May 9, 2010 Lesson 25 of Psalm 33

This Psalm begins where Psalm 32 left off. The Hebrew word translated ‘rejoice’ in verse 1 is the same as that translated ‘shout for joy’ in Ps. 32:11
The call to praise (v1-3) is followed by reasons for praise (v4-19). What are these, and do they help you to join in praising God? Answer: 1) God is faithful and true (v4), 2) the earth is full of His love (v5), 3) He created the heavens and the earth (v6-7), God is sovereign (v 8-11), God watches over the nation He has chosen (v12-15), no king or army can defeat them (v 16-17), God is protector and savior (v 19). Now that was my initial take on this. After reading the NIV study notes I discovered I was a bit off. It is broken down into two sections; v4-11 and v12-19. V 4-11 is further broken down. Let me put here what the NIV study says (I think I understand but they say it much better than I can) “under the Lord’s rule by his sovereign “word” (v.4) his “plans” for his people “stand firm” (v. 11), even as the creation order “stood firm” (v9) because ordered by His sovereign “word” (v6). Hence his chosen people are the blessed nation (see v 12-19).” V10-11 and 18-19, as the NIV study states, are the heart of this praise. V10-11 shows how God protects us from those who are out to harm us, while 18-19 show of His love for us.


What reasons are given as to why the nation whose God is the Lord is blessed above other nations? What is the psalmist’s response to this (v20-22)? Answer: The first part I think I answered above. The response is yes we put our trust in Him


Note. V 3. ‘A new song’: the song of the redeemed. Cf. Ps 40:3. ‘Play skillfully’: good advice for all who aspire to lead the praises of God’s people.

May 8, 2010 Lesson 24 of Psalms 32

According to this psalm what are the indispensable conditions for enjoying the forgiveness of God? Cf. Prov 28:13. Answer: I am having trouble with “indispensable conditions.” Let me try essential circumstances. What is needed in the believer for him or her to enjoy the forgiveness from God? I still don’t see the answer to this question in this chapter. I see David saying that we are blessed to be forgiven and have our sins covered. I see David saying “when I try to hide my transgressions God “presses” on me to confess those sins. Let go of your sins and guilt and let God forgive and protect you.


What great blessings does the forgiven soul receive, filling the heart with joy? What conditions of their continued enjoyment are laid down? Are you fulfilling these conditions? Answer: The blessing is the covering of God, the Lord’s love surrounding us and protecting us. I am lost.

Eric’s Notes
Penitential-Constituting or expressing penance. This is a penitential psalm.
Conversation between David and God in front of congregation. V1-2, 11 David is addressing assembly. V 3-7 David is speaking to God. V 8-10 David is talking to priest.

May 5, 2010 Lesson 14 of 1 Corinthians 16

V1: ‘The collection for God’s people’. Paul was concerned about a fund that he had initiated among the Gentile churches to aid the poor of the church in Jerusalem. What can we learn from his practical directions about the collection and sending of this money? Answer: What I am getting from this, and other associated passages, is that Paul is wanting the people to handle the money in an ethical way. Accountants to monitor what comes in and what goes out to ensure appropriate handling. I had a boss tell me one time “you have to trust, but also verify when needed.” I think that is what is going on here.


What can we learn from this chapter about the plans, movement and ministry of Christian workers? How can we help such people to do ‘the work of the Lord’ more effectively? Answer: First thing I see is that the plans, movement, and ministry of a Christian is based on what the Lord determines.


How were the five commands of verses 13-14 particularly relevant for the church at Corinth as we know it from the letter? Examine your own life in order to discover in what ways you, too, need to obey these commands. Answer: He is basically telling them to put their faith in God and let him handle it. Don’t be concerned with the things of the world.

May 4, 2010 Lesson 13 of 1 Corinthians 15:35-58

What does the analogy of the seed suggest about the relation between our present natural body and our future spiritual body? In what ways will the latter be different from the former? What does verse 38b also imply? Answer: It implies (as I read it) that it will be a body made perfect as God has determined. It is planted as a seed (our natural body here on earth) and matures into the body God intends for us to have (the body we will get in glory).


What will take place when Christ comes again? Cf. 1 Thess 4:13-18. In view of this, what should be the character of our present life and service? Answer: Not sure what the second part is asking. Our present life should be one of submission to God and belief in His Son Jesus. When Jesus returns we will rise again.


Notes
V36. Resurrection in Paul’s view is not a strange thing, but is embedded in the heart of God’s creative plan, both in nature and in grace.
V49. ‘The likeness of the man from heaven’ signifies the likeness of Christ in his glorified body. It is this likeness that we are to share. Cf Rom 8:29; Phil 3:20-21; 1 John 3:2.
V51. ‘We’ means ‘We Christians’. Some will be alive when Christ comes.

