Exegetical Paper

No dog can pull a sled on his own; all must work together to finish the race. Additionally, they must unite in following the master’s directions. If one dog tries to pursue another route, he will only make the race harder for the rest of the pack and the musher will eventually need to pull him out. Similarly, each of us needs other Christians in order to finish the race strong. No one can accomplish the task alone. In Hebrews 10:25, Paul admonished the early church with these words: “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” We must unitedly follow the Master’s guidance. Otherwise, we will only make things harder for ourselves and others around

Concluding the whole matter, Mick Catron of Calvary Chapel shared through a sermonette how people should seek to follow God’s ways by bringing truth and love to one another, and fulfilling their Godly duty of bearing one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2).

liberty in order to serve one another in love. Paul stresses the need for followers to walk in the Spirit.

Unity has become the mantra of the church today. This can be seen in the downplaying of the importance of doctrine which is said to “divide” Christians from one another. Often times unity is pushed for with a complete abandonment of any sense of discernment claiming that love for all brothers ought to be the main concern of the church. More fundamentalist circles go too far the other direction by creating a legalistic set of rules in by which they judge the worthiness of other to fellowship with themselves. Both mindsets are in error as we are not to seek unity on the basis of “brotherly love” or “standards for fellowship” but Christians are to seek and find unity in Christ and in no one else. Proximity to Christ determines what proximity can be had between Christians.

(The prisoner of the Lord –Paul was not seeking sympathy, but declaring his acceptance of his circumstances. He was a prisoner because of his relationship with Christ, his faithfulness to Christ, and his service for Christ.

The book of Ephesians sets forth the glorious mystery, “the church which is Christ’s body,” Christ as the head of the Church and believers as co-members of one another who are equally blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ (NIV, Phil. 1:3; 2:11).

In response to this Donald McGavran cites Paul by comparing the different denominations and emphases of the church to actual body parts as Paul does in 1 Corinthians 12 (McGavran, 2012). About differing views on biblical matters, he states “Nevertheless, Missouri Synod Lutherans and Southern Baptists ought to believe that the other denomination is a genuine part of the body of Christ”( McGavran, 2012). He also points out that while many of these churches recognize each other as other parts of the same church they also tend to favor themselves as more correct in their beliefs or interpretation (McGavran, 2012). It could be compared to an eye or ear of Paul’s illustration recognizing the importance of the eye, ear, or other body part but then still treating the self as superior to the other part. The parts need to work together for the body to

Part two: “Becoming a Purpose – Warren tells us that every church is driven by something. He describes seven aspects which typically is the driven force behind a church. For instance, churches are driven by tradition, personality, finances, programs, building, events, and seekers. In this section of the book we find the central aim of the author, which centered on the purpose- driven church. Warren uses Scripture to help reinforce his claim which is a clear purpose reduces frustration. A clear purpose not only defines what we do, it defines what we don’t do. Furthermore, a clear purpose allows concentration, a clear purpose attracts cooperation, and a clear purpose assists evolution. (88-93) Warren maps out the five purposes of a New Testament Church. First, worship – “Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only” (Matt. 4:10). Second, ministry – The church is to “… equip the saints for the work of ministry” (Eph. 4:12 NRSV). Third, evangelism – “As you are going make disciples” (Matt. 28:19-20).

By studying the writings of Johnny Awwad and Matthew Henry’s brilliant commentary, as well as several passages in the Bible, we take a deeper look into the life of Paul. Upon the completion of this paper, we will be able to conceptualize that Paul’s life, as well as his ministry, is a testament to how God uses people from all walks of life for the betterment of His kingdom. Furthermore, we will learn how Paul’s life was incredibly impactful to the Church.

Paul's letter to the Galatians describes (in part) how to maintain Christian liberty and how to walk in the Spirit.

According to some insights I read on the book of Ephesians it explains that in this book Paul does not attempt to address any Finaone problem but instead takes the protective measures to prevent any future problems. So by this point in the book of Ephesians he trying to encourage them to walk in line with God and to do what the lord says does. Now Paul having been thru a lot for Christ, so he knows what he is talking about. Paul was now a prisoner at Rome; be he says prisoner of the Lord, or in the Lord. He also says this in Eph. 3:1. to show that he was not ashamed of his bonds with God , well knowing that he suffered not as a person who did the wrong things.

Another way to see this humble community is to think of the word unanimous. I see them discussing an issue and if they were to have a vote, we would not see a split vote or a vote of dissention but unanimity. While this would be in sharp contrast to other religious systems it is a stark difference to the Christian church in the world and specifically in America today. All we need to do is consider all the different denominations operating in American church. According to the World Christian Encyclopedia there are 33,000 denominations operating in 238 countries. Is it any wonder that we cannot find the unity that the early church enjoyed? This word Homothumadon is only used one time outside of the book of Acts and that is in Romans where Paul is admonishing us, “That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”-Romans 15:6. Here again like in Acts Paul uses word one twice in the same scripture the difference is that the other word for one is heis (εἷς) the Greek word for the number one. Paul is driving the Romans to get back to what the early church enjoyed and that was unification and a harmonious mind in the workings of the

Paul was a slave of Jesus Christ, in prison because of a firm stand for the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul in prison writes this letter to the church at Philippi, to those set apart by the Anointed one for the work of the gospel. My imprisonment has actually helped spread the good news to new places and populations. It has spread through the ranks of the imperial guard and to everyone else around me, because of my faith in the anointed one. I am a prison of Roman, because of the believing in Jesus the Anointed, but being chosen to suffer for him as well.

Paul says that this calling allows for each person to exercise their uniqueness inside the body for the common good of the body. These ‘gifting’ that come from God are to equip the saints for the work of service (Eph. 4: 12). Paul says this calling requires humility, gentleness, and patience. Paul also says along with this calling will be inevitable conflict (Eph. 4:2-3). Paul is saying that we have not been called to tolerate each other’s differences, but to embrace them and practice humility and through them they are to be used to build one another up in

This is not an individual exercise we should perform ourselves but this is established when the Lord’s holy people gather together. When Paul describes “Lord’s holy people” he is describing the unity of the church and when the believers come together they make each Christian stronger. When the saints or believers come together as one they form the body of Christ which establishes each church community. It is there that each believer will understand the width and depth of God’s love that is in store for them. The church is the foundation of God’s love and the people must exert this love toward others for the love of God to live