-
Posts
1,853 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Everything posted by haar
-
Q1. Tents vs. Houses
haar replied to Pastor Ralph's topic in 6. Walking by Faith, Not by Sight (5:1-16)
Q1. (2 Corinthians 5:1-5) In what sense are our bodies like tents? If we were to truly look forward to our “house not made with hands,” how would it affect our daily lives here? by comparing our physical bodies to tents means that they will not last here on earth for ever. They will be changed to our eternal bodies that will last for ever in eternity. If we were to truly look forward to our "house not made with hands" we will have the expectaions of the heavenly things above. This will make us focus our lives here on earth more on things that will glorify God and prepare us for eternity. -
Q5. A Focus on Eternal Things
haar replied to Pastor Ralph's topic in 5. Treasures in Clay Pots (4:1-18)
Q5. (2 Corinthians 4:15-18) In what way do problems and physical deterioration help us toward “an eternal weight of glory”? Why is it so easy to focus on temporal matters to the exclusion of eternal things? Why is a focus on eternal things so important to our spiritual growth? What can we do to help shift our focus? Physical deterioration and problems are terrible to bear. However, the Bible tells us that they are meant to deveolp us inwardly in our hearts, soul and spirit- to become stronger. This is possible if we focuss on the eternal benefits- reward from our heavenly father for passing the test. The pain of the problems we go through could be so much that we focus only on them and loose focus of the gain (reward) in eternity. Focussing on eternal gains will however help us to endure the present proplems no matter the degree of pain they produce. Prayer for our father and the Lord Jesus Christ to help us with the grace to go through can help us to endure and overcome the to problems. -
Q4. Stress, Pressure, and Growth
haar replied to Pastor Ralph's topic in 5. Treasures in Clay Pots (4:1-18)
Q4. (2 Corinthians 4:8-12) How does it encourage you to know that Paul went through tremendous stress and pressure? What effect did these sufferings have on the way people could see Christ in Paul? Why is pain necessary to spiritual growth? How does our pain allow others to assess our authenticity as Christians? Paul's experience is an encouragement to all of us that when we find ourselves in trouble, God will help us to overcome. People could see that the power and grace of God was suffient to him (Paul) as they saw him overcoming all his troubles. Our maturity is a measure of how we are able to face challenges and yet overcome all through the power of the Lord God in us. This then enables others to see that we are authentic in our conduct and life. -
Q4. Stress, Pressure, and Growth
haar replied to Pastor Ralph's topic in 5. Treasures in Clay Pots (4:1-18)
Q4. (2 Corinthians 4:8-12) How does it encourage you to know that Paul went through tremendous stress and pressure? What effect did these sufferings have on the way people could see Christ in Paul? Why is pain necessary to spiritual growth? How does our pain allow others to assess our authenticity as Christians? Paul's experience is an encouragement to all of us that when we find ourselves in trouble, God will help us to overcome. People could see that the power and grace of God was suffient to him (Paul) as they saw him overcoming all his troubles. Our maturity is a measure of how we are able to face challenges and yet overcome all through the power of the Lord God in us. This then enables others to see that we are authentic in our conduct and life. -
Q3. The Treasure and the Clay
haar replied to Pastor Ralph's topic in 5. Treasures in Clay Pots (4:1-18)
Q3. (2 Corinthians 4:7) What truth is Paul seeking to communicate by this analogy of a treasure in a pottery jar? What does the clay jar represent? What does the treasure represent? What’s the paradox here? In Paul's analogy of treasure in a pottery jar, the clay jar represents us while the treasure represents the power of the Lord Jesus in us. Though we are mere mortals, weak and prone to sin, we have dynamic power of God in us to proclaim His word to the world. This is a paradox. -
Q2. Satan-induced Blindness
haar replied to Pastor Ralph's topic in 5. Treasures in Clay Pots (4:1-18)
Q2. (2 Corinthians 4:3-4) Since Satan has blinded people’s eyes to the truth, is there any hope for them? What strategies must we use to overcome spiritual blindness? How many people are likely to find Christ without intercessory prayer? Yes, there is hope for those Satan has blinded their eyes. The following strategies are to be used to achieve this. 1. The gospel has to be preached to the ones satan has blinded. There is power in the gospel that leads to salvation. 2. Our prayers for them and the power of the Holyspirit can caused the veil on their face to be removed. 3. The act of getting these people back to the Lord involves a spiritual warfare that will require us to put on our full spiritual weapons: helmet of salvation, breast plate of righteousness, sword of the spirit, shield of faith , belt of truth and our feet adorned with shoes ready for the gospel. These strategies are necessary if many people will be drawn to the Lord or else only few will. -
