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Christian Life Study Outlines

From The Open Bible

Outline Number Eleven

THE ABUNDANT LIFE

“… I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly” (John 10:10) The only way into eternal life is through faith in Jesus Christ as personal Savior (John 3:15) But do not stop here; to have eternal life is great-but there is more. Christ came that you might have life abundantly. All believers have life, but not all have abundant life. You are living beneath your privilege if you are a believer and not enjoying the abundant life

For life to be abundant, it must have abundant resources, and the only unlimited source of life is in the person Jesus Christ, the son of God (John 14:6) To possess this fuller life, the believer must abide in Him (John 15:1-5). Dynamic, abundant living is not for just a few, it is God’s norm for all believers. It is spiritual life in depth, and without it, the Christian life becomes inane and meaningless.

If you do not have abundant life within you, you will soon yield to the carnal (fleshly) life around you (1 Cor. 3:1-4) The carnal life is circumstance-controlled; the abundant life is Holy Spirit-controlled. The carnal Christian life leads to defeat; the abundant life leads to victory in Christ. Man seems to know everything about life except how to live it abundantly. From this moment on, determine not to be satisfied with anything less than God’s best: living life abundantly.

1. The Abundant Life is a Yielded Life Rom. 6:10-13 (10) For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. (11) Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (12) Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. (13) And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.

Notes: How to live the abundant life is no secret; it is revealed in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. “For the death that He died, He died to sin, once for all; but the life He lives, He lives to God” (above verse 10). Faith that saves identifies you with Christ in His death-this is eternal life. Faith that yields identifies you with Christ in His resurrection-this is abundant life (Col. 3:1-4)

(1) It is one thing to have eternal life by faith. It is quite another thing to have abundant life by faith.

(2) It is one thing for you to “… become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Cor. 5:21); it is another thing for you to realize His righteous life is in you (1 John 3:7).

(3) It is one thing for you to live in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17); It is another thing for Christ to live His life through you (Col. 1:27).

In the above verse (verse 13), the believer has a choice. He may yield to God by faith and enjoy abundant life or he may yield to sin and endure a defeated life (Rev. 3:1). God would have you know the power of a yielded life; it will lift you above circumstances that circumvent

abundant living. The abundant life begins when you yield to Him as Master, allowing Him to live His life through you by faith.

2. The Abundant Life is a Service Life (Rom. 12:1, 2) 1) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2) And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Notes: To live abundantly, you must serve the Lord Jesus Christ, who Himself became our example. He served all the way to Calvary, and there He was the obedient servant,” …obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross (Phil. 2:7, 8 )

In the verses 1 and 2 the believer is urged to take the necessary steps for abundant living.

(1) You are to “present“. This is volitional surrender to the perfect will of God, even though you may not know God’s perfect will for your life; it is, on your part, an act of faith (John 7:17

(2) You are to “present your bodies“. God must control and use the whole man. “And may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord, Jesus Christ.” Your whole man was redeemed on the cross and sanctified (set apart for service) (1 Thess. 5:23).

(3) You are to “… present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God which is your reasonable service.” This is exemplified in the life of the Apostle Paul; he was a “living sacrifice”. In life, he was “a servant of Christ Jesus” (Rom. 1:1). In battle, he was a warrior (Eph. 6:10-18). In the will of God, he was a “prisoner of Christ Jesus” (Eph. 3:1). These words were spoken from a Roman prison; he never referred to himself as a prisoner of Rome. To the Apostle, prison was a part of the perfect will of God. With this conviction, he lived abundantly (Phil. 1:12) In death, he was victorious (2 Tim. 4:7, 8).

You have been “transformed”, changed by the power of God, and no longer “conformed to this world” but now you can be conformed to the “good and acceptable and perfect” will of God, and live abundantly!

3. The Abundant Life is a Separated Life. Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God.

Notes: Separation is both positive and negative. You are to be “… set apart for the gospel of God”, this is positive (Rom. 1:1). You are to come out from anything that is contrary to the perfect will of God (2 Cor. 6:17) this is negative.

To be separated means to be sanctified (set apart) for salvation and service.

(1) The word of God has the power to separate the believer from sin (John 17:17) and (Ps. 119:11 OT)

(2) God the Father has the power to separate the believer to the “… coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess. 5:23).

(3) God the Son has the power to separate the believer to righteousness, “… having no spot or wrinkle (Eph. 5:24-27)

(4) God the Holy Spirit has the power to separate the believer unto salvation and service (2 Thess. 2:13)

Without being separated, you can have relationship with God; but, you cannot have fellowship with Him. You may be united to Him in Calvary, but separated from Him in sin (Is. 59:1,2 OT). Without separation, you can have influence without power, movement without achievement; you may try, but not trust; serve, but not succeed; war, but not win. Without separation to God from sin, your whole Christian life will be “wood, hay, straw”. The abundant life is made possible by death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and made a reality by being separated to Him.

