Foundations
Content
Foundations
Going Back To the Basics (A Manual for Students of the Word)
By Patrick S. Murphy 2012
Introduction
Matt. 7:24-27 24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. 26 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.” My greatest joy is in seeing new believers growing in their faith and moving into all that God has for them. Yes, I have a passion for seeing those who haven't experienced the new birth come to faith in Christ. But if I'm honest, it's very discouraging to see folks come to faith and never develop beyond the babyhood stage of their new found faith. The above scripture speaks of two people. The wise man, who represents those who hear the word and then put it into action and The foolish man, who represents those who hear the word but fail to act on what they hears. Both the wise man and the foolish man built houses. And both men experienced difficulties - "the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house." The only difference between them is found in what happened to their houses. The one house remains standing and the other falls. The difference that made the difference has to do with the foundation each was built upon. The wise man built his house on the rock, but the foolish man built his house on the sand. There is no doubt the most important part of any construction project has to do with laying a proper foundation. The foundation is more important than all other aspects of construction because it determines and is the basis of all that will and can be built upon it.
Knowledge: A Word of Warning
1 Corinthians 2:4-8 4 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. 6 However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, 8 which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. In the above passage, Paul differentiates between the wisdom of men and the wisdom of God. The Bible uses many different words synonymous with wisdom; words such as knowledge, understanding, and discernment. Yes each has a different shade of meaning, but in a general sense each word can be used interchangeably. For the purposes of this study I have chosen to use the word knowledge. Before we proceed, allow me to define each of the three words in a way that I hope is beneficial to you and your study of God's Word. Knowledge: In simple term knowledge is simply the gaining or accumulating of information. For example, the Bible teaches many things about faith. Knowledge allows you to list certain facts on the subject of faith. Understanding: Is simply arranging those facts in a manner that helps you comprehend and grasp the subject in a general and even specific sense. Now that you've gained some knowledge about faith, you can arrange in an orderly manner that helps you comprehend how it works. Wisdom: After you've gathered the information and arranged it a manner that helps you understand, you then take the information that's gathered and understood and apply it in the appropriate fashion. Now that you know what faith is and how it works, you can then apply it to a desired situation. The danger occurs when the information you gather is false or incomplete. It could be a half truth or a complete falsehood. Whichever it is, it will never produce the desired or needed results. Therefore you're left confused, deluded, deceived, and defeated, never really understanding what went wrong and why things are working the way you thought. And knowledge doesn't have to be 100% false to be worthless. Did you know you can be correct and incomplete and the very same time? Let me explain. Brother Pastor teaches that prosperity has to do with material wealth. Now Bro. Pastor wouldn't be incorrect, but he would be incomplete. Sure prosperity involves material wealth, but it involves so much more.
Remember, because knowledge is the starting point and the foundation of wisdom; because wisdom needs information to act upon, it's important to have biblically balanced perspective on the subject. For knowledge to be of any value or use, it should be tempered with the following. 1. Knowledge must be tempered with discernment Phil 1:9-10. Put another way, knowledge assists us in making judgments regarding what is best. My wife says, "When you know better, you do better." I didn't know that I would get a 14 million dollar ticket for doing 95 mph in a school zone. Now that I know better I promise I'll do better. (No I wasn't driving 95 mph in a school zone, but I bet you were shocked to think I was.) 2. Knowledge must be tempered with grace and love 2 Pet. 3:18; 1 Cor. 13:2; 1 Cor 8:1 If you fail to balance knowledge and grace you'll discover you're trending towards legalism. This is especially true when it involves others. You may know someone who isn't living up to your standard faith and confession so you become critical and judgmental. Balancing grace and knowledge will keep you from be overly critical of other and self condemning. Proverbs 4:7 Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding. In closing allow me to point out three things regarding wisdom. Learn it: Because wisdom is "the principle thing," it's incumbent upon us to learn it at all costs. Solomon was commended by God for seeking wisdom. If you aspire to anything, live your life as a student and a learner. Love it: To love someone or something is to place a value upon them or it. I heard someone say, "You can't place a value on wisdom." If a picture is worth a thousand words, how much do you suppose wisdom is worth? You've heard the story of the man who charged a company ten thousands of dollars to fix a piece of equipment nobody else could. When asked why he charged so much, he responded, "A $1.00 for parts and $9,999 for the knowledge to fix it." Live it: Knowledge, Understanding, and Wisdom are of no use without application. In other words, you must act upon the knowledge you've received. You can read books on diet and exercise, go to the weight loss meetings, and purchase the products but until you put that knowledge to work it won't benefit you at all. Your assignment should you choose to accept it is to look up as many verses on the subject of wisdom as can. Next; starting today, read a chapter everyday from the book of
Proverbs corresponding to the date. For example, today as I'm writing this, it's the 23rd day of the month, so I'll read Proverbs 23.
Ministry Killers
The GOLD (Dealing with money) The GIRLS (Dealing with the opposite sex) The GLORY (Dealing with pride) The GRIND (Dealing with burnout) The GRINCHES (Dealing with difficult people) The GOOFINESS (Dealing with false doctrines, extremes, and imbalances)
Accountability: Questions to Seriously Ask Yourself
1. Are you taking 15 minutes daily to internalize the Word of God (Psalm 119:11)? 2. Are you seeking to have a special, meaningful time of prayer and devotion daily with the Lord (Psalm 27:4)? 3. Are you consciously surrendering to the Holy Spirit each day that He may fill you, guide you, and use you (Ephesians 5:18)? 4. If you're in leadership as a layperson, are you a member of a local church that contributes faithfully to its ministry (Hebrews 10:25)? 5. Are you interrelating with at least one person in order to share your life with him or her (1 Thessalonians 2:8)? 6. Are you seeking to win people to Christ regularly (Philemon 1:6 NIV)? (If so, when did you last win or try to win someone to Christ?) 7. Are you investing your money redemptively, beginning with the tithe (2 Corinthians 9:6-11)? 8. Do you exercise your physical body in a definite regimen at least three days per week (2 Corinthians 9:26-27)? 9. Are you wholeheartedly devoted to the care of your family, especially your spouse? (1Timothy 5:8)? 10. Are you careful not to sin? When you do sin, do you instantly confess it, repent of it, and receive Christ's cleansing (1 John 1:9)?
Names of the Bible
The Scripture Mk. 15:28; Jn. 7:38 The Scriptures Lk. 24:27; Jn. 5:39 The Promises Rom. 9:4-5, 15:8 The Oracles of God Rom. 3:2; Heb. 5:12; 1Pet. 4:11 The Lively Oracles Acts 7:38 The Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms Lk. 24:25, 44 The Law of the Lord Ps. 1:2 The Law and the Prophets (Mt. 5:17 The Book of the Lord Isa. 34:16 The Word of God (Mk. 7:13 The Sword of the Spirit Eph. 6:17 The Old and NewTestament 2Cor.3:6-15 The First and Second Covenant Heb. 8:7 The Word of Christ Col. 3:16 The Word of Life Php. 2:16 The Scripture of Truth Dan. 10:21 The Word of Truth 2 Tim. 2:15 The Gospel of Christ Rom. 1:16 The Word of Faith Rom. 10:8 The Word of the Lord 2 Th. 3:1 The Word of Righteousness Heb. 5:13
Internalizing the Word of God
I will know God's Word in my head by diligent study. I will stow it in my heart by memorization and meditation. I will show it in my life by obeying its teachings. I will then sow it into my world by witnessing.
Symbols of the Word of God
A hammer to convict Jer. 23:29 A fire to refine Jer. 23:29 A mirror to reflect Jas. 1:23 Seed to multiply 1 Pet. 1:23 A laver to cleanse Eph. 5:26 A lamp to guide Ps. 119:105 Rain and snow to refresh Isa. 55:10 A sword to cut Eph. 6:17 A bow for revenge Hab. 3:9 Gold to enrich Ps. 19:7-10 Power to create faith Rom. 10:17 and eternal life 1Pet. 1:23 Food to nourish: Milk for babes 1Pet. 2:2 Bread for the hungry Mt. 4:4 Meat for people Heb. 5:11-14 Honey for dessert Ps. 19:10
Attending to God’s Word
Proverbs 4:20-22 20 My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. 21 Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; 22 For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh. People come to the Bible for a variety of reasons. Some come to the Word attempting to disprove it. Others come to the Bible to find contradictions. Still others come to the Bible with no intention whatsoever; they read it like any other book. Often ministers come to the Scripture only to find sermons to preach to their perspective congregations. Some even rationalize their lack of Bible study by saying they’re way too busy and the Bible is too hard to understand. When you study the Scripture, you’ll discover what multiplied millions of people have discovered: You’re reading and studying the very Word of the living God. People who want to learn how to study the Bible often ask, “Where do I begin?” Why do you come to God’s Word? What is your intention when you read the Scripture? Are you like those you spend little time with the Word because you don’t understand it? Allow me to address this issue in a practical manner, thereby providing you with everyday answers and know-how. For starters, come to the Word with a deep love and passion for what it says. No other book in print can provide what God’s Word provides; things such and confidence, strength, health, power, encouragement, answered prayer, and instruction. No wonder the psalmist said, “I love your teaching.” Ps. 119:97,127; Pro. 2:3-6. Next, realize the Word of God is first and foremost a spiritual book. Yes, it contains things such as history and science. But it is first spiritual. The Bible is the very word of God, it is His love letter to mankind, His roadmap for humanity, and His instruction manual for believers. The Holy Spirit; who authored it, enables us to understand the Word of God. The Holy Spirit also holds us responsible for understanding the Scripture. 1 Cor. 2:12-15; Jn. 16:13; 1 Jn. 2:20, 27. Like most people who set out to study the Bible, you find yourself saying, “I need help!” The technical term for this assistance we need is called illumination. Next; having understood God’s Word is spiritual, afford it as much respect as possible and handle it accurately. 2 Tim. 2:15 . There are several rule you should consider when you come to the Word. Rule 1. The Holy Spirit; the third person of the Trinity, and faith are necessary for proper interpretation and understanding of the Word of God.
