Calvary Baptist Church: Recent Episodes
Calvary Baptist Church
February – God loved us first. If you have experienced Christ’s love for you in salvation, you cannot help but grow in love for others. Real love comes from God. We love because he first loved us. - 1 Jn 4:7-19 Love can be found if you lost it. Remember, Repent, Return – Rev 2:14-15
Roles – How can we show love well? Gen 2:15-25 Gen 2:15-17 – Men’s Role – Work, Keep, and Lead v. 15. Steward what God has given • “Work” – cultivate o Make it productive – arts, science, business – make productive • “Keep” – guard or watch over or care for o Take care of what God has given you – property, money, skills
We have responsibility to take what God has given and provide for our families. We have responsibility to take care of what God has given us
Vv. 16-17. Steward what God has said God spoke the command to Adam, before Eve was created. Adam was to steward what God had created, and what He commanded. • Lead in keeping God’s commands
Adam was to lead his family to keep God’s commandments. Gen 3:9 – when Adam and Eve sinned, God went to the garden and called for Adam. Men, we must read the Scriptures, let the Scripture read you. Apply the Scripture in your life & lead your family in reading & applying the Scripture
Gospel connection: Adam was put to sleep and his side opened that he might have a wife. Jesus died on a cross, his side opened by a spear that he might have a bride, the church. Jesus loves the church. He worked for it. He cares for it.
Gen 2:18-19 – Creation was incomplete. “Not good” Every day God created and “it was good.” Man was alone – it was “not good.” Adam needed Eve.
Gen 2:20-22 The creation of woman “helper fit” Woman was taken from Man’s side. “She was not made out of his head to rule over him, nor out of his feet to be trampled upon by him, but out of his side to be equal with him, under his arm to be protected, and near his heart to be beloved.” – Matthew Henry
Women’s Role – Help, Complete • Help or aid – surround – from Hebrew ’ezer – ay’-zer It does not mean that women have a lesser role. This same word is used of God: “Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help (‘ezer) and our shield” Ps 33:20 “My help (‘ezer) comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth” Ps 121:2
• Compliment or complete There is also the idea of a fitting or “suitable” help. Adam needs someone like himself – a mate or a match. Like him, but different enough from him
Ladies, your husband is good at some things and not good at others. My observations – women are typically better at these things: 1. Connecting (relationships w/children and others) 2. Communicating (speaking clearly, listening) 3. Creating (ideas for financial goals, making home welcoming, raising kids)
Genesis 2:23-25 The First Marriage Adam’s response was praise for the gift God gave. She is from “my bones… my flesh” – she is like Adam, a match or mate. She was made from him. He needed her. They will always belong to each other. They are a match, a set of two.
Called Together • To be one in body and unified in purpose (2:24) • To rule together over what God has given (1:28)
Too many couples feel like they are in a competition – you’re a team. God created men to Work, Keep, and Lead; women to Help, Complete (connect, communicate, create) God has given you a realm to steward, skills to work together to rule together.
February – God loved us first. If you have experienced Christ’s love for you in salvation, you cannot help but grow in love for others.
Revelation is a prophetic vision given to the Apostle John of the last times. Chapters 2-3 are Jesus’ letters to 7 churches in Asia Minor. Most of churches have areas of obedience and disobedience. Just like we as individuals and a church have areas of obedience & disobedience. There is a command to address the areas of disobedience.
Revelation 2:1-7 – To the Church in Ephesus v. 1. “seven stars” are representatives of the churches, called “angels” later. “Golden lampstands” are the seven churches – and represent their witness/light bearing
Jesus holds and walks “him who holds the seven stars” – Jesus holds the angels in his hand. “hold” is “hold fast” or “hold powerfully”, from same root as “almighty” in 1:8 Jesus is powerful among his people. “walks among the seven golden lampstands” – Jesus is present among his people. Jesus is powerful and present with his people.
vv. 2-3. Commendation: 7 areas of obedience. Works, toil, patient endurance, do not bear with evil, tested false apostles, patient endurance, bearing up for Christ’s name. Doing a lot of good things.
v. 4. Verdict: The Ephesian church did good things but abandoned their first love. What love is this? Could be… • Love for each other – they may have stopped caring for each other • Love for Jesus Christ – they may have been going through the motions. Which is it? Probably both. “Whoever loves God must also love his brother.” 1 John 4:21b If we love God, we will love our brother. In loving God, we learn that we should love our brother. know how to love our brother, because Jesus shows us (patiently, forgivingly) In loving God, we have the ability to love our brother, because Jesus lives in us.
The church in Ephesus was doing right things but with wrong motivation. If we’re not careful, we can do a lot of things that express no love for God or others. Their bodies were busy, but their hearts were cold. Their actions were admirable, but they were devoid of devotion.
APPLICATION: This applies to love in marriage too. You’re going through the motions, raising kids, living in the same house, paying bills. But lose your devotion to each other. Why? You stopped doing things that sparked love for each other.
v. 5. The good news, there is hope for this condition. There is a remedy for this malady.
Remember. Repent. Return. “Remember from where you have fallen” God gave us minds to enable us to think. Jesus says “remember” – remember how you loved God before, your devotion to Christ Remember – not to regret, not for nostalgia. Remember for renewal.
“Repent” turn away from sinful cold heart toward Christ and others. Stop from cold, rote activity. And do what?
Return. “do the works you did at first” Go back and do the things you did at first. When you 1st came to Christ, you could not stop reading about him, talking about him. You could not stop thinking how you could bless others. How you would spend time doing something meaningful for other people.
This applies to your love for Christ and your love for others – including your spouse. Have you “fallen out of love”? Are you “going through the motions”? Remember. What did you do together that you enjoyed – that you stopped doing? Are you spending quality time together? Going out on dates? That you both enjoy? Do NOT forsake your marriage for your children. Your marriage must be a priority The best thing you can do for your kids is love your husband/wife well. Repent. Say to your spouse, we have not made our marriage a priority. Return. I want to do the things we both enjoy. Make a date night. At least monthly. Is it possible to return? Jesus is powerful and present in the midst of his people.
February – How the greatest demonstration of love is changing you. God’s love for you is such a powerful force that, once you have received it, it changes the way you see people, how you treat people. If you have experienced Christ’s love for you in salvation, you cannot help but grow in love for others.
1 John 4:7-19 – God is Love Where does real love come from? 1. Love originated with God (7-8) a. Loving others is evidence we have been born of God (7)
v. 7. When we love others, we show that we have been born of God. When put our faith in Jesus, we are born again, regenerated. Our spiritually dead and selfish hearts are united with God, So that His life becomes our life, and His love becomes our love.
b. Loving others is evidence we know God (8) v. 8. People who have born again love others – and that love shows that they know God. They don’t just know about God, they know God intimately and personally.
- Love is seen in the atoning death of Jesus Christ (9-10) v. 9. It is God’s nature to love – to give and to sacrifice a. God sent his Son that we might live, and he might die (9-10) It is one thing to talk about love. It is something else to show love. “God’s love was manifest” – revealed, made clear, put on display. God took the initiative. He loved first. He stepped out and pursued us.
“live through him” – that we might have fellowship with God, forgiveness, walk in light.
v. 10. “propitiation” – An offering that turns away the wrath of God. Sin is serious. God hates sin. It is a serious offense against a holy God. Yet in his love, God provided the offering to turn his wrath away.
“The gospel is that Jesus lived the life you should have lived and died the death you should have died, in your place, so God can receive you not for your record and sake but for his record and sake.” – Tim Keller, Preaching to a Post-Modern City.
- Love is perfected in us when we love others (11-12) If you are born of God, if you know God, if you have experienced God’s love in the sacrifice of his Son, love people.
v. 12. Shocking: No one can see God in his unveiled, glorious essence. But we can see God through the lives of those who demonstrate His love to others.
“The unseen God, who was once reveled in His Son, is now revealed in his people… when they love one another.” – John Stott, The Letters of John
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Love is evidence that we have the Spirit (13-16) If the Holy Spirit lives in you, then you will grow in love for others. The Holy Spirit indwells believers. His presence in you is God’s presence in you. God’s presence in will produce love for others.
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Love gives us confidence even in the judgment (17-18) Because God loved us first, we have no fear that he will reject us on that day. “There is no fear in love”
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Love reflects God’s character (19-21) Why do we love? Because God took the initiative, not us. He loves us and the love that abides in us is God’s love that overflows in words and actions to others.
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Love originated with God (7-8)
- Love is seen in the atoning death of Jesus Christ (9-10)
- Love is perfected in us when we love others (11-12)
- Love is evidence that we have the Spirit (13-16)
- Love gives us confidence even in the judgment (17-18)
- Love reflects God’s character (19-21)
Exodus 33:18-19 – Show me your glory. v. 18. Moses asked to see God’s glory. He wants to know God and know he is with them. (v. 13, “show me your ways that I may know you”)
v. 19. “I will make all my goodness pass before you.” I will show you my glory in my goodness toward my people. God’s glory is revealed in his goodness – in his grace and mercy toward his people.
“Proclaim… my name” God’s character is tied up in his name. God’s character is gracious and merciful. God will invoke his own name, “the Lord”, as a sign that The Lord, is gracious.
Exodus 34:5-7 God’s Glory Revealed God placed Moses in the crevice of a rock, covers Moses with his hand. Moses sees something like the afterglow of God’s glory after he passes by.
v. 6. God proclaims his name “The Lord” with his character, “merciful & gracious, Slow to anger” “abounding (great) in love and faithfulness”
God’s glory is revealed in his abounding love and faithfulness. Couplet used - 30x Love – hesed (‘steadfast or gracious love’, ‘mercy’) Faithfulness – ’emeth (‘truth’ or ‘faithfulness’)
v. 7. “Keeping love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and sin.” Forgiveness flows from the very nature of God. It is God’s nature, his character to forgive.
v. 7b. “but who will not clear the guilty.” God is both forgiving AND just. God does not just let guilt go by as if it is no big deal. Sin IS a big deal, the most destructive force on the planet.
“visiting iniquity on… generations” Does not mean God punishes children for their fathers’ sin, God punishes sin that continues through generations.
Jesus is the greatest revelation of God’s character. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature (Heb 1:3a) He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. (Col 1:15) For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell. (Col 1:19)
If you want to know God , look at Jesus Christ. All the glory of God’s grace and mercy are seen in Jesus Christ.
John 1:14 The Word Became Flesh And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (Jn 1:14)
Ex 33: “Show me your glory” / Jn 1: “We have seen his glory.” Ex 34: “abounding in love and faithfulness” / Jn 1: “full of grace and truth”
John’s uses “grace and truth” intentionally for “Love and faithfulness.” He uses ‘grace’ for that specific aspect of love that is given freely. ‘Truth’ is a synonym for faithfulness. If a man if faithful, he is true.
“The glory revealed to Moses when the Lord passed in front of him and sounded his name, displaying that divine goodness characterized by ineffable grace and truth, was the very same glory John and his friends saw in the Word-made-flesh.” D.A. Carson PNTC, The Gospel According to John
Jesus’ death is the greatest demonstration of God’s love.
But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Rom5:8)
What Moses saw was in part, we see revealed. Jesus is full of grace – He welcomes sinners. He has compassion on poor. He healed lepers, lame and blind. Through his death, the Father forgives our sin. Jesus is full of truth – He condemned religious hypocrites. He talked about hell more than heaven. He obeyed the law, setting people straight on God’s commands. We need grace. We need truth. Only in union with Jesus can we grow in both.
Creation: God created the world & a garden in which he placed the first man & woman. The garden was a place of God’s provision and his presence.
Fall: But an enemy came to the garden and caused Adam and Eve to rebel against God. Their rebellion ushered in death and transformed earth into a place of alienation. What started as paradise became enemy-occupied territory.
Redemption: But God has been working in history to bring a total reversal of the consequence of evil, to liberate earth and heaven from bondage to sin and corruption. Consummation/Restoration:
Revelation 21:1-4 The New Heaven and the New Earth v.1. “New heaven and a new earth” – fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy (Isa 65:17) A longing that God would deliver his people from sin and oppression.
God caused “The first heaven and earth passed away” – they were corrupted. “The sea was no more” – the sea represents a chaotic deep, in rebellion against God. It is the source of the Satanic beast (13:1); and the place of the dead (20:13). No trace of evil or resistance to God remains, all will be eliminated by God’s victory.
The New Jerusalem v. 2. “Holy city, the new Jerusalem” – Jerusalem “city of peace” Jerusalem was to be the central community of God’s people. It was to be the center of worship of God. The old city was corrupted by idolatry, rebellion, violence against prophets and Jesus.
A creation and gift of God. – “Coming down out of heaven” 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. (Jn 14:3)
“Prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” The dwelling place of God’s people, the bride of the Lamb. “Adorned” The city is made of gold and precious jewels. The bride is adorned by her righteous acts (19:7-8)
v. 3. The dwelling place of God. The separation between the earthly and heavenly has ended. All that is unholy is eliminated by the victory, judgment, and destruction of evil. A place of intimacy with God and community with each other. The bride-city imagery: • Intimacy between God and his people as husband and wife. • Community between the people and the people with God.
A place of loyalty and devotion. They will be his and he will be theirs. God promised to gather Israel from captivity in Babylon, “They shall be my people, and I will be their God.” (Jer 32:38)
God promised an everlasting covenant and restoration of his people to Ezekiel. “My dwelling place shall be with them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” (Eze 37:27)
v. 4. “He will wipe away every tear” A place untouched by death, mourning, crying, or pain. He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken. (Isa 25:8)
“The former things have passed away.” Death, mourning, crying, pain – all former things have passed away.
v. 5. God, “I am making all things new.” The Creator will create new heavens/earth. “these words are trustworthy & true.” God’s power will be revealed, purposes fulfilled.
v. 6. “It is done! Alpha and Omega/Beginning and the end” – God is sovereign.
A place of invitation and grace “I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment.” Salvation by grace.
v. 7. A place for the faithful. “The one who conquers” – used in Revelation. Those who hold on to faith. “I will be his God and he will be my son.” Intimacy expressed as father/son.
v. 8. The faithless who remain in sin will suffer a second death in torment. Sin distorted God’s purposes for man. An enemy corrupted the old order. God will defeat the enemy and liberate his people and his creation.
We can know the individual stories of the Bible yet miss the Great Story of God. The story that makes sense of all the other stories and give them meaning. One of the greatest themes of the Bible is God dwelling with his people – God with us.
Genesis 28:10-22 Jacob’s Dream v. 10. “Jacob left Beersheba” because he was running for his life from his brother Esau. Jacob cheated Esau out of his birthright. His name, “Jacob”, means “he cheats.”
v. 12. He had a dream, a vision of heaven opened and of angels and of God. “A ladder” or a staircase – likely a stepped mound like a ziggurat, on earth to heaven. “Angels ascended and descended” on the staircase.
v. 13. “The Lord stood above it” or “The Lord stood beside him.” Could be either.
In his book, Who Is God? Richard Bauckhaum points out… Jacob does not ascend the ladder. God does not send angels with a message for Jacob. God bypasses the angels and stands beside Jacob and speaks to him directly.
“I am the God of your fathers.” (He is not yet the God of Jacob.) God extends his promises to Abraham and Isaac of promised land & offspring to Jacob.
v. 14. Jacob’s offspring shall bless all the families of the earth. A promise that Jesus Christ will come and will be a blessing to all peoples.
v. 15. “I am with you… I will not leave you.” God promises his presence to Jacob.
In the Garden of Eden God walked in the cool of the day. But after the fall, man was expelled from the garden and God’s presence. in Exodus God was present with his people as mysterious & fearful smoke & fire In the Exodus as a pillar of smoke and fire and On Mt Sinai like smoke & fire The tabernacle & temple were the most tangible presence of God w/ his people. God dwelt in their midst – in tents or in Jerusalem but separated by walls and veils.
v. 16. “God is in the place” – God is in every place, but his promise is to be with Jacob.
v. 20-21. “Jacob made a vow saying, ‘If God… then the Lord shall be my God.’” Jacob journeyed from Bethel to Paddan-aram. He married Leah and Rachel. God blessed him with children and flocks of animals. God called Jacob to return west back to Canaan. God answered Jacob’s prayer when he and his brother Esau made peace.
Jacob returned to Bethel after more than 14 years. 3 Then let us arise and go up to Bethel, so that I may make there an altar to the God who answers me in the day of my distress and has been with me wherever I have gone.” (Genesis 35:3)
At the end of his life, Jacob said… 15 And he blessed Joseph and said, “The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life long to this day.(Gen 48:15)
Reminds us of Psalm 23 – The Lord is my shepherd. At the heart of the 23rd psalm, in v. 4 is “for you are with me.”
APP: The presence of God has changed the theme of Jacob’s life. He was a cheat, a swindler. But God’s presence is the new theme of his life. God’s presence changed him, blessed him, guided him, and redeemed his brokenness. Have you turned over your brokenness to God? He will redeem it.
The Incarnation – The surpassing form of God’s presence is Jesus’ incarnation. John 1:51 51 And he said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” Jesus is the greater staircase bringing heaven to earth, God to man.
John 1:14 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. Jesus is the greater temple “dwelt” is the same word in Greek used for tabernacle. In the incarnation of Jesus, God comes to BE WITH US AS ONE OF US.
APP: Are you making room for God’s presence to be the theme of your life? Allow God’s presence to be the theme of your life. He will redeem, and guide and bless.
I. The seed of the woman who will crush the serpent a. He came to destroy the works of the devil (sin) 1 Jn 3:8
Genesis 3:1-15 Vv. 1-5. The serpent accused God of not being good. • He accused God of being overly restrictive (1) • He accused God of lying (4) • He lied, saying sin would make them more like God (5).
V. 6. Eve usurped God in His role to determine what is good. She saw it was “good” for food. In Gen 1&2, God created and declared it is “good”
Adam and Eve were tempted by the fruit • It was good for food • It was a delight to the eyes • It was desired to make one wise (they became wise to their own shame) “Desire” is the same word for “coveting”.
God gave them the opportunity to obey or disobey. Would they trust God and his word or try to obtain wisdom apart from him? The sin is human arrogance. • I will decide what is good. • I will decide whether or not I will obey God’s commands • I will decide whether or not God is good.
Vv. 7-13. God walked through the garden – God was present with them. God called Adam, not Eve. Adam bears greater responsibility for this sin.
Sin caused • Shame and embarrassment – Eve traded her innocence for shame • Hiding from God in Fear • Isolation from each other • Blaming others for sin –Eve was a gift, now Adam claims God’s gift was malicious.
Vv. 14-15. God’s judgment and promise • God cursed the serpent – humiliation and defeat by the woman’s offspring • God promised the wounded seed of the woman’s will destroy him He shall “bruise” your head. And you shall “bruise” his heel. Same word in Hebrew, the severity of the blows are where they’re landed.
There would be enmity between the descendants of the woman and the serpent. But one day, the offspring of Eve will deal a crushing blow to the serpent. This is a promise: God offers hope for the human family.
1 John 3:7-9 Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil • We will live out who and whose we are. • The devil is a deceiver
The devil will deceive you that divorce, lying, stealing, abortion, being quiet about unethical stuff at work will make you happier, lead to a better life. But it’s a lie.
• The Son of God came to destroy sin
Doing what is right does not make us righteous, it is evidence that we are righteous.
Christ is our righteousness. Christ suffered and died to go through the curse our sin deserved. When we believe in him, he makes us righteous. “God made him who knew no sin to be sin for us that we might be the righteousness of God.” (2Cor 5:21)
• Positionally, we are declared righteous by God. • Experientially, he helps us live right lives.
Christ is our pattern and power for right living (1 Jn 2:6, 4:4) Pattern – “whoever abides in him ought to walk the same way he walked.” (2:6) Power – “he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (4:4)
We can know the individual stories of the Bible but miss the Great Story of God. The story that makes sense of all the smaller stories and give them meaning.
Romans 5:12-20 Death in Adam, Life in Christ Overview: The power of Christ’s obedience overcomes Adam’s disobedience. v. 12. “Just as…” a comparison, picked up in v. 18. “so also…” Who sinned? Adam sinned. We inherited his sin nature. We all sin.
Paul may have in mind the sin of all people since all were IN Adam, forefather of all. Adam is the head of humanity, the God-appointed representative of man. Regardless, all people are sinners and under a sentence of death – condemnation.
Does Paul mean physical or spiritual death? Probably both.
vv.13-14 People before the law of Moses didn’t have the law, So how can they be held responsible if they didn’t have the law?
The law makes the details of God’s standards known. There is enough revealed in creation for people to know there is a God and to give thanks to him and honor him. Yet they do not acknowledge God’s glory nor authority.
vv. 15-17 Adam’s sin brought condemnation (16) and death (17). Christ’s obedience brought justification (16) and righteousness (17).
Adam’s act brought sin, death, and misery – powerfully – to mankind. Christ’s act is far more powerful because the grace of God is at work in Christ. The first Adam’s curse is undone by the Greater Adam’s work.
vv. 18-19 The whole human race can be divided in two: All people belong to Adam and and are under condemnation. Those who trust in Christ are under grace.
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. (John 3:18) Christ’s obedience establishes a reign of life instead of death, a reign of grace instead of condemnation. (15-17, 21)
In Christ we have been transferred to a new realm in which grace and life reign (21).
Just as Adam sinned and brought sin and death to all who belong to him (12a, 18a, 19a), So also, Christ obeyed and brought righteousness and life to all who belong to him (18b, 19b)
Closing: The greatest story is that God created humankind for himself. He created Adam and Eve and put them in a garden paradise, But they rebelled and rejected God. Their sin devastated the world, bringing death and destruction. God could not look on their sin and corruption and he drove them from his presence.
But God had a mission for our redemption. He sent into the world another man. This man would be a new Adam, a Greater Adam.
God led him to a garden where he chose obedience to God, even when it meant his death. By God’s grace, anyone who believes in Christ are rescued from sin and condemnation. They are transferred into a new realm of grace and life.
“For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.” (1 Cor 15:22)
God’s calling: Maybe you’ve been going through all the motions, but realize, you have never put your faith in Christ. “Lord, I have rebelled against you, I need your forgiveness. I believe you sent Jesus to live a life of obedience that I could not live. He died to take away my sin. And he was raised to give me new life. Thank you for forgiving my sin and accepting me into your grace as your son/daughter.”
This is the mission of God, to rescue the sons and daughters of Adam. It is the mission of the church to tell of Great story of the Greater Adam. To bring them into faith in Jesus Christ that they may receive his grace.
Jesus Christ is coming again to gather his people to be w/him. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 The Coming of the Lord v. 13. “Ignorant” – it appears the church in Thessalonica sent questions to Paul. They had some concern about people who had died and what that meant for Christ’s return.
“Asleep” was a euphemism for the dead used by Jews, and Greeks, and Christians. It was used by NT writers b/c death for believers is only temporary.
What happens to those who are dead in Christ until He returns? From John Piper, “Five Reasons Death Is Gain” • Their spirits are made perfect. (Heb 12:22-23) 22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, 23 and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect. • They are relieved of the pain of this world. (Luke 16:24-25) 24 And he [the rich man] called out, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.' 25 But Abraham said, 'Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. • They are given profound rest. (Rev 6:9-11) • They experience a deep “at-homeness”. (2 Cor 5:8) Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. • They are with Christ. (Phil 1:21-23) 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.
v. 13b. “That you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.” The believer has hope of life even in death because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Death will give way to life. Separation to reunion. Mortality for immortality.
v. 14. “We believe that Jesus died and rose again” Key Christian doctrine. “Jesus died” – he died for us, as a perfect sacrifice and substitution for us. “And rose again” – Jesus promised, “Because I life, you also will live.” Jn 14:19b “Through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.” Death will not be our end, death will be like sleep and a day of awakening will come.
v.15. “We declare to you by a word from the Lord” Jesus taught this. “We who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede the dead” Thessalonians needed to know the dead in Christ will be the first to meet him. “The coming” or “the arrival” was used of a visit from royalty or triumphant ruler. The first to greet a visiting ruler would be the most honored. Those who fought the good fight and finished the race will be the first to meet Jesus.
v. 16. “The Lord himself shall descend from heaven”
Three sounds to 1) announce Jesus coming and 2) to gather his people: 1. The cry of a command – God commands the dead to life. 2. Voice of an archangel – announcing his second coming as they did the first 3. The trumpet of God – in the prophets: the Lord’s coming, gathering his people
“And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” (Mt 24:31)
v. 16b. 1. Jesus is coming again. 2. He is coming for his church. 3. The dead in Christ will rise first. 4. His coming will be a glorious reunion between him and believers. 5. The expectation of this event should bring encouragement to our faith. v. 17. The living and the dead will meet Christ in the air. “The rapture” “We will always be with the Lord.”
God’s intention to fully reconcile his people to himself, to be with them will be done. v. 18. “Encourage each other with these words” How goes the world? The world goes not well but the kingdom comes.
Isaiah 61:1-11 The Year of the Lord’s Favor Jesus used vv. 1-2 at the start of his ministry to explain who he was & what he was doing Jesus had begun his early ministry in Capernaum: preaching, healing, delivering. Lk 4:16-30 – Jesus returned to his hometown Nazareth. On the Sabbath, he went to synagogue, and opened the scroll of Isaiah, read vv. 1-2. He sat down and said, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” Isaiah was written 7 centuries before Jesus. How fulfilled in the boy they knew?
- The Messiah and His Mission (1-3)
- The Messiah’s Purpose to Transform His People (3-9)
- The Messiah’s Ministry Results in Righteousness and Praise (10-11)
v. 1 The Messiah and His Mission The Messiah is speaking about himself through Isaiah. He is anointed, given special power by the Holy Spirit for a special mission.
God gave to Jesus His mission to save and to judge. Peter proclaimed to Cornelius: “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit… he went about doing good and healing all who were under the tyranny of the devil” (Acts 10:38)
vv. 1-2 The Messiah’s mission to poor prisoners • To preach good news to the poor • To heal the brokenhearted • To proclaim liberty to captives and freedom to prisoners • To proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of God’s vengeance • To comfort those who mourn, • To give them a crown, oil, and splendid clothes in place of ashes and captivity
The people’s condition is desperate: poor, brokenhearted, captives, prisoners who mourn, clothed with ashes and despair, disgraced in ruined cities. How could a message transform their condition to freedom & blessing? This message was originally given to the Jews in Babylonian exile. It is in part about the restoration of the remnant to rebuild the promised land. But Jesus took these promises to an infinitely higher level. The true captivity that Jesus came to destroy was captivity to sin and to Satan. The proclamation of the gospel sets captives free. The healing work of Jesus Christ liberates people from the power of Satan. The proclaiming of Jesus’ gospel and his healing was a direct fulfillment of this passage
Jesus came “to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Jesus ushered in new worldwide era of grace in which God cancels debts of sin and sets prisoners free to worship God.
In Lk 4, Jesus stopped abruptly in v. 2, before “the day of our God’s vengeance.” Jesus’ 1st coming is for God’s salvation, God’s grace and favor. Jesus’ 2nd coming will bring God’s wrath. Today is the day of salvation. We must all flee to Christ. He is our only hope.
- The Messiah’s Purpose to Transforms His People (3-9) In salvation, Christ has removed our disgrace, ashes, and chains; and replaced them with a crown of beauty, oil of joy, and rich garments. (3a)
2.b.He has transformed us from weak captives to oaks of righteousness (3b) We have new names, new nature, new potential for righteousness.
- “They shall build up ancient ruins… raise up former devastations of many generations” The exiles rebuilt walls, houses and the temple. Christ’s people are called to rebuild lives out of the rubble of human history. People’s lives are laid waste by sin, as are whole societies. Jesus has come to build a new people out of the ruin of sin.
vv. 4-9 pictures the mission of the church to rescue from the stronghold of Satan. And rebuild broken lives and ruined homes v. 6. We are the priests of the Lord and ministers of God. We have been rescued and now rescue others, restored and now restore others.
- The Messiah’s Ministry Results in Righteousness and Praise v. 10. The Messiah (Jesus) is robed and equipped to be Savior of the world. v. 11. Christ will cause a worldwide harvest of righteousness and praise for God.
A good portion of Isaiah is about where people place their hope. Judah put its hope in its own abilities, in powerful nations of Egypt, Assyria, & Babylon. Isaiah warns them that trusting in the strength of men – or nations – is useless.
But Isaiah speaks of a man that he calls “the Servant of the Lord,” who will bring true hope to God’s people.
Isa 49:1-6 Christ Revealed as God’s Salvation to the Ends of the Earth Notice how the verses are written in the first person. Isaiah was given words from God to speak of the “Servant of the Lord”. The words that God gave Isaiah are the Servant’s autobiography. These are the words of the Messiah, the anointed one, God’s commissioned one.
v. 1a. The Servant of the Lord calls to the nations (1) 1.a. The Servant calls to people from far-off coastlands, “Listen to me.” He announces his plans for the whole world to hear.
1.b. The Servant is Prepared and Concealed (2) The Father called the Servant from his mother’s womb. This speaks of the Servant having mission from the Lord even before his birth.
2.a,c. “He made my mouth like a sharp sword” “He made me a polished arrow” What does this mean? The Servant will speak and act with piercing truth. His words and actions will pierce hardened hearts to put their trust in him.
2.b&d “He hid me.” God will conceal his Servant until God is ready
v. 3. The Servant is called “Israel” (3) “Israel” – Why would the Messiah be named “Israel”? Israel was God’s chosen people. They were called to be faithful to God, to love him and honor him. God had a purpose for them, to be for his glory to the whole world. But Israel was not faithful to God. They sinned against God and sinned against each other. So God promised to raise up a Servant, a true Israel. This will be true Israel, “in whom I will be glorified.” Jesus will bring ultimate glory to the Father.
v. 4.a. Change in tone from glory to despondency. The Servant will trust the Lord in discouragement (4) “I labored in vain”, “I spent my strength for nothing.” Jesus for years tirelessly taught disciples, preached to crowds, healed masses. • His own people despised and rejected him. • They condemned him to death. • His own apostles deserted him. • One of his closest friends denied knowing him. • As he hung on the cross, all that remained was a single apostle, his mother and a few women. It would look to anyone like he had labored in vain and spent strength for nothing
Jesus was tested like we are. Would he look at his circumstances, say, ‘God, what are you doing?’ and give up? v.4.b. But the Servant will trust the Lord. He will labor and spend his strength and trust God for the fruit.
v. 5.b. The Servant will be prepared to restore Israel (5) The Messiah will “bring back” and “gather Israel to God.” He will be Redeemer and Restorer of God’s people.
v. 6. The Servant’s mission extends to the ends of the earth (6-7) “It is too light a thing… to raise up… Israel.” The honor and glory of the Servant is too great than simply restoring a nation
- c. God will make the Servant a light to the nations Through the Servant, God will show the nations His redemption and restoration.
- d. The Servant will bring salvation to the ends of the earth.
What to do with discouragement. Discouragement comes when we assess ourselves and our circumstances. v. 5. The antidote for your despondency is to listen to God. 5a. Recall God’s purposes for you. God has created you for a purpose. He made you for his great glory. 5c. Remember that God has honored you He created you in honor. He redeemed you at great cost. 5d. Recognize God’s presence brings strength. It is not just that God gives us strength, but that God’s presence is strength
Isaiah 9:1-7 For to Us a Child Is Born - God announces the birth of His Son. v. 1. Why was the land of Zebulun and Naphtali in gloom, anguish, contempt? These are the lands of northern-most Israel west and southwest of Sea of Galilee. These lands were the first that the Assyrians captured & deported its people in 733 B.C. People were torn from their homes and families.
The northern 10 tribes of Israel rejected the descendants of David as king. Israel refused to worship God at the temple in Judah and worshipped idols. They rejected God, so God allowed Assyria to defeat them.
v. 2. The people of the land “walked in darkness,” “deep darkness.” The image is of a people who lived in the shadow of death. God had hidden his face from these people for their sin.
That was Zebulun and Naphtali’s past and present. But God will transform their future of these lands. God will turn gloom to glory. God will shine a Great Light on them.
Matthew (4) used these verses to introduce the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. 13 And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali
Jesus spent approximately 85% of his ministry in Galilee. • Jesus grew up in Nazareth in Galilee • Jesus called his apostles from Galilee • 25 of Jesus’ 33 miracles were done in Galilee, included the 1st at Cana • He preached the Sermon on the Mount in Galilee • Jesus was transfigured in Galilee
This land was under oppression for more than 700 years. It was despised by the rest of the Jews. It is where the Messiah came to preach, heal, and deliver.
APP: God transforms our gloom and darkness. You are not beyond God’s transformation. There is no darkness too deep for Him. If you’ll ask him, he’ll bring his glory to your gloom and light for your darkness. v. 3. God’s transformation will bring not only Great Light, but Great Joy. “You have increased its joy and they rejoice before you.” God brought joy through Jesus Christ. They rejoice like in times of “harvest” and victory “spoil”.
vv. 4-5. God will end the oppression of His people. v. 4. Yoke, staff, rod – images of slavery in Egypt. “broken as on the day of Midian” – Judges 6&7 - God raised Gideon to defeat Midian. v. 5. The warrior boot and garment will be burned – the end of war.
This a metaphor for the peace that the Messiah will bring (see v. 7). The promised child will deliver God’s people from the oppression of sin and death. He will overthrow the enemy’s rule over you. This is a Great Deliverance.
This child’s birth comes with Great Light, Great Joy, Great Deliverance.
v. 6 “To us… to us is given” – This child is given as a gift from God to His people. The “Government upon his shoulder” – He released the burden from his people (v. 4) He shoulders the burden of his rule himself. It is God’s nature to save his people and overthrow his foes.
The Four-Fold name of the child: • Wonderful Counselor – can mean “supernatural,” speaks of his divine wisdom • Mighty God – can mean “warrior”, speaks of his divine strength • Everlasting Father – “eternal”, speaks of his divine immortality and fatherly care • Prince of Peace – whole, complete – the whole man, as Prince, rules brings peace.
Divine wisdom. Divine strength. Immortal life. Fatherly care. Perfect peace. God has come to birth, bringing his divine attributes to liberate and preserve his people.
v. 7. A description of his reign: His “government and peace” without end. “with justice and with righteousness” – forevermore.
