Irmela

Q3. (1 Corinthians 13:10) When do you think the "perfect" comes? How do you support your interpretation? I think it is when Christ returns. The Amplified version puts it in this way: "But when the complete and perfect [total] comes, the incomplete and imperfect will vanish away - become antiquated, void and superseded." To me it becomes perfect when Christ is there. No more mistakes/sins etc., it will be perfect.

Q2. (1 Corinthians 13:4-6) Which one or two of these tests of agape love do you have the most trouble with? How might prayer help you grow? How will walking with the Spirit help you deal with these flaws? I tend to get irritable and impatient with myself and others if something is not properly done. A task not done as instructed by a supervisor and then I have to continue working on that slipshod product. I will easily then just do the task myself from A to Z. I also get irritable with others who display this kind of conduct. (Then I have oodles of patience) I also tend to look at strangers with suspicion, especially when their character is highly praised and the outward that I see is flashy or totally the opposite. I know that if and when this situation arises and I immediately pray about it and stay in prayer, it is easier to get through it without the irritability to rear its ugly head. Also I am then able to accept that person for who he/she is and just know that just as I am, they too are, still a work in progress. Walking in the Spirit sure does help. I see people and situations in a different light. It is as though I see the world through God's pair of glasses not just my earthly eyes.

Q1. (1 Corinthians 13:1-3) What is the result of the greatest imaginable manifestation of the gifts of the Spirit done without love? Without love it is as nothing, as noise, meaningless. In fact it can be damaging to the "Body of Christ"/the Church . People can be put off by this kind of manifestation and then steer clear of the genuine gifts. Unbelievers are possibly even more put off by this kind of behaviour. Is it possible to operate a gift of the Spirit from a selfish or wrong motivation? Yes, it unfortunately often happens. Which make us more spiritual -- Gifts of the Spirit or Fruit of the Spirit? For Fruit to develop and ripen ,Gifts too are necessary. Love just needs to be centre of it all to be of any use to each other. Else selfishness rules.

Q5. (1 Corinthians 12:27) How are you hurt by the people who don't use their spiritual gifts for one reason or another? How much richer would your congregation be if you -- and everyone else -- were to use their spiritual gifts? What might happen in people's lives? What might be the community impact of your congregation? At present I cannot really answer the questions as I am not functioning in any congregation. I am helping and encouraging friends from where I was previously located but have not endeavoured successfully to start afresh where I am at present. Before, some yrs ago where I was in a congregation very active in the community, it was amazing. Many were using their individual gifts. Yes, some got hurt, by jealousy shown by others, who were too scared to move around freely and use their gifts where needed. I guess from my experience I can say that it is very important for everyone to use the gifts bestowed on each individual for the proper functioning of the body where the Lord has placed you.

Q4. (1 Corinthians 12:11) What are several lessons that we learn from verse 11? What is the role of the Holy Spirit in spiritual gifts? We find that in the distributing and the operating of the gifts it is all from God. Every gift is spiritual and directed for "service". The spiritual gifts are all directed to the common good of the community. {The supreme example is the self-sacrificing Lord.} The Holy Spirit empowers the gifts The Holy Spirit distributes the gifts The Holy Spirit gives at least one to every person The Holy Spirit distributes the gifts individually The Holy Spirit distributes the gifts according to His will and purpose

Q3. (1 Corinthians 12:8-10) Has God used you in one of these nine spiritual gifts -- or someone you know? How has this gift help build up and strengthen your congregation or community? Yes, I have had many dreams and visions, words of encouragement and discernment at times to share. In fact I gave my heart and life to the Lord after a dream and vision that I had, where He appeared to me and spoke to me. I share this with much gratefulness in my heart for the mercy He has shown me and His love. He has spoken audibly to me, on several occasions. These episodes in my life have helped keep me close to Him in all the experiences I have been through in my life so far. I know He is there and I know He holds my hand. I have experience healing, where someone lay hands on me and prayed. Whatever the doctor had seen disappeared and was no longer there upon further examination. I have also been encouraged on several occasions with a Word of knowledge, and also had strange feelings that something unusual would happen (which then did) and because of my prior feelings I was able to cope in the situation. Yes, these gifts certainly are still in operation in this day and age. They were not just for the early days.

