Faith, Hope and Love

Mo. 4/15/13: 1 Cor. 11:13            What does ‘abide’ mean?

And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

What does ‘abide’ mean? Abide means stay. The verse has always intrigued me: why is it worded so?

Tu. 4/16/13: 1 Cor. 11:11            What does ‘put away’ imply?

When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

What does ‘put away’ imply? Putting away has finality to it. A point of no return; like Santa Claus, it’s gone.

We. 4/17/13: 1 Cor. 11:12            Is a mirror really dim?

For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

Is a mirror really dim? When the words were written, flat, polished metal reflected an imperfect image.

Th. 4/18/13: 1 Cor. 11:10            When will perfection come?

But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.

When will perfection come? Like adulthood, this is what will become of us in our incorruptible, heavenly bodies.

Fr. 4/19/13: 1 Cor. 11:8-9            Back again: what is ‘abide’?

Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part.

Back again: what is ‘abide’? Love will last eternally. Speech, prophecies and knowledge will evaporate!

Humility: Lowliness of Mind

Mo. 4/8/13: Act 20:17 - 19                               Who witnessed Paul’s service to the Lord?

And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews

Who witnessed Paul’s service to the Lord? The Ephesian elders themselves were witnesses to Paul’s service to his Lord with humility of mind.

Tu. 4/9/13: Ephesians 4:1 - 3             How were the Ephesians asked to live?

I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

How were the Ephesians asked to live? They were to walk worthy of their calling with lowliness and meekness.

We. 4/10/13: Philippians 2:3 - 4       What warning and solution did Paul give? 

Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

What warning and solution did Paul give? Paul asked that each esteem the other better in lowliness of mind.

Th. 4/11/13: 1Peter 5:5                      Is Peter demanding submission?     

Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

Is Peter demanding submission? No: rather, Peter asks the younger to voluntarily submit to the elder.

Fr. 4/12/13: Colossians 2:20 - 23     Does false humility exist?

Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,  (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

Does false humility exist? Yes: men ‘discover’ commandments not in the Bible and demand humility and submission to rules such as, ‘Do not handle this.’

Abraham's faith and works.

Mo. 4/1/13: Gen. 15:1, 5-6       What did Abram, now old, believe?
After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.
And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
What did Abram, now old, believe? Abram believed God that he would have a son.

Tu. 4/2/13: Rom. 4:2-3              Did God account Abraham as just by his works?

For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
Did God account Abraham as just by his works? Abram believed God: his faith was counted as righteousness.

We. 4/3/13: Gal. 3:7-8                 Where was the Gospel preached beforehand to Abraham?

Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.
Where was the Gospel preached beforehand to Abraham? Gen. 15:1, the first verse this week, says that the Word of the LORD (Christ) said to Abram, “I am thy shield,” or, I will take the punishment for your sins before God, and “I am thy exceeding great reward,” or, I will be your (great…) Son.

Th. 4/4/13: Gen. 22:2, 10-12         What was Abraham’s test of faith?

And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.
And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.
What was Abraham’s test of faith? Abraham was ready to sacrifice his son: he believed that God would raise him from the dead!

Fr. 4/5/13: Jas. 2:21-23                      How, then, does James say Abraham was justified by works?

Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

How, then, does James say Abraham was justified by works? Abraham acted on his belief and even went for the knife to sacrifice his son! Abraham’s faith was tested and proved by his works.

Scripture

Mo. 3/25/13: 2 Tim. 3:16 – 17                  What is the profit of Scripture?

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

What is the profit of Scripture? The profit is in doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction.

Tu. 3/26/13: 1 Cor. 15:3 – 5                  What is delivered in Scripture?

For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve.

What is delivered in Scripture? Scripture delivers the gospel.

We. 3/27/13: Rom. 15:3 – 4                  What is written in Scripture?

For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.” For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.

What is written in Scripture? Words for our learning are written.

Th. 3/28/13: James 2:8                  What is the royal law of Scripture?

If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well;

What is the royal law of Scripture? Love your neighbor as yourself.

Fr. 3/29/13: James 2:22 – 23                  What is faith in Scripture?

Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God.

What is faith in Scripture? Faith goes with works as proof.

Teacher, teach!

Mo. 3/18/13: Hebrews 5:12 – 13            What is milk and solid food?

For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.

What is milk and solid food? First principles of salvation and Christian living are milk, reading the Word is meat.

Tu. 3/19/13: 1 Corinthians 4:17            What is part of teaching?

For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.

