September 8, 2013

From Mark Copeland.... Sacrifices In Evangelism (Galatians 4:12-15)


                     "THE EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS"

                   Sacrifices In Evangelism (4:12-15)

INTRODUCTION

1. In writing to the Galatians, Paul reminds them of their shared
   history...
   a. How he first came to them in preaching the gospel - Ga 4:12-14
   b. How he was confident they were willing to sacrifice for him - Ga 4:15

2. This passage describes a sentimental argument by Paul...
   a. One of several arguments (personal, scriptural, practical,
      sentimental, allegorical)
   b. Defending justification by faith in Christ rather than by the Law
      of Moses

3. This passage reminds me of the need for sacrifice in evangelism...
   a. Not just by those willing to preach the gospel
   b. But also by those willing to support preachers

[The spread of the gospel can be hindered if we do not appreciate the
necessity for sacrifice.  Who needs to be willing to sacrifice in
evangelism?  Most understand the need to sacrifice...]

I. BY THOSE WHO PREACH

   A. THEY MUST BE WILLING TO GO...
      1. As Jesus commanded - Mt 28:19; Mk 16:15
      2. Otherwise how shall people hear and believe? - Ro 10:13-14
      3. Thus the gospel must be preached to all nations - Mk 13:10; cf.
         Isa 49:6

   B. THEY MUST BE WILLING TO ENDURE...
      1. Paul certainly did - 2Co 11:23-29; 2Ti 2:10; 3:11
      2. He wrote that Timothy must be willing to endure - 2Ti 1:8;
         2:3; 4:5
      3. Those who preach today must often endure:
         a. The inconvenience of frequent moves
         b. The loss of benefits often provided in many secular jobs
         c. The dangers of traveling in unsafe places
         d. The resistance and even persecution by unbelievers
         e. The lack of understanding by immature or false brethren

   C. THEY WILL BE REWARDED...
      1. In heaven if not on earth - Mt 5:10-12
      2. But often even on earth - Mk 10:28-30

[Most who preach the gospel understand the need to sacrifice and do so
willingly.  But there is also a need to sacrifice...]

II. BY THOSE WHO SUPPORT

   A. THEY MUST BE WILLING TO SEND...
      1. Otherwise how shall preachers preach? - Ro 10:14-15
      2. Just as the early churches did
         a. Jerusalem sent Barnabas to Antioch - Ac 11:22
         b. Antioch sent out Paul and Barnabas - Ac 13:1-2
         c. Philippi supported Paul in Thessalonica - Php 4:15-16
         d. Churches supported Paul in Corinth - 2Co 11:8-9
      3. For they understood that such workers were worthy of support
         a. As Jesus had taught his disciples - Mt 10:10; Lk 10:7
         b. As Paul taught the Corinthians - 1Co 9:7-14

   B. THEY MUST BE WILLING TO SACRIFICE...
      1. They are stewards also
         a. Just as preachers are stewards of the gospel - 1Co 4:1
         b. They are stewards of their possessions - 1Pe 4:10
      2. Stewards are expected to be faithful - 1Co 4:2
         a. To minister with the ability God provides - 1Pe 4:11
         c. For which they will one day give account - cf. Mt 25:14-30
      3. Some believe preachers should be willing to sacrifice more than
         others
         a. Should the 'quartermasters' at the base be squandering what
            may have been given them to support the 'soldiers' at the
            front?
         b. Should we not all have the same willingness to sacrifice if
            the need is there?
         c. If brethren 'at the base' sacrificed as much as they expect
            of those who are 'at the front', would there not be more
            good things being done?
      4. We may serve different roles, but we should have the same sense
         of sacrifice! - 1Pe 4:11
         a. Serving with the same zeal ("as with the ability which God
            supplies")
         b. Striving for the same goal ("that in all things God may be
            glorified")

   C. THEY WILL BE REWARDED...
      1. For they are fellow workers for the truth - 3Jn 1:5-8
      2. In receiving and sending those whom Christ has sent, they
         receive Christ - Mt 10:40
      3. They will receive the same reward as those who proclaim- Mt 10:41-42

CONCLUSION

1. The gospel spread around the world in the first century...
   a. As Paul wrote to the brethren at Rome - Ro 10:17-18
   b. As he wrote to the brethren at Colosse - Col 1:23

2. The gospel continues to be spread in countries around the world...
   a. Wherever preachers are willing to make sacrifices to go
   b. Wherever brethren are willing to make sacrifices to send them

May the "Sacrifices In Evangelism" exemplified by the early Christians
inspire us today...!

