Friday, March 30, 2018


BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY
larrydalexanderbiblestudies.blogspot.com

BIBLE STUDY LESSON
For the week beginning Sunday April 1, 2018

PAUL’S JOY AT THE CHURCH’S REPENTANCE
2 Corinthians 7

   In the book of Luke, chapter 17, verses 3 and 4, JESUS sternly states to HIS disciples to “Watch yourselves! If another believer sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive. Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive” – JESUS CHRIST (NLT).
    In the New Testament Greek the word used for “forgive is “aphiemi” (ap-i-mee), and it means “to send away”, or “wipe away”. The other key word in this statement from JESUS is “repent”, in the Greek “metanoia” (met-an-oy-ah), which is “a change of mind”. In the biblical sense it is a change of mind “before we sin”, but it also can be applied after the fact, and is a sting of the conscience that is brought on by a deep sense of guilt, or a strong feeling of compunction.
    However, it is GOD’s desire that our conscience convicts us while we are still in the thinking stages, before we commit the act of sin, not after. This makes more sense, because, if we go through with the act of sin, that means we really didn’t change our mind, and in that case, we must suffer the consequences of that sin, and that is something that will grieve both us, and GOD. It grieves us because we have to suffer judgment, and it grieves GOD because HE has to administer it to us.
    In A.D. 57, while visiting in Ephesus, during his third missionary journey, that was put together to raise money for the central Mother Church at Jerusalem, the Apostle Paul sat down and penned this second letter to the Church at Corinth. His earlier letter to the church had not quite settled all of the issues and problems that the church had been experiencing during the difficult days of its infancy. Then too, for reasons not all explained in this letter, the Corinthian church had apparently developed deep suspicions about Paul, regarding the legitimacy of his proclaimed authority in CHRIST as a chosen apostle.
    It was with much grief and anguish that Paul wrote this second letter, which he intended to use to try and re-establish his authority as one chosen to lead others to CHRIST, and to also lead them in the Christian Faith. In this letter, Paul also covers some of the more practical matters, such as supporting believers in other parts of the world who may have fallen on hard times, and reviving them back into a state of being viable, fruit-producing branches in the newly formed Christian network.
    In 2 Corinthians 2, verses 5-11, the Apostle Paul writes again about the man who had been dis-fellowshipped from the church at Corinth a year earlier at his request. The man had been involved in a sexually immoral affair with his father’s wife (1 Corinthians 5:1-7). Paul had strongly rebuked the church for its lack of disciplinary action regarding this most unacceptable behavior.
    The Corinthians had followed Paul’s advice and instructions and put this man out from fellowship, and now, in this second letter, Paul is urging the church to show compassion and invite the man back into the fold. Here Paul is advising the church that the man had been disciplined enough for his indiscretion. Apparently the man had been in deep repent and suffering since the time of his dis-fellowship, and now it was time, Paul felt, to forgive him and comfort him and show him love, so that he would not become so discouraged that he would not be able to recover. Furthermore, Paul knew that satan would seek to take advantage of the situation and use it to do harm to the man, and the church. For Paul was already thoroughly familiar with the evil schemes and tactics of satan, and he was also thoroughly familiar with the ways and wisdom of CHRIST, regarding our need for repent and forgiveness.
    In 2 Corinthians 7, verses 2-15, after Paul had again expressed his love for the church at Corinth, and his unwavering confidence in them, good news from Paul’s assistant, Titus, seems to interrupt Paul’s train of thoughts, and he suddenly begins to shift his focus to the news of a breakthrough in the Corinthian church’s attitude toward him. Apparently Paul had sent Titus to the church with a special letter, some time between the first letter that we all know about, and this second letter, which are both now recorded as a part of New Testament Scripture.
     This, now lost, written communication of Paul’s is now referred to by biblical scholars as “the sorrowful letter”. This letter was apparently very effective, even though it had caused Paul great sorrow to write, especially on the heels of his painful first visit to the church several months earlier.
    In his original Greek rendering of his second letter to the Corinthians, the word Paul uses for “sorrow”, Lupeo” (loo-peh-o), describes an experience of great stress, which can bring about physical and emotional pain. It is the same word that is used to describe the emotional and physical state of JESUS on that night in the Garden of Gethsemane on the eve of HIS crucifixion. “GODly sorrow” is actually a form of compassionate grief and heaviness, that is later rewarded by joy, because one was obedient to GOD, even while under duress.  
    GODly sorrow is something that we’ll never regret having, because it is also a sorrow that can identify true repent in the sinner as well. Sorrow without repent is a worldly sorrow that is experienced by one who feels sorry for themselves for having to suffer the consequences of sin, and not for the person whom they have offended. This kind of sorrow always leads to death (a permanent separation from GOD).
    Here in this passage we can clearly see that GOD uses Paul, who was a great teacher, to actually teach himself a lesson in love and compassion. For GOD wants us to be free of defilement, especially ceremonial defilement (defilement in church worship services). And those who responded positively to Paul’s “sorrowful letter” that was delivered by Titus, had now set themselves right with GOD, and were cleansed of any previous guilt suffered because of their actions, or “lack thereof” in the church.
    And so, in the end, all involved, were gladdened and encouraged, as a result of how GOD uses “GODly sorrow” to bring about the repentance, forgiveness, and reconciliation that can strengthen and improve Christian relationships, and can also help cure us of our desire to mix the holy with the profane in the Church.

