Temptation. Is it the opposite of pride? Consider the access He grants, saying in John 14:6, I am the way, the truth, and the life. Those same words are each used in many other places in the New Testament. God has given us plenty of promises that are full of hope. I grew up in the Philadelphia Church of God (PCG). We can study their livesput ourselves in their shoes. of Ephesus. The way to cover our sin is to uncover it by confession. The major weakness of Laodicea was its lack of a water supply. Most of the time, when modern translations differ in meaning from the King James Version, they are in error. In Philadelphia, the Church of God has been dedicated to serving neighbors by hosting Bible seminars, family events and smile campaigns. Sep. 17, 2020 How God Educates Gerald Flurry Aug. 19, 2022 What is this open door? They should, however, only be used to establish historical or grammatical facts. As we study and learn to think like God, as we put into action Gods way of life, were able to handle strong meat and continue growing (Hebrews 5:13-14) until we attain the very character of God! Fish become entangled in discarded fishing nets and lines, with bellies full of plastic debris they have swallowed. His words are reliable. When we tune in to God and listen to His words, our faith increases (Romans 10:17). Ezekiel looked beyond the sufferings of Christ to the glory that should follow. You need all four tires operating in conjunction with one another to make any headway. Other Bible helps that should be mentioned are A Harmony of the Gospels, which combines all four gospels side-by-side so that the gospels can be read simultaneously in time sequence order. . The non-conclusion of 3 John exposes that the attack on God's Church didn't end in the first century. That makes it easier to talk to Him. When you see opportunities to care for creationnature or your own bodydo so as a way of glorifying the Creator. Start today! name of his foundation means "brotherly love.". We have the promises of God to help us in difficult days, and we have the Holy Spirit within us. As we read the Bible and immerse ourselves in Gods truth and character, our lives are changedwe become more like Him. 2. He is in fact commending them for doing as well as they have. In the middle of lifes battles, were tempted to question Gods ordering of our circumstances, but every follower of Christ can look back and see the conspicuous hand of Gods Providence. Keep in mind that God cannot lie (Titus 1:2), and meditate on these promises when you need a spiritual boost! If our prayers are getting stale and were running out of things to say, maybe were not listening enough. The humanity of Christ, while at the same time divine, is hard to understand. The Bible correspondence course is at the foundation, booklets and articles are on top of that, and Mystery of the Ages is the capstone., The launch date for the course website came exactly 27 years after the Philadelphia Church of God began. He is committed to caring for us, watching over us, and giving us strength when we are within His will. By giving the Spirit, He gives more of Himself. The more we study, the stronger we are, which makes the Church stronger. Hebrews 11:1, 6 "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that . History The word Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7) means "brotherly love ." This city was built before 138 B.C. Or soberly and realistically according to the grace of God in your life? See the words about Jesus in the Gospels as sparkling like diamonds. Practice studying the Bible each day, and you will enrich your life now and forever! Join Kelly Minter in this 7-session Bible study as she unpacks the biblical foundation for these sacred habits along with approachable ways to practice disciplines like prayer, study, worship, rest, simplicity, generosity, celebration, and many . Earlier this year, a volunteer for a charity in Arizona was going through books donated for a sale. Paul writes that we belong to God and we are to glorify Him with our care and use of our body. 3:8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for . When it comes to Bible study, there is no end of knowledge that we can acquire. Gods Word is a powerful litmus test for our souls and actions. It is available by subscription . The PCG publishes books and booklets and a correspondence course. Library Laodicea earned its wealth in the textile industry in the production of black wool [see Revelation 3:18, white garments contrasted] and in the banking industry. The letter to the church at Philadelphia is the one to which most current church members relate. That in turn enables the Church to have more of an impact in doing Gods Work! Bible study is one of those assignments! The Laodiceans are largely derived from a base that came from the Philadelphians, making them weaker still, due to their lackadaisical inattention to their relationships with God. The ministers have prepared what God knows we need to hearmaterial that is currently relevant and appropriate and possibly urgent. Hiding sin does not remove it from Gods sight; but when we seek Gods forgiveness, the refreshing living water from the Father is poured out on us and we are restoredthat is the power of confession. Sometimes the scriptures that relate to a specific subject are not easily found in a concordance because the subject is broader than just one word used in the Bible. It's during this time period that formal missionary work began. Best of allthese lessons are absolutely free! God tells us to study His Word because He knows its good for us. Well enough to teach them to others? Or do you graciously say, Thank you, in a spirit of genuine appreciation and humility? The Philadelphians have had to knock because they have only a little strength, and they know it. Officially, church historians recognize seven ecumenical church councils held between A.D. 325 and A.D. 787. Perhaps only one name does fit somewhat: Laodicea, which means "judgment of the people.". 