Mike Dickinson
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Posts posted by Mike Dickinson
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#2 Q4. Why are so many churches a "hotbed of apathy"?
I believe the biggest reasons for apathy in the church is because of its
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#2 Q3. Why do you think the religious compromise required by participating in heathen religious practices in the trade guilds was so spiritually destructive?
The term
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#2 Q2. Why would loosening of sexual standards to conform to the prevailing morals of the culture be destructive of vital Christian faith and witness?
A real touchy subject at the moment in the Anglican or Church of England in America. The ordaining of an Anglican Bishop who confesses openly to being active in a homosexual relationship. Years ago this issue wouldn
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#2 Q1. How can a local congregation lose its "first love" for Jesus?
I believe as, the Word warns us, there are many subtle ploys of the Devil (Ephesians 6:11) and as I said before
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#1 Q5. What is the significance of the exalted Jesus walking among the lampstands?
When I read of lampstands in scripture I tend to think of the
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#1 Q4. The vision of Christ among the lampstands (1:12-20) is much different than the Carpenter-Teacher who walked the roads of Galilee and Judea. Why?
By this stage Jesus had accomplished the Mission His Father God had set Him out to do. Something I think we overlook about Jesus as He went about His ministry on earth was the very fact that He knew what one day He would have to face. All the while He was teaching and loving His followers He knew the intolerable death on the cross that was looming ever closer with each passing day. If you
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#1 Q3. In what countries are Christians presently experiencing tribulation or persecution for the faith?
It always fascinates me that from out of Abraham
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#1 Q2. What does 1:8 tell us about the Father? The Father is the speaker here in 1:8 and in 21:6. But Jesus is the speaker in 1:17 and 22:12-13. What is the significance of this for our understanding of who Jesus is?
God states His case clearly. He always was and always will be. Whilst Jesus says likewise, He is after all, co equal with God, He further cements the human aspect of His personality. The very crux of our salvation depended entirely on
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#1. Q1. Revelation is written to encourage and strengthen a church facing intense persecution. Why is the theme of testimony and witness so important to that purpose?
Being coaxed into a swimming bath when we
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Q6. What act of Christian unity could you practice over the next two weeks that would help you live out this truth in your life?
I have a fellow believer friend that attends the same Cell group as I do. He
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Q5. (Ephesians 4:5) In what sense should "one baptism" unite us rather than divide us?
I think the nub of the problem between different denominations lays with the different interpretations of
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Q4. (Ephesians 4:4-6) What are the seven elements that unite all Christians mentioned in verses 4 through 6?
One Body; One Spirit; One Hope; One Lord; One Faith; One Baptism; and one God who is Father of all.
Which one or two are most compelling to you?
One God and one Body.
Why?
Because we are called to Love the Lord our God with ALL our heart, soul and mind and to Love our neighbour as ourselves.
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Q3. (Ephesians 4:3) According to verse 3, who brings about the unity?
For as long as we remain at one with the spirit, it is through God
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2. (Ephesians 4:2) What characteristics or attitudes are necessary for maintaining unity with other Christians according to verse 2?
By being humble, gentle and patient with one another. Bearing with one another in love. Sounds like the fruit of the spirit to me (Galatians 5:22) and so it is!
Which of these do you think is most important?
That
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Q1. (Ephesians 4:1) What does "living a life worthy of your calling" in 4:1 have to do with maintaining unity in the Church in verses 2-6?
I think there are times I take it forgranted that I have been
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Q5. (Ephesians 2:22) In what ways should your congregation be "a dwelling place for God in the Spirit"?
As each member of the congregation is a vessel for God
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Q4. (Ephesians 2:20-21) How do "the apostles and prophets" contribute to your life today?
The Apostles and Prophets are the very foundation upon which God
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Q3. (Ephesians 2:19b) What does the phrase "members of God's household" tell us about the nature of the Church and about the nature of God?
The Church, as the body of Christ, has members of different races, cultures, gifts and skills. All are precious to God and all are equal in His sight. The less sin there is in our lives the greater God can use us. As we can read
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Q2. (Ephesians 2:19a) If we are fellow-citizens with the Jewish believers, what are we citizens of?
We are Citizens of the Kingdom of God. In Ephesians 2:12 we read we once were Aliens and Foreigners and here a few verses on we read we are no longer. A foreigner in New Testament times would be one who was living in that land without having Citizenship of it. As it does in most countries now. Therefore, they couldn
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Q1. (Ephesians 2:16-18) Why is "access to the Father" important?
Without access to the Father we would be trying to do the impossible, like trying to live a good life under our own steam. Jesus said of Himself
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Q5. (Ephesians 3:20-21) Where does God's power work according to verse 20?
God
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Q4. (Ephesians 1:23) What does it mean for us Christians that Christ is "head over everything for the church"?
I remember seeing a poster that said something like
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Q3. (Ephesians 2:6) From the standpoint of power, what is the significance of Paul's statement that "God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus...."?
Seating Jesus at God
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Q2. (Ephesians 1:20-22) The Ephesian Gentile Christians believed in various spirit beings that exercised power over them.
The Ephesians of the time lived in a culture that was heavily laden in the worship of false gods and goddesses. (Acts 19:23-27) Because of the Roman occupation the people were even influenced to worship the Emperors of Rome. Ephesus, as a major trading port at the time, served as a channel for all kinds of false religions and cults. When Paul eventually left Ephesus he left Timothy behind to continue the ministry and it wasn
Q5. Criticism and Praise
in #2. Letters to the Seven Churches (Revelation 2-3)
Posted
#2 Q5. Summarize the lessons of this chapter. What are the churches criticized for?
Ephesus