7/26/12

One more time...


Look around, whole countries are in trouble.  There is a world-wide economic depression and people the whole world over are hurting and seeking answers.  Beyond this problem lies a deeper, more sinister problem.  Evil abounds, with its pervasive tentacles slowly chocking the spiritual life from countless individuals.  People are lost and afraid; hopelessness has become common.  There just seems to be no safe direction to follow.  Yet, for those of us who have not become "spiritually color-blind" there is a way out.  Now would be a good time to look at the picture once again and then read the following verses from Paul's second letter to the Corinthians....

2 Corinthians, Chapter 4
  3 Even if our Good News is veiled, it is veiled in those who perish;  4 in whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the Good News of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn on them.  5 For we don’t preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake;  6 seeing it is God who said, “Light will shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Open both your heart and mind to what Jesus can do for you!!! Have faith; it really DOES NOT MATTER whether the economy is bad or good, or you have money or health or friends or possessions.  If you are on the road that leads to heaven, you have it all!!!!  In a hundred years, all the things that you think are worth something will be unimportant and but a dim memory.  IF YOU OPEN YOUR EYES TO THE TRUTH OF WHAT JESUS HAS TAUGHT AND OBEY GOD'S WILL, then you REALLY HAVE SOMETHING INDEED!!!  Do not be blinded by the things of this world!!! Get on the right path NOW, before it is TOO LATE!!! Then your life will be a "sign" to others to look to Jesus as well!!!  LOOK AT THE SIGN ONE MORE TIME AND KEEP LOOKING!!!!

