Notes from November 30, 2008

Here are the notes from this morning's study. Have a great week.

Study Notes and Questions for November 30, 2008

1. We will cover what we believe the Church is
   
2. We will cover what we base our belief on
   
3. We will cover what we do based on this belief
   

Why do you come to Church here?


What we believe the Church is:
Headed by Christ
Fellowship
Building Each other Up
United
Evangelistic
Devoted to God’s Purpose
All are priests
Church is married to Christ / One with Christ
Disciplined to pure doctrine
Provides service to the community

What do we base this belief on?
Headed by Christ – Gal 3:28 and Ephesians 5:23-24
Fellowship – Luke 22:19 and Acts 12:5
Building Each other Up – Ephesians 4:12 and Galatians 6:10
United as One Body – 1 Cor 12:12 and 12:25-26
Evangelistic – Matthew 28:19-20 and Acts 1:8
All are priests – 1 Peter 2:5
Church is married to Christ / One with Christ – 2 Cor 11:2 and Ephesians 5:25-27
Disciplined to pure doctrine / Accountability – 1 Cor 5:7
Provide service – Acts 10:38
Joined together by God – Eph 1:22-23

Based on this – who should NOT be accepted into the CHURCH? What would you base your answer on?

In a prior class we described Christian Fellowship as the ‘gathering together to glorify God’ – our purpose is to Glorify Him.

What should we DO based on this?


One Body – Headed by Christ -
Read Ephesians 5:30 – Why does Christ care about the Church?

The reason why Christ cares for the church is made clear in verse 30. It is because Christians are living parts of His body. In Ephesians 4:25 (remember the start of last Sunday’s lesson) Paul has dealt with the relationship of the member to one another individually. Here he is concerned with their relationship as a whole. Earlier in the letter he has spoken about the church as a body whose head is Christ (1:22, 23; 4:12; 16). Here he stresses the closeness of the Christian’s communion with Christ as a part (mele) of Himself, just as the branches are part of the vine.

Do we see our church family as part of our own body?

Do we let our hand on our own body wither or do we take care of it?

How should we take care of our own body (our family and especially our spouse)? - What SPECIFIC things can you site about how you ensure the love for your family helps the family live?

Read Genesis 2:24

Paul introduces the verse from Genesis at this point to substantiate his argument from Scripture, as did Jesus himself. It had already been shaping his thought in this section.

“For this reason” (anti toutou) is not a preface to the quotation but part of it. When Adam recognized that Eve was part of himself (“bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh” Gen 2:23), Genesis 24 adds: “Therefore a man leaves his father and mother and cleaves to his wife and they become one flesh”. The marriage tie takes precedence over every other human relationship and for this reason is to be regarded as inviolable. Nevertheless, what is basically a divine ordinance is graciously designed for mutual satisfaction and delight. “United” means closely joined (proskollesthesetai, literally, “will be glued”). It is because of this exalted biblical view of marital relations that the church has taken its stand on the indissolubility of the marital bond.

Why is it important that Christ would be the head of the church?

What would happen if Christ was not the head of the church? Who or where would we look for guidance – (systems of church government have been stood up as we look elsewhere for guidance)?

References for 'The Church'

Here is an excerpt from the Baptist Faith and Message - Doctinal information from the Southern Baptist Convention. The great part here is the bible references used.

References for Ordinances and Sunday Worship

Here is an excerpt from the Baptist Faith and Message - Doctinal information from the Southern Baptist Convention. The great part here is the bible references used. I will post one on 'the church' in the next few minutes.

Notes for December 7, 2008

The last chapter of Paul Little's book - Chapter 10 - includes discussion on 'Things to Come'. Certainly prophecy in the bible has been shown to be accurate as we look back on these. That said, it is also true that most all of those involved in the prophecy at the time it was being given had no idea what it meant (Ref Isa or Daniel). Even more interesting is that they didn't know when it was going to happen. As we discussed two weeks ago, the angels don't even know when things will happen and instead of wrestling with that, consistently follow and look to God.

All of the above said, our last study in the book should raise interesting and important questions about what is to come. I am sure that as we look back (when we are in heaven) on what did occur we will more fully see what God was telling us in the bible about what is to come for us. I do encourage you to concentrate on the section 'what is certain' in the book as it is a fundamental teaching important to both those that have been saved and those that have not. The remainder of the book gives great and concise information about what we believe and scholars think with regard to end times. I also know that the great mysteries of God and His prophecies (not ours!) have been thought to be understood in the past and have shown to be His timing and His meaning, not ours.

It will be a great overlay to begin the book of Daniel at the end of this book and right before we celebrate the one and only gift of God incarnate. At the end of Daniel the prophetic information will certainly lead us into continued discussion around our future and the glory of Jesus Christ.

Only one question of the week for this chapter - Do YOU desire to depart and be together with Christ? Phil 1:23?

What is the purpose of the Church

To continue our discussion on November 30, 2008 -

From Gotquestions.org

Question: "What is the purpose of the church?"

Answer: Acts 2:42 could be considered a purpose statement for the church, “They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” So, according to this Scripture, the purposes / activities of the church should be: (1) teaching Biblical doctrine, (2) providing a place of fellowship for believers, (3) observing the Lord’s supper, and (4) praying.The church is to teach Biblical doctrine so we can be grounded in our faith. Ephesians 4:14 tells us, “Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.” The church is to be a place of fellowship, where Christians can be devoted to one another and honor one another (Romans 12:10), instruct one another (Romans 15:14), be kind and compassionate to one another (Ephesians 4:32), encourage one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11), and most importantly love one another (1 John 3:11).The church is to be a place where believers can observe the Lord’s supper, remembering Christ’s death and shed blood on our behalf (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). The concept of “breaking bread” (Acts 2:42) also carries the idea of having meals together. This is another example of the church promoting fellowship. The final purpose of the church according to Acts 2:42 is prayer. The church is to be a place that promotes prayer, teaches prayer, and practices prayer. Philippians 4:6-7 encourages us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”Another “commission” given to the church is proclaiming the Gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8). The church is called to be faithful in sharing the Gospel through word and deed. The church is to be a “lighthouse” in the community – pointing people towards our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The church is to both promote the Gospel and prepare its members to proclaim the Gospel (1 Peter 3:15).Some final purposes of the church are given in James 1:27, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” The church is to be about the business of ministering to those who are in need. This includes not only sharing the Gospel, but also providing for physical needs (food, clothing, shelter) as necessary and appropriate. The church is also to equip believers in Christ with the tools they need to overcome sin and remain free from the pollution of the world. This is done by the principles given above – Biblical teaching and Christian fellowship.So, with all that said, what is the purpose of the church? I like the illustration in 1 Corinthians 12:12-27. The church is God’s “body” – we are His hands, mouth, and feet in this world. We are to be doing the things that Jesus Christ would do if He were here physically on the earth. The church is to be “Christian” – “Christ-like” and Christ-following.

References from November 2, 2008

References from November 2, 2008 – Are you alone in your sin?

Sin?
Psalm 51:5 – David – we are born in sin
Rom 3:23 – All have sinned
Rom 6:20-23 – Are we slave to sin
James 2:10 – If we are guilty of one sin we are guilty of all
James 4:1 – this comes from the inside
Matt 12:33-37 – What comes out of you?

So you have sin…
1 John 1:8 – If you say you have no sin you lie
1 John 1:5 – God can have NO sin / darkness
Luke 16:19-31 – Rich Man did not argue that he sinned and would be separated for eternity

Where do we go then?
1 John 1:9 – He saves from ALL unrighteousness
John 15:5 – Only with Christ can you do anything
Phil 4:8-9 – What should you think and dwell on and who to follow?
Eph 1:7 – Redemption is only through Christ (match to 1 John 1:5 separation)

What do we do?
1 Pet 3:18 – No action by you
1 Pet 1:14-16 – By holy – really? Can you? No
Eph 3:20 - Trust in the Lord
Psalm 119:9-16 – Commit to His Word to your heart and mind
Eph 3:16 – Pray – He alone can save you
Eph 3:20 – Trust

References - October 26, 2008 - God's Holiness and Wrath go perfectly together with His Love in Jesus Christ

References from class on October 26, 2008

A few had requested that I put out the scripture references from today's lesson. Here the are:

We referred to 2 Corinthians 5 vs 11 to the end of the chapter. Verse 15, 17, 20, and 21 emphasized.

