What did I learn?

What did I learn in Acts 1-6?
Acts 1:2 says that Jesus gave instructions to the Apostles through the Holy Spirit. What does that mean? (Was He not there, or was this an example of two persons of the Trinity working together?)
The Apostles chose Matthias to replace Judas. (I think God chose Paul)
Peter preaches on the street corner (I want to do this)
Peter says "Repent and be baptized" (I would probably have said, Give your heart to Jesus) (And I would have been wrong)
Acts 2 has not just the birth of the Church but the structure also. (Evangelism, Teaching, Fellowship, Prayer, and Worship)
Peter and John had a boldness I envy (and covet)
The apostles rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer for His Name (most of us whine over even the slightest inconvenience)

2 Corinthians 13

XIII Final Admonitions
A. vs 1-4 Paul will prove his apostleship with power when he visits
B. vs 5-10 Examine yourself to see if you are in the faith
C. vs 11-14 Final instructions

What did I learn?
Excel in giving. (Why oh why is this so hard)
Our giving is measured by the sacrifice, not by the amount. (Then have I ever really given anything?)
Sow sparingly, reap sparingly (How different would my life be if I really believed that?)
Our weapons are not carnal, but mighty for demolishing vain arguments. (The Word changes hearts and minds)
Satan disguises himself as an angel of light (How much more his ministers)
Examine yourself and see if you are in the faith (This just isn't taught enough)
And finally...What exactly is a holy kiss?

2 Corinthians 7

VII Paul's Joy that His previous Letter was received well
A. vs 1 Keep yourself pure and holy before God
B. vs 2-4 Paul's joy knows no bounds
C. vs 5-7 Titus comforted Paul
D. vs 8-12 Godly sorrow brings repentance
E. vs 13-16 Paul was grateful for the way they treated Titus


What I learned
God comforts (and afflicts)
God sets the seal of His ownership on us (The Holy Spirit)
Do not peddle the Word of God for a profit (God want us righteous not rich)
The glory of the Old Covenant is fading (But how great the glory of the New!)
The god of this age has blinded unbelievers (And God will open them through preaching)
The Spirit in us GUARANTEES what is to come (We need not worry)
We are a new creation (The old has passed away)
Godly sorrow brings repentance (don't be afraid to offend)

1 Corinthians 16

XVI Odds and Ends
A. vs 1-4 Instructions for taking up an offering
B. vs 5-9 Paul will stay in Corinth as he passes through Macedonia
C. vs 10-11 Paul tells the church to take car of Timothy
D. vs 12-14 Do everything in love
E. vs 15-18 Paul gives recognition to the household of Stephanas
F. vs 19-24 Paul closes the letter

What did I learn?
This is where I want to go teach about Spiritual Gifts. (Even more than Acts 2)
Paul said to follow him as he followed Christ (I don't think I would ever say that)
We should examine ourselves before communion (Have I ever heard this taught?)
Love, love, love (and more love)
I should eagerly desire spiritual gifts (How do cessationists get past this verse)
Worship services should involve more people using their gifts (How should this be incorporated in today's church?)
He is Risen (He is risen indeed!)
and finally, Paul went to Ephesus because he knew many people would oppose him (and called it a great door for effective work!)

1 Corinthians 1-5

Another week gone and what did I learn?

God will keep us strong to the end so we will be blameless. (Thank God it doesn't depend on me)
Paul wished for unity in the church (Unified to what? Doctrine!)
God's power confirmed Paul's words. (Why do some believe this has stopped?)
I need to do more research on 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 (How can what I have done be burned up and still be saved? Aren't they the good works God prepared for me to do?)
If you have been given a trust you must prove faithful (The burden of leadership is a heavy one)
Kick the sexually immoral brother out of the church (Is church discipline even practiced anymore?)

Good times!

Mark 16

XVI He is Risen
A. vs 1-3 Mary Magdalene, Mary, and Salome go to the tomb to anoint His body
B. vs 4-5 They find the stone rolled away and a young man in the tomb
C. vs 6-8 The young man tells the women that Christ is risen
D. vs 9-11 Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene
E. vs 12-13 Jesus appeared to two disciples
F. vs 14 Jesus appeared to the Eleven
G. vs 15-18 Jesus gives the Great Commision
H. vs 19-20 Jesus ascended to Heaven and the disciples went out to preach

All done with another week. What did I learn?

