The Word Podcast: Blog

1 Cor. Chapter 8

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:08:41 GMT

1COR 8:1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.

1COR 8:2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.

1COR 8:3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him.

Knowledge alone puffs men up. But charity edifieth. Charity is a certain type of love. It is not an empty emotional only type. That is not Christian love. Charity is the type of love that does something. It is the love of God in action. God so loved that He gave!

Verse 3 tells us that if any man loves God, then the same is known of that man. If a man really loves God, then the love of God will flow thru him to others.

If a man loves God, then he will have a working type of love that the Bible calls charity.

One example is a love for the souls of men. Going out and putting the gospel on doors in Phoenix in 110 degree heat is Christian Love.

Giving to missions, supporting a local church and helping to pay the salary of a man of God is showing that you love God. Running a bus route, visiting the sick, preaching in the nursing homes, helping your brothers and sisters in Christ. The list is almost endless.

1COR 8:3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him.

Do people know that you truly love God because of your charity?

Please visit my websites

http://www.thewordpodcast.com

http://www.thewordteaches.com

Thanks Bryan

And check out this great link site.

1 Cor. Chapter 7

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:06:50 GMT

1COR 7:22 For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant.

1COR 7:23 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.

If you are saved, you were bought with a price. The price was Jesus going to the cross. Salvation was free to you, but it cost God His only begotten Son going to the cross and taking your sins upon Him. He took the judgment for your sins in your place.

Therefore, because of what He did for us, we are to be His servant. One reason is that it is only right. It is our reasonable service.

Another reason that we should be His servant is out of gratitude. If you have a concept of the price that Jesus paid for you, then you will want to serve Him out of Love.

You will want to return some of the Love that He has shown to you.

1 Cor. Chapter 6

Sat, 16 Aug 2008 04:43:55 GMT

2COR 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

2COR 6:15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

The Bible is very clear that we are not to be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. Most often this verse is used as a proof text that Christians should not marry an unbeliever. And that is certainly true. But if you really look close at the context of the surrounding verses you will see that it goes much deeper than just marriage. The context here is false religions. Idol worship is mentioned in verse 16, Belial and infidels in verse 15.

And verse 17 tells us to come out FROM among them.

2COR 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.

The question then comes up, what does it mean to be yoked. A yoke is what you harness two animals in to pull the same load. But for this to work both animals must be pulling the same direction. If one animal is pulling North and the other is pulling South, a lot of pulling might be getting done but they are going nowhere.

The same is true for us. If you yoke a Christian to a Muslim, they will be pulling in two opposite directions. The Christian will be working for Jesus and trying to bring people to Christ. The Muslim will be pulling in the opposite direction trying to bring people to their false god and thus with them into hell.

The idea today of having interfaith meetings with all religions is AGAINST the clear teaching of the Word of God.

A lot of pulling might get done, but the cause of Christ will get nowhere.

And remember that a yoke is talking about working together. It is about pulling a load. This verse is not saying that we cannot talk to unbelievers, or have them as friends, or work with them on the job site. It is talking about pulling a load together for the cause of Christ. And this applies to marriage because a husband and wife are to be pulling the same load the same way for Christ in their household, in their finances, in raising children, and in reaching the lost.

1 Cor. Chapter 5

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 16:10:59 GMT

1COR 5:8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

Leaven in the Bible is a type, a picture, of sin. Here it is called the leaven of malice and wickedness.

1COR 5:6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?

Sin spreads like leaven. Sin will spread and contaminate whatever it comes in contact with. God is warning us here to cast out sin for our own good. For our own protection.

The context of these verses is fornicators in the church. You see this in verses 1 and 2.

1COR 5:9 I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:

Paul tells them to not keep company with fornicators. He gives more clarification on this in verse 10. (read verse 10 slowly)

1COR 5:10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.

Paul tells them not to totally separate from the fornicators of the world because they have need to go out in the world. If you had to totally separate, then you could not even go out and buy groceries or work a job. We have need to do those things.

Since verse 9 is not talking about the fornicators of the world, then what fornicators is verse 9 talking about?

Verse 9 is talking about fornicators in the church. Verse 11 clears this up.

1COR 5:11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.

It is the fornicators that are called a brother that we are to separate from.

1COR 5:13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

Wicked people who refuse to forsake their sin and get right with God are to be put out of the church.

Every effort is to be made to restore them first. The Bible gives specific instructions on this. But because sin is infectious, to protect the rest of the church, they must be put out if they will not repent of their wickedness.

This is a very unpopular teaching today, but it is still the Word of God.

1 Cor Chapter 4

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 16:34:35 GMT

1COR 4:2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

Paul understood that it is required that a steward be found faithful. He is referring to being a steward in God's work. Paul understood that he was a servant of a most High God. And that it is expected that he is faithful to the work he was given to do.

Some would then ask, who decides if you are faithful? Who is to judge if you are faithful or not?

Paul gives us the answer in verses 3 and 4.

1COR 4:3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.

1COR 4:4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.