He is Intentional and provided proof of him being intentional:

Luke 24:25-26
Mark 10:45
Rom 5:8
John 10:30
Please reference the book as well, multiple scripture references are there


He ALONE is redemptive

2 Cor 5:17, 21
Rom 8:1
Heb 9:26
Matt 26:56 - even the disciples fled
Rom 3:25
Heb 2:17
1 John 2:2
1 John 4:10
1 John 5:13
Heb 9:26
Then reference the book and the below from www. gotquestions.org:

He is the only, unique Son of God (Psalm 2:7, 11-12; John 1:14; Luke 1:35).2. He is eternal. He existed from eternity past, He exists in the present, and He will exist for all eternity in the future (John 1:1-3, 14; John 8:58).3. Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53; Matthew 1:21; John 1:29; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 Corinthians 15:1-3).4. Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 14:6; Acts 4:12; 1 Timothy 2:5); there is no other way to salvation. He is the only righteous One who exchanged that perfect righteousness for our sin (2 Corinthians 5:21).5. Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability take back His life again (John 2:19; 10:17-18). Note: His resurrection was not a “spiritual” one, but was physical (Luke 24:39). His resurrection from the dead, never to die again, distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 1:4).6. Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 20:28-29; Philippians 2:6), and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to be honored as He is honored (John 5:23). All others, whether Jesus’ disciples or angelic beings, rightly reject that worship (Acts 10:25-26; Acts 14:14-15; Matthew 4:10; Revelation 19:10; 22:9).7. Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 5:21).8. The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 5:22).9. Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation, and it is by His hand that all things are held together (John 1:1-3; Ephesians 3:9; Hebrews 1:8-10; Colossians 1:17).10. It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age (Hebrews 1:8; Isaiah 9:6-7; Daniel 2:35, 44; Revelation 19:11-16).11. Jesus alone was born of a virgin, conceived by the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:20-23; Luke 1:30-35).12. It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [e.g., the power to forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 9:1-7); to calm the wind and waves (Mark 4:37-41; Psalm 89:8-9); to know us, being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139; John 1:46-50; 2:23-25), to raise the dead (John 11; Luke 7:12-15; 8:41-55), etc.]13. There are a great number of prophecies concerning the Messiah’s birth, life, resurrection, person, and purpose. All were fulfilled by Him and no other (Isaiah 7:14; Micah 5:2; Psalm 22; Zechariah 11:12-13; 13:7; Isaiah 9:6-7; Isaiah 53; Psalm 16:10).

He will Renew you both now and forever

2 Cor 5:15, 17, 20
John 10:10
2 Cor 6:2
Prov 26:11 and 2 Pet 2:22 bring us to the realization - we should not return to our own vomit as dogs do and our sin
Rom 6:13-25 remind us we cannot be overtaken by our sin when we look to the Redeemer

And more from the book and from gotquestions.org:

The punishment for sin is deathGod created earth and man perfectly. But when Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s command, He had to punish them. A judge who pardons law-breakers isn’t a good judge. Likewise, overlooking sin would make the holy God unjust. Death in hell is Allah’s just consequence for sin. “For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). Even good works cannot make up for wrongs against the holy God. Compared to His goodness, “All our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment” (Isaiah 64:6b). Ever since Adam’s sin, every human has been guilty of disobeying God’s righteous laws. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Sin is not just big things like murder or blasphemy but also includes lying, lusting, and stealing. Even the love of money or hatred of enemies is sin. Because of sin, everyone deserves death – eternal separation from God in hell. The promise required an innocent deathAlthough God banished Adam and Eve from the garden, He didn’t leave them without hope of paradise. He promised to send a sinless Sacrifice to take the punishment they deserved (Genesis 3:15). Until then, men would sacrifice innocent lambs as a substitute for their punishment. Sacrificing an animal showed men’s acknowledgement that their sin required death, repentance from that sin, and faith in the future Sacrifice from God who would bear their penalty. God reaffirmed His promise of the perfect Sacrifice with men such as Abraham (Ibrahim) and Moses (Musa). The prophets foretold Jesus’ deathFrom Adam to Isa, God sent prophets to mankind, warning them of sin’s punishment and foretelling the coming Savior. 700 years before the Savior was born, the prophet Isaiah described Him:
“Who has believed what they heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people? And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth. Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for sin, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors” (Isaiah 53:1-12).
The prophet compared the coming Sacrifice to a lamb, slaughtered for the sins of others. Centuries later, Isaiah’s prophecy was fulfilled in the perfect Lord Jesus, born of the virgin Mary. Jesus had no earthly father, for He was from God. When the prophet John the Baptist saw Him, he cried, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). God sacrificed Jesus for sinBy sending Jesus to earth, God fulfilled His promise of a Savior from sin. Unlike us, Jesus never sinned. Thus, God sacrificed Jesus as our perfect Substitute. He took the punishment we deserve for sin: death. “God made Him [Jesus], who knew no sin, to be sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21). Thus, Jesus was more than a Prophet. God made Him Savior and Lord! (See Philippians 2:6-11.) During His life, crowds thronged Him for healing and teaching, but the religious leaders scorned Him. At God’s appointed time, He delivered Jesus to be sacrificed for sin. Mobs cried out, “Crucify Him!” Soldiers beat, mocked, and crucified Him. As Isaiah foretold, Jesus was crucified in between two criminals and was buried in a rich man’s tomb. But He didn’t remain in the grave. Because God accepted His sacrifice, He fulfilled another prophecy by raising Jesus from the dead (Psalm 16:10; Isaiah 26:19). Why did Isa/Jesus have to die? Jesus had to die because we cannot reach paradise on our own merit. Remember, the holy God cannot let sin go unpunished. If we bore our own sins, we would suffer judgment in the flames of hell. Praise God, He kept His promise to send and sacrifice the Substitute who bore the sins of those who trust in Him. The Injeel (Gospel) says, “For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified [made righteous/good] by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation [restored relationship]. “Therefore, just as through one man [Adam] sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned. . . . So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men. For as through the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous. The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 5:6-12; 18-21). Therefore, Jesus had to die to provide the only way to paradise. If you believe Jesus died and resurrected to save you, turn from your own ways and trust Jesus alone! Follow Him as your beloved Master, for He will strengthen you through His Word, the Bible.

Scripture References from October 12, 2008

Hello! Here are the scripture references from this morning’s discussion:

Psalm 73:25-26 – Who is our God – do we live for Him?
1 John 4:8 – God IS love
1 John 1:5 – God IS Light
John 4:24 – God IS Spirit
Rom 3:26 – God IS Righteous

Personal and/or Infinite:
Psalm 50:10-12
I Cor 2:10-12
Zeph 3:17
Rom 8:26-27
Psalm 139:2
Mark 10:16

Separate and/or Involved:
Acts 17:24-25
Matt 7:11
Psalm 84:11
Rom 8:15
Gen 50:19-20

Holy/Righteous or Involved with Sin:
Deut 32:4
Luke 18:19
James 1:16-17
Rom 3:23
John 3:36
Rom 1:18
Lev 19:2
1 John 1:5
Gen 50:19-20
Ex 15:11
Hab 1:13

Free Will and/or Sovereign:
Matt 23:37
Psalm 145:3, 147:5, 139:6
Rom 11:33
Rev 4:11
Col 1:17
2 Tim 4:10
Acts 4:28
Eph 1:11

The Trinity
2 Cor 13:14
John 17:5
John 14:9
Luke 1:35
Gen 3:22
Gen 11:7
Isaiah 6:8
Matt 28:19
Mark 1:10-11

Study Notes and Questions for October 19, 2008

Thanks again to all of you for participating in the small group discussions in Sunday School this morning. I know it is a bit painful to separate and regroup during class so thank you for your patience as we use that format. It was a wonderful Sunday morning with seeing how God is both personal and infinite, separate (above) as well as involved, Holy and Righteous, and part of the Trinity (or at least our view) of His 3 persons in one and helps bring us closer to Him in our lives. We also discussed the one outstanding item that is separate FULLY from God which is sin. This morning I had some extra time between services and was able to study more on chapter 6 which we will get to in a few weeks. The entire chapter is devoted to sin. I found it great how God used this morning to talk to us both in service and sunday school about His name and how it is fully NOT related to sin which is one of the big reasons we can praise Him - 1 John 1:5 and Malachi 1.

