Our Ultimate Syllabus
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine,
for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
1 Tim 3:16
Spiritual Order
Reproof = wrong conduct;
Correction = wrong doctrine
Reproof = wrong conduct; Correction = wrong doctrine
Corinth: Four Letters & Three Visits
Occasion of 1 Corinthians:
The household of Chloe brought him news
of cliques in the church (1Cor 1:11) and the church wrote him a letter (re:
1 Cor 7:1) presumably brought to Ephesus by Stephanas, Fortunatus and
Achaicus (1 Cor 16:17), who probably added their own comments.
Romans Doctrine Soteriology
(Salvation)
1, 2 Corinthians Reproof
Galatians Correction
Ephesians Doctrine Eschatology
(Church)
Philippians Reproof
Colossians Correction
1, 2 Thessalonians Doctrine Ecclesiology
Corinth: Four Letters & Three Visits
Occasion of 1 Corinthians: The household of Chloe brought him news
of cliques in the church (1Cor 1:11) and the church wrote him a letter (re:
1 Cor 7:1) presumably brought to Ephesus by Stephanas, Fortunatus and
Achaicus (1 Cor 16:17), who probably added their own comments.
The “Painful Visit”: The situation worsened. Paul felt it necessary to
leave his work in Ephesus and pay a hurried visit in the attempt to set
things right. (This visit is implied in passages in 2 Corinthians which
speak of Paul as being ready to pay a 3rd visit to Corinth (2 Cor 12:14;
13:1; his 2nd visit is past, 13:2). His references to coming again in sorrow
(2 Cor 2:1) indicate that this visit had been an unpleasant one. It failed
to clear up the situation and Paul went away profoundly disturbed.
The “Severe Letter”: Paul determined to write another letter, obviously
very severe in tone and it cost him much to write (2 Cor 2:4; 7:8). Had
it not been successful it might conceivably have meant a final rupture
between Paul and this church he had founded. The letter was apparently
taken by Titus, who was to return via Macedonia and Troas (2:4-9; 7:8-
12). In anxiety over the possible effect of this drastic letter, and impatient
over Titus’ delay in returning, Paul traveled north from Ephesus to
Macedonia. There Titus met him and, to Paul’s relief and joy, reported
that the Corinthians had punished the ringleader of the opposition and
repented (2 Cor. 2:5-17; 7:5-7, 13.)
Occasion of 2 Corinthians: Paul then wrote a fourth letter (2 Corinthians),
recounting his former anxiety and expressing his joy over the reform in
Corinth. [The “severe letter” seems to have been lost, although many
scholars feel part of it is preserved in 2 Cor 10 - 13.] Almost certainly
he visited the church soon afterwards: 3rd visit.
A) When the church was founded
1) The “Previous Letter”
(Household of Cloe visit Paul, with a letter from Corinth)
2) “1st Corinthians” (“2nd”)
B) The “Painful” visit
3) The “Severe Letter” (Lost…)
(Titus’ report: received well.)
4) “2nd Corinthians” (“4th” + fragments?)
C) 3rd visit
1st Epistle to the Corinthians
• Schisms are Wrong Ch. 1-6
– True wisdom vs. the “Foolishness of God”
– Human teachers are but stewards
• Replies to other problems Ch. 7-11
– Marriage, Meats, Lord’s Table, etc
• Spiritual Gifts Ch. 12-14
• Resurrection Ch. 15
True Wisdom
For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh,
not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the
foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the
weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base
things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea,
and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh
should glory in his presence.
1 Cor 1:26-29
The “Foolishness” of God?
• Noah’s Ark?
• Blood on the doorposts in Egypt?
• Brazen Serpent in the wilderness?
• Trumpets around Jericho?
• The Creator of the Universe making His entrance riding a donkey?
• A group of unlettered fishermen to overturn the entire Roman
world?
The Ultimate Foolishness?
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto
us which are saved it is the power of God.
1 Cor 1:18
Stewardship
• Salvation vs. Rewards.
• Two Foundations: Gold, Silver, Precious stones vs. Wood, Hay,
Stubble—to be tried by fire!
• Inheritances are forfeitable (the Metachoi, or Koinonos: partakers).
