2020-1 Complete

31 Jan 2020

Short Note from My Devotions on Matthew 23

This is the chapter I studied this morning.

We all need to read the Bible, study the Bible, think about the verses, and apply the teaching.

Matthew 23

What does this mean?

Jesus teaches against hypocrisy. Hypocrisy is a lie. God wants truth. There must be a match between what we say and what we do.

We are not to seek honor. All honor goes to Messiah. We are brothers and sisters. We do not want to elevate people, for they probably will get proud and fall into the condemnation of the devil.

Jesus then gives several examples. He exposes these religious leaders. He does this for two reasons. The first reason is to expose their sin, so they can repent. The second is to warn others both not to follow these false leaders and also not to be like them.

Likewise, Jesus exposes the sins of the Pharisees and Scribes, whom one would expect to be the most knowledgeable and most compliant.

Verse 23 is often used to teach the tithe. This verse is descriptive of what the Pharisees and Scribes are supposed to do. The verse is not prescriptive of we are to do. The Scriptures teach us to give as the Lord has blessed us (2 Corinthians 9:7 and 1 Corinthians 16:2).

The Pharisees and Scribes were meticulous in ceremonial law but neglectful of moral law. They also were exposed as considering trivial things as important but especially important things to be of little importance. They were also careful of outward righteousness, but little attention was spent on inward righteousness.

Verse 34 the Lord Jesus is the one who sends.

Verse 37: Jesus wanted all to repent, but He states it, “They would not.” No one has any excuse. It’s my understanding that verse

39 will happen at the end of the 7-year tribulation when those Jews left in Jerusalem will believe.

 How do I apply this to my life?

Help me, O Lord.

 Posted by    Choco    at 09:23    31 Jan 20       

 Labels: devotions, read Bible, study Bible daily

30 Jan 20

A Few Thoughts About Anger

Definitions:

B1 English:

C1 A strong feeling of displeasure and usually of antagonism—Merriam-Webster

C2 Wrath is strong emotional anger and usually with action.

B2 Hebrew:

C1 אַף ʼaph (H639). It means properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire.

D1 1 Samuel 20:34 NET Jonathan got up from the table enraged. He did not eat any food on that second day of the new moon, for he was upset that his father had humiliated David.

D2 Psalms 103:8 WEB Yahweh is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness.

C2 חֵמָה chêmâh (H2534). It means heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever

D1 Jeremiah 23:19 NET But just watch! The wrath of the LORD will come like a storm! Like a raging storm it will rage down on the heads of those who are wicked.

D2 Proverbs 19:19 NET A person with great anger bears the penalty, but if you deliver him from it once, you will have to do it again.

B3 Greek:

C1 ὀργή orgḗ (G3709) properly, desire (as a reaching forth or excitement of the mind), i.e. (by analogy), violent passion (ire, or (justifiable) abhorrence); by implication punishment

D1 John 3:36 WEB One who believes in the Son has eternal life, but one who disobeys the Son won’t see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”

D2 Mark 3:5 WEB When he had looked around at them with anger, being grieved at the hardening of their hearts, he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored as healthy as the other.

C2 θυμός thymós (G2372) it means passion, hot anger, wrath (Greek Lexicon of The New Testament).

D1 Hebrews 11:27 BSB by faith Moses left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw Him who is invisible.

D2 Revelation of John 12:12 BSB Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea; with great fury the devil has come down to you, knowing he has only a short time.”

D3 Revelation of John 14:8 LEB and another second angel followed, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, who caused all the nations to drink from the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality.”

Two types

B1 Sinful:

C1 Matthew 5:22 WEL But I tell you that whoever is angry with his brother or sister without a just reason will be in danger of The Judgment, and whoever says to his brother, “Raca,” will be in danger of the Council, but whoever says, “You fool!” Will be in danger of Gehenna fire. [Emphasis is mine]

C2 John 15:25 MKJV but that the Word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, “They hated Me without a cause.”

B2 Not sinful

C1 Mark 3:5 NRSV He looked around at them with anger; he was grieved at their hardness of heart and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out,  and his hand was restored.

C2 Ephesians 4:26 NRSV Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger.

The Lord Jesus was angry. He did not sin. So, we learn

B1 The Lord Jesus being both 100% human and 100% God was angry.

B2 There is an angry that is correct and not sinful.

B3 There needs to be a cause.

B4 In abuse, there is a cause. In fact, it is a crime that must be reported to law enforcement. This is to prevent others from being hurt.

B5 Some causes:

C1 The hardness of their heart. The Lord Jesus had shown and instructed the people who He is. He shows compassion to help this man. He shows He wants to clarify their misunderstanding of their interpretation of Mosaic Law. But, the people would not listen, they would not have compassion, they would not discuss the Scriptures, they would not answer His questions. It was their understanding, their interpretation that was correct and no other. They wouldn’t even look up the Scriptures!

C2 Deliberate breaking of God’s Law:

D1 Moses: Exodus 32:19 NRSV as soon as he came near the camp and saw the calf and the dancing, Moses’ anger burned hot, and he threw the tablets from his hands and broke them at the foot of the mountain.

D2 Nehemiah: Nehemiah 13:25 NRSV And I contended with them and cursed them and beat some of them and pulled out their hair; and I made them take an oath in the name of God, saying, “You shall not give your daughters to their sons, or take their daughters for your sons or for yourselves.

D3 Reference: Exodus 34:15-16 NRSV You shall not make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, for when they prostitute themselves to their gods and sacrifice to their gods, someone among them will invite you, and you will eat of the sacrifice.  16 And you will take wives from among their daughters for your sons, and their daughters who prostitute themselves to their gods will make your sons also prostitute themselves to their gods.

C3 God’s punishment. He is King of the Universe and King of all kings. He is the Law Giver and Judge. Break His law, and there is punishment: Micah 5:14-15 NRSV and I will uproot your sacred poles from among you and destroy your towns. 15 And in anger and wrath I will execute vengeance on the nations that did not obey.

C4 Government punishment: Romans 13:3-4 NRSV for rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you wish to have no fear of the authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive its approval; 4 for it is God’s servant for your good. But if you do what is wrong, you should be afraid, for the authority does not bear the sword in vain! It is the servant of God to execute wrath on the wrongdoer.

C5 King Saul against the Ammonites. Note, the Spirit of God came upon King Saul. 1 Samuel 11:5-6 NRSV Now Saul was coming from the field behind the oxen; and Saul said, “What is the matter with the people, that they are weeping?” So they told him the message from the inhabitants of Jabesh. 6 And the spirit of God came upon Saul in power when he heard these words, and his anger was greatly kindled.

C6 Jonathan. His father, King Saul, wanted to kill David for crimes that David did not do. There was no cause for King Saul to do this. When he tried to kill David, Jonathan was very angry. He had a cause to be angry at this injustice as is defined by God’s law. 1 Samuel 20:31-34 NRSV for as long as the son of Jesse lives upon the earth, neither you nor your kingdom shall be established. Now send and bring him to me, for he shall surely die.” 32 Then Jonathan answered his father Saul, “Why should he be put to death? What has he done?” 33 But Saul threw his spear at him to strike him; so Jonathan knew that it was the decision of his father to put David to death. 34 Jonathan rose from the table in fierce anger and ate no food on the second day of the month, for he was grieved for David, and because his father had disgraced him.

B6 Anger is destructive, so God gives instruction to not go to bed angry. Ephesians 4:26 ESV Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger

Anger which is sin is when someone is angry due to misunderstanding. Anger which is sin is if someone is controlling, abusive, hurting emotionally or verbally to coerce another’s actions or belief, etc. Many times, they hurt someone by anger just because they can.

If we are angry, some helps

B1 If it is due to a misunderstanding, clarification is needed. Calmly discuss the situation with that person. Don’t bring it up for all to see, hear, or read.

B2 If it is from an abuser who is abusing in any way, leave. Do not argue with an abuser, for that only causes more trouble. Abusers can repent, but 99% will not.

B3 Pray. God gives grace and peace to help. We must actively calm our mind by not thinking about this when we lay down to sleep.

C1 Colossians 3:2 NRSV Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth,

C2 Isaiah 26:3-4 ESV You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. 4 Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.

B4 Give our anxieties to God. The devil wants to destroy us. So, we must be aware. 1 Peter 5:6-8 ESV Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

B5 Realize God is compassionate and understanding of those under stress:

C1 Matthew 11:28 NRSV Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.

C2 Psalms 107:6 NRSV Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.

C3 John 16:33 NRSV I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!“

B6 Then do some of the usually recommended things as listen to calming music, take a walk, listen to the sounds of nature, etc.

 Posted by    Choco    at 17:46    30 Jan 20         

 Labels: anger, godly anger, help for anger, sinful anger

29 January 2020

A Few Thoughts on Acts 9:7 and Acts 22

Acts 9:7 KJV and the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.

Acts 22:9 KJV and they that were with me saw indeed the light and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me.

Is this a contradiction?

B1 Hearing a voice

B2 Not hearing a voice

Greek

B1 Acts 9:7 …ἀκούοντες μὲν τῆς φωνῆς…

B2 Acts 22:9 …δὲ φωνὴν οὐκ ἤκουσαν τοῦ λαλοῦντός μοι…

Same words but Acts 9:7 they hear and in Acts 22:9 they do not hear

Acts 22:9 adds this part however…τοῦ λαλοῦντός μοι.

Acts 9:7 the words hearing the voice does not mention any speaking, just a voice, that is, sound. In Acts 22:9 they did not hear, that is understand, the voice speaking with me. That is in both verses they heard something, but they did not discern, that is, understand the speaker. They heard the speaker but did not understand what he was saying.

Other’s comments

B1 Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges:

ἤκουσα φωνῆς, I heard a voice. As in chap. Acts 9:4; Acts 9:7, so here, and below in Acts 22:9, the case of the noun is varied, so as to mark that the hearing in St Paul’s case was different from the hearing of his companions. The verb can be connected with either a genitive or accusative case. In both the narratives a variation is made, and it was not without its significance (see notes on chap. 9). St Paul heard intelligible words, the others heard a sound, but it was not speech to them. Cf. the narrative in Daniel 10:6-9.

B2 Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers:(9) They heard not the voice . . .—i.e., they did not hear it as a voice uttering articulate words. It was for them as though it thundered. (See Notes on Acts 9:7, and John 12:29.)

B3 Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament: But they heard not the voice (την δε πωνην ουκ ηκουσαν — tēn de phōnēn  ouk ēkousan). The accusative here may be used rather than the genitive as in Acts 22:7 to indicate that those with Paul did not understand what they heard (Acts 9:7) just as they beheld the light (Acts 22:9) but did not see Jesus (Acts 9:7). The difference in cases allows this distinction, though it is not always observed as just noticed about Acts 22:14; Acts 26:14. The verb ακουω — akouō is used in the sense of understand (Mark 4:33; 1 Corinthians 14:2). is one of the evidences of the genuineness of this report of Paul’s speech that Luke did not try to smooth out apparent discrepancies in details between the words of Paul and his own record already in ch. 9.

B4 Schaff’s Popular Commentary on the New Testament: Acts 22:9. And they that were with me saw indeed the light and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me. Much has been said as to the seeming discrepancy between the statement here that Paul’s companions ‘heard not the voice of Him that spoke to me,’ and the words in the narrative, chap. Acts 9:7, ‘hearing a voice.’ Dr. J. A. Alexander well explains this apparent difference: ‘There is a distinction between hearing a voice speak and hearing what it says, as nothing is more common in our public bodies than the complaint that the speaker is not heard, i.e., that his words are not distinguished, though his voice may be audible and even loud. It might be said with equal truth, that Paul’s companions heard the voice, i.e., knew that it was speaking, and that they did not hear it, i.e., did not know what it said. See St. John’s Gospel, John 12:29, where a similar confusion seems to have occurred in the listeners’ minds. Here as there, the Divine Voice to the ordinary bystander was a voice, but not one uttering articulate word.

 Posted by    Choco    at 09:27    29 Jan 20        

 Labels: Bible discrepancy, Bible interpretation, Paul

29 Jan 20B

A Few Thoughts About Light

John 3:19-21 NIV This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

Light is understood in Scripture as

B1 Pure

C1 Purity is defined as something being 100% with 0% impurities.

C2 God’s words are pure: Psalm 12:6 WEB The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.

C3 God’s wisdom: James 3:17 NLT but the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.

B2 Truth: Psalm 43:3 NASB O send out Your light and Your truth, let them lead me; Let them bring me to Your holy hill And to Your dwelling places.

B3 Holiness

C1 Here we see the contrast between darkness and light. It is the Lord who brings into the light. We see His righteousness and our unrighteousness.

C2 Micah 7:8-9 NLT Do not gloat over me, my enemies! For though I fall, I will rise again. Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light. 9 I will be patient as the LORD punishes me, for I have sinned against him. But after that, he will take up my case and give me justice for all I have suffered from my enemies. The LORD will bring me into the light, and I will see his righteousness.

B4 Clarity

C1 Uncovers what is hidden

C2 Opening the heart and mind to truth

C3 Psalm 119:130 NIV the unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.

C4 Psalm 18:28 NLT You light a lamp for me. The LORD, my God, lights up my darkness.

B5 God’s glory and character

C1 1 John 1:5 NIV This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.

C2 Ezekiel 43:2 BSB and I saw the glory of the God of Israel coming from the east. His voice was like the roar of many waters, and the earth shone with His glory.

B6 God’s kingdom (Kingdom of Light)

C1 Colossians 1:13 NLT for he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son,

C2 Acts 26:18 BSB to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those sanctified by faith in Me.’

B7 Guidance: Proverbs 6:23 ASV for the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; And reproofs of instruction are the way of life:

C1 God’s commandments instruct us in what is right/lawful and wrong/unlawful.

