What is affliction meant to produce in a believer's life and how might it affect us in the opposite way when we fail to apply proper faith perspective on our circumstances? In this episode, we consider an example from the life of Paul that shows God uses trials in the Christian life to cause us to rely on him and increase our trust in him for the future.
2 Corinthians 1:3-7 gives us several points about God's comfort in a believer's affliction. In this study, we expound on these points: The source of all true comfort, the extent of God's comfort, the purpose of God's comfort, mirroring Christ's affliction and comfort, and the conditional requirement for experiencing God's comfort. Be blessed in another episode of transforming our thinking through the power of God's Word.
Merry Christmas! In his opening statements of this letter, the Apostle Paul describes God as the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort. What do those two words mean - mercy and comfort? Why do believers need mercy and comfort? What doe these things imply about the reality of affliction in the Christian life and the needs of a lost person for salvation? Consider these questions in another episode of transforming our thinking through the power of God's Word.
In V2 of chapter 1, Paul declares grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ to the believers at Corinth. As we approach the Christmas season, those words ring out with the echo of the angels' announcement of the grace and peace bestowed upon men, and among men, through the birth of our Savior. Even so, many believers stumble and struggle with fear in their relationship with God, not laying hold of the true grace given to us through Christ, nor understanding the peace that grace procures for us. So then, what is the meaning of these words "grace and peace" and what implications do they have for Christians? Find out in another episode of transforming our thinking through the power of God's Word.
The letter of 2 Corinthians opens with a pretty typical greeting from one of the Lord's apostles. However, in light of the context of the letter in Paul dealing with opposition in the church from men claiming to be apostles, what is the significance of him describing himself as an apostle "by the will of God?" What is the authority that the office of an apostle chosen by Christ carried? What does the motivation of these men and the description of their lives and ministry's teach us about true church leadership? Consider these things in another episode of transforming our thinking through the power of God's Word.
This is an introductory study beginning a series on the letter of 2 Corinthians. While 1 Corinthians is quite easy to follow with its structure of Paul addressing issues in the church one-by one, the letter of 2 Corinthians is a bit less straightforward in seeing it as a whole. It includes much biographical data about Paul, and some surprising statements, such as when Paul lists himself as a "better servant of Christ than others" and also saying "he is talking like a madman." This lesson seeks to give us an understanding of the purpose and heart of this letter so we understand its contents more richly. Be blessed by another episode of transforming our thinking through the power of God's Word.
Article 14 brings the statement to a conclusion by focusing on the faulty motives underlying prosperity theology. The doctrines of prosperity theology are not derived from careful study of scripture, but rather a corrupt motivation for worldly things. What does the Bible tell Christians about desires for things of this world and desire for God? Can those desires coincide? What corruption has occurred in our desires through sin's presence in us? Consider these things and more in another episode of transforming our thinking through the power of God's Word.
Article 13 of the statement responds to the issue of overreaching claims of authorities made by leaders within the prosperity circle. This overreach goes hand in hand with leaders' rejection of any accountability in their positions of oversight in the church. What is the extent of an elder's authority over Christians in the church? How can we know whether this leader really has our best interest at heart or not? Consider these things in another episode of transforming our thinking through the power of God's Word.
Article 12 discusses correct perspective on biblical training of the Christian's mind and emotions, while denying the practice within prosperity theology of "positive mental imaging" to manifest the realities people desire in their life. What are God's commands to Christians for how to train our thinking? Why is this so essential for early Christian life and for maturing in the faith? Do I really have control over my future through what I think about? Consider these questions and more in another episode of transforming our thinking through the power of God's Word.
Article 11 of the statement addresses the misuse and misunderstanding of faith in prosperity theology. In the teaching of these churches, faith is described as something believers can use to obtain whatever circumstances they wish and to eliminate any experience they don't desire in their life. Often, when people fail to obtain healing, material wealth, or whatever they may be praying for, they are told they "don't have enough faith." This leads to all kinds of frustration and discouragement for those who are genuinely seeking answers from God and his intervention in their life. What does the Bible describe about true faith and where has prosperity theology demonstrated it actually knows nothing of genuine faith? Find out in another episode of transforming our thinking through the power of God's Word.
