Bible Study
The Heart of the Matter
Luke 18:15
15“But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.
A good and honest heart.
Ablimech had an good and honest heart (Genesis 20:4-6). Jesus knew Nathaniel had no deceit (John 1:47).
Proverbs 15:3
3The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good.
God sees all I do, say, and think.
Proverbs 16:3
3Commit your works to the LORD, And your thoughts will be established.
Commit my way to Him.
Proverbs 18:13
18Poverty and shame will come to him who disdains correction, But he who regards a rebuke will be honored.
Accept my mistakes and learn from correction.
Paul thought he had a clean conscience (Acts 23:1). But he had to change. Awake to righteousness. Don’t sin (1 Corinthians 15:34). Daily self examination a must (2 Corinthians 13:5). What do I need to change? I should have a broken heart, contrite spirit over my sins (Psalm 51:17). And a penitent heart (Acts 2:37) that leads to repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10). And a heart that obeys (Romans 6:17).
Lesson: Make sure I have that good, honest, peitent, obedient heart.
Communion
Philippians 2:5-8
5Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,6who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
Christ left all, shed His glory, became a servant and then died a cruel death upon a cross learning obedience unto perfection (Hebrews 5:7-10).
Sermon
The Great Salvation
Hebrews 2:1-4
steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, 3how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, 4God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?
Don’t neglect salvation. Pay attention to the Scriptures. God gave us Jesus. That’s how much He loves us (John 3:16). Christ died for us, who are ungodly sinners (Romans 5:6-8). He purchased the church with His own blood (Acts 20:28). That’s you and I, not a physical building. He learned obedience through suffering (Hebrews 5:8). Jesus is the Great High Priest. Tempted yet did not sin. Come to Him when tempted (Hebrews 4:14).
Jesus is the author of faith (Hebrews 12:2). Share salvation with others. Don’t keep it to myself (Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-16). Baptized into one body (1 Corinthians 12:13). Salvation available for all. God wants all saved (2 Peter 3:9).
God is no respecter of anyone. He does not play favorites. He accepts those who fear Him and work righteousness (Acts 10:34-35). Christ in me, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27).
Lesson:
Don’t neglect this great salvation.
- Hear Romans 10:17
- Believe John 8:24
- Repent Luke 13:3
- Confess Matthew 10:32
- Be baptized Mark 16:16
- Remain faithful Revelation 2:10