by Rick Marin | Sep 21, 2022 | Suffering
Was all that Jesus suffered necessary?
(Isaiah 53:1-6; Matthew 27:51-52; Luke 2:1-7, 22-35; 22:41-44; Romans 6:23; Titus 1:2) Blog 18-24 Sep. 2022
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: Submission, humility patience, meekness, rejoicing, faith, hope, and perseverance characterize how Christians suffer. They know that their affliction is but for a moment and that a far more exceeding glory awaits them. They praise God before being delivered and appreciate his tender care during their trials. When they are tried, they will come forth with increased faith, perfected characters, and a closer bond to Jesus.
Childhood and Youth
1. What prenatal stress did Jesus experience? In Mary’s womb Jesus experienced a journey to Bethlehem & rejection by all Joseph & Mary’s family there, leaving him to be born in a cattle stall (Luke 2:1-7).
2. What did Simeon tell Mary about the baby Jesus when she brought him to the temple? Simeon told Mary that Jesus was appointed for the lifting up & putting down of many among God’s people, & that her own heart would be broken because of him (Luke 2:34-35).
3. While submissive to his parents, how did Jesus learn obedience? Jesus learned obedience at his mother’s knee & by the things that he suffered in life (John 7:15; Heb. 2:10; 5:8).
4. In what kind of town did Jesus grow up and work in Joseph’s carpenter shop? Jesus grew up in Nazareth which was known for its wickedness (John 1:46).
5. At what age did Jesus leave Nazareth and be baptized? Jesus left Nazareth & was baptized when he was about thirty years old (Luke 3:21-23).
6. Upon being baptized what stressful crisis did Jesus next face? After Jesus was baptized, he was led into the wilderness where he fasted forty days & was tempted by the devil (Luke 4:1-2).
7. How does the Prophet Isaiah describe Jesus’ early years? Isaiah says that Jesus was like “a root out of dry ground” for he had no physical beauty & he was “despised & rejected of men; a man of sorrows & acquainted with grief” (Isa. 53:2-3).
Years of Ministry
8. As Jesus began his ministry at his home church in Nazareth, what crisis arose? After listening to Jesus teach from the book of Isaiah, his hearers were filled with wrath & drug him out of town, intending to kill him (Luke 4:28-30).
9. Who continually followed Jesus during his ministry, trying to contradict what he said and turn his hearers away? The scribes & Pharisees continually followed Jesus, trying to undo his ministry (Luke 5:21; 6:7; 11:53-54; 15:2).
10. In John 8, who took up stones to stone Jesus? The Jews took up stones to cast at Jesus after their discussion about parentage (John 8:59).
11. In John 10, who took up stones to cast at Jesus? The Jews took up stones to stone Jesus when he taught them about the true shepherd (John 10:31).
12. Whose power did the Pharisees say that Jesus used to cast out devils? The Pharisees said that Jesus used the power of Beelzebub, the prince of the devils to cast out devils (Matt. 12:22-24).
The Ultimate Suffering
13. How did Jesus express his feelings as he left the upper room on the night of his betrayal? Jesus said? “My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death (Mark 14:34).
14. Although Jesus had done nothing wrong, what burden did he bear in the Garden of Gethsemane? Jesus bore the burden of the sins of the whole world as he entered Gethsemane (Isa. 53:6, 12; 2 Cor. 5:21; 1 Pet. 2:24).
15. What indication do we have of the intensity of Jesus’ sufferings in Gethsemane? We get a glimpse of the intensity of Jesus’ suffering in Gethsemane from the fact that in his perfect humanness he prayed three times that the cup of God’s wrath might pass from him & from his sweat that fell like drops of blood (Matt. 26:38-44; Luke 22:41-44).
16. When the mob came to arrest Jesus, which of his disciples did not forsake him? All his disciples forsook him & fled (Matt. 26:56).
17. How was Jesus treated in trial before Annas, Caiaphas, Pilate, and Herod? False witnesses testified against Jesus, people & soldiers spit on & hit him, pulling out his beard, scourging him, mocking him & driving a crown of thorns into his head (Isa. 50:6; Matt. 26:61-67; 27:26-31).
