Colossians 2:15 The Old Testament has limited information regarding the devil, demons, and the entire spiritual realm. Jesus was the first to expose them for and also to cast out demons.
Origin Revelation 12:3 This event happened sometime after paradise was created and before the flood. According to Ezekiel 28:11-19, anointed cherub who covers was in Eden and was lifted up with pride and sinned against Yahweh. Based on the context of Scripture and not supposition, the cherub became the serpent while in Eden. His first recorded evil act was against Adam and Eve after which he was cursed by God and his destiny foretold.
Genesis 3:14-15 On your belly you will go all the days of your life.
Destiny Ezekiel 28:16-18 He will be destroyed forever by fire, Revelation 20:10-15; lake of fire Jude 7; Matthew 25:41
Appearance 2 Corinthians 11:14 The devil is symbolized by serpent, goat, and the dragon, but this is not how he presents himself. Many of the famous painters like Luca, Signorelli, Goya, etc. made drawings of him as ugly and monstrous.
Mission He endeavors to disgrace and defame Yahweh by misinforming humanity about Him. He also strives to humiliate, destroy, and kill all people while blaming God for his evil. The devil’s titles reveal his large-scale, systematic scheme against Yahweh and humanity.
Genesis 3:1 Serpents are cunning, crafty, and deadly, more so than any other being.
Matthew 4:3-4 He is the tempter. Everyone is tempted by him.
Revelation 12:9 The deceiver - He deceives the whole world.
Revelation 12:10; Zechariah 3:1 The accuser
James 1:13-15 He will stimulate unholy or evil thoughts that tempt us to sin. He can do this many ways. If we bite the bait, he pulls us in, and then we sin. After the sin, he attacks as the accuser burying us in shame, guilt, and condemnation. With these dark thoughts and feelings, we are ashamed to approach God or Jesus, and we wallow in the darkness. Often then we are tempted to do the same thing again to get rid of the pain the first sin caused. Hence, an unvirtuous cycle begins.
Matthew 8:28-34 Jesus has absolute power over the devil and demons, and he lives in us.
Ephesians 6:10-18 The way we fight the devil is summarized here.
1 Corinthians 10:12-13 God will help.
2 Peter 2:9
Luke 6:27-31 Live rightly.
Romans 8:28-39 Have faith in the work of Christ.
Matthew 4 and Luke 4 reveal that Jesus spoke God’s word to the evil one.
Genesis 1:14-20, 28; Matthew 6:26 “Heaven” refers to the sky, air, or atmosphere.
Isaiah 66:1-2 Heaven is also God’s throne--where He makes plans and rules.
Matthew 6:20; 1 Peter 1:4; Philippians 3:20 Heaven is where our citizenship, treasures, and inheritances are stored with God.
Deuteronomy 10:14; 1 Kings 8:27 Even before Yuri Gagarin punctured the heavens and failed to see God’s throne, the Scriptures recognized God’s “heaven” is actually beyond the sky.
Matthew 5:5; 6:9-11; 19:28-29; 25:31-34 According to Jesus, the destiny of God’s people is not heaven, but living on a renewed earth, which he called the Kingdom of God.
Genesis 3:19; Ecclesiastes 9:5, 10; Psalm 146:3-4; John 5:28-29 In between death and the resurrection on the last day, the dead are unconscious and inactive. Perhaps this is where the epitaph “RIP” originated.
“For I choose to follow not men or men's doctrines, but God and the doctrines by him. For if you have fallen in with some who are called Christians, but who do not admit this, and venture to blaspheme the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; who say there is no resurrection of the dead, and that their souls, when they die, are taken to heaven; do not imagine that they are Christians.” --Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho, chapter 80, trans. George Reith, circa a.d. 165
Ancient religions typically taught that the dead were awake either in a state of reward/punishment or reincarnated into a new body. The Bible stands apart in its teaching that the dead are asleep until Christ returns to resurrect and reign over a renewed world.
Luke 24:13ff With the two men on the road to Emmaus and the apostles, Jesus clearly illustrated the importance of Scripture.
Psalm 138:2 God’s attitude toward His word
Psalm 19:7-11 God is perfect, His work is perfect, His way is perfect; therefore, His word is perfect.
Jeremiah 36:1-4 God told Jeremiah what to write, and he dictated to Baruch who wrote it down.
36:16-18 The king heard God’s word and had a devilish response.
36:28 God told him to write it again. The king destroyed the scroll but not the author.
1 Peter 1:23-25 Yahweh’s word endures forever. God has protected His communication (Scriptures) throughout the ages.
Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.
2 Timothy 2:15 There are not contradictions for Scripture always fits together.
Matthew 17:2-9; Mark 9:1-9; Luke 9:27-37 Mount of transfiguration
2 Peter 1:16-21 More sure than the vision Peter experienced is the written word of God.
Galatians 1:11 The Scriptures are not the words of men, but the words of God or Jesus.
2 Peter 1:1-5 Everything pertaining to life and godliness is found through knowledge in the Scriptures.
Psalm 119:11, 12, 18, 24, 33-41 God’s and Jesus’ mindset regarding the Scriptures is evident. What should be our attitude and action?
John 12:7; Matthew 26:10-13 Anointed for his death
Mark 15:42-46 Entering the court of a Gentile and touching a dead body, Joseph became ceremonially unclean to eat the Passover. It is hard to conceive how difficult a task this was for Joseph.
Luke 23:50-51 Joseph was a member of the Sanhedrin.
John 19:38-42 Nicodemus wrapped his body according to their burial custom.
Matthew 27:62-66 Guards at the tomb
Matthew 28:2-4 This is the only information about his actual resurrection; no one else saw him get up, but many saw him in his resurrected body.
John 20:1-10 The first person to believe that Jesus was raised from the dead
John 20:11-17 Mary Magdalene is the first one to see our Lord in His resurrected body!
Luke 8:3 Mary was delivered from 7 demons.
John 20:18 The disciples did not believe her.
Mark 16:11 They did not believe her.
Luke 24:1-11 The women along with Mary believed, but the disciples did not.
Matthew 28:5-10 These women saw Jesus.
Matthew 28:11-15 Bribed the guards
Luke 16:31 Raised from the dead
Luke 24:12 Peter goes to the tomb a second time.
Luke 24:13-33 Two unbelieving disciples
Luke 24:34ff Because he got up, we too will do so. When he returns, his resurrection is the beginning of the end.
The importance that Jesus placed upon the Scriptures is astonishing. Christianity should be founded upon the truth contained in the Scriptures and not on man-made traditions.
Proverbs 21:21 -- He who pursues righteousness finds life, righteousness, and honor.
How would you define righteousness?
Doing the right thing; easy as A-B-C... or is it?
Paul wrote in Romans 7:15, 19, 23-24 - New Living Translation
15 - I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.
19 - I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway.
23-24 - But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death?
Who can relate to Paul’s struggle? Where do you struggle?
Pain of Same
What will happen if you don’t change?
Pain of Change
What will you gain if you do change?
Pain Relievers
What Scriptures can you apply, as an antidote, to live righteously?
Pain of Same
Choosing unrighteousness. How would you define it?
Some answers may include -- self-righteousness, wickedness. A definition of wickedness -- conduct that is out of gross self-centeredness; neither reveres God nor respects man.
Another answer is sin. What does Scripture teach us about sin?
Romans 6:23 - The wages of sin is... DEATH!
Pain of Change
Deuteronomy 30:19 -- Choose LIFE!
