The Gospel of Christ-TGOC

“Rend your hearts and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God,” Joel 2:13. Welcome to our study of the minor prophets of the Old Testament. Today, specifically, we're going to be thinking about the Pentecost prophet that pointed more than any toward that great day in Acts chapter 2 on Pentecost-the book of Joel. The book of Joel is a very unique minor prophet in that Joel points men and women toward Pentecost. What are some of the main ideas in Joel? The book of Joel is all about the desolation, the destruction, and the devastation that Locust is going to bring. You have chewing, swarming, and various types of Locust. Those are representative of the enemies that are going to come over and take God's people captive- if real repentance and change doesn't occur. (The full transcript is available in the "Download Document" button above.)

Through the minor prophet Hosea, God said, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge,” Hosea 4:6. Welcome to our study of the Minor Prophets, and in particular today, the book of Hosea. As we think about the book of Hosea, we're talking about a section of books known as the Minor Prophets. I want to say just a little bit about the breakdown, the categorization, of the Major Prophets and the Minor Prophets. It may be just a little bit misleading in the sense that major prophets does not mean that their messages are more important, or major and minor prophets by their very nature are not less important. The only reason they're called the Major Prophets and the Minor Prophets is because of the volume size of the books. For example, Jeremiah, Isaiah, and Ezekiel are rather large prophetic books. Then you have books like Jonah which is four chapters or Obadiah which is one. They’re smaller in size but not in the content and the power-packed messages that they contain. What is the book of Hosea all about? Israel is in a very dark time- a time when they are steeped in sin and chasing after the other nations. They’re following the idols. They're not staying true to God and as result, they're involved in spiritual adultery. That's what Hosea is all about. (The full transcript is available in the "Download Document" button above.)

In the Book of Amos, God asks Israel and the nations around who He's reaching out to, ‘Can two walk together unless they are agreed?’ Amos 3:3. Welcome to our study of the minor prophets as we think specifically today about the power packed message of the book of Amos. Amos, who was a tree tender and a shepherd, gives a great powerful message to Israel during the time of wickedness to remind them to come back to God. It is a powerful message for us as well today. Amos is writing during the time of King Azi of Judah and King Jibal II of Israel, somewhere around the seven 50 BC area. Historically speaking, the background of Amos occurs in 2 Kings, 14 and 15. It was a difficult time of the reign of Isaiah in scripture. The Bible says, ‘He did what was right in the sight of the Lord.’ The people still sacrificed and burned incense on the high places. Then the Lord struck the king so that he was a leper, so he dwelt in an isolated house. The king's son was over the royal house; and so, there were problems in Judah. The idol adulterous temples were not taken down; they're still serving them in some ways, and there were also problems in Israel. The word of God says ‘He did evil in the side of the Lord. He did not depart from all the sins of Jeroboam, the son of Nebat who made Israel to sin,’ 2 Kings 14:24. And so, like most of the other prophets, these were dark and sinful times in Israel and Judah’s history. Download the complete lesson at the "Download Transcript" below.

“The pride of your heart has deceived you,” Obadiah verse 3. Welcome you today to our study of the minor prophets. In this lesson, we're thinking about the little known one-chapter book of Obediah. Let’s start with little bit of the rich history of Obadiah that will help us to understand what's going on in this book better. Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament and probably one of the least known books of all the books in the Old Testament. The historical background of Obadiah takes us back to a very memorable struggle in Genesis 25, a struggle between two twin boys, Jacob and Esau. Their constant struggle for their parents' approval throughout their life. The Edomites are descendants of Esau. And like Esau, who sold his birthright for a bowl of beans, the Edomites are about as fickle and shallow as Esau. They're willing to sell out Israel and God's people so that they can keep their safety and security, but little did they know God was the real source of their safety and security. Download the complete transcript by scrolling down to the "Download Transcript" below

