A Few Thoughts about Romans 12_9-13

Romans 12:9-21

This is a short list of Christian rules that must be followed. These are rules of God’s kingdom. They reflect His character, His worldview, and His lifestyle. Ephesians 5:1 NLT Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.

Romans 12:9-21 WEL

9 Love must be genuine. Hate what is evil. Stick tightly to what is good.

B1 Being genuine has the idea of heartfelt love, a love that is in thoughts, desires, words, and deeds. It is not a love of words only or hypocritical love (saying one thing and acting one way in public, yet saying and doing differently in private).

B2 Hate is disgust. It is emotional. It is motivating. We are to hate evil. Good is God’s ways and evil is anything else.

B3 We are to remain, to continue, to persevere in love. This cannot be abused. We are to continue in love but if there is abuse and this passage is used to manipulate, then one must leave.

10 Cherish one another with brotherly love, in showing honor, outdo one another.

B1 Cherish is to value, to treat with kindness, to love another as we love ourselves (Matthew 19:19).

B2 Instead of honoring ourselves, we honor others. Instead of complaining about someone or trying to find fault, find and think the good. Nonetheless, we must be telling the truth.

11 Don’t be apathetic in religious zeal; be zealous in spirit; be serving the Lord.

B1 Zeal has the idea of being diligent to carry out what the Lord has commanded. Zeal would be starting, doing, and finishing without delaying.

B2 So she gleaned in the field until evening. Then she beat out what she had gleaned, and it was about an ephah of barley. Ruth 2:17 NRSV

12 Be rejoicing in hope, be patient in tribulation, persevere in prayer.

B1 Hope is the expectation of a promise. Jesus is coming back is the promise. We look for Him today and every day is the hope. We rejoice that we have hope. Often, due to circumstances, hope fades, but let us look to fulfilled promises and lives of those who lived before when they trusted in God.

B2 Being patient is to endure quietly. Only by God’s grace can we do this.

C1 Job 6:11 NLT But I don't have the strength to endure. I have nothing to live for. Compare Acts 27:20.

C2 I also know that you are enduring patiently and bearing up for the sake of my name, and that you have not grown weary. Revelation 2:3 NRSV

C3 God’s promises and His fulfilled promises of the past, give us hope today. For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. Romans 15:4 NRSV

B3 We pray and pray and pray. We become discouraged. Why should I pray anymore? But! Referring the Jesus, the author of Hebrews writes, who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. Hebrews 5:7-8 NKJV

B4 Prayer is worship. It is not scripted; it is genuine communication with our Father. Let us continue to pray.

C1 Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. Colossians 4:2 NLT

C2 We are to walk with God. When we walk together, we talk together. No, O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8 NLT

13 Be sharing what you have for the needs of the saints; be given to hospitality.

B1 If we can help, do. First priority is our spouse, then children, then church family, then other Christians, and lastly those who are not Christians. We don’t neglect our family to give to strangers, but strangers need help, too. Let us be discerning.

B2 “No, this is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people. Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help. Isaiah 58:6-7 NLT

14 Bless those who persecute you. Bless; do not curse.

B1 We need to be a witness. If we curse, the persecutor will expect that, but if we bless and pray for them, they will have a witness about God’s ways.

B2 When the trial of Sir Thomas More was ended, and he was judged guilty of death, being asked if he had anything to say, he replied: " My lords, I have but to say that, like as the blessed apostle St. Paul was present at the death of the martyr Stephen, keeping their clothes that stoned him, and yet be now both saints in heaven, and there shall continue friends for ever, so I trust, and shall therefore pray, that though your lordships have been on earth my judges, yet we may hereafter meet in heaven together, to our everlasting salvation: and God preserve you all, especially my sovereign lord the king, and grant him faithful counsellors." (H. O. Mackey.)

15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

B1 There is a time to rejoice and a time to weep. Let us be wise to be good comforters.

B2 There is a need for empathy in these evil days. We can have this ministry to listen, to have compassion, and show kindness. But let us be discerning and not fall under their control or our emotions to bound with them.

