Craig

Q3. (2 Timothy 3:5) Why is it so easy to become a hypocrite? How can we prevent our faith from degenerating into "a form of religion" without the power? If a person hasn't really accepted and invited Jesus Christ into their life they don't have the interaction of the Holy Spirit in their life. There is no transforming power in that person's life. There is a form of Godliness -- lipservice -- but no transforming power to change a person's life. If there isn't a true, pure, and vigorous relationship with Jesus Christ in a person's life then they aren't really hypocrites, but unbelivers attending church for whatever reason. Daily rejoicing in the Lord, prayer, Biblical study, service, and thanksgiving will keep a person's from degenerating into a "form of religion" withour power. Invite the Holy Spirit into your life to work and management every day and He will refresh and renew your spirit daily.

Q2. (2 Timothy 2:24-25) In your own words, explain the various characteristics that enable a Christian teacher to correct opponents. How does the lack of any of these hinder the task? In order for others to hear what you are teaching and to reasonably discuss varying views, a preacher/teacher must follow Paul's instructions regarding correction and in general teaching. They are as follows: We must not quarrel with others, but be patient, kind, and graceous. We are not to be resentful or bitter that someone doesn't believe as we do. Pray for those who oppose you. Pray that God will give them insight and knowledge concerning the issue in debate. Pray they might gain the knowledge of truth. We are talking about those who are truly in Biblical/apostolic error. Pray for those who satan has lead astray through incorrect understanding of scripture. Don't be cruel or argue with them. Present reasonable and loving Scriptural evidence of the truth. We gain nothing or anyone for the Kingdom of God by being hostile. In fact, we drive people further away from the truth when we are mean. We must put our own need to be right and our ego behind us in order to reach others for Jesus Christ. Be loving and gracious to everyone regardless of their attitude or beliefs.

Q1. (2 Timothy 2:20-22). When do you put your good plates and silverware on the table? When do you use your everyday tableware? What point is Paul making with this example? In practical terms, how do we "cleanse ourselves" so that we might be useful and ready for the Lord's use? Usually one sets the table with the good stuff when guests or family comes for a meal. It makes for a special meal and honors the company. Everyday tableware is for everyday routine meals. The point Paul is making is that we as believers must turn and flee from the everyday tableware spiritual condition one finds themselves in before claiming Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. After becoming followers of Christ our spiritual condition and life must be as the best plates one has to honor God. Practifcally, we cleanse ourselves from the old ways by vigorously pursuing the things of God and allowing the Holy Spirit to manage our lives. As Paul teaches in the above passage: "... pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart." Rejoice, pray, study the Scripture, and thank God everyday and it will change your life from the everyday ware to the silverware.

Q1. (Galatians 3:2-5) What argument for salvation by faith does Paul give from the presence of the Spirit? What does this tell us about the spiritual environment of the Galatian churches? How can we regain this dynamic environment in our own congregations? The argument is that the Galatians received the Holy Spirit by believing in Jesus Christ and accepting Him as Messiah not by keeping the law. The Galatian churches were spiritually immature and not solid in apostolic teaching. They had a spiritual environment that was wavering. They did not have a sound grasp of salvation through grace in Jesus Christ and the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit in their lives. We can regain a dynamic environment in our congregations, beginning with ourselves, by being joyful in the Lord, enthusiastic in the Spirit, constant prayer, constant thanksgiving and engaged in service/ministry to others as directed by the Holy Spirit.

Q5. (Revelation 5:13) What is the significance of the same quality of worship being offered to both God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son? What does this tell us about their relationship to each other? Their relationship to us? The significance of the same quality of worship being offered to both God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son is that they are One and the same. They are equal and our relationship to both is the same

Q4. (Revelation 5:10) How can our destiny as believers include reigning? In what sense could we reign? In what sense do we serve as priests? In what sense are we a kingdom? It is the believers' destiny to spent eternity with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Believers will reign on this earth with King Jesus Christ. At some point in space and time only believers will exist on this planet. Operating out of the New Jerusalem. Jesus made it possible, as the believers' High Priest, to have direct access to the Throne of God. Jesus sits at His Father's right hand making intercession for us. We serve as priest in that as Holy spirit-filled believers we strive for holiness, praise, worship, pray and minister to others in the name of Jesus Christ. We share our faith and present the gospel to those around us. We serve as witnesses for Jesus. Believers should be priestly leaders in their homes and among family and friends. As individuals we are made priests in Christ who can pray, worship, and have fellowship directly with God. As a body, believers have made up the Kingdom of God since the beginning of time.