Paul thought very little of them judging his faithfulness to God's work. He calls their judgment, and man's judgment in general, "a very small thing".

Paul then says, "he that judgeth me is the Lord."

Too many Christian workers are worried about what men say about their work. We need to be like Paul and think of man's judgment as a small thing. We need to be concerned with what God thinks about it and not what man thinks.

1 Cor. Chapter 3

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 15:46:13 GMT

1COR 3:8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.

The Bible clearly teaches a reward system in heaven. And each man will receive according to his own labor.

1COR 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Verse 11 tells us that the only foundation that can be built upon is Jesus Christ. Keep that in mind as you read the next verses.

1COR 3:12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;

Verse 12 tells us of two types of materials that can be built upon this foundation. Remember the only foundation here is Christ. So what is going on here does not apply to lost people. It does not apply to Islam or any other false religion. These verses are specifically talking about saved people, and how they build upon the foundation of Jesus. This is talking about your works after you are saved.

1COR 3:13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.

God is going to try the works of the saved. If you build with wood hay and stubble, your works will be burned up. Wood, hay, and stubble are all temporary. They are produced by the world. Gold, silver, and precious stones are all produced by God and are permanent.

1COR 3:14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

The works that you do for Jesus in the right way and with the right heart will survive God's judgment by fire. And you will be rewarded for your works. The works that you did out of pride or contrary to the will of God will be burned up. You will not be rewarded for them. Only works produced God's way will remain.

1COR 3:15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

Verse 15 is very important. We are not saved by works. We are saved by grace. So even if everything you did for Jesus was burned up, you will still be saved.

Fire in the Bible speaks of God's judgment. The man who has no remaining works is still saved because that is God's judgment on the matter. God teaches in His Word that if you believe with a repentant heart you will be saved. If you have done that, then you are saved no matter if you build with wood or with gold.

But would you not rather have works that remain after God's judgment?

If this does not seem too important to you now, it will when you stand before Christ at the judgment seat.

1 Cor. Chapter 2

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 16:39:25 GMT

1COR 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.

This is a key verse in understanding why there is so much false teaching out there. Here is the answer why, when some teach the Bible they teach the exact opposite of someone else who is teaching the same verse.

The answer is that the Bible is spiritually discerned. A lost man does not have the new spiritual nature that he receives at salvation.

Without the Holy Spirit the Bible is a closed book to them. Speaking of the scriptures the Bible says, "neither can he know them"

It is impossible for a man who is not born again to understand the scriptures. Therefore his teaching will be wrong.

For example, a Catholic who believes in a works salvation, and thereby is not saved, cannot understand the scriptures. That is why their teaching does not line up with the Bible. In fact most of what they teach is tradition and not the Bible. I can understand why they rely so much on tradition and not the Bible. They cannot understand the Bible.

So what about saved men who teach strange things?

The answer here is they are grieving the spirit. The Bible is spiritually discerned. Not only do you have to be saved, but you also must rely on the leading of the Holy Spirit to understand the Bible. You need Him to shed His light upon the scriptures.

So if a man is living in sin, his teaching is going to be off the mark.

Not separating from the world is sin.

Friendship with the world is sin.

Jam 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.

If a man of God is to properly understand the Bible, he must not be a friend with the world. This includes a lot of things; the worlds wicked entertainment, drinking the Devils Booze or listening to the Devils music.

But instead of separating from the world, many preachers bring the worlds rock-n-roll music into God's house.

When they do this, they are living in sin. This grieves the spirit and without proper light they make mistakes in their teaching.

This explains much of the false teaching of the health and wealth preachers today.

This explains the false teaching of tongues, slaying in the spirit, that God wants every Christian to have a Lexus and so on.

If you want good Biblical teaching, don't go to lost men and don't listen to men who are not separated from the world.

This also explains why good men also make mistakes from time to time. All preachers and teachers can have a bad day. Some days we are more spirit led than other days.

We need to give some allowance for mistakes. No one should leave a church because the preacher make a few small mistakes now and then.

1 Cor Chapter 1

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 20:30:47 GMT

1COR 1:9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

In my opinion this is what is sometimes called a mountain top verse.

God is faithful.

What a wonderful truth. Whatever God promises you can absolutely count on Him doing because God is faithful!

God says you have eternal life if you believe with a repentant heart and call upon Him to save you. So you cannot loose your salvation because God is faithful!

God says He will never leave you. So you can count on it because God is faithful!

You can count on all things working together for good if you love God and are called according to His purpose.

You can count on Jesus coming back.

You can count on God one day throwing that awful wicked Satan into a lake of fire.

You can count on God hearing your prayers.

You can count on God one day establishing His kingdom.

You can trust God with your soul.

You can count on every single promise in the Bible.

Simply put, you can count on God because He is faithful!

Amen and Amen!

Romans Chapter 16

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 06:42:42 GMT

ROM 16:3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:

ROM 16:4 Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.

ROM 16:5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my well-beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.

ROM 16:6 Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us.

In this chapter of Romans Paul mentions many people who were a blessing to him and his work for God.