Questionable ehtics and ministry can hurt the work of Christ because they distort the truth and lead believers away from the faith. Paul on the otherhand speaks only the truth and declares that God is his witness. he added that people will believe him
-
Q4. Changed by God's Presence
haar replied to Pastor Ralph's topic in 4. Being Changed by God’s Glory (3:7-18)
As we spend time beholding the face of God through meditation in His word and worship, His spirit transforms us from one measure to another, we then contnue to be like Him in holiness and character. The theological word for the process of of maturity that makes us to be moreand more like him is called sanctification or transformation. Absolutely I spend more time in my fellowship with God, more time in fellowship with others and I am stronger in the Lord than before. Consequently my character and holines is positvely being built up. -
Q3. Getting the Glow of God
haar replied to Pastor Ralph's topic in 4. Being Changed by God’s Glory (3:7-18)
We can get a similar glow as Moses did by speding time with the Lord through meditation in His Word where he speaks to us. Another way is when we spend time talking to Him in prayers and worship. When we meditate in God's word, He speaks yo us and it is similar to Him speaking to Moses then. In these days, christians are too busy and do not spend enough time with the Lord. In order to increase our glow, we need to spend more quality time in meditaing in His word and in worship. -
Q2. Freedom from the Spirit
haar replied to Pastor Ralph's topic in 4. Being Changed by God’s Glory (3:7-18)
When we are talking about the truth concerning spiritual matters, it takes the spirit of God to enable us understand and see clearly what is being said about such spiritual matters. It is the same spirit of God that convicts us and draws us to the Lord Jesus Christ. Once we come to Christ we are no longer bound by following laws. We are then freed from the power and influence of the as the spirit leads us to obey and worship God. -
Q1. Glowing in God's Presence
haar replied to Pastor Ralph's topic in 4. Being Changed by God’s Glory (3:7-18)
Q1. (2 Corinthians 3:7-11) Why did Moses’ face glow? Why did he cover it when he was out with the people? Why didn’t more people’s face glow in Moses’ time? What’s the difference between the spread of God’s glory in Moses’ time when compared to our own time? Moses face glowed because he had contact with the glorious God and God's glory shone on him. After Moses, it appears to me that the people after him did not have the dgree of intimacy Moses had with God. This probably explains why they did not glow like Moses did. During the time of Moses, God's glory through the Spirit of God shone only on Moses. After him, (and in our time), the spiirit of God that gives life through the Lord Jesus Christ shone through whoever had recieved Jesus Christ. -
Q3. (2 Corinthians 3:4-6) What is the balance between the need for training in ministry (either in the local church or in schools) and personal submission to the Spirit of God? Are you able to “listen to the Spirit’s voice” in your own life? Why would this ability be so important in being a competent minister? Training to me can be compared to the process of discipleship making where the the disciples are taught the fundamentals of the ministry. However the power of the Holy Spirit is requuired for effective and fruitful ministry. To a certain extend, I am able to listen to voice of the Spirit in my ministry. The Holy Spirit has been my great partner, guide and teacher not only in the miistry but also my secular life. Without Him I cannot function well.
-
Q2. Living Letters
haar replied to Pastor Ralph's topic in 3. The Fragrance of Christ’s Ministering People (2:12-3:6)
Q2. (2 Corinthians 3:2-3) In what sense are we “living letters”? In what way can people “read us”? Why is it so important to be authentic, not phony, in our lives? What happens when people “read” something in you that they admire and mention it to you? How might you respond appropriately? We are "living letters"in the sense that what people see in our conduct sends a clear message about our inward person. By our actions people can tell whether what we claim to be matches the action or not. This explains why we we should be what we are without pretending which is hypocracy. When people "read" something in me that they admire and mention it to me, I will feel naturally happy but I will attribute everything to the Almighty God who enabled me to be what I am. -
Q1. (2 Corinthians 2:14-16a) In what sense is knowing God fragrant to people who are open to God? In what way is this fragrance repugnant to people who are closed to God? Have you suppressed your “fragrance” because some people are allergic to Christian perfume? If so, how can you regain the fragrance of Christ’s gospel? The message of salvation brings joy to those who receive it. This also pleases God and is thus like a good perfume that smells sweet. This is not the case with those who reject the gospel. To this category of people, the gospel is repulsive to them. Thy do not believe it and thus head for eternal damnation in hell. The failure to know the true saviour is like a smell of death- eternal death. Most of us hessitate to share the gosple because we fear rejection or even persecution. I for one do hereby make up my mind to proclaim the gospel whenever the opportunity arises.
