8/10/12

Aug. 10 Nehemiah 7-9


Aug. 10
Nehemiah 7-9

Neh 7:1 Now it happened, when the wall was built, and I had set up the doors, and the porters and the singers and the Levites were appointed,
Neh 7:2 that I put my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the governor of the castle, in charge of Jerusalem; for he was a faithful man, and feared God above many.
Neh 7:3 I said to them, Don't let the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun be hot; and while they stand on guard, let them shut the doors, and you bar them: and appoint watches of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, everyone in his watch, and everyone to be over against his house.
Neh 7:4 Now the city was wide and large; but the people were few therein, and the houses were not built.
Neh 7:5 My God put into my heart to gather together the nobles, and the rulers, and the people, that they might be reckoned by genealogy. I found the book of the genealogy of those who came up at the first, and I found written therein:
Neh 7:6 These are the children of the province, who went up out of the captivity of those who had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away, and who returned to Jerusalem and to Judah, everyone to his city;
Neh 7:7 who came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel:
Neh 7:8 The children of Parosh, two thousand one hundred seventy-two.
Neh 7:9 The children of Shephatiah, three hundred seventy-two.
Neh 7:10 The children of Arah, six hundred fifty-two.
Neh 7:11 The children of Pahathmoab, of the children of Jeshua and Joab, two thousand eight hundred and eighteen.
Neh 7:12 The children of Elam, one thousand two hundred fifty-four.
Neh 7:13 The children of Zattu, eight hundred forty-five.
Neh 7:14 The children of Zaccai, seven hundred sixty.
Neh 7:15 The children of Binnui, six hundred forty-eight.
Neh 7:16 The children of Bebai, six hundred twenty-eight.
Neh 7:17 The children of Azgad, two thousand three hundred twenty-two.
Neh 7:18 The children of Adonikam, six hundred sixty-seven.
Neh 7:19 The children of Bigvai, two thousand sixty-seven.
Neh 7:20 The children of Adin, six hundred fifty-five.
Neh 7:21 The children of Ater, of Hezekiah, ninety-eight.
Neh 7:22 The children of Hashum, three hundred Twenty-eight.
Neh 7:23 The children of Bezai, three hundred twenty-four.
Neh 7:24 The children of Hariph, one hundred twelve.
Neh 7:25 The children of Gibeon, ninety-five.
Neh 7:26 The men of Bethlehem and Netophah, one hundred eighty-eight.
Neh 7:27 The men of Anathoth, one hundred twenty-eight.
Neh 7:28 The men of Beth Azmaveth, forty-two.
Neh 7:29 The men of Kiriath Jearim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, seven hundred forty-three.
Neh 7:30 The men of Ramah and Geba, six hundred twenty-one.
Neh 7:31 The men of Michmas, one hundred and twenty-two.
Neh 7:32 The men of Bethel and Ai, a hundred twenty-three.
Neh 7:33 The men of the other Nebo, fifty-two.
Neh 7:34 The children of the other Elam, one thousand two hundred fifty-four.
Neh 7:35 The children of Harim, three hundred twenty.
Neh 7:36 The children of Jericho, three hundred forty-five.
Neh 7:37 The children of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, seven hundred twenty-one.
Neh 7:38 The children of Senaah, three thousand nine hundred thirty.
Neh 7:39 The priests: The children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred seventy-three.
Neh 7:40 The children of Immer, one thousand fifty-two.
Neh 7:41 The children of Pashhur, one thousand two hundred forty-seven.
Neh 7:42 The children of Harim, one thousand and seventeen.
Neh 7:43 The Levites: the children of Jeshua, of Kadmiel, of the children of Hodevah, seventy-four.
Neh 7:44 The singers: the children of Asaph, one hundred forty-eight.
Neh 7:45 The porters: the children of Shallum, the children of Ater, the children of Talmon, the children of Akkub, the children of Hatita, the children of Shobai, one hundred thirty-eight.
Neh 7:46 The Nethinim: the children of Ziha, the children of Hasupha, the children of Tabbaoth,
Neh 7:47 the children of Keros, the children of Sia, the children of Padon,
Neh 7:48 the children of Lebana, the children of Hagaba, the children of Salmai,
Neh 7:49 the children of Hanan, the children of Giddel, the children of Gahar,
Neh 7:50 the children of Reaiah, the children of Rezin, the children of Nekoda,
Neh 7:51 the children of Gazzam, the children of Uzza, the children of Paseah.
Neh 7:52 The children of Besai, the children of Meunim, the children of Nephushesim,
Neh 7:53 the children of Bakbuk, the children of Hakupha, the children of Harhur,
Neh 7:54 the children of Bazlith, the children of Mehida, the children of Harsha,
Neh 7:55 the children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children of Temah,
Neh 7:56 the children of Neziah, the children of Hatipha.
Neh 7:57 The children of Solomon's servants: the children of Sotai, the children of Sophereth, the children of Perida,
Neh 7:58 the children of Jaala, the children of Darkon, the children of Giddel,
Neh 7:59 the children of Shephatiah, the children of Hattil, the children of Pochereth Hazzebaim, the children of Amon.
Neh 7:60 All the Nethinim, and the children of Solomon's servants, were three hundred ninety-two.
Neh 7:61 These were those who went up from Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer; but they could not show their fathers' houses, nor their seed, whether they were of Israel:
Neh 7:62 The children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred forty-two.
Neh 7:63 Of the priests: the children of Hobaiah, the children of Hakkoz, the children of Barzillai, who took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name.
Neh 7:64 These sought their register among those who were reckoned by genealogy, but it was not found: therefore were they deemed polluted and put from the priesthood.
Neh 7:65 The governor said to them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, until there stood up a priest with Urim and Thummim.
Neh 7:66 The whole assembly together was forty-two thousand three hundred sixty,
Neh 7:67 besides their male servants and their female servants, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty-seven: and they had two hundred forty-five singing men and singing women.
Neh 7:68 Their horses were seven hundred thirty-six; their mules, two hundred forty-five;
Neh 7:69 their camels, four hundred thirty-five; their donkeys, six thousand seven hundred twenty.
Neh 7:70 Some from among the heads of fathers' houses gave to the work. The governor gave to the treasury one thousand darics of gold, fifty basins, and five hundred thirty priests' garments.
Neh 7:71 Some of the heads of fathers' houses gave into the treasury of the work twenty thousand darics of gold, and two thousand two hundred minas of silver.
Neh 7:72 That which the rest of the people gave was twenty thousand darics of gold, and two thousand minas of silver, and sixty-seven priests' garments.
Neh 7:73 So the priests, and the Levites, and the porters, and the singers, and some of the people, and the Nethinim, and all Israel, lived in their cities. When the seventh month was come, the children of Israel were in their cities.
Neh 8:1 All the people gathered themselves together as one man into the broad place that was before the water gate; and they spoke to Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which Yahweh had commanded to Israel.
Neh 8:2 Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly, both men and women, and all who could hear with understanding, on the first day of the seventh month.
Neh 8:3 He read therein before the broad place that was before the water gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women, and of those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the law.
Neh 8:4 Ezra the scribe stood on a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Uriah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchijah, and Hashum, and Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam.
Neh 8:5 Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up:
Neh 8:6 and Ezra blessed Yahweh, the great God. All the people answered, Amen, Amen, with the lifting up of their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshiped Yahweh with their faces to the ground.
Neh 8:7 Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their place.
Neh 8:8 They read in the book, in the law of God, distinctly; and they gave the sense, so that they understood the reading.
Neh 8:9 Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites who taught the people, said to all the people, This day is holy to Yahweh your God; don't mourn, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.
Neh 8:10 Then he said to them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Don't be grieved; for the joy of Yahweh is your strength.
Neh 8:11 So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold your peace, for the day is holy; neither be grieved.
