Ark of Hope Fellowship: Recent Episodes
Ark of Hope
Free Grace and Rapture-Ready! These are messages from our fellowship gatherings.
We believe that the return of Jesus Christ is imminent and strive to equip believers to walk in the will of God during these trying last days.
Please visit our website at http://www.arkofhopejasper.com for more resources and teachings.
“The Triumph of the Lamb of God” (Rev. 5:1-14)
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The identity of the scroll (5:1)
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- The scroll represents the __________ God has in store for His heirs.
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The plight of fallen creation (5:2-4)
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- No created being has a ________to what God wishes to give.
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The Worthy One is revealed (5:5)
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- “Lion of the tribe of Judah” bespeaks Jesus’ ___________ victory.
- “Root of David” bespeaks His ______________ glory.
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The Worthy One is described (5:6-7)
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- Lamb (having been slain): ____________
- Horns: _____________
- Eyes: _____________/_______________
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The song of the redeemed and their ministers (5:8-12)
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- Jesus is given the glory of the _____________.
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The song of all creation (5:13-14)
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- Jesus is given the glory of the ____________.
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“The Throne of the Eternal Father” (Rev. 4:1-11)
I. The door of heaven is opened (4:1-2a)
i. Jesus __________ all to His heavenly home by His Spirit.
II. The Father’s glory (4:2b-3)
i. The Father is _______ in His holiness: truth and righteousness.
ii. The Father is consuming in His impartial anger.
iii. The Father is gentle in His _____________ love.
III. The priest-kings of heaven (4:4:4)
i. Overcomers will share in Christ’s righteousness.
ii. Overcomers will share in Christ’s _____________.
IV. The terrible and serene majesty of God (4:5)
i. God’s power ________ up the mightiest storm.
ii. God is the ________ in the mightiest storm.
V. The crystal sea before the Father (4:6a)
i. God spreads the roof of His Tabernacle over us (15:2).
VI. The guardians of the throne (4:6-8)
i. The cherubim (from karibu, “to bless”) picture both the noble
____________ of God and creation’s expected ________ of
them. All that we admire of nature goes straight back to the
Maker:
1. Lion-regal authority, boldness (Matthew)
2. Calf-strength, service (Mark)
3. Human-intelligence, familiar (Luke)
4. Eagle-divine dignity, wisdom (John)
5. Wings-speed, eager to obey
6. Eyes-knowledge, watchfulness
VII. The praise of the priest-kings (4:9-11)
i. Overcomers will have a _________ to cast before the throne.
ii. God deserves all because He made all.
iii. God didn’t make us because He needed but because He
___________ to.
“Things Which Thou Hast Seen” (Part 2-Revelation 1:9-20)
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A King to dutifully wait for (1:9)
- Christ’s glory for His heavenly family involves an earthly ___________.
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A King to discover anew (1:10)
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Christ’s glory __________ us for any struggle.
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The King’s indelible writ (1:11)
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Christ’s glory is communicated through the ___________ Word.
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The King with His people (1:12-13a)
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Christ’s glory, as Son of Man, sustains His people on their __________.
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The King’s regalia (1:13b)
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Christ’s glory combines the Melchizedekian glory of ________ and _________.
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The King’s sevenfold glory (1:14-16)
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Christ’s glory is terrible in its ________ and tender in its __________.
- Head:
- Eyes:
- Feet:
- Voice:
- Hand:
- Mouth:
- Countenance:
- The King’s endless bounty (1:17-18)
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Christ’s glory was ______________ and reclaimed to ________ the condemned.
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The King’s explanation (1:19-20)
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Christ’s glory is presented ___________ to those who have ears to hear.
“The King Is Coming!” (1 Thess. 5:1-11)
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The Gospel stresses the imminency of the Lord in general.
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Our frail life (James 4:14; Luke 12:20)
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Before considering how no one knows the timing of the Lord’s return to this world, it is good to be reminded that we have no way of knowing when we will be taken out of this world.
