PREACHING THE RISEN CHRIST
The Gospel presented in Compact form
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INTRODUCTION
THE GOOD NEWS GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST,THE SON OF GOD, IS A GOSPEL OF RECONCILIATION,ETERNAL LIFE,GOD’S IMMENSE LOVE,MERCY,COMPASSION, HEALING, REDEMPTION, SALVATION TO THOSE, WHO RESPOND TO HIS BECKON AND DRAW NEAR TO HIM. IN REPENTANCE. IT IS NOT A GOSPEL OF GOD’S CODEMNATION AND PUNISHMENT TO US. IT IS A GOSPEL COMANDING ALL OF US TO LOVE GOD AND ALONGSIDE LOVE OTHERS AS OURSELVES.THIS GOSPEL IS PRESENTED IN THIS WEBSITE IN COMPACT SUMMARISED FORM, ORGANISED IN 17 CORE THEMES. BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST, BELIEVE IN THIS GOSPEL. LIVE THIS GOSPEL.MT 6:33 SEEK YE FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD, AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND ALL THESE OTHER THINGS WILL BE GIVEN TO YOU, AS WELL.
THEME 1 RESURRECTION AND EVERLASTING LIFE. THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN. CHRIST DIED, ON THE CROSS. ROSE AGAIN IN THE THIRD DAY.HE WILL COME AGAIN.TO RAISE US AND JUDGE EVERY ONE WITH MERCY.THEREFORE REPEN, AND
Genesis 3:19. The certainty of death and transition from this life to the next. For dust you are and unto dust you will return Job 19:25-27. Job Prophesy of resurrection and eternal life 25 I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. 26 And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; 27 I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me! Matthew 22:23-46 Jesus Answers the Sadducees on the question of RESURRECTION 23 On that day some Sadducees (who say there is no resurrection) came to Jesus and questioned Him, 24 saying, “Teacher, Moses said, ‘If a man dies having no children, his brother as next of kin shall marry his wife, and raise up children for his brother.’ 25 Now there were seven brothers among us; and the first married and died, and having no children, he left his wife to his brother. 26 It was the same also with the second brother, and the third, down to the seventh. 27 Last of all, the woman died. 28 In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife of the seven will she be? For they all had her in marriage.” 29 But Jesus answered and said to them, “You are mistaken, since you do not understand the Scriptures nor the power of God. 30 For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. 31 But regarding the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God: 32 ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” 33 When the crowds heard this, they were astonished at His teaching. 34 But when the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. 35 And one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him: 36 “Teacher,which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the great and foremost commandment. 39 The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 Upon these two commandments hang the whole Law and the Prophets.” 41 Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question: 42 “What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is He?” They said to Him, “The son of David.” 43 He said to them, “Then how does David in the Spirit call Him ‘Lord,’ saying, 44 ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, Until I put Your enemies under Your feet”’? 45 Therefore, if David calls Him ‘Lord,’ how is He his son?” 46 No one was able to offer Him a word in answer, nor did anyone dare from that day on to ask Him any more questions. John 6:40 ^40For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.” 1 Corinthians 15:19 ^19If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. Colossians 3:2 ^2Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Matthew 13:45-46 ^45“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. ^46When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. Matthew 6:33 ^33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 1 John 2:17^17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. John 11:25 ^25Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; Luke 24:1-5  Jesus Has Risen 1- On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? Acts 9:36-42  Peter prayed and Dorcas was Raised from the dead 36 In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor. 37 About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. 38 Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!” 39 Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them. 40 Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. 41 He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive. 42 This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord.
