COL-41-230430 - length: 106:25 - taught on Apr, 30 2023
Class Outline:
Truth is piercing even to the dividing asunder.
If you’re in the resident congregation turn off your electronic devices and put them away. Let this be a place where you aren’t distracted by the world.
Welcome To
BARAH MINISTRIES
Rory Clark
Pastor-Teacher
Good Morning!
Welcome to Barah Ministries…an intimate, local Christian Church with a worldwide impact. My name is Pastor Rory Clark. Thanks for listening to this Bible lesson!
Why did God the Father create Barah Ministries?
He offers a place where you can get to know His Son…our Lord…Jesus…the Christ. There are many things the Lord wants you to know about Himself, among them what is proclaimed in Isaiah, Chapter 43, Verses 10 to 11…
ISAIAH 43:10b
Before Me there was no God formed…and there will be no god after Me.
ISAIAH 43:11
“I, even I, am the Lord, and there is no Savior besides Me.
The Lord Jesus Christ is Sovereign…the Lord is number one…the top…there is no one above Him. Jesus Christ is God…He is a Person…and He is equal to God the Father and God the Holy Spirit in every way. Believing in Him by faith alone gives you the free gift of eternal life.
God the Father created Barah Ministries to give you a place to learn the Word of God…the Bible…which is called the inerrant Canon of Scripture. Inerrant means free from error. The Bible is mistake-free and without contradictions. Think about it…the Bible predicted over eighteen hundred things before they happened. If any one of those things is wrong, the Bible is false. Yet all of the Bible’s predictions have come true.
To detect counterfeit teaching and counterfeits to the truth, you must know the
real truth of the Word of God. Truth does not come from a man very often, but it ALWAYS comes from God…He is the SOURCE of truth. Second Timothy, Chapter 3, Verses 16 and 17…
SECOND TIMOTHY 3:16
All Scripture is God-breathed (into the writers of Scripture)…and Scripture is profitable for teaching…for reproof…for correction…and for training in righteousness…
SECOND TIMOTHY 3:17
…so the man of God may become mature…totally equipped for every good
work.
At Barah Ministries you’ll learn the Word of God verse-by-verse from the Lord’s perspective and not from man’s perspective. The Bible is what God says…religion is what man says.
God has an enemy Satan, whom God made ‘the ruler of this world.’ His strategy against the human race is religion. He is a deceiver who hates everyone in the world, including you and me. Here’s what the Lord has to say about the deceiver and about those who follow him…false teachers…who sell their deceptions to us…John, Chapter 8, Verse 44…
JOHN 8:44a
You who are unbelieving are of your father the devil…and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning…and he does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him.
JOHN 8:44b
Whenever he speaks a lie…he speaks from his very nature…for he is a liar and he is the one who keeps on fathering lies.
The great thing about Satan is there is never a need to be confused…everything he sponsors is a lie. Don’t EVER believe anything this liar proposes.
TODAY’S BIBLE LESSON
How Can You Escape the Bondage of Religion?
LESSON INTRODUCTION
There is general agreement that those who lie are deceptive, manipulative, and selfish. There is nothing worse than lying about God because it has eternal negative consequences for those who promote the lies and for those who believe the lies. In today’s lesson, you’ll learn the easy way to spot the lies of false teachers and their false teaching about God, the gospel message, and the Word of God so you can avoid the bondage of religion’s pervasive hold on the minds of mankind.
OPENING SONG INTRODUCTION
Let’s hear some music! What a privilege to have a deep, intimate, and personal relationship with the Lord. One of our great giftsfrom God is the chance to be intimate with Him. Psalm 37, Verse 4 says…
PSALM 37:4
Delight yourself in the LORD…and He will give you the desires of your heart.
When knowing the Lord is your delight, He’ll be delighted to let you know Himthrough the study of His Word. Here's June Murphy singing about intimacy with the Lord and His Word with a bossa nova beat…YOUR WORD TAKES ME.
MUSIC
OPENING SONG
Let’s Sing the Lord’s Praises
YOUR WORD TAKES ME
June Murphy
OPENING PRAYER
Let us pray...
