7/14/12

NEVER GIVE UP!!!



OK, this is not real; someone put a helmet on a mouse with photo shop.  If it were real though, just imagine the guts of that mouse.  The daring, the chutzpa, the audacity!!!  Even without the mouse, there would be an encouraging message here; NEVER GIVE UP!!!!  How many people have never succeeded BECAUSE THEY GAVE UP?  Naturally, I thought of the Apostle Paul; a man who traveled over 10,000 miles on foot for the sake of spreading the GOOD NEWS OF CHRIST!!! 

2 Corinthians, Chapter 11
 16 I say again, let no one think me foolish. But if so, yet receive me as foolish, that I also may boast a little.  17 That which I speak, I don’t speak according to the Lord, but as in foolishness, in this confidence of boasting.  18 Seeing that many boast after the flesh, I will also boast. 19 For you bear with the foolish gladly, being wise.  20 For you bear with a man, if he brings you into bondage, if he devours you, if he takes you captive, if he exalts himself, if he strikes you on the face.  21 I speak by way of disparagement, as though we had been weak. Yet however any is bold (I speak in foolishness), I am bold also.  22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I.  23 Are they servants of Christ? (I speak as one beside himself) I am more so; in labors more abundantly, in prisons more abundantly, in stripes above measure, in deaths often.  24 Five times from the Jews I received forty stripes minus one.  25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I suffered shipwreck. I have been a night and a day in the deep.  26 I have been in travels often, perils of rivers, perils of robbers, perils from my countrymen, perils from the Gentiles, perils in the city, perils in the wilderness, perils in the sea, perils among false brothers;  27 in labor and travail, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, and in cold and nakedness.

  28
 Besides those things that are outside, there is that which presses on me daily, anxiety for all the assemblies.  29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is caused to stumble, and I don’t burn with indignation?  30 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that concern my weakness.  31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, he who is blessed forevermore, knows that I don’t lie.

A small man, apparently weak of frame and with poor eyesight, this one man helped change the world...for the better!!!  But, don't make the mistake of thinking he had an easy time of it; just reading his recital above would be daunting for even the strongest of men.  Yet, it spite of all the hardships, he managed to write a major portion of the New Testament!!!  Frankly, I stand in awe of the man's faith and commitment.  Makes me want to go out and buy a football helmet... TODAY!!! 

