The Learn to Read theThe Learn to Read theBible Bible EffectivelyEffectively Seminar Seminar

Week 6Week 6

Last WeekLast Week

• Last week we looked at…. • Mystery?• Bible Terminology• Overview of the Books of the Bible (Part 5)• The Jews and the Law of Moses

OverviewOverview

• Week 6Life and Death in the BibleOverview of the Books of the Bible (Part 6)Good vs. EvilTerminology (Part 4)Conclusion

Section 24Section 24

Life and Death in the Bible

Where does life come from?Where does life come from?

• Genesis tells us about formation of life “The LORD God formed man of the dust of the

ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” (Gen 2.7)

• The reversal is also found in Genesis “All flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of

fowl, and cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth, and every man: All in whose nostrils was the breath of life, of all that was in the dry land, died.” (Gen 7.21)

Where does life come from?Where does life come from?

Where does life come from?Where does life come from?

• God supplies all life• God supplies the breath of life

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receiveThou art worthy, O Lord, to receiveglory and honour and power: glory and honour and power:

for thou hast created all things.”for thou hast created all things.”(Rev 4.11)(Rev 4.11)

LIFE : God supplies it through “the breath of life”LIFE : God supplies it through “the breath of life”

Where does death come from?Where does death come from?

• Death was not a part of original creation• All God created was good - but there

was one law“But of the tree of the knowledge of good

and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day thou eatest there of thou shalt surely die.” (Gen 2.17)

• Man ate - Sin entered the worldMan died!

Where does death come from?Where does death come from?

• The result…..All mankind would die

• “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 5.12)

Mankind is paid his wage• “For the wages of sin is death:

but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6.23)

Where does death come from?Where does death come from?

• Where then does death come from?

DEATH : DEATH : Is brought about as a Is brought about as a consequence of sinconsequence of sin

What happens at death?What happens at death?

• Mankind has always wanted to know what lies beyond…

• Death is a reversal of life• Life (Job 33.4)

“..the Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life”

• Death - The Reversal (Job 34.14) “If he (God) set his heart upon man, if he gather

unto himself his spirit and his breath; All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust.”

What happens at death?What happens at death?

What happens at death?What happens at death?

Spirit returns to God who gave it…

What lies beyond death?What lies beyond death?

• Daniel tells us plainly“And many of them that sleep in the dust of

the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.” (Daniel 12.2)

• Jesus tell us - John 5.28-29• Paul tells us - Acts 24.14-15

THE RESURRECTION IS OUR HOPETHE RESURRECTION IS OUR HOPE

Section 25Section 25

Overview of the Books of the Bible (Part 6)

(Part 6 - New Testament - Part 2)(Part 6 - New Testament - Part 2)

Overview of the Books of the BibleOverview of the Books of the Bible

New Testament : Part 2New Testament : Part 2

Paul’s Paul’s LettersLetters

1 & 2 TimothyTitus

Philemon

The The ApocalypseApocalypse

Revelation

General General LettersLettersHebrews

James1 & 2 Peter1,2 & 3 John

Jude

1 & 2 Timothy1 & 2 Timothy

• Author - Paul• Time - 67 AD• Overview

Letter written personally to Timothy Deals with ecclesial conduct and problems Encourage people on the ecclesia to be strong “Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in

keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight…”(1 Tim 1.18)

TitusTitus

• Author - Paul• Time - 67 AD• Overview

Titus was teaching churches on island of Crete

Advice on conductHow to have an orderly, sound and practical

church

PhilemonPhilemon

• Author - Paul• Time - 61-62 AD• Overview

Philemon is master of Onesimus the runaway slave

Sends Onesimus back as a Christian and now a brother

Slaves are free and free are slaves

HebrewsHebrews

• Author - Probably Paul• Time - 63 AD• Overview

To prove that Jesus is Son of GodWritten to Jewish Christians who were

waveringProve that Jesus is fulfillment of OT

passages

HebrewsHebrews

• Christ better than predecessorsProphets, Angels, Moses, Joshua, Aaron,

Levitical Priesthood

• Christ as the sacrifice• Christ and faith• Hebrews 10.19-25

JamesJames

• Author - James• Time - 43-50 AD• Overview

Contains practical information about everyday life

Not directed to any particular church - but to Jewish believers

Deals with faith in action James 2.26

1 Peter1 Peter

• Author - Peter• Time - 60 AD• Overview

Written to Christians in Asia minor Joyful hope in face of coming persecutionEndure persecution

