WALT39

Q4. (Luke 17:33-36) What does our passage teach about the separation and judgment that will occur when the Kingdom comes? How should this affect our lives? Our testimony? Our love for our neighbors? Luke 17:33-36 - 33Whoever tries to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. 34I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. 35Two women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left." What does our passage teach about the separation and judgment that will occur when the Kingdom comes? The believers will not be separated from God. I can not comment on judgment because only God can judge and I can not second guess Him, but I know that He will be fair and just. How should this affect our lives? Our testimony? Our love for our neighbors? We, as believers, must follow Jesus and demonstrate that love and kindness for all who we come in contact with. We have to try to live as Jesus told His disciples in John 13:34-35, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

Q3. (Luke 17:24-32) What indications does Jesus give in this passage that he will suddenly come in his Kingdom without further warning? What are the implications of this for our attitude? For our lives? Luke 17:24-32) - 24For the Son of Man in his day will be like the lightning, which flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other. 25But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation. 26"Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. 27People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all. 28"It was the same in the days of Lot. People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. 29But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. 30"It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed. 31On that day no one who is on the roof of his house, with his goods inside, should go down to get them. Likewise, no one in the field should go back for anything. 32Remember Lot's wife! What indications does Jesus give in this passage that he will suddenly come in his Kingdom without further warning? He will come like lightning which comes quickly and without warning. The Scriptures state that people will be carrying on their normal lives when the day finally comes. In today's events it would be like an explosion in a mine, a car crash into a building with people in it or an accident that changes one's life. What are the implications of this for our attitude? Know Jesus and be ready for Him. For our lives? To be with Jesus rather than left behind.

Q2. (Luke 17:22-24) What do Jesus' words about lightning teach us about the nature of the coming of his Kingdom? Luke 17:22-24 - Then he said to his disciples, "The time is coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it. Men will tell you,

Q1. (Luke 17:21) In what sense was the Kingdom of God present in the Person and ministry of Jesus? In what sense is the Kingdom of God Luke 17:21 - nor will people say,

Q4. (Matthew 11:12; Luke 16:16) Admittedly, this is a hard passage to interpret. However, if you take the "forceful" or "violent" people as seekers who are doing whatever it takes to press into the Kingdom, then what is Jesus teaching us here about the nature of the Kingdom? Matthew 11:12 - From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it. Luke 16:16 - "The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John. Since that time, the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it. I think when Jesus said in Luke 16:16 "....Since that time, the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it.", people who really believed knew that the kingdom of God was a great place to be and knew that they had to follow Jesus and really work at it. When one really wants something, it should take effort to achieve that goal. What better place to follow Jesus and be ready to enter into the kingdom of God.

Q3. (Matthew 7:7-8) Why is continual asking, seeking, and knocking so essential to our looking forward to the Kingdom? Why do we give up so easily? How do we gain boldness and persistence in prayer? Matthew 7:7-8 - 7"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Why is continual asking, seeking, and knocking so essential to our looking forward to the Kingdom? In order to grow in our faith, we must actively pursue it. If we just sit around and think we know everything, we will be complacent and that is when we allow Satan to creep in. By continually asking Jesus and knocking on His door, we will find what we are seeking in the arms of Jesus. Why do we give up so easily? When we do not get what we think are the right answers, then we believe that Jesus is not listening. What we want and what He wants can be different, so people just give up. How do we gain boldness and persistence in prayer? By communicating openly with Jesus through prayer. This is an area that I am continually working on. It is a discipline that I must maintain.

Q2. (Matthew 6:33) What does it mean in verse 33 to "seek first his Kingdom"? What does it mean to "seek first his righteousness"? How can we both seek the Kingdom and support our families? What is the promise found in verse 33? Matthew 6:33 - But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. As I thought about this question, I was looking at my study Bible and I would like to share these notes from that Bible. "To “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness” means to turn to God first for help, to fill your thoughts with his desires, to take his character for your pattern and to serve and obey him in everything. What is really important to you? People, objects, goals and other desires all compete for priority. Any of these can quickly bump God out of first place if you don’t actively choose to give him first place in every area of your life." Jesus wants us to support our families, but He wants us to follow Him first and let Him lead the way. The promise is that "all these things will be given to you".

Q1. (Matthew 6:24) Jesus seems to make it sound like you can't seek wealth and God simultaneously. Does he really mean this? Is this hyperbole? Figurative? Literal? Can wealthy people serve God in actual fact? Matthew 6:24 - "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. I think that a person who has wealth, can be a true Christian. As long as the person acknowledges that their success is as the result of following Christ and allows Christ to be his or her guide. A Christian can only have one master and that is Jesus.

Q4. What did Jesus intend the Parable of the Soils to teach us about the "message of the kingdom"? Why are these truths so important for keeping disciples from becoming disillusioned? We must be vigilant about the Word and if we know the Word, when tough times come, we have a basis for hope because Jesus is there. Also by keeping our soil fertile and nourished, we will continue to grow in God's Word.

