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I Corinthians 14

  • I Corinthians 14:2 – Speaking in tongues is only beneficial if the language is understood or can be translated.
  • I Corinthians 14:3-5 – Prophecy is seen as the more generally useful gift.
  • I Corinthians 14:6-9 – Speaking in tongues is useless unless the language is understood.
  • I Corinthians 14:10-11 – See Genesis 11:7-9. Clear communication is critical!
  • I Corinthians 14:13 – Apparently it was at least sometimes possible for one speaking in tongues to also interpret.
  • I Corinthians 14:14-17 – “Mind” is also translated “understanding.”
  • I Corinthians 14:18-19 – Compare Paul’s attitude in I Corinthians 10:33. The emphasis was always on edification.

For further study, see also:

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James 2:14-26

  • James 2:14 – This is a rhetorical question.
  • James 2:18 – If I truly have faith, it changes how I live.
  • James 2:19 – Compare Luke 4:33; Acts 19:15. The demons believe in God also!
  • James 2:21-24 – Exhibit A: Abraham
    • Galatians 3:7
    • Abraham was declared righteous because of his works.
    • Titus 3:7; Romans 5:9; I Corinthians 6:11
    • Genesis 22:1-3, 10-12, 15-18
    • Hebrews 11:17 “by faith” vs James 2:21 “by works.” Two ways of describing the same event.
  • James 2:25 – Exhibit B: Rahab
    • Hebrews 11:31
    • Joshua 2:1-6 – Rahab was commended for welcoming the spies in peace – not for lying.
    • Joshua 2:8-11

But what about Romans 4?

  • Romans 4:1-8
  • Romans is using the word “works” in a different way than James 2.
  • Romans 4: Works = actions which allow one to “boast” about what he is “due.”
    • Romans 3:23
    • None of us are saved from being perfect!
  • James 2: Works = obedient actions which make faith come alive.

Develop a faith that works!

  • Hebrews 11:7-9, 23-25, 30
  • Joshua 6:1-5, 20 – They did these things by faith.
  • Ephesians 2:8 ➡ I Peter 3:21

For further study, see also:

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Treatment of slaves

  • Exodus 21:1-11
  • Hebrew slaves
    • Temporary servitude – Hebrew – six years
    • Other factors
      • Married?
      • Given to marry?
      • Children?
      • Willing to remain?
    • Selling a daughter
    • Method of early redemption
    • Severe treatment

Did God approve of slavery?

  • Did not approve of divorce – stated so
    • Malachi 2:16
    • Mark 10:2-12 (Matthew 5:31-32; 19:3-9) – “from the beginning”
  • Where it starts
    • Exodus 21:16 – To forcibly take a slave = death
    • Appears forced slavery not allowed
    • No restriction as to nationality or religion
  • Fact of slavery

Tortfeasance

  • Exodus 21:12-22:31
  • Uhhhh… What?
    • Archaic legal term
    • Twisted conduct
    • Modern version: torts
    • Better known as common law
    • Requires both knowledge and wise interpretation
    • Concerns all varieties of harm caused by imprudent conduct
    • Code of Hammurabi?

Code of Hammurabi

  • 18th Century BC
  • Legal code in Babylon
  • Some similarities with Law of Moses

Justice between Israelites

  • Exodus 22:16-23:9
  • Specifics and principles of justice
    • “What to do if …” statutes
    • Some capital offenses
    • Usury laws
    • First fruits and first born
    • Perjury and suborning perjury
    • Mob activity
    • Partiality
    • Returning lost property
    • Perverting justice
    • Graft
    • Oppression against foreigners

Sabbaths and festivals

  • Exodus 23:10-19
  • Sabbaths for land
  • Sabbaths for animals
  • Sabbaths for servants, slaves
  • Feats to observe and some rules
  • Appearance of all males before God

The promise of victory

  • Exodus 23:20-33
  • Guardian angel
    • Obey him
    • Bring you to promised land
  • Serve God only
    • You’ll be fruitful
    • You’ll be victorious
    • Enemies confounded, scattered
    • No covenant or service to their gods

The blood of the covenant

  • Exodus 24
  • Moses comes down
    • Recounts to the people
    • They answer
    • Moses records
    • Makes sacrifice
  • Moses takes the blood
    • Sprinkles half on the altar
    • Reads the covenant
    • People respond
    • Moses sprinkles the people
    • Declares it the “Blood of the Covenant”
  • Hebrews 9:18-28

Moses and others appear before God

  • Exodus 24:9-18
  • God appears
  • Moses moves up
  • After six days, He calls Moses
  • Moses remains for 40 days and nights

