April 8, 2015

From Gary... Where am I?



Matthew 5:48 (WEB)
 48  Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. 

Guess which child is like its parent? 

The options are (from left to right):

1. The stand-by child

2. The sleeping child

3. The supporting child

Answer: Number 3

One definition of a disciple of Christ is one who is a learner. Know what God wants you to do, understand it to the point of motivation and follow God's example; repeat. Now, something to consider...

Matthew, Chapter 5 (WEB)
 3  “Blessed are the poor in spirit, 
for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. 
  4  Blessed are those who mourn, 
for they shall be comforted. 
  5  Blessed are the gentle, 
for they shall inherit the earth. 
  6  Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, 
for they shall be filled. 
  7  Blessed are the merciful, 
for they shall obtain mercy. 
  8  Blessed are the pure in heart, 
for they shall see God. 
  9  Blessed are the peacemakers, 
for they shall be called children of God. 
  10  Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake, 
for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. 

Where are you in the picture?

From Gary... Bible Reading April 8




Bible Reading  

April 8

The World English Bible

Apr. 8
Numbers 7, 8
Num 7:1 It happened on the day that Moses had finished setting up the tabernacle, and had anointed it and sanctified it, with all its furniture, and the altar with all its vessels, and had anointed and sanctified them;
Num 7:2 that the princes of Israel, the heads of their fathers' houses, offered. These were the princes of the tribes. These are they who were over those who were numbered:
Num 7:3 and they brought their offering before Yahweh, six covered wagons, and twelve oxen; a wagon for every two of the princes, and for each one an ox: and they presented them before the tabernacle.
Num 7:4 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
Num 7:5 "Accept these from them, that they may be used in doing the service of the Tent of Meeting; and you shall give them to the Levites, to every man according to his service."
Num 7:6 Moses took the wagons and the oxen, and gave them to the Levites.
Num 7:7 He gave two wagons and four oxen to the sons of Gershon, according to their service:
Num 7:8 and he gave four wagons and eight oxen to the sons of Merari, according to their service, under the direction of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.
Num 7:9 But to the sons of Kohath he gave none, because the service of the sanctuary belonged to them; they carried it on their shoulders.
Num 7:10 The princes gave offerings for the dedication of the altar in the day that it was anointed, even the princes gave their offerings before the altar.
Num 7:11 Yahweh said to Moses, "They shall offer their offering, each prince on his day, for the dedication of the altar."
Num 7:12 He who offered his offering the first day was Nahshon the son of Amminadab, of the tribe of Judah,
Num 7:13 and his offering was: one silver platter, the weight of which was one hundred thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a meal offering;
Num 7:14 one golden ladle of ten shekels, full of incense;
Num 7:15 one young bull, one ram, one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering;
Num 7:16 one male goat for a sin offering;
Num 7:17 and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two head of cattle, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Nahshon the son of Amminadab.
Num 7:18 On the second day Nethanel the son of Zuar, prince of Issachar, gave his offering.
Num 7:19 He offered for his offering: one silver platter, the weight of which was one hundred thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a meal offering;
Num 7:20 one golden ladle of ten shekels, full of incense;
Num 7:21 one young bull, one ram, one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering;
Num 7:22 one male goat for a sin offering;
Num 7:23 and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two head of cattle, five rams, five male goats, five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Nethanel the son of Zuar.
Num 7:24 On the third day Eliab the son of Helon, prince of the children of Zebulun
Num 7:25 gave his offering: one silver platter, the weight of which was a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a meal offering;
Num 7:26 one golden ladle of ten shekels, full of incense;
Num 7:27 one young bull, one ram, one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering;
Num 7:28 one male goat for a sin offering;
Num 7:29 and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two head of cattle, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Eliab the son of Helon.
Num 7:30 On the fourth day Elizur the son of Shedeur, prince of the children of Reuben
Num 7:31 gave his offering: one silver platter, the weight of which was one hundred thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a meal offering;
Num 7:32 one golden ladle of ten shekels, full of incense;
Num 7:33 one young bull, one ram, one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering;
Num 7:34 one male goat for a sin offering;
Num 7:35 and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two head of cattle, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Elizur the son of Shedeur.
Num 7:36 On the fifth day Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai, prince of the children of Simeon
Num 7:37 gave his offering: one silver platter, the weight of which was one hundred thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a meal offering;
Num 7:38 one golden ladle of ten shekels, full of incense;
