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Bible Studies Online Blog
Gospel
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Mathew Bartlett: Posted on Tuesday, December 20, 2011 9:57 PM
 Studying God's Word is a guaranteed way for enlarging your Christian life.
The Bible is a superb resource for study, since it is God's Word and entirely true. Through the Bible God speaks clearly to our souls. God's Word is like spiritual food for the godly. Bible reading and studying the Bible will make you mature as a follower of Christ.
With Bible Studies Online you can study Bible passages at your own pace, taking one Bible verse or chapter at a time. Bible Studies Online offers a unique and essential Bible study tool for everyone wishing to discover God's Word for themselves.
Bible translations we use include the King James Version, the New King James Version, The New Revised Standard Version and the New English Translation.
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Mathew Bartlett: Posted on Wednesday, November 16, 2011 8:51 AM
 The psalm begins with a picture of a world in rebellion against God - they would get rid of Him altogether. They consider serving God to be bondage, when in fact it is true freedom. No one can ultimately free themselves from their obligations to their creator Hebrews 9:27. What does God think of those who think they can? V4 tells us that He laughs at them - not literally - the picture shows it is futile for man to think that he can be free from God's rule. If men will fight against God, God will have them in confusion.
When men rejected and crucified God's Son, they thought that they were having their own way. By killing Christ man thought that he had succeeded in getting rid of God, but in fact God was fulfilling HIS purpose. Acts 2.23. He says My purpose will win over all others. Isa 46.9,10. He confounded them. They crucified Jesus; but God has raised him from the dead and exalted Him. Eph1.20-22. Men rejected Him, but God has made him both Lord and Christ. Acts 2.36. v6 Firstly, it is set apart "my holy hill." Then it has an elevated position "hill" and lastly it is the dwelling place of God, for Zion is where the temple stood. So Christ is set apart. REF Being exalted, Christ has gone into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. Mark 16.19. Through Christ's death, the church is also made holy Heb 2.11 and shares an exalted position Eph 2.6. The church is a dwelling place of God through the Spirit Eph2.22. By his exaltation Christ has been made head over all things to the church. Eph 1.22 V7 What right has this King to reign? He is the only begotten Son of God, who was with the Father in the beginning. John 1.1,2. Christ has the Divine right to rule, since He is both God Himself and has been appointed by God the Father. V6 Tells us that God anointed him to be King. Christ means anointed one. God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit without measure. John 3.34. V8 Some kings covet gold or silver, but these mean nothing to our king. He values the souls of men above all else. He came to seek and to save the lost, redeeming us to God by His blood. Jesus is the king who wants to reign in the hearts and lives of men and women. That is why he tells us to go and make disciples. Matt 28.19,20. One day he will come to reign on earth with absolute authority. Ps 72.8. Those who refuse to obey him and submit to his rule will be completely broken and eternally ruined -- just as when you break a clay pot with an iron bar there is no hope of repairing it again. Since Christ is exalted as the supreme authority in all the universe, we should submit to him. At present we may do so voluntarily -of our own free will - and be saved. Rom 10.9.
But if any will not submit to him now, they will one day be forced to do so, for every knee MUST bow to Jesus. Phil 2.9-11. Then they will bow to hear God's judgment "Depart from me.. into everlasting fire"
V12 So the Psalmist warns rebels to submit and to kiss the son.
In ancient times the kissing of the hand showed devotion, the person was saying "I am your servant," or "I am yours." It was an act of worship. We are reminded in Rom 12.1 that this is our reasonable service. Rom 12.1 We give ourselves to him. After all he has done for us, what else could he expect? It is only our reasonable service.
Those who continue to rebel and harden their hearts against God will taste his anger. If his wrath being aroused just a little is enough to utterly destroy you, what about the full force of his wrath, which the scripture says will be poured out upon all those who do not believe. In v5 we see it will take place suddenly, as God breaks through to make an end of man's insolent rebellion. When Christ comes again He will bring the wrath of God 2 Thessalonains 1:7-10. The final destruction of unbelievers will come suddenly and unexpectedly. 1 Thesssalonians 5.3. But for those who believe the promise is given of eternal life. They will be blessed eternally Acts16.31. As we look in the Bible we can't get away from the fact that Jesus is King. We should let him rule as king in our lives. To surrender means to obey Him. If we let Jesus be king, he will deal with the attitudes and habits in our lives that do not please him- such as lying, stealing, jealousy, anger. He tells us to put them away, for He is our king. Will you let Jesus be King of your heart today? Will you give yourself to him? |
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Mathew Bartlett: Posted on Friday, November 11, 2011 10:02 PM
 Here's a quiz-Q. How many seconds in a minute?
(A. 60) Q. How many minutes in an hour?
(A. 60) Q. How many minutes until you die?
(A. DON'T KNOW)
It's a sobering thought. No one has full control over our their life span, or the passing seconds. Time waits for no man as we all head for the inevitable end - death - and then what? Fortunately, Jesus himself gave us the answer. For those who put their faith in Him as Savior, Jesus Christ promises eternal life in heaven. God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16 NKJV) But for those who reject him and do not accept his words, the Lord Jesus warns of eternal suffering and misery in hell.
He will also say to those on the left hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.' (Matthew 25:41 NKJV) That is why the Bible says "behold now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation." None of us can afford to put it off until tomorrow - we must put our trust Jesus Christ today, as the only Saviour who will take us from time into the blessed eternity of heaven. Jesus Christ died and rose again so that all who believe in Him might receive the gift of eternal life. That gift will be yours when you trust Him to save you. Don't put it off. Call on Him today. "For whoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved." A Sinner's Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus, forgive me a sinner. Come into my heart and save my soul. I believe that you are the Son of God, that you died on a cross to redeem me, and that you rose from the dead.
