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Q3. (Luke 7:41-43, 47) According to Jesus’ Parable of the Two Debtors, do you think the woman was saved prior to the dinner or during the dinner? How effusive is your love for Jesus? How should we as disciples express our gratitude for salvation? Wow, that is a tough question. The moment of a person’s salvation or them getting saved is such an amazing miracle of God. When the God who created the entire universe, everything in it as He holds it all together brings a repentant person from darkness into the light; who can say. “Jesus says, in verse 47, her sins have been forgiven and reading further in verse 48, He says to her, your sins have been forgiven and in verse 50, Jesus says to her, your faith has saved you, go in peace.” At times, I guess that my love for Jesus can be unrestrained and expressed with great joy, emotion and animation. I can’t predict when they will occur and they often catch me a little of guard. I like to share these moments with just God and I. Because they are just so personal. But in Luke 19:39-40, when Jesus was coming down off the Mount of Olives into Jerusalem and His disciples were praising God joyfully with loud voices. The Pharisees wanted Jesus to rebuke them. “Jesus answered, I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out.” As it is with us, sometimes the joy God has put in our hearts has to come out in praise, worship and adoration. Wherever we are! By putting God first in our lives and allowing Him to direct our steps going forward. By loving God and loving your neighbor as yourself.

Q2. (Luke 15:11-32) What does this parable have in common with the Parables of the Lost Sheep and Lost Coin? What does the parable tell us about our Father’s way of operating and his values? In what ways does the older son hold his father’s values? In what ways does he lack them? What should disciples learn from this parable to equip them for ministry? They both deal with something that has been lost. They both deal with great joy and celebration when that which was lost is found. The Father gives us the liberty to fail , even when or if we dishonor Him. He loves us anyway, always waiting for our return. But now Faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love. 1Corinthians 13: 13 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Romans 8:35 His older brother holds to his father’s values in obedience, respect and hard work. He lacks his father’s ability to forgive and his father’s grace. Unlike his father, he also misses this as an opportunity to celebrate his brother’s return. He wants reprimand and punishment, not a coming home party. That there is nobody beyond God love and reach. No matter where they have come from and what they have done; God sent His Son Jesus to die for them. It can be very easy to see some people as unredeemable. But just remember that these are the people that God calls us to love and that one day we will be sharing Heaven with them.

I Q1. (Luke 15:1-10) What do the Parables of the Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin teach disciples about God’s heart? In what way do these parables represent a contrast to the murmuring of the Pharisees? How should a disciple implement Jesus’ value of seeking the lost in his or her own community? God’s will is not only for none to be lost and all to be saved, but He is willing and able to seek out the lost and bring them in. God’s love! The people that the Pharisees marginalize and are repulsed by are the same people the Lord loves and seeks to bring into the kingdom. We should realize that no one is beyond God’s reach or His love. That He came for the sick not the well, as we should also. We are not to judge a book by its cover or we will fall into the same camp as the Pharisees. Let all our actions be motivated by love and concentrate on pleasing God and not man.

Q37. (2 Corinthians 9:6-9; 8:9; Luke 6:37-38) Is it possible to be grace-filled and stingy at the same time? Why is this so? What is the relationship between forgiving and giving generously? I think that it probably is possible. One thing to consider also is that we have time, talent and treasure that we could give or choose to be stingy with. Many reasons most likely: Fear, of not having enough ourselves as we give to others. Faith, in not realizing that everything we have belongs to God and has been given to us by Him. Judgement, of others that their lifestyle and their choices have caused their need. Distrust, that money, time and services given will be squandered on poor lifestyle choices. Love, of money and our affluent lifestyle, not willing to part with it. Pride; sometime our pride keeps us from stooping down to help someone in need. An unawareness of what the Bible says when it comes to sharing our time, talents and treasure. And last, we can get far removed from all that God has done for us, forgetting where we were when He found us. Jesus took the punishment on the cross that was meant for us. And God has lavished His grace and love upon us and will continue to do so. Our example is Christ and we are to follow Him in all His ways. As we forgive others the way God has forgiven us, God’s grace and love can flow through us to all the people that God has called us to serve.