Pain Relievers
Ephesian 6:11-17 -- Put on the armor of God! Roar into battle; you are a child of the most high God!
Pursuit of Righteousness Challenge
1. What prevents you from pursuing righteousness?
2. What encourages you to seek righteousness?
3. What Scriptures can we apply to encourage ourselves and each other to pursue righteousness?
What would it mean if we didn’t struggle?
Romans 7:25 - New Living Translation
25 -- Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ, our Lord...
Be relentless in your pursuit of living righteously in the light of the Kingdom to come!
Our culture longs for authenticity. We’re tired of fakers and phonies who say one thing and do another. People should just be true to themselves and have the courage to flout tradition when it holds them back from genuine self-expression. However, this mentality results in major individual and social problems from sexually transmitted diseases to sexual harassment to racism and mass shootings. Christianity offers a better way, by providing a standard to conform ourselves to that maximally enables human flourishing.
Colossians 3:1-5 The terminology in v5 is excessively hostile: “put to death what is earthly in you.” Don’t reason with it, or seek to diminish its influence. Don’t try to understand it, or make excuses for it. Kill it! Put it down.
Colossians 3:6 God did not design us to behave this way. He gave us passions but placed boundaries on them. When people defy His original intention, it bothers Him.
Colossians 3:7-10 This is the language of clothing: put off and put on. We must strip off the old way of being a human (Adam) and clothe ourselves with the new way of being a human (Christ), which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its Creator--the way God originally designed us.
Colossians 3:11 Not only behavior but social barriers need to change. Ethnicity, social status, education, independence are all outshone by the splendor of Christ’s radiant glory, enabling harmony between us all.
Colossians 3:12-17 Imagine that there are two towns that live by each of these opposing ways: Freetown and Corpus Christi. Which would you rather live in? As you conform to the Christian lifestyle, it becomes second nature. It does not crush you or rob you of your humanity, but it provides the necessary boundaries to make human growth and flourishing possible.
Matt. 12:46-50 - Jesus radically redefines what constitutes being family.
Why can the church love those outside the church, but fail to love those inside?
The issue comes down to identity. We have forgotten who we are, thus it affects our treatment of each other.
We have forgotten that our battle is not against flesh and blood - Eph. 6:12
How we should treat one another is with love: 1 Corinthians 13
1. Love is patient / love is not frustrated or indifferent
2. Love is kind / love is not mean or vindictive
3. Love is not arrogant / love is humble
4. Love does not seek its own / love serves others
5. Love is not provoked / love sees through the out lash
Galatians 6:9-10 - Treat the household of God well!
Hebrews 10:24-25 - Stir people to life!
1. Remember you and the family of God are royalty. Treat each other as such.
2. The enemy is not people but the spiritual forces of wickedness.
3. Love, encourage, and stir one another to good deeds.
God’s demonstration of His love for you
Romans 5:6-9 - Much More - Even more than being justified, we are saved from the wrath to come.
10 -- Much More than enemies reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
11 -- The Greek word translated exult is also translated rejoice, boast, glory, and exalt. “Exult” in English means show or feel elation or jubilation, especially as the results of a success.
12 -- Begins to show the relationship of the two Adams that are parallel and the antithesis, counterpart. As one of a pair of gloves is to its mate, corresponding but in reverse, so is Jesus Christ to Adam.
15 -- Much More The result of Adam had a specific ending -- death; however, in Christ much more the result is unending life.
17 -- Much More With Adam death reigned; much more with Christ, we reign in life.
20 -- Finally, Much More (worded a little differently “abounded all the more”) - Sin had increased; now, much, much more grace abounds.
1 Corinthians 15:20-22, 45-49 - As one of a pair of gloves is to its mate, corresponding but in reverse, so is Jesus Christ to Adam.
Since God so abundantly demonstrated to you His love, you should unalterably pursue Him.
Matthew 5:6 - Do not lose the passion, or make a point to regain the passion.
6:33 Seek His Kingdom unendingly; seek His righteousness
7:7-12 Ask, seek, and knock. Do more, much more, like He did for you. Do not lose heart; and if you do, ask Him to revive you.
Deuteronomy 32:3-4 All His ways are just.
Psalm 89:13-14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.
Isaiah 30:18 Yahweh is a God of justice.
Luke 23:13-25 Jesus was interrogated by Annas, Caiaphas, the Sanhedrin, Pilate, and Herod, and no fault was found.
Jesus was innocent, and Barabbas was guilty. The innocent should be freed, and the guilty be punished, but the opposite happened. Little did anyone understand that the situation with Jesus and Barabbas was a type for all humanity’s redemption.
To understand God’s justice, we must first understand sin.
Romans 6:19 Sin is lawlessness. Matthew 7:23; 13:41-43; 1 John 3:4
Romans 5:10 Sin makes us God’s enemies.
Romans 8:6-8 We were hostile toward God.
Just like Barabbas was insurgent against Rome, we were against God and deserved death by crucifixion. The reason Pilate eventually agreed to crucify Jesus was the people saying he made himself out to be king in the stead of Caesar, basically insurrection, sedition. The Romans punished the insurgent this way so everyone would fear and not rebel. Jesus died for insurrection, and the really guilty one, Barabbas, was freed.
Luke 23:33 When viewed with the other gospels, we understand that 4 others were crucified with Jesus. Luke focuses on these two.
39-43 Again we see a type here, justification through God’s grace, mercy received by the one of faith.
Romans 3:23-31; 5:6-11; 6:1-3 We are justified through Jesus by faith.
Ephesians 6:11-12 Notice the Apostle Paul doesn’t just say “the devil” here, rather he warns about rulers, authorities, cosmic powers, and spiritual forces of evil.
Psalm 89:5-7; Job 1:6-7; 38:4-7 According to these verses there are heavenly beings beside God, including the sons of God and Satan
Genesis 6:4; Deuteronomy 4:19-20; 32:7-9; Daniel 10:12-14; 12:1 We can glean a few details about these heavenly beings. God may have assigned these heavenly beings to serve as guardians over the nations.
Psalm 82:1-8 These “gods” did not guide the people aright; instead they showed partiality to the wicked! As a result of this behavior, God will judge them.
1 Corinthians 10:19-21 It could be that the idols of the nations were not merely statues, but physical pointers to powerful spirits.
Ephesians 6:11-12 Regardless of what the backstory is, it is clear that these spiritual powers are real, and we need to take them seriously.
Christ has defeated them through his ministry (John 12:31-33; 14:30-31), crucifixion (1 Corinthians 2:6-8), resurrection (Colossians 2:13-15), and ascension (Ephesians 1:19-23).
Ephesians 2.4-6; Colossians 2:10 We are seated with him in heavenly places, above all rule and authority.
Colossians 3.1-4 This fact should affect how we live, giving us both confidence and victory.
Revelation 20:1-3 The devil was not created evil; rather, according to Ezekiel 28, he was beautiful and blameless, the cherub anointed to cover in Eden. He became evil in the garden. He was lifted up with pride and motivated by jealousy of God.
Genesis 3:14 His fall seems to be simultaneous with Adam’s and Eve’s for after their fall the devil is cursed.
Revelation 12:4 - Sometime between the fall of man and the flood, he convinced 1/3 of the angels to join with him against Yahweh. Revelation 5:11 John’s vision there are myriads of myriads (exceeding great, countless), and thousands...
