1 Year Bible—Ephesians Part B

C3 Thanksgiving for Spiritual Life Chapter 2:1-10

D1 Trespass

E1 It means to cross a line, a boundary, a standard.

E2 If my neighbor paints line on the border of our properties, and I walk just on my side of the property, I am OK. I am not trespassing. But, if I put my foot on the other side, I trespass. God has a standard that if we cross over, we trespass. God says, “You must not lie. You must not worship any other gods. You must not steal.” If we cross over that line and do those things, we trespass. It is a felony that must be punished.

D2 The actions we did as non-Christians was what the devil, his worldview, his lifestyle, and how lived, is trespasses and sins. Trespasses are specific sins. Sins refers to all types of rebellion and disobedience to God in thoughts, desires, words, and deeds.

D3 This lifestyle is described as

E1 Lusts and desires of the flesh. We do what feels good, not what is right.

E2 Lusts and desires of the mind. We do what we think is good, things that we imagine in our minds.

E3 Sinful nature. It is the inborn nature/character of every human.

E4 Sin must be punished. These things are the actions of the children of wrath. John 3:36 WEL He who believes in the Son has everlasting life, but he who refuses to believe the Son will not see life, on the contrary the fierce anger of God remains on him.

D4 Because of God’s love, He extended mercy to us by freeing our mind and heart to understand our sin and the just punishment we deserve. We were dead. We were just waiting for the last breath, then we would receive God’s just wrath. That wrath is conscious torment forever and ever. Matthew 25:46 GNB These, then, will be sent off to eternal punishment, but the righteous will go to eternal life.

D5 But some of us (may all people do so) placed our faith in trust in Jesus Christ believing and thus being born again (a new creation) with the promise of coming resurrection and a home in heaven for fellowship and to serve God forever.

D6 Forever and forever we will learn new things and serve Him.

D7 Salvation is not of our initiation; it is God’s initiating grace. Salvation is not our doing, but God’s. Salvation is God’s gift. Faith is not a work that pays wages. Romans 4:3-5 GW What does Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and that faith was regarded by God to be his approval of Abraham." 4 When people work, their pay is not regarded as a gift but something they have earned. 5 However, when people don't work but believe God, the one who approves ungodly people, their faith is regarded as God's approval.

D8 Our goal now is a life serving God doing the deeds that please Him.

C4 Thanksgiving for Unity of Jew and Gentile Chapter 2:11-22

D1 Because of the sacrifice of the Passover Lamb, Jesus Christ, Jews and Gentiles are now one. We are Christians.

D2 Because of the ministry of God the Son, Jesus Christ, we both now can pray to God directly. Hebrews 10:19 WEL Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter into the Holy of Holies by the blood of Jesus

D3 Now Jews and Gentiles, Christians, have a citizenship in heaven with the saints and God’s household.

D4 God Himself is building a living, holy Temple of all believers (Christians). The foundation is the Apostles, the chief cornerstone is Jesus Christ, and the living stones of this temple are us. The God who designed and built the original creation (the first 3+ chapters of Genesis) that sinless, beautiful place is now building this holy Temple with the same skill, wisdom, love, and holiness. God lives in that Temple. See Revelation 21.

D5 We’ll end with this passage: Revelation 21:2-8 WEL I, John, saw the holy city, the New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband. 3 I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Look! The tabernacle of God is with people, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God, himself, will be with them and be their God. 4 “God will wipe away all tears from their eyes. There will be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying, nor will there be any more pain, for the former things are gone.” 5 The one who sat on the throne said, “Look! I make all things new.” Then he said to me, “Write this, for these words are true and faithful.” 6 Next, he said to me, “It is here! I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will freely give to anyone who is thirsty [a drink from] the spring of the water of life. 7 “He who overcomes will inherit everything, I will be his God, and he will be my son, 8 “But the cowardly, unbelieving, loathsome, murderers, fornicators, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars will have their share in the lake which burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

1 Year Bible—Ephesians Part A

Ephesians is divided into 2 parts—the first 3 chapters are doctrinal and the last 3 chapters are practical.

1 Year Bible—Ephesians

A2 Outline

B1 Doctrinal Chapters 1-3

C1 Thanksgiving for Salvation Chapter 1:1-14

C2 Thanksgiving for Spiritual Growth Chapter 1:15-23

C3 Thanksgiving for Spiritual Life Chapter 2:1-10

C4 Thanksgiving for Unity of Jew and Gentile Chapter 2:11-22

C5 Thanksgiving for Preaching Gospel to Gentiles Chapter 3:1-13

C6 Prayer for the Ephesians Chapter 3:14-21

B2 Practical Chapters 4-6

C1 Encouragement for Spiritual Growth Chapter 4:1-16

C2 Encouragement for Spiritual Life Chapter 4:17-32

C3 Encouragement for Spiritual Lifestyle Chapter 5:1-20

C4 Encouragement for Living as a Godly Family Chapter 5:21-6:4

C5 Encouragement for Living as a Godly Employee Chapter 6:5-9

C6 Encouragement for Living with God’s Armor Chapter 6:10-20

C7 Prayer for the Ephesians Chapter 6:21-24

B1 Doctrinal Chapters 1-3

C1 Thanksgiving for Salvation Chapter 1:1-14

D1 Verses 3-14 is one sentence. God the Father had a plan that He is following. God the Son is the source of the heavenly blessing. There would be no spiritual blessings for believers unless the Jesus came as Messiah to redeem us.