16 Respect one another. Do not be inclined towards the upper class but condescend to those of lower status. Don’t be conceited in yourselves.

B1 So there is no difference between Jews and Gentiles, between slaves and free people, between men and women; you are all one in union with Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are the descendants of Abraham and will receive what God has promised. Galatians 3:28-29 GNB. Compare Colossians 3:9-13.

B2 A quote: Be on guard because pride stops people from seeing the truth and makes people think they are something or are better than others, which is not true. Always live with humility. Boast to everyone what Christ did on that cross for us. [Source]

17 Do not return evil for evil. Have it settled in your mind to be honest in everyone’s presence.

B1 Let God judge and sentence. His decisions are in love, wisdom, and holiness. We must always anticipate the possibility of repentance in others. Yet, if abused, leave.

B2 Truth is freeing; dishonesty is slavery.

B3 Robert Burns wrote, "An honest man's the noblest work of God." He was right. A man who is honest all round, honest. towards God, and honest towards his fellow-creatures, is the noblest work of God, When urged by his wife not to allow his conscience to stand in the way of fortunes Milton said, "I am resolved to live and die an honest man," Let us say the same, "Come gain or loss, come evil report or good report, come weal or woe, I am resolved to live and die an honest man. [Source is Biblical Illustrator-New Testament]

18 As much as is possible, live in peace with everyone.

B1 Sometimes we cannot, so we must leave.

B2 There is war, and there is peace. The world’s ways are selfishness, disorder, envy, fighting, etc. Yet, God’s ways are the opposite. God wants us to be a witness of God’s ways to those who are ungodly.

19 Dearly beloved, don’t seek revenge for yourself, but give room for the wrath [of God] instead, for it is written, “’Vengeance is mine; I will repay’, says the Lord.”

B1 Only God is truly and consistently just.

B2 Consider David’s actions when given the opportunity to kill King Saul in 1 Samuel 26:9-25.

20 Therefore, if your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him drink, for in doing so you will heap coals of fire on his head.

B1 Note the actions of Elijah in 2 Kings 6:8-23 especially When the king of Israel saw them he said to Elisha, "Father, shall I kill them? Shall I kill them?" He answered, "No! Did you capture with your sword and your bow those whom you want to kill? Set food and water before them so that they may eat and drink; and let them go to their master." So he prepared for them a great feast; after they ate and drank, he sent them on their way, and they went to their master. And the Arameans no longer came raiding into the land of Israel. 2 Kings 6:21-23 NRSV

B2 We treats others so to give them opportunity to trust in Jesus. ...so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. Matthew 5:45 NRSV

21 Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good.

B1 The summary is to overcome evil with good. It is a witness. It is for peace in our soul. Eventually, Jesus will return and complete the destruction of the devil and his ways.

B2 This is a spiritual war.

B3 In the Epistle of Paul to the Romans: “Rendering to no man evil for evil.” (Rom 12:17) Also in the same place: “Not to be overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Rom 12:21) Of this same thing in the Apocalypse: “And He said unto me, Seal not the words of the prophecy of this book; because now the time is at hand. And let those who persist in hurting, hurt: and let him who is filthy, be filthy still: but let the righteous do still more righteousness: and in like manner, let him that is holy do still more holiness. Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to render to every man according to his deeds.” (Rev 22:10-12) [Source is The Treatises of Cyprian. Treatise XII. — Three Books of Testimonies Against the Jews. Third Book. Testimonies].

The Christian is a new creation with a new citizenship, a new worldview, and a new lifestyle. God is the king, and these are some laws of His kingdom. We can apply this promise—do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10 NRSV

Short Notes Version 1 Mar 20

Psalm 126:

B1 There is a present view (the time of this Psalm’s writing). It describes the Jew’s happiness and seeking blessings from God because of their return to Israel from Babylon.

B2 Their is also a future view. This is best explained by Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum in an answer to a question he received.

God as King

B1 If God is King of all kings, Lord of all lords, omnipotent, and omnibenevolent, why is there evil in the world?

B2 God indeed rules all. We know

C1 God delegates who is to rule: Daniel 2:19-23 NIV During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven 20 and said: "Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. 21 He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. 22 He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him. 23 I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king."

