Church Of The Lost Sheep

'Paul remained two whole years in his own rented quarters and continued to welcome all who came to him— proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord  Yeshua  the Messiah with all boldness and without hindrance.' Acts 28:30-31- this is the last entry written in the Book of Acts [This is the  24th  lesson of  this series ] The Book of Acts was written by Luke, a follower of Christ. It was a companion book (a sequel) to the Book of Luke, both of which he wrote to a person named Theophilus (Theophilus is both an actual name and an honorific title), so that Theophilus can be certain of everything he was taught about Jesus of Nazareth. Luke told him that he have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, and that he decided to write an orderly account for Theophilus. As already mentioned in previous lessons, these letters (these books) have been written for believers. Ordely Account The Book of Luke was about the life of Jesus up until the day he was tak

'For all the law is fulfilled in one word,  even  in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!"' Galatians 5:14-15 [This is the  23rd  lesson of  this series ] We are living in an age where more and more people who used to believe in God or the concept of a God, are abandoning the idea of God. People think it is because of the technological advancements of humankind. Or that people are smarter now. Or people have access to the internet, an online community, or because of Youtube, Tiktok, the Hubble Telescope, SETI, aliens or whatever. Whatever it is, it is not that. People have always been people. People have always been about the here and now, or about themselves. And it is even more evident today, people do not know how to wait anymore. People are easily bored. People don't care about anyone but themselves. And people are easily duped, which is surprising really, because of

'And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written: “The Spirit of the Lord  is  upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to  the  poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to  the  captives And recovery of sight to  the  blind, To  set at liberty those who are oppressed; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” Then He closed the book, and gave  it  back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” Luke 14 :17-21 in the New King James Version [This is the  42nd  lesson of this series] In this excerpt taken from the Book of Luke, Jesus of Nazareth, full of the Holy Spirit started to preach the good news of the Kingdom of God. He walked up and down the Judean region, did so for over three years, and left the charge to His

" I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing. " -Jesus of Nazareth, speaking to His closest disciples, 1st century John 15:5 in the Berean Study Bible Version [This is the 4 1st  lesson of this series] We study Scriptures for our own spiritual edification first, and to teach others second. Any other reason is not what it was intended for. We've talked more about this in a lesson in another series. God's Presence Followers of Christ today need to study Scriptures, and they need God's presence. Christ was with His disciples almost 24/7, eating, sleeping, travelling with them from one place to another; teaching them, and sitting in as He was teaching others. While with Him, they too were able to do the impossible, as Jesus did. After Jesus died. Peter and the rest of the disciples went back to doing what they were doing before they met Jesus. Peter along with sev

A Call to Persevere "19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Placed by the blood of Jesus,  20 by the new and living way opened for us through the curtain of His body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God,  22 let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold resolutely to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.  24 And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds.  25 Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:19-25 in the Berean Study Bible Version [This is the  31st  lesson of  this series ] This lesson follows those of the previous messages ( What is Needed and What is Needed 2 ) where we have discussed verses 19 to 22 of the excerp

" And one of them, a lawyer, asked  Him  a question, testing Him, Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law? And He said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” This is the great and first commandment. And the second is like it: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." Matthew 22:35-40 in the Recovery Version [This is the  12th lesson of  this series ] The religious leaders at the time of Jesus tried again and again to question Him, trap Him, discredit Him, destroy Him. Yet they were always unsuccessful (even after they schemed to have Him killed). These blind guides, without knowing it, were more concerned with having their moment, being in the spotlight, shining in the present time (being famous in their time) than what's in the future and helping people reach eternity in heaven.  They were so sure of themselves and the

"Moreover I will give you a new heart . I will put a new spirit within you. I will remove the stony heart from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh." Ezekiel 36:26 in the Tree of Life Version [This is the  9th lesson of  this series ] A widely read author and preacher wrote that a notable heresy has come into being throughout our evangelical Christian circle-the widely accepted concept that we humans can choose to accept Christ only because we need Him as Savior, and that we have the right to postpone our obedience to Him as long as we want to! Postponing Obedience I've never heard about this believer's right . And who accepted this? Delayed obedience? Really, we can do that purposely? But it is easy to understand why it might be widely accepted. Many preachers have taught messages which their pew sitters' ears were aching to hear. These are along the theme of accept Christ this day and everything will be alright, like peddling a miracle product that

