Minot Assembly Of Believers: Recent Episodes
Caleb Bulow
How could Saul be so zealous for God, and yet be such an enemy of God? Do we do the same?Jesus was intimately acquainted with the inner struggles of His enemy.
As believers, we need to grow in the Light to prevent drifting into darkness. The more we are in the light, the farther we are from darkness.
The Lord Jesus said to the Father, The hour has come, glorify your Son. What glories does John present in his gospel as he told of Jesus going to the cross?
Working through John's short and shocking statements. 1. You don't know God if you don't keep His commands.2. You are not in the Light if you hate your brother.3. If you love the world, you don't have God's love in you.
Phillip showed that the prejudices of Judaism did not come over to the church, for he preached to the Samaritans and to the Ethiopian. God was reaching out to the Ethiopian. A divine intervention for the sake of saving one man, who was a eunuch.
The bread represents the body of Christ, a body that God prepared for Him to do God's will.He is like the bread of manna, not like the bread you work for by the sweat of your brow.By taking a body, He opened Himself to the shame His enemies heaped upon Him.Breaking bread is having peace with Godin fellowship. The bread of life needed to be broken for us to be able to break bread with God.
What are the characteristics of the children of God? How do they contrast with the children of the world?
The beginning of a new section in Acts. It opens with Stephen, a man who was full of faith and power. He spoke the truth with the goodness of the Spirit. Being accused of blasphemy against the temple, he needed to show from the OT that he did not blaspheme. The Jews thought the temple was ultimate truth. Stephen must show that God's revelation of Himself has progressed over time. So he showed the temple was only a partial revelation, and the Lord Jesus was the full revelation.
What is the world that we are not to love? Answered by John 5-10, where we are given the characteristics of the world through the light Jesus shown upon the Jews who hated Him.
Love is important in the Christian life, even above speaking in tongues and the ability to prophesy. It will function into eternity.How the passage defines love is something we can relate to in our personal lives, particularly as a parent.
The issue of the fairness in the care of the Hebrew and Hellenist widows. The apostles did not shift the attention of their lives te the widows. They felt the ministry of the Word of God was as important as the ministry of the widows.Caring for the widows was a big task, more than distributing food. The men who were selected were offering themselves to the Lord. The apostles handled the accusations, notin defending themselves, but by humbly accepting and addressing the issue.
For Israel to be saved, there are two things that must happen. God must be willing to save them, and Israel must be willing to be saved. Romans 10 shows which of these didn't happen.
The fundamental characteristics of the church are demonstrated by the stories in Acts 3-6.
Good fruit glorifies God. The key to producing good fruit is abiding in Christ. What is the difference between good fruit and good works? How do you abide in Christ?
The fruit that God is looking for in the believer's life is more than good works. It comes when the believer dwells in the Lord's love. What is the fruit? What does it mean to abide in the Lord? Answered in John 15.
The account of Ananias and Sapphira comes as a direct contrast to the beauty of the disciples' oneness, which was a strong testimony of Jesus' resurrection. The intent was that Ananias and Sapphira would be a testimony of God's goodness, but they gave in to covetousness and personal glory. They were presenting themselves as other than what they were. But their hypocrisy was lying to God.
Wars and fights comes from desires within ourselves. Instead of trying to take to satisfy our desires, ask from the Father. Avoid loving the world - turn towards God. Need to keep humble before God. Boast in the cross.
Acts began with the ascension of the Lord Jesus. Because of His ascension, the Holy Spirit was sent to indwell His people. The Holy Spirit testifies of the Lord Jesus through the believers to the world. It is the day of salvation. This age began with the pouring out of the Holy Spirit and will soon end with the pouring out of God's wrath. The Spirit added people to a group who reverenced God, loved one another, and lived godly lives. The work of the Holy Spirit is part of God's work of restoring creation to Himself, which began in the work of His Son. He brings us into the kingdom of God where there is a whole new economy where silver and gold have no value because the true riches are for meeting the needs, not of the body, but of the soul.
The Lord Jesus gave an example of washing one another's feet, showing how much He wants to have free and unhindered fellowship with us. And not only Him, but the Father desires close fellowship with us. Though we fail like Peter, yet He us able to bring us into intimate fellowship with our Father.
