angelbaby

Q1. (2:19-21) Why was Timothy's selfless concern so rare among church leaders? Rather than pointing the finger at others in your church, consider yourself. What things has Jesus had to deal with in your life that has helped you to become genuinely selfless and focused on the concerns of others? How has he refined you? (Of course, he is still at work in us!) Timothy's selfless concern was rare among church leaders because he had a genuine "agape" love .... He was like minded as Paul with a genuine love and caring for all . He was unlike other leaders who were only interested in their own welfare and needs To consider myself ..... Yes Jesus has had to deal with. 4 A's in my life ...... Anger , Pride of Affluence, Arrogance at large and Attitude of judging and complaining .a.. It is amazing that all the Anger has vanished. I was sooooo short tempered. Holy Spirit has changed me to be patient . .b... Now I distribute more money than save it ..... c.... I have learnt to think more of others and their spiritual needs as well and am gentle and persuasive. d... Generally I am accommodative now and don't judge or criticise others but make excuses for their short comings and behaviour However still a long way to go

Q4. (2:17) You have gone through struggles and obstacles to your faith. If you were to look at your sufferings as a "drink offering" poured out before God, how does that honor God? How does that bring value to your struggles? Looking back at life I feel it has been really good for me and that most probably because of my parents prayers .... Being an only child I was brought up with too much love and protection..... I married an unbeliever from the Islamic Faith but my parents were very tolerant and kept him in prayer ... I went through couple of life threatening trials and circumstances and would have been shattered but for my upbringing and faith in Christ ( at the early age of 13 I was Born Again ) my trials lasted 40 years but Praise God who is a prayer answering God the trials just ended suddenly, the circumstances in my home changed dramatically and Christ entered my husbands heart...... Someday I pray he will give his testimony which will rock those who hear it. My perseverance and tolerance, forgiveness and prayer oriented life has brought value to my struggles.

Q3. (2:16) In what sense are we Christians to "hold fast" the Word of Life? In what sense are we to "hold forth" this Word of Life? How does this relate to the purpose of the church? By stating that we are to "hold fast" to the Word of Life means to study Gods Word ... The Bible and to follow all the instructions of Christ/ God and thereby be Imitators of Christ and keep the Word close to our heart all the time in all circumstances living by the Word of God Whereas "hold forth " the Word of Life implies that we are to proclaim the Gospel to all we come in contact with and also to the uttermost parts of the world. The purpose of the church is to imbibe all that Jesus has taught us and REFLECT Him and more than affecting ourselves we are to affect the world at large I.e preach the word to all those we come in contact with as well as make an effort to reach friends/ peopele / people groups at your home town or in distant lands by a specific programme.

Q2. (2:14-15) How does ceasing complaining and arguing enable a church to shine as stars in a dark sky? What does this shining as stars signify? Have complaining and arguing compromised your church's witness as a God-place? If so, what can you do to change this? Complaining and Murmuring only tries to put forward the fact that you are not getting your own way. One cannot stay happy or content with bitterness and hatred within you. To Argue again is trying to force others to agree to your way of thinking / acting. Jesus Christ never complained or murmured. He addressed the issue and either solved it or suggested a solution This is not leading you to live blamesless and pure lives like Jesus Shining as Stars signifies that our lives should emit a difference from other lives Lights are used to make things evident .... In this case the image of Christ should be portrayed. We are called to be Christ like Lights are used to guide ...................... .... So u are called to be an example Lights are used as a warning................ ....head lights of a car inform of coming vehicle , traffic lights show stop signals So we are to warn others of impending death and damnation Lights are used to bring cheer. ............ In a dark room when light us switched on everyone's mood is elevated , when we walk into a room we should bring a joyful atmosphere Lights are used to make things safe .... The beam of a lighthouse informs the ships of a haven ., a shore nearby , safe land So in the Darkness it is obvious that light makes a huge difference. We accept the "world" as being in darkness and so we are to be shining as lights in the World. If there is complaining and murmuring in the church I pray about it and ask God to bring a revival so that there is unity and singleness of purpose and no argument

Q1. (2:12-13). In this passage, what does it mean to "work out your own salvation"? Is this referring to salvation from sin? If not, what kind of salvation is it referring to? Here Paul is addressing the church as a whole and not an individual. In this context it means to be humble , think yourself less important than others , obey the commandments of God especially the ones relating to "Love others as I have loved you " Live in unity, dissolve differences and be happy as one family In addition grow from babes in Christ to mature believers and learn to rely and depend on God for everything you need. He wants us to live Philippians 4:19 " my God will supply all my needs according to his riches in Christ Jesus. "" we do not have to strive but just lean on God for everything. No , it is not referring to the Salvation from sin. That we are incapable of "working out". Salvation is a free gift. Our sin has been washed away just by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. That's it. No more striving or working for it. It is referring to the community of believers. They should stay united in brotherly love , sharing , caring, adjusting to each other's needs and forgiving and forgetting differences under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. No one else is Head. We shouldn't consider ourselves one above another but remember all are equal .... There is no rich or poor, Jew or Gentile , free or bond servant. , high or low , priest or sinner. No barriers of race colour or creed .... Learn to live as one family adjusting to differences.