Paul usually gets the credit, but Paul would never have accomplished what he did without Christians who rolled up their sleeves and got busy for the Lord.

These Christians risked their lives, worked hard, and sacrificed more than we will ever know for God's work.

All preachers who ever accomplish anything much for God have many good hard working sacrificing Christians behind them.

A preacher cannot do it by himself. He needs good loyal people who have a heart for God's work behind him.

The question that I ask today is, are you that kind of person?

I hope so. And if not, will you consider becoming one?

Romans Chapter 15

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 20:53:41 GMT

ROM 15:30 Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;

ROM 15:31 That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints;

Paul is beseeching the believers in Rome to pray for him. And notice what his prayer request is for. It is so that he many be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea, and that his service will be accepted of the believers in Jerusalem. Paul's prayer request is for his ministry. He is asking them to pray for God's work.

Paul gives the reason that he asks this prayer request. He says that it is for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit. Paul did not ask this prayer request for himself.

And notice who Paul said to pray to. He said to pray to God. He did not say pray to Mary. In fact praying to Mary cannot be found in the Bible at all.

Paul also requests how they pray. He asks them to strive with him in their prayers.

To strive is to make efforts, to use exertions, to endeavor with earnestness, to labor hard. Paul was NOT asking for a quick mention while you are saying grace! He was not asking for a 2 minute prayer. He was asking for serious striving prayer. The kind of prayer that you work at and put some effort into. He was asking them to put their heart into it.

We need this kind of prayer for God's work today. Christians spend too much time praying over hangnails and not enough time praying for God's work.

Romans Chapter 14

Sun, 03 Aug 2008 22:05:55 GMT

ROM 14:10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

ROM 14:11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

ROM 14:12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

Most people today will reject Christ. Not only do they refuse to confess Him as Lord and Savior, but they also use His name as a swear word.

They refuse to see Jesus for who He is. But one day that will change. They will see Him for who He is at the judgment, and they will bow.

However, it will be too late if they never accepted Jesus as their savior in this life.

If you have not yet accepted Jesus as your savior, you need to take care of that today.

Christians will also have to face a judgment. This judgment is not judging if you are saved or not. The judgment that Christians will face is for how they lived their life after they got saved. This judgment is called the judgment seat of Christ.

The other judgment is called the Great White Throne judgment. This judgment is for the lost. Everyone who rejected Christ and refused to bow before Him in this life, will bow before Him then. But it will be too late. They will be thrown into the lake of fire.

All men must stand before an Almighty Holy Righteous God and give an account for himself.

Are you ready to stand before God?

Romans Chapter 13

Sat, 02 Aug 2008 03:49:20 GMT

ROM 13:12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

ROM 13:13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.

ROM 13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

This is another great chapter on how a Christian is to live. We are not to be involved in strife. We are not to be envying our neighbor. We are not to be playing keep up with the Jones', as the saying goes.

A Christian is to cast off the works of darkness and put on the armour of light. We are to put off the ways of this world and put on the Lord Jesus Christ.

And to sum it up Paul writes, "make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof."

What ever your flesh is lusting after, you are to make no provision for.

God gives us these instructions because He loves us. He knows that walking close to Him is what is best for us. God knows that all of Satan's apples have worms, and so God warns us to say away from them.

Leave the world and walk close to Christ and you will be much better off.

Please visit my websites

http://www.thewordpodcast.com

http://www.thewordteaches.com

Thanks Bryan

And check out this great link site.

Romans Chapter 12

Sat, 02 Aug 2008 03:46:33 GMT

ROM 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

ROM 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Christians are to be separated from the world. We are to be a living sacrifice. We are to live holy lives. Lives that are acceptable to God.

Christians should not lie, steal, cheat, gamble, gossip, watch the world's filthy TV shows, drink the devil's booze, wear the devil's clothes, or listen to the devil's music. Christians are to have strong Christian character. They are not to watch two people have sex out of wedlock on TV. Christians are to set NO evil thing before their eyes.

Verse one tells us that this is not asking too much. It says living a holy life is your reasonable service. IT IS REASONABLE.

Christ went to the cross and took God's judgment in your place. He saved you from the fiery pit of hell. After what He has done for you, living a separated life is only reasonable.

What is not right is bringing disgrace upon the Lord by living like, smelling like, looking like, acting like, and thinking like the world.

Image how things would change if everyone who said they was a Christian would start living like a Christian.

Living right to get saved would be legalism, but living right after salvation is only reasonable.

Romans Chapter 11

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 21:08:27 GMT

ROM 11:33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

ROM 11:34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?

It is impossible for man to understand God's ways and His judgments.

No one ever has or ever will know the mind of the Lord. The answer to the rhetorical question, "who hath been his counsellor?" is no one. God does not get counsel from anyone.

Sometimes we will see something evil taking place and wonder why God does not send down fiery judgment upon it. The legalizing of sodomy would be an example.

But our place is not to second guess God's ways and His judgments. They are unsearchable.

