A
SHORT COURSE for Young People and Adults,
Instructor
INSTRUCTOR - THE HOLINESS OF GOD
GET ACQUAINTED - Ask, "What
puzzles (or disturbs, or surprises, or ____________) you most about God?"
What's
wrong with the question, "Are you saved?" It's not specific enough in that it fails to
identify the reason salvation is necessary.
Saved from what?
What
two concepts must one understand in order for God's judgment of sin and the
pouring out of God's wrath at the death of Christ to make sense? The holiness
of God and the sinfulness
of man
·
The primary meaning of the word "holy" as applied to God
in the Bible is separate, on a different plane (out of our league),
transcendent (exceeding usual limits), in a class all by Himself.
How
is the primary meaning first drawn out in the Bible? "In the beginning, God created the
heavens and the earth." (Gen.1:1-27) By showing His supreme and
absolute uniqueness as creator in
contrast to all else (creation).
What
was the result? "The heavens declare
the glory of God and the sky above proclaims His handiwork (Ps.19:1)" and "the whole
earth is filled with His glory (Isa.6:3b)."
·
The connotation of the word "holy" and it's derivatives in
the Bible is moral and ethical purity, excellence. (see Heb.12:14; 1 Pt.1:15-16)
·
God alone is HOLY in the absolute sense of being supreme in
His transcendence and excellence. He is perfect in essence (self existent, eternal, unchanging, etc.); nature (knowledge, power, wisdom,
etc.); and character
(righteous, good, etc.). [Perfection is not
equitable with the idea of limits.]
Look
up the following passages, note the context and write your observations and
comments. Notice the kinds of words that
are associated with and used to describe God's holiness.
Ex.15:11 is
from the song of Moses. God had shown
the gods of the Egyptians to be false and Pharaoh to be powerless to stop Him
from taking the Hebrews for Himself. Now
He destroys the entire Egyptian military in the red sea as He delivers His
people. "Who is like You, O Lord, among the gods? Who is
like You, majestic in holiness,
awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?" is a
rhetorical question extolling God's transcendent
nature as seen in His awesome power and works. "In the greatness of Your majesty, You overthrew Your adversaries" (v.7).
Compare
and explain Rev.15:3-4. "Great and amazing are Your deeds, O Lord God almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O king of the nations! Who will not fear, O Lord and glorify
your name? For You
alone are holy. All nations will come and worship You, for Your righteous acts have been
revealed." - It is analogous to the victory song of Moses where God pictured
redemption and judgment. It is the Lamb
who brought them about.
Comment
on the following passages that refer to different aspects of God's holiness.
What
do they have in common? All pose rhetorical
questions.
Dt.3:24, "What god is there in heaven or on earth who
can do such mighty acts as Yours? - Moses remembering the past 40 years of God's
deliverance and provision, pleading with God to enter the land
Ps.71:19, "Your righteousness, O God,
reaches the highest heavens. You who
have done great things, O God, who is
like You?" - reflections and prayer of an old man
(David?) on his troubled life and God's righteousness in What He has wrought
Mic.7:18, "Who is a god like You, pardoning
iniquity and passing over transgressions for the remnant of His
inheritance? He does not retain His
anger forever because He delights in steadfast love." - God's longsuffering
toward
{"Ascribe
to the Lord the glory due His name; worship the Lord in the splendor
[beauty] of holiness." (Ps.29:2) "Worship the Lord in the splendor
of holiness; tremble before Him all the earth." (Ps.96:9)}
Comment
on the following passages. What do they
have in common?
They
exalt Christ by ascribing to Him different aspects of God's holiness.
1 Tim.1:17, "To the King of
ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and
glory forever and ever. Amen."
1Tim.6:15b-16 - closing referring to
"our Lord Jesus Christ" (v.14),
"He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of
lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no
one has ever seen or can see. To Him be
honor and eternal dominion. Amen."
Jude 25, "To the only God, our savior,
through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory and majesty, dominion and authority
before all time and now and forever.
Amen."
·
Notice how attempts to express the exalted holiness
of God stretches beyond the limits of language. It is obvious that human language is
insufficient to do so.
What
title containing the word "holy" is applied to God in the Old
Testament? The Holy One of
What
title containing the word "holy" is applied to Jesus in the New
Testament? "Have You come to destroy us?
I know who You are - the Holy One of God."
(Mk.1:24) - Jesus casts out an
unclean spirit
"We
have believed, and have come to know that You are the
Holy One of God." (Jn.6:69)
- Peter's
declaration when many disciples turned back
{Following
upon Jn.1:1-3, "The Word became
flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only son
from the Father, full of grace and truth" (Jn.1:14). Speaks
of the absolute uniqueness of Jesus.}
What
are the expressions of sovereignty in Isa.6:1? "The Lord" [sovereign]. Sitting upon an exalted
throne [absolute authority]. "The train of His robe
filled the temple" [beyond all earthly
authority].
