TheosGuy

The Apostle Paul warned us of a future time that would come where men would turn from sound doctrine and follow their own lustful self-will. To a large extent self-will has always been a problem for the human race. It’s a wonder why man seems to be in love with the idea of human free will, as human self-will has only caused problems for humanity. As a Christian, I only want my Lord’s will, not my will. The following is a short outline, Self-Will¹ from F.E. Marsh, on the devastation of self-will.

1. Self-will turned Paradise into a desert. It has been well said, “My will and not Thine be done, turned Paradise into a desert. Thy will and not Mine be done, turned a desert into a Paradise.” (Romans 5:1)
2. Self-will is the mother of sin. This is illustrated in Cain, when he in self-will came to God in his own way instead of God’s way, and was jealous because Abel’s sacrifice was accepted and his was rejected, which jealousy led him on to kill his brother (Jude 11).
3. Self-will is the forerunner of disaster. Lot chose the well-watered plain of Sodom, and then soon after was found in Sodom, but he lost all he had in Sodom, and only escaped with his life (Gen 13:10).
4. Self-will shuts out from blessing. Moses struck the rock twice when God told him to speak to it, and was shut out of the promised land in consequence (Num 20:11-12).
5. Self-will brings punishment. King Saul lost his kingdom and the Holy Spirit through consulting his own will in opposition to God’s word, when the latter told him to destroy all the Amalekites (1 Sam 15:23).
6. Self-will brings injury to others. Peter acted on his own authority when he cut off the ear of the servant of the high priest (Luke 22:50).
7. Self-will means loss of blessing. The prodigal son found the difference between the swine troughs and the father’s table, and between the far country and the old homestead. (Luke 15:16-17)

1. 500 Bible Readings, Marsh, F.E., (London: Marshall Brothers, 1897). Reading no. 347.

Tags: Marsh, Theology

The following reading, Steps in the Christian Life is taken from F.E. Marsh’s, 500 Bible Readings.¹

THERE are some terms that relate to the Christian life which are of pressing importance, because of the issues involved in relation to them. The following seven words indicate a few aspects of the Christian’s life, namely, “Believe,” “Pray,” “Abide,” “Walk,” “Take,” “Stand,” “Watch.”

1. To believe on Christ is the secret of the Christian life (Galatians 2:20 NKJV).
2. To pray to Christ is the stay of the Christian life (Philippians 4:6 NKJV).
3. To abide in Christ is the strength of the Christian life (John 15:4 NKJV).
4. To walk as Christ is the shining out of the Christian life (1 Peter 2:21 NKJV).
5. To take from Christ is the supply of the Christian life (Isaiah 27:5 NKJV).
6. To stand with Christ is the staple of the Christian life (Ephesians 6:14 NKJV).
7. To watch for Christ is the standing order of the Christian life (Mark 13:33 NKJV). The term watchfulness is a comprehensive one. It signifies far more than merely holding the truth of the Lord’s coming. It covers the whole trend of the spiritual life in the variety of its traits.

1. 500 Bible Readings, Marsh, F.E., (London: Marshall Brothers, 1897). Reading number 382.

Tags: Christian Living, Marsh, Theology

The following reading, Things We Obtain by Faith is taken from F.E. Marsh’s, 500 Bible Readings.¹

1. Salvation.. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” — Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJV
2. Justification.. “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,” — Romans 5:1 NKJV
3. Introduction.. “…through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” — Romans 5:2 NKJV
4. Adoption. “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus” — Galatians 3:26 NKJV
5. Sanctification. “…to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.” — Acts 26:18 NKJV
6. Purification. “…and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.” — Acts 15:9 NKJV
7. Occupation. “…that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love,” — Ephesians 3:17 NKJV
8. Progression. “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” — 2 Corinthians 5:7 NKJV
9. Preservation. “…who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” — 1 Peter 1:5 NKJV
10. Expectation. “For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.” — Galatians 5:5 NKJV

1. 500 Bible Readings, Marsh, F.E., (London: Marshall Brothers, 1897). Reading number 443.

Tags: Faith, Marsh, Theology

The following reading, The Name of Jesus in the Epistle to the Hebrews., is from F.E. Marsh’s 500 Bible Readings¹.

1. As Son of Man. “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death” (Heb. 2:9).
2. As our High Priest. “We have a great High Priest, who is passed into the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God” (Heb. 4:14, and 6:20).
3. As our Surety. “By so much was Jesus made a Surety of a better testament” (Heb. 7:22).
4. As the Way into the holiest. “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus” (Heb. 10:19).
5. As the Author of faith. “Looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith” (Heb. 12:2).
6. As our Mediator. “And to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant” (Heb. 12:24)’
7. As our Sanctifier. “Wherefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered without the gate” (Heb. 13:12).

1. 500 Bible Readings, Marsh, F.E., (London: Marshall Brothers, 1897). Reading number 236.