4. A Bible dictionary gives information about biblical words, people, places and things. This occurs largely because people keep pushing God and all He is doing out of the picture and focusing on the works of men. Daniels three friends in Babylon demonstrated integrity when they were threatened with being burned alive (Daniel 3:16-18). Do the problems and frustrations of this world continually get you down? It is said that you truly understand a subject when you can explain it to someone else. It will happen. That its the same old routine day in and day out? 1 Peter 5:5, NIV, What is humility? Bible study is like one of the four tires of a car that youre driving down the road to the Kingdom of God. We are currently meeting at the Homewood Suites at 4109 Walnut Street in Philadelphia. By Grant Turgeon Dec. 7, 2016 The homepage of the Herbert W. Armstrong College Bible Correspondence Course There is no cost or obligationever. If you want to buy some Bible helps but cant normally afford to, consider using second tithe at the Feast to start your collection and spend an afternoon browsing a Bible bookstore. A concordance is a time-saving toolparticularly Strongs Exhaustive Concordance, because it lists every word used in the Bible and groups all the scriptures together that use that same word. The rapture of the church is the subject of three passages in the New Testament: John 14:1-3, 1 Corinthians 15:51-54, and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 our scripture reading for this morning, none of these passages speak of judgment, but instead speak of the church being taken up to heaven. The Church of Philadelphia is part of the Seven Churches of Revelation 2-3. If we pray regularly but dont study very often, its the same thingwere doing all of the talking. When we think life has collapsed around us, the God of glory appears above us. A fifth reason for studying the Bible is to be able to do Gods Work. What the Bible says about Jonah repented and called on the Lord and was delivered. Philadelphia was located on a hillside about 30 miles southeast of Sardis. Then review them at least one more time, perhaps the following Sabbath before services. If so, you might be neglecting a vitally important aspect of Christian living! W. A. Criswell, Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I tell you. It appears the ancient church took that name to heart. Whether we realize it or not, it is part of our past, and it will be part of our future. Colossians 3:5. A baby in its mothers womb is nourished every single day so it can grow enough to be born. Marine litter is a huge ecological problem. Bible commentaries can sometimes shed light on biblical passages and link things together in a way we might not think of. The Bible speaks a great deal about virtue, those excellencies of character that imitate the holy and righteous character of Jesus Christ. Psalm 32:4. Is it things above? With the other prophets, the second time meant additional prophetic utterances they were to deliver. They are weak. Paul uses that image to say that Christ leads His followers in a victory procession through every difficulty in life (2 Corinthians 2:14-15). To first-century leaders in the Roman world, the imagery was familiar: A victorious Roman general returning from battle leading his soldiers and their captives into the city. 2 Corinthians 11:13-14 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. One was an old copy of The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. The key of David Look for topics that will help you overcome and develop character. When you look at Herbert W. Armstrongs work, its like a pyramid, pcg Pastor General Gerald Flurry said. Notes from Sabbath services and Bible studies. The homepage of the Herbert W. Armstrong College Bible Correspondence Course, Armstrong International Cultural Foundation. And it also happened to Jonah: The word of the Lord came to Jonah the first time (Jonah 1:1) and then the second time (Jonah 3:1). Some say the city was founded by Eumenes, in honor of his brother. The apostle Paul addressed that question in 1 Corinthians 10:11"Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition." Sample doctrines include the three resurrections, born again, the soul and salvation. Jesus repeatedly said that He only did what the Father showed Him to do (John 5:19), and prayer was His means. The letter to the church in Philadelphia begins with Christ identifying himself as "holy and true" (3:7). We can develop an overview of why it was written, its major theme or themes and an outline. Yet He did, following the example of godly men like Daniel in Babylon (Daniel 2:16-18). The Church Of God International provides these free courses to help you grow in strength and knowledge of His Word. Transcript of the news story that aired in November 2008 on Fox 25. Then frame the scriptures within that context. After the pcgs information services department