Spiritual Gifts: 1 Corinthians 12 - 14
The Spirit divides them as He will 1 Cor 12
• Diversity of Gifts but one Spirit (4-11)
• Diversity of members but one body (12-27)
• Diversity of service but one church (28-31)
They are valueless without Love 1 Cor 13
• The utter necessity of Love (1-3)
• The moral excellency of Love (4-7)
• The abiding supremacy of Love ( 8-13)
The greatest of them is prophecy 1 Cor 14
• It most edifies the Church (1-22
• It most convinces outsiders (23-28)
• Its use should be orderly (29-40)
Fruits Rather than Gifts
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not love,
I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have
the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and
though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not love,
I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though
I give my body to be burned, and have not love, it profiteth me nothing. Love
suffereth long, and is kind; Love envieth not; Love vaunteth not itself, is
not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, Seeketh not her own, is not
easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in
the truth; Beareth all things, Believeth all things, Hopeth all things,
Endureth all things…
1 Cor 13:1-7
What Is the “Gospel”?
1 Corinthians 15:1-4
Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto
you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye
are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have
believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also
received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures;
And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to
the Scriptures.
1. Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures;
2. And that he was buried,
3. And that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures...
Notice what is NOT mentioned: His teaching; His “example”; His
miracles…
The Resurrection: 1 Corinthians 15
• The Most Important Chapter in the Bible....
• Jurassic Park offers a glimpse:
– Basic building blocks are fungible elements.
– Only unique requirement: information (DNA).
• Jesus’ Resurrection as a model:
– His body was Tangible.
– Hyper dimensional (spacially transcendent).
Dimensional Equivalence?
1 John 3:2
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we
shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him;
for we shall see Him as he is.
• ...we shall be like Him;...
• ...for we shall see Him as he is....
A Translated Generation
1 Corinthians 15:51-53
Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be
changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the
trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we
shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this
mortal must put on immortality.
“Twinkling” not winking: 10-35th seconds? An indivisible smallest unit of time.
Seven Transitions
From To:
• Corruption Incorruptible
• Dishonor Glory
• Weakness Power
• Physical Spiritual
• Earthly Heavenly
• Flesh-and-blood Transcendent
• Mortal Immortal
“Physical” (virtual reality, subset) to “Spiritual” (the larger reality).
2 Corinthians
• Titus brings a disturbing report:
– Detractors attack Paul’s character.
– Opponents hint at cowardice, etc.
– Insinuate doubts about credentials, etc.
• Paul is forced to respond for the health of the Gospel there and
throughout the region:
– “An impassioned self-defense of a wounded spirit to erring and
ungrateful children.”
Written with a “quill dipped in tears;” from the apostle’s anguish of
heart… it contains more pathos than any other of his letters. Paul’s
earlier letter was written to Corinth was written at Ephesus. Soon
afterward he was compelled to flee due to the fanatical uprising instigated
by the silversmiths economic interest in statues of Artemis
(Diana). From Ephesus he made his way up to Troas, and across the
Aegean Sea to revisit churches he founded in Macedonia, and then
south again to Corinth. Titus was to have met him at Troas, but did not
turn up until later. Disappointment, apprehensiveness, and physical
illness brought Paul to one of his darkest hours. He eventually did reach
Corinth and stayed there 3 months (Acts 20:3), but in the interval
between leaving Ephesus and reaching Corinth. He wrote this letter
(probably from Philippi) and under deeply affecting circumstances.
2nd Epistle:
Christ Our Comfort Amid Trial
• Paul’s Account of his Ministry: 2 Cor 1-5
– Motive (1-2)
– Message (3-5)
• Paul’s Appeal to his Converts: 2 Cor 6-9
– Things Spiritual (6, 7)
– Things Material (8, 9)
• Paul’s Answer to his Critics: 2 Cor 10-13
– Critics and their pretensions
– The Apostle and his credentials
Galatians
• Is a Polemic Against Gospel Perversion
– Romans to be grounded in doctrine
– Corinthians to be guided in practice
– Galatians to be guarded against error
• Paul had visited twice before writing
– 2nd visit far less reassuring than the 1st
– Remonstrates them against errors
– “Another [heteros] Gospel…”
Galatians: Liberation Through the Gospel
First visit: received with warmth and enthusiasm. “…ye would have
plucked out your eyes and given them to me.” (Gal 4:14,15) This letter
became the battle cry of the Reformation.
