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Chapter 3 notes for Slave by John Macarthur

• From the teaching of Jesus we learn that slaves are not greater than their master; neither are they privey to the Masters plans
• Jesus used slave language to define the reality of what it means to follow Him. Discipleship, like slavery entails a life of total self-denial, a humble disposition toward others, a wholehearted devotion to the master commands in everything an eagerness to serve Him in his absence, and motivation that comes from knowing he is well pleased.
• A slaves's life was one of the couplete surrender, submission, and service to the master- and the people of recognized the parallel
• Exclusive ownership: Roman law considered slaves to be property in the absolute control of the owner.
• As Paul told the Romans, "thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of Righteousness (Rom 6:17-18)
• As Christians, we are part of a people for his own possession (Titus 2:14), having joined the multitude of those who belong to Christ Jesus(Gal 5:24) and who worship Him as our Master in heaven(col 4.1) Just as first century slaves would receive new names from Christ.
• Rev. 3:12 "I will write on him the name of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God, and my new name." Believers in the eternal state will serve the Lord as his slaves forver, and his name will be on their foreheads (Rev 22:4)
• As Christ is Lord, so the Christian is slave, even bondslave, owing unquestioning, obedience. Paul explicitly compares spiritual with literal slavery (e.g. Colossians 3:22-24)
• You are not your own, you are bought with a price
• To be akive at all means fruitful labor- the slaves exist only to work!(1 corintians 6:19,20, Philippians 1:22) So represented, consecration is complete moral submission to Christ's absolute claim and ownership.
• 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Don't you realize your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a huge price. So you must honor God with your body.
• "By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep his commandments."
• As slaves we are expected "to obey Jesus Christ(1 peter 1:2), "to present [our] bodies as living and Holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is our spiritual service of worship" (rom 12:1), and to keep his commandments and do the things that are pleasing in his sight(1 john 3:22)
• you have been bought with a price Paul told the corinthians therefore Glorify God in your body (1 corinthians 6:20) Whatever you eat drink or whatever you do it all for the Glory of God.
• We cannot simultaneously serve God & money, worship the true God and idols, or live according to the spirit and the flesh. 1 cor 10:31;Col 2:12;3:17 1 Thess 2:12
• Believers are to please him in all resects (col 1:10)
• 1 Thess 4:1 ...and to do that which is acceptable to God (rom 14:18). We are called to seek his glory in everything we do, longing to conduct ourseves in a manner worthy of his name 1 cor 10:31; col 2:12; 1 Thess 2:12
• Matthew 6:31-33
• Those who make pleasing God their highest priority can be confident that he will take care of them.
• No one understands this principle better then the Apostle Paul. As a "slave to Christ,"he had given everything to serve his master. Paul's ministry was not an easy one. Paul had been beaten, imprisoned, endangered, and threatened with death. Yet in spite of it all, God always provided Paul with all that he needed to faithfully accomplish his ministry.
• Paul wrote "Be anxious for nothing" He wrote to the Philippians, "but in everything by prayer & suplication... let your requests be made known to God" (4:6)

• Paul tells timothy "If we have food & covering with these we shall be content" 1 Tim 6:8)
• Based on Lifetime of trusting his master, Paul could confidently tell the Phillipians , "My God will supply all your needs according to his riches & Glory in Jesus Christ (4:19)
• Paul told the corinthians, "God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything you may have abundance for every good deed" 2 cor 9:8) Paul himself relied daily on Christ resting in God's promise to him: "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness (2 cor 12:9)
• Rom 8:55
• The desire to please the master is heightened by the knowledge that each one of us will give an account of himself to God (Rom 14:12)
• For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done" 2 cor 5:10

Chapter 2 notes for Slave by John Macarthur

1 Corinthians 7:21-23

New Living Translation (NLT)

²¹ Are you a slave? Don’t let that worry you—but if you get a chance to be free, take it. ²² And remember, if you were a slave when the Lord called you, you are now free in the Lord. And if you were free when the Lord called you, you are now a slave of Christ. ²³ God paid a high price for you, so don’t be enslaved by the world.^[a]

Footnotes:1 Corinthians 7:23 Greek don’t become slaves of people.