“The Zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this” – Zeal speaks of the Lord’s love for his own. God takes up the cause of His people – give them light, joy, deliver them from enemies. He promised: Great Light, Great Joy, Great Deliverance, by the advent of His Great Son. God has a passionate commitment for his people. Will you trust him?
Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 5:1-5 Shepherd the Flock of God
Four exhortations for church elders and leaders: I. There Is a Fiery Battle to Be Fought v. 1. “So I exhort the elders…” – 1 Pe 4:17-18 Judgment begins with God’s household. If there are fiery trials (4:12) for the church, the church leaders will lead into the fire.
Peter refers to himself with three ways: 1. A fellow elder – he could have called on his authority as an apostle, But chose his role as a fellow elder – perhaps in his willingness to suffer w/them.
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A witness of Christ’s sufferings – Peter saw Christ suffer as an eyewitness. He saw Jesus suffer and raised from the dead.
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A partaker in the glory to be revealed – referring to Christ’s 2nd coming. Peter knows suffering is the path to glory.
The testing of your faith will “result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. (1:7)
“Rejoice insofar as you share in Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.” (4:13)
v. 2. II. There Is a Great Work to Do 1. Shepherd the Flock of God–“feed, tend” God’s flock a. Jesus commanded Peter “shepherd (feed) my sheep” – Jn 21:16 b. Feed or tend with what? Elders are called to teach/preach God’s Word. c. Exercising oversight – “oversee” – look after, take care of
vv. 2-3. III. There Are Temptations to Avoid 1. A warning against half-hearted leading (2) but willingly and in God’s will. 2. A warning against greed (2) not for financial gain, but lead/serve eagerly 3. A warning against pride (3) not lording over, but examples of Christ’s character.
v. 4. IV. There is Great Reward to Come Jesus is the Chief Shepherd. When he comes, he will bestow crown of glory as reward. The days can be hard. The task can seem endless. But the reward is certain. Exhortation to younger ones Peter calls for the whole church, especially those who are younger to be humble. Our world has no sense of humility. Where there is no concept of God, there is no concept of humility.
If God has disappeared from society, his runner up takes his place, that is man. And when man is seen as god, there is no humility, there is pride.
We Christians should be humble people. Peter gives two ways to grow in humility: v. 5a. You who are younger, be subject to the elders – Follow the example, teaching, and leadership of church leaders
v. 5b. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another. – Think of Jesus washing his disciple’s feet. – “If I then your Lord and Teacher have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.” –Jn 13:14 – Don’t seek to be served, serve each other.
Two incentives for being humble. v. 5b. “God opposes the proud” nothing could be sores that to have All-Mighty God is against you.
v. 5b. “God gives grace to the humble” Nothing could be better than to have All-Mighty God be gracious to you.
Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 4:7-19 Living in Light of the End
Context: Believers can stand firm like exiles in a godless & hostile culture Ch 3b-4. Be ready to suffer for righteousness
Exposition v. 7. “The end of all things is at hand” The NT understands that Jesus’ ministry, life, and death have inaugurated the last days. We are living in the last days now. Jesus could return at any moment of any day.
The end is near, how should we should live? What should we do?
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Pray seriously (7) – “be self-controlled and sober-minded” a. Do not panic about these times. b. Depend on God in these times.
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Love sacrificially (8) “Above all, keep loving…” a. With a love that forgives. “Love covers a multitude of sins.”
b. With hospitality (9) - open your home, share your food, your space, your time
c. With serving through spiritual gifts (10)
v. 11. Peter gives them in two categories: • Speaking: Apostleship, Prophecy, Teaching, Tongues, Exhortation Speak to each other with God’s Word – not our own “wisdom” • Serving: Giving, Leading, Mercy, Helps, Healing, Miracles i. Serve each other with God’s strength
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Glorify God in everything (11) – our goal and motivation “To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. – 1 Cor 10:31
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Persevere in suffering
6 Reasons to keep on rejoicing in suffering a. Suffering is not a surprise but God’s plan (12) i. God uses suffering to test or “prove” his people.
b. You are united with Christ (13) You suffer with him; you will rejoice in his glory at his coming.
c. You are blessed with His Spirit (14a) – God has not left you. Suffering is NOT a sign of God’s absence, but his presence.
Do not suffer for sin (15)
d. Rejoicing in suffering glorifies God (16)
e. God uses suffering for our good (17-19) Suffering is God’s judgment of his house Suffering provokes us to make a clean break with sin (cf 4:1)
God uses suffering to purify us, but the world will suffer God’s punishment. If God purifies the church by his judgment, Then his judgment of unbelievers will have terrible consequences.
When we suffer, we trust God, while continuing to do good. (19)
God’s Calling to His People What kind of radical life does God call us to in these last days? How can you make your life count now? • Pray seriously – we have to prioritize prayer o Make prayer a first response, not a last resort. • Love sacrificially o Forgive. Share your life. Serve each other. • Glorify God in everything o We must think differently than the world, my life is “glory to God” • Persevere in suffering o God uses suffering in our lives for our good, purifying us. o He has not left us in suffering; His Spirit rests on us.
Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 4:1-6 Prepare for Suffering
Context: Encouragement for believers: stand firm as exiles in a godless & hostile culture Ch 1. We have real & living hope in Christ, so we • Rejoice in suffering & Live holy lives Ch 2. God formed us into His new people who • Love one another & Live as God’s dwelling Ch 3. God calls us to live righteous lives • Honoring authority & Loving each other Ch 3b-4. Be ready to suffer for righteousness
Exposition v. 1. God calls us through Peter to arm ourselves, prepare for suffering. What kind of suffering? Asceticism? Suffering to gain righteousness? No, the suffering that can come from righteousness. But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed (3:14)
Peter gives us 5 Ways to Arm Ourselves for Suffering. The picture is of a soldier preparing for battle. “Arm yourselves with Christ’s thinking” Arming ourselves prepares us and protects for the fight.
- Remember Christ’s suffering – v. 1a “Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh…” Christ suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God. (3:18) Our Lord and Savior suffered for OUR sins, not his own, to reconcile us to God. Peter says to think about suffering like Jesus thought about suffering. Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfector of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Heb 12:2) Jesus saw suffering as the path to joy and triumph.
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Make a clean break from sin – v. 1b “whoever has suffered… has ceased from sin” For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. (Rom 6:14) Jesus has broken sin’s dominion over you through his suffering. God calls you out of sin and into a life of goodness and purity.
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Recognize sin is a waste of life–v.3.“time that is past suffices doing what Gentiles do” You spent too much time already in sin – and it was a wasted life. A wasted life: “sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, idolatry.” “For the wages of sin is death” (Rom 6:23a) Don’t waste your life continuing in sin.
v. 4. Their response when you do not join them in sin: “surprised” & “malign you.” Their response requires our patience, not our judgment nor
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God will Judge the living and the dead – v.5 “but they will give an account to him” On that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus. (Rom 2:16) God made a way for forgiveness & salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
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We will triumph over death – v. 6. Difficult verse to understand. “The gospel was preached even to those who are now dead.” Who are the dead? Most likely: the dead are those who heard the gospel and believed, but then died.
Some argued: if I live in sin or live as a Christian, we both die, so what does it matter? It matters because Christians will be raised to life. As in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. (1 Cor 15:22)
Arm yourself for suffering. Think about suffering like Jesus did. 1) Remember Christ’s suffering – suffering for righteousness: path to joy & triumph 2) Make a clean break from sin – sin is no longer your master 3) Recognize sin is a waste of life – don’t waste another minute on sin 4) God will judge – the living and the dead will give an account 5) We will triumph over death – death and suffering will not be our end, but triumph
God’s Calling: The world NEEDS believers who CHOOSE to suffer for righteousness. Not some self-righteous attitude; but a REAL, authentic, distinct, Christ-exalting life.
God’s grace for us in salvation is so significant, so life-changing that… 1) we can rejoice in suffering and 2) live holy lives.
God has formed us into His New People (1:22-2:8). A people who… 1) Love one another, 2) Long for God’s word, 3) Live as God’s dwelling
1 Peter 2:9-12 Living as God’s People: Privileged and Purposed We are a Privileged People • Chosen, holy, claimed by God We are a Purposed People • To declare God’s praise in life and worship to an unbelieving world.
- We are a Privileged People (2:9-10) v. 9. “But you” Unlike those who do not believe, who stumble over Jesus Christ as God’s means of salvation. You (all) are:
1) A chosen race a) Isaiah prophecy: God promised a 2nd exodus of his people out of Babylon.
Isaiah 43:19-21 19 Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. 20 The wild beasts will honor me, the jackals and the ostriches, for I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, to give drink to my chosen people, 21 the people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise.
b) Isaiah prophesied God would call his chosen people out of exile in Babylon. c) In a greater sense, He has chosen and called his church out of the world.
2) A royal priesthood, a holy nation a) Peter quotes God’s words to Moses on Mt Sinai, as God covenants with Israel
Exodus 19:6 5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; 6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.” 3) A royal priesthood a) As priests, reflect God’s glory and make known his gospel to the world.
4) A holy nation a) We are to live righteously, rebuffing the wickedness of the world.
5) A people for his own possession a) God claims us as his own – twice over: i) God formed us for himself (Isa 43:20) and ii) ransomed us by Christ’s blood (1Pe 1:18).
6) We Are a People of Purpose a) To declare God’s praise in life and worship and evangelism. i) God has called us on out the darkness of sin and death. ii) and into his wonderful light – beauty & glory of our new life in Christ
v. 10. Peter quotes from the OT prophet Hosea. 7) We are formed into God’s people by God’s mercy. 1. Israel had wandered away from God, chasing after idols. 2. But God pledged to have mercy on them and form them again as his people.
Peter’s focus shifts from the relationships believers have with each other to the relationships they have with a hostile, unbelieving world. Peter calls us to live such exemplary lives that unbelievers take notice.
v. 11 II. Life as at War Peter warns them their sinful passions wage war against their souls. And if they don’t fight against sin, they will lose their witness to unbelievers. As a chosen, holy people, we must fight against our own sin.
v. 12. III. Life as Witnesses The good works of believers are intended for mission, that those who do not believe, will see our lives and turn to God so that he may call them out of darkness and into his marvelous light.
We are God’s Privileged People – chosen and holy, priests, belonging to God. We are God’s Purposed People - to declare God’s praise in life & wors
In God’s great salvation we have a promised inheritance of eternal life w/God. So we can rejoice in suffering and live holy lives. Even as exiles in a hostile land.
Peter’s letter now changes form the individual to the community of faith. I. Live as the People of God 1) Love one another (1:22-25) 2) Long for God’s word (2:1-3) 3) Live as God’s dwelling (2:4-8)
1 Peter 1:22-2:8 1. Love One Another (1:22-25) a. The gospel has enabled you to love one another purely (22-25) i. You were purified by obedience to the truth (22) 1. You were converted when you believed the gospel 2. It purified you from cold-hearted indifference toward others
ii. You were born again into eternal life by the word of God (23-25) 1. You were born into sinful flesh (perishable seed) 2. You were born again into the imperishable – the spirit a. Enabled by the living & abiding word of God
- Long for God’s Word (2:1-3) a. Like a newborn longs for milk (2a)
b. The word of God leads to growth into salvation (2b)
c. Put aside attitudes and actions that poison community (1) i. Malice, Deceit, Hypocrisy, Envy, Slander
d. The taste of God’s goodness at salvation makes you long for more (3) i. Kindness, loving self-sacrifice, beauty, majesty, forgiving,
- Live as God’s dwelling (2:4-8) a. God is building you into a spiritual house and holy priesthood (5) i. You are like living stones (5)
- Because of your faith in Jesus, his life is your new life
- The church is God’s new temple.
- The physical temple pointed a greater one
ii. Jesus is a living stone (4), 1. Jesus is ever-living – eternal, resurrected 2. Rejected by men (4b) a. Religious leaders despised him and crucified him 3. Chosen and precious to God (4c) a. God made him the cornerstone by raising him to life
iii. Jesus is the cornerstone (6) 1. Laid by God as the cornerstone to shape and uphold his church
iv. We who hope in him will receive honor with Jesus Christ (6,7) v. Those who do not believe will stumble over Jesus as salvation (8)
The recipients of the letter are facing similar rejection as Jesus: Rejected by men, but chosen and precious to God.
b. Offer spiritual, acceptable sacrifices to God through Jesus Christ (5b) i. Praise God’s name 1. That people around the world will join in worshipping him ii. Do good, be generous toward others
15 Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. 16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. - Hebrews 13:15-16 I. Live as the People of God 1) Love one another (1:22-25) • The gospel enables you to love purely 2) Long for God’s word (2:1-3) • You’ve had a taste of his goodness, long for more 3) Live as God’s dwelling (2:4-8) • Praise his name, do good
In God’s great salvation we have a promised inheritance of • Eternal (imperishable, undefiled, unfading) • Life (born again to a living hope, secured by Christ’s resurrection) • With God (kept in heaven, God’s realm)
Our Promised Inheritance: Because of the hope of eternal life, we rejoice, even in suffering. “The glory will be greater than our suffering.” Because of the hope of eternal life, we live holy lives. “Our lives are transformed from futility to holiness.”
1 Peter 1:13-20 – Called to Be Holy v. 13. “Therefore” – The grace of God has come to us; our lives are transformed. God’s commands are always rooted in his grace.
- Set your hope completely on Jesus Christ (13), We have received grace upon grace from Jesus – forgiveness, reconciliation with God, removal of our sin, new life, rescued from the dominion darkness…. When he comes again, it will be with more grace to complete our sanctification.
a. By changing your thinking (13) We have to think differently about what is important, what we value.
We can waste our lives living like the world. Or we can live fruitful lives of holiness like our heavenly Father.
- Devote yourself to holiness (14-16). Do not give in to former passions v. 14. “Children”- We have become children of God through faith in Jesus Christ. We are a new people, with a new relationship with our Father. With renewed minds, set on holiness instead of sin.
v. 15. God is holy, so we shall be holy. The Christian life is not passive. Sinful desires still beckon and tempt us to depart from God. Relying on God’s strength, we must choose what is pleasing to God over sin. Contrast: vv. 14-15. We are children of God, called to be holy like our Father. Vs. 18 You inherited from (pagan) forefathers futile (useless) way of life. We are to change from old passions to new thinking and living in holiness.
We are exiles, a people of God, called to separate ourselves from the evil desires of the world and live in a way that pleases God.
- Live in reverent fear of God (17) v. 17. Peter mingles God’s role as our Father, but also as the Judge of all mankind. He is both, our perfectly loving Father and a just Judge.
We live holy lives to please God as our Father. We live holy lives because we respect God as Judge.
God will judge everyone’s works; for believers, it will be for reward. “Throughout the time of your exile” - We don’t belong here, won’t be here long.
v. 18. a. Because we were redeemed by Christ’s precious blood (18-19) Jesus paid the price for our new life with the price of his own.
“like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.” Jesus’ death was like… • The Passover Lamb (Ex 12) whose blood spares others from the wrath of God, • The Suffering Servant (Isa 53) who was led to the slaughter and bore the sins of many, and • The spotless lambs whose death takes away sin. These were a foreshadowing of Jesus Christ. His death is greater and completes them all.
a. His atoning work was destined by God for us before history began (20) “foreknown” God planned to redeem us before the creation of the world. Jesus lived with the Father and Spirit for all eternity past. Jesus was revealed for your sake in this time.
Author: Peter, one of the 12 apostles wrote the letter. Purpose: to encourage believers to stand firm amid suffering. Recipients: churches in Asia Minor facing persecution.
How can Christians have joy while they are grieving in trials?
1 Peter 1:1-12 – Born Again to a Living Hope V. 1. Peter writes to “elect”, people chosen by God. “Exiles” can also be “strangers” or “sojourners” – “dispersed” in Asia Minor.
I. God has chosen us as his people. (1) God chose us and calls us his very own.
II. This world is not our home. Heaven is our true home. (1) We are exiles, strangers, sojourners here.
V. 2. Salvation by our Triune God. • The foreknowledge of the Father. God’s sovereign and initiating act. • The sanctification of the Spirit. The Spirit makes us holy. • The sprinkling of Jesus’ blood. His sacrifice brought cleansing & forgiveness.
III. We will receive a promised inheritance. (3-5) v. 3. He caused us to be born again into a living hope. • A living hope, through Christ’s resurrection. (3) • An imperishable inheritance – eternity in heaven (4) • Full salvation, guarded by God (5) Our tears will not last long, a great reward is laid up for those who are faithful.
IV. So we rejoice in suffering (6-9) • Though now our trials bring grief (6) • They serve to test and prove our faith (7) • And result in praise, glory, and honor (7)
“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” (2 Cor 4:17)
Life as sojourners here is not easy, but by God’s grace, our lives are filled with joy.
V. And are filled with joy and love for Jesus Christ (8) v. 9. Because the outcome of our faith, our salvation is coming.
VI. We rejoice because we live in the age of the fulfillment of the promises of Christ. (10-12)
v. 10. The prophets searched and inquired about the salvation we know.
v. 11. They inquired what person or time the Spirit predicted of Christ’s sufferings and glories. They realized their prophesies were for a future people.
v. 12. Even angels long to look into these things.
- God has chosen us as his people (1)
- This world is not our home (1)
- We will receive a promised inheritance (3-5)
- So we rejoice in suffering (6-9)
- And are filled with joy and love for Christ (8)
- We rejoice in the age of fulfillment of God’s promises (10-12)
Jonah acts like the priest and the Levite who pass by the the wounded man in the parable of the Good Samaritan: self-absorbed and indifferent
Luke 10:25-29 v. 25. Question – a test from a lawyer: “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” What is eternal life? People think: forever. But it’s more than that, eternal life is life WITH God, full and abundant.
v. 26. Where does Jesus turn for the most important answer to the most important question? To the most important book ever written, the Bible.
V. 27. Lawyer answers from the OT: “Love God w/all heart, soul, strength, mind.” This is the shema’ from Deut 6:5. “and your neighbor as yourself” Lev 19:18
v. 28. Correct. “Do this and you will live.” The lawyer knows the answer, but did he live the right answer? We know there is a massive difference between knowing right and living right. How many times do we know we should reach out, give, say something, but don’t?
v. 29. “To justify himself….” He felt good about his answer, but not his life. The lawyer was looking to limit the range of people he must love. He may be thinking, who deserves my love?
Luke 10:29-35 vv. 29-35 Themes in the parable: - The brokenness and sinfulness of the world (30) - The emptiness of religion without love (31-32) - Racism and prejudice in society (33) - Real love in sacrifice and risk (34-35)
v. 30. The brokenness and sinfulness of the world The man was robbed, stripped, beaten, and left half-dead.
vv. 31-32. The emptiness of religion without love A priest and Levite came down the same road, they serve at the temple. We would expect that these pious men would help. But they pass by the man on the other side. They AVOID the wounded man. How cold, to avoid a man so desperate for help.
v. 33. Racism and prejudice in society A Samaritan – considered enemies of Jews, of mixed race, mixed religion. Jesus’ use of the Samaritan as the good guy in the story is shocking.
The Samaritan reflects the lengths to which love for neighbor will go. He treats the injured Jewish man not as an enemy, but as a neighbor, as his own.
Real love in sacrifice and risk. The Good Samaritan - Saw the brokenness of the injured man (33) - Came to him in compassion (33) - Demonstrated love by binding his wounds (34) - Carried him to safety (34) - Paid the price for his care (35)
Jesus defines neighbor as anyone of any race or religion who is in need.
Jesus is the One Who is fully “other” from us. • In him the fullness of God dwells. (Col 2:9) • He is the image of the invisible God. (Col 1:15)
Jesus Christ is the greater neighbor who - Sees our brokenness in sin - Comes to us in compassion - Demonstrates God’s love for us by giving his life - Pays the price for our salvation - Reconciles us to God & each other, bringing an end to racism - Is coming again to receive us into eternal life
Luke 10:36-37 v. 36. Which of these proved to be a neighbor? The one who showed mercy. “You go, and do likewise.”
Chapters 1 & 2 – Jonah acts like the prodigal son who ran from his Father in disobedience (Lk 15:11-24). • An act of rebellion – Jonah disobeyed God’s call o God said go to Nineveh, Jonah went 180 degrees the other way • An act of mistrust – Jonah did not trust God’s goodness o Jonah did not believe it was good to warn Nineveh
Chapters 3 & 4 – Jonah acts like the older brother who was angry at his father for his mercy toward sinners (Lk 15:25-32). • An attitude of self-righteousness o He believed only his people were “worthy” of God’s grace.
Jonah acts like the priest and the Levite who pass by the the wounded man in the parable of the Good Samaritan (Lk 10:29-37). • An attitude of comfortable self-absorption • An attitude of indifference toward others
One God Who Abounds in Compassion • God pursues the rebel o “The Lord hurled a great wind… appointed a great fish” (Jonah 1:4, 17) o “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced” (Lk 15:20) • God invites the self-righteous into his acts of grace o “Arise, go to Nineveh…” (Jonah 3:2) o “His father came out and entreated him.” (Lk 15:28b) • God shows the self-absorbed and indifferent their need for change. o “Should I not pity the 120,000 [lost] persons” (Jonah 4:11) o “He said, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘You go, and do likewise.’” (Lk 10:37)
Can God save the rebel who runs from God? Can He cure the self-righteous attitude that looks down on “others”? Can he heal a comfortable, self-absorbed heart, that is indifferent to “others”?
Philippians 2:3-11 Christ’s Example of Humility Jesus is wholly other from us. He is eternal and glorious.
Jesus himself is the One Who is wholly “other” from us. • In him the fullness of God dwells. (Col 2:9) • He is the image of the invisible God.(Col 1:15) • He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature (Heb 1:3)
Yet, he emptied (and humbled) himself to be like us: fragile, mortal. He humbled himself further to be a servant. He humbled himself further to die in our place. He humbled himself further to die in shame on a cross.
Can God save the rebel who runs from God? • Christ came to to give his life as a ransom for yours, • that you might be reconciled to your Father. No one is beyond his reach.
Can He cure the self-righteous attitude that looks down on “others”? • He came as wholly “other”, different from you to show you that you can not save yourself.
Can he heal a comfortable, self-absorbed heart, that is indifferent to “others”? • Christ came precisely because God will NOT be comfortable and indifferent while his children are lost. • God took drastic and costly action to demonstrate his love for you. • He gave us a perfect example to follow.
Jesus finished the parable of the Good Samaritan this way… Luke 10:36-37 36 Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?"37 He said, "The one who showed him mercy." And Jesus said to him, "You go, and do likewise."
Previously: God abounds in mercy and grace to sinners. • God was merciful to the mariners, saving them from the storm. • God was merciful to Jonah, saving him from the sea. • God was merciful to Nineveh, warning them of disaster so he could save them from it.
Jonah 4:1-4 V.1. Nineveh’s repentance led God to respond in mercy God’s mercy led Jonah to respond in displeasure and anger. Jonah was angry precisely because God was merciful, literally hated what God had done.
If Jonah ended with chapter 3, Jonah would be one of the greatest prophets. A whole nation repented at his preaching, instead he’s angry, lit., “burning”. What an odd response, over the top, shocking.
Why was Jonah angry at God’s mercy toward Nineveh? Maybe this threatened Jonah’s: 1. Prosperity. Maybe because Assyria was a threat to Israel? How could God prosper Israel and be merciful to her enemy? 2. Pride. Maybe because Jonah’s prophecy of Nineveh’s fall would be wrong. How could God relent of his word of judgment? 3. Popularity. Maybe he would return to Israel far less popular. Jonah previously prophesied prosperity for Israel. What would they think of him if God used him to show mercy to their enemy. 4. Identity. Maybe he saw only Israel as “worthy” of God’s mercy. Nationalism/racism.
You must give up your small, self-centered mission.
Jonah’s anger reveals his heart: • He is cold toward others. (Did not care if a whole city of gentiles was destroyed) • He is short-sided in vision. (Pouted instead of rejoicing at sinners turning from sin) • He is self-centered in nationalism or racism. (Wanted God to bless Israel, not “others”) • He is selfish in desiring God to serve him. (I or me used 9 times in Heb in 3 verse prayer)
Jonah and his God had vastly different motives. God used Jonah to bring an entire city to repentance, but Jonah found no joy in it. How many times does our selfishness rob us of the joy of being part of God’s great mission? We do not give to mission because we want to spend all we have on ourselves. We miss the blessing of serving another because we’re too busy. We miss the blessing of deeper relationship because people don’t fit in our schedule.
You must give yourself to God’s greater mission.
V. 2a. God’s great character. Jonah quoted from Ex 34 when God showed Moses his glory. Jonah’s heart: cold, short-sided, self-centered, selfish. God’s heart: • Gracious – his attitude toward us, to do good for us when we do not deserve it. • Merciful - compassionate • Slow to anger – patient with us • Abounding in love – pledged love, loyal love
These are startling and unsettling verses. Jonah’s theology is right. He knows God‘s word. He knows God’s character. But it never changed his heart. Good theology, bad heart. It is not enough to know God; we must be changed by him.
It is possible to know the Word and the character God in your head, yet not experience a change of heart. You must let God change your heart.
Jonah uses the Scriptures to justify his sin and selfishness. If we feel more righteous as we read the Bible, we are misreading it. Reading the Bible rightly humbles us, corrects wrong attitudes It encourages us with God’s grace, mercy and patience despite our flaws.
V. 3. “Take my life. It is better for me to die” He had no desire to go on. If he had to choose b/n loyalty to God and loyalty to Israel, Jonah was ready to push God away. Jonah’s problem is that there is something he values more than God. When we care more about our interests than the good and salvation of others, we are sinning.
You must tear down what is more valuable to you than God.
V. 4. “Do you do well to be angry?” Is it good for you to be angry? What is your anger accomplishing? – you must give it up. God could have rejected Jonah, instead, in grace, he asks Jonah to think about his attitude.
Previously: We can either be amazed by grace or forfeit God’s grace by clinging to idols
Jonah 3:1-5 Jonah Goes to Nineveh vv.. 1-2. “Second time” – God gives Jonah a second chance at his commission. God gives us countless second chances – b/c his compassion is boundless. But there will be an end to this time of God’s favor for the lost.
v. 2. Jonah’s mission was to give the message to the Ninevites that God gave him. The Word of God is the essential part of our message. It is not one we made up. We receive the Word of God and we pass it on to others.
v. 3. Jonah went – he did not run. This is a somewhat different person than chapter 1. Jonah repented – to repent means to turn or return – from disobedience to obedience. Jonah has learned many lessons – but we will see his discipleship is not complete.
3-days journey in breadth – perhaps meaning Jonah’s visit was a 3-day event, a large city.
v. 4. “40 days and Nineveh shall be overthrown” – a simple message of God’s wrath. Does not say why, who, or what to do. God’s message was probably more than recorded.
v. 5. “The people believed God… fasted” – Jonah was not laughed at or beaten. The people believed and began fasting – greatest to least. Against all expectations, the powerful, violent city of Nineveh put on sackcloth in repentance.
“The greatest miracle in the book is the turning of a nation to God.” – Frank Page
Jonah 3:6-10 The People of Nineveh Repent v. 6. The king heard and took a posture of grief and repentance – sackcloth and ashes.
vv. 7-8. He called for – a national fast / sackcloth / prayer to God / turning from evil
Each individual was called upon to turn from his own evil. “From the violence in his hands” – Nineveh was known for its violence against other nations. Their evil turned inward, toward each other.
“Social breakdown, the economic and political “devouring” of one another is actually the outworking of God’s wrath.”
It may be that the repentance “from the greatest of them to the least” (v5) shows the beginning of a reconciliation of the different hierarchies of society.
v. 10. “God saw… how they turned from evil He relented of the disaster.” God responded to mercy. God was merciful to the mariners, saving them from the storm. God was merciful to Jonah, saving him from the sea. God was merciful to Nineveh, warning them of disaster so he could save them from it.
Were the Ninevites saved? Not likely. There is “believing God” for his wrath. There is a turning from sin, but there is not a trusting God for salvation. Salvation requires faith and atoning sacrifice.
God abounds in mercy and grace to sinners. He warns us of his anger and wrath against sin. He gives opportunity to repent and turn to him to receive grace.
Previously: God loves people of all races and religions, but Jonah’s heart is cold toward others
Jonah 1:17 A Great Fish Swallows Jonah Some people view the account of the fish as something not meant to be believed. But Jesus accepted the account of Jonah as historic.
40 For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41 The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here. – Matt 12:40-41
“The Lord appointed a great fish” – God stirred up the ocean, the wind, now a fish. God is acting sovereignly over his creation to accomplish his will. If you believe in the virgin birth & resurrection, believe that God appointed a fish.
God will use this fish for his purposes: To rescue Jonah from drowning To return Jonah to the place to renew his commission To teach Jonah that he too needs the grace of God
“The belly of a fish is not a happy place to live, but it is a good place to learn.” -RT Kendall
Jonah 2:1-10 Jonah’s Prayer v. 1. His prayer is mostly giving thanks to God for rescuing him from drowning.
v. 2. “I called to the Lord… he answered me.” See v. 7 – Jonah called out when he was in trouble, when his life was fainting. And God heard him – even this rebellious prophet.
v. 3 Jonah learns he is guilty and deserving of God’s judgment. (3) “You cast me into the deep…” “Your waves and billows passed over me.”
v. 4. “I am driven from your sight” – Jonah ran from God’s presence. God let Jonah feel far away from him, though God never let him go.
Jonah learns he can turn back to the God of grace. (2,4) “yet I shall again look on your temple”.
Now return to the Lord your God, For He is gracious & compassionate, Slow to anger, abounding in love – Joel 2:13
‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, “Return to Me,” declares the Lord of hosts, “that I may return to you,” says the Lord of hosts – Zech 1:3
If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored. – Job 22:23
“Grace is God drawing us sinners closer and closer to himself.” -JI Packer, Knowing God
vv. 5-6 Jonah learns he is hopeless to save himself. (5,6) “Waters closed in over me…Deep surrounded me…Bars closed upon me forever” Jonah was sinking into the deep and he could not save himself.
Jonah’s descension –Jonah drove himself deeper into a pit. Jonah went: “down to Joppa” (1:3a), “down to a ship” (1:3b) “down to the bottom of the ship” (1:5) “down to the bottom of the sea” (2:6)
v. 7. “My life was fainting away…I remembered the Lord…my prayer came to you” There, at the bottom, you lose misconceptions of self-sufficiency.
We hope for some people that they will “hit bottom” and change. It is not hitting bottom that changes us. But finding God there that changes us.
In the dark, alone with God, he comes to himself – like the prodigal son. “You never realize that Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you have.”
v. 8. “Those who cling to worthless idols forsake their hope of love.” Jonah learns that clinging to idols forfeits the grace of God. (8)
v. 9. Jonah remembers that God saves by extreme and costly measures. (9) See v. 7 – “your holy temple” where costly sacrifices were made, and God showed mercy.
“Salvation belongs to the Lord!” It is a proclamation, a declaration, an exclamation. God saves him, lifts him out of the pit.
People talk about God’s love, but few are actually changed by it. 1. I am a sinner worthy of God’s judgment 2. I am helpless to save myself. 3. God saves by extreme and costly measures.
Last week: Jonah’s rebellion – he ran from God’s presence But God sent a storm – Goth in judgment of Jonah’s sin - And in mercy – God won’t let Jonah go
Jonah reacts to God’s calling with utter rebellion: called east, went west. His rebellion is shocking – showed no regard for God, nor for people.
God created all people in his image. He cares deeply for people of all races & religions. He cares how believers treat other people.
Jonah 1:4-6 The Storm of Judgment and Mercy v. 4. Notice how Jonah’s sin affected the people around him. Sin has real consequences. Not only for you, but for your family, work, church.
v. 5. The mariners prayed and worked for the good of all the people on board. They tried to save the ship and lives. And they prayed – all while Jonah slept!
v. 6. “Arise, call out to your God.” The captain asks Jonah to pray also. “Arise, …call” are the same words God spoke to Jonah in v. 2. God sent Jonah to point pagans to God. But this pagan is pointing Jonah to God. The pagans act more righteously than God’s prophet.
App: Are you cold or committed to the good of others? Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan in Lk 10:25-37 The moral of the story: 1. My neighbor is anyone of any race or religion who is in need. 2. Christ-like is costly & practical action to meet my neighbor’s needs. Jonah is opposite of the good Samaritan, shows no concern or mercy for others.
Jonah 1:7-16 Jonah Is Thrown into the Sea v. 7. Mariners believe the storm is supernatural: ‘some god is angry at somebody.’ They cast lots to see whose fault this is – Jonah. v. 8. They question Jonah to determine what to do. On whose account this evil? 1. What is your occupation? – purpose 2. Where are you from/country? – people 3. Who are your people? – race Questions of identity: what is your purpose, place and race?
v. 9 Jonah answers the last question first, “I am a Hebrew.” Jonah is wrapped up in his race and the race of others. Then answers about his purpose: “I fear the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land.” This trouble is from Yahweh, the God Who reigns in heaven, created land & sea.
Does Jonah fear God? He ran when God called him. Jonah had to choose b/n his people and the Word of God; he chose his people. He showed greater loyalty to his race than toward his God.
App: Whose are you? Your identity is wrapped up in what you worship. People can find their identity in money, material things, business success, their talents or attractiveness, their acceptance by others.
Many Christians’… relationship with God has not gone deep enough into their heart. [That is] why professing Christians can be racists and greedy materialists, addicted to beauty and pleasure, or filled with anxiety and prone to overwork. All this comes because it is not Christ’s love but the world’s power, approval, comfort, and control that are the real root of our identity. – Timothy Keller, Prodigal Prophet
We were created to find our identity & significance in the One Whose image we bear.
App: The God You Can Trust. v. 12. “Hurl me into the sea… for you” The greatest love is a substitutionary, sacrificing love.
Jonah offers to be thrown overboard to take responsibility for God’s wrath. He is beginning to think about other people. “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” -Jn 15:13
Jonah was a shadow, a type of Christ. Except he was punished for his own sin. Jesus was innocent yet took on the full punishment of God as our substitute. The God who substitutes himself to suffer in your place, you can trust him.