D2 Some of these blessings are:

E1 Every heavenly blessing. Each and every blessing is ours.

F1 Salvation: Romans 1:16 ESV For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

F2 Heavenly citizenship: Philippians 3:20 ESV But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

F3 Fellowship with God, the holy angels, and the believers:1 John 1:3 ESV that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.

F4 Many other things as the Fruit of the Spirit, Hope of deliverance, Hope at death, comfort in the Spirit, fulfillment of His promises, etc.

E2 A purpose—to be holy and blameless when we stand in front of God.

E3 Our adoption to be joint heirs with Christ.

E4 The greatness of God’s grace.

E5 Our redemption

F1 Bought back from the market of sin. We are addicted to sin in our natural self. The payment is Jesus’s blood. It was paid to the Father to purchase our salvation in that Jesus paid the penalty we deserved for sinning. He, as High Priest, offered His blood as atonement in the Heavenly Holy of Holies.

G1 Acts 20:2 PickNT So take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has placed you as overseers, to shepherd the congregation of the Lord and God which He purchased with His own blood.

G2 Hebrews 9:13-14 GNB The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a burnt calf are sprinkled on the people who are ritually unclean, and this purifies them by taking away their ritual impurity. 14 Since this is true, how much more is accomplished by the blood of Christ! Through the eternal Spirit he offered himself as a perfect sacrifice to God. His blood will purify our consciences from useless rituals, so that we may serve the living God.

F2 By Jesus’s blood. This is a substitutionary atonement.

G1 1 John 1:7 NIV But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

G2 Revelation 1:5 EMTV and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and who washed us from our sins in His own blood

E6 His decisions are based on love and grace. Our decisions should well include these elements, too.

E7 Knowledge of His will for us. If He is for us, who can be against us?

E8 His plan, done at the correct time, was for all creation to be under the authority of God the Son, Jesus. Isn’t it wonderful that we are part of God’s plan?

E9 An opportunity to praise God and for others to praise God (holy angels, etc.)

E10 The Gospel, especially since it was preached to the Ephesians (and to us who have believed).

E11 The Holy Spirit being the down payment of our future salvation (heaven). Also see 2 Corinthians 1:22 WEB who also sealed us, and gave us the down payment of the Spirit in our hearts.

C2 Thanksgiving for Spiritual Growth Chapter 1:15-23

D1 This portion addresses spiritual growth.

D2 Ephesians 1:17 WEL So that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him,

E1 Paul prays for the believers to be given

F1 The Spirit of Wisdom

G1 The Spirit of Wisdom is mentioned in the Old Testament: Isaiah 11:2 NIV The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the LORD

G2 Wisdom is both a skill (Exodus 36:1) and

H1 an understanding of that which is true or good combined with an ability to make sound judgments. (Source)

H2 1. The right use or exercise of knowledge; the choice of laudable ends, and of the best means to accomplish them. This is wisdom in act, effect, or practice. If wisdom is to be considered as a faculty of the mind, it is the faculty of discerning or judging what is most just, proper and useful, and if it is to be considered as an acquirement, it is the knowledge and use of what is best, most just, most proper, most conducive to prosperity or happiness. Wisdom in the first sense, or practical wisdom, is nearly synonymous with discretion. I differs somewhat from prudence, in this respect; prudence is the exercise of sound judgment in avoiding evils; wisdom is the exercise of sound judgment either in avoiding evils or attempting good. Prudence then is a species, of which wisdom is the genus. (Source—Webster’s Dictionary 1828)

F2 Revelation in the knowledge of Him. The only 100% truth is the Word of God. This is both the Scriptures and the Lord Jesus. We grow in wisdom by reading, studying, and applying the truths of Scriptures. Since God is omniscient and omnisapient, He can also communicate perfectly clear. We can have confidence to interpret the Bible in its plain, normal sense.

F3 God wants us to know and understand the hope we have, the greatness of our eternal inheritance, and the greatness of His power.

F4 The greatness of His power is described as

G1 A power and authority greater than any spirit, any human, or any force.

G2 A name associated with power that is greater than anything, thus more honorable than any other name even known.

A Few Thoughts About Ephesian Church and First Love

Revelation 2:4 Nevertheless, I have [something] against you, because you have forsaken your first love.

First love = the most important love. This love has the highest priority and more important than anything else.

Other loves in the Scriptures:

B1 Money

C1 Luke 16:13 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 1 Timothy 6:10 NIV For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

C3 Hebrews 13:5 NIV Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.

B2 Power

C1 3 John 1:9 PickNT I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who wants to dominate the others, does not acknowledge us.