4. The Abundant Life is a Spirit Filled Life. (Eph. 5:18-20) 18 ) And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19) speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20) giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Notes: The Holy Spirit indwells every believer. You may be immature, weak and imperfect; but, if you have been “born again” of the Spirit (John 3:3-7) He dwells in you (1 Cor. 6:19 and Rom. 8:9). It is one thing for you to have the Holy Spirit dwelling in you, but does the Holy Spirit have you, that He may fill you with abundant life? The abundant life is not found in environment or circumstances, or in the things you may possess. It is found in the infilling of the Holy Spirit. “But filled with the Spirit” (Eph. 5:18 ) is a command. You may be filled many, many times (Acts 2:4 and Acts 4:31) The apostles that were filled in Acts chapter 2, were filled again in Acts chapter 4. To be filled with the Holy Spirit is to be: Spirit-possessed, Spirit-empowered, Spirit-led and Spirit-controlled (Acts 8:26-40).

(1) You are filled with the Spirit that you might have joy (Eph. 5:19, 20).

(2) You are filled with the Spirit for service (Acts 6:3 and Acts 11:22-24).

(3) You are filled with the Spirit for power to be a witness (Acts 1:8 and Acts 2:4-7).

(4) You are filled with the Spirit for the hour of persecution (Acts 7:54-60).

(5) You are filled with the Spirit that you may “walk by the Spirit (Gal. 5:16-26).

(6) You are filled with the Spirit that you may be led by the Spirit (Rom. 8:14).

How can you be filled with the Holy Spirit? First, You must desire Him to fill you. Second, you must ask Him to fill you. Third, you must believe that He does fill you (John 4:14 and John 7:37, 38).

5. The Abundant Life is a Mature Life (2 Pet. 3:18 ) 18 ) but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Notes: “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 3:18). The scriptures reveal four stages of spiritual growth in the Christian life:

(1) The baby stage (1 Cor. 3:1-4) A baby thinks only of self; and, if denied the things desired, it will raise a rumpus. It seeks its own; its feelings are easily hurt and it is often jealous. A baby lives to be served-it never serves. It drinks milk, and cannot eat strong meat. It cries, but never sings. It tries to talk, but never makes sense. These infant characteristics are so prominent in the lives of many church members. They have been born into the family of God, but have failed to develop spiritually. They are spiritual babies-carnal Christians.

(2) The little child stage (1 John 2:12) Some Christians grow to be little children spiritually, but stop there. Here are some of the characteristics of children: they are often untruthful,

envious, and cruel. If rebuked, they become martyrs; if crossed, they are resentful and often make a scene. They are talebearers, repeating everything they hear (in adults, it is called gossip). They are given to emotional outbursts, and are easily puffed up. They love praise, and will accept it from any source. They seek only the things that appeal to self. Are you a spiritual child?

(3) The young man stage (1 John 2:13) Spiritual growth to that of a young man is not reached by many. He is strong and virile and is well able to overcome his enemy. He has a vision for the future and the faith and courage to tackle it. He is preparing for his productive years. You, too, can become a young man spiritually by doing “away with childish things” (1 Cor. 13:11)

(4) The father stage (1 John 2:13) This stage of spiritual development can be reached by all, but so few ever attain it. The spiritual father has peace with God (Rom. 5:1) He knows the peace of God (Phil. 4:7). He rejoices in his spiritual children (1 Thess. 2:19 and 1 Tim. 1:2) He has learned contentment under all circumstances (Phil. 4:11) He knows the only source of true strength (Phil. 4:13) He does not brood over the past, but looks to the future (Phil. 3:13, 14) He knows that all things work together in his life for his eternal good (Rom. 8:28 ) He enjoys abundant life now and will enjoy it in the life to come (Eph. 2:7)

Christian Life Study Outlines

From The Open Bible

Outline Number Ten

FAITH

“The just shall live by faith.” This declaration of the Christian’s principle of life is found four times in the Bible: Hab. 2:1-5 (OT); Rom. 1:17; Gal. 3:10, 11; and Heb. 10:38. In Habakkuk, we see the difference between the lives of the unjust and the just. The unjust are puffed up and live by their own self-sufficiency. But the just live by faith – their confidence is in God. To them, faith is more than a philosophy of life; it is the very principle of life (Hab. 2:4 OT). The just shall live his whole life by faith. He saved by faith (Acts 16:31); he is kept by faith (1 Pet. 1:7); and he lives by faith (Gal. 2:20). His faith shall be tried many times and in many ways (1 Pet. 1:7), but faith will always be vindicated, because it is more than equal to any occasion. Faith knows how to wait on the Lord (IS 40:31 OT), and it is always victorious (1 John 5:4)

Faith defies reason; it moves mountains (Mitt. 17:14-21). Faith does not always face facts; it never gives up (Heb. 11:32-39). Faith says, “God is working out His perfect will in my life, and I can wait, endure, and suffer.” Faith does not make anything easy, but it does make all things possible.

1 What is Faith? By Faith We Understand (Heb. 11:1-3) 1) Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2) For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. 3) By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.

Notes: “Now faith is the substance [title deed] of things hoped for …” Your faith is your title deed to eternal life. Just as a title deed is evidence of real estate, so you faith evidence or your eternal estate in God (2 Cor. 4:18).

(1) Faith is taking God at His word and asking no questions (Heb. 11:8).

(2) Faith is knowing that “all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Rom.8:28). Faith does not believe that all things are good, or that all things work well. It does believe that all things (good or bad) work together for good to them that love God.