- His sudden return (Mt. 24:36, 42-44)
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For all we have studied in this series, no Scripture gives us the hour, day, month, year, century, or millennium in which Christ will return. The Lord kept things purposely vague in this regard.
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Moreover, we must not read our experience into the statements of Scripture, to think that Christ could not have returned earlier in history. His return has been imminent since He ascended from the Mount of Olives.
- At this point one might wonder if septamillennialism stands opposed to imminency. While my explanation of Hosea 6:2 is certainly based on a diligent study of Scripture, the texts are not so clear as to require the septamillennial view. God left His Word open enough to permit different possibilities (See the Tim LaHaye Prophecy Study Bible.). Indeed, it could be that the Hosea prophecy has more than one reference (See The Henry Morris Study Bible. Cf. Joel 2:231). If so, at the very least, the text promises the two-part salvation of Israel through the Messiah’s death and resurrection. At the most, it suggests the end of Israel’s unbelief in our lifetime. These ideas are not mutually exclusive (Cf. Hosea 11:1; Mt. 2:15). Such a double reference would be in line with God’s purpose of concealing the exact time of His return.2 Additionally, no one knows precisely when six thousand years will be reached, and in any case the question pertains to the Second Coming, not the Rapture.
- The Gospel stresses the imminency of the Lord’s return in particular.
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Encouragement for believers: Our longing will end!
- Motivation for believers: Our suffering will be rewards!
- Warning to unbelievers: Our flesh will pass away…
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Conclusion: Our Gospel presentation must include the Lord’s return without excluding the obvious fact that we, and our hearers, may die before this event.
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This concept of “dual imminency” is neglected by those who ignore the subject of eschatology in their preaching.
- It is also neglected by those who deny the intermediate state of disembodied souls or those who promote post-mortem salvation.
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1 It is interesting that the “latter rain,” or spring rain, is heavier than the “former rain,” fall rain. If the “former rain” refers to the second coming and the “latter rain” to the first, then we have God’s Word telling us that the first coming of Christ is more important than His return! We often think of the cross as somehow less than the conquest, but the reality is that the cross is the conquest. The payment has been made and it is only for Jesus to reveal what He has purchased (Rom. 8:19, 30)! Jesus has already destroyed the barrier between us and God. And at the appointed time we will go through it. Maranatha!
2 Consider Daniel 12:4. We live in the age of knowledge, including unprecedented interest in Bible prophecy. Perhaps the septamillennial view has become popular again because the seventh millennium is truly at hand.
“A Resurrection of the Ages: Our Destiny and Calling” (Hosea 6:1-3)I. The Age of Death in which we struggle will come to an end (Rom.8:18-19).II. Because of Christ’s resurrection, corruption will be conquered (Heb.1:10-12).a. The Jews will then be resurrected (Hosea 6:1-3).b. The Church will then be resurrected (1 Cor. 15:54).III. All that comes to pass has been planned by our sovereign God (Heb.1:2-3; 11:3).IV. What has been revealed about the ages is to comfort and challenge us(Heb. 12:18-25).a. Overcomers will experience a future “out-resurrection” (Phil. 3:11).b. Spirit-led believers experience the power of the resurrection now(Rom. 8:13).
Wednesday night Bible studies often are a relaxed, free flow conversation between Pastor Buddy and Scott. Tonight we have a full house with others from our Church.
Revelation 22:19
And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. KJV
And if anyone takes away from the words of this prophetic book, God will take away his share of the tree of life and the holy city, written in this book. HCSB
Revelation 22:14
Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. KJV
“Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by the gates. HCSB
Wednesday night Bible studies often are a relaxed, free flow conversation between Pastor Buddy and Scott.
In tonight's study we discuss the translation debate of Acts 12:4
And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. (KJV)
When he had seized him, he put him in prison and handed him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending to bring him before the people after the Passover. (MEV)
Wednesday night Bible studies often are a relaxed, free flow conversation between Pastor Buddy and Scott.