Rule 2. Allow the Bible to interpret itself. Commentaries are a great resource, but at the end of the day the Bible is its best interpreter. Rule 3. Don’t; under any circumstances, make the Bible say something it doesn’t. If you lack understanding of a particular passage ask the Holy Spirit to reveal it to you. You may hear your pastor or another teacher address the very topic. Rule 4. Never allow your personal experience to cloud your understanding of the Word. Remember; see your experience in light of the Bible and not the other way around. For example, the Word says, we are blessed. Even if my experience says the opposite, I choose to believe God. Next, study the Scripture with diligence. Diligence is another word for commitment, consistency, and perseverance. In other words, never give up, never cave in, and never quit studying the Word of God. What does that look like in everyday life? First, commit to trusting in, relying on and obeying His Word. 1 Tim. 4:15-16 Second, cultivate a passion for the Word by examining and searching it for answers. Acts 16:11. Third, spend time with others believers sharing what it is you are learning. Col. 3:16 Lastly, act on what you learn as you study individually and corporately with others. Jam. 1:22 In conclusion, study the Bible purposefully. In other words know what and why you are studying. Ask yourself what is the purpose for a particular area of study. What is it that motivates you to study the Word of God? The following is a list; although not comprehensive, of reasons or motivators for studying the Bible. One, if you’re a new convert or relatively young in your faith, you ay be struggling with doubting your salvation. Settling the issue of your own salvation is the primary issue that needs to be dealt with for most new believers. 1 Jn. 5:13 Reasons Why People Lack Assurance 1. People often lack assurance because they cannot remember or point to a specific time when they received Christ. 2. People often lack assurance because they question the procedure they went through when they accepted Christ. 3. People often lack assurance because of struggles they have with certain sins. 4. The primary reason behind a lack of assurance is doctrinal misunderstanding and the consequent lack of faith in the finished work of Christ. 5. Finally, people often lack assurance because they have erroneously been taught that they should look to themselves and their works as the primary proof of their salvation.
Two, just like people feed and grow naturally, believers need spiritual nutrition for spiritual growth. 2 Pet. 3:18; 1 Pet. 2:2. In Ephesians 4, Paul expressed his concern for the growth of believers. He didn’t want them to be tossed about by every wind of doctrine. Three, if you’re like most, you find yourself needing encouragement. Paul spoke of the comfort of the scriptures giving us hope Rom. 15:4. I can’t tell you how many times the Bible gave me encouragement in difficult times. I’d advise you to procure a copy of a Pocket Bible Promise Book. This is simply a book that contains several scriptures on any number of topics such as: fear, doubt, faith, love, giving, anger, loneliness, etc. Four, when faced with many of life’s difficulties requiring decision making, we often wonder, “What should I do now?” The Psalmist said, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” Ps. 119:105. As you and I seek God’s guidance, He’ll lead us by His Spirit Rom. 8:14. A note of advice; if your personal decisions contradict what has been written in the Bible, then you can sure you’re not being led by the Spirit. Five, in Ephesians 6:1-18 Paul charges us to put on the entire armor of God in order to stand against the devil. He tells us to take the sword of the Spirit; which is the Word of God, and engage the enemy of our souls. In Matthew 4 and Luke 4 we discover Jesus defeating the devil with the Word. He stated clearly on three occasions, “It is written.” Six, the Word is our tool for teaching our children and counseling others. Deut. 6:4-9. Many years ago I had a gentleman come to my office for counseling. He started out by asking for my opinion on a certain subject. As I began to open my Bible and quote some passages from it, he interrupted me and said, “I want you give me your opinion, not quote a bunch of verses from the Bible.” I quickly discovered he only wanted me to validate a certain lifestyle he was currently living in. Seven, we engage in personal Bible study in order to speak with unbelievers about our faith in Christ. Someone said, “Christians shouldn’t be winning arguments but winning people.” This is true, but you better be able to answer peoples concerns and question if you expect to win them to Christ. The more you learn from studying the Word the better equipped you’ll be at sharing your faith with others. 1 Pet. 3:15. Eight, diligent personal Bible study will help prepare and keep you from falling into error. The Bereans are a great example of the importance of searching the Scripture. They did so daily in order to find out whether they were hearing truth or error. Acts 17:11. Nine, you should study the Word to present ourselves approved to God. 2 Tim. 2:15. When you give yourself to studying God’s Word, you’re communicating to Him that you value His Word. What a better way to get His approval.
Acting on the Word
The Bible shows us how we are to respond to the Word of God. Your assignment is to use the verses below in your devotional time. Take a few moments not only to read the verses but also do what they say. Respond with awe Ps. 119:120 Respond with delight Ps. 1:2 Respond with appreciation Ps. 119:72 Respond with praise Ps. 119:62 Respond with joy Ps 119:111 Respond with love Ps. 119:47, 97 Respond with obedience Deut. 5:32; Jam. 1:22; Jn. 14:15
The Bible
Matthew 4:4 Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 2 Timothy 3:16 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. Terminology: Revelation & Illumination: Is the Holy Spirit's work of bringing light or understanding of God's Word as we are engaged with it through reading, study, and meditation. (See Eph. 1:17-19; Lk. 24:45; Ac. 17:11). · · · · The Bible claims inspiration for itself, (2 Tim. 3:17; 2 Pet. 1:20-21; Heb. 1:1). Paul believed his writings were inspired, (1 Cor. 4:2; 15:3; 1 Thes. 2:13; 4:15). Peter believed his writings were inspired, (2 Pet. 3:2). Peter believed the writings of Paul to be inspired, (2 Pet. 3:15-16).
The question is asked, “How did we get the Bible?” Well, of course, there are many different views, but allow me share with 5 that on the surface may appear to be true but in reality are not. Natural Inspiration: This theory holds that there was nothing supernatural involved in the writing of the Bible. Men we inspired in the same fashion as Shakespeare or some other individual. Spiritual Illumination: People who hold this view believe that the people and the words were inspired. They believe that any devout Christian can be inspired to write more Scripture. Partial Inspiration: This view says that only the elements in the Bible related to faith are inspired. There may be scientific or historical error, but God has preserved the massage of salvation. The problems with this view are clear! If you cannot believe even a part of the Bible, how can you believe any of it? Conceptual Inspiration: The concepts of scripture and not the words are inspired. God just gave a man an idea and he wrote what he thought about that topic. Divine Dictation: The biblical writers were merely automatons in the hand of God. He came upon them and overrode them. He moved the pen and merely used their body as a vehicle to write His Own Words. If this is true, then why do John, Paul, Peter, James, Matthew, Moses, etc all reveal differing styles? Theologians use the term, "VERBAL PLENARY INSPIRATION,” to explain how we got the Holy Bible. Verbal means that inspiration extends to the very words of the text. When the Bible speaks, God speaks. Plenary means that inspiration extends to every part of the Bible. Webster defines "plenary" as "complete in every respect". In simple terms, this word conveys the idea that all the words of Scripture are God’s words. Inspiration means that the text of Holy Scripture was "breathed-out" by the Holy Spirit and written down by holy men using their own gifts, words and personal style. Now that we know how we got the Bible; how do we know the Bible came from God? Consider the fact that the Bible is comprised of 66 Books written over a period of about 1,500 years by over 40 authors from all walks of life, with different kinds of personalities, and in all sorts of situations. It was written in three languages on three continents, and it covers hundreds of controversial subjects. Yet, it fits together into one cohesive story with an appropriate beginning, a logical ending, a central character, and a consistent theme. Approximately 40 men were inspired to record the Word of God. They
had no e-mail, no faxes, no phones. Imagine trying to pull together a project like this over a 1500-year period. (http://christiananswers.net/q-aiia/biblecongruency.html). There at least three ways we can know the Bible came from God and was not just the product of man's imagination. The External Evidence: Things such as the number of manuscripts, the extreme care with which they were copied, and the archaeological discoveries. For example, the Bible was translated from 24,000 copies of the New Testament alone. There are a wealth of resources on the World Wide Web, any of which would enrich you further. The Internal Evidence: The majority of the Bible was written by eyewitnesses. Listen to Josh McDowell as he articulates the internal evidence: "The mere fact that the Bible claims to be the Word of God does not prove that it is such, for there are other books that make similar claims. The difference is that the Scriptures contain convincing evidence as being the Word of God. One reason that the Bible is different from other books is its unity. Although this book was composed by men, its unity reveals the hand of the Almighty. The Bible was written over a period of about 1,500 years by more than forty different human authors. These authors came from a variety of backgrounds, including Joshua (a military general), Daniel (a prime minister), Peter (a fisherman), and Nehemiah (a cupbearer). The authors of the various books wrote in different places, such as the wilderness (Moses), prison (Paul), exile on the Isle of Patmos (John). The biblical writings were composed on three different continents (Africa, Asia, and Europe), and in three different languages (Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek). The contents of the Bible deal with many controversial subjects. Yet, the Bible is a unit. From beginning to end, there's one unfolding story of God's plan of salvation for mankind. This salvation is through the person of Jesus Christ (John 14:6). Jesus Himself testified that He was the theme of the entire Bible." (http://www.josh.org/) The Personal Evidence: The Bible is the world’s best selling book. It was the first major book to be printed on a press (the Gutenburg Bible). In whole or in part, the Bible has been translated into more than 1300 languages. Perhaps the greatest evidence that the Bible came from God is found in the testimonies of those whose lives have been changed as a result of reading it. Josh McDowell, Lee Strobel, and a host of others were skeptics, agnostics, and even atheists who after reading and studying the Bible; attempting to disprove it, came to faith in Christ and have never been the same since.
