Bible Study 5/31

Proverbs 6:1-19

4 sections today: the first warning against giving your neighbor a security deposit, as this creates a debt that could become a trap for you. The second considers the ant, who is self-disciplined (v.7), productive, and responsible, in contrast to the lazy sluggard. Laziness starts small, but grows and produces poverty (v.10-11).

The third person seems to describe a carnie. Well, ok, just a con man in general. It talks about disaster suddenly coming upon them.

The fourth is a list of 7 things the Lord hates. Knowing God is not just knowing what he loves, but also what he hates and growing to hate those things yourself.

Romans 5:1-11

As a result of this justification by faith, we have obtained peace with God. There is no longer any hostility between God and us because of our sin. We rejoice in the hope of seeing and sharing in the glory of God, but also in our sufferings, because suffering also produces this hope, sometimes even more clearly.

v.5 - It is the Holy Spirit who "has poured God's love into our hearts".

Paul emphasizes again that this reconciliation has taken place through the death of Christ, and goes on to argue that if we were reconciled to God through Christ when we were enemies of God, how much more will we be saved by Christ now that we are at peace with Him?

Romans 5:8 - But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Bible Study 5/30

Proverbs 5

This chapter is completely focused on warning the young man against the temptation of a forbidden woman (one who is not your wife). All 23 verses focus on this warning, acknowledging the desirable quality (v.3) but emphasizing the reality (v.4-5) and consequence.

Romans 4:13-25

Paul makes the point that if righteousness and justification depended on adhering to the law of God, then faith would have no value and the promises of God would be rendered meaningless. Who needs God's help when you can do it yourself? But none of us have ever been able to and never can. So both the adherent of the law (through faith) and those who share the faith of Abraham are counted righteous (made right with God, justified).

Awesome quote about Abraham: v.20-22 - "No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. That is why his faith was 'counted to him as righteousness'."

I want that read at my funeral.

Santa Cruz Update 5/29

We are almost finished setting up the Peter Pan Motel. I unpacked my suitcase last night. Today we'll do some last minute things, and as a staff team prepare for the welcome party for the students. I'm doing well - I'm ready to settle in to the routine of the summer.

Bible Study 5/29

Romans 4:1-12

Paul in this section anticipates the question "Well, if righteousness comes from faith in Jesus Christ, what about the people of God before Christ?" He cites the example of Abraham, who "believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness". Abraham's standing with God came to him before his obedience. He believed God's promises. His belief was demonstrated by acting on those promises (moving to a foreign land, sacrificing Isaac, etc..).

Paul also cites David's blessing on one whose "lawless deeds are forgiven" as referring to one who has been justified or made right with God apart from the law (morality, religious good deeds).

He concludes by saying that Abraham is the father of all, both Jew and Gentile, who believe in God.

Proverbs 4:20-27

v.25-27 - Talking about focus. Echoes Hebrews 12:1-3. v.23 - "keeping your heart" in this context is referring to protecting and cultivating the "words of wisdom".

Bible Study 5/28

Romans 3:21-31

Although everyone has been "shut up" by the law under sin because of their inability to keep it, Jew or non-Jew, religious person or pagan, the "but now" in 3:21 is a welcome sight. A righteousness from God APART from the law through faith in Jesus Christ has been revealed and provided for us, solely to be received by faith.

There is no longer any boasting then, in regard to our goodness or morality, because the righteousness we have is from God alone, who took the initiative with us, and not anything that we have obtained for ourselves. We can boast only in what Christ has provided for us.

Proverbs 4:1-19

Again, wisdom is emphasized as something to be highly sought after and valued. If it is valued and attained, it will promote longevity and avoidance of evil paths. A father's wisdom in particular is emphasized; a son listening to and remembering his father's words of wisdom. (In v.18-19) - a path of righteousness, when walked by wisdom, promotes clarity and confidence - evil and unrighteousness produce confusion and uncertainty.

