PASTOR D

As opposed to pattering themselves after God - doing things and living in such a way as to be recognized as children of God - they have rebelled against God and as a result of such they have no resemblance to God. Christians today who live in such a fashion confuse those they are supposed to be witnessing to. Anytime and every time your testimony and lifestyle conflict - confusion results. The consequences of such is a distancing from God as opposed to becoming more intimate with Him and more like Him. They seem to only be going through the motions as opposed to having any genuineness about their walk with God. They have a form of godliness but deny the power there of - they are more concerned about having a religious front than about have a relationship with God. As an alternative God offers them forgiveness for genuine repentance.

Q4. (Leviticus 1:3-9) In the burnt offering for an individual's sin: What is the significance of the offerer laying his hand on the animal's head? Why do you think the offerer is to slay the sacrifice rather than having the priest do it? How is the animal's blood significant in sacrifice? In what ways does Jesus' sacrifice on the cross fulfill all of this? The offerer lays his hands on the animal's head indicating a transfer of his sins to the animal being sacrificed. . . The offerer is to slay the sacrifice so that he realizes the penalty required for sin. . . The life is in the blood - so the animal's blood basically cleanses the offerer of his sins. . . Jesus is the perfect sacrifice in that He gave His life and blood for the sins of humanity - a blood that was not contaminated by sin and therefore acceptable to God. . .

Q3. What does the arrangement of the furniture, the tabernacle, and the courtyard teach us about worship? Why do you come to the bronze altar and the laver or basin before you reach the tent itself? These arrangements help us to understand our approach to God and progression toward God. . The alter and lever preceding the tent indicates that we must accept the sacrifice and forgiveness of Christ before coming into the presence of God. . .

Q2. (Exodus 25:10-22) What is the significance of the Ark in the Holy of Holies? What did it represent? Why was it considered so holy? If no one really sat upon it, why was it so important? The Ark in the Holy of Holies was significant of the Throne of God where God would sit and rule over is people. It was considered to be the most holy object because it represented the very presence of God.

Q1. (Exodus 15:24) What are the reasons that people grumble and complain? How do fear and faith relate to grumbling? What symptoms of grumbling do you see in your own life? What should you do about it? They grumbled and complained when, or as they came up against difficult situations. Facing these situations and not knowing how to react to them - and at the same time not be familiar enough with God to know of His love for them or His power to change every negative situation into a positive in their lives - they resorted to complaining and murmuring against their leader. . . - Faith has no relationship with grumbling - however, fear results in grumbling. . . - When situations are not understood, when things don't change or work-out as quickly as is expected or we would like them to - we sometimes tend to grumble and complain. . . The tendency to grumble or complain - or the act of grumbling or complaining can be successfully combated by the following actions: 1) meditating in the Word of God; 2) studying the Word of God; 3) prayer, especially when we are praying in agreement with the Word of God; and, 4) acting on the Word of God. . .

Q4. Why do we tend to fight our battles

Q3. Why didn

Q2. Why is it so difficult for some church leaders to confront people? What fears in this regard does a leader face? How can confrontation and rebuke be a good thing? What happens when we refuse to confront when we should? Often times people have gone through, or, may yet be in difficult situations that have supported their decisions to join church. Many times, for fear of resurrecting these situations leaders are reluctant to confront people. . . Confrontation and rebuke can be a good thing when it brings to light the situations and helps us to recognize and correct the problems. . . When we refuse to confront people when necessary it inhibits or impedes their ability to face situations and make the necessary improvements. . .

Q1. (Exodus 7:6-7) Why did Moses blame God for his troubles? Why are Moses and Aaron so stubborn, do you think? Was it fear? Was it unbelief? Or both, perhaps? Why does God have to command Moses and Aaron? Moses blamed God because of the negative response of Pharaoh to the instructions of God. Many times when the response is not what we expected we tend to assign blame to the one that originates the command. Moses failed to remember what God told him - that He would harden Pharaoh's heart - it was all a part of God's plan. . . The stubbornness of Moses and Aaron are because of unbelief. Many times we finds ourselves in a similar light - when things don't manifest just as we perceived them to - we allow doubt to creep in. . . We are told that the "just must live by faith" - that "we walk by faith and not by sight" - that without faith it is impossible to please God". . . Faith sees the expected results no matter what problems or difficulty may arise. . . Pharaoh's refusal to comply with God's commands may have caused some doubt to arise in Moses and Aaron. . . God has to command Moses and Aaron because of their doubt. They conceived that if the people they were sent to rescue failed to see God's purpose and follow through - them Pharaoh, who is not a child of God certainly had no purpose in hearing and complying with what they said that God said. . .

