Snaps

Q1. (1 Timothy 5:1-16) What responsibilities do we have to help aging family members? According to Paul, in what way is this our Christian responsibility? In what way is this a "repayment" of a debt? To what does Paul compare to those who refuse this responsibility? We have as much responsibility to help aging family members as we have to help newborn babies. It's all part of the deal. It is human nature to try to avoid expensive responsibilities. In the Old Testament senior pharisees are rebuked for finding excuses not to care for aging parents, (They would say that the money that should be devoted to that is given to God as a gift. I think God would spit on it!). Christians are to rejoice in fulfilling not only the law, but in going beyond it to fulfill also its spirit of love and care. This repays the debt of care given us by our elders (parents, aunts etc) when we were dependent on them as children. Those who refuse this responsibility are considered lower than unbelievers (a) because unbelievers take care of their elders usually, and ( because they know the love of God will not tolerate such behaviour, yet fly right in the face of God to neglect such a duty of care.

Q3. (1 Timothy 4:7-8) How would you define "godliness"? What produces godliness in a person? How is godliness different from embracing a strict morality? What a fabulous teaching lies behind today's set of questions! Thank you Pastor Ralph. Today you have exceeded all previous utter brilliance in teaching. I just loved it! I think godliness is the quality of father Abraham, who set himself apart from all his culture, and even his family, in order to live in truth and reality. He was the one man on earth with whom God could set up dialogue!. He is the spiritual father of all those who follow the same path. And it is true that one who seeks truth will have to set himself quite apart from current culture, and friendships in order to establish that pure relationship with God, Jesus and Holy Spirit. As Abraham left his home (comfort zone?) to follow the Spirit of God, so we need to put aside all else for Jesus our Redeemer. What produces godliness? It has to be single-minded purpose. Nothing else will do. One's whole will must be saturated in God's purpose. One's whole heart, mind, soul and strength are devoted to the glory of God, and then His train will indeed fill the temple which is the body of that man, that living brick in the temple of the Most High. Embracing a morality is just that, living to a set of rules. There is no affection, no passion, no relationship, no love, just a morbid self-satisfaction with one's efforts. Godliness is all about relationship, passion, love, joy, hope, truth, vision, communication, sensitivity, embracing no compromise with love and service to the other as to God. It is alive, where morality is unresponsive, probably critical, self-righteousness and stony.

. (1 Timothy 4:3-5) Why is performance of legalistic requirements so attractive to people? What fruit does it produce in a person's life? In what ways is this emphasis so different from the true gospel? People everywhere seem to get great satisfaction from making their own rules and living by them. MOstly of course they are very convenient rules. Sometimes they are ascetic and "religious" so that people get a sense of righteousness from them. However, individual systems can't be right because they differ from other individual systems - so by definition one must be wrong. People will say they have their own religion, which is, of course, totally consistent with the way of life they want to pursue. It's a rationale that supports their own style. It's a laziness, because real religion - the truth - takes much study to determine and to understand, plus personal commitment to perform. It doesn't conform to us (culture, social mores etc), but we have to conform to it. That's the hard bit. We have to turn tables and conform to truth. ALso, following Jesus requires spiritual skills not normally known or understood, and which some people, even though born again, never go ahead and acquire. Legalsim produces self-satisfaction and blindness to truth. The true Gospel creates people who are Innocent, very responsive to truth, eager to learn and be changed into the likeness of Jesus.