According to James 4, conflict comes from the Iusts of the flesh. From wanting things you can't get. And you ask but don't get because you have bad motives. James is basically warning against being a friend of the world. We need to humble ourselves before God. God brings humility through trials. Too often we want to have a good reputation before others and don't want others to see us for who we are.
The first encounter with the enemy of the gospel. Jesus had warned that the world would hate them. The leaders in the attack were from the Temple, positions that had been hijacked. Each component of the leaders, left and right, although they seemed godly, were united in anti-Christ policies. They used the weapon of extreme intimidation to suppress the truth.But Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and He magnified the truth.The enemy saw two things. Peter and John were unlearned and ignorant, and that they had been with Jesus.
James was writing to Jewish believers, so we need to look at it from the perspective of an Eastern mindset. He was calling on these pious Jewish believers to look beyond their religious actions and examine their hearts before God. If they would humble themselves before God, He would lift them up. It's a relevant message for today.
Chapter 1 true faith is backed by action. Chapter 2 true faith is not marked by segregation and judgement, but by helping those in need. True fatih is backed by action.Chapter 3 The tongue and wisdom.Chapter 4 Quarrels come when we don't get what we want. We should be humble and draw near God.
Peter's sermon in Acts 3 was after the lame man was healed. The lame man was brought to the temple gate, but could not enter the temple because he was unable to walk. The lame man is a good illustration of those under the Law. The Law brought people close to God, but could not bring them into the presence of God because of the people's inability to walk in righteousness. The Law was intended to be applied in the heart. Keeping the Law was not a matter of obeying a set of commands. We should not make Christianity a set of commands to be kept. This leads to dryness in the Christian life.Keeping the Law is honoring God and as a result holding God's Law in high regard. The psalmists spoke of keeping God's law in spite of not being able to obey all the commands therein. To keep the Law was to love it because of honoring God. This would lead the Jews to look for the Saviour which God promised.In the same way, keeping the Lord's commands is loving His commands because we love Him.
John 8a. The woman caught in adultery, and the Pharisees who brought her were all under the bondage of sin. What is the bondage of sin? How does Jesus make us free?
Practical instruction for Christians. The tongue is important because communication is a big part of our lives. Babel shows how unhindered communication can produce impressive results, but also takes people far from God. Our tongue can cause catastrophic results. A brief survey of scriptures that deal with our speech.
Seven contrasts presented in the first two chapters. Contrasts between good examples and bad examples. These are the background of chapter 3. A teacher must be a good example and beware of the tongue.
The healing of the lame man at the temple. He was a living illustration of the condition of mankind. Just as he was unable to walk his entire life, so people are unable to walk with God their entire lives because of sin. Just as his only hope was the promised Messiah, so people's only hope is the Lord Jesus Christ. Then he became a living illustration of the salvation in the Lord Jesus.
The Jews in the temple were far less receptive to Christ than the Samaritans from John 4
God's glory was before us and will continue through eternity. All things were made for His glory. We are called to do all things for His glory. 1. Share in His Glory. First step is being saved. Then walk in obedience and in sharing the gospel.
The end of Acts 2 showed that the new salvation legitimately changed the lives of the new believers. It was not an emotional response to a moving Sermon. They participated in activities that built up each other in the new faith. Their faithfulness to these practices led to God's name being glorified. They were doing all to the glory of God.
The Jews looked forward with anticipation to their coming king. They had many beautiful prophecies about life under their coming king. But Jesus' path to the throne went a different way than they expected.
Faith without works is dead. We need to put our money where our mouth is. Or, put our works where our faith is.
What about the blind and lame? How do they fit in the kingdom and purposes of God? They may wait on the Lord. He will take them where they have not gone. God said His Servant, the Lord Jesus, was blind.
Trials. They produce endurance which will be beneficial in eternity. Temptations are not from God; they come from our inner desires. Every good gift does come from God.
