Winnipeg Bible Students

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  • 2 Corinthians 4

    January 21, 2026

    2 Corinthians 4 ESV

    Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart.  But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice[ cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.  For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.  For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.  But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you.Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak,  knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence.  For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

    Discussion Questions:

    1)  In verses 1-6 Paul continues using the word picture of Moses’ veil – this time to describe his ministry.  What is he telling the Corinthian brethren about his ministry?

    2)  In verses 7-18 Paul now compares his life experiences to his ministry.  What is he telling the Corinthian brethren about his life experiences?

    Discussion Summary:

    Verses 1-6:   Paul’s conversion was accompanied by a great light (Acts 9:3).  He was then given a ministry that is similar in that it is bringing a great light to others – the light of the gospel.  This is a ministry of the New Covenant (2 Corinthians 3:6), a ministry of the Spirit (3:8) and a ministry of righteousness (3:9), and it impelled Paul forward in service to others.

    Unlike the picture of Moses who spoke to the children of Israel while veiled, Paul used great plainness of speech.  He was bold in his presentation of the gospel.  This can be seen when he preaches to the Jews of Thessalonica (Acts 17:1-6), which is described as “these men who have turned the world upside down.”  This can also be seen when he preaches to gentiles in Ephesus (Acts 19:21-41), which is described as filling the city with confusion and rioting.

    Verses 7-18:  This ministry resulted in a life that was not easy, but was filled with suffering and reproach for Paul.  These afflictions striped away his old self (outer man) with its desires, ambitions and hopes and replaced these with spiritual growth and desires (inner man).  See Philippians 3:12-16.

    Paul’s life in this “ministry” could only be accomplished by the power of God.  If it was based on human strength and for a human reward in the present life, Paul would have quit.  What would be the point for someone to keep striving forward if the only result was suffering?  Paul emphasizes that he could only continue in this ministry and thrive while undergoing these experiences because of the power of the Holy Spirit in his life.  We must remember that all Christians are called to this same “ministry” (1 Corinthians 1:26-29). 

  • Luke 18:18-23

    January 18, 2026

    Luke 18:18-23 ESV

    And a ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.’” And he said, “All these I have kept from my youth.” When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich.

    Discussion Questions:

    1)  When we carefully read this passage, we find it surprising.  In response to the ruler’s question, we would expect Jesus to say “believe on me.”  Instead, he points to the Law and to the giving up of everything.  Why?  Does this apply to just this individual?

    2)  Jesus says to “sell all that you have and distribute to the poor.”  Everyone at the time understood this literally, why do we not take it literally?

    Discussion  Summary:

    Jesus’ answer to the rich young ruler’s question served as an investigation into his heart condition.  Only a humble heart can receive the kingdom (Luke 18:17).  Jesus first pointed to the law which was intended to bring the Jewish nation to the correct heart sentiment to recognize their Messiah (Galatians 3:24).  The ruler passed this test.  The next command to give away his goods for the poor was a test to see if he had understood the spirit of the law and not just the letter (Isaiah 58:1,2,7,8).  If the ruler was able to pass that test, he was then to “follow me.”  Unfortunately, the ruler did not pass this test.  His heart was not ready to turn from the earthly to the heavenly (Luke12:34).  In other words, the question about the law and the command to give up his wealth were a parenthesis to the answer follow me and all that it entailed (John 6:27-29).

    We note that all of the apostles had been given the simple command, “Follow me.”  They did not need the implications of that invitation to be spelled out as this ruler obviously did.  This was because their hearts were good ground that the seed of the gospel found root in.

    Jesus addressed this ruler on his own terms.  His questions were tailored to expose this man’s heart condition, but it has produced a great lesson that is necessary for all of his followers to understand.

