Jun. 3, 4 John 10

Jun. 3, 4

John 10

Joh 10:1 "Most certainly, I tell you, one who doesn't enter by the door into the sheep fold, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

Joh 10:2 But one who enters in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

Joh 10:3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out.

Joh 10:4 Whenever he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.

Joh 10:5 They will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him; for they don't know the voice of strangers."

Joh 10:6 Jesus spoke this parable to them, but they didn't understand what he was telling them.

Joh 10:7 Jesus therefore said to them again, "Most certainly, I tell you, I am the sheep's door.

Joh 10:8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep didn't listen to them.

Joh 10:9 I am the door. If anyone enters in by me, he will be saved, and will go in and go out, and will find pasture.

Joh 10:10 The thief only comes to steal, kill, and destroy. I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.

Joh 10:11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

Joh 10:12 He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who doesn't own the sheep, sees the wolf coming, leaves the sheep, and flees. The wolf snatches the sheep, and scatters them.

Joh 10:13 The hired hand flees because he is a hired hand, and doesn't care for the sheep.

Joh 10:14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and I'm known by my own;

Joh 10:15 even as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. I lay down my life for the sheep.

Joh 10:16 I have other sheep, which are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will hear my voice. They will become one flock with one shepherd.

Joh 10:17 Therefore the Father loves me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again.

Joh 10:18 No one takes it away from me, but I lay it down by myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. I received this commandment from my Father."

Joh 10:19 Therefore a division arose again among the Jews because of these words.

Joh 10:20 Many of them said, "He has a demon, and is insane! Why do you listen to him?"

Joh 10:21 Others said, "These are not the sayings of one possessed by a demon. It isn't possible for a demon to open the eyes of the blind, is it?"

Joh 10:22 It was the Feast of the Dedication at Jerusalem.

Joh 10:23 It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in Solomon's porch.

Joh 10:24 The Jews therefore came around him and said to him, "How long will you hold us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly."

Joh 10:25 Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you don't believe. The works that I do in my Father's name, these testify about me.

Joh 10:26 But you don't believe, because you are not of my sheep, as I told you.

Joh 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

Joh 10:28 I give eternal life to them. They will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.

Joh 10:29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of my Father's hand.

Joh 10:30 I and the Father are one."

Joh 10:31 Therefore Jews took up stones again to stone him.

Joh 10:32 Jesus answered them, "I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of those works do you stone me?"

Joh 10:33 The Jews answered him, "We don't stone you for a good work, but for blasphemy: because you, being a man, make yourself God."

Joh 10:34 Jesus answered them, "Isn't it written in your law, 'I said, you are gods?'

Joh 10:35 If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture can't be broken),

Joh 10:36 do you say of him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, 'You blaspheme,' because I said, 'I am the Son of God?'

Joh 10:37 If I don't do the works of my Father, don't believe me.

Joh 10:38 But if I do them, though you don't believe me, believe the works; that you may know and believe that the Father is in me, and I in the Father."

Joh 10:39 They sought again to seize him, and he went out of their hand.

Joh 10:40 He went away again beyond the Jordan into the place where John was baptizing at first, and there he stayed.

Joh 10:41 Many came to him. They said, "John indeed did no sign, but everything that John said about this man is true."

Joh 10:42 Many believed in him there.

"ACTS OF THE APOSTLES" Chapter Seventeen by Mark Copeland

                         "ACTS OF THE APOSTLES"

                           Chapter Seventeen

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER (Kevin Scott)

1) To explore how Paul preached in Thessalonica and Berea, and how his
   preaching was received in each

2) To recognize how the enemies of the gospel can be relentless in their
   efforts to stop the spread of the Truth

3) To examine how Paul preached in Athens and how he found common ground
   from which to teach the Gospel of Christ in an idolatrous city

SUMMARY (Kevin Scott)

Paul, Silas and Timothy continued on the second missionary journey.  As
they departed Philippi, they traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia,
arriving at Thessalonica (1).  Paul found the Jewish synagogue and for
three Sabbaths "reasoned with them from the Scriptures" (2).  He taught
them that Jesus had suffered and died, and then was raised from the
dead.  He proclaimed to them that Jesus was the Christ.  Some Jews and a
great multitude of Greeks believed and joined them. (3-4)

The Jews, who did not believe, became envious of the success of the
gospel of Christ. They set out to create a mob, and enraged them against
Paul and Silas, but they could not find them.  Thus, they took
Jason and some of the brethren before the rulers of the city, claiming
they had harbored these men who were "acting contrary to the decrees of
Caesar, saying there is another king - Jesus."  This incited the crowd
and the city rulers.  They tried to depict Paul and Silas as
revolutionaries against Caesar.  The rulers then took security from
Jason and the others, and released them. (5-9)