C2 By whatever term the country’s leader is known by, this person must rule as a servant of God. Romans 13:3-4 RSV For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of him who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain; he is the servant of God to execute his wrath on the wrongdoer.

C3 But he/she essentially always does not learn God’s ways nor do them: Psalm 2:2-3 NKJV The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, 3 "Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us."

C4 Even though they are required to learn His ways: Deuteronomy 17:14-20 NIV When you enter the land the LORD your God is giving you and have taken possession of it and settled in it, and you say, "Let us set a king over us like all the nations around us," 15 be sure to appoint over you a king the LORD your God chooses. He must be from among your fellow Israelites. Do not place a foreigner over you, one who is not an Israelite. 16 The king, moreover, must not acquire great numbers of horses for himself or make the people return to Egypt to get more of them, for the LORD has told you, "You are not to go back that way again." 17 He must not take many wives, or his heart will be led astray. He must not accumulate large amounts of silver and gold. 18 When he takes the throne of his kingdom, he is to write for himself on a scroll a copy of this law, taken from that of the Levitical priests. 19 It is to be with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the LORD his God and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees 20 and not consider himself better than his fellow Israelites and turn from the law to the right or to the left. Then he and his descendants will reign a long time over his kingdom in Israel.

B3 Eventually, Jesus will come to reign, since all human leaders failed in some way:

C1 Psalm 2:6 ESV "As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill."

C2 Psalm 45:6 ESV Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness;

C3 Psalm 89:27 ESV And I will make him the firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth.

C4 Psalm 110:1 ESV A Psalm of David. The LORD says to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool."

C5 Isaiah 9:6-7 ESV For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

C6 Daniel 7:13-14 ESV "I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. 14 And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.

C7 Zechariah 14:3, 9 ESV Then the LORD will go out and fight against those nations as when he fights on a day of battle. ... 9 And the LORD will be king over all the earth. On that day the LORD will be one and his name one.

C8 Revelation 11:15 ESV Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever."

B4 Let us all understand and be good servants of Jesus Christ.

C1 Matthew 6:24 NIV "No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

C2 John 12:26 NIV Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

C3 His rules for us our in the New Testament: For example read Ephesians chapters 4-6.

C4 If we love God, we will obey His teaching (doctrine) and His rules (lifestyle): John 14:23-24 NIV Jesus replied, "Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24 Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

1 John 2:16-17 NIV For everything in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

1 Year Through the Bible Series—Romans Part F

C1 Chapter 12

D1 Romans 12 begins with an appeal for us to give our life in thoughts, desires, words, and deeds under Jesus’s rules and lifestyle for us. Most of this chapter and the following give us these rules.

E1 Romans 12:1 PickNT Now then, brothers, I exhort you, in view of God's compassions, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, satisfying to God—your intelligent duty.

E2 Pickering comments on this verse: Any animal in the Old Testament had to die in order to become a sacrifice, so what does Paul mean by a 'living' one? In 1Co 15:31 he said that he died every day. Paul could not have been referring to actual physical death, obviously, since Heb 9:27 affirms that it is appointed to men to die only once (no re-incarnation). He may well have faced possible death often enough, but I suppose he is referring to dying to himself. I suppose this is also the meaning of our Lord's words in Luke 9:23-24—"If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it." In that day a cross was an instrument of death. We must die to our own will in order to embrace God's. To present the body is presumably a metonym for presenting one's whole self.

D2 Romans 12:3-8

E1 This deals with the gifts of grace for believers to serve God in ministering to others especially to the brothers and sisters.

E2 These gifts are prophecy, ministry, teaching, exhortation, giving, leadership, and compassion. As others have pointed out this is the division of labor in the body of believers. These are broad areas covering primarily the needs of the congregation and also for preaching the Gospel.

F1 Prophecy for foretelling (rarely) and giving a message to believers, which is effective and motivating messages. The message is blessed by God for service. Prophecy is for 1 Corinthians 14:3 WEL But he who prophesies speaks to people for edification, exhortation, and comfort.

