Greetings,
After having some spiritual information, we now approach this lesson with a little more academic or technical mindset. In this lesson, we will discuss the inspiration, authority, transmission and revelation of the Scriptures. Although it is technical or as some may call it, theological. Theology is good when studied under the anointing of the Holy Spirit. After we study this lesson, we will discuss some interesting aspects of the Scriptures in terms of the way they were written. Hebrew mindset and Greek mindset are very different. We will talk about this in this lesson.

In John 1:1 the original word used is "logos". What is logos? What is rhema? Can words be eaten? Can thoughts be seen? Can the eyes reflect life? We will discuss this in class. Come expectant.

The homework in this lesson is to have a devotional scriptural time in your privated time with the Lord. It is expected that every sincere student will approach this homework with results. Believe. Receive revelation.

"Thy words were found, and I ate them, and thy words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart; for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts. . ."
Jer. 15:16

"And he said to me, 'Son of man, eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel." So I opened my mouth and he gave me the scroll to eat. . .And he said to me, 'Son of man, eat this scroll that I give you and fill your stomach with it." Then I ate it; and it was in my mouth as sweet as honey. The he said to me, 'Speak to the house of Israel. . .' Ezek 3:1-4

What was your last Scripture meal???? Are you Scripturally healthy? Come and eat. Have fellowship with Jesus.

Spiritual Principles:
You cannot witness what you are not.
You are what you feed upon.
You speak what you are.
You must become the message before you can speak the message.
You are a witness of the one with whom you spend most of the time.
Becoming is more important than doing, because everyone who IS DOES, but not everyone who DOES IS.

Blessings to all. . .
Eis Cristos
Al Sosa

Greetings,
Here are some of the things we discussed in this first lesson:
Some reasons to study the Bible:
* To have the mind of Christ.
* To gain knowledge of God.
* To gain wisdom.
* To know God's will.
* To grow spiritually.
* To become like Jesus: this is prime reason. No other reason will satisfy the heart of the believer and the Heart of God.

We also discussed the ability to listen to the Lord by Bible Study. Listening to the Lord takes time and determination. To listen we must be silent.
The purpose of Silence is to listen.
The purpose of Listening is to learn.
The purpose of Learning is to change.
The purpose of Changing is to prepare.
The purpose of Preparing is to serve.
The purpose of Serving is to lead.
The purpose of Leading is to be glorified.
The purpose of Glorification is to Glorify the Lord Jesus.

We also spoke of the first priority of Bible study. It is not for personal selfish gains. Though this may sound strange, but trying to gain knowledge of the Bible just to increase knowledge or to teach it, without a proper fear of the Word, will yield wrong heart attitudes. It was said in class that ministry is not an end of itself. Ministry flows out of 'being'. In other words, it is to know the Lord intimately. Careful search of the Scriptures shows that many will hurt in the end, even when they did mighty works and did eat in the Lord's Presence (meaning to participate of the Lord in worship or in any other fashion) will in the end be told that they were never known by the Lord. So, what is the truest purpose of Bible Study?
To know the Lord intimately. To hear Him speak with us as individuals. To become like Him in this process of relationship. Remember to learn is to change. Real biblical faith displays a change in the heart. Therefore, to change is to really testify of the divine grace of faith. It is for relationship that we study, search and memorize Scripture. Ministry flows afterward. As Jesus was first a son, and then the Father appointed him as a priest, so likewise if we submit ourselves as Jesus did (who learned obedience: in other words, grew in faith as a human being), then we also will grow up into Christ and also have a priesthood in the order of Jesus!!!

In conclusion:
To love the Lord with all our lives is not an option, it is a command! But we cannot obey this command unless we are born from above. This command must be in the heart first. Then we can share this glorious message to others in terms of life!!

Blessings to all. . .

Stayed tuned.

Eis Cristos
Al Sosa

Greetings,
Last time we mentioned about first things in studying the Word of God. What are these first things? It is the desire of the Lord that we understand his priorities by studying his Word. Yes, we want to be like Jesus, but how is this accomplished? Do we study for knowledge?. . . or for ministry?. . . to teach? . . .to lead? Actually, it is none of these. Read on. . .

In studying the Word, we also learn to be silent and listen to his Spirit minister the Word to us in our quiet time. And yes, we need a quiet time. Just Jesus and You! Alone. Hard??? It can be, especially if we are not used to taking time and stop everything we do. We cannot rush a quiet time with Jesus, it will not work. We will not grow up into him. No microwave experience here. It is a slow process requiring of us determination and some work. Are you willing?

