BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY

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BIBLE STUDY LESSON

For the week beginning Sunday August 2, 2020

 

FAMILY MATTERS

(Ephesians 5:21-6:4)

 

   In Ephesians 5:21-6:4, the Apostle Paul teaches on how to be controlled by the HOLY SPIRIT at home as he turns his focus to the two most important family life relationships, “husband and wife”, and “parents and children”. Here he defines how we should all strive to live as children walking in the light of CHRIST at home, as well as in church. In fact, what

we do Monday through Saturday in our homes, and on our jobs away from the church, is more of testament to how we love and worship GOD, than what we do in church on Sunday morning.

    After Paul establishes the overriding principle of us all submitting to one another out of reverence for CHRIST JESUS (v.21), he moves on to the specifics of the spiritual responsibility of each family member toward each other, and, towards CHRIST. Wives, he says, are to submit to their husbands as they do to the LORD (v.22). Husbands are the head of the wife, as CHRIST is the head of the Christian Church, which is HIS body (v.23a).

    The husband should “show love” for his wife, and be willing to give his life for her, just as CHRIST was willing to give HIS life for the church that HE so loves (v.23b). Husbands ought to love their wives just as they love their own bodies. In fact, husbands actually show that they love themselves, when, they love their wives, who they are spiritually at one with, in the LORD (v.28).

    GOD calls for us to have a united, GODly home front. The Christian family’s interactions with one another should reflect CHRIST and HIS interactions with the Christian Church, or, “Body of CHRIST”. GOD fully intends for us to enjoy a harmonious, SPIRIT-guided family relationship in submission to HIM first, and then, to each other, starting in our own homes (v.21).

    In the New Testament Greek, the word used for “submit” is “hupotasso” (hoop-ot-as-so) and it means “to be under obedience to”. It is a word that carries a complex concept which needs to be defined by the context in which it is used. Here in this passage, there is no question of power, or position as it is in, say, Romans 13. In this particular passage, Paul calls for all believers to develop an attitude of submission, and a willingness to be responsive by yielding to each other, out of love for each other.

    It would be remiss of us to read hierarchy into these verses, but rather, we should see this passage as a call for us to begin to develop a sensitivity toward each other that will help to extricate us from “pride”, and enable us to function at all times, in a more, loving and caring manner. 

    Each partner in a marriage has a special “privilege”. A husband’s privilege is to put his wife first, after GOD, just as CHRIST did when HE was crucified for us on the cross by Roman method. The wife’s privilege is to set the tone of submission by being responsive and caring. And neither partner lords over the other, but rather, each partner ministers to the other in their own GOD-given, special ways, for that is the “responsibility” that comes with the privilege.

    In Ephesians 6:1-4, Paul addresses the relationship between parents and children. In the Greek, the normal word used for “right” is “dexios” (dex-ee-os), and it means “being on the right side of”. Here in this passage, however, Paul uses the Greek term “dikaios” (dik-ah-yos) for “right”, which means “the proper course to follow”.

    Children are to submit themselves under the leadership and care of their parents until they move out and start a family of their own, or become responsible adults capable of making their own decisions, for it is the proper course to follow. However, GOD commands a child should always “honor” their parents, no matter how old the child is. In fact, it is the first commandment of the Decalogue (Ten Commandments) that carries a promise from GOD, and that promise is one of a long life, filled with blessings.

    Paul ends this passage with an admonishment to fathers to not anger their children with harsh worldly and “ungodly treatment”, but rather, they are to bring them up with the “GODly discipline and instruction” that can be found in the Word of GOD. Here in verse 4a Paul uses the Greek term “parorgizo” (par-org-id-zo) in his original Greek writings, for “provoke”, and it means “to exasperate” or “make things worse, by what one does or says”.

    In the home, the father must present a picture of the LORD to his children, through both his speech and behavior, to, and before them. How a child views his or her father has a profound effect on how they view GOD later on in life. By provoking our children to anger through unGODly treatment, we will ultimately “make things worse” for them later on in life.

    The command to “Honor your father and your mother” is the first commandment that parents can use to introduce their children to the ways of GOD. If children respect their parents, they will respond positively to their nurturing. Through GODly nurturing, it becomes easier for a child to see GOD in their parents, and come to know and show reverence to GOD after they become adults.

    When they come to know GOD, through a personal, experiential relationship with their parents, it becomes much easier for them to have and maintain that same kind of relationship with GOD later in life. And thus, they can enjoy a long life on earth, because we have passed on to them, a legacy of faith, were they will desire to continue walking in the light of CHRIST, and know the importance of passing that legacy on to their own children.