In tonight's study we discuss the translation debates of Isaiah 14:29, 13:21, and Jeremiah 51:37
Isaiah 14:29
Rejoice not thou, whole Palestina, because the rod of him that smote thee is broken: for out of the serpent's root shall come forth a cockatrice, and his fruit shall be a fiery flying serpent. (KJV)
Rejoice not, O Philistia, all of you, because the rod that struck you is broken; for out of the serpent’s root shall come forth a viper, and his fruit shall be a fiery flying serpent. (MEV)
Isaiah 13:21
But wild beasts of the desert shall lie there; and their houses shall be full of doleful creatures; and owls shall dwell there, and satyrs shall dance there. (KJV)
But wild beasts of the desert shall lie down there, and their houses shall be full of owls, ostriches also shall dwell there, and shaggy goats shall dance there. (MEV)
Jeremiah 51:37
And Babylon shall become heaps, a dwellingplace for dragons, an astonishment, and an hissing, without an inhabitant. (KJV)
Babylon will become heaps, a dwelling place for jackals, an astonishment, and a hissing, without an inhabitant. (MEV)
Part 11-The Fellowship's Duty and Discipline (1 John 5:14-21)
- God always listens favorably to the prayers of the faithful (5:14-15).
- While our prayers may not always be answered affirmatively, they will always be answered favorably.
- Prayer should focus on the spirituality of our brothers (5:16-17).
- Sometimes a prayer for a brother's repentance and physical well-being will be answered. Sometimes it will not. This is because some sins result in physical death because of God's chastening.
- Sin does not endanger the sanctified position of the believer (5:18).
- The spirit is never tainted by unrighteous behavior and the Devil's accusations have no power over us. One day the corruption of the flesh will no longer tempt the believer. Meantime, knowing our inner identity is essential to both our assurance and our walk with Christ.
- Acting on our position keeps us practically holy (5:19-21).
- John shifts from who we are despite our sin to who we are when we forsake sin. When our born-again nature is unimpeded by unrighteous behavior, we can say that we are "from God" (practically sanctified) as opposed to the world which "lieth in wickedness" (positional unrighteousness).
Wednesday night Bible studies often are a relaxed, free flow conversation between Pastor Buddy and Scott.
In tonight's study we discuss the translation debates of Exodus 20:13, Numbers 23:22, and Numbers 35:11
Exodus 20:13
Thou shalt not kill. (KJV)
You shall not murder. (MEV)
Numbers 23:22
God brought them out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn (KJV)
God, who brings them out of Egypt, has strength like a wild ox. (MEV)
Deuteronomy 23:17
There shall be no whore of the daughters of Israel, nor a sodomite of the sons of Israel. (KJV)
There must never be a cult prostitute among the daughters of Israel nor a cult prostitute among the sons of Israel. (MEV)
Part 10 - The Fellowship's Empirical Foundation (1 John 5:6-13)
- Witnesses of the earthly testimony (5:6)
- "Water"
- This likely refers to physical birth. The virgin birth is implied by John in John 8:8:38,41
- "Blood"
- This refers to physical death, Subsitutionary sacrifice is implied (1 John 1:7)
- "Spirit"
- Together, the water adn the blood provide an illustration of both the incarnation and the atonement. It is the Holy Spirit that convinces us of the apostles' message.
- "Water"
- Witnesses of the heavenly testimony (5:7)
- The witnesses in Heaven ground the witnesses on Earth. John assures his readers that the truth does not depend on the creature but the Creator.
- Unity of the two testimonies (5:8)
- The testimony of the earthly witnesses points back to the heavenly ones.
- The superiority of God's testimony (5:9)
- This is self-evidently true, that is, that God's Word is more reliable than men. Is not He the "Logos"? Is His mind not free from the limitations of finitude?
