Bible Searchers: 2005
Table of Contents
Acts 9: January 2005
This chapter gives us the remarkable conversion of Saul of Tarsus. Because he persecuted the believers in Christ, he considered himself to be the chief of sinners (1 Timothy 1:15), but God had mercy on him. His hatred for the Lord’s people led him as far as Damascus, where he intended to bind the men and women and bring them to Jerusalem. However, the Lord’s eye was upon him, as it is upon each one of us, every moment of the day. Do you think we can ever do anything and hide it from God? As Saul pursued his evil course, a light from heaven was followed by a voice that said, “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me?” Saul replied, “Who art Thou, Lord?” The answer must have astounded this religious man. He had plenty of time to think about it because he lost his sight for three days and didn’t eat or drink. The Lord told Ananias to go to Straight Street and inquire for Saul in the house of Judas. Then Saul was given his sight and the Holy Spirit. Thus strengthened, he immediately began to preach that Christ was the Son of God. The Jews in Damascus didn’t like this and went about to kill Saul. However, the Lord had a work for Saul to do, and he escaped out of their hands. Isn’t it comforting to know that our lives are in His hands?
The Apostle Peter performed a miracle in Lydda for a man named Eneas, and when the people saw it, they all turned to the Lord. Then Peter went to Joppa where a woman named Dorcas had just died. She was full of good works and made things for all the widows. After Peter prayed to the Lord, Dorcas came to life again, and, as a result, many in Joppa believed in the Lord. What great joy there must have been in Lydda, Saron and Joppa. Have you ever experienced this joy in your life?
1. If Saul found any of this way in the synagogues of ____________ , what did he want to do with them? Acts 9:___
And
2. When Saul said, “Who art Thou, ____________ ?” what was the reply?
Acts 9:___
And
3. Ananias would find Saul in the house of Judas who lived on a ____________ called Straight. What was Saul doing? Acts 9:___
And
4. What did Saul ____________ in the synagogues about Christ?
Acts 9:___
And
5. Dorcas ____________ things which all the widows showed Peter. What were they? Acts 9:___
Then
Grace: January 2005
The dictionary defines grace as “the freely given, unmerited favor and love of God.” It is unmerited because man is guilty. Moreover, God’s grace is promised to Christians throughout their lives. Almost all the epistles begin and end with grace desired for those written to. Grace magnifies the person extending it to others. The grace of God is shown in His favor and acceptance of those who do not deserve it. Rather, they deserve the very opposite, but they obtain grace because they trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. God has always been a God of grace, even in Old Testament times, but especially so now that Christ has entered in the world and finished the work He came to accomplish.
Understanding the grace of God makes us worshippers. “Why should He have chosen me?” “Why should the Lord Jesus have shed His blood for one so unworthy?” “Why should God not only save me from hell, but bless me with all spiritual blessings in the heavenlies and destine me to spend eternity with Him in heaven?” Little wonder that we sing of the amazing grace that saved a wretch like me!
Now that we are saved, God wants His grace to be reproduced in our lives so that it can flow out to others. He wants us to be gracious in our dealings and in our speech (Col. 4:6). The grace of God is often mentioned in our Bibles. Let’s find a few such references.
1. The law was given by Moses, but what came by Jesus Christ? John 1:___
2. How are we justified? Romans 3:___
3. What do we know by the Lord Jesus Christ becoming poor for our sakes?
2 Corinthians 8:___
4. Write out the verse that ends with these words: “It is the gift of God.”
Ephesians 2:___
5. What did the Apostle desire would be with all the Corinthians from the Lord Jesus Christ? 2 Corinthians 13:___
Acts 10: February 2005
Now we have a Gentile man who feared God. He also gave much alms and prayed to God always. God remembered this man and was going to save him. An angel told him to send men to the house of Simon, a tanner, and ask for Peter. On the morrow, Peter had a vision and saw a great sheet descend from heaven filled with beasts, creeping things and birds of the air. Many of these creatures were unclean for a Jewish man like Peter, but the Lord said, “Kill, and eat.” He answered, “Not so, Lord.” If we call Him Lord, don’t say, “Not so,” when He tells us to do so. Then the Lord spoke to Peter again the second time, and finally he got the message. The next day he took six men with him and went to Cæsarea. The house of Cornelius had many relatives and friends who wanted to hear what Peter had to say. How good it is to hear the Word of God! Peter now realized that anyone who fears God and works righteousness is accepted of Him, regardless of what nation they come from. Salvation wasn’t for the Jews only. They heard the good news how God anointed the Lord Jesus, that He died on a tree and then was raised the third day, and now whosoever would believe on Him would receive remission of sins. Do you know what happened? They did just that - believed, had their sins forgiven, and were sealed with the Holy Spirit! Then they were baptized, and you can be sure that they were also filled with joy. A Christian has good reason to be happy!
