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Topic:
Hold Fast
Hold That Line
There was a ‘yell’ that our Cheerleaders used to do
called “Hold That Line”.
Whenever the opposing team had the ball, the Cheerleaders would yell
“Hold That Line” because we did not want the opposing team to gain any
yardage on us. We wanted the
team to remain where they were or retreat backwards so that we would
have the advantage over them.
Each of you are charged today to “Hold That Line” ---
in other words, hold on to what “you” have attained, and stay in the
right position so that the enemy will not get an advantage over you.
“Lest Satan should get
an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.”
(2 Corinthians 2:11).
The Lord has blessed you to gain much, but each one
of you can lose it all within days if you do not “Hold Fast”.
Paul told young Timothy to “Hold
Fast the form of sound words which thou hast heard of me, in faith and
love which is in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 1:13).
There will be many who will tell you that “it don’t take all this
to make it to heaven”, and “you’ve just wasted your valuable time” but
it will take all this, plus a whole lot more.
Look at the advice that the Lord gave Jeremiah to
give to the people:
“Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in
the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and
walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.
But they said, We will not walk
therein.” (Jeremiah 6:16).
Will you be one to ‘walk therein’ – in the old paths or will you be
one to say like those in the days of Jeremiah, “We will not walk
therein.” The right path for
living is ancient and has been marked out by God.
But the people refused to take God’s path, going their own way
instead. They were like
“Burger King” – they wanted to have it their way.
God has a standard for living and it is ‘holiness’, without
which, no man, woman, boy or girl shall see the Lord.
The rules have been set by God, Himself, and it is left up to
each of us to adhere to them, even if we do not fully understand them.
With freedom, comes responsibility.
There are a lot of vain things in this world that
will tempt you to turn back, but keep in mind that the Word of God said
that heaven and earth would all pass away, but His Word would never pass
away. Therefore, it is
extremely important to maintain a very disciplined prayer and study life
if you want to “Hold Fast” and grow in the Lord.
Will everything come easy?
No it will not, but Jesus has promised that He will never leave
you, nor will He forsake you.
You have that assurance from the Lord.
What kind of times are we living in according to 2
Timothy 3rd chapter? And why is it so important for you to
“Hold Fast”? Will there be
suffering? Of course, but if
you trust in the Lord, God has assured you the victory.
(2 Corinthians 2:14).
God has made you ‘more than a conqueror’.
(Romans 8:28-39).
~ “More
than conquerors – Hupernikao – Strong’s #5245.
From huper, “over and above,” and nikao, “to conquer.”
The word describes one who is super victorious, who wins more
than an ordinary victory, but who is overpowering in achieving abundant
victory. This is not the
language of conceit, but of confidence.
Christ’s love conquered death, and because of His love, we are
hupernikao.
We must adhere to the standard of living that God is
requiring. It is an absolute
standard that cannot be substituted.
We must follow holiness …
Holiness:
hagiosune – Strong's #42.
The process, quality, and condition of a holy disposition and the
quality of holiness in personal coduct.
It is the principle that separates the believer from the world.
Hagiosune consecrates us to God's service both in soul and in
body, finding fulfillment in moral dedication and a life committed to
purity. It causes every
component of our character to stand God's inspection and meet His
approval.
Holy:
(Set aside for holy purposes), qadosh – Strong's #6918.
Set apart, dedicated to sacred purposes:holy, sacred, clean,
morally or ceremonially pure.
The verb qadash means "to set apart something or someone for holy
purposes." Holiness is
separation from everything profane and defining:
and at the same time, it is dedication to everything holy and
pure. People or even
objects, such as anointing oil or vessels, may be considered holy to the
Lord, (Ex. 30:25; Jere 2:3; Zech 14:20, 21).
Lev. 19:2 stresses 'holy' and 'holiness' most thoroughly.
Lev. 10:10 shows that God desired that the priests be able to
distinguish "holy" and "unholy" and teach Israel to do likewise.
God is entirely holy in His nature, motives, thoughts, words, and
deeds so that He is called Qadosh, the Holy One" or Qedosh Yisrael, "the
Holy One of Israel)." Thus
Lev 19:2 can say, "You shall be qedoshim (holy ones) for I … am holy."