G1 Edification to build up the knowledge, wisdom, and actions of believers.

G2 Exhortation to encourage and help in knowledge, wisdom, and actions of believers.

G3 Comfort to lessen anxiety and unrest in believers.

F2 There is time to speak of the other gifts but they are more easily understood by most people.

D3 Romans 12:9-21 are a list of some of the rules all Christians are to live by. Let us take heed. We can obey with the strength God gives us.

C2 Chapter 13

D1 Romans 13:1-7 deals with our relation and obligations to the government. We need to respect leaders and to pray For them. That God would give them wisdom, so that the country may live in peace and safety and that the believers may be allowed to live as Christians. 1 Timothy 2:1-4 NRSV First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is right and is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

D2 Romans 13:8-10 deals with our relation and obligations to our neighbor.

E1 Our neighbor, as far as Scripture is concerned, refers to anyone we meet. Luke 10:29, 37 NIV But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" ... 37 The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise.

E2 Romans 13:10 NIV Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

F1 The word harm is the Greek word for bad in many applications.

F2 Bad is based on God’s standard not mine, not yours, not the neighbor.

D3 Romans 13:11-14 is urging us to be ready for the return of Jesus Christ.

C3 Chapter 14

D1 The chapter gives rules regarding our responsibilities to our Christian brothers and sisters.

D2 Romans 14:1-4 deals with what we eat. We are not to eat something that might cause our fellow believer to fall from faith.

D3 Romans 14:5-9 deals with observation of days for worship or something special. It is not important what particular day we worship but that we worship. We don’t need to argue and fight about this. One worships God on Sunday? Amen Another worships on Saturday. Maybe someone worships on Wednesday or every day. It makes no difference.

D4 Romans 14:10-12 reminds us that each of us will face judgment at Jesus’s throne. This judgment is not regarding salvation but for rewards. 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 NLT Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials--gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. 13 But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person's work has any value. 14 If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. 15 But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames.

D5 Romans 14:13-23 teaches us the rationale and motive for these rules which are our love for God and our love for our brother and sister as shown by what we say and what we do. We are not to insist on our own way in many things but accept the other person. Many marital arguments could be avoided by not insisting on our own personal habit or opinion.

C4 Chapter 15

D1 Romans 15:1-6 continues with rules for the church (the people). It is in helping our weaker brother or sister. We might understand weaker as more sensitive personality. The goal is not to insist and demand our way but to build up the faith of each other.

E1 It is the attitude of Jesus Christ: John 5:30 NKJV I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.

E2 We must have the same attitude: Matthew 16:24 NKJV Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

E3 Philippians 2:4 NIV not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

E4 Galatians 6:2 NASB Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.

D2 Romans 15:7-13 teach us that Gentiles and Jews believes are one. We are of one family. We have been adopted by God as sons and daughters. We are co-heirs with the Lord Jesus. Romans 8:17 NIV Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

D3 Romans 15:14-22 teaches us that Paul was their apostle.

D4 Romans 15:23-33 is Paul’s plans for visiting these believers.

C5 Chapter 16 is a list of personal greetings to many brothers and sisters and the finishing of the letter.

Romans 16:27 CSB to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ—to him be the glory forever! Amen.

Examples of failure and God’s disapproval are what we are NOT to do

I have often stated that the rules in the New Testament have been given by Jesus directly or through the early church Apostles and prophets.

We learn God’s will for many situations by

B1 What we must do

B2 What we must NOT do

B3 Principles on what we we must do

B4 Principles on what we must NOT do

B5 Examples of success and God’s blessing are what we are to do

B6 Examples of failure and God’s disapproval are what we are NOT to do

Some examples of failure and God’s disapproval are what we are NOT to do

B1 People influenced by money

C1 Balaam

D1 His story Numbers 22-24

D2 The result: Joshua 13:22 NIV In addition to those slain in battle, the Israelites had put to the sword Balaam son of Beor, who practiced divination.

D3 The warning

E1 2 Peter 2:15 NIV They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Bezer, who loved the wages of wickedness.

E2 Revelation 2:14 NIV Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality.