The Scripture says, “As He who called you is holy you also be holy in all your conduct,” 1 Peter 1:14-15. Did you know that there is something you cannot live without? In Hebrews 12:14 the Bible says, “Without holiness no one can see God.” Holiness is that key attribute that if it doesn't exist in my life and yours, I'll never be able to be in the presence of Almighty God. And friend, holiness is such an important idea especially in the day and age in which we live. You realize that we live in a time of impurity, immorality, ungodliness, and unholiness. Sin is as commonplace as breathing is to so many people today. This fact alone makes it especially difficult for Christians to win the battle for holiness. It is a battle; it is a fight every day for the child of God to really be holy as God who called us is holy. Today, we want to offer some help from Scripture to help us overcome the battle and win the battle for holiness. (The full transcript is available in the "Download Document" button above.)

In Acts 11:26 the Bible says, “They were called Christians first in Antioch.” Why are there so many Christians in the world today? And more importantly, why should you become a Christian? Stay tuned as we let God's word answer the question: Why am I a Christian? Why should someone become a child of God? Why be a Christian? What is it that motivates and encourages one to want to be a child of God? As we think about this today if you're already a Christian, we want to ask why are you a child of God? (The full transcript is available in the "Download Document" button above.)

The apostle Paul said, “Fight the good fight of faith,” 1 Timothy 6:12. Did you know that Christians are soldiers in the Lord's army? To find out more about this wonderful idea, we encourage you to stay tuned as we think about ‘Soldiers of Christ Arise.’ One of the most powerful pictures of the church that is seen in Scripture is as the army of the Lord. Paul would say in Ephesians 6:12 “We do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against principalities, against powers, against the spiritual host of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Right now, if we're a child of God, we are soldiers in the Lord's army. God's plea is as the old song says for ‘Soldiers of Christ to Arise’ and fight the good fight of faith. (The full transcript is available in the "Download Document" button above.)

In Acts 16:30-31 the greatest question that's ever been asked comes, “Sirs what must I do to be saved?” Today we're going to discuss the most solemn and important question ever asked. We hope you'll get your Bible as we're going to study “What must I do to be saved?” together. That question, “What must I do to be saved?” is a question that each person who wants to live with God must answer according to the Bible. We want to begin by asking you, "Are you saved? Have you done what God says to be a Christian?" (The full transcript is available in the "Download Document" button above.)

Welcome to our study: Christianity Start to Finish. In this lesson, we're thinking about continuing the idea of our authority, and especially emphasizing it, as it relates to the New Testament and the church which Jesus Christ built. We're thinking about our authority in matters of salvation and matters of religion. Last time we noticed our authority comes from God. That authority is through Jesus Christ, His son. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to the apostles. They wrote and spoke what Jesus and God wanted them to, and today we have the word of God, which was written by the Holy Spirit through the apostles. It gives us ‘all truth’ which is able to save men and women today, 2 Timothy 3:16-17 and 2 Peter 1:3. (The full transcript is available in the "Download Document" button above.)

To the elders of the Lord's church in Ephesus the apostle Paul said, “So now brethren I commend you to God and to the word of His grace which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified,” Acts 20:32. What are some of the most uplifting and encouraging verses in all of Scripture? Stay tuned as we look to those verses that encourage us today from the word of God. The Bible is full of encouraging verses, verses that challenge us, verses that motivate us, and verses that build us up to ever live more faithful to Almighty God. Today we want to talk about some of those verses that really encourage and uplift every child of God. (The full transcript is available in the "Download Document" button above.)

Jesus said, “God is a spirit and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth,” John 4:23-24. We're so glad that you joined us for our study of acceptable worship in the church today- as it relates to Christianity start to finish. Just by way of reminder, we have noticed that in matters of religion, God and Jesus have all authority. ‘All authority,’ Jesus said, ‘has been given to Me.’ That authority for us is found in the Bible. We must not go beyond what is written, Revelation 22:18-19 and 2 John 9. As it relates to the church, we noticed in our last lesson that Jesus built it. “I will build My church.” It belongs to Him. It is His church, and it's singular in nature. Division and denominationalism are contrary to the plan that we find in the Bible. The Lord's church is organized with elders overseeing every local congregation and deacons who work under those elders. (The full transcript is available in the "Download Document" button above.)