D1 The Greek word for dominate is φιλοπρωτεύω philoprōteúō. It means to love being first.

D2 The only one qualified to have the preeminence, the first place, is Jesus Christ: Col 1:18 WPNT Also, He is the Head of the body, the Church. He is Beginning, the firstborn from among the dead, so that He may be preeminent in everything.

D3 In Robertson’s Word Pictures on 3 John 1:9 it is written: This ambition of Diotrephes does not prove that he was a bishop over elders, as was true in the second century (as Ignatius shows). He may have been an elder (bishop) or deacon, but clearly desired to rule the whole church. Some forty years ago I wrote an article on Diotrephes for a denominational paper. The editor told me that twenty-five deacons stopped the paper to show their resentment against being personally attacked in the paper.

C2 What we are to be: Luke 22:26-27 NIV But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. 27 For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.

B3 Prestige and honor

C1 Scribes and Pharisees: Matthew 23:6-7 LEB And they love the place of honor at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues 7 and the greetings in the marketplaces and to be called 'Rabbi' by people.

C2 John 12:43 LEB For they loved the praise of men more than praise from God.

B4 Teachers: Jeremiah 5:31 NRSV the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule as the prophets direct; my people love to have it so, but what will you do when the end comes?

C1 It’s amazing how many people will listen and believe their favorite speaker, author, commentator, blogger, pastor, theologian, etc. instead of God and His book.

C2 If any criticism comes upon their favorite speaker, etc., they will attack the critic.

C3 The danger, of course, is their favorite speaker, theologian, etc. can be wrong. It will lead to the people being wrong as well.

C4 We must always have the Scriptures as the highest priority.

C5 The Lord Jesus must always be the first love of people.

C6 We must always be a little skeptical.

C7 We must be Bereans and read and study the Scriptures for ourselves. Acts 17:11 NIV Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.

B5 The world, that is, its desires, lifestyle, motives, beliefs, philosophies, etc.

C1 1 John 2:15 NIV Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.

C2 2 Timothy 4:10 NIV for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.

B6 Darkness

C1 John 3:19 NIV This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.

C2 Darkness is the opposite, the absence of light. The sinful nature of all humans wants sins, guilt, errors, etc. etc. covered up, hidden unknown. The sinful nature loves the deeds of darkness.

D1 Ephesians 5:11-13 NRSV Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to mention what such people do secretly; 13 but everything exposed by the light becomes visible,

D2 Colossians 1:11-14 NRSV May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. 13 He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

B7 Family and life: Matthew 10:37-38 NRSV Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38 and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

Loving God, His kingdom, His people, His ways, His worldview, His lifestyle is what we are to seek first.

B1 Matthew 6:33 LEB But seek first his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

B2 Psalms 27:4 NRSV One thing I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: to live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple.

B3 We show our love

C1 By praising Him: Psalms 5:11 LEB But let all who take shelter in you rejoice. Let them ever sing for joy, because you spread protection over them; And let those who love your name exult in you.

C2 By trusting Him: Psalms 13:5 LEB But as for me, I have trusted in your steadfast love. My heart will rejoice in your deliverance.

C3 By loving His name (showing respect and honor, that is, fearing God): Psalms 69:36 NRSV the children of his servants shall inherit it, and those who love his name shall live in it.

C4 By obeying His commandments

D1 Jesus directly or through His Apostles and prophets (the Bible writers who are not Apostles) has given us over 1,000 rules to obey. They are for peace and life. We are not saved by obeying, but since we are saved, we want to obey: John 14:15 GNB If you love me, you will obey my commandments.

D2 There is a blessing in obeying. There is a Christian life to live. These are the rules we will obey in His Kingdom for eternity. We must start now. John 14:21 Weymouth He who has my commandments and obeys them--he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and will clearly reveal myself to him.

D3 Obeying His commandments is a sign that we are genuinely saved: 1 John 5:2 ESV By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments.

D4 His commandments are not burdensome: 1 John 5:3 ESV For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.

C5 By obeying His teaching: John 14:23 Weymouth "If any one loves me," replied Jesus, "he will obey my teaching; and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.

C6 By rejoicing that He ascended to heaven and remains there until He returns: John 14:28 ESV You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.

C7 By loving our fellow believers (this doesn’t mean we agree with everything and the idea of tolerance, tolerance, tolerance): John 15:12 GNB My commandment is this: love one another, just as I love you.

C8 By growing in knowledge of Him and His ways: Philippians 1:9-11 ESV And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

The actions of love are found in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a WEL Love is very patient and kind; love is not envious; love doesn’t brag about itself, is not haughty, 5 Doesn’t behave improperly, is not self-seeking; love isn’t easily aggravated, doesn’t keep a list of wrongs, 6 Doesn’t rejoice in injustice, but rejoices in the truth, 7 Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, calmly endures all things. 8 Love never ends,

By disobeying Him, we dishonor God and that has an effect on us: John 15:10 GNB If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love.

