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BIBLE STUDY LESSON

For the week beginning Sunday December 16, 2012

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LIVING IN A NEW HOUSEHOLD

(Growing into the fullness of our salvation)

1 Peter 2:1-10

The Christian journey into maturation demands that we remove ourselves from the sinful lifestyle that once fascinated, and had power over us. We must grow up in our newly found salvation in order to present ourselves as living stones, which can be used in the spiritual temple, that is, CHRIST JESUS.

In our new chosen lifestyle and walk with CHRIST, we are led out of the darkness of sin, and into the light of right living by GOD’s HOLY SPIRIT. Behavior-wise, we become aliens to this earth, and, become citizens of Heaven, who, by our good examples, will be able to influence the unbeliever with our GODly deeds, choices, and decisions. In other words, we become a light to the world that can lead others to salvation in CHRIST JESUS. It becomes our responsibility to prove to the world, through our own behavior, that Christianity really does produce the best men and women.

In 1 Peter 2, verse 1, the apostle Peter lists five sins of attitude and speech that fuel division between those who profess to be Christians in the “church house”. These common sin issues in the church include;

·  (1) “Malice” – In the Greek “kakian” – “a wicked ill-will”. 

· (2) “Deceit” – In the Greek “dolon” – “a deliberate dishonesty”

· (3) “Hypocrisy” – In the Greek “hupokrisis” (hoop-ok-ree-sis) – “pretending to be

        Something, or someone that you are not”

· (4) “Envy” – In the Greek “phthonos” (fthon-os) – “resentful discontent”

· (5) “slander” – In the Greek “katalalias” – “lies that debase or misrepresent someone

        else’s character or reputation”

Peter then urges these new Christians to rid themselves of their malicious behavior and deceit, and stop, just pretending to be good. In order to achieve these improvements, they are encouraged to allow themselves a chance to be nourished and transformed by the word of GOD, which is the only thing that can change any person.

In verses 4-7, the word Peter uses several times in the original Greek for “stone” is “lithos” (lee-thos). Lithos was the primary material used in the construction of buildings in the first century. It was a rock that was pre-shaped or finished for a specific purpose in the building plans. Here in these verses, Peter depicts the stone as a “gem of great value”. Here the term is used symbolically to depict the Old Testament thought that described the coming MESSIAH. In verse 4, the concept of the “living stone” reminds us of the resurrection of CHRIST, which demonstrates to us, most clearly, the power that is manifested in JESUS as being the SON of the LIVING GOD.

We, as Christians, were all urged to come to CHRIST by someone who believed, and then, we too, came to believe and understand over time, that JESUS is the “LIVING CORNERSTONE” of GOD’s temple. Those of us who choose JESUS, are, ourselves, transformed by GOD, into “living stones” that can be used in HIS spiritual temple plans. Anyone who comes to believe in CHRIST will never be disappointed. And, even though JESUS will continue to be rejected by most people, even in the Church, HE is, and will always remain, precious to GOD, and, precious to those who really do believe in their hearts. And to those who really do believe, JESUS is living power. It is only to those who do not believe, that JESUS becomes, merely, a stumbling block.

As believers in CHRIST, Christians are called to a holy and royal priesthood. However, that does not so much make us to be “mediators for CHRIST”, as it makes us “worshipers of GOD”, who, are called to make spiritual sacrifices, through a behavior, and examples, that will be acceptable to GOD (1 Peter 2:5).

JESUS CHRIST has been shaped and finished by HIS FATHER GOD for a specific purpose, and HE, in turn, was sent by GOD to do the same for us. Those of us who believe in JESUS, whether we are Jews or Gentiles, gain the privilege and responsibility of becoming GOD’s true and holy nation. JESUS CHRIST, the ONE WHO is truly precious, pure, and perfect, is also everlasting. Through HIS vicarious sacrifice, HE has afforded us the opportunity to become likewise, through GOD’s wonderful grace, mercy, and justification.