1. Peter was lodging with Simon a ____________ by the seaside. What was Peter going to tell Cornelius? Acts 10:___
He
2. When the voice spoke to Peter ____________ the second time, what did it say? Acts 10:___
And
3. What things did Cornelius want to ____________ from Peter?
Acts 10:___
Immediately
4. In every ____________ , who is accepted with God? Acts 10:___
But
5. Jesus of Nazareth was ____________ with the Holy Ghost. Then what did He do? Acts 10:___
How
Fear Not: February 2005
We live in a very troubled world. There are fears on every hand - fears of war, famine, sickness and desertion. Why is there so much fear? Man, by sinning against God, brought this upon himself. Is there no way out of such depressing fear? How is it that we can so often read in the Bible the expression “fear not”? It is because only God can deliver us from all our fears. Man can only give us a false sense of security, but God can speak positively because nothing is too hard for Him. Do you know of anyone who is not ruffled by all that is happening in the world today? They spend much time in prayer and seem to be happy in the most trying circumstances. The God of peace (Romans 15:33; 16:20; 2 Corinthians 13:11; Philippians 4:9) seems to be at their side all the time. We read in 1 John 4:18 that God’s “perfect love casteth out fear.” This verse also says that “fear hath torment.” How true that is! People who don’t know the Lord have good reason to be fearful. The end of a life lived without Christ is eternal damnation. But for those who are saved, there are many admonitions to “fear not.” We will look at a few in only one book of the Bible.
1. What did the angel tell Zacharias about his prayer and about his wife Elisabeth? Luke 1:___
2. Why did the angel of the Lord tell the shepherds to “fear not”? Luke 2:___
3. Instead of fish, what did the Lord tell Simon he would henceforth catch?
Luke 5:___
4. When the ruler of the synagogue heard that his daughter was dead, what did Jesus say? Luke 8:___
5. Why is the little flock told to “fear not”? Luke 12:___
Acts 11: March 2005
The fact that Gentiles were now being saved caused a great commotion in Jerusalem. Was the Jewish nation no longer in a favored position above all other people? Peter had some explaining to do when he returned home! He related, step by step, how, in a vision, he saw a great sheet let down three times from heaven. Then men came from Cæsarea inquiring for him, and the Spirit told him to go with them. Peter obeyed and took six other brethren with him. We always do well when we obey the Lord. Now Cornelius showed them how he had seen an angel in his house telling him to send for Peter who would tell him words (not works) whereby he and all his house would be saved. And so it came to pass. What could the Jewish believers do but glorify God for granting repentance unto life for Gentiles too.
The Lord used the persecution of the saints for the spreading of the gospel. These evangelists carried the good news to distant places and the Lord was with them, causing many to believe. These new believers needed to be fed spiritual food, so Barnabas, a pastor, was sent to give words of exhortation. His ministry was blessed and many other people were added unto the Lord. All these disciples in Antioch were called Christians. They were followers of Christ and others could see it.
Hard times were coming upon the brethren which lived in Judea, so these new believers in Antioch sent help to their Jewish brethren. The Gentiles received of their spiritual things and now they return of their material things. What a display of their oneness in Christ!
1. How many ____________ was the great sheet let down from heaven?
Acts 11:___
And
2. Did Peter have other ____________ accompany him to Cornelius’ house as witnesses? Acts 11:___
And
3. Cornelius had many works, but what was Peter going to tell him ____________ he would be saved? Acts 11:___
Who
4. When the hand of the ____________ was with them, what happened?
Acts 11:___
And
5. What were the ____________ first called in Antioch? Acts 11:___
And
Light: March 2005
There is natural, physical light that comes from the sun, and there is moral light that comes from the Word of God. Natural light makes things visible by illumination. Moral light reveals God and the many dangers to be avoided in this world. Natural light brings vigor and health to the body, but light from God brings strength to the soul. Light is invisible and yet it manifests everything to the eye. God is invisible and yet everything is manifest to His eye. The Lord Jesus came to earth as the true light and exposed the evil that was all around Him. But He was also “the light of men” for those who wanted to walk in godliness. Today, so many walk in moral darkness because they reject the One who came “to give light to them that sit in darkness” (Luke 1:79). He was “a light to lighten the Gentiles” (Luke 2:32), but men preferred the darkness because of their love for sin. When men reject God’s light, the power of darkness takes over, as at the crucifixion of Christ when He said, “This is your hour, and the power of darkness” (Luke 22:53). Then natural darkness followed (in chapter 23:44), for “there was a darkness over all the earth.”
