Jesus loves you

Study 8 APOLLOS: MIGHTY IN THE WORD (Scripture Portion: Acts 18: 24 to 19:7) All that we know about Apollos is recorded in Acts 18:24-28; 19:1; 1 Corinthians 1:11-12; 3:4-6; 16:12 and Titus 3:13. Apollos was a Jew (Acts 18:24). Alexandria was a celebrated city of Egypt, situated on the south-eastern shore of the Mediterranean, which was named after Alexander the Great who founded it. All that we are told about Apollos gives us ample material for our study, but there are several special lessons that will emerge. 1 . Apollos was a man who possessed outstanding gifts . We learn this from Acts 18:24-26, and we should notice the following: What a fine example of a preacher and worker Apollos was! And yet…… 2 . There was a very great lack in Apollos ’ experience and in his ministry. Like the twelve men in Acts 19:1-7, (who were probably his “converts”), and from Acts 18:25, we learn that Apollos knew “only the baptism of John”. John’s baptism was the baptism unto repentance –- an act...

Study 7 DORCAS: FULL OF GOOD WORKS (Scripture Portion: Acts 9: 36-42) The story of Dorcas, which forms the subject of this study, has been an inspiration to thousands. It is packed full of valuable lessons, all of which are important and some of which need particular emphasis in these days. Dorcas lived in Joppa, a town situated on the shore of the Mediterranean, which at that time was the chief seaport of Palestine – – compare Jonah 1:3 and Acts 10:5-8. There was a Christian church at Joppa, and it is possible that the believers met for worship in Dorcas’ home, which in those early days was the custom –- look up Acts 12:12 and Romans 16:5. 1 . Notice the significance of her name . Verse 36 tells us that her name in Aramaic was Tabitha, but in Greek it was Dorcas, which means “antelope” or “gazelle” –- a very graceful animal! One writer says that “her name stands in the Bible as the symbol of Naphtali (Genesis 49:21), the giver of goodly words; then as panting after the water brook...

Study 6 PHILIP: DEACON AND EVANGELIST (Scripture Portions: Acts 6: 1-7; 8: 1-40; 21:8) The title of this study suggests a very healthy combination. Philip was a deacon (Acts 6:1-7) and he was an evangelist (Acts 8:1-40) –- indeed, he is referred to by the Holy Spirit as “the evangelist” (Acts 21:8). Now, of course, it does not fall to the lot of every believer to hold “office” or to fill a position of leadership in the Church, but every Christian may be and should be an evangelist. Philip was an evangelist. His business was telling others of Jesus and leading others to Him, and that should be your business and mine, for being an evangelist or a preacher is not a “professional” matter. Evangelism is not a profession, it is a passion. There was nothing professional about Philip; he was a layman. How indebted the Church in every age has been to the laymen, the men and women who engage in all the exacting duties of home, business or profession but whose delight it is to devote their spar...

Study 5 STEPHEN: FIRST CHRISTIAN MARTYR (Scripture Portions: Acts 6: 5-15; 7: 1-60) All that is recorded in the New Testament about Stephen is contained in Acts 6:5-15; 7:1-60; 8:2; 11:19 and 22:20. He was certainly one of God’s “spiritual giants”, and his gracious ministry was suddenly cut short by martyrdom. We think of him, quite rightly, as the first of the Christian martyrs. Very many have followed in his footsteps; indeed, today many are following in this train by laying down their lives for the sake of the gospel. Stephen was one of the “seven” (Acts 6:3) selected to “wait on tables” (Acts 6:2); but it is interesting to note that almost immediately after this choice had been made, Stephen did “great wonders and miraculous signs among the people” (Acts 6:8). Like so many whom God used, and of whom we read in the book of Acts, Stephen was a man who was “full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom……and grace……and power……” (Acts 6:3 and 8). There are seven important truths which emerge fr...

Study 4 JUDAS ISCARIOT: HIS TERRIBLE BETRAYAL (Scripture Portion: Acts 1: 15-26) The story of Judas is one of the sad stories in the Bible. We think of Cain, who slew his brother (Genesis 4:1-10); of David, who committed the two-fold sin of adultery and murder (2 Samuel 11:1-27); of the Rich Young Ruler and his refusal (Luke 18:18-25); of Ananias and Sapphira, who committed the sin of deception (Acts 5:1-11) –- but the saddest story of all is that of Judas Iscariot, for his story and his end are full of ignominy and shame. The history of this man is told in the four gospels, and it is gathered up in the first chapter of Acts, verses 15-26. We shall confine our study to a consideration of this latter portion. 1 . Judas never was a converted man . Always remember that the story of Judas is not the story of a backslider. Acts 1:25 tells us that Judas “left” –- but he did not leave being a Christian, for he never was one. He left his privileged office and position among the apostles. T...

