Craig

Q3. (2 Thessalonians 3:10) If we were to follow Paul’s rule, “If a man will not work, he shall not eat,” wouldn’t that allow people to starve? It sounds harsh. What are the positive results of this rule? To whom in a Christian community would this rule apply. To whom would it not apply? Not at all. if an abled-bodied Christian refuses to work, neither should he eat. Does this conflict with the command to love and be kind? Not at all. It is not love nor kindness to encourage laziness. Charles Spurgeon once said: "The truest love to those who err is not to fraternize with them in their error but to be faithful to Jesus Christ in all things." Charity should be given to those who cannot take care of themselves for whatever reason and for those victims of natural disasters. Those unwilling to work, the lazy, should not be provided for by the Church.

Q2. (2 Thessalonians 3:7-9) What kind of example did Paul set with regard to work when he was in Thessalonica? As a Christian worker, did he have a right to support? Why didn’t he exercise that right? Paul worked to support himself and provide charity to those truly in need. He did have the right to expect support in his mininstry. However, Thessalonia being a new church plant just getting off the ground, Paul decided not to accept support from them. Thus, Paul took the burden off of them to support him. This decision was his call. It also set an example of service done out of love and commitment and that compensation, even though deserved, should not drive the believers service to the Lord Jesus Christ. It also set a strong example to the spongers.

Q1. (2 Thessalonians 3:6-15) What does the Bible teach about sloth and idleness among those who can work but refuse to? Summarize it briefly. What is our Christian duty? In a nutshell, the Bible teaches us to work with tireless industry or energy, work hard, and be self-supportive. Our Christian duty is to take care of our families and help those who truly need assistance. <p class="ipsLikeBar right clearfix" id="rep_post_80346">

Q5. (1 John 2:3-6) How can we be serious about obeying Christ without become legalistic and judgmental, with the self-righteous attitude that the Pharisees had? How do love and legalism differ? How can we be serious about obedience and make love our center? You can avoid being legalistic and judgmental by loving God and loving your neighbor. All of my conduct falls under one of those two actions. What God requires of me falls under both of these actions. It is truly all about love. Read I Cor. 13 for the definition. When I act out of love it's because I "want to" and when I act legalistically it is because I "have to" out of fear of breaking some rule or regulation. Out of love is a better and purer way to act and live. We need to take God's command to love seriously. Love is an action word not an emotion or something I feel like doing. God commands us to love. It is not an option. We must make love our center just as Jesus is our center. God is love.

Q4. (1 John 2:1-2) What assurance does John give us if we do sin? How does this comfort us? How does it make us want to avoid sin? In the event of committing sin, Jesus speaks to the Father in our defense. This is a comforting thought because it reflects God's love and concern for those who have given and committed their lives to Him. We cannot save ourselves or forgive ourselves of sin so the fact that Jesus intercedes for those who acknowledge and follow Him is reassuring, safe, and further increases love for God. My love for Jesus should impact my desire not to intentionally sin so that I honor Him and not cause Him to constantly be interceding on my behalf. My love for God should diminish my desire to intentionally sin.

Q3. (1 John 1:9) How would you define "confession"? Why is confessing our sins so important? What happens to us if we stop confessing our sins? What are the promises given to us if we do confess our sins? How is forgiveness of sins different from cleansing? I would define "confession" as asking God for forgiveness of specific sins against him and others. Sin breaks fellowship with God and the confession of sin restores fellowship with God. Additionally, confession acknowledges sin as sin out in the open. If we stop confessing sin we stop having fellowship with God and other believers on a meaningful level. Without confession of sin there is obediance, lawlessness, and relationship with God. Spiritual development stops and one must question one's hope of salvation. John tells us that God is faithful and just to forgive our sin and will purifiy and cleanse us from all sin. In other words God will restore our relationship with Him upon our confession. Forgiveness is forgiveness but cleansing removes the stain of sin - guilt, shame, depression, and disconnection. The burden of the commission or omission is removed.

Q2. (1 John 1:5-7) What is the result when a Christian walks in darkness, that is, continues willfully to do what he or she knows to be wrong? How does this involve self-deception? What is the result, according to verse 7, when we walk in the light? How do we get back into the light if we sin? A professing Christian who continually, willfully, and knowingly walks in darkness is no Christian at all. John would call that personal a liar. That kind of Christian has refused to love the truth - the Word of God -- and walks in darkness. Any person acting as their own God can justify any behavior they want to engage in. When we walk in the light as Jesus is in the light we have fellowship with other Christians and Jesus the Christ. The blood of Christ cleanses and purifies the born again believer/spirit-filled from all sin. When a person walkes in the light God's standards and ways are important to that person. John tells in verse 9 that "if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (NIV). Thus allowing us to walk in the light one again.

