BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY

larrydalexanderbiblestudies.blogspot.com

BIBLE STUDY LESSON

For the week beginning Sunday August 26, 2012

____________________________________________________________

THE ACCOUNTIBILITY DARE

(Accepting responsibility for our sins, and then, seeking GOD’s remedy)

Joshua 7

Early on in the Israelites quest to conquer the land of Canaan, they suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of a tiny city called Ai. When Moses described the “Promised Land” as “a place of hills and valleys with plenty of rain” (Deuteronomy 11:11), I believe he was speaking of much more than just the physical geographical landscape. Spiritually he was describing the ups and downs, and many disappointments, that, future generations would suffer with because of their propensity toward sin and disobedience to GOD.

In Joshua chapter 7, shortly after the Israelite’s annihilation of the great city of Jericho, Joshua sends spies to the tiny town of Ai, which was an Ammonite city located just east of Bethel near Heshbon. Its name means “Heap of ruins”, but as it turned out, they were one of the, more, stronger cities in the region, and because of their size, the proud Israelite spies would sorely underestimate they might.

The opening lines of this, now famous chapter, gives us the real reason why the Israelites would have to suffer defeat at the hands of this small pagan city. Verse 1 tells us that Israel had been “unfaithful concerning the things set apart for the LORD”. This unfaithfulness would manifest itself in the person of a man named Achan, who had stolen some of the things that the LORD had told Israel not to take up for themselves, while involved in this “holy war” campaign against the pagan civilizations of Canaan.

Achan had taken a beautiful robe, which the Israelites were supposed to burn at Jericho, and he also kept gold and silver for himself, which they were to take and keep to deposit in the LORD’s treasury (Joshua 6:18-19). Achan, instead, deposited those articles in his own personal tent, most likely in the witness of his immediate family, putting their lives in jeopardy along with his, as they had to have abetted him in keeping this disobedience a secret.

And so when the small Israelite regimen of about 3000 men invaded Ai they were soundly defeated. The men of Ai chased them out of town killing 36 Israelites as they retreated down the hill. The Israelites were paralyzed with fear at what had happened to them and their courage melted away.

When Joshua and the other leaders heard about what had happened they tore their clothing in dismay, threw dust on their heads, and bowed down facing the Ark of the Covenant until evening, praying and crying out to the LORD, asking why HE had abandoned them in their quest at Ai. The LORD replied to Joshua that it was because they had sinned and broken HIS Covenant, and that, hidden among them were things that had been set apart for HIM. HE told Joshua that they would never defeat their enemies again until these things are removed from among them and put in their proper places.

Joshua had rightly interpreted their defeat at Ai as the result of GOD’s withdrawal of HIS divine help from them. And now, through a divine process, GOD would show the Israelites exactly who the culprit was, living among them. In the original Hebrew, the phrase “nabalah beyisrael” in verse 15, is translated “a disgraceful thing in Israel”. It comes from the same root word as “nabal” which means “fool”. However, this word “nabal” actually describes “the gross immorality of one who denies GOD, and remains forever closed to HIM” (only a “fool” says in their heart, there is no GOD – Psalm 14:1a).

To commit a “disgraceful thing in Israel” is to actually defy the standards of the believing community, and, to selfishly gratify one’s own perverted desires. After Achan’s sin was exposed through GOD’s divine process, he and his entire immediate family were taken out and stoned to death, and their bodies burned. Achan’s sin caused the deaths of 36 Israelites soldiers, causing pain in the lives of those soldiers families, and then, ultimately, his sin also cost him his life, and, the lives of his entire family. He is forever remembered in biblical history as “the man who troubled Israel” (Joshua 7:25). 

Notice in this passage of the book of Joshua that GOD made it perfectly clear that “Israel” had sinned, not just Achan (Vs. 1 & 11). And why would GOD blame the whole nation for the sins of one individual? Because GOD looks at Israel as one people in HIS body, not just a collection of tribes, clans, families, and individuals.

Even today GOD’s people are one body in CHRIST, and consequently, we as Christians, belong to each other. We both, need each other, and, affect each other in what we do as individuals. CHRIST’ Church is one body, and any weakness or infection in one part of the body can ultimately infect the whole body (1 Corinthians 5:1-7).

When anyone in the body disobeys GOD, they automatically defile the whole camp. Each individual in the Church must strive to keep the church holy and in line with GOD’s plan. And so each individual has to also have a personal, experiential relationship with GOD, obtained through prayer and a deep study of HIS Word. It is the only way that we are going to be able to recognize the counterfeit that satan is so frequently handing to us, and more often than not, it seems, nowadays, we so readily accept.

