1. Conversion – Acts 2; 5:32; I Cor. 6:19-20
2. Grieve the Holy Spirit – (Rule not over-rule) – Eph. 4:30-32
3. Quench the Holy Spirit (Like putting green grass on a fire)(Smother)(Suffocate)(Extinguish)
4. Resist – Fight against (Kill – destroy) – Acts 7:51-60
(Sin against the Holy Spirit) – Matt. 12:31-32
5. Walk/Be led by the Holy Spirit – LIVE! – Galatians 5:16, 18, 25
6. Fruit of the Holy Spirit – Galatians 5:22-23
7. TOTAL REJECTION – 2 Peter 2:20-22; Hebrews 6:4-6; 10:25-26
Inexhaustible fullness, revealing God, witnessed by John (the baptist), the very Lamb of God… this is Jesus!
In this study we will be looking at John 1:16-34. Jesus was only six months younger than John. A ‘junior’ in earth time, but eternal in ‘timeless’ eternity, caused John to admit the superiority of Jesus. John’s work was to prepare the way… and even though he was at ‘center stage’ for a time… when Jesus appeared, he had no problem with stepping aside. Other exaggerated as to John, because all were looking for the Messiah…. but it was not him. This passage goes on to say three things about Jesus:
a.) He is the FULLNESS (Gk. “pleroma”) the sum total of all that God is. Colossians 1:17; 2:9.
b.) He is GRACE UPON GRACE (grace instead of grace/ grace on top of grace/ wonder upon wonder). Limitless/ unmerited grace!!! (Romans 4:1-9). Thus there is no worry about ‘running out of’ grace, for His grace is as deep as His love for mankind.
c.) He is God (the Son) His mind/character/being… all the same as the Father and the Spirit. It may be hard to grasp, or wrap our arms around GOD… but since Jesus reveals GOD… it is easier for us to relate to and ‘wrap our arms around’ Jesus. He opens the door to our knowing God. Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life, NO ONE CAN COME TO THE FATHER BUT BY ME.”
* Thus the importance of our Savior, our ‘doorway’ … ‘DOORKNOB’ (if that is easier) but He is our way to the Father!
1. IN JESUS – THE DISTANT, UNKNOWABLE, INVISIBLE AND UNREACHABLE GOD HAS COME TO MEN (A little boy was crying in the night, when his dad came in to comfort him… “Can you stay with me dad?” he asked.” The wise father said, “God is always here my son… don’t be afraid”. The child looked up and said, “But dad, I just want a God with skin”.
2. THE WITNESS (vs. 19-28) Begins the story of the ministry/miracles of Jesus)
Recently I was ‘asked'(?) to be on a jury for a capital murder trial. During the trial, there were ‘witnesses’… people who had actually seen the event. Some were credible and some were not. Based on the evidence and witnesses who testified, we either believed the witnesses or not. Some were more credible than others…eventually a judgment was passed down.
Consider the following events:
a.) Day one: vs. 19-28 – The witness of John – “I’m not HIM” (not Elijah, not THE prophet… I’m just a voice crying in the wilderness! John realized his reason, his purpose. So many today never see their purpose in life, or they think that if they are not ‘THE prophet’ or the one in the ‘limelight’ then it’s not good enough. John was humble, bold and satisfied to serve in the shadow of One greater.
b.) Day two: vs. 29-34 – The Lamb of God – Lamb/Sacrifice/Sin, these are connected by demand. It is the demand of justice. It is God’s greatest mystery… the saving of mankind. Paul teaches us in Romans 3:21-26 through the sacrifice of Christ God is declared JUST as well as the JUSTIFIER of those who have faith in Jesus. It is a salvation which is not based on law keeping, but on faith. It is in Jesus that we see IN is dealt with by the SACRIFICE of the LAMB of God.
c.) Day three: vs. 35-39 – The ‘Following’ begins – John, saw Jesus… and realized, this is the One. He begins now to point people to Jesus… “There is Jesus… the One who was promised, the Lamb of God!!!” Those that had been following John, now began following Jesus. Mission accomplished! Well done John! Today we would do well to learn from john. Never seek to be followed, or be in the lime-light or be the ‘big man’… just point people to Jesus.
d.) Day four: vs. 40-42 – Andrew Simon Peter’s brother – What began here, is still going on today, with Andrew, an ordinary fisherman who saw Jesus, heard Jesus, and was so touched by Jesus, that he brought his brother Peter. The rest is ‘His-story’ as more and more were brought to Jesus. Has it stopped? Of course not… ordinary people are still bringing other ordinary people to the Someone who is not Ordinary. Because He is not ordinary… people seek Him out. People follow. They don’t have to… not coerced to… they just see in Jesus, Someone who has the answers to life and eternity, Someone who loves them. May this same joy and excitement of finding Jesus, be with you in your life.
e.) Day five: vs. 43-51 – Phillip and Nathanael – Met Jesus….Not much is said of them, accept that they followed Jesus! That’s enough! (Although we know there was more!)
All in all we see…
a.) John affirms Jesus is the Christ
b.) John tells of the rejection of Jesus by the Jewish leaders.
c.) Pharisees (Sanhedrin) are looking for false prophets
While many others came to love, believe in, and follow this one called Jesus of Nazareth… the Son of God!
The ‘religious elite’ were asking questions of John… Who are you? (Messiah?)(Elijah?)(Prophet?)… all were answered with a firm, “NO”. Jesus later would ask the disciples the question, “Who do men say I am?” Various answers came, but the one that counted, the one Jesus wanted was “Who do you think I am?” Peter answers, “You are the Christ, the Son of God.” (“You are the one we have been looking for and the one with the answer to life’s problems. You are the one and only Messiah!”) (Matthew 16:13-16). Malachi speaks prophetically of the Messiah as the “messenger”. Not just any messenger, but THE MESSENGER. The prophet is so excited, because times were hard in this prophet’s day. The bright ‘light’ … “He is coming” He is the “smelter” and “purifier”. Like a “refiner’s fire” and laundryman’s soap. Of course there is a ‘cleansing coming’ when He comes. Sure, the picture of Jesus cleansing the temple comes to mind, but there is more… cf. Luke 3:15-18! Then notice Malachi 4:4-6… as with all other Old Testament prophecies, they all point forward… to Jesus.
