The Roman Road

You Are a Sinner

Romans 3:23

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Your Sin Separate You From God

Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin is death,…

Even Though You Are a Sinner God Loves and Jesus Died for You

Romans 5:8

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Your Sin Separate You From God BUT He Offers You the Free Gift of Eternal Life In Jesus Christ

Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

You Must Trust in Jesus, Believe God Raised Him From the Dead and Confess That Faith Publicly

Romans 10:9

that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;

You Should Be Baptized Into Christ

Romans 6:3-4

Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.

If You Are In Christ, You Are Saved

Romans 8:1

Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

As a Response To God Giving You Eternal Life As a Free Gift You Should Give Yourself Totally To Him

Romans 12:1-2

Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

Read the Entire New Testament In 2018

Read the New Testament in 2018

By Lee Delbridge

Read the New Testament in 2018

By Lee Delbridge

Introduction

One of the keys to living for God successfully is to spend time in His Word. I challenge you to read the entire New Testament in 2018. Not only read it but also write something about what you read every day!

WHY?

Because It Will Nourish You Spiritually

Matthew 4:4

But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’”

Because It Is Life

John 6:63

It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.

Because It Will Equip You For Every Good Work

II Timothy 3:16-17

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

Because You Live Under the New Testament

Galatians 3:23-27

But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed. Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

HOW?

Read One Chapter Each Day, Five Days Each Week

Write Something About What You Read

Review Your Notes Often

Conclusion

Start Monday, January 1, 2018. Read one chapter every day and write something about what you read.

Universal Flood!

Why I Believe the Flood of Genesis 6-9 was a universal Flood

The primary reason is that I sincerely believe that is what the Bible says.

Evil was universal according to Genesis 6:11-12

God decided to destroy both man and the earth Genesis 6:13

God said that everything with the breath of life was to die Genesis 6:17

Genesis 7:19-23 makes it clear that it was a universal flood

All the high mountains everywhere under the heavens were covered with water Genesis 7:19

The mountains were covered Genesis 7:20

All with breath died Genesis 7:22

All present non-marine animals came from the ark Genesis 8:19

God promised that a flood like this one would never happen again Genesis 9:11 (see also Genesis 8:21 and Isaiah 54:9)

Noah condemned the world by his faith Hebrews 11:7

Marine fossils have been found on top of mountains

“Millions of dead things buried in rock layers laid down by water all over the earth” (Ken Ham)

The eruption of Mt. Saint Helen in May 1980 show what can happen in a short period of time with a lot of liquid

Bible Timeline of a “Young Earth” Premillennialist

Timeline of Bible Events

Lee Delbridge

4004 BC Creation – Adam and Eve

2348 BC. The Flood

2091. Abraham entered Canaan

2066. Isaac & Jacob born

2135. Abraham birth

2000 BC Abraham

1991 BC. Abraham died

1975 Joseph

1886 BC. Isaac died

1876 BC. Jacob moved to Egypt

1446 BC. The Exodus

1000 BC High Point of Jewish History

931 BC Kingdom Split

852 BC. Elijah/Elisha

722 BC Assyria Captures the Northern Kingdom

586 BC Babylon Captures the Southern Kingdom

539 BC Medes and Persia Overthrow Babylon

539 BC Cyrus, King of Persia gives the Jews permission to return to their homeland

538 BC Zerubbabel and some Jews return and rebuild the Temple

515 BC Temple Rebuilding Complete

458 BC Ezra and some Jews return

445 BC Nehemiah and some Jews return to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem

4 BC Jesus is born in Bethlehem

29 AD Jesus Begins His Ministry

33 AD Jesus is crucified

33 AD The Church Begins in Jerusalem

95 AD John the Apostle writes Revelation

Future Events

The Rapture Occurs – Jesus Returns for His Saints

Seven Year Tribulation on Earth

Bema Judgment for Rewards in Heaven

The Marriage Supper of the Lamb in Heaven

Jesus Returns to Earth with His Saints

The Battle of Armageddon

1000 Year Reign of Christ on Earth

Satan loosed for a short period of time

Great White Throne Judgment

Eternity — Heaven / Hell

The Bible on Money

Biblical Money Management

by Lee Delbridge

God Owns It All

Psalms 24:1

​The earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains, The world, and those who dwell in it.

