1 Corinthians 10:18-22 – Consider the people of Israel: are not those who eat the sacrifices participants in the altar? What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?
2 Corinthians 6:16 - What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Deuteronomy 32:21 - They have made me jealous with what is no god; they have provoked me to anger with their idols. So I will make them jealous with those who are no people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation.
Exodus 20:5-6 - You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.
Application:
· Do I compromise with idolatry?
· Do I understand the good news about Christ?
· Have I devoted myself to God? Or do I oppose Him?
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
One Loaf
1 Corinthians 10:17 - Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.
Romans 12:4-5 – For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
John 6:35,37,39-40,44-46 - Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst…All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out…And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”… No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me—not that anyone has seen the Father except he who is from God; he has seen the Father.
Application:
· Partaking of one loaf symbolizes the unity of the body of Christ, which is nourished by the bread of life.
· It is only in Jesus Christ that any unity in the church is possible.
· Is Jesus my bread of life?
· I am saved mostly by God’s action, not mine.
· Does Christ have a firm hold on me? Am I persevering?
· Death cannot destroy the life that Christ gives.
· Did I come to Christ strictly on my own initiative? Or did the Father draw me?
· Only those who learn from God come to salvation. Am I learning from God?
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
Romans 12:4-5 – For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
John 6:35,37,39-40,44-46 - Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst…All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out…And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”… No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me—not that anyone has seen the Father except he who is from God; he has seen the Father.
Application:
· Partaking of one loaf symbolizes the unity of the body of Christ, which is nourished by the bread of life.
· It is only in Jesus Christ that any unity in the church is possible.
· Is Jesus my bread of life?
· I am saved mostly by God’s action, not mine.
· Does Christ have a firm hold on me? Am I persevering?
· Death cannot destroy the life that Christ gives.
· Did I come to Christ strictly on my own initiative? Or did the Father draw me?
· Only those who learn from God come to salvation. Am I learning from God?
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Cup Of Thanksgiving
1 Corinthians 10:15-16 - I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?
1 Corinthians 11:23-25 – For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
Mark 14:22 - And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.”
Luke 22:16,19-20 - For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”…And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.
Application:
· Does the Lord’s Supper remind me of Him?
· The Lord’s Supper is a memorial supper, recalling and portraying Christ’s death for me.
· The cup signifies God’s bestowal of salvation upon me.
· All Biblical accounts of communion include: taking bread, giving thanks, breaking bread, saying “This is my body”, taking the cup and explaining the blood covenant.
· At Jesus future coming, He will renew fellowship with those who have commemorated the Lord’s Supper.
· The bread provides remembrance and proclamation of my deliverance from the bondage of sin
· God’s saving grace is founded and sealed by the death of Jesus.
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
1 Corinthians 11:23-25 – For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
Mark 14:22 - And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.”
Luke 22:16,19-20 - For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”…And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.
Application:
· Does the Lord’s Supper remind me of Him?
· The Lord’s Supper is a memorial supper, recalling and portraying Christ’s death for me.
· The cup signifies God’s bestowal of salvation upon me.
· All Biblical accounts of communion include: taking bread, giving thanks, breaking bread, saying “This is my body”, taking the cup and explaining the blood covenant.
· At Jesus future coming, He will renew fellowship with those who have commemorated the Lord’s Supper.
· The bread provides remembrance and proclamation of my deliverance from the bondage of sin
· God’s saving grace is founded and sealed by the death of Jesus.
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
Monday, September 24, 2012
Flee From Idolatry
1 Corinthians 10:12-14 – Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.
1 Corinthians 1:9 - God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Hebrews 6:9 - Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things—things that belong to salvation.
1 Peter 2:11 - Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.
Jude 3 - Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.
Exodus 32:6 - And they rose up early the next day and offered burnt offerings and brought peace offerings. And the people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.
Application:
· Temptation in itself is not sin. Yielding to the temptation is sin. I have been enabled to resist the temptation to sin.
