YOUTH SERIES

An introduction
Series 1 WHO AM I? What is My True Identity? Series 2 WHO IS GOD? Origin, Source and Sustainer Series 3 WHERE DID I COME FROM? The Unfolding of Life on Earth Series 4 WHY AM I HERE? The Reason for Being Series 5 WHERE AM I GOING? The Destiny of Man Series 6 WHAT IS SIN & WHY DO I SIN? Loss of Identity & The Fall of Man Series 7 WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP MYSELF?Redemption, Salvation & Restoration Series 8 WHAT NEXT? Baptism, Fellowship & Surrender Series 9 HOW DO I GROW? From Childhood to Adulthood Series 10 - WHY DO I STILL SIN? Cry for Help!Away with the Flesh Series 11 - HOW CAN I LIVE LIKE CHRIST? You Can Stand!
Fruits of the Spirit

Series 12 Christ

HOW CAN I TELL OTHERS OF CHRIST?

Sharing the Love of

Series 1 Who Who Who Who Who Series 2 Who Who Who Who Who

WHO AM I? What is My True Identity? am I? You are the light of the world am I? I am the Salt of the earth am I? I Am the Resurrection and The Life am I? As He is, So am I God is Love am I? I am ALL He is WHO IS GOD? Origin, Source and Sustainer is GOD? - An Introduction is GOD - Who do you say I am? is GOD - Who does God claim to be? Old Testament PART 1 is GOD - Who does God claim to be? Old Testament PART 2 is GOD - The Nature & Character of God

Series 3 - WHERE DID I COME FROM? The Unfolding of Life on Earth Series 4 - WHY AM I HERE? The Reason for Being Why Am I HERE? The Reason for Being Part 1 Why Am I HERE? The Reason for Being Part 2 Series 5 - WHERE AM I GOING? The Destiny of Man Series 6 - WHAT IS SIN & WHY DO I SIN? Loss of Identity & The Fall of Man Series 7 - WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP MYSELF? Redemption,Salvation & Restoration Series 8 - WHAT NEXT? Baptism, Fellowship & Surrender Series 9 - HOW DO I GROW? From Childhood to Adulthood Series 10 - WHY DO I STILL SIN? Cry for Help! Away with the Flesh Series 11 - HOW CAN I LIVE LIKE CHRIST? You Can Stand! Fruits of the Spirit Series 12 - HOW CAN I TELL OTHERS OF CHRIST? Sharing the Love of Christ Bonus CHRISTMAS SPECIALITS ALL ABOUT JESUS Why, When, How? Who,

SERIES 1a: WHO AM I? You are The Light of the World

Scripture Reading: Mathew 5:14-16; John 1:1-10; Genesis 1:1-5; John 9:4-5; 1 John 4:14-21 The difference between BE-ing and BE-coming!!! Matthew 5:14a says You are the light of the world. Be the light! Show the light! Let your light shine In John 9:5 Jesus said he is the light. John also made it clear that we are like him in 1 John 4:17. Since you are the light of the world, what can we notice in you?

1) A light is meant to be seen - back in the bible times, 2 or 3 candles would light a house. Therefore your true nature (who you really are is a thing to be seen and noticed.) You cannot hide light (e,g candles), and since you are light, you cannot be hid. If you try to hide light under a bowl or enclosure, the light will either be turned off or the light will burn such an enclosure. Your thoughts, words and action is visible to ALL not only in the church but everywhere. (Further study--Luke 8:16 ) 2) A light is a guide - A lighthouse or a flashlight gives sight so you can see. It guides your feet in the dark so you don't stumble and fall. As, light we are to make way clear to others. 3) A Warning Light - Must let fellow man know sometimes when harm is coming or when they are maybe getting into trouble. This is hard sometimes but we are called to do this and it is sometimes necessary. WHO ARE YA? Before you decide, please explore - The Joy of Making Decisions!!! What makes us do the things we do? Why do we make decisions which do not serve us best? Is there right or wrong? Is it relative? Does judgement serve us best? Observation or Labeling a fine line What are the two key issues we should be aware of? Are you aware that you are the light of the world? Are you being the light? If not, why not? Ephesians 5:8-16-Focus on what light can do for us. Goodness, righteousness, and truth. We were darkness not just surrounded by darkness because we were aware of

darkness and embraced darkness, and thought darkness and spoke darkness - because we allowed our light to be covered under a bushel. Acts 26:16-18What the Christ in us does for us ALL THE TIME. open our eyes (not the physical eyes but the inner (spiritual) eyes) turn us from darkness to light (the darkness actually disappears once light appears) rescues us from the power of Satan (does a thing have to be powerful to have power over us?) Forgiveness of Sins (wiping away the GUILT of sin with the realization of Gods love) BE THE LIGHT!!!!

SERIES 1b: WHO AM I? I Am the Salt of the Earth

Scripture Reading: Matthew 5:1-16, Mark 9:50 The Importance of Salt We can live in this world without a lot of things! We could probably live a healthier life, perhaps, without chocolate or ice cream. And, we probably could do our hearts a lot of good if we cut all meats out of our diets. In fact, we might avoid certain illnesses altogether if we stopped using sugar, and many cultures do fine without pepper. And, yes, many people of a certain race survive without eating chicken! But one thing that we cannot do without is SALT. We must appreciate salt because it is an absolute necessity. It is as indispensable as the water that we drink or the air that we breathe. When Napoleon was at war with Russia, thousands of his soldiers died in a retreat from Moscow. Historians reported how those soldiers died from wounds that would not heal because the soldiers bodies had been deprived of salt. Jesus comment is therefore saying, when we are not salting the earth we cause it to experience spiritual death. For salt to be effective, it must come into contact with the substance to be preserved, flavored or influenced. It must be put on something for it to be useful. - Salt blends with its host and share in the conditions of its host. Hebrews 10:24 says, Let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works. In Luke 19:10, we read that Jesus came to seek and save that which was lost. He did so at the expense of giving Himself. He did this during His life. He gave up himself (John 15:12-14). In 2Corinthians 12:15 Paul was willing to spend and be spent. Philippians 1:21, For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Once salt is applied to a substance it becomes one with that substance and never discriminates against it. - Salt works as a fantastic seasoning. It makes food more pungent or pleasant - Salt purifies & preserves. Salt promotes healing and removes impurities. It is also used in some water-purification systems. (2 Kings 2:20-22). Salt prevents decay and is used to preserve meat. - Salt creates thirst Matthew 5:6; John 4:15 - Salt is penetrating. If we place a bit of salt into some food, it will penetrate the whole, quickly, quietly but aggressively (Acts 2:41-47; 8:4) - Salt speaks for itself. We never wonder what salt is once tasted. (Matthew 22:16-18; Acts 4:13) - Salt is measured. You have to use the right amount; just enough. Too little and it has no effect; too much and it spoils the taste. It must be used carefully and in moderation.

Questions: 1. According to this verse, who are you? What does it mean to be the Salt of the Earth? 2. What are the functions of salt? How does it affect what it touches? 3. Function implies a need. Why does the earth need salt? (Consider the condition of your relationships, household, school, community, the United Kingdom and the earth) 4. As "salt of the earth", what is your function here? (Give an example) 5. Can other people taste your saltiness when they see, hear or interact with you? 6. If you think you have had limited or no positive impact on the people and the world around you up to now, what can you do to change that? What happens if salt losses its flavour? (Matthew 5:13) 7. How do you remain "salty", so that you may be an effective flavour? Conversely, what would make you "tasteless" and your interactions ineffective? (Matthew 5:1-16; 1 John 2:15-17, James 4:4) Have you forgotten (become unconscious of) who you are? YOU ARE THE SALT OF THE EARTH. Why is it good for us to know (or more accurately BE CONSCIOUS of) who we are? Think outside the BOX

SERIES 1c: WHO AM I? I Am the Resurrection and The Life

Scripture Reading: 1 John 4:1-21 Question: Why is it good for us to know who we are? Think outside the BOX Not knowing who we are makes us to believe, speak, live, act & make decisions on the wrong basis Sin is believing, speaking, living, acting and making decisions on the basis that we are separate from God just like Adam & Eve did eventually Genesis 3:1-24 The action we take is not the sin. The action we take is the RESULT of the sin (the result of believing, speaking, living, acting and making decisions on the basis that we are separate from God) - James The truth is that - We are of God! 1 John 4:4a; Genesis 1:26-31; Genesis 2:7 We are born of God and know God 1 John 4:7; God is Love 1 John 4:7-8 Love is manifested (made clear) and demonstrated (shown) by: o God sending Christ (light, love, life and all He is) into the world that we might live THROUGH him (light, love, life) 1 John 4:9; John 1:1-14; Genesis 2:7 o God sending Christ as the propitiation for our sins - and the damage it has done to our relationship with God 1 John 4:10. (Propitiation = Satisfaction - God giving us life in replacement of death this life (blood) is the opposite of death. Death = Unconsciousness. Life = Consciousness. Life enables us to start living, acting and making decisions on the basis that we are one with God and NOT separate from him). If God loved us like this, then we ought to love one another 1 John 4:11. This is how we know we are living steadily and deeply in God, and He in us He has given us life from his life, from his very own Spirit 1 John 4:13-14 God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at

home and mature in us, so that we are free of worry ALL THE TIME our standing in the world is identical with Christ's 1 John 4:15-17 There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life fear of death, fear of judgment, fear of failure, fear of is one not yet fully formed in love 1 John 4:18 We, though, are going to lovelove and be loved. First we were loved, now we love. He loved us first 1 John 4:19 If anyone boasts, "I love God," and goes right on hating his brother or sister, thinking nothing of it, he is a liar. If we won't love the person we can see, how can we love the God he can't see? The view we have from Christ is clear: Loving God includes loving people. You should love both. 1 John 4:20-21 What happens if people hate us or want to kill us? A few words on ENEMIES Matthew 5:43-48; Luke 6:20-49. Love your enemies... Luke 6:27;35; Proverbs 25:21-22; Matthew 5:11-12 What is the worst thing anyone can do to you? What would you do? What did Jesus do? Luke 23:34 Love Your Enemies