Q2. Is it legitimate to use Jesus as our example in the use of spiritual gifts? Or was He so different than we are that we can't pattern our ministry after His example? Yes, we can use Jesus as our example. What would be the use of recording His life among us if we can't? He made the right choices. We too can make the right choices if we pattern our lives according to His.

Q1. (1 Corinthians 12:7) What is the purpose of spiritual gifts? Gifts are given to build up the 'body', and to strengthen the people. {for good and profit} What happens when people don't employ spiritual gifts for their intended purpose? Disunity and unhappiness in the body of believers and chaos. No real love amongst each other will be displayed. God will certainly not be glorified. What happens when a whole church full of people start using their diverse spiritual gifts? God is glorified. Unbelievers will be drawn to Him.

Q4. (1 Corinthians 11:28) What kind of self-examination at the Lord's Table is appropriate? How do confession and repentance fit with self-examination? How do confession and repentance serve to bring spiritual health and character change? It is important to look into my life and ask God to reveal if there is anything in my life that is displeasing to Him. Be it thoughts or deeds/actions. It is no good to then just become aware of them. They need to be removed. To get them removed you confess them and repent of them. (When you sweep the floor, it doesn't help to sweep it and just leave the accumulated heap one side. You have to pick it up and dispose of it. ) The confession means it is brought to the light and the repentance means a changing and not repeating of the same thing. A turn around as it were. It brings a lightness to the soul because you have unburdened yourself. now you no longer do that wrong action , so your character changes, with God's help.

Q3. (1 Corinthians 11:26) In what way is the Lord's Supper a proclamation? To whom is the proclamation made? To all present Why is this important? It is important because one can so easily fall into the pattern of grouping the "Haves" and the "Have Nots". What happens to the church when its proclamation shifts to a different central theme? The proclamation is showing that in Christ we are one. We all partake in what Christ did for us. In His death we are one. There is no longer a difference. When the theme is changed we have segregation between the members.

Q2. (1 Corinthians 11:25) What does the phrase mean: "This cup is the new covenant in My blood"? What is the old covenant? What are the provisions of the New Covenant? Much has been said about the above subject. Some have said lots some have said little. "This cup is the New Covenant in My blood." What a solemn moment for the disciples when Jesus uttered these words, before He gave them the wine at the supper. Years ago a covenant was renewed between Yahweh and His people, the children of Israel , after He had led them out of Egypt. After Moses read it out to them they all with one voice agreed to keep the covenant. (This was the Old Covenant . . . the blood of bulls and goats was shed, this was sprinkled on them to seal the covenant) Many times the Covenant was broken. A New Covenant was promised, and here Jesus spoke about it. When a Covenant was made, a meal was shared and blood was shed. Jesus shed His blood to seal the New Covenant. We in turn receive it by repentance and faith. Never again does a sacrifice need to be made. It was once for all time. Jesus as the sinless, spotless, LAMB gave Himself for this. We in turn by faith accept forgiveness having repented from our sins and have Salvation because of this.

Q1. (1 Corinthians 11:23-25) Why is it so important that we continually remember Christ's broken body and shed blood? In what sense do you believe that the bread is his body? That the wine is his blood? The remembrance is not just a glance back into the past but an existential statement, which makes present the reality of Christ's love. (This was shown in Him having given His body to be broken and His blood to be shed for us. He was the sacrifice.) The proclamation takes place in the eating and the drinking not in the telling of it. In the sharing of the bread and wine. This then is a common union with Christ and the participants. The eating and the drinking say/proclaim that the group is one. It is important to remember how it is that we are one in Christ. The bread is seen as a whole and then for everyone to share in it it is broken. For us to have a share in Christ He gave His body so it could be broken for us. His blood, that is his very life was shed for us (till the last drop). In the sharing of the wine, we share in His very life. To share in the bread and the wine we are reminded all the time that we are one community in Christ and that our life represents His life being lived in us.

