Galatians

"Jesus + nothing"

What was the church in Galatians like?

Paul wrote this letter probably after the first mission journey maybe in 49 AD. Acts 9 equals to Gal .1-2. It was a church of mostly Gentiles (Acts 14.11-12, Gal.4.8,) but also some Jews. (Acts 13.4,14.1) They had a synagogue. The Gentile believed in several gods before they heard about Jesus and they thought that Paul and Barnabas in Acts 14.12 were Greece gods. Then after they have received the message of God’s grace and the freedom in Jesus, they fell back to putting on extra regulations/ the law and circumcision – maybe pressure from the Jewish group. Paul rebukes them because they have forgotten the Good News and that they should live by Spirit and in the grace of Jesus work on the cross. 5.25, 3.1-5.

What is the main idea in is this letter?

Grace and faith in Jesus and nothing else is the main idea. The believers in Galatia had been influenced by some Jews, or believers with Jewish background about that they needed to be circumcised. But Paul really press on in this letter about God fulfilled Grace and freedom.

Christ has set us free – and we are sure not to let anything come in addition to this. To watch out so we are not tied up in doings or remnants of the Law. All is by grace and the work Jesus died for at the cross. 5.1, 4.12, 3.22

What does this letter show about the Character and Nature of God?

The nature of the Holy Spirit is to produce fruit in our lives love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. 5.22.

God willingly gives His peace and mercy upon all who lives by this principle; to be a transformed creation by believing in Jesus – not by being circumcised or not.

He gives the same blessing as he blessed Abraham with to all whom put their faith in Christ.

Personal Application:

This has been such a good repetition – The Grace of God and nothing else!   - And the freedom this results in us! We have a pastor who has been stressing this so much – like I always became a little irritated on the repetition – but I see now again how we disgrace Jesus work on the cross when we don’t keep this as the most important issue! All is by grace! Amen

Point of Passion:

Sharing the new or confirmed revelations in this season, with the Parents of teenagers/ Youth Workers in Church.

I think this as said above, this "Jesus +nothing= His Grace" is a focus we never must stop preaching. Jesus and nothing! And that the Holy Spirit in us, its nature in us is to produce fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. 5.22. I have always sees this as seeds planted in us when we receive Jesus – and as we live in and with Him they grow.

And as parents and youth worker it is so important to remember this – that The Holy spirit works both in us in our teenagers – and I think I will suggest to work on – how can we encourage our teenager and ourselves in making this fruits grow. God willingly gives His peace and mercy upon all who lives by this principle; to be a transformed creation by believing in Jesus – not by being circumcised or not.

Sources: Source View Bible (SVB), Nelson Maps and Charts (NB), Faith in Action Study Bible (FSB), notes form Scott Contivals teaching

2.Corinthians

What was the situation in Corinth like when Paul wrote this letters?

A summery from notes in class (overview of Paul’s activities in and around Corinth)

1.    Paul starts the church – act 18

2.    He writes “1^st Cor” 1.cor 5.9 (the letter we hear about here)

3.    3^rd journey, spent 3 yrs. in Ephesus (Act 19) and

4.    Writes 1^st Cor while in Ephesus – (1.Cor. 16:8,19) – after he had bad reports (1.cor. 1.11, 5.1, 11.18, and another reason, they sent a letter with questions; 7.1:sexual relations, 7.25:young women not married, 8.1: food offered to idols, 12.1: spiritual gifts.

5.    He had a painful visit sometime, described in 2.cor.2.1, 12.14, an extra trip that is not mentioned in Acts – and he rebuked them

6.    He wrote a harsh letter (probably a 3^rd letter, that we don’t have) 2.Cor 7.7-8, and sends it with Titus.

7.     Paul goes to Troas (Act 20.1, 2.Cor2.) a door was open, but he was afraid of Titus whom he sent away with the letter. He may both troubled for the reaction from the church in Corinth, but also for Titus and his life.

8.     Paul goes to Macedonia (Act 20.1)

9.     In Macedonia he meets Titus, 2.Cor.7.5-11, and gets some good news from Corinth  - they repented 7.4-13, but Paul describes also a battle on the outside and fear, discourage on the inside.

