Various issues.

1. A look at the "end of the world" signs. PDF / JPEG

The signs are happening; but not necessarily to a greater degree than in past years. However, the way world events are occurring, all of this could change at any moment.

2. The need to get ready (1). PDF / JPEG

A look at what Scripture tells us to do, and the reason for it. (Part 1.)

3. The need to get ready (2). PDF / JPEG

A look at what Scripture tells us to do, and the reason for it. (Part 2.)

4. How to "speed up" Jesus' coming (1). PDF / JPEG

2 Peter 3:12 mentions "speeding up" the day of God - i.e., the day of Jesus' return. Here, we focus on the first two ways: (1) praying for it, and (2) living a holy and righteous life.

5. How to "speed up" Jesus' coming (2). PDF / JPEG

Here we finish what we started last time, with: (3) sharing the Good News. In doing so, we help others to prepare for Jesus' coming, as well as "speed it up."

6. Israel's blessings - inherited by the church. PDF / JPEG

We will be looking at a few issues related to Israel and the church. Today, our focus is on blessings we have (as followers of Jesus), which the Old Testament says belong to Israel.

7. The Bible's concept of "church." PDF / JPEG

To us, the word "church" has many meanings that it did not have in the New Testament era. Knowing this fact can help us to have a clearer understanding of what the Bible says.

8. Our identity in Christ - not the word "church." PDF / JPEG

Since the New Testament word for "church" could be used of anyone, even unsaved people, the early Christians did not use that word to "define" themselves (unless the context indicated that it was referring to saved people). They had other terms that identified them - such as "holy ones" or "brothers/sisters (in Christ)" - and these terms teach us a lot about how we should live.

9. Why Israel exists... and for how long? PDF / JPEG

God did not promise Israel that they would exist; rather, he promised Israel's ancestors. Because of that, nothing in Israel's conduct could change the promise - not even ongoing rebellion. Even when exiled from the land, because of their sin, there were promises of a future restoration. Why? Because the promise that they would always exist had been made to others... and it was unconditional.

10. The nature of "gifts." PDF / JPEG

This issue actually relates to Israel, since Scripture says that God "gave" them the land of Canaan. There is much we can learn about "gifts" that applies - including one's accountability to God for what we do with the gifts. (This was written during the time of year that most people celebrate the birth of Jesus - the ultimate gift to the world.)

11. God judges nations. PDF / JPEG

God owns the world, and holds nations accountable for what they do. He destroys nations who's wickedness becomes totally intolerable. (He also blesses nations; but our focus here is on the issue that most people want to ignore or deny.)

12. Did Israel commit "genocide"? PDF / JPEG

In recent years, an increasing number of people have claimed that Old Testament Israel committed "genocide," when they took over the land of Canaan. When we look in Scripture, we discover that it would have been impossible for Israel to do this! For them to take over the land, God had to do most of the fighting!

13. Israel exists only by God's grace. PDF / JPEG

The fact that Israel came into existence is a display of God's grace. Without it, they had a ZERO percent chance of coming into existence as a nation in the land of Canaan. It's only the "God factor" that made it happen.

14. Modern Israel and prophecy (1). PDF / JPEG

Is modern Israel a fulfillment of prophecy? Here, we look at a number of Old Testament passages related to this issue. (To be completed next time.)

15. Modern Israel and prophecy (2). PDF / JPEG

Here, we finish answering the question we introduced last time, by looking at a few more Old Testament passages, and then some New Testament passages.

16. Covenants - Introduction and some examples. PDF / JPEG

We saw that Israel's past, present and future have a direct connection to covenants. For that matter, Scripture connects covenants to how God interacts with all of us. So we are going to look at this issue - first learning what covenants are, and seeing some examples of covenants between individuals.

17. Covenants made by Israel. PDF / JPEG

Most of the covenants (treaties, alliances, etc.) made between Israel and other nations were not good. Sometimes their responses to covenants already made were not good. Either way, we (people and nations) should learn from their example - normally by doing the opposite!

18. Covenants made with God; eternal redemption. PDF / JPEG

Our focus is now on covenants made with God. We start with: (1) covenants that people initiated, and what they teach us. We finish with: (2) the first of three situations that some people view as "covenants" (though the Bible doesn't use the word "covenant" to describe them). This has to do with God's plan for our salvation - a plan he made before creation came into existence. (This plan is wonderful, whether or not we think it is a "covenant"!)

19. The "Creation Mandate." (Many call this a "covenant.") PDF / JPEG

Here, we look at the original instructions that God gave to the human race. These instructions have never been cancelled - though our sin has destroyed our ability to completely obey them.

