Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue.
Deuteronomy 30:15 See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, and death and adversity;
Deuteronomy 30:19 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants,
James 3:8-10 But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.
With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way.
Romans 12:14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
1 Timothy 6:20-21 Avoiding worldly and empty chatter
2 Timothy 2:15-18 Their talk will spread like gangrene.
Titus 3:8-11 Factious - schismatic, contentious, argumentative, disagreeing, disputatious, quarrelling, clashing
Jeremiah 23:9-18, 23-32 Prophet is an interpreter or spokesman for God: one through whom God speaks.
Jeremiah 23:29 The Word is as fire is quick and powerful capable of trying us as metals are tried in a furnace. As a hammer breaks the hardest rock, so God’s Word breaks the hardest and most obstinate heart.
Matthew 7:15-20; 24:11, 24; 2 Peter 2:1-3 Jesus warned us that there will be many false teachers and prophets.
Dichotomy of pro-life or pro-choice: the opposite of pro-life is pro-death. Homosexuality is another acceptable lifestyle.
1 Peter 1:23-24 The Word of God spoken to us is why we are born again.
Luke 8:15 The spoken Word is the seed that produces godly fruit.
Matthew 4:1-11 The spoken Word is how we counter temptations.
Ephesians 6:17 Sword of the spirit. You have in your mouth the words of life or the words of death.
Jesus taught resurrection from the Old Testament Scriptures. Luke 18:31; 24:44-46
Paul taught resurrection from the Hebrew Scriptures. Acts 17:2-3; 24:14-15; 26:22-23; 1 Cor 15:3-4
Abraham
He believed in God -- that God could bring life from death. Gen 17:15-19; Heb 11:11-12; Rom 4:16-25
He offered Isaac, believing in resurrection. Gen 22:1-14; Heb 11:17-20
David
He prophesied that the Messiah would not see corruption. Ps 16:10; Acts 2:22-32
The Messiah was first to be raised from the dead. Others will follow. Because he was raised, we will live again! 1 Corinthians 15:20-23; Rom 8:11; Col 1:18
Job 19:25-26
Job foresaw that his redeemer would live, and he would see life again. Job 19:25-26
Psalm 49:7-15
The psalmist knew that no man can rescue himself from death, but there will be redemption from Sheol!
Isaiah 25:6-9; 26:19
Isaiah spoke of resurrection. Death will be swallowed up for all time!
Daniel 12:1-2
Daniel spoke of resurrection.
Ezekiel 37:1-15
This is not simply figurative language about a restoration of Israel. There will be a real, literal resurrection of the dead. We now can know for certain and have confidence in our future because Jesus Christ was raised from the dead -- the first fruits of all who sleep in the dust of the earth.
John 5:28-29; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Christ is coming back!
1 Peter 1:3-5 We have a living hope -- a message of salvation to share. Spread the good news!
John 19:38-42 Joseph of Arimathea buried Jesus in a new tomb in a garden. Jewish burial practices at the time of Jesus involved anointing the body, wrapping it in a garment, putting it in a tomb, waiting a year, collecting the bones, and putting them in an ossuary. The people really believed God could turn dried bones into living people on the last day.
John 20:1-2 We know a little about Mary Magdalene from other Scriptures, including Mark 15:37-40, 46-47; Luke 8:1-3. Jesus had delivered her from seven demons. After this, she was a dedicated disciple of Christ who travelled with him and the others.
John 20:2-10 Peter and the other disciple come running and leave. At this point, they’re just trying to figure out what happened to Jesus’ body. Where did he go? Who took him?
John 20:10-13 Mary stayed behind after the others left. She must’ve been utterly bewildered. Through her tears, she saw two angels and asked them for help locating Jesus.
John 20:14-18 Mary is the first one to experience the most thrilling event in all Christian history. She sees him, and he’s alive! She tells the disciples, but they don’t believe her (Luke 24:10-11).
1 Corinthians 15:22-24, 51-55 Jesus’ resurrection means that we too will experience resurrection when he returns. This is a radical idea in sharp contrast to most other beliefs about the afterlife. Still, we can have confidence in the future resurrection because we’ve already seen the real thing in Jesus. This gives us tremendous hope.
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Luke 7:28-35 Jesus was in Nain after dead man was raised; John was still alive. Pharisees did not respond right to John or Jesus
Luke 7:36-37 She was apparently a known sinner and had access to the Pharisee’s house. Maybe she worked for him. She came with planned intention with the alabaster box.
38 Weeping -- washing -- wiping -- kissing -- anointing
Acts 4:35 To lie at someone’s feet can mean to give over to the care and charge of another.
Romans 16:20; 1 Corinthians 15:25 Subdue under, defeated
Esther 8:3; 1 Samuel 25:24, 41 To fall at one’s feet for supplication, reverence, homage, honor, respect
Genesis 18:4; 19:2 Washing the feet showed respect, kindness, loving hospitality, humility.
Luke 7:39 The Pharisee was the complete antithesis of the woman. In the world’s eyes, she was marginalized, insignificant, even disdained, while he was exalted and respected.
Luke 7:40-ff
John 12:1-8 Six days before the Passover in Bethany with Mary
Genesis 3:15 Jesus knew what was before him, and Mary ministered to him.
Matthew 26:2 Two days before the Passover, he was anointed as the King and Priest.
Exodus 29:1-9 The high priest was anointed with oil.
1 Samuel 16:3-13 The king was anointed with oil.
“For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us”
- 1 Corinthians 5:7b (KJV)
The First Passover
The children of Israel were in bondage in Egypt under the rule of Pharaoh.
Exodus 3:16-22
God called the man, Moses, to go before Pharaoh, to bring His deliverance, to lead Israel out of Egypt and bring them to the Promised Land. He was to go before Pharaoh and declare, “Let My people go.” However, God knew that Pharaoh would release the children of Israel only under compulsion.
God sent 10 plagues upon the Egyptians, and after the tenth plague, Pharaoh would release the children of Israel from their bondage. The final plague was the death of the firstborn in Egypt. Exodus 11:1-6
Exodus 12:1-13
The Passover lamb was slain at twilight/even on the 14th of Nisan. The words translated “at twilight” or “at even” is a unique Hebrew phrase ben ha arbayim, meaning “between the two evenings.” This phrase is used for the time of day to sacrifice the Passover (Ex 12:6; Lev 23:5; Nu 9:3, 5, 11); the time of the evening sacrifice (Ex 29:39, 41; Nu 28:4, 8); when the high priest burned the evening incense (Ex 30:8); and one time when the children of Israel ate meat the evening before the manna arrived (Ex 16:12). According to Deuteronomy, the Passover was to be slain “at the going down of the sun” (Deu 16:6). This was a time between noon, when the sun was at highest, and sunset. Then at sunset, a new day began. They were to sprinkle the blood on the doorposts and lintel of their houses. Then, the Passover was to be eaten that night -- the 15th of Nisan.
Exodus 12:14-17
The Feast of Unleavened Bread coincided with the Feast of Passover, starting that night, the 15th of Nisan.
Exodus 12:21-28 The first Passover observed
Exodus 12:29-42
Pharaoh released the children of Israel. The Israelites plundered the Egyptians. After 430 years of sojourning, the children of Israel left Egypt.
Jesus, the Lamb of God
1 Corinthians 5:7; John 1:29, 36; Isaiah 53:7; 1 Peter 3:18-19
Matthew 27:46, 50; Mark 15:34, 37; Luke 23:44, 46. Jesus died around the 9th hour -- about 3 pm in the afternoon at ben ha arbayim - between the two evenings.
John 19:32-36
Not a bone of him shall be broken -- Ex 12:46; Num 9:12; Ps 34:20.
Revelation 5:6-14
Jesus, the Lamb (Jesus is referred to as “the Lamb” 26 times in the book of Revelation.)
1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.
Ephesians 5:16 Do not cease giving thanks for you while making mention of you in my prayers.
Isaiah 46:3-4; 40:27-31 Fears and concern regarding old age must be filtered through trust in our Father. He has and He will take care of you as you keep Him first in your life.
Psalm 92:12-15
2 Timothy 1:1-5; 3:14-15 Timothy’s mother and grandmother greatly influenced him.
Hebrews 11:8-10 Isaac was 60 when he had Jacob and Esau; therefore, they had 15 years with Abraham.
Psalm 103:14-18 Our first responsibility as grandparents is to stay connected with our God.
Exodus 34:6-7 Ethbaal - Jezebel - Athaliah
Joshua 24:15 As for me and my house, we will serve Yahweh.
Deuteronomy 6:4-9; 11:18-20; Psalm 78:4-7 Wisdom and balance are necessary.
Galatians 6:9-10 Not all of us are grandparents or have access to our grandchildren.
Titus 2:1-7 We have an obligation to our spiritual family.
Revelation 8:3-4
1. Marry a Believer
Deuteronomy 7:1-8 God instructed His people not to marry those who worshipped other gods.