C2 Principles are taught helping us make wise decisions.

C3 Instructions given as reproofs are positive criticisms instead of shaming.

B8 Victory:

C1 Psalm 27:1 BSB The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—whom shall I dread?

D1 War is not successful if all the soldiers are blind.

D2 The spiritual life is a battle.

C2 God gives us light to know where and how to fight (Ephesians 6:10-17)

C3 Micah 7:8 BSB Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will arise; though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light.

B9 Bringing light into the unsaved soul, freeing the will and understanding.

C1 John 1:9 NASB There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man.

C2 Acts 16:14 BSB Among those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.

C3 Psalms 107:13-14 BSB Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble; He saved them from their distress. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death and broke away their chains.

B10 Blessing

C1 John 1:5 NRSV the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

Darkness is understood in Scripture as

B1 Impurity: Ephesians 5:11 NET Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.

B2 Lies

C1 Some people have a different persona in public than they do in private. This life, this person, is a lie in darkness: Mark 4:22 NLT for everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open, and every secret will be brought to light.

B3 Sin

C1 Rebellion and Despising God’s counsel: Psalms 107:10-11 BSB Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in misery and chains, because they rebelled against the words of God and despised the counsel of the Most High.

C2 John 3:19 NRSV and this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil.

C3 Proverbs 4:19 NLT but the way of the wicked is like total darkness. They have no idea what they are stumbling over.

B4 Obscurity

C1 Blinds to the truth of the Gospel: 2 Corinthians 4:4 BSB the god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

C2 Living by the lifestyle and worldview of darkness: 1 John 2:11 NRSV but whoever hates another believer is in the darkness, walks in the darkness, and does not know the way to go, because the darkness has brought on blindness.

B5 Devil’s shame and character: If God is light and no darkness in Him, then it is reasonable to accept that the devil is darkness and there is no light in him.

B6 Devil’s kingdom (Kingdom of Darkness)

C1 Colossians 1:13 NLT for he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son,

C2 Ephesians 6:12 WEB For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

B7 Confusion: Isaiah 5:20 NIV Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.

B8 Defeat: Psalms 143:3-4 BSB for the enemy has pursued my soul, crushing my life to the ground, making me dwell in darkness like those long since dead. My spirit grows faint within me; my heart is dismayed inside me.

B9 Brings darkness into the soul

C1 Matthew 6:23 NRSV but if your eye is unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!

C2 Ephesians 4:18 NRSV They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of their ignorance and hardness of heart.

B10 Judgment

C1 Amos 5:20 NRSV Is not the day of the LORD darkness, not light, and gloom with no brightness in it?

C2 Matthew 8:12 BSB but the sons of the kingdom will be cast into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

C3 Acts 13:11 NRSV and now listen—the hand of the Lord is against you, and you will be blind for a while, unable to see the sun.” Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he went about groping for someone to lead him by the hand.

Some things we learn:

B1 No mixing of the two is allowed: 2 Corinthians 6:14 NRSV Do not be mismatched with unbelievers. For what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness? Or what fellowship is there between light and darkness?

B2 Darkness does not win, overpower, or overcome light: John 1:5 WEL the light keeps on shining in the darkness, and the darkness can’t overcome it

B3 God has no darkness: 1 John 1:5 NLT This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all.

B4 Our worldview and lifestyle are totally different than the kingdom of darkness: 1 Thessalonians 5:5 NLT for you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night.

An explanation: God is said to be living in thick darkness: 1 Kings 8:12 CSB Then Solomon said: The LORD said that he would dwell in total darkness.

B1 The Hebrew word total darkness is עֲרָפֶל ʻărâphel.

B2 It means a thick, heavy cloud.

B3 Our example would be our sun is very bright. A thick cloud hides the sun from direct sight. The sun is not in darkness. God is not in darkness, but there is a cloud between our sight and God.

B4 God lives in light: 1 John 1:7 NLT but if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.

 Posted by    Choco    at 06:35    29 Jan 20         

 Labels: 10 characteristics of devil’s darkness, 10 characteristics of God’s Light, devil, God

25 January 2020

Few Thoughts About Discernment

Knowing truth from lies

A1 The Bible is the only source of 100% truth.

B1 Truth is reality. It is the plain correspondence theory of truth.

B2 It is most reasonable to believe this about the Bible because of Jesus. Did He exist? Did He do what is written about Him? Are the Gospels true history? Were the Gospels written in the middle first century?

B3 It’s reasonable to consider knowing the Bible well will result in knowing good from evil. Hebrews 5:14 WEL but solid food belongs to those who are mature having their spiritual senses exercised through use to discern both good and evil.

C1 Someone who is mature, that is, full grown on the food of Bible study will have their spiritual sensors mature, too.

C2 Spiritual senses=

D1 The Greek word αἰσθητήριον aisthētḗrion.

D2 It means “145  (aisthētērion, neuter noun) focuses on the principle of sense and especially its result. 144 /aísthēsis (the feminine cognate) is the brand of sense-discernment which shrewdly sizes things up. 145  (aisthētḗrion) is “the concrete organ of sense, becoming virtually a habitual ability which must be developed and enables believers to distinguish between the spirits. It is a spiritual gift which must be developed in practice” (DNTT, 2, 391).

D3 This sensor is used to distinguish good from evil. Both good and evil are based on God’s standard.

C3 Exercised means exercised. Physical exercise has beneficial effects. Spiritual exercise does too. The more spiritual exercise we do, the stronger we become.

C4 The Greek word for discern is διάκρισις diákrisis. It means 1253  diákrisis (from 1252 /diakrínō, see there) – properly, a thorough judgment, i.e., a discernment (conclusion) which distinguishes “look-alikes,” i.e., things that appear to be the same. (Note the intensifying force of the prefix, dia.) See also 1252 (diakrínō).

C5 By Bible reading, study, thinking about it, memorizing, and living it has a profound effect on us. We will be able to distinguish good from evil.

A2 The interpretation of the Bible

B1 The plain, normal sense consistently

B2 Recognizing the historical and cultural settings

B3 Recognizing prescriptive from descriptive passages

A3 The basics we must know

B1 The basic summary of what we must do: Matthew 22:37-40 MKJV Jesus said to him, you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it, you shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.

B2 It includes all that God speaks: Matthew 4:4 MKJV But He answered and said, it is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.”

B3 When the Bible quotes someone whether king or commoner, the quote is accurate. The quote may or may not be truth. Example: Matthew 9:33-34 MKJV and when the demon had been cast out, the dumb one spoke. And multitudes marveled, saying, Never was it seen like this in Israel! 34 But the Pharisees said, He throws out demons by the ruler of the demons.

A4 The importance of personal learning. Instead of reading commentators, listening to teachers, going to meetings, we must daily study the Scriptures themselves.

A5 The importance of meditating on and studying Scripture

B1 Studying

C1 Ezra did: Ezra 7:10 GW Ezra was determined to study the LORD’s Teachings, live by them, and teach their rules and regulations in Israel.

C2 The Psalmist did by reflecting on Scripture: Psalms 119:15 GW I want to reflect on your guiding principles and study your ways.

C3 Correct study and interpretation leads to staying in the truth instead of wandering away: 2 Timothy 2:15-18 PickNT Make every effort to render yourself approved by God, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, handling the Word of the Truth correctly. 16 But shun godless, empty chatter, because those who do it will become increasingly godless, 17 and their word will spread like gangrene—among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have wandered away from the Truth, saying that the resurrection has already occurred; and they overturn the faith of some.

B2 Meditating on Scripture is not passive that is bypassing the brain, going into a trance, seeking the wisdom masters of the spirit world, etc. All those things of not God’s way and are condemned. Scripture meditation is active. It is like brain exercises as we study. Joshua 1:8 NIV Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

B3 Example:

C1 Verse: Hebrews 5:12-14 MKJV for indeed because of the time, you ought to be teachers, you have need that one teach you again what are the first principles of the oracles of God. And you have become in need of milk, and not of solid food. 13 For everyone who uses milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, even those who because of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

C2 Simple, brief interpretation:

D1 Milk and solid food. A diet of milk in associated with a baby. Solid food is associated with someone mature.

D2 Applied to spiritual knowledge and understanding, a diet of milk means one is unskillful with the Scriptures like an infant. A diet of solid food means the person will have their senses exercised in discernment.

D3 Discernment refers to recognizing God’s way from some other way. God’s beliefs from some other belief, and God’s lifestyle from some other lifestyle.

D4 Actively thinking about this verse, studying its meaning, its cross references, etc. produces knowledge. Knowledge applied to a situation is wisdom.

A6 Study leads to spiritual growth in discernment for individuals and the congregation

B1 Apostles studied: Acts 6:3&7 MKJV Therefore, brothers, look out among you seven men being witnessed to, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this duty…7 And the word of God was increasing. And the number of the disciples in Jerusalem was multiplying exceedingly; even a great crowd of the priests obeyed the faith.

B2 Humans words do not last, but God’s word does: Acts 12:23-24 MKJV and immediately the angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give God the glory. And he was eaten by worms and gave up the spirit. 24 But the Word of God grew and increased. [Emphasis is mine]

B3 Spread around: Acts 13:49 MKJV And the Word of the Lord was carried throughout all the country.

B4 Bears fruit: Colossians 1:5-6 MKJV for the hope which is laid up for you in Heaven, of which you heard before in the Word of the truth of the gospel, 6 which has come to you as it has also in all the world, and it is bearing fruit, even also among you, since the day you heard and fully knew the grace of God in truth,

B5 Heard in reading and teaching has a profound effect: I Thessalonians 2:13 MKJV and for this cause we thank God without ceasing, that when you received the Word of hearing, of God, you welcomed it as the Word of God, not as a word of men, but as it is, truly the Word of God, which also effectually works in you who believe.

A7 Discernment

B1 We are to pray for it as Solomon did: 1 Kings 3:9 WEB Give your servant therefore an understanding heart to judge your people, that I may discern between good and evil; for who is able to judge this your great people?”

B2 Our love is to grow. This love is not just tolerance. It is a love with the conditions of knowledge and understanding. Thus, we won’t just love everything and everyone but will have discernment. Philippians 1:9-10 ISV and this is my prayer, that your love will keep on growing more and more in full knowledge and perfect insight, 10 so that you may be able to determine what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ.

C1 The word discernment is the Greek word αἴσθησις aísthēsis. It means properly, the brand of sense-discernment which “cuts through” hazy ethical (moral) matters to really “size things up”.

C2 Thus, knowing God’s standards, we can decide if something is godly or ungodly.

C3 We give praise to God by our actions and give witness to His truth.

B3 We are commanded to test all things: I Thessalonians 5:21 BSB but test all things. Hold fast to what is good.

B4 Discernment is a regular activity in the Christian life. See Jesus’s rebuke of the religious frauds:

C1 Luke 12:54-57 GW Jesus said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud coming up in the west, you immediately say, ‘There’s going to be a rainstorm,’ and it happens. 55 When you see a south wind blowing, you say, ‘It’s going to be hot,’ and that’s what happens. 56 You hypocrites! You can forecast the weather by judging the appearance of earth and sky. But for some reason you don’t know how to judge the time in which you’re living. 57 So why don’t you judge for yourselves what is right?

C2 Simon, a Pharisee, was asked by the Lord Jesus to judge Luke 7:43 GW Simon answered, “I suppose the one who had the largest debt canceled.” Jesus said to him, “You’re right!”

B5 This is the reason we must know the Bible well: Hebrews 4:12 NIV for the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

All of our Christian life is one of discernment. Is this teaching, activity, belief, congregation, preacher, etc. safe? By knowing, studying, and applying the truths of Scripture, we can prevent much heart grief.

 Posted by    Choco    at 10:14    25 January 2020         

 Labels: Bible study, Christian duties, decision making, discernment, testing

23 Jan 20

A Few Thoughts About Christ’s Respect for the Church

I’m authoring this article in response to those who teach that husbands are to love their wives but not respect them, and those who teach the wife is to respect her husband. Respect, the way some of these teachers define it, borders on the idea of entitlement. Unbelievably it is rather common. One such book is Love and Respect by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs. One of many critical reviews can be found here (note, I don’t endorse everything on that website).

Christ is head of the church:

B1 Ephesians 5:23 NIV for the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.

B2 Ephesians 1:22 NIV And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church,

The church is all believers from Pentecost to the Rapture

B1 Ephesians 1:23 NIV which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

B2 Romans 12:4-5 NLT Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.

Christ is the bridegroom; the church is the bride (as understood by most commentators):  

B1 Revelation 19:7-8 LEB Let us rejoice and be glad and give him the glory, because the wedding celebration of the Lamb has come, and his bride has prepared herself. 8 And it has been granted to her that she be dressed in bright, clean fine linen (for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints).

B2 2 Corinthians 11:2 NLT For I am jealous for you with the jealousy of God himself. I promised you as a pure bride to one husband—Christ.

Christ respects his “wife,” the church:

B1 Christ’s style of leadership is to delegate

C1 Proverbs 31:10-31 (The NLT gives the best rendition)

D1 The husband delegates managing the house to his wife: Proverbs 31:11 NLT Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life.

E1 The Hebrew word for trust is בָּטַח bâṭach.

E2 It means not to fear, have trust, have confidence in

D2 The wife assesses what needs to be done

D3 The wife delegates what needs to be done to her maids (servants), who do the work: Proverbs 31:15 NLT She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day’s work for her servant girls.

D4 The wife goes out of the house to buy land, “makes sure her dealings are profitable,” and “she gives instructions with kindness.”

D5 She overseers the work done in the house: Proverbs 31:27 GW She keeps a close eye on the conduct of her family, and she does not eat the bread of idleness.

D6 She receives the credit for doing her work well: Proverbs 31:31 NLT Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.

