November 9, 2014 Barriers Bible Study Returning from the chow hall here after dinner recently I noticed a pair of crows facing one another from opposite sides of a tall fence. One bird was standing stoically of the inside of the perimeter fencing and the other was flapping its wings and jumping around on the outside, or “free-side”, as if prompting the crow inside to fly out and join it. After a short while the outside bird flew back into the prison yard enclosure and briefly interacted with its non-compliant partner, who apparently was puzzled and effectively paralyzed by the visually encompassing barrier before it. Moments later, the obviously leader of the two took flight once again, this time parallel to the fence initially. With no obstacles immediately confronting its forward momentum now, the second bird finally gave chase to the first. Once they were both above the fence top they turned in tandem to cross it and gracefully flexed, flapped, and fluxed out of view and back into the incomprehensible whole of God’s infallible purpose for each of their lives. When those two magnificent fellow creatures of God’s imagination successfully cleared that fence line together, my spirit soared along with ‘em and I was free. It was truly awesome to witness the irrefutable unspoken communication taking place, and the triumphant finale was exhilarating. Seeing a couple of birds hop a fence, in itself, would be cool as a fan of nature, but it was the intuitive metaphorical poignancy that made this so significant for me. The following is the message that I perceived beyond the dirt, metal and feathers. 1. We need to stop putting barriers between ourselves and God 2. We need to stop putting barriers between others and God 3. We need to stop putting barriers between one another 4. We need to remove the barriers within ourselves 5. We need to ask God for help with life’s barriers 6. There is truly only one barrier 7. This world is either a barrier or a gateway As my attention was initially drawn to the birds, I was somehow aware of the eventual outcome and the moral of the story that was to unfold. The physical manifestation was so exciting in part because it served as confirmation of what I had already foreknown spiritually. Overwhelmed with a sense of purpose I immediately began studying the Bible in search of scripture that would objectively communicate this message about life's barriers. The following is the result of that study. 1. We need to stop putting barriers between ourselves and God a. Anxiety & Fear Psalm 23, 27, 56, 62, 94, 139, Proverbs 12:25, 29:25, Isaiah 35:4, 41:10-13, 51:6-8, Matthew 6:25-34, 10:26-31, 11:28-30, 16:24-27, John 16:20-33, Romans 8:18, 8:28-39, 2 Corinthians 4:7-5:1, 2 Timothy 1:7, Hebrews 4:9-13, 1 John 4:18, Revelation 2:10-11 b. Boasting & Self-Will Proverbs 3:5-8, 25:14, Matthew 7:21-23, Luke 22:41-42, Romans 1:28-32, 11:16-22, Ephesians 2:8-9, 2 Timothy 3:2-4, James 4:13-17 c. Cheating & Stealing Exodus 20:15, Leviticus 19:11-13, Psalm 51:6, Jeremiah 7:9-11, Mark 7:21-23, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Ephesians 4:28, 1 Thessalonians 4:6, 2 Timothy 3:2-4 d. Envy & Covetousness Exodus 20:17, Job 5:2, Proverbs 3:31, 14:30, 23:17, 24:1-3, 28:16, Matthew 27:18, Mark 7:21-23, Luke 12:15-21, Romans 1:28-32, 13:13, 1 Corinthians 3:3, 6:9-10, 13:4, Galatians 5:19-21, Ephesians 