Nigeria Independence Seminar: Bible Clinic Ministry Gboko

BCM SEMINAR! BCM SEMINAR!!
The Bible Clinic Ministry (BCM) holds an Independence Seminar as follows:
Title: The Christian and Governance

Date: Saturday, October 1, 2016
Time: 4-7 pm
Venue: Bible Clinic Ministry Center, No. 18 Captain Dawnes Road, Adekaa, Gboko (Opposite Bristow Church), Benue State, Nigeria.
Key Speaker: Professor Leonard Shilgba.
NOTE: There shall be an interactive session and two workshops.
COME AND SEE.

Law and Grace

In our generation, there are preachers who affirm grace to the exclusion of the law, even as they cite, "Christ is the end of the law..." (Romans 10: 4) Then, there are others that teach observance of the law by human strivings in moderation of grace, also citing, "...Work out your salvation with fear and trembling." (Philippians 2: 12)

Both groups have a point, a partial truth to which they hold uncompromisingly. God said this of Ephraim: "Ephraim is a cake not turned." (Hosea 7: 8) Unbalanced, half-baked truth does as much damage as falsehood does. The Bible teaches that the law is holy, good, just, spiritual, and that we must establish it (Romans 7: 7, 12, 14; 3: 31).

The function of the law is similar to that of a diagnostics machine or clinic that is able to only reveal a health condition, but it cannot treat it. The patient may lose appetite, joy and boldness as a result of the diagnosis. The natural question is, "Is there a cure?" The consultant would then direct the patient to a competent physician, with the disgnosis report. Grace is the competent physician to which Law refers the sinner who has been made guilty and sorrowful by the revelation of the presence and terminal consequences of sin.

Christ (full of grace and truth) is therefore the end of the law for righteousness (spiritual healing) to everyone that believes. Does the patient not bring his need of the diagnostics to an end after referral to a physician after the diagnosis?  In much the same way, Christ takes over after the law has finished its work of guiltiness.

Some claim that they are under grace and yet indulge in acts of lasciviousness or wantonness (sin). Here is the declaration of freedom:

"For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under the law but under grace." (Romans 6: 14) Do you say you are not under the law? Let us together verify this claim. In 1 Timothy 1: 8-10, we have this truth: "But we know that the law is good if a man uses it lawfully (as a diagnostic). Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and mothers, for sexually immoral like prostitutes, for lesbians and homosexuals, for kidnappers, for liars and perjured persons, AND IF THERE IS ANYTHING CONTRARY TO SOUND DOCTRINE." 

Is your sinful condition mentioned in the above list? Then you are yet to leave the Law Clinic; you are yet under him. 

Friend, in Grace Clinic, God is at work in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. All you do is to work out (make manifest outwardly) the act of grace within (Philippians 2: 12, 13). The evidence of the presence of grace within is the fruits of godliness without. He that professes to be full of grace within, but lacks the good fruits thereof without is like a man who boasts about great wealth in the bank, but who never ceases to beg on the streets for a living.

Lesson Four: Love not the World

                                                               

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Anchor Scripture: 1 John 2: 15: Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

Introduction

The anchor scripture above enjoins you to not love the world. Can you turn to John 3: 16? “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”   If God “loved” the world, why has he instructed us to “love not the world”? The love that God had for the world was a love of mercy, not a love of agreement with the sinful ways of the world. And he demonstrated it by giving his only begotten Son to do something about the sinfulness of the world—to choose and save some out of the world (Acts 2: 38-40; 3: 19) . God does not want us to make the world system the compass of our life. Only God’s word should be the final authority in all matters in your life.

