August 7, 2016 – Teachings from the Rock – Standing Firm without Anxiety

Standing Firm without Anxiety

1 Kings 13:13-24 – New International Version (NIV)

¹³ So he said to his sons, “Saddle the donkey for me.” And when they had saddled the donkey for him, he mounted it ¹⁴ and rode after the man of God. He found him sitting under an oak tree and asked, “Are you the man of God who came from Judah?”

“I am,” he replied.

¹⁵ So the prophet said to him, “Come home with me and eat.”

¹⁶ The man of God said, “I cannot turn back and go with you, nor can I eat bread or drink water with you in this place. ¹⁷ I have been told by the word of the Lord: ‘You must not eat bread or drink water there or return by the way you came.’”

¹⁸ The old prophet answered, “I too am a prophet, as you are. And an angel said to me by the word of the Lord: ‘Bring him back with you to your house so that he may eat bread and drink water.’” (But he was lying to him.) ¹⁹ So the man of God returned with him and ate and drank in his house.

²⁰ While they were sitting at the table, the word of the Lord came to the old prophet who had brought him back. ²¹ He cried out to the man of God who had come from Judah, “This is what the Lord says: ‘You have defied the word of the Lord and have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you. ²² You came back and ate bread and drank water in the place where he told you not to eat or drink. Therefore your body will not be buried in the tomb of your ancestors.’”

²³ When the man of God had finished eating and drinking, the prophet who had brought him back saddled his donkey for him. ²⁴ As he went on his way, a lion met him on the road and killed him, and his body was left lying on the road, with both the donkey and the lion standing beside it.

What did the man say to his sons (verse 13)?

Who did he ride after (verse 14)?

Where did he find him (verse 14)?

What did he ask (verse 15)?

How did the “man of God” answer (verse 16)?

In your opinion, why had the Lord commanded the man of God not to “eat bread or drink water there or to return by the way that you came” (verse 17)?

How did the old prophet lie to the man of God (verse 18)?

What did the man of God do (verse 19)?

When did the word of the Lord come to the old prophet (verse 20)?

In your opinion, why was it the man of God and not the lying old prophet who “defied the word of the Lord” (verse 21)?

How will the man of God be punished (verse 22)?

What did the prophet do for the man of God (verse 23)?

Where was the body of the man of God after he was killed by the lion (verse 24)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

Luke 22:24-34 - New International Version (NIV)

²⁴ A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. ²⁵ Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. ²⁶ But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. ²⁷ For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. ²⁸ You are those who have stood by me in my trials. ²⁹ And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, ³⁰ so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

³¹ “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. ³² But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

³³ But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.”

³⁴ Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.”

What were the disciples in dispute about (verse 24)?

Who calls themselves Benefactors (verse 25)?

How are the disciples to be (verse 26)?

In your opinion, why is Jesus among the disciples “as one who serves” (verse 27)?

Where have the disciples been when Jesus had trials (verse 28)?

What does Jesus confer on the disciples (verse 29)?

Where will the disciples eat and drink (verse 30)?

In your opinion, what does it mean for Satan to “sift all of you as wheat” (verse 31)?

What does Jesus say that He prayed for (verse 32)?

In your opinion, what does Jesus mean when He says “and when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers” (verse 32)?

What was Simon Peter ready to do (verse 33)?

How did Jesus answer Simon Peter (verse 34)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, how does Jesus’ statement to the disciples that “Satan has ask to sift all of you like wheat” in Luke 22:24-34 help us to understand why the old prophet lied to the man of God in 1 Kings 13:13-24?

Philippians 4:1-9 - New International Version (NIV)

¹ Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!

² I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. ³ Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹ Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

How does Paul ask his “brothers and sisters” to stand (verse 1)?

In your opinion, what does Paul mean when he pleads with Euodia and Syntyche to “be of the same mind in the Lord” (verse 2)?

What had the women done with Paul, Clement and the rest of Paul’s co-workers (verse 3)?

When are we to “rejoice in the Lord” (verse 4)?

In your opinion, what does it mean to “let your gentleness be evident to all” (verse 5)?

What should we do instead of being anxious (verse 6)?

What will guard our hearts and minds “in Christ Jesus” (verse 7)?

What are we to think about (verse 8)?

What are we to do with what is learned, received or heard from Paul (verse 9)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, how does Jesus and His prayer for Simon Peter who He knew was going to deny Him three times in Luke 22:24-34 demonstrate the gentleness that Paul commands the Philippians to let “be evident to all” in Philippians 4:1-9?

