The "Great" debate

First, let me say that the title of this picture is a misnomer.  Does it really matter which way you place the toilet paper on the roller?  As a guy, I don't think its important, but my wife does and that is what really matters.  So, to please her, I always choose "B".  More importantly than this choice is making sure there is paper in the bathroom!!!  When you really need it and its not there, THEN YOU HAVE A PROBLEM!!!  As a result of thinking about this, I naturally consider about priorities and this passage comes to mind...

Romans, Chapter 14

1 Now accept one who is weak in faith, but not for disputes over opinions.  2 One man has faith to eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables.  3 Don’t let him who eats despise him who doesn’t eat. Don’t let him who doesn’t eat judge him who eats, for God has accepted him.  4 Who are you who judge another’s servant? To his own lord he stands or falls. Yes, he will be made to stand, for God has power to make him stand.

  5 One man esteems one day as more important. Another esteems every day alike. Let each man be fully assured in his own mind.  6 He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks. He who doesn’t eat, to the Lord he doesn’t eat, and gives God thanks.  7 For none of us lives to himself, and none dies to himself.  8 For if we live, we live to the Lord. Or if we die, we die to the Lord. If therefore we live or die, we are the Lord’s.  9 For to this end Christ died, rose, and lived again, that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.

This passage from Romans does not teach that its OK to do anything you want doctrinally.  To believe that is the same as the "do your own thing" from the 60's era.  What it does teach is understanding and consideration for one's brother and coupled with love and a correct doctrinal stance, will yield correct actions in all circumstances.  Love, understanding and doctrine apply to everything, whether it be food or even something as mundane as the direction of the flow of toilet paper. Think it doesn't matter... ask your wife!!!!

ps. Personally, if I lived alone I would choose "A" because its easier to grab the paper.  But, really, who cares?

Sept. 14 Psalms 68-70

Sept. 14

Psalms 68-70

Psa 68:1 Let God arise! Let his enemies be scattered! Let them who hate him also flee before him.

Psa 68:2 As smoke is driven away, so drive them away. As wax melts before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.

Psa 68:3 But let the righteous be glad. Let them rejoice before God. Yes, let them rejoice with gladness.

Psa 68:4 Sing to God! Sing praises to his name! Extol him who rides on the clouds: to Yah, his name! Rejoice before him!

Psa 68:5 A father of the fatherless, and a defender of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.

Psa 68:6 God sets the lonely in families. He brings out the prisoners with singing, but the rebellious dwell in a sun-scorched land.

Psa 68:7 God, when you went forth before your people, when you marched through the wilderness... Selah.

Psa 68:8 The earth trembled. The sky also poured down rain at the presence of the God of Sinai-- at the presence of God, the God of Israel.

Psa 68:9 You, God, sent a plentiful rain. You confirmed your inheritance, when it was weary.

Psa 68:10 Your congregation lived therein. You, God, prepared your goodness for the poor.

Psa 68:11 The Lord announced the word. The ones who proclaim it are a great company.

Psa 68:12 "Kings of armies flee! They flee!" She who waits at home divides the spoil,

Psa 68:13 while you sleep among the campfires, the wings of a dove sheathed with silver, her feathers with shining gold.

Psa 68:14 When the Almighty scattered kings in her, it snowed on Zalmon.

Psa 68:15 The mountains of Bashan are majestic mountains. The mountains of Bashan are rugged.

Psa 68:16 Why do you look in envy, you rugged mountains, at the mountain where God chooses to reign? Yes, Yahweh will dwell there forever.

Psa 68:17 The chariots of God are tens of thousands and thousands of thousands. The Lord is among them, from Sinai, into the sanctuary.

Psa 68:18 You have ascended on high. You have led away captives. You have received gifts among men, yes, among the rebellious also, that Yah God might dwell there.

Psa 68:19 Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burdens, even the God who is our salvation. Selah.

Psa 68:20 God is to us a God of deliverance. To Yahweh, the Lord, belongs escape from death.

Psa 68:21 But God will strike through the head of his enemies, the hairy scalp of such a one as still continues in his guiltiness.