Num 7:39 one young bull, one ram, one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering;
Num 7:40 one male goat for a sin offering;
Num 7:41 and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two head of cattle, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old: this was the offering of Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.
Num 7:42 On the sixth day, Eliasaph the son of Deuel, prince of the children of Gad
Num 7:43 gave his offering: one silver platter, the weight of which was one hundred thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a meal offering;
Num 7:44 one golden ladle of ten shekels, full of incense;
Num 7:45 one young bull, one ram, one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering;
Num 7:46 one male goat for a sin offering;
Num 7:47 and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two head of cattle, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Eliasaph the son of Deuel.
Num 7:48 On the seventh day Elishama the son of Ammihud, prince of the children of Ephraim
Num 7:49 gave his offering: one silver platter, the weight of which was one hundred thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a meal offering;
Num 7:50 one golden ladle of ten shekels, full of incense;
Num 7:51 one young bull, one ram, one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering;
Num 7:52 one male goat for a sin offering;
Num 7:53 and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two head of cattle, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Elishama the son of Ammihud.
Num 7:54 On the eighth day Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur, prince of the children of Manasseh
Num 7:55 gave his offering: one silver platter, the weight of which was one hundred thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a meal offering;
Num 7:56 one golden ladle of ten shekels, full of incense;
Num 7:57 one young bull, one ram, one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering;
Num 7:58 one male goat for a sin offering;
Num 7:59 and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two head of cattle, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.
Num 7:60 On the ninth day Abidan the son of Gideoni, prince of the children of Benjamin
Num 7:61 gave his offering: one silver platter, the weight of which was one hundred thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a meal offering;
Num 7:62 one golden ladle of ten shekels, full of incense;
Num 7:63 one young bull, one ram, one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering;
Num 7:64 one male goat for a sin offering;
Num 7:65 and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two head of cattle, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Abidan the son of Gideoni.
Num 7:66 On the tenth day Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai, prince of the children of Dan
Num 7:67 gave his offering: one silver platter, the weight of which was one hundred thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a meal offering;
Num 7:68 one golden ladle of ten shekels, full of incense;
Num 7:69 one young bull, one ram, one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering;
Num 7:70 one male goat for a sin offering;
Num 7:71 and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two head of cattle, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.
Num 7:72 On the eleventh day Pagiel the son of Ochran, prince of the children of Asher
Num 7:73 gave his offering: one silver platter, the weight of which was one hundred thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a meal offering;
Num 7:74 one golden ladle of ten shekels, full of incense;
Num 7:75 one young bull, one ram, one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering;
Num 7:76 one male goat for a sin offering;
Num 7:77 and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two head of cattle, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Pagiel the son of Ochran.
Num 7:78 On the twelfth day Ahira the son of Enan, prince of the children of Naphtali
Num 7:79 gave his offering: one silver platter, the weight of which was one hundred thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a meal offering;
Num 7:80 one golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense;
Num 7:81 one young bull, one ram, one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering;
Num 7:82 one male goat for a sin offering;
Num 7:83 and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two head of cattle, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Ahira the son of Enan.
Num 7:84 This was the dedication of the altar, on the day when it was anointed, by the princes of Israel: twelve silver platters, twelve silver bowls, twelve golden ladles;
Num 7:85 each silver platter weighing one hundred thirty shekels, and each bowl seventy; all the silver of the vessels two thousand four hundred shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary;
Num 7:86 the twelve golden ladles, full of incense, weighing ten shekels apiece, after the shekel of the sanctuary; all the gold of the ladles weighed one hundred twenty shekels;
Num 7:87 all the cattle for the burnt offering twelve bulls, the rams twelve, the male lambs a year old twelve, and their meal offering; and the male goats for a sin offering twelve;
Num 7:88 and all the cattle for the sacrifice of peace offerings twenty-four bulls, the rams sixty, the male goats sixty, the male lambs a year old sixty. This was the dedication of the altar, after it was anointed.
Num 7:89 When Moses went into the Tent of Meeting to speak with Yahweh, he heard his voice speaking to him from above the mercy seat that was on the ark of the Testimony, from between the two cherubim: and he spoke to him.