Next week, October 19th, promises to be a great week as we look at Jesus, our Lord and Savior, what we believe about Him, and what His promises are to us. Having the payment for our sin taken care of by Christ He is the central point of all human exisitence and the only payment that will do for our sin and the progression from our study this morning should be great.

Please read chapter 3 of the book (Know what you believe) in prepraration for the questions below and the study next week. I will ensure to have the correct page numbers for both versions of the book. If you do not have a book we still have some left so please pick one up in the classroom or let me know and we will try and get one to you.

Study Questions for October 19, 2008 -

Why did Jesus come? Gal 4:4-5 and Rom 8:3

When it says that Jesus was born of a woman does this mean that Jesus could be anything but human?

Matt 1:18-20 - Explain what does it mean that there was a virgin birth?

If he was fully Holy how can he be human? Was he really fully human? Luke 2:7, Luke 2:40, Luke 24:42, Luke 24:46, Luke 24:39

Jesus also had a human mind - Luke 2:52 and Hebrews 5:8-9

Mary was not sinless (Romans 3:23) - So how can Christ be fully man and fully Holy? Luke 1:35, Luke 4:13, John 8:46, John 8:29, John 18:38

It was not that Jesus wasn't tempted - Heb 4:15, Heb 2:18, Luke 4:2

Jesus had to be fully man and fully God - 1 John 4:2-3 - God was concerned with saving men, not saving angels or something else. To be the propitiation He had to be fully man. Beyond that He is also our high priest as a man and an example for our lifes (1 John 2:6 and 1 Peter 2:21).

In what ways did Jesus show us that He was also fully God?

Matt 8:26-27
Matt 14:19
John 2:1-11
John 8:58
Rev 22:13
Mark 2:8
John 6:64
John 2:25, 16:30
Matt 28:20
Mark 2:5-7
Phil 2:9-11
Heb 1:6

Jesus also did not say "thus says the Lord" as prophets in the Old Testament - He said "But I say to you" as God... Matt 5:22, 28, 32, 34, 39, 44.

Did Jesus give up His divine attributes while on the earth? Col 1:19, col 2:9, Matt 1:23

Read John 1:14

Have a great week!

Andy

Class Notes and Questions for October 12, 2008

Please read chapter 2 of Know What you Believe by Paul Little. This is the chapter on God. It will cover attributes of God, the Trinity, Providence, and free will. Next week should be a lively discussion.

Here are some questions for you after you read the chapter and based on our study of the Bible this week:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What would be the REASON WHY someone would teach something other than the Bible as truth? What motive would you have to teach something else? Does the bible teach anything that does not cooincide with what we know of God?

In addition (not replacement or supplemental need) to the Bible, what evidence do we have that God exists?

How would you reconcile the incoprehensibility of God and the fact that we can know God truly?

Differentiate between incommunicable attributes of God and communicable attributes of God.

Define God's "independence." How can the two parts of this definition be reconcidled?

Do most people today believe in the existence of God? Has this been true throughout history? If they believe that God exists, why have they not worshipped Him rightly? Why do some people deny the existence of God? Does Romans 1:8 suggest there is often a moral factor influencing their intellectual denial of God's existence (compare Ps. 14:1-3)?

Why do you think God decided to reveal Himself to us? Do you learn more about God from His revelation in nature, or His revelation in Scripture? Why do think it is that God's thoughts are "precious" to us (Ps 139:17)? Would you call your present relationship to God a personal relationship? How is it similar to your relationships with other people, and how is it different? What would make your relationship with God better?

As you think of God's independence, unchangeableness, eternity, omnipresence, and unity, can you see some faint reflections of these five incommunicable attributes in yourself as God created you to be? At what point would it be wrong to even want to be like God in each of these areas because it would be attempting to usurp His unique role as Creator and Lord?

Explain how God's immutability or unchangableness helps to answer the following questions: Will we be able to do a good job of bringing up children in such an evil world as we have today? Is it possible to have hte same close fellowship with God that people had during biblical times? What can we think or do in order to make Bible stories seem more real and less removed from our present life? Do you think that God is less willing to answer prayer today that He was in Bible times?

If you sin against God today, when would it start bringing sorrow to God's heart? When would it stop bringing sorrow to God's heart? Does this reflection help you understand why God's charactre requires that He punish sin? Why did God have to send His Son to bear the punishment for sin, instead of simply forgetting about sin and welcoming sinners into heaven without having given the punishment for sin to anyone? Does God now think of your sins as forgiven or unforgiven sins? Why?

Read Psalm 102:25-27

Why is God so strongly displeased at carved idols, even thouse that are intended to represent Him? How then shall we picture God or think of God in our minds when we pray to Him?

With regard to the circumstances in your life, will God ever make a mistake, or fail to plan ahead, or fail to take into account all the eventualities that occur? How is the answer to this question a blessing in YOUR life? Tell your spouse...

Do you really believe that God is working wisely in your life today? In the world? If you find this difficult to believe at times, what might you do to change your attitude?

Is it possible to decide to love someone and then to act on that decision, or does love between human beings simply depend on spontaneous emotional feelings? IN what ways could you imitate God's love specifically TODAY?

If you were to reflect God's mercy more fully, for whom among those you know would you show special care during the next week?

Are there activities or relationships in your present pattern of life that are hindering your growth in holiness because they make it difficult for you to be separated from sin and devoted to seeking God's honor?

Do you ever find yourself wishing that some of God's laws were different than they are? If so, does such a wish reflect a dislike for some aspect of God's moral character? What passages of SCripture migh you read to convince yourself more fully that God's character and His laws are right in these areas?

Do you reflect God's jealousy for His own honor instinctively when you hear Him dishonored in conversation or on television or in other contexts? What can we do to deepen our jealousy for God's honor?

Are you happy with the way God created you - with the physical, emotional, mental, and relational traites He gave you? In what ways is it reight to be happy or pleased with our own personalities, physical characteristics, abilities, etc? In what ways is it wrong to be pleased or happy about these things? Will we ever be fully "blessed" or happy? When will that be and why?

Why are people in our society, sometimes even Christians, quite careless with regard to truthfullness in speech? Do you need to ask God's help to more fully reflect His truthfullness in speech in any of hte following areas: promising to pray for someone; saying that you will be some place at a certain time; exaggerating events in order to make a more exciting story; taking care to remember and then be faithful to what you have said in business commitments; reporting what other people have said or what you think someone else is thinking; fairly representing your opponents viewpoint in an argument?

Read Exodus 34:6-7

Scripture References from Sunday, October 5, 2008

I was asked by a few to send out the scripture references used this morning in the lesson. Here are the references:

An unlying God: Num 23:19, Titus 1:2, Heb 6:18

Appealing to a higher authority: Prov 30:5-6

Answers and Affirmation:

Acts 17:11
Col 2:4
Luke 1:1-4
John 14:26
Isaiah 66:2
Titus 1:9
1 Tim 6:1-5
Eph 1:17-18
Col 2:6-7
Col 2:20-22
Psalm 12:6

Final items on the Bible: Psalm 119:81, 89, 97

We didn't get to the Hebrews verse in chapter 11: 11:1-3...

Please let me know if you need more information. Take Care!

Andy

A note on our new study...

The study we are going to finish the year out with was selected over a year ago. It has been absolutely great to see the class change and grow spiritually as we continue to focus in on the biblical answers to our deepest questions through our study this year. As we begin this study I can't help but think about the book of Ephesians where Love is called out as far superior to knowledge.

Over the next several weeks we will challenge the foundations of what we believe and have known in certain areas. I propose that we also 'take a step back' when we study, review, and discuss. Look at what God is doing around us and through study not just studying as an intellectual exercise. I caution all of us to deliver our messages and questions with Love as well. As we question beliefs that we or others may hold dear it is important to note we are all brought to this place and time on purpose. I know that there are many of you ready to dive in and pull out truths that deliver an even deeper meaning for your walk with our Lord Jesus Christ. I know there are also many that are concerned about sharing beliefs because they may be labeled as wrong or you will look dumb.

