BIBLE STUDY AUDIO
TEACHIINGS FOR YOUR EDIFICATION AND BRINGING YOU TO THE FULLNESS OF THE STATURE OF CHRIST
Our Bible Study audio messages can be accessed from here. These are teachings recorded in the course of our weekly serialised Bible Study meetings for your spiritual edification and development.
Besides the audio, the conclusion/summary of the message is also displayed. This notwithstanding, the full Bible Study outline can also be accessed from the link indicated at the end of the conclusion/summary.
We pray that the Holy Spirit will speak to you as you listen.
Beware of False Prophets: How to Identify Them (2.5)
False prophets, in addition to their immoral, impure, indecent, idolatrous, and manipulative practices and conduct, also manifest traits that bother on sectarianism, subversion of the gospel, fits of rage and anger at those who oppose them, and can even kill or send hired assassins after those they consider rivals. They dispense poisonous doses of destructive doctrines which aim to turn away their adherents from the ways of God. They encourage revelries and wild behaviour all in the name of praise and worship, forgetting that there must be reverence for the presence of God, as well as order in the house of God.
It is important to note that some false prophets were believers in Christ, who refused to be led by the Holy Spirit, and so, with impunity, manifest the works of the flesh consistently (1 John 2:18-19). This is a warning to those of us who claim to be Christians. We ought to depend on Christ for our lives and walk as He has given us grace. In any area where we find it difficult to live as God desires, we should always turn to the Holy Spirit, Who has been given to us, and He will help us. It is when we refuse to do these things that we become false prophets and begin to teach heresies and form sects which seek to please self (the flesh) rather than God.
Go to full Bible Study Outline
Beware of False Prophets: How to Identify Them (3)
The false prophet can be identified by his pedigree. The source or pedigree of every false prophet is the devil, also called Satan, Lucifer, that Old Serpent, etc. By looking at the pedigree of the false prophet, which may also include, a denomination, a church, a church leader, etc., we can easily identify him.
For instance, we have seen that the devil is a murderer, a hater of truth, and, a liar; so is a false prophet. Also, we have seen that the devil used the serpent to beguile Eve by misleading her in the word of God, so does the false prophet use subtlety to beguile his victim and lead them to believe another ‘Jesus’, a different ‘spirit’, and another ‘gospel’. The devil transforms himself into ‘an angel of light’, so does the false prophet transform himself into ‘a preacher of righteousness’, getting people to depend on what they can see, rather than on faith, to depend on what they can get which is physical, rather than Christ; and to depend on their feelings, rather than on the leading of the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, as the devil is a prowler, so are false prophets; for they are usually itinerant, going from place to place seeking whom they might devour. They can even be very eloquent in quoting Scriptures, but lack the ability to live a godly lifestyle.
Our conclusion on this subject is the same as was made by our Lord Jesus, almost 2,000 years ago: BEWARE OF FALSE PROPHETS! Know how to identify them, and, with all that is within you, avoid and run far away from them!
Go to full Bible Study Outline
Entering Into The Kingdom of Heaven (1)
Some of us have erroneously thought that it is only by being born again and speaking in tongues that we will gain access into the kingdom of heaven. But nothing can be further from the truth. Indeed, there is more to gaining access into the kingdom of heaven than just being born again. Some people have actually thought that merely calling Jesus, “Lord, Lord” is enough to be in the kingdom of heaven, while some others believe that by being involved in ministry (prophesying, casting out demons, performing miracles, producing CDs or albums to the glory of God, supporting the work of ministry with money, etc.), they would gain entry into the kingdom of heaven. Again, nothing can be further from the truth!
The bible tells us in 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, that doing the work of ministry without first of all loving God is meaningless, useless, and vain! When the Lord chose people for ministry, His first and uppermost requirement was that they would spend time with Him (to get to know Him and build a firm and loving relationship with Him) before He would send them out to preach/teach and empower them to cast out demons. We have also seen that it was not merely saying “Yes, Lord” to God, but actually doing what you said “Yes, Lord” to. It is not an outward show of ‘devotion’ that matters, but an inward dedication of one’s life to the service of God in true obedience. Obedience to God’s commands is the ticket to gaining access into the kingdom of heaven!