Study 3 PETER: HIS TRAGIC DOWNFALL (Scripture Portion: Luke 22: 31-62) It seems too bad that of all the wonderful things we are told about the apostle Peter we should choose for our study the one incident which shows him up in his worst light! However we have chosen this particular study in order that it may prove to be a warning to us, for we are all in danger of failing as Peter did. No-one is immune from the possibility of a spiritual downfall. If Peter is the best loved apostle, (as he is to many), surely the reason is that he was intensely human, as we are! He was impulsive and impetuous, as we are! He made mistakes and spoke unwisely, as we do! These very things about Peter, the unlearned, rather rough, clumsy fisherman, are the very things which attract us to him. What sad reading Luke 22:31-62 makes, for it tells of Peter’s downfall. Read it carefully and remember two things: 1 . The First Step : SELF - CONFIDENCE Does not verse 33 suggest over-confidence? And Peter said ...

Study 2 SIMEON: WAITING FOR THE LORD (Scripture Portion: Luke 2:25-35) Simeon lived in Jerusalem. He was in all probability an old man, though we are not told this, and no indication is given of his position in life, nor as to whether he was rich or poor. However, there is one very important thing which we are told about him, and that is that day by day, as he lived and worked, he was “waiting for the consolation of Israel” (Luke 2:25); that is, he was waiting for and living in the expectation of the coming of the Messiah. It is surely significant that his name means “Hearing with alacrity”. He was doing just that –- listening day by day, hour by hour, and moment by moment for the sound of the footsteps of the Son of God whose coming was drawing near. Now, as Simeon lived just prior to the first advent and anticipated the first coming of the Lord Jesus, so you and I today live just prior to His second advent and should be anticipating His return. Simeon waited and watched for the Ba...

Study 1 MARY: MOTHER OF OUR LORD JESUS (Scripture Portions: Luke 1:26-55; John 2:1-11) This first study in the series is of special significance, for several reasons. 1 . We first read of Mary in connection with the announcement made to her by the Angel Gabriel that she was to become the mother of Jesus . Read this wonderful portion of scripture –- Luke 1:26-37. Mary lived in Nazareth, a small town which was a notoriously wicked place –- look up John 1:46. She was a virgin and was engaged to be married (Matthew 1:18). In Luke 1:26-37, we read of the announcement which the Angel Gabriel made to Mary, and verse 38 tells us of Mary’s faith in God and her submission to His will. Notice the six “wills” in verses 31-33. Some of these prophecies have been literally fulfilled, and others await literal fulfilment. Notice also Mary’s very natural question in verse 34, and the angel’s answer in verse 35. There is a great spiritual truth enshrined here. How can we be born again?……sanctified?……...

Topic: we wish to see Jesus part 2 Text:John 12:19-24 Happy new month to you. This is your month of every good things. Also, John uses irony to report the frustrated words of the Pharisees as they saw the crowds shouting “Hosanna” as Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the donkey’s colt (John 12:19 ): “You see that you are not doing any good; look, the world has gone after Him.” John’s irony is, “Yes, in fact the world is going after Jesus.” He is the Savior not only of the Jews, but of all people who seek Him. I want to draw two important truths from these verses: 1. God’s ultimate aim in history is to glorify His Son. Jesus says (John 12:23), “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.” “Son of Man” was Jesus’ favorite way to refer to Himself. It had overtones of His deity, but undertones of His humanity (Leon Morris, The Gospel According to John [Eerdmans], p. 172). Morris says (pp. 172-173), “It was a way of alluding to and yet veiling His messiahship, for His concept o...

            Topic:we wish to see Jesus part1 Text:John 12:20-24 When the historic Church of the Open Door was in downtown Los Angeles, I heard that if you stood behind the pulpit you looked out into a massive auditorium consisting of a large first floor, a large balcony, and even a second balcony. Although I never stood there, I was told that it gave you a feeling of importance just to stand there and look out at the large crowd that had gathered to hear you speak. But just as your ego might begin to inflate, you quickly came down to earth when you looked down at a little plaque fixed to the pulpit with the words of John 12:21, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” “We didn’t come here to see you! We don’t want to be impressed with your brilliance or eloquence! We want to see Jesus!” Those are appropriate words for every preacher to remember and, for that matter, for every Christian to keep in mind. In 1 John 3:2 , the apostle tells us, “We know that when He a...

THE WORKS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT MEMORY VERSE : But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Acts 1:8. BIBLE PASSAGE: John 16:7-14 INTRODUCATION : In the first part of this lesson, we discovered who the Holy Spirit is, and who active He has been before the creation of the world. We discovered the part He played in the creation of the heaven, and the earth, how He preserves and renews the earth and how He can destroy whenever the need arises. We discussed the part He played in bringing Jesus to the world and how He was involved in every aspect of Christ’s Ministry here on earth. We also mentioned how it was by the power of the Holy Spirit that Jesus performed His miracles and that it was the power of the Holy Spirit that raised Jesus Christ from the dead. We ended the first part by saying tat the Holy Spirit is now actively interested in th...