· God may be trusted to do what He has promised. He will keep me strong to the end.
· Am I fleeing from idolatry?
· Is my life changed? Is there evidence of regeneration?
· Am I separated from the corruption of this world? Am I yielding to the world’s destructive sinful desires?
· Am I contending for the gospel and all its implications?
· Do I tend toward idolatry?
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
1 Corinthians 1:9 - God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Hebrews 6:9 - Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things—things that belong to salvation.
1 Peter 2:11 - Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.
Jude 3 - Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.
Exodus 32:6 - And they rose up early the next day and offered burnt offerings and brought peace offerings. And the people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.
Application:
· Temptation in itself is not sin. Yielding to the temptation is sin. I have been enabled to resist the temptation to sin.
· God may be trusted to do what He has promised. He will keep me strong to the end.
· Am I fleeing from idolatry?
· Is my life changed? Is there evidence of regeneration?
· Am I separated from the corruption of this world? Am I yielding to the world’s destructive sinful desires?
· Am I contending for the gospel and all its implications?
· Do I tend toward idolatry?
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Idolaters
1 Corinthians 10:6-7,11,14 - Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.”… Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come…Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.
Exodus 32:6,19 - And they rose up early the next day and offered burnt offerings and brought peace offerings. And the people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play…And as soon as he came near the camp and saw the calf and the dancing, Moses' anger burned hot, and he threw the tablets out of his hands and broke them at the foot of the mountain.
Application:
· Have I been heeding the warnings written down for me?
· Am I fleeing from idolatry?
· Do I tend toward idolatry?
· Am I breaking my covenant with God?
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
Exodus 32:6,19 - And they rose up early the next day and offered burnt offerings and brought peace offerings. And the people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play…And as soon as he came near the camp and saw the calf and the dancing, Moses' anger burned hot, and he threw the tablets out of his hands and broke them at the foot of the mountain.
Application:
· Have I been heeding the warnings written down for me?
· Am I fleeing from idolatry?
· Do I tend toward idolatry?
· Am I breaking my covenant with God?
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
Friday, September 21, 2012
God Was Not Pleased With Most Of Them
1 Corinthians 10:1-5 - For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
Numbers 14:28-30,34 - Say to them, ‘As I live, declares the Lord, what you have said in my hearing I will do to you: your dead bodies shall fall in this wilderness, and of all your number, listed in the census from twenty years old and upward, who have grumbled against me, not one shall come into the land where I swore that I would make you dwell, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun…According to the number of the days in which you spied out the land, forty days, a year for each day, you shall bear your iniquity forty years, and you shall know my displeasure.’
Joshua 1:2 - “Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel.
Application:
· In spite of the remarkable privileges given to me, do I fail to obey God? Am I incurring His displeasure?
· Am I in submission to Christ as my Savior and Lord?
· Is Christ my sustenance, my bread and water of life?
· Have I brought upon myself my punishment?
· Am I in rebellion against God?
· Are God’s promises being fulfilled with me, or without me?
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
Numbers 14:28-30,34 - Say to them, ‘As I live, declares the Lord, what you have said in my hearing I will do to you: your dead bodies shall fall in this wilderness, and of all your number, listed in the census from twenty years old and upward, who have grumbled against me, not one shall come into the land where I swore that I would make you dwell, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun…According to the number of the days in which you spied out the land, forty days, a year for each day, you shall bear your iniquity forty years, and you shall know my displeasure.’
Joshua 1:2 - “Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel.
Application:
· In spite of the remarkable privileges given to me, do I fail to obey God? Am I incurring His displeasure?
· Am I in submission to Christ as my Savior and Lord?
· Is Christ my sustenance, my bread and water of life?
· Have I brought upon myself my punishment?
· Am I in rebellion against God?
· Are God’s promises being fulfilled with me, or without me?
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
That Rock Was Christ
1 Corinthians 10:1-4 - For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ.
Exodus 17:6 - Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb, and you shall strike the rock, and water shall come out of it, and the people will drink.” And Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel.