Num 8:1 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
Num 8:2 "Speak to Aaron, and tell him, 'When you light the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light in front of the lampstand.' "
Num 8:3 Aaron did so. He lit its lamps to light the area in front of the lampstand, as Yahweh commanded Moses.
Num 8:4 This was the workmanship of the lampstand, beaten work of gold. From its base to its flowers, it was beaten work: according to the pattern which Yahweh had shown Moses, so he made the lampstand.
Num 8:5 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
Num 8:6 "Take the Levites from among the children of Israel, and cleanse them.
Num 8:7 You shall do this to them, to cleanse them: sprinkle the water of cleansing on them, let them shave their whole bodies with a razor, and let them wash their clothes, and cleanse themselves.
Num 8:8 Then let them take a young bull, and its meal offering, fine flour mixed with oil; and another young bull you shall take for a sin offering.
Num 8:9 You shall present the Levites before the Tent of Meeting. You shall assemble the whole congregation of the children of Israel.
Num 8:10 You shall present the Levites before Yahweh. The children of Israel shall lay their hands on the Levites,
Num 8:11 and Aaron shall offer the Levites before Yahweh for a wave offering, on the behalf of the children of Israel, that it may be theirs to do the service of Yahweh.
Num 8:12 The Levites shall lay their hands on the heads of the bulls, and you shall offer the one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering to Yahweh, to make atonement for the Levites.
Num 8:13 You shall set the Levites before Aaron, and before his sons, and offer them as a wave offering to Yahweh.
Num 8:14 Thus you shall separate the Levites from among the children of Israel, and the Levites shall be mine.
Num 8:15 "After that, the Levites shall go in to do the service of the Tent of Meeting: and you shall cleanse them, and offer them as a wave offering.
Num 8:16 For they are wholly given to me from among the children of Israel; instead of all who open the womb, even the firstborn of all the children of Israel, I have taken them to me.
Num 8:17 For all the firstborn among the children of Israel are mine, both man and animal. On the day that I struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I sanctified them for myself.
Num 8:18 I have taken the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel.
Num 8:19 I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and to his sons from among the children of Israel, to do the service of the children of Israel in the Tent of Meeting, and to make atonement for the children of Israel; that there be no plague among the children of Israel, when the children of Israel come near to the sanctuary."
Num 8:20 Moses, and Aaron, and all the congregation of the children of Israel did so to the Levites. According to all that Yahweh commanded Moses concerning the Levites, so the children of Israel did to them.
Num 8:21 The Levites purified themselves from sin, and they washed their clothes; and Aaron offered them for a wave offering before Yahweh; and Aaron made atonement for them to cleanse them.
Num 8:22 After that, the Levites went in to do their service in the Tent of Meeting before Aaron, and before his sons: as Yahweh had commanded Moses concerning the Levites, so they did to them.
Num 8:23 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
Num 8:24 "This is that which belongs to the Levites: from twenty-five years old and upward they shall go in to wait on the service in the work of the Tent of Meeting;
Num 8:25 and from the age of fifty years they shall cease waiting on the work, and shall serve no more,

Num 8:26 but shall minister with their brothers in the Tent of Meeting, to perform the duty, and shall do no service. You shall do thus to the Levites concerning their duties."

