Friday, August 30, 2013

                                               BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY
                                          larrydalexanderbiblestudies.blogspot.com

                                                      BIBLE STUDY LESSON
                                For the week beginning Sunday September 1, 2013                                      
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IS THIS REALLY HAPPENING TO ME?
(We can learn about ourselves and about GOD through our trials)
Job 1 & 2

GOD’s great servant Job, declares in the Book that bears his name, in chapter 19, verses 25-27, that, “As for me, I know that my redeemer lives, and that he will stand upon the earth in the last. And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see GOD! I will see HIM for myself. Yes, I will see HIM with my own eyes. And I am overwhelmed at the thought” (NLT).
In the Hebrew, the word used for “integrity” is “tom” (tome), and it is “completeness, perfection, and innocence”. It is a “firm adherence to a high code, or standard of values”. And, it is “the quality or state of being undivided in one’s allegiance”, especially to GOD. The book of Job teaches us basically three things;

·         First of all, the Book of Job teaches us to trust in GOD in all circumstances. When we suffer, we’re often at a loss, trying to figure out why. But Scripture often reminds us that even the righteous must suffer sometimes, and many times we suffer without knowing the reason why. We must never forget that the greatest sufferer of all times is JESUS CHRIST, and we as Christians often say that we want to follow in HIS footsteps. However, I guess, in our hearts, we really don’t include following HIM in HIS suffering (passion). We as Christians must come to grips with the fact that, when times are hard, and life’s trials seem to weigh on us most heavily, that, is when it is most important for us to trust GOD.
·         Secondly, the Book of Job teaches us that God is not a captive of his own world, people, or, our opinions about HIS nature. GOD is free. And HE is subject to no one’s will, but HIS own. HE is not bound by our understanding, nor, is HE bound, by our lack of understanding. Job discovers that GOD is a God of great power and majesty. In fact, when we see how “great” HE is, we realize how “little” we are, and, just like Job, we want to bow down, in humble submission to GOD.
·         And finally, the Book of Job teaches us that GOD is good, just, and fair, in all things, as in the end, HE restores Job back his fortunes, two-fold. But GOD always replaces the “darkness” of our existence, with the “light” of HIS presence, especially when, and if, we remain faithful to HIS WORD.

The book of Job is written in poetry. Great truths of the Bible are often expressed in such poetic language. These great truths are worth the slow, reflective reading it takes, to sometimes grasp its meaning. Great literary works, by men of GOD, often challenge our understanding. And that is why, we must go back, and read these scriptures, time and time again. And remember, GOD never calls anyone for ease and comfort, not even HIS own SON, our LORD and SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST. For the task GOD calls us to do, it will take all of our hearts, and all of our minds, and all of our hands to accomplish. GOD expects us to suffer for the faith we say we hold, until we can begin to believe that we really do hold it. Because, GOD knows, through HIS infinite wisdom, that, if our faith cost us nothing, then, we are in danger of valuing it at nothing.
The Book of Job is perhaps the most praised literary work of all times. No literary work, in or out of scripture, probes the problems of pains of the human existence with more depth, honesty, and understanding, than does this literary giant. No other writing shows GOD, with a, more clear monotheistic view, than the Book of Job does. We are going to see, that, in the next few lessons, GOD does give answers to our suffering, as HE always helps us to see the greater good, through the tragic ordeals that we encounter.
In Job 1:14-22, we see Job being bombarded by a series of unforeseen tragedies, which GOD has allowed to happen, as a test of Job’s unique integrity. Here, GOD is showing HIS great confidence in Job, being able to stand strong against whatever evil attacks satan might wish to impose upon him. And we see in verse 22, GOD, being glorified through Job, as he goes through this first round of emotional tragedies, with his faith intact.
If a person were allowed to go through life without tests, or trials, it would be impossible for them to maintain their strength of integrity, and faith in GOD. We would, through our own “sin nature”, become self-righteous, and wise in our own eyes, and thereby, our reverence for GOD would automatically diminish.
This lesson should also serve to remind us that, no matter who you are, you still have room for improvement in your Christian walk. Remember, people are like tubes of toothpaste, when we are squeezed, what’s in us is what’s going to come out. That is why we must work hard every day, to instill in ourselves the word and ways of GOD, or, the character of CHRIST, and then, when we are squeezed, only the goodness of GOD will come out. Stay tuned.

