Author: Tim Young

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Hell (Part 1) – Not Abandoned to Hades

In this episode Josh and Tim tackle the subject of hell. There are a lot of misconceptions about hell that a simple study like this will dispel. While it might not seem like a very positive subject, in the end, there is a message of hope that is very powerful.

Key Verse: “Therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope. For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption.” Act 2:26-27 

Study Help: Every passage with Hell as Sheol or Hades

  1. Introduction
    1. Confusion over the word “hell”
    2. Reminder of past episodes that serve as a basis for this study
      1. We Shall Not All Sleep
      2. The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus
      3. The Creation of Man … First Natural, Then Spiritual
    3. Overview of the words for “hell” – Sheol, Hades and Gehenna
    4. To translate or transliterate?
  2. The OT Sheol
    1. A place for all the dead
      1. Gen. 37:35 – 1st occurrence. Jacob’s expectation to be there.
      2. Psa. 89:47-48 (NET) – Everybody dies, the power of Sheol
      3. 1 Sam. 2:6 – Hannah’s hope in the resurrection
    2. Descriptions of Sheol
      1. Psa. 6:5 (Isa. 38:18) – No praise of God
      2. Job 17:13-16 – place of darkness, corruption, worms and dust
      3. Ecc. 9:10 – No work or thought
      4. Isa. 14 / Ezek. 32 – Not to be taken literally
  3. Transition to the NT
    1. Acts 2:27,31 / Psa. 16:10 – The connection with Jesus
    2. Rev. 1:18 (cp. Zech. 9:11) – How Jesus overcame and has the keys to overcome the power of the grave
  4. Final conclusion
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The Five Snares of Covetousness

In this episode we delve into some of the practical sides of recognizing sin in our lives and being able to deal with it. Covetousness is a great example of this. A sin that we might not know about unless God had told us not to covet. It’s so important that it will exclude us from the kingdom of God. Frank joins Tim for interesting insights from his life on at least five areas to watch out for when it comes to covetousness.

Key verse: “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you. So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”” Hebrews 13:5-6

  1. Introduction
    1. The 10th commandment – Thou shalt not covet (Ex. 20:17). All other commandments seem to be external, but the 10th is obviously a commandment about how we think.
    2. The battle against sin in the mind (Rom. 7:7,22-23)
  2. The importance of recognizing and dealing with the sin of covetousness
    1. Exclusion from the kingdom of God (Eph. 5:3-5; 1 Cor. 6:9-10)
    2. The root of all evil (1 Tim. 6:9-11)
  3. Defining Covetousness
    1. English meaning
    2. Hebrew meaning
    3. Greek meaning
  4. Five Snares of Covetousness
    1. The snare of the credit card (Rom. 13:7-8)
      1. Buying things we want but do not really need, on a credit account, because we do not have sufficient money to pay for it.
      2. When we only pay the minimum balance instead of the whole balance on a credit account.
    2. The lure of advertising and buying on impulse
      1. Some stores are set up to encourage buying on impulse.
      2. This includes buying more of a product than we really need.
      3. Sometimes the store price is below their cost.
      4. One needs to make a list and stick to it.
    3. The deception of get rich quick schemes (lotteries, stock market)
      1. Huge payouts sound good and we can justify it to ourselves
      2. Actually winning would create more difficulties
      3. Investing wisely is good but must be careful not to get caught up in it all
    4. The enticement of entertainment and social media
      1. Most entertainment is the idolization of man. Everybody wants to be like the star.
      2. Social media is filled with people trying to be influencers
    5. The pitfalls of keeping up with the Jones
      1. We spend a lot of money just to keep up.
      2. Sometimes it is purely a matter of pride.
      3. Sometimes expectations are too high and we need to lower them. We don’t really need the latest and greatest.
      4. We live in a very wasteful society.
  5. The positives
    1. The flesh can never be satisfied (Ecc. 5:10). We always live to our means.
    2. Putting trust in God (Heb. 13:5-6)
    3. Godliness with contentment is great gain (1 Tim. 6:6)
  6. Final conclusion
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Enemies Reconciled to God

In this episode Jesse is back with us to discuss how we (maybe unknown to ourselves) are enemies of God in need of reconciliation. This is the wonderful salvation in Jesus that we might have peace with God.

