(Video) Women In Ministry - Lisa Bevere

Lisa Bevere answers the question - "How does a woman get started in ministry?"

Are We Under Grace or Law? (Part 1)

Some might ask, "What is the relationship of grace to law?" Understandably, it can be a very confusing question. Some have mistakenly concluded from the statement in Romans 6:14-15 that we are "not under law but under grace"; that law and grace are mutually exclusive. In other words, if you have one you cannot have the other.

Allow me to point out, the fact that we are under grace does not mean that we are not subject to law, and that it is not essential for us to keep divine law. As you can see, it can be somewhat confusing to understand. I will try to explain the relationship between grace and law to you in two separate installments; the first one I will present today.

We will begin with this strong statement,"We are subject to Divine Law" followed by some scriptural references to support this. The teaching of Jesus is called "law." 1 Corinthians 9:21; Galatians 6:2; James 2:5; 1 John 3:4; Isaiah 2:1-3. We are required to obey that law. 1 John 3:4; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; John 4:24; 1 Peter 4:11; Matthew 28:18-20; 2 John 9. In this last chapter and verse (2 John 9), the context used indicates that John used the expression "doctrine of Christ" to mean the doctrine taught by Christ (His doctrine, His teaching).

I remind you that it is Christ's teaching, His commandments, and "truth," that is emphasized from the beginning of 2 John (see verses 1-2,4,6). It appears that the point of highest priority in John's mind when he wrote this epistle was "walking in truth," meaning "walking according to Christ's commandments." John 8:31 tells us that we must continue in His word to be His disciples.

Whenever God has spoken to man or given a law, He has expected strict obedience and the utmost respect for His word (see: Deuteronomy 4:2; Leviticus 10:1-2; Revelation 22:18-19). All of this tells us that grace does not mean we are not subject to law, rather, it means that we have a way of forgiveness when we violate that law, if we meet the divine conditions.

I know that I have just given you a lot to think about. Hopefully, you will go back and re-read today's message and scripture as many times as you feel is needed. Don't forget to pray to God for understanding of His word. Next time, I will discuss another way to explain the relationship between grace and law using Paul's teaching in Romans. I do hope you will join me for that!

Let's close this message in prayer:

May the grace of Christ our Savior,
And the Father's boundless love,
With the Holy Spirit's favor,
Rest upon us from above.

Thus may we abide in union
With each other and the Lord,
And possess, in sweet communion,
Joys which earth cannot afford.
Amen.

May God be with you always,

Beverly

(Video) Bible 101 With Dr. Craig Evans - Part 2

Acadia University Professor Dr. Craig Evans sits down with Denise Lodde to give an overview of the Bible, what it is, who wrote it, its historical accuracy and message and why it's a book that matters to all whether they believe in it or not.

Produced By: Denise Lodde, featuring: Dr. Craig Evans - New Testament Scholar, Professor, Acadia University

Send Me!

In the eleventh century, King Henry III of Bavaria grew tired of court life and the pressures of being a monarch. He made application to Prior Richard at a local monastery, asking to be accepted as a contemplative and spend the rest of his life in the monastery. "Your Majesty," said Prior Richard, "do you understand that the pledge here is one of obedience? That will be hard because you have been a king."

"I understand," said Henry. "The rest of my life I will be obedient to you, as Christ leads you."

"Then I will tell you what to do," said Prior Richard. "Go back to your throne and serve faithfully in the place where God has put you." When King Henry died, a statement was written: "The King learned to rule by being obedient." When we tire of our roles and responsibilities, it helps to remember God has planted us in a certain place and told us to be a good accountant or teacher or mother or father. Christ expects us to be faithful where he puts us, and when he returns, we'll rule together with him.

