Devotional Notes Romans 4

B1 What does this mean?

C1 Abraham’s Salvation Is Through Faith Alone

D1 Verse 1 is a continuation of the thought of Romans 3:31.

D2 All Jews had very high respect for Abraham, the Father of the faithful. How was Abraham made right with God? By keeping the Law? No, the Law did not exist for another 400 years. Abraham was made right with God, because he believed God (faith). Circumcision was not a work that justified Abraham either. Some might argue that salvation is faith+works, but Abraham was justified before he was circumcised.

D3 Salvation is through grace alone by faith alone in Jesus Christ alone. Verse 3 WEL What does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited as righteousness to him.” This is a quote from Genesis 15:6. This is imputation, which is (ISBE): The word "imputation," according to the Scriptural usage, denotes an attributing of something to a person, or a charging of one with anything, or a setting of something to one's account.

D4 Verse 4-8 clearly states that faith is NOT a work. Another translation: Romans 4:4-5 NET Now to the one who works, his pay is not credited due to grace but due to obligation. 5 But to the one who does not work, but believes in the one who declares the ungodly righteous, his faith is credited as righteousness.

D5 Verse 9-10

E1 Clearly shows that salvation is not just for Jews (a huge problem for 1st century Jews). Salvation is also for Gentiles.

E2 Salvation was credited to Abraham’s account. He did not earn it.

E3 Salvation came before circumcision. Circumcision is not needed for salvation.

E4 Ephesians 4:7-9 WEL So that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace, you are saved through faith and that [is] not of yourselves, [it is] the gift of God, 9 Not of works, lest anyone should boast.

D6 Verse 11 shows that circumcision is not required as it is for Jews. To Jews, circumcision is a sign of God's covenant with them. Circumcision to Gentiles, it is a medical procedure. On the other hand, salvation is the very same salvation for Jews and Gentiles. See Acts 10.

D7 Verse 12 teaches that the only Jews who have salvation are those who believe just like Abraham believed.

D8 On verses 13-17, Robertson writes: In these verses (Romans 4:13) Paul employs (Sanday and Headlam) the keywords of his gospel (faith, promise, grace) and arrays them against the current Jewish theology (law, works, merit).

D9 Verse 13, God’s promises to Abraham being heir of the world was not through Mosaic law but through righteousness because of a person’s faith, that is, believing God.

D10 Verse 16, faith shows that salvation is through grace, not works. God gets the credit for salvation. Barclay writes:

To Abraham God made a very great and wonderful promise. He promised that he would become a great nation, and that in him all families of the earth would be blessed (Genesis 12:2-3). In truth, the earth would be given to him as his inheritance. Now that promise came to Abraham because of the faith that he showed towards God. It did not come because he piled up merit by doing works of the law. It was the outgoing of God's generous grace in answer to Abraham's absolute faith. The promise, as Paul saw it, was dependent on two things and two things only--the free grace of God and the perfect faith of Abraham.

The Jews were still asking, "How can a man enter into the right relationship with God so that he too may inherit this great promise?" Their answer was, "He must do so by acquiring merit in the sight of God through doing works which the law prescribes." That is to say, he must do it by his own efforts. Paul saw with absolute clearness that this Jewish attitude had completely destroyed the promise. It had done so for this reason--no man can fully keep the law; therefore, if the promise depends on keeping the law, it can never be fulfilled.

D11 Verse 20, compare Romans 1:21 where most humans do not do like Abraham. They gave God no credit or honor for what He has done, is doing, and will do, nor be thankful.

D12 Verse 23, a reason we have the written Scriptures and the Old Testament is for us to have facts and teaching about God and His ways.

D13 Verse 24, we inherit the blessings IF we believe. This shows that the fulfillment of promises is conditional being based on faith.

D14 Verse 24-25

E1 All must believe God’s gospel as delivered by God the Son, Jesus Christ.

F1 We must believe that Jesus was raised from the dead. It was not resuscitation but resurrection.