July 14 1 Chronicles 4-6


July 14
1 Chronicles 4-6

1Ch 4:1 The sons of Judah: Perez, Hezron, and Carmi, and Hur, and Shobal.
1Ch 4:2 Reaiah the son of Shobal became the father of Jahath; and Jahath became the father of Ahumai and Lahad. These are the families of the Zorathites.
1Ch 4:3 These were the sons of the father of Etam: Jezreel, and Ishma, and Idbash; and the name of their sister was Hazzelelponi;
1Ch 4:4 and Penuel the father of Gedor, and Ezer the father of Hushah. These are the sons of Hur, the firstborn of Ephrathah, the father of Bethlehem.
1Ch 4:5 Ashhur the father of Tekoa had two wives, Helah and Naarah.
1Ch 4:6 Naarah bore him Ahuzzam, and Hepher, and Temeni, and Haahashtari. These were the sons of Naarah.
1Ch 4:7 The sons of Helah were Zereth, Izhar, and Ethnan.
1Ch 4:8 Hakkoz became the father of Anub, and Zobebah, and the families of Aharhel the son of Harum.
1Ch 4:9 Jabez was more honorable than his brothers: and his mother named him Jabez, saying, Because I bore him with sorrow.
1Ch 4:10 Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that you would bless me indeed, and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from evil, that it not be to my sorrow! God granted him that which he requested.
1Ch 4:11 Chelub the brother of Shuhah became the father of Mehir, who was the father of Eshton.
1Ch 4:12 Eshton became the father of Beth Rapha, and Paseah, and Tehinnah the father of Ir Nahash. These are the men of Recah.
1Ch 4:13 The sons of Kenaz: Othniel, and Seraiah. The sons of Othniel: Hathath.
1Ch 4:14 Meonothai became the father of Ophrah: and Seraiah became the father of Joab the father of Ge Harashim; for they were craftsmen.
1Ch 4:15 The sons of Caleb the son of Jephunneh: Iru, Elah, and Naam; and the sons of Elah; and Kenaz.
1Ch 4:16 The sons of Jehallelel: Ziph, and Ziphah, Tiria, and Asarel.
1Ch 4:17 The sons of Ezrah: Jether, and Mered, and Epher, and Jalon; and she bore Miriam, and Shammai, and Ishbah the father of Eshtemoa.
1Ch 4:18 His wife the Jewess bore Jered the father of Gedor, and Heber the father of Soco, and Jekuthiel the father of Zanoah. These are the sons of Bithiah the daughter of Pharaoh, whom Mered took.
1Ch 4:19 The sons of the wife of Hodiah, the sister of Naham, were the father of Keilah the Garmite, and Eshtemoa the Maacathite.
1Ch 4:20 The sons of Shimon: Amnon, and Rinnah, Ben Hanan, and Tilon. The sons of Ishi: Zoheth, and Ben Zoheth.
1Ch 4:21 The sons of Shelah the son of Judah: Er the father of Lecah, and Laadah the father of Mareshah, and the families of the house of those who worked fine linen, of the house of Ashbea;
1Ch 4:22 and Jokim, and the men of Cozeba, and Joash, and Saraph, who had dominion in Moab, and Jashubilehem. The records are ancient.
1Ch 4:23 These were the potters, and the inhabitants of Netaim and Gederah: there they lived with the king for his work.
1Ch 4:24 The sons of Simeon: Nemuel, and Jamin, Jarib, Zerah, Shaul;
1Ch 4:25 Shallum his son, Mibsam his son, Mishma his son.
1Ch 4:26 The sons of Mishma: Hammuel his son, Zaccur his son, Shimei his son.
1Ch 4:27 Shimei had sixteen sons and six daughters; but his brothers didn't have many children, neither did all their family multiply like the children of Judah.
1Ch 4:28 They lived at Beersheba, and Moladah, and Hazarshual,
1Ch 4:29 and at Bilhah, and at Ezem, and at Tolad,
1Ch 4:30 and at Bethuel, and at Hormah, and at Ziklag,
1Ch 4:31 and at Beth Marcaboth, and Hazar Susim, and at Beth Biri, and at Shaaraim. These were their cities to the reign of David.
1Ch 4:32 Their villages were Etam, and Ain, Rimmon, and Tochen, and Ashan, five cities;
1Ch 4:33 and all their villages that were around the same cities, to Baal. These were their habitations, and they have their genealogy.
1Ch 4:34 Meshobab, and Jamlech, and Joshah the son of Amaziah,
1Ch 4:35 and Joel, and Jehu the son of Joshibiah, the son of Seraiah, the son of Asiel,
1Ch 4:36 and Elioenai, and Jaakobah, and Jeshohaiah, and Asaiah, and Adiel, and Jesimiel, and Benaiah,
1Ch 4:37 and Ziza the son of Shiphi, the son of Allon, the son of Jedaiah, the son of Shimri, the son of Shemaiah--
1Ch 4:38 these mentioned by name were princes in their families: and their fathers' houses increased greatly.