Key verse: “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.” Romans 5:10

  1. Introduction
  2. Enemies with God
    1. Romans 5:8-10
      1. What does it mean to be an enemy?
      2. What causes the hostility – our sins.
    2. James 4:4 – being a friend of the world causes enmity with God
    3. Where is the separation?
      1. Col. 1:21 – This takes place in our minds (cp. Gen. 6:5 vs. Isa. 26:3)
      2. Romans 8:5-7 the carnal mind is enmity with God
  3. Reconciliation with God brings peace
    1. Col. 1:20
    2. Eph. 2:13-17
    3. Rom. 5:1, 10-11
    4. Defining true peace with God
  4. Final conclusion

Visit our website at www.essentialbiblestudies.org to sign up for a free media kit or join our Tuesday night online Bible study.

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God is Just and the Justifier

The latest episode is up! Join us as we discuss the conundrum of how a just God can save sinners. Why did Jesus have to die on a cross? The answer is in Romans 3:9-28.

Key Verse: “It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” Romans 3:26

  1. Introduction
    • The conundrum of how a just God can save sinners
    • Why did Jesus have to die?
    • A core teaching on this in Romans 3:9-28
  2. Chapter 3:9-24
    • The terrible sinfulness of all men (v.9-20, 23). Our knowledge of sin brings a recognition of guilt (v. 19).
    • The righteousness of God (v. 21-22) and the meaning of justification.
    • “By his grace” (v. 24). This is his gift. It is a balance of grace & truth.
  3. Chapter 3:25
    • The meaning of propitiation
    • Faith in his blood – How does Jesus fit in? A man of spotless character who condemned sin.
  4. Chapter 3:26-28
    • God is just and the justifier of all who believe
    • Justified by faith
  5. Final conclusion

Previous episodes that provide background to this subject:

Quote by Robert Roberts:

“God’s method for the return of sinful man to favour required and appointed the putting to death of man’s condemned and evil nature in a representative man of spotless character, whom He should provide, to declare and uphold the righteousness of God, as the first condition of restoration, that He might be just while justifying the unjust, who should believingly approach through him in humility, confession and reformation” Robert Roberts, Diary of a Voyage, pg. 68

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Blessed is the One Who Reads

Welcome to Season 5!

Part of being a good Bible student is being a good Bible reader. Wayne Coutu joins Tim Young for a conversation about the importance of consistent daily Bible reading and how to go about it.

Resources:

Website with the daily readings and commentary – The Daily Bible Readings

YouVersion app with daily reading planner

Apple app – Daily: Bible Reading

Outline:

Key verse: Rev. 1:3

Introduction

  • God speaks to us through his Word (like a missed call or voicemail)
  • We speak to God through prayer (like wanting to share good/bad news with a friend)
  • Matt. 7:21-23 – God wants a relationship with us but he has to know us (Gal. 4:9)

The Importance of Reading God’s Word daily

  • Rev. 1:3 – Read, hear and keep
  • Deut. 6:6-9 – Heart, teach children, talk of them, sign upon hands, upon posts and gates of the house

Reading with a Plan

  • The Bible Companion (dailyreadings.org.uk)
  • The benefits of reading with others / reading aloud
  • Sometimes we wonder why we are reading. The answer may be there immediately or later.
  • Read with an objective – ask questions, look for themes

Final conclusion – Attention vs Intention

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Seek First the Kingdom of God

Recently my good friends Peter and Larry asked me to join them on their very first episode of a new podcast called “Come to Life”. I jumped at the chance. As the name suggests it’s a podcast that deals with a lot of the issues of life like how to pray or coping with grief or overcoming addictions. They interview all sorts of fascinating personalities. It’s a very interesting mix of subjects.