Q1. (1 John 1:3-4, 6-7) Why is our fellowship with fellow Christians so often just on a surface level? How can we have fellowship at a deeper level in Christ? What would it take in your Christian group or your relationships with other believers to deepen your level of fellowship so it is authentically Christian? There can be no true fellowship with those who hold false views concerning Jesus Christ and don't take His teaching seriously -- thus a surface level fellowship. A faith grounded in the Apostle's Creed is a foundation for deeper levels of fellowship in Christ. Unless you have a common faith and belief in who Jesus Christ is, fellowship is going to be superficial. This applies to my congregation as well as any other. Belief in who Jesus Christ is impacts our belief in His teaching and a Christian's worldview and relationship to the world and others is framed by that belief. Unity of serious faith in Jesus Christ equals harmony and deep fellowship within the Body of Christ. Congregations with various views of Jesus and what it means to be a follower of Christ are fellowshipping in unity. Additionally, spirit-filled Christians only have at best a surface level fellowship with professing Christians.

Q4. (2 Thessalonians 3:1-5) Why is perseverance so important as we see wickedness increasing? What happens if we stop believing and being patient? How can we help one another persevere? What part does faith and perseverance have in our salvation? What part does God’s redemption and grace have in our salvation? Perseverance is a testimony to truth and a loyalty to God in the face of increasing wickedness. It also reminds the world there is another way -- God's way. Perseverance most importantly encourages fellow believers on the journey. It brings joy, delight, and encouragement to fellow believers watching other believers maintain their faith in all circumstances. If we stop believing and being patient in or faith we destroy our relationship with God, our testimony, and we potentially demoralize other Christians. I believe we are saved at the end of our walk not before. Salvation comes at the second coming of Jesus Christ for those who have maintained their commitment to Jesus Christ. True born again believers who have permitted the Holy Spirit to transform their minds into the mind of Jesus Christ will spend eternity in the presence of God and the Lamb Jesus Christ.. Jesus, as recorded by John in Revelation, made promises to the "overcomers" not to the "lipservers." Jesus is all about a relationship with God that is based on a daily/current response, obediance, and perseverance in/to his Word. A real and believable daily relationship with Him. Jesus died on the cross for human redemption from sin through the grace of God Almighty. Acceptance of that sacrifice is the portal to a saving relationship with God leading to eternal life with Christ.

Q3. (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12) What makes people so gullible that they believe the Antichrist’s deceptions? What is the reason that God gives them over to this deception? Why is a fearless seeking of God’s truth so important to us? How can a preaching of the truth set people free? They are so gullible and blind because they have rejected the truth contained in the Bible -- God's Word. Because of their refusal to love the truth and be saved God give them over to their own dark minds. A fearless pursue of God's truth is our salvation, hope, witness, and clear commitment/testimony to the Living God and His Son Jesus the Christ. As believers, at the judgment seat of Christ our fearless seeking of God's truth will be individually reviewed. Preaching the gospel truth can set people free from satanic/self blindness, ignorance, darkness, and eternal separation from the majesty of God.

Q2. (2 Thessalonians 2:3-5; Revelation 13:5-8) What are the characteristics of the Antichrist that Paul gives in this passage? What does Revelation 13:5-8 add to our basic understanding? In 2 Thessalonins 2:3-5 Paul desribes the Antichrist as rebellious, lawless, and doomed to destruction. He will oppose God and set himself up in God's temple. He will proclaim himself to be God. Revelation 13:5-8 adds that the Antichrist will be allowed to exercise his authority for 42 months. In addition to his arrogance and blasphemous demeanor towards God and those in heaven, he will be allowed to make war on the saints and conquer them. He has global authority and control over humanity. Nonbelievers will worship him.

Q1. (1 Thessalonians 2:1-3) In what way were the Thessalonians confused? What is the order of Christ’s coming in relation to the revealing of the Antichrist? They have been told that the Day of the Lord had already come. Paul tells them they are misinformed and to settle down. The Second Coming of Christ/Day of the Lord will follow the rise and fall of the Man of Lawlessness or Anti-Christ.