The brethren sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea (about 50 miles
away).  They went to the Jewish synagogue there and found the people to
be receptive to the gospel. They were willing to study the Scriptures to
determine the Truth.  Many believed.  When word got back to
Thessalonica, Jews traveled there to stir up the city against them.  The
brethren sent Paul away to Athens. Silas and Timothy remained there.
Paul requested that they quickly join him in Athens. (10-15)

Upon arrival in Athens, Paul's "spirit was provoked within him when he
saw that the city was given over to idols." Again, he went to the
synagogue to reason with the Jew and Gentile worshipers, daily.  He also
reasoned with others in the marketplace each day.  This created an
opportunity to speak with the philosophers (i.e., Epicureans, Stoics,
and others).  Some derided him, calling him a "babbler."  Others
thought he spoke of foreign gods.  They invited him to speak in the
Areopagus (also called Mar's Hill).  This was the place of the supposed
experts of philosophy and religion in Athens. (16-19)

Paul spoke to them by finding common ground from which to launch into
his gospel message.  He keyed into the inscription:  "TO THE UNKNOWN
GOD."  This is the One he proclaimed to them.  Paul also referenced a
saying of their own poets, "For we are also His offspring."  He pointed
out that since we were the offspring of God, He could not be made of
gold or silver or stone by human artists.  Paul then taught them of
repentance and judgment.  He indicated that Christ would be the judge
and that He was raised from the dead.  Some mocked Paul at this saying.
Others wanted to hear more about this later.  Some believed and joined
him. (20-34)

OUTLINE (Mark Copeland)

I. PREACHING IN THESSALONICA (1-9)

   A. REASONING IN THE SYNAGOGUE (1-4)
      1. Passing through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they arrive in
         Thessalonica
      2. Paul visits the synagogue and reason with the Jews for three
         weeks
      3. His goal: to convince them that Jesus is the Christ who had to
         suffer and rise from the dead
      4. Some were persuaded, including a large number of devout Greeks
         and leading women who join Paul and Silas

   B. RESISTANCE IN THE CITY (5-9)
      1. Envious Jews use evil men from the marketplace to gather a mob
      2. They set the city in an uproar, and attack Jason's house
      3. Unable to find Paul, they drag Jason and others before the
         rulers of the city
      4. Accusing them of turning the city upside down, disobeying
         Caesar, claiming Jesus as king
      5. The rulers take security from Jason and the others before
         letting them go

II. PREACHING IN BEREA (10-14)

   A. RECEPTION BY THE LOCALS (10-12)
      1. Sent by night to Berea, Paul and Silas go to the synagogue
      2. The Jews are more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica
      3. They receive the word with all readiness, then search the
         Scriptures daily
      4. Many Jews believe, also Greeks, prominent women as well as men

   B. RESISTANCE BY THE OUTSIDERS (13-14)
      1. Hearing of their success, Jews from Thessalonica come and stir
         up the crowds
      2. Paul is immediately sent away to the sea, while Silas and
         Timothy remain

III. PREACHING IN ATHENS (15-34)

   A. IN THE SYNAGOGUE AND THE MARKETPLACE (15-18)
      1. Paul arrives in Athens, sends word for Silas and Timothy to
         come
      2. While waiting, Paul's spirit is provoked by the idolatry in the
         city
      3. He reasons with Jews and Gentile worshippers in the synagogue,
         and with people in the Marketplace
      4. Epicurean and Stoic philosophers hear him preach about Jesus
         and the resurrection

   B. AT THE AREOPAGUS (19-34)
      1. Brought to the Areopagus, the inquisitive Athenians invite Paul
         to present his doctrine
      2. Paul preaches to the men of Athens
         a. Mentioning their spirituality
         b. Especially the altar inscribed "To The Unknown God"
      3. Paul proclaims this God they do not know as the Creator:
         a. Who does not dwell in temples
         b. Who is not worshiped as though He needed anything
         c. Who gives to all life, breath, and all things
         d. Who has made from one blood all nations to dwell on the
            earth
         e. Who has determined their appointed times and dwelling
            boundaries
         f. Who does things so that men might seek for Him, grope for
            Him, and find Him
         g. Who is not far from anyone, for in Him we live, move, and
            exist, even as some of their own poets have said, "We are
            also His offspring"
         h. Who is not an idol, shaped by art and man's devising
      4. Paul proclaims that God now commands all men everywhere to
         repent
         a. Even though He may have overlooked their ignorance in times
            past
         b. He has appointed a Day of Judgment
         c. He will judge the world in righteousness by a Man He has
            ordained
         d. He has given proof of this judgment by raising Him from the
            dead
      5. The response to Paul's sermon, especially his mention of the
         resurrection of the dead
         a. Some mocked, others were willing to hear him again
         b. As Paul left, he was joined by some who believed, including
            Dionysius the Aeropagite and a woman named Damaris