(3) Faith has two sides. One side has to do with the intellect. It is an intellectual conviction that Jesus Christ is God. The other side has to do with the will. It is a volitional surrender of the will to Jesus Christ as Master. This is seen when Thomas believed and confessed, “My Lord and my God” (John 20:28). “My Lord” this was volitional surrender; “My God” this was intellectual conviction. Together you have saving faith (John 20:31). Saving faith is an intellectual conviction that Jesus is God, and a volitional surrender to Him as Lord (Master) of you life. By faith, the mind trusts in God; the heart responds to the love of God; the will submits to the commands of God; and the life obeys in the service of God.

(4) Faith is paradoxical. It goes beyond reason. It believes without understanding “why.” It sings in prison (Acts 16:25). It glories in tribulations (Rom. 5:3). It chooses to suffer afflictions (Heb. 11:25). It accepts all things as a part of God’s will (Phil. 1:12)

You are not born with this faith. It comes by hearing the Word of God (Rom. 10:17). This is why we are commanded to preach the gospel to every creature, that they may hear and believe (Rom. 10:13, 14).

2 The Importance of Faith (Eph. 6:16) 16) … above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one

Notes: The shield of faith is a vital part of the Christian’s armor. You are to put on the “whole armor of God” because the Christian life is a warfare, a spiritual conflict. As Paul names the different parts of the Christian’s armor, he comes to the shield and emphasizes its importance by saying, “Above all, taking the shield of faith…”

For with the shield of faith, nothing can hurt you; “… in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Rom. 8:37)

The importance of faith is seen in that:

(1) You can not be saved without faith (John 3:36

(2) You cannot live victoriously over the world without faith 1 John 5:4)

(3) You cannot please God without faith (Heb. 11:6)

(4) You cannot pray without faith (James 1:6)

(5) You cannot have peace with God without faith (Rom. 5:1)

(6) You cannot have joy without faith (1 Pet. 1:8 )

(7) You are justified by faith and not by works (Gal. 2:16)

(8 ) You live by faith Gal. 2:20)

(9) You are made righteous by faith (Rom. 14:1-4)

(10) Christ dwells in your heart by faith (Eph. 3:17)

(11) The Holy Spirit is received by faith (Gal. 3:2)

(12) “Whatever is not from faith is sin” (Rom. 14:23)

Faith is important because it honors God, and God always honors faith.

3 Little Faith (Matt. 14:28-33) 28) And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water. 29) So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. 30) But he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord save me!” 31) And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32) And when they got into the boat the wind ceased. 33) Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Notes: At this stage in the spiritual growth of Peter, he was a man of “little faith.” However, after Pentecost, he became a spiritual giant. Let us take of good look at his “little faith” and profit from it. Jesus, walking on the water in the midst of a storm, came to His

distressed disciples. Peter asked to come to Jesus on the water. He must have thrilled at the thought of doing the impossible. Jesus said, “Come.”

(1) Peter did the impossible thing: He walked on the water, by faith.

(2) Next, Peter did the conceivable thing: He saw the storm and had a second thought – he doubted. For a moment, he lost sight of Jesus. He may have turned and started back to the boat (Luke 9:12).

(3) Now Peter did the natural thing: He feared destruction. Doubt always breeds fear.

(4) Then Peter did the expected thing: He began to sink – he failed.

(5) Now Peter did the right thing: He prayed – “Lord save me!” Immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand and caught him. Once more Peter made contact with Jesus by faith.

(6) Again Peter did the impossible thing: He walked on the water with Jesus to the boat. In this lesson, we see the success and failure of “little faith.”

Now, let us recap the steps that led to failure. Peter started by faith and walked on water. Then he saw the storm and had second thoughts that lead to doubt, that produced fear, that caused him to turn back, that brought about failure.

You need a faith that is bigger than the elements that would drag you down to defeat. You can have big faith “prayer and fasting” (Matt. 17:20-21) and by feeding your faith on the Word of God (Rom 10:17). You can have mountain high faith.

4. Three Kinds of Faith (John 11:21-44) 21) Now Martha said to Jesus “Lord if you had been here my brother would not have died. 22) “But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.” 23) Jesus said to here, “Your brother will rise again.” 24) Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” 25) Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26) “And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 27) She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.” 28) And when she had said these things, she went her way and secretly called Mary her sister, saying, “The Teacher has come and is calling for you.” 29) As soon as she heard that she arose quickly and came to Him. 30) Now Jesus had not yet come into the town, but was in the place where Martha met Him. 31) Then Jews who were with here in the house, and comforting her, when they saw that Mary rose up quickly and went out, followed her, saying, “She is going to the tomb to weep there.” 32) Then, when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33) When Jesus therefore saw here weeping, and the Jews who came with her, also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit, and was troubled, 34) and said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.” 35) Jesus wept. 36) And so the Jews were saying, “Behold how He loved him!” 37) But some said, “Could not this man, who opened the eyes of him who was blind, have kept this man also from dying?” 38) Jesus therefore again being deeply moved within, came to the tomb. Now it was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. 39) Jesus said, “Remove the stone.” Martha, the sister of the deceased, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there will be stench, for he has been dead four days.” 40) Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you, if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” 41) And so they removed the stone. And Jesus raised His eyes, and said, “Father, I thank Thee that Thou heardest Me. 42) And I knew that Thou hearest Me always; but because of the people

standing around I said it, that they may believe that “Thou didst send Me.” 43) And when He said these things, He cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth.” 44) He who had died came forth, bound hand and foot with wrappings; and his face was wrapped around with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.” .