Assignment: Consider taking some time over the next few weeks and writing the story of your conversion to Christ.
Names of God the Father:
I AM Ex. 3:13-15 God Gen. 1:1 Lord God Gen. 2:4-22 Most High God Gen. 14:18-22 The Almighty God Gen. 17:1 The Everlasting God Gen. 21:33 The God of Heaven and Earth Gen. 24:3 God Almighty Gen. 28:3 The Mighty God Gen. 49:24 The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob Ex. 3:6 Jehovah Ex. 6:3 God of Israel Ex. 24:10 The Eternal God Dt. 33:27 The Living God Josh. 3:10 Lord God of gods Josh. 22:22 The Rock 2Sam. 22:32 The Rock of Israel 2 Sam. 23:3 The God of David 2 Chr. 34:3 The Righteous God Ps. 7:9 Fortress Ps. 18:2 Deliverer Ps. 18:2 Strength Ps. 18:2 Buckler Ps. 18:2 The Horn of Salvation Ps. 18:2 High Tower Ps. 18:2 The God of my Salvation Ps. 18:46 The God of glory Ps. 29:3 The God of truth Ps. 31:5 The Most High Ps. 91:1 The Almighty Ps. 91:1 Refuge Ps. 91:2 Holy One of Israel Isa. 30:15 The Glorious Lord Isa. 33:21 The Creator Isa. 40:28 The Savior and Redeemer Isa. 60:16 The Lord of Hosts Jer. 7:3 The True God Jn. 17:3 The Great and Mighty God Jer. 32:18 The God of all Flesh Jer. 32:27 Ancient of Days Dan. 7:9, 22 The incorruptible God Rom. 1:23 The God of Hope Rom. 15:13 The God of Peace Rom. 16:20 God of all Comfort 2Cor. 1:3 The Living and True God 1Th. 1:9 The Only Wise God 1Tim. 1:17 The Potentate, King of kings and Lord of lords 1Tim. 6:15-16 The Great God Tit. 2:13; Rev. 19:17 Judge of All Heb. 12:23 God the Father 2 John 1 The God of all Grace 2 John 5 Lord God Almighty Rev. 4:8
The Omnipotent Rev.19:6
Names of The Son Of God
Seed of the woman ( Gen. 3:15 ) Jehovah (Gen. 19:24 ) Shiloh ( Gen. 49:10 ) The star out of Jacob ( Num. 24:17 ) Prophet ( Dt. 18:15; Lk. 24:19 ) Rock of Salvation ( Dt. 32:15 ) Daysman ( Job. 9:33 ) The Anointed ( Ps. 2:2 ) The Son (Heb. 3:6 ) Wonderful ( Isa. 9:6 ) Counsellor ( Isa. 9:6 ) The Mighty God ( Isa. 9:6 ) The Everlasting Father ( Isa. 9:6 ) The Prince of Peace ( Isa. 9:6 ) Rod out of Jesse ( Isa. 11:1 ) The Branch ( Isa. 11:1 ) My Servant (Mt. 12:18 ) My Elect ( Isa. 42:1 ) The Redeemer ( Isa. 59:20 ) The Lord our Righteousness ( Jer. 23:6 ) Messiah ( Dan. 9:25; Jn. 4:25 ) The Judge of Israel ( Mic. 5:1 ) Refiner and Purifier ( Mal. 3:3 ) Sun of righteousness ( Mal. 4:2 ) Jesus Christ (Mt. 1:1 ) The Son of Abraham ( Mt. 1:1 ) The Son of David ( Mt. 1:1 ; 9:27 ) Christ ( Mt. 1:17 ; 2:4 ) Jesus ( Mt. 1:21) Emmanuel (God with us, Mt. 1:23 ) King of the Jews ( Mt. 2:2 ) Governor ( Mt. 2:6 ) Nazarene ( Mt. 2:23 ) The Son of God ( Mt. 4:3 ) Master ( Mt. 8:19 ) The Son of Man ( Mt. 8:20 ) Physician ( Mt. 9:12 ) The Bridegroom ( Mt. 9:15 ) The Friend of Sinners ( Mt. 11:19 ) The Beloved ( Eph. 1:6 ) The Son of the Highest ( Lk. 1:32 ) The Horn of Salvation ( Lk. 1:69 ) The Dayspring ( Lk. 1:78 ) Christ the Lord ( Lk. 2:11 ) Savior ( Lk. 2:11 ) Salvation ( Lk. 2:30 ) Jesus of Nazareth ( Lk. 4:34 ) Holy One of God ( Lk. 4:34 ) The Word ( Jn. 1:1-2 ) God ( Jn. 1:1-3 ) The True Light ( Jn. 1:9 ) Only Begotten Son ( Jn. 3:16 ) Lamb of God ( Jn. 1:29 ) The King of Israel ( Jn. 1:49 )
Teacher ( Jn. 3:2 ) Gift of God ( Jn. 4:10 ) Savior of the World ( Jn. 4:42 ) The Bread of God ( Jn. 6:33 ) The Bread of life ( Jn. 6:35 ) Light of the World ( Jn. 8:12 ) Door of the Sheep ( Jn. 10:7 ) The Good Shepherd ( Jn. 10:11 ) The Way, the Truth, the Life ( Jn. 14:6 ) The Vine ( Jn. 15:1-8 ) Lord and God ( Jn. 20:28 ) Holy One and Just ( Acts 3:14 ) A Prince and a Savior ( Acts 5:31 ) Lord of all ( Acts 10:36 ) A Propitiation (1Jn. 2:2 ) Jesus Christ our Lord ( Rom. 6:23 ) The Deliverer ( Rom. 11:26 ) Christ Jesus (1Tim. 2:5 ) The Power of God ( 1Cor. 1:24 ) The Wisdom of God ( 1Cor. 1:24 ) Sanctification ( 1Cor. 1:30 ) Lord of Glory ( 1Cor. 2:8 ) Our Passover ( 1Cor. 5:7 ) Spiritual Rock ( 1Cor. 10:4 ) Christ the Firstfruits ( 1Cor. 15:23 ) The Last Adam ( 1Cor. 15:45 ) The Second Adam, (1Cor. 15:45-47 ) Image of God (2Cor. 4:4) Seed of Abraham ( Gal. 3:29 ) The Beloved ( Eph. 1:6 ) Chief Corner stone ( Eph. 2:20 ) Head of the Church ( Col. 1:18 ) Firstborn from the Dead ( Col. 1:18 ) Christ Jesus our Lord ( 1Tim. 1:12 ) Mediator ( 1Tim. 2:4-5 ) The Man Christ Jesus ( 1Tim. 2:5 ) Ransom for allA( 1Tim. 2:6 ) Seed of David ( 2Tim. 2:8 ) Lord Jesus Christ our Savior ( Tit. 1:4 ) Brightness of His Glory ( Heb. 1:3 )
Express Image of His Person ( Heb. 1:3 ) Upholder of All Things ( Heb. 1:3 ) Captain of Salvation ( Heb. 2:10 ) The Apostle and High Priest of our Profession ( Heb. 3:1 ) Forerunner ( Heb. 6:20 ) Minister of the Sanctuary ( Heb. 8:2 ) Testator ( Heb. 9:16-17 ) Author and Finisher of Faith ( Heb. 12:2 ) Great Shepherd of the Sheep ( Heb. 13:20 ) Shepherd and Bishop of Souls ( 1Pet. 2:25 ) Chief Shepherd ( 1Pet. 5:4 ) Lord and Savior Jesus Christ ( 2Pet. 1:11 ) Day Star ( 2Pet. 1:19 ) Advocate ( 1Jn. 2:1 ) Jesus Christ the Righteous ( 1Jn. 2:1 ) Eternal Life ( 1Jn. 5:20 ) Faithful Witness ( Rev. 1:5 ) First Begotten of the Dead ( Rev. 1:5 ) Prince of the kings of earth ( Rev. 1:5 ) Alpha and Omega ( Rev. 1:8 ) The Beginning and Ending ( Rev. 1:8 ) The First and the Last ( Rev. 2:8 ) Morning Star ( Rev. 2:28 ) The Amen ( Rev. 3:14 ) Faithful and True Witness ( Rev. 3:14 ) Lion of the Tribe of Judah ( Rev. 5:5 ) The Root of David ( Rev. 5:5 ) The Word of God ( Rev. 19:13 ) King of kings, Lord of lords ( Rev. 19:16 ) Root and Offspring of David ( Rev. 22:16 ) Bright and Morning Star ( Rev. 22:16 )
KNOWING WHO I AM IN CHRIST
I am complete in Him Who is the Head of all principality and power (Col 2:10). I am alive with Christ (Eph 2:5). I am free from the law of sin and death (Rom 8:2). I am far from oppression, and fear does not come near me (Isa 54:14). I am born of God, and the evil one does not touch me (1 Jn 5:18). I am holy and without blame before Him in love (Eph 1:4; 1 Pet 1:16). I have the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16; Phil 2:5). I have the peace of God that passes all understanding (Phil 4:7). I have the Greater One living in me; greater is He Who is in me than he who is in the world (1 Jn 4:4). I have received the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Jesus, the eyes of my understanding being enlightened (Eph 1:17,18). I have received the power of the Holy Spirit to lay hands on the sick and see them recover, to cast out demons, to speak with new tongues. I have power over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means harm me (Mk 16:17,18; Lk 10:17,19). I have put off the old man and have put on the new man, which is renewed in the knowledge after the image of Him Who created me (Col 3:9,10). I have given, and it is given to me; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, men give into my bosom (Lk 6:38). I have received the gift of righteousness and reign as a king in life by Jesus Christ (Rom 5:17).