We are to initiate the lifestyle and worldview the Lord Jesus lived and taught: Ephesians 5:1 ESV Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.

1 Year Bible: Galatians

Main Topic is the True Gospel in thoughts, desires, words, and deeds.

B1 Outline

Salutation Chapter 1:1-5

False Gospels Condemned Chapter 1:6-10

God Instructed Paul on Gospel Chapter 1:11-17

Paul Met With Apostles Chapter 1:18-24

The Apostles and Paul Have Same Gospel Chapter 2:1-10

Peter’s Hypocrisy Chapter 2:11-14

Obedience To The Law Does Not Save; Faith Does Chapter 2:15-21

We Preach the Same Gospel As Abraham Heard Chapter 3:1-9

The Righteous Live By Faith Alone Chapter 3:10-14

The Law Came After the Gospel Chapter 3:15-18

The Law Reveals Our Sins Chapter 3:19-29

Messiah Jesus Came to Save Those Under the Law Chapter 4:1-7

Why Do You Want to be Enslaved to the Law? Chapter 4:8-20

The Illustration of Hagar and Sarah Chapter 4:21-31

Stay Free! Do Not Be Enslaved to The Law Chapter 5:1-15

Live By the Spirit Not The Law Chapter 5:16-26

Help Each Other’s Burdens Chapter 6:1-5

Sow To The Spirit Not The Flesh Chapter 6:6-10

Keeping the Law Is Nothing; A New Creation Is Everything Chapter 6:11-18

B2 Chapter 1

C1 Salutation Chapter 1:1-5

C2 False Gospels Condemned Chapter 1:6-10

D1 Humans have a tendency to change God’s Gospel into something they are more comfortable with, intellectually agree with, and personally approve.

D2 Having, believing, and preaching the correct gospel is so important that having, believing, and preaching the wrong gospel brings God’s curse. The Gospel is

E1 To believe God.

F1 God is correct.

F2 People are not good. People are evil.

F3 Evil people are going to be punished in hell fire.

E2 Exclusive. Only Jesus is savior. Acts 4:11-12 NLT For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says, 'The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.' 12 There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.

E3 Jesus’s life, death, burial, and resurrection. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 NLT I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. 4 He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said.

E4 Repentance and acknowledging who Jesus is.

E5 That a perfect knowledge of theology is not needed.

E6 Three examples

F1 Galatians 3:6 NRSV Just as Abraham "believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,"

F2 Luke 18:13-14 NLT But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, 'O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner. 14 I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."

F3 2 Chronicles 33:6, 10-13 NLT Manasseh also sacrificed his own sons in the fire in the valley of Ben-Hinnom. He practiced sorcery, divination, and witchcraft, and he consulted with mediums and psychics. He did much that was evil in the LORD's sight, arousing his anger. ... 10 The LORD spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they ignored all his warnings. 11 So the LORD sent the commanders of the Assyrian armies, and they took Manasseh prisoner. They put a ring through his nose, bound him in bronze chains, and led him away to Babylon. 12 But while in deep distress, Manasseh sought the LORD his God and sincerely humbled himself before the God of his ancestors. 13 And when he prayed, the LORD listened to him and was moved by his request. So the LORD brought Manasseh back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh finally realized that the LORD alone is God!

F4 Different testimonies, yet all saved.

E7 We are not saved

F1 By doing or believing something else

F2 By good works

F3 By rituals

F4 By a pronouncement of a religious leader

E8 We are saved only by grace alone by faith alone in Jesus Christ alone.

E9 Faith is NOT a human work as many teach: Romans 4:3-4 WEL What does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited as righteousness to him.” 4 Now for the one who works, wages are not considered to be a gift but something owed.

C3 God Instructed Paul about the Gospel Chapter 1:11-17

D1 Paul states that he did not learn the Gospel through human teachers but through God Himself.

D2 Galatians 1:11-12 GNB Let me tell you, my friends, that the gospel I preach is not of human origin. 12 I did not receive it from any human being, nor did anyone teach it to me. It was Jesus Christ himself who revealed it to me.

C4 Paul Met With Apostles Chapter 1:18-24

B2 Chapter 2

C1 The Apostles and Paul Have Same Gospel Chapter 2:1-10

C2 Peter’s Hypocrisy Chapter 2:11-14

D1 Peter was affected by fellow Jews. He didn’t want to be offensive.

D2 Paul had to straighten Peter out.

D3 Sometimes we need to be straightened out by others and to confront others of the truth.

C3 Obedience To The Law Does Not Save; Faith Does Chapter 2:15-21

D1 The Mosaic Law does not save: Galatians 2:16 NLT Yet we know that a person is made right with God by faith in Jesus Christ, not by obeying the law. And we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we might be made right with God because of our faith in Christ, not because we have obeyed the law. For no one will ever be made right with God by obeying the law.

D2 Leaving that Law or falling back into that Law is sin: Galatians 2:17-18 NLT But suppose we seek to be made right with God through faith in Christ and then we are found guilty because we have abandoned the law. Would that mean Christ has led us into sin? Absolutely not! 18 Rather, I am a sinner if I rebuild the old system of law I already tore down.

