hanks

Q3. (5:3) How can we best keep elders and pastors from being power-mongers? From limiting a pastor's authority? What's the danger here? From testing a person before bestowing authority? How can this be difficult? How can we deal with this serious problem properly? The world thinks of leaders as being confident, self-assured and assertive. In contrast Peter tells us that our leaders are to be humble and a servant of others. In our churches we often see Christians that tend to measure leaders in terms of their success, whereas in the Scriptures they were measured in terms of their faithfulness. When we introduce a Christian speaker, we boast of their educational achievements, their success in ministry (usually measured in numbers), and their acceptance by men. Even when we seek to recruit leaders, we appeal to men on a human level, according to human pride and ambition. We want them to think of leadership as an honour rather than a means of expressing humility. We speak to them about feeling fulfilled rather than of emptying themselves in service to others. So there is a vastly different way unbelievers lead and the way it should be in our churches. Our leaders are not to be self-seeking, self-serving, and self-sufficient but humble in their relationship to God and to men. We desperately need to embrace Peter

Q2. (Colossians 3:5) Why is sexual **** so difficult for people, especially males? Though we cannot deny that we are sexual beings, how can we keep sexual desire from controlling us and causing us to sin? Sexual ****, like every sin is basically selfishness, the worship of self instead of the worship of God. We see this often in males who want to stamp their authority on others. Where believers are not yielded to the Holy Spirit, sexual sins often come into their lives and prove their downfall. God made man with the power for reproduction. But the sin comes when those things which God has so graciously bestowed upon us are used for vile, illicit purposes. The only way to control our sexual desires is by realizing we are new creatures. We focus more on heavenly things than on earthly things. With the help of the Holy Spirit we are increasingly being sanctified. Each day we are becoming more and more like Jesus. In this new life we are closely united with Christ and as we read in Col 3:3,

Q1. (Colossians 3:1-2) What does it mean to "set your heart/mind" on the things above? Does this mean that we're "too heavenly minded to be of any earthly good"? If not, what does it mean? What happens when we don't take control and direct our thinking and meditating? As Christians we should not be earth-bound in our outlook. What should be important for us are the things of importance to God and to eternity. Someone said it well,

Q2. (5:2) What's wrong with the common practice in churches of "twisting a person's arm" to get him or her to serve as a church leader? What damage does this do to the church? What kind of leader does it produce? Unfortunately I have seen this happen too often. Besides coercing someone to become a leader, I

Q1. (5:1-2) What do you learn about the responsibilities of an elder from the definitions of "elder," "pastor," and "overseer"? What stood out to you as you considered these words? I see them all primarily in a teaching and leadership position in our church today. They must of course be of mature Christian character, qualified by the Holy Spirit to provide spiritual leadership. They should share in fellowship, and besides instructing us, be caring as well. Because of the great responsibility they are to be judged by the fruit of the Spirit. What stood out for me was the fact that they are to be humble, and not greedy for money or power.

Q4. (20:12-15) Here is a serious question for each of us - not one we should respond to with pat answers. What assurance do you have that your name is written in the Book of Life? I fully trust God and His promises. I have given my life to my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and know I have eternal life,

Q3. (20:11-12) Why is this awesome scene of judgment so frightening? Why do people seem to resist the idea of a final judgment? This is a sad and solemn scene. The whole universe will flee away from the awesome Judge on the Great White Throne, for they will not be able to tolerate the stark glory of God. We see that everyone who rejected Jesus Christ will have to give an account of their rebellion against God. They will be exposed for what they are, and all their sins will be made known for all to see. Our salvation , as believers, is assured. Unbelievers resist this idea

