INTRODUCTION:
   1.  There are many compelling reasons for SHARING OUR FAITH in
        Christ.
   2.  We must share it with those who have not experienced NEW 
       LIFE in Christ.
   3.  As this NEW YEAR begins - it would be a good time to be
       "THINKING MORE OF HEAVEN in 1997!
   4.  And as we think more of Heaven - we should share more
       about Heaven.

I.  THE LORD HAS COMMANDED US TO PREACH THE GOSPEL.

    A.  Preach the Gospel to everyone.
    B.  The Gospel is "the GOOD NEWS."
    C.  Jesus said in Acts 1:8, "You shall receive power...
        to be witnesses."
    D.  Jesus said that if we really loved Him we would, "Keep
        His Commandments" (John 14:15).

II. OUR SHARING IS GOD'S CHOSEN METHOD TO TELL ALL PEOPLE.
 

    A.  He could have used Angels... but He didn't
    B.  We know what it is like to be lost.
    C.  Only we can tell others that are lost how to be saved.
    D.  It is, as one person has said, "One beggar telling
        another where he found bread."

        1.  Jesus said that He was/is "THE BREAD OF LIFE."
        2.  Jesus said that He was/is "THE WAY TO ETERNAL LIFE"
            (John 14:6).
        3.  That is the MESSAGE... that is the FAITH TO SHARE.

III. RECENT BIBLE STUDY RESPONSES TO WHAT OUR
      RESPONSIBILITY IS IN SHARING.

    A.  COMMANDMENT:

        1.  The commandment is... Preach the Gospel to EVERYONE.
        2.  The commandment is... Teach others to obey HIS
            COMMANDMENTS.
        3.  This involves the Clergy and Laity working together.

    B.  ETERNAL LIFE:

        1.  Man is LOST!
        2.  Man doesn't have to be lost.
        3.  Man is on his way to hell... What will "YOU" do about
            that?
        
    C.  WE CAN'T KEEP IT A SECRET:

        1.  If your salvation is a secret... then you may be
            deceived into THINKING that you are saved.
        2.  A secret this good cannot be kept.
        
    D.  JOY, PEACE, HAPPINESS, ABUNDANT LIFE.

        1.  Jesus said in John 10:10 that He came to "GIVE
            LIFE AND TO GIVE IT MORE ABUNDANTLY."
        2.  He is "MORE THAN ENOUGH" for Joy, Peace, Happiness
            and the Abundant life.

    E.  REWARDS/AWARDS.

        1.  Jesus said in Rev. 22:12, "And behold, I am
            coming quickly, and my reward is with me, to give to
            everyone according to his work."
        2.  Jesus said in Matt. 5:16, "Let your light so
            shine before men, that they may see your good works
            and glorify your father in heaven."
        3.  Paul said in 1 Cor. 4:2, "...it is required in
            stewards that one be found faithful."
        4.  There is a reckoning day coming and we as believers
            will stand before the Lord and give an account of our
            stewardship (management of our lives).

IV.  CHRIST EXPECTS US TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WE ARE HIS.
 

    A.  We acknowledge that we are His by GROWING and MATURING.
    B.  We acknowledge that we are His by LIVING the NEW LIFE.
    C.  We acknowledge that we are His by displaying ATTITUDES
        which are NOT CARNAL.
    D.  We acknowledge that we are His by WORSHIPPING HIM.
    E.  We acknowledge that we are His by SHARING OUR FAITH.

V.  CONCLUSION:

    A.  The fact of so many is:  There is no faith left over to
        share.
    B.  Share means, "to divide."
    C.  Share means that we keep some of what we give.
    D.  The question is:  DO YOU HAVE FAITH TO SHARE?
    E.  If so - ARE YOU SHARING THAT FAITH?
    F.  THINK MORE ABOUT HEAVEN IN 1997.

....................

INTRODUCTION:
   1.  These Scriptures are the second part of the conversation
       between Jesus and Nicodemus.
   2.  A lesson about REGENERATION is closely followed by a
       lesson about JUSTIFICATION.
   3.  These Scriptures have brought eternal life to thousands
       upon thousands of lost souls.