- The responses to God's testimony (5:10)
- When we believe the Holy Spirit internally testifies to the truth of our faith. We need look nowhere else for a better foundation. (Prov. 3:5-6).
- The Promise of God's testimony (5:11-12)
- The condition for having eternal life rests simply on having Jesus personally. (John 6:35-40).
- The assurance of God's testimony (5:13)
- John refreshed the memory of his audience so that they could know they were save and continue to do so.
Wednesday night Bible studies often are a relaxed, free flow conversation between Pastor Buddy and Scott.
In tonight's study we discuss the direction of this study and finally review the translation debates Genesis 1:28, Genesis 6:4
There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown. Gen 6:4 KJV
The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of man and they bore children to them. These were the mighty men who were of old, the men of renown. Gen 6:4 ESV
And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. Gen 1:28 KJV
God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the sky, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” Gen 1:28 ESV
Part 9b The Fellowship's Orthopraxis of Love (1 John 4:19-5:5)
- Love soothes and convicts us (4:19)
- Love frees us so we can get outside of ourselves (4:20-21).
- Love already rooted in us, is key to our self-understanding (5:1-2)
- Love removes all complaints, for we realize where we are going and why (5:3-5)
Wednesday night Bible studies often are a relaxed free flow conversation between Pastor Buddy and Scott.
In tonight's study we discuss the translation debates of Ezekiel 38.
2 Son of man, set your face against Gog of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshek and Tubal, and prophesy against him, MEV
2 Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him, KJV
13 Sheba and Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish with all its villages shall say to you, “Have you come to take spoil? Have you gathered your company to seize prey, to carry away silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods, to take great spoil?” MEV
13 Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof, shall say unto thee, Art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil? KJV
Part 9a - The Fellowship's Orthopraxis of Love (1 John 4:16-18)
- Love gives evidence goes beyond reason (4:16)
- Love does not stop at receiving a gift (4:17)
- Love chastens the conscience to bring about growth (4:18)
Part 8b - The Fellowship's Orthodoxy of Love (1 John 4:11-15)
- The __________ nature of love (4:11-12)
- Reason for love (4:11)
- Result of love (4:12)
- The declarative nature of love (4:13-15)
- The ________ declares to us (4:13)
- We declare to others (4:14-15)
Part 8a - The Fellowship's Orthodoxy of Love (1 John 4:7-10)
- The __________________ Nature of love (4:7-8)
- Originating in ________________ (4:7a)
- ______________ in a moment (4:7b)
- Nurturing in a process (4:8)
- The historical nature of love (4:9-10)
- The __________ of love (4:9)
- The price of love (4:10)
Part 7 - The Fellowship's Discernment (1 John 4:1-6)
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The ______________ of Deception (4:1)
- Don't be naive.
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The ___________ of Truth (4:2)
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The Spirit never contradicts Himself.
- The Spirit always elevates Jesus to His proper place as God.
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The Test of _______________ (4:3)
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The Satanic delusion of the End Times is already at work.
- The Satanic delusion is a reaction to Christianity.
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Two __________________, Two States (4:4-5)
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Believers are already immune from the worse effect of deception.
- Unlike Christians, the lost have only one path available to them: worldliness.
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Two Mindsets, Two _________________ (4:6)
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The Apostles (i.e, their writings) provide a timeless standard of knowledge.
Part 6b - The Fellowship's Mission 1 John 3:16-24
I. The love of God can only be perceived through the giving of ourselves (16-18)
II. Our faithfulness should be measured against the truth of God, not the accusations of our hearts (19-20)
III. The effectiveness of our prayers is contingent on our obedience, not our feelings (21-22)
IV. Intimacy with God is possible by the presence of the Holy Spirit and measure by the Holy Spirit.
The Fellowship's Mission (1 John 3:11-15)
I. The world hates us because our existence condemns them (11-14a)
II. We fail each other and the lost when we act as Cain did (14b-15)
The Fellowship's Hope of Holiness (1 John 3:1-10)
I. Our hope has been spiritually realized ____________ (1:1)
- We are called "sons" presently. We do not have to wait in suspense until Judgement to discover our sonship. Understanding our identity is key to delivering us from fear and pride. Fear immobilizes us and pride deceives us. Both take our eyes off God and, thus, are of no benefit to those around us.
