Fishers Of Men Study

 

Good Morning My Brothers,

I just wanted to let you know that I have not forgotten about our Bible Study! I just wanted to slow it down a little so that what we have looked at ad talked about could settle in to our hearts and our minds.

 

Two weeks ago David and I were the only ones on the call and had a great time talking about things that were particular to David as it relates to this study

 

Last week Andre and I had the same opportunity.

 

So I wanted to wait and regroup before we go any further so that we are all on the same page. I will be e-mailing you all and Lord willing calling each of you today to remind you about our call at 9:00pm tonight

 

I am still very excited about our study and the time we spend together on the each week, I am praying for you and I am looking forward to talking to you all soon

 

Bro. Brian  

  

 

 

In this weeks study we are focusing on What it means to be saved by grace. I wanted to clearify this question, what I am asking you to consider is what does it mean to you persoanlly? from your personal experance what does it mean to be saved by grace?.... What does grace mean to you?   

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I want you to watch this vedio and then ask your self this question "what does grace men to this teenage boy? And then consider what does grace mean to you, personally?    

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http://www.sermonspice.com/videos/11683/the-sacrifice

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Bro. Brian

 

 

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This week we will be looking at Eph 2:8-10

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Eph 2:8-10  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  (9)  Not of works, lest any man should boast.  (10)  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

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So far it seems that time is the biggest challenge for most of us when it comes to studying God’s word.  .I just want to encourage you to not give up… The most powerful thing you can do is pray and ask God to help you find the time But I want to be perfectly honest you will never find that time so long as you allow other things to be more important to you than reading His word.

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God’s word has to be as important to you as the most important things on your to do list for the day or you will never find the time to read and study His word! I want you to look at these three verses this week and simply consider two questions  .

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• What does it mean to be saved by grace?
• What does it mean to be His workmanship created for good works? 

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This will be the focus of our call on Monday June 30.  I encourage you to follow the Inductive Bible study steps we have been looking at but at this point I think the most important part of this study has to be GETTING INTO THE WORD once we have done that consistently we can go deeper!

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I do pray for each of you everyday and my hope is that you are finding time in your busy day to turn your heart and mind to the Lord even if it is just for a few minutes

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Bro. Brian

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Good Morning my Brothers,

I am sorry I have not posted anything this week. I though after our meeting last Monday that it would be a good idea to finish the rest of the verse we did not get to last week for this weeks meeting on Monday June 23rd. The verse are Eph 2:2-5 I will send each of you an e-mail.

 I have a great week in the Lord, but very busy! I am praying for each of you everyday!

 

Talk to you soon 

Bro. Brian  

 

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What does it men to be "dead in trespasses and sin"? Tonight I want to look at Eph 2:1

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Eph 2:1-5  And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;  

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So what is Paul talking about when he says “And you… who were dead in trespasses and sin”?

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Well we first have to determine what the original word translated “dead” means.

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Thayer Definition: νεκρός G3498 1) properly 1a) one that has breathed his last, lifeless 1b) deceased, departed, one whose soul is in heaven or hell 1c) destitute of life, without life, inanimate 2) metaphorically 2a) spiritually dead 2a1) destitute of a life that recognizes and is devoted to God, because given up to trespasses and sins 2a2) inactive as respects doing right 2b) destitute of force or power, inactive, inoperative Part of Speech: adjective

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I want you to notice that Thayer describes the meaning of this word in a “proper” and a “metaphorically” aspect. But I think a more accurate aspect would be a “literal” or even “physical” aspect and a “spiritual” aspect  

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So is Paul saying to the saints at Ephesus and faithful in Christ Jesus that they were “dead” (literally / physically) ones who had breathe their last and are without life? NO! it is very clear that Paul is not saying that they had been physically dead

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So then what is Paul talking about? Paul is saying that they had been “spiritually dead” because of their trespasses and sins. Now let me explain why I do not like the use of the term “metaphorically” in the description of this definition. Metaphorically has the idea of being figurative or symbolical. So if we are to understand that Paul is saying that they were symbolically or figuratively dead then that means that they really were NOT but only symbolically dead in their trespasses and sins.

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So then in order to full grasp what Paul is talking about we need to look at a few more verse from God’s Word…

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Gen 2:16-17 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:  (17)  But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. 

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So did Adam literally die that day? No because the Bible says in Gen 5:5 And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years: and he died. So Adam did not die until 930 years latter. So then what did God mean when He said thou shall surely die? Well let me share with you what one commentator says 

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John Gill- "in dying, die" which denotes the certainty of it, as our version expresses it; and may have regard to more deaths than one; not only a corporeal one, which in some sense immediately took place, man became at once a mortal creature… , Moreover, a spiritual or moral death immediately ensued; he lost his original righteousness, in which he was created; the image of God in him was deformed; the powers and faculties of his soul were corrupted, and he became dead in sins and trespasses; the consequence of which,…  must have been eternal death, or an everlasting separation from God, to him and all his posterity; for the wages of sin is death, even death eternal, So the Jews interpret this of death, both in this world and in the world to come.