Psa 68:22 The Lord said, "I will bring you again from Bashan, I will bring you again from the depths of the sea;

Psa 68:23 That you may crush them, dipping your foot in blood, that the tongues of your dogs may have their portion from your enemies."

Psa 68:24 They have seen your processions, God, even the processions of my God, my King, into the sanctuary.

Psa 68:25 The singers went before, the minstrels followed after, in the midst of the ladies playing with tambourines,

Psa 68:26 "Bless God in the congregations, even the Lord in the assembly of Israel!"

Psa 68:27 There is little Benjamin, their ruler, the princes of Judah, their council, the princes of Zebulun, and the princes of Naphtali.

Psa 68:28 Your God has commanded your strength. Strengthen, God, that which you have done for us.

Psa 68:29 Because of your temple at Jerusalem, kings shall bring presents to you.

Psa 68:30 Rebuke the wild animal of the reeds, the multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the peoples. Being humbled, may it bring bars of silver. Scatter the nations that delight in war.

Psa 68:31 Princes shall come out of Egypt. Ethiopia shall hurry to stretch out her hands to God.

Psa 68:32 Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth! Sing praises to the Lord! Selah.

Psa 68:33 To him who rides on the heaven of heavens, which are of old; behold, he utters his voice, a mighty voice.

Psa 68:34 Ascribe strength to God! His excellency is over Israel, his strength is in the skies.

Psa 68:35 You are awesome, God, in your sanctuaries. The God of Israel gives strength and power to his people. Praise be to God!

Psa 69:1 Save me, God, for the waters have come up to my neck!

Psa 69:2 I sink in deep mire, where there is no foothold. I have come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me.

Psa 69:3 I am weary with my crying. My throat is dry. My eyes fail, looking for my God.

Psa 69:4 Those who hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of my head. Those who want to cut me off, being my enemies wrongfully, are mighty. I have to restore what I didn't take away.

Psa 69:5 God, you know my foolishness. My sins aren't hidden from you.

Psa 69:6 Don't let those who wait for you be shamed through me, Lord Yahweh of Armies. Don't let those who seek you be brought to dishonor through me, God of Israel.

Psa 69:7 Because for your sake, I have borne reproach. Shame has covered my face.

Psa 69:8 I have become a stranger to my brothers, an alien to my mother's children.

Psa 69:9 For the zeal of your house consumes me. The reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me.

Psa 69:10 When I wept and I fasted, that was to my reproach.

Psa 69:11 When I made sackcloth my clothing, I became a byword to them.

Psa 69:12 Those who sit in the gate talk about me. I am the song of the drunkards.

Psa 69:13 But as for me, my prayer is to you, Yahweh, in an acceptable time. God, in the abundance of your loving kindness, answer me in the truth of your salvation.

Psa 69:14 Deliver me out of the mire, and don't let me sink. Let me be delivered from those who hate me, and out of the deep waters.

Psa 69:15 Don't let the flood waters overwhelm me, neither let the deep swallow me up. Don't let the pit shut its mouth on me.

Psa 69:16 Answer me, Yahweh, for your loving kindness is good. According to the multitude of your tender mercies, turn to me.

Psa 69:17 Don't hide your face from your servant, for I am in distress. Answer me speedily!

Psa 69:18 Draw near to my soul, and redeem it. Ransom me because of my enemies.

Psa 69:19 You know my reproach, my shame, and my dishonor. My adversaries are all before you.

Psa 69:20 Reproach has broken my heart, and I am full of heaviness. I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; for comforters, but I found none.

Psa 69:21 They also gave me gall for my food. In my thirst, they gave me vinegar to drink.

Psa 69:22 Let their table before them become a snare. May it become a retribution and a trap.

Psa 69:23 Let their eyes be darkened, so that they can't see. Let their backs be continually bent.

Psa 69:24 Pour out your indignation on them. Let the fierceness of your anger overtake them.

Psa 69:25 Let their habitation be desolate. Let no one dwell in their tents.

Psa 69:26 For they persecute him whom you have wounded. They tell of the sorrow of those whom you have hurt.

Psa 69:27 Charge them with crime upon crime. Don't let them come into your righteousness.

Psa 69:28 Let them be blotted out of the book of life, and not be written with the righteous.

