RESOURCES: you might find extremely valuable for this class:
- http://www.biblegateway.com/ Looking up Scripture by topic, keyword, and for contextual references
- for Smart Phone: Free version of Touch Bible with Greek & Hebrew
- Lesson Blog: http://joyofbiblelearning.blogspot.com/ All lessons, audio, video, handouts, and Power Points will be available from here. Your comments and questions are invited here as we study. Also refer to: http://joyfullearning.org/ for more resources.
- Thy Word is Truth: http://www.thywordistruth.com/
- Strong's Greek/Hebrew Lexicon: http://www.eliyah.com/lexicon.html
- ALSO: http://crosswalk.com/ AND http://bible.logos.com/
- Bible Study Tools: http://www.biblestudytools.net/OtherResources/ AND http://wbsa.logos.com/ for Word Studies.
- West Erwin's Search the Bible: http://www.westerwin.com/tp40/Application.asp?app=bible&id=50265
- Fun Resource for Religious History & Charts: http://www.hyperhistory.com/online_n2/History_n2/a.html
- Pronunciation of Shekinah: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Shekinah - Let's all practice this one! ;-)
Lesson 1: Reflective Outline, Sanctification Scriptures, Compilation of All New Testament Passages on the Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit Is…, Balloons Graphic Can be found at: http://joyfullearning.org/
Lesson 2: Power of God Handout, Verigated Verses Chart, CD on "Improving Your Serve 1&2", and "A Supernatural Invitation" Pamphlet
LESSON:
A. REVIEW: http://joyfullearning.org/Lessons/Lesson1/Sanctification%20Process.doc HANDOUT from Last week.
--After reading Chapter One of "Absolute Surrender" what insights do you have?
Read:
--Romans 6:19, "SLAVES to righteousness, resulting in Sanctification"
--Romans 6:22: "by now having been freed from sin and ENSLAVED to God, you derive your benefit resulting in Sanctification and the OUTCOME, Eternal Life"
Is it not sad that the pulpit more often quotes verse 23, over verse 22?
Paul often started his letters: "Paul a slave of Jesus Christ". Have you ever started a letter like that?
B. Definitions: We are going to formulate a more "meaty" definition of "sanctification" this lesson using last week's handout. We will be looking a Paul's exhortations to "put off" and to "put on" certain characteristics and to "grow into the image of Christ". (Refer to the last row of the Sanctification Process Handout)
With these Scriptures in mind, interpret the parable of the "Cleaned House" (Luke 11:24-26; Matthew 12:43-45). How does this parable relate to Sanctification?
C. Learning to Read the Bible:
--2 Tim 3:7: Paul describes some Christians as "always learning but never able to come to the truth". This is a very harsh statement, but often describes what happens when we use a haphazard Bible study technique.
In this class we will learn many ways to study the Scriptures.
ONE METHOD of Bible Study is a WORD STUDY using the original language (Hebrew or Greek) assisted by a Lexicon (http://www.eliyah.com/lexicon.html)
We will be studying the word "Power" or as often translated "Miracle" or "Devine Strength" as translated in most New Testaments.
In Acts 2:22 & 2 Corinthians 12:12 we see 3 different types of abilities given to the Apostles. What were these 3? What are the differences between the 3 abilities? (see also Romans 15:19)
"Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with (1)miracles and (2)wonders and (3)signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know
--If you look up these 3 words using Touch Bible on your Smart Phone, or in a Strong's Greek Lexicon, or online, http://www.eliyah.com/lexicon.html you find the following 3 Greek words:
(1) Teras (G5059) = "Wonders": Miracles to amaze those who needed to believe and who needed to give credence to God's new Will for man (Deut 6:22; John 4:48; Acts 5:12; Acts 14:3; Hebrews 2:4)
(2) Semeions = "Signs" (G4592): Miracles that fulfill and confirm God's promises. (Exodus 10:2; 1 Sam 10:7-9; Mark 16:20; John 2:11)
(3) Dunamis (G1411)= Supernatural, Devine Power, Strength or "Miracle": Still with us to this day but only "appraised" by those who are Spiritual (1 Corinthians 2:14-15 )
Why does the Greek text carefully identify 3 distinct types, of what we have often lumped into one word, "miracle?"
CLARIFICATION:
There is a difference between a "sign", a "wonder", and "miracle". See if you can understand the differences.
--Signs and Wonders were seen in the physical world and could even be seen by "natural" men. (Acts 6:8; 5:12; 4:30; Romans 15:19) Remember that there are 3 kinds of "men": (1) natural, (2) spiritual, and (3) carnal according 1 Corinthians chapters 2 & 3.
------Signs were to demonstrate the fulfillment or confirmation of prophecy or promises made by God (i.e. as prophesied in Isaiah 66:19 OR signs as in Isaiah 35:5-6; Joel 2:28-32) These are just a few of the thousands of signs in your O.T. fulfilled in the N.T.