 

A Sunday school lesson by,

Larry D. Alexander

 

 

Larry Dell Alexander (1953–) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas

 

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BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY

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BIBLE STUDY LESSON

For the week beginning Sunday July 12, 2020

LIVING IN THE LIGHT

Ephesians 5:1-20

   In the biblical Greek, the term used for “word” is “logos” (log-os), and it more or less emphasizes the message of that which is spoken. In John chapter 1, the apostle expresses to us that our LORD and SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST personifies the Word of GOD, in the flesh. Here he is trying to get us to understand that one of the key reasons for JESUS’ first advent, was, and is, for “communication”.

    JESUS is the “Spoken Word”, and the “Living Expression” of all that which GOD ever sought to communicate to us about HIMSELF. There John is saying, particularly in verse 1, that, JESUS is both, “identical” to the GOD of the Old Testament concept, and yet, HE is also “distinct” from HIM.

    One can imagine how stunning this must have been to the people of the first century. Even today, many people have a problem with embracing this concept, which has now become more familiar, and yet still remains just as mysterious as it ever was. In that passage, we can see that, while the concept may be difficult, John’s teaching seems to be very clear.

    The Apostle John is saying there in that passage, that, JESUS existed eternally with GOD the FATHER, as one GOD, yet, with a distinct and separate personality. Those of us who understand the concept, that, unity in a family and marriage represents, can certainly grasp the concept of “unity as one” between the FATHER and the SON.

    It is true that in human society, if someone hands someone else a gift, and that person doesn’t perceive that gift to be real, then they probably aren’t going to reach out and accept it. Our believing in GOD, in all of HIS fullness, can be likened to that. GOD is giving us the gift of eternal life through HIS only begotten SON, JESUS the CHRIST. Believing in HIM involves seeing HIM as real, and, as coming from GOD, and then, reaching out and accepting HIM. By accepting JESUS, one also accepts GOD the FATHER’s wonderful gift of eternal life in Heaven, and, at one and the same time, becomes what they weren’t before, and that is, quite simply, “a child of GOD”.

    JESUS came into the world to teach us how to live our lives under GOD, and, to teach us how to die and live again, with GOD. HE taught us how to give and forgive, and, HE taught us how to love, and how to give thanks. John points to JESUS as being the “LIGHT of the world”, a true light for all people. In HIM we see exactly what GOD is like, and only HE can usher us into GOD’s OWN glorious presence, without fear, without guilt, and, without shame.

    Here in Ephesians chapter 5, verses 1-14 the Apostle Paul relates to Christians about “living in the light” that CHRIST JESUS, our SAVIOR, brought into a world of darkness. Paul begins this chapter by urging us Christians to follow GOD’s example in everything that we do. We should live a life filled with love for one another, following the examples of CHRIST WHO loves us, and, WHO gave HIMSELF up as a ransom for us, to nullify our sins, through HIS death on the cross. It is a sacrifice that was like sweet perfume to GOD’s nostrils (Vs. 1-2).

    With every ounce of “worldly success” comes an equal measure of “pride”. To the contrary, with every ounce of “GODly success” comes an equal measure of “humility”. Every professed Christian must strive to be an imitator of JESUS CHRIST, simply because they claim to be GOD’s Children. The more we conform to the world, the more “prideful” we become, but the more we are able to transform from the world’s ways, to the ways and examples of CHRIST, the more “humble” we become.

    There should be a very distinct and clear difference between the lifestyle of a Christian, and that of one who desires to be like the world. Darkness and light cannot co-exist in the same space. When the people in the community of GOD compromise their ways with the ways of the world, the distinction between the two are soon lost, and professed Christians are no longer able to properly represent CHRIST to anyone with any accuracy. 

    In Ephesians 5, verses 3-13, we see perhaps Scriptures greatest and clearest defining of the contrasting moral differences between “light” and “darkness, or “right” and “wrong” by GOD’s standards. The “vices” or “sins” mentioned in verses 3-4 (sexual immorality, impurity, or greed, even obscene talk and dirty jokes) portray “self-worship” and “a lack of concern” for others.

    Remember, “a greedy person” is nothing but “an idolater”, because they chase after and worship the things of this world. We should not be fooled by those who try to excuse such a sin as this. Those who desire to follow CHRIST should not have even a hint of these evil elements in his or her life. Anyone who practices such immoralities cannot expect to enter into the Kingdom of CHRIST (the Millennial Kingdom), and of GOD in Heaven (v.5).