F2 Delivered (handed over) because of our transgressions ( To commit an offense by violating a law, principle, or duty (Source)).

F3 Jesus’s resurrection proves our justification. We cannot know if Jesus died for His own sins or was an acceptable substitute for ours. If Jesus did not rise, then we are not justified. Jesus did rise, so we are justified! That He was resurrected was witnessed by over 500 brothers and sisters. 1 Corinthians 15:6 NIV After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.

F4 Don Stewart How Important Is the Resurrection to Christianity?

F5 Gary Habermas has many articles and books.

E2 These verses show the importance of Jesus Christ's resurrection, death, punishment for our sins, and resurrection, which proves and provides our justification.

C3 Questions

D1 What is the importance of Abraham’s believing God?

D2 Why is believing God successful but keeping the Mosaic Law unsuccessful?

D3 Which was first—believing God or circumcision?

D4 What is the importance of Jesus’s resurrection?

B2 How do I apply this to my life? Thank you, O Lord, for all your works and dealings with others.

Devotional notes Psalm 123+John 11

Blogging will be rather sporadic as we are selling the house and moving.

MORNING

Psalm 123

B1 What does this mean?

C1 We look to Yahweh for help and guidance first.

C2 We watch for His answer (waiting).

C3 Many do not love God, His ways, His rules, His lifestyle, or His worldview, so they persecute our brothers and sisters for their faith.

B2 How do I apply this to my life? Seek God’s help first, wait for answer to prayer, love God supremely and that being the highest priority, and pray for my brothers and sisters.

EVENING

John 11

B1 What does this mean?

C1 Lazarus Dies

D1 It is not written why Lazarus died. It seems that he was a young man as he and his sisters were not married yet.

D2 While some sickness may be caused as punishment from God and by foolish choices, most sickness is the result of the curse of the universe. Romans 8:20 NLT Against its will, all creation was subjected to God's curse. But with eager hope.

D3 Verse 4, Jesus is teaching that Lazarus is not permanently dead.

D4 Verse 11 reveals the knowledge Jesus had of events even if not present. Hebrews 4:13 NLT Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.

D5 Verse 13, John would know this, because he heard Jesus say this.

C2 Jesus Teaches Lazarus’s Sisters

D1 Martha went to meet Jesus, while Mary stayed home. Many have suggested this was due to their character. See Luke 10:38-42.

D2 Verse 23, Jesus asks questions in order to teach and reveal what a person believes. He knows what we believe, but often we do not. Martha shows that she knows Jesus can do miracles and that there is a resurrection.

D3 Note Martha’s sorrow at Jesus not coming to heal her brother. Jesus does not rebuke her. He is the great counselor and listens, then teaches. We should do the same. 21 Then Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died,

D5 Note Jesus’s emphasis concerning the length of life to those who believe. This is both a statement of fact and a promise. 26 “And all who live and believe in me will never, ever die forever. Do you believe this?”

D6 Jesus emphasis that He is God, is life, and is the life giver. He wants Martha to understand this. Apparently, she only believed that Jesus was a prophet.

D7 She confesses her faith that Jesus is Messiah: 27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord, I have believed that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”

D8 Verse 33, God does have emotions. Note Jesus’s sorrow.

C3 Jesus Raises Lazarus From Death

D1 Verse 39, Jesus had taught, and now it is time to test, as all good teachers do. Jesus knew what would happen, but we need testing for us to know. We need to learn what we believe and put into practice what we have been taught.

D2 Why 4 days? Some have suggested that the Jews of that time believed that after death, the person’s spirit leaves the body but stays in the area for 3 days, then leaves. Lazarus’ spirit would have left by now. See Gill’s commentary.

D3 Verse 41-42, It is interesting to note Jesus mentioning almost apologetically of the reason for thanking God for answering His prayer request. This is a testimony to those present and a witness of Jesus’s faith.