We’re grateful, Heavenly Father, for the privilege of studying Your absolute truth...the Word of God…
Father…thank you for giving us a way to spot false teachers and false teaching so we are not led astray by their deceptions…thank you for giving us the ability to examine our investment in teachers and their teachings to see if there is any truth in them…thank you for giving us the strength to turn away from error, instead seeking the truth…
…as God the Holy Spirit teaches us today, leading us into all the truth, help us to remember to always count on You and Your Word in every situation because You and Your Word ARE the truth…
We ask this through the power of God the Holy Spirit…in Christ’s name...Amen.
TODAY’S BIBLE LESSON
How Can You Escape the Bondage of Religion?
LESSON PART ONE
Religion is Satan’s strategy against the human race…his greatest deception. It’s the way Satan gets people to be indifferent or antagonistic to God. Some of the most wonderful people I know are members of religions, and as wonderful as they are, they’re deceived.
Religions house false teachers and false teaching. They offer religious rules, rituals, and man-made traditions instead of offering a relationship with the Lord that saves. They suggest works-based self-righteousness to earn your way into heaven. They claim if you’re a good person and you do good deeds, God will let you into heaven even though His Word paints a different picture.
Christianity offers a relationship with the totally sufficient Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, a relationship that saves you as a free gift you cannot earn and don’t deserve. Relationship beats religion now and always.
Paul’s letter to the Colossians warns us about false teachers and false teaching. If you want to know whether teaching is false about Jesus, about the Word of God, and about the gospel message of salvation, ask three questions…
THREE QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU DETECT FALSE TEACHING
Who does the discipline say Jesus Christ is?
What is the discipline’s source of truth?
What does the discipline say it takes to be saved?
The answers? Jesus Christ is God or He is not. The Bible is the truth or it is not. Being saved is by grace or by your works.
I was part of a religion for twenty-one years, and I was part of a cult for another twenty-nine years. By teaching you how to detect counterfeits, I’m not being mean…I’m sharing my experience. Twice God helped me escape the bondage of religion. I feel deeply for those who are deceived by religion, especially because many of them are dear friends and family members.
It hit me this week…if Barah Ministries had all the people who have ever claimed to be part of us in one room, it would be over five hundred people. You know why most of those people left Barah Ministries? Because I refused to lie to them. If I had just kept teaching lies, we’d be a megachurch (whatever the hell that is).
As we unfold the way to escape the bondage of religion, you’ll be hearing about two specific religions. This put us in a position to be criticized.Some may ask, “Why are you throwing my religion under the bus?” I’ve been there twice. Each time someone “threw my ‘religion’ under the bus,” I had a choice. I could be open to examining my religion or I could be defensive.
“Rory…you’re in a cult!” Those were fighting words. Most times I was defensive. A couple of times I chose to be open, and each open time surfaced the critical lies of the discipline. When I realized Iallowed myself to be deceived, I cried. How could I let this happen? How could I invest so much time and so much effort in something that was a complete lie? It’s easy! All I had to do was ignore the truth!
Each religion has doctrines. Typically, the doctrines are published. By examining the doctrines, comparing them to the Bible, and making an assessment, you can surface the truthif you want to know it.
Let’s begin by answering the three questions for Barah Ministries. Who do we say Jesus Christ is? At the beginning of EVERY LESSON, we answer the question by taking you on a tour of what the Bible has to say about the Lord. Jesus Christ is God! He is a Person. He is equal to God the Father and God the Holy Spirit in every way. By believing in Him through investing your faith in Him alone (no works please) you can be saved. Matthew, Chapter 16, Verses 13 to 17…
MATTHEW 16:13
Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”
MATTHEW 16:14
And they said, “Some say You are John the Baptist…and others say You are Elijah…but still others say You are Jeremiah…or one of the prophets.”
MATTHEW 16:15
Jesus said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
MATTHEW 16:16
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ (the Jewish Messiah)…the Son of the living God and Father.”
MATTHEW 16:17
And Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona (son of Jonah)because flesh and blood (human beings) did not reveal this to you…but My Father who is in heaven revealed this to you.
What is the Barah Ministries source of truth? The Bible. Second Peter, Chapter 1, Verses 20 and 21 say…
SECOND PETER 1:20
But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of any person’s own private interpretation…
SECOND PETER 1:21
…for no prophecy of Scripture was ever made by an act of human will…but men directedfromthe Source…God the Holy Spirit (the One who leads us into all the truth)…spoke directly from the exact thinking of THE God...the Lord Jesus Christ.