Jonah – a prophet to the Northern Kingdom of Israel Time: During the reign of Jeroboam II (793-753 B.C.) Material prosperity in Israel: regained lost territory, as Jonah prophesied. But spiritual and moral decay as the nation moved away from God to idolatry. Hosea & Amos - contemporary prophets called Israel to repent. God’s judgment will come in a generation: the Assyrians will destroy Israel 30 years after Jeroboam II’s reign.
Jonah 1:1-6 Jonah Flees the Presence of the Lord v. 1. “The word of the Lord came to Jonah…” typical for a book of prophecy. v. 2. “Arise, go to Nineveh” – NOT typical – God sent prophets to Israel and Judah. Unlikely Mission: Assyrians were brutal: torture, dismembering, decapitations. Israel had paid heavy tribute to the Assyrians under King Jehu. Why would God warn the Assyrians and give them an opportunity to repent?
v. 3 Unlikely Emissary: Jonah fled from the presence of the Lord. The Lord called Jonah east over land to Nineveh Jonah headed west by sea to Tarshish, (in modern Spain). Jonah had prophesied about Israel’s prosperity in 2 Ki He wanted no part in prophesying to Israel’s enemy.
Why Jonah fled. 1. He doubted the goodness of God. How could God send Jonah to an enemy of God’s people? If we hold to the idea that everything that we go through must make sense to us, we may flee from God too.
A bad report from the doctor. A relationship ends. A financial black hole. When life doesn’t make sense, God calls us to trust him. He demonstrated his love once & for all when he sent his son to die in your place. You can trust God; he intends good for you. He is for you.
- He ignored the mercy of God for himself. In Chs. 1&2 Jonah acts like the prodigal son in Jesus’ parable. He runs from his father but returns repentant.
In Chs. 3&4 Jonah acts like the older brother in the parable. He is angry at his father’s mercy toward a repentant sinner. Both doubted the goodness of their father.
“The problem facing Jonah [is] the mystery of God’s mercy. It is a theological problem, but it is at the same time a heart problem. Unless Jonah can see his own sin and see himself as living wholly by the mercy of God, he will never understand how God can be merciful to evil people and still be just and faithful.” – Timothy Keller, The Prodigal Prophet
We can be like the older brother, believing we have earned God’s favor. That is pride and the deceitfulness of sin. Instead of “Jesus paid it all” it says, “I have done it all.”
How to know you’re missing the mercy of God for yourself – not forgiving others. Heart is cold toward those who are not like you.
v. 4. “The Lord hurled a great wind on the sea…” Jonah does not get very far with his rebellion. “God never allows his children to sin successfully”. – Charles Spurgeon
Sin brings trouble. That’s not to say that all trouble is the result of sin. But every sin will bring trouble – perhaps not right away, but over time. “All sin has a storm attached to it.” – Timothy Keller
God created us to live for him more than anything else, for his glory. When we build our lives on something else, we go against the grain of our design.
Christians have the promise that God uses storms for our good. What Jonah could not know, was that within the terror of the storm was the God who would not let him go. God was drawing him back from his rebellion.
We know what Jonah could not God’s salvation came through weakness, suffering, and apparent defeat. There is mercy deep inside our storms.
Our impact on the next generation will live beyond us. Whether your own kids or those that you teach, coach, influence. We are all leaving a legacy.
Leaving a lasting legacy recap: Trust the Lord to build your home. Saturate it with a love for God & with his word. Unless the Lord build the house, those who build it labor in vain. (Ps 127:1) Trust the Lord to re-make your heart. Your kids will inherit your heart. The Lord looks on the heart. (1 Sam 16:7) Use your strength to serve others. We need to ask, “Who can I help? What can I do?” Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. (Eph 5:21) Unmet desires cause quarrels and fights. We need to take our discontent to God. What causes quarrels and fights among you? Is it not your passions within you? (Jas 4:1) Accept and provide loving discipline. God disciplines us in love; we should discipline in love. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves. (Heb 12:6a) Model Good Works Paul wrote this letter to Titus. Titus was a Greek convert to Christianity. He went with Paul on his 3rd missionary journey. Paul commissioned Titus to lead the church on Crete. Titus 2:7-8 7 “Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, 8 and sound speech that cannot be condemned.” – Titus 2:7-8a 1. Model good works It is not enough to teach what is good. We must do what is good. You say people shouldn’t act out in anger. Are your actions angry or forgiving? You say people shouldn’t be greedy. Are your actions greedy or generous? You say people shouldn’t be jealous. Are your actions jealous or content? What would your husband/wife/children/friends say?
Paul says to Timothy, be an example of good works, model good works. What good works? “Good works” are different from the world – distinctly Christian – gracious, generous, selfless. • Not like false teachers “profess to know God, but they deny him by their works.” 1:16 • “Let our people devote themselves to good works, to help cases of urgent need. (3:14)
You teach more with your life than your words. Modeling always wins out over instruction. Your actions will echo into the next generation. They may forget what you say, but they will not forget what you do. 1. Model of good works. 2. Model integrity and dignity. a. Integrity – uncorrupted, sound, pure b. Dignity – serious, exhibiting a gravity Our clearest messages are sent during times of crisis. How do you respond when under pressure? When someone cuts you off on the road? When someone else receive recognition? When someone wrongs you? Don’t give in to anger, slander, unforgiveness, fears. Follow the lead of our Savior who did not open his mouth when he was accused. Show integrity and dignity under pressure and you will shape a generation. 1. Model good works. (Modeling wins out over instruction) 2. Model integrity and dignity. (Especially under pressure) 3. Model sound speech. (Speak what brings health) “Sound” means healthy, wholesome. Watch how you speak, not with cutting sarcasm, or slander or filthy language. Speak what builds up, speak what gives grace. Model good works, integrity and dignity, sound speech and you will shape a generation.
Response to God’s word: How well does your walk match your talk? What can you do differently this week? How do you usually respond under pressure? If you are angry, unforgiving, jealous; take those things to the Lord. He gave himself to redeem you and purify you for good works.
Sunday June28th ■ A Lasting Legacy • Trust the Lord to build your home. “Unless the Lord builds…” (Ps 127:1) • Trust the Lord to re-make your heart. “The Lord looks on the heart.” (1 Sam 16:7) • Use your strength to serve others. “Submit to one another.” (Eph 5:21) • Unmet desires cause quarrels and fights. “What causes quarrels and causes fights among you? Is it not your passions within you?” (James 4:1)
I Samuel 2:12-17 Eli’s Worthless Sons I Samuel 2:22-25 Eli Rebukes His Sons
■ God’s Discipline Against Eli’s Sons as Our Example ■ Set expectations ■ Gave warning ■ Stated consequences ■ Carried out discipline
Hebrews 12:5-11 5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. 6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” 7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
■ DISCIPLINE IS AN ACT OF LOVE
When we lovingly discipline our own children, or those we teach, coach, or influence, we need to understand that discipline does 2 things:
- It shows kids that you care about them
- It develops their ability to relate to other people and to God
■ THREE KINDS OF PARENTING • Permissive Parenting: Kids rule • Authoritarian Parenting: Tyrant rules • Authoritative Parenting: Parents in charge, but allow kids space for choices and mistakes (goal)
■ FOUR STAGES OF PARENTING (AND AGES) • Discipline Years (1-5) • Training Years (5-12) • Coaching Years (12-18) • Friendship Years (18+)
Our impact on the next generation will live beyond us. Whether your own kids or those that you teach, coach, influence. We are all leaving a legacy.
Leaving a lasting legacy: Trust the Lord to build your home. Saturate it with a love for God & with his word. Unless the Lord build the house, those who build it labor in vain. (Ps 127:1) Trust the Lord to re-make your heart. Your kids will inherit your heart. The Lord looks on the heart. (1 Sam 16:7) Use your strength to serve others. Who can I help? What can I do? Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. (Eph 5:21)
Every group of people struggle with conflict, whether family, work, church, or community. Conflicts arise over differences about what to do or how something should be done. Why? The Scriptures help us understand conflicts and where they come from.
James 4:1-3 Quarrels and Fights
Why? “Your passions are at war within you.” “Passions” in Gk is hedone – hād-don-ā’. Where our word ‘hedonism’ comes from. Here it means a selfish sinful desire or lust. Your lusts are at war within you. The quarrels and fights we have with other people outside are the result of wars within us.
Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. - 1 Peter 2:11
v. 2. James goes on to describe how the war within result in quarrels without. “You desire for what you do not have.” “You covet and cannot obtain.” James warns: envy for what we don’t have leads us to quarrels and fighting. Arguments, violence, conflict in families, churches, communities are from a war within us.
“You do not have because you do not ask.” God answers prayer. He gives abundantly. v. 3. Either you do not have because you do not ask. Or you do not receive because you ask with wrong motives – to spend our passions - lusts. God gives us what is good for us, what will give us real joy.
How does this play out? Lust for what you don’t have can ruin friendships. These can be lusts for a better job, a better marriage, a better house. These lust tear families and communities apart.
These lusts ruin legacy. They poison relationships. They are a cancer in communities. Two examples:
Lust for recognition. James may be writing about a power struggle in a church. (Wanted to be teachers 3:1) Some people wanted prominence and leadership but lacked the right kind of wisdom (3:13) The lust for recognition within causes strife, disunity and arguments in the church.
Lust for control. In marriage, a husband and wife argue over control of money or how to handle the kids. They argue or sulk or scream. Instead of loving submission and sacrifice, they become competitors, fighting for control. They cause each other to suffer because they aren’t getting their way. They begin blaming each other for their unhappiness. But their problem is not external, it’s internal. They have a greater desire to be in control than to be one. They cause each other to suffer because they aren’t getting their way.
Who is suffering because you aren’t getting your way? What do you want from them?
Acknowledge it: Are you envious of someone else’s gifts or position in life? Celebrate their success. Tell them that you are glad for their gifts, happy for their marriage.
Are you fighting for control in your marriage or work? Stop battling each other. Start battling for each other. Tell your spouse, “I don’t want to fight against you. I want to win with you.” Get to work on how you and your spouse can be one. The goal of marriage is not winning; it’s oneness.
Our impact on the next generation will live beyond us. Whether your own kids or those that you teach, coach, influence. We are all leaving a legacy.
Last week: 1 Samuel 16:1-7 “God Looks on the Heart” What’s in your heart has a great influence over you and spills out at home, work, church. God wants men and women who will allow him to shape and re-make their hearts.
Ephesians 5:21-33 These verses are a mixture of Jesus’ ministry to the church and husband /wife relationship. The commands are to husbands and wives, but Jesus is mentioned 10 times in 12 verses.
v. 25b-26. Jesus Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, to make her holy by cleansing her. By cleansing her, he removed her sin. By making her holy, he set her apart to God. v. 27. The goal of Christ’s sacrificial love and sanctifying work is to present the church to himself in splendor with no spot, wrinkle or blemish, but holy
The church presently has shortcomings and failures. You and I struggle with sin. But Jesus Christ has done everything necessary to make us holy. One day, when Jesus presents us, his church, to himself; these spots, wrinkles, blemishes of sin and failures will give way to splendor and glory.
What does Jesus’ loving and cleansing the church have to do with husbands and wives? Jesus used his authority to serve and provide for others’ needs ahead of his own. The gospel is powerful; it impacts every aspect of your life. It is whole life changing. The gospel is reflected in the relationships in the home between husbands/wives, parents/children, and in the church, it is reflected in relationships between believers.
What affect does the gospel have in relationships? It changes our focus, our goals, our purpose from being self-centered to others centered. “As Jesus loved me and gave himself up for me, how can I love you and use my strength, influence, and resources for you?”
Jesus used his power and authority to love and save others. Jesus did not use his power and authority to serve himself. Jesus has all authority – rightful power – over heaven and earth. Yet he submitted to his Father’s will and served us, his people, instead of himself.
v. 21. “Submit to one another” – This is Jesus’ command for the church. Why submit to each other? Because Jesus put your salvation ahead of his own life. Jesus gave us an example to follow in mutual submission.
These are God’s standards for the church and the family: Mutual submission, pouring our strength, influence, and resources into each other. Mutual submission says, “you are of no less value than me.”
v. 22. “Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord.” Why submit” Because Jesus Christ put your need for cleansing ahead of his own life.
v. 25. “Husbands love your wives (sacrificially)” Why love sacrificially? Because Jesus loved you and sacrificed himself for you.
v. 6:1 “Children obey your parents.” Why obey? Because Jesus obeyed his Father’s will to give his life for you.
Response:
If we would follow Jesus, we would ask our spouse, children, parents, younger generation, “How can I help?” PK speaker – 2 questions: “What do you need from me?” & “How am I doing?”
Who do you need to ask “How can I help?” Spouse? Child? Parent? Brother or sister in Christ?
Our impact on the next generation will live beyond us. Whether your own kids or those that you teach or disciple – or will one day. We are all leaving a legacy.
Last week: Psalm 127:1-5 Unless the Lord Builds the House those who labor build in vain. Unless God and his word are the primary influence over our homes, our parenting is in vain. God is the decisive builder & watcher. If we trust the Lord and saturate our lives and homes with his word, he will build our homes and watch over our communities.
1 Samuel 16:1-7 God Looks on the Heart V. 1. Samuel was judge, prophet, priest, and king-maker. He had anointed Israel’s first king, Saul. Saul disobeyed, so God is going to anoint a new king.
Vv. 3-5. God sent Samuel to Bethlehem to anoint on of Jesse’s sons.
V. 6. Samuel saw Eliab. He was tall and first born, looked like king material on the outside.
V. 7. But when God was ready to anoint a new king for Israel, he looked on the heart. When He sought a man to lead and influence his people, he didn’t look at height or looks.
The heart is more than center of emotion in Scripture – but also the will and thinking. God can see a man’s thoughts, his will, and his motivation. Man looks at the outside appearance, but God looks on the heart.
When God sought a leader – the man who would influence and guide Israel, He looked for someone with a heart that he could shape.
[God] raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.’ – Acts 13:22
The heart is the center of our will – what we want, what we value. God wants men and women who will allow him to re-make our hearts – our wants and values. God knows what we fail to: what’s inside us is more influential than our outside appearance. What’s in our hearts comes out in every environment- home, work, church, relationships.
Whether you realize it or not, your kids are will inherit what’s in your heart. Goodness, faithfulness, joy, patience. And… fear, racism, jealousy, anger. What’s in your heart comes out in your attitudes and actions. The environment of your home reflects the environment of the hearts who lead it.
God looks on the heart (1 Sam 16:7) God searches the heart (Jer 17:10) God tests the heart (Deut 8:2)
Two implications: 1. I am undone, laid bare, exposed – God knows your thoughts, fears, motivations. This is the God to whom we will all give an account. Nothing is hidden from him – even the things we keep hidden from everyone else.
- I need a change of heart – I need God to replace my sin-sick heart. If you don’t feel that way, it is because your sinful heart deceives you.
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” Jer 17:9
Response to God’s word: Are you angry? Having conversations with other people in your head? Struggling to forgive? Are you guilty? Have unconfessed sin in your heart? Need to reconcile with someone? Are you jealous? Have a hard time being content? Esp. when good things happen for others?
We need new hearts – and God has promised to give us new hearts.
“And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” Ezek 36.26
Mark 9:2-4. Look at the Glory of the Son of God. He is worthy of worship & devotion. v. 2. “Peter, James, and John” were with him as an inner circle as before.
“Mountains” were often a place where God revealed himself Moses on Mt Sinai, Elijah on Mt Horeb, Jesus on the mountain prayed, preached, was tempted, performed miracles, called his disciples, sent them on mission (Mt 28:16); prayed at Gethsemane on the Mt of Olives (14:32); was crucified on a hill called Calvary (15:22).
“Transfigured” means “changed” – his nature did not change. v. 3. He was outwardly changed. His appearance reflected his nature, unveiled. “His clothes became radiant”. Jesus’ deity was hidden, but for a moment was revealed. The Bible refers to the glory of God as shining out, “shekinah” in OT Hebrew. Jesus’ glory shines through the veil of his humanity.
v. 4 Why Moses and Elijah? • Both were great deliverers of Israel. o Moses delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt o Elijah delivered Israel from the worship of the false gods of Baal • Both stood on a mountain and received the word of God o Moses received the OT law there o Elijah received the word of God in encouragement. • Both ministries of the law and prophets pointed to Jesus o Their word and work are fulfilled in Jesus • Both are mentioned the Day of the Lord” prophecy in Malachi 4:4-6 o God tells the Jews to remember the law of Moses o He will send Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord
Jesus is the greater Moses who has delivered his people eternal bondage “He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness” (Col 1:13) “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law” (Gal 3:13)
Mark 9:5-6. Listen to the Words of the Son of God. His gospel alone brings salvation. vv. 5-6. “Three tents” – Peter (terrified) doesn’t know what to say, so he offers 3 memorials But Peter misunderstands. Moses, Elijah and Jesus are equals as Bible heroes. v. 7. As on Mt Sinai when a cloud covered the mountain and God spoke from the cloud, A cloud overshadowed them, and God the Father spoke to them.
Jesus is not like Moses or Elijah. He is unique in all the universe. There is no one like him. “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” Jesus is the Son of God. God the Father does not say listen to my words in him, he says listen to him. Because when Jesus speaks, God speaks.
v. 8. Only Jesus was left with them. Three points: 1. Moses and Elijah represent the old covenant based on the law. Jesus brings a new covenant. 2 Cor 3 says that old covenant was surpassed by a new, far more glorious covenant. 2. Moses and Elijah leave, but Jesus stays with his disciples. 3. Moses and Elijah return to the glory of heaven. Jesus remains to go through the humiliation of the cross.
Mark 9:9-13 Learn from the Suffering of God’s Servants. Suffering comes before glory. v. 9. “Tell no one” – last command to silence, but this with a qualifier; until after I’m raised v. 10. They did not understand what Jesus meant, was this metaphorical raising?
v. 11. “Elijah must come?” They have no understanding of a suffering and dying Messiah. They believe this must be the time of Israel’s restoration, why is Jesus talking about death?
v. 12. “Elijah does come first.” Before the final restoration on day of the Lord. But something must happen before that day: the Son of Man must suffer. Jesus will be crucified in suffering, but he will be raised in glory.
v. 13. Elijah has come in the John the Baptist. Elijah was mistreated, but completed his mission o Look at the Glory of the Son of God. He is worthy of worship and devotion. o Listen to the Words of the Son of God. His gospel alone brings salvation. o Learn from the Suffering of God’s Servants. Suffering comes before glory.
Mark 9:14-29. A Frail Faith in a Strong Savior We never advance beyond our need for Jesus (14-18) We never advance beyond our need for faith (19-27) We never advance beyond our need for prayer (28-29)
What is the normal Christian life? Is it balance? Is it being comfortable? You cannot answer that without answering this first, “who is Jesus?” That is the question Jesus will pose to his followers. Their answer will help them understand Jesus and his mission and Jesus’ calling on their lives.
Mark 8:27-30 Peter Confesses Jesus as the Christ v. 27. Caesarea Philippi was north of Galilee 25 miles. As they walked Jesus asked, “who do people say that I am?”
v. 28. 1) John the Baptist – Who Herod believed Jesus was, reincarnated. 2) Elijah – the OT prophet who didn’t die but was carried to heaven in a whirlwind. Elijah was prophesied in Malachi 3:1; 4:5-6 to return before the Day of the Lord. 3) one of the prophets – like the OT prophets God
Each of these would seem like an honor to call Jesus. But to say Jesus was the greatest prophet or teacher, would put him in old categories. It is “to pour new wine into old wineskins.” (2:22)
The authority that Jesus has demonstrated in Mark does not allow him to be defined by old terms. Jesus has demonstrated power and authority like no one else but God Himself.
v. 29. “Who do you say that I am?” to know what others think about Jesus does not matter The question is for everyone is, “who do you say that Jesus is?” This is the central question of Mark’s Gospel – the meaning of faith is in your answer.
They saw Jesus exercise power and authority over disease, the storm, the demonic. Now he calls them to make a decision on what they’ve seen. You must know and personally confess who Jesus is.
Peter declares. “You are the Christ.” God declared about Jesus, “you are my beloved Son.” Demons recognized Jesus as “Son of God”, and “Son of the Most High God.” This is the first public statement by a human of who Jesus is.
“Christ” is the Greek for the Hebrew “Messiah”, means “anointed”. In the OT 3 classes were anointed: prophets, priests, and kings. One who was anointed was selected for a special task.
Specifically, the Messiah was understood by the Jews to be the King who was appointed by God to deliver Israel from its enemies and cause Israel to live in peace. Mark 8:31-38 Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection Jesus now tells the disciples what his Messiah-ship means. They are not prepared. v. 31. Jesus must Suffer – Jews saw the Messiah as a victorious king. They did not understand Isaiah’s prophecy of the suffering servant applying to Messiah. Jesus said he would not rule in human victory but would suffer.
Be rejected –Jesus’ suffering will not come at the hands of god-less, wicked people. Jesus suffers at the hands of “elders, chief priests, teachers of law” – the religious, educated. Not humanity at its worst, but humanity supposedly at its best. They will reject him, even after careful deliberation and will say their actions are just.
Be killed – absolutely incomprehensible by the disciples. v. 32. Peter rebuked him. The suffering death of Messiah Peter could not understand.
Be Raised – Jesus foretells his resurrection: “I will suffer, be killed, and after 3 days rise again!” (Mk 3:27)
You cannot follow Jesus without the self-denial of the cross. You must understand and accept that Jesus calls you to die.
The self-centered life must be put to death (34) to take up cross was total denial of self The safe life must be put to death (35) If you try to save your life, give it meaning in what you want or obtain, you will waste it But if you give your life in pursuing Jesus Christ, you will find life, meaning, purpose The self-serving life must be put to death. (36-37) If you try to live life by what you obtain, you will waste it But if you give your life in pursuing Jesus Christ, you will obtain true life The shame of Christ must be put to death. (38) We cannot save ourselves. We are dependent on him. We must be humble before him.
You must know and personally confess who Jesus is. You must understand and accept that Jesus calls you to die.
We will see in the passage today two points: 1. The difference between Jesus and the Pharisees 2. What is pleasing to God? What is true morality?
Mark 7:1-13 Traditions and Commandments v. 1 “scribes from Jerusalem” an official delegation to test Jesus, and hope to trip him up
vv. 2, 5. “defiled” or “unwashed” hands The OT required priests to wash their hands before they entered the tabernacle. And others to wash their hands if they’d touched a bodily discharge.
Pharisees view: they were holy and needed to be protected from defilement from the outside. They washed their hands ceremonially before meals, not hygienic. vv. 3-4. Washed after going to market, washed specific dishes–w/cupped or porous surfaces.
“Tradition of the elders” The Jews recognized the written law, the Torah, but also oral tradition, tradition of the elders. The Mishnah was supposed to be “a fence around the Torah”, to keep people from breaking the written law. The oral tradition was supposed to help people know how to keep the law. It includes all these additional man-made rules on washing and keeping the Sabbath.
vv. 6-7. “Isaiah prophesied of you hypocrites” Their words honor God, but their hearts are distant from him. Their worship is vain – meaningless. Lip service. All talk, no walk.
Be on guard against trying to look pious on the outside while lacking true devotion for God in our hearts. (6)
Be on guard against rules that we think make us right before God but take us far from him. (7)
v. 8. They exchanged God’s commands for men’s traditions. It led them to cold hearts.
v. 9. They reject God’s commands for men’s traditions. Be on guard against counterfeit and lies as replacements for God’s truth. (8-9) vv. 10-13. Jesus gave a current day example. People to declare property or estate “Corban” – devoted to God but live off of its income. If they’re parents needed help, they were not permitted to help them. They voided God’s word that says “honor your father and mother” – care for them.
Be on guard against legalism that shows no compassion toward others. (12)
Legalism leads to hypocrisy and distance from God Arrogance toward others (2) Distance from God (6) Self-righteousness from man-made rules (7) Rejection of God’s commands (8-9) Coldness toward others (11-12) There is no place for these hypocrisies in the lives of Christians
The cross draws us to God and leads us to grace Grace toward others Draws us to God Righteousness from Christ, apart from the Law Embraces God’s commands Compassion toward others
Mark 7:14-23 What Defiles a Person? vv. 14-15. Nothing from outside defiles you, what comes out of you defiles you.
vv. 17-19. Because what comes from the outside doesn’t go into your heart. “He declared all foods clean” – Peter had a vision about Cornelius, the first Gentile convert, that he was free from the OT dietary restrictions. More significantly, God was bringing Gentiles into his kingdom and giving them His Spirit.
v. 21 – out of men’s hearts come evil thoughts Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. Matt 12:34
Look at the list. How many apply to you? This is a broad net. Who has not had evil thoughts? Who has not deceived? Who has not envied? Sexual impurity? Slandered? Been prideful?
The problem is not that our environment might defile us. The problem is that our sins have defiled us already. “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” Ro 7:24
Jesus and the disciples had been around lepers (1:40), tax collectors (2:13), Gentiles (5:1), a woman with bleeding (5:25), a corpse (5:35). When Jesus came into contact with them, he made took away their uncleanness. Jesus makes sinners clean, heals their disease, takes away their sin, raises them out of death.
Mark 6:31-44 – The Feeding of the Five Thousand Jesus sees them “like a sheep without a shepherd.” Jesus sees a whole people without direction, without purpose, without a leader. The OT has imagery of shepherds as teachers (Moses), prophets (Elijah), and kings (David). Eze 34:11, 14-15 – God will be the Shepherd of Israel Jesus is the greater Shepherd of all the leaders of the OT.
v. 37. “You give them something to eat.” The disciples see Jesus’ request as unreasonable, impossible. But they will do exactly what he says, they just cannot imagine it yet. Just like the disciples, Moses was overwhelmed by the magnitude of the problem – Num 11:13 APP: What God demands, He supplies. In overwhelming need, give what you can & trust God.
vv. 38-40. The disciples complain about what they lack. Jesus sees possibilities where his disciples see only impossibilities. God can multiply even the smallest gifts if they are made available to him. Everything now depends on Jesus.
Deuteronomy, the Psalms, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel all said God would shepherd his people. Jesus is a Shepherd like Moses leading and feeding the Israelites Jesus feeding the five thousand is a fulfillment of Moses’ leading and feeding the Israelites - Both fed masses of people in the wilderness - The multiplication of the loaves recalls the gift of manna (Ex 16:14-15) - Both led the people like a shepherd (Ps 77:20) - Both divide the crowd into smaller groups (Ex 18:21,25)
vv. 42-44. Jesus satisfied them all. Jesus provided abundantly with a basket of leftovers for each disciple.
Jesus shepherds through his disciples - The disciples see their lack, but Jesus makes their supply abundant - The disciples give the initial “offering” of bread and fish - They are the hands of Jesus in feeding the five thousand God’s will is to fill his creatures with himself, to meet their needs with his surplus, to expand their smallness by his greatness, and to transform mundane life into abundant life. “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” – John 10:10b
Mark 6:45-52 – The “I Am” in the Midst of a Storm v 45 John’s gospel, after the miraculous feeding, the people want to make Jesus king by force.
v. 47. In Mark whenever the disciples are separated from Jesus, the fall into distress. The wind was against them, ‘painfully’ – ‘tormented’.
v. 48a Like God in the OT, Jesus comes to deliver his people in need – for their good and his glory. Jesus walks where only God can walk. [God] alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea. – Job 9:8 [‘tread’ in Heb is same ‘walk’ in Gk]
v. 48b Why did Jesus “mean to pass them by?” When God, ‘passed by’ his people in the OT, it was to reveal himself to them. - The Writings: Job 9 is about the awesome separation between God and humanity. (v.11) o “When he passes me, I cannot see him; when he goes by, I cannot perceive him” - The Law: Ex 34:6 - At Mt Sinai, God ‘passed by’ Moses to reveal his name and compassion o The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “the Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious…” - The Prophets: 1 Kings 19:11 Elijah fled from Jezebel and hid in a cave. God spoke to him. At Mt Horeb, God ‘passed by’ Elijah in a great wind but spoke to Elijah in a whisper. o The Lord passed by and a great and strong wind tore the mountain Jesus “passes by” the disciples and makes the mysterious God of the OT known.
v. 50. Jesus says in Greek “It is I” (ego eimi), identical to God’s declaring his name to Moses in Hebrew, “I AM WHO I AM” (Ex 3:14)
vv. 51-52. They were astounded; they did not understand; their hearts were hardened.
Jesus is the Good Shepherd - He alone satisfies and provides abundantly more than our need - He works through His disciples – their offerings of material things and service Jesus is the “I Am” in the Storm - He comes to his people in the midst of the storm - He reveals that he is God for his glory and for our good
Mark 6:6b-13 Mark sandwiches another story within a story. The martyr of John the Baptist is placed between the sending and return of the twelve. Why? What does John’s death mean for discipleship and mission with Jesus?
Advance the Kingdom v. 6. Jesus taught. Teaching was the dominant purpose of his ministry. He healed and cast out demons, but primarily, he taught… “He was preaching the word to them.” Mark 2:2b
v. 7. Go in Jesus’ name and authority • He called them to be fishers of men (1:17) • He appointed them to be with him (3:14) • He taught them (4:10) • He sent them (6:7)
They were sent in his name and his authority; preaching his message, representing his person and carrying his authority.
App: “We are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us.” 2 Cor 5:20a
vv. 8-9. Go dependent upon God They were to take: a staff, sandals, a tunic (cloak), and a belt. These are the same items the Israelites ate the Passover: 11 In this manner you shall eat it: with your belt fastened, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. And you shall eat it in haste. It is the Lord's Passover. (Ex 12:11) Why the same? – Haste and expectation of the Passover is like that of carrying Jesus’ message
They were NOT to take bread, bag or money – App: True service of Jesus depends on Jesus.
vv. 10-11 Go where you are welcomed, move on when rejected Stay where you’re welcomed. Live amongst people. Be accountable. Be dependent on them. Dust off your feet where you’re not – as a witness – if a village rejected Jesus – they were essentially declaring the people there as heathen.
vv. 12-13 Go proclaiming the Word and doing the work of the kingdom They 1) proclaimed repentance (turning from sin, to God); 2) cast out demons, 3) healed sick. App: We mirror what we see from Jesus: speak gospel, pray for the sick and oppressed. Mark 6:14-30 – The Cost of Discipleship v. 14. This was Herod Antipas, one of 4 Herod’s. vv. 15-16. Talk of Jesus’ power was all around. People knew there was something supernatural about Jesus. Some said: - He’s Elijah – from prophesy that Elijah would come before the Messiah - He’s a prophet of old - He’s John the Baptist raised from the dead – what Herod believed
vv. 17-19. Herod had John imprisoned – for Herodias, his wife. Herodias was first Herod’s brother Phillip’s wife. Herod divorced his wife and convinced Herodias to leave her husband. John had told Herod this was not lawful – Leviticus 18 & 20
v. 20 Yet Herod feared John because he knew he was a righteous and holy man.
We see this contrast between John and the “leading men” - John lived righteously while they lived in sinful decadence. - John lived among the people while they lived exclusively. - John was preaching about repentance while they lived in sin.
Responses to a righteous man: Herod – guilt. Herodias – hatred. Leading men – indifference.
John’s death is a foreshadow of the death of Jesus. - Both were executed by political tyrants who fear them - The tyrants vacillate but give in to social pressure. - John and Jesus both die silently as victims of political intrigue and corruption - They both die as righteous and innocent victims
But John’s death is sandwiched between the sending and returning of the disciples. Why? Because in John’s death we see a link between mission and martyrdom.
If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. (Mk 8:34)
Advance the Kingdom of God - Go in the name and authority of Jesus - Go dependent upon God - Go speaking the gospel and praying for the sick and lost - Recognize the cost of discipleship may be everything in this life He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose – Jim Eliot
Jesus reveals that he is God through his power and compassion True disciples hear, believe and come to Jesus (27-28) Above healing her physically, Jesus declared her his daughter, whole, and at peace. (34)
Mark 5:35-43 – Jesus cancels a funeral Vv. 35-36. The daughter died – why trouble the teacher. Jesus says “do not fear, only believe.” Jairus just had an example of faith in the woman. Nothing could keep her from Jesus, not embarrassment nor the crowd. She believed Jesus could heal her. She exemplifies and defines faith for Jairus – trust Jesus despite everything to the contrary. That faith knows no limits – not even the raising of a dead child.
No matter the circumstances, trust in Jesus – in hopelessness, in long-suffering, even in death – trust in Jesus. He is the Deliverer.
v. 37 Jesus allowed smaller groups at times – Peter, James, John
v. 38. In ancient times families hired professional mourners. Perhaps they were already there
v. 39. “she is only sleeping”. In Christ, death is more like sleep, temporary. We may die in this life, but we will rise to eternal life.
v. 40. “They laughed at him.” This was nonsense if Jesus were only a man, a teacher.
v. 41. Jesus takes the little girl’s hand and says, tells her to arise. Jesus takes on the uncleanness of the demoniac, of the woman with a bleeding issue, now he takes on the uncleanness of death in this little girl.
v. 42. Immediately she got up – they were overcome w/amazement.
Jesus’ power brought healing to a bleeding woman. His word “arise” raised a dead girl out of death back to life.
Jesus said to Martha at her brother Lazarus’ death in John 11:
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
Jairus and the woman had little in common: one a ruler, the other an outcast. They were both desperate, without hope apart from Jesus. Trust Jesus despite everything to the contrary. Believe, do not despair.
Mark 6:1-6A – A Prophet without Honor vv. 2-3. They see only a man, only a son, only a carpenter.
They wanted something different from what God has given.
Despite Jesus’ demonstration of compassion and supernatural power, he will encounter people from his nation, his own home town, his own family, and even a disciple who will not believe that he is the Son of God, that he is the Messiah.
v. 6. In Nazareth it is not the crowds or disciples who are amazed, but Jesus. He is amazed at their disbelief.
