Lisa Rupert

Q2. (Romans 5:13, 20) What is Paul saying in these verses? Paul is saying that sin existed before the law was brought about. And that the law was added so that sin maybe seen or known as what it is sin, a transgression against the law. Can there be sin without law? Yes sin did exist without the law. In what sense does the "trespass increase" (5:20) when the law is present? The trespass increased the knowledge that sin was present. Before it wasn't preceived as sin or that one was living in a sinful nature.

Q1. What kinds of circumstances in modern life can you think of where a single person acts for an entire group? In what ways are members of the group tied to this person? I believe that the previous examples pretty much define the acts of a single person and how they affect an entire group. Ex: Fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, pastors, presidents, political officials, governments, etc.....

Q3. (Romans 5:6, 8) Why is it so important to embrace the truth that "Christ died for the ungodly" (5:6), Christ died for us because we could not get it on our own, we were ungodly, and we had become enemies of God instead of his obedient children. We wallowed in sin, we weren't very good children, we were filty disobedient children. that "Christ died for sinners" (5:8)? He Christ died for the sinner because what would the righteous need, would not the righteous believe his way is right? And that he needed no assistance because he was on the right path, but the sinner knew that he was not worthy of God's love and Jesus' death shows the sinner that God loves you despite your sins. That God loves you so much that he gave his son who died for those sin and he forgives us even when we find it hard to forgive ourselves. His loving mercy is always open to us. According to 5:8, did Christ die for us at our best or at our worst? Christ died for us at our worst. How does this give us assurance against the devil's lies about us being too bad to forgive? We can't be too bad that God's loving mercy won't forgive us for, remember that Christ gave his life for the sinner and God is no liar. But satan is the ultimate liar and he has no merit to any claims between God and his promises to his children, The death of Christ paid the ultimate price for our sins.

Q2. (Romans 5:2-5) According to this passage why should we rejoice in our sufferings and tribulations? Because we rejoice in the hope and glory of GOD. Suffering produces perserverance, character and hope. Hope is what God molds into us through tribulation. Suffering is the classroom that GOD uses to develop HIS CHARACTER in us. One by one, what is the importance to our lives of: Perseverance, To stand and deliver, no matter how difficult, to produce, never wavering, to press on, to move forward. Tried Character, Our experiences, our life lessons, our firm convictions. Our Christ-like character. Tried, proved, and tested. Hope Knowing that we are GOD's children, in all we are and in all we do. The path we have chosen is one we are sure of for we know Who we are, Why we are, and Where we are going. We don't walk blindly we walk with our eyes and our hearts open in strength and conviction lead by the Holy Spirit.

Q1. (Romans 5:1-2) According to verses 1-2, faith is a key to salvation. For Abraham (4:3), what was the relationship between faith and justification? Abraham faith in God was justified because he believed in God. So he was made righteous by God for this belief. "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." (Romans 4:3) For us (5:1-2), what is the relationship between faith and justification? The relationship between faith and justification is that one must have total faith in something before it can be rendered justified, reliable, believable, acceptable. A relationship that is with The Son of God who died for our sins. And because Abraham was declared righteous because of his faith we to have been justified through faith too. In your own words, just what does it mean to be justified? In my words the meaning of justification is that by believing in Jesus, his death for our sins, his resurrection and that he is the Son of God, Emmanuel, God with us justifies our belief in God the Father and in The Son whose death covers our sins and opens the door for a relationship between God the Father and his children. 1 "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God." (5:1-2)

Q1. (Matthew 7:13-14) If Jesus' teaching about the narrow gate and the narrow road to life is to be believed, what change would this make in how you conduct your life? What difference would it make to how you witness to your neighbors? How might it affect your acceptance of Universalism? The narrow gate and narrow road to life has been demonstrated in my search of Christ. I know how lonely this journey can be. I try to live a Christ-like life and be an example to my neighbors and family not all are accepting but I persevere to teach the good news. I do not accept this universalism for this is the path that leads to destruction. It has no place, for Christ is the way, the only way, the path that leads to life. I have to say I was stunned reading some of the other responses that spoke of the way Oprah Winfrey has decided to lead others, does she not know that she is only opening the door for satan? I don't watch her programs nor do I keep up with her latest trends but it was surprising to hear the direction she has choosen to lead others. One should be careful especially when you are responsible for many.

Q3. (Matthew 7:9-11). What do these verses teach us about God's relationship to us? What do they teach about God's characteristic response toward us? How does this differ from a cynical view of God? Why is a positive understanding of God important to be able to pray with faith? These verses teach us that God is our Father and He loves us and we can trust in Him. His response to us is one of a Loving Father who gives His children good gifts. A cynical view of God is a view without faith. They don't understand the power of prayer and faith and the belief in our FATHER"S love for HIS children. That is why it is important for us to understand and know our Father and to do all things in Faith. Knowing we can Trust In Him and knowing that He loves His children.

Q2. (Matthew 7:7-8) Which lesson is taught in both the Parables of the Friend at Midnight (Luke 11:5-10) and the Widow and the Unjust Judge (Luke 18:1-6)? How do these relate to the commands in Matthew 7:7-8? The lessons taught in the Parable and The Widow are that we are to be presistant in our request. They relate to the commands in Matthew because we are to be presistant in asking, seeking, knocking. Don't give up! But remember to be patient.