Who are you John? He knew who he was not… he knew who he was. His was a special place at a special time… Preparing people for the coming Christ was his life, and he gave his all to it.
3. WHY DID JOHN BAPTIZE?
Read Mark 1:4-8! John was a rough, tough man. A wilderness preacher that “preached a baptism of repentance FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS”. So were people forgiven when they were immersed by John? Sure! This seems to give some people problems, but that’s what the Book says. Everyone was going out to hear John speak, and ‘obey the gospel he was preaching’, but it was also in preparation for the coming Christ, and the preparation of those of Israel who would be ready for the Messiah. Did these need to be re-baptized later in the name of Jesus? Of course. Since Jesus was to be crucified, and ascend to the Father and then send the Holy Spirit… The church was still to be established. Just as in Acts 19, these disciples had not heard that there was even a Holy Spirit, so they were immersed again. We shall look more at being born again in John 3, but John’s immersion was temporary, but accomplished it’s purpose… it pointed all who would come, to the King. According to Zech. 13:1, the chosen people had to be cleansed… prepared for the coming King (Jesus).
4. THE LAMB OF GOD – vs. 29-34 – (Cf. Isaiah 53:1-7)
“Passover” the word was rich in meaning since the days of Moses and the deliverance from Egypt. The lamb that was to be slain for each family, in remembrance of the deliverance from slavery (representing sin for us), was spotless, no bones broken, and perfect…. Jesus is the Lamb (used 29 times in Revelation) of God! Perfect, spotless, and the “once for all sacrifice” given to perfect salvation for all who come. He is our sacrifice.
Jesus is our “AMNOS” – which gives us the word ‘amnesty’… God’s great Lamb!
Our great propitiation, God’s satisfaction… our great salvation. PRAISE GOD!
Next: “The First Disciples”
Song by dad
Fill me with your Spirit Lord,
Fill me up today,
Come sweet Holy Spirit, Lord
Teach me what to say
Show me how to live today
Lead me on my way,
Fill me with your Spirit Lord,
Fill me up today.
* One of the greatest gifts/Christian = God’s Holy Spirit
* Holy Spirit which worked in O.T.
– Othniel ( Judges 3:10)
– Gideon (Judges 6:34)
– Jephthah (Judges 11:29)
– Samson (Judges 13:25; 14:6;16:20)
– David (I Samuel 16:13)
– Saul (I Samuel 16:14)
– (Of course there are many other instances from Genesis thru Malachi)
1. (My premise) THE HOLY SPIRIT DWELLS IN HEART OF EVERY SINGLE
BELIEVER!
A. Some have taught HS dwells in us THRU W/God! (Baptize s/one-give
Bible/GOOD LUCK!
B. Scared of being branded ‘Pentecostal’ (raise hands in praise song/Let’s have a
word of praise?/”We don’t do that here.” WHY NOT?!
1.) WE ARE IN GREAT NEED OF BALANCE/ Avoid extremes
C. FIVE FINGER EXERCISE (Hear, Believe, Repent, Confess and be Baptized)
whatever happened to the Holy Spirit? (Restoration Movement Barton W. Stone
taught (Believe, Repent,Confess, Baptism, Receive the Holy Spirit).
D. There is a difference in GIFT OF SPIRIT/GIFT FROM SPIRIT(Miraculous and non
miraculous)Gifts (Romans 12)
1.) Acts 2:38-39 ALL to receive
2.) Acts 2:17-18 UNIVERSALITY OF THE PROMISE – “All”
3.) Acts 5:32 “We are witnesses…so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to
those who obey Him.”
4.) Galatians 4:6 “Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of his
Son….
5.) 1 Corinthians 6:19 TEMPLE
6.) Romans 8:9 Read- IMPORTANT!
2. WE KNOW THE HOLY SPIRIT DOES NOT (as far as I know):
A. Empower us to – Nor do we need to work miracles to CONFIRM THE WORD –
DONE (John 20:30-31).
B. Guide us in a miraculous way eg. Angel/visions (eg. Cornelius – Acts 10)
C. Give us miraculous, (‘temporary’) gifts of the Spirit (I Cor. 12)
D. Yet I do not claim to know it all, and if God chooses to perform miracles… it’s fine
with me! I refuse to ‘put the Spirit in a box’ and tell Him what to do and not to do!
(Amen walls)
3. WHAT DOES THE SPIRIT DO?
A. Reveals Christ TO US/ Forms Christ IN US (the whole idea!)
1.) Ephesians 1:17 Paul prays “that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ ma y give
you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.”
2.) Galatians 4:19 “My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is
formed in you.”
3.) 2 Corinthians 3:18 Read
4.) Colossians 1:28 Read
B. Holy Spirit gives us ASSURANCE (Once saved always saved?/Once saved never
saved)
1.) (“You Belong To Me”)
2.) (Think on this!) IT IS EASY TO FALL FROM A CHECK LIST SYSTEM / HARD
TO FALL FROM RELATIONSHIP. (Luke 15:11-32; Romans 8).
3.) 2 Corinthians 1:22; 5:5: Ephesians 1:13-14 (“arobonah” = Pledge/Down Pmt/
Engagement ring)
C. Holy Spirit UNITES US TO THE BODY OF CHRIST
1.) Nicodemus – MUST BE BORN INTO THIS RELATIONSHIP – John 3:1-10
2.) I Corinthians 12:13 “For by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body…. and
have been made to drink into one Spirit.”
3.) Ephesians 4:2-4 “ONE”
D. Holy Spirit HELPS US OVERCOME THE LUSTS OF THE FLESH (produce
FRUIT)
1.) Romans 8:1-5… verses 9-10 IMPORTANT!
2.) Galatians 5:16, 18, 25.
3.) Orange Tree “It’s my nature”
E. Holy Spirit RAISES US IN THE RESURRECTION AT HIS SECOND COMING.
1.) Romans 8:11 READ!
4. NOTICE THE COMMAND: “BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT” (This is
imperative/continuous)
A. DIFFERENCE IN CAPACITY – “Child’s lungs” “Grown man’s lungs”
DIFFERENCE = CAPACITY
1.) Both FILLED – Both GROW IN capacity!!! (Same with being ‘filled’ with the
Spirit.