------You might think of Wonders as "red flags" to both believers and unbelievers. These red flags were to get the attention of man. To let them know that God was bringing about a New Covenant. Wonders were God's way of saying, "Pay Attention!" We saw Wonders with the Creation, with Noah's covenant with God, Abraham's covenant with God, Moses' covenant with God and we see it with Christ's covenant with believers. Wonders "started" the transition and proclamation of a new covenant and then natural order took over. (Acts 14:3-4)
Signs and Wonders were only to exist for a brief time and then they were to fade away when order was established. In 1 Corinthians 13: 8-13, Paul calls the Signs and Wonders "childish" because they were only for the "beginning" or establishment of the church. The church would then move on to more "mature" characteristics such as "love".
In Romans1:11, Paul tells the Romans that he would "lay on hands" brethren to impart some special gifts so that the church might become "established". After the church was "established" there would no longer be a need for the "laying on of hands" for special gifts.
Remember that the early church did not have the complete Bible to utilize for teaching. When the perfect will of God was given through the Apostles (1 Corinthians 13:10f) and assembled together as our Scriptures are today, there would no longer be a need for prophets to miraculously have knowledge and understanding.
This next point is very important. NOWHERE in the Bible does it ever tell us that God's supernatural, miraculous power (dunamis) was going to go away. Quite the contrary, God promises us this "dunamis" in our inner man throughout the New Covenant.
Read:
---Romans 1:16, Romans 15:13; Ephesians 1:19-20; 2 Corinthians 10:3-4a; 1 Corinthians 2:4-5
IMPORTANT POINTS:
(1) We are "saved" by the power (dunamis) of God. Romans 1:16
(2) We can only live the life of a Christian through power (dunamis) of God. Romans 15:13
(3) God WANTS to give us his great and surpassing power! Ephesians 1:19-20
(4) Through God's power (dunamis) we have strength to war against the flesh. 2 Corinthians 10:3-4a
(5) We should only desire to preach the Gospel through the power of God because He is the only one who can bring the increase. 1 Corinthians 2:4-5
(6) The Holy Spirit "reveals" our Spiritual Blessing to us (1 Corinthians 2:10-15) through the power of God. We have as much "dunamis" as the amount of submission we give to the will of God. God's Spirit will only live in a SUBMISSIVE HEART. Those who are arrogant, self-willed, and full of themselves have no Power and no Life in themselves.
REFLECTION: What can you conclude from the above Scriptures?
More Scriptures for your consideration:
--1 Corinthians 4:19-20 Paul was coming to Corinth to "judge" the "power" of Christians who were "arrogant." Obviously, their power was weak because of their pride.
--What kind of people deny the "dunamis", miraculous working of God? 2 Timothy 3:1-5f
TAKE-AWAY from this lesson on 3 Greek Words
Often we hear ministers us the word "providence" so as to AVOID using words like "supernatural power of the living God". But after searching the Scriptures do you know how many times the word "providence" is used in Scripture? Do you know under what circumstances is it used?
In Acts 24:1-3, we find the only place "providence" is ever used in the New Testament and it is NOT in reference to the Will or Power of God! It is used to complement Felix, a man against God, for the work he had done for the nation of Israel (to "butter" him up so he would put Paul on trial).
Why not acknowledge that our blessings come from, "the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ" as in Philippians 1:19-21?
To acknowledge that the Spirit of Christ actively and continually provides for us according His power (dunamis) is a mark of one who is Spirit-led.
TRANSFER, TRANSFORM, & TRANSCEND
D. Meditate on the 3 Ts HOW CAN WE BE SURE THAT...
(1) We have been TRANSFERED from darkness into Light? How might you describe this process to someone who does not know or understand it?
(2) How are we being TRANSFORMED?
(3) How can we TRANSCEND, "Rise Above" the cares of this world?
VIDEO: Many people begin their Christian lives hoping to Reach Paradise Falls....a state of Spirituality, Holiness, and Enlightenment, but NEVER advance past the basic functions of just living a "natural" life.
Many Christians think of Heaven as a glorified retirement plan instead of thinking of this life as being full of Spiritual Blessings involving a daily rewarding walk and relationship with Christ.
QUESTIONS:
(1) What Christian Disciplines will help us avoid missing out on the Spiritual Blessings in THIS Life?
(2) Who reveals Spiritual Blessings to us? How do we know we have the Holy Spirit? 1 Corinthians 2:7-14
(3) In our Balloon graphic, which Balloon is represented by verse 14? Place this Scripture next to this Ballon.
(4) What are the 3 types of "men" spoken of in 1 Corinthians 2?
HOMEWORK:
Research the word: "POWER" (use Strong's Lexicon if you are able http://www.eliyah.com/lexicon.html )
Highlight or underline it in your Bible everytime you find it. Reflect on the passages where you find it. Write in your PEP journal any new epiphanies you have. Share those on the Blog if you can.
Read Chapter 2: "Absolute Surrender" Reflect on how a TRANSFERED and TRANSFORMED Christian is to demonstrate Christ to the world.
Read the Blog section on Sanctification and Spiritual Blessings. Be ready to discuss in class.
Walk with Him and He will direct your path. Learn to "think deeply" and spiritually before acting using "transforming speech".
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