Q1. (1 Timothy 4:1-2) Why does Paul remind Timothy (and the church) of predictions concerning widespread apostasy? What effect should this knowledge have on his ministry and the church's perception of the situation? We can better prepare when we are ready, armed with foreknowledge, for events, than when we have never anticipated a thing. An army has to anticipate every possibility when dealing with the enemy, and we, no less, need the boy scouts motto, "Be prepared". The untidy event can then unite us in action, rather than divide us in reaction, and be used by God to make us even stronger because we have been made aware. We are then re-assured that God is in full control, and only gain in confidence in all He has shown us. We; can proceed in strength, rather than falter along in weakness. Had God not forewarned us in this way, we would perhaps have become baffled by events and succumb to the mindset of those who are selling out on Jesus. Being spiritually forewarned, timothy will not be overly dismayed by such events, knowing that they had to come, but will be strengthened in His confidence that God is able to anticipate every situation, and tell His ministers, so that they will simply become stronger in their faith and continue to do their work in spiritual might and power. Had there been no warning, the church might be shaken to its core when these things begin to happen. I need to say something about verse 2, even though the question has not be put concerning this verse. People who have known the truth and then turned from it are in the sin of apostasy. This is a state far worse than those who have not asked Jesus into their lives and are living in ignorance. To have known the truth and turned from it is a special kind of evil wherein all morality is lost. I question whether it is not what psychiatry calls personality disorder, where the patient cannot discern truth from lie or right from wrong, but lives solely within their own personally devised framework, unable to see any other logic at all. I have seen this kind of thing many times, and it is very frightening. Many of these people are still holding up a presence within the church, and some are elders etc. Their lives outside the church do not match the calling at all. They have no conscience towards any body, but only do what brings them the notoriety they require. We should speak up about such behaviour and not let it pass unattended and without consequence. Let us get serious about church, and demand the Timothy standards of those who hold nay responsibility, even church membership should be above this low level of behaviour.

Q4. (1 Timothy 3) According to our text, do you see differences in qualifications between overseers/elders and deacons? What are they? Deacons are basically administrators of the practical components of the church function. These might include distribution, collection of information, visiting the sick, production of newsletters and IT functions, administering any institutions, etc. Leaders and elders have the role of real connection with God, teaching and directing. All have to be proved trustworthy in upholding the Christian lifestyle consistently, firstly with regard to family, and then with regard to abilities in the administrative areas concerned. Elders and Leaders need also to demonstrate the spiritual qualities required in the teaching, evangelising and personal instruction fields, and the eagerness to be available for these tasks.

Q3. (1 Timothy 3) Why are tendencies to anger, intimidation, force, and pride so important to consider in selecting church officers? What happens when you don't consider these factors? Jesus was angry, but sparingly. A tendency to anger is a manipulative practice which He never used. When He was angry He acted in a deliberate, well planned manner that achieved the result He wanted (making a whip and using it in the temple). He never used anger to manipulate any situation or other person. A tendency to anger refers to a consistent method of tantrum style behaviour to terrify others, to intimidate. This will never win real trust, though it may win a thin style of loyalty which doesn't involve trust. Pride is an inward looking desensitiser to the being and needs of others. It is not the characteristic of a servant heart. It is not the characteristic of wisdom which is so very aware of individual others. Jesus said "By this shall all men know that you are My disciples, that you love one another." Pride can't love another. People having such characteristics will not be able to lead properly, but will misinterpret teaching to their advantage. If these factors are not considered, then selected leaders will cause havoc in the church, departures, wrong interpretatin of doctrine (to suit the pastor) and personality cults instead of Christ Centred churches.

Q2. (1 Timothy 3:6, 10) Why should leaders be observed carefully and tested before placing them in office? What should you be looking for during this period? The whole lives of a leader should be open to scrutiny and be seen to have integrity in respect of reputation (including reputation in the world), in consistency, in attention to details of the faith and obvious seriousness about growing daily therein, because once someone has been installed as leader and given authority within the church, they must be trustworthy of that role. Otherwise there is big trouble ahead, immaturity in leadership produces errors with widespread effects within the church (and its observers). There are fine balances to be maintained (the balance of leadership and servanthood, of responsibility and direction, of financial management and accountability, of passion and wisdom and many others. There needs to be a careful process of testing, almost in apprenticeships, before graduation into higher office (eg deacon, elder, bishop), or possibly worker, youth pastor, assistant pastor, senior pastor, bishop. The whole church should be involved in this process, not just the pastor. (Acts 4:32, sharing in all things, Acts 6:3 the brethren are asked to select seven men to oversee provisions,) We are basically looking for integrity over a long term in every respect, both within the church and among outsiders, and the ability to handle difficult situations with grace, dignity and effectiveness, and to work as a team with the rest of the church, achieving unity without domination or cult thinking..

