Essential Bible Studies essentialbiblestudies

Jacob and his wife Cayla had just bought a new house and it was moving day. There was so much to look forward to on a bright and beautiful summer morning... and then tragedy struck. Jacob recalls the accident, the need for faith to endure through trial and the powerful hand of God through it all.
Key verse: "It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23

The Bible mentions angels at work from Genesis to Revelation. What are they doing? Turns out they're doing a lot. Jay joins Tim to summarize the important role that the angels fulfill to bring about God's will.
Theme Verse – Psalm 103:20
“Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.”
Re-cap from “Equal unto the Angels”
Why study angels? (Luke 20:35-36)
They represent and reveal God – “God manifestation”. They bear his name (Exodus 23:20-21)
We are made in the image of God/Elohim/angels (Genesis 1:26 cp. Heb. 2:7)
What they are called
Angels, ministers, eyes, watchers (2Ch. 16:9; Da. 4:17)
Destroyers (1Co. 10:10), flaming fire (Heb. 1:7)… burning bush (Ex. 4)
How they do it
Visibly – Abraham, Jacob, Exodus, Canaan, Daniel, birth and resurrection of Christ, book of Revelation
Invisibly – through most of history, even our day (Hebrews 13:2; Dan. 5)
What they are doing
Ministering to the heirs of salvation (Heb. 1:14)
Guardian angels (Matt. 18:10; Gen. 28:12; 48:15-16; Psa. 34:7)
Rejoice when men and women repent from their sins (Luke 15:10)

Obediently carry out the will of God (Psalm 103:20)
Strength is a notable characteristic: Elohim, inexhaustible energy, read thoughts, blind or destroy armies, reveal certain future events, help the faithful (ESV Psalm 103:20)
They are limited in knowledge (Mark 13:32, 1 Peter 1:11)
Evil angels are not morally evil, but bring about the judgments of God – ex. wilderness wanderings, Assyrian army (2 Kings 19:35; Psa. 78:49 “destroying angel”; Ex. 12:23)

Directing the affairs of the nations
Through their work, God exercises His dominion over the kingdoms of the earth (Psalm 103:19, Da. 4:17->Dan. 10)
Jesus Christ now has the authority to command all these beings (Mat. 28:18; 2 Thess. 1:7-8)

Lessons for Us Today
Today, the immortal heavenly angels follow the commands of Jesus Christ, working faithfully behind the scenes, invisibly preparing the earth for his return. They are involved in setting up and taking down governments, just as they were in the book of Daniel.
They also minister in more personal ways, working invisibly, but powerfully, to help the heirs of salvation.
We believe that great salvation is coming soon.

A big part of what God's word warns us about is pride. There is a problem with pride especially if it goes unnoticed in our lives. Join Steve and Tim as they highlight some of the key passages in the Bible about this particular sin and how to overcome it.
Key Verse: "For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite."Isaiah 57:15
Introduction
Words and terms – arrogance, presumptuous, haughty, lifted up, puffed up, conceited, boasting
Opposite – humility, modesty, abase, make low, lowliness, contrite, broken heart
God’s assessment of pride
He hates it (Prov. 6:16-17) therefore so should we (Prov. 8:13)
Judgment because of pride (Prov. 16:18; Mal. 4:1; Isa. 2:12,17)
Key aspect of the flesh (Mark 7:20-22; 1 John 2:16; 2 Tim. 3:1-2)
The problem with pride
Pride is prevalent when God is not (Psa. 10:4).
Blocks our relationship with God by making us forgetful (Hos. 13:4-6)
Considers self more than God or others (Ezek. 16:49; Psa. 10:2)
Creates contention (Prov. 13:10)
Opposite of faith (Hab. 2:4)
Recognizing pride in ourselves and our lives
Individually - The love of praise (John 12:43), self-righteousness (Luke 18:9,14), lofty self-sufficiency (James 4:16)
Collectively - Nationalism, patriotism, racism, human rights, sports
The antidotes – the frame of mind needed, humility
God is big, we are small (Gen. 18:27; Psa. 8:4; Ecc. 5:2)
The servant mind set (Luke 17:10), being thankful
Being Kingdom seekers, not of this world (1 Chr. 29:11-14ff)
God is the one who exalts
If we try to do it ourselves God will oppose us (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5-6)
The greatest example in Jesus (Phil. 2:5-9)
Final conclusion