Numbers 20:11 - And Moses lifted up his hand and struck the rock with his staff twice, and water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their livestock.
Psalm 105:41 - He opened the rock, and water gushed out; it flowed through the desert like a river.
John 6:32,35 - Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven… Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.
Application:
· The water and the manna were supernatural sustenance through Jesus Christ
· Christ is the supernatural Rock
· Do my actions show a lack of trust in God? Do my actions offend God’s holiness?
· God’s power is redeeming.
· God still gives the true bread from heaven (life through the Son).
· Have I come to Jesus? Do I believe in Him?
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
Exodus 17:6 - Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb, and you shall strike the rock, and water shall come out of it, and the people will drink.” And Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel.
Numbers 20:11 - And Moses lifted up his hand and struck the rock with his staff twice, and water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their livestock.
Psalm 105:41 - He opened the rock, and water gushed out; it flowed through the desert like a river.
John 6:32,35 - Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven… Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.
Application:
· The water and the manna were supernatural sustenance through Jesus Christ
· Christ is the supernatural Rock
· Do my actions show a lack of trust in God? Do my actions offend God’s holiness?
· God’s power is redeeming.
· God still gives the true bread from heaven (life through the Son).
· Have I come to Jesus? Do I believe in Him?
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
Spiritual Food And Spiritual Drink
1 Corinthians 10:1-4 - For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ.
Exodus 16:4,18 - Then the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day's portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not…But when they measured it with an omer, whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack. Each of them gathered as much as he could eat.
Exodus 17:2,6 - Therefore the people quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.” And Moses said to them, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the Lord?”… Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb, and you shall strike the rock, and water shall come out of it, and the people will drink.” And Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel.
Numbers 20:11 - And Moses lifted up his hand and struck the rock with his staff twice, and water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their livestock.
Application:
· Do I submit to Christ as my Savior and Lord?
· Jesus is the true bread from heaven.
· Do I share with others what I possess?
· Do I fail the Lord’s testing? Do I put the Lord to the test?
· Christ is my spiritual rock.
· Do I lack trust in God? Have I offended God’s holiness?
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
Exodus 16:4,18 - Then the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day's portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not…But when they measured it with an omer, whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack. Each of them gathered as much as he could eat.
Exodus 17:2,6 - Therefore the people quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.” And Moses said to them, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the Lord?”… Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb, and you shall strike the rock, and water shall come out of it, and the people will drink.” And Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel.
Numbers 20:11 - And Moses lifted up his hand and struck the rock with his staff twice, and water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their livestock.
Application:
· Do I submit to Christ as my Savior and Lord?
· Jesus is the true bread from heaven.
· Do I share with others what I possess?
· Do I fail the Lord’s testing? Do I put the Lord to the test?
· Christ is my spiritual rock.
· Do I lack trust in God? Have I offended God’s holiness?
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Run
1 Corinthians 9:23-24 - I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings. Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.
2 Timothy 4:7 - I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Hebrews 12:1 - Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Application:
· Have I been faithful to Christ?
· Am I running the race well?
· Am I running with perseverance in this long distance race?
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
2 Timothy 4:7 - I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Hebrews 12:1 - Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Application:
· Have I been faithful to Christ?
· Am I running the race well?
· Am I running with perseverance in this long distance race?
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
Thursday, September 13, 2012
I Became Weak
1 Corinthians 9:20-22 - To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.
Romans 14:1 - As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions.
1 Corinthians 10:32-33 - Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.
1 Corinthians 8:13 - Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.
Application:
· Do I accommodate myself to the culture when it does not violate my allegiance to Christ?
· Do I only fellowship with those who I agree with?
· Do I cause the consciences of others to be offended by my daily life?
· Do I refrain from engaging in harmless practices if it will cause my brothers to fall?
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
Romans 14:1 - As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions.