A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander









Friday, March 23, 2018


BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY
Larrydalexanderbiblestudies.blogspot.com

BIBLE STUDY LESSON
For the week beginning Sunday March 25, 2018

PAUL’S HARDSHIPS
2 Corinthians 6:1-13

   Second Corinthians 6, verses 1 and 2, should actually be read with chapter 5. Here Paul finishes his thoughts on “reconciliation”, and, on how Christians must view themselves as being “GOD’s Ambassadors” to the world. It is by GOD’s grace that “true believers” are transformed into “new creatures” and again given the potential to live a truly righteous existence.
    It is in this day that every human being can experience salvation because of what CHRIST JESUS did sacrificially, culminating on the cross, if they choose to. Through CHRIST JESUS, GOD allows us to partake in an “imputed righteousness” that we could not have possibly achieved on our own. It is an utter tragedy whenever GOD’s greatest creation (mankind), allows his or her hard-heartedness, to reduce the meaning of GOD’s grace in their lives, to being of “non-effect”, or, as having no transforming value at all.
    Taking up at verse 3, Paul shifts his thoughts back (2 Corinthians 4:8-12) so that he might elaborate further on some of the many hardships that serious Christians must suffer, if they are to earnestly follow in the path, or footsteps of CHRIST JESUS, our LORD. Here Paul says that we must live in such a way that no one can be hindered from finding the LORD, due to the fact that we may have publicly, or privately, exhibited ungodly behavior to the world we’re seeking to convert (Vs.3-4).
    As Christians, we take on a given responsibility to prove to the world that Christianity really does produce the best men and women. And oftentimes that must be done while under duress from the very same worldly people that we are trying to convert. Here in verses 4b-5 Paul shares with us some of the ways he, himself had suffered for the sake of ministering the Gospel to the world.
    Paul says that he, and those who traveled with him, had been beaten, been put in jail, faced angry mobs, worked to exhaustion, endured sleepless nights, and gone without food. In short, perhaps Paul is cautioning us that, a Christian’s faith has to be proven and confirmed by the way they react to, and endure through their sufferings and persecutions, just as JESUS proved the genuineness of HIS faith under HIS FATHER GOD, during HIS earthly assignment.
    In verse 6 Paul mentions six ways by which a Christian can prove himself, or herself of great value under GOD, and at the same time, relieve any tensions that may exist in the community of GOD. Here Paul says that we can achieve this by our;

·         Purity
·         Understanding
·         Patience
·         Kindness
·         Sincere love
·         And all, by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT

    Christians must learn to faithfully and correctly preach and teach the Gospel so that GOD’s power will continue to work in us. We must operate using the righteousness of CHRIST as a weapon to, both, defend ourselves against, and to attack, the unseen demons who may influence people all around us. We have to serve GOD whether people honor us or despise us, slander us or praise us. We have to remain honest, even when people call us imposters, simply because they do not want to live by the message of GOD that we peach and deliver (Vs.7-8).
    Even though Paul was well-known he was sometimes treated as an unknown by his opponents in the Church. Oftentimes they dismissed him as being poor, sorrowful, and useless. However, in the opinion of GOD (the only opinion that counts), Paul’s servant-hood was proven genuine by his willingness to suffer hardships that sometimes brought him to within an inch of his life. He was able to joyfully withstand heartache, and even though he was poor financially, he was able to give much spiritual riches to those who accepted it. And while he may not have owned anything, with GOD, he had all that he needed in life, and more. He was successful under GOD because he was willing to open up his heart to the people he was called to minister to, and as a result of his open-heartedness, and GOD’s grace, he was ultimately able to remove tension and strife from the assembly of GOD at Corinth, at least, for a time (Vs.9-13).