Bible Study 5/27

Romans 3:1-20

In the first part of chapter 3, Paul acknowledges that the Jews were honored by receiving the oracles (messages,words) of God and having the special privilege of being set apart as God's people (circumcision). However, he says beginning in v.9 that these things did not and have not made them better off with regard to their salvation. They are still just as much under the curse and penalty of sin as the Greek (v.9). V.19-20 sum up his thoughts nicely - "..so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin."

Earlier Paul also mentions briefly the ridiculousness of those who argue that if our unrighteousness highlights the righteousness of God, shouldn't we be more unrighteousness to increase the contrast and God's glory? Why should God inflict wrath or punish those who are unrighteousness if they make Him look good? He doesn't even respect the argument enough to answer it fully, but he mentions that part of God bringing himself glory is his judgment of unrighteousness.

Proverbs 3:13-35

This proverb starts off again by highlighting the desirability of wisdom. It paints it as more desirable not only than riches or wealth, but than any other thing. It says many blessings including riches and prosperity and long life come from wisdom.

In the last part of chapter 3, the book begins getting into the many "do"s and "do not"s. These statements are representations of the kind of wisdom (how to live in light of the world God has created) that the book has been describing, beginning with the foundation of the fear of the Lord (faith).

V.27-28 focus on not witholding good from someone when it is in your power to do it. V.30 -"Do not contend with a man for no reason, when he has done you no harm." I think this speaks to our tendency to be argumentative just for the sake of wanting to be right.

Bible Study 5/26

Romans 2:12-29

Paul spends the rest of chapter 2 showing why Jews, who have the revealed law of God, are just as guilty of breaking it as the Gentiles, who though they don't have the law of God in written form, have it written on their conscience so that their conflicting moral thoughts testify against them. This can be compared to today's religious person, a cultural Christian, who grows up with a strong sense of morality and of "doing good". Despite their best efforts to live a "good life", they will fall short of keeping the moral law, and in many cases be in danger of viewing themselves in a self-righteous manner (v.19-20) that conceals their guilt from them. Both the religious person and the person who does not know God are guilty of rejecting God's law and choosing their own independent judgment over God's revealed will.

Proverbs 3:1-12

Keeping the commandments of the Lord and living by his wisdom is the best way to assure long life, favor, and success. (v.5-6) - Verses to memorize - they express the promise of the Lord to guide you on a straight path when you trust in Him even beyond your understanding of the situation.

V.9-10 - Those who honor the Lord, in this case with their wealth, will generally be blessed by the Lord. This is the way the world really works - those who give receive a return and a blessing. This runs contrary to what the world would say - if you give, you have lost something.

Bible Study 5/25

Romans 2:1-11

In this passage, Paul begins to show that it is not only the obvious ungodly pagan who is under the wrath of God, but also the self-righteous person who looks down on and judges the pagan. They are in fact guilty of the same things, just in less obvious (more sinister?) ways. The Pharisees were dealt with more harshly by Jesus than the ungodly "sick" who knew they needed a doctor.

v.4 - God's kindness is meant to lead to repentance. This is in direct opposition to those who believe that you can live your life however you like and because "God is love" everything will be fine.

Proverbs 2

Wisdom is linked here with righteousness and goodness. If one seeks wisdom (not just casually, but intentionally) they will find it, and specifically, they will find it through the "fear of the Lord" (appropriate response to God) and through the "words of his mouth" (which we have in the word of God). This kind of wisdom sets and keeps one on a path of goodness and righteousness, and protects one from temptation and destruction.

Some initial thoughts on LOST

I enjoyed the finale. Here's just a few thoughts. We'll call it things that I enjoy about LOST:

I like that in LOST, events have a purpose and a meaning. Life has a purpose and a meaning. "You are special."

LOST is about relationships, and everything that goes along with that. Life is about relationships.

LOST says that the events of your life are not an accident, or simply a result of random chance. "It happened for a reason."

LOST says that the decisions that you make, the choices, are important. They make a difference. "You have a choice."

LOST says that you can't be defined by other people, but rather by how you choose to relate to other people.

LOST says that there is a second chance, a fresh start. "Nothing is irreversible". You can let go and move on, no matter how difficult it was or how much it seems to have crushed you.

LOST says not to live in the past, but recognize how the past has shaped you. "Whatever happened, happened."