• Authenticity of the Gospel Ch. 1, 2
– Genuine as to its origin (1)
– Genuine as to its nature (2)
• Superiority of the Gospel Ch. 3, 4
– The new relation it effects (3)
– The privileges it releases (4)
• The True Liberty of the Gospel Ch. 5, 6
– Love-service ends Law-bondage (5:1-15)
– Spirit ends flesh-bondage (5:16-6:10)
“A Short Romans”:
A different Gospel would cheat them of the many
privileges…sonship; inheritances; et al. Not an ancient problem: very
contemporary: the struggle between the true Gospel and its legalistic
manipulators…
Catalog of Compromises
• Faith vs. Works
• Grace vs. Law
• Spirit vs. Flesh
• Truth vs. Error
• Church vs. State
• Christianity vs. Paganism
• Christ vs. Pseudo-christ
No more up-to-date writing than this little polemic to the Galatians!
Protestantism has become leavened with legalism; Law is mixed with
grace again…The insistence on human merit-works and outward ceremonial
feeds the dangerous vanities in human nature, and engenders
a deteriorated morality.
Flesh vs. Spirit
• Abraham 430 years before the Law.
Promises preceded the Law:
Promises cannot be disannulled by the Law (Galatians 3:17).
• Ishmael vs Isaac. Two sons of two principles: Flesh; Spirit; Ishmael:
of the flesh, in unbelief
• The son of the bondwoman will not be heir…Isaac: of promise, in
response to faith.
• The Ultimate Triumph: the offering of Isaac (Galatians 4:21-32).
Fruits of the Spirit: How’s Your Love-life?
We are not called to be gift inspectors, we are called to be fruit inspectors.
Each trio: the first is the foundation for the two which follow.
The Secret of the Love-life: the utter monopoly of the heart by the Spirit
Fruits of the Spirit
How’s Your Love-life?
• Love
My Heart • Joy Love exulting
• Peace Love reposing
• Longsuffering
My Neighbor • Gentleness Longsuffering: Passive
• Goodness Longsuffering: Active
• Faith Faith toward God
My God • Meekness
• Self-Control Faith in the life
• These are the 9 gifts of the Spirit, and these are the ways in which you can tell where you’re at in terms of your spiritual growth.
• Not by the gifts that you manifest, but by the fruits of the Spirit.
Four “Bearings”
• Fruit-bearing: Chapter 5:22-23
– 9 Fruits of the Spirit
• Burden-bearing: Chapter 6:2
– Bear one another’s burdens
• Seed-bearing: Chapter 6:7
– Whatsoever a man sows…
• Brand-bearing: Chapter 6:17
– I bear the marks of the Lord Jesus…
Brand (mark)-Bearing
1) Slaves: Have a mark of ownership
2) Soldiers: Have a mark of allegiance
3) Criminals: Have a mark of conviction
4) Abhorred: Has a mark of reproach
5) Devotees: Has a mark of consecration
Paul’s Body: Bears All Five!
Summary of Galatians
Galatians 3:3
Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by
the flesh?
The Prison Epistles:
These were written during Paul’s 1st imprisonment at Rome (2 Timothy
was written in his final imprisonment…).
Ephesians: The Great Mystery Revealed
Our Wealth in Christ 1 – 3
• Praise for spiritual possession 1:3-14
• Prayer for spiritual perceptions 1:15-23
• Our new condition in Christ 2:1-10
• Our new relation in Christ 2:11-22
• Revealing of the Divine Mystery 3:1-12
• Receiving of the Divine Fullness 3:13-21
Our Practical Walk in Christ 4 – 6
• Church corporately 4:1-16
• Believers individually 4:17-5:2
• Sensual-living outsiders 5:3-21
• Special Relationships 5:22-6:9
• The Armor of God 6:10-20
Conceded to be the most profound and most majestic of the epistles.
It deals with special relationships: parents/children; husband/wife;
employees (“master/slave”); and, fiduciaries.
Foreordained
Ephesians 1:4-5
According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world,
that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love:
Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to
Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,
God had you on His mind before the world was created...
“Chosen”: Is in the aorist tense from the Greek, meaning “once and for all”.
It’s also the middle voice:
• We have active voice and passive voice, the Greek has a middle voice.
• It adds the sense of choosing for one’s own self.
• In other words you are a participant in His choosing.