Psa 69:29 But I am in pain and distress. Let your salvation, God, protect me.

Psa 69:30 I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.

Psa 69:31 It will please Yahweh better than an ox, or a bull that has horns and hoofs.

Psa 69:32 The humble have seen it, and are glad. You who seek after God, let your heart live.

Psa 69:33 For Yahweh hears the needy, and doesn't despise his captive people.

Psa 69:34 Let heaven and earth praise him; the seas, and everything that moves therein!

Psa 69:35 For God will save Zion, and build the cities of Judah. They shall settle there, and own it.

Psa 69:36 The children also of his servants shall inherit it. Those who love his name shall dwell therein.

Psa 70:1 Hurry, God, to deliver me. Come quickly to help me, Yahweh.

Psa 70:2 Let them be disappointed and confounded who seek my soul. Let those who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace.

Psa 70:3 Let them be turned because of their shame Who say, "Aha! Aha!"

Psa 70:4 Let all those who seek you rejoice and be glad in you. Let those who love your salvation continually say, "Let God be exalted!"

Psa 70:5 But I am poor and needy. Come to me quickly, God. You are my help and my deliverer. Yahweh, don't delay.

Sept. 14 1 Corinthians 10

Sept. 14

1 Corinthians 10

1Co 10:1 Now I would not have you ignorant, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;

1Co 10:2 and were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

1Co 10:3 and all ate the same spiritual food;

1Co 10:4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of a spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ.

1Co 10:5 However with most of them, God was not well pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

1Co 10:6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

1Co 10:7 Neither be idolaters, as some of them were. As it is written, "The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play."

1Co 10:8 Neither let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them committed, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell.

1Co 10:9 Neither let us test the Lord, as some of them tested, and perished by the serpents.

1Co 10:10 Neither grumble, as some of them also grumbled, and perished by the destroyer.

1Co 10:11 Now all these things happened to them by way of example, and they were written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the ages have come.

1Co 10:12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands be careful that he doesn't fall.

1Co 10:13 No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

1Co 10:14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.

1Co 10:15 I speak as to wise men. Judge what I say.

1Co 10:16 The cup of blessing which we bless, isn't it a sharing of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, isn't it a sharing of the body of Christ?

1Co 10:17 Because there is one loaf of bread, we, who are many, are one body; for we all partake of the one loaf of bread.

1Co 10:18 Consider Israel according to the flesh. Don't those who eat the sacrifices participate in the altar?

1Co 10:19 What am I saying then? That a thing sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything?

1Co 10:20 But I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons, and not to God, and I don't desire that you would have fellowship with demons.

1Co 10:21 You can't both drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You can't both partake of the table of the Lord, and of the table of demons.

1Co 10:22 Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?

1Co 10:23 "All things are lawful for me," but not all things are profitable. "All things are lawful for me," but not all things build up.

1Co 10:24 Let no one seek his own, but each one his neighbor's good.

1Co 10:25 Whatever is sold in the butcher shop, eat, asking no question for the sake of conscience,

1Co 10:26 for "the earth is the Lord's, and its fullness."

1Co 10:27 But if one of those who don't believe invites you to a meal, and you are inclined to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no questions for the sake of conscience.

1Co 10:28 But if anyone says to you, "This was offered to idols," don't eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for the sake of conscience. For "the earth is the Lord's, and all its fullness."

1Co 10:29 Conscience, I say, not your own, but the other's conscience. For why is my liberty judged by another conscience?

1Co 10:30 If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced for that for which I give thanks?

1Co 10:31 Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

1Co 10:32 Give no occasions for stumbling, either to Jews, or to Greeks, or to the assembly of God;

1Co 10:33 even as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of the many, that they may be saved.

"THE SECOND EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY" Chapter Two by Mark Copeland

                    "THE SECOND EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY"

                              Chapter Two

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER

1) To appreciate the need for endurance and faithfulness to the will of
   Christ

2) To note the warnings against profane and vain babblings, foolish and
   ignorant disputes

3) To consider how the servant of the Lord can be a vessel for honor, 
   useful for the Master and prepared for every good work

SUMMARY

Paul continues with exhortations to Timothy in this chapter, with an
emphasis on endurance and diligence.  Encouraging him to be strong in
the grace that is in Christ Jesus, Paul then charges Timothy to commit
what he has learned to faithful men who can pass it along (1-2).