D4 A comment. God told Balaam not to go, not to curse them, and not to take money from them, but Balaam did anyway. God refused to let Balaam curse Israel. Balaam, evidently, so covetous for money, instructed Balac to entice Israel with forbidden food and sex. He was slain in battle and is given as an example of what not to do.

C2 Judas

D1 His story is in the Gospels. He spent 3+ years following the Lord Jesus, seeing what Jesus did, and hearing what Jesus taught.

D2 Influenced by money. John 12:3-6 NIV Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5 "Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages." 6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.

D3 The result: Acts 1:16-19 NIV and said, "Brothers and sisters, the Scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus. 17 He was one of our number and shared in our ministry." 18 (With the payment he received for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. 19 Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)

C3 Ananias and Sapphira

D1 Their story and greed: Acts 5:1-2 NIV Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. 2 With his wife's full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles' feet.

D2 The result: Acts 5:5, 9-10 NIV When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. ... 9 Peter said to her, "How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also." 10 At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband.

D3 The warning: Acts 5:3-4 NIV Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? 4 Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.

D4 A comment. They coveted, they lied, and they stole (they had promised to give all the money). The motive evidently was to gain admiration.

C4 Simon the Great

D1 His story is in Acts 8.

D2 His sin: Acts 8:17-19 NIV Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. 18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money 19 and said, "Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.

D3 The result: Acts 8:20-24 NIV Peter answered: "May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! 21 You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. 22 Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. 23 For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin." 24 Then Simon answered, "Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me.

B2 People influenced by sex

C1 Solomon

D1 The start of his reign:

E1 His story begins with his love for God: 1 Kings 3:3 NIV Solomon showed his love for the LORD by walking according to the instructions given him by his father David, except that he offered sacrifices and burned incense on the high places.

E2 What he should have continued in: 1 Kings 3:5, 9-12 NIV At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you." ... 9 So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?" 10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. 11 So God said to him, "Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, 12 I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.

D2 The towards the end of his reign:

E1 His love for sex and women: 1 Kings 11:1-2 NIV King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women besides Pharaoh's daughter--Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians and Hittites. 2 They were from nations about which the LORD had told the Israelites, "You must not intermarry with them, because they will surely turn your hearts after their gods." Nevertheless, Solomon held fast to them in love.

E2 1 Kings 11:4-6, 9 NIV As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father had been. 5 He followed Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and Molek the detestable god of the Ammonites. 6 So Solomon did evil in the eyes of the LORD; he did not follow the LORD completely, as David his father had done. ... 9 The LORD became angry with Solomon because his heart had turned away from the LORD, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice.

C2 David

D1 His general character:

E1 1 Samuel 13:14 NIV But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people, because you have not kept the LORD's command."

E2 Acts 13:22 NIV After removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him: 'I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.'

D2 His sin:

E1 His lust arises. He knows she is married: 2 Samuel 11:2-3 WEB And it came to pass in an evening, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon. 3 And David sent and inquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bath-sheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?

E2 He rapes Bathsheba: 2 Samuel 11:4 WEB And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in to him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned to her house.

E3 Sin has many consequences:

F1 She becomes pregnant: 2 Samuel 11:5 NLT Later, when Bathsheba discovered that she was pregnant, she sent David a message, saying, "I'm pregnant."

F2 He tries to cover up his sin by ordering her husband murdered: 2 Samuel 11:15, 17 NLT The letter instructed Joab, "Station Uriah on the front lines where the battle is fiercest. Then pull back so that he will be killed." ... 17 And when the enemy soldiers came out of the city to fight, Uriah the Hittite was killed along with several other Israelite soldiers.

F3 God knows and sends a prophet to confront David: 2 Samuel 12:7-9 NLT Then Nathan said to David, "You are that man! The LORD, the God of Israel, says: I anointed you king of Israel and saved you from the power of Saul. 8 I gave you your master's house and his wives and the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. And if that had not been enough, I would have given you much, much more. 9 Why, then, have you despised the word of the LORD and done this horrible deed? For you have murdered Uriah the Hittite with the sword of the Ammonites and stolen his wife.

