fof_1

6. (Ephesians 2:1) In what ways are men dead spiritually? They are “dead in and ".

8. (Ephesians 2:3) What are men by nature before they are “quickened,” or “made alive,” in Christ?

We will go on with our study in a moment, but would you stop and consider what the Scripture portions you have just studied say about each of us? We ask you to do this because it is necessary for a person to see his need for a Savior. Have you faced your lost condition? Have you seen your need to receive Christ as your Savior from sin? We pray that your answer is YES!

Read the gospel (good news) in 1 Corinthians 15:1-6, then read Ephesians 1:7 and 2 Corinthians 5:17. Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay the price for your sin. Through faith in him, his blood will cleanse you from sin and make you a new creature in Christ.

Death means separation from God - Hell. Eternal Life means to be with God - Heaven.

14. In Verse 9 we read of sinners who shall be punished, while in Verse 10 we read of the blessings to the saints (believers). What was the prayer Paul prayed for the believers in 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12?

17. (Romans 5:3) As believers we are to __________________ in tribulation or trouble.

The devil delights in keeping us uncertain about our salvation. God, through His Word, offers positive assurance of salvation and eternal life.

1. Romans 3:9-24 reveals that man is totally depraved; that the LAW has brought condemnation upon sinful man; and that all have sinned and come short of God’s glory.

2. Ephesians 2:1-3 and Ephesians 5:6 describe even further that man by nature is a child of wrath (God’s wrath) and spiritually dead. Only Jesus Christ can make a person spiritually alive.

3. Romans 6:23 tells us that the penalty for sin is death and that God’s gift is eternal life through Jesus Christ.

4. 2 Thessalonians 1:7-12 discloses that mankind can be divided into two classes: those who are destined for God’s wrath and those who are destined for God’s glory.

5. Romans 5:1-8 explains how God demonstrated His love toward us while we were still sinners when Christ died in our place, and that, we have peace with God through faith in Christ.

6. Romans 8:35-39 tells us that nothing can separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

1. (2 Timothy 3:16a) How were the Scriptures given to us?

By men that were talented writer

By inspiration of God

By studying ancient history

2. (2 Peter 1:21b) What is meant by the words, “an inspired Bible”?

People were emotionally moved by thoughts about God

Men thought deeply about spiritual things

Holy men were moved or carried by the Holy Spirit

3. (1 Corinthians 2:14) The natural man without the Holy Spirit cannot understand the things of God. Why not?

4. How does Romans 8:9 describe the spiritual man?

How does this verse describe the natural man?

5. What must happen for the natural man to become the spiritual man according to John 3:3?

He must spend many hours in meditation

He must be born again

He must work to be good enough

6. What happens when the natural man becomes the spiritual man according to 2 Corinthians 5:17?

He will know everything about God.

He becomes a new creature or creation.

He will never commit another sin.

7. To be changed from the natural man to the spiritual man, what does John 20:31 say we should do?

Believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God

Trust in the power of a church or religious leader to save us

Believe that we can save ourselves by good works

8. What does Romans 10:9 say we must do to be saved?

9. What does John 1:12 say we must do to become “sons of God”?

Receive Him and believe in His name

Believe that God exists

Trust in any religious teaching

10. (Romans 8:9) What must a person possess to belong to Christ?

The Spirit of God

A Bible

A membership certificate from a church

READ THE GOSPEL, THE “GOOD NEWS” - 1 Corinthians 15:1-6

11. (2 Corinthians 4:3) From whom is the gospel hidden?

People who disobey God

Those that are lost

Those who are not ordained ministers

12. Who has blinded unbelievers? (2 Corinthians 4:4)

Evil spirits

The god of this world

The Holy Spirit

13. Read 1 Corinthians 15:21-22 and Romans 5:12.

Who brought sin and death into the world?

Why has death been passed on to all men?

14. (Romans 5:8) How did God show His love for us, even while we were still sinners?

Christ died for us.

God gives us lots of money

God forgot about us.

