Bible Study - God Loves ME

Hi Everyone
Here are the notes for the Bible Study - "God Loves ME".  

Click here to download the audio file.

You can also access the whole load of Friday Night Bible Study audio files.

Be blessed!
Chris


1.   Remember the Agape Chapter
1 Corinthians 13:4 [God] suffers long and is kind; [God] does not envy; [God] does not parade [Himself], is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek [His] own, is not provoked, thinks no (keeps no record of) evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 [God] never fails. (NKJV)

2.   God Loves Me – Personally
John 13:34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (NKJV)
We need to know that He loves us personally.

1 John 4:19 We love Him because He first loved us. (NKJV)
The only reason we can love the Lord is when we know His love for us.

3.   Take a Lesson from John
John 13:23 Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. (NKJV)

John 20:2 Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.” (NKJV)

John 21:7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea. (NKJV)

John 21:20 Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” (NKJV)

Take a leaf from John’s book. We need to have this revelation John had, that Jesus loved him so much. John went on to write 1,2 and 3 John which focus so much on God’s love.
[Your name here] Whom Jesus Loves
Write this on your mirror – “Look who Jesus loves!”

4.   God Loves Me – Willingly
God loves us WILLINGLY. He could not wait for the moment that sin was paid for, that before the devil He could say He was justly saving Man

Mark 15:37 And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last. 38 Then the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. (NKJV)
The veil was said to be 30 feet wide 60 feet high and as thick as a man’s hand, and it took 300 priests to put it in place. It was torn from TOP to bottom the moment Jesus died.
Now God could readily invite man to be reunited with Him. God so loved the world that He had given His only begotten Son, that the world through Him might not perish, but KNOW Him. God longs for sweet communion with His creation once again.

Anything preaching, teaching, Christian song, whatever, that smacks of God accepting us grudgingly or unwillingly is not from God.

Luke 15:4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ 7 I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance. (NKJV)

Luke 15: 8 “Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!’ 10 Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (NKJV)

Luke 15:20 “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. (NKJV)

Luke 15:22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. 23 And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; 24 for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry. (NKJV)

Love beyond saving me into heaven alone. Save = "Sozo" - made complete, healed, whole.

Ephesians 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. (NKJV)

5   God Loves Me - Eternally
John 17:23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. (NKJV)

Romans 8:38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NKJV)

6   I Need to Know His Love for Me
Romans 8:37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. (NKJV)
We conquer when we know Him who loved us.

Ephesians 3: 14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. (NKJV)

That’s why we are looking at knowing God. God is Love and knowing God = knowing Love.

That's why we are learning all the attributes, learning about and to know God.

7.   Come and Feast – Accept His Love
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NKJV)

Hebrews 10:2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins. (NKJV)

Don’t run away. Don’t say you aren’t good enough. Don’t beat yourself on the head. Being not good enough is the best qualification to be good enough!
Accept it, enjoy it, revel in it, give thanks for it, let the world know about it!

Psalm 34:8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! (NKJV)
If this is not true, we have little to lose. If we live without His love, our lives are miserable anyway. If we throw ourselves at His love, we can’t go wrong.

8.   Other Verses to Meditate on
1 John 4:9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. (NKJV)

1 John 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. (NKJV)

John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. (NKJV)

1 John 4:19 We love Him because He first loved us. (NKJV)

1 Timothy 1:14 And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. (NKJV)

John 17:26 And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.” (NKJV)

Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (NKJV)

Jeremiah 31:3 The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you. (NKJV)

John 13: 1 Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. (NKJV)

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (NKJV)

Psalm 23: 1 A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever. (NKJV)

John 10:14 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. (NKJV)

Romans 5:5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. (NKJV)

Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (NKJV)

Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? (NKJV)

Romans 8:37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. (NKJV)
We are not conquerors because we are more religious, more righteous, less sinful. We are conquerors through Him who loved us. We who are aware are conquerors.