There are so many that are hard-hearted and refuse to believe no matter what they see or hear. “Humanity wants something other than what God gives. The greatest obstacle to faith is not the failure of God to act, but the unwillingness of the human heart to accept the God who condescends to us as only a carpenter, the son of Mary.” - James R. Edwards
Mark shows us who Jesus is by what Jesus does. Jesus demonstrates his power to make himself known – no doubt, He is God. - He has power over sickness, natural (wind and sea), supernatural (demons) Jesus could have demonstrated his power in numerous ways. - He chooses to demonstrate his power in pity and compassion. - Jesus had compassion on crowds b/c they had no shepherd, no food (Mk 6,15) - Jesus had compassion on a widow whose son died (Lk 7) - Jesus reveals that he is God through his power and compassion
Recap: Jesus delivered a man possessed by a legion of demons. - Jesus demonstrated his power and authority, and his pity for this captive - Jesus calmed the storm by his power and to calm his disciples’ fear Today: - Jesus will demonstrate his power and pity for a ruler & outcast - This is another Markan sandwich – a miracle within a miracle
Mark 5:21-24 (also in Luke 8 and Matt 9) v. 21. Jesus back to the e. of sea of Galilee after the Garesenes asked him to leave. Throngs were all around him wanting to be healed and see Jesus’ power.
v. 22. Jairus – synagogue ruler – a well-respected man in charge of the synagogue 12 year-old Daughter “the point of death”, “she was dying” (Lk), “had died” (Mt) He “fell at his feet” “come… lay your hands… that she may live” Religious establishment rejected, sought to kill Jesus b/c they saw him as heretic. This man apparently believed – perhaps he heard Jesus preaching, saw his power. Jesus had preached, healed and delivered a man from a demon in Capernaum
v. 24. “Jesus went with him” – Lessons on ministry – Jesus was accessible Mark 5:25-28 v. 25. This is the middle of the sandwich – the miracle w/in the miracle “Bleeding” she had a female problem for 12 years – same age as Jairus’ daughter Her Suffering: • Separated (OT Law – unclean 7 days after cycle – a reminder of our sin o She could not worship at temple o She was constantly unclean o Anyone she touched was unclean • Seeking help but found none. Sought doctors, now Jesus • Spent – spent all she had, now she had none, was no better. o Mk points out she suffered much under many physicians o Lk was a doctor, he just says, she had an incurable disease
Lessons on ministry – Jesus was accessible and interruptible
VV. 27-28. She heard of Jesus and believed he could heal her. To hear about Jesus and act is the sign of a disciple. Hear, believe, act.
Mark 5:29-34 V. 29. She was sick for 12 years, she touched Jesus and was healed in an instant. vv. 31-32. Jesus was not content to dispatch a miracle, he wanted to see this woman face to face. He wanted to declare her whole in front of the crowd.
Vv 33-34. “Your faith has made you well” – her faith in Jesus healed her “Go in peace and be healed.”
Mark 5:35-43 Vv. 35-36. The daughter died – why trouble the teacher. Even in death, Jesus says, “do not fear, only believe.”
vv. 37-38. Jesus allowed smaller groups at times – Peter, James, John v. 39. “she is only sleeping”. In Christ, death is more like sleep, temporary. We may die in this life, but we will rise to eternal life.
v. 40. “They laughed at him.” This was nonsense if Jesus were only a teacher. v. 41. Jesus takes the little girl’s hand and says, tells her to arise. Jesus takes on the uncleanness of the demoniac, of the woman with a bleeding issue, now he takes on the uncleanness of death in this little girl.
v. 42. Immediately she got up – they were overcome w/amazement. This is the first resurrection in the gospels, the last Jesus will raise himself.
Jairus and the woman had little in common: one a ruler, the other an outcast. They were both desperate, without hope apart from Jesus. The woman exemplifies faith, coming to Jesus with confidence he can help. Trust Jesus despite everything to the contrary. Believe, do not despair.
Mark 5:1-20 As in the calming of the storm, Jesus exhibits power over chaos and destruction. I. The Region of Gerasenes. There was a large city miles from the sea. This scene was apparently near a small, long lost village.
A. Darkness – There was a spiritual uncleanness here. Demon-possessed man, who dwelt among the dead, there were herds of pigs.
C.S. Lewis said, “Humanity falls into two equal and opposite errors concerning the Devil. Either they take him altogether too seriously or they do not take him seriously enough.”
Satan and demons are real. • They are opposed to God’s rule (Lk 11:14-23) • They seek to manipulate humans with deceit to do their will (2 Tim 2:26) • They can gain influence over a person, essentially “possession” (Lk 8:26-39) • There is a hierarchy of demonic power (Eph 6:12) • There is a ruling being known as the devil or Satan (Rev 12:9) o Who was manifest as a serpent in Eden (Gen 3:1-5; Rev 12:9) o Who was present in the divine council in Job (Job 1:6-12) o Who tempted Jesus in the wilderness (Lk 4:1-13) o Who is a thief who seeks to steal, kill and destroy (Jn 10:10)
Our best protection against demons is less preoccupation with them and more preoccupation with God.
James 4:7 “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
B. Opposition to Jesus • Mark implies demonic powers try to prevent Jesus from coming to the region. • Mark hints the storm had a demonic force. Jesus rebuked & verbally muzzled it • Jesus & disciples are greeted by a strong and violent demon-possessed man. This is a place where no one would want to go. But Jesus goes there. Jesus has come and will liberate this man from darkness. He penetrates the darkness, undeterred by the ferocious storm and demoniac.
II. The Demon-Possessed Man Demons torment the man. • He was alone, living among the dead (2-3) – lived among the tombs • He was violent and strong (3-4) Bindings, chains, shackles – like an animal • He was always crying out (5a) – inarticulate cries or screams • He was self-destructive (5b) – cutting/gashing with rocks [Perverse pagan ritual? Tries to drive out demons? Demons try to kill him?] • He was controlled by a host of demons (9) – legion was 5,600 soldiers Jesus liberates the man. • He was transformed, clothed and in his right mind (15) • He wanted to be with Jesus (18) • He proclaimed the Lord, Jesus’ mercy to the region (20)
Vv. 19-20. Consider how much the Lord has done for you & had mercy on you (19) Jesus is the Lord who has healed the demoniac (20). III. Jesus the Liberator–He rescues us from the dominion of darkness (Col 1:13) • Jesus has authority over demons (6,13) The man falls at Jesus’ feet. Demons begs for Jesus not to torment them • Jesus is the Son of the Most High God (7) Son – Jesus’ unique relationship to God; image of invisible God (Col 1:15) Most High God – transcendent and exalted above false gods & his enemies • Jesus defeated Satan in his wilderness temptation (1:12-13) • Jesus is the one who binds the strong man and plunders his house (3:27)
IV. The People’s Response • They were afraid (15) and begged Jesus to leave (17)
“And this is the judgement: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.” – Jn 3:19
• There are real spiritual beings opposed to God and have evil intent. • Jesus is the Liberator who frees those enslaved in a fallen world. 1) Draw near to God by accepting Jesus and 2) Pray for God to free people under Satan’s influence.
Mark 4:1-34 – Four Parables About the Kingdom of God 1. The Sower – Right response to the gospel is to hear, receive, bear fruit 2. The Lamp Under a Basket – Jesus brings God’s light into the world 3. The Growing Seed – God’s kingdom has God’s power to grow 4. The Mustard Seed–The kingdom starts small, but grows to be great
Mark 4:35-5:43 Four Narratives, Four Miracles, Four Choices 1. Jesus Calms a Storm – Choose between faith & fear 2. Jesus Heals a Man with a Demon – Choose to accept or reject Jesus 3. Jesus Heals a Woman & Jairus’s Daughter – Choose between faith & despair 4. Jesus Hometown – Choose to believe or disbelieve in Jesus
Mark 4:35-41 Jesus Calms a Storm Two questions are key to understanding the significance of this narrative: Jesus asks, “Why are you so afraid?” The disciples ask, “Who then is this?”
vv.35-36. Jesus told them, “let us go across to the other side.”
vv.37-38. A “great windstorm” hit the boat while Jesus was sleeping. A terrible squall hit the boat Jonah was in while he slept (Jon 1:4-5)
The only place in the gospels that we hear of Jesus sleeping is during a storm.
Q1. “Don’t you care?” –their frustration shows their desperation In the midst of the storm, the disciples panic and accuse Jesus of forsaking them.
When we go through suffering, when we are afraid, when anxious thoughts roll over in our minds, do we say of God, “Do you not care?” Does God care? “God demonstrated his love for us in this, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – Rom 5:8
v.39. The disciples are not abandoned. Jesus “got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still’” The word for “be still” literally means to muzzle, to be quiet metaphorically. Nature submits and obeys its Master. The wind ceased, there was great calm.
Again, Mark is showing us, Jesus is doing what only God can do. The narrative parallels Psalm 107:28-30 28 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. 29 He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. 30 Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven.
The same power and authority of God in Psalm 107 belong to Jesus. Jesus does what only God can do. Mark invites us to believe that Jesus is God. Who can muzzle the storm? Who can command demons? Who can heal disease? God alone, and Jesus did all of those things.
v. 40. Q2. “Why are you so afraid?” Jesus said, we’re going to the other side. Jesus was with them with great power and authority, yet they were afraid a storm could drown them. “Have you still no faith?” Jesus speaks to our fears – ‘you have me, have no fear.’ They would not understand who Jesus is until after the resurrection.
v.41. “They were filled with great fear.” Jesus showed supernatural authority and power and it scared his disciples. The storm had been stilled now they were more afraid of the act of God they saw.
They ask themselves, “who then is this?” This is the Master Who calms the storm. This is the most important question of our lives, “who then is this, Jesus?” Your answer to this question will set the course of your life and your eternity.
Jesus commands demons, he muzzles storms with his word, he heals disease by a touch. Who then is this? Jesus is the God Who is present with his people is the God Who is Present with you. He promised, “I will be with you until the end of the age” He will not abandon you in suffering. You must choose, fear of things of this world or faith in the God Who is with you?
Time for reflection on life, resolution for change. The Scripture speaks mysteries revealed to those who listen & promises growth. From Concealed to Revealed Mark 4:21-25 Parable of the Lamp v.21. The purpose of a lamp is to bring light. It must be put high on a stand. Lit., “does the lamp come…” The lamp has come. Jesus is the lamp of God who has come to bring light and revelation. Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” –Jn 8:12
If Jesus had come in the full glory of God, it would have been overwhelming. “God dwells in unapproachable light, no one has seen or can see him”- Tim 6:16 If God had come without being concealed in the humanity of Christ, his coming would have been like the of the sun coming to earth – blinding, overwhelming. {We can only see God hidden in the humanity of Christ.}
v.22. The kingdom and Jesus’ role were hidden at that time. But Jesus’ present concealment contains seeds of what will be revealed.
vv.23-24a. Jesus is hidden in order to be manifested. The parable of the sower warned against letting life distract you from the seeds of life. “Pay attention to what you hear.” True believers contemplate Jesus’ words. {You are like a prisoner whose one chance of escape depends on hearing and solving a riddle.} The entryway into the kingdom of God is through hearing Jesus’ words.
vv. 24b-25. The degree to which you hear Jesus’ words and apply his teachings will determine the measure of your understanding. Those who are hurried, distracted, or half-hearted will miss the kingdom. Jesus’ disciples hear & the mysteries of God’s kingdom will be disclosed to them.
From Insignificant to Incomprehensible Mark 4:26-35 Parable of the Growing Seed v.26. The kingdom of God is like a man scatters seed on the ground. WHAT!?!? It should be compared to something grand and glorious. Majestic mountain peaks, thunder and lightning, a rich ruler, a powerful gladiator. Seed scattered on the ground is not a motivating analogy. This is the paradox of the gospel. This is the scandal of the incarnation: the gospel is disguised in commonness. Jesus was seen as an ordinary, unschooled man from a small town in the sticks. But listen to his words, listen to what he says. Jesus’ words reveal he is much more than a man or teacher or prophet. Jesus is God, very near and very present.
vv.27-28. Jesus likens the kingdom of God to small, but relentless growth. The farmer waits. He sleeps & gets up. Life goes on for him. But hidden in the soil, the seed sprouts and grows. It has life in itself.
v.29. The harvest symbolizes the arrival of God’s kingdom, especially judgment. You and I can try to force God’s kingdom, but it has greater power than you & me. What God requires of his disciples is to have humble confidence that God has invaded this troubled world with a seed, and he will ensure its fruitful harvest.
If you are a believer, the kingdom of God is growing in you. It is slow, almost imperceptible but it has the power of God to bring life and grow. We progress in growth as believers when we have hope that God is working in us. In struggling against sin, in seasons of doubt, in periods of stagnation… You don’t know how, but the kingdom of God grows in you. Let the fact that God is working in you give you hope to continue to grow in faith.
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. – Philippians 1:6
vv. 30-34. Parable of the Mustard Seed Vv.30-32. What appears to be the smallest is the greatest. In what’s hidden is the foundation of a work that will encompass the whole world. vv. 33-34. For the 10th time in Chapter 4, Mark refers to “hearing” Jesus’ words.
Don’t forget the wonder of Christmas. From the prophecy in the garden of the seed of the woman who would crush the serpent’s head, to God calling Moses to lead his people out of slavery, to the establishment of the Tabernacle and the priesthood, God had planned to send a Savior to redeem his people.
We must remember at Christmas; Jesus Christ is the promise of the ages. He is Prophet, Priest, and King. He is God’s Protection, Provision, and Presence. He is Son, Servant, and Sacrifice. He is our Savior.
Luke 2:25-28 v.25. Simeon was an old man. He was devoted to following God. He waited for God to fulfill his ancient promises to send a Comforter to Israel.
v. 26. The Holy Spirit revealed that he would see the Christ before he died. The Spirit led him to the temple for a divine encounter with the infant Jesus.
v. 28. Simeon saw Jesus and blessed God for being faithful to his promises. Simeon waited for God to send the Christ. Simeon holds him in his hands and praises God.
Luke 2:29-32 v. 29. There are 4 hymns written in Latin from Luke 1&2, this is the last. The 1st words Simeon says when he holds Jesus are “now dismiss”, Nunc Dimittis. God fulfilled his promises to Israel and personally to Simeon. Simeon says, “now I can die a happy man.”
v. 30. “My eyes have seen your salvation” To see Jesus is to see God’s salvation. God allowed many people to witness Jesus’ first coming. One was this old man who hoped, waited, and prayed.
v. 31. “Salvation you have prepared in the presence of all peoples” God has not kept it a secret that he has sent a Savior to us.
Angels appeared at his birth saying, “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” – Luke 2:10-11
v. 32. He is the light of salvation and the glory of God’s promises He is the light in two ways: 1. For Gentiles Jesus is revelation - showing the way of salvation to all peoples. 2. For Israel Jesus is glory – the realization of the promises of God.
Luke 2:33-35 - His coming causes a fall and rising vv. 33-34 Because Jesus’ light reveals and exposes, Jesus will be opposed. His coming will cause the fall and rising of many in Israel. There will be people who come to faith in Jesus. They will be saved when they believe that Jesus is from God. And that Jesus died to pay the penalty for their sin. They will rise out of their sin.
But others will not believe. They will not escape their sin. And they will fall.
v. 35 The opposition to Jesus will ultimately lead to a violent piercing – A piercing that will penetrate his mother’s soul as well.
Jesus Christ is the promise of the ages To see Jesus is to see God’s salvation He is the light of salvation and the glory of God’s promises His coming causes a fall and rising
John 1:1-5 vv. 1-3 Jesus is the Word through which all creation was made. vv. 4-5 In him is life and the light of men.
v.1. John used the metaphor of Jesus as the word. The Word of God in the OT is God’s powerful expression of himself. The Word of God expressed God’s person and power in creation, in revelation, and in salvation. Jesus, the Word was God. Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God.
v.2. He was with God the Father in eternity past. v. 3. Jesus was the agent of creation – all things were created through him.
v.4. In him was life and the light of men. Jesus as light – Jesus will say later in John, “I am the light of the world.” Jesus is the revelation. In him we may know God’s plan to save us. Jesus as life – Jesus will say, “I am the resurrection and the life.” In Jesus Christ we find eternal life – new spiritual life in this life. Jesus also gives life eternal for the next life.
vv. 1-3 Jesus is the Word through which all creation was made. vv. 4-5 In him is life and the light of men.
John 1:6-13 vv. 9-10 Jesus brought light into the world, but the world did not know him. v. 12 He gives the right to be children of God to all who receive him by faith.
v.9. Jesus is the ‘true light’, he is the ‘true bread’ and the ‘true vine’. v.10 the world did not know him. Majority of people rejected him – and still do. V.11 He came to his own people, the Jews, but they did not receive him.
v.12 All who receive him and believe in him are adopted into God’s family. Jesus gives light and life – and now adoption.
vv. 9-10 Jesus brought light into the world, but the world did not know him. v. 12 He gives the right to be children of God to all who receive him by faith.
John 1:14-18 v. 14 Jesus became flesh and revealed the glory of God. v. 17 From him we receive grace upon grace and truth. v. 18 He has made God known.
The Word – that was apart from creation – has become part of his creation. Jesus became flesh and dwelt among us.
John, the apostle who was with Jesus for 3 ½ years say, “we have seen his glory.” Moses did not get to see but the passing vapors of God’s glory. John says, “we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father.” And he was FULL of grace and truth.
v. 16 ‘From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.’ v. 17 Moses gave the Law. Jesus has given grace and truth.
v. 18 “No one has ever seen God” Moses wanted to see God, but he could not, not yet. But now Jesus, “the only God who is at the Father’s side, has made him known.”
vv. 1-3 Jesus is the Word through which all creation was made. vv. 4-5 In him is life and the light of men. v. 12 He gives the right to be children of God to all who believe. v. 14 Jesus became flesh and revealed the glory of God. v. 17 Jesus is full of grace and truth. v. 18 He has made the Father known.
Two important things we learn from Jesus about God. 1. God is approachable 2. God’s grace is attainable
My prayer for us in December is that we may be filled with the hope of Jesus Christ this Christmas season.
As we continue through Mark, I pray that we hear the words and remember the actions of Jesus and think, what a miracle; God himself has come in the flesh. He dwelt among men, teaching the truth, healing them, and, finally, dying in their place.
Mark 4:1-20 Mark writes this section like a sandwich. The parable is told and then it’s explanation, but between them is a private explanation by Jesus of the mystery of his kingdom. The center of the sandwich is key for understanding the whole.
1-2. The setting. Jesus teaching truth in a boat with the crowds around.
3-9. The telling of the parable. Parables use ordinary things of daily life to explain spiritual truths. He starts and ends the parable with an imperative: “hear” or “listen”. When God speaks, his words are important. They carry authority and power. His creation must hear, heed, engage, respond.
There are two parts of the story that stand out: 1. The sowing in unlikely places 2. The astounding harvest
Unlikely Places The farmer scatters seed all over his field, even in paths, rocks, and thorns. Justin Martyr Wrote, he sows in every corner of the field “in hopes that good soil might somewhere be found.”
God searches for men and women. He seeks out those who will follow him. John 4:23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.
The Astounding Harvest The parable represents the historical in-breaking of God’s kingdom in Jesus, the sower of the gospel. The astounding harvest (v. 8) is an important clue that the growth is not owing to human activity but to God’s providential power. God is at work—hidden and unobserved—in Jesus and the gospel to produce an astounding harvest.
Let not hearers suppose the opposition of scribes, Pharisees, crowds, and even his own associates, as adversarial as the hardpan, rocks, and thorns will be the last word. Despite discouraging odds, the harvest in Jesus’ ministry will be beyond compare.
Insiders and Outsiders 10-12. Jesus speaks to two different audiences, “to you” and “to those”. He spoke to those who would not listen to him with hidden meaning. He spoke to those who did listen clearly and with more truth. Insiders hear, believe, receive and bear fruit.
The Secret of the Kingdom The secret of the kingdom of God is in the person and words and works of Jesus. To see the majesty of God, go to the baby in a lowly stable. To see the praise-worthy Creator, watch Jesus wash dirt of his disciples’ feet. To see the glory of God, go to the merciful Savior who died like a criminal.
Jesus is the ultimate parable – he is the common thing to describe the spiritual truths about God’s character and his will. In Jesus we see God is merciful, loving, powerful, providing, and self-sacrificing.
Unlikely Places – We do not know where good soil may be found. We must tell people in all walks of life about the light we have found in Jesus.
An Astounding Harvest – Fruit comes by hearing and receiving Jesus’ word. We must be daily in the word; we cannot produce fruit by our own effort.
The Secret of the Kingdom – Has been revealed to you: God has come in the person of Jesus Christ.
Mark 3:20-35
Jesus cannot be bound by his family or by the arguments of the scribes. In fact, Jesus shows his inestimable strength through his parable of binding Satan and robbing him. And we believers are the ones that Jesus has pillaged from the devil’s domain, which gives us the incredible privilege of joining Jesus’ family and abiding with him and our new-found church family.
We come face to face with Jesus in the Gospels. In Mark, Jesus is friend and Lord. Jesus is the Lord – he has authority in teaching, over sickness, & over demons. Jesus is the friend of sinners, not shunning them, but welcoming and forgiving.
Mark 3:7-12 – A Great Crowd Follows Jesus v. 7-8 - The crowd is ethnically diverse: • Galilee, Judea, Jerusalem – mostly Jewish • Idumea and trans-Jordan – mixed Jewish and Gentle • Tyre and Sidon – mostly Gentile Isaiah said that the Messiah would be a “Light to the Gentiles.” (Isa 46:9)
v. 9-10 the crowds “crushed” around him. The word can mean “fall upon”. The crowds “fall upon” Jesus in their need; not in desire for him. They sought healing – and Jesus healed them – but for most, they would not translate their need for physical healing to their greater need for spiritual healing.
v. 11-12 The demons “fall before” Jesus at his supremacy; not in honor of him.
The Son of God is a key theme of Mark. It speaks of the unique relationship between Jesus and God the Father. It also speaks of Jesus sharing God’s divine authority.
Mark 3:13-19 – Jesus Calls the Twelve Apostles Twelve is significant as it reflects the 12 tribes of Israel. • For the Gentiles – salvation is from the Jews • For the Jews – Israel fulfills its destiny only in fellowship with Jesus
The disciples are called to be “with Jesus” to desire and honor him. Not just the teachings of a rabbi, not just the Torah, to be WITH Jesus. Jesus is the reason, the subject, and the ultimate good of the new community.
They were called first to “be with Jesus”. Discipleship is a relationship before it is a task. It is a “who” before it is a “what.”
Discipleship is • Being with Jesus • Speaking about Jesus • Acting in Jesus’ name
Friend and Lord Recap: • When the kingdom of God comes into the world dominated by the enemy the truth is taught, the sick are healed, the demon-possessed are freed, and sinners are forgiven. • Five conflicts with the Pharisees Mk 2:1-3:6 (forgiving paralytic, dinner at Levi’s, question about fasting, picking grain and healing on Sabbath) o Pharisees – self-righteous, judgmental, exclusive o Jesus – truly righteous, merciful, welcoming Talking to someone about coming to Christ? Have them read the gospels, let them come face to face with Jesus.
Mark 2:23-28 – Lord of the Sabbath vv. 23-24. Two observances defined Jews above all else: circumcision & Sabbath Sabbath attests to God as Creator and the divine order of the universe.
The Pharisees complain that Jesus’ disciples are harvesting by picking grains.
vv.25-26. Jesus reminds them of 1 Sam 21 when David’s men entered the tabernacle and ate the consecrated bread. Jesus didn’t raise the incident to plead for an exception. He is inviting a comparison between himself and King David.
There were Eighteen Benedictions recited in the synagogue. Part of it read, “Cause the Branch of David thy servant speedily to sprout, and let his horn be exalted by thy salvation.”
vv.27-28 The Sabbath was instituted to bless people to rest in God. v. 27. The Lord’s day is a blessing not a burden. v. 28. Jesus, as Lord of the Sabbath, puts himself in the place of God.
Should Christians observe the Lord’s Day? We should rest – even as NT believers, we should do good as well. God rested on the 6th day, not because he needed it, but to set an example for us. It does not earn favor with God, but it does help us trust God instead of striving. We need rest for our own good: spiritually, physically, mentally We need time to honor and love the Lord.
Mark 3:1-6 Jesus Heals on the Sabbath v. 2. The Pharisees’ minds were set on finding something to accuse Jesus. v. 4. Jesus’ mind was on mercy toward a crippled man. v. 5. Jesus was angry (indignant) and grieved at their hardness of heart.
Jesus example: It’s always right to do good.
If we would follow Jesus well, we will look for opportunities to help others, to show mercy and compassion on them, to care for the sick and the poor.
Friend and Lord Recap: • When the kingdom of God comes into the world dominated by the enemy the truth is taught, the sick are healed, the demon-possessed are freed, and sinners are forgiven. • Five conflicts with the Pharisees o Pharisees – self-righteous, judgmental, exclusive o Jesus – truly righteous, merciful, welcoming Talking to someone about coming to Christ? Have them read the gospels, let them come face to face with Jesus.
Mark 2:18-22 – Question About Fasting v. 18. John’s disciples and the Pharisees asked why Jesus’ disciples do not fast. v. 19. Fasting is a somber activity – Jews were only required to fast 1/yr: Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). Pharisees fasted 2/wk.
Jesus says his coming is like a wedding celebration. “This is not a time for fasting, but celebration – the bridegroom is here.” OT refers to God as Israel’s husband (Isa, Eze, Hos). Jesus is the bridegroom at whose coming we should rejoice.
v. 20. Jesus introduces an odd twist – The bridegroom will be taken. When you consider what your sin cost, you will fast and mourn. There will be times when Jesus is hidden – that will be time in life for fasting.
Mark 2:21-22 Jesus came to make things new. Jesus doesn’t fit into your box. New patch and old cloth. New wine and old wineskin. In the ancient world the skins of goats were used to hold wine. They were flexible and strong and allowed the new wine to ferment. An old wineskin becomes brittle and weak.
The new patch and new wine are incompatible with the old. Jesus is the new patch/new wine. He is not an add-on to your life. The Pharisees represent the old cloth, old wineskin. They were concerned with religiosity, justifying themselves.
The Law was fulfilled at Calvary when the perfect sacrifice was offered. The practices of the old covenant have to be thrown out, the new has come.
APPLICATION: The question is not whether or not you’ll make room for Jesus in your life. The question is whether you will forsake your old life for new life with him.
Mark 2:23-28 – Lord of the Sabbath vv. 23-24. Two observances defined Jews above all else: circumcision & Sabbath Sabbath attests to God as Creator and the divine order of the universe. The Lord’s day is a blessing not a burden. The Pharisees complain that Jesus’ disciples are harvesting by picking grains.
vv.25-26. Jesus reminds them of 1 Sam 21 when David’s men entered the tabernacle and ate the consecrated bread. Jesus didn’t raise the incident to plead for an exception. He is inviting a comparison between himself and King David.
There were Eighteen Benedictions recited in the synagogue. Part of it read, “Cause the Branch of David thy servant speedily to sprout, and let his horn be exalted by thy salvation.”
vv.27-28 The Sabbath was instituted to bless people to rest in God. God instituted the Sabbath. Jesus, as its Lord, puts himself in the place of God.
Mark 3:1-6 Jesus Heals on the Sabbath The Pharisees’ minds were set on finding something to accuse Jesus. Jesus’ mind was on mercy toward a crippled man. It’s always right to do good.
Friend and Lord
Mark 2:13-17- Jesus Calls Levi Tax collectors were openly despised and hated. They were grouped together with thieves and murderers. They were considered traitors against their own people, collecting money for the oppressive Roman government – and making a profit for themselves. v.14. Jesus called a tax collector, Levi, to be his disciple. No one would choose a tax collector – Jesus calls all people out of sin and into relationship with him. Application: Jesus uses ordinary people to build his extraordinary kingdom.
Friend of Sinners - God’s radical grace Jesus eats with sinners like they’re friends – because they are. Jesus goes in to dine with sinners while the scribes stood outside in judgment, erecting distinctions and barriers. The scribes remained outside, standing in self-righteous judgement. Jesus, though truly holy, went inside, and sat and ate in love.
“I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Mk 2:17b)
If they forsake their sin and follow Jesus, it will not be to gain Jesus’ favor but because Jesus has loved them first, even in their sin. As Jesus sat and looked around the table, he knew some of them would dine with him at the wedding feast at the end of days. Some would remain in their sin.
Points of the passage: 1. Jesus ‘went in’ to be with sinners. 2. The scribes ‘stood outside’ in judgment. 3. Jesus came to call sinners out of sin into relationship with himself.
Application: • If we would follow Jesus: o We will grow in love for people o We will “go in” to their lives o We will go not to be liked, but to love (not to participate in their sin, but to show them the way to Jesus)
Mark 2:18-22 – Question About Fasting v. 18. John’s disciples and the Pharisees asked why Jesus’ disciples do not fast.’ v. 19. Fasting is a somber activity – three main reasons the Jews fasted: Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), national tragedies, personal seeking God
Jesus: “this isn’t time for fasting, but for celebration – the bridegroom is here.” OT refers to God as Israel’s husband (Isa, Eze, Hos). Jesus refers to himself as so.
v. 20. The bridegroom will be taken - Jesus introduces into the wedding metaphor There will be times when Jesus is hidden – that will be time in life for fasting.
vv.21-22 New and Old. Jesus doesn’t fit into your box. New patch and old cloth. New wine and old wineskin. The new patch and new wine are incompatible with the old. Jesus is the new patch/wine. He is not an add-on to your life.
APPLICATION: The question is not whether or not you’ll make room for him your life. The question is whether you will forsake your life and join him.
Mark 2:23-28 – Lord of the Sabbath vv. 23-24. Two observances defined Jews above all else: circumcision & Sabbath Sabbath attests to God as Creator and the divine order of the universe. The Pharisees complain that Jesus’ disciples are harvesting by picking grains.
vv.25-26. Jesus reminds them of 1 Sam 21 when David’s men entered the tabernacle and ate the consecrated bread. Jesus didn’t raise the incident to plead for an exception. He is inviting a comparison between himself and King David.
There were Eighteen Benedictions recited in the synagogue. Part of it read, “Cause the Branch of David thy servant speedily to sprout, and let his horn be exalted by thy salvation.”
vv.27-28 The Sabbath was instituted to bless people to rest in God. God instituted the Sabbath. Jesus, as its Lord, puts himself in the place of God.
RECAP • Jesus uses ordinary people to build his extraordinary kingdom • Jesus sets an example for us to go and love sinners • Jesus doesn’t fit into your box. Will you forsake your life to join him?
Mark uses Jesus’ actions to tell us who Jesus is. His narratives tell of Jesus’ authority, or exousia – ‘the right to exercise power.’ Mark shows Jesus has authority (exousia) over teaching and truth, and over the natural (illnesses) and the supernatural (evil spirits).
Mark 2:2-12 – Jesus Heals a Paralytic v.1. Jesus returned “home” to Capernaum. v.2. Jesus was ever teaching the word to the crowds We should not understand the crowds as Jesus’ followers, they were outsiders. Jesus would teach them of God’s word, but many would never come to faith. Jesus’ ministry involved both teaching the word of God AND healing.
vv.3-4. Four friends brought a paralytic to Jesus. When they couldn’t get in, they tore a hole in the roof and let him down. Application: We often look for obstacles to keep from telling people about Jesus. Lord, let us remove every obstacle to bring others to Jesus Christ.
v.5a. Jesus saw their faith: They believed Jesus could heal their friend. Faith is not solely knowledge about Jesus. Faith is active trust that Jesus is sufficient for our need.
v.5b. And Jesus forgives his sin – instead of healing him. Why? Did Jesus know this man’s sins had led to his paralysis? The Bible teaches some illnesses are caused by sin – but not every time. Probably: Jesus sought an opportunity to make known: he has authority to forgive
vv.6-7. The scribes are thinking: “Who can forgive sins but God alone?” Answer: no one can but God alone. Jesus does what only God can do.
All sin is first an offense to God’s law and his person, even sins against others. David wrote, “against you, you only, have I sinned.” (Ps 51:4) • To Moses: the Lord forgives “iniquity, transgression and sin” (Ex 34:7) • The psalmist: bless the Lord “who forgives all your iniquity” (Ps 103:3) • To Isaiah: “I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.” (Isa 43:25)
Application: Our sins are offenses to God. We must go to God alone with our sins. He alone can forgive our sin. In Jesus Christ, God welcomes and pardons sinners.
vv.8-9. Jesus knew the sins of the paralytic and the thoughts of the scribes. And asked, “is it easier to heal a paralytic or to forgive sins?” Both are impossible – except for God.
vv.10-11. Jesus has the authority – exousia – to forgive sins. Awareness of Our Need The paralytic is aware of his need for Jesus – the scribes are not. The paralytic goes to Jesus and finds forgiveness AND healing. The scribes refuse to go in to Jesus. Their status and learning have made them of unaware of their spiritual paralysis.
Mark 2:13-17- Jesus Calls Levi Tax collectors were openly despised and hated. They were grouped together with thieves and murderers. They were considered traitors against their own people, collecting money for the oppressive Roman government – and making a prophet for themselves.
God’s radical grace v.14. Jesus called a tax collector, Levi, to be his disciple. To the scribes this a scandal: Jesus eats with sinners like they’re friends – they are. The sinners invite Jesus to dinner while the scribes stand outside in judgment.
The self-righteous justify “a status quo of distinctions and erects barriers among people; the gospel seeks to transform and reconcile this condition by building a bridge between Jesus and human need for forgiveness.” – JR Edwards
“I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Mk 2:17b)
If they forsake their sin and follow Jesus, it will not be to gain Jesus’ favor but because Jesus has loved them first, even as sinners.
Jesus – Lord and Servant
• At baptism: Son baptized, heavens opened, Spirit descended, Father spoke • John’s msg: make room for Jesus – your time, heart, and mind • Jesus was tempted by Satan, yet did not sin • Jesus declared the kingdom of God has come with his coming
Mark 1:21-28 – Jesus Heals a Man with an Unclean Spirit Mark uses Jesus’ actions to tell us who Jesus is. Jesus will demonstrate his authority over the highest human authority and over the supernatural authorities. v.21. Jesus taught in synagogues, from lakes, hillsides, at the temple.
v.22. Jesus’ authority was demonstrated by his teaching (v22). The scribes were highly respected as experts in the Torah. Jesus did not speak from the traditions of the scribes, but as authoritative Lord.
v.24. Demons knew who Jesus was, yet Jesus would not allow them to speak. Mark describes conflict between the kingdom of God and the dominion of Satan, between God’s anointed and the captives of unclean spirits.
v.27. Jesus’ authority was demonstrated by his power over the spiritual realm (v27).