1Ch 4:39 They went to the entrance of Gedor, even to the east side of the valley, to seek pasture for their flocks.
1Ch 4:40 They found fat pasture and good, and the land was wide, and quiet, and peaceable; for those who lived there before were of Ham.
1Ch 4:41 These written by name came in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah, and struck their tents, and the Meunim who were found there, and destroyed them utterly to this day, and lived in their place; because there was pasture there for their flocks.
1Ch 4:42 Some of them, even of the sons of Simeon, five hundred men, went to Mount Seir, having for their captains Pelatiah, and Neariah, and Rephaiah, and Uzziel, the sons of Ishi.
1Ch 4:43 They struck the remnant of the Amalekites who escaped, and have lived there to this day.
1Ch 5:1 The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel (for he was the firstborn; but, because he defiled his father's couch, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph the son of Israel; and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright.
1Ch 5:2 For Judah prevailed above his brothers, and of him came the prince; but the birthright was Joseph's:)
1Ch 5:3 the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel: Hanoch, and Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi.
1Ch 5:4 The sons of Joel: Shemaiah his son, Gog his son, Shimei his son,
1Ch 5:5 Micah his son, Reaiah his son, Baal his son,
1Ch 5:6 Beerah his son, whom Tilgath Pilneser king of Assyria carried away captive: he was prince of the Reubenites.
1Ch 5:7 His brothers by their families, when the genealogy of their generations was reckoned: the chief, Jeiel, and Zechariah,
1Ch 5:8 and Bela the son of Azaz, the son of Shema, the son of Joel, who lived in Aroer, even to Nebo and Baal Meon:
1Ch 5:9 and eastward he lived even to the entrance of the wilderness from the river Euphrates, because their livestock were multiplied in the land of Gilead.
1Ch 5:10 In the days of Saul, they made war with the Hagrites, who fell by their hand; and they lived in their tents throughout all the land east of Gilead.
1Ch 5:11 The sons of Gad lived over against them, in the land of Bashan to Salecah:
1Ch 5:12 Joel the chief, and Shapham the second, and Janai, and Shaphat in Bashan.
1Ch 5:13 Their brothers of their fathers' houses: Michael, and Meshullam, and Sheba, and Jorai, and Jacan, and Zia, and Eber, seven.
1Ch 5:14 These were the sons of Abihail, the son of Huri, the son of Jaroah, the son of Gilead, the son of Michael, the son of Jeshishai, the son of Jahdo, the son of Buz;
1Ch 5:15 Ahi the son of Abdiel, the son of Guni, chief of their fathers' houses.
1Ch 5:16 They lived in Gilead in Bashan, and in its towns, and in all the suburbs of Sharon, as far as their borders.
1Ch 5:17 All these were reckoned by genealogies in the days of Jotham king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam king of Israel.
1Ch 5:18 The sons of Reuben, and the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, of valiant men, men able to bear buckler and sword, and to shoot with bow, and skillful in war, were forty-four thousand seven hundred and sixty, that were able to go forth to war.
1Ch 5:19 They made war with the Hagrites, with Jetur, and Naphish, and Nodab.
1Ch 5:20 They were helped against them, and the Hagrites were delivered into their hand, and all who were with them; for they cried to God in the battle, and he was entreated of them, because they put their trust in him.
1Ch 5:21 They took away their livestock; of their camels fifty thousand, and of sheep two hundred fifty thousand, and of donkeys two thousand, and of men one hundred thousand.
1Ch 5:22 For there fell many slain, because the war was of God. They lived in their place until the captivity.
1Ch 5:23 The children of the half-tribe of Manasseh lived in the land: they increased from Bashan to Baal Hermon and Senir and Mount Hermon.
1Ch 5:24 These were the heads of their fathers' houses: even Epher, and Ishi, and Eliel, and Azriel, and Jeremiah, and Hodaviah, and Jahdiel, mighty men of valor, famous men, heads of their fathers' houses.
1Ch 5:25 They trespassed against the God of their fathers, and played the prostitute after the gods of the peoples of the land, whom God destroyed before them.
