Sunday - Called to Preach - Acts 9:10 - 20 - 8/20/17

(Jesus Calls Saul/Shaul/Paul on Damascus Road - Saturday - 8/19/17)

Paul was an outstanding missionary, theologian, and writer of the early church.

Paul was born in a Jewish family in Tarsus. Paul's family was of the tribe of Benjamin. Paul probably came from a family of tentmakers or leatherworkers and, according to Jewish custom, was taught this trade by his father. Apparently the business thrived and Paul's family became moderately wealthy.

The true way of the Lord was one of the earliest names for Christianity. The glory of God (or Christ) is often described as the light. The street called Straight, which runs through Damascus from east to west. Saul, like the prophets, was chosen for a special purpose.

Saul's conversion marks a turning-point in the history of the early church. The encounter with Christ was followed by three sightless days: Saul was identified with Jesus in his death and three days in the grave, and identified with him too in baptism and newness of life.

The Way was the name given to the church before the people of Antioch invented the new name 'Christian.'

Damascus, a key commercial city, was located about 175 miles northeast of Jerusalem in the Roman province of Syria.

As Paul traveled to Damascus, pursuing Christians, he was confronted by the risen Christ and brought face to face with the truth of the Gospel.

Paul refers to this experience as the start of his new life of in Christ. At the center of this wonderful life was Jesus Christ - Paul did not see a vision, he saw the risen Christ himself (Acts 9:17).

Anyone who persecutes believers today is also guilty of persecuting Jesus because believers are the body of Christ on earth.

Paul opened his eyes - but could not see - he was temporarily blinded.

Ananias was sent by God to Paul. He greeted Paul as "Brother Saul." Ananias feared this meeting because Paul had come to Damascus to persecute believers and take them in chains to Jerusalem. But in obedience to the Holy Spirit, he greeted Paul lovingly.

Immediately after receiving his sight and being with the believers in Damascus, Paul went to the synagogue to tell the Jews about Jesus Christ. Paul took time alone to learn about Jesus before beginning his worldwide ministry, but he did not wait to witness. Although we should not rush into a ministry unprepared, we do need to wait before telling others what has happened to us.

Reference summary used from The New Oxford Annotated Bible with The Apocrypha RSV; The Life Application Bible, KJV, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, IL; and The Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary

Committed To Action ... 2/2/2014

Jeremiah 7.II Samuel 22 . Deuteronomy 5 . Deuteronomy 4 . Titus 1 . I John 3 . James 1 . Lord - God- Israel . Egypt . Burnt Offerings - Obey - Walk . Jeremiah 7:23 (Upright Are Blessed & Prospered) . Speak . religious vs genuine . Lamp/Candle . 2 Tablets of Stone . Baal-peor (Numbers 25) . Possess the Land . Status - Judgments . Wisdom - Understanding . Hear - Take Heed . Genuine Love . Deed - Truth . Pure Religion . Salvation. Doers - Word . Deuteronomy 4:7 (Love) . Sunday School Lesson

The Sunday School Lesson is shared from James 1:19-27 (Background Scripture: James 1:19-27; Devotional Scripture: I John 3:14-20)for 2/2/2014.

The Sunday School Lesson is shared from James 2:1-13 (Background Scripture: James 2:1-13; Devotional Reading: Romans 13:8-14) for 2-9-2014.


Baal-peor (lord of the opening), mountain in Moab.


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The Book of James 'Deeds Not Words' is the theme.


James is the author of the Epistle/letter of the James & half brother of Jesus Christ. He was the first overseer of the Church at Jerusalem. He had great influence & regarded of Apostolic rank.

This letter is addressed to Christian Jews - Jews outside of Palestine (Then)/Holy Land (Now), in Syria & Egypt. This letter is addressed to suffering & humble communities of Jewish Christian.

James 1:19-27

Verses 19-21 ... The anger of man & the righteousness of God. ... Religion In A Time Of Trial (James 1:2-27)

Verse 19 ... Man Redeemed; Duties & Graces Of The New Life; Government of the Tongue

Verse 20 ... Fallen Man; Sins Against Our Neighbor; Anger, Described

Verse 21 ... Scripture; Advantages Of Scripture; Sanctifying & Saving



Verses 22-24 ... Doers & Hearers

Verse 22 ... Scripture; Duty To Know & Obey Scripture; The Law To Be Obeyed

Verses 23,24 ... Industrial Employments & Products; Furniture, Utensils, & Mechanic Arts; Mirrors

Verse 23 ... The careless man looks at his natural face in a mirror-glances at himself - & he goes away ... The earnest man looks closely into the divine mirror - & he 'lives in its company.' - He is
the man who will receive the blessing.

Verses 25-27

Verse 25 ... Doers & Hearers

Verses 26,27 ... True Religion

Verse 25 ... Man Redeemed; Blessedness Of The Righteousness New Life; Christian Liberty

Verse 25 ... Divine law; enriched by Christ which is perfect. Law of Liberty - which we obey - because we want to - in obeying we find true freedom.

Verse 26 ... Man Redeemed; Duties & Graces Of The New Life; Government of the Tongue
.
Verse 26 ... The body which godliness - love of God is the informing soul.

Verse 27 ... The Family; Widows & Orphans; Their Claim to Protection

Verse 27 ... If we know God as Father we shall be concerned about HIS children


Monday - January 27, 2014 - A People Who Will Not Listen - Jeremiah 7:21-28

Fateful reliance on the Temple (Jeremiah 7:1-8:3) ... Prophecies Concerning God's Action At Home & Abroad(Jeremiah 1:1-45:5)


Tuesday - January 28, 2014 - A Lamp to Lighten My Darkness - II Samuel 22:26-31

David's Psalm of Thanksgiving (II Samuel 22:1-51)


Wednesday - January 29, 2014 - The Voice of the Living God - Deuteronomy 5:22-27

God & HIS People (Deuteronomy 5:1-11:32) ... Basic Stipulations of The Covenant (Deuteronomy 4:1-11:32)


Thursday - January 30, 2014 - Neither Add Nor Take Away Anything - Deuteronomy 4:1-10

Moses Appeals to Israel (Deuteronomy 4:1-43)


Friday - January 31, 2014 - Denying God by Actions - Titus 1:10-16

Their Call to check for false teaching (Titus 1:10-16) .... Elders (Titus 1:5-16)


Saturday - February 1, 2014 - Love in Truth & Action - I John 3:14-20

The Children of God (I John 3:1-24)


Sunday - February 2, 2014 - Hearers & Doers of the Word - James 1:19-27


Scripture used/taken from: KJV Topical Edition Bible, The International Teacher's Handy Bible Encyclopedia/Concordance KJV Precious Promise Bible, & Zodervan Bible Commentary