Mark 1:29-34 – Jesus Heals Many vv.30-31. Jesus lifted Simon Peters’ mother-in-law out of a fever Shows Jesus’ kindness even in small things
v.34. Jesus’ authority was demonstrated by his power over sickness (v34).
Mark 1:35-39 – Jesus Preaches in Galilee Mark records Jesus praying three times in his gospel. All at night, all in solitary places, all as he faced opposition. Jesus “went out” to pray (35), before Jesus “went out” to preach (39). Jesus cannot extend himself outward in teaching, healing, compassion; until he has inwardly connected with the Father who is the source of his mission. His oneness with the Father compels him outward in mission. “The significance of Jesus’ ministry consists not simply in what he does for humanity, but equally in who he is in relation to the Father. He is the Sone, one in being with the Father; and the Servant, one in purpose with his will.” –JR Edwards
Mark 1:40-45 – Jesus Cleanses a Leper Leprosy described numerous contagious skin diseases. Lepers were required to 1) ALONE - live alone, apart from community; 2) UNCLEAN – unable to join in temple worship; if you touch, you are unclean 3) UNTOUCHABLE – could not approach others, 50 paces away, dress in torn clothes to warn others of the danger of their infection, call out “unclean!”
Various rabbis: “the living dead.” Josephus: “no different from a corpse.” Other illnesses had to be healed, but leprosy had to be cleansed.
Jesus bears our iniquity. v.41 The Cleansing - Jesus touched the leper, which would have made himself unclean, but made the leper clean.
v.44 The Sacrifice for Healing - The sacrifice required by Lev 14:10-11 was for the healed person to bring two birds, one of which was killed at the temple. The other bird was dipped in the blood of the slain bird and released.
v. 45 Trading Places - Mark began the story with Jesus on the inside and the leper on the outside. At the end, Jesus is “outside in lonely places.” Jesus and the leper have traded places.
Jesus is the Servant of the Lord who bears the iniquities of others (Isa 53:11). In bearing their sins he is “numbered with the transgressors” (Isa 53:12).
Application: Jesus is not afraid of our mess. He enters our mess, takes our mess on his own shoulders. He bears our sins. He does not avoid sinners; Jesus welcomes sinners. We must be willing to put ourselves in messy situations to see others redeemed.
Jesus’ Temptation and Calling Disciples Last week: 3 signs at Jesus’ baptism: • Son baptized, heavens opened, Spirit descended, Father spoke from heaven • John’s msg: make room for Jesus – your time, heart, and mind
Mark 1:12-13 The Temptation of Jesus v.12. “Immediately” used roughly 40 times in Mark’s gospel. The first act of Jesus’ calling is to face God’s enemy, Satan, lit. “adversary” “The Spirit” “drove him” to confront Satan.
At Jesus’s baptism, God declared Jesus as his beloved Son. Will Jesus use his divine Sonship for his own advantage or submit to God?
Testing in the Wilderness • Jesus in the wilderness 40 days • Israel in the wilderness 40 yrs • Moses on Mt Sinai 40 days • Elijah led to Mt Horeb 40 days
The wilderness was a test of faithfulness and a promise of deliverance. They all faced temptation. God did not abandon them. Angels ministered to Jesus, God led Israel and provided food and water. He will provide for you in the wilderness.
Mark may have been written from Rome during Nero’s persecution of Christians. They may have known believers who were faced wild animals in the coliseum. God did not abandon any of these in the wilderness.
Jesus as the Second Adam Adam was tempted and sinned. Jesus was tempted, yet did not sin. Adam sinned in paradise and was expelled to the wilderness. Jesus was tempted in the wilderness to bring his own into paradise. Adam sinned and brought death. Jesus’ sinlessness brings life. (1 Cor 15:22)
The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work (1 Jn 3:8)
Mark 1:14-15 Jesus Begins His Ministry v.14. “The arrest of John and the beginning of Jesus’ ministry are intentionally correlated to show that: The gospel is proclaimed & known in adversity & suffering, not in ease & comfort.”
John was forerunner of Jesus not only in his message, but also in his fate, which includes suffering and death.
The Kingdom of God • Its time has come – The time is fulfilled. God has brought the time of prophecy of Jesus to a close. and has inaugurated the final phase of human history. • It has God as its King (rightfully as Creator) • It has come near – with the person of Jesus Christ • Entry requires repentance of sin and belief in the gospel
Mark 1:16-20 Jesus Calls the First Disciples Three Aspects of Discipleship 1. It is a call to follow Jesus himself Rabbis called people to follow their teaching, philosophers their thinking Jesus, said, “come, follow me” Christian discipleship always points to a relationship with Jesus Christ. 2. It is a call to service We are called to serve God and others, not ourselves. We are called to bring others into relationship with Christ. 3. It is to form a fellowship – with Jesus at the center of a community of believers
“The seeds of the Christian church originated in the first act of Jesus’ ministry as he called four fishermen into community with himself.” – J.R Edwards
Jesus did not call the educated, the great thinkers or leaders, but 4 ordinary men. Jesus calls and uses ordinary people to advance his king.
Make Room for Jesus Mark 1:1-8 John the Baptist Prepares the Way v.1. “The beginning” like Genesis, in the beginning, God created the world; The age of the gospel is manifest when the Son of God became a human being in Jesus Christ. In Jesus, a new creation is at hand.
“the gospel” – ‘evangelion’, means “good news” of Jesus’ coming Isaiah said God’s anointed would bring good news of peace, happiness, the Lord’s favor, liberty, freedom, salvation. (Isa 52 & 61)
Titles of Jesus – Mark uses often to explain the depth and breadth of who Jesus is. “Jesus” means “God is salvation” “Christ” – Greek for messiah – anointed one, God’s chosen one for a spec. calling “Son of God” – Jesus is the Son of God, who is wholly God & wholly man. Jesus will not only speak and act for God, but as God.
v.2. The Messenger & the Lord: Malachi 3:1, written 400 years before: “Behold, I send an angel before you to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place that I have prepared.” – Exodus 23:20
“Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts.” – Malachi 3:1
v.3. Quote from Isaiah 40:3; 700 years before Jesus’ coming. “Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight a highway for our God. – Mark is saying that John prepared the way for Jesus, who is God in the flesh.
Jesus stands in continuity with all the work of God in Israel. He is the fulfiller of the law and prophets. John came as the divinely ordained precursor of Jesus. Jesus came as the manifestation of God.
v.4. John called people to the wilderness for repentance, “to change one’s mind” and confession of sin. “Make room for Jesus.” John called people AWAY from routines, comfort and busyness TO barren places.
The wilderness repeatedly represents in Israel’s history a place of repentance, and hence a place of God’s grace.
John called people AWAY from sin, TO holiness before God. John’s baptism signified moral and spiritual renewal.
v.6. John dressed like an OT prophet, esp., Elijah.
v.7. “One more powerful” would come. In ch 3, Jesus is the only one strong enough to bind the strong one, Satan. John was humble, saw himself as unworthy even to act as a slave to Messiah.
v.8. John baptized with water. But Jesus will have the power of God to bestow the Holy Spirit.
Three signs at Jesus’ baptism of the inauguration of God’s kingdom: 1. The heavens were opened above him (Isa 64:1) “Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down…” A sign of God himself coming down to earth. 2. The Spirit descended into him (Isa 42:1b) A sign of God’s presence and power. 3. The heavenly voice spoke to him (Isa 42:1a) “Behold my servant, whom I uphold my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him he will bring forth justice to the nations.” A sign of the relationship between God and Jesus, as Father and Son.
After 400 years of silence, a voice from heaven speaks: “You are my beloved son”. Jesus’ baptism confirms who Jesus is: God’s Son, who is anointed and equipped with God’s Spirit to save.
Closing: Make room for Jesus in your life. Jesus calls us AWAY from sin – confess it and turn from it – and TO him. Sin and busyness can crowd him out of your life.
Jesus calls us out to quiet places where we can turn from sin and find in him God’s grace.
Malachi was called to be a wakeup call to spiritual apathy in Jerusalem.
“All of history is moving toward one great goal, the white-hot worship of God and his Son among all the peoples of the earth.” – John Piper, Let the Nations Be Glad
Apathetic worship of God corrodes community, marriage, finances…
Malachi 3:13-15 ¬The Cold Heart of Legalism Two groups described: legalists (13-15) and true believers (16-18) v.14. 1) They accused God: ‘it is vain (useless, a waste of time) to serve God.’ v.15. “We call the arrogant blessed. Evildoers prosper. They go unpunished.” They were looking for something in return for serving God: “this for that” These people didn’t love God; they served him to try to earn his blessing. 2) Their attitude: “God owes me.”
3) This is legalism – the conviction that keeping religious law is the ground for acceptance with God. The fact that God wasn’t blessing them the way they wanted revealed a hard, unbelieving heart. They thought, “This is a waste of time.”
Like the older brother in the parable of the prodigal son, “…these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends.” He was angry with his father and refused to go into the house with him.
We cannot gain acceptance with God by our actions; our actions are corrupt. You cannot earn God’s favor. You receive God’s acceptance by his grace alone, by faith in Christ alone.
Malachi 3:16-18 The Treasured Possession v.16. 1) They feared the Lord and esteemed his name – attitude of reverence toward God, not entitlement. v.17. 2) The Lord listens to them and remembers the good they do for his glory. 3) The Lord calls then his very own, his treasured possession 4) He will show them mercy
Malachi 4:1-6. The Sun of Righteousness A burning, a blaze for the arrogant and evildoers (1, 3) Healing and joy for those who fear the Lord (2) A prophet will come first to prepare hearts (5-6)
v.2. 1) A rising sun – Light where there was darkness A) Reveals things as they really are (truth) Why do many families come apart? Because they have no anchor of truth. The husband and father has no clear vision of why he or his children exist. And the emptiness gets deeper and deeper with each unbelieving generation.
B) Gives security where there was danger You cannot see where danger may be hiding. The light lets you see the hole in the ground, the branch near your head, the danger hiding in the darkness. Jesus shows us the danger and the foolishness of sin. He guards us from many evil forces that have power in the darkness.
2) Beams of righteousness where there was wrong Jesus makes things right. He makes man right with God through reconciliation. He makes man right with man through grace and humility and patience and love. And in the end, he will make right all the wrongs that his people have suffered, so that we don't have to carry the burden of indignation and revenge.
3) Wings of healing where there was sickness Jesus heals in this life. Jesus does not heal everything in this life. He will heal sickness and pain and sorrow and crying in the resurrection.
4) Breaking out of a stall – freedom where there was bondage The coming of Jesus means freedom from bondage –from sin, shame, death. Jesus sets his people free.
5) Leaping like calves – joy where there was dread and fear
Apathetic worship of God corrodes community, marriage, finances… God’s responds to these apathetic people: “I have loved you.” For us, the cross stands as the greatest demonstration of love the world has seen. It is a towering landmark for us in times of doubt, suffering and trouble.
Malachi 2:17-3:5 The Messenger of the Lord 2:17. A. God is accused of being unjust. They say that he has blessed people who do evil – so he must delight in them.
3:1a In response: “I will send my messenger to prepare the way for me.” B. The Lord will come to vindicate his justice. This is a prophecy of John the Baptist who called Israel to repentance before Jesus
v.1b. “The Lord will suddenly come to his temple” – “suddenly” at a point in time This prophecy was fulfilled when Jesus came to the temple.
v.1c. “the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight… is coming.”
vv.2-3. a. He will refine and purify the Levites God starts by refining the spiritual leaders.
v.4. b. He will restore proper worship – making their worship pleasing to the Lord.
v.5. c. He will judge Israel: for 1) adultery, oppressing the poor, ignore the sojourner and do not fear him.
Malachi 3:6-12 v.6. A. God’s commitment to his covenant preserves his rebellious people God could have destroyed the Israelites but is committed to save them.
v.7a. B. God calls to his people, ”Return to me and I will return to you” “How shall we return?” – they do not see that they have left God.
vv. 8-9. C. His people were giving leftovers The tithe is 10% of income. It was the minimum of OT giving. Contributions at feasts and festivals put giving at around 23%.
We are NT believers, for us, grace is always more than a minimum.
Heart check: being far from God is revealed in their lack of giving.
This revealed their hearts were distant from God
19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. – Matthew 6:19-21
vv. 10-11 D. When his people give faithfully, God promises to provide & protect The only time the Bible says we can test God.
Provide: “I will open the windows of heaven pour down blessing.” Protect: “I will rebuke the devourer” – protect them from destruction, loss
“Nations will call you blessed – a land of delight.”
Honoring God with your money - Everything we have is the Lord’s. - We are called to be good stewards of 100% of what we received - We are called to more than tithing – we are called to generosity.
6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully[d] will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency[e] in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. – 2 Corinthians 9:6-8
Priorities for money 1. Give, 2. Save, 3. Live
God’s faithful covenant love God declares his love for his people – most clearly at Jesus’ cross. The cross stands as a towering landmark and bold declaration, “God loves us.” God chose us to be his own because of his love for us.
Malachi 1:6-14 v.6. God’s argument: You honor your father / your master. But the priests do not honor nor fear God. He accuses the priests, “you despise my name.”
vv.7-8. The people are bringing blind or lame or sick animals for sacrifice. And the priests are allowing it!
v. 10. He tells the Israelites, if you’re going to bring half-hearted worship, I wish someone would just close the doors of the temple.
vv. 11 “From the rising of the sun to its setting, my name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering. For my name will be great among the nations, says the Lord of hosts.”
v. 12. “But you profane it” – make it common, unholy – by half-hearted worship
v. 13 – priests say about their ministry of worship – “what weariness!”
Half-hearted outward worship revealed an inward apathy toward God.
God despises apathetic, half-hearted worship. Revelation 3:15-16 15 “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot!16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.
v. 14. God calls the man who brings his second best for worship “a cheat.”
Apathy towards God affects every area of life. • Spiritually: People were apathetic about God (1:6-14) • Community: Leaders became corrupted (2:1-9) • Marriage: Husbands became unfaithful (2:10-16) • Money: People became greedy with money (3:6-12)
Redeeming Apathy 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. – (Revelation 2:5) 1. Remember – your previous passion for God 2. Repent – from a lukewarm heart for God 3. Return – to desiring to know and love God
God is worthy of whole-hearted devotion. “I am a great King, says the Lord of Hosts, and my name will be feared among the nations.” (Mal 1:14b)
Malachi 1:1-5 v. 1. Malachi was a prophet to the Jews who returned to Jerusalem. He was a contemporary of Nehemiah and Ezra. The Israelites had sinned, been taken into exile in Babylon as judgment God kept his covenant promises and allowed them to return to Jerusalem
But a spiritual apathy has set in. There was decay in their worship, in their marriages, in their finances.
v. 2. There are 23 questions in Malachi – Socratic dialectic God faithful covenant love God’s love for his people is substantiated through his declaration. Asking questions of someone so they think through their position and come to a conclusion on their own instead of a teacher just speaking. God declares – “I have (always) loved you” – perfect tense – completed action with continued ramifications.
The people asked, “how have you loved us?” It seemed to them God had not kept his promise to restore them.
God reminds them his love for Israel motivated him to choose Israel as his people. “loved / hated” have to be understood in covenant terms, chosen / not chosen. Since God chose Jacob, he loved him. Since God did not choose Esau, he hated him. God went against convention by choosing the younger to inherit his promises. God’s love for his people is substantiated through his election.
vv. 3-5 – Both Israel and Edom were destroyed. God allowed Israel to return, to be re-built; while he let Edom remain ruins. God is saying, in love, I made a covenant to you to be faithful to you. I am still keeping my covenant with you, my love for you is faithful.
Application: we go through times when we doubt God’s love. We struggle to believe that he is faithful when we suffer. “How do I know God loves me?” God has declared his love for us. “God demonstrates his love for us in this; while we were still sinners, Christ die for us.” - Romans 5:8 The cross stands as a historical landmark, a bold declaration: God has loved us.
God chose us out of his love for us. Ephesians 1:3-6 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.
Malachi 1:6-14 – The people are bringing blind or lame or sick animals for sacrifice. And the priests are allowing it! vv. 11-12. “My name will be great among the nations, but you profane it!” v. 13 – priests say about their ministry of worship – “what weariness!”
God despises apathetic, half-hearted, lukewarm worship. He tells the Israelites, if you’re going to apathetic about this, I’d rather you didn’t pray or offer sacrifices. I wish someone would just close the doors of the temple.
Revelation 3:15-16 15 “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot!16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.
v. 14. God calls the man who brings his second best for worship “a cheat.”
God is worthy of whole-hearted, devoted, excellent worship. “I am a great King, says the Lord of Hosts, and my name will be feared among the nations.”
The joy of the Lord is my strength (Neh 8:10) • Finding God Is Finding Joy (Jn 15:11) Sources of our joy • The Lord has done great things for us (Ps 126:3) • The Lord’s supply is greater than our need (Isa 61:3) • The Lord will save us (Isa 25:9) • The Lord rejoices to do us good (Jer 32:41)
Jeremiah 32:40-41 I will make with them an everlasting covenant, that I will not turn away from doing good to them. And I will put the fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me. I will rejoice in doing them good, and I will plant them in this land in faithfulness, with all my heart and all my soul.
When I am discouraged, I come back to this promise over and over again. The Lord rejoices to do us good. Not just does you good; he rejoices to do you good. He does not begrudgingly fulfill this promises to you. It God’s joy to do you good.
Isaiah 62:1-5 1 – A prophecy of the Messiah, the Anointed One of God. “I will not be quiet” – The Lord will not be silent and inactive toward his people. The Lord is committed to act (ceaselessly) to save us and make us righteous
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. – (Mt 5:6)
2-3 – The nations will see Zion’s new righteousness. The Lord will give us a new name signifying a new nature.
God’s people are like a crown of beauty, a royal diadem. The lord holds his people as the sign to the world that he is king.
4 – The Lord will transform us from forsaken & desolation to delighted in. Jerusalem was destroyed, emptied of people by Babylonian captivity. “My Delight Is in Her” – Hephzibah and “Married” – Beulah The marriage of the Lamb (Rev 19:7) – Jesus the groom, his people the bride
5 – As the groom rejoices over his bride, your God shall rejoice over you. The Lord rejoices over his people. He finds joy in his people – like a parent for a child. God finds joy in doing good for his people.
Application: 1. Find joy in the Lord Spending time in God’s presence, contemplating his majesty, his love for me… This brings joy to your life.
- When it’s hard to find joy, hope in God. John Piper: Sometimes it is hard to have joy. Situations can be so hard to bear that we cannot muster joy. In those times, “I try to imitate Abraham: ‘In hope he believed against hope.’ (Rom 4:18) You look your hopeless situation in the face & say, ‘You are not as strong as God. He can do the impossible. And I know he loves to do it for those who trust him. So, hopelessness, I say, ‘I will trust in God.’”
God is faithful to guard that little spark of faith and eventually (not always right away) fan it into a flame of happiness and full confidence. What makes the heart of God happy includes doing good for you and me.
- Imitate God, find joy in doing good for others. We find joy in imitating what God does for us: rejoice to do good for others. In marriage, find joy in doing good for your wife/husband. Toward others, find joy in doing good for them. Joy is an odd thing, we do not find it when we seek it for ourselves, but when we seek it for others.
“Joy is the surest sign of the presence of God.” – Pierre Teilhard De Chardin The joy of the Lord is my strength (Neh 8:10) • Finding God Is Finding Joy (Jn 15:11) • The Lord has done great things for us (Ps 126:3) • The Lord’s supply is greater than our need (Isa 61:3) • The Lord will save us (Isa 25:9)
Isaiah 25:6-10 A prophecy of the future reign of God and care for his people The view is similar to the language of Ps 22 where God’s people feast and worship God together. And Revelation 21, John’s prophecy of the new heaven and new earth
v. 6. The Messianic Banquet “On this mountain” – Mt Zion, a reference to the place of God’s people & his rule God will richly provide for his people a feast – of rich food and the finest of wines “All peoples” will be included, Jew and Gentile, people from all nations
vv. 7-8. God will put an end to the curse of death and sorrow “Swallow up” to make disappear utterly Death is a “veil,” a shroud, a darkness that covers the whole world. This is a picture of a shadow that is over all mankind. Death covers over people like a funeral shroud. Paul wrote, “the night is nearly over; the day is almost here” (Rom 13:12)
Death is the most profound evidence of the curse as consequence of sin. The curse of sin will be removed, particularly death. Colossians 3:13 “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming curse for us.”
When God rules over his kingdom, he will put an end to death. He will reverse the curse of sin. “The Lord has spoken” – you have the certain, faithful promise of God.
• God will swallow up (destroy) death • God himself will wipe away all their tears
God promises the removal of all tears. This means that God himself will go to EACH of his people and wipe EVERY tear from their faces. This includes the sorrow of death, but also tears of oppression, sickness, pain, disappointment loneliness, rejection, defeat, suffering… all will be taken away.
• God will swallow up (destroy) death • God himself will wipe away all their tears • He will remove the disgrace of his people
Israel was suffering disgrace of oppression by other nations. This was a consequence of their own sin, but also the oppression of powerful nations against them.
God will remove the disgrace of our own sin and others’ sin against us.
These are the acts of God when he establishes his kingdom • God will richly provide for his people • He will put an end to death and sorrow o He will swallow up death o He will wipe away all their tears o He will remove their disgrace
v. 9. His people’s response: “In that day” – the day the of the Lord’s final victory “This is our God… this is the Lord” – repeated, there is no other explanation for our salvation, the Lord alone has done this. The Lord alone has acted wonderfully, graciously toward us.
“That he might save us” – his people trusted God’ promises of salvation
“We waited for him” – waiting is a “hopeful act of waiting”, trusting God’s people put their faith in him, they waited and hoped in him. They hoped through suffering, they waited through trials, they continued to believe God’s promises when their circumstances didn’t match God’s promises.
“Let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation” – his people rejoice in his salvation
The Blessed God Joy is found in its purist and unmixed form in the character of God.
“The gospel of the glory of the blessed God.” – 1 Tim 1:11b
“God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords” – 1 Tim 6:15a
God is blessed (happy) • His character lacks nothing. • His life is unstained by sin. • He exists in perfect harmony within the trinity.
“God is happiness by his essence: for he is happy not by acquisition or participation of something else, but by his essence. On the other hand, men are happy by participation.” – Thomas Aquinas
Finding God Is Finding Joy “Following after God is the desire of happiness; to reach God is happiness itself.” – Augustine of Hippo
We find joy in things and people – a warm cup of coffee, a good book, a good workout, a gentle rain, a puppy, a friend, our family. All of that is given to us out of the abundance of God’s joy.
Jesus Fills Us with His Joy As Jesus spent his last evening with his disciples before he was crucified, he promised them his own joy – full, abundant joy.
John 15:1-11 1. Jesus is the true vine (who bore the fruit that God desired). 2. The Father is the gardener who prunes fruitless branches. 3. We are the branches who must remain in the vine to be fruitful. 4. Our fruit brings glory to God. 5. As the Father loved the Son; so the Son loved the disciples. 6. As the Son obeyed the Father; so the disciples must obey the Son. 7. The disciples must abide in the Son’s love. 8. In their abiding in him, Jesus will fill his disciples with his joy.
Question: How is our joy made full? By abiding in the source of all joy – Jesus Christ. Jesus’ point of the vine analogy in John 15 is this – remain in me, abide in me. Live your life with me for a fruitful life. Let my words give your life direction. Abide in my love, keep my commands.
As we abide with Jesus Christ, he fills us with his joy - and fills us full of joy.
Our greatest joy is found in lives wrapped up in the life, love and words of Jesus Christ.
Abiding with Christ is Finding Joy
The Good and Sovereign Rule of God a. God places us in time and space for His good purposes. b. Even when we cannot see him, God works for the good of his people. c. God moves sovereignly to keep his covenant promises. d. God humbles the proud and exalts the humble. e. God works when his people pray.
Esther 9:1-3 v. 1. The enemies hoped to gain mastery over the Jews, the reverse occurred. v. 2. The fear of them fell on all peoples This was the Lord fighting for his people. The phrase is used for Jacob as he traveled from Shechem to Bethel. Israel as they entered the Promised Land, as Rahab told the spies that the fear of Israel paralyzed the nations in Canaan that gave Israel the victory.
The fear of God is shrinking in our culture – a lack of respect for God. In many places there is little respect for Christian faith, values or even Christians. But we are not called to always be the most influential voice in our culture. What God is doing in the culture at large is beyond our control.
In a culture that is increasingly hostile to God I. We are to trust God and faithfully carry on his mission (Mt 5:14-16) We are called to be salt and light in a decaying and dark society.
Matthew 5:14-16 14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
II. We recognize our enemies are spiritual (Eph 6:12) We tend to think of our enemies as an unfair boss, or an ex-husband or -wife. Or as people who have a different view of the world than we do. The Scriptures are clear: people are not the enemy.
Ephesians 6:12 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Our enemy: “rulers, authorities, powers over this present darkness” “spiritual forces of evil”
How do we view people who are hostile to Christian faith and hostile to God? They are not the enemy. They are blinded by the enemy.
2 Corinthians 4:4 4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
In a culture that is increasingly hostile to God I. We are to trust God and faithfully carry on his mission (Mt 5:14-16) II. We recognize our enemies are spiritual (Eph 6:12) III. We do not fight with the weapons of the world (2 Cor 10:3-5)
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.
Summary People attacked the Jews, they defended themselves, but took no plunder. The Lord fought on behalf of the Jews, he put fear in the hearts of their enemies. They were victorious against a wicked, murderous enemy. This was how the Feast of Purim began. It is celebrated by feasting and giving gifts of food, especially to the poor.
When you trust God and shine his light, there will be some who escape the darkness by the Lord’s goodness shining in you.
The Good and Sovereign Rule of God a. God places us in time and space for His good purposes. b. Even when we cannot see him, God works for the good of his people. c. God moves sovereignly to keep his covenant promises. d. God humbles the proud and exalts the humble. e. God works when his people pray.
Esther 8:1-2 Jesus binds the strong man (Satan) & plunders his house (Mk 3:27). Does that mean that Christians always get rich in this life? No, Christians may be wealthy, but this points to a future glory – Christians will share in the inheritance with Christ
16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. (Rom 8:16-17)
Esther 8:3-6 - She is not satisfied with wealth. She does not just sit back in her newly-found comfort. She cannot be comforted by wealth – she weeps and pleads with the king. “How can I bear to see the calamity that is coming to my people?” (v. 6) She cannot be silent in the face of this edict of death that Haman wrote.
We should be thankful for God’s blessing but cannot be satisfied by our comfort. We should have a conviction against the wrongs around us. Abused children, single mothers raising their children, the utter disregard for the unborn, the powerful devouring the weak.
Our love for God compels us to be like him: a father to the fatherless, a defender of weak, seeking justice and goodness If we are truly going to follow Christ, we will spend time helping others? We will give money to ease suffering. We will bow before God to plead for salvation for the lost to.
Look at the influence of one woman and one man have on an entire nation.
Esther 8:7-14 Problem: the Jews could kill the family of their attackers? A response to Haman’s edict, perhaps a deterrent against attack – they didn’t.
Haman wrote an edict of death. Mordecai wrote an edict of life.
Esther 8:15-17 – When the righteous rule, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan. (Prov 29:2)
13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? (Matthew 5:13a)
The righteous influence of God’s people Do not be pacified by comfort – one way to lose saltiness Fan the flame of conviction for what is right Sacrifice time, money, and emotion to do good Intercede in prayer for others
Father’s Day: Esther 2:7 – One of God’s calling on men is to take on responsibility – especially for providing for and raising children.
Mordecai’s younger cousin was orphaned, so he saw the need and raised her. Mordecai was “bringing up” Esther, for she had neither father nor mother. Hebrew word: aman’ – means to support, sustain, to be faithful.
Support – providing for needs – financially AND time Sustain – being a source of strength – being there in struggles Faithful – being a person your family can depend on
Men, one of God’s primary calling for us is to be a strong support of our families. We are called to be a source of faithful providence and guidance.
The word aman’ can also mean “to believe in” Men, our words to our children have incredible power to build up or tear down. Be careful how you speak to your children. Use your words to build confidence in your children.
Supporting, sustaining, faithful, and believing.
The Good and Sovereign Rule of God a. God places us in time and space for His good purposes. b. Even when we cannot see him, God works for the good of his people. c. God moves sovereignly to keep his covenant promises. d. God humbles the proud and exalts the humble.
Esther 7:1-6 V. 1. Haman was depressed; a feast with the king & queen would feed his pride. The king at this point does not know of Esther’s Jewish heritage.
V. 3. The king is shocked to hear his own queen ask for her own life. Not just her own life, Esther intercedes for the lives of all the Jewish people.
The king must have expected Esther to ask for material things, but Esther asks for something far more precious, far more than what a king’s riches could afford.
We live in a world that tries to place human value on only sexuality or what political party you support or how much money you have in the bank or whether you’re born or unborn or old or young.
Our faith is one that speaks of the value and sacredness of human life itself. We believe that all people, young and old, rich and poor, male and female, strong and weak, people who agree with us and people who would oppose us – all of them, everyone was made in the image of God. Every human life in every stage is precious.
Esther prays, for life: “let my life be granted for my wish, and my people for my request.”
We must pray for life and salvation. We must intercede against wickedness that would destroy life. We must give our money, our time, our prayers that lives might be saved, suffering relieved, and souls saved from the destruction of sin.
Intercession for Life and Salvation Pray for the perishing As Elijah for the widow’s son (1 Ki 17) Pray for the righteous among the wicked As Abraham for Sodom (Gen 18) Pray for your children and grandchildren As Job for his children (Job 1:5) Pray for your friends As Job for his friends (Job 42:8) Pray for those guilty of sin As Jesus for those who crucified him (Lk 23:34)
Vv. 5-6. Who? A foe, enemy, This wicked Haman. Minces no words: this was evil.
Esther 7:7-10 V 7. Irony: Haman was angry that Mordecai would not bow before him. Now Haman bowed begging before Esther.
Vv. 9-10. Irony: Mordecai was hanged on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai.
Haman sowed pride, arrogance, death, conspiracy. He reaped self-destruction. Sowing and Reaping. Galatians 6:7-8 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
Haman had been warned by his friends and his wife, “you will not overcome him but will surely fall before him.”
The Lord is good to give warnings of his coming judgment. 2 Peter 2:9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
The Lord is not wishing that any should perish, but all to repent. The wicked, the proud, those who refuse to put their faith in Christ will perish. God calls his people to intercede for the perishing.
The Good and Sovereign Rule of God a. God places us in time and space for His good purposes. b. Even when we cannot see him, God works for the good of his people. c. God moves sovereignly to keep his covenant promises. d. God humbles the proud and exalts the humble.
Esther 6:10-11 – Humble Mordecai is Exalted A humble person • Is not blinded by pride o He was not so self-absorbed to know what was happening • Seeks the good of others o He warned the king of the plot, thwarted the plot against the Jews • Does not demand recognition, not him/herself o He never asked to be honored by the king • Seeks help from God o He and Esther fasted for 3 days to humbly seek God’s help • Is exalted in time by God o He is honored by the king and will be promoted (Ch 8)
Romans 12:3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.
Esther 6:12-13 – Proud Haman is humbled A proud person • Takes the credit for his blessings (5:11) o He boasted of his riches, sons, and promotions • Believes he is entitled to honor (6:6) o He believed he was worthy to be honored • Demands recognition (6:8) o His ideas for reward were all self-recognition • Is humbled by God (6:12) o He went home mourning • Is destroyed by his own pride (6:13) o His own wife saw that he would fall
The Upside-Down Kingdom of God The greatest among you shall be your servant. (Mt 23:11) The Beatitudes (Mt 5:4-6) The mourners are comforted The meek receive inheritance The hungry for righteousness are satisfied
The Grace of Gospel (Lk 4:18-19) Good news to the poor Liberty to the captives Recovery of sight to the blind Liberty to the oppressed The Lord's favor
1 Peter 5:5-6 5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you.
Major Themes in Esther: I. Idolatry Leads to Destruction: a. It is short-lived and unsatisfying. b. Its inability to satisfy drives him into a rage. c. It will end in his destruction.
II. The Good and Sovereign Rule of God a. God places us in time and space for His good Purposes b. Even when we cannot see him, God works for the good of his people. i. The king chooses Esther (2:17) ii. Mordecai overhears a plot (2:21-23) iii. Esther won the favor of the king (5:2) iv. Haman walks in as the king ponders (6:4) v. The king rewards Mordecai (6:10) vi. Haman’s begging is seen as assault (7:8) vii. Mordecai is exalted (8:2)
Esther 6:1-13 – The Sleepless King and the Providence of God Coincidence or divine sovereignty? It just so happens that Mordecai overheard a plot against the king. It just so happened that the king could not sleep the night before Haman asks to execute Mordecai. The scribe just happened to read the chronicles of Mordecai’s heroic act. Haman happened to come in as the king pondered how to reward Mordecai
These are not coincidences; but the sovereign hand of God protecting his people.
We comprehend him not, Yet earth and heaven tell, God sits as sovereign on the throne, And ruleth all things well. – Paul Gerhardt
God is quietly overruling all pagan attempts to destroy his people. In the face of this wicked desire to annihilate the Jews, God is committed by covenant to accomplish his plan of worldwide redemption and new creation. God will not allow his people to be destroyed. He will keep his covenant promises. Through these people God will provide the Savior of the world.
Galatians 4:4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law.
God is faithful to keep his covenant promises. He acts with sovereign power to thwart wicked plans to kill his people. He acts with sovereign power to save his people – even in a pagan nation. He acts with sovereign power to provide the Savior of the world.
The Good & Sovereign Rule of God Even when we do not see him, God works for the good of his people. God overrules wicked plans to deliver his people. God rules sovereignly to keep his covenant promises to provide the Savior of the world.
In the New Testament, Jesus taught his disciples to pray in Mt 6:10 Your kingdom come, establish your loving rule over all the earth. your will be done, Do your good and perfect will on earth as it is in heaven. just as the angels do your will in heaven, perfectly accomplish your will on earth.
What are we doing that is NOT God’s will? • Living separate, selfish lives
What would we be doing if we were doing God’s will? • Doing good, being loving, being selfless, sharing the gospel, caring for those who cannot care for themselves.
