BIBLE BASICS: Building Blocks of Belief

Part 12: The Kingdom of God: Will We Pass The Entrance Exam?

In today's session we'll examine the nature of The Kingdom of God from the standpoint of "Will We Pass the Entrance Exam?" So let's take a deeper look at a person in the New Testament affectionately called the rich young ruler. Of the three Gospels that record this account (Matthew, Mark and Luke), we'll hear Mark tell his story, found in Mark 10:17-31. Here we'll also examine the phrase,"The Kingdom of God," and see just what riches await us! I'll report; you decide! :))

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BIBLE BASICS: Building Blocks of Belief

Part 11: Angels: God's Secret Agents!

Studying both good and evil angels in Scripture is not just fascinating, it's necessary! Our world is absorbed and enchanted with angels, often believing incorrect things. Our fascination with the spirit world and its activities are big news, dominating Holywood's TV and movie world! Despite science's influence, there remains a strong, curious flirtation with the spirit world, including angels. Today our focus is on the "good" angels -- "elect angels" as 1 Timothy 5:21 calls them. We'll begin with Elisha in 2 Kings 6:8-17. I'll report; you decide! :))

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BIBLE BASICS: Building Blocks of Belief

Part 10: SATAN: The Ultimate Arch-Enemy!

So, have you got thoughts on what or who satan is? Of course you do; we all do! But the question remains: who's picture do we have in mind? Our own? Someone else's? A book? A video? A preacher or teacher? Well, let's take a basic, but hard look at what the Bible says. We may be surprised, we may be shocked, but at least we'll be told the truth, once and for all! I'll report; you decide! :))

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BIBLE BASICS: Building Blocks of Belief

Part 9: FAITH: The Substance of Things Hoped For... (Session 2)

In this second session of our two-part segment on "faith," we'll tackle Hebrews 11:1 as well as the chapter at large. While some contend that verse 1 gives us a "definition" of faith, I submit that Scripture's intent is NOT to give us a definition but, rather, a description or demonstration of the behavior of faith. Hebrews 11 has often been called the "heroes of faith" chapter. But this is unfortunate, because it makes us portray them as "super heroes" and untouchable to us regular Christians! Let's scrutinize Hebrews 11 a little closer and see what it's actually trying to teach us! I'll report; you decide! :))

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BIBLE BASICS: Building Blocks of Belief

Part 8: FAITH: Don't Leave Home Without It! (Session 1)

Our goal today is to put some "Bible basics" to work an help us see through the fog and put some genuine handles on the word and concept of "faith." This will be the first of two sessions on this topic, answering the questions, what is biblical faith? And, what is it NOT? Today's session will begin with 1 Timothy 1:1-7 and 12-17. In the second session we'll unpack Hebrews 11. In the Greek language, faith is an action word, both as a noun and as a verb. So let's get to the bottom of "faith" and see just how the Scriptures picture it! I'll report; you decide! :))

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BIBLE BASICS: Building Blocks of Belief

Part 7: Salvation: the Ultimate Search & Rescue Operation!

What if you were asked to sum up the main theme of the entire Bible in ONE word! Could you do it? Well, that one word would be "REDEMPTION." Our concept of salvation is actually best understood as the end result of redemption -- redemption being the means. Redemption and salvation have their fundamental origins in the Old Testament. So let's take a journey through both testaments and see this unfolding drama of redemption before our eyes. I'll report; you decide! :))

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BIBLE BASICS: Building Blocks of Belief

Part 6: "SIN & the Solution: The Big Deal Revisited!"

A key New Testament person who had a personal and dramatic awakening of the solution to his human condition, was the apostle Paul. Previously known as Saul, his resume included being a Pharisee of Pharisees, and in regard to following the Mosaic Law, he bragged he was faultless! Paul's "magnum opus" is the book of Romans and there, in great detail, he articulates this "solution" to the human condition and predicament of sin! In today's second session on this topic we'll take a look at some key terms and expressions such as: love, justification, atonement, propitiation, wrath and being God's enemies! I'll report; you decide! :))

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BIBLE BASICS: Building Blocks of Belief

Part 5: "SIN: What's the Big Deal Anyway?"

The late Phyllis McGinley, American author of children's books and poetry, and surprisingly a Roman Catholic, once defined the human condition this way: "People are no longer sinful. They're only immature, or underprivileged or frightened, or more particularly, sick." Modern-day people are certainly hesitant to identify the human predicament or the human problem as "SIN," aren't they? But McGinley's point sums up the "world's" way of looking at things, doesn't it? It's just not politically correct these days to talk about "sin!" Or admit that the "fall" brought corruption and decay to all creation! I'll report; you decide! :))

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