C4 As a Result, the Jewish Leaders Plot to Kill Jesus

D1 One would think everyone would fall on their knees, thank God, and believe that Jesus is the Son of God, the Messiah. Some did not. It was from their hard hearts. John 11:45-46 NLT Many of the people who were with Mary believed in Jesus when they saw this happen. 46 But some went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done.

E1 Mark 3:5 NLT He looked around at them angrily and was deeply saddened by their hard hearts. Then he said to the man, "Hold out your hand." So the man held out his hand, and it was restored!

E2 Psalm 78:8 NLT Then they will not be like their ancestors—stubborn, rebellious, and unfaithful, refusing to give their hearts to God.

D2 Verse 48 reveals the Jewish leaders’ jealousy and wanting to continue their position of privilege and power.

D3 Verse 56, the greatest desire of these Jewish leaders should be towards the celebration and seriousness of Passover, instead it was to find Jesus and kill him as soon as possible.

B2 How do I apply this to my life? Help mine unbelief.

I hope to have a devotional every day on John’s Gospel starting with the last chapter of Luke’s Gospel. This is the way I do my devotions. You may notice grammatical and spelling errors. It is my hope you will also start or continue in your daily reading and thinking about the Scriptures. I do this Monday through Friday. It is a 3 year plan of reading and thinking on 1 chapter in the Old Testament, which takes 3 years, and reading and thinking on 1 chapter in the New Testament once a year for a total of 3 times. So, I read through the Old Testament 1 time and the New Testament 3 times over a period of 3 years. I do this Monday through Friday and use Saturday and Sunday for other devotions.

Devotional notes Psalm 123+John 11

Blogging will be rather sporadic as we are selling the house and moving.

MORNING

Psalm 123

B1 What does this mean?

C1 We look to Yahweh for help and guidance first.

C2 We watch for His answer (waiting).

C3 Many do not love God, His ways, His rules, His lifestyle, or His worldview, so they persecute our brothers and sisters for their faith.

B2 How do I apply this to my life? Seek God’s help first, wait for answer to prayer, love God supremely and the highest priority, and pray for my brothers and sisters.

EVENING

John 11

B1 What does this mean?

C1 Lazarus Dies

D1 It is not written why Lazarus died. It seems that he was a young man as he and his sisters were not married yet.

D2 While some sickness may be caused as punishment from God and by foolish choices, most sickness is the result of the curse of the universe. Romans 8:20 NLT Against its will, all creation was subjected to God's curse. But with eager hope.

D3 Verse 4, Jesus is teaching that Lazarus is not permanently dead.

D4 Verse 11 reveals the knowledge Jesus had of events even if not present. Hebrews 4:13 NLT Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.

D5 Verse 13, John would know this, because he heard Jesus say this.

C2 Jesus Teaches Lazarus’s Sisters

D1 Martha went to meet Jesus, while Mary stayed home. Many have suggested this was due to their character. See Luke 10:38-42.

D2 Verse 23, Jesus asks questions in order to teach and reveal what a person believes. He knows what we believe, but often we do not. Martha shows that she knows Jesus can do miracles and that there is a resurrection.

D3 Note Martha’s sorrow at Jesus not coming to heal her brother. Jesus does not rebuke her. He is the great counselor and listens, then teaches. We should do the same. 21 Then Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died,

D5 Note Jesus’s emphasis concerning the length of life to those who believe. This is both a statement of fact and a promise. 26 “And all who live and believe in me will never, ever die forever. Do you believe this?”

D6 Jesus emphasis that He is God, is life, and is the life giver. He wants Martha to understand this. Apparently, she only believed that Jesus was a prophet.

D7 She confesses her faith that Jesus is Messiah: 27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord, I have believed that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”

D8 Verse 33, God does have emotions. Note Jesus’s sorrow.

C3 Jesus Raises Lazarus From Death

D1 Verse 39, Jesus had taught, and now it is time to test, as all good teachers do. Jesus knew what would happen, but we need to know. We need to learn what we believe and put into practice what we have been taught.