I would suggest, that if you don't already, please take the time to pray each week specifically about where God is leading you rather than where your intellect is. If you don't pray regularly, this is a PERFECT time to start. If you do, submit your heart to Him. I know that God is going to challenge us together. I am not saying we should be in unity without question or let truths slip. What I am suggesting is that this month can show us how the Holy Spirit moves among us as a group, as couples, and as individuals.

Andy and Kenna

Genesis - The 6 day or 6 billion year beginning?

One of the most debated parts of scripture is the creation account of seven days. I offer up a piece of work referenced in a prior post that has more thoughts on this account. Please do send me thoughts or questions on this as we begin our study of THE BIBLE this week.

I also find it interesting that, for some reason, this account is constantly questioned. Please review and we can discuss as appropriate. I am not attempting to cause conflict with this but rather ensure we have a definition of YOM as is contextually accurate.

From Ken Ham @ http://www.answersingenesis.org/cec/study_guides/answersSG2.pdf-

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Some people believe God created, but they deny Creation took place in six
normal-length days. Does it matter whether God took six days or millions
of years to bring about the universe?

1. Age-dating methods:
a. All age-dating methods are based on assumptions about the past
that cannot be proven.
b. 90% of all age-dating methods give dates far younger than secular
scientists require.
c. Careful study of Biblical chronology yields a date for the universe
of only a few thousand years.

2. Positions attempting to add man’s theories of ‘millions of years’ to
the Bible:

a. Gap Theory: There is a gap of time between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2.
b. Day-Age Theory: The days in Genesis 1 represent long periods
of time.
c. The Universe existed for millions of years before creation.

3. Biblical uses of the word ‘day’:

a. The Hebrew word for day (yom) is used 2301 times in the Old
Testament. Outside of Genesis 1:

i. Yom + ordinal number (used 410 times) always indicates an ordinary
day.

ii. The words ‘evening’ and ‘morning’ together (38 times) always
indicate an ordinary day.

iii. Yom + ‘evening’ or ‘morning’ (23 times each) always indicates an
ordinary day.

iv. Yom + ‘night’ (52 times) always indicates an ordinary day.

b. Genesis 2:4—Yom is not qualified with a number or the phrases
‘evening and/or morning,’ and represents a period of time.
Exodus 20:11—The basis for our week is the six days of creation
and one day of rest.

d. The Israelites walked around Jericho for seven days, not an indeterminate
number of days.

e. Jonah was in the whale for three days, not three thousand years.

f. 2 Peter 3:8—In context, this verse is showing God is outside of
time, and is not attempting to define a ‘day.’

c o n c l u s i o n
Biblical authority and infallibility are called into question if God did not
create in six Earth-rotation days. If the Bible is wrong when it speaks
of God creating in six days, why is it not wrong when it speaks of the
Virginal Conception or the Resurrection of Christ? The foundations of
Christianity are based firmly in the words of Scripture, which state clearly
that God created all things in six days.

Additional New Books

I have additional new books available. I know of one couple without them. If you need one please let me know. Thanks!

Andy

Question: "Does Genesis chapter 1 mean literal 24-hour days?"

Answer: A careful examination of the Hebrew word for “day” and the context in which it appears in Genesis will lead to the conclusion that “day” means a literal, 24-hour period of time. The Hebrew word yom translated into the English "day" can mean more than one thing. It can refer to the 24-hour period of time that it takes for the earth to rotate on its axis (i.e. "there are 24 hours in a day"). It can refer to the period of daylight between dawn and dusk (i.e. "it gets pretty hot during the day but it cools down a bit at night"). And it can refer to an unspecified period of time (i.e. "back in my Grandfather's day..."). Likewise, the Hebrew word "yom" (which translates into the English "day") can mean more than one thing. It is used to refer to a 24-hour period in Genesis 7:11. It is used to refer to the period of daylight between dawn and dusk in Genesis 1:16. And it is used to refer to an unspecified period of time in Genesis 2:4. So what does it mean in Genesis 1:5-2:2 when it's used in conjunction with ordinal numbers (i.e. the "first day," the "second day," the "third day," the "forth day," the "fifth day," the "sixth day," and the "seventh day")? Are these 24-hour periods or something else? Could "yom" as it is used here mean an unspecified period of time? How can we tell?We can determine how "yom" should be interpreted in Genesis 1:5-2:2 simply by examining the context in which we find the word and then comparing its context with how we see its usage elsewhere in Scripture. By doing this we let Scripture interpret itself. Ken Ham of Answers in Genesis wrote a good article on this. It's published at - http://www.answersingenesis.org/cec/study_guides/answersSG2.pdf. Mr. Ham writes, "The Hebrew word for day (yom) is used 2301 times in the Old Testament. Outside of Genesis 1, yom + ordinal number (used 410 times) always indicates an ordinary day, i.e. a 24-hour period. The words ‘evening’ and ‘morning’ together (38 times) always indicate an ordinary day. Yom + ‘evening’ or ‘morning’ (23 times each) always indicates an ordinary day. Yom + ‘night’ (52 times) always indicates an ordinary day."Now let’s look at the context in which we find the word "yom" used in Genesis 1:5-2:2...Day 1 - "And God called the light 'day' [yom] and the darkness he called 'night.' So the EVENING and the MORNING were the FIRST DAY [yom]" (Genesis 1:5).Day 2 - "So God called the firmament 'Heaven.' So the EVENING and the MORNING were the SECOND DAY [yom]" (Genesis 1:8).Day 3 - "So the EVENING and the MORNING were the THIRD DAY [yom]" (Genesis 1:13).Day 4 - "So the EVENING and the MORNING were the FOURTH DAY [yom]" (Genesis 1:19).Day 5 - "So the EVENING and the MORNING were the FIFTH DAY [yom]" (Genesis 1:23).Day 6 - "Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the EVENING and the MORNING were the SIXTH DAY [yom]" (Genesis 1:31).Day 7 - "Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished. And on the SEVENTH DAY [yom] God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the SEVENTH DAY [yom] from all His work which He had done" (Genesis 2:1-2).By describing each day as “the evening and the morning” it is quite clear that the Author of Genesis meant 24-hour periods. This was the standard interpretation up until the 1800s when a paradigm shift occurred within the scientific community, and the Earth's sedimentary strata layers were reinterpreted. Whereas previously the rock layers were interpreted as evidence of Noah's flood, the flood was thrown out by the scientific community and the rock layers were reinterpreted as evidence for an excessively old earth. Some well meaning but terribly mistaken Christians then sought to reconcile this new anti-Flood, ant-Bible interpretation with the Genesis account by reinterpreting "yom" to mean vast unspecified periods of time. This was a mistake.The truth is that the evidences in favor of Noah's flood and a young earth far outnumber those in favor of an old earth, and many of the old earth interpretations are known to rely upon faulty assumptions. Unfortunately, the scientific community is entrenched on the matter and apparently they refuse to change their minds despite the weight of evidence contrary to their currently accepted paradigm. But we must not let their stubborn refusal influence how we read the Bible. According to Exodus 20:9-11, God used six literal days to create the world in order to serve as a model for man's workweek: work six days, rest one. Certainly God could have created everything in an instant if He wanted to. But apparently He had us in mind even before He made us (on the sixth day) and wanted to provide an example for us to follow.Recommended Resource: Biblical Creationism by Henry Morris.

Question: "What are the Apocrypha / Deuterocanonical books?"

