Bible in Life

How Does Paul Understand Authority | Learning Leadership with the Apostle Paul, pt. 1

How does Paul understand what his authority is for?

2 Corinthians 10:8

For if I boast somewhat more about our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be put to shame,

 

2 Corinthians 13:9-10

9 For we rejoice when we ourselves are weak, but you are strong; this we also pray for, that you become mature. 10 For this reason I am writing these things while absent, so that when present I need not use severity, in accordance with the authority which the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down.

 

2 Corinthians 12:19

19 All this time you have been thinking that we are defending ourselves to you. Actually, it is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ; and all for building you up, beloved.

 

2 Corinthians 1:23-2:4

23 But I call God as witness to my soul, that it was to spare you that I did not come again to Corinth. 24 Not that we domineer over your faith, but we are workers with you for your joy; for in your faith you are standing firm. 2:1 But I decided this for my own sake, that I would not come to you in sorrow again. 2 For if I cause you sorrow, who then will be the one making me glad but the one who is made sorrowful by me? 3 This is the very thing I wrote you, so that when I came, I would not have sorrow from those who ought to make me rejoice; having confidence in you all that my joy was the joy of you all. 4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears; not so that you would be made sorrowful, but that you might know the love which I have especially for you.  

 

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Two Great Truths about Grace from Romans 8  

Romans 8 teaches two great truths about grace that can change your life: 

Truth #1 - "no condemnation"

Truth #2 - "life in the Spirit" 

 

Romans 8:1-4

Therefore there is now no condemnation at all for those who are in Christ Jesus. ² For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. ³ For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh

 

Romans 8:12-13

So then, brothers and sisters, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— ¹³ for if you are living in accord with the flesh, you are going to die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 

 

Romans 8:31-39

³¹ What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? ³² He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? ³³ Who will bring charges against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; ³⁴ who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, but rather, was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. ³⁵ Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or trouble, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? ³⁶ Just as it is written:

³⁷ But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, ³⁹ nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  

 

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Find Rest in God Alone | Psalms 131 and 62

Psalm 131 

What does it mean that Jesus preached to the spirits in prison? | 1 Peter 3:18-21  

In this episode of the Bible in Life podcast John and Steven think through 1 Peter 3:18-21. What does it mean that Jesus preached to the spirits in prison? And what does it mean that baptism saves you?

 

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What Does the Backstory to 1 Peter Have to Say about our Political Situation Today 

In this episode of the Bible and Life podcast John and Steven reflect on the situation facing the original audience of 1 Peter and the difference that makes to our life today. 

 

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Learning Lifestyle Evangelism from 1 Peter 

In the episode of the Bible in Life podcast, John and Steven reflect on 1 Peter and what it teaches about lifestyle evangelism. Two key Bible passages from 1 Peter in this episode are: 

1 Peter 3:14-15 - Always be ready to give an answer 

 ¹⁴ But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be in dread, ¹⁵ but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, but with gentleness and respect;

 

1 Peter 2:9-10 - A Royal Priesthood 

⁹ But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; ¹⁰ for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

 

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In this episode of the Bible in Life podcast, John visits with Philip Nation, Vice President of Thomas Nelson Bibles. 

Philip Nation

Philip Nation is the Vice-President/Publisher of Thomas Nelson Bibles. He has served as a pastor, church planter, and education minister in local churches. He frequently travels to speak in churches and for conferences. Philip earned a Doctor of Ministry from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has authored and edited numerous books and Bible studies. Philip is a University Fellow for Arizona Christian University and has been a professor for Union University and Houston Christian University.

Philip's Social Link:

https://x.com/philipnation

Learn more about The OPEN Bible HERE 

 

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The Listener’s Commentary - In-depth teaching through books of the Bible to help you learn the Bible for yourself: 

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Ironic Boasts of the Bible - Suffering

³ And not only this, but we also celebrate in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; ⁴ and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; ⁵ and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. - Romans 5:3-5

 

Boasting in suffering seems to make no sense. Are Christians masochists who love suffering and pain? What are we actually boasting in when we boast in our sufferings and why do we do that? 

Tune in to this episode of the Bible in Life podcast to think through what it means to boast in our sufferings. 

 

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Ironic Boasts of the Bible - A Low but High Position

9 Now the brother or sister of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position; 10 but the rich person is to glory in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away. 11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; and its flower falls off and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so also the rich person, in the midst of his pursuits, will die out. - James 1:9-11

How is being poor and lowly a high position and why should we boast in that? That seems backwards, but it's the wisdom James offers. James' line of reasoning is  thus like that of  the Psalmist in Psalm 37. 

Tune in to this episode of the Bible in Life podcast to think through how people who have very little can boast in their high position. 

 

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Ironic Boasts of the Bible - Weakness 

And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. - 2 Corinthians 12:9

Why would anyone choose to boast about what makes them seem unimpressive or like a loser? That doesn't make any sense. And yet that's what Paul means when he says that he will boast in his weaknesses. 

Tune in to this episode of the Bible in Life podcast to think through what it means to boast in our weaknesses. 

 

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Connect with John:

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