Uniting Heaven and Earth - Bible Texts

Lesson 1: December 27-January 2

Persecuted but Not Forsaken

Memory Text: "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say; rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4, NKJV).
Sabbath Afternoon Readings ↥        
December 27
Eph 3:1

1For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus in behalf of you Gentiles,—

2 Cor 4:7–12

7But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves; 8we are pressed on every side, yet not straitened; perplexed, yet not unto despair; 9pursued, yet not forsaken; smitten down, yet not destroyed; 10always bearing about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our body. 11For we who live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12So then death worketh in us, but life in you.

Acts 9:16

16for I will show him how many things he must suffer for my name’s sake.

Col 4:9

9together with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things that are done here.

Phil 1:1–3

1Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus that are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: 2Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3I thank my God upon all my remembrance of you,

Col 1:1–2

1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2to the saints and faithful brethren in Christ that are at Colossæ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.

Philemon 15, 16

15For perhaps he was therefore parted from thee for a season, that thou shouldest have him for ever;

16no longer as a servant, but more than a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much rather to thee, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

Eph 3:1

1For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus in behalf of you Gentiles,—

2 Cor 4:7–12

7But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves; 8we are pressed on every side, yet not straitened; perplexed, yet not unto despair; 9pursued, yet not forsaken; smitten down, yet not destroyed; 10always bearing about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our body. 11For we who live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12So then death worketh in us, but life in you.

Acts 9:16

16for I will show him how many things he must suffer for my name’s sake.

Col 4:9

9together with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things that are done here.

Phil 1:1–3

1Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus that are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: 2Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3I thank my God upon all my remembrance of you,

Col 1:1–2

1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2to the saints and faithful brethren in Christ that are at Colossæ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.

Philippians 4:4

4Rejoice in the Lord always: again I will say, Rejoice.

Phil 1:7

7even as it is right for me to be thus minded on behalf of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as, both in my bonds and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers with me of grace.

Col 4:3

3withal praying for us also, that God may open unto us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds;

Acts 16:24

24who, having received such a charge, cast them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.

Acts 16:25

25But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns unto God, and the prisoners were listening to them;

Philemon 15, 16

15For perhaps he was therefore parted from thee for a season, that thou shouldest have him for ever;

16no longer as a servant, but more than a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much rather to thee, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

Sunday Readings ↥        
December 28

Paul, the Prisoner of Jesus Christ

Acts 28:16

16And when we entered into Rome, Paul was suffered to abide by himself with the soldier that guarded him.

Ephesians 3:1

1For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus in behalf of you Gentiles,—

Eph 6:20

20for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Phil 1:20

20according to my earnest expectation and hope, that in nothing shall I be put to shame, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether by life, or by death.

Phil 2:17

17Yea, and if I am offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all:

Matt 27:27

27Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Prætorium, and gathered unto him the whole band.

John 18:33

33Pilate therefore entered again into the Prætorium, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews?

Acts 23:35

35I will hear thee fully, said he, when thine accusers also are come: and he commanded him to be kept in Herod’s palace.

Phil 1:13

13so that my bonds became manifest in Christ throughout the whole prætorian guard, and to all the rest;

Phil 4:22

22All the saints salute you, especially they that are of Cæsar’s household.

Philemon 1

1Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our beloved and fellow-worker,

Monday Readings ↥        
December 29

Paul in Chains

Philem 10, 13

10I beseech thee for my child, whom I have begotten in my bonds, Onesimus,

13whom I would fain have kept with me, that in thy behalf he might minister unto me in the bonds of the gospel:

2 Cor 6:5

5in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in watchings, in fastings;

2 Cor 11:23

23Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as one beside himself) I more; in labors more abundantly, in prisons more abundantly, in stripes above measure, in deaths oft.

2 Cor 7:5

5For even when we were come into Macedonia our flesh had no relief, but we were afflicted on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.

Acts 16:16–24

16And it came to pass, as we were going to the place of prayer, that a certain maid having a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much gain by soothsaying. 17The same following after Paul and us cried out, saying, These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim unto you the way of salvation. 18And this she did for many days. But Paul, being sore troubled, turned and said to the spirit, I charge thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And it came out that very hour.

19But when her masters saw that the hope of their gain was gone, they laid hold on Paul and Silas, and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers, 20and when they had brought them unto the magistrates, they said, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, 21and set forth customs which it is not lawful for us to receive, or to observe, being Romans. 22And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent their garments off them, and commanded to beat them with rods. 23And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: 24who, having received such a charge, cast them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.

2 Corinthians 4:7–12

7But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves; 8we are pressed on every side, yet not straitened; perplexed, yet not unto despair; 9pursued, yet not forsaken; smitten down, yet not destroyed; 10always bearing about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our body. 11For we who live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12So then death worketh in us, but life in you.

