GOD SPEAKS TO US ABOUT THE CHURCH God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. (1 Corinthians 12:24–27) The church is made up of people who believe Jesus is their Savior and have made him first in their lives. The church isn’t made up of perfect people. It is made of people who are learning about following Christ and learning how to love God and each other. The church, which includes all Christ-followers, meets regularly all across the globe in smaller organizations known as local churches. A local church can meet in a small building, a home, or a stadium, but a church isn’t the building itself. The church is made up of people who are following Jesus. No matter how young you are when you became a Christian, there is a place for you to be part of a local church! It’s important to find a place in your community where you can learn and serve. The church doesn’t gather to be entertained. God’s desire is for the church to encourage each other, pray together, and learn together. We get to worship together, hear God’s word, and serve others. We get to discover and enjoy the gifts God gives us! The church gathers to experience God’s grace together in Christ. In Acts we read that the church “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42). This common life involved more than meeting in a building once a week and then going their separate ways. They ate together. They prayed together. They gave what they had to help the needy and the hurting. They shared—through their words and actions—the good news that Jesus promises forgiveness and life to those who believe in him. Through the church God works in the world. I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS QUICK REFRESHER. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
GOD IS PERSONAL 2 TIMOTHY 3:16–17 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. Your hands made me and formed me. (Psalm 119:73) The Lord didn’t just create us and let things go without getting involved. God created the heavens and earth, plant and animal life, and he made us with intricate detail and uniqueness. God puts great care into all the things he makes. With loving purpose he designed your physical appearance, your mind, your talents, and your personality. He delights in what he has made and longs to know you. God has always dwelled with his people. In the garden of Eden he dwelled with Adam and Eve. After Adam and Eve sinned, God went to extravagant lengths to pursue his people. He sent prophets with his message, and he gave the Israelites instructions for the tabernacle, where his presence would be. Then Jesus came to earth. After the ascension, God poured the Holy Spirit into our hearts so that God will always be present with us. He will never leave or forsake us. If you struggle with your identity, if you are insecure about the way God made you, if you tend to criticize yourself, then take extra time reading through today’s psalm. Notice how God through the psalmist defines your identity. Observe how the psalmist describes how God made you. Write down the verses that stick out to you. Post them so you can be reminded of God’s love for you. You are not an accident. His hands made you and formed you. God values you and is thrilled about your life. He gladly dwells with you! GOD MADE YOU; HE KNOWS ALL ABOUT YOU, REJOICE IN WHO YOU ARE. GOD DID NOT MAKE A MISTAKE WHEN HE MADE YOU. YOU ARE SPECIAL JUST LIKE YOU ARE. BE GLAD TO BE WHO YOU ARE. Psalm 139:1–5 O LORD, you have examined me, and you know me. You alone know when I sit down and when I get up. You read my thoughts from far away. You watch me when I travel and when I rest. You are familiar with all my ways. Even before there is a ⸤single⸥ word on my tongue, you know all about it, LORD. You are all around me—in front of me and in back of me. You lay your hand on me. Father, you knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me the way you did. Help me to see myself as you see me: as your beloved child in whom you are well pleased. Thank you that I have value because I am yours! In Jesus’ name, amen. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