Notes: In this chapter, we see the faith of Martha in connection with the resurrection of her brother Lazarus. Now Lazarus fell ill, and Martha and her sister Mary sent for Jesus to come and heal him. Jesus delayed His coming until Lazarus was dead and in the tomb for tomb for four days. Then He came to raise him from the dead, and found the limited, fundamental faith of Martha His only obstacle.

(1) Martha’s faith was limited. She said, “Lord if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” The death of Lazarus meant the end of Martha’s faith. She believed that Jesus had the power raise her brother up from the sick bed, but not from the dead. Her limited faith restricted the power of Christ. Limited faith is controlled by circumstances, and motivated by fear of failure.

(2) Martha’s faith was fundamental. Jesus said, “Your brother shall rise again.” These words were spoken to kindle hope and faith in Martha; but, she said, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” Martha declared here fundamental faith in a great truth, but that is not enough. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life.” Jesus was saying that He had all power over life and death. Then He asked, “Do you believe this?” Martha evaded the question by stating her fundamental faith in here creed, to the living, all powerful Christ. Her faith limited the power of Christ, and “Jesus wept.” Jesus wept when He came to raise Lazarus from the dead and found limited, fundamental only.

(3) At last, unlimited faith came to Martha when she consented to have the stone moved from the grave. When Jesus first ordered the stone taken from the grave, Martha objected in unbelief. Then Jesus, challenging her to believe, said, “Did I not say to you, if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” Martha believed and waited to see the glory of God, and she was not disappointed. We often here that”seeing is believing,” but this is not so. You believe and then see. Faith comes before sight. Now Martha’s faith no longer limited the power of Christ. She consented to have the stone moved from the tomb and Jesus “cried out with a Lord voice, “Lazarus, come forth,”” and Lazarus was raised up. Don’t be satisfied with limited, fundamental faith only, when you can have unlimited faith that pleases God and reveals his glory.

5 The Hall of Faith (Heb. 11:32-39) 32) And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, 33) who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, 34) quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 35) Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their release, in order that they might obtain a better resurrection, 36) and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. 37) They were stoned, they sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated 38) (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in

deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground. 39) And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, [40) because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

Notes: This chapter is call the “Hall of Faith.” You need to come here often and linger long, that your faith may become strong in the Lord; for in this Scripture we get a view of the history if Israel and the church, as it is written by faith, in the blood of the saints.

They worshiped by faith as Abel. They walked by faith as Enoch. They worked by faith as Noah. They lived by faith as Abraham. They governed by faith Israel. They fought by faith Joshua. They conquered by faith as Gideon. They subdued kingdoms by faith as David. They closed the mouths of lions by faith as Daniel. They walked through the fire by faith as the three Hebrew children. They suffered by faith as Paul. They died by faith as Stephen, the first Christian martyr.

By faith they were patient in suffering, courageous in battle, made strong out of weakness and were victorious in defeat. They were more than conquerors by faith. It is only by faith in the all-powerful Christ that you can be superior to circumstances and victorious over all the evil forces that would destroy you. “Fixing our eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of faith.” The faith of the saints inspires us, but we look to Jesus as our example of faith.

Christian Life Study Outlines

From The Open Bible

Outline Number Nine

PRAYER

Prayer is as old as man, as universal as religion is, and as instinctive as breathing (Gen. 4:26 OT). All men of all faiths practice it in some form. Prayer springs from the heart with a need – a need greater than man’s ability to encounter. Prayer is man’s acknowledgement of a being higher than he is.

Most men try to pray, yet so few know how. There are two kinds of prayers: the prayer that does not reach God and the prayer that does reach God. This is illustrated by our Lord in the parable of the Pharisee and the publican (Luke 18:9-14). Both men went to the same place, at the same time, for the same purpose – to pray.

The Pharisee prayed in his religious pride, expecting God to answer because he thought himself worthy. He informed God of his own goodness, that he was better than others were. He boasted of his good works. He said, “I fast; I gave.” This is the kind of prayer that does not reach God. It is self-righteous prayer.

Now look at the publican and his prayer. He came to God in great humility, conscious of his unworthiness, confessing himself a sinner, and begging for mercy. This is the kind of prayer that does reach God. This is righteous prayer.

It is a rare privilege to pray; because it brings you into close fellowship with God, admitting your need for Him and your utter dependence upon Him.

1 What is Prayer Keep Asking, Seeking, Knocking (Matt. 7:7-11) 7) “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 ) “For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks, finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 9) “Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10) “Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11) “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will you Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

Notes: Prayer is asking and receiving; it is talking with God. It is making your request known to Him in faith. The above Scripture is so simple on the surface that we are in danger of failing to recognize its immensity. Our Lord instructs the believer to ask, see, and knock; because these three works cover the whole spectrum of prayer.