F4 God punishes: 2 Samuel 12:10-12, 14 NLT From this time on, your family will live by the sword because you have despised me by taking Uriah's wife to be your own. 11 "This is what the LORD says: Because of what you have done, I will cause your own household to rebel against you. I will give your wives to another man before your very eyes, and he will go to bed with them in public view. 12 You did it secretly, but I will make this happen to you openly in the sight of all Israel." ... 14 Nevertheless, because you have shown utter contempt for the LORD by doing this, your child will die."

D3 Today we know the principle: James 1:14-15 NLT Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. 15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.

D4 Thankfully, David repented, that is, confessed his sin and never did anything like this again. Psalm 51 and 2 Samuel 12:13 NLT Then David confessed to Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD." Nathan replied, "Yes, but the LORD has forgiven you, and you won't die for this sin.

C3 Jezebel (the New Testament person)

D1 Her position is prophetess.

D2 Her sin was in her teaching and action: Revelation 2:20 NLT But I have this complaint against you. You are permitting that woman—that Jezebel who calls herself a prophet—to lead my servants astray. She teaches them to commit sexual sin and to eat food offered to idols.

D3 Her punishment and the consequences of sin: Revelation 2:21-23 NLT I gave her time to repent, but she does not want to turn away from her immorality. 22 "Therefore, I will throw her on a bed of suffering, and those who commit adultery with her will suffer greatly unless they repent and turn away from her evil deeds. 23 I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am the one who searches out the thoughts and intentions of every person. And I will give to each of you whatever you deserve.

We have principles of what we must not do. We must not let money and physical pleasures influence our actions and cause us to sin.

Jude 1:24-25 NLT Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. 25 All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen.

Ephesians 4:24-32

A1 Scriptures

Ephesians 4:24-32 NKJV And that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. 25 Therefore, putting away lying, "LET EACH ONE OF YOU SPEAK TRUTH WITH HIS NEIGHBOR," for we are members of one another. 26 "BE ANGRY, AND DO NOT SIN": do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give place to the devil. 28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. 29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

A2 Outline

B1 The New Man

C1 To be put on.

C2 Which was created in God's image.

D1 In true righteousness

D2 In true holiness

B2 Practice Instructions for the Church

C1 Do not lie anymore.

C2 Do not be angry anymore.

C3 Do not steal any more.

C4 Do not be lazy anymore.

C5 Do not be selfish anymore.

C6 Do not speak stupid stuff any more.

C7 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit any more.

C8 Do not be bitter anymore.

C9 Do not have wrath any more.

C10 Do not have anger any more.

C11 Do not be loud, insistent, and demanding any more.

C12 Do not speak evil any more.

C13 Do not have malice any more.

C14 Do not be unkind any more.

C15 Do not be hard hearted any more.

C16 Do not refuse to forgive any more.

A3 Notes

B1 Put on = as in clothes. What we wear often reflects on our lifestyle, habits, personality, tastes, etc. As in (The night is nearly over, and the day is near; so let us get rid of the works of the darkness, and let us put on the weapons of the light—Romans 13:12 WPNT) we are to take off evil and wear the armor of light. What we wear should be consistent to who we are and believe. If we are evil, we should look evil. If we are not evil, we should not look evil. Here we are to put on something. That something is the new man. We have a new attitude. This is renewed as the old attitude, desires, views, standards are to be discarded. The new here is all that is contained in the New Testament. Mind here stands for the part of a human that reasons, thinks, makes decisions, etc.

B2 New man = the new creation. The work of rebirth done by God himself without any works from us. The old flesh is still present with us, gets sick, and eventually dies.

B3 The new man is in God's image. The first, of Adam, was lost, damaged, corrupted because of sin.

B4 True righteousness = not a fake righteousness, facade, or hypocrisy. Many have an outward, religious appearing holiness which is not truth. Righteousness is defined by God's character and His thoughts, desires, words, and deeds. True righteousness is found in the inner self.

B5 True holiness = not a fake holiness of someone parading around pretending to be a holy man/woman. "So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward." (Matthew 6:2 NRSV)

B6 The Greek in verse 24 reads "righteousness and true holiness."