Q36. (Colossians 4:5-6; 1 Peter 3:8-9, 15; Ephesians 4:29-32) What would be the characteristics of a conversation with an unbeliever that might be termed “full of grace”? What guidelines should rule our ways of speaking? How can we avoid the bad examples set for us by leaders of our culture and our world? Compassionate, nonjudgmental, loving, caring and empathetic. Don’t preach, don’t judge. By asking questions we can avoid doing all the talking and getting preachy By not judging and condemning others because they don’t believe as we do. “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” Romans 3:23

Q35. (Luke 6:27-36; Romans 12:12-21) What is the difference between ethical behavior and grace? What is so radical about Jesus’ teaching about loving one’s enemies? What illustrations does he use of this outrageous grace? Ethical behavior is based upon a set of rules that dictates the appropriate behavior. Grace is God’s unmerited favor. Unearned and undeserved. That teaching was previously unheard of and was counter intuitive to how one would treat an enemy. ”If your enemy is hungry, feed him; mid he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning. coals on his head.”

Q34. (1 Corinthians 15:10) How does your openness to God’s grace define your persona, who you actually are? How does your willingness to dispense God’s grace to others mold you into who God has designed you to be? I know that I am a work in progress and that God began that good work in me and will be faithful to complete it until Christ returns or I go home. I know that I want to grow in faith and be the man that God wants me to be. Being a man who can receive God’s grace and give it freely to those in need around me, to God’s glory, is a good thing.

Q33. Why are God’s gifts of grace an immensely greater blessing to those who attend church and are a functioning part of a congregation? How can isolating yourself from the Christian community involve selfishness and fear? How can it impoverish you? First of all and most importantly; this is the way God planned it. We are the body of Christ and we all have different gifts that complement one another, glorifying God. We share our gifts and love for one another, strengthening the body, adding to its number, glorifying God. Love God, love people! Been there and done that! It’s selfish because as followers of Christ we all have a gift/gifts from God to augment the body universal or the local church. All to glorify God. We are told in scripture to be part of the body of believers. Hebrews 10:25. If we isolate from the church we deprive it of the God given gifts we could bring as well as what we would receive. The fear comes from our isolation and maybe a worry of not being received. Or maybe we don’t feel like we’re good enough or we have been hurt by a church. Many reasons for fear. We were not created to be alone. That started in the garden and has been that way ever since. People need people. On our own, our faith can be weakened or can become skewed. Iron sharpens iron. We need spiritual guidance and balance to keep us centered in Christ. We will find meaning and purpose as we serve and break the bread of God’s Word with a body of believers. It is part of the “abundant life” that Jesus speaks about in John 10:10

Q32. (1 Peter 4:10) We are stewards of God’s grace. What are the responsibilities of a steward or trustee? In what way do we act as trustees of what belongs to God? In what way are spiritual gifts or the message of the gospel part of this trust we have been given? The careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one’s care. By accepting God’s gift and grace; appropriating them in the manner and purposes that He intended them to be used. The gifts and the gospel message are the trust we have been given. The gifts we have received enable us to better share the gospel message entrusted to us. When the gospel message is heard, then God receives the glory as He brings in the harvest of those who now have put their faith, hope and trust in Jesus Christ for their eternal salvation.

Q31. (Ephesians 4:7; Romans 12:6; 1 Corinthians 12:1, 4-6) Why is there such a close relationship between “grace” (charis) and “gifts” (charisma)? What is the chief characteristic of a generous person? In what ways do spiritual gifts channel God’s grace? Both are undeserved and unearned. And they are both bestowed or given to glorify God. A giving spirit. God gives us a spiritual gift so we can bless others with it (grace) and bring glory and honor to Him. When God is glorified and the focus is rightfully on Him, then people are drawn to Him.