I have no lack for my God supplies all of my need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Phil 4:19). I can quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one with my shield of faith (Eph 6:16). I can do all things through Christ Jesus (Phil 4:13). I show forth the praises of God Who has called me out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Pet 2:9). I am God’s child for I am born again of the incorruptible seed of the Word of God, which lives and abides forever (1 Pet 1:23). I am God’s workmanship, created in Christ unto good works (Eph 2:10). I am a new creature in Christ (2 Cor 5:17). I am a spirit being alive to God (Rom 6:11;1 Thess 5:23). I am a believer, and the light of the Gospel shines in my mind (2 Cor 4:4). I am a doer of the Word and blessed in my actions (Jam 1:22, 25). I am a joint-heir with Christ (Rom 8:17). I am more than a conqueror through Him Who loves me (Rom 8:37). I am an overcomer by the blood of the Lamb and the word of my testimony (Rev 12:11). I am a partaker of His divine nature (2 Pet 1:3,4).
I am an ambassador for Christ (2 Cor 5:20). I am part of a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a purchased people (1 Pet 2:9). I am the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ (2 Cor 5:21). I am the temple of the Holy Spirit; I am not my own (1 Cor 6:19). I am the head and not the tail; I am above only and not beneath (Deut 28:13). I am the light of the world (Matt 5:14). I am His elect, full of mercy, kindness, humility, and long-suffering (Rom 8:33; Col 3:12). I am forgiven of all my sins and washed in the Blood (Eph 1:7). I am delivered from the power of darkness and translated into God’s kingdom (Col 1:13). I am redeemed from the curse of sin, sickness, and poverty (Deut 28:15-68; Gal 3:13). I am firmly rooted, built up, established in my faith and overflowing with gratitude (Col 2:7). I am called of God to be the voice of His praise (Ps 66:8; 2 Tim 1:9). I am healed by the stripes of Jesus (Isa 53:5; 1 Pet 2:24).
I am raised up with Christ and seated in heavenly places (Eph 2:6; Col 2:12;). I am greatly loved by God (Rom 1:7; Eph 2:4; Col 3:12; 1 Thess 1:4). I am strengthened with all might according to His glorious power (Col 1:11). I am submitted to God, and the devil flees from me because I resist him in the Name of Jesus (Jam 4:7).
I press on toward the goal to win the prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward (Phi 3:14). For God has not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, love, and a sound mind (2 Tim 1:7). It is not I who live, but Christ lives in me (Gal 2:20).
Names of the Holy Spirit
Spirit of God (Gen. 1:2 ) Spirit of Wisdom (Isa. 11:2; Eph. 1:17 ) The Spirit (Eph. 2:22 ) His Spirit (Rom. 8:11). Thy Spirit ( Ps. 139:7 ) My Spirit (Acts 2:17-18 ) The Spirit of the Lord (Lk. 4:18; 2Cor. 3:17-18 ) The Spirit of Elijah ( 2Ki. 2:15; Lk. 1:17 ) Thy Good Spirit ( Neh. 9:20 ) Thy Free Spirit ( Ps. 51:12 ) The Spirit of Judgment ( Isa. 4:4) The Spirit of Burning ( Isa. 4:4 ) Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding ( Isa. 11:2 ) Spirit of Counsel and Might ( Isa. 11:2 ) Spirit of Knowledge and Fear of the Lord ( Isa. 11:2) Spirit of the Holy Gods ( Dan. 4:8-9 , 18 ; 5:11 ) Spirit of Grace and Supplications ( Zech. 12:10; Heb. 10:29 ) The Holy Ghost (Mt. 3:11; 28:19; 1Jn. 5:7 ) The Spirit of Your Father ( Mt. 10:20 ) The Power of the Highest ( Lk. 1:35 ) The Holy Spirit (Lk. 11:13 ) The Comforter ( Jn. 14:16, 26; 15:26 ) The Spirit of Truth ( Jn. 14:17; 15:26; 16:13 ) Spirit of Holiness ( Rom. 1:4 ) Spirit of Life ( Rom. 8:2 ) Spirit of Christ ( Rom. 8:9; 1Pet. 1:11 ) Spirit of Adoption ( Rom. 8:15 ) Spirit of the Living God ( 2Cor. 3:3 ) The Spirit of His Son ( Gal. 4:6 ) Holy Spirit of Promise ( Eph. 1:13 ) Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation ( Eph. 1:17 ) Holy Spirit of God ( Eph. 4:30 ) Spirit of Jesus Christ ( Php. 1:19 ) The Eternal Spirit ( Heb. 9:14 ) The Spirit of Glory ( 1Pet. 4:14 ) The Spirit of Prophecy ( Rev. 19:10 )
Greek Words for Love
There are a number of Greek words for love, and each is rich with meaning. There is certainly confusion today on the subject because we are limited to only one English word which covers a broad range of meanings. For example, if I said, "I love my wife, I love my pastor, I love my friends, I love my house, and I love to travel," obviously love means something different in each case. Ancient Greek has four distinct words for love: eros, philia, storge, and agape. Eros - A word that was not actually used in the New Testament but was alluded to. It meant physical passion; its gratification and fulfillment. The Greek word is probably not used in the New Testament because the origin of the word came from the mythical god Eros, the god of love. It is inferred in many scriptures and is the only kind of love that God restricts to a one-man, one-woman relationship within the bounds of marriage (Heb. 13:4; Song 1:13; 4:5-6; 7:7-9; 8:10; 1 Cor. 7:25; Eph. 5:31). Storge - is the natural bond between mother and infant, father, children, and kin. Phileo- love is a love of the affections. It is delighting to be in the presence of another, a warm feeling that comes and goes with intensity. The Bible encourages it but it is never a direct command. God never commands phileo since this type of love is based on the feelings. God Himself did not phileo the world but rather operated in agape love towards us. I cannot have a warm tender feeling toward an enemy but I can agape love them. Agape- love is God's kind of love. It is seeking the welfare and betterment of another regardless of how we feel. Agape does not have the primary meaning of feelings or affection. Jesus displayed it when he went to the cross and died for you and me. We can agape our enemies regardless of how we feel.
1 Corinthians 13 The Love Chapter
The following is a description of agape love, also called "Charity" in the New Testament (1 Cor. 13). This paraphrase is based upon research of the Greek and English words and their meanings in 1 Cor. 13:4-8. LOVE SUFFERS LONG God's love has a tolerance for and endures trying situations and persons beyond an average standard. God's love is patient. LOVE IS KIND God's love is of a friendly nature, generous, hospitable, warm-hearted, and good. God's love is charitable and helpful, showing sympathy and understanding for others. It is considerate, forbearing, tolerant, courteous, and thoughtful, desiring only to promote the welfare of others. It is generous, liberal, and beneficial, demonstrating itself in kindly acts. LOVE ENVIES NOT God's love does not resent another's good fortune or desire to have what is his. God's love is not jealous and does not deprive another of what he has. LOVE VAUNTS NOT ITSELF God's love does not boast and brag or abound with self-praise. It is not vain or proud. LOVE IS NOT PUFFED UP God's love is not high-minded or puffed up with pride. LOVE DOES NOT BEHAVE ITSELF UNSEEMLY
God's love does not act, react, function, or perform in a manner which is in bad taste, improper, or in violation of what is right. LOVE SEEKS NOT HER OWN God's love does not demand its own way. LOVE IS NOT EASILY PROVOKED God's love is not easily annoyed or incited to anger or resentment. LOVE THINKS NO EVIL God's love does not reason about or reflect upon that which causes or constitutes misfortune, suffering, difficulty, or the like. God's love does not ponder upon wickedness. LOVE REJOICES NOT IN INIQUITY God's love feels joyful when right, sincerity, integrity, honesty, and truth prevail.
LOVE BEARS ALL THINGS God's love makes it possible to withstand all stress and difficulty. Because God is love, He supports and carries on His own Person whatever is placed upon Him. God's love protects, covers, and keeps off anything which threatens the benefit and welfare of another. God's love holds back, refrains, and is tolerant and patient in all circumstances. LOVE BELIEVES ALL THINGS God's love puts faith in others, believing the best of everyone (without criticizing or looking for fault). LOVE HOPES ALL THINGS God's love persists in hoping, against all odds, in confidence and expectation of fulfillment of that which is promised. LOVE ENDURES ALL THINGS God's love causes one to carry on through, despite hardships. LOVE NEVER FAILS God's love never proves insufficient in duration or is unsuccessful in effectiveness. Love will never disappoint or prove undependable. God's love goes on forever and will never come to an end.
