GOD’S PRIORITIES (PART ONE)
INTRODUCTION
There are seven things that are closed to the heart of God in these end times which we the believers need to know the importance of. These can be called God’s priorities. These are:
1. The blood of Jesus;
2. Fellowship and Communion with God;
3. Jesus is alive;
4. The promise of the Holy Spirit
5. Going to tell the World;
6. Atonement of Jesus is everlasting and;
7. The Return of Jesus.
In this study, we would look at the first two priorities.
CENTRAL BIBLE PASSAGE: DEUTERONOMY 6:1-25
A. FIRST PRIORITY : THE BLOOD OF JESUS
The blood of Jesus is important because the demands of justice have been satisfied, the wrath of God appeased and the records of iniquity erased through the shedding of that blood. Not only is the record of the things between man and God straightened out, but that between man and man has also been taken care of.
The implication of all these is that we should constantly look unto the blood of Jesus for cleansing for peace and access to God.
Rom. 3:23; 6:23; Heb. 2:9, 14-15; 12:24; Heb. 9:11-15, 22-28; Heb. 10:1-10, 15-20; 1 Jn. 1:7-9; Gal. 1:21-22; 1 Jn. 1:7-9
B. SECOND PRIORITY: FELLOWSHIP AND COMMUNION WITH GOD
God wants us to be able to have rich and wonderful communion with Him. This He does by His word and by His Spirit. He wants us to enjoy an awareness of His presence everyday. He wants not only believers to come closer to Him; He wants those who are far away from Him to come too. He wants us. He is not looking for reasons to disown us but to help and bring us closer to himself. Personal and corporate communion with God is very important to God and to you!
Is. 1:18-19; Mt. 11:28-30; Lk. 18-19; Lk. 5:27-32; Ps. 119:130; Jos. 1:8; 2 Cor. 13:14; 1 Jn. 1:3-7; Ps. 122:1-4; 27:4; Heb. 10:25; Ps. 84:1-12;
ACTIVITIES
1. In what ways have you discovered or used the power of the blood of Jesus?
2. In what ways can we improve our communion and fellowship with God?
3. In what way can we encourage others including unbelievers/sinners into communion and fellowship with God
GOD’S PRIORITIES (PART TWO)
INTRODUCTION
In the last study, we looked at the first tow priorities that are close to the heart of God. These are: The Blood of Jesus and Fellowship communion with God. The next two top priorities before God that we would be examining together today are:
1. Jesus is alive and;
2. The promise of the Holy Spirit.
May the LORD bless us as we study in Jesus’ name (amen).
CENTRAL BIBLE PASSAGE: ACTS 2:14-36
A. JESUS IS ALIVE
It is wonderful to know that Jesus is alive! Death has been conquered. Even though we may experience death to the physical body, this is not the real death. The death of the soul is the real death. The goodnews the real death has been conquered. When Christ tasted the second death, He actually experienced the judgement of God upon sin, He didn’t taste physical death for us, because we still have to die, but he wants us to know that we don’t have to worry about the second death because He has already taken care of that for all who are putting their trust in Him.
When the people who had put Jesus to death saw Him living in those who belonged to Him, instead of having only one ‘Jesus’ to contend with, they had many. They saw them reflecting his power of life.
And that is is the best way to let people know that He is alive.
Mt. 28:1-10, 16-20; Mk. 16:1-20; Lk. 24:1-8; Mt. 17:22-23; Ps. 16:10-11; Lk. 24:35-53; Mt. 10:28; Heb. 2:9-15; Mt. 27:46; Acts 2:24; Jn. 11:23-25, 43-45; Acts 1:8; 2:1-4; 4:13-16; Acts 11:26; 4:31-33
B. THE PROMISE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
The promise of the Holy Spirit is a high priority with God today according to angel Gabriel revelation to God’s servant Roland Buck.
God has planned this ahead as part of his total plan for the redemption of mankind.