THEME 2 WHO IS JESUS CHRIST
Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Matthew 16:13-20 Peter Declares That Jesus Is the Messiah 13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” 14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and till others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah. John 10:11 ^11“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. John 14:6 ^6Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 10:9 ^9I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. John 6:35 ^35Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. John 8:12 ^12When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 15:5 ^5“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. Isaiah 53:5 ^5But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. Philippians 2:9-11 ^9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, ^10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, ^11and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Acts 4:11 ^11Jesus is “‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone Matthew 17:5 ^5While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” John 10:30 ^30I and the Father are one.” John 8:56-58 ^56Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.”^57“You are not yet fifty years old,” they said to him, “and you have seen Abraham!”^58“Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” Jesus Christ, The Savior, Freedom giver, Redeemer, Life giver, The healer, The Miracle Worker. Storm Calmer. Jesus casts out an unclean spirit (Mark 1:23-28). Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek. The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.” News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee. Jesus heals a leper (Mark 1:40-45). A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” Jesus was indignant. He reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed. Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: “See that you don’t tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” Instead, he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere. Jesus raises the widow's son from the dead (Luke 7:11-18). Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, “Don’t cry.” Then he went up and touched the bier they were carrying him on, and the bearers stood still. He said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!” The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother. They were all filled with awe and praised God. “A great prophet has appeared among us,” they said. “God has come to help his people.” This News about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country. John’s disciples told him about all these things. Calling two of them, Jesus stilled the storm (Matthew 8:23-27). Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”
THEME 3 THE CALL TO REPENT, TO TURN AROUND, TO RETURN TO GOD’S EMBRACE OF INFINITE LOVE AND MERCY.LIKE THE PRODIGAL SON DID
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1 John 1:8 ^8If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. Acts 3:19 ^19Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, Revelation 3:20 ^20Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. 2 Chronicles 7:14 ^14if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Isaiah 1:18 ^18“Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord.“Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. Matthew 11:28 ^28“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Psalm 95:7-8 ^7For he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. Today, if only you would hear his voice, ^8“Do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah, as you did that day at Massah in the wilderness, Isaiah 48:22 ^22“There is no peace,” says the Lord, “for the wicked.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ^19Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; ^20you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. Luke 13:28 ^28“There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out. Acts 3:19 ^19Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, Luke 5:31-32 ^31Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. ^32I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” James 4:8 ^8Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Psalm 34:14 ^14Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. Acts 2:38 ^38Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Romans 6:23 ^23For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in^[^a^] Christ Jesus our Lord. Psalm 103:8 ^8The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. SPECIAL AND DEEP RIGHTEOUSNESS TEACHINGS FROM JESUS. Mathew 5:20 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. Mathew 5:21-26 Murder21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder,[a] and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister[b][c] will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’[d] is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. 23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift. 25 “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny. Mathew 5:27-30 Adultery27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’[e] 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell. Mark 10: 1-9 Divorce Jesus then left that place and went into the region of Judea and across the Jordan. Again crowds of people came to him, and as was his custom, he taught them.^2Some Pharisees came and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?”^3“What did Moses command you?” he replied 4 .They said, “Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away”. 5“It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law,” Jesus replied. ^6“But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.’ ^7‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, ^8and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. ^9Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” Mathew 5: 33-37 Oaths33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ 34 But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. 37 All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. Mathew 5: 38-42 Eye for Eye 38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’[h] 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. Mathew 5:43-48 Love for Enemies 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 18:6 Causing to Stumble ^6“If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.
THEME 4 COMPASSION AND FORGIVING OTHERS MERCY KINDNESS, PITY, FORGIVENESS, LOVE OF FELLOW HUMAN BEINGS, THE POOR NEEDY, HUNGRY, CLOTHLESS, AND HOMELESS, ORPHANS WIDOWS, AND PRISONERS. TO DO AS THE GOOD SAMARITAN DID.