    This command to give all of your wealth to the poor was taken literally after Pentecost as we read in Acts 2:42-47.  We read later in Acts 5:1-11 and in 6:1 that this communal arrangement was not without issue.  As we continue to read in the New Testament we realize that this arrangement was no longer kept as Christians have homes and wealth that are used for others (Acts 16:14-15; I Corinthians 16:1-4; Philemon 2:2).

    The brethren began to change their perspective on their wealth.  No longer was it required for them to dispose of it at the beginning of their conversion.  Instead it was a tool to be used throughout their life in the service of the Lord and the brethren (Matthew 6:19-24; 1 Timothy 6:17-19).

  • 2 Corinthians 3

    January 14, 2026

    2 Corinthians 3 ESV

    Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, as some do, letters of recommendation to you, or from you?  You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our hearts, to be known and read by all.  And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.  Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God.  Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.  Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at Moses’ face because of its glory, which was being brought to an end, will not the ministry of the Spirit have even more glory?  For if there was glory in the ministry of condemnation, the ministry of righteousness must far exceed it in glory.  Indeed, in this case, what once had glory has come to have no glory at all, because of the glory that surpasses it.  For if what was being brought to an end came with glory, much more will what is permanent have glory.  Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end.  But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away.  Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts.  But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.  Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.  And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

    Discussion Questions:

    In chapter 3 Paul uses two metaphors to describe his apostolic work.  We would like to explore each of these word pictures.

    1)  Letters (verses 1-6)

    What is the difference between written with ink or on stone and being written by the Spirit?

    2)  Moses’s Veil  (verses 7-18; Exodus 34:29-35)

    In what way did the Israelites have a veil and how and why do Christians not have a veil?

    Discussion Summary:

    1.  Letters:  Paul references letters of recommendation.  Many believe that he is referring to the “super apostles,” teachers who had come to Corinth and were opposing Paul’s teachings ( 2 Corinthians 11:15).  Paul is reminding the Corinthian brethren that he didn’t need to be introduced to them because he founded their ecclesia.  To him, they are written on his heart and their Christian lifestyle can be read by all (1 Corinthians 9:1).

    Paul also makes the difference between the tables of the law ( Exodus 31:18 and 32:6) and the new way of the spirit that writes on their hearts.  This is also referred to in Romans 7:6, “Serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code.”

    2.  Moses Veil (Exodus 34:29-35):  Paul uses this Old Testament picture in different ways to illustrate the new way of the Spirit. 

    • It explains his boldness as he doesn’t address them through a “veil” of insincerity.
    • The Jewish nation, still under the law, wears a “veil” of unbelief (Romans 11:25) and cannot see that Jesus fulfilled the law (Matthew 5:17) and ended their obligation to their covenant (Colossians 2:14).
    • Those who allow the Holy Spirit to do a transforming work in their hearts (Romans 12:2) have removed the veil.
    • Jesus in his role as mediator during the earthly Kingdom will speak to all nations through a “veil” of earthly representatives (Luke 13:28).

    We also discussed what covenant Christians are developed under as some see in this passage proof that Christians are under the New Covenant of Jeremiah 31:34-36.  In 2 Corinthians 3 they believe it refers to Christians receiving the removal of sin and their heart of stone is removed and they are given a heart of flesh.  See also Hebrews 8-10.

    Others believe that Christians are developed under the Grace Covenant (Galatians 3:15-29).  In this passage they see through the concept of “ministers of the covenant” the thought that Christians are developed now in order to serve as priests when the New Covenant is established first with the nation of Israel and then all the nations.

  • Luke 18:15-17

    January 11, 2026

    Luke 18:15–17 ESV

    Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them.  But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.  Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

    Discussion Questions:

    1)  Let’s look first at the incident itself.  In our culture we do not bring our children to people to be blessed or touched. 

    • What was Jesus doing to the children and why?
    • What does it tell us about the disciples that they rebuked them?

    2)  What are the lessons that we are to draw from this incident?