1 Corinthians 10:32-33 - Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.
1 Corinthians 8:13 - Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.
Application:
· Do I accommodate myself to the culture when it does not violate my allegiance to Christ?
· Do I only fellowship with those who I agree with?
· Do I cause the consciences of others to be offended by my daily life?
· Do I refrain from engaging in harmless practices if it will cause my brothers to fall?
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
My Reward In Preaching The Gospel
1 Corinthians 9:12,17-19 - If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ…For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship. What then is my reward? That in my preaching I may present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel. For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them.
Colossians 1:24-26 – Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints.
Galatians 5:13 - For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
1 Peter 3:1-2 - Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct.
Application:
· Am I following the commission God has given me?
· Am I ready to surrender my rights because of love for others?
· Do I use my liberty to serve others in love or do I use it to indulge my sinful nature?
· Do I obey the word to make it easier for my wife to be subject to me, respect me and be pure in conduct?
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
Colossians 1:24-26 – Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints.
Galatians 5:13 - For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
1 Peter 3:1-2 - Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct.
Application:
· Am I following the commission God has given me?
· Am I ready to surrender my rights because of love for others?
· Do I use my liberty to serve others in love or do I use it to indulge my sinful nature?
· Do I obey the word to make it easier for my wife to be subject to me, respect me and be pure in conduct?
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
I Am Compelled To Preach
1 Corinthians 9:12,14-16 - If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ…In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel. But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision. For I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of my ground for boasting. For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!
1 Timothy 5:18 - For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.”
Acts 9:1-2,4 - But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem…And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”
Jeremiah 20:9 - If I say, “I will not mention him, or speak any more in his name,” there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot.
Application:
· Does my giving (or lack of it) deprive God’s servants of adequate wages?
· Do I love others? Am I ready to surrender my rights for those I love?
· Do I belong to the Way? Jesus is the Way.
· To persecute the church is to persecute Christ, for the church is His body.
· Is His Word in my heart like a fire? Do I hold it in?
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
1 Timothy 5:18 - For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.”
Acts 9:1-2,4 - But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem…And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”
Jeremiah 20:9 - If I say, “I will not mention him, or speak any more in his name,” there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot.
Application:
· Does my giving (or lack of it) deprive God’s servants of adequate wages?
· Do I love others? Am I ready to surrender my rights for those I love?
· Do I belong to the Way? Jesus is the Way.
· To persecute the church is to persecute Christ, for the church is His body.
· Is His Word in my heart like a fire? Do I hold it in?
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
Those Who Work In The Temple
1 Corinthians 9:11-13 - If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you? If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ. Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings?
2 Corinthians 6:3-10 – We put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.
Numbers 18:12 - All the best of the oil and all the best of the wine and of the grain, the firstfruits of what they give to the Lord, I give to you.
Application:
· Do I love others? Am I ready to surrender my rights because of this love?
· Do I live an exemplary life? If not, my ministry may be discredited.
· Do I pay those who minister the word of God suitably for their work?
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
2 Corinthians 6:3-10 – We put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.
Numbers 18:12 - All the best of the oil and all the best of the wine and of the grain, the firstfruits of what they give to the Lord, I give to you.
Application:
· Do I love others? Am I ready to surrender my rights because of this love?
· Do I live an exemplary life? If not, my ministry may be discredited.
· Do I pay those who minister the word of God suitably for their work?
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Idols
1 Corinthians 8:1,10-11 - Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up…For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol's temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died.
Romans 14:15,20 - For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died…Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats.
Application:
· Am I filled with false pride? Do I love my brother who doubts?
· Am I willing to make adjustments in my own behavior for the sake of weak brothers?
· I have a right to certain freedoms, but it is wrong for me to exercise them and cause someone to stumble.
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
Romans 14:15,20 - For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died…Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats.
Application:
· Am I filled with false pride? Do I love my brother who doubts?
· Am I willing to make adjustments in my own behavior for the sake of weak brothers?