A Sunday school lesson by,

Larry D. Alexander 

Larry Dell Alexander (1953–) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas

LARRY D. ALEXANDER'S BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY

larrydalexanderbiblestudies.blogspot.com

            Larry D. Alexander's Books and Publications Spotlight

Larry D. Alexander - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

                                 

                                           LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website

BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY

larrydalexanderbiblestudies.blogspot.com

BIBLE STUDY LESSON

For the week beginning Sunday August 19, 2012

THE FAITH DARE

(Trust GOD’s protection)

(Joshua 2 & 6:22-23)

The purpose of the book of Joshua is to give an official account of the fulfilling of GOD’s promise to the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, that HE would deliver their ancestors into the “promised land” of Canaan. Specifically, the “holy war” and subsequent conquest of Canaan under the leadership of Joshua, is based solely on the “Abrahamic Covenant” that was originated between GOD and Abram (Genesis 15). However, GOD’s ultimate intention has always been, to reach the “lost world” through Abraham’s seed, which culminated with the first advent of JESUS CHRIST.

The Apostle Paul teaches us of the similarities in the exodus from Egypt, and the conquest of Canaan by Joshua in the 14^th century B.C., and, that of the ministry of JESUS CHRIST in the first century A.D. In the biblical Greek, the name “Joshua” means “YAHWEH saves”, or “YAHWEH is salvation”, and the name “JESUS” means the same. Joshua led his people to a physical victory over their physical enemies in Canaan, the Promised Land, and he also interceded for them when they had sinned and been defeated. JESUS leads us to victory over our spiritual enemies, sin and death, and HE intercedes (Romans 8:34) to bring us into the “Promised Rest” (Hebrews 4:8-10) that GOD is offers us when we accept HIS “will” for our lives.

In Joshua chapter 2, two spies are sent by Joshua on a reconnoiter mission to scout out the city of Jericho, both its structure, and, the morale of its people. Jericho was a walled city that was the key citadel of the Jordan Valley and it controlled all roads leading up into the central highlands of Canaan. In order to be successful in their attack on Canaan, Joshua felt that he had to have as much information as possible, before devising a strategic military offensive campaign against them. This military offense had to start with the taking, or conquering of the city of Jericho. 

And so the two men set out from Shittim, about seven miles east of the Jordan River, and traveled north along the river before crossing and approaching Jericho from its west side. They soon were inside the gates of the city mingling with the people in the streets, and they eventually came across the house of a prostitute named Rahab.

No one really knows how the two spies came across the residence of Rahab, but one could probably attribute this chance rendezvous to the providence of GOD. A thinking Christian can most easily see GOD’s purpose and grace here at work to save a lost sinner from the coming divine judgment upon the city of Jericho. Oftentimes the LORD moves in mysterious and unexpected ways in order to achieve HIS divine agenda, and here in this passage we see just such a time.

Here, two Israeli military spies are put together with a pagan harlot, to the ends that, first, would protect the representatives of GOD’s agenda, and then later, extend HIS grace and mercy to the likes of a “repentant sinner” who wished to convert her life, and the lives of her family, into the agenda of GOD.

Rahab made the decision that day to trust in the divine protection of GOD, rather than to trust in the protection of the fortified cities of men. When we choose to honor GOD and HIS agenda above men, something wonderful always happens to our lives. William Barclay once wrote, “When history judges us, will its verdict be that we were “helpers”, or “hinderers” in the work of GOD? That is a question that every individual, and every nation must eventually answer”. Rahab chose not to hinder the work of her newly found GOD, but rather, to help the workers of GOD move forward, by joining them in their quest.

In the biblical Greek, the word used for “encourage” is “parakaleo” (par-ak-al-eh-o), and it means not only “to be a comfort to”, but also “to invoke, or call upon for support and inspiration”. Rahab made a decision to be a “comfort” to the spies, in their time of need, and, in return, she was able to call upon the spies for “support and inspiration” that would save her life, and the lives of her family, later on (Joshua 6:22-23).

We, as Christians, must first be concerned with giving priority to GOD’s agenda, and then, trust that HE will always protect us when we do. In fact, the fundamental priority in life must always be GOD, and not, our own wishes and desires. And when we come to rest in the thought of “putting GOD first”, and trust in HIS protection, just like we see with the ex-prostitute Rahab, suddenly, wrong things will no longer fascinate, and have power over us. 

Our relationship with GOD, through JESUS CHRIST, will grow to become our greatest asset as we become more and more estranged from the love of the things of this world, and, from worldly behavior altogether. We, as believers, demonstrate courage, when we respond to difficult situations by putting our faith in GOD. And, our faith in GOD is the key that opens the door, to the Kingdom of Heaven.