Holy (purity), hagios – Strong's #40:
Compare "Hagiographa" and "hagiography."
Sacred, pure, blameless, consecrated, separated, properly
revered, worthy of veneration.
Godlikeness, God's innermost nature, set apart for God, reserved
for God and His service.
Since nothing that is polluted could be hagios, purity becomes a big
part of hagios. A holy God
calls for a holy people.
Church (ecclesia) – Strong's 1577.
Used in secular Greek for an assembly of citizens and in the
Septuagint for the congregation of Israel.
The New Testament uses the word in the former sense in Acts
19:32, 39, 41, and in the latter sense in Acts 7:38 and Heb 2:12.
The dominant use in the New Testament is to describe an assembly
or company of Christians in the following ways:
1) the whole body of
Christians; 2) a local
church constituting a company of Christians gathering for worship,
sharing and teaching; 3) churches in a district.
Other related terms are:
"spiritual house", "chosen race," and "God's people."
The survival of the Christian Church against all its opponents is
assured in Jesus' words from
Matthew 16:18, "On this rock, I will build My church, and the gates of
Hades shall not prevail against it."
Hold: to
have and keep in one's grasp; a certain position or relationship
Fast:
fixed firmly in position; secure
It is imperative that each of you hold fast to what
you have received and seek the Lord for the more of Him.
________________________________
How many times have you picked up The Bible and felt
the urge to study? I know
"many times". This section
includes passages that you may wish to study and also questions for you
to ponder! It is always good
to have a "Check Point" to see if you are grasping what you've read or
to give you an incentive to pay close attention to details.
There are four sections to this Guide... more will come in the
future. So, grab you a glass
of iced tea [or your favorite beverage], have a dictionary on hand, pen
and paper, and let's get with it.
God said to study that we may show ourselves approved
as a workman who rightly divides the word of God.
(2 Timothy 2:15).
None of us can afford to casually approach the Word because the Word of
God is ‘life’. Therefore, we
have been called to ‘diligently’ study.
May God open your eyes to even the more!
"The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding
unto the simple." (Psalm 119:130)
____________________
PART ONE
Theme:
Love of the World
Scriptures:
“Love not the world,
neither the things that are in the world.
If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in Him.
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust
of the eyes, and the pride of life,
is not of the Father, but is of the world.
And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that
doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” (I John 2:15-17)
Name three important points that you would like to
hold on to concerning these verses.
1)
2)
3)
What are
some attractions that satan offers to Christians?
Name a
scripture in the Old Testament that connects with this passage.
_____________________
PART TWO
Theme:
Two Foundations
Scriptures:
“And why call ye me, Lord,
Lord, and do not the things which I say?
Whosever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I
will shew you to whom he is like:
He is like a man which built a house and digged deep, and laid
the foundation on a rock:
and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house,
and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.
But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a
foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did
beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was
great.” (Luke 6:46-49)
1)
Compare the natural
house with the spiritual house in this passage.
2)
How can these
scriptures be applied to a young couple setting up house for the first
time?
3)
What does ‘sand’
refer to? The Rock? The
Flood?
4)
Why would anyone
build a house without a foundation? Give spiritual insight as well.
5)
When encountering
problems, what kind of ‘house’ should you have?
Explain …
6)
How dangerous is it
to listen and not obey?
7)
What is considered
as a “Sure Foundation”?
8)
Can the
‘foundation’ be destroyed?
(Refer to Psalm 11:3)
9)
What are some of
the issues that can beat against a home causing "home wreck"?
_____________________
PART THREE
Theme:
Obedience
Obedience: hupakoe –
Strong’s #5218. From hupo,
“under,” and akouo, “to hear.”
The word signifies attentive hearing, to listen with compliant
submission, assent, and agreement.
It is used for obedience in general, for obedience to God’s
commands and for Christ’s obedience.
Obeyed:
hupakouo – Strong’s #5219.
To hear as a subordinate, listen attentively, obey as a subject,
answer and respond, submit without reservation.