In this lesson we're thinking about the idea of evangelism, becoming a Christian, and our authority in religion. Why do we do what we do? Why do we not do some of the things that sometimes people do? What is our authority? What do we use as our source for why we do what we do? Our authority in religion today is God's truth. It is the truth that comes from God that is of supreme importance. It's the only thing that matters as it relates to salvation. Notice John 8:32. Jesus says, “And you shall know the truth and the truth will make you free.” What is it Jesus says will make you free? Is it my opinion, your opinion, some other man, book, writing or the ideas of some counsel of religious men? No. Jesus says, “The truth will make you free.” We see the importance of truth in being free from sin. (The full transcript is available in the "Download Document" button above.)

To the elders in Ephesus the apostle Paul says, “So now brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified,” Acts 20:32. We welcome you to our study of Paul's message to the elders at Ephesus and the continuation of the spread of the gospel in Acts chapters 20 through 22. We hope you'll get your Bible and that you will stay tuned as we study this section together. In Acts chapter 20 we now are going to see Paul taking of the Lord's Supper with Christians in the first century. I want you to notice what a powerful aspect in teaching this is about the Lord's Supper. One of the things we specifically learn is, in the midst of discouragement and temptation Christians have got to keep pressing forward with their faithfulness to the Lord. (The full transcript is available in the "Download Document" button above.)

“What must I do to be saved?” Acts 16:30 It is this compelling question and the biblical answer that follows that we'll address in our study of Acts 13 through 16 today. Get your Bible handy as we're going to study the word of God together. In Acts chapter 13 the apostle Paul is now going to begin some of what we know of as his missionary tours or journeys to preach the gospel. In these initial first verses in Acts 13, God now separates these workers from the world to do the work of God. Notice Acts 13:2. The Scripture records, “As they minister to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said ‘Now separate to me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I've called them.’” These men are specially selected by God to do that work. They're separated from the world to do the work of Almighty God. Isn't that a perfect example for us as well? Aren't we separated to do the work of God? What are we separated from? We're separated from the world and its lust, and its desire, and its passion by the Holy Spirit's word to do God's work. That's what Christians are all about. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 15:58 “Be steadfast, immovable always abounding in the work of the Lord knowing that your labor is not in vain.” Our mission, our work is to be separate, come out from among them, and ‘be ye separate’ says the Lord, 2 Corinthians 6:17-20. Jesus said it this way in John 9:4 “I must work the works of Him who sent me while it is day, for night comes when no man works.” People work during the day- that's the idea. Jesus likened day until now to now an opportunity. We got to work while we can, because there's a time coming when we won't. The work that we do for God, how wonderful that is! Revelation 14:13 “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord. Yes says the spirit that they may rest from their labors and their works do follow them.” Let's be like these men. Let's separate ourselves with the mission to do the work of God and to put our trust in the Almighty. Now as Paul continues in Acts chapter 13, he's going to go into the area of Antioch, which is a well-known mentioned area often in the Bible, and there he's going to preach the message of Jesus unto these people. It is a people who need to hear about the power of Christ, and the gospel, and that it's not the old law that we're living under. Notice the words of Acts 13:38-39 the apostle Paul says “Therefore let it be known to you brethren that through this man, through Jesus, is preached to you the forgiveness of sins. By Him everyone who believes is justified from all things which you could not be justified by the Law of Moses.” This is the clarity of the message of the gospel “By Him, by Jesus, you can be forgiven of all things that Moses law could not forgive you of.” A couple of powerful points that he drives home: Jesus is the Savior of the world. “You shall call His name Jesus. He'll save His people from their sins,” Matthew 1:19-21.He has the power to forgive and to take away the sins of the world. 1 Peter 2:24 “He Himself bore our sins in His own body upon the tree that we having died to sin might live for righteousness by whose stripes we are healed.” It's through His blood that we're saved. A second a very important powerful principle is driven home: You can be justified through Jesus. Listen now, “By all things from which you could not be justified by the Law of Moses.” Could the Law of Moses forgive, remove sin? Hebrews 10:3-4 says “The blood of bulls and goats could never take away sin.” Thus the multitude of sacrifices, the multitude of animals that died the multitude of things that were done, all pointed toward and looked forward to Jesus. Now without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins. We hear these words in Hebrews 10:12 and contrast to all those Old Testament, sacrifices that could never take away sin. We hear these words, “But this man, Jesus, after He'd offered one sacrifice for sin forever sat down at the right hand of God.” One sacrifice,...