Light enters the body through the eye. If we have a beam in our eye, the light cannot possibly enter. That beam would be a lack of self-judgment. If we don’t correct our ways, how can the light of God enter and benefit us? But if we judge our ways and have a single eye for Christ, our entire body will be filled with light (Luke 11:34). Can you imagine what this world would be like without the light of God’s precious Word? Man would then be governed by his lust and public opinion. How thankful we should be that we have divine light from God for our pathway through life!
1. What did Jesus say that He was to the world so that we need not walk in darkness? John 8:___
2. There is no darkness at all in God. Why? 1 John 1:___
3. Men loved darkness because their deeds were evil. What else condemns them? John 3:___
4. Why does the god of this world blind the minds of them which believe not?
2 Corinthians 4:___
5. This city had no need of the sun or the moon. How then did it have light?
Revelation 21:___
Acts 12: April 2005
The Jews rejected Christ as their king, so they now have a wicked, willful king named Herod. Both the king and the Jews hated the church and persecuted it. James was slain and Peter was put in prison. This greatly pleased the Jews. Is there anything that Christians can do in such circumstances? Yes, we can pray! That is exactly what they did, and much prayer was made for Peter, and the Lord heard and answered their prayer. An angel was sent to the prison and led Peter outside the iron gate. Was it only a dream? Peter could hardly believe that it was true! The Lord had actually delivered him out of the hand of Herod. Now what should he do? Where should he go this hour of the night? If anyone would still be praying, it would be Mary, the mother of Mark, so he went to her house and knocked at the door. Rhoda recognized Peter’s voice but the others didn’t believe her. They thought it was his angel, but, upon opening the door, they were astonished to see that the Lord had actually answered their prayers! The Lord always answers our prayers - sometimes not the way we like, but always for our good and blessing.
Now, what about this wicked man Herod? God wasn’t finished with him yet. After a great speech, Herod took all the credit to himself, so the angel of the Lord smote him with worms and he died. Every breath we take is God-given. We ought to acknowledge Him in everything we do.
1. When Herod killed James, whom did it ____________ , so that he took Peter also? Acts 12:___
And
2. How much ____________ was made for Peter while he was kept in prison? Acts 12:___
Peter
3. Who sent the angel to deliver Peter out of the ____________ of Herod and from the expectation of the Jews? Acts 12:___
And
4. When Rhoda told them that Peter was at the gate, what did ____________ say to her? Acts 12:___
And
5. Why did the ____________ of the Lord smite Herod? Acts 12:___
And
Hope: April 2005
In school we learned that hope is when we feel that something we desire will be achieved. Perhaps it will not be, but we certainly want it to be, or not to be. We are not sure. There is always the possibility that what we hope happens will not happen, or what we hope will not happen does happen. Life is so filled with uncertainties that we cannot speak positively. The common expression, “Only death and taxes are sure,” is not true. Some people do not pay taxes, and there are many Christians who will not die when the Lord comes.
In the Bible, hope is described as waiting for something that is not seen but which has been promised: “We are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it” (Romans 8:24-25). When man makes a promise, there is always the possibility that he will be unable to fulfill it. When God promises something, it is sure to come to pass. There is nothing uncertain in the Christian’s hope. God’s Word is an anchor for our souls, sure and steadfast, because the Lord Himself is our hope (1 Timothy 1:1).
How sad it is to go through life “having no hope, and without God” (Ephesians 2:12), and yet, that is the condition of all those who do not know the Lord Jesus. Such are like a ship adrift on a wild sea without an anchor. It is only a matter of time before they come to destruction. We who believe God and His Word have a sure hope set before us as an “anchor of the soul” (Hebrews 6:18-19). Also, we are “looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Titus 2:13-14). Dear reader, do you have such a hope?
1. According to the truth of the gospel, where is our hope laid up for us?
Colossians 1:___
2. What does it say about the hope of unjust men? Proverbs 11:___
3. If we have hope in God, why will we not be ashamed? Romans 5:___
4. Who is the blessed man in this chapter? Jeremiah 17:___
5. The breastplate is faith and love. What do we have for a helmet?
1 Thessalonians 5:___
Acts 13: May 2005
In the city of Antioch there were a number of Gentile believers who met for prayer and ministry. One day, as they were thus occupied, the Holy Spirit told them that He had a work for Barnabas and Saul to do. The others laid hands on them in fellowship, prayed and then let them go. These two then departed to the isle of Cyprus in the Mediterranean. They met a prudent man named Sergius Paulus whose desire was to hear the Word of God. The devil does not like it when we want to hear God’s Word, and he will try to hinder, oppose or occupy us with many other things.