THE WORD OF GOD TEACHES US ABOUT CONDUCT Believers have liberty in Christ, Gal. 5:1. This is limited by personal conviction, Rom. 14:5; by warnings against self indulgence, Gal. 5:13; by enslaving habits, 1 Cor. 6:12; and by anything which does not edify, 1 Cor. 10:23; which is hypocritical, 1 Pet. 2:16; or which tends to harm the weak, 1 Cor. 8:9. Three principles govern conduct. 1. Effect upon self. Conduct must be pure rather than lustful, 1 Tim. 5:22; 1 Pet. 2:11. It must not defile, 1 Cor. 3:17; Tit. 1:15 , or result in self condemnation, Rom. 14:22. It is always to be in the category of good works, Tit. 3:8 , rather than in the category of sin, Rom. 6:13. 2. Effect upon others, Rom. 14:7. It is to be a good example, 1 Tim. 4:12; worthy of our calling, Eph. 4:1; honest, 2 Cor. 8:21; free from the appearance of evil, 1 Thess. 5:22; helpful rather than offensive to a neighbor, Rom. 15:2; l Cor. 10:32; not a cause of stumbling, Rom. 14:13. It must honor parents, Col. 3:20; and government, Tit. 3:1; while it may not be an unequal yoke, 2 Cor. 6:14. 3. Relationship to God. Everything is to be done in the name of the Lord, 1 Tim. 6:1; as unto Him, Col. 3:23; and for His glory, 1 Cor. 10:31. It is to be worthy of God and His kingdom, 1 Thess. 2:12; 2 Thess. 1:5. ALLOW THIS WORD FROM GOD TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
BODY, SOUL, SPIRIT Man consists of body, soul, and spirit, distinguished in 1 Thess. 5:23. The body is the material part of man, created by God, Gen. 2:7 , as the instrument by which soul and spirit relate to the material universe and fulfill His will. Spiritual and physical death came to the body in the day man sinned, as God reckons time, 2 Pet. 3:8. Believers present their bodies to God for His use, Rom. 12:1, 2. Redeemed and transformed, Rom. 8:23; Phil. 3:21 , the body will be resurrected for life in a new environment, 1 Cor. 15:35–54. The soul is immaterial, intermediate between body and spirit. It is the seat of the will, affections, personality. Man is called a soul, Gen. 2:7 , because he has a soul, Psa. 103:1; 2 Cor. 1:23. The body is now suited to the life of the soul. In resurrection it will be suited rather to the life of the spirit. The soul continues to live after the body is dead, Acts 2:31; Rev. 6:9. The spirit is the immaterial part of man which is related to worship and communion with God. It gives man God-consciousness. We are to win souls, not spirits, Prov. 11:30. Men worship and serve God with the spirit, not the soul, John 4:24; Rom. 1:9. The spirit is distinguished from the soul in Heb. 4:12. DID YOU FIND THIS QUICK REFRESHER TO BE ENJOYABLE AND HELPFUL? Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
Romans 12:18-19 GNB Do everything possible on your part to live in peace with everybody.Never take revenge, my friends, but instead let God’s anger do it. For the scripture says, “I will take revenge, I will pay back, says the Lord.” DON’T START TROUBLE, LIVE IN PEACE.DON’T ALLOW ANYONE TO CAUSE YOU TO GET INTO TROUBLE.LET GOD FIGHT YOUR BATTLES.GOD WILL TAKE CARE OF IT. 2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. WE CAN TRUST GOD TO TAKE CARE OF US. LIVE GODLY, TRUST GOD AND BE BLESSED. ALLOW THIS WORD FROM GOD TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
GOD’S GRACE Titus 2:11-15 After all, God’s saving kindness has appeared for the benefit of all people. It trains us to avoid ungodly lives filled with worldly desires so that we can live self-controlled, moral, and godly lives in this present world. At the same time we can expect what we hope for—the appearance of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He gave himself for us to set us free from every sin and to cleanse us so that we can be his special people who are enthusiastic about doing good things. Tell these things to the believers. Encourage and correct them, using your full authority. Don’t let anyone ignore you. LET US THANK OUR GOD FOR LOVING US, LET US THANK OUR GOD FOR JESUS, LET US THANK OUR GOD FOR GRACE. LET US TELL OTHERS ABOUT OUR GREAT GOD AND SAVIOR. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
BIBLE FACTS A theme of Scripture often overlooked is what the Bible promises to do for God’s people. The Word, under various synonyms, is said in Psa. 19:7, 8 to convert the soul, make wise the simple, rejoice the heart, and enlighten the eyes. These great rewards are given to all who keep the precepts of Scripture, v.11. Men are born again through the instrumentality of the Word, Jas. 1:18; 1 Pet. 1:23. Faith comes to believers as they hear the Word, Rom. 10:17. Spiritual growth results from the realized desire for the sincere milk of the Word, 1 Pet. 2:2; 2 Pet. 3:18. Great peace have they who love God’s Word, Psa. 119:165. Those who obey it are promised divine blessings, Jas. 1:25. In the same way that Christ overcame the devil by using the written Word, Matt. 4:1–11, Christians are able to overcome the wicked one as the Word abides in them, 1 John 2:14. Paul spoke of the Word as able to build us up, Acts 20:32. An entire book has been written to provide the assurance of salvation which is normal Christian experience, 1 John 5:13. It is the Word that sanctifies or cleanses, John 17:17, acting as a laver which reveals sin and provides cleansing as well, Eph. 5:25–27. The promise is given that those who honor the Word will find prosperity and success in all of God’s will, Josh. 1:8; Psa. 1:3. LET US DESIRE THE WORD, LET US HEAR THE WORD, LET US STUDY THE WORD, AND LET US ALLOW THE WORD TO DO ITS WORK IN US AS WE LIVE THE WORD OF GOD AND BE BLESSED BY GOD. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetohurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