2 Corinthians 6:14-15 The New Testament also teaches us to avoid getting “unequally yoked with unbelievers.”
1 Kings 11:4-9 Solomon is a prime example of someone who yielded to the negative influences of his wives.
Acts 5:1-5 Ananias and Sapphira conspired together to poison their offering with lies, and both paid the price.
1 Corinthians 7:10-16 If you’re married to an unbeliever, stay in the relationship, and be an example of godliness.
2. Commitment Enables Growth
Marriage is an intensified form of loving your neighbor as yourself.
Hebrews 10:24-25 Stir up one another to love and good works.
Romans 15:14 Instruct one another.
Hebrews 3:13 Warn one another about sin’s deceitfulness.
James 5:16 Confess your sins to one another, and pray.
Ephesians 4:32 Forgive one another, and be kind.
Galatians 6:1 Confront one another.
Galatians 6:2 Bear one another’s burdens.
3. Get on Board with the Mission Jesus Gave Us
Matthew 28:19-20 Jesus commissioned us to make disciples.
Seek opportunities to invite people in and show them God’s love: Taste and see that the LORD is good (Psalm 34:8).
Look for key moments to share a testimony or the gospel message.
Find ways to deepen and develop people’s commitment to God.
Hebrews 13:2; 1 Peter 4:9 Hospitality is key.
1 Corinthians 16:15 KJV “...ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints”
1 Corinthians 16:15 - The entire household of Stephanas was devoted to serving.
Acts 16:14-15; 31; 18:8 - In Philippi and Corinth, entire households were converting to the Lord.
We are to live for God and devote our lives to Him as a family. The witness is not simply to show up on Sunday at church and then leave God out of your household activities for the other six days of the week. That is hypocrisy and religion. That is not “devoted to the ministry”.
Deuteronomy 6:4-9; 11:18-20; Psalm 78:4-7
You shall teach them diligently to your sons - talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.
Ephesians 2:1-3, 10-13, 19-22
We were formerly strangers from God and walked according to the course of this world. However, now we are the dwelling place of God. Christ lives within us. We should now conduct our lives according to the spirit of Christ that dwells within us, pursue a love relationship with, and follow when he guides us.
John 17:14-18
Jesus did not take us out of the world. Rather he has sent us into the world, just as he was sent into the world. We are in the world. But we are not of the world. We are Ambassadors for Christ (2 Cor 5:20). We are citizens of Christ’s kingdom - the Kingdom of God (Col 1:13; Phil 3:20). Our homes should exemplify Christ. When people see us, they should see Christ. It is possible to live in this world, and yet be separate.
Philippians 2:13-15
God is at work in us to do His work. This includes your family. We can shine as bright lights in the midst of a crooked and perverse world.
Matthew 5:13-16
You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world. Let your light shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your father who is in heaven.
1 Peter 2:9-12
“You are a chosen race...a people for God’s own possession so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light”! Keep your behavior excellent among the nations.
At the last supper, Jesus spoke of the paraclete, the spirt of truth, which he would send after his departure. On the day of the ascension, Jesus spoke these last words before departing to the right hand of Yahweh.
Acts 1:8
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth."
The holy spirit would enable the followers of Jesus with power by which they could be a witness for him to the remotest part of the earth. On Pentecost this spirt was first poured out, and throughout the book of Acts are manifestations of this spiritual power.
Manifestation: an event, action, or object that clearly shows or embodies something, especially a theory or an abstract idea.
1 Corinthians 12:1 God does not want us ignorant of spiritual matters.
1 Corinthians 12:4-6
There are a variety of gifts, ministries, and effects, but it is the same spirit, the same Lord Jesus, and the same God who works all things in all.
1 Corinthians 12:7
Each one is given the manifestation of the spirit for the common good.
Every person, who is in Christ Jesus, has the spirit. This is what Jesus promised, that he would send the spirit of truth to those who loved him and kept his commandments.
1 Peter 4:10-11
As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies: so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
1 Corinthians 12:8-11
Here is a list of common manifestations of the spirit. This section shows the diversity in the manifestation of the spirit. But what is emphasized in these verses is what is similar. What’s the same in every person? It’s the same spirit!!!!
The Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-26)
1 Corinthians 12:27
It is one body, with unique individual members. But it is still just one body, and Christ is the head.
1 Corinthians 12:28-32
Earnestly desire the greater gifts. But there is a more excellent way!!! (1 Corinthians chapter 13 -- LOVE!!!!)
1 Corinthians 13:1-3 It is possible then to manifest spirit, and not love. It is possible to do these things and not obey Jesus Christ. But this is then just sounding off. You are nothing. There is no profit. Jesus warned of this behavior (Matthew 7:21-23).
1 Corinthians 14:1 Pursue love and earnestly desire spiritual things!
Chapter fourteen gives practical instruction on how tongues, interpretation of tongues, and prophecy should be handled when the church assembles.
1 Corinthians 14:26-33
“Let all things be done for edification.” “God is not a God of confusion.”
1 Corinthians 14:40
“But all things must be done decently and in an orderly manner.”
Romans 8:1 “Therefore” swings us back to all that precedes. The condemnation was our eternal reality, not our feelings.
Romans 5:15-21 Before we accept the lordship of Christ, we are condemned, and our destiny is the wrath of God.
Romans 7:21-25 In spite of our flesh with its rebellion and covetousness, there is now in Christ no condemnation.
8:2 Two contrasting laws are -- law of sin and death and law of spirit of life in Christ. The word “spirit” occurs 21 times in this chapter.
3 The Law is referring to the Mosaic Law and the information from chapter 7.
4 The requirement of the law profusely communicated was the sacrifice of an innocent for the guilty -- the type for the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. “Walk” literally means to live.
5 First place the Greek word for mind “phroneo” occurs is in Matthew 16:23. The great question remains: “Am I born again?” “Am I saved?”
6 Death or life and peace
8 Strong words
9-14 What moves you?
15-17 The spirit connects us with God. The great hope is before us.
18-25 The whole of creation is not right and waits for the glorious day.
26-27 The spirit helps us. In John, Jesus called it the “Helper.”
28-39 Our Magna Carta is stated clearly.
Romans 6:1- 13 We identify completely with Jesus.
Romans 6:14 This concept is an astounding paradox. To be under the Law means to be under the dominion of sin, and to be under grace is to be freed simultaneously from both the dominion of sin and the Law.
6:12-23 Slave market; 7:1-6 marriage. The old master in the first analogy is sin, and the old master or husband, in the second is the Law. You are dead to both because of Christ; therefore, you are no longer under their control.
God through Christ liberates us from the mastery of sin and the bondage of the Law.
7:7-12 The Law does three things here: 1. Brings sin to light, 2. Forbids sin, and 3. Stimulates the very thing it forbids. 1 Corinthians 15:56 - The power of sin is the law.
What Paul writes is autobiographical, and the biography of every man.
7:8 Covetousness is the last of the Ten Commandments, the first sin committed by the cherub, and the first committed by a human, Eve.
Exodus 20:17 “Covet” means to have a great desire to possess something belonging to someone else.
Genesis 2:16-17; 3:22 Covetousness is the quintessential sin. It represents the most perfect or typical example of it.
Romans 7:8-11 Adam and Eve lived a carefree life until they were tested by the commandment banning the fruit of the tree of knowledge; that very commandment, brought to their remembrance by the tempter, directed their attention to the forbidden fruit and made it so irresistibly attractive that they ate.
The introduction of law not only brought with it the recognition of sin and the incitement to sin but also accountability for sin and consequent liability to the death-penalty passed on sin.
Rebellion against God and His Word was the behavior of the Cherub, serpent, and Eve. That rebellious spirit became imbedded in Adam and Eve and hence passed on to their children and all of humanity. The Law said do not do; it the flesh automatically rebels and resists. Children are a great example of this innate evil. The rebellion is not consciously premediated; rather, it just is a part of who we are as humans.
This is why the Law did not work to change the sinful problem.
Philippians 3:3-6 The law did not change Paul. He rebelled against the God he longed to serve to the extent of murdering God’s children.
Romans 7:12-24 Paul explains the Law is useless to eliminate sin and bring salvation. We are ruined and useless with nothing that can help with or without except Christ.
The Last recorded teaching of Jesus is in John chapters 14-16. Love is one of the great themes in these chapters (John 13:34-35; 14:15, 21, 23-24; 15:9-10, 12-14, 17; 16:27; 17:26). If we are disciples of Jesus, we will love him and keep his commandments.
John 13:1, 31-36
Also, in the context of these chapters, Jesus knew what he was about to go through in his suffering, death, and later his resurrection and ascension to the Father (John 13:1). In this context, he often told them that he will be leaving to go to the Father (John 14:1-5, 12, 18-19, 28; 16:5-7, 10, 16-22, 28).
Although he was leaving, he would not be leaving them alone.
Something else would be coming--the paraclete, the spirit of truth.