THE TEMPLE OF THE LIVING GOD
2 Corinthians 6:14-18

   In the Greek, the word used for “separate” in 2 Corinthians verse 17 is “katharisomen” (kath-a-ris-o-men) and is a setting apart from those people and unclean things (spirits) that defile or influence us, and move out of the will of GOD”. It is a warning for us not to mix “the holy” with “the profane”, and thereby, defile our body and spirit with the things of this world, or, satan.
   Paul begins this passage with a stern warning for believers not to team up with those who are unbelievers. People who seek after righteousness and goodness cannot partner up with those who seek to do wickedness and live in darkness. Light and darkness are incompatible with each other, and there can never be any harmony between CHRIST and satan (v.14-15).
    The union between GOD’s temple (the Christian’s body and the Christian Body) and idols is a complete impossibility. The true Christian is, quite literally, the temple of the living GOD WHO said, “I will live in them and walk among them. I will be their GOD, and they will be MY people” (v.16).
    The bad idea of one “yoking a donkey with an ox” as a work team, is the imagery behind Paul’s appeal in verse 14 for Christians not to be “unequally yoked” with unbelievers. It is “a mixing of the holy with the profane”, in this most personal sense, that will make for a very uncomfortable union and existence for people who are seeking GOD.
    And while the believer is not to avoid all contact with the unbeliever (for it is our charge from CHRIST JESUS to witness to the “unsaved” world), we are to “avoid partnerships” with them, that will compromise our principles as Christians, and lead us away from the Will of GOD.   
    The true Christian will respond to GOD’s grace in a positive manner, as it has been given to us for the purpose of “transforming ourselves into men and women who live lives that are pleasing to GOD at all times. Our lives should reflect the lifestyle that JESUS HIMSELF portrayed when HE lived as a 100% human being. HE was “GOD’s perfect figurative representative” here on earth, and HE was able to overcome the gravitational pull of this world, with a perfect obedience to GOD, while HE existed in 100% human flesh and blood in Palestine.
    Paul’s quotation of the prophet Isaiah (v.2) was a direct rebuttal to the false teachers who taught that the way to “righteousness” was through complete obedience to the Laws of Moses. However, Paul knew that righteousness and salvation for mankind comes only through having faith in what JESUS did during HIS first advent here on earth. It is HIS overcoming of the world through obedience to GOD, that frees us when we believe on HIM, and it is through an “imputed righteousness” from HIM, that GOD “justifies” us, giving us another chance at a personal relationship of friendship with HIM, and then, HE begins to treat us as if we never sinned at all. But it is all because of what JESUS has done, and not because of what we can do, because, long before we come to CHRIST, we’ve already blown our chance at perfection under GOD.
  

A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander





                                 
LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website



  



Friday, March 16, 2018


BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY
Larrydalexanderbiblestudies.blogspot.com