Neh 8:12 All the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth, because they had understood the words that were declared to them.
Neh 8:13 On the second day were gathered together the heads of fathers' houses of all the people, the priests, and the Levites, to Ezra the scribe, even to give attention to the words of the law.
Neh 8:14 They found written in the law, how that Yahweh had commanded by Moses, that the children of Israel should dwell in booths in the feast of the seventh month;
Neh 8:15 and that they should publish and proclaim in all their cities, and in Jerusalem, saying, Go forth to the mountain, and get olive branches, and branches of wild olive, and myrtle branches, and palm branches, and branches of thick trees, to make booths, as it is written.
Neh 8:16 So the people went forth, and brought them, and made themselves booths, everyone on the roof of his house, and in their courts, and in the courts of the house of God, and in the broad place of the water gate, and in the broad place of the gate of Ephraim.
Neh 8:17 All the assembly of those who were come again out of the captivity made booths, and lived in the booths; for since the days of Jeshua the son of Nun to that day the children of Israel had not done so. There was very great gladness.
Neh 8:18 Also day by day, from the first day to the last day, he read in the book of the law of God. They kept the feast seven days; and on the eighth day was a solemn assembly, according to the ordinance.
Neh 9:1 Now in the twenty-fourth day of this month the children of Israel were assembled with fasting, and with sackcloth, and earth on them.
Neh 9:2 The seed of Israel separated themselves from all foreigners, and stood and confessed their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers.
Neh 9:3 They stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of Yahweh their God a fourth part of the day; and another fourth part they confessed, and worshiped Yahweh their God.
Neh 9:4 Then stood up on the stairs of the Levites, Jeshua, and Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani, and cried with a loud voice to Yahweh their God.
Neh 9:5 Then the Levites, Jeshua, and Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said, Stand up and bless Yahweh your God from everlasting to everlasting; and blessed be your glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise.
Neh 9:6 You are Yahweh, even you alone; you have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their army, the earth and all things that are thereon, the seas and all that is in them, and you preserve them all; and the army of heaven worships you.
Neh 9:7 You are Yahweh the God, who did choose Abram, and brought him forth out of Ur of the Chaldees, and gave him the name of Abraham,
Neh 9:8 and found his heart faithful before you, and made a covenant with him to give the land of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, and the Perizzite, and the Jebusite, and the Girgashite, to give it to his seed, and have performed your words; for you are righteous.
Neh 9:9 You saw the affliction of our fathers in Egypt, and heard their cry by the Red Sea,
Neh 9:10 and showed signs and wonders on Pharaoh, and on all his servants, and on all the people of his land; for you knew that they dealt proudly against them, and made a name for you, as it is this day.
Neh 9:11 You divided the sea before them, so that they went through the midst of the sea on the dry land; and their pursuers you did cast into the depths, as a stone into the mighty waters.
Neh 9:12 Moreover in a pillar of cloud you led them by day; and in a pillar of fire by night, to give them light in the way in which they should go.
Neh 9:13 You came down also on Mount Sinai, and spoke with them from heaven, and gave them right ordinances and true laws, good statutes and commandments,
Neh 9:14 and made known to them your holy Sabbath, and commanded them commandments, and statutes, and a law, by Moses your servant,
Neh 9:15 and gave them bread from the sky for their hunger, and brought forth water for them out of the rock for their thirst, and commanded those who they should go in to possess the land which you had sworn to give them.
Neh 9:16 But they and our fathers dealt proudly and hardened their neck, and didn't listen to your commandments,
Neh 9:17 and refused to obey, neither were mindful of your wonders that you did among them, but hardened their neck, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage. But you are a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness, and didn't forsake them.
Neh 9:18 Yes, when they had made them a molten calf, and said, This is your God who brought you up out of Egypt, and had committed awful blasphemies;
Neh 9:19 yet you in your manifold mercies didn't forsake them in the wilderness: the pillar of cloud didn't depart from over them by day, to lead them in the way; neither the pillar of fire by night, to show them light, and the way in which they should go.
Neh 9:20 You gave also your good Spirit to instruct them, and didn't withhold your manna from their mouth, and gave them water for their thirst.
Neh 9:21 Yes, forty years you sustained them in the wilderness, and they lacked nothing; their clothes didn't grow old, and their feet didn't swell.
Neh 9:22 Moreover you gave them kingdoms and peoples, which you allotted after their portions: so they possessed the land of Sihon, even the land of the king of Heshbon, and the land of Og king of Bashan.
Neh 9:23 Their children also multiplied you as the stars of the sky, and brought them into the land concerning which you did say to their fathers, that they should go in to possess it.
Neh 9:24 So the children went in and possessed the land, and you subdued before them the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, and gave them into their hands, with their kings, and the peoples of the land, that they might do with them as they would.
Neh 9:25 They took fortified cities, and a fat land, and possessed houses full of all good things, cisterns dug out, vineyards, and olive groves, and fruit trees in abundance: so they ate, and were filled, and became fat, and delighted themselves in your great goodness.
Neh 9:26 Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against you, and cast your law behind their back, and killed your prophets that testified against them to turn them again to you, and they committed awful blasphemies.
Neh 9:27 Therefore you delivered them into the hand of their adversaries, who distressed them: and in the time of their trouble, when they cried to you, you heard from heaven; and according to your manifold mercies you gave them saviors who saved them out of the hand of their adversaries.
Neh 9:28 But after they had rest, they did evil again before you; therefore left you them in the hand of their enemies, so that they had the dominion over them: yet when they returned, and cried to you, you heard from heaven; and many times you delivered them according to your mercies,
Neh 9:29 and testified against them, that you might bring them again to your law. Yet they dealt proudly, and didn't listen to your commandments, but sinned against your ordinances, (which if a man do, he shall live in them), and withdrew the shoulder, and hardened their neck, and would not hear.
Neh 9:30 Yet many years you put up with them, and testified against them by your Spirit through your prophets: yet would they not give ear: therefore you gave them into the hand of the peoples of the lands.
Neh 9:31 Nevertheless in your manifold mercies you did not make a full end of them, nor forsake them; for you are a gracious and merciful God.
Neh 9:32 Now therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who keep covenant and loving kindness, don't let all the travail seem little before you, that has come on us, on our kings, on our princes, and on our priests, and on our prophets, and on our fathers, and on all your people, since the time of the kings of Assyria to this day.
Neh 9:33 However you are just in all that is come on us; for you have dealt truly, but we have done wickedly;
Neh 9:34 neither have our kings, our princes, our priests, nor our fathers, kept your law, nor listened to your commandments and your testimonies with which you testified against them.
Neh 9:35 For they have not served you in their kingdom, and in your great goodness that you gave them, and in the large and fat land which you gave before them, neither turned they from their wicked works.
Neh 9:36 Behold, we are servants this day, and as for the land that you gave to our fathers to eat its fruit and its good, behold, we are servants in it.
Neh 9:37 It yields much increase to the kings whom you have set over us because of our sins: also they have power over our bodies, and over our livestock, at their pleasure, and we are in great distress.
Neh 9:38 Yet for all this we make a sure covenant, and write it; and our princes, our Levites, and our priests, seal to it.

