Backlog

Unemployment has been bearing its fangs.  Days blend together and everything just meshed into one thing.  Overdue lesson notes below.

26th September (physical church gathering)

Bible Class Topic: Definition of a fool

1) Defined in Psalms 14:1, Proverbs 1:7, Proverbs 28:26

- Does not have God in their heart

- Does not fear God

- Despises the wisdom of God and His instructions 

2) Wrong worldview 

- Heart (not knowledge) isn't centered (inclined to left or right) 

- A fool doesn't believe in the existence of God 

- Wrong worldview leads to destruction (digging a pit while standing in it) 

3) Actions reveal their nature 

- Denies God and commits sin 

- Inconsistent in their beliefs

Verse: Ecclesiastes 10

V1-3 Foolishness can result in poor reputation. Reputation can be easily ruined, compared to putrefied stench

-Cases of foolishness, Moses sticking the rock, David on Bethsheeba

V5-7 a fool is evil, and seeks to attain power (ref to quote that power corrupts entirely) 

V10 a fool is unprepared. 

V12-14 a fool is talkative. Empty vessels make the most noise. 

V15- a fool is incompetent, wasting time

V16-17 over-indulgent

V17-18 indifferent, uses money to solve everything, indifference to sin 

V20 indiscretion, talking without thinking (gossip) 

Sermon Topic: Talking of work, and fallow ground. 

Verses: Jeremiah 4:3, Hosea 10:12, Jeremiah 1:3, Jeremiah 2:13 

"Fallow" definition: tilling of land without sowing it for a season 

Causes of fallow ground:

1) Ignorance (Jeremiah 10:23, Jer 2:23, 35)

2) Irreverence (Jeremiah 36:24, Jer 13:15)

3) Indifference - not discerning (Jer 10:2, Hosea 10:13, Jer 16:20, Hosea 13:2, Jer 5:31, 2 Tim 4:3)

4) Indolence - laziness (2 Tim 2:15, Act 17:11)

5) Inactivity (Luke 11:24-26)

Lessons with Andy (28th September)

Verse: Hebrews 10:23-25

Not to forsake worshipping together, and exhorting one another (to build up foundations).

The verses emphasises on communal strength, as at this point Christianity was illegal, so Christians would gather in secret to avoid persecution.

Confession is not just for self, but to also reinforce the faith in others as a community. Encouraging one another to not give up, but also to encourage the community.

Personal homework:

1) What additional thing could religion (Christianity) offer to you/my life?

- I guess comfort, especially in times of uncertainty or doubt. To help out in my lowest points.

2) How do I know my core values are "right" vs "wrong", from a moral code perspective?

- Trial and error, mostly. I've done a lot of questionable things as a kid, and have been told off/gotten backlash.  But also, through many observations of others (especially my family's upbringing). I would say that I'm very lucky (blessed) to be around and to grow up surrounded by good people (family and friends). 

Lessons with Andy (5th October)

Gender roles (oppressed women, for example), are different among societies as it differs from person to person. Andy's point is that mankind isn't a good source of moral authority.

Hypothetical situation, when no religion exists, the world will be thrown into chaos, as there's no guardrail. Men when left alone, are predisposed to be self-serving.

Judges 17:6 (there was no physical king of Israel, only a spiritual king in God).

We live without pure justice, as humans are flawed. There will always be someone with the short end of the stick, and there's always going to be someone roaming freely. Pure justice (ultimate justice), only exists outside, beyond this world. There will be a reckoning for wrongdoers when they meet God.

My counterpoint: how do religious people who believe in judgement/pure justice, to those who aren't God-fearing *cough Najib cough *?

- Hebrews 9:27-28

Whether you're Christian or not, you will be judged. Men only live one life (no resurrection), and once you've parted from this world, judgement awaits.

Men will be judged according to the laws of God (which is, the Bible). They cannot be judged by the law of men, as men are inherently imperfect, so those laws are imperfect. The reason why God is the one to judge men is because God is the common denominator of humankind, and that He treats everyone equally.

Andy's responsibility is to follow God. He can share his knowledge with others, but that's their decision to make.

10th October (physical church gathering)

Verse: Ecclesiastes 12

Verses 3-5 talk about a person growing older, that their body loses their vigor. Their bodies lose strength, they cannot stand straight and upright, their eyesight wanes, hearing is muted, and have increased fear of heights, sickness, injury, etc. "almond tree blossoms" refers to flowers of an almond tree, which is white (and pink). 

God's lessons are for the betterment of mankind. Like a kid disobeying their parents for their wisdom (don't do x, does x anyway), God knows better for the wellbeing of mankind, even if mankind sometimes doesn't follow it. 

Is there no pleasure on earth?

1) Women (and to stay loyal to wives, to have a one man, one woman relationship) 

- 1 Kings 11:1-4

- Proverbs 5:15-20 

2) Wealth

- 1 Timothy 6:17-19 (don't get caught up in riches) 

- Matthew 6:19-20 (don't hoard treasure on earth) 

- Acts 2:44-45 (sold their possessions and shared their wealth with others) 

- Matthew 19:20-22 (the story of the rich selfish ruler)

- Ephesians 4:28 (let him labour, working on what is good)

- Luke 12:16-21 (story of the rich fool, he who lays up treasure for himself is not rich toward God) 

The whole duty of man

- Ecclesiastes 12:9-14 (to live for God, and.... Fear of God?) 

- Hebrews 9:27 (there's judgment after death)

- Romans 2:6-8 (eternal life to those who are doing good)

- 2 Corinthians 5:10 (we'll all be judged by God in the end) 

Sermon Topic: Building a church

How to build a church 

1) Evangelism 

-Ephesians 4:11-16, Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:15, Romans 10:14, 1 Peter 2:9 

2) Edification

-missing notes- 

3) Benevolence 

-1 Timothy 6:18, James 2:15-16, Acts 2:44-45, Galatians 6:9-10, 2 Thessalonians 3:13, Romans 12:4-5 (working together), Luke 23:34 (love and forgiveness), Colossians 3:13 (forgiveness heals), Matthew 6:14-15, Matthew 5:39, 41, 1 Conrinthians 6:7 (apologise and ask for forgiveness, even if you think you're not in the wrong), Joshua 24:15 (a call to serve)