In your opinion, how would the old prophet’s behavior in 1 Kings 13:13-24 been different if he had been doing what Paul commands the Philippians in Philippians 4:1-9 and had thought about “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy”?

1 Peter 5:5-11 – New International Version (NIV)

⁵ In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,

“God opposes the proud
    but shows favor to the humble.”

⁶ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. ⁷ Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

⁸ Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. ⁹ Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

¹⁰ And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. ¹¹ To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Who is to submit to “your elders” (verse 5)?

Why are all to “clothe yourselves with humility toward one another” (verse 5)?

In your opinion, why will God’s mighty hand lift us up in due time if we humble ourselves (verse 6)?

What should we do with all our anxiety (verse 7)?

Who “prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (verse 8)?

How do we “resist him” (verse 9)?

What do we know about the “family of believers throughout the world” (verse 9)?

When will the “God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ” restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast (verse 10)?

What does Peter pray for God to have “for ever and ever” (verse 11)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what can we learn from the fact that Paul, who had many difficulties as he followed the Lord, in Philippians 4:1-9 said to “not be anxious about anything” but to pray and Peter, who denied Jesus three times and had his own difficulties , in 1 Peter 5:5-11 says to “cast all your anxiety on him”?

In your opinion, how does the fact that Jesus told Simon Peter, who was going to deny Him later that night, “I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers” in Luke 22:24-34 help Peter to say with confidence “the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast” in 1 Peter 5:5-11?

In your opinion, who was devoured in 1 Kings 13:13-24 by the devil that Peter says in 1 Peter 5:5-11 “prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour”?

In your opinion, what do these passages from 1 Kings, Luke, Philippians and 1 Peter tell us about anxiety, standing firm and resisting the devil?

In your opinion, what do these passages show us about ourselves today?

Next, back to Peter 5:12 – (sprucewhispers.blogspot.com)

July 24, 2016 – Teachings from the Rock – Shepherds and the Chief Shepherd

Shepherds and the Chief Shepherd

Ezekiel 34:7-16 – New International Version (NIV)

⁷ “‘Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: ⁸ As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, because my flock lacks a shepherd and so has been plundered and has become food for all the wild animals, and because my shepherds did not search for my flock but cared for themselves rather than for my flock, ⁹ therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: ¹⁰ This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against the shepherds and will hold them accountable for my flock. I will remove them from tending the flock so that the shepherds can no longer feed themselves. I will rescue my flock from their mouths, and it will no longer be food for them.

¹¹ “‘For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. ¹² As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness. ¹³ I will bring them out from the nations and gather them from the countries, and I will bring them into their own land. I will pasture them on the mountains of Israel, in the ravines and in all the settlements in the land. ¹⁴ I will tend them in a good pasture, and the mountain heights of Israel will be their grazing land. There they will lie down in good grazing land, and there they will feed in a rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. ¹⁵ I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign Lord. ¹⁶ I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flock with justice.

Who is called to hear the “word of the Lord” (verse 7)?

Why has the Lord’s flock been plundered and become food for wild animals (verse 8)?

What did the shepherds do instead of searching for the flock (verse 8)?

In your opinion, why will the Lord hold the shepherds accountable for the flock (verse 10)?

What will no longer be food for the shepherds (verse 10)?

Who will search for the sheep and look after them (verse 11)?

Where will the sheep be rescued from (verse 12)?

Where will the sheep be pastured after they are brought out of the nations and the countries (verse 13)?

What kind of pasture will the sheep feed on (verse 14)?

Who will tend the sheep (verse 15)?

In your opinion, why bind up the injured and strengthen the weak but destroy the sleek and the strong (verse 16)?

How will the Lord shepherd the flock (verse 16)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

John 10:11-18 - New International Version (NIV)

¹¹ “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. ¹² The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. ¹³ The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

¹⁴ “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— ¹⁵ just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. ¹⁶ I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. ¹⁷ The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. ¹⁸ No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”

What does the good shepherd do (verse 11)?

Who abandons the sheep and runs away when he sees the wolf coming (verse 12)?

Why does the man run away (verse 13)?

In your opinion, how does Jesus the good shepherd know His sheep and how do they know Him (verse 14)?

Who knows the Father and is known by the Father (verse 15)?

What does Jesus do for the sheep (verse 15)?

In your opinion, who are the other sheep that are not of “this sheep pen” (verse 16)?

When Jesus brings in these other sheep, how many flocks will there be (verse 16)?

Why does the Father love Jesus (verse 17)?

What does Jesus have the authority to do (verse 18)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, how does the way Jesus identifies Himself in John 10:11-18 show that He is the answer to the prophecy God gave in Ezekiel 34:7-16?