A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander





                                 
                                           LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website

Friday, August 9, 2013

                                                     
                                               BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY
                                         larrydalexanderbiblestudies.blogspot.com

                                                    BIBLE STUDY LESSON
                                     For the week beginning Sunday August 11, 2013                                      
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LOOK FOR GOOD WORKS
(Do what is good)
Titus 3

The word “preach”, in its most basic sense, means “to re-iterate something over and over again”. Usually it is a word used in regards to delivering or expounding upon moral or religious instructions at length, and tirelessly. The reason the Gospel has to be preached is because mankind continuously suppresses the truth. There comes a time when all of us will have to be reminded of what we already know is right. JESUS already knew how quickly the human mind would forget. HE knew that we would become so pre-occupied with our own worldly desires and affairs, until eventually, we would fail to recall, even HIS vicarious sacrifice on the cross.
Titus’ itinerant ministry was to be one of organizing local Christian Church leadership, and silencing those false teachers who opposed the ways of CHRIST JESUS, in the church. He was also, most importantly, responsible for instilling in those who didn’t oppose CHRIST, a lifestyle that was more pleasing to GOD.
It is the duty of a Christian to be law-abiding citizens of the world. We have to able to realize that if laws are ignored, there can be no civilized order in the world, and only chaos can prevail. Therefore, we must respect all those who are in authority, and obey the laws of man, as well as the laws of GOD in the Christian community. In fact, we can best influence the world through the Christian learning that we obtain through the teachings of CHRIST JESUS. And the more successful we are at that, the less those laws will conflict with each other (Vs.1-3).
Titus chapter 3, perhaps, lays out, or summarizes the full work of CHRIST in the hearts of mankind, better than any other passage in scripture. Here in this passage we see no less than five ways in which JESUS can transform the life of those who choose to follow HIM.

·         HE re-establishes us into a personal relationship of friendship with GOD the FATHER, through HIS kindness and love (v.4).
·         HE gives us gifts of love and grace that we can never earn on our own. HE saves us, not because of the good things that we did, but rather, because of HIS mercy (v.5a).
·         HE washes away our sins and gives us “New Life” through the HOLY SPIRIT (v.5b)
·         HE generously pours out the SPIRIT on all those who believe, and HE provides us with a new community in which to live and thrive (The Body of CHRIST) (v.6)
·         We receive “Justification”. HE declares us “not guilty” because of HIS great kindness, and HE begins to treat us as if we never sinned at all (v.7).

We now know that, through CHRIST, we can inherit and receive eternal life with GOD the FATHER. The “saved” person is called to find practical and visible ways to express his or her devotion to “good works”. In the Greek there are two words that are used for “good”. One is “agathos”, and it “describes a good, as in being a good person, or, a good, as in being useful or profitable.
The other word for “good” is “kalos” and it describes a good that is also “lovely”. It is a good that is beautiful, as well as beneficial. When we are committed and devoted to that which is both, morally right, and beneficial to others, our good deeds can serve, not only, as a distinct contribution to society, but will also bring glory to GOD.
Paul wanted young Titus to insist that everyone who wished to become a part of the Christian community and trust GOD, be careful to always strive to do good deeds wherever they go, all of the time. He insisted that such efforts would be beneficial to everyone, and would also reflect the ways of CHRIST JESUS, best to others (v.8).
The Greek word “hairetikon”, used in verse 10 for “divisive person”, describes one who insists on having things their own way, always having their own opinions prevail, even though those opinions are not biblical, and even to the point of splitting up the church. Many Christian churches insist on introducing worldly concepts (i.e miming, Hip hop, night club activities and themes, etc.) into the church in order to draw ungodly people who would otherwise not attend church, and to generate more money, albeit from ungodly sources. For churches like that have already turned away from the truth of GOD’s Word. They are sinning and they condemn themselves by operating according to their own plan, instead of adhering to GOD’s (Vs. 10-12). GOD does not need our “human ingenuity” to make HIS plan for the Church work better, and it is pridefully ridiculous for us to even think that HE does.
A person must always be careful not to erect his or her personal opinion, or “religious denomination”, against the doctrine of CHRIST’s teachings (Christianity). Our private opinion can never be the test of all truth, as true faith can only find its origin, in the mind of GOD.

A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander





                                 
                                           LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website