Nandita

6. How can we both press fervently towards perfection and at the same time have peace and contentment in Christ? Aren't these mutually exclusive? They aren't exclusive. On the contrary, they go hand in hand. Pressing forward towards perfection is something we can only do with the Holy Spirit in our heart. And the fruit of the Holy Spirit is peace and contentment. Without the guidance and strengthening of the Holy Spirit, we'll never be able to move towards perfection. And if we haven't given the Holy Spirit room in our heart, we won't have his gifts and blessings either.

4. Is it possible to hold a high view of the sanctity of marriage at the same time as we love as Christian brothers and sisters those who have been divorced and remarried? Yes of course. They may be guilty of adultry-through-divorce, but we're guilty of other sins ourselves. Perhaps it's telling harmless lies to get ourselves out of trouble (that's a violation of the Ten Commandments). Perhaps it's anger because you've been insulted or treated poorly (Jesus equated that with murder). Perhaps it's 'stealing' through wasting the time of your employers (also a violation of the Ten Commandments). Perhaps it's not helping the poor and homeless enough (a violation of Jesus' Golden Rule). Whatever it is, every single one of us is guilty of sin. And since Jesus never said "divorce is worse than other sins" we can't think that people who have divorced and/or remarried are more sinful than we are. Our society elevated divorce and sexual sins above others—not Jesus. Nevertheless, Jesus left us very clear instructions on what his expectations for us are. We just need to remember that while he made it very clear what a marriage relationship should look like, he made it equally clear that we are not to judge and dismiss our fellow humans or treat them with anything less than respect and dignity.

3. Why didn't Jesus let Jairus give up? Because Jesus cared about Jairus, his pain, and his problem. Jesus wasn't going to stop helping Jairus just because Jairus thought Jesus could help no further. He wasn't going to stop helping Jairus because Jairus stopped having faith. He wasn't going to stop helping Jairus because the problem got trickier. And this holds true for us today. We shouldn't stop believing or praying just because the problem looks harder— or impossible— to solve. We shouldn't stop believing because we think it's too late to turn to God. We shouldn't stop praying because we think there's a cut-off point for action or result that we've missed. God can work in all situations. However weak our faith, complex our problem or limited our dreams— we shouldn't stop praying or believing. God can overcome any problem. And if we find it hard to believe we can ask him to help us overcome our unbelief, too!

2. How could people listen to Jesus, but not really understand what he was saying? Firstly because what Jesus was teaching them was probably radical and completely outside their current sphere of understanding. Secondly because they'd only heard the message at that point—they hadn't yet had the chance to reflect upon it. And thirdly because some of their hearts may have been hardened by a repeated refusal to accept God's will.

1. Why do you think John the Baptist had doubts about who Jesus was? When John testified about Jesus he spoke of someone who would come with a winnowing fork and burn the chaff with unquenchable fire. And he was right—Jesus will, someday, judge people. He will separate the righteous from the unrighteous (and those who reject him will be condemned). But that will be during the Second Coming. When Jesus first came to Earth, during John's lifetime, he came to teach, heal, minister, and save. John either didn't know this or had forgotten about it, and.that led him to doubt Jesus' identity. 2. Why didn't Jesus answer John's question directly? Why did he let his deeds speak instead? John was troubled by Jesus' deeds—Jesus' gentle ministry wasn't what he expected. That's why, when Jesus answered John, he spoke of his deeds specifically. He couched them in terms that recalled, to John's mind, passages from Scripture that spoke of the Messiah. He was reminding John that Isaiah said that the Messiah would restore sight to the blind, cast out demons, heal disabilities, and proclaim the good news—the very things he was doing, in fact. 3. How was John intended to take Jesus' mild exhortation: "Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me"? John's expectations weren't fulfilled by Jesus's words and actions. Jesus was gently reminding John, as one man of God to another, not to be frustrated if Jesus was carrying out his ministry in a way that didn't seem to conform with John's expectations. That's a message Jesus has for us today, too. We shouldn't 'judge' him or reject his words and authority just because we don't see him doing the things we wish to see. We don't have his wisdom—we can never hope to see or understand the bigger picture. If we question God stubbornly over every action or if we hurl accusations against him when things don't look 'fair' or 'right', we're rejecting his authority, wisdom, and possibly his blessings. 4. How has God lifted your confusion and brokenness in a time of difficulty? How can you encourage those who are now under such a burden? It's a sad fact that the times I've called out to God with the greatest sincerity have been times when I've been broken. It's when I'm afraid that I seek God the hardest. It's when I'm confused, lost, tired, or miserable that I let down my barriers fully—that's when I receive God mostly richly. I'd encourage anybody who is burdened now to use this opportunity to call out to God. Whether your crisis is related to money, health, your loved ones, or your job, your problems can never be bigger than God. Think about how wonderful it would be if you no longer carried those burdens. Release them to God. Pray for his peace, guidance, and help. And he will answer you. God has often spoken to me through Bible verses. This is one verse he gave me during a time of need: Phillipians 4: 6 - 7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