2 Corinthians 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen. (NKJV)

Ephesians 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. (NKJV)

2 Thessalonians 3:5 Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ. (NKJV)

1 Timothy 1:14 And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. (NKJV)

1 John 3:1 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. (NKJV)

The Cure for the Blues

I have the cure for the blues today!  Scripture tells us to rejoice in the Lord:

Psalm 118:24 This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it. (NKJV)

and

Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! (NKJV)

Follow me through to the end of this message and meditate on the verses here, I GUARANTEE that you will be rejoicing and praising the Lord by then.

Strengthen and Encourage Yourself Today

Let’s look at the example of David.  This was after he and his men lost all their families and possessions to the Amalekites and his men were so upset that they were ready to stone him.

1 Samuel 30:6 Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God. (NKJV)

David was GREATLY DISTRESSED, the passage says, but he STRENGTHENED HIMSELF IN THE LORD.  The KJV says he ENCOURAGED himself.  I suspect he went back to spending time remembering God’s goodness to him, spending time in God’s Word as was told to Joshua

Joshua 1:8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. (NKJV)

Mind you, David only had the first 5 books of the Bible to encourage himself with.  Today, we have the full benefit of the Word, telling us of a Better Covenant purchased by the Blood of Jesus!  How much more should we be able to encourage ourselves in the Lord?

God IS With Us!

Just take a look at a few of the promises He has given us.  For starters, when we realise that God is with us, in us, for us and will never leave us…

Matthew 28: 18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 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, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. (NKJV)

The one who has been given ALL AUTHORITY in Heaven and on Earth is with me forever!

John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— (NKJV)

The Creator of the Universe and everything that exists has chosen to make you His dwelling place for all of eternity.  Just stop and meditate on that for a few seconds.

John 17:22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. (NKJV)

And God the Father loves me as He loves Jesus!

Colossians 1:27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. (NKJV)

Christ IS in me, my hope of glory!

1 Thessalonians 5:9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. (NKJV)

We are not destined for wrath, but we will always be with Him.

God IS For Us

Romans 8:38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NKJV)

NOTHING, NOTHING, NOTHING can separate us from the Love of God.

2 Corinthians 2:14 Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. (NKJV)

God ALWAYS leads us in triumph in Christ!

Philippians 4:12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (NKJV)

In all situations, we can do ALL THINGS, live through and thrive amidst any outside circumstance through Christ.

1 John 4:4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. (NKJV)

We have overcome the world – Christ in us is greater than the world, like our Lord Himself said:

John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (NKJV)

In Him we have peace – He HAS OVERCOME the world!

2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (NKJV)

We have no need to fear – we have power, love and sound minds.

Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, (NKJV)

He is able to do EXCEEDINGLY, ABUNDANTLY above all we ask or think.  You ain’t seen nuthin’ yet!

So what’s stopping us?

David’s key – MEDITATE, MEDITATE, MEDITATE on God’s Word. 

Get into the Word until the Word gets into us!

Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. 3 He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. (NKJV)

This is what I call REPLACEMENT THERAPY.  David's intent is not in avoiding sin, but replacing it with God's Word.  He meditates DAY AND NIGHT.

What is the pervasive/dominant thought that is in the front of your mind at any time?  That’s what you are meditating on.

2 Corinthians 10:5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, (NKJV)

For the Word to benefit, they must be mixed with FAITH.  We must believe what the Word says to us.

Hebrews 4:2 For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. (NKJV)

and Faith comes by hearing and hearing and hearing the Word of God.

Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (NKJV)

It was hearing then because many couldn't read.  Today, we can read it, hear it, watch it – so many ways that we have no excuse.  Talk to yourself about God’s Word.  Toss it about in your mind aloud.  Like God told Joshua, it should not depart FROM YOUR MOUTH.  It will build the very faith you need to mix the Word with.  Hearing once, reading once won't likely change us.

Meditate DAY and NIGHT and you will be unshakeable and whatever you do WILL prosper.

Our Lord Jesus said:

John 8:31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (NKJV)

When the truth of God’s goodness sinks into your heart, it will SET YOU FREE.  When you know and you know and you know that you have a God who will never let you down, you cannot but rejoice.  Depression will only have to flee.

HALLELUJAH!

When that happens, we can say and believe

Psalm 118:6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? (NKJV)

Romans 8: 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? (NKJV)

Who can be against us?  He gave His Son for us.  What then would He withhold?

