The Word
John 1:1-3 Places powerful emphasis on the Word. By the Word God created the heavens and the earth.
Genesis 1:1-5 The spirit and the Word are often seen together in the Scriptures.
Verses 6, 9, 11, 14, 20, 24 By God's Word He created the world.
The Word was obviously with God in the beginning.
The Scriptures are called "the Word of God." The Word of God is living and powerful (Hebrews 4:12)!
John 1:3-5 "Comprehended it" - overpowered it. A true statement literally in Genesis 1 and metaphorically throughout history.
Verses 6-13 Throughout history those who believed on him could become the sons of God, not of blood by mans will.
Verses 14-18 The Word was made flesh when Jesus the Christ was born.
John 1:1 "In the beginning was the Word" - was Jesus with God in the beginning? By notion not literally because he was born.
John 3:32-34 "He whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God...." The things that Jesus said were God's words. The spirit and the Word.
John 4:34 The things that Jesus did were God's will and work.
John 5:18-30 The Son did the Father's will. Jesus understood who he was and explained: he is the Son, God is the Father.
Verse 30 He always did the will of the Father. So when you heard him - you heard the Father; when you saw him - you saw the Father. Not because Jesus is God but the obedient Son.
John 6:38-40 Jesus did not do his own will rather God's will. Two separate wills because two separate beings.
John 7:14-16 Always gave God credit.
John 8:28 and 29, 38, 42 God sent Jesus to speak and do on His behalf.
John 10:18, 25, 32, 37; 12:44, 49 and 50; 14:10, 24, 31 The power Jesus had was given of the Father.
John 17:4, 7 and 8, 14 Jesus speaking to God.
Not my will but Thine be done!
John 14:12-26 The holy spirit enables us to do the works of Christ and to know the words of Christ which are the works and words of God. Does this make us Christ?
Simple Trust
Trust -- a firm belief or confidence in the honesty, integrity, ability, justice, reliability, etc. of another.
Proverbs 3:1-5 Trust in the Lord
With all thine heart.
Trust emanates from the heart. All of it! Not just part of it.
Deut 4:9 Keep your soul diligently so that the commandments of God do not depart from your heart.
Deut 8:10-17 -- Don't forget God!
Lean not unto thine own understanding.
Lean means to rest in, to rely upon. Do not rely on your own understanding. Knowledge and understanding does not start with you
Job 38:36; Prov 9:10 True wisdom and understanding comes from God, and fear of the Lord must come first.
I Cor 8:2; Gal 6:3; Prov 26:12 Do not get out of bounds and think too highly of yourself.
Proverbs 3:6
In all thy ways acknowledge him.
Very few people are willing to trust God in all their ways. Most rely on their own intellect, their own knowledge, their own experience, rather than on God himself. Man needs God to direct his way. Jeremiah 10:23.
Proverbs 3:7
Be not wise in thine own eyes. Romans 12:16
Fear the Lord. Proverbs 14:26-27
Depart from evil. Job 28:28; Ecclesiastes 12:13
Proverbs 3:8
It will be healing to your body and refreshment to your bones (NASB).
Trusting God is healing. Don't be deceived to think that anyone outside of God can heal.
Proverbs 3:9-10
Honor the Lord with thy substance and with the first fruits of all thine increase.
Trust God with your finances. Tithing is not a law to us today, but it is a fundamental practice in trusting God and committing your life to His care.
Genesis 28:10-22 Jacob put his trust in God.
Examples of men who lost trust in God.
Solomon
I Kings 3:5-14 -- Solomon relied on God in the beginning. He knew he couldn't do it on his own.
I Kings 4:29-34 -- Solomon had an abundance of knowledge
I Kings 11:1-4 -- Solomon no longer put his trust in God. His heart was no longer wholly devoted to God.
Asa
II Chronicles 14:9-15; 15:1ff -- Asa relied on God. His trust was in the Lord. God delivered him.
II Chronicles 16:1ff -- Asa no longer trusted God.