Q5. (1 Corinthians 9:24-27) What point is Paul trying to make by using athletic analogies? What place does self-discipline have in our effectiveness as Christian workers? What place does self-discipline have in keeping us from falling into gross sin, such as idolatry? How might lack of self-discipline disqualify us for all God has for us? Paul is using athletics analogies because these pictures are well known to his audience. When taking part in athletics, it became a lifestyle. There were different games to participate in, every year. (The Olympic Games, the Isthmean Games, Nemean Games and Pythian Games) To take part in the athletics they had to train for 10 months before the event. They had to practice self-discipline, they had to practice even when it would have been easier to give up. Training was a daily exercise, not only something done now and again. There was a purpose they strove for, in taking part. They strove to win the prize. In the athletics it was a perishable crown, but the Christian looks forward to an eternal reward. Just as self-discipline was part and parcel of an athletes life-style, so was self-discipline (to stay away from idolatry and anything else for that matter, that would make one fall back into sin), part and parcel of a Christian's life-style. To live as a Christian worker needs the same kind of discipline. Do not give up in the struggle. Keep on keeping on. Lack of self-discipline can make one complacent and not watchful. Before you know it, you have fallen into a snare the evil one has pitched for you.

Q4. (1 Corinthians 9:15-22) Why did Paul "become all things to all men"? What was his purpose? Was he able to be authentic in doing so? What is the difference between Paul's chameleon ministry and mere role-playing? What are you willing to give up so that you can reach the people God has called you to minister to? Paul "became all things to all men", that is he identified himself with them, so he could win some. He basically puts himself in their shoes. He tries to feel what it would be like to be a slave, a master or scholar, a Jew or Greek etc. JanMary explains what I am trying to say, in her answer 6 May 2014, when she testifies to people or shares her experiences with someone, she identifies with them, and shares that part of her life which they can understand at that present time. They can understand that she is sharing from experience and not sucking it out of her thumb. Those of us with varied hardships in our life's-walk can testify from personal experience and others can identify by trying to put themselves as best possible in the other persons shoes. the condemnation you at first feel, is stripped away and you are filled with compassion for them. your approach changes and you can easier show Christ's love as He would have you do. I do feel Paul was very authentic in his approach to his converts. A chameleon remains a genuine chameleon, whether it is green, brown or whatever color it changes to. Paul remained Paul whether he was filling the shoes of a Greek or Jew, a slave or a free person. When you are role-paying you are acting as if you are someone else, you are no longer genuinely yourself. God knows what I gave up. It is all in His Hands, and that is where I plan to keep it. His will be done.

Q3. (1 Corinthians 9:15-18) Why doesn't Paul have a personal choice about preaching? Will volunteer and bi-vocational Christian workers receive a greater reward in heaven than those who are paid here on earth? If so, why? If not, why not? Preaching to the 'lost' was Paul's calling. He was entrusted with the responsibility of bringing the Gospel to the Gentiles. It was what he was commissioned to do. It was what God equipped/prepared him for. He chose to obey God. (At the first it was not his choice because he first persecuted the followers of Christ.) Wherever we work we are all to live Christ and whatever we do we are to do it as unto the Lord. Yes, with work, generally you do get paid for it. Just so when a congregation calls a preacher, they generally are responsible for paying him for the work. Therefore both for what is termed secular work as well as in the ministry a reward is received, i.e. a salary. If then a volunteer worker, be it in the secular field (I am referring to the one who is doing it all as unto the Lord) or in full time ministry, without remuneration, a reward is due. This reward I believe is what Jesus spoke about in Mt 6:1-4. You will be rewarded by God. So be it on earth or in heaven somewhere a reward will be given for the work that is done for the Lord. He, the Lord God, owes no man anything or is in debt to no man. He is a more than a just God.