D2 Why 4 days? Some have suggested that the Jews of that time believed that after death, the person’s spirit leaves the body but stays in the area for 3 days, then leaves. Lazarus’ spirit would have left by now. See Gill’s commentary.

D3 Verse 41-42, It is interesting to note Jesus mentioning almost apologetically of the reason for thanking God for answering His prayer request. This is a testimony to those present and a witness of Jesus’s faith.

C4 As a Result, the Jewish Leaders Plot to Kill Jesus

D1 One would think everyone would fall on their knees, thank God, and believe that Jesus is the Son of God, the Messiah. Some did not. It was from their hard hearts. John 11:45-46 NLT Many of the people who were with Mary believed in Jesus when they saw this happen. 46 But some went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done.

E1 Mark 3:5 NLT He looked around at them angrily and was deeply saddened by their hard hearts. Then he said to the man, "Hold out your hand." So the man held out his hand, and it was restored!

E2 Psalm 78:8 NLT Then they will not be like their ancestors—stubborn, rebellious, and unfaithful, refusing to give their hearts to God.

D2 Verse 48 reveals the Jewish leaders’ jealousy and wanting to continue their position of privilege and power.

D3 Verse 56, the greatest desire of these Jewish leaders should be towards the celebration and seriousness of Passover, instead it was to find Jesus and kill him as soon as possible.

B2 How do I apply this to my life? Help mine unbelief.

I hope to have a devotional every day on John’s Gospel starting with the last chapter of Luke’s Gospel. This is the way I do my devotions. You may notice grammatical and spelling errors. It is my hope you will also start or continue in your daily reading and thinking about the Scriptures. I do this Monday through Friday. It is a 3 year plan of reading and thinking on 1 chapter in the Old Testament, which takes 3 years, and reading and thinking on 1 chapter in the New Testament once a year for a total of 3 times. So, I read through the Old Testament 1 time and the New Testament 3 times over a period of 3 years. I do this Monday through Friday and use Saturday and Sunday for other devotions.

A Few More Thoughts About Faith

Faith

B1 Defined

C1 I define faith as believing God.

C2 Bible verses

D1 Jonah 3:5 CSB Then the people of Nineveh believed God. They proclaimed a fast and dressed in sackcloth—from the greatest of them to the least.

D2 Romans 4:3 CSB For what does the Scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him for righteousness. (Genesis 15:6)

D3 Romans 11:30 WEL For just as in times past you refused to believe God, yet now you have received mercy through their disobedience.

D4 Psalm 78:20-22 NLT Yes, he can strike a rock so water gushes out, but he can't give his people bread and meat." 21 When the LORD heard them, he was furious. The fire of his wrath burned against Jacob. Yes, his anger rose against Israel, 22 for they did not believe God or trust him to care for them.

D5 John 3:18 WEL The one who believes in him is not judged, but the one who does not believe is judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

B2 Hebrews 11 is the faith chapter. What faith is. Examples of brothers and sisters in faith. They show their faith by what they do. We do what we really believe. It is not just what we say we believe.

Classes of faith (from my feeble mind)

B1 Blind faith

C1 Blind faith is the faith where there is no reason to believe something other than what someone says of writes. An example might be I might someone whom I have never met before. This person tells me that they have 3 earned doctorate degrees. This person tells me something he/she has learned. I believe this person explicitly. I have never met them before. I do not know if they have any degrees. They give no reasons or logic to support their statement. I just believe it. This is blind faith. We all must have a little skepticism to test what someone claims.

C2 The common example: Too many still mention God’s command to Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac. They claim this was blind faith.

C3 But

D1 Abraham had many times believed God. Always it was the best choice to make.

E1 Genesis 12 Leave Haran:

F1 Genesis 12:1-4 NIV The LORD had said to Abram, "Go from your country, your people and your father's household to the land I will show you. 2 "I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." 4 So Abram went, as the LORD had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran.

F2 The rest of the chapter and following chapters show how God blessed Abraham.

