8/29/12

Aug. 29 Psalm 16-19


Aug. 29
Psalm 16-19

Psa 16:1 Preserve me, God, for in you do I take refuge.
Psa 16:2 My soul, you have said to Yahweh, "You are my Lord. Apart from you I have no good thing."
Psa 16:3 As for the saints who are in the earth, they are the excellent ones in whom is all my delight.
Psa 16:4 Their sorrows shall be multiplied who give gifts to another god. Their drink offerings of blood I will not offer, nor take their names on my lips.
Psa 16:5 Yahweh assigned my portion and my cup. You made my lot secure.
Psa 16:6 The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places. Yes, I have a good inheritance.
Psa 16:7 I will bless Yahweh, who has given me counsel. Yes, my heart instructs me in the night seasons.
Psa 16:8 I have set Yahweh always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
Psa 16:9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my tongue rejoices. My body shall also dwell in safety.
Psa 16:10 For you will not leave my soul in Sheol, neither will you allow your holy one to see corruption.
Psa 16:11 You will show me the path of life. In your presence is fullness of joy. In your right hand there are pleasures forevermore.
Psa 17:1 Hear, Yahweh, my righteous plea; Give ear to my prayer, that doesn't go out of deceitful lips.
Psa 17:2 Let my sentence come forth from your presence. Let your eyes look on equity.
Psa 17:3 You have proved my heart. You have visited me in the night. You have tried me, and found nothing. I have resolved that my mouth shall not disobey.
Psa 17:4 As for the works of men, by the word of your lips, I have kept myself from the ways of the violent.
Psa 17:5 My steps have held fast to your paths. My feet have not slipped.
Psa 17:6 I have called on you, for you will answer me, God. Turn your ear to me. Hear my speech.
Psa 17:7 Show your marvelous loving kindness, you who save those who take refuge by your right hand from their enemies.
Psa 17:8 Keep me as the apple of your eye. Hide me under the shadow of your wings,
Psa 17:9 from the wicked who oppress me, my deadly enemies, who surround me.
Psa 17:10 They close up their callous hearts. With their mouth they speak proudly.
Psa 17:11 They have now surrounded us in our steps. They set their eyes to cast us down to the earth.
Psa 17:12 He is like a lion that is greedy of his prey, as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.
Psa 17:13 Arise, Yahweh, confront him. Cast him down. Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword;
Psa 17:14 from men by your hand, Yahweh, from men of the world, whose portion is in this life. You fill the belly of your cherished ones. Your sons have plenty, and they store up wealth for their children.
Psa 17:15 As for me, I shall see your face in righteousness. I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with seeing your form.
Psa 18:1 By David the servant of Yahweh, who spoke to Yahweh the words of this song in the day that Yahweh delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul. He said,>> I love you, Yahweh, my strength.
Psa 18:2 Yahweh is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower.
Psa 18:3 I call on Yahweh, who is worthy to be praised; and I am saved from my enemies.
Psa 18:4 The cords of death surrounded me. The floods of ungodliness made me afraid.
Psa 18:5 The cords of Sheol were around me. The snares of death came on me.
Psa 18:6 In my distress I called on Yahweh, and cried to my God. He heard my voice out of his temple. My cry before him came into his ears.
Psa 18:7 Then the earth shook and trembled. The foundations also of the mountains quaked and were shaken, because he was angry.
Psa 18:8 Smoke went out of his nostrils. Consuming fire came out of his mouth. Coals were kindled by it.
Psa 18:9 He bowed the heavens also, and came down. Thick darkness was under his feet.
Psa 18:10 He rode on a cherub, and flew. Yes, he soared on the wings of the wind.
Psa 18:11 He made darkness his hiding place, his pavilion around him, darkness of waters, thick clouds of the skies.
Psa 18:12 At the brightness before him his thick clouds passed, hailstones and coals of fire.
Psa 18:13 Yahweh also thundered in the sky. The Most High uttered his voice: hailstones and coals of fire.
Psa 18:14 He sent out his arrows, and scattered them; Yes, great lightning bolts, and routed them.
Psa 18:15 Then the channels of waters appeared. The foundations of the world were laid bare at your rebuke, Yahweh, at the blast of the breath of your nostrils.
Psa 18:16 He sent from on high. He took me. He drew me out of many waters.
Psa 18:17 He delivered me from my strong enemy, from those who hated me; for they were too mighty for me.
Psa 18:18 They came on me in the day of my calamity, but Yahweh was my support.