(1) Prayer is asking and receiving. When you know the will of God regarding a need, whether it is material or spiritual, you can ask and receive. This is prayer according to the revealed will of God (1 John 5:14, 15)

(2) Prayer is seeking and finding. When you do not know the will of God regarding a need, whether it b e material or spiritual, then you are to seek His will in prayer concerning this need until you find it. This is prayer for knowledge of the unrevealed will of God in a specific need (Col. 3:1; also Jer. 29:12, 13 OT)

(3) Prayer is knocking and opening. When you know the will of God, and yet you find a closed door, you are to knock, and keep knocking until God opens the door. This is tenacious prayer – prayer for mountain-moving faith. Knocking prayer perseveres until the impossible becomes the possible this is miracle-working prayer (Matt 17:14-21). All things are possible when you ask, seek, and knock

2 Why Pray? The Parable of the Persistent Widow (Luke 18:1) 1) Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to prayer and not lose heart.

Notes: Pray:

(1) Because Jesus said, “Men always ought to pray” (above verse 1). Prayer is imperative. You are commanded to pray (Matt. 26:41).

(2) Because prayer is the only way to get things from God. “You do not have because you do not ask” (James 4:2).

(3) Because there is joy in prayer (John 16:24)

(4) Because prayer will save you out of all your troubles (Ps 34 OT).

(5) Because prayer can unlock the treasure chest of God’s wisdom (James 1:5).

(6) Because prayer is a channel of power (Jer. 33:3 OT).

(7) Because it is a sin not to pray (1 Sam. 12:33 OT)

(8 ) Because sinners can be saved when they prayer in faith (Rom. 10:13, 14).

(9) Because Jesus, while here in the flesh, prayed often to the Father. Now if Jesus, the Son of God, needed to pray, then we should “pray without ceasing” (1 Thes. 5:17)

3 How to Pray (Matt. 6:9-13) 9) “In this manner, therefore, pray; 10) Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. 11) Give us this day or daily bread. 12) And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. 13) And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and glory forever. Amen.

Notes: “In this manner, therefore pray.” Our Lord gave this as a model prayer after one of His disciples said unto Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples” (Luke 11:1).

(1) We are to pray to our Father in heaven” (verse 9), because He is all-wise, all-loving, and all-powerful. We are also instructed to pray in the name of Jesus (John 14:13, 14) depending on the meditative influence of the Holy Spirit.

(2) We are to pray for His will to be done in everything.

(3) We are to pray for the coming of the Kingdom (Matt. 25:31-46).

(4) We are to pray for our daily necessities.

(5) We are to pray for forgiveness and are to practice forgiving others.

(6) We are to pray for the leading of the Lord and for deliverance from evil.

(7) We are to pray in faith, for “without faith it is impossible to please Him” (Heb. 11:5, 5).

This model prayer is brief, to the point, and not repetitious. It is the perfect prayer.

4. Where to Pray Peter Freed from Prison (Acts 12:5) 5). Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church.

Notes: There was a remarkable change in the prayer life of the disciples after the resurrection of Jesus, and it is noted again after Pentecost. Before the death of Jesus, the disciples slept while Jesus prayed in the Garden (Matt. 26:36-46). But, after His death and resurrection:

(1) They assembled in the upper room, waiting for the coming of the Holy Spirit and they prayed. We should always pray when assembled with believers (Acts 1:13, 14)

(2) They prayed as they went from house to house (Acts 2:42-47)

(3) They prayed in the church when Peter was in prison (verses 5-19)

(4) Paul and Silas prayed in prison (Acts 16:25). Here we see Christians praying in the presence of unbelievers, but not to be heard of them. Never pray to please others present; pray only to please God.

(5) The most important place to pray is any place where you can be alone with God (Matt. 6:6)

(6) We are instructed to pray in all places at all times (1 Tim. 2:8).

It is great joy to be able to talk with God, any time, any place, under any condition, and to know that He will hear and answer.

5 Hindrances to Prayer A Word to Husbands (1 Peter 3:7) 7) Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.

Notes: When prayers are not answered, you should examine yourself in the light of God’s Word. If you find anything not pleasing to God, confess it, believing God for forgiveness that you prayers may be answered (1 John 1:9)

(1) An unharmonious relationship between husband and wife will hinder prayer (verses 1-7).

(2) Selfishness will hinder prayer (James 4:3).

(3) An unforgiving spirit will hinder prayer (Matt. 5:22-24). Many Christians go without answers to prayer because they have wronged others, or have been wronged and have failed to humble themselves and seek reconciliation.

(4) Unbelief will hinder prayer (James 1:6, 7 and Heb. 11:6)

(5) Known sin in the heart will hinder prayer (Is. 59:2 OT also Ps 66:18 OT).

When you pray, go to God in all humility. Ask Him to reveal anything in your life that is not pleasing to Him. Then judge it; confess it, calling it by name and forsake it. Pray in all simplicity and earnestness, believing, and God will hear and answer.

6 Does God Answer All Prayers? (John 15:7) 7). ”If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.

Notes: The Bible is filled with answered prayers from Genesis to Revelation. You are command to pray, and God has promised to answer (Jer. 33:3 OT). In the above Scripture, there are two requirements for answers to prayer. First you are to abide in Him; that is, to continue in Him. It means to remain in His perfect will at all cost (Rom. 12:1, 2). Second, His words are to abide in you; they are to become a vital part of you life. You are to be filled with and guided by His words (Col. 3:16, 17). Meet these two requirements, and your prayers will be answered.

