Hope Set on the Living God

Thursday, November 27, 2014
1 Timothy 4:4-11 KJV

4 For every creature of God [is] good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: 5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. 6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. 7 But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself [rather] unto godliness. 8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. 9 This [is] a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. 10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. 11 These things command and teach.

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) The Apostle Paul is writing concerning the great apostasy; specifically, the command to abstain from certain foods. What material (external or natural) things are believers, who have been freed to live Holy Spirit led lives, to refuse (or abstain from)? Why, or why not? (v.4-5)
2) What are good ministers of Jesus Christ, to do for their brothers and sisters in the Lord? Why? (v.6)
3) What else are believers to refuse? Why? (v.7a)
4) What are believers to exercise? (v.7b)
5) Why is godliness profitable? (v.8)
6) Why did the Apostle Paul suffer reproach? (v.9-10)
7) In light of this Scripture, what are ministers of faith expected to do? (v.11)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
8) How do you know whether a doctrine (teaching or belief) is of man, or the Holy Spirit of God?
9) How do you teach those you shepherd, or teach, to live godly lives in this present age?
10) Are you prepared to suffer reproach for how you live and/or what you teach?

LIFE LESSONS
11) Jesus set us free to live Holy Spirit led lives, rather than fleshly (or carnal) lives.
12) God's ministers have been raised up to share the Word of faith and sound doctrine with fellow believers. 
13) Believers have been freed to live godly, rather than carnal, lives.
14) Christ's ministers are to teach the doctrines that lead to godliness (righteousness or holiness).

God Loves a Cheerful Giver

Saturday, August 30. 2014
2 Corinthians 9:7-15

7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, [so let him give]; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 
8 And God [is] able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all [things], may abound to every good work: 
9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. 
10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for [your] food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) 
11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. 
12 For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; 
13 Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for [your] liberal distribution unto them, and unto all [men]; 
14 And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you. 
15 Thanks [be] unto God for his unspeakable gift.

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What are the two ways that God wants us to give? (v.7)
2) What are the two ways that God does NOT want us to give? (v.7)
3) Who provides all that we need materially and why? (v.8)
4) Who do the righteous give to and why? (v.9)
5) In what four ways does God provide for givers? (v.10)
6) What causes us to be thankful to God? (v.11)
7) Who is blessed when the righteous give and how? (v.12)
8) In what ways should our obedience, in the area of giving, affect those we give to? (v.13-15)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
9) Is it difficult, or easy, for you to give? Please explain.
10) When you give who determines what you give and how much you give?
11) Generally speaking, what is your motivation for giving your time, talent, and/or treasure?

PRINCIPLES
12) God enables us to give what He has purposed for us to give.
13) The Lord blesses those who give in faith.
14) A gift can only bless those whom God purposes to receive it.