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER (Mark Copeland)

1) What are the main points of this chapter?
   - Preaching in Thessalonica (1-9)
   - Preaching in Berea (10-14)
   - Conversions at Philippi (15-34)

2) After passing through Amphipolis and Apollonia, where did Paul's
   company arrive? (1)
   - In Thessalonica

3) What was Paul's custom when he found a synagogue in a city? (2)
   - To visit on the Sabbath to reason with the Jews from the Scriptures

4) What was his purpose in visiting the synagogue? (3)
   - To demonstrate that the Christ had to die and rise again, and that
     Jesus is the Christ

5) What was the initial reaction to Paul's teaching in the synagogue?
   (4)
   - Some were persuaded, and a great multitude of devout Greeks along
     with some leading women joined Paul and Silas

6) What did the Jews who were not persuaded do? (5-6)
   - Took some evil men from the market place and formed a mob
   - Set the city in uproar, attacked the house of Jason looking for
     Paul and Silas
   - Not finding Paul and Silas, drag Jason and some brethren to the
     rulers of the city

7) What charges did they bring against Jason and those whom he received?
   (6-7)
   - "These who have turned the world upside down have come here too."
   - "These are all acting contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying
     there is another king-Jesus."

8) Troubled by such charges, what did the rulers of the city do? (8-9)
   - Took security from Jason and let them go

9) What did the brethren do with Paul and Silas?  What did they find
   there? (10)
   - Sent them away by night to Berea; a synagogue of the Jews

10) List two ways the Bereans were more noble-minded than those in
    Thessalonica. (11)
   - They first received the word with all readiness
   - They then searched the Scriptures daily to see if what Paul taught
     were so

11) What was the initial response?  Who soon stirred up trouble?
    (12-13)
   - Many believed, including Greeks along with prominent women and men
   - Jews from Thessalonica, who came as soon as they heard Paul was in
     Berea

12) Where was Paul then sent?  Who initially stayed behind in Berea?
    (14-15)
   - By sea to Athens; Silas and Timothy

13) As Paul waited for his companions to arrive in Athens, what provoked
    Paul? (16)
   - How the city was given over to idols

14) What two venues did Paul use to reason with people? (17)
   - The synagogue with Jews and the Gentile worshipers
   - The market place daily with those gathered there

15) Who encountered Paul?  Why did they think he proclaimed some foreign
    god? (18)
   - Certain Epicurean and Stoic philosophers
   - Because he preached Jesus and the resurrection

16) Where did they invite Paul to speak?  Why were they willing to
    listen to him? (19-21)
   - The Aeropagus (Mar's Hill)
   - Because Athenians and the foreigners loved to hear new things

17) As Paul began to speak, what did he first acknowledge?  Why? (22-23)
   - They were very religious
   - Because of all their idols, including an altar inscribed:  "To The
     Unknown God"

18) Whom did Paul proclaim as the subject of his speech? (23)
   - The God whom they worshiped without knowing

19) What seven things did Paul first declare about Him? (24-26)
   - He made the world and everything in it
   - He is Lord of heaven and earth
   - He does not dwell in temples made with hands
   - He is not worshiped with men's hands as though He needed anything
   - He gives to all life, breath and everything
   - He has made from one blood every nation of men
   - He has determined their pre-appointed times and boundaries of their
     dwelling

20) What was God's purpose in all this? (27)
   - So that man should seek the Lord, in the hope they will grope for
     Him and find Him

21) What should give one hope that God can be found? (27-28)
   - He is not far from us
   - In Him we live and move and have our very being

22) To whom did Paul appeal for support in what he was saying? (28)
   - Some of their own poets, who said 'For we are also His offspring'

23) What conclusion did Paul draw from such observations? (29)
   - As God's offspring, we should not think that He is like gold,
     silver, or stone shaped by man

24) What does Paul then reveal? (30)
   - Such times of ignorance God once overlooked, but now commands all
     men every where to repent

25) Why should man repent? What evidence has God given?  (31)
   - There is a Day of Judgment on which God will judge the world in
     righteousness by a Man whom He has ordained
   - Raising Jesus from the dead

26) What reaction was there to the subject of the resurrection? (32)
   - Some mocked, while others were willing to listen again on another
     occasion

27) As Paul left, who joined him? (33-34)
   - Some men who believed, including Dionysius the Aeropagite
   - A woman named Damaris, and others with them

Change can be a good thing....

Well, we all know what diapers contain; as for politicians, who can argue with a public sign?  I don't know about you, but I wish it was November 2nd, not June 2nd!!!  This year several billion dollars will be spent on political television ads and frankly that is out of control.  It is obvious to me that those in political office are interested solely in their own interests and not mine.  In fact, it seems that they are trying to destroy our way of life.  So, this year, I am sick to death of politics as usual.  However, this passage from the book of Romans comes back to goad me into correct thinking...