After leaving the island, they went to Antioch in Pisidia and entered into a synagogue on the Sabbath day. After the reading of the law and the prophets, Paul spoke to them. He told them that the voices of the prophets, which were read every Sabbath, were fulfilled when they condemned Christ. How solemn it is to know the Scriptures and yet not believe them! Many who can quote Bible verses are lost. The gospel brings good news to poor sinners. Paul wanted all the men in that synagogue to know that through the man Christ Jesus they could have the forgiveness of sins and be justified from all things. Again, Satan raised opposition to the good news of salvation to the Jews. Paul said, “Seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.” When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord by believing. They were then filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
1. Who said, “Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the ____________ whereunto I have called them”? Acts 13:___
As
2. What did Sergius Paulus ____________ from Barnabas and Saul?
Acts 13:___
Which
3. How did the rulers of Jerusalem fulfill the ____________ of the prophets?
Acts 13:___
For
4. What did Paul want the ____________ and brethren to know about this Man (Jesus)? Acts 13:___
Be
5. Why were the ____________ glad? Acts 13:___
And
Happiness: May 2005
The vast majority of people would rather be happy than sad. To obtain happiness, many different paths are taken. Often, these paths lead to sorrow rather than happiness. This can happen when we are given false information or when we reject good counsel. Do you think that God wants His creatures to be happy? He certainly does! And in the Bible we have clear instructions about how to have a happy life. If we refuse God’s wisdom, we cannot expect to have a happy Christian life. What joy filled our hearts when we were first saved! Should not this joy continue and become greater as the years go by? Indeed it should! Even when God allows trouble to come into our lives, we can be happy (Job 5:17). As we learn more of God’s wondrous ways, we find that “happy is the man that findeth wisdom” (Proverbs 3:13). Merely knowing what we should do will not make us happy, because the Lord Jesus said in John 13:17, “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” Many things can make us joyful, content, merry or delighted, for a little while, and then quickly fade away. The Lord wants to give us what is more permanent. Psalm 144:15 says, “Happy is that people, whose God is the Lord.” And, if a person trusts in the Lord, Proverbs 16:20 says, “Happy is he.” If we follow God’s way, we will be happy rather than sad.
1. What does it say about the men who heard the wisdom of Solomon?
1 Kings 10:___
2. If we suffer for righteousness’ sake, how will we feel? 1 Peter 3:___
3. What do we read about “the man that feareth always”? Proverbs 28:___
4. Why did the apostles depart from the presence of the council rejoicing?
Acts 5:___
5. When Moses blessed Israel, what does he say made them a happy people? Deuteronomy 33:___
Acts 14: June 2005
The next city that Paul and Barnabas came to was Iconium. The message that they preached in the synagogue brought a great multitude of Jews and Greeks to the Lord. The unbelievers made the minds of others to be evil affected against the brethren. God used this opposition for the spread of the gospel. As a result, they fled to Lystra and Derbe where the gospel was preached. In Lystra, Paul healed a man who was crippled. When people saw what was done, they said in the speech of Lycaonia, “The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.” They were heathen and had no knowledge of the only true God. The apostles told them about the living God, which made heaven and earth. This God did not leave Himself without witness, for He sent rain and fruitful seasons, showing that He was good.
After returning to Antioch, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, not what they had done for God. We should always acknowledge God in all our ways (Proverbs 3:6).
1. Who made the ____________ of the Gentiles evil affected against the brethren? Acts 14:___
But
2. When Paul and Barnabas reached Lystra and Derbe, what did they ____________ there? Acts 14:___
And
3. What did the people say in the ____________ of Lycaonia? Acts 14:___
And
4. In times past, God did not leave ____________ without witness. What was the witness? Acts 14:___
Nevertheless
5. When Paul and Barnabas returned to Antioch, what did they ____________ to all those gathered? Acts 14:___
And
The Truth: June 2005
John 8:32 says, “Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” When Christ said that truth exists, it implies that falsehood also exists. Truth is universal, just as is mathematics. It would be foolish to say that 2+2=4 is only a Western idea. Science and technology rely on universal principles that apply in every country and in every era. When an astronomer finds a new star, he has not changed the universe; he has only discovered something that was already there. Now, truth exists as an object outside ourselves. We do not create truth; we can only discover it. If Christianity is true, then other religions are false. And if it is true, it is true for everyone, or universally. Mathematics and science are not a matter of personal opinion and neither is the truth of God. The Lord Jesus Christ presented Himself as the one and only qualified Saviour who is able to bring men and women to God the Father (John 14:6). This excludes all others who claim that they can bring men and women to God. And Christ is not the Saviour for only the Western world, but not the Eastern world. If He is the truth, He is the truth for everyone.
In John 8:32 Christ affirmed that truth can be known. It has come to us in a form that we can understand. The freedom in this verse is not political or economic, but being free from the tyranny of sin.