John 14:15-17 The Father will give another “helper“ (Gk parakletos), that is the spirit of truth.
The word “helper” is translated from the Greek word parakletos which literally means one who pleads another’s cause before a judge, a pleader, counsel for defense, legal assistant, an advocate, and intercessor. This word is used four times in these chapters. It is used only one other time in the Bible, in 1 John, translated “advocate” (1 John 2:1).
John 14:16-20 First use of paraclete
This is “another” helper, like himself.
It will abide in us (verse 23).
Not leave us as orphans
We will know that Jesus is in the Father, and we are in Christ, and Christ is in us.
John 14:25-27 Second use of paraclete
The Holy Spirit
It will teach us all things.
Bring all things to our remembrance, all that Jesus said
Peace I leave you
John 15:26 Third use of paraclete
It will testify about Jesus.
And we will testify--witness about Christ
John 16:7-15 Fourth use of paraclete
It is to our advantage that Jesus went away and the helper would come.
It will convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment.
It will guide us into the all truth.
It will disclose to us what is to come.
It will glorify Jesus.
John 16:23-24
We can now ask the Father in the name of Jesus about anything, just as Jesus asked the Father.
John 16:25-33
They didn’t fully understand what Jesus was communicating until after his death, resurrection, ascension, and the giving of the holy spirit at Pentecost. We can now have the paraclete, the spirit of truth, abiding in us. In the world we will have tribulation, but be of good cheer. Jesus has overcome!
God had a secret, a mystery -- something hidden that no one understood!
Romans 16:26-27
Deuteronomy 29:29
I Corinthians 2:1-9
Had the rulers of this world understood the wisdom of God, hidden in the mystery, they would not have crucified Jesus Christ!
Romans 16:26
This mystery of God can be found in the scriptures of the prophets. And although they prophesied and wrote it down in scripture, no one understood. How can this be?
Merriam Webster definition of a mystery: something not understood or beyond understanding.
It was written down. But no one understood. The devil did not understand. The rulers of this world and the religious leaders did not understand. Even Jesus’ closest disciples did not understand the hidden truth. Luke 9:43-45; 18:31-34; Acts 13:26-30.
The Mystery has now been made known.
Ephesians 1:3-10; 3:1-11
This mystery of God contains God’s eternal purpose -- or “purpose of the ages.”
Colossians 1:25-29 -- The riches of the glory of this mystery -- “Christ in you the hope of glory!”
Colossians 2:1-3 - All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in this mystery.
They mystery of God is not yet complete. God still has hidden understanding of his plan.
I Corinthians 15:50-52
Revelation 10:5-7 In the days when the seventh angel sounds the trumpet, then the mystery of God is finished.
Ephesians 1:15-23 Pray for wisdom and understanding.
Luke 22:47-48, 54 Judas betrayed Jesus to the authorities who promptly arrested him.
Luke 23:1-4, 23-25 After a series of trials and brutal torture, the Roman governor, Pilate, condemned Jesus to death by crucifixion.
Luke 23:32-35, 44-46 For hours, Jesus hung on the cross until, at last, he died.
Luke 23:50-53 Joseph of Arimathea buried Jesus in his own newly-cut tomb.
Luke 24:1-3 On Sunday morning, the women discovered the empty tomb.
Luke 24:34-42 After his resurrection, Jesus appeared to different followers through several circumstances.
Luke 24:50-53 Once he had spent some time with them, Jesus ascended into heaven.
Results of Crucifixion (for a detailed explanation see lhim.org/cross)
1. Jesus’ death provides eternal life.
2. Jesus’ death reconciles us to God.
3. Jesus’ death expresses love.
4. Jesus’ death defeats evil.
5. Jesus’ death provides an example.
6. Jesus’ death justifies us apart from the Law.
7. Jesus’ death frees us from sin to live righteously.
8. Jesus’ death is for our sins.
Results of Resurrection
1. Jesus’ resurrection vindicates his claim to be sent by God.
2. Jesus’ resurrection proves that he is the Messiah.
3. Jesus’ resurrection defeats death itself.
4. Jesus’ resurrection makes possible our ultimate resurrection.
5. Jesus’ resurrection shows us what the resurrected body will be like.
6. Jesus’ resurrection enables his followers to walk in the newness of life.
Results of Ascension
1. Jesus’ ascension installs him at the highest authority at God’s right hand.
2. Jesus’ ascension resulted in a reordering of cosmic powers.
3. Jesus’ ascension enables his heavenly ministry as the head of the church.
4. Jesus’ ascension makes it possible for him to pour out the spirit on all who call upon his name.
5. Jesus’ ascension gives his followers authority over spiritual powers.
6. Jesus’ ascension enables him to make intercession as our high priest.
Jesus often used parables when he taught. They are little stories about relatable situations and characters that illustrate a point. The goal with Jesus’ parables is not to decipher every little nuance and symbol but to get the main point. Jesus told dozens of parables, but today we will focus on just three.
The Rich Fool
Luke 12:16-34 This man wanted security and ease of life. He had worked hard, expanded, and made smart financial moves until his harvest was huge. In one sense, he had done everything the right way, except for one critical issue: he ignored God. For the rich man, his problem was not financial success, but making that an ultimate aim above God.
The Unforgiving Servant
Matthew 18:23-35 The forgiven servant can’t see the big picture; he can see only the wrong done to him. He’s swept up in his emotions, seizing and choking the one who owed him a mere 100 denarii when he was forgiven 10,000 talents.
1 talent = 20 years wages. Assuming minimum wage of $10 per hour at 40 hours a week, 52 weeks a year, after 20 years, that means 1 talent = $416,000 today. This guy owed 10,000 talents = $4,160,000,000. This is an absurd number! He is owed 100 denarii = 100 days wages. Assuming $10 an hour, 8 hours a day, that’s $8,000 dollars. So, he’s forgiven $4 billion and loses it over $8 grand!
The Good Samaritan
Luke 10:25-37 The Samaritans hated the Jews and vice versa. They both had powerful reasons to despise the other, going back for centuries. Although the priest and the Levite would have been the most expected to help someone in need, it is the Samaritan who helps the injured man. At great cost to himself, he cares for his religious, ethnic, and political enemy. This is how Jesus wants his followers to apply the commandment, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” In this way, Jesus confronts tribalism head on, excluding it as an option for his followers.
John 20:31
The Gospel of John was written so that we would believe that Jesus is the Christ [the Messiah], the Son of God; and that believing we could have life in his name.
Isaiah 42:1-3 Jesus fulfilled this prophecy.
John 5:30-57 The testimony that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God
Jesus’ testimony was not simply his own. There was more of a witness than just one man’s words. Nu 35:30; De 17:6; 19:15; Mt 18:16; Jo 8:13-18; 2 Co 13:1; 1 Ti 5:19
- The testimony of John the Baptist: Jo 5:33-35; Jo 1:31-34; Mk 11:27-33
- The testimony from the works of Jesus: Jo 5:36; Mt 11:2-6; Jo 10:24-25; 37-38
- The testimony from the Father: Jo 5:37-38; baptism (Mt 3:16-17; Mk 1:11; Lk 3:21-22); Mount of Transfiguration (Mt 17:5-6; Mk 9:7; Lk 9:35; 2 Pt 1:16-18); after a prayer of Jesus (Jo 12:27-30).
- The testimony from Scripture: Jo 5:39-47; Lk 16:19-31; 18:31-33; 24:25-27, 44-45
The resurrection and the holy spirit also give testimony to Jesus
- The resurrection testifies about Jesus: Ro 1:1-4; 1 Co 15:3-6
- The holy spirit testifies about Jesus: Jo 15:27; Ac 1:8
Matthew 16:13-17; John 6:44
God draws people to understand and believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.
What do you think about Jesus?
The teachings of Jesus Christ are built upon and in harmony with Moses and all the Old Testament prophets. His teachings are also consistent with and fundamental to that of the apostles in the New Testament. A harmonious, progressive theme is maintained throughout the Scriptures. The theme is simply stated in the Gospels as the Kingdom of God or the Kingdom of Heaven.
Matthew 4:17-23 Wherever he went and whenever he spoke, the message was the same.
Matthew 9:35; Luke 10:9 When Jesus sent out the apostles and disciples to teach, he said, “Go preach, saying, the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Matthew 5:43-48 Love was not a new subject, but his teaching enlarged it.
Matthew 22:35-46 All the law and prophets hang on these two commandments.
Matthew 24:12 The verse is about the end of the age but also can be applied to our lives. Revelation 2: you have left your foremost or primary love. Do not let life wear you down; love big to the end.
Mark 12:28-34 If we want to enter the Kingdom of God, we must keep love foremost of all.
Luke 1:27-37 Compassion is the core of loving others.
Luke 11:42 Jesus never got lost in religious legalism as many people tend to do.
John 13:34-35 We understand love by viewing the actions and words of Jesus. The higher standard of love is to love as he did.