Going Back To the Basics (A Manual for Students of the Word)
By Patrick S. Murphy 2012
Introduction
Matt. 7:24-27 24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. 26 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.” My greatest joy is in seeing new believers growing in their faith and moving into all that God has for them. Yes, I have a passion for seeing those who haven't experienced the new birth come to faith in Christ. But if I'm honest, it's very discouraging to see folks come to faith and never develop beyond the babyhood stage of their new found faith. The above scripture speaks of two people. The wise man, who represents those who hear the word and then put it into action and The foolish man, who represents those who hear the word but fail to act on what they hears. Both the wise man and the foolish man built houses. And both men experienced difficulties - "the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house." The only difference between them is found in what happened to their houses. The one house remains standing and the other falls. The difference that made the difference has to do with the foundation each was built upon. The wise man built his house on the rock, but the foolish man built his house on the sand. There is no doubt the most important part of any construction project has to do with laying a proper foundation. The foundation is more important than all other aspects of construction because it determines and is the basis of all that will and can be built upon it.
Knowledge: A Word of Warning
1 Corinthians 2:4-8 4 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. 6 However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, 8 which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. In the above passage, Paul differentiates between the wisdom of men and the wisdom of God. The Bible uses many different words synonymous with wisdom; words such as knowledge, understanding, and discernment. Yes each has a different shade of meaning, but in a general sense each word can be used interchangeably. For the purposes of this study I have chosen to use the word knowledge. Before we proceed, allow me to define each of the three words in a way that I hope is beneficial to you and your study of God's Word. Knowledge: In simple term knowledge is simply the gaining or accumulating of information. For example, the Bible teaches many things about faith. Knowledge allows you to list certain facts on the subject of faith. Understanding: Is simply arranging those facts in a manner that helps you comprehend and grasp the subject in a general and even specific sense. Now that you've gained some knowledge about faith, you can arrange in an orderly manner that helps you comprehend how it works. Wisdom: After you've gathered the information and arranged it a manner that helps you understand, you then take the information that's gathered and understood and apply it in the appropriate fashion. Now that you know what faith is and how it works, you can then apply it to a desired situation. The danger occurs when the information you gather is false or incomplete. It could be a half truth or a complete falsehood. Whichever it is, it will never produce the desired or needed results. Therefore you're left confused, deluded, deceived, and defeated, never really understanding what went wrong and why things are working the way you thought. And knowledge doesn't have to be 100% false to be worthless. Did you know you can be correct and incomplete and the very same time? Let me explain. Brother Pastor teaches that prosperity has to do with material wealth. Now Bro. Pastor wouldn't be incorrect, but he would be incomplete. Sure prosperity involves material wealth, but it involves so much more.
Remember, because knowledge is the starting point and the foundation of wisdom; because wisdom needs information to act upon, it's important to have biblically balanced perspective on the subject. For knowledge to be of any value or use, it should be tempered with the following. 1. Knowledge must be tempered with discernment Phil 1:9-10. Put another way, knowledge assists us in making judgments regarding what is best. My wife says, "When you know better, you do better." I didn't know that I would get a 14 million dollar ticket for doing 95 mph in a school zone. Now that I know better I promise I'll do better. (No I wasn't driving 95 mph in a school zone, but I bet you were shocked to think I was.) 2. Knowledge must be tempered with grace and love 2 Pet. 3:18; 1 Cor. 13:2; 1 Cor 8:1 If you fail to balance knowledge and grace you'll discover you're trending towards legalism. This is especially true when it involves others. You may know someone who isn't living up to your standard faith and confession so you become critical and judgmental. Balancing grace and knowledge will keep you from be overly critical of other and self condemning. Proverbs 4:7 Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding. In closing allow me to point out three things regarding wisdom. Learn it: Because wisdom is "the principle thing," it's incumbent upon us to learn it at all costs. Solomon was commended by God for seeking wisdom. If you aspire to anything, live your life as a student and a learner. Love it: To love someone or something is to place a value upon them or it. I heard someone say, "You can't place a value on wisdom." If a picture is worth a thousand words, how much do you suppose wisdom is worth? You've heard the story of the man who charged a company ten thousands of dollars to fix a piece of equipment nobody else could. When asked why he charged so much, he responded, "A $1.00 for parts and $9,999 for the knowledge to fix it." Live it: Knowledge, Understanding, and Wisdom are of no use without application. In other words, you must act upon the knowledge you've received. You can read books on diet and exercise, go to the weight loss meetings, and purchase the products but until you put that knowledge to work it won't benefit you at all. Your assignment should you choose to accept it is to look up as many verses on the subject of wisdom as can. Next; starting today, read a chapter everyday from the book of
Proverbs corresponding to the date. For example, today as I'm writing this, it's the 23rd day of the month, so I'll read Proverbs 23.
Ministry Killers
The GOLD (Dealing with money) The GIRLS (Dealing with the opposite sex) The GLORY (Dealing with pride) The GRIND (Dealing with burnout) The GRINCHES (Dealing with difficult people) The GOOFINESS (Dealing with false doctrines, extremes, and imbalances)
Accountability: Questions to Seriously Ask Yourself
1. Are you taking 15 minutes daily to internalize the Word of God (Psalm 119:11)? 2. Are you seeking to have a special, meaningful time of prayer and devotion daily with the Lord (Psalm 27:4)? 3. Are you consciously surrendering to the Holy Spirit each day that He may fill you, guide you, and use you (Ephesians 5:18)? 4. If you're in leadership as a layperson, are you a member of a local church that contributes faithfully to its ministry (Hebrews 10:25)? 5. Are you interrelating with at least one person in order to share your life with him or her (1 Thessalonians 2:8)? 6. Are you seeking to win people to Christ regularly (Philemon 1:6 NIV)? (If so, when did you last win or try to win someone to Christ?) 7. Are you investing your money redemptively, beginning with the tithe (2 Corinthians 9:6-11)? 8. Do you exercise your physical body in a definite regimen at least three days per week (2 Corinthians 9:26-27)? 9. Are you wholeheartedly devoted to the care of your family, especially your spouse? (1Timothy 5:8)? 10. Are you careful not to sin? When you do sin, do you instantly confess it, repent of it, and receive Christ's cleansing (1 John 1:9)?
Names of the Bible
The Scripture Mk. 15:28; Jn. 7:38 The Scriptures Lk. 24:27; Jn. 5:39 The Promises Rom. 9:4-5, 15:8 The Oracles of God Rom. 3:2; Heb. 5:12; 1Pet. 4:11 The Lively Oracles Acts 7:38 The Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms Lk. 24:25, 44 The Law of the Lord Ps. 1:2 The Law and the Prophets (Mt. 5:17 The Book of the Lord Isa. 34:16 The Word of God (Mk. 7:13 The Sword of the Spirit Eph. 6:17 The Old and NewTestament 2Cor.3:6-15 The First and Second Covenant Heb. 8:7 The Word of Christ Col. 3:16 The Word of Life Php. 2:16 The Scripture of Truth Dan. 10:21 The Word of Truth 2 Tim. 2:15 The Gospel of Christ Rom. 1:16 The Word of Faith Rom. 10:8 The Word of the Lord 2 Th. 3:1 The Word of Righteousness Heb. 5:13
Internalizing the Word of God
I will know God's Word in my head by diligent study. I will stow it in my heart by memorization and meditation. I will show it in my life by obeying its teachings. I will then sow it into my world by witnessing.
Symbols of the Word of God
A hammer to convict Jer. 23:29 A fire to refine Jer. 23:29 A mirror to reflect Jas. 1:23 Seed to multiply 1 Pet. 1:23 A laver to cleanse Eph. 5:26 A lamp to guide Ps. 119:105 Rain and snow to refresh Isa. 55:10 A sword to cut Eph. 6:17 A bow for revenge Hab. 3:9 Gold to enrich Ps. 19:7-10 Power to create faith Rom. 10:17 and eternal life 1Pet. 1:23 Food to nourish: Milk for babes 1Pet. 2:2 Bread for the hungry Mt. 4:4 Meat for people Heb. 5:11-14 Honey for dessert Ps. 19:10
Attending to God’s Word
Proverbs 4:20-22 20 My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. 21 Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; 22 For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh. People come to the Bible for a variety of reasons. Some come to the Word attempting to disprove it. Others come to the Bible to find contradictions. Still others come to the Bible with no intention whatsoever; they read it like any other book. Often ministers come to the Scripture only to find sermons to preach to their perspective congregations. Some even rationalize their lack of Bible study by saying they’re way too busy and the Bible is too hard to understand. When you study the Scripture, you’ll discover what multiplied millions of people have discovered: You’re reading and studying the very Word of the living God. People who want to learn how to study the Bible often ask, “Where do I begin?” Why do you come to God’s Word? What is your intention when you read the Scripture? Are you like those you spend little time with the Word because you don’t understand it? Allow me to address this issue in a practical manner, thereby providing you with everyday answers and know-how. For starters, come to the Word with a deep love and passion for what it says. No other book in print can provide what God’s Word provides; things such and confidence, strength, health, power, encouragement, answered prayer, and instruction. No wonder the psalmist said, “I love your teaching.” Ps. 119:97,127; Pro. 2:3-6. Next, realize the Word of God is first and foremost a spiritual book. Yes, it contains things such as history and science. But it is first spiritual. The Bible is the very word of God, it is His love letter to mankind, His roadmap for humanity, and His instruction manual for believers. The Holy Spirit; who authored it, enables us to understand the Word of God. The Holy Spirit also holds us responsible for understanding the Scripture. 1 Cor. 2:12-15; Jn. 16:13; 1 Jn. 2:20, 27. Like most people who set out to study the Bible, you find yourself saying, “I need help!” The technical term for this assistance we need is called illumination. Next; having understood God’s Word is spiritual, afford it as much respect as possible and handle it accurately. 2 Tim. 2:15 . There are several rule you should consider when you come to the Word. Rule 1. The Holy Spirit; the third person of the Trinity, and faith are necessary for proper interpretation and understanding of the Word of God.
Rule 2. Allow the Bible to interpret itself. Commentaries are a great resource, but at the end of the day the Bible is its best interpreter. Rule 3. Don’t; under any circumstances, make the Bible say something it doesn’t. If you lack understanding of a particular passage ask the Holy Spirit to reveal it to you. You may hear your pastor or another teacher address the very topic. Rule 4. Never allow your personal experience to cloud your understanding of the Word. Remember; see your experience in light of the Bible and not the other way around. For example, the Word says, we are blessed. Even if my experience says the opposite, I choose to believe God. Next, study the Scripture with diligence. Diligence is another word for commitment, consistency, and perseverance. In other words, never give up, never cave in, and never quit studying the Word of God. What does that look like in everyday life? First, commit to trusting in, relying on and obeying His Word. 1 Tim. 4:15-16 Second, cultivate a passion for the Word by examining and searching it for answers. Acts 16:11. Third, spend time with others believers sharing what it is you are learning. Col. 3:16 Lastly, act on what you learn as you study individually and corporately with others. Jam. 1:22 In conclusion, study the Bible purposefully. In other words know what and why you are studying. Ask yourself what is the purpose for a particular area of study. What is it that motivates you to study the Word of God? The following is a list; although not comprehensive, of reasons or motivators for studying the Bible. One, if you’re a new convert or relatively young in your faith, you ay be struggling with doubting your salvation. Settling the issue of your own salvation is the primary issue that needs to be dealt with for most new believers. 1 Jn. 5:13 Reasons Why People Lack Assurance 1. People often lack assurance because they cannot remember or point to a specific time when they received Christ. 2. People often lack assurance because they question the procedure they went through when they accepted Christ. 3. People often lack assurance because of struggles they have with certain sins. 4. The primary reason behind a lack of assurance is doctrinal misunderstanding and the consequent lack of faith in the finished work of Christ. 5. Finally, people often lack assurance because they have erroneously been taught that they should look to themselves and their works as the primary proof of their salvation.
Two, just like people feed and grow naturally, believers need spiritual nutrition for spiritual growth. 2 Pet. 3:18; 1 Pet. 2:2. In Ephesians 4, Paul expressed his concern for the growth of believers. He didn’t want them to be tossed about by every wind of doctrine. Three, if you’re like most, you find yourself needing encouragement. Paul spoke of the comfort of the scriptures giving us hope Rom. 15:4. I can’t tell you how many times the Bible gave me encouragement in difficult times. I’d advise you to procure a copy of a Pocket Bible Promise Book. This is simply a book that contains several scriptures on any number of topics such as: fear, doubt, faith, love, giving, anger, loneliness, etc. Four, when faced with many of life’s difficulties requiring decision making, we often wonder, “What should I do now?” The Psalmist said, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” Ps. 119:105. As you and I seek God’s guidance, He’ll lead us by His Spirit Rom. 8:14. A note of advice; if your personal decisions contradict what has been written in the Bible, then you can sure you’re not being led by the Spirit. Five, in Ephesians 6:1-18 Paul charges us to put on the entire armor of God in order to stand against the devil. He tells us to take the sword of the Spirit; which is the Word of God, and engage the enemy of our souls. In Matthew 4 and Luke 4 we discover Jesus defeating the devil with the Word. He stated clearly on three occasions, “It is written.” Six, the Word is our tool for teaching our children and counseling others. Deut. 6:4-9. Many years ago I had a gentleman come to my office for counseling. He started out by asking for my opinion on a certain subject. As I began to open my Bible and quote some passages from it, he interrupted me and said, “I want you give me your opinion, not quote a bunch of verses from the Bible.” I quickly discovered he only wanted me to validate a certain lifestyle he was currently living in. Seven, we engage in personal Bible study in order to speak with unbelievers about our faith in Christ. Someone said, “Christians shouldn’t be winning arguments but winning people.” This is true, but you better be able to answer peoples concerns and question if you expect to win them to Christ. The more you learn from studying the Word the better equipped you’ll be at sharing your faith with others. 1 Pet. 3:15. Eight, diligent personal Bible study will help prepare and keep you from falling into error. The Bereans are a great example of the importance of searching the Scripture. They did so daily in order to find out whether they were hearing truth or error. Acts 17:11. Nine, you should study the Word to present ourselves approved to God. 2 Tim. 2:15. When you give yourself to studying God’s Word, you’re communicating to Him that you value His Word. What a better way to get His approval.
Acting on the Word
The Bible shows us how we are to respond to the Word of God. Your assignment is to use the verses below in your devotional time. Take a few moments not only to read the verses but also do what they say. Respond with awe Ps. 119:120 Respond with delight Ps. 1:2 Respond with appreciation Ps. 119:72 Respond with praise Ps. 119:62 Respond with joy Ps 119:111 Respond with love Ps. 119:47, 97 Respond with obedience Deut. 5:32; Jam. 1:22; Jn. 14:15
The Bible
Matthew 4:4 Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 2 Timothy 3:16 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. Terminology: Revelation & Illumination: Is the Holy Spirit's work of bringing light or understanding of God's Word as we are engaged with it through reading, study, and meditation. (See Eph. 1:17-19; Lk. 24:45; Ac. 17:11). · · · · The Bible claims inspiration for itself, (2 Tim. 3:17; 2 Pet. 1:20-21; Heb. 1:1). Paul believed his writings were inspired, (1 Cor. 4:2; 15:3; 1 Thes. 2:13; 4:15). Peter believed his writings were inspired, (2 Pet. 3:2). Peter believed the writings of Paul to be inspired, (2 Pet. 3:15-16).
The question is asked, “How did we get the Bible?” Well, of course, there are many different views, but allow me share with 5 that on the surface may appear to be true but in reality are not. Natural Inspiration: This theory holds that there was nothing supernatural involved in the writing of the Bible. Men we inspired in the same fashion as Shakespeare or some other individual. Spiritual Illumination: People who hold this view believe that the people and the words were inspired. They believe that any devout Christian can be inspired to write more Scripture. Partial Inspiration: This view says that only the elements in the Bible related to faith are inspired. There may be scientific or historical error, but God has preserved the massage of salvation. The problems with this view are clear! If you cannot believe even a part of the Bible, how can you believe any of it? Conceptual Inspiration: The concepts of scripture and not the words are inspired. God just gave a man an idea and he wrote what he thought about that topic. Divine Dictation: The biblical writers were merely automatons in the hand of God. He came upon them and overrode them. He moved the pen and merely used their body as a vehicle to write His Own Words. If this is true, then why do John, Paul, Peter, James, Matthew, Moses, etc all reveal differing styles? Theologians use the term, "VERBAL PLENARY INSPIRATION,” to explain how we got the Holy Bible. Verbal means that inspiration extends to the very words of the text. When the Bible speaks, God speaks. Plenary means that inspiration extends to every part of the Bible. Webster defines "plenary" as "complete in every respect". In simple terms, this word conveys the idea that all the words of Scripture are God’s words. Inspiration means that the text of Holy Scripture was "breathed-out" by the Holy Spirit and written down by holy men using their own gifts, words and personal style. Now that we know how we got the Bible; how do we know the Bible came from God? Consider the fact that the Bible is comprised of 66 Books written over a period of about 1,500 years by over 40 authors from all walks of life, with different kinds of personalities, and in all sorts of situations. It was written in three languages on three continents, and it covers hundreds of controversial subjects. Yet, it fits together into one cohesive story with an appropriate beginning, a logical ending, a central character, and a consistent theme. Approximately 40 men were inspired to record the Word of God. They
had no e-mail, no faxes, no phones. Imagine trying to pull together a project like this over a 1500-year period. (http://christiananswers.net/q-aiia/biblecongruency.html). There at least three ways we can know the Bible came from God and was not just the product of man's imagination. The External Evidence: Things such as the number of manuscripts, the extreme care with which they were copied, and the archaeological discoveries. For example, the Bible was translated from 24,000 copies of the New Testament alone. There are a wealth of resources on the World Wide Web, any of which would enrich you further. The Internal Evidence: The majority of the Bible was written by eyewitnesses. Listen to Josh McDowell as he articulates the internal evidence: "The mere fact that the Bible claims to be the Word of God does not prove that it is such, for there are other books that make similar claims. The difference is that the Scriptures contain convincing evidence as being the Word of God. One reason that the Bible is different from other books is its unity. Although this book was composed by men, its unity reveals the hand of the Almighty. The Bible was written over a period of about 1,500 years by more than forty different human authors. These authors came from a variety of backgrounds, including Joshua (a military general), Daniel (a prime minister), Peter (a fisherman), and Nehemiah (a cupbearer). The authors of the various books wrote in different places, such as the wilderness (Moses), prison (Paul), exile on the Isle of Patmos (John). The biblical writings were composed on three different continents (Africa, Asia, and Europe), and in three different languages (Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek). The contents of the Bible deal with many controversial subjects. Yet, the Bible is a unit. From beginning to end, there's one unfolding story of God's plan of salvation for mankind. This salvation is through the person of Jesus Christ (John 14:6). Jesus Himself testified that He was the theme of the entire Bible." (http://www.josh.org/) The Personal Evidence: The Bible is the world’s best selling book. It was the first major book to be printed on a press (the Gutenburg Bible). In whole or in part, the Bible has been translated into more than 1300 languages. Perhaps the greatest evidence that the Bible came from God is found in the testimonies of those whose lives have been changed as a result of reading it. Josh McDowell, Lee Strobel, and a host of others were skeptics, agnostics, and even atheists who after reading and studying the Bible; attempting to disprove it, came to faith in Christ and have never been the same since.