I confess there is nothing I can do to save myself, but I now repent of my sins and receive you now as my Saviour and Lord. I pray this prayer in Jesus name. Amen.
The Present Only is Our Own
The clock of life is wound but once
And no man has the power
To tell just where the hands will stop
At late or early hour
To lose one's wealth is sad indeed
To lose one's health is more
To lose one's soul is such a loss
As no man can restore
The PRESENT only is our own
To seek to do God's will
Tomorrow holds no promises for
The clock may then be still.
(c) Robert H. Smith 1932 - 1982. |
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Bible study: Posted on Thursday, November 10, 2011 9:58 PM
On 11/11/11 Armistice Day, we remember those who gave their lives in wars to protect and preserve our lives and freedoms. On this day, let us not forget the GREATEST SACRIFICE - that of Jesus Christ. Read Mark 14.33-36 The Greatest Sorrow
Why was Christ sorrowful? Was it because he knew that he would be betrayed by one of his own disciples - Judas Iscariot - that very night? Maybe it was because he knew that all his friends would forsake him and run to save their own lives. Perhaps it was because he knew that he would be handed over to his enemies who would put him on trial, mock him, spit on him, flog him and put him to death. But it was more than that. For the Lord Jesus Christ was not just going to die a death like other men. He was going to die for the sins of the world. The bible says that he became sin for us. He bore our sins in his own body on the tree.
This is what made the Lord Jesus Christ the most sorrowful. The fact that he, the sinless, holy son of God became sin for us. How he must have felt as he prayed in the garden as every sin which has ever been committed was laid upon him as if it was his own. This is what caused the extreme sorrow - he was to drink the bitter cup of punishment for all our sins.
The storm of God's holy anger against sin broke over the head of the son of God as he died for you and me, and the sorrow began there in the garden. The Greatest Submission.
Notice his prayer. Father...not what I will. The plan of salvation originated with God the Father. It was not Christ's own idea that he should die on a cross to take away the sins of the world. Christ was the willing and obedient servant that would carry that plan out to completion. When the Lord Jesus left heaven and came to earth it was to do the will of the one who sent him - God his Father. He always did those things which pleased his father and he took delight in doing his father's will and being about his Father's business.
As a man, Jesus had his own will and could have chosen his own way. But he chose always to do the will of his Father. And that will was that the Son should offer himself as a sacrifice for all men so that they might be saved. Jesus became obedient to his father even to the point of death - even death on a cross. His was the utmost submission. The Greatest Salvation
John the Baptist called Jesus "The Lamb of God who would take away the sin of the whole world." There is no one that is left out. Christ died for every one of us. The Bible says that God loved the world. That includes everyone too. And because Jesus has tasted death for everyone, everyone may believe in him and so receive forgiveness of their sins and eternal life. When anyone believes in the Lord Jesus Christ they are saved, they saved once forever and will never be lost. That his how safe it is to be in the hands of Jesus. He is strong to save. That is why when Jesus saves he saves forever. His is the utmost salvation. Salvation from sin and death and hell. Only Jesus can save like this, because only Jesus died for us and rose again on the third day. Now he is alive in heaven where he always lives to pray for those who believe in him.
Have you believed in the Lord Jesus? Have you been saved from your guilt and sin and from death and hell? Or do you only hope so? When we receive the Lord Jesus as our Saviour we don't have to hope so any more - for we will know so. For he saves us to the uttermost. All we must do is admit that we have sinned, and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, asking him to come into our hearts and lives and remain with us forever. The Bible says Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved. |
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Bible Studies Online UK: Posted on Wednesday, November 09, 2011 8:07 PM
 Here is the text of our latest Christmas 2011 Gospel Tract The Light of the World. Darkness is all around us in our world today. On TV we see reports of terrorism, war and murder. Terrible crimes are committed against the innocent. Some terrorists even say they have committed their crimes "in the name of God." Doesn't God care about what is happening in our world, supposedly in his name? Hate, envy, murder and greed are all deeds of darkness. But the Bible says: "God is Light and in Him is no darkness at all." This Christmas - a time for celebrating Christ's birth - millions will be drinking too much, partying, taking drugs and behaving immorally. This darkness has nothing whatever to do with the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus said "I am the Light of the World. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life." Jesus Christ, the true light, has come into the world to bring us out of darkness and into a relationship with God. His Light, shows up our actions and thoughts for what they really are - sinful. God sent His Son Jesus to die on a cross, bearing our sin and its punishment, that He might "rescue us from the power of darkness and bring us into the kingdom of His Beloved Son". Jesus rose from the dead and is alive today to bring men and women "out of darkness and into His marvellous Light." To believe on the Lord Jesus Christ is to be saved from the darkness of sin now and forever. To refuse to believe the Lord Jesus Christ is to condemn yourself to what the Bible calls "the blackness of darkness forever". Jesus clearly taught that anyone who died not believing in Him would spend forever in a place called hell. Jesus said "in hell, the worm does not die and the fire is not quenched." He called it "outer darkness, where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth." This Christmas, as we celebrate that Jesus Christ, the Light of the World, has been born, let us not forget the reason why He came.
Are you in darkness or Light?
Copies of this tract can be ordered (£2 for 50 includes UK postage) here Christmas Gospel Tracts. Or copy it and produce your own. Be sure to share this blog with someone else. |
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