Essential Bible Studies

Recently my good friends Peter and Larry asked me to join them on their very first episode of a new podcast called “Come to Life”. I jumped at the chance. As the name suggests it’s a podcast that deals with a lot of the issues of life like how to pray or coping with grief or overcoming addictions. They interview all sorts of fascinating personalities. It’s a very interesting mix of subjects. The foundation of it all is the word of God, using the Bible as their guide. With that in mind they wanted to start off by establishing what is behind every episode for them and that is the promise of God’s coming kingdom. God’s plan and purpose for everyone. Jesus Christ told us to seek first the Kingdom of God. If Jesus says its first, then what else could be more important? I encourage you to check out the Come to Life podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts. https://cometolifepodcast.podbean.com/ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-come-to-life-podcast/id1583424714  

Frank Abel joins Tim Young to finish off Season 4 with his testimony and reflections on his life. Episode's of the TV show Great News for the World with footage of preaching at Allan Gardens in Toronto are on the Christadelphian TV channel on YouTube. Ron Abel's book Wrested Scripture can be purchased as a book in the UK or the US and found on a website.

Our study of God’s providence continues this time with a focus on how God works among the nations. The Bible gives us key insights on God’s view of the kingdoms of men and how he is ultimately in control to bring about his kingdom on earth. Join Dan and Tim as they grapple with difficult questions about how God’s rules in the Kingdoms of men, how these rulers are still responsible to God and what this means for the believer’s involvement in politics. Visit the Bible Basics Webinar   Key Verse: “The sentence is by the decree of the watchers, the decision by the word of the holy ones, to the end that the living may know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will and sets over it the lowliest of men.” Daniel 4:17  Show Notes: God is in control of world events God, Daniel and Nebuchadnezzar (three times Daniel 4:17, 25, 32 cp v. 35; 2 Chronicles 20:6) Proverbs 21:1 - God turns the heart of kings like a stream of water God’s use of Kings Cyrus, God’s anointed (Isaiah 45:1-3; Ezra 1:1

For the first time we have Dan from the Bible Basics Webinar (www.biblebasicswebinar.com) here to talk with us about the providence of God. This is an essential Bible study because it gets at the heart of how we perceive the circumstances of our life. Are events just by chance or can God manipulate them for his purpose? This question leads us to consider many examples from the Bible of how God works behind the scenes in the lives of believers. Key Verse: “But all this I laid to heart, examining it all, how the righteous and the wise and their deeds are in the hand of God. Whether it is love or hate, man does not know; both are before him.” Ecclesiastes 9:1 Show Notes: What is Providence? the invisible hand of God working in our lives Example of Elisha (2 Kings 6:15-17) The angels (Psalm 34:7) The book The Ways of Providence by Robert Roberts (hardcopy here or here) Awareness of God in our lives Providence vs. Miracles  Providence is more applicable to today Example of the healing of the man blind from birth

In conjunction with last week’s podcast from John 1:1, Jay and Tim consider the context and the importance of verse 14, “the Word was made flesh”. What is it about Jesus being flesh that is so crucial to his sacrifice? Does it contradict the doctrine of the Trinity? How are we to understand this glory that was seen? The scriptures lead us to the wonderful conclusion that we will all eventually share in the divine nature, Jesus being the first among many. Key Verse: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 Show Notes:  The Importance of Jesus Being Flesh Flesh and blood  the same as our nature (Hebrews 2:14) the key to the sacrifice of Christ. Had to be tempted like us (Hebrews 4:14-15). God cannot be tempted (James 1:13). Flesh is sinful! This is why his obedience is such a wonder. He had to overcome the temptations of flesh like no other man. Made Flesh: What it Doesn’t Mean Revisiting the definit

John starts off his gospel by saying “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God”. This is a key verse for what many refer to as the Trinity. Jay and Tim discuss an attempt at a simple definition of the Trinity and whether this verse supports it. They then get into looking at what John is truly saying about the Word and Jesus by his use of the principle of personification found in other scriptures and the New Testament concept of a new creation in Christ Jesus. Key Verse: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1 Show Notes: The Trinity in a Nutshell (https://credohouse.org/blog/the-doctrineof-the-trinity-in-a-nutshell) The Word was God The Word is the expression of the thoughts and wisdom of God The Word is Who He is, Love is Who He is, Light is Who He is God is light (1 John 1:5) – intelligence, understanding, purity, truth, righteousness, life God is love (1 John 4:8,16) – reconciling, slow to anger, tender care,