2 Peter 2:4 and Jude 1:6. Some of these demons were locked in chains awaiting their final judgment in the abyss, the same place the devil will go.
2 Corinthians 11:3-ff The devil tries to deceive us as he did Eve.
Revelation 12:9 He deceives the whole world.
John 10:10 He is the thief that steals, kills, and destroys.
Revelation 12:10 He is the accuser of the brethren.
Ephesians 2:2 He is the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works within the children of disobedience.
1 Peter 5:8 Our adversary
2 Corinthians 4:4 He is the god of this age, the object of man’s worship.
Ephesians 6:12 Our struggle in life is against him.
5 -- Acts 24:15; Daniel 12:2 Two resurrections (everlasting life or everlasting contempt) separated by 1,000 years
John 5:29 Resurrection of life or resurrection of judgment
Luke 14:14 The first is the resurrection of the righteous - 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
1 Corinthians 15:1-ff Called “the resurrection of the just”
Luke 20:36 The children of God, being the children of the resurrection
Hebrews 11:35 The better resurrection
9 -- During the 1,000 years, many people will be born, and the earth will be repopulated. These people live during a time when the temptations of the devil are nonexistent, so perhaps they (like all those before them) must decide the lordship of Christ when facing evil choices. Apparently, many are deceived.
11-15 -- The second resurrection and final judgments for all those who were not included in the first resurrection including those born in the millennial
The lake of fire is a symbol of eternal destruction, not a literal lake. It is the same as Gehenna, but it is different from hell, which is the common grave of mankind. It occurs five times 19:20; 20:10, 14, 15; 21:8. The following are cast into the lake of fire:
Devil and his angels - Matthew 25:41
Death cannot literally be burned.
Hades or the grave cannot be harmed by literal fire
The beast and false prophet
All the unrighteous
The Lake of fire is a symbol of eternal destruction; it is the second death. The first kind of death mentioned in the Bible resulted from Adam’s sin. This death can be reversed by resurrection and will eventually be eliminated by God --1 Corinthians 15:21, 22, 26. There is no release from the symbolic lake of fire.
2 Thessalonians 1:9 The symbolic lake represents eternal punishment in the form of permanent destruction.
Gehenna (Greek ge'en·na) is mentioned 12 times in the Bible. Like the lake of fire, it is a symbol of eternal destruction. Although some translations render this word as “hell,” Gehenna is different from hell (Hebrew “sheol;” Greek “hades”).
Millennial Kingdom:
ӢJerusalem will be the capital city of the world
Matthew 5:35
Psalms 2:6; 148:1 and 2, 8; Psalm 110:1-3
Isaiah 2:2-4
Jeremiah 3:14-18
Micah 4:1-8
Zechariah 14:8 and 9
ӢThe Messiah will rule over a re-gathered Israel
The nation of Israel will come back to their land
Jeremiah 3:14, 18; 23:5-8
Ezekiel 39:25-29
ӢDavid will rule as vice-regent over Israel
Hosea 3:4 and 5
Isaiah 55:3 and 4
Jeremiah 30:3, 7-9
Ezekiel 34:23-34; 37:24 and 25
ӢThe twelve apostles will judge the twelve tribes of Israel
Isaiah 1:26 and 27
Psalm 122:5
Matthew 19:28
Luke 22:24-30
Matthew 20:20-28 Servant leaders
ӢAll the saints will reign with Christ as kings and
priests on the earth
Revelation 1:5 and 6; 2:26 and 27; 3:21; 5:9 and 10; 20:4-6
1 Corinthians 6:2
2 Timothy 2:12
Psalm 149:5-9
Daniel 7:18, 22, 27
Luke 19:11-17
ӢThere will be a rule of law; judgment in righteousness, equity, and justice
Isaiah 16:5
Psalms 96:10; 98:1-9
Isaiah 2:3-5; 11:1-5; 26:4-9; 42:4; 51:4, 7
Jeremiah 23:5; 33:15
Ezekiel 45:9 and 10
Micah 4:2 and 3
Those that rule during the millennial Kingdom will not be as the corrupt leaders or politicians of today. In that day, those that reign will be righteous rulers.
Isaiah 32:1 and 2
ӢThere will be learning and understanding of God in all the earth
Isaiah 11:9; 26:9;
Isaiah 2:3 This could possibly be part of the responsibility of the priests in the millennial Kingdom. During the time of restoration, the priest Ezra taught the people distinctly and caused them to understand the Law (Nehemiah 8:1-8).
Isaiah 29:24; 32:4
Jeremiah 3:15; 23:1-4
Habakkuk 2:14
ӢThere will be peace and safety in the earth
Psalms 46:9; 85:6-13; 122:6-8
Isaiah 9:6 and 7; 32:1, 16-18; 54:13 and 14; 60:17 and 18, 21; 65:21-23; 66:10-13
Jeremiah 23:5-8; 31:23-26
Ezekiel 28:24-26; 34:25-28
Hosea 2:18
Micah 5:2-5, 10-15 Witchcraft and idolatry will be destroyed
ӢThere will be deliverance for the poor and needy
Psalm 72:2, 4, 12, 14
Isaiah 11:3 and 4; 29:17-19; 35:1-10
Ezekiel 45:9 and 10
Jeremiah 33:6
ӢThere will be joy, rejoicing, and singing
Psalms 47:1-9; 67:1-7; 96:9-13; 98:1-9
Proverbs 29:2
Isaiah 12:1-6; 25:6-9; 26:1-4, 19; 35:10; 42:10-12; 51:3, 11; 52:8 and 9; 61:3, 7, 10, 11
Jeremiah 30:18 and 19; 33:7-11
Zechariah 2:10-12
Matthew 25:1-13 Parable of the Virgins: Don’t fool yourself into thinking you’re ready when you’re not.
V1 “Kingdom of heaven” is confusing for us, but rather than thinking of a triple-decker afterlife geography, think of a three-part timeline
“Kingdom of heaven” occurs 32 times (only in the Gospel of Matthew)
“Kingdom of heaven” = “kingdom of God” (Matthew 19:23-24)
Prophecies about God’s Kingdom: Isaiah 35:1-2; Amos 9:13; Isaiah 2:4; Micah 4:6-7; Zephaniah 3:17-19
Matthew 19:28
Jesus said to them, "Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Matthew 25:14-30 Parable of the Talents: Don’t sit on your salvation, but use your talents for God.
- 1 talent = 6,000 drachmas = 16.44 years of labor
- median* USA salary in 2016 was $30,533.31
- 1 talent = $500,000 ($501,967.62)
- 2 talents = $1 million ($1,003,935.23)
- 5 talents = $2.5 million ($2,509,838.08)
*According to the Social Security Administration (Average and Median Amounts of Net Compensation) ssa.gov/OACT/COLA/central.html
Whatever your ability, are you using it to serve the Lord?
Matthew 25:31-46 Judgment of the Sheep and the Goats: Jesus takes it personally how people treat his followers, especially the poor.
This is not so much a parable as it is a prophecy about the end. (See also Matthew 7:21-23; 24:29-31.)
Genesis 14:18 - Jerusalem was first named “Salem,” later “Jebus.”
Salem means “peaceful;” Jerusalem means “city of peace.”
Melchizedek means “king of righteousness” or “righteous king.”
Jesus, at the last super, connected bread and wine with his accomplishments on the cross.
During its long history, Jerusalem has been destroyed twice, besieged 23 times, attacked 52 times, and captured and recaptured 44 times.