BIBLE STUDY LESSON
For the week beginning Sunday March 18, 2018

NEW BODIES
2 Corinthians 5:1-10

   It is only through the persuasion of our lifestyle that we can successfully lead others to CHRIST. We, as Christians, must behave in a manner that, by definition, is drastically different from that of most people in the world, in this, or in any day and age. We must also not attempt to force or coerce others to do as we do, they must do so, voluntarily.
    Here in 2 Corinthians 5, the Apostle Paul, after speaking briefly about the frailness of the bodies we now have to work and minister in under GOD, now paints a picture of “a new glorified eternal body” that GOD will present to those who are faithful and obedient to HIM in their old perishable bodies, here on earth.
    Verse 1 of this passage briefly sums up what Paul had written in his first letter to the Corinthian Church (1 Corinthians 15:34-54), regarding the subject of “the resurrection body”. Here, however, he refers to our old perishable bodies as “earthly tents” (epigeios skenous), an analogy that, no doubt, references a thought drawn from his earthly career as a tentmaker. Here he says that, unlike our earthly tents (temples), our new tents will not be made by human hands, but rather, will be constructed personally by the hand of GOD.
    Even though we now moan and grow weary in our present bodies, we must cling to the Christian Hope that promises us a new body in Heaven. Here in verse 3, Paul tells us that we will not be spirits without bodies in Heaven, but rather, we will have new Heavenly bodies. Our old bodies will be swallowed up by eternal life.
    GOD’s promise for this is revealed through HIS sharing with us of HIS HOLY SPIRIT right now, here on earth. HE wants us to get used to the idea of living in the SPIRIT right now, in our present bodies, and, at one and the same time, recognize fully that we are not yet at home with the LORD. That is why we must live by believing, and not by sight (Vs.3-7). This is the “eternal viewpoint” (motivating thought) that is required in order for us to carry out our ministries effectively here on earth.
    We as Christians must desire to live in such a way, that our lives here on earth, will not diminish our rewards in Heaven. We must remain fully confident, as we know that we would rather be away from these temporal bodies, and at home with the LORD. Our aim should be always to please the LORD, whether in this body, or, in the next. For we must all make an account for the deeds done in our lifetimes, and we will all have to stand before CHRIST to be judged, each receiving whatever judgment we have merited in our bodies, in our lifetime, here on earth (Vs.8-10).

WE ARE GOD’S AMBASSADORS
2 Corinthians 5:11-21

   To the worldly person (those who are blinded by satan), CHRIST appears to be ONE WHO was a failure, a religious reformer WHO gambled with HIS life and was rewarded with a criminal’s death on the cross by Roman method. As the result of that existing mindset, most times the Christian’s approach to ministry in the world seems futile and actually crazy to an unbeliever. They can’t seem to reconcile in their minds how a Christian’s work can be anything but a complete waste of time.
     In 2 Corinthians 5, taking up at verse 11, the Apostle Paul attempts to show us how, we as Christians, are actually GOD’s ambassadors, the purest form of “a figurative representative” that GOD has in place on this earth. And because we have solemn reverence for the LORD, we work hard to persuade others and lead them to salvation, even while under the greatest of duress from worldly opposition. And while what we do may seem crazy, it brings glory to GOD. And if we are in our right minds, our work becomes the benefit of the whole unsaved world.
    Because of CHRIST’s love for us, we are able to endure many things, and because we accept that love, we are able to die to our old life, and live for HIM. CHRIST died for the whole world in general, but for true Christians in particular. HE gave us “new life”, and all those who receive HIS new life, will no longer desire to please just themselves, but rather, they become concerned about the needs of others, even the stranger. Those who accept CHRIST are resurrected into a new life that is no longer constrained by the threat of “death” (permanent separation from GOD - Vs.11-15).
    Perhaps the greatest thing about accepting CHRIST and allowing the laws of GOD to become paramount in our lives is that, we stop evaluating people by what the world thinks of them. Paul says that he himself once thought about JESUS that way. Whenever we value the world’s opinion more than GOD’s opinion, we are saying, in effect that, satan, the god of this world, is greater than The GOD, WHO created the world.
    And so, even though the world may view JESUS as a failure, those faithful who are being saved, view HIM in HIS resurrected glory, and, they worship HIM as GOD. As Christians, we need to see ourselves as the “new creations” that we really are. And even though it may seem futile while we are still faithfully working our missions for CHRIST, we have to be able to look beyond this world, with hope, to GOD, WHO will sustain us.
    All this “newness of life” that Paul talks about here in this passage, comes to us from GOD, our SAVIOR, through JESUS CHRIST. As ambassadors of CHRIST, GOD has given us the task of reconciling our fellowman to HIM. In fact, GOD is actually in CHRIST, reconciling us to HIM, and, HE is willing to “justify” us by no longer counting our sins against (Vs.18-19).
     In the Greek, the word used for “reconciliation” is “katalasso”, and it means, “to restore back to harmony”. The life of CHRIST JESUS was sacrificed in order that GOD may bring us back into harmony with HIMSELF, both from a “positional” standpoint, and, from an “experiential” one. As “just workers” and ambassadors for CHRIST, we are not allowed by GOD to trick or coerce anyone into accepting HIM, but rather, our charge has always been to share the Good News about CHRIST, and then, allow each individual to make up their own minds whether they want to accept or reject it.
    GOD sent HIS only begotten SON to be a propitiation for our sins, but before JESUS could qualify to do that, HE had to first live a “sinless life” as a 100% human being here on earth. It was only then that HE could be offered up as a “perfect sacrifice” (GOD’s price for sin) for all mankind. This vicarious sacrifice by JESUS was the only action that could be taken, that would restore us back into a personal relationship of friendship with GOD. And as a result of HIS unselfishness, today is “the Day of Salvation”.