D3 Keeping Mosaic Law cannot save: Galatians 2:21 NLT I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die.

B3 Chapter 3

C1 We Preach the Same Gospel As Abraham Heard Chapter 3:1-9

D1 Paul asks the people if they were saved (received the Holy Spirit) by following the Law or by faith. Then, he asks them why are they now wanting to follow the Law?

D2 Galatians 3:5-6 NLT I ask you again, does God give you the Holy Spirit and work miracles among you because you obey the law? Of course not! It is because you believe the message you heard about Christ. 6 In the same way, "Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith."

C2 The Righteous Live By Faith Alone Chapter 3:10-14

C3 The Law Came After the Gospel Chapter 3:15-18

D1 God’s agreement, covenant, with Abraham was regarding Abraham and Messiah.

E1 KJV Galatians 3:16-17 KJV Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. 17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.

E2 Galatians 3:16-17 NLT God gave the promises to Abraham and his child. And notice that the Scripture doesn't say "to his children," as if it meant many descendants. Rather, it says "to his child"—and that, of course, means Christ. 17 This is what I am trying to say: The agreement God made with Abraham could not be canceled 430 years later when God gave the law to Moses. God would be breaking his promise.

D2 This agreement was not annulled 430 years later by the giving of the Mosaic Covenant.

C4 The Law Reveals Our Sins Chapter 3:19-29

B4 Chapter 4

C1 Messiah Jesus Came to Save Those Under the Law Chapter 4:1-7

D1 The Jews followed, that is, obeyed the Mosaic Law, but they still needed a redeemer, because the law cannot save any from God’s wrath.

D2 Paul asks, “Why would you want to obey Mosaic Law now?”

C2 Why Do You Want to be Enslaved to the Law? Chapter 4:8-20

D1 The Gentiles were enslaved to the principles of the world. Gentiles lived according to the world’s worldview and lifestyle.

D2 So why do you now want to be enslaved to Jewish feasts and other ceremonial laws?

D3 Truth must have a standard. Truth must be reality. Often those who speak truth are hated, marginalized, and persecuted. Galatians 4:16 GNB Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?

D4 These Judaizers want followers: Galatians 4:17-18 GNB Those other people show a deep interest in you, but their intentions are not good. All they want is to separate you from me, so that you will have the same interest in them as they have in you. 18 Now, it is good to have such a deep interest if the purpose is good—this is true always, and not merely when I am with you.

C3 The Illustration of Hagar and Sarah Chapter 4:21-31

B5 Chapter 5

C1 Stay Free! Do Not Be Enslaved to The Law Chapter 5:1-15

D1 It is the commandment of God Himself: Galatians 5:1 NLT So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law.

D2 Albert Barnes commenting of Galatians 5:1 writes: ...and be not entangled again - Tyndale renders this, “And wrap not yourselves again.” The sense is, do not again allow such a yoke to be put on you; do not again become slaves to any rites, and customs, and habits.

D3 Galatians 5:1 Tyndale Stond fast therfore in ye libertie wher with Christ hath made vs fre and wrappe not youre selves agayne in ye yoke of bondage.

D4 Following the Mosaic Law does not produce change in the heart. One can follow all the laws but be evil at their core. Matthew 23:27-28 NLT What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs—beautiful on the outside but filled on the inside with dead people's bones and all sorts of impurity. 28 Outwardly you look like righteous people, but inwardly your hearts are filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness.

C2 Live By the Spirit Not The Law Chapter 5:16-26

D1 The unsaved may be wonderful people but to God they are not “good.” They follow the worldview and lifestyle of the world to vastly variable degrees.

D2 A believer is to follow the worldview and lifestyle of God as the Lord Jesus has taught us.

D3 The world’s lifestyle is characterized by Galatians 5:19-21 WEL Now the works of the flesh are obvious. They are adultery, sexual sins, moral corruption, unrestrained lust, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, strife, provoking jealousy, hot anger, pushing to be first, selfish scheming, dissensions, heresy, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, wild partying, and so on, about which I have told you before, and as I have also told you in the past that those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

D4 God’s lifestyle, the one we are to live, is characterized by Galatians 5:22 But, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, and self-control. There is no law against such things.

B6 Chapter 6

C1 Help Each Other’s Burdens Chapter 6:1-5

D1 We are to help each other, motivate each other, encourage each other. We are a family to care for each other. Galatians 6:2 NLT Share each other's burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.

D2 Yet, we are still responsible for ourselves. We cannot blame others for our failures. Galatians 6:4-5 NLT Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won't need to compare yourself to anyone else. 5 For we are each responsible for our own conduct.

C2 Sow To The Spirit Not The Flesh Chapter 6:6-10

C3 Keeping the Law Is Nothing; A New Creation Is Everything Chapter 6:11-18

D1 Following Mosaic Law leads to pride. This is religious pride and depends are closely we follow Mosaic law. God hates pride.