He wanted to make each and every one of us conformed to the image of His Son, Jesus Christ, so that as we view Him (GOD) we are transformed into the same image from glory to glory! In order to do what Jesus did on earth we must have the same power He had! In order to be like Jesus we must have God’s Holy Spirit.
Lk. 24:49; Acts 2:16-18; Is. 44:1-; Ezek. 11:19; Joel 2:28; Rom. 8:26-30; 2 Cor. 3:18; Jn. 14:12-18, 26; Acts 1:8; 2:1-4; Lk. 4:18; Acts 2:37-41; 3:6-8; 4:31-33; 5:15
DISCUSSIONS
1. What are the ways to show that Jesus is alive?
2. What has been your experience with the Holy Spirit?
GOD’S PRIORITIES (PART THREE)
INTRODUCTION
In the last study, we were able to examine the third and fourth priorities of the Seven priorities that are close to the heart of God.
1. The blood of Jesus;
2. Fellowship and Communion with God;
3. Jesus is Alive and;
4. The promise of the Holy Spirit; were the four priorities already considered.
Today’s study seeks to consider the fifth priority before God, which is “Go and Tell the World!” May the Lord bless us richly as we study in Jesus’ name (amen).
CENTRAL BIBLE PASSAGE: MARK 16:14-20
A. GO AND TELL THE WORLD!
“The fifth priority was enlarged upon one day when Gabriel was talking with me in my church office. He paced back and forth as he talked. It was the first time I had ever seen a severe look on his face. He said God was concerned that people could hear his message and be aroused to the truth and then go back to sleep” Roland Buck, Angels on assignment.
To Go and tell the world is one of God’s top priorities for these end times. But what is the message to deliver to the world? Jesus and Goodnews! God says,” people can come to God now! The barriers are down, removed for men to reconcile back to God.
The reconciliation has been done by the death of God’s son, Jesus Christ. This is the message of redemption we are to carry to all the world! He has given us His plan. He has filled us with His Holy Spirit. He says, ‘Go ye!’ He has also sent forth special forces of angels to move men towards God! They are everywhere searching out men and women who are trying to hide from God. The purpose is to let humanity know that God cares, He wants them to come unto Him.
There are many who have their eyes on sin instead of God – constantly reminding other of the terrible condition of the world and the blackness of sin. That is not on God’s priority list at all. He wants men to know that there is a total escape from that horrible bondage of sin. He said, his purpose is to make us “Son” conscious instead of “Sin” conscious. He wants us to see Jesus lifted up so He can draw all men unto Himself.
Mk. 16:15, 20; Rom. 1:15-17; Mt. 25:14-30; 1 Cor. 9:14-16; Rom. 15:19-20; Rom. 10:8-15; 2 Cor. 5:18-21; Lk. 24:49; Acts 1:8, 9-12; Acts. 2:1-4; Heb. 1:6-7, 13-14; Acts. 10:1-6, 7-48; Jn. 8:14-17; Acts. 5:42-43; Acts. 4:1-12; 40-42; 8:35-40; 10:36-38; 16:31; 17:3; 21:13; Rom. 16:25; 1 Cor. 1:1; Phil. 3:10
DISCUSSIONS
1. What is God so concerned about in the sharing of the Gospel?
2. What is the message of the gospel about?
3. How did God make preaching the gospel easy for believers?
4. What should we focus on and what should we not as we share the gospel?
5. share own experience of preaching.
GOD’S PRIORITIES (PART FOUR)
INTRODUCTION
We were able to discuss and see the importance of Evangelism, witnessing for Christ in our last study. It is a great priority of GOD that we go and tell the world about Jesus and the goodnews He gave unto us; God’s great plan of redemption and reconciliation of man back to GOD in fellowship. Today’s study seeks to look closely at the 6th of 7 (Seven) priorities, which is the fact that “The Atonement of Jesus is everlasting.”