1. Why is a banner given to them that fear the Lord? Psalm 60:___
2. Besides grace, what else came by Jesus Christ? John 1:___
3. The mercy of the Lord is everlasting. How long does His truth endure?
Psalm 100:___
4. In what person is there no truth at all? John 8:___
5. Judgment is turned backward and justice stands afar off. What about truth? Isaiah 59:___
Acts 15: July 2005
A critical time had now arrived for the church. An important question had to be settled. The relation of believing Gentiles to the law and to circumcision was to be determined. Paul and Barnabas with others were delegated to go to Jerusalem with this question. As they passed through various countries, they related how Gentiles were being converted to the Lord Jesus.
At Jerusalem, the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter. Then Peter stood up and reminded them that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ alone, they were saved. Law keeping had nothing to do with their salvation. Then all the people listened as Barnabas and Paul related the wonders that God did among the Gentiles. Finally, James related how God wanted to take out of the Gentiles, a people for His name. Now, all of the church were of one mind and sent letters to their Gentile brethren concerning their conclusion. It was necessary that brethren everywhere abstain from meats offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from fornication. When this epistle was read to the multitude, they rejoiced. Two other prophets, Judas and Silas, also exhorted the brethren and confirmed them.
The closing paragraph of this chapter describes the beginning of Paul’s second missionary journey.
1. As they ____________ through Phenice and Samaria, what caused great joy unto all the brethren? Acts 15:___
And
2. Through the ____________ of the Lord Jesus Christ, what did Peter believe? Acts 15:___
But
3. For what purpose did God at the first ____________ a people out of the Gentiles? Acts 15:___
Simeon
4. We do well to ____________ or keep ourselves from four things. What are they? Acts 15:___
That
5. Name two prophets who ____________ the brethren and confirmed them.
Acts 15:___
And
Kindness: July 2005
Mephibosheth was a grandson of King Saul. He came from a family that might expect to be wiped out when David came to the throne. He was also a cripple, having been dropped by his nurse when he was young. He lived in someone else’s home in Lo-debar, meaning “no pasture,” suggesting that he was poor. Lo-debar was on the east side of Jordan, “afar off” from Jerusalem, God’s dwelling. Mephibosheth did nothing to merit David’s favor.
However, David inquired about him, sent messengers after him, and brought him to the royal palace. Then David assured him there was nothing to fear, gave him all Saul’s land, provided him with servants, and gave him a permanent place at the king’s table as one of his sons.
Why did David show such kindness to one who was so unworthy? The answer is “for Jonathan’s sake.” David had made an unconditional covenant of grace with Jonathan (1 Samuel 20:14-17).
Mephibosheth realized this and fell down and said that “a dead dog” like he did not deserve such kindness.
In all this we see a picture of ourselves. We were born of a rebel, sinful race under condemnation of death. We were morally deformed and paralyzed by sin. We dwelt in a land of “no pasture,” spiritually starved, and we were “afar off ” from God, without hope. There was nothing in us to draw out God’s love and kindness. Yet God sought us, found us, delivered us from the fear of death, and brought us to His banqueting table. Why did He do it? It was for Jesus’ sake. It was because of His covenant of grace under which He chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world.
1. What has appeared toward man concerning God our Saviour?
Titus 3:___
2. We should forgive one another as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven us. What else should we be toward one another? Ephesians 4:___
3. Concerning the living and the dead, why did Naomi bless the Lord?
Ruth 2:___
4. Why did David want kindness shown to the sons of Barzillai?
1 Kings 2:___
5. What law is in the mouth of a virtuous woman? Proverbs 31:___
Acts 16: August 2005
Paul and Silas now traveled on through Phrygia and Galatia, but they were forbidden to preach in Asia by the Holy Spirit. They followed divine guidance. Later on, Paul spent three years in Ephesus (ch. 20:31), “so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus” (ch. 19:10). While they were in Troas, Paul saw, in a vision, a man of Macedonia saying, “Come over . . . and help us.” (Could this man have been the jailer of Philippi, the chief city of Macedonia?)
Right away, they sailed to their destination and, on the Sabbath day, joined with a group of Jews for prayer. We might consider the riverside an unusual place for prayer, but God hears no matter where we are. A woman named Lydia received the Lord as her Saviour as a result of Paul’s preaching and immediately showed hospitality to the apostles. The enemy gets angry when God works through His servants, so he had them beaten and thrown into prison. Do you think Paul and Silas were sad? No, we read that “at midnight Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.” Then God sent an earthquake and opened all the prison doors. When the frightened jailer saw this, he was going to kill himself, but Paul told him, “We are all here.” Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” He did believe and, as a result, rejoiced with all his house. The next morning, the authorities came and brought the apostles out of the prison. Paul and Silas then saw the brethren, comforted them and departed.