1 Corinthians 2:1-7 - New International Version (NIV)

¹ And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. ² For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. ³ I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. ⁴ My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, ⁵ so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.

⁶ We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. ⁷ No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.

How did Paul not come to the Corinthians as he proclaimed the testimony about God (verse 1)?

What was the only thing Paul resolved to know while he was with them (verse 2)?

In your opinion, what does Paul mean when he says he “came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling” (verse 3)?

What does Paul say his message and preaching were without (verse 4)?

What does Paul say his message and preaching were with (verse 4)?

Where does Paul want the Corinthian’s faith to rest (verse 5)?

Where does Paul speak a message of wisdom (verse 6)?

What are the rulers of this age coming to (verse 6)?

What is “a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began” (verse 7)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, how was the message of Jesus, who says in John 10:11-18 “I am the good shepherd . . . and I lay down my life for my sheep” then powerfully proclaimed by Paul who said in 1 Corinthians 2:1-7 that he “came in weakness with great fear and trembling”?

In your opinion, what causes the difference between the shepherds of Israel that Ezekiel has a message for in Ezekiel 34:7-16 and Paul who is acting as a shepherd to the Christians in Corinth in 1 Corinthians 2:1-7?

1 Peter 5:1-4 – New International Version (NIV)

¹ To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: ² Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; ³ not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. ⁴ And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

In your opinion, why does Peter describe himself to the “elders among you” as a ‘fellow elder’ and also as ‘a witness of Christ’s sufferings’ (verse 1)?

What will Peter share with the elders (verse 1)?

Why should the elders watch over the flock that is under their care (verse 2)?

What should the elders not pursue (verse 2)?

In your opinion, what is the difference between “lording it over those entrusted to you” and “being examples to the flock” (verse 3)?

How is Jesus described (verse 4)?

When will the elders “receive the crown of glory that will never fade away” (verse 4)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, how is Paul in his ministry to the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 2:1-7 an example of the type of shepherd that Peter is appealing to the elders to be in 1 Peter 4:1-4?

In your opinion, how can the elders that Peter is calling to be “shepherds of God’s flock” in 1 Peter 5:1-4 be like the “Chief Shepherd” as Peter calls Jesus instead of the hired hand that Jesus in John 10:11-18 says “abandons the sheep and runs away”?

In your opinion, what can the shepherds that Peter is talking to in 1 Peter 5:1-4 learn from the shepherds that the Lord is holding accountable in Ezekiel 34:7-16?

In your opinion, what do these passages from Ezekiel, John, 1 Corinthians and 1 Peter tell us about bad shepherds, good shepherds and the one who calls Himself the “good shepherd”?

In your opinion, what do these passages show us about ourselves today?

Next, back to Peter 5:5 – (sprucewhispers.blogspot.com)

July 17, 2016 – Teachings from the Rock – Suffering and Rejoicing

Suffering and Rejoicing

Jeremiah 25:27-33 – New International Version (NIV)

²⁷ “Then tell them, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Drink, get drunk and vomit, and fall to rise no more because of the sword I will send among you.’ ²⁸ But if they refuse to take the cup from your hand and drink, tell them, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty says: You must drink it! ²⁹ See, I am beginning to bring disaster on the city that bears my Name, and will you indeed go unpunished? You will not go unpunished, for I am calling down a sword on all who live on the earth, declares the Lord Almighty.’

³⁰ “Now prophesy all these words against them and say to them:

“‘The Lord will roar from on high;
    he will thunder from his holy dwelling
    and roar mightily against his land.
He will shout like those who tread the grapes,
    shout against all who live on the earth.
³¹ The tumult will resound to the ends of the earth,
    for the Lord will bring charges against the nations;
he will bring judgment on all mankind
    and put the wicked to the sword,’”
declares the Lord.

³² This is what the Lord Almighty says:

“Look! Disaster is spreading
    from nation to nation;
a mighty storm is rising
    from the ends of the earth.”

³³ At that time those slain by the Lord will be everywhere—from one end of the earth to the other. They will not be mourned or gathered up or buried, but will be like dung lying on the ground.

Who tells them to “drink, get drunk and vomit” (verse 27)?

What is Jeremiah to do ‘if they refuse to take the cup from your hand and drink” (verse 28)?

Where is the Lord “beginning to bring disaster” (verse 29)?

Who is the Lord Almighty calling down a sword on (verse 29)?

In your opinion, why will the Lord “roar mightily against his land” (verse 30)?

Who will the Lord shout against (verse 30)?