Q2. (1 Corinthians 9:13-14) Why did Jesus command his disciples to receive support on their journeys? What scriptural obligation do Christian congregations have to do their best to support their pastor -- and, if possible, other workers? What accountability will church board members experience when they pay their pastor less than they should? The disciples were not doing other work to get wages to support themselves. They were sent out by Jesus to preach, saying the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand; cure the sick; raise the dead; cleanse the lepers; drive out demons. (Matthew 10: 7&8) This was their work. The workman deserves his support - his living, his food. (Matthew 10:10) The pastor, who is working in the vineyard (congregation) designated to him, and the workers with him should also receive support. Deut 25:4 You shall not muzzle the ox when he treads out the grain. That is to say the labourer is worthy of his hire. Malachi 3:12 Bring the tithes to the storehouse so that there is food in My House. Who is working there to benefit from that? The pastors and the other full time workers. Lev 27:30-32 Again we see be it seeds, fruit, herds, flocks etc., the tithe belongs to the Lord Numb 18:21-28 Here we see how the Levites were cared for and supported by the tithes brought in. The obligation that was given to the Israelites as a nation to support the Levites consecrated to being in the service of the Lord, is now given to the congregations to support the pastors, missionaries, evangelists etc working under that specific umbrella. The board members are held accountable before God to pay the pastors their due.

Q1. (1 Corinthians 9:4-12) Why does Paul argue for the right of apostles and other Christian workers to be supported, if he has decided not to exercise this right himself? Why would it hinder missionary work for a missionary to expect his new converts to support him? From the O.T. times we find that the priests were supported from what the people gave. Reading in the Israelite's History we find that when there was support as God directed then the priests functioned correctly in their role. Paul points all this out, and shows the logic behind the Christian worker being supported, as he and his family also have the right to live. He decided not to exercise this right as he did not want to burden the fledgling church group. Asking for support is a very sensitive issue. Before newly converts fully understand that the missionary is there to actually "serve them", instruct them or teach them in their new way of life, it can easily put them off when requesting for support from them. Very often they themselves live below the breadline. One does find though that often they are eager to give , if you are just willing to accept that what they have to give.

Q5. (1 Corinthians 10:19-21) The beings behind idols are not real gods, according to 1 Corinthians 8:4. What kind of beings does this passage say they are? What then is the spiritual danger to us of participating in idol worship (or the occult, for that matter)? Idols are man-made items that have no power, but but but, there are demons behind idols. The spiritual danger of us participating in idol worship or the occult, is that we are actually showing that we are one with them. We are united with them. We are agreeing with them.

Q4. (1 Corinthians 10:18) In what way did the priests participate in the altar by eating of the Old Testament sacrifices? How does Paul connect this observation with our participation with Christ's sacrifice? The priests participated by taking their share of the sacrifice as stipulated in the O.T. so we have a three way participation ; God, the priests and the one who brought the offering to be sacrificed, together with his family and whoever he had invited to participate in the meal. In the same way when we participate in the communion / Lord's Supper we are sharing or participating in His sacrifice on the cross.

(1 Corinthians 10:16-18) What does koinōnia mean? What does it mean to "participate" or "share" in the blood of Christ? Or in the body of Christ? Koinonia means to share with, to participate, to have communion. To participate or share in the blood or body of Christ means to have part in, to be part of the sacrifice . To be one with. To be united. This means to be united with horizontally and vertically, with Christ, the sacrificial LAMB, and the one's participating in the "communion".

Q2. (1 Corinthians 10:12-13) What about our human make-up causes us to face temptation? What does this passage teach about our temptations? What does it teach us about God's help in temptation? When we become proud and think we are capable of standing on our own, we need to be most careful, for then, we are most likely to fall into temptation and lose the battle. Alone we cannot make it. the tempter knows when we are most vulnerable. In this passage we find that though we are tempted, we need never face that temptation alone. !) No temptation will be meted out that has not been used before, i.e., someone else has had to endure that same kind of temptation. 2) We will not be tempted beyond that which we can handle. 3) With the temptation, God will provide a way of escape. 4) The escape will enable you to endure the temptation. 5) Most importantly, GOD IS FAITHFUL!!!!!! God is always there, hands on, to help us in the temptation. We need never face it alone.

