Sgt_Z_Squad

5.) God kept His promise to Abram. He cursed Abimelech because the promise could not be fulfilled to Abram if Sarai was in the king's court.

4a.) They are descendents of Adam, just like me. A sinner saved by grace. 4b.) I guess I have to give you a politician's answer which is no answer at all....Is it morally wrong to have the desire to live and if it means lying to keep yourself from being killed; do you?! I think they did nothing different than I would have done. 4c.) I think the Scripture shows the fundamental human weakness of always wanting to be in control of one's own destiny. 4d.) God is faithful, He keeps His promises and with God all things are possible.

3a.) It is written: "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh." (Genesis 2:24) God has given us the Holy institution of marriage in which the joy of sex can be shared with the spouse. Isn't it interesting that the picture we are given in Revelations is the bride (church) being presented to Christ (the groom) Holy and washed? It is not just a physical act but a spiritual union between a man and a woman. That is defiled when sex is outside of these parameters. There is a consequence. 3b.) Yes, through the shed blood of Christ Jesus. But there must be repentance (turning away) from the sin. Paul writes: "Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another." (Romans 1:24) Paul also warns: "Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, 'The two will become one flesh.' But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit. Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body." (1 Corinthians 6:16-20) Paul also warns us: "For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad." (2 Corinthians 5:10)

2a.) I think we can go back to the text and see God's promise to Abram: "I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse.." (Genesis 12:3a) God kept His promise. 2b.) This convicted the pharaoh that what he had done was wrong. In ancient times, sudden affliction or bad luck was attributed to angering the Gods or God and pharaoh knew what he had done. Maybe we should be just as simple in our lives. 2c.) Two things, to restore Sarai to Abram and second, to show paraoh that Abram was God's chosen and under His sovereign protection. Refering back to the text quoted in question 2a's answer. 2d.) Yes, in Egypt. But again, God had to act with Abimelech in Gerar.

1a.) Pastor Ralph really addresses the main point under the "Vulnerabilites of a Sojourner." rather than enjoying native civil rights, the ger was dependent on the hospitality that played an important role in the ancient near east." Abram and his family were at the mercy of the natives who had no kinship or connection with them and they could be looked upon as another competitor for food, money, property, etc. 1b.) Natives, leaders of the area, other sojourners. Abram had no emotional ties with anyone in the land. 1c.) Those that do not know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. 1d.) They were created to have a personal relationship with the God of creation. 1e.) For those sojourners not native to the United States, they may not have the job, language skills or education needed for higher paying jobs. Those not seeing them as image bearers of God, may look upon them with suspicion or pre-conceived notions learned from parents, our culture, or television. 1f.) We are taught: "Then the King will say to those on his right, ' Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingodm prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and came to visit me.'.....The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'" (Matthew 25: 31-46)

4a.) Abraham recognized his chronic need for God. That he was completely at His mercy, by leaving everything and setting out for the unknown land on only a promise. 4b.) I am drawn to what Jesus teaches in the fifteenth chapter of John. "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." {John 15:5)

3a.) Because we are self serving and like "ccs" said in their post, we want to be in control. 3b.) Yes. I think God provides us with opportunities each day, whether they are grand or small in our minds. 3c.) Yes, with a number of other saints in the development of a program to reach out to the un-churched. But a Scripture has popped into my mind and we have to remember: "But Joseph said to them, 'Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is being done, the saving of many lives.'" Genesis 50:19-20 God's intention is for good even though we will face trials and tribulation. Abraham did not know what lay ahead, and this is why his faith is so inspiring to me.

2a.) Through his heir, Isaac. 2b.) Only those who have recognized their deliverance comes through his heirs and his nation, Israel. 2c.) Paul writes: "Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law." Romans 13:8 Let the light of Jesus shine for others to see. Be that lighthouse.

1.) Family devotions. We started and have stopped and it has been placed on my heart several times to begin them again. But I have always allowed the busyness of the day to over rule this time. Tonight we will have them.

Hi All- Have been involved in a number of other studies with Pastor Ralph including the last one. Recognize most of you from there. Living in Connecticut with a Proverbs 31 wife and two children.

5a.) To be vigilant, on guard against the lion (Satan). The need to maintain the integrity of the Sciptures and the basic Christian doctrines which are being watered down today by the pagan ideology of worshipping our selves. 5b.) The in depth study and examination of the original language has allowed me to see the context in which both writers were trying to emphasize. Thanks Pastor Ralph for your efforts. 5c.) Nothing. I find the study formats fulfill their purpose.

4a.) Assured, comforted. Paul prays; "that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe." (Ephesians 1:18) 4b.) In John's first epistle, he tells us that; "God is love." (1 John 4:16) I find that when "love" and "God" are together, it is 'agape' love referred to. God loves us in a way, that is perfect, sacrificially, self-giving. That is the only type of love God gives. Need I say more? 4c.) Jesus tells us: "Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city." (Revelation 22:14) Through the propitiation of Jesus' death, we are as white as snow. 4d.)] Because of God's grace and this is what he wants to do. Paul writes: "And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 2:6-7)

3a.) I am drawn to Jesus' discussion of the Vine and the Branches in John 15. He tells us, "I am the vine ; you are the branches. If a man remains (abides) in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:5) Through a second by second, minute by minute, day by day awareness of God's constant presence in our lives, and communion with Him. In prayer and worship. 3b.) Paul tells us to: "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your act of spiritual act of worship." (Romans 12:1) My hope is that it is pleasing to You, Father. 3c.) To honor God, in my day to day life, actions and in the use of my spiritual gifts. Grow in the knowledge and ways of His Son. And to bring another with me.