B. John 7:37-38 Thirsty believers WELCOME!
C. Ephesians 5:18-21 “WHAT IF EVERY CHRISTIAN understood/accepted/ HOLY
SPIRIT = WITH USEVERY MINUTE, SECOND OF THE DAY?! WHAT
DIFFERENCE / OUR LANGUAGE/HOME AND FAMILY?
Conclussion:
Relate the story of “The Gift” (Note articles which dad wrote for this story or get his book, “Fables”
(HOW GRACE UNITES – A STUDY OF ROMANS 16 thru 14)
* One of most marvelous thgs. a/GRACE = promotes and enables UNITY. “being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is ONE BODY, and ONE SPIRIT, just as you were called in ONE HOPE of your calling: ONE LORD, ONE FAITH, ONE BAPTISM, ONE GOD and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all” (Ephesians 4:3-6).
* Consider ‘unity’ of the body of Christ today… Do you see the “unity of the Spirit”? Is there a BOND OF PEACE? WHY? WHAT HAPPENED?
* Study GRACE – consider its REVOLUTIONARY NATURE. Revolutionary because:
1.) It is bigger more marvelous than we thought…
– Based on RELATIONSHIP with God thru Jesus, not PERFORMANCE
– Resulting in ONGOING FORGIVENESS of all who live within, not continual guilt
– Empowered by the HOLY SPIRIT which all who are ‘in Christ’ have
– Entered thru the ONE BIRTH (baptism) of WATER and SPIRIT
– Sustained by the ONE PERFECT, ETERNAL HIGH PRIEST – Jesus Christ
2.) How can the Holy Spirit bring UNITY BY GRACE TO THE BODY OF CHRIST ?
* We have studied Romans 1-8…now jump to the end… In this study we will be looking
at Romans backwards…
1. Romans 16
A. Vs. 17 “Now I urge you brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions
and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you have learned, and turn away
from them.”
1.) Strange place to begin a study on UNITY!
a.) This verse is used many times by those WHO DIVIDE BRETHREN!
B. What is “…the teaching you have learned…”?
1.) Romans 1-15! (Particularly ch. 14-15) which deals with HOW TO BE UNITED
C. Application: STAY AWAY FROM THOSE WHO TEACH AGAINST PAUL’S
TEACHINGS IN ROMANS. (What are some of the teachings of Romans?)
D. No surprise that FALSE TEACHERS “cause divisions”. They disagree with Paul’s
teachings on how not to divide! And now we know what “obstacles” they put in
the way–they sow seeds of division: false doctrines that are obstacles to being
united.
2. Romans 15
A. HIGHLIGHT Vs. 7 “WHEREFORE Accept one another, then, just as Christ
accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.”
1.) “Wherefore” refers back to immediate/general context.
2.) “accept” – present tense/continual ACCEPTANCE
3.) “accepted” – aorist – refers back to particular point in time.
4.) THEREFORE “(Continually) accept one another, just as Christ has accepted
(new birth) in order to bring praise to God.”
5.) Good comparisons of ‘just as’
a.) 1 Corinthians 11:1 “Be imitators of me, JUST AS I am also of Christ.”
b.) 1 Corinthians 13:12 “… but then I shall know fully JUST AS I also have
been fully known.”
6.) Romans 15:7 Re-written! “Continually accept one another, then, (in the same
way) Christ accepted you (when you were first re-born) in order to bring
praise to God.”
7.) Now ponder this one for a while. Paul says that acceptance of a brother or
sister in Christ should be based on the very same test as whether one is
accepted when they are redeemed! That test is simply faith, penitence, and
new birth of water and Spirit.
a.) Were early believers asked about their ideas of worship?
b.) Were they questioned as regarding their beliefs on instruments, divorce
and remarriage, one cup or many, co-operation with other congregations?!
c.) What if a member disagrees with me over an ‘issue’… can I / should I
accept him? ON WHAT BASIS?
B. Romans 15:5-6 Read
1.) Where does UNITY come from? Who’s UNITY IS IT?! Eph. 4:3 tells us this
UNITY IS OF AND FROM THE HOLY SPIRIT! IT’S A GIFT!
2.) How have we tried to make UNITY TODAY? HAVE WE SUCCEEDED? WHY?
3.) What is the solution? Repent and accept the unity of the Spirit which has been
created and given.
4.) Phil. 3:16
C. (Unity of the Spirit at work) Romans 15:1 Read IT’S THE “STRONG” THAT HAVE
THE BURDEN…
1.) Who are the weak?
2.) How can the “strong” bear the burden of the “weak”?
3. Romans 14:17-19 Read
A. Roman Christians disagreed at times (as do we).
1.) ‘Doctrinal’ issues – WHAT TO EAT/DAYS TO CELEBRATE
a.) Paul’s answer: THAT’S JUST NOT WHHAT THE KINGDOM IS ABOUT!
2.) What is the kingdom about? DOING GOOD/LIVING IN PEACE/JOY IN THE
SPIRIT
B. IMPORTANT: LEARN TO APPLY THE PRINCIPLES!!!
1.) Kingdom is not about rules over worship, church organization etc… yet we
argue and have divided over these things and more!
2.) What is the kingdom about? DOING GOOD/LIVING IN PEACE/JOY IN THE
SPIRIT.
3.) The church today believes Romans 14 = about MATTERS OF
INDIFFERENCE (color of carpet/which song book etc…) THIS IS WRONG!
4.) Romans 14 is about what they considered (big deal) DOCTRINAL
DIFFERENCES
a.) Eat meats offered to idols vs. vegetarianism (Jewish custom vs. Gentile
custom) cf. (I Corinthians 8). Some “yes” some “no”…
b.) Holy days to be kept (Sabbath) Some “yes” some “no”….
C. Romans 14:1-4 Read (cf. 15:7)
D. Romans 14:10
E. A DISPUTABLE MATTER: a disputable matter is any issue over which we can
dispute and still remain Christians. After all, how could we be disputing if the
issue were beyond dispute?! Hence, faith in Jesus and the Lordship of Jesus (our
obligation to obey) are not disputable. You cannot deny Jesus or rebel against his
authority and remain saved.
