Outbless Weekly - SoundSage

3 John 1 - A Good Report

1 The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.

The elder is John the Apostle who is about 90 years old at this point.
To the beloved Gaius (Gaius means Happy or One who rejoices)
Whom I love in truth (John loved him because he served the Lord which is why he was happy and rejoicing.

2 Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers. 3 For I was overjoyed when brothers came and testified to your truth, that is, how you are walking in truth. 4 I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.

Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health

o Beloved? – YES

o In all respects you may prosper? – YES

o And be in good health? – YES

Just as your soul prospers

o Your soul prospers when you believe in Jesus

o John prayer is for blessing now and later

For I was overjoyed (overflowing) when brothers (in the faith) came and testified to your truth (shared what they saw and heard first hand), that is, how you are walking in truth

o They were walking (moving forward in the correct direction) in truth (according to the truth of God’s word)

I have no greater joy than this

o To hear of my children walking in the truth

o Spiritual children born from seed planted

o Do you have any spiritual children?

§ You will get great joy when you hear others confirm that they are walking in the truth (continuing on the path toward heaven!)

5 Beloved, you are acting faithfully in whatever you accomplish for the brothers and sisters, and especially when they are strangers; 6 and they have testified to your love before the church.

Beloved you are acting faithfully in whatever you accomplish.

o Acting faithfully is consistently doing the right thing in the sight of God

o For the brothers and sisters

o And especially when they are strangers.

o And they have testified to your love before the church

You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. 7 For they went out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. 8 Therefore we ought to support such people, so that we may prove to be fellow workers with the truth.

You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God (blessed, taught, full of provision); better than when they arrived
For they went out for the sake of the Name (the Name of Jesus)

o Accepting nothing from the Gentiles (worldly people gave nothing)

Therefore (because we are not like them) we ought to support such people (financially)

o So that we may prove to be fellow workers in the truth (put your money where you mouth is…)

9 I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say.

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2 John 1

1 The elder,

To the lady chosen by God and to her children, whom I love in the truth—and not I only, but also all who know the truth— 2 because of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us forever:

3 Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love.

4 It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. 5 And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. 6 And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.

7 I say this because many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. 8 Watch out that you do not lose what we[a] have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully. 9 Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them. 11 Anyone who welcomes them shares in their wicked work.

12 I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete.

13 The children of your sister, who is chosen by God, send their greetings.

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**1 John 5 - Faith in the Incarnate Son of God

5 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. 2 This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. 3 In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5** Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

6 This is the one who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. 7 For there are three that testify: 8 the[a] Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. 9 We accept human testimony, but God’s testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about his Son. 10 Whoever believes in the Son of God accepts this testimony. Whoever does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because they have not believed the testimony God has given about his Son. 11 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

Concluding Affirmations

13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. 14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

16 If you see any brother or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death, you should pray and God will give them life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that you should pray about that. 17 All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death.

18 We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them. 19 We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. 20 We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

21 Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.

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1 John 4 - On Denying the Incarnation

4 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.

4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 5 They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. 6 We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit[a] of truth and the spirit of falsehood.

God’s Love and Ours

7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

13 This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. 16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.

God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. 17 This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

19 We love because he first loved us. 20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. 21 And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.

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3 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears,[a] we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.

4 Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. 5 But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. 6 No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.

7 Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. 8 The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. 9 No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God. 10 This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister.

More on Love and Hatred

11 For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. 12 Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother’s were righteous. 13 Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters,[b] if the world hates you. 14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death. 15 Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.

16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

19 This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: 20 If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. 21 Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God 22 and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him. 23 And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. 24 The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.

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1 John 2 - My dear children

2 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

Love and Hatred for Fellow Believers
3 We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. 4 Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. 5 But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.

7 Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard. 8 Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and in you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining.

9 Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. 10 Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. 11 But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.

Reasons for Writing
12 I am writing to you, dear children,
because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.
13 I am writing to you, fathers,
because you know him who is from the beginning.
I am writing to you, young men,
because you have overcome the evil one.

14 I write to you, dear children,
because you know the Father.
I write to you, fathers,
because you know him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men,
because you are strong,
and the word of God lives in you,
and you have overcome the evil one.

On Not Loving the World
15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

**Warnings Against Denying the Son

18 Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour. 19** They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.

20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. 21 I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth. 22 Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist—denying the Father and the Son. 23 No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.

24 As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is what he promised us—eternal life.

26 I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. 27 As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you.

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1 John 1 - The Incarnation of the Word of Life

1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 2 The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. 3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 4 We write this to make our[a] joy complete.

Light and Darkness, Sin and Forgiveness

5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all[b] sin.

8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.

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Christ’s Example to Be Followed

1 Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. 3 For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries.

Therefore (because) Christ suffered for us in the flesh (let’s not forget this super important fact)

Arm yourselves (get ready for battle) with the same mind (the war will be in the mind)

We must cease from sin that we no longer live the rest of our time in the lusts of men, but (instead) for the will of God !!!

Our faith and recognition of the price Christ paid should cause us to turn our ship and sail in a new direction according to God’s will not our own.

No more living for flesh and what the world thinks is cool. Christ suffered for these sins, lets not keep doing them and belittle Christ’ suffering.

4 In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you. 5 They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

They (the world) think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood (act like them, drink like them, speak like them, pursue the flesh like them). What’s wrong with you?

Nothing is wrong with you. Your eyes have been opened to the truth and you have been set free from deception of sin and its false promises.

Notice this – they (the worldly people) will give an account to Him (Christ) who is ready to judge the living and the dead. The party people will have to answer to God. Does it still sound fun?Serving for God’s Glory

7 But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. 8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” 9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. 10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

But the end of all time is at hand (time is just about up). If this is true, how much should we be praying, serving, watching…

And above all things have fervent love for one another – do we have this fervent love for one another?

Love will cover a multitude of sins (a multitude is a massive crowd, a massive amount).

If we love someone, we must forgive them and try and help them no matter what.

This is the very heart of a Christian “to love someone enough to make sure we don’t do anything that would prevent them from getting saved”. Let God work in and through you at all times.

Why do this? That in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ to whom belong the glory and dominion forever and ever Amen. Do you agree? Say Amen!

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1 Peter 3 - Godly Living

3 In the same way, you wives, be subject to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won over without a word by the behavior of their wives, 2 as they observe your pure and respectful behavior. 3 Your adornment must not be merely the external—braiding the hair, wearing gold jewelry, or putting on apparel; 4 but it should be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. 5 For in this way the holy women of former times, who hoped in God, also used to adorn themselves, being subject to their own husbands, 6 just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord; and you have proved to be her children if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear.

7 You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.

8 To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, loving, compassionate, and humble; 9 not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you would inherit a blessing. 10 For,

“The one who desires life, to love and see good days,
Must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit.
11 He must turn away from evil and do good;
He must seek peace and pursue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous,
And His ears attend to their prayer,
But the face of the Lord is against evildoers.”

13 And who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be in dread, 15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, but with gentleness and respect; 16 and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who disparage your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame. 17 For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong. 18 For Christ also suffered for sins once for all time, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; 19 in which He also went and made proclamation to the spirits in prison, 20 who once were disobedient when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water. 21 Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him.

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**As Newborn Babes

2 Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, 2 like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, 3** if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.

**As Living Stones

4 And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For this is contained in Scripture:

“Behold, I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone,
And he who believes in Him will not be disappointed.”

7 This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for those who disbelieve,

“The stone which the builders rejected,
This became the very corner stone,”

8 and,

“A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense”;

for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed.

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, 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; 10 for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

11 Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul. 12 Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.

Honor Authority

13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, 14 or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. 15 For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. 16 Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God. 17 Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.

18 Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable. 19 For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.

Christ Is Our Example

21 For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, 22 who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; 23 and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24 and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. 25 For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.

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Ephesians Chapter 6 - Family Relationships

6 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), 3 so that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth.

In chapter 5 we all learned to be imitators of God as “beloved Children” copying Godly behavior.
We started with the Husbands (spiritual head of the family); then the wife; now the children and the families.
He begins by telling “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. They are to obey their parents “in the Lord” which means because God said so not because they feel like it or don’t feel like it. It’s a commandment from the Lord. He said “for this is right”. This is how it is supposed to be. It might not always make sense but do it!
Then He says “Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise). To honor someone, you obey them; you do what they say; you value their opinion; you speak highly of them; you don’t speak poorly of them. Children are instructed to honor the father and mother (both parents) not just one. Show great love and respect and honor your parents.
Why, because obedience always has a reward attached to it. In this case several:

o So that it may be well with you

o And that you may live long on the earth

The word “well” means to be well off, fare well, prosper.
You will do well financially, and your efforts will prosper (and not fail).
And you may live long on the earth (your life will be extended, and you will live a long full life because you will avoid many hurtful situations that most children will experience when do they don’t obey their parents or God or the Word).
If you only knew the blessings that would come to you by obeying your parents and listening to their advice. It would help save you from much heartache and long-term effects.

4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Now we switch to Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but (instead) bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. This tells us that fathers should not get frustrated and argumentative and provoke our children. But (instead) bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. The Lord does discipline His children. So too, fathers are to discipline their children but, in the discipline, and instruction of the Lord (according the Word). This means that fathers should read the word to their children even when having to discipline them.
Never discipline while angry or upset. Never yelling. But calmly, prayerfully, thoughtfully and in a Godly way…

5 Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ; 6 not by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. 7 With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men, 8 knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free.

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Ephesians 5 - Be Imitators of God

5 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; 2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.

Therefore (because of what we learned in Chapter 4 – “just as God in Christ has forgiven you”.
Be imitators of God, as beloved children (little children often imitate their parents; this is a beautiful illustration about young children imitating their parents. This is what we should do “be imitators of God.
When we walk in love and give ourselves up – it’s an offering – it’s a sacrifice to God (not to Man) and its as a sweet aroma to God! God loves it…

3 But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; 4 and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you as is proper among saints (don’t engage in ungodly activities or impurity or greed) – it must not even be named among you (not said)…
… and there must be no filthiness in silly talk or coarse jesting which are not fitting (no swearing or dirty jokes or jesting which is kidding around about sexuality). Which are not fitting (it does not fit, you can’t put in on, its not your size, this means it’s not for you at all ! )
But rather (this means instead) giving of thanks (instead of filthy language, silly talk or coarse jesting; this is what we should do “give thanks” for what God has done.
For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. You can know this with certainty (it’s a fact, it’s certain, it’s true, it’s serious). People who practice these things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Some people think its ok to kid around like this but God’s Word says is not!

6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them; 8 for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light 9 (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), 10 trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; 12 for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. 14 For this reason it says,

“Awake, sleeper,
And arise from the dead,
And Christ will shine on you.”

Let no one deceive you with empty words (no one, no man, no woman, no false teacher) empty words are all words not contained in scripture. Words contrary to The Word.
… because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience (the Wrath of God is coming) who is it coming on? The sons of disobedience. All those who disobey God’s Word!

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Ephesians Chapter 4 - Unity and Maturity in the Body of Christ

4 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

o a worthy life is one distributing the grace as a good steward

of the calling you have received

o you were called by God Himself to do this work

that you received

o you received this as a great gift and an honor from God

o you freely received it – freely give it out (multiply it as a good steward)

Be completely humble

o (completely, completely, completely humble) for grace you have been saved.

o And gentle (handling with care the hearts and eternal lives of others)

Be patient, bearing with one another in love

o it’s a command from God that we be patient and bear with one another in love

o It’s not easy but God told us to do it. You and I have just been reminded.

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace

o unity of the Spirit means together

o through the bond of peace

§ peace is the glue that will keep us together

There is one body and one Spirit, just you were called to one hope when you were called

o if there is only one body

o and one Spirit

o and one hope

o how then should we walk and talk and act?

One Lord

o One faith

o One baptism

o One God and Father of all

o Who is over all and through all and in all (WOW)

This is 100% complete saturation. It’s all about God and what He is doing!

7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8 This is why it says:

“When he ascended on high,
he took many captives
and gave gifts to his people.”

9 (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) 11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

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Ephesians Chapter 3 - Paul’s Stewardship

3 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— 2 if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace which was given to me for you; 3 that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief.

For this reason?

o What reason

o Because of what we learned in Chapter 2

§ We were saved by grace not of works (it was what Christ did)

· He chose us

· He saved us

· He completed the work on the cross

§ We are now citizens of heaven

§ We are part of the family of God

§ We are seated in the heavenlies with Christ

I Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles

o Jesus paid for Saul to become Paul with His blood

o We are not our own, we have been bought with a price

o In Paul’s case, it was for the sake of “you Gentiles” (those without hope)

If indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace

o Which was given to me for you (God expects Paul to give it out)

o That by revelation there was made known to me the mystery

§ That Christ died for sinners (including the Gentiles)

4 By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; 6 to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel,

When you read you can understand my insight

o Into the mystery of Christ

o Which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men

o As it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit

To be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body

o Fellow heirs (those who receive an inheritance)

o Fellow members (those who belong in the club chosen by God with full benefits)

o Of people who religious people think are worthy (but the unworthy)

7 of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of God’s grace which was given to me according to the working of His power.

o Notice its was given (past tense)

o According to the working of His power

§ How much power was on display?

§ Dunamis power (Dynamite; the lame walk, the blind see, the sick are healed)

o Great ministry only happens by and through the power of the Holy Spirit

8 To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; 10 so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places.

riches of Christ (WOW)

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Ephesians Chapter 2 - Made Alive in Christ

2 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, 2 in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.

We were dead
We formerly walked according to the course of this world (a course that leads to hell)
According to the prince of the power of the air (the devil is leading this pack)
The spirit is working in the sons of disobedience (its spiritual) and in “sons of disobedience”
Disobedience always leads to punishment

3 Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, [d]indulging the desires of the flesh and of the [e]mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.

We too “all” formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh (we did it too)
We indulged in the desires of the flesh and of the mind (physical and mental)
We were “by nature children of wrath”
So remember we were guilty too!

4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

But God “being rich in mercy” because of “His great love”…
By Grace you have been saved!
And raised up with Him, and seated us with Him!
So that in the ages to come He might show surpassing riches of His grace and kindness

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

By grace alone through faith
Not of ourselves
Not of works
So that no one may boast
For we are His workmanship “shaped by Him according to His delight”
And we were created in Christ for good works “Christ is the tool used to shape us”
Created for good works “in order to do good works”
Prepared beforehand “planned by God before time”

11 Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision,” which is performed in the flesh by human hands

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Ephesian Chapter 1 - The Blessings of Redemption

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,

To the saints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Notice this letter is from Paul, an apostle of Christ by the will of God.

It was God’s will to transform Saul into Paul.

We learn about Paul in Acts 22:3

"I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated under Gamaliel, strictly according to the law of our fathers, being zealous for God just as you all are today.

Saul’s Conversion
Acts 9 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”

“Yes, Lord,” he answered.

11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”

13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”

15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

So we read a detailed account of Saul’s conversion and that he was chosen by God.

Paul goes on to address the saints at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus.

A saint is anyone who accepts God’s message of salvation and trusts the shed blood of Jesus Christ as payment in full for their sins.

Back to Ephesians 1
Ephesians 1

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1 Jude, a bond-servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James,

To those who are the called, beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ: 2 May mercy and peace and love be multiplied to you.

3 Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints. 4 For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

5 Now I desire to remind you, though you know all things once for all, that the Lord, after saving a people out of the land of Egypt, subsequently destroyed those who did not believe. 6 And angels who did not keep their own domain, but abandoned their proper abode, He has kept in eternal bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day, 7 just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, since they in the same way as these indulged in gross immorality and went after strange flesh, are exhibited as an example in undergoing the punishment of eternal fire.

8 Yet in the same way these men, also by dreaming, defile the flesh, and reject authority, and revile angelic majesties. 9 But Michael the archangel, when he disputed with the devil and argued about the body of Moses, did not dare pronounce against him a railing judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” 10 But these men revile the things which they do not understand; and the things which they know by instinct, like unreasoning animals, by these things they are destroyed. 11 Woe to them! For they have gone the way of Cain, and for pay they have rushed headlong into the error of Balaam, and perished in the rebellion of Korah. 12 These are the men who are hidden reefs in your love feasts when they feast with you without fear, caring for themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn trees without fruit, doubly dead, uprooted; 13 wild waves of the sea, casting up their own shame like foam; wandering stars, for whom the black darkness has been reserved forever.

14 It was also about these men that Enoch, in the seventh generation from Adam, prophesied, saying, “Behold, the Lord came with many thousands of His holy ones, 15 to execute judgment upon all, and to convict all the ungodly of all their ungodly deeds which they have done in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.” 16 These are grumblers, finding fault, following after their own lusts; they speak arrogantly, flattering people for the sake of gaining an advantage.

17 But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, 18 that they were saying to you, “In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts.” 19 These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit. 20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life. 22 And have mercy on some, who are doubting; 23 save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh. 24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, 25 to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion

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3 John - You Walk in the Truth

1 The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.

2 Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers. 3 For I was very glad when brethren came and testified to your truth, that is, how you are walking in truth. 4 I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.

5 Beloved, you are acting faithfully in whatever you accomplish for the brethren, and especially when they are strangers; 6 and they have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. 7 For they went out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. 8 Therefore we ought to [c]support such men, so that we may be fellow workers with the truth.

9 I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say. 10 For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words; and not satisfied with this, he himself does not receive the brethren, either, and he forbids those who desire to do so and puts them out of the church.

11 Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God. 12 Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself; and we add our testimony, and you know that our testimony is true.

13 I had many things to write to you, but I am not willing to write them to you with pen and ink; 14 but I hope to see you shortly, and we will speak face to face.

15 Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.

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2 John, Chapter 1 - Walk According to His Commandments

1 The elder to the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in truth; and not only I, but also all who know the truth, 2 because of the truth which remains in us and will be with us forever: 3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

The elder (an elder has wisdom from time in God’s word and time with God, learning to walk by faith and not by sight; now an overseer of God’s house, the church made up of God’s children). We believe this elder to be John the Apostle who now about 90 years old.

To the chosen lady and her children (who are they)

The chosen lady (would be under the control of the elder)
This was likely a local church and its members similar to us being called the Bride of Christ and Children of God
It could be a specific women but not named because of the great persecution going at this time

Whom I love in truth

And not only, but also all who know the truth (this is the glue that binds us together)
Because of the truth which remains in us and will be with us forever (God’s word is eternal)

o Grace (getting what you don’t deserve – Heaven)

o Mercy (not getting what you do deserve – Hell)

o And peace will be with us (peace from God Himself without any fear)

From God the Father (the creator and utmost authority)
And from Jesus Christ, the Son of the father (the savior and first born of the brethren)

o In truth and love (this is truth and it proves God’s love toward us)

4 I was overjoyed to find some of your children walking in truth, just as we have received a commandment to do from the Father.

I was overjoyed (joy overflowing up and over the top; impacting others)
To find some of your children walking in truth

o Some did

o Some did not

o This is an important distinction.

o Which one are you?

Just as we received a commandment to do from the Father (God said it, that settles it, lets do it, make sure you walk in truth; not lying to yourself)
To walk in truth requires that you reconsider your walk

o What are you doing

o What are you saying

o Where are you headed

o Are your thoughts and actions aligned with God’s word?

5 Now I ask you, lady, not as though I were writing to you a new commandment, but the one which we have had from the beginning, that we love one another. 6 And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, that you are to walk in it.

Now I ask you lady (church, bride of Christ)

o But the one which we have had from the beginning (commandments from the very beginning can be summed up in two:

§ Love The Lord your God with all your heart, mind and strength

§ Love your neighbor as yourself

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1 John 5 - Overcoming the World

5 Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome. 4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God

o Every color, age, status, creed, religion, location

o God is an equal opportunity Savior

Whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him

o Baby Jesus is the key

o If you love the Father, then you love the Son

By this we know (this is how you can know)

o That we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments

o This means we read the Bible and do what it says (obedience is required)

o Reading or hearing the Word, believe the Word and Doing the Word

o This is how you know!

And His commandments are not burdensome

o The commandments are not a bummer

o They are not designed to rob you of joy

o They are designed to protect you and unlock your greatest blessings!

o The more obedient you get; the more you see answered prayers & blessings

For whoever is born of God overcomes the world (notice the result of being born of God)

o You overcome the world

And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith

o It’s one ingredient

o Our Faith !!!

So too, you can overcome the world with Your Faith in Jesus Christ!

o Faith in Christ is the answer to every challenge!

5 Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 6 This is the One who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ; not with the water only, but with the water and with the blood.

The one who overcomes the world is the he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God!

o This concept is a repeat to make sure you get it & bring it into focus

This is the One who came by water and blood (this means in the flesh)
Not with the water only, but with water and with blood

o When Christ died and the Roman soldier pierced His side out came water & blood

o Medical doctors will tell you if you have water mixed in your blood it is because of a broken heart (this how Jesus died)

Consider the water and the blood when a baby is born

o Life is in the blood

o The Spirit is what makes you uniquely you (it lives forever)

Jesus was all three

o Spirit (from God)

o Blood (from Human)

o Water (Born the first time; or Born the 2nd time by baptism

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1 John 4 - Testing the Spirits

4 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; 3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming, and now it is already in the world.

Beloved (notice who this is addressed too)

o Do not believe every spirit (those who claim to be Christians)

o But (instead) test the spirits (Christians) to see whether they are from God

§ Because many false prophets (people act like prophets but they are not) have gone (past tense) out into the world (they are here already)

o By this you will know the Spirit of God

§ Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God

§ Every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God (they are false prophets)

§ This is the spirit of antichrist (like Christ but fake; false; liars)

o Which you have heard is coming (if you know the Word of God you know this)

§ And now is already in the world (antichrist is already among us)

4 You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. 5 They are from the world, therefore they speak as from the world, and the world listens to them. 6 We are from God. The one who knows God listens to us; the one who is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

You are from God, little children (simple, pure, faith; simple instruction)

o And have overcome them (who? The false prophets)

Because greater is He who is in you (Christ in you, the Hope of Glory)

o Than he that is the world (the devil who was cast down)

They are from the world

o Therefore they speak as from the world (crass, prideful, foul)

§ And the world listens to them (like people who listen to filthy rap music)

We are from God

o The one who is not from God does not listen to us (worldly people won’t listen)

By this we know the spirit of truth

o And the spirit of error

o You can know the difference by making this observation (who do they listen too)

God Is Love

7 Beloved, let’s love one another; for love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 By this the love of God was revealed in us, that God has sent His only Son into the world so that we may live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Beloved (it’s a love letter to you)

o Let’s love one another (that is what you are called by God to do)

o For love is from God (it originates from God; this is where true love comes from)

§ So that we may live through Him (this was His purpose)

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1 John 3 - Children of God Love One Another

3 See how great a love the Father has given us, that we would be called children of God; and in fact we are. For this reason the world does not know us: because it did not know Him. 2 Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope set on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

See how great a love the Father has given us

o That we would be called children of God

o And in fact we are (it’s a fact)

For this reason

o The word does not know us (won’t recognize us)

o Because it did not know Him (would not recognize Him)

Beloved (this is to us)

o Now we are the children of God (now – right now – today)

o And it has not appeared as yet what we will be (after we leave the flesh)

We know when He appears (we know with certainty)

o We will be like Him (able to walk through solid doors; yet still be touched; eat)

o Because we will see Him just as He is (what will He look like?: What will we?)

And everyone who has this hope (what hope?; the hope of heaven and our changed state)

o Is your hope set on Him?

o Then this is what you will likely be doing

§ Purifies himself (motivated to run from sin)

§ Just as He is pure (in order to be like Jesus)

4 Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness. 5 You know that He appeared in order to take away sins; and in Him there is no sin. 6 No one who remains in Him sins continually; no one who sins continually has seen Him or knows Him.

Everyone who practices (continues to do it) sin

o Also practices lawlessness (they break God’s laws)

o And sin is lawlessness (breaking God’s laws which have penalties)

You know that He appeared in order to take away sins (His purpose)

o And in Him there is no sin (is none whatsoever)

No one who remains in Him sins continually (you may fall but never practicing it)

o No one who sins continually (continuing in sin even though you know better)

§ Has seen Him or knows Him (no relationship with Jesus Christ)

7 Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous; 8 the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil [c]has been sinning from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil. 9 No one who has been born of God practices sin, because His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin continually, because he has been born of God. 10 By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: [d]anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother and sister.

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Reasons for Writing
12 I am writing to you, dear children,
because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.

13 I am writing to you, fathers,
because you know him who is from the beginning.
I am writing to you, young men,
because you have overcome the evil one.

Warnings Against Denying the Son
18 Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.

24 As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is what he promised us—eternal life.

God’s Children and Sin
28 And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.

29 If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of him.

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1 John 1 - The Incarnate Word

1 What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life— 2 and the life was revealed, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was revealed to us— 3 what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. 4 These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete.

This book is anonymous, so we don’t know for sure if John wrote it
However, it follows the same style as 2 John and 3 John and John so it is likely written by John but which one?

o Could be John the son of Zebedee (the disciple Jesus Loved – John 21:20-24)

o Could be John The Elder

o Either way he is older and in charge of house-churches (primarily Jewish Christians

o There was a crisis as a group of them broke off and left the church and denied Jesus as Messiah and Son of God (1 John 2:18-13)

o They were stirring up hostility to those who stay faithful to the teaching of Grace

o False teachers and liars also stir up hostility towards those who speak truth

What was from the beginning (this is story that will start from the beginning so you can get the entire picture)
What we have heard (they were taught verbally and heard the word; faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God; if we don’t speak God’s Word then no one hears it)
What we have seen with our eyes (things they saw in person, 1st hand knowledge)
What we have looked at and touched with our hands (the Lord Jesus Christ Himself)
Concerning the Word of Life (notice capital letters); this is what the story is about

o And the life was revealed (unmasked by God)

o And we have seen and testify (stating the facts under oath)

o And proclaim to you (announce to you; blow the trumpets)

o The eternal life which was with the Father and was revealed to us (His Origin)

o What we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also (declaring truth)

§ That you too may have fellowship with us (to take-part in this good news)

§ Indeed (for-a-truth) our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ (this is who they have fellowship with and with whom you may also if you believe the Word of Life – Jesus Christ)

o These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete

§ Completed when you believe and receive these truths; you become born again; you secure reserve seating in heaven; rewards are given those who planted the seed; rewards are given out by God

§ So that you too gain fellowship with God the Father and Jesus Christ His Son (this is the purpose of this letter; it also our life’s purpose)

o Does He know you!

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Acts, Chapter 28 - Safe at Malta

28 When they had been brought safely through, then we found out that the island was called Malta. 2 The natives showed us extraordinary kindness; for because of the rain that had set in and because of the cold, they kindled a fire and received us all.

When they had been brought safely through

o Through the storm

Then we found out that the island was called Malta

o Malta means “honey”; “land of honey” (another name for the promised land)

The natives showed us extraordinary kindness

o Extraordinary means beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly exceptional; remarkable (this is what the promised land will make you feel too)

For because of the rain that had set in (water)
And become of the cold (cold temperatures)
They kindled a fire (fire)
And received us all (not some)

o John the Baptist said the one comes after me will baptize you in fire

o Water is used to cleanses sin; fire is used to judge (it’s final)

3 But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened itself on his hand. 4 When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they began saying to one another, “Undoubtedly this man is a murderer, and though he has been saved from the sea, justice has not allowed him to live.” 5 However he shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm. 6 But they were expecting that he was about to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had waited a long time and had seen nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and began to say that he was a god.

But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire

o Notice Paul was to keep the fire going

A viper came out because of the heat and fastened itself on his hand

o Notice Paul’s hand was pierced by the viper (another name for snake)

o It was meant to harm or kill him

When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand

o Notice they are using their eyes and logic (not the Spirit)

However he shook the creature off into the fire and no harm

o Notice the snake went back into the fire (to burn up)

But they were expecting that he was about to swell up or suddenly fall down dead

o But after they had waited a long time and seen nothing unusual happen to him

o Notice they go from the physical, carnal, logical mind to the spiritual

o This is showing us that God’s power is greater than the serpent (the devil)

7 Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the leading man of the island, named Publius, who welcomed us and entertained us courteously three days. 8 And it happened that the father of Publius was lying in bed afflicted with recurrent fever and dysentery; and Paul went in to see him and after he had prayed, he laid his hands on him and healed him.

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Acts, Chapter 27 - Paul Is Sent to Rome

27 When it was decided that we would sail for Italy, they proceeded to deliver Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion of the Augustan cohort named Julius. 2 And embarking in an Adramyttian ship, which was about to sail to the regions along the coast of Asia, we put out to sea accompanied by Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica. 3 The next day we put in at Sidon; and Julius treated Paul with consideration and allowed him to go to his friends and receive care. 4 From there we put out to sea and sailed under the shelter of Cyprus because the winds were contrary. 5 When we had sailed through the sea along the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we landed at Myra in Lycia. 6 There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing for Italy, and he put us aboard it. 7 When we had sailed slowly for a good many days, and with difficulty had arrived off Cnidus, since the wind did not permit us to go farther, we sailed under the shelter of Crete, off Salmone; 8 and with difficulty sailing past it we came to a place called Fair Havens, near which was the city of Lasea.

When it was decided that we would sale for Italy

o This is because King Agrippa decided to send Paul to Rome since he appealed to Caesar (this was according to God’s will even as He previously told Paul”

A sacrifice was sent, humble yet deserving reverence because of ancient wisdom, soft-haired in human form sent to die and rise again, the best ruler from the extended land (heaven) to give victory over the flesh, a fisher of men, He would come in the flesh (soft-haired), small and humble (human form) because of God’s love, a blossom for all to see as proclaimed by Paul, born a Jew but speaking to every tribe that Christ died and was anointed with Myrrh, His blood spilled to establish a new covenant with those living in the land of the wolf, residents of the world, the sacrifice would be made at the right age with thorns on His flesh (head) judged for our sins to cover us in His white robe, beautiful and ready for heaven before we become to weary, faint and fall prey to the Lion

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Acts, Chapter 26 - Paul’s Defense before Agrippa

26 Now Agrippa said to Paul, “You are permitted to speak for yourself.” Then Paul extended his hand and proceeded to make his defense:

In Chapter 25, Festus gave an intro to King Agrippa and his wife Bernice and told them that the Jews wanted to kill Paul because of a dead man, Jesus, whom Paul asserted to be alive (the entire issue is about the risen Lord and Savior Jesus Christ).

2 “Regarding all the things of which I am accused by the Jews, King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate that I am about to make my defense before you today, 3 especially because you are an expert in all customs and questions among the Jews; therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently.

Paul considers himself fortunate that he is about to make his defense before King Agrippa

o This implies that he knows the Jewish laws and their religion (he is an expert)

4 “So then, all Jews know my way of life since my youth, which from the beginning was spent among my own nation and in Jerusalem, 5 since they have known about me for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that I lived as a Pharisee according to the strictest sect of our religion.

Paul declares “all Jews know my way of life since my youth”

o Which from the beginning was spent among my own nation and in Jerusalem,

o Since they have known about me for a long time (his whole life)

o If they are willing to testify (tell the truth)

§ That I lived as a Pharisee according to the strictest sect of our religion

§ In other words, Paul diligently followed God’s laws given to the Jews

§ These facts make Paul as Jewish as it gets

6 And now I am standing trial for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers; 7 the promise to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly serve God night and day.

o Notice God made a promise to our fathers (the Abrahamic covenant)

For this hope, O king, I am being accused by Jews. 8 Why is it considered incredible among you people if God raises the dead?

For this hope, O king, I am being accused by Jews

o What hope?

o The hope of the promise made to Abraham and through all the prophets

Why is it considered incredible among you people if God raises the dead?

o In other words, you should have known this is possible and would happen

9 “So I thought to myself that I had to act in strong opposition to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 And this is just what I did in Jerusalem; not only did I lock up many of the saints in prisons, after receiving authority from the chief priests, but I also cast my vote against them when they were being put to death.

o Jerusalem means “in awe of peace”; “teaching peace”

o Jesus means “Jehovah is salvation”

o Nazareth means “one separated” or “set apart”; “sanctified”

And yet the names described in this paragraph tell the Gospel story:

o They were teaching peace with God (they were in awe of the peace available0

o That Jehovah is salvation (God saves)

o That Jehovah sent Jesus for the exclusive purpose which is why He came

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Acts, Chapter 25 - Paul before Festus

25 Festus, then, after arriving in the province, went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea three days later. 2 And the chief priests and the leading men of the Jews brought charges against Paul, and they were pleading with Festus, 3 requesting a concession against [c]Paul, that he might have him brought to Jerusalem (at the same time, setting an ambush to kill him on the way).

We left off in Chapter 24 when Felix did not release Paul after 2-years
Chapter 24 began with a 5-day grace period
2 is the number for Witnesses (confirmation of truth)
5 is the number for Grace
We stated with Grace and we ended with Witnesses (confirmation)
Now we learn that Festus (the new governor)

o Went up to Jerusalem “in awe of Peace”

o From Cesaea “city of the King”

o Three days later “three is the number for the trinity”

o Grace -> witnesses -> in awe of peace -> city of the king -> trinity

And the chief priests and the leading men of the Jews brought charges against Paul

o These are false charges

o And they were pleading with Festus

o Requesting a concession against Paul (to concede)

§ That he might have him brought to Jerusalem

§ At the same time, setting an ambush to kill him on the way

§ Evil intentions; evil plot; pleading for a concession to allow it

4 Festus then answered that Paul was being kept in custody in Caesarea, and that he himself was about to leave shortly. 5 “Therefore,” he *said, “have the influential men among you [e]go there with me, and if there is anything wrong [f]about the man, have them bring charges against him.”

Festus then answered

o And if there is anything wrong about the man

o Have them bring charges against him

o This is how Roman law works (bring charges; have a court; make a judgement)

o They kept wanting to take maters in their own hands but God didn’t let them

6 After Festus had spent no more than eight or ten days among them, he went down to Caesarea, and on the next day he took his seat on the tribunal and ordered that Paul be brought.

o Eight is the number for new beginnings

o Ten is the number for law (God’s commandments, Man’s responsibility)

o Paul was about to come and share the gospel again; they would have a chance for a new beginning again ! To receive grace and fulfill the law.

7 After Paul arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many, and serious, charges against him which they could not prove, 8 while Paul said in his own defense, “I have not done anything wrong either against the Law of the Jews, or against the temple, or against Caesar.”

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Acts, Chapter 24 - Paul before Felix

24 After five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders, with an attorney named Tertullus, and they brought charges to the governor against Paul. 2 After Paul had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying to the governor,

Five days (grace)
Ananas “whom Jehovah has graciously given”
Tertullus “triple hardened”
God is trying to pour out grace upon the Jews but some of them are triple hardened

“Since we have through you attained much peace, and since by your providence reforms are being carried out for this nation, 3 we acknowledge this in every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness.

Sounds like a lot of apple shinning to me

4 But, that I may not weary you any further, I beg you [d]to grant us, by your kindness, a brief hearing. 5 For we have found this man a real pest and a fellow who stirs up dissension among all the Jews throughout [e]the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.

But, that I may not weary you any further (this means waste your time)
I beg you to grant us, by your kindness, a brief hearing (false flattery)

o Sometimes people speak very kindly when they want something

For we have found this man a real pest

o A pest is a bug that continues to show up and create fear

o The Jews were afraid of losing their power, position and prosperity

And a fellow who stirs up dissension among all the Jews throughout the world

o How would Tertullus know about worldwide communication (he is exaggerating)

And a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes

o Nazarenes means “one separated”; “sanctified” or “set apart”

o Jesus was set apart to do God’s will exclusively

6 And he even tried to desecrate the temple; and then we arrested him. We wanted to judge him according to our own Law. 7 But Lysias the commander came along, and with much violence took him out of our hands, 8 ordering his accusers to come before you. By examining him yourself concerning all these matters you will be able to ascertain the things of which we accuse him.” 9 The Jews also joined in the attack, asserting that these things were so.

Tertullus is a liar and is intentionally lying about Paul
Of course he wanted to judge him and convict him and punish or kill him if he was allowed to operate by his own law but he is not (this is why Paul was sent to the governor)
The Jews also joined in the attack (notice it was attack; a matter of war)

o We wrestle not against flesh and blood but from spiritual wickedness in high places (it is spiritual warfare in process)

10 When the governor had nodded for him to speak, Paul responded:

“Knowing that for many years you have been a judge to this nation, I cheerfully make my defense,

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Acts 23 - Paul before the Council

23 Paul, looking intently at the Council, said, “Brethren, I have lived my life with a perfectly good conscience before God up to this day.” 2 The high priest Ananias commanded those standing beside him to strike him on the mouth. 3 Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Do you sit to try me according to the Law, and in violation of the Law order me to be struck?” 4 But the bystanders said, “Do you revile God’s high priest?” 5 And Paul said, “I was not aware, brethren, that he was high priest; for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’”

6 But perceiving that one group were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, Paul began crying out in the Council, “Brethren, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees; I am on trial for the hope and resurrection of the dead!” 7 As he said this, there occurred a dissension between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. 8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor an angel, nor a spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all. 9 And there occurred a great uproar; and some of the scribes of the Pharisaic party stood up and began to argue heatedly, saying, “We find nothing wrong with this man; suppose a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?” 10 And as a great dissension was developing, the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them and ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force, and bring him into the barracks.

11 But on the night immediately following, the Lord stood at his side and said, “Take courage; for as you have solemnly witnessed to My cause at Jerusalem, so you must witness at Rome also.”

A Conspiracy to Kill Paul

12 When it was day, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul. 13 There were more than forty who formed this plot. 14 They came to the chief priests and the elders and said, “We have bound ourselves under a solemn oath to taste nothing until we have killed Paul. 15 Now therefore, you and the Council notify the commander to bring him down to you, as though you were going to determine his case by a more thorough investigation; and we for our part are ready to slay him before he comes near the place.”

16 But the son of Paul’s sister heard of their ambush, and he came and entered the barracks and told Paul. 17 Paul called one of the centurions to him and said, “Lead this young man to the commander, for he has something to report to him.” 18 So he took him and led him to the commander and said, “Paul the prisoner called me to him and asked me to lead this young man to you since he has something to tell you.” 19 The commander took him by the hand and stepping aside, began to inquire of him privately, “What is it that you have to report to me?” 20 And he said, “The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down tomorrow to the Council, as though they were going to inquire somewhat more thoroughly about him. 21 So do not listen to them, for more than forty of them are lying in wait for him who have bound themselves under a curse not to eat or drink until they slay him; and now they are ready and waiting for the promise from you.” 22* So the commander let the young man go, instructing him, “Tell no one that you have notified me of these things.”

Paul Moved to Caesarea

23 And he called to him two of the centurions and said, “Get two hundred soldiers ready by the third hour of the night to proceed to Caesarea, with seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen.

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Acts, Chapter 21 - Paul Sails from Miletus

21 Now when we had parted from them and had set sail, we ran a straight course to Cos, and on the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara; 2 and having found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail. 3 When we came in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left, we kept sailing to Syria and landed at Tyre; for the ship was to unload its cargo there. 4 After looking up the disciples, we stayed there for seven days; and they kept telling Paul, through the Spirit, not to set foot in Jerusalem. 5 When our days there were ended, we left and started on our journey, while they all, with wives and children, escorted us until we were out of the city. After kneeling down on the beach and praying, we said farewell to one another. 6 Then we boarded the ship, and they returned home.

Now when they had parted from them and set sail

o We ran a straight course to Cos

Cos means “a public prison”
Rhodes “rosy” or literally “rose tree”
Patara “scattering” or “cursing” or “basket”

One day they go straight into a public prison (a place where people enslaved by sin)

The next day they went to Rhodes (a rose tree)

A rose is a symbol of love
A tree is a symbol of the cross
It is a picture of the love of God sending Jesus His own Son to die for the sins of the people
Phoenicia “land of palm trees”

o Palm trees grow in a dry dessert

Cyprus “love: a blossom”

o Yet God’s love would come and he would plant seeds

Syria “exalted”

o The seed would be the gospel of the risen Lord Jesus Christ

Tyre “a rock”
Paul “small” or “humble”

o It would require humility in the sight of a mighty God (repentance)

Jerusalem “double peace”; (“shalom shalom”)

o Peace I bring you; behold I will be with you

7 When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais, and after greeting the brothers and sisters, we stayed with them for a day. 8 On the next day we left and came to Caesarea, and we entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. 9 Now this man had four virgin daughters who were prophetesses. 10 As we were staying there for some days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 And he came to us and took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands, and said, “This is what the Holy Spirit says: ‘In this way the Jews in Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and hand him over to the Gentiles.’” 12 When we had heard this, we as well as the local residents began begging him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul replied, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” 14 And since he would not be persuaded, we became quiet, remarking, “The will of the Lord be done!”

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**Acts 21 - Paul Sails from Miletus

21 When we had parted from them and had set sail, we ran a straight course to Cos and the next day to Rhodes and from there to Patara; 2 and having found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail. 3 When we came in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left, we kept sailing to Syria and landed at Tyre; for there the ship was to unload its cargo. 4 After looking up the disciples, we stayed there seven days; and they kept telling Paul through the Spirit not to set foot in Jerusalem. 5 When our days there were ended, we left and started on our journey, while they all, with wives and children, escorted us until we were out of the city. After kneeling down on the beach and praying, we said farewell to one another. 6** Then we went on board the ship, and they returned home again.

7 When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais, and after greeting the brethren, we stayed with them for a day. 8 On the next day we left and came to Caesarea, and entering the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, we stayed with him. 9 Now this man had four virgin daughters who were prophetesses. 10 As we were staying there for some days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands, and said, “This is what the Holy Spirit says: ‘In this way the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’” 12 When we had heard this, we as well as the local residents began begging him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” 14 And since he would not be persuaded, we fell silent, remarking, “The will of the Lord be done!”

Paul at Jerusalem

15 After these days we got ready and started on our way up to Jerusalem. 16 Some of the disciples from Caesarea also came with us, taking us to Mnason of Cyprus, a disciple of long standing with whom we were to lodge.

17 After we arrived in Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly. 18 And the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present. 19 After he had greeted them, he began to relate one by one the things which God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. 20 And when they heard it they began glorifying God; and they said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed, and they are all zealous for the Law; 21 and they have been told about you, that you are teaching all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs. 22 What, then, is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come. 23 Therefore do this that we tell you. We have four men who are under a vow; 24 take them and purify yourself along with them, and pay their expenses so that they may shave their heads; and all will know that there is nothing to the things which they have been told about you, but that you yourself also walk orderly, keeping the Law. 25 But concerning the Gentiles who have believed, we wrote, having decided that they should abstain from meat sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what is strangled and from fornication.” 26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day, purifying himself along with them, went into the temple giving notice of the completion of the days of purification, until the sacrifice was offered for each one of t

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Acts, Chapter 20 - Paul in Macedonia and Greece

20 After the uproar had ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and when he had encouraged them and taken his leave of them, he left to go to Macedonia. 2 When he had gone through those regions and had given them much encouragement, he came to Greece. 3 And there he spent three months, and when a plot was formed against him by the Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia. 4 And he was accompanied by Sopater of Berea, the son of Pyrrhus, and by Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia. 5 Now these had gone on ahead and were waiting for us at Troas. 6 We sailed from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and reached them at Troas within five days; and we stayed there for seven days.

After the uproar had ceases

o The time of senseless yelling and anger had stopped

Paul sent for the disciples

o And when we encouraged them

o And taken his leave of them

o He left for Macedonia

Days of unleavened bread “free from leaven or yeast”; “free from fault or sin”
Troas ““a horse prepared for battle”; “a man prepared for battle”
Five days “five is the number for grace”
Seven days “seven is the number of completion, perfection and rest”
After the people stopped yelling; humility came and encouragement from the land of the tall (heaven). Those who were unstable, covered in the mire of their sin would be visited thrice (one person; three times; the Trinity); belonging to the Jewish Nation; exalted from the land of the tall (lifted high on the cross); savior of his father (a savior sent by His Father); to handle a heavy, weighty matter (sin); having the color of fire (judgement); red (blood); the best ruler; would bring good fortune to a populous city; the Lord; would open the gate and set the captives free; covering their sin; honoring God by being faithful feeding the foster children until the break of dawn; when the SON rises and mounts his horse to return; after the days of unleavened bread (purification; repentance); a celebration of grace and the completion of the redemption unto rest.

7 On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul began talking to them, intending to leave the next day, and he prolonged his message until midnight.

On the first day of the week (this would be the Lord’s day)
When we were gathered together to break bread (Maybe the Lord’s Supper)
Paul began talking to them, intending to leave the next day

o Just like when Jesus had the last supper before leaving to be crucified

And he prolonged his message until midnight

o Sounds like me ;-)

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Acts, Chapter 19 - Paul in Ephesus

19 Now it happened that while Apollos was in Corinth, Paul passed through the upper country and came to Ephesus, and found some disciples. 2 He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said to him, “On the contrary, we have not even heard if there is a Holy Spirit.”

o Notice the very question he asks them

o Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?

§ How would they know?

§ Why is this important?

And they said to him, “on the contrary, we have not even heard if there is a Holy Spirit”

o This seems to be the condition of many churches today

o They get water baptized and think that’s all there is…

3 And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” And they said, “Into John’s baptism.” 4 Paul said, “John baptized with a baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in Him who was coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them and they began speaking with tongues and prophesying. 7 There were about twelve men in all.

Into what were you baptized?

o Unto John’s baptism (which is repentance; death to sinful ways; washed in the blood of the lamb; risen to new life symbolically in water)

When they heard that Jesus came after John and had a more excellent baptism

o They were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus

o And when Paul laid hands upon them,

§ The Holy Spirit came on them and they began speaking with tongues and prophesying

o Obviously, Paul thought it was important to teach them about this

o And to lay hands upon them and believe for the Holy Spirit to come

o He did and it could be seen and heard !

8 And he entered the synagogue and continued speaking out boldly for three months, having discussions and persuading them about the kingdom of God. 9 But when some were becoming hardened and disobedient, speaking evil of the Way before the people, he withdrew from them and took the disciples away with him, and had discussions daily in the school of Tyrannus. 10 This took place for two years, so that all who lived in Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.

o Having discussions and persuading them about the kingdom of God

o So that all who lived in Asia heard the word of the Lord

§ The only way this is possible is by the outpouring of The Holy Spirit

Miracles at Ephesus

11 God was performing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 so that handkerchiefs or aprons were even carried from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out.

God was performing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul

o When the Holy Spirit is active this is what happens “miracles”

So that handkerchiefs or aprons were even carried from his body to the sick

o And the diseases left them

o And evil spirits went out

o WOW

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Acts, Chapter 18 - Paul in Corinth

18 After these events Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus having recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. He came to them, 3 and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them, and they worked together, for they were tent-makers by trade. 4 And Paul was reasoning in the synagogue every Sabbath and trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.

After these events
What events?

o Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus on Mars Hill

o He had explained the unknown God to the Greeks seeking knowledge

o He explained that God made everything; He does not live in temples made by men hands; He does not need anything; He Himself gives all people breath and life; He made every nation from one man; and He determines their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation. He sent His son to die on the cross to pay for man’s sin yet He was raised again on the 3rd day. He is the risen Lord and Savior!

He found a Jew named Aquila

o Paul left Athens (Athens means “confused”)

o And went to Corinth (Corinth means “satiated” or “satisfied”

o Aquila means “Eagle” or “graced by Yahweh” or “God is gracious”

o A native of Pontus (Pontus means “Sea”)

Having come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (Priscilla means “ancient”)
Because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome

o Claudius means “limp enclosure” or “disabled”; “lame” or “crippled”

o Jews “belonging to the Jewish nation”

o Rome means “strength”

And Paul was reasoning in the in the synagogue every Sabbath

o Paul means “small or little” and Sabbath means “rest”

Here is the story unfolding here:

o Paul had just introduces the risen Lord and Savior to those who were confused in Athens; those who were merely searching for knowledge but not necessarily truth

o Now he comes to Corinth where people are fat and happy “Satiated”

o He meets Acquila and Pricilla (An eagle showing God’s grace; as vast at the sea; and from ancient times past)

o God would come to those with a limp enclosure (weak flesh), to His people to give them strength and rest

God uses Paul who was a tent-maker (emphasizing the temp dwelling of this life)

o Tents are meant be temporary dwelling places…

5 But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul began devoting himself completely to the word, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. 6 But when they resisted and blasphemed, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood is on your own heads! I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”

o Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia

o Silas means “asked-for”; “highway-maker”

o Timothy means “honoring God”; “God values”

o Macedonia means “Land of the Tall”

o Paul means “small”; “little” or “humble”

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Acts, Chapter 17 - Paul at Thessalonica

17 Now when they had traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. 2 And according to Paul’s custom, he went to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and giving evidence that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the [d]Christ.”

Amphipolis “a city surrounded by water”; “surrounded city”; “encircled city”
Apollonia “things of Apollo”; the Greek sun god; also a 3rd century saint and virgin martyr
Thessalonica “victory of falsity”
The city was surrounded by things of Apollo (a false sun god), the city was named after Alexander the great’s sister. It seemed that the worship of false gods was prospering as this became a huge city filled with sin.
According to Paul’s custom

o He went to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the scriptures

o Explaining and giving evidence that the Christ had to supper and rise again from the dead

o And saying “this Jesus who I am proclaiming to you is the Christ”

o Paul is bringing the true gospel message right in the middle of this city surrounded by the things of apollo (a false god)..

4 And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with a large number of the God-fearing Greeks and a number of the leading women. 5 But the Jews, becoming jealous and taking along some wicked men from the market place, formed a mob and set the city in an uproar; and attacking the house of Jason, they were seeking to bring them out to the people. 6 When they did not find them, they began dragging Jason and some brethren before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have upset the world have come here also; 7 and Jason has welcomed them, and they all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.” 8 They stirred up the crowd and the city authorities who heard these things. 9 And when they had received a pledge from Jason and the others, they released them.

Notice pattern
And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas

o Along with a large number of the God-fearing Greeks

o And a number of the leading women

o These were “the called” by God who believed

Faith came by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (again)

o A large number were persuaded (Jews & Greeks & Leading Women)

But the Jews (the stumbling block comes)

o Becoming jealous (notice they were not in search of truth; they were jealous)

o And taking along some wicked men from the market place (notice who they recruit)

§ Formed a mob and set the city in an uproar

§ The mob makes false accusations and gets people upset on purpose

§ Their plot is to stir up emotions since they can’t speak the truth

§ And attacking the house of Jason (they got violent)

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Acts, Chapter 16 - The Macedonian Vision

16 Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. And a disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek, 2 and he was well spoken of by the brethren who were in Lystra and Iconium.

Paul “small” or “humble”
Derbe “tanner of skin”; “coverer with skin”
Lystra “ransoming”
Timothy “honoring God”
Lystra “ransoming”
Iconium “little image”; “icon”
Jesus humbled himself and became a man, to pay the ransom for sin and honor God the Father as the Son (paid himself) as the ransom (as He was the little image of His Father).

3 Paul wanted this man to go with him; and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those parts, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.

Paul wanted this man to go with him

o Sounds just like when Barnabas wanted John Mark to go with them but Paul got into a dispute with Barnabas about it so much so that they parted ways

And he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those parts

o For they all knew his father was Greek (not a Jew)

o Now we see Paul still leaning toward the Jewish system and appeasing them even though he knows that salvation is by grace alone (based on Chapter 15)

o He circumcises a grown man (that had to hurt)

§ Physical harm

§ Spiritual harm

4 Now while they were passing through the cities, they were delivering the decrees which had been decided upon by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem, for them to observe. 5 So the churches were being strengthened in the faith, and were increasing in number daily.

They were delivering the decrees which had been decided upon by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem

o These decrees were to rely upon grace not circumcision

o Paul knew this was not to save Timothy instead it was to appease the Jews who knew his father was a Greek (this is Paul trying remain in the “in-crowd” of Jews)

o They are preaching the Word correctly but notice the hypocrisy

o Do as I say not as I do (Paul was way off on this subject and yet God still used him)

o Where sin abounds, Grace abounds even more

So the churches were being strengthened in the faith, and were increasing in number daily

o Real church growth is measured by souls saved not donations

6 They passed through the Phrygian and Galatian region, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia; 7 and after they came to Mysia, they were trying to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them; 8 and passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. 9 A vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing and appealing to him, and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 When he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

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Acts 15 - Grace alone gets you into heaven

15 Some men came down from Judea and began teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 And after Paul and Barnabas had a heated argument and debate with them, the brothers determined that Paul and Barnabas and some others of them should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders concerning this issue. 3 Therefore, after being sent on their way by the church, they were passing through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and they were bringing great joy to all the brothers and sisters. 4 When they arrived in Jerusalem, they were received by the church, the apostles, and the elders, and they reported all that God had done with them. 5 But some of the sect of the Pharisees who had believed stood up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to direct them to keep the Law of Moses.”

6 The apostles and the elders came together to look into this matter. 7 After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that [f]in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 And God, who knows the heart, testified to them giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us; 9 and He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. 10 Since this is the case, why are you putting God to the test by placing upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which neither our forefathers nor we have been able to bear? 11 But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they also are.”

12 All the people kept silent, and they were listening to Barnabas and Paul as they were relating all the signs and wonders that God had done through them among the Gentiles.

James’ Judgment

13 After they stopped speaking, James responded, saying, “Brothers, listen to me. 14 Simeon has described how God first concerned Himself about taking a people for His name from among the Gentiles. 15 The words of the Prophets agree with this, just as it is written:

16 ‘After these things I will return,
And I will rebuild the fallen tabernacle of David,
And I will rebuild its ruins,
And I will restore it,
17 So that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord,
And all the Gentiles who are called by My name,’
18 Says the Lord, who makes these things known from long ago.

19 Therefore, it is my judgment that we do not cause trouble for those from the Gentiles who are turning to God, 20 but that we write to them that they abstain from things contaminated by idols, from acts of sexual immorality, from what has been strangled, and from blood. 21 For from ancient generations Moses has those who preach him in every city, since he is read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”

22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas who was called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers, 23 and they sent this letter with them:

“The apostles and the brothers who are elders, to the brothers and sisters in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia who are from the Gentiles: Greetings.

24 Since we have heard that some of our number to whom we gave no instruction have confused you by their teaching, upsetting your souls

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Acts, Chapter 14 - The Power of Faith in Real Believers

14 At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Greeks believed. 2 But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the other Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. 3 So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders.

Next chapter 13 the apostles were preaching boldly in Antioch and many people were coming to a place of faith. but certain people from the Jewish religious leadership stirred up the people of power and position against the Christian brothers and forced them out
now in chapter 13 Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue

o Notice that Paul and Barnabas went as usual (to boldly preach the gospel)

they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Greeks believed

o this is what happens when you speak the word of God empowered by the Holy Spirit

but the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the other gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers

o notice it's the same fight; it's the same type of people

o Notice the pattern of their incorrect thinking:

§ first they refused to believe

§ next they stir it up the other gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers

§ the devil and his minions are always trying to stir up trouble and poison people's minds (This is why we have to take every thought captive and compare it to what the word of God says before we allow it to travel the 18 inches from our head to our heart)

§ let the word green supreme in your heart and in your mind and allow it to control your decisions

§ and yet make sure that the words that enter your hearing if they are not in alignment with the word of God that you do not allow them to go from your head to your heart but rather you delete them immediately because they are from the devil and not from God.

o so Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there

§ notice they didn't run or quit but instead they spent considerable time

§ speaking boldly for the Lord (this is what they spent considerable time doing)

§ who confirmed the message of his grace (grace is unearned undeserved favor)

§ by enabling them to perform signs and wonders

§ this is how God confirms his Word wo others who are listening

4 The people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews, others with the apostles. 5 There was a plot afoot among both Gentiles and Jews, together with their leaders, to mistreat them and stone them. 6 But they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding country, 7 where they continued to preach the gospel.

The people of the city were divided

o some sided with the Jews

o others with the apostles

o notice the two sides (one who believed that keeping the law is the way to heaven; the other depending upon the work of the cross to get entrance into heaven)

§ the first is man doing something to earn it

§ the latter this man receiving from God that which was unearned

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Acts, Chapter 13 - First Missionary Journey

13 Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers: Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

We were then given a list of names in a specific order

o Antioch = resistant, holding out against

o Barnabas = son of consolation; son of comfort

o Simeon = to hear or listen

o Niger = black

o Lucius = luminous or white

o Cyrene = sovereign queen

o Manaen = consolor or comforter

o Herod = song of the hero

o Tetrrarch = ruler over one fourth

o Saul = to ask or question; asked for; prayed for

o Barnabas = son of consolation; son of comfort

o Saul = to ask or question; asked for; prayed for

There is a divine story within these names

1. There was an evil force holding out against the Christian Faith determined to harm the true believers of this faith

2. But God sent His son of comfort (all powerful, full of light and love)

3. So that the people could hear

4. His Word in black & white.

5. Those who listen and accept His invitation would become the bride and/or the queen with full inheritance

6. His son was a consoler, a comforter to all who had sinned and were in need of a Savior.

7. They would sign His praises for saving them

8. He was the ruler of all that was created on the 4th day

9. The people prayed and He heard their cry

10. He came down to consol and comfort them

11. He prayed that the Father would forgive them and accept them

o There were people in Antioch that were holding out against Christianity

§ They were opposing Christians trying to cause them harm who were resisting the holy spirit (unbelievers)

§ They heard the word and got saved!

o And there were believers who were strong in their faith and they were actively pursuing the things the things of the Holy Spirit to be used even more

While they were ministering the Lord (this is their job description)

o And fasting (usually because they are seeking answers from God)

o The Holy Spirit Said

§ Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work which I have called them.

§ Notice the Holy Spirit spoke

§ Notice the Holy Spirit had called them to do something specific

Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work which I have called then

o Be set apart is to be sanctified (set apart for exclusive use by God)

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Acts, Chapter 12 - Peter’s Arrest and Deliverance

12 Now about that time Herod the king laid hands on some who belonged to the church in order to mistreat them. 2 And he had James the brother of John put to death with a sword. 3 When he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also.

Now about that time

o After amazing miracles happened and revival broke out

o After Agabus delivered the bad news about the famine on the way

o After all the believers contributed to those in urgent need

Herod the king laid hands on some who belonged to the church

o Notice he laying on hands like the apostles were on the believers

§ Some men use laying on of hands for good

§ Other men use laying on of hands for evil

§ Herod did it to mistreat them (that was his intention; what was in his heart)

And he had James the brother of John put to death with a sword

o Now a 2nd disciple was murdered

o 1st Stephen; now it was James

§ Stephen “that which surrounds”

§ James “He who closely follows, supplanter” (a replacer)

o Stephen was surrounded by men who stoned him

o James was pierced through with a sword

§ Consider the rock

§ Consider the sword

When he saw that it pleased the Jews

o It brought joy to those against God

He proceeded to arrest Peter also

o Peter also means “rock” but upon this rock God said He would build His church

o Imagine the fear of the newly minted Christian flock

Now it was during the days of Unleavened Bread. 4 When he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out before the people. 5 So Peter was kept in the prison, but prayer for him was being made fervently by the church to God.

The days of unleavened bread happened before Passover (remember the Jews had to remove levin from their house; a picture of how men must remove sin from their flesh which is God’s house
When they had seized him (this means taken by force likely under threat of violence)
He put him in prison

o Delivering him to four squads of soldiers to guard him

o Each squad will include 6-10 soldiers

§ X 4 = 24 to 40 soldiers

§ That seems like a lot of soldiers to guard one Christian man

Intending after the Passover to bring him out before the people

§ The fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much

§ God hears fervent prayers!

6 On the very night when Herod was about to bring him forward, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and guards in front of the door were watching over the prison.

On the very night when Herod was about to bring him forward

o Notice God’s timing (it was timed perfectly by God)

Peter was sleeping between two soldiers

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Acts Chapter 11 – The Jews hear that the Gentiles got saved

Now the apostles and the brothers and sisters who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. 2 And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, the Jewish believers took issue with him, 3 saying, “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.” 4 But Peter began and explained at length to them in an orderly sequence, saying, 5 “I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, an object coming down like a great sheet lowered by four corners from the sky; and it came to where I was, 6 and I stared at it and was thinking about it, and I saw the four-footed animals of the earth, the wild animals, the crawling creatures, and the birds of the sky. 7 I also heard a voice saying to me, ‘Get up, Peter; kill and eat.’ 8 But I said, ‘By no means, Lord, for nothing unholy or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ 9 But a voice from heaven answered a second time, ‘What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy.’ 10 This happened three times, and everything was drawn back up into the sky. 11 And behold, at that moment three men who had been sent to me from Caesarea came up to the house where we were staying. 12 And the Spirit told me to go with them without misgivings. These six brothers also went with me, and we entered the man’s house. 13 And he reported to us how he had seen the angel standing in his house, and saying, ‘Send some men to Joppa and have Simon, who is also called Peter, brought here; 14 and he will speak words to you by which you will be saved, you and all your household.’ 15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as He did upon us at the beginning. 16 And I remembered the word of the Lord, how He used to say, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17 Therefore, if God gave them the same gift as He also gave to us after believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could [l]stand in God’s way?” 18 When they heard this, they quieted down and glorified God, saying, “Well then, God has also granted to the Gentiles the repentance that leads to life.”

The Church in Antioch

19 So then those who were scattered because of the persecution that occurred in connection with Stephen made their way to Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews alone. 20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks as well, preaching the good news of the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord. 22 The news about them reached the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas off to Antioch. 23 Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord; 24 for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and faith. And considerable numbers were added to the Lord. 25 And he left for Tarsus to look for Saul; 26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers of people; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

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Acts, Chapter 10 - Cornelius’s Vision

10 Now there was a man at Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian cohort, 2 a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, and gave many alms to the Jewish people and prayed to God continually.

We left Chapter 9 when Peter raise Dorcas from the dead and many people believed
now there was a man at Caesarea named Cornelius

o a centurion of what was called the Italian cohort

o this means he was in charge of 100 soldiers

§ This means he was a man of authority from a foreign land (like Jesus)

A devout man and one who feared God with all his household

o A devout man (means he was to devoted to God and doing what his right)

o And one who feared God (means He had great respect and fear of God to the point which he would not want to disappoint God)

o With all his household (this means he was the spiritual leader of his family)

And gave many alms to the Jewish people and prayed to God continually

o Gave many alms (help & money especially to those in need)

o To the Jewish people (God promises special blessings on those who bless the Jews; God also sent Jesus to the Jews first)

o And prayed to God continually (talking to God always; this is what we should do)

Notice the attributes:

o A man of authority from a foreign land

o A devout man

o And one who feared God with all his household (a spiritual leader)

o And gave many alms to the Jews (helped the Jews in need)

o And prayed to God continually

o These all the same attributes as Jesus!

3 About the ninth hour of the day he clearly saw in a vision an angel of God who had just come in and said to him, “Cornelius!” 4 And fixing his gaze on him and being much alarmed, he said, “What is it, Lord?”