Jeremiah 9:23-24 Let us not put our trust in anything but the Lord
WE HAVE FAITH
Matthew 6:16-24 "Mammon" is wealth and is personified as an object of worship.
Verse 33 Seek God's kingdom and righteousness and have faith that He will care for you.
Verse 34 Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 8:23-27 Jesus was with them, therefore they need not fear.
Matthew 28:19 and 20; John 14:18-27
Matthew 14:22-33 We can walk on water if we keep our eyes upon him.
Matthew 16:1-12 Human reasoning is of little faith
Matthew 8:5-13 Great faith reasons that Christ is Lord over all
Matthew 9:1-8 Their faith was obvious because of their aggressive action.
Matthew 9:18-22 Convinced within herself
Matthew 15:21-28 She had great faith
Matthew 17:14-21 To operate the power of God takes faith.
Matthew 21:17-22 We have been given permission to have faith
Compassion
A) Be Like God
Ephesians 5:1 We are to be imitators of God in the same manner as Jesus.
God is merciful, gracious, longsuffering, abundant in goodness, abundant in truth, forgiving
Colossians 3:12-17 "Bowels of mercy" is a heart of compassion. A Christ centered life is one that cares for others.
Matthew 5:7 We are commanded to be compassionate like Christ.
B) Compassion Looks and Acts
Luke 7:11-17 His heart went out to her. In the midst of the sea of people, Jesus focused on the one with need. Jesus had both tenderness and power.
Matthew 9:36 Seeing and compassion preceded the miracle.
Mark 10:17-22 Jesus beheld the man. He saw beyond the obvious.
Luke 10:32 and 33 The Samaritan sees, has compassion, and acts. The priest and the Levite see a problem, but they are too distracted, preoccupied, or maybe agenda-driven to get involved. They had neither the time nor the energy to be bothered by someone's troubles.
Loving means losing control of our schedule, our money, and our time. When we love, we cease to be the master and become a servant.
C) Judging Blocks Compassion
John 9:1-7 The disciples automatically judged the man for his blindness. Jesus lowered himself in order to care, while the disciples elevated themselves in order to judge.
Compassion affects us. Maybe that is why we judge so quickly, it keeps us from being infected by other people's problems
Verses 35-39 Who was blind?
John 12:47 "I did not come to judge the world, but to save it."
Quickness to correct people can be a form of judging.
Matthew 9:10 -13 Quoted from Hosea 6:6. The people were doing the actions (the sacrifices) but without faith or compassion.
D) Self-Righteousness Blocks compassion
Luke 7:36-39 Simon assumed that Jesus had failed to read this woman correctly. Appearance was all important to the Pharisees, but Jesus completely lacked concern for appearances.
Luke 7:40-47 Jesus wanted Simon to stop judging and start looking. Simon's rigid view of people placed them in a category, and kept them there.
Verses 48-50 Simon was crippled because he did not see his own proud, self-righteous heart.
Luke 18:9-14 Legalism takes bits and pieces of good things and uses them as weapons. Legalism flows from, and feeds on, self-righteousness. It does not look because it has figured everything out ahead of time.
E) Compassion is Required
Matthew 25:31-46 We will be judged for our compassion or lack thereof.
Ephesians 2:1-10 God wants us to really care about other people, never forgetting His care for us.
WHO ARE YOU?
Merciful Hard-hearted
Gracious Expect something in return
Longsuffering Impatient
Abundant in goodness Good intermittently
Abundant in truth Self-willed
Forgiving Bitter,indictive, spiteful
THE GUARANTEE
II Corinthians 5:5 "Earnest" is translated pledge in the NASB
Ephesians 1:10-14 In a bargain between two parties a partial payment was given which was the guarantee, or assurance, that full payment would be made.
Ephesians 1:13 "Seal" 4:30; II Corinthians 1:21 and 22
A seal is impressed upon letters or books for the sake of privacy and security (ie bottle of medicine). A seal is a guarantee of something's genuineness.
Romans 4:11 The circumcision was the seal of the promise that God made that was yet to be fulfilled. It was God's guarantee that He would complete His promise.
