E-pistle for August 17, 2012
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E-Pistle
FreeWay Foundation August 17, 2012
How to relate to pastors in the church
(Hebrews 13: 1-25)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the contents of this chapter
1. The author gave a number of practical directions for moral living, vv. 1-6.
2. The author emphasized several spiritual principles, including: "Jesus Christ
is the same yesterday, today, and forever" . . . "By Him let us continually offer
the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His
name" . . . "Obey those who rule over you and be submissive, for they watch
out for your souls," vv. 7-17.
3. The author requested prayer for himself, vv. 18-19.
4. The author pronounced a benediction, along with extending a final exhortation
to keep moving on toward maturity, vv. 20-25.
II. Meditation: on remembering and following your ministers because . . . (v. 7)
1. They speak the word of God.
2. They have faith in God.
3. Their conduct has been worthy.
4. Their results (outcomes) have been fruitful.
III. Revelation: on obeying and submitting to them because (v. 17) . . .
1. They watch out for your souls.
2. They must give a personal account to God.
3. Followers are to be a source of joy, not grief, to spiritual leaders.
4. Lack of a submissive spirit harms the disobedient believers, so that their lives
become unprofitable to God.
IV. Observations: on the meaning of "greet them" (v. 24) . . .
1. Show respect and honor to your spiritual leaders.
2. Express kind wishes to them and their families.
3. Receive them enthusiastically into your fellowship.
4. Welcome them and their ministry among you with joy and sincerity.
V. Applications: of relationships between pastor and people . . .
1. Those n authority (bishops, elders, pastors) should rule with humility.
See Matthew 8:5-13.
2. Those believers under authority should submit with grace.
3. God's anointed leaders are not to be "touched" (harmed physically, mentally,
emotionally, or spiritually), Psalm 105:15.
4. Followers are to show respect and honor toward their leaders by following them
in obedience and submission. This is for the benefit (profit) of the followers, v. 17.
How to know god's will
(James 1:1-27)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
Concentration: on the contents of this chapter
1. James (the brother of Jesus and the pastor of the Jerusalem church) wrote about
the benefits and trials of persecution, vv. 1-8.
2. James wrote urging both the poor and rich to have the proper spiritual perspective,
vv. 9-11.
3. James urged believers to love God while undergoing trials; he listed the qualities
needed in trials, vv. 12-20.
4. James taught them to be doers of the word, not hears only; he defined true
religion, vv. 21-27.
II. Meditation: on what believers should do when they lack Godly wisdom
1. Ask of God . . . He gives (answers) to all liberally, v. 5.
2. Ask of God . . . He gives (answers) without reproach, v. 5.
3. Ask in faith, not doubting or wavering, v. 6.
4. Ask with sincerity and integrity (single-mindedness), vv. 7-8.
III. Observations: on God's gift (including wisdom)
1. God's gifts are always good and only good, v. 17.
2. God's gifts are reliable because He is unchangeable, v. 17.
3. God's will is that we understand (receive wisdom) about the word of truth that
Brought us salvation, v. 18.
4. God's gift of eternal life in Christ makes believers a kind of first fruits of His
creatures . . . "new creations," v. 20.
IV. Revelation: on how believers should respond to God's gifts
1. Be swift to hear and slow to speak, v. 19.
2. Be slow to wrath, v. 19 . . . because "the wrath of man does not produce the
righteousness of God," v. 20.
3. Be repentant; laying aside wickedness and receiving with humility God's implanted
word, v. 21.
4. Be doers of the word, not hearers only, v. 22.
V. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Ask God for wisdom, insight, and spiritual perception as I seek to find and follow
His will for my life.
2. Believe that God is gracious, answering my prayer of faith and integrity with His
generosity and understanding.
3. Know that God's gifts always are good and beneficial for my spiritual growth and
fruitfulness.
4. "Practice what I preach!" . . . Be a doer and not merely a hearer of His word, especially
His word of revelation to me regarding His will, for God will not reveal to me His
purpose and destiny for my life if I continue to ignore it or to neglect following it.
"Never give up on something that you can't go a day without thinking about."
--unknown
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