God instructs Moses

  • How to build the tabernacle
    • Contributions needed (Exodus 25:1-9)
    • Ark of the covenant (Exodus 25:10-22)
    • Table for Bread of the Presence (Exodus 25:23-30)
    • Golden lampstand (Exodus 25:31-40)
    • The tabernacle structure (Exodus 26:1-37)
    • The bronze altar (Exodus 27:1-8)
  • More instructions
    • Tabernacle court (Exodus 27:9-19)
    • The lamp – oil and when to burn (Exodus 27:20-21)
    • Priests’ garments (Exodus 28)
    • Consecrating the priests (Exodus 29)
    • Altar of incense (Exodus 30:1-10)
    • Bronze basin for priestly purification (Exodus 30:17-21)
    • Anointing oil and incense (Exodus 30:22-38)

Filling in the details

  • Importance of Oholiab and Bezalel
    • Supply the details
    • Provide excellence in workmanship
    • Put their skill to work
    • Do all under God’s inspiration

Paying the census ransom

  • Exodus 30:11-16
  • Applied to everyone 20 years and older
  • Also called atonement money
  • Half a shekel
  • Same amount for all
  • Went to the service in Tent of Meeting

For further study, see also:

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Introduction

  • I Samuel 1:20, 27; 2:11, 26; 3:19-20
  • I Samuel 7:15-17 – Samuel served as prophet and judge.
  • I Samuel 25:1 – Death of Samuel

He summoned the courage to tell hard truths.

  • I Samuel 3:1, 10-14 – Samuel receives a message for Eli from God.
  • I Samuel 3:18 – Samuel delivers the message to Eli.
  • I Samuel 13 – Samuel rebukes Saul for failing to wait for him.
  • I Samuel 15:19, 27-28 – Samuel told Saul his kingdom was being removed.
  • I Corinthians 5:1-2
  • III John 1:9-10 – John had courage to talk to Diotrephes.
  • We must have the courage of Samuel to tell hard truths.
  • Proverbs 15:2
  • Parents need to have the courage to talk to their children.

He cared.

  • I Samuel 8:4-9
  • I Samuel 15:10-11
  • Amos 6:6
  • Psalms 119:136
  • Samuel was bothered by sin. Does sin bother us?

He lived with sadness in his life.

  • I Samuel 7:3-4
  • II Chronicles 35:18
  • I Samuel 8:1-3 – Samuel’s sons did evil.
  • Hebrews 11:32, 6

For further study, see also:

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“Who is God?”

  • Exodus 5:2
  • All men need to learn about God.
  • We live in an ever-changing world … but God never changes.
    • God’s basic character never changes.
    • You can use the word “always” to express this truth.
    • Malachi 3:6
    • Psalms 102:25-27
    • Hebrews 13:8
    • “He is the still point in a turning world.”
    • God’s purposes do not change.
      • Isaiah 14:23-27
  • The God who sent His Son to die on the cross and raised Him from the dead IS THE SAME GOD …
    • Who created the universe
    • Who walked in the garden and talked to Adam and Eve
    • Etc.
  • Remember He said what He purposed would be done, therefore God’s promises do not change or fail.
    • II Peter 3:3-10
  • But what about those verses that say God changed His mind or that God repented?
    • Genesis 6:6; Jonah 3:10
    • This expresses God’s grief over sin. It doesn’t mean He made a mistake.
  • What difference does this make in practical terms?
    • First consider God’s immutability as it applies to the lost.
      • This is very bad news for those living in sin.
        • Psalms 139
      • This is very good news to those who want to be saved.
      • God’s attitude toward obedience and disobedience has never changed!
        • Deuteronomy 6:5-6; 5:10
  • So what’s the difference in the Old and New Testaments?
    • Matthew 22:37; Romans 6:17
    • Romans 8:2; Hebrews 8:9-10
    • The Old Covenant did not offer a means of forgiveness. The New Covenant does offer forgiveness through grace and forgiveness in Jesus.
    • In both the Old and New Testament, God expected faith and obedience.
  • When faced with requirements and restrictions in God’s word, some reject it by saying God is just not that “picky.”
    • Well, He’s as picky now as He’s always been.
    • Adam and Eve – ate a fruit.
    • Nadab and Abihu – used the wrong fire.
    • Ananias and Sapphira – lied about what they gave.
    • Paul blinded a man who perverted the right way of the Lord!
    • He wants man to love and obey Him!
  • God is still the same.
    • His expectations concerning man haven’t changed since creation.

For further study, see also:

Questions or comments? Join our Discord server for further study.


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© 2023, Mark Watson

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