E2 Genesis 15 Prediction of a son who will be the heir:

F1 Genesis 15:1-6 NIV After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward." 2 But Abram said, "Sovereign LORD, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?" 3 And Abram said, "You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir." 4 Then the word of the LORD came to him: "This man will not be your heir, but a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir." 5 He took him outside and said, "Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them." Then he said to him, "So shall your offspring be." 6 Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

F2 Prediction of a son in about one year: Genesis 18:10 NIV Then one of them said, "I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son." Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him.

F3 Prediction fulfilled: Genesis 21:1-3 NIV Now the LORD was gracious to Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what he had promised. 2 Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him. 3 Abraham gave the name Isaac to the son Sarah bore him.

E3 Genesis 18 Prediction of judgment:

F1 Genesis 18:1, 20-23 NIV The LORD appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. ... 20 Then the LORD said, "The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so grievous 21 that I will go down and see if what they have done is as bad as the outcry that has reached me. If not, I will know." 22 The men turned away and went toward Sodom, but Abraham remained standing before the LORD. 23 Then Abraham approached him and said: "Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked?

F2 Prediction fulfilled: Genesis 19:28-29 NIV He looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah, toward all the land of the plain, and he saw dense smoke rising from the land, like smoke from a furnace. 29 So when God destroyed the cities of the plain, he remembered Abraham, and he brought Lot out of the catastrophe that overthrew the cities where Lot had lived.

E4 Genesis The test:

F1 Genesis 22:1-2, 8, 10, 13 NIV Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, "Abraham!" "Here I am," he replied. 2 Then God said, "Take your son, your only son, whom you love--Isaac--and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you." ... 8 Abraham answered, "God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son." And the two of them went on together. ... 10 Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. ... 13 Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son.

F2 Isaac was delivered by a substitute.

D2 So it was reasonable for Abrahma to believe God in Genesis 22. Abraham had had many dealings with God. God proved faithful. What God predicted about Isaac being the heir came true. If Isaac was to die, then God would prove to be a liar or too weak. Isaac lived. Further, we know from Hebrews 11 that Abraham couldn’t understand this command but thought that God would raise Isaac from the dead. Hebrews 11:17-19 NIV By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, 18 even though God had said to him, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned." 19 Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death.

C4 Some articles:

D1 Biblical Faith VS. Blind Faith

D2 Christian Faith Is Not Blind Belief (Roman Catholic)

B2 Reasonable faith—is a faith that the person mentioned about might have some proof of their degrees or perhaps, we have met them before. Still, we need a little skepticism to see if they really have these degrees and need more than a little, simple support for their statements. We simply must have some evidence.

C1 Personally, I look to Jesus as the foundation.

D1 It is reasonable that He existed. See here (also read the comments as there is much more information there) and here (PDF) for examples.

D2 It is reasonable that what is written about Him is true. See here and here and here (book) for examples.

D3 It is reasonable that what He said was true.

D4 It is reasonable that He is the Messiah. See here and here for examples.

C2 The Gospel chain of custody as presented by J. Warner Wallace. It is also here.

C3 Some examples of how others twist meaning into Jesus’s words.

D1 This is from a rebuttal to a debate by atheist Richard Carrier in the David Marshall v. Richard Carrier debate.

D2 Words of the Lord Jesus:

E1 Matthew 26:60-61 NLT But even though they found many who agreed to give false witness, they could not use anyone's testimony. Finally, two men came forward 61 who declared, "This man said, 'I am able to destroy the Temple of God and rebuild it in three days.

E2 John 2:19-21 NLT "All right," Jesus replied. "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." 20 "What!" they exclaimed. "It has taken forty-six years to build this Temple, and you can rebuild it in three days?" 21 But when Jesus said "this temple," he meant his own body.

C4 Some other sources (I don’t necessary agree with all they teach. Always be a Berean).

D1 Is Christianity based on blind faith?