C2 God delegates

D1 Rule as with Adam & Eve: Genesis 1:26 CSB Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness. They will rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the livestock, the whole earth, and the creatures that crawl on the earth.”  (Adam lost this when he sinned. So satan in now the power. The Lord Jesus will finish satan and destroy him totally, then the Lord Jesus will rule the earth from Jerusalem. See Zechariah 14 especially: Zechariah 14:9, 17 NLT And the LORD will be king over all the earth. On that day there will be one LORD—his name alone will be worshiped. … 17 Any nation in the world that refuses to come to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, will have no rain).

D2 Rule as in human government: Romans 13:1 GW Every person should obey the government in power. No government would exist if it hadn’t been established by God. The governments which exist have been put in place by God

D3 Administrators of the congregation: Acts 20:28 NET Watch out for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God that he obtained with the blood of his own Son.

D4 All of us for discipling: Ephesians 4:11-13 NET It was he who gave some as apostles, some as prophets, some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, that is, to build up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God – a mature person, attaining to the measure of Christ’s full stature.

D5 Jesus as Messiah and Redeemer: Luke 22:42 NIV Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.

D6 Remember that God gives us the grace to accomplish what He wants from us: Philippians 2:13 NIV for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

B2 Christ assigns the church to reign. If the Church is the bride, then Jesus gives us the example to follow.

C1 Revelation 20:6 NIV Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.

C2 2 Timothy 2:12 NIV if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us.

C3 Revelation 5:10 NET You have appointed them as a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.”

B3 Christ treats the wife as He wants to be treated Himself: Matthew 19:19 NIV honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.'”

B4 Christ does not control; He delegates.

One verse, taken out of context, that is a proof text for these types of teachers is Ephesians 5:24 NET But as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Knowing all what I wrote above and the critical review, how can this verse mean that the wife must do everything her husband tells us. Remember now, everything.

B1 The Bible understands the meaning of everything to be everything pleasing to God, as God acts, and as lawful. If the husband commands her to sin, she must not obey him.

B2 Christ’s leadership style is not a dictator but a delegator.

B3 The abusive, so-called, Marriage Enrichment type books have it so, so wrong.

B4 Submit in English means: intransitive verb 1a: to yield oneself to the authority or will of another: SURRENDER

B5 In Greek the word is ὑποτάσσω hypotássō. It means to place under: 6. to obey, be subject A Greek military term meaning to arrange [troop divisions] in a military fashion under the command of a leader. In non-military use, it was a voluntary attitude of giving in, cooperating, assuming responsibility, and carrying a burden.

C1 So the word does NOT mean using force of position, voice, strength, etc.

C2 It carries the meaning of cooperating, taking responsibility, and carrying out our tasks.

Too many teachers leave out the context of Ephesians 5:24. So, here it is Ephesians 5:21-24 NLT and further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. 22 For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord. 23 For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church. 24 As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything. [Emphasis is mine]

We are not to be the dictator, enforcer, bully, abuser, despot, authoritarian, etc.

All marriages are either Christian or controlling. If it is controlling, it is not Christian. If it is Christian, it is not controlling. Some links about this here, here, and All Power and Control Regimes Share the Same Basic Characteristics.

We are to be cooperative, working on problems together, rejoicing together, giving each other advice, respecting each other, loving each other, etc. If there is a final disagreement (a tie), then it is best to seek outside counsel from multiple people, not just one.

God HATES abuse. The wife is often blamed for difficulties in the home.

B1 This is outwardly treating his wife nicely, but in private, it is a totally different thing: Malachi 2:16 ISV “Indeed, the Lord God of Israel says that he hates divorce, along with the one who conceals his violence by outward appearances,” says the Lord of the Heavenly Armies. “So guard yourselves carefully, and don’t be unfaithful.”

B2 God hates abusers: 1 Corinthians 6:910 WEL Don’t you know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Don’t be deceived, for neither fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, passive homosexual partners, active homosexual partners, 10 Thieves, covetous, drunkards, verbal abusers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.

B3 God hates harsh treatment of anyone: Colossians 3:19 NLT Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly. [Emphasis is mine]

A husband is to respect his wife. Avoid teachers that teach otherwise.

B1 Adam needed help. God created Adam that way. Genesis 2:18 NLT Then the LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.”

B2 Adam needed God’s help.

B3 Adam needed Eve’s help.

B4 A wife is a good counselor. What human knows us better and wishes the best for us. (I do realize some wives are domestic abusers, too). Even if we disagree with them, we need to listen and understand what they are saying. We are not to consider ourselves too worthy to listen to her.

B5 Consider what Eggerichs apparently believes, How should a wife act if she strongly disagrees with her husband about some issue? 1Timothy 2:12 has some advice. Paul writes, “I do not allow a woman to exercise authority over a man but to remain quiet.” (p.220). (Source. Note, I do not have the book. I have not read the book).

B6 God gives our wives (sisters in Christ) spiritual gifts just like the brothers.

C1 Bible verses on gifts

D1 1 Corinthians 12

D2 Romans 12

D3 1 Peter 4:10-11 CSB Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God. 11 If anyone speaks, let it be as one who speaks God’s words; if anyone serves, let it be from the strength God provides, so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

C2 Proverbs 12:15 LEB the way of a fool is upright in his own eyes, but he who listens to advice is wise.

B7 Decisions are best made in a multitude of counselors. At the beginning, the multitude of counselors are God and Eve.

C1 Proverbs 11:14 NKJV Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.

C2 Proverbs 15:22 NKJV 2 Without counsel, plans go awry, but in the multitude of counselors they are established.

B6 Read Proverbs 31:10-31 again and note how the husband needed the wife’s help. He could not do everything. He respected her and gave her credit for what she has done, is doing, and will do.

Isaiah 8:20 WEB Turn to the law and to the testimony! If they don’t speak according to this word, surely there is no morning for them.

Acts 17:11 CSB the people here were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, since they received the word with eagerness and examined the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

Marriage, Marriage counseling, Christian marriage, domestic abuse​​​​​​​

A Few Thoughts About Christ’s Respect for the Church

14-20 Jan 20

23 January 2020

1 Year Bible—Colossians

Outline

B1 Chapter 1

C1 Salutation Chapter 1:1-2

C2 Thankfulness for the Colossians Chapter 1:3-8

C3 Prayer for the Colossians Chapter 1:9-14

C4 The Greatness of Jesus Christ and His Work Chapter 1:15-23

C5 The Greatness of Jesus Christ and His Gospel Chapter 1:24-29

B2 Chapter 2

C1 Paul’s Concern So They Will Not Be Deceived Chapter 2:1-5

C2 Not to Be Deceived by Philosophy or Arguments Chapter 2:6-15

C3 Not to Be Deceived by Being Subject to The Law Chapter 2:16-23

B3 Chapter 3

C1 Some Sins to Not Do Chapter 3:1-11

C2 Some Rules to Live a Christian Life Regarding Other Believers Chapter 3:12-17

C3 Some Rules to Live a Christian Life Regarding the Family Chapter 3:18-4:1

B4 Chapter 4

C1 Some Rules to Live a Christian Life Regarding Prayer Chapter 4:2-4

C2 Some Rules to Live a Christian Life Regarding Nonbelievers Chapter 4:5-6

C3 Final Greetings and Personal Requests Chapter 4:7-18

Notes

B1 Chapter 1

C1 Salutation Chapter 1:1-2

C2 Thankfulness for the Colossians Chapter 1:3-8

D1 The first thing Paul does is thank God and tells them that he is praying for them.

D2 Are we thankful for our brothers and sisters? Are we praying for them? In 2018, it was reported:

E1 Over 245 million Christians living in places where they experience high levels of persecution

E2 4,305 Christians killed for their faith

E3 1,847 churches and other Christian buildings attacked.

E4 3,150 believers detained without trial, arrested, sentenced or imprisoned

D3 It is showing love for them and honor to God: 1 Thessalonians 4:9 NRSV Now concerning love of the brothers and sisters, you do not need to have anyone write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another.

C3 Prayer for the Colossians Chapter 1:9-14

D1 Filled with knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding…

D2 Propose: God expects these things in and from us.

E1 To live a Christian life

E2 To be fruitful

E3 To increase in the knowledge of God

E4 To be stronger in the faith

E5 To be steadfast

E6 To be longsuffering with joy

E7 To give thanks

E8 To be partakers of the inheritance

D3 Reason: God has redeemed and forgiven us. We should want to serve Him.

E1 The Father has rescued us from the power of darkness (satan’s control)

E2 The Father has transferred us into the His Son’s Kingdom

E3 We are redeemed through the Son (Jesus’s) blood

E4 We are forgiven because Jesus suffered for our sins

C4 The Greatness of Jesus Christ and His Work Chapter 1:15-23

D1 Jesus is God. He is one person, yet He is 100% God of the same essence as God, and He is 100% human of the same flesh as humans.

D2 Jesus is the head (authority) of the church.

D3 Jesus is the firstborn from the dead means that He is the first to have a permanent resurrection. The first to have the new glorified body.

D4 Jesus brought reconciliation. At one time were enemies of God, but no longer so because of Jesus.

D5 Jesus desires to present you holy, blameless, and above reproach in His sight.

D6 Our need to remain steadfast in the faith. Christianity’s doctrine does not change.

C5 The Greatness of Jesus Christ and His Gospel Chapter 1:24-29

B2 Chapter 2

C1 Paul’s Concern So They Will Not Be Deceived Chapter 2:1-5

D1 Paul is concerned they will be deceived.

D2 If we know the truth, the true Gospel, and true doctrine as taught in the Scriptures, we will be safe.

D3 False teachers use convincing arguments to deceive us and lead us astray. Beware!

D4 The solution? Know truth and Ephesians 5:6-7 GNB Do not let anyone deceive you with foolish words; it is because of these very things that God’s anger will come upon those who do not obey him. 7 So have nothing at all to do with such people.

C2 Not to Be Deceived by Philosophy or Arguments Chapter 2:6-15

D1 One of the most common doctrines for false teachers to corrupt is the doctrine of the deity of Christ and the Gospel.

D2 2 Timothy 2:18 ISV They have abandoned the truth by claiming that the resurrection has already taken place, and so they destroy the faith of others.

D3 2 Timothy 4:3-4 GNB the time will come when people will not listen to sound doctrine but will follow their own desires and will collect for themselves more and more teachers who will tell them what they are itching to hear. 4 They will turn away from listening to the truth and give their attention to legends.

C3 Not to Be Deceived by Being Subject to The Law Chapter 2:16-23

D1 Human rules and regulations do nothing to end sinful desires.

D2 They are only outward rules and do not affect the heart.

B3 Chapter 3

C1 Some Sins to Not Do Chapter 3:1-11

D1 Our greatest interest in life must be those of God and His kingdom.

E1 The Greek word for set you mind, think, etc. is φρονέω phronéō.

E2 It means the action of active thinking. It is

F1 People’s thinking affects their actions. If our thinking is the worldview of the unsaved, we will live that way. Romans 8:5 NIV Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. [Emphasis is mine and is the Greek word]

F2 Let us be careful that we do not think and act this way: Philippians 3:17-19 NLT Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example. 18 For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth.

D2 These are things we MUST NOT do:

E1 Sexual sins

E2 Sexual impurity (For something to be pure, it must meet a standard of purity. God’s standard is THE standard. Sex is good and pure if it meets God’s standard. Anything else in thoughts, desires, words, or deeds is not pure).

E3 Evil passion (There is passion that is not evil, but the Greek word here implies it is evil passion).

E4 Evil lust (there is a good lust, which is a desire, longing, wanting the things of God. Evil lust is a desire, longing, wanting of things that God hates).

E5 Covetousness, which is idolatry

E6 Anger (This is not just displeasure. This anger is a strong emotion. Anger is not sinful at times (Mark 3:5). There must an end to anger (Ephesians 4:26)).

E7 Wrath (This is slightly different than anger. This is boiling anger that distorts the face. The link takes you to the verses that use this word, and we can see the different situations it is used).

E8 Malice (This is an attitude causing trouble and to hurt verbally, physically, emotionally, etc.).

E9 Slander (This is to lie, to slur the character of someone, to suggest something about a person that is false, etc.). For example, 1 Samuel 24:9 NLT Then he shouted to Saul, “Why do you listen to the people who say I am trying to harm you?

E10 Foul, abusive speech (1 Peter 3:1 WEB For, “He who would love life, and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit).

E11 Lying (Any type of lying whether words, appearances, actions, etc.) A couple of articles (I can’t vouch for the websites) on the types of lies here (White lies, Broken promises, Fabrication, Bold face lie, Exaggeration, Deception, and Plagiarism) and here (Error, Omission, Restructuring, Denial, Minimization, Exaggeration, Fabrication).

C2 Some Rules to Live a Christian Life Regarding Other Believers Chapter 3:12-17

D1 These are things we MUST do.

E1 Compassion (Noticing other’s needs, listening, etc. We are to be compassionate because God is compassionate 2 Corinthians 1:3)

E2 Kindness (Kindness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22). Jesus shows kindness in coming as our Messiah (Titus 3:4))

E3 Humble (This is not thinking we are great, the greatest, that everyone should listen to, etc. Compare Luke 17:10 and Matthew 11:29).

E4 Meekness (The opposite of meekness is arrogance).

E5 Longsuffering (This is patience, endurance, waiting in hope).

E6 Putting up with (This is slightly different than longsuffering. This word has the idea of holding back, self-control, not reacting sinfully).

E7 Forgiving (We are not to seek revenge. We turn that over to God. We are not to remind them of their failures. If a crime is committed, however, we must notify law enforcement and let them take care of it. Not doing so would possibly endanger others).