What is part of teaching? Reminding others what the Word of God says.

We. 3/20/13: 1 Corinthians 14:18 – 19            What does Paul prefer to do?

I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all; yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

What does Paul prefer to do? Paul would speak five words with understanding than a lot in an unknown tongue.

Th. 3/21/13: 2 Timothy 2:1 – 2            What do we teach and commit?

You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

What do we teach and commit? Paul’s words to those who will teach others in turn.

Fr. 3/22/13: 2 Timothy 2:24 – 26            Why should a teacher be humble?

And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

Why should a teacher be humble? The hearers will know the truth and escape the snare of the devil.

Breastplate of Judgment

Mo. 3/11/13: Exodus 28:4                  What were the priest’s six garments?

And these are the garments which they shall make: a breastplate, an ephod, a robe, a skillfully woven tunic, a turban, and a sash. So they shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother and his sons, that he may minister to Me as priest.

What were the priest’s six garments? The garments were breastplate, ephod, robe, tunic, turban and a sash.

Tu. 3/12/13: Exodus 28:15, 22 – 23                  What was on the breastplate?

“You shall make the breastplate of judgment. Artistically woven according to the workmanship of the ephod you shall make it: of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen, you shall make it.

“You shall make chains for the breastplate at the end, like braided cords of pure gold.

And you shall make two rings of gold for the breastplate, and put the two rings on the two ends of the breastplate.

What was on the breastplate? Braided chains and two gold rings.

We. 3/13/13: Exodus 28:26, 28                  What bound the breastplate?

“You shall make two rings of gold, and put them on the two ends of the breastplate, on the edge of it, which is on the inner side of the ephod.

They shall bind the breastplate by means of its rings to the rings of the ephod, using a blue cord, so that it is above the intricately woven band of the ephod, and so that the breastplate does not come loose from the ephod.

What bound the breastplate? An intricately woven blue chord bound it.

Th. 3/14/13: Exodus 28:29 – 30                  What did the breastplate mean?

“So Aaron shall bear the names of the sons of Israel on the breastplate of judgment over his heart, when he goes into the holy place, as a memorial before the Lord continually. And you shall put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim, and they shall be over Aaron’s heart when he goes in before the Lord. So Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel over his heart before the Lord continually.

What did the breastplate mean? Aaron bore Israel’s judgment over his heart.

Fr. 3/15/13: Romans 5:18                  What if we bore our judgment?

Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life.

What if we bore our judgment? The result is condemnation. But…

Ark of Covenant

Mo. 3/4/13: Exodus 25:10-12                  What was added to the ‘box’?

“And they shall make an ark of acacia wood; two and a half cubits shall be its length, a cubit and a half its width, and a cubit and a half its height. And you shall overlay it with pure gold, inside and out you shall overlay it, and shall make on it a molding of gold all around. You shall cast four rings of gold for it, and put them in its four corners; two rings shall be on one side, and two rings on the other side.

What was added to the ‘box’? Four rings were added to the Ark.

Tu. 3/5/13: Exodus 25:13-16                  What was added to the rings?

And you shall make poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with gold. You shall put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark, that the ark may be carried by them. The poles shall be in the rings of the ark; they shall not be taken from it. And you shall put into the ark the Testimony which I will give you.

What was added to the rings? Two poles went through the rings and were not to be removed. The Ark was carried on the poles.

We. 3/6/13: Exodus 25:17-19                  What did the ‘lid’ have?

“You shall make a mercy seat of pure gold; two and a half cubits shall be its length and a cubit and a half its width. And you shall make two cherubim of gold; of hammered work you shall make them at the two ends of the mercy seat. Make one cherub at one end, and the other cherub at the other end; you shall make the cherubim at the two ends of it of one piece with the mercy seat.

What did the ‘lid’ have? The Mercy seat had two cherubim at each end.

Th. 3/7/13: Exodus 25:20-21                  How were the angels placed?

And the cherubim shall stretch out their wings above, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and they shall face one another; the faces of the cherubim shall be toward the mercy seat. You shall put the mercy seat on top of the ark, and in the ark you shall put the Testimony that I will give you.

How were the angels placed? The cherubs faced each other on the mercy seat in which the two tablets of stone were kept.

Fr. 3/8/13: Exodus 25:22                  What would take place here?

And there I will meet with you, and I will speak with you from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are on the ark of the Testimony, about everything which I will give you in commandment to the children of Israel.

What would take place here? God would meet Moses there and speak from above the mercy seat, between the cherubs.