Psa 18:19 He brought me forth also into a large place. He delivered me, because he delighted in me.
Psa 18:20 Yahweh has rewarded me according to my righteousness. According to the cleanness of my hands has he recompensed me.
Psa 18:21 For I have kept the ways of Yahweh, and have not wickedly departed from my God.
Psa 18:22 For all his ordinances were before me. I didn't put away his statutes from me.
Psa 18:23 I was also blameless with him. I kept myself from my iniquity.
Psa 18:24 Therefore Yahweh has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight.
Psa 18:25 With the merciful you will show yourself merciful. With the perfect man, you will show yourself perfect.
Psa 18:26 With the pure, you will show yourself pure. With the crooked you will show yourself shrewd.
Psa 18:27 For you will save the afflicted people, but the haughty eyes you will bring down.
Psa 18:28 For you will light my lamp, Yahweh. My God will light up my darkness.
Psa 18:29 For by you, I advance through a troop. By my God, I leap over a wall.
Psa 18:30 As for God, his way is perfect. The word of Yahweh is tried. He is a shield to all those who take refuge in him.
Psa 18:31 For who is God, except Yahweh? Who is a rock, besides our God,
Psa 18:32 the God who arms me with strength, and makes my way perfect?
Psa 18:33 He makes my feet like deer's feet, and sets me on my high places.
Psa 18:34 He teaches my hands to war, so that my arms bend a bow of bronze.
Psa 18:35 You have also given me the shield of your salvation. Your right hand sustains me. Your gentleness has made me great.
Psa 18:36 You have enlarged my steps under me, My feet have not slipped.
Psa 18:37 I will pursue my enemies, and overtake them. Neither will I turn again until they are consumed.
Psa 18:38 I will strike them through, so that they will not be able to rise. They shall fall under my feet.
Psa 18:39 For you have girded me with strength to the battle. You have subdued under me those who rose up against me.
Psa 18:40 You have also made my enemies turn their backs to me, that I might cut off those who hate me.
Psa 18:41 They cried, but there was none to save; even to Yahweh, but he didn't answer them.
Psa 18:42 Then I beat them small as the dust before the wind. I cast them out as the mire of the streets.
Psa 18:43 You have delivered me from the strivings of the people. You have made me the head of the nations. A people whom I have not known shall serve me.
Psa 18:44 As soon as they hear of me they shall obey me. The foreigners shall submit themselves to me.
Psa 18:45 The foreigners shall fade away, and shall come trembling out of their close places.
Psa 18:46 Yahweh lives; and blessed be my rock. Exalted be the God of my salvation,
Psa 18:47 even the God who executes vengeance for me, and subdues peoples under me.
Psa 18:48 He rescues me from my enemies. Yes, you lift me up above those who rise up against me. You deliver me from the violent man.
Psa 18:49 Therefore I will give thanks to you, Yahweh, among the nations, and will sing praises to your name.
Psa 18:50 He gives great deliverance to his king, and shows loving kindness to his anointed, to David and to his seed, forevermore.
Psa 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God. The expanse shows his handiwork.
Psa 19:2 Day after day they pour forth speech, and night after night they display knowledge.
Psa 19:3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
Psa 19:4 Their voice has gone out through all the earth, their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun,
Psa 19:5 which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, like a strong man rejoicing to run his course.
Psa 19:6 His going forth is from the end of the heavens, his circuit to its ends; There is nothing hidden from its heat.
Psa 19:7 Yahweh's law is perfect, restoring the soul. Yahweh's testimony is sure, making wise the simple.
Psa 19:8 Yahweh's precepts are right, rejoicing the heart. Yahweh's commandment is pure, enlightening the eyes.
Psa 19:9 The fear of Yahweh is clean, enduring forever. Yahweh's ordinances are true, and righteous altogether.
Psa 19:10 More to be desired are they than gold, yes, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the extract of the honeycomb.
Psa 19:11 Moreover by them is your servant warned. In keeping them there is great reward.
Psa 19:12 Who can discern his errors? Forgive me from hidden errors.
Psa 19:13 Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins. Let them not have dominion over me. Then I will be upright. I will be blameless and innocent of great transgression.
Psa 19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, Yahweh, my rock, and my redeemer.