Peter's message to persuade the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah. He appealed to the resurection. He showed that David's prophecy was regarding the resurrection of the Messiah. He testified of seeing Jesus raised from the dead. He pointed to the arrival of the Spirit. Having made the point, he appealed to them to repent and believe for the remission of sins.
Whom He foreknew, He predestined... Rom 8:29. What Paul really meant with these terms. Hint: it wasn't about eternity past.
Every good gift comes from the Father of lights. He does not send evil gifts. He drives out the darkness of fear and doubts with His Word of truth. Respond to His truth by laying aside filthiness and be doers of His word.
God's encouragement to the civil leader. God would make the nation a light by His might in His Spirit. Cleansing must come before the power is expressed in Zerubbabel. Then Zerubbabel would need to be dependent on the Holy Spirit because God would do the work by His Spirit.
Encouragement to build the house of God to the leaders of the people of God. Satan was telling Joshua that he was not worthy to serve as priest. But the Lord removed Joshua's filth and made him fit.
The truth revealed in Acts 2 is the beginning of the Church. Peter refers to Joel's prophecy of the last days. The prophecy refers to the beginning of the Church age and the end of the age, and the central message is to turn to the Lord. It is a salvation that delivers from the power of death.
The Lord speaks the truth. By it people are condemned. But He offers salvation from the condemnation.
Without eating the Lord’s flesh and drinking His blood, you cannot have eternal life. The Lord spoke this to good Jews who followed Him, but were not given to Him by the Father. Making sense of what the Lord was telling the Jews.
The coming of the Holy Spirit was accompanied with three signs that carried spiritual significance. A sound from heaven, divided tongues of fire, and speaking in tongues. The sound from heaven represents the oneness of the church. The divided tongues of fire represent the division between the kingdom of darkness and the kingdom of God's Son. The speaking in tongues represents receiving the authority to speak for God.
Jesus is the bread from heaven. Whoever comes to Him will never hunger (for God's approval) and whoever believes in Him will never thirst (for acceptance from God).
It is not wisdom to surround yourself with people who affirm what you do. Fellowshid begins with Christ when we are saved. Fellowship in the Spirit is made up of building up one another. We need fellowship with the right people. It's important to avoid unequal yokes.
These Jews studied the scriptures, but the word of God did not dwell in them. The love of God was not in them. I was just like them.
Paul's last written words. He reminds Timothy that the Lord will judge in the end, so Timothy must be ready to preach the word with all clarity even when it steps on peoples toes. Then he spoke of how his imprisonment was going and the difficulties he faced. He mentions many people, some who helped, and some who have turned away.
Far from contradicting God, Jesus was working with God, not as a servant, but equal in authority with the Father. He gives life to whomsoever He will, even as the Father does.
The warning of the dark days of the last times. The need to avoid the characteristics that will be prominent in the last days.
Paul presents a list of characteristics of people in the last days, people who resist truth. To live godly in the last days will result in persecution. Hold on to what you know is true in the word of God.
Jesus didn't select the new apostle before he ascended. Peter took the initiative, and the others were in agreement. They looked to the Lord for direction.
Paul's last words to Timothy. Don't be ashamed to associate with those who are shunned by others. Paul quoted a poem with 2 positives and 2 negatives. We have died with Him, died to sin, so we must reckon it so. We may endure because of the hope of reigning with Him. If we have denied Him, then He will not acknowledge us.
The Laodicean church was wealthy and had no need to depend on the Lord. The Lord was at the door, not in their midst. They illustrate the church today. Matthew 18 shows us what it means to be gathered in His name, which is what the Laodicean needed to do.
Grace is not usually associated with strength, but Paul says be strong in the grace of Christ. A soldier must remember who he works for, so that he is willing to obey when it doesn't seem to fit his role. A man of God should avoid getting caught up in pointless disputes of words
The promises that God makes to His people, as He did for Abraham. He brought Abram out of an idolatrous region to be near God. He has called us out of the world to be near God. Israel’s deliverance from bondage was done by God, as our deliverance is by God. They were to be priests to God for the world, which parallels God's purpose for the church.
Although having liberty in Christ, do not use it to live in the lusts of the flesh. Love one another. Walk in the Spirit. Take the Lord’s yoke and walk with Him, learn of Him, and find rest. Spend time with Him alone.