Knowing Jesus better starts with his miraculous birth, born of a virgin by the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesse rejoins Tim to expand on studies from Genesis 3:15 to see how this prophecy/promise sets the stage. We delve into some wonderful verses in Isaiah predicted that Jesus would be born of a virgin. The Scriptures then lead us to the fulfillment in the Lord Jesus Christ and what it ultimately means that he was both the Son of God but also the Son of Man. Key Verse: “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14    Show Notes: Revisiting Genesis 3:15 and the prophecy of Jesus that sets the compass for the dual aspect of Christ being both the Son of God and Son of Man. Isaiah’s Prophecies of the Virgin Birth (Isaiah 7:13-15; 9:6-7; 49:1-2) The Prophecies Fulfilled in the New Testament (Matthew 1:20-23; Luke 1:26-33) Why the Virgin Birth is important and why Jesus is both Son of God and Son of Man (John

With all this talk about sin on the podcast lately, it’s about time we discuss some practical matters on how to overcome temptation. Stephen joins Tim to discuss the Biblical definition of temptation and provide examples and stories to help us in our fight against sin. Find out what it means to “not pack a snack for the flesh”. Key Verse: “Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.” James 1:13-14 Show Notes: Temptation Defined Temptation a major topic of the Bible from Genesis James 1:12-14 defines temptation and our need for God Desires are not bad in themselves (Luke 22:15) The worlds overwhelming temptations. Lusts that war against our souls (1 Peter 2:11) Recognize Temptation Where temptation originates (James 1:13) The example of Samson (Judges 13&14) The categories of lusts in the world (1 John 2:15-16) Overcoming Temptation

After the fall of man, God pronounces a curse upon the serpent which includes an enigmatic statement concerning a future enmity. Jesse joins Tim for the first time to discuss this earliest of prophecies about the Lord Jesus Christ and how he would crush the head of the serpent. Listen in as we break down each of the characters and what the allegory all means. Key Verse: “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” Gen 3:15 Show Notes: Introduction The Edenic covenant in Genesis 3:15 is the first prophecy and promise of the Bible. It is an allegory using events to represent another spiritual meaning. Quick overview of what is represented by the serpent, woman and the two seeds. The Serpent More subtle than any beast of the field that God had made (3:1) Spoke based on animal instincts to speak a lie therefore represents the mind of the flesh at enmity with God (Rom. 8:7) The Woman She proclaimed

In this episode, Rob and Tim read through and discuss the Bible's record of the very first sin in Genesis 2 and 3. Why was there a tree of the knowledge of good and evil? Why did God command Adam not to eat of it? What is up with the serpent? What lessons can we learn about temptation and sin? It’s all here in this episode. Key Verse: “Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned" Romans 5:12 Show Notes: Introduction Sin is the cause of death (Rom. 6:23) Sin and therefore death came by one man (Rom. 5:12) The First Sin – Reading through Genesis 2 and 3 Genesis 2:16-17 – God’s law and its consequence Genesis 3:1,4 – The serpent and the lie Genesis 3:6-7 – Temptation (1 John 2:16; James 1:14) and the fall of man Final conclusion The seriousness of sin and its effects on the whole world Hope and forgiveness in Jesus (1 John 3:5)

From Genesis to Revelation, sin is a major topic. One could even say it is a subject of life and death. Rob joins Tim to get a grasp on five verses that define sin. They are all very similar, yet each has its own nuance. The more we get into this study the more we get a sense of the seriousness of sin and letting God define it for us. Key Verse: “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Rom 6:23  The Five Verses: #1 – Sin is lawlessness (1 John 3:4) #2 – All unrighteousness is sin (1 John 5:17) #3 – What is not of faith is sin (Rom. 14:23) #4 – Failing to do right is sin (James 4:17) #5 - Coming short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23)

Could there be any more beautifully expressed words then Paul's exposition on love in 1 Corinthians 13? Join Brian and Tim and as they talk about the Greek words for love to get a better understanding of how to love like Christ. They then go on to explore each phrase and consider what it means for us in our life of discipleship. Key Verse: “So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13 Handouts: 1 Corinthians 13 Version Comparison Spreadsheet 1 Corinthians 13 Comparison with Exodus 34 1 Corinthians 13 Comparison with Galatians 5 Show Notes: Definitions of the Greek words for love Agape (Strong G25, G25 and G27) - to love (in a social or moral sense) Phileo (Strongs G5368) to be a friend to (fond of (an individual or an object)), i.e. have affection for (denoting personal attachment, as a matter of sentiment or feeling; while agape is wider, embracing especially the judgment and the deliberate assent of the will as a matter of principle, duty