TEXT: 1 John 2: 15-17

1.       What does the love of the world do to us (1 John 2: 15)? ----------------------------------------------------

2.       Explain what loving the world means ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3.       List the three groups of things in the world that God forbids us to love (1 John 2: 16) ---------------

4.       Discuss each of the following: the lust of the flesh; the lust of the eyes; and the pride of life.

5.       How must we use the things of this world (1 Corinthians 7: 31)? ------------------------------------------

6.       Read 1 Corinthians 7: 29-31: Discuss how you are required by God to respond to both seeming misfortune and good fortune in this life? -------------------------------------------------- Why is this attitude to life required of you? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

7.       Discuss what you have learned about this present evil world in Lessons One to Four. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CONCLUSION: It is evident that loving the world destroys the love for God (His word) from our heart. A man or woman who desires to be a friend of the world, who desires the gifts, glories, and possessions of the world, who longs for the exaltation, praise and commendation of the world, and who hankers after the pleasures of this world, will compromise godly principles and values, worship at the shrine of Satan, and fall into many foolish and harmful lusts and temptations. Your thoughts reveal information about your eventual eternal destination. Guard your heart, and refuse to allow evil thoughts to lodge therein. But meditate on whatever is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praise worthy. Remember this: Whatever ambitions you may have—political, academic, and business—shall pass away. This world system passes away. But those who do the will of God shall live forever in eternal comfort and glory.  Do you do the will of God? Don’t be foolish, but understand what God’s will is from His word, and do it, for “Not all that call me Lord, Lord shall enter the kingdom of God, but those that do God’s will,” says Jesus Christ.

Lesson Three: Friends of the World

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Anchor Scripture: James 4: 4: Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

Introduction

There are very clear instructions from God warning the Christian believer that it is impossible (not simply difficult) to be a friend of God and also a friend of the world at the same time; it is either one or the other friendship at a time. God is so much anti-world in values, methods, wisdom, understanding, choices and priorities that both God and the world system cannot walk together because they cannot agree. God is light, the world is darkness. God is holy, the world is evil. God is eternal, the world passes away. God is patient, the world is impatient. Even the foolishness of God is wiser than the wisdom of the world. God’s knowledge is unsearchable and understanding pure, while the understanding of the world is darkened, resulting in unspeakable relationships. God’s ways are not the world’s ways, and His thoughts are different than the thoughts and imaginations of the world. The Holy Scriptures refer to worldly people as carnally minded or walking in the flesh, being controlled and driven by the five senses, and not governed by what God’s word reveals. These people sneer at faith, and delude themselves that they are wise.

TEXT: John Romans 8: 5-8  

1.       How can a man become the friend of Jesus Christ (John 15: 14)? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By your answer, does it make sense for you to claim that you are a friend of Jesus Christ (a Christian) if you live in disobedience to God’s instructions? ------------

2.        What is the difference between those that are after the flesh and those that are after the Spirit (Romans 8: 5)? -------------------------------------------Give examples of the common choices of those two groups of people ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3.       What is the consequence of keeping the world as your friend (Romans 8:6;   Luke 16: 15)?

4.       Describe the worldly (carnal) mind and its relationship to God’s commandments (Romans 8: 7).

5.       Is it possible for the worldly minded to please God (Romans 8: 8; Hebrews 11: 6)? ------------------

CONCLUSION: Is there any man or woman who wants to become a friend of God? Know that you must keep a non-contagious distance from the world. Reject its methods, values, traditions, and priorities. The carnal mind is an enemy of God; the carnally minded are not subject to the word of God. They do not allow God’s word to rule their heart (Colossians 3: 15, 16), and they cannot be because they are addicted to the ways of the world.

Lesson Two: Corrupting Tools of the World

                                                         

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Anchor Scripture:    1 Timothy 6: 10: For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after; they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves with many sorrows.

Introduction

This present evil world is a hunting ground for the souls of men, both by the Holy Spirit and the “prince of the power of the air”—Satan. While Satan goes about seeking whom he may devour, the Holy Spirit provokes repentance, conversion and the new birth. Like cancer, the love of money (“mammon of unrighteousness”) spreads in the covetous until they are completely destroyed. All kinds of evil are rooted in the love of money, which Jesus Christ describes as the “mammon of unrighteousness”—gloss wealth or material avarice. The root in a Christian believer is faith. But when a Christian permits the love of money to take root in them, the root of faith weakens, and gradually, they fall away. Beware of the love of money

TEXT: 1 Timothy 6: 3-12; Colossians 4:14; 2 Timothy 4: 10.

