Decision Making and Guidance from God
1 Corinthians 10:25-29; 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Zane C. Hodges (1972-1975; May 23, 2004)

Is there any support in the Bible for the concept that we will receive some sort of divine mystical guidance from God before we make a significant spiritual decision? Is a vague feeling of inner peace, the same as divine guidance? Do the Scriptures encourage us to take a combination of circumstances which may be ambiguous in themselves and translate it into guidance for our lives? Where should we find guidance for our lives today? Do we recognize that the Word of God within the guidelines laid down to us, give us tremendous areas of freedom within which the decision-making process is our own? If there is something you need to learn, the Bible can teach you, because it is profitable for doctrine. If there is something in which you need to be rebuked, the Bible can rebuke you, because it is profitable for reproof. If there is something in which you need to be straightened out, the Bible can straighten you out, because it is profitable for correction. If there is training that you need, the Bible can train you, because it is profitable for instruction in righteousness, that you might be the complete man of God that God wants you to be. The Bible is enough for you and your conscience.

Other passages mentioned: Colossians 3:15; Acts 8:26-29; Acts 10:1-6; Acts 16:6-9; Judges 6:14, 36-40; Luke 15:13; 1 Corinthians 5:9-10, 7:39; 2 Timothy 4:13. #Godsplan #freewill

In this sequel to Naaman’s story of leprosy, Naaman learns that the mercy and grace of God are absolutely free. One of the tragedies of the American church is that there are so many churches who teach and believe, that you cannot get into heaven unless you are willing to follow the Lord Jesus Christ or surrender to the lordship of Jesus Christ. People who think that way about the God of the Bible, do not understand the God of the Bible. Elisha’s servant, Gehazi, is afflicted with the disease of greed, which is similar to playing with a loaded gun. The Lord doesn’t need our pennies, but if we are smart, we will invest everything we can into His capable hands, and He will return it with magnificent interest in the kingdom of God.

2 Kings 5:14-27
That Gun Is Loaded
Zane C. Hodges

Coast Bible Church

May 2004

Zane Hodges explains James 2:14-26 by providing an overview of the entire Epistle of James. Zane explains the expression "save your souls" in James 1:21, and demonstrates that "save" in James is about saving your earthly lives not salvation from hell. Zane show the Greek word for "trial" and "temptation" have two meanings, (1) troubles and (2) temptation to do evil. Justification before God by faith versus justification before men by works is explained.

Dead faith is when we stop acting on what we believe. In that instance faith becomes like a dead body, a dead faith is unproductive. How do we keep our faith alive? By acting on what we believe. When people see us acting on what we believe, then we are justified by works before men.

Other passages: Matthew 7:24-27; Proverbs 11:19; Romans 4:2; Hebrews 11:31

#deadfaith #saveyoursoul #james2 #justifiedbyfaith #justification

May 24, 1992

During this prophetic congress Zane Hodges surveys the following passages with respect to the events of the Tribulation after the rapture of the church:

Daniel 9:24, 26-27; 11:36-12:1

Revelation 8:1; 9:12; 11:3-14; 12:13-17; 16:13-14, 16; 17:9-13, 17-18; 19:11, 19-21

57:08 – Is the United States mentioned anywhere in prophecy?

59:18 – Is the rapture near?

1:10:30 – Where do Christians go at the time of the rapture?

Other passages referenced: 2 Peter 3:10-13; Revelation 11:1-14; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12; Revelation 8:13; Revelation 9:18; 1 Timothy 4:1-3; Matthew 4:8-11; Luke 4:5-8; Psalm 2:1-3; Revelation 13; Revelation 17:16; Revelation 18; Ezekiel 38-39; Revelation 20:8; Revelation 12, 14; 1 Thessalonians 5:3; Job 1-2; 1 Thessalonians 4:17.

#tribulation #rapture #manofsin #beast #endtimes #prophecy

Zane Hodges concludes his series on the Epistle to the Hebrews by answering the following questions:

0:57 – Does Hebrews 10:26 refer to Old Testament sacrifice?

2:14 – Did you ever hold to a “loss of salvation” view or a “never believed” view regarding the problem passages in Hebrews?

7:10 – How do you understand the concept of “righteousness” in Scripture and in particular the book of Hebrews?

9:15 – How are righteousness and justification related?

11:00 – Could you walk us through Hebrews 12:8, since it is often used for false professors?

13:20 – What about the sin that so easily ensnares us in Hebrews 12:1? What is that sin? Is that unbelief?

14:14 – Is the condition in Hebrews 6:4-5 regarding those that are impossible to renew the same condition as those in Romans 1 being subject to God’s wrath?

17:35 – What should our responsibility to the person in Hebrews 6:4-5

20:20 – Is this the joy of bringing one back?

21:43 – If the earthly tabernacle is patterned after the heavenly tabernacle, what does that tell us about what heaven is like? Now that Christ is seated and entered into the holies of holies and yet Christ is still the minister of this tabernacle, what is Christ actually doing?

26:22 – How is that different from the intercessory ministry of the Holy Spirit?

26:42 – Is there anything we can do for an apostate Christian?

29:09 – Do you think apostasy is on the rise in our liberal society of 2002?

31:12 – How does a believer deal with an apostate? Do they treat them as a non-believer or as a believer who has fallen away?

32:54 – How would you respond to a Calvinist who says regarding an apostate friend, that your friend never believed or that only God knows if he is saved?

36:17 -In 1 John 5:16-17, what is the meaning of “There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that.”?

41:38 – Can you explain the psychology and context of Hebrews 12:15, “looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble and by this many become defiled”

44:37 – Is Hebrews 12:15 set opposed in a sense to Hebrews 6:4 and 10:25 and not having the tools to deal with those who have forsaken the assembly?

45:19 – Where do you draw the line between wandering away from the Lord and complete apostasy, is there a gray area? How do you classify someone as an apostate? Can an apostate give back his eternal life?

47:26 – Can an apostate grow spiritually?

48:28 – What happens with an apostate and his eternal rewards, can he lose his eternal rewards?

50:02 – Can you explain1 John 5:18? “We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him.”

#hebrews

Zane Hodges continues his series on the Epistle to the Hebrews by surveying chapters 5 through 12 and answering the following questions:

Is the problem passage in Hebrews 6:4-8 about a believer and does the passage teach that salvation may be lost?

What is the meaning of “sanctified” in the Epistle to the Hebrews?

Are there worse punishments for believers than immediate physical death?

What is the response of faith to the wonderful and challenging truths presented in the Book of Hebrews?

What is the fundamental theme in the Book of Hebrews?

Verses referenced: Genesis 22:17; Psalm 95; Lamentations; Haggai 2:6

Zane Hodges continues his series on the Epistle to the Hebrews by surveying chapters 2 through 4 and answering the following questions:

What is salvation in the book of Hebrews?

What is the future for our Lord Jesus Christ and how can we become partners of the King?

Who is going to rule the future world?

Who is Psalm 8 about?

What is “rest” in the book of Hebrews?

In what sense did Joshua not give the Israelites rest?

Why does there remain a “rest” available to the people of God?

Verses referenced: Hebrews 1:5-14, 13; Psalm 2:7-8; 2 Samuel 7:14; Psalm 45:1-6; Psalm 97:7; Psalm 110:1-4; Psalm 8, 95; Deuteronomy 3:18-20; 12:9-10; Revelation 2:26-27; 3:21