completed the mammoth task of rolling out a new contact management system, Cedar, in May, programmers, graphic designers and writers continued the online Bible course project in earnest. Somehow, at the end of the age, when Christ has returned to reign and inaugurate the eternal state, this earth will be renovated and a new earth will be the resulta new earth full of righteousness in which pain and sorrow will be absent. Richard Sibbes, DavidJeremiah.blog is part of the broadcast ministry of David Jeremiah. Flurry comes against FOX25 for news report on PCG. In periods of modern droughts, aerial photographs document the receding water levels in reservoirs around the stateshorelines growing wider and drier as water levels fall. G. Campbell Morgan, When Jesus saw [the friends] faith, He said to the paralytic, Son, your sins are forgiven you. Bible students can enroll, study and take tests at bcc.hwacollege.org. California is a dry state that needs water to be transported over many miles to population and agricultural centers. If someone compliments you on a job well done, do you refuse to take credit or receive their compliment? After all, as Jesus explained, actions speak louder than words (Mark 2:8-11). Question: "I was baptized at age 11 by a minister of a large denomination, but I didn't understand the true meaning of repentance until I began studying my Bible and hearing your broadcasts. In these cases, topical books such as topical study Bibles, the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (with over 500,000 scripture cross-references and parallel passages) and a book called Where to Find It in the Bible (that lists over 3,700 contemporary topics from abortion to zoology) are very useful. 1. Such images are in stark contrast to the pristine beauty and glory of Eden as presented in Genesis. In all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility. Thats why it is important to review and study those notes. They are idolatry, immorality, infidelity, and disloyalty. They have "a little strength. If we knock and keep knocking (as the Greek indicates), God opens the door. Both the American and British Bible Societies were organized during . The homepage of the online Bible course states that 100,000 individuals have enrolled in the mail-in correspondence course prior to its online launch. How the church actually got started is unknown. PHILADELPHIA, a city of Asia Minor, on the borders of Lydia and Phrygia, now called Alla-Shehr, or high city, with 3000 houses, about 15,000 pop., with few ancient ruins. A fascinating study would be to read through the gospels with particular focus on Jesus Christ and His reactions under different circumstances. Were hoping we can get as many people online as possible, Herbert W. Armstrong College registrar Jason Hensley said. WELCOME, to Philadelphia Christian Church where we worship in spirit and in truth. What does God think of that? If pride expands ones importance, does humility deflate ones importance? Through Christ, we have entrance into the Holy of Holies, the dwelling place of the Great God, which we may enter with boldness (Hebrews 10:19). The more we let Gods Word correct our natural carnal thinking, the more we are fashioned into Gods image and prepared to be born into His eternal Family. Click a link to view a PDF workbook: Lessons The best way to increase joy in your life is by developing a habit of daily time with God. Useful knowledge will always humble us and prepare us to be in Gods Family. What is the Great White Throne Judgment in Revelation? (Part Four). He was from a priestly family, and he undoubtedly looked forward to serving God in Jerusalems temple. With that background, Paul exhorted believers not to make the same choices the Israelites madenot to provoke God's discipline by willfully sinning. Harriet Buell, in her hymn A Child of the King. It is true for us today also. A vital reason to study is that it enhances our prayers with God. 3. D. L. Moody, In my thirtieth year, in the fourth month on the fifth day, while I was among the exiles by the Kebar River, the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God. .". Ezekiel looked up and saw remarkable visions of Godthe throne of God surrounded by angelic beings. David C. Grabbe Are you a whole person or a fractioned person today? It is profound, describing where we approach in spirit when we pray. Every single member of that bodyeach of us individuallyis important and necessary. Ezekiel 1:1, NIV, We often need fresh starts after enduring bitter disappointments. What was His motivation? But this metaphor has no connection at all to Christ's quotation of Isaiah 22:22. Revelation 21:1. When he failed to confess his sin to God, his bones grew old and he groaned all the day long (verse 3). A leper approached Jesus and said, If You are willing, You can make me clean. Jesus touched the man, saying, I am willing; be cleansedand he was healed (Mark 1:40-42). Thats the way He cares for us tooevery day, all year long, always. This is not a put-down but an honest appraisal. Chronological Bible Reading Plan (John 6:68). The Online Bible Study begins at 7:00 PM. As a result of searching the Scriptures, the brethren in Thessalonica believed what they were taught (Acts 17:11-12). A way to reinforce the teaching we receive is to study the notes thoroughly within 24 hours. That verse changes our view of idolatry. Only God has the words that shed light on the straight and narrow path leading to eternal life. Bible