Assignment: Consider taking some time over the next few weeks and writing the story of your conversion to Christ.
Names of God the Father:
I AM Ex. 3:13-15 God Gen. 1:1 Lord God Gen. 2:4-22 Most High God Gen. 14:18-22 The Almighty God Gen. 17:1 The Everlasting God Gen. 21:33 The God of Heaven and Earth Gen. 24:3 God Almighty Gen. 28:3 The Mighty God Gen. 49:24 The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob Ex. 3:6 Jehovah Ex. 6:3 God of Israel Ex. 24:10 The Eternal God Dt. 33:27 The Living God Josh. 3:10 Lord God of gods Josh. 22:22 The Rock 2Sam. 22:32 The Rock of Israel 2 Sam. 23:3 The God of David 2 Chr. 34:3 The Righteous God Ps. 7:9 Fortress Ps. 18:2 Deliverer Ps. 18:2 Strength Ps. 18:2 Buckler Ps. 18:2 The Horn of Salvation Ps. 18:2 High Tower Ps. 18:2 The God of my Salvation Ps. 18:46 The God of glory Ps. 29:3 The God of truth Ps. 31:5 The Most High Ps. 91:1 The Almighty Ps. 91:1 Refuge Ps. 91:2 Holy One of Israel Isa. 30:15 The Glorious Lord Isa. 33:21 The Creator Isa. 40:28 The Savior and Redeemer Isa. 60:16 The Lord of Hosts Jer. 7:3 The True God Jn. 17:3 The Great and Mighty God Jer. 32:18 The God of all Flesh Jer. 32:27 Ancient of Days Dan. 7:9, 22 The incorruptible God Rom. 1:23 The God of Hope Rom. 15:13 The God of Peace Rom. 16:20 God of all Comfort 2Cor. 1:3 The Living and True God 1Th. 1:9 The Only Wise God 1Tim. 1:17 The Potentate, King of kings and Lord of lords 1Tim. 6:15-16 The Great God Tit. 2:13; Rev. 19:17 Judge of All Heb. 12:23 God the Father 2 John 1 The God of all Grace 2 John 5 Lord God Almighty Rev. 4:8
The Omnipotent Rev.19:6
Names of The Son Of God
Seed of the woman ( Gen. 3:15 ) Jehovah (Gen. 19:24 ) Shiloh ( Gen. 49:10 ) The star out of Jacob ( Num. 24:17 ) Prophet ( Dt. 18:15; Lk. 24:19 ) Rock of Salvation ( Dt. 32:15 ) Daysman ( Job. 9:33 ) The Anointed ( Ps. 2:2 ) The Son (Heb. 3:6 ) Wonderful ( Isa. 9:6 ) Counsellor ( Isa. 9:6 ) The Mighty God ( Isa. 9:6 ) The Everlasting Father ( Isa. 9:6 ) The Prince of Peace ( Isa. 9:6 ) Rod out of Jesse ( Isa. 11:1 ) The Branch ( Isa. 11:1 ) My Servant (Mt. 12:18 ) My Elect ( Isa. 42:1 ) The Redeemer ( Isa. 59:20 ) The Lord our Righteousness ( Jer. 23:6 ) Messiah ( Dan. 9:25; Jn. 4:25 ) The Judge of Israel ( Mic. 5:1 ) Refiner and Purifier ( Mal. 3:3 ) Sun of righteousness ( Mal. 4:2 ) Jesus Christ (Mt. 1:1 ) The Son of Abraham ( Mt. 1:1 ) The Son of David ( Mt. 1:1 ; 9:27 ) Christ ( Mt. 1:17 ; 2:4 ) Jesus ( Mt. 1:21) Emmanuel (God with us, Mt. 1:23 ) King of the Jews ( Mt. 2:2 ) Governor ( Mt. 2:6 ) Nazarene ( Mt. 2:23 ) The Son of God ( Mt. 4:3 ) Master ( Mt. 8:19 ) The Son of Man ( Mt. 8:20 ) Physician ( Mt. 9:12 ) The Bridegroom ( Mt. 9:15 ) The Friend of Sinners ( Mt. 11:19 ) The Beloved ( Eph. 1:6 ) The Son of the Highest ( Lk. 1:32 ) The Horn of Salvation ( Lk. 1:69 ) The Dayspring ( Lk. 1:78 ) Christ the Lord ( Lk. 2:11 ) Savior ( Lk. 2:11 ) Salvation ( Lk. 2:30 ) Jesus of Nazareth ( Lk. 4:34 ) Holy One of God ( Lk. 4:34 ) The Word ( Jn. 1:1-2 ) God ( Jn. 1:1-3 ) The True Light ( Jn. 1:9 ) Only Begotten Son ( Jn. 3:16 ) Lamb of God ( Jn. 1:29 ) The King of Israel ( Jn. 1:49 )
Teacher ( Jn. 3:2 ) Gift of God ( Jn. 4:10 ) Savior of the World ( Jn. 4:42 ) The Bread of God ( Jn. 6:33 ) The Bread of life ( Jn. 6:35 ) Light of the World ( Jn. 8:12 ) Door of the Sheep ( Jn. 10:7 ) The Good Shepherd ( Jn. 10:11 ) The Way, the Truth, the Life ( Jn. 14:6 ) The Vine ( Jn. 15:1-8 ) Lord and God ( Jn. 20:28 ) Holy One and Just ( Acts 3:14 ) A Prince and a Savior ( Acts 5:31 ) Lord of all ( Acts 10:36 ) A Propitiation (1Jn. 2:2 ) Jesus Christ our Lord ( Rom. 6:23 ) The Deliverer ( Rom. 11:26 ) Christ Jesus (1Tim. 2:5 ) The Power of God ( 1Cor. 1:24 ) The Wisdom of God ( 1Cor. 1:24 ) Sanctification ( 1Cor. 1:30 ) Lord of Glory ( 1Cor. 2:8 ) Our Passover ( 1Cor. 5:7 ) Spiritual Rock ( 1Cor. 10:4 ) Christ the Firstfruits ( 1Cor. 15:23 ) The Last Adam ( 1Cor. 15:45 ) The Second Adam, (1Cor. 15:45-47 ) Image of God (2Cor. 4:4) Seed of Abraham ( Gal. 3:29 ) The Beloved ( Eph. 1:6 ) Chief Corner stone ( Eph. 2:20 ) Head of the Church ( Col. 1:18 ) Firstborn from the Dead ( Col. 1:18 ) Christ Jesus our Lord ( 1Tim. 1:12 ) Mediator ( 1Tim. 2:4-5 ) The Man Christ Jesus ( 1Tim. 2:5 ) Ransom for allA( 1Tim. 2:6 ) Seed of David ( 2Tim. 2:8 ) Lord Jesus Christ our Savior ( Tit. 1:4 ) Brightness of His Glory ( Heb. 1:3 )
Express Image of His Person ( Heb. 1:3 ) Upholder of All Things ( Heb. 1:3 ) Captain of Salvation ( Heb. 2:10 ) The Apostle and High Priest of our Profession ( Heb. 3:1 ) Forerunner ( Heb. 6:20 ) Minister of the Sanctuary ( Heb. 8:2 ) Testator ( Heb. 9:16-17 ) Author and Finisher of Faith ( Heb. 12:2 ) Great Shepherd of the Sheep ( Heb. 13:20 ) Shepherd and Bishop of Souls ( 1Pet. 2:25 ) Chief Shepherd ( 1Pet. 5:4 ) Lord and Savior Jesus Christ ( 2Pet. 1:11 ) Day Star ( 2Pet. 1:19 ) Advocate ( 1Jn. 2:1 ) Jesus Christ the Righteous ( 1Jn. 2:1 ) Eternal Life ( 1Jn. 5:20 ) Faithful Witness ( Rev. 1:5 ) First Begotten of the Dead ( Rev. 1:5 ) Prince of the kings of earth ( Rev. 1:5 ) Alpha and Omega ( Rev. 1:8 ) The Beginning and Ending ( Rev. 1:8 ) The First and the Last ( Rev. 2:8 ) Morning Star ( Rev. 2:28 ) The Amen ( Rev. 3:14 ) Faithful and True Witness ( Rev. 3:14 ) Lion of the Tribe of Judah ( Rev. 5:5 ) The Root of David ( Rev. 5:5 ) The Word of God ( Rev. 19:13 ) King of kings, Lord of lords ( Rev. 19:16 ) Root and Offspring of David ( Rev. 22:16 ) Bright and Morning Star ( Rev. 22:16 )
KNOWING WHO I AM IN CHRIST
I am complete in Him Who is the Head of all principality and power (Col 2:10). I am alive with Christ (Eph 2:5). I am free from the law of sin and death (Rom 8:2). I am far from oppression, and fear does not come near me (Isa 54:14). I am born of God, and the evil one does not touch me (1 Jn 5:18). I am holy and without blame before Him in love (Eph 1:4; 1 Pet 1:16). I have the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16; Phil 2:5). I have the peace of God that passes all understanding (Phil 4:7). I have the Greater One living in me; greater is He Who is in me than he who is in the world (1 Jn 4:4). I have received the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Jesus, the eyes of my understanding being enlightened (Eph 1:17,18). I have received the power of the Holy Spirit to lay hands on the sick and see them recover, to cast out demons, to speak with new tongues. I have power over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means harm me (Mk 16:17,18; Lk 10:17,19). I have put off the old man and have put on the new man, which is renewed in the knowledge after the image of Him Who created me (Col 3:9,10). I have given, and it is given to me; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, men give into my bosom (Lk 6:38). I have received the gift of righteousness and reign as a king in life by Jesus Christ (Rom 5:17).
I have no lack for my God supplies all of my need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Phil 4:19). I can quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one with my shield of faith (Eph 6:16). I can do all things through Christ Jesus (Phil 4:13). I show forth the praises of God Who has called me out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Pet 2:9). I am God’s child for I am born again of the incorruptible seed of the Word of God, which lives and abides forever (1 Pet 1:23). I am God’s workmanship, created in Christ unto good works (Eph 2:10). I am a new creature in Christ (2 Cor 5:17). I am a spirit being alive to God (Rom 6:11;1 Thess 5:23). I am a believer, and the light of the Gospel shines in my mind (2 Cor 4:4). I am a doer of the Word and blessed in my actions (Jam 1:22, 25). I am a joint-heir with Christ (Rom 8:17). I am more than a conqueror through Him Who loves me (Rom 8:37). I am an overcomer by the blood of the Lamb and the word of my testimony (Rev 12:11). I am a partaker of His divine nature (2 Pet 1:3,4).
I am an ambassador for Christ (2 Cor 5:20). I am part of a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a purchased people (1 Pet 2:9). I am the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ (2 Cor 5:21). I am the temple of the Holy Spirit; I am not my own (1 Cor 6:19). I am the head and not the tail; I am above only and not beneath (Deut 28:13). I am the light of the world (Matt 5:14). I am His elect, full of mercy, kindness, humility, and long-suffering (Rom 8:33; Col 3:12). I am forgiven of all my sins and washed in the Blood (Eph 1:7). I am delivered from the power of darkness and translated into God’s kingdom (Col 1:13). I am redeemed from the curse of sin, sickness, and poverty (Deut 28:15-68; Gal 3:13). I am firmly rooted, built up, established in my faith and overflowing with gratitude (Col 2:7). I am called of God to be the voice of His praise (Ps 66:8; 2 Tim 1:9). I am healed by the stripes of Jesus (Isa 53:5; 1 Pet 2:24).
I am raised up with Christ and seated in heavenly places (Eph 2:6; Col 2:12;). I am greatly loved by God (Rom 1:7; Eph 2:4; Col 3:12; 1 Thess 1:4). I am strengthened with all might according to His glorious power (Col 1:11). I am submitted to God, and the devil flees from me because I resist him in the Name of Jesus (Jam 4:7).
I press on toward the goal to win the prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward (Phi 3:14). For God has not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, love, and a sound mind (2 Tim 1:7). It is not I who live, but Christ lives in me (Gal 2:20).
Names of the Holy Spirit
Spirit of God (Gen. 1:2 ) Spirit of Wisdom (Isa. 11:2; Eph. 1:17 ) The Spirit (Eph. 2:22 ) His Spirit (Rom. 8:11). Thy Spirit ( Ps. 139:7 ) My Spirit (Acts 2:17-18 ) The Spirit of the Lord (Lk. 4:18; 2Cor. 3:17-18 ) The Spirit of Elijah ( 2Ki. 2:15; Lk. 1:17 ) Thy Good Spirit ( Neh. 9:20 ) Thy Free Spirit ( Ps. 51:12 ) The Spirit of Judgment ( Isa. 4:4) The Spirit of Burning ( Isa. 4:4 ) Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding ( Isa. 11:2 ) Spirit of Counsel and Might ( Isa. 11:2 ) Spirit of Knowledge and Fear of the Lord ( Isa. 11:2) Spirit of the Holy Gods ( Dan. 4:8-9 , 18 ; 5:11 ) Spirit of Grace and Supplications ( Zech. 12:10; Heb. 10:29 ) The Holy Ghost (Mt. 3:11; 28:19; 1Jn. 5:7 ) The Spirit of Your Father ( Mt. 10:20 ) The Power of the Highest ( Lk. 1:35 ) The Holy Spirit (Lk. 11:13 ) The Comforter ( Jn. 14:16, 26; 15:26 ) The Spirit of Truth ( Jn. 14:17; 15:26; 16:13 ) Spirit of Holiness ( Rom. 1:4 ) Spirit of Life ( Rom. 8:2 ) Spirit of Christ ( Rom. 8:9; 1Pet. 1:11 ) Spirit of Adoption ( Rom. 8:15 ) Spirit of the Living God ( 2Cor. 3:3 ) The Spirit of His Son ( Gal. 4:6 ) Holy Spirit of Promise ( Eph. 1:13 ) Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation ( Eph. 1:17 ) Holy Spirit of God ( Eph. 4:30 ) Spirit of Jesus Christ ( Php. 1:19 ) The Eternal Spirit ( Heb. 9:14 ) The Spirit of Glory ( 1Pet. 4:14 ) The Spirit of Prophecy ( Rev. 19:10 )
Greek Words for Love
There are a number of Greek words for love, and each is rich with meaning. There is certainly confusion today on the subject because we are limited to only one English word which covers a broad range of meanings. For example, if I said, "I love my wife, I love my pastor, I love my friends, I love my house, and I love to travel," obviously love means something different in each case. Ancient Greek has four distinct words for love: eros, philia, storge, and agape. Eros - A word that was not actually used in the New Testament but was alluded to. It meant physical passion; its gratification and fulfillment. The Greek word is probably not used in the New Testament because the origin of the word came from the mythical god Eros, the god of love. It is inferred in many scriptures and is the only kind of love that God restricts to a one-man, one-woman relationship within the bounds of marriage (Heb. 13:4; Song 1:13; 4:5-6; 7:7-9; 8:10; 1 Cor. 7:25; Eph. 5:31). Storge - is the natural bond between mother and infant, father, children, and kin. Phileo- love is a love of the affections. It is delighting to be in the presence of another, a warm feeling that comes and goes with intensity. The Bible encourages it but it is never a direct command. God never commands phileo since this type of love is based on the feelings. God Himself did not phileo the world but rather operated in agape love towards us. I cannot have a warm tender feeling toward an enemy but I can agape love them. Agape- love is God's kind of love. It is seeking the welfare and betterment of another regardless of how we feel. Agape does not have the primary meaning of feelings or affection. Jesus displayed it when he went to the cross and died for you and me. We can agape our enemies regardless of how we feel.
1 Corinthians 13 The Love Chapter
The following is a description of agape love, also called "Charity" in the New Testament (1 Cor. 13). This paraphrase is based upon research of the Greek and English words and their meanings in 1 Cor. 13:4-8. LOVE SUFFERS LONG God's love has a tolerance for and endures trying situations and persons beyond an average standard. God's love is patient. LOVE IS KIND God's love is of a friendly nature, generous, hospitable, warm-hearted, and good. God's love is charitable and helpful, showing sympathy and understanding for others. It is considerate, forbearing, tolerant, courteous, and thoughtful, desiring only to promote the welfare of others. It is generous, liberal, and beneficial, demonstrating itself in kindly acts. LOVE ENVIES NOT God's love does not resent another's good fortune or desire to have what is his. God's love is not jealous and does not deprive another of what he has. LOVE VAUNTS NOT ITSELF God's love does not boast and brag or abound with self-praise. It is not vain or proud. LOVE IS NOT PUFFED UP God's love is not high-minded or puffed up with pride. LOVE DOES NOT BEHAVE ITSELF UNSEEMLY
God's love does not act, react, function, or perform in a manner which is in bad taste, improper, or in violation of what is right. LOVE SEEKS NOT HER OWN God's love does not demand its own way. LOVE IS NOT EASILY PROVOKED God's love is not easily annoyed or incited to anger or resentment. LOVE THINKS NO EVIL God's love does not reason about or reflect upon that which causes or constitutes misfortune, suffering, difficulty, or the like. God's love does not ponder upon wickedness. LOVE REJOICES NOT IN INIQUITY God's love feels joyful when right, sincerity, integrity, honesty, and truth prevail.
LOVE BEARS ALL THINGS God's love makes it possible to withstand all stress and difficulty. Because God is love, He supports and carries on His own Person whatever is placed upon Him. God's love protects, covers, and keeps off anything which threatens the benefit and welfare of another. God's love holds back, refrains, and is tolerant and patient in all circumstances. LOVE BELIEVES ALL THINGS God's love puts faith in others, believing the best of everyone (without criticizing or looking for fault). LOVE HOPES ALL THINGS God's love persists in hoping, against all odds, in confidence and expectation of fulfillment of that which is promised. LOVE ENDURES ALL THINGS God's love causes one to carry on through, despite hardships. LOVE NEVER FAILS God's love never proves insufficient in duration or is unsuccessful in effectiveness. Love will never disappoint or prove undependable. God's love goes on forever and will never come to an end.