John 14:15, 21-31 We love Him by keeping his commandments.
John 15:9-21 My joy may be in you and that your joy may be full.
Genesis 3:15 The seed of the woman
Genesis 4 Cain and Abel
Genesis 6 Had there not been the flood, eventually Noah either would have been ill-effected or died and with him the promised seed.
Genesis 17 Abraham and Sarah could not reproduce.
Genesis 25:21 Rebecca was barren.
Genesis 38 Tamar’s husbands both died.
Exodus 1:15-ff Midwives were ordered to kill all the baby boys in Moses’ day.
1 Kings 1:5 Adonijah, David’s son, plotted to steal the throne from Solomon.
Solomon had 770 wives and 300 concubines and only one son and two daughters.
1 Kings 22 Jehoshaphat was almost killed by the deceit of Ahab.
2 Kings 11 Jehoram married Athaliah, the daughter of Jezebel. Their son, Ahaziah, reigned after his father. He died, and Athaliah killed all the grandchildren. The aunt took Joash as a baby and hid him for 6 years.
Isaiah 38 Hezekiah had no sons and was going to die, but God gave 15 more years during which his son, Manasseh, was born.
2 Kings 24:1-15; 25:7 Zedekiah - all his children were killed in front of him, then his eyes were taken. However, Jehoiachin was saved beforehand.
Matthew 2:16 Herod killed all the male children two years old and under.
Matthew 1:1-17 The women in the genealogy -- Tamar, vs 3; Rahab, vs 5; Ruth, vs 3; Bathsheba, vs 6; Mary, vs 16.
Luke 1:27-35 God created seed in Mary.
Matthew 1:1 Jesus “the Messiah”, the son of David, the son of Abraham
Two Important “Everlasting Covenants” from the Hebrew Scriptures
- The Covenant to Abraham
- The Covenant to David
The Messiah
1 Chronicles 2:8-10 The mother of Samuel the prophet, Hannah, prayed over her son, and in her prayer she prophetically spoke of this Messiah that would judge the ends of the earth.
The anointed of the Lord
“The Messiah”
anoint = mashach
anointed = mashiyach= messiah
Hebrew mashiyach = Greek christos
Messiah = Christ = The Anointed
John 1:41
He found first his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which translated means Christ).
2 Samuel 5:1-5 As the Messiah, the Lord’s anointed, David ruled the kingdom of God. It was God’s kingdom. The children of Israel were God’s people. But David sat on the throne, ruling over Israel. He was to shepherd God’s people.
1 Kings 1:34-35 Solomon now sat upon David’s throne and ruled Israel.
1 Chronicles 29:20; 22-23 As the Messiah over God’s heritage, the king was worshipped. Solomon sat on “the throne of the LORD [Yahweh]” in David’s stead. It was called David’s throne (1 Kings 1:35), but in reality it was Yahweh’s throne, with God’s anointed, His Messiah ruling on His behalf.
The Covenant to David
1 Chronicles 17:1-15 The promise to David
God not only promised this to David, but He made a covenant with David (Psalm 89:3-4). The covenant to David was a salt covenant (2 Chronicles 13:5). God bound His oath to David with a covenant. It will absolutely come to pass (Jeremiah 33:20-21).
It had been over 550 years since the last descendent of David ruled as Yahweh’s anointed over God’s people. But God would keep His promise. It was at this time in history, just before what historians call the “Common Era” when the Angel Gabriel visited the small village of Nazareth.
Luke 1:26-38 The promise to Mary. A fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant
Luke 2:1-20 The birth of Christ -- The Messiah!
Hosea 4:1-3 The people have no faithfulness, no steadfast love, and no knowledge of God. Instead, they are swearing, lying, murdering, stealing, committing adultery, and shedding blood.
Hosea 12:8 Israel is not the least concerned about its sin. They don’t think God will see or do anything.
Hosea 6:4-10; 13:4-8 God is furious and ready for action, like a lion who hunts her prey or a bear robbed of her cubs. The object of God’s wrath, however, is Israel.
Hosea 10:1; 8:4-6; 4:12-13 Out of all of their sins, one stood above the rest--idolatry! God is very sensitive about idolatry.
Hosea 11:1-4 God cared for His people and adopted them, right from Egypt. However, they would not walk in His ways and kept sacrificing to Baal.
Hosea 1:2; 2:1-23 God had Hosea marry a prostitute so that he could illustrate God’s own situation
He had three sign children
1. Jezreel: God will judge the king’s dynasty for what they did in the Valley of Jezreel
2. Loruhamah: God will no longer have mercy on Israel
3. Loammi: Israel is no longer God’s people
Hosea 6:1; 7:13-15 Repeatedly, Hosea called the people to repentance. If they wouldn’t repent, then God would punish them.
Hosea 12:6; 14:1-3 Repeatedly, Hosea reached out to his people to turn back to God.
Hosea 11:8-11; 2:14-23; 14:4-7 Even though Hosea has so much doom and gloom, there’s also a strong message of hope, if the people will actually repent.
Hosea 14:9; 10:12 Let’s learn from this example and be faithful to our God.
Chronological Order of Events at Mt. Sinai
Exodus 19:1-40:38
In the third month of the first year, the children of Israel arrive at Mt. Sinai. They cleanse themselves for three days. Exodus 19:1-15
God speaks to all the people from the mountain. He orally gives them the Ten Commandments. Exodus 19:16-20:19
Moses alone goes into the mountain to receive further details and consequences of the Law. Exodus 20:20-23:33
Moses tells all these words to the people. They agree to obey. A covenant is made (The old covenant). Exodus 24:1-11
Moses goes into the mountain for 40 days and receives instruction regarding the tabernacle and the office of the priest. Exodus 24:12-31:18
While in the mount, the children of Israel make a golden calf. Moses breaks the tables of stone upon his return. Exodus 32:1-33:23
Moses returns into the mountain another 40 days. He again receives the tables of stone. Exodus 34:1-35
The children of Israel build the tabernacle. Exodus 35:1-39:43
The tabernacle is reared up on the first day of the second year. Exodus 40:1-38
Song: How Great Thou Art
Welcome
Colossians 3:16
"Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God."
Song: Psalm 100
Psalm 69:30 Magnify Him with thanksgiving.
Psalm 95:2 Come before His presence with thanksgiving - shout joyfully with psalms.
Psalm 107:22 Sacrifice the sacrifice of thanksgiving - tell of His works with joyful singing.
Psalm 116:17 Offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving.
Psalm 147:1, 7 Sing unto Yahweh with thanksgiving.
Psalm 92:1 It is a good thing to give thanks unto Yahweh and to sing praises unto Thy name.
God is to be praised with a heart of thankfulness. It is good to sing praises to Him.
Hebrews 13:15 This practice continues in the New Testament instruction as well, to offer a sacrifice of praise and give thanks to His name.
Song: It is Good to Praise the Lord
Song: We Bring the Sacrifice of Praise
Hebrews 13:15-16 Our giving is also a sacrifice we offer to God in thanksgiving.
Philippians 4:15-18 This is well pleasing to God.
2 Corinthians 9:7-12 Genuine giving is never to be by compulsion or grudgingly, but out of a heart of thankfulness, out of a cheerful heart! The fruit of genuine giving is a product of thanksgiving, which in turn produces thanksgiving.
Tithes and Offerings
Psalm 106:1 Praise Yahweh! O give thanks to Yahweh, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting
“His lovingkindness is everlasting”
(“His mercy endureth forever” KJV)
This is the anthem of God’s People - “His lovingkindess is everlasting.”
1 Chr. 16: 4, 34 When David brought the ark to Jerusalem, the Levites were instructed to sing it.
2 Chr. 5:13; 7:1-6 At the dedication of the Temple with King Solomon, it was repeated.
2 Chr. 20:21 When Jehoshaphat sent out singers before the armies of Israel, they sang it.
Ezra 3:11 When the foundation was laid at the time of the restoration under Zerubbabel, it was sung.
Jer. 33:11 This will be sung in the future in Jerusalem when the Kingdom is restored.
Psalm 136:1-3; 25 We are to thank God for His mercy - His lovingkindness.
Song: Kindness
Song: Lord, You are Good
1 Timothy 2:1-2
“...thanksgivings be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.” We can be thankful and pray for our country and those who are public servants and lead our state, our nation, and other nations in the world.
Matthew 26:27; Luke 22:19 - He “gave thanks” (GK eucharisteo)
Song: Thank you, Lord
Communion Service
Song: Give Thanks
1 Corinthians 14:13-17 - One aspect of speaking in tongues is “giving of thanks.”
Manifestations
1 Thessalonians 5:1 In everything give thanks.
Colossians 3:5 Be Thankful!
Song: Thankful
Genesis 12:1-4 Unlike Adam and Eve, the people in the flood and the tower of Babel, Abram took God at His word and did what he was told to do. He believed God meant exactly what He said and responded accordingly.