Q3. (Revelation 5:9, 12) What made Jesus so worthy of opening the scroll and thus bringing history to its consummation? Why was this act so noteworthy and praiseworthy? Jesus was so worthy because He was slain and with His blood Jesus purchased men for God making them a kingdom and priests for God. The only Son of God, sinless and pure, carried the sins of humanity on Himself to be crucified on the cross for human sin. A universal atonement for sin and for the redemption of those who believe on the name of the only begotten Son of God, Jesus Christ. Jesus is the salvation of a lost and sick humanity. He is the bridge between God and mankind. Jesus' sacrifice is worthy of our worship and praise. Jesus' suffering under Pilate and the Jews, death, burial, and resurrection are beyond noteworthy and praiseworthy. Jesus is the Son of God, Prince of Peace, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, the Alpha and Omega and the creator of all things that were created. He willingly shed his blood for a corrupt, immoral, lawless, and rebellious creation. What an amazing love God has shown through His Son for our salvation. Even more amazing is that Jesus submitted His will to the will of His Father putting Him through circumstances we cannot even begin to comprehend.

Q2. These chapters contain many insights into worship that have been adopted by the Christian Church. What do you learn about Christian worship from chapters 4 and 5? Don't miss the basics. Your list might include 20 elements and concepts of worship -- or more. Insights into worship taken from Revelations chapters 4 and 5 include: The Throne room was spirit-filled -- our lives and worship should be Holy Spirit-filled. God, on His throne, was in the center-- God should be in the center our lives and personal worship. There was constant praise and worship going on as there should be in our lives. Glory, honor and thanks were given to God. Something we should be doing everyday. The twenty-four elders laid their crowns down before God. We should be laying our lives down before God. The acknowledgment that God is creator. Sorrow and sadness over the unworthiness of humanity before God. The joy, delight, and thanksgiving the Jesus Christ is worthy and is the Savior of all humanity. Especially those who believe. Holding bowls of incense representing the prayers of the saints. Singing hymns and songs to God the Father and Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Acknowledging the worthiness of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God to receive power, and wealth and wisdom and strength. Falling down before God and worshipping Him.

Q1. Many Christian hymns, songs, and choruses come from Revelation chapters 4 and 5. Which can you think of? Holy is the Lord taken from Revelation 4:8 by Charles W. Naylor The Lion of Judah based on Revelation 5 by Jennie Mast The Angel Choir taken from Revelvation 5:11-12 by Daniel S. Warner Revelation Song based on Revelation 4 and 5 by Gateway Worship

Q4. (2 Timothy 2:15) Exactly what is the analogy with a skilled workman that forms the basis for Paul's instruction to Timothy? How does this apply to our teaching of scripture today? A skilled workman pays attention to detail, knows how to handle the tools required for the job, has a design or plan to follow to the job done, cares about the quality of the job he is doing, and is accountable and proud of his work. A preacher and/or teacher of God's word must know the scripture in order to correctly present it. Paul writes in 2 Timothy 3:16-17: "All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." Like a skilled workman, as a Preacher/Pastor/Teacher, I must study scripture paiding attention to detail, I must know God's plan of salvation for man, follow God's instructions in living and presenting Jesus Christ to my mission field, I must care about God's imperatives for humanity, and be accountable before God and man for what I teach.

Q3. (2 Timothy 2:3-7) Paul calls Timothy to endure hardship for the sake of the goal. What in the experience of a soldier, an athlete, and a farmer illustrate this well? Which of these examples speaks most strongly to you? The soldier, athlete, and farmer all endure hardship for the sake of their goals. The soldier must be patient, determined, and endure suffering as part of the life of a soldier in all the varying circumstances soldiering can entail. From peace time to the battle front and in between there is constant training for victory in battle. It is not always pleasant. The athlete must be disciplined in diet, exercise, and training (which often entails pain and suffering), in order to compete and be the victor or champion. The farmer works hard to prepare the land, plant the seed, and maintain the gardens or fields while the corps' are growing. The farmer must patiently endure while the fruit develops and go without, possibly, until harvest time. This includes varying degrees of suffering. The goal is the harvest. I think all three speak to my walk with Christ. In my spiritual development and ministry assignments patient endurance of some kind of suffering in dealing with people has been required. The goal is to glorify and honor God and to share the love of God with others. To preach and teach the gospel to others. This requires patience like the farmer and discipline like the soldier and athlete in order to reliably carry out the mission -- the Great Commission whether I feel like it or not.