 Apr. 8, 9
Luke 6

Luk 6:1 Now it happened on the second Sabbath after the first, that he was going through the grain fields. His disciples plucked the heads of grain, and ate, rubbing them in their hands.
Luk 6:2 But some of the Pharisees said to them, "Why do you do that which is not lawful to do on the Sabbath day?"
Luk 6:3 Jesus, answering them, said, "Haven't you read what David did when he was hungry, he, and those who were with him;
Luk 6:4 how he entered into the house of God, and took and ate the show bread, and gave also to those who were with him, which is not lawful to eat except for the priests alone?"
Luk 6:5 He said to them, "The Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath."
Luk 6:6 It also happened on another Sabbath that he entered into the synagogue and taught. There was a man there, and his right hand was withered.
Luk 6:7 The scribes and the Pharisees watched him, to see whether he would heal on the Sabbath, that they might find an accusation against him.
Luk 6:8 But he knew their thoughts; and he said to the man who had the withered hand, "Rise up, and stand in the middle." He arose and stood.
Luk 6:9 Then Jesus said to them, "I will ask you something: Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good, or to do harm? To save a life, or to kill?"
Luk 6:10 He looked around at them all, and said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He did, and his hand was restored as sound as the other.
Luk 6:11 But they were filled with rage, and talked with one another about what they might do to Jesus.
Luk 6:12 It happened in these days, that he went out to the mountain to pray, and he continued all night in prayer to God.
Luk 6:13 When it was day, he called his disciples, and from them he chose twelve, whom he also named apostles:
Luk 6:14 Simon, whom he also named Peter; Andrew, his brother; James; John; Philip; Bartholomew;
Luk 6:15 Matthew; Thomas; James, the son of Alphaeus; Simon, who was called the Zealot;
Luk 6:16 Judas the son of James; and Judas Iscariot, who also became a traitor.
Luk 6:17 He came down with them, and stood on a level place, with a crowd of his disciples, and a great number of the people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases;
Luk 6:18 as well as those who were troubled by unclean spirits, and they were being healed.
Luk 6:19 All the multitude sought to touch him, for power came out from him and healed them all.
Luk 6:20 He lifted up his eyes to his disciples, and said, "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the Kingdom of God.
Luk 6:21 Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.
Luk 6:22 Blessed are you when men shall hate you, and when they shall exclude and mock you, and throw out your name as evil, for the Son of Man's sake.
Luk 6:23 Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven, for their fathers did the same thing to the prophets.
Luk 6:24 "But woe to you who are rich! For you have received your consolation.
Luk 6:25 Woe to you, you who are full now, for you will be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep.
Luk 6:26 Woe, when men speak well of you, for their fathers did the same thing to the false prophets.
Luk 6:27 "But I tell you who hear: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
Luk 6:28 bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you.
Luk 6:29 To him who strikes you on the cheek, offer also the other; and from him who takes away your cloak, don't withhold your coat also.
Luk 6:30 Give to everyone who asks you, and don't ask him who takes away your goods to give them back again.
Luk 6:31 "As you would like people to do to you, do exactly so to them.
Luk 6:32 If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.
Luk 6:33 If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.
Luk 6:34 If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive back as much.
Luk 6:35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing back; and your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind toward the unthankful and evil.
Luk 6:36 Therefore be merciful, even as your Father is also merciful.
Luk 6:37 Don't judge, and you won't be judged. Don't condemn, and you won't be condemned. Set free, and you will be set free.
Luk 6:38 "Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be given to you. For with the same measure you measure it will be measured back to you."
Luk 6:39 He spoke a parable to them. "Can the blind guide the blind? Won't they both fall into a pit?
Luk 6:40 A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.
Luk 6:41 Why do you see the speck of chaff that is in your brother's eye, but don't consider the beam that is in your own eye?
Luk 6:42 Or how can you tell your brother, 'Brother, let me remove the speck of chaff that is in your eye,' when you yourself don't see the beam that is in your own eye? You hypocrite! First remove the beam from your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck of chaff that is in your brother's eye.
Luk 6:43 For there is no good tree that brings forth rotten fruit; nor again a rotten tree that brings forth good fruit.
Luk 6:44 For each tree is known by its own fruit. For people don't gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush.
Luk 6:45 The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings out that which is good, and the evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings out that which is evil, for out of the abundance of the heart, his mouth speaks.
Luk 6:46 "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and don't do the things which I say?
Luk 6:47 Everyone who comes to me, and hears my words, and does them, I will show you who he is like.
Luk 6:48 He is like a man building a house, who dug and went deep, and laid a foundation on the rock. When a flood arose, the stream broke against that house, and could not shake it, because it was founded on the rock.
Luk 6:49 But he who hears, and doesn't do, is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream broke, and immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great." 

From Mark Copeland... "THE CHURCH JESUS BUILT" What Is The Church?



                        "THE CHURCH JESUS BUILT"

                          What Is The Church?

INTRODUCTION

1. In our first lesson, we began looking at "The Church Jesus Built"
   - cf. Mt 16:18

2. We surveyed why the church is a subject worthy of careful study...
   a. Because of the high estimation of it in the Scriptures; e.g.:
      1) The church is the body of Christ - Ep 1:23
      2) The church is "the fullness of Him who fills all in all" 
         - Ep 1:23
      3) The church is part of God's "eternal purpose" - Ep 3:10-11
      4) Christ "loved the church and gave Himself for it" - Ep 5:25
      5) Jesus' design is to present it as "a glorious church" - Ep 5:26-27
      6) He nourishes and cherishes the church - Ep 5:29-30
   b. Because of efforts by men to redefine the church in the Bible
      1) As represented by the denominational view
      2) As represented by the sectarian view

3. But what exactly is the church...?
   a. What is this "church" Jesus said He would build?
   b. What is this "church" that Jesus loves, nourishes, and cherishes?
   c. What is this "church" that some have sought to redefine?
   -- For if we desire to be in "The Church Jesus Built", we should know
      exactly what it is, shouldn't we?