Conclusion: There is no doubt in my mind, that the UNITY OF THE SPIRIT WORKS BETTER THAN THE ‘UNITY’ OF MEN. It kinda frightens us because it challenges us to re-examine our ‘unity’ which seems to be ‘uniformity’. The danger (as I see it) of this is when brethren disagree, there is little ‘patience’, ‘love’… and ‘elbow room’ for growth… Too many times brethren who question, or disagree are told, “sorry, you just won’t be happy in this congregation”.
The Unity of the Spirit is all about the truth for sure. Yet it is all about how to deal with each other and growth in grace as well. The longer we force a false unity (uniformity) on the church, the more the chances of division if not over one issue, then over another.
(My thanks again to Jay Guinn on his lesson “Romans studied backwards”. Which is a part of his study on Amazing Grace, oneinjesus,info).
* Now that we are saved… “How shall we then live?” This is what most of the New Testament is about anyway, right?
* False teachers then and now… make it always important for Christians to study and grow and be able to ‘stand’ and ‘withstand’… (Hebrews 5:11-14).
* I John is all about TESTING those who claim to be teaching truth and all through this letter, he is fighting against false teachers while encouraging the brethren to STAND!
* Key Verse (I John 1:7) “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin.
a.) ‘blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin’ ““Purifies” is in the present tense, which in the Greek means “continuously purifies.” This is a promise of on-going salvation–but not a salvation that can’t be lost. He’s not teaching once saved always saved. But he is teaching that salvation should be continuous, not occasional. I Jno. 1:9 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
b.) John does not define what ‘walk in the light’ is immediately, however he does present a number of tests which will help us understand what this is.
1. TEST ONE: ACKNOWLEDGING OUR SINS
I Jno. 1:9 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and
purify (PRESENT TENSE) us from all unrighteousness.”
A. Promise: CONTINUAL FORGIVENESS if we do this. (Not ‘once saved always
saved’ but ON GOING).
B. Difficulty: MISTRANSLATION of ‘homologeo’ (confess) which actually means
“ACKNOWLEDGE”
1.) John is not speaking of a legalistic requirement to come to front and confess
each sin in order to be forgiven.
2.) John is saying ACKNOWLEDGING OUR SINFULNESS and thus our
continual need for His grace.
3.) Example: I John 4:2-3, 15; 2 John 7 “acknowledge”. “Homologeo” = never used
of confessing sin in NT.
4.) The word used for confession of sin is usually “exomologeo,” as in James 5:16
and Matthew 3:6.
C. Compare I John 1:8-10 The writer uses the term “claim” (“confess”) “claim”.
D. The contrast is with refusing to admit that we sin. Thus the test is not whether we
have confessed each sin, but whether we ADMIT, ACKNOWLEDGE that we are
sinners… thus in need of God’s grace and mercy. So long as we refuse to do
this… we are denied SALVATION.
2. TEST TWO: LOVE
I John 2:3-11 Read
A. Compare this with John 15:10-14 Read “My command is this…”
1.) Jesus says, OBEY MY COMMANDS… His command = LOVE EACH
OTHER!
2.) Compare this with Matthew 7:12; Luke 10:25-28; Romans 13:3-10; Galatians
5:14; James 2:8
3. TEST THREE: DOING RIGHTEOUSNESS
I John 2:29 “If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who does what
is right has been born of him.”
A. “What is right” = better translated as “righteousness” or even “justice”
B. Amos 5:7-24 (especially verses 7, 10-12, 15, 21-24)
C. John is not speaking of attending services, giving etc… he is speaking more
about caring for people God cares about.
D. John expands on ‘Doing righteousness’ which is opposed to a life of (practicing)
sin. (cf. Romans 6:1-2)
1.) I Jno. 3:3-6 Christians don’t continue in sin… we REPENT AND KEEP
GROWING. WE NEVER DEFEAT SIN COMPLETELY, BUT WE KEEP
GROWING IN GRACE, AND PUTTING MORE AND MORE SIN
BEHIND US.
2.) I Jno. 3:10-11 Do what is right = really do righteousness. This connects loving
each other with doing righteousness…. They are not two commands but ONE
BIG ONE.
3.) I Jno. 3:16-18 Love always requires action (the same as with faith!)
4.) I Jno. 3:22-23 How can we truly believe and not obey?
4. TEST FOUR: THE HOLY SPIRIT
I John 3:24 “Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is
how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.”
A. I Jno. 2:20
1.) “Anointing” is a reference to the Spirit (Acts 10:38; 2 Cor. 1:21-22). Luke
declares that Jesus was anointed by the Spirit (Luke 4:18). Of course,
“Messiah” and “Christ” mean “the anointed one,” referring most
immediately to kingship and the oil of anointing ceremonially used in
designating a man king.
2.) Jesus was ‘anointed’ with the Spirit at his immersion… then his miracles and
ministry began…
3.) We are anointed at ours as we become a ‘royal priesthood’ (1 peter 2:9).
4.) Cf. Ephesians 1:20-23; Ephesians 2:1-7; Revelation 1:6 (KJV)
5.) I John 5:6-8 “truth” refers to truth about Jesus- the Gospel- (I Jno. 2:21-23;
Jno. 14:6; 2 Cor. 11:10; Gal. 2:5; Heb. 10:26-27; Heb. 8:10-12)
6.) It’s characteristic of our new life in Jesus that the Spirit indwells us and
teaches us how to be more and more like Jesus–to have faith, to love in action
and deed, and to do righteousness.
B. John 3:8 tells us the Spirit works but the only way we can tell is by the effect seen
in our lives.
1.) I Jno. 4:2-3 Read
5. TEST FIVE: ACKNOWLEDGING APOSTOLIC TEACHING
A. I Jno. 4:6
B. In John’s way of thinking, there are only two kinds of people
a.) SAVED b.) LOST
Faith Deny Jesus
Admit sinfulness Deny sinfulness
Love others Hate others
Do righteousness Don’t do righteousness
Possess the Spirit Don’t have the Spirit
Purify himself Continue in sin
Acknowledge Rejects the auth. Of apostles
authority of the apostles
C. John is speaking to Christians who understand that without His grace… they are
lost in sin.
a.) Phil. 2:12-13 “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed–not only
in my presence, but now much more in my absence–continue to
work out (mine out/ dig deep) your salvation with fear and
trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act
according to his good purpose.”
i.) Paul is encouraging Christians to “mine out” their salvation. ie Explore the
depths and grow.
