Bible Study

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October 27, 2019

Luke 20:1-8 - By What Authority?

1 Now it happened on one of those days, as He taught the people in the temple and preached the gospel, that the chief priests and the scribes, together with the elders, confronted Him
2 and spoke to Him, saying, “Tell us, by what authority are You doing these things? Or who is he who gave You this authority?”
3 But He answered and said to them, “I also will ask you one thing, and answer Me:
4 “The baptism of John—was it from heaven or from men?”
5 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say, ‘Why then[fn] did you not believe him?’
6 “But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us, for they are persuaded that John was a prophet.”
7 So they answered that they did not know where it was from.
8 And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”


Main Topics/Questions

Please consider the following topics/questions as you listen to the sermon:

  1. What is one of the most important characteristics about each of us? Why?
  2. Which authorities are fallible? By what authority does Jesus Christ do all the things that He does?
  3. What is significant about the day as it marks the second day of Jesus Christ teaching publically in the temple of Jerusalem.
  4. What is the most important teaching Jesus had to share as well as the most important teaching that we could ever share?
  5. With what questions do the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders confront Jesus at the end of Luke 20 verse 1? Why does it matter?
  6. How does that relate to some current political messages?
  7. Why is it important to know what kind of authority Jesus has when we are challenged when sharing the gospel?
  8. Where does Christ’s authority come from?
  9. What pressures are being applied to Christians today? What can we learn from Jesus in his response to those trying to trap him and get him into trouble?
10. Instead of being weighed down by this pressure to either cave in or remain silent, what should we do?
11. What are some current trends in government making decisions without God and what does the falling birthrate have to do with them?
12. What were the concerns of the Jewish leaders when Jesus asked the question about John the Baptist?
13. Why would saying John’s baptism and ministry were from heaven be problematic?
14. What was their response and why did that give the answer to where Jesus got his authority?

Conclusion:

Jesus has the authority to clear the temple of corruption and He has the authority to share the gospel by telling people to repent of their sins and trust in Him in order to receive salvation from sin, death, and hell because He is the Son of God. And Hebrews 1:1-4 speaks of the absolute authority of the Son of God when it says,

1  God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets,
2  has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;
3  who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
4  having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.


So who is your final authority? Who has the final say when it comes what you think, what you say, and what you do? Everybody has a final authority, but only one has the power to comfort you on your deathbed. And that’s Jesus Christ the one who conquered death itself. So if you have not yet begun to trust in Jesus today is the day. As 2 Corinthians 6:2 says, “In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you." Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”

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Pray

Do you feel an emptiness in your life? Are you seeking answers but don't know where to look? Have you ever wondered if you are good enough? Please read the summary of the gospel message, "Four Things You Need to Know About God"

Please send an email to the Pastor if you have questions.

October 20, 2019

Luke 19:41-48 - Weeping and Cleansing

41 Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it,
42 saying, “If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.
43 “For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side,
44 “and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation.”
45 Then He went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in it,
46 saying to them, “It is written, ‘My house is a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’ ”
47 And He was teaching daily in the temple. But the chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people sought to destroy Him,
48 and were unable to do anything; for all the people were very attentive to hear Him.

Main Topics/Questions

  1. What are the two events at the end of Chapter 19?
  2. What are some things told in Luke 19:41-44 that the other three Gospels do not mention?
  3. Why did Jesus weep over Jerusalem?
  4. What does this say about the people’s knowledge of God’s Word? How is this like people of today? What is the reason for this?
  5. How does the Great Commission apply to all of us? Why is what we do important?
  6. How does verse 43 match what happened during the Roman siege of Jerusalem that occurred 37 years later in 70 AD?
  7, What does “the stones will cry out!” signify about the Roman siege?
  8. What were the renovations on the temple that Herod the Great made? For what reason did Jewish religious leaders welcome the use of the marketplace?
  9. Why was Jesus upset with how it was being used? How does this lesson relate to us?
10. Beside knowing what God's Word says, what others things do we need to do to help us live as we ought to live? What can we do to help others?

Conclusion:

Are you captivated by the Word of God? Do you see the Bible for what it really is: Words of life? Do you see in Jesus the forgiveness of sins and the hope of conquering death? You need to.

Click on the player to listen to the full audio sermon.





If the player doesn't work, you can listen to the sermon on Google Drive.


Pray

Do you feel an emptiness in your life? Are you seeking answers but don't know where to look? Have you ever wondered if you are good enough? Please read the summary of the gospel message, "Four Things You Need to Know About God"

Please send an email to the Pastor if you have questions.