Aug. 29 Romans 10


Aug. 29
Romans 10

Rom 10:1 Brothers, my heart's desire and my prayer to God is for Israel, that they may be saved.
Rom 10:2 For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.
Rom 10:3 For being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, they didn't subject themselves to the righteousness of God.
Rom 10:4 For Christ is the fulfillment of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
Rom 10:5 For Moses writes about the righteousness of the law, "The one who does them will live by them."
Rom 10:6 But the righteousness which is of faith says this, "Don't say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?' (that is, to bring Christ down);
Rom 10:7 or, 'Who will descend into the abyss?' (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead.)"
Rom 10:8 But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth, and in your heart;" that is, the word of faith, which we preach:
Rom 10:9 that if you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Rom 10:10 For with the heart, one believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Rom 10:11 For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes in him will not be disappointed."
Rom 10:12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, and is rich to all who call on him.
Rom 10:13 For, "Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved."
Rom 10:14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in him whom they have not heard? How will they hear without a preacher?
Rom 10:15 And how will they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the Good News of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!"
Rom 10:16 But they didn't all listen to the glad news. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our report?"
Rom 10:17 So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Rom 10:18 But I say, didn't they hear? Yes, most certainly, "Their sound went out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world."
Rom 10:19 But I ask, didn't Israel know? First Moses says, "I will provoke you to jealousy with that which is no nation, with a nation void of understanding I will make you angry."
Rom 10:20 Isaiah is very bold, and says, "I was found by those who didn't seek me. I was revealed to those who didn't ask for me."
Rom 10:21 But as to Israel he says, "All day long I stretched out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people."

"THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE THESSALONIANS" Chapter Three by Mark Copeland 

                "THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE THESSALONIANS"

                             Chapter Three

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER

1) To see the very real danger of being tempted, and the need to stand
   fast in the Lord

2) To appreciate how our own steadfastness can be a source of joy and
   strength to those who taught us in the faith

3) To understand the need to increase and abound in love, in order to
   establish our hearts blameless before God when Christ returns

SUMMARY

As Paul expresses his concern for their faithfulness, he explains why
Timothy had been sent to them while he himself remained in Athens.  
Fearful that their afflictions might have given Satan an opportunity to
tempt them and render his labors with them in vain, Timothy was sent to
establish and encourage them in their faith (1-5).

Timothy brought back good news to Paul concerning the church at 
Thessalonica, telling him of their faith and love, their fond memories 
of Paul, and their desire to see him again.  This greatly comforted 
Paul who was suffering his own afflictions, and he is overwhelmed with
thankfulness and joy.  Praying night and day that he might see them 
again and perfect what is lacking in their faith, he offers a prayer 
that God and Jesus might direct his way to them.  He also prays that 
the Lord will help them to increase and abound in love to one another 
and to all, and to establish their hearts blameless in holiness before
God at the coming of Christ with all His saints (6-13).