These are the five tests of First John by which he explains who is walking in the light.
(Special thanks to Jay Guinn for his study on Ist John in his study on Grace.)
BALANCE is the goal not only in our study of “Amazing Grace” but all scripture. Just how SECURE is a Christian?
* Hebrews = not usually studied in a class on grace. Incredibly important!
* Background:
a.) Law of Moses – Constantly refers to TEMPLE AND ANIMAL SACRIFICES
b.) Temple – Holy Place/Holy of Holies/Ark of Covenant
(Cries of animals/trumpets/songs/incense/and praises to God)
c.) Leviticus 1 – Sacrifice for atonement described
d.) Only High Priest could enter Holy place and ONLY on Day of Atonement (Yom
Kippur)
e.) Holy of Holies = the Shekinah – “GLORY OF GOD”. Blood offered for sins of the
people here by the High Priest once a year.
f.) Lev. 16 The curtain (or veil) that blocked the entrance to the Holy of Holies was torn
when Jesus was crucified, evidencing God’s opening of this Most Holy Place to all
who’d be saved through Jesus. The tearing of the veil also means that God himself
is no longer hidden from his people. After all, this is where God dwelt. Because the
“mercy seat” was above the ark of the covenant, we can now approach the “throne
of grace” with confidence.
g.) Lev. 16:2 “mercy seat”
h.) Hebrews 4:16 “throne of grace”
1. “ONCE FOR ALL” and “PERFECT FOREVER”
A. Hebrews 7-9
1.) Hebrews 7:27-28
a,) Here the author contrasts Jesus’ once-for-all sacrifice with the constantly
repeated sacrifices of the priests at the Jewish temple, required by the Law
of Moses. Moreover, Jesus’ sacrifice made him “perfect forever.” No further
sacrifice will ever be required of Jesus.
2.) Based on Hebrews 7:23-25 Read. (Jesus will never die = “save completely”
Christians. His intercession for us is as unending as His life.
3.) Now, we see that “forever” means for as long as Jesus lives. When he makes
his followers “perfect forever,” that means for just as long as Jesus lives!
B. Hebrews 9:11-12 Notice “once for all”
C. Hebrews 9:25-28 “once for all” “to do away with sin”
1.) Moses covenant = inferior because provided temporary salvation
2.) After priest performed sacrifice/ sinner = forgiven until sinned again
3.) Forgiveness was based on repeating the sacrifices
4.) Forgiveness for Christian is continuous and unending.
5.) Made perfect forever
D. Hebrews 10:1-4 Notice …“it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly
year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship…. Once for all….”
1.) Hebrews 10:9-10, 12-14
a.) Here’s the gospel in a nutshell. Jesus offered one sacrifice which resulted
in the forgiveness of all those “being made holy” forever. Forever! Perfect
forever. Just as Jesus himself was made perfect forever by his obedient
sacrifice, so are his followers.We, of course, aren’t really perfect, but we
are counted as perfect. However, this assumes that we are yielding to
God’s efforts to make us holy in fact.
2.) Hebrews 10:15-18
3.) Hebrews 10:19-22
2. FALLING AWAY – Most severe warning in the Bible
A. Hebrews 10:26-27 (cf. vs.18)
1.) Baptized into Christ is ‘once for all’ no more …
B. If we throw away salvation = no more sacrifice left.
C. This is so bad, that Martin Luther questioned the inspiration of Hebrews!
3. Consider these things…
A. This is only when we deliberately continue to sin…
B. This is opposite of being penitent…
1.) To be saved we must be penitent/ to stay saved… soft/penitent heart.
2.) Practical terms: IF WE NO LONGER TAKE JESUS AS OUR LORD/TURN
OUR BACKS ON HIM… OUR HEARTS BECOME HARD / WE ARE LOST
AND CAN NOT COME BACK. (BEYOND REPENTANCE.)
C. However, if a Christian has left the fellowship of the church, sinned greatly, and
eventually repented and returns, then he cannot have fallen away (like the
Hebrew writer refers to), because it’s impossible for those who’ve fallen away to
repent. No more sacrifice for sin remains.
D. Lk. 15 God is always ready to forgive…but if one comes to Jesus and receives his
Spirit and then QUENCHES THE SPIRIT / TURNS AWAY AND REFUSES TO
COME BACK… THERE IS NO MORE SACRIFICE.
1.) I Timothy 4:2
2.) 2 Peter 2:20-22
3.) Hebrews 6:4-6
4.) Hebrews 12:15; Dt. 29:18-20
a.) Danger = relying on grace and think you are safe even though one persists
on going their way.
b.) Falling away = the end of a bad path of rebellion, unbelief and
disobedience. Dangerous because we can become INSENSITIVE to our
own sin.
c.) Mark 4:18-19 “… the DECEITFULNESS of wealth…”
d.) Hebrews 3:13 “sins deceitfulness”
5.) THE DANGER OF SIN = THE DECEITFULNESS OF IT. GETTING FARTHER
AND FARTHER AWAY FROM JESUS.
6.) Just before the warning of Heb. 10:26ff the writer says, (Heb 10:23-25) “Let us
hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good
deeds. 25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of
doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day
approaching.
(Special thanks to Jay Guinn (oneinjesus.info) for his work on this lesson on Amazing Grace)
* Romans has always been an exciting book to study… yet finding the balance Paul
speaks of has been difficult for many who have written commentaries as well as those
who have presented sermons based on Romans.
* Debaters have argued from the same book of Romans for and against FAITH ONLY
SALVATION. The problem of coming to the scriptures with a bias, has led many into a
position which Paul never intended.
* BALANCE IS NEEDED… Any truth can be taken to extreme and made into a false
doctrine.
* Paul’s letter to the Roman church is one which is truly amazing. As usual he is
concerned with the problem of legalism… Yet as he writes he is sure to include the
encouragement which Christians of all ages still hunger for.
* Thus, it is time for some encouragement! Look at how grace works after salvation
according to Paul.