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

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From Jim McGuiggan... Matthew 12:43-45 and demonic squatters

Matthew 12:43-45 and demonic squatters

What's the point of Matthew 12:43-45 and how does it relate to us? Without entering into a rehearsal of recent scholarly opinion maybe it’s safe to say that there’s enough information about the origins of the Pharisees to warrant us saying that they protested the apostasy of Israel that came about in the days of the Seleucid kings. Given this kind of setting they meant to keep Israel from a full-scale departure from the Torah as the expressed will of God. Perhaps they didn’t have as much influence in the Palestine of Jesus’ day—as Neusner, Sanders and others have taught us—but it’s clear from the New Testament and some references from Josephus that they weren’t a mousy little sect that practiced a quietist religion. (If they nurtured a Saul of Tarsus some of them must have been fiery indeed.) It’s true that Jesus seemed always to be in conflict with them but he did teach his disciples to pay attention to them though he had serious criticisms about their overall view and practice (Matthew 23:2-3, 25-28).
In what Arthur Gossip called "a shuddery little tale" Christ spoke to (or at least in the presence of) these Jewish leaders (12:2,14,24,38) about the owner of a house that was haunted (so to speak) by a demonic squatter who then (presumably) was driven from the house. The owner scrubbed the place spotless, papered and painted it and left it like that—scrubbed spotless and orderly. But empty! Meanwhile the demon wandered through waterless/wilderness places and finding no rest decided, he said, to "return to my house" (12:44). When he got back he found it even more suitable to him so he invited seven more squatter-friends even more vile than he into that scrubbed and orderly house. Christ said the latter situation was even worse than the first.
I want to take it that the Pharisees had enough influence in the land to be blind leaders of the blind (Matthew 15:1-14). I also want to link the cleansing of the house with something like the rejection of idolatry and pagan ways, which showed up in the days of John Hyrcanus and the Hasmoneans. The Pharisee types would have been leaders in this revolt against pagan uncleanness. That would indeed have been a work of God and it could easily be expressed in a parable about the removal of a demon from a house (a person or a generation). But a work begun is not a work ended and instead of filling the house with warmth and goodness, mercy and faithfulness it was scrubbed till it shone, ordered until it looked like a mausoleum—a place for dead mean’s bones (see 23:27). Paganism was cast out and in its place they substituted a spotless, ordered emptiness and into it rushed a greater demonism that just loved spotless and ordered emptiness.
A generation (12:39,45) that would see life as consisting of nothing but choices between two evil choices is in sad, bad trouble. To choose moral evil and be like publicans and sinners (characterized in Luke 15 as a selfish and immoral brat) or a spotless, ordered emptiness (characterized in Luke 15 as a sour, duty-conscious and self-righteous brother) is no good choice at all. Here comes the Christ, the possibilities are enormous and hope is alive again. Not to seize the moment and turn to God in full joy and righteousness is to prepare for future misery-—worse than they had known. Israel brought polished emptiness or brattish immorality with them into the temple. What would all that bring into the temple berfore very long? I think 70 AD and Jerusalem’s destruction hovers in the background (compare Matthew 23:29-39).
The issue here involves more than just individuals. It involves generations and even nations. Do you think it's possible to look back on history and see the work of God casting out demonic structures and world-views that weren't followed up by the generation? Have we any reason to believe that evil structures have fallen and others at least as evil have rushed in to fill the vacancy? Have we the record of such things in biblical history? Is it going on before our very eyes? And our individual lives? What happened when the USSR collapsed? And when the Berlin Wall came down? How might all that speak to us? You tell me.

©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, the abiding word.com.