    People who are comfortable in their own sin, and, who are offended by those who try to rebuke, correct, or expose them, have themselves, a favorite “scripture-based saying” that they like to use. They love to tell people, “You can’t judge”.

    However, in the Christian bible there are three separate and distinct types of judgment. Two of them GOD expects all Christians to be able to do, and the third is one that only GOD HIMSELF can do. In fact, even if we wanted to do this third type of judgment, our mere mortality prevents us from being able to do it. There is a different Greek word that is used to describe each of them. They are as follows:

·         “Anakrino” (judgment) – A self-examination, using “GOD’s standards” to see if we ourselves are in line with HIS Word and Will at any given time.

·         “Diakrino” (judgment) – “Using GOD’s standards” to examine anything, or anyone to determine, or discern, that which is right, from that which is wrong in that person, place, thing, or situation.

·         “Krino” (judgment) – A judgment of “condemnation”; it is a judgment that only our superior GOD can make. No human being can make this type of judgment, even if they wanted to, because we are all, ourselves, people under judgment from GOD, at all times. 

    In Ephesians 5:10-14, the Apostle alludes to the two, of the three judgments that GOD expects us to make. Here we see a clear example of our duty to judge ourselves (Anakrino Judgment), and others (Diakrino Judgment), by first, finding out what is pleasing to GOD, by closely examining HIS Word and Will for our lives (Vs.10-11).

    By closely studying GOD’s Word and finding out what we ourselves are doing wrong (examining ourselves), we’ll be able to help others who are going astray, to get themselves into line with GOD’s Word and Will also. Serious Christians should take no part in the worthless, evil deeds and darkness that now permeate and dominate this world. The Word of GOD says that Christians should instead, rebuke and expose such evil (v.11). In fact, we should not even talk about the shameful things that ungodly people do even in secret, but rather, we should let our light shine on them, through our GODly behavior, so that it can become clear that their way is not the way to go. And so our lifestyle and behavior can expose things that are not right with GOD better than anything we can ever say. And wherever the Christian light of CHRIST shines through us, it will automatically expose evil deeds and actions in others.

    In verses 15-20 Paul advises all Christians to live depending only on the HOLY SPIRIT’s power to guide us. Christians must commit to seeking GOD’s ways on a daily basis, and, to living wisely and not foolishly as unbelieving people live (v.15).

    In the Greek, the word Paul uses in verse 16 in his original writings, “exagorazomenoi” (ex-a-gora-zo-men-ohee), means “to buy up the time” or “to make the most of every opportunity”. As vibrant Christians, we are to take advantage of every opportunity we get to do good things according to GOD’s standards, especially in these evil days that we live in. We must “walk circumspectly” not being drunk or high on wine, liquor, or illicit drugs, but rather, by being filled with the HOLY SPIRIT of GOD, WHO was sent to us by JESUS CHRIST (Vs.17-18).

    When we allow the HOLY SPIRIT to control us, we will be able to sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among ourselves, just as fervently as we used to sing blues, pop, disco, rock and roll, and hip hop songs, when we were “lost” in the world. And we will always give thanks for everything to GOD the FATHER in heaven, in the mighty and precious name of JESUS CHRIST, our LORD and SAVIOR (vs.19-20).

A Sunday school lesson by,

Larry D. Alexander

Larry Dell Alexander (1953–) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas

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BIBLE STUDY LESSON

For the week beginning Sunday June 14, 2020

LIVING AS CHILDREN IN THE LIGHT

Ephesians 4:17-32

   The Christian Church is the body of CHRIST, and GOD’s only figurative representative, as a group of people, in all the world. The, members of that body, are people who were once ungodly in their behavior, and were hopelessly confused and void of any useful aim or goal. We were people whose minds were full of darkness, and, we were far away from living the life that GOD calls for us to live through HIS Word. At one time, we did not care about right or wrong, and we had given ourselves over to immoral ways and desires. We were people whose lives were once filled with greed and all kinds of impurities, but now, our hearts belong wholly to GOD.

    In Ephesians 4, verses 17-24, the Apostle Paul makes an appeal to the new Believers at the Church at Ephesus to start “living as children of the light”. Here in this passage Paul spells out some of the characteristics of living as pagans, or unbelievers, with lifestyles that are contrary to GOD.