The ninth hour is very curious

o It was the same time of the afternoon prayer for the Jews

o but Cornelius wasn’t Jewish_

o That is the same time when Jesus died

He clearly saw in a vision an angel of God

o the 9th hour is 3:00pm; it must not be a dream

o it something called a vision; something like watching a movie from heaven

o angels are messengers from God

He had just come in and said to him “Cornelius!”

o This angel knew his name and spoke his name only at first

o That is all it took to get the correct reply

§ Notice his response seems to imply it is the Lord speaking

And he said to him, “Your prayers and alms have ascended as a memorial before God. 5 Now dispatch some men to Joppa and send for a man named Simon, who is also called Peter; 6 he is staying with a tanner named Simon, whose house is by the sea.” 7 When the angel who was speaking to him had left, he summoned two of his servants and a devout soldier of those who were his personal attendants, 8 and after he had explained everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.

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Acts, Chapter 9 - The Conversion of Saul

9 Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, 2 and asked for letters from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, both men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against disciples of the Lord

o wow he's still acting evil towards God's people

o Still breathing threats and murder (with every breath he takes)

He went to the high priest. and ask for letters from him the synagogues at Damascus so that if he had found any belonging to the Way, both men and women

o he might bring them bound to Jerusalem (arrested and on their way to jail or even onto their death sentence like Stephen

3 As he was traveling, it happened that he was approaching Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him; 4 and he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” 5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” And He said, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting, 6 but get up and enter the city, and it will be told you what you must do.” 7 The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. 8 Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; and leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

Saul was at the height of his persecution of Christians
And he was traveling to go to the high priest to gain authority to pursue Christians
BAM; it happened that he was approaching Damascus

o Damascus means the beginning of salvation; full turn in the pattern of salvation; the beginning / full turn of being drawn out / Synchronicity.

§ A full turn means the same as repent (it is a U turn)

and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him

o when he light from heaven flashes around you it is much brighter and more white than you can imagine

o Side note: God is light and in Him is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5)

And he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him

o God who is light came down and was speaking with Saul!

o Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?

o notice that Jesus says Saul's name twice (there is no doubt He is speaking to Saul)

o imagine being knocked over by brilliant white light and then Jesus talking !!!

Now let's look at Saul's response to Jesus question:

o who are you Lord?

§ Notice so I already used the word Lord (because of the brilliant entrance)

now let's look at Jesus response to Saul

o I am Jesus whom you are persecuting

§ WOW what a revelation (the very person who he is persecuting is speaking with him and RutRo He is the Lord !

o But get up and enter the city and it will be told to you what you must do

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Acts, Chapter 8 - Saul Persecutes the Church

8 Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him to death.

And on that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 Some devout men buried Stephen, and made loud lamentation over him. 3 But Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house, and dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison.

Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him (Stephen) to death

o This is why did nothing when they laid their coats by him to stone Stephen

And that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem

o The evil leaders went into their rage and killed Stephen

o When it was over, they continued in their rage “on that day”

And they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria

o All the Christian believers split (because they were afraid of these evil religious leaders and that they may be killed too)

o Except the apostles (notice they didn’t run; they remained in faith)

Some devout men buried Stephen

o And made loud lamentation over him (loud wailing noises)

o They obviously weren’t afraid of who saw them either

o They were devout (devoted to God, strong in the word and in the Spirit)

But Saul began ravaging the church

o Entering house and after house (it was extreme and personal)

o And dragging off men and women (it was violent)

o He would them in prison (he would imprison them)

o This shows the hardness of Saul’s heart and zeal against Christians

§ He was sincerely wrong!

Philip in Samaria

4 Therefore, those who had been scattered went about preaching the word. 5 Philip went down to the city of Samaria and began proclaiming Christ to them.

Therefore (because of this great persecution in Jerusalem)
Those who had been scattered went about preaching the word

o All things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose (so the persecution caused the Word to spread) 😉

Philip went down to the city of Samaria and began proclaiming Christ to them

o Samaria was full of half-breeds (half Jews and half greeks)

o The Jews hated the people in Samaria (they thought of them as dogs)

o So this was a place the Jews were not likely going to go

o Philip does not see them as dogs; he sees them as God’s children (valuable)

o So he goes preaches there (it was certainly safer then Jerusalem at the time)

o But I like the fact that he kept proclaiming Christ in-spite of the persecution

6 The crowds with one accord were giving attention to what was said by Philip, as they heard and saw the signs which he was performing. 7 For in the case of many who had unclean spirits, they were coming out of them shouting with a loud voice; and many who had been paralyzed and lame were healed. 8 So there was much rejoicing in that city.

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Acts, Chapter 7 - Stephen’s Defense

7 The high priest said, “Are these things so?”

2 And he said, “Hear me, brethren and fathers! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, 3 and said to him, ‘Leave your country and your relatives, and come into the land that I will show you.’

The high priest asks Stephen if the accusations made against him were true
Notice Stephen’s response

o Hear me, brethren and fathers!

§ This implies relationship to his Jewish brothers and their mutual forefathers

o The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham

§ Notice Stephen gives God glory by calling Him The God of glory

§ Appeared to our father Abraham (notice Stephen’s reference to Abraham as “our father” again focusing on common faith and relationship

o When he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran

§ This is when Abraham still lived at his home town at the time

And said to him

o Leave your country and your relatives

§ Leave everything and everyone that is familiar

And come into the land that I will show you

o A land I will show you (He had not showed him where before leaving)

Stephen is reminder this court of religious leaders of these facts

4 Then he left the land of the Chaldeans and settled in Haran. From there, after his father died, God had him move to this country in which you are now living. 5 But He gave him no inheritance in it, not even a foot of ground, and yet, even when he had no child, He promised that He would give it to him as a possession, and to his descendants after him.

Stephen reminds them Abraham received promises from God about his descendants even though Abraham had no child at the time

o Because God knows the future

He promised that He would give it to him

o As a possession

o And to His descendants after him

These bold promises were made when it didn’t seem possible to Abraham

6 But God spoke to this effect, that his descendants would be aliens in a foreign land, and that they would be enslaved and mistreated for four hundred years. 7 ‘And whatever nation to which they will be in bondage I Myself will judge,’ said God,

But God spoke to this effect

o That his descendants would be aliens in a foreign land

o And that they would be enslaved and mistreated for four hundred years

o And whatever nation to which they will be in bondage | I Myself will judge, said God

o These are three amazing declarations

o About his descendants forced to become aliens in a foreign land

§ Their location would change

o That they would be enslaved and mistreated for 400-years

§ Their position would change form free to bondage for 400 years

o The nation responsible would be judged by God

§ The nation that causes this is going to be judged by God (they pay dearly)

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Acts, Chapter 6 - Choosing of the Seven

6 Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food.

Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number

o The church was growing and more and more people became followers of Jesus

A complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews

o What is a Hellenistic Jew?

§ Hellenistic Jews were those who adopted Greek language and culture

§ They lived outside of Jerusalem and spoke Greek rather than Hebrew

o What is a native Hebrew

o These were Jews who lived in Jerusalem and spoke Hebrew

o They took pride in living and speaking like their forefathers

o They made the Hellenistic Jews feel like outsiders (less important)

Because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food

o In other words, the native Jews didn’t always feed the widows that were Helenistic Jews

o This has the potential to become a real wedge among the Jews who believed in Jesus Christ (let’s read on and see how they handled it)

2 So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables.

The twelve apostles summoned the congregation

o When all twelve summon the congregation it must be serious

It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God

o In order to serve tables

o They were placing a higher value on the word of God than feeding widows

3 Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task.

Therefore (because the widows were being neglected because the apostles were too busy)
Brethren (these are Christian brothers in the faith)
Select from among you seven men of good reputation

o Seven is the number for completion and perfection

o Of good reputation (what others said about them; not their own testimony)

o Full of the Spirit and of wisdom (it could be seen and their conduct would display God’s wisdom in all matters)

Whom we may put in charge of this task

o What task?

o Feeding the widows

o Notice that the widows deserved to be served by men

o It would an honor to become a bondservant to serve God by serving these women

o Jesus said if you want to be the greatest in heaven, be the servant of all

4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 The statement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch. 6 And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them.

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Acts, Chapter- 5 Fate of Ananias and Sapphira

5 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2 and kept back some of the price for himself, with his wife’s full knowledge, and bringing a portion of it, he laid it at the apostles’ feet.

But (this is contrast to what we read in Chapter 4, when a man named Joseph who also called Barnabas which means “Son of Encouragement” sold his tract of land and brought the money and laid it at the apostles feet)

o Joseph “let him add”; “increaser”; “may He add”

o Barnabas “son of rest”; “son of consolation”

o This is a spiritual picture of Jesus Christ who gave it all that He may add or save more souls for all eternity

o Yet this is also a physical story of a real man who sold his property and donated 100% of the proceeds to the church (for God’s work) unselfishly for which he will be richly rewarded by God in heaven in the property time

5 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2 and kept back some of the price for himself, with his wife’s full knowledge

o When you read that Ananias with his wife Sapphira sold a piece of property and kept back some of the price for himself with his wife's full knowledge; this means they conspired to hold back some of the price.

o A man named Ananias “whom Jehovah has graciously given”

o With his wife Sapphira “a sapphire”

o It seems this man was blessed by God who had graciously given him this real estate and likely a beautiful wife which is why her name was sapphire.

and bringing a portion of it, he laid at the apostles feet

o he was trying to be like Joseph so called Barnabas the son of encouragement he held back under the money and he only gave a portion (so there was a big difference)

o one gave it all; the other only pretended to give it all.

3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land? 4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”

5 And as he heard these words, Ananias fell down and breathed his last; and great fear came over all who heard of it. 6 The young men got up and covered him up, and after carrying him out, they buried him.

and great fear came over all who heard of it

o the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom

7 Now there elapsed an interval of about three hours, and his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 And Peter responded to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for such and such a price?” And she said, “Yes, that was the price.”

9 Then Peter said to her, “Why is it that you have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out as well.” 10 And immediately she fell at his feet and breathed her last, and the young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 And great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard of these things.

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Acts 2 - All things work together for good

4 As they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to them, 2 being greatly disturbed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they laid hands on them and put them in jail until the next day, for it was already evening. 4 But many of those who had heard the message believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.

5 On the next day, their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem; 6 and Annas the high priest was there, and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of high-priestly descent. 7 When they had placed them in the center, they began to inquire, “By what power, or in what name, have you done this?” 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of the people, 9 if we are on trial today for a benefit done to a sick man, as to how this man has been made well, 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by this name this man stands here before you in good health. 11 He is the stone which was rejected by you, the builders, but which became the chief corner stone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”

Threat and Release

13 Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus. 14 And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say in reply. 15 But when they had ordered them to leave the Council, they began to confer with one another, 16 saying, “What shall we do with these men? For the fact that a noteworthy miracle has taken place through them is apparent to all who live in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But so that it will not spread any further among the people, let us warn them to speak no longer to any man in this name.” 18 And when they had summoned them, they commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; 20 for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” 21 When they had threatened them further, they let them go (finding no basis on which to punish them) on account of the people, because they were all glorifying God for what had happened; 22 for the man was more than forty years old on whom this [o]miracle of healing had been performed.

23 When they had been released, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 And when they heard this, they lifted their voices to God with one accord and said, “O Lord, it is You who made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that is in them, 25 who by the Holy Spirit, through the mouth of our father David Your servant, said,

‘Why did the Gentiles rage,
And the peoples devise futile things?

26 ‘The kings of the earth took their stand,
And the rulers were gathered togethe

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Acts 3 - **Healing the Beggar Who Was Unable to Walk

3 Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the ninth hour, the hour of prayer. 2 And a man who had been unable to walk from birth was being carried, whom they used to set down every day at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, in order for him to beg for charitable gifts from those entering the temple grounds. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple grounds, he began asking to receive a charitable gift. 4 But Peter, along with John, looked at him intently and said, “Look at us!” 5 And he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. 6 But Peter said, “I do not have silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, walk!” 7 And grasping him by the right hand, he raised him up; and immediately his feet and his ankles were strengthened. 8 And leaping up, he stood and began to walk; and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God; 10 and they recognized him as being the very one who used to sit at the Beautiful Gate of the temple to beg for charitable gifts, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

**Peter’s Second Sermon

11 While he was clinging to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them at the portico named Solomon’s, completely astonished. 12 But when Peter saw this, he replied to the people, “Men of Israel, why are you amazed at this, or why are you staring at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made him walk? 13 The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His servant Jesus, the one whom you handed over and disowned in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release Him. 14 But you disowned the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 but put to death the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, a fact to which we are witnesses. 16 And on the basis of faith in His name, it is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know; and the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all.

17 “And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, just as your rulers also did. 18 But the things which God previously announced by the mouths of all the prophets, that His Christ would suffer, He has fulfilled in this way. 19 Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; 20 and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you, 21 whom heaven must receive until the [j]period of restoration of all things, about which God spoke by the mouths of His holy prophets from ancient times. 22 Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your countrymen; to Him you shall listen regarding everything He says to you. 23 And it shall be that every soul that does not listen to that prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.’ 24 And likewise, all the prophets who have spoken from Samuel and his successors onward, have also announced these days. 25 It is you who are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant which God ordained with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your seed

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Acts 2 - **The Day of Pentecost

2 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly a noise like a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 And tongues that looked like fire appeared to them, distributing themselves, and a tongue rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with different tongues, as the Spirit was giving them the ability to speak out.

5 Now there were Jews residing in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And when this sound occurred, the crowd came together and they were bewildered, because each one of them was hearing them speak in his own language. 7 They were amazed and astonished, saying, “Why, are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we each hear them in our own language to which we were born? 9 Parthians, Medes, and Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya around Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty deeds of God.” 12 And they all continued in amazement and great perplexity, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others were jeering and saying, “They are full of sweet wine!”

Peter’s Sermon
14 But Peter, taking his stand with the other eleven, raised his voice and declared to them: “Men of Judea and all you who live in Jerusalem, know this, and pay attention to my words. 15 For these people are not drunk, as you assume, since it is only the third hour of the day; 16 but this is what has been spoken through the prophet Joel:

17 ‘And it shall be in the last days,’ God says,
‘That I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind;
And your sons and your daughters will prophesy,
And your young men will see visions,
And your old men will have dreams;

18 And even on My male and female [r]servants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days,
And they will prophesy.

19 And I will display wonders in the sky above
And signs on the earth below,
Blood, fire, and vapor of smoke.

20 The sun will be turned into darkness
And the moon into blood,
Before the great and glorious day of the Lord comes.

21 And it shall be that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’

22 “Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a Man [u]attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know— 23 this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. 24 But God raised Him from the dead, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power. 25 For David says of Him,

‘I saw the Lord continually before me,
Because He is at my right hand, so that I will not be shaken.

26 Therefore my heart was glad and my tongue was overjoyed;
Moreover my flesh also will live in hope;

27 For You will not abandon my soul to Hades,
Nor will You

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Acts, Chapter 1 - Jesus Taken Up Into Heaven

1 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.

In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up into heaven.
it seems this book was written by doctor Luke; Therefore, this would be a follow on to the book of Luke.
Theophilus means "friend of God" or "loved by God."
Luke tells us that in his former book that he wrote all that Jesus began to do and to teach not some. in other words in Luke's mind it was a complete work with sufficient information for us to understand the whole story.
He told us about the day he was taken up to heaven

o this is a major event worthy of study, prayer and contemplation

o notice this: after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen

o Jesus didn't go back up to heaven before he gave these instructions!

3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.

Here Luke tells us that after His suffering

o we must never forget the suffering that Christ went through for us

o they put a bag on top of his head and they beat him until he was almost unrecognizable

o they pulled out his beard from his face and his neck

o they flogged his back with the cat of nine tails

§ it was said that 40 lashes with a cat of nine tails would be sufficient to kill someone

§ with each slash the pieces of bone that were attached to the leather whip would rip out chunks of muscle eventually nerve and then even finally get to the very bone in your back

§ then they drove nails through his feet and his hands on the cross

§ that is a lot of suffering my friends| Jesus must really love us more than we can ever know in this life.

he presented himself to them and gave them many convincing proofs that he was alive.

o so after the suffering Jesus rose from the dead

o and he gave many convincing proofs that he was alive

o this means in the flesh not as a spirit

He appeared to them over a period of 40 days and spoke about the Kingdom of God

o imagine all the things that he could do in 40 days after being risen from the dead

o This is why Luke says he provided them many proofs

o It is said that over 500 people saw Jesus or interacted with him after he was risen from the dead

§ this is significant because in a federal court of law in the United States of America it would only take two witnesses to establish a fact; there would be no question about the facts should there be 500 witnesses!

4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

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2 Corinthians Chapter 13 - Examine Yourselves

1 This is the third time I am coming to you. Every fact is to be confirmed by the testimony of two or three witnesses.

Paul starts of by stating … this is the third time I am coming to you.

We learned in Chapter 12 that Paul saw an incredible vision and revelation so awesome that he did not speak about it for 14 years. God allowed him to have a thorn in the flesh so he would not become boastful, famous and go off the righteous rails. Paul asked the Lord to remove the thorn (3) times. Just like Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane asked the Father to remove the cup from Him three times. See Mat 25:36-43. Jesus was manifested (3) times to his disciples John 21:14 and then Jesus asks Peter (3) times if He Loves Him more than these John 21:15-17

It seems God has created a pattern of (3) when he wants to make absolutely sure you don’t, I don’t, we don’t miss it…

When you pray earnestly about something. Don’t quit after the first or second try. Keep praying!

Be willing to accept God’s answer with a humble heart but look for confirmation by the testimony of two or three witnesses (believers willing to testify).

2 I have previously said when present the second time, and though now absent I say in advance to those who have sinned in the past and to all the rest as well, that if I come again I will not spare anyone, 3 since you are seeking for proof of the Christ who speaks in me, and who is not weak toward you, but mighty in you.

I say in advance to those who have sinned in the past and to all the rest as well, if I come again I will not spare anyone (Paul plans to let them have it spiritually speaking if they have not repented by the time he comes again). So too, when Christ comes a 2nd time, he will judge all those who have not repented… Let us make sure we are ready to meet the Lord.

You might have sinned just like the those in Achaia but you can be completely forgiven, made white as snow as if you never sinned. How you ask? Just believe on the name of Jesus Christ as Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead and you shall be saved. Repent of your sins; just ask God to forgive you in Jesus name and mean it in your heart – and it’s done.

.. since you are seeking for proof of the Christ who speaks in me, and who is not weak toward you, but mighty in you. Many people are still seeking proof of the Christ whom they have not seen. This is the mighty power of faith.

4 For indeed He was crucified because of weakness, yet He lives because of the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, yet we will live with Him because of the power of God directed toward you.

For indeed He was crucified because weakness (not Jesus’s weakness, because of the weakness of our flesh to sin; therefore, Christ offered his flesh as full payment for our sins. However, the story did not end there. Jesus rose again the 3rd day in victory over sin & death. This happened by the power of God. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead will raise us up too!5 Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test?

Test yourselves to see if you are the faith (Do you believe in believe in Jesus Christ?; do you believe He died on the cross to pay for your sin?; do you believe He rose again the 3rd day proving He was and IS God’s son come in the flesh, sacrificed for you and raised in power and victory?

If you believe this in your heart, you are born again and you are going to Heaven and all hell cannot stop you

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2 Corinthians Chapter 12 - The Third Time (3rd Heaven; 3rd Prayer; 3rd Trip)

1 Boasting is necessary, though it is not profitable; but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a man was caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I know how such a man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows— 4 was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak. 5 On behalf of such a man I will boast; but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in regard to my weaknesses. 6 For if I do wish to boast I will not be foolish, for I will be speaking the truth; but I refrain from this, so that no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me.

Boasting is necessary, thought it is not profitable (Paul was boasting about the church in Achaia through the eyes of faith that they would send the money to the poor in Jerusalem as they had promised a year earlier. Paul was making a confession of faith that these Christian brothers and sisters would follow through)…

I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. Now Paul is going to talk about something far more intriguing. “visions and revelations” of the Lord.

“visions and revelations” were not new in the new testament:

· Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, had a vision of an angel (Luke 1:8-23).

· Jesus’ transfiguration is described as a vision for the disciples (Matthew 17:9).

· The women who came to visit Jesus’ tomb had a vision of angels (Luke 24:22-24).

· Stephen saw a vision of Jesus at his death (Acts 7:55-56).

· Ananias experienced a vision telling him to go to Saul (Acts 9:10).

· Peter had a vision of the clean and unclean animals (Acts 10:17-19 and 11:5).

· Peter had a vision of an angel at his release from prison (Acts 12:9).

· John had many visions on Patmos (Revelation 1:1).

· Paul had a revelation of Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 22:6-11 and 26:12-20).

· Paul had a vision of a man from Macedonia, asking him to come to that region to help (Acts 16:9-10).

· Paul had an encouraging vision while in Corinth (Acts 18:9-11).

· Paul had a vision of an angel on the ship that was about to be wrecked (Acts 27:23-25)

I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago (Paul is about to share a vision and revelation from the Lord that he had but it so amazing he doesn’t want to reduce the story to include himself. He wants the Lord to be in center focus)

Such a man was caught up into the 3rd heaven. The Jewish teaching was that the first heaven was earths atmosphere; the second heaven where home to the stars and moon; the third heaven was where the thrown of God was… Think high, higher, highest.

Paul heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak (He was speechless)

… so that no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me (Paul is explaining that he doesn’t want people to think more highly of himself because of the vision and revelation God gave to him. Paul did not want be like the false super-apostles trying to fleece the sheep.

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2 Corinthians Chapter 11 - Beware of False Prophets & Teachers

11 I wish that you would bear with me in a little foolishness; but indeed you are bearing with me. 2 For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin.

I wish that you would bear with me in a little foolishness (Paul is admitting his fault)

.. but indeed, you are bearing with me (they are putting up with Paul even when tempted not to)

For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy (what is a godly jealousy? – God is jealous if you put anyone or anything ahead of Him)

.. for I betrothed you to one husband (committed you and prepared you)

.. so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin (like a father presenting his daughter)

Paul was preparing the church in Corinth to be wed to Jesus Christ. His correction was to make sure the bridge had not spot or blemish…

3 But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.

But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness (how did the serpent deceive Eve? – by his craftiness. He said did got really say that you cannot eat the fruit from the tree of knowledge. He got Eve to question God’s word. Then he lied to her. If you eat the fruit you will not die but you will be like God knowing both Good and Evil)

This is the same pattern he uses today. First he gets us to question God’s word. Then he lies to use and says its not the way God said its this other way. Satan gets us to question and then tries to get us to believe a lie.. Don’t fall for it.

.. your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.

Paul preached a message of repentance and salvation through faith not of works. Evil men want to add to it. They say faith in Jesus Christ alone is not enough.. Paul was afraid that the church in Corinth would be easily led astray from this simple yet powerful truth.

4 For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you bear this beautifully.

It seems the church in Corinth was willing to listen and entertain other variations of the faith because the word says “you bear this beautifully”. If someone preaches salvation other than through faith Jesus Christ crucified and raised again on the 3rd day – don’t listen, don’t even be willing to entertain these false preachers / teachers. They are merely trying to fleece the sheep.

5 For I consider myself not in the least inferior to the most eminent apostles. 6 But even if I am unskilled in speech, yet I am not so in knowledge; in fact, in every way we have made this evident to you in all things.

Paul consider himself “not in the least inferior to the most eminent apostles”. In other words he was every bit as the apostles who dress well, looked good and spoke well. Their out appearance was more in line with the world said “important people looked like, talked like, acted like, etc.

Paul said he might be “unskilled in speech, yet I am not so in knowledge”. He knew God’s word and he knew God’s will and was walking and talking according to Godly knowledge not worldly. His understanding of God’s will was evident in all things.

Let our words, actions, humility and acts be evident that we conduct ourselves according to a knowledge of God and His word as well.

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2 Corinthians, Chapter 10 - **Take Every Thought Captive

10 By the humility and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” toward you when away! 2 I beg you that when I come I may not have to be as bold as I expect to be toward some people who think that we live by the standards of this world. 3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 6** And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.

7 You are judging by appearances. If anyone is confident that they belong to Christ, they should consider again that we belong to Christ just as much as they do. 8 So even if I boast somewhat freely about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of it. 9 I do not want to seem to be trying to frighten you with my letters. 10 For some say, “His letters are weighty and forceful, but in person he is unimpressive and his speaking amounts to nothing.” 11 Such people should realize that what we are in our letters when we are absent, we will be in our actions when we are present.

12 We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. 13 We, however, will not boast beyond proper limits, but will confine our boasting to the sphere of service God himself has assigned to us, a sphere that also includes you. 14 We are not going too far in our boasting, as would be the case if we had not come to you, for we did get as far as you with the gospel of Christ. 15 Neither do we go beyond our limits by boasting of work done by others. Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow, our sphere of activity among you will greatly expand, 16 so that we can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you. For we do not want to boast about work already done in someone else’s territory. 17 But, “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” 18 For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.

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2 Cor 9 - God Gives Most

9 For it is superfluous for me to write to you about this ministry to the saints; 2 for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the Macedonians, namely, that Achaia has been prepared since last year, and your zeal has stirred up most of them.

Superfluous (abundance; in excess)

o For I know your readiness (to serve)

o Prepared since last year

o Zeal has stirred up most of them

3 But I have sent the brethren, in order that our boasting about you may not be made empty in this case, so that, as I was saying, you may be prepared; 4 otherwise if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we—not to speak of you—will be put to shame by this confidence. 5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brethren that they would go on ahead to you and arrange beforehand your previously promised bountiful gift, so that the same would be ready as a bountiful gift and not affected by covetousness.

Sent brethren
Be prepared (prep is important)
Previously promised bountiful gift (from God; from us)
Ready as a bountiful gift (not affected by covetousness)

6 Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed; 9 as it is written,

“He scattered abroad, he gave to the poor,
His righteousness endures forever.”

Sow sparingly = reap sparingly
Sow bountifully = reap bountifully
Just as he has purposed in his heart (not grudgingly or under compulsion)

o The heart attitude matters (not the amount)

God loves a cheerful giver (notice God’s loves a cheerful giver)
God is able (never forget his ability) to make all grace abound (not some)
Always having all sufficiency in everything (what a promise)
You may have abundance for every good deed (God will provide the need)
His righteousness endures forever (His gift is eternal)

10 Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness; 11 you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God.

He who supplies seed to the sower

12 For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God. 13 Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all, 14 while they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you. 15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

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2 Corinthians Chapter 8 - Grace Compels Generosity

Now, brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia, 2 that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality. 3 For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord, 4 begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints, 5 and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God. 6 So we urged Titus that as he had previously made a beginning, so he would also complete in you this gracious work as well.

Now brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given …

GRACE (God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense)

.. that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy (which came from Grace) and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality (they we in deep poverty and yet they wanted to give to the ministry because of their exceeding joy). (they didn’t wait until their financial position improved, the just had to give out of their gratitude for the grace given).

Paul testified, that according to their ability and beyond their ability, they have of their own accord. (it was their idea, Paul was not soliciting anything. They wanted to give…)

… begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in support of the saints (begging us with much urging (they begged to give! With much urging… not willing to take no for an answer or persistent. This is the right attitude of heart when it comes to giving. Never give out of compulsion or because someone promises you blessings in return..

… the favor of participation… Why is it a favor to participate? Because when you give to a ministry, you share in the fruit of the ministry. God loves a cheerful giver and the rewards are always greater than the gift. This is why it was a favor to get to participate…

.. not as we had expected, but first gave themselves to the Lord and to us… They gladly received salvation, grace & mercy by making Jesus Christ their Lord. Then they volunteered to help. You can also give of your time. Serving the ministry in any way possible. When you dedicated time or effort, God will multiply your time back to you. Ministries always need volunteers…

Be gracious with your time and money and the Lord who sees what you do we will reward you in ways that only He can… Man is not capable of giving rewards like God. It’s awesome!

7 But just as you abound in everything, in faith and utterance and knowledge and in all earnestness and in the love we inspired in you, see that you abound in this gracious work also.

8 I am not speaking this as a command, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity of your love also. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich. 10 I give my opinion in this matter, for this is to your advantage, who were the first to begin a year ago not only to do this, but also to desire to do it. 11 But now finish doing it also, so that just as there was the readiness to desire it, so there may be also the completion of it by your ability. 12 For if the readiness is present, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.

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2 Corinthians Chapter 7 - Paul Reveals His Heart

7 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Therefore, having these promises (the promises of Chapter 6: God made an acceptable time to listen to us, to help us on our day of salvation; God said “I will dwell in them and walk among them” And, I will be their God, and they shall be My People”, “I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me”.)

Therefore having these AWESOME PROMISES, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all…

Clean the interior of your body and soul, heart and mind, make ready for the Holy Spirit to dwell inside you – living in you! This is your chance to have God Almighty dwell in you and walk with you personally !!! And God will be your father and you will be His son or daughter.

2 Make room for us in your hearts; we wronged no one, we corrupted no one, we took advantage of no one. 3 I do not speak to condemn you, for I have said before that you are in our hearts to die together and to live together. 4 Great is my confidence in you; great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort; I am overflowing with joy in all our affliction.

Make room for us in your hearts – for who? Your brothers and sisters in the Lord.

Paul wanted to be with his Christian family in Corinth for Life! “die together & live together”.

How about me, you, us? Do want to brothers and sisters for life?

Paul saw the Corinthian Christians already repentant, fixed, blessed and in the family for all eternity. He did not keep bringing up their faults. This shows that Paul had eyes of faith so he could have great confidence in in them and even boast about them. Paul was so sure, he was filled with comfort; he was overflowing with joy even in all his affliction as well

How precious the seeds planted, when the Father causes them to grow.

5 For even when we came into Macedonia our flesh had no rest, but we were afflicted on every side: conflicts without, fears within.

… afflicted on every side (pressure and problems of the world)

… conflicts without (conflicts are between people of opposing views, goals, purposes)

… fears within (this is what happens when you forget to let God handle things and you think its your problem to solve or that plans of evil men will succeed)

Psa 27 Fear not the plans of evil men. Phi 4:6 Be anxious for nothing but by prayer and supplication let your requests be known to God with thanksgiving, and the peace that surpasses human comprehension will rule in your heart through Jesus Christ our Lord

6 But God, who comforts the depressed, comforted us by the coming of Titus; 7 and not only by his coming, but also by the comfort with which he was comforted in you, as he reported to us your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me; so that I rejoiced even more.

But God, who comforts the depressed, comforted us !!!

Are you depressed today? Cry out to God and He will comfort you!

He will send people like Titus, He will send the Holy Spirit, He will send others who have a zeal for you!

8 For though I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it—for I see that that letter caused you sorrow, though only for a while— 9 I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, so that you might not suffer loss in anything through us.

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2 Corinthians Chapter 6 - Co-laborer with Christ

1 And working together with Him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain— 2 for He says,

“At the acceptable time I listened to you,

And on the day of salvation I helped you.”

And working together with Him (with Who?) Remember God is reconciling the world to Himself through Christ. We have been made ambassadors for Christ.

We are working together with Christ… (co-laboring … co-workers … partners)

We also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain (it’s urgent, don’t waste time)

… At the acceptable time I listened to you (during the age of grace, the current time)

And on the day of salvation I helped you (when was the day of salvation?)

The day of salvation is the day you confessed Jesus Christ is Lord and believed in your heart that God raised Him from the dead.

Romans 10:9-10

9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.

Behold, now is “the acceptable time,” behold, now is “the day of salvation”—

Behold, now is the acceptable time (right now, don’t wait, you don’t know how much time you may have left to make this choice)

Now is the day of salvation (today can become the day you get saved if you have not confessed Jesus as Lord and believed in your heart – today is the day to do it !)

3 giving no cause for offense in anything, so that the ministry will not be discredited, 4 but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses, 5 in beatings, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in hunger, 6 in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love, 7 in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left, 8 by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; regarded as deceivers and yet true; 9 as unknown yet well-known, as dying yet behold, we live; as punished yet not put to death, 10 as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing yet possessing all things.

3 giving no cause for offense in anything, so that the ministry will not be discredited (don’t give any cause for offense; or you might lose someone who will discredit the message of reconciliation because your own behavior)

4 but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God (if you work for God what manner of work should do? How should you conduct yourself?)

As a co-laborer with Christ, Paul was willing to work hard and suffer much (read below)

In much endurance

Endurance is the ability of an organism to exert itself and remain active for a long period of time, as well as its ability to resist, withstand, recover from, and have immunity to trauma, wounds, or fatigue. Endurance will be required in your new job as an ambassador!In afflictions

1: a cause of persistent pain or distress

2: great suffering

In hardships

1: PRIVATION (DEPRIVING), SUFFERING

2: something that causes or entails suffering or privation (depriving oneself)

In distresses

a: pain or suffering affecting the body, a bodily part, or the mind : TROUBLE

severe emotional distress

b: a painful situation :

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2 Corinthians 5 - Made into Ambassadors for Christ

5 For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven, 3 inasmuch as we, having put it on, will not be found naked. 4 For indeed while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed but to be clothed, so that what is mortal will be swallowed up by life. 5 Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge.

For we know (certain) that if the earthly tent which is our house (body) is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens (resurrected body).

For indeed in this house we groan (in our earthly body) longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven (looking forward to our heavenly body)

So that what is mortal will be swallowed up by life (swallowed up by eternal life)

Inasmuch as we, having put it on, will not be found naked. For indeed while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed but to be clothed (spiritually)

Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge (a down payment on signed contract – a done deal) A deposit toward our guaranteed redemption !

6 Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord— 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight— 8 we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord. 9 Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

Therefore (because of this guaranteed redemption) being always of good courage (because we know that we know what’s next).

… Knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord we walk by faith, not by sight (it takes faith to see yourself in heaven because you can’t see it yet)

… we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with Lord (we can’t wait to be in heaven with the Lord because we know its so much better).

Therefore (because of these facts) we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him. So whether we live or die we want to be pleasing to Him (The Lord).

For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, so that each may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. We do get judged by Christ and recompensed for good or bad (blessings and corrections).

11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest to God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences.

Knowing the fear of the Lord (the fear of the Lord is the beginning of all wisdom) Pro 9:10

… knowing this… we persuade men

… but we are made manifest to God (brought to light, visible, known for who we are)

.. and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences (lit up, visible, real in your conscience) you know and feel what we have said is true and it compels you!

12 We are not again commending ourselves to you but are giving you an occasion to be proud of us, so that you will have an answer for those who take pride i

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2 Corinthians 4 - The temporal vs. the eternal

4 Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.

… since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart

Mercy is not getting what you deserve. We have this ministry even though we don’t deserve it and we don’t lose heart (it would be easy to lose heart if you make a mistake)

Rather we have renounced secret and shameful ways, we don’t use deception, nor do we distort the word of God.

God sees you all the time and everywhere you go. There are no hidden sins from God.

Paul renounces secret and shameful ways – we should too.

We don’t use deception (deception is from the Devil, the father of all lies) We don’t preach a false message to entice people to join.

Nor do we distort the word of God. We don’t change it, tweak it or twist it into meaning something we want or desire. It speaks, we listen, we do it.

3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.

… the god (small g) of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ (Capital C), who is the image of God (capital G).

Notice this, the god of this age (the devil) has blinded the minds of unbelievers. It is the devils work that causes people to be blinded to the gospel. The people cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. The people cannot see…

When you recognize an unbeliever know that their minds have been blinded by the devil and they cannot see. It’s not their fault. It’s the devil at work. So we pray in Jesus name that God will open their eyes that they may see. We pray that God will open their ears that they may hear the word of God. Pray that God lets them see and hear! Ask for God to save them!

For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’s sake. Here is how you can tell the real thing from those who deceive.

True believers preach Jesus Christ as Lord and themselves as servants.

False teachers preach other names who get the credit. They usually don’t say they are servants either. They claim some special knowledge or special power that they have. They exalt themselves. They create their brand and get their following going.

Let us never preach anything except Jesus Christ who died for our sins and rose again on the 3rd day so that whomsoever would believe shall be saved.

Let us make sure that Jesus Christ is the name people remember (not ours or anyone elses).

For God, who said, Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.

The face of Jesus Christ is the light of the world. He is our focus. It is HIS

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Ministers of a New Covenant

3 Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, as some, letters of commendation to you or from you? 2 You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all people, 3 revealing yourselves, that you are a letter of Christ, [a]delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of [b]human hearts.

4 Such is the confidence we have toward God through Christ. 5 Not that we are adequate in ourselves so as to consider anything as having come from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, 6 who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

7 But if the ministry of death, engraved in letters on stones, came [c]with glory so that the sons of Israel could not look intently at the face of Moses because of the glory of his face, fading as it was, 8 how will the ministry of the Spirit fail to be even more with glory? 9 For if the ministry of condemnation has glory, much more does the ministry of righteousness excel in glory. 10 For indeed what had glory in this case has no glory, because of the glory that surpasses it. 11 For if that which fades away was [d]with glory, much more that which remains is in glory.

12 Therefore, having such a hope, we use great boldness in our speech, 13 and we are not like Moses, who used to put a veil over his face so that the sons of Israel would not stare at the end of what was fading away. 14 But their minds were hardened; for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil [e]remains unlifted, because it is removed in Christ. 15 But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their hearts; 16 but whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 But we all, with unveiled faces, looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.

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2 Corinthians 2 - The Devil’s Strategy Defeated by Affirming Love

2 But I determined this for my own sake, that I would not come to you in sorrow again. 2 For if I cause you sorrow, who then makes me glad but the one whom I made sorrowful?

a. But I determined: Carrying on the thought from chapter one, Paul defends himself against the Corinthian Christians. Some among them criticized him because he changed his travel plans and did not come when he planned to. They used this change of plans to say of Paul, “He is unreliable and untrustworthy. We don’t need to listen to him at all.” But Paul explains there were many reasons why he did not come as planned, one of them being he was trying to spare the Corinthians (2 Corinthians 1:23).

b. I would not come again to you in sorrow: Paul’s most recent visit to Corinth was full of conflict and unpleasantness. So he determined that he would not have another “sorrowful” visit with the Corinthians.

i. “Because of the scandals that were among them he could not see them comfortably; and therefore he determined not to see them at all till he had reason to believe that those evils were put away.” (Clarke)

c. If I make you sorrowful, then who is he who makes me glad? Paul also knew that another painful visit would not be good for him. The constant conflict with the Corinthian Christians could really damage his relationship with them.

i. It seems that Paul thought it best to give the Corinthian Christians a little room, and give them space to repent and get their act together. He didn’t want to rebuke and admonish them all the time. Since this was Paul’s heart, he knew that another visit of the same kind would be of little benefit for either Paul or the Corinthian Christians.

3 This is the very thing I wrote you, so that when I came, I would not have sorrow from those who ought to make me rejoice; having confidence in you all that my joy would be the joy of you all. 4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears; not so that you would be made sorrowful, but that you might know the love which I have especially for you.

a. And I wrote this very thing to you: Paul wisely understood that considering all the circumstances, a letter was better than a personal visit. A letter could show Paul’s heart, yet not give as much opportunity for the deterioration of their relationship. It would give them room to repent and get right with God and Paul again.

i. Where is this letter that Paul mentions? Some good scholars see the “sorrowful letter” as 1 Corinthians, but it seems better to think of it as another letter that we don’t have. Does this mean that something is missing from our Bibles? Not at all. Not every letter that Paul wrote was inspired Scripture for all God’s people in all ages. We can trust that what Paul wrote in the missing letter was perfect for the Corinthian Christians at that time, but not perfect for us; otherwise, God would have preserved it. We shouldn’t think that everything Paul or the other Bible writers wrote was necessarily Scripture.

b. Lest when I came, I should have sorrow: Paul hoped that his letter would get all the painful work out of the way. Then when he did visit them personally, it would be a pleasant visit because they would have taken advantage of the opportunity, he gave them to get right.

c. Over those from whom I ought to have joy: The bad conduct of the Corinthian Christians was al

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John, Chapter 21

21 After these things Jesus revealed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and He revealed Himself in this way: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas who was called Didymus, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We are also coming with you.” They went out and got into the boat; and that night they caught nothing.

After these things (what things? Jesus joined the his disciples twice, doubting Thomas missed his first visit like the Jews; but Jesus came a second time and showed Thomas the holes in His hands and His side and Thomas touched the holes and believed (born again) by believing in the risen Lord as Thomas confessed “My Lord and My God”).
Jesus revealed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias (meaning “naval”, the center of Israel and religious study)
And He revealed Himself in this way

o Simon Peter (He who listens, the rock)

o Thomas who was called Didymus (Twin, a double)

o Nathanael of Cana in Galilee

§ Nathaniel = God has given or Gift of God

§ Cana = beloved daughter

§ Galilee = to encircle

o The sons of Zebedee (endowed by God; Yahweh has bestowed; Sons of Thunder)

§ Endowed means to given or bequeath by will, leave a gift

o And two other disciples were together (two is number for witnesses)

Simon Peter, said to them, I am going fishing (he who listens, the rock)

o They said to him, “We are also coming with you”

o They went out and got into the boat; and that night they caught nothing

Here is the meaning of the names:
He who listens to the rock, is a twin a Gift from God, beloved daughter to encircle endowed by God who bequeathed a gift two disciples who listen and get in the boat but caught nothing that night
Here is the meaning

o He who listens as has a spiritual twin, a gift from God

o Like a beloved daughter, a young bride encircled by the love of her father

o Gets an endowment a gift for the future security of marriage of two

o Who listen and get in the boat with God

o But caught nothing that night (for they waited for the dawning of a new day)

4 But when the day was now breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 So Jesus said to them, “Children, you do not have any fish to eat, do you?” They answered Him, “No.” 6 And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you will find the fish.” So they cast it*, and then they were not able to haul it in because of the great quantity of fish.

But when the day was now breaking (the sun comes up)

o A picture of Jesus risen from the dead (out of darkness to light)

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John, Chapter 20 - The Empty Tomb

20 Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came early to the tomb, while it was still dark, and saw the stone already removed from the tomb. 2 So she ran and came to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we do not know where they have put Him.” 3 So Peter and the other disciple left, and they were going to the tomb. 4 The two were running together; and the other disciple ran ahead, faster than Peter, and came to the tomb first; 5 and he stooped to look in, and saw the linen wrappings lying there; however he did not go in. 6 So Simon Peter also came, following him, and he entered the tomb; and he looked at the linen wrappings lying there, 7 and the face-cloth which had been on His head, not lying with the linen wrappings but folded up in a place by itself. 8 So the other disciple who had first come to the tomb also entered then, and he saw and believed. 9 For they did not yet understand the Scripture, that He must rise from the dead. 10 So the disciples went away again to their own homes.

Mary Magdalene (to grow strong or great, a high tower; Mary’s name implies what she would learn; a risen Savior, strong and tall)
Came early to the tomb while it was still dark (early to inquire about the Lord not late)
And saw the stone was already removed from the tomb (something big & heavy happened)
So she ran and came to Simon Peter (He who hears, listens) you have to hear this news!
And to the other disciple whom Jesus loved (John which means Yahweh has been gracious)
They have taken the Lord from the tomb and we do not know where they have put Him (Mary thought they moved the body and didn’t assume resurrection ???)
So Peter and the other disciple left and they were going to the tomb (Listen God is gracious heading toward the tomb)
The two were running together; and the other disciple ran ahead faster than Peter, and came to the tomb first. (The rock and God’s grace go together; the rock is the corner stone which the builders rejected and become the chief corner stone – this is a picture for the Jews; John (God’s grace gets their first; John represents God’s grace poured out upon the whole world to provoke the Jews to jealousy so that they would come in later.
And he stopped to look in, and saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the face-cloth which had been on His head, not lying with the linen wrappings but folded up in a place by itself (John sees the linen wrappings lying there (they were not on Jesus anymore) and the face cloth folded up in a place by itself (interesting because this would not be possible with face clothes wrapped around His head with the normal ingredients which would it conform to His face and dry like a mummy; the process could not have been done by human hands; it would have to be more like Jesus dissolved and left the cloth whole and in tact so much so that it could be folded neatly and set down.
So the other disciple who had first come to the tomb also entered then, and he saw and believed (the ancient Greek word for saw is “eiden” meaning, “to understand, to perceive the significance of”) and then John believed.

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John, Chapter 19 - The Crown of Thorns

19 So Pilate then took Jesus and had Him flogged. 2 And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and placed it on His head, and put a purple cloak on Him; 3 and they repeatedly came up to Him and said, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and slapped Him in the face again and again.

Pilate then took Jesus (actually Jesus went with him willingly)
And Him flogged (brutal whipping with leather and bone, very painful)
And soldiers put a crown of thorns on His head (this would also heart and cause blood flow)
And put a purple cloak on Him (purple was for royalty; the cloak covered His eyes so He could not see who hit Him or what direction the blows were coming from; mentally and physically anguishing)
Just think, He could have changed His mind between slaps and called down a legion of Angels but He took this physical and mental torture for us

4 And then Pilate came out again and said to them, “See, I am bringing Him out to you so that you will know that I find no grounds at all for charges in His case.” 5 Jesus then came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. And Pilate said to them, “Behold, the Man!”

Pilate came out again and said “See I am bringing Him out to you so that you know that I find no grounds at all for charges in His case” – what an amazing admission – Not Guilty
Jesus then came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe (true royalty in pain and suffering to pay for our sins)
Pilate said “Behold the Man!” it was almost like he was giving the Jews what they wanted
Pilate was hoping that the flogging and beating and the crown was enough

6 So when the chief priests and the officers saw Him, they shouted, saying, “Crucify, crucify!” Pilate said to them, “Take Him yourselves and crucify Him; for I find no grounds for charges in His case!” 7 The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and by that law He ought to die, because He made Himself out to be* the Son of God!”

When the chief priests and officers saw Him, they shouted “Crucify, crucify” (as awful as this was, it had to be because it was God’s plan which He foretold must happen)
Pilate said “Take Him yourselves and crucify Him, for I find no grounds for charges in His case! (Pilate wanted nothing to do with the crucifixion of Jesus but He also didn’t stop them)
The Jews discuss the law that Jesus should die because He made Himself out to be the Son of God! (And do He was, and so they should have known Him, the Tora spoke about Him clearly; interesting the Word said that the Messiah must die like this)

8 Therefore when Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid; 9 and he entered the Praetorium again and said to Jesus, “Where are You from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. 10 So Pilate said to Him, “Are you not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You, and I have authority to crucify You?”

Jesus tells Pilate he would have no authority over Jesus unless God allowed it (which the only reason He did was to redeem mankind for all his sins)

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John, Chapter 18 - Judas betrays Jesus

18 When Jesus had spoken these words, He went away with His disciples across the ravine of the Kidron, where there was a garden which He entered with His disciples. 2 Now Judas, who was betraying Him, also knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with His disciples. 3 So Judas, having obtained the Roman cohort and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, *came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons.

When Jesus had spoken these things (what things? Jesus made the name of God known to man and He would continue to make it known so that the love with which You loved Me may be in them)
He went away with His disciples across the ravine of the Kidron (this ravine is a small creek connected to the temple which would be full of blood from the sacrifice of the lambs at this time; a stark reminder of what Christ would have to face; Kidron means dark and this would be a dark time for Jesus who would suffer and die for our sins and the sun would go dark for 3 hours in the middle of the day)
Now Judas (which means Let Him Be Praised) , who was betraying Him, also knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with His disciples (Jesus wasn’t hiding, He was out in the open in the same place He often went)

o Here is the picture of this paragraph

§ Jesus said He was going back to God to be glorified again

§ Jesus said he shared God’s name with Man and some believed.

§ Jesus petitioned the Father that those who believed would be with Jesus and be able to see His glory which He had before the foundation of the world.

§ So now Jesus gets up went away to cross the ravine of the Kidron (blood flowing in dark place)

§ So Judas (Let Him be Praised; literally for what He was about to do

§ In other words we would later “Praise Jesus for paying for all sin”.

So Judas, having obtained the Roman cohort and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees (a Roman cohort would be about 480 soldiers + officers from the chief priest would be their chief security officers and the Pharisees which were the law makers; this is like sending an entire army battalion)
Came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons (it seems they expected a big fight)

4 Jesus therefore, knowing all the things that were coming upon Him, came out into the open and said to them, “Whom are you seeking?” 5 They answered Him, “Jesus the Nazarene.” He said to them, “I am He.”

Jesus therefore, knowing all the things that were coming upon Him (He knew in advance)
Came out into the open (He didn’t run or hide; he went right up to man’s army)
And then Jesus asked the question “Whom are you seeking” (this is the same question today – what or Whom are You seeking?)
And they answered Him, “Jesus the Nazarene” (they should have been seeking Him to be saved but they were seeking Him to arrest Him)

And Judas also, who was betraying Him, was standing with them. 6 Now then, when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground. 7 He then asked them again, “Whom are you seeking?” And they said, “Jesus the Nazarene.” 8 Jesus answered, “I told you that I am He; so if you are seeking Me, let these men go on their way.”

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The High Priestly Prayer

17 Jesus spoke these things; and lifting up His eyes to heaven, He said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You, 2 even as You gave Him authority over all flesh, that to all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life. 3 This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. 4 I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do. 5 Now, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.

6 “I have manifested Your name to the men whom You gave Me out of the world; they were Yours and You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. 7 Now they have come to know that everything You have given Me is from You; 8 for the words which You gave Me I have given to them; and they received them and truly understood that I came forth from You, and they believed that You sent Me. 9 I ask on their behalf; I do not ask on behalf of the world, but of those whom You have given Me; for they are Yours; 10 and all things that are Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine; and I have been glorified in them. 11 I am no longer in the world; and yet they themselves are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep them in Your name, the name which You have given Me, that they may be one even as We are. 12 While I was with them, I was keeping them in Your name which You have given Me; and I guarded them and not one of them perished but the son of perdition, so that the Scripture would be fulfilled.

The Disciples in the World

13 But now I come to You; and these things I speak in the world so that they may have My joy made full in themselves. 14 I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. 18 As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 19 For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth.

20 “I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; 21 that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.

Their Future Glory

22 The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; 23 I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me. 24 Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.

25 “O righteous Father, although the world has not known You, yet I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me; 26 and I have made Your name known to them, and will make it known, so that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”

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John, Chapter 16 - Jesus’ Warning

16 “These things I have spoken to you so that you will not be led into sin. 2 They will ban you from the synagogue, yet an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering a service to God. 3 These things they will do because they have not known the Father nor Me. 4 But these things I have spoken to you, so that when their hour comes, you may remember that I told you of them. However, I did not say these things to you at the beginning, because I was with you.

These things I have spoken to you so that you will not be led into sin (apparently Jesus’s disciples could still be led into sin unless they listen to what Jesus had spoken (how about us?)
They will ban you from the synagogue (cast out of societal standing, unable to buy and sell in the their market place, looked down upon as an outcast)
Yet an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering a service to God (they will be so full of their own form righteousness that will actually think they are doing God a favor by killing you; this is satanic)
These things I they will do because they have not known the Father nor Me (they don’t know the Father or Jesus so they must be following another god, the so called god of this world – the devil)
I have spoken to you, so that when their hour comes, you may remember that I told you of them (it was not to be surprise to them because Jesus told them so)
It’s a serious warning

The Holy Spirit Promised

5 “But now I am going to Him who sent Me; and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ 6 But because I have said these things to you, grief has filled your heart. 7 But I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I am leaving; for if I do not leave, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. 8 And He, when He comes, will convict the world regarding sin, and righteousness, and judgment: 9 regarding sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 and regarding righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you no longer are going to see Me; 11 and regarding judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged.

But now I am going to Him who sent Me (Jesus is going back to heaven)
And none of you asks Me, “Where are You going?” (because they knew where this time)
Grief has filled your heart. But I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I am leaving; for if I do not leave, the Helper will not come to you (this would be worse!)
But it I go, I will send Him to you (notice who sends Him)
And He, when He comes, will:

o Convict the world regarding sin

o And righteousness

o And judgement

o It’s black and white (in writing and no longer debatable)

Regarding sin because they do not believe in Me (this is the unpardonable sin)
And regarding righteousness, because I am going to the Father (the Highest Form of Righteousness)
And you are no longer going to see me (for a short time)

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John, Chapter 15

Jesus Is the Vine—Followers Are Branches

15 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.

I am the true vine (Jesus said “I am” the true vine); all others are not true
And My Father is the vinedresser (the job of the vinedresser is to prune to maximize fruit)
Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away (tossed out and burned)
And every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit

o Are you feeling pruned?

o It may be that the vinedresser is pruning you

o Why? So that it may bear more fruit (trouble and difficulty force us to our knees and intensify our prayers and reliance upon God; this is when miracles happen)

o Feeling the pain of pruning? Get ready for blessings – more fruit!

3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in Me, and I in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself but must remain in the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me.

You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you (how did we become clean? By repenting of our sins and faith in Jesus Christ to wash away the sin)
Remain in Me, and I in you (stay connected, stay in the Word, stay in constant prayer)
Just as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself but must remain in the vine (fruit happens all by itself when its connected to the vine; trusting in the Sun; we must do the same trusting in the Son, staying in faith)
Just as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself but must remain in the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me (you cannot and will not bear fruit unless you remain in the vine; stay connected to the root which is a deep connection, a continual connection, a daily pulse of nutrients and living water; for us this connection is from reading the word, speaking the word, praying the word, trusting the word, trusting in the cross)

5 I am the vine, you are the branches; the one who remains in Me, and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not remain in Me, he is thrown away like a branch and dries up; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.

Jesus said “I am vine” (it is His position to provide nutrients & living water)
“you are the branches” (this is our position; the vine expects us to produce fruit)
“the one who remains in Me, and I in Him bears much fruit (remain continually connected)
“he is thrown away like a branch and dries up; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned (it’s a picture of hell; you will get burned if you don’t stay connected to Jesus every day)

7 If you remain in Me, and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.

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John, Chapter 14 - Jesus Comforts His Disciples

14 “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many rooms; if that were not so, [c]I would have told you, because I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I am coming again and will take you to Myself, so that where I am, there you also will be.

Do not let your heart be troubled (BOOM, GOD is in Control)
Believe in God, believe also in Me (because Jesus is from God)
In my Father’s house are many rooms (lots of room for everyone)
If that were not so, I would have told you (another words – don’t worry)

o Because I am going there to prepare a place for you (this why you don’t need to worry!; Jesus is preparing a place for you; its under construction now)

And if I go and prepare a place of you, I am coming again and will (not maybe) take you to Myself, so that where I am, there you also will be (it’s HUGE AWESOME PROMISE)

4 And you know the way where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going; how do we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.

And you know the way where I am going (they should have! Jesus has been preaching it)
Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going; how do we know the way? (Incredible that that Thomas still doesn’t know)
Jesus aid to him “I am the way, and the truth, and the life…”

o I am the way (the only way, the front gate into heaven)

o And the truth (Jesus is truth; He is the Savior; who came to save us)

o And the life (eternal life, the best life, the most blessed life)

o No one comes to the Father except through Me (there is only one way and Jesus is The Way, believe in Him, trust in the cross to pay for your sin and you’re in)

§ Nobody comes to the Father any other way

Oneness with the Father

7 If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.”

If you had known Me (this sentence begins with a negative supposition “if you had known Me implies that they didn’t know Him)
You would have known My Father also (God)
From now on you know Him, and have seen Him ! (Jesus declares He is God)

8 Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? The one who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me?

Philip said to Him “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us”

o Man continues to look for something besides Jesus

Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philp?”

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John, Chapter 13 - The Lord’s Supper

13 Now before the Feast of the Passover, Jesus, knowing that His hour had come that He would depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.

Now before the Feast of the Passover (celebration of the death angel passing over their doors because of the blood of the lamb on their door post – a picture of the cross)
Jesus knowing that His hour had come (time is up – it’s time to show the world the true Messiah and Savior)
That He would depart from this world to the Father (leaving here; going there)

o Notice the confirmation of both locations

Having loved His own who were in the world (Jesus loved His own)
He loved them to the end (even unto death)

o Thank God Jesus loves us in spite of ourselves

2 And during supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, to betray Him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had handed all things over to Him, and that He had come forth from God and was going back to God, 4 got up from supper and laid His outer garments aside; and He took a towel and tied it around Himself.

And during supper (the last supper), the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon (listen, hearing) to betray Him

o Judas listened to the devil and was to betray Jesus and Jesus knew it

Jesus, knowing that the Father had handed all things over to Him (Jesus had all knowledge and power to do what He wanted too)
And that He had come forth from God and was going back to God (notice this, Jesus knew where He was from and where He was going; how about you?)
Got up from supper and laid His outer garments aside (maybe a picture of how He would also cast his flesh aside)
And took a towel and tied it around Himself (maybe like a white robe, a picture of how He would be clothed in heaven)

Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet

5 Then He *poured water into the basin, and began washing the disciples’ feet and wiping them with the towel which He had tied around Himself.

And began washing the disciples feet and wiping them with the towel

o Maybe a picture of how Jesus washes away our sin by casting off his outer garment (dying on the cross) and then helping wash us from heaven

6 So He came to Simon Peter. He said to Him, “Lord, You are washing my feet?” 7 Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing, you do not realize right now, but you will understand later.” 8 Peter *said to Him, “Never shall You wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no place with Me.”

So He came to Simon (to listen, to understand, and respond) Peter (a rock or stone)
You are washing my feet? (Peter felt unworthy)
Jesus answered “What I am doing, you do not realize right now, but you will understand later” (when? When Peter understands that Jesus was showing His disciples that He would die, cash off His outer garment, but rise again and put on a white robe and save His people)

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John, Chapter 12 - Mary Anoints Jesus

12 Therefore, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 So they made Him a dinner there, and Martha was serving; and Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with Him.

Therefore (because of what we read in Chapter 11; it was the Passover and the Jews were wondering if Jesus would even come at all after He told the Pharisees and the Chief religious leaders that He is the Christ, the Door and the Way)
Six days before the Passover (6 is the number for man; manifestation of sin; right before Passover; looking for the lamb’s blood to put on the door post so the death angel will pass over; what a picture of Jesus entering the scene)
Jesus came to Bethany (which means house of depression or misery or poverty; because this is the condition of man without a savior)
Where Lazarus (which means “God has helped”) was, whom Jesus (which means “Savior” had raised from the dead);
Put it all together now:

o Sinful man looking for the blood of the lamb to put on the doorpost to be saved from the death angel

o Jesus (Savior) comes to Bethany (house of misery / poverty) because he is dying in his sins without a savior

o Where Lazarus (God has helped) was (past tense) whom Jesus (Savior) raised him from the dead

3 Mary then took a pound of very expensive perfume of pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

This was an act of great humility and recognition of Jesus as the Christ about the die exactly has been predicted in the old testament

4 But Judas Iscariot, one of His disciples, the one who intended to betray Him, said, 5 “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the proceeds given to poor people?” 6* Now he said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and as he kept the money box, he used to steal from what was put into it.

Judas Iscariot mocks Mary for her act of kindness, love and respect
Evil men always mock those who do good
They are normally just jealous or in this case, a thief who wanted to steal (this reveals who’s child he is; remember chapter 10, the thief comes to steal, kill & destroy).

7 Therefore Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of My burial. 8 For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have Me.”

Therefore (because Jesus knew Judas Isacriot’s thoughts and heart)
Jesus said, “Leave her alone” (God rebukes evil)
So that she may keep it for the day of My burial (notice Jesus is telling everything that He is die and be buried and that this perfume is appropriate for that which is about to happen)
For you always have the poor with you (it never ends)
But you do not always have Me (you have Jesus in the flesh for a very short time; then He will die; but He will raise again on the 3rd day; proving He is God)

o He will leave physically and go back to Heaven until the second coming

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John, Chapter 11 - The Death and Resurrection of Lazarus

11 Now a certain man was sick: Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 And it was the Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. 3 So the sisters sent word to Him, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.”

Now a certain man was sick (a person)

o Lazarus (God has helped)

o of Bethany (house of poverty or depression)

The village of (a place)

o Mary (sea of bitterness)

o And her sister Martha (mistress or Myrrh used to purify the dead)

And it was (an action)

o Mary (sea of bitterness)

o Who anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped His feet with her hair (an of humble submission and devotion)

Whose brother (a condition)

o Lazarus (God has helped) was sick

God has helped a person, in the house of depression; in a place like a sea of bitterness where the dead needed to be purified before they could leave the sea of bitterness they must be anointed by the Lord, in humble submission and devotion to whom great respect is owed because God has helped
So the sisters sent word to Him, saying “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick”

o Notice Jesus loved Lazarus

o Note in inference; Jesus loves you and God wants to help you too)

4 But when Jesus heard this, He said, “This sickness is not meant for death, but is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it.” 5 (Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister, and Lazarus.) 6 So when He heard that he was sick, He then stayed two days longer in the place where He was.

But when Jesus heard this (heard what? That Lazarus was dying)
He said “This sickness is not meant for death (notice it has a purpose and its not death)
But is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it (here is the reason Lazarus got sick and died – notice its for the glory of God, so (which means for this reason) that the Son of God may be glorified by it (this is a real purpose and its awesome!)
Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister, and Lazarus (notice He loved them all; and us too)
So when He heard that he was sick, He then stayed two days longer in the place where He was (why stay if loves them?, why not go immediately?, why two days?) it’s a witness!

7 Then after this He said to the disciples, “Let’s go to Judea again.” 8 The disciples said to Him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone You, and yet You are going there again?” 9 Jesus replied, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks during the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. 10 But if anyone walks during the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.” 11 This He said, and after this He said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going so that I may awaken him from sleep.” 12* The disciples then said to Him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will come out of it.”

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John, Chapter 10 - Parable of the Good Shepherd

10 “Truly, truly I say to you, the one who does not enter by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbs up some other way, he is a thief and a robber. 2 But the one who enters by the door is a shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep listen to his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he puts all his own sheep outside, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 However, a stranger they simply will not follow, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 Jesus told them this figure of speech, but they did not understand what the things which He was saying to them meant.

Truly, truly I say to you (double truth, Jesus is speaking, pay close attention)
The one who does not enter by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbs up some other way, he is a thief and a robber (Jesus is the door; it opens by faith)

o You can’t climb up some other way (by your works)

o If you try you are in the same category as a thief and a robber

But the one who enters by the door is a shepherd of the sheep (the shepherd must open the door so the sheep can enter; this is what Jesus did)
To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep listen to his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out (this implies a deep personal relationship with each sheep)
When he puts all his own sheep outside, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice (notice the inference to Jesus going ahead of them)
However, a stranger they simply will not follow, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers (so too, we should flee strange voices that are not our shepherd for there are lots of false teachers)
Jesus told them this figure of speak, but they did not understand what the things which He was saying to them meant (sadly, they did not understand the spiritual implication)

7 So Jesus said to them again, “Truly, truly I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All those who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came so that they would have life, and have it abundantly.