Romans, Chapter 13

  1 Let every soul be in subjection to the higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those who exist are ordained by God. 2 Therefore he who resists the authority, withstands the ordinance of God; and those who withstand will receive to themselves judgment.  3 For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. Do you desire to have no fear of the authority? Do that which is good, and you will have praise from the same, 4 for he is a servant of God to you for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid, for he doesn’t bear the sword in vain; for he is a servant of God, an avenger for wrath to him who does evil. 5 Therefore you need to be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience’ sake.  6 For this reason you also pay taxes, for they are servants of God’s service, attending continually on this very thing.  7 Give therefore to everyone what you owe: taxes to whom taxes are due; customs to whom customs; respect to whom respect; honor to whom honor.

There you have it; submission to authority.  Frankly, as a United States citizen, it is hard for me to swallow this, but I must.  It just seems like our government is becoming anti-Christian and who likes persecution?  How long can I tolerate this trend?  I wish I knew.  Perhaps it is me who has a bad attitude; or to put it another way.... I am full of it.  No, wait, that can't be true... because I am not a politician.

June 2 Ruth 1, 2

June 2

Ruth 1, 2

Rth 1:1 It happened in the days when the judges judged, that there was a famine in the land. A certain man of Bethlehem Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.

Rth 1:2 The name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehem Judah. They came into the country of Moab, and continued there.

Rth 1:3 Elimelech, Naomi's husband, died; and she was left, and her two sons.

Rth 1:4 They took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they lived there about ten years.

Rth 1:5 Mahlon and Chilion both died, and the woman was bereaved of her two children and of her husband.

Rth 1:6 Then she arose with her daughters-in-law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that Yahweh had visited his people in giving them bread.

Rth 1:7 She went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters-in-law with her; and they went on the way to return to the land of Judah.

Rth 1:8 Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, Go, return each of you to her mother's house: Yahweh deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead, and with me.

Rth 1:9 Yahweh grant you that you may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them, and they lifted up their voice, and wept.

Rth 1:10 They said to her, No, but we will return with you to your people.

Rth 1:11 Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why do you want to go with me? Do I still have sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?

Rth 1:12 Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should even have a husband tonight, and should also bear sons;

Rth 1:13 would you therefore wait until they were grown? would you therefore stay from having husbands? nay, my daughters, for it grieves me much for your sakes, for the hand of Yahweh is gone forth against me.

Rth 1:14 They lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth joined with her.

Rth 1:15 She said, Behold, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people, and to her god: return after your sister-in-law.

Rth 1:16 Ruth said, "Don't entreat me to leave you, and to return from following after you, for where you go, I will go; and where you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God;

Rth 1:17 where you die, will I die, and there will I be buried: Yahweh do so to me, and more also, if anything but death part you and me."

Rth 1:18 When she saw that she was steadfastly minded to go with her, she left off speaking to her.

Rth 1:19 So they two went until they came to Bethlehem. It happened, when they were come to Bethlehem, that all the city was moved about them, and the women said, Is this Naomi?

Rth 1:20 She said to them, "Don't call me Naomi, call me Mara; for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.

Rth 1:21 I went out full, and Yahweh has brought me home again empty; why do you call me Naomi, seeing Yahweh has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?"

Rth 1:22 So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter-in-law, with her, who returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.

Rth 2:1 Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech, and his name was Boaz.

Rth 2:2 Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean among the ears of grain after him in whose sight I shall find favor. She said to her, Go, my daughter.

Rth 2:3 She went, and came and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and she happened to come to the portion of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech.

Rth 2:4 Behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said to the reapers, Yahweh be with you. They answered him, Yahweh bless you.

Rth 2:5 Then said Boaz to his servant who was set over the reapers, Whose young lady is this?

Rth 2:6 The servant who was set over the reapers answered, It is the Moabite lady who came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab:

Rth 2:7 She said, Please let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves. So she came, and has continued even from the morning until now, except that she stayed a little in the house.

Rth 2:8 Then said Boaz to Ruth, Don't you hear, my daughter? Don't go to glean in another field, neither pass from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens.

Rth 2:9 Let your eyes be on the field that they reap, and go after them: haven't I commanded the young men not to touch you? and when you are thirsty, go to the vessels, and drink of that which the young men have drawn.

Rth 2:10 Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said to him, Why have I found favor in your sight, that you should take knowledge of me, seeing I am a foreigner?

Rth 2:11 Boaz answered her, It has fully been shown me, all that you have done to your mother-in-law since the death of your husband; and how you have left your father and your mother, and the land of your birth, and have come to a people that you didn't know before.

Rth 2:12 May Yahweh repay your work, and a full reward be given you from Yahweh, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.