Q4. Why are we so afraid to obey God when he puts on our heart to do something decisive? How are we to deal with fear when we feel it? What is the relationship of fear to courage? Why is courage required in leaders and disciples? More likely than not, the things God puts on our hearts to perform are things that defy human ability and intellect. Things that are beyond our comfort zones. Things that are basically impossible as far as human ability is concerned. It is because of this that we fear obeying God - along with a fear of failure and or embarrassment. The best way to deal with fear is to become more familiar with the Word of God - with the promises of God concerning us. We do this through Bible Study - meditating in the Word of God and prayer. These actions result in our faith increasing which in-turn eliminates fear. 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? 17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:16-17 (KJV) 14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. 15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. 16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. 17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 19 We love him, because he first loved us. 1 John 4:14-19 (KJV) 7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Tim 1:7 (KJV) Fear is the opposite of courage. Courage is a state of mind that results in one pursuing towards their goal in site of the seen or unseen dangers or obstacles - with the attitude of succeeding.

Q3. (Exodus 4:13-14a) Why is God angry with Moses? What is Moses

Q2. (Exodus 3:10-12) Does Moses

Q1. (Matthew 6:24) Jesus seems to make it sound like you can't seek wealth and God simultaneously. Does he really mean this? Is this hyperbole? Figurative? Literal? Can wealthy people serve God in actual fact? yes, I am convinced that this statement is literal and Jesus truly means it. I say this based on the definition of the word "SEEK" - to search for, to try to reach or obtain. Based on this definition it would be "IMPOSSIBLE" for me, or for anyone else, to search fro gold in the state of California and the state of Alaska at the same time - either you are in California seeking, search, or trying to obtain the gold - or you are in Alaska doing the same - you cannot be in both places at the same time - so, as Jesus has proclaimed in Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. However, Jesus does tell us how we can have both in the 33rd verse But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. YES, I believe that the wealthy as well as the financially challenged, as well as those in between can and do serve God and are both sincere and effective in their service to Him. . . Again, as Jesus said "No one can serve two masters" - everyone has to choose whom they will serve and be faithful in that service. Prioritizing - that is putting God first, and keeping Him first in our lives allows Him to bless us with whatever our needs and desires may be. If we need or desire Jesus says that we should "ASK" - "SEEK" - "KNOCK" - and by so doing we will "RECEIVE" - "FIND" - "BE INVITED IN". . . JOSHUA CHAPTER 24 - 14Now therefore fear Jehovah, and serve him in sincerity and in truth; and put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the River, and in Egypt; and serve ye Jehovah.

Q5. (Revelation 22:20) If you were convinced that Jesus Christ would return in your lifetime, how would it affect your life? What would you do differently than you do now? It would help me to be more focused on Him as well as the things that please Him, it would also help me to be more determined to be found doing those things that please Him only. Although I do have a very active prayer life

Q4. Three times in these two chapters, John stresses that those who continue to practice sin will not enter. Read Revelation 21:8, 27; 22:14-15; and 1 Corinthians 6:9-11. What things in these passages point to salvation by the grace of God rather than mere salvation by right living? In what way is holy living important to salvation? Why is holy living important to God? Holy living is important to salvation because through salvation we have been delivered from sin and its power - sin no longer has control over us and we are admonished by the Word of God to no longer allow sin to reign over us. Holy living is important because the Spirit of God, God's Holy Spirit resides in us and will help us and support us living a holy life. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV) 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. Colossians 3:10 (KJV) 10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Holy living is important to God because God is a Holy God - and since we have been delivered from sin, we ought to be a holy people.