* “We generally start with the assumption that the rules dramatically change after
salvation. And to this extent, we’re right. But we assume the standard gets tougher, that
God holds us to an ever-higher standard. But while there’s a germ of truth in that
thought, it misses the much larger point. Although God does have very high expectations
for his children, his forgiveness is far greater for the saved than for the being-saved.”
* The most needed (over-looked) passage: Romans 5:8-10
a.) Justification (Above charge/No indictment) – Our Pardon
b.) The Means of Pardon (cross)/ The place of Pardon (“in Christ”) WHILE STILL
ENEMIES
* The most extraordinary passage: Romans 5:9-10
a.) Pay attention to and discuss “MUCH MORE”
b.) What does this say to us NOW as opposed to when we were saved?
c.) How clean were we when just saved? How many sins were charged against us
then?
d.) When immersed ALL SINS WASHED AWAY/ NEW LIFE… but this is how sins
continue to be washed!
* Most misunderstood passage: Romans 7:18-24
* Paul knows he cannot measure up/ always messing up/ concludes with a plea- how
can he be rescued? He has been saved. Immersed for remission of sins. His answer
is not re-baptism.. it is something more!
1. Romans 8
A. Vs. 1 NO LOST CHRISTIANS EVEN IN WEAK MOMENTS
B. Vs. 2 Law of sin and death = when one sins he dies
1.) Romans 1:32
2.) Romans 5:12
3.) Paul says WE ARE FREE FROM THIS LAW
C. Vs. 3-4
1.) REQUIREMENTS OF LAW = FULLY MET IN US
2.) Not occasionally met! Not met when we ‘do’ things… but because HE did!
* Now let’s look at the personal indwelling of the Holy Spirit…
D. Vs. 5-9
(Paul says that we are supposed to live according to the Spirit. No. That’s not
right. He says we do live according to the Spirit. It’s not a condition or maybe. It’s
a fact. All Christians do this. Therefore, Paul says, we Christians have our minds
set on the Spirit’s desires. Now, we’ve discussed the Spirit before. The Spirit
works in us to make us ever-more holy, to give us joy, to give us gifts to be used
in God’s service, to bear the fruit of the Spirit.
1.) How important is the ‘mind set’?
2.) What does this mean?
3.) How this supposed to affect the Christians life?
4.) How close does this make us to God? (John 17:20-23) “… you in me and I in
you..”
E. Vs. 10-11
1.) Begin chapter with ALL CHRISTIANS ARE SAVED ALL THE TIME!
2.) ALL CHRISTIANS HAVE THE SPIRIT ALL THE TIME!
3.) There is no ‘in and out’ of Christ as we do good and bad – saved by Jesus!
F. Vs. 12-14 (by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body)
1.) Rather than dying because of sin/ the Spirit helps us put sin to death. NO JOY
IN SIN!
2.) Condition – “if” because we can ‘quench’ the Spirit (what this mean?)
3.) Ephesians 2:8-10
4.) WE ARE HIS CHILDREN vs. 14 (NOTE: PAUL DOES NOT TEACH ONCE
SAVED ALWAYS SAVED…. HE DOES TEACH ONCE SAVED NOW SAVED!
IT IS EASY TO FALL FROM A ‘SYSTEM’ (LAW/WORKS), BUT IT IS HARD
TO FALL FROM A RELATIONSHIP (CF. LK. 15:11-32).
5.) We have used the pulpit and periodicals far too long to ‘run down’ brethren,
and take away their hope and confidence. Paul didn’t do this. He gave
Christians confidence, yet warned against taking grace for granted…
BALANCE.
G. Vs. 15-17 ABBA FATHER – WE BELONG TO HIM!
H. Vs. 18-25 Future glory for the Christian is waiting!!!
I. Vs. 26-27 THE HOLY SPIRIT HELPS US IN PRAYER
J. Vs. 28-37 More than conquerors (THAT’S WHO WE ARE ‘IN AND BECAUSE OF
JESUS)
K. Vs. 38-39 WHO CAN SEPARATE US FROM OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD?!
“WE DON’T EARN OUR SALVATION! WE RESPOND TO OUR SALVATION. REDEMPTION BRINGS US INTO CHRIST AND HIS FAMILY… THE “CREATION OF GOD”. CREATED TO DO GOOD WORKS. IF WE AS HIS NEW CREATION DO NOT DO THE GOOD WORKS HE PLANNED… WE HAVE FRUSTRATED THE VERY PURPOSE OF OUR SALVATION.”
(Special thanks to Jay Guinn (www.oneinjesus.info). His lessons on Amazing Grace have been very helpful in this class material..)
“AMAZING GRACE”
Just one lesson won’t change a person…. BEGIN TO THINK/CHANGE
* WHO Can Save? WHAT can Save?
WHO? WHAT?
God Grace (God by His marvelous grace)
Jesus Blood (Sent His Only Son to shed His blood)
H/S Gospel (Who sent the Spirit who revealed the Gospel)
Every- Obedience (That every person might obey/be redeemed)
Person
* Problem = EMPHASIS and BALANCE
* (Ref. to hand illustration above) Which ones do we emphasize? (We don’t ignore any! Emphasize some over others). ALL IMPORTANT – LACK OF BALANCE LEADS TO PROBLEMS – LACK OF U/STAND/ HOW EACH APPLIES/FITS TOGETHER AND WORKS.
* J.W. DEBATE
* Ohio/ motel/restaurant/ “You a Baptist preacher? ONCE SAVED ALWAYS
SAVED/ “WRONG”…. “You a Church of Christ preacher.” “Right” “You believe
ONCE SAVED NEVER SAVED” “Right” “That’s Wrong” “If I’m wrong and you are
wrong… who is right?”
* UNFAIR FOR PREACHERS TODAY… BEC. PREACHES ARE TREATED
DIFFERENTLY – Modern time/ don’t act normal around preacher. (“Preacher
coming”- Emergency clean up mode)(Preacher’s house gets dirty)(Pedestal/Elevate)-
(Little boy on farm/ ran in with dead RAT… “Momma look! A rat/ I smashed his brains
out w/rock…. (saw the preacher) “And the dear Lord has taken it to heaven!”)
* ALL STAND IN NEED of balance on GRACE! (Preacher’s as well!)
* IMPORTANT how we look at the Word. (I look at the Word as a DISCIPLE (learner).
* I don’t need u/stand Greek to u/stand GRACE!