SERIES 1d: WHO AM I? As He is, So am I God is Love

Scripture Reading: 1 John 4:1-21 Question: Why is it good for us to know who we are? Think outside the BOX Not knowing who we are makes us to believe, speak, live, act & make decisions on the wrong basis Sin is believing, speaking, living, acting and making decisions on the basis that we are separate from God just like Adam & Eve did eventually Genesis 3:1-24 The action we take is not the sin. The action we take is the RESULT of the sin (the result of believing, speaking, living, acting and making decisions on the basis that we are separate from God) - James The truth is that - We are of God! 1 John 4:4a; Genesis 1:26-31; Genesis 2:7 We are born of God and know God 1 John 4:7; God is Love 1 John 4:7-8 Love is manifested (made clear) and demonstrated (shown) by: o God sending Christ (light, love, life and all He is) into the world that we might live THROUGH him (light, love, life) 1 John 4:9; John 1:1-14; Genesis 2:7 o God sending Christ as the propitiation for our sins - and the damage it has done to our relationship with God 1 John 4:10. (Propitiation = Satisfaction - God giving us life in replacement of death this life (blood) is the opposite of death. Death = Unconsciousness. Life = Consciousness. Life enables us to start living, acting and making decisions on the basis that we are one with God and NOT separate from him). If God loved us like this, then we ought to love one another 1 John 4:11. This is how we know we are living steadily and deeply in God, and He in us He has given us life from his life, from his very own Spirit 1 John 4:13-14 God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us, so that we are free of worry ALL THE TIME our standing in the world is identical with Christ's 1 John 4:15-17

There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life fear of death, fear of judgment, fear of failure, fear of is one not yet fully formed in love 1 John 4:18 We, though, are going to lovelove and be loved. First we were loved, now we love. He loved us first 1 John 4:19 If anyone boasts, "I love God," and goes right on hating his brother or sister, thinking nothing of it, he is a liar. If we won't love the person we can see, how can we love the God he can't see? The view we have from Christ is clear: Loving God includes loving people. You should love both. 1 John 4:20-21 What happens if people hate us or want to kill us? A few words on ENEMIES Matthew 5:43-48; Luke 6:20-49. Love your enemies... Luke 6:27;35; Proverbs 25:21-22; Matthew 5:11-12 What is the worst thing anyone can do to you? What would you do? What did Jesus do? Luke 23:34 Love Your Enemies

SERIES 1e: WHO AM I? I Am ALL He is

Scripture Reading: John 1:1-10; 1 John 4:17; John 17:20-23 (additional reading John 17) Question: Who are YOU? Are you the mind-made you, the society-made you, the imagination-made you, the parent-made you, the education-made you, the health-made you, the music-made you, the fashion-made you or the GOD-MADE you? Think outside the BOX
Jesus the Divine Christ! He experien ced a lifegiving birth and a deathkilling death

As He is so are we (am I) in this world 1 John 4:17 (What does this mean? What can I do?) o As God is: LOVE etc: 1 John 4:7-8; 1 John 4:16 o As Christ is: LIGHT (Life) etc: John 1:4, 12:44-50; 1 Corinthians 1:24; Romans 8:16-30 o As the Holy Spirit is: POWER etc: Ecclesiastes 11:5; John 3:8; Proverbs 23:7; 1 John 5:15; We are one with GOD and one with each other! (Spooky eh!) BUT VERY TRUE John 17:20-23 God is love I am Love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us (there is no separation, no difference between us and God we are ONE with Him. This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us, so that we are free of worry ALL THE TIME our standing in the world is identical with Christ's 1 John 4:15-17 Ye are (I am) the Salt of the earth Matthew 5:13 Ye are (I am) the Light of the world Matthew 5:14 Jesus said I am the Way, the Truth and the Life John 14:6. So are we! We are the way to the Father through Christ (John 10:6). We were born with the Word of Truth (James 1:17-26), we are like the word of Truth, our Father, we have the word of Truth (John 17:14-20). We have Eternal Life and so we can give it (John 3:36; 1 John 5:11-21); Ephesians 2:6-9 What we are is Gods gift to us, and what we become is our gift to God - Eleanor Powell (actress, tap dancer)

Jesus said I am the Resurrection and the Life 1 John 4:13-14; John 11:2426; Ephesians 2:1-10. This is how we know we are living steadily and deeply in God, and He in us He has given us life from his life, from his very own Spirit. He made us alive though we were dead (unaware of who we are). We too make many alive and give them the Life we have the God Kind of Life (Zo or Eternal Life) We (I am) Gods workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works Ephesians 2:10 1 John 3:1-2 We are children of God, and it is not yet made public what we shall be. We know that, if he is made public, we shall be like him; for we shall see him even as he is The truth is that - We are of God! 1 John 4:4a; Genesis 1:26-31; Genesis 2:7 We are born of God and know God 1 John 4:7; Yep! The depth of who God is infinite (no end), limitless and all-encompassing. JUST LIKE YOURS! DO YOU BELIEVE THIS?
TO KNOW MORE ABOUT WHO WE ARE, WE NEED TO KNOW WHO GOD IS, SINCE WE ARE ONE WITH GOD!

Sin is believing, speaking, living, acting and making decisions on the basis that we are separate from God just like Adam & Eve did eventually Genesis 3:1-24. The action we take is not the sin. The action we take is the RESULT of the sin (the result of believing, speaking, living, acting and making decisions on the basis that we are separate from God) James 1:12-16. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE SEPARATE FROM GOD?

NEXT WEEK: We begin the Who is GOD? series

SERIES 2a: WHO IS GOD? An Introduction

Scripture Reading: Psalm 46; Job 42:5; Isaiah 64; Matthew 16 13-18; (additional reading ) Question: WHO IS GOD? Think outside the BOX This question has been on the heart, mind and tongue of men for many centuries. Many religions have been created He's been described as everything from an impersonal lifeforce to a benevolent, personal, almighty Creator. He has been called by many names, including: "Zeus," "Jupiter," "Brahma," "Allah," "Ra," "Odin," "Ashur," "Izanagi," "Viracocha," "Ahura Mazda," and "the Great Spirit" to name just a few. He's seen by some as "Mother Nature" and by others as "Father God." But who is He really? Who does He claim to be? This question is important if we believe that As He is so are we (am I) in this world 1 John 4:17 In the bible we are introduced to God as THE CREATOR OF THE HEAVENS & THE EARTH: Genesis 1:1-28, BUT Who do men say He is? Who does God claim to be? What is The nature and character of God

Jesus asked Peter Who do you say that I am Matthew 16:16

Before we answer these and other questions we should refer to some of the clear insights about God in the bible: God is: the FATHER: (meaning our source, our origin and sustainer of ALL things): Job 38-42

God is: LOVE etc: 1 John 4:7-8; 1 John 4:16 God is: THE ALMIGHTY GOD: Genesis 17:1 El-Shaddai God is: THE LORD GOD: Genesis 28:13; Ezekiel 13:9; 23:49; 24:24 We are one with GOD and one with each other! (Spooky eh!) BUT VERY TRUE John 17:20-23 God is love I am Love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us (there is no separation, no difference between us and God we are ONE with Him. This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us, so that we are free of worry ALL THE TIME our standing in the world is identical with Christ's 1 John 4:15-17 Ye are (I am) the Salt of the earth Matthew 5:13 Ye are (I am) the Light of the world Matthew 5:14 Jesus said I am the Way, the Truth and the Life John 14:6. So are we! We are the way to the Father through Christ (John 10:6). We were born with the Word of Truth (James 1:17-26), we are like the word of Truth, our Father, we have the word of Truth (John 17:14-20). We have Eternal Life and so we can give it (John 3:36; 1 John 5:11-21); Ephesians 2:6-9 What we are is Gods gift to us, and what we become is our gift to God - Eleanor Powell (actress, tap dancer) Jesus said I am the Resurrection and the Life 1 John 4:13-14; John 11:2426; Ephesians 2:1-10. This is how we know we are living steadily and deeply in God, and He in us He has given us life from his life, from his very own Spirit. He made us alive though we were dead (unaware of who we are). We too make many alive and give them the Life we have the God Kind of Life (Zo or Eternal Life) We (I am) Gods workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works Ephesians 2:10 1 John 3:1-2 We are children of God, and it is not yet made public what we shall be. We know that, if he is made public, we shall be like him; for we shall see him even as he is The truth is that - We are of God! 1 John 4:4a; Genesis 1:26-31; Genesis 2:7 We are born of God and know God 1 John 4:7; Yep! The depth of who God is infinite (no end), limitless and all-encompassing. JUST LIKE YOURS! DO YOU BELIEVE THIS?
TO KNOW MORE ABOUT WHO WE ARE, WE NEED TO KNOW WHO GOD IS, SINCE WE ARE ONE WITH GOD!

Sin is believing, speaking, living, acting and making decisions on the basis that we are separate from God just like Adam & Eve did eventually Genesis 3:1-24. The action we take is not the sin. The action we take is the RESULT of the sin (the result of believing, speaking, living, acting and making decisions on the basis that we are separate from God) James 1:12-16. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE SEPARATE FROM GOD?