So Jesus said to them again (they didn’t get it the first time, so He will try again)
Truly, truly I say to you (double truth, Jesus speaking, pay very close attention)
I am the door of the sheep (can this be any clearer? He declares He is the door!)
All those who came before Me are thieves and robbers (false teachers offering false hope)
But the sheep did not listen to them
I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved (explicit instruction that you must enter heaven through Jesus who IS the door)

o I (Jesus) came so that they would have life, and have it abundantly (notice the direct opposite goals of Jesus for people; to have life; and have it abundantly

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John, Chapter 9 - Healing the Man Born Blind

9 As Jesus passed by, He saw a man who had been blind from birth. 2 And His disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him.

As Jesus passed by, He saw a man who had been blind from birth (how did He know)
And His disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that we would be born blind” (the Jews believed the physical ailments were a result of sin)
Jesus Answered, “it was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him (what a tremendous truth; some people ailments exists to display God’s works when He heals them)

4 We must carry out the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the Light of the world.” 6 When He had said this, He spit on the ground, and made mud from the saliva, and applied the mud to his eyes, 7 and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which is translated, Sent). So he left and washed, and came back seeing.

We must carry out the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day (notice he didn’t say “he must”, he said “we must”. It’s day during the age of grace. We need to redeem time because the time is short)
Night is coming, when no one can work (no more light once its to late)
While I am in the world, I am the Light of the world (because people can see the truth)
When He had said this, He spit on the ground, and made mud from the saliva, and applied the mud to his eyes, and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which is translated, Sent); (so too, Jesus washes us so we are not blind to the ways of the devil because Jesus showed us the truth and saved us and then sent us out to share)
So he left and washed, and came back seeing (Only God can heal a blind man from birth according to what the Jews believe)

8 So the neighbors, and those who previously saw him as a beggar, were saying, “Is this not the one who used to sit and beg?” 9 Others were saying, “This is he,” still others were saying, “No, but he is like him.” The man himself kept saying, “I am the one.”

So the neighbors, and those who previously saw him as a beggar (the crowd that had been watching)
Were saying “Is this not the one who used to sit and beg”(they new knew him)
Others were saying, “This is he,”, “still others were saying , “No, but he like him” (they could not believe it was the same man because it would mean Jesus is God)
The man himself kept saying, “I am the one” (He testified himself that he was healed)

10 So they were saying to him, “How then were your eyes opened?” 11 He answered, “The man who is called Jesus made mud, and spread it on my eyes, and said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash’; so I went away and washed, and I received sight.” 12 And they said to him, “Where is He?” He *said, “I do not know.”

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John, Chapter 8 - The Adulterous Woman

8 But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 And early in the morning He came again into the temple area, and all the people were coming to Him; and He sat down and began teaching them. 3 Now the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in the act of adultery, and after placing her in the center of the courtyard, 4 they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the very act of committing adultery. 5 Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?”

But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives

o Nicodemus (meaning “victory of the people” was a Jewish leader and defended Jesus by saying the Jewish law requires a man to be questioned and listened to in order to find out what they were doing before judging them. His peers made a snide remark to him and then they all went home.

o But (not Jesus, He went the Mount of Olives) Olive oil is used for anointing and the Mount of Olives is a very special place. It is were Jesus ascended into heaven (Acts 1:11-12) and it the same place He will return (Zechariah 14: 4).

o And early in the morning He came again in the temple area, and all the people were coming to Him; and He sat down and began teaching them (it’s great idea to sit down and let Jesus teach you the things you need to know)

Now the scribes and the Pharisees (we learned previously they were false religious leaders and the love of God was not in them)
Brought a woman caught in the act of adultery (how did this happen? Why wasn’t the man involved brought in her with her?. How did they know she was married? It seeks like she was set up)
And after placing her in the center of the courtyard (they seem to want to make a big spectacle of her)
They said to Him (Jesus), “Teacher this woman has been caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law, Moses command us to stone such women; what then do You say? (the manner in which this was done seems to try and draw a contrast between Moses and Jesus; think Law vs. Grace).

6 Now they were saying this to test Him, so that they might have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground.

Now they were saying this to test Him, so that they might have grounds for accusing Him (notice their motives; just trying to test Jesus or trick Jesus into disagreeing with the Law so they could accuse Him; not because they really wanted to know what Jesus thought)
But Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground (what did He write?, some people believe He wrote their names and the sins they committed but we don’t know for sure what He wrote)
Notice He didn’t answer their question, He merely wrote on the ground with His finger

7 When they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground.

When they persisted in asking Him (notice they wouldn’t give us this trick)
He straightened up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him be first to throw a stone at her”.

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John, Chapter 8 - The Adulterous Woman

But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives

Now the scribes and the Pharisees (we learned previously they were false religious leaders and the love of God was not in them)
Brought a woman caught in the act of adultery (how did this happen? Why wasn’t the man involved brought in her with her?. How did they know she was married? It seeks like she was set up)
And after placing her in the center of the courtyard (they seem to want to make a big spectacle of her)
They said to Him (Jesus), “Teacher this woman has been caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law, Moses command us to stone such women; what then do You say? (the manner in which this was done seems to try and draw a contrast between Moses and Jesus; think Law vs. Grace).

6 Now they were saying this to test Him, so that they might have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground.

Now they were saying this to test Him, so that they might have grounds for accusing Him (notice their motives; just trying to test Jesus or trick Jesus into disagreeing with the Law so they could accuse Him; not because they really wanted to know what Jesus thought)
But Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground (what did He write?, some people believe He wrote their names and the sins they committed but we don’t know for sure what He wrote)
Notice He didn’t answer their question, He merely wrote on the ground with His finger

When they persisted in asking Him (notice they wouldn’t give us this trick)
He straightened up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him be first to throw a stone at her”.

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John, Chapter 7 - Jesus Teaches at the Feast

7 After these things Jesus was walking in Galilee, for He was unwilling to walk in Judea because the Jews were seeking to kill Him. 2 Now the feast of the Jews, the Feast of Booths, was near. 3 So His brothers said to Him, “Move on from here and go into Judea, so that Your disciples also may see Your works which You are doing. 4 For no one does anything in secret when he himself is striving to be known publicly. If You are doing these things, show Yourself to the world.” 5 For not even His brothers believed in Him.

After these things (it’s a continuation of the previous story; it was about some of the believers falling away because Jesus said unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood you have no life in you; these people were thinking literally or physically rather than spiritually. After they left, Jesus asked his twelve disciples if they wanted to leave too; but Simon Peter answered, “You have words of eternal life. 69 And we have already believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God” His true disciples had to learn to listen to Jesus in light of eternity which is spiritual. And yet, one of them was Judas Iscariot who would later betray Jesus with a false kiss)
It was after these things, Jesus was walking in Galilee, For He was unwilling to walk in Judea because the Jews were seeking to kill Him (Jesus is walking in the circle because He was unwilling to walk in Judea the land of the Jews because the Jews were seeking to kill him.. (Jesus is unwilling to throw his pearls before the swine)
Now the feast of the Jews, the Feast of Booths, was near.
An article from Tabletalk Magazine may help us understand more:
“You shall dwell in booths for seven days … that your generations may know that I made the people of Israel dwell in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God” (vv. 42–43).
Leviticus 23:33–43
Few of the feasts that were a part of old covenant worship were as joyful as the Feast of Booths. Also known as the Feast of Tabernacles or by its Hebrew name, Sukkot, this celebration was the last of the fall festivals and was held at the end of the agricultural year when the grapes and olives were harvested in Israel. This was a time to thank God for all of the preceding year’s provision and to pray for a good rainy season, which lasted from October through March.
Primarily, however, Sukkot was designed to remember the wilderness journey from Egypt to Canaan, when God made the people live in booths (Lev. 23:33–43). During the time of the feast, each Israelite family was supposed to construct a booth, or sukkah, and live in it for a week (vv. 42–43). These booths were small, temporary shelters with thatched roofs of palm fronds and other plants, and according to one interpretation of verse 41, they were decorated with different kinds of fruit that grew in Palestine. Later generations obeyed the command to rejoice with fruit and foliage (v. 40) by having men carry an etrog, or citron, and a lulav in joyful processions.

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John, Chapter 6 - Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

6 Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), 2 and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the signs he had performed by healing the sick. 3 Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. 4 The Jewish Passover Festival was near.

Some time after this (after what? After Jesus told the Jewish leaders that He would not judge them but the law given through Moses will judge everyone who does not believe in Jesus Christ. He also said He was not looking for the approval of men)
Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (the circle or circuit) (that is, the Sea of Tiberias which is in the center of Israel which means “naval”)
And a great crowd of people followed him because they saw signs he had performed by healing the sick (notice they saw miracles He performed; that’s why they followed)
Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples (Jesus likes to go up on a mountainside to commune with the Father and fellowship with his disciples)
The Jewish Passover Festival was near (this gives us a time-frame)

5 When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” 6 He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.

When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him (here they come)
He said to Philip (lover of horses) “where shall be buy bread for these people to eat?”

o He asked this only to test him (notice He was testing him)

o For he already had in mind what he was going to do (notice He already knows what He is going to do)

7 Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages[a] to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!”

Philip answered him (Remember he is a lover of horses, a real cowboy)

o It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite! (in other words, there is no way it can be done according to man)

8 Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, 9 “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”

Another of his disciples Andrew (Man), Simon (to hear) Peter’s (stone or rock) spoke up,

o Man listen to the rock speaking up

Here is a boy with five small barley loaves (five is the number of grace) and two small fishes (two is the number for witnesses or truth), but how far will they go among so many? (how far will God’s grace go among so many?)

10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). 11 Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.

Jesus said, Have the people sit down (this was Jesus setting an expectation of the people that they would soon eat)

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John, Chapter 5

The Healing at Bethesda

5 After these things there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

2 Now in Jerusalem, by the Sheep Gate, there is a pool which in Hebrew is called Bethesda, having five porticoes. 3 In these porticoes lay a multitude of those who were sick, blind, limping, or paralyzed.

After these things (what things? Jesus had met a royal official who’s son lay sick at Capernaum (which means - the field of repentance; City of comfort) ; Jesus healed the man son’s in the 7th hour. (the hour of completion and rest); the official believed the word Jesus spoke and his son was healed; the official later believed in Jesus and his house was saved)
There was a feast of the Jews (we don’t know which feast) but it was important enough that Jesus went up to Jerusalem)
Now in Jerusalem (City of peace; In awe of peace; teaching peace)
By the Sheep Gate (the place where sheep would be brought to be sacrificed)
There was a pool which in Hebrew is called Bethesda (house of mercy)
Having five porticoes (five is the number for grace)
In architecture a "porch" is strictly an exterior structure forming a covered approach to the entrance of a building; a "portico" is an ambulatory, consisting of a roof supported by columns placed at regular intervals--a roofed colonnade.
Notice their description of being ambulatory (for those needing an ambulance)
in these porticoes lay a multitude of those who were sick, blind, limping or paralyzed (how many is a multitude?) It seems a like a large number of people who truly needed:

o the field of repentance; the City of comfort

o healing by Jesus in the 7th hour

o salvation spiritually not just physically along with their whole families

o in order to come to the feast with Jesus

o in the city of Peace

5 Now a man was there who had been [f]ill for thirty-eight years. 6 Jesus, upon seeing this man lying there and knowing that he had already been in that condition for a long time, *said to him, “Do you want to get well?”

Now a man was there who had been ill for thirty eight years (this is a very long time and the man was likely feeling like giving up or that he had no hope)
Jesus upon seeing this man lying there knowing that he had already been in that condition for a long time (Jesus shows us suddenly; sees the man lying there which means He saw him and singled him out of the crowd (focused His eyes on him)
Said to him “Do you want to get well?” (so too, Jesus will show us just when you’re about to give up or feel there is no hope; just then; Jesus will show us and ask you do you want to get well?”

7 The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” 8 Jesus said to him, “Get up, pick up your pallet and walk.” 9 Immediately the man became well, and picked up his pallet and began* to walk.

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John, Chapter 3 - The New Birth

3 Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; 2 this man came to Jesus at night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus responded and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless someone is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus a ruler of the Jews

o Pharisees (means separated one) they were scientists, separatists, normally antagonist to Christians who walked by faith

o Nicodemus (means Victory of the People), a ruler of the Jews, this man was part of the Sanhedrin which made the laws for Jewish religious leaders.

This man came to Jesus at night (it seems he didn’t want to be seen by his peers)
And said “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him (it’s obvious Jesus had God-given power)
Jesus responded to him, “Truly, truly (double truth), I say to you, unless someone is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” (Jesus said it; that’s settles it)

4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a person be born when he is old? He cannot enter his mother’s womb a second time and be born, can he?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which has been born of the flesh is flesh, and that which has been born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8* The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it is coming from and where it is going; so is everyone who has been born of the Spirit.”

Nicodemus said to Him

o How can a person be born when he is old (it doesn’t make sense to the carnal mind)

o He cannot enter his mothers womb a second time and be born can he? (this is a ridiculous suggestion; the answer is obviously not)

Just answered

o Truly, truly, I say to you, unless some is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God

o That which has been born of the flesh is flesh (carnal, worldly, physical)

o And that which has been born of the Spirit is spirit (born of the Holy Spirit)

o Do not be amazed that I said to you, “You must be born again”

§ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it (sound and hearing our physical attributes)

§ But you do not know where it is coming from and where it is going (even though you hear it, you can’t see it and you don’t know where it came from or where it is going; therefore, it doesn’t make sense to your mind either and yet you believe its real)

§ So is everyone who has been born of the Spirit (even though you don’t understand it, it still is true just like the wind example)

9 Nicodemus responded and said to Him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered and said to him, “You are the teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? 11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know and testify of what we have seen, and you people do not accept our testimony.

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John, Chapter 2 - Miracle at Cana

2 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; 2 and both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding.

On the third day there was a wedding in Cana (Cana was a river and a village in the promised land; it was between Ephraim (fruitful, fertile, productive) and Manasseh (God has made me forget entirely my troubles and my father’s house” Gen 41:51) So too, we will attend a wedding feast up in heaven for 7 years and it will be fruitful and God will make us forget our troubles in the houses we grew up in)
Cana of Galilee (a circle), and the mother of Jesus was there (it’s going to be a great day)
And both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding (so too, Jesus and his other disciples, you, and I, are going to be invited to His wedding feast…
Weddings are holy matrimonial ceremonies creating a marriage bond between a man and a women for life. Note that marriage is ordained by God; He approves of it.

3 When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.” 4 And Jesus said to her, “What business do you have with Me, woman? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother *said to the servants, “Whatever He tells you, do it.”

When the wine ran out (the party is over)
The mother of Jesus, said to Him, “They have no wine” (in other words the party is going to end prematurely)
And Jesus said to her, “What business do you have with Me, woman?” (I don’t know about you but I would never say this to my mother; I think Jesus doesn’t seem to want to do anything about it at first)

o My hour has not yet come (Jesus doesn’t want to reveal His power and position until it is the right time)

His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He tells you do it”

o It seems Mary expected Jesus to do something even though He seemed reluctant

o She expects Jesus to tell the servants to do something (servants should listen)

o Whatever He tells you, do it (Do Whatever, even if it seems odd or impossible)

6 Now there were six stone waterpots standing there for the Jewish custom of purification, containing two or three measures each. 7 Jesus *said to them, “Fill the waterpots with water.” So they filled them up to the brim.

Now there were six stone waterpots standing there for the Jewish custom of purification (this custom was to wash before entering the temple; it was also the custom to purify women to be ready for marriage)
Jesus said to them, “Fill the waterpots with water” (this was His instruction to the servants) go get the water and fill the pots used to cleanse people
So they filled them up to the brim (these servants did even more than asked)

8 And He said to them, “Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter.” And they took it to him. 9 Now when the headwaiter tasted the water which had become wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the groom

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John, Chapter 1 -

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him not even one thing came into being that has come into being. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the Light of mankind. 5 And the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not grasp it.

In the beginning (this is where it all started)
Was the Word (the Word is God’s thoughts; it is His intentions; it is The Truth)
And the Word was with God (part of Him, in Him)
And the Word was God (this is a declaration of Divinity – and its absolute)
He was in the beginning with God (notice it is now He; a son)
All things came into being through Him (all things means “all things”; came into being means “created” by Him – Jesus)
Not even one thing came into being that come in being (not even one thing came into being “nothing was created not even one” except what He created)
In Him was life, and the life was the Light of mankind (the very breath of life was in Him and the life was the Light of mankind; Light is the beginning of sight, the ability to see, comprehend and understand; without light you cannot see, understand or comprehend)
And the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not grasp it (Darkness could not understand Light; Darkness ceases to exists when Light is present)

The Witness John the Baptist

6 A man came, one sent from God, and his name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light.

A man came, one sent from God (notice the man came; from where to where?; one sent by God – from Heaven to the Earth)
his name was John (John means The grace or mercy of the Lord; Jehovah has been gracious; has shown favor) This is what God was announcing.
He came as a witness, to testify about the Light (to come as a witness is a legal matter to testify under oath of a fact to establish absolute truth; John came to testify the truth about what?; to testify about the Light (Jesus) to establish and confirm Jesus is from God and is absolute truth)
So that all might believe through him (“so that”, this is John’s purpose; all might believe)
He was not the Light (John is not the Light, not Jesus; but he came to testify about the Light (to again confirm and establish that Jesus is the Son of God)

9 This was the true Light that, coming into the world, enlightens every person. 10 He was in the world, and the world came into being through Him, and yet the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and His own people did not accept Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name, 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of a man, but of God.

This was the true Light (notice He is the true light; not the false light; 2 Cor 11:14 the devil disguises himself as an angel of light)

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Philippians Chapter 4 - Think of Excellence

4 Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.

Therefore (because of what we learned in Chapter 3 – we are citizens of Heaven eagerly waiting for our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory (transformed into our heavenly body)

2 I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to live in harmony in the Lord. 3 Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to live in harmony in the Lord. Apparently these two women were having a dispute or some type of falling out. Paul wants them to live in harmony in the Lord. It important that the women get along and not continue in their disharmony.

Paul asks his true companion to help these women “who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, who names are in the book of life”. It might be Timothy but its not clear. It’s good example for those in leadership, help the family of God to settle their differences and keep the main thing the main the thing. Let’s not get caught up in trivial issues…

Euodia means “prosperous”

Syntyche means “fortunate” or “with fate”.

Clement means “merciful”

Some of those in the church are “prosperous”, others are “fortunate” and others are “merciful”; each one was being used to serve others. This is a great example for us too…

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say rejoice! (God said it twice. Did you get it?) Have you been rejoicing today? Next, let your gentle spirit be known to all men (do all men know your gentle spirit?) Can anyone see it or notice it? Don’t forget the Lord is near. If the Lord is near, how should we conduct ourselves? Do that …

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Be anxious for nothing (nothing means nothing, not finances, not health, not job, nor marriage)

But (instead of being anxious) in everything (not some things, but in everything)

By prayer (talking to God and asking Him to take action)
And supplication (talking to God with urgency)
With thanksgiving (thank Him in advance that He will give you what you asked for)
Let your request be made known to God (ask specifically in Jesus Name)
And the peace of God which surpasses all comprehension will (peace beyond comprehension; greater peace than you can understand)

Memorize this verse. Speak it out loud often. Share it with others.

8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. 9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

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Philippians Chapter 3

The Goal of Life

3 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you.

What is the goal of life?
Rejoice in the Lord (because of what He has done)
Paul is going to write the same things again (to remind us)

o It is a safeguard for you!

2 Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision; 3 for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh, 4 although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless.

Beware of dogs

o They act according to impulse (the flesh)

Of the evil workers

o Those who pervert the truth of the Gospel or tempt you to turn off the path

Don’t have confidence in the flesh

7 But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, 9 and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; 11 in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

o Nothing can be compared.

In view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ my Lord
Righteousness through faith in Christ

12 Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; 16 however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained.

17 Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. 18 For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things. 20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; 21 who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.

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Philippians Chapter 2

Be Like Christ

2 Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.

If there by any encouragement
Any consolation of love
If any fellowship of the spirit
If any affection and compassion
Then, make my joy complete by being of the same mind (intent on one purpose)

3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Do nothing from selfishness
Or empty conceit
But with humility of mind (regard one another as more important than yourselves)
Don’t just look out for your own but look out for others
Have this attitude which was also in Christ Jesus (God emptying himself to be a bond-servant and made like man
Obedient to the point of death, even on a cross

9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

For this reason (because of Christ’s humility and choice to serve)
God highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him a name above every name
At the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW (in heaven, on the earth, under the earth)
And every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (to God’s the Father’s glory)

12 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

Obey the Word in the presence of saints and when they are absent
Work out your salvation with fear and trembling
For (because) it is God who is at work in you (to Will and to Work for his good pleasure)

14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing; 15 so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world

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Philippians Chapter 1 - Thanksgiving

1 Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus,

To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul and Timothy remind us they are bond-servants (free to leave or live as they please, but they willingly agreed to serve their master for life). They have something to say to “all the saints” in Christ Jesus who are Philippi including overseers and deacons. You are either a saint or you ain’t.

You might even be called to be an overseer or a deacon (a overseer is episkopos a man charged with the duty of seeing that things done by others are done rightly, a guardian or superintendent.

A deacon is diakonos, one who executes the commands of another, especially a master or minister. A decon often cares for the poor and has charge of and distributes the money collected for their use. A deacon can also mean waiter, one who serves food and drink. It has the connotation of serving others.

True Christian Leadership is always done in the service of others. Think about Jesus Christ who left his Glory in Heaven and came down to serve mankind. He is our great example!

3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, 5 in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now.

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you (so too, we should thank our God for each and every saint we know). Always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all (so too, this is a great example for us, we should offer prayer with joy!) … in view of your participation in the gospel (sharing the good news of Jesus Christ) – they were participating in it – so should we!

6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. 7 For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me. 8 For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.

Paul & Titus were confident of this very thing (we should be confident too) that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus). God started the work and He will finish the work. It’s all God’s doing. This is why we rejoice and have joy! Also, notice the longing.

9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; 11 having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Paul will now give us deeper insight into what he has been praying for “I pray that your love may abound still more and more (how much love is that?)

… and more in real knowledge and all discernment (knowledge of God’s word is real knowledge. | and all discernment which the ability to understand the moral implication and life application of the knowledge learned from The Word).

We learn God’s will and then discern what we should do in each situation.

Why? so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be since and blameless until the day of Christ. The only way to achieve this is through a knowledge of God’s word and using discernment to make good dec

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Romans 15 - Self-denial in behalf of Others

15 Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength, and not just please ourselves. 2 Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification.

The title of this message is self denial in behalf of others

o in other words don't just think about yourself that think of others

o sometimes that means that you're gonna have to make some sacrifices personally in order to benefit someone else besides yourself

now we who are strong ought to bear weaknesses of those without strength

o has God-given you a lot of faith or physical strength

o then you need to use the strength of your faith and your physical strength to go help other people and not just yourself

each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification

o what have you done recently to please your neighbor?

o Or are you so consumed in your own life that you're not considering your neighbors at all

o edification means to build up

§ what are you doing to build up your neighbor's faith

§ what are you doing that illuminates the Lord Jesus Christ

§ one pastor said it best when he said preach the gospel at all times and if necessary use words

§ your words and your actions should clearly be evident by your neighbors that you are in fact a Christian

3 For even Christ did not please Himself, but as it is written: “The taunts of those who taunt You have fallen on Me.” 4 For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

When you consider the trials and tribulations that the disciples went through
When you consider the trials and pain and suffering that Jesus went through
and then you consider how God was at work in each and everyone of those and how he worked out all things for good for those that love him and are called according to his purpose

o it should give you encouragement that God always wins in the end!

o And that you are not experiencing anywhere near the level of difficulty they did

o the point is that whatever you are going through is not that severe and God is going to get you through it no matter what - so be encouraged.

5 Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another, according to Christ Jesus, 6 so that with one purpose and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Notice that God gives perseverance and encouragement
and we should be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus
Do you have the same mind as Jesus Christ?

o Are you trying to do the will of your father or your own will

so that with one purpose and one voice you may glorify the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ

o when you encourage somebody and you help them persevere through their trials you are serving God and bringing glory to the Father!

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Romans Chapter 14 - Principles of Conscience

14 Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions. 2 One person has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only. 3 The one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat is not to judge the one who eats, for God has accepted him.

The 14th chapter of Roans offer some great advice about principles of conscience.

o These principles are worth learning and living by

First we are told

o We should accept the one who is weak in faith

§ some people have more faith than others

o we should accept those are weak in faith

§ but not for the purpose of passing judgement on his opinions

§ it is not for us to judge their reasoning (that is between them & God)

o One person has faith that he may eat all things

§ If you believe you can eat all things as long as you pray first – go ahead

o But he who is weak eats vegetables only

§ Notice the weaker is a vegetarian (just kidding)

§ Some people think it is not acceptable to eat meat – they shouldn’t then

o The one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who does not eat

§ Meat eaters are not to regard in contempt vegetarians (no disrespect)

o The one who does not eat (meat implied), is not to judge the one who eats

§ Vegetarians should respect meat eaters as well

o For God has accepted him

§ In other words, it is up to God not man

§ We should not judge either man for what he eats or does not eat

§ God accepts both

4 Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

This is rhetorical question

o Who are you to judge the servant of another?

o Obviously you would not judge a servant who belongs to another master because the servant works for and reports to someone else (his boss)

To his own master he stands or falls

o In other words, his own master will judge his actions according to his own will

And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand

o God says “he will stand” – that is a promise.

o For the Lord is able to make him stand (God is able, God is willing, God does it)

5 One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God. 7 For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; 8 for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.

One person regards one day above another, another every day alike

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Romans Chapter 13 - Be Subject to Government

13 Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.

Paul start off this lesson by telling us “Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. This means you, this means me, this means every person.

Then he tells us why: For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.

No authority except from God? (it’s not the authority of man, its from God
And those which exist are established by God (who establishes it? – God)
Truly, if its from God and established by God, we don’t need to worry; God is in control

2 Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.

Therefore (because God is the final authority) whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God. Your disagreement is not with men or political party, its with God.
And they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves (it makes no sense to oppose God; it won’t end well)
Knowing this, we should pray for God’s will and trust Him to place those in authority in order that His will be done, not ours.

3 For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; 4 for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.

For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil (rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior; if you’re not doing anything wrong, you don’t need to have any fear)

Do you want to have no fear of authority? This is a good question for me, for you, for us.

If you don’t want to be afraid, Do what is good and you will have praise from the same. Praise is the complete opposite of being afraid. Chose your outcome wisely. Let it govern your conduct.

For it is a minister of God to you for good (rulers are ministers of God to you for good).

But if you do what is evil, be afraid (this is a serious warning to me, to you, to us)

God is warning you, if you do what is evil, there will be serious consequences!

For it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil (notice this, a minister can be an avenger who brings wrath).

God will take care of those who are practicing evil (they will not get away with it).

5 Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. 7 Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.

Therefore (because of what you just learned) it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience sake:

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Romans Chapter 12 - Dedicated Service

12 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

Therefore because what we just learned in Chapter 11:36

o For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory [n]forever. Amen.

o From Him (from Jesus) and through Him (He created it all) and to Him (his property)

o It is said that Jesus is the atomic glue that holds the electrons in orbit around the neutron

o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlkY-HtjrkA

Since He made it all and holds it all together, I urge you (it’s urgent; consider what I am about to say; it’s important) by the mercies of God (mercy is not getting what you deserve)
Present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God

o What does this mean?

o How do we do this?

o What makes it acceptable to God or not?

Which is your spiritual service of worship (other translations say “reasonable service”

o In other words It’s the least you can or should do…

And do not be conformed to this world (conformed; molded by; shaped in the likeness of)
But (in contrast, do this) be transformed by the renewing of your mind (renewing is the continual state of changing; continual refreshing)
focused on the Word not the Word (this is a conscious decision you make)
so that you may prove what the will of God is (we prove it by presenting our bodies a living sacrifice) put feet to faith and do good works with the love of Jesus Christ
that which is good and acceptable and perfect (this is Christ Alone)

3 For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.

For through the grace given to me (grace is getting what you didn’t earn)
I say to everyone among you (that’s every person around you; do you say this too?)
Not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think (we need to be reminded)
But to think so as to have sound judgement (we see our own sin too; desperate for a Savior)
God has allotted to each a measure of faith (God allotted to each a measure; a specific amount of faith; your portion; your food; your sustenance; your oxygen)
If you have any faith, God gave it to you

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Romans Chapter 10 - The Word of Faith Brings Salvation

10 Brethren, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation. 2 For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge. 3 For not knowing about God’s righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

Brethren (Paul is speaking to believers)
His heart’s desire and prayer to God is for their salvation (this should be our hearts desire)
A zeal for God but not in accordance with knowledge (not according to GRACE)
For not knowing about God’s righteousness (they didn’t know; they should have)
Seeking to establish their own (righteousness; this is what many do when they don’t know)
They did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God (through Christ)
For Christ is the end of the law (end of the road; final trip; destination in view)
to everyone who believes (faith Jesus Christ = righteousness to all)

5 For Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is based on law shall live by that righteousness. 6 But the righteousness based on faith speaks as follows: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ (that is, to bring Christ down), 7 or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).” 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, 9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;

For Moses writes (Moses wrote about the law because that is all he knew)
The righteousness based on faith speaks as follows (ASCEND or DESCEND)
The Word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart (this is where the entrance is)
The word of faith which we are preaching (this is the main thing)
That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved (the most important truth of all time)

10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.”

With the heart a person believes (it’s a matter of the heart not the mind) its results in righteousness (right standing with God through Christ)
With the mouth he confesses (verbal action to confirm what you believe) this results in salvation (AMEN = I Agree; confirmation of the new agreement)

12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; 13 for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

No distinction between Jew or Greek (remember no preferred people or groups)

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Romans Chapter 9 - Solicitude for Israel

9 I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit, 2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh, 4 who are Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as sons, and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Law and the temple service and the promises, 5 whose are the fathers, and from whom is the Christ according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.

Paul is a Hebrew of Hebrews. He grew up in a Jewish home and became a senior official, a Pharisee a Doctor of the Law. He was persecuting the Christian way with zeal until Jesus met him on the road to Damascus. Paul has a radical conversion after conversing with Jesus Christ. Now Paul is heartbroken for his tribe.

I am telling the truth in Christ (very serious way to start a sentence)

I am not lying (doubling down on the first statement)

My conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit (this goes to the deepest part of your beliefs)

That I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart (broken heart for the lost)
For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ (nothing could be worse than this)
For the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh who are Israelites.
How about you, is your heart broken for a specific person, family or tribe?

Paul is so concerned about his kinsmen; he could wish himself accursed; he would give up eternity if could just change their destiny. It’s urgent, it’s serious, it’s eternal. Do we care enough to feel that way toward someone or some group of people? This is a real heartfelt burden of love!

Who are Israelites

Paul tells us who they are
To whom belongs:

o the adoption as sons

o and the glory and the covenants

o and the giving of the law

o and the temple service

o and the promises

o whose are the fathers from whom is the Christ according to the flesh

o who is over all, God blessed forever

These things belong to the Israelites. The word says “To the Jew First” and “Then to the Gentiles” afterwards. The Jews are God’s chosen people from whom we got the Word, the God and all the promises and the Law and it is there bloodline that Jesus came from.

For all these reasons, the Jews should be included in the family of God

6 But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; 7 nor are they all children because they are Abraham’s descendants, but: “through Isaac your descendants will be named.” 8 That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants. 9 For this is the word of promise: “At this time I will come, and Sarah shall have a son.” 10 And not only this, but there was Rebekah also, when she had conceived twins by one man, our father Isaac;

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Deliverance from Bondage

8 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. 3 For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, 7 because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, 8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

Paul starts chapter 8 with “therefore”, this is because what we learned in Chapter 7 that we were under a legally binding contract with the law but when Christ died the contract was ended. Like a woman who was married but made free from the marriage contract once her husband died. We are now betrothed to Jesus Christ our Lord. The risen Savor. It’s a picture of how sin ends in death of the flesh and new life begins again in the Spirit married Jesus our Lord.

Because of this great truth “there is now no condemnation” for those who are in Christ Jesus !!!

WOW – did you hear this! NO MORE CONDEMNATION – NO MORE WORRY THAT YOU WILL, I WILL, WE WILL BE CONDEMNED FOR SOMETHINE WE DID. THERE IS NO MORE CONDENMATION.

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death. You have been set free from the law of sin and death. Why? Because of the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus… Praise God. Thank you Lord Jesus. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

For what the law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did:

Sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin
He condemned sin in the flesh
So that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit
For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh
But those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit
For the mind set on the flesh is death
But the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace
Because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God (did you know your mind can be hostile towards God?)
For it is not even able to do so (its impossible)
And those who are in the flesh cannot please God (notice this)

9 However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.

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Romans Chapter 7 - Believers United to Christ

7 Or do you not know, brethren (for I am speaking to those who know the law), that the law has jurisdiction over a person as long as he lives? 2 For the married woman is bound by law to her husband while he is living; but if her husband dies, she is released from the law concerning the husband. 3 So then, if while her husband is living she is joined to another man, she shall be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from the law, so that she is not an adulteress though she is joined to another man.

Or do you not know, brethren that the law has jurisdiction over a person as long as he lives?

A married woman is bound while her husband is living
But if the husband dies, she is released from the law concerning the husband
If she is joined to another man while her husband is alive she shall be an adultress
But not is her husband died first

The marriage one man and one woman is a great blessing. I have been blessed to be married for 32 years to my wife whom I am still crazy in love with. Our love grows deeper and deeper each year. We share all of life’s wonder and difficulties and pray together day by day.

The point is that God’s plan is always the best plan.

4 Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God. 5 For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were aroused by the Law, were at work in [c]the members of our body to bear fruit for death. 6 But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.

Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another (you were made to die to the Law) why? So that you you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead (Jesus Christ)

You are now married to Jesus Christ and you are referred too as “His Bride” the church.

In order that we might bear fruit for God (like a married couple has children) we can produce spiritual fruit (spiritual children)

For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were aroused by the Law, were at work in the members of our body to bear fruit to death (sins of the flesh lead to death) don’t be fooled by the devil trying to make it look enticing.

But now we have been released from the Law having died to that which we were bound

So that in newness of Spirit (law of Grace)
And not in the oldness of the letter (Law of the Old Testament)

7 What shall we say then? Is the Law sin? May it never be! On the contrary, I would not have come to know sin except through the Law; for I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, “You shall not covet.” 8 But sin, taking opportunity through the commandment, produced in me coveting of every kind; for apart from the Law sin is dead. 9 I was once alive apart from the Law; but when the commandment came, sin became alive and I died;

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Romans Chapter 6 - Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ

6 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

What shall we say then (because what we learned in Chapter 5 – where sin increased because of a knowledge of the law, grace increased all the more.

Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! (this means absolutely not)

We are those who have died to sin (have you died to your sin? – unresponsive to its magnetic pull

How can we live in it any long? (rhetorical – we can’t)

Or don’t you know (you should know this) that all of us who were baptized into Christ were baptized into his death? We are therefore buried with him through baptism into death (you should consider yourself dead; you died with Christ; but then risen from the dead into a new life; a brand new life). .. in order that just Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life (it’s a new life you are now living).

5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— 7 because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.

For if we have been united with him in a death like his (have you been united with Him?)
If yes, we will certainly (this is absolutely certain) be united with Him in a resurrection like his (you will, I will, we will be resurrected like him)
For we know (we should know this) that our old self (our sinful self) was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with (the pursuit of sin must die)
That we should no longer be slaves to sin (because we were slaves to sin before) because anyone who has died (consider the flesh dead) has been set free from sin

8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. 10 The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.

If we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him (do you believe this)
For we know (you should know this too) that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again
Death no longer has mastery over Him (no longer under its influence)
The death he died, he died to sin once for all (all sin was paid for in this single act)
But the life he lives, he lives to God (raised from the dead, to live forever)

11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.

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Romans 5 - Results of Justification

5 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Chapter 5 starts with “therefore”

o This looks back to Chapter 4 and we learned that Jesus was crucified for our transgressions and His resurrection was proof we have been justified (made just by His blood not by our works)

o By faith we have been saved by grace!

As a result of what Jesus did

o We were justified by faith in Jesus Christ

o We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ

o Through whom also we have obtained (past tense) our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand (our current position is standing in His grace)

§ God’s Riches at Christ’s Expense (GRACE)

o And we exult in hope of the glory of God

§ We are trusting that Jesus is now in the highest position of all

§ And that He will come and redeem us back to Himself

And not only this

o But we exult in our tribulations.

o This literally means that we are joyous in our tribulations (what???)

Knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance

o We learn to persevere as we wait on the lord

o Perseverance means “Steady persistence in adhering to a course of action, a belief, or a purpose; steadfastness.”

And perseverance proven character

o You build character by going through difficult times

o You become a stronger woman or man until you have proven character

o The place at which God can see your faith is real and consistent no matter what.

And proven character hope

o Will stand in the midst of your trials and testing

o Will God find real faith at your very core?

o If you have real character of faith, you will remain in Hope of what God will do!

o Hope is another name for faith but it implies an expectant heart that believes God will do that which you prayed things in! (praying in faith, expecting to see results)

And hope does not disappoint

o Hope in anything other than Jesus Christ will disappoint you

o Faith in Christ Jesus will never disappoint you!

o Because the Love of God is poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us

§ The Love of God poured out!

§ This was the pouring out of Jesus blood on the cross

§ Notice that God gave the Holy Spirit who was given to us (a gift from God)

· He is living in you right now!

· Great is He that is in You than he that is in the world

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Romans Chapter 4 - Justification by Faith Evidenced in Old Testament

4 What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” 4 Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due. 5 But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness, 6 just as David also speaks of the blessing on the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:

7 “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds have been forgiven,
And whose sins have been covered.
8 “Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will not take into account.”

What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found? Paul reaches back to the story of Abraham because in chapter 3 we learned that no flesh shall be justified by the law. We learned that justification “declared not guilty” is a result of faith in Jesus Christ not of works lest anyone should boast. So what shall we say then about Abraham?

Here is the answer “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness”. It’s the same way we get saved. We believe God and its gets credited to us as righteousness.

Now to one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but what is due
But to the one who does work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith in credited as righteousness
Just as David also speaks of the blessing on the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works
Blessed is the man whose sin in has been covered (covered in the blood)
Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will not take into account (because it was paid for)

So Paul concludes, it is a gift and not payment for work. All other religions are trying to work to get into heaven hoping their good works are enough to get them in. Some try to count their good deeds vs. their sins and stive to make sure their good deeds outnumber their sin. This simply doesn’t work. We can never be good enough even with our best effort.

Isa 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

It is by faith in Jesus Christ that we become righteous. It is a gift of God. It is unearned, undeserved favor from a loving Father. We simply put our faith in Jesus Christ as the one who will justify us. Thank you Lord !!!

9 Is this blessing then on the circumcised, or on the uncircumcised also? For we say, “Faith was credited to Abraham as righteousness.” 10 How then was it credited? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised; 11 and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while uncircumcised, so that he might be the father of all who believe without being circumcised, that righteousness might be credited to them, 12 and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also follow in the steps of the faith of our father Abraham which he had while uncircumcised.

Is this blessing then on the circumcised, or on the uncircumcised also?

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Romans Chapter 3 - All the World Guilty

3 Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the benefit of circumcision? 2 Great in every respect. First of all, that they were entrusted with the oracles of God. 3 What then? If some did not believe, their unbelief will not nullify the faithfulness of God, will it? 4 May it never be! Rather, let God be found true, though every man be found a liar, as it is written,

“That You may be justified in Your words,
And prevail when You are judged.”

Then (Paul can ask this question based on what we learned in Chapter 2 about Jews and Gentiles)

… what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the benefit of circumcision?

First of all, they were entrusted with the oracles of God (they had the scriptures) and the prophets and many miracles like being freed from slavery after 400 years; red sea parted; advisories drowned; kept alive in the desert for 40 years without provision (and many more)
Even if some Jews don’t believe, it will not nullify the faithfulness of God
God will be found true (every knee will bow and confess that Jesus is Lord)
Though every man be found a liar as it written “THAT YOU MAY BE JUSTIFIED IN YOUR WORDS, AND PREVAIL WHEN YOU ARE JUDGED”

We are “justified by our words” when we confess Jesus is Lord.

We “prevail when we are judged” because of our faith in Jesus Christ (it’s the only way)

5 But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? The God who inflicts wrath is not unrighteous, is He? (I am speaking in human terms.) 6 May it never be! For otherwise, how will God judge the world? 7 But if through my lie the truth of God abounded to His glory, why am I also still being judged as a sinner? 8 And why not say (as we are slanderously reported and as some claim that we say), “Let us do evil that good may come”? Their condemnation is just.

This entire paragraph is designed to help us see the foolishness of men’s thinking. God’s plan was much better than this. God was unveiling a way for all men to be saved. For by the Jews rejection of the messiah, the word was poured out upon the gentiles (the rest of the world).

9 What then? Are we better than they? Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin; 10 as it is written,

“There is none righteous, not even one;
11 There is none who understands,
There is none who seeks for God;
12 All have turned aside, together they have become useless;
There is none who does good,
There is not even one.”
13 “Their throat is an open grave,
With their tongues they keep deceiving,”
“The poison of asps is under their lips”;
14 “Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness”;
15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood,
16 Destruction and misery are in their paths,
17 And the path of peace they have not known.”
18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

This was a reflection of Psalm 14:3 and Psalm 53:1-3

So this seals the court’s decision that all of us been found guilty; not one of us is worthy.

It shows mankind (all of mankind) is in desperate need of Savior!

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Romans Chapter 2- The Impartiality of God

2 Therefore you have no excuse, everyone of you who passes judgment, for in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. 2 And we know that the judgment of God rightly falls upon those who practice such things. 3 But do you suppose this, O man, when you pass judgment on those who practice such things and do the same yourself, that you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?

Therefore (because of the long list of sins we just read in Chapter 1:26-32) you have no excuse, everyone who passes judgement, for in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. Be careful not to start wagging your finger and condemning people. We have all sinned. Some of us judging others practice the same things (this is very hypocritical).

And we know that judgement of God rightly falls upon those who practice such things (practicing is continuing to sin knowing its wrong). But do you suppose this, O man, when you pass judgement on those who practice such things and do the same yourself, that you will escape the judgement of God? This is obviously not going to go well for either party!!!

Or do you think lightly of the riches of his kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance. Notice this… It’s the kindness and tolerance and patience of God that leads you, leads me, leads them to repentance. Its not the fear of wrath it’s the kindness of God!

5 But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 6 who will render to each person according to his deeds: 7 to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; 8 but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation. 9 There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek, 10 but glory and honor and peace to everyone who does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 11 For there is no partiality with God.

But because of stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself (stubbornness and unrepentant heart) is the problem. Pray that God breaks the stubbornness and unrepentant heart! It’s deadly. It results in storing up wrath for yourself.

Don’t fool yourself – God will render to each person according to his deeds!

To those who by perseverance in doing good (this means they keep doing good inspite of the opposition and problems) seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life. This speaks about what we are seeking. What are the real goals in our heart? Are you seeking glory and honor and immortality with a view of eternal life. You will get what you are seeking!

But to those who are selfishly ambition and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation. There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil. If what you seek and follow after is selfish ambition and you won’t obey God. Extreme difficulty is on the way and in your immediate path. It’s urgent! Repent and turn from your sin and ask the Lord to forgive you. It’s the only chance you have to get saved from sin.

But glory and honor and peace to everyone who does good

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Romans Chapter 1

The Gospel Exalted

1 Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3 concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh, 4 who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for His name’s sake, 6 among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;

Paul tells us he is a bond-servant of Christ Jesus. A bond servant chooses to remain the service of his master for life. He was free to leave but decided to stay and serve for life. A symbol of this choice was to be pierced against a tree (an earing).

… called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God. Paul was set apart for this specific purpose “the gospel of God”. The gospel is “the good news” of eternal life by faith in Jesus Christ not of works lest anyone should boast. It’s great news. It’s available to everyone right now!

.. which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures (this story is throughout the old testament.

… who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness. No other religious figure in history rose from the dead. Christ alone. The empty tomb is the proof. Over 500 witnesses saw him alive after death.

Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for His name’s sake. Jesus Christ is our Lord (He alone) is our Lord. .. through whom we have received grace (this was the gift of Jesus Christ to all mankind; that’s me; that’s you; that’s everyone who calls upon His name).Obedience of faith instead of obedience to the Law. You can’t keep the law. But you can have faith in Jesus Christ and be saved from your sin. Just ask Jesus Christ to forgive you and make Him Lord of your life.

Jesus is calling Gentiles (those who did not know Him. They did not know the scriptures or the prophets. They were all those far away from the truth. This can include each and every one of us. Now you know the truth and the truth will set you free.

You are the called of Jesus Christ! He is calling your name. He is calling you “beloved”. He is calling you like a loving father. Feel the tug at your heart. Respond even now. Just talk to Him and you will begin to know His love…

7 to all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

.. to all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints. Everyone who believes in Jesus Christ and invites Him to be Lord is “beloved of God”. As soon as you do this, you become “saints”.

Now you can say “grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” because all about what Jesus accomplished on the cross. Your track record, my track record no longer matters. It’s Jesus Christ’s perfect track record that gets imputed to you and I by faith!

By faith you receive grace (Gods Riches At Christ’s Expense). When you receive grace you automatically have peace from God our Father.

8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, because your faith is being proclaimed throughout the whole world. 9 For God, whom I serve in my spirit in the preaching of the gospel of

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Hebrews 12 – Surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

The title states that “we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses” – they’re watching
Therefore (because of this fact)

o Let us throw off everything that hinders (which means anything defocusing you)

o And sin that so easily entangles (which means it traps you)

o Run with perseverance the race marked out for us (focus, direction, effort)

o Fixing our eyes on Jesus (His face & sacrifice)

§ The pioneer and perfecter of our faith (made a way there was none)

§ Will be faithful to complete it

o For the joy set before him he endured the cross

§ Scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (finished) – He was able to do it because of the joy set before Him (He stayed focused on the prize not the pain)

o Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners

§ Look at what He went through

§ So that you will not grow weary and lose heart (your suffering is nothing compared to His)

God Disciplines His Children

4 In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says,

“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,
and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
6 because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”

Yes, we struggle with sin but not to the point of death
We should remember the word encouragement (a father to son message)

o Its based on love and help

God does discipline His children because He loves us!
Don’t lose heart. Receive it. Learn from it. Listen to it. Obey it. – Move on!

7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? 8 If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. 9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! 10 They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Huge revelation!

o Endure hardship as discipline

o If you are experience hardship you are being disciplined by God

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Hebrews 11 - By Faith We Understand

11 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.

Hebrews Chapter 11 has been called the great hall of faith!
By faith we understand (the only way you can understand is with faith first)
now faith is the substance of things hope for

o substance is something you can actually touch

o your faith needs to be at the level where you believe you reach out & touch the thing you are praying for and believing to receive

the evidence of things not seen

o is there any evidence of your faith?

o If you have faith to receive then you shall receive and it shall become the evidence

Evidence and substance is as real as it gets

o Does this describe of faith you have?

For by it the elders obtained a good testimony

o Abraham believed God and it was counted as righteousness

o Faith is the lingua franca of eternity (it is how everything is done)

3 By faith we understand that the [c]worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.

It took faith to believe how the worlds were framed

o By the word of God (He simply spoke it into existence)

So that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.

o Nothing you can see or touch was visible until God created it by speaking!

Intelligent design is abundantly seen in nature, biology, chemistry, anatomy, mathematical precision, rotation of planets and more (it could never have been without intelligent design)
Although you can’t see the designer you can see the result of His works!

o Like a great painting

o It doesn’t get painted by itself over billions of years (someone painted it)

Faith at the Dawn of History

4 By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.

The key is that Abel offered to God an offering by faith (which is why is was more excellent than Cain)
God heard Abel’s blood crying out to Him after he died (He is still alive)

5 By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

This is truth is among the most valuable on earth
Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death (raptured)

o He pleased God (this is how he got raptured)

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Hebrews 10 - One Sacrifice of Christ Is Sufficient

10 For the Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of things, can never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually year by year, make perfect those who draw near.

In chapter 9 we learned that the tabernacle and sacrifices offered by the high priest in Israel were a copy of something far more real & better up in heaven
Now in chapter 10 we learn that this physical copy and ritual could never make anyone perfect (it merely pointed toward a sacrifice that could)

2 Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have had consciousness of sins? 3 But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins year by year. 4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

If these sacrifices worked it would cleanse us for good and give us a clear conscious which means wouldn’t have to come back and do it again year after rear
But we do have consciousness of sins; therefore we know it wasn’t perfect (done)

5 Therefore, when He comes into the world, He says,

“Sacrifice and offering You have not desired,
But a body You have prepared for Me;
6 In whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You have taken no pleasure.
7 “Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come
(In the scroll of the book it is written of Me)
To do Your will, O God.’”

Notice the opening in Chapter 5 is about “when He comes into the world”

o This speaks of Jesus Christ, the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world

God prepared a body for Jesus Christ to come down and be the perfect sacrifice to do Your Will O God (all according to God’s plan from the beginning)

8 After saying above, “Sacrifices and offerings and whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You have not desired, nor have You taken pleasure in them” (which are offered according to the Law),

Notice God did not desire the sacrifices for sin; nor did He take pleasure in them
Which are offered according to the Law (it was required because man broke the law)

9 then He said, “Behold, I have come to do Your will.” He takes away the first in order to establish the second. 10 By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Jesus came to do the will of the Father (not his own plan)
Jesus came to fulfill a purpose (to pay for the sins of mankind)
Jesus takes away the first in order to establish the second

o The first covenant was the law

o The second covenant fulfilled the blood required by the first covenant in order that a new covenant could be made (a new deal) – salvation by faith not of works!

By this we have been sanctified (set apart for exclusive use by God)
Through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all

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Hebrews 9 - The Old and the New

9 Now even the first covenant had regulations of divine worship and the earthly sanctuary. 2 For there was a tabernacle prepared, the outer one, in which were the lampstand and the table and the sacred bread; this is called the holy place. 3 Behind the second veil there was a tabernacle which is called the Holy of Holies, 4 having a golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden jar holding the manna, and Aaron’s rod which budded, and the tables of the covenant; 5 and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat; but of these things we cannot now speak in detail.

Now even the first covenant had regulations of divine worship and the earthly sanctuary

o The first covenant is the law (the ten commandments)

o There were also regulations about how to worship God in the earthly sanctuary

o This tent was designed for service on earth (not in heaven)

§ It was 45’ long x 15’ wide and 15’ high divided into two rooms

§ Just FYI (45 is 3 x 15) 3 is the trinity; 15 is grace by multiplied (5 x 3)

§ Every dimension points to the triune God and Grace!

For there was tabernacle prepared (a tabernacle was a tent; it was movable; temporary)

o The outer one, in which were

§ The lampstand

· The lampstand had middle stem and six branches

· Six is then number for man (this was the only light in the tabernacle)

§ And the table and the sacred bread

· The table was made of acacia wood covered with Gold

o The acacia wood may be symbol of the cross

· It was 3’ long x 1.5’ wide x “2’3” high

· 3 represents the trinity; 1.5” = 12” (twelves tribes) + 6” (man

· 2’ represents two witnesses; 3” represents the trnity)

· All the measurements point to God speaking to the 12 tribes of Israel followed by all mankind through Father, Son & Holy Ghost

· It held 12 loaves of showbread each representing God’s fellowship with the 12 tribes of Israel

§ This is called the holy place

o Behind the second veil there was tabernacle which is called the Holy of Holies

§ There was veil (a thick curtain 3’ thick made of woven wool)

§ It separated the outer space from the Holy of Holies

· The inside room was 15’ x 15’

· When you deduct the 15’ length from whole tent which was 45’ you are left with 30’ (Jesus was 30 years old when He began His ministry)

§ There was alter of incense just in front of the veil let led to the Holy of Holies (the inside room)

· It was also made of Acacia wood and was covered in Gold

· The wood may represent the cross and the Gold represents royalty

· The dimensions confirm the same story

o 1.5’ square (12” for the 12-tribes + 6” for mankind)

o 3’ high (12” for the 12 tribes x 3” for the Trinity”

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Hebrews 8 - A Better Ministry

8 Now the main point in what has been said is this: we have such a high priest, who has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, 2 a minister in the sanctuary and in the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man.

A better ministry is the title of this message
Now the main point in what has been said

o The main point that we need to take away from the message in Chapter 7 about Melchizedek is this:

o We have such a high priest, who has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens

§ This is about the risen Lord who went back up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of the throne (His true position)

§ This means that He completed His mission and now He can rest until all His enemies are made His footstool

o A minister in the sanctuary and in the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man

§ This is not a tent made by man on earth!

§ This is the real thing – the true tabernacle created by God Himself!

§ The tabernacle on earth was just a picture of the true tabernacle in Heaven

3 For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices; so it is necessary that this high priest also have something to offer.

For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices

o Notice this is the purpose of a high priest

o He offers gifts and sacrifices to God on behalf of the people to make atonement

So it is necessary that this high priest also have something to offer

o The high priest must offer something..

4 Now if He were on earth, He would not be a priest at all, since there are those who offer the gifts according to the Law; 5 who serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, just as Moses was warned by God when he was about to erect the tabernacle; for, “See,” He says, “that you make all things according to the pattern which was shown you on the mountain.”

The priests on earth offer gifts according to the Law (specific offerings)
Who serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things

o Notice the tabernacle and the gifts & sacrifices are a copy and shadow

§ they point to the real gifts and the sacrifice!

Just as Moses was warned by God when he was about to erect the tabernacle; for See, He says “That you make all things according to the pattern which was shown you on the mountain”

o God showed Moses the pattern (the blue prints)

o He told Moses to make all things according to the pattern (follow it carefully)

o So that which was built on earth was a copy of that which God built

o God gave Moses specific instruction on what and how to build the tabernacle so it would be representative of the one in heaven!

6 But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, by as much as He is also the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises.

But now (this is what applies now)
He has obtained a more excellent ministry

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Hebrews 7 - Melchizedek’s Priesthood Like Christ’s

7 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham as he was returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 to whom also Abraham apportioned a tenth part of all the spoils, was first of all, by the translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then also king of Salem, which is king of peace. 3 Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, he remains a priest perpetually.

Melchizedek is called

o King of Salem which means King of Peace

o Priest of the Most High God

o His name describes who He is

Abraham apportioned a tenth part of the all the spoils

o Tithing to God’s work is appropriate and necessary

By translation of his name

o King of Righteousness

o King of Peace

Without Father
Without Mother
Without genealogy
Having neither beginning of days nor end of life
But made like the Son of God, he remains a priest perpetually
This sure seems to be Jesus Christ in the old testament (a Christophany)

4 Now observe how great this man was to whom Abraham, the patriarch, gave a tenth of the choicest spoils. 5 And those indeed of the sons of Levi who receive the priest’s office have commandment in the Law to collect a tenth from the people, that is, from their brethren, although these are descended from Abraham. 6 But the one whose genealogy is not traced from them collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed the one who had the promises.

If Melchizedek was not of the tribe of Levi than he is not a priest from the physical line Abraham. Then he must be from the spiritual line of God!
Notice Abraham tithed to him and received a blessing from him!
God blesses the one who had the promises!

7 But without any dispute the lesser is blessed by the greater. 8 In this case mortal men receive tithes, but in that case one receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives on. 9 And, so to speak, through Abraham even Levi, who received tithes, paid tithes, 10 for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.

For he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him

o This means before he was born!

11 Now if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the people received the Law), what further need was there for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be designated according to the order of Aaron? 12 For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change of law also. 13 For the one concerning whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses spoke nothing concerning priests..

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Hebrews 6 - The Peril of Falling Away

6 Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 of instruction about washings and laying on of hands, and the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment.

Therefore (because we have a perfect High Priest Jesus Christ which was confirmed in Chapter 5 – let’s get on with living a new life by the power of God
Leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ

o This does not mean forget about it

o It means, got it, then move on now to what is next

Let us press on to maturity

o To press on means keeps on learning and growing in your knowledge of God’s word, God’s plan and God’s purpose and run the race with a view toward winning

Not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith

o Repentance and faith are paired together

o You must repent from your sin(s)

o You must put your faith in Christ unto salvation (these are elementary)

o Even a school age child can understand (now what)

Of instruction about washing and laying on of hands

o Washing may be a reference to baptism (it is symbolic)

o And laying on of hands is how the gifts of the Holy Spirit seem to be transferred

Acts 8:14-17 Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent them Peter and John, 15 who came down and prayed for them that they would receive the Holy Spirit. 16 (For He had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they began laying their hands on them, and they were receiving the Holy Spirit.
And the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgement

o The resurrection of the dead is paired with eternal judgement

All of these things are elementary Christian teaching

o We should all know these things very early on and then search and seek for else God wants to know and do (because of these things).

3 And this we will do, if God permits. 4 For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come,

We teach the elementary things but then we desire to learn more and develop our relationship with Christ, if God permits (by His good pleasure implied)
In the case of those

o Who have once been enlightened

o And have tasted of the heavenly gift

o And have been make partakers of the Holy Spirit

o And have tasted the good word of God

o And the powers of the age to come

o Notice you can be enlightened, you can taste and experience the heavenly gift!

o This is a verse in the bible that says “taste and see that the Lord is Good”

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5 For every high priest taken from among men is appointed on behalf of men in things pertaining to God, in order to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins; 2 he can deal gently with the ignorant and misguided, since he himself also is beset with weakness; 3 and because of it he is obligated to offer sacrifices for sins, as for the people, so also for himself. 4 And no one takes the honor to himself, but receives it when he is called by God, even as Aaron was.

High priests are appointed (not self promoted)
They are appointed in things pertaining to God (to do God’s business)
In order to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sons (this is the main job)

o To offer gifts and blood sacrifices for sins was trying to offer payment for sins

o They have to deal with the sins of the people (their main focus)

He can deal gently with the ignorant and misguided, since he himself also is beset with weakness and because of it he is obligated to offer sacrifices for sins, for the people and himself (because high priests who were men need to pay for their sins too!
And no one takes the honor to himself

o Man cannot appoint himself high priest

But receives it when he is called by God, even as Aaron was

o How was Aaron called by God to serve?

o Every priest came from Jacob, Abraham’s grandson who name was changed to Israel (He who wrestles with God to In Awe of Completeness)

o Every priest cam from Levi, one of Israel’s twelves sons

o God set the tribe of Levi apart as a tribe to serve Him and represent Him to the whole nation of israel (Exodus 13:2) and (Numbers 3:40-41)

§ Levi had three sons

· Gershon “to drive out”

· Kohath “obedience”, “gathering, congregation”

· Merari “to be bitter or strong”

§ Each of these had their own duties

· Gershon had the care of the tabernacles screen (veil), fence & curtains (numbers 3:25-26)

· Merari ((Numbers 3:36-37)) The family of Merari had care of the boards and pillars of the tabernacle and the fence.

§ There are dreadful cases where men who were not priests presumed to act as priests. These include:

§ Korah, who was swallowed up in a divine earthquake (Numbers 16).

§ Saul, who was rejected from his place as king (1 Samuel 13).

§ Uzziah, who was struck with leprosy in the temple itself (2 Chronicles 26:16).

5 So also Christ did not glorify Himself so as to become a high priest, but He who said to Him,

“You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You”;

This was God appointing Jesus High Priest!

6 just as He says also in another passage,

“You are a priest forever
According to the order of Melchizedek.”

Melchizedek means “”King of Righteousness”
God appointed Jesus Christ as High Priest forever!

7 In the days of His flesh, He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety.

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4 Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it.

The title of this message is a Sabbath rest for the people of God
if you want to enter into this Sabbath rest you might want to pay attention to this study
chapter 4 begins with the word therefore

o therefore means because of what you just learned in chapter 3

o we learned that the Jews who wandered in the desert for 40 years still did not trust God to provide for them and they remained in unbelief. As a result they were not able to enter into the promised land or enter into God's rest

o we learned that God's best is only available to people who believe!

Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands

o this means that the offer is still on the table To anyone who wishes to receive it

let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it

o the way to enter into his rest is by faith in Jesus Christ alone

o by faith you become a Saint; by unbelief you become an aint

Be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it

o It is important to trust God unto salvation

o but then it is also important to trust God day by day for your daily needs

o do not give in to the temptation to have doubt and worry and fear

§ the devil tries to get you to think like that so that you try and take matters into your own hands or do something contrary to God's word

2 For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed.

For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us just as they did

o notice that God is an equal opportunity savior

o everyone gets the chance to hear and make a decision

but the message they heard was of no value to them because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed

o this means they fell short of it

o this means they did not believe

o this means they remained in unbelief

o this means they are not saved and they are on the wide road that leads to destruction

But the message they heard was of no value to them

o there is no value in hearing the gospel of Jesus Christ unless you believe

o the gospel message has the power to change your life for all eternity

o but the match that lights the inherent power is led by faith in Jesus Christ alone

o the gospel of Jesus Christ when mixed with faith has the power to change eternity for each and every soul who believes

3 Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said,

“So I declared on oath in my anger,
‘They shall never enter my rest.’”

Now we who have believed enter that rest just as God said

o if you believe you enter

o faith is the key that unlocks the pearly gates

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Hebrews 3 - Jesus Greater Than Moses

3 Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest.

Therefore (because of what we learn in chapter 2)

o a warning to pay attention

o how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation

o we cannot ignore the message we heard, the faith required and the true conversion that changes the way you walk and talk and think and act

o We learned that Jesus was in his God in chapter one

o we learned that Jesus was made fully human in chapter 2

o he suffered so that we could be forgiven and that he could be a high priest that understands everything that we're going through

o we learned that we have an inheritance with Jesus Christ and that God is going to put everything under our feet and his

these are the things that we should remember as we begin to read chapter 3
holy brothers and sisters who share in the heavenly calling

o notice that you and I are being called brothers and sisters

o notice this family relationship belongs to those who share in the heavenly calling

o this means you heard the word of God and you put your faith in Jesus Christ unto salvation

fix your thoughts on Jesus. Whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest

o this is very important instruction

o to fix your eyes on Jesus means to focus on him like you would with a camera lens

o whatever you focus on you're going to develop

o if you are focused on anything other than Jesus Christ you're going to develop some other picture

o Jesus is our teacher and our high priest which means he makes atonement for our sins (there is nobody higher or more important that we should focus on)

2 He was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses was faithful in all God’s house. 3 Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself.

He was faithful to the one who appointed him

o this means that Jesus was obedient to the father to do His will

o even when it meant suffering tremendous pain

o may we be faithful like Jesus

just as Moses was faithful in all God's house

o the Jews regard Moses as the most important religious figure

o Moses received the law and then brought it down from the mountain and gave it to mankind (This is why the Jews consider him so important)

Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses

o this is a huge revelation

o this would be especially meaningful to someone of the Jewish mindset

o because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ all the requirements of the law were met

§ in other words grace is more important and greater then sin (the lot)

just as the builder of the house has greater honor than the house itself

o the builder of the house is a creator

o the house is the creation.