• Roughly one fifth of the empire's population were slaves totaling twelve million at the outset of the first century AD
• The institution of slavery itself was never really questioned. Slaves may have resented their bondage but given the chance they acquired slaves themselves. When freed, they simply moved up a notch in the system, becoming themselves masters and mistresses.  
• Household slaves received greater honor than other slaves because they worked more closely with their masters.
• A wicked slave was a greeat liability and would cause serious damage to the owners welfare.
• Slavery offered a certain amount of social and economic protection to whose masters were kind of well respected these slaves sole concern was carrying out interests of their owner.
• If a master was a prestigious or powerful member of the community such as government official his slaves would also be respected because of their relationship to him A great deal of honor would be given to the slaves of someone highly regarded by roman society.
• To be a slave was to be totally in someone's else's possession, totally subjected to one's master in everything.
• ***Greek philosopher Aristotle defined a slave as a human being who was considered an article of prosperity, someone who belonged completely to another person.***
• The only thing that slaves had in common with the 1st century is that each of them had an owner. 
• A person's experience with slavery depended entirely on the slave owners family & customs. The character of the owner & class of society.

Out of Egypt

• Hebrew word for slave, 'ebed, appears in the Old Testament 799 times as a noun and another 290 times as a verb.
• The King James Version for example, never translates ebed as slave opting instead for servant or manservant the vast majority of the time.
• Slavery was apart of Israel's history from her earliest days as a nation. Even before Issac was born, in Genesis 15, God revealed to Abraham that his descendants would one day experience great suffering as slaves in foreign land.
• The exodus from Egypt did not give the Israelites complete autonomy Rather,it used them into different kind of bondage. Those who had once been the property of pharoah was now the property of the Lord.

"You shall be my own possession among all the peoples," God told them as they camped at foot of mount Sinai(EX 19:5) Later he told mosses, For the Israelites are my slaves I brought out of the Land of Egypt I am the Lord your God (Lev 25:55HCSB).

• To call oneself an israelite was the same as calling oneself a slave of God.
• Having been rescued from egypt centuries before, God's people again founf themselves in wholesale captivity (shows the connection between Babylonian captivity & exodus; In a great reversal of God's deliverance in the exodus: in the exodus he will enslave Israel & her enemies Jer 17:4 
• Many of Israel's heros including Abrham moses, Joshua, David, Elijah and the prophets are specifically referred to as his slaves.
• Non-Jewish slaves on the otherhand were regarded and treated like chattels or movable property (Lev 25:44-46)

The Master's Law

• James did not boast about being Jesus' half brother but instead called himself James, A slave of God & of the Lord Jesus Christ (James 1:1: 4CSB)
• The word doulos or slave is even used throughout the book of relationship to describe the believer's eternal relationship.
• The words doulos or slave is even used throughout the book of Revelations to describe the believer's eternal relationalship to the Lord.

Chapter 1 notes for Slave by John Macarthur

Chapter One

• During the second century believers of Jesus faced imprisonment, torture, or death by the roman empire.
• I AM A CHRISTIAN

     - Entire identity found in Jesus

            A. Name

            B. Citizenship

            C. Social status

• To the second century believers of Christ their entire existence was summed up by following Jesus Christ. The second century believed nothing else mattered even to the point of losing their life.
• For Second century believers the name Christian was more than just a religious designation it defined their entire  existence.
• For Second Century followers of Christ CHRISTIAN was not simply a title, but an entire new way of thinking-one that had serious implications for how they lived -and ultimately how they died.

What does it mean to be a Christian?

• For some being a Christian is primarily cultural & traditional.
• For some being Christian is political.
• For most people it is described as a past religious experience, general belief in Jesus, or desire to be a good person.
• Followers of Jesus Christ were not called Christians until 10-15 years after the church started before they were known as Saints, brothers, disciples, followers of the way
• Acts 11:26 First time followers were called Christians.
• The term Christian was orginally coined by unbelievers as an attempt to deride those who followed crucified Christ.
• Christian greek = Christianoi
• Followers of Caesar were known as Kaisarianoi They showed deep loyalty to Roman empire.
• To be a Christian, in true sense of the term is to be a wholehearted follower of Jesus Christ.
• John 8:31 If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow me Luke 9:23 John 12:26
• Calling ourselves Christians we proclaim to the world that everything including of self identity is found in Jesus Christ.

