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“This world is not my home, I’m just passing through.
My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue.
The angels beckon me from Heaven’s open door
And I can’t feel at home in this world anymore.”

When Albert E. Brumley wrote those words back in 1965 he was expressing what every Christian feels when they begin to live an obedient life for God This world begins to lose its appeal, and in time, actually stands in opposition to his spiritual desires. This experience is consistent with what Jesus taught regarding this present world.

• John 15:19. Q. What did Jesus say we are “not of”?__________________.

Q. Jesus said that he has chosen us ___________________ the world.

When Jesus said “the world” he was not talking about this planet, but rather society. It is the social system that exists all around us, the philosophy, the morals, the entertainment, all of the constructs of fallen man that make up “the world”. When we got saved, Jesus gave us a new nature and immediately set us apart from this world. This setting apart is what the Bible calls sanctification.

In John 17 we find Jesus’ prayer to the Father. In this prayer he specifically prayed for us as believers.

• John 17:15. Q. What did Jesus not pray for us?

Q. What did Jesus pray concerning us and the world?

When we got saved our relationship to the world changed. We are still in the world but we are no longer of the world. God has throughout the ages always chosen to leave his people as a minority in the midst of a fallen world. It is our responsibility now to learn to walk in this world, while remaining separate from it. Though we remain in this world physically, our affections are to be “set on things above” (Col 3:2).

Hebrews 13:14 says For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.

It seems that Albert E. Brumely was almost certainly influenced by this passage when he wrote his famous hymn. Our citizenship is not here in this world, but we are pilgrims, passing through, waiting for our true home in heaven. Our response to Jesus’ sacrifice is to turn from this world, even if it means bearing reproach. (Heb 13:13)

Now let’s examine a little closer what this world is all about. First of all, let’s consider the Satanic Dominance in this World.

The Bible refers to Satan as both the god and the prince of this world.

John 12:31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the ___________
___________________ be cast out.

2 Corinthians 4:4 In whom the ___________________________ hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

These verses and others help us to understand why Satan, when tempting Jesus in the wilderness could claim to have both power and glory in all the kingdoms of the world!

• Luke 4:5-7. Satan said that all the power and glory of the kingdoms of the world had been D__________________ unto him.

When Adam sinned against God, he lost his dominion over this world, and sin and Satan were delivered the power to dominate. Now, man in his fallen condition is heavily influenced both directly by sin and indirectly by Satan. Satan may not make himself known, nor appear directly to men, but he has built up a world system founded upon his rebellion against God

What are some areas of our society where you believe Satan’s influence can be seen?

So, in understanding the world we must recognize the Satanic Dominance of the world, and next, we must see the Sinful Depravity of this world. All one has to do is watch the nightly news or the latest Hollywood movie to witness the depravity of this world. Depravity means “morally corrupt”.

• 1 John 2:15 What are we told not to do?________________________

We are told not to love the world or anything in the world, why is this? Look at the very next verse in 1 John 2:

• 1 John 2:16. Q. What three categories can all that is in the world be divided into? ________________________________________.

This world system is driven by three main desires – the desire to have more (lust of the eyes), the desire to do more (lust of the flesh), and the desire to be more (the pride of life). These three things are absolutely opposed to the nature of God and to what he desires for his children. While the world desires to attain wealth, the Bible says “be content with such things as ye have” (Heb 13:5), while the world desires to indulge the flesh, the Bible says to not “fulfil the lust of the flesh” (Gal 5:16), while the world says we should always desire to be more the Bible says that we are to “be not highminded” (1 Tim 6:17). These unholy drives have been the foundation for this world’s philosophies and approach to life ever since Adam sinned in the garden. We must recognize the sinful depravity of this world and make a decided effort not to be conformed to it.

Romans 12:2 And __________________________________________: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind…

Next, and lastly we must recognize the Sure Destruction of this World.

• 1 John 2:16,17. Q. What will happen to this world?

• 2 Peter 3:10. Q. How will this world be destroyed?_________________.

The Bible makes it clear that the this world and all the things within it will eventually be burned up. Recognizing this fact ought to change the way we live our lives.