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Matthew 12:7 ^7 ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,  1 Corinthians 13:1-2 13 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. ^2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom allmysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that canmove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. Proverbs 21:13 ^13Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered. Isaiah 58:6-8 ^6“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke,to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? ^7Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? ^8Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. 9. Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. “If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk ^10and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. Matthew 5:7 ^7Blessed are the merciful,for they will be shown mercy. Luke 14:12-14 ^12Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. ^13But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, ^14and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” Proverbs 11:25 ^25A generous person will prosper;whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Matthew 25:40 ^40“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ James 1:27 ^27Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. Psalm 41:1-3 A psalm of David. ^1Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; the Lord delivers them in times of trouble. ^2The Lord protects and preserves them— they are counted among the blessed in the land— he does not give them over to the desire of their foes. ^3The Lord sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness. Hebrews 13:16 ^16And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. John 13:34 ^34“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. Matthew 6:2-4 ^2“So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. ^3But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, ^4so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:14-15 ^14For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. ^15But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Colossians 3:13 ^13Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Matthew 7:13-14 ^13“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. ^14But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Matthew 18:21-22 ^21Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” ^22Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. Matthew 5:44 ^44But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, Luke 6:37 ^37“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Matthew 7:4-5 ^4How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? ^5You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. John 3:16-17 ^16For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ^17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 6:28-29 ^28Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”^29Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one He sent. 1 John 4:7-9 ^7Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. ^8Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. ^9This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. WHO IS MY NEIGHBOUR Luke 10:25-37 The Parable of the Good Samaritan ^25On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”^26“What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”^27He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.”^28“You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”^29But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”^30In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. ^31A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. ^32So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. ^33But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. ^34He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. ^35The next day he took out two denariiand gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ ^36Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”^37The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him. ”Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” James 2:14-26 Faith and Deeds ^14What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? ^15Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. ^16If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? ^17In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. ^18But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. ^19You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. ^20You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? ^21Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? ^22You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. ^23And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. ^24You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone. ^25In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? ^26As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
THEME 5 GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD EVERY DAY,REJOICE IN THE LORD IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES, IN TIMES COMFORT AS WELL AS IN TIMES OF CHALLENGES,STORMS AND PAIN.
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Psalm 92:1 ^1It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High, Psalm 136:1 ^1Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever. Habakkuk 3:17-18 ^17Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines,though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, ^18yet I will rejoice in the Lord,I will be joyful in God my Savior. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 ^18Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Psalm 100:4 ^4Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. Revelation 4:8 Worship ^8Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying: “‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,who was, and is, and is to come.”
THEME 6 TRUST IN GOD. PRAY, WITHOUT CEASING.WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, YOUR CREATOR,THE LIVING GOD, ( THE FATHER, THE SON AND THE HOLYSPIRIT ) SEEK REFUGE & HELP IN HIM.HOPE IN THE LORD. FOR HE IS FAITHFUL.
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Mark 11:24 ^24Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Isaiah 54:17 ^17No weapon formed against you shall prosper,And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn.This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord,And their righteousness is from Me,” Says the Lord. Philippians 4:6-7 ^6Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ^7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Jeremiah 17:7-8 ^7“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. ^8They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” Matthew 6:26 ^26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? THE LORD’S PRAYER Mathew 6 7-15 Jesus said to his disciples: "In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words.Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him. "This is how you are to pray: ************************************ 'Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.' For the Kingdom, Power and Glory are yours, forever and ever. *************************************** "If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions."
THEME 7 TEACHINGS ON HUMILITY AND AVOIDING PRIDE. THE FEAR OF THE LORD
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Matthew 23:12 ^12For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. Mathew 11:25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father. You are Lord of heaven and earth. You have hidden these things from wise and educated people. But you have shown them to little children. Proverbs 16:18 ^18Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. James 4:6 ^6But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble. Philippians 2:8-11 ^8And being found in appearance as a man,he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross! ^9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,^10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,in heaven and on earth and under the earth,^11and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,to the glory of God the Father. Proverbs 9:10 ^10The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Matthew 10:28 ^28Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Psalm 34:7 ^7The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him,and he delivers them.
THEME 8 THE BODY AND BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST, THE BREAD OF LIFE. THE HOLY COMMUNION.
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John 6:54 ^54Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. Mark 14:22-24 ^22While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.”^23Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it.^24“This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them. Acts 2:46 ^46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 1 Corinthians 10:16 ^16Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? 1 Corinthians 11:28-29 ^28Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. ^29For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves.
THEME 9 PARENTS THE GREAT IMPORTANCE OF TAKING CARE OF PARENTS . THIS COMANDMENT INCLUDES CARE OF ALL ELDERLY, WHETHER THEY BE RELATIVES OR NOT. AND THE INFIRM. IT’S A GREAT HONOUR TO CARE FOR THOSE WHO ONCE CARED FOR US. WHEN WE WERE YOUNG AND WEAK. NOW THAT TABLES HAVE TURNED, AND THEY ARE NOW WEAK ANDF OLD. GREAT BLESSINGS AND GRACE COME FROM THESE ACTIONS. THE FIFTH COMANDMENT
Exodus 20:12 ^12“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.