Some of the biblical names Jerusalem has been called or will be called:
Zion - Isaiah 12:6; 52:1
The city of David - 2 Sam. 6:12
The city of the great king - Matt. 5:35
The holy city - Isa. 48:2; 52:1; Matt. 4:5
The city of God - Ps. 46:4; 48:1, 8; 87:3
The city of Yahweh - Isaiah 60:14
The city of Yahweh of hosts - Ps. 48:8
The city of righteousness - Isa. 1:26
The holy mountain - Psalm 2:6; 48:1; Isaiah 83; Zechariah 8:3
The city of truth - Zechariah 8:3
The perfection of beauty - Lamentations 2:15
The joy of the whole earth - Lamentations 2:15
The Lord our righteousness - Jeremiah 33:16
The Yahweh is there - Ezek. 48:35
The throne of Yahweh - Jeremiah 3:17
Ariel, the hearth of God - Isa. 29:1
December 6, 2017, the United States officially acknowledged Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and plans to move our embassy there. This decision has caused great turmoil.
December 22, 2017, the UN General Assembly voted to condemn President Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
What happens in Jerusalem is spiritual, at times influenced by Yahweh and at times by Satan.
Exodus 15:17 and 18 - The mountain of Your inheritance; the place Yahweh made for His dwelling
Deuteronomy 12:5, 6, 10, 11, and 26 - Before Israel entered the Promised Land, God told them about the place but did not identify the specific location.
15:19 and 20 - The firstling offering was to be eaten at this place.
16:2, 6 - The Passover was to be sacrificed in this place.
16:11 - People of Israel were to rejoice before God at this place.
16:16 - The three major feasts were to be kept in this place.
17:8 and 9 - High priest’s judgments were to be done at this place.
18:6 - The priests and Levites would minister out from this place.
31:10-12 - Every seven years, the Law was to be read to all Israel from Joshua 10:1. (Adoni-Zedek means “Lord of righteousness.”)
5 - Gibeon had to be punished to prevent any further defections to Israel and to eliminate the threat of their siding with Israel in time of war.
10 - Divine intervention and human efforts worked hand in hand.
11 - When God intervened on behalf of His people with large hailstones, the accomplishments of Israel’s army were dwarfed by comparison. Yahweh won the victory, not the people.
13 - The book of Jashar is also mention in 2 Samuel 1:18.
21 - Israel suffered no casualties.
24 - Feet to the neck, Psalm 110. This practice was widespread in ancient times, and it is pictured in the paintings and reliefs of Egypt and Assyria.
26 - The king of Jerusalem would again be hung on a tree with four others, Jesus, the two malefactors and the two thieves.
Joshua 15:63; Judges 1:19-21 - The Jebusites continued to inhabit Jerusalem even after the King was killed, and all the area around the city was conquered by Israel.
Luke 19:41-44 - Jesus wept over Jerusalem.
Luke 1:26-35 Mary and the angel
Son of David -- Isaiah 16:5; Jeremiah 23:5 and 6; Ezekiel 34:23 and 24; 37:24 and 25; and Amos 9:11
Luke 1:36-55 Mary and Elisabeth
Matthew 1:18-25 Mary and Joseph
Luke 2:1-18 Birth of Jesus Christ
Luke 2:21-38 Simeon and Anna
Matthew 2:1-18 Magi
Matthew 2:17 and 18 Jesus to Egypt
Luke 1:31-33
His name shall be Jesus. Matthew 1:21; Luke 2:21
He shall be great. Ephesians 1:20-23; Philippians 2:9-11; Revelation 5:12
Called the Son of the Highest - John 1:49; 3:18
Given the throne of his father David - Isaiah 9:7
Reign over the house of Jacob
His kingdom shall not end. Daniel 2:44; 7:14 and 27
Birth Prophecies
Matthew 1:23 Virgin shall be with child -- Isaiah 7:14
Matthew 2:6 Bethlehem - Micah 5:2
Matthew 2:15 Out of Egypt - Hosea 11:1
Matthew 2:18 Herod’s murderous response - Jeremiah 31:15
Rabbi: my lord, or my master; title of honor, generally associated with a master of the Torah...The master of Torah, whether disciple or teacher, would demonstrate his mastery not merely through what he said in the discussion of legal traditions or what he did in court but also by how he sat at the table, by what ritual formulas he recited before eating one or another kind of fruit or vegetable, by how he washed his hands, and so on--by performing all mundane acts according to “Torah.”...Long ago, it was taught that the master took the place of the father. The father brought the son into this world; the master would lead him into the world to come. (Dictionary of Judaism in the Biblical Period p. 516)
In what follows we will consider three of Jesus’ teachings on the subjects of authenticity, humility, and love.
Authenticity
Matthew 6:1-18 Jesus teaches us to do righteous deeds for God rather than for people. Then he provides three examples to illustrate what he means:
1. Matthew 6:2-4 giving
2. Matthew 6:5-15 prayer
3. Matthew 6:16-18 fasting
Humility
Mark 9:33-37; 10:13-16, 35-45 The disciples argue about who is the greatest, but Jesus teaches them the first must be the servant of all. In another incident he explains that the kingdom of God belongs to those who are like children.
Love
Mark 12:29-34 The greatest commandment is to know and love God with everything. The second is to love your neighbor as yourself. The key then, is to remove the focus from yourself and put it on others.
John 8.31-32 “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, ”˜If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’”
Are you truly his disciple?
Jesus Christ is the head.
1. The head, the cornerstone upon which everything is built
2. The head, the leader, chief in position and authority
3. The head, the one in charge to whom others submit
4. The head of the body providing nourishment, guidance, and direction to the individual members
The head, the cornerstone
Ephesians 2:20
having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone,
The cornerstone (or foundation stone or setting stone) is the first stone set in the construction of a masonry foundation. This is important since all other stones will be set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position of the entire structure.
Matthew 21:42-45; Mark 12:10-11; Luke 20:17-18; Ps 118:22-23; Acts 4:11-12; 1 Peter 2:4-8; Isaiah 28:16; Luke 6:46-49
The head, the leader, chief in position and authority
At the right hand of God, Jesus has been placed as head over all power and authority.
Matthew 28:18-20; Colossians 1:15-20; 2:10; Ephesians 1:19-23; 2:13-22
The head, the one in charge to whom others submit
Ephesians 5:22-24, 31-32 -- Two become “one flesh” -- “one body”. This is a great mystery (a reference to Christ and the church). Romans 6:12-18; 7:1-6
The head of the body provides nourishment, guidance, and direction to the individual members.
Romans 12:4-5
1 Corinthians 12:11-27 -- Through the one and same spirit
Ephesians 5:15-16 (verses 17-32 - “...if you have heard him and have been taught in him”)
Colossians 2:18-19 (verses 20-23; 3:1-17)
1. God’s Wisdom in Gratitude
1 Thessalonians 5.18; Ephesians 5.4; Colossians 3.15 God actually commands us to be thankful. God didn’t go on and on expounding all the benefits of gratitude; he just “do this”--that is--“be thankful.”
2. Thankful for the Basics
1 Timothy 6.6-8 We need to thank God for the basics. So long as we have food and clothing, let's be content.
3. Thankful for the Family of God
1 Corinthians 12.12-27 In the family of God we support one another, giving care to the member who is suffering and rejoicing alongside the one who is celebrating.