I need to find out why Jesus cursed the fig tree when it wasn't even time for the fig tree to have figs. (Yeah, I got the rest figured out ;))
Don't try to trick Jesus, He's smarter than you. (How many people left Him feeling dumb)
The greatest commandment isn't even in the 10 Commandments. (Why not the 2 Commandments?)
The end is coming. (And only those that endure till the end are saved)
There is an election (More and more on my way to being a full-fledged Calvinist)
Judas was terrible, and the crucifixion horrible, but the resurrection? Amazing. (Thank you God)
And finally, HE IS RISEN (He is Risen indeed)

Next week, review week, and I'll work on those passages from Mark I didn't do.

Recap

Another week! I just got back from watching the Super Bowl and I was not expecting a game like that! Low scoring, defensive football and one absolutely crazy pass from Manning to Tyree. Is it wrong to be happy that the Patriots lost? However, if history is any indication, I won't even remember this game in 6 months.

I think I'm going to do something new on Sundays and try to come up with the main idea of each chapter I read. Something that is easily memorizable so I can say things like "Parable of the Sower? That's in Mark Chapter 4!" and impress my friends and wow the ladies.

1 - Jesus is Baptized
2 - Jesus heals the Paralytic his friends drop through the roof
3 - Jesus Appoints the Twelve Disciples
4 - The Parable of the Sower
5 - The Demoniac of the Gadarenes

So, what did I learn?
People can be in the church and have a demon. (But they can't be in Christ and have a demon)
Jesus got up early in the morning to pray. (I get up early in the morning to pee)
The paralytic's friends wanted him healed so desperately they were willing to do whatever it took to get him in front of Jesus. (What have I done for my friends?)
Whoever does God's will is in God's family (and those who don't do God's will....)
Understanding the Parable of the Sower is key to understanding all the parables. (I should probably spend some time on that)


Before I forget, I think I'm going to start taking note of every time someone comes to Christ for healing versus the times Christ goes to the person and asks if they want to be healed. I've noticed that there are a few differences when that happens and I'd like to see what those differences are.

Well, tomorrow I will continue with Mark Chapters 6-10. See ya then.

Another week

Done with another week. Titus was very good but covered a lot of the same ground as the two letters to Timothy. Philemon was interesting but I always found it a little manipulative of Paul. Perhaps I should look at it the other way and see the lengths we should go to for a friend. For some reason I put myself in Philemon's place and almost take offensive for him, instead of Onesimus' place and see what Paul was willing to write for him. So, what did I learn.

Titus was given a mission to accomplish on Crete. (What is my mission?)

Leadership must meet qualifications. (Saves a lot of heartache in the future, I'm sure)

Some claim to know God but deny Him by their actions (By their fruit...)

Paul list exactly what Titus should teach and to whom. (Then is given the freedom on how exactly to get the message across)

Don't let anyone despise you. (Easier said than done sometimes)

The Gospel causes people to devote themselves to doing good (How will the people know what God requires of them if the Pastors do not tell them)

The sharing of your faith allows a full understanding of the Gospel (No wonder so many Christians are so shallow theologically)

Good stuff! I think tomorrow I want to start a Gospel. Perhaps Mark. Til then.

2 Timothy 2

Here I am at the end of another week of studying God’s Word. I wish that I had thought of this sooner. I have learned so much more by staying on one passage of Scripture instead of trying to get through the entire Bible in a year. I see themes and thoughts that I just missed all those other times of reading. If I ever meet Pastor MacArthur, I will have to be sure to thank him for recommending this to me.

I think what I am going to do is try to restore what I wrote earlier in the week about chapter two, so here goes.

II Endure everything and strive to be a pure worker in the Gospel
vs 1-13 Endure hardship
vs 1-7 Paul draws analogies between common life and working for Christ
vs 8-13 Endure for the sake of the elect
vs 14-26 Be a workman approved by God
vs 14-19 Handle the Word of God correctly
vs 20-21 Cleanse yourself and be prepared to do any good work
vs 22-26 Pursue holiness and be kind to all

Flee the evil desires of youth (NIV)
Flee youthful lusts (KJV)
2 Timothy 2:22

As a Youth Pastor I have seen the unfortunate fallout when this verse is not obeyed. While we are told in a general sense to “Resist the Devil, and he will flee” the Bible speaks about the specific sins that youth are prone to commit with a different tone. We are not told to resist but to FLEE! Run as if your life depended on it!