1.      What is the wrong definition of “godliness” by some, according to 1 Timothy 6: 5? ------

2.      What does God want us to do to “prosperity gospel” preachers and believers, who think that material possessions prove that someone is “godly”, and why (1 Timothy 6: 5; 1 Corinthians 15: 33)? ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3.      According to scriptures (1 Timothy 6: 6), what is “great gain”? ---------------------------------

4.      According to Hebrews 13: 5 and 1 Timothy 6: 8, how does God expect Christian believers to conduct themselves on earth? -----------------------------------------------------------------------

5.      Can you explain the futility of avarice and greed for material wealth on earth (1 Timothy 6: 7; Mathew 16: 26)? ----------------------------------------------

6.      Describe the corrupting influence of the love of this world in the life of brother Demas (Colossians 4: 14; 2 Timothy 4: 10) ----------------------------------------------------------------------

7.      What is the danger of wanting to be “rich by all means” in this world (1 Timothy 6: 9, 10)?

8.      How can we escape the corrupting influence of this world (1 Timothy 6: 11, 12; Mathew 16: 24, 25)? ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CONCLUSION:  No covetous person shall inherit the kingdom of God. If only we pondered deeply about this world, and the love of money, which is the stamp of it, we would not forsake God’s word in pursuit of the material offerings of this world. “What shall it profit you, if you gain the whole world and after that lose your soul?” You cannot afford to place your business, work or family before and above God; God’s Word is God. Let your conduct be free of covetousness and the love of money; you will not carry a dime with you when you die. Only a tenant are you on earth, and your tenancy runs out gradually. At the end of your life on earth, you will leave as you came, taking none of the world’s goods with you.

Lesson One: What is the World?

                                                           

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Anchor Scripture:    John 14:30: Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. [King James]

I’ll not be talking with you much more like this because the chief of this godless world is about to attack. But don’t worry—he has nothing on me, no claim on me. [The Message]

 . [NIV]

Introduction:

The Holy Scriptures have a lot to say about the world. In this study, we shall consider what they say the world is, who is its god, and its influence on the people it controls. In the anchor scripture above, Jesus Christ makes an astounding declaration, alluding to Satan as the “prince of this world.” We know that the everlasting God made all things by Jesus Christ, and that there is only one God, the LORD of heaven and earth. So what does Jesus mean when He calls Satan the prince of this world? First, take note that He says, “Hereafter I will not talk much with you.” There are some Christians who desire visions where “Jesus Christ would talk” with them. Sorry, Jesus said about 2000 years ago, “I’ll not be talking with you much more like this…” There is no need to expect Jesus Christ to talk to us like our friends and neighbors do every day. All He wants us to know and know about is in the Holy Scriptures. If only we gave ourselves to the study of His word we would hear Him clearly talking to us—warning, correcting, instructing, and comforting us. In fact, He has sent the Comforter (His Spirit) to be with us forever. It is a sign of gross unbelief to seek after visions, dreams, and “direct communications” with God; this opens up people to deceptions, manipulations, and control by Satan-sent men and women masquerading as “men and women of God.”  Secondly, the scriptures never refer to Satan or any creature as the “god or prince of the earth.” The term “world” refers to the system that is anti-Christ, anti-God, and anti-holiness, which is Satan-inspired. The prince of this world therefore inspires all kinds of inventions from corrupt minds that spite God and His word. Inventions such as gay marriage, polygamy, polyandry, witchcraft or Satan worship, abortion, marriage to animals, body piercings and tattooing, sensual movies and music videos, ritual money-making, political witch-hunting and betrayals, etc., all constitute the “world” as world system, where men choose their leaders without God, decide how they should be governed without God, decide how to run and manage their economy without God.  In short, the world system enthrones man as his own god, while Satan owns the throne! And did not Satan himself boast thus to Jesus Christ: “And the devil, 4uuitaking him (Jesus) up into a high mountain, showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give you, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. If you therefore will worship me, all shall be yours”? [Luke 4: 5-7]  

What agreement have you entered into with Satan in order to gain the power and the glory that come from him?