· I have a right to certain freedoms, but it is wrong for me to exercise them and cause someone to stumble.
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
Stumbling Block
1 Corinthians 8:8-9 - Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.
Romans 14:1,17 - As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions…For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
2 Corinthians 6:3-10 – We put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.
Galatians 5:13 - For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
Application:
· Do I concern myself with trivial matters? Have I completely missed the essence of Christian living?
· Do I live an exemplary life? Does my life discredit my ministry?
· In my freedom do I serve God? In my freedom do I serve others in love?
· Christians do not agree on all matters pertaining to the Christian life, nor do they need to.
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
Romans 14:1,17 - As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions…For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
2 Corinthians 6:3-10 – We put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.
Galatians 5:13 - For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
Application:
· Do I concern myself with trivial matters? Have I completely missed the essence of Christian living?
· Do I live an exemplary life? Does my life discredit my ministry?
· In my freedom do I serve God? In my freedom do I serve others in love?
· Christians do not agree on all matters pertaining to the Christian life, nor do they need to.
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Idols
1 Corinthians 8:1,4-6 - Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up…Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “an idol has no real existence,” and that “there is no God but one.” For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”—yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.
Exodus 34:13-16 - You shall tear down their altars and break their pillars and cut down their Asherim (for you shall worship no other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God), lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and when they whore after their gods and sacrifice to their gods and you are invited, you eat of his sacrifice, and you take of their daughters for your sons, and their daughters whore after their gods and make your sons whore after their gods.
Isaiah 44:13,17-19 - The carpenter stretches a line; he marks it out with a pencil. He shapes it with planes and marks it with a compass. He shapes it into the figure of a man, with the beauty of a man, to dwell in a house…And the rest of it he makes into a god, his idol, and falls down to it and worships it. He prays to it and says, “Deliver me, for you are my god!” They know not, nor do they discern, for he has shut their eyes, so that they cannot see, and their hearts, so that they cannot understand. No one considers, nor is there knowledge or discernment to say, “Half of it I burned in the fire; I also baked bread on its coals; I roasted meat and have eaten. And shall I make the rest of it an abomination? Shall I fall down before a block of wood?”
Application:
· Am I filled with false pride? Do I love my brothers who doubt?
· Do I partake of things that invite compromise?
· Do I live for God and do I live through Jesus Christ?
· Man was made in the image of God, but an idol is made in the image of man
· Idolatry is worship of no god
· The eyes of those who worship idols are plastered and their minds are closed. Are my eyes plastered and my mind closed?
· Those who worship idols are detestable. Am I detestable?
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
Exodus 34:13-16 - You shall tear down their altars and break their pillars and cut down their Asherim (for you shall worship no other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God), lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and when they whore after their gods and sacrifice to their gods and you are invited, you eat of his sacrifice, and you take of their daughters for your sons, and their daughters whore after their gods and make your sons whore after their gods.
Isaiah 44:13,17-19 - The carpenter stretches a line; he marks it out with a pencil. He shapes it with planes and marks it with a compass. He shapes it into the figure of a man, with the beauty of a man, to dwell in a house…And the rest of it he makes into a god, his idol, and falls down to it and worships it. He prays to it and says, “Deliver me, for you are my god!” They know not, nor do they discern, for he has shut their eyes, so that they cannot see, and their hearts, so that they cannot understand. No one considers, nor is there knowledge or discernment to say, “Half of it I burned in the fire; I also baked bread on its coals; I roasted meat and have eaten. And shall I make the rest of it an abomination? Shall I fall down before a block of wood?”
Application:
· Am I filled with false pride? Do I love my brothers who doubt?
· Do I partake of things that invite compromise?
· Do I live for God and do I live through Jesus Christ?
· Man was made in the image of God, but an idol is made in the image of man
· Idolatry is worship of no god
· The eyes of those who worship idols are plastered and their minds are closed. Are my eyes plastered and my mind closed?
· Those who worship idols are detestable. Am I detestable?
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
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