Rth 2:13 Then she said, Let me find favor in your sight, my lord, because you have comforted me, and because you have spoken kindly to your handmaid, though I am not as one of your handmaidens.

Rth 2:14 At meal time Boaz said to her, Come here, and eat of the bread, and dip your morsel in the vinegar. She sat beside the reapers, and they reached her parched grain, and she ate, and was sufficed, and left of it.

Rth 2:15 When she was risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, Let her glean even among the sheaves, and don't reproach her.

Rth 2:16 Also pull out some for her from the bundles, and leave it, and let her glean, and don't rebuke her.

Rth 2:17 So she gleaned in the field until even; and she beat out that which she had gleaned, and it was about an ephah of barley.

Rth 2:18 She took it up, and went into the city; and her mother-in-law saw what she had gleaned: and she brought forth and gave to her that which she had left after she was sufficed.

Rth 2:19 Her mother-in-law said to her, Where have you gleaned today? and where have you worked? blessed be he who did take knowledge of you. She showed her mother-in-law with whom she had worked, and said, The man's name with whom I worked today is Boaz.

Rth 2:20 Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, Blessed be he of Yahweh, who has not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. Naomi said to her, The man is a close relative to us, one of our near kinsmen.

Rth 2:21 Ruth the Moabitess said, Yes, he said to me, You shall stay close to my young men, until they have ended all my harvest.

Rth 2:22 Naomi said to Ruth her daughter-in-law, It is good, my daughter, that you go out with his maidens, and that they not meet you in any other field.

Rth 2:23 So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz, to glean to the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest; and she lived with her mother-in-law.

"ACTS OF THE APOSTLES" Chapter Sixteen by Mark Copeland

                         "ACTS OF THE APOSTLES"

                            Chapter Sixteen

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER

1) To trace the route of Paul and Silas on their missionary journey

2) To consider whether the Spirit led Paul through impressions or some
   other less subjective way

3) To study carefully the conversions of Lydia and the Philippian jailer

SUMMARY

With this chapter we find Paul on his second missionary journey that
began in Ac 15:40 with Paul and Silas passing through Syria and Cilicia,
strengthening churches along the way.  In Derbe and Lystra, Paul
enlisted a young disciple named Timothy who would become a life-long
fellow-worker in the kingdom.  His mother was a believing Jew (cf. 2 Ti
1:5) but his father was Greek, so with many Jews in the region Paul had
Timothy circumcised.  As Paul's company traveled through Phrygia and
Galatia, they delivered the decrees from the apostles and elders in
Jerusalem and strengthened the churches (1-5).

With the guidance of the Holy Spirit they found themselves in Troas,
where Paul had a vision of a man from Macedonia asking for help.
Concluding that the Lord was calling them to preach the gospel there,
Paul's company left Troas accompanied by the author of Acts himself, as
indicated by the first person pronoun plural "we" (6-10).

From Troas to Samothrace and then Neapolis, the company finally arrived
in Philippi.  A major city of Macedonia and Roman colony, it marked
Paul's first ministry on the European continent.  On the Sabbath Paul
and his companions went down to the river where women were praying.  As
Paul spoke, a religious business woman of Thyatira named Lydia listened.
The Lord opened her heart to heed Paul, which resulted in her and her
household being baptized.  She then persuaded Paul and his companions to
stay at her house (11-15).

Paul and his company were soon followed by a slave girl possessed by a
spirit of divination that made money for her owners through fortune
telling.  For days she cried out, "These men are the servants of the
Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation."  While true, it
annoyed Paul (probably because it was not of her own free will) and he
cast the spirit out in the name of Jesus.  This greatly angered the
girl's masters, who had Paul and Silas beaten and imprisoned.  At
midnight while Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns, a great
earthquake shook the prison and broke free their chains.  Assuming all
had fled, the jailer was about to kill himself when Paul stopped him.
When the jailor asked what he must do to be saved, Paul and Silas told
him to believe on the Lord Jesus, and then proceeded to teach him and
his family the word of the Lord.  That same night, the entire family was
baptized.  In the morning, the magistrates sent word to release Paul and
Silas, but Paul demanded a personal release as they were Roman citizens
who were beaten and imprisoned without trial.  Scared, the magistrates
came and pleaded with Paul and Silas to leave the city, which they did
after a short visit to Lydia's house to encourage the brethren.  Note
that the author's return to the use of "they" indicates that Luke stayed
behind in Philippi (16-40).