A.      According to 2 Corinthians 4:4, who blinds the minds of those who don’t believe the gospel? --------------------

B.      Acts 19: 23-28: How does the world react when it is challenged with God’s word? ---------

C.      Romans 12: 2: How does God expect a Christian to relate to the world; should a Christian copy some of the ways of the world in business, politics or family? -----------------------------

D.     1 Corinthians 1: 20; 3: 19: Compare the wisdom of the world and the wisdom of God. What response can you make to world’s philosophers and scholars who claim there is no God?

E.      2 Corinthians 1:12; James 1: 27: What is or should be the testimony of the Christian believer in this world and how can they keep themselves unspotted by the world?

F.       According to Galatians 1:4, why did Jesus Christ give Himself for our sins?

CONCLUSION:  The evil of this world required the death of Jesus Christ to fetch salvation for mankind. This underscores the danger of the world system. The rejoicing of the Christian believer is rooted only in the testimony of a good conscience, filled with the grace of innocence and godly sincerity, always bearing witness that they are the children of God; not using worldly wisdom to appropriate for themselves anything worldly and transient, but leaning wholly on God’s will that must be done on earth even as it is done in heaven. Leaning on worldly wisdom is a costly proposition. Truth of God’s word saves from this present evil world.

Theme: The Christian and the World

GENERAL OVERSEER’S CHARGE

 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever. [1 John 2: 15-17]

God warns his children to beware of “this present evil world,” [Galatians 1:4] assuring that they will overcome only by their faith in Him: “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” [1 John 5:4]

·         This present world uses many side attractions, allurements, and pleasures (lusts) to take our focus away from God (His word) and His assignment for us on earth. We then permit ourselves to follow after things and men, who now set our life’s agenda.

·         This present evil world harasses us with problems and then offers to solve them because “God doesn’t care, God is too slow to solve them, or there is no God,” as it claims. Our faith in God is destroyed, and in compromise of our calling we begin to seek after other gods such as money, men, magical powers, etc., in order to solve our problems.

·          Jesus tells Christians: “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” [John 16:33] He sets a clear difference between Him and the world. In Him the Christian believer has peace, while in the world they have tribulation. In the world, the Christian believer will suffer defeat, but in Christ, they have the victory through faith. Accordingly, we conclude that the term “world” is consistently used in the scriptures to refer to the system of traditions, culture, and practices that are at variance with the Word of God. Christians must accept nothing as substitute for God’s Word in guiding their life, family, and work on earth. Anything short of this, and they are defeated, being controlled by the lust of the flesh (whatever excites and pleases them), lust of the eyes (whatever attracts them), and the pride of life (whatever seems to cover their nakedness—shame and projects their image and respect in the eyes of people).

Let the LORD speak to you in this series, and amend your ways in accordance to His warnings, instructions, and consolations.  

God's Solution for Sin

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Lesson Four: God’s Solution for SIN

Anchor Verse: John 3: 16: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. [King James]
This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. [The Message]
 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. [NIV]

Introduction:

Scriptures show clearly that God wants all men to come to the knowledge of the truth and be saved. What then is God’s solution for the curse of sin, defilement of sin, and power of sin?

A.      A sacrificial lamb is provided: God sent his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ to die for humanity. This provided the blood for the new covenant between God and man; for without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin [Hebrews 9: 22-26].

·         The blood of Christ not only atones for our sins, but also brings us near God (a transportation vehicle for man) [Ephesians 2: 13].

·         The blood of Christ is the currency with which we have been redeemed from Satan and evil traditions unto God [1 Peter 1:18; Acts 20: 28].

·         All Christians have been spiritually sprinkled with the blood of Jesus Christ by faith (the network code or password that connects us to all of God’s blessings) [1 Peter 1: 2].

B.      Jesus Christ, God’s unspeakable gift to man (2 Corinthians 9: 15) has been made a CURSE for us, thus taking away the handwriting of curses that was against us and nailing it to the cross (Galatians 3: 13; Colossians 2: 13-14).

C.      Jesus Christ became sin for us so that we (believers) would become the righteousness of God [2 Corinthians 5: 21].