"THE EPISTLE TO THE EPHESIANS" Chapter One by Mark Copeland 

                     "THE EPISTLE TO THE EPHESIANS"

                              Chapter One

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THE CHAPTER

1) To review the wonderful blessings God has provided in Christ

2) To understand what Paul desired the Ephesians that they know

3) To notice the greatness of God's power toward those who believe

4) To consider the exalted position of Christ and His church

SUMMARY

Following a brief salutation (1-2), Paul begins this epistle with an
expression of praise to God for the spiritual blessings that are in
Christ (3).  In this doxology is a list of blessings divided into three
sections.  The first section describes those blessings related to the
Father, how He has chosen us in Christ, predestined us to adoption as
sons to Himself, and made us accepted in the Beloved (4-6).  The second
section focuses on those blessings in relation to the Son, e.g.,
redemption through His blood, forgiveness of sins, the revelation of
His will concerning Jesus Christ, and the inheritance we have obtained,
as predestined according to God's will (7-12).  The third section
describes blessings related to the Holy Spirit, how we are sealed with
the Spirit of promise, and how He serves as a "guarantee" (or deposit)
of our inheritance (13-14).  The key phrase throughout this section is
"in Him" (or "in Whom") which stresses the point that all spiritual
blessing come through Jesus Christ and enjoyed by those who are "in"
Him (cf. 1:1,3).