    Discussion Summary:

    In the Old Testament we often see older parents blessing their children and grandchildren (for example Genesis 48,49).  But here we see a stranger, Jesus, blessing and engaging with children.  Perhaps this is in fulfillment of Zechariah 10:6-8.  More importantly it is illustrating the proper condition of heart needed to believe in Jesus and to believe in the Kingdom and to conform to the conditions of the kingdom.  We see that Jesus himself modeled this relationship with the Heavenly Father when he addressed him as a child would in Mark 14:36 “Abba, Father.”

    The disciples were unappreciative of this fundamental quality.  They still did not see the necessity of full trust and teachableness that these children possessed.  This was the wrong spirit that was also seen in the religious rulers of the day who Jesus said, “You did not enter yourselves and you hindered those who were entering” (Luke 11:52).

    This child-like attitude of a meek and quiet spirit is necessary for Christians (1 Peter 3:4).  God reveals the deep things to babes (Matthew 11:25-27).  Christians are often referred to as “little children” (Galatians 4:19).

    In verse 17 it states that one can receive the Kingdom, but if it is with the wrong heart attitude that person will not actually enter in.  Throughout history we see how utopian ideals in the wrong hands often result in the worst injustices.

  • 2 Corinthians 2

    January 7, 2026

    2 Corinthians 2 ESV

    For I made up my mind not to make another painful visit to you.  For if I cause you pain, who is there to make me glad but the one whom I have pained?  And I wrote as I did, so that when I came I might not suffer pain from those who should have made me rejoice, for I felt sure of all of you, that my joy would be the joy of you all.  For I wrote to you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you.  Now if anyone has caused pain, he has caused it not to me, but in some measure—not to put it too severely—to all of you.  For such a one, this punishment by the majority is enough, so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.  So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him.  For this is why I wrote, that I might test you and know whether you are obedient in everything. Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs. When I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ, even though a door was opened for me in the Lord, my spirit was not at rest because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I took leave of them and went on to Macedonia. But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.  For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.

    Discussion Questions:

    In chapter 2 the Apostle Paul continues to explain to the Corinthian brethren why he did not visit them. 

    1)  The Church Trial in Corinth. 

    Verses 1 – 11:  How did Paul handle this situation and was not visiting the right decision?

    2)  Waiting for Titus

    Verses 12-13:  Paul was waiting for a report from Titus on the Corinthian brethren.  How do verses 12 and 13 show Paul’s concern for the Corinthian brethren?

    3)    Paul’s Sufferings Associated with his Ministry

     Verses 14-17:  How did Paul’s sufferings reveal his heart motivation in his dealings with the Corinthian brethren.

    Discussion Summary:

    Verses 1-11:  We are informed in 1 Corinthians 5 that a brother attending the ecclesia had committed an immoral act with his father’s wife.  Paul had commanded the brethren to deal with the situation by disfellowshipping the brother (removing him from the privileges of the ecclesia).  Paul had to follow up with a short visit to enforce this judgment.  He then left and waited to hear whether the brethren would deal with the situation.  In verse 9 he indicates that he hoped his persuasion was the deciding factor and not the pressure of his personal presence.  He did not want to be harsh and intimidating again.  He did not visit until he heard from Titus that the matter had been resolved.  He had confidence that the Holy Spirit would guide the brethren to act properly in the interest of the brother and the community.

    Verses 12,13:  Even though Paul was involved in a prospering ministry in Troas, he left the area to find Titus who was returning from Corinth.  Paul was worried that Titus was delayed because the situation in Corinth was unresolved.  This shows that Paul was not neglecting them, but that he cared for them as much as his other responsibilities.

    Verses 14-17:  Paul says that he was “on display” in verse 14.  The idea seems to be that Paul is likening himself to being part of a triumphal march by a conquering general where prisoners of war and captives would be paraded in chains.  Everywhere Paul went, he was vilified and persecuted for Christ.  He is telling the Corinthians that he does not look for their flattery and appreciation before he would visit.  Their reception of him would not be a deciding factor in whether he should visit.  His ministry is much greater than those considerations (Hebrews 13:12,13).