1. Who said, “Come over into ____________ and help us? Acts 16:___
And
2. In what place was ____________ wont to be made? Acts 16:___
And
3. At midnight, what did ____________ and Silas do? Acts 16:___
And
4. When the keeper of the prison ____________ them out, what important question did he ask? Acts 16:___
And
5. After Paul and Silas went ____________ of the prison, what did they do?
Acts 16:___
And
Requests: August 2005
If someone had the ability to fulfill any request that you might have, what would you ask for? Wealth? Long life? Health? Difficult decision, isn’t it? Perhaps you would want time to think it over before deciding. King Ahasuerus asked Queen Esther (ch. 5:3), “What is thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom.” And yet, that is not what she wanted. King Herod told the daughter of Herodias, “Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom,” and yet, that was not what she wanted. People would ask for different things depending upon what their priorities are. Queen Esther asked for the life of her people; Herodias’s daughter asked for the death of John the Baptist. Today, Satan offers the world to many in exchange for their souls. God offers a heavenly home at the cost of His own Son. What God offers is filled with light, life and love, while the world is filled with darkness, destruction and dread. What would you desire more than anything else in life? In the Bible various people expressed their requests, and they are recorded for our instruction. God also tells us what we should request if we want it to be of lasting value.
1. What one thing did David desire of the Lord and seek after? Psalm 27:___
2. What did Solomon request of the Lord? 1 Kings 3:___
3. How do we know that the request of the children of Israel was not good?
Psalm 106:___
4. To whom should we direct our requests? Philippians 4:___
5. Was the request of the repentant thief granted? Luke 23:___
Acts 17: September 2005
This chapter gives us three cities where the gospel was next preached. In Thessalonica there was much hostility. In Berea there was much blessing because of submission to the Scriptures. In Athens there was idolatry, indifference and ridicule.
From Philippi, Paul and Silas traveled about one hundred miles before coming to Thessalonica (present day Saloniki), a center of commerce located on trade routes. As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue of the Jews and began to read the Scriptures. We are happy to see that some of them believed and joined themselves to Paul and Silas. However, the unbelievers stirred up opposition, so the brethren immediately sent them away by night to Berea. Here, the Jews searched the Scriptures daily to see whether those things that the apostles said were so. Wasn’t that a noble thing to do? We should always test everything we hear by the Word of God. After being driven out of Berea, Paul was brought to Athens. In this city, there was much learning and idle time spent in telling or hearing something new. But with all their learning, Paul noticed that the city was wholly given up to idolatry. How true it is that man “by wisdom knew not God” (1 Corinthians 1:21). Using an altar with the inscription “TO THE UNKNOWN GOD” as his text, Paul preached to the Athenians about the God who made the world and did not dwell in temples made with hands. Such a God gave us life and breath as well as all things, desiring that we should seek Him. If men didn’t repent and seek God but remained in their sins, they could be sure that the day was coming when they would be judged by that Man whom God had raised from among the dead. May none of us ever be among those who mocked when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, because “God is not mocked” (Galatians 6:7).
1. When Paul opened the ____________ , what did he allege that Christ had to do? Acts 17:___
Opening
2. Why were those in Berea more ____________ than those in Thessalonica? Acts 17:___
These
3. What city was ____________ given up to idolatry? Acts 17:___
Now
4. Why does God not ____________ in temples made with hands?
Acts 17:___
God
5. What assurance do we have that this world will be ____________ in righteousness? Acts 17:___
Because
Dreams: September 2005
Did you ever have a dream? Most people have. Some dreams are pleasant, and others are dreadful. God often speaks to people in a dream, to believers and to the heathen. In Job 33:14-17 we read, “God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed; then He openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction, that He may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.” In the Bible, God used dreams to reveal the future to Nebuchadnezzar and Daniel. Joseph, the husband of Mary, was directed several times by God in a dream. Joseph, the son of Jacob, had a number of dreams, and his brothers, who hated him, called him a dreamer. However, his dreams were God-given. Other men who were false, referred to as a “dreamer of dreams” in Deuteronomy 13:15, sought to turn the people of God to idolatry. Such people were to be put to death. Even today, we must be careful of those dreamers who defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities (Jude 8). The Lord would not have us revile judges or curse the ruler of the people (Exodus 22:28). Let’s look in the Bible to see how God spoke to various people in dreams.