SERIES 2c: WHO IS GOD? Who does GOD claim to be? Old Testament
Scripture Reading: Ezekiel 20:20; Isaiah 45; Genesis1:1-3; 27; 3:1-5; Exodus 3:13-15; 15:23-27
Question: WHO DOES GOD CLAIM TO BE? Think outside the BOX
and they shall know that I am the LORD Ezekiel

All that we know about God was and is communicated by revelation. God reveals himself in different ways: * By His works of creation (Romans 1:20, Psalm 19:1-4). * In the conscience of man (Genesis 22:14; Ezekiel 30:8; Romans 2:14-15). * In the course of history (Exodus 14:18; Psalm 78:12-16). * In the Holy Scripture, the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16). * Through His living Word, Jesus (John 1:1-4, 9-14; Hebrews 1:1-2). As we continue in the, Who is God? series, we should examine Gods testimony about Himself. WHO DOES GOD SAY HE IS? This is important because As He is so are we (am I) in this world 1 John 4:17.

Who does God say He is?

for I am the LORD that healeth thee. Exodus 15:26b

This a some of what God has said about Himself: Please meditate on each of these until you experience him as ..

The Creator - Isaiah 44:24; 45:18; Almighty God (El-Shaddai) The All-Sufficient GOD - Genesis 35:11; Jeremiah 32:27 God of Abraham, God of Isaac and God of Jacob, (God of . .) (please fill in the blank spaces) - Genesis 28:13; Genesis 46:3

One and ONLY God (Omnipresent, Omniscient and Omnipotent) - All Present, All Knowing, All Doing All there is, All there is to know, Able to do All things - Isaiah 45:5-6, 18, 22; Isaiah 46:9; Joel 2:27 God the Redeemer - Exodus 6:2-9; Exodus 20:2; Leviticus 26:13; Deuteronomy 5:6; Psalm 81:10; Isaiah 45:22; 48:17 The Lord who Sanctifies (Jehovah MKaddeshkem) - Exodus 31:13; Leviticus 20:8, 24, 22:32; Ezekiel 20:12; Lord, Our God (Jehovah Adonai) - Exodus 16:12; Leviticus 23:43 God the Healer (Jehovah Rapha) - Exodus 15:26 The Lord - Isaiah 42:8 The HOLY God - Leviticus 11:45 My Saviour - Isaiah 43:3; Hosea 13:4 The Creator of Israel - Isaiah 43:15 My King - Isaiah 43:15 The Miracle Worker - Isaiah 51:15 The Lord of Hosts - Isaiah 51:15 The God of All Flesh - Jeremiah 32:27 The LORD that Smites - Ezekiel 7:9 The Holy One of Israel - Isaiah 43:3, 48:17
B) A)

I AM ONE WITH GOD!

Sin is thinking, believing, speaking, living, acting and making decisions on the basis that we are separate from God just like Adam & Eve did eventually Genesis 3:1-24. The action we take is not the sin. The action we take is the RESULT of the sin (the result of thinking, believing, speaking, living, acting and making decisions on the basis that we are separate from God) James 1:12-16. DO YOU THINK, BELIEVE, SPEAK, LIVE, ACT AND MAKE DECISION AS IF YOU ARE SEPARATE FROM GOD? Do you think you are not one with God or that God is somehow absent sometimes? Be aware, God cannot be separated from you, at any time. God is with you always, anyhow, anywhere, in anything, at anytime, whatever you might be thinking, believing, speaking, living, acting and making decisions about. Unfortunately, you are

The Lord Which Teaches me to Profit - Isaiah 48:17 The Lord Who Guides Me or Leads Me - Isaiah 48:17 The Lord who Speaks and It comes to pass - Ezekiel 12:25 LORD my God dwelling in Zion, HIS holy mountain Joel 3:17 The LORD which exercise Lovingkindness, Judgment, and Righteousness, in the Earth Jeremiah 9:24 The Unchanging God - Malachi 3:6

NEXT WEEK: We look at The Nature & Character of God

THE NAMES OF GOD

El The strong one; mighty, strong, prominent, strength. Translated God some 250 times in the Old Testament. (Numbers 23:22; Deuteronomy 10:17; Isaiah 9:6-7 ) Elohim The strong, covenant-keeping God who creates, is faithful, and is absolutely committed to His creation. The plural form of EL alluding to the Divine Trinity. Translated God or Lord some 2570 times in the Old Testament. (Genesis 1:26; Deuteronomy 10:17) El Elyon God, the highest or most high God; the sovereign ruler of all the universe. (Genesis 14:20; Psalm 78:35; Daniel 4:34-35; Isaiah 46:9-11) El Roi The God who sees. The omnipresent God whose eyes are always open to all the events of the lives of His children. (Genesis 16; Psalm 139:7-12) El Shaddai Shad from which Shaddai comes is likely derived as the Hebrew word for a womans breast. God is the One who is mighty to nourish, satisfy and supply. The all sufficient, all bountiful One who nourishes His people and makes them fruitful. (Genesis 17:1-2; 6:1ff; 28:3; and 35:1)

Adonai Lord, Master, Owner, indicating the truth that God is the owner of each individual. It always occurs in the plural and possessive tense, meaning my Lords. It occurs around 300 times in the Old Testament. (2 Samuel 7:18-22; Psalm 8; Psalm 97:5; Isaiah 6:1-8) Jehovah (Yahweh) Usually translated LORD (all capitals), it is derived from the Hebrew verb havah, to be or being, the great I AM who always exists, eternal and unchangeable. It is the most frequently used name for God in the Old Testament, occurring 6823 times. Jehovah Tsidkenu The Lord our Righteousness. The holy, righteous One who hates sin but loves the sinner and gives His own righteousness to us. (Jeremiah 23:6; 33:16; 2 Corinthians 5:21) Jehovah MKaddeshkem The Lord who sanctifies you. (Exodus 31:12-13; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24) Jehovah Shalom The Lord is peace. The Hebrew word shalom is most often translated peace, representing wholeness and harmony with God and contentment and satisfaction in life. (Colossians 1:19-20) Jehovah Shammah The Lord is there. This is the promise of a Holy Gods presence dwelling in the midst of His people. God now lives in believers through the indwelling Holy Spirit. (Ezekiel 48:35; 1 Corinthians 3:16) Jehovah Rophe The Lord your Healer. The term rapha (from which Rophe is derived) means to restore, cure or heal not only in the physical sense but in the spiritual and moral sense as well. (Exodus 15:26; 1 Peter 2:24)

THE NAMES OF GOD continued

Jehovah Jirah The Lord shall see, or the Lord provides. This name reveals both Gods willingness and His ability to meet every need of His people. (Genesis 22:14) Jehovah Rohi The Lord is my Shepherd. The primary meaning of roeh, shepherd, is to feed or lead or pasture, and can also be translated companion or friend. (Psalm 23:1; John 10:11) Jehovah Nissi The Lord my banner. Nissi is variously translated as pole, ensign, standard, among the Jews it is also a word for miracle. It is a signal to Gods people to rally to Him; a sign of deliverance and victory. (Exodus 17:15) Jehovah Sabaoth The Lord of Hosts. The name to run to when, from a humans perspective, there is no other help. (1Samuel 1:3; 11:1ff; 17:42-47) Jehovah Qanna The Lord is Jealous. (Exodus 34:12-17; 2 Corinthians 11:2)

SERIES 2d: WHO IS GOD? Who does GOD claim to be? 2 New Testament
Scripture Reading: Matthew 3:17; Revelations 1
Question: WHO DOES GOD CLAIM TO BE? Think outside the BOX
and they shall know that I am the LORD for I Ezekiel am the LORD that God is healeth with you thee. always, Exodus anyhow, 15:26b anywher e, in anything , at anytime, whateve r you might be thinking, believin g, speakin g, living, acting and making decision s about. Unfortun ately, you are

We have examined who God claims to be in the Old Testament. We should also consider who He claims to be in the New Testament. WHO DOES GOD SAY HE IS? Remember: As He is so are we (am I) in this world 1 John 4:17. Who does God say He is? This are some of what God said about Himself: Please meditate on each of these until you experience him as ..

The Father Matthew 3:17, 17:4-6, 16:13-17; Mark 1:10-12

God of the Living Matthew 24:4-6; Who is God a Father to? The birth of the Christ was most clearly illustrated in the Old testament through the prophets notably in Isaiah 7:14, 9:6 and Daniel 7:13-14. At birth Jesus was worshipped as Christ by the Magi (Matthew 2:11) and He was described asSin isLamb of God Revelation 5:13-14. acting and making The thinking, believing, speaking, living, decisions on the basis that we are separate from God just JESUS CLAIMS TO BE GOD -

The Living One ) GOD IS A SPIRIT Genesis 1:1-3; John 4:23-24 Thankfull The Bible teaches us that in all existence, from all eternity, there has been and always will be only y, you one, God. God has always been, was never created, is completely loving, completely just, completely can holy, completely merciful, and He has given His ALL to us. All things Eternal come in threes, all things realise

Jesus and The Father are One John 10:30-38; is not the sin. The action we take is the RESULT of we take the sin (the result of thinking, believing, speaking, living, I am John 8:58-59 (Exodus 3:14) Lord & God John 20:27-29 Alpha & Omega The Present, Past & Future
acting and making decisions on the basis that we are separate from God) James 1:12-16. DO YOU THINK, BELIEVE, SPEAK, LIVE, ACT AND MAKE DECISION AS IF YOU ARE ) SEPARATE FROM GOD? Do you think you are not one with God or that God is somehow absent, sometimes? Be aware, God ) Revelations 1:9-20 cannot be separated from you, at any time, wherever you

like Adam & Eve did eventually Genesis 3:1-24. The action

He is Here NOW and

Temporal in Twos. Technically, the doctrine of the Trinity states that in the one God is the person of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Each is not the same person as the other; yet there are not three gods but one. Time for example is past, present, and future. The past is not the same as the present, which is not the same as the future. But, there are not three times. There is only one thing called time. The reason the word "person" is used in describing the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit is because each exhibits attributes of personhood - not in a body of flesh and bones, but in personality. In other words, each has a will, loves, speaks, is aware of others, communicates with others, etc. These are attributes of personhood and we see the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit each demonstrate these qualities. Following are a couple verses that hint at the Trinity.