OUTLINE

I. PAUL'S CONCERN FOR THEIR FAITHFULNESS (1-10)

   A. TIMOTHY'S MISSION (1-5)
      1. When he could endure it no longer, Paul remained in Athens
         alone (1)
      2. He sent Timothy...
         a. To establish and encourage them in the faith (2)
         b. That they not be shaken by their afflictions (3a)
            1) To which they had been appointed (3b)
            2) As Paul told them before (4)
         c. To know of their faith...
            1) Whether they had been tempted (5a)
            2) Whether his labor might be in vain (5b)

   B. TIMOTHY'S REPORT (6-10)
      1. Timothy's return brought good news...
         a. Of their faith and love (6a)
         b. Of their fond memories of Paul (6b)
         c. Of their desire to see him, just as he desires to see them
            (6c)
      2. Such news brought comfort to Paul in his affliction (7-8)
         a. He was comforted, knowing of their faith (7)
         b. He felt alive, knowing of their steadfastness in the Lord
            (8)
      3. He is thankful beyond words (9-10)
         a. Thankful to God for them, for the joy they bring to him (9)
         b. Praying night and day that he may soon see them and perfect
            what is lacking in their faith (10)

II. PAUL'S CONCERN FOR THEIR CONTINUED GROWTH (11-13)

   A. HIS PRAYER FOR HIMSELF (11)
      1. A request made to both God the Father, and the Lord Jesus 
         Christ (11a)
      2. That he may come to the Thessalonians again (11b)

   B. HIS PRAYER FOR THEM (12-13)
      1. That the Lord make them increase and abound in love...
         a. To one another and to all (12a)
         b. Just as Paul does toward them (12b)
      2. So that the Lord might establish their hearts blameless in 
         holiness...
         a. Before our God and Father (13a)
         b. At the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints
            (13b)

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER

1) What are the main points of this chapter?
   - Paul's concern for their faithfulness (1-10)
   - Paul's concern for their continued growth (11-13)

2) Where did Paul stay when he sent Timothy back to Thessalonica? (1)
   - Athens

3) Why did Paul send Timothy? (2)
   - To establish them and encourage them in their faith

4) What was Paul fearful of that might have shaken their faith? (3)
   - Their afflictions

5) What two reasons are given for Paul sending Timothy to learn of
   their faith? (5)
   - Lest by some means the tempter had tempted them
   - Lest Paul's labor might have been in vain

6) What good news had Timothy brought back to Paul? (6)
   - Of their faith and love
   - Of their fond memories of Paul
   - Of their desire to see him again

7) How did this news affect Paul? (7-9)
   - Brought him comfort in his affliction and distress
   - Made him feel alive
   - Overwhelmed him with thankfulness and joy

8) For what did Paul pray night and day? (10)
   - To see their face and perfect what was lacking in their faith

9) For what did Paul pray concerning himself? (11)
   - That God and Jesus direct his way to the Thessalonians

10) For what did Paul pray concerning the Thessalonians? (12-13)
   - That they increase and abound in love toward one another and to
     all
   - That their hearts be established blameless in holiness before God
     at the coming of Christ with all His saints

8/28/12

Blind by birth or by choice?


For some reason, I didn't sleep well Monday night... not really sure why, it just happens sometimes that I am up all night. So, in between attempts at sleeping, I turned on the TV and heard something interesting.  Namely, that religion is mainly a function of geography.  If you were born in the middle east you would be Muslim, in America, Christian, in the far east, Buddhist. Sounds a bit plausible, doesn't it?  However, in each of the those regions, there are those who do NOT follow the crowd and hold different beliefs.  Some for intellectual reasons, some for familial, or perhaps even to be a rebel or some other odd choice.  But, Christianity is different from them all, in that its all about one man, a man who not only claimed to be sent from God, but claimed EQUALITY WITH GOD!!!  Every one of has a choice; we can either accept or reject his claim.  Here is the story of a blind man who came to see the truth...