E8 Love (It is a choice, not necessarily a passion. The actions of love are found in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a Love is very patient and kind; love is not envious; love doesn’t brag about itself, is not haughty, 5 Doesn’t behave improperly, is not self-seeking; love isn’t easily aggravated, doesn’t keep a list of wrongs, 6 Doesn’t rejoice in injustice, but rejoices in the truth, 7 Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, calmly endures all things. 8 Love never ends).

E9 Let God’s peace rule in our hearts (Bridgeway Bible Dictionary has this note:

That peace does not mean that they will have a trouble-free life. Rather it means that they now enjoy a state of spiritual wholeness and well-being that gives them strength and calmness even in the midst of suffering and trials (John 14:27; John 16:33; Galatians 5:22; Colossians 3:15; Philippians 4:7).

E10 Be thankful (this is recognition of someone’s help, deed, words, etc. Philemon 1:7 NLT Your love has given me much joy and comfort, my brother, for your kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God’s people).

E11 Christ’s word (This means what Christ taught and what is taught about Him. We are to study and know the meaning increasingly over our lifetime).

E12 Teaching (All of us are teachers. We are a family and need each other).

E13 Admonishing (This is warning each other. I may be doing something foolish or stupid, but you have done that before and know it will harm me, so you warn me).

E14 Everything we do or say must glorify the Lord Jesus

C3 Some Rules to Live a Christian Life Regarding the Family Chapter 3:18-4:1

D1 We are to love each other. Love is a choice, and the actions of love are in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a.

D2 We not to be pushy and demanding. We are to listen to each other, help each other, give guidance to each other, etc.

D3 We are not to show favoritism.

E1 Romans 2:11 CSB for there is no favoritism with God. 

E2 1 Timothy 5:21 CSB I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels to observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing out of favoritism.

B4 Chapter 4

C1 Some Rules to Live a Christian Life Regarding Prayer Chapter 4:2-4

D1 We are to pray with thanksgiving.

D2 We are not to quit praying.

D3 Prayer is simply talking to God. It is not some formula for success or manipulation of God.

C2 Some Rules to Live a Christian Life Regarding Nonbelievers Chapter 4:5-6

D1 Our lives are to be a daily walk in wisdom. James 3:17 NASB but the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.

D2 Our daily lives must reflect who we really are. Our lives are to be a witness for God. May God help all of us.

D3 What we say should be truthful and measured. Our words should be done in wisdom, love, and holiness. Again, may God help us.

C3 Final Greetings and Personal Requests Chapter 4:7-18

1 Year Bible—Colossians

Colossians, teaching outline, 8 things God expects of Christians, greatness of Jesus, 11 things we must not do, 14 things we must do

17 January 2020

1 Year Bible—Philippians

Outline

B1 Chapter 1

C1 Prayer for the Philippians Philippians 1:1-11

C2 Paul and Persecution of Paul Philippians 1:12-26

C3 Prayer and Encouragement for the Philippians Philippians 1:27-30

B2 Chapter 2

C1 Encouragement to Have Humility Like Jesus Philippians 2:1-11

C2 Encouragement Not to Complain Philippians 2:12-18

C3 Encouragement That Some Helpers Are Coming to You Philippians 2:19-30

B3 Chapter 3

C1 Warning About Judaizers Philippians 3:1-14

C2 Warning About False Christians Philippians 3:15-21

B4 Chapter 4

C1 Plea for Unity Philippians 4:1-3

C2 Plea to Live a Christian Life Philippians 4:4-9

C3 Thank You for Your Help Philippians 4:10-20

C4 Final Greetings Philippians 4:21-23

Chapters

B1 Chapter 1

C1 Paul’s prayer

C2 3 important things

D1 The work Jesus began, He will finish

E1 Jesus is the master teacher.

F1 Since He is omniscient, omnisapient, and knowing how to communicate perfectly. We can understand.

F2 John 7:45-46 LEB So the officers came to the chief priests and Pharisees. And they said to them, “Why did you not bring him?” 46 The officers replied, “Never has a man spoken like this!“

F3 Matthew 13:54 NLT He returned to Nazareth, his hometown. When he taught there in the synagogue, everyone was amazed and said, “Where does he get this wisdom and the power to do miracles?“

E2 We need to stay enrolled in God’s school. We need to read, study, believe, and apply the teaching of Jesus Christ.

D2 Their love would increase

E1 Love is a choice. If you and/or I love someone, we will treat them with the actions of 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a.

E2 The love of many is grown cold. People love themselves first. We must not fall back into that habit: Matthew 24:12 NLT Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold.

E3 Our first, greatest, highest priority love must be Jesus, not our pastor and his wife, not our teacher, not our favorite theologian, etc. Revelation 2:4 NLT But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first!

E6 God teaches us so. His teaching is not just words, but also, He tests and has us in situations to apply what He has taught, so expect to face some issues.

F1 Psalm 11:5 NLT The LORD examines both the righteous and the wicked. He hates those who love violence. (Note, love violence refers to narcissists, domestic abusers, controlling people, etc. We need to remember God hates them).

F2 1 Thessalonians 4:9 NLT but we don’t need to write to you about the importance of loving each other, for God himself has taught you to love one another.

D3 We need to judge and test everything

E1 We need a standard. The only eternal standard is God Himself. He has revealed this to us. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 WEL All Scripture is inspired and is beneficial for doctrine, reproof, correction, and for instruction in righteousness, 17 So that God’s people may be completely ready, fully equipped for all good works

E2 We need to start with ourselves: 2 Corinthians 13:5-6 NLT Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith. 6 As you test yourselves, I hope you will recognize that we have not failed the test of apostolic authority.

E3 We need to test what is said, written, or communicated in any way whether it be a preacher, teacher, etc. 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21 NLT Do not scoff at prophecies, 21 but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. [emphasis is mine]

E4 Ephesians 5:10 WEL Testing things [to see if] they are acceptable to the Lord.

C3 Philippians 1:21 NKJV for to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Comment from Believer’s Bible Commentary on this passage:

Here, in a nutshell, is Paul’s philosophy of life. He did not live for money, fame, or pleasure. The object of his life was to love, worship, and serve the Lord Jesus. He wanted his life to be like the life of Christ. He wanted the Savior to live out His life through him.

And to die is gain. To die is to be with Christ and to be like Him forever. It is to serve Him with unsinning heart and with feet that will never stray. We do not ordinarily think of death as one of our gains.

B2 Chapter 2

C1 Philippians 2:6 NIV Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage.

C2 We learn the Chalcedon Statement

We, then, following the holy Fathers, all with one

consent, teach men to confess one and the same

Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, the same perfect in

Godhead and also perfect in manhood; truly God

and truly man, of a reasonable [rational] soul and

body; consubstantial [co-essential] with the

Father according to the Godhead, and

consubstantial with us according to the

Manhood; in all things like unto us, without sin;

begotten before all ages of the Father according

to the Godhead, and in these latter days, for us

and for our salvation, born of the Virgin Mary,

the Mother of God, according to the Manhood;

one and the same Christ, Son, Lord, only

begotten, to be acknowledged in two natures,

inconfusedly,

unchangeably,

indivisibly,

inseparably; the distinction of natures being by

no means taken away by the union, but rather

the property of each nature being preserved,

and concurring in one Person and one

Subsistence, not parted or divided into two

persons, but one and the same Son, and only

begotten, God the Word, the Lord Jesus Christ;

as the prophets from the beginning [have

declared] concerning Him, and the Lord Jesus

Christ Himself has taught us, and the Creed of

the holy Fathers has handed down to us.

B3 Chapter 3

C1 Beware of false teachers. In this passage, specifically, the Judaizers: Philippians 3:2 WEL Beware of dogs; beware of evil workers; beware of the mutilators.

C2 Philippians 3:14 NRSV I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.

D1 What is our goal in life?

D2 Two verses:

E1 In our brief time on earth, where are our eyes? The goal, the standard, the greatest and best, whom we serve must be the Lord Jesus our Messiah: Hebrews 12:2 BSB Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

E2 Let us pray to be faithful and steadfast until death: 2 Timothy 4:7 BSB I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

C3 We are citizens of God’s kingdom. Let our words, desires, words, and deeds be according to that kingdom. Philippians 3:20-21 WEL but our citizenship is in heaven, from where we also look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; 21 Who will change our humiliated body, that it may become like his glorious body, according to the power by which he is able to even place everything under himself.

B4 Chapter 4

C1 What occupies our minds? What are we thinking about? Our Father knows life is rough, so He encourages us: Philippians 4:8 WEL Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are well spoken of, if there is any moral excellence, if there is anything praiseworthy, think about these things.

C2 We need to be thankful. Paul is thankful for the prayers and helps the Philippians have given him and his team.

Psalms 100:4-5 NKJV Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. 5 For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.

16 January 2020

1 Year Bible—Ephesians Part D

B2 Practical Chapters 4-6

C1 Encouragement for Spiritual Growth Chapter 4:1-16

D1 Spiritual growth is compared to physical growth. We mature in our knowledge, experience, wisdom, actions, etc.

D2 The potential is already there, but it needs proper nutrition to reach that potential.

D3 What does God require as seen in this passage?

E1 A holy life—as God has defined it in the New Testament

E2 Humility—not self-promotion

E3 Gentleness—instead of abuse and control

E4 Forbearance—instead of rehearsing failures

E5 Love—as defined in 1 Corinthians 13 both public and private

E6 Unity in peace—instead of self-seeking

D4 It is not unity at any cost. It is not unity to tolerance in false doctrine, practices, or life. We must be in unity not only with believers today but also the whole body of believers from Pentecost to today.

D5 It is unity defined as

E1 One body—from Pentecost until the Rapture

E2 One Spirit—as a holy temple: Ephesians 2:21-22 BSB In Him the whole building is fitted together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord. And in Him you too are being built together into a dwelling place for God in His Spirit.

E3 One hope—of Him, our Messiah. This is one of many hopes we have: I John 3:2-3 BSB Beloved, we are now children of God, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when Christ appears, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

E4 One Lord—Jesus There is no other lord whether spirit or human. There is only one authority—Jesus.

E5 Faith—the doctrines we believe. There is no change. What was taught by the Lord Jesus and His Apostles is still the same faith.

F1 1 Corinthians 16:13 NRSV Keep alert, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong.

F2 1 Timothy 6:20-21 WEB Timothy, guard that which is committed to you, turning away from the empty chatter and oppositions of what is falsely called knowledge; 21 which some profess, and thus have wandered from the faith. Grace be with you. Amen.

E6 Baptism—probably referring to the Baptism by the Holy Spirit.

F1 1 Corinthians 12:13 NRSV for in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

F2 But also in water at our public profession of faith: Romans 6:3-4 NRSV Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.

E7 One God and Father—there is no other God: Isaiah 43:10 NRSV You are my witnesses, says the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me, no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me.

D4 2 Peter 2:1-5 WEL Beside this, be diligent to add to your faith moral excellence; to moral excellence add knowledge. 6 To knowledge add self-control; to self-control add perseverance; to perseverance add godliness. 7 To godliness add brotherly love; to brotherly love add unselfish, unconditional love. 8 For if these qualities are in you and are plentiful, they will make you not to be barren or unfruitful in the thorough knowledge concerning our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But he who lacks these qualities is blind, short sighted, and become forgetful that he was totally cleansed from his past sins.

C2 Encouragement for Spiritual Life Chapter 4:17-32

D1 We must get rid of the old way of life as described in many places particularly in Galatians 5:19-21. Then, we must put on the new: Ephesians 4:22-24 WEL Get rid of the former lifestyle, the old nature, which is rotten from deceitful lusts, 23 Instead, be renewed in the spirit of your mind. 24 Put on the new nature, which according to God’s [likeness] is created in righteousness and true holiness.

D2 The rest of the chapter lists some of these new ways of life. These characteristics are the ones God has and is in His kingdom.

C3 Encouragement for Spiritual Lifestyle Chapter 5:1-20

D1 There is an obvious Christian life.

D2 It is not in a man-made list. The lifestyle is listed in Scripture.

D3 This is why we must read chapters like this and live it. We can do so with God’s grace.

C4 Encouragement for Living as a Godly Family Chapter 5:21-6:4

D1 Notice how husband and wife both must submit, that is, NOT be adamant and controlling. Ephesians 5:21 GW Place yourselves under each other’s authority out of respect for Christ.

D2 Leadership in the family must be the same leadership style as Jesus has.

D3 A husband must love his wife (with the actions of 1 Corinthians 13), and the wife respect her husband.

D4 Fear has 2 senses

E1 A running away from: Genesis 3:8-10 GW in the cool of the evening, the man and his wife heard the LORD God walking around in the garden. So they hid from the LORD God among the trees in the garden. 9 The LORD God called to the man and asked him, “Where are you?” 10 He answered, “I heard you in the garden. I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid.”

E2 A running to:

F1 Cornelius feared God yet came praying every day: Acts 10:2 NRSV He was a devout man who feared God with all his household; he gave alms generously to the people and prayed constantly to God.

F2 Proverbs 18:10 GW the name of the LORD is a strong tower. A righteous person runs to it and is safe.

E3 Both seen. One does not come, the other does: John 3:20-21 NRSV for all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. 21 But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.

C5 Encouragement for Living as a Godly Employee Chapter 6:5-9

D1 Carrying out their duties without pressure.

D2 Carrying out their duties properly.

C6 Encouragement for Living with God’s Armor Chapter 6:10-20

D1 Christians have 3 enemies: the devil, the world, and the flesh.

D2 The world is the mindset and worldview of those who are not believers.

D3 The flesh refers to the sinful desires of the flesh as seen in Galatians 5:19-21.

D4 God has given provision for fighting these 3 things.

D5 The armor of God is for all Christians.

E1 Truth

F1 John 8:32 NRSV and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.

F2 Many interpret truth in several ways such as the Gospel, etc. Personally, I think the Lord means “truth.”