July 26 2 Chronicles 10-12


July 26
2 Chronicles 10-12

2Ch 10:1 Rehoboam went to Shechem; for all Israel were come to Shechem to make him king.
2Ch 10:2 It happened, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard of it, (for he was in Egypt, where he had fled from the presence of king Solomon), that Jeroboam returned out of Egypt.
2Ch 10:3 They sent and called him; and Jeroboam and all Israel came, and they spoke to Rehoboam, saying,
2Ch 10:4 Your father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make you the grievous service of your father, and his heavy yoke which he put on us, lighter, and we will serve you.
2Ch 10:5 He said to them, Come again to me after three days. The people departed.
2Ch 10:6 King Rehoboam took counsel with the old men, who had stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, saying, What counsel do you give me to return answer to this people?
2Ch 10:7 They spoke to him, saying, If you are kind to this people, and please them, and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever.
2Ch 10:8 But he forsook the counsel of the old men which they had given him, and took counsel with the young men who had grown up with him, who stood before him.
2Ch 10:9 He said to them, What counsel do you give, that we may return answer to this people, who have spoken to me, saying, Make the yoke that your father did put on us lighter?
2Ch 10:10 The young men who had grown up with him spoke to him, saying, Thus you shall tell the people who spoke to you, saying, Your father made our yoke heavy, but make it lighter on us; thus you shall say to them, My little finger is thicker than my father's waist.
2Ch 10:11 Now whereas my father burdened you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.
2Ch 10:12 So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king bade, saying, Come to me again the third day.
2Ch 10:13 The king answered them roughly; and king Rehoboam forsook the counsel of the old men,
2Ch 10:14 and spoke to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add thereto: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.
2Ch 10:15 So the king didn't listen to the people; for it was brought about of God, that Yahweh might establish his word, which he spoke by Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat.
2Ch 10:16 When all Israel saw that the king didn't listen to them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to your tents, Israel: now see to your own house, David. So all Israel departed to their tents.
2Ch 10:17 But as for the children of Israel who lived in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them.
2Ch 10:18 Then king Rehoboam sent Hadoram, who was over the men subject to forced labor; and the children of Israel stoned him to death with stones. King Rehoboam made speed to get him up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem.
2Ch 10:19 So Israel rebelled against the house of David to this day.
2Ch 11:1 When Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he assembled the house of Judah and Benjamin, one hundred eighty thousand chosen men, who were warriors, to fight against Israel, to bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam.
2Ch 11:2 But the word of Yahweh came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying,
2Ch 11:3 Speak to Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, saying,
2Ch 11:4 Thus says Yahweh, You shall not go up, nor fight against your brothers: return every man to his house; for this thing is of me. So they listened to the words of Yahweh, and returned from going against Jeroboam.
2Ch 11:5 Rehoboam lived in Jerusalem, and built cities for defense in Judah.
2Ch 11:6 He built Bethlehem, and Etam, and Tekoa,
2Ch 11:7 Beth Zur, and Soco, and Adullam,
2Ch 11:8 and Gath, and Mareshah, and Ziph,
2Ch 11:9 and Adoraim, and Lachish, and Azekah,
2Ch 11:10 and Zorah, and Aijalon, and Hebron, which are in Judah and in Benjamin, fortified cities.
2Ch 11:11 He fortified the strongholds, and put captains in them, and stores of food, and oil and wine.
2Ch 11:12 In every city he put shields and spears, and made them exceeding strong. Judah and Benjamin belonged to him.
2Ch 11:13 The priests and the Levites who were in all Israel resorted to him out of all their border.
2Ch 11:14 For the Levites left their suburbs and their possession, and came to Judah and Jerusalem: for Jeroboam and his sons cast them off, that they should not execute the priest's office to Yahweh;
2Ch 11:15 and he appointed him priests for the high places, and for the male goats, and for the calves which he had made.
2Ch 11:16 After them, out of all the tribes of Israel, such as set their hearts to seek Yahweh, the God of Israel, came to Jerusalem to sacrifice to Yahweh, the God of their fathers.
2Ch 11:17 So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah, and made Rehoboam the son of Solomon strong, three years; for they walked three years in the way of David and Solomon.
2Ch 11:18 Rehoboam took him a wife, Mahalath the daughter of Jerimoth the son of David, and of Abihail the daughter of Eliab the son of Jesse;
2Ch 11:19 and she bore him sons: Jeush, and Shemariah, and Zaham.
2Ch 11:20 After her he took Maacah the daughter of Absalom; and she bore him Abijah, and Attai, and Ziza, and Shelomith.
2Ch 11:21 Rehoboam loved Maacah the daughter of Absalom above all his wives and his concubines: (for he took eighteen wives, and sixty concubines, and became the father of twenty-eight sons and sixty daughters.)
2Ch 11:22 Rehoboam appointed Abijah the son of Maacah to be chief, even the prince among his brothers; for he was minded to make him king.
2Ch 11:23 He dealt wisely, and dispersed of all his sons throughout all the lands of Judah and Benjamin, to every fortified city: and he gave them food in abundance. He sought for them many wives.
2Ch 12:1 It happened, when the kingdom of Rehoboam was established, and he was strong, that he forsook the law of Yahweh, and all Israel with him.
2Ch 12:2 It happened in the fifth year of king Rehoboam, that Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, because they had trespassed against Yahweh,
2Ch 12:3 with twelve hundred chariots, and sixty thousand horsemen. The people were without number who came with him out of Egypt: the Lubim, the Sukkiim, and the Ethiopians.
2Ch 12:4 He took the fortified cities which pertained to Judah, and came to Jerusalem.
2Ch 12:5 Now Shemaiah the prophet came to Rehoboam, and to the princes of Judah, who were gathered together to Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said to them, Thus says Yahweh, You have forsaken me, therefore have I also left you in the hand of Shishak.
2Ch 12:6 Then the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves; and they said, Yahweh is righteous.
2Ch 12:7 When Yahweh saw that they humbled themselves, the word of Yahweh came to Shemaiah, saying, They have humbled themselves: I will not destroy them; but I will grant them some deliverance, and my wrath shall not be poured out on Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak.
2Ch 12:8 Nevertheless they shall be his servants, that they may know my service, and the service of the kingdoms of the countries.
2Ch 12:9 So Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, and took away the treasures of the house of Yahweh, and the treasures of the king's house: he took all away: he took away also the shields of gold which Solomon had made.
2Ch 12:10 King Rehoboam made in their place shields of brass, and committed them to the hands of the captains of the guard, who kept the door of the king's house.
2Ch 12:11 It was so, that as often as the king entered into the house of Yahweh, the guard came and bore them, and brought them back into the guard chamber.
2Ch 12:12 When he humbled himself, the wrath of Yahweh turned from him, so as not to destroy him altogether: and moreover in Judah there were good things found.
2Ch 12:13 So king Rehoboam strengthened himself in Jerusalem, and reigned: for Rehoboam was forty-one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which Yahweh had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, to put his name there: and his mother's name was Naamah the Ammonitess.
2Ch 12:14 He did that which was evil, because he didn't set his heart to seek Yahweh.
2Ch 12:15 Now the acts of Rehoboam, first and last, aren't they written in the histories of Shemaiah the prophet and of Iddo the seer, after the manner of genealogies? There were wars between Rehoboam and Jeroboam continually.
2Ch 12:16 Rehoboam slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David: and Abijah his son reigned in his place.