20. God's grace at the time of the "Fall." (Many call this a "covenant.") PDF / JPEG

When our ancestors chose to sin, judgment had to come. This sin affected every aspect of the "Creation Mandate" (which we looked at last time). But in the midst of this judgment, God offered grace - hope for the future.

21. The Flood and God's covenant with Noah. PDF / JPEG

A look at the Flood that occurred in the days of Noah, why it was necessary (what the people were like - two viewpoints), and the covenant that God made with people (and with the whole world) after the Flood was over. This covenant is still in effect today.

22. The Abrahamic Covenant: Its context. PDF / JPEG

This covenant is related to every major covenant that followed it. Here, we look at the context in which it came into existence: the situation in the world, as well as the faith of Abraham (who was originally named "Abram").

23. The Abrahamic Covenant: Trusting God. PDF / JPEG

God made some "impossible" promises to Abraham. Abraham trusted God... God kept his promises. Abraham's trust in God is the foundation that made this covenant possible. It also provides an example for us to learn from.

24. The Abrahamic Covenant: Land issues. PDF / JPEG

God promised Abraham the land of Canaan. But the promise grew into something even greater than that. In the end, it includes the whole earth - and the New Jerusalem on the future new earth!

25. The Abrahamic Covenant: Offspring and blessings (1). PDF / JPEG

Here is our first look at the "people promises" - the parts of the covenant that involve people and blessings. As Abraham's trust in God grew stronger, the promises of the covenant kept growing greater... until they encompassed the entire world and all the people in it. (This final outcome is still future... yet guaranteed to happen.)

26. The Abrahamic Covenant: Offspring and blessings (2). PDF / JPEG

A continuation from last time. Here we look at the specific individuals or peoples who are associated with these blessings.

27. The Abrahamic Covenant blessings defined. PDF / JPEG

Scripture presents us with two concepts of "blessings" - one type made possible only by God, and another type that people and circumstances can influence. (Two different words are used, in both Old and New Testaments!) Only the first of these blessing types is used of the blessings that we receive under the Abrahamic covenant.

28. Covenants that are "forever." PDF / JPEG

Many covenants in Scripture are described as remaining in effect "forever." The problem is: The Hebrew word translated as "forever" doesn't always refer to "unending time." Here, we look at this issue. We also look at the various covenants that are recognized as being "unending" in duration.

29. Covenants related to worship. PDF / JPEG

There are a group of covenants related to the worship of God, and the leaders involved in worship, which are described as lasting "forever." But considering the various meanings of the Hebrew word "forever," many people believe these covenants ended when the Old Covenant came to an end. (Others may disagree.) Here, we look at the conclusions we can reach, depending on which view we take.

30. Covenants and God's eternal plan. PDF / JPEG

We look at the long-term plan God has for creation, as well as a few issues related to the presence of evil in the world. Then we consider the way covenants fit into this long-term plan.

31. The Mosaic Covenant: Its context. PDF / JPEG

The context goes all the way back to the scattering the nations around the globe. God "abandoned" the nations and started for himself a new nation (from Abraham). In the end, God planned to take back the other nations (through Christ). But first, he had to show his own nation how they should live. These instructions are called the Mosaic Covenant.

32. The Mosaic and New Covenants: A comparison. PDF / JPEG

Here, we look at the differences between the Mosaic ("Old") and New Covenants, as well as reasons why the New Covenant was necessary. (This doesn't mean the Mosaic Covenant lacks value. Rather, its purpose was different.)

33. God introduces the Ten Commandments. PDF / JPEG

The Ten Commandments are unique in many ways, including the way that God introduced them to the people. We also briefly look at their significance, and how they relate to the concept of "love."

34. God's physical presence in the world. PDF / JPEG

Last time, we saw that God was physically present, when he introduced the Ten Commandments. Today, we look at other times that Scripture tells us he was physically present. He has also been present in some very special ways (which we will also mention).

35. The majestic glory of God in Old Testament Israel. PDF / JPEG

The majestic glory of God is the fullest possible expression of God's being in creation, a penetrating brightness that humans cannot look directly at. It resided in Israel (normally - but not always - in the most holy room in the tabernacle or temple) for approximately 9 centuries! It left before the nation went into exile, and won't return until they repent and turn back to God. (This has not yet happened.)

36. The testing of faith at Mount Sinai. PDF / JPEG

Both the people and Moses were tested, though in different ways. The people failed the test; Moses passed the test. But for us, the question is: What type of faith do we have? When our faith is tested, will we pass?