A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander




   


Friday, March 9, 2018


BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY
Larrydalexanderbiblestudies.blogspot.com

BIBLE STUDY LESSON
For the week beginning Sunday March 11, 2018

TREASURE IN PERISHABLE CONTAINERS
2 Corinthians 4

   The true Christian lives in the face of physical death here on earth, however, their teachings about CHRIST, results in others, as well as themselves, obtaining eternal spiritual life with GOD the FATHER, in Heaven. Our knowledge of CHRIST amounts to possessing “great treasures” that are held in “perishable containers”.
    Our carnal bodies are designed to be temporal vehicles that serve GOD, while we serve our fellowman. And since our time here on earth is so short, it is paramount that we take full advantage of the grace of GOD to apply the methods of CHRIST JESUS in our ministries, and never give in to the gravitational force of this world and its way of doing things.
    Here in 2 Corinthians, chapter 4, the Apostle Paul attempts to explain how it is “the message”, rather than “the messenger”, that is the key to the spreading the Gospel under the New Covenant that was ushered in by CHRIST JESUS. And so, as messengers, we must be willing to speak out even if we are not eloquent speakers, or may not be as skilled or knowledgeable as some others may be. It is not the skill and eloquence of the messenger that gives the Word of GOD its power, but rather, it is the power of GOD in the Word that strengthens the messenger.
    Here in verses 1-2, Paul gives us some rules of thumb by which all Christian teachers should live by, if they are to be successful under GOD and under the New Covenant.  This is how Paul suggests that we as ministers of the Gospel operate under GOD;

·         We should never give up
·         We should reject all shameful and underhanded methods or tactics (no human ingenuity)
·         We should not try to trick anyone
·         We do not distort the Word of GOD
·         We tell the truth before GOD

    Whenever the Gospel is veiled from anyone, it is a sign that that person is perishing (v.3). Satan, who is “the god of this age”, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe, and as a result, they are not able to understand and see the glorious light of the Good News that is shining directly upon them (v.4). The term “god of this age”, that is used by Paul in verse 4, implies that the people of this age are voluntarily willing to submit to and follow satan’s evil directives.
    JESUS CHRIST is the exact spiritual image of GOD, and so the Christian should not go around preaching about themselves, but rather, they should preach about HIM. The only thing that we should be saying about ourselves is that we are JESUS’ servants, because of what HE has done for us, and that, we are voluntarily committed and submitted, totally to HIM (v.5).
    JESUS CHRIST is the light that GOD allowed to come into this dark world. The light and power of CHRIST in us is “precious treasure contained in perishable containers (our weak bodies)”. This is so everyone can see that this glorious power is not our own, but rather, it comes from GOD (Vs.6-7). It is power that keeps us from being crushed when we are pressed on every side by the troubles of this world. We don’t give up when we are perplexed by the gradual moral slide of this world into the abyss of sin. GOD never abandons us, and so, when we get knocked down, we get up and begin to tread forward with even greater conviction and determination. Through our suffering, these perishable bodies of ours actually share in the death of CHRIST, and HE is clearly seen by others within our actions and tribulations (Vs.8-10).
    We as true Christians have to learn to look beyond the sin-filled challenges of this world, and into the faithfulness of GOD. We must rely on GOD to transform us into mature warriors who can glorify HIM in times of trouble and duress. Suffering for CHRIST sake in this world will bring immeasurable benefits in the world to come, and that is why we must never give up. We know that the same GOD WHO raised our LORD and SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST from the dead will equip us with all that we need to do HIS wonderful will. And through our work here on earth, GOD HIMSELF will receive more glory.
    Although the body of the Christian worker may be declining and dying with each passing day, our human spirit is being renewed just as rapidly. Our present troubles that are brought on by our work for CHRIST in an anti-CHRIST world are quite small when they are compared to great treasures that we will receive for doing the work of GOD, HIS way. For our troubles will soon be over, but our rewards and benefits, and all the joys that comes with them, will last forever.  

A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander





                                 
LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website