2 Corinthians 6:3–7

3giving no occasion of stumbling in anything, that our ministration be not blamed; 4but in everything commending ourselves, as ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, 5in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in watchings, in fastings; 6in pureness, in knowledge, in longsuffering, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in love unfeigned, 7in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,

2 Cor 6:4

4but in everything commending ourselves, as ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

Philem 10, 13

10I beseech thee for my child, whom I have begotten in my bonds, Onesimus,

13whom I would fain have kept with me, that in thy behalf he might minister unto me in the bonds of the gospel:

Tuesday Readings ↥        
December 30

Paul in Philippi

Acts 16:6

6And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden of the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia;

Acts 16:9

9And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: There was a man of Macedonia standing, beseeching him, and saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.

Acts 16:11

11Setting sail therefore from Troas, we made a straight course to Samothrace, and the day following to Neapolis;

Acts 16:12

12and from thence to Philippi, which is a city of Macedonia, the first of the district, a Roman colony: and we were in this city tarrying certain days.

Acts 17:1, 10

1Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews:

10And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Beroea: who when they were come thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.

Philippians 4:15

15And ye yourselves also know, ye Philippians, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church had fellowship with me in the matter of giving and receiving but ye only;

Acts 16:13–15

13And on the sabbath day we went forth without the gate by a river side, where we supposed there was a place of prayer; and we sat down, and spake unto the women that were come together. 14And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, one that worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened to give heed unto the things which were spoken by Paul. 15And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.

Acts 9:16

16for I will show him how many things he must suffer for my name’s sake.

Wednesday Readings ↥        
December 31

Paul and Colossae

Philemon 15, 16

15For perhaps he was therefore parted from thee for a season, that thou shouldest have him for ever;

16no longer as a servant, but more than a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much rather to thee, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

Col 4:12

12Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, saluteth you, always striving for you in his prayers, that ye may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God.

Col 1:7

7even as ye learned of Epaphras our beloved fellow-servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf,

Acts 19:10

10And this continued for the space of two years; so that all they that dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.

Acts 20:31

31Wherefore watch ye, remembering that by the space of three years I ceased not to admonish every one night and day with tears.

Rev 1:4

4John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from him who is and who was and who is to come; and from the seven Spirits that are before his throne;

Colossians 4:9

9together with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things that are done here.

Philemon 15, 16

15For perhaps he was therefore parted from thee for a season, that thou shouldest have him for ever;

16no longer as a servant, but more than a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much rather to thee, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

Philem 16

16no longer as a servant, but more than a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much rather to thee, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

Thursday Readings ↥        
January 1

The Churches of Philippi and Colossae

Philippians 1:1–3

1Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus that are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: 2Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3I thank my God upon all my remembrance of you,

Colossians 1:1–2

1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2to the saints and faithful brethren in Christ that are at Colossæ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.

Exod 19:5–6

5Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be mine own possession from among all peoples: for all the earth is mine: 6and ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

1 Pet 2:9–10

9But ye are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that ye may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10who in time past were no people, but now are the people of God: who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

Phil 1:1

1Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus that are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:

Col 1:2

2to the saints and faithful brethren in Christ that are at Colossæ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.

Eph 6:21

21But that ye also may know my affairs, how I do, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things:

Col 4:7

7All my affairs shall Tychicus make known unto you, the beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow-servant in the Lord:

1 Pet 5:12

12By Silvanus, our faithful brother, as I account him, I have written unto you briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God: stand ye fast therein.

1 Tim 3:1–12

1Faithful is the saying, If a man seeketh the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2The bishop therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, orderly, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3no brawler, no striker; but gentle, not contentious, no lover of money; 4one that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5(but if a man knoweth not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 6not a novice, lest being puffed up he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7Moreover he must have good testimony from them that are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. 8Deacons in like manner must be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; 9holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 10And let these also first be proved; then let them serve as deacons, if they be blameless. 11Women in like manner must be grave, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. 12Let deacons be husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

Titus 1:5–9

5For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that were wanting, and appoint elders in every city, as I gave thee charge; 6if any man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having children that believe, who are not accused of riot or unruly. 7For the bishop must be blameless, as God’s steward; not self-willed, not soon angry, no brawler, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; 8but given to hospitality, a lover of good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled; 9holding to the faithful word which is according to the teaching, that he may be able both to exhort in the sound doctrine, and to convict the gainsayers.

Acts 6:1–6

1Now in these days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a murmuring of the Grecian Jews against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. 2And the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not fit that we should forsake the word of God, and serve tables. 3Look ye out therefore, brethren, from among you seven men of good report, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. 4But we will continue stedfastly in prayer, and in the ministry of the word. 5And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaüs a proselyte of Antioch; 6whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands upon them.

Acts 11:30

30which also they did, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

2 Cor 1:1

1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints that are in the whole of Achaia:

Philemon 1

1Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our beloved and fellow-worker,

Friday Readings ↥        
January 2

Further Thought

No Bible references found for Friday.