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If we consider death in a general sense as being a separation; first as it relates to a physical death, the separation of spirit from the physical body and secondly as it relates to a spiritual death, the separation of the spirit from God.

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When we consider this understanding of death as referring both to a physical separation and a spiritual separation then what Paul is saying here in Eph 2:1 makes more sense.

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Now let us look some more at what the Bible says about death and sin…

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Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;  (Every human being has sinned) 

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Rom 5:12  Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (As by one man (Adam) sin entered into the world and death (physical and spiritual separation entered into the world) by sin. And so death (physical and spiritual) passed upon all men. Death passes upon all men (mankind) because all men (mankind) have sinned)

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So here is the Big Question… Are you still dead spiritually? How do you know? Think on this and lets talk about on Monday!.  

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Bro. Brian

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This week we will be moving to chapter 2 of the book of Ephesians. I found it difficult to settle on only 3 verses because of the context the best I could do was 5 verses. So this week we will be looking at Eph 2:1-5. I encourage you to re-read the entire chapter I would even go as far as to suggest starting at Eph 1:1 and read through the end of chapter 2 several times before settling in and focusing on our text, Eph 2:1-5.    

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Eph 2:1-5 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 

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The 5W’s:  

• Who is the “you & ye“ in this verse referring to?
• Who is the “whom “in this verse referring to?
• Who is the “we, our & us “in this verse referring to?
• Who is the “he & his “in this verse referring to?

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 Note: Notice the correlation between the context and the various pronouns (color code)  

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Key Words: define the following key words:   

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trespasses, sins, walked, prince, power, air, disobedience,  conversation, lusts, desires, mercy, nature, love, dead, saved & grace

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Key Word Usage: (New) try and find cross references for the use of these words on your own… Hint us the Strong’s Concordance  

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Food For Thought

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What is the significance of the word “but” in verse 4?

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Going Deeper

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What does it mean to you personally when Paul says in verse 1 “and you… who where dead in trespasses and sins” .When was it that you where dead?.When did you stop being dead?

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Remember the enemy is counting on you giving up! But think about the Exceeding Greatness of the Power of God that works in us! DO NOT GIVE UP!

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I am praying that the Lord will bless and protect you and your family as you serve Him. There is nothing to big for our God!

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Bro. Brian

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Tonight we will be looking at Eph 1:19

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• (KJV) - Eph 1:20  Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places
• (NIV) - Eph 1:20 which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,

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The 5W’s:

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Who is the “he & his“ in this verse referring to? Who is the “him “in this verse referring to?

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Key Words: define the following key words:   

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(KJV) wrought, raised, dead, set & right hand  (NIV)  exerted, raised, dead, seated, & right hand

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Food For Thought

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What is the significance of the word “which” in this verse?

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What dose being on the right hand represent? Tip what do you think about when some says “he’s my right hand man”?   

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Going Deeper

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What does it mean? Look at these verses together, after studying the key words, the personal pronouns and ask your self what is Paul praying?

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What is he asking God to do for these saints at Ephesus and faithful in Christ Jesus?

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What does this have to do with what you feel is the purpose of this Bible Study for you personally? What is it you desire most to come out of spending this time and energy in learning to study God’s word for self, what is it all for?   

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Bro. Brian

.Tonight we will be looking at Eph 1:19

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• (KJV) - Eph 1:19  And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, d
• (NIV) - Eph 1:19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 

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The 5W’s:  

• Who is the “his“ in this verse referring to?
• Who is the “us “in this verse referring to?

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Key Words: define the following key words:   

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(KJV) exceeding, greatness, power, working, mighty & power j (NIV)  incomparably, great, power, working, mighty & strength

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Key Word Usage: (New) try and find cross references for the use of these words on your own… Hint us the Strong’s Concordance  

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Food For Thought

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What is the significance of the word “and” in this verse?

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What do you see as the main though of this verse? What is the topic or issue Paul is talking about in this verse? 

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Going Deeper

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What is Paul talking about In Eph 1:18 when he says “The eyes of your understanding being enlightened;” ?

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Bro. Brian  

 

Tonight I want to start by reminding you of the context of our text this week, because of all that Paul has said thus far concerning how God has blessed us with all spiritual blessing in the heavenly…  aThat we have been chosen before the foundation of the earth, that we have been adopted by God through Jesus Christ, that He has made us accepted in the beloved, that we have the forgiveness of sins through His blood, that He has made know to us the mystery of His will, that we have an inheritance, and specifically that we are to be to the praise of His glory and that we are sealed with the Holy Spirit, which is the earnest of our inheritance …..

