Read and Study Through the Bible: 2017 Week Forty-Three: Romans 6 1 Corinthians 14 Week Forty-Four: 1 Corinthians 15 Ephesians 6
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STUDY OF THE BIBLE in One Year: Week FORTY-THREE Romans 6 1 Corinthians 14 Romans, continued QUESTIONS for Romans 6-16: 1. So, shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Why or why not? And why does Paul ask this rhetorical question in the first place? Romans 5:19; 6:1-2 2. Justification is God declaring us righteous; sanctification is God making us righteousness. How does He do this? Rm. 6:1-14 3. Who do you have to thank for your obedience to the gospel from the heart? Rm.6:15-17 3
4. People often talk about free-will; explain it in light of Rm.6:16-22. 5. Explain in your own words how God delivered us from the law. Rm.7:1-6 6. What are the purposes of the law of God? Rm.7:7-12 4
7. What is the tension Paul discusses in Rm.7:13-25 and do you have any experience with this struggle? 8. The answer to the flesh and the law is the gospel, and what else? Rm.8:1-14 9. What is being discussed in Romans 8:18-39? (A key phrase is found in v.18.) 5
10. What is the good toward which all things are working? Rm.8:28-29 11. Romans 9-11 talks about God s dealings with Israel according to the flesh. Why does he discuss this here? And what are his major points? Rm.8:38 11:36 12. Romans 12 begins the practical section of Romans. What are some areas of our lives that are covered here? Rm.12-16 6
FIRST CORINTHIANS The Las Vegas and Rivera of its day, this most important Greek commercial seaport was full of hedonists who trafficked in sin and the wisdom of men. Consequently, when Paul established a church there (Acts 18:1-17) it was infiltrated with these problems. God immediately justifies the ungodly who believe in Christ, but their sanctification takes some time. Old sins and ideas sometimes are hard to root out. Paul is doing the rooting process in this letter. He corrects many of their doctrinal and behavioral errors. These things are not missing from today s church so this is a very relevant book for us. Those who canonized the New Testament did so in the right order: first the stories of Jesus (the gospels), then the stories of the early church (Acts), then the doctrinal exposition of the gospel (Romans) and next the letter to correct wrongs in the church. No church is without problems because no church is without people, and people have problems. Many of those problems are discussed in this great inspired letter from Paul. THEMES for 1 Corinthians Divisions this takes up the first four chapters because it stems from the root of all problems the wisdom of men. Because men mix the wisdom of men with the wisdom of God the word is watered down and the new believers cannot grow and mature and become strong, thus producing divisions and all manner of carnal behavior which is elaborated on in this book. Church Discipline What does the church do when its members behave badly? Suing other church members Don t do it! Marriage Much to say about the difference between being single and married. 7
Authority in the Church We are to do everything under authority. Who are the authorities? Spiritual Gifts and Love from government to gifts, love must be prominent. Resurrection of the Body longest and most thorough revelation about the resurrection found anywhere in the Bible. OUTLINE of First Corinthians I. Correction of Disorders Reported by Chloe, chas.1-6 A. Divisions, 1-4 B. Immorality tolerated without discipline, 5 C. Heathen Court trials, 6:1-8 D. Temple worship - - immorality, 6:9-20 II. Counsel for Difficulties Raised 7-16 ( now concerning ) A. Marriage, 7:1 B. Virgins, 7:25 C. Freedom, 8:1 (Specific foods and days: things sacrificed to idols) D. Spiritual Gifts, 12:1 E. Money, 16:1-4 F. Apollos, 16:12 III. Confirmation of a Doctrine Refused 15 (bodily resurrection) 8
QUESTIONS for 1 Corinthians: 1. What are the first four chapters of 1 Corinthians about? What is the problem being dealt with and what is the cure? 2. Explain what keeps people babies in the Lord? 1Cor.3:1-4 3. How does Paul tell the church to deal with sinners in the church who need discipline? Cha.5 9