John, Chapter 9
  1 As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

  3 Jesus answered, "“Neither did this man sin, nor his parents; but, that the works of God might be revealed in him.  4 I must work the works of him who sent me, while it is day. The night is coming, when no one can work.  5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”"  6 When he had said this, he spat on the ground, made mud with the saliva, anointed the blind man’s eyes with the mud,  7 and said to him, "“Go, wash in the pool of Siloam”" (which means “Sent”). So he went away, washed, and came back seeing.  8 The neighbors therefore, and those who saw that he was blind before, said, “Isn’t this he who sat and begged?” 9 Others were saying, “It is he.” Still others were saying, “He looks like him.”

He said, “I am he.”  10 They therefore were asking him, “How were your eyes opened?”

  11 He answered, “A man called Jesus made mud, anointed my eyes, and said to me, "‘Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash.’" So I went away and washed, and I received sight.”

  12 Then they asked him, “Where is he?”

He said, “I don’t know.”

  13 They brought him who had been blind to the Pharisees.  14 It was a Sabbath when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes.  15 Again therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he received his sight. He said to them, “He put mud on my eyes, I washed, and I see.”

  16 Some therefore of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, because he doesn’t keep the Sabbath.” Others said, “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” There was division among them.  17 Therefore they asked the blind man again, “What do you say about him, because he opened your eyes?”

He said, “He is a prophet.”

  18 The Jews therefore did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and had received his sight, until they called the parents of him who had received his sight,  19 and asked them, “Is this your son, whom you say was born blind? How then does he now see?”

  20 His parents answered them, “We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind;  21 but how he now sees, we don’t know; or who opened his eyes, we don’t know. He is of age. Ask him. He will speak for himself.” 22 His parents said these things because they feared the Jews; for the Jews had already agreed that if any man would confess him as Christ, he would be put out of the synagogue.  23 Therefore his parents said, “He is of age. Ask him.”

  24 So they called the man who was blind a second time, and said to him, “Give glory to God. We know that this man is a sinner.”

  25 He therefore answered, “I don’t know if he is a sinner. One thing I do know: that though I was blind, now I see.”

  26 They said to him again, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?”

  27 He answered them, “I told you already, and you didn’t listen. Why do you want to hear it again? You don’t also want to become his disciples, do you?”

  28 They insulted him and said, “You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses.  29 We know that God has spoken to Moses. But as for this man, we don’t know where he comes from.”

  30 The man answered them, “How amazing! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. 31 We know that God doesn’t listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshipper of God, and does his will, he listens to him.  32 Since the world began it has never been heard of that anyone opened the eyes of someone born blind.  33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.”

  34 They answered him, “You were altogether born in sins, and do you teach us?” They threw him out.

  35 Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and finding him, he said, "“Do you believe in the Son of God?”"

  36 He answered, “Who is he, Lord, that I may believe in him?”

  37 Jesus said to him, "“You have both seen him, and it is he who speaks with you.”"

  38 He said, “Lord, I believe!” and he worshiped him.

  39 Jesus said, "“I came into this world for judgment, that those who don’t see may see; and that those who see may become blind.”"

  40 Those of the Pharisees who were with him heard these things, and said to him, “Are we also blind?”

  41 Jesus said to them, "“If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, ‘We see.’ Therefore your sin remains."

I know this is a long passage, (sorry about that) but its really worth the time and effort to read the whole chapter!!!  We all make decisions in life and those decisions color our thinking;  which of course is why I chose the particular graphic above.  Yet, the good thing about being alive is that while you are still alive there remains time to change.  Time to open our minds to consider another point of view.  To get rid of all our preconceptions that blind us to the genuine truth of reality as it really, really is.  It took a miracle for the blind man to really see and even though the Pharisees (who were very religious in their own right) had sight from birth they just couldn't see Jesus for who he was.  It is said, that Christianity is all about faith; I don't think so.  Read, research, weigh the facts.  The recorded truth is even found in secular history, but frankly the Bible is where its at.  I challenge you... open your minds and consider the possibility that Jesus really was and really did all the things the Bible says.  You won't be sorry!!! Ever!!!!

