If Adam and Eve needed a body with flesh and bone, I think we will be much the same.

We don't know for sure what a glorious, new, immortal, incorruptible body will be like,
I don't know what Paul meant when he wrote;
" 1 Cor. 15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption,

Was that speaking in spiritual terms as in Romans 8 where "flesh" seems to refer to "carnal mind".. and indeed carnality cannot enter the kingdom of God.

It is sown in corruption;
It is sown in dishonour;
It is sown in weakness
It is sown a natural body;
There is a natural body,
It is earthly

It is raised in incorruption
It is raised in glory:
It is raised in power:
It is raised a spiritual body
There is a spiritual body
It is heavenly

I think of Job in his afflation stating with assurance:

Job 19:25 For I know that my Redeemer liveth,
19:26 And though after my body is destroy by worms, yet in my flesh shall I see God:
19:27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another;

BUT

One thing we know -- we will recognize each other, we will be the person we are here. Our character is one thing we take with us! That's why we need the power of the spiritual resurrection inviting the Holy Spirit to create in us that new heart and new mind (not physically but changing are whole mental and emotional patterns to reflect Christ's character in us.

We can't leave lesson 8 and 1 Corinthians 15 without presenting Paul's great finale in that chapter.


15:51 Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
Not all believers in Christ will die the first death, but all who welcome Jesus at the second coming will be changed!
15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible,
Those believers in the graves will awake to life, they will have their new glorified bodies.
and we shall be changed.
15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal [must] put on immortality.
15:54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
15:55 O death, where [is] thy sting? O grave, where [is] thy victory?
15:56 The sting of death [is] sin; and the strength of sin [is] the law.
15:57 But thanks [be] to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Lesson Nine
Love Driven Ministry

A heart and mind filled with thankfulness for all the mercies and gifts of God, can't help but love Him!

Yet we see Paul went through a lot of hardships! How could he always be in a state of thankfulness, praise, love, finding his comfort in Christ?


How do we react in the storms of life? We have the story of the disciples rowing across the sea of Galilee. A fierce storm breaks out, and suddenly they find themselves fighting against wind and water, thoroughly frightened that they were about to go down in the churning waves and drown. They had forgotten something very important. Jesus was there in the boat with them! He was sleeping. They rush upon Him crying -- "Don't you care about us, we are about to drown."
Jesus stands up and stills the storm and asks -- why were you so afraid? Where is your faith? I was here with you the whole time?

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God

Lesson 10
Authentic Christian Ministry

2 Corinthians 3
Paul tells his readers:
"3:2 You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:
3:3 You are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink,
but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshly tables of the heart.


God's law, written on tables of stone is glorious, righteous, holy and good. But it is external, and external is not good enough. The law external is holy, but it cannot make us holy, nor can we make ourselves holy.
The promises of Jesus is that the Holy Spirit writes this law upon our hearts and minds.. (Hebrews 10:16)
This is the gospel Paul has been preaching -- Christ died upon the cross, taking our sins there, and He has the ability to forgive and cleanse us, and by His power we believe and submit ourselves to Him and by His Spirit, He works in us to will and do His good pleasure.

Thus Paul declares -- you are my witnesses that the gospel I preach can change hearts and make us fit for the companionship of heavenly beings. Why? because it connects people.to the One Who can raise them out of their guilt, and above the pettiness of sin and lead their lives on paths of righteousness.

3:4 And such trust have we through Christ toward God:
3:5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing comes from ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;
It is the power of God working in us, that people see our good works and glorify God. (see Matt. 5:16)

3:6 Who also has made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter kills, but the spirit giveth life.
God's everlasting covenant is the plan put in place before the foundation of the world, a plan to rescue, redeem and transform mankind should he fall into sin. Sadly Adam and Eve did fall, but immediately the plan was put into place.
God never gave a covenant of works. Yet people have made it into a covenant of works -- that doesn't work.

The covenant of works, looks at the law and says, I can do that. The huge problem in that is, like the children of Israel in the wilderness promising they would do everything God said, yet only days later were singing and dancing and honoring a calf god made of gold, we can not do lift ourselves.
The letter of law is good, we need it, it tells us what sin is, but it cannot change us. We are sinners, trapped in sin. The work of the "letter of the law" is to send us to Jesus, Who alone can lift us out of sin, get us on the path of righteousness.

So the "old covenant" carries the stigma of people trying to do it by their works (though that was due to their blindness, it was never God's intention). No one has ever been saved by their own works, not in the old and not in the new covenant.

This, Paul says, is the message God put in his heart, and has enabled him to share -- Look to Jesus, His grace will redeem you, and lift up and change you from the inside out, if you only believe and entrust your life into His hands. And the evidence of your changed life is witness that the gospel I, Paul preach, is true.

3:7 But if the ministration of death, written [and] engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which [glory] was to be done away:

Moses came down carrying the tablets of stone upon which God, with His own finger, had written the ten commandment law. Coming from God's presence Moses face shone with a brightness the people couldn't bear to look upon, The commandments too, were glorious. But all the moral law could do was condemn them, for all had sinned. The wages of sin is death and there is nothing we, or the law, can do about about it. The law just says -- you sinned, you must therefore die..