-
Q4. Forgiving as Spiritual Warfare
haar replied to Pastor Ralph's topic in 2. Tension with the Corinthians (1:12-2:11)
Q4. (2 Corinthians 2:10-11) How does Satan take advantage of our unforgiveness? What are the symptoms in our own heart of unforgiveness? According to Matthew 6:14-15, how does holding unforgiveness hurt our spiritual lives? What would you have to do to really let go of your resentment and give it to God? When we refuse to forgive, the anger lingers on and turns into resentment which becomes a 'bitter root' of evil in us. This creates an opportunity for satan to further attack us and lead us further away. The symptoms in our hearts for unforgiveness are bitterness and resentment. When we refuse to forgive those that have offended us, our Father in heaven will not forgive us also. This is a spiritual disconnect between us and God as it blocks the fellowship between us and God. On our own we can not sincerely forgive, it is difficult. It takes the leading and power of the Holy Spirit to forgive. Therefore I pray and ask God to help me through the power of the Holy Spirit to forgive and reomve every root of bitterness from my heart. -
Q3. Obedience to Leaders
haar replied to Pastor Ralph's topic in 2. Tension with the Corinthians (1:12-2:11)
Q3. (2 Corinthians 2:9) How does obedience to servant leaders help the church of Jesus Christ? How does obedience to self-serving leaders hurt the church? Are you obedient to those whom God has placed over you in the Lord? Why or why not? What is the relationship between obedience and church unity? Obedience to servant leaders results into church unity. -
Q2. Leadership Styles
haar replied to Pastor Ralph's topic in 2. Tension with the Corinthians (1:12-2:11)
Q2. (2 Corinthians 1:24) What does it mean to “lord it over” someone? What is the balance between (1) good, strong leadership, (2) micromanaging, and (3) a complete laissez-faire approach to leadership? What are the dangers of an authoritative leadership style? What are the dangers of a weak leadership style? To "lord it over" some one is to exert excessive authority, to make or force someone do what is intended to be done Christlike leadership is leadership that is the best. It is leadership where the leade leads, guides, serves by seeking to give rather than to take/ receive. It is leadership that is firm but yet gentle and humble. It is leadership by example. Authoritative leadership can lead to rebellion and may not achieve the desired intension for which it is intended for. -
Q1. Sealed with the Spirit
haar replied to Pastor Ralph's topic in 2. Tension with the Corinthians (1:12-2:11)
Q1. (2 Corinthians 1:21b-22) According to this verse, what does the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives signify? How does the Spirit unite us with God? What is the promise of future blessing inherent in the Spirit’s presence? The presence of the Holy spirit signifies that we are Children of God, redeemed and can stand firm in Christ through His presence (power). He provides the power we need to walk in the faith in unity with the Lord Jesus Christ and God. His presence alos is the assurance that we have the manesfestation of eternal life after death. -
Q3. (2 Corinthians 1:10-11) Why does Paul ask people to pray for him? How do the prayers of others have an effect? What happened in your life that has helped you enter into a ministry of intercessory prayer? Pual asked people to pray for him because he knew that God would answer intercessory prayers. God has promised to hear the prayers of His children who come together in His name to pray. Such prayers produce the desired results- positve responce from God in our favour.
-
Q2. Growing through Crisis
haar replied to Pastor Ralph's topic in 1. The God of All Comfort (1:1-11)
Q2. (2 Corinthians 1:9-10) How does facing a harrowing crisis help us grow in the Lord? How has a crisis helped your spiritual life? What is the value of learning not to rely on ourselves? What does this do to our pride? How does this improve our effectiveness as God’s servants? Whenever we face challenges, we usually remember to run to God for help. This increases our dependency on Him and draws us closer Him. This is part of spiritual growth. As we learn to depend on God, this helps us to avoid depending on ourselves as we can not be able to solve our own problems by ourselves. -
Q1. Comfort and Comforting
haar replied to Pastor Ralph's topic in 1. The God of All Comfort (1:1-11)
Q1. (2 Corinthians 1:3-7) What kind of comfort do you receive from your faith in God? From your personal daily relationship with God? How might you share the blessing of this kind of comfort with a friend or relative who is currently suffering? What words of comfort can you bring to others? God is the God of all comfort. He comforts us whenwe are bereaved, in persecution, sickness and in different difficult situations. He gives us the grace to bear the pains and hurts in such situations whenever we cry out to him. We can share this kind of comfort with a friend who is currently suffering by telling them how God helped us to go through our previous experiences and asked them to call unto God to do same for him. We can tell such a friend that God really loves us, cares for us and feels our pain and is willing to come to help us in our our of need if call unto Him. -
Q5. I Thirst (John 19:28)
haar replied to Pastor Ralph's topic in Seven Last Words of Christ from the Cross
Q5. (John 19:28) What do you learn from Jesus' Fifth Word: "I thirst"? What does this tell us about Jesus? What does this tell us about his experience on the cross? From Jesus'fith word "I thirst" we confirm that although Jesus was God, He became flesh (man) that He may die for our sin. For only as a man could He die for our sin. The stament also shows the degree of intensive pain and suffering He experienced on the cross, just for me and all. -
Q4. (Mark 15:34) What does Jesus' Fourth Word from the cross teach us about faith? About commitment? About love? What effect should this understanding have on our lives? Our redemptino from sin and the penalty- death was at a huge cost andpain to God and Jesus. This was as result of God's amazing grace and love for us.Jesus had faith in God and was committed to obey even unto death. we too should have faith in God and be committed to be His faithful and committed chindren.
-
Q3. Woman, Behold Your Son (John 19:26-27)
haar replied to Pastor Ralph's topic in Seven Last Words of Christ from the Cross
Q3. (John 19:26-27) Why does Jesus make St. John responsible for his mother Mary? What does this tell us about Jesus? How should we apply this in our own lives? Jesus gave John the responsibilty to take care of His mother because He knew he (John) will do it better than any other person perticularly given that she was then a widow. Despite every the rejection He experienced from people and even from His family memebers, He showed love to His family. We should love our parents and care for them.