F3 Truth delivers from sin, from addiction, from stupidity, from wrong decisions, etc. Truth is delivering. Truth is the start of healing from abuse, addiction, stupidity, foolishness, etc.

F4 Truth as to doctrine and Christian living. The Bible must be interpreted in its plain, normal sense.

E2 Righteousness—to be free of guilt, a bad testimony, bad choices, etc. It leads to a good testimony, better choices, etc. It is protective. The devil wants us to sin.

E3 The Gospel—this is salvation. It is protective by God’s protecting the soul. The devil can kill, but he cannot kill the soul.

E4 Faith—this is believing God instead of something else.

E5 Salvation—this is deliverance. A promise of deliverance now and in the future. A person might be persecuted, but the knowledge and the possession of salvation comforts and gives assurance.

E6 The Word of God—the only source of 100% truth

E7 Prayer—this is asking for wisdom, deliverance, help in many ways. God’s wisdom is perfect. His decisions are done in wisdom, love, and holiness.

D6 The struggle is written about in Romans 7, while the cause is Romans 6, and the solution in Romans 8.

E1 Romans 6:12 GW Therefore, never let sin rule your physical body so that you obey its desires.

E2 Romans 7:23-24 GW However, I see a different standard at work throughout my body. It is at war with the standards my mind sets and tries to take me captive to sin’s standards which still exist throughout my body. 24 What a miserable person I am! Who will rescue me from my dying body?

E3 Romans 8:26 NRSV Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. AND Romans 8:34 NRSV Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us.

C7 Prayer for the Ephesians Chapter 6:21-24

14 January 2020

1 Year Bible—Ephesians Part C

C5 Thanksgiving for Preaching Gospel to Gentiles Chapter 3:1-13

D1 Paul was given this ministry of God’s grace for their sakes: Acts 9:15 GNB The Lord said to him, “Go, because I have chosen him to serve me, to make my name known to Gentiles and kings and to the people of Israel.

D2 Paul is a prophet, for God gave him revelation of the message he is to preach. He also heard the Gospel directly on the Damascus Road. Galatians 1:11-12 NRSV For I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel that was proclaimed by me is not of human origin; 12 for I did not receive it from a human source, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.

D3 For a proud Jew to come to this knowledge would be very difficult, but Paul became a new creation. Plus, the information came directly from God. Ephesians 3:5-6 GNB in past times human beings were not told this secret, but God has revealed it now by the Spirit to his holy apostles and prophets. 6 The secret is that by means of the gospel the Gentiles have a part with the Jews in God’s blessings; they are members of the same body and share in the promise that God made through Christ Jesus.

D4 Ephesians 3:8 WEL…the unsearchable riches of Christ…

E1 A few of these are:

F1 Wisdom and knowledge. Do we need an answer? We have the greatest source: Colossians 2:3 NASB in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

F2 Memorizing and deeply thinking about the words of Scripture are extraordinarily rich: Colossians 3:16 WEL Let Christ’s word live in you abundantly in all wisdom. Teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

F3 Kindness, forbearance, and patience: Romans 2:4 NRSV or do you despise the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience? Do you not realize that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?

F4 Grace: Ephesians 1:7 NASB In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace

F4 God’s glory: Ephesians 3:16 WEL That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner being,

E2 For both Jews and Gentiles, that is, Christians: Romans 10:12 NASB for there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him.

D5 God has a purpose and plan in Ephesians 3:11

D6 We have boldness to pray directly to Him. All brothers and sisters in Christ can pray directly. We do not need any mediator, priest, holy person, etc. other than Jesus.

C6 Prayer for the Ephesians Chapter 3:14-21

D1 God’s glory:

E1 Christians will share: Romans 5:2 NLT Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.

E2 The Temple seen by the Apostle John was full of God’s glory, thus light, power, strength, holiness, etc.: Revelation 15:8 NLT The Temple was filled with smoke from God’s glory and power. No one could enter the Temple until the seven angels had completed pouring out the seven plagues.

E3 As he was dying, Stephen saw God’s glory: Acts 7:55 NLT But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand.

E4 Jesus’s glory is God’s glory:

F1 Hebrews 1:3 NLT The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven.

F2 Luke 9:28-29, 32 CSB About eight days after this conversation, he took along Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. … 32 Peter and those with him were in a deep sleep, and when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men who were standing with him.

F3 God’s glory is the beauty of His character, His attributes, expressed through His thoughts, desires, words, and deeds.

D2 Paul prays that the believers

E1 May understand God’s

F1 Ephesians 3:18…the breadth, length, depth, and height which refers to the unlimitedness, boundless, and vastness of His love

F2 Ephesians 3:19 …to know (experience first-hand) the love of Christ…

G1 Which is beyond our understanding. We receive this from studying the Scriptures: Psalm 119:104 NIV I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path.

G2 Which endures forever: See Psalm 136.

F3 Starts when we believe and place our trust into Christ: Proverbs 9:10 NIV the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

F4 Understanding comes from God: 1 John 5:20 NIV We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

E2 Ephesians 3:20-21 WEL Now to him who is able to do way more than all we ask or think according to the power that works in us. 21 The glory be to him in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, forever and forever. Amen

F1 The power that works in us is the Holy Spirit:

G1 Romans 15:13 NIV May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

G2 The Holy Spirit does not make us timid; He gives the power, love, and self-discipline we need to accomplish His will: 2 Timothy 1:7 NIV For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.

F2 It is not just can do all things that He wants us to do but way beyond all things: ὑπὲρ πάντα.

F3 We are to give God credit (glory) for all these things.

The prayer closes with a soul-inspiring doxology. The preceding requests have been vast, bold, and seemingly impossible. But God is able to do more in this connection than we can ask or think. The extent of His ability is seen in the manner in which Paul pyramids words to describe superabundant blessings:

Able

Able to do

Able to do what we ask

Able to do what we think

Able to do what we ask or think

Able to do all that we ask or think

Able to do above all that we ask or think

Able to do abundantly above all that we ask or think

Able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think

The means by which God answers prayer is given in the expression, according to the power that works in us. This refers to the Holy Spirit, who is constantly at work in our lives, seeking to produce the fruit of a Christlike character, rebuking us because of sin, guiding us in prayer, inspiring us in worship, directing us in service. The more we are yielded to Him, the greater will be His effectiveness in conforming us to Christ.

(Source: Believer’s Bible Commentary by William MacDonald 1995

1 Year Bible—Ephesians Part C 14 Jan 20

Ephesians, gospel, prayer for others, 5 things unsearchable riches of Christ, Christian doxology

14 January 2020

How to Answer Questions More Correctly

Found this post on Dr. Wayman’s site and written by Marc Cortez

The following is a conversation that recently took place in my daughter’s middle school group. And I think it does an excellent job highlighting three mistakes that we often make when we talk about the sovereignty of God and how it relates to sin and suffering in the world.

Youth pastor: God is sovereign. That means he controls everything that happens.

Middle-schooler: So, God was in control when my dog died? Why would God kill my dog?

Youth pastor:  That’s a tough one. But sometimes God lets us go through tough times so that we’re prepared for even more difficult things in the future. I remember how hard it was when my dog died. But going through that helped me deal with an even more challenging time later when my grandma died. Does that make sense?

Middle-schooler: (Long pause.) So, God killed my dog to prepare me for when he’s going to kill my grandma?

Youth pastor: (Silence.)

You can read the rest here.

 Posted by    Choco    at 12:56    14 Jan 20        

 Labels: answering questions, questions, wisdom

13 January 2020

A Few Thoughts About Giving Answers

Two passages

B1 Matthew 9:9-17 GNB Jesus left that place, and as he walked along, he saw a tax collector, named Matthew, sitting in his office. He said to him, “Follow me.” Matthew got up and followed him. 10 While Jesus was having a meal in Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and other outcasts came and joined Jesus and his disciples at the table. 11 Some Pharisees saw this and asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with such people?” 12 Jesus heard them and answered, “People who are well do not need a doctor, but only those who are sick. 13 Go and find out what is meant by the scripture that says: ‘It is kindness that I want, not animal sacrifices.’ I have not come to call respectable people, but outcasts.” 14 Then the followers of John the Baptist came to Jesus, asking, “Why is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples don’t fast at all?”  15 Jesus answered, “Do you expect the guests at a wedding party to be sad as long as the bridegroom is with them? Of course not! But the day will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast. 16 “No one patches up an old coat with a piece of new cloth, for the new patch will shrink and make an even bigger hole in the coat. 17 Nor does anyone pour new wine into used wineskins, for the skins will burst, the wine will pour out, and the skins will be ruined. Instead, new wine is poured into fresh wineskins, and both will keep in good condition.”

B2 Proverbs 26:4-5 NRSV Do not answer fools according to their folly, or you will be a fool yourself. 5 Answer fools according to their folly, or they will be wise in their own eyes.

Two types of questions

B1 The questioner/s in our first passage

C1 In Matthew 9:9-13, A Pharisee is asking a question, but his attitude is snarky. (of a person, words, or a mood) sharply critical; cutting; snide—source is Bing search)

C2 In Matthew 9:14-17, John the Baptist’s disciples are asking a question and their attitude is one of seeking clarification. They want to learn.

B2 The questioners in our second passage

C1 The word fool in Proverbs 26 passage is the Hebrew word כְּסִיל kᵉçîyl.

D1 It means someone who is arrogant and has all the answers. These fools

D2 Hate knowledge: Proverbs 1:22 NIV How long will you who are simple love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge?

D3 Don’t want to understand; they just want to give their opinion (which is the best answer of course and full of wisdom). This kind doesn’t listen well, for they interrupt and start giving advice. Proverbs 18:2 NIV Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.

D4 Love wicked schemes:

E1 Proverbs 10:23 NIV A fool finds pleasure in wicked schemes, but a person of understanding delights in wisdom.

E2 2 Corinthians 2:11 NLT so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes.

D5 Believe it is fun to do wrong: Proverbs 10:23 CEV Fools enjoy doing wrong, but anyone with good sense enjoys acting wisely.

D6 Blurt out their evil foolishness: Proverbs 12:23 GNB Smart people keep quiet about what they know, but stupid people advertise their ignorance.

D7 Their foolishness just pours out, bursts out, and even belches out: Proverbs 15:2 NLT the tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing, but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness.

D8 Love their own foolishness and love hearing and reading the same type of foolishness in others: Proverbs 15:14 NRSV the mind of one who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly.

C2 Sometimes the best answer is silence. Why even bother answering them?

D1 An example: 1 Samuel 10:27 LEB However, some worthless men said, “How can this man deliver us?” So, they despised him and brought no gift to him, but he kept silent.

D2 Proverbs 10:19 NRSV When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but the prudent are restrained in speech.

B3 The Lord Jesus’s answer for the first passage

C1 To the Pharisee

D1 “I’m here on a healing mission. It is to heal souls sick from the stains of sin.”

D2 “I want you to study this passage: (Hosea 6:7 Brenton/LXX. In our Bibles it is Hosea 6:6) For I will have mercy rather than sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than whole-burnt-offerings.”

D3 God would rather show mercy than judgment. The Pharisee needs to learn this truth.

D4 We see an example of this in Jonah 3:10 LEB And God saw their deeds—that they turned from their evil ways—and God changed his mind about the evil that he had said he would bring upon them, and he did not do it.

C2 To John’s disciples

D1 The Believer’s Bible Commentary answers this question:

The Lord answered with an illustration. He was the bridegroom and His disciples the wedding guests. As long as He was with them, there was no reason to fast as a sign of mourning. But He would be taken from them; then His disciples would fast. He was taken from them—in death and burial, and since His ascension He has been bodily absent from His disciples. While Jesus’ words do not command fasting, they certainly approve it as an appropriate exercise for those who await the Bridegroom’s return.

D2 Bishop Ryle writes:

[Ye shall weep and lament, etc.] I believe, with Augustine and Bede, that the whole verse is meant to be a general description of the state of things between the first and second advents of Christ. “During my absence from the world after my ascension, you, my beloved disciples, and all believers after you, shall have many reasons to lament and mourn, like a bride separate from her husband, while the wicked world around you shall rejoice in my absence, and not wish to see Me return. During this long weary interval, you, and all believers after you shall often have sorrow and tribulation; but at last, when I come again, your sorrow shall be turned into joy.” In support of this view, I advise the reader to study Mat 9:15. The idea in each place seems the same. (Compare also Isaiah 65:14.)

D3 Two responses to their question

E1 Jesus states that as long as He is here, there is no need to fast, but the time is coming when He will return from heaven. While the believers wait, they will mourn and fast for His return.

E2 The old ways, the Old Testament, were still in effect, but the time is coming when the Old Testament will be done away with. (Hebrews 8:12-13) The New Testament and its rules will be what believers are to live by.

Two types of response

B1 The genuine questioner needs an answer that teaches them truth. It is to lead them to wisdom and knowledge.

C1 In the Matthew 9:9-13 passage, the Lord Jesus wishes to teach them

C2 In the Proverbs 26:4-5 passage, we are instructed to expose foolishness, thus lead them to true wisdom, that is, God’s wisdom.

D1 We need God’s armor: Ephesians 6:10-18.

D2 We need God’s grace to recognize these schemes. Studying the only source of 100% truth helps.

E1 2 Corinthians 2:11 NLT so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes.

E2 John 8:32 NIV Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

B2 The snarky questioner needs an answer that is to expose their foolish attitude. It is to lead them to repentance.

We need to give an answer to all. 1 Peter 3:15 NLT Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it.

B1 If the questioner is asking a serious question, we need to answer with truth.

B2 If the questioner is sarcastic, rude, mocking, etc., we still need to answer them. We don’t answer them the same way they asked, but we love them and want them to think.