A Sunday school lesson by,

Larry D. Alexander

Larry Dell Alexander (1953–) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas

LARRY D. ALEXANDER'S BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY

larrydalexanderbiblestudies.blogspot.com

            Larry D. Alexander's Books and Publications Spotlight

Larry D. Alexander - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

                                 

                                           LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website

 

BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY

larrydalexanderbiblestudies.blogspot.com

BIBLE STUDY LESSON

For the week beginning Sunday August 5, 2012

____________________________________________________________

 

THE LEADERSHIP DARE

(Why I need to be a leader)

(Joshua 1)

The book of Joshua is the first book of what we now call, “the Historical Books” of the Holy Bible. The others are Judges, Ruth, 1&2 Samuel, 1&2 Kings, 1&2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther. The book of Joshua tells the story of how the Israelites conquered the land of Canaan under the spiritual and military leadership of Joshua, the man whom GOD choose to succeed Moses, and, who was charged by GOD to lead the Israelites across the Jordan River, and into the “Promised Land”.

Joshua, whose name means “YAHWEH SAVES”, is also considered to be the first judge of Israel. His appointment marked the beginning of a 450-year period during which a succession of judges would rule over GOD’s chosen people. This “period of the judges” would end with the prophet Samuel, who would appoint Saul as Israel’s first king, and then, subsequently, replace Saul with David, by a divine order from GOD.

The book of Judges introduces us to a new generation of Israelites who, for the most part, started out on the right foot, by trusting in, and were committed to, obeying GOD. Through their obedience to GOD, they were able to win, by warfare, the land that had been promised to them by GOD, since the time of the towering and faithful patriarch, Abraham. The book of Joshua, reminds us most of all, of the faithfulness of GOD, and how, through our obedience to HIM, we can claim HIS promises, and realize spiritual victory in our own lives, even in this day.

It is appropriate that the book of Joshua opens up with a description of GOD’s preparation of this young leader for his role in HIS divine plan and strategy (vs. 1-5). Like all of GOD’s divine appointments, Joshua’s would call for him to be faithful, strong, and courageous. GOD’s promises can only be claimed by carefully following His laws and instructions (vs. 6-8), and as Joshua walks the path that GOD’s law defines, the LORD will be with him wherever he goes (v. 9).

Obeying the whole law of GOD is the dominant theological theme in the book of Joshua. It is a theme that is tightly woven into the annals of Israel’s history. Theologians have, over time, defined three great functions of Old Testament law;

·         First of all, the law reveals to us, the character of GOD HIMSELF.

·         Secondly, the law serves as a standard by which human behavior can be measured, and, by which all mankind can be judged.

·         And finally, the law guides our choices, making it possible for us, as believers, to please GOD, and enjoy HIS blessings, while we live out our lives here on earth.

It is primarily this third function that is highlighted in this passage of the book of Joshua. Biblical history seems to demonstrate quite clearly, that, when GOD’s people keep HIS laws, HE invariably blesses and enables them to succeed. By contrast, when GOD’s people fail to obey HIM, or HIS law is abandoned, such disobedience is always followed by some sort of national disaster, or economic down turn.

All of scripture is written, most specifically, to leadership, whether it is leadership in the home, church, government, or place of business or employment. The LORD’s promises are iron-clad, and we see, over time, just how those promises were passed on from generation to generation. GOD is committed to allowing for an inheritance to the faithful.  Joshua was a model leader whose legacy will never embarrass his mentor, Moses. The mission of the Old Testament leader was to enable Israel to claim, and to hold, to the promises of GOD. The effectiveness of their leadership depended upon the divine presence of the Almighty GOD in their program. GOD is the only ONE able to provide HIS people with victory, then and now. 

The prime responsibility of a GODly leader is that he must always maintain a commitment to carefully obey to the letter, the laws of GOD. This passage also tells us that the chief characteristic of the GODly leader is that he or she have strength and courage that can only come through one’s confidence and trust in GOD, and not in themselves.

There will be many times when it will seem risky to obey GOD completely, but it is in just such times, that a person’s faith can best be measured. As leaders, we must always rely on GOD’s presence, and always respond to GOD with obedience. And as followers, we will need to rally behind an obedient leader with enthusiastic affirmation, because, for the task that GOD calls us to do, it will take all of our hearts, all of our minds, and all of our hands to accomplish.  When we believe in our hearts that GOD’s promises are true, we will always ultimately obey HIM, and GOD says, our obedience is always the most essential ingredient in our success (v. 8).

A Sunday school lesson by,

Larry D. Alexander

Larry Dell Alexander (1953–) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas

LARRY D. ALEXANDER'S BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY

larrydalexanderbiblestudies.blogspot.com

            Larry D. Alexander's Books and Publications Spotlight

Larry D. Alexander - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

                                 

                                           LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website

BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY

larrydalexanderbiblestudies.blogspot.com

BIBLE STUDY LESSON

For the week beginning Sunday July 1, 2012

SERVICE FOR A LIFETIME

(Working for the LORD is a way of life)

Acts 18

Throughout the Book of Acts, Luke introduces us to many characters that were instrumental in the development and establishment of the early Church, and, in this lesson we’ll focus on two more of those wonderful characters. They are a couple of friends of Paul’s, named Priscilla and Aguila.

