EASTER CONFERENCE BIBLE STUDY 2010

EASTER CONFERENCE BIBLE STUDY 2010

THEME: THE JOURNEY TO ETERNITY

TOPIC:   COUNTED THE COST?

TEXT:     LUKE 14:25-33

MEMORY VERSE:  “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends”.  John 15:13

 

a.         Introduction

b.         Which cost is to be counted?

i.          The cost of our salvation

ii.         The cost of follower-ship

c.         The benefits of readiness and submission

d.         The dangers of unwillingness

 

INTRODUCTION

            This world is full of mysteries but the realities of life are well spelt out and defined in the Holy Scriptures.  Common experience based on daily occurrences has shown and clarified the issue of man’s existence and stay on earth, and that it is not a forever affair.  Further still, the Holy Bible has stated that there is death and that after death comes the righteous judgment of the Righteous God who cannot be influenced in any way by any situation, condition, human or spirit beings, power, authority, wealth or affluence.  This is the point of accountability and that there is life after death.  Romans 14:7-12.

            After God’s Righteous Judgment, those who obeyed God while on earth and followed and accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Master, would be ushered into the eternal Kingdom of our God and His Christ.  But the unrighteous (the worldly and carnally minded ones) who refuse Christ Jesus’ Lordship and Master, will be cast into the lake of fire where they will gnash their teeth eternally.  Matt. 25:31-46.

            Now, with the above facts being spread on board before us, what manner of life ought you and I to live.  Everything under the sun has price that must be paid, directly or indirectly before possession.  The PRICE of our SALVATION and FREEDOM was paid by our Lord and Master Jesus Christ on the Cross of Calvary, but the PRICE of maintaining our SALVATION after we have been saved from SIN must be paid by individuals.  This is the price or the cost of fellowership and in order to know more and be enlightened, is the focus of this year's conference.

B.        WHICH COST IS TO BE COUNTED?

B.(i)    THE COST OF OUR SALVATION

            The cost of our salvation or the great price was paid by our Lord Jesus Christ with His precious blood on the Cross of          Calvary. This means that He paid the price with His life and for the purpose to be achieved; Jesus counted the cost and fulfilled certain pertinent conditions such as

 

a.         Abandoned His throne and came down (Isa. 66:1-2, Col. 1:16-   17)

b.         Accepted to come as man (in the flesh) Phil. 2:8, john 1:14

c.         Denied Himself of the former glory (Phil. 2:6-7)

d.         Humbled Himself and accepted to die on the cross. Phil. 2:8, Heb. 2:9,14, 12:2)

e.         Refusal of earthly honour and glory (John 6:14-15)

f.          Available and accessible for the people (Luke 2:46-50)

g.         Always communicating with the father – very prayerful

            (Luke 6:12)

h.         Endured earthly harsh weather conditions (Heb. 4:14-15)

i.          Submitted to the Father’s Will (Heb. 10:7-10_

j.          Homeless (Luke 9:58)

k          Determined not to be influence by the worldly standards             (Matt.4:8-10)

l.          Mindful of His eternal home (John 14:1-4)

 

B.(ii)   THE COST OF FELLOWERSHIP

a.         Self denial (Mt. 16:24-25, Lk. 14:26)

b.         Perseverance/Endurance (Lk. 14:27, Mtt. 24:13)

c.         Separation from worldly yokes (2 Cor. 6:14-18, 2 Tim 2:1-5)

d.         Readiness to carry one’s Cross (Acts 21:13, Esth 4:15-16)

e.         Readiness to uphold the faith under any condition

            (Dan. 3:17-18)

f.          Readiness to pray always (Lk 18:1, 1 Thess. 5:17)

g.         Willingness to study and listen to the Holy Spirit (1 Tim. 2:15. John 5:39)

h.         Regular fasting (2 cor. 11:27)

i.          Regular fellowshipping (Heb. 10:25)

 

C.        THE BENEFITS OF READINESS AND SUBMISSION

i.          Eternal life (Jn. 3:16, Mt. 24:12)

ii.         Crown of life (James 1:12)

iii.       A new name (Rev. 2:17, Isa. 62:2-3)

iv.        Access to the tree of life (Rev. 2:17)

v.         Peace (Ps. 119:165, Jn. 14:27)

vi.        Defence from God (Zech. 2:15, Ps. 91:1,2)

vii.       Victory over Satan (James 4:7, Luke 10:19)

viii.      Eternal home assured (John 14:1-3)

 

D.        DANGERS OF UNWILLINGNESS

i.          No peace (Isa. 48:22)

ii.         No defence from God (Psa. 50:16, 37:17)

iii.       Eternal condemnation (Jn. 3:18, 36, Ps. 37:20, 9:7, Rev. 21:8)