ISSL Reflections September 1, 2024 Genesis 13:8–18 Post 1

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I.
With today’s Scripture passage we begin a several week long focus on worship. Today we have before us Abram building an altar.

Why does Abram build an altar at Hebron?

II.
Genesis 13:8-18 (NRSVue)

Then Abram said to Lot, “Let there be no strife between you and me and between your herders and my herders, for we are kindred.Is not the whole land before you? Separate yourself from me. If you take the left hand, then I will go to the right, or if you take the right hand, then I will go to the left.” Lot looked about him and saw that the plain of the Jordan was well watered everywhere like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, in the direction of Zoar; this was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. So Lot chose for himself all the plain of the Jordan, and Lot journeyed eastward, and they separated from each other. Abram settled in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled among the cities of the plain and moved his tent as far as Sodom. Now the people of Sodom were wicked, great sinners against the Lord.

The Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, “Raise your eyes now, and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward, for all the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever. I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if one can count the dust of the earth, your offspring also can be counted. Rise up, walk through the length and the breadth of the land, for I will give it to you.” So Abram moved his tent and came and settled by the oaks of Mamre, which are at Hebron, and there he built an altar to the Lord.

III.
If we take a moment to look back at Genesis 12, we discover this altar at Hebron is not the first time Abram has built an altar.

In Genesis 12:6-9 we find Abram building an altar at Shechem and another between Bethel and Ai.

Why?

What provokes one to mark a place (or event) by building an altar?

What do you find in common in the accounts in Genesis 12 and 13 that might lead Abram to find these places important enough to build altars?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections August 25 2024 Titus 3:3–11 Post 3

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VII.
Today let’s spend time with our focus passage taking notice of what we learn about God.

VIII.
Titus 3:3-11 (NRSVue)

For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, despicable, hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is sure.

I desire that you insist on these things, so that those who have come to believe in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works; these things are excellent and profitable to everyone. But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. After a first and second admonition, have nothing more to do with anyone who causes divisions, since you know that such a person is perverted and sinful, being self-condemned.

IX.
What words or images do you notice describing God?

As you notice what is written about those who are “saved,” what does that suggest to you about the nature of God?

Paul presents us a list of things to avoid. Does that list suggest anything to you about the nature of God and things those “saved” should not avoid?

Following the ACTS pattern of prayer (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication), what does this passage lead you to offer in the way of prayer.

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections Titus 3:3–11 Post 2

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IV.
We took time in the last post to consider the before/after contrast Paul presents us in this passage.

Today, let’s pay attention for the positive aspects of how he describes those he calls “heirs.”

V.
Titus 3:3-11 (NRSVue)

For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, despicable, hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is sure.

I desire that you insist on these things, so that those who have come to believe in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works; these things are excellent and profitable to everyone. But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. After a first and second admonition, have nothing more to do with anyone who causes divisions, since you know that such a person is perverted and sinful, being self-condemned.

VI.
Would you say our focus passage begins on a heavily negative note?

If this is the situation of those who are not yet “heirs,” how would you express this as positive aspects of the life that awaits those who are “heirs according to the hope of eternal life”?

Spend some time with this passage and notice what else Paul claims characterizes the life of those who are “justified by his grace.”

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections Titus 3:3–11 Post 1

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I.
I have a question: What are folk like before “ … he saved us …” and afterwards?

We find here some observations of what one can be like on both sides of the experience of “… rebirth and renewal…”

What do you notice?

II.
Titus 3:3-11 (NRSVue)

For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, despicable, hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is sure.

I desire that you insist on these things, so that those who have come to believe in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works; these things are excellent and profitable to everyone. But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. After a first and second admonition, have nothing more to do with anyone who causes divisions, since you know that such a person is perverted and sinful, being self-condemned.

III.
“For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient …”

Not a pretty picture of what one can be before the experience of “… rebirth and renewal …”

But if we want to think all is fine after that experience, we soon notice that one can fall into some poor behaviors – “stupid controversies … dissensions, and quarrels…”

Why do you think this can happen?

Do you have thoughts on what can prevent such attitudes and behaviors?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections Titus 1:1–3; 2:11–15 Post 3

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VII.
Paul speaks of himself as “a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ….”

A very bold claim.

But I wonder if his next claim is even more bold – “for the sake of the faith of God’s elect ….”

Can you think of folk you have encountered or know of who could make a similar claim?

As you read the focus passage, who comes to mind?

VIII.
Titus 1:1-3; 2:11-15 (NRSVue)

Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and the knowledge of the truth that is in accordance with godliness, in the hope of eternal life that God, who never lies, promised before the ages began — in due time he revealed his word through the proclamation with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior,

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.

Declare these things; exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one look down on you.

