Page Four

Minister Clyde Derrick

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Bible Studies
Week 1: Using your own understanding
Week 2: The Goal for all Christians
Week 3: Let it go
Week 4: Not by your works

Bible Study 1 Using your own understanding

II Peter Chapter 1 verse 20

 

Knowing this first , that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21- For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

Understanding:
This scripture is good in helping you to understand that sometimes man in his desire to appear more knowledgeable than others, come up with interpretations that may sound right on the surface but are not of God. People follow these leaders thinking they have a greater connection to God, going along with this interpretation because they don't study enough to know better.

The best option would be to pray for an interpretation from the Holy Ghost and not give their followers an interpretation until they are given that interpretation by the Holy Ghost. That leader puts themselves in danger if they give an interpretation based on their own desire.

Wouldn't they classify as false teachers if knowingly doing this?

II Peter 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2- And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 3- And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you:

Question is: what constitutes a false teacher? Is it this big bad man that creates a cult type church? Or can it also simply be someone who teaches their interpretation not given by the Holy Ghost.

I believe the major point is, did they intentionally mislead the congregation, knowing that they are altering the word or giving an interpretation that fits what they want or, did he just not get an interpretation from the Spirit so they interpreted the scripture through their mind, thinking they were right. I would think the intent is what counts the most but then again I'm looking at it from a human perspective.

Best thing for any leader is to make sure they pray for an understanding and wait for it!!

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Bible Study 2

The Goal for all Christians

II Peter Chapter 1 Verse 3-7

 

According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4- Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 5- And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue: and to virtue knowledge; 6- And to knowledge temperance: and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7- And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 8- For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9- But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.


This is part of the definition of being enlightened. Being partakers of the divine NATURE, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Understanding
Assuming you are starting with faith, this scripture list seven things you need to add to your life in order to live the divine nature.

Look at the list and see where you are. Don't lie to yourself, you know where you are lacking. I know I can see my weak areas right away. I'm working on them.

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Bible Study 3 Let it go

1 Corinthians 13:4

 

 

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Hebrews 12: 14
Follow peace with all men, and holiness without which no man shall see the Lord:

Understanding
This is a hard one folks, people are so bad sometimes they can pull all the love out of us, if we let them. KEEPING NO RECORD, how do you do that? I don't have the ability to wipe it from my memory, but I do have the ability to say, I will no longer think about someone's crimes against me because everybody has sinned and falling short of the glory of God.

Remember first that it's God's Love that gave way for his unearned Grace for us. No matter what we do, God's Grace is there waiting for us, because of his Love.

Paul said he will let nothing separate him from the Love of God. This shows WE can separate OURSELVES from God's Love (on OUR end not God's end, it's always there waiting) so likewise WE can separate OURSELVES from a neighbors love (but again if that person is a Christian it should only be on OUR end, their love should be waiting on you) Of course this means you are acting outside of the laws of the Kingdom of Heaven.

This is my personal opinion, not from God but as a man of the spirit and with the understanding of what Paul said, I suggest this: we create our own pay back, when we separate ourselves from the love of others through our actions. To separate yourself from the love of another person can only hurt you later in life. Most people, once they've done someone wrong, don't have the ability to eat humble pie and ask that person for assistance, although I've had people in my life that can burn down the bridge on Monday and ask for help on Thursday and suggest that you somehow owe them this help. If you are not in loving fellowship with a person close to you, who knows what you are missing out on because you are no longer on that persons mind on a regular basis. He or she could be giving out money to friends and never think about you because you removed yourself from their love.

Remember, in the Kingdom of Heaven which you are a member, you aren't allowed to not love anyone. They may chose to not love you but you must still love them.

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Bible Study 4 Not by your works

Romans 11:6

 

 

And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

Ephesians 2:8
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. 9- Not of works, lest any man should boast.

2 Timothy 1:9
Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.

Understanding
This is easy. You didn't earn anything. You can't earn anything. You can't buy it either. It's free; it's a gift, just thank God, be glad and don't take his grace forgranted.

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