D.     Jesus Christ came and destroyed the works of the devil (including sin) [1 John 3: 8]:

·         Sin shall not have dominion over the Christian anymore because of grace that comes through the knowledge of Jesus Christ and God (2 Peter 1: 2) [Romans 6: 14]

·         So also consider yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus (Romans 6: 11).

·         We now have the word of God’s grace in order that as we study it daily, we shall partake in the divine nature (that is God’s life of victory); reign in life through Christ Jesus after receiving abundant of grace and righteousness through the word of God; and thus, being born again through the word, we will become the light and salt of the earth. We are then sanctified for obedience to God in all things. [Acts 20: 32; 2 Peter 1: 2-4; 1 Peter 1: 2, 23; 1 John 3: 9].

 

Have you experienced God’s solution for sin? Have you asked him to wash your sins away with the blood of Jesus Christ which cleanses from all sin? [1 John 1:7] By this we know that we have come to know Jesus Christ and benefit from Him if we are able to keep His commandments without difficulty [1 John 2: 3-4].

God’s grace teaches us to deny unrighteousness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, godly, and righteously in this wicked and evil world. This is the greatest miracle—that we Christians live without sin in our daily life. This is why Christ came, to reproduce Himself in human beings and thus make them also the children of God by faith.

Pray for this experience to be real in your life.

What Does God Do to Sinners?

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Lesson Three: What does God do to SINNERS?

Anchor verse: Psalm 9: 17: The wicked shall be turned to hell and all nations that forget God.
Introduction:
God has determined that all wicked people and those that forget Him should be tuned to hell. All our deeds will stand for or against us in eternity; for it is appointed for man to die once and after that to face judgment [Hebrews 9: 27]. Where will you spend eternity—in hell (Lake of fire) or heaven? God is angry with the sinner every day [Psalm 7: 11]:

A.      If the sinner does not repent, God will mark him for death with His sword, arrow, and weapons of death [Psalm 7: 12-13].

B.      God will cast the sinner (wicked) into hell after they have physically died [Psalm 9: 17; Luke 16: 19-24].

C.      God takes peace away from the wicked [Isaiah 48: 22].

D.     God resists sinners (the proud) in their efforts to succeed in life [1 Peter 5:5; James 4:6].

E.      God curses the sinner and his generation of disobedient children after him [Exodus 20:5-6].

·         You can prepare a great foundation of peace and favor for your children by walking faithfully with God. When a man lives a wicked life, his children after him who don’t obey God will suffer the consequences. Are you suffering under the yoke of your father’s wicked life?

·         Let us pray and break any generational curse that may be following us, unknown to us. As God to have mercy on you and claim Ezekiel 28: 20, and cut yourself off your father’s wicked deeds.

The Effects of Sin

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Lesson Two: The Effect of SIN

Anchor verse: Ezekiel 18:20: The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. [King James]

“Do you need to ask, ‘So why does the child not share the guilt of the parent?’ (vs. 19)

“Isn’t it plain? It’s because the child did what is fair and right. Since the child was careful to do what is lawful and right, the child will live truly and well. The soul that sins is the soul that dies. The child does not share the guilt of the parent, nor the parent the guilt of the child. If you live upright and well, you get the credit; if you live a wicked life, you’re guilty as charged. [The Message]

 The one who sins is the one who will die. The child will not share the guilt of the parent, nor will the parent share the guilt of the child. The righteousness of the righteous will be credited to them, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against them. [NIV]

Introduction:

What happens when you sin? That should be a question of interest. Let us find out the answer from God’s word which says:  Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. [Galatians 6:7]

God told Adam that if he disobeyed Him and ate of the forbidden tree, he would DIE. Death is the consequence of SIN. The sting of sin is death. Whenever sin stings you, it inflicts death—spiritual and physical death.

What sin does to individuals and society:

A.      Sin brings death: Discuss the memory verse and Genesis 2: 15-17-----------------------------------------------------Give examples of people that lost their life because of sin.