Aug. 28 Psalm 11-15


Aug. 28
Psalm 11-15

Psa 11:1 In Yahweh, I take refuge. How can you say to my soul, "Flee as a bird to your mountain!"
Psa 11:2 For, behold, the wicked bend their bows. They set their arrows on the strings, that they may shoot in darkness at the upright in heart.
Psa 11:3 If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?
Psa 11:4 Yahweh is in his holy temple. Yahweh is on his throne in heaven. His eyes observe. His eyes examine the children of men.
Psa 11:5 Yahweh examines the righteous, but the wicked and him who loves violence his soul hates.
Psa 11:6 On the wicked he will rain blazing coals; fire, sulfur, and scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.
Psa 11:7 For Yahweh is righteous. He loves righteousness. The upright shall see his face.
Psa 12:1 Help, Yahweh; for the godly man ceases. For the faithful fail from among the children of men.
Psa 12:2 Everyone lies to his neighbor. They speak with flattering lips, and with a double heart.
Psa 12:3 May Yahweh cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that boasts,
Psa 12:4 who have said, "With our tongue we will prevail. Our lips are our own. Who is lord over us?"
Psa 12:5 "Because of the oppression of the weak and because of the groaning of the needy, I will now arise," says Yahweh; "I will set him in safety from those who malign him."
Psa 12:6 The words of Yahweh are flawless words, as silver refined in a clay furnace, purified seven times.
Psa 12:7 You will keep them, Yahweh. You will preserve them from this generation forever.
Psa 12:8 The wicked walk on every side, when what is vile is exalted among the sons of men.

Psa 13:1 How long, Yahweh? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?
Psa 13:2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart every day? How long shall my enemy triumph over me?
Psa 13:3 Behold, and answer me, Yahweh, my God. Give light to my eyes, lest I sleep in death;
Psa 13:4 Lest my enemy say, "I have prevailed against him;" Lest my adversaries rejoice when I fall.
Psa 13:5 But I trust in your loving kindness. My heart rejoices in your salvation.
Psa 13:6 I will sing to Yahweh, because he has been good to me.
Psa 14:1 The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt. They have done abominable works. There is none who does good.
Psa 14:2 Yahweh looked down from heaven on the children of men, to see if there were any who did understand, who did seek after God.
Psa 14:3 They have all gone aside. They have together become corrupt. There is none who does good, no, not one.
Psa 14:4 Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge, who eat up my people as they eat bread, and don't call on Yahweh?
Psa 14:5 There they were in great fear, for God is in the generation of the righteous.
Psa 14:6 You frustrate the plan of the poor, because Yahweh is his refuge.
Psa 14:7 Oh that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion! When Yahweh restores the fortunes of his people, then Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.
Psa 15:1 Yahweh, who shall dwell in your sanctuary? Who shall live on your holy hill?
Psa 15:2 He who walks blamelessly does what is right, and speaks truth in his heart;
Psa 15:3 He who doesn't slander with his tongue, nor does evil to his friend, nor casts slurs against his fellow man;
Psa 15:4 In whose eyes a vile man is despised, but who honors those who fear Yahweh; he who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and doesn't change;
Psa 15:5 he who doesn't lend out his money for usury, nor take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be shaken.