October 13, 2019

Why We Believe What We Believe About Baptism

Main Topics/Questions

Please consider the following topics/questions as you listen to the sermon:

  1. How did Baptists affect some early history of the US?
  2. What are some precursors of baptism mentioned in the Old Testament? According to some verses in the New Testament, what do these actions anticipate?
  3. How does the story of Naaman’s leprosy in 2 Kings Chapter 5 relate to baptism?
  4. How is the baptism of the Old Testament different from the baptism of John the Baptist?
  5. To whom was John the Baptist referring in Matthew 3:11? What changes in the practice of baptism was he predicting?
  6. What are the types of baptism Jesus instituted? How do they differ?
  7. What does it mean to baptize? What does Romans 6: 4-5 mean?
  8. Who is baptism for?
  9. What must precede baptism? What about babies?
10. Can physical baptism save or is it necessary for salvation? What about the invisible baptism of the Holy Spirit?
11. What about the two robbers who were crucified with Jesus? Where did Jesus say he would go between His death and resurrection?
12. Why is physical baptism important?

Conclusion:

Now there’s a lot more that could be said on the topic of baptism, but the most important point is one that has already been made and that’s how baptism points to the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Baptism points to the fact that Jesus Christ died on the cross for your sins. And when the Bible says that Jesus was dead it really means He was dead. So dead in fact that Jesus was buried. But thankfully Jesus didn’t stay dead. He came up out of the grave alive so that you too could have hope of life after death. All you have to do in order to receive this forgiveness and this hope is repent of your sins and trust in the person and work of Jesus Christ. And should you make that decision I hope you will also take a step of obedience and step into the waters of baptism just like Tucker did.

Scripture references:
Ceremonial laws contained in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers; Mark 7:4; Luke 11:38; 2 Kings Chapter 5
Acts 19:1-7
John the Baptist said in Matthew 3:11 "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire."
1 Corinthians 12:13 "For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body––whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free––and have all been made to drink into one Spirit."
Matthew 28:19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,"
Mark 1:9 Jesus “was baptized by John in the Jordan”; Mark 1:10 talks about them “coming up from the water.
Acts 8:38 says, “both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.” Acts 8:39 adds that “they came up out of the water.
Romans 6:4-5 "Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection,"
Act 2:37-38 "Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, 'Men and brethren, what shall we do?' Then Peter said to them, 'Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'"
Act 2:41 "Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them."
Acts 18:8 "Then Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized."
Psalm 51:5; Romans Chapter 5; 1 Corinthians Chapter 15
When David’s infant son died he said in 2 Samuel 12:23 “I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.
Deuteronomy 1:39 "Moreover your little ones and your children, who you say will be victims, who today have no knowledge of good and evil, they shall go in there; to them I will give it, and they shall possess it."
Matthew 19:14 “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
Romans 8:9 "But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His."
Baptism by the Holy Spirit “which now saves us” according to 1 Peter 3:21
Matthew 27:38: "two robbers were crucified with Him";  Matthew 27:44: At first, "Even the robbers who were crucified with Him reviled Him"
Luke 23:39-43: "Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, 'If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.' But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, 'Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.' Then he said to Jesus, 'Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.' And Jesus said to him, 'Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.'
John 16:16: "A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me, because I go to the Father."

Click on the player to listen to the full audio sermon.





If the player doesn't work, you can listen to the sermon on Google Drive.


Pray

Do you feel an emptiness in your life? Are you seeking answers but don't know where to look? Have you ever wondered if you are good enough? Please read the summary of the gospel message, "Four Things You Need to Know About God"

Please send an email to the Pastor if you have questions.

October 6, 2019

Luke 19:28-40 - The Entrance of a King

28 When He had said this, He went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.
29 And it came to pass, when He drew near to Bethphage[fn] and Bethany, at the mountain called Olivet, that He sent two of His disciples,
30 saying, “Go into the village opposite you, where as you enter you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Loose it and bring it here.
31 “And if anyone asks you, ‘Why are you loosing it?’ thus you shall say to him, ‘Because the Lord has need of it.’ ”
32 So those who were sent went their way and found it just as He had said to them.
33 But as they were loosing the colt, the owners of it said to them, “Why are you loosing the colt?”
34 And they said, “The Lord has need of him.”
35 Then they brought him to Jesus. And they threw their own clothes on the colt, and they set Jesus on him.
36 And as He went, many spread their clothes on the road.
37 Then, as He was now drawing near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen,
38 saying: “ ‘Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the LORD!’[fn]
Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
39 And some of the Pharisees called to Him from the crowd, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.”
40 But He answered and said to them, “I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out.”

Main Topics/Questions

Please consider the following topics/questions as you listen to the sermon:

1. How do we know the exact dates in history when the Passion Week or Suffering Week of Jesus Christ took place? Why is this important?
2. What did Jesus send two of His disciples to do? What was the reasons for the mission? What is the lesson in this?
3. What is an additional piece of instruction which Jesus gives to His disciples? Why is this important? How does it relate to us?
4. What are the acts of service towards Christ in these verses? Who were performing these services? What does it signify?
5. What does the death of the body mean for believers?
6. How did the Pharisees react to people gathering and praising Jesus? Could our culture react in the same way?