Answer: Roman Catholic Bibles have several more books in the Old Testament than Protestant Bibles. These books are referred to as the Apocrypha or Deuterocanonical books. The word apocrypha means “hidden,” while the word deuterocanonical means “second canon.” The Apocrypha / Deuterocanonicals were written primarily in the time between the Old and New Testaments, as well as additions to the books of Esther and Daniel. The books are named: 1 Esdras, 2 Esdras, Tobit, Judith, Wisdom of Solomon, Ecclesiasticus, Baruch, the Letter of Jeremiah, Prayer of Manasseh, 1 Maccabees, 2 Maccabees.The nation of Israel treated the Apocrypha / Deuterocanonical books with respect, but never accepted them as true books of the Hebrew Bible. The early Christian church debated the status of the Apocrypha / Deuterocanonicals, but few early Christians believed they belonged in the canon of Scripture. The New Testament quotes from the Old Testament hundreds of times, but nowhere quotes or alludes to any of the Apocryphal / Deuterocanonical books. Further, there are many proven errors and contradictions in the Apocrypha / Deuterocanonicals. Here are a few websites that demonstrate these errors:http://www.justforcatholics.org/a109.htmhttp://www.biblequery.org/Bible/BibleCanon/WhatAboutTheApocrypha.htmhttp://www.johnankerberg.org/ankerberg-articles/apocrypha.htmlThe Apocrypha / Deuterocanonical books teach many things that are not true and are not historically accurate. While many Catholics accepted the Apocrypha / Deuterocanonicals previously, the Roman Catholic Church officially added the Apocrypha / Deuterocanonicals to their Bible at the Council of Trent in the mid 1500’s A.D., primarily in response to the Protestant Reformation. The Apocrypha / Deuterocanonicals support some of the things that the Roman Catholic Church believes and practices which are not in agreement with the Bible. Examples are praying for the dead, petitioning “saints” in Heaven for their prayers, worshipping angels, and “alms giving” atoning for sins. Some of what the Apocrypha / Deuterocanonicals say is true and correct. However, due to the historical and theological errors, the books must be viewed as fallible historical and religious documents, not as the inspired, authoritative Word of God.Recommended Resource: The Canon of Scripture by F.F. Bruce.

What is the Canon of Scripture?

Answer: This is a very important question because Christianity does not start by defining God, or Jesus Christ, or salvation. The basis of Christianity is found in the authority of Scripture. If we can't identify what is Scripture, then we can't properly distinguish any theological truth from error.The word "canon" comes from the rule of law that was used to determine if a book measured up to a standard. But it is important to note that the writings of Scripture were canonical at the moment they were written. Scripture was Scripture when the pen touched the parchment.Concerning a measure or standard used to determine which books should be classified as Scripture, a key verse to understanding the process and purpose and perhaps timing of the giving of Scripture is Jude 3, which states that a Christian's faith "was once for all delivered to the saints." Since our faith is defined by Scripture, Jude is essentially saying that Scripture was given once for the benefit of all Christians. Isn't it wonderful to know that there are no hidden or lost manuscripts yet to be found, there are no secret books only familiar to a select few, and there are no people alive who have special revelation requiring us to trek up a Himalayan mountain in order to be enlightened?!! We can be confident that God has not left us without a witness. The same supernatural power God used to produce His word has also been used to preserve it.Psalm 119:160 states that the entirety of God's word is truth. Starting with that premise, we can compare writings outside the accepted canon of Scripture to see if they meet the test. As an example, the Bible claims that Jesus Christ is God (Isaiah 9:6-7; Matthew 1:22-23; John 1:1, 2, 14; 20:28; Acts 16:31, 34; Philippians 2:5-6; Colossians 2:9; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 1:8; 2 Peter 1:1). Yet many extra-biblical texts, claiming to be Scripture, argue that Jesus is not God. When clear contradictions exist, the established Bible is to be trusted, leaving the others outside the sphere of Scripture.In the early centuries of the church, Christians were sometimes put to death for possessing copies of Scripture (in those days books were in individual scrolls, not combined together in one binding as today). Because of this persecution, the question soon came up, "What books are worth dying for?" Some books may have contained sayings of Jesus, but were they inspired as stated in 2 Timothy 3:16? Church councils played a role in publicly recognizing the canon of Scripture, but often an individual church or groups of churches recognized a book as inspired from its writing (e.g. Colossians 4:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:27). Throughout the early centuries of the church few books were ever disputed and the list was basically settled by A.D. 303.When it came to the Old Testament, they had three important facts to consider: 1) The New Testament quotes from or alludes to every Old Testament book but two. 2) Jesus effectively endorsed the Hebrew canon in Matthew 23:35 when He cited one of the first narratives and one of the last in the Scriptures of His day. 3) The Jews were meticulous in preserving the Old Testament Scriptures, and they had few controversies over what parts belong or do not belong. The Roman Catholic Apocrypha did not measure up and fell outside of the definition of Scripture, and has never been accepted by the Jews.Most questions about which books belong in the Bible dealt with writings from the time of Christ and forward. The early church had some very specific criteria in order for books to be considered as part of the New Testament. These included: Was the book written by someone who was an eyewitness of Jesus Christ? Did the book pass the "truth test"? (i.e., did it concur with other, already agreed upon Scripture?). The New Testament books they accepted back then have endured the test of time, and Christian orthodoxy has embraced these, with little challenge, for centuries.Confidence in the acceptance of specific books dates back to the first century recipients who offered firsthand testimony as to their authenticity. Furthermore, the end-time subject matter of the book of Revelation, and the prohibition of adding to the words of the book in 22:18, argue strongly that the canon was closed at the time of its writing (c. A.D. 95).There is an important theological point that we should not miss. God has used His word for millennia for one primary purpose—to reveal Himself and communicate to mankind. Ultimately, the church councils did not decide if a book was Scripture; God decided that when the human author was chosen by Him to write. In order to accomplish the end result, including the preservation of His word through the centuries, God guided the early church councils in their recognition of the canon.The acquisition of knowledge regarding such things as the true nature of God, the origin of the universe and life, the purpose and meaning of life, the wonders of salvation, and future events (including the destiny of mankind) are beyond the natural observational and scientific capacity of mankind. The already-delivered word of God, valued and personally applied by Christians for centuries, is sufficient to explain to us everything we need to know of Christ (John 5:18; Acts 18:28; Galatians 3:22; 2 Timothy 3:15) and to teach us, correct us, and instruct us into all righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16).Recommended Resource: The Canon of Scripture by F.F. Bruce.

Have Christian's Corrupted the Bible?

Question: "Have Christians corrupted the Bible?"

Answer: Some Muslims accuse Christians of corrupting the Bible to fit with their faulty doctrine. While this charge would explain the differences between the Qur’an and the Bible, the allegation has no credible evidence. Both the Qur’an and scholars verify the Bible’s authenticity.

The Bible is commended in the Qur’anThe Bible couldn’t have been corrupted before or during Muhammad’s time or the Qur’an wouldn’t have commended it: “And We caused Jesus, son of Mary, to follow in their footsteps, confirming that which was (revealed) before him in the Torah, and We bestowed on him the Gospel wherein is guidance and a light, confirming that which was (revealed) before it in the Torah - a guidance and an admonition unto those who ward off (evil)” (Surah 5:46).The Bible has not been corruptedSince the Bible wasn’t changed before or during Muhammad’s time, the only other possible time for corruption was after the prophet’s death. But scholarly evidence proves that from the 7th to 21st centuries, nothing of doctrinal significance differs in the Hebrew and Greek texts. Aside from grammar and spelling variation, the Bible today is essentially the same Bible as Muhammad praised (Surah 3:3).Also, by the time Muhammad was born, thousands of Bibles existed around the world in different languages. If Christians did corrupt the Bible, how could they have destroyed all the accurate Scriptures exposing such deceit?Someone audacious enough to corrupt the Bible would likely change any doctrines that convicted him. If Christians really did alter the Bible, they probably would have distorted the facts we read about Thomas’s doubt, Peter’s hypocrisy, and punishments for changing God’s Word.The truth remains; God’s Word is the same. “Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar” (Proverbs 30:5-6).The Bible is truthDo you still believe Christians have corrupted the Bible? If so, please show which verses have been doctrinally distorted. If not, please read it!Those who cling to the unfounded doctrine of corruption are missing out on valuable truth. You see, the primary focus of the Bible is how to get to heaven. If you don’t have assurance of going to paradise, find out what the “before Scriptures” prescribe as the only way to escape hell and reach heaven - click here.Recommended Resource: Answering Islam: The Crescent in Light of the Cross by Norm Geisler.

Questions for Sunday, September 21, 2008

Hello Everyone! This Sunday we will each be taking an individual assessment before we begin the study. I have included the questions below for those unable to make it to class and/or those that want a preview.

Questions we will review:


Is the bible the written Word of God? How can that be if individual writers wrote it down? Don’t they bring their personality and faults to the bible?


Why was the Bible written?



What does the phrase “canon of Scripture” mean?



Can you prove the Bible’s authenticity and inspiration?


Why do we pray if God knows everything and is in control of everything?


What are some naturally revealed attributes of God?


What does it mean to say that God exists in three persons but is one being?