Using the illustrations of a soldier, athlete, and farmer, Paul exhorts
Timothy to endure hardship, to be faithful, and to work hard.  Writing
of his own endurance in hardship, Paul stresses the need to be true to
the Lord (3-13).

The last half of the chapter is devoted to telling Timothy how to be
"useful to the Master", a worker who does not need to be ashamed.  With
warnings to shun profane and vain babblings, and avoiding foolish and 
ignorant disputes, Paul reminds Timothy of things he should flee 
(youthful lusts) and what he should pursue (righteousness, faith, love,
peace).  Properly handling the word of truth, and correcting others 
with gentleness and humility, Timothy can truly be a servant of the 
Lord who is prepared for every good work, especially when dealing with
those who have been ensnared by the devil (14-26).

OUTLINE

I. EXHORTATION TO TRANSMIT THE TRUTH TO OTHERS (1-2)

   A. A PLEA TO BE STRONG (1)
      1. Directed to Timothy as his son (1a)
      2. To be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus (1b)

   B. COMMIT WHAT HE HAS HEARD TO FAITHFUL MEN (2)
      1. Those things he heard from Paul among many witnesses (2a)
      2. Commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others (2b)

II. EXHORTATION TO ENDURE HARDSHIP (3-13)

   A. AS A SOLDIER, ATHLETE, AND FARMER (3-7)
      1. Endure hardship as good soldier of Jesus Christ (3)
         a. Not entangled with the affairs of this life (4a)
         b. That he might please the One who enlisted him (4b)
      2. As an athlete, follow the rules of competition in order to win
         (5)
      3. It is the hard-working farmer who will be the first to partake
         of his crops (6)
      4. May the Lord give him understanding as he considers what Paul
         is saying (7)

   B. THE EXAMPLE OF PAUL HIMSELF (8-13)
      1. Remember that Jesus was raised from the dead, according to the
         gospel (8)
         a. For which Paul suffered trouble as an evildoer, even to the
            point of chains (9a)
         b. Yet the word of God was not chained (9b)
      2. Paul endured all things for the sake of the elect (10a)
         a. That they might obtain the salvation in Christ Jesus with
            eternal glory (10b)
         b. A faithful saying to encourage us to endure hardship 
            (11-13)
            1) If we died with Christ, we shall live with Him
            2) If we endure, we shall also reign with Him
            3) If we deny Him, He will also deny us
            4) If we are faithless, He remains faithful for He cannot
               deny Himself

III. EXHORTATION TO DILIGENCE AS A SERVANT OF THE LORD (14-26)

   A. INSTRUCTIONS RELATED TO HIS WORK (14-19)
      1. Remind others, charging them not to strive about words (14)
         a. Words that do not profit
         b. Words that only produce ruin of the hearers
      2. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God (15)
         a. As a worker who does not need to be ashamed
         b. As a worker who rightly divides the word of truth
      3. Shun profane and vain babblings (16-18)
         a. For they only increase to more ungodliness (16)
         b. For their message will spread like cancer (17a)
            1) Hymenaeus and Philetus are example (17b)
            2) Who have overthrown the faith of some by saying the
               resurrection is already past (18)
      4. God's solid foundation stands, having this seal:
         a. The Lord knows those who are His (19a)
         b. Let those who name the name of Christ depart from iniquity
            (19b)

   B. INSTRUCTIONS FOR BEING USEFUL TO THE MASTER (20-26)
      1. A great house has all kinds of vessels, some for honor and 
         some for dishonor (20)
      2. If anyone cleanses himself from things of dishonor, he will be
         a vessel of honor (21)
         a. Sanctified and useful for the Master
         b. Prepared for every good work
      3. Instructions that will make one a servant useful to the
         Master:
         a. Flee youthful lusts (22a)
         b. Pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who 
            call on the Lord out of a pure heart (22b)
         c. Avoid foolish and ignorant disputes that generate strife
            (23)
         d. Do not quarrel, but be gentle to all, able to teach, 
            patient (24)
         e. In humility correct those in opposition (25-26)
            1) Perhaps God will grant them repentance, so that they may
               know the truth (25)
            2) Perhaps they may come to their senses and escape the 
               snare of the devil who has taken them captive to do his
               will (26)