The foundation of it all is the word of God, using the Bible as their guide. With that in mind they wanted to start off by establishing what is behind every episode for them and that is the promise of God’s coming kingdom. God’s plan and purpose for everyone. Jesus Christ told us to seek first the Kingdom of God. If Jesus says its first, then what else could be more important?

I encourage you to check out the Come to Life podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts.

https://cometolifepodcast.podbean.com/

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-come-to-life-podcast/id1583424714

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The Ways of Providence (Part 2) – God’s Hand Among the Nations

Our study of God’s providence continues this time with a focus on how God works among the nations. The Bible gives us key insights on God’s view of the kingdoms of men and how he is ultimately in control to bring about his kingdom on earth. Join Dan and Tim as they grapple with difficult questions about how God’s rules in the Kingdoms of men, how these rulers are still responsible to God and what this means for the believer’s involvement in politics.

Visit the Bible Basics Webinar  

Key Verse:

“The sentence is by the decree of the watchers, the decision by the word of the holy ones, to the end that the living may know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will and sets over it the lowliest of men.” Daniel 4:17 

Show Notes:

God is in control of world events

  • God, Daniel and Nebuchadnezzar (three times Daniel 4:17, 25, 32 cp v. 35; 2 Chronicles 20:6)
  • Proverbs 21:1 – God turns the heart of kings like a stream of water

God’s use of Kings

  • Cyrus, God’s anointed (Isaiah 45:1-3; Ezra 1:1)
  • Nebuchadnezzar revisited (Ezekiel 30:21-25)
  • They are unaware (Daniel 4:29-31)
  • They are still responsible for their actions (Jeremiah 25:8-9,12-13)

One of the reasons that Christadelphians are not involved in politics

  • Our awareness that God is in control
  • A great comfort to know that all things will work out according to God’s will
  • Daniel’s advice to Nebuchadnezzar (4:27)
  • We shouldn’t get caught up in the criticism of government but pray for them (1 Timothy 2:1-2)
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The Ways of Providence (Part 1) – God’s Hand in Your Life

For the first time we have Dan from the Bible Basics Webinar (www.biblebasicswebinar.com) here to talk with us about the providence of God. This is an essential Bible study because it gets at the heart of how we perceive the circumstances of our life. Are events just by chance or can God manipulate them for his purpose? This question leads us to consider many examples from the Bible of how God works behind the scenes in the lives of believers.

Key Verse:

“But all this I laid to heart, examining it all, how the righteous and the wise and their deeds are in the hand of God. Whether it is love or hate, man does not know; both are before him.” Ecclesiastes 9:1

Show Notes:

What is Providence?

Providence vs. Miracles 

  • Providence is more applicable to today
  • Example of the healing of the man blind from birth in John 9
  • His healing = a miracle 
  • His circumstances = providence “that the works of God might be manifest in him”

Providence vs. Time and Chance

  • Ecc. 9:1 “the righteous and the wise and their works are in the hand of God” vs. Ecc. 9:11 “time and chance happens to them all”
  • “God has control of chance, but not all chance is controlled by God” (The Ways of Providence, Robert Roberts., pg. 5)
  • Proverbs 3:5-6 – God will direct our paths, if… 1) we acknowledge Him. 2) trust in Him. 3) lean not on our own understanding
  • God’s direction over our lives can be lost (e.g. Saul 1 Samuel 18:12; 28:15)

Life Won’t Always Be Easy Because of Providence

  • Example of Job – “shall we receive good at the hand of God and shall we not receive evil?” (Job 2:9-10)
  • God promised to keep Jacob in all his ways (Genesis 28:15; 41:9; 48:16)
  • “All things work together for them that love God…” (Romans 8:28-32)

The Importance of Knowing God’s Will

  • Danger of assuming that circumstances in life are clearly a result of God pointing us in a certain direction (e.g. of David with Saul in 1 Samuel 26:7-11,18-19)
  • We must make life decisions based on Biblical discernment, not on what appears to be a direction God is sending us

We Might Be the Instrument of Providence for Others

  • God uses various means to accomplish his will
  • Control of nature
  • The angels
  • Us! Examples of Abigail (1 Samuel 25:26,32-34 and Esther 4:14)