Comment
on v.3. "Holy, holy, holy is
the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory." Holy to the superlative
degree, commanding an angelic army.
The verification of His supremacy, knowledge, wisdom, power, goodness,
etc., is evident throughout the planet.
In
your own words, describe the scene in v.1-4.
The exalted grandeur and majesty of the sovereign and
transcendent God.
Explain
Isaiah's reaction (v.5).
It
is the breakdown of a man who sees the awesome reality of God, "I am
undone." He is exposed as
completely unworthy and pronounces utter hopelessness for himself and his
nation in their defilement.
What
elements are common to Isa.6:1-4
& Rev.4? A human observer; scene of glory and power;
central figure is God, seated on a throne; appearance not described; surrounded
by living creatures, worshipping.
What
is decidedly different between Isa.6:1-7
& Rev.4? John is not threatened and disturbed as Isaiah
was. "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God
almighty, who was and is and is to come."
(4:8b, see Rev.5)
Explain
Peter's response in Lk.5:4-11 at the
great catch of fish.
"Depart
from me, for I am a sinful man, O
Lord." (5:8) - completely unexpected
Explain
the disciples' reaction in Mk.4:35-41
when Jesus calms the storm. "And they were
filled with great fear … 'who then is this that even the wind and sea
obey Him?" (4:41) What did they expect when
they woke Him?
DEFINE:
Iniquity - a general term for unrighteousness,
not conforming to what is right, ie. injustice
sin - to miss the mark, fall
short, fail to measure up, goal set by a positive command
trespass - to take a false step
and so blunder from the correct path of uprightness and truth
transgress - to pass over the line
drawn by a negative command
lawless - people don't recognize
any law governing their actions
disobey - one word means
obstinate rejection of God's will, another means refusal to listen to a proper
authority
offend - stresses the effect of
your trespass upon someone else, you cause them to stumble
How
can sinners dwell with God in His perfection of holiness? Acts
26:18
Paul
was sent to the Gentiles "to open their eyes [they have no
comprehension of the truth] that they may turn from darkness [ignorance] to the light and from
the power of Satan [who has kept the truth from them (2 Cor.4:3-4) and in whose domain they live, Col.1:13-14] to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place
among those who are sanctified in Me [Jesus]." By being sanctified [set apart, made holy] by faith in Jesus
"God is most glorified in us when we
are most satisfied in Him," John Piper
Further Study
Recommended - MP-3 rym200~1, " Target Audience" by Steve Lawson - "The
Holiness of God" (revised and expanded edition) by R.C. Sproul [or CD
Series; cassettes; MP3; http://www.ligonier.org/ ]
Look
up the following passages and note the kinds of words that are associated with and
used to describe God's holiness. Rom.11:33-36; 16:27; 1 Pt.4:11b;
Rev.5:11-14
INSTRUCTOR - TEMPTATION
GET ACQUAINTED - Ask someone to
elaborate on what they find most difficult (or rewarding, or satisfying) about
following Christ.
·
From the beginning, we find that
there is a voice contradicting God's.
What is the essence of the serpent's words (Gen.3:1-5)?
He placed a negative construction upon God's
motives and so impugned God's character.
What is the key principle for interpreting the events
and circumstances of our lives?
God is good (Ps.34:8;
31:19; Heb.11:6).
Can the serpent's deception be thought of as
misdirection and if so, why? Yes,
the serpent is getting them to focus upon his claims rather than looking at
what he is doing by making such claims.
In thinking about the content of the claims themselves, Eve fails to
consider what saying such things means or implies.
What are some of the implications underlying
the serpent's words?
Serpent knows the true truth about God's
command and His motives. Serpent is trustworthy
and has Man's best interests at heart.
God is withholding good - deceiving them, and therefore cannot be
trusted.*
Was the outcome of eating the fruit what the
serpent said it would be and what Adam and Eve thought it would be? Explain.
Yes, they didn't physically die right away and
they did gain some knowledge of good and evil.
No, it wasn't a good thing as suggested by the serpent’s words.
What was the universal outcome of Adam's
transgression (Rom.5:12, 14, 18a, 19a; 1
Cor.15:21a, 22a)?
All people are by nature sinners [the
reason a new birth is required] and condemned, dead to God,
separated from Him who is the source of life, and are so designated by physical
death. [See
Justification by Imputation at http://pop.eradman.com/]
Write out and consider Jn.8:44-45. "You
are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's
desires. He was a murderer from the
beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth…When he lies he speaks out of
his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies."
·
Besides the voice of the devil,
there is now after the fall of man, a second voice arising out of the heart of
man. It too is deceptive and speaks
(rationalizes) always against the truth (Gen.6:5;
Jer.17:9).