[Perhaps a good place to start is by defining the word "church" itself...]

I. THE CHURCH DEFINED

   A. THE GREEK WORD IS "EKKLESIA"...
      1. Many have noted that this word is a combination of two words:
         ek (out of) and kaleo (to call)
         a. Concluding that the primary idea is that of being "called out"
         b. That Christians were called the "ekklesia" because they were
            "called out"
            1) Now it is true that Christians have been called out - cf. 1Pe 2:9
            2) But the use of "ekklesia" in the New Testament does not
               stress the "called out" nature of the church!
         c. This is a common mistake of defining a word by its etymology
            rather than by its actual usage in its historical context
      2. The word "church" as defined by Easton's Bible Dictionary:  "In
         the New Testament it is the translation of the Greek word
         'ecclesia', which is synonymous with the Hebrew 'kahal'of the
         Old Testament, both words meaning simply an assembly."
      3. Notice Thayer's definition:  "a gathering of citizens called
         out from their homes into some public place, an assembly"
         a. "an assembly of the people convened at the public place of
            the council for the purpose of deliberating" - cf. Ac 19:39
         b. "the assembly of the Israelites" - cf. Ac 7:38
         c. "any gathering or throng of men assembled by chance,
            tumultuously" - cf. Ac 19:40-41
      -- The usage of "ekklesia" therefore emphasizes the "assembled"
         nature of the church; i.e., it simply refers to a gathering, an
         assembly of people

   B. "EKKLESIA" AS USED IN THE CHRISTIAN SENSE...
      1. Thayer's definition offers the following uses of "ekklesia" in
         a Christian sense:
         a. "an assembly of Christians gathered for worship in a
            religious meeting" - cf. 1Co 14:19,35
         b. "a company of Christians, or of those who, hoping for
            eternal salvation through Jesus Christ, observe their own
            religious rites, hold their own religious meetings, and
            manage their own affairs, according to regulations
            prescribed for the body for order's sake" - cf. 1Th 1:1
         c. "those who anywhere, in a city, village, constitute such a
            company and are united into one body" - cf. 1Co 1:2
         d. "the whole body of Christians scattered throughout the
            earth" - cf. Ep 1:22-23
         e. "the assembly of faithful Christians already dead and
            received into heaven" - cf. He 12:22-23
      2. Putting it most simply, we can think of the church in two primary senses:
         a. The church universal - the whole assembly of people who are
            saved, both living and dead
         b. The church local - a company of saved people in a
            geographical area who work and worship together as a local
            congregation
         -- The difference between the "universal" and "local" church
            will be examined in another lesson

[What is the church, then, especially in the universal sense?  It is
that grand assembly or company of people who are saved by Christ (cf. Ep 5:23,25-27).

But the term "assembly" alone does not do it justice, which is why we
find other terms in the Scriptures used to describe the company of God's
people...]

II. THE CHURCH DESCRIBED

   A. THE CHURCH IS "THE BODY OF CHRIST"...
      1. So described in Ep 1:22-23
      2. This metaphor depicts the relationship we enjoy with Christ and each other
         a. Christ is our Head, from which we as the body receive
            nourishment - Col 2:19
         b. We are members of the body, and of one another - 1Co 12:27;Ro 12:5

   B. THE CHURCH IS "THE HOUSEHOLD OF GOD"...
      1. I.e., the family of God - 1Ti 3:15
      2. This emphasizes the familial relationship we enjoy in Christ
         a. We are in Jesus' "family" - Mt 12:48-50
         b. We have many brothers and sisters - Mk 10:28-30
         c. We are to treat each other accordingly - 1Ti 5:1-2

   C. THE CHURCH IS "THE TEMPLE OF GOD"...
      1. I.e., a holy habitation or dwelling of God - Ep 2:19-22; 1 Pe 2:5
      2. As such, we have a responsibility to maintain purity - 1Co 3:16-17; 2Co 6:16-7:1

   D. THE CHURCH IS "THE KINGDOM OF CHRIST"...
      1. As Paul wrote to the Colossians, they had been "translated into
         the kingdom of the Son of His love" - Col 1:13; cf. also Re 1:9
      2. This emphasizes the authority-making power in the church;
         Christ is King, He has all authority! - cf. Mt 28:18,20
         a. The church is not a democracy, nor a republic
         b. The citizens do not make the laws, they are made by the King!