II Corinthians 5:10 Judgment seat of Christ. John 5:22-30; Romans 14:10; Matthew 25:31-46
II Corinthians 5:11 In view of the promise of a new resurrected life, the earnest of the spirit, the judgment seat of Christ, Paul was motivated to persuade men.
Verse 14 "The love of Christ" presses or forces us, controls us
Verse 17 We have a new life, a part of which is the service of reconciliation.
Verse 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ.
ETERNAL WEIGHT OF GLORY
II Corinthians 4:16-5:11
II Corinthians 4:16 Though our physical body is wasting away the inward is renewed. The inward is our heart and life (Ephesians 3:14-19).
Verse 18 Paul did not lose heart or become discouraged because he determined to focus his mind (Romans 8:15-17).
Outward Inward
perishing renewed daily
light affliction weight of glory
momentary eternal
seen not seen
temporal eternal
II Corinthians 5:1 Tabernacle is referring to the human body (II Peter 1:13). A tabernacle or tent is a temporary dwelling place. "Dissolved" means destroyed, demolished -- died.
Romans 8:18-24 I Corinthians 15:42-44
Resurrection of the dead
sown raised
corruption incorruption
dishonour glory
weakness power
natural spiritual
I Corinthians 15:50-54 The change is a mystery. Jesus is the firstfruits.
II Corinthians 5:2 Groan due to a strong desire for what God has promised rather than a preoccupation with afflictions.
Verse 3 A disembodied soul which is a gnostic idea of salvation from Plato not God.
Verse 4 Paul does not seek to escape into a permanent disembodied state. He wants the resurrection and the new body and life.
Romans 8:23 Redemption of the body. Philippians 3:21 transformation of his body to be like Christ's glorious body.
II Corinthians 5:5 "Earnest" - an assurance or token of something to come. A deposit made by the buyer to the seller as a guarantee that the full amount will be paid at the proper time.
Ephesians 1:13 and 14 Earnest of our inheritance.
Hebrews 9:10-2; 10:16-18; Jeremiah 31:31-34; 32:37-41
John 14:16 and 17, 26; 16:13-15; 17:3 The spirit is the earnest.
II Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13; Romans 4:11
The circumcision was God's seal to Abraham that he would absolutely fulfill His covenant. The spirit is God's seal to us that He will absolutely fulfill the new covenant. The seal was not a guarantee that Abraham or his descendants would fulfill their responsibility!
II Corinthians 5:6 and 7 This suggests that to be at home in the body (alive today in these temporary bodies) means that God is not accessible to our sight and in that sense we are away from the Lord. Our accessibility is only by faith.
II Corinthians 4:6 Always confident; verse 8 - we are confident; II Corinthians 5:1 and 16.
Verse 9 Wherefore we labour - if the earnest absolutely ensured we would enter the Kingdom, the "wherefore" would not be so significant.
Verse 10 Judgment seat (Romans 14:10)
II Corinthians 5:11-7:4 The ministry of reconciliation. Paul is not afraid but has a reverential awe.
A Walk of Love
John 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
John 15:10 "If" - If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love
John 14:26
John 16:7
The Mind
Romans 8:14 Led by the spirit of God
I Corinthians 2:16 We have the mind of Christ
I Samuel 17:32-37 The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me
I Corinthians 13:8 Charity never faileth
Repent - to change our thinking
Matthew 4:17
Matthew 1:15
The Body
I Corinthians 12:12-14, 25-27 The same care one for another
I Corinthians 2:7-14, 8 They would not have crucified the Lord of glory
Acts 4:15-18 Do not speak in the name of Jesus
Ephesians 4:32-5:2 Walk in love
If it was not available to walk this walk, God would not have given us this instruction on "how."
The Master's Walk - Who Hears?
Luke 4:14-18 (Isaiah 61:1 and 2) He was anointed to preach to the meek. Jesus was not sent to those who would not listen.
Luke 4:22 The response of the hardhearted. What are his credentials?