Look at  2 Peter 3:11. Q. According to this verse, the future destruction of this world ought to motivate us to live in h_____________ and g______________.

Part of walking in newness of life is realizing that this world is only temporary and that we, therefore, should not invest too much into it! Jesus taught this same truth in Matthew 6.

• Matt 6:19-21. Q. Why should we not lay up treasures on earth?

Q. v20, Where should our treasures be? v21,What does this indicate about us?

The right attitude toward this world is that of a pilgrim. We are not invested in this world but are simply passing through. Because of our pilgrim nature we must be sure not to “set up camp” in this world!

What are some ways that a Christian may become “too invested” in this world?

Write out Col 3:2

So we have seen Satanic Dominance in the World, the Sinful Depravity of the World and the Sure Destruction of the World. Next let’s look at some important reasons for our separation from the world.

First of all, we ought to separate ourselves from the world in order to Protect our Walk with God.

If we desire to protect our walk with God than we must separate from the world. When we walk in this world we expose ourselves to all the sin and temptation that comes with it. The Christian who does not guard himself against these things will find himself slowly becoming affected by them.

The Christian who attempts to live both in the world and for God will struggle his entire Christian life and is very likely to eventually choose the things of the world over the things of God.

• Matt 6:24. Q. What can no man do?___________________________.

Q. What will eventually happen if one tries to serve both God and the world?

When a Christian develops a daily quiet time with the Lord, he ought to diligently seek to protect it. This protection comes when we guard our lives from the sinful influences of the world. The Christian who has no problem being friends with the world, or indulging in the world’s depraved entertainment probably does not have a daily quiet time with the Lord which he values.

• 2 Cor 6:17. Q. What must we do before God will receive us?

James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. _____________ your hands, ye sinners; and ____________ your hearts, ye double minded.

Although we will never lose our salvation, we can certainly lose our fellowship with God. When we walk in this world and become defiled by it, God will not receive us until we repent of it. We must separate from the world and remain pure and clean from its influence on us.

Lastly, we must separate from the world in order to Proclaim the Word of God. Every Christian as been commissioned to preach the gospel. We are to be witnesses of what Jesus has done for us. In order to have credibility in our witness, we must be separate from the world and not take part in its sin.

Eph 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­_________________________________.

We must maintain a testimony which is free from the sinfulness of this world, else the world will not accept our witness. When Lot tried to warn his family of the coming judgment they rejected him, why? Because he had not shown himself as a man that knew God or walked with Him. Next week we will examine more in depth the idea of setting safeguards in our lives in order to have a successful walk with God.

Posted in Learning to Live the New Life | No Comments »

Last time we considered the Procedure of Forgiveness. In Matthew 18, Jesus gave us a clear procedure that must be followed in order to deal with sin and offense in the church. When followed faithfully, this procedure will either lead to forgiveness, or to judgment. Forgiveness when the offending brother acknowledges his sin and repents of it, or judgment when he refuses to acknowledge his fault and rejects the church’s intervention.

Upon hearing this procedure for forgiveness, Peter came to Jesus and asked, “How oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?”. Peter’s question reveals to us that although he understood the procedure which Jesus outlined, he had missed the principle on which it was based. Jesus then begins explaining the Principle of Forgiveness by answering Peter:

Matthew 18:22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.”

Jesus was not indicating that we are to forgive our brother 490 times, but that we are to continually forgive and to deny our own pride or desire for retribution. In order to make this hard saying easier to understand, Jesus began to teach a parable, in this parable he would set forth the powerful principle that underlies the procedure.

1. The Principle of Forgiveness Matthew 18:23-34

a. The Kingdom Principle
The principle for forgiveness could easily be called The Kingdom Principle. Jesus, in this parable, begins to compare a fictional king and his servants to the Kingdom of God. It is important here to understand exactly what the Kingdom of God is.

There is coming a day when Christ will literally rule and reign on earth, both in a temporal kingdom for one thousand years (Rev 20), and in his eternal kingdom (Luke 1:30-33). These aspects of the Kingdom of God are entirely future in nature and are not what Jesus is referring to in Matthew 18.