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Hebrews 2 - Warning to Pay Attention

2 We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.

The title of this message is warning to pay attention
A Warning means that there is consequences if we do not pay attention
we must pay the most careful attention

o notice the language how this takes it up a notch

therefore, to what we have heard

o we have heard the word of God

o it's important

o it's serious

o it's true

o it's life changing (it's eternal life changing)

so that we do not drift away

o there are currents in the world just like the ocean

o You're constantly pulling us in a direction that you don't want to go

o the only way you can stay anchored is by staying in God's word

§ if you fail to stay in God's word the anchor is lifted and you will drift into sin

2 For since the message spoken through angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, 3 how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation?

The message that was spoken through angels was binding

o when people didn't listen to the angels that spoke to them they were toast

o 1/3 of the angels in heaven were cast down to the earth for not listening

and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment

o this means each and everyone (God is keeping track)

o there will be punishment for every sin or evil deed

o this includes Commission and omission (doing that which you should not; or not doing that which you should)

how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation

o we heard the gospel of Jesus Christ

o we learned that we could be forgiven for our sins if we repent

o we learned that by faith in Jesus Christ and believing in our heart that God raised him from the dead we shall be saved

o after hearing this great truth, we have no further excuse

o we are now fully accountable

This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. 4 God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord

o God's word told us these great truths from the beginning

o countless prophecies about the coming Messiah Jesus Christ

o then the Lord Jesus Christ came and died in the cross and rose again to prove who he was (he told us and then he did it)

was confirmed to us by those who heard him

o these would be people who had direct interaction with the Lord Jesus Christ

o they would be giving testimony of what they saw and heard

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Hebrews 1 - God’s Final Word in His Son

1 God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, 2 in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.

God had spoken long ago to the fathers (thousands of years ago)

o To the fathers

o In the prophets

o In many portions and in many ways

o It should be super evident and clear because of the messages from God!

In these last days as spoken to us in His Son

o In the last days, the Word of God comes from His Son

o We are living in these last days now

o Jesus is the One we must listen too

Whom He appointed heir of all things

o An heir is the person who gets an inheritance from His Father

o Jesus inherited all things (that means all – not some)

Through whom also He made the world

o Notice that God the Father made the world through Jesus His Son

o God was the architect

o Jesus was the Generator contractor

o The Holy Spirit remains boots on the ground

3 And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power.

To be the radiance and exact representation of His nature means He is God!
And upholds all things by the word of His power

o Notice is Jesus Christ’s power that is upholding all things

o Everything will fall apart when He stops holding it up or together

o By the word of His power (He simply speaks and its done!)

When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they.

When He had made purification of sins

o This happened when He died to pay for the sins of all mankind

o Then He rose again 3 days later proving His power over death &sin

He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high

o The heir, the right hand, the power!

Having become much better than the angels

o Jesus is not just another angel

o He is much better!

As He has inherited a more excellent name than they

o The name of Jesus Christ is the name above all names

o There is no other name under heaven whereby a man or woman can be saved

o Consider the power of His name

5 For to which of the angels did He ever say,

“You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You”?

God never called anyone else His Son!
Jesus is the One and only
God said “This is my beloved Son in whom I well pleased, listen to Him”

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Ephesians Chapter 6

Family Relationships

In chapter 5 we all learned to be imitators of God as “beloved Children” copying Godly behavior.
We started with the Husbands (spiritual head of the family); then the wife; now the children and the families.
He begins by telling “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. They are to obey their parents “in the Lord” which means because God said so not because they feel like it or don’t feel like it. It’s a commandment from the Lord. He said “for this is right”. This is how it is supposed to be. It might not always make sense but do it!
Then He says “Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise). To honor someone, you obey them; you do what they say; you value their opinion; you speak highly of them; you don’t speak poorly of them. Children are instructed to honor the father and mother (both parents) not just one. Show great love and respect and honor your parents.
Why, because obedience always has a reward attached to it. In this case several:

o So that it may be well with you

o And that you may live long on the earth

The word “well” means to be well off, fare well, prosper.
You will do well financially, and your efforts will prosper (and not fail).
And you may live long on the earth (your life will be extended, and you will live a long full life because you will avoid many hurtful situations that most children will experience when do they don’t obey their parents or God or the Word).
If you only knew the blessings that would come to you by obeying your parents and listening to their advice. It would help save you from much heartache and long-term effects.

4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Now we switch to Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but (instead) bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. This tells us that fathers should not get frustrated and argumentative and provoke our children. But (instead) bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. The Lord does discipline His children. So too, fathers are to discipline their children but, in the discipline, and instruction of the Lord (according the Word). This means that fathers should read the word to their children even when having to discipline them.
Never discipline while angry or upset. Never yelling. But calmly, prayerfully, thoughtfully and in a Godly way…

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Ephesians Chapter 5

Be Imitators of God

5 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; 2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.

Therefore (because of what we learned in Chapter 4 – “just as God in Christ has forgiven you”.
Be imitators of God, as beloved children (little children often imitate their parents; this is a beautiful illustration about young children imitating their parents. This is what we should do “be imitators of God, as beloved children.
And “walk in love” just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering, and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.
When we walk in love and give ourselves up – it’s an offering – it’s a sacrifice to God (not to Man) and its as a sweet aroma to God! God loves it…

But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you as is proper among saints (don’t engage in ungodly activities or impurity or greed) – it must not even be named among you (not said)…
… and there must be no filthiness in silly talk or coarse jesting which are not fitting (no swearing or dirty jokes or jesting which is kidding around about sexuality). Which are not fitting (it does not fit, you can’t put in on, its not your size, this means it’s not for you at all ! )
But rather (this means instead) giving of thanks (instead of filthy language, silly talk or coarse jesting; this is what we should do “give thanks” for what God has done.
For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. You can know this with certainty (it’s a fact, it’s certain, it’s true, it’s serious). People who practice these things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Some people think its ok to kid around like this but God’s Word says is not!

“Awake, sleeper,
And arise from the dead,
And Christ will shine on you.”

Let no one deceive you with empty words (no one, no man, no woman, no false teacher) empty words are all words not contained in scripture. Words contrary to The Word.

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Ephesians 4 - Unity and Maturity in the Body of Christ

As a prisoner for the Lord then (because we choose to be a steward of grace)

o A steward is trusted to increase that which he is given in trust

I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received (I urge you (it’s urgent);

o Worthy of the calling (well-worth the cost; the rewards are eternal!)

live a worthy life

o a worthy life is one distributing the grace as a good steward

of the calling you have received

o you were called by God Himself to do this work

that you received

o you received this as a great gift and an honor from God

o you freely received it – freely give it out (multiply it as a good steward)

Be completely humble

o (completely, completely, completely humble) for grace you have been saved.

o And gentle (handling with care the hearts and eternal lives of others)

Be patient, bearing with one another in love

o it’s a command from God that we be patient and bear with one another in love

o It’s not easy but God told us to do it. You and I have just been reminded.

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace

o unity of the Spirit means together

o through the bond of peace

§ peace is the glue that will keep us together

There is one body and one Spirit, just you were called to one hope when you were called

o if there is only one body

o and one Spirit

o and one hope

o how then should we walk and talk and act?

One Lord

o One faith

o One baptism

o One God and Father of all

o Who is over all and through all and in all (WOW)

This is 100% complete saturation. It’s all about God and what He is doing!

7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8 This is why it says:

“When he ascended on high,
he took many captives
and gave gifts to his people.”

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Ephesians Chapter 3

Paul’s Stewardship

For this reason?

o What reason

o Because of what we learned in Chapter 2

§ We were saved by grace not of works (it was what Christ did)

· He chose us

· He saved us

· He completed the work on the cross

§ We are now citizens of heaven

§ We are part of the family of God

§ We are seated in the heavenlies with Christ

I Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles

o Jesus paid for Saul to become Paul with His blood

o We are not our own, we have been bought with a price

o In Paul’s case, it was for the sake of “you Gentiles” (those without hope)

If indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace

o Which was given to me for you (God expects Paul to give it out)

o That by revelation there was made known to me the mystery

§ That Christ died for sinners (including the Gentiles)

When you read you can understand my insight

o Into the mystery of Christ

o Which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men

o As it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit

To be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body

o Fellow heirs (those who receive an inheritance)

o Fellow members (those who belong in the club chosen by God with full benefits)

o All the promises of God’s word are for the Gentiles too (not just Jews)

o Of people who religious people think are worthy (but the unworthy)

7 of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of God’s grace which was given to me according to the working of His power.

I was made a minister

o A minister means “a servant to serve the meal of truth daily”

According to the gift of God’s grace (Grace is a gift; it cannot be earned)
Which was given to me according to the working of His power

o Notice its was given (past tense)

§ Dunamis power (Dynamite; the lame walk, the blind see, the sick are healed)

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Ephesians 2

Made Alive in Christ

We were dead
We formerly walked according to the course of this world (a course that leads to hell)
According to the prince of the power of the air (the devil is leading this pack)
The spirit is working in the sons of disobedience (its spiritual) and in “sons of disobedience”
Disobedience always leads to punishment

3 Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.

We too “all” formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh (we did it too)
We indulged in the desires of the flesh and of the mind (physical and mental)
We were “by nature children of wrath”
So remember we were guilty too!

But God “being rich in mercy” because of “His great love”…
By Grace you have been saved!
And raised up with Him, and seated us with Him!
So that in the ages to come He might show surpassing riches of His grace and kindness

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and [h]that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

By grace alone through faith
Not of ourselves
Not of works
So that no one may boast
For we are His workmanship “shaped by Him according to His delight”
And we were created in Christ for good works “Christ is the tool used to shape us”
Created for good works “in order to do good works”
Prepared beforehand “planned by God before time”

11 Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision,” which is performed in the flesh by human hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

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Ephesians 1

**The Blessings of Redemption

1** Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,

To the saints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love 5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. 7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight 9 He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him 10 with a view to an administration [l]suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him 11 also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, 12 to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory. 13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.

… Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ

… who blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.

Did you know that have been blessed with every spiritual blessing?

Did you know that He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world. Just like He chose Paul. God chose you, chose me, chose us!

His plan for you and me was made before the foundation of the world (before the beginning of time as we know it).

Here it is: “that we would be holy and blameless before Him in Love”. This was and is the plan. God Himself would make us holy and blameless through sacrifice of blood which is the only way to be forgiven according to Jewish law. In this case, the blood of God’s son washes us white as snow and we are forgiven for all sins past, present and future by what God did rather than what we have done.

This was done according to His kind intention of His will (because He loves you)

And is to the praise of the glory of His grace, which freely bestowed on us in the beloved (the glory of His grace is God Riches at Christ’s Expense; and he freely bestowed on us as a free gift not of works lest anyone should boast. Just receive it and give God the glory!

He is going to up everything on earth and in heaven in Him (Jesus Christ). Jesus is the bridge, the way, the truth and the life that connects Heaven and Earth together that we may all be of one family with God as our Father.

He made known to us the mystery “that we have obtained an inheritance having been predestined according to His purpose” – you were written into God’s will.

When Jesus Christ died, you inherited all that He had.

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Matthew 28 - Jesus Has Risen

28 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.

After the Sabbath

o This is the very next morning

o At dawn, when the Jews believe the next day starts

o Mary means “beloved” or “myrhh”

o Magdalene means “strong tower”

o So in this introduction of this chapeter

§ We have the Sun, a picture of Jesus

§ We have beloved

§ We have myrrh

§ And we have strong tower

§ Obviously this is a picture of the Savior

· God’s Son is beloved by the Father who came die and be a strong tower for His people – a picture of the cross

2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

A violent earthquake

o Enough to scare anyone to death

An angel of the Lord came down from heaven

o And rolled back the stone and sat on it

o That is one powerful Angel (he rolled back the stone by himself)

o Then he sat on it – obviously waiting for people to show up

His appearance was like lightening.

o Lightening is so strong it penetrates your house with your blinds closed and your eyes shut - you still see the flash

o And his clothes were white as snow

o This is a heavenly show to behold!

The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men

o These were tough Roman soldiers quaking in their boots

o They know the power of this on angel is way beyond anything they had every seen

o They were literally scared to death (like dead men)

5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”

Notice the angel starts talking to the women (not the soldiers)
Do not be afraid is the first thing the angel said

o Thank God the angel was friendly

For I know you are looking for the Jesus, who was crucified

o Notice the angel knows why the women are there

o And he knows that Jesus was crucified

o So angels are very much real, alive and watching!

o And are working on behalf of God (He came to do God’s business)

He is not here; he has risen, just as he said

o Notice the angel confirms the good news

§ He has risen!

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Judas’s Remorse

27 Now when morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people conferred together against Jesus to put Him to death; 2 and they bound Him, and led Him away and delivered Him to Pilate the governor.

The disciples all fell away
Then the Jews spat in Jesus’s face and beat Him with their fists and slapped Him
Peter denied Christ three times
Now when the morning came

o What a night

The chief religious leaders conferred together to put Him to death

o This is their plan thinking they will kill Him and stop people from leaving the Jewish faith from which they got their income, power and position

o And yet they don’t realize that Jesus came for this very purpose so that all men could be saved by faith because of His sacrifice

3 Then when Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that He had been condemned, he felt remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4 saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” But they said, “What is that to us? See to that yourself!” 5 And he threw the pieces of silver into the temple sanctuary and departed; and he went away and hanged himself.

It seems Judas repented

o He felt remorse

o He returns the money

o He confessed that Jesus had innocent blood (no sin)

o And went away and hanged himself

6 The chief priests took the pieces of silver and said, “It is not lawful to put them into the temple treasury, since it is the price of blood.” 7 And they conferred together and with the money bought the Potter’s Field as a burial place for strangers. 8 For this reason that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day.

The money paid for to betray Jesus bought a field

o A place to bury strangers

o Notice that even strangers would have a final resting place because of the blood of Jesus (not just Jews)

9 Then that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of the one whose price had been set by the sons of Israel; 10 and they gave them for the Potter’s Field, as the Lord directed me.”

Even the money paid and the field the they bought was all according to God’s word already written many years before.
We think in the natural that everything is going terrible when, in fact, everything is going exactly according to God’s plan
Don’t worry, it will all turn out better than you thinkJesus before Pilate

11 Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor questioned Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?” And Jesus said to him, “It is as you say.” 12 And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He did not answer. 13 Then Pilate said to Him, “Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?” 14 And He did not answer him with regard to even a single* charge, so the governor was quite amazed.

Jesus confirmed His identity

o It is as you say

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Matthew 26 - The Plot to Kill Jesus

26 When Jesus had finished all these words, He said to His disciples, 2 “You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man is to be handed over for crucifixion.”

When Jesus had finished these words

o Jesus has just finished what words

o The parable of the ten virgins – to make sure you are ready to meet the bridegroom

o the parable of the talents – that you must use your talents to serve God

§ you are either growing closer and getting more

§ or you are drifting away and losing what you have

o the judgement – all the believers not raptured are gathered together and separated with the sheep on the right and goats on the left

§ the sheep enter into heaven

§ the goats enter into hell

o That whatever you do for someone you do unto the Lord

§ Do your best to Outbless everyone

Just after these lessons we now move on to Chapter 26

o You know that after two days Passover is coming

o The Son of Man is to be handed over for crucifixion.

o Notice Jesus knew what was going to happen in advance

§ And yet He still proceeded forward in love

§ Imaging choosing death by crucifixion willingly

3 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people were gathered together in the court of the high priest, named Caiaphas; 4 and they plotted together to seize Jesus by stealth and kill Him. 5 But they were saying, “Not during the festival, otherwise a riot might occur among the people.”

Then the chief priests and the elders (the religious leaders)
Were gathered together in the court of the high priest, named Caiaphas

o Caiahphas means “basket weaver”

o They were weaving a evil plot to kill Jesus and yet Jesus already knew it

o It’s comforting to know that the Lord knows the plans of evil men before they do anything

The Precious Ointment

6 Now when Jesus was in Bethany, at the home of Simon the leper, 7 a woman came to Him with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume, and she poured it on His head as He reclined at the table. 8 But the disciples were indignant when they saw this, and said, “Why this waste? 9 For this perfume might have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor.”

Jesus means “God saves”
Bethany means “house of figs”
Simon means “hear” or “listen”
God was visiting the house of figs (the Jews) so that they might listen
Notice Jesus went into the home of Simon the Leper

o He came to save sinners

o He was inside a leper’s house (one who needs to be saved)

o Jesus had healed him and now He is visiting him in his house

A woman came to Him with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume

o Because she recognized that Jesus is the Messiah and was about to die because she listened to what Jesus said!

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Matthew 25 - Parable of Ten Virgins

25 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were prudent.

The parable of the ten virgins
Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins

o So the story you are about to read is about heaven

§ This story is to illuminate something specific

Who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom

o Notice the subject is “meeting the bridegroom” a type of Jesus

Five of them were foolish and five were prudent

o Two types of people went to meet Him

§ One group that was foolish

§ One group that were prudent

3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 4 but the prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps. 5 Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and began to sleep.

Here is the explanation

o The foolish took their lamps, but did not take oil with them

§ They have light but no provision to keep it burning

o The prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps

§ The light represents knowing the truth

§ The oil represents the Holy Spirit that keeps the fire burning

Now while the bridegroom was delaying

o Notice He was delaying (waiting on purpose)

All got drowsy and began to sleep

o We get tired of waiting

o Sometimes we fall asleep

6 But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 7 Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps.

Notice it was midnight (the end of the day)

o There was a shout

o Behold the bridgegroom

o Come out to meet him

Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps

o So they could see and be seen

8 The foolish said to the prudent, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the prudent answered, ‘No, there will not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ 10 And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut. 11 Later the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open up for us.’ 12 But he answered, ‘Truly I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13 Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour.

Notice the foolish are talking to the prudent and asking for oil when their lamps were going out (The light is flickering maybe wavering)
the prudent answer, no there will not be enough for us and you; go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourself

o the point is that they should have already gone to the dealers and bought some for themselves and been prepared to meet the bridegroom

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Matthew 24 - Signs of Christ’s Return

24 Jesus came out from the temple and was going away when His disciples came up to point out the temple buildings to Him. 2 And He said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Truly I say to you, not one stone here will be left upon another, which will not be torn down.”

Men sometimes marvel at buildings (what man has made)
The temple was big and very ornate and made of stones carefully cut and fit together
Jesus tells His disciples not one stone here will be left upon another, which will not be torn down

o In other words, God is going to tear down all the man-made religious buildings

o Because real worship is not man-made

§ The New Jerusalem was not made by hands of men

§ It is made in Heaven and comes down and floats over Jerusalem

3 As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”

Notice the scene just changed in a blink
One moment they were in the temple in Jerusalem
The next sentence they are at the mount of Olives again (the place Jesus goes often)

o Very likely the most important place on Earth (listen to the previous study)

Notice the Disciples want to know the time-line for the future

o Tell us, when these things will happen

o And what will be the sign of Your coming

o And of the end of the age

o These are three distinct questions

4 And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many. 6 You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. 8 But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.

Jesus begins by telling His disciples “See to it that no one misleads you”..
Jesus gives a list of things that will happen which seem rather radical

o Many coming in His name saying “I am the Christ”

o Hearing of wars and rumors of wars

o See that you are not frightened (this is great advice for us today!)

For those things must take place, but that is not yet the end

o Notice these things must take place

o It is all part of God’s plan

o But it’s not the end but merely the beginning of birth pangs

Nation will rise against nation

o World wars

Kingdom and against kingdom

o Powers against powers

Famines and earthquakes in various places

o All these things are the beginning of birth pangs

o Birth pangs can more severe and contractions get closer together

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Matthew 23 - Pharisaism Exposed

23 Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples, 2 saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses; 3 therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them.

Pharisaism Exposed

o Jesus is going to expose False Religious Leaders who don’t do what they preach

Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples

o Jesus wants unbelievers and believers to know this

The scribes the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses

o In other words, they appointed themselves

o They were not appointed by God

o The chair of Moses is a reference to the law given by God to Moses to give to the people

Therefore I tell you do and observe

o Its good to know the law if you do it

But do not do according to their deeds

o Don’t follow their example because they say things and do not do them

o This is called lying (rules for thee but not for me)

o God rules apply to everyone (especially religious leaders)

4 They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger. 5 But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments. 6 They love the place of honor at banquets and the chief seats in the synagogues, 7 and respectful greetings in the market places, and being called Rabbi by men.

They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders

o They are loading up men with rules

o But they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger

o They make no effort to keep these rules or laws

But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men

o Notice their motivation

o To be noticed or seen (acting religious not acting Godly)

They broaden their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels and garments

o Man, they look the part

o All dressed up to look holier than thou

They love the place of honor at banquets and the chief seats in the synagogues

o They want special seating and special treatment

o The want to appear important and Holier than others (totally fakes)

And respectful greetings in the market places

o People come up to them and pay their respects

o It like attention for a movie star

And being called Rabbi by men

o Rabbi means teacher

o They want people to look up to them for answers

o As if they are closer to God or wiser (yet not)

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Matthew 22 - Parable of the Marriage Feast

22 Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying, 2 “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. 3 And he sent out his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding feast, and they were unwilling to come.

The parable of the marriage feast

o a parable is a story to illuminate a greater truth

Jesus spoke to them again in parables

o Jesus had already spoken in two parables in chapter 21

o 1st - The parable to two Sons (one disobedient but repentant; one a liar)

o 2nd – the parable of a land owner with vineyard (evil staff killed his son)

o So will now be the 3rd parable

The kingdom of heaven may compared to a king who gave wedding feast for his son

o Christ is referred to as our bridgegroom

o The church is referred to as the bride

o It seems that God is arranging a wedding for Jesus (via parable)

He sent out his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding feast

o Slaves are obedient to do what they are told

o Notice they call those who were invited (a picture of the Jews)

And they were unwilling to come

o Another picture of the Jewish leaders

4 Again he sent out other slaves saying, ‘Tell those who have been invited, “Behold, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and my fattened livestock are all butchered and everything is ready; come to the wedding feast.”’

Again he sent out other slaves

o in other words the first wave of slaves didn't work so God sends out a second wave

o it seems like God sending prophet after a prophet but they wouldn't listen

behold I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and my fattened livestock are all butchered and everything is ready

o and other words the slaves were giving good news to the people who were invited to the wedding feast

o so to the profits we're giving good news to those that were invited to the wedding feast that is supposed to occur up in heaven for seven years during the tribulation.

Come to the wedding feast

o God is calling out and wants those who were invited to come

o God has continually reached out to the Jewish nation to invite them to come

5 But they paid no attention and went their way, one to his own farm, another to his business, 6 and the rest seized his slaves and mistreated them and killed them. 7 But the king was enraged, and he sent his armies and destroyed those murderers and set their city on fire.

But they paid no attention

o in other words they did not listen to the king who had prepared this wedding feast

and went their way; one went to his farm another to his business

o They were ignoring the King's instruction or invitation

o they preferred to do their own thing or go their own way

one went to his farm (more concerned with vegetables and animals)

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The Triumphal Entry

21 When they had approached Jerusalem and had come to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied there and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to Me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them,’ and immediately he will send them.” 4 This [a]took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:

5 “Say to the daughter of Zion,
‘Behold your King is coming to you,
Gentle, and mounted on a donkey,
Even on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’”

6 The disciples went and did just as Jesus had instructed them, 7 and brought the donkey and the colt, and laid their coats on them; and He sat on [b]the coats. 8 Most of the crowd spread their coats in the road, and others were cutting branches from the trees and spreading them in the road. 9 The crowds going ahead of Him, and those who followed, were shouting,

“Hosanna to the Son of David;
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord;
Hosanna in the highest!”

10 When He had entered Jerusalem, all the city was stirred, saying, “Who is this?” 11 And the crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Cleansing the Temple

12 And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all those who were buying and selling in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves. 13 And He *said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer’; but you are making it a robbers’ [c]den.”

14 And the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them. 15 But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that He had done, and the children who were shouting in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they became indignant 16 and said to Him, “Do You hear what these children are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies You have prepared praise for Yourself’?” 17* And He left them and went out of the city to Bethany, and spent the night there.

The Barren Fig Tree

18 Now in the morning, when He was returning to the city, He became hungry. 19 Seeing a lone fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it except leaves only; and He said to it, “No longer shall there ever be any* fruit from you.” And at once the fig tree withered.

20 Seeing this, the disciples were amazed and asked, “How did the fig tree wither all at once?” 21 And Jesus answered and said to them, “Truly I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ it will happen. 22 And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”

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Matthew 20 - Laborers in the Vineyard

20 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 When he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius for the day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the market place; 4 and to those he said, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’ And so they went. 5 Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did the same thing. 6 And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, ‘Why have you been standing here idle all day long?’ 7 They said to him, ‘Because no one hired us.’ He *said to them, ‘You go into the vineyard too.’

Jesus is going to tell us a story about how the kingdom of heaven is like an landowner who went out hire laborers for his vineyard

o 6am In the morning when Sun rises (light; creation)

o 9am In the 3rd hour (Christ crucified)

o 12noon In the 6th hour (the world turned dark)

o 3pm is the 9th hour (the time Jesus died)

o 5pm 11th hour just before sunset (the last days)

o Jesus has been recruiting workers to work in his field for a long time

o And he offers to reward all who will go!

8 “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last group to the first.’ 9 When those hired about the eleventh hour came, each one received a denarius. 10 When those hired first came, they thought that they would receive more; but each of them also received a denarius. 11 When they received it, they grumbled at the landowner, 12 saying, ‘These last men have worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the scorching heat of the day.’ 13 But he answered and said to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for a denarius? 14 Take what is yours and go, but I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. 15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with what is my own? Or is your eye envious because I am generous?’ 16* So the last shall be first, and the first last.”

We read this same description in Chapter 19
The last shall be first and the first last (now we get a better idea of what this means)
God is super generous even to those who just saved or just got started
Men often compare each other’s effort or compensation

o It is not right to do so because it is God’s good pleasure to bless as He pleases

o Man must never stand in the place of judge toward God’s decisions or blessings

Death, Resurrection Foretold

17 As Jesus was about to go up to Jerusalem, He took the twelve disciples aside by themselves, and on the way He said to them, 18 “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn Him to death, 19 and will hand Him over to the Gentiles to mock and scourge and crucify Him, and on the third day He will be raised up.”

This is a radical confession that Jesus knew all the pain and suffering He was about to go through and yet He planned to proceed (what amazing love!)

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Matthew 19 - Concerning Divorce

19 When Jesus had finished these words, He departed from Galilee and came into the region of Judea beyond the Jordan; 2 and large crowds followed Him, and He healed them there.

The title of this message is concerning divorce
God wants us know what He thinks about it
When Jesus had finished these words

o What words?

o He had just finished teaching us about forgiveness in chapter 18

o He told us if we don’t forgive others He will not forgive us

o If you want all your sins forgiven you then you must forgive all others!

o Jesus means “Jehovah is salvation”

He departed from Galilee which means “circuit” or “circle” or “to roll” or “encircle”
And came into the region of Judea beyond the Jordan

o Judea means “he shall be praised”

o Jordan means “the descender”or “to flow down”

o Jehovah is salvation, to turn men around, He shall be praised because He descended and His blood flowed down

And large crowds followed Him

o How about you?

o Are you following Jesus with your whole heart

And He healed them there

o Notice He healed large crowds (no problem for Him)

o Everyone who follows Jesus gets healed!

3 Some Pharisees came to Jesus, testing Him and asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason at all?” 4 And He answered and said, “Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning made them male and female, 5 and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? 6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.”

Some Pharisees came to Jesus, testing Him

o Notice their intent was bad from the beginning it was a test a trap

o They were trying to trap Jesus by getting Him to contradict scripture

Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason at at all?

o This means for no particular reason

o Just got tired of her and divorced her and sent her away

o This was the idea “for any reason at all”

And He answered and said

o Have you not read

§ This is cool because these were Pharisees (supposedly doctors of the law)

o The He who created them from the beginning made them male and female

§ this is a important note (God made male and female people)

§ there are no other types (chromosomes determine whether you're male or female and they cannot be changed no matter what man says or does)

o for this reason we manage shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife and the two shall become one flesh

§ This is the way that God designed it and this is how it shall be period

o So they are no longer two but one flesh

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Matthew 18 - Rank in the Kingdom

18 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

The title of Matthew 18 his rank in the Kingdom

o this is a question of power and position in heaven not on earth

at that time

o after Jesus had Peter catch a fish and pay the double tax

o what are the odds that peter could catch one fish and it would have the tax money sufficient to pay the tax in it mouth (from all the millions fish)

the disciples came to Jesus

o notice the disciples are the ones asking this question

o does this seem appropriate?

Who then is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

o Why did they want to know

o What difference does it make

o Is this Christian believers caught up in pride?

2 And He called a child to Himself and set him before them, 3 and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus answered the question by using a child to illustrate
Unless you are converted and become like children

o Children simply trust their Dad without question

You will not enter the kingdom of heaven

o It takes child like faith to enter heaven

o You must simply believe your heavenly father to get in

Whoever then humbles himself as this child

o He is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven

o A obedient child comes when called, sits, listens, accepts his fathers words

o When you conduct yourself like this you become great in heaven

§ Faith, trust, obedience are the key

5 And whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me; 6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

When you receive a child in Jesus name, you receive Jesus Himself (as unto Him!)
But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble (to confuse, to trip up, to stop believing in or obeying God)

o It would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck and be drowned in the sea (because at this would cause death and be done)

o Punishment for the perversion of a child away from faith or obedience to Jesus will result in eternal punishment

o Note to school teachers this lesson is for you!

o Note to parents or authorities – this lesson is for you!

o There is a very serious price to pay for misleading children away from Jesus Christ!

Stumbling Blocks

7 “Woe to the world because of its stumbling blocks! For it is inevitable that stumbling blocks come; but woe to that man through whom the stumbling block comes!

Notice stumbling blocks will come

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Matthew 17 - The Transfiguration

17 Six days later Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves.

Six days later

o six is the number for man

o this was six days after Jesus told his disciples that following him would be costly

§ that each one would have to pick up his cross and follow him

§ he told them that anyone who would try and save their life would lose it

§ and anyone who loses their life for his sake would find it

§ it is the opposite of what the carnal man thinks in his mind

§ He then promised that there were some listening that would see Jesus coming in his glory before they taste death

§ this was a radical promise and it gets fulfilled in the next verse

2 And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light. 3 And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him.

Transfigured is “metamorphoo” which means metamorphosis
Jesus was literally changed back into His glorious state for these men to see

o Jesus “Jehovah is salvation”

o Peter “a rock or stone”

o James “supplanter” or “replacer”

o John “Jehovah is a gracious giver”

o Moses “drawing out”

o Elijah “my God is Jehovah”

o The names of the men in this story tell the real story!

o Jehovah is salvation, a rock, a replacer, a gracious giver, drawing men out.

o My God is Jehovah!

4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, I will make three tabernacles here, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

Peter doesn’t seem to know what to say to he just spouts out

o It is good for us to be here (no kidding!)

o If you wish, I will make three tabernacles here

§ Tabernacles are tents (what would they do with them)

§ One for you “Jehovah is salvation” (GOD)

§ One for Moses (Moses represents the (LAW)

§ And one for Elijah (My God is Jehovah” (RAPTURED) never died

§ This is a picture of God’s bigger plan acted out in front of Peter, James and John so they would see a picture of what Heaven is like for real.

· Glory beyond our understanding

· Fellowship and live interaction with those who have previously died!

5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!” 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell face down to the ground and were terrified. 7 And Jesus came to them and touched them and said, “Get up, and do not be afraid.” 8 And lifting up their eyes, they saw no one except Jesus Himself alone.

While he was still speaking (this means they got interrupted)

o This means suddenly something happened

A bright cloud overshadowed them

o How does a bright cloud overshadow you?

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Matthew 16 - Pharisees Test Jesus

16 The Pharisees and Sadducees came up, and testing Jesus, they asked Him to show them a sign from heaven. 2 But He replied to them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ 3 And in the morning, ‘There will be a storm today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Do you know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but cannot discern the signs of the times? 4 An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign; and a sign will not be given it, except the sign of Jonah.” And He left them and went away.

The Pharisees and Sadducees were the religious leaders

o The big robes, the big hats, the front row seats, the public recognition, the honor

o They also had a lot to do with commerce and arranging marriages

o They had the social and economic power and it was being disrupted by Jesus

So they come up to Jesus to test him (to try and trip him up)

o They ask Him to show them a sign from heaven

o He had already done countless miracles and hundreds or thousands of people saw it and reported back to them (they knew already)

Jesus describes the stupidity of their request by describing how simple men know when a storm is approaching by looking up. These religious leaders can’t even decern the spiritual weather when its right in front of them (obviously they are spiritually blined)
Jesus describes them as an adulterous generation seeking a sign

o Adulty is sinning against your first love

o As a spiritual leader, their first love should be God

And so no sign will be given except the sign of Jonah

o In the belly of the whale for 3-days and then returned back to life

5 And the disciples came to the other side of the sea, but they had forgotten to bring any bread. 6 And Jesus said to them, “Watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 7 They began to discuss this among themselves, saying, “He said that because we did not bring any bread.” 8 But Jesus, aware of this, said, “You men of little faith, why do you discuss among yourselves that you have no bread? 9 Do you not yet understand or remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets full you picked up? 10 Or the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many large baskets full you picked up? 11 How is it that you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread? But beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 12 Then they understood that He did not say to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

The leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees (religious leaders) was their teaching their own doctrines on men rather than of God. Misleading people away from God and enriching themselves, their power and position.
Five loaves and the five thousand (grace multiplied) 12 baskets left over

o Five is the number for grace

o Five thousand is grace multiplied

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Matthew 15 - Tradition and Commandment

15 Then some Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, 2 “Why do Your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.” 3 And He answered and said to them, “Why do you yourselves transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? 4 For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother,’ and, ‘He who speaks evil of father or mother is to be put to death.’ 5 But you say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother, “Whatever I have that would help you has been given to God,” 6 he is not to honor his father or his mother.’ And by this* you invalidated the word of God for the sake of your tradition.

The Pharisees and scribes were the religious leaders
They were the big men on campus with the big robes and big hats
They come to Jesus with lots of pomp and why His disciples break the tradition with the elders

o They didn’t ask because they wanted a real answer

o They were simply trying to find something to blame Him for to try and prove He was not the real deal

Jesus didn’t put up with their bologna
He puts it right back on them “why don’t you honor your father and your mother and take care them (financially)

o Instead you make excuses that you donated it to God

o This is not God’s will or His ways

Jesus is pointing out that they break tradition as well by their lack of financial support and honor of their parents (ouch)

7 You hypocrites, rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you:

8 ‘This people honors Me with their lips,
But their heart is far away from Me.
9 ‘But in vain do they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.’”

Jesus called them hypocrites

o Rules for thee but not for me

Their words don’t match their walk

o They are all lip service

They are teaching their own rules as doctrine (like its from God)
Be very careful of false teachers and false religious leaders teaching anything other than what the Bible actually says. This is why we need to study to show ourselves approved, a workman rightly dividing the word of truth!

10 After Jesus called the crowd to Him, He said to them, “Hear and understand. 11 It is not what enters into the mouth that defiles the man, but what proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man.”

Huge revelation
Words matter!

12 Then the disciples came and said to Him, “Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this statement?” 13 But He answered and said, “Every plant which My heavenly Father did not plant shall be uprooted. 14 Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if a blind man guides a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”

Who is man that he should try and correct Jesus?
False religious leaders are blind and they lead blind people into the pit (the end result)
You and I are blind if we don’t know the word of God!

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Matthew 14 - John the Baptist Beheaded

14 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the news about Jesus, 2 and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”

At that time

o What time was this?

o After Jesus spoke in parables

§ Of the seed which fell (importance of soil)

§ Of the wheat and the tares (importance to know our enemy)

§ Of the mustard seed (faith becomes bigger than life)

§ Of the leaven in in the bread (sin is present even in the church)

§ Of the hidden treasure in the field (heaven is worth more than RE)

§ Of the costly pearl (heaven is worth more than jewels)

§ Of the dragnet (heave is more important than work)

o After Jesus did not do many miracles in His home town

§ Because of their unbelief (unbelief is a mirical-killer)

Herod the tetrarch heard the news about Jesus

o Notice He heard about Jesus and was likely thinking about it

And said to his servants

o This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead

o That is why miraculous powers are at work in him

o Notice these comments seem to come from a place of fear

3 For when Herod had John arrested, he bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip. 4 For John had been saying to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” 5 Although Herod wanted to put him to death, he feared the crowd, because they regarded John as a prophet.

Herod had John arrested and put in prison
Because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip
Herod wanted his brothers wife and John had told him that it was not kosher
So Herod wanted to put him to death but he feared the crowd which regarded John as a prophet (notice he makes decisions out of fear and lust)

6 But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod, 7 so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked.

It seems Herod is a bit of pervert. Now he is lusting after Herodias’s daughter
She please him so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked
This is a clear sign of his inappropriate behavior and thoughts

8 Having been prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” 9 Although he was grieved, the king commanded it* to be given because of his oaths, and because of his dinner guests.

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Matthew 13 - Jesus Teaches in Parables

13 That day Jesus went out of the house and was sitting by the sea. 2 And large crowds gathered to Him, so He got into a boat and sat down, and the whole crowd was standing on the beach.

That Day

o What day?

o The same day the events of Chapter 12 unfolded

The religious leaders tried to discredit the Lord

o But He healed a man with a withered hand

o Then He healed a man that was demon-possessed, blind and mute

o We learned that we will be judged by our words

§ You either accept that Jesus is the Messiah or not

§ This determines your eternal future

o We learned that everyone who believes in Jesus Christ becomes His family

§ With an inheritance in heaven!

The same day, Jesus went out of the house and was sitting by the sea

o Note that Jesus never rested on his last achievement

o He kept working every chance He had (What a great example)

He often went up a mountain but this time He was sitting by the sea

o There is something about getting away from the city and the crowds and getting out in creation that brings closer to God

Large crowds gathered to Him

o They are following after Jesus (that’s the right idea)

o And they want to hear what He has to say

§ That’s the best idea yet!

Jesus got into a boat and sat down

o This let Him use the boat like a platform to share with those on the beach

3 And He spoke many things to them in parables, saying, “Behold, the sower went out to sow; 4 and as he sowed, some seeds fell beside the road, and the birds came and ate them up. 5 Others fell on the rocky places, where they did not have much soil; and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of soil. 6 But when the sun had risen, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. 7 Others fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked them out. 8 And others fell on the good soil and yielded a crop, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty. 9* He who has ears, let him hear.”

Jesus spoke many things to them in parables
This is a parable

o A early story with heavenly meaning

o It is meant to be easy to remember and then make a point worth considering over and over for the truth it points to!

An Explanation

10 And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?” 11 Jesus answered them, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted. 12 For whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him. 13 Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. 14 In their case the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled, which says,

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Matthew 12 - Sabbath Questions

12 At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath, and His disciples became hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat. 2 But when the Pharisees saw this, they said to Him, “Look, Your disciples do what is not lawful to do on a Sabbath.”

At that time

o What time was this

o After He denounced the cities for not repenting even though radical miracles had been done in them

o After He thanked God for revealing the truth to infants (the simple minded)

o After He declared all things have been handed over to Him

o After He declared no one knows the Son except the Father

o Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son

§ And anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him

o After He invited people “come to Me”

§ All who were heavy laden and I will give you rest

§ Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me

§ For I am gentle and humble in heart

§ And you will find rest for your souls

o For My yoke is easy and My burden is light

It was that time this chapter then began!
Pharisees were obviously looking for anything wrong because they wanted to prove that Jesus was not the Messiah even though He was and is!
They said “Look, (can you see them pointing the finger if judgement)
Your disciples do what is not lawful to do on a Sabbath

o They said this because they were picking the heads of grain and eating them because they were hungry

o The Pharisees were more interested in passing judgement and waging their finger than considering these disciples had been working hard for the kingdom of God and they were hungry (why should they not eat)

3 But He said to them, “Have you not read what David did when he became hungry, he and his companions, 4 how he entered the house of God, and they ate the consecrated bread, which was not lawful for him to eat nor for those with him, but for the priests alone? 5 Or have you not read in the Law, that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple break the Sabbath and are innocent?

Jesus gives them a quick history lesson about David and his companions who ate the consecrated bread which was not lawful either (and yet they were innocent)
So there are exceptions and this incident was no different
Jesus was telling them to put away their judgement stick and waging fingers

6 But I say to you that something greater than the temple is here. 7 But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire compassion, and not a sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent.

God desires compassion

o Compassion is feeling what others are going through and trying to help

o That is the heart of true Christianity

God desires compassion far more than a sacrifice

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Matthew 11 - John’s Questions

11 When Jesus had finished giving instructions to His twelve disciples, He departed from there to teach and preach in their cities.

Jesus model’s good behavior by being a servant leader
He called the management meeting, gave them authority, gave them instruction and sent them out to take of God’s business
Then immediately, Jesus went back to work too!
Let us all commit to following His example and be servant leaders!

2 Now when John, while imprisoned, heard of the works of Christ, he sent word by his disciples 3 and said to Him, “Are You the Expected One, or shall we look for someone else?” 4 Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and report to John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive sight and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. 6 And blessed is he who does not take offense at Me.”

John was in prison for preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ
Yet he is still searching for and following after Jesus (WOW)
Are you the expected one?

o This is the real question.

o Who is Jesus? Is He the Messiah that was foretold in the old testament?

§ He either is or He isn’t

§ The one question everyone will have to answer when they meet God!

§ Those who believe that Jesus Christ is Lord will be saved!

§ Those who don’t believe wont!

Jesus answered (for Himself)

o The blind receive sight

o The lame walk

o The lepers are cleansed

o The deaf hear

o The dead are raised up

o The poor have the gospel preached to them

o And blessed is he who does not take offense at Me

o Could it be any clearer – who Jesus is?

o These answers prove that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God!

Jesus’ Tribute to John

7 As these men were going away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John, “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ palaces! 9 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and one who is more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written,

‘Behold, I send My messenger [l]ahead of You,
Who will prepare Your way before You.’

11 Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist! Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force. 13 For all the prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14 And if you are willing to accept it, John himself is Elijah who was to come. 15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

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Matthew 10 - The Twelve Disciples; Instructions for Service

10 Jesus summoned His twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness.

The twelve disciples; instructions for service
12 is the number of Godly government

o It is made of 2 x 6

o 2 is the number for witnesses & truth

o 6 is the number of man

o The first Adam sinned and caused death (sin entered the world)

o The last Adam (Jesus) was perfect and was sacrificed and rose again (sin was removed and eternal life became possible)

Jesus summoned His twelve disciples

o This means called an important meeting for a special purpose

And gave them authority over unclean spirits

o To cast them out

o And to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness

o It seems authority over unclean spirits may be related to disease & sickness

o Disease is something that happens to an organ; sickness is something that happens to a man

§ Disease is something that needs to be cured such as infection, injury, toxic exposure, cell degeneration.

§ Illness is something that that needs to be managed such as feelings of pain, discomfort, distress, weakness, fatigue, etc

o To heal them is the general theme

o I love that the Lord wants people to get healed and He called a special meeting to empower His team to go and do it!

2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; and James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed Him.

Simon (1) who is called Peter: rock or stone; a rock or stone
Andrew (2): manly; Man of Vows; Man of Liberty
James (3): supplanter; replacer; He who closely follows
Zebedee (son of): my gift; Gift of Yah, Yah Has Given
John (4): Jehovah is a gracious giver
Philip(5): lover of horses; He who leans on his military complex
Bartholomew (6): son of the farmer; abounding in furrows; to plow
Thomas (7): a twin
Matthew (8): gift of Jehovah
James (9): supplanter; replacer
Alphaeus (son of): changing
Thaddaeus (11): large hearted, courageous
Simon the Zealot (11): rock or stone
Judas Iscariot (12): he shall be praised; city slicker

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Matthew 9 - A Paralyzed Man Healed

9 Getting into a boat, Jesus crossed over the Sea of Galilee and came to His own city.

The title is A paralyzed man healed

o The paralyzed man was probably in this condition for a long time

o He likely struggled with the idea of whether it would last forever or not

o So too, sometimes we feel paralyzed because we can’t move or take the next step until God intervenes and helps us

Jesus had just healed two demon-possessed men and cast our the evil spirits into a heard of pigs and they ran off the cliff and drowned in the sea
Instead of rejoicing and praising God, the locals pleaded with Jesus to leave their region

o Worldly men would rather roll in the mud with the pigs

So this is when

o Jesus got into a boat

§ He was leaving the region where He was not wanted

o Crossed over the Sea of Galilee and came to His own city

§ Galilee means rolling or to encircle to turn around

§ His own city was Capernaum which means “village of consolation, protected by Being Sorry”

§ He came to heal them but they rejected Him so He turned around and left because they failed to repent

2 And they brought to Him a paralyzed man lying on a stretcher. And seeing their faith, Jesus said to the man who was paralyzed, “Take courage, son; your sins are forgiven.”

And they brought to Him a paralyzed man lying on a stretcher

o Notice “they brought to Him”

o This means multiple believers got involved to help the paralyzed man

§ They were trying to Outbless him

o They would not be bringing a paralyzed man on a stretcher unless they believed in their heart that Jesus could heal him!

And seeing their faith

o Notice Jesus can see faith

o This means yours and mine and everyone else’s

o Notice He saw their faith (not just the paralyzed man but those who were carrying him or bringing him to Jesus to be healed)

o The fervent prayers of a righteous man availeth much!

Jesus said to the man who was paralyzed

o notice Jesus focuses on the person who needs the help the most and speaks to him directly. so too he will speak directly to you if you need help today if you believe He can.

take courage, son; your sins are forgiven

o it takes courage to believe God's word

o Jesus was asking the paralyzed man to disregard the fact that he was not able to move his limbs using his mind and his muscles

o Jesus was asking the paralyzed man to believe the words spoken by Jesus instead of what his physical mind and physical body knew to be true

o noticed that he called him son which is a term of family endearment

o because of his faith Jesus is already welcoming him into His family

o notice that Jesus forgave his sins and that's when he got healed

§ so too when Jesus forgives us for our sins that's when we get healed or born again

§ this is a spiritual reality which will now make an impact on the physical reality

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Matthew 8 - Jesus Cleanses a Leper; The Centurion’s Faith

8 When Jesus came down from the mountain, large crowds followed Him. 2 And a leper came to Him and bowed down before Him, and said, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” 3 Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

Remember Jesus had been up on the mountain (away from the crowds) to spend time with the Father in prayer.
His disciples joined Him and He taught them valuable lessons

o Mat Chapter 5 – the beatitudes

§ To be salt & light

§ To love your enemies

§ To live a higher standard (Christian values)

o Mat Chapter 6 – giving to the poor and pray

§ Be careful not give or pray to be seen

§ How to pray

§ Fasting for God in private

§ You cannot serve God and Wealth (you must choose)

o Mat Chapter 7 – Don’t judge others

§ You will be judges by the same measure you judge

§ The golden rule (treat everyone as you would want to be treated)

§ Everyone who asks, seeks, knocks gets a good response by faith

§ The narrow and wide gate (you must choose one)

§ How to tell a good tree from a bad one (measure the fruit)

§ Not everyone who says Lord, Lord will get into heaven

· Only those who do the will of the Father (obedience)

§ Build your life on the rock not on the sand

· Because the storms will come

These are foundational lessons that disciples must learn and apply in their life
Now Jesus comes down mountain to start ministering to others
Large crowds followed Him because He did miracle after miracle in their sight
A leper came and bowed down before Him

o This is the position of reference and respect (humility)

He said “Lord if you are willing, you can make me clean”

o This was a declaration of the leper’s faith in Jesus the Son of God

o Remember everyone who asks, believing receives!

Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him saying I am willing; be cleansed

o And immediately his leprosy was cleansed

o No other man would touch leper because its contagious

o Jesus touched him and healed him because of the lepers faith!

4 And Jesus *said to him, “See that you tell no one; but go, show yourself to the priest and present the offering that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”

Jesus didn’t want too much attention drawn to Himself because it was not time yet
But Jesus wanted the leper to show himself to the priests

5 And when Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, imploring Him, 6 and saying, “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, fearfully tormented.” 7 Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.” 8* But the centurion said, “Lord, I am not worthy for You to come under my roof, but just say the word, and my servant will be healed.

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Matthew 7 - Judging Others

7 “Do not judge so that you will not be judged. 2 For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.

Matthew means “gift of Yahweh”
This chapter is a gift if you heed its instruction
Do not judge so that you will not be judged

o This is a simple but powerful spiritual rule

o Don’t judge – so that – its an important reason – you won’t be judged

o Get the formula

For in the way you judge, you will be judged

o This means the scale of judgement is balanced by your own actions

And by your standards of measure, it will be measured to you

o Your measure of judgement is a boomerang

o Consider this before judging others

3 Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.

It seems easy to point out the speck in our brothers (other peoples sin)
But we don’t notice the log in our own eye (a log is much bigger than a speck)
The biggest sinners are often critical of petty little things in others
Lets make sure we are not guilty of doing this!
How can you help remove a speck (sin) in your brothers eye when you have a log (bigger sin) in your own (obviously you can’t or shouldn’t)
You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye

o This means do a little self-introspection and repent

o Ask God to forgive you and turn the opposite direction

Then you will see clearly to take the speck out your brothers eye

o We can’t help others overcome their sin until we overcome our own

o We have all fallen short of the glory of God (missed the mark of perfection)

o We all need to repent and ask for Forgiveness

o Only those freshly washed in the blood of the lamb are ready to help others!

6 “Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

What is holy is the Gospel (the Good News) of Jesus Christ who died and raised again the 3rd day to make a way for sinners to be forgiven, born again and granted a way into heaven even though underserving.
Dogs are driven be hunger and emotion (reactive to their flesh alone)

o They are not interested in spiritual matters

o You should preach the gospel to everyone but those who don’t want to hear it or reject it should be left alone to ravage their food for tomorrow they die

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Matthew 6 - Giving to the Poor and Prayer

6 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.

Some people only do things to be seen by men
Unless your motivation is because of the love of Jesus Christ whatever you do is in vain
There will be no reward in heaven

2 “So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your [c]giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

This is the proof that your only motivation is the love of God
Don’t tell anyone else about it (but the Lord knows)
God will reward you for every good deed you do which based on love not recognition

5 “When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 6 But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

The first subject was giving
This subject is praying
Some people actually pray to be seen or seem pious but it doesn’t fool God
When you pray, make sure its for no other purpose other than to talk to God

o Never to be seen by men

7 “And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. 8 So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.

Repetitious words are something you say without giving any original thought
It likes repeating the rosery
Prayer should be heart felt communication from the heart directly to the Father
Unless your prayer is from the heart and real, it will have zero impact

9 “Pray, then, in this way:

‘Our Father who is in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.

The first thing to do when praying is to remember who God is…

o Our Father who is heaven

o He is God Almighty, the Father of everything that has breath and life

o And He is in heaven looking down upon everything going on upon earth

Hallowed by Your name

o The name of God is Holy

o When you call upon God in Jesus name there is serious power

o Jesus Christ is the only name under heaven whereby a man may be saved

o We should have great respect, reverence and awe in His name

So you start your prayer remembering God’s position, power & holy name!

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5 When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. 2 He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying,

The sermon on the mount; the beatitudes

o I like to see these are the attitudes we should be (be like these)

When saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him

o There is something entirely peaceful and godly to go up into the mountains to spend quiet time with God away from the crowds and the busyness of life

o Notice His disciples came to Him

§ We can come to Him in the mountains too

§ Seeking His face, His will, His direction, His correction, etc

He opened His mouth and began to teach them

o Whatever Jesus has to say, I want to know and learn it well

o How about you?

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Pour in spirit speaks of great humility
Bowing yourself before the King and seeking His will rather than own
This is the opposite of pride
If you come to the Lord “poor in spirit”, humble – you will be blessed
This means things get better

4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Those who mourn are mourning their friends and family who have died
It is heart wrenching to have a loved one ripped out of your life
But don’t worry, you will see them again is what is implied
This is why you will blessed in the end when you are reunited with your loved ones

5 “Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.

The gentle are those who carefully treat and care for others
When you gently care for others, God notices it
You will inherit the earth (this means you will own it without having to pay for it)
You can’t earn a inheritance. It is simply given to you by a caring and thoughtful relative

6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

To hunger is to yearn for something
To thirst implies urgency
Do you hunger and thirst for righteousness (can’t wait for things to be made right)
This means all that which is unfair and evil ceases to happen and God rights every wrong
If describes what you feel in your heart, congratulations! You will be satisfied means you are going to see it come to pass.

7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

To be merciful is not repay evil for evil done to you

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Matthew 4 - The Temptation of Jesus

4 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” 4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’”

5 Then the devil took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written,

‘He will command His angels concerning You’;

and

‘On their hands they will bear You up,
So that You will not strike Your foot against a stone.’”

7 Jesus said to him, “On the other hand, it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

8 Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; 9 and he said to Him, “All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’” 11 Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him.

Jesus Begins His Ministry

12 Now when Jesus heard that John had been taken into custody, He withdrew into Galilee; 13 and leaving Nazareth, He came and settled in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. 14 This was to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet:

15 “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,
By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the [f]Gentiles—
16 “The people who were sitting in darkness saw a great Light,
And those who were sitting in the land and shadow of death,
Upon them a Light dawned.”

17 From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

The First Disciples

18 Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 19 And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. 21 Going on from there He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and [j]John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and He called them. 22* Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him.

Ministry in Galilee

23 Jesus was going throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the [k]gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people.

24 The news about Him spread throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all who were ill, those suffering with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, [l]epileptics, paralytics; and He healed them.

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Matthew 3 - The Preaching of John the Baptist

3 Now in those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, 2* “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

The preaching of John the Baptist

o The is the herald blowing the trumpet announcing the arrival of the King of Kings

o Let us not forget John was in Elizabeth’s stomach when Mary came to confirm what the angel had told her. Zacharias was the priest who lost his voice and could not speak until Jesus was born. As soon as John was born Zacharias gained his voice again.

Now in those days

o What days?

o The days right after Herod had all the children under 2 killed

o After Rachel mourned for her children

§ Rachel means lamb

§ A picture of the Lamb of God mourning for all His children too

§ Something had to be done and it was about to – BIG TIME

John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea

o John means “Yahweh is gracious”

o It was God’s grace (unearned, undeserved favor) that John got to deliver this message for all to receive

o Judea means “the praised one” or “beautiful boy”

o John came to preach about the beautiful boy who is to be “the praised one”

o Why did he begin his ministry in the wilderness?

§ Because it was not convenient

§ It would take real commitment for someone to come and see him and hear his message

§ No lookie loos – only serious inquires invited

Repent for the kingdom of Heaven is at hand

o This means turn from your sin (make a U-turn)

o Get off the wide road that leads to hell and get on the narrow path that leads to heaven

o It will require that you repent

§ Ask God to forgive you for your sins and stop sinning

§ To hide it, confess it and be healed!

3 For this is the one referred to [d]by Isaiah the prophet when he said,

“The voice of one [e]crying in the wilderness,
‘Make ready the way of the Lord,
Make His paths straight!’”

Isaiah had written about this event long before
Now it has come true
The Jews to whom John preached would know and understand the significance of this event
John was preparing the way for the Lord’s entrance

4 Now John himself had [f]a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey.

God had a plan for John before he was born
Lukewarm believers are in gave danger because they have not made any stark changes in their life after getting born again.

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Matthew 2 - The Visit of the Magi

2 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, 2 “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.”

The visit of the Magi

o Magi means wise men (plural) or wise astronomers or wise believers.

Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?

o This is prophecy in the bible

o Nobody would say this unless they knew bible

o Notice they considered Him King of the Jews already!

o A baby born without saying a single word and yet Magi from the east come!

Since the Magi said “For we have saw His star”

o This means they were likely astronomers (those who study the sky)

o They saw “His” star so they were obviously believers waiting for a sign

And have come to worship Him

o Wisdom of all wisdom

o They recognized the signs of the time and they came to worship Him

o Notice they were waiting for Him to come (like a bride waiting for her groom)

3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet:

6 ‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah,
Are by no means least among the leaders of Judah;
For out of you shall come forth a Ruler
Who will shepherd My people Israel.’”

When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled

o Because Herod knew about the prophecy of the coming King

o Herod was troubled because he wanted to remain king (pride)

And all Jerusalem with him

o Even the Jews were troubled

o All Jerusalem (all means all not some)

o Misery loves company

Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people

o Notice Herod gathered all the chiefs together (it’s a big deal)

He inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born

o Asking questions so he can try and thwart God’s plan

They told Herod where the Messiah was to be born (they all sold him out)
The prophet had prophesied before that Out of You Shall Forth a Ruler

o In other words, there is going to be a new king

o And it’s not going to be Herod

Who will shepherd my people Israel

o In other words, the new King is going to be put in charge

o And he will shepherd my people (a shepherd leads and finds fresh water & food)

o A shepherd not only leads, he fiends and protects.

o In a sense, Herod’s days were numbered

7 Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared.

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Matthew, Chapter 1

The Genealogy of Jesus the Messiah

1 The record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham:

2 Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of [f]Judah and his brothers. 3 Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez was the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram. 4 Ram was the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon. 5 Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab, Boaz was the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse. 6 Jesse was the father of David the king.

David was the father of Solomon by Bathsheba who had been the wife of Uriah. 7 Solomon was the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asa. 8 Asa was the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah. 9 Uzziah was the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah. 10 Hezekiah was the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amon, and Amon the father of Josiah. 11 Josiah became the father of Jeconiah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon.

12 After the deportation to Babylon: Jeconiah became the father of Shealtiel, and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel. 13 Zerubbabel was the father of Abihud, Abihud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor. 14 Azor was the father of Zadok, Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud. 15 Eliud was the father of Eleazar, Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob. 16 Jacob was the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, by whom Jesus was born, who is called the Messiah.

click here to view the meaning of their names.

17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; from David to the deportation to Babylon, fourteen generations; and from the deportation to Babylon to the Messiah, fourteen generations.

Conception and Birth of Jesus

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. 19 And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. 20 But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” 22 Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us.” 24 And Joseph [z]awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife, 25 but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus.

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Psalm 150

A Psalm of Praise.

150 Praise the Lord!
Praise God in His sanctuary;
Praise Him in His mighty [c]expanse.

A Psalm of Praise

o A Psalm is a song which is meant to be memorized and sang

o This is because God doesn’t want us to forget these words

It’s not just any Psalm

o It’s a Psalm of Praise

§ These are the words that we might want to use

o It’s the last Psalm in the book of Psalms

§ 150 chapters end with this one

§ 3 x 50 = 150

§ Three is the number of the trinity

· God the Father

· God the Son

· God the Holy Spirit

· Three in One

§ Fifty is the number for Pentecost

· 50 days after the Jews were set free from the bondage in Egypt, God gave Moses the law

· 50 days after Jesus rose from the dead, the Holy Spirit fell of those waiting in the upper room them like cloven tongues of fire

§ 5 is the number for grace

§ 10 is the number for the Law and man’s responsibility to keep it

§ 5 x 10 is grace multiplied which fulfills all the law

Praise the Lord!

o This is the third repeat in a row (Psalm 148, 149 & 150)

o This is not by mistake

o Praise Father, Son and Holy Spirit

Praise God in His sanctuary

o His sanctuary is the church (the ecclesia “ a gathering together”

o Whenever we gather in Jesus name we should praise the Lord!

o It pleases God when we praise the Lord !

o God also tells us that our bodies are the sanctuary and that He lives in us

o So praise the Lord from deep within you (inside your heart)

§ Singing songs and praises Him all day and night

§ When you wake up and when go to sleep

§ This attitude of gratitude and singing should always be on our heart & lips

2 Praise Him for His mighty deeds;
Praise Him according to His excellent greatness.

Praise Him for His mighty deeds

o What are His might deeds

o How about that He died and rose again on the 3rd day to prove He is God

o He has risen. He is alive. He sits on the right side of the Father even now.

o He brought ten plagues o Egypt to cause them to let His people go

o He killed all the first born of man and beast in the land of Egypt except those who had blood on the door posts (a symbol of the cross).

o He parted the red sea and guided His people through on dry land safely

o He closed the red sea and drowned the Egyptian army (Israel’s enemies)

o He provided for millions of Jews wandering in the dessert for 40 years

§ He provided them food and water daily

§ He provided them with clouds to cool the heat during the day

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Psalm 149

Israel Invoked to Praise the Lord.

149 Praise the Lord!
Sing to the Lord a new song,
And His praise in the congregation of the godly ones.

Israel invoked to Praise the Lord

o Chapter 148 was about the same subject (listen to the podcast @ Outbless.com)

Israel means “in awe of peace” and “teaching peace”

o Once we understand that God Almighty sent His one and only Son to die on a cross to pay for our sins so we could be forgiven and have peace with God again - you will be in awe that God was willing to pay such a heavy price for you!

o God teaches us peace by sending His Son, His word and the Holy Spirit

§ By grace you are saved not of works, lest any man should boast

§ It is all God’s doing and He is still teaching us !

If you are in awe of His peace, then you are also being “invoked” to actively Praise the Lord” – this involves your mouth, your lips, your tongue, your throat and most importantly your heart.

o If you the truth of your salvation has truly set in you can’t help but want to praise Him with your voice outloud even if you can’t sing very well (make a joyful noise to the Lord)

Praise the Lord!

o This is a command. It’s not optional

o We should Praise God daily for everything has already done and what He does today and tomorrow as well

Sing to the Lord a new song

o This means a new song that you have not sang before

o Its going to requires some thought and preparation

o You may have to write a song

o You may have to write a melody

o You may have to write the notes to be played on instructions

o This is what is involved in a new song

o Then you must sing it, practice it and then perform it as a sacrifice to God Himself!

And His praise in the congregation of the godly ones

o This means in church the ecclesia (a gathering of believers)

o It can be a home church or phone church or big church (it doesn’t matter)

o When we come together there should be praise & worship of the one true God

o This pleases God and should be done with great joy and thanksgiving in our hearts

§ We can’t thank Him or praise Him enough

§ Is that what is in your heart today?

2 Let Israel be glad in his Maker;
Let the sons of Zion rejoice in their King.

Let Israel be glad in his Maker

o Israel is a place

o Israel is a nation

o Israel is a tribe of people

o Israel is also everyone who has been grafted in by faith in Jesus Christ

§ in awe of peace

Notice what we should be glad in

o His Maker

o Jesus Christ made everything you can see and touch

o We should be exceeding glad in our Maker!

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Psalm 148

The Whole Creation Invoked to Praise the Lord.

148 Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord from the heavens;
Praise Him in the heights!