What insight does Gen.4:7b and associated text reveal about the way temptation
operates? "Sin
is crouching at the door. Its desire is
for you, but you must rule over it."
Sin is personified as a demon crouching outside
the door of a house - hungry, desiring to devour Cain who is inside. God was reasoning with Cain and warning him
that he was at a critical stage. His anger was about to turn into irrational
hatred [open the door for sinful
desires] that will dominate him, lash out and work evil
through him. God approached Cain with a
question that called him to reconsider the reason(s) for his anger (v.6).
This is the path to repentance.
[see SELF-AWARENESS IN
THE PURSUIT OF TRUTH, BEAUTY, & WISDOM http://pop.eradman.com/]
Explain the process by which temptation to
sin works (Jas.1:13-17).
The believer is going through trials (v.12) and is tempted to blame God who
is always good (v.13) and gives good
gifts (v.17) for what is being drawn
out of his own heart (v.14-15). The warning is to not allow the events and
circumstances (difficulties) cloud what you know (deceive you) about God (v.16).
Instead, construe them in God's favor because He even uses the very
trials themselves for our benefit (v.2-3). The key is to persevere through the trial
cherishing God's goodness (v.16-17)
and trusting in His good work (v.2-3).
·
The New Testament begins much
the same as the Old, with the temptation of the new Adam (1 Cor.15:45, 47). The devil
is called the tempter in Mt.4:3,
and comes by design (v.1) to tempt
Jesus. The word "tempt" in all
its forms refers to a stressing by test or trial to either prove one's mettle
or cause one to stumble, fail, sin - depending on the intent of the tester.
Read Lk.4:1-13
and comment on v.13.
The devil "left Him until an opportune
time." Jesus
was never free from the attention of Satan (see Jn.13:21b, 26-27; 12:31).
{"I do not ask that You
take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one."
Jn.17:15
"Simon, Simon, behold, Satan [adversary]
demanded to have you [all, plural], that
he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you [Simon,
singular] that your faith may not fail." Lk.22:31-32a "Pray for us…that we may be delivered
from wicked and evil men…the Lord is faithful.
He will establish you and guard you against the evil one." 2
Thes.3:1-3}
Comment on Mt.18:7. "Woe to the world for
temptations to sin [occasions of stumbling, snares that
entrap people in sin or lead astray]. For it is inevitable that temptations come,
but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes [referring
to the causal agent, v.6]"! Passage goes on to dramatize the seriousness of
eliminating the snares that lead "you" astray, cause us to sin (v.7-9).
In what other ways was Jesus tempted (Mk.8:33; Heb.2:14-15, 17-18; 4:15;
5:7-9)? In
every way being human allows and more because of the burden of sin He knew He
had to bear for all of us.
Read the parable of the sower
in Mt.13 and comment on the
different aspects of temptation.
The evil one works against the truth given. Persecution is a trial that reveals
superficial faith. The world is full of
distractions from the main thing.
Comment on the subject of trials in Job.
The events were by design. God knew what He was doing by drawing Satan's
attention to Job. Satan lost face before
the hosts of heaven. Job's faith was
proven genuine through trials. The
trials brought out attitudes in Job that required repentance and notions about
God that needed correcting.
·
Satan breaks us down and discourages us by working
both ends: first he incites us to sin [1 Chr.21:1, incited David to number
Write observations and glean help from the
following passages and surrounding text for the times you are tempted.
Jn.2:14b
"I write to you young men because you are strong, and the word of God
abides in you and you have overcome the evil one." [Rev.12:10-11a]
Do not love the world or the things in the
world…For all that is in the world - the desires of the flesh and the desires
of the eyes and pride in possessions …is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its
desires." 1 Jn.2:15-17
Infuse
yourself with eternal perspective (Mt.13:44-46).
"What causes quarrels among you…Is it not
this, that your passions [pleasures, desire for
self-gratification, hedonism] are at war within you?...You
adulterous people!...whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself
an enemy of God…God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from
you. Draw near to God and He will draw
near to you…" Jas.4:1-10
"you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills…' As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil." Jas.4:13-17 Satisfy
yourself with God's mercies and rest in His sovereignty.
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the
mighty hand of God…Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion
seeking someone to devour. Resist him,
firm in your faith." 1 Pt.5:6-9
Strengthen the
foundation of your faith through understanding the Scriptures with humility
before God.
"Let anyone who thinks 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." 1 Cor.10:12-13 Take to heart the lessons from the
wilderness crossing.
"Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal
bodies, to make you obey their lusts [strong desires]. Do not present your members to sin as instruments
for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God…and your members to God as
instruments of righteousness." Rom.6:12-13
Christ has
freed us from having an obligation to serve sin.
"To set the mind on the flesh is death…For
the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to
God's law." Rom.8:6-7
The power
of God's spirit frees us to live unto God.