5:3, 2 Timothy 3:2-4, Titus 3:3, Hebrews 13:5-6, James 3:14-17, 1 Peter 2:1-2 e. Hatred & Malice Leviticus 19:17-18, Matthew 5:21-26, 5:38-48, 18:21-35, Mark 7:21-23, John 15:18-19, Romans 1:28-32, 1 Corinthians 5:7-8, Galatians 5:19-21, Ephesians 4:31-32, Colossians 3:8, 2 Timothy 3:2-4, Titus 3:3, 1 Peter 2:1-2 f. Idols & Other Gods Exodus 20:3-6, 31:18-32:35, Leviticus 19:4, Deuteronomy 6:4-5, Psalm 96:5, 115:4-8, Isaiah 2:8, 43:10-12, Jeremiah 32:7, John 1:1-3, Romans 1:24-27, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, 10:7, Galatians 5:19-21, James 2:19, 1 Peter 1:18, 1 John 5:21, Revelation 2:20-23 g. Lust & Fornication Exodus 20:14, Proverbs 5:1-8, Jeremiah 7:8-10, Matthew 5:27-30, 6:22-23, Mark 7:21-23, Romans 1:24-32, 8:3-8, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, 6:12-20, 10:5-8, Galatians 5:19-21, Ephesians 5:3-5, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5, 2 Timothy 3:2-4, James 4:1-4, 1 John 2:15-17, Revelation 2:20-23 h. Homosexuality Leviticus 18:22, Romans 1:26-27, 1:31, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, 1 Timothy 1:3-11, 2 Timothy 3:2-4, Titus 3:3 i. Pride & Vanity Psalm 12:3-4, 34:18, 40:4, 51:16-17, 101:5, Proverbs 8:13, 13:10, 15:25, 16:5, 16:18-19, 28:25, 29:23, Ecclesiastes 7:8, Isaiah 57:15, 66:1-2, Jeremiah 50:31-32, Daniel 4:37, 5:20, Matthew 23:8-12, Mark 7:21-23, Luke 18:9-14, Romans 1:28-32, Philippians 2:3, 1 Timothy 3:6, 2 Timothy 3:2-4, James 4:5-10, 1 Peter 5:5-10, 1 John 2:15-17 j. Rebelliousness Proverbs 3:11-12, 29:15, Jeremiah 24:6-7, 29:11-14, Matthew 12:43-45, 16:24-27, 21:28-31, Luke 15:1-32, Romans 9:13-23, 1 Corinthians 10:13, 13:11, 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1, Hebrews 12:1-11, James 1:2-4, 1:12-17, 1 Peter 5:10 k. Selfishness Matthew 25:31-46, Acts 2:44-45, 4:34-35, 2 Corinthians 8:9-15, Ephesians 4:28, Philippians 2:3-5, 1 John 3:16-18 l. Self-Mutilation Leviticus 19:28 l. Self-Reproach Psalm 103:11-13, Proverbs 10:12, Isaiah 43:25, Jeremiah 29:11-14, 31:33-34, Micah 7:18-19, Romans 8:1, 8:14-18, Philippians 3:7-8, 3:13-14, Hebrews 10:11-18, 1 John 1:9 m. Substance Abuse Romans 13:12-14, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, 10:5-7, Galatians 5:19-21, Ephesians 5:18, 1 Thessalonians 5:6-8, Titus 2:11-12, 1 Peter 1:13, 4:3-7, 5:8 n. Money & Possessions Matthew 6:19-21, 19:16-30, 21:12-13, Luke 12:15-21, 1 Timothy 6:6-10 o. Unbelief Psalm 78:32-33, Matthew 10:32-33, 21:28-31, 24:11-13, 24:36-44, John 1:1-18, 3:16-21, 6:60-64, 10:26-30, Hebrews 11:6, James 1:6-8, Revelation 3:20-21 2. We need to stop putting barriers between others and God a. Be truthful Exodus 20:16, Leviticus 19:11, Joshua 24:14, 1 Samuel 12:24, Job 13:7-9, Psalm 15:1-2, 51:6, 101:5, Proverbs 17:7, 25:18, Jeremiah 7:8-10, 9:3-6, Hosea 4:1, Zechariah 8:16-17, Matthew 5:37, Mark 7:21-23, John 4:23-24, 8:44-47, 18:37-38, Romans 1:28-32, 1 Corinthians 5:7-8, Ephesians 4:14-15, 4:25, 4:29, Colossians 3:8-10, 2 Thessalonians 2:8-12, 1 John 3:18 b. Be trustworthy Leviticus 19:11-13, Psalm 7:10, 11:2, 15:1-2, 32:10-11, 36:10, 64:10, 97:10-12, 112:4, Proverbs 2:21-22, 10:29, 11:3, 11:6, 14:2, 14:11, 15:21, 20:7, 28:6, 28:10, Ecclesiastes 7:29, Isaiah 26:7, 26:10, Micah 7:2-3, Luke 16:10-12 c. Abstain from hypocrisy Job 8:13-15, 20:4-5, 27:8, Proverbs 11:9, Isaiah 9:17, Matthew 6:5-6, 7:2-5, 23:1-36, Luke 