10. Titus tells Paul about the attacks “ super apostles” 2.cor.11.5, 12.11 (the other apostle talked down on him)

11.  Writes 2^nd Cor: to defends his ministry and strengthen them, 2.Cor.12.19, 2.Cor 7.5, 8.1, 9.2 He also raises money for the Church in Jerusalem 8.1-15

12. Goes to Corinth, Acts 20.2

13. Writes Romans – Rom 15.26, looks like they came

(Notes from Scott’s lecture)

In 2.Cor 11.23-29, 28-29 Paul describes his burden– also daily burden for the church – but proclaims the known words in 12.9 “ My grace is all you need, My power work best in weakness – so that the power of Christ can work through me…For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

What is the main idea in is this letter?

The task of reconciliation 5.18-20: Bringing us back to God, and bringing people to Him because He has reconciled Himself the word through Christ. So we are Christ ambassadors and God is making His appeal trough us.

In a dictionary this was said about “reconcile”:

1. To reestablish a close relationship between 2. To settle or resolve. 3. To bring (oneself) to accept. 4. To make compatible or consistent w.thefreedictionary.com

Generosity in giving (8.1-9.15) how abundant joy because of the grace of God has resulted in generous giving in the Church of Macedonia, and he is encouraging the Church in Corinth to also give so that we share what we have. In Rom 15.25-28 it may looks like they did decide to give.

Defense of Paul’s apostleship ch.10-12, he warns they about those who preach a different Jesus 11.4 he is explaining themselves, on one side he might seem a bit on the defense, but he is also describing his love for them 12.15 – and he prays for them that they will become mature and that they receive his words in the Lord, to strengthen them and not to tear down (13.9-10)

The overwhelming glory of the new covenant without a veil! 3.5-18

Paul shows the similarities and also the great different in the new and old covenant – I love the words he is using about the new covenant we have in Jesus: it gives life, far greater glory, how much more glorious, the overwhelming glory of the new way, it remains forever, gives confidence, we can be bold, when we turn to the Lord the veil is taken away and in the Spirit of the Lord there is freedom – so that all of us who has had that veil removed, can SEE and REFLECT the glory of the Lord – and we are made more and more like him as we are changed into His glorious image ! WOW

What does this letter show about the Character and Nature of God?

God is and gives Grace and love: 1.12, 8.9, 9.14, 13.14

“ALL God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes”, 1.20

God enable us to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us and has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts”

He reconciles and gives us the task, 5.18-20 (see above)

The knowledge of Christ is like a sweet perfume, and He uses us to spread this Christ-like fragrance, by our lives  - rising up to God. 2.14-15)

God gives us our qualifications 2.5

Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom. 3.17

God is great power in us a fragile clay jars.4.7, 6.7, 13.3, 13.4,

God himself is making a house and an eternal body for us in heaven. 5.1, 5.5 – and he prepare us and give us The Holy Spirit as a guarantee. 13.14

God encourages those who are discouraged. 7.6

God will provide all we need – so we can share. 9.8

Sources: Source View Bible (SVB), Nelson Maps and Charts (NB), Faith in Action Study Bible (FSB), notes form Scott Contivals teaching.

1.Corinthians

Love is laying down your rights for the good of others

What was the situation in the church in Corinth like?

The letter is written to the believers in Corinth, an important commercial city in Greece. Known for their sexual immoral. (Act 18.1) Paul taught out from the synagogue when he established the church. In Act 18.4 it says, “trying to convince the Jews and Greeks alike”  - but after a while “he shook the dust from his clothes” and decided to only preach for the Gentiles. (Act 18.6) Silas and Timothy were with Paul in the work.  Many in Corinth believed and got baptized, both Jews and Gentiles. (Acts 18.8) They Jews gave them hard time and it looks like they really was threatened – because God shows Himself to Paul in 18.9 and encourage him to keep on, not to be afraid. He stayed there more than 1.5 yrs. (Acts18.11) The Jews brought him to the Gallio the governor, he didn’t want to judge because of it being a religious matter. But they continued to trouble Paul. He stayed for a while after, then left. After this Apollo taught in Corinth (Gal.1.12, 3.4-9,4.1) – and he was known as a eloquent teacher, knowing and using the scripture to show that Jesus was the Messiah (18.24 +28, 19.1) So the church had heard quite much teaching for quite some time. In SVB (p.1436) introduction, it says two years later Paul heard from a messenger Cloe’ household and the letter they brought. (1.11, 5.1, 11.18) about the young church struggling with strife, division, wrongdoing and spiritual matters. But in the first verses he also says he thanks God for the gracious gift and how they have eloquent words and all knowledge (1.4-5)(but also warming them about this pride)