I. THESE VERSES SHOW US FIRST- WHAT GROSS SPIRITUAL INORANCE THERE
       MAY BE IN THE MIND OF A GREAT AND LEARNED MAN.

   A.  Nicodemus was a "master of Israel" - yet he was
       unacquainted with the first elements of saving religion.
   B.  Nicodemus is told about the new birth - and at once he
       exclaims, "HOW CAN THESE THINGS BE?"
   C.  When such was the darkness of a Jewish Teacher - what must
       have been the state of the Jewish people?
   D.  It was indeed due time for CHRIST to appear!
   E.  The pastors of Israel had ceased to feed the people with
       knowledge.

       1.  In Matthew 15:14 Jesus states, "Let them alone.
           They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind
           leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch."
       2.  Paul states in 1 Corinthians 2:14, "But the
           natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit
           of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he
           know them, because they are spiritually discerrned."
 

II. THESE VERSES SHOW US SECONDLY - THE ORIGINAL SOURCE
     FROM WHICH MAN'S SALVATION SPRINGS

   A.  That source is the LOVE OF GOD the Father.
   B.  Jesus said to Nicodemus, "God so loved the world -
       He gave His only begotten Son.."
   C.  Those first five words are very important- "GOD SO LOVED
       THE WORLD"
   
       1.  He had pity and compassion on the entire human race.
       2.  The "WHOLE WORLD" of sinners- no exception.
       3.  Their sins He cannot love - but He loves their souls.

   D.  God hates wickedness - and that the end of all who
       continue in wickedness will be destruction.

       1.  It is not true that God so loved the world that all
           mankind will be finally saved.
       2.  But He so loved the world that He gave His Son to be
           the Saviour of ALL WHO BELIEVE.
       3.  His love is offered to all men - freely, fully, and
           honestly.
       4.  BUT... it is only through the One Channel of Christ's
           redemption.

   E.  He that rejects Christ cuts himself off from God's love.
   F.  God has no pleasure in the death of the wicked.
   G.  God is not willing that any should perish.
   H.  God would have all men everywhere to be saved.
   I.  GOD LOVES THE WORLD....

       1.  I am a part of that world
       2.  You are a part of that world

III. THESE VERSES SHOW US THIRDLY - THE PLAN BY WHICH THE
      LOVE OF GOD HAS PROVIDED SALVATION FOR SINNERS.

   A.  That plan is the Atoning death of Christ on the cross.
   B.  His death was appointed by God to be the "LIFE OF THE
       WORLD."
   C.  His death was ordained from all eternity to be the
       satisfaction for man's sin.
   D.  It was the payment, by an Almighty Substitute, of man's
       enormous debt to God.
   E.  When Christ died upon the cross - our many sins were laid
       upon Him.
   F.  He was made "SIN" for us - He was made "A CURSE" for us.
   G.  By His death He purchased pardon and complete redemption
       for sinners.
   H.  Here is the Foundation-stone of the Christian religion:

       1.  Christ's death is the Christian's life.
       2.  Christ's cross is the Christian's title to heaven.
       3.  Christ, "LIFTED UP", and put to shame on Calvary is
           the ladder by which Christians "enter in."

   I.  We were sinners.... He suffered for us...
   J.  We deserve death.... but Christ has died for us...
   K.  We were guilty debtors.... Christ paid our DEBTS by His
       Blood.

CONCLUSION:

   1.  THIS IS THE GOOD NEWS
   2.  GOD LOVES ALL THE WORLD
   3.  BUT... He will not save any who refuse to believe in His
       Only Begotten Son.
   4.  GOD LOVES YOU...... GOD LOVES ME!

....................

Mark 16:6 "But he said to them, Do not be alarmed. You seek
Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not
here. See the place where they laid Him."

INTRODUCTION:
  1.  It is impossible to overestimate the importance of the
      Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
  2.  If He had not Risen we would be of all men most miserable.
  3.  The Angel declared, "HE IS NOT HERE; HE IS RISEN."
 