The title is “The Whole Creation Invoked to Praise the Lord”
The whole creation means everything created (man, beasts, fish, birds, bugs, trees, plants, animals, oceans, mountains, thunder, lightning, stars, sun, moon, galaxies, the Universe!

o It is said that everything generates frequency

o Frequency is sound in some cased you can’t hear unless you tune into it like a radio

o God hears all their sounds all at once (they are praising Him)

Invoked to Praise the Lord

o Invoked means “to call upon” or “to mention,” and is often used when someone is identifying a law, a privilege, or an authority

o We are being called upon to Praise the Lord

§ This involves your mouth, your lips, your tongue, your throat, your lungs and most importantly your heart!

§ If you have been saved by Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior tell your face and your mouth about it! Let it bubble up to the tope and come out in song called praise !!!

Praise the Lord!

o This is not a suggestion it’s a command to every created thing!

Praise the Lord from the heavens

o This means all who are in heaven

§ People who died and went to heaven

§ Angels who live in heaven

§ The heavenly host; the army of God

§ The universe is 94 billion light years in circumference

· That’s 1 with 24 zero’s is the number of stars that need to Praise Him!

· There is a song that says “I hear the voice of many angels sing”, “worthy is the lamb”! Imagine the sound of a great multitude!

Praise Him in the heights

o The word “heights” can be translated “to the most high”

o This speaks of His ultimate position of authority (the Highest Point or Position)

o As you praise Him consider He sits in the Highest Position (there is no one higher)

2 Praise Him, all His angels;
Praise Him, all His hosts!

Praise Him, all His angels

o His angels are those who follow Him

o Can you imaging the sound of angels praising God!

o How many angels are doing it right now?

Praise Him, all His hosts!

o This is the heavenly armies!

o How many members are in it?

o How powerful are these angels?

o What does it sound like when the sing all together?

3 Praise Him, sun and moon;
Praise Him, all stars of light!

Praise Him, sun and moon

o Even the sun and moon praise Him!

Praise Him, all the stars of light!

o Light travels at 186,000 miles per second; 671 million miles per hour

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Psalm 147

Praise for Jerusalem’s Restoration and Prosperity.

147 Praise the Lord!
For it is good to sing praises to our God;
For it is pleasant and praise is becoming.

Praise for Jerusalem

o Jerusalem means “in awe of peace”; “teaching peace”

o We are in awe because of the peace created by the death & resurrection of Jesus Christ

o Teaching peace means we learn how peace actually comes (no other way)

Restoration and prosperity

o Restoration means “to make like new”

o Prosperity “means more than what you need ”

Praise for teaching us peace, we are in awe, thank you for restoration and blessing us with more than we need.
Praise the Lord!

o Why? Because of what you just learned

For it is good to sing praises to our God

o We should sing about what He has done (He is worthy!)

For it is pleasant and praise is becoming

o Becoming means appropriate.

2 The Lord builds up Jerusalem;
He gathers the outcasts of Israel.

The Lords builds up Jerusalem

o The very place the world wants to wipe of the face of the earth

o The Lord is building it up

He gathers the outcasts of Israel

o Those who have sinned will be recalled and made new

3 He heals the brokenhearted
And binds up their wounds.

It takes a miracle to heal a broken heart
It takes care and thoughtfulness to bind up a wound
This is what God does for His children

4 He counts the number of the stars;
He gives names to all of them.

Can you count all the stars? God can. And He names all of them! How amazing!

5 Great is our Lord and abundant in strength;
His understanding is infinite.

Great is our Lord and abundant in strength

o Consider how great He must be in order count and name the stars

o The Milkyway has 100 billion stars in it

o Scientists estimate 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 stars, or a "1" with 24 zeros after it is the number of stars in the universe

His understanding is infinite

o Infinite is without measure (beyond measurement)

o Scientist estimate the universe is 93 billion light years in diameter & growing for every megaparsec -- 3.3 million light years, or 3 billion trillion kilometers -- from Earth, the universe is expanding an extra 73.3 ±2.5 kilometers per second.

| per sec | 1 min | length | 60 min | 1 hour | 24 hours | 1 day | ft per mile | 1 day
| 240,485.60 | 60 | 14,429,136 | 60 | 865,748,160 | 27 | 23,375,200,320 | 5,280 | 4,427,121.27

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Psalm 146

The Lord an Abundant Helper.

146 Praise [b]the Lord!
Praise the Lord, O my soul!

The Lord an Abundant Helper

o This is who He is

o Abundant means more then enough (pressed down, shaken together, overflowing)

o This is His nature and the amount of help He is ready to give you and I

o And anyone who calls upon the name of Jesus Christ

Praise the Lord!

o Why?

o Because the Lord is an Abundant Helper

Praise the Lord, O my soul!

o Its repeated for emphasis

o The word “soul” is added the 2nd time to draw attention to the fact that his Help is eternal

o That’s worth thinking about twice (or more)

2 I will praise the Lord while I live;
I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.

I will praise the Lord while I live

o This is the main activity we should be doing if we have been helped (saved)

o While I live means for ever and ever because He promised us eternal life

I will sing praises to my God while I have my being

o As long as you have life and breath you should use your voice to sing praises!

o If you know for sure you have been saved (helped), then your joy should rise up through your throat and come out of your mouth (in song!)

o Are you full of joy because you have been saved?

§ Maybe you should tell you face about it

§ Maybe you should tell your mouth about it

§ Can anyone else notice the joy you have because you are saved?

· Is your salvation and gratitude visible or audible?

3 Do not trust in princes,
In mortal man, in whom there is no salvation.

Do not trust in princes

o This means men of power or position or resources

o If you trust in man he will always let you down

o Man can never take God’s place (don’t up anyone in such high regard as God)

In mortal man (there is no salvation). It only comes from the Lord Jesus Christ & not pastors or bosses or friends or doctors or kings, etc.

4 His spirit departs, he returns to the earth;
In that very day his thoughts perish.

Notice what happens to mortal man
His spirit departs (it leaves the body)
He returns to the earth (from dust you were made; to dust you will return)
In that very day (the day you die)

o His thoughts perish (there are no more thoughts)

o His opinions or words don’t mean anything anymore

o The point is (therefore, don’t hold man in such high esteem)

o He is very temporary (here but just a moment)

5 How blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
Whose hope is in the Lord his God,

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Psalm 145

A psalm of praise. Of David.

1 I will exalt you, my God the King;
I will praise your name for ever and ever.

A psalm of praise

o This means a song of praise

Of David

o David means beloved

o All God’s children are beloved of God and should respond with singing praise!

I will exalt you, my God the King

o To exalt is to life Him up higher in the highest place of respect & honor

o He is my God and the King!

§ Give Him the honor and respect and He deserves!

I will praise your name for ever and ever

o This is why we were made

o To praise God’s name forever and ever (the name of Jesus Christ)

o The only name under heaven whereby a man or woman may be saved

§ No other name can save you!

2 Every day I will praise you
and extol your name for ever and ever.

Every day I will praise you

o It’s a daily task we should gladly do!

o How else can we thank Him properly

o Imagine where you would be without Him

3 Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;
his greatness no one can fathom.

He is most worthy of praise (in light of what He did)
No one can fathom his greatness because His impact was massive & eternal
Billions of people have been saved from the pit of hell

4 One generation commends your works to another;
they tell of your mighty acts.

His sacrifice, miracles and promises as so awesome that every generation keeps talking about it to the next generation (thousands of years later – it’s still fresh & newsworthy)

5 They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty—
and I will meditate on your wonderful works.

The splendor of God’s works

o Seen in the sky above

o Seen by telescope

o Seen by mountain tops

o Seen by the birth of humans and animals

o Seen by flowers, food, science, lightening, thunder & more

o Saved Israel from Egypt, parted the Red Sea, provided for 40-years in the desert

o Healed the blind, make the lame walk, raised the dead

We should meditate on His wonderful works because it gives us perspective of His power, Love, Grace & Mercy, genius, artistry and more.

6 They tell of the power of your awesome works—
and I will proclaim your great deeds.

The power of His awesome works are worth thinking about
How much power did it take to create the universe
How much power did it take to create the sun the moon and the stars

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Prayer for Rescue and Prosperity.

A Psalm of David.

144 Blessed be the Lord, my rock,
Who trains my hands for war,
And my fingers for battle;
2 My lovingkindness and my fortress,
My stronghold and my deliverer,
My shield and He in whom I take refuge,
Who subdues [a]my people under me.

The title of this message is prayer for rescue and prosperity

o I love the idea that we can pray not only to be rescued but also for prosperity

o this implies protection from that which is bad but abundant blessing from that which is good

A Psalm of David

o this means it's a song and it should be remembered

o David means beloved so it should be remembered by all of God's children who are beloved

blessed be the Lord, my rock

o the Lord is a rock (this means a solid place to plant your feet and build your life upon)

Who trains my hands for war and my fingers for battle

o this implies that the Lord teaches you to be strong and ready for opposition and prepared to win

my loving kindness and my fortress

o God is loving and kind always

o he's also our fortress because he protects us from everything

my stronghold and my deliverer

o the stronghold is like a Fort it is a place of safety

o a deliverer is someone who picks you up from one place in trouble and takes you to another place in safety

my shield and he in whom I take refuge

o the shield can protect you from fiery darts

o Jesus Christ is the one in whom I must and you must and we must take refuge

o there is no secure place other than in Jesus Christ

who subdues my people under me

o God can subdue any group of people instantly and permanently

3 O Lord, what is man, that You take knowledge of him?
Or the son of man, that You think of him?

Oh Lord, what is man, that you take knowledge of him

o in other words puny little man is so unimportant why does God pay any attention

or the son of man that You think of him

o the son of man can be a reference to our children and our children's children

o or it could be a reference to the son of man the Lord Jesus Christ

o I believe the idea is why does God care so much about man that he sent Jesus Christ from heaven to die in a cross to pay for our sins to save us

§ we seem unworthy

§ there is a sense of disbelief as to why God would do such a thing

§ and yet He did

4 Man is like a mere breath;
His days are like a passing shadow.

and it's like a mere breath

o a breath is a very short period of time

o man does not live very long in comparison to God

o these thousand years is as a day

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Psalm 143

A psalm of David.

1 Lord, hear my prayer,
listen to my cry for mercy;
in your faithfulness and righteousness
come to my relief.

A Psalm of David

o A Psalm is a song (it’s meant to be remembered and sang)

o David means beloved

o This song should be sang by all of God’s people (His beloved)

Lord hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy

o We all want God to hear our prayers

o All we need to do is ask Him

o Listen to the my cry for mercy

§ To hear is to get ones attention

§ To listen is to contemplate what they are saying

§ This is what it was about (MERCY)

· Not getting what he deserved (not getting what we deserve)

o When was the last time you asked for mercy?

§ This will require that you admin your sins

§ Ask for forgiveness

§ And then mercy

In your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief

o In you faithfulness

§ It because of God’s faithfulness this possible

§ Not ours

o And righteousness

§ Jesus was righteous because He never sinned

§ We can become righteous by faith in his death and resurrection alone

o Come to my relief

§ God will come to your relief

§ He will relieve you of your sin & guilt

2 Do not bring your servant into judgment,
for no one living is righteous before you.

David does not want to be brought into judgment

o It’s a court case

o Evidence will be presented

o He will be deemed guilty and he knows it

For no one living is righteous before you

o What a statement

o No one living is righteous (not one)

o Righteousness is possible in the flesh (only by the spirit of God)

§ Only by trusting in Jesus Christ unto salvation

§ His works, His track record; not ours

3 The enemy pursues me,
he crushes me to the ground;
he makes me dwell in the darkness
like those long dead.

The enemy pursues me, he crushes me to the ground

o Who is your enemy?

o Who does this? The devil comes to steal, kill & destroy)

o He makes you feel crushed and hopeless

He makes me dwell in the darkness like those long dead

o The devil wants you to live in darkness where there is no light

o Under cover of darkness is where most sin happens (at night)

o Yet God sees just as well in the night as day

o God is light and His word is a lamp unto our feet

§ So we can see the truth and walk on the correct path

§ Avoiding all the traps sets by the devil and his followers

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Psalm 142

Prayer for Help in Trouble.

Maskil of David, when he was in the cave. A Prayer.

142 I cry aloud with my voice to the Lord;
I make supplication with my voice to the Lord.

Prayer for Help in Trouble

o That’s exactly what we should do – Pray for Help in times of Trouble

o What is your first response?

§ Is it to pray!

Maskil of David

o A Maskil is a Jewish saying of wisdom learned from men who studied the bible and grew old enough to know it was true

o David means “beloved”

o This is “Godly wisdom of truth written to His beloved”

§ That includes you and I

I cry aloud with my voice to the Lord

o This is not a quiet prayer inside yourself

o This is a kind of prayer that speak out loud (louder than your normal voice)

o You use you vocal chords to express your need to God urgenltly

I make supplication with my voice to the Lord

o A supplication is an urgent request

o It’s 911 God

o You do this with your voice to The Lord

§ The One and Only Lord God – Jesus Christ

2 I pour out my complaint before Him;
I declare my trouble before Him.

I pour out my complaint before Him

o This means you pour it all out (not some of it)

o There should be nothing left unsaid when done

I declare my trouble before Him

o To declare something is to state the facts

o You share specific details of what is causing your trouble (doubt, worry or fear)

You certainly would not pour it out in vain

o You must: 1 – Remember your relationship to God (washed in the blood & saved); 2 – remember God’s power & authority over everything (able); 3 – ask Him to hear your prayer & supplications (ask); 4 – believe He will & will help you (faith)

o You should practice these 4-steps with every prayer (all of them)

3 When my spirit was overwhelmed within me,
You knew my path.

When my spirit was overwhelmed within me

o This is a specific point in time

o When you spirit is overwhelmed its because your are letting the flesh take over

o You are focused on the carnal mind and your own ability rather than God’s

o Every time you feel overwhelmed this is the case

§ You must learn to stop, pause & pray

§ Allow yourself to focus on the things of the spirit and trust the Lord

You knew my path

o This means God knows the steps that led up to your circumstances

o He knows all the details of how and why and when this happened

In the way where I walk
They have hidden a trap for me.

In the way where I walk

o God knows the paths you normally take (your habits)

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Psalm 141

A psalm of David.

1 I call to you, Lord, come quickly to me;
hear me when I call to you.

A psalm of David

o A Psalm is a song

o God knows man remembers songs

o He made Psalms (songs) so will memorize the words & remember them

David was a man after God’s own heart

o Yet He sinned with Bathsheba

o Yet He sinned against Uriah

o His faith went to great heights and then into the valley of the shadow of death

o Yet in spite of all this David’s name means “beloved”

o So too, in spite of all my faults and in inspite of all your faults, God still loves you and call us His “beloved”.

o It is the same term used by a man and a wife especially when engaged

o God also calls the church His bride

o He truly loves you and wants to be with you for all eternity

I call to you, Lord, come quickly to me

o Do you call to God?

§ Like a mom calling her kids at dinner time?

§ Do you expect a reply?

§ Do you expect them to come running (quickly – a quick response)

Hear me when I call to you

o This is another request

o To hear us; to include His hear and listen with interest & intent

o Sometimes we are so busy we don’t listen either

§ We are too busy looking at our phones

§ To really listen means to pay attention to what is said and consider its meaning and what action should taken from the heart

§ This requires focus

o Do you want God focus on what you say & respond?

§ Then ask Him to incline His ear or listen

§ Believe once you ask Him that He will and He is!

Have you been praying about something and you are not sure if God heard you?

o Sometimes we think delays mean no answer

o Sometimes we think delays means no

o Do you say a prayer like you order fast food?

§ You say it real quick and expect a real quick answer

§ Or do you say it with reverence, respect, adoration & anticipation

2 May my prayer be set before you like incense;
may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.

May my prayer be set before you like incense

o This requires preparation

o This requires it goes up for some amount of time (it’s not fast)

o This requires that smells good

§ Full of words spoken with a contrite heart or a heart in submission

May the lifting of my hands be like the evening sacrifice

o Interesting point

o Do you life your hands to the Lord?

§ When was the last time you did?

o Are you reaching up toward God with adoration and praise & thanks?

o If you are not accustomed to lifting hands with thanks & praise why should He listen to your next prayer (you haven’t thanked Him for the last one!)

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Prayer for Protection against the Wicked.

For the choir director. A Psalm of David.

140 Rescue me, O Lord, from evil men;
Preserve me from violent men
2 Who devise evil things in their hearts;
They continually stir up wars.

Prayer for protection against the wicked

o Prayer is the keyo It’s a powerful weapon (don’t doubt the power of prayer)

For the choir director

o It is meant to be song so you would remember this

A Psalm of David

o David means “beloved”o David was a sinner yet beloved by Godo So are you and I !

Rescue me, O Lord, from evil men

o This is the specific prayer requesto Rescue me

§ Do you need rescuing today§ This implies an urgent situation that has already gone bad§ David needs to be rescued (so do we)

Preserve me from violent men

o There are violent men motivated by evil spiritso The prayer is to be preserved (kept alive in good condition)

Who devise evil things in their hearts

o This is deep seated evil because its in their hearts- They continually stir up wars

o Notice the want wars (people killing other people)o The devil comes to steal, kill and destroy

3 They sharpen their tongues as a serpent;
Poison of a viper is under their lips. Selah.

Forked tongue full of poison (evil words)

4 Keep me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked;
Preserve me from violent men
Who have purposed to trip up my feet.

Keep me, preserve me (great thing to pray for) so you don’t get tripped up

5 The proud have hidden a trap for me, and cords;
They have spread a net by the [d]wayside;
They have set snares for me. Selah.

The proud have

o The devil lays traps to try and catch us and kill us§ Don’t fall for it – stay on the straight and narrow path (it’s safe)

6 I said to the Lord, “You are my God;
Give ear, O Lord, to the voice of my supplications.

David response is spot on

o You are my God (confession of relationship & position of ultimate authority)o Before you ask God for anything you should always consider these two things

§ Your relations with God§ God’s power and ultimate authority (your concern is always small in comparison)- Give ear, lord, to the voice of my supplications.o This is important formula to memorize§ You confess your relationship to God
You confess God’s power and ultimate authority over everything
You ask God to listen and believe He will bend His hear to youNotice its supplications (not supplication) = more than one request

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**God’s Omnipresence and Omniscience.
For the choir director. A Psalm of David.

139 O Lord, You have searched me and known me.

2 You know [a]when I sit down and [b]when I rise up;
You understand my thought from afar.

3 You [c]scrutinize my path and my lying down,
And are intimately acquainted with all my ways.

4 Even before there is a word on my tongue,
Behold, O Lord, You know it all.

5 You have enclosed me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is too high, I cannot attain to it.

7 Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?

8 If I ascend to heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there.

9 If I take the wings of the dawn,
If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea,

10 Even there Your hand will lead me,
And Your right hand will lay hold of me.

11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me,
And the light around me will be night,”

12 Even the darkness is not dark to You,
And the night is as bright as the day.
Darkness and light are alike to You.

13 For You formed my inward parts;
You wove me in my mother’s womb.

14 I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Wonderful are Your works,
And my soul knows it very well.

15 My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth;

16 Your eyes have seen my unformed substance;
And in Your book were all written
The days that were ordained for me,
When as yet there was not one of them.

17 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!

18 If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand.
When I awake, I am still with You.

19 O that You would slay the wicked, O God;
Depart from me, therefore, men of bloodshed.

20 For they speak against You wickedly,
And Your enemies take Your name in vain.

21 Do I not hate those who hate You, O Lord?
And do I not loathe those who rise up against You?

22 I hate them with the utmost hatred;
They have become my enemies.

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me and know my anxious thoughts;

24 And see if there be any hurtful way in me,
And lead me in the everlasting way.

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Thanksgiving for the Lord’s Favor.

A Psalm of David.

138 I will give You thanks with all my heart;
I will sing Your praises before the gods.

Thanksgiving for the Lords Favor

o Thanksgiving means to thank God for giving something

o For the Lord’s Favor

§ What is the Lord’s favor

§ It is unearned, undeserved good will and blessing

§ Are you thankful for it?

A Psalm of David

o David means “beloved”

o It is a song that all those who are beloved of God should sing & remember

I will give You thanks with all my heart

o WOW – do you give thanks with all your heart!

I will sing Your praises before the gods

o This is little g

o Who are they

o They are people with power and position who think or act like their god

o To sing praises to The God in front of them elevates the One True God to His rightful position above all power and dominion and might

2 I will bow down toward Your holy temple
And give thanks to Your name for Your mercy and Your [a]truth;
For You have made Your [b]word great [c]according to all Your name.

I will bow down toward Your holy temple

o To bow down is an act of humility (the oppositive of pride & power)

o You bow down in reverence, respect and fear (in submission too)

o Toward Your holy temple (the place God meets with man)

§ A place of worship & praise

And give thanks to Your name

o Notice the main subject “Your name”, the name of Jesus Christ

For Your mercy and Your truth

o Mercy is not getting what we deserve

o Truth is the word of God (its subject if to have faith in Christ unto salvation)

For You have made Your word great according to all Your name

o Notice its what God did not what man did or does

o God made His word great

o God made His name great

o Because He gave His one and only Son to pay for our sins that we may be forgiven and saved in spite of our sin by believing in the name of Jesus Christ

3 On the day I called, You answered me;
You made me bold with strength in my soul.

One the day I called

o This means the same day, the same time, immediately

You answered me

o God answers when we call

o Ask Jesus to come into your heart and life and be your savior

o He will come in immediately!

You made me bold with strength in my soul

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Psalm 137

1 By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion.

Israel had been taken captive by Babylon because of their sins
Now here they were gathered by the rivers of Bablyon

o Likely the Euphrates which had lots of water

o It would be looking upon abundant waters in the camp of your enemies in regret because you know you are here because of your sin

They sat and wept when they remembered Zion

o We finally sit and weep over our sin

§ Wept over family who died

§ Wept over the loss of property & possessions

§ Wept over the destruction of the temple

§ Wept over the cruelty of their captors

§ Wept over the pleasant and blessed past

§ Wept over the forced captivity of the present

§ Wept over what seems like a hopeless future

§ Finally wept over their own sin that invited such judgement from God

o This has the tone of repentance in it (a beautiful sound to God)

o They remembered Zion (God’s home, God’s rules, God’s blessings)

o They began to long for God again (implied)

o Whatever moves you to tears to remember God and His ways is a good thing

2 There on the poplars we hung our harps, 3 for there our captors asked us for songs, our tormentors demanded songs of joy; they said, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!”

There on the poplars we hung our harps

o Poplars are willow trees

o They hung their harps on the trees because there was no more joy with them

o But notice they didn’t break them or toss them into the river

§ This implies no song for now but maybe at a later date (some hope left)

For there our captors demanded songs of joy

o Knowing the sad state of their hearts this would be cruel and unusual punishment

o We took you capture, kills your relatives and made slaves of you, now sing for us

Sing for us the songs of Zion

o The songs they wanted to hear were songs of joy reserved for Jehovah

o These would be songs from the heart and could never be duplicated under false pretence

4 How can we sing the songs of the LORD while in a foreign land? 5 If I forget you, Jerusalem, may my right hand forget its skill.

How can we sing the songs of the Lord while in a foreign land?

o Its not a question but rather a statement

o It’s not possible to sing the songs of the Lord with joy in your heart while in captivity for those who are your captors (they would only sing in their heart for God)

If I forget you, Jerusalem, may my right hand forget its skill

o In other words, they would rather forget how to play the harm than to sing songs that belong to God to their captives

o It’s not going to happen.

o Don’t forget the meaning of the name Jerusalem.

§ In awe of peace

§ Teaching peace

§ To be or make whole or complete.

§ The Jews will not forget this meaning nor should we

§ Jerusalem is the center of the earth timepiece.

· Time ticking by preparing for the return of the King!

6 May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, if I do not consider Jerusalem my highest joy.

My tongue cling to the roof of my mouth

o This means unable to speak or sing

o He would rather not be able to speak or sing

If I do not remember you,

o This seems to imply a person “you” not a place

o An obvious reference to the Lord

o Jerusalem is all about the Lord coming down from heaven, dying on the cross and being raised again to life to make a way by faith where there was no way

o To remember Jerusalem is to have hope in God’s plan for the future

§ Considering they were by the river crying and weaping, this is significan

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Psalm 136

1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
His love endures forever.

Two great reasons to give thanks

o For He is good

o His love endures forever

2 Give thanks to the God of gods.
His love endures forever.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords:
His love endures forever.

Give thanks to the God of gods (The God)
Give thanks to the Lord of Lords (none other than Jesus Christ)
Again here is why – His love endures forever!

4 to him who alone does great wonders,
His love endures forever

To him who alone (this means the one and only)

o Does great wonders

o Why?

o Because His love endures forever!.
5 who by his understanding made the heavens,
His love endures forever.

6 who spread out the earth upon the waters,
His love endures forever.

Who spread out the earth

o Rolled it out like a painting

o Why?

o His loves endures forever

7 who made the great lights—
His love endures forever.

Who made great lights (everything you see above – the Universe)

o Why?

o His love endures forever

o Everything he does is based on His love !!!

8 the sun to govern the day,
His love endures forever.

The Sun gives us light, heat and energy to grow plants & food
Why?
Because His love endures forever

9 the moon and stars to govern the night;
His love endures forever.

The moon and stars to govern the night
All this amazing beautiful lights to see and enjoy
Why?
Because His love endures forever

10 to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt
His love endures forever.

He struck down Israel’s enemy to set them free
Why?
His love endures forever

11 and brought Israel out from among them
His love endures forever.

And brought Israel out from among them
Why?
His love endures forever12 with a mighty hand and outstretched arm;
His love endures forever.
With a mighty hand and outstretched arm
Using His strength and power – Why?
His love endures forever

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Psalm 135

1 Praise the Lord.[a]

Praise the name of the Lord;
praise him, you servants of the Lord,
2 you who minister in the house of the Lord,
in the courts of the house of our God.

Praise the Lord

o This chapter opens with a giant bold statement

o This is what we should do!

Praise him, you servants of the Lord

o Especially those who are servants of the Lord

o Those serving Him in ministry

o Loving the Lord God will all your heart, mind & strength

o Loving others as yourself

You who minister in the house of the Lord

o To minister means to serve

o You serve the people

o You love on the people

o You pray for the people

o You help the people

o You encourage the people

o You praise with the people

o You cry, laugh & celebrate with the people

In the courts of the house of our God

o The courts are just outside the sanctuary

o They are the places of public gathering

o Welcoming people and inviting them in

o Fellowshipping with one another

3 Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good;
sing praise to his name, for that is pleasant.

For the Lord is Good!
This is the reason we should praise Him !!!
Sing praise to his name, for that is pleasant

o Well pleasing to God

4 For the Lord has chosen Jacob to be his own,
Israel to be his treasured possession.

Notice the Lord did the choosing.
Jacob (He who wrestles); Israel (He who turns the head of God)
Notice God sees His chosen people as “treasured” (super valuable)
Notice God sees His chosen people as “His possession.”

o Something valuable that He owns

o You are not your own you were bought with a price!

5 I know that the Lord is great,
that our Lord is greater than all gods.
6 The Lord does whatever pleases him,
in the heavens and on the earth,
in the seas and all their depths.

I know the Lord is great (do you know that! are you certain of this fact!)
that our Lord is greater than all gods (notice its little g when compared)

o Nothing can compare to the Lord our God!

the Lord does whatever pleases him, in the heavens and on the earth

o notice the Lord does whatever pleases himself

§ he answers to no one (This shows that there is no one above him and that he is the highest position possible)

o this is true in the heavens above and on the earth below

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Psalm 134

A song of ascents.

1 Praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord
who minister by night in the house of the Lord.

A song of ascents

o 15 songs sang on the way up to Jerusalem during three feasts

§ Passover (blood on the door post saved)

§ Pentecost (God sent the 10 commandments; God sent the Holy Spirit)

§ Feast of Tabernacles (celebration of provision in the desert; temporary dwelling on the way to the promised land)

o It’s all about getting ready to meet the Lord

§ Get saved by the blood (Jesus on the cross)

§ Get filled with the Holy Spirit (fulfill the law)

§ Get ready to be transformed.

Praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord

o If you are forgiven, born again, on your way to heaven

o What else can you do but “Praise the Lord”

All you servants of the Lord

o How do you serve the Lord

o Jesus said if you love me, keep my commandments

o Jesus said preach the gospel to the ends of the earth and make disciples of all men

o Jesus said love everyone even your enemies

o Jesus said forgive those who hurt you

o Jesus said pray without ceasing

o Jesus said ask anything in my name and it will be so

o Jesus told us to believe the Word

o Jesus told us not to deceived by the devil

o Jesus said choose faith over fear

o Jesus said help the widows and orphans

o Jesus said whatever you do the least of these, you do unto me

o Are you serving the Lord today?

2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary
and praise the Lord.

Life up your hands in the sanctuary

o This means the church

o We are to lift up our hands as we praise God with our voice

o We are to be so full of adoration, thankfulness & joy that we

§ Lift up holy hands and sing His praises out loud (do you do it?)

3 May the Lord bless you from Zion,
he who is the Maker of heaven and earth.

May the Lord bless you from Zion

o To bless means to look upon you with favor

o To send good things your way

o To cause you to prosper and be in health

o To cause you to succeed in your faith, your family and your business

§ In that order

From Zion

o Zion is a reference to the place God lives

o It means up yonder in heaven

o It means in Jerusalem (the place of the new Jerusalem which shall come down from heaven; a 1,500 mile cube made of precious stones and gold)

o The place of God’s dwelling for 1,000 year millennial reign

§ God looks down upon you

§ Thinks of you with favor

§ Speaks blessings upon you

§ It manifests and comes down

§ It catches up with you and overtakes you

§ It overwhelms you (Outblesses you)

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Psalm 133

A song of ascents. Of David.

1 How good and pleasant it is
when God’s people live together in unity!

A song of ascents

o 15 songs to be sang each year during three events

§ Passover – celebrating when the death angel pass over those with blood on their doorposts (the 1st born of Egyptians died; God spared those with blood on the door) a picture of Jesus, the lamb of God on the cross

· God saves those covered by the blood of the lamb

§ Pentecost

· 50 days after the Jews were set free from bondage in Egypt they received the law (the ten commandments)

· 50 days after the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit fell on the 120 people in the upper room (1st outpouring of the Holy Spirit)

§ Tabernacle or Booths

· 5 days after Yom Kippur

· Yom Kippur was a time to repent and ask for forgiveness for sin

· 5 days later (5 is the number for grace)

· Everyone receives grace after asking for forgiveness)

· They celebrated how God provided for the Jews for 40-years in the desert (food, water, light, shade, sandals, etc)

· Booths or tabernacles are temporary dwelling places used before entering the promised land

· So too, we live in tabernacles (tents or temporary dwelling places) our bodies until we enter the promised land in heaven

· This life is short so don’t worry about it so much

· We are on our way to the promised land

Of David David means “beloved” or “beloved of God”

o God is not a respecter of persons; He loves everyone the same

o Therefore, you and I are beloved of God too

§ That is who you are in Christ!

§ You are beloved in spite of our sin if you repent & ask God to forgive you in Jesus name

How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!

o How good and pleasant

§ This implies a measurement

§ Maybe we should consider how good and please this is in terms of size and importance

o Is it when God’s people live together in unity!

o Is it when

§ This implies its rare

§ This implies its an important time or event

o God’s people live together in unity

§ The subject is God’s people

§ The issue is living together in unity

o To live together in unity means we are of the same mind and heart

o Our values and our words and our actions align with God’s word

o This is when unity occurs (everything working as God designed it)

o True Christian conduct and harmony living together in unity is of great price

§ The value of this scene is almost immeasurable.

§ Individuals in harmony with each other

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Acts, Chapter 2

The Day of Pentecost

2 When the day of Pentecost [a]had come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared to them tongues as of fire [b]distributing themselves, and [c]they [d]rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other [e]tongues, as the Spirit was giving them [f]utterance.

When the day of Pentecost had come

o They were all together in one place

§ Remember, in the upper room praying

And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind

o It sounded like a windstorm (a violent rushing wind)

And it filled the whole house where they were sitting

o Notice if filled the whole house (not a portion) – filled to capacity

And there appeared to them tongues as fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them

o What does a tongue of fire look like?

o Notice it distributed itself resting on each one (every one had it resting on them)

So they heard it; they saw it; and they believed it
And they were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues

o They were all filled (not a little bit)

§ With the Holy Spirit

o And began to speak with other tongues

§ This is the result of being filled

As the Spirit was giving them utterance

o Notice the Spirit is the one who gives the utterance not their minds

5 Now there were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And when this sound occurred, the crowd came together, and were bewildered because each one of them was hearing them speak in his own [g]language.

Devout men from every nation under heaven (people came from all over)
And when this sound occurred, the crowd came together

o The crowd is more than the just the 120 people that gathered in the upper room

o And were bewildered because each one of them was hearing them speak in his own language (this was a miracle)

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Psalm 132

A song of ascents.

1 Lord, remember David
and all his self-denial.

A song of ascents

o 15 songs Sang by God’s people on the way up to Jerusalem 3 times per year

o 15 is 3 x 5 (3 is the number for the trinity; 5 is the number for grace)

o God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit (3 in 1)

o One God with a single purpose (to save His children)

o All 15 songs confirm his plan and purpose and prepare his children

Lord, remember David

o Do we really need to ask God to remember anyone or anything?

o It seems God would never forget so the purpose of this request is not to remind God but so the person asking gets comforted by asking and then believing that God will do it (that’s called prayer)

o David means “beloved” – you would never forget your beloved

o You are beloved of God like David, and God will never forget you

And his self-denial

o David decided to deny himself certain things until he did something for God

o David had been forgiven for much; therefore, David wanted to show God his appreciation by doing something for God

o How about you?

§ How much appreciation do you have for God?

§ What do you want to do to show Him your appreciation?

2 He swore an oath to the Lord,
he made a vow to the Mighty One of Jacob:

David swore an oath the Lord

o This means he made a promise

o Don’t make promises to the Lord that you can’t keep (it’s serious)

He made a vow to the Mighty One of Jacob

o Why does he call him the Mighty One of Jacob

§ Because God wrestled with Jacob and dislocated his hip

§ Because God protected Jacob against Esau’s anger

§ Because God changed Jacob (He who wrestles with God) to Israel (He who turns the head of God)

§ In short God ready, able and willing to do for you what nobody else can

§ Only God can truly protect you, bless you and keep you in good health and guide your path and connections until you enter the gates of heaven!

3 “I will not enter my house
or go to my bed,
4 I will allow no sleep to my eyes
or slumber to my eyelids,
5 till I find a place for the Lord,
a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob.”

Here we learn about the oath Jacob made

o I will not enter my house

§ He didn’t want to go home and rest

o Or go to my bed

§ He didn’t want to sleep in his own bed in comfort

o I will allow no sleep to my eyes

§ He didn’t want to sleep and dream about anything else

o Or slumber my eyelids

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Psalm 131

A song of ascents. Of David.

1 My heart is not proud, Lord,
my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters
or things too wonderful for me.

A song of ascents

o We know these were the 15 songs sang on the way to meet in the Lord’s house in Jerusalem

o Israel had to travel up to Jerusalem three times per year to celebrate

§ Passover (saved by the blood of the lamb)

§ Pentecost (the law given 50-days after leaving Egypt; Holy Spirit poured out 50-days after Christ died and rose again – fulfilling the law)

§ Tabernacle - temporary tents; God provided for the Jews for 40-years in the desert and He still provides for us today

Of David

o David means “beloved of God”

o These songs are for you and me too

§ You are beloved of God

§ He loves you!

My heart is not proud, Lord

o This important because pride is a matter of the heart

o Pride means you are proud of yourself and what you can do not what God did or does (it means your focus is on the wrong person)

§ You need to change your focus from yourself to God

§ God hates pride

§ Pride always comes before a fall

o Here the Psalmist declares his heart is not proud (not self-centered)

§ This means his heart is right – it is God centered

§ Serving others not being served!

§ Bestowing honor and praise on others not lavishing in it yourself

§ Building up others not yourself (pour yourself out; Outbless others today)

My eyes are not haughty

o The eyes are the window into your soul

o Much can be learned or understood when you look into someone’s eyes

o Haughty means “high eyes” or “lifted up eyes” – it is the idea that someone looks down upon others as if less worthy or intelligent or valuable.

o It is the ultimate disdain of others or God as it assumes the highest position in heaven in hearth (instead of God)

o God hates pride and prideful eyes seem to be the pinnacle of such arrogance

o The psalmist says his eyes are not haughty

o This mans his eyes are the opposite of haughty

o This means he does not look down upon others but looks up

§ Meaning he holds other in higher esteem than himself

§ This virtue grows from the heart of humility & gratitude before God & man

§ It is the idea that there is nothing in me of value except God’s spirit & His word by grace

2 But I have calmed and quieted myself,
I am like a weaned child with its mother;
like a weaned child I am content.

But (this word means in contrast or instead)
I have calmed and quieted myself

o This is what we all need to do

o Calm and quiet yourself! Calm down and don’t thinks so highly of yourself.

§ Quiet yourself means stop speaking boastful things about yourself

§ This is the opposite of what prideful people do

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Psalm 130

A song of ascents.

1 Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord;
2 Lord, hear my voice.

The song of Ascents are a collection of 15 songs sang by the Jews on their way up to Jerusalem each year for the three feasts
These songs were also sang by the priests on the way up the steps to the temple in Jerusalem as well
Jerusalem means “in awe of peace” or “teaching peace”

o We are in awe of peace brought about solely by God sending Jesus Christ to die on the cross a brutal death to pay for our sins

o We learn that by faith in the price paid by Jesus Christ and asking for God’s forgiveness will get forgiven and get into heaven even though we don’t deserve it

o The 15 songs are all about these themes and prepare us to meet in God’s house

Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord

o Out of the depths is the deepest part of your heart & soul

o It also implies the darkest places (like the depths of the sea)

o If your cry, my cry, our cry comes from this place

§ God will hear it!

Lord hear my voice

o This is a request with an expectation of a response

o It is not an idle comment or suggestion

Let your ears be attentive
to my cry for mercy.

Let your ears be attentive

o This means to listen with intention of understanding and with a view toward taking action not merely listening to the mumbling of an irrelevant worthless person

What is this request about?

o To my cry for mercy

o Mercy is a pleading not to get what you deserve

o It can only come from a contrite heart

o A heart this sorry for the sin and willing to humbly admin it and turn from it

o When the confession is real and real sorrowful, then there can be an anticipation of mercy (but not before)

3 If you, Lord, kept a record of sins,
Lord, who could stand?

If you, Lord, kept a record of sins

o What a concept

o What an indea

o What if God wrote down in a book every sin you ever committed

o How long would it take for God to read it to you (to remind you)

Lord, who could stand?

o This is a very good question

o We might ask this question ourselves

o The answer is captain obvious

§ Nobody could stand

§ Nobody deserves to get into Heaven

§ The only sinless man that ever walked the face of the earth was Jesus Christ (Fully God, come in the flesh, born as a man, tempted as we are, yet without sin!)

4 But with you there is forgiveness,
so that we can, with reverence, serve you.

But (this means in contrast to the facts)
With you there is forgiveness

o This is a miracle

o What a loving father to love us and be willing to forgive us

o In spite of all we have done

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Psalm 129

A song of ascents.

1 “They have greatly oppressed me from my youth,”
let Israel say;
2 “they have greatly oppressed me from my youth,
but they have not gained the victory over me.

A song of ascents
We know these songs were sang by the Jews when they returned to Jerusalem three times per year during the three feasts

o Pesach (Passover) means to pass over (they retell the story of how God killed the 1st born of the Egyptians but pass over every door that had the blood of the lamb painted on the doorposts (a picture of Jesus Christ on the cross)

o Shavout (weeks of Pentecost)

§ Celebration of the anniversary of the giving of the Torah (ten commandments which was 50-days after they were set free from bondage in Egypt).

§ The Holy Spirit was first poured out on Christians in the upper room 50 days after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ

o Sukkot (tabernacles or booths)

§ Temporary dwelling places celebrating God’s protection and provision for the entire nation of Israel in the desert for 40 years

§ It takes place 5 days after Yom Kippur

· Yom Kippur is confession & repentance of sin

· 5 is the number for grace (given to all who ask for it)

They have greatly oppressed me from my youth

o This looks back on all those who oppressed Israel from its youth

Let Israel say; they have greatly oppressed me from my youth

o Let Israel say (this is a reference to the nation of Israel)

o It’s their story

§ The Egyptians

§ The Canaanites

§ The Philistines

§ The Syrians

§ The Assyrians

§ The Babylonians

§ The Greeks

§ The Romans

§ The Roman Catholics

§ The Kings of Europe

§ The Muslims

§ The Czars

§ The Nazis

o The phrase is repeated because its important to remember this

o When you look at all the challenges God has already delivered you from you gain strength and perspective to handle the present challenge of the day

But they have not gained victory over me

o Israel still stands today in spite of its many enemies

o God formed the church upon the rock and said the gates of hell will not prevail against it; no matter how great the oppositive, God will always bring victory to His chosen children

3 Plowmen have plowed my back
and made their furrows long.

This is a picture of your adversaries running over your back with a plow
It would make deep lines in it
A picture of the stripes Jesus took upon His back from the cat of nine tails

o Yet by Jesus Christ’s stripes we were healed

This speaks of the painful reality of oppositive against God’s people

o It is brutal, painful and leaves scars

o Yet Jesus gained the victory for against all working against us

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Psalm 128

A song of ascents.

1 Blessed are all who fear the Lord,
who walk in obedience to him.

A song of assents

o Songs practiced on the way up to Jerusalem

o Jerusalem means “they will see or be in awe of wholeness or completeness”

It’s a good idea to sing songs on the way up to visit God’s house

o Get ready, get prepared

Blessed are all who fear the Lord

o Blessed means happy

o Happy are all who fear the Lord

Who walk in obedience to him

o If you fear the Lord you will walk in obedience

o Jesus said if you love Me, keep my commandments

o When you keep the Lord’s commandments you show that you love & respect Him

o When your faith reaches the pinnacle it proceeds in obedience

§ This always turns into blessings and happiness to those who apply obedience to their faith

§ If you want more blessing and happiness in your life get more obedient

2 You will eat the fruit of your labor;
blessings and prosperity will be yours.

You will ear the fruit of your labor

o You get to enjoy that which you plant, water and cultivate

o It takes time to grow fruit and it takes consistent behavior

o Keep doing the right thing and your obedience will produce amazing fruit

Blessings and prosperity will be yours

o Blessings “eser” is happiness

o Prosperity “Tob” is good, rich, prosperity

o It means you will be happy because you will have more than enough

o Notice it’s a reward of obedience and the fruit of your labor

o Walk the straight and narrow line and keep doing good and God’s will rain blessing and prosperity down upon you

3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
within your house;

This means your wife will be fertile and will produce a lot children
Your house will become full (each child a Reward from the Lord)
A fruitful vine also implies lots of grapes or wine
It’s a picture of celebration and happiness
When a Godly man outblesses his wife, we blossoms
When a Godly woman outblesses her husband, he blossoms
When Godly parents Outbless their children they blossom
Try and Outbless each one every day

your children will be like olive shoots
around your table.

Olive shoots produce so many olives you can’t eat them all
They make a bit of a mess but what abundant blessings
Around you table means during mealtime

o The stories, the conversations, the memories

o God blesses everyone in the family when Mom & Dad are obedient to the Lord and keep working for good (outblessing).

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Psalm 127

A song of ascents. Of Solomon.

1 Unless the Lord builds the house,
the builders labor in vain.

A song of accents

o These songs were song by the Jews when they returned to Jerusalem to celebrate three festivals

§ Pesach (Passover)

· Jews celebrate the new planting season after the winter rains in early spring

· Christians celebrate that the death angel passed over the houses with blood of the door posts (a picture of Christ on the cross)

· The reason blessings will come again & again

§ Shavout (Weeks or Pentecost)

· Celebrated seven weeks after Passover which 50 days exactly

· Jews celebrate the late spring harvest and giving of the Torah (the ten commandments)

· The law was given 50 days after the Jews were set free from bondage in Egypt

· Pentecost means “50” and also refers to 50 days after the resurrection of Jesus Christ when the Holy Spirit was poured out in the upper room and they all spoke in tongues

§ Sukkot (Tabernacles, tents or booths)

· Jews celebrate their release from bondage in Egypt and how God provided for them for 40 years in the desert relying solely on God

· They make temporary huts from sticks and leaves and live in their backyard to remember the occasion and teach their children

· Christians celebrate that our bodies (temporary dwelling places) will be replaced when we die or get raptured.

· This happens 5 days after Yom Kippuer

o Yom Kippur is a time of confession & repentance asking God to forgive us for sins

o Five is the number for grace

Of Solomon

o Solomon means “recompense, completeness, peace”

o To be or make whole or complete

o Our connection to God was broken by sin but restored by Jesus Christ

Unless the Lord watches over the city,
the guards stand watch in vain.

Man likes to think he is in charge
He builds cities and places guards to watch over it & protect those inside
But unless the Lord watches over the city

o The guards stand watch in vain

o In other words, the guards cannot really protect the city

o Only God has the power to protect the city from all the forces of evil

Man’s pride is in vain

o He is really powerless

2 In vain you rise early
and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat—
for he grants sleep to[a] those he loves.

In vain you rise early and stay up late

o In vain, means it’s stupid and its not necessary

o You don’t need to rise up early and work until late using every waking minute

Toiling for food to eat

o This is man trying to make it on his own without God’s help

o So he toils (works hard) to make money

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Psalm 126

A song of ascents.

1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of[a] Zion,
we were like those who dreamed.[b]

a song of accents are the songs sang on the way up to Jerusalem
on the way to meet the Lord in His house
these songs would be preparation
notice it’s a song of ascent not descent

o it is for those in pursuit of God; therefore, they are going up

when the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion

o when implies a previous time (past tense)

o this looks back upon the time the Jews left 400 years of bondage in Egypt and they carried out all the gold and jewels they could carry

o never forget that this actually happened

We were like those who dreamed

o It was like a dream

o They could not believe it happened

o What are you dreaming about that you want the Lord to do?

o What dream do you think is too big for God?

o God is able to do abundantly above all you can ask or hope for

§ Do you believe it?

§ Do you expect to receive it?

§ Or do you doubt it?

o If it happened for them

§ It can happen for you

2 Our mouths were filled with laughter,
our tongues with songs of joy.

Our mouths were filled with laughter

o Have you ever been so full of joy you can’t help but laugh

o Have you ever been “filled with laughter”?

o This implies all the way to the top and overflowing

Our tongues with songs of joy

o Has your tongue sang songs of joy to the Lord

o Because He answered some urgent prayer or outblessed you!

o Joy comes in the morning (when the Son rises)

o Faith in the risen Lord and Savior can bring great laughter and joy!

Then it was said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”

Then it was said among the nations

o Everyone was talking about the miracle of God

o Everyone was talking about how God set them free

o Everyone was talking about how God let them carry out the gold and the jewels

o Everyone could see their laughter and joy in song as they walking along

o Notice what everyone said

§ The Lord has done great things for them

§ It was the Lord’s doing

§ And everyone knew and understood that size blessing could only be possible from the Lord

§ God forgave them, God freed them, blessed them, prospered them, fed them, clothed them, protected them, guided them, cooled them, warmed them and caused them to prosper!

3 The Lord has done great things for us,
and we are filled with joy.

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Psalm 125

The Lord Surrounds His People.

A Song of Ascents.

125 Those who trust in the Lord
Are as Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but abides forever.

The Lord Surrounds His Peoples

o What a great opening statement

o If the Lord surrounds His people than nothing can harm them without going through the Lord first

A Song of Ascents

o This another song that would be sang on the way up to Jerusalem

o Something to be sang on the way to meet with the Lord in His house

Those who trust in the Lord

o This is an exclusive group

o Are you one of those who trust in the Lord

Those in this exclusive group

o Are as Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but abides forever

o Mount Zion is a picture of strength & stability

o It is also the future home Jesus Christ when He returns and rules and reigns forever

o If you trust in the Lord, your future is SOLID

2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
So the Lord surrounds His people
From this time forth and forever.

This is incredible !!!
As the mountains surround Jerusalem

o This is what this compares too

So the Lord surrounds His people

o Praise the Lord He surrounds us all like the mountains!

From this time forth and forever

o It started immediately and continues today and tomorrow & forever

o This is our present condition!

o Have you considered that you are, I am, we are surrounding by the Lord

3 For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest upon the [a]land of the righteous,
So that the righteous will not put forth their hands to do wrong.

The scepter of wickedness shall not rest upon the land of the righteous

o The scepter is the power to judge and/or to punish

o God promises that evil rulers will not continue to rule over the land given to Israel

§ It may granted or given to them for a time but it will end in God’s timing

§ God allows Israel’s enemies to come into power over His children because they sinned and deserved punishment for disobedience

§ But like a father to a son, discipline is necessary but not permanent

§ Nobody other than God knows best when enough is enough

So that the righteous will not put forth their hands to do wrong

o Even Godly people can reach the end of their rope

o If evil rulership continued for too long, countless believers may finally give up and give in to the demands and habits of evil people

o God is not going to let this happen

4 Do good, O Lord, to those who are good
And to those who are upright in their hearts.

This is a please for God to reward the good and the bad

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Psalm 124

A song of ascents. Of David.

1 If the Lord had not been on our side—
let Israel say—

A song of ascents

o These songs were meant to be sung on the way up to Jerusalem.

o Jerusalem means “in awe of peace” or “teaching peace”

o Man learns about peace by visiting Jerusalem

§ We learn that God so loved the world that He gave His one and only begotten Son to pay for the sins of mankind

§ Jesus died on the cross to pay for our sin

§ Jesus rose again 3-days later proven that He was God’s Son and the Savior of the whole world

§ God promises to save mankind from their sin by faith in the name of the risen Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

· By faith you are saved not of works, lest any man should boast

o David means “beloved”

o In other words the title of this message is jammed packed with an important message

§ You are beloved by God so He sent Jesus Christ to die on a cross to pay for your sin and redeem you to Himself

§ Jesus suffered for your sin so you don’t have too

Now verse 1

o If the Lord had not been on our side

§ This is a radical statement

§ If the Lord was not on our side He would not have sent Jesus Christ to die on a cross to save us

§ If the Lord had not been on their side

· They would not be forgiven

· they would have remained in bondage in Egypt

· they would not have been able to cross the Red Sea

· they would not be able to survive 40-years in the desert

· they would not make it to the promised land

2 if the Lord had not been on our side
when people attacked us,
3 they would have swallowed us alive

their were seven nations living in the promised land before they got their
these nations were had been established for a long time
these nations had armies and resources
they were stronger than Israel
they would have swallowed us alive

o ate up and swallowed

o in other words they had no chance of winning

o so too, sometimes we must depend of God to do something miraculous

o and if God had not been on our side we would have been toast too!

when their anger flared against us;
4 the flood would have engulfed us,

when their anger flared against us

o when is a specific time; a critical time

o when anger flared (it’s like fire; ready to burn them up & destroy them)

the flood would have engulfed us

o a flood rises quickly and can wash you away or go over your head

o the idea is quickly rising trouble (and you are way over your head)

§ not able to survive without God’s help

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Psalm 123

Prayer for the Lord’s Help.

A Song of Ascents.

123 To You I lift up my eyes,
O You who are enthroned in the heavens!

Psalm 123 is short and simple like 123
The title is “Prayer for the Lord’s Help
Yesterday we prayed for the Peace of Jerusalem and we learned that means praying for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven
Today are going to pray for the Lord’s Help

o You probably needs the Lord’s help today

o I need, we need, everyone needs the Lord’s help today

A Song of Ascents

o On the way up the hill or up yonder to Jerusalem

o On the way to meet with the Lord is the idea

o So get ready to take the right steps

§ Remember the Lord is God Almighty

· Nothing is too big for Him or difficult for Him

· God is able

§ Remember that God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son

· God loves you and paid dearly to restore you

· God has your best interest in mind

· God is willing

§ God is ready to listen to you

· God is ready to forgive you if you ask in Jesus name

· God is ready to bless you and answer your prayers in Jesus name

· God is ready look up and ask the King upon His thone!

2 Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master,
As the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress,
So our eyes look to the Lord our God,
Until He is gracious to us.

The eyes of servants look to the hand of their master

o This means those who work wait for their pay; their provision

o They look to their master (their employer)

The eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress

o This is a house keeper / helper

o She looks to the hand of her mistress (the wife)

So our eyes look to the Lord our God

o Just like the workers wait for their pay

o Just like maids wait for their mistress to provide & reward them

o We look to the Lord in the same way

§ We wait for Him to provide to reward us

§ Do your best and try and please Him

· Your reward will be great

Until He is gracious to us

o Until means you are waiting until God does something

o You wait with expectation to receive.

o Until He is gracious to us

§ Gracious means that He gives generously.

§ More than was earned or deserved

§ To us (implies we are all waiting together not just some of us)

§ We need to understand that we are all codependent on the Lord

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Psalm 122

Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem.

A Song of Ascents, of David.

122 I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord.”

Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem

o Prayer is something we should do daily.

o Today I want to bring into focus praying for the Peace of Jerusalem

§ First of all Jerusalem means

· In awe of peace

· Teaching peace

§ We are in awe of peace because God sent His Son to die on a cross in order for us to be forgiven of our sins and have peace with God again (restored)

· We should be awe of this forever

· If God didn’t do this we would not have any peace at all

§ Next, God teaches us about peace through His Word

John 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. 5 The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

9 There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

The Word Made Flesh

14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

So when you think about Jerusalem we should:

1 – be in awe of God’s peace

2 – Learn according to His Word and be thankful that Jerusalem serves a beacon of God’s plan upon the earth for all to behold!

3 – so when we pray for the Peace of Jerusalem we are praying for God’s plans to come to pass because there is no peace in Jerusalem now there are daily rockets from its enemies

But a time is coming that Jerusalem will be the most peaceful place on earth because Jesus Christ is coming again to rule & reign from Jerusalem.
Now we come to the verst 1

o I was glad when they said to me

§ This sentence is prophetic looking forward to the time of Christ’s return

o Let us go the house of the Lord

§ It’s time to Go (finally)

§ We are weary of the world and waiting for God’s will to be done

2 Our feet are standing
Within your gates, O Jerusalem,
3 Jerusalem, that is built
As a city that is compact together;
4 To which the tribes go up, even the tribes of [a]the Lord—
[b]An ordinance for Israel—
To give thanks to the name of the Lord.

Our feet are standing within your gates O Jerusalem

o This is picturing yourself there already

o You are looking forward to the day

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121 I will lift up my eyes to the mountains;
From where shall my help come?

o It all starts with verse one

§ I will lift my eyes to the mountains

§ In other words look up yonder where God lives

§ Focus your eyes, your heart and your thoughts on Him & His house

o From where shall my help come from

§ Sometimes we are like the Psalmist

§ We wonder where are help is going to come from

2 My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.
3 He will not allow your foot to slip;
He who keeps you will not slumber.

My help comes from the Lord

o This is the answer

o This is the only right answer

Who made heaven and earth

o God almighty made heaven and earth (not a big bang or belch)

o If God is powerful enough to make heaven & earth, He could probably help solve your little problem… and mine too

He will not allow your foot to slip

o This means He won’t let you fall down

o He won’t let the devil trip you up

He who keeps you will not slumber

o God is not asleep or slack

o He is awake; He knows; He hears; He takes action

o He will not slumber means He is on-guard (on watch)

o Looking over you to make sure you get to your destination safely

4 Behold, He who keeps Israel
Will neither slumber nor sleep.

Behold, He who keeps Israel

o This means check it out

o You can see Him doing it

o There was a 6-day war when Israel’s enemies tried to take over

o But Israel conquered their enemies even though their enemies had far more people in their army and far more technology

§ 20,000 enemies died

§ 1,000 Israelis died

§ And Israel took over more land than they previously occupied

§ But they still only occupy a small portion of what God gave them

o This outrageous victory is example He who keeps Israel

o Even toward the end in the war of Armageddon

§ Mankind will come against Israel with all their armies and technology with a view toward wiping Israel off the face of the map

§ But God will intervene again and wipe out mankind’s army & tech

§ And the blood of man will be as high as horses bridles in the valley of Megiddo

5 The Lord is your keeper;
The Lord is your shade on your right hand.

The Lord is your keeper

o That means He keeps clean, watered, fed and safe

o The Lord is keeping Israel for His own purposes

o This means the Lord is standing right behind you on the right side

o He is your right hand man so to speak

o His shadow is over your right hand (God’s presence & power is with you)

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120 In my trouble I cried to the Lord,
And He answered me.

In my trouble I cried to the Lord

o Notice its when he was in trouble again

And He answered me

o Notice God faithfulness again

o He answers time and time again

2 Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips,
From a deceitful tongue.

The trouble the Psalmist was in was related to lies spoken against him

o These lies were made with intent to harm or kill

o Not surprising when you consider the devil is the father of all lies

o And that his purpose is to kill, steal and destroy

3 What shall be given to you, and what more shall be done to you,
You deceitful tongue?

The Psalmist gives a warning to the who lie

o What shall be given to you

o And what more shall be done to you

o This seems to imply a fierce payback much worse than the damage they intended

4 Sharp arrows of the warrior,
With the burning coals of the broom tree.

Sharp arrows of the warrior

o Sharp arrows have the intent to kill

With burning coals of the broom tree

o These arrows will cause whatever they hit to catch fire & burn up

o Death and torment by fire is certainly implied (a picture of hell)

5 Woe is me, for I sojourn in Meshech,
For I dwell among the tents of Kedar!

Woe is me, for I sojourn in Meshech

o Meshech means “drawing out”

o The people who lived there were heathen and corrupt

o The Psalmist is unhappy he lives among them

For I dwell among the tents of Kedar

o Kedar means dark

o A son of Ishmael

§ the result of Abraham & Sarah taking matters in their own hands

o the Psalmist goes back and forth in the land and is surrounded by people who did not follow Jehovah

o He considered it WOE

6 Too long has my soul had its dwelling
With those who hate peace.

The Psalmist complains that he dwelled among these people for too long
This means he expected to move or relocate much sooner

o Sometimes, things take much longer than we want

o This means they love the opposite of peace (enemies of peace)

7 I am for peace, but when I speak,
They are for war.

I am for peace

o The Psalmist was for peace

§ He wants peace

§ He loves peace

§ He longs for peace

But when I speak, they are for war

o The Psalmist speaks about God’s peace (Shalom)

§ Was for war (the oppositive of peace)

§ The enemy of peace and Christ

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Psalm 119

Meditations and Prayers Relating to the Law of God.

Aleph.

119 How blessed are those whose way is [a]blameless,
Who walk in the law of the Lord.
2 How blessed are those who observe His testimonies,
Who seek Him with all their heart.
3 They also do no unrighteousness;
They walk in His ways.
4 You have [b]ordained Your precepts,
[c]That we should keep them diligently.
5 Oh that my ways may be established
To keep Your statutes!
6 Then I shall not be ashamed
When I look [d]upon all Your commandments.
7 I shall give thanks to You with uprightness of heart,
When I learn Your righteous judgments.
8 I shall keep Your statutes;
Do not forsake me utterly!

Aleph is the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet and means three-in-on.
The alpha (first letter) or creator is three in one (Father, Son & Spirit)
The message is “how blessed are those whose way is blameless”

o The only way to be blameless is to believe on God’s Son Jesus Christ

Beth.

9 How can a young man keep his way pure?
By keeping it according to Your word.
10 With all my heart I have sought You;
Do not let me wander from Your commandments.
11 Your word I have treasured in my heart,
That I may not sin against You.
12 Blessed are You, O Lord;
Teach me Your statutes.
13 With my lips I have told of
All the ordinances of Your mouth.
14 I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies,
[e]As much as in all riches.
15 I will meditate on Your precepts
And [f]regard Your ways.
16 I shall [g]delight in Your statutes;
I shall not forget Your word.

Beth is the 2nd letter in the Hebrew alphabet
Beth means God oath or pledged to God

o A God oath is His word or His promise to you (an oath that cannot be broken)

o Pledged to God to means betrothed to be married (to be one with God)

§ This speaks of heart, mind and soul

The Psalmist writes “how can a young man keep his way pure”

o The answer is “by keeping it according to Your word”

o Your word I have treasured in my heart (super valuable like Gold)

I will meditate on Your precepts

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Psalm 118

Thanksgiving for the Lord’s Saving Goodness.

118 Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.

Thanksgiving is made up from two words “Thanks Giving”

o We should thank the Lord for giving us something BIG

o For the Lord’s Saving Goodness

o He saved us because of His Goodness!

Verse 1 then gives us instruction
Give thanks to the Lord

o This is what we should do every day

o For He is good (we should never forget how Good He is)

For His lovingkindness is everlasting

o This is why He is so good

o His lovingkindness is everlasting (it never ends)

o Thank God He is loving and kind and good!

2 Oh let Israel say,
“His lovingkindness is everlasting.”
3 Oh let the house of Aaron say,
“His lovingkindness is everlasting.”
4 Oh let those who [a]fear the Lord say,
“His lovingkindness is everlasting.”

We learned a few chapters back why these three are important
Israel was Jacob (He who wrestles with God) who was renamed Israel (He who turns the head of God)

o He learned not to depend on his own strength but to trust God

o Faith not works

The house of Aaron represents Moses’s mouthpiece

o Aaron was also a priest and a teacher of the law

o You could say he was very religious

o We learned that religious people are not necessarily saved

o Those who put their faith in Jesus Christ are

Those who fear the Lord

o Includes everyone else

o If you humble yourself and cry out to the Lord you get saved

So all three should say “His lovingkindness is everlasting”

o What a great testimony for us all!

5 From my distress I called upon [b]the Lord;
[c]The Lord answered me and set me in a large place.
6 The Lord is for me; I will not fear;
What can man do to me?

From my distress

o We often call upon the Lord from our distress

o Maybe you need to call upon the Lord today in your distress

The Lord answered me and set me in a large place

o Notice the Lord heard and answered!

o To be set in a large place is a place of security (rescued)

The Lord is for me

o If the Lord is for you too why fear?

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Psalm, Chapter 117

A Psalm of Praise.

117 Praise the Lord, all nations;
Sing His praises, all peoples!

The title is A Psalm of Praise

o What is a Psalm?

o It is “a sacred song or poem”

o It would be something to be remembered

o It would be something passed down generation to generation

o It would an eternal truth

A Psalm of Praise

o This would be a sacred song or poem to praise God

o What does it mean to praise?

§ Eight meaning of the word praise

1. Hallah

"Hallah” is the most common word for praise. This word simply means to boast, brag, or rave about God even to the point of appearing foolish.

2. Yadah

“Yadah” means to worship with extended hands.

“Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord” (Psalm 134:2).

(Psalm 43:1-5; 134:2; 2 Chronicles 20: 1- 21; Nehemiah 8:6; 1 Timothy 2:8)

Yadah pictures a three-year-old child, hands raised, running towards daddy, crying, “Hold me, daddy, hold me!”

3. Barak

“Barak” is used to denote blessing.

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised”

(Job 1:21).