The last half of the chapter contains Paul's first of two prayers that
are in this epistle.  The prayer in this chapter is for their
"enlightenment", that their knowledge and understanding might increase.
Paul especially desires that they might know God more fully, what is
the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His
inheritance in the saints, and what is the great power of God toward
those who believe (15-19).  Regarding this "power", it is the same
power God used to raise Jesus from the dead and seat Him at His right
hand.  The exalted position now enjoyed by Christ includes authority
over all things, especially the church which is described as "His body,
the fullness of Him who fills all in all." (20-23)

OUTLINE

I. INTRODUCTION (1-3)

   A. THE AUTHOR (1a)
      1. Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ
      2. By the will of God

   B. THE RECIPIENTS (1b)
      1. The saints (who are in Ephesus)
      2. The faithful in Christ Jesus

   C. THE SALUTATION (2)
      1. Grace and peace
      2. From God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

   D. THE THEME OF THE EPISTLE (3)
      1. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is to be blessed
         (praised)
      2. For He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the
         heavenly places in Christ

II. OUR SPIRITUAL POSSESSIONS IN CHRIST (3-14)

   A. BLESSINGS INVOLVING THE FATHER (4-6)
      1. We are chosen by God (4)
         a. Chosen in Christ before the world began
         b. Chosen to holy and without blame before Him in love
      2. We are predestined by God (5-6a)
         a. Predestined to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself
         b. Predestined according to the good pleasure of His Will
         -- To the praise of His glorious grace
      3. We are accepted by God (6)
         a. Accepted by virtue of His glorious grace
         b. Accepted in the Beloved (Christ)

   B. BLESSINGS INVOLVING THE SON (7-12)
      1. God has redeemed us (7a)
         a. Redeemed in Christ
         b. Redeemed through His blood
      2. God has forgiven us (7b-8)
         a. Forgiven us of our sins
         b. Forgiven us according to the riches of His grace
            1) Which God has made to abound toward us
            2) Abounding in all wisdom and prudence
      3. God has revealed His will to us (9-10)
         a. Revealed the mystery of His will
            1) According to His good pleasure
            2) Which He purposed in Himself
         b. Revealed how He will gather together in one all things in
            Christ
            1) Things in heaven
            2) Things on earth
      4. God has given us an inheritance (11-12)
         a. An inheritance predestined by God
            1) According to His purpose
            2) Who works all things according to His will
         b. An inheritance...
            1) For those who first trusted in Christ
            2) So they can be to the praise of God's glory

   C. BLESSINGS INVOLVING THE HOLY SPIRIT (13-14)
      1. The Holy Spirit is our "seal" (13)
         a. Having trusted in Christ after hearing the word of truth,
            the gospel of salvation
         b. Having believed, we were sealed with the Holy Spirit of
            promise
      2. The Holy Spirit is our "guarantee" (14)
         a. The guarantee of our inheritance
         b. The guarantee until the redemption of the purchased
            possession
         -- To the praise of God's glory

III. PAUL'S FIRST PRAYER:  FOR THEIR ENLIGHTENMENT (15-23)

   A. THAT WHICH PRECIPITATED HIS PRAYER (15-16)
      1. Having heard of their:
         a. Faith in the Lord Jesus
         b. Love for all their saints
      2. Resulting in his:
         a. Unceasing thanks for them
         b. Making mention of them in his prayers

   B. THE CONTENT OF HIS PRAYER (17-23)
      1. To whom addressed (17a)
         a. The God of our Lord Jesus Christ
         b. The Father of glory
      2. That God would...
         a. Give them the spirit of wisdom and revelation (17b)
         b. Enlighten the eyes of their understanding (18a)
      3. That they might know...
         a. The knowledge of God (17c)
         b. The hope of His calling (18b)
         c. The riches of the glorious inheritance in the saints (18c)
         d. The exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe
            (19a)
      4. Regarding this power toward us who believe...
         a. It is according to working of God's mighty power in Christ
            (19b-20a)
         b. The same mighty power which...
            1) Raised Christ from the dead (20b)
            2) Seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places
               (20c-21)
               a) Far above all principality, power, might, dominion,
                  and every name
               b) Not only in this age, but also in that which is to
                  come
            3) Put all things under His feet (22a)
            4) Gave Him to be head over all things to the church
               (22b-23)
               a) Which is His body
               b) Which is the fullness of Him who fills all in all

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER

1) What are the main points of this chapter?
   - Introduction (1-3)
   - Our spiritual possessions in Christ (3-14)
   - Paul's first prayer:  for their enlightenment (15-23)

2) Why is God to be blessed (praised)? (3)
   - Because He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the
     heavenly places in Christ

3) What blessings have we received that pertain especially to the
   Father? (4-6)
   - He chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world
   - He predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ
   - He made us acceptable in the Beloved (Jesus)