Why is the trinity important?


How is Jesus fully God and Man?


Does it matter if Jesus was fully man?


Why is the resurrection important to YOU?


What role does Jesus have now that He ascended into heaven?



What is the answer to “Who is Jesus” if a friend asked you?


Why is the death and resurrection of Jesus “the central fact of human history”?



What does atonement mean?


What does propitiation mean?


What does reconciliation mean?


How could one person dying save the world?



How are humans specifically different than the rest of creation?



How are we created in God’s image?



Who is the Holy Spirit?



What is the difference in the Holy Spirit’s work in the Old Testament vs. the New Testament?



How SPECIFICALLY does the Holy Spirit convict us?

What does it mean to wholly give yourself over to God?



What does the word Repentance mean?


How would you describe a born again person?


What does the election mean?


What does foreknowledge mean?


What does justification mean?


What does sanctification mean?


How is God sanctifying you?


What is an angel’s job?


How are we different from angels?



What were the activities of the first church?


What were the membership requirements of the first church?


Is there no such thing as a “lone wolf Christian”?


Explain Tribulation and Rapture:



What happens to believer’s bodies when they are resurrected?



Is there a final restoration for all those who were lost?


If Jesus came today are you sure you would be with Him in heaven?

Study Notes and Questions for August 31, 2008

Last class was certainly an exciting and different way to look at God's word together. I appreciate everyone's participation and help in working through the logistics of splitting up and the debrief.


Read Ephesians 5:29- 33

What are the key messages you hear in these verses?



Who is Paul talking to in verse 29? Who is he talking to in verse 30?

29 –
30 –

Read Ephesians 5:29 to your spouse if you are a husband – ask them if you are loving them as part of yourself. If not (that would be all of us in some way) – ask them how else you could…

Read Ephesians 5:30 – This is for everyone – Why does Christ care about the Church?



The reason why Christ cares for the church is made clear in verse 30. It is because Christians are living parts of His body. In Ephesians 4:25 (remember the start of last Sunday’s lesson) Paul has dealt with the relationship of the member to one another individually. Here he is concerned with their relationship as a whole. Earlier in the letter he has spoken about the church as a body whose head is Christ (1:22, 23; 4:12; 16). Here he stresses the closeness of the Christian’s communion with Christ as a part (mele) of Himself, just as the branches are part of the vine.

Do we see our family as part of our own body?


Do we let our hand on our own body wither or do we take care of it?


How should we take care of our own body (our family and especially our spouse)? - What SPECIFIC things can you site about how you ensure the love for your family helps the family live?





Read verse 31 –

Why is this verse called the summary of everything before it around marriage?


What does this verse mean?



Why is this verse important?




Read Genesis 2:24

Paul introduces the verse from Genesis at this point to substantiate his argument from Scripture, as did Jesus himself. It had already been shaping his thought in this section.

“For this reason” (anti toutou) is not a preface to the quotation but part of it. When Adam recognized that Eve was part of himself (“bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh” Gen 2:23), Genesis 24 adds: “Therefore a man leaves his father and mother and cleaves to his wife and they become one flesh”. The marriage tie takes precedence over every other human relationship and for this reason is to be regarded as inviolable. Nevertheless, what is basically a divine ordinance is graciously designed for mutual satisfaction and delight. “United” means closely joined (proskollesthesetai, literally, “will be glued”). It is because of this exalted biblical view of marital relations that the church has taken its stand on the indissolubility of the marital bond.

Read verse 32 –

What does this verse mean to you?



Why is it important to your walk with Christ?



The grammatically correct translation is “this mystery is great.” “Great” (mega) expresses magnitude rather than intensity. We might say “it is of far-reaching importance” or “has many implications” or “This is a profound mystery.” But what is meant by “mystery” here? Already we have seen that for Paul in this letter mysterion means a secret revelation made known through a special dispensation of grace (Eph 3:2,3). Usually it embraces the total sweep of God’s purposes in Christ (1:9, 3:3, 4, 9; 6:19), but it may also refer to some specific truth within that wider revelation (as in Rom 11:25 and 1 Cor 15:51). Genesis 2:24 enunciates a more profound truth than was realized till Christ came to win His bride, the church, by giving Himself for her on the cross (v.25).
Paul does not add the words “but I am talking about Christ and the church” as if he had been diverted from his theme. Rather, he is saying that so far, as he is concerned he refers to the mystery to the relation between Christ and the church. Although this verse enshrines the highest possible view of marriage, it does not support the Roman doctrine of marriage as a sacrament. The misunderstanding has arisen from the fact that sacramentum is the Latin equivalent of mysterion. The best Roman Catholic scholarship today repudiates any attempt to appeal to this verse.

Read verse 33 -

What does this verse mean and why are the specific words used important?

If you are a wife – concentrate on what this verse means – what are you to do? What does it mean? (if you are a husband, skip this question)




If you are a husband – concentrate on what this verse means – what are you to do? What does it mean? (if you are a wife, skip this question)




The final word in this section is a practical one (I TOLD YOU we would get there!). Whether or not Paul’s we have fully understood his allusions to the profound mystery in the last verse, we should at least get hold of the essential instructions he has been endeavoring to convey. Paul addresses every husband individually (literally, “you each, one by one”) without naming him as such. He is to go on loving his wife as his very self (vv 25, 28, 29). This is to be out of our great following and love for Christ that we can love our wives as we should.
The wife for her part is it give her husband the respect (phobetai) that is due him in the Lord (v.22). As v.21 has made plain, such respect is conditioned by and expressive of the reverence (phobos) of Christ.
Those who are puzzled because Paul does not tell wives that they are to love their husbands fail to appreciate the almost rabbinical precision with which the analogy is handled. Christ loves the church; the church’s love for Christ is expressed in submission.

Are you ready………?? Let’s follow up to last week’s triangle on the board…

Wives – are you looking to Christ alone and therefore worthy to be loved?

Husbands – are you looking to Christ alone and therefore worthy of respect?


Have a great week!

Andy

New Books

Just a reminder that the books for the next session are under the table in the Sunday School room. They are labeled "Know What you Believe" by Paul Little.

Please take one per couple for now. We ordered enough for that for now.

I am really excited about this study. If you have feedback about the study after that please let me know. I am wrestling with the study on Daniel and working through a book called Love and Respect which some of you are familiar with.

Question: "How are we to submit to God?"

From Gotquestions.org

Answer: In all the New Testament incidences where the word submit occurs, the word is translated from the Greek word hupotasso. The hupo means "under" and the tasso means "to arrange." This word and a root of it are also translated by the words subject and subjection. The word's full meaning is "to obey, put under, be subject to, submit oneself unto, put in subjection under or be under obedience or obedient to." The word was used as a military term meaning "to arrange troop divisions in a military fashion under the command of a leader." This word is a wonderful definition of what it means to "submit" to God. It means to arrange oneself under the command of divine viewpoint rather than to live according to one's old way of life based on a human viewpoint. It is a process surrendering our own will to that of our Father's.The Scripture has a great deal to say about being in submission to the "higher powers." This has reference to the establishment principles that God has ordained in our world—the government and the leaders, in whatever capacity, that God has placed in authority over us on this earth. Passages that teach this principle are Romans 13:1-7; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Peter 2:13-14; and Titus 3:1. The principle is that being in obedience to the authority over us, whatever that authority is, will bring a temporal blessing in real time here and now and, for the believer, reward later. The highest authority is God, and He delegates authority to others; so, in order submit to God, we submit to the authority He has placed over us. You will notice that there are no caveats that distinguish between good or bad authority or even just or unjust authority. We are just to humble ourselves and obey as "unto the Lord."We are also told to submit ourselves to God (James 4:7). In Ephesians we read the wife is to submit to her husband as unto the Lord and the husband is to "love" his wife (Ephesians 5:22-25). The Apostle Peter writes, “Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble’” (1 Peter 5:5). The theme here is one of humility. One cannot submit to God without humility. Obedience requires us to humble ourselves to surrender to the authority of another, and we are told that God resists pride—the opposite of humility—and the arrogance that fosters that pride.Therefore, having a humble and submissive heart is a choice we make. That means as born-again believers we daily make a choice to submit ourselves to God for the work that the Holy Spirit does in us to "conform us to the image of Christ." God will use the situations of our lives to bring us the opportunity to submit to Him (Romans 8:28-29). The believer then accepts His grace and provision to walk in the Spirit and not after the manner of the old nature. That work is accomplished by choosing to apply ourselves to the Word of God and to learning about the provisions that God has made for us in Christ Jesus. From the moment we are born again, we have all the provisions we need, in Christ, to become a mature believer, but we have to make the choice to learn about those provisions through study of the Word and to apply those provisions to our daily walk.We have to choose to submit to God for the process of learning in order to grow spiritually. It is a process begun at salvation and ongoing with each and every choice that we make to submit ourselves to God. This process will continue until the Lord comes again or He calls us home. The wonderful thing about this is that, as the Apostle Paul so aptly states, "But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the spirit of the Lord" (1 Corinthians 3:18).God does not require us to submit because He is a tyrant, but because He is a loving Father and He knows what is best for us. The blessings and peace that we gain from humbly surrendering and submitting ourselves to Him daily are a gift of grace that nothing in this world can compare to.Recommended Resource: A Godward Life by John Piper.