"Be strong in the Lord…Put on the whole
armor of God, that you may be able to stand against
the schemes of the devil." Eph.6:10-11
Metaphorical
description of the gifts of God as battle gear
Summarize Heb.12:2-15.
Remember the persecutions Jesus endured so you
don't grow faint-hearted because of your trials. Let the assurance that God is disciplining us
for our good that we may share His holiness strengthen us.
{"Although they knew God, they did not honor
Him as God or give thanks Him." Rom.1:21a The power of God in the
Gospel (v.16) has delivered me from
His wrath (v.18).}
----------------
* It is important not to go beyond what the Bible says
because we tend to read into the text our own prejudices and ideas. Is it right to pile-on Adam, accusing him of
shifting the blame to Eve and ultimately to God without clear statements to
that effect? What will you do with Eve’s
statement about not touching the fruit?
Let us be conservative, especially as here where there is a lack of
information. Conjecture often follows
along the path of harsh and critical judgment that we would not want applied to
our own situation. After dealing with
the information given, we may list possibilities, but let us leave it at
that. Logic will only take us so far and
does not warrant making up details where they are lacking.
Further Study
Recommended - cassette - "Domain
of Darkness" by Glen Riexinger
MP3 - 20070107, "Temptation"
by John Piper
INSTRUCTOR - THE CERTAINTY AND NECESSITY OF SUFFERING
GET ACQUAINTED - Ask for
volunteers to relate what hindered them most in coming to Christ or one of
their struggles as a Christian.
THE SUFFERING OF JESUS
List
the statements of fact and progression of events described by the verb forms in
Mk.9:31. Jesus was teaching His disciples that (1)
He was going to be delivered to the power of men (2) who would kill
Him and (3) He would rise from the dead.
Notice
that the same facts are stated in Mt.17:22-23. [Gk.-mello - a
statement of fact, of certainty - "is about to, is going to, will, will
certainly"]
In
Mt.17:10-13, What
did Jesus compare His sufferings to? The treatment of John the Baptist [mello]
·
The Bible not only gives us truth (statements of fact rooted in
history, subject to verification), it also gives us reasons (coherent
explanations subject to the laws of logic).
What
does Jesus describe as a "must" in Lk.9:22?
His
own suffering, key events of the Gospel [dei - description
of a stage in the way God's plans have to unfold for the program to
continue. It is comprehensible and
cannot be otherwise for very good reasons - "It behoves
us, it is necessary, we must"]
What
points did the angels make to the women at the empty tomb, Lk.24:6-7? (1) He is risen, (2) just
as he told you, (3) It was necessary
for the Gospel events (deliverance, crucifixion, resurrection) to take place
Later,
on the road to Emmaus (Lk.24:26),
How does Jesus put the rhetorical question to the disciples?
Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer
these things and to enter into His glory?
What
does Jesus do after asking that question and how does he proceed (v.27)?
He
shows them how the Scriptures refer to Him by going through the Old Testament
from the beginning and correctly interpreting it's
history and teachings.
What
was the disciples' response (v.32)? Their hearts burned within them [not from seeing
miracles]
because they recognized that Jesus had truly opened the Scriptures to them and
they saw the necessity of His death.
Describe
what happened when Jesus later appeared to His disciples (v.44-45).
He
reminded them that He had spoken to them of the necessity for everything written about Him in the OT to be
fulfilled and He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.
·
Lk.24 is one place where
Scripture impresses upon us that the substantiality of our faith is rooted in
and grows out of actual verifiable history, is logically understandable and
sensible.
EXERCISE - Spend some time
thinking through history as presented in the Bible and write out your
observations related to the question, Why were Christ's suffering, death and resurrection necessary?
Being
created in His image, we were made to correspond to God. We were obliged to recognize His sovereignty
over all things. We rebelled and were
sentenced. God is holy (cannot dwell
with sinners) and will do right (punish sin).
My only hope is that He will accept an appropriate substitute. (see also Heb.2:8b-18)
Comment
on the concept of necessity in Jn.3:1-15
at verses 7b and 14.
A new
birth is necessary for anyone (me) to enter the
Why
isn't confession and forgiveness of individual sins enough?
Eph.4:22-24, "Put off your old
self… put on your new self, created after the likeness of God in true
righteousness and holiness."
Eph.2:3, By
nature children of wrath
Col.3:10, New
self renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator
Rom.8:29, Conformed to the image
of His Son, in order that He might be firstborn among many brothers [all in the same
family]
Our
very nature is independent and contrary to God and therefore we are incompatible
with Him. There can be no union between
God and my old man. The human condition
is that we are contrary to God in our very core. He gives us a new nature compatible with His
- "I will put a new heart within you" - "born from above" -
"born again" - we become "a new creation"
THE SUFFERING OF HIS PEOPLE
How
are we to view suffering because of our faith in Christ, Mt.5:10-12?
