GOD SPEAKS ABOUT ATHEISM ROMANS 1:18-32 God’s anger is revealed from heaven against every ungodly and immoral thing people do as they try to suppress the truth by their immoral living. What can be known about God is clear to them because he has made it clear to them. From the creation of the world, God’s invisible qualities, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly observed in what he made. As a result, people have no excuse. They knew God but did not praise and thank him for being God. Instead, their thoughts were pointless, and their misguided minds were plunged into darkness. While claiming to be wise, they became fools. They exchanged the glory of the immortal God for statues that looked like mortal humans, birds, animals, and snakes. For this reason God allowed their lusts to control them. As a result, they dishonor their bodies by sexual perversion with each other. These people have exchanged God’s truth for a lie. So they have become ungodly and serve what is created rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen! For this reason God allowed their shameful passions to control them. Their women have exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. Likewise, their men have given up natural sexual relations with women and burn with lust for each other. Men commit indecent acts with men, so they experience among themselves the punishment they deserve for their perversion. And because they thought it was worthless to acknowledge God, God allowed their own immoral minds to control them. So they do these indecent things. Their lives are filled with all kinds of sexual sins, wickedness, and greed. They are mean. They are filled with envy, murder, quarreling, deceit, and viciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, haughty, arrogant, and boastful. They think up new ways to be cruel. They don’t obey their parents, don’t have any sense, don’t keep promises, and don’t show love to their own families or mercy to others. Although they know God’s judgment that those who do such things deserve to die, they not only do these things but also approve of others who do them. Psalm 36:1–4 There is an inspired truth about the wicked person who has rebellion in the depths of his heart: He is not terrified of God. He flatters himself and does not hate or ⸤even⸥ recognize his guilt. The words from his mouth are ⸤nothing but⸥ trouble and deception. He has stopped doing what is wise and good. He invents trouble while lying on his bed and chooses to go the wrong direction. He does not reject evil. Jeremiah 23:11–12 The prophets and priests are godless. Even in my temple I’ve found them doing evil,” declares the LORD. “That is why their own way will become like slippery paths in the dark. They will be chased away, and they will fall down in the dark. I will bring disaster on them. It is time for them to be punished,” declares the LORD. Psalm 50:16–23 But God says to wicked people, “How dare you quote my decrees and mouth my promises! You hate discipline. You toss my words behind you. When you see a thief, you want to make friends with him. You keep company with people who commit adultery. You let your mouth say anything evil. Your tongue plans deceit. You sit and talk against your own brother. You slander your own mother’s son. When you did these things, I remained silent. ⸤That⸥ made you think I was like you. I will argue my point with you and lay it all out for you to see. Consider this, you people who forget God. Otherwise, I will tear you to pieces, and there will be no one left to rescue you. Whoever offers thanks as a sacrifice honors me. I will let everyone who continues in my way see the salvation that comes from God.” THE WORD OF GOD IS NOT A GUIDE THAT ONLY TEACHES US HOW TO LIVE, IT ALSO TEACHES US HOW NOT TO LIVE, THINK ABOUT IT. EVERLASTINGSALVATIONCHURCHOFGOD.COM PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
THE RIGHT APPROACH Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com ‘In the beginning God.’ The first four words of the Bible are more than a way of launching the story of creation or introducing the book of Genesis. They supply the key which opens our understanding to the Bible as a whole. They tell us that the religion of the Bible is a religion in which God takes the initiative. The point is that we can never take God by surprise. We can never anticipate him. He always makes the first move. He is always there ‘in the beginning’. Before we existed, God took action. Before we decided to look for God, God had already been looking for us. The Bible isn’t about people trying to discover God, but about God reaching out to find us. Many people imagine God sitting comfortably on a distant throne, remote, aloof, uninterested, a God who doesn’t really care for our needs and has to be badgered into taking action on our behalf. Such a view is completely wrong. The Bible reveals a God who, long before it even occurs to men and women to turn to him, while they are still lost in darkness and sunk in sin, takes the initiative, rises from his throne, lays aside his glory, and stoops to seek until he finds them. This sovereign, forward-looking activity of God is seen in many ways. He has taken the initiative in creation, bringing the universe and everything in it into existence: ‘In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.’ He has taken the initiative in what we call revelation, making known both his nature and his will to humanity: ‘In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son …’ He has taken the initiative in the rescue operation of salvation, coming in Jesus Christ to set men and women free from their sins: ‘God … has come and has redeemed his people.’ God has created. God has spoken. God has acted. These statements of God’s initiative in three different areas form a summary of the religion of the Bible. It is with the second and third that we shall be concerned in this book, because basic Christianity by definition begins with the historical figure of Jesus Christ. If God has spoken, his last and greatest word to the world is Jesus Christ. If God has acted, his noblest act is the redemption of the world through Jesus Christ. God has spoken and acted in Jesus Christ. He has said something. He has done something. This means that Christianity is not just pious talk. It is neither a collection of religious ideas nor a catalogue of rules. It is a ‘gospel’ (i.e. good news)—in the apostle Paul’s words ‘the gospel of God … regarding his Son … Jesus Christ our Lord’. It is not primarily an invitation for us to do anything; it is supremely a declaration of what God has done in Christ for human beings like ourselves. FOOD FOR THOUGHT THINK ABOUT IT. PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
OUR GOD TEACHES US NOT TO LOVE THE WORLD: 1 John 2:12–17 I’m writing to you, dear children, because your sins are forgiven through Christ. I’m writing to you, fathers, because you know Christ who has existed from the beginning. I’m writing to you, young people, because you have won the victory over the evil one. I’ve written to you, children, because you know the Father. I’ve written to you, fathers, because you know Christ, who has existed from the beginning. I’ve written to you, young people, because you are strong and God’s word lives in you. You have won the victory over the evil one. Don’t love the world and what it offers. Those who love the world don’t have the Father’s love in them. Not everything that the world offers—physical gratification, greed, and extravagant lifestyles—comes from the Father. It comes from the world, and the world and its evil desires are passing away. But the person who does what God wants lives forever. ALLOW THIS PASSAGE OF SCRIPTURE TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
THE BIBLE TEACHES US TO BEWARE: God’s commands remind us of our responsibilities. Beware of— 1. The Bane of Covetousness. “Beware of covetousness” Luke 12:15 He told the people, “Be careful to guard yourselves from every kind of greed. Life is not about having a lot of material possessions.” 2. The Dogs of Evil. “Beware of evil workers” Phil. 3:2 Beware of dogs! Beware of those who do evil things. Beware of those who insist on circumcision. 3. The Traditions of Men. “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the traditions of men” Col. 2:8 Be careful not to let anyone rob you ⸤of this faith⸥ through a shallow and misleading philosophy. Such a person follows human traditions and the world’s way of doing things rather than following Christ. 4. The Leaven of Self-righteousness. “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees” Luke 12:1 Meanwhile, thousands of people had gathered. They were so crowded that they stepped on each other. Jesus spoke to his disciples and said, “Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees. I’m talking about their hypocrisy. 5. The Blight of Forgetfulness. “Beware lest thou forget the Lord” Deut. 6:12 be careful that you don’t forget the LORD, who brought you out of slavery in Egypt. 6. The Error of the Wicked. “Beware lest ye also be led by the error of the wicked” 2 Peter 3:17 Dear friends, you already know these things. So be on your guard not to be carried away by the deception of people who have no principles. Then you won’t fall from your firm position. ALLOW THESE VERSES TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
