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.  Living Hope Fellowship Church
Church Study Course

SAINTS, BRETHREN, AND CHILDREN OF GOD

Lesson 8

CHURCH #8

SAINTS, BRETHREN, AND CHILDREN OF GOD


1. SAINTS
Definition Fellowship
Description Perfecting

2. BRETHREN
Whom did Jesus call brethren? False
Love of the brethren Faithful
Accuser

3. BRIDE OF CHRIST

4. THE CHILDREN OF GOD
Born again Children of the resurrection
How do we know Mature

Definitions are taken from Webster's Dictionary.

DEFINITION

SAINT: 1.) a holy person. 2.) a person who is exceptionally meek, charitable, patient, etc. 3.) is a member of any of certain religious groups calling themselves Saints 4.) in certain churches, a person officially recognized as having lived an exceptionally holy life, and thus as being in heaven and capable of interceding for sinners.

As servants of Jesus Christ, believing the King James Version Bible to be the infallible Word of God, we reject meaning number 4. The reason being this: Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). He is our mediator (Hebrews 9:15) and our high priest who intercedes for us for ever (Hebrews 7:25). As born again Christians here on earth, we can intercede to Jesus for ourselves and others (Ephesians 6:18, Jude 1:20, and 1 Timothy 2:1-2). When people die, their work is finished (Ecclesiastes 9:5). We shall live eternally after death, either with God or the devil, but then we will have no effect on those living on earth. Our time to work is while we live. It is appointed unto man once to die, then comes the judgment (Hebrews 9:27).

Meaning #3, a member of any of certain religious groups calling themselves Saints, is rejected because just calling yourself a saint does not make you one!

The true saints of God should fit meaning #2: a person who is exceptionally meek, charitable, patient, etc., because Jesus is manifested in them. They should also fit meaning #1: a holy person. God commanded us to be holy (Leviticus 20:7 & 1 Peter 1:16). As servants of God, we are commanded to walk perfect before God (Matthew 5:48.) There is only one way that we can qualify to be a saint of God, holy and perfect. That is when the blood of Jesus covers our sins and God sees us washed clean and holy.

God has given the Holy Ghost to help us overcome the flesh and the devil. If it was not possible to be holy and perfect before God, he would not have commanded it. Read 1 John 1:8 & 9, Philippians 3:15, and Job 15:15. God created us and knows we need him to help us overcome the devil. Read Matthew 26:41 and 2 Corinthians 12:9.

DESCRIPTION OF SAINTS IN THE BIBLE

Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: 1 Corinthians 1:2.

Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God: Ephesians 2:1.

Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. Revelation 14:12.

FELLOWSHIP OF THE SAINTS

Following Christ and having fellowship with the saints of God is very precious. Read Romans 14:7 and 1 John 1:7.

That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. 1 John 1:3.


PERFECTING OF THE SAINTS - Read completely Ephesians Chapter 4.


2. BRETHREN

Jesus is our King, our Saviour, and our brother. Jesus has made us able, by his blood, to be partakers of eternal life. Read Hebrews 3:1.

(17) Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. (18) For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted. Hebrews 2:17-18.

For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:26.

WHOM DID JESUS CALL BRETHREN?

(46) While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him. (47) Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. (48) But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? (49) And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! (50) For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother. Matthew 12:46-50.

And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it. Luke 8:21.

For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren. Hebrews 2:11.

IMPORTANT: We will NEVER be above Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. He was the supreme sacrifice for the sins of mankind. Read Luke 17:5-10, Matthew 25:40, and Revelation 6:11.

The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. Matthew 10:24.

It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household? Matthew 10:25.

But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ: and all ye are brethren. Matthew 23:8.

LOVE OF THE BRETHREN

Be a true saint of God and refuse the devil's counterfeit for love: lust, worldly desire, and perversion. Read 1 John 2:15-17, 1 Corinthians 1:10, 1 John 4:21, Galatians 5:13, and Galatians 5:14-16.

For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. Galatians 5:6.

Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: 1 Peter 1:22.

We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. 1 John 3:14.

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

Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 1 John 3:16.

ACCUSER OF THE BRETHREN

The time is coming when the saints of God will have final triumph over the devil.

And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. Revelation 12:10.

FALSE BRETHREN

This includes hypocrites, backsliders, and sinners that call themselves children of God. Read Hebrews 3:12.

In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren: 2 Corinthians 11:26.

And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: Galatians 2:4.

FAITHFUL BRETHREN

To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Colossians 1:2.

Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. Jude 1:3.

(8) Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: (9) Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. 1 Peter 5:8 & 9.

SONS OF GOD

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: John 1:12.

And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Galatians 4:6.

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. Romans 8:14.

