Benny Page Colossians 2B: My Chains Are Gone! Beware- says the KJV in verse 8- a warning to be on guard. “See to it—NIV says,” that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human traditions and the basic principles of the world, rather than on Christ.” Did you notice how this … Read more
Colossians 2: Rooted, Built Up, Taught and Overflowing Much of what Paul’s ministry consisted of was: witnessing wherever he found himself; preaching the Gospel, making disciples. He also was busy corresponding with those whom God had brought him in contact with through his letters. But perhaps what was the key to Paul’s ministry and that … Read more
Colossians 1 B: What We Believe Paul is dealing with false teaching in the early church in Colossae. This heresy involved: worship of angels, food taboos, and observance of feasts, new moons, circumcision and special knowledge. The movement which plagued the early church and still does today was influenced by a group known as Gnostics. … Read more
Colossians 1: Living the Life. Colossae was a town in what is now modern day Turkey. It was located about 100 miles from Ephesus. Along with Laodicea and Herapolis it was part of an important trade route. Colossae slipped into a second rate position and did not grow as the others did. Its population diminished, … Read more
Philippians 4B: Putting It All Together “ I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any … Read more
Philippians 4: The Guarded, Secure Mind We have so far in our study seen the types of mind, attitude or outlook we must develop in order to work out our salvation. Paul said we need a single mind. Singleness of purpose is the first key. (Philippians 1) Paul writes we need a submissive mind and … Read more
Philippians 3B: This One Thing Have you decided what is the one most important thing in your life? Paul shares with us what is the one most important thing in his life. The one thing that is first and foremost. Last week we saw having less of the world, having less of our old nature … Read more
Philippians 3: Out of Loss Comes Gain Jesus said in John 10:10: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that you may have life, and have it to the more abundantly.” And in John 14:6: “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the … Read more
Philippians 2 B: The In’s and Out’s 0f the Christian Life Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi is known as a letter of ‘joy’. It is a missionary ‘thank-you- letter’ for a gift from the church. As a missionary, Paul then reports on the progress of his work while under house arrest in Rome … Read more
Philippians 2: The Battle for the Mind Now Paul has revealed the secret of joy in unfavorable circumstances in chapter 1: it is the SINGLE MIND. He was always looking for God in whatever situation and circumstances he found himself. When unfavorable circumstances come into our lives, we must develop the same single mind Paul … Read more
Philippians 1 B: Looking for God Have you ever been disappointed? Of course you probably have. Not sure what disappointed you- or how disappointed you were, but let us consider Paul’s situation. Rome was the center and hub of the great Roman Empire. Here was Paul’s desire and goal: “After all this happened, Paul decided … Read more
Philippians 1: As we begin our study of Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi, let’s review the history of Philippi. It was named after Philip of Macedon, the father of Alexander the Great. Philip captured the city in 358 BC from the Thracians. Later around 42 BC Marc Antony and Octavius would defeat Brutus … Read more
Press On: A Study in Philippians Crisis is not a word we are particularly fond of- especially when it is our crisis. Yet Jesus never promised us a proverbial rose garden, did He? Jesus told us in plain language, almost to the point of bluntness: “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart, … Read more
James 5: Warnings and Exhortations In the last section of his letter, James warns the rich; exhorts believers to be patient in suffering and speaks of the mystery of the prayer of faith. THE RICH The Bible does not condemn riches or material possessions. One cannot help but notice the language of James in … Read more
James 4B: Temptations and Tomorrow We ended our lesson in James 4 after studying the three wars that we wage in our lives: with one another, within ourselves and also a war with God. How do we find this peace, this satisfaction and how do we resist the temptations? Here are the steps as James … Read more
James 4: The Wars We Wage James asks the question: Who is wise and understanding among you? Notice he links these two attributes together- wisdom and understanding. The he discusses two types of wisdom here in chapter 3, which really are connected to the disorder we see in chapter 4. The type of wisdom that … Read more
James 2: Genuine Faith James continues to explain the results of genuine faith. Thus far, James has told us genuine faith endures trials, understands temptation, and is a doer not a hearer only of God’s Word. Hearing God’s Word, reading God’s Word and talking about God’s Word is not a substitute for doing God’s Word. … Read more
James 1 C As we come to this next section of James, the KJV connects the preceding verses with ‘wherefore’; the NKJV reads: ‘So then’ and the NIV has an interesting phrase: “Dear Brothers: Take note of this: …” James is getting ready to tell us how to count trials a joy; deal with temptation … Read more
James 1 B: Tests and Temptations Now last week we started the study in James and I read from both the KJV and the NIV. We notice there are different words used in these two versions for the word –‘temptation.’ The NIV refers to the word ‘temptations’ used in verse 2 in the KJV as … Read more
James: Genuine Faith James, the half-brother of the Lord Jesus is the author of this book. It is believed to have been written around 50 AD, and perhaps is the first book written in the New Testament. We are told the following information regarding Jesus’ earthly family: “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? (Joseph). Isn’t his … Read more
God’s Faithfulness: Failsafe- ‘a system or plan that comes into operation in the event of something going wrong.’ Murphy’s Law- ‘anything that can go wrong will go wrong.’ Because of number 2- we need number 1- a plan for when things go wrong, because we know by now things can go wrong and they always … Read more
Ruth 4: Before we conclude our study of Ruth, let’s review what the role of the kinsman redeemer was and its purpose. The kinsman redeemer was part of the Law of Moses given to Israel by God. The law was given to make provision for the poor and widows. There are actually two laws at … Read more
Judges 13-16: The Story of Samson Today we will look at the life of Samson as recorded in these four chapters. He is the last judge of Israel during this period. We will quickly realize Samson is also the most flawed judge of those God had given to the nation of Israel. The phrase, ‘ … Read more
Judges 11: We are going to meet the next leader that God raises up for His nation, Israel. Desperation leads people to seek help, doesn’t it? Ever notice how many desperate people showed up in the presence of Jesus: the blind, the lepers, the woman with an issue of blood, Jarius, whose daughter was dying, … Read more