Q3. (Matthew 13:23) Even good soil can have factors that hinder growth in various parts of the field, or make some areas grow taller and fuller wheat. What factors make a disciple especially good soil for the growth of the word or message of the Kingdom? What might be the reasons for 30-fold, 60-fold, and 100-fold growth? Matthew 13:23 - But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown." As each of us realize that God is in control, then the fruits of the Spirit will blossom. As God leads us on our Spiritual journey and we develop the way He is telling us, we will be in the fertile ground that will allow to grow many times over. We have to be open to God's direction and as humans, it will take time to realize that He is in control, but when we allow it, we will grow in the Word of His Kingdom.

Q2. (Matthew 13:22; Luke 8:14) Which of the thorns that Jesus mentions do you think is the most dangerous: Riches, worries/cares, or pleasures? Why do you think so? Matthew 13:22 - The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful.; Luke 8:14 - The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. I think that it difficult to choose which one is the most dangerous, but I believe if I have to pick one, I would pick "worries/cares". This saps the most strength from each of us. They are so many personal concerns that one can get so bogged down on, that they can not get close to the Lord. I know in my case, this is one area that I am continually battling. God is winning, because I am turning more of me over to Him.

Q1. (Matthew 13:20-21) Why, according to Jesus' teaching here, do some people fall away so quickly? What is their problem? Matthew 13:20-21 - The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. They hear God's Word and they are caught up in the excitement. They think that it is going to be easy, but when they realize that there is a real commitment, then they have second thoughts. When the original excitement is over, they turn away. They forget that they need to repent and truly want to be with the Lord. Their problem is the lack of commitment and willing to put in the genuine time to be with the Lord.

Q4. Why is repentance so central to the Kingdom of God? Why is baptism important to converts to the King? Can Christ reign in an unrepentant heart? In order to truly follow Jesus, we must confess our sins to Jesus. Baptism is a public statement that we believe in Jesus and our sins are washed away from us. If we have an unrepentant heart, our lives in Jesus is a scam and we can not really be following Him.

Q3. (Matthew 3:11) What is the point of comparison between John's action and the Messiah's action? What is the point of difference? Do you really long to be overwhelmed by the Holy Spirit? What might prevent this in your life? What might encourage it? Matthew 3:11 - "I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. What is the point of comparison between John's action and the Messiah's action? What is the point of difference? The point of comparison is that John's action is water that is available to him as Jesus will bring God's Holy Spirit as promised in Joel 2:28-29. The difference is Jesus is God's Son. Do you really long to be overwhelmed by the Holy Spirit? What might prevent this in your life? What might encourage it? At times, I can feel the Holy Spirit working in my life. It depends on how receptive I am at the time. I am encourage when I am in His Word and allow Him into my place.

Q2. (Matthew 3:5-10; Luke 7:30) How would John's baptism have offended a Jew's national pride? Who welcomed John's baptism? Who resisted it? Why? Matthew 3:5-10 - 5People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. 6Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. 7But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. 9And do not think you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 10The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. Luke 7:30: But the Pharisees and experts in the law rejected God's purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.) How would John's baptism have offended a Jew's national pride? Because non-Jews were being publicly baptized by John, the Jews did not want to have to lower themselves to the non-Jew status. This took great humility on the Jews part Who welcomed John's baptism? All who came were baptism. In Matthew 3:5, 'People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Who resisted it? Why? The Pharisees and experts in the law. As Pastor Ralph wrote in his commentary,"The Jewish leaders refused to admit they were sinners in this way."

Q1. What happens when people adopt the Christian faith without repent of their known sins? Why do people avoid repentance? What percentage of Christians today do you think are unrepentant, unprepared in heart? What happens when people adopt the Christian faith without repent of their known sins? They do not understand Christianity. They will wander aimlessly and they will not be traveling a straight line toward God. Why do people avoid repentance? It is harder to follow the rules when there is so many material things around us and luring things that our senses will enjoy. What percentage of Christians today do you think are unrepentant, unprepared in heart? Since we are all sinners, we must continually ask for repentance. I do not know the percentage, but it has to be a fairly high percentage.

Q3. (Philemon 18-19) Paul vouches for Onesimus and puts up his money (at least in theory) to cover Onesimus debts to Philemon? Is this wise in all cases? Why does Paul do it here? How does Christ vouch for us? When should we vouch for our Christian brothers and sisters? Philemon 18-19 - 18If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. 19I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back

Q2. (Philemon 14) Why doesn't Paul come right out and command Philemon? Is this out of respect for his personhood or to build moral character in him -- or what? Philemon 14 - But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do will be spontaneous and not forced. Philemon came to Christ through Paul's ministry. Maybe Paul knew that Philemon would make the right decision as a Christian brother and therefore rather than demanding it, he let Philemon prove his Christian love.