What does it mean to serve the Lord? In this passage, Paul describes his perspective of what it was for him to serve the Lord.
Before He was taken up, the Lord spent time with the apostles, confirming that He had risen from the dead. He spent time speaking to them of the kingdom of God before He ascended.
Who are those who love God? Who are those who are called according to His purpose? The children of Israel illustrate what it means to be called according to God's purpose.
Solomon, a man who was an expert in wisdom. His source of wisdom was God. Solomon's first proverb is obvious, but poor choices can lead a person to do what is unthinkable. Solomon himself found himself doing what he thought he would never do.
Comparing the five references to the Lord’s return in each epistle to see the parallel thought. 1. Waiting for the Lord’s return and the completion of our salvation. 5. Eager anticipation of the Lord in his return.
Walk according to the Spirit, not according to the flesh. Walking according to the flesh is depending on good works to gain the favor of God. Walking according to the Spirit is living in the truth of God's love toward us sinners in Christ
Walk according to the Spirit, not according to the flesh. Walking according to the flesh is depending on good works to gain the favor of God. Walking according to the Spirit is living in the truth of God's love toward us sinners in Christ
There is a connection between remembering what the Lord has done for you and obeying the Lord. It is good to have memorials to remember what God has done. The memorials weren't fancy because it wasn't about the memorial, but about what God had done. It is important to remember what God has done for you.
Overview of references to the Lord’s return in 1 Thessalonians. Also, a visa bid bird's-eye view of Romans compared to Hebrews
Going through Romans 5 verse by verse to capture the flow of thought and the meaning of the passage.
How the children of Israel traveled through the wilderness with God. Interestingly, there is no recounting of their sins and failures in this chapter. It summarizes their walk to the edge of their inheritance.
John Mark Bjorlie defines biblical prophecy and discusses how the gift of prophecy is exercised today and how we should respond to prophecy.
What David wrote in Psalm 2 is clearly illustrated in Abram's experience with Sodom and Chederloamar, helping us to understand what the Sovereignty of God is.
Moses responded to the proposal of the two tribes to stay on the other side of Jordan, warning them against discouraging the people of God. The tribes agreed to fight with the other tribes and so Moses gave the tribes what they asked for. The tribes were satisfied with what they had and didn't have a desire to go into the Lord’s inheritance. Is it possible for believers to make the same mistake?
A look at what it means to be spiritually dead, and what we have to look forward to in the resurrection in Christ
Paul's commands are given with the goal to produce love. So he wrote of good order in the church, and the importance of holding fast to the truth.
Looking at the epistle of Colossians as a letter shared with the Laodiceans. It seems their zeal to please the Lord resulted in blinding them to their poverty. Paul called in them to rest in the Lord.
Chapter ends with exhortation to hold fast to the faith, rejecting lies. The chapter begins with instructions to slaves to honor their masters. There is also instruction in how to handle money
These are feasts that have not had their fulfillment as of yet. With the vows, God takes our words seriously and holds us responsible for them. The concept of vows is not intended to keep us from moving forward, but to keep us from moving forward without God.
The meaning of slaves, how they were different than the slavery in the USA. The correct interpretation of the live of money is the root of all evil.
The working of the Son, the Spirit, and the Father in salvation as illustrated by the parable of the good shepherd, the lost coin, and the prodigal son. The woman searched diligently, illustrating how the Spirit uses the Light of God - creation, scripture, people of God - to seek the lost.
Part A, The responsibility of the church to care for those in need, especially widows. Part B. Elders and handling issues that arise
Jesus died as one who was a great criminal. But he was one who did for wherever He went. Why did He die in the cross? His last great cry in the cross was It is finished! After He died, they buried Him as though they did not expect Him to soon rise. His body rested in the grave after the work was finished. But He did rise.
Honoring one another. A short study in what it means to honor, taking the abstract concept to the concrete. Then a look at Paul's instructions on how to honor widows.
Looking at the background of the prodigal son and how it lays the foundation to illustrate adoption.