4. Thankful for God’s Attention
Matthew 10.29-31; 6.25-26 God’s so immense, intelligent, powerful. He even created the shovel snouted lizard, and yet he cares for each of us individually.
5. Thankful for the Cross
1 John 4.8-12; John 3.16; When you were lost without hope, without God, by nature following the course of this age, influenced by the prince of the power of the air, full of disobedience, living out the passions of your flesh, carrying out the desires of the body, by nature a child of wrath like the rest of humanity, then God showed us his love by sending his son.
1 Corinthians 11.23-28
God’s commandments are to be obeyed. A commandment is not a suggestion. Throughout the Scriptures, God told His people to obey His commandments.
Deuteronomy 27:10
You shall therefore obey the LORD your God, and do His commandments and His statutes which I command you today.
A person is blessed when he obeys God’s commands.
Deuteronomy 28:1-2; Jeremiah 7:23
However, cursing will come upon a person who is disobedient. Deuteronomy 28:15
Samuel compared disobedience to the sin of divination or witchcraft, iniquity, and idolatry.
1 Samuel 15:22-23a
Being subordinate to another, to be told to obey, is not vogue. It is not always looked on fondly in our society. Human beings are prone to rebellion of authority, rules, regulations, and ordinances. God’s people, the nation of Israel, often times rejected God’s commandments. Jeremiah 7:24-26
In the book of Hebrews, God calls this pattern of disobedience an “evil heart of unbelief.”
Hebrews 3:12 (KJV)
Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
However, in Scripture, when God gave commandment for His people, He never forced them to obey. Mankind has always had the free will to choose. Obedience to God’s commands is never to be burdensome, but rather the motivation for obedience should always be a response of love. The first great commandment is not to “obey,” but it is to “love.” Matthew 22:37-38
Jesus said, if we love him, we will keep his commandments. John 14:15, 21, 23-24
The way you show your love for another is not through vain words or self-centeredness, but rather loving actions of submission and obedience speak louder than anything you might say.
“Don’t tell me that you love me; show me.”
So, too, we express our love for God and for Jesus through loving obedience. 1 John 2:3-6
Do you find it difficult to obey God’s commands? Do you feel as though your Christian walk is draining, difficult, and burdensome? If so, your issue is not an obedience problem, but rather you have a love problem.
John 4:19
We love, because He first loved us.
Psalm 119 -- If you find it difficult to be obedient, try praying some of these prayers from the psalmist. Seek God, and ask Him to change your heart.
Ten Ways We Know God Has Inspired the Scriptures
1. The Bible claims it (Matthew 1:22-23; Mark 12:36; Acts 1:16; 3:18; 4:25; 28:25-26; Hebrews 3:7; 10:15-17; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Revelation 1:1-2)
2. Predictive prophecy
3. Unflattering honesty
4. Health insights
5. Martyrdom
6. Archeology
7. Earmarks of eyewitnesses
8. Historicity of the resurrection
9. Incredible preservation
10. Changed lives
John 14:26, 15:26 The spirit bears witness about Jesus and brings to remembrance what he said.
Engaging the Bible’s Six Major Sections
Old Testament
1. History of Israel (Genesis-Esther): how God deals with His people (positive and negative examples), God’s just laws
2. Poetry (Job-Song of Solomon): prayer examples, wisdom, virtues, dealing with suffering, romance
3. Prophecy (Isaiah-Malachi): an insider look at how God feels about His people’s deeds as well as His future plans
New Testament
4. History of Jesus &Followers (Matthew-Acts): pay close attention to teachings and Jesus’ example, also disciples
5. Epistles (Romans-3 John): understand Christ’s accomplishments; think and behave as a believer in Christ.
6. Prophecy (Revelation): unveiling of heavenly realities, assessment of churches, encouragement, how this age ends and the next begins
Ways of Reading Scripture
1. From start to finish (discovery)
2. Studying a topic (Kingdom of God)
3. Going in depth in one book (Romans)
4. Meditation (Psalms/Proverbs)
5. Visualization (Gospels)
Matthew 15:21-28
Jesus left Israel and traveled to a Gentile country. This is the only record of him leaving the country of Israel during his ministry. It is contrary to what he taught his disciples (Matthew 10:5-6). This woman was a Gentile (Mark 7:26). Why did Jesus travel here and heal this woman’s daughter when he knew that he “was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel?”
Jesus was not doing his own work, but rather he was joining the Father doing His work (John 5:17, 30).
What is the work of God? John 6:29, John 3:16, 2 Peter 3:9, 1 Tim 2:4
The promise of salvation is to every person in the world. All men are invited to join into God’s plan of salvation (Romans 10:9). This is where it begins. The Love of God draws men to himself (Jer 31:3).
We now can join in the work of God, just as Jesus joined the Father’s work (John 17:18; Phil 2:13-16).
The love of Christ compels us to no longer live for ourselves, but rather to now live for him. John 14:21, 23; 15:9-10; 2 Cor 5:14-15; Gal 2:20
How do you recognize an invitation to join in God’s Work? John 5:19-20, 30; 15:5
Jesus watched and listened to understand where the Father was working.
John 4:3-42
Jesus observed what the Father was doing, and he joined in the Father’s work. “Lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest”.
Acts 17:14-34
Paul “observed” the city. His “spirit provoked” him, and he began speaking in the synagogue and in the marketplace “with those who happened to be present.” In the end of this record, one of those who believed was Dionysius “the Areopagite” (meaning he was a member of the court of the Aeropagus). Who set this up so that Paul could reach Dionysius?
Was this something Paul devised, or was this God at work in the city of Athens?
Paul simply joined in God’s work, as he observed the world around him and listened to the working of the spirit.
Acts 18:1-3
Paul’s ministry in Corinth began with Paul joining up with a Jewish couple, Aquila and Priscilla, because they were of the same trade. He worked with them.
Why do you live where you live and work where you work?
Do you believe that God had any influence on these areas of your life? If so, why?
Is it strictly for your benefit, or could it be part of God’s plan?
Open your eyes, and watch to see where you can join in His work.
John 3:14 - 16: God so loved the world that He made a way through His Son Jesus that all mankind could be saved and live eternally.
Deut. 7:7 - 11: God so loved Abraham, Isaac, Jacob/Israel and their descendants that He kept His promise and delivered the children of Israel out of their slavery in Egypt.
Exodus 34:6 - 7: He is THE loving God who is “compassionate and gracious, slow to anger [patient], and abounding in lovingkindness and truth.” He keeps lovingkindness for thousands and forgives our iniquity, transgression, and sin.
Eph. 2:1 - 8: We all were dead in our trespasses and sins before we accepted Christ as our Savior. But, now God, who is “rich in mercy” and “because of His great love with which He loved us” has made us alive together with His Son Jesus and blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ!
He is THE loving God whose desire is that all mankind would be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Tim. 2:1 - 7).
1 John 3:1 - 3: He is THE loving God!
1 John 4:7 - 19: He is THE loving God! He pursues a continuing love relationship that is real and personal with each of us because He LOVES us.
Luke 15:11 - 24 God works with us like the Father in this parable. YHWH loves us no matter what we have done or not done. He knows we are weak humans and that sometimes we drift away. But, He watches for us turn back to Him and welcomes us with arms open wide.
Yahweh loves us and pursues a continuing love relationship with each one of us!
How are we responding to His invitation?
John 5:1-5 Bethesda had two pools surrounded by four roofed colonnades with another between them. A multitude of blind, lame, and paralyzed people spent time there in the shade by the pool.