Q4. (2:9-11) We know we're supposed to humble ourselves like Jesus did. But how can we know whether or not God will exalt us? Time and again Jesus Himself has taught that if we humble ourselves we will be exalted ( James and Peter also reiterate this .... The teachings of Jesus) Jesus never lied and Jesus is God so we believe that we will be exalted if we humble ourselves Q. Why do we get impatient with this? We get impatient because we all strive to be exalted even before we have actually humbled ourselves in a noteworthy fashion. Q. What does our impatience sometimes lead to? Our Impatience leads to restlessness, being short tempered , anger., irritable , eagerly desirous ... Our Pride, self esteem , over confidence tries to overcome the "Waiting" . Our Impatience leads to wanting everything "now" and we strive to do it our way to achieve it . This is being led by Satan and playing into his plans ... This is working against God's Will and Timing. He makes all things beautiful in His time. Isaiah 40:31 says. " Those that Wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; . They shall soar up on wings like eagles ; they shall run and not be weary ; they shall walk and not faint " ....... Which actually means you will be EXALTED Therefore WAIT ON THE LORD

Q3. (2:7-8) Was Jesus really a human being or only pretending to be one? What do these verses teach? What difference does it really make whether or not Jesus was human? Anyone who reads the Scriptures both OT and NT can realise that Jesus was really a human being.. He was born like a human baby, brought up by earthly parents, walked the earth , taught in the synagogues and ate and drank and touched other human beings. He felt thirst, hunger , sorrow , pain and tiredness just like any human being. He came to earth voluntarily wanting to fulfill the plan that God the Father had for the redemption of Humanity These verses teach us that Jesus was the perfect man and He strove to teach us how to live.... We are a depraved humanity full of evil and selfishness .Jesus came to teach us the Kingdom of God wherein there is only Peace Joy and Righteousness. We are far from any of these in our lives. Humanity has been under the control of the Prince of this world ...Satan, but Jesus came to give us power to overcome this world and live victorious lives through Christ who conquered the Death we were supposed to suffer . Those who believe in Christ will have no Condemnation, but have Eternal Life It makes a big difference if Christ was not human. We , Evil as we are , would have all had only one destination that is hell, Lakefire and torture forever and ever I.e. Damnation.. Being Perfect Christ could take all our sin and exchange it for His Righteousness and give us Salvation... A Life with Him in Heaven forever and ever ....a living hope to look forward to ... Only a Man could achieve this as God cannot die!!!!

Q2. (2:6) In your own words, what does it mean that Christ didn't cling to his equality with God? How specifically does this passage teach that Jesus is divine? The rare Gk word "harpagmos" used here translates a violent seizure of property....something robbed /claimed . Christ however was pre-existent and already possessed equality with God and so did not need to "rob that divine property" Christ was pre existent and equal to God , having the same nature and fully divine co- eternal, co- equal.....therefore when he entered Time and Space of earth he voluntarily " divested himself of his prestige and privileges" in other words " gave up the glory and majesty of a kingly Godly reign as the word " kenosis" implies and carried out the Fathers plan to redeem mankind .....which could be carried out only " as a sinless human being " ... Such has been prophesied by the prophet Isaiah also.

Q1. (2:1-4). To achieve unity in your congregation, why is humility necessary? Can you give an example of how lack of humility caused a division in your church? What are you doing to bring unity in your church? Humility is the foundation of Christianity. Christ emptied Himself of all His Glory and Majesty and made Himself nothing in order to enter Time and Space and take on the form of a human being so that he could redeem us with His precious blood and sacrifice on the cross ..... The most disgraceful form of punishment and death. He came to minister rather than to be ministered unto ..... I. e. Selfless sacrifice and servant hood. Positive Humility therefore is serving others and living for others with genuine Love. Therefore if we serve and love our fellow believers then definitely we will be united

Q1. (2:1-4). To achieve unity in your congregation, why is humility necessary? Can you give an example of how lack of humility caused a division in your church? What are you doing to bring unity in your church? Humility is the foundation of Christianity. Christ emptied Himself of all His Glory and Majesty and made Himself nothing in order to enter Time and Space and take on the form of a human being so that he could redeem us with His precious blood and sacrifice on the cross ..... The most disgraceful form of punishment and death. He came to minister rather than to be ministered unto ..... I. e. Selfless sacrifice and servant hood. Positive Humility therefore is serving others and living for others with genuine Love. Therefore if we serve and love our fellow believers then definitely we will be united