What Paul meant when he wrote "But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth"
The word of God is the firm foundation for the believer in an uncertain world. A look at how the word of God produces light of truth that gives a firm foundation for the believer to rest in.
Paul instructs Timothy to hold fast to words of faith and good doctrine. Wear it like armor to protect against deceptions. Then, be an example and encouragement to the believers. Because the choices we make will either encourage or discourage
Biblical adoption is not God seeing unwanted children and selecting some to be His children. It is selecting certain ones as heirs of the inheritance. All who are in Christ are part of the adoption. Adoption is God's plan for humanity.
The daily burnt offering to the Lord, keeping the flame going continuously. The weekly Sabbath burnt offering effectively doubled the daily offering. Some lessons we can learn of what the Lord desires in our walk with Him.
He grew up in a Christian home, but became involved with the drug world in his teens. Then God delivered him.
Redemption as illustrated by the Passover and fulfilled in Christ. A look at the purpose of God for His people in Christ and His work of holiness.
The Jews were blinded by their hatred to the truth that was before them, and Pilate gave Jesus over so they could do their will on him. How the sovereignty of God works with the will of people to produce something great from their choices.
Apostacy, abandoning the faith of true doctrine. It is receiving lies, and ignoring the warning of the conscience. It is turning away from God. But this is damaging while seeming to be liberating.
Reviewing the qualifications of elders and deacons, including women deacons. What the attitude of elders should be in working with the flock. Comparing to I Peter 5:1-4 and Acts 20:28-31. The challenges of being an elder.
None of the original people entered the inheritance except Joshua and Caleb, who each had a different spirit in them. The daughters of Zelophehad valued the inheritance and sought after it. This had the result of increasing the tribe's inheritance. It benefited the group as a whole. Entrance into the Inheritance would be under the leadership of a man whom God would select.
Jesus brings a close to the passover and begins a new feast. It is the introduction to a new age where the people of God will need to trust Him in the face of persecution.
There have been many divisions in the history of the church that stemmed from disagreements over who should be in charge and what the structure should be. Paul is telling them that they need to be careful of who they place in a higher position of scrutiny, giving them a list of characteristics to look at.
There is more here than you might expect. The first numbering is early in Numbers. Compared to the first counting, some tribes didn't fare so well. Other tribes flourished in the wilderness. The size of a tribe's inheritance depended on the size of the tribe at this numbering. Those that flourished received a larger inheritance.
A characteristic of the people who are part of the kingdom is that they look to God for justice, not to another source. They also look to God for mercy. They are the lost ones whom God looks for.
Instructions on prayer. For all men, for a peaceable life. Because God desires all to be saved. Men should pray without anger and quarreling. Women should adorn themselves in good works. In the church, women should learn in silence and not teach. God's intent on how men and women should work together.
The word of God, righteousness, peace, and joy. - There were some who did not come to Him because they did not believe His word. - Righteousness is in Christ, not from my own efforts. - Peace is from God, not generated by myself. - Joy is based on the Salvation in Christ, not on circumstances
Matthew 11:20-30 Woe to the cities where Jesus did his greatest works, comparing them to Sodom. He desired to give rest that is effective even in the midst of hardship
Through forgiveness we can deliver those who offend us from judgment. Modesty, do not be legalistic and do not be lax. In this passage, modesty is not about preventing lust but about avoiding gaudiness. It is good to intercede for those who are against us in that it pleases God
From God's eternal perspective of the people to their current state. Their current state was vastly different than Balaam's description from the eternal perspective. Also, the reason WHY they turned to sin versus the HOW they turned to idolatry from God. Idolatry is turning aside from the living God to idols, to love of the world, to satisfy fleshly desires.
People who come to the Lord thinking they are entitled to having him answer their prayers are a burden to him. He appreciates those who are humble
The safe place where a holy God could meet with a sinful people. What God was teaching his people through the construction of the ark
See how the natural world resists the foolhardy course of rebellious man towards the judgment from his Creator's judgment. 1 - They are in the world, but not of it. 2 - They can be scrutinized, but they are secured by the word of God. 3 - They are an oasis in the midst of a wilderness.