John 5:6-7 Jesus singles out this one man who has struggled with an infirmity for 38 years. The lame man explains he wants someone to carry him into the water when it gets stirred.
John 5:8-9 Jesus simply commands the man to stand. He doesn’t shout or make a scene. Suddenly, this man’s whole life changes. He will never be the same!
John 5:10-13 Unbelievably, Jesus recedes into the crowd, avoiding any attention he would receive otherwise. It is not yet time to proclaim himself Messiah. Later on, his apostles will heal another lame man and use that opportunity to preach to 3,000 people.
John 5:14-15 Jesus’ statement here is a little cryptic. Some have taken it to mean that the man’s physical infirmity resulted from a sin he had committed. This may be true, but Jesus’ warning could just as well refer to judgment day.
John 5:16-18 Now we come to the main conflict in the chapter. The healed man reported on Jesus to the authorities who promptly confronted him. Jesus’ answers to their inquiries confuse and enrage them.
John 5:19-20 Jesus is like a child, imitating his father. God shows him what He is doing, and the Son works right alongside Him. Jesus is under no illusions about his own potential. For, he says, “The son can do nothing of his own accord.”
“God is actively working in the lives of people around you. Even when you do not recognize it or see God at work, He is active. However, unless God opens your spiritual eyes to recognize what He is doing, you will remain blind to His presence and work.”
-Henry Blackaby, Richard Blackaby, Claude King, Experiencing God (Nashville: B &H Publishing Group, 2008), p. 55.
Acts 16:6-35 The Apostle Paul’s journey to Philippi provides another example of someone who sought to understand how God was at work in the world.
As in the time of Jesus and Paul, God is still at work in the world. Are you looking? He’s doing stuff all around you--at your job, in your neighborhood, with your acquaintances and friends. Are your spiritual eyes open?
Psalm 19.1-6 The heavens declare God's glory
Psalm 104.1-35 The psalmist works through creation, marveling at God's manifold artistry and brilliance.
Psalm 8.1-9 Even though God is so powerful, so transcendent, so majestic, he still cares about us puny humans.
C. S. Lewis' attention to God's every-day marvels:Lewis’s keen, penetrating sense of his own heart’s aching for Joy, combined with his utter amazement at the sheer, objective realness of things other than himself, has over and over awakened me from the slumbers of self-absorption to see and savor the world and through the world, the Maker of the world...
Lewis gave me, and continues to give me, an intense sense of the astonishing “realness” of things. He had the ability to see and feel what most of us see and do not see. He had what Alan Jacobs called “omnivorous attentiveness” (Alan Jacobs, The Narnian, p. xxi.) I love that phrase. What this has done for me is hard to communicate. To wake up in the morning and to be aware of the firmness of the mattress, the warmth of the sun’s rays, the sound of the clock ticking, the coldness of the wooden floor, the wetness of the water in the sink, the sheer being of things (quiddity as he called it). And not just to be aware but to wonder. To be amazed that the water is wet. It did not have to be wet. If there were no such thing as water, and one day someone showed it to you, you would simply be astonished.
He helped me become alive to life. To look at the sunrise and say with an amazed smile, “God did it again!” He helped me to see what is there in the world -- things which if we didn’t have them, we would pay a million dollars to have, but having them, ignore. He convicts me of my callous inability to enjoy God’s daily gifts. He helps me to awaken my dazed soul so that the realities of life and of God and heaven and hell are seen and felt. I could go on about the good effect of this on preaching and the power of communication. But it has been precious mainly just for living.
John Piper, "Lessons from an Inconsolable Soul," Feb. 2, 2010, Desiring God Conference for Pastors
Jeremiah 10:1-16
All man-made idols are vanity. No other “gods” compare to the one true God, the only one. Yahweh is the true God, the living God, an everlasting King! “The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth.”
Deuteronomy 5:24-26
They heard a real voice. A living being, the Creator of heavens and earth. They heard the voice of “the living God.”
Joshua 3:7-10
Moses is now dead. He had led them 40 years in the wilderness. But it was not the man, Moses, who led the children of Israel out of Egypt. Rather, it was Yahweh, the living God, that led them out of Egypt with a mighty hand! Moses was dead, but God was still alive, now working in the man, Joshua!
1 Samuel 17:25, 36
All of Israel was frozen in fear due to the giant, but David saw beyond the flesh. He put his trust in the living God!
2 Kings 19:4; 10-19
Hezekiah put his confidence in the living God. The other gods that the Assyrians had conquered could be cast into the fire and destroyed, for they were no gods, but works of men’s hands--wood and stone. But when they came up against Jerusalem and King Hezekiah, they were not fighting against dumb idols, but they were coming up against the living God.
Daniel 6:20, 26
The group consulted against Daniel, making it a crime worthy of capital punishment for anyone to make a petition to any god other than King Darius. However, Daniel wasn’t praying to just another god; rather, he was petitioning the living God!
Acts 14:6-18
Jupiter was the supreme god of the Roman pantheon, and Mercurius was the god of financial gain, commerce, communication, etc. Paul and Barnabas urged them to turn from these vanities to the living God, which made heaven and earth!
Psalm 84:2
“My heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God.”
2 Corinthians 5:14 -- “Controls” means pressure applied not so much to control as to cause action. It is motivation rather than directional force. The source of the pressure is the love of Christ.
Philippians 1:23-25 At this point in his life, he is an older man who is thinking about dying, but for love’s sake he will continue to live.
Acts 9:23-25 - escaped death; Acts 15:19-24 - stoned to death; Acts 16:22-40 - beaten with rods, thrown in jail; Acts 19 - the center of a city-wide riot....
Acts 21:27-22:21 The love of God compelled him.
2 Corinthians 5:15 -- The word “for” is from a Greek word that can be understood as “instead of” or “in place of.”
Galatians 3:13 -- The curse of the cross was endured by Christ instead of by us.
Romans 5:6-11 The reconciliation is the restoration of a loving relationship with God. God miraculously placed the love of God and the love of Christ in us. We are not compelled by our own virtue, rather by God working in us.
Galatians 2:20 - Who loved me and gave Himself up for me
2 Corinthians 5:15 Paul’s motivation was this great love and is ours also.
Ephesians 2:4-10 The work of God is the ministry of reconciliation.
2 Corinthians 5:15 - He died for us so that we would live for him.
16 -- Previously, Paul had a completely inadequate knowledge of Christ based upon a human viewpoint; now his understanding and ours are not limited to the flesh.
21 -- Christ knew no sin (Matthew 27:4; Luke 23:47; John 8:46; Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 1:19 and 2:22). Jesus did not become sin; rather, he was the sin offering. The same word for “sin” in the Greek Old Testament is translated “sin offering.”
Righteousness of God - Romans 3:21-26 and Philippians 3:7-9
Ephesians 6:5-9 -- Men-pleasers are not God pleasers. We all have the tendency to be on stage looking for others to acknowledge what we do.
Colossians 3:22-25 -- Do your work heartily unto the Lord, and the Lord will reward you now and in eternity, which is much greater than your pay check.
Hebrews 13:20 and 21 -- As much as we have the tendency to please men, we also have Christ working in us to do the will of God
Matthew 6:1-6 -- Yahweh is everywhere present all of the time, so strive always to acknowledge Him and live to please Him.
Colossians 1:27 -- Christ is in you all of the time.
Acknowledge God and Christ in all that you do, and ask to receive help in doing the will of God in everything.