15. (Ephesians 1:17,18) How is God able to open the eyes of your understanding?

16. (James 1:5) How can we receive wisdom and understanding from God?

By asking God

By reading many books

By talking to educated people

17. According to Titus 3:5, can we work to be saved? YES NO. Why did He save us?

Through what means did He save us?

18. Read Ephesians 2:8,9; 1 Corinthians 15:1-6; Romans 1:16, and then think about the last few questions you have answered before you answer TRUE or FALSE to the following:

a. To be saved one must first join a church. True False

b. To be saved one must first be baptized in water. True False

c. To be saved one must promise to live a good, clean, moral life. True False

d. To be saved one must keep the Law of Moses. True False

e. To be saved one must live by the Golden Rule. True False

f. To be saved one must believe and receive the Gospel of Christ. True False

Memory Verse for this lesson: Ephesians 2:8,9 - “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Many people believe that God requires them to be righteous, living a good, moral life before they can be saved. Jesus said, “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance (Matthew 9: l3b).” He said this while he was here on earth. Later, from heaven where he is now seated at the right hand of God the Father, he sent word to the Church, the Body of Christ, through Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles. He spoke of justification.

19. (Romans 5:1) How are we justified?

Though faith in Christ Jesus

By keeping the 10 Commandments

By doing penance

What do we have when we are justified?

20. (Galatians 2:16) On what basis is it impossible to be justified?

By works or observing the law

Through faith alone

By reading the Bible

21. Read Romans 3:28. What conclusion can be drawn from this verse?

We have learned the following so far in this lesson

1. That God’s truth is revealed in His Word.

2. That Scripture reveals there is a natural man and he can become a spiritual man.

3. That the change from a natural to spiritual man is to become a “new creature.”

4. That our justification is by faith in Jesus Christ.

5. That God revealed this “justification by faith” to man through the apostle Paul.

After we accept Jesus Christ as Savior, we are “babes” in Christ needing to develop and grow in our new life. God has given us the Bible to help us spiritually mature. In studying the Bible the wise student will remember to pray, asking the Father to open the eyes of his understanding.

THE IMPACT OF SIN

Session Three

1. Refer to Romans 5:12

a. How did sin enter into the world?

God made the world with sin.

Through one man, Adam

After Cain killed Abel

b. What was the result of sin’s entrance into the world?

It became necessary for man to save himself.

Death came to all men

The animals became afraid of people

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23) ”

2. Refer to Romans 6:23

a. What is the wages of sin?

b. What is the gift of God?

c. Through whom do we receive this gift?

SPECIAL READING: Stop here and read the entire first chapter of Romans. Note God’s statement concerning sinful man, and the condemnation of those who “suppress (or restrain) the truth in unrighteousness.”

3. Refer to Romans 1:21-25. In your own words explain what happens to the person whose focus is not on God.

4. (Romans 6:21) What is the fruit (result) of the life of self and sin?

Death

An unhappy life

A guilty conscience

5. (Galatians 5:19-21) What are the works of the flesh as listed in the Scriptures?

6. (Galatians 5:22-23) What is the fruit of the Spirit?

7. If someone asked you how to become a Christian, that is, how to nave eternal lire, what verse or verses could you use to share with him? Click on the appropriate choice or choices:

1 Corinthians 15:3-4 Romans 5:8 Matthew 7:12 Romans 10:9

NOTE: To be “quickened” according to the Scriptures, means to be “made alive.” The Word of God speaks of the act of being “made alive” with several different expressions - “being born again” (John 3:3), “receiving Him” (John 1:12), and “believing” (Romans 10:9 and John 3:16).

8. (1 Thessalonians 2:12) After a person is “quickened,” or “made alive,” what does God expect of him?

To continue trying to save himself

To live a life worthy of God

To live in any way he wishes

9. (1 Thessalonians 2:13) For the Thessalonian believers, the “worthy walk” began when they “received the Word of God.” What does God’s Word do for those who believe?