Q1. (1 Timothy 3:2-12) What kind of leader do you believe Paul is indicating for us with the phrase "husband of one wife"? Why is a leader's family an important indicator of leadership potential or problems? Wisdom is found in the fruit of one's life, the outcomes of all the policies and principles that have been applied, the success of one's children in becoming worshipful, faithful and brilliantly contributing adults. Paul wisely declares that if man can't manage his own family with success, how can he manage the church? Managing to bring up the family soundly is a longterm proposition requiring wisdom in very many situations, and is a great proving ground for church leaders. If a man has a broken marriage and remarried, then something has gone wrong in the wisdom area somewhere, and he has not proven himself in the wisdom category. He can be part of the church, but not an elder or a deacon. I agree with this wisdom. With all our broken families today we need the wisest of the wise in leadership, and this is a great technique for choosing them - very practical and simple to apply! It nutshells the selection of those who are able to both love and discipline the body of Christ, to get the balance right together with teaching, encouraging, directing and releasing.

Q5. (1 Timothy 2:11-15) How should Paul's instructions about women teaching and leading in the church be applied in the twenty-first century? How do you support your view? My observations of family life indicate that children will follow the lead of fathers before mothers. If they identify that father is behaving abominably and unjustly, the may take the mother's part against him, but the natural thing is to think like father. It is like he is the bricks of the building while mother is the mortar. It's the brickwork that you notice (which doesn't at all minimise the part that mothers have to play. Bricks without mortar don't hang together at all well!) This is how we are made and that can't change. So it is with the church. The leadership of men is crucial because their effect on society is so profound. In particular men need to be able to look to men for their role models. The church should be structured along family lines so that elders should be first successful at bringing up their own children, then they are able to be considered as leaders in church. So church life is patterned on family life and needs male leadership. Women's role in church is as it is in family life, to surround and add structure to the brickwork. The bricks add their strength to the structure. I think that if everyone understands this principle of how families and churches work best, and supports it, the churches will thrive better. We have seen feminism at work in the community, and the retreat of men to the background in a female dominated society. I praise God that that influence seems to be diminishing, but middle-aged men these days seem a bit lost as to how to fit in because of it. The male groupings seem to be missing as females engineered their way into every male bastion, while maintaining their own female groups. I have to go looking for a church with the right balance of male role modelling and connection. It's actually hard to find. This is not to diminish the female role. IT is simply that the roles are distinct and different, and a church built of mortar only will not gain the attention of one built with both bricks and mortar. The male role is attention getting and that is his advantage. For this reason I want my church to have effective male leadership. A man needs a male role model and a female one will not do. Wherever there is good male role modelling there will be plenty of females "sticking around" because this is the nature of things! Genesis 3:16 says "Your desire shall be for your husband and he shall rule over you." This doesn't necessarily mean he will be the boss. It means that women will always crave male leadership, and needing it, will submit to it even through pain (as of childbirth). This is a consequence of the fall. For this reason men are required to be very gentle with their wives who are so vulnerable. Hence a man who has been successful in maintaining a healthy, functional, contented family can then be a candidate for eldership/leadership in church. I believe women can be appointed to deliver teachings and sermons, especially but not exclusively to female groups, but the church leadership that is successful will be the male that is attentive to everybody and protective of the sensitivities of women. Male who enjoy the teachings of certain women can learn from them, but still need male role models to be real men!

Q4. (1 Timothy 2:9-10) How did women dressing in fancy clothes threaten to compromise the church's witness in Ephesus? How do we apply the principle of Paul's directive in twenty-first century churches without instituting a new legalism? Modesty in women is terribly important. Less than modesty veres towards the temple prostitutes that got Eli's sons into trouble. Women can easily fall into seduction, even in church, and modesty helps prevent that. Modern fashions tend to draw attention to the female body in a seductive manner which is no less than witchcraft. This will certainly take attention away from the message which is to be preached. Know that modern fashions originate in witchcraft in may senses. The church needs to teach a beautiful,decorative form of dress that takes emphasis away from the seductive body parts. This must begin with those who are on stage, and flow through to young women in the congregation. When a girl comes to church first in street clothes, she should be accepted as she is. But once she receives Jesus and develops in her faith, she should also develop in her dress sense past depending on her visual effect on men. Relationship (this is what God is interested in) is not a function of the eyes, but of the state of the heart. That takes a lot more discernment than external adornment. I don't know why we are so worried about legalism these days. If a person is in love with Jesus they will dress accordingly and not like a seductress. If they are dressing like a seductress then they have no leadership function in the church because they haven't cottoned on to this simple teaching about dress and don't love Jesus enough to dress quietly. If they still have to be taught in a legal fashion (these are the rules) then they haven't entered into the love of God which surpasses all understanding, and incidentally, all law as well. Galatians 5:22,23 says there is no law against self-control (including dress). If the fruit is seductive they don't take leadership roles. Fashion can be a bit difficult these days, but not impossible. I don't know why we have to be so timid in addressing such questions for fear of disquieting the seductive spirit in women. We need to teach openly about modest dressing and what that means in church life. It could just be a sermon on what is looked for in leadership, so that people know what the issues are. If we are not afraid to teach about tithing (everybody is very keen on that these days) then why should we fear teaching on modesty.