D2 The Evidence for Christianity by William Lane Craig

A Few Thoughts on the Epistle of Titus Titus 1:1-4

Outline

B1 Chapter 1

C1 Titus 1:1-4 Salutation

C2 Titus 1:5-9 Church leaders

C3 Titus 1:10-16 Rebuke

B2 Chapter 2

C1 Titus 2:1-2 Older Men

C2 Titus 2:3-5 Older Women

C3 Titus 2:6-8 Young Men

C4 Titus 2:9-10 Slaves and Masters

C5 Titus 2:11 God Wants All to Be Saved

C6 Titus 2:12-15 Preach Godliness

B3 Chapter 3

C1 Titus 3:1-2 Dealing with non-Christians

C2 Titus 3:3-8 What We Were, and How God Changed Us

C3 Titus 3:9-11 Avoid

C4 Titus 3:12-15 Final Greetings

Chapter 1

Titus 1:1-4 Salutation

1 Paul a servant of God and apostle of Jesus Christ according to the faith of God’s chosen and full knowledge of that truth, which is according to godliness,

2 In hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before the world began.

3 At the right time, he made his word unmistakably clear through preaching which was entrusted to me according to the commandment of God our Savior.

4 To Titus, my true son in the common faith, may grace, mercy, and peace be yours from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior.

Notes

B1 Verse 1

C1 Servant and apostle

D1 Paul is a voluntary servant. He is not the slave of a harsh owner.

D2 God’s style of leadership (He is King of the Universe) is that He prefers voluntary service and obedience rather than coerced service.

D3 Paul’s commission from God is apostleship. God delegates. God is not a micromanager decreeing everything exhaustively and rendering it certain.

D4 God’s offices that He commissions: 1 Corinthians 12:28 NLT Here are some of the parts God has appointed for the church: first are apostles, second are prophets, third are teachers, then those who do miracles, those who have the gift of healing, those who can help others, those who have the gift of leadership, those who speak in unknown languages.

D5 The purpose of these offices is to assist and increase the church in knowledge (includes apologetics), faith, living the Christian life, teaching the Christian worldview, answering questions, healing the hurts (as much as possible) of the believers, etc. Ephesians 4:11-12 NLT Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God's people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.

D6 Every believer has a spiritual gift from God to serve each other. Hopefully we are exercising that gift, and not claiming, “It’s the pastor’s job.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 WEL Now there are different gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are different ministries, but the same Lord. 6 There are different results, but it is the same God who works all in all. 7 This observable ministry of the Spirit is given to everyone for the benefit [of all].

D5 An apostle

E1 Qualifications: Acts 1:21-22 CSB Therefore, from among the men who have accompanied us during the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us—beginning from the baptism of John until the day he was taken up from us—from among these, it is necessary that one become a witness with us of his resurrection.

E2 Paul had not accompanied Jesus but has seen the resurrected Christ on the Damascus road.

F1 1 Corinthians 9:1 NKJV Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord?

F2 1 Corinthians 15:8 NKJV Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time.

F3 Acts 9:3, 5 NKJV As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. ... And he said, "Who are You, Lord?" Then the Lord said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads."

C2 Faith of God’s chosen

D1 Faith refers to the body of Christian belief (Gospel, doctrine, and life).

D2 God’s chosen may refer to either Jesus Christ or all believers. Jesus is the teacher of the faith continued on through the work of the Holy Spirit.

E1 Refers to Jesus as in 1 Peter 2:6 NIV For in Scripture it says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame."

E2 Refers to all believers as in Colossians 3:12-13 WEL Therefore put on—as the chosen of God, holy and dearly loved—a heart of compassion, kindness, a humble attitude, caring gentleness, longsuffering, 13 Putting up with one another and forgiving one another. If anyone has a quarrel against any other, then even as Christ forgave you, so you also do.

C3 Full knowledge would be complete knowledge. It is the responsibility of the leaders to teach the people the complete faith. It is the responsibility of the believers to read and study their New Testament to learn the faith. Biblical illiteracy is much too high.

C4 Godliness, that is, God’s standard.