Question:
Were we offered sides to choose?...before birth?
• Chosen out of the world, once and for all, to be God’s own peculiar treasure.
Chosen to be holy:
• Not because we were holy, but to be holy.
“Adoption:”
• The word adoption here, is misleading as we tend to use it in our culture.
They had a different concept:
• You could be born of a father but you didn’t accede to your rights as a son until there was a formal public ceremony called adoption.
• Adoption is a public attestation of adult sonship and conferment of privileges.• Up until adoption you were a son technically, but you were treated as a slave of the house.
• When you were adopted as a son, you then acceded to the rights of maturity.
• We are already the “Sons of God” according to John 1:11, 12; 1 John 3:1.
(Quintus Arrius…adopted Ben Hur)
Redemption
Ephesians 1:7
In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,
according to the riches of his grace;
• Redemption means to release by ransom.
• Paid in respect of the eternal principles of righteousness which govern the universe, to the holy law of God which humans have outraged.
• We may say, “My sins don’t seem that big” that’s because we don’t understand how pure God is.
• The problem is not your sin alone, the problem is our gap between us and a Holy God.
• That’s what we as humans can’t grasp.
• And that’s the holiness that has been outraged by our behavior.
Sealed
Ephesians 1:13, 14
In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel
of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were
sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our
inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the
praise of his glory.
• This was something that Paul had a hard time really grasping, as do I.
• He was trained as a Pharisee, he was trained under Gamaliel.
• The concept of the Holy Spirit “sealing us” was mind blowing to him.
• He could remember King Saul, the Holy Spirit, came upon him and then leave.
• All through the Old Testament the Holy Spirit would be there and then He wouldn’t.
• In other words He had His own volition.
• Here we are entering a period in which the Holy Spirit is God’s commitment.
• There’s a concept of irrevocability involved here “you were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise”.
Sealing:
Ownership and Security.
• We are His, and we are safe.
Earnest:
• A prepayment or down payment to secure the bargain.
Our Salvation
Ephesians 2:8-10
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is
the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his
workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath
before ordained that we should walk in them.
Even our faith is the gift of God:
• ...”faith;....”that” not of yourselves:..... it is the gift of God“...
But why?
• ...”Not of works”...”lest any man should boast”...”not of yourselves”.....
• God did the whole job Himself.
• To try to add to your salvation is a form of blasphemy, because you are trying to add to something that God has already completed.
Workmanship comes from the Greek word, poema; the same word where we get the word poem.
Why all the trouble….why did God bother?
• God put Adam in the Garden with his own free will knowing that Adam was going to get himself in a predicament.
• That nothing less than the death of God was going to get him out of it.
His Ultimate Purpose:
Ephesians 2:7
…That in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace
in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
How can God demonstrate Infinite power?
• One way to get a glimpse of that is if you look through a telescope and try to understand the universe.
• The more you study it, the more astounding it becomes.
The Concept of Infinite knowledge:
• We can probably begin to imagine but not thoroughly embrace, ...
But, how do you demonstrate Infinite love?:
• By putting humanity in a situation in which he cannot extricate himself from the consequences of that predicament.
• The only remedy would have to be the death of God Himself, because only His holiness would be sufficient for the remedy of sin.
• You see, man was going to sin at some time in eternity without Gods indwelling Holy Spirit anyway, the angels did.
• This whole panorama that started in Eden gets it’s peak at the cross on a hill in Golgotha.
• As a demonstration of His Infinite Love.
We will spend an eternity trying to understand the fullness of the implications of what it cost Him.
• The Bible has a few chapters on Creation, how much of the Bible is dedicated to Redemption?
• The whole book of Genesis, the whole book of Exodus, as you study each book you realize each book is primarily focused on Gods plan of redemption all the way to the book of Revelation which is the climax.
What did the Creation cost Him?:
(Six Days)
• He breathed it out of His nostrils.
What did the Redemption of you and me cost Him?:
• The death of His Son.
Read: Joe Focht describe the last week of Christ.
https://www.calvaryfellowshipsv.org/notes/NT_Notes/Mark%20Notes.pdf
Mark 15:15 – “released Barabbas…delivered Jesus” – And the world has been ruled by murderers and insurrectionists ever since.
- “scourged Him” – The Romans, not limited to 39 lashes, often killed or drove to insanity by whipping.