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER

1) What are the main points of this chapter?
   - Exhortation to transmit the truth to others (1-2)
   - Exhortation to endure hardship (3-13)
   - Exhortation to diligence as a servant of the Lord (14-26)

2) In what did Paul want Timothy to be strong? (1)
   - The grace that is in Christ Jesus

3) What did Paul want Timothy to do with the things Paul had taught 
   him? (2)
   - Commit them to faithful men who would teach others

4) What three illustrations does Paul use to encourage Timothy to 
   endure hardship and to work hard? (3-6)
   - Those of a soldier, an athlete, and a farmer

5) What did Paul want Timothy to remember? (8)
   - That Jesus Christ was raised from the dead

6) What did Paul suffer in behalf of the gospel?  Did it hinder the
   gospel? (9)
   - Trouble as an evil doer, even to the point of chains
   - No

7) Why was Paul willing to endure all things? (10)
   - For the sake of the elect, that they also might obtain salvation
     with eternal glory

8) What encouragement is given by "a faithful saying"? (11,12a)
   - If we died with Christ, we shall also live with Him
   - If we endure, we shall also reign with Him

9) What warning is given by "a faithful saying"? (12b)
   - If we deny Him, He also will deny us

10) What was Timothy to charge others? (14)
   - Not to strive about words to no profit

11) What was Timothy to be diligent in doing? (15)
   - Presenting himself approved to God, a worker who does not need to
     be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth

12) What was he to shun?  Why? (16)
   - Profane and vain babblings; because they lead to more ungodliness

13) What two individuals had been guilty of spreading such things? (17)
   - Hymenaeus and Philetus

14) What had they taught?  What was the effect of their teaching? (18)
   - That the resurrection was already past
   - It overthrew the faith of some

15) What is the "seal" of God's solid foundation? (19)
   - "The Lord knows those who are His"
   - "Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity"

16) What will a "vessel of honor" be? (21)
   - Sanctified and useful for the Master
   - Prepared for every good work

17) What was Timothy to flee?  What was he to pursue? (22)
   - Flee youthful lusts
   - Pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace

18) What was he to avoid?  Why? (23)
   - Foolish and ignorant disputes
   - They generate strife

19) List what must be true of a servant of the Lord (24-25a)
   - Must not quarrel
   - Be gentle to all
   - Able to teach
   - Patient
   - In humility correcting those who are in opposition

20) Why must a servant of the Lord be this way to those in opposition?
    (25b-26)
   - Perhaps God will grant them repentance, so that they may know the
     truth
   - Perhaps they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the
     devil, for they have been taken captive by him to do his will

Sept. 13 Psalms 64-67

Sept. 13

Psalms 64-67

Psa 64:1 Hear my voice, God, in my complaint. Preserve my life from fear of the enemy.

Psa 64:2 Hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked, from the noisy crowd of the ones doing evil;

Psa 64:3 who sharpen their tongue like a sword, and aim their arrows, deadly words,

Psa 64:4 to shoot innocent men from ambushes. They shoot at him suddenly and fearlessly.

Psa 64:5 They encourage themselves in evil plans. They talk about laying snares secretly. They say, "Who will see them?"

Psa 64:6 They plot injustice, saying, "We have made a perfect plan!" Surely man's mind and heart are cunning.

Psa 64:7 But God will shoot at them. They will be suddenly struck down with an arrow.

Psa 64:8 Their own tongues shall ruin them. All who see them will shake their heads.

Psa 64:9 All mankind shall be afraid. They shall declare the work of God, and shall wisely ponder what he has done.

Psa 64:10 The righteous shall be glad in Yahweh, and shall take refuge in him. All the upright in heart shall praise him!

 

Psa 65:1 Praise waits for you, God, in Zion. To you shall vows be performed.

Psa 65:2 You who hear prayer, to you all men will come.