4. Tehillah

“Tehillah” means to sing or to laud.

“Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the one Israel praises” (Psalm 22:3). (Exodus 15:2; Isaiah 61:3; Deuteronomy 10:21)

5. Zamar

“Zamar” means to pluck the strings of an instrument.

“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge… I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I have been saved from my enemies” (Psalm 18:1-3).

(Nehemiah 8:10; Psalm 18:1-4, 46-50; 68:1-4; Ephesians 5:19)

6 & 7. Todah and Shabach

6. “Todah” means to shout or to address with a loud voice.

But Todah goes even further. It includes an attitude of gratitude for God’s promised deliverance even while we are still in need. This type of praise also refers to lifting of the hands in inviting God’s help. Todah praise is having faith and assurance that is well even before the victory actually comes.

7. “Shabach” also means to shout or to address in a loud tone. For example, the pagan king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar, was struck insane by God because of his pride. When God restored his sanity seven years later, Nebuchadnezzar shouted words of Shabbat praise:

“Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble” (Daniel 4:37).

8. Hallelujah

“HALLELUJAH” is the premier word for praise in the Bible. Hallelujah transcends the languages of the world. It is not translated; it is transliterated.

“Hallel” means to boast or to brag on, to make a show, even to the point of looking ridiculous.

“Jah” is the short form of the name for God.

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Psalm, Chapter 116

Thanksgiving for Deliverance from Death.

116 I love the Lord, because He hears
My voice and my supplications.

The title explains the true reason to give God thanks
For deliverance from death

o That is was God gave us by sending His son Jesus Christ

o He delivered us from death by making a way for us to be forgiven for our sin

§ By grace you are saved not of works lest any man should boast

I love the Lord, because Hears

o We should love the Lord because He hears us cry out or pray

My voice and my supplications

o My voice is used to talk to God

o My supplications are urgent requests (911)

2 Because He has inclined His ear to me,
Therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live.

Because He has inclined His ear to me

o Notice the Psalmist knows God heard him

Therefore I shall upon Him as long as I live

o If you know God is listening to you

o You would talk to Him over and over

o Only people who don’t think God listens or God cares don’t pray

§ The devil wants you to think God doesn’t listen to you but He does!

§ So talk to the Lord often (pray without ceasing)

3 The cords of death encompassed me
And the [a]terrors of [b]Sheol [c]came upon me;
I found distress and sorrow.

This is a description of absolute desperation
It seems its all over

o The cords of death encompassed me (entangled)

o The terrors of Sheol came upon me (fear of death& hell)

o I found distress and sorrow (it’s what he found)

It seems like a critical moment

o You must decide to give up or turn to God

o Cry out to the Lord and He will help you

4 Then I called upon the name of the Lord:
“O Lord, I beseech You, [d]save my life!”

Then I called upon the name of the Lord

o When the Psalmist was at the end of his rope

o He decided to call upon the name of the Lord

§ The name of the Lord is Jesus Christ

§ This is the only name that can save you from Sheol

O Lord, I beseech You, save my life!

o Notice he beseeched

§ ask (someone) urgently and fervently to do something

§ what did he ask the Lord “to save my life”

o this is what we need to ask the Lord

§ please save my life

· this will literally save your life for eternity

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Psalm, Chapter 115

Heathen Idols Contrasted with the Lord.

115 Not to us, O Lord, not to us,
But to Your name give glory
Because of Your lovingkindness, because of Your [a]truth.

The title of this message sets the table for a compassion

o Its like comparing two meals

o If you eat one you will experience consternation and stomach pain

o If you eat the other one you will experience health, joy and happiness

Heathen Idols

o These are false gods

o Anything that is worshiped other than Jesus Christ is a heathen idol

o Anything you think about more than Jesus Christ is also an idol

§ Some people worship their car and clean it with a diaper

§ Some people worship their money or power or position

§ Some people worship the creation rather than the creator

· Physical attributes of body or the mountains, beach or sunsets, etc

§ Some actually work the sun god or the moon god, or the of fertility, etc

Contrasted with the Lord

o The contrast is start and worth noting

o He is not a thing

o He is not a creation

o He was before creation and into eternity

o He is THE CREATOR

o THE ONE TRUE GOD (CAPITAL G)

Not to us, O Lord, not to us

o The phrase “not to use” is spoken twice

o This is for emphasis

o In other words, this is not for us (no way)

But to Your name give glory

o The most important thing to give glory too is “His name”

o The name of Jesus Christ our Lord

Because of Your lovingkindness

o God is loving and kind

o That is the heart of the Father, Son & Holy Ghost

Because of Your truth

o This is the Word of God (the sole source of real truth)

o And the truth is “God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son so that whomsoever believes on the name of Jesus Christ will be saved”

o Faith in the name of Jesus Christ is the only way to get to into heaven

§ That’s the truth

o And it’s only because God so loved the world (that includes you and I) that He gave His Son to die on a cross to pay for our sin out of His love!

2 Why should the nations say,
“Where, now, is their God?”

This is a rhetorical question
The nations should not say “where is their God”
Because the nations should see their God in action in their lives
People worshiping false gods seem to take please in watch God’s children suffer or go through trials and then they point their finger and mock God

o In other words, God please remember your covenant to save and bless your people and take care of business so these heathens get schooled and humbled

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Psalm, Chapter 114

God’s Deliverance of Israel from Egypt.

114 When Israel went forth from Egypt,
The house of Jacob from a people of strange language,
2 Judah became His sanctuary,
Israel, His dominion.

God’s deliverance of Israel from Egypt

o God’s deliverance of Israel

§ This was a miracle account

§ This was based entirely on His grace & mercy

§ Israel was in slaver to Egypt because of their sin

§ They paid a heavy price for 400 years

§ Jacob wrestled with God all night until his hip was dislocated

§ Jacob would have to face his brother Esau

· Not based on his own power to deal with Esau

· But based on the power of God would have to protect Jacob

· It’s a picture of how we need God to save us

o And only He can!

§ God renamed Jacob Israel

· Israel means he retained God or

· God is upright (became a man)

· With God’s help he survives

o From Egypt

§ Egypt is a type of or picture the world and sin

§ In order to save Israel from Egypt, God had to bring 10 plagues on Egypt until Pharoah finally let God’s people go

§ God does the impossible to save His people (which He did)

§ The Jews (Israel) walked out carrying all their gold & silver and valuables

When Israel went forth from Egypt

o They went forth once God set them free

The house of Jacob from a people of strange language

o Jacob means “he wrestles with God” or “He turns the head of God”

o The strange language was Arabic instead of Hebrew or Aramaic

Judah became His sanctuary

o Judah means “praise”

o In other words God made his home among the praise of His people

Israel, His dominion

o Dominion means the power or right of governing and controlling; sovereign authority

o In other words, God is the sovereign sole authority of His people

3 The sea looked and fled;
The Jordan turned back.

The sea looked and fled

o This is impossible

o The point is God did the impossible

o God parted the red sea and let his people walk through it on dry ground

o But God also closed the red sea on the Egyptian army when they tried to pursue God’s people and they were all killed

The Jordan turned back

o This is impossible as well

o When the time came, God directed Joshua to lead the people across the Jordan River, with the priest carrying the Ark of the Covenant ahead of the caravan. When the priests stepped into the river, and stood in place, the Jordan immediately parted for the people to cross through on dry land (Joshua 3)

o God continues to do the impossible

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Psalm, Chapter 113

The Lord Exalts the Humble.

113 [a]Praise [b]the Lord!

The Lord Exalts the Humble

o The Lord Exalts

§ This means He lifts them up

§ Hold them in high esteem

o The Humble

§ If you humble yourself in the sight of the Lord

§ He will Lift you up!

§ Humility = great reward

Once you understand the title

o Praise the Lord!

o Notice the exclamation

o Once we again we learn this is what we should be doing

Praise, O servants of the Lord,
Praise the name of the Lord.

Praise, O servants of the Lord

o Do you serve the Lord?

o Is the Lord your boss?

o Then praise Him!

Praise the name of the Lord

o The name of the Lord is Jesus Christ

o His name is the only name under heaven whereby a man or woman can be saved

o We should praise His name because its better than any other name

2 Blessed be the name of the Lord
From this time forth and forever.

Blessed be the name of the Lord

o The focus remains on the name of the Lord

From this time forth and forever

o From this time (this means right now)

o And forever (means every day hereafter)

§ Starts now and the blessings just keeps going!

3 From the rising of the sun to its setting
The name of the Lord is to be praised.

From the rising of the sun to its setting

o This means from morning (the crack of dawn – early)

o To its settings in the evening (until it becomes dark)

o This implies every hour while the light is present or we are awake

The name of the Lord is to be praised

o This is a command its not optional

o It must be important to praise Him

4 The Lord is high above all nations;
His glory is above the heavens.

The Lord is high above all nations

o This means His position and power is far above all the powers of the earth

His glory is above the heavens

o This means He shines more than the stars (more famous & glorious)

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Psalm, Chapter 112

Prosperity of the One Who Fears the Lord.

112 [a]Praise [b]the Lord!
How blessed is the man who [c]fears the Lord,
Who greatly delights in His commandments.

Prosperity of the One

o This is personal

Who fears the Lord

o This is who it applies too

Praise the Lord

o This is the continual activity we should be doing

How blessed is the man who fears the Lord

o The words “how blessed” is type of measurement

o The answer implies that it is “immeasurable”

o If you fear (respect) the Lord, YOU WILL BE BLESSED BEYOND MEASURE

Who greatly delights in His commandments

o Who greatly delights

§ This means one who takes great pleasure in knowing His commandments and doing His commandments that he may please the Lord

§ If your attitude is to be careful to please Him, He will Outbless you!

o In His commandments

§ Do you know His commandments?

§ Do you follow His commandments?

§ Do you delight in keeping them or does this seem unfair, unjust or outdated

· This speaks volumes about where your heart is

2 His [d]descendants will be mighty [e]on earth;
The generation of the upright will be blessed.

His descendants will be mighty on earth

o This man who fears the Lord and delights in His commandments

o His descendants will be mighty on the earth because they will be many

The generation of the upright will be blessed

o This means God’s blessing are generational

§ They continue forever and ever

3 Wealth and riches are in his house,
And his righteousness endures forever.

Wealth & riches are in his house

o This speaks of financial prosperity in one’s house (his home)

o When you do these three things:

§ Praise the Lord

§ Fear the Lord

§ Delight in His commandments

o The reward is prosperity in your house

§ This impacts your family where you live

And his righteousness endures forever

o When do these three things

o You will be made righteous by the Lord

o And He will make it permanent - forever

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Psalm, Chapter 111

The Lord Praised for His Goodness.

111 [a]Praise [b]the Lord!
I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart,
In the company of the upright and in the assembly.

The Lord praised for His goodness

o We should praise the Lord because of His Goodness

§ He forgave us

§ He saved us

§ He loves us

§ He paid for our sins

§ He is coming to take us to heaven

Praise the Lord!

o This is what we need to do (not should do)

I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart

o Whatever you give from your heart is meaningful

o With all your heart means its super meaningful & important to you

In the company of the upright and in the assembly

o The company of the upright

§ These are fellow believers

o And in the assembly

§ These are larger meetings

§ They would include church meetings

· Where people assemble to praise God

o Let them all heart your voice thanking God with all your heart!

2 Great are the works of the Lord;
They are [c]studied by all who delight in them.

Great are the works of the Lord

o Great means awesome and good (bigger than what man can do)

They are studied by all who delight in them

o Believers should study His works

§ What He did

§ What He made

§ How He did it

o If you delight in the things of God; God will grant you the desires of your heart

o Every promise contained in His word!

3 [d]Splendid and majestic is His work,
And His righteousness endures forever.

Splendid and majestic is His work

o Splendid means “magnificent; very impressive”

o Majestic means “having or exhibiting majesty”; “impressive dignity”

o This is a description of His work (it has a godly quality to it)

And His righteousness endures forever

o Righteousness is “the quality of being morally right or justifiable”

o Jesus was morally right because He never sinned

o Jesus always did the will of the Father

o Therefore His righteousness endures forever

o This means it lives on forever & ever

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Psalm, Chapter 110

The Lord Gives Dominion to the King.

A Psalm of David.

110 The Lord says to my Lord:
“Sit at My right hand
Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”

The title is “The Lord gives dominion to the king”
The Lord gives (power and authority belong to God alone)
The Lord can give it to whom He wants too because its His
In this case, He gives Dominion to the King

o Dominion is the power and authority

§ sovereignty and control

a Psalm of David

o A Psalm is sacred song or hymn

o David means “beloved”

o This is a sacred song to be sang by God’s beloved

Davis was King of Israel

o If the LORD (notice all caps) says to my Lord

§ The first word is Jehova

§ The second word is Adon which is Master or Lord

o This must be God the Father talking about Jesus His Son

Sit at My right hand

o Hebrews 1:3

§ 3 And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and [b]upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they.

o 1 Peter 3:22

§ 21 Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God [q]for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him.

o Acts 7:55-56

§ 55 But being full of the Holy Spirit, he gazed intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; 56 and he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”

Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet

o God the Father promised He would make the enemies of Jesus Christ a footstool for Him (under His feet; in complete submission)

2 The Lord will stretch forth Your strong scepter from Zion, saying,
“Rule in the midst of Your enemies.”

The Lord will stretch forth Your strong scepter from Zion

o Jehovah will stretch forth Your strong scepter

§ A staff carried by rulers as a symbol of sovereignty

o From Zion

§ The hill of Jerusalem on which the city of David was built

§ Also the location of the New Jerusalem to come

· A 1,500 mile cube of precious stones

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Psalm, Chapter 109

Vengeance Invoked upon Adversaries.

For the choir director. A Psalm of David.

109 O God of my praise,
Do not be silent!

The title is worth noting
Vengeance invoked (to ask the judge to take action)
Upon Adversaries (one’s opponent; as in a contest, or battle)
Yes, David asked God take vengeance upon his adversaries
It’s a song so it was meant to be remembered
It’s for the choir director which means it would be taught to others to sing
O God of my praise (notice the opening part of the prayer)

o God is the one who causes us to praise

Do not be silent!

o This means David wants God to answer this request right away (audibly)

2 For they have opened the [a]wicked and deceitful mouth against me;
They have spoken [b]against me with a lying tongue.
3 They have also surrounded me with words of hatred,
And fought against me without cause.

David gives the reason for his request

o They opened the wicked and deceitful mouth against me (talking smack)

o They lied about me

o They surround me with words of hatred

o And fought against me without cause (was not provoked; undeserved action)

o Maybe someone has lied about you or is fighting against you without cause

§ And you didn’t do anything to provoke it

4 In return for my love they act as my accusers;
But I am in prayer.

In return for my love they act as my accusers

o David gave love

o They returned accusations (returned evil for good)

But I am in prayer

o David’s response was to pray not take revenge himself

o This is the best way to respond (pray for them)

5 Thus they have [c]repaid me evil for good
And hatred for my love.

They repaid evil for good (the opposite of what should have happened)
And hatred for my love (the opposite of love is hatred)

6 Appoint a wicked man over him,
And let an [d]accuser stand at his right hand.
7 When he is judged, let him come forth guilty,
And let his prayer become sin.

David does the unthinkable
Now he asks God to appoint wicked man over him (give him the same treatment)

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Psalm, Chapter 108

God Praised and Supplicated to Give Victory.

A Song, a Psalm of David.

108 My heart is steadfast, O God;
I will sing, I will sing praises, even with my [a]soul.

The title is “God Praised and Supplicated to Give Victory”

o It’s a two part formula

o First, God is Praised – For His love, For His mercy, For His grace, Who He is

o And Supplicated

§ to ask for humbly or earnestly, as by praying. 2. To make a humble entreaty to; beseech. To make a humble, earnest petition; beg.

o Here is the formula

§ God Praised (plural) over & over

§ And Supplicated (to humbly & earnestly ask)

§ = Victory

It’s a song of David

o It’s a song because God wants us to remember the words

o It’s a Psalm of David: “David” means beloved

o It’s a song every beloved child of God should sing

Now we get to verse 1
My heart is steadfast, O God’

o fixed in direction; steadily directed: a steadfast gaze.

o firm in purpose, resolution, faith, etc.: a steadfast friend.

o unwavering, as resolution, faith, or adherence.

o firmly established, as an institution or a state of affairs.

o firmly fixed in place or position; stable.

When your heart is steadfast you are going God’s direction walking by faith; therefore,
I will sing, I will sing praises, even with my soul

o This means you will sing from your heart for eternity (your soul)

2 Awake, harp and lyre;
I will awaken the dawn!

To awake harp and lyre means you start playing these instruments & singing
I will awaken the dawn means you are going to do this first thing in the morning

o In other words, the first you thing you think about is praising God early in the morning

o If you start every day with this attitude and gratitude of the heart everyday will be outblessed by the Lord

3 I will give thanks to You, O Lord, among the peoples,
And I will sing praises to You among the nations.

When you sing, this is what you should be singing about

o Give thanks to You, O Lord

Among the peoples

o This means in public view & hearing so others can see

And I will sing praises to You among the nations

o This means not just once or twice in public view

o It means over and over until the all the nations hear it

o It’s a concert tour, an internet broadcast, everyone is invited

The idea is the praise & thanksgiving is a life’s work in plain view of all

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Philippines Chapter 3

The Goal of Life

3 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you.

Whenever we gather again to read God’s word
Whenever we re-read it again and again
It is no trouble, no bother, not redundant, nor unnecessary
Instead it is a safeguard for you and I !

2 Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the [a]false circumcision; 3 for we are the true [b]circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh, 4 although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless.

The Apostle Paul wants us to beware (that means watch out)
He gave us three things to watch out for:

o Beware of dogs (dogs are led by their hunger bodily urges)

o Beware of evil workers (evil workers are led by evil spirits)

o Beware of the false circumcision (Jews wanting to include the law but who don’t and can’t follow it either) – they simply want power over others

We are the true circumcision (this is of the heart)
Who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus

o Reliance upon God alone

And put no confidence in the flesh

o No confidence means we realize we can’t earn our way into heaven

Paul had all the credentials:

o Born into a Jewish family

o Circumcised the 8th day (exactly according to the law)

o The tribe of Benjamin (the small but powerful tribe)

o A Hebrew of Hebrews (meaning he followed Jewish customs)

o As to the Law, a Pharisee (a doctor of law)

o As to Zeal (a persecutor of the church)

o Found blameless by the law (very interesting

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Psalm, Chapter 107

The Lord Delivers Men from Manifold Troubles.

107 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.

The title is a statement of fact

o The Lord Delivers Men from Manifold Troubles

o This means the Lord rescues men from many troubles

o Whatever trouble you have; God can deliver you through it!

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good

o Why is the Lord good?

o Because He delivers us from manifold troubles (all of them)

For His lovingkindness is everlasting

o This promise is forever (its still good today)

2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the adversary
3 And gathered from the lands,
From the east and from the west,
From the north and from the [a]south.

Let the redeemed of the Lord say so

o That’s you and I

o Redeemed means purchased back

o God paid for you sins and mine with His blood instead of ours

o If you receive it – SAY SO

4 They wandered in the wilderness in a [b]desert region;
They did not find a way to [c]an inhabited city.
5 They were hungry [d]and thirsty;
Their soul fainted within them.

Sometimes it feels like we are wandering the desert too
We can’t seem to find our way either
We to get hungry and thirsty (impatient)
Sometimes we feel like we’re going to faint

6 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble;
He delivered them out of their distresses.

Notice they cried out to the Lord = He delivered them ! - FAITHFUL

7 He led them also by a [e]straight way,
To go to [f]an inhabited city.
8 Let them give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness,
And for His [g]wonders to the sons of men!

He led them also by a straight way

o The shortest possible distance to the right place (quickly)

Give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness

o Because He helps us!

And for His wonders to the sons of men

o His wonders are almost not believable they are so fantastic (outblessed)

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Psalm, Chapter 106

Israel’s Rebelliousness and the Lord’s Deliverances.

106 [a]Praise [b]the Lord!
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.

The title is “Israel’s rebelliousness and the Lord’s Deliverances”

o This seems to be irony

o Israel’s rebelliousness

§ It seems this should turn to punishment

o And the Lord’s Deliverances

§ Deliverance seems like the opposite reward for rebelliousness

§ It’s called grace

As a result we have the first verse
Praise the Lord!

o Because He delivers us in spite of our rebelliousness

Oh give thanks to the Lord for He is good

o We must thank the Lord for He is good even when are not

For His lovingkindness is everlasting

o That means it is without end

2 Who can speak of the mighty deeds of the Lord,
Or can show forth all His praise?
3 How blessed are those who keep [c]justice,
[d]Who practice righteousness at all times!

It’s hard to keep track of all the mighty deeds of the Lord

o We could never praise Him enough

We are blessed

4 Remember me, O Lord, in Your favor [e]toward Your people;
Visit me with Your salvation,
5 That I may see the prosperity of Your chosen ones,
That I may rejoice in the gladness of Your nation,
That I may glory with Your [f]inheritance.

We want the Lord to remember us by name

o If your name is written in the book of life – you are saved

You will see the prosperity of His chosen ones (abundantly above0

o You will rejoice in gladness

o And glory with His inheritance

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Psalm, Chapter 105

The Lord’s Wonderful Works in Behalf of Israel.

105 Oh give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name;
Make known His deeds among the peoples.

The title is worth noting

o The Lords Wonderful Works

§ His works are truly wonderful

o In Behalf of Israel

§ Israel was breaking the law

§ God showed up and helped them anyway

Oh give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name

o As a result of His wonderful works…

o Give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name (because that’s how you get saved)

Make known His deeds among the peoples

o In other words tell everyone about His grace & mercy

§ He is ready to forgive sinners

§ Consider the mighty deeds He has done to save His people

· Plagues upon Egypt

· Parting the Red Sea

· Clearing out the people in the promised land

2 Sing to Him, sing praises to Him;
[a]Speak of all His [b]wonders.
3 [c]Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the Lord be glad.
4 Seek the Lord and His strength;
Seek His face continually.

Sing. Speak. Glory. (Get fired up)
Let the heart of those who seek the Lord be glad (because they are forgiven)
See the Lord

o And His strength

o His face continually

5 Remember His [d]wonders which He has done,
His marvels and the judgments [e]uttered by His mouth,
6 O seed of Abraham, His servant,
O sons of Jacob, His chosen ones!

Remembers His wonders (past tense)
His marvels and judgements uttered (His word)
Seed of Abraham (Jews, Arabs and all believers by faith in Jesus Christ)

7 He is the Lord our God;
His judgments are in all the earth.

8 He has remembered His covenant forever,
The word which He commanded to a thousand generations,
9 The covenant which He made with Abraham,
And His oath to Isaac.
10 Then He confirmed it to Jacob for a statute,
To Israel as an everlasting covenant,
11 Saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan
As the [f]portion of your inheritance,”

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Psalm, Chapter 104

The Lord’s Care over All His Works.

104 Bless the Lord, O my soul!
O Lord my God, You are very great;
You are clothed with splendor and majesty,
2 Covering Yourself with light as with a cloak,
Stretching out heaven like a tent curtain.

The title is “The Lord’s Care over All His Works”

o First, please note “The Lord’s Care”

o He does care and He will take care of everything He made

o Second, note that He takes Care over All His works (not just some)

o This means birds, trees, flowers, animals, fishes, everything & everyone!

§ This includes you

§ This includes your family

O Lord, my God

o This is a confession of faith but in the context of relationship (my God)

You are very great

o God Himself is very great (no one and/or no thing can compare)

You are clothed with splendor and majesty

o This goes way beyond mere clothes

o It speaks of His glory, beauty, power, righteousness, awesomeness!

Covering Yourself with light as with a cloak

o God wraps Himself in light like putting on a sweater or a jacket

o Imagine being able to bend light into any shape you wanted too

Stretching out heaven like a tent curtain

o This means He simply rolls it our so everyone can see it

o He rolling out planets, stars, moons, universes like a ten curtain

3 [a]He lays the beams of His upper chambers in the waters;
[b]He makes the clouds His chariot;
[c]He walks upon the wings of the wind;
4 [d]He makes [e]the winds His messengers,
[f]Flaming fire His ministers.

He lays beams of His upper chambers in the waters

o This means God builds His house even in the midst of water

He makes the clouds His chariot

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Psalm, Chapter 103

Praise for the Lord’s Mercies.

A Psalm of David.

103 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And all that is within me, bless His holy name.

The title of this message is Praise for the Lord’s Mercies

o We praise God for His mercies (plural)

o His mercies are new every morning (thank God)

o Mercies is not getting what you deserve even though you keep sinning

o Lets thank God and praise God for His mercies!

Bless the Lord, O my Soul

o Your soul is the everlasting part

o It is the core of you really are

o Let the blessing well up from deep inside

And all that is within me, bless His holy name!

o What is all that is in you?

o It’s more than your soul – its everything else too

o All of you should bless His holy name

§ The name of Jesus Christ is what makes a man or woman holy

§ Only faith in Jesus Christ has the power to cleanse us over & over

2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget none of His benefits;
3 Who pardons all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases;
4 Who redeems your life from the pit,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion;
5 Who satisfies your [a]years with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.

Bless the Lord, O my soul

o This is repeated for emphasis

And forget none His benefits

o We should memorize His benefits

§ Who pardons all your iniquities (that means mine and yours personally)

§ Who heals all your diseases (makes you well again)

§ Who redeems your life from the pit (rescued from the pit of hell)

§ Who crowns you with lovingkindness & compassion (on your head)

§ Who satisfies your years with good things (faithful year after year)

§ So that your youth is renewed like the eagle (still able to soar)

o First He heals us spiritually; then physically; then eternally; then mentally and from the heart; then materially; then actively so we soar into old age!

6 The Lord performs [b]righteous deeds
And judgments for all who are oppressed.

The Lord performs righteous needs (these are deed He does not that we do)
And judgements for all who are oppressed (this means He sets them free or provides)
He turns wrongs into rights!

7 He made known His ways to Moses,
His acts to the sons of Israel.

Moses saw God bring the ten plagues upon Egypt
Moses saw God set His people free from bondage
Moses saw God part the Red Sea
Moses received the ten commandments on the mountain (thunder & lightening)

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Psalm, Chapter 102

Prayer of an Afflicted Man for Mercy on Himself and on Zion.

A Prayer of the Afflicted when he is faint and [a]pours out his complaint before the Lord.

102 Hear my prayer, O Lord!
And let my cry for help come to You.

The title of this message is prayer of an afflicted man for Mercy on Himself and on Zion

o we often pray much more often when we're afflicted than when we're not

o the afflicted man prays for mercy on himself and on Zion

o this is a good indication that it's OK to pray for yourself but also for other believers

A prayer of the afflicted when he is faint

o this is the point at which you are worn out and tired of the fight

o you're so worn out you're about to faint pass out

and pours out his complaint before the Lord

o this is what we should do when we feel like or at the end of our rope and we're about to pass out

o pour out your complaint before the Lord (This implies that you remember who He is first)

o this means you tell the Lord exactly what's bothering you

Hear are my prayer oh Lord

o The first request is that the Lord would hear my prayer

o it's like getting God's attention; like could you bend your ear and listen

o it's awesome to consider that God almighty would literally incline his ear and listen to mere men but He does if we simply ask Him

and let my cry for help come to you

o notice it was not just a cry (a complaint or a Kafetch)

o it is a cry for help and then it would reach all the way up to the Lord

o You have to ask God for help and then you have to believe that he hears you and that your request will go all the way up to Him

2 Do not hide Your face from me in the day of my distress;
Incline Your ear to me;
In the day when I call answer me quickly.

Do not hide your face from me in the day of my distress

o this means don't split

o sometimes when we pray we wonder where God is because it does not seem that He is present or listening

o if you are having a day of distress you would like God to hear your concern as soon as possible and answer you quickly (this is only human)

incline your ear to me

o this might seem presumptuous but David is asking that God bend his ear that he paid attention and listened to what he has to say

o this concept is repeated because God wants us to know this (take note of it)

in the day when I call answer me quickly

o notice the request is in the day when I call

§ that means the same day

o answer me quickly

§ this is the hope of every prayer or it should be

§ do you believe that God will answer you quickly or do you doubt that he hears or that He will answer you at all

§ it's important to trust God if you want an answer to your prayer anytime soon

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Psalm 101

Of David. A psalm.

1 I will sing of your love and justice;
to you, Lord, I will sing praise.

The name David means “beloved”
The name psalm means “a sacred song or hymn”
David was beloved of God even though He had sinned with Bathsheba

o David repented and it was later said that he was a man after God’s own heart

o So we learn from this example, that although we have all sinned and fallen short of God’s standards, we are still beloved when we repent (turn and go the opposite direction) and ask for forgiveness

o We then receive mercy & grace instead of judgment

o When this fact becomes a reality in your heart you too will want sing the song of Psalm 101

I will sing of your love and justice

o The first thing we sing about is God’s love (because He loved sinners)

o The second thing we sing about is justice (rewarding people for their actions in a just way; punishment for evil; blessings for good)

To you, Lord, I will sing praise

o This is very specific (we sing to the Lord Jesus Christ alone)

o We sing praise (to glorify; to express favorable judgement of; commend)

§ Thankworthy response

2 I will be careful to lead a blameless life—
when will you come to me?

If you know you are a sinner and God saved you
If you know He loves you anyway because you put your faith in Jesus Christ who paid your sins
If you are singing because of His love and justice and praising Him, then this is what you would want to do next!
I will be careful to lead a blameless life

o When you receive blessing from God you want more

o You don’t want to do anything that would displease God

o Therefore, you become more careful than ever

§ To lead a blameless life

§ This means to follow God’s word as closely as possible

§ Thoughtfully, carefully, prayerfully, intentionally

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Psalm, Chapter 100

All People Exhorted to Praise God.

A Psalm for [a]Thanksgiving.

100 Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth.

The title of this message is instruction based

o It is addressed to all people

o We have all been “exhorted”

§ To strongly encourage or urge (someone) to do something

o Here is what we have been “exhorted to do”

§ Praise God

o Praise is a verb in connotes action and requires

§ Premeditated thought

§ Preparation of the heart

§ Determination of the soul

§ Movement of the lips

§ Raising of arms and/or hands or both

§ With absolute adoration, approval and gratitude

It is a Psalm for Thanksgiving

o This is the purpose of this activity

§ to Thank God for what He has given

§ His Son to pay for all sin

§ His Plan of salvation before the earth began

§ His Will making it impossible to fail

§ His Love for “while we were yet sinners He sent His Son to die on a cross”

· In other words while we were misbehaving badly, He still loved us

§ His Faithfulness

· Keeping His word (all His promises) even when we don’t

§ His Grace

· Giving us what we do not deserve

§ His Mercy

· Not giving us what we do deserve

§ His Home

· The very place called “The New Jerusalem”

· A 1,500 mile cube made of precious stones & clear gold

· Heaven a much bigger version of the New Jerusalem up yonder

§ His Power

· Giving us the power to overcome everything on earth

· Greater is He that is in us than he that is the world

§ His Forgiveness

· Forgiving us for every sin (past, present & future)

§ His making us white as snow

· Not only forgiven but washed in the blood & made white as snow

· As if we have never sinned

§ His Rebirth

· Christ rose from the dead 3-days later

· Now we can be born again in this life (a new creation not the same)

§ His Reconciliation

· Bringing us back into intimate relationship with Himself

· A Holy God with His People (made Holy again by His Righteousness)

§ His Provision

· He provides food, water, oxygen, health, ability to see, hear, smell, taste, touch, speak

§ His protection

· Shelter from the storms of life

· Protection against the plans of evil men

· Protection against evil forces in high places

· Against the power of the devil and all his mininions

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What does the Bible say about Thanksgiving?

Good Deeds Produce Thanksgiving
Jesus died upon the cross to purify for Himself, a group of people zealous for good deeds (Tit 2:14).

As Jesus's people, we work diligently in our Lord's kingdom, to do the good works God prepared beforehand (Eph 2:10).

As do the Lord's work, we affect the lives others. The result is thanksgiving, directed toward God. People in the world see our good works and glorify God.

Let you light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven (Mat 5:16)

Good deeds directed toward our brethren produce thanksgiving to God (2 Corinthians 9:10-11)

We learn to give of
- our time
- our attentions
- our abundance
- our love
- our patience
- ourselves
- God multiplies whatever you give Him

We are devoted to prayer with an attitude of thanksgiving (Col 4:1-4)
2 Devote yourself to prayer, keeping alert in it with attitude of thanksgiving;

We are to live a thankful life (1 The 5:14-18)
18 in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus

A thankful life is a prayerful life. A life void of prayer is an unthankful life.

The angels in heaven give thanks to God and so will we. (Rev 11:15-19)
17 "we give You thanks, O Lord God, the Almighty who are and who were, because You have taken Your great power and have begun to reign.

When we get to heave, we will give thanks forever (Rev 7:9-12)
12 saying "Amen, blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen".

Every day is Thanksgiving for Christians
Whatever you do during this busy life, remember to give thanks and live in such a way that others, who watch you and experience God's goodness for your hands, can't help but pause and offer up a prayer to express their thanks.

This is how others will begin to thank God which He truly deserves!

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Psalm, Chapter 99

Praise to the Lord for His Fidelity to Israel.

99 The Lord reigns, let the peoples tremble;
He [a]is enthroned above the cherubim, let the earth shake!

The title of this message is incredible

o Praise to the Lord

o For His Fidelity to Israel

o Fidelity means “faithfulness to a person or cause demonstrated by continuing loyalty and support”

o God should be praised because He remained faithful to Israel even though Israel did not remain faithful to Him (they chased after other gods).

The Lord reigns, let the peoples tremble

o The Lord reigns means he has the reigns and can turn the horse wherever He wants too

o He is in complete, absolute power; fully in charge; the ultimate decision maker

o When you realize He is your judge and your God you should tremble (before Him)

He is enthroned above the cherubim, let the earth shake!

o He is enthroned (sitting on His royal throne)

o Above the Cherubim is a refence to the Ark of the Covenant that contained the ten commandments. The mercy seat was on top the cherubim watched over them

§ Only the High Priest could enter the Holy of Holies where the ark was before; therefore, this points to the One & Holy High Priest that made the ultimate sacrifice to pay for the sins of all people once (Jesus Christ)

Let the earth shake

o He who made the earth enter it again, died and rose again

o Now in power calling all men to be holy (its earth shaking)

o Nothing was ever or will ever be more important thnt our risen King!

2 The Lord [b]is great in Zion,
And He is exalted above all the peoples.

The Lord is great in Zion

o Zion is a reference to the hills in Jerusalem

o It is also a reference to heaven

o In other words, God reigns in heaven & earth

And He is exalted above all the peoples

o Exalted means lifted up or held high above in esteem

o It means is He is above all

o Because He was lifted up on a cross, He will draw all men to Himself that believe

o This is above all peoples (not some) – the whole world WILL SEE

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Psalm, Chapter 98

A Call to Praise the Lord for His Righteousness.

A Psalm.

98 O sing to the Lord a new song,
For He has done wonderful things,
His right hand and His holy arm have [a]gained the victory for Him.

The title of this message

o A Call to Praise the Lord for His Righteousness

o A Call is an announcement; blow the trumpet; hear ye, hear ye

What is the announcement?

o Praise the Lord for His Righteousness

o Praise the Lord is the action

o For His Righteousness is the reason

o We should praise the Lord today because of His righteousness

§ He is making everything right!

§ He is right!

O sing to the Lord a new song

o This announcement is important and worthy of a new song

o That would require thought, written music (composition)

o It would have to be new (not sang before)

For He has done wonderful things

o This is why we should write a new song

o For He has done (past tense) wonderful things

o He made a way were there was no way

o He died on a cross to pay for our sin

o He rose again in victory over sin and death

o He set the captives free

o He parted the red sea

o He protected His people for 40 years in the desert

His right hand and His holy arm have gained the victory for Him

o His right hand is the strong hand

o Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father (He is His strength)

His holy arm have gained victory for Him

o His arm represents His power

2 The Lord has made known His salvation;
He has revealed His [b]righteousness in the sight of the nations.

The Lord has made known His salvation

o He made it known through His word

o He made it known when Jesus was born fulfilled all the prophesies

o He proved His word is true when Jesus rose from the dead

o He proved who He was by performing miracle after miracle

He has revealed His righteousness in the sight of the nations

o God perfect lamb sacrificed to save mankind

o God showed sinful man how to be born again and saved from his/her sins

o God righteousness is imputed to all who believe in Jesus Christ

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Psalm, Chapter 97

The Lord’s Power and Dominion.

97 The Lord [a]reigns, let the earth rejoice;
Let the many [b]islands be glad.

The title of this message is The Lords Power and Dominion
This is about The Lords Power

o The Power to create

o The Power to give life

o The Power to grow

o The Power to bless

o The Power to correct

o The Power to Judge

o The Power to punish

o The Power to destroy

o God’s Power is complete

And Dominion

o This means He is in complete control of all (it is His)

The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice

o If you know the Lord is a loving God and He reigns it causes you to rejoice

o Thank God evil does not reign

o The entire earth should be rejoicing (acting with thanksgiving & praise)

Let the many islands be glad

o Islands seem like their alone

o Islands get beat against wave after wave

o Christians are not meant to be alone (no such thing as a Island Christian)

o The islands are glad because they know God’s power sustains them

§ Waves won’t wear them out

§ The power of the ocean is not stronger than God

§ So too, we should be glad that God won’t let the waves of life wear us out

2 Clouds and thick darkness surround Him;
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.

Clouds and thick darkness surround Him

o If it didn’t we could not handle His glory

o It seems like perfect conditions to birth lightening

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne

o Righteousness is doing what is right all the time

o Justice rewards good behavior and punishes evil behavior; therefore, its just

o These are the foundations of His throne (that which is His house is built upon)

3 Fire goes before Him
And burns up His adversaries round about.

Fire goes before Him

o Fire consumes everything it touches unless its pure (without fodder)

o This speaks of instant testing, judgement and destruction of the impure

And burns up His adversaries round about

o Consumes His adversaries (those against Jesus Christ)

4 His lightnings lit up the world;
The earth saw and trembled.

His lightnings

o Light which emanates from Him

o Lit up the world (not just a local area; the world!)

The earth saw and trembled

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Psalm, Chapter 96

A Call to Worship the Lord the Righteous Judge.

96 Sing to the Lord a new song;
Sing to the Lord, all the earth.

The title of this message is a call to worship the Lord the righteous judge
if you consider this title the reason there is a call to worship the Lord

o it's because He is the righteous judge

o so we should worship him forever and ever because he writes every wrong an evil will never prevail

sing to the Lord a new song

o a new song means it is a song that you have not sung before

o in other words make music (new music) and sing to the Lord

o when you truly consider how much God loves you and what he has done for you it makes you want to write a new song and sing to Him

sing to the Lord, all the earth

o not just a few of us; all the earth

o that means men, women, children and every living thing

2 Sing to the Lord, bless His name;
Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day.

sing to the Lord, bless His name

o His name is the most important name ever spoken

o because it was His name that saved you from all your sin

proclaim good tidings of his salvation from day-to-day

o good tidings means good news

o the word gospel means good news

o His salvation describes the actions that He took to save us

o and the fact is He did save us

o so we should proclaim this good news day-to-day

§ that means every day

3 Tell of His glory among the nations,
His wonderful deeds among all the peoples.

We are to tell of his glory among the nations (that means worldwide)
His wonderful deeds among all the peoples

o these are all the stories of what He has done throughout the ages

o these are also all the stories of what He has done for each one of us personally

o it's important to share the miracles God has done for you so that others can be encouraged that He is alive and well and that He cares and that He loves and that He will answer their prayers too!

4 For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised;
He is to be feared above all gods.

For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised

o When you have been saved by the Lord and your sins have been forgiven you know how great He really is

o this is why we should praise Him greatly not a little

He is to be feared above all gods

o the fear of the Lord is the beginning of all wisdom

o if you fear the Lord, you would not want to displease Him

o if you realize that He sees and hears and knows everything it might change the way you conduct yourself

o If you are wise, you will fear the Lord and act accordingly

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Psalm, Chapter 95

Praise to the Lord, and Warning against Unbelief.

95 O come, let us sing for joy to the Lord,
Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation.

The title of this message contains two messages

o Praise to the Lord (this is 1st and most important)

o And Warning against Unbelief (this is 2nd but still important)

o God want us to Praise Him (don’t forget this)

o God wants to warn us against unbelief (don’t forget this either)

2 Let us come before His presence with [a]thanksgiving,
Let us shout joyfully to Him with [b]psalms.

Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving

o Thanking Him for giving us grace & mercy

o Thanking Him for giving us salvation

o Thanking Him for being a Loving Father & God

o Thanking Him for hearing our prayers

o Thanking Him in advance for answering our prayers!

Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms

o Does your joy rise to the level of a shout or is it a slight wimper

o When you praise Him it should be JOYFULL & LOUD

o When you praise Him it should include psalms (repeating His word; His promises!)

o Thank Him that His word is true and applies today as it did yesterday & forever!

3 For the Lord is a great God
And a great King above all gods,
4 In whose hand are the depths of the earth,
The peaks of the mountains are His also.

For the Lord is a great God And a great King above all gods

o This is a declaration of who He is (there is none like Him)

o He is the One True Almighty, All powerful, Omniscient, Ever Present God

In whose hand are the depths of the earth

o Imagine Him scooping down His hand to the bottom of the Ocean?

o Imagine Him scooping down His hand to center of the Earth?

o This speaks of the power in His hand (consider the power & love)

The peaks of the mountains are His also

o Consider the from the depths of the earth to the highest peaks of mountains

o The mountains speak of His majesty, size, power, strength, awesomeness

5 [c]The sea is His, for it was He who made it,
And His hands formed the dry land.

Imagine owning the Ocean
Imagine if you had the power to make it
Imagine using your hands to gather up the dry land like clay

6 Come, let us worship and bow down,
Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.

Come (in light of what you just learned about Him)
Let us worship and bow down

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1 The Lord is a God who avenges.
O God who avenges, shine forth.
2 Rise up, Judge of the earth;
pay back to the proud what they deserve.

The title of this message is radical

o The Lord Implored to Avenge His People

o Notice that the Lord Implored (this means His people are imploring Him to listen and take action)

And what are they asking Him to do

o To Avenge His People

o This means to pay them back for the evil they have done (payback)

The Lord is a God who avenges

o This is an interesting fact – The Lord is a God who avenges (He does this)

O God who avenges, shine forth

o This means let the avenging appear (shine forth)

Rise up, Judge the earth

o The request is that the Lord rise up (this means get up from His throne)

o Judge the earth (this means payback each man according to his/her works)

Pay back to the proud what they deserve

o This means punish the proud (those who don’t fear God and who mistreat others)

o Notice they deserve it!

3 How long, Lord, will the wicked,
how long will the wicked be jubilant?

Sometimes we wonder how long the Lord will let the wicked get away their ill behavior
How long will the wicked be jubilant (allowed to celebrate their wicked ways)
The prayer is really a request that their time come to an end and that judgement and punishment would start now

4 They pour out arrogant words;
all the evildoers are full of boasting.

Notice they pour out arrogant words

o Like they are in charge or are the authority

All evildoers are full of boasting

o Boasting means look how rich or powerful I am

o Boasting means they act like they earned it or deserved it like their better than others

o It’s a lie; its not true5 They crush your people, Lord;
they oppress your inheritance.
6 They slay the widow and the foreigner;
they murder the fatherless.

They crush your people, Lord; they oppress your inheritance

o They are mistreating your people

o This is going to make the Lord very angry and kindle the fire of His wrath

They slay the widow and the foreigner; they murder the fatherless

o The seem to pick on the weak; those with no one else to defend them

7 They say, “The Lord does not see;
the God of Jacob takes no notice.”

They say the Lord does not see or take notice
But just because they say it does not make it true
God does see everything and He notices everything!

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Genesis Chapter 3 - Adam & Eve
1 Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?”

2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; 3 but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’ ”

4 Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked

Gideon

Gideon begins to doubt God’s help and feel inadequate

Judges 6:13 Gideon said to Him, “O my lord, if the LORD is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about, saying, ‘Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt?’ But now the LORD has forsaken us and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.”

14 Then the LORD turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Have I not sent you?”

15 So he said to Him, “O my Lord, how can I save Israel? Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.”

Judges 6:36 – the story of the fleece (one day wet, another day dry)

Not enough? God tells Gideon to go down and listen to the men talking about Gideon:

Judges 7:12 Now the Midianites and Amalekites, all the people of the East, were lying in the valley as numerous as locusts; and their camels were without number, as the sand by the seashore in multitude.

13 And when Gideon had come, there was a man telling a dream to his companion. He said, “I have had a dream: To my surprise, a loaf of barley bread tumbled into the camp of Midian; it came to a tent and struck it so that it fell and overturned, and the tent collapsed.”

Moses

Moses killed the Egyptian Exodus 2:12 and flees to Midian

While in Midian God puts a call on Moses life Exodus 3:4 (the burning bush)

Moses says “who am I” to tell Pharoh what to do Exodus 3:11 (humility)

Moses says he has a slow tongue Exodus 4:10 (not an eloquent speaker)

God tells Moses that He will cause Pharoah to let His people go and they will come out with Gold & Jewels as well. (this has to sound impossible).

Moses felt woefully inadequate to do this but He went anyway.

Moses led the people out of bondage.

How about you? Are you still caught up in some past sin and you think God can’t use you? Do think “who am I”? Do you think “I’m not an eloquent speaker”? Does it seem like it’s impossible for you to make a difference?

Abraham & Sarah

Genesis 17:1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless. 2 And I will make My covenant between Me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly.” 3 Then Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him, saying: 4 “As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, and you shall be a father of many nations.

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Psalm, Chapter 93

The Majesty of the Lord.

93 The Lord [a]reigns, He is clothed with majesty;
The Lord has clothed and encircled Himself with strength.

The Title is “The Majesty of the Lord”

o Majesty means “impressive stateliness, dignity, or beauty”

o Have you considered the Majesty of the Lord lately

The Lord reigns, He is clothed with majesty

o The Lord reigns is a declaration of fact

§ He is the ultimate authority in complete control 100%

o He is clothed with majesty

§ Not in majesty but with majesty which mean it is inherently himself

The Lord has clothed and enriched Himself with strength

o Notice again it is the Lord who enriched Himself (His ability & power)

Indeed, the world is firmly established; it will not be moved.
2 Your throne is established from of old;
You are from eternity.

Indeed, the world is firmly established; it will not be moved

o This means God created it according to His will & power

o It is solid, immovable and will remain according to God’s will & plan

Your throne is established from of old

o This means His throne was established before the world was formed

You are from eternity

o From eternity means from eternity past

3 The floods have lifted up, Lord,
The floods have lifted up their voice,
The floods lift up their pounding waves.

The floods have lifted up, Lord

o This means the water is getting higher

The floods have lifted up their voice

o This means the sound is getting louder

The floods lift up their pounding waves

o Now there’s waves and there pounding (loud & scary)

4 More than the sounds of many waters,
Than the mighty breakers of the sea,
The Lord on high is mighty.

More than the sounds of many waters

o This is means many waves and continuous sound

Than the mighty breakers of the sea

o The breakers are made of rock and cause waves to crash

The Lord on high is mighty

o These rising of the tides, the crashing waves, the pounding

o All of these illustrate God’s power over the earth

5 Your testimonies are fully confirmed;
Holiness is pleasing to Your house,
Lord, [b]forevermore.

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Psalm, Chapter 92

Praise for the Lord’s Goodness.

A Psalm, a Song for the Sabbath day.

92 It is good to give thanks to the Lord
And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;
2 To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning
And Your faithfulness [a]by night,
3 [b]With the ten-stringed lute and [c]with the harp,
[d]With resounding music [e]upon the lyre.

The title of this message is Praise for the Lord’s Goodness

o When is the last time you Praised the Lord for His Goodness

A Psalm, a Song for the Sabbath day

o The Sabbath day is the day you stop working and focus on God

o This should lead to a Song (singing Praise to the Lord)

o For His Goodness (this is why we should giving Him praise)

It is good to give thanks to the Lord

o It is good because God loves it!

o Thank Him and Thank Him and Thank Him

And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High

o Notice its not about just singing songs because we are happy

o It is singing praises to Your name (the name of Jesus Christ)

§ It is because of what He did personally for each of us

To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning and Your faithfulness by night

o We should declare two things

§ His Lovingkindness

§ And His Faithfulness

o We should declare it morning and night (night & day – continuously)

With the ten-stringed lute and with the harp

o This would require thought, written music, planning, practice

o It’s a big deal because God’s Lovingkindness & Faithfullness is a big deal!

With resounding music upon the lyre

o Resounding means loud & clear & awesome

o Consider how great the value of His lovingkindness & faithfulness

4 For You, O Lord, have made me glad by [f]what You have done,
I will sing for joy at the works of Your hands.

Notice it is what the Lord did made him glad
The works of His hands (creation, life, forgiveness, grace, mercy & salvation via the cross)

5 How great are Your works, O Lord!
Your [g]thoughts are very deep.

How great are Your works O Lord

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Psalm, Chapter 91

Security of the One Who Trusts in the Lord.

91 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

The title of this message is Security of the One Who Trusts in the Lord

o Security of the One (this means you; its personal)

o It only comes from trusting in the Lord (that is how you get it)

o If you place your trust in anyone or anything else its not secure

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High

o To dwell in the shelter means to be in His house (to live there)

o Do you live in God’s house?

o God said you are not your own, you have been bought with a price

§ Jesus paid for you by His blood to redeem you (this means purchase)

Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty

o If you are living in His house then you are abiding in His shadow

o This means He is watching over you at all times (He is protecting you)

o Nobody can break into God’s house and harm you or steel you away

2 I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,
My God, in whom I trust!”

Some men want to build a fort or a fortress with strong walls
But listen to this I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, My God in whom I trust

o This means you should trust in God more than any physical building or fortress

o Because God is much strong and you are far more safe with Him than anywhere else

3 For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper
And from the deadly pestilence.

This is great news listen carefully
For it is He (Jesus Christ) who delivers you from the snare of the trapper

o Evil men lay traps to try and trick you & harm you

o It is He (Jesus Christ) who delivers you from the snare

§ In other words, God does not allow the traps to harm you

And from the deadly pestilence

o There is pestilence in the world now

o Don’t worry God is protecting His children from it

4 He will cover you with His pinions,
And under His wings you may seek refuge;
His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.

His pinions are His flight wings (He safely transport you away instantly)
And under His wings you may seek refuge

o When you are under His wings, the birds of prey above can’t see you

o Predators are warded off by the Lord is far too strong for them to attack

His faithfulness is shield and bulwark

o Notice it is God’s faithfulness that is a shield (not our faithfulness)

o God will protect you because He is faithful (always)

o A bulwark is a solid wall-like structure raised for defense

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Psalm, Chapter 90

God’s Eternity and Man’s Transitoriness.

A Prayer of [a]Moses, the man of God.

90 Lord, You have been our [b]dwelling place in all generations.
2 Before the mountains were born
[c]Or You gave birth to the earth and the world,
Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.

The title of this message is God's eternity and man's Transitoriness
we see the timeline of the eternal God vs. man who is transitory (very short lived)
This is a prayer of Moses, the man of God

o Moses means “drawn out”, “hidden”, “covered” or “extracted”

o Moses was a man of God because

§ He was chosen by God

§ He chose God when he defended God’s people from the Egyptians

§ He chose a Godly life in the desert vs. a the riches of the palace

§ He chose to follow God back to Egypt and risk his life

Lord You have been our dwelling place in all generations

o The Lord have been (past tense from eternity past; present; eternity forward

o Always was, Always is, Always will be

Before the mountains were born or You gave birth to the earth and the world

o We consider mountains thousands of years old (but not before God)

o We consider the Earth old and the people which have been; but not before God)

o To give birth means He was there and responsible for it

Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God

o This is WHO HE IS

o From eternity past to eternity forward

o HE ALWAYS WILL BE

3 You turn man back into dust
And say, “Return, O children of men.”

You turn man back into dust

o In other words, you see him born and die and turn to dust

o The lifespan of a man is nothing to a eternal God

And say “Return, O children of men”

o He makes them die and makes them born

o He sees all the beginnings and ends before they ever happen

4 For a thousand years in Your sight
Are like yesterday when it passes by,
[d]Or as a watch in the night.

A thousand years in You sight

o This is how God sees it

Are like yesterday when it passes by

o Like one short day for us

o God sees 1,000 years like one day to us

Or as a watch in the night

o This means a single night

1,000 years is like one single night to God

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Psalm, Chapter 89

The Lord’s Covenant with David, and Israel’s Afflictions.

A [a]Maskil of [b]Ethan [c]the Ezrahite.

89 I will sing of the lovingkindness of the Lord forever;
To all generations I will make known Your faithfulness with my mouth.

The title of this message is the Lord's covenant with David, and Israel's afflictions

o these things seem to be polar opposites

o first we have a covenant with David

§ a covenant agreement is an agreement where only one party has to perform (in this case God performs everything necessary and David benefits)

o then we have Israel’s afflictions

§ Israel was afflicted because of their sin

o So what is the difference between David and Israel?

§ we know that David had sinned before with Bathsheba and Uriah

§ the difference is that David repented of his sins and ask God for forgiveness

§ he then believed God and his word and so God entered into a covenant agreement with him

§ the same remains true today to everyone who asked God to forgive them for their sins and puts their faith in His word and believes God

A maskil of Ethan the Ezrahite

o a maskil it's a biblical principle learn by someone old enough to know that God's word is true

o Ethan means "strong," "safe," "solid," and "firm." Or “perpetuity, Perennial”

Ezrahite means (Born of the native; Son of the dawn; one born in the land with full citizenship rights)

o Stitching these words together we get:

o The Lord made a covenant with David even though he sinned according to Jewish wisdom from the old testament tried and proven to be true, strong, safe in perpetuity because of the son of dawn (it’s the gospel message)

2 For I have said, “Lovingkindness will be built up forever;
In the heavens You will establish Your faithfulness.”

Notice all of this is because of God’s word
God declared “lovingkindness will be built up forever” (God’s plan not man’s)
In the heavens these things were established by Him who is faithful to do it!

3 “I have made a covenant with My chosen;
I have sworn to David My servant,
4 I will establish your seed forever
And build up your throne to all generations.” [d]Selah.

Here is the promise

o I will establish your seed forever (the seed of chosen lives forever)

o And build your throne to all generations (that means forever)

o This is a prophecy concerning Jesus Christ and all His followers

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A Petition to Be Saved from Death.

A Song. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. For the choir director; according to Mahalath Leannoth. A [a]Maskil of Heman [b]the Ezrahite.

88 O Lord, the God of my salvation,
I have cried out by day and in the night before You.
2 Let my prayer come before You;
Incline Your ear to my cry!

A petition to be saved from death

o A petition is a humble but urgent request

o To be saved from death is the last request

A Song (to be remembered)
A Psalm of the sons of Korah (grateful worship leaders)
According to the

o Mahalath (sickness, sad song, to writhe)

o Leannoth (concerning sickness; to be sung in sickness)

A Maskil

o A Jewish saying based on biblical knowledge experienced by a mature believer who knows the biblical truth to be so

Of Heman (faithful or wise man)
The Ezrahite (Born of the native; Son of the dawn; one born in the land with full citizenship rights)
Make a humble petition to be saved before you die, sing with a grateful heart, pray to be healed of our sickness’ according to a knowledge of God’s word, to the only faithful and wise man Jesus Christ, the Son of the dawn!

3 For my soul has [c]had enough troubles,
And my life has drawn near to [d]Sheol.

This is a prayer of a weary soul who life is near death (maybe sick)

4 I am reckoned among those who go down to the pit;
I have become like a man without strength,
5 [e]Forsaken among the dead,
Like the slain who lie in the grave,
Whom You remember no more,
And they are cut off from Your hand.

These are the words of a man who “feels like God has abandoned him”
It seems he has lost his faith even if temporarily (like God has cut him off)

6 You have put me in the lowest pit,
In dark places, in the depths.

The man blames God for putting him in the lowest pit in dark places
Maybe because he knows he deserved it

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Psalm, Chapter 87

The Privileges of Citizenship in Zion.

A Psalm of the sons of Korah. A Song.

87 His foundation is in the holy mountains.
2 The Lord loves the gates of Zion
More than all the other dwelling places of Jacob.

The privileges of Citizenship in Zion

o Did you know citizens of Zion have privileges?

o Zion is the hill Jerusalem is built upon

o Zion is a picture of heaven as well

o It represents God’s home

A psalm of the sons of Korah. A song

o The sons of Korah led the worship in the temple with super-grateful hearts because they came from an evil family who tried to take power away from Moses and Aaron. God swallowed them up on the earth. The young sons of Korah were not there so they were spared. 7-generations later we find them leading worship in the temple with “a little extra gratitude” because they know the evil family they were born into and yet they became citizens of Zion! They’re going to heaven.

His foundation is the holy mountains

o If your foundation is holy; it’s solid (no better place to build upon)

o Mountains are big and strong (a picture of God’s power)

o The mountains are holy because God chose this place to send His Son to die and pay for the sins of the world (God could have chose anywhere but He chose Jerusalem)

The Lord loves the gates of Zion

o The gates are where the leaders gather to discuss events

o The gates are meant to keep enemies out and citizens safely inside

o You might say it’s the doorway or gateway (Jesus said I am the way)

More than all the other dwelling places of Jacob

o Jacob had traveled many miles and went many places

o Of all these places, God loved one in particular – Jerusalem

§ Jerusalem means “ In Awe Of Peace”

§ Jacob means “he turns the head of God who listens”

§ God changed Jacob’s name to Israel

§ Israel means “He retains God”

§ We are in awe of God’s peace He gives all who ask God for help to turn His head and listen; God will change his name (adoption) into God’s family forever (retains)

3 Glorious things are spoken of you,
O city of God. [a]Selah.

Glorious things are spoken of you, O City of God. Selah
Selah means think about this over and over
Think about how Israel is surrounded by enemies yet still remains
Think about how the Jews were scattered throughout the earth but somehow retained their heritage and language and were gathered together again after 2,000 years and became a nation again in 1948.
Surely it is the city of God !

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Psalm, Chapter 86

Pleading and Trust.

A Prayer of David.

86 Incline Your ear, Lord, and answer me;
For I am afflicted and needy.

The title of this message is Pleading & Trust

o First you plead to God

o Then you trust He heard you & will help you

Incline Your ear, Lord, and answer me

o Have you been pleading to the Lord lately?

o Did you ask Him to incline His ear?

o Do you believe He will?

o Are you expecting Him answer you or do you doubt it?’

o The key getting answers to your prayers are trusting that

§ God does hear

§ God does care

§ God will help

§ God will answer!

For I am afflicted and needy

o Afflicted means wounded in some way (hurt, harmed, in need)

o Are you hurt and needing something from God?

o He is ready to help!2 Protect my [a]soul, for I am godly;
You my God, save Your servant who trusts in You.

Protect my soul, for I am godly

o The soul is the part of you that lives forever

o If you are godly it means you are god-like (Christ-like)

You are my God, save Your servant who trusts in You

o You are my God (this is a declaration of relationship)

§ Have you made this declaration yet?

o Save Your servant

§ Have you asked God to save you yet?

§ Are you His servant? Are you serving Him?

o Who trusts in You

§ Do you trust in Him (in Jesus Christ)

§ He is a specific person not an ethereal concept

§ He is the one who died on a cross to save you!3 Be gracious to me, Lord,
For I call upon You all day long.

Be gracious to me, Lord

o This is how you get saved

o His grace is available to all who ask Him (God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense)

For I call upon You all day long

o When was the last time you called upon Him?

o Do you do it all day long?

4 Make the soul of Your servant joyful,
For to You, Lord, I lift up my soul.

Make the soul of Your servant joyful

o The focus on the eternal again (the soul)

o The focus is also on Joy (God will make you joyful for eternity)

For to You, Lord, I life up my soul

o My prayers and trust and praise go up to God

o Then they rain down blessings

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Mark - Chapter 5
- The Demon Possessed Man healed sitting, dressed and his right mind gets sent out as a missionary to ten cities.

The woman who had an issue of blood for 12-years touches His garment and gets healed instantly. Confession is made and she receives the Lord's blessing.
Jairus's daughter gets sick and dies and everyone tells Jairus it's too late. Jesus steps in and proves its never too late. Jesus raises his daughter from the dead and proves there is nothing to hard for God.
We 22 verses that declare "Fear Not":

click here to download a copy of the 22 verses

James 5:17 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed [a]earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months.

1 Kings 17:1 [ Elijah Predicts Drought ] Now Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the settlers of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord, the God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, surely there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word.”

1 Kings 18:41-19:8 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

41 Now Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of the roar of a heavy shower.” 42 So Ahab went up to eat and drink. But Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he crouched down on the earth and put his face between his knees. 43 He said to his servant, “Go up now, look toward the sea.” So he went up and looked and said, “There is nothing.” And he said, “Go back” seven times. 44 It came about at the seventh time, that he said, “Behold, a cloud as small as a man’s hand is coming up from the sea.” And he said, “Go up, say to Ahab, ‘[a]Prepare your chariot and go down, so that the heavy shower does not stop you.’” 45 In a little while the sky grew black with clouds and wind, and there was a heavy shower. And Ahab rode and went to Jezreel. 46 Then the hand of the Lord was on Elijah, and he girded up his loins and [b]outran Ahab [c]to Jezreel.

Elijah prayed boldly for God-sized miracles. Elijah didn’t mess around with small requests for God. He went straight to big requests. Pray for a drought in the land. Raise the widow’s son from the dead. Call down fire from heaven to consume the offering on Mount Carmel.

Elijah was bold. He asked with incredible faith, believing that God was able. He believed that God was faithful, that He answers prayers. He called on God with enough faith to believe God would answer even the most audacious prayer.

And, without fail, God answered those audacious prayers. He poured out His power repeatedly, giving Elijah opportunity to proclaim God’s greatness.

Elijah’s prayers pointed the world back to God. Elijah was completely in tune with God. He listened for Yahweh’s voice, and he walked in obedience (1 Kings 18:36). He prayed in agreement with what God asked of him. And, his prayers pointed the world back to God.

The widow’s flour and oil never running out? A reminder that God sees our needs and provides. Raising the widow’s son from the dead? A reminder that he cares about our deepest hurts. The drought? A reminder that even the winds and the storms are subject to His control. Hear it in Elijah’s own words:

Yes, Elijah called down fire from heaven to consume the water and the sacrifices not for his own glory, but so others would know that Yahweh is God and there is no other God in heaven or earth. Elijah’s prayers were about pointing the world back to God.

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Psalm, Chapter 85

Prayer for God’s Mercy upon the Nation.

For the choir director. A Psalm of the sons of Korah.