Major Themes in Esther: I. Idolatry Leads to Destruction: a. It is short-lived and unsatisfying. b. Its inability to satisfy drives him into a rage. c. It will end in his destruction.
II. The Good and Sovereign Rule of God a. God places us in time and space for His good Purposes b. Even when we cannot see him, God works for the good of his people. i. The king chooses Esther (2:17) ii. Mordecai overhears a plot (2:21-23) iii. Esther won the favor of the king (5:2) iv. Haman walks in as the king ponders (6:4) v. The king rewards Mordecai (6:10) vi. Haman’s begging is seen as assault (7:8) vii. Mordecai is exalted (8:2)
Esther 6:1-13 – The Sleepless King and the Providence of God Coincidence or divine sovereignty? It just so happens that Mordecai overheard a plot against the king. It just so happened that the king could not sleep the night before Haman asks to execute Mordecai. The scribe just happened to read the chronicles of Mordecai’s heroic act. Haman happened to come in as the king pondered how to reward Mordecai
These are not coincidences; but the sovereign hand of God protecting his people.
We comprehend him not, Yet earth and heaven tell, God sits as sovereign on the throne, And ruleth all things well. – Paul Gerhardt
God is quietly overruling all pagan attempts to destroy his people. In the face of this wicked desire to annihilate the Jews, God is committed by covenant to accomplish his plan of worldwide redemption and new creation. God will not allow his people to be destroyed. He will keep his covenant promises. Through these people God will provide the Savior of the world.
Galatians 4:4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law.
God is faithful to keep his covenant promises. He acts with sovereign power to thwart wicked plans to kill his people. He acts with sovereign power to save his people – even in a pagan nation. He acts with sovereign power to provide the Savior of the world.
The Good & Sovereign Rule of God Even when we do not see him, God works for the good of his people. God overrules wicked plans to deliver his people. God rules sovereignly to keep his covenant promises to provide the Savior of the world.
In the New Testament, Jesus taught his disciples to pray in Mt 6:10 Your kingdom come, establish your loving rule over all the earth. your will be done, Do your good and perfect will on earth as it is in heaven. just as the angels do your will in heaven, perfectly accomplish your will on earth.
What are we doing that is NOT God’s will? • Living separate, selfish lives
What would we be doing if we were doing God’s will? • Doing good, being loving, being selfless, sharing the gospel, caring for those who cannot care for themselves.
Esther 5:1-2 Esther Appears Before the King v. 2. After fasting for 3 days. He did not have her executed. “She won favor in his sight.” Even when God is hidden from us, he is not absent. Even when we cannot see him, God works for the good of his people. She asks for a banquet for Xerxes and Haman the next day (8)
Esther 5:9-11 Haman’s idolatry, pride and anger v. 9. Haman’s happiness depends on his circumstances – being honored. v. 11. He is proud of his wealth, promotions and sons.
This is idolatry. Haman values the honor of men more than anything else. The effects of Haman’s idolatry: 1. It is short-lived and unsatisfying. 2. Its inability to satisfy drives him into a rage. 3. It will end in his destruction.
Idols cannot satisfy. They are empty promises. We tend to turn good things that we ought to thank God for into ultimate things: money, food, a job, prestige, the opposite sex, even marriage and family. When something good becomes the ultimate something in your life, it is an idol.
Jonah 2:8 Those who pay regard to vain idols forsake their hope of steadfast love.
When we turn to idols for security, meaning, purpose, identity – we turn from God and the hope of his steadfast love for us. God will graciously allow you to see that idols will not satisfy you. God alone can satisfy, fulfill, give purpose, give meaning.
Esther 6:1-3 – The king reviews his records Coincidence or divine sovereignty? 1. It just so happens that Mordecai overheard a plot against the king. 2. It just so happened that the king could not sleep the night before Haman asks to execute Mordecai. 3. The scribe just happened to read the chronicles of Mordecai’s heroic act.
These are not coincidences; but the sovereign hand of God protecting his people.
We comprehend him not, Yet earth and heaven tell, God sits as sovereign on the throne, And ruleth all things well. – Paul Gerhardt
God is quietly overruling all pagan attempts to destroy his people. In the face of this wicked desire to annihilate the Jews, God is committed by covenant to accomplish his plan of worldwide redemption and new creation. God will not allow his people to be destroyed. He will keep his covenant promises. Through these people God will provide the Savior of the world.
Galatians 4:4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law.
God is faithful to keep his covenant promises. He acts with sovereign power to thwart wicked plans to kill his people. He acts with sovereign power to save his people – even in a pagan nation. He acts with sovereign power to provide the Savior of the world.
Global Themes of Esther Even when we do not see him, God works for the good of his people. God alone satisfies; idols cannot. God rules sovereignly to keep his covenant promises.
Background The book of Esther takes place between the first and second return of the Jews to the Promised Land (~483-473 B.C.) Persia was the dominant world power; their royal leaders are prominent characters in the book
Key Characters Ahasuerus (Xerxes) – Persian King ruled from 486 to 465 B.C. Haman – the king’s chief officer and wicked persecutor of the Jews Mordecai – an exiled Jew and Cousin of Esther, lived in Susa, the capitol of the Persian Empire Esther – a beautiful Jewish woman raised by Mordecai who becomes Queen in Persia
Mordecai discovers a plot by Haman to have all the Jews in the Persian Empire killed.
Esther 4 1-3 Mordecai and other Jews mourn over the decree.
4-6 Esther sends clothes to Mordecai, but he won’t accept them.
7-9 She sends a messenger to Mordecai. Mordecai tells him of the plot. Mordecai asks that Esther go to the king and plead for the Jewish people.
10-11 Esther responds that Mordecai’s request is not possible. Anyone who goes to the king without invitation is put to death
12-14 A Time to Speak – “If you keep silent at this time…” (v. 14) Speak up against evil. Speak up against injustice. Speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. In many instances, there are no neutral positions God will still sovereignly act to save his people But you will miss being a part of and seeing God’s plan
“Who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this.” Mordecai recognizes, this is no accident. God has ordained this. God placed Esther here, at this time, at this place, for such a time as this
Acts 17:26-27 – God made you and placed you in this time and space 26 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, 27 that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us
15-17 Esther calls the Jews to join her for a three-day fast. “Then I will go to the king though it is against law…” – against the law, but right “if I perish, I perish” – willing to risk her life
Esther foreshadows Jesus Christ. • God sovereignly raised her up to save her people • She is willing to give her life for her people and is vindicated and honored • Through her willingness to die for others, God’s people are given life and honor and God’s enemies are defeated
“Esther moments” – see the time and place you are in and the people you influence as ordained by God to accomplish his will
“Mordecai moments” – there are times when other believers need a word of truth, spurring on, encouragement
“Fasting and praying moments” – God moves powerfully when his people pray.
2 Timothy 4 Paul solemnly calls Timothy before the living God to remind him of his calling. Realities of the Christian’s Calling (1) • The reality of Christ’s judgment • The reality of Christ’s return • The reality of the establishment of Christ’s kingdom
Commands for the Christian leader (vv. 2 & 5) 1. Preach the Word – communicate the gospel 2. Be prepared – always on duty 3. Correct – Rebuke – Encourage 4. Have presence of mind in all situations 5. Be willing to suffer hardship 6. Be dedicated to the ministry
Paul’s Own Life and Ministry (6-7) A drink offering – poured out as an offering to God A departure – as a ship pulls anchor or an army breaks camp to return home A contest – as a struggle or a race, the contest was over, but victory abides Paul had contended by God’s grace and was faithful to his calling. This is reflection of what the grace of God produced in his life.
Isn’t this what we want to be able to say at the end of our lives? I have fought the fight, finished the race, kept the faith. By God’s grace, I have been faithful to his calling and now reward awaits me.
Reward for Obedience (8) Jesus is the judge who will bestow award to all those whose righteous actions demonstrate their longing for Christ’s return.
God is faithful, he will not ignore the works of his people; he will evaluate them and reward. And we will say, thank you, Lord, for what you have produced in me.”
v. 9 “Come to me soon” v. 21 before winter makes travel impossible over the sea
v. 10. Demas in love with the world deserted me. (a coworker in Colossians)
v. 13 – bring the cloak – was Paul cold in the dungeon? “scrolls” – papyrus rolls. “parchments” animal skins – OT? Paul’s writings?
v. 14-15 Watch out for Alexander – he did me great harm
v. 16 At my first defense No one came to stand by me – Paul was deserted. We do not know if that is because his friends did not know the seriousness or if they did not want to get involved.
v. 17-18 the Lord stood by me – the Lord is an ever-present help and friend Strengthened me so the message could be proclaimed to the Gentiles – perhaps a reference to Paul declaring the gospel in the center of Gentile government in Rome.
vv. “I was rescued from the lion’s mouth” – What is the lion’s mouth? Some suggest the lions of the coliseum. Others suggested Emperor Nero or Satan. Some suggested he means that he was not executed – but he believes he’ll be martyred. It does not mean that he was set free from his imprisonment.
What does it mean he was rescued? In the face of the lion, the Lord gave him strength that his faith was not undermined. Paul “is affirming his confidence. That no assault of his enemies will undermine his faith or his courage.”
When Paul says that he was rescued from the lion's mouth and that he will be rescued from every evil work, he does not mean that he escaped death and will escape death. He means he was saved from unbelief; he was saved from apostasy; he was saved from loving the world like Demas (v. 10); he was saved from cowardice; he was saved from throwing it all away for a few more years of freedom and comfort. – John Piper
Paul’s appeals to a Christian Leader: • Be bold in the faith (1:6,7) • Be strong in Christ’s grace (2:1) • Join in suffering for the gospel (1:8; 2:2) • Avoid meaningless arguments (2:14,16) • Separate from false teachers (2:21) • Flee evil / Purse righteousness (2:22) • Be kind and teach those who oppose you (2:24-25)
Chapter 3 provides a contrast between an unbelieving world and a believer. The contrast is stark. The world is overcome by evil. They walk in it and are ruined by it. The believer escapes evil’s corruption. He/she walks in goodness and is rescued by the Lord Jesus Christ from ruin.
[Slide 3] 2 Timothy 3:10-13 [Slide 4] Two Paths in Contrast The life of wickedness • Narcissistic, materialistic, proud, arrogant, abusive, rebellious, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, unrestrained, brutal, opposed to goodness, treacherous, reckless, conceited, loving pleasure rather than God (2-5) The life of the Christian • Following Christ’s teaching, conduct, purpose and faith; patience, persecution, and suffering; and, ultimately, rescued by the Lord (10-11)
Paul then goes on to encourage Timothy about two major influences in his life that have built Timothy up and prepared him to endure in his faith.
[Slide 5] 2 Timothy 3:14-15 [Slide 6] 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Paul’s aim is to encourage Timothy to be bold and endure in his faith and calling. Continue in what you have learned and believed • [Slide 7] Think of the people who to taught you o Timothy was raised in the faith by his mother and grandmother. o He also had other men and women who were faithful to teach him not only the gospel but assured of its truth. o “Continue” means to “hold to” or “remain” in what he learned. o Not just to believe the gospel, but to live in what he learned. o We should find strength to endure in our faith when we remember faithful men and women who invested time in teaching us. o People we respect, people whose lives we look up to because of their faith, because their lives are fruitful because of Christ’s work in them. o Write a note of thanks, make a phone call, say a word of thanks. • Think of the Scriptures that instruct you o Make you wise for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ You learn of God’s plan to redeem you in the Bible. You see it foreshadowed in the OT sacrifices, structures, narratives, and prophecies You read about it in the gospels. And you learn of it changing lives in Acts and the epistles o Teaching As truth o Rebuking Exposing wrong & pointing to what’s right o Correcting Restoring to a right state o Training in righteousness Christian discipline for a holy life o Equipped for good work Qualified and prepared for God’s calling
The Christian life is hard. We find strength in people who have taught us – formally and people whose lives have been an example for us, maybe didn’t even know. Thank them. Thank our children and youth teachers. They are pouring the strength and power of the gospel into people’s lives.
We find strength for the Christian life in the Scriptures. The Bible is God’s word, so it is useful in our lives. It teaches us what is truth. It teaches us how to be saved, restored, redeemed. It trains us for holy lives and equips us for God’s calling.
Last week, we celebrated Palm Sunday when Jesus rode into Jerusalem and was welcomed as the King of the Jews and the Messiah. But 5 days later the crowd who welcomed him condemned him to death. The true triumph of Jesus was not on Palm Sunday, but his emerging alive from the tomb with victory over sin and death on Resurrection Sunday.
John 20:1-18 v. 1. Mary Magdalene arrived at the tomb, saw the stone was taken away.
v. 2 she ran to Simon and “the one whom Jesus loved” – John “they have taken the Lord out of the tomb and we don’t know where” I. The tomb was empty – Jesus’ body is not there.
vv. 3-4. Peter and John ran to the tomb – John was younger, outran Peter v. 5. John saw the linen cloths there, but did not go in.
v. 6. Peter gets there and went in. Peter saw is a different Greek word than… Mary Magdalene saw the stone rolled away. John saw the linen cloths lying there, still in their place, just empty. It is as though Jesus’ body passed through them.
II. The tomb was empty. The grave clothes were left lying in the place. Peter saw (‘theoreo’) – our English word, theorize. Peter was trying to make sense of what he saw.
If grave robbers took Jesus, why would they leave the linen cloths with valuable spices in them? If Jesus’ enemies took the body, why would they take the time to unwrap the body? Besides, the spices helped cover the smell of decay. Jesus’ enemies would have been happy to come up with his body to stop his followers from saying he was alive. If Jesus’ disciples took the body, why would they take the time to unwrap the body? Would they have taken his body away naked, disrespectfully?
Luke 24:12 says Peter “went away, wondering to himself what had happened.”
John saw (a third word for saw) – discerned with his eyes, experienced. John saw the empty graves and the empty grave cloths – and believed. The preaching in the early church and the rapid growth of the church cannot be explained with any other electrifying and energizing event but the empty tomb.
v. 9 They did not understand the Scripture. Peter tired piecing it together but was wondering what it all meant. John believed Jesus was alive, but he did not grasp the ramifications.
v. 11-12 Mary returned to the tomb, looked in and saw two angels. The angels point to something miraculous, not grave robbers but God’s power.
v. 13. “they have taken away my Lord.”
v. 14. She saw Jesus “standing” but did not know him. (common in the resurrection narratives)
v. 15. “why are you weeping?” – a mild rebuke – she has no reason to cry “who are you seeking?” – an invitation to comprehend what she’s seen. Did you come expecting to see a dead teacher. This is the Messiah, son of God.
v. 16. Jesus said, “Mary”. Mary replied “Teacher” III. The tomb was empty. The grave clothes were left behind. IV. Jesus appeared in person and called Mary by name. Jesus would appear to more than 500 over the next 40 days.
v. 17. “do not cling to me, I have not yet ascended to my Father.” Do not cling to me, when I go to my Father, you will receive the Holy Spirit. You will experience my presence in a greater, more powerful & personal way.
v. 18. “go and tell the disciples” Mary Magdalene is the first to get to see the resurrected Jesus.
Because of Jesus’ resurrection, sin will not overcome us. Death will not be the end of us. We are free from the shackles and corruption of sin. We have eternal life and eternal glory awaits us. Your King is coming again.
Matthew 21:1-16
Jesus went to Jerusalem before his crucifixion. On Palm Sunday Jesus forces the hand of the religious leaders. Would they accept him as Israel’s king, or would they reject him?
v. 5 “Behold, your king is coming to you.”
v. 9 When Jesus rides into Jerusalem, the people shout, “Hosanna” (God save us). “Son of David” – recognizing that Jesus is the rightful King or Lord. And “blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” (Ps 118:26) These were declarations that they believed Jesus was sent by God to save them, that is, the Messiah.
Jesus accepts the people’s declaration that he is Messiah and king. He quotes Isaiah, “my house shall be called a house of prayer.”
Jesus forces us to stop sitting on the fence and decide who is he? Tim Keller says his actions say in essence, “crown me or kill me.” He says, “Jesus is unbelievably humble but not modest.” Jesus is sweet and tender to women and children, prostitutes, the poor, the sick, the blind, the lame, the outcasts.
But his claims about himself are outrageous. He receives declaration of kingship and Messiah as praise – God alone is worthy. “His gospel… is either a work of madness or blinding revelation.” – Reynolds Price
Either crown Jesus as king or reject him all together. But when you see what Jesus claims about himself, you cannot merely like him. You cannot say, “come in savior, but stay out Lord.” You cannot be lukewarm about him.
Jesus forces us to decide who is he and why did he come? Who is this? King and Lord and Messiah, sent by God to save us. If he is Savior, then He is also Lord.
Jesus road into Jerusalem on a young donkey. 200 years before, Simon Maccabeus road into Jerusalem with people shouting and cheering and waving palm branches after he led a revolt against the Greeks. Victors ride into capital cities on horses, not donkeys.
Jesus’ coming on a donkey points to his intentions. 1. Jesus deliberately fulfilled Scripture “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey.” (Zech 9:9) 2. Jesus came to rule and save, not by human power or killing, but by losing power and dying. 3. Jesus will triumph not through strength, but through weakness.
We go to God because we need something. A man in the hospital was diagnosed with cancer, so he called for the hospital chaplain. But when the chaplain arrived, he said, ‘turns out they gave me someone else’s diagnosis. I don’t have cancer. I don’t need you anymore.’
The people of Jerusalem in Jesus’ day thought their greatest need was for God to judge the Romans and release the Jews from their harsh rule.
But what they really needed was pardon and rescue from their sin. We need reconciliation with God so that when Jesus comes again to destroy evil, he doesn’t destroy us too.
Three implications: 1. Human celebrity is fleeting and worthless – the people who shouted “Hosanna” will shout, “crucify him” within a week. 2. Our perceptions of our needs are incredibly shallow. 3. God is trustworthy to provide what we need – and more. The crowd thought that Jesus had come to make things right, but he came to make you right with God.
Who is this? He is King or Lord and Messiah. Why did he come? To give his life to rescue you from sin & reconcile you to God.
“In the midst of all of this, an unbroken young animal remains totally calm under the hands of the Messiah who controls nature and stills the storm. This even points to the peace of the consummated kingdom. Jesus is the Lord of all and under his hand nothing but harmony and peace comes about. The animal knows and loves his true master for who he is. This is a foreshadowing of the healing and completion of all nature as found in Isaiah 11, the wolf shall live with the lamb…” – Don Carson
Paul’s appeals to Timothy: • Be bold in the faith (1:6,7) • Be strong in Christ’s grace (2:1) • Join in suffering for the gospel (1:8; 2:2) • Avoid meaningless arguments (2:14,16) • Separate from false teachers (2:21) • Flee evil / Purse righteousness (2:22) • Be kind those who oppose you and teach them (2:24-25)
Chapter 3 provides a contrast between an unbelieving world and a believer. The contrast is stark. The world is overcome by evil. They walk in it and are ruined by it. The believer escapes evil’s corruption. He/she walks in goodness and is rescued by the Lord Jesus Christ from ruin.
- The times of evil (1a)
- The severity of evil (1b)
- The specifics of evil (2-5)
- The creep of evil (6-7)
- The limit of evil (8-9)
- The alternative to evil (10-13) – John Piper
2 Timothy 3:1-5 1. The times of evil – the last days We are in the last days. They began with Jesus’ first coming. “In these last days God has spoken to us by his Son.” (Heb 1:2) Wickedness will intensify before Jesus’ second coming.
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The severity of evil – fierce Fierceness of evil will come. We cannot grow disillusioned with growing evil. We are pilgrims and strangers here. God’s people have always been the minority, the remnant.
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The specifics of evil – ravaging Sin ravages the human soul. It twists, corrupts, ruins, and condemns us under God’s right judgment. We must care about our own holiness. And about unbelievers caught in sin. 2 Timothy 3:6-7
- The creep of evil – deceptive Paul is referring to specific circumstances of false teachers who have led women astray. Evil creeps in and attempts to capture the weak and burdened by sin. It leads astray people who are not grounded in truth.
An important ministry of the church is to ground men, women and children in the truth of the Scriptures, that they may not be carried away by a lie.
2 Timothy 3:8-9 5. The limit of evil – finite Jannes and Jambres are names given in the tradition of the Jewish Talmud of the two magicians in Egypt that opposed Moses in Exodus 7. When God worked through Moses to bring about the plagues, they reproduced the first three. They reproduced 3 but could not reproduce all 10. They were false. The power of their wickedness could not match the power of God.
Evil will have its time, but everyone will stand before the judgment of God. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.” – 2 Corinthians 5:10
2 Timothy 3:10-13 6. The alternative to evil – the Christian path Life of wickedness: Narcissistic, materialistic, proud, arrogant, abusive, rebellious, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, unrestrained, brutal, opposed to goodness, treacherous, reckless, conceited, loving pleasure not God
Life of the Christian: Following Christian teaching, conduct, purpose and faith; patience, persecution, and suffering; and, ultimately, rescued by the Lord. (10-11)
Paul is NOT saying that the Lord rescued him from suffering, but something else. Could be that the Lord saved his physical life, but he may have something bigger in mind: The Lord rescued Paul from turning from faith in Christ, from Christ’s goodness, from his destiny with Christ, and his future reward of glory w/ Christ.
Paul’s appeals to Timothy: Be bold in the faith (1:6,7) Be strong in Christ’s grace (2:1) Join in suffering for the gospel (1:8; 2:2)
2 Tim 2:11-13 Probably a saying or hymn. The Lord rewards endurance. • If we died w/ him, we will live w/ him - Reads almost word for word like Rom 6:8. By faith we are united with Christ, our sinful selves died with him, and we have new life in him • If we endure, we will also reign with him – the reward of enduring in Christ – We were designed to rule over earth, will reign w/ Christ in the next age • If we deny him, he will deny us - Whoever denies me before men, I will deny before my Father (Mt 10:33) - Not a temporary denial like Peter’s; a permanent denial like Judas’ • If we are faithless, he remains faithful - We are inconsistent, we continue to struggle with sin, we grow lukewarm. – God continues be faithful to his covenant promises in Christ
vv. 14-19 Avoid quarrels over words and meaningless arguments “keep reminding” to endure in their commitment to the gospel. v. 14b. “don’t quarrel about words” lit. “word fight”. It does not good but ruins, tears down. It does not have godliness as its intent.
v. 15. Make it your ambition to obtain God’s approval. To be tested and approved. With no reason to be ashamed. Be accurate with handling (“cut straight”) the truth of the gospel.
v. 16. “avoid irreverent babble” – leads to ungodliness – progress in the wrong direction and spreads like gangrene.
vv. 17-18 Two men left the truth. Greeks viewed the body as evil, so the thought of the body being resurrected was contemptible. They apparently taught a spiritual resurrection had already occurred.
v. 19. Despite this, God’s firm foundation (His church or His truth) stands.
“The Lord knows those who are his”. Quotes Num 16:5, after Korah’s rebellion. Even in a backslidden community God is faithful to know who are his/who are not
“Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity” (Ps 34:14; Pr 3:7). God’s true servants turn from sin and practice holiness.
2 Tim 2:20-21 Separate from false teachers A metaphor: the house is the church The gold and silver items are believers who are set apart for God’s noble use. The wood and clay items are false teachers who are for ignoble purposes. Separate from false teachers – avoid their practices, attitudes and ideas.
2 Tim 2:22-26 Responsibilities of the Leader 1. Flee the evil desires of youth / Pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace Run from immaturity – hot-headedness, intolerance, half-heartedness Run hard after righteousness, faith, love & peace 2. Avoid arguments that lead to quarreling Not prohibiting intelligent, probing questions; but divisive arguments. 3. Be a kind and patient leader/teacher Be kind to everyone, able to teach, patient when wronged, correct your opponents gently.
God may lead them into the truth. They may escape the trap (the deception) that the devil has them under. They are captives. The truth of the gospel can set them free.
I. The Lord rewards endurance (11) II. Avoid quarrels over words and meaningless arguments (14,16) III. Separate from false teachers (21) IV. Flee evil / Purse righteousness (22) V. Be kind and patient, lead and teach (24-25)
Paul’s appeals to Timothy: Exercise bold faith Stir up God’s gift within you (2 Tim 1:6-7). 6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, 7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. – 2 Tim 1:6-7
Do not be ashamed of the gospel. But join in suffering for the gospel by the power of God (2 Tim 1:8).
v. 1. Be strong in Christ’s grace. We cannot live the Christian life on our own, nor can we be spiritual leaders on our own. We are always dependent upon Christ’s grace for strength.
Afflicted Saint, to Christ Draw Near by Connie Dever, John Fawcett Afflicted saint, to Christ draw near, Your Savior’s gracious promise hear; His faithful Word you can believe: That as your days your strength shall be.
So, sing with joy, afflicted one; The battle’s fierce, but the victory’s won! God shall supply all that you need; Yes, as your days your strength shall be.
v. 2. Entrust the truth of God to faithful men who will teach others The truth of God in the gospel must be passed to faithful stewards who will teach.
vv. 3-4. Endure hardship as a good soldier of Christ (one word, Gk, sync & pathos) Paul uses military imagery often, particularly in context of struggling against opponents of the gospel. This is suffering due to opposition.
A soldier does not get entangled with things that would distract him from single-minded dedication to his commander. Timothy should not let anything in life distract him from pleasing Christ, his commander.
v. 5. As an athlete has to compete by the rules to win, so the Christian leader must suffer hardship to gain reward.
v. 6-7. As the farmer works hard works hard and receives his reward. So the Christian leader must work hard, with all of God’s strength, and will receive his reward. 1 Corinthians 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.
v. 8. Remember Jesus Christ [and his suffering] Paul implies that it was only through Jesus’ suffering that redemption was accomplished – and that even Jesus, God’s anointed (Christ), had to suffer.
v. 9 Remember Paul and his suffering Paul suffers and is willing to endure so that believers can obtain salvation in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. His imprisonment does not hinder the gospel’s progress. In Phil 1:12, Paul said his suffering in prison turned out “for the greater progress of the gospel.” Paul’s endurance in suffering is powerful: “the elect obtain salvation in Christ with eternal glory.”
v. 11. If we endure, we will also reign with Christ – Probably a saying or hymn. • If we died w/ him, we will live w/ him – our sinful self died with Christ, now we are united and alive with him • If we endure, we will also reign with him – We were designed to rule over earth, will reign w/ Christ in the next age • If we deny him, he will deny us - Whoever denies me before men, I will deny before my Father (Mt 10:33) • If we are faithless, he remains faithful - God will be faithful to his promises (2 Cor 1:18-20), - he will give safety in temptation (1 Cor 10:13), - he will give protection from the evil one (2 Thes 3:3) - he will sanctify and preserve his people (1 Thes 5:24)
9[God] saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, 10and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. – 2 Tim 1:9-10
Author/Audience: 2 Timothy was written by the Apostle Paul to Timothy, a young leader in the early church and co-missionary with Paul.
Date: Approximately A.D. 66 or 67, from prison. Paul had one or two years of freedom from house arrest (Acts 28:16, 23, 30) in Rome before he was arrested again and executed under Emperor Nero. These are the last recorded words of this missionary apostle.
Key Themes: Boldness; Faithfulness; False Teaching; and Investing in Others
2 Timothy 1:1-2; 3-7; 8-12; 13-18 v. 1. “Apostle”. Paul had authority, but served others, including encouraging Timothy. Christian leadership is characterized by service. The greatest among you shall be your servant. – Mt 23:11
v. 2. “Grace, mercy & peace from God and Christ Jesus” we receive from God and show to others. “My dear son” – Paul genuinely cared about Timothy, calls him, “dear son.” So many in business care only about what they get out of others. Not so for us. Christian leadership is characterized by genuine love.
v. 3-4. Paul prays day & night. He remembers Timothy & tears & longs to see him. v. 5. Timothy’s grandmother and mother were women of faith – likely Jewish. Christian leadership is characterized by genuine faith.
v. 6. “Fan into flame the gift of God” – probably at an ordination of Timothy where Paul and elders prayed, laid on hands and Timothy received a spiritual gift. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. – 1 Tim 4:14 Christian leadership is characterized by spiritual gifting – received from God and utilized to build up the church.
Romans 12:6–8 1 Corinthians 12:8–10 1 Corinthians 12:28 Ephesians 4:11 1 Peter 4:11 1. Prophecy 2. Serving 3. Teaching 4. Exhortation 5. Giving 6. Leadership 7. Mercy 1. Word of wisdom 2. Word of knowledge 3. Faith 4. Gifts of healings 5. Miracles 6. Prophecy 7. Distinguishing between spirits 8. Tongues 9. Interpretation of tongues 1. Apostle 2. Prophet 3. Teacher 4. Miracles 5. Kinds of healings 6. Helps 7. Administration 8. Tongues 1. Apostle 2. Prophet 3. Evangelist 4. Pastor 5. Teacher 1. Whoever speaks 2. Whoever renders service
Fan into Flame – Timothy’s gifting was like a flicker. We can only infer what was happening in Timothy’s life that caused timidity. He was probably facing opposition to his teaching. He was young and intimidated by older men. Paul says, “Fan it into flame” – use it, exercise it, work at it.
We tend NOT focus on the area of our gifting, but the areas we are weak. We tend to be less disciplined in areas we are gifted and try to improve where we are weak.
We need to recognize where God has gifted us and spend time cultivating that gift. Where are you gifted? What have others noticed about you? What if you spent just 15 minutes a day cultivating the area where you’re gifted?
Timothy had received spiritual gifting. He needed to be faithful with it, to use it boldly, courageously.
v. 7 – not “a spirit timidity, but a spirit of power, love and self-discipline” Paul tells Timothy, your timidity is not consistent with gifting of God in you.
We are not ordinary people, we are the blood-bought people of God. We have the Spirit of God at work inside us. God has given us power, love, and self-discipline.
God’s Commandment to Adam 16And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, "You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, 17but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die."
v. 16. Literally translated, from any tree of the garden you may eat freely.
The Fall – Genesis 3:1-7 v. 1. Satan is present in the Garden as a snake. He is described as “more crafty” – tells the reader, beware his words. Satan said, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden?” This is an obvious misquoting of God. He said, you may eat of every tree but one. Satan maliciously calls God’s intentions into question. He implies that God has not been generous with them, but restrictive, lording over, controlling them.
v. 2. The woman’s first mistake was that she responded to Satan’s character assassination of God.
v. 3. Then she adds, “neither shall you touch it.” She also understates the certainty of death.
vv. 4-5. Satan’s claims against God. • You will not die – implying that God’s word is not true. • They will gain what belongs to God – Knowledge of good and evil. Satan accuses God of lying and of holding Eve back from something good. Satan told them what they would gain – knowledge of good and evil. Satan implies: God is not good. He is not gracious. He is selfish and deceptive. He is preventing the man and woman from achieving the same position as God.
Satan concealed from Eve what they would lose. • They experienced expulsion from the Garden • They were separated from the presence of God. • Their eyes were opened, but it enabled them to see their nakedness. • They were burdened with human guilt and embarrassment. • They became isolated and fearful. • They obtained “wisdom” in exchange for death. Satan challenged the goodness and the truthfulness of God. Satan invited Eve to set herself up as judge over God’s goodness and intentions.
“What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” – A.W. Tozer
If we do not believe the Bible is true, then we cannot believe it is God’s Word. If the Bible does not represent God’s Word, then it is not authoritative. If the Bible is not authoritative, then something or someone else is authoritative. Whoever is most powerful then becomes the authority on morality.
I believe that the Bible is true, because I believe that God is true. He is faithful and true in his Word. Not only does God possess and speak truth, he is truth himself. “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. – John 14:6
Texas has 2 state conventions, the BGCT and the SBTC. Both are Christian, both are ministry and gospel-focused. Both hold to a traditional, evangelical, biblical view. But one has committed to a view of Biblical Inerrancy that I believe is important. We will discuss more at a business March 24.
Last month the Houston Chronicle and San Antonio ran 3 news stories documenting 700 cases of sexual misconduct by 380 pastors, deacons, ministers, youth pastors, teachers and volunteers. The cases spread over 20 years.
In February, Pope Francis called for meeting of church leaders to hear cases of sexual abuse within the Catholic Church, which has suffered accusations against more than 4,000 priests.
On Feb 26, the international General Conference of the United Methodist Church voted to approve a plan about human sexuality. They approved the Traditional Plan, which keeps the current language of a traditional, biblical view of sexuality in the church’s The Book of Discipline.
The wise husband: faithful to his wife, rejoices in her, treats her as God’s good gift. The wise wife: excellent character, is kind to her husband, builds up her home.
Marriages go through seasons. You do not have to stay stuck in one. God can give you greater love for each other.
Resolving Conflict Ephesians 4:25-27; 32 25Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. 26Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27and give no opportunity to the devil. 32Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Put away falsehood, speak the truth Not only “do not lie;” “speak the truth.” “Neighbors” “members one of another” – Relationships are built on truth. Be honest and open. If something is bothering you, say so.
Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. (Pr 3:3)
In your anger do not sin When we’re offended, we tend to return the favor. (Harsh words, withdrawal, passive-aggressiveness) Stop the cycle of the sin of retaliating with blessing.
Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. (1 Pe 3:9)
Talk when you can speak rationally and not sin with an angry tongue.
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. (Pr 15:1)
Do not let the sun go down on your anger Resolve conflict. Don’t put it off. Unresolved anger grows to resentment and bitterness.
Do not give the devil a foothold Instead of unity, leaving issues unresolved is leaving a crevice that the enemy can exploit. Leaving issues unresolved is cooperating with the enemy.
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted Be kind, compassionate, good hearted (strong-boweled) toward each other. What is desired in a man is steadfast love. (Pr 19:22a)
Forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you Everyone sins and makes mistakes and needs forgiveness. Lasting love is only possible in an environment of forgiveness.
Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends. (Pr 17:9)
Resolving Conflict • Put away falsehood, speak the truth • In your anger do not sin • Do not let the sun go down on your anger • Do not give the devil a foothold • Be kind to one another • Forgive one another
How to Talk 1. Recognize your own sin, especially pride. (“The Lord detests all the proud of heart” – Pr 16:5a) 2. Start with, “I’m not going anywhere. We’ll figure this out.” 3. Stop talking and listen – really listen – to each other. 4. Don’t argue to win. Talk to resolve and reconcile. 5. Find value in your spouse’s view. 6. Find out where you agree. 7. Take steps toward each other, not apart.