What will the Lord bring on all mankind (verse 31)?

Where is “a mighty storm rising” (verse 32)?

Where will “those slain by the Lord” be (verse 33)?

How will the slain be “lying on the ground” (verse 33)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

Matthew 5:1-12 - New International Version (NIV)

¹ Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, ² and he began to teach them.

He said:

³ “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
⁴ Blessed are those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.
⁵ Blessed are the meek,
    for they will inherit the earth.
⁶ Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    for they will be filled.
⁷ Blessed are the merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.
⁸ Blessed are the pure in heart,
    for they will see God.
⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers,
    for they will be called children of God.
¹⁰ Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

¹¹ “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

What did Jesus do when He saw the crowds (verse 1)?

What did Jesus begin to do (verse 2)?

Whose is “the kingdom of heaven” (verse 3)?

How will those who mourn be blessed (verse 4)?

Who will “inherit the earth” (verse 5)?

In your opinion, what does it mean to “hunger and thirst for righteousness” (verse 6)?

How will the merciful be blessed (verse 7)?

Who will see God (verse 8)?

What will be the blessing of the peacemakers (verse 9)?

In your opinion, why are those who are persecuted because of righteousness to have the kingdom of heaven (verse 10)?

What are people who are insulted, persecuted and have evil lies told about them because of Jesus (verse 11)?

Why should we “rejoice and be glad” when we are persecuted for Jesus (verse 12)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, how are the people who Jesus says are blessed in Matthew 5:1-12 different from the “mankind” that the Lord is bringing judgment on in Jeremiah 25:27-33?

Ephesians 2:1-10 - New International Version (NIV)

¹ As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, ² in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. ³ All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. ⁴ But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, ⁵ made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. ⁶ And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, ⁷ in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. ⁸ For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹ not by works, so that no one can boast. ¹⁰ For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

What was the condition of those Paul was writing in to Ephesus (verse 1)?

Whose ways did the people in Ephesus follow (verse 2)?

Who is at work “in those who are disobedient” (verse 2)?

What did they a gratify (verse 3)?

In your opinion, why were they “by nature deserving wrath” (verse 3)?

What is God rich in (verse 4)?

When were we made “alive in Christ” (verse 5)?

Where did God seat us (verse 6)?

When is God going to show “the incomparable riches of his grace” (verse 7)?

In your opinion, what does it mean that faith “is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God” (verse 8)?

Why can no one boast (verse 9)?

What are we who are “God’s handiwork” created in Christ Jesus to do (verse 10)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what does Paul’s discussion about grace and faith in Ephesians 2:1-10 help us to understand about those who Jesus says are blessed in Matthew 5:1-12?

In your opinion, how is the richness of God’s mercy, shown by His making “us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions” as Paul states in Ephesians 2:1-10 become even more magnificent when we consider the totality of the destruction that Jeremiah saw in Jeremiah 25:27-33?

1 Peter 4:12-19 – New International Version (NIV)

¹² Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. ¹³ But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. ¹⁴ If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. ¹⁵ If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. ¹⁶ However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. ¹⁷ For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? ¹⁸ And,

“If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,
    what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”

¹⁹ So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

What does Peter say we should not be surprised by (verse 12)?

Why should we rejoice (verse 13)?

When will we be overjoyed (verse 13)?

In your opinion, why are we blessed when we are “insulted because of the name of Christ” (verse 14)?

What should we not suffer as (verse 15)?

How should respond if we suffer as a Christian (verse 16)?

What will begin with “God’s household” (verse 17)?

In your opinion, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner (verses 18)?

What should those who suffer according to God’s will do (verse 19)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, why does Paul, who in Ephesians 2:1-10 makes it clear that we are saved by grace through faith which is a gift of God, say we are created in “Christ Jesus to do good works” and Peter, who in 1 Peter 4:12-19 makes it clear that if we “suffer according to God’s will” that we should not only commit ourselves to God but also “continue to do good”?

In your opinion, what does comparing the blessings that are promised by Jesus if we are insulted, persecuted and have people say false things about us because of Jesus in Matthew 5:1-12 and the blessings promised by Peter in 1 Peter 4:12-19 when we are insulted “because of the name of Christ” help us to understand about those blessings?

In your opinion, what is the difference between the suffering in Jeremiah 25:27-33 when the prophet is called to say “drink, get drunk and vomit, and fall to rise no more because of the sword I will send among you” and the suffering as a Christian in 1 Peter 4:12-19?

In your opinion, what do these passages, from Jeremiah, Matthew, Ephesians and 1 Peter show us about ourselves today?