1. Salvation is by Grace Plus Works- Jehovah’s Witnesses believe they must work to get saved and to stay saved. They believe that salvation comes through Jesus’ ransom sacrifice, requiring faith, a changed life, baptism, and obedience to God’s will. This is the main reason they are so zealous to be out knocking on doors and sharing their material with others. (“To receive everlasting life in the earthly Paradise we must identify that organization and serve God as part of it” The Watchtower, February 15, 1983: 12).

2. The Human Soul Ceases to Exist at Death- Ezekiel 18:4 “the soul that sinneth it shall die”. Numbers 19:22 “the soul that toucheth it shall be unclean”. The soul and the body were connected in the Old Testament however, in the New Testament, they are separated. They believe the human soul ceases to exist at death (Jehovah’s Witness in the Twentieth Century, Brooklyn: Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, 1979, 13). This they believe, not be held accountable however, the Bible says that there is an ultimate judge who will judge righteously- Jesus Christ.

• All must be judged at:

• The Judgment seat of Christ- II Corinthians 5:10 which is for the believer.

• The Great White Throne Judgment- Revelation 20:11-15 which is for the unbelievers.

3. Hell is Mankind’s Common Grave- They believe that Hell, a place of fiery torment, where sinners remain after death until the resurrection, does not exist. To them, hell is soul sleep, no torment, no knowledge, no suffering, it’s a place of rest in hope. They say that every place you find the word Hell in the Bible, it means “everlasting destruction”.

4. Annihilation- They believe: Eternal punishment is a punishment or penalty of which there is no end. It does not mean “eternal torment” of living souls. Annihilation, the second death, is the lot of all those who reject Jehovah God, and it is eternal, they cannot suffer torment. A person who rejects the free gift of salvation must pay for his own sins, instead of taking God’s righteousness.

5. Jesus was the First of God’s Creation- They claim this about Jesus Christ: “The Bible show that there is only one God…greater than His Son… and that the Son, as the Firstborn, Only-begotten, and the creation by God, had a beginning. The Father is greater and older that the Son is reasonable, easy to understand, and is what the Bible teaches” From Paradise Lost to Paradise Regained, Brooklyn: Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, 1958, 164).

6. The Holy Spirit is Not a Person- “As for the Holy Spirit, the so-called third Person of the Trinity, we have already seen that it is not a person, but God’s active force” (The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life, Brooklyn: Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, 1968, 24).

7. The Holy Spirit is Not part of the Trinity- They say: “The Holy Spirit is not a person; it is God’s active force ‘What Does God Require of Us’?, Brooklyn: Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, 1997). Genesis 1:2 “And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters”.

These are the things every Christian must put off:

I. Lying-Vs 25 anything that is false, untruthful, deceptive, a misrepresentation, an exaggeration. Lying deceives a person to: get what he wants, to seduce someone else, to cover up or hide something, or is used to cause harm or hurt. Lying destroys confidence, assurance, security, love, trust, hope. Solution- “Speak the truth”. Be who you are and don’t be ashamed or worried about what others might think or say of you. Take the consequences of a particular thing and don’t lie about it.

II. Anger-Vs 26 “be ye angry, and sin not”. The believer needs to put off anger. Anger may be justified at times, however, we need to avoid sinning when we get angry. Too often hurt feelings exist between those that are the closest: husband and wife, parent and child, neighbors, co-workers, brethren. Solution- Get angry about the things that get God angry. With people that sin, do wrong, who are unjust and selfish in their behavior, John 2:13-16. Justified anger is never selfish, where unjustified anger is always selfish.

III. Stealing-Vs 28 “Let him that stole steal no more”. This is taking something that doesn’t belong to you. It can be something as small as a pencil from the office, or embezzling money. You can be stealing physically, time, spiritual gifts, blessings, material things from others. I Peter 4:15 If we suffer, we should suffer for doing good not for stealing, that would be wrong and unwise. Malachi 3:8.

Solution- “Steal no more”. “Work”. “Give to him that needeth”. Work hard, to have enough for your family and to help others in need. I John 3:17 “But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?”.

IV. Corrupt Communication- Vs 29 this is filthy or foul language. This includes cursing, unholy talk, double meaning/jesting, off-colored humor, dirty jokes, immoral suggestions. James 3:6 “And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and settleth on fire the course of nature”. Colossians 3:8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. I Corinthians 15:33 “be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners”.

Solution- “speak that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers”. Speak to share good things, build up people, strengthen people, minister blessings helping each other. Proverbs 16:24.

V. Grieving the Holy Spirit- Vs 30 to pain, offend, or sadden the Holy Spirit. The Holy Sprit of God is in you and you don’t want to grieve Him. When a person acts contrary to the counsel of God, it greaves the Holy Spirit of God. Just like a child that acts contrary to the counsel of His parents.

Solution: Don’t grieve the Holy Spirit of God- do those things that God says to do. Don’t do those things that God says not to do. We know what is right and was is wrong.