Matt. 28:19, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit." 2 Cor. 13:14, "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all." The Bible says there is only one God: "I am the Lord, and there is no other; Besides Me there is no God," (Isaiah 45:5). Yet, the Bible teaches that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are each called God.

Below is a very brief chart that shows that each of the persons in the Trinity share the same attributes that only God shares. But remember, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit each have wills, and speak, etc. Therefore, we say there are three persons.
Called God Creator Everywhere All knowing A Will Speaks FATHER Phil. 1:2 Isaiah 64:8 1 Kings 8:27 1 John 3:20 Luke 22:42 Matt. 3:17; SON John 1:1,14; John 1:3; Matt. 28:20 John 16:30; 21:17 Luke 22:42 Luke 5:20; 7:48 HOLY SPIRIT Acts 5:3-4 Job 33:4, 26:13 Psalm 139:7-10 1 Cor. 2:10-11 1 Cor. 12:11 Acts 13:2

NEXT WEEK: We look at The Nature & Character of God

SERIES 4a: WHY AM I HERE? The Reason for Being THE PRESENT Part 1
Scripture Reading: Genesis 1:26-31; Isaiah 43:1-7, 43:21; Colossians 1:12-17; Revelations 4:1-11 Question: WHY AM I HERE? DO YOU KNOW WHY YOU ARE HERE? Think outside the BOX
Last week, we considered, "Where did I come from?" Now we are ready to consider another very important question, "Why am I here?" If you just read the paragraph above, then you must be alive! But, why are you alive? What is life all about? What am I here for? What should I be doing? Is there any meaning to life? The object of a football game is to score a goal and to keep the other team from doing the same. Those football players know why they are on the field. They know what their purpose is, and they know what they should be doing. Every basketball player knows this, and thus he (or she) plays with direction, with purpose, and with an object in mind. If you could find a person who has never seen a football game and were to put him in the stands to watch a game, he would not know what is going on! At first the movements would all seem meaningless. He would ask, "Why are all these people running back and forth and kicking a round leather object?" But, as soon as he discovers the purpose of the game, he would see that the various motions make sense! So, what is the purpose of it all? All kinds of people are running around, working, praying, entertaining, singing, playing, sleeping, eating, crying, laughing and dying. Is there any meaning to all of this activity? Do you know why you are here? Do you know why you exist? Do you know what your purpose is? When one buys a new Computer it is wise to consult the manufacturers guide to the computer. Since you are a part of God, and came from God, and were created by God, and one with God, it is wise to get the mind of He who made you? Why were you made? When someone makes something, there is usually a purpose for it. The person who makes something (the maker)

God is with you always, anyhow, anywhere, in anything, at anytime, whatever you might be thinking, believing, speaking, living, acting and making decisions about. Unfortunatel y, you are unconscious (not aware or forgotten about) of this TRUTH (Christ).

knows why he is making it! Are You an Accident? Genesis 1:26-31 sheds some light into this. In addition, Isaiah 43:7 - You were made for Gods glory. Isaiah 43:21 - You were formed by God "for Himself", to show forth Gods praise. Colossians 1:16 - You were created by Christ and for Christ! Revelation 4:11 - You were made for Gods pleasure. Although you were made for Gods pleasure, glory, praise, thankfully, Life is NOT a game. Life is who God is. In John 11:25a, Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life.. and in John 14:6, Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life.. Life is NOT about winning or losing; It is NOT about learning some mystery of life; It is NOT about getting to a heaven or avoiding hell. It is about BEING WHO GOD SAYS YOU ARE. Being love, being truth, being life. The Maker knew what He was doing! The Maker made no mistakes! (Genesis 1:31) You are not an accident, and you are not a mistake! You have been made for a reason! Does Life Have Meaning? Why am I here? Sometimes as I look around and read about or observe the world I live in, life seems very meaningless. You are here to show forth or BE: The grandest version of the greatest vision that God has of you and that you have of yourself. This is an opportunity to KNOW (remember) and to SHOW amongst other things . . . God's love Sin is thinking, believing, speaking, living, acting and making decisions on the basis that we God's truth are separate from God just like Adam & Eve did eventually Genesis 3:1-24. The action we take is not the sin. The action we take is the RESULT of the sin (the result of thinking, God's goodness and making decisions basis that we God's righteousness believing, speaking, living, acting THINK, BELIEVE, SPEAK,on the ACT AND MAKE are separate from God) James 1:12-16. DO YOU LIVE, DECISION AS God's holiness IF YOU ARE SEPARATE FROM GOD? Do you think you are not one with God or that God is cannot be separated from you, at any time, God's faithfulness somehow absent, sometimes? Be aware, God IN THIS WORLD AS HE IS SO ARE WE God's purity NEXT WEEK: We look at Why Am I Here? The Reason for Being The Present Part 2 and
thereafter Where Am I Going? The Destiny of Man The Future & What is Sin & Why Do I Sin? Denial of God, Loss of Identity & Fall of Man

Thankfull y, you can realise He is Here NOW and accept the

SERIES 4b: WHY AM I HERE?

The Reason for Being THE PRESENT Part 2

Scripture Reading: Genesis 1:26-31; James 3:9; Philippians 1:21; 2 Corinthians 5:17 Question: WHY AM I HERE? WHAT DO I LIVE FOR? - Think outside the BOX
In our previous session, we considered, "Why Am I Here? The Reason for Being The Present Part 1." During that session we concluded that: You are here to show forth or BE: The grandest version of the greatest vision that God has of you and that you have of yourself. That, this is an opportunity to KNOW (remember) and to SHOW amongst other things that you are, God's love, God's truth, God's goodness, God's righteousness, God's holiness, God's faithfulness, God's purity, Gods truth, Gods wisdom, Gods power, Gods ALL. Unfortunately, we are influenced by a side show! When we look at what is going on around us we can see births, people going through their daily routines (waking up, getting dressed, eating, brushing their teeth, going to school, coming home, eating, doing chores, studying, watching television, playing games, going to bed), love, hate, joy, sadness, sickness, health, suffering, enjoyment, wealth, poverty, disasters, death, wars, etc. These are real pieces in what seems like a big puzzle, and they are part of the picture, but they are not the whole picture. The biggest pieces in the puzzle is GOD Himself and of course YOU. If we leave God out and fail to see Him (in ourselves, others and everything), we will never be able to see the TRUE PICTURE. Without God, man will never understand the purpose for which he is made. We must not leave God out of the picture. To find out the meaning and purpose of life, we must get to know Who God Is and Who we Are. Many people do not know why they are here because they do not AS HE IS SO He is the only One who can give meaning to lifes puzzle. know their MAKER nor THEMSELVES.ARE WE IN THIS WORLD
NEXT WEEK: We look at Why Am I Here? The Reason for Being The Present WEEK AFTER: Where Am I Going? The Destiny of Man The Future THEREAFTER: What is Sin & Why Do I Sin? Denial of God, Loss of Identity & Fall

God is with you always, anyhow, anywhere, in anything, at anytime, whatever you might be thinking, believing, speaking, living, acting and making decisions about. Unfortunatel y, you MAY be unconscious (not aware or forgotten

What Do You Live For? - People live for many things. Let us consider some of the things people live for: 1) "I live for money and wealth!" How much wealth did you have when you entered this world? How much wealth will you take with you when you leave this world (1 Timothy 6:7; Psalm 49:17)? 2) "I live for fame and popularity!" Even the most famous people are not really as famous as we think, and as time rolls along, people forget even the greatest of men and women. Let us illustrate this: 3) "I live for success!" But what is success? Is a person successful when he becomes a millionaire? Then why have so many millionaires been unhappy and lonely, and why have some even taken their own lives? 4) "I live for pleasure! Games, Food, Chicks!" Hebrews 11:25 says that the pleasures of sin are only for a season 6) "I live for TV/computer. They give meaning to life" What about the people who lived before TV/Computer? 5) "I live for myself!" People who live for self as an unconnected persons - end up in misery - (Esther 5:9-13). 7) "I live for love. Having a boyfriend (or girlfriend) is all I am concerned about." (Jeremiah 29:13) 8) "I live for sports. Life has no meaning apart from playing baseball, football, basketball or some other sport!" 9) "I live for happiness!" What will really make me happy? Will fame or success or money or health? 10) "I live for nothing! Life is meaningless, and I have no reason to live. I should end it all." Philippians 1:21.
Thankfull y, you can realise He is Here NOW and accept the

Are you able to say "I live for Christ alone. God has created me so that I might know Him (and know myself) and glorify Him and enjoy Him forever!" Man Was Made to Reflect God. When you look into a mirror in the morning, whose IMAGE do you see? What kind of a reflection is seen in your life? As people look at your life (the way you live, walk and talk), are they getting a picture of God THE REAL YOU or are they getting a picture OTHERS CREATED? Is your mirror so fuzzy Sin is thinking, believing, speaking, living, acting that God (you) cannot be seen?

AS HE IS SO ARE WE IN THIS WORLD NEXT WEEK: We look at Where Am I Going? The Destiny of Man The Future and thereafter What is Sin & Why Do I Sin? Denial of God, Loss of Identity & Fall of Man

and making decisions on the basis that we are separate from God just like Adam & Eve did eventually Genesis 3:124. The action we take is not the sin. The action we take is the RESULT of the sin (the result of thinking, believing, speaking, living, acting and making decisions on the basis that we are separate from God) James 1:1216. DO YOU THINK, BELIEVE, SPEAK, LIVE, ACT AND MAKE DECISION AS IF YOU ARE SEPARATE FROM GOD? Do you think you are not one with God or that God is

SERIES 5: WHERE AM I GOING? The Destiny of Man THE FUTURE

Scripture Reading: Genesis 1; 2:7-17; 3; Revelations 22; Mark 12:18-27; Joshua 23:14; Ecclesiastes 3:20; Psalm 90:9-10; 1 Kings 2:2; Matthew 7:13-15; John 14:6; Mark 9:42-48; John 3:16

Question: WHERE ARE YOU GOING? WHAT HAPPENS AFTER LIFE OR DEATH? Think outside the BOX
After considering the origins of man and the purpose of man, we are now ready to examine a third key question which involves mans destiny - "Where am I going?" When we speak of a persons destiny, we are speaking of what happens to a person in the end. The following questions spring to mind: Where am I headed? What is going to happen to me at the end of this journey of life? The dictionary definition of destiny is as such: destiny (d s t -n ) n. pl. destinies 1. The inevitable or necessary fate to which a particular person or thing is destined; one's lot. 2. A predetermined course of events considered as something beyond human power or control.