B3 We must pray to God:

C1 In boldness: Hebrews 4:16 NRSV Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

C2 Seeking wisdom: James 1:5 NIV If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

C3 Example: Exodus 17:4 NET Then Moses cried out to the Lord, “What will I do with this people? – a little more and they will stone me!”

B4 Our attitude must be gentle yet true: Proverbs 15:1 NLT A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.

B5 Think carefully before answering: Proverbs 15:28 NLT the heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking; the mouth of the wicked overflows with evil words.

B6 Trust God to give the correct answer: Proverbs 16:1 NLT We can make our own plans, but the LORD gives the right answer.

Proverbs 22:20-21 RSV Have I not written for you thirty sayings of admonition and knowledge, 21 to show you what is right and true, that you may give a true answer to those who sent you?

 Posted by    Choco    at 18:30    13 January 2020          

 Labels: 8 things fools love, Christian answers, Proverbs 26:4-5, Seeking answers

12 January 2020

1 Year Bible—Ephesians Part B

C3 Thanksgiving for Spiritual Life Chapter 2:1-10

D1 Trespass

E1 It means to cross a line, a boundary, a standard.

E2 If my neighbor paints line on the border of our properties, and I walk just on my side of the property, I am OK. I am not trespassing. But, if I put my foot on the other side, I trespass. God has a standard that if we cross over, we trespass. God says, “You must not lie. You must not worship any other gods. You must not steal.” If we cross over that line and do those things, we trespass. It is a felony that must be punished.

D2 The actions we did as non-Christians was what the devil, his worldview, his lifestyle, and how lived, is trespasses and sins. Trespasses are specific sins. Sins refers to all types of rebellion and disobedience to God in thoughts, desires, words, and deeds.

D3 This lifestyle is described as

E1 Lusts and desires of the flesh. We do what feels good, not what is right.

E2 Lusts and desires of the mind. We do what we think is good, things that we imagine in our minds.

E3 Sinful nature. It is the inborn nature/character of every human.

E4 Sin must be punished. These things are the actions of the children of wrath. John 3:36 WEL He who believes in the Son has everlasting life, but he who refuses to believe the Son will not see life, on the contrary the fierce anger of God remains on him.

D4 Because of God’s love, He extended mercy to us by freeing our mind and heart to understand our sin and the just punishment we deserve. We were dead. We were just waiting for the last breath, then we would receive God’s just wrath. That wrath is conscious torment forever and ever. Matthew 25:46 GNB These, then, will be sent off to eternal punishment, but the righteous will go to eternal life.

D5 But some of us (may all people do so) placed our faith in trust in Jesus Christ believing and thus being born again (a new creation) with the promise of coming resurrection and a home in heaven for fellowship and to serve God forever.

D6 Forever and forever we will learn new things and serve Him.

D7 Salvation is not of our initiation; it is God’s initiating grace. Salvation is not our doing, but God’s. Salvation is God’s gift. Faith is not a work that pays wages. Romans 4:3-5 GW What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and that faith was regarded by God to be his approval of Abraham.” 4 When people work, their pay is not regarded as a gift but something they have earned. 5 However, when people don’t work but believe God, the one who approves ungodly people, their faith is regarded as God’s approval.

D8 Our goal now is a life serving God doing the deeds that please Him.

C4 Thanksgiving for Unity of Jew and Gentile Chapter 2:11-22

D1 Because of the sacrifice of the Passover Lamb, Jesus Christ, Jews, and Gentiles are now one. We are Christians.

D2 Because of the ministry of God the Son, Jesus Christ, we both now can pray to God directly. Hebrews 10:19 WEL Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter into the Holy of Holies by the blood of Jesus

D3 Now Jews and Gentiles, Christians, have a citizenship in heaven with the saints and God’s household.

D4 God Himself is building a living, holy Temple of all believers (Christians). The foundation is the Apostles, the chief cornerstone is Jesus Christ, and the living stones of this temple are us. The God who designed and built the original creation (the first 3+ chapters of Genesis) that sinless, beautiful place is now building this holy Temple with the same skill, wisdom, love, and holiness. God lives in that Temple. See Revelation 21.

D5 We will end with this passage: Revelation 21:2-8 WEL I, John, saw the holy city, the New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband. 3 I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Look! The tabernacle of God is with people, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God, himself, will be with them and be their God. 4 “God will wipe away all tears from their eyes. There will be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying, nor will there be any more pain, for the former things are gone.” 5 The one who sat on the throne said, “Look! I make all things new.” Then he said to me, “Write this, for these words are true and faithful.” 6 Next, he said to me, “It is here! I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will freely give to anyone who is thirsty [a drink from] the spring of the water of life. 7 “He who overcomes will inherit everything, I will be his God, and he will be my son, 8 “But the cowardly, unbelieving, loathsome, murderers, fornicators, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars will have their share in the lake which burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

1 Year Bible—Ephesians Part B

Ephesians, trespass, natural sinful lifestyle, Jews Gentiles one in Christ, Christians the New Living Temple

11 January 2020

1 Year Bible Review—Ephesians

Ephesians is divided into 2 parts—the first 3 chapters are doctrinal and the last 3 chapters are practical.

1 Year Bible—Ephesians

A2 Outline

B1 Doctrinal Chapters 1-3

C1 Thanksgiving for Salvation Chapter 1:1-14

C2 Thanksgiving for Spiritual Growth Chapter 1:15-23

C3 Thanksgiving for Spiritual Life Chapter 2:1-10

C4 Thanksgiving for Unity of Jew and Gentile Chapter 2:11-22

C5 Thanksgiving for Preaching Gospel to Gentiles Chapter 3:1-13

C6 Prayer for the Ephesians Chapter 3:14-21

B2 Practical Chapters 4-6

C1 Encouragement for Spiritual Growth Chapter 4:1-16

C2 Encouragement for Spiritual Life Chapter 4:17-32

C3 Encouragement for Spiritual Lifestyle Chapter 5:1-20

C4 Encouragement for Living as a Godly Family Chapter 5:21-6:4

C5 Encouragement for Living as a Godly Employee Chapter 6:5-9

C6 Encouragement for Living with God’s Armor Chapter 6:10-20

C7 Prayer for the Ephesians Chapter 6:21-24

11 Jan 20

1 Year Bible—Ephesians Part A

B1 Doctrinal Chapters 1-3

C1 Thanksgiving for Salvation Chapter 1:1-14

D1 Verses 3-14 is one sentence. God the Father had a plan that He is following. God the Son is the source of the heavenly blessing. There would be no spiritual blessings for believers unless the Jesus came as Messiah to redeem us.

D2 Some of these blessings are:

E1 Every heavenly blessing. Every blessing is ours.

F1 Salvation: Romans 1:16 ESV For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

F2 Heavenly citizenship: Philippians 3:20 ESV but our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

F3 Fellowship with God, the holy angels, and the believers:1 John 1:3 ESV that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.

F4 Many other things as the Fruit of the Spirit, Hope of deliverance, Hope at death, comfort in the Spirit, fulfillment of His promises, etc.

E2 A purpose—to be holy and blameless when we stand in front of God.

E3 Our adoption to be joint heirs with Christ.

E4 The greatness of God’s grace.

E5 Our redemption

F1 Bought back from the market of sin. We are addicted to sin in our natural self. The payment is Jesus’s blood. It was paid to the Father to purchase our salvation in that Jesus paid the penalty we deserved for sinning. He, as High Priest, offered His blood as atonement in the Heavenly Holy of Holies.

G1 Acts 20:2 PickNT So take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has placed you as overseers, to shepherd the congregation of the Lord and God which He purchased with His own blood.

G2 Hebrews 9:13-14 GNB the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a burnt calf are sprinkled on the people who are ritually unclean, and this purifies them by taking away their ritual impurity. 14 Since this is true, how much more is accomplished by the blood of Christ! Through the eternal Spirit he offered himself as a perfect sacrifice to God. His blood will purify our consciences from useless rituals, so that we may serve the living God.

F2 By Jesus’s blood. This is a substitutionary atonement.

G1 1 John 1:7 NIV but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

G2 Revelation 1:5 EMTV and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and who washed us from our sins in His own blood

E6 His decisions are based on love and grace. Our decisions should well include these elements, too.

E7 Knowledge of His will for us. If He is for us, who can be against us?

E8 His plan, done at the correct time, was for all creation to be under the authority of God the Son, Jesus. Isn’t it wonderful that we are part of God’s plan?

E9 An opportunity to praise God and for others to praise God (holy angels, etc.)

E10 The Gospel, especially since it was preached to the Ephesians (and to us who have believed).

E11 The Holy Spirit being the down payment of our future salvation (heaven). Also see 2 Corinthians 1:22 WEB who also sealed us, and gave us the down payment of the Spirit in our hearts.

C2 Thanksgiving for Spiritual Growth Chapter 1:15-23

D1 This portion addresses spiritual growth.

D2 Ephesians 1:17 WEL So that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him,

E1 Paul prays for the believers to be given

F1 The Spirit of Wisdom

G1 The Spirit of Wisdom is mentioned in the Old Testament: Isaiah 11:2 NIV The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the LORD

G2 Wisdom is both a skill (Exodus 36:1) and

H1 an understanding of that which is true or good combined with an ability to make sound judgments. (Source)

H2 1. The right use or exercise of knowledge; the choice of laudable ends, and of the best means to accomplish them. This is wisdom in act, effect, or practice. If wisdom is to be considered as a faculty of the mind, it is the faculty of discerning or judging what is most just, proper and useful, and if it is to be considered as an acquirement, it is the knowledge and use of what is best, most just, most proper, most conducive to prosperity or happiness. Wisdom in the first sense, or practical wisdom, is nearly synonymous with discretion. I differs somewhat from prudence, in this respect; prudence is the exercise of sound judgment in avoiding evils; wisdom is the exercise of sound judgment either in avoiding evils or attempting good. Prudence then is a species, of which wisdom is the genus. (Source—Webster’s Dictionary 1828)

F2 Revelation in the knowledge of Him. The only 100% truth is the Word of God. This is both the Scriptures and the Lord Jesus. We grow in wisdom by reading, studying, and applying the truths of Scriptures. Since God is omniscient and omnisapient, He can also communicate perfectly clear. We can have confidence to interpret the Bible in its plain, normal sense.

F3 God wants us to know and understand the hope we have, the greatness of our eternal inheritance, and the greatness of His power.

F4 The greatness of His power is described as

G1 A power and authority greater than any spirit, any human, or any force.

G2 A name associated with power that is greater than anything, thus more honorable than any other name even known.

1 Year Bible—Ephesians Part A

Ephesians, 11 Spiritual blessings, Spiritual wisdom, Christian knowledge

8 Jan 2020

A Few Thoughts About Ephesian Church and First Love

Revelation 2:4 Nevertheless, I have [something] against you, because you have forsaken your first love.

First love = the most important love. This love has the highest priority and more important than anything else.

Other loves in the Scriptures:

B1 Money

C1 Luke 16:13 NIV No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

C2 1 Timothy 6:10 NIV for the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

C3 Hebrews 13:5 NIV Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.

B2 Power

C1 3 John 1:9 PickNT I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who wants to dominate the others, does not acknowledge us.

D1 The Greek word for dominate is φιλοπρωτεύω philoprōteúō. It means to love being first.

D2 The only one qualified to have the preeminence, the first place, is Jesus Christ: Col 1:18 WPNT Also, He is the Head of the body, the Church. He is Beginning, the firstborn from among the dead, so that He may be preeminent in everything.

D3 In Robertson’s Word Pictures on 3 John 1:9 it is written: This ambition of Diotrephes does not prove that he was a bishop over elders, as was true in the second century (as Ignatius shows). He may have been an elder (bishop) or deacon, but clearly desired to rule the whole church. Some forty years ago I wrote an article on Diotrephes for a denominational paper. The editor told me that twenty-five deacons stopped the paper to show their resentment against being personally attacked in the paper.

C2 What we are to be: Luke 22:26-27 NIV but you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. 27 For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.

B3 Prestige and honor

C1 Scribes and Pharisees: Matthew 23:6-7 LEB and they love the place of honor at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues 7 and the greetings in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by people.

C2 John 12:43 LEB for they loved the praise of men more than praise from God.

B4 Teachers: Jeremiah 5:31 NRSV the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule as the prophets direct; my people love to have it so, but what will you do when the end comes?

C1 It’s amazing how many people will listen and believe their favorite speaker, author, commentator, blogger, pastor, theologian, etc. instead of God and His book.

C2 If any criticism comes upon their favorite speaker, etc., they will attack the critic.

C3 The danger, of course, is their favorite speaker, theologian, etc. can be wrong. It will lead to the people being wrong as well.

C4 We must always have the Scriptures as the highest priority.

C5 The Lord Jesus must always be the first love of people.

C6 We must always be a little skeptical.

C7 We must be Bereans and read and study the Scriptures for ourselves. Acts 17:11 NIV Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.

B5 The world, that is, its desires, lifestyle, motives, beliefs, philosophies, etc.

C1 1 John 2:15 NIV Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.

C2 2 Timothy 4:10 NIV for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.

B6 Darkness

C1 John 3:19 NIV This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.

C2 Darkness is the opposite, the absence of light. The sinful nature of all humans wants sins, guilt, errors, etc. etc. covered up, hidden unknown. The sinful nature loves the deeds of darkness.

D1 Ephesians 5:11-13 NRSV Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to mention what such people do secretly; 13 but everything exposed by the light becomes visible,

D2 Colossians 1:11-14 NRSV May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. 13 He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

B7 Family and life: Matthew 10:37-38 NRSV Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38 and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

Loving God, His kingdom, His people, His ways, His worldview, His lifestyle is what we are to seek first.

B1 Matthew 6:33 LEB but seek first his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

B2 Psalms 27:4 NRSV One thing I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: to live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple.