Q30. (2 Corinthians 12:9) Why does God’s power flourish best when we feel weak? If God’s grace is “sufficient,” what is it sufficient to do or accomplish in or through us? What are the practical limits of the sufficiency of grace? Because at those times we are in complete dependence on God’s grace and strength, realizing that we are powerless. God’s grace is sufficient to accomplish His will through us, like Paul, we deal with a deteriorating body and mind that is far from 100%. It reminds me of the Loaves and Fishes when Jesus feed the 5000. He took the 5 loaves and 2 fishes, multiplied them and fed the multitude. He wants us to bring what we have, (ourselves) and as we depend on Him, He will multiply it. His grace is sufficient! Our self sufficiency.

Q29. (2 Corinthians 12:7) Why do we often feel so weak in times of sickness or affliction? Why are we tempted to stop ministering to others when we are struggling? The sickness or affliction often drags or bodies down physically, emotionally and spiritually. Lack of energy, constant pain can make it very uncomfortable and difficult to function normally. In some ways we may feel like we need to be ministered to someone. It’s seems hard to minister to someone’s needs when you are sick and possibly weak yourself. But as we can see from Paul’s example; he was able to carry on quite well. “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” 2Corinthians 12:9 A great example for me is a friend from church, he’s in his eighties and is legally blind. But he doesn’t let anything slow him down, he just keeps on moving forward, trusting God and sharing his faith.

Q28. (Hebrews 4:16) Why is approaching God’s holy throne in prayer intimidating to some people? Why do we sometimes fear judgment and condemnation when we approach God. In what ways is God’s throne the place where he dispenses “mercy and grace”? In what ways is your home a place where grace is given out? Feeling unworthy Our bad self talk and the evil one in our ear makes us feel that our sin is too big to be forgiven by God. And that we deserve His judgment and condemnation. The only unanswered prayer is the one not asked or spoken. When we confess our sins to God, His mercy and grace abound. In Hebrews 4;16, that’s exactly what it says; His Word tell us to draw near confidently, that we may receive mercy and grace. We receive forgiveness and our sins are no more; forgotten, scattered as far as the east is from the west. We are called by Jesus to follow Him and to walk in His ways. So we are also to be givers of grace and mercy to our kids, spouses, neighbors and friends. I don’t always get it right, but when I don’t, I know that I can approach God’s throne of grace confidently, knowing that His grace covers my sin. Knowing God’s word and believing it is so important. When we feel one way and God’s word leads us the other way, we have to put our feeling aside and believe in the promise of His word. He is faithful and will never let us down. God’s word is so indescribably amazing!

Q20. (Ephesians 2:8-9) How does the idea of earning salvation by being good enough for God distort the essential gospel? With that scenario, what is the need for the cross? How does it affect a sense of self-righteousness? Of pride? Of looking down on others rather than loving them? Why is this kind of works-righteousness so ingrained in people? How does an understanding of salvation by grace change this picture? It takes the focus of Christ’s work on the cross for our salvation and puts it on us. It’s a gift we can’t earn it; we can only accept or reject it. If we could ever be good enough, (we can’t) then there was no need for Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. If we could be good enough we could rely on our own righteousness; but only Christ was sinless so we have to depend and rely upon Christ’s righteousness. No other standard is good enough. On pride; we’d be full of it, saying look how good I am! We look down on others because we are good enough but maybe they aren’t. Maybe we think they are not working as hard as we did so they don’t even deserve salvation. So they get our pity rather than our love. It’s a hard concept for us, free gift of salvation. “For by grace you have be saved through faith.” That’s a tough concept; how do you measure faith. Work I can measure but faith… We are by nature doers and prideful. Grace and free gifts humble us. So good works come after our salvation, not before. Gratitude and humility. It puts the focus back on Christ, where it belongs and what He has done. We did nothing to deserve this amazing grace!