  • Luke 18:9-14

    January 4, 2026

    Luke 18:9-14 ESV

    He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed[a] thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’  But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’  I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

    Discussion Questions:

    Our object today is to try to see beyond the surface level so that we can extract the deeper lesson of this parable.

    1) Compare the lives of the Pharisee and the tax collector with their prayers.

    2)  What constitutes true abasement for the Pharisee, the tax collector and for ourselves?

    Discussion Summary:

    In this episode the lifestyle of one of the religious sects is highlighted.  The Pharisees were known for their outward holy lives, wholly devoted to the law.  What is revealed through his prayer is the particular temptation of pride that resulted from their conception of self-righteousness as compared to others.  Instead of recognizing in himself the need for mercy by entering in to the penitential prayer of the tax collector, he pointed out his personal sin “or even like this tax collector.”

    The tax collector on the other hand, had a job that was predatory in nature and brought harm to others.  The dislike of this class by the people did not allow him to indulge in the thought of self-righteousness as compared to others.  The tax collector in his prayer recognized and called for outside help and action.  “Be merciful!”  This is the same root word as the act of propitiation, the place where appeasement to God was made by sacrifice.

    Perhaps in this account there is a reference to Ezekiel 33:1-16.

    True abasement does not praise one’s self. (Proverbs 27:2; Matthew 6:2)

    True abasement is done by one’s self. (1 Peter 5:5)

    True abasement does not compare one’s self with others.  (1 Corinthians 4:7; Luke 17:10)

  • Luke 18:1-8

    December 14, 2025

    Luke 18:1-8 ESV

    And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’  For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’”  And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

    Discussion Questions:

    1)  What does this parable teach us about prayer?

    2)  What does this parable teach us about the Lord’s return (verse 8)?

    Discussion Summary:

    As a commentary on the previous chapter (Luke 17), Jesus continues to show what level of faith will be needed to be part of those who are taken to a condition of safety at his return.  Believers need to have the same faith as the vulnerable widow in this parable. 

    She was persistent in her prayer life.

    • be constant – Romans 12:12
    • devote yourself – Colossians 4:12 

    She looked to the Judge (God) to take vengeance.

    • I will repays says God – Romans 12:19
    • how long, O Lord – Revelation 6:9-11

    She did not lose heart or become cowardly or faint.

    • you have need of endurance – Hebrews 10:36,37
    • the Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise – 2 Peter 3:8,9

    Unlike the judge in this parable, God is just and will right the wrongs against his people.  God is always ready and willing to answer prayer (Psalm 34:15).

  • 2 Corinthains 1

    December 10, 2025

    2 Corinthians 1 ESV

    Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the church of God that is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia:  Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer.  Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort. For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself.  Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.  He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again.  You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many. For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you.  For we are not writing to you anything other than what you read and understand and I hope you will fully understand— just as you did partially understand us—that on the day of our Lord Jesus you will boast of us as we will boast of you. Because I was sure of this, I wanted to come to you first, so that you might have a second experience of grace. I wanted to visit you on my way to Macedonia, and to come back to you from Macedonia and have you send me on my way to Judea.  Was I vacillating when I wanted to do this? Do I make my plans according to the flesh, ready to say “Yes, yes” and “No, no” at the same time? As surely as God is faithful, our word to you has not been Yes and No. For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not Yes and No, but in him it is always Yes. For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. But I call God to witness against me—it was to spare you that I refrained from coming again to Corinth. Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith.

    Discussion Questions:

    1)  Verses 1-14:  Why was the Apostle Paul in need of the comfort of the Heavenly Father?

    2)  Verses 15-24:  Why does Paul feel it was necessary to explain to the brethren in Corinth his change in travel plans?