Are you, or have you felt the calling from God? Are you prepared if you should get the call? If you are like most of us, the thought has probably never occurred to you. Therefore, I have listed some reasonable items below for your consideration in order to help you make a good and sound decision. They are:

What we are called from and called to:

I. Called from labor to rest (Matthew 11:28)
II. Called from death to life (1 John 3:14)
III. Called from bondage to liberty (Galatians 5:13)
IV. Called out of darkness into light (1 Peter 2:9)
V. Called from bondage to peace (1 Corinthians 7:15
VI. Called to the fellowship of His Son (1 Corinthians 1:9)

What we are made by obeying the call:

I. We are made sons of God (John 1:12)
II. We are made the children of God (Galatians 3:26)
III. We are made the servants of God (Matthew 25:21)
IV. We are made God's saints (Colossians 1:1)
V. We are made God's witnesses (I Thessalonians 2:10)
VI. We are made workers together with God (2 Corinthians 6:1)
VII. We are called to a high calling (Philippians 3:14)
VIII. We are called to a holy calling (2 Timothy 1:9)
IX. We are called to a heavenly calling (Hebrews 3:1)

Throughout Bible history God has chosen individuals to do His work and to perform His tasks. When He does this He doesn’t ask for resumes. He doesn’t ask how prepared you think you are. He doesn’t care about perceived obstacles. He just says to get it done. If God has called you (and he has) what provision, or the supplying of means, has God given to make up for all of our perceived deficiencies?

Perhaps it is help from other church members. For Moses it was someone to help him speak (Exodus 4:14). Like Moses, we all need help from time to time. On big tasks it takes a little more help. Such was the case when Paul paired up with others to gather disciples while going throughout the world (as The Great Commission instructs us to do).

To assist us in our endeavors you should ask help from God, He will be with you (Matthew 28:20; Joshua 1:5; 2 Timothy 4:17; 2 Kings 6:17). Also keep in mind when asking for help from God, that God answers your prayers (Matthew 21:22; Matthew 7:7-11).

So, if you are asking yourself who will go? Say, "Send me!" (Isaiah 6:8) Yes, you might be thinking: "I don’t feel qualified, surely others are more so," "I might fail," or "I might mess up." However, nothing could be further from the truth! Because of God’s mighty provision you can confidently say, “Send me!”

Prayer:

Thanks be to thee, my Lord Jesus Christ,
For all the benefits thou hast won for me,
For all the pains and insults thou hast borne for me.
O most merciful Redeemer, Friend, and Brother,
May I know thee more clearly,
Love thee more dearly,
And follow thee more nearly:
For ever and ever.
-St. Richard Chichester (1197-1253)

God bless you,

Sherry Ann

Is the Gospel You've Heard True?

As soon as Paul began his epistle to the Galatians, he expressed some concern. A couple of things bothered him. He was marveled as how they were turning so soon to a different gospel (Galatians 1:6), and how they were letting themselves be troubled by some who were perverting the gospel of Christ (Galatians 1:7).

It is important to know the difference between the pure gospel and perverted gospels. The Bible tell us that to accept a different gospel is to be accursed (Galatians 1:8-9). To not obey the true gospel is to face condemnation (2 Thessalonians 1:7-8; 1 Peter 4:17). Today, in our time, we need to be just as concerned about "Perversions Of The Gospel". Are we aware of how some have perverted the gospel of Christ? There has been at least four such perversions.

Let us call the first one THE GOSPEL OF FAITH PLUS THE LAW. This particular perversion can be explained this way. This 'gospel' was the problem Paul faced in his day. Some Jewish Christians demanded that Gentiles had to be circumcised and keep the Law of Moses as well as obey the gospel of Christ (Acts 15:1-5; Galatians 2:1-5).

Upon further study we find that this perversion was refuted, or proven false at the council in Jerusalem (Acts 15:22-31), in the epistle to the Galatians (Galatians 5:1-6), and in other epistles of Paul (e.g., Romans, Colossians). Note carefully that those who seek to be justified by the Law fall from grace (Galatians 5:4). This illustrates the danger of accepting a 'perverted gospel'.

Another such 'gospel' is THE GOSPEL OF WORKS WITHOUT FAITH. This perversion can be explained this way. This 'gospel' developed later in the course of church history. It exalted the efficacy of certain ordinances to the exclusion of faith.Thus some believed you could baptize others without the need of faith, such as infant baptism or infidel baptism (e.g., at the point of a sword).

This perversion can be refuted in a couple of ways. First, faith is essential to pleasing God and our salvation (Hebrews 11:6; John 8:24; Mark 16:16). Secondly, repentance of sins and faith in Christ are prerequisites to baptism (Acts 2:38; 8:35-37). Thirdly, it is faith in the working of God that results in rising to a new life (Colossians 2:12-13).