THEME 10 GOSPEL TEACHINGS ON MORALITY. THE CALL TO BE MORAL. TO KEEP AWAY FROM, WITCHCRAFT, SEXUAL PROMISCUITY, IMORALITY, ABORTION, PERVERSION. TEACHINGS AGAINST DIVORCE, DEBAUCHERLY.HOMOSEXUALITY, SAME SEX UNIONS. TO STAY AWAY FROM THE DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIOUR OF SODOM & GOMORRAH.
INSTRUCTIONS AGAINST IMORALITY 1 Corinthians 6:18 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. Galatians 5:24 ^24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 1 Corinthians 6:15-20 ^15Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! ^16Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.” ^17But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit. ^18Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. ^19Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; ^20you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-10 ^3It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; ^4that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, ^5not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; ^6and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister. The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before. ^7For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. ^8Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit. Instructions against practice of witchcraft .BUT BIG CAUTION it is commanded and prohibited for people to break the Law .People MUST NOT attack injure those suspected of practicing witchcraft. Those who injure others do commit the sin of murder. It is not upon you to judge others. Judgment is for the Lord. For all of us have sinned in one way or another. And fallen short of God’s Glory. Do not rush to explain misfortunes, illnesses, death with witchcraft and superstition. Just because of the deep feeling of loss and pain. All of us will fall ill from time to time and eventually we will all die at some point and these things SHOULD NOT be attributed to witchcraft and superstition. Deuteronomy 18: 10-14 And do not let your people practice fortune-telling, or use sorcery, or interpret omens, or engage in witchcraft, ^11or cast spells, or function as mediums or psychics, or call forth the spirits of the dead. 12 Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord. It is because the other nations have done these detestable things that the Lord your God will drive them out ahead of you. ^13But you must be blameless before the Lord your God 14. “The nations you are about to displace consult sorcerers and fortune tellers, but the Lord your God forbids you to do such things ” Mark 10: 1-9 Divorce Jesus then left that place and went into the region of Judea and across the Jordan. Again crowds of people came to him, and as was his custom, he taught them.^2Some Pharisees came and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?”^3“What did Moses command you?” he replied 4 They said, Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away.5“It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law,” Jesus replied. ^6“But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.’ ^7‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, ^8and the two will become one flesh.’So they are no longer two, but one flesh. ^9Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” Mathew 19:12 For there are eunuchs who were born that way, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others—and there are those who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.” Adultery Mathew 5: 27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery. 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell. 1 corinthians Chapter 6 19-20 ^19Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; ^20you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. 1 CORINTHIANS 7:1-40 Concerning Married Life 1 Now for the matters you wrote about: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” ^2But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband. ^3The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. ^4The wife does not have authority over her own body but yields it to her husband. In the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body but yields it to his wife. ^5Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. ^6I say this as a concession, not as a command. ^7I wish that all of you were as I am. But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.^8Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do. ^9But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.^10To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. ^11But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.^12To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. ^13And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. ^14For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.^15But if the unbeliever leaves, let it be so. The brother or the sister is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace. ^16How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife? Concerning Change of Status^17Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches. ^18Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? He should not be circumcised. ^19Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commands is what counts. ^20Each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.^21Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so. ^22For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave. ^23You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings. ^24Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation they were in when God called them. Concerning the Unmarried^25Now about virgins: I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy. ^26Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for a man to remain as he is. ^27Are you pledged to a woman? Do not seek to be released. Are you free from such a commitment? Do not look for a wife. ^28But if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this.^29What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not; ^30those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; ^31those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.^32I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs—how he can please the Lord. ^33But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife— ^34and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband. ^35I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord.^36If anyone is worried that he might not be acting honorably toward the virgin he is engaged to, and if his passions are too strongand he feels he ought to marry, he should do as he wants. He is not sinning. They should get married. ^37But the man who has settled the matter in his own mind, who is under no compulsion but has control over his own will, and who has made up his mind not to marry the virgin—this man also does the right thing. ^38So then, he who marries the virgin does right, but he who does not marry her does better.^39A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord. ^40In my judgment, she is happier if she stays as she is—and I think that I too have the Spirit of God. TEACHINGS AGAINST HOMOSEXUALITY Leviticus 18:22 “‘Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable.’” Romans 1:26-27“Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-10“Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.” Jude 1:7“In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.”