Paul wrote this letter from Ephesus (1.Cor. 16:8,19) at about 54 or 55 AD

What is the main idea in is this letter?

This letter gives us God’s perspective on some topic that were actual for the OR as well as today:

Love: 1.Corinthans is the Love letter – Paul is really focusing on lifting up the Love as higher than all other abilities. In Ch. 13 he is rebuking the Corinthians to do other than love and not be selfish and proud. In verse 13  - that loves is the greatest. And in 14.1 again – Love is the highest goal.

Marital/divorce and Sexual matters 5.1, ch.6. Paul advises to get rid of the man that boast about living with his stepmother, so his sinful nature will be destroyed but himself will be saved.  – In verse 6.20 he summaries it in God has bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.

Church division: 1.10 Paul lists up several problems and questions they have among them as fights &. 1, who is the leader3.3-12, Lord supper, 11.20-22, status and leaderships issue1.11, 9.3,  - In all Paul summaries in: Love is laying down your rights for the good of others, repeating it over and over again (like in the Philippians 2.1-4) Love is not in words but in action.

Spiritual life: gives this subject of prophesying and speaking in tongues much space – giving practical advices and ends up in do it in love. Ch.14

1.    What does this letter show about the Character and Nature of God?

God makes the ones who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ holy, in His image and to reflect God’s Glory. (1.2, 3.17, 6.1111.7)

God has power (1.18, 1.24, and 4.20

God has united us with Jesus Christ (1.30

God has given us His Spirit to show us His secrets! (2.10, 3.16

God himself will examine us and decide. (4.4, 12.1

God recognizes the ones He loves (8.3)

God has risen Christ from the grave  - so everyone who believes in him will be given new life! (15.22, 15.57)

Sources: Source View Bible ( SVB), Nelson Maps and Charts ( NB), Faith in Action Study Bible (FSB), notes form Scott Contivals teaching

Romans

Romans

What was the church in Roma like?

The church in Rome was a group of house churches. There had been hard times for the Jews and the believers, both from the rulers, but also among themselves. In some other writings from this period it was said that Nero was throwing out the Jews in 49 AD (Acts 18.2)(Scotts teaching) because of fighting and disturbance about a fellow named “Chrestus”  - that may be the reason Paul is addressing  the quarreling and fighting among the believers with Jewish and Gentile background. Paul had not started the church – he hoped to travel there on his way to Spain (15.24), but he only came later as a prisoner (Act 28.14-30) He writes the letter to solve the disunity. He addresses both the Jews and the Gentile all trough the letter. The first 11 chapters are theological issues and the next 12-16 is application.

What is the main idea in is this letter?

We are all condemn, and in same situation if it hadn’t been for Jesus. 3.23-24.

           We can all receive salvation through Jesus Christ.3.25, 5.15-17, 6.117.25,10.4

God’s grace and mercy: 5.21,6.7,5.15,

Relationship, reconciliation and unity. He advises in resolving conflict, 14.1-15.6, Lifts up Christ as an example 15.1-6. He writes that the love of ones neighbor fulfill the law’s intent 13.8-10 and he hopes that love would burn away hatred.

             

Sanctification – we are no longer slaves to sin,  - for when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin – and we can live with him, and have freedom of God’s Grace. It is almost too hard to write – because I feel I just understand this in glimpses – and it is too incredible to understand. Thank you God!

What does this letter show about the Character and Nature of God?

Jesus Christ our Lord is the answer. 7.25

God is for us  - who can ever be against us .8.31

God wonderful grace is a gift 5.17, 4.16

God can show us the way 3.21

There will be glory and honor and peace from god for all who do well.

God is not making us righteous – but he is saying you are because of Jesus