Q4. Why is a willingness to die, if need be, essential to healthy Christianity during persecution. What happens when we aren't willing to die, when we are afraid to "take up our cross daily" (Luke 9:23) and follow Jesus? What does this have to do with "committing ourselves to a faithful Creator"? Our natural tendency is to save our lives by our own selfish existence. We may have all the comforts, pleasures and luxuries of modern living. Yet with all this we can still lose our lives, that is, we can miss the true purpose of life and the intense spiritual pleasure that should go with it! People think us mad if we first seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and yield unreservedly to Him, before our own selfish ambitions. But it is this life of abandonment that is genuine living, with a joy, and a deep inward satisfaction that defies description. This would mean denying ourselves and taking up our cross. To deny self means willingly to recognize His lordship in every area of our life, and finding a reason for our existence. We instinctively recoil from a life of cross-bearing. Our minds are reluctant to believe that this could be God's will for us. Yet the words of Christ

Q3. (4:14) If we are never persecuted, what does that say about how people view us? In what way should persecution make us happy? Perhaps they view us as

Q4. (Colossians 2:20-23) Why are legalism and asceticism unable to restrain the sinful nature? What alternative to legalism does Paul offer in Colossians 2? These practices all create an appearance of wisdom, but in reality they adopt a form of worship according to their own ideas of what is right, rather than according to God's word. They seem to be religious but in reality they are not true Christianity. Another false belief is that through self-denial or self-torture, we can achieve a higher state of holiness; we see this in Hinduism and other mystical religions of the East. These practices have no value at all. Every false system utterly fails to make us any better, they create the impression that there is something we can do to merit God's favour, but we know it is all about God

Q3. (Colossians 2:13-15) How did forgiveness free us from the Law? What is the significance of nailing the Law to the cross? What does this symbolize? How did the cross bring triumph over evil spiritual forces? We have been given fullness in Christ (v10)

Q2. (Colossians 2:9-10) What does verse 9 teach about Christ's full divinity? In what sense are we "complete" or "come to fullness" in Christ? What does this mean? Why do we sometimes fail to understand this fullness? In Christ, is all of God. Jesus Christ is not only equal to God, He is God. He is God in bodily form. He is the visible image of the invisible God, he is the exact representation of God. He not only reflects God, but he reveals God to us. He is completely holy and central to the truth of Christianity. Once we have Jesus in our hearts, we are

Q2. (4:13) When you meditate on the idea of partaking of or being a sharer in Christ's sufferings, what perspective does it give you on whatever persecution you may experience? I feel we are not to question God, and look negatively upon sufferings. He is in control and everything He allows is done for a purpose. He may be perfecting me, or testing my faith; but I know that when I

Q2. (19:16) What are the implications of Christ's title: "King of kings and Lord of lords" for your life? For the everyday world that surrounds you? He is the one over all, and He reigns with majesty, power, and authority. I have surrendered my life to Jesus, and I thank Him for His mercy and grace. Also for His forgiveness in having saved a sinner like me. The world should take note and read what Paul wrote, before it is too late:

Q1. (19:7-9) These verses draw together two themes from Scripture

Q1. (4:12) What's the danger of trying to avoid persecution and suffering for Christ? Have you ever been distracted by persecution from what you should have been doing? Have you ever observed this in other Christians? The danger of trying to avoid persecution and suffering for Christ is that we try to blend in with society and thereby do not stand up for Jesus. The unbelieving world hates His followers. And as true Christians, and not hypocrites, we have to defend Jesus against attack or criticism, even if it means being ridiculed. Sometimes we need to be tested

Q1. (Colossians 2:8) Philosophy refers to a prevailing belief system. How can a belief system be empty and false? Have you ever personally experienced being captivated by a belief system only to find it deceptive and hollow? Any belief system not from God is empty and false. They put human reason above God, and worship man himself instead of our Lord. For this reason they are nothing more than meaningless deceit. I always remember truth is not found in human wisdom. Praise the Lord! I have not been attracted to any other belief system. However, I must say I have had a few approach me, and this when I was but a new Christian. Looking back, I can truly say I must have been protected from being led astray. Christ is all we need. He is supreme! Thank you Lord Jesus!!

