Friday, April 27, 2018


BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY
larrydalexanderbiblestudies.blogspot.com

BIBLE STUDY LESSON
For the week beginning Sunday April 29, 2018

PAUL AND THE FALSE APOSTLES
2 Corinthians 11:1-15

   The false apostles in Corinth were dead set on establishing their own claims of authority by highlighting their strengths alongside Paul’s weaknesses. They often followed Paul from church to church, literally “un-teaching” everything about CHRIST that Paul and his crew had originally taught, as he struggled mightily to plant the seeds of Christianity in the minds of the people of the first century.
    Paul often returned to those same churches and re-established the teachings of CHRIST, and put a damper on the false teacher’s boasting of themselves, telling the churches that all boasting should be only in what GOD has done for them, and not what they as men had done.
    In the Greek, the word used for “authority” is “exousia” and it is “freedom to act in a given situation, role, or position”. The last four chapters of 2 Corinthians provide significant insight into the nature of spiritual authority. Paul says that, in the Christian Church, a leader’s authority is given so that he can build up the congregation, not tear it down. On the other hand, the authority of a leader is also limited, in that, they can’t use that authority to control behavior, but rather, they can only use it to influence or evoke, hopefully, a voluntary, GODly response.
    Here in 2 Corinthians chapter 11, Paul’s deep concern for the Corinthians spiritual well-being and protection from the infiltration of false prophets and their doctrine, moved him to go against his own principles regarding not boasting about his credentials, or “authority under CHRIST as an apostle”. The fact that he hadn’t taken any money from the Church at Corinth gave him a leg up on the false apostles who, Paul says, masqueraded as “angels of light” and always preached for financial benefits or gains (Vs.12-15).
    Paul says in the opening lines of this chapter, in an apologetic way, that, he hoped that the Corinthians would be patient with him as he was once again being compelled by them to defend his calling and reputation, explaining his credentials to the church again and again. He feared that he was beginning to sound like “the foolish braggarts”, those “false apostles”, whom he constantly warned them about.
    Here in verse 2, Paul says he was jealous of the relationship that may be forming between the church and the false teachers, but it was a jealousy as GOD would be jealous of a relationship between them and an idol god. He explains that he had already promised them over to CHRIST to be HIS pure bride, and now it seemed as if they were being led away by the serpent, pretty much the way Eve was in the Garden of Eden. They were becoming very gullible to whatever strange doctrine that may come down the pike (Vs.2-4).
    Paul assured the Corinthians that he did not feel inferior to these “super apostles” just because he himself was not a trained speaker. The only thing that mattered to him, and should matter to them, is that, he knew what he was talking about, and had proven his legitimacy through his lifestyle, hard work, and persecutions that he suffered over the years.

PAUL’S MANY TRIALS
2 Corinthians 11:16-33

   The world’s standards are far different from the standards that GOD places on HIS people as their goal and aspiration. In fact, the wisdom of GOD is not only “not accepted” by the world, it is foolishness as far as the world is concerned. Here in verse 16, Paul starts to feel as though he is sounding like a fool to the people of the church at Corinth.
    The false apostles had obviously been bragging about how polished and accomplished they were in their training, work, appearance, and presentation, and Paul knew that such boasting of oneself was not something that GOD was pleased with from those who were actually called by HIM.
    However, in this instance, since the Corinthians seemed to enjoy listening to a bunch of fools, he decided that he might be able to make some headway by doing a little boasting of his own, and playing along with the “method of entertainment” that had been working so well for the false apostles, only he would hit them with the wisdom of CHRIST, instead of using the same human plans and methods that they themselves had conjured up as mere men without GOD (Vs.18-21).
    Paul begins his defense by saying that, while they may all share the same pedigree as he does (all the false teachers were Hebrews, Israelites, and descendants of Abraham), they were not called by CHRIST as he was, even though they made that claim also (Vs.22-23).
    Paul’s service to CHRIST was evidenced in his history, and in his walk. He had been put in jail multiple times for defending the Gospel of JESUS CHRIST, he had been beaten countless times, including the five times that he had been given 39 lashes, and 3 others times when he had been beaten with a rod. He had been stoned, shipwrecked, once spending an entire night and day adrift at sea, he had traveled thousands of miles, mostly on foot, and faced dangers from nature (flooded rivers) and from men (robbers and thieves) (Vs.23-25).
    Paul says that both, his own people, the Jews, and, the Gentiles had often sought to kill him. He had faced dangers in the cities, in the deserts, and on the stormy seas, from men who claim to be Christians, but of course, were not. Paul lived a great deal of his life in pain and weariness after he dedicated his life to CHRIST. He had many sleepless nights, hungry and thirsty, sometimes shivering from the cold because he didn’t have enough clothing to keep himself warm (Vs.26-27).
    Paul goes on to say that, besides all of these tribulations and burdens, he also had the continued burden of seeing after the Christian churches which he and others had founded over the years. Paul felt that, if he must boast, he would rather boast about his weaknesses and how a powerful, almighty GOD has shored him up to do even more works, despite his weaknesses.