If you believe God owns it all it will make a world of difference in what you do with your money! God not only owns your money He owns you! He owns your spouse and your children.

God expects you to work for a living

Ephesians 4:28

He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need.

Work is honorable and good.

God Expects You To Give Away a Part of What You Earn

Luke 6:38

Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.”

It is more blessed to give than to receive.

Don’t Love Money

I Timothy 6:10

For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

Love God. Love People. Use money.

Don’t Trust In Money

I Timothy 6:17

Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.

Trust God. Never trust in money. It will always disappoint you if you do.

Don’t Be Deceived by Money

Matthew 13:22

And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

There is nothing that will take the place of money in the areas that money works. Don’t be fooled into thinking that money works in all areas — it doesn’t.

Stay Out of Debt

Proverbs 22:7

The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower becomes the lender’s slave

Figure out a way to “get by” until you can buy what you need with cash. For example, take public transportation a few months while saving to buy an inexpensive “starter” car.

Save for the Future

Proverbs 6:6-8

Go to the ant, O sluggard, Observe her ways and be wise, Which, having no chief, Officer or ruler, Prepares her food in the summer And gathers her provision in the harvest.

Never spend more than 70% of your “take home pay.” Save money for emergencies, for upcoming purchases and for retirement.

Specialize in Your Job

Proverbs 22:29

Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before kings;

He will not stand before obscure men.

Become an expert at what you do for a living. If that job is no longer needed, retrain for a new job and become an expert at that one.

Diversify in Your Investments

Ecclesiastes 11:2

Divide your portion to seven, or even to eight, for you do not know what misfortune may occur on the earth.

Get expert advice from someone you trust about your investment. Expect a reasonable return. Don’t fall for get-rich-quick schemes. Invest in several areas that run counter to each other.

Pray God Will Give You The Right Amount of Money

Proverbs 30:7-9

Two things I asked of You, Do not refuse me before I die: Keep deception and lies far from me,

Give me neither poverty nor riches; Feed me with the food that is my portion,

That I not be full and deny You and say, “Who is the Lord?”

Or that I not be in want and steal, And profane the name of my God.

Pray that God will give you enough money to live comfortably but not so much that you begin to trust in the money instead of God.

Invest for the Long Term — Eternity

Matthew 6:19-21

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Invest (give) some of your money to places that have eternal results (church, missions, etc.)

Review

God Owns It All Psalms 24:1

God Expects You To Work for a Living Ephesians 4:28

God Expects You To Give Away a Part of Everything You Earn Luke 6:38

Don’t Love Money I Timothy 6:10

Don’t Trust In Money I Timothy 6:17

Don’t Be Deceived By Money Matthew 13:22

Stay Out of Debt Proverbs 22:7

Save for the Future Proverbs 6:6-8

Specialize in Your Job Proverbs 22:29

Diversify in Your Investments Ecclesiastes 11:2

Pray God Will Give You The Right Amount of Money Proverbs 30:7-9

Invest for the Long Term — Eternity Matthew 6:19-21

Quotes About Money I Like

The amount of money a person earns will always be in direct proportion to the demand for what he does, his ability to do what he does, and the difficulty of replacing him (Earl Nightingale)

In a free society you earn money by providing a product or a service other people want or need at a price they are willing to pay. Our rewards in life will always be in direct proportion to our contribution.

Remember the law of cause and effect. In finances, the money you receive is the effect and the service or product you provide is the cause.

Always do more than you are paid to do! If you do that you will build up rewards that will come to you in some form at some time.

There is no such thing as something for nothing. Everything cost someone something.

No one knows what the future holds or even if you have a future, but it is smart to plan for the future.

