December 22 | Standing for the Church

Series | The Life of Revival

Scripture | 1 Timothy 3:14, “If I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.”

Lesson 22 | Standing for the Church

The church is the only thing that Jesus said He would personally build and that the gates of hell couldn’t overcome, Matthew 16:18.  He didn’t say He was going to build a company, a government, or even a “religion.”  Jesus chose twelve men to be the foundation of His church and all these men, except for Judas, became the pillars for the church with Jesus as the Cornerstone.

The Greek word for church is “ekklesia,” and means, “the gathered and called out ones.”  Specifically, in regards to Jesus the church refers to the disciples who are gathered together under the lordship of Jesus to proclaim the gospel and make disciples of the nations.  From the Day of Pentecost until now Jesus has been building His church upon disciples that make disciples.  According to Paul in the above verse the church of gathered disciples is the pillar and foundation of truth in this world.

Certainly, there are church buildings with church leaders and members that have backslide and have been overcome by the devil’s deception.  However, the actual bride of Christ has remained unblemished throughout every age.  She is beautiful to her groom (Jesus Christ) and terrifying to the enemy.  Though Satan has tried to use false doctrines, gross sin, greed, corrupt leaders, and deception against the church she has not failed or faltered but rather has multiplied around the world and is reaching more people with the truth than ever before.

Therefore, you and I need to stand with the church of Jesus Christ in our generation.  Here are three ways to stand with the church; (1) Join a biblically based church in your community, (2) Support your church’s leadership with tithes and offers and prayers; and lastly, (3) Become involved in the church so you can be a living stone built up and used for God’s glory.     

Reflection | In what ways can you stand for the church in your culture? 

Action | (1) Explain from the Bible why you should stand for the church.  (2) Pray that God will use you to reach out and build the church with disciples that make disciples.  (3) Lastly, for more information regarding standing for the church read the following books, “Discipleship Based Churches,” by Joe Wyrostek and “The Disciple-Making Church,” by Bill Hull.  

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | Zechariah 2:1-3:10, Revelation 13:1-18, Psalm 141:1-10, & Proverbs 30:18-20. Click here to read online.

December 21 | Standing for Truth

Series | The Life of Revival

Scripture | 2 Corinthians 13:8, “For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.”

Lesson 21 | Standing for Truth

We live in a time like that of ancient Rome when Pilot heard Jesus’ mission to “testify to the truth” and proudly retorted, “What is truth?” John 18:37-38.  Many people today have adopted a view of truth known as “relativism.”  Relativism is a belief system that holds to the point of view that there is no absolute truth.  When a relativist hears Christians make biblical truth claims about morality they will usually respond by saying something like, “Well, that may be true for you, but it’s not true for me.”  The reason why the react this way is because they don’t believe any truth is absolute (always true for everyone).

However, what is remarkable about this erroneous view of truth is that people actually believe it though it is completely self-defeating and utterly contradictory.  For example, when the relativist states, “There is no absolute truth” they are actually making an absolute truth claim.  In other words, if there were no absolute truths, no statement could ever be absolutely true, including the one they just made!  So a great response to their claim is to ask, “Is the statement, ‘There is no absolute truth’ absolutely true?”    

Another example of relativism’s contradictory nature is when they say, “Your belief may be true for you but it’s not true for me because nothing is true for everybody.”  Like before, this statement makes a claim that truth is always relative.  But if truth is always relative than the statement itself couldn’t always be true because it is also relative.  You could then simply ask, “Is the statement, ‘Its true for you but not for everybody,’ true for everybody?”

I know dealing with people like this can be hard and even seem confusing but the only reason it feels so “mind bending” is because relativism tries to divorce truth (facts corresponding to reality) from logic (how we understand and reason within reality).  As a result, logic and truth work together to form a proper understanding of reality.  So if something is illogical it cannot be true and when something is true it will always be logical.  Therefore, may we all be like Paul who stated in the passage above, “We cannot do anything against truth, but only for truth!”

Here are there ways you can stand for truth; (1) Believe that absolute truth exists, (2) Understand that truth exists because God created a world based on natural laws that can be understood through science, math, and logic.  God is the “grounding” or “foundation” for natural laws.  (3) Use the Bible to help others understand that truth comes from God and is applicable to all areas of their lives.  Meaning, the best scientists, doctors, politicians, workers, inventors, teachers, businessmen, and parents are those who believe in God’s absolute truths and apply them into their everyday lives.         