4) What blessings have we received that pertain especially to the Son?
   (7-12)
   - God has redeemed us through His Son's blood
   - God has forgiven us of our sins
   - God has revealed His will to us
   - God has given us an inheritance

5) What blessings have we received that pertain especially to the Holy
   Spirit? (13-14)
   - We have been "sealed" by the Holy Spirit
   - We have received the Spirit as a "guarantee" of our inheritance

6) What had Paul heard, that prompted his prayers in their behalf?
   (15-16)
   - Of their faith in the Lord Jesus
   - Of their love for all the saints

7) Concerning what did Paul pray that his readers might know and be
   enlightened? (17-19)
   - The knowledge of God
   - The hope of His calling
   - The riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints
   - The exceeding greatness of His power toward those who believe

8) According to what is God's power toward those who believe? (20)
   - The mighty power God worked in Christ, in raising Him from the
     dead and seating Him at His right hand

9) What is Christ's exalted position at God's right hand? (21)
   - Far above all principality, power, might, dominion, and every name
     that is named, both now and in the age to come

10) What has been placed under His feet?  Over what is He the head?
    (23)
   - All things
   - The church

11) What is the church in relation to Christ? (23)
   - His body
   - The fullness of Him who fills all in all

8/9/12

Almost... NUFF SAID.


People are different, we look differently, we act differently, we even think differently.  Obviously, we all have differing physical and mental abilities.  Generically, though, we are the same; we all are born with arms, legs, brains, etc.. And of course, we all die.  As far as the picture goes, it has got it right.  Only thing... it doesn't go far enough, as this passage from Hebrews teaches us...

Hebrews, chapter 9
 27 Inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once, and after this, judgment,

God will judge us for what we have done in this life.  Are you ready to face THE JUDGMENT OF THE ALMIGHTY?  If not, then go to the Bible, read the second chapter of the book of Acts and make a decision like they did.  NOW......... NUFF SAID.

Aug. 9 Nehemiah 4-6


Aug. 9
Nehemiah 4-6

Neh 4:1 But it happened that when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews.
Neh 4:2 He spoke before his brothers and the army of Samaria, and said, What are these feeble Jews doing? will they fortify themselves? will they sacrifice? will they make an end in a day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish, seeing they are burned?
Neh 4:3 Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said, Even that which they are building, if a fox go up, he shall break down their stone wall.
Neh 4:4 Hear, our God; for we are despised: and turn back their reproach on their own head, and give them up for a spoil in a land of captivity;
Neh 4:5 and don't cover their iniquity, and don't let their sin be blotted out from before you; for they have provoked you to anger before the builders.
Neh 4:6 So we built the wall; and all the wall was joined together to half the height of it: for the people had a mind to work.
Neh 4:7 But it happened that when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabians, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites heard that the repairing of the walls of Jerusalem went forward, and that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very angry;
Neh 4:8 and they conspired all of them together to come and fight against Jerusalem, and to cause confusion therein.
Neh 4:9 But we made our prayer to our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them.
Neh 4:10 Judah said, The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and there is much rubbish; so that we are not able to build the wall.
Neh 4:11 Our adversaries said, They shall not know, neither see, until we come into the midst of them, and kill them, and cause the work to cease.
Neh 4:12 It happened that when the Jews who lived by them came, they said to us ten times from all places, You must return to us.
Neh 4:13 Therefore set I in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, in the open places, I set there the people after their families with their swords, their spears, and their bows.
Neh 4:14 I looked, and rose up, and said to the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Don't be afraid of them: remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses.
Neh 4:15 It happened, when our enemies heard that it was known to us, and God had brought their counsel to nothing, that we returned all of us to the wall, everyone to his work.
Neh 4:16 It happened from that time forth, that half of my servants worked in the work, and half of them held the spears, the shields, and the bows, and the coats of mail; and the rulers were behind all the house of Judah.
Neh 4:17 They all built the wall and those who bore burdens loaded themselves; everyone with one of his hands worked in the work, and with the other held his weapon;
Neh 4:18 and the builders, everyone had his sword girded by his side, and so built. He who sounded the trumpet was by me.
Neh 4:19 I said to the nobles, and to the rulers and to the rest of the people, The work is great and large, and we are separated on the wall, one far from another:
Neh 4:20 in whatever place you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally there to us; our God will fight for us.
Neh 4:21 So we worked in the work: and half of them held the spears from the rising of the morning until the stars appeared.
Neh 4:22 Likewise at the same time said I to the people, Let everyone with his servant lodge within Jerusalem, that in the night they may be a guard to us, and may labor in the day.
Neh 4:23 So neither I, nor my brothers, nor my servants, nor the men of the guard who followed me, none of us put off our clothes, everyone went with his weapon to the water.
Neh 5:1 Then there arose a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brothers the Jews.
Neh 5:2 For there were that said, We, our sons and our daughters, are many: let us get grain, that we may eat and live.
Neh 5:3 Some also there were that said, We are mortgaging our fields, and our vineyards, and our houses: let us get grain, because of the dearth.
Neh 5:4 There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the king's tribute on our fields and our vineyards.
Neh 5:5 Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brothers, our children as their children: and behold, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and some of our daughters are brought into bondage already: neither is it in our power to help it; for other men have our fields and our vineyards.
Neh 5:6 I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words.
Neh 5:7 Then I consulted with myself, and contended with the nobles and the rulers, and said to them, You exact usury, everyone of his brother. I held a great assembly against them.
Neh 5:8 I said to them, We after our ability have redeemed our brothers the Jews, that were sold to the nations; and would you even sell your brothers, and should they be sold to us? Then held they their peace, and found never a word.
Neh 5:9 Also I said, The thing that you do is not good: ought you not to walk in the fear of our God, because of the reproach of the nations our enemies?
Neh 5:10 I likewise, my brothers and my servants, do lend them money and grain. Please let us leave off this usury.
Neh 5:11 Please restore to them, even this day, their fields, their vineyards, their olive groves, and their houses, also the hundredth part of the money, and of the grain, the new wine, and the oil, that you exact of them.
Neh 5:12 Then said they, We will restore them, and will require nothing of them; so will we do, even as you say. Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they would do according to this promise.
Neh 5:13 Also I shook out my lap, and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and from his labor, that doesn't perform this promise; even thus be he shaken out, and emptied. All the assembly said, Amen, and praised Yahweh. The people did according to this promise.
Neh 5:14 Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year even to the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that is, twelve years, I and my brothers have not eaten the bread of the governor.
Neh 5:15 But the former governors who were before me were supported by the people, and took bread and wine from them, besides forty shekels of silver; yes, even their servants ruled over the people: but I didn't do so, because of the fear of God.
Neh 5:16 Yes, also I continued in the work of this wall, neither bought we any land: and all my servants were gathered there to the work.
Neh 5:17 Moreover there were at my table, of the Jews and the rulers, one hundred fifty men, besides those who came to us from among the nations that were around us.
Neh 5:18 Now that which was prepared for one day was one ox and six choice sheep; also fowls were prepared for me, and once in ten days store of all sorts of wine: yet for all this I didn't demand the bread of the governor, because the bondage was heavy on this people.
Neh 5:19 Remember to me, my God, for good, all that I have done for this people.