"Blessed
are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom
of heaven. Blessed are you when others
revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on
My account.
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they
persecuted the prophets who were before you."
·
In God's plan, suffering was the path to glory not only for Jesus,
but is also the path for those who follow Him.
Christians suffer persecution for identifying
with Christ (following Him) in the practice of (1) calling themselves by
His name, (2) witnessing to His glory, (3) living righteously
unto Him.
Explain
Lk.11:47-51. Jesus condemns the generation rejecting Him by
showing that rather than honoring the prophets [as they saw themselves doing], they were complicit
with those who murdered them. In fact
that generation was liable for the prophet's blood shed by all previous
generations. Is this not what
Stephen condemned the not-true Israelites for (Acts 7:51-53)? Yes.
How
does the parable at Lk.20:9-19 dramatizes
The
leaders of the Hebrew nation are the tenants and the prophets are the servants
sent to collect the landowner's portion of the crops. The landowner, God, finally sends His own
son, Jesus. The tenants' treatment of
the servants and son are completely unreasonable and makes no sense.
EXERCISE - Think through the
history of the persecution of the Church and write out your thoughts. Bring a specific or personal instance to
share.
Many
of the disciples were beaten, stoned and murdered. Christians had to move to other areas to
escape persecution [diaspora Acts 8:1, 3]. Throughout the years to
this very day, believers in Christ have been harassed, jailed and murdered by
family, neighbors, countrymen and governments.
They have been marginalized, hated, abused, ridiculed, intimidated,
embarrassed, shamed, silenced, slandered, etc.
For what? - doing good, believing in Christ,
speaking truth.
If
Christ suffered for me, why do I have to suffer? Why is suffering part of God’s plan for His
people? Follow the
argument in Rom.8:15b-39.
If
we are God's children, then we are heirs [inheritors] (v.17a)
"since we are suffering with him in order that we may also be
glorified with Him" (v.17b). ["Since",
here commonly translated "if" or "provided that," means
"since it is true that." It
does not state a condition, but a fact in a logically connected
sequence of facts in which the truth of the first certifies the truth of all -
you have been adopted by God the Father, given an inheritance with His natural
son, Jesus, you are suffering with Him and you will be glorified with Him (v.15b-17).] The present suffering (v.18) has to do with our struggles brought on by the conflict
between our old and new natures (chap.6-8). We have been raised and conditioned as slaves
to sin, just as the Hebrews whom Moses led out of
Come
prepared to discuss one of the following passages.
Phil.1:27-30, Don't break under the
pressure of opposition, but together exert pressure of your own by proclaiming
the Gospel. Understand that persistent
opposition to the Gospel is a sure sign of their eventual destruction, and your
courage is a sure sign of your salvation.
You have been granted the privileges of both believing and suffering for
Christ.
1 Pt.4:12-19, "Do not be surprised at the fiery trial
when it comes upon you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's
sufferings that you may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is
revealed."
Jn.15:18-21; 16:1-3, People of the world inevitably hate and
persecute the disciples of Jesus because they recognize their foreignness [they don't belong]. His disciples are alien to [stand out from] those who do
not know the Father or Jesus and will be persecuted as was Jesus.
Mt.10:16-39, Jesus' disciples will be persecuted for His sake
because the Gospel causes division among people by exposing what men would keep
hidden. We must live unto and fear God
in whose hands are all things.
2 Tim.3:10-14a, "In fact, all who desire to live a godly
life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted [certainty]."
Acts 14:22, "Through many tribulations we must [dei] enter the
Jn.16:33, "I have said these things to you that in Me you may have peace.
In the world you will have tribulation.
But take heart; I have overcome the world."
1 Thes.3:2b-4, "We sent Timothy…to establish and exhort
you in your faith, that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know
that we are destined for this."
1 Cor.10:1-13, The Israelites crossing the desert
serve as examples for us. "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."
1 Pt.1:6-7, "Now for a little while, if [as or when] necessary, you have been
grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith - more
precious than gold…- may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at
the revelation of Jesus Christ."
Further Study Recommended - cassette
- "The Resistance Leader Knows What He's Doing" by Os Guinness
INSTRUCTOR - ATTITUDE
GET ACQUAINTED - Ask for volunteers
to explain an attitude they once had and how it has changed.
·
The Bible speaks of (1) beliefs (ideas taken into one’s heart
that govern his perception), (2) actions (what we do or don't do), (3) motives
(why we do or not, what governs our actions, moves us), and (4) attitudes
(how or in what spirit we go about doing or not doing, the disposition of our
mind and heart toward God). The manner
in which we do a thing indicates our attitude or spirit at the time.
Write
a description of Dt.14:22-15:18
focusing on attitudes.
