Author: Jim

Grave

A place of burial. A study of the word GRAVE as recorded in the New Testament proves to be very interesting.
Reading of Christ’s crucifixion in Matthew 27 many times causes some confusion:
Matthew 27:52-23 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.
At 1st reading it looks like the graves opened and people arose on the day.
But reread vs 23; This happened AFTER HIS RESSURECTION
The Lord Jesus speaking to the religious leaders:
Luke 11:44 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them.
The Lord Jesus speaking to Jews who sought to kill him:
John 5:28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
The Lord Jesus Raises Lazarus from the dead John 11.
John 11:17 Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already.
John 11:31 The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there.
John 11:38 Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.
John 11:44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave clothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.
The people started to believe Him:
John 12:17 The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record.
The Apostle Paul quotes Isaiah 5:8
1 Corinthians 15:55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
Although Paul does not use the word Grave, He does talk about the dead rising (from their graves) when Christ returns in the air, at the time of the Rapture. Read: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
The Apostle John writes about the two witnesses during the first half of the Tribulation:
Revelation 11:9 And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.

Fear not the Grave! True believers go to be with the Lord when they die
2 Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
OR are Raptured.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

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Prophecy

⇨ 144,000 Called of God
⇨ AntiChrist – 666
⇨ AntiChrist – The Last Days
⇨ Great White Throne (Final Judgement)
⇨ Last Days
⇨ Millennium (World Peace – 1000 Years)
⇨ Prophecies Concerning the Messiah
⇨ Prophecy in the Psalm
⇨ Rapture Comparison
⇨ The Future
⇨ The Great White Throne
⇨ The Last Days
⇨ The New Future
⇨ The Rapture
⇨ TRIBULATION – Questions about
⇨ Tribulation (Judgment)
⇨ Tribulation (Revelation)

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Worship  

A Defination: The ceremonies, prayers, or other religious forms by which this love is expressed.
The Apostle Paul includes worship in His Epistles:

The problem with Religion :
Romans 1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

1 Corinthians 14:25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.

Philippians 3:3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
Colossians 2:18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

Colossians 2:23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body: not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.
2 Thessalonians 2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

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Redemption

A definition: The act of redeeming or the condition of having been redeemed.

The Apostle Paul writes much of the redemption that all believers have experienced the day they were saved.
Romans 3:24Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Romans 8:23And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
1 Corinthians 1:30But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
Ephesians 1:7In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Ephesians 1:14Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
Ephesians 4:30And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
Colossians 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

⇛ also see Redeem
⇛ also see Redeeming
⇛ also see Redeemed

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Redeemed

A definition: To buy back, repurchase, or recover something that was yours.

Galatians 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

The HYMN says it best:
Redeemed—how I love to proclaim it!
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed through His infinite mercy,
His child, and forever, I am.

Redeemed, redeemed,
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed, redeemed,
   His child, and forever, I am.

Redeemed and so happy in Jesus,
No language my rapture can tell;
I know that the light of His presence
With me doth continually dwell.

(Chorus)

I think of my blessed Redeemer,
I think of Him all the day long;
I sing, for I cannot be silent;
His love is the theme of my song.

(Chorus)

I know I shall see in His beauty
The King in whose way I delight;
Who lovingly guardeth my footsteps,
And giveth me songs in the night.

⇛ also see Redeem
⇛ also see Redeeming
⇛ also see Redemption

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Redeeming

A definition: To make up for; make amends for.

The Apostle Paul challenges us:
Ephesians 5:1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;

Among his challenges is:
Ephesians 5:16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

And again in Colossians.
Colossians 4:5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.

⇛ also see Redeem
⇛ also see Redeemed
⇛ also see Redemption

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Redeem

A read of Genesis 1-3 shows that Adam turned his back on God and chose Sin; separation from God and death was the result .
Romans 5:14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.

Mankind needed to be redeemed, so God sent His Son, the Lord Jeseus to Die on the cross, paying the price of the redemption of all who believe.
Galatians 4:5To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

⇛ also see Redeeming
⇛ also see Redeemed
⇛ also see Redemption

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Testimony

Have you ever written down your testimony? The Day you were saved.
Just as there is a specific time you were born, so to, there has to be a specific time you became a child of God, Saved, Born Again.
Here’s some hints on how to do it. On the left side of a blank piece of paper, list these 6 words in a column. Who, What, Where, When, Why, How.
Now next to each word write something pertaining your salvation experience.
For Example: (note: some answers do not have specific answers)
WHO was present?
WHAT was happening? Caused you to respond?
Where were you?
When did it occur? Month? Year? Day? Age?
Why did you respond?
How did you hear about the need for Salvation?
An Example:
WHO – a church altar worker
WHAT – the Preacher was preaching on HELL
Where – in the Church
When – I was about 11 years old, in the fall of 1952
Why – I did not want to go to Hell, I was afraid of dying
How – the preacher gave an altar call
Now take each of your answers and put them into a story of your salvation.
I was not with anyone, sitting alone in the back of the church. It was the fall of 1952, I was 11 years old. The preacher was preaching on Hell and who would go there. At the end of his sermon, He told how to avoid Hell and gave an altar call. I went forward and an adult knelt with me and told me how to be saved. I prayed.
That’s how easy it is. And now you will be able to share your testimony with anyone.
If you are not sure you are saved, here’s how to do it.
Romans 10:9-13 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Now, Pray: Lord Jesus I confess that you are God and that you died, were buried and rose again on the third day to forgive me of my sins.

See you in Heaven!

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H.E.A.R. Journal

To aid in understanding while reading Scripture, keep a Journal by using these four Questions:

H (Highlight)
What is a verse(s) that stood out to you in your reading?

E (Explain)
What is the author’s intended meaning in the context of the passage?

A (Apply)
What is the principle to live by today?

R (Respond)
How is the Lord leading you to respond in your relationships and/or situations this week?

Pastor Matt Read
Jersey Church,
Jersey, Ohio

⇛ Also see 7 Steps of Bible Reading

Remember:
WHO SAID IT?  TO WHOM WAS IT SAID? How does it apply today to me?

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