A Sunday school lesson by,

Larry D. Alexander

Larry Dell Alexander (1953–) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas

LARRY D. ALEXANDER'S BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY

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            Larry D. Alexander's Books and Publications Spotlight

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BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY

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BIBLE STUDY LESSON

For the week beginning Sunday December 9, 2012

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LIVING IN HOLINESS

(Be Holy in all that you do)

(1 Peter 1:13-25)

In 1 Peter 1, verses 13-25, the apostle calls for Christians to live holy, think clearly, and, to exercise “self-control”, or “to be sober”, at all times. He also urges us to look forward with earnest expectations of CHRIST’s return, and, to not slip back into their old ways of doing evil. We are called to be “holy” because GOD is holy, and we share HIS “nature”, which makes it possible. GOD’s nature, not only consists of “Holiness”, but also, “Life”, “Personality”, “Truth”, “Justice”, “Love”, and “Wisdom”. These “communicable attributes” are given to us by GOD at birth. They allow us to be able to worship and have a personal, experiential relationship with HIM while living here on earth, in the midst of unGODliness. In fact, GOD not only expects us to live holy, but HE also expects us to exercise all of these GODly elements of HIS nature on a daily basis (Vs. 13-16).

Sadly though, since the time of Adam and Eve (the very beginning), every member of mankind has, to some level or degree, suppressed our GODly nature, and chosen instead, to take up, and exercise our “sin nature”, which was given to us by satan, through a single act of disobedience to GOD by this now infamous couple.

However, GOD, through HIS eternal mercy and grace, chose anyway, to pay a high price to save us from the empty lives that we had inherited from our ancestors, and, continue to create for ourselves today. HE bought us back with the precious lifeblood of HIS only begotten SON, JESUS the CHRIST, the sinless, unblemished LAMB of GOD! And HE had already chosen HIM for this purpose, long before the world ever began (Vs. 18-20).

In verses 23-25 Peter reminds us that the Christian must obey the GOD, in WHOSE spiritual image they are made. And just as a person physically resembles their earthly parent, so must the Christian spiritually resemble their heavenly FATHER, through their behavior and obedience to HIS Word.

Here in this passage, the contrast that Peter alludes to is that, we don’t have to make an effort, nor, change our behavior in order to “physically resemble” our earthly parents, for it is an automatic occurrence, through physical birth. However, our resemblance to GOD, can only be manifested through our behavior, because “GOD is spirit” (John 4:24), and does not have a physical image. Therefore, our resemblance of HIM must come through a transformation of the heart (spiritually), which dictates our behavior and what we do, 100 percent of the time. It is a “spiritual resemblance” that GOD is seeking, and that can only be acquired and maintained through our learning, and becoming accustomed to practicing, “the Word of GOD”. 

When we choose the Christian walk, we should automatically become strangers to worldly behavior. We are then no longer permanent residents of this earth, but rather, we become citizens of Heaven, and therefore, the laws of GOD must become paramount to us. In fact, it is not until a person really falls in love with goodness, that, wrong things, will no longer fascinate, and have power over them. Our relationship with GOD becomes our greatest asset. This is in sharp contrast to the person, who loses their heart to the things of this world, as that person, is the person, who will remain most vulnerable to satan.

The end of all things is near, for each of us, personally. For, that is the resounding message that the Old Testament prophets, and, New Testament writers and thinkers, all leave us with. And that message is just as valid today as it ever was. Our only true hope lies in our ability to maintain a discipline and self-control that is fueled by our obedience to GOD’s, and our conformance to the prompting of the HOLY SPIRIT, WHO will always compel us towards CHRIST JESUS, and away from the gravitational pull of this world.

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 December 2, 2012

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LIVING WITH HOPE

(The living hope that we have through JESUS CHRIST)

1 Peter 1:1-12

The Apostle Peter, perhaps, wrote this inspiring letter (1 Peter) while residing in Rome, near the end of his life. Its purpose was to lend comfort and encouragement to the Jewish Christian Diaspora, who, were living as foreigners in the various towns of Asia Minor (now northern Turkey). Here Peter focuses on “triumph through suffering for CHRIST”, and how the “Christian Hope” will serve as motivation to make our life here on earth, conform more fully to the word of GOD, as we go along on your “Christian Journey”.