Verse 26 Old Testament is the foundation of the New Testament. I Kings 17; Elijah
Luke 4:27 Elisha healed Naaman, the captain of the army of Syria. The Syrians were the enemies of Israel.
Verse 29 Indeed they were just like the people of Israel in the time of Elijah and Elisha.
Verse 32 Doctrine was with authority.
Verse 41 The devil knew who he was: Christ, the Son of God - not Christ God.
Verse 43 His mission was to preach the Kingdom of God.
Luke 5:1-11 Peter was not meek because he was "more knowledgeable, more experienced" than the Lord.
Verse 12 The leper was like Naaman the Syrian (Leviticus 14).
Luke 5:16 Jesus prayed! How dependent are we?
Verse 25 The Pharisees were not meek; the lame man was meek.
Verse 26 God was glorified!
Verse 27 A publican, the worst in their culture. He had the qualifications to be Jesus' apostle.
Verse 32 This was our Lord's ministry, and it is ours. The "self-righteous" do not repent. Humble sinners will repent.
Verse 39 Are we new or old bottles?
Luke 6:1-11 The man was meek; the Pharisees were mad.
Verse 12 Jesus prayed all night.
Discipling
Matthew 28:19 and 20 The great commission. NASB "...make disciples of all the nations...."
A disciple according to Jesus is one who completely places the master above everyone and everything else, implying a full out and out, lifetime commitment. Luke 14:25-35
A faithful continuance in His Word is necessary to be a disciple. John 8:31-36
A) We need help to walk the new life
II Corinthians 5:14-17 Brand new life; how do I walk the walk of Christ?
Romans 12: 1 and 2 How do we become transformed?
Romans 14:1 NASB
Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions.
Romans 15:1-7 Older women help younger; older men, younger.
B) We need help conquering sin.
II Timothy 2:25 and 26
James 1:21-24
James 5:16 Secrets hold sin in and sin holds us hostage.
Galatians 6:1-10 To maintain and enlarge our walk with God we must serve others.
C) We need another perspective to make right decisions.
Proverbs 11:14; 12:15; 15:22
Hebrews 10:23-25 The day is coming!
Humility
Matthew 5:3 What does "poor in spirit mean?" Poor have nothing of their own and must ask others for help. The poor's substance generally is a gift. Revel Bible Dictionary: Those who recognize their spiritual helplessness/poverty and as a result rely on God rather than self effort.
Dependence on God
Exodus 16:1-7; 9-15; 20-21: The full significance of this is explained in Deut 8.
Deut 8:1-20: Don't forget God, don't be prideful. He's the one that gives you strength to do anything.
John 5:19, 30: Jesus: "I can do nothing of myself"
Prestige
Phil 2:1-11 (Rom 12:10-16): The humble person is not concerned with his/her prestige.
Contrast Between Humility and Pride
Humility Pride Proverb
Leads to wisdom Leads to disgrace 11:2
Takes advice Produces quarrels 13:10
Leads to honor 15:33
Leads to punishment 16:5
Leads to destruction 16:18
Ends in honor Ends in downfall 18:12
Brings one to honor Brings one low 29:23
(I Peter 3:8; 5:1-7;)
Walk in humility towards one another.
Micah 6:6-8
King Jesus
Luke 1:31-33 Angel prophesied regarding King Jesus
Luke 4:5 and 6 Devil offered him the world to reign as king
Matthew 2:1-6, 16 Herod feared the kingship of Jesus
John 6:15 People wanted to take him by force and make him a king.
John 18:33-38 His kingdom is coming
Matthew 24:27-30 His coming to reign as King will be evident to the world.
Zechariah 14:1-4 Mount of Olives splits
Isaiah 2:1-5 Jesus rules the world from Jerusalem
Isaiah 9:6 and 7 Upon the throne of David
Isaiah 11:1-9 The root of Jesse. Jesse was David's father.
Isaiah 42:1-10 He will open the eyes of the blind
If these things are true, why do Christians believe upon death they will ascend into heaven and man's eternal destiny is in heaven?