Q21. (Acts 18:27; Matthew 16:16-17; John 6:44) How does the Holy Spirit work in our lives to prepare us for salvation? In what sense is the Spirit’s revelation important to faith? In what ways have you seen the Father “draw” people to Christ? What is the role of “free will” in salvation? The Holy Spirit draws us to the Father as well as revealing spiritual truths to us. When you have an encounter with the Holy Spirit and He reveals truth to you, that impacts your spirit in a profound way. Joy and a strengthened faith are often a by product of this experience. These people will begin to change, having greater interest in spiritual things; God’s word, prayer, salvation, the gospel. Changes in their countenance; happiness, being more content. Well, I believe from what I’ve read in the Bible, is that we have the free will to accept or reject the free gift of salvation in Jesus Christ. We are not forced to accept Christ as our Lord and Savior.

Q27. (John 10:27-30; Jude 24-25; Romans 8:38-39; 2 Timothy 4:18; Philippians 1:6; 1 Corinthians 1:8; 1 Peter 5:10-11) Why do you think there are so many assurances of faith in the New Testament? What is your favorite promise of God’s role in keeping you in Christ to the end? How does your favorite promise give you powerful assurance of salvation? For me, I think the reason is that we need to be reminded over and over again of God’s faithfulness. We think we’ve messed up or maybe we fall prey to “stinking thinking” and convince ourselves that we can never be good enough. We need to be reminded that our salvation and eternal life are in God’s hands and not ours. We need to remember to focus on Him and His word! Tough choice to make, but; John 10:27-30 “My sheep hear My voice; and I know them and they follow me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” God is alway faithful and is more than worthy of all my trust and faith in Him. As you read John 10:27-30 above you’ll know what I mean.

1 Peter 1:4-5) How does our faith function alongside God’s protection to keep us to the end? How does this show God’s grace? This is our faith- to trust in, rely upon, and cling to God, (Father, Son, Spirit), for our salvation. Along with God power to protect us from anything that might try to separate us from God and steal us away from a salvation that is reserved in heaven for us. Our salvation, our faith and God’s protective power are all examples of His unmerited favor, that we don’t deserve or have we earned it. God’s amazing grace!

Q25. (John 16:8; 6:44; 6:65) Why is it impossible for people to come to Christ without God’s action to convict, draw, and enable them to come? How does God’s preparation illustrate his grace? The easy answer would be to say that, “Jesus says so in the book of John.” It’s a supernatural mystery of God, that shows us His ways are not our ways. Even as He calls us, our stubbornness and pride keeps us from accepting His free fife of salvation. God is doing something for us that we are undeserving of and unable to ever do for ourselves. It is His unmerited favor beautifully displayed as He draws to Himself, to salvation and eternal life.

Q24. (Romans 8:28-30; Ephesians 1:4-6) How does predestination function with God’s grace? What is gracious about predestination? Why is His grace glorious? Predestination is an example of God’s grace. It is unmerited and undeserved, (grace) for me or you, (us) to be predestined for adoption as sons, (daughters) through Jesus Christ to himself. Because His grace, His never ending supply of love and giving of Himself to us who are forever undeserving, never able to obtain salvation on our own, is reflected back on to God as glory, honor and praise, forever and ever!

Q22. (Ephesians 2:10; Philippians 2:12-13; James 2:17) How does the Spirit work in us after we are saved to form Christ in us? In what ways is this a process of “working out” our salvation? Why should you expect a person’s life to change when they put their faith in Jesus? What is happening if there is no discernable change? I would say that the shortest answer is; the Spirit works in us to make us holy. More like Christ! The Spirit works in our lives to refine us from our old ways of life. From a life of sin to a life of righteousness . As it says in Ephesians 4:22-24; in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceits, and that you be renewed in spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of truth. You should expect a person’s life to change because they are now indwelled by the Holy Spirit. They are now Spirit led. 1Cor 6:19- Do you not know that you body is a temple of the Holy Spirt who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not you own. It seem like if there is no discernible change in a person’s life after salvation. You would wonder if they were actually saved in the first place. I can attest to the fact that at a time in my life I wanted to be saved, but also didn’t want to let go of some of my old habits. It ends up that I wasn’t saved and it was a number of years later that when I was saved. God determines when I get saved not me. If a person’s life doesn’t change, keep praying the the Lord would be working in their hearts to bring about their salvation. On the other hand, change in a person’s life can take time to come about.