A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander
   
     






Friday, April 20, 2018


BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY
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BIBLE STUDY LESSON
For the week beginning Sunday April 22, 2018

PAUL DEFENDS HIS AUTHORITY
2 Corinthians 10

   In the biblical Greek, the word used for “meekness” or “gentleness” is “epieikeia” (ep-ee-i-ki-ah, and it is a tool or strategy used by one who wishes to bring a situation to a productive, peaceful ending or outcome. It calls for one to be thoughtful and considerate in his or her approach to a peaceful solution.
    The Apostle Paul had often been accused of being, both, too bold, and, too timid. He was regularly accused of being too harsh in his writings, and yet, too timid in person (v.1). However, when doing the work that CHRIST calls us to do, it calls for both “meekness” and “boldness”, but with an equitable balance, or compassion, that will not add fuel to the fires of disagreement.
    In 2 Corinthians 10, Paul attempts to make a very difficult transition to the topic which he intentionally reserved for last. The final four chapters of this second letter to the Corinthians is believed by some scholars to be from a different letter that was probably written, either earlier, or perhaps later, because now, he seems to begin to engage in a direct, unavoidable confrontation with those in the Corinthian church who oppose his authority in CHRIST.
   False teaching, and false teachers, must be confronted and challenged openly, so as they don’t steal the hearts of those seekers of GOD, who are yet vulnerable to satan, because of their lack of knowledge in CHRIST. These teachers must be cut off from the Christian Church and kept from filling the hearts of potential Christians with their own personal, tainted doctrine.
    Wherever false teaching occurs, seeds of doubt in the truth are planted in the hearts of mankind. Paul realized that it is no small thing to allow such spiritual infidelity to exist and persist in the Church of CHRIST JESUS. And so here, his letter makes a severe shift from talking about the benevolent collection of funds for the Mother Church at Jerusalem, to the more delicate subject of devotion to CHRIST, and the upholding of HIS teachings.
    While we may be human, we are not waging war against a human enemy, and so our human ingenuity (human plans and methods) are useless (Vs.3). Only the plan of GOD can liberate us from the clutches of satan, and allow us to overcome the gravitational pull of this world the way JESUS did. When JESUS, in a 100% human body, was ready to begin HIS ministry of doing spiritual battle with satan, HE had to first be empowered by the HOLY SPIRIT (Matthew 4:1-2, Mark 1:12-13, Luke 4:1-3, & John 1:32-34), and it is the same with us. We can’t wage a physical battle with a spiritual enemy, and so, as I always say, there is no room in the Christian Church for “human ingenuity”.
    It is a must that we use GOD’S mighty weapons, that are incorporated in HIS Word,  to knock down the devil’s strongholds. When we do so, we can break down every proud argument that keeps people from knowing GOD (v.4). With these weapons we can conquer man’s rebellious ideas, and, at one and the same time, teach ourselves how to obey CHRIST, and those who remain disobedient, will be punished (v.5).
    Like most people, the Corinthians made their decisions based on appearance. Paul, in their minds, did not look the part. He was diminutive in statue, and by his own admission he was not an eloquent speaker like, say, Apollos was. He was also battered and scarred from the many beatings and persecutions he had suffered for teaching the truth about CHRIST JESUS.
    For these and other reasons, Paul, many times, found himself having to spend a great deal of time defending himself against doubters of who he was, before he could address those who doubted the teachings of CHRIST, and WHO HE is. In fact, sometimes he came off as being a “bragger” about his authority in CHRIST, because he had to repeat himself in his own defense, over and over again.
    However, Paul assured the Church at Corinth that, despite his weak and battered appearance he was a strong man of GOD, whose teachings were meant to build them up, not tear them down, and Paul assured them that he would not be put to shame by having his work among them destroyed by false teachers (Vs.7-8).
    The struggle of the Christian leader is to resist the temptation to incorporate his or her own human ingenuity into GOD’s plan for the church, and, for the Christian community. Oftentimes, after a pastor makes a name for himself, he begins to errantly focus on what they perceive to be their own greatness, and lose themselves in the idea of how wonderful they are, as opposed to how wonderful GOD is. They begin to compare themselves to each other, and consult each other regarding their plans, not GOD’s plan, for the Church (v.12).
    To be validated by the world is an abomination to GOD. To be validated by GOD is an abomination to the world. The goal of the true Christians is to stay within the boundaries of GOD’s plans for us. We must trust GOD’s provisions, trust GOD’s protection, and trust GOD’s plan for us, which in part, is to evangelize the world, making disciples of men. And the greatest way we can do that is by showing the world, through our behavior, that Christianity really does produce the best men and women. We must not let the world define us, but rather, we must abide with GOD’s definitions of what is best for us and the world that HE created.
    And so boasting about ourselves and the successes that we think we have achieved in ministry on our own is ridiculous and pointless. It is only when the LORD approves and validates us that we are truly successful. We can’t take credit for achievements GOD has made possible through us. As our faith grows, so does our success in doing GOD’s work. And so, the person who wishes to boast can only boast of what GOD has done with them, through them, and, for them (Vs.13-18).