Aug. 28 Romans 9


Aug. 28
Romans 9

Rom 9:1 I tell the truth in Christ. I am not lying, my conscience testifying with me in the Holy Spirit,
Rom 9:2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing pain in my heart.
Rom 9:3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brothers' sake, my relatives according to the flesh,
Rom 9:4 who are Israelites; whose is the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service, and the promises;
Rom 9:5 of whom are the fathers, and from whom is Christ as concerning the flesh, who is over all, God, blessed forever. Amen.
Rom 9:6 But it is not as though the word of God has come to nothing. For they are not all Israel, that are of Israel.
Rom 9:7 Neither, because they are Abraham's seed, are they all children. But, "In Isaac will your seed be called."
Rom 9:8 That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as a seed.
Rom 9:9 For this is a word of promise, "At the appointed time I will come, and Sarah will have a son.
Rom 9:10 Not only so, but Rebecca also conceived by one, by our father Isaac.
Rom 9:11 For being not yet born, neither having done anything good or bad, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him who calls,
Rom 9:12 it was said to her, "The elder will serve the younger."
Rom 9:13 Even as it is written, "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated."
Rom 9:14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? May it never be!
Rom 9:15 For he said to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion."
Rom 9:16 So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who has mercy.
Rom 9:17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, "For this very purpose I caused you to be raised up, that I might show in you my power, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth."
Rom 9:18 So then, he has mercy on whom he desires, and he hardens whom he desires.
Rom 9:19 You will say then to me, "Why does he still find fault? For who withstands his will?"
Rom 9:20 But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed ask him who formed it, "Why did you make me like this?"
Rom 9:21 Or hasn't the potter a right over the clay, from the same lump to make one part a vessel for honor, and another for dishonor?
Rom 9:22 What if God, willing to show his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath made for destruction,
Rom 9:23 and that he might make known the riches of his glory on vessels of mercy, which he prepared beforehand for glory,
Rom 9:24 us, whom he also called, not from the Jews only, but also from the Gentiles?
Rom 9:25 As he says also in Hosea, "I will call them 'my people,' which were not my people; and her 'beloved,' who was not beloved."
Rom 9:26 "It will be that in the place where it was said to them, 'You are not my people,' There they will be called 'children of the living God.' "
Rom 9:27 Isaiah cries concerning Israel, "If the number of the children of Israel are as the sand of the sea, it is the remnant who will be saved;
Rom 9:28 for He will finish the work and cut it short in righteousness, because the LORD will make a short work upon the earth."
Rom 9:29 As Isaiah has said before, "Unless the Lord of Armies had left us a seed, we would have become like Sodom, and would have been made like Gomorrah."
Rom 9:30 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, who didn't follow after righteousness, attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith;
Rom 9:31 but Israel, following after a law of righteousness, didn't arrive at the law of righteousness.
Rom 9:32 Why? Because they didn't seek it by faith, but as it were by works of the law. They stumbled over the stumbling stone;
Rom 9:33 even as it is written, "Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and a rock of offense; and no one who believes in him will be disappointed."

"THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE THESSALONIANS" Chapter Two by Mark Copeland 

                "THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE THESSALONIANS"

                              Chapter Two

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER

1) To glean from Paul's example how preachers should conduct themselves
   among brethren with whom they labor

2) To appreciate how the thought of seeing each other at the coming of
   Jesus should affect our attitude towards one another

SUMMARY

Having reflected upon their reception of the gospel, Paul now reflects
upon his own conduct while with them.  He describes the manner of his 
preaching as one that was free of guile, deceit, flattery, and 
covetousness.  Seeking not the glory of men, but of God, he spoke with 
boldness despite conflict, and was gentle among them as a nursing 
mother would be with her own children (1-8).  His manner of life was 
sacrificial, working hard not to be a burden to them, behaving 
devoutly, justly, and blamelessly while among them.  As a father does 
his own children, he exhorted, comforted and charged them to walk in a 
way worthy of God who was calling them into His own kingdom and glory 
(9-12).

Paul then begins to reflect upon the concern that he has for their 
condition.  Thankful for their reception of his gospel as the word of
God and not of men, he writes how they had imitated the churches in 
Judea in receiving the word among much persecution by their own 
countrymen (13-16).  Even though it has only been a short time since he
has seen them, he has desired to come to them time and again, but Satan
had hindered him.  His longing to see them is due to his view of them
as his hope, joy and crown of rejoicing in the presence of Jesus when
He comes again (17-20).

