[Due to to COVID19 restrictions, we are doing things a little differently at Benchley and an audio recording is not available for this lesson. However, the lesson (along with the rest of the worship service) was live-streamed on Facebook and can be watched below. -MRW]

• Introduction

  • Psalms 14:1; Matthew 7:1; I Corinthians 7:27; 15:32; 10:23

• Context

  • Reading the surrounding words and phrases to help understand a passage.

  • Examples:

    • Psalms 14:1 – The fool says, “there is no God.”

    • Matthew 7:1, 5, 15, 16 – How to judge rightly. Hypocritical judging is condemned. Not all judging.

    • I Corinthians 7:26-27

    • I Corinthians 15:32-34 – If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink for tomorrow we die.”

    • I Corinthians 10:23 – All things are lawful, but not all things edify.

  • Acts 16:31 – Is belief all that is required for salvation?

• Harmony

  • God does not contradict Himself. We must harmonize different related verses.

  • Examples:

    • Matthew 4:1-11 – Jesus called out Satan on misusing scripture.

    • Psalms 14:1 – Compare Romans 1:20.

    • Matthew 7:1 – Compare John 7:24.

    • I Corinthians 7:27 – Compare I Timothy 4:1, 3

    • I Corinthians 15:32 – Compare Ephesians 5:15-16

    • I Corinthians 10:23 – Compare I John 3:4

    • Acts 16:31-32 – Compare James 2:19-24. We are not justified by faith alone. I Peter 3:21

• Things that will help:

  • Take time – II Timothy 2:15

  • Read – I Timothy 4:13

  • Think – I Timothy 4:15-16