What does Barah Ministries say it takes to be saved? John, Chapter 3, Verse 36…
JOHN 3:36
“He who believes in the Son has eternal life (right at that moment)…but he who does not obey the command to believe in the Son will not see the resurrection life…instead the wrath of God (the Lake of Fire) abides on him.”
Jesus Christ is God…the Bible is the source of truth…and we are saved by placing
our confidence in Him to save us. It’s pretty simple.
Now let’s investigate how two religions answer these questions.
I have to admit something so you will know how to consider the information you are about to hear. I have spent too much precious time in my Pastoral career searching the confusion of religious documents to find “smoking guns” that reveal religious deceptions. The problem? Religions are continuously changing their doctrines to continue the deceptions.
What you’ll see here are representative indications of what each religion believes about Jesus, about the Word, and about the gospel. If you want to spend a career proving these things by searching their documents, feel free. Doing so disgusts me and tires me out. The study of the Bible NEVER tires me out.
ROMAN CATHOLICISM
Who does the discipline say Jesus Christ is?
A Roman Catholic telling the truth would say, “We believe in Jesus Christ but He is not enough.” Many of the one million three hundred thousand Roman Catholics are not aware that they are worshipping a counterfeit Jesus. Here’s a priest describing the counterfeit Jesus Christ of Roman Catholicism.
FATHER JOHN O’BRIEN ON THE POWER OF A PRIEST
“When the priest announces the words of consecration during a mass, he reaches up into the heavens, brings Christ down from His throne, and places Him upon our altar to be offered up again as the Victim for the sins of man.”
FATHER JOHN O’BRIEN ON THE POWER OF A PRIEST
“It is a power greater than that of saints and angels. The priest speaks and lo! Christ…the eternal and omnipotent God…bows His head in humble obedience to the priest’s command.”
Does that even sound possible? False teachers always attack Jesus Christ. They seek to prove that He is not sufficient to save you.
Look at what the Catechism of the Catholic Church has to say about Mary, whom they call the Mother of God…
CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH 494
At the announcement that she would give birth to “the Son of the Most High” without knowing man (without sexual intercourse)…by the power ofthe Holy Spirit…Mary responded with the obedience of faith, certain that “with God nothing will be impossible.”
CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH 494
She said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord…let it be [done] to me according to your word.” Thus, giving her consent to God’s word, Mary becomes the mother of Jesus. Espousing the divine will for salvation wholeheartedly, WITHOUT A SINGLE SIN to restrain her, she gave herself entirely to the person and to the work of her Son…she did so in order to serve the mystery of redemption WITH HIM and dependent on him, by God’s grace…
CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH 494
As St. Irenaeus says, “Being obedient MARY BECAME THE CAUSE OF SALVATION FOR HERSELF AND FOR THE WHOLE HUMAN RACE.” Hence not a few of the early Fathers gladly assert, “The knot of Eve’s disobedience was untied by Mary’s obedience: what the virgin Eve bound through her disbelief, Mary loosened by her faith.” Comparing her with Eve, they call Mary “the Mother of the living,” and frequently claim: "Death through Eve…life through Mary.”
Mary is portrayed as the sinless co-redeemer, equal to her Son in every way. Of course, this is false.
What is the discipline’s source of truth?
Roman Catholics use their own version of the Bible (sometimes called the Douay Rheims version) and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. They add books to the Bible called the Apocrypha, a non-canonical collection of documents that are outside of the accepted Canon of Scripture. Among these works are First and Second Maccabees, First and Second Esdra, Ecclesiasticus, Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, and Sirach…plus additions to the Old Testament books of Daniel and Esther.
Since these the Bible and the Catechism contradict each other, almost in direct opposition, it confuses Roman Catholics. Most priests of my era encouraged us to NOT read the Bible. “It will only confuse you,” was their frequent claim. When I did read the Bible, the effect was the exact opposite…it was clear.
Roman Catholics believe the Pope is infallible in the matter of doctrine.
THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH (891 in part)
When the Church, through its supreme Magisterium (the Pope and the bishops), proposes a doctrine for belief as being divinely revealed, and as the teaching of Christ, the definitions must be adhered to with the obedience of faith.This infallibility (of the Pope) extends as far as the deposit of divine Revelation itself.
The Bible says no man is infallible, and especially in the matter of truth.
What does the discipline say it takes to be saved?
Let’s look at the salvation claims of Roman Catholicism…
THE SALVATION CLAIM OF ROMAN CATHOLICISM
“Extra Ecclesiam Nulla Salus.”