OUTLINE

I. TIMOTHY JOINS PAUL AND SILAS (1-5)

   A. TIMOTHY'S BACKGROUND (1-3)
      1. Paul and Silas travel to Derbe and Lystra, where they meet
         Timothy
      2. A disciple, whose mother was a Jewish Christian and father was
         Greek
      3. Well spoken of by the brethren at Lystra and Iconium

   B. TIMOTHY'S CIRCUMCISION (3)
      1. Paul wants Timothy to join him
      2. Paul has Timothy circumcised, on account of the Jews in the
         region

   C. TIMOTHY'S FIRST MISSION (4-5)
      1. Traveling with Paul and Silas, they deliver the decrees from
         Jerusalem
      2. The churches are strengthened, increasing in number daily

II. THE MACEDONIA CALL (6-10)

   A. DIRECTED BY THE SPIRIT (6-8)
      1. Passing through Phrygia and Galatia, the Spirit forbids them
         from preaching in Asia
      2. Nearing Mysia, they try to go to Bithynia, but the Spirit does
         not permit them
      3. Bypassing Mysia, they arrive in Troas

   B. CALLED BY A VISION (9-10)
      1. Paul has a vision of a Macedonian man asking for help
      2. Paul and his companions conclude God wants them to go to
         Macedonia
      3. The use of "we" indicates Luke, the author, has now joined them

III. CONVERSIONS AT PHILIPPI (11-40)

   A. THE CONVERSION OF LYDIA (11-15)
      1. From Troas, by way of Samothrace and Neapolis, Paul's company
         arrive at Philippi of Macedonia, a Roman colony
      2. On the Sabbath, they meet with women gathered by the river to
         pray and Paul speaks
      3. Lydia, who worshiped God, listens and the Lord opens her heart
         to heed Paul
      4. She and her household are baptized, and persuades Paul's
         company to stay at her house

   B. THE CONVERSION OF THE JAILER (16-40)
      1. On the way to prayer, Paul's and his companions are followed by
         a slave girl
         a. Who was possessed with a spirit of divination
         b. Who had brought her masters much profit through fortune
            telling
      2. She proclaims Paul's company to be servants of God, proclaiming
         the way of salvation
         a. This she does for many days, which annoys Paul
         b. Paul therefore casts out the spirit in the name of Jesus
      3. Her masters seize Paul and Silas, and drag them before the
         magistrates
         a. Where they are accused as troublemakers, teaching unlawful
            customs
         b. Where they are beaten with rods, then imprisoned with feet
            in stocks
      4. At midnight, Paul and Silas are praying and singing hymns, the
         prisoners listening
      5. There is a great earthquake, opening the doors and loosening
         the prisoners' chains
      6. The jailer comes in, assumes all have escaped, prepares to kill
         himself
      7. Paul cries out with a loud voice to stop him, assuring him that
         all were still there
      8. The jailer asks for a light, falls before Paul and Silas, and
         asks what he must do to be saved
         a. They first tell him to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ
         b. They then speak the word of the Lord to him and his
            household
         c. That same hour he washes their stripes, then he and his
            household are baptized
         d. He then takes Paul and Silas to his house, feeds them, and
            rejoices that he and his household has believed in God
      9. The next day the magistrates send officers to release Paul and
         Silas
         a. When the jailer tells Paul he is free to go, Paul demands
            that the magistrates come personally, as they have beaten
            Roman citizens without a trial
         b. So the magistrates come, release Paul and Silas, and plead
            for them to leave the city
     10. Returning to Lydia's house, Paul and Silas encourage the
         brethren, then leave Philippi

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER

1) What are the main points of this chapter?
   - Timothy joins Paul and Silas (1-5)
   - The Macedonian call (6-10)
   - Conversions at Philippi (11-40)

2) Where did Paul go after passing through Syria and Cilicia (1; cf.
   15:41)
   - Lystra and Derbe

3) Who did Paul want to travel with him?  What is said about him? (1-2)
   - A disciple named Timothy
   - Son of a Jewish woman who believed, and whose father was Greek
   - Well spoken of by the brethren in Lystra and Iconium

4) Why did Paul have him circumcised? (3)
   - Because of the Jews in that region that knew his father was Greek
   - I.e., not to be saved, but to conciliate his relationship with
     other Jews (cf. w/Titus, Ga 2:3-5)

5) What did Paul's company deliver as they traveled?  What was the
   reaction? (4-5)
   - The decrees to keep as determined by the apostles and elders at
     Jerusalem
   - The churches were strengthened in number and grew daily

6) How did the Spirit guide Paul's company in their travels? Where did
   they wind up? (6-8)
   - By forbidding them to preach in Asia; not permitting them to go
     into Bithynia
   - In Troas

7) What vision did Paul have?  What did he and his companions conclude?
   (9-10)
   - A man in Macedonian apparel pleading with him, "Come over to
     Macedonia and help us"
   - The Lord had called them to preach the gospel to those in Macedonia

8) From Troas, where did they go?  Who evidently joined them at Troas?
   (11-12)
   - Samothrace, Neapolis, and then to Philippi, a major city of
     Macedonia and Roman colony
   - Luke, the author of Acts, as indicated by the pronoun "we"