A Word that Changes Everything

1. Scripture describes us as Aliens
2. strangers of God
3. citizens of heaven
4. lights to the world
5. members of the body
6. sheep in his flock
7. Ambassadors

• We are called to 

1. compete like athletes 
2. fight like soldiers
3. to abide like branches on a vine
4. desire his word as newborn babies for milk

• Outsiders called them Christians. People in the know called themselves slaves.

Lost in translation

• Scriptures prevailing description of the Christians relationship to Jesus Christ is the slave/master relationship
• Slave = Doulos in greek
• Key distinction servants are hired slaves are owned.
• The gospel is not simply an invitation to become Christs associate; it is a mandate to become his slave.

The King With Four Wives

The King With Four Wives

Once upon a time....there was a rich king who had four wives. He loved the fourth wife the most and adorned her with rich robes and treated her to the finest delicacies. He gave her nothing but the best. He also loved the third wife very much and showed her off to neighbouring kingdoms. However, he feared that one day she would leave him for another.



He also loved the second wife. She was his confidante and was always kind, considerate and patient with him. Whenever the King faced a problem, he could confide in her to help him get through the difficult times.



The King's first wife was a very loyal partner and had made great contributions in maintaining his wealth and kingdom. However, he did not love the first wife and although she loved him deeply, he hardly took notice of her.



One day, the King fell ill and he knew that his time was short.



Thus, he asked the 4th wife, "I have loved you the most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?"



"No way!" replied the 4th wife and she walked away without another word. Her answer cut like a sharp knife right into his heart.



The sad King asked the 3rd wife, "I have loved you all my life. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?"



"No!" replied the 3rd wife. "Life is too good! When you die, I am going to remarry!" His heart sank and turned cold.



He then asked the 2nd wife, "I have always turned to you for help and you've always been there for me. When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?"



"I'm sorry, I can't help you out this time!" replied the 2nd wife. "At the very most, I can only send you to your grave." Her answer came like a bolt of thunder and the King was devastated.



Then a voice called out: "I'll leave with you and follow you no matter where you go."



The King looked up and there was his first wife. She was so skinny, because she suffered from malnutrition. Greatly grieved, the King said, "I should have taken better care of you when I had the chance!"



In Truth, we all have four wives in our lives:



Our 4th wife is our body. No matter how much time and effort we lavish in making it look great, it'll leave us when we die.



Our 3rd wife is our possessions, status and wealth. When we die it will all go to others.



Our 2nd wife is our family and friends. No matter how much they have been there for us, the furthest they can stay by us is up to the grave.



Our 1st wife is our Soul, often neglected in pursuit of wealth, power and pleasures of the ego. However, our Soul is the only thing that will follow us wherever we go. So cultivate, strengthen and cherish it now! It is your greatest gift to offer the world.

Bizzle Beware pt.1 lyrics

One claim to be “tha God”
One used to be with God
Get the VCR
I’ma rewind it back so you see it all
‘Ye made “Jesus Walks” and spit conscious
Then he took Jesus off and did “Monster”
Seems in between it all
He lost moms and when he lost moms
He turned against the Father
And though my heart’s filled with compassion
For the ills of her passing
I feel like I still have to mash him
I’m a draft pick to the team you traded off
My life was saved by the Christ y’all hating on
They can’t compete with Truth and they know it
Murder your style
Bury it down in Frank’s ocean
‘Ye said he sold his soul
You ain’t believe it
‘Cause you ain’t close enough
To Jesus for you to see it
But if he said the same things about your mama
That he said about Christ you would go Osama
So is Christ more like the homie you’d die for?
Or the dude you cool with but won’t ride for?
As for the Christians, how can you listen
To these cats diss the Gospel
When your mission is to push It
Like the Apostle Paul went to prison?
You scared
Now you fall into hostile conditions
Back to the lecture at hand
Who this cat that sold the Lord out like Judas?
Dreamed he could buy his way to Heaven
Woke up and spent it on a necklace
Told God he’ll be back in a second
Them are his words, not mine
I wasn’t saved then, so I didn’t see the signs
You with Satan?
Fine, but don’t play with God or the fans
Keep it 100 so they can pick a side…