From Gary... Bible Reading and Study September 8



Bible Reading and Study   


September 8


The World English Bible



Sept. 8
Psalms 49-51

Psa 49:1 Hear this, all you peoples. Listen, all you inhabitants of the world,
Psa 49:2 both low and high, rich and poor together.
Psa 49:3 My mouth will speak words of wisdom. My heart shall utter understanding.
Psa 49:4 I will incline my ear to a proverb. I will open my riddle on the harp.
Psa 49:5 Why should I fear in the days of evil, when iniquity at my heels surrounds me?
Psa 49:6 Those who trust in their wealth, and boast in the multitude of their riches--
Psa 49:7 none of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give God a ransom for him.
Psa 49:8 For the redemption of their life is costly, no payment is ever enough,
Psa 49:9 That he should live on forever, that he should not see corruption.
Psa 49:10 For he sees that wise men die; likewise the fool and the senseless perish, and leave their wealth to others.
Psa 49:11 Their inward thought is that their houses will endure forever, and their dwelling places to all generations. They name their lands after themselves.
Psa 49:12 But man, despite his riches, doesn't endure. He is like the animals that perish.
Psa 49:13 This is the destiny of those who are foolish, and of those who approve their sayings. Selah.
Psa 49:14 They are appointed as a flock for Sheol. Death shall be their shepherd. The upright shall have dominion over them in the morning. Their beauty shall decay in Sheol, far from their mansion.
Psa 49:15 But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me. Selah.
Psa 49:16 Don't be afraid when a man is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased.
Psa 49:17 For when he dies he shall carry nothing away. His glory shall not descend after him.
Psa 49:18 Though while he lived he blessed his soul-- and men praise you when you do well for yourself--
Psa 49:19 he shall go to the generation of his fathers. They shall never see the light.
Psa 49:20 A man who has riches without understanding, is like the animals that perish.
Psa 50:1 The Mighty One, God, Yahweh, speaks, and calls the earth from sunrise to sunset.
Psa 50:2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth.
Psa 50:3 Our God comes, and does not keep silent. A fire devours before him. It is very stormy around him.
Psa 50:4 He calls to the heavens above, to the earth, that he may judge his people:
Psa 50:5 "Gather my saints together to me, those who have made a covenant with me by sacrifice."
Psa 50:6 The heavens shall declare his righteousness, for God himself is judge. Selah.
Psa 50:7 "Hear, my people, and I will speak; Israel, and I will testify against you. I am God, your God.
Psa 50:8 I don't rebuke you for your sacrifices. Your burnt offerings are continually before me.
Psa 50:9 I have no need for a bull from your stall, nor male goats from your pens.
Psa 50:10 For every animal of the forest is mine, and the livestock on a thousand hills.
Psa 50:11 I know all the birds of the mountains. The wild animals of the field are mine.
Psa 50:12 If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it.
Psa 50:13 Will I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats?
Psa 50:14 Offer to God the sacrifice of thanksgiving. Pay your vows to the Most High.
Psa 50:15 Call on me in the day of trouble. I will deliver you, and you will honor me."
Psa 50:16 But to the wicked God says, "What right do you have to declare my statutes, that you have taken my covenant on your lips,
Psa 50:17 seeing you hate instruction, and throw my words behind you?
Psa 50:18 When you saw a thief, you consented with him, and have participated with adulterers.
Psa 50:19 "You give your mouth to evil. Your tongue frames deceit.
Psa 50:20 You sit and speak against your brother. You slander your own mother's son.
Psa 50:21 You have done these things, and I kept silent. You thought that the I was just like you. I will rebuke you, and accuse you in front of your eyes.
Psa 50:22 "Now consider this, you who forget God, lest I tear you into pieces, and there be none to deliver.
Psa 50:23 Whoever offers the sacrifice of thanksgiving glorifies me, and prepares his way so that I will show God's salvation to him."
Psa 51:1 Have mercy on me, God, according to your loving kindness. According to the multitude of your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions.
Psa 51:2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity. Cleanse me from my sin.
Psa 51:3 For I know my transgressions. My sin is constantly before me.
Psa 51:4 Against you, and you only, have I sinned, and done that which is evil in your sight; that you may be proved right when you speak, and justified when you judge.
Psa 51:5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity. In sin my mother conceived me.
Psa 51:6 Behold, you desire truth in the inward parts. You teach me wisdom in the inmost place.
Psa 51:7 Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean. Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Psa 51:8 Let me hear joy and gladness, That the bones which you have broken may rejoice.
Psa 51:9 Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all of my iniquities.
Psa 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me.
Psa 51:11 Don't throw me from your presence, and don't take your holy Spirit from me.
Psa 51:12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation. Uphold me with a willing spirit.
Psa 51:13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways. Sinners shall be converted to you.
Psa 51:14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation. My tongue shall sing aloud of your righteousness.
Psa 51:15 Lord, open my lips. My mouth shall declare your praise.
Psa 51:16 For you don't delight in sacrifice, or else I would give it. You have no pleasure in burnt offering.
Psa 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit. A broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
Psa 51:18 Do well in your good pleasure to Zion. Build the walls of Jerusalem.
Psa 51:19 Then you will delight in the sacrifices of righteousness, in burnt offerings and in whole burnt offerings. Then they will offer bulls on your altar.



The Composite Bible
The World English Bible
Darby's Translation
Young's Literal Translation

The Composite Bible is a effort to understand the Bible by considering it from different perspectives and different levels of literalcy. First, read the World English Bible (the least literal-black text) for comprehension of the text. Next, read both the World English Bible with the Darby Translation (more literal-blue text)to make comparisons and lastly, read all three versions (Young's is the most literal translation- red text) at one time to obtain an overview of the text. Doing this will make you think about what the Scriptures are actually saying and avoid reading in a superficial manner.
Psalms