4. Why should church members not sue one another in a court of law? Cha.6 5. Is it better to be married or not married? Why? 1 Corinthians 7 6. With all our God-given freedom, why should we discipline ourselves? 1 Cor. 9-10 10
7. What are head coverings and what are they for? Cha. 11 8. Why do you think the chapter on love is in the middle of the teaching on spiritual gifts? Chas.12-14 11
STUDY OF THE BIBLE in One Year: Week FORTY-FOUR 1 Corinthians 15 Ephesians 6 Frist Corinthians, continued QUESTIONS for 1Corinthians 15-16 1. How do we know that Jesus rose from the dead? 1Cor.15:1-11 2. What kind of body will believers have? 15:35-54 12
SECOND CORINTHIANS This is Paul s spiritual autobiography, which makes this book extremely important. In it he reveals his experiences and faith in the Lord that makes him tick and keeps him serving Jesus, despite continual opposition and even a thorn in the flesh, which is actually a demon that the Lord would not remove. Here we learn much about what a spiritual ministry is and how to overcome the many trials that accompany such a ministry in this fallen world. Our sufferings and consolation in those sufferings produce consolation for others in their troubles. We must forgive others if we hope to triumph in Christ. Our ministry is a ministry of the word that is not in ink on paper, but on hearts where the Spirit of God has revealed His glory. Marks of a true spiritual ministry are discussed and these may surprise us. Two long chapters are given to explain the doctrine of giving our money. Many great things are given to us in these chapters. After much success with them and later by a letter addressing the problems of this great church (1Cor.), Paul has his doubts about many of them. He closes with a lengthy defense of his authority as an apostle, in contrast to his obvious thorn in the flesh. THEMES for 2 Corinthians The Purpose of Sufferings for the Lord, 1:3-11 The Glorious New Covenant Ministry, 3:1-18 Ministry of Reconciliation, 5:12-21 Marks of a True Ministry, 6:1 7:1 Giving, Chas. 8-9 Spiritual Warfare, 10:1-6 Vision of Paradise and Thorn in the Flesh (they go together), 12:1-10 OUTLINE for 2 Corinthians 13
I. Paul s Explanation of His Ministry - chapters 1-7 A. Triumphant - 1-2 B. Glorious - 3 C. Sincere - 4 D. Believing - 5 E. Loving - 6-7 II. Paul s Encouragement for Their Generosity - chapters 8 9 (He was receiving an offering from the Gentiles for the Jewish saints.) A. Principles of "grace giving" - 8 B. Promises for "grace givers" - 9 III. Paul s Enforcement of His Authority - chapters 10-13 (Paul defends his apostleship.) A. The spiritual warrior, attacking the opposition - 10 B. The spiritual father, protecting the church - 11:1-15 C. The outspoken "fool," boasting in suffering - 11:16-12:10 D. The serious apostle, exercising loving authority - 12:11-13:14 14
QUESTIONS for l2 Corinthians: 1. Why is it so important to keep your word? 2Cor.1:15 2:2 2. Contrast the ministry of the Old Covenant to the ministry of the New Covenant. 3:1-18 3. Find Paul s motivation for ministry in 2 Corinthians 5. 15
4. Give some important truths concerning giving in 2 Corinthians 8-9. 5. Why was Paul fearful concerning the Corinthians? 2Cor.11:1-4 6. What do you think was Paul s thorn in the flesh? And why was it given to him? 2Cor.12:7-10 16
GALATIANS The Galatians began their voyage by shoving off from the banks of sin by grace through faith. But now that they were in the middle of the sea they revert back to their natural state of keeping a right relationship with God by the works of the law. They take down the sails and pick up the oars. They fell from grace back into works. Having been justified by faith they began to believe, by the influence of Jewish legalizers, that sanctification is by works. Having begun in the spirit they seek to continue in the flesh. Nothing could be further from the truth and more dangerous. Galatians is the Declaration of Independence from the law and the flesh, proclaiming the liberty of love by the Holy Spirit. Salvation from beginning to end is by grace through faith. Always has been and always will be. Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by the hearing of faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? Knowing that a man is not justified by works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ. Paul begins with a biographical account by which he establishes his authority in the gospel. Then he continues with an explanation of the place of the law in the grand scheme of salvation. It has its place but it must not be understood as a means of personal salvation. The covenant of works and grace are compared in an allegory from the Old Testament. Finally, Paul teaches that the ultimate liberty is the freedom to walk in love. The progression is from Law to Liberty to Love. THEMES: watch for these words as you study and read through Galatians. Gospel This is a shortened version of Romans where Paul explains the gospel of Christ. Faith Salvation is by faith alone. Always has been. 17
Grace Grace is the opposite of works. They cannot coexist. Law nowhere are we given a more thorough explanation of the historical and personal purpose of the law of God. Redemption to purchase. Christ has purchased us with His blood. Liberty the Gospel sets us free from the law and the flesh. Love this is liberty that causes us to limit our liberty for the sake of others. OUTLINE for Galatians I. Defending the Gospel Minister, 1-2 II. Defending the Gospel Message, 3-4 III. Defending the Gospel s Might, 5-6 (Spirit, not flesh; fruit, not works) 18
QUESTIONS for Galatians: 1. What made Paul marvel? Gal.1:6-9 2. Give a brief overview of Paul s conversion and early ministry in the gospel. Gal.1:11 2:16 3. What is the blessing of Abraham? Gal.3:10-18 19
4. What purpose does the law serve? Gal.3:19-25 5. Explain the allegory of the mothers of Abraham s two sons. Gal.4:21-31 6. Why is liberty by its very nature dangerous? Gal.5:1-15 20
7. Contrast the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit. Gal.5:19-26 8. In what should we always glory? Gal.6:11-15 21
EPHESIANS Christians need to have a walk worthy of their wealth. God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing and these Ephesian saints are being exhorted and instructed in this letter from Paul to live like the aristocrats they are. If you inherited a few million dollars would it change anything about the way you live? It would me. Paul calls our inheritance the exceeding riches of His grace. We have inherited the wealth of our Father in heaven; therefore we should live like it. That is the gist of Ephesians. The book details our riches and how we are to live because of our wealth in Christ. The contents of our heavenly bank account are listed for us in the first three chapters: election, holiness, adoption, redemption, acceptance, forgiveness, wisdom, citizenship, and peace: virtually every spiritual blessing that God has He has already given to us. Then in chapters 4-6 Paul s theme is, Walk worthy of the calling with which you were called. We are to serve Christ in His church, live differently than the lost world, walk in love and light and wisdom, be filled with the Spirit, husbands love, wives submit, children obey, and finally we are to fight the good fight of faith by standing strong against spiritual wickedness in heavenly places. THEMES of Ephesians Election clearest statement on election found anywhere in the Bible, 1:4 Grace this whole book is an exposition of the doctrines of grace taught in the Bible. Depravity - the helplessness and hopelessness of man necessitates the sovereign grace of God in saving us, 2:1-6 Mystery different things are revealed during different dispensations, 3:1-12 22
Purpose of Church Leaders leaders are to train the members to build up the body of Christ, 4:7-16 Grieving the Holy Spirit how to keep from grieving the blessed Spirit, 4:25-32 Home Life responsibilities of each member of the family, 5:22 6:1 Spiritual Warfare we are in a fight against relentless spiritual enemies; we need to put on our armor, 6:10-18 OUTLINE for Ephesians I. Wanton Wealth, chas.1-3 II. Worthy Walk, chas. 4-6 23
QUESTIONS for Ephesians: 1. God has made the Christian rich. Rich with what? Eph.1:3-14 2. How bad off is a lost person? 2:1-3 24
3. What is the mystery of the ages? Eph.3:1-10 4. The gifts of the church are for what? Eph.4:7-16 5. How do we keep from grieving the Holy Spirit? 4:25-32 25