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 Paul goes on to say….

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Eph 1:15-17 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, (16) Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; (17) That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

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Notice what Paul is praying for…  That the God the Father would give unto you (saints and faithful in Christ Jesus) the spirit of wisdom!

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What is the spirit of wisdom?  a Why do I bring this up, because it is important in the study of God’s word to be able to properly understand the application first in relation to the primary application and then the secondary application. But in order to have proper application we must first have proper interpretation

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In the observation process we are learning to define what the words in the original language mean…. From that we must then ascertain the meaning of not simply the word but what is being communicated in the phrase or sentence that the word is in.  

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So Paul is NOT saying that he is praying that God gives us another Spirit or more of the Spirit how do we know this? Because in Eph 1:13 says that when we believed we were sealed with that Holy Spirit and Eph 1:14 says that the Spirit is our earnest (down payment) of our inheritance until (time reference) the redemption of the purchased possession (which is future)    

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So if we have already been sealed with the Spirit and it is the mind and body that is yet to be redeemed what does Paul mean by “give unto you the spirit of wisdom” ?    

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Well lets look at how this word “spirit” is used else where in the Bible

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• Rom 8:15  For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 
• Rom 11:8  (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day. 
• 1Co 4:21  What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness? 
• Gal 6:1  Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 
• 2Ti 1:7  For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

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Now the Vines dictionary gives a long list of examples as to how this word is used in the New Testament here are 3 out of about 17…    Vines Dictionary…. (f) the sentient (conscious) element in man, that by which he perceives, reflects, feels, desires, (i) character (j) moral qualities and activities: 

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We often use this same kind of expression when we use the term “Team spirit” it is describing an aspect or characteristic   So what Paul is praying for in the lives of these saints and faithful in Christ Jesus is the characteristic of “wisdom”  

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Now notice what the Bibles say about wisdom….  

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• Pro 1:7  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. 
• Pro 9:10  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. 

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Notice the connection in these verses between fear, wisdom and knowledge… Now what I was hoping you take away from this is this point…. 

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This fear is multifaceted, first is an aspect of awe, a fearful astonishment of God for who He is… then it is a reverential, honoring fear of God for who He is… we could go on with many other words to describe this Godly fear, respect esteem wonder amazement it is all of this and more…. Because we are dealing with The One and Only True God of the Universe WOW!

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This fear is the beginning of knowledge, we can think about knowledge as true factual information, this Godly fear is the beginning of true factual information. But the Bible also says that this same fear of God that leads to true factual knowledge is also the beginning of wisdom. Wisdom has been described as the proper application or use of that true and factual information (knowledge)

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This is what Paul is praying for, and this is what I desire in my life and I hope you do also; it’s what I am praying for you…  But it all begins with a healthy does of Godly fear for the Almighty God of heaven and earth the Creator all things…      I know this is a lot of information but I believe it will serve you well to think soberly on this issue the Bible says in….

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Ecc 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man 

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So let us be diligent in our whole duty; Fear God and keep His commandments (study His Word)  

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Bro. Brian

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The passage we are looking at this week is Eph 1:18-20. I want to remind you that the context to this passage is Paul prayer for the saints at Ephesus and the faithful in Christ Jesus In a broad scenes Paul is praying in… 

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Eph 1:17 “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:”  ...And now we will begin to look very specifically at what Paul is praying…. ...

 

Eph 1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

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The 5W’s:

• Who is the “ye & your “ in this verse referring to?
• Who is the “his “in this verse referring to?

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Key Words: define the following key words:  eyes , understanding, enlightened, know, hope, & calling ...

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Key Word Usage: look at how these  words are used in these verses  

• Eyes Mat13:15-16; John 12:40 ; 1 John 1:1, 

• Understanding Mat 22:37; Luke 2:19, Rom 10:9-10 

• Enlightened; 1Cor 4:5, Heb 10:31-32  2Tim 1:10 

• Know  Mat9:4-6,   (perceive [ing]  Mark 4:12,  Mark12:28)  (know & see  John 3:2-3)  , know John14:4-5 

• Hope Rom 8:24 Rom 15:4, 1Peter1:3, 1Peter1:21, 1Peter 3:15, 

• Calling Rom 11:29, 1Cor 1:26, 1Cor 7:20, Phi 3:14, 2Thes 1:11, 2Tm 1:9, Heb 3:1, 2Peter 1:10

 

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Again I want you to know I am praying for each and every one of you, that God the Father would give to each of you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him

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Bro. Brian