Psa 65:3 Sins overwhelmed me, but you atoned for our transgressions.

Psa 65:4 Blessed is one whom you choose, and cause to come near, that he may live in your courts. We will be filled with the goodness of your house, your holy temple.

Psa 65:5 By awesome deeds of righteousness, you answer us, God of our salvation. You who are the hope of all the ends of the earth, of those who are far away on the sea;

Psa 65:6 Who by his power forms the mountains, having armed yourself with strength;

Psa 65:7 who stills the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the turmoil of the nations.

Psa 65:8 They also who dwell in faraway places are afraid at your wonders. You call the morning's dawn and the evening with songs of joy.

Psa 65:9 You visit the earth, and water it. You greatly enrich it. The river of God is full of water. You provide them grain, for so you have ordained it.

Psa 65:10 You drench its furrows. You level its ridges. You soften it with showers. You bless it with a crop.

Psa 65:11 You crown the year with your bounty. Your carts overflow with abundance.

Psa 65:12 The wilderness grasslands overflow. The hills are clothed with gladness.

Psa 65:13 The pastures are covered with flocks. The valleys also are clothed with grain. They shout for joy! They also sing.

 

Psa 66:1 Make a joyful shout to God, all the earth!

Psa 66:2 Sing to the glory of his name! Offer glory and praise!

Psa 66:3 Tell God, "How awesome are your deeds! Through the greatness of your power, your enemies submit themselves to you.

Psa 66:4 All the earth will worship you, and will sing to you; they will sing to your name." Selah.

Psa 66:5 Come, and see God's deeds-- awesome work on behalf of the children of men.

Psa 66:6 He turned the sea into dry land. They went through the river on foot. There, we rejoiced in him.

Psa 66:7 He rules by his might forever. His eyes watch the nations. Don't let the rebellious rise up against him. Selah.

Psa 66:8 Praise our God, you peoples! Make the sound of his praise heard,

Psa 66:9 who preserves our life among the living, and doesn't allow our feet to be moved.

Psa 66:10 For you, God, have tested us. You have refined us, as silver is refined.

Psa 66:11 You brought us into prison. You laid a burden on our backs.

Psa 66:12 You allowed men to ride over our heads. We went through fire and through water, but you brought us to the place of abundance.

Psa 66:13 I will come into your temple with burnt offerings. I will pay my vows to you,

Psa 66:14 which my lips promised, and my mouth spoke, when I was in distress.

Psa 66:15 I will offer to you burnt offerings of fat animals, with the offering of rams, I will offer bulls with goats. Selah.

Psa 66:16 Come, and hear, all you who fear God. I will declare what he has done for my soul.

Psa 66:17 I cried to him with my mouth. He was extolled with my tongue.

Psa 66:18 If I cherished sin in my heart, the Lord wouldn't have listened.

Psa 66:19 But most certainly, God has listened. He has heard the voice of my prayer.

Psa 66:20 Blessed be God, who has not turned away my prayer, nor his loving kindness from me.

 

Psa 67:1 May God be merciful to us, bless us, and cause his face to shine on us. Selah.

Psa 67:2 That your way may be known on earth, and your salvation among all nations,

Psa 67:3 let the peoples praise you, God. Let all the peoples praise you.

Psa 67:4 Oh let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you will judge the peoples with equity, and govern the nations on earth. Selah.

Psa 67:5 Let the peoples praise you, God. Let all the peoples praise you.

Psa 67:6 The earth has yielded its increase. God, even our own God, will bless us.

Psa 67:7 God will bless us. All the ends of the earth shall fear him.

Sept. 13 1 Corinthians 9

Sept. 13

1 Corinthians 9

1Co 9:1 Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Haven't I seen Jesus Christ, our Lord? Aren't you my work in the Lord?

1Co 9:2 If to others I am not an apostle, yet at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

1Co 9:3 My defense to those who examine me is this.

1Co 9:4 Have we no right to eat and to drink?

1Co 9:5 Have we no right to take along a wife who is a believer, even as the rest of the apostles, and the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas?

1Co 9:6 Or have only Barnabas and I no right to not work?

1Co 9:7 What soldier ever serves at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard, and doesn't eat of its fruit? Or who feeds a flock, and doesn't drink from the flock's milk?