(1) The answer is sometimes immediate. Peter walked on the water to go to Jesus, and as he began to sink, he prayed, “Lord, save me!” The answer was immediate (Matt. 14:22-31)

(2) The answer is sometimes delayed. The delay is according to His will (Rom. 8:28). The resurrection of Lazarus is a good example of delayed answer to prayer. Lazarus was sick. Mary and Martha sent for Jesus to come and heal him. But Jesus delayed coming until Lazarus was dead and in the tomb for four days. Then He came and raised Lazarus for the dead. The answer was delayed – but not denied (John 11:1-44).

(3) The answer is sometimes “no.” When God answers with a “no,” He always accompanies the answer with peace (Phil. 4:6, 7) and grace (2 Cor. 12:7-10).

(4) The answer is sometimes different from what you expect. You pray for perseverance and God sends tribulation – because “tribulation produces perseverance” (Rom. 5:3). God answers all your prayers – not according to your wishes, but according to His perfect will.

Christian Life Study Outlines

From The Open Bible

Outline Number Eight

THE CHURCH

Jesus said, “I will build My church” (ecclesia) (Matt. 16:18 18“I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.).

The word “ecclesia” in the New Testament is used to designate any assembly whether it be political (Acts 19:39),

Christian (Ephesians 1:22, 23),

or national (Acts 7:38).

It means a called-out assembly or congregation. God called Israel out of Egypt; they congregated in the wilderness; they were, “the church in the wilderness.” Today, God calls the saved out of the world to congregate in worship. This is the church in the world, in it, but not of it.

Unlike the church in the wilderness, the Church that Jesus is building will never cease. He said, “The gates of Hades shall not over power it.” His Church is not synonymous with Christendom. It is in Christendom in the same way in which it is in the world, in it, but not of it. Christendom is made up of those who profess to be Christians, but they know not Christ as a personal Savior

(Matthew 7:21 – 23,

also,

2 Timothy 3:5

and

Titus 1:16).

Only blood-washed, born again, Spirit-baptized believers constitute the church that Jesus is building. It is called a;

1. Mystery – Ephesians 3:3-10

2. Body – 1 Corinthians 12:12-31

3. Building – Ephesians 2:10 – 22

4. Bride – 2 Corinthians 11:2

1 The Church: Its Foundation (Matt. 16:13-18 – Peter’s Confession of Christ – 13) Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He began asking His disciples, saying, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” 14) And they said, “some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.” 15) He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16) And Simon Peter answered and said “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17) And Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 ) “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and gates of Hades shall not overpower it…”)

Notes: “Upon this rock I will build My church.” Leading up to this declaration He asked His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is? They answered naming some of the prophets. Then He said to them, “But who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of he living God” (Matt. 16:16). In verse thirteen Jesus spoke of Himself as the “Son of Man.” Now Peter speaks of Him as the “Son of the living God.” Jesus blessed Peter and said that this great truth came from God the Father. Again He said to Peter, “You are Peter, (Petros, a little rock) and upon this rock (Petra, a big rock) I will build My church.” Jesus did not say that He would build His church upon Peter, but upon Himself, the Rock of Ages.

Simon Peter called Jesus the “living stone,” the precious “CORNER stone,” a “STONE OF STUMBLING,” and a “ROCK OF OFFENSE.” He spoke of all believers, including himself, as “living stones.” Christ is the foundation and believers are the building stones

(1 Peter 2:1-10)

Paul speaks of Christ as the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets (Eph. 2:19-22 19So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, 20having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, 21in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, 22in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.).

He also said, “For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 3:11)

Although the church was a mystery in he Old Testament, yet Isaiah said, “thus says the Lord GOD, ‘Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, a costly cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed’” (Isaiah 28:16).

Christ is the sure foundation of His church and all believers are little building stones built into a holy temple in the Lord.

2 The Church: Its Head (Colossians 1:18 He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; so that He Himself might come to have first place in everything.)

Notes: “He is also head of the body, the church.” Christ is the foundation, cornerstone, and head of His Church. He is head of the local church, and He is head of the church in its all-inclusive sense, including all born again, blood-washed Spirit-baptized believers in heaven and earth.

The church is more than a religious organization; it is an organism, with Christ as the living head. It is alive with the life of Christ made living in each member

(1 Cor. 12:1-31).

Let us examine briefly the church and observe its role as the body of Christ:

1) The members of the body are given spiritual gifts according to the will of the Holy Spirit (verses 1-11).

2) The unity of the body is seen in its many members with different operations all related and coordinated under one Head (verse 12).

3) All are baptized by one Spirit into one body (verse 13).

a) There is one Holy Spirit.

b) There is one Holy Spirit baptism.

c) There is one body (the church).

This is the church in its broadest sense. You cannot join this church. The only way to become a member of His body is to be spiritually born

(John 3:1-7)

and baptized into it by the Holy Spirit.

4) The members differ one from the other, yet they function as one in the will of God (verses 14-18 )

5) The least or weakest member is necessary for the proper function of the whole body (verses 22, 23).

6) If one member suffers, the whole body suffers; if one is honored, all are honored (verse 26).

7) The members are to desire the greater spiritual gifts and minister in love (verse 31).