Q3. (1 Timothy 2:8). What problem among the men of the congregation is Paul referring to in this verse? What is so serious about worshipping with the opposite of love in your heart? Two men had left the church and returned to the ways of the world. Paul doesn't want to see any more of this, so he exhorts the men to be constantly prayerful. He is suggesting this as men together in community (as distinct from individual prayer). Men need community in their Christian activities to build each other up and strengthen each other, giving account also to each other, and saving one another from error or from wandering away. Their community networks need to be strong, prayerful and responsive. The men are the leaders and where they go the rest of the church will likely follow, so the quality of their fellowship is urgently essential. Lifting up holy hands means that the men's faith operates in church and also in daily living where people are all treated as if they were Christ Jesus Himself, with great love, understanding and wisdom. Without wrath means that response to anger is controlled and effects excellent results, is not spontaneously explosive, but achieves good in a bad situation. Without doubting means that confidence is always to be placed entirely in the ways Jesus has taught us, and not on average (normal?) human thinking patterns. They were not to play with ideas that are anathema to truth, but to know, and therefore believe the Gospel in every part. If worship is motivated by any other factor than love, then it will become plastic and dry out in time. Love is passionate relationship with God and the only way that will drive activity in the right direction. "By this shall all men know that you are My disciples, if you love one another" said Jesus. Love focusses not on self but on the other. When the focus is on self then Christian activity will be twisted into something unlike what Jesus looks for. If love is not the motivation, then all the worship, preaching and prayer in the world will be ineffective - just a big noise and a jumble of nothing. (! Cor 13:1-8).

Q2. (1 Timothy 2:5-6) In the context of the salvation of all, why do you think Paul emphasizes the roles of Mediator and Ransom? In what way did Christ fulfill both these roles? Paul emphasises the role of ransom in order that we understand the full connotations of what He has done and who we are - namely the one corrupted thing in the whole of His perfect and highly balanced creation that needs to be remade in the original form, ready for fellowship with God Himself. There is a price for this, and that price was paid by the living God Himself as Jesus Christ, perfect God and perfect man, incorruptible. Jesus was released to satan to do whatever he could in order to establish the incorruptibility of the Christ, and those who will receive His incorruptible Spirit. Jesus won the battle for all of us. Paul emphasises the role of mediator because there is no salvation anywhere else but in the incorruptible Christ and His Holy Spirit which we can receive. We can only receive it by putting our faith wholely in Him, and aligning ourselves with Him. He is our advocate with God and there is no other. He will plead our cause when we go to judgement before the Holy God, who cannot look upon sin, covered by His blood Christ fulfilled these roles by living among us, subject to every temptation just as we are but without sin, and by negotiating with satan through the cross which was all that satan could do to Him. Satan could not touch His eternal Spirit that raised even His body from death. He was victorious in overcoming every tactic satan could demonstrate, and returning right in satan's face to further educate His disciples before leaving them, His task complete, in the hands of the Holy Spirit Himself.

Q1. (1 Timothy 2:1-4) Why does Paul emphasize salvation of all mankind in this letter? What does this suggest about the practice of evangelism in the Ephesus church? He emphasises salvation in the context of praying for all people. I think he means that we are to be focussed not on ourselves and our own betterment, but on others and their needs, particularly for salvation. He is emphasising the need for Christians to pray for the wider world rather than just their own little bit of it, and in particular for opportunities to bring men into salvation. God desires all men to be saved, and that means work for us. That means a focus for churches. When we put God first then everything else falls into place. Love for our fellow man is the key to our lives of service to our Father. It suggests the church needed to refocus on its purpose, namely evangelism, the calling of men to discipleship and then the discipling of them. Today we need to focus on finding those who will be saved, and teaching them how to follow in "The Way", to become strong, faithful disciples also engaged in finding others for Christ.

