Elwood C O'Dell

The mystery is

Q4. (Colossians 1:23) If our salvation depends upon the grace of God, not us, why is it necessary for us to "continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved"? The true Christian faith is lived in union with Jesus, by faith in him, walking with him, receiving his encouragement and forgiveness throughout our lives. What happens if we don't? We separate ourselves from sweet fellowship with Him. What is the nature of the security we have in Jesus according to this text (and this text only*)? Our only hope (our security) is found in union with Christ -- and this is the great and firm hope held out to us in the gospel. Because of Him we can be presented

The key phrase here is "... in his sight." (1:22). In our own sight we are sinners, seemingly unable to live consistently free of sin. But God sees us as united with Christ. Thus we are seen "in him," not on our own.

Q2. (Colossians 1:20-22) By what means did Jesus accomplish this reconciliation? By his death on the cross. What does "the blood of his cross" have to do with it? The blood is the purging, purifying agent. It was the price paid to purchase our redemption. What is the purpose of this reconciliation? (verse 22) To bring all things on earth back in to harmony with God. It makes us without fault and therefore morally blameless. To whom are we "presented?" (verse 22) To God

Q3. (Colossians 1:16) "Thrones," "powers," "rulers," "principalities," "authorities," etc. probably refer to both earthly as well as angelic and demonic dominions. What does this passage teach about the relation of these powers to Jesus? He is above them all and they were all created to serve Him. How should this affect our fear of them? We should not have to fear them for Jesus is the creator and therefore more powerful than them. How should it affect our prayers? We can pray knowing that He can help us to find victory of life

Q2. (Colossians 1:15b-17) What does "firstborn of all creation/every creature" mean? "Firstborn" can suggest both birth order (as in 1:18b) and the special status accorded the firstborn son, as in our verse.5 "Firstborn over all creation" doesn't mean that Jesus is the first created being, but that he is preeminent over all created beings. Is Jesus a created being? If not, what does "firstborn" mean here? No, he is preeminent over all created beings. What do verses 16-17 teach about Jesus' pre-existence? He has always been What does verse 16b teach about the purpose of creation? All things were created to serve Him. According to verse 17, what is Jesus' past role in creation? He was before all things

Q5. (Colossians 1:13-14) What are the two qualities mentioned in verse 14 that characterize the "kingdom of his beloved Son"? Redemption - forgiveness What did the idea of redemption mean in the Greek? Originally the word meant, "buying back" a slave or captive, that is, "making free" by payment of a ransom. In what way did Christ "redeem" us? He paid the price to purchase and free us from the slavery of sin. (Manumission) What is the significance of the fact that our sins are forgiven in this kingdom? We are completely free of guilt, pardoned of all transgression. We are no longer under condemnation.

Q4. (Colossians 1:12-13) What are the three or four action verbs in verses 12 and 13 that paint a picture of salvation? 1.Rescued 2. Redeemed 3. Forgiven Who performs the action? God Who is it performed on? Mankind In what way were we "qualified/enabled/made meet"? We have no standing on our own to appear before God. Our qualification is our union with Christ, God's beloved Son. In what way were we "rescued" or "delivered"? Salvation is not a "helping hand" to assist a person over the bumps of life. It is a "saving hand" to pull a helpless person to safety.

Q3. (Colossians 1:12-13) Why does Paul use the terms darkness and light to portray his readers past and future? The darkness represents the spiritual bondage and sin they were in, while the light represents the new life offered them of hope, love, redemption and forgiveness through Jesus. Why does he remind them where they came from? So they can see or realize the depth of sin they were rescued from. What is "the inheritance of the saints in light" that he mentions? The kingdom of the Son He loves. In verse 13 we find two terms used of governing bodies? How are they contrasted in verse 13? One is a kingdom of light the other a kingdom of darkness In what sense are subjects "governed" in each? One is dark, malignant, and controlling. The other is filled with light, hope, love, redemption, and forgiveness.