VI. Unkindness- Vs 31 Be kind- To have gentleness and goodness. Bitterness in a person that is holding resentment, usually will be cold, harsh, unpleasant, etc. Cut someone off, talk about someone behind their back, when your hard to get along. Wrath- violent anger * Anger- mentioned above *Clamor- arguing, brawling, loud talking, boisterous behaviour. * Malice- hurtful, injurious speech.

Solution: Do the things in Vs 32, “be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you”.

1. New Revelation- They don’t have traditional doctrine, God only gave it to them and to no one else, it’s a special secret. An angel appeared in a dream or vision to a person and told them to write certain things. Or God will speak through a man and that becomes church doctrine. Colossians 2:2-3 “In whom are hid all the treasure of wisdom and knowledge”. All the hidden treasure of wisdom and knowledge are hid in God and God doesn’t share it with anyone. Hebrews 1:1-2

2. New Interpretation- They have a new look at old scripture. They don’t righty divide the Bible. This is where most religions trip up and come up with their own false doctrine. II Timothy 2:15. II Peter 1:19-21 “no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation”. It’s not private.

3. Non-Biblical Source of Authority- Sacred writing in additional or replacement to the Bible. These are thing they themselves or wrote into their own Bible. (New World Translation/Ancient Writings/ Watch Tower Society, etc.)

4. Salvation by Works- They work to get saved and they work to stay saved. We work because we are saved. They believe in getting saved the way they say to get saved and not the way the Bible says to do.

5. They Have an Earthly Leader- They believe God sent an earthly man or woman to them and they have power of God and represent God on this earth.

6. They Have another GOD- They don’t believe that God is part of the trinity.

· They believe he was a god or a created being but not God manifested in the flesh- John 1:1; 1:14. I Timothy 3:16 “and without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory”.

7. They have a Changing Theology- They change their beliefs along with society. As societies change, religions change.

Introduction: A parable is an earthly story with a heavenly truth. A prodigal is someone who wastes what he has and throws it away.

1. The Departure of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-13) This is how it all begins.

2. The Misery of the Far Country (Luke 15:14-16) It’s not fun being in this place.This person squandered and wasted his money, his talents, his purpose, his opportunities, his thoughts, his body, his soul.

3. The Repentance (Luke 15:17-19) Every person must come to himself and repent before its too late.

4. The Return and the Father (Luke 15:20-21) The love of God the father welcomes the repentant with open arms. “For God so loved the world”.

5. The Rejoicing- Luke 15:22-24 When one person turns to God for salvation there is rejoicing.

6. The Older Brother’s Reaction (Luke 15:25-30) this the reaction of a pharisee- a person who pretends holiness and considers himself more righteous than others.

7. The Father’s Heart for All (Luke 15:31-32) God desires reconciliation with all His children.

The message speaks about the reality of Heaven.

Introduction: According to the Bible, because of sin, every person will die. Understand what Happens after Death:

The Body: Genesis 3:19- after death our body returns to dust. The Spirit: Ecclesiastes 12:7- after death our spirit returns to God who gave it. The Soul: after death the soul of a person will either go to heaven or hell based on what they did with Jesus Christ. Heaven- 2 Corinthians 5:6-8 Hell- Luke 16:22-23 “and in hell he lift up his eyes”.

We Must Keep Sharing the Gospel because:

Hell is a Real Place- Vs 22-23 “In hell he lift up his eyes”. This story is true. Hell does exist.

• Hell is Beneath- Proverbs 15:24 “The way of life is above to to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.
• Hell is a bottomless Pit- Revelation 9:2 “And he opened the bottomless pit”. A compartment in the center of the earth, under us.
• Hell is a Prison- I Peter 3:19 “By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison”.

Hell is a Place of Fire- Vs 24 “ for I am tormented in this flame”.

• Mark 9:47-48 “Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched”.
• Matthew 13:42 “And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth”.
• Revelation 20:15 “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire”.

Hell is a Place of Torments- Vs 25 “thou art tormented”. Vs 23 “being in torments”.

• Matthew 22:13 “Cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth” .
• Your Soul has eyes, mouth, tongue, a memory, and a real concern for others.
• Revelation 14:11 “And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night”.

Hell is a Place of Regret- Vs 25 “in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things…but now thou art tormented”. If you are will fully rejecting Jesus Christ and eternal life, this life is as good as it will get for you. I’ve heard people say, when I get to hell, it’ll be a party. God doesn’t think so.

• A Place of Punishment- Matthew 25:46 “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal”.
• Wake Up- Mark 8:36 “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul”.

Hell is Forever- Vs 26 “neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence”. Hell is a compartment in the center of the earth and once you go in, you cannot leave. You cannot leave this place, you are there for ever.

• For Ever- Matthew 12:40 “in the heart of the earth. Jonah 2:1-6 “the earth with her bars was about me for ever”.
• Everlasting- Matthew 18:8 “Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire”.

Hell Has No Second Chances- Vs 27 “I pray thee”. This persons prayer was denied.