Q2. Why do you think our churches tend not to declare the call to endurance and suffering? Why did Timothy tend to shy away from it? What is the result of a willingness to suffer for the gospel? In American, churches tend not to declare the call to endurance and suffering because they are not suffering. Most church members do not suffer for Jesus Christ. They might suffer financial problems, suffer from illness or broken relationships, etc. But, not from serving Jesus Christ. Christians in American, like Timothy shy away from suffering because they don't like to suffer so they avoid it at any cost. In reality effective witnessing for Jesus Christ does bring varying degrees of suffering. We must patiently endure that suffering or dynamic, effective gospel ministry will not take place. The gospel won't get out. The result of a willingness to suffer for the gospel is eternal life with Jesus Christ.

Q1. (2 Timothy 2:2) Why is it important for pastors and church leaders to execute a strategy of mentoring teachers and elders in a congregation? How much time should be devoted to this teaching of future leaders vs. the time spent in administration and programs? There needs to be a focused strategy on mentoring teachers and elders in the congregation who are willing to be mentored and are serious about it or you are wasting your time. Quality, serious, spiritual people must be identified and mentored for ministry. Time spend in mentoring future leadership must be greater than time spent in administration and programs. In fact, you can assign or hire people to be administrators and program coordinators. Pastors need to be mentoring future church leadership.

Q5. (Galatians 2:20) In what sense have we been “crucified with Christ”? What does that mean? In what sense do “I no longer live”? Whose life now motivates us? How does this verse relate to Paul’s closing comments about the “new creation” (Galatians 6:15)? What does Galatians 2:20 teach about Christ’s attitude toward us? The believer is identified with Christ in his death. Not only was He crucified on calvary, I was crucified there as well -- in Jesus. This means the end of me as a sinner in God's sight. It means the end of me as a person seeking to merit or earn salvation by my own efforts. It means the end of me as a child of Adam, as a man under the condemnation of the law as my old unregenerate self. The old evil me has been crucified. It has no more claims on my daily life. This is true as to my standing before God. It should also be true to my behavior. The believer does not cease to live as a personality or as an individual. But the one who is seen by God as having died is not the same one who lives. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. The Savior did not die for me in order that I might go on living my life as I choose it. Jesus died for me so that from now on He might be able to live His life in me. The life which I now live in this human body, I live by faith in the Son of God. Faith means reliance or dependence on Christ. By yielding to Him, by allowing Christ to live His life in me. Thus the believer's rule of life is Christ and not the law. It is not a matter of striving, but of trusting. The believer lives a holy life, not out of fear or punishment, but out of love to the Son of God, who loved us and gave Himself for us. In Jesus we become new creations.

Q4. (Galatians 2:15-21) What happens to the importance of Christ’s death if circumcision is deemed necessary to salvation? Why was this issue of the sufficiency of the Messiah’s death so important in Paul’s day? Why was this issue important to Luther and the reformers? Why is it so important in our own day? How does it affect the relative legalism of our congregations? If circumcision is deemed necessary to salvation then Jesus Christ's death on the cross meant nothing. It would be in vain. In fact, if this was so, then Jesus Christ is not a perfect and sufficient Savior. Furthermore, Jesus plus anything else is not the gospel. Only Jesus saves or can be our Savior. See John 3. The rest of this question can best be summarized by saying that the grace of God is seen in his unconditional gift of salvation. When man tries to earn it, he is making it void. It is no longer by grace if man deserves it or earns it. Paul's final thrust in this passage at Peter is effective. If Peter could obtain favor with God by Jewish observances, then Christ died for nothing. He literally threw away His life. Christ died because man could obtain righteousness in no other way -- not even by law-keeping. The deepest heresy of all, which corrupts churches and fills human hearts with pride, is salvation by works.

Q3. Why is it so hard to take the gospel to different peoples without wrapping it in our own cultural practices? Can you think of examples of this in Church history? What is the danger? How can we avoid such cultural faux pas in our church’s missionary enterprises? It is hard because our own culture is what we know and are comfortable with. One exampe of this is the mission work to the Hawaiian Islands. Yes the Gospel of Jesus Christ was introduced, but the native Hawaiian culture was sadly destroyed and replaced by western culture as expressed by a corrupt American economic system based on materialism and greed. A system as godless as any other pagan gods. The danger is that the gospel and/or mission work will be displaced by the secular culture of the country the missionaries came from. The Spanish entry into the New World is another example where secular culture would trump Christian mission efforts. Non-Christian communities come to see missionaries not as representatves of Jesus Christ but of their home country. That is the real danger. The gospel is blocked and denied entry because of fear that another culture will displace one's own. We can overcome this by only representing Jesus Christ in mission work and by working closely with in-country Christians. We should be sensitive to other cultures. It is really about the Kingdom of God anyway.