D2 What God has worked and recreated in us is what is important. There is no place for pride. It is God’s work in us. Galatians 6:15 NLT It doesn't matter whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation.

It might seem like we cannot make it as Christians. It seems that we don’t have enough strength to continue, BUT

Isaiah 40:29-31 LEB  He gives power to the weary, and he increases power for the powerless.  30  Even young people will be faint and grow weary, and the young will stumble, exhausted.  31  But those who wait for Yahweh shall renew their strength. They shall go up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not grow weary; they shall walk and not be faint.

1 & 2 Corinthians Teaching Outline Part B

B1 Basic Outline

C1 2 Corinthians Chapter 1 Salutation, sufferings, and Paul’s motivation

C2 2 Corinthians Chapter 2 Regarding repentance, forgiveness, comfort and truth

C3 2 Corinthians Chapter 3 Competent but not boastful and contrasting the old with the new covenant

C4 2 Corinthians 4 Contrasting the Devil’s Ways with God’s Ways

C5 2 Corinthians 5 Contrasting earthly sorrows with heavenly joys and inward character with outward show

C6 2 Corinthians 6 Day of Salvation, the apostle’s persecutions, and contrasting idols with God (Yahweh)

C7 2 Corinthians 7 Purify our hearts and body, and the joy for repenting

C8 2 Corinthians 8-9 Financial giving instructions

C9 2 Corinthians 10 Judge the Heart Not Appearance

C10 2 Corinthians 11 Contrasting false apostles with true apostles

C11 2 Corinthians 12 Paul’s vision, thorn, God’s grace, and proofs he is true apostle

C12 2 Corinthians 13 Final advice and greetings

B2 2 Corinthians Chapter 1 Salutation, sufferings, and Paul’s motivation

C1 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 MKJV Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort, He comforting us in all our trouble, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in every trouble, through the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

D1 Empathy

D2 All believers are one family. we suffer and rejoice together. We are to pray, listen, help, comfort our fellow believers who are suffering. Galatians 6:10 NIV Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

C2 Hope. Our first and greatest hope is in God. Faith is believing God. Hope is expectation.

D1 Psalm 31:24 NIV Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.

D2 Psalm 33:17-18, 20 NIV A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save. 18 But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, ... 20 We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.

B3 2 Corinthians Chapter 2 Regarding repentance, forgiveness, comfort and truth

C1 Repentance is change is attitude and action. Consider King Manasseh:

D1 2 Chronicles 33:9 NIV But Manasseh led Judah and the people of Jerusalem astray, so that they did more evil than the nations the LORD had destroyed before the Israelites.

D2 2 Chronicles 33:13, 15-16 NIV And when he prayed to him, the LORD was moved by his entreaty and listened to his plea; so he brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD is God. ... 15 He got rid of the foreign gods and removed the image from the temple of the LORD, as well as all the altars he had built on the temple hill and in Jerusalem; and he threw them out of the city. 16 Then he restored the altar of the LORD and sacrificed fellowship offerings and thank offerings on it, and told Judah to serve the LORD, the God of Israel.

C2 Forgiveness is turning an issue over to God and not seeking personal revenge. If a crime is committed, it must be reported to law enforcement.

B4 2 Corinthians Chapter 3 Competent but not boastful and old and new covenant

C1 “We have done a great work, but if it wasn’t for God’s help and blessing, we are nothing but failures.”

C2 Colossians 3:12 NIV Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

B5 2 Corinthians 4 Contrasting the Devil’s Ways with God’s Ways

C1 Truth and transparency are God’s way of ministry. Any other is not God’s way. Importance of truth (note, I don’t agree with Muehlenberg in everything). Importance of transparency in ministry. (A couple of sources here and here (Be cautious with Thom Rainer as he promotes his products, etc.)

C2 Correctly interpreting the Scriptures.

B6 2 Corinthians 5 Contrasting earthly sorrows with heavenly joys and inward character and outward show

C1 The longing believers have for our new body that God will give us after we die.

C2 What is your goal in this life? What is mine? 2 Corinthians 5:1 ISV We know that if the earthly tent we live in is torn down, we have a building in heaven that comes from God, an eternal house not built by human hands.

C3 It is important we understand that we are a new creation. Our heart has been recreated. Its motives are different. It worldview and desires are godly.

B7 2 Corinthians 6 Day of Salvation, the apostle’s persecutions, and contrasting idols and God (Yahweh)

C1 If we are new creations, then it must show in the way we think, talk, and act both in private and in public. 2 Corinthians 6:6 GW People can see our purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit's presence in our lives, our sincere love.

C2 We must take this verse very seriously: 2 Corinthians 6:14 GW Stop forming inappropriate relationships with unbelievers. Can right and wrong be partners? Can light have anything in common with darkness?

B8 2 Corinthians 7 Purify our hearts and body and joy for repentance

C1 We need to think, talk, and live as Christians. We have a new worldview and lifestyle. 2 Corinthians 7:1 GW Since we have these promises, dear friends, we need to cleanse ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit and live a holy life in the fear of God.