Here in Matthew 18, Jesus is dealing with another aspect of the Kingdom – the present kingdom. In a certain sense, many of the features of the future kingdom are already here. For all those who are saved, Christ is already ruling and reigning in their hearts (Luke 17:21). These men and women already confess Christ as Lord (Rom 10:9) and seek to obey Him. He already has sovereign authority over the lives of all believers. It is this aspect of the Kingdom that Jesus is referring to when in his parable he begins, “Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto..”.

Matthew 18:23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. 24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. 25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.2 6 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. 28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. 29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. 31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. 32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: 33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? 34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. 35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

It would be useful here to understand the parallel’s that Jesus is making in this parable. Firstly the King represents God himself, the servant represents the believer, and the fellow servants represent his fellow believers (Matt 18:35). Now we can draw some lessons from the parable.

First of all, we see that In the Kingdom we are all Debtors (Matthew 18:24-27).

Like this indebted servant, we all owe a price which we are unable to pay (Rom 6:23, Rom 5:6). Our sin has rendered us absolutely bankrupt before God (Isaiah 64:6-8, Rom 7:18-21). The man or woman who comes to God for salvation is like this servant who has cast himself at his Lord’s feet begging for mercy (Luke 18:13-14).

The fact that we are all equally debtors in the kingdom of God should lead us to readily forgive one another. Who are we to judge others while we also owe such a debt?

Romans 14:4 Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.

Jesus uses the negative example of the unthankful servant to teach us this very lesson. He was forgiven an insurmountable debt of ten thousand talents, yet he failed to show enough mercy and forgiveness toward his fellow servant who owed only one hundred pence.

Matthew 18:32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:
33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?

The Kingdom Principle teaches us that we are all debtors in the Kingdom. Because God has forgiven us so much, we also should forgive those who have sinned against us (Eph 4:32).

Next we see that In the Kingdom we are all Unified (John 17:11). When we choose not to forgive, we threaten this unity and cause sorrow among our fellow believers.

Matthew 18:31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.

If keeping the unity of the church is our priority, than forgiveness will be our practice!

Jesus taught us to forgive continually and he gave us a procedure for that forgiveness in Matthew 18. Following this procedure becomes easier and even joyous when we first understand the principles on which it is based. We forgive because we are all forgiven (Eph 4:32), we forgive because we do not desire to cause division (Eph 4:2-3) and we forgive because God is the only just Judge (Rom 14:4).

Lastly we see a tremendous Promise of Forgiveness. Following Christ’s commands concerning forgiveness are an act of obedience, and so much more! He has attached a promise to following this proper procedure for forgiveness.

2. The Promise of Forgiveness Matthew 18:35

a. The promise of Christ is that he will forgive us when we sincerely forgive our brother.

Matthew 18:35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

Jesus first gave us this promise in his model prayer in Matthew 6:

Matthew 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

Matthew 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:c15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Again we see it repeated in Luke 6:37:

Luke 6:37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:

The promise is clear. If we forgive those who have trespassed or sinned against us, we can be assured that God will also forgive us. This promise also has a negative aspect. If we do not forgive our brother, God will also not forgive us. When we fail to forgive, we have committed sin, this sin separates us from God and hinders our fellowship with him. As believers, this fellowship can be restored at anytime by confession and obedience (1 John 1:9).

Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

Tags: forgiveness, Matthew 18
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In Matthew 18 we are given instruction by Jesus himself regarding the subject of church discipline and forgiveness. The instruction is so clear that it can be easily outlined and practically applied in our lives and in our churches. In Matthew 18:15-35 we see the procedure for forgiveness, the principle of forgiveness, and the promise of forgiveness. Today we will look at the first of these, The Procedure for Forgiveness.

Matthew 18:15-35

1. The Procedure for Forgiveness Matthew 18:15-20

a. Approach your brother in confidence
To approach someone in confidence is to approach them privately without the involvement of others.

Matthew 18:15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

When we feel that we have been “trespassed against” it is our responsibility to approach our Christian brother in private and with the intent of regaining a right relationship with them. Approaching them with any other intent or attitude is a violation of Jesus’ clear instructions in Matthew 18.