Lee’s paraphrase of the Five Laws of Gold from the book, The Richest Man in Babylon

1. Save 10% of all you earn

2. Put the money you saved to work to earn you more money

and reinvest the earnings to earn even more money

3. Get wise counsel on where and how to invest your money.

4. Have a purpose for your investments and invest only in

areas you are familiar.

5. Never try any “get rich quick” schemes.

The “Days” of Creation Week

Why I believe the “days” of Genesis 1:1-2:4 are normal days of about 24 hours each.

The primary reason is that I sincerely believe that is what the Bible teaches.

The first time the word “day” is used in Genesis 1:5 it means the daylight part of the day/night cycle.

In Genesis 2:4 the word day means a longer period of time.

In Genesis 1:5b; 1:8; 1:13; 1:19; 1:23; 1:31 the word day means a normal day of about 24 hours.

The reasons I believe this is true are:

* Genesis is written as simple historical narrative

* Exodus 20:8-11 clearly teaches that the creation days were normal days

* God said He created the world in six days Exodus 31:17 (see 31:12-18)

* The author’s original audience would have understood the text to mean normal days.

* In the Old Testament the word day combined with a number and/or the phrase “evening and morning” (as it is in Genesis One & Two) nearly always means a normal day.

Scripture, not science, is the ultimate test of truth (start with the Bible and compared everything else to it; not vice versa).

God can do whatever He wants to do. The only question is: “What does God say He did?” It seems plain to me that He said He created in world in six normal days.

Evolution vs Creation

Know the difference between operational science and historical science.

Operational science is repeatable, observable, and testable. It’s the kind of science that allows us to make advances in medicine, technology, and so on.

Historical science, on the other hand, deals with the origin of the universe. But, clearly, no humans were there to witness this event, and it can’t be tested or repeated.

Both evolutionary ideas and biblical creation are historical science — accounts concerning what happened in the past in regard to origins.

The Bible is the inspired inerrant Word of God and it teaches that God created the world. Look at these Scriptures

Genesis 1:1

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Psalms 19:1

The heavens are telling of the glory of God;

And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.

John 1:3

All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.

Nehemiah 9:6

You alone are the Lord.

You have made the heavens,

The heaven of heavens with all their host,

The earth and all that is on it,

The seas and all that is in them.

You give life to all of them

And the heavenly host bows down before You.

Study the Bible

A SIMPLE WAY TO STUDY THE BIBLE

Lee Delbridge

Answer the following seven questions on each passage of Scripture you study.

WHO?

Who is writing or speaking? To Whom? About Whom? Who else is present? What do you know about each person? etc.

WHAT?

What’s going on? What events led up to this? What is the meaning of the words? What is the outcome? etc.

WHEN?

When did this take place? Was it before or after the death of Jesus Christ? etc.

WHERE?

Where is this taking place? Where else does the Bible teach on the same subject? (Look up some of these references starting in the New Testament.) etc.

WHY?

Why did this take place? Why do you think it is included in the Bible? etc.

HOW?

How did it happen? How are the people to obey? etc.

SO WHAT?

Make application to your life. What are:

The facts to be believed,

The commands to be obeyed,

The warnings to be heeded,

The promises to be enjoyed, or

The examples to be followed

The principles to be applied?

Sabbath vs Sunday

The Sabbath Day vs The Lord’s Day

By Lee Delbridge

Introduction

• God rested on the seventh day and sanctified it (made it holy) after creating the world in six days Genesis 2:1-3; Exodus 20:8-11

• Remember the Sabbath Day and Keep it holy is one of the Ten Commandments Exodus 20:8-11

• Under the Old Testament Covenant the penalty for breaking the Sabbath was death Exodus 31:12-17

• God said that the Sabbath was a sign between Him and Israel “forever” Exodus 31:1-17

• Jesus worshipped on the Sabbath Day Luke 4:16

• On most of Paul’s missionary trips he visited the synagogues on the Sabbath Acts 13:14; 14:1; etc.