What is the difference in effect of stating the Golden Rule as a negative ("Don't do to others, as ..."), as did Rabbi Hillel, rather than a positive ("Do to others, as ..."), as did Jesus? The focus is different. The first sentence, as taught by Rabbi Hillel is borne out of prudence and a desire for peace of mind, comfort, and self-preservation. Jesus's sentence, however, changes the motivation. His sentence isn't for our well-being—it encourages us to seek or establish the well-being of others. Stating the rule as a negative changed the focus of the intent. The negative phrasing advances our own goals. The positive phrasing redirects our motivation and focuses on the advancement of others. And as always, it's the intent—what's in our heart—that Jesus is most pleased by.

Why is loving your enemy so much like divine love? What is the implication of this for our salvation? For our lifestyle? Through our disobedience, disloyalty, unfaithfulness, selfishness, and hardheartedness, we are the very definition of 'enemies of God'. But because God accepts us as his children, he keeps loving and forgiving us. This is what divine love is and what he wants us to display (Jesus has, through parables and direct commands, told us to forgive each other as our father in Heaven has forgiven us). When we love our enemies we parallel God's love for us. When we love our enemies we display divine love. We are saved because of divine love. Because God forgives us again and again and again—all we have to do is ask to access his forgiveness—his forgiveness is already ours. And it is this 'standing forgiveness', accessed through our belief and repentance, that makes us eligible for salvation. The implications of this on our lifestyle? We are not to seek retaliation and not to be pleased by the downfall of people who hurt us. We are to dispense mercy when we are in the position to do so, to grant forgiveness before we're asked, to bless, to pray, and to love—regardless of how deserving someone is (because we, ourselves, haven't received God's love and forgiveness because we deserved it). We should forgive the way we know we're being forgiven and love the way we know we're being loved.

4. Why do we seek to please people? Why is pleasing people such a trap for Christians? Is there anything good about trying to please people? Why is it necessary to get this in balance in our lives? We seek to please people because we like comfort and it is comfortable to be liked. But pleasing people is a trap because the values of the world aren't the values of God. The world likes people who are rich and successful, and glamorises people who are domineering, cutting, and controversial. If we try to affix those labels to ourselves and we do it by not helping others, stepping on people's toes, and being selfish, hurtful. vain, or unchristian--then we're acting contrary to God. Is there anything good about trying to please people? It depends upon the deed and your motivation. There's nothing wrong in bringing a smile to someone's face, making people feel better, consoling them, or bringing them comfort. It's only when we act contrary to the will of God in order to win acclaim or adulation that we go wrong. We can balance pleasing people with pleasing God by always remembering to act in accordance with God's will and by examining our motives and intentions. We shouldn't do nice things in order to be liked--we should do them in order to better lives, bring joy to hearts, and honour God.