Q3. (Revelation 21:9-27) John's vision of the Holy City is obviously strongly symbolic. But the Holy City pictures "the bride, the wife of the Lamb" (21:9-10; 21:2). What does John's vision of the Holy City tell us about the way that Jesus looks at his Church? Jesus sees the Church as pure, without spot or blemish of any kind. He sees it free from corruption and any and all corruptible influences which eliminates any possibility of becoming corrupt thereby being perfect. ..

Q2. Read Revelation 21:6; 22:17; and Isaiah 55:1-3. What does the "water of life" represent here and in 22:1? In what sense is it a "free gift" (22:17). In what ways should "the Spirit and the Bride" (22:17) extend that invitation in your community? To sustain life in our natural bodies water is an absolute necessity

Q1. (21:3-5) What is the significance of the fact that in heaven "God himself will be with them"? Why can the promises in 21:4 only be fulfilled in heaven? Which of these do you especially look forward to? The significance of the fact that in Heaven God Himself will be with us is that being in the very presence of God has eliminated all the negative and evil things that we have suffered here on earth that have resulted from the consequence of sin. As was promised there will be no reason to sorrow, be sadden by anything or to cry

Q4. (20:12-15) Here is a serious question for each of us -- not one we should respond to with pat answers. What assurance do you have that your name is written in the Book of Life? The number one reason and the one I think is most valuable is the sacrifice Jesus has made to atone for my sins. I believe that this sacrificial act atoned for the sins of the whole world - 1 John 2:2 (KJV) And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. John 3:16 (KJV) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. . . . Secondly, understanding that this is God's will and plan for all humanity - that none perish, but that all come to repentance - there is also the need to agree with this plan and accept it by believing in your heart (spirit) that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and was raised for our justification to participate in this salvation. . . Having agreed with and accepted this, I know my name is written in the Book of Life. . . Romans 10:9-10 (KJV) 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:9-10 (NLT) 9 If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.

Q3. (20:11-12) Why is this awesome scene of judgment so frightening? Why do people seem to resist the idea of a final judgment? The frightening thing is knowing that there is a way to avoid being judged and sentenced to eternal torment in the Lake of Fire - and that there are those that failed to take advantage of it. . . . People seem to resist the idea of final judgment by buying into the idea that grace and mercy prevents God from bringing such horrible things upon people or humanity as a whole. . . They fell to realize that there are two ways through life and that they choose which way they go and where they end up. . . Matthew 7:13-14 (KJV) 13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Matthew 7:13-14 (NLT) 13

Q2. (19:16) What are the implications of Christ's title: "King of Kings and Lord of lords" for your life? For the everyday world that surrounds you? That He is sovereign - that He rules and reigns over all things for all times - and whatever He has willed and purposed will definitely come to past. . .

Q1. (19:7-9) These verses draw together two themes from Scripture -- (1) God's people as his betrothed Bride and (2) the feast of all God's people in heaven. When you meditate on these themes, how are you both admonished and encouraged? The Betrothal of Christ and the Church - the Church having remained faithful to Christ having now come to the actual marriage - this is an admonition for us to remain faithful to God and an encouragement knowing that we will not only live eternally in His presence but have a special place there.

Q3. (15:3-4) We see singing and praise in heaven before the throne a number of times in Revelation (4:8, 11; 5:9-10, 12-13; 7:12; 11:17-18; 15:3-4; 19:1-3). What do you learn about appropriate worship from studying these songs? Do you recognize any contemporary songs that seem similar to these? Praise grows out of worship and God is to be worshiped at all times, in all places, and circumstances. . . Praise also indicates victory - we have the the victory. . .

Q2. (14:10-11) Why is everlasting punishment so difficult for us Christians to accept? In what ways might eternal punishment be considered just punishment? The thought of everlasting punishment is difficult for humans to accept because we spend our entire life being aware of God's mercy and at the same time squandering the mercy God affords us. . . I also feel that we refuse to accept that punishment will be everlasting because everything in this world has an ending - we somehow thing that there will also be an ending to the things that are beyond this life. . . Eternal punishment can be considered as just punishment for those who have taken advantage of the grace and mercy of God and in fact have rebelled against Him and refused to comply with His will and purpose for their lives. . . Every day that we are alive is a day and an opportunity to repent of our sin and turn to God - if this is what any person or people refuse to do - they must then fact the consequences for such choices and decisions. . .