E-pistle for December 27, 2013
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E-Pistle
FreeWay Foundation December 27, 2013
When Israel was a child, I loved him!
(Hosea 11:1-12)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the contents of this chapter
1. Hosea, speaking for the Lord, revealed God's continuing love for His
chosen people even though they were bent on backsliding, vv. 1-7.
2. Hosea expressed the compassionate heart of God: "How can I give
you up, Ephraim? . . . like Admah and Zeboiim" (cities destroyed with
Sodom and Gomorrah, (Genesis 14:8; Deuteronomy 29:23) . . . "My heart
churns within Me; My sympathy is stirred": unlike a man, the Lord has
unlimited patience and love, v. 8-9.
3. Hosea predicted that when God called His people back from captivity, they
would respond immediately, like lions or birds swiftly returning to their places
of abode, vv. 10-11.
4. Hosea closed this chapter by condemning Israel's lies and deceit, in contrast
to Judah's continuing faithfulness to the Holy One, v. 12.
II. Meditation: on the manifold expressions of the love of God
"When Israel was a child, I loved Him," (v. 1) . . .
1. God called His chosen people out of exile in Egypt into the Promised Land,
v. 1. (See Matthew 2:15)
2. God taught His chosen people, v. 3.
3. God carried His chosen people, v. 3; Isaiah 63:9.
4. God healed His chosen people (although they did not know it), v 4.
5. God drew His chosen people unto Himself, with loving acceptance, v. 4.
6. God delivered His chosen people from bondage and oppression, v. 4.
7. God condescended ("stooped") to deal with His chosen people on an earthly
level, v. 4; Philippians 2:5-8.
8. God fed His chosen people and supplied all their needs, v. 4.
III. Revelation: on the spiritual implications seen here
1. The Lord has called His people out of the land of bondage, and He has delivered
them into the land of promise (#'s 1 and 6).
2. The Lord has taught spiritual truths to His people, and He has carried them when
their journey became too difficult(#'s 2 and 3).
3. The Lord has come down to earth (taking on human flesh), and He has drawn
believers unto Himself with tender love (#'s 7 and 5).
4. The Lord has healed His people (physically and spiritually), and He has supplied
all their needs (#'s 4 and 8).
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Thank the Lord for His love: His deliverance and salvation.
2. Thank the Lord for His love: His enlightenment and encouragement.
3. Thank the Lord His love: His mercy and grace.
4. Thank Lord for His love: His healing and provision.
Paul defends his ministry
(II Corinthians 11:1-32)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the contents of this chapter
1. Paul expressed hope that the Corinthians would remain faithful, vv. 1-4.
2. Paul discussed his conflicts with false apostles, vv. 5-15.
3. Paul admitted that his reluctant boasting was foolishness, vv,. 16-21.
4. Paul then described his sufferings and persecutions for Christ, vv. 22-23.
II. Meditation: on Paul's warnings (vv. 1-6)
1. Paul stated that all boasting is folly, v. 1.
2. His reason for boasting (defending his ministry) was to encourage the
Corinthians believers to be faithful to the Christ he preached, vv. 2-3.
3. He warned against those who:
(1) Preach another Jesus, v. 4.
(2) Preach a different spirit, v. 4.
(3) Preach a different gospel, v. 4.
(4) Claim superior apostleship above his, v. 5.
4. He admitted that he was not a trained speaker (orator), but he claimed to
be well-trained in spiritual knowledge, v. 6.
III. Revelation: on Paul's insights into Satan's tactics (vv. 3, 13-15)
1. Satan deceives by his craftiness, corrupting minds with confusion over the
simplicity of salvation by grace through faith in Christ, v. 3.
2. Satan uses false apostles and deceitful workers to ensnare believers, v. 13.
3. Satan transforms himself into an angel of light, v. 14.
4. Satan's ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness,
v. 15. (See Matthew 7:20-23)
IV. Observations: on Paul's sufferings (vv. 23-28)
1. Physical – labors, stripes, hunger, thirst, cold, nakedness, prisons,
2. Mental – shipwrecked, journeys, weariness, toil. Sleeplessness, deaths.
3. Emotional – "perils" of waters, of robbers, of countrymen, of Gentiles, in the city,
in the wilderness, in the sea, among false brethren.
4. Spiritual – fastings, concern for all the churches.
V. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Refrain from boasting about my personal accomplishments; exhibit humility and
avoid pride.
2. Have a clear vision of God's destiny for me and a steadfast determination to
accomplish His will.
3. Be aware that Satan is crafty; he is seeking to STEAL my joy, KILL my witness,
and DESTROY my influence for good, (see John 10:10).
4. Expect and endure persecutions and sufferings as a faithful witness for the Lord.
"All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus WILL supper persecution," II Timothy 3:12.
From the staff at FreeWay Foundation
&
Pillsbury College & Seminary
Have a Blessed New Year!
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