THEME 11 TEACHING AGAINST DRUNKENESS AND USE OF DRUGS.
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Ephesians 5:18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, Proverbs 20:1 Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise. Proverbs 23:20-21 ^20Do not join those who drink too much wine     or gorge themselves on meat, ^21for drunkards and gluttons become poor,     and drowsiness clothes them in rags. Proverbs 23:29-30 Saying 19 ^29Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? ^30Those who linger over wine, who go to sample bowls of mixed wine. Luke 21:34 ^34“Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap.
THEME 12 THE GREAT IMPORTANCE OF SPREADING THE GOSPEL
Romans 10:14 ^14How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? Matthew 28:19 ^19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Matthew 9:37-38 ^37Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. ^38Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Romans 1:16 ^16For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. Matthew 10:32 ^32“Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven.
THEME 13 TEACHINGS AGAINST GREED AND INDIFFERENCE TO THE PLIGHT OF THE POOR AND NEEDY.
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Luke 16:19-31 Lazarus and the rich man.“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. ^20At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores ^21and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.^22“The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. ^23In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. ^24So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’^25“But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. ^26And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’^27“He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, ^28for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’^29“Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’^30“‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’^31“He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’” Luke 12:13-21 parable of The rich fool ^13Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”^14Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” ^15Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” ^16And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. ^17He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ ^18“Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. ^19And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’ ^20“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’^21“This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”
THEME 14 THE CROSS WE MUST CARRY
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Matthew 5:11-13 ^11“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falselysay all kinds of evil against you because of me. ^12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 16:24^24Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants tobe my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 1 Peter 1:6-8 ^6In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. ^7These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. ^8Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 2 Corinthians 12:8-10^8Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. ^9But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. ^10That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. John 15:20-22^20Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. ^21They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me. ^22If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. John 21:18-19^18Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” ^19Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!” Acts 12 1-11 Peter’s Miraculous Escape From Prison 12 It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. 2 He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. 3 When he saw that this met with approval among the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Festival of Unleavened Bread. 4 After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover.5 So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. 6 The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. 7 Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists. 8 Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him. 9 Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. 10 They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him. 11 Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from everything the Jewish people were hoping would happen.” Acts 16:16-40 Paul and Silas in Prison 16 Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. 17 She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” 18 She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” At that moment the spirit left her.19 When her owners realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the authorities. 20 They brought them before the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar 21 by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to accept or practice.”22 The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods. 23 After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. 24 When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. 27 The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!”29 The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. 33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. 34 The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household.35 When it was daylight, the magistrates sent their officers to the jailer with the order: “Release those men.” 36 The jailer told Paul, “The magistrates have ordered that you and Silas be released. Now you can leave. Go in peace.”37 But Paul said to the officers: “They beat us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens, and threw us into prison. And now do they want to get rid of us quietly? No! Let them come themselves and escort us out.”38 The officers reported this to the magistrates, and when they heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens, they were alarmed. 39 They came to appease them and escorted them from the prison, requesting them to leave the city. 40 After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia’s house, where they met with the brothers and sisters and encouraged them. Then they left. Job’s great suffering even as a righteous person The book of Job in the Bible tells the story of a righteous man who endures immense suffering, both physical and emotional, as a test of his faith. Despite losing his wealth, family, and health, Job maintains his faith in God, though he questions the reasons for his suffering. His friends offer misguided comfort, accusing him of hidden sins, while Job grapples with theodicy, the problem of reconciling God's goodness with the existence of evil and suffering. Ultimately, Job's story explores themes of faith, suffering, and God's sovereignty, challenging conventional understandings of justice and retribution.  Key aspects of Job's suffering: Loss and Affliction: Job experiences the loss of his possessions, children, and health, including a painful skin disease. Accusations and Misunderstanding: His friends accuse him of sinning and attribute his suffering to divine punishment, misinterpreting his situation. Questioning God: Job wrestles with theodicy, questioning God's justice and the reasons for his undeserved suffering, even as he maintains his belief in God's power and goodness. The book of Job explores the problem of reconciling God's goodness with the existence of evil and suffering. It challenges the common belief that suffering is always a direct result of sin. Faith and Perseverance: Despite the immense pain and confusion, Job ultimately demonstrates unwavering faith and perseverance, refusing to curse God, even when challenged by his wife and friends. Lessons from Job's suffering: God's Sovereignty: The book highlights God's ultimate authority and control over all things, even in the face of human suffering. The Limits of Human Understanding: Job's story reminds us that we cannot always understand God's ways or the reasons for suffering, but we should trust in His goodness. The Importance of Faith: Despite the challenges and questions, Job's story emphasizes the importance of maintaining faith in God, even when we don't understand. Comfort in Suffering: While Job's friends offer unhelpful advice, the story also underscores the need for genuine empathy and support during times of suffering. The Power of Lament: Job's laments and prayers, though filled with anguish, are a testament to the importance of honest expression and wrestling with difficult emotions in the presence of God.