Psalms 49 1
Hear this, all you peoples. Listen, all you inhabitants of the world,
{To the chief Musician. Of the sons of Korah. A Psalm.} Hear this, all ye peoples; give ear,
all inhabitants of the world:
To the Overseer. -- By sons of Korah. A Psalm. Hear this, all ye peoples, Give ear, all
ye inhabitants of the world.
Psalms 49 2
Both low and high, Rich and poor together.
Both men of low and men of high degree, rich and poor alike.
Both low and high, together rich and needy.
Psalms 49 3
My mouth will speak words of wisdom. My heart shall utter understanding.
My mouth shall speak wisdom, and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding:
My mouth speaketh wise things, And the meditations of my heart [are] things of
understanding.
Psalms 49 4
I will incline my ear to a proverb. I will open my riddle on the harp.
I will incline mine ear to a parable, I will open my riddle upon the harp.
I incline to a simile mine ear, I open with a harp my riddle:
Psalms 49 5
Why should I fear in the days of evil, When iniquity at my heels surrounds me?
Wherefore should I fear in the days of adversity, [when] the iniquity of my supplanters
encompasseth me? --
Why do I fear in days of evil? The iniquity of my supplanters doth compass me.
Psalms 49 6
Those who trust in their wealth, And boast in the multitude of their riches --
They depend upon their wealth, and boast themselves in the abundance of their riches. ...
Those trusting on their wealth, And in the multitude of their riches, Do shew
themselves foolish.
Psalms 49 7
None of them can by any means redeem his brother, Nor give God a ransom for him.
None can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him,
A brother doth no one at all ransom, He doth not give to God his atonement.
Psalms 49 8
For the redemption of their life is costly, No payment is ever enough,
(For the redemption of their soul is costly, and must be given up for ever,)
And precious [is] the redemption of their soul, And it hath ceased -- to the age.
Psalms 49 9
That he should live on forever, That he should not see corruption.
That he should still live perpetually, [and] not see corruption.
And still he liveth for ever, He seeth not the pit.
Psalms 49 10
For he sees that wise men die; Likewise the fool and the senseless perish, And leave their
wealth to others.
For he seeth that wise men die; all alike, the fool and the brutish perish, and they leave
their wealth to others.
For he seeth wise men die, Together the foolish and brutish perish, And have left
to others their wealth.
Psalms 49 11
Their inward thought is, that their houses endure forever, And their dwelling places to all
generations. They call their lands after their own names.
Their inward thought is, that their houses are for ever, their dwelling-places from
generation to generation: they call the lands after their own names.
Their heart [is]: Their houses [are] to the age, Their tabernacles to all
generations. They proclaimed their names over the lands.
Psalms 49 12
But man, despite his riches, doesn`t endure. He is like the animals that perish.
Nevertheless, man being in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish.
And man in honour doth not remain, He hath been like the beasts, they have been
cut off.
Psalms 49 13
This is the destiny of those who are foolish, And of those who approve their sayings. Selah.
This their way is their folly, yet they that come after them delight in their sayings.
This their way [is] folly for them, And their posterity with their sayings are
pleased. Selah.
Psalms 49 14
They are appointed as a flock for Sheol. Death shall be their shepherd. The upright shall have
dominion over them in the morning. Their beauty shall be for Sheol to consume, That there
be no habitation for it.
Like sheep are they laid in Sheol: Death feedeth on them; and the upright shall have
dominion over them in the morning; and their comeliness shall be for Sheol to consume,
that there be no habitation for them.
As sheep for Sheol they have set themselves, Death doth afflict them, And the
upright rule over them in the morning, And their form [is] for consumption.
Sheol [is] a dwelling for him.
Psalms 49 15
But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol, For he will receive me. Selah.
But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol: for he will receive me. Selah.
Only, God doth ransom my soul from the hand of Sheol, For He doth receive me.
Selah.
Psalms 49 16
Don`t be afraid when a man is made rich, When the glory of his house is increased.
Be not afraid when a man becometh rich, when the glory of his house is increased:
Fear not, when one maketh wealth, When the honour of his house is abundant,
Psalms 49 17
For when he dies he shall carry nothing away. His glory shall not descend after him.
For when he dieth, he shall carry nothing away; his glory shall not descend after him.
For at his death he receiveth nothing, His honour goeth not down after him.
Psalms 49 18
Though while he lived he blessed his soul -- And men praise you when you do well for yourself --
Though he blessed his soul in his lifetime, -- and men will praise thee when thou doest
well to thyself, --
For his soul in his life he blesseth, (And they praise thee when thou dost well for
thyself.)
Psalms 49 19
He shall go to the generation of his fathers. They shall never see the light.
It shall go to the generation of his fathers: they shall never see light.
It cometh to the generation of his fathers, For ever they see not the light.
Psalms 49 20
A man who has riches without understanding, Is like the animals that perish. Psalm 50 A
Psalm by Asaph.
Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish.
Man in honour, who understandest not, Hath been like the beasts, they have been
cut off!
Psalms 50 1
The Mighty One, God, Yahweh, speaks, And calls the earth from sunrise to sunset.
{A Psalm. Of Asaph.} ·God, Elohim-Jehovah, hath spoken, and called the earth from the
rising of the sun unto the going down thereof.