3. What is wrong with being rich? With desiring to be rich? Why is this such a stumbling block for Christians? How are you getting this in balance in your life? Being rich means being comfortable with the poverty and suffering of others. If you're rich it's because the money that you can use to save lives is being withheld for your comfort. You could help someone afford a transplant, you can 'gift' a child life-saving surgery, you can keep people from starving to death, you can give people clean water or shelter--there's so much in the world that needs to be done. Keeping money so that you feel safe for a rainy day--or keeping it because you like the feeling of wealth in your bank account... that's not compassionate, that's not trusting God, and that's not right. Christians have trouble with this because the world keeps telling them that accumulating wealth is wisdom. But that is the worldly value system and not Christian wisdom--which tells us to depend upon God and help the less fortunate. How am I getting this balance in my life? After we've paid our rent, utility bills, and grocery bills and seen to our modest needs, we give our leftover money to charity. In return God has provided for us and we've never been in want. We depend upon God heavily and we've never been in want. I live the richest life possible because it's filled with God's providence and protection. I could never have provided for myself half as well if I'd decided to save all my money instead of donating. We don't have a large bank balance but we do have everything else we need. God has always provided for us when we've needed something. I'd like other Christians to consider trusting God for his help and being more generous. You may not be able to take expensive holidays or own flashy cars, but you'll be saving lives and pleasing God. What could possibly make your life richer than knowing you've saved a life or served God when he called upon you?

2. Choose one of these four alternatives and then support your choice: (1) Christianity can be accurately characterized by delayed gratification. (2) Christianity can be accurately characterized as seeking a present blessing and experience. (3) Christianity can be characterized by both a present blessing and experience, and by delayed gratification. (4) Christianity can be accurately characterized by none of the above. Why did you make the choice you did? I would choose 4. Delayed gratification is a part of Christianity--we don't focus on the value system of this world but life by the values of God (the rewards of which we'll only feel in the next world). Seeking a present blessing and experience is also a part of Christianity--part of the richness of Chrstians life is the fact that Christians get to see the hand of God and experience his marvellous blessings in everything around them. But I would pick neither to represent Christianity. The first option (delayed gratification) puts too much of an emphasis on reward and not enough on love, while the second focuses on "what we get out of it". There is a reward and we do get a lot out of Christianity--but that isn't the focus of our faith. Christianity is about having a relationship with God. A loving relationship where he is the parent and we his children. We depend upon him, he cares for us, we repay him with love, loyalty and gratitude, and he showers us with blessings and leads us to a place of safety and contentment. Christianity can be accurately characterised as 'a rich, loving and personal relationship with God'.

1. What does Jesus mean by his use of the words "poor" and "rich" in this passage? Does he intend these words to be taken literally or figuratively? I think Jesus used the words 'poor' and 'rich' literally in this sermon. Poor people are more likely to seek out God for help, and poor Christians are more likely to lean on God. They develop a relationship with him when they do this, and experience the wonder of his divine providence and protection. They feel his love and see his hand responding to their needs. This cycle of trust-dependence-provision-love fills their lives with happiness that cannot be diminished and richness that cannot be quantified. And because of their rich relationship with God and their rich understanding of him, poor people are likelier to walk the narrow path successfully and inherit the kingdom of God. People with worldly riches have fewer reasons to seek out God and rich Christians tend to depend upon God less. They have a limited understanding of wealth and define it in terms of money and possessions. But the joy that comes from having money and possessions cannot compare with the joy that comes from experiencing God's provision and love. The spiritual satisfaction that comes with having a relationship with God far surpasses the worldly satisfaction of having a large bank balance. And because of their poor understanding of God and poor relationship with him, rich people are less likely to find the narrow path and inherit the kingdom of God.

Teaching that God's rules can sometimes be set aside for the sake of human need, can be dangerous. How can we observe this truth without abusing it? Jesus gave us two rules which he said summed up every other rule: 1. Love God with all your heart, all your strength and all your might, and 2. Love your neighbour as you love yourself. The second rule is a direct command to tend to the need of humans. And there is no circumstance under which pure and simple love and loyalty for God will prevent you from feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, caring for the sick, comforting the sad, or helping the helpless. It's only when you choose to express your love and loyalty to God in legalistic ways that you may feel like you're setting aside God's rules when you tend to human need. For example, take time and money. Too many people think we honour God with our money through tithes and honour him with our time by attending church events. They're falling into the legalistic trap of the Pharisees. We're forgetting that we can honour God by buying food, medicine, and clothes for the helpless. We can honour God by spending time with the aged and abandoned. 'Tithes' and çhurch events' in these instances are legal shortcuts that make us feel we're putting our love for God first and therefore pleasing him. If you take a little trouble to think about what Jesus would want and your own motives, you would realise that you should be thinking "how can I honour God with my time and money in this situation?". In short: There are no rules of Jesus that contravene human need unless your motive is 'establishing personal holiness' and not 'reflecting God's love and compassion.'