10) Where did Paul's company go on the Sabbath?  What did they do? (13)
   - The riverside where prayer was customarily made; they spoke to the
     women gathered there

11) Who heard them?  What kind of woman was she?  What happened as she
    listened? (14)
   - Lydia, a seller of purple from Thyatira
   - A worshiper of God
   - The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul

12) What happened next?  Afterwards, what did she do? (15)
   - She and her household were baptized
   - She persuaded Paul and his company to stay at her house

13) Who began to follow Paul and his company?  What did she do? (16-17)
   - A slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination, who earned
     money by fortune telling
   - Followed them for many days, saying "These men are the servants of
     the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation"

14) Why do you think Paul was greatly annoyed? What did he then do? (18)
   - Her proclamation was not freely given, by compelled by the spirit
     that possessed her
   - He cast out the spirit in the name of Jesus Christ

15) What sequence of events followed this miracle? (19-24)
   - Her masters dragged Paul and Silas to the marketplace and before
     the authorities
   - They roused the multitude against Paul and Silas, the magistrates
     had them beaten with rods
   - Paul and Silas were then secured in the inner prison with their
     feet in stocks

16) What did Paul and Silas do while imprisoned? (25)
   - Prayed and sang hymns while other prisoners listened

17) What led to the jailer asking what he must do to be saved? (26-30)
   - There was a great earthquake, all the doors were opened and chains
     loosened
   - The jailer assumes all escaped and was about to kill himself
   - Paul stops him, telling him that all the prisoners were present

18) What does Paul say and do in answer to the jailor's question?
    (31-32)
   - Tells him to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved
   - Speaks the word of the Lord to him and his household

19) What happened that same hour of the night? (33)
   - The jailer took Paul and Silas and washed their stripes
   - The jailer and all his family were baptized immediately

20) What else did the jailer do for Paul and Silas?  How would you
    describe his attitude? (34)
   - Brought them into his home and fed them
   - Happy that he and his household believed in God

21) When word was sent for Paul and Silas to be released, how did Paul
    respond? (35-37)
   - He demanded the magistrates appear in person, because they had
     beaten Romans without being properly condemned

22) How did the magistrates respond? (38-39)
   - With fear, then personally pleading with Paul and Silas to leave
     the city

23) Leaving the prison, what did Paul and Silas do before departing
    the city? (40)
   - Encouraged the brethren at the house of Lydia

24) Who evidently stayed behind at Philippi? (40)
   - Luke, the author of Acts, as indicated by the pronoun "they"

Where is Pablo Picasso when you really need him???

Its late and for some reason I can't sleep and so what better time to do a blog post.  As I looked through my collection of pictures, I kept staring at this one and oddly enough for the longest time I just could not tell what it was.  My first thought was that it was a painting of Pablo Picasso, but, no. Then I realized it was a reflection of a multi-colored hillside on a river nearby.  Regardless, it was one thing representing another and so vivid an image came to my mind that it made me remember this passage from the book of Ezekiel...

Ezekiel, Chapter 1

 2 In the fifth of the month, which was the fifth year of king Jehoiachin’s captivity, 3 the word of Yahweh came expressly to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of Yahweh was there on him.  4 I looked, and behold, a stormy wind came out of the north, a great cloud, with flashing lightning, and a brightness around it, and out of its midst as it were glowing metal, out of the midst of the fire.  5 Out of its midst came the likeness of four living creatures. This was their appearance: they had the likeness of a man.  6 Everyone had four faces, and each one of them had four wings.  7 Their feet were straight feet; and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf’s foot; and they sparkled like burnished brass.  8 They had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and the four of them had their faces and their wings thus:  9 their wings were joined one to another; they didn’t turn when they went; each one went straight forward.  10 As for the likeness of their faces, they had the face of a man; and the four of them had the face of a lion on the right side; and the four of them had the face of an ox on the left side; the four of them also had the face of an eagle.  11 Such were their faces. Their wings were spread out above. Two wings of each one touched another, and two covered their bodies.  12 Each one went straight forward: where the spirit was to go, they went; they didn’t turn when they went.  13 As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, like the appearance of torches: the fire went up and down among the living creatures; and the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning.  14 The living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning.  15 Now as I saw the living creatures, behold, one wheel on the earth beside the living creatures, for each of the four faces of it.  16 The appearance of the wheels and their work was like a beryl: and the four of them had one likeness; and their appearance and their work was as it were a wheel within a wheel.  17 When they went, they went in their four directions: they didn’t turn when they went.  18 As for their rims, they were high and dreadful; and the four of them had their rims full of eyes all around.  19 When the living creatures went, the wheels went beside them; and when the living creatures were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up.  20 Wherever the spirit was to go, they went; there was the spirit to go: and the wheels were lifted up beside them; for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.  21 When those went, these went; and when those stood, these stood; and when those were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up beside them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.  22 Over the head of the living creature there was the likeness of an expanse, like the awesome crystal to look on, stretched forth over their heads above.  23 Under the expanse were their wings straight, the one toward the other: each one had two which covered on this side, and every one had two which covered on that side, their bodies. 24 When they went, I heard the noise of their wings like the noise of great waters, like the voice of the Almighty, a noise of tumult like the noise of an army: when they stood, they let down their wings. 25 There was a voice above the expanse that was over their heads: when they stood, they let down their wings. 26 Above the expanse that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone; and on the likeness of the throne was a likeness as the appearance of a man on it above. 27 I saw as it were glowing metal, as the appearance of fire within it all around, from the appearance of his waist and upward; and from the appearance of his waist and downward I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and there was brightness around him.  28 As the appearance of the rainbow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness all around. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of Yahweh. When I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard a voice of one that spoke.