Go to full Bible Study Outline
Entering Into The Kingdom of Heaven (2)
Obedience to God is not something we dream up and try to achieve, rather it is something that we are enabled to do having been given the instructions to carry out. Obedience is more about doing what God has said to do, than obtaining the anticipated result. For example, what is important is that a child goes to fetch water as he has been asked to. If that child returns with a half-filled cup of water, then, we train him on how to return with the water in the cup intact. Obedience is not just starting an assignment given to you by God, but finishing it. Obeying God does not mean that there will not be opposition and persecution, rather, obedience means that in spite of opposition and persecution, you keep on doing what God has asked you to do. Our obedience to God is a sign of our faith in Him! There can be no room for fear of anything in obeying God!
Obedience is carrying out God’s mission. Unfortunately, the motive of many Christians for fame and gain has thwarted the mission of God for their lives. Also, man’s measure of success which contradicts God’s measure, has derailed many a believer in their quest for access into the kingdom of heaven. Then, there is the matter of doubt and unbelief in the hearts of those who have been called to carry out God’s mission; and these prevent them from obeying God. Except we have made up our minds to shut out earthly pursuits, the comfort of this world, and the convenience of living, we shall be unable to obey God, and will definitely be denied access into the kingdom of heaven.
Go to full Bible Study Outline
Entering Into The Kingdom of Heaven (3.1.1)
As we look at the introduction to the letter to the custodian of the church in Ephesus, we observe that though it was written to the custodian of the church, it was directed at the church as a whole. We also note that it was sent from the Lord, Who described Himself as the One “that holdeth the seven stars (the custodians of the churches) in His right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks (all the churches).” We further note the knowledge of the Lord about the Ephesian church’s works, labour, patience, proving of false apostles, forebearance/longsuffering in labour and waiting, and hatred for the deeds of the Nicolaitans. We have also seen the flaw of the church in Ephesus, which was that they had left (abandoned, forsaken, or given up on) their first love (Christ). He then calls on them to remember the great height from where they had fallen, repent (change the way they have related to their Lord), and return to Him; or else, He would come to them quickly (in a rush), and remove their golden candlestick from its place.
In saying that He would remove the candlestick, we note that the Lord did not mean putting out or quenching the flame of the candlestick, which gives light to the individual, community, or territory where it is located. Rather, He would move it to another individual, community, or territory, leading to darkness in the individual or locality where there was once light. It is time for us all to look inward and ask if the light of Christ has been removed from our lives, communities or territories.
Go to full Bible Study Outline
Entering Into The Kingdom of Heaven (3.1.2)
We have heard the Lord’s warning to the church. It is a warning which is not only for those in the church in Ephesus, but it is also a warning to all believers in all the churches all over the world in this present generation. We have also seen that the Lord counsels all believers to overcome (that is, prevail and conquer) the temptations and obstacles to doing the will of God, so that we can have access to be partakers of the fruit of the tree of life, which was denied Adam and Eve and all those who have chosen to live in disobedience.
We can reconstruct or paraphrase Revelation 2:7 as follows: “If you are willing and able to receive, accept, and do what the Spirit is telling all of you (not just those of the church in Ephesus); and if you are able to endure and prevail over all that is thrown at you by the devil, the world, the religious hierarchy, and your flesh; then, I will give you access to eat of the fruit of the tree of life, which will enable you to live forever in your state of righteousness. This tree of life was denied to Adam and Eve, and all men who have followed in their disobedience; but to all who will walk in total obedience to God, not only in the beginning, but all through their Christian walk, even until the very end shall be granted access to freely partake of the tree of life, which brings healing and restoration to the nations.”
As we prepare to take a deeper look next week, at what it means to leave our first love (Christ), we each need to ask ourselves one question tonight: “What is my response to the Lord’s warning and counsel to the Ephesian church, and particularly, to me?”
Go to full Bible Study Outline
Entering Into The Kingdom of Heaven (3.1.3)
In studying the Lord’s complaint against the church in Ephesus, we noted that His comment, “thou hast left thy first love” is a statement in the past tense, implying that the act of abandonment or desertion had already taken place. We have also seen that the ‘first love’ is that object or subject of pre-eminent affection, attention, devotion, or treasure in the heart of any man. We have seen that Christ Himself is the ‘first love’ that the church has abandoned or deserted. Thus, the Lord’s complaint against the church in Ephesus, and possibly against us today, is that the church has abandoned or deserted Him for another object or subject of affection. He is no longer the centre of the affection, attention, and devotion of the church; hence, our service to Him is selective, and based on what, who, where, and when we want to serve.