Jesus’ back, butt, and upper legs would’ve been flayed by the bone and metal tied
into the straps of the cat-of-nine-tails, yet He opened not His mouth. (Mark 14:61; Isaiah 53:7)
- Roman scourging was designed to get a confession.
Mark 15:17 – “crown of thorns” – This is symbolically ironic. The thorns came as a result of the fall
(Genesis 3:18), and now the King of the Jews is ready to die for sin.
Mark 15:19 – “struck Him…spat on Him”
– The tenses are “continually struck Him…continually spat on Him.”
- “worshipped Him”
• There was a game the Roman soldiers played with political prisoners called Kill the King.
– They would feign worship before the prisoner before beating him.
– The soldier who struck the final death blow was the winner of the game.
Mark 15:20 – “led him out”
– They would typically tie the crossbeam to his shoulders and a cord to an ankle.
– Occasionally they would step on the cord to stumble the prisoner bringing the 30- 40 pound crossbeam down on the back of his neck.
- This was along the Via Dolorosa road.
• If the scene ends here and Jesus doesn’t proceed to the cross, this beating (despite
being violent and extensive) means nothing. It is the cross that procures redemption
that makes this of any value at all.
• The cup that Jesus drinks isn’t just physical, it’s spiritual as well. The beatings move us, but it is the cross which saves us.
Mark 15:21-37 – The parallel passages are found in Matthew 27:32-50; Luke 23:26-56; and John 19:17-30.
Mark 15:21 – “compelled” – It was the right of a Roman soldier to require a citizen to bear a burden simply by placing their sword on the shoulder of the citizen,
- “Cyrenian” It was an 800 mile journey from Cyrene, from North Africa to Jerusalem. (Acts 2:10; 6:9)
- Acts 13:1 – Simon (called Niger) of Cyrene
- Romans 16:13 – “Rufus chosen…”
- To “bear His cross”
– This would have immediately defiled Simon and rendered him unclean for the Passover. His journey might seem to have been wasted.
Mark 15:22 – “they brought Him”
– At first, they led Jesus out (v. 20). Now they are bringing Jesus with them.
Apparently, Jesus was weakened significantly from the beating by this point.
Mark 15:23 – “mingled with myrrh”
– Myrrh was a mind-numbing anesthetic.
Jesus refused it to experience all of our pain.
Mark 15:24
– “divided His garments” Psalm 22:18.
Mark 15:25
– “third hour” – That is 9am.
- “they crucified Him” There is a cruel brevity to the account.
- God’s reason for recording these records is to stir belief in us, not simply to arouse pity.
Mark 15:26 “His accusation was written”
– It was written in three languages:
Latin – the language of government,
Greek – the language of philosophy, and
Hebrew – the language of religion.
Mark 15:27 “also crucified two robbers”
– Jesus was crucified between two thieves. (Isaiah 53:12)
- Before His death, Jesus will save one of the thieves and welcome him to Paradise. (Luke 23:43)
Mark 15:29 “blasphemed Him”
– They are mocking Him as He is dying for them.
Mark 15:31
– saying, “He saved others; Himself He cannot save”
– If He saves Himself, then He could save no one else.
– This is His great act of mercy towards us.
Mark 15:33 “sixth hour…until the ninth hour”
– From noon to 3pm darkness covered “all the earth.” (Luke 23:44)
- This is not a lunar eclipse.
The Passover was a lunar feast and you cannot have a lunar eclipse during a full moon.
- In those three hours of darkness, Jesus goes through everything necessary to procure
our salvation.
Jesus actually “became sin for us.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)
- Psalm 22 “great bulls of Bashan” describe the spiritual struggle going on.
Mark 15:34
– Jesus “cried out”....He literally “screamed.”
- “Why…?”
– The first time Jesus asks a question He doesn’t know the answer to.
- He is going through the result of our sin, separating Him from God.
- “God separated from God, who can understand it?” (Martin Luther)
How do you think the Father felt?
Enduring the insults and the pain of His Son.:
The Mystery
Matthew 11:11
Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not
risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the
kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
Matthew 11:13
For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.
John ends the Old Testament “dispensation.” Cf. Luke 16:16.
• John the Baptist is the closure of the Old Testament, not Malachi, which happens to be the last book of the Old Testament.
• John the Baptist was saved as an Old Testament saint.