    Believers are taught the ways of CHRIST so that they may be able to leave their old unacceptable lifestyles behind. Children of GOD have to be able to cast off their old “sinful evil nature” in order to re-capture “the nature of GOD” with which they were born, and most of us lose, before we ever realize that we have it.

    There has to be a “spiritual renewal of thoughts and attitude”, or a “transformation of the heart” before we can display the “nature of GOD” which we received when HE made us in HIS OWN likeness, in the beginning. We must be righteous, holy, and true to our “GODly nature”, that we get to uncover, because of what JESUS has done for us, through HIS vicarious sacrifice.

    In verses 25-32 Paul gives us a list of things that we must absolutely rid ourselves of if we are to live as children of the LIGHT:

·         “We must put away all “falsehood”, that means both “spoken and unspoken lies” (silently standing by letting someone believe something that is untrue), dishonesty and deceit (v.25).

·         “Do not sin by letting anger take control over you” (v.26a).

·         “Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry”, because anger gives a foothold to the devil” (v.26b-27).

·         “If you are a thief, stop stealing”, Instead, start using your hands to give generously to those in need (v.28).

·         “Do not use foul or abusive language”. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them (v.29).

·         “Do not grieve the HOLY SPIRIT by the way you live”. HE is the ONE WHO identifies you as HIS OWN, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the “Day of Redemption” (v.30).

Verse 31 represents a “summation” or “recap”, as well as a “blanket statement” covering those things that were not mentioned in verses 25-30. Here we see that we have to absolutely “clean the house” of our former wicked ways if we are to live as children who are walking in the light for all to see. Paul says we are to get rid of;

·         All bitterness

·         All rage (thymos)

·         All anger (orge)

·         All harsh words (krauge)

·         All slander (blasphemia)

·         All malicious behavior (kakia)

All these things must be banished from the Christian life. We must shed these ungodly practices as if they were an old garment no longer fit to wear, and no longer useful for where we now reside.

We must, instead, be kind to each other (v.32), by being “tenderhearted” (eusplanchnoi), “forgiving” (charizomenoi) one another, just as GOD forgives us, because it grieves the HOLY SPIRIT, offends JESUS, and hurts GOD whenever we are hostile towards each other, instead of being kind to one another.

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

Larry D. Alexander - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

                                

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BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY

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BIBLE STUDY LESSON

For the week beginning Sunday May 24, 2020

UNITY IN THE BODY

Ephesians 4:1-16

   In Ephesians chapter 4, verses 1-16, the Apostle Paul urges us to maintain attitudes that express love and unity within the Body of CHRIST, which is the Church. In the Greek the word Paul uses for “worthy” in verse 1 is “axious” and it literally means “to balance the scale”. Here Paul is saying that we must give “equal weight” to our calling and conduct. We must make an effort to practice what we preach, and our doctrine must be balanced with our lifestyle.

    This passage, along with Romans 12:1 and 1 Corinthians 12 constitute “the Christian image of the holy Body of CHRIST”. Whenever a person joins themselves to a society or faith, they must obligate themselves to change or adapt to a living style that is compatible in that society, or faith. People who choose to join the body of CHRIST must adapt their style of living into a way that is compatible with GOD’s Word. We must work on being “humble” and “gentle, and also be “patient” and “loving” to those who are our “neighbors”, who are also living in the “community of GOD” (v.2).

    In verses 4-6 we find no less than seven theological elements of the Christian Church. There we see that:

·         We are all one body

·         We have the same SPIRIT

·         We have all been called to the same glorious future

·         There one LORD

·         There is one Faith

·         There is one Baptism

·         There is one GOD and FATHER over us all, in us all, and living through us all

    JESUS, the ONE WHO descended from Heaven to this lowly earth in order to usher in to us, “a brand New Covenant” from GOD, is also the ONE WHO gives us all certain gifts that should be used to enhance, improve, nourish, and grow HIS Body, the Church. The apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers are responsible for equipping GOD’s people to do HIS work and build the Church to the point where we are unified in Faith and knowledge of JESUS CHRIST, and, are mature and full grown in the LORD. Our goal is to measure up to the example that CHRIST JESUS showed us as a 100% man, during HIS life here on earth (Vs.11-13).

    GOD does not wish for us to continue to act like children who can’t make up their minds about what they believe. HE doesn’t wish for us to fall prey to the cleaver liars who make their deceitful words sound like the truth (v.14). And if we are able to hold fast to the truth, becoming more and more like CHRIST, the whole Body will be fitted together perfectly as each part (person) does their own specially assigned work. By performing our own special work assignment to the best of our GOD-given ability, we will also be helping the other parts of the Church to grow so that the whole Body is healthy and operational, and filled with love (v.15-16).

