If you would like to fill out an interest form to become more involved with the SMU Daily Audio Bible, a bible study, an outdoor church service, or just offer some feedback, click on the link below!<a href="https://forms.gle/hqdQ11dM1eTpT4Vt6">https://forms.gle/hqdQ11dM1eTpT4Vt6</a>If you would like to learn more about one of the books we are reading through, (it can be kind of complicated), we recommend you go to the Bible Project app or website. The videos found there are extremely helpful to make sense of what Paul is talking about<a href="https://bibleproject.com/explore/#new_testament">https://bibleproject.com/explore/#new_testament</a>“For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling,if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked.For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord,for we walk by faith, not by sight.Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience.We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart.For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you.For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died;and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer.Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain.For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.”Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry,but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities,beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger;by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love;by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left;through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true;as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed;as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide open.You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections.In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also.Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.””(2 Corinthians 5:1–6:18 ESV)

<description>&lt;p&gt;If you would like to fill out an interest form to become more involved with the SMU Daily Audio Bible, a bible study, an outdoor church service, or just offer some feedback, click on the link below!&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://forms.gle/hqdQ11dM1eTpT4Vt6"&gt;https://forms.gle/hqdQ11dM1eTpT4Vt6&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you would like to learn more about one of the books we are reading through, (it can be kind of complicated), we recommend you go to the Bible Project app or website. The videos found there are extremely helpful to make sense of what Paul is talking about&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://bibleproject.com/explore/#new_testament"&gt;https://bibleproject.com/explore/#new_testament&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;“For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling,if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked.For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord,for we walk by faith, not by sight.Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience.We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart.For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you.For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died;and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer.Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain.For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.”&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry,but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities,beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger;by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love;by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left;through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true;as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed;as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide open.You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections.In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.””&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;(2 Corinthians 5:1–6:18 ESV)&lt;/p&gt;
</description>

What happens to people when they die? And should Christians and non-Christians get married? A senior accounting major gives an account...

Wednesday, September 16th, 2020 - 2 Corinthians 5-6

If you would like to fill out an interest form to become more involved with the SMU Daily Audio Bible, a bible study, an outdoor church service, or just offer some feedback, click on the link below!<a href="https://forms.gle/hqdQ11dM1eTpT4Vt6">https://forms.gle/hqdQ11dM1eTpT4Vt6</a>If you would like to learn more about one of the books we are reading through, (it can be kind of complicated), we recommend you go to the Bible Project app or website. The videos found there are extremely helpful to make sense of what Paul is talking about<a href="https://bibleproject.com/explore/#new_testament">https://bibleproject.com/explore/#new_testament</a>“Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, as some do, letters of recommendation to you, or from you?You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our hearts, to be known and read by all.And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God.Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God,who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at Moses’ face because of its glory, which was being brought to an end,will not the ministry of the Spirit have even more glory?For if there was glory in the ministry of condemnation, the ministry of righteousness must far exceed it in glory.Indeed, in this case, what once had glory has come to have no glory at all, because of the glory that surpasses it.For if what was being brought to an end came with glory, much more will what is permanent have glory.Since we have such a hope, we are very bold,not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end.But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away.Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts.But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord,are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart.But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair;persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.So death is at work in us, but life in you.Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak,knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence.For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”(2 Corinthians 3:1–4:18 ESV)

<description>&lt;p&gt;If you would like to fill out an interest form to become more involved with the SMU Daily Audio Bible, a bible study, an outdoor church service, or just offer some feedback, click on the link below!&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://forms.gle/hqdQ11dM1eTpT4Vt6"&gt;https://forms.gle/hqdQ11dM1eTpT4Vt6&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you would like to learn more about one of the books we are reading through, (it can be kind of complicated), we recommend you go to the Bible Project app or website. The videos found there are extremely helpful to make sense of what Paul is talking about&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://bibleproject.com/explore/#new_testament"&gt;https://bibleproject.com/explore/#new_testament&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;“Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, as some do, letters of recommendation to you, or from you?You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our hearts, to be known and read by all.And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God.Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God,who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at Moses’ face because of its glory, which was being brought to an end,will not the ministry of the Spirit have even more glory?For if there was glory in the ministry of condemnation, the ministry of righteousness must far exceed it in glory.Indeed, in this case, what once had glory has come to have no glory at all, because of the glory that surpasses it.For if what was being brought to an end came with glory, much more will what is permanent have glory.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Since we have such a hope, we are very bold,not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end.But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away.Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts.But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord,are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart.But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair;persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.So death is at work in us, but life in you.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak,knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence.For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;(2 Corinthians 3:1–4:18 ESV)&lt;/p&gt;
</description>