• Jesus is introducing something fresh and it’s Paul’s privilege to reveal it more fully.
A Mystery Revealed:
Ephesians 3:1-12
...verse 5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; 6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:.....
9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God,...
• It was no secret that:
– It was no secret that Christ was to come, and bear the sins of the many,
– It was no secret Christ was to be a Prince and a Savior to both Jews and Gentiles;
– It was no secret that the Holy Spirit was to be poured out;
– It was no secret that the remission of sins is to be preached; the Throne of David, etc.
All of these things are in the Old Testament, but the Church is not!
Where is the Church?
The Key:
The “Body” of Christ
Ephesians 3:3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) 5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
Ephesians 2:11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
12 That at that time ye were without Christ,......
being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
• “..the Gentiles should be fellow heirs...”
There is not a more profound passage in the Bible.
The mystery is predicted (Matthew 16:18) but not explained.
The “Body” of Christ
Ephesians 3:3-6
How that by revelation He made known unto me the mystery… Which in
other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed
unto His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; That the Gentiles should
be fellowheirs, and of the same Body, and partakers of His promise in Christ
by the gospel:
Hope of His Calling: Ephesians 2:18
• Resurrection and Immortality 1 Cor 15
• Joint reign with Christ Rom 15; Rev 3:21
• Eternal inheritance in Heaven Col 1:5; 1 Pet 1:4
• Perfect transformation into the Rom 8:29; 1 John 3:2
image of Christ Rev 22:3-5
To pass from time into eternity thus dead toward God, alienated and separated from Him, is surely a dread enough thought to send us out with renewed concern for the saving of countless Christless souls around us…
Four Dimensions?
Ephesians 3:18
That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and
grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the
breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ,
which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.
• ...”breadth, and length, and depth, and height“...
The Bible is the only “religious” book that transcends a 3 dimensional universe.
Our Cosmic Warfare
Ephesians 6:12
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities,
against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against
spiritual wickedness in high places.
Ranks of Angels:
A group of Greek words that are actually ranks of angels.
Principalities
Powers
Rulers of the darkness of this world
Spiritual wickedness in high places
Our Imperative
Eph 6:11
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the
wiles of the devil.
• Be completely armed before the battle begins...
• The bad news is, we are already in it and we are on enemy turf.
Old Testament Allusions
Isaiah 59:17
For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation
upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and
was clad with zeal as a cloke.
Our Armor : Ephesians 6
• Girded with Truth
• Breastplate of Righteousness
• Feet shod with preparation
• Shield of Faith
• Helmet of Salvation
• Sword of the Spirit
• Our Heavy Artillery: Prayer
[Preparation?
• A Bible study given 12 different times by 7 different people, always proved to be fruitful, yet never given today presenting Jesus Christ entirely from the Old Testament!
1. Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Assurance and faith in the Lord
2. Loins girt about with truth:
That’s your belt, by which everything else hangs on,
3. Having on the breastplate of righteousness:
Not my righteousness, His righteousness. The breastplate is critical, that’s life threatening, you can lose other parts of your body and survive but a wound to the chest area is life threatening!
So, you need to be sure of your security!
• Many assumed that Paul is drawing his idioms from the Praetorium guards who are chained to him, Paul is quoting this from the Old Testament.
4. Feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace:
The importance of footwork is critical in the engagement of warfare, examples are; Judo, Karate, Boxing, Wrestling, etc.
• Apologetics
5. Shield of faith:
The Roman Soldiers had a shield and they would spend their time making sure that it was in repair. They didn’t wait for the battle to try and plug the hole, if they had engaged in a previous battle they would fix that right away.
• Are there holes in my shield of faith, are there any problem areas that bother me concerning the scriptures?
If there is, it’s important that I search the scriptures and plug them up! Fix them now, double back on them and get the answers that you need.
6. Helmet of salvation:
You need to know your salvation;
The Present Tense called; Justification
The Past Tense; called Sanctification
The Future Tense called; Glorification
• I am saved
• I have been saved
• I will be saved
7. Sword of the Spirit:
The Word of God, that’s the only offensive weapon that you have, everything else listed is defensive.
The Sword is two-edged
Hebrews 4:12-14
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. 14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
• The technology of the early century warriors used a long curved sword, the Romans developed the makhaira a 24" broad short double edged sword. And with that short sword, they conquered the world.