Now we all know that Paul was a Rabbi, but what many don’t know is, that, in addition to being a Rabbi, Paul was also a tentmaker, and this is something that he had in common with his friends, Priscilla and Aquila. The three of them were also, each, missionaries for CHRIST, another of their common threads.   

Perhaps, we will not find a more fascinating pair in all of Scripture, than Priscilla and Aquila. This husband and wife team, were probably, the foremost pioneers in the “house church” concept of first century Christianity. Most Christian church services, both teaching and worship, was held in private homes, because in those days, no pure Christian churches had yet been constructed, and then too, it was also very dangerous to be a follower of CHRIST, or, an “Adherent of the Way”, as they were then, most popularly known.

Priscilla and Aquila were also a curiously nomadic pair, as in the Book of Acts, we first find them in Rome (Acts 18:2), where they were ejected by the Emperor Claudius, as he sought to expel all Jews from Italy in and around A.D. 52. Then, we find them in Corinth, where they first met Paul, and had him as a house quest, during his second missionary journey (Acts 18:1-3). Next, we see them in Ephesus, where they had traveled with Paul from Corinth. There, we find them instructing a Jewish scholar named Apollos, in the ways of GOD, more accurately, educating him about the impact of CHRIST JESUS on humanity. Apollos, who was well versed about CHRIST and baptism with water, needed to be informed about baptism with the HOLY SPIRIT (Acts 18:24-26).

In Romans 16:3-5, Paul sends greetings to this intriguing couple who had made their way back to Rome, and had opened up, yet another church in their home there. Also, in Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, written a couple of years earlier, he informed us that they were back in Corinth, where they were operating, still another house church, from their home (1 Corinthians 16:19). Then finally, in Paul’s second letter to Timothy, his last known written communication, he tells us that Priscilla and Aquila have set up house, once again, in the large port city of Ephesus (2 Timothy 4:19).

But it doesn’t really seem to matter, where, we find this intriguing couple, whenever, and wherever we do run across them, we always seem to find their home to be a place of Christian fellowship and service. Every home should be a Christian Church, a place where, perhaps, JESUS could come to stay for a while. For Priscilla and Aquila, wherever we find them, their home always seemed to radiate friendship, fellowship, and love.

Oftentimes we look at home as a place where we go to shut the world out. However, we need to always remember that, equally, our homes should be a place with an open door (Romans 12:13 & 1 Peter 4:9). We should always keep in mind that, an open door, along with an open heart, and an open hand, are probably the key characteristics in the Christian Faith.

And so, we see that, Priscilla and Aquila may have appeared to live a nomadic life, but for them, working for the LORD in this manner, was a way of life. “Upon this rock, I will build my Church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it”, is what JESUS said to Peter in Matthew 16:18 (KJV). And, even though, we, as Christians, may never organize our churches in the same way, and we may never worship GOD in the same way, we, in fact, may never even believe in precisely the same things about Christianity. However, “Christian unity”, can and will, transcend all these differences, and bring GOD’s people together in fellowship and love. It is the kind of unity that JESUS prayed about in John 17, and, the kind of unity that Paul wrote about, to the Churches in all of his doctrinal letters. It is a unity, not born, of bricks and mortar, but rather, it is a unity of personal relationships, not unlike the one we’ve already seen between the FATHER and the SON, as an example to us, for all times. 

PERSONAL APPLICATION:

(1). Reflect on your own home for a while, and ask yourself, “Is my home suitable at

       this very moment for a visit from CHRIST, without me having to move, hide,

       clean, or throw away, various items?

(2). Is my behavior the same at home, at work, or school, as it is at church, or do I

       have to make a lot of adjustments at the door on Sunday morning?

(3). From this day forward, begin to focus on raising the level of your every day

       behavior to reflect more nearly, the life of CHRIST, and, according to the

       standards set forth by GOD, through HIS Holy Word.

(4). Our homes can be as GODLY as Priscilla and Aquila’s, once we commit to a

       desire to reflect GOD’s image to others, through our own day to day behavior

       and make our desire to do GOD’s will a way of life.

LIFE RESPONSE:

Pray to GOD for help in all areas of life, especially those areas that are out of control, and detrimental, or contrary to Christian behavior. Pray also for continued strength and growth in those areas of behavior that are positive, so that you may be able to use those strengths to help others improve their lives, even as you work to improve your own home.