  4.  My wife and I stood inside that Garden Tomb where there is
      an inscription of what the angel declared. "HE IS NOT HERE;
      HE IS RISEN."

I.  RULERS AND RELIGIONISTS CRUCIFIED HIM.

   A.  His Tomb was sealed with a government seal.
   B.  A stone was put before the mouth of the tomb.
   C.  Roman soldiers stood guard.
   D.  Stone, government, or guards can never stand in the way of
       God's Plan.

II.ALL HOPE HINGED ON THE RESURRECTION

   A.  To remain under the power of death would have meant that
       He could not save.
   B.  To remain prisoner would have meant that he could not
       deliver others.
   C.  Locked in a grave, He could not appear before God for us,
       or walk with us in and through our trials.
   D.  He could not lead the dying through the valley unless He
       FIRST was victorious over death.
   E.  It was a gloomy three days for those who loved Him.

III. THEN THE NEW DAY DAWNED

   A.  Angels came to roll the stone away (Matthew 28:2).
   B.  Roman guards fell like dead men.
   C.  The earth shook... the stone was out of its place.
   D.  Jesus came forth... victorious over death, hell and the
       grave.

IV.  HE MADE AN EARLY VISIT TO THOSE HE LOVED.

   A.  Mary, Peter and John were disappointed.

       1.  They went to the tomb and found it empty.
       2.  John and Peter returned home possibly discouraged.
   
   B.  BUT... Mary stayed.

       1.  The angel reassured her - "WHY DO YOU WEEP?"
       2.  She said, "THEY HAVE TAKEN MY LORD AWAY."

   C.  Jesus came and talked with her (Read John 20:14-16).

       1.  She was sent to tell the disciples that Jesus would 
           meet them in the city. 
       2.  She was sent to Peter, the one who denied Jesus, to
           tell him especially.

V.  JESUS IS NOT DEAD - HE IS RISEN - HE IS ALIVE!

   A.  He told them, "Because I live - you will live also" 
   B.  In, 1 Corinthians 15:20-21, Paul states, "But now
       Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the
       firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.  For since by 
       man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the
       dead."

CONCLUSION:

   1.  The best evidence of His resurrection is a "DAILY MEETING
       WITH HIM"
   2.  Christ did die --- But He NOW LIVES!  

....................

TEXT:	"And He put all things under His feet, and gave 
        Him to be head over all things to the church, 
        which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills 
        all in all." (vs 22,23 NKJV

INTRO:	1.   Many people have a concept of the CHURCH that 
             is not a biblical one.
	2.   The CHURCH is not this building -- although 
             it is a CHURCH BUILDING.
	3.   The CHURCH is not this local congregation -
             although this congregation is a PART OF THE 
             CHURCH.
	4.   The CHURCH  is not the CHURCH OF GOD denomi-
             nation or any other denomination... although 
             these are individual churches.
	5.   Let's observe exactly... WHAT IS THE CHURCH...

I.    THE CHURCH IS THE DIVINE SOCIETY "IN CHRIST."

	    A.	The CHURCH is made up of REGENERATED 
                MANKIND who is in the control of and for 
                the use of the LORD JESUS CHRIST.
	    B.	The CHURCH is made up of "ALL" BORN AGAIN
                BELIEVERS.
	    C.	They make up the "BODY OF CHRIST."

II.   THE CHURCH IS:  A "CALLED-OUT" BODY.

	    A.	The word "CHURCH" comes from the Greek 
                word "ECCLESIA"
	    B.	The word means..."AN ASSEMBLY" or a group 
                of "CALLED-OUT ONES."
	    C.	The "ALDERMEN" are CALLED-OUT ONES.

		1.    The same word could be used.
		2.    The ALDERMEN make up a group of
                      "CALLED-OUT" ONES from among the TOWN'S
                      PEOPLE.
		
	    D.	The "ECCLESIA" or "CALLED-OUT ONES" of the
		CHURCH are a group or an ASSEMBLY of people
		"CALLED-OUT" from among the world.