Jul. 26, 27 Acts 16


Jul. 26, 27
Acts 16

Act 16:1 He came to Derbe and Lystra: and behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewess who believed; but his father was a Greek.
Act 16:2 The brothers who were at Lystra and Iconium gave a good testimony about him.
Act 16:3 Paul wanted to have him go out with him, and he took and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those parts; for they all knew that his father was a Greek.
Act 16:4 As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered the decrees to them to keep which had been ordained by the apostles and elders who were at Jerusalem.
Act 16:5 So the assemblies were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.
Act 16:6 When they had gone through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia.
Act 16:7 When they had come opposite Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit didn't allow them.
Act 16:8 Passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas.
Act 16:9 A vision appeared to Paul in the night. There was a man of Macedonia standing, begging him, and saying, "Come over into Macedonia and help us."
Act 16:10 When he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go out to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the Good News to them.
Act 16:11 Setting sail therefore from Troas, we made a straight course to Samothrace, and the day following to Neapolis;
Act 16:12 and from there to Philippi, which is a city of Macedonia, the foremost of the district, a Roman colony. We were staying some days in this city.
Act 16:13 On the Sabbath day we went forth outside of the city by a riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down, and spoke to the women who had come together.
Act 16:14 A certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, one who worshiped God, heard us; whose heart the Lord opened to listen to the things which were spoken by Paul.
Act 16:15 When she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and stay." So she persuaded us.
Act 16:16 It happened, as we were going to prayer, that a certain girl having a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much gain by fortune telling.
Act 16:17 Following Paul and us, she cried out, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us a way of salvation!"
Act 16:18 She was doing this for many days. But Paul, becoming greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!" It came out that very hour.
Act 16:19 But when her masters saw that the hope of their gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas, and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers.
Act 16:20 When they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, "These men, being Jews, are agitating our city,
Act 16:21 and set forth customs which it is not lawful for us to accept or to observe, being Romans."
Act 16:22 The multitude rose up together against them, and the magistrates tore their clothes off of them, and commanded them to be beaten with rods.
Act 16:23 When they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely,
Act 16:24 who, having received such a command, threw them into the inner prison, and secured their feet in the stocks.
Act 16:25 But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.
Act 16:26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bonds were loosened.
Act 16:27 The jailer, being roused out of sleep and seeing the prison doors open, drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped.
Act 16:28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, "Don't harm yourself, for we are all here!"
Act 16:29 He called for lights and sprang in, and, fell down trembling before Paul and Silas,
Act 16:30 and brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"
Act 16:31 They said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household."
Act 16:32 They spoke the word of the Lord to him, and to all who were in his house.
Act 16:33 He took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes, and was immediately baptized, he and all his household.
Act 16:34 He brought them up into his house, and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, with all his household, having believed in God.
Act 16:35 But when it was day, the magistrates sent the sergeants, saying, "Let those men go."
Act 16:36 The jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, "The magistrates have sent to let you go; now therefore come out, and go in peace."
Act 16:37 But Paul said to them, "They have beaten us publicly, without a trial, men who are Romans, and have cast us into prison! Do they now release us secretly? No, most certainly, but let them come themselves and bring us out!"
Act 16:38 The sergeants reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Romans,
Act 16:39 and they came and begged them. When they had brought them out, they asked them to depart from the city.
Act 16:40 They went out of the prison, and entered into Lydia's house. When they had seen the brothers, they encouraged them, and departed.

"THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS" Chapter Seven


                "THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS"

                             Chapter Seven

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER

1) To see how God can use others to comfort us

2) To understand true repentance:  what leads to it, and what is the
   evidence that it has occurred

SUMMARY

Chapter seven begins with Paul summarizing his pleas to the Corinthians
made in the previous chapter.  Again he calls for spiritual purity, and
for "hearts wide open" (1-3).

Paul returns now to a point where he left off in chapter two, his
anxiety when searching for Titus (cf. 2:12-13).  After arriving in 
Macedonia, he finds him and the report Titus has from the church in 
Corinth is a source of great comfort and joy to Paul.  Indeed, even the
manner in which Titus was received by the Corinthians filled Paul with 
joy (4-7).

The Corinthians had received a previous letter from Paul with much
sorrow, but with a godly sorrow that led to true repentance.  Paul 
could see that, and he wanted them to know it was only out of care for
them he had written it (8-12).  Thus, the way they had received Titus
and Paul's letter, rendering quick obedience, gave Paul confidence in
the Corinthians (13-16).

OUTLINE

I. PAUL'S PLEA TO THE CORINTHIANS (1-3)

   A. A PLEA FOR HOLINESS (1)
      1. In view of the promises given (1a)
      2. By cleansing ourselves from all filthiness (1b)
      3. By perfecting holiness in the fear of God (1c)
      -- This is a summary of the plea found in 6:14-18

   B. A PLEA FOR THEM TO OPEN THEIR HEARTS (2-3)
      1. To open their hearts for Paul and his companions (2a)
      2. For they have done no wrong to anyone (2b)
      3. Not said to condemn, but out of love (3)
      -- This is a repetition of the plea found in 6:11-13

II. PAUL'S COMFORT AND JOY (4-16)

   A. COMFORTED BY THE COMING OF TITUS (4-6)
      1. Paul's boldness made possible by his comfort and joy (4)
      2. Arriving in Macedonia, Paul was troubled (5)
      3. But God comforted him by the arrival of Titus (6; cf. 2:12-13)

   B. COMFORTED BY HEARING OF THEIR REPENTANCE (7-12)
      1. Titus bore good news of their repentance (7)
      2. Their repentance made him glad he had written the earlier
         epistle (8)
      3. He was glad their sorrow was that godly sorrow which leads to
         true repentance (9-10)
      4. The evidence of their godly sorrow (11)
      5. Even so, he initially wrote out of a desire to express his 
         care for them (12)

   C. HIS JOY IN THE JOY OF TITUS (13-16)
      1. Comforted in their comfort, he also rejoiced seeing the joy of
         Titus (13a)
      2. Titus' spirit had been refreshed by the Corinthians (13b)
      3. The Corinthians had lived up to the reputation Paul have given
         them (14)
      4. Titus grew in his love for them by the way they received him
         (15)
      5. All this increased Paul's joy and confidence in the 
         Corinthians (16)

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER

1) What are the main points of this chapter?
   - Paul's plea to the Corinthians (1-3)
   - Paul's comfort and joy (4-16)

2) In view of the promises in the preceding chapter, what two things
   does Paul admonish us to do? (1)
   - Cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit
   - Perfecting holiness in the fear of God

3) What plea does Paul repeat that was made in chapter six? (2)
   - Open your hearts to us

4) What was Paul's condition when he first came to Macedonia? (5)
   - His flesh had no rest, troubled on every side
   - Outside were conflicts, inside were fears

5) How did God comfort him in Macedonia? (6-7)
   - By the coming of Titus
   - By the consolation Titus had in the earnest desire, mourning, and
     zeal of the Corinthians toward Paul

6) What about the Corinthians' sorrow led Paul to rejoice? (9)
   - Their sorrow led to repentance

7) What is the difference between "godly sorrow" and "sorrow of the 
   world"? (10)
   - Godly sorrow produces repentance to salvation
   - Sorrow of the world produces death

8) Name seven things that demonstrated the Corinthians' godly sorrow
   (11)
   - Diligence
   - Clearing of themselves
   - Indignation
   - Fear
   - Vehement desire
   - Zeal
   - Vindication