Neh 6:1 Now it happened, when it was reported to Sanballat and Tobiah, and to Geshem the Arabian, and to the rest of our enemies, that I had built the wall, and that there was no breach left therein; (though even to that time I had not set up the doors in the gates;)
Neh 6:2 that Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, Come, let us meet together in one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But they thought to do me mischief.
Neh 6:3 I sent messengers to them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I can't come down: why should the work cease, while I leave it, and come down to you?
Neh 6:4 They sent to me four times after this sort; and I answered them after the same manner.
Neh 6:5 Then sent Sanballat his servant to me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand,
Neh 6:6 in which was written, It is reported among the nations, and Gashmu says it, that you and the Jews think to rebel; for which cause you are building the wall: and you would be their king, according to these words.
Neh 6:7 You have also appointed prophets to preach of you at Jerusalem, saying, There is a king in Judah: and now shall it be reported to the king according to these words. Come now therefore, and let us take counsel together.
Neh 6:8 Then I sent to him, saying, There are no such things done as you say, but you imagine them out of your own heart.
Neh 6:9 For they all would have made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it not be done. But now, God, strengthen my hands.
Neh 6:10 I went to the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah the son of Mehetabel, who was shut up; and he said, Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us shut the doors of the temple: for they will come to kill you; yes, in the night will they come to kill you.
Neh 6:11 I said, Should such a man as I flee? and who is there that, being such as I, would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in.
Neh 6:12 I discerned, and behold, God had not sent him; but he pronounced this prophecy against me: and Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.
Neh 6:13 For this cause was he hired, that I should be afraid, and do so, and sin, and that they might have matter for an evil report, that they might reproach me.
Neh 6:14 Remember, my God, Tobiah and Sanballat according to these their works, and also the prophetess Noadiah, and the rest of the prophets, that would have put me in fear.
Neh 6:15 So the wall was finished in the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty-two days.
Neh 6:16 It happened, when all our enemies heard of it, that all the nations that were about us feared, and were much cast down in their own eyes; for they perceived that this work was worked of our God.
Neh 6:17 Moreover in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters to Tobiah, and the letters of Tobiah came to them.
Neh 6:18 For there were many in Judah sworn to him, because he was the son-in-law of Shecaniah the son of Arah; and his son Jehohanan had taken the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah as wife.
Neh 6:19 Also they spoke of his good deeds before me, and reported my words to him. Tobiah sent letters to put me in fear.