Q2. (Galatians 2:14) Why do you think Paul confronted Peter publicly rather than privately? Do you expect Paul had talked with Peter about this previously? How did a public discussion of this benefit the Jewish Christians? How did it benefit the Gentile Christians? What kind of pressure do you think this put on Paul? Paul was convicted that this issue needed to be brought to a head because of Peter's outrageous hypocrispy. By confronting Peter in public it forced Peter and the other Jewish Christians to deal with this hypocrisy. Peter needed to be confronted publicly and needed to be put on the spot. Why? Because Peter, as a Christian, knew that God no longer recongized national differences. Peter had lived as a Gentile, eating their foods, etc. By his recent refusal to eat with Gentiles, Peter was impying that observances of Jewish laws and customs was necessary for holiness, and that the Gentile believers would have to live as Jews. This needed to be addressed and debated out in the open for all to hear. The real issue was Jewish superority over the Christian Gentiles. This had to be brought to an end. Jesus Christ is the Lord and Savior of all men. The public discussion would help the Jewish Christians understand the gospel ministry and its application to the Gentiles. It would help both sides understand each other and bond them closer as Christian brothers and sisters. I think this situation freed Paul from any pressure and put the pressure on Peter and the other Jewish-Christians. They now had to openly address the issues between Jewish and Gentile Christians.

Q1. (Galatians 2:11-14) Why do you think Peter first embraced the Gentile believers in Antioch and later withdrew from them to eat only with Jews? What does this tell us about his character? Why should he have known better? What does this tell us about Barnabas? What does it tell us about the political clout of the visitors from Jerusalem? Have you ever acted like a hypocrite to impress others? What should you do when you recover your senses? Peter was afraid of alienating himself from the Christian Jews. Peter was looking out for himself and his own comfort zone, thus displaying a weak character. Peter should have known better by the vision God gave him regarding Gentiles and food. See Acts 11:1-18. Barnabas acted no better than Peter, despite his convictions he permitted the Christian Jews to talk him out of fellowship with Gentile Christians unless they subjected to certain Jewish rituals. This created broken fellowship between Christians. Apparently the visitors from Jersalem carried a lot of influence to cause Barnabas and others to be led astray. Barnabas, like Paul, had become close to the Christian gentiles. So for him to abandon them as a result of his visit with the representatives of Jerusalem surely indicated their strong influence. Yes and repentence and apologies were given.

Q5. Summarize the lessons of this chapter. What are the churches criticized for? What are they praised for? How should these observations shape the twenty-first century Church? In summary and not delineating each church, they were criticized and praised as follows: Criticized for: Love for Christ no longer fervent; tolerating sexual immortality; idolatry; heresies; tolerating cults; being a dead church, and indifference. Praised for: Rejecting evil; persevering; patience; gracefully bearing suffering; keeping the faith of Christ; love; service; faith; spiritual development; growth in love, faith and service; keeping the Word of Christ and honoring His name. Jesus said: "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." Rev. 2:29 The commendations, criticisms, instructions, and promises to churches apply now just as they did at the end of the 1st Century. Nothing has changed. The individal believer as well as the church corporately must "be faithful" to the father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It is all about faithfulness to God and that should shape the twenty-first century church.

Q4. Why are so many churches a "hotbed of apathy"? How can we combat spiritual apathy and an insipid witness in ourselves? Many churches are apathic because they are inward focused and selfish. They have lost sight of the "Great Commision" and are concerned only with a watered down gospel of self-indulgence. They believe saying the "sinners prayer" is all there is to it. Once saved always saved whether I act and operate as a follower of Christ or not. Many churches today are filled with church attenders not born-again, spirit-filled believers. That makes for a "hotbed of apathy." One cann't give what they don't have. Or follow what they don't know or care to know. We can combat spritual apathy with a spiritual rebirth and vigorouly following Jesus Christ and responding to the pressure of the Holy Spirit in our life. Daily rejoicing, prayer, Bible study, and thanksgiving gets one over spiritual apathy. When this happens our witness is enthusiastic and dynamic. When we allow Jesus Christ to work in our lives and He takes us places we have never been, a person cannot stop talking about Jesus. Apathy goes out the window. It's all about a love relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Q3. Why do you think the religious compromise required by participating in heathen religious practices in the trade guilds was so spiritually destructive? What compromises do twenty-first century Christians struggle with? Let's not settle for trite legalisms about drinking and smoking. What are the real compromises that dilute vital Christianity? This compromise denounced Jesus Christ and was very disloyal. Moral and spiritual compromise mean that a person's convictions and faith really don't mean much and can be accommodated to any situation that benefits the individual. Compromise says there is no absolute truths. Jesus said "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life ..." Compromise is being pragmatic and doesn't abide in truth. In the end it destroys the soul and ends in death. Real compromises, today, that dilute vital Christianity include: sexual immorality; slander; gossip; selfishness; lipservice; lack of involvement in church and personal ministries; lack of personal Bible study, prayer and worship; using the church for personal gain of any sort; compromising Biblical standards to feel comfortable in the popular culture; fear; antipathy; envy; bitterness; lack of joy; lack of thanksgiving; etc. The real compromise that dilutes vital Christianity is not having a true, meaningful, and born-again relationship with Jesus Christ and the involvement of the Holy Spirit in the believers life. Compromise is fueled by lack of faith, trust, love, and obedience to God.

