Essential Bible Studies

The Five Snares of Covetousness

In this episode we delve into some of the practical sides of recognizing sin in our lives and being able to deal with it. Covetousness is a great example of this. A sin that we might not know about unless God had told us not to covet. It's so important that it will exclude us from the kingdom of God. Frank joins Tim for interesting insights from his life on at least five areas to watch out for when it comes to covetousness.
Key verse: "Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you. So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?"" Hebrews 13:5-6
Introduction
The 10th commandment – Thou shalt not covet (Ex. 20:17). All other commandments seem to be external, but the 10th is obviously a commandment about how we think.
The battle against sin in the mind (Rom. 7:7,22-23)
The importance of recognizing and dealing with the sin of covetousness
Exclusion from the kingdom of God (Eph. 5:3-5; 1 Cor. 6:9-10)
The root of all evil (1 Tim. 6:9-11)
Defining Covetousness
English meaning
Hebrew meaning
Greek meaning
Five Snares of Covetousness
The snare of the credit card (Rom. 13:7-8)
Buying things we want but do not really need, on a credit account, because we do not have sufficient money to pay for it.
When we only pay the minimum balance instead of the whole balance on a credit account.
The lure of advertising and buying on impulse
Some stores are set up to encourage buying on impulse.
This includes buying more of a product than we really need.
Sometimes the store price is below their cost.
One needs to make a list and stick to it.
The deception of get rich quick schemes (lotteries, stock market)
Huge payouts sound good and we can justify it to ourselves
Actually winning would create more difficulties
Investing wisely is good but must be careful not to get caught up in it all
The enticement of entertainment and social media
Most entertainment is the idolization of man. Everybody wants to be like the star.
Social media is filled with people trying to be influencers
The pitfalls of keeping up with the Jones
We spend a lot of money just to keep up.
Sometimes it is purely a matter of pride.
Sometimes expectations are too high and we need to lower them. We don’t really need the latest and greatest.
We live in a very wasteful society.
The positives
The flesh can never be satisfied (Ecc. 5:10). We always live to our means.
Putting trust in God (Heb. 13:5-6)
Godliness with contentment is great gain (1 Tim. 6:6)
Final conclusion

Enemies Reconciled to God

Key verse: “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.” Romans 5:10 
Introduction
Enemies with God
Romans 5:8-10
What does it mean to be an enemy?
What causes the hostility – our sins.
James 4:4 – being a friend of the world causes enmity with God
Where is the separation?
Col. 1:21 – This takes place in our minds (cp. Gen. 6:5 vs. Isa. 26:3)
Romans 8:5-7 the carnal mind is enmity with God
Reconciliation with God brings peace
Col. 1:20
Eph. 2:13-17
Rom. 5:1, 10-11
Defining true peace with God
Final conclusion
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God is Just and the Justifier

Key Verse: “It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus." Romans 3:26  
Introduction
The conundrum of how a just God can save sinners
Why did Jesus have to die?
A core teaching on this in Romans 3:9-28
Chapter 3:9-24
The terrible sinfulness of all men (v.9-20, 23). Our knowledge of sin brings a recognition of guilt (v. 19).
The righteousness of God (v. 21-22) and the meaning of justification.
“By his grace” (v. 24). This is his gift. It is a balance of grace & truth.
Chapter 3:25
The meaning of propitiation
Faith in his blood – How does Jesus fit in? A man of spotless character who condemned sin.
Chapter 3:26-28
God is just and the justifier of all who believe
Justified by faith
Final conclusion
Previous episodes that provide background to this subject:
Sin in Five Verses
Sin Entered the World
The Curse on the Serpent
The Virgin Birth
The Word was made Flesh
Quote by Robert Roberts:
“God’s method for the return of sinful man to favour required and appointed the putting to death of man’s condemned and evil nature in a representative man of spotless character, whom He should provide, to declare and uphold the righteousness of God, as the first condition of restoration, that He might be just while justifying the unjust, who should believingly approach through him in humility, confession and reformation” Robert Roberts, Diary of a Voyage, pg. 68

Blessed is the One Who Reads

Welcome to Season 5!
Part of being a good Bible student is being a good Bible reader. Wayne Coutu joins Tim Young for a conversation about the importance of consistent daily Bible reading and how to go about it.
Resources:
Website with the daily readings and commentary - The Daily Bible Readings
YouVersion app with daily reading planner
Apple app - Daily: Bible Reading
Outline:
Key verse: Rev. 1:3
Introduction
God speaks to us through his Word (like a missed call or voicemail)
We speak to God through prayer (like wanting to share good/bad news with a friend)
Matt. 7:21-23 - God wants a relationship with us but he has to know us (Gal. 4:9)
The Importance of Reading God’s Word daily
Rev. 1:3 – Read, hear and keep
Deut. 6:6-9 - Heart, teach children, talk of them, sign upon hands, upon posts and gates of the house
Reading with a Plan
The Bible Companion (dailyreadings.org.uk)
The benefits of reading with others / reading aloud
Sometimes we wonder why we are reading. The answer may be there immediately or later.
Read with an objective – ask questions, look for themes
Final conclusion – Attention vs Intention