Q4. (2 Thessalonians 1:9) How might you describe Christ’s glory? How will his glory be terrifying to unbelievers? If heaven involves sharing this glory forever, what would it be like to be excluded forever from the glory? In what ways is the phrase “outer darkness” a helpful description of hell? I would describe Christ's glory as an overwhelming powerfull brillance that overwhelms everything else and will be terrifying those who don't know him and are not prepared for the second advent of the Christ. To be excluded forever from the glory of God would seem to mean to exist in spiritual and physical darkness. An outer darkness apart from God and the all the blessings and life that go with Him is beyond my imagination.

Q3. (2 Thessalonians 1:9) According to verse 9, what kind of punishment will unbelievers experience? One definition of “hell” is “a place of eternal conscious punishment for the wicked.” What parts of this definition are confirmed in verse 9. Which parts of the definition trouble you? Why? Unbelievers will be punished with everlasting punishment. The unbeliever being shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power seem to support the above definition. I'm not troubled by any part of the definition. I believe God gives every human-being an opportunity to know him on some level. Salvation is made available for all humanity. It is human sin, arrogance, and self-centeredness that ultimately shut the unbeliever out of the presence of God for eternity. If a person doesn't want anything to do with God on any level in this life why would that person want to spend eternity with God? Again, sef-centeredness -- I reject God, but I don't want to go to hell. Most of humanity only love themselves -- the greatest of all the false gods.

Q2. (2 Thessalonians 1:6-7) Would God be just if he did not punish sin? What is the difference between rehabilitation and retribution? When does a Christian’s rehabilitation take place? When does a sinner’s retribution take place? How do you balance love and justice? God is God. Who am I to say that God is unjust if he doesn't punish sin. However, God says he is just and will reward/judge everyone according their deeds. I trust him. Rehabilitation seeks to reform to correct charactor flaws that have resulted in crime (of some kind),against society. Whereas retribution to about appropriate payback for a crime against someone else. The Christian's rehabilitation takes place during the sanctification process after acknowleging/accepting Jesus Christ as savior and lord and entrance of the Holy Spirit into the believer's life. The consequences of sin in a person's are lived out regularly. However, ultimately the sinner's retribution will take place at the Great White Throne Judgment at the end of this age. I think love and justice are the same. Sin is the odd man out. The consequences of sin requires justice in the name of love and what is right. Unlike

Q1. (2 Thessalonians 1:3-5) In what ways do persecution, pressure, and stress help us grow strong in Christ? What would we be like without the testing of our faith? Persecution, pressure, and stress helps grow our faith, increases our love for our brothers in Christ, develops spiritual strength, and utlimately makes us worthly to be a part of the Kingodom of God. The testing of our faith makes us strong in our faith and develops a stronger, closer relationship with God. Without a testing of our faith we really don't know the reality of our faith. We need the good, the bad, and the ugly in our lives to develop and understand our faith and trust in God. Unlike

Q5. (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24) If you met a true Christian who had no assurance of salvation, how would you explain to him or her God’s power to protect and present them blameless before Christ at his coming? What is the problem of having no assurance of salvation? What is the problem of having a false assurance of salvation? Upon our true acknowledgment of Jesus Christ as God's Messiah to mankind and making him our personal lord and savior God will kept us blameless until the second coming of Jesus Christ. In other words, once I repent of my sins and invite Jesus into my life I'm his and I am set apart for divine purpose. My relationship with Jesus makes me a child of God forever. No assurance of salvation results in a broken relationship with God. All relationships are based on trust, certainty, and true awareness of the relationship. As Paul wrote to the Romans: "So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God's Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, 'Abba, Father.' For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God's children." Romans 8:15-16 (TNLT). A false assurance of salvation blinds a person as to what salvation actually entails and leads to death and destruction.

Q4. (1 Thessalonians 5:19-22; 1 Corinthians 14) Why do churches sometimes despise or prohibit prophecy? What guidelines does Paul give here and in 1 Corinthians 14 to keep prophecy in a congregation healthy? Churches sometimes despise or prohibit prophecy because they don't trust the prophet. Don't quench the spirit, but discern or test what the prophet is saying for truth and application for that congregation. When speaking in tongues, one should speak another interprets for congregation. Prophecy should be a thing of order and respect not chaos.