KEY VERSE: Acts 26

DEVOTIONAL PASSAGES: Luke 12:35-48, Matthew 7:24-27, Matthew 10:40-42, Joshua 24:15

BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY

larrydalexanderbiblestudies.blogspot.com

BIBLE STUDY LESSON

For the week beginning Sunday June 17, 2012

____________________________________________________________

THE CHRISTIAN JOURNEY

(Your Christian journey can include many stops and many ups and downs)

Acts 17

Thessalonica was a city of some 200,000 residents that was located about 100 miles from Philippi along the major stretch of Roman highway known as the “Egnatian Way”. In fact, the main street through Thessalonica was actually a part of that road.  This bustling city had a very large Jewish population, and also, had a Jewish synagogue for their worship. Whenever Paul arrived in a city that contained a Jewish synagogue, he would always go there first, to preach to the audiences that were already there worshiping.

The “GOD-fearers” that were in the temple worshiped under the banner of Judaism, but some, as a result of Paul’s and Silas’ preaching, were immediately drawn to the Christian doctrine. This angered the, already jealous, Jewish leaders, and they, as a result, went out into the streets and stirred up a mob of unsavory fellows. They attacked the house of Jason, the person, whom Paul and Silas resided with in Thessalonica, but did not find them. Not being able to find Paul and Silas, they dragged Jason out, along with some other believers, instead. Jason and the others were charged with treason and later released on bail.

That same night, Paul and Silas left town and headed for Berea, some 60 miles away. They found the people of Berea a lot more receptive to their message. In fact, they became avid listeners, and also, searched the scriptures each day to prove the correctness of their teachings. After seeing the truth of Paul and Silas’ teachings, many in Berea were converted to Christianity, including some prominent Gentile men and women. However, when the Jews in Thessalonica got wind of Paul and Silas’ success in Berea, some of them went there immediately to stir up trouble. Then, the believers in Berea escorted Paul to Athens, and left Silas and Timothy there in Berea.

Upon arriving in Athens, Paul sends the escorts back with a message for Silas and Timothy to join him there as soon as possible. While waiting in Athens for the arrival of Silas and Timothy, Paul became deeply disturbed by all the idols that he saw throughout the city. He also had debates with the “Epicureans” and “Stoics”, two of the main religious philosophical groups in town.

The Epicureans were a group that believed that everything happened by chance. They also believed that the gods cared nothing about this distant world of ours. They believed that when a person dies, that was it, and nothing else would happen after that. They believed that a man’s pleasure in life should be his ultimate objective.

The Stoics, on the other hand, believed that everything was God, both spirit, and matter, and, that every person had a small piece of that spirit in them, and that that spirit would return to God once a person died. The Stoics also believed that, periodically, the world would be destroyed by fire, and then, start all over again, repeating the same cycle.

And so, when Paul told them about JESUS, they scoffed at him and tried to dismiss him as a babbler who had picked up some strange ideas, or, foreign religion. They then took Paul down to the Council at “Areopagus”, or “Mars Hill” to stand before them and tell them more about his strange doctrine (Acts 17:19).

In verse 22, we find Paul standing in the midst the Areopagus, where he is about to deliver a brilliant six-point sermon to this idol worshiping, superstitious group of pagans. Here in verse 22, as expressed in the original Greek, the word Paul uses for “superstitious” is “deisidaimonesteros” (dice-ee-dahee-mon-es-ter-os), and “it describes one who is religiously superstitious, or much more paranoid than others, and in fact, actually, faithless”.

While walking along in Athens, Paul had noticed an altar that was inscribed with the words, “To the unknown GOD”. He then brilliantly uses this altar as a base, or beginning point for his sermon (verse 23). Paul’s first point is that GOD is the CREATOR, not the “created” like their idols are (verse 24). Paul’s second point is that GOD is the “GREAT PROVIDER” (verse 25).

Thirdly, Paul says that, not only is GOD the “CREATOR” of man, GOD is also the “ORCHESTRATOR and CONTROLLER”, of all men’s lives (verse 26). Paul’s fourth point was that, GOD has placed a hunger and thirst inside of each of us, innately from birth, and the only way to satisfy that hunger or thirst, is by seeking, and ultimately finding HIM. And it is only for HIS purpose, that we were ever created in the first place (verse 27-28).

The Fifth point Paul raises to the group is that, GOD will no longer overlook our ignorance in building idols, and HE has set a day of judgment for all men (verse 31). And finally, also in verse 31, Paul closes out his speech by telling them about JESUS, WHOM GOD has appointed to be that JUDGE. Furthermore, GOD has shown every one of us, just who that MAN is, by raising CHRIST JESUS from the dead.