12:1-3, Romans 2:22-23, 12:9, James 3:17, 1 Peter 2:1-3 d. Encourage rather than condemn Romans 2:1-3, 14:10-13, 2 Corinthians 2:5-11, 2 Timothy 2:24-26, James 4:11-12 e. Strengthen instead of weakening Luke 22:32, Romans 14:21, Galatians 5:13-15, 1 John 3:14-18 3. We need to stop putting barriers between one another a. Regard and treat one another equally Leviticus 19:15, Deuteronomy 1:17, 16:19, 1 Samuel 16:7, Psalm 82:2-4, Proverbs 18:5, Malachi 2:7-10, John 7:24, Acts 10:34-35, Romans 2:11, 1 Timothy 5:21, James 2:1-13, James 3:17, 1 Peter 1:17 b. Speak kindly to one another Proverbs 8:13, Ecclesiastes 3:7, Matthew 12:36-37, 15:1-20, Ephesians 4:29, Colossians 3:8, 4:6, James 1:19, 1:26, 2:12-13, 3:1-12 c. Help one another i. The Good Samaritan Luke 10:25-37 ii. Welcoming and helping strangers Leviticus 19:33-34, Hebrews 13:2-3 iii. Faith without works is dead James 1:22-25, 2:14-17, 2:26, 1 John 3:15-18, Revelation 3:15-19 iv. Jesus is our example John 13:12-15, 1 Peter 2:21-25 d. Love one another i. Love 1 Corinthians 13 ii. God is love 1 John 4:7-21 iii. Love is fearless 1 John 4:18 iv. The greatest love John 3:16, 15:12-13, Luke 23:33-46 v. Love your neighbor as yourself Leviticus 19:18, Matthew 19:16-19, Mark 12:28-31, Luke 10:25-37, John 13:31-35, Romans 12:10, 13:8-10, Galatians 5:13-15, Colossians 3:12-14, 1 Peter 4:8-9, 1 John 3:14-16 vi. Love your enemies Matthew 5:38-48, Luke 6:27-36, Romans 12:17-21, 1 Peter 3:13-18 vii. We are forgiven to the extent that we love Luke 6:27-36 e. Forgive, forgive, forgive, forgive, forgive... i. Encourage rather than condemn *(see section 2-d) ii. We must forgive others to be forgiven ourselves Matthew 6:12, 6:14-15, 18:21-35, Mark 11:25-26, Luke 6:37-38, 11:4, 17:3-4, Ephesians 4:31-32 iii. Do not delay in reconciling with others Matthew 5:23-26 iv. Seventy Times Seven Matthew 18:21-22 v. Jesus forgave those who were crucifying Him Luke 23:34 4. We need to remove the barriers within ourselves a. A new heart and spirit Psalm 51:10, Ezekiel 11:18-21, 18:31-32 b. The restoration of our soul Psalm 19:7, 23:3 c. The renewing of our mind Romans 12:2, Ephesians 4:17-24, 2 Timothy 1:7 d. Putting to death the deeds of the body (physical) Romans 8:13 e. Loving God with our entire being Deuteronomy 6:4-5, Matthew 22:37, Mark 12:30, Luke 10:27 5. We need to ask God for help with life's barriers a. Faith i. The evidence of things not seen Hebrews 11:1-3 ii. Saved through faith Romans 8:24-25, Ephesians 2:8 iii. All things not of faith are sin Romans 14:22-23 iv. Living by faith Psalm 31, 62, 2 Corinthians 4:7-5:10 v. Unwavering and persistent faith Matthew 15:21-29, James 1:2-8 vi. Discipleship/Ultimate faith Revelation 13:10 vii. Historical examples of faith Hebrews 11 viii. All things hidden will be revealed Matthew 10:26, Luke 12:2-3, 1 Corinthians 4:5, Hebrews 4:12-13 ix. God will avenge His children Isaiah 35:4, Romans 12:17-19 x. God's righteousness will never cease Psalm 90, Isaiah 40:6-8, 51:7-8, 1 Peter 1:22-25 xi. All things work together for good for those who love God Romans 8:28 b. Prayer i. Acknowledge God in every part of our lives Proverbs 3:5-7 ii. Pray continuously Romans 12:12, 1 Thessalonians 5:17 iii. Prayer answered through faith and obedience 2 Chronicles 7:14, John 15:7, 15:16, James 5:16, 1 John 3:21-22 iv. Unrighteous prayers are not answered James 4:3 