I Corinthians 15:24-29 Jesus is going to reign on the earth
Philippians 2:9-16 Our relationship to the world is to be salt and light and to remain unspotted from it.
Philippians 3:20 and 21 Our citizenship is in heaven. King Jesus has my vote.
Unto The Lord
In Christ we have been made saints so we are to walk as saints for God.
Ephesians 5:15-20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God.
Ephesians 3:20 and 21 Church is to be all about glorifying God.
Ephesians 1:5 and 6, 10-12, 13 and 14 Be to the praise of His glory.
The mouth is a reflection of the heart. "...Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh." (Matthew 12:33-35)
What is your focus? Nothing changes without change.
Psalms 145:1 and 2 "I will...." We must determine to please God by extoling Him.
The attitude and determination of a saint is to praise His Name forever and ever.
Verse 3 Greatness is unsearchable.
Verse 4 Teach your children and grandchildren.
Verse 5 Speak of Thy glorious honor, of Thy majesty and wondrous works.
Verse 6 Speak of His awesome acts.
Verse 7 Utter His great goodness, sing of His righteousness.
Verse 8 Lord is gracious, full of compassion, slow to anger, great mercy. Ezekiel; Romans 11:25-32; Ephesians 2:1-7; Hebrews 4:16
Verse 9 God is good to all.
Verse 10 Everything God has created speaks of Him.
Verse 13 Make known His glorious Kingdom.
Verse 16 God satisfies the desire of every living thing.
Verse 21 Bless His Name forever and ever.
Homework:
1) Praise walk
2) Thankful list
3) Seek opportunity to speak
Live As Saints
Philippians 2:12 and 13 We do the work.
Ephesians 5:1 "Follower" - an imitator
Ephesians 4:24-32 Teaches "how to live" by comparison with "how not to live."
"Dear children" - imitators of God
Matthew 5:43-45 Those who live like Him are His children
Romans 8:11-16 Those led by the spirit are the children of God
Hebrews 12:6-8 "Bastard" - parentless
Ephesians 5:2 How does an imitator of God walk? -- Like Christ.
Verses 3-5 Presents way of selfish living:
fornication - illicit sexual activity; adultery, homosexuality, lesbianism, sex with animals, sex with close relatives
uncleanness - Ephesians 4:17-19; un-saintlike
covetousness - a greedy desire to have more (Colossians 3:5)
Verse 7 No inheritance in the Kingdom (I Corinthians 6:9 and 10; Galatians 5:19-21)
Verse 12 Those things we keep secret remain problems in our lives.
Psalms 32:5 If we have confessed our sin but continue to be caught in it we must do more.
James 5:14-16 Not for absolution but to release the power
Sin is cunning, deceitful, and powerful especially habitual wrong behaviors.
Proverbs 28:13
Ephesians 5:13 Light (John 3:20 and 21)
Ephesians 5:14-20 Walk as saints
Saints
A) Profile of a Saint
Ephesians 1:1 Believers are saints. (Acts 26:10; Romans 1:7; I Corinthians 1:2; II Corinthians 1:1; Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:2) Saints are holy ones. A saint is one who is pure in heart and upright in life.
Verse 2 God and our Lord give us grace and peace
Verse 3 Blessed with all spiritual blessing
Verse 4 Chosen to be holy and without blame; "holy" same as "saint" in verse 1.
Verse 5 Today we walk as His children; at the resurrection we are born again eternally as sons of God
Verse 6 Accepted in the beloved
Verse 7 Redemption through his blood and forgiveness of sins
Verse 8 Wisdom and prudence
Verse 9 Know the mystery of His will
Verse 10 Gathered together in one
Verse 11 We have obtained an inheritance
B) Profile of an Unbeliever
Ephesians 2:1-3, 11 and 12
Verses 4-10 Saints by God's grace, not our works
C) Lifestyle of a Saint
Ephesians 4:17 "Vanity" - what is devoid of truth and appropriateness; perverseness; depravity
Verses 22-24 We must do the work. God has given us a new man by grace but we must be responsible to live by this new man.
Verse 25 Stop lying, speak truth. Do not rationalize unholy behavior. Be honest with yourself, then change.
