Anchored in Christ The Solid Rock in the Storms of Life ANCHORED IN CHRIST by Norm Wakefield. Copyright © 2007 by Norm Wakefield. All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other—except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher. All scripture quotations in this book, except those noted otherwise, are from The New American Standard Bible, © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1973, 1975, and 1977 by the Lockman Foundation, and are used by permission. Cover Design: Josh Goforth, Goforth Graphics ISBN: 1-892754-18-5 To Jerry and Gerrie White who have been an inspiration to my entire family of an enduring faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. With Special Thanks to Brian and Linda Rowberg There are not words enough to thank Brian and Linda for their incredible perseverance and encouragement in editing. They have labored with me for over seven years, helping me soften, clarify, and articulate my thoughts. Without their experience and dedication, this book would have been vastly inferior to what it has become. Thank you, dear friends, for entering into the yoke with me. Contents Foreword by Jerald R. White, Jr. .............................................i Introduction .............................................................................v Part 1 Abused Scriptures 1. Joshua 24:15 .................................................................... 3 2. John 1:12 ..........................................................................9 3. John 3:16 ....................................................................... 13 4. Acts 2:38 ........................................................................33 5. Acts 16:31 .......................................................................39 6. Romans 10:9-10, 13 ....................................................... 47 7. 1 Timothy 2:4 ................................................................. 61 8. 1 Timothy 4:10 ...............................................................69 9. Titus 2:11 ........................................................................ 73 10. 2 Peter 2:1 ...................................................................... 81 11. 2 Peter 3:9...................................................................... 87 12. 1 John 1:9 .......................................................................93 13. 1 John 2:2 ...................................................................... 97 14. Revelation 3:20 ........................................................... 103 15. Anchored in a Firm Foundation ................................. 109 Part 2 God Revealed in the Scriptures 16. What Is God? ............................................................... 121 17. Who Is God? ................................................................ 135 18. God’s Great Purpose .................................................... 145 19. Did God Blow It? ......................................................... 149 20. Created in God’s Image ............................................... 159 21. God Gave a Law ........................................................... 163 22. Satan, the Tempter ...................................................... 173 23. Ruined by the Fall ....................................................... 183 24. The Fall of Man and the Glory of God ........................ 201 25. Reconciled by God .......................................................207 Part 3 Applying Doctrine to Life 26. Rethink the Way You Live ...........................................227 27. Evangelism God’s Way ................................................245 28. Leading Your Children to Christ ................................. 271 29. Our Confession ............................................................289 30. Beware of Drifting .......................................................299 31. God’s Promise of Rest .................................................307 32. The Day Drawing Near ................................................ 315 33. The Great Reward .......................................................329 34. Build on the Rock ........................................................339 Appendix......................................................................347 Endnotes ......................................................................359 More Resources from Elijah Ministries ......................365