18. Besides the nails and jarring, what was Jesus’ greatest pain on the cross? On the cross, Jesus suffered hell for every human being: that is the torment of a guilty conscience & complete separation from the God of love (Matt. 27:46; Acts 2:30-31; Heb. 2:9).
19. Was all that Jesus suffered in life, ministry, Gethsemane, and crucifixion necessary that we might be saved? Yes, Jesus told his disciples that all this suffering was necessary (Mark 8:31; Luke 24:25-26).
20. What should we realize when considering all that Jesus suffered in life, ministry, Gethsemane, and crucifixion? We should realize that our light afflictions are nothing compared to what Jesus endured for us (2 Cor. 4:17; 1 Pet. 3:18).
by Rick Marin | Sep 14, 2022 | Suffering
To whom should we submit?
(Philippians 2:2-8; James 4:7; 1 Peter 4:12-14) Blog Sep. 11-17, 2022
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: When Christians suffer, they are to rejoice in hope, knowing that their affliction is but for a moment and that a far more exceeding glory awaits them. As seeing the invisible, they praise God before being delivered and appreciate his tender care during their trials. When they are tried, they will come forth with increased faith, perfected characters, and a closer bond to Jesus if they patiently endure to the end.
Submission
1. What does the word “submit” mean? Submit means to yield to the authority of another, & thus to obey the one to whom we submit (Psa. 18:44; Heb. 13:17).
2. What does submission not mean? Submission does not mean inaction or passivity (John 15:14).
3. What Old Testament woman did God tell to return and submit to her mistress? God told Hagar to return and submit to Sarah who had been harshly treating her (Gen. 16:9).
4. Who did Peter say should submit to harsh masters? Peter told employees that for Christ’s sake they should submit to their harsh masters (1 Pet. 2:18-20).
5. To whom did Paul say that wives should submit? Paul said that wives should submit to their own husbands (Eph. 5:22; Col. 3:18).
6. To whom do Peter and Paul say that we all should submit? Peter & Paul say that we all should submit to one another & to our leaders in the church (Eph. 5:21; Heb. 13:17; 1 Pet. 5:5).
7. To whom is the church to submit? The church is to submit to Jesus (Eph. 5:24; Jam. 4:7).
8. To whom did Jesus submit? Jesus submitted to Joseph & Mary & to his Father in heaven (Luke 2:51; 8:14).
9. To what ordinances are Christians not subject? Christians are not subject to the ordinances of the Law of Moses (Acts 15:10; Col. 2:14, 20).
The Difficulty of Submission
10. Why is submission to God so difficult for human beings? By nature, we are at enmity with God (Rom. 8:7).
11. Since Christians are born-again “servants of righteousness,” will they need to battle against their natural inclinations? Yes, even born-again Christians need to mortify the deeds of the body & resist the devil with God’s help for while sin does not reign in their lives, it does remain (Rom. 6:12-19; 8:12-13; Jam. 4:7).
12. What is the primary source of temptations that Christians must resist? The primary source of temptations for Christians is their own heart (Matt. 15:19; Jam. 1:14).
13. How often did Paul have to mortify his natural desires? Paul had to daily mortify his natural desires (1 Cor. 15:31).
14. How did Jesus resist his natural desires? Jesus prayed that not his will, but God’s will be done (Matt. 26:42).
15. What must we do if we are to submit to fellow church members? We must humble ourselves (Phil. 2:2-5).
16. What will help us humble ourselves? Observing the mercies of God to us & the example of Jesus will help us humble ourselves (Rom. 12:1-3; Phil. 2:5-8; 1 Pet. 2:21-22).
17. What Old Testament prophet tried to avoid suffering by not submitting to the will of God? Jonah (Jon. 1:2-3).
The Results of Submission
18. What will be the result of submitting to one another in the church? Unity (Phil. 2:2).
19. What will be the result of employees submitting to their harsh masters? God will be pleased & accept this as true Christian living (1 Pet. 2:18-21).
20. What will be the result of submitting to and remaining in the fiery trials that come to Christians? Christians who partake of Christ’s sufferings will receive exceeding joy & glory (1 Pet. 4:12-14; 5:1).
21. What did God promise Hagar if she returned to serving Sarah? God promised to exceedingly multiply Hagar’s descendants (Gen. 16:10).