When they heard Paul speak of the resurrection, some laughed, but still, there were others who wanted to hear more. And some even joined him and became believers. One of those who joined, a man named Dionysius, had been a member of the very Areopagus that Paul was preaching to that day. And so you see, Paul had brilliantly used their own monument to the unknown god, to show them the real GOD, WHOM they did not know.

For Paul, Silas, Timothy, and Luke, and even Barnabas and John Mark, who had gone in the other direction, the “Christian Journey” was filled with ups and downs, assaults and persecutions, people who listened, and those who mocked, those who joined the struggle, and those who dropped out due to their love of the things of this world.

And it is that way, all along anyone’s Christian journey, and it was that very same way for CHRIST, WHO showed us how it was to be done. We must continue on along our Christian journey, and never waver from the trials and tribulations that we encounter. And always remember we do not set out on this trek alone, but rather, we are always accompanied by, and equipped with, the power of THE ALMIGHTY GOD.   

PERSONAL APPLICATION:

(1). Keep your focus on GOD, as it gives us perspective on present and upcoming

       difficulties along our Christian journey.

(2). Don’t try to tweak the Gospel to suit your audience’s personal feelings, we are

       not supposed to feel good about ourselves, unless we are lining up with GOD.

(3). The word of GOD was sent to us, to show us how far we are from GOD’s

       glorious standards, so therefore, just tell it like it is.

(4). Remember, in some of the places Paul visited, along his journey, telling the truth

       made things considerably worst for him with man, but, in all of the places he

       visited along his Christian journey, telling the truth made it considerably better

       for him, with GOD.

LIFE RESPONSE:

Pray to GOD for continued strength and perseverance, as you travel along your Christian journey, that you may be able to stay faced in the right direction, which is, with your eyes on CHRIST JESUS.

KEY VERSE: Acts 17:28

DEVOTIONAL PASSAGES: Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 6:10-12, Mark 6:4

BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY

larrydalexanderbiblestudies.blogspot.com

BIBLE STUDY LESSON

For the week beginning Sunday May 13, 2012

____________________________________________________________

CHANGING YOUR HEART WILL CHANGE YOUR HOME

(Your belief in GOD can impact your entire household)

 (Acts 16:1-15)

Acts 16:1-15 chronicles the story of the beginning of the Apostle Paul’s second missionary journey, which, for the first time, would lead him into Europe. Along with Silas, and later, Timothy and Luke, Paul travels into the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedonia, which, at that time (around A.D. 50), was a province of the Roman Empire. The men had persistently tried to go north, deeper into the peninsula of Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey), but the SPIRIT OF JESUS, by way of some unexplained methods, had not allowed them to enter. With the issue of the basis of “Gentile inclusion into the Church” officially settled at the Acts 15 council, Paul, now sets out with Silas, who had replaced Barnabas, on his second missionary journey. Paul and Barnabas had split after a disagreement concerning Barnabas’ cousin John Mark. Paul had become disappointed with John Mark, because he abandoned them on their first missionary journey, while at Perga of Pamphylia (Acts 13:13). Barnabas and John Mark had already set sail for Barnabas’ homeland, the island of Cyprus, to begin working their mission there.

Meanwhile, Paul and Silas make their first stop in Derbe, and then, move on to Lystra, the home of Timothy, where Paul had preached on his first missionary journey and was stoned by an angry mob and left for dead. The people there had thought that he and Barnabas were the Greek gods Hermes and Zeus after they had healed a cripple man. However, some Jews came down later from Antioch and Iconium and turned the people against them, causing them to have to flee to Derbe (Acts 14:8-19).

While in Lystra, they meet the young Disciple Timothy, whose mother was a Jewish believer, but whose father was a Greek. Timothy was well respected by the believers in Lystra and Iconium, and so Paul asked him to join them on their mission. Out of respect for the opinion of the Jews in that area who knew Timothy’s father was a Greek, Paul arranged for Timothy to be circumcised before they left. The three men then traveled from town to town explaining the decision made by the Apostles and Elders at Jerusalem, during the Acts 15 council, that, “Gentiles did not have to be circumcised to become Christians”.

Next, Paul, Silas, and Timothy traveled through the area of Phrygia and Galatia, as the HOLY SPIRIT would not let them go any farther into Asia Minor, at that time. They traveled on to Mysia, and again, tried to go north, this time, into Bithynia, however, the SPIRIT OF JESUS compelled them, instead, into the city of Troas. It is here that the author of GOD, Luke, joins the journey, and it is here that GOD shows Paul a vision, telling him to go to Macedonia (Europe) and preach the Gospel there. So they boarded a boat and sailed from Troas to the island of Samothrace. They spent the night there, and, the following day, they landed in the port city of Neapolis. They then went to the neighboring major city of Philippi, a Roman colony at that time, in the district of Macedonia. There they abided for three days.