Dt.14:22-27, In anticipation of
bringing Israel into the land God directs His people each year to travel to the
place where He has chosen "to make His name abide" and present a
tithe of their produce. If it is too far
to travel with the tithe, the people could exchange goods for money and buy
"whatever your heart desires."
They were to "eat there before the Lord your God,
and you shall rejoice, you and your household." The families were to celebrate in the
presence of God by eating a portion of the tithe in happy fellowship with the
priests, Levites, and the poor.
Dt.15:1-11, in anticipation of
Dt.15:12-18 continues the same call
to generosity for bondservants due
to be released after their service period of 6 years. "You shall not let him go away
empty-handed; you shall supply him liberally from your flock, from your
threshing floor, and from your winepress."
Then the reason or ground
supporting these attitudes is given, "You shall remember that you were
a slave in the
In
Dt.27:11-13, the tribes of
"Because
you did not serve the Lord your God with joy and gladness of heart, for
the abundance of everything, therefore you shall serve your enemies, whom the
Lord will send against you, in hunger, in thirst, in nakedness, and in need of
everything..."
What is
Num.14:1-4 an account of?
Describe what Dt.1:26-33 is about, noting the people's attitude and reasons for
it.
Moses recounts the incident in Num.14:1-4 and speaks of the people’s contrary attitude by saying what was
really in their heart, “because the Lord hates us, He brought us...[here] to destroy us” (v.27).
They construed God’s intent as evil.
In spite of all that God had done to deliver them from slavery in
What did Moses understand about the people’s
reaction to him (Ex.17:2-3)?
Their complaints were really accusations against
or challenges to God, “Why do you contend with me? Why do you tempt the Lord"? (see
Ps.78:5-12, 17-19, 22, 40-42, 56-59)
What do
Heb.3 & 4 comment on and how does it relate to
us? The “rebellion,” “the day of trial” refers to the
40 years God was provoked as Israel wandered in the wilderness after being
brought out of Egypt (3:16b-17). They were not allowed to enter His rest (3:11).
Christ’s household are those who "hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing
of the hope firm to the end” (3:6),
speaking of our faith (4:1-3a).
Compare Dt.8:2-5,
14-17 with 1 Thes.2:2-4.
As it was with
GO OVER >> Ps.119: “before I was afflicted,” v.67; “it is good that I have been afflicted,” v.71; “in faithfulness You have afflicted
me,” v.75).
Fill in the passage references. “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the
fiery trial which is to try you ... but rejoice...that when His glory is
revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy” (1 Pt.4:12-13). “My brethren,
count it all joy when you fall into various trials” (Jas.1:2). “And you became followers
of us and of the Lord having received the word in much affliction, with joy
of the Holy Spirit” (1 Thes.1:6). Rejoice when you are mistreated for Jesus sake
(Mt.5:12) as the apostles did (Acts 5:41).
Everything God does and allows has a good reason
and a good purpose. As we wait for the
Lord and the completion of our redemption, we often “do not know what we should
pray for as we ought” (Rom.8:26), but we do know that He
works all things “together for good to those who love God, to those who
are called according to His purpose” (v.28).
·
We know for sure two things about the events and
circumstances of our lives: (1) the
consequences of sin and the evil that is in the world will touch us all in
various ways, “In the world you will have tribulation” (Jn.16:33a); but (2),
nothing "has the power to separate us from the love of God which is in
Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom.8:31-39). The whole picture liberates us to place a
positive construction upon the events and circumstances of our lives (ie, to construe them in a positive way in favor of God's
good intent as opposed to being angry with Him and imagining that He enjoys our
suffering) because "in all these things we are more than conquerors
through Him who loved us," (8:37)
“nevertheless be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (Jn.16:33b)
What does
Phil.2:1-18 confronts us with?
The spirit by which we
are to approach all of life.
Comment on the following verses accordingly.
Our disposition is to be “like-minded” as Christ
(v.2-3, 5) having a spirit of humility (v.3-8), the opposite of attitudes of pride and conceit (v.3). Paul says that it
is up to us to set our heart to live in the light of our redemption, “work out
your own salvation,” v.12b [perseverance of the
saints].
[“With
fear and trembling” (12b) is a
warning of the seriousness with which we are to work at this. It is the equivalent to “beware” in the Old
Testament. “Conduct yourselves throughout the time of
your stay here in fear” 1 Pt.1:17.]
God’s work in us, v.13 [preservation of the
saints], is
toward transforming us into (“that you may become,” v.14) people having the character of His children (v.15), from an old
man with his sordid life (one of the “crooked and perverse generation,”
see Rom.6:6) into a new man starting off
clean as a young child (“blameless and innocent,” v.15). And, what is it that characterizes us,
noticeably sets us apart from our old life and the rest of humanity? We have a different spirit. We “do all things without grumbling and arguing” (v.14). This is a way of stating in negative terms
living and maintaining a grateful and hopeful disposition no matter what, founded upon our redemption (v.16). I find it helpful
to begin and end each day by giving thanks to God for His work and blessing Him
(“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks;
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” 1 Thes.5:16-18). There is rejoicing
and gladness (v.18).
