BSF Acts Study 2011-2012 – Page 5

BSF Acts: Week 16, Day 4: 2 Thessalonians 2:13–17

Summary:

After a brief training on the “Man of Lawlessness,” Paul picks back up on his message from chapter 1. Paul is overflowing with thanksgiving to God for these believers. His longing for communion with them translates into praise to God for the report he has received on how they are growing in the glory of the Lord. He glorifies and thanks God for them and encourages them to stay the path.

Questions:

9. a. God the Father chooses us. God the Holy Spirit sanctifies us by becoming present in us. My responsibility is to believe, have faith and, as a result, begin living an eternal life right now.

b. I cannot fail. God does all the real work. He chooses the person, he calls me to them, he gives me the words to speak, he opens their ears and their hearts. They accept the gift. I’m just the delivery man.

10. There are two key parts to vs 14, the first is the word share, also written as obtain in some translations. This means it is personal, it is mine. It is something given to me and I possess it as my own. It isn’t loaned, it isn’t an unobtainable state to be sought, it is shared and I take it and not only does it become part of me, but I become a part in it. The second part of the verse is specifically about what we are sharing, the object, “the glory of our Lord Jesus.” One of the meanings in Strong’s dictionary for the Greek word Doxa, the word presented here for glory, is: “the glorious condition of blessedness into which is appointed and promised that true Christians shall enter after their Saviour’s return from heaven.”

11. I think there are several: We are chosen, we are sanctified (transformed into something holy), we share (possess the glory of Christ), we are loved by God and all this is given through grace (not earned, not conditional on anything we can provide).

Conclusion:

I heard the most interesting compliment about one of the women’s group BSF teaching leaders in our town. The person talking about her said, “she prays more than any person I know.” What an amazing compliment and example. We see it here in Paul’s letter as well. This isn’t just a letter, it is a written document of praise to God. Look at 2:13. Paul says, “we ought always to thank God for you.” He doesn’t say we ought regularly, daily, when we pray, while at church, during quiet time or anything of the sort. He says we ought always to thank God for you. I believe that one of the reasons Paul became such a voice to the church is because he was constantly in communication with God.

BSF Acts: Week 16, Day 3: 2 Thessalonians 2:1–12 with Revelation 13:6–13

Summary:

2 Thessalonians 2:1–12

Paul describes the bold act of the “man of lawlessness” that will precede the return of Christ. That he will exalt himself and place himself in God’s temple, claiming to be God. And, he reinforces to them that work has already begin. Paul does this to reassure the Thessalonians against false teaching and to not lose sight of Christ’s triumph.

Revelation 13:6–13

The time that the beast is given authority over the earth. A time when there is no more agnostics, everyone takes a side – either God or the beast. Then the second beast, the dragon comes out of the earth and performs great and miraculous signs. All preceding the Day of the Lord.

Questions:

6. That day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction

7. He is a deceiver. His authority is only that allowed to him, not anything he has of his own power.

8. a. Their refusal to love the truth and be saved. A delusion, they believe the lie and delight in wickedness, bringing condemnation

b. Entering the gate of righteousness is a choice that is revealed to us to choose. Other choices are abundant, there are thousands of other things we can serve and fall into depravity, but only one gate (Jesus) leads to God

c. A favorite hymn:

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

Conclusions:

The revelation of the gospel is not just for our curiosity or enjoyment, like an action movie, but it is there so that we are not deceived as we stand with Christ at the narrow gate, bringing the called into the house of God. Paul’s emphasis is well noted, though. It is important to understand the events that will occur, but the important place to focus your eyes is not on the activities but on the outcome – Christ rules forever.

BSF Acts: Week 16, Day 2: 2 Thessalonians 1

Summary:

Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians opens with prayer, praise and thanksgiving. Paul also, as always, keeps the focus on the object of our faith, our reunion with Christ on the day of the Lord.

Questions:
3. a. Paul is grateful that their faith is growing, their love is increasing. They show perseverance and faith in the face of persecution and trials. Paul thanks God for these things because he understands that all of this comes from God, it is not by their own doing but only through the power and authority of God that these blessed things are occurring.
b. (Personal) I can see the maturity in my spiritual walk increasing this year. I can see my faith and conviction to the word growing and my love for others expanding. I am truly experiencing joy in seeing the legacy that I have been blessed to be a part of in helping teach 1st and 2nd graders about God – hopefully in a way that encourages them to stay in the word their entire lives. I understand when Paul talks about the blessing he feels from God by being able to share the gospel with these new converts – it isn’t just a blessing to them.

4. Paul says:
a. Jesus will be revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. He comes to punish and be glorified and marveled.
b. Christ is glorified IN his holy people and marveled at AMONG all who believe.
c. Punished with everlasting destruction, shut out from the presence of the Lord and cut off from the majesty of his power.

5. Paul prays that God may

count them worthy of his calling
fulfill every good purpose of theirs
fulfill every act prompted by faith
the name of our Lord Jesus glorified in them and them in him

Conclusion:

I was particularly struck by the prepositions in verse 10. He comes to be glorified in his holy people and marveled at among all those who have believed. I had always read this as: He comes to be glorified BY his holy people and marveled at by all those who have believed. Being glorified “in and among” the body of believers is a completely different and richer meaning.

Jesus doesn’t require any further exaltation – he is already at the right hand of God. He comes to reunite with the believers to raise the church up into glory with Him. What a magnificent reunion that will be!

BSF Acts: Week 16, Day 1: Notes

“Drawing Christ’s life from Him by which to live every day is the secret of the entire Christian life.”

The Jews of Paul’s day, and frankly many religions today, think of the path of religion as a high wire. Each day you step out onto the wire and do your best not to fall. You walk the straight and narrow, living a life of balance and moderation. The winds of change and temptation provide challenges to your walk.

But the notes present a different kind of wire available to the Christian. Ours is a wire to recharge and power up. The wire isn’t legalistic rules, it is faith that keeps us connected to the ultimate power source – the creator of the entire universe. We live by faith, we receive Christ by faith, we draw strength and hope and assurance of a resurrection life through faith. We share this faith by showing others how to plug in and receive the power. We help them plug into the word, the church and the spirit of God.

BSF Acts: Week 15, Day 5: 1 Thessalonians 4:13–5:11

Summary:

Do not lose hope or mourn the dead. The promise of Jesus’ return and the reunion with him is not only for living believers, but for all, living and dead in a trumpet shout and majesty.

Questions:

12. a. The Lord’s return is for all believers, living and dead. Jesus’ promise of reunion is for all and, in fact, those who pass from this life experience the reunion first.
b. The magnitude of the reunion and yet that it will be a personal experience. The power of the trumpet call of God and the eternity that it begins.
13. Belong to the day, wear faith and hope as armament, as something we physically put on each day for protection and strength.

14. a. Give two points with verses (chapter 5). To light and to salvation (v5 and v9)
b. To suffer wrath
c. Encouraged because as I spend more time with God and in His love I grasp more fully the wrath that I so rightly deserve. The fact that God who is loving and fair understand this so much more immensely and deeply than I do, yet, appoints me to receive a gift of salvation.

Conclusion:

What does it mean to belong to the day? I think there are 2 aspects to this. The first and most obvious is to live a life of transparency, as if all we do is in public, in the light. In other words, if we are doing something we don’t want others to know about or see, then we are not living in the light, but in darkness. However, it also means that we belong to the day of the Lord. That everything about my life today should be pointed at and longing for today to be the day that the trumpet blows and Jesus comes to claim him believers from this world for an eternal reunion party.

BSF Acts: Week 15, Day 2: 1 Thessalonians 1 with Acts 17:1–10

Summary: Interesting that we left last week discussing encouragement. 1 Thessalonians is a book overflowing with encouragement for a growing church. You’re doing great, stay the course. Stay true to what we modeled and taught you. Challenge yourself to do more, grow more, love more, give more. Stay assured and true. There is also a repeating message of hope, hope for the family of believers, brothers and sisters, and hope for a reunion with Christ upon His return.

1 Thes 1:10″and to wait for his Son from heaven”

2:19 For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you?

3:13 May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.

4:15 According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.

4:16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.

5:2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.

5:23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
4. Their strength came from the gospel, which they received and lived out withe the power of the Holy Spirit and deep conviction.
5. 1:3 We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. Because this is the perfect eulogy. What better thing could anyone say at your funeral

Conclusion: 1 Thessalonians is such a notable and encouraging book because it is so multi-faceted. It provides a stable base to build on. It provides a vision of what is to come. It reinforces and strengthens the existing foundation and structure. It encourages and admonishes continued growth. It warns of pitfalls and concerns. It beams love.

BSF Acts: Week 15, Day 4: 1 Thessalonians 4:1–12; 5:12–28

Summary

Faith is not just words that we say or a oath that we take. It isn’t just an intellectual endeavor. Faith is a changed life. Faith is being brought into a new family. Faith is being filled with the spirit and love of God and immediately beginning an eternal life, different that the ways of this world.

Questions
10. a. The way we live our lives. To be sanctified. To avoid sexual immorality. To be holy and honorable. To lead a quiet life, mind your own business, work with your hands. To acknowledge those who work hard and hold them in high regard. To live in peace. To warn those who are idle, encourage the disheartened, help the weak and be patient. Strive to do what is good for everyone. Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances. Reject evil.
b. They are opposite. Current culture says focus on yourself only, look out for number 1. Do what is fun and enjoyable. Gossip and rumor and leisure are the entertainment of the day.
c. To warn the idle, encourage the disheartened and help the weak and most importantly – to be patient. I very much need more patience with people.
11. a. To give thanks in all circumstances. Paul is such a great example of extreme persecution and extreme joy and rejoicing.
b. Through the holy spirit, through prophecy (the word of God), through God himself and the peace he provides. Through God’s faithfulness. Our responsibility is to not quench the spirit, to test the messages provided to us and hold to what is good. To accept God’s strength.

Conclusion:

There are significant rewards to living a life pleasing to God. Not something earned by this work, but in the same way that a father shows praise and encouragement to a good report card. The love doesn’t come from the work, but it provides an opportunity to demonstrate it.

BSF Acts: Week 15, Day 3: 1 Thessalonians 2–3

Summary: These central chapters of this book focus on the specific, personal, loving connection the authors have for the recipients of the letter. This is family. This is and overflowing love.

Questions:

2:2 with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel

2:4 speek as thos approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel

2:7-8 cared for as a nursing mother, shared not only gospel but lives as well

2:9 Not a burden

2:10 holy righteous and blameless

2:12-13 As a father: encouraging, comforting and urging

3:10 Night and day we pray earnestly
7. a. We are destined for trials and persecution. But greater angst is in concern for other believers and greater joy comes from encouraging reports of them.
b. Whenever I begin to feel that I stand strong on faith, challenges occur, discipline ebbs, energy wains. My spirit is strengthened by the gospel and family of Christ, but that does not mean I don’t suffer temptation, weakness, doubt and fear.
8. a. 3:1 When we could stand it no longer. 3: 12 make your love overflow for each other and for everyone else as ours does for you.
b. Both are true, but in comparison, I am so reserved in my love for others. I feel the love for fellow believers, particularly those I share with through BSF (especially the kids), but does it overflow? Do I reach the point that “I could stand it no longer?” I’m much more reserved and would love to be more free.
9. A strong heart, strengthened by God, overflowing with love and waiting in anticipation for the return of Christ.

Conclusion: I am amazed by the love Paul felt. I have felt homesick and longed to be back with family. This is the closest I can relate to the feelings that Paul is expressing. He not only calls the Thessalonian believers brothers and sisters, but he longs to reconnect and commune with them exactly like a mother or father longs to be with their family.

Comfort

I was enjoying Christmas carols running through my head today as I worked and found myself singing the line: Good tidings of comfort and joy.

I think comfort and joy are great things to pursue and to offer to others as blessings. The pursuit of happiness is part of what makes America what it is. But what brings real comfort and joy?

According to the marketing messages I see on the internet, it could range anywhere from a tablet computer to clothing to the old standby: comfort food. And while these items, particularly the comfort food definitely bring comfort and joy (I forgot the rule never to write on your blog while hungry – sorry), we know they don’t bring comfort that lasts. They also sure don’t bring lasting comfort in difficult times of sickness, sadness or death. But what does? The kids in my BSF class would answer “Jesus” (I think they have now figured out they can answer Jesus for almost any BSF question). And while we know that is true, as adults we need more words. That isn’t to say that we need more than Jesus provides, but we are longing for a deeper understanding and connection.

I turned to people smarter than I am and looked back at question 1 of the Heidelberg Catechism written in about 1563:

“What is your only comfort in life and death?”

The answer is:

“That I am not my own, but belong with body and soul, both in life and in death, to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ. He has fully paid for all my sins with His precious blood, and has set me free from all the power of the devil. He also preserves me in such a way that without the will of my heavenly Father not a hair can fall from my head; indeed, all things must work together for my salvation. Therefore, by His Holy Spirit He also assures me of eternal life and makes me heartily willing and ready from now on to live for Him.”

I love how the first part of the answer to finding comfort is not “adding something more” but instead it is “letting something go” and recognizing I am not in charge. I am free today because He has fully paid (past tense) for all my sins. I am preserved, protected, assured and empowered by God.

But I think the most convicting line in being filled with comfort is the last: willing and ready from now on to live for Him. How many of us struggle with the “from now on” part of that? I mean, someday, after we die, we’ll live in heaven with Him. But this says that comfort comes from living for Him today, now, not just in the future. So much of our culture is focused on living a life for increased wealth, power and prestige. But we know those things don’t bring comfort. They just bring more longing. There were some pretty smart folks 500 years ago – amazing how the #1 question then, for most people is still the #1 question today.

And, by the way – Good tidings of Comfort and Joy to you!

Another BTW: This is officially my 100th post! Thanks to all who read and comments and feedback are always welcome!

Bible Lesson 14: Hebrews 11-13 Lecture

Scripture: Hebrews 11-13

Aim: CATL faith is essential in God’s family

Introduction: Last week we learned about covenants, the old and new, our need for a priest and how Christ serves as our permanent high priest interceding on our behalf with the Father. We learned that a covenant is made between two or more people, like God and mankind. This week we learn about faith. What is really interesting is that faith is a form of covenant. Faith is the foundation of our relationship with God and the demonstration of His relationship with us.

1st division: Hebrews 11: 1-16 Biblical characters model faith.

Principle: Faithful followers stand as pillars to build on

Illustration: Every home land has culture, norms, traditions, laws and practices. (Talk briefly about some different cultures, driving on different sides of the road, etc.)

Application: Have you justified something based on comparison to your neighbors? If so, is that comparison to your current neighbors or the ones who will be down the block from you in heaven, like Abel, Enoch, Noah and Abraham? Are you conforming to earthly culture or do you look forward to your heavenly home?

2nd division: Hebrews 11:17-12:29 Faith is like a muscle – it needs work to remain strong

Principle: God provides work and challenge to strengthen our faith

Illustration: I have an issue with my elbow. The range of motion is restricted and I’m going to a physical therapist to help me. She is having me do some challenging and painful exercises, stretching and building back the motion in my joint. I don’t enjoy it, but I understand it is necessary. God works the same way in our lives. If we weren’t tested, if we didn’t face resistance we would grow weak.

Application: Are you actively participating in God’s exercise and training plan for you? Do you seek out God’s spiritual therapy or do you try to avoid it? What are you doing that is outside of your comfort zone?

3rd division: Hebrews 13 True faith is demonstrated not just discussed

Principle: Faith is the character of a christian

Illustration: There was a man in a small town who was “the bravest man in town”. He wore a t-shirt with that slogan on it. He had a sign in his yard. It was on his business cards. He rode on the back of a convertible in the annual parade. Then one day some robbers came to town and the man was found hiding behind a group of children. Faith is the same way – the true nature is evident in our actions in difficult times, not in how much we talk about it in easy times.

Application: Are you a hypocrite or poser? Do you live one life at church and a different life at school or work? Do you wear your faith on your sleeve, chest, around your neck, on the back of your car or is it something people clearly see in times of trouble and need?

Conclusion: Chapter 13 sums it all up – what it means to be part of God’s family: It starts with love, ends with grace and at the center of it all is the sacrifice Christ made for me so I can be his brother.