Relating this to Christ’s comment in Matthew 7:22, we can see that the claim of many people to doing the work of God in His name (that is, by His authority), is a fallacy, and cannot grant them access into the kingdom of God, when He is not the basis of such work. Christ is looking for those people who will do the work of God based on faith in Him, love for Him, and hope in Him. Hence, when Christ calls people to Himself, the first thing He is concerned with, is that they know Him enough to put all their trust and hope in Him, and that they love Him with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:29-31). Christ is to be pre-eminent and uppermost in our ministry to people and in our service before God, or else, we would be doing what we please; not what pleases Him; and we will not obey Him!
What Christ expects us to say to Him is not that we have prophesied or preached, cast out demons, and done wonderful works in His name; rather, that we have prophesied or preached, cast out demons, done wonderful works, and laboured in His vineyard, because of our pre-eminent affection and devotion to Him!
Go to full Bible Study Outline
Entering Into The Kingdom of Heaven (3.2.1)
Whilst many believers have visions of grandeur when it comes to doing the work of God, it is interesting to note that the Lord’s message to a church that was going through tribulation, poverty, and slander was one of encouragement. The message to the church today, is that a major consideration for gaining access into the kingdom of God, is whether or not we are able to endure tribulation, persecution, and hardship of all sorts for the name of Christ, even if it means dying in the process.
Suffering, which includes, physical, economic, and social hardship, is a major Christian theme that is now almost extinct. The church of God is being bombarded with messages from the pits of hell, contrary to the word of God: messages that speak of bliss, rather than one that encourages suffering for Christ; messages that speak of always being on top; rather than one that exhorts us to persevere through hardship; messages that speak of having wealth beyond reason, rather than challenging us to live within the provision of God; messages that tell us to not be satisfied with what God has made available to us, rather than admonitions to be content in whatsoever God has given us; among others. Messages contrary to the word of God do not make us ready for the inevitable. The Lord Himself had forewarned His disciples as documented in the gospels, as He again forewarned the church in Smyrna, and is even now, warning us about the reality of living as Christians: enduring hardship, and being careful not to become overcharged with surfeiting, drunkenness, and the cares of this life. We are admonished to pursue moderation, and be prepared for hardship as soldiers of Christ, not being overly concerned for the things of this life.
The bible is replete with instances of men and women of faith being tried through tribulation and persecution. In some cases, these people of faith, through their faith in God endured hardship even until death, not receiving the promise of eternal life, but kept in waiting, until we also come to that place of fulfilment. As we have many of those who have gone before us, let us also hold fast unto God until the time of His appearing. The kingdom of heaven will not be open to those who avoid or refuse the tribulations, poverty, and slandering that is necessary in the course of their work for God.
Go to full Bible Study Outline
Entering Into The Kingdom of Heaven (3.2.2)
The proof of a child of God is in his victory over trials and temptations. The genuineness and quality of our faith in God is proven only after we have overcome the temptations of the devil. Therefore, if you are going to be reckoned as worthy of entering into the kingdom of heaven at the end of the age, you must have successfully overcome the temptations of the devil even if it means that you die doing so! Your response to praise and suffering will tell if you will avoid the second death and receive the crown of life; for example:
(a) Does the praise of men or suffering prevent you from doing the will of God?
(b) Do you curse God when suffering, and praise men when prosperous?
(c) Does suffering or prosperity stop you from doing the will of God?
(d) When things are not going your way, do you murmur, and when they do go your way, do you forget God?
(e) Will you go where God wants you to go or do you go where you want to go?
(f) Are you reconsidering whether or not you want to continue serving God?
(g) Are you persuaded not to continue with God’s mission?
(h) Are you seeking the ‘power of God’ for selfish reasons or to prove a point?
(i) Are you living irresponsibly and expecting God’s protection?
(j) Will you try alternatives when it seems God is taking too long?