Only God sees the beginning from the end. Only God knows the best way to meet out judgment. What ever God chooses to do or not to do is for the best.

If God sends judgment upon someone right away, it is right. If God delays judgment, it is also right. God can also withhold judgment until after they die and it would still be right. Whatever He does is right and we do not have to understand it. In fact it is impossible for us to understand God's ways.

It is not our place to dwell on it or worry about it. Our place is to realize that God is on the throne. We need to have faith in God and let Him handle things. His wisdom is far beyond us.

Romans Chapter 10

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 03:23:43 GMT

In my opinion, in this chapter are the greatest 5 verses in a row on how to be saved. There are many great verses on salvation. But if you had to pick 5 that are all in a row, I think that these 5 are the best.

ROM 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.

You have to believe in your heart. There is a difference between a head knowledge and a heart knowledge. You cannot just believe in your head. You must believe in your heart. You must receive Jesus in your heart to be saved. You must believe that God raised Him from the dead.

ROM 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Confession with the mouth is a vital part of getting saved. You need to confess that you are a sinner and that you need to be saved. You need to confess with your mouth that you believe in Jesus.

ROM 10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Calling upon Him is not going to be a problem if you believe on Him.

ROM 10:12 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.

There is no difference between men. All need to be saved the same way. God will save all that call upon Him.

ROM 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

It truly is whosoever will shall come. Whosoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

I do hope that you have believed in your heart and not just your head. I hope that you have confessed to God that you are a sinner and called upon Him to save you.

If not, do it right now and you have His promise that He will save you.

Romans Chapter 9

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 21:22:27 GMT

Once again Paul discusses working your way to heaven verses accepting the righteousness of Christ.

ROM 9:30 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.

Paul says that the Gentiles did not follow after righteousness but they have attained righteousness. The righteousness of faith.

ROM 9:31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.

Israel followed after the law of righteousness but they did not attain it. In fact no one can attain it. No one can live up to God's perfect standard. Some might get a little closer than others, but all fall far short.

ROM 9:32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;

The reason that they failed to attain righteousness is because they sought it by the works of the law and not by faith. This is also a stumblingstone to many today.

ROM 9:33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

The stumbling stone is Jesus. He is a rock of offence. Man wants to work his way to heaven because it lifts him up in pride. He can say look at what I have achieved. To accept what Jesus did for your salvation, a man has to humble himself. He must realize that he cannot save himself.

This goes against the pride of man. Accepting salvation as a free gift is an offence to man's pride.

Paul goes on to say that whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Someone who gets saved will not be ashamed to say so. If they are ashamed to speak up, then they are offended by Jesus' salvation. But the Bible clearly says that those who believe will not be ashamed.

Only God knows the hearts of men, but if someone is ashamed of salvation, then there is reason to doubt that they ever got saved.

Romans Chapter 8

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 04:14:02 GMT

ROM 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

ROM 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

ROM 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Getting saved makes you a child of God. This makes you an heir to His kingdom.

But you are not just any heir. You become a joint-heir with Christ. That is a wonderful thing. We cannot even begin to image the things that we will inherit in heaven.

These verses also tell us that being a child of God does not exempt you from suffering.

Verse 17 says, "if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together."

Regardless of what TV preachers say, Christians do suffer. It is NOT God's will for every Christian to be rich and perfectly healthy.

God does take His children thru trials and sufferings. God uses suffering in the life of a Christian to do a work in their life.

When suffering comes into your life, you need to remember verse 18.

ROM 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

What ever suffering God allows to come into your life is nothing in comparison with the glory that will be revealed in us in heaven.

Always keep in mind that this life and its sufferings are but a moment in comparison to eternity.

Set your affections on things above. Keeping your eye on eternity will help you keep your current sufferings in the proper perspective.

Romans Chapter 7

Sat, 19 Jul 2008 04:27:37 GMT

ROM 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

In this chapter Paul is talking about how after you are saved you have two natures within you.

When you are saved you receive a new spiritual nature. But you still have the old sin nature.

Paul says in verse 18 that in his flesh dwelleth no good thing. And to that I say AMEN. Our fleshly sin natures (that we must carry around until we die) are no good for nothing.

In this chapter you see the two natures are at war. They are opposed to each other. And sometimes the flesh nature wins out. This explains why sometimes Christians sin.

Paul asks a question about this struggle in verse 24 and then answers it in verse 25.

ROM 7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

ROM 7:25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Paul knew that he was not strong enough for this battle alone. He knew that he needed delivered from it.

And he knew that the only victory over the flesh is through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Only by staying close to Jesus. Only thru a close walk with Him can you have victory over sin in your life.

Victory over the flesh is only thru the power of Jesus.

Romans Chapter 6

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 03:47:34 GMT

ROM 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

ROM 6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

We are saved by grace and not works. We did not have to be good to get saved. We are justified by faith.

So far so good. But then comes the life that you have to live after salvation. And here is where Christianity is, in general, a mess today.