3. The power or agency thought to predetermine events "Destination" is a similar word. A destination is the place to which a person is going. Every person is on a journey through or of life but not everyone is sure, willing to understand or open to embrace their destination. This is easy to understand if we imagine, a) Drivers on a motorway, without a destination in mind; b) A Pilot just flying to where he has no clue about and c) A Footballer just kicking the ball without a clear plan during a match! Do you laugh at them? Did you know that many people drive, fly and play through life in the same way? Unsure where they will end up, they only know that a day will come when this life's journey will come to an end and they will go through what is referred to as death, but beyond the grave they do not know what will happen top them. The two questions which seem similar in this respect but may lead to different conclusions are: "Where am I going to end up?" "Where will lifes journey bring me or take me?" WHAT HAPPENS AT THE END OF OUR PHYSICAL EARTHLY EXISTENCE? To truly understand this, let us consider the following questions: - What is LIFE? (John 14:6; Luke 12:23; Psalm 90:9-10; 1 John 5:10-13) - What is DEATH? (Matthew 9:24; Mark 5:39; John 11:11) - Can LIFE end? (Mark 12:18-27) - What DIES? Sin is - What happens after DEATH? (Mark 12:18-27) thinking, - Are all men MARCHING TO THE GRAVE? (Gen 5:24; 2 Kings 2:1-13) believing, speaking, - What lies beyond the GRAVE? living, - How can I know what happens beyond the grave? acting and making - Will I die? (Psalm 118:17) decisions on the - Can man come back again in the physical after death (Matthew 9:24; 17:1-10; basis that Acts 1:1-10; Hebrews 9:27; Revelations 11:1-12) we are - Is there a Heaven and Hell (Matthew 7:13-15; 8:6-13; 25:1-46; Mark 9:42-48) separate from God and if so Where are they? just like - What is the New Jerusalem and the Lake of Fire (Revelation 21:2; 20:14Adam & 15; 21:8)? Eve did eventually - Does man live forever? (Mark 12:18-27) Genesis - Does man have a choice where he lives forever (or spends eternity)? 3:1-24. The action we - WHERE DO I SPEND ETERNITY? Sin is thinking, believing, speaking, living, acting and

God is with you always, anyhow, anywhere, in anything, at anytime, whatever you might be thinking, believing, speaking, living, acting and making decisions about. Unfortunatel y, you MAY be unconscious (not aware or forgotten

Thankfull y, you can realise He is Here NOW and accept the

I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD (Psalm 118:17) NEXT TIME: We look at What is Sin & Why Do I Sin? Denial of God, Loss of Identity & Fall of Man and thereafter

living, acting and making decisions on the basis that we are Scripture Reading: Genesis 1:26-31; 2:9,15-17; 3:1-24; Luke 4:1-8; Matthew:16:20-23; James separate from God) 1:1-27; 1 John 1:1-10; 3:1-10 James 1:1216. DO YOU THINK, Question: WHAT IS SIN & WHY DO I SIN? WHY AM I UNABLE TO DO THE RIGHT THING? BELIEVE, Think outside the BOX SPEAK, LIVE, ACT AND We live in a culture where the concept of sin has become confused with good or evil, right and MAKE DECISION wrong. When many of us consider "What is sin?" we think of violations of the Ten AS IF YOU Commandments. Even then, we tend to think of murder and fornication as "major" sins ARE compared with lying, cursing, or idolatry or even in terms of cardinal sins, deadly sins, mortal sin SEPARATE FROM GOD? and moral sin. The truth is that sin, as defined in the original translations of the Bible, means "to Do you miss the mark." The mark, in this case, is the standard of being established by God in Genesis think you are not one

take is not making decisions on the basis that we are separate from the sin. The God just like Adam & Eve did eventually Genesis 3:1action we 24. The action we take is not the sin. The action we take take is the is the RESULT of the sin (the result of thinking, RESULT of believing, speaking, living, acting and making decisions the sin (the on the basis that we are separate from God)result 1:12James of 16. DO YOU THINK, BELIEVE, SPEAK, LIVE, ACT AND thinking, MAKE DECISION AS IF YOU ARE SEPARATE believing, FROM GOD? Do you think you are not one with God or speaking, is that God

SERIES 6: WHAT IS SIN & WHY DO I SIN?

Denial of God, Loss of Identity & Fall of Man

1:26-31 and evidenced by Jesus, the Christ in John 10:10. We were made in His image and after His likeness - to be like him. Where did it all start? In Genesis 3:1-24 Adam & Eve started to think, believe, speak, live, act and make decisions on the basis that they was separate from God and started to see another image - an image of their own creation. They believed that after eating the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of Good and Evil their eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil (Genesis 3:5). They forgot (were ignorant) that they were already as Gods and their actions meant that they took on a new image, rooted in the knowledge of good and evil and not in LIFE (God, Love, Wisdom, Power, Understanding, Christ). Their real (God) nature was overshadowed (died) and made subject to a new nature. After ignoring the truth and taking on a new nature and with eyes open, man fell into the error of seeing a power that is evil or a power that is greater than himself (ceasing to see the only power that is, Life itself and like himself which is God) and he begins to fear nature, hiding himself. He imagines a power that is good and one that is evil, and so he eats of the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil and dies in his sin, his sin being his ignorance. This ignorance (refusal to notice and recognise the Truth of his Being - his divine nature and oneness with God) led to man taking on another nature which has its root in opposites and separateness from God - and ye shall be as gods. Ignorance is not the absence of learning but the confusion and conflict of values. Sin (ignoring our true identity (Life) by thinking, believing, speaking, living, acting and making decisions on the basis that they we separate from God) leads us to seek a new identity (which is focused on the knowledge of good and evil) and carry out acts which many call sinful - like fears, hates, anger, lying, envy and jealousy. Note that there were other trees in the Garden every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. - There still are! WHY DO I SIN? - James 1:1-27 Sin therefore, is a creation and concept of man, made in the mind of man (James 1:14). In God, Sin does not exist (1 John 3:9). Sin is not found in God - In him is light and there is no darkness at all (1 John 1:4-7). Sin is however found in man (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8). Why do we sin? Is it because we do not read the bible enough, or that we do not pray enough or because we are not filled with the spirit enough? We sin because we think, believe, speak, live, act and make decisions on the basis that we are separate from God being deceived by our minds (James 1:1315) - which wants to be in charge and ignore the truth and reality of our being made in the image and likeness of God). As long as we retain the concept of separateness from God, conflict between good and evil will continue. We are constantly striving to become virtuous, and we are caught up in the process which denies understanding. Controlling our mind is an unnecessary effort, which brings fear and limitation, because our mind is dominated by the idea of an escape from our current state which we fear. Since we do not understand what is happening in the mind, we struggle, we condemn, we blame, and then you try to force our attention upon a particular idea in opposition to our current state, thereby creating further conflict (all the time ignoring the cause). Why then do we focus on sin? Because we believe we are separate from God the source of Life - who cannot Sin (1 John 1:9)
AS HE IS SO ARE WE IN THIS WORLD NEXT TIME: We look at {What Can I Do to Help Myself? Redemption, Salvation & Restoration} and thereafter {What Next? Baptism, Fellowship &Surrender} & {How do I Grow? From Childhood to

God is with you always, anyhow, anywhere, in anything, at anytime, whatever you might be thinking, believing, speaking, living, acting and making decisions about. Unfortunatel y, you MAY be unconscious (not aware or forgotten

Thankfull y, you can realise He is Here NOW and accept the

God is with you always, anyhow, anywhere, in anything, at anytime, whatever you might be thinking, Scripture Reading: Genesis 1:1-3,26-31; 3:9-24; John 3:1-21; Romans 8:1-31; 2 Corinthians believing, speaking, 5:17; Ephesians 4:20-24 living, acting and making Question: WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP MYSELF? IS THERE A WAY OUT OF THIS MESS? Think decisions outside the BOX about. Unfortunatel y, you MAY An identical question was asked by the Jail Keeper of Paul and Silas in Acts 16:25-31. The same be question was asked in a totally different way by a Lawyer (Luke 10:25-39) and Ruler (Luke unconscious (not aware or forgotten

SERIES 7: WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP MYSELF? Redemption, Salvation & Restoration

Sin is 18:18-25). When Nicodemus came to Jesus in John 3:1-21 talking about his miraculous deeds thinking, and proclaiming that he is a teacher come from God, Jesus referred him to the most believing, important matter at hand, .except a man be born again (from above), he cannot see the speaking, kingdom of God. Please notice the emphasis on BE. Is it all about what we do or about who living, acting and we are or BE