REJOICE!

Nehemiah 8:10 Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” (NKJV) 

This is when you find strength in the Joy of the Lord!

Psalm 118:24 This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.

My desire is that you would keep this email handy and use it again and again to encourage yourself.

I pray this sharing of the Word blesses you!

Be blessed!

Chris

Bible Study - God IS Love

Hi Everyone

Here are the notes for the Bible Study "God IS Love".  

Click here to download the audio file.

You can also access the whole load of Friday Night Bible Study audio files.

Be blessed!

Chris

God IS Love


2 Peter 1:2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. (NKJV)


Matthew 13:12 For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. (NKJV)


Matthew 25:29 ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. (NKJV)


Luke 8:18 Therefore take heed how you hear. For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him.” (NKJV)


We must hunger for more.


1. What IS Love?
We need Bible definitions to understand Bible terms
Outside of the stupid cupid


The 4 Greek loves:
• Philia – love between brothers, friends. Requires virtue, equality and familiarity: e.g. buddies hanging out and enjoying each other’s company
• Eros – love between a man and a woman, beyond Philia, in dating or in marriage. Has a sense of attraction.
• Storge – love because of relationship – e.g. and often Motherly love
• Agape – Self-sacrificing, giving kind of love. The love that has in benefit only the recipient of the love


2. God is Agape
Everything else that we know about God hinges on this knowledge today.
1 John 4:8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. (NKJV)
God doesn't just agape us, God IS agape. Everything that He does for us is self-sacrificing and only for our benefit.
If you know God, you WILL love. Knowing is in degrees, so our ability to love is also in degrees.
Until people know God, know love, no point telling people to love. When we know God, we can learn to love.
Conversely, it doesn't mean that if we “love” we will know God. Without God, we cannot agape. We might storge, philia or eros but I am convinced we cannot agape.


3. Know and Believe God’s Agape
1 John 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. (NKJV)


Known – perceived. Perceived = believed. Not cursory – we have to meditate on this.
Some don’t think we are good enough for God. THAT’S what qualifies us! When you know you aren’t good enough and come to God!


Pharisees thought they were good enough for God and Jesus did not like that one bit. 


Abide = Remain


We abide in His love when we know and believe in His love. When we live knowing He loves us, we abide in God and God in us. Not that He departs from us when we don’t – in our spirits, we are ONE with Him for eternity, but we need to believe what this Word says for this truth to sink into our hearts. Only then does this truth set us free. John 8:32


God is love. Knowing God is knowing His love. If we learn all ABOUT God and miss His love, we miss the heart of God.


John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. (NKJV)


We need to know the love of God. When we receive salvation, we must realize not just what He had done, but about how much He loved us to do that.
The cruelty of the cross, and ultimately the separation of Jesus from the Father in His death, spell His love for us.
We need to receive every part of His salvation, the exceeding great promises which we are now studying.


Those who don’t trust this love, don’t receive it and die to a godless eternity.
Jesus died willingly – God gave His Son willingly. 
Some of us believe this, but believe that God loves us grudgingly, like an angry parent.
If that is all we believe, it will block every other thing. 


Genesis 3:22 Then the LORD God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil. And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever”— 23 therefore the LORD God sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken. (NKJV)


Sin separated but it is not that God got angry. God wants more to be united with His creation that we want to be united with our Creator. We see that as the curse kicked in, Man went further and further away from God.
Thank God for Jesus!


He blesses us because He loves us. He takes care of us because He loves us. He has given us eternal life because He loves us. He sent His Son Jesus to die for us, to open that way for us to be in relationship with Him, to enjoy His love for us.
We must henceforth read everything in scriptures from this viewpoint, that whatever the Bible says, it was because of God’s love.


4. God’s Definition of Love
1 Corinthians 13:4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails. (NKJV)


God IS love. 
1 John 4:19 We love because he first loved us. (NIV)


We love because He first loved us. Everything that defines love is how He loves us. So you can change the word “love” to God.