2a.) Parents teach their children and gradually give them more responsibilities to help them grow and mature. With growth, we are entrusted with more. And more is expected of us. Such is the case with the Father. The parable of the ten minas comes to mind in Luke 19:27. "Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities." 2b.) Prayer, study, service. 2c.) Rely on God more. Seek direction in areas I have not been exercising my gifts in.

1a.) Love - agape; self giving love. 1b.) Thorough that love, the other two naturally flow. 1c.) "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8) Through His love, we can be assured that like a parent to their child, God wants the best for us.

4a.) In John's prologue in his Gospel, we are told that: "The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it." John 1:5 4b.) Jesus tells us: "Whover has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him." John 14:21 4c.) Yes. I think the momentary self serving, self gratifying reward is tangible versus the intangible, not in your mortal grasp of the eternal reward. I continue to struggle.

3a.) I think 'MyBeloved' in their comments found it in their Scripture quotation of Hebrews 10:37. Our Omniscient God knows when He is coming, when the timing is perfect. 3b.) The Apostle John tells: "Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." 1 John 4:8

Pastor Ralph, thank you for the Greek lessons. The passages on the judgement were clarified all that more for me. I appreciate you introducing us to the richness and true meaning of the Greek which sometimes gets lost in the translation in these lessons. 2a.) We need to understand that the judgement will be complete and sure by a just and righteous God who has given us a way out through His Son, Jesus. Thank you Father! 2b.) First, because of our spiritual ignorance, through lack of study. Second, our scientific advancements have made us arrogant to God. We know more now because those before us were not as enlightened as us because of our knowledge. We have made ourselves Gods. Third, as the serpent deceived Eve, the great deceiver continues to feed us lies of our mortality because of our blessings in medical advances, financial blessings, etc. Fourth, we do not want to think of things such as death, or having a consequence for our actions. Again, science wants to show that all of our actions are because of heredity. If it is inborn we are not accountable. 2c.) I think I mentioned this before, but a low view of God which reflects a low view of sin, which reflects an attitude that there will not be judgement for our actions. 2d.) First, getting our own relationships with God right. Second, study of God's word. Third, not compromising on God's word. Fourth, being in a church which honors God, encourages growth in the knowledge and way of Our Lord, Jesus Christ, and bringing others. Fifth, holding our teachers accountable.

1a.) Reminders = repetition = reinforcement = recollection 1b.) First, "God did so, that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged." Hebrews 6:18. Second, daily reading, study, and meditation on His Word. 1c.) Peter tells us, "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." 1 Peter 3:15

4.) As the apostle Paul so prophetically warned his protege, Timothy: "For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear." (2 Timothy 4:3) I don't need to elaborate.

3a.) I think the key word here is 'defiant." Open rebellion. I think this would refer to a hardened heart, closed to any correction, "I don't care what you say, I am going to do it anyway!" type of an attitude. We are enslaved to our own needs and desires no matter how wrong they are when we have gotten to this point in our lives.

2a.) Jesus tells us, "{1.)If you love me, you will obey what I command. (2.) If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. (3.) He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me." John 14:15; John 14:23 & John 14:24. 2b.) One of my Bible study teachers shared with us, one view of why this country has gotten to where it is. We as a country presently have a low view of God. We have been blessed with so much, and with the "God is love" view so prevalent. God the righteous judge has been glossed over and lost. The view is that God loves all his children no matter what. They are right partially. God does love all of us, but those that think he will not hold us accountable with judgement are wrong with consequences that will have eternal impact. Low View of God = Low View of Sin = Low View of Bible (Word) = Our Need for God in our Lives!

First of all: Pastor Ralph this is a sobering study. Thank you for addressing the need for accountability to each other in our local congregations. The denomination, my wife and I just left was because of the very subject matter "Open and Affirming." It was a denomination that I grew up in, and yet has fallen so far from the Word that it endorses abortion, same-sex marriage, openly practicing homosexual clergy, stem cell research...believe whatever you want to, interpreting the Gospel your way is okay. We are honoring diversity. God is still speaking . Oh dear. 1a.) I think Peter says it best when he answered Jesus; "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." John 6:68 The road to salvation is narrow, that path to condemnation is wide. Take the narrow path. 1b.) I think if you refer to my opening remarks, you see the problem. False doctrines rarely honor God, you do not grow in Christ, but in your own ways. No deliverance or victory from our sins. Jesus tells us to take up the cross daily. 1c.) Conflict and division within the Body of Christ. But better conflict then condemnation for apostasy. 1d.) Peter tells us in 1 Peter 1:21. That the Bible is from God through men carried by the Holy Spirit. Paul tells us that all Scipture is "God breathed." We will find the balance in the Scriptures.

4a.) THrough our reading and study of Scripture, we can know God and have trust that all Scripture is trustworthy. 4b.) (2 Timothy 3:16) Why do you think God's Spirit (pneuma, "breath, wind") so important in helping us understand Scripture? 4b.) Paul tells us: "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." 1 Corinthians 1:18.

3.) Peter tells us: "Above all, you must understand that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophets themselves or because they wanted to prophesy. It was the Holy Spirit who moved the prophets to speak from God." 2 Peter 1:20-21 NLT.