That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world: Philippians 2:15.

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him: for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3: 2.


3. BRIDE OF CHRIST

And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. Revelation 21:9.

And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. Revelation 22:17.

And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. Revelation 21:2.


4. THE CHILDREN OF GOD

God has made provision for all human beings to be saved if they will come unto him in faith believing the gospel of Jesus Christ his Son. Read Romans 10:9-10, Galatians 3:26-28, John 11:52, Ephesians 5:1, and Romans 9:8.

And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; Acts 17:26.

Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein. Luke 18:17.

Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right. Proverbs 20:11.

BORN AGAIN CHILDREN OF GOD

Before you are saved, you are of the world. When you get saved, "born again," you are born into the kingdom of God. It is a spiritual birth, not a worldly rebirth; Jesus said that his kingdom was not of this world (John 18:36).

Read all of John Chapter 17. Before Jesus was betrayed in the garden, he prayed for the disciples and for us. Whosoever will can still become a child of God. Read John 17:15-20.

HOW DO WE KNOW WE ARE THE CHILDREN OF GOD?

In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil; whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. 1 John 3:10.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. John 5:2.


For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:26.

Read John 13:35 and Romans 8:16. Those that have just come to God, being born again by God's Spirit, are new creatures in Christ. Unskillful in the Word, they must GROW until they reach maturity. We all start as babes in Christ. Read Mark 10:15 & Colossians 1:10.

We start our life in the womb of our mothers (Jeremiah 1:5). Then we are born. From a baby we grow to be a toddler. We grow to become an adolescent. Then we become adults. It is then natural for a man and a woman to get married and have children, as is in God's plan. While growing up we make many mistakes. We must be taught and led. We must be guided, corrected, and chastened at times. We can be much joy to our parents. If we eat and drink proper nourishment, we will be healthy. It is the same in the spiritual. Our God is a good father, but expects obedience, just as our earthly fathers do. Read Hebrews 12:7.

CHILDREN OF THE RESURRECTION (OF CHRIST JESUS)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 Peter 1:3.

As Jesus died in the flesh and arose by the power of God, our flesh must die to our fleshly will and rise—born again—to walk in the Spirit. If we live for Christ here, we will live with him in heaven.

Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection. Luke 20:36.

For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Romans 6:5.

God is our Father. Jesus calls us brethren. Jesus is the firstfruits of the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:20). Because Jesus was obedient to God by his death on the cross, and because he resurrected, he was able to bring forth many to the kingdom of God. He expects us to do the same: be obedient to the death of our will, submitting it to him daily, and by resurrection of the Spirit, bring forth much fruit unto God (souls brought into the kingdom of God). Consider a kernel of corn or a grain of wheat, how it multiplies. John 12:24.

And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. Luke 9:23.

MATURE CHILDREN OF GOD

The new born Christian is to grow to maturity and then increase the kingdom of God. The Bride of Christ is the body of Christians who serve God. Read 1 Corinthians Chapter 3. God sends us to work in his vineyard (Matthew 20:1) to increase the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:16). The Spirit of God and the ambassadors for Christ are working together and calling for people to come and get saved (Revelation 22:17).

(6) I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. (7) So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. (8) Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. (9) For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. 1 Cor. 3:6-9.

HUSBANDRY: farming, to husband- to cultivate soil or plants

Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:20.

There is a purpose for growing up in Christ. We start the "race" (Hebrews 12:1) when we are born again, being translated into the kingdom of God from the world of sin (Colossians 1:12-14). We don't skip from baby to maturity to heaven. There is a lot in between! We get born again and grow in the knowledge of God and his Word. We are to learn how to overcome the devil in every trial and battle. We need to seek God and grow to maturity. We are to bear fruit unto God. We are to win souls to the kingdom of God.

Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: Ephesians 4:13.

From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. Ephesians 4:16.

And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. Colossians 2:19.

Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. John 15:8.

All true believers in Christ Jesus make up the "bride of Christ" (Revelation 22:17). The Holy Ghost overshadowed the virgin Mary, and she brought forth the Son of God. God's children, the bride of Christ, when filled with the Holy Ghost, are able to bring forth fruit to God (sinners getting saved). By the foolishness of preaching men shall be saved (1 Corinthians 1:18 & 21). With Jesus working in our lives, through our obedience, souls can be brought to know God's salvation. We are labourers together with God (1 Corinthians 3:9). Read Romans 7:4.

(21) What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. (22) But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. Romans 6:21 & 22.

Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. John 15:16.

Reread Revelation 22:17. The Spirit of God draws you to him to be saved (John 6:44). Those that hear the call and obey, should say to others, "Come." Whosoever will, can come and be saved.

 

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