    Discussion Summary:

     Verses 1-14:  The word “comfort” in these verses is a translation of the Greek word “paraklesis.”  It has the same root as the Comforter (the Holy Spirit) given to the disciples when Jesus ascended (John 14:26).  This word signifies more than just sympathizing or consoling.  It contains the thought of strengthening or fortifying.

    Paul’s own experiences had been increasingly difficult in Ephesus (Asia Minor) as we read in verses 8,9.  In 2 Corinthians 11:23-27, he lists the sufferings he had endured as a result of his preaching.  Suffering has a clarifying effect on the mind and Paul seems to have realized that if he was taken off the scene and no longer able to advise the brethren by letter or visit, the brethren would need to be strengthened to stand on their own.  The tone of 2nd Corinthians reflects this.  Paul speaks to the Corinthians in a deeper, more spiritual way than in his first letter.

    Verses 15-24:  We read in 1 Corinthians 16:5 that Paul had planned to visit the brethren in Corinth.  But instead he seems to have sent a letter that upset the Corinthians (2 Corinthians 7:8; 10:9).  This change made the brethren question his motives and his love for them.

    Paul explains the change in his travel plans was not because he was “vacillating.”  His intention was always to visit, but he did not feel that it would be in the Lord’s providence.  As he said in his first letter (1 Corinthians 16:7), “I hope to spend more time with you, if the Lord permits.”  By not visiting the Corinthians this time, he was hoping to help them.  He did not want to come to them in a hard and authoritative manner which might affect their relationship (2 Corinthians 2:1).  Instead he felt this letter would be more productive.

    He then uses a theological argument to help the brethren to perceive his travel plans from God’s perspective.  Instead of saying, “Trust me, I know what I’m doing,” he says that they should trust God.  They should recognize that God’s faithfulness towards them was manifested by Paul founding the ecclesia, preaching, shepherding by letter and by sending other brethren as his representatives.  Paul suggests that they can affirm by an “Amen” that God’s care over them was manifested through his faithful ministry.

  • Luke 17:31-37

    December 7, 2025

    Luke 17:31-37 ESV

    On that day, let the one who is on the housetop, with his goods in the house, not come down to take them away, and likewise let the one who is in the field not turn back.  Remember Lot’s wife.  Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it.  I tell you, in that night there will be two in one bed. One will be taken and the other left.  There will be two women grinding together. One will be taken and the other left.” And they said to him, “Where, Lord?” He said to them, “Where the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.”

    Discussion Questions:

    Question 1:  In verses 31 to 36 we see that there is a division made by the revealing of the Son of Man.

    ·       What causes the division?

    ·       What is the result of the division?

    Question 2:  Explain verse 37.

    Discussion Summary:

    Question 1:  The context of these verses show us that the division is not arbitrary.  The key to who is taken, whether figuratively or physically, is in verse 33.  The faithful are those who are following in Christ’s footsteps to leave all, even life itself.  This same idea is shown in the picture of Job’s wife.  The Christian is not to look back on their former life, but to deny self, take up their cross and follow Christ.

    There are other divisions mentioned in the scriptures which bear upon this subject.  In Revelation 18:4, Christians are called to come out of false religious systems.  In Hebrews 4:12, the Word of God is the standard that shows the true heart from the false.

    There are also warnings mentioned in the scriptures which bear upon this subject.  In Matthew 24:36 we are warned that the Lord’s return will take all unaware.  In Luke 12:34,35 we are warned that our hearts must be in the right condition to be able to “see.”

    Question 2:  In Luke 17:37 the picture of the vulture/eagle is taken from Job 39:27-30.  This describes the faithful Christians who are watching and seeking and journeying far to acquire their sustenance (Psalm 103:5).  Perhaps a reference to how Christians are like the vultures/eagles being gathered around a body can be found in John 6:53-58.

  • Praise, Prayer & Testimony

    December 3, 2025

    Today we had a meeting of praise to our Heavenly Father. We shared our testimonies of how the Lord has been evident in our lives.