OUTLINE

I. REFLECTIONS REGARDING HIS CONDUCT (1-12)

   A. THE MANNER OF HIS PREACHING (1-8)
      1. Not in vain, but with boldness in the midst of abuse (1-2)
      2. Not in deceit, impurity, or guile, but as pleasing God (3-4)
      3. Not with flattery, covetousness, nor seeking glory from men by
         making demands as apostles of Christ (5-6)
      4. As a nursing mother, with gentleness and affection he imparted
         not only the gospel but his own life as well (7-8)

   B. THE MANNER OF HIS LIFE (9-12)
      1. Worked night and day, so as not to be burden while preaching
         the gospel (9)
      2. Behaved in a devout, just, and blameless manner (10)
      3. As a father would his own children, he exhorted and comforted
         them, encouraging them to walk worthy of God who calls them
         into His kingdom (11-12)

II. REFLECTIONS REGARDING HIS CONCERN (13-20)

   A. THANKFUL FOR THEIR RECEPTION OF THE WORD (13-16)
      1. They received his message as it was in truth, the word of God
         which works effectively in those who believe (13)
      2. They became imitators of the churches in Judea (14-16)
         a. Suffering persecution from their own countrymen (14a)
         b. Just as those in Judea received from the Jews (14b)
            1) Who killed the Lord Jesus and their own prophets (15a)
            2) Who persecuted the apostles, forbidding them to speak to
               the Gentiles (15b-16a)
            3) Who are piling up their sins, and upon whom wrath has 
               come (17)

   B. CONCERNED FOR THEIR WELFARE (17-20)
      1. He is eager to see them again (17)
      2. He had wanted to come to them, but Satan hindered him (18)
      3. Because they are his hope, joy, and crown of rejoicing in the
         presence of the Lord Jesus Christ at His coming (19-20)

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER

1) What are the main points of this chapter?
   - Reflections regarding his conduct (1-12)
   - Reflections regarding his concern (12-20)

2) What had Paul endured prior to coming to Thessalonica?  What was his
   attitude when he arrived? (2)
   - Suffered spiteful treatment at Philippi (cf. Ac 16:16-40)
   - Bold in his God to speak the gospel of God

3) What did NOT characterize his conduct while at Thessalonica? (3-6)
   - Deceit
   - Uncleanness
   - Guile
   - Pleasing men
   - Flattering words
   - A cloak for covetousness
   - Seeking glory from men

4) What figure does Paul use to describe his treatment of them? (7)
   - As a nursing mother cherishes her own children

5) What did Paul impart to them along with the gospel of God? (8)
   - His own life

6) What DID characterize his conduct while at Thessalonica? (9-10)
   - Laboring night and day so as not to be a burden
   - Devout, just, and blameless

7) What figure does Paul use to described the manner in which he 
   exhorted them? (11)
   - As father does his own children

8) How did Paul want them to walk? (12)
   - Worthy of God who calls them into His own kingdom and glory

9) How had the Thessalonians received the word of God which they heard
   from Paul? (13)
   - They welcomed it not as the word of men, but as the word of God

10) What is said about the Word of God and those who believe it? (13)
   - It effectively works in those who believe

11) Who had the Thessalonians imitated in the way they received the 
    gospel?  In what way? (14)
   - The churches of God in Judea
   - Suffering from their own countrymen

12) What had the Jews done? (14-16)
   - Killed the Lord Jesus and their own prophets
   - Persecuted the apostles, forbidding them to offer salvation to the
     Gentiles

13) Who had hindered Paul from coming back to Thessalonica? (18)
   - Satan

14) How did Paul view the Thessalonians? (19-20)
   - His hope, joy, and crown of rejoicing in the presence of the Lord
     Jesus Christ at His coming
   - His glory and joy
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