1. WE ARE GOOD ON SPECIFICS BUT POOR ON GENERALITIES
A. (Draw umbrella curve) Love, Joy, Peace, Mercy, Gentleness, Kindness,
1.) Church = strong on SPECIFICS (H.B.R.C.B., LS etc…)
2.) Religious neighbors strong on GENERALITIES (Love, Joy, Peace, Bro.
kindness…)
B. In other words:
1.) ‘Grace’ Preacher = grace, grace, grace… knows nothing a/judgment/hell
fire/damnation (Social feel good gospel)
a.) Question: WHY PREACH ON GRACE W/O acknowledgment of
SIN/DAMNATION bec. GRACE COVERS SIN AND SAVES FROM
CERTAIN DAMNATION.
b.) Out of balance
2.) ‘Hell-fire and Damnation’ Preacher = sin, sin, sin, damnation and hell fire…
(Feel bad gospel)
a.) Question: Why preach on sin, hell fire, damnation w/o GRACE which
covers sin, and provides a confidence of being heaven bound.
3.) WE DON’T NEED MORE HELL FIRE PREACHERS OR GRACE
PREACHERS…. WE NEED MORE PREACHERS OF BALANCE WHO KNOW
HOW THIS ALL FITS TOGETHER.
4.) How – appreciate GRACE if never see how sinful we are?
a.) Paul APPRECIATED GRACE… saw himself “CHIEF OF SINNERS.”
(1 Tim.1:15) cf. vs 13-14
5.) Created a generation of GUILT RIDDEN ‘SPIRITUAL MASOCHISTS’ (love a
whipping).
a.) “I just don’t feel good till I’ve been to church and gotta good whipping.”
b.) IMPORTANT: “JESUS IS NOT OUR DEBT COLLECTOR! HE IS OUR
DEBT PAYER”
6.) “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save
the world through him” (John 3:17).
7.) IMPORTANT: “Man is NOT GOING TO BE LOST if refuse to BELIEVE,
REPENT, BAPTIZED HE IS ALREADY LOST!”
8.) Gospel IS NOT A WHIP it is a LIFE LINE!
2. GRACE AND ROMANS
A. Rom. 1 Gentiles=lost (morality IS NOT answer to sin/ GRACE=ANSWER)
B. Rom. 2 Jews=lost (had the law/promises/covenants)
C. Rom. 3:20 “Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the
works of (the) law; rather, through (the) law we become conscious of our sin.”
1.) CAUTION: “CAN MAKE LAW OF CHRIST INTO A LAW OF MOSES WITH
ANOTHER NAME.”
2.) John 1:14,16-18 JC FULL OF GRACE AND TRUTH. God sent Him/ show us
GOD (hard to u/stand God). PUT ARMS AROUND THIS BLDG… CAN’T…
PUT YOUR HAND ON DOOR KNOB… OPEN DOOR AND COME IN… I can
do that….
D. Romans 3:9-12, 20 (Law shows us WE ARE SINFUL)(Couldn’t live up to it/under
it)
1.) ANY PERFECT DRIVER’S HERE? (Illustration of two pieces of 2 inch cash
register paper about six feet long. On one there is a list of various traffic
violations (law/works)/ on the other there is nothing (Grace/faith)).
E. Romans 3:21
1.) (Draw cross) Why Jesus Christ die? (save from sin?!) BEFORE THIS = MAKE
GOD (“G” above cross) RIGHTEOUS IN JUSTIFYING LOST MANKIND.
2.) JC = my Sin offering/ Atonement/ Propitiation/ Lamb/ TO MAKE GOD
JUST/RIGHTEOUS IN SAVING ‘JACK’ (Draw stick figure).
3.) “Jack! You a sinner?!” ABSOLUTELY! How save Jack? “It’s not over yet!”
4.) (Point to the cross) YES IT IS! He paid for it ALL.
5.) Isaiah 53:11 “SATISFIED” (Draw line from God to Jack) Now I can save Jack!
6.) (God’s grace = not direct. NEED THE MESSAGE OF JESUS (Cross)(Arrow
from God to cross). (Man has to come to the sacrifice.) (Christian has to
depend on sacrifice.)
7.) Question: IS THE SACRIFICE GOOD ENOUGH TO DO THE JOB?
BEFORE/AFTER? YES!
F. Romans 3:22 Disagree with translation in NKJV/ NIV… KJV = “through
faith(fullness) of Jesus Christ…”
1.) “Heaven bound?” “Yes!” “Because of the righteousness of God/faithfulness of
Jesus Christ”
a.) God/Jesus/HS DID NOT QUIT!
b.) 1 Corinthians 1:9 GOD IS FAITHFUL
c.) Don’t mean to disappoint you… I AM A SINNER/FAULTS/HUMAN.
d.) What are you Jack? I AM A LEARNER/FOLLOWER… (“L”)
e.) I can follow Jesus… but I’m ‘heaven bound’ BECAUSE HE IS FAITHFUL
TO HIS PROMISE! (Bec. Of what HE is not bec. Of what I am.)
f.) NEED TO GET THIS! Otherwise you’ll go to bed thinking… “I just can’t
make it!”
g.) Balance = BIG GRACE/NOT SMALL
(“Forgive me Lord”,”Forgive me Lord”,”Forgive me Lord”, “Forgive me
Lord”)
h.) “Bro. Jack… ARE YOU A CHANGE AGENT, LIBERAL, ANTI,
CONSERVATIVE, ULTRA CONSERV., MIDDLE OF THE ROADER?”
etc…
1.) I AM A DISCIPLE!!! – imperfect/growing/changing – disciple
2.) Hugo McCord “Here’s what I believe now… didn’t use to, but do now, and
may change later.” (Great to be free in Christ TO GROW w/o being labeled!)
3.) Word of God doesn’t change…. But IT IS MEAN TO CHANGE ME!
G. Romans 3:23-24
1.) “Bro. Jack, Do you believe in baptism?” NO- I BELIEVE IN JESUS… HE
COMMANDED IT..
2.) If Jesus said, “He that believes and claps his hands before a crowd will be
saved.” I would be preaching that. (BELIEVE IN THE MAN AND OBEY THE
COMMAND.)