1 Corinthians 13:4 [God] suffers long and is kind; [God] does not envy; [God] does not parade [Himself], is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek [His] own, is not provoked, thinks no (keeps no record of) evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 [God] never fails. (NKJV)


This is who God is to us.


5 The Take Away
• God IS agape
• He has our best interest in heart – more than we will ever realise
• Everything the Bible says is for OUR benefit
• Knowing God is knowing His agape
• We become more like Him when we know and believe Him more and more
• 1 Cor 13:4-8 embodies God’s nature of agape to us!

Bible Study - Sowing the Word of God

Hi Everyone
Here are the notes for the Bible Study. 

Click here to download the audio file.

You can also access the whole load of Friday Night Bible Study audio files.

And if these help you, please drop me a comment.  I want to do what works!
Be blessed!
Chris


1.  Being Spirit-Led
Being spirit-led means your mind, your soul is being dominated by the Rhema word of God.
Luke 4:4 But Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’ ” (NKJV)


It is not about do’s and don'ts. It is about a relationship. Like a parent teaching a child.


God speaks to us primarily through His Word.
Sometimes we are out seeking the will of God, asking Him to speak to us, when really, the Word of God is so near to us, so easily within our reach.
Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. (NKJV)


2.  Sower and the Soils
Changing our behaviour is not the key. Letting the Word change us is. Goodness of God that causes us to repent (change our minds).
Mark 4:13 And He said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables? (NKJV)


Matthew 13:18 “Therefore hear the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. 20 But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. 22 Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. 23 But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” (NKJV)


You keep the seed. Bearing fruit is the responsibility of the seed, not the soil. The soil’s job is to provide the optimum environment for the seed.


3.  Soil #1 – Did Not Understand the Word
Matthew 13:19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. (NKJV)
Understand – mull, think, consider, piece together.


2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (NKJV)


Can understand one part of scripture, but not another. Must not allow devil to steal any part of it from us, or we won’t bear fruit in that area. We want to be the servant who had 5 talents, made 5 more and was given the extra one!
Seek to understand. Come for FNBS. STUDY the word.


4.  Soil #2 – Did Not Grow Roots to Stand On
Matthew 13:20 But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. (NKJV)
The Word needs to take root so that we can stand on it. God’s promises should go deep enough for us to believe them, even if the circumstances don’t look like they are in our favour.


James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. (NKJV)


Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (NKJV)


Test of your FAITH, not test of your patience!


John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (NKJV)


The Word brings right teaching, which gives right belief, which results in FAITH.


5.  Soil #3 – Choked, Unfruitful
Matthew 13:22 Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. (NKJV)
Not sin, but cares and deceitfulness of riches.
What you see, hear, read affects you also.


Love of money
1 Ti 6:10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (NKJV)


Money is neutral and is very good in the right hands! Poverty is bad. Love of money is bad.


6.  Soil #4 - Fruitful
Soil just has to be the good soil. Give priority to the Word. 
NO TIME = NO PRIORITY
Matthew 13:23 But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” (NKJV)


• Understand the Word
• Believe and stand stubbornly on it by faith
• Don’t get sidetracked – Guard the Word!
• Bear fruit


WE CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHAT WE HAVE NOT READ, 
WE CANNOT BELIEVE WHAT WE DO NOT KNOW.


7.  A Method for Studying the Word
Have a methodical way of studying the Word, not just reading.
May be led by the Spirit to look at certain things, but the basis is a methodical study.
• Have a habit – set a time
• Read to understand, not to finish
• Ask God to reveal Himself in this
• Read as if it was your first time
• Read till something strikes you
• Your thoughts - WRITE THEM DOWN!


8.  Read multiple tracts
1 part in the Gospels – Start with John
1 part in the rest of the NT
1 part in the Old Testament
1 part in Psalms/Proverbs 


9.  Taking Notes
Folder file
1 sheet for each chapter of the bible
Write down your understanding of the verse, all your thoughts concerning it.
Keyword and highlight if it helps.