Much of life involves suffering and coming to terms with the fragility of our existence. How does Paul describe this: by calling us jars of clay, in which God dwells. A senior Austonian shares more of what it's like to be near to God...

Tuesday, September 15th, 2020 - 2 Corinthians 3-4

If you would like to fill out an interest form to become more involved with the SMU Daily Audio Bible, a bible study, an outdoor church service, or just offer some feedback, click on the link below!<a href="https://forms.gle/hqdQ11dM1eTpT4Vt6">https://forms.gle/hqdQ11dM1eTpT4Vt6</a>If you would like to learn more about one of the books we are reading through, (it can be kind of complicated), we recommend you go to the Bible Project app or website. The videos found there are extremely helpful to make sense of what Paul is talking about<a href="https://bibleproject.com/explore/#new_testament">https://bibleproject.com/explore/#new_testament</a>“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,To the church of God that is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia:Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.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 affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer.Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself.Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again.You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you.For we are not writing to you anything other than what you read and understand and I hope you will fully understand—just as you did partially understand us—that on the day of our Lord Jesus you will boast of us as we will boast of you.Because I was sure of this, I wanted to come to you first, so that you might have a second experience of grace.I wanted to visit you on my way to Macedonia, and to come back to you from Macedonia and have you send me on my way to Judea.Was I vacillating when I wanted to do this? Do I make my plans according to the flesh, ready to say “Yes, yes” and “No, no” at the same time?As surely as God is faithful, our word to you has not been Yes and No.For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not Yes and No, but in him it is always Yes.For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us,and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.But I call God to witness against me—it was to spare you that I refrained from coming again to Corinth.Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith.For I made up my mind not to make another painful visit to you.For if I cause you pain, who is there to make me glad but the one whom I have pained?And I wrote as I did, so that when I came I might not suffer pain from those who should have made me rejoice, for I felt sure of all of you, that my joy would be the joy of you all.For I wrote to you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you.Now if anyone has caused pain, he has caused it not to me, but in some measure—not to put it too severely—to all of you.For such a one, this punishment by the majority is enough,so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him.For this is why I wrote, that I might test you and know whether you are obedient in everything.Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ,so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.When I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ, even though a door was opened for me in the Lord,my spirit was not at rest because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I took leave of them and went on to Macedonia.But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing,to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.”(2 Corinthians 1:1–2:17 ESV)

<description>&lt;p&gt;If you would like to fill out an interest form to become more involved with the SMU Daily Audio Bible, a bible study, an outdoor church service, or just offer some feedback, click on the link below!&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://forms.gle/hqdQ11dM1eTpT4Vt6"&gt;https://forms.gle/hqdQ11dM1eTpT4Vt6&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you would like to learn more about one of the books we are reading through, (it can be kind of complicated), we recommend you go to the Bible Project app or website. The videos found there are extremely helpful to make sense of what Paul is talking about&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://bibleproject.com/explore/#new_testament"&gt;https://bibleproject.com/explore/#new_testament&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;To the church of God that is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;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 affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer.Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself.Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again.You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you.For we are not writing to you anything other than what you read and understand and I hope you will fully understand—just as you did partially understand us—that on the day of our Lord Jesus you will boast of us as we will boast of you.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Because I was sure of this, I wanted to come to you first, so that you might have a second experience of grace.I wanted to visit you on my way to Macedonia, and to come back to you from Macedonia and have you send me on my way to Judea.Was I vacillating when I wanted to do this? Do I make my plans according to the flesh, ready to say “Yes, yes” and “No, no” at the same time?As surely as God is faithful, our word to you has not been Yes and No.For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not Yes and No, but in him it is always Yes.For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us,and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;But I call God to witness against me—it was to spare you that I refrained from coming again to Corinth.Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;For I made up my mind not to make another painful visit to you.For if I cause you pain, who is there to make me glad but the one whom I have pained?And I wrote as I did, so that when I came I might not suffer pain from those who should have made me rejoice, for I felt sure of all of you, that my joy would be the joy of you all.For I wrote to you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Now if anyone has caused pain, he has caused it not to me, but in some measure—not to put it too severely—to all of you.For such a one, this punishment by the majority is enough,so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him.For this is why I wrote, that I might test you and know whether you are obedient in everything.Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ,so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;When I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ, even though a door was opened for me in the Lord,my spirit was not at rest because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I took leave of them and went on to Macedonia.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing,to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.”&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;(2 Corinthians 1:1–2:17 ESV)&lt;/p&gt;
</description>