Personal
Illustration - Many years ago, my
boss used a number of adjectives that exactly described my negative, sultry
attitude at work. It was obvious that he
had rehearsed his comments and that he had been praying about it. I realized that God had so blessed me in
Christ that I had no reason to be negative, and from that day I decided to go
to work each day with a grateful heart and maintain a joyful spirit. And by God’s grace, I did. We have a real foundation for optimism and
cheerfulness. Every once in a while the
old discontent begins to surface, so I have a little talk with myself. I remind myself of the huge thing God did for
me in opening my eyes to the Gospel, of forgiveness and righteousness before
Him. My life changed and I bless God as
a regular natural part of secret worship.
·
Though translations may vary,
there are 3 concepts we
can use to hang our “how to” on: KNOW; REMEMBER; UNDERSTAND.
The knowledge God gives us comes in
the form of instruction and personal experience interpreted by propositional
truth, revelation. It is this
knowledge that we are to learn, teach and remember. Remembering implies doing (obeying)
and necessitates keeping the knowledge fresh in our thoughts. This knowledge is intended to mature and lead
to understanding. Understanding
means: making sense of the facts (knowledge); integrating facts so explanations
and purposes are revealed (why); putting together what (and sometimes how) with
why; making sense of the facts so we realize what they mean and how important
they are. The secret of “how to” is maintaining awareness of (remembering) my
redemption in Christ by constantly living in light of it.
·
A true believer is deliberate in
following Christ.
Further Study
KNOWING - 2 Pt.1:2-9; 2:20; 3:17-18 What does
“life” in 1:3 refer to? New nature
REMEMBERING - 2 Pt.1:12-18; 3:1-2, 8
UNDERSTANDING - 2 Pt.3:16b; Lk.24:45
[see Attitude, a Bible
Study http://pop.eradman.com/]
INSTRUCTOR
- THE IMPACT OF TRUTH
GET ACQUAINTED - Explain a theological
perspective you once held and how it has changed.
List
some phrases that associate Jesus with truth.
You
have heard it said, but I say to you; the true light which enlightens
everyone, was coming into the world; full of grace and truth; grace
and truth came through Jesus Christ; true bread from heaven; true
vine; I am the way, the truth and the life; I tell you the truth;
truly truly I say to you; I have come into the
world to bear witness to the truth
Just
as difficulties and problems in life have a negative effect upon one's outlook,
so the passage of time has a dulling and dampening effect upon our faith. Doubts formulate and accumulate when our
expectations are not met. It happened to
John the baptizer who proclaimed Jesus to be "the lamb of God who takes
away the sin of the world." He
eventually sent word to Jesus from prison asking whether Jesus really was the
long awaited promised one. How
did Jesus answer him and why (Mt.11:2-5)?
He
directed John's attention to what was going on - the miracles and the preaching
of the good news. Jesus expected that
John would recognize the fulfillment of the Old Testament pictures of Messiah's
coming.
Why
did Jesus heal the paralytic and how did it affect the people (Mk.2:1-12)?
To
confirm His authority on earth to forgive sins, people were amazed.
How
did people respond to Jesus' teaching and why (Mt.7:28-29)?
People
were astonished at His teaching because He taught with authority. [see
“But I say unto You”]
Why
did people consider what He taught to be "new" (Mk.1:26-28)? The content of Jesus'
teaching was radically different from the way they had come to understand the
Old Testament.
What
amazed people about Jesus (Mk.10:23-26?
Not
only His confident authority and power to perform miracles, they were amazed by
what He taught.
How
did the crowd respond to hearing foreign languages as their own language (Acts 2:6-7, 12)?
Bewildered,
amazed and perplexed
What
was being spoken of at the time?
"The
mighty works of God" (Acts 2:11)
How
did the people react to the healing of a lame beggar (Acts 3:1-11)?
People
were filled with wonder and amazement
What
does Peter do? He directs them to
the source of the miracle, puts it in context along with the Gospel and calls
them to repentance.
What
was it about Peter and John that astounded the members of the Sanhedrin in Acts 4?
Their
courage and well-crafted argument delivered with confidence that it was true.
What
connection did the highly educated and sophisticated members of the Sanhedrin
make? They recognized that the disciples were
uneducated ordinary men who had been in the company of Jesus (4:13).
Explain
more fully why they were astonished. The disciples had been
transformed. They were acting and
teaching with confidence and without fear like Jesus. (see Acts 9:20-21, Paul changed)
What
did the Christians do when Saul began persecuting the church(Acts 8:1, 4-5)?
Scattered
& preached the word throughout Judea and
What
was the effect of the miraculous signs that Philip did in Acts 8:5-8?