1. When Job went to bed, did he have pleasant dreams and visions?
Job 7:___
2. After the wise men had seen the young child and his mother, how did God speak to them in a dream? Matthew 2:___
3. Did the interpretation of the chief butler’s dream by Joseph come to pass?
Genesis 40:___
4. What unusual dream did a Midianite soldier have? Judges 7:___
5. How did God warn Pilate through his wife? Matthew 27:___
Acts 18: October 2005
Now Paul left Athens and was led of the Holy Spirit to journey westward to Corinth, the capital of Achaia. This city was noted for immorality, but God wanted the gospel to reach these sinners. What a joy it must have been to Paul to be led to the home of Aquila and Priscilla. They must have enjoyed sweet fellowship as they toiled together in their trade as tent makers. Aquila and Priscilla, being Jews, were commanded by the emperor to leave Rome. An assembly of believers gathered in Corinth. As Paul continued there for a year and six months, there was plenty of time for good teaching so that the Corinthians could be established in the faith. Again we see that it wasn’t long before the Jews raised up opposition to the truth of God. Paul was taken hold of and brought before Gallio’s judgment seat. He cared for none of those things that Paul was charged with, considering it only to be a question of words, names and the Jewish law. Paul then left Priscilla and Aquila in Ephesus, and while they were there, an eloquent man named Apollos came through. He only knew the teaching of John the Baptist, but he soon learned the way of God more perfectly. Now that he knew that Jesus was the Christ, he was of much help to the believers in Achaia. The more we learn of God’s Word, the more we can help others.
1. Why did Aquila and ____________ have to leave Rome in Italy?
Acts 18:___
And
2. How long did Paul continue in Corinth ____________ the Word of God?
Acts 18:___
And
3. When Sosthenes was beaten before the ____________ seat, what was Gallio’s attitude? Acts 18:___
Then
4. Name the man who was ____________ and mighty in the Scriptures.
Acts 18:___
And
5. What was he able to do for the disciples in ____________ ? Acts 18:___
And
Rest: October 2005
Have you ever been very tired? How refreshing it was to get a good night’s sleep! In the morning you felt like a different person. The tiredness and most of the aches and pains of the prior evening were all gone. However, more than physical rest is needed. There are many who get rest for their body but have no rest in their souls. The Lord Jesus said, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me . . . and ye shall find rest unto your souls” (Matthew 11:28-29). God not only delights to give people rest for the body, but in this scripture we see that the Lord Jesus freely offers rest for the soul. In order to do this, He had to bear our heavy load of sin on Calvary’s cross. If we receive the Lord Jesus as our own Saviour, the work is finished, and we can rest in His Word. This gives us perfect peace and our minds are put at rest concerning eternal issues. But there is still another rest mentioned in the Bible. For those who have put their trust in Him, they are waiting for an eternal rest yet to come for both soul and body. We read in Hebrews 4:9 that “there remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.”
1. Amid trying circumstances, how is it that David was able to lie down and sleep? Psalm 3:___
2. Peter had confidence that he would live to be old (John 21:18). What was he doing between two soldiers the night before he was to be put to death?
Acts 12:___
3. What did the Lord God, the Holy One, promise Israel if they returned to Him? Isaiah 30:___
4. The voice from heaven said, “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord.” Why is this so? Revelation 14:___
5. Why were the godly told to arise and depart and not find rest in the land?
Micah 2:___
Acts 19: November 2005
The disciples whom Paul found at Ephesus were disciples of John. They knew that the Messiah was at hand and had shown their repentance by baptism as preparation for receiving Him as king. They did not know that Christ had died, had been buried, had risen from the dead and ascended back to heaven, and that He had sent the Holy Spirit. Paul explained all this to them. He reminded them that John baptized to repentance, and they were then to believe on Him who would come after him. This they did and then the Holy Spirit came on these twelve men who were now disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul preached for three months in a synagogue, but then he left because of dissension. A group of disciples continued with the Apostle, to whom he ministered the word of the Lord Jesus for two years. Because there was so much idolatry in Ephesus, God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul. The result was that the powers of darkness were overcome, many believed, and they confessed their evil deeds. They brought their curious arts and books of charms to be burned with fire. Although the cost of all these things was great, they now had unsearchable riches in Christ. Do you think the enemy was going to do nothing about this? Very quickly, the whole city was angry and in a state of confusion. They rushed into the theater and began to cry out, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians.” They really thought that their worship of this goddess could not be spoken against, but today no one worships the goddess Diana. After two hours the town clerk quieted the people and told them that there was a legal way to settle such disputes. He was concerned that others would question the authorities for allowing such an uproar.