Most Christians today live in sin. In fact many of them will bring their sinful Rock and Roll music into the house of God. Or they will drink the devil's brew. Yep that is a reference to alcohol. Or they covet more wealth and on and on the list could go.

You tell most modern Christians that they are not to sin and they will start yelling legalism.

They just don't read their Bibles. Legalism would be working your way to heaven. That is not what these verses are talking about at all. These verses are talking about after salvation.

A Christian is to stay away from sin NOT TO GET SAVED. A Christian is to say away from sin BECAUSE HE IS ALREADY SAVED. There is a huge difference. Staying away from sin after salvation is not legalism. It is simply God's will for all Christians.

Read again what the Bible says about this issue. Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid.

The Bible says God forbid. That is pretty strong language. And pretty clear if you ask me.

God forbids Christians to continue in sin. And that is the Bible truth on the matter.

Romans Chapter 5

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 23:04:04 GMT

ROM 5:6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

ROM 5:7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.

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

Here we see the wonderful depth of the Love of God! Some men might die for a righteous man or even a good man. But Jesus died for the ungodly.

He died for you and for me. And Jesus died for us while we were yet sinners.

He did not die for us because we were lovely. He did not die for us because we deserved it.

He died for the dirty rotten sinners that we are. Christ died for the ungodly. That's us before salvation.

Jesus loved you enough to die for you even though you were ungodly.

It was not nails that held Jesus on the cross. It was His love for you that held Him there.

We should praise Jesus for His Tremendous love each and every day.

When is the last time that you prayed just to thank Him for dieing for you and paying for your sins?

I am not talking about quickly mentioning it and then moving on to a want list. I am talking about spending some time in prayer thanking Him for His wonderful love without adding other things. I am talking about a dedicated prayer.

Could you not spend 15 min. or more? How about 5? I dare say if you have any grasp of the depth of God's love for you, that you could spend hours in prayer thanking Him for it.

Romans Chapter 4

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 15:49:02 GMT

Paul closed the door on works in chapter 3. He showed very clearly that faith saves and not works. But in Chapter 4 Paul does not stop making his point. He keeps hammering it home.

Men's hearts are sinful and filled with pride. That is why men love works. It is a prideful thing to believe that you can work your way to heaven. The pride of man wants to have a part in their salvation. Sometimes it takes strong and consistent preaching of the word of God to break thru man's pride. To get a man to humble himself and accept a salvation freely provided for him. A salvation that he did no works for. So Paul just keeps hammering it home.

If you have witnessed to someone, but they don't yet get it. Just keep hammering away.

ROM 4:2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.

In verse two Paul tells us that if Abraham was saved by works, then Abraham would have a right to glory before God. Paul then says but not before God.

Abraham could not glory before God because Abraham was saved by faith and not works.

ROM 4:3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

It was Abraham's faith that was counted for righteousness.

ROM 4:4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

Verse 4 is a powerful verse. If you worked your way to heaven then God would be in debt to you. If it was of works, then God would owe you heaven. God would have to pay off His debt to you by giving you heaven. But it does not work that way.

ROM 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

Verse 5 says to him that worketh NOT. Instead it is to him that believeth. It is his faith that is counted for righteousness.

Do you have a repentant saving faith? Or are you still trying to work your way to heaven? Are you trying to get God to owe you heaven? If you are, you are going against what the Bible clearly teaches. Salvation is by faith and not works.

Romans Chapter 3

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 19:11:23 GMT

ROM 3:20 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.

Verse 20 makes it crystal clear that the deeds of the law do not justify anyone. The purpose of the law was not to save anyone because the law cannot save anyone. The purpose of the law was to show us that we are sinners in need of saving.

ROM 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Since we cannot be saved by keeping the law Verse 24 tells us how to be saved. We are justified by His grace. This grace is offered thru the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. It is thru Jesus alone. It is not thru a church. It is not thru a pope. Redemption is thru Christ only.

The verse also tells us that this justification is free. Free to us that is. This justification cost God a price. The price was the very Son of God going to the cross, shedding His blood, and dieing for your sin.

Verse 28 is the summary of the above verses.

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

Being saved. Being justified with God is by faith period. Justification is without the deeds of the law. You are saved NOT BY WORKS.

Here is a short list of some of the works today that people are trusting in to save them:

Baptism
Sacraments
Mass
Church Membership
Being good enough
Doing all that you can do
Confirmation
Your good outweighing your bad
Marrying more than one wife
Saying vain repetitious prayers
Temple rituals
Going to church on Saturdays

On and on the list could go. But God's Word makes it clear that you are saved only by a repentant faith in Jesus and that justification is free.

Salvation is Jesus plus nothing. Jesus plus anything is not salvation but works.

Have you turned from religion and accepted Jesus and Him alone for your salvation with a repentant faith?

Romans Chapter 2

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 06:37:15 GMT

ROM 2:11 For there is no respect of persons with God.

The context of this verse is salvation. The Jews thought that they had more respect from God and they thought that they would be saved just because they were Jews and honored the law.

But God is no respecter of persons. Every man must be saved the same way.

