Closed Study

BJ McConnell Forum Owner Sept 28, 2019 2:32:20 GMT -5 Posts: 246 Amens: 13 Favorite Verse: 2 Cor 5:17 Bible Study Member?: Yes Born Again Christian?: Yes User Offline	Closed Study Nov 10, 2019 2:07:55 GMT -5 Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by BJ McConnell on Nov 10, 2019 2:07:55 GMT -5 Teachings and the Road to Jerusalem Discussion is now closed.
	Last Edit: Nov 24, 2019 13:13:36 GMT -5 by BJ McConnell He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? (Micah 6:8)

BJ McConnell Forum Owner Sept 28, 2019 2:32:20 GMT -5 Posts: 246 Amens: 13 Favorite Verse: 2 Cor 5:17 Bible Study Member?: Yes Born Again Christian?: Yes User Offline	Closed Study Nov 17, 2019 11:14:27 GMT -5 Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by BJ McConnell on Nov 17, 2019 11:14:27 GMT -5 This week's readings are fairly short, but there are some pretty hard teachings packed in those short chapters. I'm excited to see everyone's perspectives on Jesus' teachings this week
	Last Edit: Nov 17, 2019 16:14:21 GMT -5 by BJ McConnell He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? (Micah 6:8)

BJ McConnell

Forum Owner

Sept 28, 2019 2:32:20 GMT -5

Posts: 246 Amens: 13
Favorite Verse: 2 Cor 5:17
Bible Study Member?: Yes
Born Again Christian?: Yes

User Offline

Closed Study Nov 18, 2019 3:33:10 GMT -5

Post by BJ McConnell on Nov 18, 2019 3:33:10 GMT -5

In the opening verses of Chapter 18, Jesus speaks of the little children. He warns us not to offend them (Matthew 18:6). An end-of-verse reference in my Bible refers to "offend" as causing them to stumble, in which I chose to read as causing them to stumble in their faith. When I read these verses, I took them quite literally to mean little children. In Matthew Henry's Commentary, he makes these little ones that Jesus speaks of to mean believers who are either new to the faith or maybe not as strong and educated in the scriptures. I'm not sure which I feel is more likely the focus of Jesus' warning, but in a way I think maybe we could take it to mean both. Certainly, Jesus showed much compassion toward children, but then when we belong to Him, we are all His children.

Here is a small part of what Henry has to say about these little ones Jesus speaks of:

Christ’s errand into the world was to save that which was lost, to reduce us to our allegiance, restore us to our work, reinstate us in our privileges, and so to put us into the right way that leads to our great end; to save those that are spiritually lost from being eternally so. This is a good reason why the least and weakest believers should not be despised or offended. If Christ put such a value upon them, let us not undervalue them. If he denied himself so much for their salvation, surely we should deny ourselves for their edification and consolation... if Christ came into the world to save souls, and his heart is so much upon that work, he will reckon severely with those that obstruct and hinder it, by obstructing the progress of those that are setting their faces heavenward, and so thwart his great design. (Matthew Henry's Commentary, Matthew Chapter 18, Verses 7-14)

What Henry says here makes great sense in my opinion, yet I still feel that Jesus' words could be taken both figuratively and literally. Though I will admit that the figurative does sound much more theological.

What do you think, is Jesus actually talking about little children or is He speaking of weaker believers in general?

He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? (Micah 6:8)

BJ McConnell

Forum Owner

Sept 28, 2019 2:32:20 GMT -5

Posts: 246 Amens: 13
Favorite Verse: 2 Cor 5:17
Bible Study Member?: Yes
Born Again Christian?: Yes

User Offline

Closed Study Nov 18, 2019 4:00:21 GMT -5

Post by BJ McConnell on Nov 18, 2019 4:00:21 GMT -5

When I started my previous post, I actually meant to talk about Matthew 18:10 but then I started out with verse 6 instead which led me in a totally different direction. So let's look at verse 10 here instead

I don't really have a deep, theological point to make regarding verse 10. Instead I found myself reminded of something that I tend to forget. As believer's God has appointed angels to minister to us! Glory be to God, what a precious gift to receive!! I sat for quite some time thinking about that fact and I found myself thumbing through my Scofield Study Bible looking for notes and ran across Hebrews 1:14 where Scofield places extensive notes on the topic of angels. The portion quoted below made me realize something I never really considered... do the same angels minister to us throughout our earthly lifespan?

Their [angels] relation to the believer is that of "ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation," and this ministry has reference largely to the physical safety and well-being of believers. ; 1 Kings 19:5 ; Psalms 34:7 ; 91:11 ; Daniel 6:22 ; Matthew 2:13 Matthew 2:19 ; 4:11 ; Luke 22:43 ; Acts 5:19 ; Acts 12:7-10 . From ; Hebrews 1:14 ; Matthew 18:10 ; Psalms 91:11 it would seem that this care for the heirs of salvation begins in infancy and continues through life. (The Old Scofield Study Bible, Anniversary Edition, 1917 Notes, KJV pg. 1292)

Last Edit: Nov 18, 2019 18:38:00 GMT -5 by BJ McConnell

He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? (Micah 6:8)

BJ McConnell

Forum Owner

Sept 28, 2019 2:32:20 GMT -5

Posts: 246 Amens: 13
Favorite Verse: 2 Cor 5:17
Bible Study Member?: Yes
Born Again Christian?: Yes

User Offline

Closed Study Nov 20, 2019 10:41:23 GMT -5

Post by BJ McConnell on Nov 20, 2019 10:41:23 GMT -5

How important is forgiveness? I'm not referring to the forgiveness of sins we receive through the blood of Jesus, but rather, I'm speaking of the forgiveness we offer to others. Peter asked that question of the Lord and received a pretty definitive answer. (see Matthew 18:21-22). Then Jesus took it a step further and offered this parable from verses 23-35:

23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. 24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. 25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. 28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. 29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. 31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. 32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: 33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? 34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. 35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses. (Matthew 18:23-35)

I'd say this is a pretty clear picture of how important forgiveness is to God. The whole parable is a type of comparison to Jesus giving us forgiveness and then a warning of how God will react if we do not forgive others in return.

Last Edit: Nov 20, 2019 11:05:40 GMT -5 by BJ McConnell

He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? (Micah 6:8)

Post by BJ McConnell on Nov 10, 2019 2:07:55 GMT -5

Post by BJ McConnell on Nov 17, 2019 11:14:27 GMT -5

Post by BJ McConnell on Nov 18, 2019 3:33:10 GMT -5

Post by BJ McConnell on Nov 18, 2019 4:00:21 GMT -5

Post by BJ McConnell on Nov 20, 2019 10:41:23 GMT -5