On the Sabbath, they went down to the riverbank, where the people, who were worshipers of GOD, met to pray. They sat down to talk to some of the women, who had come together there. One of them, Lydia of Thyatira, who was a merchant of expensive purple cloth and a devout worshiper of GOD, listened intently and opened up her heart to what Paul and his companions were saying about CHRIST. She accepted what they were saying and was baptized, along with other members of her family. Lydia insisted that Paul and his entourage come to her house as her special guests. She and her family had, that day, become the first Europeans in recorded Scripture to accept CHRIST into their lives, and this was truly a cause for celebration.

And so we see, at a time when it seemed that all doors were being shut to Paul and his companions, it turns out that GOD, in HIS infinite wisdom, had something much greater in store for those who were willing to work according to HIS will. It must have seemed strange to Paul, being blocked from the Roman province of Asia by the HOLY SPIRIT, but no one can ever know and understand the eternal plan of GOD. Ironically, as history would have it, Asia Minor would become the place that was to contain all of the recipients of the letters to the seven churches mentioned in the Book of Revelation by the Apostle John.

Paul and his entourage were then compelled to go the route of Alexander the great, whom GOD had used some 400 years earlier to spread the Greek language and culture all over world. HE had, by doing so, set the stage for the writing of the New Testament, of which Paul himself, would be its most prolific writer. The world had already seen the translation of the Old Testament Hebrew Scriptures into what then had became, the universal Greek language of the “Septuagint” (Greek version of the Old Testament) at Alexandria over 200 years earlier.

Paul, Silas, Luke, and Timothy all believed in the sovereignty of GOD over all things. And we can see, quite vividly, throughout the Book of Acts, how that belief impacted their everyday life and travels. And as for the Thyatiran woman, Lydia, and her family, they, in a very special sense, had become immortalized, through their faith and belief in CHRIST. They will forever be remembered as being the first European family to accept our LORD and SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST. And her first act as a Christian was, ironically, to invite other Christian people into her home. It is the kind of human action that CHRIST had, years earlier, commanded us to perform.

Before we can offer our love, charity, and ministry to people in the Church, and, in the world, we must first show, and be able to offer that same love, charity, and ministry to people within our own homes. Oftentimes we look at home as a place where we go to shut the world out, but equally, it should be a place with an open door. The effectiveness of our ministry at church is always predicated upon the life we live at home. The way to a changed home, church, job, and life, has always been, through a changed heart.

        

PERSONAL APPLICATION:

(1). Reflect on why you think the home is important to GOD.

(2). Accepting CHRIST, and having a personal relationship with HIM, not only

       saves you, but it can also save the lives of those in your household as well.

      Explore ways through scripture, as to how you can apply GOD’s word to rescue

       family members from a life of sin and self-destruction.

(3). Once GOD changes your heart, be diligent in your efforts to plant the seed of

       the word of GOD into someone else’s heart, starting in your own household,

       and then, working your way out into the community.

LIFE RESPONSE:

When you pray, thank GOD for Christian families and households that can be used as models to show unbelievers all the advantages of having HIM within their family structure. Ask HIM to help you to be strong and, to stay within HIS will at all times, so that you may always be an effective tool in helping family and others to spiritually strengthen their households.

KEY VERSE: Acts 16:15

BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY

larrydalexanderbiblestudies.blogspot.com

BIBLE STUDY LESSON

For the week beginning Sunday April 1, 2012

____________________________________________________________

SAVED BY THE GRACE OF GOD

(Christians are all saved by GOD’s grace)

(Acts 15:1-21)

It was William Barclay who wrote, “The paradox of Christianity is that, the way to victory is through surrender, and the way to power is through admitting one’s own helplessness”. In the, now famous, “Acts 15 Council”, that is chronicled by Luke here in this chapter of the Book of Acts, we see, once again, the core differences between the man who sees religion as “ritual”, and the man who sees in religion, loving GOD and loving his fellowman. We saw it first, perhaps, in Mark 7, verses 1-15, when JESUS taught the Pharisees about “inner purity”, on an occasion in the port village of Gennesaret, shortly following HIS legendary “walk on water”.

For the orthodox Jew, the law meant two things. First of all, it meant the “Ten Commandments”, and secondly, it meant the “Pentateuch”, the first five books of the Old Testament, which were written by Moses. From these two documents, they formed a very complex, “self-made”, spoken list of rules and regulations, known as “Oral Laws”, or, “The Traditions of the Elders”. However, it wasn’t until roughly 300 years, after the Crucifixion of CHRIST, that these “Oral Laws”, were first written down. They came to form, the compilation we know today, as the “Mishnah”, the first, and most basic part of the “Jewish Talmud”, and the written basis of religious authority for traditional Judaism. To the orthodox Jews, Scribes, and Pharisees, these rules and regulations were the essence of religion. In their minds, to observe and obey them was to please GOD.