Q4. (1 Timothy 1:18-19) Why does Paul need to remind Timothy about the prophecies spoken over him? In practical terms, what does "fight the good fight" really mean? Why does Paul tell Timothy to "hold on to faith and a good conscience"? What temptation is Paul trying to counter in his prot

Q3. (1 Timothy 1:17) What do we learn about God from this doxology? What do we learn about praise? Have you ever tried speaking out a doxology in your personal prayer or praise time? What effect does a doxology have on the speaker? We learn how far God is beyond the limited human thought realm, how it is impossible for us to contain him in a box of our making - beyond the confines of His creation of time, greater by far than the mind of corrupted mankind, too extraordinary for our eyes to see or envision, whose wisdom is far greater than human comprehension can contain or challenge. All the sufferings of this life are are worth every bit just to have the opportunity to know Him, even in our limited way. Praise should errupt out of our every consideration of our gracious Father. To know Him is to be constantly astounded with joy which turns into praise. Yes, I love the doxologies and should use them far more. Also I understand that we can create our own doxologies, and just like Paul, break out into praise of Almighty God at any time or stage in our own lives where we are giving consideration to some facet of His provision for us. They open my eyes to the magnitude of our God, to His great glory and the magnificence of His grace and love for His children (me). They lift my spirit far beyond the corrupt mentality of humanity, out and into the infinite, limitless realms of the Kingdom of Heaven. I want to live there forever.

Q2. (1 Timothy 1:12-14) Why does Paul comment on his own life after a paragraph on the law (1:8-11)? Why does he share this with Timothy and the church that will read the letter? How might sharing this help get the church back on center? Paul was a pharisee who thought he was the perfect example of living by the law and Torah, taking vengeance on those who followed Christ with 'righteous' murder. The law was everything, until Jesus bailed him up and love took over and changed him forever. Now he hated his own former ignorance, arrogance and unbelief, but praised God mightily that He, being patient with Paul, had showed him the truth, the reality of Jesus Christ and the law of love that is above every human law. He then began to understand that law is necessary to keep people from criminal behaviour of the worst kind, but the actions of love can never be described by law, but directed only by the Spirit of God within a person. Where love rules, law is overwritten. The law is a cup full of obedience, but love is an ocean of grace. He shares all this with Timothy and the churches who will read the letter because he is an example of God' patience and transforming power that is available to every believer. He wants them to understand the hugeness of God's grace and patience - to begin to know that element of God. He wants them to stand in absolute awe of the God who transforms, saves, recreates, transfers life, rebuilds with patience and love, consistently, and in terror of abusing the grace that is offered them. The more people understand about God, the more devoted they will become as they realise what He is offering to us. A little fear of abusing the privilege of living in grace doesn't go amiss either. Paul refers to his own insolence so that people might vigorously avoid that arrogance of unbelief, or wrong belief.

Q1. (1 Timothy 1:3-7) What were some of the results of false doctrine in the church at Ephesus? How does doctrinal controversy hurt the spirit of a church? How does it prevent growth? How does it keep the church from its mission? The results of false doctrine are devastating, bringing division, less than moral behaviours, and walking away from love which is the great motivation for everything God does. People leave the church, and others follow a lesser gospel which has rotten fruit (consequences). The spirit of love becomes old hat as other things take precedence. The spirit of the church is no longer based on love (by this shall all men know that you are My disciples, that you love one another), but is based in domination by elders with a false ethic - ie it becomes a cult because no-one can challenge the leadership and call things into order. Probably the emphasis on evangelism gets lost in the process. When the spirit of evangelism is lost in favour of extraneous consideratons the church will slowly die. People may still attend, but the love is gone and tradition becomes the dominant thing. New people will not be attracted to a list of 'traditions' which have no power in the spirit, or healing power. There will be no signs and wonders following the teaching, nothing for people to see, no power of heavenly authority backing the church. It will attract less and less attention until it doesn't matter any more in the culture.