Psalm 33:13-14 -- Yahweh sees all the children of men.
Psalm 139:7-10 -- God is everywhere within the world.
Matthew 6:24-34 -- “Seek...His righteousness” means do the right thing according to God’s standard. Do not cheat or cut corners or do things under the table.
When you are at work, work! The boss or fellow workers have little to do with the work that we do. Live for God and Christ.
“All work” is honorable -- The exception to this is if you work a job that is in direct defiance to God’s will. This would not be honorable work (i.e. prostitution, stealing, lying to get wealthy, a paid assassin for the mob, etc). Sin is wrong, no matter how you label it.
Ecclesiastes 2:4-11; 17-18; 5:10-16
Toil and labor without God is vain -- Vanity and striving after wind (vexation of spirit)
Ecclesiastes 2:24; 3:13; 5:18-20
Work is to be good and enjoyable -- There is no distinction in Scripture between white collar work and blue collar work. All Labor is good and rewarding if it is according to God’s will, done for the Lord, to the glory of God. God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34; James 2:1).
What is your attitude towards work? Do you “tell yourself that your labor is good” (Ecclesiastes 2:24)? God does not put a dollar value on work. We as a society put a different price tag on the value of work and define a “good” job from a “bad” job, but the Scriptures simply put all this under the category of “labor.” The question is: what is your attitude towards work?
What do the Scriptures say about work?
Proverbs 24:30-34; 6:6-11; 21:25-26; Ephesians 4:28; 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
Remember Joseph
Do you ever think you’ve got a hard life, hate your job, despise your situation, wish you had a different career, or think life has treated you badly? If you ever start to feel this way, remember the story of Joseph (Genesis 37:19-28; 39:1-23).
The Example of Paul
Attitude is everything! The Apostle Paul did whatever was needed to move the Gospel. If he had to work, he worked; if he could forego secular work and do full time ministry work, he would do that.
Acts 18:2-3; 1 Corinthians 9:6-12; 2 Thessalonians 3:7-13; Philippians 4:8-13
Maintain an eternal life perspective! Labor for the Lord. Your work is not in vain in the Lord!
John 6:27; Psalm 49:6-20; 1 Corinthians 15:50-58
Genesis 2:4-9, 15 Before sin ever entered the world, God had assigned the first people to work and keep the land where they lived. Therefore, work is not a necessary evil or an inconvenient means of meeting our needs, but work is intrinsic to God’s original design for humanity.
Genesis 1:26 God’s vision for humanity is for us to manage His world, ruling over it as the only creatures made in His image and likeness.
Psalm 145:15-17 In God’s management of the world, He gives all their food. He does not feed us or the animals directly, but through work.
“Look at the places in the Bible that say that God gives every person their food. How does God do that? It is through human work--from the simplest farm girl milking the cows to the truck driver bringing produce to market to the local grocer. God could feed us directly, but he chooses to do it through work. There are three important implications of this. First, it means all work, even the most menial tasks, has great dignity. In our work we are God’s hands and fingers, sustaining and caring for his world. Secondly, it means one of the main ways to please God in our work is simply to do work well.” --Tim Keller, “How Faith Affects Our Work”
Ecclesiastes 2:24-25, 3:12-13; 5:18-19; 8:15; 9:5-10 Although Ecclesiastes projects an overall bleak outlook on life, it also teaches us to work hard and to take pleasure in our toil under the sun. In fact, finding joy in our work is a gift from God.
Isaiah 65:17-25 In the age to come, we are not off on clouds locked in an infinite loop of playing harps and singing praise. That’s not the picture we find in the Bible. The Hebrew prophets portray the Kingdom as a time of building, farming, eating, drinking, and socializing, all to God’s glory.
Revelation 21:10-27 In the beginning, we inhabit a garden, but in the end, a city. Thus, the end is not exactly the same as the beginning but more developed as God’s people continue to work for His glory.
1 Corinthians 15:1-2 You have to receive the gospel and stand in it. The gospel is the means God has provided for salvation! Getting the gospel right is huge!
Romans 1:16 The gospel contains within it power for salvation.
1 Corinthians 15:2 You can’t believe the gospel just once, but you have to hold fast to it.
Kingdom
1 Corinthians 15:3 Christ is a title, not a name. Understanding what "Christ" means is absolutely critical to the gospel message.
John 1:41; Luke 23:2-3 Christ = Messiah = King. What is Christ the King of?
The Kingdom is the time when God sets everything wrong with our world right--an age of unprecedented healing, justice, peace, restoration, and renewal. Those who enter the Kingdom receive eternal life and rule with Christ over the nations.
Cross
1 Corinthians 15:3 Christ died for our sins. Will you accept God’s forgiveness?
Romans 3:23; 6:23 We’ve fallen short; we’ve sinned; we’ve disqualified ourselves from God’s Kingdom.
Resurrection
1 Corinthians 15:4 The resurrection is how God has proved that Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ, the Messiah, the anointed, the King of the coming Kingdom.
1 Corinthians 15:5-8 Here we see the most ancient list of resurrection appearances. These are people the Corinthians could actually seek out and talk to.
The gospel has three elements: the Kingdom, the cross, and the resurrection. We have to be careful not to leave out one of these essential ingredients.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19
All things are from God! God reconciled us to Himself. God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself. We now have this ministry of reconciliation. But God is the one reconciling the world to Himself. He initiated this ministry. Our job is to join in His work.
John 5:17, 19-20
Whatever Jesus saw the Father doing, he also did. The Father showed him what He was doing.
John 16:13-15
As the Father showed His Son what He was doing, now His disciples, by way of the spirit of truth, will be shown.
God is at work in us today to do His will through us.
Eph 3:7, 20; Phil 2:13; Col 1:29; Heb 13:20-21
The book of Acts shows God working in the lives of His disciples through Jesus Christ by way of the holy spirit. God was the one reconciling people to Himself.
Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch--Acts 8:26-35
Who told Philip to go to Gaza? __________________________.
What directed him to join in? ___________________________.
Saul and Ananias--Acts 9:1-19
Whose voice did Paul hear? __________________.
Who told Ananias to go to the house of Judas? _____________________.
Peter and the house of Cornelius--Acts 10:1-34
Why did the Cornelius dispatch men to Joppa to seek Simon Peter? _______________________.
Why was Peter willing to go with these Gentile men? __________________________________.
The call of God in the church at Antioch--Acts 13:1-4; Acts 14:26-27
Who/what caused Paul and Barnabas to leave on this journey? __________________________.
To whom did Paul give credit for the work that had been done? ________________.
The Macedonian call--Acts 16:6-15
Who/what forbid them to speak the word in Asia? _________________________.
Who/what did not permit them to go into Bithynia? _______________________.
What caused Paul and crew to go to Macedonia? _________________________.
Who did they conclude called them to preach there? ______________________.
Why did they go to the river side on the Sabbath day? _____________________.
God directed the ministry of reconciliation. God used various methods to reach people, but He brought about the reconciliation, drawing people to Him, as the disciples joined in His work.
Acts 1:3 Jesus continued to teach the Kingdom of God.
4 Jesus provided detailed teaching about the holy spirit at the last supper.
John 14:12-31:
- The spirit of truth is our helper.
- The holy spirit is the replacement for Christ himself on earth.
- The spirit helps the disciple like Jesus did before the ascension.
- The spirit of truth will be with the disciples until the end of the age.
- The spirit equips the believer to be just like Jesus.