Q1. (Colossians 1:5-6) Paul glorifies the gospel, the good news. What words does he use to describe the action of the gospel in verses 5 and 6? Bearing fruit and growing Given the temptation the recipients have to adopt another religious philosophy, why do you think he reminds them of the world scope of the gospel's influence? Perhaps to try and show them how powerful and far reaching the influence of the gospel was. What happens in our day when a church becomes embarrassed or unimpressed with the gospel message? How does this affect the church? The church can become ineffective in communicating the truth of the real gospel. It will often approach it

Q2. (Colossians 1:9-12a) What are the elements of Paul's prayer for the Colossian believers?

God never left or forsook Jacob. God was there all the time working in and through all of Jacob

Sorry about the double post. Don't really know why it happened.

We seemed to be conditioned by the idea that blessings come outside the realm of crisis. We tend to see crisis in a bad light as if nothing good comes from or through them. However, as we trust in God, allow Him to lead, we can realize that crisis can help us grow in and through our faith, knowing that God is at work for our good in them. They can destroy our faith if we take our eyes off God and try to go it on our own.

That which quiets Jacob's fears is the promise that God will lead and go with him and keep him, bring him through what lies ahead. Why Jacob backed away from this assurance in 28:15 was probably a result of all that he was going through and not really staying close enough to God. Faith in who God is and that his promises are true is the basis upon which we stand as we trust His words.

Jacob was seeing everything from a very narrow, personal point of view while Joseph was seeing what was happening as God working through the situation to fulfill his purpose. Jacob was viewing everything from a very personal mindset while Jacob was seeing it from God

Jacob appears to be frustrated, even to the point of anger, after seeing how his sons handled themselves in Egypt. He was hurting over the lost of those that he cherished so deeply, and the pressure of the famine added to this hurt and frustration. Basically, I feel he changed his mind simply because he needed food and realized without it he and his family would suffer greatly and perhaps even perish.

When the sons brought the robe to Jacob I feel they had an attitude of deep dislike and even hatred towards their father for the way he had treated Joseph over the years. They intended to cover up the truth even though they knew it would really bring anguish and hurt him. This would cause Jacob much grief and sorrow until he found out the truth that Joseph was alive.

Reuben

I feel that God appeared to Jacob yet another time just to let him know that He has not forsaken Jacob and still intends to fulfill what He promised Jacob. The primary promises of God are found in the elements of the blessing God gave. 1. "I am God Almighty" (El Shaddai, 35:11b). 2. "Be fruitful and increase in number" (35:11c). 3. "A nation and a community of nations will come from you, and kings will come from your body" (35:11d). 4. "The land I gave to Abraham and Isaac I also give to you, and I will give this land to your descendants after you" (35:12).

They needed a spiritual renewal because they had allowed foreign gods to enter into their lives. They had turned away from worshipping God and God alone. Foreign gods must be done away with for the true God is clear that one shall have no other gods but Him. He and He alone is the only God. The washing and putting on of clean clothes is symbolic of one being cleansed from impurity and uncleanness. When I think on this I am reminded of what Susanna Wesley told her sons:

When the intermarriages started taking place the hearts of the Israelites were turned to other gods. God commanded them not to intermarry for this very reason. It was a spiritual issue not a racial issue. The same is the truth for Christians. This issue is spiritual, that of the possibility of being lead away from God. That is why the Word cautions Christians about being unequally yoked together with unbelievers.

Perhaps the reason for Jacob’s silence was the fact he was thinking over how he should handle the situation, or he was concerned about what would happen to his family if he brought accusations against Shechem. Also, He was waiting for his sons to return home. It seems that Jacob, and his sons, could have taken the matter to Shechem’s father and confronted him with the issues involved. As far as the sons’ reaction they acted out of anger and went far beyond what the situation would have called for. After the murders it would have put Jacob and his family at risk for further retaliation and lowered their credibility with those around them.

Q4. (Genesis 33:1-16) How has Esau changed since Jacob had gone to Haran? He has mellowed in his feelings and actions towards Jacob. How has Jacob changed? Jacob has come to realize that God has been gracious to him. He

Q3. (Genesis 32:24-30) Who was the "man" Jacob wrestled with? God What does the wrestling represent? Jacobs struggle with God as to his lifes situations Was it spiritual or physical? Both Why does the "man" wound Jacob permanently? As a reminder of what has transpired in Jacobs life. What do you think the limp means to him? It is proof that God could have overcome Jacob anytime He had really so wanted to do it. It is also a reminder that Jacob has been changed by God.