Faith and Works, Study materials for Home Church and Small Study Groups concerning the Foundations of Biblical Christian Faith
Faith and Works, Study materials for Home Church and Small Study Groups concerning the Foundations of Biblical Christian Faith
"Unless I am convinced by proofs from Scriptures or by plain and clear reasons and arguments, I can and will not retract, for it is neither safe nor wise to do anything against conscience. Here I stand. I can do no other. God help me. Amen."
Martin Luther

In this age where we see such a great falling away from Biblical truth it is easy to point out what is correct or incorrect doctrine (Rev. 2:1-7), but not so easy to show how to personally apply it as it was lived and experienced in the early days of the church, when the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ was spreading across the Roman empire even before there was a complete New Testament.
          Jesus insisted that not one letter would fail to be fulfilled of the Law and the Prophets, and it was in those books that the early church found confirmation and continuity for the message of the Gospel.
          What was the essence of the faith that caught fire in those first days, and would the church, if it returned to that faith, begin to see the hand of God at work in signs and wonders confirming His word as He did in the book of Acts?
          One can have great learning, or not, but carnal thinking, the thinking of the natural mind, is not a quality of intellect, it is the orientation of the mind. The mind set on the flesh is death, the mind set on the Spirit, which is revealing Christ, takes every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, and by faith personally rests in and trusts in that revelation.
          Both the wise and simple are to guard, that lest as the serpent deceived Eve, their minds should be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ (2 Cor. 11:3).
          There are still those looking for the church to be found on the foundation of Christ Himself, with the members of the church abiding in Christ as His body (Gal. 3:27), their hope resting fully upon the grace that is to be brought at the revelation of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:13).


The studies below are in various stages of work, some have yet to be edited and consist of compilation of first draft notes. Those studies listed below with the Green diamonds have had a number of edits and are perhaps more developed, though all of the studies below bring the full light of the Gospel to bear on timely issues and concerns for the body of Christ.