Q3. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) In your own words explain how a person can rejoice and pray continually. Are there any circumstances we might be in the midst of where we should not give thanks to God? A person can rejoice and pray continually by practicing the presence of God. A daily walk with God, as well as with anyone else, requires regular communication of all sorts in order to maintain a meaningful relationship. It is as simple and complicated as that. There is no circumstance that we might be in the midst of that should stop us from giving thanks to God. It's not always the circumstances that we thank God for, but it's God's blessings and involvement in our lives that we are giving thanks for consistently and regularly.<p class="ipsLikeBar right clearfix" id="rep_post_80335">

Q2. (1 Thessalonians 5:15) What happens to people who seek revenge on those who hurt them? What happens when they neglect to forgive those who have wronged them? What happens in a congregation that has an unloving, superior attitude towards outsiders? How do these attitudes reflect on Christ? How can people or congregations get healthy after have been vengeful, proud, or unforgiving? They lose the joy of the Lord, compromise with the old natural, and become just like the world. They inflict pain and hurt just as they received it and totally ignored the teachings of Jesus Christ. This is common among church attenders. Those churches where an unloving, superior attitude towards outsiders exists will be an isolated, ineffective, and dying church outside the will of God and Biblical teaching. Their witness to the community around them will bring dishonor upon themselves, the church, and most importantly to Jesus Christ. People and(or) congregations can get healthy by confessing their sin to each other and then to God. Unconditionly forgiving each other and then practice Biblical principles regarding relationships. Maybe they need to invite Jesus Christ into their lives for the first real time.

Q1. (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13) What happens in a congregation when people don’t show respect for their leaders? What happens when the disrespectful spread their disrespect? Will getting rid of the leader fix the problem, or is there something deeper going on here? When a congregation doesn't show respect for their leaders there really is no true congregation. As the body of Christ anyway. Leadership cannot equip the saints for ministry or facilitate their spiritual growth without respect. Division and confusion will occur and the congregation will die. Certainly the mission of the church will die even if the congregation continues to attend out of self-deluded spiritualism. They will not be effective for Jesus Christ in carrying out the Great Comission. Like cancer in the body, when the disrespectful spread their disrespect they poision and destroy that congregation. It's worldly and demonic. Getting rid of a leader that is not doing his job proplerly may fix the problem. It will not fix the problem if there is a deeper spiritual problem going on in that congregation. A problem where disrespect is part of the church culture usually is displayed sooner or later toward any future leader(s) -- it's a matter of rebellion against God's Word. Self versus the will of God.

Q4. (1 Thessalonians 5:4-8) What effect should a belief in Christ’s soon coming have on believers? What does it mean to be “sober” or “self-controlled” (verse 6)? What does it mean to be “alert” or “watchful” (verse 6)? How does this differ from our normal Christian lifestyle? The awareness and knowledge that Jesus is coming again and at any time should cause us to be alert, ready, prepared, and living for Christ. This knowledge should create within the believer a desire for a close and focused walk with Jesus. It should also create within the believer an imperative to share the Gospel with others both in word and deed. To be sober or self-controlled means to watch against temptation, laziness, lethargy, and distraction. Positively, we should watch for the return of our savior the Lord Jesus Christ. The majority of Christians in the West are so caught up and blinded by the world and materialism that they will be as unprepared as the unbeliever for the second coming of Christ.

Q3. (1 Thessalonians 5:1-3) According to this passage, what warning can we expect to have prior to Christ’s return? What does it mean that he will “come like a thief”? The day of Christ's return will come deceptively, suddenly, destructively, inevitably, and inescapably. This day -- the day of the Lord -- will come as a thief in the night. It will be completely unexpected, taking men off guard. The world will be unprepared because it chooses to be unprepared. The fact is, God has provided the world insight into the Day of the Lord and how to be prepared for it through His Word which has been available to humanity for thousands of years. Additionally, followers of Christ have carried that Word throughout the world for at least two thousand years.

Q2. (1 Thessalonians 4:14) How will Christ bring with him those believers who have previously died? According to Matthew 25:31, who will also will accompany Christ when he returns? Jesus is going to bring with Him the believers who have already died in the faith because they have been with him since their physical death. Jesus did tell his disciples he was going to make a place for them in his Father's house. A place has been made for us in Heaven until the end of the age; judgment; and arrival of the New Jerusalem on earth. According to Matthew 25:31, all of the angels will be coming with him at his second advent.

Q1. (1 Thessalonians 4:16; Daniel 7:13-14) In what ways does Daniel’s prophecy of the Son of Man outline Christ’s return? In light of this prophecy, why did Jesus use the title “Son of Man” rather than “Christ” or “Son of God”? Jesus will return one day from Heaven with a loud command, with the voice of an Archangel, and the trumpet call of God just as Daniel prophecied. Jesus used the title "Son of Man" to identify himself with the same "Son of Man" in Daniel's prophecy. This was one way Holy men and women who studied scripture and listened to Jesus Christ would know what he was talking about and confirming that he was the Christ or Son of God.<p class="ipsLikeBar right clearfix" id="rep_post_80329">