The rich do not have to do more to get saved and the poor are not given any slack. Every man whether rich or poor, Jew or Gentile must get saved the same way.

And that one and only way is thru Jesus. John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

It does not matter how much good your religion does, God does not respect it.

True Christianity is not a religion. It is a personal relationship with God. When you accept Jesus as your savior you are made a son of God.

Joh 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:

It is called being born again.

Joh 1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Have you turned from religion and trusted Jesus to save you?

Please visit my websites

http://www.thewordpodcast.com

http://www.thewordteaches.com

Thanks Bryan

And check out this great link site.

Romans Chapter 1

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 23:46:28 GMT

ROM 1:8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.

ROM 1:9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;

Something was going on in Rome. Their faith was spoken of throughout the whole world.

Now stop and think about it for a moment. People will not talk about it if nothing was happening. They obviously had a faith that was worth talking about. It must have been a working faith. A type of faith that gets things done.

And there is a connection in verse 9 that is often overlooked. Paul was praying for them without ceasing. There is a connection between prayer and things happening in God's work.

As Christians we are to spend much time in prayer for the work of God and those that are involved in the work of God.

Things were happening in Rome. Their faith was being talked about all over the world. And all the while Paul was praying for them.

How much time have you spent this week praying for those that are involved in the work of God?

Acts Chapter 28

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 05:01:09 GMT

Much of what happens in the book of Acts centers around the preaching of God's word. Preaching has been at the forefront thru the entire book. And the last verse is about preaching.

ACTS 28:31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.

And in this last verse Paul says what and how he preached.

Paul preached the kingdom of God. He preached how to get saved. I know that there will one day be a literal kingdom. But today that kingdom is in the hearts of men. A person gets added to the kingdom when he gets saved.

Paul also taught those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ.

The main things that are to be preached and taught are first salvation and then all things about Jesus.

There are people who go to what they call churches that never give a clear presentation of the gospel. That is wrong. Telling people exactly how to be saved should be a regular occurrence at a church.

Paul also taught all things about Christ. Many today do not do this either. Oh they put the name of Jesus in their lessons, but when you look at what they are teaching you find that it is really not about Jesus. What it really is about is what can I get. How is God going to bless me and my business. I call it the health and wealth, tickle the ears crowd. The focus that this crowd has is all wrong. There focus is on me. The focus needs to be on Jesus and not on us.

Paul also tells us how he preached. He says with all confidence. That is the way it should be done. Expounding the word of God should be done with confidence and boldness.

If a preacher does not have confidence that the Bible is the word of God, then he cannot preach with confidence. If you believe that there is more than one Bible saying more than one thing, then you cannot have confidence in it for which one is right. Multiple Bible versions only brings confusion and doubt and not confidence.

Preachers are to preach like Paul, with confidence. The weak kneed, man fearing, ear tickling, Bible unbelieving preacher should just step down from the pulpit.

Acts Chapter 27

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 05:22:31 GMT

ACTS 27:25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.

Here we find Paul in a life threatening storm. And even in the mist of the storm we find Paul ministering to others. He was witnessing of his faith. Paul said "I believe God".

And Paul's witnessing during the storm had an effect.

ACTS 27:36 Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat.

The storm was still raging. The ship was still in danger. Yet these men were all of good cheer.

Paul knew how to behave himself in the storms of life. He kept witnessing for God and it did make a difference.

Too many Christians have some storm come their way and then they start complaining. What they should do is keep in good cheer and witness for God. People will see God working in your life during the storm if you carry yourself the way God would have you to.

Acts Chapter 26

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 05:22:05 GMT

ACTS 26:8 Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?

People have been trying to explain away the resurrection for centuries. But it cannot be explained away.

Some adhere to the swoon theory. They say that Jesus only fainted and then the coolness of the tomb awakened Him.

This theory has no merit. Christ was pierced in the side with a spear and water and blood came out. The soldier was on the ground and Christ was lifted up on the cross. So the angle of the spear would have been upward. It would have been at an angle that would have pierced the heart. The heart has a sack of water surrounding it. This sack works as a shock absorber for the heart. This sack is were the water came from that came out of the wound with the blood. No one has a spear tear thru this sack of water and the heart and recover.

Christ really did die. He literally died. He had the blood drained from His heart.

He rose again three days later. Referring to this Paul asks a question. Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?

Paul is trying to get this man to understand that it is nothing for God to raise the dead.

The God that created all things out of nothing. The God that brought life into existence in the first place can raise the dead with only a thought. It is no effort for Him at all.

There is no reason to try to explain away the resurrection, and the resurrection cannot be explained away.

Acts Chapter 25

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 03:36:22 GMT

ACTS 25:2 Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him,

ACTS 25:3 And desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him.

Here we go again. Someone who believes in works salvation trying to kill someone who believes salvation is a free gift (which is what the Bible teaches).

This has been taking place since Cain killed Abel.

We see this not only in the Bible but also in history. The Catholics (who believe in works salvation) killed millions and millions of people who believed in salvation by grace. They were called by many different names and lived in many different countries but they were all murdered by the Catholics for the same reason. They refused a false works based salvation.