During the last supper, Jesus gathered with his disciples and shared bread and wine with them in a very significant way. He declared that the bread represented his body and the cup of wine his blood. This meal was not just a one time event but something Jesus commanded his disciples to do often. Nick and Tim continue the study by looking closely at the symbology of the cup and the importance of the new covenant.
Study aids
Bread & Wine Parallel Records Handout
Bread & Wine Summary Handout
Key verse
"In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”"1 Corinthians 11:25
Cup of Wine
Cup symbolizes ones portion or lot in life (Psalm 16:5; Psalm 11:6)
The word “wine” is never used… cup or fruit of the vine.
New Covenant
Christ said, this cup is the new covenant in my blood.
The book of the law was the book of the covenant (Ex 24)
But there was a problem, with the old covenant it could not save.  Gal 3:11,21
The new covenant was then established in Faith and could offer salvation. Heb 8:7-13
This cup of wine therefore spoke of this new covenant that could save and provide forgiveness of sins.
How was it possible?
Christ said, new covenant “in my blood”
Blood in scripture represents life Lev. 17:11-14. Could not eat blood under the law.
Christ lived a perfect life of obedience 1 Peter 2:21-24 cp. 1 Peter 1:19 “precious blood of Jesus Christ.”
Thereby we have forgiveness of sins 1 John 1:7 for it cleanses or purifies the conscience.
However not available to all
Must be in Christ Gal. 3:14How? By baptism Gal. 3:27
Share in fellowship
1 Cor. 10:16
Fellowship with God Eph. 2:13

During the last supper, Jesus gathered with his disciples and shared bread and wine with them in a very significant way. He declared that the bread represented his body and the cup of wine his blood. This meal was not just a one time event but something Jesus commanded his disciples to do often. We welcome Nick to this episode to discuss his in-depth studies on the symbolism involved and what it means for our lives.
Study aids
Bread & Wine Parallel Records Handout
Bread & Wine Summary Handout
Key verse
"And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”"Luke 22:19
How did it begin?
Night before Jesus died, upper room Matt 26:26-30 (also recorded in Mark 14, and Luke 22)Why the bread and wine?
Luke 22:19, 1 Cor 11:24,25 “Do this in remembrance of me” and 1 Cor. 11:26 “to proclaim the Lord’s death.”
Jesus was known for this (Luke 24:35)
The believers continued in this Acts 2:42, when and how often? Acts 20:7
What does it mean?
Bread in scripture is a symbol of food, and is seen as the fundamentals for life. As such it became a symbol of man’s labour to produce food.  Gen 3:19; John 6:26-27         
Christ took this bread, he broke it and said this my body which is given for you, this do in remembrance of me. He wanted the disciples to remember how he lived his life in giving himself for others. Christ just demonstrated this literally as he washed their feet (still stuck in their minds John 13:15-17)
Symbol of body
Christ said “this is my body”
Represents a body of believers 1 Cor 10:16-17;  1 Cor 12 (beautiful analogy of a group of believers working together as one body) ends with v27
Taking of the bread we therefore examine ourselves (1 Cor. 11:28), how we are helping the body of Christ (1 Cor. 11:29)
Fellowship
Conclusion of self examination (1 Cor. 11:28) - we are all sinners
Thereby have fellowship as realizing the need to work together 1 Cor 10:16-17

A discussion on hell would not be complete without talking about fire. Why are hell and fire connected? Josh and Tim continue the discussion from last week by talking about the word for hellfire Gehenna and why Jesus warned about this unquenchable fire.
Key Verse: “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28 ESV)
Part 1 - Not Abandoned to Hades
Introduction
Popular ideas of hell fire
Overview of the words for “hell” – Sheol, Hades and Gehenna

Definition and Location
Gehenna = Valley of Hinnom
Bible Dictionary entries

History in Old Testament
Valley SW of Jerusalem (Josh. 15:8)
Place where idolaters made their children pass through the fire (Ahaz 2 Chr. 28:3; Manasseh 2 Chron. 33:6). Defiled by King Josiah (2 Kings 23:10).
Becomes symbolic of place of judgment (Jer. 7:31-32; Isa. 30:30,33)

New Testament
Mark 9:47 - Place of final judgement.
Jesus quoting from Isa. 66:24, 15-16.
Is this literal? Cutting off the hands/feet, worms living forever.

Jude 7 - The unquenchable fire means nobody can put it out until it has completely destroyed (cp. Jer. 17:27; Mal. 4:1)
Matt. 18:8 – The everlasting fire means the effects will be forever (cp. 2 Thess. 1:9; Mal. 4:1)
Matt. 10:28 – Complete destruction
Rev. 20:14 – The lake of fire

Final conclusion