22. How can we know God’s will so we can submit ourselves to it? If we seek to obey God trusting in him with all our heart & not trusting our own understanding, he will make his will clear to us (Prov. 3:5-6).
by Rick Marin | Sep 7, 2022 | Suffering
What factors led Abraham to inherit the promise?
(Psalm 37:8-11; Habakkuk 2:2-3; Romans 15:3-5; Hebrews 6:12-15) Blog Sep. 4-10, 2022
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: When Christians suffer, they are to rejoice in hope, knowing that their affliction is but for a moment and that a far more exceeding glory awaits them. As seeing the invisible, they praise God before being delivered and appreciate his tender care during their trials. When they are tried, they will come forth with increased faith, perfected characters, and a closer bond to Jesus.
Patiently Waiting
1. For what did Paul commend the Thessalonian believers? Paul commended the Thessalonian believers for their patience & faith in persecutions & tribulations (2 Thes. 1:3-5).
2. What historical churches does Jesus commend for their patience? Jesus commends the churches of Ephesus & Thyatira for their patience (Rev. 2:3, 19).
3. Is it possible to be patient yet have other faults? Yes, the church of Ephesus was patient but had lost her first love & the church of Thyatira was patient but allowed false teachers to teach in the church (Rev. 2:4, 20).
4. For what do Christians wait? Christians are waiting for God’s final judgment, the Latter Rain, the redemption of their bodies, the second coming of Jesus, & their eternal inheritance (Psa. 37:6-7; Rom. 8:18-23; 1 Cor. 1:7; Jam. 5:7; 1 Pet. 1:3-4).
5. Is all waiting appropriate? No, waiting for a superstitious troubling of the waters or waiting to accept Christ as your Savior is not appropriate (Matt. 12:38-40; Acts 24:25).
6. How long does the Bible say that God’s people are to patiently wait? God’s people are to patiently wait until they die or until Jesus comes at the end of the world (Matt. 10:22; 24:13; Heb. 3:6; Jam. 5:7; Rev. 2:10).
7. What New Testament saint waited patiently for Jesus’ first coming? Simeon was promised that he would see God’s Messiah before he died & he met the baby Jesus when Joseph & Mary brought him to Jerusalem when he was a month old (Lk. 2:25-32).
God’s Timing
8. How could John the Baptist so boldly preach that the kingdom of heaven was at hand? John could boldly say that the coming of the Messiah was at hand for he studied & believed the prophets (Matt. 3:2).
9. What prophecy told John the Baptist that it was time for the Messiah to come? The prophecy of Daniel nine gave John the information on which to understand the nearness of Christ’s coming (Dan. 9:24-27).
10. Did Jesus come exactly when Daniel 9 said he would? Yes, for Daniel was told that the Messiah would be anointed 483 years after the decree to restore & rebuild Jerusalem. This happened in AD 27, followed 3 ½ years later by his substitutionary death (Dan. 9:24-27; Gal. 4:4).
11. How did God express the certainty of the timing of Bible prophecy to Habakkuk? God told Habakkuk that though the vision tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry (Hab. 2:2-3).
12. When the promise of a son to Abraham and Sarah was delayed what steps did they take to speed up God’s promise? At Sarah’s suggestion, Abraham took Hagar to wife, thinking they could speed up God’s promise through her (Gen. 16:1-3).
13. What two factors led Abraham to inherit the promise? It was through faith & patience that Abraham (& we will) inherited the promise (Heb. 6:12-15).
Learning to Wait
14. While longsuffering is a fruit of the Spirit, who does Peter say should be adding patience to our characters? Peter says we, ourselves, are to add patience in our character development (2 Pet. 1:6).
15. How does Paul say that we should be spending our time while waiting for the fulfillment of God’s promises? Paul says that while patiently waiting for glory, honor, & immortality we should occupy ourselves in well doing (Rom. 2:7; Gal. 6:9).
16. What does Paul say will comfort us and give us hope while patiently waiting for God to fulfil his promise? The Holy Scriptures will comfort us & give us hope (Rom. 15:4).
17. With what kind of people should we not be patient? Paul says we should “be patient toward all men.” I wonder if that applies to the tempter or the seducer (1 Thes. 5:14).
18. For what church offices is patience a requirement? Apostles, elders, & deacons are all required to be patient (2 Cor. 12:12; 1 Tim. 3:3; 2 Tim. 2:2).