    To waver back and forth like a ship lost at sea, is not the life of a true Christian. Each member of the Body of CHRIST must grow and mature and reflect GOD’s image to others through our own behavior, by standing firm in GOD’s Word. Satan will always plant people in the Church who will try to introduce his agenda through the things that are popular in the world, such as miming (witch craft), worldly music, trunk or treat, trunk fest, fall festivals and other things that parallel Halloween, etc., but serious, mature Christians must resist such influences in the Church, and, in their personal lives.

    The Church must function like a body because it is a body, the Body of CHRIST. It needs all of its parts to be working properly, held together by “love”, if it is to have a productive spiritual life, and grow by GOD’s standard of success, not the world’s standard. And we should always remember that, most importantly, the one thing that will keep the Church healthy and efficient, is by it maintaining an intimate and personal connection to JESUS CHRIST, WHO is the head, brains, mind, and SPIRIT of the Body.

    The Church has never needed our human ingenuity to operate successfully. It only needs us to be obedient to GOD. We only need to share the gifts with the Church that GOD has so graciously given to each of us, and we don’t need to try and improve upon that which GOD has already perfectly set up. We just need to be obedient and do things the way GOD says do them, and when we take the time to study the plan of GOD, we’ll find that it is not open to our own personal interpretation, but rather, we’ll find that “the Word of GOD interprets itself to us”.

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

                                

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BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY

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BIBLE STUDY LESSON

For the week beginning Sunday May 10, 2020

PAUL’S PRAYER FOR SPIRITUAL EMPOWERING

Ephesians 3:14-21

   JESUS came to show man the difference between “parenthood” and “fatherhood”. Parenthood or “Paternity” means “father”, purely in the “physical sense”. It is a term that can be used even of a man who has never really seen or spent time with his child at all. However, “fatherhood” is a term that is much more dynamic, because it describes a man who is intimately involved with his offspring. To merit this description, a man has to have an experiential relationship of love and caring with his child.

    Before JESUS came, man could only see GOD in a “paternal sense”. However, when JESUS came, HE presented us with a “physical picture” of ONE WHO knew GOD the FATHER on a personal, experiential level. It is on this level that Paul had also come to know GOD, and he wanted everyone in the Christian Church to understand the kind of new relationship and power that they now found themselves having access to through the HOLY SPIRIT.

    In Ephesians 3, verses 14-21 Paul prays for “a mighty spiritual empowerment from GOD” on the Church at Ephesus. Here we see a petition for five spiritual qualities, or “powers” that would energize the members of the body of CHRIST in any age. Those qualities are:

·         That GOD’s people may gain a “mighty” inner strength” from the HOLY SPIRIT. Here, in the Greek for the word “mighty”, is “krataiothenai” (krat-ah-yo-then-ahee) which is “the power to overcome resistance”, and  the Greek word used to describe “inner strength” is “dynamis”, which is “dynamic living power and strengthened love” (v.16).

·         That CHRIST would be “more at home” in our hearts”. The Greek word used here to describe “more at home” is “katoi-kesai” (kat-ohee-kes-ahee) which means “to dwell ongoing”, or, “to remain with” (v.17).

·         That GOD’s people be given “the power to understand” –  in the Greek “exischusete” (ex-is-khoo-se-te), which means, “to be entirely competent and able”, or “to possess inherent strength” (v.18).

·         That GOD’s people may experience the love of CHRIST”. In other words, “Know CHRIST experientially” (v.19a).

·         That GOD’s people may be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from GOD” (V.19b).

    GOD is the true template of “fatherhood” that all men should seek to follow, but, in order for us to do that, we must first ask “THE PATTERN MAKER” to “empower” and “embody” us with a “SPIRITUAL POWER” from on high, that would allow us to become the kind of leaders that HE calls us to be.

    Like a good FATHER, GOD has given us an identity, and HE has also given us, HIS only begotten SON, JESUS CHRIST, to dwell in our hearts, the moment we first, truly believe. And, as if that weren’t enough, HE, in addition, strengthens and empowers us with HIS HOLY SPIRIT, because HE desires very badly, that we are successful in overcoming this world, just as JESUS did. Our hope, prayers, and endeavor must be that we can find ourselves in the ultimate happy ending, that has been prepared for us by GOD, since the foundation 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