say and if you carefully study all 41 lessons you will definately not be a beginner when you finish. I also include a review test at the end of each lesson to hit on some of the most important facts. So I've decided to start posting the lessons on my blog here as well. Please feel free to email the answers to me at glove@worshipper.com if you wish to receive the certificate of accomplishment at the end of the series. I look forward to your comments.
God bless you;
Pastor Tom
The Word of Truth - Lesson 1
God: Could He Be Dead?
Let’s pray together before beginning this set of lessons:
Lord,
As we are about to open the Bible, perhaps we are not entirely convinced of Your existence. But we are here today to give You a chance to make Yourself known.
We humbly ask You to show us the reasons why we should believe in You. In Jesus Christ, we pray.
Amen.
John 1:18
No man has seen God at any time.
Sure of holding a convincing argument, the unbeliever will say: «God? Nobody has ever seen Him...»
As you can notice, the apostle John agrees with that statement. However, John doesn’t deny the existence of God.
Would we refuse to recognize the existence of electricity under the pretext that we cannot see it? Of course not, since we can all observe its power. There are also some «powerful» reasons to believe in God.
Exodus 33:20
And [the Lord] said, «You can not see My face: for there shall no man see Me, and live.»
First of all, let’s understand why we cannot see God.
Mankind, in his fallen state, would not be able to bear seeing God’s holiness.
We cannot even look at the sun, how much less the Creator of the sun?
Genesis 1:1
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
The Bible doesn’t even try to prove God’s existence. It simply states the fact, right from the very first verse. God is, because He has to be.
Romans 1:19,20
Because that which may be known of God is manifest in [men]; for God has showed it to them.
For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.
We never cease to marvel at the prodigious complexity of Creation.
We will see, in a future lesson, that all this is inconceivable without the presence of a superior intelligence.
Isaiah 46:9,10
Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else.
I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done.
During our lessons we will also have the opportunity to study the amazing prophecies of the Bible.
The facts foretold centuries beforehand by God’s prophets have come true with remarkable accuracy: together, we will see that there is no way that «chance» could be so accurate...
Daniel 2:28
But there is a God in heaven that reveals secrets.
Wait until you see what God revealed to the prophet Daniel about the future, and you will surely understand why this prophet spoke this way.
Fascinating lessons await you!
Psalm 10:4
The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.
Psalm 14:1
The fool has said in his heart, «There is no God.»
Nowadays, to deny the existence of God is often considered as the sign of a cultured mind.
But in view of the evidence of a superior intelligence, the Bible can only qualify atheism as nonsense.
Yes, truly, God exists.
John 20:29
Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
God promises a blessing to those who believe in Him without having seen Him.
And a wonderful promise is made to those who seek God...
Jeremiah 29:13,14
«And you shall seek Me, and find Me, when you shall search for Me with all your heart. And I will be found of you,» said the Lord.
What a promise God gives us! If we only give Him a chance, the Lord will clearly reveal Himself in our lives, and we will be transformed by His presence within us.
What can we lose? Nothing! On the contrary, we have everything to gain by doing so.
Acts 17:27
That [men] should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after Him, and find Him, though He be not far from every one of us.
The existence of God doesn’t need to be proven, but rather felt by each one of us. When we have been in contact with God, even if it’s only once in our lifetime, we can no longer doubt His reality.
And to seek the Lord is precisely the goal of these lessons.
Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please [God]: for he that comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.
We can better understand why our first lesson focuses on the existence of God: it is necessary, at the very least, to believe that God exists, before exploring the next lessons; otherwise they would be meaningless.
James 2:19
You believe that there is one God. You do well.
The philosopher Kant declared: «There is no proof of the non-existence of God.»
So, the least we would ask an atheist is to suppose that God exists.
We pray that these lessons transform this supposition into solid reality.
Let’s pray together before ending this first lesson:
Our Father,
We thank You for Your promise to let Yourself be found by whoever sincerely seeks You.
As the apostles asked Jesus, we also ask You, «Increase our faith.» (Luke 17:5).
As the father of the demon-possessed child, we also address this prayer to You, «Lord, I believe; help You my unbelief!» (Mark 9:24).
In Jesus Christ, we pray.
Amen.
Review
In order to check your understanding and your progress in the study of the Word of God, we invite you to fill out this short test and return it to us. The correct answers will be sent back to you as soon as possible.
A mark of 70% or better will allow you to submit the test of Lesson 2. Upon the completion of the entire Bible course The Word of Truth, you will receive a Certificate of Achievement.
The Word of Truth: Test for Lesson 1
1. According to John 1:18, no one has seen __________ at any time.
2. Man cannot see God. Why?
a) He doesn’t look closely enough.
b) His sight is too poor.
c) God has definitively rejected mankind.
d) Man’s state of sinner prevents him from seeing God.
3. How does the Bible describe those who say, «There is no God.»?
a) Wise and cautious.
b) Wicked and fool.
c) Intelligent and cultivated.
d) Perspicacious and clever.
4. The blessing contained in John 20:29 says, «Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have__________.»
5. In Jeremiah 29:13, God declares, «You shall seek Me and _________ Me, when you shall search for Me with all your __________.»
6. The Bible states that it is impossible to please God without:
a) wisdom.
b) good works.
c) Faith.
d) a good education.
7. In Hebrews 11:6, the Word of God says that in order to come to God, we must believe that God:
a) watches over us.
b) has forgiven our misdeeds.
c) knows the future.
d) is.
8. What did philosopher Kant declare about God?
A) «There is no proof of the non-existence of God.»
B) «God is dead, I killed Him.»
C) «Religion is the opium of the people.»
D) «I am God.»
9.In his prayer, the father of the demon-possessed child cried out, «Lord, I believe; help You my__________!»
10. Do you wish to give God a chance to reveal Himself in your life?
a) Yes.
b) No.
Your name: __________
Your E-mail address:
(Please be sure to enter your E-mail address correctly.)
How did you hear about G.L.O.V.E. Christian Ministry?
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment