Colossians 3:22-24
1. Why should we be careful?
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
1 Corinthians 3:6-15
2. What does Paul explain about our earthly work?
We can plant a seed, water the seed, but eventually it is God who made it grow.
Each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.
If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work.
If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Saturday, October 6, 2007
The rate for the job
Genesis 37:1-4
1. What does our attitude to others being blessed reveal about us?
When Joseph's brothers saw that their father loved Joseph more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.
We tend to be self-centred and jealous, or even angry when we see others being blessed.
Ephesians 2:1-10
2. Why does God give us what we don't deserve?
It is because it is by grace we have been saved, through faith—and this not from ourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.
1. What does our attitude to others being blessed reveal about us?
When Joseph's brothers saw that their father loved Joseph more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.
We tend to be self-centred and jealous, or even angry when we see others being blessed.
Ephesians 2:1-10
2. Why does God give us what we don't deserve?
It is because it is by grace we have been saved, through faith—and this not from ourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.
Friday, October 5, 2007
Targeting the right people
Matthew 7:24-29
1. What did the wise and foolish men have in common?
The wise men who hear the Word of God but do not put it into practice will be like the foolish men who didnt even heat the Word itself.
1 Corinthians 2:6-16
2. What help do we have to understand scripture?
God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.
We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.
This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.
The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man's judgment.
1. What did the wise and foolish men have in common?
The wise men who hear the Word of God but do not put it into practice will be like the foolish men who didnt even heat the Word itself.
1 Corinthians 2:6-16
2. What help do we have to understand scripture?
God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.
We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.
This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.
The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man's judgment.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Our own funeral
Romans 12:1-6
1. What should we offer to God?
We should offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritua act of worship.
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.
Galatians 6:14
2. How should we continue to live?
May we never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1. What should we offer to God?
We should offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritua act of worship.
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.
Galatians 6:14
2. How should we continue to live?
May we never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Is self cancelled?
Esther 3:13-4:16
1. Of what did Mordecai remind Esther?
Mordecai told Esther "Do not think that because you are in the king's house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?"
2. How did Esther view her own life?
Therefore Esther replied "Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish."
She view her own life as for the Jews, not for herself only.
1. Of what did Mordecai remind Esther?
Mordecai told Esther "Do not think that because you are in the king's house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?"
2. How did Esther view her own life?
Therefore Esther replied "Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish."
She view her own life as for the Jews, not for herself only.
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Christo-centric
Galatians 5:25, Colossians 3:1-17
1. What do we crucify of the self?
We are to crucify ourselves with whatever that belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Also we must rid ourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices.
2. What do we resurrect?
We resurrect with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
1. What do we crucify of the self?
We are to crucify ourselves with whatever that belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Also we must rid ourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices.
2. What do we resurrect?
We resurrect with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Monday, October 1, 2007
Self-surrender
1 Kings 3:5-14
1. How did Solomon show his lack of self interest?
The LORD appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you."
Solomon answered, "give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?"
The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this.
So God said to him, "Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.
Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both riches and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. And if you walk in my ways and obey my statutes and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life."
Acts 20:22-25
2. How did Paul consider his life?
Paul, compelled by the Spirit, am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. He only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns that prison and hardships are facing him.
However, Paul consider his life worth nothing, if only he may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.
1. How did Solomon show his lack of self interest?
The LORD appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you."
Solomon answered, "give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?"
The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this.
So God said to him, "Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.
Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both riches and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. And if you walk in my ways and obey my statutes and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life."
Acts 20:22-25
2. How did Paul consider his life?
Paul, compelled by the Spirit, am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. He only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns that prison and hardships are facing him.
However, Paul consider his life worth nothing, if only he may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.
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