The Lord Jesus Christ has never delegated His authority to anyone, whether he be pope, pastor, deacon, or the majority of the congregation. He is “head over all things to the church”

(Eph. 1:22),

the only absolute and final authority.

3 The Church: Its Organization (Titus 1:4-5 … to Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. 5) For this reason I left you in Crete, that you might set in order what remains, and appoint elders in every city as I directed you, …

Notes: There is scriptural evidence of some organization in the local church from its inception. It was a definite and permanent organized congregation, but not as we know it today.

Paul left Titus in Crete to organize the believers into local church bodies and to “set in order what remains, and appoint elders in every city” (verse 5).

The local New Testament church is a microcosm of the complete body of Christ in heaven and earth. The word “church” is used over one hundred times in the New Testament, and the great majority of the references refer to the local congregation.

Organization in the local church is seen in:

1) Its Officers: He gave to the church “apostles” (this refers to the twelve; there are no apostles in the church today), “profits” (we have no prophets and have not had since the last book of the New Testament was written), “evangelists” (the evangelist will serve the church until Jesus comes,), and “pastors and teachers” (Ephesians 4:11-12). Pastors and teachers are local ministers; the apostles, prophets and evangelist are ministers at large.

Another officer is the deacon. His qualifications are set forth in 1 Timothy 3:8-13). Deacons are never called a board in the Scriptures. They are not to run the church; they are ordained to assist the pastor by ministering to the saints

(Acts 6:1-7).

2) Its Membership records: The church must have kept records of its members. The Book of Acts tells us that there were about 120 in the upper room. The account

(Acts 1:15-26)

reads like the average local church business meeting. Simon Peter is the pastor; he takes the lead and gives direction in choosing one to take the place of Judas. “And they drew lots,” and Matthias was chosen to be an apostle. On the day of Pentecost about 3,000 were added to the body of Christ by Holy Spirit baptism

(1 Corinthians 12:13)

and the local church in Jerusalem by water baptism

(Acts 2:41).

Again the records show another 5,000 added

(Acts 4:4).

The Scriptures tell us that “the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved”

(Acts 2:47).

3) Its Ordinances:

a) Baptism (baptize means to immerse). The Lord commands the believer to be baptized. This is the believer’s first opportunity to obey his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In the early church no one ever questioned water baptism; they obeyed

(Matthew 28:18-20

and

Romans 6:1-4).

Baptism does not save. It is a picture of you faith in His death, burial, and resurrection. It is faith in Christ that saves

(John 3:36)

and the Ordinance of Baptism that identifies the believer with the risen Savior.

b) The Lords Supper. There is no saving power in the Lords Supper. It is a memorial. The bread is symbolical of His broken body and the wine of His shed blood for the remission of our sins. Baptism identifies the believer with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection; and the Lords Supper is a memorial to be observed by the believer to “proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes”

(1 Corinthians 11:23-34)

4 The Church: It’s Discipline (Matthew 18:15-17 “And if your brother sins, go and reprove him in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. 16) “But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that BY THE MOUTH OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES EVERY FACT MAY BE CONFIRMED. 17) “And if he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as Gentile and a tax-gatherer.)

Notes: This is the most difficult and necessary function of the local assembly and its importance cannot be exaggerated. “Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough? Clean out the old leaven”

(1 Corinthians 5:6-7).

Leaven in the Scripture is always a type of evil. The church is to clean out any evil in its membership. The motive for disciplining a brother is love

(1 John 4:7-11).

The goal is to restore him to fellowship with his Lord and the church.

“If you brother sins …”

1) The first step is to be taken by the one sinned against. He is to go to his brother alone, not seeking revenge or self-justification, “if he listens to you, you have won a brother.”

2) If he does not repent, the second step is to take one or two believers and go to him again.

3) If he will not hear the two or three, the third step is taking it to the church.

A good example of church discipline is reported in Paul’s letters to the church at Corinth. He used strong words calling upon the church to discipline a member for fornication. He wrote, “REMOVE THE WICKED MAN FROM AMONG YOURSELVES”

(1 Corinthians 5:1-13).

In his second letter to the Corinthian church we learn that the man repented and was restored to the fellowship of God’s people. Now Paul writes, “forgive and comfort him … reaffirm your love for him”

(2 Corithians 2:3-11).

The attitude of the church toward a repenting brother should always be that of forgiveness in love.

5 The Church: Its Worship and Work (Matthew 28:16-20 But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated. 17) And when they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful. 18 ) And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19) “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20) teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.)

Notes: First, the church: its worship. “When they say Him they worshiped Him” (verse 17). To worship is to bow down in awe; to pay divine honors to God in humble, reverent homage. There are three essentials in worship, they are

1) Faith, “the people believed … then they bowed low and worshiped” (Exodus 4:31).

2) Spirit, “those who worship Him must worship in spirit

(John 4:23, 24)

Spiritual worship is worship directed by the indwelling Holy Spirit

(Philippians 3:3).

3) Truth, “those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth”

(John 4:24).

Jesus Christ is truth, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). Therefore, there can be no pretense or hypocrisy in true worship. The parable of the Pharisee and the publican illustrates true worship

(Luke 18:9-14).

The publican worshiped in truth and he went home justified. The Pharisee worshiped in religious pride and he went home rejected.