Reflection | What ways have you seen God’s truth attacked in your culture? 

Action | (1) Explain from the Bible why you should stand for absolute truth.  (2) Pray that God will use you to reach out with His truth to those who think everything is relative.  (3) Lastly, for more information regarding standing for truth read the following books, “True Truth,” by Art Lindsley and “Evidence that Demands a Verdict,” by Josh McDowell.

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | Zechariah 1:1-21, Revelation 12:1-17, Psalm 140:1-13, & Proverbs 30:17. Click here to read online.

December 20 | Standing for a Biblical Worldview

Series | The Life of Revival

Scripture | 1 John 4:4-5, “4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 5 They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them.”

Lesson 20 | Standing for a Biblical Worldview

A worldview basically means the way in which you see the world.  Included in one’s worldview are beliefs about morals & ethics, marriage & family values, religious practices, and even politics.  Consider a worldview to be like the glasses in which you see the entire world through.  If you wear atheistic worldview glasses than everything you see will be based on the assumption that there is no god.  When you see flowers you would say, “Look at what blind evolutionary processes made over time.”  Or when looking at a baby, “Here is a clump of cells that will help reproduce the human species so that it can hopefully survive another generation.”

However, if you wear Christian or biblical worldview glasses you will see the same flower and say, “Look at what God created through His natural laws.”  Or when looking at a baby, “I see a beautiful and unique person created in the image of God.”  Certainly, there are countless other worldview glasses people can wear like the Islamic worldview, the New Age/Hindu glasses, or the materialistic selfish point of view.  However, according to the Bible there are only two real world views- God’s and the world’s.

Therefore, as John wrote in the above passage we need to recognize the difference between things that come from God and the world (everything else, including the devil who is the “god/ruler of this age”).  The good news for the disciple is that our worldview is greater than all the other perspectives because it comes from God Himself who lives within us.  So we shouldn’t get discouraged when we see worldly-minded people prospering or convincing other worldly people of their view.  We should be confident that our God overcomes the world!

Here are three ways to stand for a biblical worldview, (1) Base all your morals and values on the Word of God; (2) Make every major decision based in prayer and the will of God; and (3) Confront other false and harmful worldviews with the Word of God.  Remember; don’t let society force you to take off your biblical worldview glasses when you enter the work place, school, or government because everyone, including the godless, wears their worldview glasses everywhere they go!

Reflection | Are you standing for a biblical worldview?

Action | (1) Explain from the Bible why you should stand for a biblical worldview.  (2) Pray that God will use you to reach out with His worldview and compel with sound biblical reason those who see things differently.  (3) Lastly, for more information regarding standing for a biblical worldview read the following books, “What is the Christian Worldview,” by Philip Ryken and “Foundations of Christian Thought,” by Mark Cosgrove.

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | Haggai 1:1-2:23, Revelation 11:1-19, Psalm 139:1-24, & Proverbs 30:15-16. Click here to read online.

December 19 | Standing for the Word of God

Series | The Life of Revival

Scripture | 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Lesson 19 | Standing for the Word of God

“The B-I-B-L-E, yes that's the book for me.  I stand alone on the Word of God, the B-I-B-L-E, BIBLE!”  That ole’ children’s song should be the anthem and theme of every disciple’s life for everyday of their life.  We don’t stand on the sinking sand of man’s wisdom and opinions, we stand with our head’s held high, shoulders straight, and our feet firmly planted on the “Thus says the Lord!”  If God said it, I believe it, and that settles it! Period.

Many have heard the Word of God but have been deceived by “evolutionary scientists,” “modern pop philosophers,” and the “vain babblings of arm chair textual critics.”  However, despite each and every attack on the Bible the sixty-six books of the Holy Scriptures, from Genesis to Revelation, remain firmly intact as the God breathed inerrant Word of the Lord.

People don’t disbelieve the Bible primarily because of textual issues, theological conundrums, or even for its miraculous claims; no, men and women who don’t love God’s Word do so because they love their sin.  Their evil desires allow the devil to keep their eyes blinded to its relevance and life changing power.  But if they will simply apply understanding to the teachings found in the Bible’s pages they could be given the gift of faith and be saved just like millions around the world, Matthew 13:19.