		1.    The CHURCH is called out to be a 
                      PEOPLE OF GOD.
		2.    The CHURCH is called out to be a 
                      SEPARATED PEOPLE.
		3.    SEPARATED FROM the world... SEPARATED 
                      UNTO GOD.

III.  THE CHURCH... "IS" THE BODY OF CHRIST.

	    A.	READ VERSE 22
	    B.	The CHURCH could not be in existence before 
                there was a HEAD.
	    C.	God doesn't make HEADLESS things.
	    D.	Anything WITHOUT a head... is DEFORMED.
	    E.	So also is anything with TWO HEADS.
	    F.	The CHURCH then... is the BODY.. of which 
                CHRIST is the HEAD...

		READ I CORINTHIANS 12:12,13

	    G.	By this we see it is the SPIRIT OF CHRIST 
                that incorporates us into the BODY OF CHRIST.
	    H.	There could be no CHURCH [Body of Christ] 
                without CHRIST HIMSELF.

		1.    If CHRIST BE NOT THE HEAD of this local
                      church... then WE FAIL.
		2.    CHRIST must be LIFTED-UP... and  PRAISED 
                      in what we do and what we say....

IV.   THE CHURCH... IS MADE UP OF "LIVING" MEMBERS 

	    A.	The CHURCH is not just an ORGANIZATION but an
		ORGANISM...
	    B.	The CHURCH IS ALIVE
	    C.	The CHURCH is NOT:

		1.    a SOCIAL CLUB
		2.    a GROUP with laws and orders (although
                      there must be order).
		3.    an EXCLUSIVE CLUB... strictly for the 
                      BENEFIT of its own members.

            D.	The CHURCH is a LIVING ORGANISM ... made up 
                of CALLED-OUT ONES who are ALIVE unto a LIVING
                FAITH
	    E.	The CHURCH is YOU...LIVING IN FAITH.
	    F.	The CHURCH is NOT:

		1.    a PLACE OF AMUSEMENT
		2.    a PLACE OF MERCHANDISE

            G.	The CHURCH IS:

		1.    a PLACE OF HOPE
		2.    a PLACE FOR THE FAITHFUL
		3.    a PLACE FOR HURTS TO BE HEALED
		4.    a PLACE FOR ETERNAL PREPARATION

V.	THE DUTIES OF THE CHURCH..ARE:

	    A.	Do away with SIN

		1.    in INDIVIDUAL LIVES
		2.    in THE CHURCH

	    B.	REACH OUT to FALLEN MEN through the PREACHING 
                OF THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST.
	    C.	The GOSPEL must be carried (by the church) 
                to the WHOLE WORLD

		1.    carried from this PULPIT to you in the 
                      PEW
		2.    carried from you that are in the PEW to
                      those you meet daily
		3.    many never feel the RESPONSIBILITY of the
                      Gospel
		4.    all they look for are the BENEFITS.

VI.   THE GOSPEL.....

	    A.	IS NOT a CODE OF ETHICS.. although there are
                ETHICS presented with the gospel
	    B.	IS NOT a CODE OF MORALS.. although there is
                morality in the gospel
	    C.	"IS" a PROCLAMATION OF SALVATION

VII.  THE PURPOSE OF THE GOSPEL....

	    A.	The purpose is not to SAVE SOCIETY
	    B.	The purpose is to SAVE INDIVIDUALS of SOCIETY
	    C.	The purpose of the GOSPEL is to gain 
                INDIVIDUALS as a part of the BODY OF CHRIST.
	    D.	The PURPOSE of the Gospel is that you and 
                I would be a LIVING PART of the BODY... 
                not a MAL-FUNCTIONING PART.

VIII. CONCLUSION:

	1.   ARE YOU AN ACTIVE, LIVING, PART OF THE BODY OF
             CHRIST?
	2.   Do you FEEL ANY RESPONSIBILITY as a MEMBER of
	     HIS BODY?
	3.   COME - ASK GOD - what He would have you to be
	     in HIS GREAT BODY.... THE CHURCH....

....................