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  • What “cross” are we to take up and bear?
  • The stake on which He died
    • Matthew 27:40
    • John 19:17
    • Luke 23:26
    • John 19:19
    • John 19:25
  • His death
    • Philippians 2:8
    • Colossians 1:20
    • Hebrews 12:2
  • The entire process of salvation
    • I Corinthians 1:17
    • I Corinthians 1:18
    • Galatians 5:11
    • Galatians 6:12
    • Galatians 6:14
    • Philippians 3:18
    • Colossians 2:14 – Nailing the law to the cross symbolically canceled it and made it of no effect.
  • Christ bore His own cross and each must bear his own cross to be saved.
    • Matthew 10:38
    • Luke 9:23
    • Luke 14:27
  • “What cross are we to take up and bear?” Let us look at Luke 9:23 again. If one comes to Jesus, he denies self, takes up his cross, and follows Jesus. Thus, one follows Jesus by denying self and following Jesus.

For further study, see also:

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  • Deuteronomy 8
  • Proverbs 30:7-9 – Give me neither poverty nor riches.
  • In times of need … trust in God.
    • Deuteronomy 8:2-6
    • Numbers 11:1-6
    • There is value in living through the lean times and learning to appreciate all the small blessings from God.
    • Philippians 4:10-13 – This is the attitude we want to have! We should be content in whatever state we are in.
    • Philippians 1:12-14
    • It’s in the dark days that we fall in love with the light.
  • In times of plenty … do not forget God.
    • Deuteronomy 8:10-14
    • II Chronicles 12:1; 26:16 – The danger of gaining power and pride.
    • Proverbs 16:18
    • I Timothy 6:17-19 – Do not be conceited.

For further study, see also:

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  • Lesson 5: Wisdom Psalms
    • Purpose
      • To teach and instruct; tell coming generations about God (Psalm 32:8; 49:3; 78:1,4)
      • Calls to action in Psalms
        • Psalm 37:8,27 – cease from anger and wrath; do not worry; depart from evil
        • Psalm 112:9 – give freely to the poor
        • Psalm 119:1 – be blameless; walk in the way of the Lord
        • Psalm 119:9 – keep your way pure; walk according to God’s word
      • Fearing God and keeping His commandments brings about blessings. Psalm 1:3; 73:24; 112:1
    • Structure
      • Wisdom psalms have a variety of structures, so we will look at the unique structure of Psalm 119.
      • Psalm 119 is an acrostic poem. It is divided into 22 sections of 8 lines each. Each section is named for a letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Each line in that section starts with the same letter.
      • Seven other psalms, Proverbs 31, Lamentations 1-4, and Nahum all contain at least partial acrostics.
      • God’s law is referenced in nearly every verse of Psalm 119.
    • Key features
      • Phrasing is similar in many passages, including:
        • Psalm 37:16 / Proverbs 15:16 – Better is … than …
        • Psalm 128:1 / Proverbs 3:13 – How blessed is …
        • Psalm 32:9 / Proverbs 25:8 – Do not … otherwise …
        • Psalm 49:1 / Proverbs 22:17 – Hear this …
        • All of these impart wisdom and try to show the importance and superiority of God’s way.
    • Example
      • Psalm 73
        • Psalm 73:1-9 – Complaint
        • Psalm 73:10-14 – Lament
        • Psalm 73:15-20 – Seeing the truth of the matter
        • Psalm 73:21-24 – God guides me
        • Psalm 73:25-28 – Rejoicing in a relationship with God

For further study, see also:

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  • Ephesians 4:20-24
  • Education
    • Forgiveness and righteousness lead to life
      • Romans 6:4-7, 20-23 – Living in sin leads to death. Living righteously leads to life.
  • Attitude
    • Constantly renewing ourselves to be more like Deity
      • Colossians 3:10
      • Ephesians 4:23-24
      • Ephesians 5:1-2 – Imitate God!
      • Colossians 3:17
  • Action
    • Instruments of righteousness
      • Romans 6:12-13
      • Speak truth!
      • Only speak what is good for edification.
      • Colossians 3:1-3 – Set your mind on things above.
      • Colossians 3:15 - “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.”
      • Colossians 3:12
      • Ephesians 4:22,24 – We are new people!

For further study, see also:

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


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