Paul comes in with some real authenticity and heartache over his near death experiences. He also shares his confidence in the Lord Jesus. Things are going to get real with Corinth in this letter...things gotta get sorted out. A Nashville senior lays it out...

Monday, September 14th, 2020 - 2 Corinthians 1-2

If you would like to fill out an interest form to become more involved with the SMU Daily Audio Bible, a bible study, an outdoor church service, or just offer some feedback, click on the link below!<a href="https://forms.gle/hqdQ11dM1eTpT4Vt6">https://forms.gle/hqdQ11dM1eTpT4Vt6</a>If you would like to learn more about one of the books we are reading through, (it can be kind of complicated), we recommend you go to the Bible Project app or website. The videos found there are extremely helpful to make sense of what Paul is talking about<a href="https://bibleproject.com/explore/#new_testament">https://bibleproject.com/explore/#new_testament</a>“But someone will ask, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come?”You foolish person! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies.And what you sow is not the body that is to be, but a bare kernel, perhaps of wheat or of some other grain.But God gives it a body as he has chosen, and to each kind of seed its own body.For not all flesh is the same, but there is one kind for humans, another for animals, another for birds, and another for fish.There are heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is of one kind, and the glory of the earthly is of another.There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory.So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable.It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power.It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.Thus it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being”;the last Adam became a life-giving spirit.But it is not the spiritual that is first but the natural, and then the spiritual.The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven.As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven.Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven.I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality.When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.Now concerningthe collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do.On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem.If it seems advisable that I should go also, they will accompany me.I will visit you after passing through Macedonia, for I intend to pass through Macedonia,and perhaps I will stay with you or even spend the winter, so that you may help me on my journey, wherever I go.For I do not want to see you now just in passing. I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits.But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost,for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.When Timothy comes, see that you put him at ease among you, for he is doing the work of the Lord, as I am.So let no one despise him. Help him on his way in peace, that he may return to me, for I am expecting him with the brothers.Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to visit you with the other brothers, but it was not at all his will to come now. He will come when he has opportunity.Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.Let all that you do be done in love.Now I urge you, brothers—you know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints—be subject to such as these, and to every fellow worker and laborer.I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have made up for your absence,for they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. Give recognition to such people.The churches of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, send you hearty greetings in the Lord.All the brothers send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand.If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord, come!The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.”(1 Corinthians 15:35–16:24 ESV)