This went on for hundreds and hundreds of years.

This brutality alone should be enough to convince you which system is right, works or grace. You will never see in History grace believers murdering works believers.

And that is your only two choices. All religions can be placed in either the camp of works or the camp of grace.

And often in history we see the works crowd persecuting the people of grace. And it is not going to stop until Jesus comes back.

Oh, I know that the Catholics have stopped it recently.

But it is just picked up by others. Most commonly today it is the Muslims.

It has been this way since Cain and it will keep happening until Jesus comes back.

Now before you misunderstand me. I know that not every one that believes in works kills those that believe in grace.

The point that I am making is that the works system does breed those that kill true believers, whereas the grace system NEVER does.

Why?

The answer is simple. Satan is the inventor and propagator of the work your way to heaven false religious systems. The Bible says that Satan was a murder from the beginning.

Satan hates God, and Satan hates God's born again saved by grace Christians. So it should be no surprise that some that are in Satan's work your way to heaven religious systems would take on Satan's murderous attitude.

Acts Chapter 24

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 04:28:43 GMT

ACTS 24:24 And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.

ACTS 24:25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.

God clearly blessed Paul's preaching here and brought great conviction to Felix. Felix was trembling.

Then comes one of the saddest sayings in the Bible. Felix says, "Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee."

That season never came. Felix never called Paul again and God never called Felix again like He was at this time. Felix was all so close. But close does not count. You have to repent and call upon Jesus.

Luk 13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

Joh 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.

Rom 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

You need to change your mind about your sin, realize that you are on your way to hell, believe in Jesus, and call upon Him to save you. And you have His promise that He will. Salvation really is that simple.

If God is speaking to you about getting saved, do not make the same mistake that Felix did.

God might never give you another chance.

2Co 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now [is] the accepted time; behold, now [is] the day of salvation.)

If you are not saved, will you not trust Him now?

Acts Chapter 23

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 23:07:05 GMT

ACTS 23:2 And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth.

ACTS 23:3 Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?

ACTS 23:4 And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God's high priest?

ACTS 23:5 Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.

Here is a principal that most Christians have forgotten or just ignore.

Rulers are ordained by God. Yes both good rulers and bad rulers. Saul was a bad ruler set up by God as a punishment for Israel's rebellion. And even thou Saul tried to kill David, David was still respectful.

The principal before us is that, "Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people."

All rulers, even bad ones, have been set up by God and thus deserve respectful treatment.

Rom 13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

Instead of bashing our presidents we are to pray for them.

1Ti 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, [and] giving of thanks, be made for all men;

1Ti 2:2 For kings, and [for] all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

It does not matter if we agree with them or not, or if we like them or not. We are instructed to pray for all that are in authority.

No matter who the next president is; as Christians we need to respect his position and pray for him.

Acts Chapter 22

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 16:59:14 GMT

In the end of chapter 21 the people in the works based religion tried to kill Paul. This has been going on since Cain killed Abel.

Paul then gets to preach to them. There is one main important difference in this sermon from Paul. You do not find anyone getting saved.

Many other times Paul's preaching met with harsh persecution, but you will read about someone who believed. Not here. Not even one.

Why? The reason is that Paul got out of the will of God. He was told not to go to Jerusalem twice but went anyway.

We see a important principal here. Preachers just say the words. It is God that brings conviction in the hearts of men. It is God that speaks to hearts. It is only by His Power and His blessing that preaching will have an effect.

Without God working, preaching will accomplish nothing.

We need more real God empowered preaching today and then we need to give all the glory were glory is due, and that is to God.

Acts Chapter 21

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 19:08:05 GMT

Paul was told twice not to go to Jerusalem. Once in verse 4 and once in verse 11.

ACTS 21:4 And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.

Verse 4 makes it clear that it was the Holy Spirit that was telling Paul not to go.

Paul refused to listen so in verse 11 God sends a prophet to tell him again what will happen if he goes to Jerusalem. Here is displayed the grace of God trying to keep Paul from going the wrong way.

Paul still refuses to listen and goes anyway. Even men of God can get stubborn and fail to listen. We are all sinners saved by grace and we all can and do make mistakes. Paul is making one here.

You go ahead and mark it down. Nothing good comes from disobeying God.

No sooner is Paul out of the will of God by going to Jerusalem that we find him engaging in a ritual that Paul had no business being involved in.

The veil of the Temple had been rent and the age of grace ushered in. They were to worship in Spirit and in truth and no longer in rituals. What the rituals pointed to (which is Jesus) has been fulfilled. So the rituals are no longer needed. We now have the substance so the shadow is no longer needed.

They asked Paul to go to the Temple and be involved in a ritual to show that Paul was for the law and kept the law.

Paul should have been preaching Jesus and salvation by grace, but we find him in the temple to show his support for rituals and the law.

We are to worship God in Spirit and in Truth. Not in rituals.