B2 Verse 2

C1 Hope. Faith is believing God. Hope is the expectant waiting for what is promised.

D1 Paul had faith, that is, he believed God’s promise of eternal life.

D2 Paul had hope, that is, he has not yet experienced it but is confident it will happen.

D3 Faith is believing God: Hebrews 11:1 CSB Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen.

D4 Hope is the confidence of what we believe: 1 Thessalonians 5:8 NLT But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation.

C2 God cannot lie.

D1 Truth is the core character trait of God. Because of this we know God’s love is true love, God’s compassion is true compassion, God’s warning are true warnings, God’s offer of salvation is a true offer, God’s promises are true promises, and what God says (Scripture) is truth. It is not flattery, manipulation, deceiving, etc. God’s being, God’s thoughts, God’s words, God’s rules, God’s kingship, God’s character traits, God’s lifestyle, God’s decisions are all truth done in wisdom, love, and holiness.

D2 Psalm 12:6 NET The LORD's words are absolutely reliable. They are as untainted as silver purified in a furnace on the ground, where it is thoroughly refined.

D3 James 1:17 GW Every good present and every perfect gift comes from above, from the Father who made the sun, moon, and stars. The Father doesn't change like the shifting shadows produced by the sun and the moon.

D4 Compare those who did not (refuse to believe). They understood but did not believe.

E1 Psalm 106:24 NET They rejected the fruitful land; they did not believe his promise.

E2 Matthew 21:32 NET For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him. But the tax collectors and prostitutes did believe. Although you saw this, you did not later change your minds and believe him.

E3 Jude 1:5 NET Now I desire to remind you (even though you have been fully informed of these facts once for all) that Jesus, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, later destroyed those who did not believe.

C1 Promised before world began

D1 All was planned by God’s before creating.

D2 1 Corinthians 2:7 NLT No, the wisdom we speak of is the mystery of God—his plan that was previously hidden, even though he made it for our ultimate glory before the world began.

B2 Verse 3

D1 Messiah dying for our sins. Salvation as a gift in meeting God’s conditions. Faith, not works, for salvation. All was hidden and mysterious until Jesus came and preached.

E1 Romans 16:25 NASB Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past,

E2 Ephesians 6:19 CSB Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel.

B3 Verse 4

C1 Grace is God’s gift of strength to do His will.

C2 Mercy is God’s gift of not giving us what we really deserve, because of the ministry of His Son, the Lord Jesus.

C3 Faith is believing God.

It's Always Been Faith

Theme: Justified by faith

Scriptures: Galatians 3:1-29

Objectives: (From the D6 Fusion Sunday School Lesson book)

Know: Justification has always been through faith, even in the Old Testament.

Think: Maintain an awareness that I am totally dependent on Christ for salvation and for power to live for Him each day.

Do: Continue to walk by faith each and every day.

B1 Galatians 3:1-5 NKJV O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified? This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? Have you suffered so many things in vain–if indeed it was in vain? Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

C1 What did the Galatians have a clear description of?

C2 Why did they not obey the truth? (Wilbur Pickering notes, Perhaps 3% of the Greek manuscripts omit “that you not be persuaded by the Truth (as in NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.)).

C3 How does this verse apply to the Galatians (and perhaps, to us): Proverbs 14:15 NKJV The simple believes every word, But the prudent considers well his steps.

C4 How would you summarize Jesus’s death? Give some physical aspects of Jesus’s death and some spiritual aspects.

C5 Does keeping the Law bring salvation, forgiveness of sins, and reconciliation with God?

C6 Can any human keep God’s Law?

C7 Could Paul, the Apostle, keep God’s law?

C8 There are 3 questions in this text. How do WE answer these questions?

D1 You began by God's Spirit; do you now want to finish by your own power?

D2 Did all your experience mean nothing at all?

D3 Does God give you the Spirit and work miracles among you because you do what the Law requires or because you hear the gospel and believe it?

