Epistle for February 21, 2003

#1 · February 20, 2003, 12:57 pm

Quote from Forum Archives on February 20, 2003, 12:57 pm
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E-pistle

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dr. Curt Scarborough, President FreeWay Foundation February 21, 2003

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In This Issue:
Old Testament Study: Malachi 3
New Testament Study: II Thessalonians 3
PIAC Tuition

Linking the Refiner's Fire with Tithing
(Malachi 3:1-18)

I. Concentration: on the contents of this chapter
1. The Lord will send His messenger who will be a refiner and purifer, vv. 1-5.
(This teaching is closely linked with the next on tithing.)
2. The Lord challenged His people to bring all the tithes into the storehouse
to prove His promises to pour out blessings upon them, vv. 6-12.
3. The Lord rebuked the people for their harsh complaints, vv. 13-15.
4. The Lord keeps a record ("book of remembrance"); He rewards good
conduct and He punishes evil conduct, vv. 16-18.
II. Meditation: on the Messianic prophecies in this chapter
1. "I send My messenger," (v. 1) is a reference to the ministry of John the
Baptist, Mark 1:2.
2. The Messiah "will suddenly come to His temple," (v. 1) was fulfilled in
Jesus' earthly ministry (as when He cleansed the temple, John 2:13-17, and
it will be fulfilled ultimately at His return, I Thessalonians 4:16.
3. The Messiah will be like a refiner's fire . . . purging and purifying His people,
v. 3 . . . which matches John the Baptist's words that the Messiah would
baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire, Luke 3:16.
4. The Messiah will establish the kingdom of God on earth as it was "in the days
of old, as in former years," v. 4.
III. Revelation: on the benefits of tithing
1. There will be "food" in God's storehouse . . . adequate resources for carrying out
God's work, v. 10.
2. Those who tithe will be in position to receive God's overwhelming blessings . . . so
abundant that they will not have the capacity to receive them, v. 10.
3. God will "rebuke the devourer for your sakes" . . . He will stop Satan's attempts
to prevent God's blessings from flowing to His faithful people, v. 11.
4. The heathen people will observe the delightful blessings sent from God to His people,
and they will glorify His name by acknowledging that the Lord is the source of all
those abundant blessings, v. 12.
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Thank the Lord that He treasures me as one of His "jewels," v. 17.
2. Faithfully bring tithes and offerings unto the Lord, which places me under the canopy
of His covenant blessings.
3. Allow the Holy Spirit to cleanse and purify my life of sin.
4. Pray for God's kingdom to come for His will to be done on earth . . . and in my life . . .
as it is in heaven.

Dealing with Difficult Disciples
(II Thessalonians 3:1-18)

I. Concentration: on the contents of this chapter
1. Paul asked the believers to pray for him, that he would be delivered from
unreasonable and wicked men, vv. 1-2.
2. Paul expressed confidence that the church members would do as he
requested, vv. 3-5.
3. Paul warned against laziness and idleness within the Christian community,
vv. 6-15.
4. Paul wrote the closing benediction with his own hand, vv. 16-18.

II. Observations: on disobedient Christians
1. They live disorderly lives (disruptive; distrubing the peace), v. 6.
2. They do not live submissively, under Christian discipline, v. 6.
3. They refuse to work; rather they exist on charity from others, v. 10.
(They are "spiritual freeloaders" in the church)
4. They are busybodies (gossips; stirring up dissension), v. 11.

III. Meditation: on how to treat such difficult Christians
1. Exhort (warn and direct) them to support themselves . . . to take care of their
own responsibilities both physically and spiritually . . . and to live quiet,
peaceable lives, v. 12.
2. Note the "out-of-fellowship" believer, avoid keeping company with him . . .
do not associate with him in his disobedience, vv. 6, 13.
3. The motivation for such "shunning" is redemptive . . . to bring the erring
one to repentance and restoration, v. 14.
4. Do not consider the disobedient Christian to be unsaved; rather, admonish
him as a brother (fellow-believer; member of God's family), v. 15.