5 Blind Spots Blocking God's Work in You From SEGOE networks, may  you be blessed as you study. Take a look around you. Can you see everything in your surroundings? Most of us would say yes. But the truth is, whether your vision is 20/20 or corrected by lenses, the answer is the same: no matter how hard you try, you cannot see everything around you. The human eye has a blind spot—a small area on the retina, about the size of a pencil eraser, without photoreceptors. We usually aren’t aware of this blind spot because our brain fills in this blank area with the surrounded images, making our vision field appear seamless. We also have blind spots or gaps in our perception that keep us from seeing the truth about others and ourselves. Because we are at times blinded to reality, we are immobilized and crippled by guilt and shame, anger and bitterness, worry and regret, and fear and anxiety. Too many people live needlessly in defeat, immobilized by their own mistakes or the mistak...

PRAISE MEMORY VERSE : Bless the Lord, o my soul: and all that is within me, bless His Holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits. Ps. 103:1-2. BIBLE PASSAGE: Psalm 148. INTRODUCATION: What is the most important thing in life? Is it to earn a living? Or to get saved and go to heaven? Infact, why was man created? The answer is simply to praise God, to glorify Him (Isa. 43:7). Our life is expected to be one continuous song of praise to the glory of God (1 Cor.10:31). But what is praise? To praise means to honour, to worship, to glorify. The Hebrew word “YADAH” which is translated “PRAISE” also means “TO STRETCH OUT THE HAND.” That is to hold out hands in reverence, to open the hands and let go of everything, just to stand and glorify God open-handedly. IS PRAISE COMPULSORY? Is it compulsory to praise the Lord? Or am I free to choose not to praise Him? We shall let the Bible answer these important questions for us. And we shall discover that praise is compul...

THE JUDGEMENT SEAT OF CHRIST MEMORY VERSE : For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ; that ever one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 11 Cor. 5:10. BIBLE PASSAGE: 11 Corinthians 5:1-15. INTRODUCATION: Just as there is more than one resurrection, so also is there more than one judgement. Because Adam sinned, all may die. Because Christ rose, all must rise to be judged. And God has appointed His Son Jesus Christ to the Judge of all the earth (11 Cor. 5:10). 1HOW MANY JUDGEMENTS ARE THERE? The Bible speaks of at least seven different judgments, namely: (a) The Saviour on the Cross being judged for our sins (b) The believers self-judgement (1 Cor. 11:31). (c) The judgement of the believers at the judgement seat, which is what we shall discuss in this lesson. (d) The judgement of the nations when sheep will be separated from goats (Matt. 25:22). (e) The judgement of Israel after the tribulation (Ez...

VICTORY OVER SIN MEMORY VERSE : The just shall live by faith. Gal.3:11. BIBLE PASSAGE: Romans 6:1-18. INTRODUCATION : After salvation, the deep cry of every heart should be for holiness, to be like Christ, to overcome sin and to live a blameless and holy life. Some Christians try and try to be holy and when they do not succeed, they sink down discouraged. Living on a standard lower than they desire. They become fearful of preaching holiness lest they be seen as preaching something which they cannot practice. Some Christians have never even heard of the victorious life of holiness but they continue sinning and confessing, sinning and confessing from day to day. However, the Bible teaches glorious victory over sin for every believer (1 Jn.5:4). Here, John is not speaking about victory in heaven but victory on earth, daily victory over the world and the lusts thereof. WHAT ARE THE PROMISES OF GOD? Did God promises victory over sin for a believer? Surely! He asked us to be holy as He...

1 JOHN 5:1, 4 NIV – EVERYONE WHO BELIEVES THAT JESUS IS THE CHRIST IS BORN OF GOD, AND EVERYONE WHO LOVES THE FATHER LOVES HIS CHILD AS WELL. [4] FOR EVERYONE BORN OF GOD OVERCOMES THE WORLD. MESSAGE:  This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Total Victory has been declared in this year 2017, it’s a prophetic declaration emphasizing what is already done. Total victory is part of the finished works of Christ on the cross. When he said ‘it is finished’ it means everything that needs to be done is finished which includes your victory over sin and all the consequences of sin. Poverty, sickness, diseases, calamities, plagues, spiritual and physical death, barrenness and any other thing that you can think of that does not conform to the good plans of God for your life. The Bible says for this cause the son of God was manifested, that he might destroy all the works of the devil. So the prophetic declaration concerning your total victory this year does not mean...