Hupakouo was used particularly of servants who were attentive to
the requests made of them and who complied.
The word thus contains the ideas of hearing, responding, and
obeying. (Following instructions,
orders, commands)
“Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have
seen taught, whether by word or our epistle.” (2 Thessalonians 15)
Your next assignment will be
to read
Jeremiah 35th and
Numbers 6th chapters.
After reading these chapters, compare family life,
cyberspace-style to those of the Rechabites.
1.
What is
“The Importance of Obedience"?
2.
Give a definition
of the following words:
commitment; devotion; dedication and blessing
3.
Write the
Rechabites’ Code of Conduct.
Do you feel that this Code is out of the ordinary?
What are some rules that a Christian family should have?
4.
Explain how this
passage will help you focus on living under the “Rules” of the church
you attend.
5.
What are some of
the things the Rechabites had to contend with?
6.
How do you think
they suffered?
7.
Are there benefits
to suffering? (See 1 Peter
5:10)
8.
Do you feel they
took some mockery from their neighbors?
What kind?
9.
How do you think
people felt about them?
10.
Do you think they
were embarrassed in any way because they did not own land and lived out
of tents?
11.
What were they
‘rich’ in?
12.
What was their
purpose? Their destiny?
13.
Before looking at
the explanation of the Rechabites and the Nazirites, look up the
following scriptures: Isaiah
48:10; Psalm 34:19; 2 Corinthians 1:4;
2 Corinthians 4:16-18;
Acts 14:22; 2 Timothy 2:12; 2 Timothy 3:12; I Peter 3:14 and
Revelations 22.
14.
How do you feel
about going through for the cause of Christ?
Are you willing?
15.
What can you look
forward to in the end?
16.
Can you compare
yourself in any way to the Rechabites (before the study and after its
completion)?
________________________________
Explanation of the
Rechabites –
Jeremiah 35th chapter:
The Rechabites’ code of conduct resembled that of the Nazirites,
who took a special vow of
dedication to God (Numbers 6th chapter).
For 200 years, they had obeyed their ancestors’ vow to abstain
from wine. While the rest of
the nation was breaking its covenant with God, these people were
steadfast in their commitment.
God wanted the rest of his people to remain as committed to their
covenant with him as the Rechabites were to their vow.
God had Jeremiah tempt the Rechabites with wine to demonstrate
their commitment and dedication.
God knew they wouldn’t break their vow.
There is a vivid contrast between the Rechabites and
the other Israelites: (1)
The Rechabites kept their vows to a fallible human leader; the people of
Israel broke their covenant with their infallible divine Leader. (2)
Jonadab told his family one time not to drink, and they obeyed.
God commanded Israel constantly to turn from sin, and they
refused. (3)
The Rechabites obeyed laws that dealt with temporal issues.
Israel refused to obey God’s laws that dealt with eternal issues.
(4) The Rechabites
had obeyed for hundreds of years.
Israel had disobeyed for hundreds of years.
(5) The Rechabites
would be rewarded. Israel
would be punished.
(Explanation from the LIFE STUDY APPLICATION BIBLE.)
Explanation of the
Nazirites –
Numbers 6th chapter:
In Moses’ day, a personal vow was as binding as a written
contract. It was one thing
to say you would do something, but it was considered much more serious
when you made a solemn vow to do it.
God instituted the Nazirite vow for people who wanted to devote
some time exclusively to serving him.
This vow could be taken for as little as 30 days or as long as a
lifetime. It was voluntary,
with one exception – parents could take the vow for their young
children, making them Nazirites for life.
The vow included three distinct restrictions:
(1) they must abstain
from wine and fermented drink.
(2) The hair could
not be cut, and the beard could not be shaved.
(3) Touching a dead
body was prohibited. The
purpose of the Nazirite vow was to raise up a group of leaders devoted
completed to God.
A blessing was one way of asking for God’s divine
favor to rest upon others.
The ancient blessing in these verses helps us understand what a blessing
was supposed to do. Its five
parts conveyed hope that God would (1) bless and keep them (favor and
protect); (2) make his face shine upon them (be pleased); (3) be
gracious (merciful and compassionate); (4) turn his face toward them
(give his approved); (5)
give peace. When you ask God
to bless others or yourself, you are asking him to do these five things.