This Latin expression translated is…
“Outside the (Roman Catholic) Church there isno salvation.”
Roman Catholicism’s perversion of God’s gospel message is a direct attack on the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ at the Cross. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), the following six requirements have been added to the gospel message AS NECESSARY for Catholics to be saved…
BAPTISM (CCC 1256 in part)
The Roman Catholic Church finds the reason for this possibility in the universal saving will of God and the necessity of Baptism for salvation.
SACRAMENTS (CCC 1129 in part)
The Roman Catholic Church affirms that for believers the sacraments of the New Covenant are necessary for salvation.
GOOD WORKS (CCC 1477 in part)
“In this way (good works) they ATTAINED THEIR OWN SALVATION and at the same time cooperated in saving their brothers in the unity of the Mystical Body.”
THE SACRIFICE OF THE MASS (CCC 2180 in part)
The precept of the Church specifies the law of the Lord more precisely: “On Sundays and other holy days of obligation the faithful are bound to participate in the Mass.”
PENANCE (CCC 980 in part)
The sacrament of Penance is necessary for salvation for those who have fallen after Baptism, just as Baptism is necessary for salvation for those who have not yet been reborn.
KEEPING THE LAW (CCC 2068 in part)
The Council of Trent teaches that the Ten Commandments are obligatory for Christians and that the justified man is still bound to keep them…so that all men may attain salvation through faith, baptism, AND the observance of the Commandments.
Baptism, The Sacraments, Good Works, the Mass, Penance, and Keeping the Law in addition to believe in in a counterfeit Jesus Christ are required for salvation…and none of these things offer salvation. One million and three hundred thousand Roman Catholics are condemned by these lies.
A works-based approach to salvation…a do-it-yourself salvation…promoted by ALL RELIGIONS…sends the doer to the Lake of Fire FOR ALL ETERNITY. People who choose the “I have to DO” path reject the “what Jesus has DONE for me” path to salvation. Romans, Chapter 11, Verse 6 says you don’t have to work to be saved…
ROMANS 11:6
…if salvation is by grace (a free gift from God)…and of course it is…it is no
longer based on your works…otherwise, grace (as a free gift) is no longer grace (it is not free).
Can’t speak for you, but I’ll take what Jesus has DONE. If you want to be free from the bondage of religion, you simply compare the religion’s written truth to the Bible’s truth. If one thing in the religion is false, the whole thing is false. James, Chapter 2, Verse 10…
JAMES 2:10
For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point of law…he has become guilty of breaking all the law.
Don’t be a spiritual convict! When we return from the break, we’ll take the offering and we’ll investigate another religion…The Jehovah’s Witnesses.
FIVE-MINUTE BREAK
HAVEN’T SEEN IT YET
Danny Gokey
TODAY’S BIBLE LESSON
How Can You Escape the Bondage of Religion?
OFFERING INTRODUCTION
Faith is a gift from God and you can choose how you express it. The way you express your faith in one area tends to show up in other areas as well.Second Corinthians, Chapter 9, Verse 6 reminds us…
SECOND CORINTHIANS 9:6
…he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly…and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
If you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ and you operate with a mindset of scarcity in giving, not trusting that the Lord will reward you bountifully for giving, that mindset probably shows up in other areas that are important in your life. Change your mind. Trust the Lord when you give, and watch how He responds to your faith in Him.
Let’s welcome up Deacon Denny Goodall with one of his always inspiring, always
insightful, and sometimes funny offering messages.
THE OFFERING
Deacon Denny Goodall
OFFERING VERSE
EPHESIANS 4:14
As a result of being equipped, we are no longer to be immature ones…like children…tossed back and forth by waves and carried around in circles by every wind of cunning teaching…by the crafty trickery of men and their deceitful scheming…
OFFERING VERSE
EPHESIANS 4:15
…instead, speaking the truth in unconditional love, we are to grow up in all aspects into the One who is the head of the body, even the Christ…
OFFERING SONG
THERE IS NONE LIKE YOU
Instrumental Version
TODAY’S BIBLE LESSON
How Can You Escape the Bondage of Religion?
LESSON PART TWO
If you want to escape the bondage of religion, simply compare the doctrines of the religion to the doctrines of the Bible on three simple points…
THREE QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU DETECT FALSE TEACHING
Who does the discipline say Jesus Christ is?
What is the discipline’s source of truth?