By precluding the involvement of other church members we assure that offense will not be taken up on our behalf and that we are not responsible for tainting the reputation of the person who has offended us.

Think for a moment of a situation where you have been offended. If you took it upon yourself to inform others in the church of the offense you would be helping them to form a negative attitude toward the one who has offended you. If the time comes when you and your brother are reconciled, or that you discover your offense is the result of a misunderstanding, you will have already damaged your brothers reputation in the eyes of others.

Proverbs 17:9 teaches that approaching our brother in confidence is an indication of our desire to maintain a loving relationship but telling others of our conflict is simply our way of sowing discord and creating separation between others.

Proverbs 17:9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.

It is easy sometimes after being offended to seek to justify ourselves by telling the situation to others, the more people who take up offense for us, the more we feel justified in our negative attitude toward our brother. This is the exact attitude that is to be avoided by employing the procedure that Jesus has given us.

The procedure which Jesus gave us, of first approaching our brother in confidence with the intention of becoming reconciled to him, avoids the above problem. It ensures that if we and our brother are successfully reconciled it is only us and God who know about the conflict. We have the freedom to put it behind us and to move on in our relationship.

Proverbs 11:13 A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.

Next of all, Jesus tells us to approach our brother with counsel.

b. Approach your brother with counsel
Matthew 18:16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

Here we are told to tell our situation to one or two other Christians who can act as objective witnesses. These men or women can act as mediators or judges. They can view the conflict with fresh eyes and help to determine whether there has been a misunderstanding or a legitimate offense.

If the situation is to rise to the level where the church becomes involved these witnesses can serve as confirmation of the offense. The use of two or three witnesses is a biblical principle stretching all the way back to the book of Deuteronomy.

Deuteronomy 19:15 One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.

Next, Jesus tells us that if we are not reconciled with our brother after we have approached him in confidence and with counsel, then the situation rises to the level where the church as a congregation should become involved.

c. Approach your brother as a congregation
Matthew 18:17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

Step three in this procedure, after two or three witnesses have deemed there to be a legitimate trespass or offense, is to bring the situation before the church.
Here, the church acts in unity to admonish the sinning brother and seeks to restore him to fellowship. This restoration can happen only after repentance and reconciliation.

If the sinning brother does not heed the admonition of the church then he has made it clear that he is no longer in submission to the authority of the church. The church then has no choice but to move on to step four in this procedure for church discipline.

d. Remove your brother from your company
Matthew 18:17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

Lastly, Jesus tells us that if our brother has not taken heed to our desire for reconciliation, nor has he obeyed the counsel of two or three witnesses, nor has he submitted himself to the authority of the church, then the next step is to remove him from our fellowship.
Paul confirms this principle in his epistles to the Thessalonians and the Corinthians.

2 Thessalonians 3:14 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.
15 Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
1 Corinthians 5:9 I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:
10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.
11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?
13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

It is no small matter for a Christian man or woman to reject the efforts of the church to reconcile him to their fellowship. The church is the very body and bride of Jesus Christ and operates with his authority and on his behalf. When we obey Christ in dealing with these matters we are executing His will on earth. This is made plain in Matthew 18:18-20.

Matthew 18:18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

The church who does not employ this procedure for forgiveness, or in the worst case scenario, church discipline, does not operate with the authority of Christ. It is the faithful adherence to Christ’s commands in Matthew 18 that brings his blessing and authority to the church’s verdicts.

Posted in Developing Renewed Relationships, Meditations | No Comments »

From my friend Mark:

I SCAMMED A NIGERIAN EMAIL SPAMMER!!!

I received the typical "we want money" spam email. He said he was a pastor and needed $10,000 to build a new hall. I asked him for proof of his church. He sent some pictures but they were of church services of at least 3 different churches auditoriums. Googled no doubt.

I asked him to send me the church tax id number. (he made one up) I asked him for church bank account. He said they did not have one but I could send it to him personally! I asked him for the name of the construction company. He sent me a document in French and told me it had the info but that he could not translate French.

LATER…he said he spoke bad English because he speaks French!