Q4. (Colossians 2:2-3) In what sense are "all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" hidden in Christ? What does that mean? God has revealed in Christ, all that we need to know, to establish a relationship with God. Meaning that we need only to study God

Q4. (18:4) We Christians are instructed to be "in the world" but not "of the world" (John 17:15-19). One interpretation has been to be hermits, ascetics, to distance ourselves from the political process, and to adopt stringent dress and behavior codes. Another interpretation is to be "salt and light" (Matthew 5:13-16) in the world so that we might bring about cleansing and change through God's spirit. Where do you think the balance lies? How and when should we fulfil the command, "Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins...."? I don

Q3. (Colossians 1:28-2:1) What is the purpose of Paul's labours according to verse 28? What does "perfect in Christ" mean? How does Paul accomplish this goal? In what way is he "struggling" for them? Paul

Q3. (15:3-4) We see singing and praise in heaven before the throne a number of times in Revelation (4:8, 11; 5:9-10, 12-13; 7:12; 11:17-18; 15:3-4; 19:1-3). What do you learn about appropriate worship from studying these songs? Do you recognize any contemporary songs that seem similar to these? We see us assured of our security and victory; a picture of the joy and happiness that will occur when we follow Christ and being in His presence. We worship our Lord ceaselessly, acknowledging Him as worthy of glory, honour, power, and praise. He is worthy to receive power over my life; my life should be devoted to glorifying Him. There must be a desire to magnify Him in all my ways. I praise Him for freeing me from the bondage of sin. I praise Him for being a God of holiness. I praise Him for His righteousness. I praise Him for punishing evil. We can see this in the songs we sing: Worthy is the Lamb seated on the throne, Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, To receive power and riches And wisdom and strength, Honour and glory, glory and praise, For ever and ever more. All heaven declares The glory of the risen Lord. At the name of Jesus Every knee shall bow, Every tongue confess Him King of glory now; For His name is exalted, His glory above heaven and earth. Holy is the Lord God Almighty, Who was and who is and who is to come. I give you all the honour And praise that

Q2. (14:10-11) Why is everlasting punishment so difficult for us Christians to accept? In what ways might eternal punishment be considered just punishment? The doctrine of eternal punishment, though unpopular with liberal individuals and difficult to accept, is nevertheless clearly taught in the Bible. Both Jesus and John often warn us about the certainty and severity of the punishment for sin. I think it is the severity and finality of this punishment that makes it not easy to understand. We cannot imagine a loving God allowing such things to happen. But we forget our God is a just God and will not tolerate evil of any kind. We note that God is the one who

Q1. (14:3-5) In what ways do the 144,000 provide an ideal for all Christians to emulate? There is much we can learn and emulate from these 144k. We are to keep ourselves free from idolatry and immorality. We are not to be deceived by worldly pleasures. We must follow our Lord Jesus in unquestioning obedience and devotion. We are told in Matt 10:38 that “anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me”. In John 10:4 we also read, “his sheep follow him because they know his voice”. Again in 1Pet 2:21 we read that he expects his people to walk in his footsteps and not go astray. We are to look to Him for leadership and direction in this fallen world. We are to be blameless. In a world saturated with lies and deceit, we must stand out as emblems of truth, honesty and integrity. We are to be the ones redeemed from mankind – the firstfruits to God and to the Lamb.

Q2. (Colossians 1:26-27) What is the mystery that Paul talks about? In what sense was, "Christ in you, the hope of glory," hidden prior to this? In what sense is "glory" used here? What does "the hope of glory" mean in this context? Paul is speaking about the fact that Jesus Christ indwells not only in the chosen Jewish people, but also in the Christian Gentiles. This truth was not known in the OT period. The church began on the Day of Pentecost, and this truth of the church was revealed by God. Glory is to be present with Jesus in Heaven and have never-ending bliss. I have the hope of participating in God

Q1. (Colossians 1:24) How could Paul's sufferings in prison complete what is lacking in Christ's afflictions? Is Paul referring to Christ's sufferings on the cross? Or is he seeing suffering in some kind of cosmic sense? If so, in what sense are your sufferings for Christ of value to the church? In prison Paul endured untold hardships, persecutions, and afflictions (sufferings). Paul saw these afflictions as part of God