   E. THE CHURCH IS "THE BRIDE OF CHRIST"...
      1. We are betrothed to Christ - cf. 2Co 11:2
      2. This figure portends of an even greater relationship with
         Christ is the future! - cf. Re 19:6-9; 21:2

CONCLUSION

1. What is the church?  As used in its universal sense, the church is...
   a. A great assembly, a great company of people
   b. Made up of all those redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, both
      living and dead

2. To illustrate the blessings and privileges of this great company, the
   church is also called...
   a. The body of Christ
   b. The household of God
   c. The temple of God
   d. The kingdom of Christ
   e. The bride of Christ
   -- This is "The Church Jesus Built", of which Jesus spoke when He
      said "I will build my church..." (Mt 16:18)

We will have more to say about the church as revealed in the Bible in
our next lesson, as we begin to contrast the difference between the
church universal and the church local...

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

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"Train Up a Child"--What Does It Mean? by Garry K. Brantley, M.A., M.Div.


http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=7&article=348

"Train Up a Child"--What Does It Mean?

by Garry K. Brantley, M.A., M.Div.

Proverbs 22:6 is a pithy statement, but packs a powerful punch. “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” This proverb solidly affirms that parental guidance plays an essential role in the spiritual maturation of children. And a probe into its meaning uncovers parenting gems whose practicality enhances their worth. Consider these:
  • First, this is a proverbial statement, and must be interpreted in light of its literary characteristics. Frequently, Bible students approach the proverbs as direct commands that carry secure promises. Such a strict reading of this proverb has haunted parents whose children have abandoned the Christian values that they so prayerfully attempted to instill in them. Yet, biblical proverbs are neither commands nor promises. They are brief, particular expressions of general truth with the inherent possibility of exceptions. To use Proverbs 22:6, therefore, as a litmus test for one’s parental success abuses its nature, and frequently causes unwarranted guilt.
  • Second, the proverb does offer some divine insight into the art of rearing children. This inspired saying says more than for parents to apply rules inflexibly in identical fashion to each child. Children, even in the same family unit, have differing personalities and abilities, and do not respond uniformly to instruction. The phrase “in the way he should go,” actually verifies this fact. Literally, the phrase in Hebrew is: “according to the mouth of his way.” This enigmatic expression has been the subject of much scholarly discussion. Apparently, however, the phrase is an idiomatic way of referring to a child’s specific personality and peculiar traits. The “way,” therefore, does not refer to the “strait and narrow path” mapped out by God’s Word, but to the singular characteristics of each child. Parents are to inaugurate (from hanak, usually translated “train”) their children in the way paved by their unique dispositions. This is the behavioral and attitudinal course from which a child, as a general rule, will not deviate as indicated in the following phrase: “When he is old, he will not turn from it.”
This does not, however, endorse a humanistic approach to child rearing in which parents simply assist each child to clarify his or her own values. Since this proverb appears in the divine volume, it assumes a theistic perspective on life—a life lived in recognition of God’s sovereignty. Hence, this proverb counsels parents to apply judiciously God’s principles to each child, with due consideration to his or her individual traits. In addition, parents are challenged to help each child recognize and sharpen his or her particular abilities, and use them to God’s glory. This proverb, therefore, cautions parents that the rearing of their children often must be as unique and diverse as the number of children God has given them.

"Driven by a Lust for Headlines" by Eric Lyons, M.Min.


http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=9&article=4669

"Driven by a Lust for Headlines"

by Eric Lyons, M.Min.