The discussion on man being in the image of God continues in this episode where it focuses on Jesus Christ. How is he described as being in God's image and what is the implication for us? The conclusion to this study is a beautiful realization that our hope is to made into the image of the heavenly after the pattern of the Lord Jesus Christ. Key verse: 2 Cor. 3:18  "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." Show notes: Intro and Recap Jesus is the image of the invisible God (Col. 1:15; Heb. 1:3 NLT). The image is about having the characteristics of God. When Paul quotes Gen. 1:26 he says “image and glory” (1 Cor. 11:7). How is glory related to likeness? We are living a process of being made into the image of Christ (2 Cor. 3:18; 4:4-6; Col. 3:9-10; Rom. 8:29) We were born with the image and likeness of Adam (Gen. 5:1-3) the image of the earthly (1 Cor.

What does it mean for man to be created in the image and likeness of God? Is it a physical image or something else? Frank and Tim start a discussion on this topic taken from Genesis 1:26. It turns into a really interesting study taking the show to unexpected passages in Scripture looking for answers. Key Verse: Genesis 1:26 “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’” Show Notes: Introduction Gen. 1:26 - Why does the grammar change to “us” at this point? Our hope is to be make like the angels (Luke 20:36) therefore the angels are involved at this point rather than begin directed as the case with the animals. The image and likeness of God What makes us like God compared to the beasts? “after his kind” (1:24-25) -> “after our likeness” (1:26-27), Psa. 49:20 Is there a difference between image and

Jesus said the greatest commandment of all was “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." and that there was a second like it "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." This was so important that he said, "on these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matt. 22:37-40) Tim and Aaron explore the importance of love as an essential of essential Bible studies. They go back to the Old Testament reference that Jesus draws upon as well as the context. Discover what love is really all about and how to know and show forth the love of God in your life. For more shows or to get in contact with us go to www.essentialbiblestudies.org Cover art from Unsplash

The next season of the Essential Bible Studies Podcasts starts on January 17th, 2022. Listen to some of the highlights coming up. It's going to be a great season of engaging Bible study and discovery. Don't miss it! Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google, Spotify, Amazon Music or wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. Visit essentialbiblestudies.org and sign up for a free media kit and the online Bible Study Group.

Season 4 of the Essential Bible Studies Podcast drops on January 17th, 2022. Listen in to find out what is coming!

This is the second part to our season three testimony. Stan Isbell continues the amazing story of how God has worked in his life. Stan recalls considering ending his life before one conversation would change everything. Along the way Stan relates lessons learned through the years and how we can more effectively preach the word of God to others. The chart of God's 7000 Year Plan that changed Stan's life can be found here. The cover photo is from the Texas Christadelphian Camp and Conference Center, a place dear to Stan, but that's another story.  Photo courtesy of @hannah.young104.

For our season three testimony we welcome Stan Isbell to share his story of how God has worked in his life. Stan recalls his early life in Texas, the experiences that led him to drug addiction, and to thoughts of ending his life before God stepped in and brought him back from the abyss. The is the first of a two part series because it is so amazing.

This is the second of a two part study on Jesus' words in John 10:22-38. In response to the Jews accusing Jesus of making himself equal with God, Jesus quoted Psalm 82:6 "I said, you are gods." What did Jesus mean by this and how did it help to answer his antagonists? Tim Young and Tom Colby find the answer in the context of Psalm 82. Follow this lead and you'll see the wonder and beauty of Jesus' response. Episode Outline Introduction Previous podcast, setting the scene (John 10:22-24) Jesus’ answer is quoting from Psalm 82:6 Understanding Psalm 82 and God Manifestation Elohim = judges (Ex. 22:8-9; Deut. 1:16-17; 2 Chr. 19:5-7) Using this to better understand Psa. 82:1,6. The judges were supposed to manifest God. Relating this back to Jesus’ argument in John 10:34-36 Conclusion This is how Jesus and the Father are one (John 10:38) We too must strive to manifest God (John 17:20-22)