May 3, 2010 Lesson 12 of 1 Corinthians 15:1-34

One group at Corinth did not believe in life after death at all, and another did not believe in the resurrection of the body. In this classic passage Paul deals with both groups.
What strikes you about the content and the proclamation of the gospel as summarized in verses 1-4? What benefit does it offer to men, and how is this benefit to be enjoyed? Cf. 1 Tim 1:15. Answer: Paul almost seems to be “pointing his finger at them” in v1-4. I am not sure how to answer the second part because I don’t think I answered the first part right?? It is saying that we are saved through Christ, and if you don’t hold onto it firmly it is all in vain.


What is the significance of the evidence that Paul marshals in verses 5-11 for the resurrection of Christ? What for Christians are the five far reaching consequences of denying the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead? See v 12-19. Does death set any limit to your hope in Christ? Answer: It is Paul’s conversion. Paul was not part of the original 12, so he was made an apostle when no one else could be after Christ had ascended up to heaven on the road to Damascus. Paul uses this to show that the grace of God can reach any and all who God so declares. If the dead cannot be raised then 1) Christ could not be raised, 2) We cannot be raised, 3) those dead in Christ are just dead, 4) Christ did not defeat death, 5) we are all still in our sins.


What are to be the full and final consequences of the resurrection of Christ? Of what ultimate consummation is the promise and pledge? Why are Christians able triumphantly to face death for Christ’s sake? Answer: The full and final consequences of resurrection are Christ’s triumph over death and the grave.


Notes:
V 28. No change in the eternal relations between the persons of the Trinity is meant here. It is the Son’s willing subjection in love Cf. 11:3
V. 29. The exact meaning of the reference is uncertain. What is obviously implied is that the practice mentioned is pointless if there is no life beyond death.

May 2, 2010 Lesson 11 of 1 Corinthians 14

Try to form a mental picture of the church’s worship in Corinth. In what ways did it differ from the church’s worship today? Did it include any features, no longer familiar, which it would be good to see restored? Answer: I am envisioning a church that spends a great deal of time in worship, but it was somewhat un-orderly. I think differences between then and now would depend on what type of congregational church you went to. There are many types of churches today. Some believe in speaking in tongues, some don’t. Some are built on ceremony, some are not.

What two principles should govern the conduct of public worship and of church gatherings? How did Paul make of this gift? How did Paul apply these principles in his direction about public worship in Corinth? Answer: 1) an orderly worship (not everyone trying to talk over each other), 2)Women did not speak in church.


Many in the church at Corinth seem to have wanted to speak in tongues. What assessment does Paul make of this gift? What was Paul’s counsel to those who were eager for manifestations of the Spirit? Which gift do you eagerly desire? Answer: Wisdom, is what I currently desire. I need the Spirit to guide me in God’s will!


Note: V3. Prophecy might include foretelling of the future (Acts 11:28), but was more normally a foretelling of God’s will for present ‘strengthening, encouragement and comfort’. In contrast to an unintelligible ‘tongue’, it was readily understandable and practically relevant to the hearers.

May 1, 2010 Lesson 10 of 1 Corinthians 13

The apostle has urged the believers at Corinth to be zealous to possess the more excellent of the gifts (12:31), but before going on to explain what he means by this (ch 14), he pauses to point out that spiritual gifts are of profit only when exercise in love.


V 1-3. Why is love so all important? In what ways does Paul show further in verses 8-13 that love is greater than all other gifts? How can it find expression in my life? Cf. 1 John 4:7, 12; Gal 5:22-23. Answer: V 13: And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.

In verse 4-7 there are fifteen ways of describing love. Write them in a column and then try to put opposite each a single word summarizing it, and, if possible, an incident in Jesus’ life illustrating it. Then ask yourself: Is this found in me?
Answer: Love is
Patient: Long suffering. Jesus behavior and attitude toward the disciples, especially Peter.
Kind: compassionate. Jesus showed this in virtually everything he did! Especially coming here to this earth do die for our sins.
Does not envy: Love is not jealous, wanting what others have. Not something Jesus showed.
Does not boast: Pride. Again not something Jesus showed.
Not proud: arrogance. Something that Jesus could easily be, because He is God. However, because of love He did not.
Is not rude: respect. Christ showed respect to everyone He met, including those who killed Him and hung Him on the cross.
Is not self seeking: put others first. Christ showed this in His daily activities. On a bigger scale Christ did this by not touting Himself before others. Again, He is God so He had every right.
Not easily angered: peace. Can I go back to peter for a moment. If you watch many parents today (and I am sometimes included in this) they get very angry very fast when their children mess up in someway. Well Christ did not get angry when Peter doubted while walking on the water. Rather Christ took him by the hand and showed love.
Keeps no record of wrongs: forgiveness. That is why He came. Even on the cross He was asking for forgiveness for those who tortured Him.
Does not delight in evil: Not sure what to put here except for love. Which Jesus is.
Rejoices in Truth: Praise. Jesus taught us worship of God through His praise (subordination)
Protects: Shield. He is our shield, to protect us from satan and his evil ways.
Trusts: faith. Jesus showed us what faith is through his words and actions.
Hopes: optimistic. We, as Jesus instructed us to be, hope for His return. For the day on which we will see Him again.
Perseveres: sticks with. Christ was not tempted by Satan in desert.
For each of these I ask God daily to let others see love in me, see His Love through me.