3. Please share a struggle you had with trying to contain the Life of Christ in an "old wineskin"? Some of your brothers and sisters may understand the concept better if you'll share personally in your discussion group. Trying to understand the New Testament message of Heaven, hell, Salvation, and Condemnation through the lens of the Old Testament was a huge struggle for me. I couldn't understand why good people would go to hell just because they didn't believe in Jesus--after all they're good people aren't they? It felt cruel for God to reject them just for that one lapse. My inability to understand this significantly weakened my faith at one point. But the New Testament stresses the fact that it is our place in God's family that saves us--not our deeds. God forgives his children unconditionally just as any good father would. And our faith in him is how we accept his offer to become his children. In short: Jesus' message of Salvation only made sense through the New Testament viewpoint that emphasizes faith--not the Old Testament teachings that emphasize deeds. Finally understanding that strengthened my faith. Thank you Jesus for that understanding!

What does it say about you that Jesus, the Most Worthy One, died for you. How does he value your worth? Jesus died for me. This tells me without any doubt that I am loved and that he considers me his child. He loves me as dearly as I love my own child. He values my worth highly—with his life. And because of the loving relationship he's initiated with me I know he doesn't see me as just one of the many billion humans on Earth. He sees me and loves me for who I am. That's such an overwhelming thought. How casual should you be before the Lamb who is Most Worthy? What is the appropriate relationship with him? Our relationship with God has no parallel. He is our Father, our King, and our Creator. I think Christianity is a journey on which we discover just how to have a meaningful relationship with God. While God will always forgive us if we treat him lightly and take him for granted, it still isn't something we should knowingly do. I've always see God as my Father and Maker above all else. He loves me, he protects me, he guides me, and he does it for nothing—just like a loving parent. And I give him my love, loyalty, and trust—just like a loving daughter. He's always been my Father, but I'm slowly also beginning to see him as my King. I have a role to play in his plan. I am his subject, with tasks to carry out, and a mission to fulfil in establishing his kingdom. In what ways has he humbled himself to reveal himself to you? Jesus shed his divinity to come to Earth. He allowed himself to be ridiculed, tortured, and killed because it would save me. But that's not all. It wasn't a take-it-or-leave-it salvation. He also came after me personally. He guided my life towards him, specifically, and every time I strayed he brought me back. He's bound me tightly to him. That the King and Creator put all that effort into just one person—me—is difficult to accept. That he does the same for everybody else—billions of people—is staggering. His capacity to love and care is truly infinite.

Q1. In the New Testament world, what class of humans were freed by payment of a redemption price or a ransom? Why do you think that Jesus, Peter, and Paul used this analogy in this week's theme verses. What aspect of the Christian life does it help explain? Jesus, Peter, and Paul use this analogy because it explains our situation perfectly. All of humanity is held in slavery. We are slaves to sin. And because only the sinless can save the sinner from sin, only Jesus has the power to save us. The price for our freedom was his blood. When he shed it sin had no hold over us and we were free. When he died he took away our sins and made us right with God. Or, as in this analogy, he rescued us from the fate that awaited us—death as slaves to sin, in sin. The analogy helps explain why Christians label things as 'sinful' or not, why we constantly try to avoid sin, and what our attitude towards sin is. We know that sin is bad and to be avoided, but also that it doesn't have a hold on us and with redemption we can leave the guilt it brings behind. Our understanding of sin, its consequences, its hold on us, and our subsequent freedom frees us mentally and spiritually. Non Christians who don't have any concept of sin may divide the world into right and wrong—but their definitions of 'right' and 'wrong' are incomplete and not necessarily true. Their definitions also don't offer them the strength to walk away from sin. And their definitions certainly don't promise them freedom from guilt or death. .