• The word Sabbath is in the Bible over 100 times and about one half of those times are in the New Testament

So why do Christians worship on Sunday instead of the Sabbath (which is Saturday)? Let’s look at the Scriptures beginning with the Old Testament about the Sabbath Day.

Creation

After Creating the World in Six Days, God Rested on the Sabbath and Made It Holy

Genesis 2:1-3

Thus the heavens and the earth were completed, and all their hosts.

By the seventh day God completed His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done.

Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.

Nothing else is mentioned about the Sabbath

Day in the book of Genesis which covers from about 4000 BC until about 1800 BC

The Next Mention of Anything Special About the Seventh Day is With Moses and the Israelites in the Wilderness (Creation was about 4004 BC. Moses lived about 1450 BC)

Exodus 16:4-5

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether or not they will walk in My instruction.

On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather daily.”

The Law of Moses

The Mosaic Law – 2500 Years After Creation

Exodus 20:8-11

“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

Six days you shall labor and do all your work,

but the seventh day is a sabbath of the Lord your God; in it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter, your male or your female servant or your cattle or your sojourner who stays with you.

For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day; therefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day and made it holy.

God was serious – The Jews Must Keep the Sabbath – Death Penalty For Failing To Do So

Exodus 31:12-17

The Lord spoke to Moses, saying,

“But as for you, speak to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘You shall surely observe My sabbaths; for this is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the Lord who sanctifies you.

Therefore you are to observe the sabbath, for it is holy to you. Everyone who profanes it shall surely be put to death; for whoever does any work on it, that person shall be cut off from among his people.

For six days work may be done, but on the seventh day there is a sabbath of complete rest, holy to the Lord; whoever does any work on the sabbath day shall surely be put to death.

So the sons of Israel shall observe the sabbath, to celebrate the sabbath throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant.’

It is a sign between Me and the sons of Israel forever; for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, but on the seventh day He ceased from labor, and was refreshed.”

The Christian Dispensation

Jesus Was Raised From the Dead on the First Day of the Week

Matthew 28:1-6

Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave.

And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it.

And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow.

The guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men.

The angel said to the women, “ Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified.

He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying.

(Compare Mark 16:1-6; Luke 24:1-7; John 20:1-9)

Jesus was Raised from

the Dead on Sunday

The Church Began One The First Day of the Week

Acts 2:1

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.

(The Jewish Day of Pentecost is Fifty Days after the Passover Sabbath)

The early Christians Seem To Worship on the First Day of the Week

Acts 20:7

On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul began talking to them, intending to leave the next day, and he prolonged his message until midnight.

The Church Began

on Sunday

1 Corinthians 16:1-2

Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also.

On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come.

John Seem To Worship on the First Day of the Week (The Lord’s Day)

Revelation 1:9-11

I, John, your brother and fellow partaker in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance which are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.

I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like the sound of a trumpet,

saying, “Write in a book what you see, and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.”

We Are No Longer Under the Mosaic Law — The Old Covenant

Colossians 2:13-17

When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions,

having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.

Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day—

things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ.

The Early Christians Seem To Worship on Sunday

John 1:17

For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.

Galatians 3:23-25

But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed.

Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.

But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.

We Should Not Judge or Condemn a Person Who Decides to Worship on a Particular Day

Romans 14:1, 5-6

Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions….

One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind.

He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God.

It’s Not the Day We Worship But the Person We Worship

Conclusion

Let’s Review

• God “rested” on the seventh day after creating the world in six days

• Over 2000 years later when Moses was leading the Israelites in the Wilderness and God provided manna they collected twice as much on the sixth day so that they would not have to collect any on the seventh day

• God gave the Law through Moses which said “remember the Sabbath Day”. God was very serious that the Jews obey this law. Death was the penalty for breaking this commandment

• The Mosaic Law ended with the death of Jesus and the beginning of the church

• Gradually the church began worshipping on the Lord’s Day (Sunday; The First Day of the Week)

• We should not judge or condemn those who decide to worship on a day different day than what we think is the right day.