A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander





                                 
LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website



Friday, April 13, 2018


BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY
larrydalexanderbiblestudies.blogspot.com

BIBLE STUDY LESSON
For the week beginning Sunday April 15, 2018

THE COLLECTION FOR CHRISTIANS IN JERUSALEM
2 Corinthians 9

   Throughout all the ages we can find that one of the oldest principals of life, that continues to persist in both, the physical, and, the spiritual world, is that, the size of a harvest, under normal circumstances, always corresponds directly with the amount of sowing that was done.
    In 2 Corinthians 9, Paul continues on with his written lecture to the Corinthians on generous giving. However, here he focuses his efforts more clearly on the collection for the Christians central Mother Church at Jerusalem. In this section of his letter he issues a not- so-subtle reminder to the Corinthians of how eager they were to help the cause when they had first heard of it a year earlier. This reminder is issued here, first in written form, so as to spare their branch of the Christian Church Network the embarrassment of not being prepared as promised, or, not being willing to follow through on what they had started.
    Paul had been boasting about the generosity of the Corinthians to the Macedonians, and his boasting had helped to stir up enthusiasm there, and, in a lot of other churches along the Christian network of believers. In addition, he had sent Titus, along with two other trusted men from the Church to help ensure that the gifts they had promised would be ready when he himself arrived some time later.
    The relationship between Paul and the brethren at Corinth had been plenty strained in the three years since Paul had visited there, and he had suffered much while he awaited their reaction to his “sorrowful letter” that he had sent earlier by Titus. However, he truly cared for the Christians at Corinth and he wanted to make amends with them, but more importantly, he needed to uphold the integrity of his apostolic credentials. Paul did spend the following winter months in Corinth, and it was at that time, that, he probably wrote his, now famous, letter to the Romans.
    This second letter to the Corinthians, however, is most personal, and perhaps, the least doctrinal of all of Paul’s known letters to the Christian churches of the first century. He tells of some very personal experiences in this letter as he vividly reveals an intense emotion and personality, not seen in any of his other epistles. This letter truly shows us Paul’s deep sincerity and determination to live by the principals of material exchange  between churches, that really had already been laid out by GOD in HIS law since the days of the Israelites desert experience with the “manna from Heaven” (Exodus 16:18). There GOD sought to show us that, the person who follows HIM, needs will always be met. JESUS, our LORD and SAVIOR, sought to show us the very same thing during HIS lifetime here on earth.
    Remember, anyone who sows generously will reap generously, and anyone who sows sparingly, will reap sparingly. Paul warns us, however, that we should not give reluctantly, or, in response to pressure, because GOD only loves the attitude of a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7). And GOD will generously provide for all of our needs, with plenty left over, so that we can share even further with others in need.
    GOD gives us many opportunities to do good deeds, and HE will produce a great harvest of generosity in all those who take advantage of those opportunities by using them to help someone else in need (Vs.10-11). That’s right! The true Christian should want more, so that they can have more to give away. And when we use the blessings that GOD has given us to enrich the lives of others, two things will transpire. First, we will have met the needs of someone who may have otherwise gone without. And secondly, that person whom you helped will hopefully see the need to glorify GOD through their expression of thanksgiving. In both instances, GOD will be pleased, and your generosity will prove to HIM, your good stewardship, and, your obedience to the Gospel of CHRIST (Vs.12-13).