They’re like, who am I to mention Jay’s name
Because of Jay’s bread, because of Jay’s fame
But if rap’s the reason you put him on a pedestal
Then my last record should’ve showed you he’s edible
Y’all must got such low self-esteems
Stunted on so much by cats in this game like:
“Look at my house”
“Look at my Range”
“Look at you struggling”
“I can make it rain”
“Look at my ice”
“Look at my women”
“Look at my life you are not living”
You’re the one who put ‘em on the throne that they sit on
Why?
Just for you to look up and get spit on
Socially, I am on the same level you’re on
So if you feel he’s too big
And I’m too small to mention his name
If I’m not worthy, you obviously must not feel that you are…

They say, “let him believe what he wants to believe in”
“He does not have to believe in your Jesus”
True, but why would he just spit rhyme after rhyme
About a God he does not believe in?
The problem is not with him not believing
Why does he keep mentioning what I believe in?
And folks so blind that I can see what the problem is
Compared to most cats, Jay sounds positive
So when he gets on “Monster” and says he rapes women and children
Y’all don’t even acknowledge it…

So ask yourself:
Do y’all have a price?
If he came out and said “F y’all Christ”
Then came to your hood tomorrow night giving Beemers away
Would he be alright?
They’re saying if you’re scared go to church
Like we just over here sitting scared in the church
Every last disciple’s blood shedding was murk
So I signed up for this prepared for the worst

JUST CHECKING IN

 
 A minister passing through his church
In the middle of the day,
Decided to pause by the altar
And see who had come to pray.

Just then the back door opened,
A man came down the aisle,
The minister frowned as he saw
The man hadn't shaved in a while.
His shirt was kinda shabby
And his coat was worn and frayed,
The man knelt, he bowed his head,
Then rose and walked away.

In the days that followed,
Each  noon  time came this chap,
Each time he knelt just for a moment,
A lunch pail in his lap.

Well, the minister's suspicions grew, 
With robbery a main fear,
He decided to stop the man and ask him,
'What are you doing here?'

The old man said, he worked down the road.
Lunch was half an hour.
Lunchtime was his prayer time,
For finding strength and power.

'I stay only moments, see,
Because the factory is so far away;
As I kneel here talking to the Lord,
This is kinda  what I say:
'I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD,
HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN, SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHERS FRIENDSHIP AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN. DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY, BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY.
SO, JESUS, THIS IS JIM CHECKING IN TODAY.'
The minister feeling foolish,
Told Jim, that was fine.
He told the man he was welcome
To come and pray just anytime

Time to go, Jim smiled, said 'Thanks.'
He hurried to the door.
The minister knelt at the altar,
He'd never done it before.

His cold heart melted, warmed with love,
And met with Jesus there.
As the tears flowed, in his heart,
He repeated old Jim's prayer:

'I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD,
HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN, SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHERS FRIENDSHIP AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN. I DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY, BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY.
SO, JESUS, THIS IS ME CHECKING IN TODAY.'
Past noon one day, the minister noticed
That old Jim hadn't come.
As more days passed without Jim,
He began to worry some.

At the factory, he asked about him,
Learning he was ill.
The hospital staff was worried,
But he'd given them a thrill.

The week that Jim was with them,
Brought changes in the ward.
His smiles, a joy contagious.
Changed people, were his reward.

The head nurse couldn't understand
Why Jim was so glad,
When no flowers, calls or cards came,
Not a visitor he had.

The minister stayed by his bed,
He voiced the nurse's concern:
No friends came to show they cared.
He had nowhere to turn.

Looking surprised, old Jim spoke
Up and with a winsome smile;
'the nurse is wrong, she couldn't know,
That he's in here all the while 
Everyday at noon He's here,
A dear friend of mine, you see,
He sits right down, takes my hand,
Leans over and says to me:
 
'I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, JIM,
HOW HAPPY I HAVE BEEN, SINCE WE FOUND THIS FRIENDSHIP, AND I TOOK AWAY YOUR SIN.
ALWAYS LOVE TO HEAR YOU PRAY,
I THINK ABOUT YOU EACH DAY, AND SO JIM, THIS IS JESUS CHECKING IN TODAY.'
If this blesses you, pass it on. Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart

May God hold you in the palm of His hand
And Angels watch over you. 

Please pass this page on to your friends & loved ones. If you aren't ashamed. Jesus said,
' If you are ashamed of me,' I will be ashamed
Of you before my Father.'
If you are not ashamed, pass this on.