Q4. (Romans 8:35-36) What kinds of perils were the early Roman Christians likely exposed to? What kinds of perils are Christians exposed to today? How does this passage reassure us? In what sense do we Christians "overwhelmingly conquer" (NASB) despite the obstacles we face? Early Roman Christians could be executed by whatever form of torture titillated the Roman governor of the day. Today the dangers are more subtle - harassment by popular thinking, peer pressure and the current culture of ideas that infiltrate even the church and draw people away from the true worship of God in Spirit and in Truth. Insidious cynicism is one of the great dangers as it pressurises people into unbelief. In our culture the party idea takes over, and even Christians submit to it more than the values of faith, modesty, family (both Christian and natural) and loyalty. If you are not a party animal you don't rate, even in the churches. This is a terrible indictment of modern Christianity, and a great danger, as many feel rejected from the church community on this basis. Everything is about popularism, not about love. This passage provides personal certainty that God sees us with eyes of love that nothing can deflect from us. It is wonderful and greatly to be trusted. When our eyes are as certainly directed at God, as His are to us, then a bond is forged that is indissoluble, and nothing this world throws at us can shatter our peace. We are simply here, but not tied down to this place and what is considered success here. We are able to love it as does our Father, but not be controlled by it. Instead we are controlled by Truth, Love and Hope in the perfect tense! This is a miracle that conquers the world!

Q2. (Romans 8:29) What does it mean to "be conformed to the likeness of his Son"? In practical terms, what does that involve in our lives? Why does Paul support this statement with ideas of our destiny? Why does he support this with ideas of brotherhood with Jesus? Teenagers in the process fo growing up select models and conform to them. The hippies of the sixties selected the jeans model and wore them as a sign of their non-conformity! But they were conforming to a new image - jeans, not suits! The process of conformation is normal in everyone's life. God tells us we can be conscious of our patterns of conformation, and elect to conform to Jesus (instead of Elvis or some rock star). In that way we become part of the eternal family, and become increasingly like the 'family'. If we conform to the family of God, or to Jesus our pattern, we study His style and imitate it. We lock into everything He is doing and become part of it, meeting others who are doing the same thing. We examine everything to see if it's "cool" in Heaven, and make choices and selection on that basis. We establish habits that identify us with Jesus. We maintain constant connection with Him. I believe every man born was destined to become a son of God, Jesus being the firstborn among many (the rest of us). Whether he achieves that destiny is basically up to him. Whether we achieve our full destiny is largely up to us. Jesus did, fully achieve His Father's purpose for Him,and is the first among many. We, as fully adopted sons, are given the same rights as the Victorious Jesus, whose Spirit we have.

Q1. (Romans 8:28) What is the actual promise contained in verse 28? What does this promise mean? Put it in your own words. What are the two qualifications to the recipients of this promise? How does verse 28 give you hope? The Promise All things are worked together for good to those who respond to the call of Christ Jesus. The meaning of the Promise From the discussion I'd perhaps translate the passage in the above words, so that 'all things' become the subject of God's work for those who respond to His invitation. This is an amazing power that God uses on behalf of His chosen people, that everything, even that which is purposed against us, is turned to creative, positive, beneficial advantage. We live in the middle of a great tsunami of love, and when the waves get rough the power of love is more greatly displayed. How fantastic it is to know this when life seems unmanageable! There is no such thing as unmanageable with our God. There is only benefit. Though we go through the valley of the shadow of death, we go with God, whose rod and staff comfort us there, and we know that we face an abundant table upon which our cup runs over, that goodness and mercy follow in our train, there is nothing to fear and boldness is our pathway, and we live eternally in the very presence of God. All this makes the valley of the shadow of death almost desirable! Certainly we cannot experience many of God's more advanced blessings, or Christian maturation, except by going through it with Him. In fact, to this we are committed by the taking of communion so that we enter into His death and resurrection. To put it in my own words, I might say "There is no evil on the face of this earth that will not bring benefit for the one whose trust is in the Most High God." The greatest thing available to us on the face of this earth is the knowledge of God, and of His Son, Jesus Christ, and the intimacy of His presence and love. Going through any life circumstance with Him will only strengthen the relationship of trust that we have with Him, the power of love expressed in our lives, the power of truth to set us free of the shackles of our carnal nature and send us flying into the high reaches of the eagles that rise on the wind of the Spirit. Recipient Qualifications 1. Recipients are called into the purpose of God 2. Responsive to that call by full immersion into the purposes of God. How does v28 bring hope? Verse 28 has always been the certainty that breeds hope when none is visible, life when death surrounds, joy when misery is in flood, strength when there seems no carpet under my feet. It is so good to be certain that God has all knowledge of every tiny detail, and that as Joseph suffered for good in Egypt, so all the trials of God's children will bear stunning fruit, for we are in Christ Jesus, both in His death and in His resurrection, by His mercy and grace.

