Wednesday January 22nd, 2014

LESSON 4 

THE NEW TESTAMENT PART 2

Choose Christ

Choose to grow in Christ

Choose to Endure in Christ

The letters and epistles of the New Testament - general information:

An epistle is an artistic literary form that is intended for the public.

Letters are for a specific person or persons

Some are personal in nature, others seem more for a public audience.  

All are from the 1st century, and all were written for a specific purpose….which is curious, we do not always understand the setting in which the letters were intended.  It is sort of like hearing only one side of a phone conversation.  For example, What was going on in Corinth that caused Paul to write 1 Corinthians?  How does he know what is going on there and what is his relationship with the people?

--The Corinthians were mostly Gentiles although there were some Jews, they are intelligent and proud, Paul rebukes them on many occasions - for division within the church, moral issues, and conflicts among believers.

Many of the letters/epistles have a similar format:

--name of the writer

--the recipient

--greeting “Grace and peace to you from God our Father”

--prayers of thanksgiving or wishes

--body of the letter (with advice, cautions, testimonies)

--final greetings and farewells

Easy to interpret and agree upon the MAIN points of this part of the Bible:

All have sinned (Romans 3:23)

The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23)

By Grace through Christ you have been saved, through faith (Ephesians 2:8)

Walk by the Spirit (Gal 5:16)  Walk in the way of love (Eph 5:2)

Regarding some details (ie head coverings, disputes, etc) - remember that even Biblical scholars do not all agree on specific details.  The larger picture and overall points are commonly agreed upon and understood - this is what is important.

These we can all agree upon - that come from these letters and epistles -  with that knowledge, life is good and easy right?  We accept Christ, we learn and study from our Bibles, and all will be well.  Right?  

Unfortunately, this is not the case. Becoming a Christian does not make your life easier, and does not take away your troubles. True, when you have Christ, you are never alone and you have a peace that surpasses your suffering. But you still have the suffering, you still have tough times.  I wish I had known that when I came to Christ.

Phil 4:6-7

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

John 16:33 In this world you will have trouble.  

We are all broken.  We all have times when we question our faith, and we wonder how God can allow certain painful things in our lives.  We may beg God to calm the storms of our life, but sometimes instead of calming the storm, he strengthens us instead.  In our weaknesses, God’s strength is displayed, because we must rely on him all the more.  If all is well and perfect, we may feel we don't need him. We won't rely on him.

Phil 4:12

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

The main point - as is reflected in many of the texts for our study today - whether it be in the Paul’s letters as he Paul house arrest, beatings, imprisonment, loneliness, many a horrific travel across seas and cities. or whether it is in some of the prophecy in Revelation which warns us of difficulties to come - my main point is that as a Christian we will have a cross to bear.  We will have chains that bind us, we will feel imprisoned, we will feel defeated, we will cry out WHY.  

But I would say, it’s in some of our toughest times that God is strengthening our faith.  

Rom 8:28

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

I know I will have great challenges in my life ahead.  I shouldn’t be surprised when they come.  But I have that faith, I have prayer, I have Christ with me, I have HOPE.  

2 Tim 4:7

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

We have to pick up our cross and carry it, knowing that God will never give us more than we can handle.  And that he will never ever leave us.