B7 A list of 16 rules from God for the way that we are to live.

C1 No lies—little lies, big lies, medium lies. God does not lie, therefore we should not either. If caught in a lie, confess it. "I just caught myself in a lie; please forgive me. Here is the truth."

C2 No anger. Anger is "the strong feeling you get when you think someone has treated you badly or unfairly, that makes you want to hurt them or shout at them—Macmillan Dictionary. Consider—But I say to you that whoever gets angry with his brother without cause will be liable to the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Numskull!’ will be liable to the council. But whoever says, ‘You absolute idiot!’ will be liable to hell fire." (Matthew 5:22 WPNT). Pickering notes, "God hates injustice and will judge it. Less than 2% of the Greek manuscripts, of inferior quality, omit “without cause” (as in NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.). NIV, NASB and LB favor us with a footnote informing us that “some manuscripts” add ‘without cause—by “some” they mean 98% of them!! More serious, the shorter text has the effect of forbidding anger, which would contradict other Scriptures ("Be angry, and do not sin. Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still. Selah"—Psalms 4:4 NKJV) and the Lord's own example ("After looking around at them with anger, being grieved at the hardness of their hearts, He says to the man, “Stretch out your hand!” So he stretched, and his hand was restored as healthy as the other!"—Mark 3:5 WPNT) The point anger will be experienced, but we must not let the sun go down before we have cooled off. Holding on to anger causes many problems.

C3 No stealing—taking what is not ours. It is due to covetousness. It can be taking people, time, property, affections, keeping what we should be giving.

C4 No laziness—Work instead. If for some reason you cannot find a job, look for one say maybe once a week. In the meantime study something, volunteer for something or someone. Do something valuable for God, His church, or society.

C5 No selfishness

C6 No stupid talking—teasing is OK for a little well, but then it becomes verbal abuse. What we are to talk about is for edifying, not destroying someone. People die from bullying. It is serious.

C7 No grieving the Holy Spirit—What is grieving the Holy Spirit? When I was young, maybe 9 or 10, my Grandma Gane hired a paper hanger. He was a professional. She had bought a dozen donuts for all of us to enjoy at break time. While he was papering, I was sneaking donuts. When break time arrived, Grandma got the donuts out and saw only 1 donut in the box. She looked at me and said, "O, Lenny." That is right I had eaten 11 donuts. I felt bad but I had caused Grandma grief. So it is with the Holy Spirit. He has plans for us and when we disobey, we grieve Him—not a smart thing to do. "How often they rebelled against Him in the wilderness and grieved Him in the desert."—Psalms 78:40, HCSB). "But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit. So He became their enemy and fought against them."—Isaiah 63:10, HCSB)

C8 No bitterness—bitterness is what happens in prolonged disappointment of any type. Have you or I ever made a promise and did not keep it? That type of action can lead to bitterness in the person who was promised something. What you don't listen—really listen—to your spouse when he/she wants to talk? You are causing bitterness. Bitterness leads to abuse and acting out from pent up anger.

C9 No wrath—the type of anger when one is out of control. Go talk a walk. Don't drive just walk.

C10 No anger.

C11 No clamoring—loud, insistent, and demanding. This is one way of expressing anger.

C12 No speaking evil—as in slander, blasphemy, lies, verbal abuse of any kind.

C13 No malice—is deep hatred with action as in "When his brothers saw that their father loved Joseph more than he loved them, they hated their brother so much that they would not speak to him in a friendly manner—Genesis 37:4, GNB92.

C14 No unkindness—think of being kind to animals. Therefore no ill will, causing pain or discomfort to any, being aware of people's needs. Do be a narcissist.

C15 No hard heartedness—stubborn to cause and retain ill feelings towards others. "he told us to ask you, ‘Please forgive the crime your brothers committed when they wronged you.' Now please forgive us the wrong that we, the servants of your father's God, have done.” Joseph cried when he received this message. (Genesis 50:17, GNB92).