study builds up our faith. Paul wanted Timothy to hold fast to the truth of God, not allowing himself to be divided. The church of Philadelphia would be victorious over its enemies. He and his wife, Debbie, have served in the ministry for more than 43 years. To be honest, we would have to make the same assumption for each of the groups, and no one has been able to make a significant conclusion in this vein for the Ephesian group in regard to the name "Ephesus," or for the Thyatiran group with "Thyatira," or for the others. The first, the First Council of Nicaea, met to agree on the nature of Jesus of Nazareth as both Son of God and Son of Man, as both fully divine and fully human. by King Attallus of Pergamum, whose nickname was Philadelphus, which means "lover of a brother." The annual religious festivals that God commands true Christians to observe are clearly discussed in Leviticus 23. That event is a beautiful example of the willingness of God. . Instead of waiting months to receive four lessons and a test in the mail, paying to ship the completed test, and starting the wait all over again, Bible course students can now log in to the Herbert W. Armstrong College Bible Correspondence Course website and progress through the lessons and tests much more quickly. Confession and repentance reveal the access to restoration. 3:4). The Living Church of God is devoted to that mission. Even more, we should practice demonstrating our forgiveness by our acts of lovingkindness. So we study to be corrected. The Holy Spirit is the means by which the Father and the Son dwell within the adopted sons of God. The Philadelphians have had to knock because they have only a little strength, and they know it. How did He react to situations when He was challenged? We serve the same God who said: And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. And he encouraged his readers not to make the same mistake he had made (verses 9-10). A doctrine is a teaching or that which is taught. Together they comprise the Churchs body of beliefs. No one can shut that open door, though we can certainly ignore it and neglect so great a salvation (Hebrews 2:3). Often modern translations have been rendered from faulty translations, rather than original texts. After Herbert W. Armstrong, founder of Worldwide Church of God, died at age of 93 (January 16, 1986), Gerald Flurry (born April 12, 1935 and a minister in WCG since 1973, 1 was one of those that disagreed with the new changes that Pastor General Joseph W. Tkach, Sr. began instigating. Read John 6:68. Its a fabulous breakthrough for us, Mr. Individually, we may only have a little "power," but if we are faithful with what we have been given, God is pleased, knowing we will also be faithful with great power. The New Jerusalem, on the new earth, is that place. The 'Open Door' of Philadelphia, There is criticism or maybe it is simply a statement of fact. Joshua had the confidence and courage to lead Gods people into the Promised Land because He believed in Gods promise and presence. The church in Corinth was an undisciplined church, and he was letting them know that even though the culture around them was in flux, their faith in Jesus Christ needed to remain focused and sure. It happened to Samuel, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Haggai, Zechariah, and others. If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him! There are many exciting ways to study the Bible that will enrich your life! J. C. Ryle, I rejoice at Your Word as one who finds great treasure. The church in Philadelphia, They have the key of david 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. We must look for and take "the way of escape" God provides in every situation where temptation is found (verse 13). If we neglect Bible study, however, we simply cannot grow sufficiently to be born into His Family. Jonah 3:1-2. The Philadelphia Church of God (PCG) is a non-trinitarian, . Goodbye trials and troubles. The creation is both a monument of Gods power, and a looking-glass in which we may see his wisdom. A Place of Safety? Although Christ addressed Revelation 3:7-13 to the church in Philadelphia as a body, His encouragement applies to every believer, then and now. We have not seen many mountains moving out of their places. In three of Paul's epistles, he uses an open door as a metaphor for an opportunity to preach (I Corinthians 16:9; II Corinthians 2:12; Colossians 4:3). Christian Kryptonite? Be careful in using paraphrases such as the Living Bible or the Amplified Bible. For example, Paul lists nine qualities related to the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23. we will have at least 30 scriptural passages identifying an end-time prophet who has to be on the scene just prior to Christs Second Coming. Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness, and He took the same means of escape that is available to usobedience to God's Word (Matthew 4:111; Hebrews 5:8). Yet Christ admonishes Philadelphia just as He does the other churches: Overcome! When the apostle Paul wrote to his young pastoral protg, Timothy, he told him to show integrity in doctrine, to be incorruptible in belief and in actions. Forerunner, "Bible Study," April 2000. This can often spare us the heartache of making poor choices or bad decisions. John MacArthur speculates in his study Bible that it was: "probably the fruit of Paul's extended ministry in Ephesus (cf.
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