C9 Note the contrast between works of the law and hearing of faith. The Galatians knew little or nothing of the Law. What they had experienced was a result of hearing the Gospel, not keeping Mosaic Law.

B2 Galatians 3:6-9 NKJV just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.” So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.

C1 The Scripture referred to is the spoken word that God spoke to Abraham. The only written Scripture at that time was possibly Job.

C2 What did Abraham do to be accepted by God as righteous? Did He keep the Law or believe? How could Abraham have kept the Law of Moses?

C3 How are Israelites put right with God? How about Gentiles?

C4 What Gospel did Abraham hear? How is that Gospel different from the Gospel of today?

B3 Galatians 3:10-12 NKJV For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.” But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.” Yet the law is not of faith, but “the man who does them shall live by them.”

C1 What does trying to keep the Law result in?

C2 How much of the Law is each person required to obey?

C3 Is keeping the Law just in outward actions or in thoughts, desires, words, AND deeds?

C4 How many people have been justified by the Law?

C5 What does the Law have to do with faith?

C6 What does the Law require?

B5 Galatians 3:13-14 NKJV Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

C1 Explain how Christ became a curse for us.

C2 How does Christ redeem us from the Law’s curse? Redeem has the idea of buying back something. We humans are sold under sin; we are enslaved to it. We are set free by faith and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross.

C3 How does a person receive the Spirit promised by God?

B6 Galatians 3:15-18 NKJV Brethren, I speak in the manner of men: Though it is only a man’s covenant, yet if it is confirmed, no one annuls or adds to it. Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “And to your Seed,” who is Christ. And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ, that it should make the promise of no effect. For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise.

C1 Wilbur Pickering notes: Less than 3% of the Greek manuscripts, of inferior quality, omit “in Christ” (as in NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.). Without Christ, the Seed, there would have been no promise.

C2 If 2 people agree on a business or legal matter, they have a written contract. Can it be changed or broken without the other agreeing to it?

C3 Who then can break God’s agreement with Abraham?

C4 Who is the descendant (singular, not plural)?

C5 What does God’s promise to keep this covenant mean today?

C6 What is the difference between a gift and an obligation?

C7 Did Abraham earn righteousness or receive it as a gift?

B7 Galatians 3:19-20 NKJV What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator. Now a mediator does not mediate for one only, but God is one.

C1 What is the purpose of the Law? Is it to forgive sins and find reconciliation with God?

C2 What was keeping (trying to keep) the Law meant to do?

C3 How long was the Law to last (stay in effect)?

B8 Galatians 3:21-22 NKJV Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law. But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

C1 Does this mean that the Law is against God's promises?

C2 Does the Law bring life?

C3 What is the whole world (every human) enslaved to?

C4 What is the gift of salvation based on?

C5 Who receives this gift of salvation? Is it law keepers or those with faith in Christ?

B9 Galatians 3:23-25 NKJV But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.

C1 What did the Law do to us before faith (the Gospel) was revealed?

C2 What was the purpose of the Law?

C3 How are people put right with God?

C4 Does the Law have authority over us?

B10 Galatians 3:26-29 NKJV For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

C1 God looks upon believers as His children. Was it through keeping God’s Law or faith in Jesus Christ?

C2 Is salvation’s status different if one is a male or female, a slave or nonslave, between Jews or Gentile?

B11 A topical study on...Obey the truth…

C1 Truth is reality (the correspondence theory of truth).

C2 Truth needs to be in thoughts, desires, words, and deeds.

C3 Yahweh is the only source of 100% truth.

C4 The Bible, given by inspiration by the Holy Spirit, is 100% truth.

C5 The Gospel is truth.

C6 Truth is rejected by many because it may bring discomfort in revealing the real person we are.

C7 God desires for us to come to the full knowledge of truth: 1 Timothy 2:4 WEB who desires all people to be saved and come to full knowledge of the truth.

C8 How can a person be deceived?

B12 Next week:

C1 Rags to Riches

C2 Theme: Heirs of God

C3 Scriptures: Galatians 4:1-31