19. What result comes from letting patience have her perfect work? When patience has been exercised to the end, the result will be perfection (Jam. 1:2-4).
by Rick Marin | Sep 1, 2022 | Suffering
How can we become meek?
(Exodus 32:1-14; Psalm 62:1-8; Matt. 5:43-48; 1 Pet. 2:18-25) Blog Aug. 28-Sep. 03, 2022
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: When Christians suffer, they are not alone, Jesus is with them. They rejoice in hope, knowing that their affliction is but for a moment and that a far more exceeding glory awaits them. As seeing the invisible, they praise God before being delivered and appreciate his tender care during their trials, knowing that he has gone before them and prepared a way of escape. When they are tried, they will come forth with increased faith, perfected characters, and a closer bond to Jesus.
Loving those who hurt us
1. When God’s people severely disappointed their leader at Mount Sinai, what opportunity did God offer Moses? God offered to destroy the worshippers of the golden calf at Mount Sinai and make of Moses a great nation (Ex. 32:1-10).
2. What kept Moses from accepting God’s offer of making him a great nation? Moses’ love for God’s people, his high regard for God’s honor, & his humble opinion of himself kept Moses from accepting God’s offer (Ex. 32:11-14).
3. When Miriam and Aaron questioned Moses’ authority, what did God say about Moses? God said that Moses was very meek, more than any other man (Num. 12:3).
4. With what words did the Apostle Paul outline Moses’ approach towards God’s people at Mount Sinai? Paul wrote: “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” (Gal. 6:1).
5. How did Jesus demonstrate meekness when mistreated? Jesus made no condemning retort to those who spit on & hit him. Rather, he prayed for their forgiveness (Luke 22:63-65; 23:34; 1 Pet. 2:21-23).
6. What did Jesus say we should do for those who mistreat us? Jesus said we should love our enemies, bless them that curse us, do good to them that hate us, & pray for them which despitefully use us, & persecute us (Matt. 5:44).
Controlling our reactions
7. How can we become meek, enduring injury with patience? Meekness is a fruit of God’s Spirit & is developed in those who war against their own natural desires (Gal. 5:22-25).
8. What other fruits of the Spirit are closely related to meekness? Temperance or self-control & longsuffering or patience are part of being meek (Gal. 5:22-23).
9. Do Spirit-filled Christians need to continually pursue meekness? Yes, Christians who have the firstfruits of the Spirit must continually pursue after more meekness (Zeph. 2:3; 1 Tim. 6:11; 2 Pet. 1:5-8).
10. What aspect of meekness does Paul emphasize in dealing with fellow believers? Paul emphasizes the need of “forbearing” (putting up with) one another in love while endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit (Eph. 4:1-3; Col. 3:12-15).
11. What exceptions to treating others meekly does the Bible give? There are no exceptions for treating others with meekness (Matt. 5:5; Tit. 3:2).
Meekness under accusation
12. Of what did David remind himself when falsely accused? When falsely accused, David remembered that God was like a mighty rock in whom he could trust for defense, refuge, & salvation (Psa. 62:1-8).
13. Of what must God’s people have accused Ezequiel when he didn’t mourn his wife’s death? They must have thought he was a very unsensitive husband (Eze. 24:1-24).
14. Of what did Miriam and Aaron accuse Moses? Miriam & Aaron accused Moses of being proud & thinking that God only spoke through him (Num. 12:2)
15. Of what did Job’s friends accuse him? Job’s friends accused him of secret sin (Job 4:7-9)
16. Of what did King Saul falsely accuse David? Saul accused David of desiring to take his life by ambush (1 Sam. 22:8).
17. Of what did King Ahab accuse Elijah? Ahab accused Elijah of troubling Israel (1 Ki. 18:17).
18. Of what did the Jews accuse Jesus? The Jews accused Jesus of teaching that it was wrong to pay taxes, that he was a malefactor, that he was devil possessed, & that he spoke against Caesar (Luke 23:2; John 8:52; 18:30; 19:12).
19. Of what did the Jews accuse both Stephen and Paul? Stephen & Paul were falsely accused of speaking against the temple, the law, & God’s people (Acts 6:11-14; 21:28).