What does the discipline say it takes to be saved?
JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES
Who does the discipline say Jesus Christ is?
In the Jehovah’s Witness Bible…called the New World Translation…John, Chapter 1, Verse 1 says this…
JOHN 1:1 (New World Translation)
In the beginning was the Word…and the Word was with God…and the Word was like a god.
In the Christian Bible, here’s John, Chapter 1, Verse 1…
JOHN 1:1
In the beginning (not a beginning) was the Word(ho logos…God the Son…the Lord)…and the Word (ho logos…God the Son…the Lord) was with God the Father…and the Word (ho logos…God the Son…the Lord) was God (the Lord is Deity).
Easy comparison…Jesus is “like a god” versus Jesus IS God. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that Jesus Christ is a created being. It’s pretty tough to be created and to be the Creator. John, Chapter 1, Verse 3…
JOHN 1:3
All things came into being through the Lord (God the Son)…and apart fromHim, nothing came into being that has come into being.
If Jesus Christ is a created being, He is lesser than God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. False! He is their equal in every way. In John, Chapter 10, Verses 30…Jesus says…
JOHN 10:30
“I and the Father are one (the exact same in essence…Deity).”
According to an article by Justin Taylor, author of The Eleven Beliefs You Should Know about Jehovah’s Witnesses When They Knock at the Door, Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that Jesus was created by Jehovah as the archangel Michael before the physical world existed, and is a lesser, though mightygod. Family members who are Jehovah’s Witnesses have confirmed this belief.
What is the discipline’s source of truth?
Jehovah’s Witnesses study their version of thebible, the New World Translation, and are directed to study theirbible using Watch Tower Society publications…literature created by men. In Second Timothy, Chapter 3, Verse 16 the Bible says…
SECOND TIMOTHY 3:16a
All Scripture is God-breathed (into the writers of Scripture)…
Jehovah’s Witnesses will tell you they believe the Bible is inspired by God, yet they have beliefs that are inconsistent with the Word of God.
Jehovah’s Witnesses reject the idea of the Trinity because the word Trinity is not mentioned in the Bible. Sad to say the term Jehovah’s Witnesses is not in the Bible either. Does that mean they don’t exist?
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe the Holy Spirit is not a Person, they deny His Deity, and they think of Him as Jehovah’s impersonal and active force in the world. They refer to the Holy Spirit as IT…Jesus refers to God the Holy Spirit as HE. Genesis, Chapter 1, Verses 1 and 2…
GENESIS 1:1 (New American Standard Translation)
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
GENESIS 1:2
The earth became formless and void…and darkness was over the surface of the deep…and God the Holy Spirit was moving over the surface of the waters.
In the Jehovah’s Witness bible…
GENESIS 1:1 (New World Translation)
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
GENESIS 1:1 (New World Translation)
Now the earth proved to be formless and waste and there was darkness upon the surface of the watery deep…and God’s active force was moving to and fro over the surface of the waters.
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe only 144,000 anointed people will go to heaven. The Bible says WHOSOEVER believes in Christ will go to heaven.
What does the discipline say it takes to be saved?
Jehovah’s Witnesses teach that salvation is possible only through Christ’s ransom sacrifice and that individuals cannot be saved until they repent of their sins and call on the name of Jehovah. Salvation is described as a free gift from God, but is said to be unattainable without good works that are prompted by faith.
SHOULD YOU BELIEVE IN THE TRINITY?
Is Jesus Christ the Almighty God?
(New York: Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, 1989)
Jesus, no more and no less than a perfect human, became a ransom that compensated exactly for what Adam lost - the right to perfect human life on earth.
SHOULD YOU BELIEVE IN THE TRINITY?
Is Jesus Christ the Almighty God?
(New York: Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, 1989)
The perfect human life of Jesus was the ‘corresponding ransom’ required by divine justice - no more, no less. A basic principle of even human justice is that the price paid should fit the wrong committed.So the ransom, to be truly in line with God’s justice, had to be strictly an equivalent - a perfect human, the ‘last Adam.’
SHOULD YOU BELIEVE IN THE TRINITY?
Is Jesus Christ the Almighty God?
(New York: Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, 1989)
Thus, when God sent Jesus to earth as the ransom, he made Jesus to be what would
satisfy justice, not an incarnation, not a god-man, but a perfect man, ‘lower than the angels.’
In every religion, Jesus is demeaned and downgraded to someone less than God.