B.      Sin brings a curse: Reuben’s curse [Genesis 49: 1-4]: Discuss.

C.      Sin fetches reproach to a people [Proverbs 14: 34]: Discuss how sin has disgraced your society.

D.     Sin brings destruction [Ezekiel 28: 18]: Give examples.

E.      Sin hinders prayers from being answered [Isaiah 59:1-16]: Discuss the sins mentioned in the passage and the consequences.

·         What happens when a husband does not live in peace with his wife? [1 Peter 3:7]

·         From what you have learned in the scriptures, why do many people find difficult to know the right thing to do?

·         Is there any peace for the wicked? [Isaiah 48:22]

·         What happens to you if you do these things [Ephesians 5:3-6; 1 Corinthians 5: 9-10]?

Pray to God to give you the power to sin no more.

General Overseer's Message

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Theme: Sin & the Christian

GENERAL OVERSEER’S CHARGE: Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. [Ecclesiastes 7: 8]

The family of Jesus Christ, the church, must keep focus on the goal, the end result, for ”better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof.” Therefore, the Bible Clinic Ministry family must be focused on the end. Patience is better than haste. It is pride, the eagerness to be the best, that causes people to be in haste.

The mind has two principal functions—to prepare and to repair. God’s word is given for doctrine (foundation); correction (repair); reproof (warning); and instruction (preparation).  Principles work; experience is peculiar. Time in the word is time for the word. Habits will take you further than desire. Repentance is demanded by God, not being merely sorry. The Christian has no excuses to make for sin. He either willfully sins that claims to be a Christian and yet is a slave to sin or he only assumes and does not know what he affirms. Study and do; it is not the hearers who are justified before God, but the doers. Be a doer!

What is Sin?

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Lesson One: What is SIN?

Anchor Scripture:    1 John 3:4: Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. [King James]

All who indulge in a sinful life are dangerously lawless, for sin is a major disruption of God’s order. [The Message]

Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. [NIV]

Introduction:

No one can live a godly life without a correct understanding of what sin means. In this study, we examine what sin is or means. When you know what sin means, you will then understand what God wants. The power of sin is the law and the sting of death is sin.

A.      Sin is transgression of the law: Where there is no law, sin loses power.

God made a law in the Garden of Eden that man should eat of all trees in the garden except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil: Genesis 2: 15-17:  The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; ^but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.”

What law of God are you presently transgressing?---------------------------------Bow your head and ask God to forgive you.

Give examples in the Bible of how the following people transgressed or broke God’s law or instruction:

E1: Moses [Numbers 20: 8-12]--------------------------------------------------------------What do you learn from the apparent success (gushing out of water) in spite of transgression of God’s clear instruction?------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

E2: Children of Israel [Numbers 25: 1-9]----------------------------------------------------------What do you learn from the action of Phinehas? ------------------------------------------------------------

E3: Amnon [2 Samuel 13: 1-14]--------------------------------------------------------------------------

B.      Sin is disruption of order: When you are engaged in a course of action that will bring about confusion, destroy family harmony, and overthrow faith in God, you are sinning against God and society. Describe how the following people sinned:

·         Korah, Dathan, Abiram [Numbers 16: 1-3, 12-14]: --------------------------------------------

·         Absalom [2 Samuel 15: 1-5]:------------------------------------------------------------------------

·          Diotrephes [2 John 1: 9-11]-------------------------------------------------------------------------

C.      Sin is lawlessness: Taking the law in your hands and living as if you are accountable to no one, without restraint, and without law, is sin. “This is my life; I will do whatever I want,” is an attitude of sin. Describe how the following people lived defiantly and as outlaws:

·         Cain [Genesis 4: 3-9]-----------------------------------------------------------------------------What pushed Cain to become lawless?--------------------------------------------------------------------

·         Micah and his mother [Judges 17:1-13]-------------------------------------------------------How do you compare this with traditional or man-made religion in our day when people claim they can find God in their own way and on their own terms?-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

·         Unbelievers before receiving Jesus Christ as Lord [Ephesians 2:1-3, 11-12]------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Do you live as if you were your own god?----------------------------------Pray now that God will have mercy on you and forgive your sins, and that Jesus Christ would come into your life now and become your Lord and Master.