20. How did wise King Solomon describe the strength of meekness? Solomon wrote: “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.” (Prov. 16:32).
by Rick Marin | Aug 24, 2022 | Suffering
What things bring rejoicing with praise?
(2 Chronicles 20:1-30; Psalm 145; Acts 16:9-40; Philippians 4:4-7) Blog 21-27 Aug. 2022
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: Suffering is part of human existence. A person may rebel against it or learn to deal with it. Christians are given ways to deal with suffering. God comforts, feeds, cares for, and is merciful to them in suffering. They look beyond the present to a future hope. By faith Christians can see the invisible God working out a way for them to come through the suffering with increased faith, perfected characters and a closer bond to him.
The Command
1. To whom is Paul writing in Philippians 4? Paul was writing to beloved, believers in Jesus (Phil. 1:1; 4:1).
2. Under what circumstances is Paul writing his letter to the Philippians? Paul is writing from Rome, while a prisoner there (Phil. 1:13-16).
3. What brought Paul to Philippi in the first place? Paul received a vision from God to leave Asia & begin preaching the Gospel in Europe, where Philippi was (Acts 16:9-12).
4. Where did Paul begin his ministry in Philippi? Paul & his companions met some women who were worshipping by the river on the Sabbath day (Acts 16:13).
5. What caused Paul and Silas to be beaten and cast into the Philippian prison? Paul & Silas were beaten & cast into prison because the masters of a spirit medium accused them of teaching anti-Roman customs after Paul cast the demon out of the medium (Acts 16:18-24).
6. What did Paul and Silas do at midnight while suffering in stocks in the inner prison? Paul & Silas prayed & sang praises unto God at midnight in the prison (Acts 16:25).
7. What was the result of Paul and Silas praising God while suffering? God sent an earthquake, the jailor was converted, & Paul & Silas were set free. They also must have received encouragement from each other while singing (Acts 16:26-40).
8. What statement of Jesus must have come to the minds of Paul and Silas in prison? Jesus said: “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” (Matt. 5:11-12).
9. Years later, what did Paul tell the Philippian believers to do? Paul told the Philippian believers to “rejoice in the Lord alway” (Phil. 4:4).
The Cause
10. Besides suffering, what other things bring rejoicing with praise? God’s statutes, testimonies, Word, & works rejoice the heart. Bringing souls to God & having sweet fellowship with believers rejoices the heart (Psa. 19:8; 107:21; 119:14; 126:6; Jer. 15:16; Luke 15:5; 2 Cor. 1:14).
11. What reason for praising God does David repeat four times in Psalm 107? David says we should praise God for his goodness & for his wonderful works done for humanity (Psa. 107:8, 15, 21, 31).
12. In Psalm 145 what other reasons does David give for praising God? David lists God’s greatness, majesty, righteousness, graciousness, mercy, power, eternal nature, tender care, & holiness as reasons for praising God (Psa. 145).
13. When King Jehoshaphat was facing an attack from a formidable foe, what did he do? Jehoshaphat proclaimed a national fast, explained the situation to God, reminded God of their past dealings with the enemy, & asked God for help (2 Chron. 20:1-12).
14. How did God respond to Jehoshaphat’s prayer? God inspired Jahaziel, a Levite, with a message from God that said God would fight for Judah & they would not have to fight in this battle, but only march forth to victory (2 Chron. 20:14-17).
15. How did Jehoshaphat receive Jahaziel’s message? Jehoshaphat, together with all the people, bowed down & worshipped God & the Levites began to sing praises to God (2 Chron. 20:18-19).
16. What did Jehoshaphat do when going forth to battle the next day? Jehoshaphat reminded the people that they would be established if they believed God & that they would prosper if they believed God’s prophets. Then, after consulting the people, he appointed singers to go out before the army, praising the Lord (2 Chron. 20:20-21).
17. What happened when Jehoshaphat and all Judah went to war with songs of praise? The enemy armies all killed each other, and God’s people spent three days gathering all the loot before they returned to Jerusalem in peace, praising God (2 Chron. 20:22-30).
The Results
18. According to Philippians 4, what results from rejoicing in the Lord? Paul says that rejoicing in the Lord results in peace (Phil. 4:4-7).