Q2. (Romans 8:17-22) In what ways was suffering Jesus' lot in life? Jesus forsook His glory to become human. That is the first part of His suffering, the depth of which we have no idea. Then He submitted to human parents, and that is the easy part. The hard part of His suffering seems to revolve around His passion and death, yet I believe the most difficult was dealing with ignorant humanity which seemed incapable of learning what He had to teach them (us), although it was delivered with all His heart of love. Finally ignorance brought Him to the cross of suffering, yet even so there were those, like the Roman soldier and Pilate, who had some perception of what was happening, but no power to set things to rights. Why do we suffer? Why does all creation seem to be suffering? We suffer because all creation has become corrupt, and everything that is done here has corruption at its heart. Until the Lord comes again, this will be so. Even so,the Spirit of God is able to move in the corrupt creation to bring forth the sons of God. This is miraculous. The balance of creation was distorted when man fell into sin. If the sun were a bit further away, or the law of gravity changed just a little bit, or earth's temperature went up or down a small fraction, everything would disintegrate, because the balance of things is so physically perfect. But the physical is not the only factor of creation. There is also the spiritual factor. Unlike the physical factor (so far) the spiritual factor has got right out of wack with man's moral and spiritual wrong choices, and upset the whole spiritual and physical balance of life, (because the physical and spiritual are integrated within creation). So, all creation waits for the balance to be set right, which will happen when Jesus returns to earth with a rod of iron to put everything back in order. We are in the middle of all this, which is why we suffer until the time appointed. Yet, even in our sufferings, we have the resources of Heaven available to us to help deal with it, just as Jesus had. How amazing is that! What will signal the end of that downward cycle of suffering, decay, and death? The return of Jesus in all His glory will signify the end of sufferings and intolerable depravity on this earth. He will come and cleanse everything, and set the balances right again. The dead in Christ will rise first, and His glory will be established on earth as it is in Heaven! Is there anything good to look forward to in this present life? Yes Sir! We suffer, as did Jesus. If we did not suffer, then we would cease to look to Jesus, so suffering is a technique to redirect our thinking back to Him. This gives us the opportunity to enter into His suffering and become part of His great plan to redeem all things. Meanwhile we have the wonderful Word of God which sets us at so great an advantage in this life, for it shows us that we have God's miraculous power within our grasp for dealing with the trials of this life. We are not left to fend for ourselves, but are surrounded, undergirded, protected, changed into His likeness (even before the day!) by His love and power in every part of our lives. What is more everything works to our good, for so God has decreed.

Q1. In Romans 8:14-21, 28, how many times is the idea of being sons and daughters of God alluded to? What are the promises made to these sons and daughters? What do we learn about our future and our role in the future of all creation? I get 9 direct references to the sons or children of God. Promises 1. We can call God Abba, (Father). 2. The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God 3. Being Children of God, we are heirs of God/joint heirs with Christ. 4. If we suffer with Him we are glorified together with Him - glory will be revealed in us. 5. All creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God, 6. when it also will be delivered from futility with us. Futility means the bondage (and hopelessness) of corruption. Our future is that we will be revealed as sons of God, that we will be glorified through our suffering with Him, that we will be completely delivered from the futility and hopelessness of corruption, that we will inherit with Jesus the Kingdom of God,,