12:7 Noteworthy is he built an altar to the LORD. The next place he stopped is Bethel where again he built another altar. Abram was part of the purpose of the ages and understood that loving God was his purpose in life.
Genesis 13:14-18 Initially, God gave a general promise regarding the land. Now the boundaries were established: as far as he could see to the north, south, east, and west. The scope of his descendants was enlarged to include a great multitude beyond numbering.
Genesis 15:1-6 The promise regarding his seed became very specific -- from his own body and innumerable like the stars in the sky.
15:13-16 The 400 years commences with the birth of Isaac since his descendants are referenced. During this interval, they are to be first strangers or sojourners in a land not theirs for one hundred and ninety years. For the remaining 210 years, they were in Egypt.
15:18 To assure him of God’s promise and Abram’s future, God cut a covenant with him.
16:2-4 Abram is held up as the great example of someone who believed and walked with God; however, he did not live a mistake-free life. Over ten years passed since the first promise, and yet they still did not have children. Sarai came up with a plan to have a child. That plan was her own and not God’s.
17:1-8 The promises and commitment increase again.
22:15-18 God’s threefold commitment was: first, His promise (Genesis 12), then He cut a covenant (Genesis 15 and 17), and now He swore (Genesis 22).
Hebrews 6:13-18 The Abrahamic covenant will absolutely come to pass.
Galatians 3:6-9, 14 God told him he would be the father of many nations and changed his name to reflect this. Israel is only one nation. The inclusion of the Gentiles made his seed to be many nations.
Verse 16 The most significant seed of both biology and faith -- Jesus Christ
Verse 29 If we believe in Christ, we are the seed of Abraham and heirs of the same promises.
The fall was not an isolated event, effecting Adam and Eve, but the introduction of a virulent contagion capable of tainting every aspect of human experience.
Cain and Abel
Genesis 4:1-16 Within the second generation of humanity, we encounter not only jealousy, but even murder. Even so, God did not give up on Cain; He warned him beforehand and protected him from vengeance afterwards.
The Flood
Genesis 6:1-7 After many generations, human evil compounded to such a degree that everyone’s thoughts were only evil continually. Consequently, God regretted He ever made us and resolved to blot out all of humanity.
Genesis 6:8 This one little verse changes everything. It’s the first instance in Scripture of God’s grace or favor.
Genesis 6:9-22 If Noah could be a righteous man who lived blamelessly in the midst of overwhelming rebelliousness, violence, and sin, then what’s your excuse? God decided to save the people and the animals in an ark. He could have rescued them on His own, but He chose to involve them in the process.
Genesis 7:15-24 Once the animals and Noah’s family were in the ark, God closed the door. It rained for forty days, then the waters prevailed 150 days. What must that have been like to be a zoo keeper for half a year while the boat floated in the sea?
Genesis 8:8-12 Noah sent out doves to see if the water had subsided. When the one returned with an olive leaf, it told him that the flood waters had receded and that he would be saved.
Genesis 9:8-13 God made a covenant never to destroy the earth with a flood again. The rainbow is the sign of this covenant.
The Tower of Babel
Genesis 11:1-4 At first glance, it’s hard to see why this would be problematic. However, God had commanded humanity to “be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it” (Genesis 1:28).
Genesis 11:5-9 God had to stop them from repeating the mistakes of the past. Languages are our reminder that unity and progress are not always virtues if we aren’t pursuing God’s will.
Genesis 2:16-17 Humans and spiritual beings such as angels and cherubim were created with self-determination, the ability and right to choose.
Genesis 3:1 The serpent - Revelation; Ezekiel 28:11-19
Genesis 3:2-5 He baited Eve by misquoting and placing doubt about God’s words, motives, and integrity.
Genesis 3:6 With disregard for God’s very clear and specific commands, they ate the fruit. What Eve saw and desired was considered of greater value than God’s word.
Genesis 2:25 compared with 3:7. The divine nature was replaced with what we now call human nature with its self-consciousness and self-focus. Their actions reveal that the centrality of God died that day replaced with the centrality of self.
3:8-10 Their once open, holy, loving relationship with God was reduced to hiding from His presence.
3:11-12 God’s approach and questions provided Adam the opportunity to confess his wrongdoing and ask forgiveness (Job 31:33)
3:13 Adam and Eve originally bore the image of their Creator, but after the fall, His image in them was greatly diminished, if not completely destroyed in many aspects.
Romans5:12-21; Ephesians 2:1-3 As descendants of Adam and Eve, we have their likeness of deadness.
3:14 The consequence was expulsion from the loftiest position in God’s creation to the absolute lowest. He is now lower than the lowest living being.
3:15 Although God’s desire for a loving family relationship with people was greatly damaged, His purpose was not altered at all. He immediately devised a plan to redeem humanity and reinstate paradise.
To listen to the 10 reasons to believe the bible is true, click here.
The bible claims to be inspired by God, the result of his spirit or breath.
2 Timothy 3:16
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness
In order to see how the bible stands out from other literature, we can look at translations, sales, and manuscripts. In addition, we can compare it to ancient contemporary literary works from the same part of the world.
Creation Account
The Enuma Elish compared to Genesis
Law Codes
The Code of Hammurabi compared to Deuteronomy
Medical Treatments
Ebers Papyrus compared to Leviticus
Other reasons to consider the bible’s veracity include predictive prophecy, unflattering honesty, martyrdom, and archeology. For more detail on these reasons, see lhim.org/godspeaks.
Psalm 19:7-11 God’s words revive the soul, make the simple wise, make our hearts rejoice, taste sweeter than honey, are more desirable than gold, and endure forever.
Many people ask the very real questions: “Why am I here?”, “What is the meaning of Life?”, and “What is the reason for man’s existence?”
Ephesians 1:3-12 -- God and Father of our Lord Jesus, “He chose us in Him”; “before Him”; “He predestined”; “according to the kind intention of His will”; “to the praise...of His grace”; “the mystery of His will”; “according to His kind intention”; “which He purposed”; “according to His purpose”; “after the counsel of His will”; “to the praise of His glory.”
Ephesians 3:10-11 -- God has an “eternal purpose” or a “purpose of the ages.”
Revelation 4:11 -- All things were created by God, and they exist and were created for His will.
Acts 14:15
Psalm 146:1-6 -- He keeps truth forever.
Nehemiah 9:5b-6; Ps 102:25; 121:2; 124:8; 134:3 -- The LORD [“Yahweh”] God made heaven and earth.
The Creation
Genesis 1:1-5 -- First Day
Genesis 1:6-8 -- Second Day
Genesis 1:9-13 -- Third Day
Genesis 1:14-19 -- Fourth Day
Genesis 1:20-23 -- Fifth Day
Genesis 1:24-31 -- Sixth Day - The crowning achievement of creation was man, made in the image of God. Creation was not an accident. Man did not simply evolve out of nothingness. But life was ordained and exists because of God’s good intention and will.
Psalm 8:1, 3-9 -- How majestic is the name of Yahweh!
Psalm 19:1 -- The heavens declare the glory of God.
Psalm 111:2-4 -- Great are the works of the Lord.
Obedience is the outward expression of love.
1 John 1:1-3 Fellowship with brothers in Christ, God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ are all connected or interwoven. You cannot have one without the other.
4 Joy is realized in life as we share in fellowship.
6 This epistle confronts some deceptions that were influence by Gnosticism.
The false assertion is that we can have fellowship with God, while at the same time we walk (habitually live) in darkness. Some of the early Gnostics were guilty of believing that Christians are released by grace from the obligation of observing the moral law. They thought of the body as a mere envelope covering the human spirit, which, they further maintained, was incorruptible; it could not be contaminated by the deeds of the body. Others taught a truly spiritual person progressed beyond the possibility of any defilement. You could be righteous without necessarily doing righteousness. Consequently, the communion of the spirit with God was independent of the morality of the body.
Psalm 66:18; Isaiah 1:15; 59:1-2 Such believing was part of the original sin with Adam and Eve.
1 John 1:6 The Greek word “poieo” translated “practice” occurs 13 times in 1 John, most often meaning practice, repeatedly, habitually.
Note the word “if” used in 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10. On this little word, hangs significant truth that may determine your eternal life.
7 If we walk, we are cleansed by the blood (Revelation 1:5; 7:14; Hebrews 9:14; 1 Peter 1:19; Ephesians 1:7). Conversely, if we walk in darkness, we are not.
8 Much of the emphasis of the epistle is to confront the lies and deception about the consequences of sin.
1 John 2:1 The knowledge of forgiveness is not to free you to sin but rather to avoid sin.
2:1-2 “Propitiation” is to appease, to gain or regain favor with God, conciliate.
3 The word “know” occurs 36 times in the five chapters of John.
5 This addresses the false notion that you can know God without keeping His commandments. The very opposite is the truth; the only way to know Him is to keep His commandments. To know God experientially, you must obey Him. There is no other way.