- When we are manifesting our sonship to the world, we will become foreigners to the unsaved. This of course, pertains to the less palatable teachings of Scripture, but also the basic message of grace.
II. Our hope guarantees ______________ joy in the future (1:2).
- The life invested in the believer when he first believes will eventually spread beyond the spirit to encompass the body.
- "Seeing" Jesus is the catalyst to spiritual change. All believers see Him with the eye of faith at conversion and we will see Him with the eye of actual sight when he returns.
III. Our hope is ______________ beneficial in keeping us clean (1:3-4)
- Jesus is free from all sin. As we dwell on Him, on what we are in Him of what we will be through Him, and what we can be for Him, we will transform our thinking and, by extension, our conduct.
IV. Our hope logically ____________ us through sacred and personal history (1:5-8).
- As we move onward to the end set before us, we must remind ourselves constantly of where our journey began. If we fail to do this, we will fail to grasp the significance of our journey and become sidetracked alongside the world. Our story is both subjective and objective.
V. Our hope is a ________________ of the new creation in us (1:9).
- The fact that we hope in Christ, and struggle against the temptation to disregard it, is proof that we have residing in us the down payment of the coming new creation. The process has already begun and cannot be undone (2 Cor. 5:17; Heb. 1:10-12)!
VI. Our hope battles with the world polluted _____________ in us (1:10)
- A battle wages because the war has not been resolved. Though we are no longer a part of the world (spirit), a part of the world is in us (flesh).
Part 4b - The Fellowship's Anointing (1 John 2:24-29)
I. ___________ (and don't ___________) your worthy labors for God (2:24)
- The audience had not listened to the false teachers yet. They could take heart in that God was pleased with them. Why? Simply because they maintained pure doctrine and loved each other. This is all they needed to assure themselves before God (1 John 3:20)
II. _____________ the unmerited __________ God has shown you (2:25).
- The audience is being tempted by false teachers to deny Jesus is the Christ, yet this is the very doctrine which they believed for everlasting life (Cf. John 6:68). Thus this statement is an appeal based on a relationship already established.
III. ___________ the Spirit's ______________, not false gnosis of heretics (2:26-27)
- Don't look for answers in anything beyond what you have received through the Holy Spirit's testimony in the teaching of the apostles, which He confirms from with you (Rom. 8:16, 1 Cor. 4:6)
IV. _____________ your new birth so you are ____________ at Christ's return (2:28-29).
- As the return of Jesus is imminent, we must stay in the light to not be ashamed when He finally appears. If we wish to have confidence when Christ returns, we must be manifesting our new nature. How? We hold onto sound doctrine regarding the nature of Jesus and love one another. That is the sum of John's orthodoxy and orthopraxis.
Part 4a - The Fellowship's Anointing (1 John 2:24-29)
I. ___________ (and don't ___________) your worthy labors for God (2:24)
- The audience had not listened to the false teachers yet. They could take heart in that God was pleased with them. Why? Simply because they maintained pure doctrine and loved each other. This is all they needed to assure themselves before God (1 John 3:20)
The Fellowship's Membership and Opposition (1 John 2:12-23)
I. Attainable Attributes: The ____________ of the Family (12-14)
- Who are we?
- "Little Children" - vulnerable and trusting (forgiveness)
- "Fathers" - farseeing and humble (knowledge)
- "Young Men" - strong and bold (victory)
II. Well-Balanced Worldview: The ______________ of the family (15-17)
- How to see the world around us?