Q1. (1 Corinthians 8:1-8) The "liberal" Corinthians had ready excuses for why it was okay to eat with their friends in feasts held in pagan temples. What were their excuses that Paul combats in verse 1-6? Sometimes we excuse our own questionable behaviors. How can we assess the validity of our excuses? What effect would observing your behavior have on new Christians? The excuse was that idols do not exist. So in fact the meat was sacrificed to nothing. In general these feasts were something to look forward to. Fish was the staple diet, so to be invited to join in a feast to have 'meat', was something special. The excess meat would be sold much cheaper at the temples than in the markets. This became a social gathering then to share the meat with friends. New Christians who had just come away from idol worship, could easily stumble by this behaviour. What was a believer doing in a pagan temple? Worse still, what was he doing joining in the feast that was "honoring" an idol. We can weigh up our excuses by looking at the outcome of our actions. Does it cause another believer to stumble? Does it bring doubt about the genuineness of our conversion? Can others say our lifestyle is no different than someone who does not follow Christ? Does my living draw others to Christ? I can only pray and hope that they would be blessed and strive to serve Christ more fully. Please help, dear Lord that it is Christ they see, living in me.

Q12. (James 2:13b) In what way is showing regard towards the wealthy (James 2:2-3) a denial of mercy? Read Hosea 6:6; Matthew 5:7; and 9:13. In what way does mercy "triumph over" (NIV, RSV, NASB) or "rejoice against" (KJV) judgment? What does this mean? If indeed we showed partiality to the rich and disregarded the poor, just because of being poor, we are certainly not showing mercy. Take for instance a rich person arrived for help after the poor person did. The tendency to leave the poor person in the lurch and attend to the rich one first, is what would be expected. This very definitely shows a denial of mercy towards the poor person. In Matthew 7:2 we read that the standard/measure which we use to judge others, will in fact be used to judge us Mercy is what we need to reflect in our working with people, be it poor or rich, the deserving or the non-deserving. Mercy indeed triumphs because only if mercy is shown can the commandment of love be adhered to or be put into practice. If judgement is shown none of us will be able to keep the commandments. We all fall short. If one commandment is not adhered to it is as if none have been kept, as they all interlink. In Hosea we are told that God delights in loyalty, (which is a covenant of love and mercy) rather than sacrifice (that would be an outward show, something all would see).

Q11. (James 2:9-11) Why does James refer to the Great Commandment as the "Royal Law"? How is it more "royal" than the Mosaic Law? How does showing favoritism toward a rich person break the "Royal Law" towards that rich person? How does it break the "Royal Law" in regard to a poor person? One translation refers to it as the Law from the Highest Authority. Surely the Commandments that Moses received on the tablets of stone were from God Himself. They weren't just sucked out of Moses' thumb. So I feel that he is referring to it as the Royal Law, not because it is in anyway different than before, but because it is the same and stems from the King of kings. It needs to be obeyed, to be put into practice. All the other commandments hinge onto that one. Because of grace we are able to "love our neighbour as ourselves". If indeed we show favour to a rich person, or to a poor person if you will (anyone for that matter), then we are not treating them equally as is expected and are showing by our actions, that one is more worthy of being paid attention to , as is another.

Q10. (James 2:4) In what way does favoritism make one a judge? How does favoritism make one a judge with "evil thoughts"? Showing favoritism leads those not in that circle to think they are worthless, or not wanted. So it seems like they are being judged. Like they are not good enough to be used or needed for anything. (I have lived in that category for a long time. I am very easily excluded, or feel myself not good enough and force myself into the shadows for fear of getting included into something I cannot handle or cope with.) Showing favoritism can make one have prejudice towards others that are not included in that circle, or put differently can make one a judge with 'evil thought' towards them. This way of thinking can also easily come to those being excluded from the "in-crowd". We can easily judge them for excluding us. Sometimes it happens unintentionally.