CENTRAL BIBLE PASSAGE: EPHESIANS 1:1-14
A. THE BLESSINGS OF ATONEMENT OF JESUS ARE A CONTINUING THING!
We need to know and be constantly reminded that the work Jesus did for us by shedding His blood for sin is an everlasting work. It is intended to carry us right through to heaven. It is a message of new beginnings, everyday we can experience the blessings of atonement in our spirit, soul and body. All of our needs are covered in the atonement With His covering over us, GOD can see us and accept us because people are in bondage to fear, it is important to GOD that people know that before He made the earth, He planned that they would be covered by His atonement.
It is high priority with GOD because people cannot serve GOD without genuine assurance that their position is safe. Knowing this is real security.
Heb. 9:12, 18-26; 10:6-14; 18-19; Lev. 23:27; Lk. 1:8-12; Lam. 3:22-23; 1 Jn. 1:7-9; 1 Jn. 2:1-2; Col. 1:21-22; Eph. 1:4; Heb. 4:16; Col. 1:21-22; Eph. 2:4-7; 1:20; Heb. 7:22-28; Heb. 10:17-19
B. WHAT CAN PULL YOU OUT OF THE COVERING?
The two major sins that can put you out under divine covering are Rebellion and Idolatry. Outside of these, the things which happen in the normal course of life will not separate us from the love of GOD, or from the beautiful protection of this covering you can live for GOD in relaxed happiness. Knowing that He is on the job!
Is. 1:2-4, 16-21; 14:12-15; Rev. 12:3-4, 7-13; Num. 13:23-25; Num. 14:1-2; 26-28, 35-38; Num. 16, 17, 20-22,31-35, 41-50; Num. 25:1-5; 1 Cor. 10:11; Ex. 20:1-17; Heb. 10:26-29; Ps. 16:11; Rom. 14:17-18
DISCUSSIONS
1. Discuss the sins of rebellion and idolatry in the Church today.
2. What is the main danger of committing sin of rebellion or idolatry?
GOD’S PRIORITIES (PART FIVE)
INTRODUCTION
God has priorities; things that are close to His heart, things that He wants us as His children to attach great importance to in our day today living as children of God. These are as listed below:
i. The blood of Jesus;
ii. Fellowship and Communion with God;
iii. Jesus is alive;
iv. The promise of the Holy Spirit;
v. Going to tell the World;
vi. Atonement of Jesus is everlasting and;
vii. The Return of Jesus.
We have been able to expounded a bit further on the firs six priorities, today’s study seeks to discuss the seventh priority. Make the LORD bless us as we study in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.
CENTRAL BIBLE PASSAGE: ACTS 1:1-14
A. THE RETURN OF JESUS IS INEVITABLE!
Without any iota of doubt, the LORD Jesus Christ is coming back into the world. Apart from the fact that the angels said it loud and clear to the disciples, the prophets of old said and most importantly, the person concerned said it Himself. However, His second coming would be in two most eventful stages.
Acts 1:10-11; Lk. 24:1-9, 12-16, 25-26, 30-34, 36-38; Dan. 7:13; Zech. 14:1-9; Mt. 25:31; Jn. 14:1-2; 1 Tim. 6:14; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; Rev. 1:7-8; Zech. 14:4; Rev. 19:6-8
B. THERE IS NEED FOR BELIEVERS TO URGENTLY BE PREPARED!
God is telling us to prepare ourselves for that great day! For those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of life, it will be glory! For those whose names are not there, it will be doom forever!
The choice is ours today and that choice is simply choose to serve Jesus or to follow Satan into his eternal damnation.
Acts 1:10-11; 1 Thess. 5:12-13; Rev. 20:11-15; Rev. 21:22-27; Rev. 22:20
ACTIVITIES
1. How am I sure that Jesus is coming back?
2. How soon is Jesus coming back?
3. What should be my attitude as a child of GOD?