1Co 9:8 Do I speak these things according to the ways of men? Or doesn't the law also say the same thing?

1Co 9:9 For it is written in the law of Moses, "You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain." Is it for the oxen that God cares,

1Co 9:10 or does he say it assuredly for our sake? Yes, it was written for our sake, because he who plows ought to plow in hope, and he who threshes in hope should partake of his hope.

1Co 9:11 If we sowed to you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we reap your fleshly things?

1Co 9:12 If others partake of this right over you, don't we yet more? Nevertheless we did not use this right, but we bear all things, that we may cause no hindrance to the Good News of Christ.

1Co 9:13 Don't you know that those who serve around sacred things eat from the things of the temple, and those who wait on the altar have their portion with the altar?

1Co 9:14 Even so the Lord ordained that those who proclaim the Good News should live from the Good News.

1Co 9:15 But I have used none of these things, and I don't write these things that it may be done so in my case; for I would rather die, than that anyone should make my boasting void.

1Co 9:16 For if I preach the Good News, I have nothing to boast about; for necessity is laid on me; but woe is to me, if I don't preach the Good News.

1Co 9:17 For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward. But if not of my own will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me.

1Co 9:18 What then is my reward? That, when I preach the Good News, I may present the Good News of Christ without charge, so as not to abuse my authority in the Good News.

1Co 9:19 For though I was free from all, I brought myself under bondage to all, that I might gain the more.

1Co 9:20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain those who are under the law;

1Co 9:21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law.

1Co 9:22 To the weak I became as weak, that I might gain the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I may by all means save some.

1Co 9:23 Now I do this for the sake of the Good News, that I may be a joint partaker of it.

1Co 9:24 Don't you know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run like that, that you may win.

1Co 9:25 Every man who strives in the games exercises self-control in all things. Now they do it to receive a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible.

1Co 9:26 I therefore run like that, as not uncertainly. I fight like that, as not beating the air,

1Co 9:27 but I beat my body and bring it into submission, lest by any means, after I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected.

"THE SECOND EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY" Chapter One by Mark Copeland

                    "THE SECOND EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY"

                              Chapter One

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER

1) To notice the great love that existed between Paul and Timothy

2) To examine the exhortations to faithful service given by Paul to 
   Timothy

3) To contrast the people who abandoned Paul, with a faithful friend 
   like Onesiphorus

SUMMARY

The apostle Paul begins this letter to his "beloved son" with a prayer
for grace, mercy and peace in his behalf.  Thankful to God for the
unceasing memories that he has of Timothy in his prayers night and day,
Paul greatly desires to see the young man.  Seeing him again will bring
great joy as Paul is mindful of Timothy's tears and his unfeigned faith
(1-5).

Paul's purpose in writing begins in earnest with a series of 
exhortations toward steadfast service.  He encourages Timothy to stir 
up the gift of God which was in him by the laying on of Paul's hands, 
to not be ashamed of the testimony of the Lord nor of Paul His 
prisoner, and to hold fast the pattern of sound words which he had 
heard from Paul, keeping it by the indwelling Holy Spirit.  Timothy is
then reminded of those who had forsaken Paul, but also how Onesiphorus
had proven to be a true friend and brother by virtue of his courage, 
diligence, and service (6-18).

OUTLINE

I. INTRODUCTION (1-5)

   A. SALUTATION (1-2a)
      1. From Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ (1)
         a. By the will of God
         b. According to the promise of life in Christ Jesus
      2. To Timothy, his beloved son (2a)
      3. Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus
         our Lord (2b)

   B. THANKSGIVING (3-5)
      1. Thanks offered to God by Paul (3)
         a. Whom he serves with pure conscience, as did his forefathers
         b. For without ceasing he remembers Timothy in his prayers 
            night and day
      2. Greatly desiring to see Timothy (4-5)
         a. For he is mindful of Timothy's tears
         b. For Paul himself desires to be filled with joy
         c. For he remembers the genuine faith that is in Timothy
            1) Which dwelt first in his grandmother Lois and his mother
               Eunice
            2) And which Paul is persuaded is in Timothy also