I then Photoshopped a fake check with a fake bank for $10,000. I emailed it to him and told him about Gideon and the fleece before the lord! I told him my fleece was that I wanted him to send me a picture. I said I would send the check when my fleece was answered.

In that picture I wanted him to hold a sign saying: MARK FORESTER IS A MIGHTY DEER HUNTER….

This is the 2nd picture I have received per my request of my Nigerian scammer. I requested this picture of him: 1. In A Red Shirt. 2. Sign that says I am good looking. I am on a roll! Merry Christmas to me!

Posted in Humour, Misc | No Comments »

Welcome to my site.  The main feature of rickcowan.com are free online and printable Bible studies which I originally prepared for Calvary Baptist Church in Windsor, Ontario. The studies can be found quickly by using the Categories drop-down menu to the left. Feel free to copy and distribute these studies for your own personal or ministry use. Many of them are available in PDF format, formatted to fit on 1 double sided sheet of paper.

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.

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Keep track of your daily Bible reading and prayer time with this journal. There are spaces to record answers to prayer, things for which you are thankful and your efforts to witness.  Keep it in your Bible and let it serve as an encouragement in your daily walk with Christ! [Full Version] , [Condensed]

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Christianity has something to offer that no other religion does – Jesus Christ. This study explores the person of Jesus Christ, who He is, and what He has done for us.

All of the following are PDF files

How Much do You Know About Jesus?

1. Jesus is Preeminent

2. Jesus is Pictured in the Old Testament

3. Jesus is Present in the Old Testament

4. Jesus is Prophesied of in The Old Testament

5. Jesus and the Incarnation

7. Jesus – God in the Flesh (His Deity)

8. Jesus – God in the Flesh (His Humanity)

9. Jesus and the New Covenant

10. Jesus and Our New Relationship

11. Jesus and our New Freedom

12. Jesus our Substitute

13. Jesus our Redeemer

14. Jesus our Risen Saviour

15. Jesus our Coming Lord

16. Jesus our Righteous Judge

Tags: PDF
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Jesus Christ, through his resurrection has provided each of us with a new life. One where we are dead to sin and alive to God. This series takes that Biblical truth and explains what it means to us practically.

All of the following are PDF files. Click Here to read them online.

1. Discovering the New Life

2. Developing a Daily Quiet Time

3. How to Approach the Word of God

4. Learning the Bible – New Testament
In order to complete this lesson, download and view the accompanying PowerPoint file

5. Learning the Bible – Old Testament
In order to complete this lesson, download and view the accompanying PowerPoint file

6. Learning to Live with the Spirit

7. Learning to Live in This World

8. Learning to Delight in Being Different

9. Learning to Pray

10. Learning to Rejoice in Persecution

12. Learning to Preach Christ – Our Message

13. Learning to Preach Christ – Our Testimony

Posted in Learning to Live the New Life | 2 Comments »

Jesus said “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” One great example of the Old Testament testifying of Jesus Christ is found in The Tabernacle. Almost every aspect of the Tabernacle was a figure and a foreshadowing of the coming Messiah. This series serves as an introduction to Old Testament Tabernacle, and it’s picture of Jesus Christ.

All of the following are PDF files. Click Here to read them online.

1. An Introduction to the Tabernacle

2. The Brazen Altar

3. The Laver

4. The Table of Shewbread

5. The Golden Candlestick

6. The Altar of Incense

7. The Veil

8. The Ark of the Covenant

9. The High Priest

Tags: altar, blood, lamb, laver, offering, priest, sacrifice, shewbread, tabernacle, veil
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Throughout our Christian lives God seeks to make us more and more like Jesus Christ. The manifestation of Christ’s character within us is called The Fruit of the Spirit. This study explores each of the Spiritual fruit as mentioned in Galatians 5:22.

All of the following are PDF files. Click Here to read them online.

The Fruit of the Spirit Introduction

The Fruit of Love

The Fruit of Joy

The Fruit of Peace

The Fruit of Longsuffering

The Fruit of Gentleness

The Fruit of Goodness

The Fruit of Faithfulness

The Fruit of Meekness

The Fruit of Temperance

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