37. What was Moses doing on the mountain? PDF / JPEG

At first glance, it might seem that 40 days was a long time for what was accomplished (tablets on stone; other instructions probably written down on a scroll). Based on what we know about the event, and about Moses himself, we look at what was probably happening for much of those 40 days - the same types of things that should characterize our lives.

38. Introduction to the Ten Commandments. PDF / JPEG

An introductory look at the Ten Commandments - including the reason for the "do not" form that most of them have. To understand this requires us to look back at the various commands and events that occurred when God first created people - when only one command had to have the "do not" form.

39. The Ten Commandments and blessings. PDF / JPEG

Scripture connects obedience to the moral law (defined in the Ten Commandments) with blessings from God. But this happens in a variety of ways, and sometimes it doesn't seem to happen. Here we attempt to understand these issues.

40. The God of the Ten Commandments. PDF / JPEG

Here, we point out the contrast between the Creator God (the author of the Ten Commandments) and the gods of the nations. This also shows us the contrast between Israel and all other nations.

41. Understanding the Ten Commandments. PDF / JPEG

Some basic issues that help us to understand the nature and extent of these commands.

42. The Ten Commandments and freedom (1). PDF / JPEG

When it comes to decision-making, commandments are just one of the issues to take into consideration. God has given us a whole "world" of freedom! And even the commands themselves are designed to give us freedom! They offer us freedom in what we can do... as well as freedom from sin.

43. The Ten Commandments and freedom (2). PDF / JPEG

It's not just about Israel being freed from slavery in Egypt... it's about a freedom that all of us can experience: freedom from sin. This is a much worse slavery! When Israel foolishly chose to return to the slavery of sin, God opened the door of opportunity for people from all nations to experience this freedom that Israel walked-away from.

44. Introduction to Commandment #1. PDF / JPEG

A few final comments about the 10 Commandments and their influence on the rest of Scripture. Then we examine: (1) the scope of the first commandment, (2) the connection between "gods" and nations, and finally, (3) what is a "god."

45. Beware of God-substitutes! PDF / JPEG

The Creator God, who reveals himself in the Bible, is the only God we are to have. We must avoid all substitutes - not just physical objects that we might call "gods" (and the demonic forces they represent), but also the non-physical substitutes - attitudes and actions that might hinder 100% loyalty to the true God.

46. Security as a god. PDF / JPEG

It is very easy for us to put our trust in security - wealth, possessions, safety, happiness, etc. When we do this, we have taken our eyes off the true God. We have become idolaters, violating the First Commandment.

47. Trusting people instead of God. PDF / JPEG

When it comes to salvation and spiritual growth, people often tend to rely on human effort - to think that we need to somehow "help" God to save us, or to "earn" his forgiveness; or to rely on religious activities and rituals as a means of attaining "spirituality."

48. Trust in demonic forces, the occult. PDF / JPEG

Here, we look at the temptation that many have, to look to the "unseen realm" for guidance, help, "physical wellness," etc. Also ways a person might be tricked into doing so.

49. Denying God's existence. PDF / JPEG

The moral fool closes his eyes to all the evidence of God's existence that God has given him. The devil has used the "deathstyle" of the atheist to accomplish his purposes in destroying much good. Yet at the same time, the God they deny is also using them to accomplish his purposes. In the end, they, like everyone else, will confess that Jesus is Lord.

50. Honoring God in all things. PDF / JPEG

Part of obeying the first commandment is a joyful willingness to glorify (or honor) God in all that we do. Here, we look at issues related to this. (Next time, we will look at some examples of how to do it.)

51. Honoring God in all things: Examples (1). PDF / JPEG

It's easy to say we must honor God in all things (1 Corinthians 10:31; etc); but to actually do it can be quite difficult, until we have learned how. Here, we look at some random examples that explore the issue of "how."

52. Honoring God in all things: Examples (2). PDF / JPEG

Here, we look at another example (two interrelated issues). We also show how the Ten Commandments represent categories of obligations, both "positive" and "negative." (Knowing this can help us to better understand how to honor God in all things.)

53. Honoring God in all things: Examples (3). PDF / JPEG

Here, we look at three final examples of how to apply Scripture to life. (Now it's time to try it yourself, if you aren't already doing it.)

54. Commandment #1: The obligations it represents. PDF / JPEG

Each of the commandments is like a category, representing a variety of commands, obligations, and examples. All of them have something to do with the main issue at hand. Here we look at some of the issues that have something to do with the true God (who we must worship), or the false gods (which we must abhor).

55. Commandment #2: The obligations it represents. PDF / JPEG

Here, we look at the some of the obligations that are related to the second commandment, with the main focus being on physical images.

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