1Ch 5:26 The God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul king of Assyria, and the spirit of Tilgath Pilneser king of Assyria, and he carried them away, even the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, and brought them to Halah, and Habor, and Hara, and to the river of Gozan, to this day.
1Ch 6:1 The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
1Ch 6:2 The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel.
1Ch 6:3 The children of Amram: Aaron, and Moses, and Miriam. The sons of Aaron: Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
1Ch 6:4 Eleazar became the father of Phinehas, Phinehas became the father of Abishua,
1Ch 6:5 and Abishua became the father of Bukki, and Bukki became the father of Uzzi,
1Ch 6:6 and Uzzi became the father of Zerahiah, and Zerahiah became the father of Meraioth,
1Ch 6:7 Meraioth became the father of Amariah, and Amariah became the father of Ahitub,
1Ch 6:8 and Ahitub became the father of Zadok, and Zadok became the father of Ahimaaz,
1Ch 6:9 and Ahimaaz became the father of Azariah, and Azariah became the father of Johanan,
1Ch 6:10 and Johanan became the father of Azariah, (he it is who executed the priest's office in the house that Solomon built in Jerusalem),
1Ch 6:11 and Azariah became the father of Amariah, and Amariah became the father of Ahitub,
1Ch 6:12 and Ahitub became the father of Zadok, and Zadok became the father of Shallum,
1Ch 6:13 and Shallum became the father of Hilkiah, and Hilkiah became the father of Azariah,
1Ch 6:14 and Azariah became the father of Seraiah, and Seraiah became the father of Jehozadak;
1Ch 6:15 Jehozadak went into captivity, when Yahweh carried away Judah and Jerusalem by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar.
1Ch 6:16 The sons of Levi: Gershom, Kohath, and Merari.
1Ch 6:17 These are the names of the sons of Gershom: Libni and Shimei.
1Ch 6:18 The sons of Kohath were Amram, and Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel.
1Ch 6:19 The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites according to their fathers' houses.
1Ch 6:20 Of Gershom: Libni his son, Jahath his son, Zimmah his son,
1Ch 6:21 Joah his son, Iddo his son, Zerah his son, Jeatherai his son.
1Ch 6:22 The sons of Kohath: Amminadab his son, Korah his son, Assir his son,
1Ch 6:23 Elkanah his son, and Ebiasaph his son, and Assir his son,
1Ch 6:24 Tahath his son, Uriel his son, Uzziah his son, and Shaul his son.
1Ch 6:25 The sons of Elkanah: Amasai, and Ahimoth.
1Ch 6:26 As for Elkanah, the sons of Elkanah: Zophai his son, and Nahath his son,
1Ch 6:27 Eliab his son, Jeroham his son, Elkanah his son.
1Ch 6:28 The sons of Samuel: the firstborn Joel, and the second Abijah.
1Ch 6:29 The sons of Merari: Mahli, Libni his son, Shimei his son, Uzzah his son,
1Ch 6:30 Shimea his son, Haggiah his son, Asaiah his son.
1Ch 6:31 These are they whom David set over the service of song in the house of Yahweh, after that the ark had rest.
1Ch 6:32 They ministered with song before the tabernacle of the Tent of Meeting, until Solomon had built the house of Yahweh in Jerusalem: and they waited on their office according to their order.
1Ch 6:33 These are those who waited, and their sons. Of the sons of the Kohathites: Heman the singer, the son of Joel, the son of Samuel,
1Ch 6:34 the son of Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Eliel, the son of Toah,
1Ch 6:35 the son of Zuph, the son of Elkanah, the son of Mahath, the son of Amasai,
1Ch 6:36 the son of Elkanah, the son of Joel, the son of Azariah, the son of Zephaniah,
1Ch 6:37 the son of Tahath, the son of Assir, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah,
1Ch 6:38 the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, the son of Israel.
1Ch 6:39 His brother Asaph, who stood on his right hand, even Asaph the son of Berechiah, the son of Shimea,
1Ch 6:40 the son of Michael, the son of Baaseiah, the son of Malchijah,
1Ch 6:41 the son of Ethni, the son of Zerah, the son of Adaiah,
1Ch 6:42 the son of Ethan, the son of Zimmah, the son of Shimei,
1Ch 6:43 the son of Jahath, the son of Gershom, the son of Levi.
1Ch 6:44 On the left hand their brothers the sons of Merari: Ethan the son of Kishi, the son of Abdi, the son of Malluch,