- "Lust of the flesh" - sin comes from within
- "Lust of the eyes" - sin appeals to our senses
- "Pride of Life" - sin wants autonomy
III. Inevitable Infiltration: The _______________ of the Family (18-23)
- Are we on our guard?
- What does "last time" mean? Rev. 22;20
- Who are "they"? 1 John 4:4-6; 2 John 7-9; Acts 15:1,24
- Who exactly is the Antichrist? 2 Thes 2:7
Part 2 The Fellowship's Antithesis
1 John 2:1-11
- Our Help: Advocate and Advantage (verses 1-2) Sinning after being born again is unnatural but inevitable, so we must depend on our Advocate for assurance of our position and strength in our practice.
- Our Occupation: Commandments and Communion (verses 3-6) Keeping God's commandments is necessary to abide in fellowship and deepen our personal knowledge of Him.
- Our Warning: Darkness and Disappointment (verses 7-11) The greatest event in history has happened for our benefit: the Incarnation. As such, we must walk in this new Light, or else live outside of Christ's blessed favor.
Part 1: The Fellowship's Design (1 John 1)
The fellowship is...
- Metaphysical: It flows from the eternal and ____________ nature of God (1-3). Our fellowship with God is grounded in a relationship that we participate in through spiritual adoption. God's love for His Son and the latter's reciprocal love have existed prior to the creation of time itself.
- Historical: It is objective, based on ____________ accounts (1-3). John reassures us that our fellowship is founded on observable evidence. Being based on metaphysical reality, this evidence provides us with the confirmation our human minds demand.
- Experimental: It is _______________, based on faith (4). Metaphysical and historical truth will never satisfy us unless it becomes an individual reality. Humans desire a meaningful and transformative relationship. The facts become personal through faith and intimacy with God grows as our faith does.
- Purposeful: It reside in truth and ______________ (5-6). Enjoying our relationship with God necessitates being where He is, and He never leaves the light. Being His children, we have a new nature fro Him which draws us i deeper. If we want to know Him, we must be like Him (1 John 3:2). By being like Him we not only enrich our own lives, but we also bear His goodness to others. We begin to want others to love our God, as well as for them to experience His love.
- Humble: It requires _______________ and remembrance (7-10). As we strive to be in the light, we are to be ever aware of our fallen flesh. We must not deceive ourselves into thinking our struggle is over. Such misguided thinking can lead to spiritual defeat when we sin (Rom. 7:24), but it can also lead to an arrogant attitude that hurts others.
Today's message is about how we cannot obtain the righteousness of God while trying to hold out our own righteousness. We have two options in trying to reach God - following the law to obtain our own righteousness, which we can never accomplish OR following God's path to Himself by trusting in the righteousness of Jesus Christ. Which are you trusting in?
Tonight's discussion centered around the specific elements of the seder and how they point to the trinity, the crucifixion, the Father, the coming of John the Baptist and more!
This beautiful Sunday morning, we discussed the foreknowledge of God, how we must allow Christ to serve us through giving us salvation before we can in turn serve Him out of gratitude for His gift, and how we should live as a result of our gratitude.
Join us as we study specific signs in the Passover that point very directly to Christ's crucifixion. It's so wild that we had to call in the fact-checker! (Continued study of Messianic Feasts)
Tonight we discuss Simon the Sorcerer (Simon the Magician, Simon Magus) and whether he was actually a believer...
Tonight we studied three of the Latter Rain (fall) festivals - Tabernacles (Sukkot), The Great Salvation (The Great Day) and The Eighth Conclusion (Shimini Atzeret) and how they foreshadow different events the are prophesied for the End Times. A dispensational view really makes all of the pieces come together!
Tonight examine what is considered a "problem verse" - 1 Peter 3:21 - and discuss the various ways it is interpreted.
How does baptism save us? (Hint: it literally doesn't...)
Continuing study of Ancient Messianic Festivals: And the Prophecies They Reveal by Ken Johnson
Our Wednesday night study based on the book Ancient Messianic Festivals by Ken Johnson)
