9/20/12

What do we have in common with George?


I imagine that most of us will recognize George Clooney; but we probably have not seen him this way.  Movie stars are just people, after all; with all the problems we everyday humans have... runny noses, pimples, gas, etc..  But, all humans share another characteristic... sin.  As the scripture plainly teaches...

Romans, Chapter 3

 8 Why not (as we are slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say), “Let us do evil, that good may come?” Those who say so are justly condemned. 9 What then? Are we better than they? No, in no way. For we previously warned both Jews and Greeks, that they are all under sin.  10 As it is written,

“There is no one righteous;
no, not one.

  11 There is no one who understands.
There is no one who seeks after God.

  12 They have all turned aside.
They have together become unprofitable.

There is no one who does good,
no, not, so much as one.”

  13 “Their throat is an open tomb.
With their tongues they have used deceit.”

“The poison of vipers is under their lips;”
  14 “whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.”
  15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood.
  16 Destruction and misery are in their ways.
  17 The way of peace, they haven’t known.”
  18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes."

I have to admit, we all are prone to do things we shouldn't.  Sin is a problem for us all.  Face it, we sin.  The thing is... we all have a way out at the same time; Jesus.  We all have problems and at times even the best of us have moments where we are not at our best.  It is precisely at those moments that we can see our faults and when we do we can come to grips with sin... and do something about it.  The good thing is.. Jesus doesn't really care what we look like, he just wants to help us.  There is hope for George and hope for us as well.  Being good looking is an option!!

Sept. 20 1 Corinthians 16


Sept. 20
1 Corinthians 16

1Co 16:1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I commanded the assemblies of Galatia, you do likewise.
1Co 16:2 On the first day of the week, let each one of you save, as he may prosper, that no collections be made when I come.
1Co 16:3 When I arrive, I will send whoever you approve with letters to carry your gracious gift to Jerusalem.
1Co 16:4 If it is appropriate for me to go also, they will go with me.
1Co 16:5 But I will come to you when I have passed through Macedonia, for I am passing through Macedonia.
1Co 16:6 But with you it may be that I will stay, or even winter, that you may send me on my journey wherever I go.
1Co 16:7 For I do not wish to see you now in passing, but I hope to stay a while with you, if the Lord permits.
1Co 16:8 But I will stay at Ephesus until Pentecost,
1Co 16:9 for a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.
1Co 16:10 Now if Timothy comes, see that he is with you without fear, for he does the work of the Lord, as I also do.
1Co 16:11 Therefore let no one despise him. But set him forward on his journey in peace, that he may come to me; for I expect him with the brothers.
1Co 16:12 Now concerning Apollos, the brother, I strongly urged him to come to you with the brothers; and it was not at all his desire to come now; but he will come when he has an opportunity.
1Co 16:13 Watch! Stand firm in the faith! Be courageous! Be strong!
1Co 16:14 Let all that you do be done in love.
1Co 16:15 Now I beg you, brothers (you know the house of Stephanas, that it is the first fruits of Achaia, and that they have set themselves to serve the saints),
1Co 16:16 that you also be in subjection to such, and to everyone who helps in the work and labors.
1Co 16:17 I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus; for that which was lacking on your part, they supplied.
1Co 16:18 For they refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge those who are like that.
1Co 16:19 The assemblies of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you much in the Lord, together with the assembly that is in their house.
1Co 16:20 All the brothers greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss.
1Co 16:21 This greeting is by me, Paul, with my own hand.
1Co 16:22 If any man doesn't love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. Come, Lord!
1Co 16:23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
1Co 16:24 My love to all of you in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Sept. 20 Psalms 86-88