THEME 15 CALL FOR UNITY IN CHRIST AND AROUND THE CORE GOSPEL OF LOVE FORGIVENESS & COMPASSION ,TEACHINGS AGAINST CHRISTIAN DIVISIONS AND INFIGHTING
1 Corinthians 1:10-17 A Church Divided Over Leaders ^10I appeal to you, brothers and sisters,in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. ^11My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. ^12What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.” ^13Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul? ^14I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, ^15so no one can say that you were baptized in my name. ^16(Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don’t remember if I baptized anyone else.) ^17For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. Mark 9:38-40 Whoever Is Not Against Us Is for Us 38 “Teacher,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.” ^39“Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, ^40for whoever is not against us is for us. ^41Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward. Matthew 18:19-20 ^19“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. ^20For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
THEME 16
THE SEED OF THE GOSPEL
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The Parable of the Sower 13 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. ^2Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore .3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying. “A farmer went out to sow his seed. ^4As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. ^5Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. ^6But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. ^7Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. ^8Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. ^9Whoever has ears, let them hear.” ^10The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?” ^11He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. ^12Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. ^13This is why I speak to them in parables: “Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand. ^14In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: “‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. ^15For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’ ^16But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. ^17For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it. ^18“Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: ^19When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. ^20The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. ^21But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. ^22The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. ^23But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” The Parable of the Weeds ^24Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. ^25But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. ^26When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. ^27“The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’ ^28“‘An enemy did this,’ he replied. “The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ ^29“‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. ^30Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’”.
THEME 17 THE SUMMARY
God the ( Father, The Son and the Holy Spirit) instructs us to be God Fearing. To Love Him. To Love Others. To have compassion , Pity Mercy, kindness, To forgive others, that we too be forgiven, To be Moral( stay away from sexual immorality, Homosexuality, to be just, Sober, Humble, Obedient, peaceful, Honest, Keep His commandments. Believe in His Son Jesus Christ, resurrection and everlasting Life. To trust in God. To thank Him. To pray. To worship Him. To bless his name, perseverance patience. Hopeful. To spread the good news gospel. To partake of the body and blood of Jesus Christ ( in the form of consecrated bread and wine as we were instructed. To stay away from Sin, Hate greed, strife, envy and jealousy. To repent when we fall and return to his infinite mercy. Like the prodigal son did. So that we live in His Kingdom forever . Eternally. The parable of the last judgment Matthew 25:31-46 The Sheep and the Goats ^31“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. ^32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. ^33He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.^34“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. ^35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ^36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’^37“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ^38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ^39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’^40“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’^41“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. ^42For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, ^43I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ ^44“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’^45“He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’^46“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” The Ten Commandments Exodus 20:1-17 1 And God spoke all these words: ^2“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. ^3“You shall have no other gods before me. ^4“You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. ^5You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, ^6but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. ^7“You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. ^8“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. ^9Six days you shall labor and do all your work, ^10but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. ^11For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. ^12“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you. ^13“You shall not murder. ^14“You shall not commit adultery. ^15“You shall not steal. ^16“You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. ^17“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor
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