Apologetics Press has written extensively through the years about the unsubstantiated claims scientists frequently make about dinosaurs and their alleged testimony for the General Theory of Evolution (see Lyons and Butt, 2008). Evolutionary scientists, eager to introduce the world to the latest alleged multi-million-year-old dinosaur, frequently make assertions without adequate evidence. Nevertheless, month after month, year after year, the claims are made: “this dinosaur evolved 200 million years ago,” “that dinosaur evolved into a bird,” “no large mammals lived during the time of the dinosaurs,” etc. Although many evolutionists find it difficult to see why creationists so often are skeptical about the “latest and greatest” dinosaur claims, mounting evidence is confirming what many creationists have suspected for years: evolutionary scientists are “driven by a lust for headlines.”
In a speech delivered in Vancouver, Canada in November 2011 by Jack Horner (the most famous dinosaur fossil hunter in the world), he admitted that “scientists have egos” (2011), and those egos have driven evolutionists to “discover” and “allege” things that are not what the evidence actually demands. In fact, Sascha Vongehr summarized Horner’s speech (about the misidentification of several dinosaurs), saying, “Scientists have a big huge ego and are therefore some of the easiest fooled people around” (2012; cf. Proverbs 16:18).
Rex Dalton, a longtime writer for the journal Nature, penned these words in 2008: “One hundred and thirty-five years of questionable judgments, some driven by a lust for headlines, have left dinosaur nomenclature in disarray, according to two new studies” (2008, emp. added). The studies, conducted by paleontologist Michael Benton of the University of Bristol, England, revealed that “there are errors in almost half the names given to dinosaurs” (as quoted in Dalton, emp. added). In fact, of the 1,401 names given to dinosaurs from 1824 to 2004,” 48% were either duplicates or “embodied errors of some other sort,” including “a lack of sufficient fossil material” (Dalton). Just how insufficient? According to Peter Dodson of the University of Pennsylvania, in 1990, almost half (45.3%) of all dinosaur genera were based on a single fossil specimen, and 74% were represented by five specimens or less (1990, 87:7608). No wonder so many errors have been made!
Dalton and the scientists he interviewed referred to the extent of the problems as “scary,” “bad,” and “a shock.” Why so many shocking mistakes regarding the naming and interpretation of dinosaur fossils? Why have scientists attempted to make so much out of so few fossil specimens? It is due in large part to pressures placed upon fossilologists by funding agencies and publishers. “As more public money came to be used for exploration projects…there was a growing risk that funding-agency and journal pressures might lead to unnecessary naming of genera or species” (Dalton; cf. 1 Timothy 6:10). Dalton said this is exactly what happened—in the U.S. and abroad. During the last 30 years of the 19th century, fossil hunter Othniel Marsh named 80 dinosaurs. Unsurprisingly, this man, who worked so feverishly in hopes of becoming “America’s king of the dinosaurs” (Dalton), had a very poor success rate. Of the 80 dinosaurs he named, only 23 are still valid.
Consider another dinosaur fossil hunter: Dong Zhiming of China. Thirty-six percent of the dinosaurs he named from 1973-2004 are now considered invalid. As might be expected, his early work “was done when there was pressure on Chinese scientists to discover new species” (Dalton).
Sadly, countless erroneous and misleading claims about dinosaurs have come to pass because of “a lust for headlines.” Many interpretations of dinosaur fossils once thought to be iron-clad have been shown time and again to be flawed. “[S]ome species turn out not even to be dinosaurs” (Corbyn, 2010). And those fossils that are from dinosaurs have never been proven to be millions of years older than humans, as is constantly alleged. Evolutionists have never come close to proving that fish evolved into dinosaurs or that dinosaurs evolved into birds (Lyons, 2010). What has repeatedly been the case for the last century is that today’s “great proof for evolution” is often tomorrow’s back-page retraction.

REFERENCES

Corbyn, Zoe (2010), “Top Dinosaur Hunters are Worst at Naming,” Scientific American, September 24, http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=top-dinosaur-hunters-are-worst.
Dalton, Rex (2008), “In Search of Thingummyjigosaurus,” Naturenews, September 17, http://www.nature.com/news/2008/170908/full/news.2008.1111.html.
Dodson, Peter (1990), “Counting Dinosaurs: How Many Kinds Were There?” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 87:7608-7612, October.
Horner, Jack (2011), “Shape-Shifting Dinosaurs,” TED, November, http://www.ted.com/talks/jack_horner_shape_shifting_dinosaurs.html.
Lyons, Eric (2010), “Evolutionary Theory Changes Its Tune…Again,” Apologetics Press,http://www.apologeticspress.org/apcontent.aspx?category=9&article=3484.
Lyons, Eric and Kyle Butt (2008), Dinosaur Delusion: Dismantling Evolution’s Most Cherished Icon(Montgomery, AL: Apologetics Press).
Vongehr, Sascha (2012), “Bad News for Kids: Your Favorite Dinosaur Did Not Exist,” Science 2.0, February 10, http://www.science20.com/alpha_meme/bad_news_kids_your_favorite_dinosaur_did_not_exist-86846.