OK, let's see what the Scriptures says. In 1Chronicles 28:9, it says in the first few words: "And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father, and serve him with a willing mind. . . "
Let's study this. Notice that David told Solomon before he can start building the temple, he must 'know', and then 'serve'.

To know the Lord is to have intimacy with Him. It's to have a life with the Lord, a close communication with the Creator of the universe. He should be the first love of our lives. Before we can serve we must minister to him first by spending time with the Lord in prayer and in the Word. Let's look at another Scripture in Hebrews 5:5-6, it says: "So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, "Thou art my Son, today I have begotten you"; as he says also in another place, "Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchizedek." (King of Holiness and Peace). So what is this saying? Jesus first was a Son, then a priest. In other words, to be a son is to have a loving relationship with the Father without looking for any position, benefit, interest or expected priesthood (ministerial position). It is loving God the Father for who He is, our Father, our God our Love. Notice the Scriptures says ". . . Christ did not exalt himself. . . ". Meaning He loved the Father because he had an intimacy with the Father as no other human being ever experienced. No interest. I love you for who you are my God, my Father. This was Jesus' human experience. Is this ours? It can be, and this is God's will as a first priority. This is first love. In Jesus' intimacy with the Father, he was appointed by the Father to be a priest. Priesthood implies ministry. Therefore, Jesus became a minister of Peace and Holiness.

Let's understand something here, Jesus being a Son had the attributes of God in his life as a human being by the Spirit. We also, as sons of God must have the Father's communicable attributes by the Spirit because this defines us as sons, after all.

In conclusion, in knowing the Father intimately in Jesus' name, we become like him in his holiness and peace because we take the time for Jesus to minister to us his righteousness expressed in terms of holiness and peace as a Priest after the order of Melchizedek, King of Holiness and Peace. After we have the right relationship with God in the name of Jesus by his Spirit, we can then minister to others the Word of God. There are other Scriptures defining these realities in which we will look at in class. Be ready to be challenged. Do we have an intimate relationship with God? Are we sons of God before we are priests of God? We cannot be priests before being sons because then we appointed ourselves. God only appoints sons. . . (and daughters, of course) Yes, indeed only the saints with an intimate relationship with God can minister to him in accordance with Scriptures.

So as Hosea says, "Let us know , let us press on to know the Lord;. . . " Because one day many will come and say to him: "Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and do many mighty works in your name? And I (Jesus) will declare to them, ' I never knew you; depart from me, you evildoers. . . " So this knowing is a very serious 'first thing' in the eyes of the Lord. Let's make his priorities, our priorities.

To have intimacy with the Lord is to know him, and to know him is to have a right relationship with him as sons and daughters. Then and only then we can understand the work of the Lord. Knowing starts with time in prayer and the Word by study. And this we will do for the next few weeks!! Are you ready to know the Lord in a deeper degree and receive the riches of assured understanding and the knowledge of God? .

God Bless all of you this night. . .
Many blessings. . .
Eis Cristos
Al Sosa

Greetings,

Hope to see you all this Sunday. Remember that this class has homework. Your first homework for next Sunday is to read 1John chapters 1 through 5. Read all the book in the first time. Then, read a chapter a day. Remember also that you will need a journal notebook for this class. Write in your journals any impressions the Holy Spirit will give you. Of course, you should have prayed before any reading and writing is done.

Communication of the Holy Spirit to your heart is done by reading, prayer, meditation, conversing with the Lord, silence and listening. This is only a part, more will come.

Remember what we spoke concerning the Knowledge of God. . .

Silence
Listening
Learning
Changing*
Prepare
Serve
Lead
Glorify*
Thanks to William Arthur Ward for this wise listing. The ones with a star, I added.

In our search for the Lord's Presence by studying the Word, there are first things that should be noted. We will speak of these this coming Sunday at the class.

Many blessings to all . . .
Eis Cristos
Al Sosa

Greetings,

On the first Sunday school class we discussed 'What are some reasons to study the Word'.

I asked the question and Sister Gene answered "to become like Jesus". This answer was unchallenged as it was the perfect answer.

We discussed the overall purpose of the class. Some laughter was experienced when certain things were said in some of the answers. Meaning it will be a fun class.

This is the beginning of a good class blog. Please let me know how you experienced the class. And to anyone who reads our reviews here, feel free to contact me via the resources set up by brother Christian Chavez.

Blessings to you all . . .
Eis Cristos
Al