9) Why had Paul written to the Corinthians? (12)
   - That his care for them in the sight of God might be apparent

10) What gave Paul comfort and joy? (13)
   - The comfort of the Corinthians gave him comfort
   - The joy of Titus who had been refreshed by the Corinthians gave
     him joy

11) What had served to increase Titus' affection for the Corinthians?
    (15)
   - Their obedience
   - How they received him in fear and trembling

12) What else gave Paul joy? (16)
   - The confidence he had in the Corinthians in all things

7/25/12

Problems and their resolution


From time to time I have seen this little old lady and her outstanding feature is that she has an "attitude"!!!  In this case its an attitude towards housecleaning, but as far as I can tell, it could be any one of a thousand or more topics.  She has an unusual way of looking at things and therefore does unusual actions.  Thinking about this, I thought of the book of Acts and considered both the normal and abnormal expectations for Paul...

Acts, Chapter 18
 1 After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth. 2 He found a certain Jew named Aquila, a man of Pontus by race, who had recently come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome. He came to them, 3 and because he practiced the same trade, he lived with them and worked, for by trade they were tent makers.  4 He reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded Jews and Greeks.  5 But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul was compelled by the Spirit, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ.  6 When they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook out his clothing and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am clean. From now on, I will go to the Gentiles!”

Paul had contradictions.  He would do practically anything, go anywhere, suffer hardships and patiently preach and teach.  BUT, he had limits too.  When Barnabus wanted to take John Mark with them in Acts chapter 15, Paul strongly disagreed and here in Acts 18 Paul gave up on the Jews and changed his ministry to service for the Gentiles.  Sometimes, you just have to change the way you do things, no matter how dramatic that change may be.  Oh, that life were so simple that you could just put your problems into a file and delete them.  Maybe I'll try the "housework" remedy, but I don't have high hopes!!!  As far as the rest of my life goes... I am still working on just following the Bible.  That should take me a long, long way!!! Try it, you will like it.  And you don't even need a computer!!!!!