Disobedience Damage and distress are sure to follow in the steps of disobedience. 1. Abram found it so when he left the Bethel of communion for the Egypt of compromise—Gen. 12:7–13. 2. Moses lost the land of promise through using the rod of self-will—Num. 20:10–12. 3. Jonah got an uncomfortable bed through not going to the Nineveh of ministry—Jonah 1:17. 4. Peter found his “net” broken through not letting down the “nets” of full obedience—Luke 5:4–6. 5. The man of God out of Judah lost his life through listening to the lying prophet of Bethel—1 Kings 13:20–26. 6. The children of Israel dug graves for themselves in the wilderness by means of their evil heart of unbelief—Heb. 3:17. 7. Solomon got his soul hurt by getting into the trap of fleshly desire—1 Kings 11:4. DISOBEDIENCE BRINGS CONSEQUENCES BE CAREFUL HOW YOU CHOOSE TO LIVE. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
FAITH AND WORKS Faith is the confident assurance of things hoped for, a conviction of the reality of things not seen, Heb. 11:1. It is the basis for salvation, Gal. 3:26; 1 Pet. 1:5. Works are the deeds men do, whether good or evil, Gal. 2:16; Eph. 5:11. They are the basis for rewards or punishment when men are judged, 1 Cor. 3:11–15; Rev. 20:11–15. Men confuse these two concepts; Scripture never does. A contradiction has been imagined between two passages. Paul wrote, “a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law,” Rom. 3:28. Wrote James, “by works a man is justified, and not by faith only,” Jas. 2:24. There is no real problem. Paul was writing about justification before God, Rom. 4:2, while James wrote about justification before men. He was dealing with the question of the man who says he has faith, but has no works to demonstrate its reality, Jas. 2:14–20. He says nothing to discredit faith, nor to suggest that a man of faith may be lost. Paul speaks of the root of the Christian life; James its fruit. Faith and works are put in their proper perspective in Eph. 2:8–10. We are saved by faith, not by works, but we are saved “unto good works.” This means we are to maintain good works, Tit. 3:8, being fruitful in them, Col. 1:10, so that God may be glorified when Christ returns, 1 Pet. 2:12. LET US REMEMBER THIS WORD FROM GOD AND LET US APPLY IT TO OUR LIFE. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
THE PREPARATION OF JESUS FOR HIS MINISTRY (Matt. 3:13–4:11; Mark 1:9–13; Luke 3:21–4:13) 1. Why did Jesus come to be baptized by John? As a seal of consecration to God’s work. 2. What wonderful thing happened at his baptism? “The heaven was opened, and the Holy Ghost [Spirit] descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven which said. Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.” Luke 3:22. 3. What may be the reason for the “temptation” of Jesus? That “he might be in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Heb. 4:15. 4. Where did these temptations occur? In the wild country called “the wilderness of Judea.” 5. What is the devil called in Mark? Satan. 6. What is the meaning of the two terms? Satan means “adversary” or “enemy,” and devil means “accuser.” 7. What were the three temptations? (1) To make from the stones of the place bread to satisfy his personal hunger. (2) To throw himself down from a high point on the temple, trusting that God would work a miracle to save him. (3) To offer homage to Satan and receive through him power over the world. 8. What was the real temptation in the last two? They seemed to offer Jesus at once, without toil or suffering, the very things he had come to earth to win. 9. How did Jesus conquer? By the use of the Word of God in direct answer to Satan’s proposals. 10. Can we conquer in the same way? Yes, and we have besides the help of our Lord Jesus. 11. What does living “by every word of God” (Matt. 4:4) signify? Trusting all his promises, and keeping all his commands. 12. What is the meaning of the word “tempt” in Luke 4:12? Presumptuously try or provoke. 13. Was it an empty boast of the devil in Luke 4:6? Not altogether, as he is called “the god of this world” (2 Cor. 4:4), and “the prince of the power of the air” (Eph. 2:2). I HOPE YOU RECEIVED FROM THIS QUICK STUDY. DID YOU FIND IT INTERESTING? Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