Thankfull y, you can realise He is Here NOW and accept the

making decisions on the In our last lesson, we spoke about Sin and Its Cause. We discussed that sin arises when we forget (are ignorant) that we are made in the image and likeness of God, that we are already basis that as we are God and that our ignorance (ignoring or forgetting the truth) has enabled us to take on a new separate image, rooted in the knowledge of good and evil and not in LIFE (God, Love, Wisdom, Power, God from just like Understanding, Christ). That our real (God) nature is overshadowed (died) and made subject Adam & to a new nature. That after ignoring the truth and taking on a new nature and with eyes open, Eve did fallen into the error of seeing a power that is evil or a power that is greater than ourselves, eventually (ceasing to see the only power that is (Life itself and like himself which is God), we have began Genesis 3:1-24. The to fear nature, hiding ourselves. The sin or our ignoring or the ignorance of our divine nature has brought us this far. This ignorance is our refusal to notice and recognise the Truthaction we of take is not our Being That we are born of Water (word) and Spirit (Gen:1:1-3); That we have a divine sin. The the nature; That we are one with God and That we are inseparable from God. It has made us identify action we take with a false nature which has its root in opposites (good and evil) and separateness from God. is the RESULT of Since ignorance is the confusion and conflict of values (and not the absence of learning), our the sin (the sinful acts (like fearing, hating, anger, lying, envy and jealousy) increase when ignore our true result of Sin is identity (Life) by thinking, believing, speaking, living, acting and making decisions on the basis thinking, thinking, believing, believing, that they we separate from God, and we have become accustomed to it! speaking, speaking, living, living, What Jesus told Nicodemus is a simple truth Be who you truly and really are! A Spirit (not flesh, acting and acting and making making not self) like God. Come alive to your true identity (to which you were previously dead). Please decisions decisions notice that he did not ask him to become born again (John 3:3-8; Romans 8:1-11). The on the on the Message Bible puts it like this in John 3:5-8 basis that that basis we are we are Jesus said, "You're not listening. Let me say it again. Unless a person submits to this original creationthe separate 'wind-hovering-over-the-water' creation, the invisible moving the visible, a baptism into a new lifeit's separate not from God) from possible to enter God's kingdom...the person who takes shape within is formed by something you can't God James 1:12just like see and touchthe Spiritand becomes a living spirit..."So don't be so surprised when I tell you that you 16. DO Adam YOU & have to be 'born from above'out of this world, so to speak. THINK, did Eve BELIEVE, eventually SPEAK, Man is the image and Likeness of his Creator, he cannot be otherwise, because God is all there Genesis LIVE, ACT 3:1-24. The is and we cannot exist apart from Him. Man Was Made to Reflect God. Unfortunately, in Genesis MAKE AND action we 3:1-24 Adam & Eve started to think, believe, speak, live, act and make decisions on the basis that they is not DECISION take AS the IF The was separate from God and started to see another image. An image of their own creation. Those who sin. YOU ARE action we are IN ADAM reflect their father Adam. He had given up his true identity and reflect the SEPARATE take is the knowledge of good and evil with its sinful (ignorance), selfish and carnal existence. Those who FROM GOD? RESULT of are IN CHRIST are able to reflect Life embodied in Jesus Christ. However most people dance sin (the Do you the think you result of between these existence. Someday those who accept their true identity (that they are like are thinking, God as demonstrated by Jesus Christ) will perfectly reflect the Christ (see 1 John 3:2 and not one with God or Romans 8:29). Today, as the believer grows, he learns to reflect Jesus more and more, andbelieving, to speaking, reflect Adam less and less. When you look into a mirror in the morning, whose IMAGE do you living, acting and see? (2 Corinthians 5:17). Have you accepted your true identity (put on) "the new man, which is making renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him" (Colossians 3:10; see also decisions Ephesians 4:24-the new creation!). on the basis that we are separate AS HE IS SO ARE WE IN THIS WORLD from God) NEXT TIME: We look at {What Next? Baptism, Fellowship &Surrender} and thereafter James 1:12{How do I Grow? From Childhood to Adulthood} & {Why do I still sin? Cry for Help! 16. DO YOU Away with the Flesh} THINK, BELIEVE, SPEAK, LIVE, ACT AND MAKE DECISION AS Scripture Reading: John 3:1-26; 4:1,2; 6:25-29; Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:14-16; Acts IF YOU ARE 1:1-5 SEPARATE AS HE IS SO ARE WE IN THIS WORLD FROM GOD? NEXT WEEK: We look at Why Am I Here? The Reason for Being The Present Do you WEEK AFTER: Where Am I Going? The Destiny of Man The Future think you are not one THEREAFTER: What is Sin & Why Do I Sin? Denial of God, Loss of Identity & Fall

SERIES 8: WHAT NEXT?

Baptism, Fellowship & Surrender

Question: WHAT NEXT? IF I AM BORN AGAIN, WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO DO? Think outside the BOX
An identical question was asked by the people around Jesus. Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. John 6:28-29. In truth being who God says we are = Like Him is sufficient to usher us into the experience of Gods Kingdom and allows us to fellowship with those with whom we are one (in an act of unconditional surrender.) Baptism is however seen as a physical demonstration of this fellowship with Christ/others and surrender to Christ in a new life (after death to the old life) During our last lesson we learnt that Jesus said, "You're not listening. Let me say it again. Unless a person submits to this original creationthe 'wind-hovering-over-the-water' creation, the invisible moving the visible, a baptism into a new lifeit's not possible to enter God's kingdom...the person who takes shape within is formed by something you can't see and touchthe Spiritand becomes a living spirit..."So don't be so surprised when I tell you that you have to be 'born from above'out of this world, so to speak. John 3:5-8 (The Message Bible) However, christian denominations differ widely on their teachings about baptism. Many insist it is a symbol of what was done at the point of salvation, Some believe baptism accomplishes the washing away of sin. Others consider baptism a form of exorcism from evil spirits. Others teach that baptism is an important step of obedience in the believers life, yet only an acknowledgment of the salvation experience already accomplished - baptism itself has no power to cleanse or save from sin. However, a general definition for the word baptism is a rite of washing with water as a sign of religious purification and consecration. This rite was practiced frequently in the Old Testament. It signified purity or cleansing from sin and devotion to God. Since baptism was first instituted in the Old Testament many have practiced it as a tradition yet have not fully understood its significance and meaning. In the New Testament, the importance of baptism is more clearly demonstrated through John the Baptist who was sent by God to spread the news of the coming MessiahJesus, the Christ. John was directed by God (John 1:33) to baptise those who accepted his message. Johns baptising is called a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Mark 1:4 (NIV). Those baptised by John acknowledged their sins and professed their faith that through the coming Messiah they would be forgiven. Baptism then is significant in that it represents the forgiveness and cleansing from sin that comes through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

God is with you always, anyhow, anywhere, in anything, at anytime, whatever you might be thinking, believing, speaking, So what is the Purpose of Baptism?: living, acting and making Water Baptism identifies the believer with the Godhead Father, Son & Holy Spirit. (Matthew decisions 28:19) about. Unfortunatel Water Baptism identifies the believer with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection. (Colossians y, you MAY 2:11-12; Romans 6:4) be Water Baptism is an act of obedience for the believer. It should be preceded by repentance, unconscious which simply means change. It is turning from our sin and selfishness to serve the Lord. It means (not aware or forgotten placing our pride, our past and all of our possessions before the Lord. It is giving the control of our

lives over to Him. (Acts 2:38, 41)

Water Baptism is a public testimony - the outward confession of an inward experience. In

baptism, we stand before witnesses confessing our identification (fellowship) with the Lord.

Water Baptism is a picture representing profound spiritual truth: Death Galatians 2:20
Resurrection Romans 6:4-5; Romans 6:10-13

Cleansing 1 Peter 3:21; 1 Corinthians 6:11

Of course there are other types of baptisms which come not by rite but by experience and encounter: Baptism of the Holy Ghost (what is this? have I had this experience?) Baptism of Fire (what is this? have I had this experience?) Are these important for me?

Thankfull y, you can realise He is Here NOW and accept the

AS HE IS SO ARE WE IN THIS THIS WORLD AS HE IS SO ARE WE IN WORLD NEXT TIME: We look at {How do I IGrow? From Childhood Being The Presentthereafter NEXT WEEK: We look at Why Am Here? The Reason for to Adulthood} and {Why do I still sin? Where Am I Going? with the Flesh} & {How Future WEEK AFTER: Cry for Help! Away The Destiny of Man The can I live like Christ? You Can I Sin? Denial the Spirit} THEREAFTER: What is Sin & Why DoStand Fruits of of God, Loss of Identity & Fall

SERIES 9: HOW CAN I GROW? From Childhood to Adulthood

Scripture Reading: John 3:5-8; Proverbs 4:1-27; Ephesians 3 & 4; Genesis 1:1Sin is 3,26-31; John 3:1-21; 1 John 5; Romans 12:1-21; Matthew 5; 1 Timothy 6:1-12 thinking,

God is with you always, anyhow, anywhere, in anything, at anytime, whatever you might be thinking, believing, speaking, living, acting and making decisions about. Unfortuna tely, you MAY be unconscio us (not aware or forgotten about) of this