Here in Acts 15, while Paul and Barnabas were still at Antioch of Syria, some men came from Judea and began teaching the newly formed Christian Church, that, unless they keep these ancient Jewish customs, and, in this case, the ancient custom known as “circumcision”, they could not receive “Salvation”.  In other words, they seemed to be telling the Gentile newcomers that the only way to become a Christian, was that they first, become a Jew.

Paul and Barnabas sharply disagreed, and argued forcefully and at length with these former Pharisees. Finally, Paul and Barnabas, along with a few of the other Believers, were sent to Jerusalem to discuss this dispute with the apostles and elders there at the central church. The discussion that ensued that day is what has now come to be known as the “Acts 15 Council”.

During this council, the Apostles and Elders ruled in favor of Paul and Barnabas and stipulated that the Gentile believers only had to abstain from eating foods that were sacrificed to idols, abstain from sexual immorality, and abstain from drinking blood and eating the meat of strangled animals. They felt that these requirements were “HOLY SPIRIT” led, and had been preached in the Synagogues for centuries.

James, the half-brother of JESUS, apparently the head of the Church at Jerusalem at that time, cited a quote from the Prophet Amos (Amos 9:11-12) as the basis for their decision, in Acts 15:16-18. They then sent Paul and Barnabas back to Antioch with a letter announcing their decision. All of the requirements cited by James in his letter speak only to moral issues that any person in CHRIST should seek to observe. The things mentioned by the Jerusalem council did not require a person to make physical changes, such as circumcision, in order to come to CHRIST, but rather, they required a person to make certain spiritual disciplinary adjustments that are necessary to become more like CHRIST.

No person can be justified by keeping the “Law of Moses”. Circumcision was that part of the law that GOD gave to Abraham, as a sign of the Jews commitment to HIM. It was never intended to be a requirement for Salvation. GOD’s plan of Salvation had not yet been revealed to man in those days. Abraham was accredited righteousness by GOD, because of his faith, not because he was circumcised, or kept any other law. Salvation has always been, is now, and will forever be, a gift of grace from GOD, as a reward for our belief in our LORD and SAVIOR, GOD’s only begotten SON, JESUS CHRIST.

Christianity is the only true religion, because it is the only religion that is a product of GOD’s mind. Christianity is the religion that is based simply on listening to GOD and accepting HIS word. Any rule that prevents us from helping our fellowman can never be a rule of GOD. JESUS came to show us that worshiping GOD can only be done from the inside out. Peter, perhaps, put it best in Acts 15:10-11 when he says, in effect, “Why are we now questioning GOD’s way, by burdening other believers with a yoke that neither we, nor our ancestors were able to bear? We believe that we are all saved the same way, and that is, by the special favor of our LORD JESUS”.

And so, all of the church leaders involved themselves in the process of solving and getting over the early Church’s first major internal hurdle. They first obtained a clear statement of the issues, heard arguments from both sides, consulted the scriptures, maintained good communications, and as a result, built upon the strong unity that it takes to be successful in GOD’s work.

Unfortunately, most times “personal differences” can be harder to resolve than are “doctrinal differences”, and we see this chapter come to a close with the breakup of Paul and Barnabas over differences that involved John Mark, Barnabas’ cousin, and the eventual author of the Gospel of Mark. Paul had not yet gotten over the fact that John Mark had abandoned them on their first missionary journey while at Pamphylia, and had not shared in the completion of their work. And so they began their second missionary journey by splitting up and going separate ways. Paul chose Silas and they traveled throughout Syria and Cilicia trying to strengthen the newly formed churches there, and Barnabas took John Mark with him, and they sailed back to Barnabas’ hometown of Cyprus to start there.

                                                                       

PERSONAL APPLICATION:

(1). When you witness about the gospel of CHRIST, guard against personal

       arguments and conflict, as they are more difficult to deal with than doctrinal

       issues.

(2). Try to make the gospel your only issue and let GOD’s word speak for

       itself.

(3). Remember we are all saved the same way, and there is one way only, by which

       we are saved, and it has always been, and will always be by the grace of GOD,

       through our faith in HIM.

(4). We can never do enough to earn our way into Heaven, not by good deeds, nor

        by obeying the law. Remember, people were going to Heaven a long time before

       Moses delivered the law, and it was based on their faith, in GOD.

LIFE RESPONSE:

Pray and thank GOD for HIS life-saving Grace. Thank HIM that we do not have to do a bunch of deeds in order to receive HIS wonderful Salvation, because our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST has done it all, through HIS vicarious sacrifice.

KEY VERSE: Acts 15:11