<description>&lt;p&gt;If you would like to fill out an interest form to become more involved with the SMU Daily Audio Bible, a bible study, an outdoor church service, or just offer some feedback, click on the link below!&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://forms.gle/hqdQ11dM1eTpT4Vt6"&gt;https://forms.gle/hqdQ11dM1eTpT4Vt6&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you would like to learn more about one of the books we are reading through, (it can be kind of complicated), we recommend you go to the Bible Project app or website. The videos found there are extremely helpful to make sense of what Paul is talking about&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://bibleproject.com/explore/#new_testament"&gt;https://bibleproject.com/explore/#new_testament&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;“But someone will ask, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come?”You foolish person! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies.And what you sow is not the body that is to be, but a bare kernel, perhaps of wheat or of some other grain.But God gives it a body as he has chosen, and to each kind of seed its own body.For not all flesh is the same, but there is one kind for humans, another for animals, another for birds, and another for fish.There are heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is of one kind, and the glory of the earthly is of another.There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable.It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power.It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.Thus it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being”;the last Adam became a life-giving spirit.But it is not the spiritual that is first but the natural, and then the spiritual.The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven.As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven.Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality.When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Now concerningthe collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do.On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem.If it seems advisable that I should go also, they will accompany me.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;I will visit you after passing through Macedonia, for I intend to pass through Macedonia,and perhaps I will stay with you or even spend the winter, so that you may help me on my journey, wherever I go.For I do not want to see you now just in passing. I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits.But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost,for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;When Timothy comes, see that you put him at ease among you, for he is doing the work of the Lord, as I am.So let no one despise him. Help him on his way in peace, that he may return to me, for I am expecting him with the brothers.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to visit you with the other brothers, but it was not at all his will to come now. He will come when he has opportunity.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.Let all that you do be done in love.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Now I urge you, brothers—you know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints—be subject to such as these, and to every fellow worker and laborer.I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have made up for your absence,for they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. Give recognition to such people.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The churches of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, send you hearty greetings in the Lord.All the brothers send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand.If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord, come!The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.”&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;(1 Corinthians 15:35–16:24 ESV)&lt;/p&gt;
</description>

Paul continues telling us of the essential nature of the resurrection of the dead, and then he offers final greetings and instructions to the church in Corinth. A senior Birminghamian lets us know what Paul has to say...

Sunday, September 13th, 2020 - 1 Corinthians 15:35-16

If you would like to fill out an interest form to become more involved with the SMU Daily Audio Bible, a bible study, an outdoor church service, or just offer some feedback, click on the link below!<a href="https://forms.gle/hqdQ11dM1eTpT4Vt6">https://forms.gle/hqdQ11dM1eTpT4Vt6</a>If you would like to learn more about one of the books we are reading through, (it can be kind of complicated), we recommend you go to the Bible Project app or website. The videos found there are extremely helpful to make sense of what Paul is talking about<a href="https://bibleproject.com/explore/#new_testament">https://bibleproject.com/explore/#new_testament</a>“Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand,and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised.And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised.For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised.And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power.For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.The last enemy to be destroyed is death.For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him.When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.Otherwise, what do people mean by being baptized on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf?Why are we in danger every hour?I protest, brothers, by my pride in you, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die every day!What do I gain if, humanly speaking, I fought with beasts at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.”Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.”(1 Corinthians 15:1–34 ESV)

<description>&lt;p&gt;If you would like to fill out an interest form to become more involved with the SMU Daily Audio Bible, a bible study, an outdoor church service, or just offer some feedback, click on the link below!&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://forms.gle/hqdQ11dM1eTpT4Vt6"&gt;https://forms.gle/hqdQ11dM1eTpT4Vt6&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you would like to learn more about one of the books we are reading through, (it can be kind of complicated), we recommend you go to the Bible Project app or website. The videos found there are extremely helpful to make sense of what Paul is talking about&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://bibleproject.com/explore/#new_testament"&gt;https://bibleproject.com/explore/#new_testament&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;“Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand,and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised.And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised.For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised.And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power.For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.The last enemy to be destroyed is death.For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him.When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Otherwise, what do people mean by being baptized on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf?Why are we in danger every hour?I protest, brothers, by my pride in you, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die every day!What do I gain if, humanly speaking, I fought with beasts at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.”Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.”&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;(1 Corinthians 15:1–34 ESV)&lt;/p&gt;
</description>

We tackle the centrality of the resurrection for the Christian faith. If Jesus did not raise from the dead, we're in trouble! Paul says there is no point to the whole Christianity thing at all. Fortunately, a junior Georgian talks with us about how Jesus DID raise from the dead...

Saturday, September 12th, 2020 - 1 Corinthians 15:1-34

Hear SMU students, faculty, and staff read a daily bible passage. We are going to work our way through the Bible, one passage a day to grow in our relationship with God and with others.

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