We are to tell people who are trusting in rituals and works that they are wrong. We are to tell them how to be saved. We are not to go worship with them like Paul is doing here. When you worship with them you are saying with your actions that what they believe in and are doing is right.

Instead of bringing conviction to their hearts so they might forsake the lie that they are trusting in and be saved, worshiping with them gives them even more confidence that what they are doing is right. Worshiping with people who are trusting in works to save them, is only helping them go to hell.

This is one of the things that is wrong with movements like promise keepers.

Instead of telling the Catholic men in promise keepers that their trust in works and Mary will send them to hell, they are giving them even more confidence in their false faith.

Christians need to take a stand against false work based religious systems, and any group or movement that accepts and supports those false work based systems.

Please visit my websites

http://www.thewordpodcast.com

http://www.thewordteaches.com

Thanks Bryan

And check out this great link site.

Acts Chapter 20

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 22:15:41 GMT

ACTS 20:7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.

ACTS 20:8 And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together.

I want to quickly point out a few things today from these two verses.

1. They were gathered together to break bread (the Lord's Supper). The Lord's Supper is do be done when believers are assembled. It is not to be done alone in a hospital.

2. They were gathered together on the first day of the week. The first day of the week is Sunday. Worship changed from Saturday to Sunday! The reason is that Christ rose from the dead on Sunday. The Sabbath represents the law. We do not worship the law we worship Christ. We celebrate His resurrection every single Sunday. That is why you are to go to church on Sunday.

3. In verse 7 we see that they were also gathered for preaching! and not a side show. We live in the day of itching ears and the un biblical side shows of TV "Christianity" So I have to keep bringing it up from time to time. They gathered for real preaching.

4. Paul continued preaching until Midnight in verse 7, and then later in verse 11 we find that Paul preached until the morning. These Christians loved preaching! They did NOT LOVE entertainment. They stayed all night for preaching. How many people today start looking at their watch if the preacher goes 5 min. over? The people of God should Love the preaching of God's Holy Perfect Preserved Word!

Acts Chapter 19

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 00:10:03 GMT

ACTS 19:1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,

Paul runs into some religious men. Instead of just accepting whatever they believe, Paul asks them a very important question.

ACTS 19:2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.

Paul asks them a doctrinal question. He asked if they have received the Holy Ghost. Now to be able to understand what is really going on here, you must know when does a Christian receive the Holy Ghost.

Eph 1:13 In whom ye also [trusted], after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

The order is you hear the gospel, you believe, then the Holy Spirit seals you. This all happens at salvation.

You get the Holy Spirit at salvation.

Rom 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.

If you do not have the Holy Spirit, then you are not His.

You receive the Holy Spirit at salvation so if you have not received the Holy Spirit, then you are not saved. The teaching that you get saved and then get the Spirit later is not Biblical.

And just so you do not miss understand me. I am not talking about this unbiblical flopping on the floor junk.

So Paul in a round about way is asking them if they are saved. Paul now knowing that they are not Christians asks them about their baptism. Paul wants information about what they believe so he can witness appropriately to them.

ACTS 19:3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.

They tell Paul that they were baptized unto John's baptism. Paul now knows how to work with them.

ACTS 19:4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

Paul then explains what John's baptism was really about. Paul exposed their error. He taught them the truth. He told them that they needed to believe on Christ Jesus. And then look at what happens next.

ACTS 19:5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

They got baptized again. Baptism is for saved people. Their first baptism did not count because they were lost when they got baptized the first time. One of the things that baptism is for is to show forth and identify with the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.

Now that they are saved they can now follow the Lord in believers baptism.

In Acts Chapter 19 we have an example of re-baptizing someone who was not properly baptized the first time.

To have scriptural baptism you must be saved, be baptized with the right method, and with the right authority.

The only correct method is to go under the water and then back out of the water. This is the only method that shows the death, burial, and resurrection. You cannot show death, burial, and resurrection with sprinkling or pouring.

The only correct authority is a scriptural Bible believing New Testament church.

If you were baptized before you were saved, then you need to follow the Bible's teaching and get baptized again.

Acts Chapter 18

Sun, 22 Jun 2008 15:01:23 GMT

ACTS 18:6 And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean; from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.

Paul preached to them Jesus. (More preaching in the book of acts). They rejected Paul. But Paul did not quit.

ACTS 18:7 And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man's house, named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue.

Joined hard to the synagogue means that they were attached. A duplex would be a good example.

Paul was rejected so he just went next door.

Verse 11 tells us that Paul stayed there a year and six months. Paul preached next door to the people who rejected him for a long time.

Use your imagination just for a moment. Can you imagine the looks and the nasty things that were said from the people next door. Every time Paul went in and out of that building to preach he endured the hostility. His love for the people that were listening and his love for God was greater than the persecution.

ACTS 18:8 And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.

Paul's boldness and his faithfulness to witness under hostile conditions made a difference. In verse 8 we see that many of the Corinthians heard, believed, and were baptized.

We all need to ask ourselves from time to time: How bold is our witness for Christ?