9 Another false assertion is you can walk in the light and still hate your brother.
17 The one who does the will of God lives forever.
28-29 Those who practice righteousness are born of Him; those who do not are not.
3:7-8 Do not be deceived. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Ephesians 5:3-6
1 John 3:9 No one born of God practices sin. Another point of misunderstanding addressed is that we are able to maintain sonship independent of fellowship.
1 Chronicles 28:9 If you seek Him, He will let you find Him.
2 Chronicles 15:1-4 Yahweh is with you when you are with Him.
Jeremiah 29:11-14 “You will seek Me and find Me...” God is not hiding; rather, He is in open view for those who truly seek to know Him. We are required to seek, that is to want, Him -- the foundation of every love relationship. You must want Him.
Genesis 2:17 Self-determination was necessary for Adam and Eve to have a loving relationship with Yahweh.
Matthew 7:7-12 Ask, seek, knock
Deuteronomy 7:7-8 Yahweh loved you.
Jeremiah 31:1-6 Yahweh’s love is everlasting.
Micah 7:14-20 Although Israel’s love faded for Yahweh, His love has been unchanging.
Romans 5:6-11 He loves you and has called you to be with Him forever.
Ephesians 1:7-8 If God has demonstrated His love and longing to the degree He has, we can be certain that there is something special about you and that you are not like everyone else in the world. You are God’s child!
2:1-10
Titus 3:3-8
Romans 8:31-39 The only thing that can separate you from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus was not listed -- you.
The purpose of the ages is the Kingdom of God, and the purpose of the Kingdom is an everlasting, perfect love relationship with Yahweh our God. Most important to God is a continual love relationship with you; therefore, the most important thing for you is to constantly pursue a love relationship with Him.
Genesis 1:1 The beginning of our relationship with Yahweh is to acknowledge that He is the Creator.
Genesis 1:11-13 God sets these facts in simple, understandable ways. Now on the other hand, there is the convoluted theory of evolution. Darwin’s evolution theory is preposterous in denying God, our Creator, and proven scientific facts, yet it is commonly taught our children as a matter of fact beginning in elementary schools.
Genesis 1:14-19 The radius of the sun is 432,376 miles, and it is one small star in the Milky Way galaxy that supposedly contains 400 billion stars, and there are 170 billion more galaxies in the observable universe. Rather than God the Creator, the big bang theory is the cosmological model. These devilish doctrines are designed to diminish the Creator and worshipping Him.
Psalm 19:1-3 The creation compels us to worship Yahweh, our Creator.
Romans 1:20-22
Deuteronomy 6:4-9 The Shema is a prayer that is recited at least twice daily (morning and evening). In its entirety, the Shema consists of three paragraphs including Deuteronomy 6:4-9; 11:13-21; and Numbers 15:37-41.
The first part of the Shema is Yahweh is one.
Isaiah 44:24; 45:5-7, 18; and 46:9 We must be clear who God is in order to carry out the most important matter of all.
Mark 12:28-34 Jesus knew what was most important.
1 Corinthians 8:4-6 One God and one Lord
Romans 13:8-10; 12:9-10 Most important of all
Ezra, the Believer
Ezra 7:1-10 Ezra was a scribe, skilled in the Law of Moses. He requested that King Artaxerxes of Persia send him to Jerusalem to support the temple there.
Ezra 8:21-36 Ezra didn’t want to ask for an escort from the king, but instead wanted to put his trust in God to protect him (and the money) on their five month journey.
Ezra, the Teacher
Nehemiah 8:1-14 Ezra taught the people, reading from God’s book and helping the people understand it. He helped them both to learn the doctrine as well as how to practice their faith. He supervised the celebration of Sukkot (the Feast of Booths).
Ezra, the Revivalist
Deuteronomy 7:1-6 God had forbidden Israel from intermarrying the inhabitants of the land of Canaan.
Jeremiah 7:16-18; 11:11-14; 14:11-12; Ezekiel 8:5-18; Psalm 106:34-47 Repeatedly, God’s people ended up falling into idolatry and worshipping the gods of the land, which is why he evicted them for seventy years. In Ezra’s time, the people had been back in the land for approximately eighty years.
Ezra 9:1-15 Ezra can’t believe that the people are going right back into marrying these same peoples that brought idolatry into Israel in the past. They barely survived the exile, and it’s like the people have no clue.
Ezra 10:1-14 Amazingly, the people responded in repentance, paving the way for a legacy of faithfulness to God. After Ezra’s stand, we never hear about Israel worshipping other gods in the rest of biblical history.
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 The believers followed Paul.
1 Corinthians 4:14-17 Paul followed Christ; Timothy followed Paul; and the Corinthians were to follow Timothy.
1 Corinthians 10:24-11:1 Everything Paul did was for the glory of God, always endeavoring to win one soul for the glory of God. We are to be imitators of this man because he was an imitator of Christ.
Philippians 3:12-20 Paul pressed on toward the goal for the prize, and likewise we should do the same. Follow the leader, Paul. We have a written example in him.
Philippians 4:8-9 The Philippians were to follow Paul who followed Jesus who followed God.
Acts 16:6-7 Paul did what Jesus told him even if it was contrary to what he wanted to do.
14 The Lord opened her heart. All that distance and all that time and all that energy were for one soul!
18 Jesus powered the spirit out of the woman. Paul followed the Lord; the lord did not follow Paul.
30 God through Christ through Paul reached the jailor.
Acts 17:1-14 This was the great example the believers in Thessalonica had to follow.
1 Thessalonians 2:1- 20 He treated them with the gentleness of a nursing mother and the strength of a father. They became examples for the churches in Macedonia and Achaia
Colossians 1:18 (ESV)
And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent
Colossians 1:3-6
The hope laid up for you in heaven
Colossians 1:11-12
He has qualified us to share in the inheritance.
Colossians 1:13
He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son.
Colossians 1:14-20 -- The preeminence of Christ
Christ is seated at the right hand of God -- Consider what this means.
Ephesians 1:19-23
There are powers in this world -- earthly kingdoms with hierarchy of rule. There are the rulers of the darkness of this world -- Satan’s kingdom -- spiritual forces of wickedness (Eph 2:2; 6:12; 2 Cor 4:4; Luk 4:5). There are myriads of angels -- powerful created beings (Dan 7:10; Heb 12:22; Jud 14; Rev 5:11). There are the seven spirits before the throne (Rev 1:4; 4:5; 8:2). There are four angels holding back the four winds of the earth (Rev 7:1; Dan 7:2; Eze 37:9; Mt 24:31). There are 24 elders (Rev 4:4). And there are the four living creatures -- the cherubim before the throne of Yahweh (Rev 4:6-9; Ps 99:1; Eze 1:1ff; 10:1ff).
When men saw visions of God’s throne, they brought them to great humility: Isaiah 6:5; Ezekiel 1:28; Daniel 7:28.
Jesus ascended to the right hand of God above all principality, power, might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in the world to come! (Ps 110:1; Dan 7:13-14; Mat 26:64; Mar 14:62; Luk 22:69-70; Mat 28:18; Eph 4:8; Heb 1:2, 13; Heb 10:12; Rev 5:1ff)
Colossians 2:8-10
In him all the fullness of deity dwells in bodily form, and in him you have been made complete, and he is the head over all rule and authority.
Colossians 2:15
He has disarmed the rulers and authorities, made a public display of them, and triumphed over them.
Colossians 2:17-19
The substance belongs to Christ...and not holding fast to the head.
Colossians 3:1
Keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Philippians 3:10-12 Paul knows he has not yet obtained resurrection; he’s not yet been made complete. Press on = dioko: to pursue, chase, persecute. He sees the finish line of the resurrection and races toward it.
Philippians 3:13-14 Like a running, straining every muscle and nerve, he’s pushing himself forward to the hope. He’s not holding back or hedging his bets.
Philippians 3:15-17 If you’re mature, you’re like Paul--your eye is on the finish line. Rather than sitting comfortably on your laurels, you’re actively seeking to walk with God today. When’s the last time God did something in your life?
Philippians 3:18-19 Sadly, there are people who make themselves enemies of the cross of Christ. We can’t be so focused on our appetites and earthly things that we put stumbling blocks before other Christians. Rather, we must keep our eyes on the hope.
Philippians 3:20-21 Citizenship was important in the Roman Empire, especially in a city like Philippi since it was a Roman colony. Our citizenship is in heaven from which we await our Lord.
"'We are citizens of heaven,' Paul declares in verse 20. At once many modern Christians misunderstand what he means. We naturally suppose he means 'and so we're waiting until we can go and live in heaven where we belong.' But that's not what he says, and it's certainly not what he means. If someone in Philippi said, 'We are citizens of Rome,' they certainly wouldn't mean 'so we're looking forward to going to live there.' Being a colony works the other way round. The last thing the emperors wanted was a whole lot of colonists coming back to Rome. The capital was already overcrowded and underemployed. No: the task of the Roman citizen in a place like Philippi was to bring Roman culture and rule to northern Greece, to expand Roman influence there." NT Wright (Paul for Everyone: The Prison Letters, p. 124)Let’s press on towards the prize with a clear focus. Let’s chase after the hope without allowing ourselves to be distracted by what’s around us. Although our resurrection is in the future, it should affect how we live now, including how we spend our time and money, how we plan the future, and how we treat people.