C2 We need to speak the truth, not to hurt people but for their repentance.

B9 2 Corinthians 8-9 Financial giving instructions

C1 We need to help our brethren if we are able, whether by prayer, work, money, listening, assisting, etc.

C2 Our financial collection is not a tax (tithe) but of a willing heart whether 5%, 10%, or 50%. 2 Corinthians 9:7 NKJV So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

B10 2 Corinthians 10 Judge the Heart Not Appearance

C1 When a Christian fights for his/her faith, it is not with military weapons, or anger, yelling, force, bullying, etc. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 GW The weapons we use in our fight are not made by humans. Rather, they are powerful weapons from God. With them we destroy people's defenses, that is, their arguments and all their intellectual arrogance that oppose the knowledge of God. We take every thought captive so that it is obedient to Christ.

C2 2 Corinthians 10:12 GNB Of course we would not dare classify ourselves or compare ourselves with those who rate themselves so highly. How stupid they are! They make up their own standards to measure themselves by, and they judge themselves by their own standards!

D1 Proverbs 12:15 ESV The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.

D2 Galatians 6:3 GNB If you think you are something when you really are nothing, you are only deceiving yourself.

B11 2 Corinthians 11 Contrasting false apostles with true apostles

C1 A difference between natural gifts and spiritual gifts: 2 Corinthians 11:5-6 GW I don't think I'm inferior in any way to your super-apostles. Even though I'm not good with words, I know what I'm talking about. Timothy and I have made this clear to you in every possible way.

C2 The suffering of a true apostle.

C3 Weakness or acknowledgment of God’s grace? Jeremiah 9:23-24 GNB The LORD says, "The wise should not boast of their wisdom, nor the strong of their strength, nor the rich of their wealth. 24 If any want to boast, they should boast that they know and understand me, because my love is constant, and I do what is just and right. These are the things that please me. I, the LORD, have spoken."

B12 2 Corinthians 12 Paul’s vision, thorn, God’s grace, and proofs he is true apostle

C1 Sometimes special blessings lead to the temptation of pride, but God knows what we need. A problem, a suffering or a difficulty, may actually be a blessing. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 GW especially because of the excessive number of revelations that I've had. Therefore, to keep me from becoming conceited, I am forced to deal with a recurring problem. That problem, Satan's messenger, torments me to keep me from being conceited. I begged the Lord three times to take it away from me. But he told me: "My kindness is all you need. My power is strongest when you are weak." So I will brag even more about my weaknesses in order that Christ's power will live in me. Therefore, I accept weakness, mistreatment, hardship, persecution, and difficulties suffered for Christ. It's clear that when I'm weak, I'm strong.

C2 When I am weak, God is strong. Isaiah 40:29-31 GNB He strengthens those who are weak and tired. 30 Even those who are young grow weak; young people can fall exhausted. 31 But those who trust in the LORD for help will find their strength renewed. They will rise on wings like eagles; they will run and not get weary; they will walk and not grow weak.

B13 2 Corinthians 13 Final advice and greeting

C1 Do we do this? We must. 2 Corinthians 13:5 GW Examine yourselves to see whether you are still in the Christian faith. Test yourselves! Don't you recognize that you are people in whom Jesus Christ lives? Could it be that you're failing the test?

C2 Psalms 26:2 GNB Examine me and test me, LORD; judge my desires and thoughts.

1 & 2 Corinthians Teaching Outline Part A

B1 Basic Issue is Church Problems

B2 Basic outline

C1 1-4 Divisions in the church

C2 5-6 Moral Issues

C3 7-8 Questions About Marriage and Offerings Made to Idols

C4 9-10 It is right for a Christian worker to receive financial help

C5 11 Women and the Lord’s Supper

C6 12-14 Spiritual Gifts

C7 15-16 Resurrection and Final Teachings

B3 1-4 Divisions in the church

C1 We are not to follow certain teachers. There are many big name teachers with incredibly large followings.

D1 2 Peter 2:1 LEB But there were also false prophets among the people, as there will be false teachers among you also, who will bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, thus bringing on themselves swift destruction.

D2 2 Corinthians 11:14-15 BSB And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their actions.

C2 We need to beware.

D1 Acts 17:11 NRSV These Jews were more receptive than those in Thessalonica, for they welcomed the message very eagerly and examined the scriptures every day to see whether these things were so.

D2 1 John 4:1 GNB My dear friends, do not believe all who claim to have the Spirit, but test them to find out if the spirit they have comes from God. For many false prophets have gone out everywhere.

D3 Revelation 2:2 NRSV I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance. I know that you cannot tolerate evildoers; you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them to be false.

C3 We are followers of Jesus Christ.

C4 Big name teachers can be wrong. We are human. If we blindly follow them in their erroneous teaching, we will be held accountable, just as they will be held accountable by God for false teaching.

C5 We are responsible to read and study the Bible. If you don’t know how, consider this source as a start.

C6 All brothers and sisters in Christ (believers) have the same Holy Spirit.