Progress, not perfection. If you are not progressing and endeavoring then Jesus is not your Lord.
Verse 26 "Anger" - Greek, orgizo; root is orge
orge - anger as a state of mind contrasted with thumos - wrath or anger, such as the outburst of a vengeful mind
Verse 31 "Wrath" - thumos ; "anger" - orge
Verse 27 When we fail to acknowledge our wrong behavior and endeavor to live as saints we give place to the devil.
Verse 28 Don't steal at all!
Ephesians 5:1-6 Ephesians is written to saints and faithful ones. Apparently believers can succumb to the evil just spoken and therefore will indeed suffer the consequences.
Verse 13 All things that we do in darkness and secret we must bring into the light and change.
Verse 17 Now is the time to wake up.
Faith And Hope
In the Scriptures, faith and hope are vital characteristics in the life of a disciple of Christ. Both traits are necessary in the walk of a believer. We conduct our life in a certain manner today because we truly believe that what God has promised about the future will absolutely come to pass.
Hebrews 11:1
Faith is
"Substance of things hoped for"
Substance=hupostasis=foundation, assurance, surety, confidence
"The evidence of things not seen"
Evidence=a proof, that by which a thing is proved or tested
Romans 8:18-25 Hope that is seen is not hope.
I Corinthians 15:12-20 If there is no resurrection of the dead we have no hope for the future life that has been promised and our faith is vain.
II Timothy 3:14-15 The hope and faith we have is not "blind faith," it is based upon belief in the absolute authority of the Scriptures.
I Peter 1:3-9
Hebrews 10:23 "Faith" should be "hope."
Hebrews 10:32-39 The just shall live by faith
Hebrews 11:1-3 Through faith we understand the worlds were made by the Word of God
Hebrews 11:4-7 Noah "being warned of God of things not seen as yet"
Hebrews 11:8-10 Abraham lived in a tent his entire life
Hebrews 11:11-19 Abraham offered Isaac because he had faith in the resurrection
Hebrews 11:20-27 Moses made a hard choice based on faith
Hebrews 11:28-35a Some miraculous things occurred because of faith
Hebrews 11:35b-38 Faith is endurance
Hebrews 11:39-40
Hebrews 11:39-40 (The New English Bible)
These also, one and all, are commemorated for their faith; and yet they did not enter upon the promised inheritance, because, with us in mind, God had made a better plan, that only in company with us should they reach their perfection.
Hebrews 12:1-3 Because of the hope, Jesus Christ had faith.
The Seriousness Of Sin
Penitential Psalms - 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143
Psalm 32:1 and 2 Transgression forgiven, sin covered, iniquity not imputed (counted)
God knows the spirit of man whether the request of forgiveness is expressive of true repentance and sorrow for sin, or regrets for the consequences.
Verses 3 and 4 Unconfessed sin festers.
Verse 5
1) acknowledged my sin
2) stop hiding or covering it up
3) confess unto God
Verse 6 Time of repentance is always now!
Verse 7 How sweet life becomes when confession is made.
Verses 8-11 God teaches those who are mournful and meek.
Psalms 38:1 God has anger and hot displeasure for sin.
Psalms 38:3 Not all sickness and unrest are the result of sin. However, health and peace can indeed be ill-effected because of sin.
"Peace in my bones" is metaphorical language signifying the inner depth and intensity. Psalms 6:2; 32:3
Verse 4 Overwhelmed because of his sin; he cries to the Lord for relief, compassion, and reconciliation.
Verse 6 Sin is foolishness and causes self-inflicted pain; physical and mental anguish.
Verse 8 Sick in body and heart; sin has devastating effects upon man.
Verse 9 He does the right thing; he turns to God.
Verse 11 No help from loved ones or friends.
Verse 15 He is waiting in silence and submission to the Lord for God's divine vindication.
Verse 22 "Help me, O Lord of my salvation."
Psalms 51:1-12 Only God can deliver.
Psalms 103:1-13 The Lord will pity those who genuinely repent.