Article 10 responds to the overreaching assertions made by some false teachers that because people are made in God's image, and because they are adopted as children of God, believers have somehow become "little gods." This seems to come from a motive to support the claim that believers have the authority to "speak or declare things into existence." Is this assertion about a believer's deity coming from scripture or rather a very ungodly pattern of thinking and behavior? Find out in another episode of transforming our thinking through the power of God's Word. Link to video where quote from Steven Furtick is taken - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4fVB2s7Kgg
Article 9 of the statement addresses the teaching of prosperity preachers that believers can "manifest their reality" through the words that they use. The idea is that whatever circumstances a believers wishes to experience, he must simply begin a pattern of speaking those things "into existence" by referencing them and avoiding words to that declare a contrary reality. Is it really biblical to think Christians have been give the power and authority to speak their reality into existence? What things does scripture warn us about the power of our tongues? Consider these things in another episode of transforming our thinking through the power of God's Word.
Article 8 of this statement confronts the corrupt instructions and motives on Christian giving prevalent in the prosperity theology circles. Even a shallow examination of these groups will reveal a cycle of encouraging people to give so they can receive what they want from God. And these "gift/investments" that people bring wind up in the pockets of those promising God's blessing for giving them. What does the Bible say that helps us to understand correct Christian giving and where these "prosperity" promises reveal a completely false worship? Find out in another episode of transforming our thinking through the power of God's Word.
Article 7 responds to prosperity theology's mishandling and misrepresenting God's predictions of suffering in the Christian life. What does the Bible say a believer can expect will happen when he or she truly follows Christ? And how does the experience of the church throughout its history, and our own experience today, inform us about these realities? Consider these things in another episode of transforming our thinking through the power of God's Word.
Article 6 of this statement responds to teaching within the church that places, locations, and certain "anointed altars" still play a part in correct worship practiced by believers. Is it true that Christians are supposed to pray in certain places, or that God hears us better when we pray from a certain location? What are the things that God does explain hinder us from being able to offer true worship to him? Consider these things in another episode of transforming our thinking through the power of God's Word.
Article 5 deals with the popular misconception of "generational curses" - the idea that I can be saved and yet still experience God's judgment in my life due to the sins of my ancestors. What does the Bible have to say about this concept and how has Jesus redeemed us from every curse of the law? Find out in another study of transforming our thinking through the power of God's Word.
Article 4 of the statement responds to the common practice of prosperity preachers to apply promises given to individuals or Israel in the covenant of the law to believers today. A very common example of this comes from Deuteronomy 6 where God predicted the Israelites would take possession of vineyards they didn't plant and houses they didn't build. Is it appropriate to understand these promises as applying to us today? What underlying motive might lead someone to such a conclusion? Consider these things in another episode of transforming our thinking through the power of God's Word.
In this study, we examine article 3 of this statement which does a faithful job of countering the false doctrines rampant in the prosperity gospel theology. Article 3 deals with principles of proper Bible study and interpretation and denies the claims often made by prosperity teachers about the sources of "new revelation." Be blessed by another episode of transforming our thinking through the power of God's Word.
In this study, we discuss article 2 of the aforementioned statement dealing with the teachings of the prosperity gospel. Prosperity teachers often mingle and confuse promises that pertain immediately to the believer's life and ones that context shows refer to the eternal state when we are with God and God is with us. Prosperity teachers insist that the atonement must eliminate things like poverty and illness, to the point where one teacher has even said "it's impossible for a believer to get sick." What is the meaning of the word atonement and how does the Bible describe the atoning work of Christ on mankind's behalf? Consider these things in another episode of transforming our thinking through the power of God's Word.
In this study, we unpack Article 1 of the aforementioned document. Prosperity theology claims that genuine faith will mean material prosperity, good health, and generally lead to all our worldly desires being fulfilled. It also teaches that the mark of being a true child of God is most reflected by a person's material prosperity. Do these ideas agree with scripture? Why or why not? Consider these things and more in another episode of transforming our thinking through the power of God's Word.