QT - Actes 14 :1-6

 THE WORK OF PAUL IN ICONIUM

Key Verse 14: 3a 

Paul visited Iconium and preached the word. The work at Iconium is characterized by the work of preaching.

1. Paul preached with full assurance (1-3)
The work of the gospel at Iconium seems that there is not too much of a particular character. But the work of the gospel often proceeds by the calm and unceremonious aspect. The words "in such a way" in verse 1 show us how much Paul preached with power and assurance. His preaching brought a lot of souls to Christ. But there was a problem, for the unbelieving Jews stirred the Gentiles to hate and persecute the believers. Their hearts were hard as stones without being convinced by the Spirit who asked them to repent. During their stay in the city, Paul and Barnabas did several works. But the true master of the work was only Jesus. It was Jesus who testified to the truth and it was Jesus who made the miracles visible through their hands. It is important to know that the master of the work is Jesus Christ and let him work according to His will.

2. They proclaimed the Gospel (4-7)
There was a division between believers and unbelievers. These are in principle pagans versus Jews. But the Jews disturb the camps, provoked divisions among the pagans. So they produced a bias among the pagans. Some were from the Jewish Party, and some from the Apostles' Party. Division and bias are the wrong leavens for the people of God. The Jews and pagans who were being fooled by them began to persecute the Apostles. They mistreated them and wanted to stone them. But Paul and Barnabas prayed and decided to flee the city. They went to Lystra and Derbe, two cities of Lycaonia. They were cities of refuge. Being severely persecuted previously, they might have thought it was finally the moment they rested. But that was not the case. Indeed, they began to announce the good news even in this new city. Purely and simply, they proclaimed the Gospel.

Deuteronomy 34:1-11 (Daily Bread of Friday 23/11/2018)

MOSES SAW THE PROMISED LAND AND THEN HE DIED

Key Verse 34: 6

Today's Word speaks Moses's last day on eart. God forbids him to go into the promised land. Moses was the greatest servant of God. 

1. He died on Nebo (1-6)

Moses went up to the mountain of Moab and looked at the promised land. God showed him the land of Canaan, from East to West and North to South. This was the land upon which Abraham's feet had trodden. God had promised to give it to him and his descendants. God showed it to Moses, but forbade him to enter it because of what happened at Meriba. Moses died at Nebo, but the Lord buried him, so no one knows where his tomb lies. According to legend, any attempt to find him is doomed to failure. Sometimes there are things that God doesn't need to reveal. Sometimes man has to resign himself to what he knows. 

2. Moses the greatest servant of Israel (7-11)

Moses was 120 years old when he died. His death was a part of God's will and plan. Thus, Moses did not wither away as the dean of the earth. God had taken Enoch and Elijah without letting them pass through death. Similarly, the Lord took his life and made him disappear. He still had the vigour and sight of man. God's plan for him ended and he had to leave the leadership to his successor: Joshua. He was a man of war who lead the people during the conquest of Canaan. Moses is nevertheless worthy of constant memory in Israel's history. Not only was he the most humble man on earth (Num 12:3), but he was also a powerful, Spirit-filled leader who brought salvation to his people. The signs that he had operated on Pharaoh to free his people from slavery in Egypt were formidable. He was their unrivaled liberator. The wonders he had worked throughout the wandering in the desert with his people were remarkable. He was their incomparable driver. He should be constantly remembered by the Israelites, and the prophecy that God would send a prophet like him surely points to Jesus Christ.

QT - Deutéronome 31 :1-30

WRITE THIS HYMN AGAINST THEM

Key Verse 31: 19

The last part of Deuteronomy (chapter 31-34) shares the last speeches of Moses before his death.

1. Joshua successor of Moses (1-13)

Moses was old, on the point of death. Moses says that the Lord God is their king and commander and GOD will lead the people in all victory, destroying the enemy. They had only to strengthen themselves and take courage, with nothing to fear. The word of Moses is very similar to that of God which will be given to Joshua on the eve of the conquest of Canaan. Moses called Joshua, who was appointed successor according to the will of God, and encouraged him to lead the war as commander, but calling him that the Chief commander is always God. Our fight belongs to God who leads the war himself. Then, Moses gave the order to read the written law at the seventh year after the conquest, in a place where all the tribes get united, especially the descendants who do not know the law very well. 

2. Write the hymn against them (14-30)

The LORD asked Moses and Aaron to stand in the tent. At the entrance, the LORD appeared in a pillar of cloud. The Lord will indicate what will be the disposition of the people when He goes into the land of Canaan and warns them against them. Already 7 years was expressly mentioned because perhaps this is the moment when the memory would begin to weaken. But what was certain is that he will turn away from the law and wallow with idols. After the flood, God had noticed that man is fundamentally inclined to evil, which led him to decide not to give the same calamity. Jesus did not receive the testimony of men, because he knew what is in them. God knew the corrupt state of the people. So he had the hymn written so that the people would sing it as a testimony against them and every time they sing, they would feel sorry and would return to the right path. Moses had no difficulty in foreseeing it, too, because the people rebelled so often during their lifetime, therefore, even more so after his death (27).