July 25 2 Chronicles 7-9


July 25
2 Chronicles 7-9

2Ch 7:1 Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of Yahweh filled the house.
2Ch 7:2 The priests could not enter into the house of Yahweh, because the glory of Yahweh filled Yahweh's house.
2Ch 7:3 All the children of Israel looked on, when the fire came down, and the glory of Yahweh was on the house; and they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground on the pavement, and worshiped, and gave thanks to Yahweh, saying, For he is good; for his loving kindness endures for ever.
2Ch 7:4 Then the king and all the people offered sacrifice before Yahweh.
2Ch 7:5 King Solomon offered a sacrifice of twenty-two thousand head of cattle, and a hundred and twenty thousand sheep. So the king and all the people dedicated the house of God.
2Ch 7:6 The priests stood, according to their offices; the Levites also with instruments of music of Yahweh, which David the king had made to give thanks to Yahweh, (for his loving kindness endures for ever), when David praised by their ministry: and the priests sounded trumpets before them; and all Israel stood.
2Ch 7:7 Moreover Solomon made the middle of the court holy that was before the house of Yahweh; for there he offered the burnt offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings, because the bronze altar which Solomon had made was not able to receive the burnt offering, and the meal offering, and the fat.
2Ch 7:8 So Solomon held the feast at that time seven days, and all Israel with him, a very great assembly, from the entrance of Hamath to the brook of Egypt.
2Ch 7:9 On the eighth day they held a solemn assembly: for they kept the dedication of the altar seven days, and the feast seven days.
2Ch 7:10 On the three and twentieth day of the seventh month he sent the people away to their tents, joyful and glad of heart for the goodness that Yahweh had shown to David, and to Solomon, and to Israel his people.
2Ch 7:11 Thus Solomon finished the house of Yahweh, and the king's house: and he successfully completed all that came into Solomon's heart to make in the house of Yahweh, and in his own house.
2Ch 7:12 Yahweh appeared to Solomon by night, and said to him, I have heard your prayer, and have chosen this place to myself for a house of sacrifice.
2Ch 7:13 If I shut up the sky so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people;
2Ch 7:14 if my people, who are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
2Ch 7:15 Now my eyes shall be open, and my ears attentive, to the prayer that is made in this place.
2Ch 7:16 For now have I chosen and made this house holy, that my name may be there forever; and my eyes and my heart shall be there perpetually.
2Ch 7:17 As for you, if you will walk before me as David your father walked, and do according to all that I have commanded you, and will keep my statutes and my ordinances;
2Ch 7:18 then I will establish the throne of your kingdom, according as I covenanted with David your father, saying, There shall not fail you a man to be ruler in Israel.
2Ch 7:19 But if you turn away, and forsake my statutes and my commandments which I have set before you, and shall go and serve other gods, and worship them;
2Ch 7:20 then will I pluck them up by the roots out of my land which I have given them; and this house, which I have made holy for my name, will I cast out of my sight, and I will make it a proverb and a byword among all peoples.
2Ch 7:21 This house, which is so high, everyone who passes by it shall be astonished, and shall say, Why has Yahweh done thus to this land, and to this house?
2Ch 7:22 They shall answer, Because they abandoned Yahweh, the God of their fathers, who brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, and laid hold on other gods, and worshiped them, and served them: therefore has he brought all this evil on them.
2Ch 8:1 It happened at the end of twenty years, in which Solomon had built the house of Yahweh, and his own house,
2Ch 8:2 that the cities which Huram had given to Solomon, Solomon built them, and caused the children of Israel to dwell there.
2Ch 8:3 Solomon went to Hamath Zobah, and prevailed against it.
2Ch 8:4 He built Tadmor in the wilderness, and all the storage cities, which he built in Hamath.
2Ch 8:5 Also he built Beth Horon the upper, and Beth Horon the lower, fortified cities, with walls, gates, and bars;
2Ch 8:6 and Baalath, and all the storage cities that Solomon had, and all the cities for his chariots, and the cities for his horsemen, and all that Solomon desired to build for his pleasure in Jerusalem, and in Lebanon, and in all the land of his dominion.
2Ch 8:7 As for all the people who were left of the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, who were not of Israel;
2Ch 8:8 of their children who were left after them in the land, whom the children of Israel didn't consume, of them did Solomon conscripted forced labor to this day.
2Ch 8:9 But of the children of Israel did Solomon make no servants for his work; but they were men of war, and chief of his captains, and rulers of his chariots and of his horsemen.
2Ch 8:10 These were the chief officers of king Solomon, even two-hundred fifty, who ruled over the people.
2Ch 8:11 Solomon brought up the daughter of Pharaoh out of the city of David to the house that he had built for her; for he said, My wife shall not dwell in the house of David king of Israel, because the places where the ark of Yahweh has come are holy.
2Ch 8:12 Then Solomon offered burnt offerings to Yahweh on the altar of Yahweh, which he had built before the porch,
2Ch 8:13 even as the duty of every day required, offering according to the commandment of Moses, on the Sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the set feasts, three times in the year, even in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tents.