Sept. 20
Psalms 86-88

Psa 86:1 Hear, Yahweh, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.
Psa 86:2 Preserve my soul, for I am godly. You, my God, save your servant who trusts in you.
Psa 86:3 Be merciful to me, Lord, for I call to you all day long.
Psa 86:4 Bring joy to the soul of your servant, for to you, Lord, do I lift up my soul.
Psa 86:5 For you, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive; abundant in loving kindness to all those who call on you.
Psa 86:6 Hear, Yahweh, my prayer. Listen to the voice of my petitions.
Psa 86:7 In the day of my trouble I will call on you, for you will answer me.
Psa 86:8 There is no one like you among the gods, Lord, nor any deeds like your deeds.
Psa 86:9 All nations you have made will come and worship before you, Lord. They shall glorify your name.
Psa 86:10 For you are great, and do wondrous things. You are God alone.
Psa 86:11 Teach me your way, Yahweh. I will walk in your truth. Make my heart undivided to fear your name.
Psa 86:12 I will praise you, Lord my God, with my whole heart. I will glorify your name forevermore.
Psa 86:13 For your loving kindness is great toward me. You have delivered my soul from the lowest Sheol.
Psa 86:14 God, the proud have risen up against me. A company of violent men have sought after my soul, and they don't hold regard for you before them.
Psa 86:15 But you, Lord, are a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness and truth.
Psa 86:16 Turn to me, and have mercy on me! Give your strength to your servant. Save the son of your handmaid.
Psa 86:17 Show me a sign of your goodness, that those who hate me may see it, and be shamed, because you, Yahweh, have helped me, and comforted me.
Psa 87:1 His foundation is in the holy mountains.
Psa 87:2 Yahweh loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.
Psa 87:3 Glorious things are spoken about you, city of God. Selah.
Psa 87:4 I will record Rahab and Babylon among those who acknowledge me. Behold, Philistia, Tyre, and also Ethiopia: "This one was born there."
Psa 87:5 Yes, of Zion it will be said, "This one and that one was born in her;" the Most High himself will establish her.
Psa 87:6 Yahweh will count, when he writes up the peoples, "This one was born there." Selah.
Psa 87:7 Those who sing as well as those who dance say, "All my springs are in you."

Psa 88:1 Yahweh, the God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before you.
Psa 88:2 Let my prayer enter into your presence. Turn your ear to my cry.
Psa 88:3 For my soul is full of troubles. My life draws near to Sheol.
Psa 88:4 I am counted among those who go down into the pit. I am like a man who has no help,
Psa 88:5 set apart among the dead, like the slain who lie in the grave, whom you remember no more. They are cut off from your hand.
Psa 88:6 You have laid me in the lowest pit, in the darkest depths.
Psa 88:7 Your wrath lies heavily on me. You have afflicted me with all your waves. Selah.
Psa 88:8 You have taken my friends from me. You have made me an abomination to them. I am confined, and I can't escape.
Psa 88:9 My eyes are dim from grief. I have called on you daily, Yahweh. I have spread out my hands to you.
Psa 88:10 Do you show wonders to the dead? Do the dead rise up and praise you? Selah.
Psa 88:11 Is your loving kindness declared in the grave? Or your faithfulness in Destruction?
Psa 88:12 Are your wonders made known in the dark? Or your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?
Psa 88:13 But to you, Yahweh, I have cried. In the morning, my prayer comes before you.
Psa 88:14 Yahweh, why do you reject my soul? Why do you hide your face from me?
Psa 88:15 I am afflicted and ready to die from my youth up. While I suffer your terrors, I am distracted.
Psa 88:16 Your fierce wrath has gone over me. Your terrors have cut me off.
Psa 88:17 They came around me like water all day long. They completely engulfed me.
Psa 88:18 You have put lover and friend far from me, and my friends into darkness.

"THE EPISTLE TO TITUS" Chapter Two by Mark Copeland 

                         "THE EPISTLE TO TITUS"

                              Chapter Two

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER

1) To note the various instructions pertaining to proper Christian 
   conduct

2) To observe how the grace of God does not give us license to sin, but
   is designed to produce sober, righteous, and godly lives

SUMMARY

Having reviewed the qualifications of elders and their work, Paul
exhorts Titus to "speak the things which are proper for sound
doctrine."  Such things include the proper conduct expected of
Christians, both male and female, young and old, and of those who are 
servants.  Even Titus was to present himself as a pattern of good works
for others to follow, which would also serve to silence any opponents
of the faith (1-10).