IV. Revelation: on perseverance in dealing with difficult disciples
1. Christian faithfulness is a spiritual result of heart-felt love for God, v. 5.
2. Believers are to follow the patient example of Christ, as He deals with us
when we are rebellious, v. 5.
3. Believers also are to follow the example of godly, Spirit-led and Spirit-
filled leaders, vv. 7-9.
4. "Do not grow weary in doing good," v. 13 . . . "for in due season we shall
reap if we do not lose heart," Galatians 6:9.

V. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Live a disciplined, orderly, peaceable life of integrity.
2. In love, admonish back-slidden brothers to return to godly living.
3. Avoid judgmentalism; disobedience and sinfulness do not prove that a person is lost!
4. Keep on keeping on . . . dealing with such problem-causing persons in a church
is a tough, demanding task, but faithful Christians must "out-endure" them
with the sweet spirit of Christ, in the hope that they may be restored to fellowship.

PIAC Degrees and tuition

Master of Applied Christianity (Bachelor's degree required) $2,400

* In Biblical Counseling (32 credit hours)
* In Spiritual Mentoring (32 credit hours)

One-third of the tuition is due at start of program ($800)
Minimum of $100 per month for 16 months

Doctor of Applied Christianity (Master's degree required) $3,800

* In Biblical Counseling (48 - 51 credit hours)
* In Spiritual Mentoring (48 credit hours)

One-third of the tuition is due at start of program ($1,200)
Minimum of $100 per month for 24 months

Bachelor of Applied Christianity (High School dipolma required) $1,600

* In Biblical Counseling (final year only; 32 credit hours)
* In Spiritual Mentoring (final year only; 32 credit hours)

Amount of the tuition due at start of program ($500)
Minimum of $100 per month for 11 months

Associate of Applied Christianity (High School dipolma required) $1,600

* In Biblical Counseling (final year only; 32 credit hours)
* In Spiritual Mentoring (final year only; 32 credit hours)

Amount of the tuition due at start of program ($500)
Minimum of $100 per month for 11 months

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Beverly Sills once said, "You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don't try."

Posted by: info <info@...>

E-pistle

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dr. Curt Scarborough, President FreeWay Foundation February 21, 2003

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In This Issue:
Old Testament Study: Malachi 3
New Testament Study: II Thessalonians 3
PIAC Tuition

Linking the Refiner's Fire with Tithing
(Malachi 3:1-18)

I. Concentration: on the contents of this chapter
1. The Lord will send His messenger who will be a refiner and purifer, vv. 1-5.
(This teaching is closely linked with the next on tithing.)
2. The Lord challenged His people to bring all the tithes into the storehouse
to prove His promises to pour out blessings upon them, vv. 6-12.
3. The Lord rebuked the people for their harsh complaints, vv. 13-15.
4. The Lord keeps a record ("book of remembrance"); He rewards good
conduct and He punishes evil conduct, vv. 16-18.
II. Meditation: on the Messianic prophecies in this chapter
1. "I send My messenger," (v. 1) is a reference to the ministry of John the
Baptist, Mark 1:2.
2. The Messiah "will suddenly come to His temple," (v. 1) was fulfilled in
Jesus' earthly ministry (as when He cleansed the temple, John 2:13-17, and
it will be fulfilled ultimately at His return, I Thessalonians 4:16.
3. The Messiah will be like a refiner's fire . . . purging and purifying His people,
v. 3 . . . which matches John the Baptist's words that the Messiah would
baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire, Luke 3:16.
4. The Messiah will establish the kingdom of God on earth as it was "in the days
of old, as in former years," v. 4.
III. Revelation: on the benefits of tithing
1. There will be "food" in God's storehouse . . . adequate resources for carrying out
God's work, v. 10.
2. Those who tithe will be in position to receive God's overwhelming blessings . . . so
abundant that they will not have the capacity to receive them, v. 10.
3. God will "rebuke the devourer for your sakes" . . . He will stop Satan's attempts
to prevent God's blessings from flowing to His faithful people, v. 11.
4. The heathen people will observe the delightful blessings sent from God to His people,
and they will glorify His name by acknowledging that the Lord is the source of all
those abundant blessings, v. 12.
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Thank the Lord that He treasures me as one of His "jewels," v. 17.
2. Faithfully bring tithes and offerings unto the Lord, which places me under the canopy
of His covenant blessings.
3. Allow the Holy Spirit to cleanse and purify my life of sin.
4. Pray for God's kingdom to come for His will to be done on earth . . . and in my life . . .
as it is in heaven.