Additionally, there is a popular perversion of the gospel, which will become quite clear to you in a moment. It is what we will call THE GOSPEL OF GOOD WORKS ONLY. This perversion can be explained this way. Many have the idea that as long as you are a basically 'good person', you will be saved. Especially if your 'good deeds' outnumber or outweigh your 'bad deeds'. Thus, a good moral person, especially if religious, is assumed to be saved.

Of course we can find some examples in the Bible to disprove this line of thought. We should know that good moral people, even devout, are in need of salvation. For example, Cornelius was a good, moral, devout man (Acts 10:1-6), yet he needed to be saved (Acts 11:14).

Need more convincing? We can find some other examples of conversion in Acts that involved religiously devout people. How about the 3000 on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:5); the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:27); Lydia of Thyatira (Acts 16:14); even Paul himself (Acts 22:3)! All of these examples are proof that we cannot be saved by our good works alone (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:4-7).

Finally, sometimes a perversion of the gospel leads others to overreact with another perversion. Let's call this perversion the THE GOSPEL OF FAITH ONLY. This perversion can be explained this way. This 'gospel' proclaims that one is saved by "faith only". For example, no obedience is required, especially not baptism. It is an overreaction to salvation by works without faith, or to the gospel of good works.

This perversion can be refuted citing numerous examples, such as the following. The gospel of Christ requires obedience. Jesus is the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him (Hebrews 5:9). Paul proclaimed what he called "the obedience of faith" (Romans 1:5; 16:25-26). Paul and Peter warned of those who obeyed not the gospel (2Thessalonians 1:7-9; 1 Peter 4:17).

Keep in mind that we are not saved by "faith only". See: James 2:17,20,24,26. There are many who fail to distinguish between different kinds of works. What kind of you works? There are: works of the Law (of Moses), by which one is not justified (Galatians 2:16); meritorious works, done to earn salvation, which is impossible (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:4-7); and works of God, commanded of us to please Him (John 6:28-29).

Always remember that works of God are done, not to earn salvation, but to receive God's grace. Here are some examples of these works which you can check out for yourself:
a. Faith in Jesus is a work of God (John 6:29)
b. Repentance of sins is a work of God (Acts 17:30)
c. Confessing Jesus is a a work of God (Romans 10:9-10)
Again, keep in mind that such works in of themselves do not save us (Luke 17:10).

Baptism is a work of God, not a work of man. It was commanded by Jesus and His apostles (Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:38; 22:16). In this case, God does the work of saving (Colossians 2:11-12; Tit 3:5) in which we put on Christ (Galatians 3:26-27). Which, when obeyed, causes others to thank God (Romans 6:3-7; 6:17-18).

Of course, there have been other perverted gospels such as Gnosticism, which denied Jesus coming in the flesh, and Mormonism, which proclaims a different gospel based upon 'angelic revelation' to name just a few. That is why we need to be careful to receive the gospel preached by the apostles. Even angelic revelations are to be rejected if different from what the apostles' preached, otherwise we will be accursed!

My dear readers, the pure gospel of Christ may not be popular, but who are we trying to please? If it is men, then we are not true servants of Christ (Galatians 1:10). If it is the majority, then we are definitely on the wrong path (Matthew 7:13-14). In closing, ask yourself this question, "Is the gospel you heard, received, and obeyed, the same gospel proclaimed by the apostles of Jesus Christ?" (Acts 2:36-41; 8:35-38).

Let's pray:

Dear Lord, thank you for all that you do. The love of life, the peace in my heart all comes from your grace. Please help me to show your love and grace to others as you have done for me. Thank you Lord for being a part of my life. Amen

May God bless you,

Elise

Coffeehouse Bible Ministry: Weekend Edition

Welcome to the Coffeehouse Bible Ministry:
Weekend Edition!

In the Weekend Edition of our blog, we hope to present Bible-based material that you will find educational, enlightening, and blessed.

This week we would like to present an introduction to the Gospel of John by the late Dr. Vernon McGee. Dr. McGee's greatest pastorate was at the historic, Church of the Open Door in downtown Los Angeles, where he served from 1949 to 1970.

Title of this week's message: Introduction to John - Part 1



Dr. J. Vernon McGee © Thru the Bible Radio Network, www.ttb.org

(Video) I'm a Failure, Can God Use Me?

Don't let fear, doubt, and self-loathing rob you of God's blessings. God can still use you!