"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart" Hebrews 4:12 in the English Standard Version [This is the  6th lesson of  this series ] This is real talk right here (might sting but we have to rip the bandage off at that time when we have to and it does hurt a little), Christ has not returned yet not just because of people outside the church but also because of the ones inside the church. Christ is for love and unity. And this has been a concern since the 1st church started. One of the real dangers of "preaching" online is not just hostility from non-believers but also from fellow believers. As we've mentioned before,  with brethren like these, we do not need enemies. When doctrinal battlelines are drawn out in the sand, Christians withdraw to side with their most cherished beliefs, or the ones they g

"In certain ways we are weak, but the Spirit is here to help us. For example, when we don’t know what to pray for, the Spirit prays for us in ways that cannot be put into words. All of our thoughts are known to God. He can understand what is in the mind of the Spirit, as the Spirit prays for God’s people." -Apostle Paul, writing to the 1st church in Rome,1st century Romans 8:26-27 in the Contemporary English Version [This is the  3rd  message in this  series ] If we went over the first two lessons in this teaching, we should be getting used to and a little comfortable with our prayers. No, we are not saying that we  already know what prayer is, or even what to pray for. On the contrary, there will be a lot of times that we will not even know what to say when we pray.  But know this, the Holy Spirit Himself prays for us! So far, we have learned:  1. Jesus prayed for us. 2. Jesus taught us how to pray. 3. The Holy Spirit prays for us. If and when we do not know how or w

" They all realized they were in a place of holy mystery, that God was at work among them. They were quietly worshipful—and then noisily grateful, calling out among themselves, “God is back, looking to the needs of his people!” The news of Jesus spread all through the country." Written by Luke, 1st century Luke 7:16-17 [44th message of the New Believer Series] Needless to say that this is the fourth message, if you've not yet gone through all the previous messages then you've missed the important aspects of this series.  ( Speaking in Tongues Part 1 ) Speaking in Tongues Epilogue Granted that you did, then you should be able to speak in tongues as the Spirit enables and leads you to do so. Although like a newborn child, initially your new language will be like that of a child -- speaking in syllables... A A A A...  Ba Ba Ba Ba...  Ci Ci Ci Ci... 1 Corinthians 14:14 "For if I pray in tongues, my spirit is praying, but I don’t understand what I am saying.&q

"Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said: ‘Streams of living water will flow from within him.’  -Jesus of Nazareth, 1st Century Written by the Apostle John John 7:38 [43rd message of the New Believer Series] This is the third part of the Speaking in Tongues message, it is our recommendation that before you proceed to please study the previous messages (if you haven't yet). Let's Go I know many people do not read instructions or follow signs or ask for directions even when they get lost. It's just human nature. Right now we request that you do and honestly ask yourself, if you are ready to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit? Only you would know. The Holy Spirit is Promised 'I will ask the Father to send you the Holy Spirit who will help you and always be with you. The Spirit will show you what is true. The people of this world cannot accept the Spirit, because they don’t see or know him. But you know the Spirit, who is with you and will kee

" We are witnesses of all that He did, both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem. And although they put Him to death by hanging Him on a tree, God raised Him up on the third day and caused Him to be seen— not by all the people, but by the witnesses God had chosen beforehand, by us who ate and drank with Him after He rose from the dead. And He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that He is the One appointed by God to judge the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about Him that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.” The Gentiles Receive the Holy Spirit While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard his message. All the circumcised believers who had accompanied Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and exalting God." -Peter speaking about Jesus Written by Luke, 1st century A

" Now, it happened that while Apollos was away in Corinth, Paul made his way down through the mountains, came to Ephesus, and happened on some disciples there. The first thing he said was, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed? Did you take God into your mind only, or did you also embrace him with your heart? Did he get inside you?” “We’ve never even heard of that—a Holy Spirit? God within us?” “How were you baptized, then?” asked Paul. “In John’s baptism.” “That explains it,” said Paul. “John preached a baptism of radical life-change so that people would be ready to receive the One coming after him, who turned out to be Jesus. If you’ve been baptized in John’s baptism, you’re ready now for the real thing, for Jesus.” And they were. As soon as they heard of it, they were baptized in the name of the Master Jesus. Paul put his hands on their heads and the Holy Spirit entered them. From that moment on, they were praising God in tongues and talking about God’s action

Three Thousand Believe ' When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and asked Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise belongs to you and your children and to all who are far off—to all whom the Lord our God will call to Himself.” With many other words he testified, and he urged them, “Be saved from this corrupt generation.” Those who embraced his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to the believers that day."' Written by Luke, 1st century Acts 2:37-41 [This is the 17th message of this series] Today we are going to look at the origins of the churches. Peter In another series of messages, we spoke about that day (Pentecost Sunday) when "the church" was born. [ New Believers Series - Pentecost Sunday ] From that message