Paul then writes of the grace of God that brings salvation to all men.
This wonderful grace instructs us to deny ungodliness and worldly 
lusts, choosing instead to live soberly, righteously and godly.  It 
also encourages us to look forward to the blessed hope we have related 
to the glorious appearing of Jesus Christ, who gave Himself to redeem 
us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a special people who 
are zealous for good works.  These things Titus was to teach with all 
authority, allowing none to despise him for doing so (11-15).

OUTLINE

I. INSTRUCTIONS CONCERNING CHRISTIAN CONDUCT (1-10)
   
   A. THE OLDER MEN (1-2)
      1. Titus is to speak things proper for sound doctrine (1)
      2. The older men are to be... (2)
         a. Sober, reverent, temperate
         b. Sound in faith, love, patience

   B. THE OLDER WOMEN (3-4a)
      1. In similar way they are to be reverent in behavior (3a)
         a. Not slanderers
         b. Not given to much wine
      2. They are to be teachers of good things, and admonish the young
         women (3b-4a)

   C. THE YOUNG WOMEN (4b-5)
      1. They are to love their husbands and their children (4b)
      2. They are to be... (5)
         a. Discreet, chaste, homemakers
         b. Good, obedient to their own husbands
         ...that the word of God may not be blasphemed

   D. THE YOUNG MEN (6-8)
      1. In a similar way they are to be sober-minded (6)
      2. In all things Titus is to be a pattern of good works (7a-8)
         a. In doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility
         b. With sound speech that cannot be condemned
            1) So that any opponent may be ashamed
            2) Having nothing evil to say of him

   E. THE SERVANTS (9-10)
      1. They are to be... (9-10a)
         a. Obedient to their masters
         b. Well pleasing in all things, not answering back
         c. Not pilfering, but showing fidelity in all things
      2. So they can adorn the doctrine of God in all things (10b)

II. THE INSTRUCTION OF THE GRACE OF GOD (11-15)

   A. THE GRACE OF GOD HAS APPEARED (11)
      1. That which brings salvation (11a)
      2. It has appeared to all men (11b)

   B. THE GRACE OF GOD TEACHES US (12-14)
      1. To deny ungodliness and worldly lusts (12a)
      2. To live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age
         (12b)
      3. To look for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our 
         great God and Savior Jesus Christ (13)
         a. Who gave Himself for us (14a)
         b. That He might...
            1) Redeem us from every lawless deed (14b)
            2) Purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for
               good works (14c)

   C. TITUS' RESPONSIBILITY (15)
      1. Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority 
         (15a)
      2. Let no despise him (15b)

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER

1) What are the main points of this chapter?
   - Instruction concerning Christian conduct (1-10)
   - The instruction of the grace of God (11-15)


2) What was Titus expected to speak? (1)
   - Things which are proper for sound doctrine

3) What was expected of the older men? (2)
   - To be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in 
     patience

4) What was expected of the older women? (3-4)
   - To be reverent, not slanderers, not given to much wine
   - To be teachers of good things, admonishing the young women

5) What was expected of the younger women? (4-5)
   - To love their husbands, to love their children
   - To be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own 
     husbands

6) Why were the younger women to behave this way? (5)
   - That the word of God may not be blasphemed

7) What was Titus to exhort the young men? (6)
   - To be sober-minded

8) What was Titus expected to do? (7-8)
   - To be a pattern of good works
   - To show integrity, reverence and incorruptibility in his doctrine
   - To have sound speech that cannot be condemned

9) What was expected of those who were servants? (9-10)
   - To be obedient to their masters
   - To be well pleasing in all things
   - Not to answer back, not pilfering, but showing fidelity

10) By behaving this way, what were the servants actually doing? (10)
   - Adorning the doctrine of God our Savior in all things

11) What does the grace of God teach us? (11-13)
   - To deny ungodliness and worldly lusts
   - To live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age
   - To look for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great
     God and Savior Jesus Christ

12) Why did Jesus give Himself for us? (14)
   - To redeem us from every lawless deed
   - To purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good
     works

13) How was Titus to speak these things? (15)
   - By exhorting and rebuking with all authority, letting no one 
     despise him

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