    I’ll leave you with the well-known story of the widow’s offering, as it is so vividly depicted by Luke in chapter 21, verses 1-4, of the Gospel account that bears his name. “While JESUS was in the temple, HE watched the rich people putting their gifts into the collection box. Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two pennies. Then JESUS responded, “I assure you, this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. For they (the rich) have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has” (NLT). In my mind, this lady’s attitude and spirit for giving, sets the New Testament standard of CHRIST, for gracious, cheerful, GODly benevolence on a human level, for all to see and understand, even in this age.

A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander






                                 
LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website





Friday, April 6, 2018


BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY
larrydalexanderbiblestudies.blogspot.com

BIBLE STUDY LESSON
For the week beginning Sunday April 8, 2018

A CALL TO GENEROUS GIVING
2 Corinthians 8:1-15

   In the biblical Greek, the word used for “grace” is “charis” and it is “the divine influence upon one’s heart, and its reflection on life”. In 2 Corinthians, chapters 8 and 9, the Apostle Paul turns to the subject of “gracious giving” by the saints of the newly formed Christian Churches. The main purpose of Paul’s third missionary journey was to raise money for the central church at Jerusalem, who had fallen on hard times.
    Paul had actually been planning and organizing this tour to aid the needy in the Christian network for a number of years, after being urged to do so by Peter, James, and John (Acts 9:27-29 (also see Galatians 2:9-10). From the time the Corinthians first heard about this collection, they had been, seemingly, very eager to participate, and Paul had previously laid out a plan that would make it possible for them to do so without putting a strain on their personal budgets (1 Corinthians 16:1-4). Each church in the Christian network would set aside funds weekly that would be earmarked as a benevolent offering for those who were in need in the Christian Churches.
    According to Paul’s wording in this passage, however, it seems that the previous good intentions of the church at Corinth had since dissipated, and so Paul asked his trusted aid, Titus, to go and look into the situation at Corinth. Paul wanted to find out what factors, or, issues had come up to interrupt, or derail, the church’s previous intended benevolence (2 Corinthians 8:6). 
    Here in 2 Corinthians 8, verses 1-5, Paul sought to motivate the Corinthians spirit of generosity, by first, giving the great example of the benevolence of the Church at Macedonia. Here he told of how, even though, the Macedonians were going through much hardship themselves, they were able to “turn the concern for their own deep poverty, into an overflowing of rich generosity for others”. They gave, not only what they could afford, but through their joyful spirit, they even went beyond the call of Christian duty. In fact, Paul says that they even pleaded for him to allow them the privilege of doing even more, and they dedicated themselves to the LORD, and to Paul and his aides for whatever directions and instructions GOD would give them.
    Then, in verse 9, Paul uses the greatest example of all times to motivate this young Church at Corinth. Here he steers their attentions to the very “personification of benevolence”, our LORD and SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST. Here Paul reminds the Church of how full of love and kindness CHRIST was when HE came to us, though HE was very rich, HE made HIMSELF poor so that, by HIS poverty, HE could make us rich.
    Paul’s advice to the Corinthians in verses 10-11 is that the young church finishes what they had started a year earlier when they were so enthusiastic about wanting to give and help with the benevolent project that had been initiated for Jerusalem. Their church had been the first to act upon this idea, and now, it was the time to go forward towards its completion.
    In verses 12-13, Paul reasons that “each individual’s giving need only be commensurate with their ability to give”. Beyond an individual’s tithes, GOD does not want us to give what you can’t afford to give. HE does not want us to give so much that we suffer from having too little for ourselves. Such could, in time, cause us to have ill feelings about giving, or cause one to feel as though they have put the church in their debt, or, put GOD in their debt. And so we can see that, even in giving, one must use GODLY wisdom.
    Finally, in verses 14-15, Paul expounds upon the guiding principal regarding the material exchange between Christian churches. It is the “principle of equality” which involves the “checks” and “balances” that are contained in “GOD’s system of justice for the regulation of human existence”:

When one has plenty,
he should share with others,
and when one does not have enough,
others should share with him”.

When we apply that principle to real life, the needs of every individual will always be met, and there would never be a need for worldly government sponsored welfare programs.
    Paul then reminds the church of the very source of this “guiding principle”, which GOD exposed to the Israelites one day in the wilderness of the Negev, following their divine exodus from Egypt. It is with the miracle of “manna from Heaven”, as it is recorded by Moses in Exodus 16:14-18:

When the dew evaporated, a flaky substance, as fine as frost, blanketed the ground.  The Israelites were puzzled when they saw it. “What is it?” they asked each other. They had no idea what it was. And Moses told them, “It is the food the Lord has given you to eat.  These are the Lord’s instructions: Each household should gather as much as it needs. Pick up two quarts   for each person in your tent. So the people of Israel did as they were told. Some gathered a lot, some only a little.  But when they measured it out, everyone had just enough. Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over, and those who gathered only a little had enough. Each family had just what it needed”. (NLT)

    There we see that, by the Israelites gathering two quarts for each person, everyone had just enough. Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over, and those who gathered only a little had plenty enough. Each family had just what it needed”. Let those who have ears to hear, take heed, and those who can read this lesson, understand.

TITUS AND HIS COMPANIONS
2 Corinthians 8:16-24

   In verses 1-15 of this chapter we saw four New Testament giving principals that should be considered by everyone who wishes to follow the examples and teachings of JESUS CHRIST, our LORD. There we learned that we should;

·         Give ourselves (v.5)
·         Remember CHRIST’ example (v.9)
·         Give as we are able (Vs.10-12)
·         Give to meet needs (v.14)

    Here in verses 16-24 we’ll see how important it is to have faithful, trusted men in the church who can be used to handle money that is given by the members of the church for benevolent causes that will surely crop up along the Christian network of believers. Paul was very thankful that young Titus was gifted with the same enthusiasm for ministry that he himself had. He had wholeheartedly welcomed the opportunity that Paul gave him to visit and minister to the church at Corinth.
    Paul also sent along with Titus, a highly respected unnamed companion. He was a man who was highly praised by all of the churches along the Christian network. Together they were to deliver the monies that had been donated by the various churches on Paul’s third missionary journey, to help relieve the effects of the famine that had devastated Jerusalem, and the members of the central Church.
    In addition Paul also appointed a third brother who he says had been thoroughly tested, and had shown his earnestness on many separate occasions over the years (v.22). All of these men were splendid examples of what representatives of GOD should be like, and they were very enthusiastic about bringing glory to GOD by way of their mission. No one would be able to accuse Paul of profiting from the collection of these funds, and the Corinthian Church, through this project, would gain invaluable experience in regards to how Christian work is carried out, and at one and the same time, they’ll be able to demonstrate their love and respect for those who toiled endlessly for the good of the Christian movement.

A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander





                                 
LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website