A Psalm of Asaph. The God of gods -- Jehovah -- hath spoken, And He calleth to the
earth From the rising of the sun unto its going in.
Psalms 50 2
Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth.
Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined forth.
From Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shone.
Psalms 50 3
Our God comes, and does not keep silence. A fire devours before him. It is very tempestuous
around him.
Our God will come, and will not keep silence: fire shall devour before him, and it shall be
very tempestuous round about him.
Our God cometh, and is not silent, Fire before Him doth devour, And round about
him it hath been very tempestuous.
Psalms 50 4
He calls to the heavens above, To the earth, that he may judge his people:
He will call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people:
He doth call unto the heavens from above, And unto the earth, to judge His people.
Psalms 50 5
"Gather my saints together to me, Those who have made a covenant with me by sacrifice."
Gather unto me my godly ones, those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice!
Gather ye to Me My saints, Making covenant with Me over a sacrifice.
Psalms 50 6
The heavens shall declare his righteousness, For God himself is judge. Selah.
And the heavens shall declare his righteousness; for God executeth judgment himself.
Selah.
And the heavens declare His righteousness, For God Himself [is] judge. Selah.
Psalms 50 7
"Hear, my people, and I will speak; Israel, and I will testify against you. I am God, your God.
Hear, my people, and I will speak; O Israel, and I will testify unto thee: I am God, thy God.
Hear, O My people, and I speak, O Israel, and I testify against thee, God, thy God
[am] I.
Psalms 50 8
I don`t rebuke you for your sacrifices. Your burnt offerings are continually before me.
I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices, or thy burnt-offerings, continually before me;
Not for thy sacrifices do I reprove thee, Yea, thy burnt-offerings [Are] before Me
continually.
Psalms 50 9
I have no need for a bull from your stall, Nor male goats from your pens.
I will take no bullock out of thy house, [nor] he-goats out of thy folds:
I take not from thy house a bullock, From thy folds he goats.
Psalms 50 10
For every animal of the forest is mine, And the cattle on a thousand hills.
For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle upon a thousand hills;
For Mine [is] every beast of the forest, The cattle on the hills of oxen.
Psalms 50 11
I know all the birds of the mountains. The wild animals of the field are mine.
I know all the fowl of the mountains, and the roaming creatures of the field are mine:
I have known every fowl of the mountains, And the wild beast of the field [is] with
Me.
Psalms 50 12
If I were hungry, I would not tell you, For the world is mine, and all that is in it.
If I were hungry, I would not tell thee; for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof.
If I am hungry I tell not to thee, For Mine [is] the world and its fulness.
Psalms 50 13
Will I eat the flesh of bulls, Or drink the blood of goats?
Should I eat the flesh of bulls, and drink the blood of goats?
Do I eat the flesh of bulls, And drink the blood of he-goats?
Psalms 50 14
Offer to God the sacrifice of thanksgiving. Pay your vows to the Most High.
Offer unto God thanksgiving, and perform thy vows unto the Most High;
Sacrifice to God confession, And complete to the Most High thy vows.
Psalms 50 15
Call on me in the day of trouble. I will deliver you, and you will honor me."
And call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.
And call Me in a day of adversity, I deliver thee, and thou honourest Me.
Psalms 50 16
But to the wicked God says, "What right do you have to declare my statutes, That you have
taken my covenant on your lips,
But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou
shouldest take my covenant into thy mouth,
And to the wicked hath God said: What to thee -- to recount My statutes? That thou
liftest up My covenant on thy mouth?
Psalms 50 17
Seeing you hate instruction, And throw my words behind you?
Seeing thou hast hated correction and hast cast my words behind thee?
Yea, thou hast hated instruction, And dost cast My words behind thee.
Psalms 50 18
When you saw a thief, you consented with him, And have participated with adulterers.
When thou sawest a thief, thou didst take pleasure in him, and thy portion was with
adulterers;
If thou hast seen a thief, Then thou art pleased with him, And with adulterers [is]
thy portion.
Psalms 50 19
"You give your mouth to evil. Your tongue harnesses deceit.
Thou lettest thy mouth loose to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit;
Thy mouth thou hast sent forth with evil, And thy tongue joineth deceit together,
Psalms 50 20
You sit and speak against your brother. You slander your own mother`s son.
Thou sittest [and] speakest against thy brother, thou revilest thine own mother`s son:
Thou sittest, against thy brother thou speakest, Against a son of thy mother givest
slander.
Psalms 50 21
You have done these things, and I kept silence. You thought that the "I AM" was just like you.
I will rebuke you, and accuse you in front of your eyes.
These [things] hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether as
thyself: [but] I will reprove thee, and set [them] in order before thine eyes.
These thou didst, and I kept silent, Thou hast thought that I am like thee, I
reprove thee, and set in array before thine eyes.
Psalms 50 22
"Now consider this, you who forget God, Lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver.
Now consider this, ye that forget +God, lest I tear in pieces, and there be no deliverer.
Understand this, I pray you, Ye who are forgetting God, Lest I tear, and there is no
deliverer.
Psalms 50 23
Whoever offers the sacrifice of thanksgiving glorifies me, And prepares his way so that I will
show God`s salvation to him." Psalm 51 For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David, when
Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.
Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me; and to him that ordereth [his] way will I shew the
salvation of God.
He who is sacrificing praise honoureth Me, As to him who maketh a way, I cause
him to look on the salvation of God!
Psalms 51 1
Have mercy on me, God, according to your lovingkindness. According to the multitude of your
tender mercies, blot out my transgressions.
{To the chief Musician. A Psalm of David; when Nathan the prophet came to him, after he
had gone in to Bath-sheba.} Be gracious unto me, O God, according to thy loving-
kindness; according to the abundance of thy tender mercies, blot out my transgressions.
To the Overseer. -- A Psalm of David, in the coming inn unto him of Nathan the
prophet, when he hath gone in unto Bath-Sheba. Favour me, O God, according to
Thy kindness, According to the abundance of Thy mercies, Blot out my
transgressions.
Psalms 51 2
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity. Cleanse me from my sin.
Wash me fully from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
Thoroughly wash me from mine iniquity, And from my sin cleanse me,
Psalms 51 3
For I know my transgressions. My sin is constantly before me.
For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is continually before me.
For my transgressions I do know, And my sin [is] before me continually.
Psalms 51 4
Against you, and you only, have I sinned, And done that which is evil in your sight; That you
may be proved right when you speak, And justified when you judge.
Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done what is evil in thy sight; that thou
mayest be justified when thou speakest, be clear when thou judgest.
Against Thee, Thee only, I have sinned, And done the evil thing in Thine eyes, So
that Thou art righteous in Thy words, Thou art pure in Thy judging.
Psalms 51 5
Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity. In sin did my mother conceive me.
Behold, in iniquity was I brought forth, and in sin did my mother conceive me.
Lo, in iniquity I have been brought forth, And in sin doth my mother conceive me.
Psalms 51 6
Behold, you desire truth in the inward parts. You teach me wisdom in the inmost place.
Behold, thou wilt have truth in the inward parts; and in the hidden [part] thou wilt
make me to know wisdom.
Lo, truth Thou hast desired in the inward parts, And in the hidden part Wisdom
Thou causest me to know.
Psalms 51 7
Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean. Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Thou cleansest me with hyssop and I am clean, Washest me, and than snow I am
whiter.
Psalms 51 8
Let me hear joy and gladness, That the bones which you have broken may rejoice.
Make me to hear gladness and joy; [that] the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
Thou causest me to hear joy and gladness, Thou makest joyful bones Thou hast
bruised.
Psalms 51 9
Hide your face from my sins, And blot out all of my iniquities.
Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
Hide Thy face from my sin. And all mine iniquities blot out.
Psalms 51 10
Create in me a clean heart, God. Renew a right spirit within me.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
A clean heart prepare for me, O God, And a right spirit renew within me.
Psalms 51 11
Don`t throw me away from your presence. Don`t take your holy Spirit from me.
Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not the spirit of thy holiness from me.
Cast me not forth from Thy presence, And Thy Holy Spirit take not from me.
Psalms 51 12
Restore to me the joy of your salvation. Uphold me with a willing spirit.
Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, and let a willing spirit sustain me.
Restore to me the joy of Thy salvation, And a willing spirit doth sustain me.
Psalms 51 13
Then I will teach transgressors your ways. Sinners shall be converted to you.
I will teach transgressors thy ways, and sinners shall return unto thee.
I teach transgressors Thy ways, And sinners unto Thee do return.
Psalms 51 14
Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, God, you God of my salvation. My tongue shall sing aloud of
your righteousness.
Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: my tongue shall sing
aloud of thy righteousness.
Deliver me from blood, O God, God of my salvation, My tongue singeth of Thy
righteousness.
Psalms 51 15
Lord, open my lips. My mouth shall declare your praise.
Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare thy praise.
O Lord, my lips thou dost open, And my mouth declareth Thy praise.
Psalms 51 16
For you don`t delight in sacrifice, or else I would give it. You have no pleasure in burnt
offering.
For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou hast no pleasure in burnt-
offering.
For Thou desirest not sacrifice, or I give [it], Burnt-offering Thou acceptest not.
Psalms 51 17
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit. A broken and contrite heart, God, you will not
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt
not despise.
The sacrifices of God [are] a broken spirit, A heart broken and bruised, O God,
Thou dost not despise.
Psalms 51 18
Do well in your good pleasure to Zion. Build the walls of Jerusalem.
Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion; build the walls of Jerusalem.
Do good in Thy good pleasure with Zion, Thou dost build the walls of Jerusalem.
Psalms 51 19
Then will you delight in the sacrifices of righteousness, In burnt offerings and in whole burnt
offerings. Then they will offer bulls on your altar. Psalm 52 For the Chief Musician. A
contemplation by David, when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul, "David has come to
Abimelech`s house."
Then shalt thou have sacrifices of righteousness, burnt-offering, and whole burnt-
offering; then shall they offer up bullocks upon thine altar.
Then Thou desirest sacrifices of righteousness, Burnt-offering, and whole burnt-
offering, Then they offer bullocks on thine altar!