II. EXHORTATION TO ZEAL AND COURAGE (6-12)

   A. STIR UP THE GIFT OF GOD (6-7)
      1. Which was in him through the laying on of Paul's hands (6)
      2. For God has given a spirit, not of fear, but of power, love,
         and a sound mind (7)

   B. DON'T BE ASHAMED (8-12)
      1. Of the testimony of our Lord, nor of Paul His prisoner (8a)
      2. Share with Paul in the suffering of the gospel according to 
         the power of God (8b-12)
         a. Who saved us and called us with a holy calling (9-10)
            1) Not according to our works
            2) But according to His own purpose and grace
               a) Given to us in Christ before time began
               b) But has now been revealed by the appearing of our 
                  Savior Jesus Christ
                  1/ Who abolished death
                  2/ And brought light and immortality to light through
                     the gospel
         b. For the gospel Paul was appointed a preacher, apostle and 
            teacher (11-12)
            1) For such things he suffers
            2) But he not ashamed
               a) For he knows Whom he has believed
               b) And is persuaded that He is able to keep what Paul 
                  has committed to Him until that Day

III. EXHORTATION TO STEADFASTNESS AND LOYALTY (13-18)

   A. BE STEADFAST (13-14)
      1. Hold fast the pattern of sound words (13)
         a. Which he had heard from Paul
         b. In faith and love which are in Christ Jesus
      2. Keep that good thing (14)
         a. Which was committed to you
         b. Keep it by the Holy Spirit who dwells is us

   B. BE LOYAL (15-18)
      1. All in Asia have turned away from Paul, including Phygellus 
         and Hermogenes (15)
      2. In contrast, the example of Onesiphorus (16-18)
         a. May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus
            1) For he often refreshed Paul
            2) He was not ashamed of Paul's chains
            3) Arriving in Rome, he sought Paul diligently and found
               him
            4) He also ministered to Paul in many ways at Ephesus
         b. May the Lord grant mercy to Onesiphorus in that Day

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER

1) What are the main points of this chapter?
   - Introduction (1-5)
   - Exhortations to zeal and courage (6-12)
   - Exhortations to steadfastness and loyalty (13-18)

2) How does Paul describe Timothy in his salutation? (2)
   - My beloved son

3) How did Paul serve God? (3)
   - With a pure conscience, as did his forefathers

4) What two things came to Paul's mind when concerning Timothy? (4-5)
   - His tears
   - The genuine faith that was in him

5) What two women had this genuine faith before Timothy? (5)
   - His grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice

6) What did Paul remind Timothy to stir up? (6)
   - The gift of God which was in him through the laying on of Paul's
     hands

7) What had God given Paul and Timothy? (7)
   - Not the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound
     mind

8) What two things did Paul not want Timothy to be ashamed of? (8)
   - The testimony of our Lord
   - Paul His prisoner

9) How has God saved us and called us with a holy calling? (10)
   - Not according to our works but according to His own purpose and
     grace

10) What has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ?
    (10-11)
   - God's purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ before 
     time began

11) What two things has Jesus done according to verse 10?
   - Abolished death
   - Brought life and immortality to light through the gospel

12) To what three functions had Paul been appointed relating to the 
    gospel? (11)
   - Preacher, apostle, teacher

13) Though Paul suffered, why was he not ashamed? (12)
   - He knew Whom he had believed
   - He was persuaded that He is able to keep what he had committed to
     Him until that Day

14) What was Timothy to hold fast? (13)
   - The pattern of sound words heard from Paul

15) How was he to keep that good thing that was committed to him? (14)
   - By the Holy Spirit who dwells in him

16) Who had turned away from Paul? (15)
   - All those in Asia
   - Including Phygellus and Hermogenes

17) What four good things are said about Onesiphorus? (16-18)
   - He often refreshed Paul
   - He was not ashamed of Paul's chains
   - When he arrived in Rome, he diligently sought until he found Paul
   - He ministered to Paul in Ephesus in many ways

18) What two things did Paul desire of the Lord? (16,18)
   - Mercy be granted to the household of Onesiphorus
   - Mercy be granted to Onesiphorus in that Day