Exodus 36/37 - proverbs 12/13 – john 15/16 – Ephesians 5/6

Exodus 36/37
- The people brought more than enough gold and jewelry to make all that the Lord had commanded them, so Moses told the people to stop giving freewill offerings.
- They made everything to the specifications that the Lord had given them.
Ch. 37
- Bezalel made the ark exactly how God had said he should.
- Bezalel also made the alter of incense, the table, and the lampstand just as the Lord had subscribed.

Proverbs 12/13
- Whoever hate reproof is stupid.
- The root of the righteous shall never be moved.
- Use diligence over following worthless pursuits.
- A wise man listens to advice (even Moses listened to his father-in-law's advice)
- Wise words bring healing, foolish words bring pain.
- How can it say that "no ill befalls the righteous" when Job was befallen a lot?
- Anxiety is like a heavy weight
Ch. 13
- A wise son listens to correction.
- A sluggard gets nothing, while the diligent is richly supplied
- We shouldn't boast in what we do or don't have.
- (v.12) How can we fulfill our hopes in a better way?
- We should love God's word and His commandments.
- How can I better "walk with the wise"?
- A sinner's wealth will fin its way to the righteous.
- Disciplining children is a way to show love. To not do this shows "hate" for one's children.

John 15/16
- Jesus compares Himself to a vine and God to the vine dresser.
- We need to be in Christ to bear any fruit just as the branches have to be attached to the vine.
- We can do nothing apart from Christ.
- The bad (unfruitful) branches will be thrown away into the fire (hell).
- If we abide in Christ we can ask for whatever we want and it will be given us
- How exactly does this work practically?
- This truth should fill us with true joy!
- The greatest love there is laying one's life down for his friends.
- Jesus is getting ready to do this, no longer calling us servants (in bondage to sin) but He calls us His friends. Wow!
- Jesus says is was He who chose them, not the other way around.
- He chose them to do good works, so that they'd love one another.
- The world will hate us because we are in Him.
- Jesus again echos that He chose us (out if the world)
- (v.22)If Christ had not come, would many go to Hell on account of their sin?
- Were people saved from sin BEFORE Christ came?
- Regardless we are now have no excuse for our sins and are seen as guilty.
- The OT is again fulfilled because "They hated me without cause"
- The believers and the Spirit will bear witness about Christ to the world.
Ch.16
- Jesus tells the disciples they will be thrown out and some killed in His name. He tells them to give them strength and faith when their hour comes.
- Jesus says He will be leaving them and they are speechless but sad.
- Isn't having Jesus there physically better than having the Spirit/Helper?
- The "ruler" of this world will be judged. This must be referring to Satan because it is singular.
- The Spirit will convict the world of its sin.
- Jesus wants to tell them so much more, but knows they cannot truly understand it until the Spirit comes who will open their minds and souls to receive the truth.
- Why does Jesus speak to His disciples in riddles?
- Jesus says they will grieved, but that sadness will be turned to joy, like a woman who goes into labor, but is joyful when she sees the final product, a healthy baby.
- This is the third time in today's reading that Jesus says whatever is asked is His name will be given to us.
- Why does Jesus not talk plainly to the Disciples now?
- Jesus' last statement about leaving and going to the Father is said plainly so that they understand.
- When Jesus speaks plainly they respond enthusiastically and are confident He is from God.
- Jesus says they will be scattered soon and leave Him alone.
- In Jesus there is peace, in the world tribulation
- Jesus has overcome the world!!!

Ephesians 5/6
- Ephesians echos John in telling us to imitate Christ's love for us.
- As Christians we should control our lusts and not joke crudely.
- What constitutes "crude humor"?
- Because of these sins God's wrath has come upon the world.
- We were in darkness but now walk in the light.
- We should always try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.
- We should be light and try to expose darkness in this world.
- Walk in wisdom and make the best use of our time.
- Paul tells the Ephesians not to get drunk on wine.
- Wives should submit to their husbands and husbands are to love their wives as Christ loved the church (That's a high calling)
- Paul says that marriage is a mystery but he refers to it as the marriage between Christ and the church.
- Husbands should love their wives and wives should respect their husbands.
- Why doesn't it tell wives to love their husbands?
Ch.6
- Children should honor their parents. (This commandment comes with a promise "that it may go well with you)
- What does honoring one's parents look like if their expectations are unreasonable?
- Do not raise children to hate you, but raise them in the fear of the Lord.
- Slaves should obey their masters, even when they aren't looking because they are serving the Lord and doing God's will.
- Does God promote slavery?
- Slaves will be rewarded by God later.
- He warns Masters to do the same because ultimately God is their master.
- Put on armor of God to resist the devil and to battle against the flesh.
Armor of God:
1) Belt of Truth
2) Breastplate of Righteousness
3) Shoes of Readiness
4) Shield of Faith (to deflect Satan's arrows)
5) Helmet of Salvation
6) Sword of Spirit (Word of God and prayer)
- Paul asks the Ephesians to pray for boldness for himself.
- Isn't Paul one of the boldest people there was?
- Paul is in chains as he writes this letter.
- Tychicus is being sent by Paul to them.
- The love of Jesus is incorruptible.
- They should love with faith in Christ