But there are two things that you have to know about the makhaira sword;
• You had to know how to use it properly
• And you had to practice, practice, practice, practice,....because the whole idea was for close combat.
The same thing is true about the Word of God, you have to be in it everyday!
• And just knowing your Bible ain’t enough, you have to put it into practice.
• You have to know where to go to find what you’re looking for.
8. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints:
Our Imperative
Ephesians 6:10
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.
...”be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might“...
Imperative Mood: This is a command.
Present Tense: Be continually strong.
Passive Voice: You receive the action.
Ephesus was a real place
With real people living in a real place with real problems.
Philippians:
Resources Through Suffering
• This was written during Paul’s imprisonment at Rome, about 30 years after the Ascension, 10 years after the first preaching of Paul at Philippi.
Joy through suffering:
• Christ in our Life Chapter 1
• Christ our Mind Chapter 2
• Christ our Goal Chapter 3
• Christ our Strength Chapter 4
Philippians 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Philippians 3:7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
Kenosis: the Mind of Christ
Philippians 2:5-8
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the
form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself
of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a bondman, and was made
in the likeness of men: ...He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto
death, even the death of the cross…
Humility
Colossians: Christ Preeminent
• A response to the Gnostics.
– Greek:
Gnosis, means knowledge, to know
• “Agnostic” means to be without knowledge
– Latin Equivalent:
• ignoramus! To be ignorant.
The Gnostics
– A mixture of mysticism, Eastern speculations and Jewish legalism.
– Alexandria a major headquarters.
Gnosticism
These heresies promised people “spiritual perfection” if they entered into the esoteric teachings and ceremonies prescribed.
This “depth” and “full knowledge” could only be enjoyed by those initiated, etc.
These were all based on man-made traditions and philosophy, not on divine truth (Col 2:8).
They came to the false conclusion that matter was evil (Col 1:16);
And that a powerful spirit world used material things to attack mankind.
They held to a form of astrology, believing that angelic beings associated with heavenly bodies influenced affairs on earth (Col 1:16; 2:10, 15).
Added to these Eastern speculations was a form of Jewish legalism:
Good and evil were derived from rules and regulations (Col 2:21);
The idea that the rite of circumcision was helpful in spiritual development (Col 2:11); and, the OT dietary laws were also helpful in attaining spiritual
perfection (Col 2:14-17).
The Epistle to the Colossians
Doctrinal: The Fullness of Christ 1 –2
– In the Creation (1:15-18)
– In Redemption (1:19-23)
– In the Church (1:24-2:7)
– Versus Heresy (2:8-23)
Practical: The New Life 3 – 4
– Believers individually (3:1-11)
– Believers reciprocally (3:12-17)
– Domestic relationships (3:18-21)
– Employment obligations (3:22-4:1)
– Outsiders (4:1-6)
Personal Addenda 4:7-22
Christology
• The visible form of the invisible God
• The Prior-head of all creation
• In Him the universe was created
• He is before the universe
• In Him the universe coheres
• The Head of the Body:
the Church
• The Firstborn from among the dead
Above the Angels—all of them. “...that in all things He might have the pre-eminence.”
Christ the Creator
Colossians 1:16, 17
For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth,
visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities,
or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him: And He is
before all things, and by Him are all things held together.
Christ the Redeemer
Colossians 1:18-20
And He is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn
from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence.
For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fullness dwell; And, having
made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things
unto himself; by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in
heaven.
Epistles to the Thessalonians
• Culmination of the Church Epistles. It is reminiscent in style:
reminds them of what Paul had taught them in their initial few weeks
of teaching.
• The Harpazo, the “Rapture.” [This will be reviewed in our review of Eschatology in Hour 21: Review of Eschatology (“The Study of
Last Things”); some basic issues: “Amillennial” or “Premillennial?”
What is the “Rapture”? “Pre-trib,” “Post-trib,” or “Mid-trib?” Does
the Church go through the Great Tribulation?.]
The Pastoral Epistles
How many of you are in full-time ministry? Overview: diversity of gifts;
depth of commitment; challenges predictable; anticipates today!