v. Where two or more are gathered in Jesus' name Matthew 18:18-20 vi. Ask, seek, knock Matthew 7:7-11 vii. The Lord's Prayer Matthew 6:5-13, Luke 11:1-4 c. Repentance Matthew 3:1-12, Mark 1:1-8, 2:16-17, Luke 13:1-5, 15:1-7, Acts 2:38-42, 3:19, 11:18, 17:29-31, Romans 2:1-11, 2 Timothy 2:24-26, Hebrews 5:11-6:6, 2 Peter 3:8-10, Revelation 2:5, 3:19-21 d. Forgiveness i. We are forgiven by repentance and confession 1 John 1:8-10 ii. We are forgiven by God's grace, not our own will-power or good works Romans 3:23-24, Ephesians 1:7, 2:1-10 iii. Those who walk with Christ are no longer condemned Romans 8:1 *(see section 3-e for more on forgiveness) e. Fellowship Leviticus 26:12-13, Psalm 1, Acts 2:38-47, 1 Corinthians 1:4-9, 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1, 13:14, 1 John 1:1-7 6. There is truly only one barrier a. Titles i. Abaddon Revelation 9:11 ii. Accuser Revelation 12:10 iii. Adversary 1 Peter 5:8 iv. Angel of the Bottomless Pit Revelation 9:11 v. Apollyon Revelation 9:11 vi. Beelzebub Matthew 12:24 vii. Belial 2 Corinthians 6:15 viii. Devil Matthew 4:1, 13:39, 25:41, Luke 4:2, 18:12, John 6:70, 8:44, 13:2, Acts 10:38, 13:10, Ephesians 4:27, 6:11, 1 Timothy 3:6, 2 Timothy 2:26, Hebrews 2:14, James 4:7, 1 Peter 5:8, 1 John 3:8, Jude 9, Revelation 2:10, 12:9, 12:12, 20:2, 20:10 ix. Evil One Matthew 6:13, Luke 11:4 x. Father of Lies John 8:44 xi. God of this Age 2 Corinthians 4:4 xii. Lucifer Isaiah 14:12 xiii. Murderer John 8:44 xiv. Prince of the Power of the Air Ephesians 2:2 xv. Prince/Ruler of this World John 14:30 xvi. Satan 1 Chronicles 21:1, Job 1:6-12, 2:1-7, Zechariah 3:2, Matthew 4:10, 16:23, Mark 1:13, 2:23, Luke 10:18, 22:3, 22:31, Acts 5:3, Romans 16:20, 1 Corinthians 5:5, 2 Corinthians 11:14, 12:7, 2 Thessalonians 2:9, 1 Timothy 1:20, Revelation 2:9, 2:13, 2:24, 12:9, 20:7 xvii. Serpent Genesis 3:1-6 xviii. Serpent of Old Revelation 20:2 xix. Wicked One Matthew 13:9 b. Origins Isaiah 14:12-20, Revelation 12:7-9 c. Crimes against God and humanity i. Tempted Eve and Adam into eating from The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, defying God, and throwing mankind into sin and the torment of being separated from our loving creator Genesis 3 ii. Tempted Jesus to betray God Matthew 4:1-11 iii. Entered Judas Iscariot and tempted him into betraying Jesus, leading to Jesus' crucifixion Luke 22:3, John 13:27 iv. Deceived and entraps all of mankind 2 Corinthians 11:3-15 v. Works through the weak and wicked to defy God and torment us all Acts 13:8-10, Ephesians 2:2 vi. Accuses us ceaselessly before God, wishing to damn us Job 1:1-2:7, Revelation 12:10 d. Defeated by Jesus overcoming sin in the flesh Genesis 3:15, Luke 23:33-46, John 16:32-33, Romans 8:1-4, Revelation 12:10-12, 20:7-10 e. Resisting Temptation Matthew 4:11, 16:21-27, 24:1-44, Luke 22:31-34, 2 Corinthians 2:10-11, Ephesians 6:10-18, James 4:7-10, 1 Peter 5:6-10, 1 John 2:9-17 7. This world is either a barrier or a gateway a. The two foundations Matthew 7:24-27 b. Reaping what we sow Psalm 62:12, Hosea 4:9, Matthew 12:36-37, 16:27, Romans 2:6, 14:12, Galatians 6:3-10, 1 Peter 1:17, Revelation 20:12-13, 22:11-16 c. The wheat and the tares Matthew 13:24-30, 12:36-43 d. The rich man and Lazarus Luke 16:19-31 e. The judgment of the nations Matthew 25:31-46 f. The Book of Life Revelation 3:5, 3:21, 20:11-15, 21:27