Q3. (Romans 8:9) Is it possible to be a Christian without the Holy Spirit residing in us? What is the difference (if any) between the indwelling of the Spirit and the fullness of the Spirit? How do we remain "full" of the Spirit? It is totally impossible to be a Christian without the Holy Spirit residing in us. When we ask Jesus into our hearts He comes in! His Spirit, the Holy Spirit, lives in us from then on. This is the indwelling of the Spirit of God, and we have access to Him at all times. We do not always co-operate well with the Holy Spirit Who resides within us and gives us complete access to all of Heaven's resources. Sometimes we forget about Him altogether. He is a gentleman and does nothing unless asked. He simply waits to be asked. We have a glass to drink from, but we forget to drink. The fullness of the Spirit means that we constantly drink of the Spirit, ask for His knowing, power, guiding in all our operations, and see the reality of this in miraculous events - the works that God prepared for us to walk in. We are intended to walk miraculously in God's promises, and we can. To what extent we realise this is individual, and very much related to our own personal commitment to God. To remain in the fullness of the Spirit we need to see Him as our constant loving friend, and be in constant touch with Him, wherever we are, fearing only to lose that touch.

Q2. (Romans 8:5-6) Exactly what does it mean to set your mind on the things of the Spirit? How do you do this? How can you recognize when the things you're setting your mind on relate to your sinful nature? How much of this is deliberate? How much is habit? What part does the Holy Spirit have it this? Or is this primarily right living by force of will? If I set my mind on becoming a musician I practice every day and resolutely aim everything I do in that direction. I attend musical concerts, play recordings of favourite artists, converse about music, and generally live and breathe music. If I set my mind on the things of the Spirit, then the same application occurs.. I study the Word daily and seek to put into practice everything I read. I discuss the Word and listen to mentors who are able to teach, bearing in mind that it must all be practiced daily. I will have times of prayer and mediation, and constantly ask God, and measure my activities by what I am learning. I will seek His presence, and be guided by His Peace, not by what friends have to say etc. There will be a check in my spirit when things are not right, so that I will not be at peace about them. When this is the case I shall seek God for truth, and the right path. The more scripture I study and understand the more I can easily check out things. Knowing scripture and not twisting it to suit my purposes is most important. Very much is deliberate, as God gave us free will and never removes that from us. We are to use our free will judiciously in constant choices. This is the way to become mature in the faith. Planned and deliberate setting up of sound habits is a good way to prevent activity that is displeasing to God. It is counteractive to giving permission for wrong or lazy habits that distract from God's almighty purpose for our lives. The Holy Spirit is constantly there to be consulted. He is our guide and counsellor, our helper. If we do not use this opportunity then we are trying to "become a musician without benefit of a teacher" which is rather ridiculous. We need to establish sensitivity to Him so that we can walk in the paths He directs. He lives within us and is always available for consultation. He is the love of God active in our lives, and without love nothing has any value (1Cor 13:1-3). We are to honour His voice above all things. Our will is involved, but our will is to subject ourselves to the Holy Spirit and so to find God's great purpose for our lives. He is wonderful!

Q1. (Romans 8:3-4) Why can't obedience to the law save us? What is the weak link? What then does it take to save us? You can have a music teacher teach you all the technicalities of playing a tune, but if you do not have a feel for the music it will still sound wooden. You have to have the spirit of the piece to make it really an exciting experience to listen to. The law might attempt to teach us the technicalities of living successfully, but it can't teach us to "make the violin talk!". We need to have the Spirit of Life in order to get beyond the legal technicalities of life, to live passionately and to love as Jesus did, as we were designed to do. Jesus said "By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, that you love one another". The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Love, Life, and Truth, and without Him we are unable to go beyond animal (carnal) existence. Life without the Spirit of Truth and Love is at best wooden, and at worst rotten. Unless we are connected to the Father by the Spirit of Truth, through the blood of Jesus, we simply don't have the family connection. You can't get it without the adoption process. The weak link is that the law can't teach you to love. It can only teach you to follow certain principles, which, if you find it profitable, you might actually do. However, teaching the abc doesn't produce poetry. Only a poet can produce that. You have to have the DNA which only the Spirit of Life can give. To save us requires the DNA of the Spirit of Life. Jesus, after His ascension, sent Him to His disciples for the first time on Pentecost. It changed them from men of infantile understanding and no courage, to bold preachers of Truth and wisdom, recipients of revelation, and winners of souls for the Kingdom of Heaven, into people with the mind of Christ, into a completely different kind of person with supernatural capacities and unmistakable qualities of love. Anyone can invite Him and then draw more constantly into Him. Anyone can refuse Him and suffer God's wrath at the accounting. The blasphemy of the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.