Bible Studies for Life Archives - Baptist & Reflector

APR. 5: ETERNAL LIFE

March 31, 2020

By Tim Frank
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Carthage

Focal Passage: Revelation 21:1-8; 22:1-5

The good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ is that whosoever believes in Jesus has everlasting, eternal life (John 3:16). Jesus said at the tomb of Lazarus, “He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes shall never die” (John 11:25-26). Paul states that the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23).

The Apostle John was given a wonderful view into the everlasting life all believers will experience one day in Jesus. While he was exiled on the island of Patmos, he saw visions of the final days and the coming of Jesus Christ to rule and reign.

As part of those visions, he saw the eternal, re-created heavens and earth descending from God. We often refer to this eternal home of the redeemed as Heaven. This passage fills Christians with hope and great anticipation of a wonderful existence in that eternal home.

Eternal life will be in a place that is real, wonderful, and beautiful. John saw this new creation descending from God. He notes that there were no seas in this new creation to cause separation from family and friends. For John, being exiled on an island, the sea was not his friend. The sea was also a representation for sin and evil in the New Testament times. John also notes the beauty of the New Jerusalem, the holy city. He describes the city as a beautiful bride who is perfectly prepared for her groom on their wedding day.

Eternal life is centered in the presence of God. God will literally dwell with His people and they with Him. The One who is inapproachable for sinners will live in daily contact with His children. The gospel song will be fulfilled, “And He walks with me and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own.”

Eternal life will also be free from the pains and sorrows of this present world. The passage states there will be no more tears, no grief, no crying and no pain. The previous world under the curse of sin will be no more. All things will be made new: day with no night, light with no sun, fellowship with no shame and eternal life with no death.

Eternal life will be for those who have received the Lord Jesus Christ by faith. Jesus told the woman at the well in John 4:14 that He would give living water to those who ask, a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life. Here in Revelation 21:6, the spring of the water of life is offered freely to the thirsty. Those who have Jesus have life; however, those who reject Jesus have their eternity in the lake of fire (v. 8).

Eternal life is pictured in Revelation 22:1-5 as a river of life that flows from the throne of God. It is also pictured as the tree of life lining the shores of that river. This is the tree that God removed from the Garden of Eden after the Fall in Genesis 3.

Here, the tree is available for all to come and eat of its life-giving fruit and be renewed through its healing leaves. The presence of God and of Jesus on their thrones is a part of that city. We will worship Him, be His people, and behold His face. Jesus will be the everlasting light of the everlasting life in that everlasting city.

Do you have the assurance of eternal life in your soul? It would be the greatest tragedy to know about eternal life but never to receive eternal life. You can know that you know that you know that you have eternal life. John writes in 1 John 5:13 that he has written these things (the Gospel of John, I, II and III John, and Revelation) that you may know that you have eternal life. Be sure today. Eternal life is too important to miss.

MAR. 29: SANCTIFIED

March 23, 2020

By Tim Frank
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Carthage

Focal Passage: 1 Corinthians 6:9-20

Several lessons ago, we focused on the word “holy.” It is one of the chief descriptors of God. It is also an adjective of everything associated with God, such as the holy temple, the priest’s holy garments, and the Holy Bible. The word “holy” simply means to be set apart. As believers in Jesus Christ, we are to be holy people. Through faith in Jesus Christ, we are forgiven and made just as if we had never sinned, justified.

Paul says in I Corinthians 6:11 that through Christ believers are washed, sanctified and justified. A person is washed clean through the blood of Jesus. A person is justified by grace through faith in Jesus (Romans 3:21-26; 5:1). These are completed at salvation. [Read more…]

MAR. 22: FAITH

March 16, 2020

By Tim Frank
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Carthage

Focal Passage: Hebrews 11:1-6

One of the most important words in our holy vocabulary is the word “faith.” A simple definition of faith is to trust and have confidence in something or someone. For example, I have faith that the chair I am sitting in will hold me. I have confidence that the air I breathe will contain the right mixture of oxygen. There are many things in life that we rely on through faith every day.

In our relationship to God, faith is central. In Hebrews 11, the writer devotes an extended passage on the importance of faith and begins with a description of faith. He says faith “is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Faith is more than wishful thinking or hoping that things work out. It is the firm assurance of the trustworthiness of God, based on His actions in the past and rooted in His promises for the future. [Read more…]

MAR. 15: SALVATION

March 9, 2020

By Tim Frank
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Carthage

Focal Passage: Romans 3:20-28

When I was 10 years old, my family went to Panama City for a week at the beach. On one particular day, I was playing in the surf and got caught in a riptide. Very quickly I was being pulled out to sea and began to panic. I remember a man rushing into the water and bringing me back to safety. I have always looked upon that event as a time I was physically rescued from harm, saved from drowning.

The Bible lesson for today explores the need in every person’s life to be spiritually rescued, to be saved. The reason for salvation: Salvation is needed in every person’s life because all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). This sin separates each person from God and brings condemnation, death, and judgment.