Works-based salvation is not a salvation. Romans, Chapter 4, Verse 4 says you CAN'’T work for salvation…
ROMANS 4:4
Now to the one who works for salvation, his wage for his workis not credited to his accountas a favor from the grace of God, but his wage is creditedas what is due for the work.
If you want to be free from religion’s mighty grip…you have to compare Bible doctrines to religious doctrines…in writing…side by side. You will see the lie. Don’t spend too much time doing it though…it’s a complete waste of time.
THE GOSPEL MESSAGE
The Good News of Jesus Christ’s Salvation Offer to the Human Race
The closing moments of today’s lesson are dedicated to anyone, anywhere, who either is undecided or confused about having a relationship with the Sovereign God of the Universe, the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We want you to know that…
GOD WANTS YOU!
He Wants You Make the Most Important Decision of Your Life
The Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Creator of the heavens and the earth… YOUR CREATOR…loves you unconditionally and wants a real relationship with you. So here is a question that demands reflection…are you a sinner or a saint?
According to the Bible, all of us are born sinners. Romans, Chapter 3, Verse 23 says…
ROMANS 3:23
…all creatures have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…
Romans, Chapter 3, Verse 10 says…
ROMANS 3:10
…it is written, “There is no creature who is righteous…not even one…”
Unfortunately, being a sinner has a penalty. Romans, Chapter 6, Verse 23…
ROMANS 6:23
For the payment earned for being a sinner is both spiritual death and physical death…
Being a sinner is bad news, especially if you die a sinner. Revelation, Chapter 20, Verse 15…
REVELATION 20:15
And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life (at the Great White Throne Judgment of unbelievers)…and that will be true for all unbelievers…he was throwninto the Lake of Fire.
If you leave this life as a sinner, you’ll regret it for all eternity.
The Bible is a guide for sinners, and it contains good news! If you’re a sinner and you’re still breathing, you can choose to become a saint! God the Father has a plan for sinners… Romans, Chapter 5, Verse 8…
ROMANS 5:8
God the Father demonstrates His own unconditional love for all mankind…in that while we were sinners (while we were unrighteous, ungodly, unbelievers…enemies of God the Father…He sent His Son)…the Christ, diea sacrificial deathfor all of us.
John, Chapter 3, Verse 16 reiterates this amazingand compassionate fact…
JOHN 3:16
“For God the Father loved the world unconditionally, and He loved the world so muchthat He gave His uniquely born Son (the God-man…the Lord…Jesus…the Christ…100% God and 100% man in one Person…to be crucified on a Cross)…so that WHOSOEVER believes in Him shall not perish…instead, he shall have the resurrection life (eternal life).”
The Lord Jesus Christ has arms wideopen for you as well, right this minute…He’s waiting to welcome you and all sinners into a relationship with Himself. In John, Chapter 6, Verse 37, the Lord says…
JOHN 6:37b
…the ones who come to Me to believe inMe…I will certainly not cast out into the outer darkness…the Lake of Fire.
In fact, sinners don’t even have to look for the Lord because He is ALWAYS looking for them! Luke, Chapter 15, Verses 4 to 7…
LUKE 15:4
“What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine sheep in the open pasture and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?”
LUKE 15:5
“When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.”
LUKE 15:6
“And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’”
LUKE 15:7
“I (the Lord Jesus Christ) tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents (changing his mind about having a relationship with Christ) than over ninety-nine righteous persons (believers in Christ) who need no repentance.”
There are a few things you need to know about God’s plan to transform sinners to saints. First, you can’t work to be a saved saint. God does the work for you! Titus, Chapter 3, Verse 5…
TITUS 3:5
The Lord Jesus Christ saved us…not based on deeds which we have done in self-righteousness…but according to His mercy (the choice not to give sinners what they deserve)…by the washing of regeneration and through renewing by God the Holy Spirit…
Second, to be a saint instead of a sinner, you need to have a change of mind…the Bible calls this repentance…and it has nothing to do with your sins as legalists claim. Repent means to change your mind about your desire to have a relationship with Jesus Christ…moving from having no desire to having an immediate desire to have a relationship with Him… Acts, Chapter 17, Verses 30 and 31…
ACTS 17:30
“Therefore, having overlooked the times of your ignorance, God the Father is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent…”
ACTS 17:31
“…because God the Father has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through the God-Man Jesus Christ…whom the Father has appointed, having furnished proof that He is Godto all men by raising Jesus Christ from the dead.”