How do you explain what God is really like?  This passage attempts to do so in a rather odd collection of symbols.  Many have tried to fully explain it; I will not try.  But, the sense I get from it is that God is powerful and has attributes that mere human symbols can not fully convey.  However, from the complexity of them it is apparent that God is vastly more superior than HIS human creations.  We can look at pictures as symbols (enter Pablo Picasso) or the world around us as a reflection of the the nature and character of God, but in the end we are left with wonder, amazement and the feeling that we still have an awful lot to learn in this world.  No matter how old I eventually become, I hope I never lose it, because it is the beginning of humility and then and only then will I ever come close to even beginning to understand even a little about God Almighty!!!

June 1 Judges 21

June 1

Judges 21

Jdg 21:1 Now the men of Israel had sworn in Mizpah, saying, There shall not any of us give his daughter to Benjamin as wife.

Jdg 21:2 The people came to Bethel, and sat there until evening before God, and lifted up their voices, and wept sore.

Jdg 21:3 They said, Yahweh, the God of Israel, why has this happened in Israel, that there should be today one tribe lacking in Israel?

Jdg 21:4 It happened on the next day that the people rose early, and built there an altar, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings.

Jdg 21:5 The children of Israel said, Who is there among all the tribes of Israel who didn't come up in the assembly to Yahweh? For they had made a great oath concerning him who didn't come up to Yahweh to Mizpah, saying, He shall surely be put to death.

Jdg 21:6 The children of Israel grieved for Benjamin their brother, and said, There is one tribe cut off from Israel this day.

Jdg 21:7 How shall we do for wives for those who remain, seeing we have sworn by Yahweh that we will not give them of our daughters to wives?

Jdg 21:8 They said, What one is there of the tribes of Israel who didn't come up to Yahweh to Mizpah? Behold, there came none to the camp from Jabesh Gilead to the assembly.

Jdg 21:9 For when the people were numbered, behold, there were none of the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead there.

Jdg 21:10 The congregation sent there twelve thousand men of the most valiant, and commanded them, saying, Go and strike the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead with the edge of the sword, with the women and the little ones.

Jdg 21:11 This is the thing that you shall do: you shall utterly destroy every male, and every woman who has lain by man.

Jdg 21:12 They found among the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead four hundred young virgins, who had not known man by lying with him; and they brought them to the camp to Shiloh, which is in the land of Canaan.

Jdg 21:13 The whole congregation sent and spoke to the children of Benjamin who were in the rock of Rimmon, and proclaimed peace to them.

Jdg 21:14 Benjamin returned at that time; and they gave them the women whom they had saved alive of the women of Jabesh Gilead: and yet so they weren't enough for them.

Jdg 21:15 The people grieved for Benjamin, because that Yahweh had made a breach in the tribes of Israel.

Jdg 21:16 Then the elders of the congregation said, How shall we do for wives for those who remain, seeing the women are destroyed out of Benjamin?

Jdg 21:17 They said, There must be an inheritance for those who are escaped of Benjamin, that a tribe not be blotted out from Israel.

Jdg 21:18 However we may not give them wives of our daughters, for the children of Israel had sworn, saying, Cursed be he who gives a wife to Benjamin.

Jdg 21:19 They said, Behold, there is a feast of Yahweh from year to year in Shiloh, which is on the north of Bethel, on the east side of the highway that goes up from Bethel to Shechem, and on the south of Lebonah.

Jdg 21:20 They commanded the children of Benjamin, saying, Go and lie in wait in the vineyards,

Jdg 21:21 and see, and behold, if the daughters of Shiloh come out to dance in the dances, then come out of the vineyards, and each man catch his wife of the daughters of Shiloh, and go to the land of Benjamin.

Jdg 21:22 It shall be, when their fathers or their brothers come to complain to us, that we will say to them, Grant them graciously to us, because we didn't take for each man his wife in battle, neither did you give them to them, else you would now be guilty.