God will not force people to believe His Word; each person must personally decide if they will follow His ways of their own.  At the same time, whether man believes the Bible or not they will experience the truth of it both now and in the world to come.  The Word of God will come to pass and be the standard by which all men’s eternal souls will be judged, John 12:47-48.  Have you fully believed and obeyed God’s Word?

Here are three ways to stand for the Word of God, (1) Believe and accept the validity and veracity of the Bible in its present form; (2) Study the Word of God daily so you can rightly apply it to all of life’s situations; and lastly, (3) Preach, pray, and plug away.  Preach the Word everywhere you go, pray the Word of God everyday, and plug away until Jesus comes back!    

Reflection | Are you standing for the Word of God?

Action | (1) Explain from the Bible why you should stand for the Word of God.  (2) Pray that God will use you to reach out to everyone around you with the Word of God.  (3) Lastly, for more information regarding standing with the Word of God read the following books, “Its Time to Rock the Boat,” by Michael Brown and “Reinventing Jesus,” by Daniel Wallace.

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | Zephaniah 1:1-3:20, Revelation 10:1-11, Psalm 138:1-8, & Proverbs 30:11-14. Click here to read online.

December 18 | Standing for Jesus & the Gospel

Series | The Life of Revival

Scripture | Hebrews 13:8, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

Lesson 18 | Standing for Jesus & the Gospel

Kingdoms may come and go, cultural trends may come in and out of style, and great leaders may build empires and great monuments to themselves but no one can stand in comparison to the unchanging greatness of Jesus Christ.  John 1:1-3 boldly proclaims, “1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.”   In other words, Jesus existed as God the Son before all creation and He made you and everything you see for His Father’s glory.

Paul also said in Philippians 2:10-11, “…at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”  There is no escaping His Kingdom, be sure of this, everyone will bow before Him.  Are you ready to meet and bow before your Maker? 

In a time when the media proudly defies God, comedians and musicians alike ridicule His followers, and politicians and world leaders try to outlaw His Words Jesus remains unchanged and unmoved.  You will grow old and die, your strength will fail you and all your greatness and success will evaporate like dew in the heat of the sun but Jesus will remain exactly the same. 

Every great author’s books will vanish, all the wisdom of men will disappear but Jesus and his gospel will last forever.  In the end Jesus’ gospel will cover the earth like satellite airwaves cover the globe with TV and Internet.  John wrote in Revelation 14:6, “Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth —to every nation, tribe, language and people.”  Have you accepted His gospel?

Here are three ways you can stand with Jesus and His gospel, (1) Repent and believe the good news of Jesus Christ; (2) Preach the gospel to as many people as you can in this life; and (3) Pray for God to save sinners with His gospel in every part of the world.        

Reflection | Are you standing for Jesus and the gospel?

Action | (1) Explain from the Bible why you should stand with Jesus and the gospel.  (2) Pray that God will use you to reach out to everyone around you with the message of Jesus Christ.  (3) Lastly, for more information regarding standing with Jesus and the gospel read the following books, “The Case for Christ,” by Lee Strobel and “The Gospel and Personal Evangelism,” by Mark Dever.

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | Habakkuk 1:1-3:19, Revelation 9:1-21, Psalm 137:1-9, & Proverbs 30:10. Click here to read online.

December 17 | Standing Against Christian Apathy

Series | The Life of Revival

Scripture | Matthew 24:12-13, “12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.”

Lesson 17 | Standing Against Christian Apathy

Apathy means to “lack care, emotion, and concern for certain things in life.”  To be apathetic in the church means to “lose your passion for the things of God.”  Jesus said in the above passage that in the last days people would grow cold in their love for Him because of the increase of wickedness.  James also said in James 4:17, “If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.”  Consequently, the disciple of Christ should never lose their passion for God but rather should do all the good they can for as long as they can to as many people as they can. 

The world we live in today is in a “war of world views.”  It seems as the homosexual agenda has fought its way out of the closet they have slowly drawn Christians into the closet.  The same is true in the media where everyone wants diversity, however, the disciples of Christ have been left out and made to be as quiet as a church mouse!  