Season 5 Trailer

The first episode of the Essential Bible Studies podcast season FIVE premiers on January 16th, 2023.
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Seek First the Kingdom of God

Recently my good friends Peter and Larry asked me to join them on their very first episode of a new podcast called “Come to Life”. I jumped at the chance. As the name suggests it’s a podcast that deals with a lot of the issues of life like how to pray or coping with grief or overcoming addictions. They interview all sorts of fascinating personalities. It’s a very interesting mix of subjects.
The foundation of it all is the word of God, using the Bible as their guide. With that in mind they wanted to start off by establishing what is behind every episode for them and that is the promise of God’s coming kingdom. God’s plan and purpose for everyone. Jesus Christ told us to seek first the Kingdom of God. If Jesus says its first, then what else could be more important?
I encourage you to check out the Come to Life podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts.
https://cometolifepodcast.podbean.com/
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-come-to-life-podcast/id1583424714
 

Testimony and Reflections Season 4

Frank Abel joins Tim Young to finish off Season 4 with his testimony and reflections on his life.
Episode's of the TV show Great News for the World with footage of preaching at Allan Gardens in Toronto are on the Christadelphian TV channel on YouTube.
Ron Abel's book Wrested Scripture can be purchased as a book in the UK or the US and found on a website.

The Ways of Providence (Part 2) - God’s Hand Among the Nations

Our study of God’s providence continues this time with a focus on how God works among the nations. The Bible gives us key insights on God’s view of the kingdoms of men and how he is ultimately in control to bring about his kingdom on earth. Join Dan and Tim as they grapple with difficult questions about how God’s rules in the Kingdoms of men, how these rulers are still responsible to God and what this means for the believer’s involvement in politics.
Visit the Bible Basics Webinar  
Key Verse:
“The sentence is by the decree of the watchers, the decision by the word of the holy ones, to the end that the living may know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will and sets over it the lowliest of men.” Daniel 4:17 
Show Notes:
God is in control of world events
God, Daniel and Nebuchadnezzar (three times Daniel 4:17, 25, 32 cp v. 35; 2 Chronicles 20:6)
Proverbs 21:1 - God turns the heart of kings like a stream of water
God’s use of Kings
Cyrus, God’s anointed (Isaiah 45:1-3; Ezra 1:1)
Nebuchadnezzar revisited (Ezekiel 30:21-25)
They are unaware (Daniel 4:29-31)
They are still responsible for their actions (Jeremiah 25:8-9,12-13)
One of the reasons that Christadelphians are not involved in politics
Our awareness that God is in control
A great comfort to know that all things will work out according to God’s will
Daniel’s advice to Nebuchadnezzar (4:27)
We shouldn’t get caught up in the criticism of government but pray for them (1 Timothy 2:1-2)

The Ways of Providence (Part 1) - God’s Hand in Your Life

For the first time we have Dan from the Bible Basics Webinar (www.biblebasicswebinar.com) here to talk with us about the providence of God. This is an essential Bible study because it gets at the heart of how we perceive the circumstances of our life. Are events just by chance or can God manipulate them for his purpose? This question leads us to consider many examples from the Bible of how God works behind the scenes in the lives of believers.
Key Verse:
“But all this I laid to heart, examining it all, how the righteous and the wise and their deeds are in the hand of God. Whether it is love or hate, man does not know; both are before him.” Ecclesiastes 9:1
Show Notes:
What is Providence?
the invisible hand of God working in our lives
Example of Elisha (2 Kings 6:15-17)
The angels (Psalm 34:7)
The book The Ways of Providence by Robert Roberts (hardcopy here or here)
Awareness of God in our lives
Providence vs. Miracles 
Providence is more applicable to today
Example of the healing of the man blind from birth in John 9
His healing = a miracle 
His circumstances = providence “that the works of God might be manifest in him”
Providence vs. Time and Chance
Ecc. 9:1 “the righteous and the wise and their works are in the hand of God” vs. Ecc. 9:11 “time and chance happens to them all”
“God has control of chance, but not all chance is controlled by God” (The Ways of Providence, Robert Roberts., pg. 5)
Proverbs 3:5-6 - God will direct our paths, if… 1) we acknowledge Him. 2) trust in Him. 3) lean not on our own understanding
God’s direction over our lives can be lost (e.g. Saul 1 Samuel 18:12; 28:15)
Life Won’t Always Be Easy Because of Providence
Example of Job - “shall we receive good at the hand of God and shall we not receive evil?” (Job 2:9-10)
God promised to keep Jacob in all his ways (Genesis 28:15; 41:9; 48:16)
“All things work together for them that love God…” (Romans 8:28-32)
The Importance of Knowing God’s Will
Danger of assuming that circumstances in life are clearly a result of God pointing us in a certain direction (e.g. of David with Saul in 1 Samuel 26:7-11,18-19)
We must make life decisions based on Biblical discernment, not on what appears to be a direction God is sending us
We Might Be the Instrument of Providence for Others
God uses various means to accomplish his will
Control of nature
The angels
Us! Examples of Abigail (1 Samuel 25:26,32-34 and Esther 4:14)