Q2. Why would loosening of sexual standards to conform to the prevailing morals of the culture be destructive of vital Christian faith and witness? How has your culture tended to take the edge off your own Christian moral convictions or forced you to be quiet about them? Sexual standards that go against God's standards for human sexual conduct reflect in sin and broken relationship with God. The breech of Godly sexual standards eventually leads to rebellion and disobedience in other areas of conduct. Sex in exchange for religious worship of demons and false gods are the ultimate disloyalty to the one true living God. Those behaviors end in condemnation and death. Additionally, this ends in the destruction of the Christian witness and testimony. Pop culture hasn't taken the edge off my Christian moral convictions or forced me to be quiet about my convictions. Truth is truth.

Q1. How can a local congregation lose its "first love" for Jesus? What are the signs of genuine love for Jesus in worship and ministry? How does the lack of love show up? How can a congregation regain this love? When worship, ministry, and coming to church turns into an obligation instead of a desire or drive because of a love for Jesus then its "first love" for Jesus is lost. When the faith of a church as well as a believer becomes stale and uninspired the love for Christ is lost. The relationship has been broken. Maybe the church is too busy "doing things" or focusing on fundraising and money rather than worshipping and connecting with Christ. When going through the motions is what our faith turns into, then our first love for Jesus is lost. Everything we as Christians do should be motivated by a love for Jesus Christ. Our love for the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit spills into every other aspect of or lives. When this doen't happen we have lost that first love for Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. The most telling sign of genuine love for Jesus in our witness, worship and ministry is joy, delight, excitement and enthusiasm. Those believers in love with Jesus are driven and excited to be in church, to be in service to the Lord, and to witness for Christ. The church reflects the attitude of its members. The lack of of love for Jesus manifests itself in a lack of joy, lack of excitement, lack of enthusiasm, hit or miss church attendance, and lack of involvement in ministry and service. In the loveless believe's walk there is no rejoicing, prayer or thanksgiving. Again, the church reflects the attitude of its members. A congregation can regain the love for Jesus Christ again by rejoicing, prayer, and thanksgiving for the love of Jesus Christ. This has to be an intentional effort.

Q4. (Galatians 2:1-10) Why do you think Paul seems to distance himself from the leaders of the Jerusalem church (2:2, 6, 9)? Why does he at the same time write of their approval of his ministry? How does this further his argument to the Galatians in this letter? In maintaining his distance from the other apostles Paul is stressing the fact that he received the gospel directly from Jesus Christ. This was Paul's witness and testimony. The Jerusalem leaders agreed that the gospel Paul was presenting was the same gospel they received from Jesus Christ and were teaching and preaching. I think it is important for Christians to be coworkers in Jesus Christ. To acknowledge they are on the same page. While Paul maintained independence, I believe he also wanted that kind of acknowlegment. In verses 9&10, James, Peter, and John apparently pillars of the church, perceived that God was working through Paul, and gave him and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship in taking the gospel to the Gentiles. This was not an official ordination, but an expression of their loving interest in Paul's work. The only suggestion they made was that Paul and Barnabas should remember the poor, the very thing which Paul states he was eager to do.

Q3. (Galatians 2:1-3) Paul is arguing that the Jerusalem leaders support his position on circumcision, rather than that of the Judaizers. What is the significance of Paul’s mention that Titus was not required to be circumcised? Titus was an uncircumcised Christian gentile and the Jerusalem church leaders accepted that with no additional legalistic requirement to be circumcised. In fact, after considerable debate and discussion, the apostles decided that circumcision was not necessary for salvation. Paul had won a resounding victory for salvation by and in the grace of God the Father through his only Son Jesus Christ.