Sgt_Z_Squad

2.) The condemnation, promised judgement, and death of sinful man (Dark). The hope, faith, promise, forgiveness, mercy, grace and propitiation through Our Lord and Savior, Jesus (Light).

1a.) I think Paul states it best when he tells us: " The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God." Romans 8:6-7 We are created in God's image, image-bearers of God and just like Adam and Eve after they had disobeyed God; we also hide and fear our ultimate appearance before Him (God) unless we are in Christ Jesus. 1b.) Again Paul reassures us: "So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body sown perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body." 1 Corinthians 15:42-44 We who are in Christ Jesus will be raised in glory! With eternal bodies. Hallejuah! 1c.) I think Peter reinforces what Jesus had taught, that we are but temporary visitors in the world. I think the NASB uses the word, "sojourners," which I find defined as temporary visitors, aliens. We who are in Christ Jesus are aliens on this earth. This is not our final distination. We are not home. But our true home and place will be in the presence of the Father at the great wedding feast of the saints.

4a.) Jesus tells us: "If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned." John 15:6 4b.) Jesus again assures us: "And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day." John 6:39

3a.) I guess because it is in our imagination. Again "agape" love is the last of the traits Peter tells us to attain. I think this is the most difficult. If you are not loving church members, there is no "agape" love. 3b.) No. Many have already given the Scripture references..in particular I point to Hebrews 10:25. One other Scripture reference is Matthew 5:23-24; Jesus tells us to: "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your borther has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift."

2a.) The Apostle Paul writes to the church in Corinth: "For God is not a God of disorder but of peace." To seek God's will on a daily basis through the discipline of prayer and the reading of the Scriptures. This is what Jesus did. Jesus has set the example for us as the perfect Adam. 2b.) Jesus tells us:" 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 I echo many of your same thoughts about disconnection and the day not going right. 2c.) First, prayer. Second, the reading and study of the Scriptures. Third, listening to a wonderful Christian radio station {WIHS - 104.9 FM} which constantly provides music of praise and teachings of the Word.

1a.) You know, I look at this "step ladder" that Pastor Ralph has laid out and I think, that this process of climbing the ladder has to start at the first rung. "Goodness" because of the mere fact of my job. I have to live the laws that I enforce. 1b.) The hardest - agape love."Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:7-8 Can anything be more difficult to emulate or to move into?

4a.) I think I can point to the account of the rich young ruler. John Mark recounts that "Jesus looked at him and loved him." Yet when Jesus told him to sell all that he has and follow Him, the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. His strong desires kept Him from following. I think the message here and from the Apostle Paul is, "Are you sold out for Christ?" 4b. I think my pastor hit it on the head when he shared his vision for the church family: honor God, grow in Christ, bring another. 4c.) Jesus tells the woman at the well, " Every one who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." 4d.) Paul writes, " I do not understand what I do. for what I want to do I do not do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out...What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God--through Jesus Christ our Lord!" Romans 7:15-18, 24-25

3a.) In Genesis we are told, "So God created man (me) in his own image, in the image of God he created him (me); male and female he created them (me)." We are God's image bearers, He loves us so much that even in our fallen state he has reached out to us (me) through His Son, Jesus. 3b.) I cannot fathom His glory or His presence. I can only go to God's living book to understand those that came face to face with Him, could only cover their eyes for fear seeing Him and dying. Job states, "You asked, 'Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowlegde?' Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know." Job 42:3 3c. Isaiah says it best, "All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away." Only through Christ can I stand before the Almighty Father with a robe washed by the blood of Jesus. "For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Revelations 7:17" Hallejuah, Thank you Lord Jesus!

2.) Meditating on this verse, I am drawn to what Paul writes to the church in Ephesus. "I pray also 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. That power is like the woking of his mighty strength,.." Ephesians 1:18-19 We have God's infinite power available to us as believers, as His children.

1a.) We have the same faith as the apostles. There are no degrees of faith (in other words, one faith being more special than another.). WE can make full use of the faith provided or no use of the faith. The parable of the talents comes to mind. Remas' comments on persecution I agree with. Just look at the fastest growing church in the world. The house churches of China. But I wonder if the insidious, and subtle nature of idolatry in the good ol' USA makes it harder to keep the faith. Look at the apostate churches which are condoning and glorifying the "right of choice" (abortion), gay marriage. Those that remain true to the Word will face persecution, but not necessarily through physical attack. It will take moral courage and faith to stand up for what is God-given in this country of ours this year. If not for us, then for our children. I heard a pastor in Sweden was just sentenced to thirty days in jail for calling homosexuals abnormal in a sermon of his. He was prosecuted under a hate crime bill. It is just around the corner for us.

Hi Everyone- Good to be in another one of Dr. Ralph's studies. Looking forward to it.

4a.) "..will himself restore you." As our brother from India has so eloquently stated, he suffers from incresed hostility in his country. I pray strength and protection for you each day. I consider any type of grief I get because of my belief in the States as a pitence, nothing. Paul reassures Timothy in his final letter to him:"Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will aslo reign with him. If we disown him, he will disown us; if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself." 2 Timothy 2:11-13 4b.) We are also reminded that: "--a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time..." Titus 1:2-3 God has made a promise to us through Christ Jesus and we can rest with that knowledge.