Tags: Christ, Marsh, Teaching Ideas, Theology

The following was adapted from F.E. Marsh’s 1000 Bible Study Outlines¹

In his letter to Timothy (1 Timothy 6:4-21), Paul gave three “F’s” to Timothy when he would set him on his guard. Look at them:

1. “Flee these things” (1Ti 6:4-11).
   1. Swelling of pride (R. Y.). “Puffed up.”
   2. Folly of ignorance.
   3. Dotage of questionings (margin, “sick”).
   4. “Strifes of words” (R.Y., “disputes”).
   5. Envy of jealousy.
   6. Strife of temper.
   7. Railings of incrimination.
   8. Surmisings of evil.
   9. Love of money.
2. “Follow after” (1Ti 6:6, 11).
   1. “Righteousness” of life.
   2. “Godliness” of character.
   3. “Faith” of devotion.
   4. “Love” of faithfulness.
   5. “Patience” of endurance.
   6. “Meekness” of manner.
   7. “Contentment” of thankfulness.
3. “Fight the good fight of faith” (R.V., “The faith”).
   1. By “a good profession” (1Ti 6:12).
   2. By keeping “this commandment” (1Ti 6:14).
   3. By charging the rich not to be “high-minded” (1Ti 6:17).
   4. By being “rich in good works” (1Ti 6:18).
   5. By laying “hold of eternal life” (1Ti 6:19).
   6. By keeping “the faith” of the Gospel (1Ti 6:20-21).
   7. By being “ready to sympathise” (margin, R.V., 1Ti 6:18).

1. 1000 Bible Study Outlines, Marsh, F.E., outline 349.

Tags: Christian Living, Marsh, Teaching Ideas

The following reading, Cleaving to Christ is adapted from F.E. Marsh’s, 500 Bible Readings.¹

Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.—Acts 11:23

The following seven ways will indicate how we can cleave to Christ:

1. By prayerful dependence upon Him (Phil 4:6).
2. By being taught by Him (Matt 11:29).
3. By ready response to His word (John 14:21).
4. By whole-hearted surrender to Him (Rom 12:1).
5. By separation from the ungodly (2 Cor 6:17).
6. By living a life of faith upon Him (Gal 2:20).
7. By waiting for Him (1 Thess 1:10).

1. 500 Bible Readings, Marsh, F.E., (London: Marshall Brothers, 1897). Reading number 51.

Tags: Christian Living, Marsh, Teaching Ideas

The following reading, Salvation,
is adapted from F.E. Marsh’s 500 Bible Readings¹.

What is comprehended in the most comprehensive word “salvation”? The following acrostic will indicate, in some small degree, Salvation.

1. 500 Bible Readings, Marsh, F.E., (London: Marshall Brothers, 1897). Reading number 335.

Tags: Marsh, Salvation, Teaching Ideas

The following reading, Christ, Our Life,
is from F.E. Marsh’s 500 Bible Readings¹.

There are many words and phrases that are peculiar to John; for
instance, the double “verily,” “excepts,” and “true” things. John’s
Gospel is peculiar in itself. Matthew shows us Christ as “King,”
Mark as the “Servant,” Luke as the “Man,” and John as the
“Life.” This may be traced right through John.

1. 500 Bible Readings, Marsh, F.E., (London: Marshall Brothers, 1897). Reading number 72.

Tags: Bible, Bibliology, Christ, Christian Living, Marsh, Teaching Ideas

The following reading, Christ’s Passion,
is from F.E. Marsh’s 1000 Bible Study Outlines¹.

The passion of His atoning death is ever the secret and soul of
the Gospel. It speaks of:

1. Sin’s hindrance removed—Heb. 9:26.
2. Sin’s guilt answered for—Heb. 2:17.
3. Sin’s author overthrown—Heb. 2:14.
4. Sin’s gulf spanned—Heb. 10:19-20.
5. Sin’s pollution removed—Heb. 10:10.
6. Sin’s power broken—Heb. 10:16-18.
7. Sin’s victory destroyed—1 John 3:8.

1. 1000 Bible Study Outlines, Marsh, F.E., Reading number 175.

Tags: Christ, Marsh, Salvation, Teaching Ideas

The following reading, Christ’s Message on Being Saved,
is from F.E. Marsh’s 1000 Bible Study Outlines¹.

The pages of the New Testament ring with the word “saved. ”

1. Christ’s message was, “That ye might be saved“
   (John 5:34).
2. He said those who entered into the shepherd fold of His
   grace should “be saved” (John 10:9).
3. His commission to His disciples was that those who
   believed should “be saved” (Mark 16:16).
4. He assured a woman who came in penitence to Him,
   “Thy faith hath saved thee” (Luke 7:50).
5. He declared that Satan’s machinations were to keep men
   from receiving His Word, lest they should “believe and be
   saved” (Luke 8:12).
6. He revealed that God sent Him into the world that it
   might “be saved” (John 3:17).

1. 1000 Bible Study Outlines, Marsh, F.E. Reading number 171.

Tags: Christ, Marsh, Salvation, Teaching Ideas