The apostle Paul said, “Men and brethren I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day,” Acts 23:1. We welcome you to our study of the book of Acts. We hope you'll get your Bible and stay tuned as we study this wonderful text together. In this text, Acts chapter 23 through 25, the apostle Paul is now going to be giving a defense of the gospel and of Jesus Christ before the Jews and before the leaders of that day. As he begins this great sermon, this great message in Acts 23, Paul looks intently the Bible says at the Council and he says “Men and brethren I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.” We think about Paul's words here and there is a very valuable point to be learned. It's this: Paul identifies and addresses the fact that conscience is not a safe guide in religion. (The full transcript is available in the "Download Document" button above.)

The apostle Paul said," God now commands all men everywhere to repent" Acts 17:30. We welcome you to our study of Acts chapters 17 through 19, and we hope you'll stay tuned as we study the gospel going to Thessalonica, Corinth, and Ephesus. In Acts chapter 17, the apostle Paul is now going to be taking the gospel in his missionary journeys to the region of Thessalonica. The gospel is here met with persecution because as Paul begins to preach the gospel, as people begin to obey that, and as lives begin to change, there is a natural reverberation to that among society and its immoral ways. (The full transcript is available in the "Download Document" button above.)

The apostle Paul said “I appeal to Caesar.” And to that Festus said, “To Caesar you've appealed, to Caesar you shall go,” Acts 25:11-12. We welcome you to the final chapters in our study of the book of Acts. We hope that you’ll get your Bible handy and stay tuned with us as we think about the climax of this great book in these final chapters. In Acts chapter 26 Paul is now going to be before Agrippa ready to preach the gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I want you to notice the mindset of which Paul approaches, his defense of Christianity before this leader, who has Paul's hands or Paul's life is very hand. Look in Acts 26:2. The Bible records “So Paul stretched out his hand and answered for himself, ‘I think myself happy, King Agrippa, because today I shall answer for myself before you concerning all the things which I'm accused by the Jews.’” How did Paul feel about standing before this dignitary, this political leader, who could snuff out Paul's life if he wanted to? Paul said, “I'm happy to be here today to give a defense of my life and of Christianity.” As we think about the apostle Paul, and what made him such a great worker and servant and evangelist for the Lord, Paul looked at it as a joy to speak about Jesus and defend his own life in view of that. Friend from this we've got to realize as Christians, we need to find the joy in telling others about the message of Christ. It is not drudgery. It's not a burden. It is not something I have to do or I'm going to go to hell if I don't. Telling others about Christ, it ought to make us happy to do that because we can tell somebody about the best life. Jesus said “I came that you may have life and have it more abundantly,” John 10:10. We can tell somebody about the way to heaven. Jesus said “I am the way the truth and the life no man comes to the Father except by me,” John 14:6. We can tell somebody about the only name under heaven among men by which they can be saved, Acts 4:12. When we speak about Christ, It's not ‘ah I have to do this, or I'm going to be lost.’ No. I'm happy to speak about Jesus- the one who came from heaven, the one who lived a perfect life among men, the one who made that ultimate sacrifice, and the one who promises: “Come unto me all you who labor and are heavy laden I'll give you rest,” Matthew 11:28-30. Do we really have the joy of Christianity that we ought to have? Paul said “Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice.” Now as you look at Paul's defense, Paul is going to appeal to several things in defense of his life and in defense of Christianity. I want you to notice those with me. Paul begins in Acts 26:4 stating that he and his character is well known before God and Christ. Look in verse number four. The apostle Paul says “My manner of life from my youth, which was spent from the beginning among my own nation at Jerusalem, all the Jews know they know me from the first if they were willing to testify that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee,” Paul says ‘You want to give a defense of Christianity in my life? Here it is. You know my life. You know me. You know the way I've lived. You know I've stood foursquare for the truth.’ A person's character is a big part of people wanting to listen to the gospel. Would you listen if somebody came preaching the gospel and they were a known thief, liar, drunk, or great somebody who was immoral? Would you let be prone to listen to that person? Of course not! Whatever they said you would dismiss almost automatically. What about somebody who was always trying to do right? What about somebody who is gone to great lengths to stand up for what they felt is right and true? Paul said, ‘Look at my life. My life is a reflection that I have always tried to do the right thing.’ How else does Paul defend this? He defends it based on the promise of the fathers in the Scripture. Look in Acts 25 or Acts 26:6-7.Paul now says in verse six, “And now I stand and am judged...