3a.) Resist, standing firm, be that "rock". Typical Peter fashion, he is that man of action. But Peter also comforts us by reminding us that we are not alone, that many others are also suffering for Christ. And if I look at what other saints in North Korea, China, Vietnam, Nigeria, Sudan, Yemen, Eritrea, and on and on and on.....endure.. My suffering is nothing. 3b.) The messages are similar, however I think you see the difference in the background of Peter and Paul. Peter being the fisherman, not raised in the scholarly background that Paul was. Peter's verbal power is not as refined or diverse as that of Paul who "was thoroughly trained in the law of our fathers", under Gamaliel (Acts 22:3). Yet both with their differences are used mightily by Our Father.

2a.) To be on our guard. In police work, we are taught to be in a constant condition of guard - condition yellow; condition - orange when a threat is perceived; condition - red when a threat or attack is imminent. As soldiers of the cross, we need to be in a constant condition of prayer and in constant study of the Word. 2b.) A lion is silent and uses the advantages of its environment to stalk and eventually attack its prey. Satan is referred to as the great deceiver. Deception and subtleness are his gifts. He plants a thought in your head. It festers and grows until you become desensitized to it and then you start saying, that isn't so bad, and then you act. The lion has captured its prey. 2c.) We need to be reminded, we need to be on guard. we can't get cocky. I think one of the most telling descriptions of how Satan works is the final verse of Jesus' forty days of temptation in the wilderness. It reads: "When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him (Jesus) until an opportune time." Luke 4:13

1a.) Throw them to the Lord. Easier said than done, huh? 1b.) Because of His great love for us. "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!" 1 John 3:1a 1c.) Giving it to the Lord through prayer and petition. And giving it back to Him when I pick it up again..again.. and again. I am still learning to turn it over completely.

4a.) I don't know if our humility should be looked at as acts...I think it should be our transformed character through Christ. Teachableness, tact, to rebuke and teach with love, encourage, self-control, patience, courage, foundation in the Word, uncompromising in regards to the Word which is truth. 4b.) I guess I answer a question with a question..What is this person's relationship with Our Savior? John writes: "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what is says." 1 John 1:22 Is this person living his life in the Spirit? You can see it if they are. 4c.) We have a leadership structure that is trying to lead God's church by worldly ways, instead of God's way. A recipe for disaster.

3a.) Through a study of Jesus' leaderhip style having a servant's heart. 3b.) Limiting the pastor's power is not biblical. 3c.) Having a figurehead of a pastor will be a person who may be in fear of preaching the Word. "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 techers to say what their itching ears want to hear." 2 Timothy 4:3

2a.) It is not service to glorify God. "In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16 2b.) Spiritless, stagnant, fruitless service.

1a.) One word sums it up.."servant" 1b.) Willingness, eagerness to serve the Lord in these positions.

4a.) I think Paul hits right to the heart of this question when he writes: "I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." Philippians 1:20-21 4b.) Jesus warns us that: "Whover acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven."Matthew 10:32-33 and "If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels."Luke 9:26 'nuff said. 4c.) "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" 2Corinthians 5:17 Hallelujah!

3a.) If the people viewing us are fellow believers - then there should be none. I am lucky to be living in a country built on the Judeo-Christian principles. I know that this is changing as the secular viewpoint is slowly eroding our morals, our values, and seeping into the very congregations that are suppose to be proclaiming the Good News. I watch as my own denomination (UCC) continues to turn away from Scripture to embrace those sins that are clearly taught as sin for the sake of diversity. Jesus tells us, "Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three." Luke 12:51-52 The very nature of the Gospel will bring conflict because its message is contrary to that of the world. If my views are lining up with the world, then I know I have a problem. 3b.) Jesus assures us, when he teaches: "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kind of evil against you because of me." Matthew 5:11 I pray that I will be worthy.

2.) I am led to a passage in Paul's last letter to his protege TImothy where he writes: "Therefore, I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. Here is a trustworthy saying: 'If we die with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.'" 2 Timothy 2:10-13 Great is your faithfulness! Thank you Lord.

1a.) Jesus tells us in John 15:18-19 "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world." If you are in a right relationship with God, you will be the recipient of persecution, insult, and attack by those who are of the world.. 1b.) Yes. You know as I continue to receive email updates from Gospel for Asia, and Voice of the Martyrs...and see the persecution that saints are suffering around the world, many paying with their very lives...I am embarrassed to admit my reluctance at times to tesitfy because of the verbal retort I might receive. 1c.) Yes..but I have nothing to talk about or any right to judge or accuse.

4a.) It would lead me to believe the old self has not completely died. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" 2 Corinthians 5:17 4b.) Their self worth? I don't think I can speculate on that. All of us have our own baggage. However Paul gives us an example in how we should view our self worth in his letter to the Philippians: "I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." Philppians 1:20-21 4c.) Their maturity... "I press on toward the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you." Philippians 3:14-15 4d.) Reality?...They may think they are doing the work for Our Father; but, in reality, Our Father is doing His work through us, if we allow Him. 4e.) I guess my first thought is how do you show your humility by talking about how humble you are? 4f.) I am too humble to brag... But the Lord is stretching me in many directions. I pray that I will continue to be sensitive to His leading where I can glorify the Him.

3a.) "..since they do not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done." Romans 1: 28 3b.) "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." Genesis 3:5 We all like being our own Gods and always think we know what is best for us. 3c.) "You are to be holy to me because I, the Lord, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be my own." Leviticus 20:26 Living a life of repentance through the power of the Holy Spirit. 3d.) "Therefore my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling." Philippians 2:12 Amen and A-A-A-men!