Thankfull y, you can realise He is Here NOW and accept the

believing, speaking, Question: HOW CAN I GROW? HOW CAN I BECOME USED TO MY TRUE NATURE? Think living, outside the BOX acting and making decisions Growth into the stature and image of Christ is the natural path for everyone! However, on to the experience this growth, we must realise who we really are (made in the image and likeness basis that of are God (Christ) our original nature) and submit to that original nature we must be born again. we In separate John 3:5-6 (Message Bible) Jesus said, "You're not listening. Let me say it again. Unless a person from God submits to this original creationthe 'wind-hovering-over-the-water' creation, the invisible just like moving the visible, a baptism into a new lifeit's not possible to enter God's kingdom. When Adam & Eve did you look at a baby, it's just that: a body you can look at and touch. But the person who takes eventually shape within is formed by something you can't see and touchthe Spiritand becomes a living Genesis spirit. 3:1-24. The action we take is Unfortunately, most people have been unable to grow into this true nature because they have not the not submitted to that true nature. Confusion and ignorance (or sin) about our true nature is the sin. The action we cause. Remove these two impostors, and the Divine man will appear in all his glory as he was take made, in the likeness of his Creator. This confusion and ignorance is in the mind, the agent is the RESULT of through which most people including Christians, learn and acquire understanding. We grow (we the sin are transformed) by the renewing of our mind (Romans 12:2). Why does our mind need to be result (the of transformed for us to grow? thinking, believing, speaking, So how do we currently grow? From external sources - by what we hear, see, read or think. living, We learn from those who know and those who do not know. Even when we learn from those who acting and know, they merely give us an idea of what they know, but that is relative and we end up making imitating what they know including their ignorance. Unfortunately, all ideas (good, bad and decisions on the ugly) are the result of something else (a reaction to another), and we should see them for what basis that they are. Ideas are not original, no matter how good they are. Unfortunately, our mind accepts we are whatever it is exposed to. It can take in anything, the good, the bad and the ugly. It NEVER separate discriminates. Thankfully, the mind is not evil in itself, it is the means of mans growth. However, from God) James man attaches evil ideas to it, with the result that he begins to submit to and fear what he does 1:12-16. not know. But what does he fear? He fears his own ideas and is caught up in his own upbringing DO YOU (the ideas of others, the community and the family), experiences and conditioning. Only when THINK, he begins to realise that it is his own ideas that he really fears does he free himself from his own BELIEVE, SPEAK, creations, accepts his true nature, becomes consciously free, and then think purely. Then the LIVE, ACT Spirit which is Divine can transform his mind and body by Its own Eternal Presence. AND MAKE DECISION AS How should we grow? When we realise this (and realise the falseness of this way of learning), IF YOU ARE we will allow the Christ (our true nature), to express itself (God) and be revealed. That true SEPARATE nature is within us, but never external to us (Collosians 1:27). Others can give us only an idea FROM of our true nature but this does not bring us close to expressing this nature. This nature (acting GOD? Do in you think its original and creative glory) reveals itself in us EVEN WHEN what we are hearing, seeing, you are reading or thinking is not the same as what is being revealed to us. When this happens and we not one

allow this internal revelation to have its way, there is no struggle, no fear, no limitation, no confusion to whatever is happening externally. Note that our mind is of true value only when there is no conflict, no strain, no struggle; when these cease to be, there is peace, and this is the mind of Christ. When an idea or thought or desire tries to rule our mind, we should know what it is and not struggle with it. When we struggle, we give that idea power. We are called to fight or war (not struggle) ..the good fight of faith (belief in God revealed truth).. (1 Timothy 6:12); what we pull down are ideas, imaginations, thoughts that exalt themselves against the knowledge of God (2 Corinthians 10:3-5); by simply allowing the revealed truth to have its way
AS HE IS SO ARE WE IN THIS WORLD NEXT TIME: We look at {Why do I still sin? Cry for Help! Away with the Flesh} and thereafter {How can I live like Christ? Fruits of the Spirit} & {How can I tell other about Christ?

over other ideas and maintained through the truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, Gods word and prayer (Ephesians 6:10-20 )

SERIES 10: WHY DO I STILL SIN? Cry for Help Away with the Flesh
Scripture Reading: Romans 7:1-25, 8:1-; James 1:12-25; 1 Corinthians 15:45Sin is 55; Galatians 2:20; James 4:12-17; 1 Peter 2:21-23; I John 1:6-8, 2:1-3, 3:1-10; thinking, 5:15-18 believing,

God is with you always, anyhow, anywhere, in anything, at anytime, whatever you might be thinking, believing, speaking, living, acting and making decisions about. Unfortuna tely, you Thankfull MAY be y, you can unconscio realise He us (not is Here aware or NOW and forgotten accept about) of the this

Thankfull y, you can realise He is Here NOW and accept the

speaking, living, acting and Question: WHY DO I STILL SIN? WHY DO I FEEL GUILTY? HOW CAN I STOP SINNING? Think making outside the BOX decisions on the basis that These questions usually come from hearts desperate to live a life free from Sin. Even Paul, are the Apostle asked these questions when he wrote,So I find this law at work: Although I want we to separate do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in Gods law; but I see God from another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner just like Adam & of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this Eve did body that is subject to death? Romans 8:21-24 (NIV). At this point, it is important to remind eventually ourselves that Sin is the result of the activity of the mind-made-self (the self that your mind Genesis has agreed to be and which everybody sees) which has taken over (usurped) the position of the 3:1-24. The real-self (the self that that God made and sees - which is made in the image and the likeness of action we God). Sin starts (as James 1:14-18 explains) with lust in the mind with us thinking, and then take is not the believing, and then speaking, and then living, and then acting and then making decisions sin. The on the basis that we are (living) separate(ly) independent from God. So it is not the act action we take that is the sin! Actually the act is as a result of the sin. Therefore anytime we sin, it is the final is the RESULT of result of our thinking we are the one living and not God living in us. Of course the truth is that the sin we are not the one living, but Christ that lives in us (Galatians 2:20). As we continue to think result (the that we are independent (not one) with God. We think we are separate from God!!! The thinking of thinking, makes us act as if God is not involved with us (or as is He is separate from us) believing, speaking, Why Do I Feel Guilty? living, We feel guilty because of the way we think. Instead of simply being who God says we are, we acting and making believe more in the mind-made-self. THEREFORE, [there is] now no condemnation (no decisions adjudging guilty of wrong) for those who are in Christ Jesus, who live [and] walk not after the on the dictates of the flesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life [which is] basis that in Christ Jesus [the law of our new being] has freed me from the law of sin and of death. we are separate (Romans 8:1-2) AMP. The Spirit says I am one with God, that it is no longer I that lives but Christ from God) who lives in me. As I realize this to beWE IN THIS WORLD AS HE IS SO ARE true, guilt disappears! Yes, it is this simple With the James arrival of Jesus, We look at Why Am I Here? dilemma is resolved. Those who enter into Christ's the Messiah, that fateful The Reason for Being The Present NEXT WEEK: 1:12-16. being-here-for-us no longer have Ito live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud. A new power DO YOU WEEK AFTER: Where Am Going? The Destiny of Man The Future THINK, is inTHEREAFTER:The Spirit of& Why Do I Sin? Denial of God, LosshasIdentity & Fall cleared the air, operation. What is Sin life in Christ, like a strong wind, of magnificently BELIEVE, of Man freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death. Romans 8:1-2 SPEAK, (MSG) OR Put another way Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are LIVE, ACT in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you[a] MAKE AND DECISION free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:1-2 (AMP). Sin no longer has a sting and death no AS IF YOU victory! ARE SEPARATE FROM How Can I Stop Sinning? GOD? Do you think Unfortunately many of us try to solve this SIN problem by putting physical obstacles in our own you are way to stop ourselves from performing a sinful act. We want to stop DOING this sinful thing. not one

Whilst these physical constraints may stop one from performing the act, the mind is still a slave to sin. So for those of us who derive our self esteem from our actions, deeds, words, whenever we feel we have sinned, it is especially hard to forgive ourselves, because we feel we have failed God. Many also try to use our will or mind to stop doing the things we consider to be sinful. However as Paul said, For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I

do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. (Romans 7:20). Like God does with all his children, I have to separate my behavior from who I am in Christ. And who am I? A new creation, as righteous as God Himself (2 Corinthians 5:17,21). Once I know/agree that I am one with Christ, sin loses its grip over me!
AS HE IS SO ARE WE IN THIS WORLD NEXT TIME: We look at {How can I live like Christ? Fruits of the Spirit} and thereafter {How can I tell other about Christ? Sharing the Love of Christ}

SERIES 11: HOW CAN I LIVE LIKE CHRIST? Fruit of Spirit

Sin is thinking, believing, speaking, Question: HOW CAN I LIVE LIKE CHRIST? HOW CAN CHRIST LIVE IN ME? Think outside the living, AS HE IS SO ARE WE IN THIS WORLD BOX acting and NEXT TIME: We look at {Why do I still sin? Cry for Help! Away with the Flesh} and making thereafter decisions This{How can has beenChrist?by many a believer over the can I tell other about Christ? a desire question I live like asked Fruits of the Spirit} & {How ages past. Everyone who has on the to live a pure, holy, pious or virtuous life would have thought about this at some point or even, basis that we are curiously asked this question of their friends, family, mentors or elders in the local assembly. separate Unfortunately however the question itself has several fundamental errors in it it assumes that from God life itself has something wrong with is, that we are separate from God or Christ and that we are just like not as Christ is. It is therefore important to remind ourselves with Galatians 2:20 that, we are no Adam & Eve did longer the ones living but that it is Christ who lives in us. In fact our life is GODS KIND OF LIFE eventually (in Greek Zo). Not only do we a) have Gods kind of life, b) have Christ living in us, we have Genesis also c) PUT ON CHRIST and d) we are all one in Christ. Galatians 3:27-28, confirms this, For as 3:1-24. many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor action The Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one we take is in the Christ Jesus. Finally in 1 John 4:17 the bible says .as he is, so are we in this world - just asnot it sin. The was meant to be in Genesis 1. So why would we want to live like who we already are? It action we is because we are unconscious (not aware or forgotten about) this TRUTH (Christ). How can that is the take RESULT of change? All that is left, is for us to BE who we really are. This does not require any effort, sin ritual, stimulation, process or ceremony of any type. Just BE. Paul called the Galatians foolish the result in (the Galatians 3:1-5 for similar reasons, they wanted to live like Christ by DOING not by BEING. of thinking, believing, Thankfully, THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH not by dos and donts (Galatians 3:11) and speaking, our faith is demonstrated when we agree with or are being who God says we are. We are like living, acting and Christ and we are one with Christ. Do you believe that? You do not have to say, do, think, feel making or perform any ritual to live like Christ. You are already like Christ, so let the Christ in you do the decisions living rather than the mind-made-self. Of course, living like Christ is not about doing what Christ on the will do as an act. It is about believing that we are ONE with Him and inseparable from HIM. This basis that we are is the seed of the Spirit. By this, we will think, believe, speak, live, do and make decisions as separate Christ. It is from this that the result (fruit) grows. The fruit of the spirit (a Christ-like lifestyle, from God) come out of the seed of Christ). But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, James longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such 1:12-16. DO YOU there is no law (Galatians 5:21-23) and For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth (Ephesians 5:9). Without effort, ritual, stimulation, process THINK, or BELIEVE, ceremony of any type. SPEAK, LIVE, ACT AND MAKE The Confusion of Faith and Works DECISION AS There is sometimes confusion about the way works and faith operate together. From our lessons IF YOU ARE in the past year you will already know that everything we do is driven by what rules our mind SEPARATE (who rules - Christ-mind or Self-mind) and what we believe, either consciously, subconsciously or FROM superconsciously. The question is, whether what we believe comes from the Christ within (i.e. GOD? Do you think the Spirit or a fruit of the Spirit) or from the mind-made-self with all its external influences and you are conditioning. When what we do derives from the Spirit, then it is Faith with Works (or not one