But even in the wilderness, God didn't expect them to work off their sin debt. God also gave them the sanctuary with it's ceremonies, which was a physical object lesson that the Messiah would come, and would die for their sins, and by faith believing, their sins would ne forgiven. But somehow the plan it was to teach was lost.
The glory on Moses face, slowly faded away. It was just a reflection, not the real presence.
But God, through the Holy Spirit wants to write that law upon you hearts and minds -- internalize it.

3:8 How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?
3:9 For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more does the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.

It will not just be on a stone! The stone, though it's law is glorious, holy and good, is still just outward tables of stone, but how much more glorious when that law will be internal, a life changing work of the Holy Spirit within heart and mind.
And with that relationship with Christ, the transformation results and changes will come, as we are led by the Holy Sprit. Only through the power of God as we welcome Him into our lives that true glorious results result in our lives. The change from earthly bondage to heavenly righteousness is indeed glorious!.

3:11 For if that which is done (or passes) away [was] glorious, much more that which remains is glorious.

Wait -- what went away?
Was it the tables of stone with the ten commandments? NO! a sinful life doesn't change into righteousness when the standard of righteousness is taken away. What went away was the amazing light being reflected when Moses came from the presence of God with the two tables of stone. It was awesome! But it faded away, it was not coming from the stones themselves. But when those moral laws are written upon human hearts and minds, and their lives are changed to the glory of God. That glory will never fade. "They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever." (Daniel 12:3)

Lesson 11
Stewardship and Mission
2 Corinthians 8 and 9.

Memory Text: "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich" (2 Corinthians 8:9, NKJV).

Jesus gave His own life so that we might live forever with Him. His gift had a purpose, he did it our salvation.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten son that whosoever believes in Him may have life and need not perish but have everlasting life.

Paul shows the example of the Christians in Macedonia who responded to Christ's love and was writing to encourage others to find fulfillment in giving.

2 Cor. 8:3-5 For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, 4 begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints? 5 and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.

The lesson brings out 5 points

First, they gave with abundant joy (2 Cor. 8:2). Paul says that the Macedonians, even though they "abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity" (2 Cor. 8:2, ESV). He later mentions that "God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Cor. 9:7, NKJV). The Greek word rendered as "cheerful" occurs only here in the New Testament.

Second, they gave with generosity (2 Cor. 8:2).

Third, they gave "of their own free will" (2 Cor. 8:3, NLT). They weren't forced.

Fourth, they gave with a sense that giving is a privilege (2 Cor. 8:4). The Macedonians' request to participate in the collection. "They urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service" (2 Cor. 8:4, NIV).

Finally, they gave more than money, they consecrated themselves to the Lord. (2 Cor. 8:5). Paul says, "They gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God gave to us" (2 Cor. 8:5, ESV). Giving oneself to the Lord results in giving oneself to others. The Macedonians expanded their mission involvement beyond financial assistance. That is, giving and being generous is not limited to money alone.

LESSON 12

Dealing With False Teachers

Read for This Week's Study: 2 Cor. 10:1-17; 2 Cor. 11:1-15, 22-28; 2 Cor. 12:20-21; 2 Cor. 13:5; Jer. 9:24

Memory Text: "For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds" (2 Corinthians 10:4, ESV).

Paul was very concerned about false teachers infiltrating the church.
False teachers must be faced with boldness and confidence (2 Cor. 10:2) but mingled with the gentleness of Christ (2 Cor. 10:1).
Paul's concern is not about himself being attacked, even though the false teachers have obviously been vilifying him, instead he presents it as Spiritual warfare, Satan sending in alternate theories to destroy the work of the Holy Spirit in bringing truth to the people.
People are the prize that the devil seeks to win onto his side, but people are also the prize that Christ came to this earth to save and reconcile to God. Thus dealing with false teachers becomes both an urgent and a delicate matter. It requires much prayer and seeking the Holy Spirit's guidance.

What were the false teachings?

2 Cor. 11:4-5
11:4 For if someone comes preaching another Jesus, whom we have not preached, and you receive another spirit, which you have not received, or another gospel, which you have not accepted

Basically they were coming in and telling the people that what Paul was teaching about salvation was false.

Why does Paul go into details about his personal life and trails? It's because these false teachers were spreading the thought that Paul was not really an apostle and were trying to exalt themselves as apostles above Paul. 2 Cor. 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ, were you bearing it? ( tolerating it)
Paul likens this to the serpent seducing Eve in the garden with its twisted lies mixed in with just enough truth to deceive.