Dealing with Difficult Disciples
(II Thessalonians 3:1-18)

I. Concentration: on the contents of this chapter
1. Paul asked the believers to pray for him, that he would be delivered from
unreasonable and wicked men, vv. 1-2.
2. Paul expressed confidence that the church members would do as he
requested, vv. 3-5.
3. Paul warned against laziness and idleness within the Christian community,
vv. 6-15.
4. Paul wrote the closing benediction with his own hand, vv. 16-18.

II. Observations: on disobedient Christians
1. They live disorderly lives (disruptive; distrubing the peace), v. 6.
2. They do not live submissively, under Christian discipline, v. 6.
3. They refuse to work; rather they exist on charity from others, v. 10.
(They are "spiritual freeloaders" in the church)
4. They are busybodies (gossips; stirring up dissension), v. 11.

III. Meditation: on how to treat such difficult Christians
1. Exhort (warn and direct) them to support themselves . . . to take care of their
own responsibilities both physically and spiritually . . . and to live quiet,
peaceable lives, v. 12.
2. Note the "out-of-fellowship" believer, avoid keeping company with him . . .
do not associate with him in his disobedience, vv. 6, 13.
3. The motivation for such "shunning" is redemptive . . . to bring the erring
one to repentance and restoration, v. 14.
4. Do not consider the disobedient Christian to be unsaved; rather, admonish
him as a brother (fellow-believer; member of God's family), v. 15.

IV. Revelation: on perseverance in dealing with difficult disciples
1. Christian faithfulness is a spiritual result of heart-felt love for God, v. 5.
2. Believers are to follow the patient example of Christ, as He deals with us
when we are rebellious, v. 5.
3. Believers also are to follow the example of godly, Spirit-led and Spirit-
filled leaders, vv. 7-9.
4. "Do not grow weary in doing good," v. 13 . . . "for in due season we shall
reap if we do not lose heart," Galatians 6:9.

V. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Live a disciplined, orderly, peaceable life of integrity.
2. In love, admonish back-slidden brothers to return to godly living.
3. Avoid judgmentalism; disobedience and sinfulness do not prove that a person is lost!
4. Keep on keeping on . . . dealing with such problem-causing persons in a church
is a tough, demanding task, but faithful Christians must "out-endure" them
with the sweet spirit of Christ, in the hope that they may be restored to fellowship.

PIAC Degrees and tuition

Master of Applied Christianity (Bachelor's degree required) $2,400

* In Biblical Counseling (32 credit hours)
* In Spiritual Mentoring (32 credit hours)

One-third of the tuition is due at start of program ($800)
Minimum of $100 per month for 16 months

Doctor of Applied Christianity (Master's degree required) $3,800

* In Biblical Counseling (48 - 51 credit hours)
* In Spiritual Mentoring (48 credit hours)

One-third of the tuition is due at start of program ($1,200)
Minimum of $100 per month for 24 months

Bachelor of Applied Christianity (High School dipolma required) $1,600

* In Biblical Counseling (final year only; 32 credit hours)
* In Spiritual Mentoring (final year only; 32 credit hours)

Amount of the tuition due at start of program ($500)
Minimum of $100 per month for 11 months

Associate of Applied Christianity (High School dipolma required) $1,600

* In Biblical Counseling (final year only; 32 credit hours)
* In Spiritual Mentoring (final year only; 32 credit hours)

Amount of the tuition due at start of program ($500)
Minimum of $100 per month for 11 months

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Beverly Sills once said, "You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don't try."