The blessing you offer will not only help the one receiving it,
it will also demonstrate love, encourage others, and provide a model of
caring to others.
(Explanation from the LIFE STUDY APPLICATION BIBLE.)
_____________________
PART FOUR
(The Sermon on the Mount)
“And seeing the
multitudes, He went up into a mountain: and when He was set, His
disciples came unto him: And
He opened His mouth, and taught them, saying, “ (Matthew 5:1, 2)
Part Four pertains exclusively to the Sermon on the
Mount – what Jesus, Himself, taught His disciples.
It is so very important because it addresses life’s issues that
concerns us. One researcher
said: “This sermon probably
covered several days of preaching.
In it, Jesus proclaimed his attitude toward the law.
Position, authority, and money are not important in His kingdom –
what matters is faithful obedience from the heart.
The Sermon on the Mount challenged the proud and legalistic
religious leaders of the day.
It called them back to the messages of the Old Testament prophets
who, like Jesus, taught that heartfelt obedience is more important than
legalistic observance.”
Theme:
The Beatitudes.
There are at least four ways to understand the
Beatitudes: (1)
They are a code of ethics for the disciples and a standard of
conduct for all believers.
(2) They contrast kingdom
values (what is eternal) with worldly values (what is temporary). (3)
They contrast the superficial “faith” of the Pharisees with the
real faith Christ wants. (4)
They show how the Old Testament expectations will be fulfilled in
the new kingdom. These
beatitudes are not multiple choice – pick what you like and leave the
rest. They must be taken as
a whole. They describe what
we should be like as Christ’s followers.
Scripture:
Matthew 5:1-12
1.
What does it mean
to be blessed according to this passage?
2.
Write a definition
of Beatitudes
3.
Why is it necessary
to ‘rejoice’? and at what
point should you rejoice?
4.
Give a brief
summary of this passage.
Here is a helpful chart
that will be a blessing to you about the Beatitudes:
Beatitude
Old Testament
Clashing
God’s Reward
How to develop
Anticipation
worldly values
this attitude
Poor in spirit
Isaiah 57:15
Pride and personal
Kingdom of
James 4:7-10
Independence
heaven
Mourning
Isaiah 61:1, 2
Happiness at any
Comfort
Psalm 51
Cost
(2 Cor
1:4)
James 4:7-10
Meekness
Psalm 37:5-11
Power
Inherit the earth
Matt 11:27-30
Righteousness
Isa 11:4, 5, 42:1-4
Pursuing personal
Filled (satisfied)
John 16:5-11
Needs
Phil. 3:7-11
Mercy
Psalm 41:1
Strength
without
Be
shown mercy
Eph. 5:1, 2
Feeling
Pure in Heart
Psalm 24:3, 4
Deception is See God
I John 3:1-3
51:10
acceptable
Peacemaker
Isa 57:18, 19
Personal peace is
Be
called Sons
Rom 12:9-21
Isa. 60:17
pursued without
of God
Heb. 12:10, 11
concern for the
world’s chaos
Persecuted
Isa 52:13; 53:12
Weak commitments
Inherit the kingdom 2
Tim. 3:12
Of heaven
Theme:
The Similitudes
Scripture:
Matthew 5:13-16
1.
What are
Similitudes?
2.
Explain
“Salt” and “Light” in this passage.
3.
What does this mean
to you? “Don’t lose your
saltiness.”
4.
Was it meant for
you to stay hidden?
5.
How can Saints make
others ‘salty’ for Jesus?
6.
How can "salt" lose
its flavor? Compare to your
Christian walk.
7.
What is the
difference between ‘letting your light shine’ and ‘making your light
shine’?
8.
Give a brief
summary of this passage.
________________________
*Please note that this Study Guide is only meant to enhance your own
personal Bible Study time.
We pray that you will be encouraged to dig into the Word of God even
more ... "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts:
and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh
you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you,
as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good
conversation in Christ." (I Peter 3:15, 16).
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