2Ch 8:14 He appointed, according to the ordinance of David his father, the divisions of the priests to their service, and the Levites to their offices, to praise, and to minister before the priests, as the duty of every day required; the doorkeepers also by their divisions at every gate: for so had David the man of God commanded.
2Ch 8:15 They didn't depart from the commandment of the king to the priests and Levites concerning any matter, or concerning the treasures.
2Ch 8:16 Now all the work of Solomon was prepared to the day of the foundation of the house of Yahweh, and until it was finished. So the house of Yahweh was completed.
2Ch 8:17 Then went Solomon to Ezion Geber, and to Eloth, on the seashore in the land of Edom.
2Ch 8:18 Huram sent him ships and servants who had knowledge of the sea by the hands of his servants; and they came with the servants of Solomon to Ophir, and fetched from there four hundred fifty talents of gold, and brought them to king Solomon.
2Ch 9:1 When the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to prove Solomon with hard questions at Jerusalem, with a very great train, and camels that bore spices, and gold in abundance, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she talked with him of all that was in her heart.
2Ch 9:2 Solomon told her all her questions; and there was not anything hid from Solomon which he didn't tell her.
2Ch 9:3 When the queen of Sheba had seen the wisdom of Solomon, and the house that he had built,
2Ch 9:4 and the food of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their clothing, his cup bearers also, and their clothing, and his ascent by which he went up to the house of Yahweh; there was no more spirit in her.
2Ch 9:5 She said to the king, It was a true report that I heard in my own land of your acts, and of your wisdom.
2Ch 9:6 However I didn't believe their words, until I came, and my eyes had seen it; and behold, the half of the greatness of your wisdom was not told me: you exceed the fame that I heard.
2Ch 9:7 Happy are your men, and happy are these your servants, who stand continually before you, and hear your wisdom.
2Ch 9:8 Blessed be Yahweh your God, who delighted in you, to set you on his throne, to be king for Yahweh your God: because your God loved Israel, to establish them forever, therefore made he you king over them, to do justice and righteousness.
2Ch 9:9 She gave the king one hundred and twenty talents of gold, and spices in great abundance, and precious stones: neither was there any such spice as the queen of Sheba gave to king Solomon.
2Ch 9:10 The servants also of Huram, and the servants of Solomon, who brought gold from Ophir, brought algum trees and precious stones.
2Ch 9:11 The king made of the algum trees terraces for the house of Yahweh, and for the king's house, and harps and stringed instruments for the singers: and there were none like these seen before in the land of Judah.
2Ch 9:12 King Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all her desire, whatever she asked, besides that which she had brought to the king. So she turned, and went to her own land, she and her servants.
2Ch 9:13 Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred and sixty-six talents of gold,
2Ch 9:14 besides that which the traders and merchants brought: and all the kings of Arabia and the governors of the country brought gold and silver to Solomon.
2Ch 9:15 King Solomon made two hundred bucklers of beaten gold; six hundred shekels of beaten gold went to one buckler.
2Ch 9:16 he made three hundred shields of beaten gold; three hundred shekels of gold went to one shield: and the king put them in the house of the forest of Lebanon.
2Ch 9:17 Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with pure gold.
2Ch 9:18 And there were six steps to the throne, with a footstool of gold, which were fastened to the throne, and stays on either side by the place of the seat, and two lions standing beside the stays.
2Ch 9:19 Twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other on the six steps: there was nothing like it made in any kingdom.
2Ch 9:20 All king Solomon's drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold: silver was nothing accounted of in the days of Solomon.
2Ch 9:21 For the king had ships that went to Tarshish with the servants of Huram; once every three years came the ships of Tarshish, bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks.
2Ch 9:22 So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom.
2Ch 9:23 All the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart.
2Ch 9:24 They brought every man his tribute, vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and clothing, armor, and spices, horses, and mules, a rate year by year.
2Ch 9:25 Solomon had four thousand stalls for horses and chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, that he stationed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem.
2Ch 9:26 He ruled over all the kings from the River even to the land of the Philistines, and to the border of Egypt.
2Ch 9:27 The king made silver to be in Jerusalem as stones, and he made cedars to be as the sycamore trees that are in the lowland, for abundance.
2Ch 9:28 They brought horses for Solomon out of Egypt, and out of all lands.
2Ch 9:29 Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, first and last, aren't they written in the history of Nathan the prophet, and in the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite, and in the visions of Iddo the seer concerning Jeroboam the son of Nebat?
2Ch 9:30 Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel forty years.
2Ch 9:31 Solomon slept with his fathers, and he was buried in the city of David his father: and Rehoboam his son reigned in his place.

"THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS" Chapter Six by Mark Copeland


                "THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS"

                              Chapter Six

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER

1) To see how Paul's ministry commended itself to others

2) To appreciate the need for having "hearts wide open"

3) To understand the principle of "separation", and why we cannot be 
   unequally yoked with unbelievers

SUMMARY

At the close of chapter five, Paul described himself as an ambassador
for Christ who pleads on God's behalf for people to be reconciled to
God.  With that thought in mind, he makes a special plea for the
Corinthians not to receive God's grace in vain, reminding them that now
is the time for salvation (1-2).

In the ninth and final description of his apostolic ministry, Paul 
focuses on the "approved" nature of his ministry.  Determined not to
give offense nor reason for blame, Paul has acted commendably.  This is
seen in the physical sufferings he has endured and the spiritual graces
he has displayed.  Even the conflicting reactions and reports by 
others, along with the various experiences described in a contrasting
manner, help to confirm that his ministry is "approved" (3-10).

At this point, Paul makes an appeal to the Corinthians.  With a heart
that is wide open to them, he begs for them to open wide their hearts 
to him as well.  Then he pleads with them not to be unequally yoked
with unbelievers, in order that they might receive the promises of
everlasting fellowship with God as their Father (11-18).

OUTLINE

I. THE "APPROVED" NATURE OF PAUL'S MINISTRY (1-10)

   A. AN ENTREATY NOT TO RECEIVE GOD'S GRACE IN VAIN (1-2)
      1. Made by those who are God's co-workers (1)
      2. For the "day of salvation" spoken of in Isaiah 49:8 has 
         arrived (2)

   B. PAUL'S MINISTRY AN APPROVED ONE (3-10)
      1. Giving no offense, he seeks to commend himself as a minister 
         of God in all things (3-4a)
      2. Physical sufferings endured as a minister (4a-5)
      3. Spiritual graces demonstrated as a minister (6-7)
      4. Conflicting reactions and reports by others toward him as a
         minister (8)
      5. Contrasting experiences as a minister (9-10)

II. PAUL'S PLEA TO THE CORINTHIANS (11-18)

   A. TO OPEN WIDE THEIR HEARTS (11-13)
      1. Paul's own openness towards the Corinthians (11)
         a. He has spoken freely (11a)
         b. His own heart is wide open (11b)
      2. The Corinthians likewise need to be open (12-13)
         a. They are restricted by their own affections (12)
         b. As a father pleads with his children, Paul appeals to them
            to reciprocate by being open to him (13)

   B. TO BE SEPARATE FROM THE WORLD (14-18)
      1. Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers (14-16a)
         a. Righteousness has no fellowship with lawlessness (14b)
         b. Light has no communion with darkness (14c)
         c. Christ has no accord with Belial (15a)
         d. A believer has no part with an unbeliever (15b)
         e. The temple of God has no agreement with idols (16a)
      2. Implications of the promise given to the temple of God
         (16b-7:1)
         a. As the temple of God, God has promised to dwell and walk 
            among us (16b)
         b. Therefore, we must be separate if we wish to be the 
            children of God (17-18)

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER

1) What are the main points of this chapter?
   - The "approved" nature of Paul's ministry (1-10)
   - Paul's plea to the Corinthians (11-18)

2) How does Paul describe himself as he pleads with the Corinthians to
   not receive the grace of God in vain? (1)
   - As workers together with Him

3) Why was Paul so careful not to give offense in anything? (3)
   - So that his ministry would not be blamed

4) List some of the physical sufferings which commended Paul as a 
   minister of God (4-5)
   - Tribulations, stripes, imprisonments, tumults

5) List those areas where Paul demonstrated his integrity as a minister
   of God (6-7)
   - Purity, knowledge, longsuffering, kindness, sincere love, the Holy
     Spirit, the word of truth, the power of God, the armor of 
     righteousness

6) List the contrasting experiences Paul had as a minister of God 
   (9-10)
   - Unknown, yet well-known
   - Dying, yet alive
   - Chastened, yet not killed
   - Sorrowful, yet always rejoicing
   - Poor, yet making many rich
   - Having nothing, yet possessing all things

7) How does Paul describe his affection toward the Corinthians? (11)
   - His heart is wide open

8) What does he say about the Corinthians' affections toward him? (12)
   - They were restricted

9) What charge does Paul give concerning our relation to those in the
   world? (14)
   - Not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers

10) List the contrasting pairs that Paul uses to show the incongruity
    of believers being unequally yoked with unbelievers (14-16)
   - Righteousness vs. lawlessness
   - Light vs. darkness
   - Christ vs. Belial
   - Believer vs. unbeliever
   - Temple of God vs. idols

11) What is necessary to receive the promise of having God as our 
    Father who dwells among us? (17-18)
   - Come out from among them and be separate
   - Do not touch what is unclean