Aug. 9, 10 Acts 23


Aug. 9, 10
Acts 23

Act 23:1 Paul, looking steadfastly at the council, said, "Brothers, I have lived before God in all good conscience until this day."
Act 23:2 The high priest, Ananias, commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth.
Act 23:3 Then Paul said to him, "God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! Do you sit to judge me according to the law, and command me to be struck contrary to the law?"
Act 23:4 Those who stood by said, "Do you malign God's high priest?"
Act 23:5 Paul said, "I didn't know, brothers, that he was high priest. For it is written, 'You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.' "
Act 23:6 But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, "Men and brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. Concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!"
Act 23:7 When he had said this, an argument arose between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the assembly was divided.
Act 23:8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit; but the Pharisees confess all of these.
Act 23:9 A great clamor arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees part stood up, and contended, saying, "We find no evil in this man. But if a spirit or angel has spoken to him, let's not fight against God!"
Act 23:10 When a great argument arose, the commanding officer, fearing that Paul would be torn in pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force from among them, and bring him into the barracks.
Act 23:11 The following night, the Lord stood by him, and said, "Cheer up, Paul, for as you have testified about me at Jerusalem, so you must testify also at Rome."
Act 23:12 When it was day, some of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul.
Act 23:13 There were more than forty people who had made this conspiracy.
Act 23:14 They came to the chief priests and the elders, and said, "We have bound ourselves under a great curse, to taste nothing until we have killed Paul.
Act 23:15 Now therefore, you with the council inform the commanding officer that he should bring him down to you tomorrow, as though you were going to judge his case more exactly. We are ready to kill him before he comes near."
Act 23:16 But Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, and he came and entered into the barracks and told Paul.
Act 23:17 Paul summoned one of the centurions, and said, "Bring this young man to the commanding officer, for he has something to tell him."
Act 23:18 So he took him, and brought him to the commanding officer, and said, "Paul, the prisoner, summoned me and asked me to bring this young man to you, who has something to tell you."
Act 23:19 The commanding officer took him by the hand, and going aside, asked him privately, "What is it that you have to tell me?"
Act 23:20 He said, "The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though intending to inquire somewhat more accurately concerning him.
Act 23:21 Therefore don't yield to them, for more than forty men lie in wait for him, who have bound themselves under a curse neither to eat nor to drink until they have killed him. Now they are ready, looking for the promise from you."
Act 23:22 So the commanding officer let the young man go, charging him, "Tell no one that you have revealed these things to me."
Act 23:23 He called to himself two of the centurions, and said, "Prepare two hundred soldiers to go as far as Caesarea, with seventy horsemen, and two hundred men armed with spears, at the third hour of the night."
Act 23:24 He asked them to provide animals, that they might set Paul on one, and bring him safely to Felix the governor.
Act 23:25 He wrote a letter like this:
Act 23:26 "Claudius Lysias to the most excellent governor Felix: Greetings.
Act 23:27 "This man was seized by the Jews, and was about to be killed by them, when I came with the soldiers and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman.
Act 23:28 Desiring to know the cause why they accused him, I brought him down to their council.
Act 23:29 I found him to be accused about questions of their law, but not to be charged with anything worthy of death or of imprisonment.
Act 23:30 When I was told that the Jews lay in wait for the man, I sent him to you immediately, charging his accusers also to bring their accusations against him before you. Farewell."
Act 23:31 So the soldiers, carrying out their orders, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris.
Act 23:32 But on the next day they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the barracks.
Act 23:33 When they came to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they also presented Paul to him.
Act 23:34 When the governor had read it, he asked what province he was from. When he understood that he was from Cilicia, he said,
Act 23:35 "I will hear you fully when your accusers also arrive." He commanded that he be kept in Herod's palace.

"THE EPISTLE TO THE EPHESIANS" Introduction by Mark Copeland 

                     "THE EPISTLE TO THE EPHESIANS"

                              Introduction

AUTHOR:  The apostle Paul (1:1; 3:1).  Early sources in church history
that attribute this letter to Paul include:  Irenaeus (200 A.D.),
Clement of Alexandria (200 A.D.), and Origen (250 A.D.).  Polycarp (125
A.D.) attests to its canonicity in his own epistle to the Philippians
(chapter 12).

THE RECIPIENTS:  There are reasons to believe that this epistle was not
designed for just one congregation, but intended to be passed around to
several churches in the area surrounding Ephesus.  The earliest
manuscripts do not contain the phrase "in Ephesus" (cf. 1:1).  The
epistle itself is in the form of a general treatise rather than as a
letter written to a specific church.  For example, there are no
specific exhortations or personal greetings.  It is thought by some
(Conybeare and Howson) that this letter is the epistle that was first
sent to Laodicea (cf. Col 4:16), and designed to be shared with other
churches, including Ephesus.  Because Ephesus was the leading city of
the region, and the main center of Paul's missionary activity in the
area (cf. Ac 19:1,8-10), it is understandable why later scribes might
have assigned this epistle to the church at Ephesus.  Without question
it was intended for "the saints ...and faithful in Christ Jesus." (1:1)

PAUL'S MINISTRY IN THE REGION:  Paul first came to Ephesus for a short
visit toward the end of his second missionary journey (Ac 18:18-19).
Located on the SW coast of Asia Minor (modern day Turkey), Ephesus was 
one of the great cities in that part of the world.  A Roman capital, it
was a wealthy commercial center and home for the worship of the goddess
Diana (cf. Ac 19:23-41).  Though Paul briefly studied with  the Jews at
the local synagogue and was invited to stay longer, he made plans to
visit them again after a quick trip to Jerusalem (Ac 18:20-21).

On his third missionary journey Paul made it back to Ephesus for an
extended stay of three years (cf. Ac 19:1,10; 20:31).  After his
initial success in converting twelve disciples of John (Ac 19:1-7),
Paul spent three months teaching in the local synagogue (Ac 19:8).
Resistance to his doctrine forced him to leave the synagogue, but he
was able to continue teaching in the school of Tyrannus for a period of
two years.  The end result is that the gospel spread from Ephesus
throughout Asia Minor (Ac 19:9-10).  A disturbance created by some of
the local idol makers finally forced Paul to leave Ephesus (Ac 19:23-
20:1).