Second, the church: its work. “For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you”

(1 Thessalonians 1:8).

The church in Thessalonica did the work of the Lord so well that the apostles did not have to evangelize Macedonia and Achaia. The church shared its faith with the lost and after all that is the main work of the church. This is how that, “this took place for two years … all who lived in Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks”

(Acts 19:8-10).

All of Asia did not journey to Ephesus to hear Paul. It is evident that the believers went everywhere sharing the gospel. The work of the church is to go with the gospel because:

1) The church is commissioned to work (verses 18-20).

2) The church is to work with Christ (2 Cor. 6:1), and the Holy Spirit

Acts 5:32.

2) The church is to work with Christ in His field (the world)

Matthew 13:36-43

and

Mark 16:15.

3) The need for the church to work is great

John 4:35.

4) The time for the church to work is now

2 Corinthians 6:2.

5) The church is to work until Jesus comes to judge the works of the saints

2 Corinthians 5:10.

6) The church will be rewarded for its works

1 Corinthians 3:9-15

God’s program for the local church is, come and worship, and go and work (witness)

Acts 8:1-4

6 The Church: Its Power (Acts 1:8 ) 8 ) “…but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”

Notes: On the day of Pentecost the church received power to evangelize the world. When the hundred and twenty came down from the upper room, they came in the dynamics of the Holy Spirit. It was a spiritual “repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ”

(Acts 20:21).

Some were empowered for special service, but all received power to witness.

The real power of the church is not found in:

1) Modern buildings or unique methods of preaching and teaching.

2) Its great wealth or how that wealth is used.

3) The church’s prominence or popularity. The Laodicean church was the first bragging congregation,

(Revelation 3:14-22)

but not the last.

They said, “We are rich.” God said they were poor.

They said, “We are wealthy.” God said they were wretched.

They said, “We do not need anything.” God said they need everything.

They said, “We are busy in the church.” God said they were miserable.

They said, “We have a vision.” God said they were blind.

They said, “We are clothed in fine garments.” God said they were naked.

They said, “We are satisfied.” God said they make Him sick.

You can always recognize a Holy Spirit-powered church. The evidence is obvious; they have power to:

1) Evangelize: They share their faith with the lost and souls are saved. Evangelism is the only way to make full proof of your ministry

(2 Timothy 4:5).

When a church is not involved in winning souls, it grieves the Holy Spirit and is void of power…

2) Reproduce: Souls are born into the family of God by the “imperishable” seed which is the word of God

(1 Pet. 1:23).

The Spirit-filled believer sows the seed; this is evangelism. The Holy Spirit hovers over the seed, convicting and leading the lost to repentance. This is the spiritual birth.

3) Change: people

(Acts 2:37-41);

places

(Acts 5:28)

and things

(Matt. 17:20, 21).

4) Turn the world upside down

(Acts 17:6)

This is the power that filled the upper room congregation on the day of Pentecost. That power is with the believer today in the person of the Holy Spirit. He is the power of the church.

7 The Church: Its Future (1 Thess. 4:16, 17) 16) for the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with a voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first. 17) Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and thus we shall always be with the Lord.

Notes: The true Church of Jesus Christ has a glorious, victorious future in the world, in the air, in the kingdom and in eternity; it cannot fail. “The gates of Hades shall not overpower it” (Matt. 16:18).

1) The future of the church in the world. At Pentecost the Holy Spirit set the course for the church as it journeys from the upper room to the Rapture. It is to:

a) Wage war

(Ephesians 6:10).

b) Run a race

(Hebrews 12:1, 2)

c) Work in love

(1 Corinthians 3:9)

The Church of Jesus Christ will emerge triumphant for, “we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us”

(Rom.8:35-39).

The church cannot fail because Christ is its Head, the Holy Spirit is its power, and the Word of God is its guide.

2) The future of the church in the air. We shall be caught up. Caught up:

a) In our imperishable, glorified bodies

(1 Corinthians 15:42-44)

b) To meet the Lord in the heavens and for the great majority of the church we will see Him in His resurrected body for the first time

(1 John 3:2)

c) That our deeds may be judged at the judgment seat of Christ

(2 Corinthians 5:10).

This is the bema judgment.

d) That we may be rewarded or suffer loss of reward

(1 Corinthians 3:11-15)

3) The future of the church in the kingdom.

a) The twelve apostles will sit on thrones and judge the twelve tribes of Israel

(Matthew 19:28).

b) All who overcome the evils of Christendom (Laodicea) will sit with Christ on His Kingdom Throne

(Revelation 3:21)

d) We shall reign with Him a thousand years

(Revelation 20:4-6).

4) The future of the church in eternity. After the kingdom reign of one thousand years there will be “a new heaven and a new earth”

Revelation 21:1).

The earth will be restored to its original, created state

(Genesis 1:1 OT).

God’s earthly people Israel will inherit the new earth

(Exodus 32:13 OT).

The church. His bride will remain in His presence forever. If in His human form He is in the new heaven or the new earth, we will be with Him, to see Him, to serve Him, and to worship Him. He will continue to bestow upon His bride the riches of His eternal grace

(Ephesians 2:6, 7).

Even in our perfect, glorified bodies it will take eternity (time without end) to begin to comprehend the greatness of His grace.