LOST affirms that this life is not all that there is. Our choices in this life influence life after death in some way.

Bible Study 5/24

Romans 1:18-32

There is no one on earth who doesn't know in their heart that there is a God who created the world. It is self-evident; it can be seen both in what has been made and through the conscience of man. Any attempt to represent this truth through making God to be some kind of physical thing is a suppression of the true reality that God can not be contained or represented in an image.

Even though this knowledge of God is evident, people have suppressed the truth and rejected God. As a result of this rejection, God "gives them over" to debased minds - lives that are full of the sin that follows from not acknowledging God as creator and the world as God's created order.

The wrath of God is on all people for this - he is not neutral towards their decision to reject him. It is only in his love, mercy, and grace that anyone on earth is allowed to live.

Proverbs 1:20-33

Wisdom is available for those who seek it - they will find it. If wisdom is rejected, if the "fear of the Lord" is rejected, then one will surely find destruction. "The complacency of fools destroys them (v.32)."

Santa Cruz Update 5/23

Arrived by plane yesterday at about 2:00 in San Jose airport. The shuttle service never picked up the phone, so Noel and I had no idea how we were going to get to where we were going. We asked a lady at an information desk, who eventually gave us a public bus transportation route that would get us to Santa Cruz Metro Center. Two and a half hours, $6, 3 buses, and 30 miles later, we got there.

From there, we took a taxi the rest of the twelve miles to La Selva Beach where the staff team is. That was about $40. Oh well, we got there on time.

Last night we had dinner as a staff team and got to know everyone. We'll continue that process this week as we learn about the project, etc... The team is somewhat different from last year - more married couples. There is one other single guy who is on staff in North Carolina. Seems like it will be a good team, but of course I miss last year's team. Looking forward to doing some good work with them.

Sunday is devoted to rest for those who drove and at 3:00 we'll head over to Santa Cruz and give a tour. Tonight we'll put together binders for the students which is like their "bible" for the summer project.

And tonight at 9:00 - watching the LOST finale with some people on the team!!

Bible Study 5/23

Romans 1:1-17

The purpose Paul gives in vs. 5 for "bringing about the obedience of faith [in Jesus Christ through the gospel]" is "for the sake of his name among all the nations." That is, for the glory, or fame and worship, of God.

That phrase, "the obedience of faith", also shows that faith is more than accepting intellectually the facts of the gospel. Faith implies an active trust - it is demonstrated through obedience, and is in fact inseparable from obedience.

Paul is "set apart for the gospel" (v.1), serves "in the gospel" (v.9), preaches the gospel (v.15), and is not ashamed of the gospel (v.16), because he knows the gospel is the power of God for salvation. The gospel, the message the Jesus Christ died for our sins and rose again to defeat death and reconcile us to God, is the center of the Christian life.

V.12 - "that we may be mutually encouraged by each others' faith" - what a great description and hope for summer projects!

Proverbs 1:1-19

(v.7) - "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge". True understanding and a philosophy of how to live begins with "the fear of the Lord" - which is knowing who God is through who He has revealed himself to be, and responding to Him out of reverence and worship, as He has revealed how to respond (in faith).

v.10 - "If sinners entice you, do not consent."

v.19 - "Such are the ways of everyone who is greedy for unjust gain; it takes away the life of its possessors."

LOST - The End

Here are some predictions for tonight's LOST finale, as of Sunday at 10:23 PT.

The island will be raised from the ocean in the flash-sideways. It will not be destroyed.

Jack will die.

Desmond will not die.

Kate will not die.

Sawyer will not die.

Hurley will not die.

Locke will speak on behalf of the island in ghost form.

The Man in Black will be killed. I'm saying a combination of Desmond, Ben, and Jack kills him.

Locke will walk again.

The last scene will not take place in the flash-sideways, but the original timeline OR a merged timeline.

David's mom (Jack's ex-wife) is Juliet.

That's all the predictions I have! Those are based on nothing more than where I feel like the show is going. I think it's really cool that in the flash-sideways they are all headed for a concert. It'll be cool to see how the music interacts with their recollection of the island.

Do you have any predictions?