Finally, you need to acknowledge the truths in First Corinthians, Chapter 15, Verses 3 and 4…
FIRST CORINTHIANS 15:3
For I (Paul) delivered to you as of primary importance the gospel message I also received from God…that it was Jesus Christ who died for our sins according to the Old Testament Scriptures…
FIRST CORINTHIANS 15:4
…and that He was buried…and that He was raised from the dead on the third day…according to the Old Testament Scriptures…
So how does God move you from sinner to saint? John, Chapter 1, Verse 12…
JOHN 1:12
But whosoever received Him, to them the Lord Jesus Christ gave the right to become children of God the Father, even to those who believe in Jesus Christ’s name…
Acts, Chapter 16, Verse 31…
ACTS 16:31
“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved by God…you and everyone in your household who also believes.”
So accept the invitation and heed the warning in John, Chapter 3, Verse 36…
JOHN 3:36
“He who believes in the Son has eternal life (right at that moment)…but he who does not obey the command to believe in the Son will not see the resurrection life…instead the wrath of God (the Lake of Fire) abides on him.”
The good news is this…Romans, Chapter 10, Verse 13…
ROMANS 10:13
…for “whosoever will call on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ will be saved by God.”
Saint! As a reminder, once you have salvation, you CANNOT lose it. An immutable God, who never changes His mind, saves you once and for all time. Hebrews, Chapter 7, Verse 25…
HEBREWS 7:25
Therefore, the Lord Jesus Christ is able to save forever (through His divine power…omnipotence) those who draw near to God the Father through believing in the Christ…since the Lord Jesus Christ always lives to make intercession for those who draw near.
In John, Chapter 10, Verse 28, the Lord says…
JOHN 10:28
“…I (the Lord Jesus Christ) give eternal life to believers in Christ…and they will never perish…and no one will snatch them out of My hand.”
There is a consequence for rejecting a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, and it is an eternal fate that none of us would wish for our worst enemy! Mark, Chapter 9, Verses 43 and 44 warn…
MARK 9:43
If your hand (or anything else) causes you to stumble (to reject a relationship with Christ) cut it off… you should enter (eternal) life crippledthan…to go into hellinto the unquenchable fire…
MARK 9:44
…where their worm (a nagging conscience) does not die…and the fire is not quenched.
Take a moment out of your busy life and heed the suggestion in Romans, Chapter
10, Verses 9 and 10…
ROMANS 10:9
…if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord (that He is God)…and if you believe in your heart that God the Father raised Him from the dead…you will be saved by God…
ROMANS 10:10
…for with the heart a person believes…resulting in the imputation of absolute righteousness by God (your admission ticket to heaven)…and with the mouth a person confesses (admitting faith in Christ alone)resulting in salvation.
Believe now and you’ll become a saint! There’s no time to waste.
CLOSING SONG INTRODUCTION
Let’s close with music! False teachers are afraid to make the promise the Lord makes in John, Chapter 10, Verse 28…
JOHN 10:28
“…I (the Lord Jesus Christ) give eternal life to believers in Christ…and they will never perish…and no one will snatch them out of My hand.”
When believers in Christ close their eyes in this life, they can look forward to being face-to-face with the Lord…and we can’t wait! As Don Moen sings, I WANT TO BE WHERE YOU ARE Lord!
MUSIC
CLOSING SONG
Let’s Sing the Lord’s Praises
I WANT TO BE WHERE YOU ARE
Don Moen
CLOSING PRAYER
Let us pray...
Almighty God and Father…
Thank you for exposing the lies of religion…than you for giving us a way to discern the truth…thank you for the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ…
…as we go forth into the week…open our spiritual eyes to the deceptions…help us to have the Lord’s compassion for those who are deceived…help us act as a mouthpiece for God the Holy Spirit to the religious…perhaps leading them to a relationship with Your saving Son…
We ask this through the power of God the Holy Spirit…in Christ’s name...Amen.
DISCUSSING THE LESSON AND PRAYER CIRCLE
Join us Live or on Zoom
Immediately Following the Lesson
GOT BIBLICAL QUESTIONS?
Ask the Pastor
pastor@barahministries.com
KEEP ON STUDYING THE WORD OF GOD!
Thanks for coming!
Thanks for watching!
Thanks for listening!
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