C7 Teachers are important, but we must test them. They are resources, not infallible.

B4 5-6 Moral Issues

C1 A man married his step-mother. (1 Corinthians was written ~55 CE).

C2 The Jerusalem Council (~49 CE) decided before: Acts 15:19-20 EMTV Therefore I judge that we must not cause trouble for those who are turning to God from among the Gentiles; 20 but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood.

C3 The church must deal with this sin by excommunicating these 2 people. It is not a time to rejoice but to be sorrowful. God still has rules for His people. Paul’s decision is consistent with Old Testament teaching: Leviticus 18:8 GW Never have sexual intercourse with your stepmother. She is related to you through your father.

C4 A little sin leads to big sin. One time occurrence of sin leads to many occurrences.

B5 7-8 Questions About Marriage and Offerings Made to Idols

C1 Due to the persecution of the day, Paul recommends not to marry. Nevertheless, marriage is honorable and blessed by God. If you want to marry, marry.

C2 Sex is good and blessed in marriage (God’s plan). Both must enjoy pleasure.

C3 Husbands must submit to their wives just as wives to husbands: I Corinthians 7:4 GW A wife doesn't have authority over her own body, but her husband does. In the same way, a husband doesn't have authority over his own body, but his wife does.

C4 Divorce is not God’s plan, but He understands the sinful nature of humans, so there are allowances. Conditions for Divorce

C5 Circumcision is not a condition needed for salvation, to live a godly Christian life, or to be considered by God to be a mature, superior Christian.

C6 Personally, I understand this passage to teach that if we are aware that food or other things have been dedicated and undergone rituals of a false religion, then we are not to use them. Not using them to provide a testimony and a protection to those who would consider using them sin. If we are not aware of any dedication or rituals, then we don’t ask questions.

D1 I Corinthians 8:6-9 GW But for us, "There is only one God, the Father. Everything came from him, and we live for him. There is only one Lord, Jesus Christ. Everything came into being through him, and we live because of him." But not everyone knows this. Some people are so used to worshiping false gods that they believe they are eating food offered to a false god. So they feel guilty because their conscience is weak. Food will not affect our relationship with God. We are no worse off if we eat that food and no better off if we don't. But be careful that by using your freedom you don't somehow make a believer who is weak in faith fall into sin.

D2 I Corinthians 8:12-13 GW When you sin against other believers in this way and harm their weak consciences, you are sinning against Christ. Therefore, if eating food offered to false gods causes other believers to lose their faith, I will never eat that kind of food so that I won't make other believers lose their faith.

B6 9-10 It is right for a Christian worker to receive financial help

C1 It is right for a Christian worker to receive financial help

C2 Paul give the reason we do not eat food dedicated and/or blessed by ritual of a false god. I Corinthians 10:18-21 GW Look at the people of Israel from a human point of view. Don't those who eat the sacrifices share what is on the altar? Do I mean that an offering made to a false god is anything, or that a false god itself is anything? Hardly! What I am saying is that these sacrifices which people make are made to demons and not to God. I don't want you to be partners with demons. You cannot drink the Lord's cup and the cup of demons. You cannot participate at the table of the Lord and at the table of demons.

B7 11 Women and the Lord’s Supper

C1 The first part of the chapter deals with proper attitudes in prayer.

C2 The second part concerning the Lord’s Supper. The Lord’s Supper

D1 Is worship of God.

D2 Is a corporate gathering of fellowship with God.

D3 Is a time to leave personal opinions and focus on worshiping together.

D4 Is a time to remember the great blessing of salvation made possible by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

B8 12-14 Spiritual Gifts

C1 God gives spiritual gifts for service to Him. This is towards the brothers and sisters, then as a witness to those who do not believe.

C2 People may have the same gift, but in different quantity and area of service.

C3 God’s gifts are different than natural gifts.

C4 Love is a choice. Love is seen in its actions in public AND in private.

C5 The proper use of gifts in the church service.

B8 15-16 Resurrection and Final Teachings

C1 The importance of remaining steadfast and faithful in belief and life.

C2 A theological summary of salvation. I Corinthians 15:3-4 MKJV For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received, that Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.

C3 Truths about the resurrection

D1 It will happen, because it was promised and Jesus was resurrected.

D2 All people are resurrected. Some to eternal life (because of their faith in Jesus), and some to eternal death (because they refused to believe). Daniel 12:2 NIV Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.

D3 Is proof that death will one day be destroyed, because Yeshua, the Messiah, is victor over all.

D4 The resurrected body of believers is different than our present body.

D5 Show us the importance of being faithful and steadfast always even to death. I Corinthians 15:58 MKJV So that, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not without fruit in the Lord.

C4 Freely given offerings are God’s plan to meet the needs of believers and congregational needs. The tithe is for Israel. The OT tithe is more or less a tax for Israelites. A couple of thoughts about giving and tithe here. (Note, I am no fan of Mr. MacArthur (his doctorate is honorary, not earned) but his comments are appropriate).

C5 Final notes and greetings