10. What instructions does 2 Timothy 2:15 have for us?

NOTE: To “rightly divide” or “correctly handle” Scripture one must recognize that God has not always dealt with people in the same way throughout history. There are certain changes that have taken place over time as God progressively reveals His plan to man. The Old Testament Jews had the prophets, the New Testament Jews had the Twelve Apostles, but the Gentiles had another example to follow.

11. The Lord, Jesus Christ, has appointed a “pattern” or “example” for us to follow.

a. Who is speaking? (1 Timothy 1:1)

Moses

Paul

Peter

b. Who is the “pattern” or “example” Christ has given us? (1 Timothy 1:16)

Peter

Abraham

Paul

c. What does he call himself? (1 Timothy 1:15)

A self-made man

A good person

The chief of sinners

12. a. What does Paul say he is? (Ephesians 3:1)

A person free to do what he wishes

A prisoner of Jesus Christ for the Gentiles

One of the twelve apostles

b. Who was made the minister to the Gentiles? (Romans 15:16)

c. Who made him the minister? (Romans 15:15,16)

13. What is the instruction for believers in 1 Corinthians 11:1?

14. In what way are we to follow Paul? Philippians 4:9

15 Why must the “pattern,” or “example,” be Paul instead of some other apostle? Read all of these verses before you answer: Galatians 2:7; Ephesians 3:1-3, 7-9 and Colossians 1:25.

NOTE: In past times God appointed certain men to be the leaders of His chosen people, Israel. One of the greatest of these leaders was Moses, who brought the people out of Egypt by way of the Red Sea. The Old Testament tells how the people often rebelled against this chosen man of God. They were disobedient to God, refusing to follow His appointed leader. Observe that Moses was chosen of God to be the Lawgiver to Israel. Paul was chosen to reveal a special new message which is called “the revelation of the mystery.” Compare Exodus 20:1-17 with Romans 16:25.

16. (Ephesians 3:8,9) What is God’s divine purpose in having a special messenger for the Gentiles?

17. What is the “mystery of Christ” according to Eph. 3:6?

18. Compare Ephesians 3:8,9 with Matthew 10:5,6. Christ, in His earthly ministry, commanded the Twelve Apostles not to go where?

Even in the early chapters of the Book of Acts Peter and the other apostles preached to the Jews only (Acts 2:14, 22; 3:12). By revelation from the risen Christ, Paul wrote for all men. This is a change in God’s relationship with mankind.

19. God had a different plan for Israel than he does for the Church of today. The commission for the Church of this age is clearly revealed in 2 Corinthians 5:18-20. What do these verses say?

GOD’S MESSAGE FOR TODAY: “For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek (Gentile); for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him (Romans 10:12).”

Remember that the Bible is not a book we can read casually in idle moments and so learn the will of God and the purpose of God for us.

We must “STUDY TO SHOW OURSELVES APPROVED UNTO GOD,” and this means a daily, regular, consistent study of the greatest book ever written.

Romans 3:9 What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;
10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
13 Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:
14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:
15 Their feet are swift to shed blood:
16 Destruction and misery are in their ways:
17 And the way of peace have they not known:
18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.
19 ¶ Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Ephesians 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

Ephesians 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

2 Corinthians 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

2 Thessalonians 1:7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
11 ¶ Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
12 That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

1 John 5:11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

2 Peter 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Romans 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

John 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

Romans 10:9 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.

John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

2 Corinthians 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

1 Corinthians 15:21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Ephesians 1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Romans 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

Romans 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
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.

Romans 6:21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.

Galatians 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Matthew 7:12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

1 Thessalonians 2:12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.
13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

1 Timothy 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;

1 Timothy 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

Ephesians 3:1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles

Romans 15:15 Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God,
16 That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.

Philippians 4:9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Galatians 2:7 But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;

Ephesians 3:1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,
2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:
3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

Matthew 10:5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:
6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

2 Corinthians 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

THIS NEXT SECTION DEALS WITH EPHESIANS 2:1-3

Session Two

Session Three