Faith, obedience, and the power of a good testimony. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stand up to Nebuchadnezzar
They are like an oasis in the wilderness by the Lord, not an empty waste. Coming out of Egypt as slaves, they have great strength. As the gift of the Holy Spirit. Oasis in the midst of wilderness.
The coming of the kingdom of God brings deliverance from the bondage of guilt. Specifically, the guilt that comes from not living as we should.
Numbers 23, how we know that Balaam was a false prophet. The blessings of the people of God: sanctified, irreversibly God's,
The passage shows how the kingdom of God is established on the foundation of the Word of God
Balak - false prophet, bought and blinded with money. Eyes opened by the Lord and words put into his mouth. The people of God cannot be cursed because they are blessed.
What God has in mind to accomplish on His people in the end - to be holy with Gad in His glory. A glimpse of what heaven will be like.
The battles of the LORD. With a side trail on the topic of what it means to be freed from sin.
Good sent poisonous serpents among the Israelites because of their sin. When they cried out to Him, He instructed Moses to raise up a bronze serpent on a pole for their salvation. The bronze serpent became an illustration of the Lord Jesus.
Speech is an important part of the believer's life. Practical guidance from scripture in regulating our speech
The parable of the Sower and the 4 types of soil. In Luke, the stories following the parable illustrate the 4 soils
Luke 7 shows people's need for salvation. Through parables in chapter 8, the Lord shows that the Word of God is essential for life.
The next segment of the series in the overview of Luke. Probably somewhere in the portion of Luke 5 and 6
An overview of the gospel of Luke. Section 1. How God humbles the lofty and elevates the lowly.
The Lord's path to the Cross took him through the garden where he prayed not my will but yours be done. Then they took him to the high priests and put him on trial. Through it all, the Lord demonstrated such beautiful humility.
Salvation is a work of God, not something that we accomplish by the purity of our faith. Abel was accepted because he believed. Enoch walked with God because he had faith.
The contrasting and complementary positions of the Lord Jesus: His absolute authority and His genuine humility.
The interactions in this passage show who Jesus is - the Pharisees and Saducees try to trap Jesus, but only succeed in showing who He is. Then Jesus shows the true perspective to those who receive His word.
Two spies gave a good report that reflected their dependence upon God. 10 spies gave a bad report based on their human perspective. Israel had to choose which report they would believe.
They were blind because they didn't want Jesus. - The triumphal entry into Jerusalem. - Jesus weeps over Jerusalem. - Cleansing the temple. Parable of the wicked vinedressers
12 spies were sent to Canaan. They returned with two different reports of the land. God was testing Israel to see if they would follow Him.
The parable speaks of a nobleman going away ro receive a kingdom. His servants were expected to occupy themselves profitably until he returned. What does this parable teach us of how we should be living until the Lord returns with His kingdom?
Aaron and Miriam speak against the man who the Lord set up to lead His people. The Lord exposed the ugliness of their envy.
Looking at facts related to the resurrection, the faith of the resurrection, and the future of the resurrection.
Jesus told the Pharisees that the kingdom of God would be among them. He meant that certain people would be part of the Kingdom while others would not. This portion shows what kind of people are part of the kingdom of God. They are people who are dependent upon God as their only resource, and people who recognize that they need the mercy of God.
The children of Israel complained against the Lord, that He had not provided the food they wanted to satisfy the craving of their bellies. Moses complained before the Lord.
The coming of the kingdom of God. Currently, it is in the hearts of certain people. Which people? Those who recognize God as king, and recognize their need for His mercy.
The feast of God is a feast of rejoicing. What does God rejoice over? He rejoices over the lost who repent.
How the people of God followed the leading of God as they headed into the wilderness. Al Bulow
Message delivered by Caleb Bulow on January 19, 2020. The parable of the invitation to the feast that was rejected; poor people were brought in. To be a disciple of Christ, must be willing to forsake all; count the cost; correlation to Philippians 3. Parables of the lost sheep and coin; rejoicing over one sinner that repents.
The cloud that guided. The silver trumpets that directed. Final preparations before the departure from Mount Sinai into the Wilderness. Message by Alan Bulow delivered on January 5, 2020