B3 We show our love

C1 By praising Him: Psalms 5:11 LEB but let all who take shelter in you rejoice. Let them ever sing for joy, because you spread protection over them; And let those who love your name exult in you.

C2 By trusting Him: Psalms 13:5 LEB but as for me, I have trusted in your steadfast love. My heart will rejoice in your deliverance.

C3 By loving His name (showing respect and honor, that is, fearing God): Psalms 69:36 NRSV the children of his servants shall inherit it, and those who love his name shall live in it.

C4 By obeying His commandments

D1 Jesus directly or through His Apostles and prophets (the Bible writers who are not Apostles) has given us over 1,000 rules to obey. They are for peace and life. We are not saved by obeying, but since we are saved, we want to obey: John 14:15 GNB If you love me, you will obey my commandments.

D2 There is a blessing in obeying. There is a Christian life to live. These are the rules we will obey in His Kingdom for eternity. We must start now. John 14:21 Weymouth He who has my commandments and obeys them–he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and will clearly reveal myself to him.

D3 Obeying His commandments is a sign that we are genuinely saved: 1 John 5:2 ESV by this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments.

D4 His commandments are not burdensome: 1 John 5:3 ESV for this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.

C5 By obeying His teaching: John 14:23 Weymouth “If any one loves me,” replied Jesus, “he will obey my teaching; and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.

C6 By rejoicing that He ascended to heaven and remains there until He returns: John 14:28 ESV You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.

C7 By loving our fellow believers (this doesn’t mean we agree with everything and the idea of tolerance, tolerance, tolerance): John 15:12 GNB My commandment is this: love one another, just as I love you.

C8 By growing in knowledge of Him and His ways: Philippians 1:9-11 ESV and it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

The actions of love are found in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a WEL Love is very patient and kind; love is not envious; love doesn’t brag about itself, is not haughty, 5 Doesn’t behave improperly, is not self-seeking; love isn’t easily aggravated, doesn’t keep a list of wrongs, 6 Doesn’t rejoice in injustice, but rejoices in the truth, 7 Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, calmly endures all things. 8 Love never ends,

By disobeying Him, we dishonor God and that has an effect on us: John 15:10 GNB If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love.

We are to initiate the lifestyle and worldview the Lord Jesus lived and taught Ephesians 5:1 ESV Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.

A Few Thoughts About Ephesian Church and First Love

Ephesians, love for God, first love, 7 examples of false love, 8 examples of true love

5 January 2020

1 Year Bible: Galatians

Notes

Main Topic is the True Gospel in thoughts, desires, words, and deeds.

B1 Outline

Salutation Chapter 1:1-5

False Gospels Condemned Chapter 1:6-10

God Instructed Paul on Gospel Chapter 1:11-17

Paul Met with Apostles Chapter 1:18-24

The Apostles and Paul Have Same Gospel Chapter 2:1-10

Peter’s Hypocrisy Chapter 2:11-14

Obedience to The Law Does Not Save; Faith Does Chapter 2:15-21

We Preach the Same Gospel as Abraham Heard Chapter 3:1-9

The Righteous Live by Faith Alone Chapter 3:10-14

The Law Came After the Gospel Chapter 3:15-18

The Law Reveals Our Sins Chapter 3:19-29

Messiah Jesus Came to Save Those Under the Law Chapter 4:1-7

Why Do You Want to be Enslaved to the Law? Chapter 4:8-20

The Illustration of Hagar and Sarah Chapter 4:21-31

Stay Free! Do Not Be Enslaved to The Law Chapter 5:1-15

Live by the Spirit Not the Law Chapter 5:16-26

Help Each Other’s Burdens Chapter 6:1-5

Sow to The Spirit Not the Flesh Chapter 6:6-10

Keeping the Law Is Nothing; A New Creation Is Everything Chapter 6:11-18

B2 Chapter 1

C1 Salutation Chapter 1:1-5

C2 False Gospels Condemned Chapter 1:6-10

D1 Humans tend to change God’s Gospel into something they are more comfortable with, intellectually agree with, and personally approve.

D2 Having, believing, and preaching the correct gospel is so important that having, believing, and preaching the wrong gospel brings God’s curse. The Gospel is

E1 To believe God.

F1 God is correct.

F2 People are not good. People are evil.

F3 Evil people are going to be punished in hell fire.

E2 Exclusive. Only Jesus is savior. Acts 4:11-12 NLT For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says, ‘The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.’ 12 There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.

E3 Jesus’s life, death, burial, and resurrection. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 NLT I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. 4 He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said.

E4 Repentance and acknowledging who Jesus is.

E5 That a perfect knowledge of theology is not needed.

E6 Three examples

F1 Galatians 3:6 NRSV Just as Abraham “believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,”

F2 Luke 18:13-14 NLT but the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner. 14 I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

F3 2 Chronicles 33:6, 10-13 NLT Manasseh also sacrificed his own sons in the fire in the valley of Ben-Hinnom. He practiced sorcery, divination, and witchcraft, and he consulted with mediums and psychics. He did much that was evil in the LORD’s sight, arousing his anger. … 10 The LORD spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they ignored all his warnings. 11 So the LORD sent the commanders of the Assyrian armies, and they took Manasseh prisoner. They put a ring through his nose, bound him in bronze chains, and led him away to Babylon. 12 But while in deep distress, Manasseh sought the LORD his God and sincerely humbled himself before the God of his ancestors. 13 And when he prayed, the LORD listened to him and was moved by his request. So, the LORD brought Manasseh back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh finally realized that the LORD alone is God! 

F4 Different testimonies, yet all saved.

E7 We are not saved

F1 By doing or believing something else

F2 By good works

F3 By rituals

F4 By a pronouncement of a religious leader

E8 We are saved only by grace alone by faith alone in Jesus Christ alone.

E9 Faith is NOT a human work as many teach: Romans 4:3-4 WEL What does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited as righteousness to him.” 4 Now for the one who works, wages are not considered to be a gift but something owed.

C3 God Instructed Paul about the Gospel Chapter 1:11-17

D1 Paul states that he did not learn the Gospel through human teachers but through God Himself.

D2 Galatians 1:11-12 GNB Let me tell you, my friends, that the gospel I preach is not of human origin. 12 I did not receive it from any human being, nor did anyone teach it to me. It was Jesus Christ himself who revealed it to me.

C4 Paul Met with Apostles Chapter 1:18-24

B2 Chapter 2

C1 The Apostles and Paul Have Same Gospel Chapter 2:1-10

C2 Peter’s Hypocrisy Chapter 2:11-14

D1 Peter was affected by fellow Jews. He didn’t want to be offensive.

D2 Paul had to straighten Peter out.

D3 Sometimes we need to be straightened out by others and to confront others of the truth.

C3 Obedience to The Law Does Not Save; Faith Does Chapter 2:15-21

D1 The Mosaic Law does not save Galatians 2:16 NLT Yet we know that a person is made right with God by faith in Jesus Christ, not by obeying the law. And we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we might be made right with God because of our faith in Christ, not because we have obeyed the law. For no one will ever be made right with God by obeying the law.

D2 Leaving that Law or falling back into that Law is sin: Galatians 2:17-18 NLT but suppose we seek to be made right with God through faith in Christ and then we are found guilty because we have abandoned the law. Would that mean Christ has led us into sin? Absolutely not! 18 Rather, I am a sinner if I rebuild the old system of law I already tore down.

D3 Keeping Mosaic Law cannot save Galatians 2:21 NLT I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die.

B3 Chapter 3

C1 We Preach the Same Gospel as Abraham Heard Chapter 3:1-9

D1 Paul asks the people if they were saved (received the Holy Spirit) by following the Law or by faith. Then, he asks them why are they now wanting to follow the Law?

D2 Galatians 3:5-6 NLT I ask you again, does God give you the Holy Spirit and work miracles among you because you obey the law? Of course not! It is because you believe the message you heard about Christ. 6 In the same way, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.”

C2 The Righteous Live by Faith Alone Chapter 3:10-14

C3 The Law Came After the Gospel Chapter 3:15-18

D1 God’s agreement, covenant, with Abraham was regarding Abraham and Messiah.

E1 KJV Galatians 3:16-17 KJV Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, and to seeds, as of many; but as of one, and to thy seed, which is Christ. 17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.

E2 Galatians 3:16-17 NLT God gave the promises to Abraham and his child. And notice that the Scripture doesn’t say “to his children,” as if it meant many descendants. Rather, it says “to his child”—and that, of course, means Christ. 17 This is what I am trying to say: The agreement God made with Abraham could not be canceled 430 years later when God gave the law to Moses. God would be breaking his promise.

D2 This agreement was not annulled 430 years later by the giving of the Mosaic Covenant.

C4 The Law Reveals Our Sins Chapter 3:19-29

B4 Chapter 4

C1 Messiah Jesus Came to Save Those Under the Law Chapter 4:1-7

D1 The Jews followed, that is, obeyed the Mosaic Law, but they still needed a redeemer, because the law cannot save any from God’s wrath.

D2 Paul asks, “Why would you want to obey Mosaic Law now?”

C2 Why Do You Want to be Enslaved to the Law? Chapter 4:8-20

D1 The Gentiles were enslaved to the principles of the world. Gentiles lived according to the world’s worldview and lifestyle.

D2 So why do you now want to be enslaved to Jewish feasts and other ceremonial laws?

D3 Truth must have a standard. Truth must be reality. Often those who speak truth are hated, marginalized, and persecuted. Galatians 4:16 GNB Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?

D4 These Judaizers want followers: Galatians 4:17-18 GNB Those other people show a deep interest in you, but their intentions are not good. All they want is to separate you from me, so that you will have the same interest in them as they have in you. 18 Now, it is good to have such a deep interest if the purpose is good—this is true always, and not merely when I am with you.

C3 The Illustration of Hagar and Sarah Chapter 4:21-31

B5 Chapter 5

C1 Stay Free! Do Not Be Enslaved to The Law Chapter 5:1-15

D1 It is the commandment of God Himself: Galatians 5:1 NLT So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.

D2 Albert Barnes commenting of Galatians 5:1 writes: …and be not entangled again – Tyndale renders this, “And wrap not yourselves again.” The sense is, do not again allow such a yoke to be put on you; do not again become slaves to any rites, and customs, and habits.

D3 Galatians 5:1 Tyndale Stond fast therfore in ye libertie wher with Christ hath made vs fre and wrappe not youre selves agayne in ye yoke of bondage.

D4 Following the Mosaic Law does not produce change in the heart. One can follow all the laws but be evil at their core. Matthew 23:27-28 NLT What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs—beautiful on the outside but filled on the inside with dead people’s bones and all sorts of impurity. 28 Outwardly you look like righteous people, but inwardly your hearts are filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness.

C2 Live by the Spirit Not the Law Chapter 5:16-26

D1 The unsaved may be wonderful people but to God they are not “good.” They follow the worldview and lifestyle of the world to vastly variable degrees.

D2 A believer is to follow the worldview and lifestyle of God as the Lord Jesus has taught us.

D3 The world’s lifestyle is characterized by Galatians 5:19-21 WEL Now the works of the flesh are obvious. They are adultery, sexual sins, moral corruption, unrestrained lust, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, strife, provoking jealousy, hot anger, pushing to be first, selfish scheming, dissensions, heresy, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, wild partying, and so on, about which I have told you before, and as I have also told you in the past that those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

D4 God’s lifestyle, the one we are to live, is characterized by Galatians 5:22 But, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, and self-control. There is no law against such things.

B6 Chapter 6

C1 Help Each Other’s Burdens Chapter 6:1-5

D1 We are to help each other, motivate each other, encourage each other. We are a family to care for each other. Galatians 6:2 NLT Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.

D2 Yet, we are still responsible for ourselves. We cannot blame others for our failures. Galatians 6:4-5 NLT Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. 5 For we are each responsible for our own conduct.

C2 Sow to The Spirit Not the Flesh Chapter 6:6-10

C3 Keeping the Law Is Nothing; A New Creation Is Everything Chapter 6:11-18

D1 Following Mosaic Law leads to pride. This is religious pride and depends are closely we follow Mosaic law. God hates pride.

D2 What God has worked and recreated in us is what is important. There is no place for pride. It is God’s work in us. Galatians 6:15 NLT It doesn’t matter whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation.

It might seem like we cannot make it as Christians. It seems that we don’t have enough strength to continue, BUT

Isaiah 40:29-31 LEB He gives power to the weary, and he increases power for the powerless.  30 Even young people will be faint and grow weary, and the young will stumble, exhausted.  31 But those who wait for Yahweh shall renew their strength. They shall go up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not grow weary; they shall walk and not be faint

1 Year Bible: Galatians 5 Jan 20

Galatians, Teaching outline, law or faith, lifestyle, God’s strength to succeed

2 January 2020

1 & 2 Corinthians Teaching Outline Part B

Part 1 Notes

B1 Basic Issue is Church Problems

B2 Basic outline

C1 1-4 Divisions in the church

C2 5-6 Moral Issues

C3 7-8 Questions About Marriage and Offerings Made to Idols

C4 9-10 It is right for a Christian worker to receive financial help

C5 11 Women and the Lord’s Supper

C6 12-14 Spiritual Gifts

C7 15-16 Resurrection and Final Teachings

B3 1-4 Divisions in the church

C1 We are not to follow certain teachers. There are many big-name teachers with incredibly large followings.

D1 2 Peter 2:1 LEB but there were also false prophets among the people, as there will be false teachers among you also, who will bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, thus bringing on themselves swift destruction.

D2 2 Corinthians 11:14-15 BSB and no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their actions.

C2 We need to beware.

D1 Acts 17:11 NRSV These Jews were more receptive than those in Thessalonica, for they welcomed the message very eagerly and examined the scriptures every day to see whether these things were so.