Peter apparently wrote this epistle around the time of “the great persecution of the Christian Church” by the Roman emperor, Nero. Nero, who was an outstanding practitioner of the form of witchcraft called “Miming”, often used his miming talents to make light of his terrible persecutions on the Church, by mocking the Christian’s sufferings, while performing in the theaters in and around Rome. Peter and the other early church leaders banned miming in the Christian Church for obvious reasons (witchcraft is “anti-CHRIST”).  

Nowadays, because of our ever-growing desire to be entertained, the so-called “Black Christian Church” has both “wittingly and unwittingly” re-introduced this demonic form of entertainment back into church worship services and other church functions, because we fail to properly research, hardly anything anymore, before we begin to incorporate it into our programs. However, we’ll let that (miming) be another Sunday school lesson. For now, let us focus on the Hope of Eternal Life that is offered through Salvation, through JESUS CHRIST.

Peter’s first letter is rich in references to and from the Old Testament. Any Jewish Christian would find special significance in the term “Diaspora” that is translated “scattered” in the opening lines of this letter, and any Gentile reader wouldn’t help but notice Peter’s call for living a holy lifestyle, despite their background, or total ignorance to the Word of GOD. Those Gentile converts would have also been greatly encouraged by the fact that, even though they weren’t yet versed in the Word of GOD, they were immediately accepted as “GOD’s people” by the Christian Community.

In 1 Peter 1, verses 1-2, Peter lays out the theological foundation of “encouragement” to his fellow Christians who were scattered abroad. In the biblical Greek, the word used for “encourage” is “parakaleo” (par-ak-al-eh-o), and it means “to call near, and to invoke by imploring and consoling”. It also means “to be of some good to, by comforting, through prayer and exhortation”.  He reminds them that GOD had long ago chosen them, and, that they had also been sanctified by the HOLY SPIRIT through the atoning blood of CHRIST JESUS. They had been touched by the “GOD-head”, the “Whole of GOD”, and set aside to do “greater things” with their lives. Here Peter shares his personal desire (v. 2c) that they be showered with an abundance of GOD’s grace and peace upon their lives.

In verses 3-5 Peter speaks of the “living hope”, or “wonderful expectation” that comes through the resurrection of CHRIST JESUS, which promises us a divine inheritance in Heaven. GOD has preserved a priceless inheritance for HIS people, which is kept “pure” and “undefiled”, and, kept out of the reach of “change” and “decay”. We are also protected by GOD’s power, here on earth, until we can receive those Heavenly benefits of this “wonderful salvation” for trusting in HIM only.

We can come to rest in the thought that “this life on earth is not the final act of the human drama”.  And even though, by choosing the Christian Walk, we are no longer permanent residents of this earth, but rather, become citizens of Heaven, it is still necessary, for now, to endure those tests and trials that are set before us. Those tests and trials are not meant to make us fail, but rather, are given to us to grow our faith and make us strong and pure, to better serve GOD’s purpose for us, in this life. To persevere through those trials and tribulations will bring much praise and glory and honor on the day when JESUS returns, and is revealed to the whole world (Vs. 6-7).

Faith, Hope, and Love are the three great enduring things, and of the three, love is the greatest (1 Corinthians 13:13). Our living “hope” is spun by the promise of GOD. We “love” HIM, even though we have never seen HIM. And though we do not see HIM, by “faith”, we trust in HIS Word. And even now, we can rejoice with an inexpressible joy, because our reward for trusting in HIM will result in the salvation of our souls (Vs. 8-9).

Salvation is something that every prophet since the beginning of the age wanted to know more about. They prophesied of this great salvation through GOD’s SON that had been prepared for mankind, even though they themselves, probably, had many questions as to what it all meant. They often wondered just what the SPIRIT of GOD in them was talking about, when HE informed them in advance, about CHRIST’s suffering here on earth, and HIS great glory, afterwards.

These great men of GOD were told all these things would not happen in their lifetimes. However, today this Good News is being preached throughout the world by those who actually embody the power of the HOLY SPIRIT on a continuous basis. And it is something so wonderful, that, even the angels are eagerly watching the events unfold in the lives of those who experience the Christian Hope, by way of a transformation of the heart, through the power of GOD’s Word (Vs. 10-12).

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