This is truly a divine mystery of God that will probably remain a mystery this side of heaven. That being said, God sees the beginning and the end of time as well as everything in between. He already knows what is going to happen in the future. Everything, including whether or not you or I make a decision, (faith/heart) to accept and follow Christ. Even though I make a profession of faith, God and God alone transforms me from dead to sin to alive in Christ. That is God’s foreknowledge. God desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 1Timothy 2:4 The Lord is not slow about His promise as some count slowness, but patient toward you not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 For God so loved the world… This is God’s predestination for all mankind. He chooses everyone to be saved, they a predestined for salvation but we must turn away from sin and put our faith, hope and trust in Jesus Christ. God decides whether we are saved, not us. We can’t choose the time and date of our salvation; people can’t say that I’m going to wait until I’m older to accept Christ; it may never happen. The time is now! God discerns in us when our hearts are broken to sin and we are trusting, relying and clinging to Jesus. He calls us all to salvation but know in advance who will answer His calling.

We have been rescued from our life of sin and separation from God. We were once slaves to sin and we are now slaves to righteousness, in Jesus Christ. God pursued me with His love for many years before I finally came to faith in Jesus Christ. I believed for years in the gospel message and truly wanted to be saved. I attended church but just didn’t get it. But I also wanted to hold on to my old life and just add Jesus. My old life and Jesus! Doesn’t work that way. God’s kindness and love eventually led me to repentance through a sermon I was listening to on the radio; about God’s love and how that love is a two way street. God loves me and I also love Him, a relationship. A real heart change for me! That day I got saved and haven’t missed or longed for my old life. God loves me and He love the world. He also desires that none should be lost and that all should be saved. He leaves the “99” sheep to go out and find the “1” that got lost. His love never falls. He pursues us and doesn’t give up, even if we give up on Him. That’s grace.

I think that one of the greatest lies of the evil one and it comes from the theory of evolution, is that people are actually getting better. Like if we just wait long enough we would have peace on earth with everyone happy, living in perfect societal harmony. I don’t know how anyone could look at the world and think people are getting better. The truth is that we haven’t changed a bit since the fall. And apart for God there is no good in us. We are all products of the world, the flesh and the devil and without God we are doomed. If there is any good in me it’s because I’ve put my faith, hope and trust in Jesus Christ for my salvation. He gave me new life and a restored relationship with God the Father. Apart from Christ there is no good in me.

Because of the statement Jesus made in verse 25-26, “For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God. But the things that are impossible with people are possible with God.” Seemingly in the story of the rich young ruler, he wanted to add eternal life to the wealthy life that he already enjoyed, without losing that wealth. It probably was the one thing he wasn’t willing to give up. God sees the heart a knows where our treasure lies. Because it illustrates well that God looks at the inner man, his heart, and not the outward appearance. The rich young ruler looked great on the outside to all the people, saying righteous things. But when Jesus told him that he still lacked one thing, “selling all his possessions and distributing it to the poor,” it was more than he was will to give. He was sad, because he wanted eternal life, but not enough to give up his wealth. When Jesus says, “the things that are impossible with people are possible with God.”

The thief on the the cross was condemned to death and had no opportunity or time to do good works for the Lord. Although he did stand up to the other criminal who was abusing Christ by his insults. Christ knew that the thief on the cross had saving faith and believed He was the Son of God. God’s grace is sufficient for our sins as well as the sins of the thief on the cross. God’s grace and His discernment of our heart condition is a divine mystery to us.