Sgt_Z_Squad

2a.) "The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it." (John 1:5) "I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray." (1 John 2:26) 2b.) "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do....I know nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature."(Romans 7:15-20) 2c.) "...but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.....the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.."(Romans 8:5-8)

1a.) Obedience through the power of the Holy Spirit. Keeping our eyes on the ultimate prize. 1b.) Bringing honor and glory to Our Father by living a life of obedience to Him.

4a. Because this is how God relates to us. We were all created in His image.

A great definition of character I have heard is: "That your real character is what you would do when no one is watching." God is love and what better character to have than a character that emulates our loving Father.

1a. Satan provides that doubt, that question of needing God and being obedient to Him. The problem is we do not take the warnings of judgment serious enough until it's too late. We just don't believe God would punish us. We are rebellious by nature. Paul warns the church in Corinth and us; "But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cuning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ." 2 Corinthians 11:3 1b. No. Submission may require us to speak up to prevent something harmful from occurring to those that we are in submission to. 1c. Any action or deed which would bring discredit or be contrary to God's expectations for us.

Q2a. Why is Jesus' sinlessness important to understanding your salvation? I think if you read Leviticus 4 & 5; you will see that the Israelites were admonished to bring a sacrifice without defect before the Lord for their sins. John the Baptist referred to Jesus as the "Lamb of God!" (John 1:36) Jesus, if he was going to be the redeemer for mankind needed to be without blemish, perfect (sinless) so that he would be a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. He was. Praise the name of Jesus! 2b. In what way do you think Jesus suffered when your sins were poured into his soul? Look at the sixth and ninth hour of the day as He hung on the cross, Jesus cried out; "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Jesus experienced the darkness and anguish resulting from separation from God that we should be receiving. The best we can say how terrible this was is only by the words of Jesus in Mark 9:47-48 used "It is better for you to enter the Kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, where 'their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.'" All we know it will be great distress for those who will be facing a resurrection of condemnation. 2c. How could a sinless Man stand this kind of corruption? Knowing the promise that God would deliver Him. Through His faithful obedience to His Father. "Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:9-11) Amen!! So be it!!

Hi Everyone- I am looking forward to this study and reading your insights. Blessings!

5a.) Build our faith base so that it is solid and can withstand attacks. 5b.) Praying, teaching, personal study to equipped themselves, correcting, rebuking, encouraging; showing themselves as workmen approved by God who do not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 5c.) Jesus taught by showing, then encouraged them to do, he constantly prayed for them.

4a.) Making people strong in the Word, in the points of salvation, by grace through faith. This is all the more apparent in our church family who has had several members drawn into a non-trinitarian pentecostal church which teaches a salvation which is different and contrary to the Bible. Strong Bible teaching would help make those in doubt more sure. 4b.) Yes. But you can not replace a Pastor who has had years of study, to learn the nuances of the Bible. They are integral in staving off false or erroneous doctrine and grounding the church family in their faith. 4c.) Answered in 4b.. 4d.) They assist in helping baby Christians in maturig in their faith. Providing fellowship and building each other up in the faith.

3a.) I guess the simple way would be to look in a mirror. Jesus exhorts us to go out and make disciples. How we live our lives is the best witness. As St. Francis said, "Preach the Gospel daily and if necessary, use words." 3b.) Sharing the good news with those who don't know it and providing others in their church family with ways that they can share their faith, inspiring others to do the same. 3c.) By being used by God to bring the loss into the fold.

2.) Apostles - church planting or establishing; prophets - to receive and communicate an immediate message of God to us through a divinely - anointed utterance.

1a.) Though the term, "But to each one of us.." God has provided us specific gifts to us to be used in order to build the Body of Christ (church). 1b.) We all have gifts that are needed to build and hold the Body of CHrist together.

6a.) I have found that prayer as a group unifies. Humility and love. 6b.) Thinking I know it all.

2a.) We are baptized in Spirit into the life saving grace through Jesus Christ. 2b.) Rememberig that baptism is not a condition for salvation. It is being obedient. "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is a gift of God--not by works, so tha no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8-9 2c.) No. "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." 1 Peter 3:15 Study, study study. "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." 1 Timothy 2:15

4a.) The body (church); one Spirit (Holy Spirit); one hope, one Lord, Jesus; one faith (by grace), one baptism (in the Spirit), and one God (Yahweh), who is Father of all. 4b.) Our God. 4c.) He loved us so much that he reached down to us, filthy rags as we are; gave us the greatest gift, through the ultimate sacrifice of His Son, Jesus. All we need do is say, "Yes." Yes, to Jesus! To accept the gift without any conditions.

3a.) The Holy Spirit. 3b.) Believers. 3c.) A commitment, or agreement. 3d.) Primary goal. "I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought." 1 Corinthians 1:10

2a.) They key is the Agape love that Jesus showed us, that sacrificial love. All of the other charateristics such as humbleness, patience, gentleness and forebearance will follow naturally. 2b.) I guess I answered this one above, love. 2c.) Love. "This is my command: Love each other." John 15:17

1a.) Not only to talk the talk but to walk the walk. Ninety per cent of our witnessing to others is by our personal lives and day to day interaction. When people see you, do they know you are a follower of Jesus by your actions and your life? John exhorts us to live as "Children of Light" and that we should love one another. Have you ever seen loving people not in unity? There maybe differences of opinion, but there is unity of purpose and goals.

1a.) "to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ." 1:10 Jesus is ruler over all created things--humans, angels, spirit beings, animals, the earth and the universe. Some may recognize this as unity of command. 1b.) The church's power is infinite, and available to us if we are working toward Christ's mission and purpose. We are open and obedient to His will.

We are seated with Christ, and also above the other spirit beings, angels, demons. That we have the authority over Satan and his demons. That we have victory over them through the saving work of Christ.

2a.) Paul is teaching the Ephesians, that Christ is enthroned in a place of honor and has authority and power over all things except God. That he has all authority and power that comes with His position which includes the heavenly realm. That any spirit being that their former beliefs worshipped was below Him in power and authority. Christ is supreme. 2b.) All of the spirit beings are under total subjugation.. Christ is ruler of all!

Hi all- 1a & b.) Paul realized that we as finite beings would be unable to comprehend or recognize the capabilities of being able to call on the infinite and absolute powers of God to build His kingdom. It is extremely difficult to understand something intangible, not easily grasped. We have the tendency to look at what we cannot do versus what we can do through faith, and through the power at our disposal as a church family. "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we can not see." Hebrews 11:1 1c.) Through the saints..the believer is where the power operates through the Holy Spirit in us. 1d.) Through the glorious resurrection of Our Lord and Savior, our Kinsmen Redeemer, Jesus Christ!!

Hi All. This book has one of my favorite chapters of the Bible. Chapter 4 where Paul tells us how we should be acting as a church family. It is really interesting that many of the issues Paul addressed two thousand years ago in the churches of that time are still popping up. Oh well..there's some saying about history repeating itself. Look forward to this study. I hope I can contribute more than I was able to on the Lamb of God study. Blessings!! /