H. Romans 3:25-26
I. Romans 4/ James 2 BIG WORD – “Merit”(Write Merit)
1.) No room for GRACE IN MERIT SYSTEM (Does not work together)
2.) Define Grace – UNMERITED FAVOR
3.) Want to GROW? Grow in grace! ‘BECOME’ IN GRACE WHAT GOD WANTS!
Cf. (I Cor. 15:10) GRACE/I AM WHAT I AM/WORKER HARDER
Cf. Phil. 2:12-13
J. Romans 4:1-5 CREDIT/MERIT
1.) God is the one who promised… NOT ABRAHAM, NOT ME…
2.) CREDITED TO ABRAHAM’S ACCOUNT… no merit at ALL.
K. Romans 4:14, 16
L. Romans 5:1-2
1.) HERE IT IS… YOU WANT TO COME TO GOD? YES. BUT I DON’T
UNDERSTAND GOD! OK, THEN COME TO JESUS. PUT YOUR ARMS
AROUND JESUS… (Door/Door knob- open the door/come into
Christ)… JESUS IS OUR GRACE/POWER TO BE AND BECOME. POWER
TO GROW AND CHANGE.
M. Romans 6 (The problem) vs. 1-2 (Chapter 6 teaches…)
1.) God destroys the PRINCIPLE OF SIN (no more JOY IN SIN!) But I still sin! =
HUMANITY/ YOU ARE DEAD!
2.) God destroys in us the POWER OF SIN (Not one sin/ UNFORGIVABLE/
POWER TO WIN!)
3.) God destroys the PUNISHMENT OF SIN.
N. Notice Ephesians 2 (Card)
1.) Vss. 4-5 (Card)
2.) No mention ATTEND 3x/WK, KITCHENS/CUPPS/CARPETS/HATS/HAIR.. nor
all the other ‘laws’ we impose on ea other as ‘necessary’ or ‘not’. GREATER
PRINCIPLE WHICH GOVERNS OUR LIFE – GRACE!!!
3.) JC = LIVE IN THE CHRISTIAN/ HE IS OUR GRACE AND LAW. BEAR FRUIT
BEC. GOING TO HEAVEN NOT IN ORDER TO GO TO HEAVEN. NO MERIT
ON MY PART! GOD DOES THE WORK!
4.) Vss. 6-10 (Card)
a.) What we call s/one ATTENDS EV. SERVICE? (Faithful), ATTENDS
SOME? ATTENDS NONE? (UN-faithful)
b.) I used to preach (Ruler) 40% me and 60% God! NOW 100% GRACE.
c.) HOW MUCH HAVE TO PRAY/GIVE/SING/STUDY to be considered
GRACE
d.) WE HAVE TAUGHT / LET PEOPLE CONCLUDE…. NEVER ENOUGH
e.) EXAMINATION/ ANSWER OUT LOUD…
1.) Could you PRAY MORE? GIVE MORE? WIN SOULS MORE? SERVE
MORE? BE BETTER WIN MORE SOULS? (“Yes”) (Then you are bad
people) THIS IS LAW/WORKS IN ACTION!!!
2.) Repeat questions from #1… GRACE SAYS,,,, WONDERFUL, GROW…
LET ME HELP YOU UP…
3.) Both may get job done… DIFFERENCE = ONE HAS GUILT AND ONE
HAS JOY!
4.) ONE HAS ACCEPTANCE AND ENCOURAGEMENT… THE OTHER…
if you do and give more… ACCEPTANCE DEPENDS ON
PERFORMANCE!
5.) THE LIST (A woman who was married to abusive husband who gave
her a daily work list. If not done he beat her. One day police come and
report that husband is killed in auto accident. Years pass, and she falls
in love with wonderful man. They live in her old house, she is cleaning
one day in attic and finds the list. She looks and see she is doing all
and more that is on list, but now she does it out of love… not fear!
f.) EXAMINATION #2.
1.) Do you attend, give, sing, pray, be faithful H/W… in order to go to
heaven or because you’re going to heaven?
2.) ORANGE TREE (Florida) Grove/ small tree/ “You’re an orange tree…
“Yeah” “You grow Oranges!” “That’s right- it’s my nature”. JESUS
BROKE SIN IN MY LIFE/ DON’T ENJOY SIN/ DON’T WANT SIN… I
PRAY/SING /GIVE… BECAUSE IT IS GOD’S NATURE IN ME.
ENCOURAGE UNITY/ FORGIVE OTHERS BECAUSE IT IS HIS
NATURE IN ME.
3.) Galatians 2:20 NO LONGER I THAT LIVE….
4.) I DON’T HAVE TO/ I WANT TO!!!
Conclussion:
* Lk. 15 Sheep/Coin/Son/ BUSINESS MAN’S GRACE = I’LL WORK! BREAK SELFISH PRIDE…. FATHER FORGAVE WHEN HE …….. LEFT HOME! Received it when came home! Ed said to dad “Law= you can give stocks and bonds = tax deductible.” Dad thought, “Ed, all that I have is yours.” Most amazing thing…. Heaven/ a part of it = mine.”
* Sharlene/ I want to come home…. Mom…. “One condition” – “No questions asked”
Salvation is offered to one and all…. No questions asked…. R/Be Baptized…. Saved or just COME HOME.
* “I LOVE YOU ANYWAY” (For this story, go to dad’s articles.)
(Note: Since this is an outline… I would encourage you to obtain the Video (coming soon I hope) or the audio version of the lesson to get more details on the illustrations as well as dad’s study on Ephesians 2:1-10, which is on the audio lesson. He always used a limited basic outline. “Most of this is in my head and my heart” he said…
This outline is taken from the DVD version of this lesson. This along with the VHS version will be coming as soon as I figure how to get it done. Keep in mind… one does not have to agree on everything dad says… He always had his class understand and repeat at the beginning of his class… the “I JUST DON’T AGREE WITH YOU ON THAT.” principle. Reason? Because we don’t know how to disagree without getting mad, walking out, ‘black listing’ or putting someone on ‘trial’. Dad nor I believe in UNIFORMITY… This is not meant to be hurtful or offensive… but brethren just don’t have to agree on everything to go to heaven. I would be happy to answer your questions and clarify some things if you have questions. This outline is provided to help Christians grow in grace.)