Conclusion:

If Jesus really is who He is. If He really is King of Kings, LORD of Lords, and Savior of the World… How can we not confess and praise Jesus as such before a watching world? Because if we don’t; nature itself will testify to this fact. As Romans 1:20 says, For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, Creation itself proves that there is a Creator God. And this God has further revealed Himself to us by becoming a Man named Jesus Christ. Yes it may cost you something to confess Jesus for who He really is, but remember this: It cost Jesus His life in order to save yours. Jesus entered into the city of Jerusalem on Sunday, March 29, 33 AD in order to take the punishment of your sins and die on the following Friday. He did this so you could have “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” And since Jesus did that for you, how could you not confess and praise Him before others?

Click on the player to listen to the full audio sermon.




If the player doesn't work, you can listen to the sermon on Google Drive.


Pray

Do you feel an emptiness in your life? Are you seeking answers but don't know where to look? Have you ever wondered if you are good enough? Please read the summary of the gospel message, "Four Things You Need to Know About God"

Please send an email to the Pastor if you have questions.

September 29, 2019

Luke 19:11-28 - Responsibility while Waiting for the King


11 Now as they heard these things, He spoke another parable, because He was near Jerusalem and because they thought the kingdom of God would appear immediately.
12 Therefore He said: “A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return.
13 “So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas,[fn] and said to them, ‘Do business till I come.’
14 “But his citizens hated him, and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We will not have this man to reign over us.’
15 “And so it was that when he returned, having received the kingdom, he then commanded these servants, to whom he had given the money, to be called to him, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.
16 “Then came the first, saying, ‘Master, your mina has earned ten minas.’
17 “And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities.’
18 “And the second came, saying, ‘Master, your mina has earned five minas.’
19 “Likewise he said to him, ‘You also be over five cities.’
20 “Then another came, saying, ‘Master, here is your mina, which I have kept put away in a handkerchief.
21 ‘For I feared you, because you are an austere man. You collect what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.’
22 “And he said to him, ‘Out of your own mouth I will judge you, you wicked servant. You knew that I was an austere man, collecting what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow.
23 ‘Why then did you not put my money in the bank, that at my coming I might have collected it with interest?’
24 “And he said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina from him, and give it to him who has ten minas.’

Main Topics/Questions

Please consider the following topics/questions as you listen to the sermon:

 1. Despite Jesus clearly telling his disciples what would happen, what did they expect to happen?
  2. What does Jesus tell us in Matthew 24:14? How does that relate nations or people groups? What are some misconceptions about the end times?
  3. What are the differences between the Parable of the Minas in Luke 19:12-27 and the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-30?
  4. How did the Herod family come to have control over Jewish lands when those lands were under the authority of the Roman Empire? What does that have to do with the text? How does that compare to what Jesus will be doing?
  5. What hope does Jesus give us? What should we do in the meantime?
  6. The Bible teaches that every person in the world is a slave. Who are you a slave to?
  7. What does “Do business till I come.” mean for us?
  8. Why do some people not receive this gospel as good news?
  9. What happened after the death of Herod? How did Jesus apply Archelaus’ situation to His own? How does that relate to what is going on today?
10. What are the lessons to be learned from the Parable of the Talents and the Parable of the Minas?
11. How is the person who hid what he was given like people who refuse to believe in Jesus?
12. How can we apply these lessons to our lives today?

Conclusion:
In Genesis 18:25 (NRSV) Abraham asks, “Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?” The answer is, “Yes!” The love of God and the justice of God are not compartmentalized. All the attributes of God work together. And when a person spends their whole life in rebellion against God, despite God proving His existence through nature and showing His saving grace through the Scriptures then God has no other choice. Unrepentant sin against an eternal God justly deserves eternal punishment. And we know that the love of God and the justice of God both work together because the cross is picture of both. After Jesus says these things, Luke 19:28 says Jesus went on ahead going up from the valley of Jericho to the mountains of Jerusalem. And Jesus goes to Jerusalem in order to go to the cross. And when Jesus goes to the cross He does so both because of His love and His justice.

The cross demonstrates Christ’s love because it was His love for you that compelled Christ to go there. Yet the cross also demonstrates Christ’s justice because by dying on the cross Jesus takes the punishment for your sins upon Himself. God’s love and God’s justice are not separate from each other. Instead they are united in the cross. So what is your response to Christ? Will you be about the business of discipleship until He comes or will you be destroyed in your ungrateful laziness? The decision is yours.

Click on the player to listen to the full audio sermon.




If the player doesn't work, you can listen to the sermon on Google Drive.


Pray

Do you feel an emptiness in your life? Are you seeking answers but don't know where to look? Have you ever wondered if you are good enough? Please read the summary of the gospel message, "Four Things You Need to Know About God"

Please send an email to the Pastor if you have questions.

Life Verse

1 Peter 3:15, "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear."

We fully affirm the Baptist Faith and Message 2000.