Study Notes and Questions for August 10, 2008

Study Notes and Questions for August 10, 2008

Hello everyone! I trust the week is showing you more about what God is doing in your life and you are in awe of His mercy and grace. I saw a bumper sticker today that said: “Kansan by birth, Jayhawk by the grace of God”. Wouldn’t it be great if everyone knew that we are both because of the grace of God? Our fears and concerns each day will be different when we know He is with us.

What a great testimony of God’s work from David Swisher and his Romania trip last Sunday. Thank you so much David for your preparation and testimony! It was very uplifting and challenging around having God set the plan and go to where He is working.

We finished Ephesians 5 through verse 14 on Sunday. Note verse 14 to begin this week. Are you sleeping? Have you risen from the death of sin into the life with Christ? Once you process that begin in verse 15.

Read Ephesians 5:15- 20

What are the key messages you heard in these verses?



Who is Paul talking to? (hint – read Eph 1:2)


Read Ephesians 5:15 to your spouse – ask them what would be something that would be different in you if you were careful to live wise rather than unwise? Write the answers below:



Because of the illumination in verse 14, the believer will pay the most scrupulous attention to his personal behavior. Here the expression for “see to it” (Bleptete) is combined with “accurately” or “carefully” (akribos) to underline the need for the utmost concentration on leading an irreproachable life. The verb translated “to live” (peripateo) has been used four times in Ephesians 4 and 5. The metaphorical contrast between light and darkness is now replaced by that between wisdom and folly. Christians must no longer act like simpletons, since God’s own wisdom is always available to them.

What excuses to you see people using for not living as God would want them to?

Read Ephesians 5:16

What does this verse mean?


Where did you see a time TODAY that you could have made more out of an opportunity with your kids, your spouse, your neighbor, your coworker, your boss, etc? Think on a specific example…



Do you ‘waste’ time each day? If so, on what?


Believers are to make “the most of every opportunity” (exagorazomenoi ton kairon). The verb “to buy back” or “to take off the market” is used in Galatians 3:13 and 4:5 in connection with redemption fro the law. Here and in Colossians 4:5 it is of less certain interpretation. It has nothing to do with gaining time, as in Danial 2:8. It is not to be treated allegorically, as if time were being snatched from the devil or from evil men. What is meant simply to make the best possible use of all circumstances like prudent merchants. “Opportunity” (kairos) is the right moment, which Paul urges us to grasp lest it be wasted. The days are evil (ponerai, “wicked”) in a moral sense, not necessarily by reason of hardship and distress, though this may be an accompaniment.

Are you a “merchant of time”? Do you see every bit of time and every situation as an opportunity to act as Christ in speech and action? Give a simple example of this with your children or spouse…


Why don’t we live this way all the time? Why is everything else a waste?


Read Ephesians 5:17

What does it mean not to be foolish? What have you done this week that was foolish in the eyes of God?


What does it mean to understand God’s will? Take your time here… Go through 1) Where do you find and know God’s will; 2) What do you do once you understand it is His will? Is there anything you should/could do?



“Therefore” (dia touto) resumes the thought in verse 15 with its exhortation to be wise. “Foolish” (aphron) is a stronger word than asophoi in v 15, alluding to stupid imprudence or senseless folly in action. To “understand” (syniemi) is to give the mind to something so as to get ahold of it. It implies that an effort has to be made: so it has the sense of “try to grasp.” The object of this determined attempt at apprehension is the Lord’s will (v 10). Paul recognizes the divine will as the regulative principle of the Christian life (Eph 1:1, 5, 9). Here he refers to the will of the Lord because Christ left us an example.

Read Ephesians 5:18

What does this verse mean?


Why is there energy and tension about this verse in society today?


Did God create us the way we should be? Do we need to alter ourselves to be who God wants us to be?

Do YOU need wine or similar to be somebody else or relax? Why?


Do YOU believe that God has given you what you need through the Holy Spirit so that you don’t have to alter yourself to be who he wants you to be?


What does it mean to be filled with the Holy Spirit?


Does this imply at certain times or all the time? If you are filled with the Holy Spirit at all times what decisions will you make about other things getting in the way of His decisions and help?


What would be different if you didn’t drink wine or similar? Write down specifics:

I would have more of God’s money for: __________________
I would_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________


Read Proverbs 23:30. Paul warns us against the follow of overindulgence in strong drink. Drunkeness was all too common in the pagan world and cautions in the NT show that it presented a serious temptation for Christians. The danger of drunkenness (Gal 5:21) lies not only in itself but in what it may induce. Debauchery (asotia) in the NT means dissoluteness or dissipation. It is the “wild living” of the prodigal son (Luke 15:13, adverb). In classical Greek it signified extravagant squandering both of money and of the physical appetites. If they are wise (remember our previous verses), Christians will avoid all such excess.

How much is excess for YOU? When do you change who you ARE and become something else? When do you focus your money, time, and mind all to be filled by Him?


Instead of continuing in drunkenness, they are to go on being filled with the Spirit. That is a surprising alternative. We might have expected the apostle to plead for abstinence as over against intemperance. But he takes a more startling and positive line. He urges his readers to draw on the reinvigorating resources of the Holy Spirit. One the day of Pentecost the effect of such an experience was mistaken for drunkenness. The Sprit does produce a genuine exhilaration (and rest) other vainly seek from alcohol.

“With the Spirit” is actually “in Spirit” (en pneumati). The theologigal implications of “be filled” (plerousthe) are crucial for a biblical doctrine of the Holy Spirit. The imperative makes it clear that this is a command for all Christians. The present tense rules out any once-for-all reception of the Spirit but points to a continuous replenishment (literally, “go on being filled”). Nor does it appear that Paul is urging us to enter into a new experience. Rather, he is inviting us to gon on as we began (if we have, in fact, turned over Lordship to Christ).

Read Ephesians 5:19

How are we to speak to one another?



What is to be in our hearts?



Give an example of speaking this way…



The outcome of being filled with the Spirit in described in verses 19 and 20 in a series of 4 participles that virtually amount to imperatives. It is noticeable that each of these expressions of the Spirit’s fullness has to do with praise. The verb “to speak” (laleo) is not confined to normal conversation but covers utterance of any kind and so is perfectly applicable to the medium of psalms, hymns, and songs. Such communication is with one another (heautois) not “to yourselves”. “Psalms” seems to refer to the OT Psalter, which was integrated with Christian worship from the first. “Hymns” in the pagan circules were sung to eulogize some god or cultic hero. Christian hymns exalted the name of Christ (v19) or God (v20). Such canticles appear in the NT itself. “Spiritual songs” (odai pneumatikai) may be so designated either to differentiate them from secular compositions or because they represent spontaneous singing in the Spirit.

The verb “to make music” (psallo) from which “psalm” is derived can mean playing a stringed instrument (literally, “to pluck”) or singing praise to the accompaniment of a harp. Here it describes the heart’s inner melody that keeps in tune with audible praise or may be independent of any outward expression. If it is offered “to the Lord,” it does not need to be heard by men.

Read Ephesians 5:20


What are we to do with ALL OF OUR TIME?


Who are we to give Thanks to?


What are we to give Thanks for?