Romans 6:23 says the “wages of sin is death.” Something must be done, but the Scriptures are clear; the person cannot save himself. It is not a matter of starting good things or stopping bad things. God’s Word gives the knowledge of our sin, but our goodness cannot save us (Romans 3:20). We are drowning, and there’s nothing we can do about it. [Read more…]

MAR. 8: LOST

March 2, 2020

By Tim Frank
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Carthage

Focal Passage: Luke 15:11-14, 17-24

Have you ever been lost in the woods or perhaps on a trip? Have you ever lost something, and, no matter how hard you looked, you could not find it again? Just the word “lost” gives a sense of uneasiness and foreboding.

The biblical use of the word lost is much deeper than a misplaced item or a momentary confusion in location. Being spiritually lost is a condition of every human being as he chooses his own way instead of God’s way. [Read more…]

MAR. 1: HOLY

February 24, 2020

By Tim Frank
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Carthage

Focal Passage: Isaiah 40:25-31

Words have great power. Words have great meaning. Words are used to communicate important concepts. Yet, we can use words and fail to grasp their power, meaning, or importance. There are words we know, words we have used for years, but they become lost in our familiarity. This lesson unpacks one such word, the word “holy.”

The word holy is used 576 times in the Bible and communicates the essence of being set apart, separate from, other than. Its meaning centers on its connection to God. God is holy. Moses uses the word holy 76 times in Leviticus as he relates God’s holiness to the people.

In fact, the Israelites themselves were to be holy because they were the chosen people of God. Leviticus 19:2 says, “You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.” [Read more…]

FEB. 23: HOW CAN I HONOR GOD IN MY SUFFERING?

February 18, 2020

By Tim Frank
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Carthage

Focal Passage: II Corinthians 4:7-18

The passage for this lesson reminds me of the character Rocky Balboa, played by Sylvester Stallone in the Rocky movies that were popular in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

If you remember, Rocky, the prizefighter, would be beaten, bruised and almost out. Then, all of a sudden, a strength from within him would finish the fight and gain the victory. That is the essence of any great story of strength and courage. We see that same resolve from Paul as he gives believers three challenges to honor and glorify God in their suffering.

First, God is honored in your suffering as you realize that the extraordinary power which is inside you is the Holy Spirit of God. Paul says in II Corinthians 4:7-11 that we are earthen vessels, just ordinary clay pots, but the power of God dwells inside. [Read more…]

FEB. 16: WHERE DOES COMFORT COME FROM?

February 10, 2020

By Tim Frank
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Carthage

Focal Passage: II Corinthians 1:3-11

After a major medical crisis in my life, I received the following advice. Don’t waste your suffering. The person giving these words was not being insensitive, nor was he telling me to just get over my suffering and quit whining.

No, he was sharing with me an important biblical principle of suffering — use the comfort you have received to comfort others in their suffering. In fact, he went on to say that my greatest ministry would possibly be rooted in my specific experiences with suffering. Today, over 15 years later, his words were very prophetic.

In today’s passage, the apostle Paul shares this very fundamental truth in suffering: As God comforts us, we are to comfort others. As believers in Jesus Christ, we are called to look beyond our suffering and realize the impact we can have in the lives of others. Jesus instructed His disciples, as they were being sent out in ministry, “Freely you have received, freely give.” [Read more…]

FEB. 9: DOES GOD REALLY UNDERSTAND MY SUFFERING?

February 3, 2020

By Tim Frank
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Carthage

Focal Passage: Isaiah 53:2-12

I recently received a text from a mother whose daughter is facing open heart surgery. A friend, whose own child had been operated on by the same surgeon just two weeks prior, had contacted her. The friend said of the surgeon, “He did our son’s surgery. He is the best of the best. Please tell him we are doing okay. He is a praying man.” The words brought great comfort and relief to the mother who had texted me.

When facing a crisis, or struggling in suffering, it is helpful to share with someone who understands and can give a word of hope and encouragement. In the passage for this lesson, we see that God really does understand our suffering. He comforts us in unique ways through the first-hand experience of Jesus, our Suffering Servant. [Read more…]

FEB. 2: WHAT IS GOD’S ANSWER TO SUFFERING?

January 27, 2020

By Tim Frank
First Baptist Church, Carthage

Focal Passage: Job 40:1-8; 42:1-6

Last week we met a righteous man named Job. God allowed Job to be tested by allowing his 10 children to be killed, all his possessions destroyed or stolen, and his health devastated with painful sores. In the midst of his suffering, Job sought God for answers to his suffering.

God’s answer to suffering is His patience with our questions and complaints. After 37 chapters of dialogue between Job and his friends, God speaks and confronts Job. God reveals the limitation of human understanding and the folly of human wisdom. There is no sense of apology from God nor an explanation for Job’s suffering. God does not justify His actions to Job. In Job 38-42, God challenges Job with over 70 questions which reveal God’s sovereign rule, His loving care of the universe and His complete justice.

God’s answer to suffering is His compassion, even when we have been harsh and critical. In Job 40:1-5, Job responds in the realization of his place in the universe and covers his mouth before the Almighty God. He has no right to argue with God nor debate His judgment. The Lord asks Job, in verse 8, if he is in a position to challenge His judgment or declare Him guilty, in order to justify himself. To all the questions, the implicit answer from Job is a silent, “No.” [Read more…]

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