The Word was made Flesh

In conjunction with last week’s podcast from John 1:1, Jay and Tim consider the context and the importance of verse 14, “the Word was made flesh”. What is it about Jesus being flesh that is so crucial to his sacrifice? Does it contradict the doctrine of the Trinity? How are we to understand this glory that was seen? The scriptures lead us to the wonderful conclusion that we will all eventually share in the divine nature, Jesus being the first among many.
Key Verse:
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14
Show Notes:
 The Importance of Jesus Being Flesh
Flesh and blood  the same as our nature (Hebrews 2:14) the key to the sacrifice of Christ.
Had to be tempted like us (Hebrews 4:14-15). God cannot be tempted (James 1:13).
Flesh is sinful! This is why his obedience is such a wonder. He had to overcome the temptations of flesh like no other man.
Made Flesh: What it Doesn’t Mean
Revisiting the definition of the Trinity and the nature of Jesus and God
Was Jesus the God-man? Is he just a man? Neither is true.
Jesus was a special creation made strong by his Father (John 3:34; 2 Cor. 5:19)
We Have Seen His Glory
What is glory? Both moral and physical.
The moral glory (Exodus 34:6 cp. John 1:14). The wider purpose of God to fill the earth with this glory (Numbers 14:21; Isaiah 11:9; Habakkuk 2:14).
His physical glory – the example and meaning of the transfiguration (2 Peter 1:16-18). Jesus the first to be transformed (Philippians 3:20-21; 2 Peter 1:4).
The Apostle saw both of these glories (1 John 1:1-3)

In the Beginning was the Word

John starts off his gospel by saying “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God”. This is a key verse for what many refer to as the Trinity. Jay and Tim discuss an attempt at a simple definition of the Trinity and whether this verse supports it. They then get into looking at what John is truly saying about the Word and Jesus by his use of the principle of personification found in other scriptures and the New Testament concept of a new creation in Christ Jesus.
Key Verse:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1
Show Notes:
The Trinity in a Nutshell (https://credohouse.org/blog/the-doctrineof-the-trinity-in-a-nutshell)
The Word was God
The Word is the expression of the thoughts and wisdom of God
The Word is Who He is, Love is Who He is, Light is Who He is
God is light (1 John 1:5) – intelligence, understanding, purity, truth, righteousness, life
God is love (1 John 4:8,16) – reconciling, slow to anger, tender care, rebuke and correction
It all starts with God. We come to know Him – His love, His light – through the Word.
Everything that Word is – love and light, grace and truth – was revealed in flesh and blood – when the Word was made flesh.
The Word in the Beginning of Creation
The Greek word for “Word” is Logos
The Word is the expression of the thoughts and wisdom of God (Psa. 33:6)
An appeal to consider Genesis
“Light” is the first spoken word that the Bible attributes to God! (Genesis 1:1-3)
The Word was with God in the Beginning
Personification of the word (Isaiah 55:10-11)
More personification (Psalm 107:20; 147:15; 2 Thessalonians 3:1)
Personification of the wisdom of God (a woman!), that was WITH God (Proverbs 8:1-2; 22-31)
Christ and the New Creation
The new creation (Colossians 1:13-20; 2 Corinthians 4:5-7)
The new beginning (Mark 1:1; Luke 1:2; John 1:12-13)

The Virgin Shall Conceive

Knowing Jesus better starts with his miraculous birth, born of a virgin by the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesse rejoins Tim to expand on studies from Genesis 3:15 to see how this prophecy/promise sets the stage. We delve into some wonderful verses in Isaiah predicted that Jesus would be born of a virgin. The Scriptures then lead us to the fulfillment in the Lord Jesus Christ and what it ultimately means that he was both the Son of God but also the Son of Man.
Key Verse:
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14   
Show Notes:
Revisiting Genesis 3:15 and the prophecy of Jesus that sets the compass for the dual aspect of Christ being both the Son of God and Son of Man.
Isaiah’s Prophecies of the Virgin Birth (Isaiah 7:13-15; 9:6-7; 49:1-2)
The Prophecies Fulfilled in the New Testament (Matthew 1:20-23; Luke 1:26-33)
Why the Virgin Birth is important and why Jesus is both Son of God and Son of Man (John 5:24-29)