Q1. (Philemon 12) Why does Paul send Onesimus back to Philemon where he can lose his freedom again? Why is it necessary for Paul to do this? Why is it necessary for Onesimus to do this? Philemon 12 - I am sending him -- who is my very heart -- back to you. My understanding was that slaves had to be return to their owners. It may seem cruel, but that was the law in those times and Paul was adhering to this law. When Onesimus became a Christian, it was necessary for him to return. I read an interested reason why he had to return in another commentary. The commentary stated that 'The only way he could prove that his faith was real was to go back to his master, Philemon. He must do what the Prodigal Son did - go back home. (Luke 15: 11-24)' (http://www.agabus.co...lemon/index.htm).

Q4. (Colossians 4:17) Why do you think Archippus was singled out in verse 17? If you could invent a story of his role in the Colossian church, how would you describe Archippus? In what ways does he remind you of yourself? Colossians 4:17 - Tell Archippus: "See to it that you complete the work you have received in the Lord." Why do you think Archippus was singled out in verse 17? As Pastor Ralph noted in his commentary that in "Philemon we learn that Archippus was a leader in the church at Colossae". Paul knew that his ministry was important, but he wanted to be sure that he would not slack off. He wanted to encourage him, like a coach would encourage his team and maybe he wanted to single out one person. If you could invent a story of his role in the Colossian church, how would you describe Archippus? He may have been the Mission chairperson who was really trying to lead the church for a long time, but was getting burned out because some people were just being lackadaisical. You try and try, and you just get tired, but you need to get a pep talk and that is what Paul did. In what ways does he remind you of yourself? When I have been a leader of a committee, I would get frustrated and I would need encourage from others. I guess that is a normal human characteristic.

Q3. (Colossians 4:5-6) What instructions does Paul give us in sharing our faith with non-believers? Why, do you think, we sometimes let opportunities slip by? How will our conversation being "full of grace" help us represent Christ well? Colossians 4:5-6 - 5Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Paul tells us that we "make the most of every opportunity" to spread the Word, but we have to speak with kindness to the people around us. We also must show by example. If we demonstrate insincerity, then whatever words we say will be hollow to those people. In 1 Peter 3:15, "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect...." The reason why we may sometimes let the opportunity slip is being busy and even timid.

Q2. (Colossians 4:3-4) What prayer request does Paul ask of the Colossian believers? What does it mean to pray for an "open door." Why does he ask for prayer in communicating the gospel? Isn't he an "old hand" at this? Why does he need help? Colossians 4:3-4 - 3And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. What prayer request does Paul ask of the Colossian believers? Pray for the ministry team and the success of the mission. What does it mean to pray for an "open door." Why does he ask for prayer in communicating the gospel? Open door means to be ready to serve Jesus. Jesus said in Matthew 7:7, "7"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." In order to spread the gospel, we need to be in prayer first and be ready when the door is open. Isn't he an "old hand" at this? Paul is telling us that we must be persistent in our prayer life and he knows he must be also. Why does he need help? He wants to be sure that he is always clear with his message, but does not want to be sidetracked. He is telling us that we must always be persistent becasue if we are not, we would fall backwards into our former life.

Q1. (Colossians 4:2) What guidelines does Paul give us to form our praying habits? If you put these into practice fully, how would they affect your prayer life? What problems would they help correct? Colossians 4:2 - Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Paul gives us very straightforward guidelines which are to be persistent, be alert and be thankful. If I would be able to put these into practice, my prayer life would be fuller and it would correct my ability to really receive the most from my time with the Lord.

Q4. (Colossians 3:25-4:1) What instructions does Paul give masters -- or employers, in our culture? What would happen in the workplace if employers sought to live by this rule? Colossians 3:25-4:1 - 25Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism. 41Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven. Paul instructions are really simple. Employers should provide for their employees what is right and fair. This includes the working environment, pay & benefits and job equally. As I answered in the previous question, if employers live by this rule, productivity would increase and God would be smiling down on us.

Q3. (Colossians 3:22-24) If you apply Paul's instructions to slaves to the role of being an employee, what is the role of sincerity as an employee? How do we live this out when working under a poor boss? In what sense are we actually "working for the Lord"? What would happen in the workplace, if we actually began to live by these attitudes of heart? Colossians 3:22-24 - 22Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. I am retired now, but I looked at work differently when I first started back in 1962 and how I looked at it over the last 25 years of working. I always have been a Christian, but as I matured as a Christian, I began to see my work as a gift from God. My profession was an accountant and initially, I could not see that as a job God wanted me to do. Over time, as I used my talent for the church, I realized that God had led me to that profession. When I realized that my profession was God's gift, my whole attitude for my work environment changed. Even though I may have had some bosses that were not my favorite, I knew that I would overcome those bosses by treating them as I would anyone else. In Colossians, it was written "obey your earthly masters in everything", and it also written "receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." If we remember that it is the heavenly reward that we are working towards, our productivity would soar and Jesus would be smiling.