Exegetical Notes: 2 Corinthians 5:16-6:2

16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer.

“From now on, therefore” – Places strong emphasis on on the content of verses 14-15. Christ’s death is the foundational act/event that controls our actions: 1) that we would be controlled by his love, 2) that we might no longer live for ourselves, but for him [14], and who we are, namely, a new creation [17]. 

“according to the flesh” – NIV translates this as “from a worldly point of view”.

APP: As believers, we should not assign value to individuals based on worldly measurements of worth (i.e. money, power, fame, beauty, etc.). Instead, Christ’s love as demonstrated in his reconciling death (Rom. 5:8) places each person on equal footing. Through Christ, each of us has become “a new creation”. 

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Exegetical Notes: 2 Corinthians 4:5-18

For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.

“ourselves” – we live in a world full of self promotion. Much of what fills our social media platforms is nothing more than promoting a well manicured version of our own lives. However, as believers we have a greater duty to promote the life-changing gospel of Christ.

APP: As believers, we should desire that others experience the same eye-opening grace that we have experienced (see next verse).

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

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When Life Crumbles

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where all seems lost? You know, when life throws you something completely unexpected and you find yourself feeling completely hopeless. We all have had days like this. We’ve all had situations arise in our lives that cause us hurt, situations that cause pain, situations that make us feel a complete since of loss. I’ve had days (sometimes it may be weeks, months, or even years) like this, you have too.

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Yes Sir, Yes Mam

Read Malachi 1.6-14

Yes Sir, Yes Mam

In God’s accusation against Israel, He begins his argument with the natural principle that some positions, by their very nature, are worthy of honor – namely that of a father and that of a master here in verse six and that of a political ruler in verse eight. We live in the south and have a clear understanding of this type of expectation. Here we were taught, and we teach our little ones to say Yes Mam’ (or Yes’ Mmm, as my friend Ryan would say) and Yes Sir. Nothing less than that will do. We call our parents Daddy and Mama as a term of endearing respect, I’d never dream of calling up my Dad  and saying, “Hey George. How’s it going?”…and you wouldn’t do the same for your parents either! The rod would never be spared for such and offense. Not in the south.

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Exegetical Notes: 1 Corinthians 1:10-25 (The Cross, The Calling, and The Unity of the Church)

10 I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.

“I appeal to you” – An informal request, but with emphasis. “I strongly urge you” or ” I earnestly asking you”

“by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” – Paul appeals on the basis of Christ’s authority over the church and His redeeming work on behalf of his gospel. Paul’s overarching point throughout chapter one is his desire for all believers to remain steadfastly pointed to Christ and give him praise because his crucifixion provides the power for men to find forgiveness. Note that Paul begins his plea with Jesus at the center here in verse 10 and concludes this section by writing, “And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, ‘Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

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Exegetical Notes: Acts 22:3-8; 15-22

1“Brothers and fathers, hear the defense that I now make before you.”

“hear the defense that I now make before you” – Paul’s entrance into the temple resulted in a quick uproar (Acts 21:26-36). In short, Paul was falsely accused by some Jews from Asia, who claimed he taught against the temple and brought Gentiles into the temple. The news of the riot soon reached a local Roman commander and he seized Paul in order to squelch the disturbance.

2 And when they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew language, they became even more quiet. And he said: Continue reading “Exegetical Notes: Acts 22:3-8; 15-22”

Exegetical Notes: Acts 18:24-28; 19:1-7

18:24 Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures.

“Apollos” – As an aside: Many hypothesize Apollos to be the writer of the NT book, Hebrews (over the traditional Pauline authorship) because the writer of Hebrews demonstrates a great knowledge of Christ’s fulfillment of the OT scriptures (Jew, v28) and the linguistic style of Hebrews demonstrates itself to be much more “eloquent” than Paul’s other writings.

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Five Misconceptions About Sin From Luke 7:36-50

Lk 7:36–50

36 One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table. 37 And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, 38 and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. 39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.” 40 And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.” 41 “A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.” 44 Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. 47 Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” 48 And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” 50 And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

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