Marriages go through seasons, continually and repeatedly moving through cycles.
Spring / Hopeful Characteristics: excitement, joy, hope Communication: Good, about goals, planning and working together Environment: feeling and expressing love, gratitude, optimism, trust
Summer / Satisfied Characteristics: content, connected, and cruising Communication: easy, but watch for bad patterns of unresolved conflict Environment: sense of trust, celebrating differences
Fall / Unsettled Characteristics: appears good on the outside, but issues are settling in Communication: neglecting conversation and time together, avoiding issues Environment: growing sense of rejection, fear, sadness, or loneliness
Winter / Unsatisfied Characteristics: words and actions are cold, bitter or harsh Communication: difficult due to feelings of hurt, anger or disappointment Environment: actions (harsh words, withdrawal, silence) are meant to be hurtful
No one has the perfect marriage. The good news is that you can have a better marriage than you do now. Every marriage is ever “in process.”
"Marriage is not a lifelong springtime, but we can come back to the optimism, enthusiasm, and joy of spring." Loving each other with intention is the key to returning to the spring season in your marriage.
Moving Past and Through the Seasons 1: Deal with Past Failures, Confess, Forgive (Prov 19:11) “Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.” 2: Choose a Thankful Attitude for Your Spouse (1 Cor 1:4) “I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus” 3: Learn to Speak Your Spouse's Love Language (1 Cor 13:5) [Love] “does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful” 4: Develop Your Skills to Listen to Your Spouse’s Words and Heart (Jas 1:19) “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.” 5: Take Joy in Helping Your Spouse Succeed (1 Cor 13:4a) “Love is patient and kind.”
"The deep happiness that marriage can bring, then, lies on the far side of sacrificial service in the power of the Spirit, that is, you only discover your own happiness after each of you has put the happiness of your spouse ahead of your own, in a sustained way, in response to what Jesus has done for you . . . It is the joy that comes from giving joy, from loving another person in a costly way." – Timothy Keller, The Meaning of Marriage
Moving through seasons is normal AND you do not have to stay stuck in a season. There is hope. There is light. God can breathe new life into marriage.
The wise husband He is faithful to her, rejoices in her, treats her as God’s good gift
The wise wife She is of excellent character, is kind to him, and builds up her home.
The Wise Father 1. He works to provide Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense. (12:11) Cultivating is the role of men, fruit is the reward – “work and keep”– Gen 2:15
- He models a life pleasing to God … encouraging speech… There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. (12:18) Use words that build, not cutting, rash words
…integrity… The righteous who walks in his integrity— blessed are his children after him! (20:7) Integrity leaves a legacy
…goodness and righteousness… So you will walk in the way of the good and keep to the paths of the righteous. (2:20) Live worthy of the calling you received. Live by God’s definition of right and morality.
…self-control over anger Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. (16:32) Be slow to anger; as God has been slow to anger with you
The Wise Mother 1. She instills her children with faith in God I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. (2 Tim 1:5)
Teach your children about God, prayer, the gospel
- She models a life pleasing to God …strength and dignity… She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong. (31:17) Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. (31:25) Godly character and finding strength in God prepare you for whatever may come.
…generosity… She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy. (31:20)
… grace and honor… A gracious woman gets honor. (11:16a) Attitude toward others: generous, gracious
… wisdom and kindness She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. (31:26) Wisdom and kindness go together following Christ.
How to Grow in Godliness 1. Receive the truth of Gods’ word Daily reading and applying the Scriptures 2. Stop pointing to others’ sins & confess yours Daily confession and repentance of sin 3. Close the gap between your faith and speech Your mouth speaks what is in your heart 4. Depend less on self and more on Christ Make much of Jesus and less on yourself
It all starts with marriage: unity and intimacy 24Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. 25And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed. (Genesis 2:24-25)
The Wise Husband 1. He is faithful to his wife 20:6 Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love, but a faithful man who can find?
Guard your heart (4:23) and eyes (Job 31:1) to honor God and your wife.
- He rejoices in his wife 5:18 Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth,
Look at her closely. Dwell on her faithfulness to you despite your failings. Marvel at her trust in giving herself to you.
- He treats his wife as God’s good gift 18:22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord. 19:14 House and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the Lord.
Cherish her as a good gift. Treat her gently, lovingly as the daughter of God that she is.
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He speaks praise and blessing to his wife 31:28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 31:29 "Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all." Set a tone of encouragement in your home and focus on your wife’s strengths.
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He humbles himself and trusts the Lord 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Initiate praying together with your wife. Exhibit a humble life of trusting God. The Wise Wife 1. She exhibits excellent character 31:10 An excellent wife [of noble character] who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.
Take pride in the character that God is producing in you.
- She is trustworthy 31:11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. The wise husband is faithful. The wise wife is trustworthy – in all areas of life.
- She does good for her husband 31:12 She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.
Be kind and do good for your husband.
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She works hard to provide for her household 31:15 She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens. 31:16 She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
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She builds a home by her wisdom 14:1 The wisest of women builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it down.
Build up your home, husband and children. Tearing them down brings your house down on your own head.
The best thing that could happen for you this year is that your love for the Lord would grow. To have a “whole-souled” love for God. It is the best thing that could happen for you, your marriage, your family. Last week: God’s word itself is good Perfect, sure, right, pure, clean, enduring, true & righteous, desired, sweet God’s word has a good influence on us Gives us life, wisdom, joy, & light
Today: last week’s last point: God’s word illuminates. It “turns on the lights.” • It instructs us • It reveals our thoughts and desires • It exposes the deceitfulness of sin
God’s word instructs The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. (Ps 119:130) When God's word enters the heart of a person, it gives light and understanding.
It teaches us the right way to live. How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. (Ps 119:9) I have stored up your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. (Ps 119:11)
It teaches us what to value in life. Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law. (Ps 119:18) Turn my eye from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways. (Ps 119:37)
God’s word reveals our thoughts and desires. 12For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (Hebrews 4:12-13)
V 12. “living” When a prophet spoke in God’s name, something happed. God’s speech was itself an event.
God’s word is effective, “active” with power to accomplish whatever God intends. 10For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, 11so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. (Isa 55:10-11)
“It is sharper than a sword,” penetrating, cutting. It “divides soul and spirit and joints & marrow.” Nothing can be hidden from the revealing nature of God’s word. Our soul and spirit and revealed by God’s word.
God’s word judges – or “discerns” or determines what is good or bad about – our thoughts and intentions; between what we think and what we want.
v. 13. The subject changes to God himself. Nothing and everything: “Nothing (no creature) can be hidden God.” “Everything is exposed to him.”
We are exposed, lit. uncovered, to his eyes. The one to whom we must give an account sees all of us, nothing is hidden. He knows it all and judges and what is good and what is bad.
God’s word exposes the deceitfulness of sin God’s promises and the warnings of his judgment are sharp enough and living enough and active enough to penetrate to the bottom of my heart and show me that the lies of sin are indeed lies.
Abortion will not create a wonderful future for me. Neither will cheating, or dressing provocatively, or throwing away my sexual purity, or keeping quiet about dishonesty at work, or divorce, or vengeance. And what rescues me from this deception is the word of God.
The promise of the word of God is like throwing open a great window of bright morning sunlight on the roaches of sin masquerading as satisfying pleasures in our hearts. God has given you his good news, his promises, his word to protect you from the deep deceptions of sin that try to harden your heart and lure it away from God and lead it to destruction.
Because the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, it will penetrate deeper than any deception of sin has ever gone and reveal what is truly valuable and what is truly worth trusting and loving. – John Piper
Is the Bible Good? Some see the Bible as outdated. Some see it as dangerous, used to oppress. Psalm 19 Three Voices in Contrast • The Voice of Creation (1-6) • The Voice of the Word (7-10) • The Voice of the Sinner (11-14)
Ps 19:1-6 1-2. The heavens – the sky, stars, moon, sun The heavens “declare”, they “pour out speech”, they “reveal knowledge.” What are they saying? Throughout space, time, and earth, the created order recounts how glorious is the God whose handiwork they are.
3 They make the glory of God known “through all the world.” The creation is speaking, saying, “my Creator is glorious.” Yet, there is a paradox: They have no words, no speech. Their revelation of “God is glorious,” but it is incomplete.
4a. “their voice” is “their measuring line” means their dominion – the stars, moon, sun have “sway” over all the world.
4b-6. The sun exercises dominion rising in fresh fulfillment each day, traversing the skies like a bridegroom, like a strong man. The sun’s heat is felt over the earth
“He who looks up to the firmament and then writes himself down an atheist brands himself at the same moment as an idiot or a liar.” – Spurgeon
Ps 19:7-10 The Lord has not left us with an incomplete understanding of himself. God has spoken his word to us. Six titles for God’s word. • Law (7) – ‘instruction’ for humankind • Testimony (7) – what God witnesses to as true • Precepts (8) – applicable to the small details of life • Commandment (8) – intended for obedience • Fear (9) – worthy of reverence • Rules (9) – ‘just decrees,’ authoritative decisions
God’s word has nine qualities: 1. Perfect (7) – complete, without blemish 2. Sure (7) – trustworthy, reliable 3. Right (8) – clean, morally right 4. Pure (8) – radiant, free from defect 5. Clean (9) – pure 6. Enduring (9) – changeless 7. True and Righteous (9) – faithful, morally right 8. Desired (10) – precious, valuable 9. Sweet (10) – full of enjoyment
The Effects of God’s word in our lives
• Revives the soul (7) • Makes wise the simple (7) • Rejoices the heart (8) • Enlightens the eyes (9)
The word of God instills true objectives, worthy values.
Psalm 19:11-14 11-14. The voice of the sinner David is warned and enriched by obedience to the word (11) He is convicted of sin and seeks forgiveness (12) He has a new longing to be blameless (13) He prays to be acceptable to God in thought (inward) and speech (outward) (14)
He recognizes that sustained obedience is found only by relying on the Lord himself, in his Rock-strength and in his graciousness as the Redeemer. (14)
God’s word itself is good Perfect, sure, right, pure, clean, enduring, true & righteous, desired, sweet
God’s word has a good influence on us Gives us life, wisdom, joy, & light
God’s word warns, enriches, convicts, and changes our desires for what is good.
The good that God’s word brings happens over a long time. It takes diligence to study it, obedience to grow in it and the Spirit to grasp it.
Intro: We live in a world that believes less and less in absolute truth. People are skeptical of everything they are told, especially if historically believed. “Post-truth” the Oxford dictionary’s 2016 word of the year: an adjective relating to circumstances in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than emotional appeals. 1. All the Words in Scripture are God’s Words a. The Bible claims this about itself i. The Scriptures contain direct quotes of God’s words. “Thus says the Lord…” (Num 22:38; Deu 18:18-20; Jer 1:9; Ezek 2:7) “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write…” (Rev 2:1) ii. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” (2 Tim 3:16) iii. Prophecy was produced by men carried along by the Holy Spirit. “For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Pet 1:21) iv. The words of Scripture were spoken by the Holy Spirit. In Acts 1:16, Psalms 69 and 109 are said to be words which “the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David.” v. Jesus quoted the OT as from the mouth of God. In Matt 4:4, in Jesus’ repeated citations from Deuteronomy to answer every temptation, he said to the devil, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” b. Application: to disbelieve or disobey any word of Scripture is to disbelieve or disobey God. c. All the words in Scripture are completely true and without error in any part i. “You are God, your words are true.” (2 Sam 7:28) ii. “Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens.” (Ps 119:89) iii. “Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.” (Prov 30:5) iv. “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” (Matt 24:35) d. Application: God’s words are the ultimate standard of truth i. “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” (Jn 17:17) e. The Bible is trustworthy – New Testament affirmation i. Jonah was in the whale (Mt 12:40) ii. The men of Nineveh repented after Jonah’s message (Mt 12:41) iii. The queen of the South came to hear Solomon (Mt 12:42) iv. Elijah was sent to the widow of Zarephath (Lk 4:25-26) v. On the day Lot left Sodom, fire and brimstone rained from heaven (Lk 17:29) vi. Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness (Jn 3:14) vii. Elijah spoke with God (Rom 11:2-4) viii. The people of Israel passed through the sea (1 Cor 10:11) ix. Abraham gave a tenth of everything to Melchizedek (Heb 7:1-2) x. The world was created by the Word of God (Heb 1:3) xi. Eight people were saved by the ark (1 Pe 3:20; 2 Pe 2:5) xii. God turned Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes, but saved Lot (2 Pe 2:6-7) xiii. Balaam’s donkey spoke (2 Pe 2:16) xiv. The details of the history of Israel (Acts 13:17-23) 2. Westminster Confession of Faith (1642-46) Chapter 1: of the Holy Scripture IV. The authority of the Holy Scripture, for which it ought to be believed, and obeyed, depends not upon the testimony of any man, or Church; but wholly upon God (who is truth itself) the author thereof: and therefore it is to be received, because it is the Word of God. 3. Is the Bible divine? (Or did men create it?) a. The Bible is the Word of God (2 Tim 3:16) 4. Is the Bible true? (Can it be trusted?) a. God is true (Titus 1:1-3) b. The Word of God is true (Jn 17:17) c. The NT writers affirmed the OT as true d. Jesus affirmed the OT as true
In darkness, Jesus is Great Light In fear, he brings hope In trouble, he is Prince of Peace In sorrow, he brings joy In separation, he brings love
Matthew tells about Jesus’ birth from Joseph’s perspective. Luke tells of Jesus’ birth from Mary’s perspective. Mark starts with the prophesy of John the Baptist, who came before Jesus John tells about Jesus’ coming from heaven’s perspective.
John 1:1-5 “In the beginning” – John starts his account of Jesus’ life the same way the account of the creation – before the creation – Jesus exists eternally.
John uses a metaphor for Jesus Christ, he calls Jesus the Word. In the OT, the “word of God” was connected to God’s self-expression. In creation – “God said, ‘Let there be light; and there was light.’” (Gen 1:3) In revelation – “the word of the Lord came to me…” (Jer 1:4) in salvation – “He sent out his word and healed them and delivered them from destruction.” (Ps 107:20)
Jesus, the Word Jesus reveals God’s mind Jesus expresses God’s will Jesus displays God’s perfections Jesus exposes God’s heart - A.W. Pink
John 1:1-5 Jesus has always existed (1) Jesus was with God (1) Jesus is God (1) Jesus created all things (3) Jesus is life (4) Jesus is light (5)
John 1:14 “the Word became flesh” – Jesus became flesh These are the most shocking words ever written. The transcendent, eternal, all-powerful, majestic God stepped down from his glory to become a man – and dwelt with us!
Jesus became flesh To be tempted • Jesus suffered temptation, but never sinned • He broke the reign of sin over us • He was made a perfect high priest, who could sympathize with our weakness To be our example • He showed us how God intends for us to live To die • He became weak to suffer and die to take the wrath of God that we deserved – sin separated us from God, but Jesus came in love to restore
Jesus left the glory of heaven to take on the lowliness of man. He stepped down from reigning with the Father to the obscurity of poverty. He humbled himself from heaven’s beauty to the shame of death on a cross.
JI Packer, Knowing God The crucial significance of the cradle of Bethlehem lies in its place in the sequence of steps down that led the Son of God to the cross of Calvary, and we do not understand it till we see it in this context…the taking of manhood by the Son is set before us in a way which shows us how we should ever view it – not simply as a marvel of nature, but rather as a wonder of grace.
“We have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son, from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 3:16 God gave his glorious Son to be our example, win victory over sin, die in our place. “in him was life, and the life was the light of men.”
May the glory of the Son fill your lives, your homes, our church.
There had been revelations in the past, but no word from God for 400 years. Malachi was the last prophet of the OT. No prophets received instruction. Had God forgotten his people? Had he forgotten his promises?
Then there are four appearances of angels first to Zechariah, then to Mary, Joseph and the shepherds. God had not forgotten. He spoke again. • Gabriel appeared to Zechariah to announce the birth of John the Baptist • Gabriel appeared to Mary to announce the birth of Jesus • An angel appeared to Joseph to explain the virgin birth and to name Jesus • One angel and then a multitude of angels appeared to shepherds to announce the birth of Jesus
Matthew 1:18-25 18. Mary was betrothed to Joseph – usually for a year, when the girl would stay with her own family, but the couple was legally committed. Second part of marriage was when the man took the woman into his home.
“she was found to be with child” on the outside, a reason for divorce Matthew does not explain more, just that this was “from the Holy Spirit”
- Joseph was just – and merciful – did not want to put her to shame but divorce her quietly.
20-21. An angel appeared to him in a dream and explained: • The virgin birth – the child was conceived by the Holy Spirit • That Joseph was to name the boy Jesus
The virgin birth: God did this. This was no act of man. You will call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. Jesus is from two Hebrew words: Ya, short for the name of God, Yahweh, and Hoshea which means “salvation.” “Yahweh saves.” God begot a son and a savior.
The Bible says much about the name of Jesus. The name of Jesus • When you believe in him, you have life in his name (Jn 20:31) • There is no other name whereby we can be saved (Acts 4:12) • Whatever we do, we do in the name of the Lord Jesus (Col 3:17) • God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Phil 2:9-11)
There is no magic in the name of Jesus. The power in the name is the person behind the name. In biblical times, names meant something. They told others who you were and what purpose God had in your life. Adam was the first man. Eve was the mother of all living things. Abraham was the father of many nations. Benjamin was the son of his father’s right hand Moses was drawn from the water. Peter was the rock. Barnabas was the son of encouragement.
What about Jesus’ name? “You shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” He is more than a great teacher, more than an enlightened man, more than a worker of miracles, more than a political liberator, more than purpose for the purposeless. Jesus is the Savior of sinners.
22-23. All to fulfill what the Lord spoke by the prophet – God kept his promises. God has not forgotten his people. He has provided for us a Son, a Savior, just as he had promised by the prophets From Isaiah 7:14 – “they shall call his name Immanuel” Transliterated Hebrew for God with us. We marvel about the child that was born; the miracle is that God has come to us.
Joy in Jesus’ Coming • God is faithful to his promises • Jesus, the Savior, has come for sinners • God himself, Immanuel, has come to dwell with us
Jesus, the Prince of Peace
Luke2:8-14
v. 8. We romanticize shepherds b/c of 23rd Psalm, but in Jesus’ day, they were unclean by the law’s standards. They were not trustworthy. They were outcasts and sinners – and the first people to whom God announced the good news of Jesus’ birth.
vv. 9. 1) angels appear, 2) response of fear – the glory of the Lord shone at night. “The glory of the Lord shone around them” – manifestation of God’s presence.
vv. 10-11. 3) a word of reassurance – “fear not” –Jesus came in mercy and grace. He did not appear the first time to bring God’s judgement for our sin.
“I bring you (I preach) good news” – Great Joy has come to all people: God has come to the world in the flesh in grace and peace.
4) the divine message, “A savior is born in Bethlehem, who is Christ the Lord.” “Savior” – He will save his people from their sins and from death and destruction that sin brings. “Christ” – He is the “anointed (chosen) one” of God who fulfills God’s purposes & promises. “Lord” – As God, He rules over heaven and creation with power and authority. From his birth, Jesus is Savior, Christ, and Lord.
v. 12. “a sign” wrapped in cloth and in a manger. Jesus was born in humility, even poverty, not even in a home. He was born in the ancient capital of Jerusalem where King David reigned, and is the true King of Israel. But he was born in humility in stable & placed in a manger.
v. 13. “heavenly host praising God” multitude of angels join the one angel At the coming of Jesus, Savior, Christ the Lord, angelic host responds w/ praise.
v. 14 The host of angels call for God to be glorified to the highest heavens. “Peace” fullness of blessing which Jesus the Savior, Christ the Lord brings. Among Jesus divine titles in Isaiah 9 is Prince of Peace.
Jesus has come to make peace between God and men. He came to reconcile us to God (2 Cor 5:18) He came to redeem us from the curse of the law (Gal 3:13) He came to reverse the penalty of death and give us life (Rom 6:23)
The world is not at peace with God, nor is God at peace with the world nor sin.
Peace will only come to the whole world through the utter defeat of sin and darkness, when Jesus Christ finally conquers it and reigns as the victor over all creation.
We will not experience peace when we are living in sin. If you are a believer, the Holy Spirit lives in you and will not be at peace with sin. He will convict you of sin and intercede for you, but he will not give you peace in willful, life altering sin.
He offers peace, profound peace, that surpasses understanding to those who leave sin behind to pursue the new life in Jesus Christ.
1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 2 but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. – Psalm 1:1-3
Inspired by Albert Mohler, the Briefing, November 22, 2018. Christians have always been a worshiping people; singing, rejoicing, giving thanks.
Thanksgiving is odd for secular people who do not know Whom to thank.
{There is a desire within us all to be thankful • Thanksgiving is fundamental to the purpose for which we were made. • Thanksgiving is the right disposition of the created to the Creator.
Everyone, everything that exists owes the Creator gratitude for its creation & life. – Albert Mohler}
{Ingratitude is at the heart of sin. 20For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Romans 1:20-21}
Through creation, all mankind can know God, but refuses to honor him, nor give him thanks. Refusal to give thanks is at the root of all sin: lust, adultery, greed, jealousy, etc.
Adam and Eve were put in the garden of Eden provided by God with riches and abundance of food and beauty, but they did not trust God’s goodness. Instead of being thankful, they obsessed on the one thing he did not give them.
They thought, “I know what is best for us, God either does not know what is best for me or does not care what is best for me.”
Ingratitude is rooted in a distrust of God’s goodness. The [serpent’s] lie was an assault on both God’s generosity and his integrity. Neither his character nor his words were to be trusted. This, in fact, is the lie that sinners have believed ever since – the lie of the not-to-be-trusted-because-he-does-not-love-me-false-Father. – Sinclair Ferguson, The Whole Christ. How often do we do the same, surrounded by good things, in so much abundance that we cannot even account for what we have, but obsess about what we don’t have? That’s just stuff.
{Thankfulness is at the center of Paul’s theology I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. Phil 4:11b}
In prison or chains or free, in danger or safety, in hardship or ease – content
When we are ungrateful, we are saying, “God, you have not provided for me.” “I do not trust you to give me what I need.”
In our homes: Instead of being grateful for all our spouses are, we focus on what they are not. Instead of being grateful for all our children are, we focus on what they’re not. Instead of being grateful for all our parents are, we focus on what they’re not.
We are astounded by people’s sense of entitlement. They don’t feel any need to give thanks, like they deserve everything they have. We need to be on guard against the same sense of entitlement in ourselves.
We need to be thankful to God for all that he’s given us. Every morsel of food, a home and household, a job to make money, every family member, every friend, our church. We are grateful for our lives, for creation, but especially for his salvation.
16Rejoice always, 17pray without ceasing, 18give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. – I Thessalonians 5:16-18
Challenge: Express thankfulness to people close to you Express thankfulness for God to someone outside the faith
At the end of all things, there will be singing, rejoicing, and thanksgiving from believers & the host of heaven in the presence of God the Father, Son, and Spirit.
We all come into marriage with great expectations. She’ll always be impressed with me. She’ll always love my sense of humor. She’ll always feel this way about me. He’ll treat like a princess every day. He’ll always make me happy. He’ll always feel this way about me.
But then reality hits. When we don’t meet each other’s expectations, conflicts rise We can be disillusioned, wonder, “what happened to the person I married?” She’s not so impressed, stops laughing at your jokes. He treats you like a commoner. Your happiness is fading. You stop feeling butterflies in your stomach.
What happened? You started with great expectations. Were they the right ones? What if there are even greater expectations for marriage?
We are tempted to make ourselves god and our spouses an idol. • When we make marriage about us, focused on our wants, meeting our needs, we put ourselves in God’s rightful place. • When we expect our spouse to give us meaning, purpose, or fulfillment, we idolize them.
In his mercy, God shows us, that the opposite sex is a terrible substitute for God.
God designed marriage and sets his expectation for it as a reflection of Christ’s redemptive work to love and save his bride, the church.
Ephesians 5:22-27 Wives – willingly submit to your husband, just as you submit to Christ Husbands – show Christ’s self-giving love to your wives
Love and respect. Submission and headship. Submit and sacrifice. These are greater expectations than the ones you brought into your marriage.
These are not just about getting what you want out of marriage, but the idea that marriage has an even greater and eternal purpose: to glorify Jesus Christ for his selfless love for us that he served us, sacrificed for us, and gave so personally.
When we go against God’s design and make our marriages about what we can get out of them, we make marriage something far less than it was designed for. When we try to squeeze meaning, significance, or purpose out of our spouse, we forsake God and make our spouse miserable.
How do we make Jesus Christ the focal point of marriage? • Repent from making your marriage only about your own happiness • Realize that God created marriage and has a design for it • Recognize that the goal of your marriage is to glorify God
Ephesians 5:28-31 Husbands and wives are to submit to Jesus Christ and love and serve each other • Wives, willingly submit to your husband o As to the Lord (v. 22) o For the husband is head of the wife (v. 23) o As the church submits to Christ (v. 24) • Husbands, love your wives o As Christ loved the church (v. 25) Giving himself – personally and sacrificially “For her” benefit o As his own body (v. 28) Nourishing and cherishing her See “love your neighbor as yourself” (Lev 19:18) • His wife is his nearest and dearest neighbor That there might be oneness between husband and wife (Gen 2:24).
v. 31. In describing the love of a husband for his wife, Paul intertwines the creation ordinance, a command from the Law, and the redemptive work of Christ. • The creation ordinance of oneness of marriage (v. 31, Gen 2:24) • The great commandment to love your neighbor as yourself (v. 28; Lev 19:18) • The redemption by Christ of his bride and his body, the church (v. 25)
Since the fall of humankind, people have been careful to hide their faults. Genesis 3:7-8 7Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths. [covered] 8And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.
One of the consequences of sin: covering and hiding from each other and God We screen what we tell people in conversation, what we post on social media. We do not let ourselves be fully known. Why? 1. We want to hide what embarrassed by, ashamed of. 2. In order to control how people relate to us, how they see us. Every one of us has a thousand hurts, sins, thoughts, that no one else knows. But if we were to be honest, we want someone to know us – the good and bad. We want someone to know our goodness and our junk – and love us anyway.
One of the great longings of the human soul is to understand ourselves. But we are so convoluted, so layered that we cannot fully know ourselves.
Jer 17:9 – “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” We cannot understand our own desires or motives. Our own hearts deceive us.
Psalm 19:12 – “Declare me innocent from hidden faults” He is praying for God to forgive the faults in himself that he cannot see. No matter how he claws with introspection at himself, he never knows himself completely. We cannot know ourselves completely.
Psalm 8:4-6 God knows absolutely everything about you. You have no secrets from him. You are totally, completely known by God. King David told his son Solomon – 1 Chronicles 28:9 the LORD searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts
The person whose judgment is all-important, knows all. You are totally known by him— totally. If you relate to him at all, you relate to him as utterly laid bare, utterly known. There is one, and only one, who actually and totally knows you — only one.
God knows us, good and bad, and He loves us. v. 4b – “you care for him” – David marvels: God knows us AND cares for us. We are Fully Known and Truly Loved by God. He knows you; good, bad & ugly. And loves you.
David starts and ends the psalm with: “O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!”
God is rich in love and mercy. He gives us even more his own love. He gives us the love of other people.
Husbands and wives are called to love each other like God loves us. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. - Ephesians 5:25
Older women are to… train the young women to love their husbands and children. – Titus 2:3-4
You are an avenue of God’s grace to your spouse. You and your spouse know each other better than anyone & are called to love each other patiently, kindly, bearing with each other, and forgiving each other.
This is true within the church as well, we are avenues of God’s grace to each other
Within our homes, may God’s grace flow. May husbands and wives be so changed by the patience of God that we are patient with each other by the kindness of God that we are kind to each other by the forgiveness of God that we forgive each other by the grace of God that we show grace to each other That Christ, through whom God’s grace flows, may be exalted in our homes.
James 4:13-17 v. 13. Who is he talking about? Merchants, probably wealthy. Is it wrong to plan? Is it wrong to make money? - No Their sin is not planning or making money, but an arrogant attitude toward God. Self-confident, self-reliant: where/when they will go, how long they will stay
vv. 14-15 James’ Recalibration of the Arrogant 1. Your knowledge is lacking (14a) a. You don’t know what tomorrow brings 2. Your life is short (14b) a. It is like a short-lived mist 3. Your life is under the Lord’s will (15) a. His knowledge is endless b. His life is eternal
Your knowledge is lacking Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. Pro 27:1
Your life is short; live wisely So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. – Ps 90:12
And he said to them, "Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." – Luke 12:15
v. 15b. “If the Lord wills” - not a formula, but a humble recognition that your days are given by the Lord’s will. Your life, breath and everything else is in his hands.
v. 16. This lack of acknowledgement of God is arrogant “boasting”.
v. 17. Sins of omission are as real and serious as sins of commission. - Lk 19:11-27 – the wicked servant is given money by his master but buries it instead of using it to grow wealth - Mt 25:31-46 – the cursed fail to care for the outcasts and are themselves cast out We must live generously with our time, money, and possessions and use them to care for others, especially the poor. Don’t waste your life chasing stuff. Give to the poor. Spend time with lonely. Care for the sick and helpless. James 5:1-6 v. 1. Who are the rich? Probably not believers – warnings of unabated judgement - wealthy land owners, ruthless to workers, live in luxury, unjust to powerless.
They are not condemned for wealth, but for selfish, sinful use of power. John Calvin: James’ encouragement for Christians 1. Don’t envy the rich 2. God will avenge the wrong they’ve suffered at the hands of the elites
Prophet’s warning: weep, howl, miseries of God’s judgments are coming. Jesus warned that it is very hard for a rich man to enter heaven. (Mt 19:23)
vv. 2-3. 1. Earthly wealth is perishable 2. Its decay testifies against the wealthy 3. Hoarding will lead to judgment
v. 3b. “You have laid up treasure in the last days.” 1). They hoard up wealth. They don’t know they are storing up judgment against themselves.
v. 4. 2). They defrauded their workers. The Lord of hosts - all created beings and forces are under the dominion of Yahweh, who made and maintains them – the commanding power of God.
Lord tsebha'oth – from A Mighty Fortress Is Our God Did we in our own strength confide, Our striving would be losing; Were not the right Man on our side, The Man of God’s own choosing: Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He; Lord Sabaoth His Name, From age to age the same, And He must win the battle.
v. 5. In luxury – especially selfish. 3). They are self-indulgent – wasteful. Fattened for the day of slaughter – for God’s judgment.
v. 6. 1). They hoard their wealth. 2). They defraud workers. 3). They are self-indulgent. 4). They pervert justice.
Application: I. Your days are in God’s hands. Don’t waste your life chasing stuff. II. Guard your heart from greed, hoarding, selfish desire for more. The vaccine: don’t covet. Give generously, give regularly - time and money.
James 4:6 says that God “gives more grace”. He “gives grace to the humble.” This grace helps us fight selfishness and worldliness in us. This grace helps change our hearts from wrong desires in us that pull us away from God and cause fighting and broken relationships.
This grace is available for believers who willingly humble themselves before God. Those who acknowledge their need and accept God’s gift of grace.
James 4:7-10 How do we submit ourselves to God? How do we draw near to him? Steps Toward God I. Resist the devil (7b) – refuse to give in to his temptation – do not bow to his will • Resist: “stand against” or “oppose” • Devil: name means “oppose/accuse” • His goal is to separate God from man “He will flee” – the promise: in Christ we have the ability to overcome Satan We are no longer bound to sin. Sin is no longer our master.
II. Draw Near to God (8a) – how? – Sinclair Ferguson “whole souled” love of God • Through worship and prayer • Reading & meditating on his Word • In obedience and repentance • In relationship with his people “He will draw near to you” – as the father of the prodigal stood watching the horizon for his sinful son to return to embrace him and welcome home
III. Through cleansing and purification (8b) • We need washing from sin • Of external sinful behaviors (hands) • Of internal sinful attitudes (hearts) • Sinners/double-minded – James calls them “brothers” and “sinners” • They are trying to be friends with God & friends with the world • Their loyalties divided between God & their own selfishness
Psalm 24:3-6 3 Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? 4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully. 5 He will receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation. 6 Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob.
IV. Repentance and brokenness over sin (9) • The right response to sin is grief and mourning • Change from laughter and joy to mourning and gloom Acts 17:30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.
How to take steps toward God: I. Resist the devil – refuse to bow to his will to continue in sin II. Draw near to God – Whole-souled devotion to God a. Worship, word, prayer, cleansing, repentance, fellowship III. Cleansing and Purification – coming to Christ for removal of sin IV. Repentance and brokenness over sin
v. 10 “Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will exalt you” God gives grace to fight sin when we recognize our spiritual poverty, acknowledge our desperate need for his grace, and submit to his will over our lives. Jesus will declare us as his, the justified, the washed, the purified before God.
James 4:11-12 Steps Toward Others – Draw near to God; draw near to your brothers and sisters • Do not “speak evil” – slander or criticize • Do not judge • We are supposed to judge between good and evil • We are not to receive grace for our sins; then judge others for theirs
Andy Stanley has a sermon series called, “It Came from Within”. His introduction: Suddenly a young wife files for divorce. Suddenly a college student's grades drop and his attitude changes. Suddenly a man's harmless pastime becomes a destructive habit. Each looks for someone else to blame. But the real enemy lurks within--in the heart. Not the organ that pumps blood through our veins, but that invisible, intangible place where we experience love and compassion, contempt and jealousy.
James 4:1-3 v. 1. What causes fights and quarrels? Fights – Greek word for a military campaign, a violent conflict. Quarrels – Greek word is used for angry disputes, not armed conflict. James is not talking about disagreements or differing points of view.
There are disagreements in every organization with more than one person. There are disagreements between nations, within governments, in churches and families. To be sure, some battles must be fought. But even then, they must be fought without sacrificing Christian principles.
When disagreements become bitter, angry, hating, we have crossed the line. Jesus calls us not to anger and bitterness, but to love and prayer for our enemies.
Where does this fighting come from? They come from our pursuit of idols. Lusting after something above God. “Passions” – or “pleasures” our word, “hedonism.” Lusts for sex, power, money, etc.