An important key to determine if a true teacher is speaking truth, or a false teacher is pushing their own agenda, is their characters and lives, their actions and reactions. Paul acknowledges his past life, and the complete change meeting Jesus has made in his life.
Corinthians 11,
I have preached to you the gospel of God freely.... I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so supplied for myself....Yet you tolerate it if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face, yet we are the disgraced, on our part we have been weak

This is the irony of it all. Paul has not requested any financial help for himself, he had come to give, not take, yet he and his associates have been spoken of as being, not very intelligent, weak, and embellishing self. The Corinthians think the false teachers are "smart". Apparently there is some intellectual aspect that pleases them. These false teachers were probably more philosophical, more eloquent of speech, more works centered, not focused on the cross centered, Christ centered messages of Paul.

Paul uses irony to drive home just how smart the Corinthians are in tolerating these false teachers.
Why do you tolerate this! All the "ifs" were reality. All of them refer to past events that actually happened in Corinth. How could they even think this was the true product of the gospel? Yet they were leaning away from the gospel Paul was preaching, thinking of him as weak and foolish.

But is it any different today?
What is important to look for in a spiritual leader? How can we be an effective servant of God?

And how do we deal with false teachers in the church?

From "You Shall Receive Power" Devotional by EGW.

Capable to Distinguish False Theories

Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that you should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. Jude 3. {YRP 125.1}

Jude bears this message to guard believers against the seductive influence of false teachers, men who have a form of godliness but who are not safe leaders. In these last days, false teachers will arise and become actively zealous. All kinds of theories will be presented to divert the minds of men and women from the very truth that defines the position we can occupy with safety in this time when Satan is working with power upon religionists, leading them to make a pretense of being righteous, but to fail of placing themselves under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. {YRP 125.2}

False theories will be mingled with every phase of experience, and advocated with satanic earnestness in order to captivate the mind of every soul who is not rooted and grounded in a full knowledge of the sacred principles of the Word. In the very midst of us will arise false teachers, giving heed to seducing spirits whose doctrines are of satanic origin. These teachers will draw away disciples after themselves. Creeping in unawares, they will use flattering words, and make skillful misrepresentations with seductive tact. {YRP 125.3}

The only hope of our churches is to keep wide awake. Those who are well grounded in the truth of the Word, those who test everything by a "Thus saith the Lord" are safe. The Holy Spirit will guide those who prize the wisdom of God above the deceptive sophistries of satanic agencies. Let there be much praying, not in human lines but under the inspiration of love of the truth as it is in Jesus Christ. The families who believe the truth are to speak words of wisdom and intelligence--words that will come to them as the result of searching the Scriptures. {YRP 125.4}

Now is our time of test and trial. Now is the time when the members of every believing family must close their lips against speaking words of accusation concerning their brethren. Let them speak words that impart courage, and strengthen the faith which works by love and purifies the soul.--Kress Collection, p. 5. {YRP 125.5}

Lesson 13
Grace, Love and Fellowship

Read for This Week's Study: 2 Cor. 8:9; Rom. 16:20; 1 John 4:8-11; 2 Cor. 13:11; Phil. 2:1-2; Gal. 4:4-6

Memory Text: "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all" (2 Corinthians 13:14, ESV

2 Corinthians 1:2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul begins and ends this letter with the grace of Jesus. It's woven all through his letters,
What is "the grace of Jesus"?

We have ready answers defining grace as meaning "unmerited favor" "something we don't deserve", which are true..
However, we use the same expressions when something happens to us that we do not like. The words, "we didn't deserve this, why is God allowing this to happen to me? What have I done to deserve this tragedy? Why me? ."
Do we understand grace simply as now deserving to receive special blessing we didn't deserve before? Well, yes we can expect the blessing of everlasting life with Jesus as a result of accepting His grace. But somehow there is something deeper. It's something more than just dishing out favors to undeserving people.

What really is "the grace of Jesus?"


John 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
He left the splendor of heaven
Knowing his destiny
Was the lonely hill of Golgotha
There to lay down his life for me
Dottie Rambo "If that isn't Love"

Down from His glory Ever-living story
My God and Savior came And Jesus was His name
Born in a manger To His own a stranger
A man of sorrows, tears And agony
What condescension
Bringing us redemption
Without reluctance
Flesh and blood His substance He took the form of man
Revealed the hidden plan
Oh, glorious mystery Sacrifice of Calvary.
And now I know Thou art the Great I AM
The great Creator became my Savior
And all God's fullness dwelleth in Him
William Booth Cilbborn, "Down from His Glory"

He didn't deserve to be stripped of all His splendor, glory, riches, honor and position, and become a helpless babe with just a manger for a bed, living in a hostile world. Born to die a terrible death. He didn't deserve that, but He chose it.

The wealth of all the world could not redeem us,
Nor could our feeble works -- so great the price!
Our only hope is in the blood of Jesus --
The blood He shed for us in sacrifice.
There was no other way a God of love could find
To reconcile the world and save a lost mankind;
It took the death of His own Son upon tree --
There was no other way but calvary.
There Was No Other Way by John W. Peterson

This is hard lesson to convey the truth of Grace, to say nothing of the rest, and I have the lesson this Sabbath. A tough one to teach..