What specifically do you give Thanks to God for this week? Name 10 things:

____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
_____________________________
______________________________
_____________________________
_____________________________
_____________________________
______________________________

The perpetual accompaniment of all these outlets of the Spirit in the Christian life is thanksgiving. The context is not restricted to that of the church’s liturgy as indicated by “always” (pantote). Such gratitude to God is to cover every circumstance even if disease or poverty (sorry Joel Olstein) and is to be addressed to God the Father – The Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (Eph 1:3, 1:17), who is also”our God and Father (Gal 1:4) – in the name of the Son as the one who fully reveals Him.

Have a great week!

Andy

Study notes / questions for August 3, 2008

Hello!

I trust you all are challenged to be a holy people this week. God has blessed us with spouses and a family as an ‘accountability’ group each day. I trust you are opening up to that group without falsehood as we talked about in Chapter 4 (v 25).

This week we will be continuing the study in Ephesians 5 and I will work from where we left off at verse 7. We finished verse 7 in class but didn’t finalize the point.

Read Ephesians 5:3-20 in its entirety.

Paul has epitomized the Christian behavior pattern as “a life of love” (v. 2). Now he turns to another theme “Live as children of light” (v 8). But they can be “light in the Lord” only because Christ is the world’s true light (v 14). Note what we covered a few weeks ago about us being a reflection of Jesus even to the angels bringing more glory to Him as we are.

Read verse 7 –

What are we supposed to do with those that act the way discussed in v 3 to 6?


This is an unambiguous admonition that rounds off the paragraph begun at v.3. Christians are not to get mixed up with those who have excluded themselves from the kingdom by their impurity. The word “partners” (symmethochoi) is the same one Paul used in 3:6 to describe the way in which the Gentiles now share in the messianic promise.

Do you think we will be able to live entirely separate from those who live outright defiance of God? Why or why not?


Does this verse tell us to become munks or similar? Why or why not?



Read verse 8 –

Remember what we discussed in class a bit. The entirety of light and 1 John 1:5 where there is NO darkness in God. To live as Children of light we have to get rid of darkness. What does that mean to you?




Here Paul enlarges on the contrast between darkness and light. As in 2:1-3 and 3:17-24, he reminds his readers of what they once were. One word suffice by way of summary – “darkness”. Not only did we live IN darkness: we WERE darkness. But we have been rescued from the dominion of darkness and inherit the kingdom of light (1 Cor 1:12, 13). We are not only to live in the light but ARE the light. This is possible ONLY in union with Christ who is Himself the light. Calvin writes “Apart from Christ Satan occupies everything”. Barclay says “Henceforth they must behave as those who are at home in the light”.

Are you at home in the light? Why or why not?


Read verse 9 –

Light is known by its effects. When the light of Christ shines in the live of believers it produces what?


These qualities counteract the dark influence of malice (4:31), injustice and falsehood (4:25). Goodness (agathosyne) is the achievement of moral excellence combined with a generouse spirit. Righteouseness (dikaisoyne) was understood by the greeks as giving all their due. Among a wide range of meanings “truth” stands for genuineness and honesty. It is not only something to be said but something to be done.

Read 1 John 1:6 –

How does this verse coincide with the Ephesians verses?



Read verse 10 –

Do you want to live in the light? Really?


Literally “finding out” [dokimazontes] what is well pleasing to the Lord is what is asked here. The verb has to do with testing of metals and so can mean to discover by examination, verify, or approve. Here and in 1 Timothy 3:10 the examination seem to be appropriate translation. Those who live as children of light will be continually endeavoring to ascertain what is the will of God in every situation so that they may satisfy Him.


Examining your life TODAY – as you read this – what situation comes to mind that challenges if you want that situation to be something YOU want or something HE wants?

Read verse 11-20-

List out what you are to do:






List out what you are not to do:






Discuss with your spouse or accountability partner what this would mean in your life and examine a situation you are challenged in right now.

Study Questions for July 27, 2008

Study Questions for the week prior to July 13, 2008

Hello everyone. I trust that the get to know you session on Sunday was enjoyable and a testimony to the Lord who has brought us together. It was hot at Kid’s camp but the boys we had were great. The “green team” as we were called kept up with the older kids in both expressing their faith and physically competing. They were a great witness. We also had a few kids that don’t go to church, any church, that came. Much discussion and searching for Christ were found in our small groups.

This week we will take up some great verses in Ephesians 5. We left off in chapter 4 with the admonition both personally and as a group to be kind and compassionate to one another. We were also challenged with several specifics around how we talk and how we are to get rid of falsehood. The challenges were also overlayed with what God continues to tell us – without Him we just can’t do anything. This is, of course, a perfect lead in to what we are challenged to do both individually and corporately as a body.

Read Ephesians 5:1-2

The summary of chapters 5 and 6 start here.

Look at verse 1 – what are we to do?

What is the difference between a child that is dearly loved and one that is not? Why would this be called out separately?

What would it mean to imitate God?

Do children imitate us? Give some examples of how your children or others imitate their parents.

Look at verse 2 – how does this verse begin? What does a life of love look like? Give specific examples.

What would be different from someone that lives a life of love and someone that does not?

Why does verse 2 call out fragrant offering? What can we give to the Lord that is good?

Where in the old testament would you find a fragrant offering? What was it?

Read Ephesians 5:3-4

What is the overall need for these verses?

How doe these verses overlay with verses 1-2? These are back to back for a reason.

Why would you want to stay away from sexual immorality?

What does it mean to have a hint of impurity or of greed?

Read 1 John 1:5. God is holy – how much darkness is in Him?

If we are God’s holy people why would we not want to be holy? What keeps you from being holy?

Read verse 4 – What does this verse tell us?

Ask your spouse what foolish talk and coarse joking are. Share with each other when you have experienced this.

Why would we be constantly giving thanks? What would the thankgiving be about? (Hint: Note verse 2)

Who would we give thanks to and for what?

Read verse 5 – Paul brings these last verses to a final conclusion – what do you call a person with immorality or greed?

Does this person have an inheritance?

Have a great week!

Andy

Class Notes and Study Questions for July 13, 2008

Study Notes and Questions for the week prior to July 13, 2008

Read again Ephesians 4:15 and 4:16

Who should be the head and the 'brains'?


From Him we are to be built up in what?


What is the purpose of 'growing' in the body?

Read again Ephesians 4:17-24

What are we to walk like? What did we walk like before we had Christ as our head?


Are you a new creation with Christ as your head?


Read Ephesians 4:25-32

Pick out the top 5 things you see in these verses that you are NOT to do (rank order them for yourself)...

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Pick out the top 5 things you see in these verses that you ARE to do (rank order them for yourself)...

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Share these lists with your spouse. Do they match? Discuss them with your spouse as to why you ranked them the way you did.

Read verse 25 -

Look up Zechariah 8:16 - Why would it would be appropriate to speak truth to one another?

Is there ever an occasion we should lie? What biblical verse do you have to support your answer?

Speculate on what would happen if everyone told the truth at all times?

Why are we supposed to tell the truth? How does this relate to 4:16?

Read verse 26 and 27 together -

What does it look like to be angry but not sin?

What does it mean to let the sun go down on your anger? Why are we not to do that?

Read verse 28 -

What does it mean to be a thief? What have you stolen in your life? Think on this one a bit - have you stolen time from someone, pens from the office, joy from a child...?

What is the thief supposed to do?

Read verse 29 -

What is rotten talk?

Read Galations 6:9-10
Read James 3:9

What are people to hear from us?

Read verse 30 -

You are now sealed for the Lord once He indwells you. How can you grieve the Holy Spirit?


Read verse 31 -

Big deal here. You are to remove all these things. List what things are to be removed:

All ________________ - Which is what?
Anger and _____________ - Which looks like what?
Insult and _____________ - What does this look like?
All ___________________ - What does this look like?

Verse 32 tells us what we ARE supposed to be like.

What holds you back from being this way? Mark the top 3 things in the below list:

1. Fear
2. Doubt
3. Bitterness
4. Hurt
5. Anger
6. ? (Fill in your answer)
7. ? (Fill in your answer)
8. ? (Fill in your answer)

Read Ephesians 3:14-15 again - Are you letting the Father lead your family and you? Are you bowing to Him?

What does this passage of scripture mean for you this week? What specifically is God calling you to do?

Have a great week!

Andy