Study Questions

What is the "extent" of God's possessions? 50:10, 11

What are the sacrifices of God and how does this relate to my current attitude? 51:17




The World English Bible


Sept. 8
1 Corinthians 4

1Co 4:1 So let a man think of us as Christ's servants, and stewards of God's mysteries.
1Co 4:2 Here, moreover, it is required of stewards, that they be found faithful.
1Co 4:3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you, or by man's judgment. Yes, I don't judge my own self.
1Co 4:4 For I know nothing against myself. Yet I am not justified by this, but he who judges me is the Lord.
1Co 4:5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each man will get his praise from God.
1Co 4:6 Now these things, brothers, I have in a figure transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that in us you might learn not to think beyond the things which are written, that none of you be puffed up against one another.
1Co 4:7 For who makes you different? And what do you have that you didn't receive? But if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?
1Co 4:8 You are already filled. You have already become rich. You have come to reign without us. Yes, and I wish that you did reign, that we also might reign with you.
1Co 4:9 For, I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last of all, like men sentenced to death. For we are made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and men.
1Co 4:10 We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You have honor, but we have dishonor.
1Co 4:11 Even to this present hour we hunger, thirst, are naked, are beaten, and have no certain dwelling place.
1Co 4:12 We toil, working with our own hands. When people curse us, we bless. Being persecuted, we endure.
1Co 4:13 Being defamed, we entreat. We are made as the filth of the world, the dirt wiped off by all, even until now.
1Co 4:14 I don't write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children.
1Co 4:15 For though you have ten thousand tutors in Christ, yet not many fathers. For in Christ Jesus, I became your father through the Good News.
1Co 4:16 I beg you therefore, be imitators of me.
1Co 4:17 Because of this I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, even as I teach everywhere in every assembly.
1Co 4:18 Now some are puffed up, as though I were not coming to you.
1Co 4:19 But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord is willing. And I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power.
1Co 4:20 For the Kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.
1Co 4:21 What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?


The Composite Bible
The World English Bible
Darby's Translation
Young's Literal Translation

The Composite Bible is a effort to understand the Bible by considering it from different perspectives and different levels of literalcy. First, read the World English Bible (the least literal-black text) for comprehension of the text. Next, read both the World English Bible with the Darby Translation (more literal-blue text)to make comparisons and lastly, read all three versions (Young's is the most literal translation- red text) at one time to obtain an overview of the text. Doing this will make you think about what the Scriptures are actually saying and avoid reading in a superficial manner.
1 Corinthians