• We are no longer under the Old Covenant but are under the New Covenant

• The Old Testament Jews celebrated creation and the Mosaic Covenant by worshipping on the Sabbath (Saturday)

• The New Testament Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus and the New Covenant by worshipping on the First Day of the Week (Sunday)

Christianity Explained – Bibliography & Appendix

SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY

(And Lee’s comments about the books)

The Bible is the primary book that you should read and study. Everything else you read should be evaluated in the light of the Bible. I like the New American Standard Bible or the New International Version. In addition to your regular devotional reading, I encourage you to memorize key verses of Scripture and to master one or two books of the New Testament.

Bolles, Richard Nelson The 1995 What Color Is Your Parachute? Ten Speed Press P O Box 7123 Berkeley, California 94707 copyright 1995 (This book is updated every year, so be sure to get the most recent edition. The subtitle of the book explains the subject: “A practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career- Changers.” The premise of the book is that you are a unique person with special gifts and abilities that should be nurtured and developed and that you should select a career that is closely related to your uniqueness. It is a very revealing and helpful experience to work through this book. It will help you find a job and/or career that will not only provide a livelihood but also joy and satisfaction.)

Brandt, Henry Ph.D. and Skinner, Kerry L. The Word for the Wise Broadman & Holman Publishers Nashville, Tennessee copyright 1995 (The book is a little difficult to locate unless you have a Baptist Book Store in your area. It is about making Scripture the heart of your counseling ministry. It is the best book on Biblical Counseling I have ever read. It could be very useful for any Christian in learning how to deal with life’s problems and difficulties in a godly way.)

Carbonell, Mels, Ph.D. Discover Your Gifted In Christ Uniquely You P. O. Box 490 Blue Ridge, GA 30513 1-800-501-0490 copyright 1996 (This is one of several profiles

available on human behavior from a Biblical perspective. It includes tests to determine spiritual gifts as well as personality types)

Delbridge, Lee Bible Based Christianity Smyrna Christian Church 910 Concord Road SE, Smyrna, GA 30080 770-435-1723 (This is a handbook of Scripture verses arranged by topic.)

Jones, Laurie Beth The Path, Creating Your Mission Statement for Work and for Life. Hyperion New York copyright 1996 (This is probably the best book I have read on how to discover your purpose in life. Ms. Jones gives some very practical steps to help you discover your purpose in life.)

MacDonald, William; Edited by Art Farstad Believer’s Bible Commentary Thomas Nelson Publishers Nashville, TN copyright 1995 (I disagree with this author’s position on water baptism and on whether a saved person can be lost or not, but other than those two issues this is the best one volume commentary on the Bible that I have ever seen.)

McCarthy, Kevin W. The On-Purpose Person, Making Your Life Make Sense Pinon Press Navpress Publishing Group P O Box 35007 Colorado Springs, CO 80935 copyright 1992 (This is a modern parable of one man’s search for his purpose in life. I really enjoyed and benefited greatly from reading this book.)

LaHaye, Tim Your Temperament: Discover Its Potential Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Wheaton, Illinois copyright 1984 (This book is now available as a paperback under the title Why We Act the Way we Do. Mr. LaHaye is a Baptist minister and this is an excellent book on personality types. If you only get one book on personality types, get this one.

Appendix

How much time should a Christian give to the church and to his Christian activities?

A Christian should be a Christian 24/7 (24 hours per day, 7 days per week).

The minimum amount of time a Christian should give to his or her Christian activities are:

• At least one hour per week in public worship

• At least one hour per week in group Bible study

• At least one hour per week in private devotion

• At least one hour per week in Christian service.

How much money should a Christian give to the church?

There are three simple principles to guide a Christian about his or her material possessions:

• It all belongs to God

• You are the manager of what we normally say you own

• You are to manage it according to God’s principles that are revealed in the Bible. (The Old Testament Jews were required to give 10% of their increase.)