The apostle Paul, who was formerly known as Saul, asked this great question: “Lord what would you have me to do?” Today we're going to let the Bible answer that question. We hope that you'll get your Bible and stay tuned as we look together in our study of the book of Acts. In Acts chapter 9 we now come to one of the pivotal conversions in the New Testament: Saul of Tarsus, who has done much harm to the church. He was there when they held he held the coats of those who stoned Stephen. Acts chapter 8 he's wreaking havoc on the church. Dragging men and women to prison, he's doing everything possible, because according to his conscience he believes Christianity is a farce. Now in Acts chapter 9 Saul is going to come face-to-face with the Lord Jesus Christ. As Jesus speaks to him, and he now has to come that truth yes Christianity is true and Jesus is the Son of God, how to those things happen? What takes place? Notice these principles that we learn from Acts chapter 9. First in Acts 9:1-2 Saul is still breathing threats and murders against the church. He now has in his hand letters from the high priest that if he finds anyone who's, of the way, any Christians, he can take them and imprison them. So with those letters, he's headed down the road. Along that road Saul is confronted by the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Jesus speaks to him and says “Saul, Saul why are you persecuting me?” Saul responds “Who are you Lord?” That he realizes whoever this is the Lord and Master. “I am Jesus whom you're persecuting. It's hard for you to kick against the goads.” What a powerful impact! That that light shines around him. He’s blinded because of that. “Lord who are you?” “I'm Jesus whom you're persecuting, stop kicking against the goads.” You know that idea, once he hears who it is and once he realizes he's been doing things that he knows probably aren't right, kicking against the goads- that which was pressuring, that was put that was forcing him in that direction he was refusing that. Paul, who we now know it by the blood name Paul, is confronted with Christ on the road to Damascus. Then we hear the type of attitude that made Saul such a wonderful servant of God. “I'm Jesus whom you're persecuting. It's hard for you to kick against the goads.” How did Paul respond to that drastic message that is going to shape his life in a whole new direction? “Lord what would you have me to do?” Look at the immediate change that Saul of Tarsus is ready to make. He's been taking Christians who follow Jesus and imprison them, some of them maybe even murdered, wreaking havoc on the church of the Lord Jesus Christ, holding the coats of those who stoned Stephen, and now Jesus speaks, the miraculous voice of Christ appears to Saul of Tarsus, immediately he's ready to change. You know friends that tells us a lot about the heart of Saul of Tarsus. The Bible says in Acts 23:1 Saul said “I've lived in all good until this day.” When Paul when Saul is persecuting Christians. He really believed it was the right thing. When he heard the voice of Jesus, there was no getting around that truth, and he was ready to immediately change his words. He's blinded on the journey, the Lord tells him “I want you to go into the city and it'll be told you what you must do.” In verses 10 through 19 Ananias is now commissioned to go to Saul and to preach the gospel unto him, and he comes to Saul. When we think about Saul, who is in sin, who needs obey the gospel, who needs to submit to Jesus- what did Saul of Tarsus do to be saved? You remember that great question. Acts 9:6 “Lord what would you have me to do?” Isn't that what everybody, every person ought to be asking? Let's get the Bible answer to that question. Saul recounts his own conversion in Acts chapter 22, and I want you notice what is said in Acts 22:16. The Scripture records, Ananias speaking to Saul now, “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized and wash away your sins calling on the name of the...