Faith And Humility
Matthew 4:1-4 The temptation is to be self-dependent and self-reliant. He was enticed to meet his own need with his own provision.
The bedrock of our relationship with God and taproot of true faith is humility.
Exodus 16:1-36 Egypt was completely stripped of all that could provide food for Israel. The wilderness was barren and unable to provide. They had one source for nourishment -- God. Manna drained them of all self-sufficiency.
Deuteronomy 8:1-20 Manna's design was to help Israel realize their true state which was absolute helplessness. God provides all in the physical realm; therefore also in every aspect of life.
Self-sufficiency destroys our foundation and rots the taproot of faith.
The functioning Christian who still gets by in life without the understanding of complete dependency upon God is usually destined to a faithless life.
Matthew 4:1-4 Jesus, the perfect man, understood his complete and absolute dependency upon God.
John 5:30 Jesus believed that he could do nothing of himself.
Matthew 6:33 and 34; 9-11 Faith has to be lived one day at a time
Good Fight Of Faith
I Timothy 6:10-12
covet - to stretch out oneself, to grasp for the wrong thing
flee - to shun or avoid by flight
follow after - continuous action to seek after eagerly, earnestly, endeavor to acquire
lay hold - take possession of, to hold of
A) Faith must be founded upon God's Word
Romans 10:17 Hearing by the Word of God
James 1:18-21 Receive with meekness the engrafted Word
I Peter 1:23-2:2 Desire the sincere milk of the Word
B) Faith always has corresponding works
Faith is a conviction, or confidence, and belief in the Word of God. Faith is not works, but rather trusting that God means what He says and will do what He promises.
James 1:22-27 Faith is not works, but if we have genuine faith then there will be corresponding works.
James 2:14-26
Mark 2:1-5 Faith can be seen by our works.
Matthew 12:34 and 35 To have genuine faith we must evaluate what is in our lives and always be responsible for our actions.
C) Faith must be maintained unto the end
Romans 2:6-11 Those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, He will give eternal life.
Hebrews 3:6-4:2; 10:23-11:3
I Timothy 6:12 Don't give up. Fight the good fight of faith.
Resurrections
I Corinthians 15:1 Three major topics are handled in this chapter:
I. The resurrection of Jesus
II.The resurrection of the just
III.The change of those alive when Christ comes
Verse 2 Keep in memory: "Hold fast the word which I preached to you...."
Verse 3 According to the Scriptures - Psalms 22; Isaiah 53; Zechariah 13:7
Verse 4 According to the Scriptures - Jonah
Verse 8 Other post-resurrection appearances are recorded in the Gospels.
Verse 20 Firstfruits No one was resurrected before but others will be after him. Others were raised from the dead, but only Jesus never died again. Acts 2:25-34 David has not ascended into heaven.
Colossians 1:18 Firstborn Jesus is a prototype for all those who will be resurrected in the resurrection of the just.
I Corinthians 15:6,18,20,51; I Thessalonians 4:13 Sleep is a natural suspension of activity, consciousness, and sensation. Death is also a temporary state until resurrection. Psalms 6:5; 146:4; Ecclesiastes 9:10
I Corinthians 15:23
The resurrection of the just Acts 24:15; Luke 14:14, 20:36; Revelations 20:5 and 6; Hebrews 11:35; Daniel 12:2; John 5:29
The resurrection of the unjust Acts 24:15; John 5:29; Daniel 12:2; Revelations 20:5
I Corinthians 15:28 Rushes right to the end without elaborating because the chapter's discussion is the resurrection.
Verse 33 The wrong understanding about the resurrections will ill-effect our behavior.
Verse 38 Agriculture provides a simple illustration.
Verse 41 Second illustration regarding celestial (existing in heaven) and terrestrial (existing upon the earth).
Verses 42-44 Corruption - incorruption
Dishonor - glory
Weakness - power
Natural body - spiritual body
Verse 57 Since we are certain Christ has been resurrected, we can also be certain that he was the firstfruits.
Revelations 20:1-15 More specific information.