1. When ____________ baptized to repentance, what did he say to the people? Acts 19:___
Then
2. Paul ____________ with the disciples in the school of Tyrannus two years. What was the blessed result? Acts 19:___
And
3. What was the price of the curious arts and books that were ____________ at Ephesus? Acts 19:___
Many
4. How long did they ____________ out, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians”?
Acts 19:___
But
5. Why were they in danger of being called in ____________ for that day’s uproar? Acts 19:___
For
Holiness: November 2005
Talking about Jesus, the angel told Mary, “That holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God” (Luke 1:35). A holy being abhors evil and delights in good. The Lord Jesus had a holy nature, but we are born with a sinful nature. Adam and Eve had an “innocent” nature, not holy, because when evil was presented to them, they yielded. Now we have our parents’ sinful nature. God is holy; the Spirit is the Holy Spirit, and the Lord Jesus “is holy, harmless, undefiled [and] separate from sinners.” Being holy, God is spiritually and morally perfect in thought, deed and motive. He is absolutely pure from sin and defilement. Leviticus 19:2 says, “I the Lord your God am holy,” and in 1 John 1:5 we read “that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all.” Man in his sinfulness cannot approach a holy God except on the basis of the blood of a sacrifice. The Lord Jesus, in three hours of awful suffering, became the sacrifice for all those who receive Him by faith. Those who do have a holy nature. It is the will of God that they should be holy as to their manner of life (1 Thessalonians 4:3; 1 Peter 1:15). As children of God, we are chastened so “that we might be partakers of His holiness” (Hebrews 12:10). The very angels that stand in the presence of God say, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts.” As believers, we feel that we fall short of what we should be, but God does not lower the standard: “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:48).
1. Rather than uncleanness, what has God called us unto?
1 Thessalonians 4:___
2. What is said about the new man that we are to put on? Ephesians 4:___
3. The four beasts rest not day or night. What are they always saying?
Revelation 4:___
4. What is becoming to the house of the Lord forever? Psalm 93:___
5. How will the church be presented to Christ in a coming day?
Ephesians 5:___
Acts 20: December 2005
Have you ever taken a long trip with friends? It is so nice to have them along and the time seems to go faster. Well, the Apostle Paul had those who accompanied him into Asia. What a comfort these dear ones must have been! It seems as if Paul often stayed in an area for seven days (ch. 20:6; 28:14) so that he could break bread in remembrance of the Lord on the first day of the week. In Troas, a young man named Eutychus had quite a fall, but the Lord spared his life and encouraged the disciples in that city. The Apostle Paul wanted to be in Jerusalem for the day of Pentecost, so he sent for the elders of Ephesus to come to Miletus. He brought to their attention what his ministry had been both to the Jews and also to the Greeks, both publicly and privately. He also told them what would happen after he was gone, and he left instructions. They were to feed the church of God, so precious that it was purchased with the blood of His own Son. They were never to see the Apostle’s face again, but did they not have a resource? Yes - the same one that we have today. He was able to commend them to God and to the word of His grace. If we avail ourselves of these two resources, we will be preserved for His glory.
1. Who were those who ____________ Paul into Asia? Acts 20:___
And
2. On the ____________ day of the week, for what purpose did the disciples come together? Acts 20:___
And
3. What did the Apostle testify both to the ____________ and also to the Greeks? Acts 20:___
Testifying
4. After taking heed to themselves, what were the overseers to do for the ____________ of God? Acts 20:___
Take
5. Now that Paul was going to leave the brethren, to whom does he ____________ them? Acts 20:___
And
Sodom: December 2005
What an awful judgment fell on Sodom! Why is Sodom mentioned often throughout Scripture? For two reasons: God does not want people to do what they did, and He does not want to bring a similar judgment on people again. Did you know that judgment is God’s strange work? See Isaiah 28:21. He would far rather bless man than punish him. Yet, it seems that His people of old were ever inclined to the same wickedness as Sodom - if not morally, yet spiritually. Idolatry, in the sight of God, was often compared to spiritual adultery. How this grieved the heart of God and often He had to remind them, through His prophets, of the judgment he brought upon Sodom. Today, many nations who have been delivered from idol worship are falling to morals as low as those that characterized Sodom. Throughout the Scriptures there are warnings against immorality. Will God not punish where these warnings are not listened to? Yes, He will, but He always gives space for repentance because He “is long-suffering . . . not willing that any should perish” (2 Peter 3:9). Let us learn from the failures of others and seek to walk in a path pleasing to God. The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrha is a warning to sinners of coming judgment.
1. When Lot pitched his tent toward Sodom, what does it say about the men of that city? Genesis 13:___
2. Why are Sodom and Gomorrha suffering the vengeance of eternal fire?
Jude ___
3. For whom will it be more tolerable in the judgment: the city that refuses the kingdom of God or Sodom? Luke 10:___
4. Because of immorality, worldliness and idolatry, what is the great city Jerusalem called spiritually? Revelation 11:___
5. What kind of person was not to be found among the daughters of Israel, nor among the sons of Israel? Deuteronomy 23:___