Scripture Reading: Galatians 2:16- 21, 3:1-29, 5:1-26; Ephesians 5:1-21; James 2:12-25; 1 John 4:17-21

God is with you always, anyhow, anywhere, in anything, at anytime, whatever you might be thinking, believing, speaking, living, doing and making decisions about. Unfortuna tely, you MAY be unconscio us (not aware or forgotten about) of this TRUTH

Thankfull y, you can realise He is Here NOW and accept the

faith made perfect). When what we do derives from the mind-made-self, although it

produces a result, it is dead. WHY? It has no Life. For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also James 2:26 Although we have a better understanding of the real issue, we will still attempt to answer the question so that we can deal with the reason why there is a clear difference between the way we live and the way Christ (lived) LIVES! Why do we not Live Like Christ? This is simply because we are not conscious (unaware or forgotten) that we have put on Christ, we are like Christ, we are one with Christ, we are all one in Christ, we have Gods kind of life and we have Christ living in us.
AS HE IS, SO ARE WE IN THIS WORLD NEXT TIME: We look at {How can I tell others about Christ? Sharing the Love of Christ

SERIES 12: HOW CAN I TELL OTHERS ABOUT CHRIST? Sharing the Love of (Christ) God

God is with you always, anyhow, anywhere, in anything, at anytime, whatever you might be thinking, believing, speaking, living, doing and making decisions about. Unfortuna tely, you MAY be unconscio us (not aware or forgotten about) of this TRUTH

Sin is thinking, Scripture Reading: Matthew 24:14; Mark 16:14-16; Acts 4:1-14, 11:25-27 believing, speaking, living, acting and Question: HOW CAN I TELL OTHERS ABOUT CHRIST? HOW CAN I SHARE CHRISTS LOVE? Think making outside the BOX decisions on the basis that Over the past few months, (and especially when we examined the two questions in the Series: we are AS HE IS SO Parts 1 and 2 namely, Why am I here & What do I live Why am I here? The Reason for Being ARE WE IN THIS -WORLD separate for?), NEXT TIME: We look at {Why do things that Cry for Help! Away with the Flesh} and out or BE: God we concluded amongst other I still sin? We are here to show forth, live from thereafter The grandest version of the greatest vision that God has of us and that we have of just like {How can I live like concluded that we have {How can I an opportunity Adam & ourselves. We also Christ? Fruits of the Spirit} & been giventell other about Christ? to KNOW Eve did (remember) and to SHOW amongst other things that we are, Gods love, Gods truth, eventually Gods goodness, Gods righteousness, Gods holiness, Gods faithfulness, Gods Genesis Purity, Gods truth, Gods wisdom, Gods power and Gods all. We also agreed that we 3:1-24. The are the expression of all things that God is ..because as he is, so are we in this world (1 John action 4:17). Finally we agreed that we are a reflection of who God is - the image and likeness of God.we take is not the sin. The action we Since we are an expression and a reflection of Christ, and as long as we are on earth, we would take is the not necessarily need to speak before anyone sees or hears us or has a privilege of meeting with RESULT of us they would immediately recognise that we are one with Christ and that we have been with the sin (the Him. Furthermore, our every word, deed and thought would reflect Christ and be a powerful result of witness of Jesus to all those around us (Acts 1:8) as indeed was the case in Acts 4:1-14, Acts thinking, 11:25-27. believing, speaking, So how can we tell other about Christ? How can we share Gods love? All there is required is living, and acting BE who God says you are, just like Him. God is love, so are you. Speak, act and live like God making decisions every moment. When we do so, we are AGREEING with (or being a witness to Him). Remember on the this does not require effort on our part, just allow God to do the speaking, acting and living. basis that we are separate What are we to do then? from God) Jesus said in Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world James for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. We are to preach the gospel 1:12-16. of DO YOU the Kingdom to all nations. This is what Jesus preached, the gospel of the Kingdom! THINK, BELIEVE, SPEAK, WHAT IS THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM? LIVE, ACT AND MAKE DECISION AS IF YOU ARE SEPARATE FROM GOD? Do you think AS HE IS, SO ARE WE IN THIS WORLD you are not one

SERIES END

SERIES: CHRISTMAS SPECIAL ITS ALL ABOUT JESUS!!! Who, Why, When & How?
Scripture Reading: Genesis 1:1-3, John 1:1-8; Mark 1:9-39

Question: WHO IS JESUS, WHY DID HE COME, WHEN DID HE COME & HOW DID HE COME? Think thinking, outside the BOX believing,
speaking,

Sin

is

A MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL! But is Christmas only about the merriment or about Jesus, the living, Christ (who came in the form of man as Jesus to show us how to be Christ)? Who is Jesus, Whoacting and is making Christ and why all the fuss?

WHO IS JESUS?

God is with you always, anyhow, anywhere, in anything, at anytime, whatever you might be thinking, believing, speaking, living, acting and making decisions about. Unfortunatel y, you MAY be unconscious (not aware or forgotten

WHY
-

decisions on the basis that He is the Creator Genesis 1:1-2; John 1:1-3; Hebrews 1:1; Hebrews 11:3; Colossians 1:16 we are separate He is the Soon Coming King Isaiah 9:6-7; Isaiah 11:1-12; from God just like He is ALL He says He is I am the bread of life (John 6:35, 41); I am the light of the world Adam & (John 8:12; 9:5); I am the door of the sheep (John 10:7, 9); I am the good shepherd (John Eve did 10:11, 14); I am the Son of God (John 10:36); I am the resurrection, and the life (John 11:25); I eventually am the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6); I am the true vine (John 15:1, 5) Genesis 3:1-24. The He is God John1:1; John 14:9; Philippians 2:6; Colossians 1:15, 19; Hebrew 1:2; action we He is 100% God and 100% Man John 1:1-3; 14 take is not the He is One with God Jesus claimed, "I and the Father are One" (John 10:30), "He who has sin. The action we seen Me has seen the Father" (John 14:9), and "I am the way, and the truth, and the life.." is the take (John 14:6). RESULT of the sin (the He is the Reigning King 1Corinthians 15:22-15; Philippians 2:9-11; result of thinking, Who do you Say He is? Matthew 16:13-19 believing, speaking, DID HE COME? Mark 1:9-39 living, He came to fulfill prophecy Matthew 5:17; Romans 15:8 acting and He came to abolish the letter of the law and fulfill the spirit of the law Ephesians 2:13-15; making decisions Matthew 5:17-18 on the He came to seek the lost Luke 19:10 basis that He came to save the lost Matthew 18:11 we are separate He came to serve Mark 10:45 from God) He came to give His life as a ransom Matthew 20:28 James 1:1216. DO YOU He came that men might have life more abundantly John 10:10 THINK, He came to reveal the Father Matthew 11:27; John 14:9 BELIEVE, SPEAK, He came to do the will of God John 6:38; Hebrews 10:7-10; 1 John 4:14 LIVE, ACT He came to preach Luke 4:43 AND MAKE He came to bring fire Luke 12:49; Matthew 3:11-12 DECISION He came to bring judgment John 9:39 and (note Luke 12:14, John 3:17, and John 8:15 -AS IF YOU I ARE judge no man.) SEPARATE FROM GOD? He came to be king - John 18:37 Do you He came to bear witness to the truth John 18:37 think you He came to put away sin Hebrews 9:26; I John 3:5; John 1:29 compare with (John 1:35, not one are with God or Leviticus 16:20-22, Isaiah 53:6, II Corinthians 5:21)

He came to save sinners I Timothy 1:15

Thankfull y, you can realise He is Here NOW and accept the

He He He He He

came came came came came

into the world to be a faithful high priest Hebrews 2:17 to destroy the works of the devil I John 3:8; Hebrews 2:14; John 12:31; John 14:30 to send a sword Matthew 10:34-36 to bear our sins I Peter 2:24; Hebrews 9:28 to take away the power of sin and death 1 Corinthians 15:51-58

He came to provide a pattern of holy living for ALL- I Peter 2:21; Matthew 11:29

WHEN DID HE COME? Did he ever exist? Is Jesus a myth? If not, When did Jesus come? Does it matter if he came or not?
AS HE IS SO ARE WE IN THIS WORLD NEXT TIME: We look at {What Next? Baptism, Fellowship &Surrender} and thereafter {How do I Grow? From Childhood to Adulthood} & {Why do I still sin? Cry for Help! Away with the Flesh}

AS HE IS SO ARE WE IN THIS WORLD NEXT WEEK: We look at Why Am I Here? The Reason for Being The Present WEEK AFTER: Where Am I Going? The Destiny of Man The Future THEREAFTER: What is Sin & Why Do I Sin? Denial of God, Loss of Identity & Fall of Man