THE WORD OF GOD TEACHES US ABOUT POWER Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com One reason why God saves men is “that he might make his mighty power to be known,” Psa. 106:8. The heavens are the work of His fingers, Psa. 8:3, but our salvation required the baring of the right arm of His power, Isa. 52:10; 53:1. Christ promised power to His followers in His last words before the ascension, Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8. The prayers of Paul exhibit a deep desire that believers might know this power, Eph. 3:16. It is seen not only in great works, but also in patience and longsuffering with joyfulness, Col. 1:11. God’s power was manifested in the preaching of the apostles, Col. 1:27–29; 1 Thess. 1:5. Power belonged to God in OT days, Psa. 62:11, was given to Jesus Christ, Matt. 28:18, and He passed it on to believers, Acts 1:8. Christians today receive power through feeding on the Word of God, Acts 6:4, 8, contr. Lev. 26:14, 37; and in answer to prayer and supplication, Gen. 32:28; Hos. 12:4; Phil. 3:10. God’s strength is given to those who wait upon Him, Isa. 40:29–31, in recognition of their own weakness, 2 Cor. 12:9. The remarkable revelation is given in Eph. 3:20 that God is able to do far more than we ask or think, according to the power that works in us. This is intended to be normal Christian experience, enabling believers to sing of it from day to day, Psa. 59:16. I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS QUICK REFRESHER. PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
GOD’S WORD TO US 2 Corinthians 9:8 EASY God is able to give you more than you need of every good thing. You will always have everything that you need for yourselves. Also, you will be able to do many good things to help other people. GOD IS OUR PROVIDER. LIVE GODLY AND BE BLESSED BY GOD. Isaiah 3:10-11 GW Tell the righteous that blessings will come to them. They will taste the fruit of their labor. How horrible it will be for the wicked! Disaster will strike them. What they have done will be done to them. LIVE A RIGHTEOUS LIFE AND BE BLESSED BY GOD. ALLOW THESE TWO VERSES TO BE A GUIDE TO YOUR LIFE. THINK ABOUT IT. Jeremiah 17:5 GW “This is what the Lord says: Cursed is the person who trusts humans, who makes flesh and blood his strength and whose heart turns away from the Lord . Jeremiah 17:7 GW Blessed is the person who trusts the Lord . The Lord will be his confidence. DO NOT LIVE YOUR LIFE IN A MANNER THAT WILL CAUSE YOUR LIFE TO BE CURSED. LIVE YOUR LIFE IN A MANNER THAT WILL CAUSE GOD TO WANT TO BLESS YOU. FOOD FOR THOUGHT Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
BE A BLESSING TO SOMEONE. THANK GOD YOU HAVE A HOME TO GO TO, YOU HAVE FOOD TO EAT, YOU HAVE WARM CLOTHES TO WEAR. SOME ARE HOMELESS, SOME HAVE NO FOOD, OR WARM CLOTHES. REMEMBER THEY CAN’T EAT YOUR PRAYER, REMEMBER YOUR PRAYER DON’T GIVE THEM INSTANT SHELTER. REMEMBER YOUR PRAYER DON’T KEEP THEM WARM. BE A BLESSING, PURCHASE A FEW STOCKING CAPS, WARM SOCKS, LONG JOHNS, PAY FOR LUNCH FOR SOMEONE THAT IS IN NEED. BE PREPARED TO BE A BLESSING DON’T MISS THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE A BLESSING. BE ONE OF GOD’S LOOKOUTS LOOKING TO BE A BLESSING. BE SURE TO TAKE TIME TO TALK TO THEM, SHOWING THEM LOVE, AND MAKE SURE THEY UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS GOD THAT BLESSING THEM NOT YOU. AS WE BLESS OTHERS GOD BLESSES US. REMEMBER WE CAN NEVER OUT GIVE GOD. ALL GLORY GOES TO GOD. GOD AND I THANK YOU FOR BEING A BLESSING. PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
JESUS WARNS AGAINST BLASPHEMING THE HOLY SPIRIT Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com Matt 12:31–32 31So I can guarantee that people will be forgiven for any sin or cursing However, cursing the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven. But whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven in this world or the next. Mark 3:28–30 28“I can guarantee this truth: People will be forgiven for any sin or curse. 29But whoever curses the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. He is guilty of an everlasting sin.” 30Jesus said this because the experts in Moses’ Teachings had said that he had an evil spirit. FOOD FOR THOUGHT PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
LORD’S SUPPER All who accept the invitation to the gospel supper, Luke 14:15–24 are sure to be present at the marriage supper of the Lamb, Rev. 19:7–9, and they have the privilege of enjoying the Lord’s Supper in the meantime, 1 Cor. 11:23–29. At this communion service, they participate in a present activity which commemorates a past event and looks forward to a future consummation. It is a feast of love, a memorial of faith, a prophecy of hope. Believers meditate on a crucified Saviour’s love, a living Saviour’s intercession, and a coming Saviour’s glory. The Lord’s Supper has its roots in Ex. 12:1–11, for it is Christ our passover who is sacrificed for us, 1 Cor. 5:7. On the night the blood of the passover lamb was shed, the people of Israel inaugurated a feast so they would afterward remember that they were saved by blood, as they enjoyed present fellowship and received strength for the wilderness journey ahead. Believers take the cup of remission, Matt. 26:28, the cup of remembrance, Luke 22:19; the cup of the Lord’s return, 1 Cor. 11:26. The table is prepared in the presence of their enemies, Psa. 23:5. Demons behold and tremble, Jas. 2:19. As Christians experience the Lord’s presence, Matt. 18:20, their eyes affect their hearts, Lam. 3:51. As they are reassured of His love, they receive new strength. FOOD FOR THOUGHT. I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS QUICK REFRESHER. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