IX.
How do folk you know demonstrate they have a heart “for the sake of the faith of God’s people”?

What might you do that has as its goal expressing your hope and prayers “for the sake of the faith of God’s people”?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections Titus 1:1–3; 2:11–15 Post 2

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IV.
Let’s start our reflection today by taking notice of the phrase, “For the grace of God has appeared ….”

For Paul, what follows from the appearance of the “grace of God”?

V.
Titus 1:1-3; 2:11-15 (NRSVue)

Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and the knowledge of the truth that is in accordance with godliness, in the hope of eternal life that God, who never lies, promised before the ages began — in due time he revealed his word through the proclamation with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior,

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.

Declare these things; exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one look down on you.

VII.
I notice that Paul mentions, “… salvation … training … renounce impiety and worldly passions … self-controlled, upright, and godly … blessed hope … glory ….”

Apparently “the grace of God” opens up a lot of possibilities.

How would you summarize in a couple of sentences what comes to past when “the grace of God” appears?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections Titus 1:1–3; 2:11–15 Post 1

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I.
In almost the last sentence of this week’s focus passage tells a young minister to “Declare … exhort … and reprove…”

As you spend time with this passage, what do you find that Paul “declares”?

II.
Titus 1:1-3; 2:11-15 (NRSVue)

Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and the knowledge of the truth that is in accordance with godliness, in the hope of eternal life that God, who never lies, promised before the ages began — in due time he revealed his word through the proclamation with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior,

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.

Declare these things; exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one look down on you.

III.
What does Paul declare about himself?

Who is he? Does he tell us what his mission/goal is? Why has that become his mission/goal?

Before we leave our search for what Paul “declares,” what do you find him telling us about God?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Desu ibi est}

ISSL Reflections 1 John 3:1–10 Post 3

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VII.
Today as we return to this passage, let the full impact of the opening words rest with you –

“See what love the Father has given us …”

Keep that thought ever before you as you take time to meditate on these words.

VIII.
1 John 3:1-10 (NRSVue)

See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God, and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.

Everyone who commits sin is guilty of lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. You know that he was revealed to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. No one who abides in him sins; no one who sins has either seen him or known him. Little children, let no one deceive you. Everyone who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. Everyone who commits sin is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The Son of God was revealed for this purpose: to destroy the works of the devil. Those who have been born of God do not sin because God’s seed abides in them; they cannot sin because they have been born of God. The children of God and the children of the devil are revealed in this way: all who do not do what is right are not from God, nor are those who do not love a brother or sister.

IX.
What else in the passage speaks to you of God’s love?

That we can be called “children of God”?

That we can “abide in him”?

Can even the discussion of sin and evil in this passage speak to us of God’s love?

If so, how?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections 1 John 3:1–10 Post 2

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IV.
When you were reading this passage did you notice “… no one who sins has either seen him or known him.” And “Those who have been born of God do not sin…”

Should we take that to mean no true child of God sins?

Spend some time in this passage and consider how you might interpret who you read about sin.

V.
1 John 3:1-10 (NRSVue)

See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God, and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.

Everyone who commits sin is guilty of lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. You know that he was revealed to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. No one who abides in him sins; no one who sins has either seen him or known him. Little children, let no one deceive you. Everyone who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. Everyone who commits sin is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The Son of God was revealed for this purpose: to destroy the works of the devil. Those who have been born of God do not sin because God’s seed abides in them; they cannot sin because they have been born of God. The children of God and the children of the devil are revealed in this way: all who do not do what is right are not from God, nor are those who do not love a brother or sister.

VI.
What comes to you as you read about how the Father loves his children and “sin is of the devil.”

Here’s a thought, go back to this passage and notice what you read about “… God’s seed abides in them.”

The Gospel of John makes much of abiding (see John 14:4-7, and John 14:17). Do you think that offers us a key to understanding what is written about sin in this passage?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections 1 John 3:1–10 Post 1

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I.
Who are you?

Our focus Scripture this week has suggestions on how to answer.

As you spend time with this Scripture, what answers do you see the writer offering?

II.
1 John 3:1-10 (NRSVue)

See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God, and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.

Everyone who commits sin is guilty of lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. You know that he was revealed to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. No one who abides in him sins; no one who sins has either seen him or known him. Little children, let no one deceive you. Everyone who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. Everyone who commits sin is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The Son of God was revealed for this purpose: to destroy the works of the devil. Those who have been born of God do not sin because God’s seed abides in them; they cannot sin because they have been born of God. The children of God and the children of the devil are revealed in this way: all who do not do what is right are not from God, nor are those who do not love a brother or sister.

III.
What all did you see?

It seems to me that the question “Who are you?” is answered in several ways and from different perspectives.

What stands out to you as the foundational answer to the question?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}