Epistle for February 7, 2003

#1 · February 6, 2003, 11:02 am

Quote from Forum Archives on February 6, 2003, 11:02 am
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E-pistle

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

Dr. Curt Scarborough, President FreeWay Foundation February 7, 2003

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

In This Issue:
Old Testament Study: Malachi 1
New Testament Study: II Thessalonians 1
AACC Degrees

Questions and Answers
(Malachi 1:1-14)

I. Concentration: on the author and background of this book
1. Malachi means "My Messenger," v. 1.
2. Malachi, a contemporary of Nehemiah, was the last writer of Scriptures in the Old Testament,
prophesying about 450 B.C.
3. Malachi lived among and preached to the small colony of Jews at Jerusalem, who were the
remnant of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah who had returned from Babylonian captivity.
4. Malachi framed his message in a question-and-answer format . . . probing the people and the
priests with reproaches designed to produce self-examination.

II. Meditation: on the major teachings of this chapter
1. The Lord loved His chosen people, although apparently they did not recognize or acknowledge
that love as expressed in His covenant with their father, Jacob (Israel), vv. 2-5.
2. The people dishonored God by offering defiled, unacceptable sacrifices to Him, vv. 6-8.
3. The prophet, Malachi, encouraged the people to ask for God's mercy and grace, v. 9.
4. Malachi condemned the religious leaders (priests) for their open contempt of the Lord,
their lack of sincerity, their impure offerings, their evil profaning of holy things, and their
sneering attitude toward the Lord, vv. 10-14.

III. Revelation: on some probing spiritual questions in this chapter
1. "If I am the Father, where is My honor?" v. 6.
2. "If I am a Master, where is My reverence?" v. 6.
3. "When you offer the defiled . . . blind . . . lame and sick, is it not evil?" vv. 7-8.
4. "While this is being done by your hands, will He accept you favorably?" . . .
"Should I accept this from your hand?" vv. 9, 13.

IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Honor the Lord God as my heavenly Father.
2. Reverence and worship God as my sovereign King.
3. Recognize that anything (an offereing or an act of service) which is less than my
best is "evil" in God's sight.
4. Know that impure offerings and insincere service is unacceptable . . . and that it removes
me from the position of being accepted favorably (blessed) by God.

We Pray Always for You
(II Thessalonians 1:1-12)

I. Concentration: on the contents of this chapter
1. Paul (along with Silvanus and Timothy) sent greetings to the believers in
Thessalonica, vv. 1-2.
2. Paul thanked God continually for their faith and love, vv. 3-5.
3. Paul warned about God's coming judgment . . . "in flaming fire taking vengeance
on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of
our Lord Jesus Christ, vv. 11-12.
4. Paul prayed that God would count the Thessalonians worthy of His calling, fulfill His will in
them with power, and glorify the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, vv. 11-12.

II. Meditation: on Paul's prayer concerns (vv: 11-12)
1. That God would count the believers as worthy of His calling; that He would "reckon" that
they have value, worth, excellence; and that they deserve to be called His children.
2. That God would fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness; that He would reveal His
benevolent will for us by blessing His children.
3. That our God would fulfill all the work of faith with power; that the Holy Spirit would energize
our faith to produce good works according to His purpose.
4. That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in believers . . . according to His
. . . grace; the purpose of all these prayers . . . and their answers . . . is to glorify the
Lord Jesus Christ.

III. Revelation: on the spiritual principles seen here
1. We are called by God to be worthy servants.
2. We must fulfill His will and magnify His goodness.
3. We receive power to serve God according to our faith.
4. We must live with the primary purpose of glorifying Christ, and manifesting His
grace toward us.

IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Pray for fellow believers that our actions and attitudes will measure up to the title we
bear: "CHRISTIANS."
2. Pray for God's blessings upon others . . . which, to persons of spiritual discernment,
reveal God's goodness.
3. Realize that faith and works are successful only when they are joined with, and energized by,
the power of the Holy Spirit.
4. Recognize that any motive of service other than to glorify Christ is unworthy . . . and it makes
me an unworthy person who needs to repent, confess, receive forgiveness and cleansing, and
be restored to a measure of Christ-likeness.

Pillsbury Institute Partners with AACC
to offer master's and doctoral degrees
in biblical counseling

Pillsbury Institute of Applied Christianity has entered into a licensed agreement with the
American Association of Christian Counselors to offer professional training in Biblical Counseling.
AACC, led by Dr. Timothy E. Clinton, is the world's largest association for Christian counselors,
with over 60,000 members.

AACC offers distance learning education through four 5-unit, 30-course tracks which are Biblically
based, academically sound, and clinically excellent. The tracks include: Biblical Counseling,
Marriage Ministry, Women's Issues, and Healthy Sexuality.

Pillsbury Institute's agreement allows students who successfully complete each track to receive
certification by AACC. (These certificates do not certify a graduate as a licensed professional counselor.
Rather, they are designed to recognize the professional level of training achieved by pastors who
provide Biblical counseling as part of their on-going ministerial duties within their local church).

All materials are designed to increase a person's knowledge and people skills. The programs provide
opportunities for spiritual and professional development through a convenient and flexible distance
learning format. Students will receive 30 engaging video-taped lectures featuring some of the best
Christian counseling leaders and Bible teachers in the world, complete with course lectures, outlines,
study notes, and examinations.

Students also may request 2.5 Continuing Education Units from AACC for completing each track.
They also will receive a one-year membership in AACC.

Pillsbury Institute will recognize each certificate issued by AACC as part of its degree requirements
in Biblical Counseling. Pillsbury will grant 3 credit hours for each of the five units of study, or a total
of 15 credit hours for successfully completing each track. These AACC video-courses are the core
curriculum for Pillsbury Institute's degrees in Biblical Counseling.

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

"Education is the movement from darkness to light." Allan Bloom

Posted by: info <info@...>

E-pistle

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

Dr. Curt Scarborough, President FreeWay Foundation February 7, 2003

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

In This Issue:
Old Testament Study: Malachi 1
New Testament Study: II Thessalonians 1
AACC Degrees

Questions and Answers
(Malachi 1:1-14)

I. Concentration: on the author and background of this book
1. Malachi means "My Messenger," v. 1.
2. Malachi, a contemporary of Nehemiah, was the last writer of Scriptures in the Old Testament,
prophesying about 450 B.C.
3. Malachi lived among and preached to the small colony of Jews at Jerusalem, who were the
remnant of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah who had returned from Babylonian captivity.
4. Malachi framed his message in a question-and-answer format . . . probing the people and the
priests with reproaches designed to produce self-examination.

II. Meditation: on the major teachings of this chapter
1. The Lord loved His chosen people, although apparently they did not recognize or acknowledge
that love as expressed in His covenant with their father, Jacob (Israel), vv. 2-5.
2. The people dishonored God by offering defiled, unacceptable sacrifices to Him, vv. 6-8.
3. The prophet, Malachi, encouraged the people to ask for God's mercy and grace, v. 9.
4. Malachi condemned the religious leaders (priests) for their open contempt of the Lord,
their lack of sincerity, their impure offerings, their evil profaning of holy things, and their
sneering attitude toward the Lord, vv. 10-14.

III. Revelation: on some probing spiritual questions in this chapter
1. "If I am the Father, where is My honor?" v. 6.
2. "If I am a Master, where is My reverence?" v. 6.
3. "When you offer the defiled . . . blind . . . lame and sick, is it not evil?" vv. 7-8.
4. "While this is being done by your hands, will He accept you favorably?" . . .
"Should I accept this from your hand?" vv. 9, 13.

IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Honor the Lord God as my heavenly Father.
2. Reverence and worship God as my sovereign King.
3. Recognize that anything (an offereing or an act of service) which is less than my
best is "evil" in God's sight.
4. Know that impure offerings and insincere service is unacceptable . . . and that it removes
me from the position of being accepted favorably (blessed) by God.

We Pray Always for You
(II Thessalonians 1:1-12)

I. Concentration: on the contents of this chapter
1. Paul (along with Silvanus and Timothy) sent greetings to the believers in
Thessalonica, vv. 1-2.
2. Paul thanked God continually for their faith and love, vv. 3-5.
3. Paul warned about God's coming judgment . . . "in flaming fire taking vengeance
on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of
our Lord Jesus Christ, vv. 11-12.
4. Paul prayed that God would count the Thessalonians worthy of His calling, fulfill His will in
them with power, and glorify the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, vv. 11-12.

II. Meditation: on Paul's prayer concerns (vv: 11-12)
1. That God would count the believers as worthy of His calling; that He would "reckon" that
they have value, worth, excellence; and that they deserve to be called His children.
2. That God would fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness; that He would reveal His
benevolent will for us by blessing His children.
3. That our God would fulfill all the work of faith with power; that the Holy Spirit would energize
our faith to produce good works according to His purpose.
4. That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in believers . . . according to His
. . . grace; the purpose of all these prayers . . . and their answers . . . is to glorify the
Lord Jesus Christ.

III. Revelation: on the spiritual principles seen here
1. We are called by God to be worthy servants.
2. We must fulfill His will and magnify His goodness.
3. We receive power to serve God according to our faith.
4. We must live with the primary purpose of glorifying Christ, and manifesting His
grace toward us.

IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Pray for fellow believers that our actions and attitudes will measure up to the title we
bear: "CHRISTIANS."
2. Pray for God's blessings upon others . . . which, to persons of spiritual discernment,
reveal God's goodness.
3. Realize that faith and works are successful only when they are joined with, and energized by,
the power of the Holy Spirit.
4. Recognize that any motive of service other than to glorify Christ is unworthy . . . and it makes
me an unworthy person who needs to repent, confess, receive forgiveness and cleansing, and
be restored to a measure of Christ-likeness.

Pillsbury Institute Partners with AACC
to offer master's and doctoral degrees
in biblical counseling

Pillsbury Institute of Applied Christianity has entered into a licensed agreement with the
American Association of Christian Counselors to offer professional training in Biblical Counseling.
AACC, led by Dr. Timothy E. Clinton, is the world's largest association for Christian counselors,
with over 60,000 members.

AACC offers distance learning education through four 5-unit, 30-course tracks which are Biblically
based, academically sound, and clinically excellent. The tracks include: Biblical Counseling,
Marriage Ministry, Women's Issues, and Healthy Sexuality.

Pillsbury Institute's agreement allows students who successfully complete each track to receive
certification by AACC. (These certificates do not certify a graduate as a licensed professional counselor.
Rather, they are designed to recognize the professional level of training achieved by pastors who
provide Biblical counseling as part of their on-going ministerial duties within their local church).

All materials are designed to increase a person's knowledge and people skills. The programs provide
opportunities for spiritual and professional development through a convenient and flexible distance
learning format. Students will receive 30 engaging video-taped lectures featuring some of the best
Christian counseling leaders and Bible teachers in the world, complete with course lectures, outlines,
study notes, and examinations.

Students also may request 2.5 Continuing Education Units from AACC for completing each track.
They also will receive a one-year membership in AACC.

Pillsbury Institute will recognize each certificate issued by AACC as part of its degree requirements
in Biblical Counseling. Pillsbury will grant 3 credit hours for each of the five units of study, or a total
of 15 credit hours for successfully completing each track. These AACC video-courses are the core
curriculum for Pillsbury Institute's degrees in Biblical Counseling.

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

"Education is the movement from darkness to light." Allan Bloom