(k) Do you act contrary to the word of God in order to receive the glories of this world?
(l) Is your life worth more to you than doing the will of God?
(m) Do you fear the devil or man, rather than God?
(n) Can hardship, pleasures, angels, demons, etc., separate you from the love of God?
(o) Will your faithfulness continue, even if it means death?
If all you have to present on ‘that day’ when you stand before God are: the sermons you have preached, the people you have cast out demons from, and the miracles you have wrought, then, it is unlikely that the crown of life will be given to you. This is because, the crown of life is an award of triumphing over death or the threat of death, and is reserved for people who have indeed, endured and overcome tribulation, temptation, trials, hardships, etc., and still love God, right to the end. Are you one of such?
Go to full Bible Study Outline
Entering Into The Kingdom of Heaven (3.3.1)
God can locate a church or assembly of believers, or even a believer by himself, in any part of the world, whether or not it is the centre of satanic activity; for, “the earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof”. Indeed, the Lord Jesus’ headquarters during His earthly ministry was located in “Galilee of the Gentiles”; where the people sat in darkness; and where death cast its shadow. In fact, Jesus’ first disciples came from this same location!
We are the salt of the earth, and the light of the world. We are located wherever God pleases, so that we can influence that locality or territory with the light of the gospel of Christ, and with our walk in Christ. As the church in Pergamos was commended for their holding fast onto Christ, even when Antipas was martyred, so are we, today’s Christians, called to stand firm and hold fast to our faith in Christ. We should not be afraid of martyrdom, for it is part of Christianity.
The Lord’s message to us today is:
1. You can be located anywhere God chooses, because the earth is the Lord’s. If, for instance, a brother lives in an iniquitous community, it does not mean that God is not there with him, neither does it mean that God wants him to practice iniquity.
2. You can remain faithful to God even if you are located in the hub of satanic activities; even if your boss is the head of the occult; even if your friend is a prostitute or drug addict, or a corrupt officer. If you have renewed your mind by the word of God, you can be free from corruptive influences, and become a shining light.
3. You are located in a cesspool of sin and death, so that through you and the way you live, holiness and life can be preached and lived in such a community, and thereby bring about renewal, revival and reformation.
4. Locating in Satan’s headquarters is not an excuse to live like a child of the devil; for you have been called to be different and distinct in a world of conformity to worldly and satanic standards.
5. God knows where you are, and is assessing you on the basis of His word, not on the basis of what the majority of the people or churches around you are doing.
6. In every generation, and in every location, God has kept for Himself a few people who have remained faithful to Him, so don’t look at what the majority are doing, rather, find out what God wants you to do, and do it!
It is our prayer that the Lord will help us to remain faithful and steadfast in our profession and confession of our faith in Him, even though we may be in the territory where death casts its shadow. Ours is to stand firm for all that is right in God, even if we are the only one doing so.
Go to full Bible Study Outline
Entering Into The Kingdom of Heaven (3.3.2)
The Lord’s message to the church in Pergamos, after His commendation of their faithfulness, was followed by His condemnation of their tolerance of allowing people who were practicing false doctrines to remain in the church. These practices included the eating of food sacrificed to idols, fornication, and licentious living in the name of grace. The Lord was wroth against the church in Pergamos, because they did not stamp out such wrong and false doctrines. And by refusing to stamp out such error, they endangered the infection and corruption of the faith of those who were living right, by these false doctrine practitioners. The Lord expected them to put away (throw out of the church) the corrupters of the people; to teach the right doctrines continually; and, to correct the wrong doctrines.
God’s message to us, today’s church, is that we must not tolerate the practice of wrong and false doctrines in our midst, for it will corrupt the faith of the many young believers in our midst; we must teach God’s people to avoid practices that are contrary to the word of God, even though they may be prevalent or may come from a so called ‘God country’; and, we must all understand that the word of God is our constitution and does not change from one nation to another or from one generation to another. The word of God is inspired by God, and cannot and should not be trifled with. Also, we should receive the witness of the Holy Spirit when listening to messages, to know whether or not it is from God, rather than being carried away by some emotional appeal of the message.