I cannot tell you how many times I have shook my head wondering what goes through the minds of some parents. These parents are given the charge of growing their children up in holiness and then allow their children to go alone on dates. Why would you put your child in a position to fail like that? Do you not remember all the hormones you had when you were a teenager? I’m not talking about (just) sex here, we are called to a higher standard. We should be teaching our children to flee the very appearance of immorality. There should not be even a hint of anything unclean among us. Parents, love your children enough to keep them holy and pure.

Youth,
I love you and have given my life to serve you, please listen to me. Obey the Word on this point. Don’t put yourself in a position where you are alone with a member of the opposite sex. Conduct yourself in righteousness and if you must date, take separate cars and be in public for the entire date. If possible, go in a group so you are accountable to someone. Don’t give the Devil even a foothold on your life because he won’t stop there.



That’s it for another week. Tomorrow I’m going to start Titus. But before that, what did I learn from 2 Timothy?

The verse about “God has not given us a spirit of fear” is referring to how we should be bold in using the gifts that God has given us. (Context, context, context)
Being confident in our knowledge will keep us from being ashamed (Doctrine, doctrine, doctrine)
We have a responsibility before God to correctly handle His Word (How many times have I been lax in my sermon preparations?)
If I am to serve God, I must not quarrel. (Wow! How am I going to obey that one?)
Everyone who wants to live a Godly life will be persecuted. (Every single one!)
There is no higher calling than to preach the Word! (Amen, brother)

Philippians 4

IV Don't worry, keep your mind on God, give generously, and God will provide
A. vs 1-9 Pray about everything and think on the Godly parts of life
1. vs 1-3 The common bond of salvation should cause us to walk in unity with each other
2. vs 4-7 Rejoice and do not worry, pray about everything and God will give you His peace
3. vs 8-9 Think on the good and emulate your leaders
B. vs 10-23 God provides what we need
1. vs 10-13 Be content in every situation
2. vs 14-20 God will bring every gift back in blessings to the giver
3. 21-23 Paul's closing greetings back to the church

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Phil 4:4

The words "with thanksgiving" have recently become very important to me. I'm not sure exactly why or what started it but lately I have been overwhelmed with a spirit of thanksgiving. I can't hardly open my mouth to pray that I don't spend much of my time thanking Him for what I already have. I think the one thing that has gotten drilled into my head is the simple fact that I deserve nothing. If I was honest I would have to admit that I deserve Hell. Not when I die but right now. My sin nature should have condemned me at birth. But was patient with me and for that I am thankful. He chose me to be in Him and for that I am thankful. He blessed me with a beautiful wife that I do not deserve and for that I am thankful. He blessed me with wonderful children that I do not deserve and for that I am thankful. He gave me a profitable business that I do not deserve and for that I am thankful. I don't have so little that I am tempted to curse HIm and I don't have so much that I am tempted to forget about Him and for that I am thankful. God has blessed me abundantly and kept my heart towards Him and for that I am thankful. I deserve so little but have been given so much and for that I am thankful. See?
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done

But the truth is even if I had none of this but still had God, still had the hope of eternity with Him, it would be enough. And for that I am thankful.





So that's it for Philippians, What did I learn?
I learned how to spell Philippians. (One L, two P's)(OK three P's)
I learned that Paul's chains didn't slow Him down at all. (What is slowing me down?)
I learned Paul was genuinely grateful when the body of Christ sent Him help. (I must remember to thank the co-laborers God has given me)
I learned Paul considered unity to be of greater importance than deciding who was right. (That's a tuffie!)
I learned to stop complaining. (The man was in chains! I've never even seen chains I complain when the temperature of the church isn't quite right!)
I learned Paul thought everything he has and ever had was like dung(!) when compared to Christ. (Makes my constant desire for new and better things appear pretty petty.)
I learned that if I want peace, I'm going to have to take my anxieties to the Lord. (Then leave them there!)
Finally, I learned that if I give generously to support the work of God and the people of God, God will meet all my needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. (A good promise from a good God)

Well, that's my week in Philippians, I will miss it. I think tomorrow I'll start I Timothy.