2 Peter2 Peter

• Author - Peter• Time - 66 AD• Overview

Deals with true knowledgeFalse teachers had crept into churchExhorts Christians to beware of false

teachers

1 John1 John

• Author - John• Time - 85 - 100 AD• Overview

Written to community that faced Gnostic heresy

Teaches them to walk in the lightRemember the sacrifice of JesusLetter deals with the Truth and the ecclesia

2 John2 John

• Author - John• Time - 85 - 100 AD• Overview

To “an elect lady”Advised to avoid fellowship with unbelieversEmphasizes the idea of love, truth and

obedienceLetter deals with the Truth and the home

3 John3 John

• Author - John• Time - 85 - 100 AD• Overview

Commends Gaius for his charity because he allowed the Christians to use his home

He was urged to shun evil menLetter deals with the Truth and the

individual

JudeJude

• Author - Jude• Time - 70 - 80 AD• Overview

Warns about dangers of false teachers who have crept in unawares into the church

Reminds them about judgement that befell evil men in the past

RevelationRevelation

• Author - John• Time - 95 AD• Overview

Final book in NT and Bible John given revelation of events surrounding

Jesus’ return and the establishment of the kingdom

Highly symbolic vision

RevelationRevelation

• Introduction• Seven Letters• Seven Seals

Seven Trumpets• Destruction of the Beast, his image and

organisation• Seven Vials

– Judgement of great whore– Triumph of the lamb– New heavens and new earth

Section 26Section 26

Good vs Evil

Origin of EvilOrigin of Evil

• Gen 1.31 - Everything was good• Man brought sin by disobedience

What is Sin?What is Sin?

• 1 John 3.4• God does not tempt or cause us to sin

James 1.13-15

• What is the source of sin?Lust and pride (1 John 2.16)

• E.g. Gen 3.1-7– Fruit was “good for food” = lust of the flesh– “Pleasant for the eyes” = lust of the eyes– “Ye shall be as Gods” = pride of life

• Result - Enmity between man and God

Is Man Inherently Good or Evil?Is Man Inherently Good or Evil?

• Man evil by nature• “The heart is deceitful above all things

and desperately wicked.” (Jer 17.9)• Sins comes from within

Mark 7.20-23

• Man is evil but God is good• Good will eventually prevail!

Why is there Suffering?Why is there Suffering?

• Sin and suffering are a result of man’s folly

• Man’s disobedience results in suffering• Suffering sometimes used to refine or

mould the Christian disciple - e.g. Job• Galatians 5.22-23• Paul taught that through much

tribulation believers will enter the Kingdom of God - Acts 14.22

Why doesn’t God Intervene?Why doesn’t God Intervene?

• God would not be able to accomplish his Master Plan

• Needs to teach man the wisdom of his ways

Section 27Section 27

Terminology (Part 4)

TerminologyTerminology

• SabbathRest - Exodus 20.11Esteem all days alike - Rom 14.5

• LuciferMorning starKing of Babylon - Isaiah 14.12

• AngelMessenger from GodMalachi

Section 28Section 28

The Conclusion of Things

ConclusionConclusion

• This week we looked at…. Life and Death in the BibleLife and Death in the Bible Overview of the Books of the Bible Overview of the Books of the Bible

(Part 6)(Part 6) Good vs EvilGood vs Evil Bible Terminology (Part 4)Bible Terminology (Part 4)

ConclusionConclusion

• The objective of seminarLearn to Read the Bible Effectively Joshua 1.8

• Joshua heeded words and led people into the promised land (Joshua 24.14-15)

• If we heed the words, the greater Joshua will lead us into the promised land(Matthew 25.34)

ConclusionConclusion

• We are now at crossroads as Israel was 5000 years ago…

• Deuteronomy 30.19-20

ConclusionConclusion

• What is God’s What is God’s Master PlanMaster Plan??• How will the How will the Master PlanMaster Plan be realised? be realised?• Why do we need the Why do we need the Master PlanMaster Plan??• What stops us from participating? What stops us from participating? • Who is the key to the Who is the key to the Master PlanMaster Plan??• Who is the Who is the Master PlannerMaster Planner??• How do we participate in the How do we participate in the Master PlanMaster Plan??• How should How should Master PlanMaster Plan citizens live? citizens live?

You are invited to attend an Advanced Seminar :You are invited to attend an Advanced Seminar :

God’s Master PlanGod’s Master Plan

Thank YouThank You

And May God Bless YouAnd May God Bless You

As You Read His Most Holy WordAs You Read His Most Holy Word