Files: (right click to download)
How should we view current cultural religion against first century Biblical Christianity? Introduction
The Bible says as we did something at the first, so we should continue. Have we lost our first love? Faith and Works I: First Things First
As we began, so we should continue in our walk in Christ. Are there paths we might take where we again walk alone? Are there those who for their own gain would lead us there? Faith and Works II: Living and Walking in the Spirit
What is truth? The current concensus is that truth is what is meaningful or ussefull. What are the answers we are looking for? Or do we think it better we do not search for absolute meaning? Faith and Works III: Pilate's Truth
Is love an overwhelming feeling, or a force? Or is it the ultimate Truth that we surrender ourselves to, having received it first hand? Faith and Works IV: True Love
Do your thoughts determine your reality? Or do we see the reality that our thoughts allow? What is the relationship of our mental conception of the world, and our actual participation in it, or even more, our ability through the spirit of God to live above it? Faith and Works V: Mind Over Matters
When was Moses ready to lead the people of God? What was the education he needed in the wilderness where he spent 40 years tending the herds of his father in law? Faith and Works VI: Moving with Moses
What does the record of the book of Acts tell us is the optimal conditions where we may expect God to work to confirm the message of His grace? Faith and Works VII: Signs and Wonders
When do we win? Is it according to our own rules? Are we in the right race? Or are we really moving on a bigger playing field than our natural eyes can see? Faith and Works VIII: Game Changer
The good news in these slow economic times is that there is still opportunity for those who know how to work the system Faith and Works IX: Marketing the Message
When can we really be married to another? Do we want to be? Faith and Works X: Legal Re-Marriage
Is He liar, lunatic, or Son of God? Why is there only one conclusion that is always offensive to fallen man? Faith and Works XI: Who He Is
Many today claim a special spiritual anointing that the claim gives them the ability to speak and act for God. But what was the original anointing that the apostle John spoke about, that all had? Faith and Works XII: The Anointing
Many sing that they want the fire to fall, but do they understand what the Bible speaks about when it says gold is refined by fire? Faith and Works XIII: Fire
What can we discern from the work of a great artist about the artist Himself? Faith and Works XIV: Witnessing Nature
What is the difference between Faith and Works? Faith and Works XV: Faith and Works
Born again, or just trying again? Faith and Works XVI: Born Again, or Trying Again
Light and Darkness Faith and Works XVII: Light and Darkness
When Its All About You: Gnosticism and Narcissism in the modern culture Faith and Works XVIII: When Its All About You
Join the Club: Community though mutial action or one in the body of Christ Faith and Works XIX: Join the Club
Two Kingdoms: Dominionism, Kingdom Now, and the true Kingdom of God Faith and Works XX: Two Kingdoms
True Food: What will really satisfy our spiritual hunger? Faith and Works XXI: True Food
Deeds and Fruit: What must we do to be saved and produce the fruit the Gospel speaks about? Faith and Works XXII: Deeds and Fruit
A Cup of Water: In whose name are we giving? Faith and Works XXIII: A Cup of Water
Two Baptisms: What were Baptisms of John and Jesus, who needed them? Faith and Works XXIV: Two Baptisms
First Love: How can we love as God Loves? Faith and Works XXV: First Love
In and Out: Which side of the cross are we on? Faith and Works XXVI: In and Out
Prayer and Fasting: How can we increase our faith? Faith and Works XXVII: Prayer and Fasting
What is Old is New: We keep hearing the same two stories. Faith and Works XXVIII: What is Old is New
Peddlers: Works in marketing and how marketing works. Faith and Works XXIX: Peddlers
Authority: Who has it, and why does it matter? Faith and Works XXX: Authority
The Media is the Messenger: Who wins in the ratings game? Faith and Works XXXI: The Media is the Messenger
Focus: Where do you end up looking after asking for directions? Faith and Works XXXII: Focus
Grace: Is it really just a pardon for our sinful condition? Faith and Works XXXIII: Grace
Membership: To who or what are we married and in relationship? Faith and Works XXXIV: Membership
Grief: The end is but the beginning Faith and Works XXXV: Grief
The Path: Where does it begin, and where does it lead? Faith and Works XXXVI: The Path
The Word: Propositon or person? Faith and Works XXXVII: The Word
Externals: What is in the earthen vessel? Faith and Works XXXVIII: Externals
Externals: What is to be built on the Rock? Faith and Works XXXIX: Building
Darkness: What is the true light that shines in a dark place? Faith and Works XL: Darkness
Help: Are we ready for the answer to the ultimate question we should be asking? Faith and Works XLI: Help
Success: What is it, who defines it, how do we get it? Faith and Works XLII: Success
Leadership: Self serving or directional? Faith and Works XLIII: Leadership
Oil in the Lamp: Do we have enough for this dark hour? Faith and Works XLIV: Oil in the Lamp
As a Child: Are we raising Cain? Faith and Works XLV: As a Child
Surgery: Is our knife sharp enough? Faith and Works XLVI: Surgery
Judgment: Are we guilty? Faith and Works XLVII: Judgment
Crucified: Are we dead yet? Faith and Works XLVIII: Crucified
Heart: Is it healthy? Faith and Works XLIX: Heart
Beating the Rock: Are we there yet? Faith and Works L: Beating the Rock
When Man Measures Man: When men measure themselves by themselves? Faith and Works LI: When Man Measures Man
Destinations: How many choices do we have? Faith and Works LII: Destinations
Why it Matters: Does it really matter what we are taught to believe? Faith and Works LIII: Why it Matters
Greatness: Who is first in the kingdom of God? Faith and Works LIV: Greatness
The Lie and the Light: Do you know what you really need to know? Faith and Works LV: The Lie and the Light
Point of View: What is the proper perspective? Faith and Works LVI: Point of View
Bits and Pieces: Putting the big picture together. Faith and Works LVII: Bits and Pieces
The Race: Are We Headed in the Right Direction? Faith and Works LVIII: The Race
Good Works: What Must We Do? Faith and Works LIX: Good Works
Parallels In The Parables: What Did Jesus Teach? Faith and Works LX: Parallels In The Parables
Spiritual Social Media: How does the body of Christ connect? Faith and Works LXI: Spiritual Social Media
Cost and Effects: What does it cost, and what is it really worth? Faith and Works LXII: Cost and Effects
His Kingdom: Where and What is God's Kingdom? Faith and Works LXIII: His Kingdom
Religious: What does it mean to be religious? Faith and Works LXIV: Religious
Faith: How much do we need? Faith and Works LXV: Faith
Context: In what context are we to be defined? Faith and Works LXVI: Context
Listening: How can we really hear? Faith and Works LXVII: Listening
The Maturity of the Believer in Jesus Christ Faith and Works LXVIII: The Maturity of the Believer
Seeing Jesus Faith and Works LXIX: Seeing Jesus
Testing the Spirits Faith and Works LXX: Testing the Spirits
Where are we spiritually? Spiritual Time-line

 

Colossians 2:8-10
Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy
and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men,
according to the basic principles of the world, and not
according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness
of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him,
who is the head of all principality and power.

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