They
caused the people to pay close attention to the message.
Summarize
the events in Acts 13:4-12. Barnabas and Paul are summoned by the chief political
officer at Paphos (described as a man of
intelligence) who wants to hear the word of God (v.7). They encounter
opposition from a magician and false prophet.
The spirit through Paul blinds the magician and the proconsul believes
the Gospel.
What
does the passage emphasize about the officer's belief?
"He
is astonished at the teaching of the Lord."
Acts 19:11-12, describes some
details of Paul's lengthy stay at
Describe
what "the word" was, not the specifics of what was taught.
A
reasoned explanation of current events (facts) arising
from correct interpretation of historic (Old Testament) teachings and
situations containing elements of the obvious and common sense. It dealt with what happened consequent to the
advent of Jesus as related to what was prophesied [subsequent], why it had to be and
what it meant.
What
conclusions do you draw from this lesson concerning what was going on? As the word was taught, people were struck
with wonder. The miracles certainly
amazed, astonished, astounded, awed and confounded people, but the emphasis was
on the truth. Miracles supported and
verified that the messenger and his message were from God. The miracles were waking people up to listen
to the explanations and reasoning.
Propositional truth was opening their eyes.
Do
you need to see miracles to cause you to focus on God's word? Have you lost that astonishment at His
revelation (uncovering of the reality)?
Do
the teachings of the Bible seem to conflict with your experiences or
understanding of life? Explain.
No,
rather it interprets them. It often does
conflict with our understanding of our experiences.]
What
was it (is it) Christians did (continue to do) to stir people up?
Teach
and proclaim the particulars of the Christian faith (word of God)
Why
does the Christian message have this effect?
The
truth exposes lies, reveals the evil in men's hearts and claims total authority
over the affairs of men.
What
is the parable of the sower (Mt.13) about? The
seeds, teachings about God's kingdom and responses.
Write
and interpret the phrases in the parable of the sower
concerning the word.
Sown
= distributed by speaking; requires understanding; resides in the hearts of men
to embrace or not (word has no root).
Embracing or occupying ourselves with anything else [competition for our
heart] is
detrimental (choke the word) to God's work in us and in the world (bearing
fruit to God).
How
does the word of God impart life to those who receive it (1Pt.1:23-25)?
"Since
you have been born again…of imperishable seed, through the living and abiding
word of God…[which] remains forever…the good
news that was preached to you." The word is eternal and
so are we because it lives in our hearts.
{"…Keep
them from the evil one. They are not of
the world…Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is
truth." Jn.17:15-17 "If
you abide in My word, you are truly My disciples, and you will know the truth [about redemption] and the truth will set
you free [from
slavery to sin, v.34]." Jn.8:31b-32}
How
does the word cleanse us (Eph.5:25b-27)?
"Christ
loved the church and gave Himself up for her that He might sanctify her, having
cleansed her by the washing of water with the word [regeneration], so that He might present
the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing,
that she might be holy and without blemish."
{"He
brought us forth of His own will by the word of truth," Jas.1:18a}
What
are we to do with the word of God (Heb.4:11-13)?
"Let
us therefore strive to enter that rest [v.6a,
by taking in to His words, v.7b] so that no one may fall
by the same sort of disobedience [v.6b]. For the word of God is living and active,
sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit,
of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the
heart. And no creature is hidden from
His sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must
give account." Interact, wrestle, and
struggle with what it reveals in our hearts - submission to God and His
revealed will.
Explain
the illustration of the two houses, Lk.6:46-49.
"Why
do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell
you?" The two builders are people whose
lives, represented by their houses, appear very similar until tested by God's
judgment, a flood which totally destroys the man and all he has because he has
failed to heed Christ's words, the only foundation that will withstand
judgment.
Comment
on how Jesus accompanies and helps us after He has left the Earth. Jn.14:15-18,
Jesus comes
to us through another Helper, the Spirit of truth, whom the Father gave
us to dwell with us and be in us forever.
15:26, Christ sent the Helper, the Spirit of truth,
who bears witness about Him in our hearts and minds.
16:12-15, The Spirit of truth
came and guides us into all the truth and to glorify Christ.
What
is true worship (Jn.4:23-24)?
It
is in contrast to temple and ceremonial forms of worship which were temporary
and provisional, and may be superficial or misdirected. True worship of the living God is in keeping
with the only true God's essence as spirit.
It comes from a purified heart and cannot be insincere.
Further Study Recommended - cassette -
"Antidote to Error" by Glen Riexinger
The
truth of the Gospel (Gal.2:5, 14), the word of truth, the Gospel (Col.1:5) of
your salvation (Eph.1:13), for those who are perishing because they refused to love
the truth and so be saved (2 Thes.2:10), He brought us forth by the word of
truth (Jas.1:18)