85 O Lord, You showed favor to Your land;
You [a]restored the captivity of Jacob.

The title of this message is prayer for God's mercy upon the nation
we should all pray for God's mercy (mercy means not getting what you deserve)
we certainly need to pray for our nation so that it does not get what it deserves
this is for the choir director

o this means it was meant to be a song again that would be taught in practice and repeated so that nobody would forget this lesson

A Psalm of the sons of Korah

o we know the sons of korah we're super grateful because they came from an evil family who were swallowed up in the earth by God but a few young boys survived in seven generations later they found themselves in charge of the worship in the temple (you can imagine how grateful they felt; so they sing a little louder and with a little more zeal than some others may)

now we get to verse one

o O Lord, You showed favor to Your land; You restored the captivity of Jacob

o God showed favor to the promised land

§ the land became barren and unfruitful and home to jackals

§ all of these things happen because God's people sinned greatly

§ Israel was invaded and the Israelites were taken captive in Egypt

§ they remain there for 400 years until God set them free by bringing 10 plagues upon Egypt until pharaoh finally let his people go

§ the Israelites then left Egypt and crossed the Red Sea and then wandered in the desert for 40 years because of their unbelief until God led the remnant and their children into the promised land

§ the promised land was then restored and became prosperous and populous with God's children who repented from their sins and we're trying to follow God (not perfectly but forgiven)

2 You forgave the iniquity of Your people;
You covered all their sin. [b]Selah.

the story begins when God forgave the iniquity of His people

o never forget that restoration is always proceeded by forgiveness

o you must ask God to forgive you for your sins and then He will be faithful to do it

You covered all their sin. Selah (it was covered by the blood of Jesus Christ on the cross)

o if your sin is covered then it is no longer visible from above

o when God looks down upon you from his high place in heaven he sees the righteousness of Christ in you the hope of glory

o Selah means think about this over and over

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Psalm, Chapter 84

Longing for the Temple Worship.

For the choir director; [a]on the Gittith. A Psalm of the sons of Korah.

84 How lovely are Your dwelling places,
O Lord of hosts!

The title of this message is longing for the temple worship
most of us are longing for something
Christians are longing to have or more intimate relationship with Jesus Christ where we can see Him and touch Him or maybe even be hugged by Him
In this chapter we begin with longing for the temple worship

o temple worship was filled with song and music and praise

o it was loud; it was heartfelt; it was spirit led

o this is the kind of worship we should all participate in

this Psalm was for the choir director which means it was meant to be a song

o this means it is important enough to be remembered and sang

it was on the Gittith

o Gitteth was a musical instrument or a melody that was used during wine making

o Wine making is a symbol of God’s work on earth through Christ our Lord

o In other words it would be a song of gratefulness to our God who saved us

A Psalm of the sons of Korah

o Korah’s family was swallowed up by the earth because they tried to take over the power and position given to Moses and Aaron. They challenged their authority and God opened the earth swallowed them up except some a few young sons who weren’t there. These sons had sons and passed on the stories of what happened to their forefathers. 7 generations later the sons of Korah were in charge of Worship in the temple and they sang louder and with more grateful hearts than anyone else because they knew the evil family they had been born into yet God spared them.

Now we read in verse 1:

o How lovely are Your dwelling places, O Lord of hosts!

§ God dwells in heaven

§ God dwells in temples & churches

§ God dwells in the hearts and souls of men and women

§ Wherever God dwells there is beauty, peace, life, love, grace & peace

o O Lord of hosts

§ He is Lord of hosts (the heavenly host)

§ All those who went before us (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, etc)

§ All the armies of heaven (angles) are called the heavenly hosts

§ This clearly declares His power & glory and authority over all

2 My soul longed and even yearned for the courts of the Lord;
My heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God.

o Does your heat long for or even years to be with God’s people?

My heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God

o Does the joy in your heart rise to the level that you want to sign from your heart and flesh to the living God?

o If you understand Who He is; What He has done; What He has planned; What He has promised; What He will do; and that He is living and alive and coming back to do it all – YOUR JOY WOULD RISE TO THIS LEVEL TOO!!

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Psalm, Chapter 83

God Implored to Confound His Enemies.

A Song, a Psalm of Asaph.

83 O God, do not remain quiet;
Do not be silent and, O God, do not be still.

the title of this message is “God implored to confound his enemies”
The first thing to note is sometimes we need to implore God to do something

o Implore definition, to beg urgently or piteously, as for aid or mercy; beseech; entreat

The next thing we learn is what Asaph is urgently begging God for
To Confound His enemies

o confound: [verb] to bring to ruin : destroy. baffle, frustrate.

o Notice the letter H in the word His is capitalized

o This means they are God’s enemies not Asaph’s

So we find our brother Asaph praying for God's will

o we know that's going to happen

o but it is also an indication of where Asaph’s heart was at this point

§ he was sick of God's enemies causing so much harm to God's children

Chapter 83 verse one
O God, do not remain quiet

o Have you ever wanted God not to remain quiet?

o what a great thing to pray

Do not be silent and, O God, do not be still

o Asaph does not want Got to:

§ Be silent or

§ Be still

o Asaph wants God to answer and act

o Anyone else here want God to answer & act?

2 For behold, Your enemies make an uproar,
And those who hate You have [a]exalted themselves.

For behold (God check out what Your enemies are doing)

o Your enemies make an uproar (a loud noise designed to cause fear)

And those who hate You have exalted themselves

o Notice two things

§ First these are “those who hate God”

§ Second “have exalted themselves” (instead of God)

§ When man thinks he is god, big troubles is on the way

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Psalm, Chapter 82

Unjust Judgments Rebuked.

A Psalm of Asaph.

82 God takes His position in [a]His assembly;
He judges in the midst of the gods.

The title of the message is Unjust Judgements Rebuked
Note that God knows there are “unjust judgements”
Note that God will rebuke them

o Rebuke means to reprimand; sharply criticize

o In other words, God will settle the score

A Psalm of Asaph which means “collector or gatherer”

o The title speaks of judgement and rebuke at the time when all people are gathered together to stand before the righteous Judge

Now we read verse 1:

o God takes His position in His assembly

§ This is a picture of the court room packed and the judge comes out from His chamber and sits on the Judgement seat ready to hear each case

o He judges in the mist of the gods

§ gods is little g; referring to men who think more highly of themselves than they should

§ God capital G shows up and in their midst (in the middle) and quickly separates the sheep from the goats (truth from lies)

2 How long will you judge unjustly
And show partiality to the wicked? Selah

This is a question for wicked judges

o How long will you judge unjustly

o In other words; God knows about it; God is keeping track & time

And show partiality to the wicked? Selah

o Wicked judges show partiality to the wicked (they are in on the scam)

o But God knows about it so Selah

§ think about it; because there will be a great cost for this behavior

3 Vindicate the weak and fatherless;
Do justice to the afflicted and destitute.

Vindicate the weak and fatherless

o Vindicate means “to clear, as from accusation, imputation, suspicion, or the like; to vindicate someone’s honor”

The weak and the fatherless

o The weak are not strong enough to vindicate themselves

§ So they needs God’s power and protection to do it

o The fatherless have no father to protect them

§ So they need God to act their father and defend and protect them

Do justice to the afflicted and destitute

o Do justice (that which is just)

o To the afflicted (mentally or physically impaired)

o And destitute (suffering extreme poverty; needy people)

Asaph wants God to step up and help those who cannot help themselves

o And God will do it!

o He will vindicate them (clear their name and honor; forgiveness)

o He will do justice to them (give them what they justly deserve)

§ A fair trial and proper rewards (according to their faith)

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Psalm, Chapter 81

God’s Goodness and Israel’s Waywardness.

For the choir director; [a]on the Gittith. A Psalm of Asaph.

81 Sing for joy to God our strength;
Shout joyfully to the God of Jacob.

The title of this message is God's goodness and Israel’s waywardness

o God’s goodness is worth considering

o Israel’s Waywardness is typical of man

§ Doing only what you want; refusal to obey; non-compliance

For the choir director (another song worth remembering & singing)
On the Gittith (a musical instrument played to the sound of the wine press)
A Psalm of Asaph (gatherer or collector)
God goodness in spite of Israel’s disobedience evidenced by the wine press (God’s Son crushed for their iniquities)
No we get to the first verse

o Sing for joy to God our strength; Shout joyfully to the God of Jacob

o Notice the response to God’s Goodness in spite of Israel’s Waywardness

§ Sing for joy

§ To God our strength (because Jesus saved us)

§ Shout joyfully to the God of Jacob

· Remember Jacob represents Israel and means “He will add”

· God is adding the names of these people to book of eternal life in spite of their sins! – that is reason to SING and SHOUT

2 Raise a song, strike the timbrel,
The sweet sounding lyre with the harp.
3 Blow the trumpet at the new moon,
At the full moon, on our feast day.

Raise a song, strike the timbrel

o Make some noise; lets get the praise started!

The sweet sounding lyre with the harp

o This means put music it to it; use instruments (put some effort into this)

Blow the trumpet at the new moon

o This makes an announcement of God’s blessings month to month

At the full moon, on our feast day

o Because God causes seeds to grow; He provides food in abundance

o The people feast and celebrate God’s Goodness

o We should thank God for our food and health and families too

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Psalm, Chapter 80

God Implored to Rescue His People from Their Calamities.

For the choir director; set to [a]El Shoshannim; [b]Eduth. A Psalm of Asaph.

80 Oh, give ear, Shepherd of Israel,
You who lead Joseph like a flock;
You who are enthroned above the cherubim, shine forth!

The title of this message is God implored to rescue his people from their calamities

o sometimes we need to Implore God

o beg someone earnestly or desperately to do something

in this case Asaph was begging God to rescue His people

o notice Asaph refers to the people as His people (God’s people)

o to be rescued means saved

From their calamities

o an event causing great and often sudden damage or distress; a disaster

o calamities is plural which means multiple such events

For the choir director (so it’s meant to be a song, remembered and sang)
Set to El Shoshannim

o El Shoshannim means “beauty of the innocent; pure, lily like virgins

Eduth means “testimony” sometimes used to refer to the ten commandments
A Psalm of Asaph which means “to gather or collect”
Let me stitch this together

o People begged God to be saved

o God put a song in their mouth and made them Lilly white (innocent)

o This is the testimony of God who will do it and gather them together

Oh give ear, Shepherd of Israel, You who lead Joseph like a flock

o Asaph is asking the Shepherd of Israel to listen to His people

o There is only one Shepherd of Israel – Jesus Christ

o You who lead Joseph like a flock

§ Joseph represents God’s people and they kept blowing it

§ Like dumb sheep

§ But God overlooked their stupidity and sin and cared for them anyway

§ Joseph means “He will Add”

§ God adds the sheep even with all their faults.

§ And He will lead them like a flock (He moves them where necessary for their own good since they can’t help themselves)

You who are enthroned above the Cherubim, shine forth!

o Notice where Jesus is “enthroned above the Cherubim in heaven”

o Seated in the most high place; a place of power and position of all

o Asaph wants to Him to shine forth (to allow the light to eliminate the darkness)

2 Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh, stir up Your power
And come to save us!

Ephraim – to be fruitful

o Joseph produced sons in the land of affliction

Benjamin – son of the right hand

o A picture or type of Christ

Manasseh – forgetting or evaporating

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Psalm, Chapter 79

A Lament over the Destruction of Jerusalem, and Prayer for Help.

A Psalm of Asaph.

79 O God, the nations have [a]invaded Your inheritance;
They have defiled Your holy temple;
They have laid Jerusalem in ruins.

The title of this message is a lament over the destruction of Jerusalem, and prayer for help
there are two components of this title

o the first is a lament over the destruction of Jerusalem

§ This is certainly something to lament to over!

§ Sometimes the things we lament over are not so important

o The second part is a prayer for help

§ This is interesting considering Jerusalem had already been destroyed and obviously God allowed it

o This is a song of Asaph (to gather or collect)

§ This was meant to be a song so we would remember it – so its important

O God, the nations have invaded Your inheritance

o The nations of the peoples and power of this earth (not from heaven)

o They invaded Your inheritance (God’s people; God’s land – from heaven)

o Sometimes it seems the earthly, worldly powers are winning (but keep reading)

They have defiled Your holy temple

o This is a spiritual warfare (it always is)

Hey have laid Jerusalem in ruins

o Jerusalem is determined to be the home of God by God

o Man came it and destroyed it in defiance of God

2 They have given the dead bodies of Your servants for food to the birds of the heavens,
The flesh of Your godly ones to the beasts of the earth.
3 They have poured out their blood like water round about Jerusalem;
And there was no one to bury them.

Man took bodies and spilled blood
In contrast, God gave His body and shed His own blood
Failure to bury someone within 3-days was against Jewish religion and had eternal implication according to their custom

4 We have become a reproach to our neighbors,
A scoffing and derision to those around us.

Asaph wants God to know that people are scoffing at the Jews
These were supposed to be God’s people (not people are making fun of them)

o It’s like God do you hear and see what people are saying about your people!

o It was so loud eve the neighbors heard about it (neighboring countries)

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Psalm, Chapter 78

God’s Guidance of His People in Spite of Their Unfaithfulness.

A [a]Maskil of Asaph.

78 Listen, my people, to my [b]instruction;
Incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
2 I will open my mouth in a parable;
I will tell riddles of old,
3 Which we have heard and known,
And our fathers have told us.

God’s guidance of His People

o Notice God is guiding His people

In spit of their unfaithfulness

o God guides and provides in spite of their unfaithfulness

o What a loving God

This is what He wants us to do

o Listen to instruction

o Incline your ears to the Word

He speaks in parables and riddles of old

o Why?

o So we must search out the answers

Which we have heard and known and our fathers told us

o Notice they heard them and knew them for generations

o In other words, they knew what to do; they just didn’t do it

o We must be doers of the Word not hearers only

4 We will not conceal them from their children,
But we will tell the generation to come the praises of the Lord,
And His power and His wondrous works that He has done.

Its important to tell our children, the generation to come

o The praises of the Lord

o And His Power

o And His wonderous works He has done

o Three things to pass on

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Psalm, Chapter 77

Comfort in Trouble from Recalling God’s Mighty Deeds.

For the choir director; [a]according to Jeduthun. A Psalm of Asaph.

77 My voice rises to God, and I will cry aloud;
My voice rises to God, and He will hear me.

Comfort in trouble from recalling God’s Might Deeds

o There is an important lesson in this title

o You can get comfort while in trouble

§ Here is how it works

§ From recalling God’s Mighty Deeds

§ The M in might and D is capitalized for emphasis

§ Remember what God has done in the past and it gives you confidence toward your future!

For the choir director

o Which means it’s a song to be remembered and sang

According to Jeduthun

o Praising or to praise

A Psalm of Asaph

o Asaph means “collector or gatherer”

Let’s stitch it all together now

o You can be comforted when you’re in trouble by recalling God’s Might Deeds so sing His song, praise Him until He comes to gather you!

Now in verse 1
My voice rises to God, and I will cry out loud

o How about you and I?

o Do you pray loud enough for God to hear you?

o Does the description “cry out loud” apply to you?

My voice rises to God, and He will hear me

o Asaph repeats the fact that his voice rises to God

o Then he declares the result before it happens by faith

§ And He will hear me!

o How about you?

§ Do you have faith that God hears you?2 In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord;
In the night my hand was stretched out [b]without weariness;
My soul refused to be comforted.

In the day of my trouble I sought the lord

o Notice it was a specific day (timing was important)

o When trouble came, then Asaph sought the Lord right away

o This is the right place to run too first!

In the night my hand was stretched out without weariness

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Psalm, Chapter 75

God Abases the Proud, but Exalts the Righteous.

For the choir director; set to [a]Al-tashheth. A Psalm of Asaph, a Song.

75 We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks,
For Your name is near;
Men declare Your wondrous works.

The title of this message is God abases the proud, but exalts the righteous
these are polar opposites so that we can see the difference

o God abases is the proud means he lowers them in rank; degrade; belittle within public view

o But God Exalts the Righteous which means: to raise in rank, power or character; elevate rank in public view

A Psalm Asaph which means “gatherer or collector”
There is a time coming when God is going to gather everyone together and he is going to separate the wheat from the chaff or in this case you may say the proud versus the righteous. and all we see the proud debased in rank publicly and the righteous promoted in rank publicly (the oppositive of what we see now!)
We give thanks to you oh God we give thanks

o giving God thanks is repeated in the first half of this verse

§ it must be important to remember to give God thanks

for your name is near

o when God's name is near it means it's on your lips; it's in your mouth

o aren't you glad that you can call out to God in Jesus name at any moment?

men declare your wondrous works

o notice that men will be declaring God's wondrous works because He is wonderful!

o in the context he is going to right every wrong and make everything fully correct!

2 “When I select an appointed time,
It is I who judge with equity.

When I select an appointed time

o this means the appointed time by God when he is good and ready (His perfect time)

it is I who judge with equity

o God is saying that there is a specific date and time that he has pre established and when that time comes he will be the judge and his judgments will be with equity which means fully fair fully correct, spot on!

o those who have done evil and those who are proud will be rewarded accordingly

o those are humble and made righteous by faith in Jesus Christ will also be rewarded accordingly

3 “The earth and all who dwell in it [b]melt;
It is I who have firmly set its pillars. [c]Selah.

the earth and all who dwell in it melt

o the core of the earth is extremely hot; so as hell

o if God doesn't keep it together it'll all melt (it's called atomic glue)

it is I who have firmly set its pillars. Selah

o pillars are used to hold up weight

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What does God say about Prayer?

Let us look at the foundational scriptures for prayer:

Philippians 4:4-7

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

This verse is foundational because it gives us the right attitude and lifestyle which leads to a life of prayer and the key to unlock the power of prayer to get answers and ultimately peace!
We begin by learning to rejoice in the Lord always

o Some sometimes; always (even when you don’t feel like it)

o Again I say rejoice because you didn’t listen the first time and you need to be reminded (all of us)

o In order for you to rejoice in the Lord always you must be believe in Him and that He loves you, saved you and cares about you and has a good plan for your life.

§ If you really believed this, you would be rejoicing

Next we are to let our gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near

o This explains the attitude of our heart which should be on display for others to see

o We should have a gentle spirit and all men should see it and feel it

§ How does this happen?

§ If you believe the Lord is near and hears your prayers and is actively helping you and everyone else you pray for; you could have a gentle spirit because you would not be worried or afraid or anxious about anything

These are the foundation you must establish if you want to build a strong prayer life
Now God will teach us how to pray and what to pray for!
Be anxious for nothing , but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

o These are very specific instruction; let’s unpack this list together

§ First, we must not be anxious for anything

· You must catch yourself doing it and stop it

· You must acknowledge that anxiety and worry are not from God

§ Second, you must learn to pivot on the word “but” which means in contrast to being anxious, this is what you should do instead:

· In everything by prayer (this means pray about everything)

· And supplication (this means urgent prayers 911)

§ Third, you must learn what it means to pray “with thanksgiving”

· With thanksgiving (this means to thank God for hearing your prayer request and thank Him in advance that He will answer your prayer and do what you have asked (as if you already received it)

§ Fourth, you should understand the end result of practicing the first three instruction in this list

· The peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus

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Psalm, Chapter 72

The Reign of the Righteous King.

A Psalm of Solomon.

72 Give the king Your judgments, O God,
And Your righteousness to the king’s son.

The reign of the righteous king

o the only righteous king is Jesus Christ

o and he will reign forever and ever

A Psalm of Solomon

o Solomon means “recompense; to be or make whole or complete; completeness; peace”

o When Jesus Christ reigns He will recompense everyone fully complete and there will be real peace!

Give the king Your judgements, O God

o This means the power to Judge as God

And Your righteousness to the king’s son

o This means the same righteousness as God because He is

2 [a]May [b]he judge Your people with righteousness
And [c]Your afflicted with justice.

May he judge Your people with righteousness

o Notice who’s people they are – they are His

o To judge with righteousness is to judge wisely and fully correct

And Your afflicted with justice

o Notice who’s the afflicted are “His”

o They are going get repaid all that the locus had eaten (recompensed)

o This is when justice will be evident

3 [d]Let the mountains bring [e]peace to the people,
And the hills, in righteousness.

Let the mountains bring peace to the people

o The mountains are a reference to Jerusalem where God’s Himself will rule & reign

And the hills, in righteousness

4 [f]May he vindicate the [g]afflicted of the people,
Save the children of the needy
And crush the oppressor.

Three great things He will do

o 1 – vindicate the afflicted

§ This means they won’t be afflicted anymore & they get repaid for their previous affliction (rewarded; repaid; recompensed)

o 2 – save the children of the needy

§ This means they get food, water, shelter, love, school, learning & blessing

§ Everything they were previously depraved of

o And crush the oppressor

§ Those who previously oppressed the children will be crushed

§ The devil and all his followers including wicked teachers and perverts, etc.

§ They will no longer remain as they get crushed (into dirt)

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Psalm, Chapter 71

Prayer of an Old Man for Deliverance.

71 In You, O Lord, I have taken refuge;
Let me never be ashamed.

The title of this message is prayer of an old man for deliverance

o first of all notice guides grace in that the man lived to be old

o Second notice that your need to pray and ask God for deliverance doesn't go away even when you're older

o Finally note that the older you get and the more prayers that you have made certainly the more you can trust God that he will deliver you again!

and You, oh Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be ashamed

o To take refuge in the Lord means it's the place that you run to

o even though David is an older man he still runs to God regularly because he knows that's his safe place

o let me never be ashamed (this means don't let me down God continue to save me even as you have before)

§ notice the duration is never (this means keep protecting me forever and ever)

2 In Your righteousness deliver me and rescue me;
Incline Your ear to me and save me.

In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me

o notice that David doesn't pray in his own righteousness but in God's righteousness

o David could ask Jesus to deliver him because of the righteousness that was in Christ alone

incline your ear to me and save me

o I like that David ask God to incline his ear to him that means he wants God's attention and he expects God to give it to him

o and save me (this means that David also expects God to answer his prayer request in the affirmative)

o are you bold enough to ask God to bend his ear and listen to you?

o is your faith strong enough that you absolutely believe that he will listen and that he will help you and answer you in the affirmative like David did?

3 Be to me a rock of habitation to which I may continually come;
You have given commandment to save me,
For You are my [a]rock and my fortress.

Be to me rock of habitation to which I may continually come

o a rock of habitation seems to imply that you spend so much time on this rock it's almost like you live there

o Jesus Christ will be your rock, your strong foundation, all your life, and He will never leave you or forsake you

You have given commandment to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress

o David knows that God gave a commandment to save David who is a Sinner

o David knows if God made a commandment then it's going to be kept

o David expects God to keep his promises, do you?

for you are my rock and my fortress

o again this speaks volumes about the personal relationship between Jesus and David

o David sees Jesus as his rock; a firm foundation on which he can build his life in confidence and trust

o and my fortress (this speaks of God hedge of protection like a fortress wall all around every side and for all his years)

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Psalm, Chapter 70

Prayer for Help against Persecutors.

For the choir director. A Psalm of David; for a memorial.

70 O God, hasten to deliver me;
O Lord, hasten to my help!

Prayer for Help against persecutors

o This title shows that even David had to pray for help

o Do you need to pray for help today against persecutors (other people trying to cause you harm?)

This was written for the choir director

o This means its was meant to be song so we would remember this

o It was a Psalm of David; for a memorial (to remember something or someone)

O God, has o delivery me

o This means hurry up God – it’s urgent; 911 God

O Lord, hasten to my Help!

o Notice the first request was to God the father; the second was to the Lord

o When you ask God the Father in Jesus name, anything is possible!

o Because of Jesus Christ’s blood on the cross; God will help you & I

o You can be certain of this

2 Let those be ashamed and humiliated
Who seek my [a]life;
Let those be turned back and dishonored
Who delight [b]in my hurt.

Let those be ashamed and humiliated who seek my life

o Notice David is not praying for himself but for his enemies

o He wants God to make them ashamed and humiliated

o Don’t worry; God will do it!

Let those be turned back and dishonored who delight in my hurt

o To be turned back means sent back from their mission a total failure

o The plans of evil men always fail when their against God’s children

o They will be sent back in dishonor (the opposite of what they expected)

3 Let those be [c]turned back because of their shame
Who say, “Aha, aha!”

People who say “Aha, aha!” are seeking an opportunity to cause harm
They will be turned back to report they failed as well
They just can’t keep a good godly man down
They scheme and plot but all their plans fails because God is protecting His people
They evil are fighting against God (a worthless and foolish pursuit)4 Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You;
And let those who love Your salvation say continually,
“Let God be magnified.”
Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You

o First let consider the condition “all who seek you”

o Are you seeking the Lord and His will; His plans; His vision for your future?

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Psalm, Chapter 69

For the director of music. To the tune of “Lilies.” Of David.

1 Save me, O God,
for the waters have come up to my neck.
2 I sink in the miry depths,
where there is no foothold.

This chapter was for the music director meaning it was to be a song

o One that would learned, practiced, sang, memorized & repeated

o This is because God’s wants us to remember what we learn

o Songs make it wasy

Save me O God for the waters have come up to nick

o Sometimes we struggle and we watch waters reach all the way up to our neck

o We wonder, why God, why have you allowed this difficulty to go on so long to the point where I now think I may die

I sink the miry depths, where there is no foothold

o This speaks of mud or quicksand that wants to swallow us up

I have come into the deep waters;
the floods engulf me.
3 I am worn out calling for help;
my throat is parched.

I have come into deep waters (not shallow but deep)

o Rutrow, I am big trouble (so it seems)

The floods engulf me (I think its all over)
I am worn out calling for help; my throat is parched

o This is the point that man is at the end of his rope

o He cannot seem to go further in his own power

My eyes fail,
looking for my God.
4 Those who hate me without reason
outnumber the hairs of my head;
many are my enemies without cause,
those who seek to destroy me.

My eyes fail looking for God (because you can’t seem to find Him)
Those who hate me without reason outnumber the hairs of my head

o In other words you have so many difficulties you can’t even count them anymore

Many are my enemies without cause, those who seek to destroy me

o It seems the whole world is against us sometimes

o For no reason

I am forced to restore
what I did not steal.

This means required to pay for something that you didn’t do or deserve
It’s totally unfair

5 You, God, know my folly;
my guilt is not hidden from you.

God knew David’s folly (his sin) and He knows ours too
My guilt is not hidden from you; neither is our own
God knows and sees everything we have all done

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Psalm, Chapter 67

The Nations Exhorted to Praise God.

For the choir director; with stringed instruments. A Psalm. A Song.

67 God be gracious to us and bless us,
And cause His face to shine [a]upon us— [b]Selah.

The title of this message is “The nations exhorted to Praise God”

o First note that this message is to “The Nations”

§ This means all the people of the earth

o The nations are being exhorted

§ Exhorted means to strongly encourage or urge, to make an urgent appeal

o To Praise God

§ It’s like news a global bulletin or news flash

§ We are all being strongly urged to Praise God

· You can’t praise Him unless you believe in Him

· You can’t praise Him unless you know Him

· You can’t praise Him unless you know He saved you

· You can’t praise Him unless you have a thankful heart

For the choir director; with stringed instruments

o This was meant to be a song that would be sang, taught & repeated

o It was to be sang accompanied by stringed instruments (that’s called music)

§ It takes time to compose music

§ It takes time to practice it

§ The song must be worthy of this effort

God be gracious to us and bless us

o The song starts with a request to God

o God be gracious to us

§ (this means give us what we don’t deserve

o And bless us

§ this means make us holy; thankful; sanctified; granted protection & provision

and cause His face to shine upon us – Selah

o this means that God would turn turn His face toward us and the blessings of who He is will automatically flow unto us

o it is the idea of God turning His head to look at us and smile to think fondly of us

2 That Your way may be known on the earth,
Your salvation among all nations.

Here is the reason God does it

o That Your way may be known on the earth

o When people see real followers of God; they see a blessed people

o They want to have the peace, joy and blessing you have too

o They will come and ask for the reason for the hope that is within you

Your salvation among the nations

o We are to give an answer to the nations (all the people of the world)

o The answer is “Your Salvation” God’s name Yeshu’a means “God Saves”

o Yeshu’a is where get the English name Jesus

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Psalm, Chapter 66

Praise for God’s Mighty Deeds and for His Answer to Prayer.

For the music director. A Song. A Psalm.

66 Shout joyfully to God, all the earth;
2 Sing the glory of His name;
Make His praise glorious.

Praise for God’s Mighty Deeds and for His Answer to Prayer

o There are two things listed here

o Praise for God’s Mighty Deeds

§ When is the last time you praised God for His Mighty Deeds

o Secondly for His Answer to Prayer

§ When is the last time you praised God for His Answer to Prayer

o Both of these points towards God’s active involvement in the lives of men

§ It should remind us God is active in my life and yours right now

§ His actions will cause Praise because of His lovingkindness

This for the music director; therefore, it’s another song we should learn and sing to remember this lesson (this is how to remember things; turn it into a song)
Shout joyfully to God, all the earth

o To shout joyfully is a loud joyful noise; do you know how to make this sound?

o David is suggesting that “all the earth” make this noise!

§ or is this a command?

Sing the glory of His name

o This brings into focus the main thing we're supposed to be singing about

§ the glory of His name

§ the name of Jesus Christ our Lord is worth singing about!!!

Make His praise glorious

o We are instructed to make his praise glorious

o I'm not exactly sure how to do it but it would seem that it needs to be loud and clear and melodic and heartfelt with a heart full of gratitude for saving us from our sins!

o men put together glorious musical productions for secular reasons; how about we put together a glorious praise and worship session to glorify the name of Jesus Christ our savior!3 Say to God, “How awesome are Your works!
Because of the greatness of Your power Your enemies will pretend to obey You.

Say to God “how awesome are Your works”

o this sentence seems to be instruction on how to praise God properly

o we should be praising God for his works because they are awesome!

because of the greatness of your power your enemies will pretend to obey you

o Because of the greatness of your power your enemies will pretend to obey you really means they will submit to Him; in fear, they will comply Whether they want to or not.

4 All the earth will worship You,
And will sing praises to You;
They will sing praises to Your name.” Selah

and all the earth will worship You; and will sing praises to You

o to worship is to bow down in humble adoration or to submit

o do you sing praises is to lift holy hands and use your voice to praise the King of kings and the Lord of Lords!

They will sing praises to Your name. Selah

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Psalm, Chapter 65

God’s Abundant Favor to Earth and Man.

For the choir director. A Psalm of David. A Song.

65 There will be silence [a]before You, and praise in Zion, O God,
And to You the vow will be performed.

The title of this message is God Abundant Favor to Earth and Man

o First we should note that God’s Abundant Favor

§ It belongs to God alone

§ He decides to give to Abundantly (more than enough to overfilling)

o Next God’s abundant was given to Earth & Man

§ The earth is full of God’s abundance

· Look at the wheat fields

· Look at the crops of corn, vegetables & fruit

· Look at the abundance of water, animals & food

· Consider the sunrise & sunsets every day (brand new artwork)

· Look at the trees, flowers, colors, shapes, smells, taste

§ And Man is full of God’s abundance too

· The ability to procreate children

· The ability to learn and create new things

· The ability to see and hear and understand or comprehend

· The ability to taste and eat or drink to enjoy the abundance of the earth physically internally

· The ability to read His Word and gain wisdom and knowledge to learn about our creator and wonderful Savior

· If you have $20 in your pocket, a roof over your head and groceries in the refrigerator you are among the top 2% wealthiest in the world

o Again this message is for the choir director so it was meant to be a song that would taught, sang and remembered – because its an important message that we will need to be reminded about

Now if verse 1
There will be silence before You, and praise in Zion, o God

o When God’s speaks everyone will listen

o His thoughts; His words; are the most important to listen to always

o So be quiet and listen (the proper direction is God talks; we listen)

o And the more you listen to God; the more praise will fill your heart, mind, lungs, mouth and tongue (instead of talking; we give God praise!)

And to You the vow will be performed

o A vow is a promise

o It is like the promise God made to Abraham that in him all the nations of the world would be blessed (not maybe).

o God promised Abraham and his children that they would inherit the land and many other blessings (they still apply to today).

o And when a man makes a vow to God, he had better keep it (this is serious business)

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Psalm, Chapter 64

Prayer for Deliverance from Secret Enemies.

For the choir director. A Psalm of David.

64 Hear my voice, O God, in my [a]complaint;
Preserve my life from dread of the enemy.

The title of this message is prayer for deliverance from secret enemies
it's important to note but David's first reaction is to pray
and then note that he's praying specifically for deliverance

o this means to be taken from one location and delivered to another

o to go from one set of circumstances to an entirely new set

o when you pray for deliverance God can literally transport you somewhere else

o you can go from trouble to security; from problems to blessings

o from impossible circumstances to amazing miracles

o it's also interesting to note that David is praying for deliverance from secret enemies

§ secret enemies or people who are causing you harm but it's a secret

§ this means they are intentionally deceiving you with the intent to cause harm

This message is for the choir director so it is meant to be a song again which would be taught and it would be learned and memorized and sing out loud to make sure you never forget
now in verse one David says “hear my voice, O God, in my complaint”

o When David begins to pray he starts with his first request

§ hear my voice, O God

§ David seems to think it's acceptable to call out to God almighty who was in charge of all the universe and yet it's not too busy to stop and listen to what David has to say (that requires faith all by itself)

§ maybe when you begin to pray next time you should ask God to hear your voice and believe that He will (that he is not too busy for you either)

David does not just ask God to hear his voice but he says oh God, in my complaint

o this type of complaint is like filing a legal complaint

o as we continue this study we'll find out what this legal complaint is all about

preserve my life from dread of the enemy

o David is asking that God preserved his life that means to extend it

o and from the dread of the enemy

§ enemies can cause dread which is the fear of what they might do

§ David wants God to take away the fear so he is no longer dreading what might happen

§ if you follow your emotions and your thoughts and you rely on only what you can see and hear then you may be inclined to listen to the news or the threats of enemies or difficulties and it would be easy to slip into dread or fear

§ but you can, I can, we can decide not to listen to the news or the evil activity or plans of evil men and we can literally change the radio station and listen to God's word and praise music instead

§ God has given you free will so that you can change the radio station at anytime from dread to faith

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Psalm, Chapter 63

The Thirsting Soul Satisfied in God.

A Psalm of David, [a]when he was in the wilderness of Judah.

63 God, You are my God; I shall be watching for You;
My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You,
In a dry and exhausted land where there is no water.

The title of this message is The Thirsting Soul Satisfied in God
Is your Soul thirsting?
It will only be satisfied in God
A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah
Sometimes we feel like we are in the wilderness

o No provision

o No people

o Only Gods creation and the sounds thereof

o We become acutely aware of our need for God

God, You are my God; I shall be watching for You

o Verse 1 is very important

o First the affirmation “God, You are my God”

§ This is a personal choice

§ You must, I must, we must chose God

§ God is either Lord of all or He is not Lord at all (it’s time to chose)

o Second David said “I shall be watching for You”

§ In other words, David continually looks up expecting God’s return

§ How about us?

§ Do you live your life with great expectation of His immediate return?

My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You

o When you have crawled through the desert long enough you get real thirsty

o Then you will feel a thirst deep inside that drives you to find water no matter what

o Is that the kind of thirst you have for God?

o Does your flesh yearn for God?

§ You just can’t wait to see Him?

In a dry and exhausted land where there is no water

o It’s a picture of the desert but its also a picture of our world

o A dry and exhausted land desperately needs living water to bring life again

2 So have I seen You in the sanctuary,
To see Your power and glory.

David sees in his minds eye, by faith, God in His sanctuary
He sees God’s power & glory and he knows He will see it in person someday soon!

3 Because Your [b]favor is better than life,
My lips will praise You.

Because your favor is better than life

o Have you experienced God’s favor and the joy of the Lord?

o Once you have tasted it, nothing on earth can compare

o You will gladly exchange all that you have in this life for that which is coming

My lips will praise You

o The proper response to God’s favor is praise

o This means that you engage your lips in active service

o Open your mouth wide and let the praises flow out so that He can hear you!

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Psalm, Chapter 62

God Alone a Refuge from Treachery and Oppression.

For the choir director; [a]according to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.

62 My soul waits in silence for God only;
From Him is my salvation.

The title of this message is God Alone a Refuge from Treachery and Oppression

o First we note the God Alone is the answer

o Second we note that God is a Refuge, a place of safety to run too

o Third we learn God is a refuge from Treachery & Oppression

§ Treachery is a violation of allegiance or of faith; behavior that deceives or is not loyal to someone who trusts you

§ Oppression is unjust or cruel exercise of authority or power; prevented from having freedom or opportunities

For the choir director, according to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David

o This means this passage was meant to be a song that would be taught, memorized and sang in order to remember the words

o Jeduthun means praise or to praise

So we learn from this title that:

o God alone is the answer

o He is a refuge, a safe place to run too

o From deceptive disloyal people and people trying to prevent your freedom & opportunities

o We should remember and sing this song

o The result will end in praise to God!

My Soul waits in silence for God only

o This is the key

§ To wait in silence for God only

From Him is my salvation

o The reason you wait for Him

o Because He is the only One who can provide eternal salvation

o Nobody else’s opinion matters

o So we learn to wait on Him and not take matters into our own hands

2 He only is my rock and my salvation,
My stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken.

He only is my rock and my salvation

o Again it is He only (Jesus Christ and not other name under heaven)

o He is my rock (solid ground on which to stand or build your life upon)

o And my salvation (the One who save me from everything in this life)

My stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken

o My stronghold is a rock fortress which cannot be penetrated by your enemies

o In short, God will protect you from all harm

o Therefore, I shall not be greatly shaken

§ This means nothing else should rock your world because God is your protector

§ If God is your rock and salvation, you have nothing to fear

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Psalm, Chapter 61

Confidence in God’s Protection.

For the choir director; on a stringed instrument. A Psalm of David.

61 Hear my cry, O God;
Give heed to my prayer.

The title of this message is Confidence in God’s Protection
You can put your confidence in your own ability, bank account or friends & family but they will all fail you eventually – only trust in God works 100% of the time
If you want real protection, allow you trust to grow in God until you are confident in Him
This message was for the choir director; therefore, it was meant to be a song which would be taught, learned, memorized and sang often by the church!

o This means we need to learn this and remember it!

It was also on a stringed instrument which means it was worthy to write music to go along with the words and to play the music on a string instrument (this requires effort)

o It also means it’s praise worthy!

Verse 1

o Hear my cry, O God; Give heed to my prayer

§ This implies three things

§ 1st that David or the person speaking is in the form of a cry (urgent)

§ 2nd the person praying is asking God to hear it

· This means he believes in God and His ability first

· Then he believes in His lovingkindness in that He would agree to hear the cry

§ 3rd the person praying believes God will give heed to his prayer

· To give heed means to listen with intent to do something about it

o We must believe God is, God is able, God is willing, God hears, God cares, God will act if and when we cry out to Him in faith!

2 From the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint;
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

From the end of the earth

o This implies that now matter where David is when he cries out to the Lord, He hears David’s small voice all the way up yonder in Heaven

I call to You when my heart is faint

o Notice when David calls to the Lord

§ Only when his heart is faint!

§ Maybe he should be calling when his heart is full of joy too!

Lead me to the rock that is higher than I

o A rock is solid

o A rock is higher than the flood (present danger)

o Jesus is also called “the Rock” and He is higher than I (each and every one of us)

o Also note David wants to be lead to the rock

§ God hold my hand and lead me to the rock (my savior, my safety)

§ It is like asking your Dad if you can hold his hand because you are afraid

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Psalm, Chapter 60

Lament over Defeat in Battle, and Prayer for Help.

For the choir director; according to [a]Shushan Eduth. A [b]Mikhtam of David, to teach; [c]when he struggled with Aram-naharaim and with Aram-zobah, and Joab returned, and smote twelve thousand of Edom in the Valley of Salt.

60 O God, You have rejected us. You have [d]broken us;
You have been angry; O, restore us.

The title of this message is lament over defeat in battle, and prayer for help
sometimes we won't lament over our own sin until we are defeated
only when we recognize our own sin and ask for forgiveness can God restore us
sin can prevent God from answering our prayers; so ask for forgiveness quickly and then return to praying for help
for the choir director (this means that the song you're about to read was meant to be a song it was meant to be sung and learned and repeated because it's important)
according to the Shushan Eduth which means white as a Lily or to become white as a Lily
and with Aram-zobah – Highland between two rivers (two paths) or elevation of lights (two lights)
and with Aram-zobah – beautiful elevation, rise by war, army from on high
and Joab returned – Yah is Father; Whose Father is The Lord
and smote twelve thousand of Edom – 12,000 is a number for completeness or government by God
Edom means “red” or “red mud”
Valley of salt - Jesus said be salt and light (clearly different; salt attracts water; desire for living water, the truth of God’s word)
Let’s summary what we learn from this title

o Lament over our sin, pray for forgiveness and help

o Sing a song about this and remember it

o You will become white as a lilly

o You will be led by God’s light to follow the right path

o Which leads to heaven on high with the heavenly host

o Where YHWH is your father and you are his children

o God will return to earth and establish his perfect government

o With His people washed in the blood

o Clearly set apart by God’s word and the living water

Now we come to verse 1
O God, You have rejected us, You have broken us

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Psalm, Chapter 59

Prayer for Deliverance from Enemies.

For the choir director; set to [a]Al-tashheth. A [b]Mikhtam of David, [c]when Saul sent men and they watched the house in order to kill him.

59 Deliver me from my enemies, O my God;
[d]Set me securely on high away from those who rise up against me.

The title of this message is prayer for deliverance from enemies

o sometimes we need to pray to be delivered from our enemies

o this means we understand that we're Co dependent on getting God help and that he needs to deliver us because we can't move forward without him

for the choir director (which means this was meant to be another song that people would learn and repeat for a specific purpose)
a Mikhtam of David

o Mikhtam means “golden thing that covers or hides” or “precious tablet inscription” the idea is words are so precious it warrants being engraved. A psalm as precious as stamped gold.

When Saul sent men and they watched the house in the order to kill him

o Imagine if there was a king who was your enemy who sent his men to watch her house and wait for you to come or go so they could kill you

o this is the serious nature of what was going on and what David would need to pray to God about in order for God to deliver him from these enemies who were sent by the king.

2 Deliver me from those who do iniquity
And save me from men of bloodshed.

deliver me from those who do iniquity; and save me from men of bloodshed
we notice that David's first response was to pray

o and we note that David prayed for God to deliver him from those who do iniquity

o and to save him from men of bloodshed

o this is pretty serious because these men had surrounded David's house and they were watching for him - so David's prayer is very important!

o whenever you feel like you're surrounded or that there's no way for you to escape some form of trouble make sure that praying to God is the first thing you do not the last2 Deliver me from those who do iniquity
And save me from men of bloodshed.

deliver me from those who do iniquity; and save me from men of bloodshed
we notice that David's first response was to pray

o and we note that David prayed for God to deliver him from those who do iniquity

o and to save him from men of bloodshed

o whenever you feel like you're surrounded or that there's no way for you to escape some form of trouble make sure that praying to God is the first thing you do not the last

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Psalm, Chapter 58

Prayer for the Punishment of the Wicked.

For the choir director; set to [a]Al-tashheth. A [b]Mikhtam of David.

58 Do you indeed [c]speak righteousness, O [d]gods?
Do you judge [e]uprightly, O sons of men?

The title of this message is prayer for the punishment of the wicked
it may seem odd that Dave would pray for the punishment of the wicked but that is what this chapter is about

o sometimes we just get sick and tired of being sick and tired of all the evil around us

don't forget this is written for the choir director which means it was meant to be a song that would be learned and repeated for a specific purpose or a specific message
it was set to Al-tashheth which we learned from chapter 57 means “destroy not”

o it may be that David was praying that God would not allow him to be destroyed by King Saul and his henchmen

It is also a Mikhtam of David which means words that were worthy of being engraved in gold; the word of God is valuable and worthy to be engraved on golden tablets because of their eternal value and wisdom (David may have even had inscribed these words on the walls of the cave he hid in (the point is these words are valuable)
Now we begin verse one of chapter 58
do you indeed speak righteousness, O gods

o notice the word gods is little G

o apparently, David is speaking to men who think they are gods because they are in a position of power, but they are not the God

do you judge uprightly, O sons of men?

o David is posing a question which challenges the fairness of these leaders

o the tone of this question Seems to imply unfairnessNo, in heart you work unrighteousness

On earth you weigh out the violence of your hands.

No, in your heart you work son righteousness,

o it is no longer a question; David is answering it “no”

on earth you weigh out the violence of your hands

o Two way something out implies the use of a scale

o it seems these judges may have been accepting bribes and we're making decisions to benefit themselves financially or some other side benefit not seeking the truth

o when judges or unrighteous it usually does lead to violence

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Psalm, Chapter 57

Prayer for Rescue from Persecutors.

For the choir director; set to [a]Al-tashheth. A [b]Mikhtam of David, [c]when he fled from Saul in the cave.

57 Be gracious to me, O God, be gracious to me,
For my soul takes refuge in You;
And in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge
Until destruction passes by.

The title of this message is Prayer for Rescue from Persecutors

o It brings to the front line our need to pray for rescue (we need to be rescured)

o It also brings to mind “from persecutors” all Christians have persecutors (those who are trying to cause us trouble to damage our Christian testimony)

For the choir director

o This means it was meant to be a song and the worship leaders were to encourage God’s people to sing this song for a specific reason

Set to Al-tashheth (Al-tashheth means “destroy not” or “do not destroy”
A Mikhtam (Mikhtam means “golden thing that covers or hides” or “precious tablet inscription” the idea is so precious of words it warrants being engraved. A psalm precious as stamped gold)
When he fled from Saul in the cave

o David means “beloved” but also “weak” or “flowing”

o Saul means “to ask” or “ask for”

Consider this

o We have prayer for rescue from persecutors

o Then we have Al-tashheth (do not destroy), then David (beloved), then Saul (asked for or to ask)

o Everything points towards the beloved of God who are weak asking God to help!

What is the thing you are afraid of today that makes you want to run and hide in a cave?

o It’s time to ask God to rescue you because you are His beloved!

Now David shows us how to do it

o Be gracious to me, O God, be gracious to me

o The first thing David asked is for God to be gracious to him

o grace is absolutely the thing we need (it is unearned, undeserved favor)

o he repeats the phrase twice be gracious to me; be gracious to me; apparently David wants to make sure God heard this request so he repeated it

§ so too sometimes we need to repeat our request to God multiple times

§ that does not mean he did not hear you the first time

§ it means sometimes you have to say it multiple times to get to the place of faith where you will believe that he heard you and that he will answer

for my soul takes refuge in you

o your soul is the part of you that lasts forever

o David says his soul is taking refuge in God

o a refuge is a safe harbor or a safe place

§ it is a place that you can run to in your protected from all harm

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Psalm, Chapter 56

Supplication for Deliverance and Grateful Trust in God.

For the choir director; according to [a]Jonath elem rehokim. A [b]Mikhtam of David, [c]when the Philistines seized him in Gath.

56 Be gracious to me, O God, for man has [d]trampled upon me;
[e]Fighting all day long he oppresses me.

The title of this message is supplication for deliverance and grateful trust in God
the word supplication means an urgent request (it is a form of urgent prayer)
this prayer As for deliverance (this means to be delivered from a bad outcome to a good one)
and grateful trust in God (When you put your trust in God you will have much to be grateful for)
For the choir director (the one who is supposed to encourage praise)
According to Jonath Elem Rehokim (the silent dove of far-off places)
A Mikhtam of David

o The name Mikhtam means “golden thing that covers or hides” or “precious tablet inscription” the idea is so precious of words it warrants being engraved. A psalm precious as stamped gold

When the Philistines seized him in Gath

o When was this? 1 Sam 21: 10-15

o Remember David pretended to be insane… so Saul would let him go…

So here is what we have in this title

o The choir director (The worship leader)

o The silent dove of far-off places (the Holy Spirit)

o David (beloved)

o Mikhtam (tablet worth inscribing in gold – The Word)

o Philistines (seeker of wisdom & knowledge)

o Gath (winepress)

o Praise God He sent the Holy Spirit to His beloved and The Word to those seeking wisdom & knowledge to learn of the winepress (the blood of the lamb that takes away the sins of the world)

Now that was just from the title
now beginning in verse one:
be gracious to me. oh God. For man has trampled upon me

o we need God's grace because we have been trampled upon too

fighting all day long he oppresses me

o This is a picture of world demand fighting against godly men

o but it's also a picture of the flesh fighting with the spirit all day long

2 My foes have [f]trampled upon me all day long,
For [g]they are many who fight proudly against me.

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Psalm, Chapter 55

Prayer for the Destruction of the Treacherous.

For the choir director; on stringed instruments. A [a]Maskil of David.

55 Give ear to my prayer, O God;
And do not hide Yourself from my supplication.

The title of this message is prayer for the destruction of the treacherous
it's interesting that this is a prayer for the destruction of certain people
The key to understanding this is the meaning of treacherous

o guilty of or involving betrayal or deception

o Those engaged in treachery are intentionally misleading someone to trick them so that they receive the opposite of what they think they will

o that would obviously be a very evil thing to do: therefore, the people that do this would be evil (Intentionally deceiving others to cause harm)

o Apparently David has reached a place in his heart where he wants these treacherous people destroyed (he is sick of the damage they are causing)

§ this may sound familiar to some of you listening today

for the choir director; on stringed instruments

o this means for the person in charge of directing the choir (that means leading them to sing for a specific purpose in unison)

o on stringed instruments means that they were playing instruments like harps or guitars or the Lyre

o It seems odd to put such words to song and yet when God does destroy those that are treacherous it can bring great joy to those of us who are sick and tired of watching it happen

it is a Maskil of David

o a masculine is something that was previous wisdom or knowledge gained

o it is a saying (often from the Bible)

o he had experienced in real life by men or women who know it to be true2 Give heed to me and answer me;
I am restless in my complaint and [b]am surely distracted,
3 Because of the voice of the enemy,
Because of the pressure of the wicked;
For they bring down [c]trouble upon me
And in anger they bear a grudge against me.

Give heed to me and answer me (notice that David wants God's attention)

o he is asking the guard would give heed to him which means to listen to him

o and then he's asking God to answer him

o there seems to be a confident certainty in the way that David asks these two things of God

o do you have a certain degree of certainty when you ask God for anything?

§ do you expect that he will hear you?

§ do you expect that he will answer you?

I am restless in my complaint and I'm surely distracted

o David says he is restless and distracted

o so too, sometimes we often become restless about something that's really bothering us

o if we think about it too often it can distract us from things that God actually wants us to do

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54 Save me, O God, by Your name,
And vindicate me by Your power.

Prayer for Defense against Enemies

o Sometimes we need to prayer for defense against our enemies

We never face our enemies alone because in instant you may enter the throne room of God ask Him to defend you!

It is like having the most powerful army in all the universe and you can come to the commander in chief and ask Him to defend you!

- A Maskil of David

o A Maskil is Jewish wisdom or sayings from men who studied the bible

o And men who had experienced life long enough to know God’s word is true

When the Ziphites came and said to Saul

o Is not David hiding himself among us?

o The Ziphites were snitches

They kept telling Saul where David was so he could kill him

Twice they went to Saul at Gibeah and told him where David was hiding

(I Sam. 23 :19; 26 :1)

§ The Ziphites were loyal to man’s power not God’s will (very unwise)

Is not David hiding himself among us?

o David was constantly hiding from Saud and his followers because they wanted to kill David (it is a picture of how the devil roams about seeking whom he may devour)

2 Hear my prayer, O God;
Give ear to the words of my mouth.

Notice David’s response to this situation
Hear my prayer, O God

o David immediately goes into prayer to His God!

o This is exactly what we need to do in times of trouble

o Notice he stats by asking God to hear his prayer (he asking for attention)

o When was the last time you asked God to hear your prayer?

o When was the last time you asked God for His attention?

Give ear to the words of my mouth

o David is asking with specificity

o He wants God to bend His ear toward him to listen to the words of his mouth

o He asking for Almighty God to listen the words of a singular, puny, undeserving man

Sometimes we think God is to big or too important to hear our tiny little mouths from our unworthy and humble little state of being.

§ Yet David is not asking in vain; He expects God to listen

· Do you expect that God Almighty will actual stop what He is doing and listen to poor little old you?

§ David is expecting God Almighty not only to listen but to answer him

· Do you expect an answer to your current prayer?

· Or do you think God is too busy or doesn’t care?

· The key to answered prayer is “faith” that God hears & answers

· If He didn’t why would He say “pray without ceasing”?

§ It is very impressive that God Almighty would want to actually hear the words of David’s mouth or ours but He does!

· What a Loving Creator & Father!

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Psalm, Chapter 53

Foolishness and Wickedness of People.

For the music director; according to [a]Mahalath. A [b]Maskil of David.

53 The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.”

The title of this chapter is foolishness and wickedness of people
foolishness and wickedness always go together
people who are wicked are very foolish (because judgment day is coming)
this song was written for the music director (in other words it's a song)
to Mahalath. A Maskil of David

o Mahalath means sickness, sad song, writhe

o Mahalath is also the daughter of Ishmael (He Will Hear God)

It is a maskil of David

o A Maskil is a saying of an enlightened man, a scholar (Jewish wisdom)

The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God”

o Anyone denies the existence of God is a fool (that what the Word says)

o If you can look a new born baby being born without fearing God – you are a fool

o If you can look at the biochemistry of a human being and not fear God – you are a fool

o If you can look up into the heavens and see the glorious lights, shapes and sizes and begin to comprehend the enormity of the universe an yet you don’t believe in God – you are a fool.

o If can see geometric patterns in flowers and colors and smell their beautiful scent or watch a hummingbird flutter about them while appearing still and yet you don’t believe in God – you are a fool.

You can’t take apart our timex watch (about 1,200 pieces) and shake it for 6 billion years and tell me that it will come out a watch ticking on time because it takes intelligent design and assembly – so never say or thing “there is no God” or you are a fool!

They are corrupt and have committed abominable injustice;
There is no one who does good.

They are corrupt, and I've committed abominable injustice

o this is a very clear description of why some people don't believe in God

o it is because they are corrupt

§ having or showing a willingness to act dishonestly in return for money or personal gain

o And have committed abominable injustice

§ notice they have committed (they are steep and deep in their sin)

§ abominable means “worthy of or causing disgust or hatred”

§ this means God is disgusted with them

§ they cause injustice (the opposite of justice)

§ evil intent to deceive and harm on purpose

There is no one who does good

o God said that there is not one who does good

o He is speaking about those who do not believe in God

o some people say well I might not believe in God but I'm a good person

§ according to scripture there is not one who does good (without faith in God)

o not one means not any (not a single one)

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Psalm, Chapter 52

Futility of Boastful Wickedness.

For the choir director. A [a]Maskil of David, [b]when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul and said to him, “David has come to the house of Ahimelech.”

52 Why do you boast in evil, O mighty man?
The lovingkindness of God endures all day long.

The title of this message is Futility of Boastful Wickedness
Futility means pointless or useless
Boastful means showing excessive pride and self-satisfaction in one’s achievements, possessions, or abilities
Wickedness means the quality of being evil or morally wrong
Its useless evil people to boast about their achievements or possessions (because they will all burn up quickly)
A Maskil of David, when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul and said to him “David has come to the house of Ahimelech”

o A Maskil (saying of Jewish Wisdom) of David (beloved) when Doeg (unpleasant servant of Saul) the Edomite (red, muddy) came and told Saul (asked for, prayed for) sand said to him “David (beloved) has come to the house of Ahimelech (My brother is King; Brother of the King)

o Jewish wisdom speaks of the beloved, in servitude of the flesh, became red mud (covered by the blood) when they prayed, and came to house of their brother the King)

o Doeg was a snitch, he told Saul that David fled to the house of Ahimelech who prayed for David and helped David by feeding him the show bread to prevent him and his men from starving. Doeg was loyal to King Saul who wanted David dead at the time. Saul commanded that Doeg go and kill Ahimelech and those who helped David.

o This chapter is a song and wisdom about what should be done about an evil man who causes much harm to God’s people

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Psalm, Chapter 51

A Contrite Sinner’s Prayer for Pardon.

For the choir director. A Psalm of David, when [a]Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.

51 Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness;
According to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions.

The title of this message is a contrite sinners prayer for pardon
the first attribute to note is contrite

o feeling or expressing remorse or penitence; affected by guilt:

o "a broken and a contrite heart"

The second attribute to note is that it is a sinners prayer

o this means that the person who sends recognizes his sin and considers himself a Sinner

the third attribute of this title is that this contrite Sinner is praying for pardon

o this means he is asking for forgiveness (with the correct attitude of heart)

It is a Psalm of David when Nathan the prophet came to him

o David means “beloved”

o Nathan means “he gives”

o This is a picture of how God will give mercy to his beloved children if they repent from their sin and ask with a contrite heart

after he had gone in to Bathsheba

o Bathsheba means daughter of an oath

o This is a picture of her status as married woman

The prophet Nathan had come in and explained to David the king that there was a man who had a herd of sheep and other animals but he coveted the one sheep, the only sheep that his neighbor owned. so the man who owned herds of sheep took the man’s sheep who only owned one. David became enraged and said this man should be killed. Nathan then explain that the man in this story was King David and that the one sheep that he took which belonged to another man was Bathsheba. David was cut to the heart because he knew he had sinned and had tried to cover it up by having Uriah move to the front lines and killed. Now God's prophet shows up and tells him that God knows what he did in that he told it to Nathan.
all of these things are what we learn merely from the title; now we get into the chapter:
be gracious to me, oh God, according to your loving kindness

o grace is an extraordinary type of love that gives someone something they do not deserve (it is the opposite of what they do deserve)

o David is asking for God to be gracious to him and to do so according to his loving kindness (this was a tall order to ask considering his sin)

o but we all must remember that worse in abounds grace did abound much more

according to the greatness of your compassion blot out my transgressions

o David is recognizing the greatness of God's compassion

o thank God he is compassionate and understands that sometimes we give in to the flesh

o in this first David is recognizing that he has a big stain caused by his sin and he once got to blot it out (wash it away)

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**Psalm, Chapter 50

God, the Judge of the Righteous and the Wicked
50** The Mighty One, God, the Lord, has spoken
And summoned the earth, from [b]the rising of the sun to its setting.

The title of this message is God, the judge of the righteous and the wicked
it's important to note that he is the judge of both the righteous and the wicked
we will give an account of ourselves

o those who put their faith in Jesus will be rewarded

o those who refused to believe in Jesus will be judged harshly

this is a Psalm of Asaph

o Asaph means gatherer or collector

o God will gather us all together and separate the wheat from the chaff

The mighty one, God, the Lord, has spoken

o when God has spoken - it's final (you can count on this)

and summoned the earth, from the rising of the sun to its setting

o this means from the east to the West and everything in between

o to summon the earth means everyone in it

2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty,
God has shone.

This is a picture of Jesus returning to earth in all His glory
He comes riding on a White Horse

3 May our God come and not keep silent;
Fire devours before Him,
And a storm is violently raging around Him.

May our God come and not keep silent

o this means come now and Lord

fire devours before him

o fire is always a picture of judgment (it burns up everything that is ungodly)

and his storm is violently raging around him

o this is a clear indication of His power and might

o He often travels with clouds and Thunder and lightning

o in other words his appearance well leave people awestruck

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Psalm, Chapter 49

The Foolishness of Trusting in Riches.

For the music director. A Psalm of the sons of Korah.

49 Hear this, all peoples;
Listen, all inhabitants of the world,
2 Both low and high,
Rich and poor together.

Yesterday we read chapter 48 together then we caught a fresh vision of the new Jerusalem a 1500 mile cube floating over Jerusalem with the glory of Jesus Christ lighting up the whole earth from inside (it's hard to come back to planet earth)
the title of this message is the foolishness of trusting in riches

o foolishness means that you think you are the smart one in the room but it will soon be revealed that you are a fool (which means you really never knew anything)

o trusting in riches is the opposite of wisdom and it's foolish

once again this message is for the music director (the one who is supposed to encourage God's people to praise)
and it is a Psalm of the sons of Korah

o The sons of Korah We're super grateful because they were born into an evil family who tried to take over for Moses and the ground opened up and swallowed them alive and closed itself. the sons of Korah were spared by God and seven generations later we find them leading worship in the Tabernacle; therefore, they are exceedingly grateful having come out of such a dark hole into the glorious light of the king of kings.

hear this, all peoples, listen, all inhabitants of the world

o this is the sound of the trumpet trying to get your attention

o you need to hear this, I need to hear this, all people need to hear this

o and not just hear but to listen (you can hear a sound but it doesn't mean you're listening to it; to listen to it means you are listening with the intent to understand)

o Are you ready to listen with the intent to understand today?

both low and high, rich and poor together

o this is draw your attention that it doesn't make a difference about your position in this life whether you have a low position or a high position

o it also does not matter whether you are rich or poor

o the truth is we are all in the same bucket and we all need to listen to this

3 My mouth will speak wisdom,
And the meditation of my heart will be understanding.

My mouth will speak wisdom

o if your mouth is to speak wisdom and is going to speak the word of God

and the meditation of my heart will be understanding

o this means that you will receive God's word in your heart where you will allow it to shape your thinking in your life to the level you make different decisions in alignment with God's will for you.

o wisdom is to know some fact and to decide wisely based on what you have learned

o understanding means that you understand the reason behind the wisdom and the result of making bad or good choices

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Psalm, Chapter 48

The Beauty and Glory of Zion.

A Song; a Psalm of the sons of Korah.

48 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised,
In the city of our God, His holy mountain.

The title of this message is beauty and glory of Zion

o beauty means it's something beautiful to look at

o glory means that it shines with the light from God

o Zion is a reference to the place where the new Jerusalem will hover over the earth a 1500 mile cube made of precious stones with Jesus Christ himself lighting it up like a Christmas tree (providing light to the whole earth)

o this is also a picture of heaven

This chapter is a song
It was a song and a Psalm of the sons of Korah

o we remembered the sons of korah were the Super grateful sons who God had grace and mercy on and he adopted them out of an evil family who were killed and swallowed up by the earth and then covered up alive. these sons continued to live and produce other sons; finally, after seven generations the sons of Cora became the leaders of music and praise in the Tabernacle.

o they're let alone love gratitude was exceedingly great when they understood the evil family they came from in the beautiful position of grace they find themselves in now - This is why they're going to sing this song!

now in verse one the song begins
great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised

o great is the Lord means that he is the greatest that has ever lived or ever will

o and greatly to be praised means the has done more for us that he won ever has or ever will

o his greatness there's something to behold (it is grander than your imagination)

in the city of our God, his holy mountain

o the city of our God is a city that is not made by human hands

§ again it is a 1500 mile cube made of precious stones that comes down from heaven and floats above the earth

o his holy mountain describes the high place in Israel where the new Jerusalem is supposed to float over. but it also speaks of strength and power and size and glory2 Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth,
Is Mount Zion in the far north,
The city of the great King.