The Scriptures are progressive in revealing God’s plan. The Old Testament points to the coming Messiah, while the gospels present the historical Christ -- that is what he did when he first came. Little is communicated about what was accomplished on the cross because God kept it a secret, or as it is called a mystery.
1 Corinthians 2:6-10 Paul the Apostle was given the revelation about the great mystery which is now written in the church Epistles with his name. The book of Acts records the history of the early church after Christ ascended. Obviously, they did not know the fullness of what was accomplished on the cross until Paul shows up on the scene.
Romans 16:25 -- The next few weeks we will focus on the epistles that reveal the great mystery.
Ephesians 1:9; 3:1-11 In this mystery, we see God’s eternal purpose. Within the mystery, we learn our new identity in Christ.
Ephesians 1:1-23
1:1 Saints are the faithful in Christ, the Greek word hagios is translated 9 times as “saints” in Ephesians and 5 times “holy.” The saints are the holy ones. In Christ you have been made holy. You are a saint!
3 -- Heavenly 1; 20; 2:6; 3:10; 6:12
Only God knew what was to be accomplished IN CHRIST -- 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15
4 -- Many are called, few are chosen. Matthew 22:14
You were called. Have you responded? If so, you are chosen.
5 -- Predestination and free will (Matthew 22:1-14)
God’s kind intention to you is that you become His son, that you be a part of the purpose of the ages, His family.
6 -- Praise of God’s glory, 12 and 14
7 -- Redemption -- 2:1-13 If the devil knew killing Jesus would free those whom he held captive in sin, he would not have killed him. Christ took on sin on the cross.
9 -- God’s kind intention is why we are included and why we can know when for centuries others did not know.
10-14 All these blessings now and, if we are faithful, the Kingdom when it comes -- how can we not live to the praise of His glory?
Genesis 1:26-28 God’s original plan was to fill the earth with people created in His image and likeness. Once the original plan was shattered by sin, Yahweh set in motion a strategy to regain His purposes. He still wants an earth filled with people like Him that He can share love with; He wants a family!
Genesis 13:14-18 God promised Abraham land and descendants like the dust of the earth.
15:5-7 Descendants like stars in heaven
17:1-8 “Multiply you exceedingly; ...I will be their God”
22:15-18 Seed as stars of the heavens and as the sand on the seashore
Galatians 3:6-9, 29 Includes all those of faith, Jew and Gentile
Jeremiah 33:14-26 Yahweh cut a covenant with David that absolutely cannot be broken. “I will multiply the descendants of David My servant.”
God’s plan has not changed. He still wants the earth filled with holy people.
Acts 15:13-18; Romans 11:25
Leviticus 26:11-12; Ezekiel 11:20; 36:28; 37:21-28; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18
Revelation 21:1-5 He will be our God, and we will be His people
Matthew 28:18-20 The church’s mission statement
2 Corinthians 5:14-21 Join God in what He is doing.
Where is your treasure?
Luke 12:13-15 “BEWARE”
Luke 12:15 (ESV)
And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
Luke 12:16-21 Parable of a rich landowner
Luke 12:22-34 Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Psalm 62:10; Proverbs 23:4-5 Don’t set your heart on riches. Don’t weary yourself to gain wealth.
1 Timothy 6:6-10 Having food and clothing, be content.
1 Timothy 6:17-19 Don’t fix your hope on the uncertainty of riches. Be rich in good works; be generous and ready to share, storing up the treasure of a good foundation for the future.
Be ready for the coming of Christ
Luke 12:35-48
Christ is coming back. How should that affect the way you live today?
Repent
Luke 13:1-5
Bad things happen to good and bad people alike. How did Jesus respond?
Luke 13:6-9 The parable of the unfruitful fig tree
Matthew 23:1-3 The scribes were paid scholars who could at least write, but often also were experts on what the Bible said. Pharisees were laymen who joined a strict sect, dedicated to scrupulous observance of God’s laws. Jesus says to obey these people, but don’t imitate them. Their words are good, but their actions are bad.
Hypocrisy: the behavior of people who do things that they tell other people not to do (Merriam-Webster)
Matthew 23:4 We should not only tell our fellow brothers and sisters what is right and wrong, but should also have compassion on their struggles and offer to help them carry the burden.
Matthew 23:5-12 They were motivated by honor. Honor is appropriate for elders, leaders, and everyone (1 Timothy 5:17; 1 Peter 2:17). Honor is good, but self-focus and aggrandizement are not. Jesus taught much on how to practice righteousness properly (Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18).
Matthew 23:13-39 Jesus knew what was to come (Matthew 24:1-2). The Jewish War with Rome lasted from a.d. 66 to 73. It was devastating in every way imaginable.
Matthew 23:34-37 How they responded to Jesus determined the fate of the city and the nation. The stakes were incredibly high. Don’t mistake Jesus’ tone for a petty, angry outburst. How would you speak to leaders whose self-delusion was dooming their nation?
Seven Thunderous Woes
v13 Shut the Kingdom in people’s faces
v15 Great effort to make converts twice a child of hell
v16 Blind guides who use technicalities to invalidate oaths
v23 Precision in tithing, but miss weightier matters (justice, mercy, faithfulness)
v25 Clean outside, but inside are filthy (greed, self-indulgence)
v27 Outwardly righteous, but inwardly hypocritical and lawless
v29 Memorialize prophets of old, but persecute prophets before them
Hypocrisy is not a Christian problem; it’s a human problem.
Honestly evaluate yourself. God has made a way to be forgiven (John 3:16; 1 John 1:8-10).
Matthew 20:20-28 The mindset of a Christian is entirely different than that of the world. It is the opposite.
The mother of John and James was a regular member of the disciple group (Matt. 27:55-56).
19:28 The thrones are already assured; the question is precedence. James and John along with Peter were the inner circle.
22 The cup is a metaphor for destined suffering. The connection Jesus placed on the cup and throne is interesting -- suffering and the glory. They responded that they were able, but both ran when Jesus was taken.
23 -- In the future, they would drink the cup of suffering. James is killed in Acts 12:2, and John perhaps in his imprisonment on Patmos.
24 The ten others are no freer of ambition than the two brothers.
27 -- Greatness among the disciples of Jesus are the reverse of what the world is used to. True greatness is in service.
28 -- Our service will be different from Jesus’, but its motivation must be the same, not to be served but to serve.
Philippians 2:1-3 The opposite of the concerns that were of John and James.
4-13 Fear and trembling basically means respect and humility.
Romans 1:1 Paul was a slave to the Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 7:23 You are bought with a price -- the life of Jesus. You are not your own.
Galatians 6:16-17 We have the big C brand -- Christ our Lord.
Galatians 1:10-12
Psalm 25:15 The bond slave keeps his eye on the Master.
Ephesians 6:5-9; 2 Timothy 2:22-26
Romans 6:16ff You are going to be a slave for someone or something; why not Yahweh and our Lord Jesus the Christ?
Revelation 1:1; 22:1-7 Bond slaves are the ones revelation was written to.
Overcomer Promises:
2:7 Tree of life in the paradise of God
2:11 Not hurt in the second death
2:17 Hidden manna, white stone with a new name, new life
2:26-29 Authority over the nations, morning star (22:16)
3:5-6 White garments, book of life, confess before the Father
3:11-13 Pillar in the temple of God, name of God, New Jerusalem, Jesus’ new name
3:21-22 Sit on the throne of Jesus
Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 11, 21 We must overcome.
Ephesus -- first love
Smyrna -- faithful until death
Pergamum -- desire for money and wrong doctrine
Thyatira -- immorality and idolatry
Sardis -- wake up
Philadelphia -- keep God’s word, and do not deny His name
Laodicea -- neither hot or cold; get hot
John 16:32-32 Jesus overcame the world.
1 John 2:13-14 We too can overcome.
1 John 4:4 Greater is he in you than he who is in the world.
1 John 5:4-5 We are overcomers.
Romans 8:31-39 We overwhelmingly conquer.
Hebrew 6:13, 18-19 Anchor of the soul, sure and steadfast
Hebrews 11:13-16 Their hope influences their entire lives. Do we see and welcome our hope?
Revelation 1:1-3; 3:11; 22:12 The time is near; live like it is so.
2:7 Tree of life in the paradise of God
2:11 Not hurt in the second death
2:17 Hidden manna, white stone with a new name, new life
2:26-29 Authority over the nations, morning star (22:16)
3:5-6 White garments, book of life, confess before the Father
3:11-13 Pillar in the temple of God, name of God, new Jerusalem, Jesus’ new name
3:21-22 Sit on the throne of JesusMatthew 24:36-51 Be on the alert!