10.  Example
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (NKJV)


11.  Mix it with Faith
Word must be mixed with faith to profit
Hebrews 4:2 For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. (NKJV)


Speak faith words – your self-talk affects you a lot, so speak God’s Word to yourself. 
“I know God’s Word says He loves me, but I don’t feel loved.”
Change this to
“I don’t feel loved but I know God’s Word says He loves me!”


His Word must be good enough, which is why scripture says:
Hebrews 11: 1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (NKJV)
Word must take precedence over what you see
Immerse yourself in an environment of faith people, not faithless people.
Not a religious behaviour, not to say you separate yourself, but who do you look to for advice? Who affects your thoughts?


Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. 3 He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. (NKJV)


Fill your mind constantly, daily with the Word of God through:
• What you think/say
• What you read
• What you see
• What you hear
• Whom you associate with
Do the things that build faith, not fear.
Meditate, guard the Word of God. The battle is for your mind. 


12.  The Take Away
• Understand the Word through reading, studying and good teaching to build faith
• Stand on the Promises of God by faith
• Fear and Faith don’t mix – choose Faith
• Do everything to get the Word in
• Guard the Word in you carefully

Bible Study - Spirit, Soul, Body

These are the notes for the series on Spirit, Soul, Body 

You can download the audio file here.

You can also access the whole load of Friday Night Bible Study audio files.

You should also refer to my other posting "One Spirit" which has graphics to help you see what is here also.

1.  3 Part Beings
1 Thessalonians 5: 23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (NKJV)

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (NKJV)

2.  It was Your Spirit that was Made New
Your spirit died with sin – Adam. Dying you shall die.
Genesis 2:16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” (NKJV)

John 3:5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” (NKJV)

We are new creations – this is not in the body or the mind (soul). It is in the spirit.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (NKJV)

3.  Your spirit and God’s Spirit are One
1 Corinthians 6:17 But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him. (NKJV)

1 John 4:15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. (NKJV)

John 17: 20 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. (NKJV)

Romans 8: 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. (NKJV)

Matthew 28:20b …I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. (NKJV)

John 14:18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. (NKJV)

John 17:26b …that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.” (NKJV)

2 Corinthians 1:22 who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. (NKJV)

2 Corinthians 13:5…Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?...(NKJV)

Ephesians 1:13b …you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, (NKJV)

Ephesians 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (NKJV)

Colossians 1:27b …which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. (NKJV)

1 Thessalonians 5:10…whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. (NKJV)

Hebrews 2:11a For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one… (NKJV)

Hebrews 13:5b For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (NKJV)

1 John 4:15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. (NKJV)

So When the Bible Says
2 Corinthians 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (NKJV)

Romans 3: 21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, (NKJV)

It refers to the spirit, which is the Real You inside. This part of you is perfectly righteous. It is made in the image of God. All the things that God says about you is here.

4.  Spirit VS Flesh
Galatians 5: 16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. (NKJV)

2 Corinthians 10:4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, (NKJV)

Romans 2:4 Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? (NKJV)

5.  Sword of the Spirit
John 6:63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. (NKJV)

James 1:23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. (NKJV)

2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. (NKJV)

6.  You Decide
Your soul is the decision maker
Who will your soul believe? The flesh or the Spirit?

If you don’t read, if you don’t hear, you don’t know
If you don’t know, you can’t change the way you think
If you can’t change the way you think, you can’t believe!

Deuteronomy 30:19 I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; (NKJV)

Romans 12: 1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (NKJV)

Ephesians 4: 17 This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; 19 who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. 20 But you have not so learned Christ, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. (NKJV)

Philippians 3: 12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (NKJV)

Find every opportunity to fill your mind with the Word of God. Channel all your efforts into seeing things that are of the Spirit, not the flesh.

7.  The Take Away
3 Parts – Spirit, Soul and Body
Spirit – one with God, has all His benefits
Flesh – walking by senses – profits nothing
Spirit, flesh fight for Soul (mind, emotions, will)
Spirit dominates when God’s Word dominates
The Flesh dominates when senses take control
The choice is ours
Time is LIMITED 

8.  Other Verses to Consider
1 Peter 2: 11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, (NKJV)

Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. (NKJV)

2 Corinthians 5:7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. (NKJV)

John 17:17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. (NKJV)