- The spirit of truth enables Jesus to nurture each disciple.
- The oneness relationship with God, Christ, and the believer is available and understood by means of the holy spirit.
- The holy spirit is a teacher of all things and a reminder of Jesus’ teachings.
John 16:4-33:
- The spirit of truth is more advantageous than the present Christ.
- Christ is now in each person who has spirit which enables him to teach his disciples more effectively than when he was here on earth.
- Disciples have the responsibility to witness the gospel to others, but the holy spirit has the responsibility to convict the hearer.
- The spirit has no separate will or personality; rather, it serves as a means for Jesus to communicate with and empower his disciples.
- The spirit of truth guides the believer into the all truth.
- The genuine use of the spirit always brings glory to Christ and God.
Acts 1:5 Baptism, John and Jesus - Matthew 3:11; Luke 3:16; Mark 1:8; Acts 11:16
6 and 7 Kingdom on their mind
11 He will come back. Now, do what he commanded.
2:1 Who was the “they”? _______________ Where were they? _______________
2 and 3 Was there a rushing mighty wind? Yes or no. Were there tongues of fire? Yes or no.
4 Filled with the holy spirit, they began to do what? ______________________.
Peter answered their question of what this meant by quoting Joel 2:28-32. In your own words, what did it mean? ________________________________________________________________
22 Who performed the miracles, wonders and signs? ___________________
34 Who else besides Jesus ascended into heaven? _____________________
Acts 1.8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
- Peter &John in Jerusalem w/ lame man
- Peter in Judea at Joppa
- Philip in Samaria w/ Simon Magus
- Paul in Athens at Aereapogus
Matthew 28.18-20 18 And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
if you’re a Christ-follower, you’re not like everyone else!
- you have a mission
- you have a missionary mindset
advantages of indigenous missionaries from HeartCry:
1. Human Resources. get more missionaries if you empower indigenous folks
2. Financial Resources. It costs a great deal of money to send and support North American and Western European missionaries. For what it costs to support one North American missionary with a monthly support of $4,000, it may be possible to support 20 indigenous missionaries!
3. Language and Culture. Any cross-cultural missionary will testify that language and culture are two of the greatest obstacles to the work. It often takes a cross-cultural missionary his first term (4-5 years) just to learn the language and adjust to the culture. Five years and a quarter of a million dollars are spent on the mission field to learn the language, adjust to the culture, and do a minimum of ministry. In contrast, the indigenous or native missionary has no need to learn the language or adjust to the culture that he has known since birth. From his very first day on the mission field, the indigenous missionary can concentrate on his two priorities - evangelizing the lost and planting churches.
4. Identification. There is much anti-American and anti-European bias in many of the least evangelized countries of the world. In many people groups, it is virtually impossible for a Western missionary to preach the Gospel, because he is rejected for his nationality long before he has the opportunity to communicate his message! In contrast, the indigenous missionary has little problem with such bias, because he is of the same flesh and blood as his audience
5. No Difficult Transitions. Having experienced the prestige of a Western missionary as pastor, the church is often no longer willing to accept one of its own. This is not a problem when the church is planted by an indigenous missionary and stays w/ that leadership
6. Focus. It seems that many North American and Western European mission agencies have lost their focus. The Great Commission is first and foremost about preaching the Gospel, discipling believers, and planting churches. Many Western agencies seem to have an exorbitant number of missionaries working as administrators and “facilitators,” while few are ministering as preachers and church planters.
regular missionaries are great,
did you know Jesus said:
Matthew 24.14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
how many in America have heard the gospel of the kingdom?
- how many in the capital region have heard?
Barna ranked Albany, Schdy, Troy as the most post-Christian city in America 2013...then they revisted it in 2015
Who will preach the gospel in Troy? Schenectady? Albany? Colonie? Watervliet? etc.
- should we wait for Africa and Asia to send missionaries here?
we’re already here!
we know the language!
we know the culture!
- we have mission.
- let’s get busy doing it
o invite people to church,
o let ppl know you believe,
o share your testimony
o talk to the new person on Sunday after the meeting ends
all it takes is a shift in thinking
- you are an indigenous missionary
John 14:12 What was the greatest work Jesus did? Circle one: healing the leper, healing the blind, raising the dead, walking on water, feeding the multitudes, teaching the gospel.
John 14:9-11, 5:17, 19, 20 Jesus’ three greatest works were: 1) always knowing the will of God, 2) always obeying God, and 3) ______________________.
John 14:12 What are the works of Jesus that we too can do? _________________________________________________________________
John 14:13 and 14; Luke 11:9-13 The holy spirit is the great enabler. God commands us to do many things, and He commands us not to do many things; therefore, we must be able to obey. What enables us to obey? _________________
1 Corinthians 12:1-3 To know the lordship of Jesus is impossible without the holy spirit.
8 Word of wisdom James 1:5-8 The only way to know how to love rightly is if God gives us _______________.
Word of knowledge 1 Corinthians 2:12-14 We can know because we have been given the holy spirit. The natural man cannot understand the things of God. Why? _______________________________________________________________
9 Faith Romans 12:3; gifts of healing and miracles Acts 8:5-7. If God tells you to minister healing to someone, obey, and He heals.
10 Prophecy 1 Corinthians 14 makes clear that He wants all believers to prophesy, speak in tongues, and interpret tongues.
11 God would never ask people to do something they were not able to do. He has given us the ________________.
John 14:12 The greatest work we can do is obey God’s will and thereby evidence our love for Him.
Would the church be better if we loved each other like mothers love their children? ___ yes ___no
What would our church be like if we loved each other like Christ loves the church?
___________________________________________________________________
Was everything that Jesus did an act of love? ____yes _____no
Matthew 8:1-4 - The leper, 5-13 - The centurion, 14-15 - Peter’s mother-in-law, 16-17 - Many with various problems, 28-34 - The two men occupied with demons, 9:1-8 - Paralytic carried by four men
He invited Andrew and the other unnamed disciple to come home with him. He went to Peter and Andrew’s job, went to Peter’s house, found Matthew at his job... He not only loved people who came to him, but he also was aggressive in going to those in need.
John 13:23-25 -- The disciple whom he loved was on Jesus’ bosom.
John 2:14-16 -- Jesus drove out the money changers. Was it loving? ___yes ____no
Matthew 16:21-23; Hebrews 12:4-6 -- When Jesus said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan,” was he loving? ___yes ___no Peter spoke to Jesus because of his love for him, and Jesus spoke to Peter because of his love for Peter. What was the difference? ______________________________________________________
Matthew 23:13-33 -- Jesus repeatedly called the Pharisees “hypocrites.” In verse 33 he said, “You serpents, you brood of vipers, how will you escape the sentence of hell?” Was this the talk of love? ____yes ____no
John 5:17, 19-20 -- Why was Jesus always loving, and how did he know how to love rightly in each situation? ______________________________________________
John 11:3-ff -- Why did Jesus wait until Lazarus was dead? 11:4, 41-42
John 13:34-35 -- We are commanded to love like he loved; therefore, we have been given the ability to do so. If we are to keep this all important commandment, we must be directed by our Lord and hear when he speaks to us.
John 14:15, 21-23; 15:9-17 -- We are to love, and we do so by keeping his commandments.
1 John -- We are commanded to love just like Jesus loved. Some might consider such love to be radically aggressive love.
What adjustments can you make in your life to better love your neighbor? _____________________________________________________________