Q1. (Matthew 7:1-2) What do the words "ask," "seek," and "knock" have in common? What distinguishes them from each other? Does one word convey more intensity than another? What is the significance of the present, continuous, imperative tense of these verbs? The words ask, seek, and knock share a commonality that they are all words of action. They require that we perform them all together in prayer when asking of the Father. How we distinguish them is that we must first ask of Him in petition, then we shall seek what we have asked, then we knock so the doors will be open.

Q4. (Matthew 7:6) In Jesus' day, what did dogs and pigs have in common?Dog's and pig's in Jesus' day were both considered unclean animals. What would holy food and pearls have in common? The commonality between holy food and pearls are that they were both precious. Read Matthew 10:14; Acts 13:44-51; 18:5-6; and 28:17-28. In what kinds of circumstances did believers turn away from a continued sharing of the gospel? When the Jews saw the large crowds they were jealous and became angry and they did not want to have anything to do with what was being shared which was the gospel. To what kinds of people did they continue their witness? They decided to witness to those that wanted to hear, which were the Gentiles.

Q3. (Matthew 7:3-5) What about this parable is humorous? The use of the plank and the speck. Why do you think Jesus compares a speck of sawdust with a plank or beam? He compares a speck of sawdust as something small to a plank or a beam or we could see it as a two-by-four which is something huge. What does the speck represent? The speck represents the small sin. What does the plank represent? The plank represents much confusion, a huge sin, or problem. According to this parable, when is it okay to remove a speck? When is it not okay? In accordance to this parable it is okay to remove a speck when you have removed the plank from your being with cleansing and guidance from God. But we should not try to remove a speck from someone else until we have removed the plank from ourselves, using self-examination and correction of our sins asking for God to cleanse our lives before we take on even the smallest of specks in someone elses. Humbling ourselves before God. Asking for His guidance then approaching our brother's and sister's with love, kindness and understanding. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." (Luke 18:9-14)

Q2. (Matthew 7:1-2) Read a similar passage in Luke 6:37-38. According to Matthew's account, what is our fate if we measure out big heaps of judgment with a critical spirit?According to Matthew's account on judgement in passages 7:1-2 our fate for the way we judge will be measured to us by God on account of how we have judged others so will it be how He judges us. According to Luke's account, how can measuring be both positive and negative? In accordance to Luke's account on judgement, the positive is that if we measure judgement in favor of God's loving mercy towards others, God will bless us with this same loving mercy when judging us. But if we judge harshly and negatively, condemning our brothers and sisters we too shall be judged with that same measurement of judgement we have given others by God which will be harshly. For with the same dose of judgement we measure with so shall we be measured by. What should we measure out instead of judgmentalism? We should measure out loving kindness, mercy and understanding towards our brother's and sister's instead of harsh critical judgement.

Q1. (Matthew 7:1) Have you ever caught yourself severely criticizing others Christians behind their backs -- or to their faces? What is the attitude that underlies censoriousness? How can the psychological concept of "projection" motivate harsh judgment? Why must Christians show love in the face of a brother's or sister's failing? Guilty, Guilty, Guilty. I am very guilty of judging others it was so bad that I earned the name of "the one who wears the halo" and many have called me the next savior because I was guilty of thinking I was not a sinner, better than anyone else because I studied the Word. Boy, was I foolish. Backbitting, Criticizing, Judging, being in clic's with other Christians who only let certain types in, etc... I demonstrated everyone of those attributes. But, I am glad that I finally realized that I was sinning all along. I've repented and rebuked that type of behavior. Of course, I have to constantly work on it but I'm growing. I know now how important it is to show love and kindness towards my brother's and sister's in CHRIST. Just like CHRIST loves, I too should love my fellow brother's and sister's. And I should show GOD's love towards every creature that GOD created for HE rains on the righteous and on the unjust.

Q4. (Matthew 6:33) What is the command in this verse? How must our seeking God differ from our seeking of food and clothing, according to this verse? What is the promise found in this verse? The command in Matthew 6:33 is that we are to "Seek First His Kingdom and His Righteousness. Which must differ from us seeking the primary needs such as food and clothing because God is our Sustainer. For without Him nothing is possible and only through Him are things possible. His promise to us is that if we seek first His Kingdom and His Righteousness all these things will be provided to us.

Q3. (Matthew 6:31-32) Why does Jesus mention the "pagans" or "Gentiles" in verse 32? What point is he making? The Gentile or pagans are those who do not worship Christ. They follow their own traditions and worship their possessions. They are considered to be idol worshippers and heathens. How should a Christian differ from a Gentile, according to Jesus' teaching in this passage?Christians are followers of Christ and they should not follow the ways of the Gentile who are earthy creatures who worship no one except their earthiness. What emotional and faith effect does the phrase, "your heavenly Father knows that you need them," have in your life? The phrase "your heavenly Father knows that you need them" plays a very important role in my everyday life, especially now with this economy as it is, I know that he takes care of my every need, even before I go to him with it, he knows that I need it.