Mark 13:35-37 Eliminate procrastination.
Romans 13:11-12 Put on the armor of light.
James 5:7-8 Be patient.
1 Peter 4:7-8 Sound judgment and sober.
1 John 2:18 It is the last hour.
Mark 8:27 Who do people say that Jesus is? What’s the buzz on the street?
Mark 8:28 They thought he was a prophet. People were circulating a rumor about John the Baptist.
- Mark 6:14-16 Herod believed that Jesus was John the Baptist risen from the dead.
- Malachi 4:5-6 Because of this prophecy, people thought Jesus could have been Elijah.
- Luke 1:15-17 The angel, Gabriel, explained that John the Baptist came “in the spirit and power of Elijah” to fulfill this prophecy.
- Matthew 11:13-14 Jesus said of John that “he is Elijah who is to come.”
Mark 8:29 This, now, is the question that reverberates through the centuries. Your answer to this defines your relationship with Jesus. Apart from Peter’s answer, four alternatives are popular among different groups today:
1. Jesus is a myth (he never existed)
2. Jesus is a dead good man (a tragic hero)
3. A dead bad man (a false prophet)
4. God in the flesh (2nd person of the Trinity)
Luke 1:31-33 This is Jesus’ destiny from the beginning--to rule forever
Mark 8:29-33 Within four verses, Peter swings from his greatest shining moment to his most awkward. Jesus knew what he had to do. He didn’t want to, but he couldn’t allow Peter or Satan or anyone to plant the smallest seed of doubt in his mind about going through with it.
Mark 8:34-38 If you have the guts to confess Jesus as Messiah, then you have thrown in your lot with him. You have given him your allegiance, loyalty, and fidelity.
Isaiah 42:1-10
1 - Yahweh promised to uphold Jesus, God’s chosen, Yahweh’s delight.
4 - Not disheartened or crushed
6 - I will hold you by the hand and watch over you.
Luke 4:18 - Jesus connected Isaiah 42 with himself.
Luke 2:41-52 - God fathered him from birth.
Matthew 3:13-17 - This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.
Matthew 4:1 - God always led him.
Matthew 4:11 - Angels ministered to him.
Matthew 26:53 - His Father always had his back.
Luke 22:43 - An angel strengthening Him
Matthew 17:1-9 - The Father prepared the Son, gave Him a vision and hope and purpose and direction.
John 5:19, 20, 30; 14:9-11 - God gave Jesus the words to speak, and God brought the works to pass. God always directed him. He led him by the hand.
John 11:42 - God, His Father, always heard him. Jesus was never alone.
YOU ARE NOW GOD’S BELOVED
John 16:23-27 - The reason for Jesus was so you could become Yahweh’s beloved son.
Psalm 68:4-8 - Yahweh is a Father to the fatherless.
Hebrews 13:5-6 - He is always with you.
John 20:30-31
The signs recorded in the Gospel of John were written down so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ [Messiah], the Son of God.
Isaiah the prophet spoke of a time when the Messiah would come. He would cause the blind to see
(Isaiah 29:18; 35:5-6a; 42:7).
Luke 7:20-22
John the Baptist asked if Jesus was the Expected One.
"Go and report to John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have the gospel preached to them.”
John 9:1-6
This was not something Jesus invented. He was doing “the work of Him who sent” him. There is not a technique for healing the blind. Jesus worked as the Father worked in him.
Jesus healed other blind people, but there is not one particular technique.
Matthew 9:27-31 Two blind men asked for mercy. Jesus asked about their faith and touched their eyes
Matthew 12:22 The man was demon possessed, blind, and mute - Jesus healed him.
Matthew 15:30 Blind and others were cast at Jesus’ feet. He healed them.
Matthew 20:29-34 Two blind men - Jesus asked them what they wanted. He touched their eyes.
Matthew 21:14 Blind came to him in the temple. He healed them.
Mark 8:22-25 Blind man - Jesus led him out &spat in his eyes, then laid hands on his eyes.
Mark 10:46-52 Blind Bartimaeus - Jesus told him his faith made him well.
John 5:2-19 Blind and other sick at pool of Bethesda - Jesus healed a man who had been ill 38 years. He was working as the Father worked.
John 9:6-7
Jesus applied clay to his eyes and gave him a simple command: “Go, wash, in the pool of Siloam.” The man obeyed the words of Jesus. Jesus had just come from the temple (John 8:59). The pool of Siloam was in the lower part of Jerusalem in the city of David.
John 9:8-12 The neighbors question who he was and how he could now see.
John 9:13-17 They bring him to the Pharisees who question him.
John 9:18-23 The Pharisees question his parents.
John 9:24-34 The Pharisees question him a second time and then put him out.
John 9:35-41 Jesus finds him, and he sees Jesus for the first time. “Lord, I believe!”
2 Timothy 1:7 God has not given us the spirit of fear, cowardice, or timidity.
Genesis 3:7-10 The greatest fear of all is of God. The accuser tempts people to fear God. Because of fear, man hides himself from God.
Romans 8:15-17 The spirit of slavery or bondage causes fear.
Mark 5:2-5, 14-17 The fear of the supernatural causes people to run from our Lord and our God. Many Christians live powerless lives because they are afraid of wrongly applying the manifestations of the spirit.
Exodus 14:10-13 Fear of circumstances, situations, and people tempt people to blame God. Focus on God rather than is vital.
1 Samuel 15:20-24 Saul feared the people, so he disobeyed Yahweh. Many political leaders compromise their integrity to appease the people. Many religious leaders compromise the integrity and accuracy of God’s Word because they fear losing their job, church, or the people.
Galatians 2:11-13 Peter rejected God’s truth because of fear. Fear has ruined more men’s ministries than anything else.
Judges 7:2 and 3 22,000 left because of fear. 300 fearless godly men defeated 135,000.
2 Timothy 1:7:
Power - Acts 2:14; 4:19-220; 2:4; Romans 8:15-17
Love - 1 John 4:15-18 love eradicates fear
Sound mind - 1 Samuel 17; 21:8-15; Psalm 34:1-6; James 1:21
Isaiah 32:14-18; 44:2-5; Ezekiel 36:24-28; 37:12-14; Joel 2:26-29 Throughout the Hebrew Bible, we find several prophecies about the outpouring of God’s spirit. Each of them occurs in the Kingdom age.
Acts 1:3-9 Jesus told the disciples they would receive a baptism in the spirit in a few days. They immediately asked him about when the Kingdom would come, since the outpouring of the spirit and the coming of the Kingdom were linked in their thinking.
Acts 2:1-4, 12-18, 32-33 Finally, we come to the day of Pentecost and the moment when the spirit comes down upon God’s people. Peter looks to Joel’s prophecy to interpret what happened. This is when Christianity goes public.
Acts 4:1-22 When Peter stood before the very same leaders who had orchestrated Jesus’ crucifixion, he didn’t blink. He’s filled with the spirit and bold beyond measure.
Acts 8:26-35 Philip dares to approach the treasurer of Ethiopia while he’s on the road in his chariot. Amazingly, the man converts on the spot!
Acts 17:16-34 Paul preaches to the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers at Athens, apparently unintimidated by their intellectual pedigrees.
Acts 25:23-26:9 Even knowing that his fate is on the line, Paul shares his testimony with King Agrippa, challenging him to believe in Jesus.
Acts 29:1ff It’s now your time. Stand up and be a witness who testifies boldly in the power of God’s spirit.
John 16:16-24
Jesus spoke of a day coming when his disciples could have Father/son relationship, just as he had.
Who are the children of God?
Romans 9:1-5
Israelites were the adopted children of God. These were the sons of Abraham
(Exodus 4:22; Isaiah 63:16; 64:8; Jeremiah 31:8-9).
This adoption was not based on bloodline, but it was based on having faith in the promise
(Romans 4:1-5; Matthew 3:9; John 8:39-40).
Children of God by Faith
Romans 9:6-8
“It is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise...”
Romans 9:23-26
God promised that a time was coming when those who “were not My people” would be “called sons of the living God.”
Now, in Christ Jesus, all who have faith can be part of God’s family.
Ephesians 1:3-6 He predestined us to the adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself.
Galatians 3:14; 23-29 We are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 4:1-7 We are no longer slaves, but sons, heirs of God.
Romans 8:14-17
Those who are led by the spirit of God, these are the sons of God. And if children, then heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ!
Romans 8:18-25
There is more yet to come when we will receive the full redemption of our body. The creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God!
John 3:1-3
Now we are the sons of God, but there is more yet to come. When he appears we will be like him!!!!
Now we are the sons of God. We are “as he is” in this world. Act like it! Don’t allow the tempter and the accuser to talk you out of your rights as a child of God. Live like a child of God!
Matthew 5:9; Luke 6:35-36; Ephesians 5:1-2; Matthew 7:7-11