• Revelation 20:12-13 There is only one mention in the Bible regarding a person coming out of Hell- that is to go to the White Throne Judgment, will be judged by God, then cast into the Lake of Fire which burns for ever and ever.
• This is not purgatory, where you can do enough good and place that is “temporary”, that place doesn’t exist.

Conclusion: If you don’t know the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal savior, you need to get saved in order to avoid Hell. If you know someone that is lost and on their way to hell, time is short, share the gospel with them and plead with them to get saved.

Ephesians 2:10 “created in Christ Jesus unto good works”.

Introduction: Good works can stem from helping a little old lady cross the road to donating a lung for another person and everything in-between. Giving your time, your money, helping others, door knocking, taking lunch to a sic person, visiting the homeless, visiting the nursing home, helping someone move, visit the poor, etc. This lesson will show us that good works are a good thing and should be present in the life of a Christian.

The good works of a Christian:

Are a result of Being Saved- Ephesians 2:8-9 / James 2:17. We’re not mormons, JW’s, or Catholics.

Should be Prepared- II Timothy 2:20-21. Must purge (cleanse or purify by separating) himself and be sanctified. Depart from Iniquity. Vs 21 “flee”.

• II Timothy 3:17 You won’t be ready if you're with the bad crowd.
• Looking for an opportunity to good works.

Are a Good Pattern to Others- Pattern (sample). Titus 2:7/ Acts 9:36 This woman was known and put here for a reason.

Are to be done Passionately- Titus 2:14 “Zealous of good works”. With passion or eagerness.

Are to be Maintained- Titus 3:1, 8, 14 (maintain- to hold, keep, not allowed to fair or decline). This is a daily thing. Keep going to church, keep being in fellowship with believers, don’t let down or let it wain. Pedal to the metal regarding good works.

Will Provoke Others- Hebrews 10:24 “to provoke unto love and to good works”. (to call to action, to excite, to stir up).

• Have friends that stir you up to good works not bad works.

Conclusion: Be full of good works until you die or the Lord Jesus Christ returns and you will please God.

Introduction: As a Christian, we are commanded and exhorted by God to read the Word of God. For what purpose? So that we can hear from God. This Bible is what God uses to communicate with you and with me.

This Bible is the voice of God that we should follow:

I Samuel 15:1 – “therefore hearken thou unto the voice of the words of the Lord.”

These Words of God are the voice that you should follow. God doesn’t speak to the ear, but to the spirit. It’s not an audible voice, it’s through the Word of God.

When we read the Bible, God expects you and I to:

I. Be Ready- I Samuel 3:10 “Speak, for thy servant heareth”. Based on Samuel’s response to God’s Word, Samuel was ready and prepared to hear God speak to him. The Time to be Ready: Samuel was a young child and he was ready. The Time to be ready is from a young age, don’t waste any time being ready to hear the voice of God. I Samuel 2:18 “But Samuel ministered before the LORD, being a child”. From childhood. The Reason to be Ready: Samuel was ready to hear the Word of God. The reason to be ready to hear the Word of God is because God wants to speak to you personally and specifically. The Blessing of being ready- Samuel was ready and expecting God to speak to him and He did. Samuel obeyed the voice of God.

II. Be Available- Isaiah 6:8 “Then said I, Here am I; send me.” Isaiah made himself available. After being ready for anything that God can call you to do, be available when you read the Word of God. The culture of today makes it difficult to be available for God. The Time to be Available: There was a time when Isaiah made himself available. The time Isaiah made himself available was when he was in the right place, at the right time. The right place is church. The Reason to be Available: Isaiah made himself available and God used him. If you make yourself available, God can use you. Isaiah made himself available, and God said Go! The Blessings of being available: Isaiah was blessed by God for being available. When you make yourself available to God, God will use you for His service, which is an honor. Once you do what God calls you to do, you will be blessed. The Bible says in .

III. Be Obedient- Jonah 1:3 Jonah initially flees from the presence of the Lord after the word of the LORD came unto Jonah however, in Jonah 3:1, God gives Jonah a second chance. This time, Jonah arose and went unto Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD. Jonah was obedient unto God. The Time to be obedient: Jonah ran from the Prescence of the Lord and was disobedient. Jonah 1:3 “But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD”. The time to be obedient is when God tells you the first time to do what He has called you to do. The Reason to be obedient: God wanted Jonah to preach to Nineveh. Jonah 4:9-11. God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance”. Aren’t you glad for that? Those that are here today without Jesus Christ. The Blessing of being obedient: Jonah got to see what God could do with someone who was initially disobedient and later was obedient. The blessing was for other people.

Conclusion: The next time you open your Bible to read it as you normally do, consider that God expects some things from you, out of what you read in the Word of God. God expects you to be Ready, like Samuel was when he said “Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth”. God expects you to be Available, like Isaiah was when he said “Here am I; send me”.Lastly, God expects you to be obedient, like Jonah was when the Bible says that “Jonah arose, and went unto Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD”.