1Ch 6:45 the son of Hashabiah, the son of Amaziah, the son of Hilkiah,
1Ch 6:46 the son of Amzi, the son of Bani, the son of Shemer,
1Ch 6:47 the son of Mahli, the son of Mushi, the son of Merari, the son of Levi.
1Ch 6:48 Their brothers the Levites were appointed for all the service of the tabernacle of the house of God.
1Ch 6:49 But Aaron and his sons offered on the altar of burnt offering, and on the altar of incense, for all the work of the most holy place, and to make atonement for Israel, according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded.
1Ch 6:50 These are the sons of Aaron: Eleazar his son, Phinehas his son, Abishua his son,
1Ch 6:51 Bukki his son, Uzzi his son, Zerahiah his son,
1Ch 6:52 Meraioth his son, Amariah his son, Ahitub his son,
1Ch 6:53 Zadok his son, Ahimaaz his son.
1Ch 6:54 Now these are their dwelling places according to their encampments in their borders: to the sons of Aaron, of the families of the Kohathites (for theirs was the first lot),
1Ch 6:55 to them they gave Hebron in the land of Judah, and its suburbs around it;
1Ch 6:56 but the fields of the city, and its villages, they gave to Caleb the son of Jephunneh.
1Ch 6:57 To the sons of Aaron they gave the cities of refuge, Hebron; Libnah also with its suburbs, and Jattir, and Eshtemoa with its suburbs,
1Ch 6:58 and Hilen with its suburbs, Debir with its suburbs,
1Ch 6:59 and Ashan with its suburbs, and Beth Shemesh with its suburbs;
1Ch 6:60 and out of the tribe of Benjamin, Geba with its suburbs, and Allemeth with its suburbs, and Anathoth with its suburbs. All their cities throughout their families were thirteen cities.
1Ch 6:61 To the rest of the sons of Kohath were given by lot, out of the family of the tribe, out of the half-tribe, the half of Manasseh, ten cities.
1Ch 6:62 To the sons of Gershom, according to their families, out of the tribe of Issachar, and out of the tribe of Asher, and out of the tribe of Naphtali, and out of the tribe of Manasseh in Bashan, thirteen cities.
1Ch 6:63 To the sons of Merari were given by lot, according to their families, out of the tribe of Reuben, and out of the tribe of Gad, and out of the tribe of Zebulun, twelve cities.
1Ch 6:64 The children of Israel gave to the Levites the cities with their suburbs.
1Ch 6:65 They gave by lot out of the tribe of the children of Judah, and out of the tribe of the children of Simeon, and out of the tribe of the children of Benjamin, these cities which are mentioned by name.
1Ch 6:66 Some of the families of the sons of Kohath had cities of their borders out of the tribe of Ephraim.
1Ch 6:67 They gave to them the cities of refuge, Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim with its suburbs; Gezer also with its suburbs,
1Ch 6:68 and Jokmeam with its suburbs, and Beth Horon with its suburbs,
1Ch 6:69 and Aijalon with its suburbs, and Gath Rimmon with its suburbs;
1Ch 6:70 and out of the half-tribe of Manasseh, Aner with its suburbs, and Bileam with its suburbs, for the rest of the family of the sons of Kohath.
1Ch 6:71 To the sons of Gershom were given, out of the family of the half-tribe of Manasseh, Golan in Bashan with its suburbs, and Ashtaroth with its suburbs;
1Ch 6:72 and out of the tribe of Issachar, Kedesh with its suburbs, Daberath with its suburbs,
1Ch 6:73 and Ramoth with its suburbs, and Anem with its suburbs;
1Ch 6:74 and out of the tribe of Asher, Mashal with its suburbs, and Abdon with its suburbs,
1Ch 6:75 and Hukok with its suburbs, and Rehob with its suburbs;
1Ch 6:76 and out of the tribe of Naphtali, Kedesh in Galilee with its suburbs, and Hammon with its suburbs, and Kiriathaim with its suburbs.
1Ch 6:77 To the rest of the Levites, the sons of Merari, were given, out of the tribe of Zebulun, Rimmono with its suburbs, Tabor with its suburbs;
1Ch 6:78 and beyond the Jordan at Jericho, on the east side of the Jordan, were given them, out of the tribe of Reuben, Bezer in the wilderness with its suburbs, and Jahzah with its suburbs,
1Ch 6:79 and Kedemoth with its suburbs, and Mephaath with its suburbs;
1Ch 6:80 and out of the tribe of Gad, Ramoth in Gilead with its suburbs, and Mahanaim with its suburbs,
1Ch 6:81 and Heshbon with its suburbs, and Jazer with its suburbs.