D2 1 John 4:1 GNB My dear friends, do not believe all who claim to have the Spirit, but test them to find out if the spirit they have comes from God. For many false prophets have gone out everywhere.

D3 Revelation 2:2 NRSV I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance. I know that you cannot tolerate evildoers; you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them to be false.

C3 We are followers of Jesus Christ.

C4 Big name teachers can be wrong. We are human. If we blindly follow them in their erroneous teaching, we will be held accountable, just as they will be held accountable by God for false teaching.

C5 We are responsible to read and study the Bible. If you don’t know how, consider this source as a start.

C6 All brothers and sisters in Christ (believers) have the same Holy Spirit.

C7 Teachers are important, but we must test them. They are resources, not infallible.

B4 5-6 Moral Issues

C1 A man married his stepmother. (1 Corinthians was written ~55 CE).

C2 The Jerusalem Council (~49 CE) decided before: Acts 15:19-20 EMTV Therefore I judge that we must not cause trouble for those who are turning to God from among the Gentiles; 20 but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood.

C3 The church must deal with this sin by excommunicating these 2 people. It is not a time to rejoice but to be sorrowful. God still has rules for His people. Paul’s decision is consistent with Old Testament teaching: Leviticus 18:8 GW Never have sexual intercourse with your stepmother. She is related to you through your father.

C4 A little sin leads to big sin. One time occurrence of sin leads to many occurrences.

B5 7-8 Questions About Marriage and Offerings Made to Idols

C1 Due to the persecution of the day, Paul recommends not to marry. Nevertheless, marriage is honorable and blessed by God. If you want to marry, marry.

C2 Sex is good and blessed in marriage (God’s plan). Both must enjoy pleasure.

C3 Husbands must submit to their wives just as wives to husbands: I Corinthians 7:4 GW A wife doesn’t have authority over her own body, but her husband does. In the same way, a husband doesn’t have authority over his own body, but his wife does.

C4 Divorce is not God’s plan, but He understands the sinful nature of humans, so there are allowances. Conditions for Divorce 

C5 Circumcision is not a condition needed for salvation, to live a godly Christian life, or to be considered by God to be a mature, superior Christian.

C6 Personally, I understand this passage to teach that if we are aware that food or other things have been dedicated and undergone rituals of a false religion, then we are not to use them. Not using them to provide a testimony and a protection to those who would consider using them sin. If we are not aware of any dedication or rituals, then we don’t ask questions.

D1 I Corinthians 8:6-9 GW but for us, “There is only one God, the Father. Everything came from him, and we live for him. There is only one Lord, Jesus Christ. Everything came into being through him, and we live because of him.”   But not everyone knows this. Some people are so used to worshiping false gods that they believe they are eating food offered to a false god. So, they feel guilty because their conscience is weak. Food will not affect our relationship with God. We are no worse off if we eat that food and no better off if we don’t. But be careful that by using your freedom you don’t somehow make a believer who is weak in faith fall into sin.

D2 I Corinthians 8:12-13 GW When you sin against other believers in this way and harm their weak consciences, you are sinning against Christ. Therefore, if eating food offered to false gods causes other believers to lose their faith, I will never eat that kind of food so that I won’t make other believers lose their faith.

B6 9-10 It is right for a Christian worker to receive financial help

C1 It is right for a Christian worker to receive financial help

C2 Paul give the reason we do not eat food dedicated and/or blessed by ritual of a false god. I Corinthians 10:18-21 GW Look at the people of Israel from a human point of view. Don’t those who eat the sacrifices share what is on the altar? Do I mean that an offering made to a false god is anything, or that a false god itself is anything? Hardly! What I am saying is that these sacrifices which people make are made to demons and not to God. I don’t want you to be partners with demons. You cannot drink the Lord’s cup and the cup of demons. You cannot participate at the table of the Lord and at the table of demons.

B7 11 Women and the Lord’s Supper

C1 The first part of the chapter deals with proper attitudes in prayer.

C2 The second part concerning the Lord’s Supper. The Lord’s Supper

D1 Is worship of God.

D2 Is a corporate gathering of fellowship with God.

D3 Is a time to leave individual opinions and focus on worshiping together.

D4 Is a time to remember the great blessing of salvation made possible by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

B8 12-14 Spiritual Gifts

C1 God gives spiritual gifts for service to Him. This is towards the brothers and sisters, then as a witness to those who do not believe.

C2 People may have the same gift, but in different quantity and area of service.

C3 God’s gifts are different than natural gifts.

C4 Love is a choice. Love is seen in its actions in public AND in private.

C5 The proper use of gifts in the church service.

B8 15-16 Resurrection and Final Teachings

C1 The importance of remaining steadfast and faithful in belief and life.

C2 A theological summary of salvation. I Corinthians 15:3-4 MKJV For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received, that Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures. 

C3 Truths about the resurrection

D1 It will happen because it was promised, and Jesus was resurrected.

D2 All people are resurrected. Some to eternal life (because of their faith in Jesus), and some to eternal death (because they refused to believe). Daniel 12:2 NIV Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.

D3 Is proof that death will one day be destroyed, because Yeshua, the Messiah, is victor overall.

D4 The resurrected body of believers is different than our present body.

D5 Show us the importance of being faithful and steadfast always even to death. I Corinthians 15:58 MKJV So that, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not without fruit in the Lord.

C4 Freely given offerings are God’s plan to meet the needs of believers and congregational needs. The tithe is for Israel. The OT tithe is a tax for Israelites. A couple of thoughts about giving and tithe here. (Note, I am no fan of Mr. MacArthur (his doctorate is honorary, not earned) but his comments are appropriate).

C5 Final notes and greetings

​​​​​​1 January 2020

1 & 2 Corinthians Teaching Outline Part A

1 Corinthians, teaching outline, Divisions in the church, Moral Issues in the church, Questions About Marriage, Offerings Made to Idols, Financial giving, Lord’s Supper, Spiritual gifts, Resurrection

Part 2 Notes

2 Corinthians

B1 Basic Outline

C1 2 Corinthians Chapter 1 Salutation, sufferings, and Paul’s motivation

C2 2 Corinthians Chapter 2 Regarding repentance, forgiveness, comfort, and truth

C3 2 Corinthians Chapter 3 Competent but not boastful and contrasting the old with the new covenant

C4 2 Corinthians 4 Contrasting the Devil’s Ways with God’s Ways

C5 2 Corinthians 5 Contrasting earthly sorrows with heavenly joys and inward character with outward show

C6 2 Corinthians 6 Day of Salvation, the apostle’s persecutions, and contrasting idols with God (Yahweh)

C7 2 Corinthians 7 Purify our hearts and body, and the joy for repenting

C8 2 Corinthians 8-9 Financial giving instructions

C9 2 Corinthians 10 Judge the Heart Not Appearance

C10 2 Corinthians 11 Contrasting false apostles with true apostles

C11 2 Corinthians 12 Paul’s vision, thorn, God’s grace, and proofs he is true apostle

C12 2 Corinthians 13 Final advice and greetings

B2 2 Corinthians Chapter 1 Salutation, sufferings, and Paul’s motivation 

C1 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 MKJV Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort, He comforting us in all our trouble, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in every trouble, through the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

D1 Empathy

D2 All believers are one family. we suffer and rejoice together. We are to pray, listen, help, comfort our fellow believers who are suffering. Galatians 6:10 NIV Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

C2 Hope. Our first and greatest hope is in God. Faith is believing God. Hope is expectation.

D1 Psalm 31:24 NIV Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.

D2 Psalm 33:17-18, 20 NIV A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save. 18 But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, … 20 We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.

B3 2 Corinthians Chapter 2 Regarding repentance, forgiveness, comfort, and truth

C1 Repentance is change is attitude and action. Consider King Manasseh:

D1 2 Chronicles 33:9 NIV But Manasseh led Judah and the people of Jerusalem astray, so that they did more evil than the nations the LORD had destroyed before the Israelites.

D2 2 Chronicles 33:13, 15-16 NIV and when he prayed to him, the LORD was moved by his entreaty and listened to his plea; so he brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD is God. … 15 He got rid of the foreign gods and removed the image from the temple of the LORD, as well as all the altars he had built on the temple hill and in Jerusalem; and he threw them out of the city. 16 Then he restored the altar of the LORD and sacrificed fellowship offerings and thank offerings on it, and told Judah to serve the LORD, the God of Israel.

C2 Forgiveness is turning an issue over to God and not seeking personal revenge. If a crime is committed, it must be reported to law enforcement.

B4 2 Corinthians Chapter 3 Competent but not boastful and old and new covenant

C1 “We have done a great work, but if it wasn’t for God’s help and blessing, we are nothing but failures.”

C2 Colossians 3:12 NIV Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

B5 2 Corinthians 4 Contrasting the Devil’s Ways with God’s Ways

C1 Truth and transparency are God’s way of ministry. Any other is not God’s way. Importance of truth (note, I don’t agree with Muehlenberg in everything). Importance of transparency in ministry. (A couple of sources here and here (Be cautious with Thom Rainer as he promotes his products, etc.)

C2 Correctly interpreting the Scriptures.

B6 2 Corinthians 5 Contrasting earthly sorrows with heavenly joys and inward character and outward show

C1 The longing believers have for our new body that God will give us after we die.

C2 What is your goal in this life? What is mine? 2 Corinthians 5:1 ISV We know that if the earthly tent we live in is torn down, we have a building in heaven that comes from God, an eternal house not built by human hands.

C3 It is important we understand that we are a new creation. Our heart has been recreated. Its motives are different. Its worldview and desires are godly.

B7 2 Corinthians 6 Day of Salvation, the apostle’s persecutions, and contrasting idols and God (Yahweh)

C1 If we are new creations, then it must show in the way we think, talk, and act both in private and in public. 2 Corinthians 6:6 GW People can see our purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives, our sincere love.

C2 We must take this verse very seriously: 2 Corinthians 6:14 GW Stop forming inappropriate relationships with unbelievers. Can right and wrong be partners? Can light have anything in common with darkness? 

B8 2 Corinthians 7 Purify our hearts and body and joy for repentance

C1 We need to think, talk, and live as Christians. We have a new worldview and lifestyle. 2 Corinthians 7:1 GW Since we have these promises, dear friends, we need to cleanse ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit and live a holy life in the fear of God.

C2 We need to speak the truth, not to hurt people but for their repentance.

B9 2 Corinthians 8-9 Financial giving instructions

C1 We need to help our brethren if we are able, whether by prayer, work, money, listening, assisting, etc.

C2 Our financial collection is not a tax (tithe) but of a willing heart whether 5%, 10%, or 50%. 2 Corinthians 9:7 NKJV So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

B10 2 Corinthians 10 Judge the Heart Not Appearance 

C1 When a Christian fights for his/her faith, it is not with military weapons, or anger, yelling, force, bullying, etc. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 GW the weapons we use in our fight are not made by humans. Rather, they are powerful weapons from God. With them we destroy people’s defenses, that is, their arguments and all their intellectual arrogance that oppose the knowledge of God. We take every thought captive so that it is obedient to Christ.

C2 2 Corinthians 10:12 GNB Of course we would not dare classify ourselves or compare ourselves with those who rate themselves so highly. How stupid they are! They make up their own standards to measure themselves by, and they judge themselves by their own standards!

D1 Proverbs 12:15 ESV the way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.

D2 Galatians 6:3 GNB If you think you are something when you really are nothing, you are only deceiving yourself.

B11 2 Corinthians 11 Contrasting false apostles with true apostles

C1 A difference between natural gifts and spiritual gifts:  2 Corinthians 11:5-6 GW I don’t think I’m inferior in any way to your super-apostles. Even though I’m not good with words, I know what I’m talking about. Timothy and I have made this clear to you in every possible way.

C2 The suffering of a true apostle.

C3 Weakness or acknowledgment of God’s grace? Jeremiah 9:23-24 GNB The LORD says, “The wise should not boast of their wisdom, nor the strong of their strength, nor the rich of their wealth. 24 If any want to boast, they should boast that they know and understand me, because my love is constant, and I do what is just and right. These are the things that please me. I, the LORD, have spoken.”

B12 2 Corinthians 12 Paul’s vision, thorn, God’s grace, and proofs he is true apostle

C1 Sometimes special blessings lead to the temptation of pride, but God knows what we need. A problem, a suffering, or a difficulty may be a blessing. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 GW especially because of the excessive number of revelations that I’ve had. Therefore, to keep me from becoming conceited, I am forced to deal with a recurring problem. That problem, Satan’s messenger, torments me to keep me from being conceited. I begged the Lord three times to take it away from me. But he told me: “My kindness is all you need. My power is strongest when you are weak.” So I will brag even more about my weaknesses in order that Christ’s power will live in me. Therefore, I accept weakness, mistreatment, hardship, persecution, and difficulties suffered for Christ. It’s clear that when I’m weak, I’m strong.

C2 When I am weak, God is strong. Isaiah 40:29-31 GNB He strengthens those who are weak and tired. 30 Even those who are young grow weak; young people can fall exhausted. 31 But those who trust in the LORD for help will find their strength renewed. They will rise on wings like eagles; they will run and not get weary; they will walk and not grow weak.

B13 2 Corinthians 13 Final advice and greeting

C1 Do we do this? We must. 2 Corinthians 13:5 GW Examine yourselves to see whether you are still in the Christian faith. Test yourselves! Don’t you recognize that you are people in whom Jesus Christ lives? Could it be that you’re failing the test? 

C2 Psalms 26:2 GNB Examine me and test me, LORD; judge my desires and thoughts.

1 & 2 Corinthians Teaching Outline Part B 1 Jan 20

2 Corinthians, teaching outline, repentance, Christian and non-Christian contrasts, Christian purity, proper financial giving, Christian judgment