Toward the end of his third journey, Paul stopped at nearby Miletus,
and met with the elders of the church at Ephesus.  Reminding them of 
his work with them, he charged them to fulfill their own 
responsibilities as overseers of the flock of God, and then bid them a 
tearful farewell (Ac 20:17-38).

TIME AND PLACE OF WRITING:  Ephesians is one of Paul's four "prison
epistles" (3:1; 4:1; 6:20; cf. Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon).
The general consensus is that these epistles were written during Paul's
imprisonment at Rome (cf. Ac 28:16,30-31).  If such is truly the case,
then Paul wrote Ephesians around 61-63 A.D. from Rome.  The indication 
is that the epistles to the Colossians, Philemon and the Ephesians were
carried to their destination by Tychicus and Onesimus (cf. 6:21-22; Col 
4:7-9; Phm 10-12).

PURPOSE OF THE EPISTLE:  Unlike other epistles written to specific
churches, this epistle does not deal with specific problems in a local
congregation.  Instead, Paul addressed great themes that pertain to the
Christian's position in Christ, as a member of the body of Christ, the
church. As expressed in his prayer for his readers, it was his desire
that they might know:

   * What is the hope of God's calling (1:18)

   * What are the glorious riches of God's inheritance in the saints
     (1:18)

   * What is God's great power toward those who believe (1:19)

In the first three chapters, Paul answers his own prayer by expounding
upon their spiritual blessings in Christ.  The last three chapters
focus on the conduct (or "walk", cf. 4:1,17; 5:2,8,15) expected of
those so richly blessed.  Therefore Paul writes to:

   * Remind Christians of their spiritual blessings in Christ (1:3)

   * Exhort Christians to have a "walk worthy of the calling with 
     which you were called" (4:1)

THEME OF THE EPISTLE:   A grand epistle like Ephesians almost defies
coming up with one main theme.  With its exalted view of the church in
God's plan of redemption, it is common to suggest the theme as "The
Church, The Fullness of Christ".  Another theme which does justice to
the content of the epistle and one that I suggest for this study is
that offered by Warren Wiersbe:

                   "THE BELIEVER'S RICHES IN CHRIST"

KEY VERSE:  Ephesians 1:3

   "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who
   has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly
   places in Christ,"

OUTLINE:

(adapted from The Bible Exposition Commentary, Vol. 2, Warren W.
Wiersbe, p.7):

INTRODUCTION (1:1-2)

I. DOCTRINE:  OUR RICHES IN CHRIST (1:3-3:21)

   A. OUR SPIRITUAL POSSESSIONS IN CHRIST (1:3-14)
      1. From the Father (1:4-6)
      2. From the Son (1:7-12)
      3. From the Spirit (1:13-14)
      -- First Prayer:  for enlightenment (1:15-23)

   B. OUR SPIRITUAL POSITION IN CHRIST (2:1-22)
      1. Raised and seated on the throne (2:1-10)
      2. Reconciled and set into the temple (2:11-22)
      -- Second Prayer:  for enablement (3:1-21; with verses 2-13 as a
         parenthesis)

II. DUTY:  OUR RESPONSIBILITIES IN CHRIST (4:1-6:20)

   A. A CALL TO WALK IN UNITY (4:1-16)
      1. Preserving the unity of the Spirit with proper attitudes
         (4:1-7)
      2. Edifying the body of Christ by the grace given us (4:8-16)

   B. A CALL TO WALK IN PURITY (4:17-5:21)
      1. Walk not as other Gentiles (4:17-32)
      2. Walk in love (5:1-6)
      3. Walk as children of light (5:7-14)
      4. Walk as wise (5:15-21)

   C. A CALL TO WALK IN HARMONY (5:22-6:9)
      1. Husbands and wives (5:22-33)
      2. Parents and children (6:1-4)
      3. Masters and servants (6:5-9)

   D. A CALL TO WALK IN VICTORY (6:10-20)
      1. Standing strong in the power of the Lord (6:10-13)
      2. Equipped with the whole armor of God (6:14-20)

CONCLUSION (6:21-24)

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE INTRODUCTION

1) To whom is this epistle addressed? (1:1)
   - The saints and faithful in Christ Jesus; actual identity uncertain

2) From where and when did Paul write Ephesians?
   - From Rome, sometime around 61-63 A.D.

3) What three other epistles were written about this time?  What are
   the four epistles sometimes called?
   - Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon
   - The "prison epistles"

4) When did Paul first come to Ephesus (Ac 18:19-22)
   - Toward the end of his second missionary journey

5) When and how long did he spend most of his time at Ephesus? (Ac 18:
   23; 19:1; 20:31)
   - On his third missionary journey; three years

6) For what three things did Paul pray that they might know? (1:15-19)
   - The hope of God's calling
   - The glorious riches of God's inheritance in the saints
   - God's great power toward those who believe

7) What is the two-fold purpose of this epistle? (1:3; 4:1)
   - To remind Christians of their spiritual blessings in Christ
   - To exhort Christians to have a "walk" worthy of their calling

8) What is the "theme" of this epistle, as suggested in the
   introduction?
   - The Believer's Riches In Christ

9) What serves as the "key verse" of this epistle?
   - Ephesians 1:3

10) According to the outline above, what are the two main divisions in
    this epistle?
   - Doctrine:  Our Riches In Christ
   - Duty:  Our Responsibilities In Christ
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