C16 No more refusing to forgive—forgiveness is not letting someone get away with punishment but is turning that punishment over to God, who judges perfectly. When I forgive some, God may or may not forgive.

B8 Verse 25: Who is our neighbor? It is any one we meet. In this verse it is especially referring to members of the church. We are members of one another. Jesus Christ is the head, and all the believers (the saints) are the body.

B9 Verse 26: Anger held on to is unhealthy.

Healthy and Unhealthy Anger (This link is dead as of 10 Dec 14) Showing the difference between healthy and unhealthy anger. Introduction, anger is a natural and necessary emotion. Anger is anger, it is in itself neither right nor wrong, healthy nor unhealthy. It is the expression of anger that makes it healthy or unhealthy. When it is expressed appropriately within the context of a situation it is a necessary emotion. Feeling anger is different from expressing anger, and it is the inappropriate expression of anger that makes it unhealthy. Not feeling any anger in a situation is just as unhealthy as expressing anger in a cageful, vengeful manner. e.g.: when we see a child being beaten cruelly, it is natural to feel anger, however this does NOT justify the inappropriate expression by yelling, screaming or beating the abuser. This is healthy anger. Healthy Anger: Healthy anger is appropriate to the situation that evokes it. Healthy expression of anger involves facing what makes you angry and an effort to set boundaries for yourself by determining what you will do in response to what makes you angry. e.g.: When you do ________, I feel ______ , and to protect myself I will _________. Healthy anger is not used to punish, is not violent, and is not used to intimidate, control or manipulate the other person. It is expressed, discussed and moved through. Healthy anger is not stuffed down and ignored. Stuffed anger creates resentment and a myriad of physical, mental and emotional problems. Healthy anger is not expressed in passive-aggressive and manipulative ways. Unhealthy Anger: Unhealthy Anger is a component of abusive relationships. This kind of anger or rage is experienced with great intensity and expressed likewise by screaming and yelling, physical expressions of anger, violence or threats of violence, sulking, manipulation, emotional blackmail, silent smoldering, and anger used to punish. Rage is a shame-based expression of anger. Rage is by definition abuse. They react to strong emotions with rage, i.e. feelings of fear, sadness, shame, inadequacy, guilt or loss convert to rage. They were typically shamed or punished by their caretakers for expressing emotion when they were young; i.e.: "Be a man and don't cry", "Nice girls don't get angry" or "I'll give you something to cry about". Raging gives the angry person a feeling of power - offsetting their shame and feelings of inadequacy. Unexpressed anger related to childhood abuses often results in addictive problems later in life. To stuff down the feelings of shame, anger, isolation, fear, sadness and loss the abuse creates. By pushing feelings down it is impossible to work through feelings and move past them, keeping the person trapped in a downward spiral.

B10 Verse 27: Give no opportunity to the devil. From Handfuls on Purpose: "Give No Place to the Devil (Ephesians 4:27). The Devil is always in search of a place in our lives. He knows that if he can but get his poison into the blood, that the whole man will be affected. Paul forgave others, "lest Satan should get an advantage of us" (2Co 2:10-11). The hasty temper and the unforgiving mood gives Satan a great advantage. "Resist the Devil and he will flee from you."

B11 Verse 29: What is evil speech? How do we know? The context states that what we say is to be for edification. Sometimes truth hurts but must be told.

B12 God does have emotions. He can be grieved, that is, become sad. What makes God sad? A lack of faith, disobedience, rebellion, etc.

B13 Verses 31 and 32 are to be taken together. Verse 31 contains a list of what NOT to do, and verse 32 what we MUST do. God's laws/rules are like that. Somethings please God and we are to do. The list in verse 31 are things not to do to one another, instead we are to do the list in verse 32.

A4 Applications

B1 God does define a righteous life.

B2 God requires us to live a righteous life.

B3 God gives us specifics about a righteous life.

B4 By our thinking, doing, and talking in private and public will reveal our character: Matthew 7:15-20 NRSV "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? 17 In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will know them by their fruits.

B5 God requires, so He will assist by His grace: Romans 12:1-2 NRSV I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.

B6 His grace: 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 NRSV but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10 Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.