Beautiful in elevation

o this means it's high and lofty and amazing like a mountain covered with snow

The joy of the whole earth

o it's like a giant diamond or a giant jewel it's something amazing to behold and look at (I'm imagining something shining brighter than the brightest diamond the size of the mountain)

is Mount Zion in the far north

o Mount Zion again is a specific place in Jerusalem where God promised that when he returns he would come back and rule and reign from there

o this will be the site of the new Jerusalem, the 1500 mile cube of precious stones

o inside will be many mansions of which we shall have our own and we will live inside it with Jesus Christ our Lord and savior who lights up this cube like a light bulb and lights the entire earth from it 24/7 with no darkness

the city of the great king

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Psalm, Chapter 47

God, the King of the Earth.

For the music director. A Psalm of the sons of Korah.

47 Clap your hands, all you peoples;
Shout to God with a voice of joy.

The title of this message is God, the King of the Earth
This is a declaration “GOD” that is who we are talking about

o The King of the Earth (this is His title in this Chapter)

o Just in case you are wondering who is really in charge of this Earth

o It is GOD, the One True God not man and not the devil of his minions

For the music director (the one in charge of making music and get God’s people to sing)
A Psalm of the sons of Korah

o Sons of Korah were super grateful and sang louder and praised a bit more with very grateful heart because they came from a family who were swallowed up alive in the earth because they opposed Moses and tried to take over. Korah sons were kept alive and 7-generations later were being used to lead worship in the tabernacle. They knew the dark past of their family and yet the bright light of blessing of leading worship – saved by God’s grace!

Call your hands, all you peoples (this means get your body moving to the music)
Shout to God with a voice of joy (shout don’t sing; this means turn it up)

o The idea is that we jump to our feet and clap and shout and praise (He is worthy!)

o The face the God is the King of the Earth and no one else is GLORIOUS!

o When you use our hands and your mouth to praise God it might be a good idea to consider WHO HE IS and WHAT HE HAS DONE and THAT HE IS COMING SOON

o Let your praise and attitude reflect that (PUT SOME GRATITUDE IN YOUR PRAISE)

2 For the Lord Most High is to be feared,
A great King over all the earth.

For the Lord Most High is to be feared

o this is God almighty you're talking about

o this is the one who created everything that has life and breath in it

o this is the one who created the sun and the moon and the stars in the heavens

o this is the one who created the earth and all the plants and vegetables and fruit

o this is the one you created all the animals of every kind

o this is the one who created man himself and breathe the breath of life in him

o this is the one who speaks and the earth quakes

o this is the one you can hear in the sound of Thunder and see a small taste of His power in the lightning

o surely when you consider who He is, He is to be feared

o Woe is me for I am but a mere man

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Psalm, Chapter 46

God, the Refuge of His People.

For the music director. A Psalm of the sons of Korah, [a]set to Alamoth. A Song.

46 God is our refuge and strength,
A [b]very ready help in [c]trouble.

The title of this message is God, the refuge of His people
Refuge means “a condition of being safe or sheltered from pursuit, danger or trouble”
It is for the music director (this would be the person responsible for making sure that the music that's played sounds great and would be pleasing to God; this would require practice)
a Psalm of the sons of Korah

o we remember the sons of Kora were super grateful that they were still alive because their ancestors were swallowed up in the earth when they opposed Moses and Aaron and tried to take over. 7 generations later they became warriors and musicians and we're in charge the worship in the Tabernacle. they sing a little louder than normal; a little more grateful; knowing the devastation from which they came in the glorious position they are currently in (by God's grace)

o set to Alamoth. A Song

§ Alamoth is a reference to sound of young girls giggling or having fun

§ It may also mean “soprano voices of young women” like at a wedding

God is our refuge and strength

o These words would be sung by young women (soprano)

o these young women understand their God is the source of their refuge and strength; refuge is really another name for safety and strength

o this is what most young women truly want (safety and strength to protect them)

a very ready help in trouble

o A very ready help (this means he is ready to respond in an instant); on alert

o In trouble (when trouble comes; God opens the door and deals with it)

2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth shakes
And the mountains slip into the heart of the [d]sea;
3 Though its waters roar and foam,
Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah

Therefore (because God is our refuge and strength)
we will not fear, though the earth shakes (trusting God even in an earthquake)
in the mountains slip into the heart of the sea (this would be a massive earthquake)

o when the mountains slip into the sea it's an end of the world event

though its waters roar and foam

o the ocean can sometimes roar and foam when it's stirred radically by waves or storms (the ocean can sometimes be truly terrifying)

though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah

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Psalm, Chapter 45

A Song Celebrating the King’s Marriage.

For the choir director; according to the [a]Shoshannim. A [b]Maskil of the sons of Korah. A Song of Love.

45 My heart [c]overflows with a good theme;
I [d]address my [e]verses to the [f]King;
My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.

The title of this chapter is a song celebrating the King's marriage
a song it's normally sung as a result of joy
and this song is about the King's marriage (Jesus is arcane and his bride is the church)
this song is for acquired director (hey choir director his job is to get the people of God to get on their feet and to sing praises to the Lord because of his outrageous generous blessings)
then we read this very odd sentence according to the shoshannim

o shoshannin is a white Lilly; it comes from the root word shoshanna which means rose in Hebrew. This is a picture of how God loves His bridge and will adorn her or maker her white as a lilly

In this title we also learn that this chapter is a Maskil of the sons of the Korah and also a song of love

o Korah was the grandson of Kohath, and he began to run with another group of Reubenite malcontents, namely, Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab, and On, son of Peleth. In pride, they roused a group of 250 men together to challenge the right of Moses and Aaron to the priesthood (Numbers 16).

o Moses confronted them and the ground under them split apart and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them and their households, and all those associated with Korah, together with their possessions. They went down alive into the realm of the dead, with everything they owned; the earth closed over them, and they perished and were gone from the community

o The sons of Korah were too young to understand and even though their relatives died, God had mercy and saved the sons. Seven generations later, the prophet Samuel arose from the line of Korah, the genealogy of which is recorded in 1 Chronicles 6:31–38 and 1 Samuel 1:1, 20. The Korahites became doorkeepers and custodians for the tabernacle (1 Chronicles 9:19–21; 1 Chronicles 2.) One group of Korahites (1 Chronicles 12:6) joined King David in various military exploits and won the reputation of being expert warriors. However, the most remarkable thing to note about the sons of Korah is that during the time of King David, they became the great leaders in choral and orchestral music in the tabernacle

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Psalm, Chapter 44

Former Times of Help and Present Troubles.

For the music director. A [a]Maskil of the sons of Korah.

44 God, we have heard with our ears,
Our fathers have told us
The work that You did in their days,
In the days of old.

The title of this message is former times of help and present troubles
if you remember your former times of hell it will give you confidence to deal with your present troubles (Gods previous faithfulness and help build your faith for future events)
this was written for the music director again (that would be the man or woman in charge of getting God's people to praise)
we see the term Maskil of the sons of Korah (We learned about this in chapter 42 the word Maskil means enlightened one or when he was learned from experience; sons of Korah came from millennials that was destroyed by God and yet he had mercy on their sons and eventually put them into ministry and specifically in the music ministry; as a result they sang louder with greater joy remembering the dark place they came from in the wondrous place of light they now abide in.
God we have heard with our ears, our fathers have told us

o this means they listened to their fathers (there is a level obedience implied)

o there is a level of humility and desire to learn from their fathers implied)

the work that You did in their days, in the days of old

o the Jewish people became good storytellers and they told the stories of God's miracles to each generation

o They would have been taught stories about Moses in the parting of the Red Sea or Noah in the flood or the 400 years in bondage in Egypt.

o they listened; they learned; they taught their children the same

o this is a great pattern to replicate throughout our generations

2 You with Your own hand drove out the nations;
Then You planted them;
You afflicted the peoples,
Then You let them go free.

You with your own hand drove out the nations

o remember God went in front of the Jews as they traveled into the promised land and God routed out the people before them by His power and might.

Then he planted them (this means that God established the Jews in their new land)
you have afflicted the peoples, then you let them go free

o God allows affliction to come to those who are committing sin but when they repent and ask for forgiveness God heals them and sets them free again

o As we read about the Jewish people traveling toward the promised land or even during the time in which they were trying to establish themselves in the land they continued to get caught up in sin and God's judgment would come upon them swiftly until they repented; then the cycle of freedom and blessing would start over again until they stumbled back into their sinful ways (the cycle repeats)

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Psalm, Chapter 43

Prayer for Help.

43 Vindicate me, God, and plead my case against an ungodly nation;
[a]Save me from the deceitful and unjust person!

The title of this message is prayer for help

o this is great instruction for all of us to heed

o when you need help it's time to pray!

Vindicate me, God

o To vindicate someone means to clear someone of blame or suspicion with supporting arguments or proof

o David is asking God to clear his reputation among men

o David knew that he was flawed and had sinned; but he also knew that he had repented truly in his heart and was forgiven

and plead my case against an ungodly nation

o notice that David is looking to the Lord to plead his case

o the Lord is your defense attorney and mine too

o He will plead your case and prove you're innocent by his own blood

o notice the case was against an ungodly nation (the collective of worldly powers against an individual chosen by God and washed in the blood of the lamb)

o when God is on your side even when the entire nation is against you; you will win!

save me from the deceitful and unjust person!

o David is asking specifically to be saved from the deceitful

o people who are deceitful say one thing when they intend to do another

o it's premeditated; it has bad intention; it is designed to harm

o and unjust person It is one who lies to pervert justice (to cause an opposite result then what should be)

o David is not only asking for God to save him but this implies that David understands and knows that God is able to do so (even against those people who are lying against him and making things up that never happened)

2 For You are the God of my strength; why have You rejected me?
Why do I go about mourning [b]because of the oppression of the enemy?

For you are the God of my strength

o David is declaring that if he has any strength it came from God

why Have you rejected me?

o David feels rejected but feelings can lie to you (this is a reflection of the continual fight between the mind where the flesh and the spirit which chooses to believe God's word instead of what it understands in the natural)

Why do I go about mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?

o David is questioning his own actions

o it seems he's catching himself morning over the oppression of the enemy

o this means in the flesh he was giving in to his fears propagated by his enemies

o the reason he is questioning this is because he knows better (he should trust God instead)

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Psalm, Chapter 42

Thirsting for God in Trouble and Exile.

For the music director. A [a]Maskil of the sons of Korah.

Before we read chapter 42 we must unpack the title of this message
First we have Thirsting for God in Trouble and Exile

o When you thirst for water you feel dry and barren like you are evaporating

o To thirst is a powerful metaphor for this internal desire or need for God

o We note that it happens in Trouble and Exile

o We don’t know what kind of trouble this speaks of but we do know that exile is the state of being barred from one’s native country, typically for political or punitive reasons (they had to flee their homeland and live in foreign land is the idea)

This Psalm is written for the music director (the man or woman charged with directing the music, the praise, the worship of God with musical instruments and voices)

o You might say “the man responsible to get people to praise”

I is referred to as a “Maskil of the sons of Korah”

o A Maskil is one who is enlightened, a scholar or one who serves with discretion because of some lesson learned or experience

o *So to fully understand this chapter we must learn “what was the enlightenment of the sons of Korah”

So the summarization of the sons of Korah is this:*

our own songs of renewed purpose and redemption should flow out of a heart of humility as we remember the fallen state from which He raised us and the redemption that we experience through His grace.

Now having this understanding, we begin Chapter 42

42 As the deer [b]pants for the water brooks,
So my soul [c]pants for You, God.

As the deep pants for the water brooks

o Deer run for their life from predators

o They get dehydrated and tired and they must have water

o When the deep pants for the water brooks he/she is desperate for it

So my soul pants for You, God

o The metaphor of the thirsty deer is used to describe the urgency for which our innermost being needs God

2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God;
When shall I come and [d]appear before God?

My soul thirsts for God, for the living God

o Your soul is that part which is spiritual and lives forever

o It is the deepest part of who you are

o It is your spirit crying out (as deep cries to deep)

When shall I come and appear before God?

o In other words, your soul can’s wait to see God (face to face)

o To see Him; and to be seen by Him; to have fellowship with one another

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Psalm, Chapter 41

The Psalmist in Sickness Complains of Enemies and False Friends.

For the choir director. A Psalm of David.

41 How blessed is he who considers the [a]helpless;
The Lord will deliver him in a day of [b]trouble.

The title of this message is the psalmist in sickness complains of enemies and false friends
first we notice that the psalmist is sick (he is not feeling well and most of us are likely to complain about other people or other things when we're sick)

o his complaint is about enemies and false friends

o enemies are those who are obviously against you intentionally

o false friends are people pretending to be your friend but are wishing you harm

o the devil is the father of all lies and the king of deception

Now in verse one David begins writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit
how blessed is he who considers the helpless

o those who are sick are often helpless

the Lord will deliver him in a day in trouble

o the Lord will deliver him (take him from the day of trouble to a better place)

o in reference to the helpless these must be weak or sick or both

o The Lord will heal and protect and bless is implied

§ When we are weak, the Lord is strong (our defender)

2 The Lord will protect him and keep him alive,
And he shall [c]be called blessed upon the earth;
And do not give him over to the desire of his enemies.

The Lord will protect him and keep him alive
the words are plain and simple

o the Lord will protect him (against that which is attacking)

o and keep him alive (this is healing from sickness)

and he shall be called blessed upon the earth
the one whom God heals

o this is the one that shall be called blessed

o upon the earth (that means now in this life)

and do not give him over to the desire of his enemies

o in other words the plans his enemies have made will not come to pass

o because God is in charge not man

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Psalm, Chapter 40

God Sustains His Servant.

For the music director. A Psalm of David.

40 I waited [a]patiently for the Lord;
And He reached down to me and heard my cry.

The title of this message is God sustains his servant

o God sustains means that He provides everything that you need

o this is a great promise from God but it only applies to his servants

§ those serving Him

I waited patiently for the Lord

o David waited patiently, how about you?

o are you waiting patiently for the Lord or something else or not at all

and He reached down to me and heard my cry

o I love that the word says that God reached down to me

o this means that he is not so far away that he can't reach down and touch you or help you

o he was also close enough and attentive enough to hear David’s cry

o do you realize that God could reach down and touch you as well?

o do you realize that even though he's got almighty he's still willing to reach down and hear your cry and know what's going on in your life and help you?

2 He brought me up out of the pit of [b]destruction, out of the mud;
And He set my feet on a rock, making my footsteps firm.

he brought me up out of the pit of destruction, how did the mud

o our own sin is what causes us to go down into the pit or get stuck in the mud

o but God will bring you up out of the pit of destruction and out of the mud

and He set my feet on a rock making my footsteps firm

o sometimes the world feels like a very shaky place

o life itself can have many twists and turns and uncertainties

o but God will set your feet in a rock (Jesus is called the rock)

o making my footsteps firm (that means you are walking on solid ground and it's not shaking and it's not moving - this would be the narrow road that leads into heaven)

3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God;
Many will see and fear
And will trust in the Lord.

He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God

o it seems that God puts a new song in your mouth right after he pulls you out of the pit and put your feet on solid ground (in other words right after He saves you again)

o you will be so glad that you will get a new song and you'll be singing it to God who saved you

many will see him fear

o this is a reference to those who are watching you walk through the valleys of life

o when they see how you cry out to God and how God answers you and shows up, they will see Him and fear (realizing He is real)

And will trust in the Lord

o when people see how God saves other people, they learn to trust Him also

o This is why it is so important to share what God does in your life with others around you (otherwise how will they see)

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Psalm, Chapter 39

The Vanity of Life.

For the choir director, for [a]Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.

39 I said, “I will guard my ways
That I may not sin with my tongue;
I will guard my mouth as with a muzzle
While the wicked are in my presence.”

The title of this message is the vanity of life
Vanity can be defined as excessive pride in or admiration of one's own appearance or achievements; Your appearance and your achievements won't last very long
For the choir director (this would be the person in charge of getting people on their feet to praise God almighty for saving us from ourselves and our sin)
for Jeduthun (Jeduthun means “to praise”)

o The act of singing with your mouth if I'm true love and joy that is within your heart towards your creator, the almighty God and your Savior.

o when you truly understand that God sent His one and his only Son to come down from heaven and die a painful death on across in order to pay for your sin and mine so that whosoever would believe in the name of Jesus Christ could be forgiven for all of their sins be made righteous in God's sight and gain entrance into heaven for all eternity (All because of what Jesus did not because of our own track record; you cannot help but give true and real praise to God)

now beginning in verse one

o I said, I will guard my ways

§ to guard your ways means that you are careful not to go outside the guidelines or the guard lines if you would of that which is disclosed in the Bible by God as instruction for you and how to live a blessed and happy life

§ it does not come naturally four by nature we are sinful and selfish and prone to do the wrong thing and please the flesh

§ so you must guard your ways; to learn the ways of the Lord; and then try to live within the guardrails; because God knows the best way for you to live and abundant and blessed life (truly His ways are better than your own)

o That I may not sin with my tongue

§ to send with your tongue means that you say the wrong things or speak the wrong things; words are powerful it can be used to cut others down or to judge or condemn or to bless edify

§ the tongue is the great writer on the massive ship of life slight turns and variances literally change destinations

o I will guard my mouth as with a muzzle

§ a muzzle is used on an angry dog to prevent it from biting

§ you might say that a muzzle is used to prevent harm

§ we need to realize that we can cause real harm with our mouth; Therefore, we actually need a muzzle made from the word of God

o while the wicked are in my presence

§ these truths are especially true when the wicked are in your presence meaning they are near you

§ wicked people in close proximity can incite you or encourage you to do or say the wrong thing (so be careful who you are hanging around)

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Psalm, Chapter 38

Prayer of a Suffering Penitent.

A Psalm of David, for a memorial.

38 O Lord, rebuke me not in Your wrath,
And chasten me not in Your burning anger.
2 For Your arrows have sunk deep into me,
And Your hand has pressed down on me.

The title of this chapter is prayer of a suffering penitent
a penitent is one who repents
his suffering penitent would be one who is suffering because of their sins and is now at the place where they want to turn from their sin and ask God for forgiveness

o Sometimes our current suffering may be a direct result of our sin

o the correct action would be to become penitent; to repent

o this means that you turn from your sin and go the opposite way

oh Lord, rebuke me not in Your wrath

o apparently David understands that he deserves rebuke

o but he is asking for some level of mercy because he does not want God to do it in His wrath (this would be very severe)

and chasing me not in Your burning anger

o apparently David also understood the guide could or may chasten him

o this means to correct him (it implies physical)

o it would be like when a son or daughter knows that he or she is done wrong and dad tells them to go upstairs and wait for him (they know a spanking is likely coming)

for Your arrows have some deep into me

o this means the pain of God's rebuke and chastening is already being felt

o sometimes we might even punish ourselves because we know we did wrong

and Your hand is pressed down on me

o the reference to God ham makes it very personal

o to press down means to apply pressure (it is definitely a form of correction)

are you feeling like God is chasing you or correcting you?

o do you feel like His hand is coming down on you?

o if so, the quicker you repent and truly mean it in your heart, the better!

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Psalm, Chapter 37

Security of Those Who Trust in the Lord, and Insecurity of the Wicked.

A Psalm of David.

37 Do not fret because of evildoers,
Be not envious toward wrongdoers.
2 For they will wither quickly like the grass
And fade like the green herb.

The title of this message is

o Security of those who trust in the Lord

o And Insecurity of the Wicked

o It is a contrast between the two (good and evil)

Do not fret because of evil doers

o to be nervous or worried

o God tells us not to do it because He got this handled

Be not envious toward wrongdoers

o To envy is want what they have

o Some people have gotten rich but it is ill gotten gain

o They pay a terrible price for it later (so don’t envy it; it comes with a payment)

For they will wither quickly like the grass

o This means they won’t live long

And fade like the green herb

o Here today, gone tomorrow and forgotten entirely

3 Trust in the Lord and do good;
Dwell in the land and [a]cultivate faithfulness.
4 Delight yourself in the Lord;
And He will give you the desires of your heart.

Now David tells the opposite side

o Trust in the Lord and do good

§ These are our instructions

§ It starts with trust in the Lord (faith); it continues with doing good (actions)

o Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness

§ To dwell is to live in this place

§ And cultivate faithfulness (this is what we must plant & grow – faithfulness))

Delight yourself in the Lord

o to delight yourself goes beyond learning about Him

o it means to be excited about what He has done and His love and His plan

o you become delighted once you understand Him

o can’t wait to read the word; do the word; share the word

o excited to share the gospel (the good news)

and He will give you the desires of your heart

o did you know this is a promise from God?

o Delight yourself in the Lord (the Lord becomes your main focus)

o And then God gives you the desires of your heart (reward for good behavior)

o Do you delight in the Lord?

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Psalm, Chapter 36

Wickedness of Humanity and Goodness of God.

For the music director. A Psalm of David the servant of the Lord.

36 [a]Wrongdoing speaks to the ungodly within [b]his heart;
There is no fear of God before his eyes.

The title of this chapter is wickedness of humanity and goodness of God

o there could not be greater opposites

o the wickedness of humanity is shocking (the heart of man is desperately wicked, who can know it)

o yet the goodness of God continues to offer grace and mercy in spite of man’s wicked heart (it keeps calling for men to repent and be saved from their own wickedness)

wrongdoing speaks to the ungodly within his heart

o this means that he actually knows it's wrong but he chooses to continue

there is No Fear of God before his eyes

o if man understood God's power and the goodness of his plans or the awesome penalty and wrath which He is capable of - he would not sin

o but because he does not understand these things he chooses to continue in his wicked ways making the false assumption there will be no judgment or payday in his future

2 For it flatters him in his own eyes
Concerning the discovery of his wrongful deed and the hatred of it.

For it flatters him in his own eyes

o this means that he thinks whatever he can steal or do to please his flesh makes him a genius or that he is somehow winning (stupidity of his own pride)

concerning the discovery of his wrongful deed and the hatred of it

o this means that his wrongful deeds will be discovered; God does see; God does judge and he will learn that God hates it

3 The words of his mouth are wickedness and deceit;
He has ceased to [c]be wise and to do good.

The words his mouth are wickedness and deceit (you cannot trust his words)
he has ceased to be wise and to do good (God is allowing him to drift into the deepest darkest parts the sea of Sin)

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Psalm, Chapter 35

Prayer for Rescue from Enemies.

A Psalm of David.

35 Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me;
Fight against those who fight against me.

Prayer for rescue from enemies is the title
if there is prayer going on to be rescued from enemies it would appear that something has already happened where the enemies have taken some level of control and now you need to be rescued
Contend O Lord with those who contend with me

o Content means to strive in opposition or against difficulties, struggle

o to strive in competition, as in a race

o to strive in controversy or debate dispute

o When David ask the Lord to contend he is asking God to enter the contest to participate if you would in the struggle; you might say it is a request that God come down from his high spiritual place and intervene with those in the flesh

§ I think it is very important for us to remember that we wrestle not against flesh and blood but from spiritual wickedness in high places

§ physical enemies upon the earth are spiritually motivated

fight against those who fight against me

o David is now making the request much more personal as he asked God to fight against those who are fighting against him (this would be direct physical intervention from God against those that are attempting physical harm toward David and his family)

2 Take hold of [a]buckler and shield
And rise up for my help.

Take hold of buckler and shield (these are instruments of war designed to defend; the buckler from blows; the shield for the body)

o this would seem to imply that some of the attacks are against your head or your mind

o others would be against your whole body this could be your heart or other members of your body

and rise up for my help

o to rise that means that God gets up from his throne and gets to his feet and starts moving towards David and more specifically towards his eneies to do battle

§ David is actually asking God to take action to get physical

3 Draw also the spear and [b]the battle-axe to meet those who pursue me;
Say to my soul, “I am your salvation.”

Draw also the sphere and the battle axe to meet those who pursue me

o this is very aggressive

o the spear would be something you would throw at someone to literally try and Pierce through their body or their heart to kill them

o the battle axe would also be to cause deadly damage

o David is asking God to take up these weapons of war to meet those who are pursuing him (it would be a dominant force and an answer to their aggression)

say to my soul, I am your salvation

o since he is speaking to his soul he would be speaking to that part of him which would live forever; he is asking that God would give him confidence for eternity with regards to his future

o do you believe that God is strong enough to protect you from any enemy

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Psalm, Chapter 34

Of David. When he pretended to be insane before Abimelek, who drove him away, and he left.

1 I will extol the Lord at all times;
his praise will always be on my lips.

Of David (not of the Lord)
When he pretended to be insane before Abimelek, who drove him away, and he left.

o God never tells you to pretend

o Abimelek means My Father is King or Father and King

o You should never pretend before God The Father (He knows when you’re true or not being truthful (acting never works)

I will extol the Lord at all times

o Extol means to highly exalt; to elevate; elevate by praise; to magnify

o Instead of pretending this is what we should be doing (extoling the Lord)

§ Notice its at all times (not sometimes)

His praise will always be on my lips

o You can’t praise the Lord and pretend

o Only genuine praise will be accepted

o This is what should be on your lips always (continually)

2 I will glory in the Lord;
let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
3 Glorify the Lord with me;
let us exalt his name together.

Here David speaks of himself “I will glory in the Lord”
Then he speaks of others “let the afflicted hear and rejoice”

o Let the afflicted (those in trouble) hear David giving God glory

o Then they hear it and start rejoicing too (it’s infectious)

o They not to hear only but “rejoice” allow their joy to return

§ This only happens when you believe that God hears your prayers and He will do something about them

Glorify the Lord with me

o David is now inviting others to Glorify the Lord with him

o This is what we should do too (invite others to participate in this activity)

Let us exalt his name together

o Everyone jump in and sing together now

o What should we be singing and praising about? – His name (Jesus Christ)

o Worship leads should encourage everyone to exalt His name together (everyone)

4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.

If you seek the Lord then he will answer you

o the key is to understand that he must be sought after

Here's the result “he delivered me from all my fears”

o God delivers; He can be trusted; He gets results; bottom line!

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Psalm, Chapter 33

Praise to the Creator and Protector.

33 Sing for joy in the Lord, you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming to the upright.
2 Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre;
Sing praises to Him with a harp of ten strings.

The title of this chapter is praised to the creator and protector

o the focus is to praise

o the one we are praising is both creator and protector!

o He created us; and He is the one protecting us

o I think Chapter 33 is also significant (Jesus began His ministry at age 33)

verse one jumps right in and tells us what we should do

o sing for joy in the Lord, you righteous ones

o the reason we sing for joy in the Lord is because He makes us righteous; otherwise, who would not be righteous at all

o praises be becoming to the upright

§ this means it is fitting; it looks right; it's what we should be doing

§ are you saved by the blood of the lamb today; then let's sing for joy in the Lord

give thanks to the Lord with the Lyre

o notice that playing a musical instrument is a way to give thanks to the Lord

seeing praises to him with a harp of 10 strings

o now we mix song with musical instruments and it is called praise!

o This type of harp is 3’ ft. tall and has 2 sets of 5 strings on each side

o 3 ft is interested because 3 is the number for the trinity (Father, Son & Holy Spirit)

o 2 sets is interested because 2 is the number for witnesses (that confirms truth)

o 10 is interested because it represents the ten commandments (the law)

o Two sets of five is most interesting because five is the number for grace. If there is two sets of them its double grace

§ Maybe the first 5 is for the grace saving Noah and his family from the flood

§ Maybe the second 5 is for the grace saving the entire world through Jesus who washed the world in His blood instead of water!

o All of these to the ONE who deserves our praise (with voices & instruments)

3 Sing to Him a new song;
Play skillfully with a shout of joy.

A new song is one you just made up to express your unique experience & praise
To play skillfully means with proper cadence; a thoughtful composition, and one practiced and ready to share with Him AND with a shout of Joy!
It’s new, it’s fresh, it’s exciting, there’s shouting along with it!

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Psalm, Chapter 32

Blessedness of Forgiveness and of Trust in God.

A Psalm of David. A [a]Maskil.

32 How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven,
Whose sin is covered!

The title of this chapter is blessedness of forgiveness and trust in God

o these are two separate things yet related

o first the blessedness of forgiveness

§ when you forgive someone else you will get blessed by God

§ and the reason you should forgive is because God forgave you

§ the Bible also warns us that if we do not forgive others then God will not forgive us so it is very important not to hold any unforgiveness in your heart

o second is trust in God

§ you can trust in God because he sent his son so that you can be forgiven

§ if he was not trustworthy he would never have sent his son to die for you or me; he would have simply judged us

§ because God forgave your sins; you should and can trust him!

this title was a Psalm of David. A Maskil

o The term Maskil was used to describe an enlightened Jew

o This would be someone very familiar with the Jewish laws and very intellectual or smart (I am not sure why it is mentioned here but I think it may be because to understand God's forgiveness and to put your trust in God is the way to eternal life and probably the smartest thing you can ever do)

how blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven
David is making a declaration of fact “how blessed is he” that would be me and that would be you and that would be anyone who put their faith in Jesus Christ

o your transgressions are forgiven because of Jesus Christ

whose sin is covered

o your sin and my sin and every believer sin is covered by the blood of Jesus Christ

o when God looks down from His high place in heaven he does not see your sin or your broken track record because its covered by the blood. He only sees the righteousness of Christ in you the hope of glory. this is because his righteousness was imputed to us by faith.

2 How blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity,
And in whose spirit there is no deceit!

How blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity?

o To impute something is to charge it to your account

o to not impute something means he does not charge it to your account

and in whose spirit there is no deceit

o if you have Christ in you the hope of glory; Jesus himself is the spirit in you

o in whom there is no deceit

o the church is not a building it is God through the Holy Spirit indwelling each of us that are members of his family by faith in Jesus Christ

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Psalm, Chapter 31

A Psalm of Complaint and of Praise.

For the choir director. A Psalm of David.

31 In You, O Lord, I have taken refuge;
Let me never be ashamed;
In Your righteousness deliver me.

The title of this chapter is Psalm of complaint and praise

o Do you sometimes complain to God?

o Do you praise later after he settles your complaint?

In You, O Lord, I have taken refuge

o This assumes a personal relationship with Jesus Christ who is Lord

o David takes refuge in Him (refuge is the place you run too for protection)

o Where do you run to when you need urgent help?

Let me never be ashamed

o In other words, when I run to you, protect me from that which I am running from

In Your righteousness deliver me

o Why would God deliver David or you or me?

o Because He is righteous (in right standing with God)

§ And He makes us righteous too (in right standing with God because we are washed in the blood the lamb His son)

§ To deliver you means He picks you up from one location and delivers you to another in person (from hell to heaven); (from harm to safety); (from depression to praise)

2 Incline Your ear to me, rescue me quickly;
Be to me a rock of [a]strength,
A stronghold to save me.

Incline Your ear to me

o This means bend down and listen to me small insignificant voice (please)

Be to me a rock of strength

o To me is personal; David wants God to be his personal rock of strength

o The thing that gives him strength and stability

A stronghold for save me

o A stronghold is a fortress made of rock

o It protects its inhabitants against arrows and harm

o David wants God to be his strength and his stronghold

§ How about you and I?

§ Is God your strength and your stronghold?

§ Do you run to Him for safety?

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Psalm, Chapter 30

Thanksgiving for Deliverance from Death.

A Psalm; a Song at the Dedication of the House. A Psalm of David.

30 I will extol You, O Lord, for You have lifted me up,
And have not let my enemies rejoice over me.

The title is thanksgiving

o This means to thank God for what He has given us (already done)

For Deliverance from Death

o This is what He gave us

o Deliverance from death

§ This means He picked us up and transported us elsewhere

§ He took us from death to eternal life

§ From Hell to Heaven (it is a direct flight with no stops)

Notice that is Song at the Dedication of the House

o So much joy that singing filled his lungs and mouth

o Do you have a sufficient level of joy to fill your lungs & mouth with song?

o The dedicate of the House is not a House it is The House

§ God’s House

§ When a house is dedicated it gets dedicated to a specific family for a specific purpose (you know the purpose and the family)

2 O Lord my God,
I cried to You for help, and You healed me.
3 O Lord, You have brought up my soul from [a]Sheol;
You have kept me alive, [b]that I would not go down to the pit.

David wants to make sure you and I know exactly what he is talking about
O Lord, my God

o This is to whom the song is addressed (the one who deserves the Praise)

I cried to You for help, and You healed me

o Here is the same math formula we learned before

o First, you cry to the Lord for Help

o Then He hears and takes care of business “and You healed me”

o When God heals you its complete (health, spiritual, physical, emotional, relational, mental and eternal)

O Lord, You have brought up my soul from Sheol

o Sheol is the place dead people go

o In other words, God did not allow David’s soul to go down there

o He uses the words “brought up” its like “come up hear”

You have kept me alive

o Notice God kept David alive

§ David is acknowledging that it was the Lord’s doing not David’s strength or wit

o That I should not go down the pit

§ God prevented David from going down to the pit

§ If God didn’t prevent it; it would have happened

§ You can’t imagine all the times God has saved you already and you may not even have known it

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Psalm, Chapter 29

The Voice of the Lord in the Storm.

A Psalm of David.

29 Ascribe to the Lord, O [a]sons of the mighty,
Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
2 Ascribe to the Lord the glory [b]due to His name;
Worship the Lord in [c]holy array.

David starts chapter 29 with “the Voice of the Lord in the Storm”

o Storms can be very powerful

o God’s voice is even more so…

Ascribe to the Lord, O sons of the Mighty

o Sons of the Mighty would be His children (Christians)

o Sons of the Mighty may also refer to the sons of Men of power and position who would not normally ascribe to God’s power nor His authority over their lives

§ Yet when God talks; they will instantly bow in fear and great reverence for the sheer power and terror that enters the heart of man when God speaks

o To Ascribe means

§ To regard as arising from a specified cause or source: synonym: attribute.

§ To regard as belonging to or produced by a specified agent, place, or time.

§ To attribute, impute, or refer, as to a cause

Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength

o His glory is on display in the heavens above

o His strength places the stars in the sky and holds the ocean boarders

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name

o His name is the only name under heaven whereby a man or woman may be saved

o His name has the power of eternal life

o His name is the greatest name ever spoken and ever will be

Ascribe is used three times

o First in our relationship as sons of the Mighty Lord (Position)

o Second in His glory and strength (Power)

o Third the glory due His name (Praise)

3 The voice of the Lord is upon the waters;
The God of glory thunders,
The Lord is over [d]many waters.

The voice of the Lord is upon the waters

o This means above the waters (not below)

o This means in control not controlled by the waves or current

The God of glory thunders

o Thunder is loud but only happens after flashes of light (thunder)

o Notice God is the one who makes these sounds

The Lord is over many waters

o Not just a portion of the ocean, lake or riven you find yourself upon

o But many waters means – all the water, all at once

o All the oceans, seas, lakes, rivers above and below the earth

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Psalm, Chapter 28

A Prayer for Help, and Praise for Its Answer.

A Psalm of David.

28 To You, O Lord, I call;
My rock, do not be deaf to me,
For if You are silent to me,
I will become like those who go down to the pit.

A prayer for Help, and Praise for its Answer

o It’s a math formula

o First – a prayer for help +

o Second – praise for its answer

o We should always give God praise for answered prayers

To You, O Lord I call

o To You is personal its not to the big guy upstairs

o Its One True God and Lord of all (that who we must pray too)

o This is to whom the prayer is addressed

My rock, do not be deaf to me

o My rock speaks of His strength and His stability

o Do not be deaf to me (in order words don’t be silent)

For if You are silent to me

o This is not the condition you want to find yourself in

I will become like those who go down to the pit

o Those who go down to the pit and those who die

o There are no words coming out of their mouth nor sound in their ears

o In other words, David would be just like every sinner who dies without any answers to prayers (He does not want that to be his plight)

2 Hear the voice of my supplications when I cry to You for help,
When I lift up my hands toward [a]Your holy sanctuary.

Hear the voice of my supplications when I cry to You for help

o David is asking God to hear or listen again (he wants God’s attention)

o He specifically wants Him to hear his supplication (an urgent prayer)

o And he wants God to hear when he cries to Him for help (right away)

o Do you want to get God’s attention today?

o Do you have a supplication; an urgent prayer request today?

o Do you want God to answer you when you cry (right away)?

When I life my hands toward Your holy sanctuary

o Do you ever lift you hands towards God’s holy sanctuary when you pray

o This is a specific body position of humility and adoration of His power

o To pray like this while lifting your arms and looking up toward heaven would be a great thing for you try today (especially if you want Him to hear & answer)

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Psalm, Chapter 27

A Psalm of Fearless Trust in God.

A Psalm of David.

27 The Lord is my light and my salvation;
Whom should I fear?

What does it mean to have Fearless trust in God

o It means that you consider you present circumstances, trials and difficulties and you look them straight in the face and say

§ God is bigger than you

§ God is stronger than you

§ God is wiser than you

§ God is exceedingly more powerful than you

§ God is able to do abundantly above all that I can ask or think (which really means imagine)

In order to get this level of Fearless Trust in God here is the key

o You must believe in who He is first

In the first verse of chapter 27; David declares who He is

o The Lord is my light and my salvation

§ To be your light means He is the one responsible for light so that you may see and know and comprehend anything (for without light you are in utter darkness and nothing makes sense)

§ And my salvation; this means you must recognize that your salvation (you being saved) is 100% codependent upon Him and nobody else.

§ He is either your Savior or you don’t one – period.

o So here is the point, if God is your light and responsible for your ability to see and comprehend and understand

o And if He is your savior who make a plan to save you and He is alive and well and His plan is in process even now

o Then you can say what David says next

Whom should I fear?

o It is a rhetorical question

o The answer is nobody

o If God is light, then you can see Him and understand Him through His word and you can learn about what He did to save you (it’s already been done)

So at this very moment, the light is either on or off

o Which is it?

There is no mixing light with darkness (it doesn’t work scientifically)

o When light is present, darkness ceases to exists

The type of fear implies the fear of judgement before eternity (it looks forward in time)

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Psalm, Chapter 26

Protestation of Integrity and Prayer for Protection.

A Psalm of David.

26 [a]Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity,
And I have trusted in the Lord [b]without wavering.

Protestation of Integrity and Prayer for Protection

o A solemn or formal declaration of a fact, opinion, or resolution: an asseveration: as, protestations of friendship or of amendment.

o Integrity means Steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code.

o David wants to declare his integrity

§ That he is adhering to God’s laws in a strict manner

§ Therefore (implied) he makes a prayer for protection

§ If you walking the straight line, God will protect you!

Vindicate me,

o To clear of accusation, blame, suspicion, or doubt with supporting arguments or proof.

o To defend, maintain, or insist on the recognition of (one's rights, for example).

o To demonstrate or prove the value or validity of; justify.

O LORD, for I have walked in my integrity

o Again David seems think God will listen, will vindicate him

o Because he has walked in integrity

o Protection and vindication are the blessings of walking in integrity

And I have trusted in the LORD without wavering.

o And means that in addition to walking in integrity

o David also trusted in the Lord without wavering (not back and forth)

o this is another reason why David believes that God will answer him

o when you pray don't waver in your expectation that God will answer you

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Psalm, Chapter 25

Prayer for Protection, Guidance and Pardon.

A Psalm of David.

25 To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
2 O my God, in You I trust,
Do not let me be ashamed;
Do not let my enemies exult over me.

In the title of this chapter we have three ingredients

o first a prayer for protection

o second guidance

o and 3rd a pardon

it may be interesting to note that first you pray for protection from God; what follows is that he will guide you because of your prayer; and then he will pardon your sin which is really what will keep you in the place of His protection.
to You, oh Lord, I lift up my soul

o David is lifting up his soul (the part of you that lives forever)

o in other words he is relying on Jesus Christ for his eternal salvation and destination

Oh my God, in You I trust

o notice that David is putting his trust in God unto salvation

o that's the only place to put your trust

Do not let me be ashamed

o do not let my enemies exalt over me

o in other words David is relying upon his trust in God as the answer in response to his enemies.

3 Indeed, none of those who wait for You will be ashamed;
[a]Those who deal treacherously without cause will be ashamed.

Indeed none of those who wait for You will be ashamed

o the word indeed is an absolute

o the word nun means none, zero, or without exception

o if you are waiting for the Lord or upon the Lord you will never be ashamed

those who deal treacherously without cause will be ashamed

o this is the opposite of those who put their faith and trust in the Lord

o there are people who deal treacherously (they are in fact the ones who will be ashamed for their evil deeds will be exposed and God will judge them accordingly)

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Psalm, Chapter 24
The King of Glory Entering Zion.

A Psalm of David.

24 The earth is the Lord’s, and [a]all it contains,
The world, and those who dwell in it.

The King of Glory Entering Zion

o This title would be the fulfillment of ancient prophecy

o Remember Zion is a reference to a mountain in Jerusalem

§ The place where the New Jerusalem will hover over the land

§ A 1,500 mile cube made of precious stones and gold

o David is looking forward to the return of Christ

§ The first time He came as a Lamb

§ The next time is He is coming as The King of Glory (in His full glory)

The earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains

o This means all the land

o this means all the real estate

o this means all the gold and silver

o this means all the oil and all the precious stones

o it all belongs to the Lord (not the devil)

the world, and those who dwell in it

o this transitions from material things to living things

o those who dwell mean they are living there (it is their home)

o you might say this is in reference to souls (beyond the physical into eternal)

o we were bought with a price, we are not our own, we belong to Jesus Christ

2 For He has founded it upon the seas
And established it upon the rivers.

For he has founded it upon the seas

o how do you found something up on the sea

o the water is deep and it is constantly moving

o and yet God formed the land upon it (the speaks of His great power and wisdom)

and establish it upon the rivers

o to establish something means to build something as well

o to build something up on the river means you must battle moving water

o rivers don't just run above ground the ulcer run under the ground

o they are different than seas because they are freshwater and it's drinkable

o God established some places upon the rivers in order that people might have fresh water to drink

o One more quick note to establish something means that it's permanent it doesn't come and go it's established which means it's going to remain and serve its purpose for which it was intended

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Psalm, Chapter 23

The Lord, the Psalmist’s Shepherd.

A Psalm of David.

23 The Lord is my shepherd,
I [a]shall not want.

Psalm 23 is a famous bible chapter

o It is made up of the number 2 which represent witnesses

o And the number 3 which represents the trinity (God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit three-in-one

o Added together they equal 5 which is the number for grace

o Multiple together they equal 6 the number of man

o So right off the start we have “witness God The Father, God The Son, God the Holy Spirit three-one offering Grace to mankind

The title is The Lord, the Psalmist’s Shepherd

o A Shepherd cares for his sheep

o He leads them to still waters

o He leads them to the green pastures

o He protects them with his Rod and his life

o He knows them by name

o And his sheep know his voice as well

o There is safety and security for the sheep because of the good shepherd

Now we come to the first verse

o The Lord is my shepherd

§ David is making a declaration

· The Lord (this is the One True God)

· Is my shepherd (not a shepherd my shepherd)

§ In other words, David is relying upon the Lord to lead him and protect him

o I shall not want

§ In other words, I will not be in need because my Shepherd takes such great care of me I don’t need anything else (He is all I need)

o Do you consider the Lord, your Shepherd?

§ Do you trust Him to provide everything you need?2 He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside [b]quiet waters.

He makes me lie down in green pastures

o He makes me (this means the Shepherd is the cause)

o To lied down in green pastures is what He caused

o To lie down means to rest in absolute peace without fear

o In green pastures means it’s soft, it’s beautiful and yummy food is included

o This speaks volumes about God’s loving care

He leads me besides quiet waters

o He leads (this means He is directing the steps)

o Besides quiet waters

§ Quiet waters are where it is safe to drink

§ It’s very peaceful with no threats around

§ The water is clear, cold, healthy and refreshing to drink

o So this activity goes beyond rest and food and expands into refreshing water that is safe to drink and be fully satisfied

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Psalm, Chapter 22

A Cry of Anguish and a Song of Praise.

For the choir director; upon [a]Aijeleth Hashshahar. A Psalm of David.

22 My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?
Far from my deliverance are the words of my groaning.

A cry of anguish and a song of praise is is the title of this chapter

o notice there is a cry of Anguish first

o then a song of praise

o this implies prayer followed by answer to prayer which causes praise

it is written for the choir director upon Aijeleth Hashshahar

o Aijeleth means “doe, deer, hind”

o Hashshahar means “dawn or at dawn”

o When combined it speaks of being sure footed upon the sunrise

§ God is light so first light would be speak of Jesus

§ Ability to walk with Jesus upon His return may be implied

My God my God why have You forsaken me,

o David is speaking prophetic words that Jesus would repeat 1,000 years later

o This points to the impossible situation of sin which can only be delt with by God Himself

o Jesus spoke the same phrase in Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34

§ Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?

§ A study of linguistics may help clarify this sentence

§ If translated in Northern Aramaic (the language of Jesus)

§ “Listen to my heart, this is my destiny.” Jesus was telling those who were in sorrow over his death, “This is why I came to earth in the first place, this is my purpose, to die for you.”

§ God did not forsake Himself or His Son; He gave His One and only begotten Son for the specific purpose to save sinners

§ This great love was demonstrated on the cross, when Jesu Christ gave up His life willingly

Far from my deliverance are the words of my groaning

o David cry illuminates the seemingly great distance between his cry and God's deliverance

o it is part of the human condition to cry out to God “where are You”, “why don't you answer me”…

o God's deliverance shall surely come (but in His time not yours or mine)

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Praise for Deliverance.

For the choir director. A Psalm of David.

21 O Lord, in Your strength the king will be glad,
And in Your [a]salvation how greatly he will rejoice!

Praise for Deliverance is the title of Chapter 21
21 is made up of three sevens 3 x 7 = 21
3 is the number for the trinity; 7 is the number for completion
The trinity (Father, Son & Holy Spirit) will keep working until its complete
In Chapter 20, we had Prayer for Victory over Enemies
Prayer always proceeds Victory; apparently we get the victory in Chapter 21
Oh Lord in Your strength the king will be glad

o notice that it is in the Lord's strength that the king will be glad (not in his own)

and in Your salvation how greatly he will rejoice

o Notice it is in the Lord salvation (This is why he will greatly rejoice)

o So too we should be glad about the Lord's strength

o And we should rejoice greatly about his salvation

§ Does gladness and rejoicing describe your attitude today?

2 You have given him his heart’s desire,
And You have not withheld the request of his lips. [b]Selah.

To give one his hearts desire means God searched the heart and gave it – its deepest desire; this should be regarded as a great reward (unearned yet provided in love)
And you have withheld the request of his lips. Selah (which means think about it)

o The request of your lips are spoken words

o It is called prayer

o You pray; you believe; you receive (it’s a perfect math formula)

o Yet it only works when the heart is right with God

o Why doesn’t it always work?

§ Not abiding in Jesus (John 15:7)

§ Unbelief (Matthew 17:20-21)

§ Failure to Fast (Matthew 17:21)

§ A Bad Marriage Relationship (1 Peter 3:7)

§ Not Asking (James 4:2)

§ Selfish Praying (James 4:3)

§ Disobedience (1 John 3:22)

§ Not Praying in God's Will (1 John 5:14-15)

§ Unconfessed Sin (James 5:16)

§ Cold, Passionless Prayer (James 5:16-18; 2 Kings 20:5)

§ Prayerlessness and Lack of Persistence in Prayer (Luke 18:1-7; Psalm 55:17)

§ Sin Against Others (Matthew 5:23-24)

§ Lack of Unity (Matthew 18:19)

§ Not Praying in the Name of Jesus (John 14:13-14)

§ Pride (James 4:6, 1 Peter 5:5, Proverbs 3:34)

§ Lying and Deceitfulness (Psalm 17:1)

§ Lack of Bible Reading and Bible Teaching (Proverbs 28:9)

§ Trusting in the Length or Form of Prayer (Matthew 6:7)

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Psalm, Chapter 20

Prayer for Victory over Enemies.

For the music director. A Psalm of David.

20 May the Lord answer you on a day of trouble!
May the name of the God of Jacob [a]protect you!

Prayer for Victory over Enemies

o This title seems odd since we just considered the heavens

o We were amazed by immense size, wisdom and power of God

o If God be for you; who could be against you

o It seems often in the moments of our highest faith; difficulty also comes immediately after

May the Lord answer you on a day of trouble

o The word translated Lord here is Jehovah (the One True God)

o The focus is on the Lord Answering (which implies a prayer first)

o And not just any answer; but on a day trouble

§ In the very day of your trouble when you pray

§ This prayer has a sense or urgent need and reliance upon God for an immediate answer (not a slow one)

§ God is able to answer on the same day; are you able to believe it?

May the name of the God of Jacob protect you

o The focus on this verse is His name

o His name is this section is “ĕlôhîym” and it means God(s)!

o This is interesting because God “ĕlôhîym” is the plural form of God

§ It seems to be a reference to the Trinity (multiple yet one)

o The name Jacob means “heel catcher; supplanter; one who follows after; may God protect”

o If you stitch this together it means that “God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit will follow after you and catch you from falling”

o What is implied is that all three are at work to make this happen in your life & mine

2 May He send you help from the sanctuary,
And support you from Zion!

May He send you help from the sanctuary

o The sanctuary is a reference to God’s home (the place He lives)

o What is implied is that He would send help from His house to yours

And support you from Zion

o Zion is a reference to a mountain in Israel and it is a picture of heaven

o When the New Jerusalem comes down from heaven (1,500 mile cube; made of precious stones) it floats over this area and it is the where God will rule and reign from with those that come down from heaven with Him after the rapture (us) and He will rule and reign from this cubed precious stone city for 1,000 years

o So this prayer represents support from Jerusalem; from the mountain of God in the here and now but also in eternity after (from heaven)

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Psalm, Chapter 19

The Works and the Word of God.

For the music director. A Psalm of David.

19 The heavens tell of the glory of God;
And their expanse declares the work of His hands.

The universe is estimated to be than 100 billion light years in diameter
It is estimated that it is growing by 3,000 feet per second
There are more than 100 thousand million starts in galaxy
There are potentially a trillion galaxies, imagine how many stars that is
One estimate is 70 sextillion stars (70 followed by 22 zeros)
There are more stars in the sky than grains of sand on earth
The largest observable universe is the elliptical galaxy IC 1101, it has 100 trillion stars and is 6 million light years in diameter. By comparison, the milky way has a mere 100 billion stars and is 100,000 light years in diameter.
When you look up into the sky, you are looking back in time (light from hundreds, thousands and billions of years ago)
95% of the universe is invisible
Job 9:9-10 9 Who makes the Bear, Orion and the Pleiades,
And the chambers of the south;
10 Who does great things, [a]unfathomable,
And wondrous works without number.

2 Day to day pours forth speech,
And night to night reveals knowledge.

In the day, sunlight makes it possible for us to see
We use words to describe what we see

o The wonderful, amazing, works of God

o Yet, the universe itself is transmitting sounds continuously

And night to night reveals knowledge

o Night to night implies a period of time

o As we study the stars in the sky overtime we can recognize patterns

o It the mathematical exactness of these patterns that allows to record and recognize these patters (which become knowledge)

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Psalm, Chapter 18

The Lord Praised for Rescuing David.

For the music director. A Psalm of David, the servant of the Lord, [a]who spoke to the Lord the words of this song on the day that the Lord rescued him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. And he said,

18 “I love You, Lord, my strength.”
2 The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my savior,
My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge;
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
3 I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised,
And I am saved from my enemies.

The Lord Praised for Rescuing David

o When the Lord rescues you, you should praise him too!

o sometimes we forget to praise God after he does something great for us

David calls himself the servant of the Lord

o that's the right attitude; so too we should consider ourselves servants of the Lord

who spoke to the Lord the words of this song on the day the Lord rescued him

o I like that David did it on the same day (it was immediate)

notice the Lord did rescue him from the hand of all his enemies not just some!
all these Nuggets of gold are just in the title and the description at the top
then David begins in verse one I love you, Lord, my strength

o David loves the Lord and the Lord is his strength

§ How about you? Do you love the Lord? Is he your strength?

The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my savior

o when the Lord is your rocket means that you're standing on solid ground

o when the Lord is your fortress it means that you run to him for safety and he protects you

o and my savior means that he is the one who saves you from every current trial and for eternity

my shield and the horn of my salvation my stronghold

o the shield is used to deflect fiery arrows from your enemies

o the horn of my salvation blows a unique sound; It is the sound of victory

I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised

o I call upon the Lord means that you bring every concern and every issue to the throne of grace

o and then you thank God for hearing your prayer and remain confidently expectant that he's going to answer you therefore, he is worthy to be praised

and I am saved for my enemies

o this is the result and calling upon the Lord and praising the Lord

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Psalm, Chapter 17

Prayer for Protection against Oppressors.

A Prayer of David.

17 Hear a just cause, Lord, give Your attention to my cry;
Listen to my prayer, which is not from deceitful lips.

In chapter 16 we were convinced that our future is secure in Christ our portion
Our inheritance was guaranteed by the cup (the blood of the lamb)
Now in chapter 17, David is back asking for protection again
It seems David had a lot of spiritual attack and he had to go the Lord with it regularly

o Don’t think it strange as some odd thing is happening to you when this occurs

1 Peter 4:12-19

Hear a just cause, Lord, give Your attention to my cry

o David wants the Lord to hear a just cause (he wants to tell God the story)

Sometimes healing begins when we get to tell our side of the story

David needed to get this off his chest

o Notice that David thinks “it’s a just cause” that he wants to talk about

We always think our cause is just

Lord, give Your attention to my cry

o David wants God’s attention (like incline your ear)

Listen to my prayer

o A prayer is a dialogue with god (it’s not a ATM machine)

o You should pray and you should listen to His will

Which is not from deceitful lips

o David is confirming that he is speaking truth (unlike others)

o This is why he think God will listen

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Psalm, Chapter 16

The Lord, the Psalmist’s Portion in Life and Salvation in Death.

A Mikhtam of David.

16 Protect me, God, for I take refuge in You.
2 I said to the Lord, “You are [c]my Lord;
I have nothing good besides You.”

The Lord, the Psalmist’s Portion in Life and Salvation in Death

o The focus on this title is “The Lord”

o He is described as the Psalmist’s Portion in Life

o And Salvation in Death

o Consider The Lord (the One and Only)

§ He is your Portion in Life

§ And your Salvation in Death too

A Mikhtam means a stamp or engraving; it denotes a composition so precious as to be worthy of be engraven on a durable tablet as stamped gold.
David says “Protect me, God, for I take refuge in You

o David asks for God’s protection

§ Not because David deserves it

§ Not because David has been a good boy

§ Not become David is worthy

§ But because David takes refuge in God (in You)

· Because David puts his trust in the Lord for protection & salvation

· This is an important key

I said to the Lord, You are my Lord; I have nothing good besides You

o David declares that Jesus is his Lord (His one and only Savior)

o David states that he has nothing besides God

§ When you have a savior nothing else matters (nothing else will)

§ But if you have Jesus, you have it all !!!

· Forgiveness of sin

· A spotless white robe

· Eternal life

· An eternal home made by Jesus himself

· You have relationship, fellowship, citizenship, inheritance & love

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Psalm, Chapter 15

Description of a Citizen of Zion.

A Psalm of David.

15 O Lord, who may [a]abide in Your tent?
Who may dwell on Your holy hill?

In Chapter 14 we looked at a description of worldly men

o We looked at the folly of Men who say there is no God

In Chapter 15 we have a description of a Citizen of Zion

o Zion is a reference to the mountain in Jerusalem where God will rule and reign from when He returns to the earth

o It is a picture of citizens of the New Jerusalem

§ A 1,500-mile cube made of precious jewels floating above Jerusalem

§ You might way it’s a picture of a citizen of heaven

§ It is the opposite of the picture we saw in chapter 14

2 He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness,
And speaks truth in his heart.

He walks with integrity if the first description

o Integrity is a description of what a man or woman does when nobody is looking

o Yet they conduct themselves according to the way God would expect them too

And works of righteousness

o This means righteousness at work

o Doing things, working for God knowing that whatever you do, you do it as unto the Lord; therefore, you always try to do what is right and try to do it with the best of your ability

§ Does this describe your conduct today?

And speaks truth in his heart

o To speak truth in your heart is to speak that which agrees with God’s word

o And if it is from the heart it is what you believe at your very core

§ It’s not just a book

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Psalm, Chapter 14

Foolishness and Wickedness of People.

For the music director. A Psalm of David.

14 The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.”
They are corrupt, they have committed detestable acts;
There is no one who does good.

Foolishness and Wickedness of People

o This title shows the relationship between Foolishness and Wickedness

o Where there is one, you will always find the other

The fool has said in heart, “There is no God”

o The fool is the subject matter

o The problem is a matter of the heart

o The deciding factor is that the fool believes “There is no God”

o I believe its because that’s what they want to believe

§ If they believe there is no God they can do whatever they want

§ If they believe there is a God, then there is right and wrong

· And they become accountable

· Therefore, they can’t do whatever they want

· So they choose to believe a lie

They are corrupt, they have committed detestable acts

o They are corrupt

§ Definition of corrupt (Entry 1 of 2)

· transitive verb

· 1a: to change from good to bad in morals, manners, or actions

· Officials were corrupted by greed.

· was accused of corrupting the youth

· also : BRIBE

· b: to degrade with unsound principles or moral values

· Some fear the merger will corrupt the competitive marketplace.

§ 2: ROT, SPOIL

· The fruits were transported without being corrupted.

§ 3: to subject (a person) to corruption of blood

§ 4: to alter from the original or correct form or version

· The file was corrupted.

· 1a: to become tainted or rotten

· leaving the bodies to corrupt on the field

· b: to become morally debased

· 2: to cause disintegration or ruin

· corrupt adjective

§ Definition of corrupt (Entry 2 of 2)

· 1a: morally degenerate and perverted : DEPRAVED

· b: characterized by improper conduct (such as bribery or the selling of favors)

· corrupt judges

§ 2: PUTRID, TAINTED

§ 3: adulterated or debased by change from an original or correct condition

They have committed detestable acts

o Detestable

§ arousing or meriting intense dislike : ABOMINABLE

there is no one who does good

o David seems to have determined that there is no longer anyone who does good

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Psalm, Chapter 13

Prayer for Help in Trouble.

For the music director. A Psalm of David.

13 How long, Lord? Will You forget me forever?
How long will You hide Your face from me?

Prayer for Help in Trouble
There seems to be a lot of prayer for Help in Psalms
How long, Lord?

o It seems David got impatient waiting for the Lord to help

o How about you? Are you getting impatient about something in your heart today?

Will You forget me forever?

o David seems to think that the Lord has forgotten him

o How about you? Do you think the Lord has forgotten you because He has not answered your prayer for help yet too?

o Are you starting to think He might not every answer you?

§ It’s a trick

§ 1st we begin to think “how long, Lord?”

§ Then we began to think the Lord has forgotten us

§ Then we think the Lord may never answer

· It a progression from doubt, to worry, to fear

· And it’s definitely not from God

How long will You hide Your face from me?

o How long has it been since you saw God’s face?

o Does it seem He is hiding His face from you?

o Like maybe He doesn’t want to see you because of some recent sin?

§ Sin often makes us not want to seek to the face of God

§ Don’t let sin block you; ask for forgiveness and mean it with your heart

§ God will forgive you instantly and He is ready to forgive and listen

o Asking God to forgive you and trusting in the blood of the lamb to pay for your sin

§ Is the key to seeing God’s face again quickly

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Psalm, Chapter 12

God, a Helper against the Treacherous.

For the music director; [a]upon an eight-stringed lyre. A Psalm of David.

12 Help, Lord, for the godly person has come to an end,
For the faithful have disappeared from the sons of mankind.

God, a Helper against the Treacherous

o Notice the title begins with a description of God as a Helper (capital H)

o And not just a Helper the normal trials and tribulations of life but “against the Treacherous means

§ Likely to betray trust

§ Unreliable

§ Providing insecure footing or support

§ Marked by hidden dangers, hazards or perils

o So God is a Helper against such people

Help, Lord, for the godly person has come to and end

o David starts with a very startling remark

o It is a urgent cry for Help

§ And then he says that all the godly people have come to and end

§ This means, they’re done, they’re finished; there isn’t anymore

§ Sometimes it seems you can longer find any godly people

For the faithful have disappeared from the sons of mankind

o To disappear refers to something or someone who was there but they have disappeared and are no longer visible (vanished; completely gone)

o Maybe you too have noticed how scarce it is to find a godly person

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The Lord a Refuge and Defense
11 In the Lord I take refuge;

How can you say to my soul, “Flee as a bird to your mountain;

The title of this Psalm The Lord a Refuge and Defense

o It is a matter of fact and declared accordingly

It was for the choir director

o The choir director is the man in charge of praise

o The man tasks with encouraging God’s people to rise to their feet and sign

o The man tasks with organizing those who play instruments to harmonize

Even men appointed to lead the church may sometime have doubts

o And this Psalm begins with doubt

In the Lord, I take refuge

o That means David runs to the Lord for safety against wicked worldly men

o It’s a personal decision for David to do so

o It should become our personal decision as well

How can you say to my soul

o Flee as a bird to your mountain

o Birds don’t have to deal with the danger down here on earth (on the ground)

o They can just lift-off and fly above the dangerous animals and terrain

o They do have other predators that fly but in large part they are free to flee

o When God tells you or I or David to flee to His mountain for protection and safety

§ We too, might say, how can we flee as a bird

§ Don’t you see what is going on down here (almost as if God doesn’t know)

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In this chapter, we learn to follow the biblical principal of thanking God for His justice which wait to be manifested. God taught us to be anxious for nothing but in all things by prayer and supplication witht thangsgiving, to let our requests be made known to Him.

When you trust God in advance, He always delivers.

This is such a wonderful truth, that we want to give thanks to the Lord with all our heart;

We want to tell of all His wonders.

We should be glad and exult in Him.

We should sing praise to His name, the Most High God.

We learn that God will cause our enemies to turn back.

We learn that God will rebuke the nations and lot out the names of wicked people and rulers.

We learn that God abides forever and His righteous judgemen will surely come to pass.

God will be gracious to those who humble themselves and ask for forgiveness and save everyone who call on the name of Jesus Christ.

We are literally saves from the gates of hell and are transformed to pearly gates.

We learn that all who reject Jesus Christ will end up in the hole which they have dug themselves.

David ends this chapter with a cry to God for Him to arise and not let mere man prevail against the godly. He asks God to put the wicked in fear and remind them they are but mere men.

Selah (carefully think about this).

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This is Psalm, Chapter 10 from The Outbless Weekly Bible Study.

In this chapter, you will learn how David prayed for the overthrow of the wicked after he thanked God that God's justice would be done. We learn to be anxious for nothing but by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving we let our requests be made known to God and the peace that surpasses all human comprehension will rule in your heart and in your mind.

We learn that God is not distant.
God is watching.
God is keeping track of evil deed and harm caused by evil people and He will repay.

We learn that God sees, hears and knows the harm caused to His people. He will incline His ear and hear their cry. He will answer. God will cause the plans of wicked men and women to boomerang back upon themselves.

God will protect the humble and the afflicted and a time of great blessing wil coming.

Welcome to the Outbless Weekly bible study hosted by bible teacher and humber servant Michael Metcalf

Thank you for listening to The Outbless weekly bible

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