For those who will say, “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name?” the one question is, “What have you prophesied or preached in Jesus’ name—the doctrine of God, or the doctrine of Balaam and of the Nicolaitanes?” And to those who say, “We are Christians” the question is, “By what doctrine are you living—the doctrine of God, or the doctrine of Balaam and of the Nicolaitanes?”
Go to full Bible Study Outline
Entering Into The Kingdom of Heaven (3.3.3)
In order to be able to exercise the right to make the right choice, we have set forth the true meaning of ‘repentance’, and ‘war’ as indicated by the Lord. We have seen that true repentance is a turning away from a course of action which is contrary to the right way, and a turning back to the right way. Such genuine repentance is the culmination of godly sorrow for sin, and is marked by acknowledgement of wrong, restitution of one’s ways, repudiation of sin, and, a change in behaviour. War on the other hand, is spiritual, and is a ‘war of words’ (between the Lord and Satan) and a ‘war of attrition’ (the wearing down of an enemy by applying certain actions or strategies). Such a war impacts the unrepentant and unregenerate mind by pushing them out of God’s kingdom, but brings the truly repentant person to His knees, resulting in unfeigned submission to Christ.
The choices offered by the Lord targeted two groups: the tolerant church, being one group, and the teachers and practitioners of erroneous doctrines, being the other. Hence, we find that the Lord is saying that if the church does not change from its tolerance of erroneous doctrines, by speaking against those doctrines and ejecting its practitioners out of the church (through teaching the correct doctrines), then, He would come quickly or suddenly on them, when they least expect! He will fight against those practitioners of erroneous doctrines Himself with the word of His mouth, which is the Sword of the Spirit.
But for the church and those who once practiced erroneous doctrines, who truly repent, there is a reward. The reward is the Bread of Life, which is reserved in heaven for those who overcome; and a ‘white stone’ of victory over the wiles of Satan; and is eternal.
Hence, for those who would stand before the Lord with claims of having preached (prophesying) in His name (by His authority), the questions will be: Who sent you? Whose doctrine did you preach? And, how was the doctrine practiced? Thus, unless we are teaching and preaching the doctrines of Christ, which enable the separation of the ‘old leaven (sin) from the lump (church)’, we shall not enter into the kingdom of God! We would therefore, do well to turn away from carnal, profane and vain babblings which increases ungodliness, and turn to the undiluted doctrines of Christ which promote holiness and godly living. This is one of the requirements for those who would be partakers of the kingdom which has been reserved for all who have shunned ungodliness!
Go to full Bible Study Outline
Entering Into The Kingdom of Heaven (3.4)
No one really knows who the Jezebel referred to by the Lord was, but we find similarities between her modus operandi (style) and that of Jezebel, the wife of King Ahab. We have studied the operations of Jezebel, the wife of Ahab, as a means of relating to how the Jezebel of Revelation 2:18-29 operated. It is possible that the Jezebel in the New Testament was the wife of the church leader or, she may have been a very influential person in the church. She called herself a prophetess of God, but was really a prophetess of Satan. She seduced the ministers of God in the church in Thyatira, and got them to be involved in sexual immorality and idolatry. She had many ‘children’ (possibly followers) and was unrepentant. But the Lord assured of her tragic end, as well as those of her ‘children’.
The lessons for us in the church today, are as follows:
1. Do not authorize or recommend people whose purity, integrity, and humility you cannot vouch for, to preach or teach in the church.
2. Everyone who preaches or teaches from the pulpit exerts tremendous influence on their listeners, not just based on what they say, but also, based on their lifestyle; hence, be very careful about who you allow to minister in the church.
3. It is possible for a church that is doing great things for God, to harbour and authorize a ‘Jezebel’ to minister in the church, so, beware!
4. No matter how influential a ‘Jezebel’ is, you can avoid coming under her spell if you make up your mind to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.
5. Beware of men and women who you don’t know anything about speaking into your life, in the name of the Lord.
6. Beware of popular opinions which contradict the word of God; and beware of popular ministers (male or female) whose lives do not reflect the glory of God.
7. Hold fast to the sound teachings which you already have in Christ, and do not go about chasing after ‘new revelations’ or so-called ‘deep teachings’ which have no biblical basis, for they really are the doctrines of Satan.