QT - 1 Corinthiens 15 :35-49

THE PRINCIPLE AND GLORY OF RESURRECTION

Key verse 15:45

Paul teaches us through the parable of grain what is the principle and essence of the resurrection. Then he tells us what the glory of the resurrection revealed by Adam and Jesus Christ is.

1. The principle of resurrection (35-44)
Paul explains how the resurrection is made possible and with what body one resurrects through the parable of grain (35). Just as the grain, after being sown and dead in the earth, comes to life again and takes the body proper to each species (36-38), so is the resurrection of the dead. In other words, even if we bury our corruptible bodies in the earth, we will take up a new spiritual body to relive (42-43). Like the creature belonging to heaven or earth, such as man, animal, bird, fish, etc. to each one's own body with its own beauty (40-41), the natural human body and the spiritual body after resurrection each have its own form and glory (44). The body after the resurrection will possess the form and the glory which will be incomparable with those of the natural body of the earth and which are eternal.

2. The glory of the resurrection (45-49)
Indeed, the glory of which Paul speaks means the "glory of God" which is seen among creatures, so there is the difference between the glory revealed by the earthly bodies and the glory revealed by the heavenly bodies. Paul continues his statement by comparing the first man Adam with the last Adam who is Jesus Christ. The first man Adam was only "a living being" that had been made with dust, but the last Adam, Christ is "a life-giving spirit" that was born from heaven (45-47). Believers who come to have the corruptible body because of the commission of the sin of the first man Adam will come to have a glorious body as the risen Jesus, thanks to His resurrection (48-49). Therefore, believers must reject corruptible things on earth, but live with living hope in the glorious kingdom of heaven.

1Corinthians 13:1-13 (Daily Bread of 9/11/2018)

LOVE NEVER SUCCUMBS

Verse Key 13: 8

The greatest gift that is love is eternal. In this chapter of love, we can learn what spiritual love is and its eternal character.

1. Giving without love is useless (1-7)

Paul says that at the heart of the gifts is love. Paul says in 3 sentences at the beginning of the chapter, all gifts, however powerful, if they are deprived of love, they are worthless. Despite the abundant gifts found among Corinthian members, this church did not improve, but rather degenerated into disorder and confusion. The reason was because their lives and activities were not based on love. Love is so high, wide and great and deep that it is difficult to describe. But the love described by 15 verbs here is not something abstract or theoretical. Love is defined rather with these concrete words such as service, sacrifice or self-denial. The gift of the Spirit confers power on those who possess it through the practice of such love.

2. Love is eternal (8-13)


On the last day when all is accomplished, there will only be love left. As there will be no need for repentance or moral teaching, prophecy will be abolished and as everyone will communicate without language barriers, the gift of language will not be necessary, any more than knowledge. Just as the child undresses himself from his childishness to become an adult, just as we can see face to face whereas in the past we only saw through the mirror, so everything will become clear and we will come to understand all things. As faith and hope are fulfilled, they too will disappear, but love will not disappear. Faith is powerful to move the mountain, but it cannot save and grow a soul. Faith that acts with love is the true faith. The way to be one beyond differences is love. If everyone acts with perfect love, the church will prosper. Love is the greatest thing.

QT - 1 Corinthians 10 :1-11 :1

Keep yourself from falling ! 

Key Verse 10: 12 

Paul firstly talks about the story of Israel pointing out what we must do when temptation comes. Then he deals with the problem of freedom of conscience in relation to sacrificed meat.

1. The lesson of Israel's history (1-13) 
Israel experienced so much grace and power of God in the desert. The cloud covering the people's burning heat, the divided red sea, the manna, and the water coming out of the rock. Despite so much blessing, Israel adored the golden calf and committed adultery with the Moabites, so that 23,000 succumbed the same day. The plaintiffs perished by the bite of the burning snakes. Israel, who did not thank the love of God and the blessing because of their pride, all perishes in the judgment of God. Whoever thinks he is standing, must be careful not to fall. In spite of the very serious test in our eyes, God does not give it beyond our capacities. Moreover, knowing our limits, he also gives us the way to divert it.

2. The freedom of conscience of the Christian (23-11: 1)
Even if it is the sacrificed meat, as it is God who gives it, we can eat it without hindrance in the consciousness. But there are weak Christians who have the motive of very susceptible conscience. At this moment, one must abstain from freedom by considering those who are weak. He who renounces his freedom and rights even if it is not sin, is a Christian like a firm wall. However, the ultimate goal of all the acts of a Christian is the glory of God. Even if we seek the interest of others, we must not compromise with the world; we must be careful that the glory of God is not degraded. The people of the time thought that just as one became one with Lord through the Lord's Supper, so did one become with the idol through the consummation of the meat sacrificed to him. So, the Christian, instead of advancing his freedom or right, must reflect on the question of whether what he does is consistent with the glory of God ! The constant practice of reflecting on "whether ours acts lead to the glory of God" keep us from falling !