Jul. 14, 15 Acts 10


Jul. 14, 15
Acts 10

Act 10:1 Now there was a certain man in Caesarea, Cornelius by name, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment,
Act 10:2 a devout man, and one who feared God with all his house, who gave gifts for the needy generously to the people, and always prayed to God.
Act 10:3 At about the ninth hour of the day, he clearly saw in a vision an angel of God coming to him, and saying to him, "Cornelius!"
Act 10:4 He, fastening his eyes on him, and being frightened, said, "What is it, Lord?" He said to him, "Your prayers and your gifts to the needy have gone up for a memorial before God.
Act 10:5 Now send men to Joppa, and get Simon, who is surnamed Peter.
Act 10:6 He lodges with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the seaside."
Act 10:7 When the angel who spoke to him had departed, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier of those who waited on him continually.
Act 10:8 Having explained everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.
Act 10:9 Now on the next day as they were on their journey, and got close to the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray at about noon.
Act 10:10 He became hungry and desired to eat, but while they were preparing, he fell into a trance.
Act 10:11 He saw heaven opened and a certain container descending to him, like a great sheet let down by four corners on the earth,
Act 10:12 in which were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild animals, reptiles, and birds of the sky.
Act 10:13 A voice came to him, "Rise, Peter, kill and eat!"
Act 10:14 But Peter said, "Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean."
Act 10:15 A voice came to him again the second time, "What God has cleansed, you must not call unclean."
Act 10:16 This was done three times, and immediately the vessel was received up into heaven.
Act 10:17 Now while Peter was very perplexed in himself what the vision which he had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon's house, stood before the gate,
Act 10:18 and called and asked whether Simon, who was surnamed Peter, was lodging there.
Act 10:19 While Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Behold, three men seek you.
Act 10:20 But arise, get down, and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them."
Act 10:21 Peter went down to the men, and said, "Behold, I am he whom you seek. Why have you come?"
Act 10:22 They said, "Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous man and one who fears God, and well spoken of by all the nation of the Jews, was directed by a holy angel to invite you to his house, and to listen to what you say."
Act 10:23 So he called them in and lodged them. On the next day Peter arose and went out with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him.
Act 10:24 On the next day they entered into Caesarea. Cornelius was waiting for them, having called together his relatives and his near friends.
Act 10:25 When it happened that Peter entered, Cornelius met him, fell down at his feet, and worshiped him.
Act 10:26 But Peter raised him up, saying, "Stand up! I myself am also a man."
Act 10:27 As he talked with him, he went in and found many gathered together.
Act 10:28 He said to them, "You yourselves know how it is an unlawful thing for a man who is a Jew to join himself or come to one of another nation, but God has shown me that I shouldn't call any man unholy or unclean.
Act 10:29 Therefore also I came without complaint when I was sent for. I ask therefore, why did you send for me?"
Act 10:30 Cornelius said, "Four days ago, I was fasting until this hour, and at the ninth hour, I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,
Act 10:31 and said, 'Cornelius, your prayer is heard, and your gifts to the needy are remembered in the sight of God.
Act 10:32 Send therefore to Joppa, and summon Simon, who is surnamed Peter. He lodges in the house of Simon a tanner, by the seaside. When he comes, he will speak to you.'
Act 10:33 Therefore I sent to you at once, and it was good of you to come. Now therefore we are all here present in the sight of God to hear all things that have been commanded you by God."
Act 10:34 Peter opened his mouth and said, "Truly I perceive that God doesn't show favoritism;
Act 10:35 but in every nation he who fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him.
Act 10:36 The word which he sent to the children of Israel, preaching good news of peace by Jesus Christ-he is Lord of all-
Act 10:37 that spoken word you yourselves know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;
Act 10:38 even Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
Act 10:39 We are witnesses of everything he did both in the country of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they also killed, hanging him on a tree.
Act 10:40 God raised him up the third day, and gave him to be revealed,
Act 10:41 not to all the people, but to witnesses who were chosen before by God, to us, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.
Act 10:42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that this is he who is appointed by God as the Judge of the living and the dead.
Act 10:43 All the prophets testify about him, that through his name everyone who believes in him will receive remission of sins."
Act 10:44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all those who heard the word.
Act 10:45 They of the circumcision who believed were amazed, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was also poured out on the Gentiles.
Act 10:46 For they heard them speaking in other languages and magnifying God. Then Peter answered,
Act 10:47 "Can any man forbid the water, that these who have received the Holy Spirit as well as we should not be baptized?"
Act 10:48 He commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay some days.

"THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS" Chapter Twelve by Mark Copeland


                 "THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS"

                             Chapter Twelve

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER

1) To be aware of the many different spiritual gifts enjoyed by the
   early church

2) To appreciate the interdependence of the members of the Body of
   Christ

SUMMARY

In this chapter Paul begins to address the issue of spiritual gifts.  
From what we read later in chapter fourteen, it appears the jealousy 
and envy that characterized their division mentioned earlier also 
expressed itself in their use (and abuse) of certain spiritual gifts.  
Expressing his concern that they be not ignorant about these matters, 
Paul first emphasizes that spiritual gifts, though diverse, come from 
the same Spirit and are to be used for the benefit of all (1-11).  To 
demonstrate that every person (and spiritual gift) is important, He 
compares the church to a body with many different yet essential members 
(12-27).  The chapter closes with Paul pointing out that not all serve 
the same function and have the same gifts, encouraging them to 
earnestly desire the best gifts, and preparing to show them a more 
excellent way in the next chapter (28-31).

OUTLINE

I. SPIRITUAL GIFTS:  UNITY IN DIVERSITY (1-11)

   A. IMPORTANCE OF PROPER KNOWLEDGE CONCERNING SPIRITUAL GIFTS (1-3)
      1. Paul does not want them to be ignorant concerning spiritual
         gifts (1)
      2. For as Gentiles they had been misled by dumb idols (2)
      3. Two general principles to bear in mind:
         a. No one speaking by the Spirit of God will call Jesus 
            accursed (3a)
         b. No one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit
            (3b)

   B. THOUGH DIVERSE, THERE IS UNITY OF ORIGIN AND PURPOSE IN
      SPIRITUAL GIFTS (4-11)
      1. They all come from the same Spirit (4)
         a. Just as there are different ministries, but the same Lord
            (5)
         b. Just as diverse activities proceed from the same God (6)
      2. Each "manifestation" (spiritual gift), though given to one, is
         to benefit all (7)
      3. A summary of the different spiritual gifts (8-10)
         a. The word of wisdom
         b. The word of knowledge
         c. Faith
         d. Gifts of healing
         e. Working of miracles
         f. Prophecy
         g. Discerning of spirits
         h. Different kinds of tongues
         i. Interpretation of tongues
      4. But it is the same Spirit who works all these things,
         distributing to each one as He wills (11)

II. THE NEED FOR DIVERSITY IN ONE BODY (12-31)

   A. ILLUSTRATED BY THE FIGURE OF A BODY AND ITS MEMBERS (12-26)
      1. Just like the human body, the body of Christ with its many
         members are yet one (12)
         a. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body (13a)
         b. And we have all been made to drink into one Spirit (13b)
      2. No member can say that they are not important (14-19)
         a. The body is not one member, but many (14)
         b. As illustrated with parts of the human body (15-19)
      3. No member can say that others are not important (20-26)
         a. Though many members, yet one body (20)
         b. As illustrated with parts of the human body (21-24a)
         c. God has composed the body to be one, and its members to 
            have mutual concern for each other (24b-26)

   B. SUMMARY APPLICATION OF THE ILLUSTRATION (27-31)
      1. You are the body of Christ, and individually are members of it
         (27)
      2. God has appointed various functions in the church (28)
      3. Rhetorical questions to illustrate that not everyone has the
         same function (29-30)
      4. Certainly it was proper to desire the best gifts, yet Paul
         will show them a more excellent way (31)

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER
   
1) List the main points of this chapter
   - Spiritual Gifts:  Unity In Diversity (1-11)
   - The Need For Diversity In One Body (12-31)

2) Why were the "manifestations" (spiritual gifts) of the Spirit given?
   (7)
   - For the profit of all

3) Who determined who received what gift? (11)
   - The Spirit distributed to each one as He willed

4) What part does the Holy Spirit play in our conversion and
   sanctification? (13)
   - By the Spirit we are all baptized into one body
   - We have all been made to drink of the Spirit

5) Can any member of the body say that they are not important? (15-19)
   - No!

6) Can any member of the body say others are not important? (21-22)
   - No!

7) What indication is there in this chapter that at least some of the
   spiritual gifts or functions were temporary? (29)
   - The reference to "apostles"; even most charismatics would agree
     that the office of apostle does not exist today, that it was only
     a temporary but necessary part of the establishment of the Lord's
     church (Ep 2:20-22)

8) Was there anything wrong with the Corinthians desiring the "best
   gifts"? (31)
   - No, Paul encouraged them to do so, yet he would have them know a
     more excellent way (the way of love as expounded in chapter
     thirteen)