19. According to 2 Corinthians 6, what results from rejoicing in the Lord? Paul says that those who rejoice in the Lord possess all things (2 Cor. 6:4-10).
20. What should we learn from the experience of Paul and Silas in the Philippian prison? Paul & Silas show us that praise is appropriate in the midst of suffering & before deliverance, for they trusted in the promises of God (Acts 16:25).
21. What should we learn from the experience of Jehoshaphat and Judah when faced with a formidable foe? Jehoshaphat and Judah show us that praise is appropriate before deliverance when a person trusts in the promises of God (2 Chron. 20:20-21).
by Rick Marin | Aug 17, 2022 | Suffering
Where should we go for faith that sees the invisible?
(Isaiah 40:27-31; John 14:1-14; 2 Thessalonians 1:3-5; Hebrews 11) Blog Aug. 14-20, 2022
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: God leads his children in paths of righteousness. At times they bring suffering on themselves and at times he allows their enemies to bring them suffering. But in all their suffering he does not abandon those who cling to him. Rather he comforts, feeds, cares for, and forgiveness them, always providing a way of escape. His desire is that his children come closer to him, increase their faith in him, and be transformed into the image of his Son. Jesus also learned obedience by the things which he suffered, and he gave us an example of enduring unto the end.
Its Nature and Necessity
1. How does the Apostle Paul define faith? Paul writes that “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Heb. 11:1).
2. What do we all hope for that Paul says comes by faith? We all hope for a good report card from God. The patriarchs received theirs by faith (Heb. 11:2).
3. What event do we believe in, that we did not see? We did not see this earth being created out of nothing by God, but by faith we believe that really took place (Rom. 1:20; Heb. 11:3).
4. How important is faith in coming to God? Without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6).
5. What two things must we believe about God in order to come to God? In order to come to God, we must believe that he truly exists & that he loves to give good gifts to those who seek him (Heb. 11:6).
6. What believers does Paul in Hebrews 11 say received a good report card from God through faith? Paul especially mentions Abel & Enoch as receiving a good report card, but then goes on to say that all those mentioned in chapter 11 received a good report through faith (Heb. 11:4-5, 39).
7. What did Noah, Abraham, and Moses believe in, that was invisible to them? Noah believed in rain which he had never seen; Abraham believed in a good land & an eternal city which he had never seen; & Moses believed in a powerful, invisible God who he had not seen (Heb. 11:7-10, 24-27).
Its Viewpoint
8. What change in the experience of Christ’s disciples took place when he left them? After working with Jesus for 3 ½ years his disciples must continue working for him in his absence, which would require faith in his words & in an invisible Saviour (John 14:1-14; 2 Cor. 5:7).
9. Whom did Jesus bless when Thomas met him after the resurrection? Jeus said: “Bless are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” (John 20:29).
10. Who did Paul say was the author and finisher of our faith? Paul wrote that Jesus was the author & finisher of our faith & that we should look to him (Heb. 12:2).
11. If Jesus is no longer physically with us on earth where should we go for faith that sees the invisible? We must go to & hear the Word of God, for that produces faith (Rom. 10:17).
12. What two factors that lead to salvation does Peter place together? Peter combines the power of God & our faith as factors that lead to salvation (1 Pet. 1:5, 9).
13. Once we have faith in Jesus, is that enough to carry us through the trials of life? In order to meet life’s trials our faith must increase (Matt. 21:21; Luke 17:5-6; Rom. 1:17; 2 Thes. 1:3-5).
14. What means does Peter mention as contributing to an increase of faith? Peter says that when our faith is tried it prepares us for glory (1 Pet. 1:5-9).
Its Results
15. What did the Syrophoenician mother receive when she sought Jesus? She received the gift she asked Jesus for: the freedom of her daughter from devil possession (Matt. 17:22-28).
16. What did the Centurion receive in accord with his faith? His servant was healed (Luke 7:2-10).
17. How does Isaiah say that God will manifest himself to the faithful? Isaiah says that the all-powerful, all-knowing God will give power to the faint, renewing their strength (Isa. 40:27-31).
18. What accomplishments of faith does Paul list in Hebrews 11? By faith kingdoms were subdued; fires were extinguished; dead were raised to life; & people were enabled to endure scourging, imprisonment, stoning, destitution, & banishment (Heb. 11:33-38).