8. Remember that the reward of ‘power over the nations’ will only be given at the end of the age, to those who continue to hold fast to Christ and His doctrines until the end; so, don’t be fooled by the devil into believing that he can give you power over anyone for that matter.
Go to full Bible Study Outline
Entering Into The Kingdom of Heaven (3.5.1)
The church in Sardis had a reputation as a living church, but in the Lord's eye, it was a dead church! This was not because its meetings and programmes were not filled with people who were boisterous and frenzied; but because, the Lord (Who is Life and Light), and His word (which gives life and light to those who hearken unto it) were possibly not acknowledged in the church!
The Lord's warning and condemnation couldn't have come at a more dire and urgent time, as it did; for, what was remaining of worthy account in the church, was about to die. Hence, the Lord challenged the church to wake up and arise from slumber, and the sleep of death; and, to begin to seek out the life and light of God which is in Christ and His word. To this end, He counselled them to return to the first principles of the Christian foundation (turning away from things that lead to death; turning to God in faith; knowing and living in the truth that we are to be one with Christ in His Body, His death, His Spirit, and His suffering; knowing and living in the truth of the laying on of hands for the purpose of true service and real spiritual blessings in heavenly places, rather than for things which have no eternal value; knowing and living in the truth that those who die in Christ will be raised up to eternal life, while those who die without Christ will be raised up to eternal death; and, knowing and living in the truth that those who die in Christ will receive eternal rewards of crowns, joy, etc., whereas those who die without Christ will receive their just punishment of eternal damnation in hell).
The lessons for us, today’s church, are:
1. We ought to focus on God's assessment of the church, rather than men's accolades or the clichés we ascribe to churches.
2. We need to ask the Lord for an assessment of our local assemblies, when men begin to give us accolades, so that we can have a proper assessment of our standing before God, and not be lost in the applause of men to our shame and detriment.
3. We need to awake to righteousness and ensure that we are hearing the unadulterated word of God, rather than be involved with the unfruitful works of darkness, and secular humanism.
4. We ought to firmly establish the first principles of the oracles of God (the Christian foundation), so that we can move on to perfection, and not keep laying again and again, the same foundation.
5. We should be aware that the Lord can return at anytime; hence we ought to walk circumspectly, and, seize every opportunity to preach the good news of the kingdom of God.
Go to full Bible Study Outline
Entering Into The Kingdom of Heaven (3.5.2)
The Lord is not going to be married to a corrupt or defiled church, nor will He be married to a corpse! Instead, He will be married to a glorious church, without spot or wrinkle. He died so that the church might be made pure through His shed blood at Calvary. He has also made available resources that would ensure that the church, remain so: His blood; His word; His Spirit; and the work of His appointed ministers in the church. Righteousness (upright, just, and godly living, deeds, and conduct, and right standing with God) will be a very major issue in heaven—the virgins who were engaging in dead works could not enter in; and the man who honoured the King’s invitation to the wedding, was removed and thrown into outer darkness, because he was not wearing the white garment of righteousness!
As we look at the church today, the tendency is to wonder if any shall be saved. The truth is that once a person’s name is written in the Book of Life, everything that needs to be done to make him or her, a part of the glorious Bride (the church), will be put into motion. For this cause, we would do well to ensure that all that we need to become acceptable in the beloved is imbibed and absorbed within us. The Lord’s promise to us if we are diligent to remain unspotted is that, we will walk with the Him; our names will not be blotted out of the Book of Life’ and, He will proclaim or declare our names before His Father and the angels. What a glorious day it will be!
Hence, rather than get into an ego-trip that, we are the only ones calling on the name of the Lord in our church services; teaching and preaching the word of God in His name, in our bible study meetings; casting out demons in His name, in our deliverance services; and, “miracles are happening in His name, in our miracle services and crusades”; the Lord counsels us to be more concerned with whether or not our names are written in the Book of Life! It is unthinkable that those who are engaging in dead works would ever find their names in the Book of Life, except they repent and turn in faith to God for their eternal salvation. The church in Sardis, like most churches today, was a dead church with a reputable name among men; but the Lord offered them an opportunity to repent, which He is offering us today. He is the God of the living; not of the dead! Will you repent and begin to live righteously?
Go to full Bible Study Outline