1 Corinthians 4 1
So let a man think of us as Christ`s servants, and stewards of God`s mysteries.
Let a man so account of us as servants of Christ, and stewards of [the] mysteries of God.
Let a man so reckon us as officers of Christ, and stewards of the secrets of God,
1 Corinthians 4 2
Here, moreover, it is required of stewards, that they be found faithful.
Here, further, it is sought in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
and as to the rest, it is required in the stewards that one may be found faithful,
1 Corinthians 4 3
But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you, or by man`s judgment. Yes, I
don`t judge my own self.
But for me it is the very smallest matter that I be examined of you or of man`s day. Nor do
I even examine myself.
and to me it is for a very little thing that by you I may be judged, or by man`s day,
but not even myself do I judge,
1 Corinthians 4 4
For I know nothing against myself. Yet I am not justified by this, but he who judges me is the
Lord.
For I am conscious of nothing in myself; but I am not justified by this: but he that
examines me is the Lord.
for of nothing to myself have I been conscious, but not in this have I been declared
right -- and he who is discerning me is the Lord:
1 Corinthians 4 5
Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the
hidden things of darkness, and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each man will get his
praise from God.
So that do not judge anything before [the] time, until the Lord shall come, who shall also
both bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and shall make manifest the counsels
of hearts; and then shall each have [his] praise from God.
so, then, nothing before the time judge ye, till the Lord may come, who will both
bring to light the hidden things of the darkness, and will manifest the counsels of
the hearts, and then the praise shall come to each from God.
1 Corinthians 4 6
Now these things, brothers, I have in a figure transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes,
that in us you might learn not to think beyond the things which are written, that none of you be
puffed up against one another.
Now these things, brethren, I have transferred, in their application, to myself and
Apollos, for your sakes, that ye may learn in us the [lesson of] not [letting your thoughts
go] above what is written, that ye may not be puffed up one for [such a] one against
another.
And these things, brethren, I did transfer to myself and to Apollos because of you,
that in us ye may learn not to think above that which hath been written, that ye
may not be puffed up one for one against the other,
1 Corinthians 4 7
For who makes you different? And what do you have that you didn`t receive? But if you did
receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?
For who makes thee to differ? and what hast thou which thou hast not received? but if
also thou hast received, why boastest thou as not receiving?
for who doth make thee to differ? and what hast thou, that thou didst not receive?
and if thou didst also receive, why dost thou glory as not having received?
1 Corinthians 4 8
You are already filled. You have already become rich. You have come to reign without us. Yes,
and I wish that you did reign, that we also might reign with you.
Already ye are filled; already ye have been enriched; ye have reigned without us; and I
would that ye reigned, that *we* also might reign with you.
Already ye are having been filled, already ye were rich, apart from us ye did
reign, and I would also ye did reign, that we also with you may reign together,
1 Corinthians 4 9
For, I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last of all, like men sentenced to death. For
we are made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and men.
For I think that God has set us the apostles for the last, as appointed to death. For we have
become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and men.
for I think that God did set forth us the apostles last -- as appointed to death,
because a spectacle we became to the world, and messengers, and men;
1 Corinthians 4 10
We are fools for Christ`s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You
have honor, but we have dishonor.
*We* [are] fools for Christ`s sake, but *ye* prudent in Christ: *we* weak, but *ye* strong:
*ye* glorious, but *we* in dishonour.
we [are] fools because of Christ, and ye wise in Christ; we [are] ailing, and ye
strong; ye glorious, and we dishonoured;
1 Corinthians 4 11
Even to this present hour we hunger, thirst, are naked, are beaten, and have no certain dwelling
place.
To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and are in nakedness, and buffeted, and
wander without a home,
unto the present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are
buffeted, and wander about,
1 Corinthians 4 12
We toil, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless. Being persecuted, we endure.
and labour, working with our own hands. Railed at, we bless; persecuted, we suffer [it];
and labour, working with [our] own hands; being reviled, we bless; being
persecuted, we suffer;
1 Corinthians 4 13
Being defamed, we entreat. We are made as the filth of the world, the dirt wiped off by all, even
until now.
insulted, we entreat: we are become as [the] offscouring of the world, [the] refuse of all,
until now.
being spoken evil of, we entreat; as filth of the world we did become -- of all
things an offscouring -- till now.
1 Corinthians 4 14
I don`t write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children.
Not [as] chiding do I write these things to you, but as my beloved children I admonish
[you].
Not [as] putting you to shame do I write these things, but as my beloved children I
do admonish,
1 Corinthians 4 15
For though you have ten thousand tutors in Christ, yet not many fathers. For in Christ Jesus, I
became your father through the gospel.
For if ye should have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet not many fathers; for in
Christ Jesus *I* have begotten you through the glad tidings.
for if a myriad of child-conductors ye may have in Christ, yet not many fathers; for
in Christ Jesus, through the good news, I -- I did beget you;
1 Corinthians 4 16
I beg you therefore, be imitators of me.
I entreat you therefore, be my imitators.
I call upon you, therefore, become ye followers of me;
1 Corinthians 4 17
Because of this I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, who
will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, even as I teach everywhere in every assembly.
For this reason I have sent to you Timotheus, who is my beloved and faithful child in [the]
Lord, who shall put you in mind of my ways [as] they [are] in Christ, according as I teach
everywhere in every assembly.
because of this I sent to you Timotheus, who is my child, beloved and faithful in
the Lord, who shall remind you of my ways in Christ, according as everywhere in
every assembly I teach.
1 Corinthians 4 18
Now some are puffed up, as though I were not coming to you.
But some have been puffed up, as if I were not coming to you;
And as if I were not coming unto you certain were puffed up;
1 Corinthians 4 19
But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord is willing. And I will know, not the word of those who
are puffed up, but the power.
but I will come quickly to you, if the Lord will; and I will know, not the word of those that
are puffed up, but the power.
but I will come quickly unto you, if the Lord may will, and I will know not the
word of those puffed up, but the power;
1 Corinthians 4 20
For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.
For the kingdom of God [is] not in word, but in power.
for not in word is the reign of God, but in power?
1 Corinthians 4 21
What do you want? Will I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?
What will ye? that I come to you with a rod; or in love, and [in] a spirit of meekness?
what do ye wish? with a rod shall I come unto you, or in love, with a spirit also of
meekness?


Study Questions

The kingdom of God consists of ___________________? 4:20