Q4. (1:23) What do Philippians 1:23 and 2 Corinthians 5:6-8 teach about the state of Christians immediately after death? How does this comfort you? How does this energize you? To depart from this life and from the body I.e. to physically die , would be to " be with Christ" and to be in Christs immediate presence This definitely comforts me ... When I was Born Again I believed that Christ died for me , forgave my sins and made me one with Him made me Righteous and I was saved from Condmnation and received Salvation , I.e. Received Eternal Life , was made an adopted child of God , was heir of all the spiritual riches in heaven was co- heirs with Christ and was going to live with Him forever and ever Knowing this I fear nothing. I know I cannot lose my Salvation at any point especially when I obey His commands and have faith and trust in Him so the Holy Spirit gives me the strength to live one day at a time with great expectations to live a life I am called to by the Lord. He has a purpose for each ones life and we work to please Him and fulfil our God Given purpose here on earth. Amen

Q3. (1:20-21) How can fear keep us from being a bold witness? Why does fear of people bind our tongues? How does "losing our life" for Christ's sake actually give us an abundant life? What fear is keeping you from clear witness? Fear restricts us from being a bold witness when we know what the consequences are going to be. It would end in disrespect, ridicule, being ostracised from a society/community , loss of family & friends or even imprisonment from false allegations. Like Paul suffered for preaching the Gospel of the Messiah. When Judaism was a recognised religion and even part of the Roman administration in Jerusalem . When we "Lose our life" as the above listed factors then we are blessed by God and we have fought the fight and won the race nd will receive the "Crown if Life " This amounts to "Gain" as that means Eternal life with Jesus forever and ever and no fear of Condmnation to hell and the tormenting flames of fire forever nd ever There is no fear from being a witness ... It is finding the opportunity. People are so busy in their lives and don't have time to think anything. They are in fact multitasking. If a person is free to listen then they will be receptive and responsive also. We need to keep the bond and witness going. Very rarely has the person turned away from listening to the gospel of Jesus Christ

We can have a deep sense of joy when we go through trials and tribulations because we know that this is Gods Will for us. Also has been embedded in our hearts that What we suffer is far less that what Jesus suffered on this earth We know from the Bible and our life experiences that " all things work together for good" so we have Faith and Wait knowing that the end result will be far better that we can ever dream or comprehend We can stand firm on the promises of God because He has said all through the Bible that He cares for us He will never forsake us and Lo I am with you ALWAYS even unto the end of this age. So we should adapt to the song DONT WORRY. BE HAPPY

We can have a deep sense of joy when we go through trials and tribulations because we know that this is Gods Will for us. Also has been embedded in our hearts that What we suffer is far less that what Jesus suffered on this earth We know from the Bible and our life experiences that " all things work together for good" so we have Faith and Wait knowing that the end result will be far better that we can ever dream or comprehend We can stand firm on the promises of God because He has said all through the Bible that He cares for us He will never forsake us and Lo I am with you ALWAYS even unto the end of this age. So we should adapt to the song DONT WORRY. BE HAPPY

(1:12-14) From the standpoint of witness to others, you are much more credible when you are undergoing personal struggles, stress, and problems. Why is this so? It's easy enough to be happy When life goes like a song But the man worthwhile Is the man who can smile When everything goes dead wrong. This quote is so revealing and true. If you can smile through your woes then you sure have the foundation and grit from the training and faith in the Lord Jesus. As James says in verse 2 of ch 1 " count it pure joy when ........... And 1 Peter 4:16 "if you suffer as a Christian do not be ashamed but praise God that you bear his name ." When Christians are always cheerful and never complaining of their lives and circumstances the world sees they are different. They know they can't really be so happy and that their life is not free from struggles and problems but still they are happy .Their lives emit light .... Paul's life was such a powerful witness because he realised he was given a mission from the Lord Jesus. He sensed a compelling urge to spread the "Goodnews" because he knew what it meant to be saved. He came to know Jesus as a person and His exemplary life on Earth and selfless sacrifice for mankind. He himself was transformed and he wanted each person to feel that love of Jesus This , along with his desire to prove to the world that life was more than daily ritual made him leave no stone unturned to proclaim Jesus as the Messiah My life has been like a movie with life grappling situations ...... And believe me NO One knows what's been going on in my life but God. We should be a witness that is tell it to the world but that would ruin my husbands image .... So I know if anyone knows this it will prove to be a wonderful testimony to Christian living. The Lord will give me the crown of life. Hoping that my husband will tell the world some day As of today God has given me that Peace which passes all understanding. Nothing can baffle me or shake my faith in Jesus. All that he does is for my good . I have grown to be a much better person through my trials and can lead others to His saving Grace