First Epistle to Timothy:
The Local Church & its Minister
The Pastoral Epistles: specific instructions and encouragement to the
pastors of the local churches. Timothy was the pastor—and Paul’s
young protégé—of the “assembly” at Ephesus. Ten times (in the two
letters) Paul speaks of his “charge”—committed to him by Christ, and
he To Timothy—the glorious Gospel of the blessed God…
• A Charge: Guard the Deposit Ch. 1
• The Assembly and Its Conduct Ch. 2 – 3
– Concerning Order Ch. 2
• Men and Public Prayer
• Women and Public Mien
– Concerning Office Ch. 3
• Qualification of Elders
• Qualification of Deacons
• The Minister and His Conduct Ch. 4 – 6
– To the Assembly in General Ch. 4
– To Particular Groups Ch. 5, 6
Second Epistle to Timothy:
Challenge to Faithfulness
Paul’s last, as he awaited execution; he did not expect to be freed this
time. The first letter was a “charge;” this one is a “challenge” to fortitude
and faithfulness, under both the present testings, and in the end-time
testings to come.
• The True Pastor under Testings Ch. 1, 2
– The True Personal Reaction
– The True Pastoral Reaction
• The True Pastor and End-time Troubles Ch. 3, 4
– The True Personal Reaction
– The True Pastoral Reaction
Warnings
In the second epistle the “some” have become “all.” A prophetic profile
of our own times…
• “Some have turned aside” Ch. 1:6
• “Some have made a shipwreck” Ch. 1:19
• “Some shall fall away” Ch. 4:1
• “Some have turned after Satan” Ch. 5:15
• “Some have been led astray” Ch. 6:10
• “Some have missed the mark” Ch. 6:21
• Our Challenge: Finishing well…
Finishing Well
2 Timothy 4:7-8
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord,
the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto
all them also that love His appearing.
Assurance
2 Timothy 1:12
For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not
ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is
able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day.
Titus:
Paul’s Troubleshooter
Paul used him to help sort out some extremely delicate situations. While
Paul was still working at the church in Antioch, he took Barnabas and
Titus on a difficult visit to Jerusalem. They debated with the leaders the
position of non-Jews in the church. Titus was probably the only Greek
present (Galatians 2:1-5).
Paul used Titus on a diplomatic mission to the church in Corinth. Titus
took a severely-worded letter from Paul to the Corinthians tackling their
unruliness. He was also given instructions by Paul to enforce at Corinth.
When Paul and Titus met in Macedonia, Titus had achieved a lot of what
Paul had asked for (2 Corinthians 2:12-13; 7:5-16).
Paul and Titus travelled to Crete, where Paul left him. Paul later wrote a
letter to Titus. This shows Titus in charge of another difficult situation.
Paul urged him to combat quarrelling and slander by rebuking his hearers
and using his full authority to bring order.
Titus:
Maintain Good Works
Prominent in settling the strife in Corintian church, which called for
firmness and tact, from which Apollos appears to have shrunk (1 Cor
16:12). Ten years later, he is selected to deal with the challenging position
he temporarily held in Crete, when this letter was addressed to him.
• As to Elders in the Assembly Ch. 1
– Put things in order
• As to Classes in Particular Ch. 2
– Adorn the doctrine
• As to Members in General Ch. 3
– Maintain good works
Philemon:
A Personal Intercession
Even in the finest art galleries there is always a place for choice
miniatures. This private, personal note is a masterpiece of courtesy,
tact, and even playfulness of wit. It also serves as an exemplar of
intercession. Slaves were property, with no right of asylum. Onesimus
was a domestic slave of Philemon and had absconded west to Rome.
Here he became converted and is being returned to Colosse a changed
man. Endeared to Paul who reluctantly sends him back for reconciliation
at Paul’s expense… [We, too, are God’s property, and are fugitives. Our
guilt is great, the penalties heavy. The Law condemns us; conscience
has betrayed us. Yet Grace concedes a right of appeal. Jesus, as Paul
did here, declares, “Put it all to my account.”]
Philemon lived at Colosse, to which Onesimus, a runaway slave, is being
returned. This letter was dispatched from Rome: when the epistle to
Colossians was sent, by the hand of Tychicus, Onesimus and this
private note to Philemon, accompanied it.
• Salutation Ch. 1-3
• Praise of Philemon Ch. 4-7
• Plea for Onesimus Ch. 8-17
• Paul’s Pledge & Assurance Ch. 18-22
• Benediction Ch. 23-25
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