But Peter and the other apostles answered and said, “We ought to obey God rather than man,” Acts 5:29. We welcome you to our study of the book of Acts. What is it that Peter said this about when he said “We must obey God rather than man.” We hope you'll get your Bible as we study Acts chapter 5 through 8 together. In Acts chapter 5 we start off with a very eventful scene where Ananias and Sapphira try to lie to God. A very powerful lesson is taught here. They have a certain amount of land. They sell that land, and they decide together that they're going to keep part back and lie to God. Peter will even say to them “While it was yours you could have done what you want with it.” But one of them goes in, “Did you sell it for such amount?” “Yes, I sold for this amount,” drops dead on the spot. Ananias and Sapphira both do the same thing, and they die right there- before lying to God or while lying to God. For what lesson do we learn from that principle? I can't lie to God. I can't fool Him. I can't say ‘Well I'm the only one who knows this, and we're the only one to know this. God doesn't know.’ God knows and sees all things. Now that's a two edge sword. That's wonderful if we were living right and doing right and trying hard. We were facing struggles and difficulties. Hey it's wonderful to know God knows and sees, and God cares for each one of us. 1 Peter 5:7 He can help us. He encourages us. We pray. We find encouragement through His word. If I'm living and doing right, it's a wonderful thing to know that God knows and cares. If I'm not, that's a pretty scary thing. If I'm trying to live an immoral life, if I'm trying to hide things, if I'm trying to sweep it under the rug, if I'm trying to act like it doesn't exist. You know I know people who sometimes, they'll be doing something, and they think ‘I've got everybody fooled. I can look at this image. I can look at these photos. I can do these things and nobody will know. Nobody's watching. Nobody is going to see.’ “The eyes of the Lord are in every place beholding the good and the evil,” Proverbs 15:3. “All things are open and naked before the eyes of Him with whom we must give an account,” Hebrews chapter 4:13. “The secret things will be made light on the day of judgment,” Ecclesiastes 12:14. And so we want to learn a very practical lesson from Ananias and Sapphira, and it's this: Don't even think that we can fool God. God knows all, and God sees all. That can encourage us again if we're living as we ought to live. Now the verse that we opened with Acts chapter 5, what's the context of Peter saying ‘We ought to obey God rather than man.’? It takes us back to the 3 chapter in the book of Acts, where a man is lying lame and Peter and John don't have any money to give him. They raise this man up to walk and to leap by the power of God. The Jews want to know: ‘By what power or by what authority have you done these things?’ They respond by saying “Jesus nor is there any other salvation any other name. He's the only way the truth and the life.” This message of Christ and these miracles is growing. They now say to Peter and John ‘No more preaching about Jesus. We're going to put you in prison where you're going to face dire consequences. If we hear another word come out of your mouth about Jesus, you're in big trouble’ in essence. What did Peter and John say? ‘That may be the case, but we must obey God rather than man.’ Are there times where the government may do things that are contrary to the Scripture? Sure there are! Think about the things that are happening even now. Think about things like abortion. God hates the hands that shed innocent blood. Our government says abortion is legal. What does God say? It's murder. Who am I to obey? Got the government says it's okay, and God who says, it's not okay. We've got to obey God rather than man. What about things will and moral things like a gambling or alcohol or drugs- even in some places marijuana is being legalized...

“What must I do to be saved?” this is the question that we're going to be looking at as we study the marvelous book of Acts. We hope you'll get your Bible as we're going to let God's word answer this marvelous question for us. The book of Acts is a very powerful, action-packed book in which the great question: ‘What must I do to be saved?’ is answered. (The full transcript is available in the "Download Document" button above.)