Though in America at one time it was “mainstream” to be a Christian and hold to the values of the Bible.  Now we live in a time where “good is called evil” and “evil is called good,” Isaiah 5:20-21.  Standing up for traditional marriage is called “intolerant and bigoted” and teaching children that certain actions are considered sins in the Bible is now equated to child abuse- God have mercy!   

The pressure of being tolerant, politically correct, and diverse has caused many Christians to become apathetic to the world around them.  Some have altogether left the gospel ship and have set sail with the wicked.  While others have a “hide and huddle” mindset because they are afraid to rock the boat of culture in the slightest way afraid of being labeled a “hatemonger.”  Still there are some that care more about their favorite sport team than the Kingdom of God!

All throughout the Bible people can been seen doing what others were afraid to do, Hebrews 11.  Their strong faith in God gave them the courage and boldness to win mighty battles, change culture, and walk in the miraculous power of God.  The bottom line is that the great men and women of the past were no different than you and I.  What made them able to do mighty things for God was the fact that they just couldn’t sit by and watch the world “go to hell in a hand basket.”  They had to get up and do something because of their faith inspired passion and zeal.  I pray that you and I will answer the call of heaven and find our place in the battle and do something great for the Kingdom of God in our generation, Matthew 22:14.

Here are three ways to stand against apathy: (1) Get on fire for God and stay on fire; (2) Do all the good you can for as long as you can.  You may not be able to do everything, but find something in God’s Kingdom you are good at and do it with all your might; and lastly, (3) Pray for those in apathy to awake and be the world changers God called them to be! 

Reflection | In what ways have you been apathetic?

Action | (1) Explain from the Bible why apathy is sinful.  (2) Pray that God will use you to reach out to those in the church who have been apathetic.  (3) Lastly, for more information regarding standing against apathy read the following books, “Revolution in the Church,” and “Whatever Happened to the Power of God? & It's Time to Rock the Boat,” by Michael Brown.

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | Nahum 1:1-3:19, Revelation 8:1-13, Psalm 136:1-26, & Proverbs 30:7-9. Click here to read online.

December 16 | Standing Against False Doctrines

Series | The Life of Revival

Scripture | 2 Timothy 4:3-4, “3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”

Lesson 16 | Standing Against False Doctrines

Not only is the disciple commanded to stand against false religions such as Islam and Mormonism but we are also required to stand against false doctrines in the Christian church.  In other words, if Satan cannot get us to forsake the Christian religion for another one on his “buffet of spirituality” he will try to introduce false teachings into the church itself.

False doctrines (or teachings) about God were already present in the church by the time of Paul’s conversion.  As a matter of fact, Paul’s first letter (and the New Testament’s earliest writing) is directed towards false teachers in the church who were introducing their unbiblical teachings to God’s people.  Specifically, there were a certain group of Jewish believers that started teaching the Gentile Christians in Galatia that if they were not circumcised they were not actually saved, Galatians 6:12-15.

Paul doesn’t hesitate in writing the consequences of such beliefs as seen in his opening passage found in Galatians 1:8, “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse!”  He even goes on to write in Galatians 3:1 that the act of believing false doctrines about Christ are like being under a spell, “You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you?”

Today in the church there are many false doctrines that the disciple has to be aware of.  Some false teachings involve keeping the Jewish laws to be right with God.  Others may teach that once you are saved you will always be saved no matter how you live- this belief becomes like a “license to sin.”  Still today there are false teachers that over emphasize the blessings of God and make prayer and the Christian life all about being rich and comfortable.  Therefore, no matter what the teaching is, if it doesn't line up with the Word of God it is to be rejected.

Here are three ways to stand against false doctrines, (1) Study the Bible and know what it clearly teaches; (2) Whenever you encounter a teaching that is not plainly taught in Scripture reject it and do not believe it; and lastly, (3) Pray for those who started off their race well, but have been deceived into believing lies.  

Reflection | What false doctrines have you encountered in the church?

Action | (1) Explain from the Bible why false doctrines are sinful.  (2) Pray that God will use you to reach out to those who have been deceived by unbiblical lies.  (3) Lastly, for more information regarding standing against false doctrines read the following books, “Introduction Christian Doctrine,” by Millard Erickson and “The Kingdom of the Cults,” by Walter Martin.

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | Micah 5:1-7:20, Revelation 7:1-17, Psalm 135:1-21, & Proverbs 30:5-6. Click here to read online.