These passions are at war within us. There is a battle being waged inside us for what is sinful.
v. 2. You “desire” – comes from a Greek word “to turn” your heart to something or it is to set the heart on something. Can be a desire for something good or bad.
You “covet” – Greek word we get zeal from. It is to burn w/ anger, desire, envy.
Your passions (lust), your desires (setting your hearts on something), your coveting (burning with desire or envy) cause fights, quarrels, even murder.
We think our fights, quarrels, bitter arguments, anger and hatred are someone else’s fault. James says, ‘no, that came from your own hearts, your own attraction to idols.’ From a place that desires what is evil, self-serving.
v. 3. We ask for the wrong things – things that we’re lust after, things that we are jealous or envious about. They consume our thoughts, we set our hearts on them.
James 4:4-5 “You adulterous people” these people long for the wrong things. They lust for things that compete for their affections with God. They are spiritual adulterers, giving their hearts to something other than God. “Like a woman unfaithful to her husband, so you have been unfaithful to me, O house of Israel.” (Jer 3:20)
“Friendship with the world” – you cannot pursue sinful desires and God. Like Jesus said of money, you cannot serve both God and money.
James 4:6 BUT HE GIVES MORE GRACE • God gives the ability and willingness to overcome sin • God’s grace is completely adequate to meet his demand that we be faithful “God gives what he demands.” – Augustine
v. 6b. God’s sustaining grace is enjoyed by those who willingly admit their need and look to God for help. We have to humble ourselves before God, admitting that our hearts wander and ask for him to help us.
James 4:7-10 v. 7a. & v. 10 give similar commands: “Submit yourselves to God”/ “Humble yourselves before the Lord” Place yourself under his lordship – commit to obeying him. 7b. Resist the devil/he will flee from you 8a. Come near to God/he will come near to you 8b. Wash/purify – we are sinners (sin by nature) double-minded -want God & sin 9a Grieve, mourn, wail – confess, be contrite 9b. Change your laughter to mourning 10. Humble yourself before the Lord James calls us to repent – we must continually repent, humble ourselves before God for our envy, lusts, adultery against God and humbly ask, “more grace”
How can I hope to purify my behavior when it flows from my corrupt character? How can my heart be changed from its selfishness? How can I control my tongue? Is there any hope?
James writes now about hope: there is hope in the Christian life from God. It is impossible for us, by our own resources. But there are resources from God that help us live a life that is pleasing to God.
We can grow in goodness from God, ask for provision from God, live in friendship with God, draw near to God, and be lifted up by God. It is all from God; it is all attained by reliance on God; it is a godly life that comes because God “gives us more grace” (4:6).
James 3:13-18 V. 13. Who is wise – may be a related to “not many of you should be teachers.” Do you really want to be wise? Because I’m going to tell you about true wisdom.
“By his conduct” Jesus said to judge a tree by its fruit. How we live is often a better indicator of what we believe than what we say.
The first trait of true wisdom: “humility” or “meekness” or “gentleness” It means that true wisdom starts with a reverence of God.
Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
True wisdom accepts God’s intentions toward us as good and therefore there is no disputing or resisting him.
It means that I accept that God is for me & sovereign over me, so I will trust him. I won’t resist him or or fight him or ignore what he says but accept his authority.
The humility of godly wisdom • Teachable – humbly accepting the word of God (1:21) • Responsive – ready to do what it says • Peaceable – at peace with God and others
Vv. 14-16 Two Kinds of Wisdom; two views of God and self by which to live: • Worldly wisdom (vv. 14-16) • Wisdom from God (vv. 17-18)
Worldly wisdom (Jas 3:14-16) Its expression: • Bitter jealousy (demands to be recognized) • Selfish ambition (sinful desire to glorify self) Its source: “An ascending scale of wickedness” (Mitton) • Earthly (not from God) • Unspiritual • Demonic Its outcome: • Disorder and vile practices
Godly Wisdom (Jas 3:17-18) Wisdom from God Its expression: • First pure (holy, morally right) • Peaceable, Gentle, Open to reason • Full of mercy and good fruits • Impartial, Sincere Its source: • From above (from God, like all good and perfect gifts (1:17)) Its outcome: • A harvest of righteousness sown in peace
This is wisdom: believing God, hearing what his word says is good and right, relying on him for wisdom, and living the righteous life that he desires.
James 3:1-2 Not many should be teachers – some wanted to teach but lacked qualifications Teachers will be judged with greater strictness – b/c their ministry involves speech, the hardest of all parts of the body to control. • Teachers bear responsibility for spiritual welfare of others • Teachers are entrusted with “the deposit” of the faith (2 Tim 1:14)
- We stumble many ways – even in simple everyday speech We need to be diligent in our speech b/c it is so influential over our lives. We tend to take this passage negatively, but if you want to grow in purity and Christlikeness, here is a valuable secret strategy: start with your tongue.
James 3:3-5a Three Metaphors for the Tongue: 1. With small bits a rider guides large horses (3) 2. With small rudders a helmsman guides large ships (4) o Our speech is very influential over the rest of our lives 3. Small sparks set great forests ablaze (5b) o Our words can lead to great destruction
James 3:5b-6 Three Dangers of the Tongue 1. The tongue spreads evil (5b-6) Gossip, slander, criticism, sarcasm – spreads from you to others It is a “world of unrighteousness” - It is a vast system of sin “corrupts the whole person” – spreading defiling to other areas of life “sets of fire the course of one’s life” – thoroughly destructive to our lives “is itself set on fire by hell” – the tongue’s source of evil: hell itself
James 3:7-8 2. The tongue is impossible to tame (7-8) It is a “restless evil”, unstable, in contrast to peace It is a “deadly poison”, with the power to destroy
James 3:9-12 3. The tongue makes us liable to judgment (9-12) • The one we praise is “our Lord and Father” • The one we curse is made in the likeness of our Lord and Father • To treat people with contempt is to treat God’s greatness w/ contempt
It is hypocritical to praise God while insulting people. “Praising and cursing – it cannot be!” James uses strong language – this is unthinkable, abhorrent behavior.
3 metaphors: 1. A spring cannot produce 2 kinds of waters 2. A plant of one kind cannot produce the fruit of another 3. A salt spring does not produce fresh water The implication: a true Christian will not make a practice of unclean speech.
“For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks” – Matt 12
We cannot accept this. It is something we do, but we cannot tolerate it. We should be horrified by it and repent of it – this should not be!
• Boasting, pride, arrogance • Cutting remarks • Gossip • Insults, ridicule, sarcasm
James demands, “purify your speech” Bring integrity between what you say you believe and your words.
Psalm 19:14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Proverbs 10:11 The mouth of the righteous is a well of life, But violence covers the mouth of the wicked.
Proverbs 10:21 The lips of the righteous feed many, But fools die for lack of wisdom.
Proverbs 12:18-19 There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, But the tongue of the wise promotes health.
James 1 – Faith That Works • Count trials as joy; they produce lasting faith (2-4) • Ask God for wisdom in faith (5-8) • Comfort for the poor: knowing God is greater (9) • Warning to the rich: riches pass away (10-11) • God rewards the person who endures trials (12) • Temptation to sin comes from within us (13-15) • All good gifts come from God (17-18) • Hasty words and anger do not please God (19-20) • The imparted word of God saves us (21) • We must hear and do the word of God (22-25) • Control your tongue & care for the helpless (26-27)
Doing the word of God (the “perfect law”) is to help the helpless. Some brothers were treating the rich well and the poor with contempt.
James 2:1-4 v. 1. Show no partiality – you’re treating the rich richly and the poor poorly. “favoritism” is a Greek word that was coined by the NT writers. It comes from a literal translation of Hebrew word, to “receive the face”. Means to make judgments about people based on their external appearance.
This is a direct contradiction to the central demand of God’s law. God’s law, especially interpreted and applied by Jesus is to love your neighbor.
“Don’t hold your faith with an attitude of favoritism” – discriminating is inconsistent with true faith in Christ.
“our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory” James uses familiar titles for Jesus. Jesus is Lord: 1) head of the church, 2) ruler over all creation, 3) Lord of lords and King of Kings. Jesus is the Christ (1 Tim 1:15)- God’s anointed one, the chosen savior, fulfilled OT Jesus is the Lord of Glory (James 2:1) - Jesus possesses splendor and majesty Favoritism gives too much “glory” to people.
vv. 2-4. When they met together, they treated the rich with honor. They distinguished between people. Sized up the rich and poor by exteriors. James 2:5-7 vv. 5-6a. God has chosen to be merciful to the poor and make them rich in faith and to make them heirs of the kingdom. But you dishonor them.
26For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. (1 Corinthians 1:26-29)
vv. 6b-7. These rich people are persecuting the Christian community. Why are you fawning over these people?
James 2:8-13 “Love each other as I have loved you” – John 15:12 Discrimination against the poor violates the demand of God to love your neighbor, the centerpiece of Jesus’ application of the law of God.
vv. 8-9 – we need to treat other people as we would want to be treated.
v. 10. Discrimination is a violation of God’s law, Jesus’ command to love.
v. 12. Jesus will return to reward only those who show compassion (Mt 25:31-46) John: “those who obey his commands live in him” (1 Jn 3:24) Paul: “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done in the body, good or bad “(2 Cor 5:10)
The mercy we show toward others shows our desire to obey the law of the kingdom and, therefore, a heart made right by the word of God’s grace.
The world is drawn to people who look successful, have money, dress nicely – and ignores the poor and struggling. But God honors the poor, the small, the struggling. It is often the poor and powerless who seek God. The rich tend to trust in their wealth and not seek after God.
“Favoritism is a subtle evil that deifies people, dethrones God, and devalues the worth and grace he gives every believer.” – John Perritt
James 1 – Faith That Works • Count trials as joy; they produce lasting faith (2-4) • Ask God for wisdom in faith (5-8) • Comfort for the poor: knowing God is greater (9) • Warning to the rich: riches pass away (10-11) • God rewards the person who endures trials (12) • Temptation to sin comes from within us (13-15) • All good gifts come from God (17-18) • Hasty words and anger do not please God (19-20) • The imparted word of God saves us (21) • We must hear and do the word of God (22-25) • Control your tongue & care for the helpless (26-27)
James 1:19-21 vv. 19-20 - Hasty speech and anger do not please God • Be quick to listen o Listen to understand, not to respond • Be slow to speak o Our first response is to defend or argue or belittle • Be slow to become angry o We often sin in our anger
v. 21 – Put away filthiness and rampant wickedness – take it off like filthy clothes The Word of God in the Believer • The word of God gives us new birth (James 1:18) • The word of God is implanted in us (James 1:21a) • The word of God is at work in us (1 Thes 2:13) • The word of God abides in us (1 Jn 2:14) • The word of God saves us (James 1:21b)
James must have in mind the OT promise of internal transformation: For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. – Jer 31:33
God plants his word within his people, making it a permanent, inseparable part of the believer, a guiding and commanding presence within.
James 1:22-25 We have new birth through God’s word (v. 18) it has been implanted in us (v. 21), we must accept it by doing it (vv. 22-27) James does not lessen the importance of hearing the word of God. We should hear the word of God preached, we should study it ourselves, we should talk about it, memorize it, contemplate it. And… we should do what it says.
v. 22. If we do not do what we hear in the word of God, we are deceived. We have not actually received the word at all.
Of course God’s intention is for his word to be done in us. God is the God of transformation. He is the God Who spoke and forms galaxies. God spoke and called a nation of people into existence. God spoke and called them out of slavery into freedom. Jesus spoke and diseases were cured. Jesus spoke and storms were calmed. Jesus spoke and demons ran away. Jesus spoke and called a dead man back to life. The word of God enters a man or woman and they believe and are saved, they are brought from death into life, they are rescued from sin to righteousness, their eternities are changed from condemnation to adoption.
God’s word in us will result in transformation, new life, change… doing.
vv. 23-25 – a metaphor of two men: One man looks at himself and forgets what he sees. He is the “hearer only.” The second man looks intently into the “law of liberty”. He is the “hearer & doer” The first man just looks at himself and is unchanged. The second man looks with intensity into the mirror of “perfect law of liberty”. This is not the OT Law, this is the new covenant. God’s will is written on the hearts of believers and accompanied by the Spirit who enables us to obey.
James 1:26-27 - Control your tongue & care for the helpless
James 1 • Count trials as all joy, because they produce persevering faith (2-4) • Ask in faith for wisdom (5-8) • Comfort for the poor (knowing God is greater) (9) • Warning to the rich (riches fade) (10-11)
James 1:12-15 v. 12 – God rewards those who endure trials “The glory will be greater than the suffering.”
v. 13. God tests or proves his people to strengthen their faith. He never induces them to sin or destroy their faith. God’s purpose is to test our faith that it will be strengthened.
v. 14. Our own sinful desires drag us away. Sin begins as an evil thought and becomes sin when we dwell on it and allow it to become action. “You cannot keep birds from flying over your head, but you can keep them from building a nest in your hair.” – Martin Luther
Temptation comes from evil desires inside us, not from God. We like to deflect and blame others. Eve blamed the serpent. Adam blamed Eve. We need to own our sin and confess it to God and ask for his forgiveness.
v. 15. Sinful desire -> gives birth to sin -> full-grown to death. Cf. Whoever finds me (wisdom) finds life and obtains favor from the Lord (Pr 8:35)
James 1:16-18 – Good giving and good gifts come from God. God is the source of wisdom (v. 5). He is the source of all good gifts. He does not change. Our circumstances change. We wonder what happened? But God does not change. We can count on his goodness, his kindness.
He brought us forth by his own word (must be a reference to our new creation, not first) – so we can be his first fruits.
James 1:19-21 v. 19. “Hear” – “listen” we are often quick to speak and we may hear, but never listen. Listen to understand, not to respond. Often people don’t say all that they mean. You have to pay attention.
Is anger always sin? No, there is righteous anger. We should be anger at injustice, violence, the weak being taken advantage of. But we usually aren’t angry about those things. We are usually angry if we don’t get what we want. “The anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”
v. 21 The word of God in the believer The word of God is implanted in us (James 1:21a) The word of God is at work in us (1 Thes 2:13) The word of God abides in us (1 Jn 2:14) The word of God saves us (James 1:21b)
We must receive the word of God, like oxygen, like bread. We must receive it meekly, recognizing that God’s word comes with his authority.
Count trials as all joy: God’s purpose is to grow our faith to endure (Jas 1:3)
James 1:5-8 Ask God for wisdom, he gives it generously. For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding - Prov 2:6
God is portrayed as the source of all wisdom. He is the all-knowing being who gives wisdom to those who ask for it. James recognizes that we need God’s wisdom, we are not sufficiently wise.
v. 6. Ask with the right attitude: have faith in God. Wisdom from God is how to live life as God designed it, for greatest flourishing. • Count trials as all joy, because they produce persevering faith • Ask in faith for wisdom • Comfort for the poor (knowing God is greater) • Warning to the rich (riches fade)
James 1:9-11 v. 9. What is the boasting of the lowly brother? Thus says the Lord: "Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord." – Jeremiah 9:23-24
The Value of Knowing Christ 8Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. – Philippians 3:8-11
vv. 10-11. Who is the rich? 2 thoughts: 1) these are believers whom he is telling not to take pride in wealth, but in his identification with Christ 2) these are non-Christians who, in the end, will end up with only judgment
• Count trials as all joy, because they produce persevering faith • Ask in faith for wisdom • Comfort for the poor (knowing God is greater) • Warning to the rich (riches fade)
v. 12 – God rewards those who endure trials “trial” can mean any difficulty.
v. 13 – the idea is that when we face external trials, they carry with them an internal temptation. When we face suffering outside, we face temptation on the inside. Can we trust God’s goodness? While God test or proves his people to strengthen their faith, he never induces them to sin or destroy their faith.
God’s intention (purpose) is to test our faith that it will be strengthened.
v. 14. Our own sinful desires drag us away.
v. 15. Sinful desire -> gives birth to sin -> full-grown to death. Imagery is like the seductress of Proverbs chapters 5-9 Who lures people into adultery, and ultimately into death. “Her guests are in Sheol” (the place of the dead)
Whoever finds me (wisdom) finds life and obtains favor from the Lord (Prov 8:35) • Count trials as all joy, because they produce persevering faith • Ask in faith for wisdom • Comfort for the poor (knowing God is greater) • Warning to the rich (riches fade) • God rewards those who endure trials • Temptation to sin comes from our own sinful natures
James 1:1-4 AUTHOR: This is James, the brother of Jesus, not James the apostle. “servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ” from doulos – “slave” or “servant” He became a leader of the church. LETTER: A letter from a Christian leader to Jewish believers around Roman empire PURPOSE: James writes a very practical letter. It is not a letter full of theology, it is practical application, how to live as a believer Each point is just a few verses, then he jumps to another topic. Difficult to find organization. Written like wisdom literature. His points are concise and uses metaphors and illustrations. Memorable teaching Most teachings correspond to Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Mt 5-7) & Lev 19. RECIPIENTS: “12 tribes” - Jewish believers. “In the Dispersion” – from Assyrian defeat and Babylonian captivity, scattered
TRIALS – how is the Christian to respond to trials? v. 2. “Count it all joy” – “consider it”. “All joy” – “pure joy (nothing but joy)” “Trial” – can mean an outward trial, testing, or proving Or an internal tempting. “Various kinds.” James addresses the poverty 4x in this letter. But uses general terms for trials. Can mean sickness, loneliness, loss, poverty
Opposite of how we feel. Why would the Christian be joyful in trials? Romans 5:3-5 – “rejoice” 1 Peter 1:6-7 – “rejoice”
v. 3. Because testing of our faith “produces steadfastness” or “endurance”
v. 4. “Steadfastness perfects and completes.” They are not some random bad luck. They are not meaningless suffering. Trials, testing, proving are all for a purpose, to mature our faith. James holds a conviction that God uses trials to perfect our precious faith. All Joy in Trials of Various Kinds • God’s purpose is to grow our faith to endure (Jas 1:3) • God is our refuge & strength, an ever-present help in trouble (Ps 46:1) • God is my portion and my joy (Ps 16:5, 11) • God is the Father of compassion, the God of all comfort (2 Cor 1:3-4) • God brings times of refreshing in desert places (Ps 84:5) • Count trials as all joy • Ask in faith for wisdom James 1:5-8 Ask God for wisdom, he gives it generously. For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding - Prov 2:6
God is portrayed as the source of all wisdom. He is the all-knowing being who gives wisdom to those who ask for it. James recognizes that we need God’s wisdom, we are not sufficiently wise.
v. 6. Ask with the right attitude: have faith in God. Wisdom from God is how to live life as God designed it, for greatest flourishing.
• Count trials as all joy • Ask in faith for wisdom • Comfort for the poor and warning to the rich James 1:9-11 v. 9. What is the boasting of the lowly brother? Thus says the Lord: "Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord." – Jeremiah 9:23-24
Who is the rich? 2 thoughts: 1) these are believers whom he is telling not to take pride in wealth, but in his identification with Christ 2) these are non-Christians who, in the end, will end up with only judgment
• Count trials as all joy • Ask in faith for wisdom • Comfort for the poor: knowing God is ultimate • Warning to the rich: riches fade
Are Christians forgiven of their sins? Yes, then, Why do we continue to ask for forgiveness? Some say that’s weak faith…
"You've probably heard people pray like this, 'And, Lord, we ask You to forgive us for all our sins,' but why do forgiven Christians ask God's forgiveness? Do they not believe they are forgiven? If they believe they're forgiven then why do they ask for it repeatedly? Their prayers reveal unbelief."
Is it a lack of faith for a Christian to continually confess sin?
Ezra 10:1-4. Ezra leads the people to acknowledge their sin V. 1. Ezra humbly prayed, wept, confessed. People gathered around and wept. Ezra led the people into confession of their sins.
Ezra’s Right Example of Confession • Pray – Go to God with your sin • Confess – Agree with God that you have sinned • Wept – Be contrite over your sin • Cast down – Humble yourself before God The Wrong Approach • Avoid God when you sin • Don’t consider your sin “serious” • Sin happens • Defend yourself with excuses
A picture for leaders. He didn’t harangue them with a lecture. He showed them, he lived it out. It is important as spiritual leaders in church. It is important as a parent or grandparent to let your kids know that you confess your sin. That sin is not just something you shrug your shoulders about or make excuses for.
v. 2. Shecaniah, steps up as a spokesman for the returned exiles: “even now there is hope for Israel in spite of this.” Trusted in God’s grace.
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart—these, O God, You will not despise” (Ps. 51:17).
V. 3. They had married foreign pagan women. Now they would make a covenant to divorce them. Some scholars question whether this was the right thing to do. The leaders will spend 3 months reviewing each circumstance.
Sin makes a mess of things. It takes wisdom and searching through the Scripture. Paul’s advice in the NT is for people who converted to Christianity to stay with their unbelieving spouse unless the spouse wanted a divorce.
V. 4. “It is your task.” It was Ezra’s to provide spiritual direction out of this mess. The Jews who took foreign wives put the whole community at risk of God’s judgment and created a disaster to deal with: have the influence of pagan idolatry in their homes or divorce the women they had wrongly married.
Ezra 10:5-8. The people take an oath to repent V. 5. Ezra made the spiritual and family leaders promise to follow through. V. 6. Ezra fasted and prayed – he took this seriously. Do we take our sin seriously? In our own lives? In our families? In our church? Vv 7-8. The leaders called everyone to Jerusalem – if you didn’t come, you forfeited your property. Look how seriously they took this sin.
Why? Idolatry was the primary reason God had judged them and sent them into exile. Now, God was gracious to restore a remnant of them. And many of their men brought pagan women, idolators, right into their homes. They turned their backs on the kindness of God and risked God’s wrath.
Ezra 10:9-14. The people gathered at the temple V. 11. “Make confession” is Hebrew towdah. Comes from the idea of extending your hand toward God in praise. It means to give thanks, give praise, or confess. Confession is related to praise, it is agreeing with God about sin.
We have a dilemma. Why would I be saying, "God, forgive my sins," when I know He's already forgiven my sins? How am I going to reconcile this?
Two kinds of forgiveness: Judicial forgiveness • Purchased in full by Jesus Christ on our behalf • Frees us from eternal punishment and condemnation • The forgiveness of justification Paternal forgiveness • Granted by God as Father, not judge • He is still grieved when His children sin • The forgiveness of sanctification and conformity to the image of Christ
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” - 1 John1:9
Ezra 9:1-2 v. 1. “the people… have not separated themselves” There is too much world in the church and not enough of the church in the world. The world needs Christians to live like Christ, not like the world (v. 1) Matthew 5:13-16 '"You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. '
v. 2. Men, Levites and priests were marrying pagan women, against God’s law. It was not unlawful to marry a woman who renounced her pagan religion.
Mal 2:10-16 men divorced their Jewish wives to marry foreign women. God wanted children to be raised in a home with men and women of faith. The book of Ruth is testimony, a man could marry a foreign woman who renounced her pagan beliefs, and believed in the true God of Israel But when they married a pagan wife, she brought pagan idolatry into the home. The men were accepting idolatry in their homes, to be taught to their children. The world needs Christians to raise children to follow Christ (Malachi 2:15)
God would not accept their sacrifices The LORD was witness between you and the wife of your youth, to whom you have been faithless, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. Mal 2.14
The Bible teaches that marriage is a covenant promise between a man and woman that is made before God. God takes credit for the union: “What God has joined together, let man not separate.” The world needs Christian couples to stay together (Malachi 2:14)
Ezra 9:3-5 Ezra was “appalled” by the sin of his fellow Jews. He mourned over their sin. There is a lack of being appalled by sin in our society. There is no standard of integrity, honesty, sexuality in our society. In the church, we have a standard. We believe the Scriptures are and contain the very words of God and that through the Scriptures, God graciously reveals his standards of morality. This is the basis of what is right and wrong.
The question is what do we do in the church when we don’t live according to God’s word? Do we ignore our own sin? Do we make excuses for our own sin?
The world needs Christians to be appalled by sin (vv. 3-4) When we are living or behaving in a way that is contrary to the revelation of Scripture, and, specifically, to the example that Jesus gave, we must repent.
Many times, we are appalled by other’s sins, but quite comfortable with our own. Confession is agreeing with God that our thoughts or motives or behaviors are sin. Repentance is turning from sin and toward Christ.
Ezra 9:6-7 v. 6. Ezra himself identified with the sin 8x in his prayer (I am ashamed, our guilt) As did Nehemiah (1:6), “we have sinned against you.” Daniel (9:5), “we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled” Isaiah (6:5), “I am a man of unclean lips & I dwell among a people of unclean lips” The world needs Christians to confess and repent of sin
Ezra 9:8-9 In his prayer of confession, Ezra remembered God’s grace toward them. God was so gracious to restore them. The world needs Christians to declare God’s grace • He preserved a remnant of Jews – a gracious loyalty • He staked the place for them – a gracious security • He gave light to their eyes – a gracious renewal • He revived them in slavery – a gracious resurrection • He gave them a “wall” – a gracious protection
God equips and uses all kinds of people to accomplish his will. A governor, a priest, two prophets and other ordinary people re-built the temple. Ezra 7 begins a new chapter. The year is 458 B.C. Artaxerxes I was King of Persia. The temple has been built for 60 years. And God raises up a new leader, a scholar, a scribe, named Ezra to bring needed spiritual renewal for his people.
537 B.C. 50,000 Jewish refugees returned to Jerusalem under Zerubbabel’s leadership to rebuild the temple. 458 B.C. 1,500 men plus women and children return under Ezra’s leadership to bring spiritual renewal 444 B.C. Nehemiah arrives and leads the people to finish rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls and gates
Ezra 7:1-6 vv. 1 – Ezra was born in exile in Babylon. He was a descendant of Aaron, the first priest of Israel. He was a scribe, which meant he studied and physically kept the word of God.
v. 6. A faithful leader wants to be a part of God’s plans Ezra was in Babylon and could have stayed there in greater comfort and safety. But he must have read what God had promised in the prophets for the remnant of Israel and he wanted to be a part of it. The king granted him all that he asked – this scholar/scribe went to the most powerful king of the time and asked for the king to sponsor his effort.
A faithful leader recognizes that God delivers successes “The good hand of the Lord was upon me.” – 6x in chs 7-8 If God’s hand isn’t at work in us and through us, nothing will be accomplished. John 15:5 – “Apart from me you can do nothing.”
Ezra 7:7-10 v. 10a A faithful leader studies AND obeys the word of God 'But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. - James 1:22
Ezra 7:25 vv. 25. A faithful leader uses God’s gifts to serve others Ezra would use the wisdom he received from God to provide leadership. Ezra used the wisdom and knowledge he received from God to teach.
'so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. ' - Romans 12:5-8
Ezra 8:21-23 A faithful leader prays and trusts God for the outcome. Ezra had said that God was with them, so he didn’t want to ask for armed escorts of the pagan king. So they relied on God for protection. They fasted and prayed for protection.
Ezra 8:31 “The hand of God was on us, and he delivered us from the hand of the enemy and from ambushes on the way.”
God equips and uses all kinds of people to accomplish his will A faithful leader wants to be a part of God’s plans A faithful leader recognizes that God delivers successes A faithful leader studies AND obeys the word of God A faithful leader uses God’s gifts to serve others A faithful leader prays and trusts God for the outcome
Ezra 6:13-15 The temple was re-constructed by ordinary people doing ordinary work. Led by people with a vision of God’s kingdom. Motivated and guided by God’s word.
Ezra 6:19-22 • The temple was the center of Jewish life. • The temple was where God’s people met with him. • The temple was were all the sacrifices were made.
You can see the centrality of the temple almost 600 years later in Jesus’ life:
Jesus’ was presented at the temple after his birth to celebrate the redemption of the firstborn (Lk 2:22-23; Num 18:15-16)
Simeon took Jesus up in his arms and blessed God and said, "Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation." (Lk 2:28-32)
Jesus taught in the temple when he was 12 during one of his family’s Passover pilgrimages (Luke 2:41-48).
When Satan tempted Jesus, he took him to Jerusalem and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here.” And Jesus answered him, "It is said, 'You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.'" (Lk :9-12)
Jesus taught people in the temple (Jn 8:2; 18:20)
Jesus drove out money changers (Mt 21:12; Mk 11:15; Lk 19:45; Jn 2:14) He quoted Isa 56, "It is written, 'My house shall be a house of prayer,' but you have made it a den of robbers." “Zeal for your house will consume me”
At the triumphal entry to Jerusalem, the children cried out in the temple, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" (Mt 21:15)
One winter Jesus was walking in the temple. The Jews asked, “If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus told them, “I and the Father are one."(Jn 10:22-30)
Matthew 12:1-8 Jesus told the Pharisees, “something greater than the temple is here.” (Mt 12:8) vv. 1-2. The Pharisees criticize the disciples for picking grain on the Sabbath
vv. 3-4Jesus reminded them that David their great king ate showbread that was reserved for worship and the priests.
v. 5. Priests work in worship on the Sabbath; yet are not breaking it.
v. 6. The Greek literally, “I say to you greater than the temple is here.” We add the helping noun in English, “greater” can mean a person or thing.
“Greater” – me’gas – great in size, stature, height, number, intensity, greater in rank, splendid, grand, excellent, persons esteemed for ability, authority, virtue.
Jesus declared that he and his coming were greater than the temple.
The temple was the center of Jewish life. Jesus is the greater center and life of the church. (Col 1:18) The temple was the place of God’ presence. Jesus is the “radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature”. (Heb 1:3) The temple was meeting place between man and God. Jesus is the way by which we can come to the Father. (Jn 14:6) The temple was the place of sacrifice to God. Jesus is the greater & complete fulfillment of the sacrificial system. (Heb 9:1-4)
After Jesus’ death on the cross, “And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.” (Mk 15:38)
Last week: Ezra 4 – 85 years of opposition during reigns of 4 Persian kings Tempted to compromise (Ezra 4:1-3) Tempted to fear (Ezra 4:4-4) God’s people have always faced opposition when doing God’s work. We think that opposition is from people 'For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. ' – Ephesians 6:12 We have an enemy that seeks to steal, kill and destroy. His tools are lies, temptation, deception. Then the people of the land discouraged the people of Judah and made them afraid to build… Thus the work on the house of God in Jerusalem came to a standstill until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia – Ezra 4:4&24
Great Start/Fizzled Finish Rebuilt the altar. Resumed sacrificial worship. Laid again the foundation of the temple. Had prophecies to rebuild, leaders, materials, decree and funding from King Cyrus. But they stopped for 10 years – WHY? Discouraged by local peoples. Fearful of powerful enemies. What can help in the face of opposition? How can you keep going in fear? How can you have courage to go again?
Ezra 5:1-2 God sent Haggai & Zechariah, two prophets to encourage the Jews to rebuild.
Haggai 1:1-3/4-6 v. 2. “the people said it wasn’t time to build the temple” v. 4. Their priorities exposed: they built their own houses and neglected the temple v. 6. “Consider your ways” Sow much/harvest little. Eat/never enough. Drink/never full. Clothe/never warm. Work/nothing to show for it.
Haggai 1:7-11 v. 8. Go get the materials and build the house. v. 8b. “That I may take pleasure in it and may be glorified” God exposes the truth: the people were more concerned for their own pleasure, their own glory and neglected the glory of God. Putting their own glory ahead of God’s glory is the sin of idolatry.
The result: They worked but had nothing to show for it. They were never satisfied. The deception of idolatry: idolatry promises to satisfy, but can never fulfill you
In His kindness, God exposed their idolatry as hollow and empty. “I blew it away” (v. 9). I called for a drought (v. 11). He showed them that spending their lives on food, drink, clothes, wages was wasting their lives.
Haggai 1:12-13 / 14-15
The truth of God’s Word was spoken The people’s excuses were exposed The people’s self-centered priorities were revealed God opposed the people when their priorities were wrong The people repented of their self-centered lives God re-affirmed his Presence with them
God’s word to his people • Exposes the sin of idolatry as hollow and empty • Speaks the truth that our fulfilment is found God’s glory • Replaces our fear with courage in the promise of God’s presence
Ezra 4:1-3. Temptation to compromise Why not accept help from the people of the area, they were related, could use the help. Former northern kingdom of Israel had been rampant with idolatry before their fall. Israel “feared the Lord but served their own gods.” - 2 Ki 17:33
The Assyrians conquered Israel and brought in other peoples who worshipped false gods. When Jesus spoke to the Samaritan woman at the well 6 centuries later: You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. – John 4.22
We are called to separation from sin and from partnering with sinners We cannot compromise our testimony or hinder God’s work. 14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? – 2Cor 6:14-15
Believers should not marry nonbelievers. We should not partner in business. We must separate from sinful behavior and not participate. We are to separate from lustful behavior, gossip, sinful talk, As a church we must make a distinction in partnering with other churches who do not hold to Christian doctrine.
We are not called to isolation - 1Cor 5.9-10
Separation from sin does not mean separation from sinners. It does not mean that we do not befriend and love sinners. We love sinners whether they are saved sinners or unsaved sinners.
Jesus was separate from sinners in a way that did not compromise his holiness. – Heb 7.26
The Pharisees would not eat with someone who was leading a sinful life. But Jesus was a friend of sinners. 1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, "This man receives sinners and eats with them." – Luke 15.1-2
“They drew near to him… He received them.” He ate with them. The sinners close to Jesus – greedy, lovers of money, sexually immoral.
We are called to separate from sin, but to love sinners.
Temptation to fear - Ezra 4:4-6 describes a century of opposition. “Accusation (sitnah). Isaac named well when the Philistines quarreled with him over the water. V. 4. The people of the land discouraged the people of Judah This opposition went on through the reigns of Cyrus, Darius, Xerxes (Ahasuerus in Esther) and Artaxerxes – for 95 years. Through Nehemiah’s arrival to rebuild the walls in 445 BC.
Ezra 4:7-16 specific example of opposition V. 12. Attempting to rebuild the city not the temple. Enemies accusing “wicked, rebellious” Ezra 4:17-23 Their enemies got the king to agree and decree to stop The Persians probably tore down the walls and gates that had been rebuilt. Ezra 17:24 back to the opposition from rebuilding the temple back in 530 BC Satan always challenges the truth, “did God actually say.” “If you are the Son of God” Temptation to compromise, opposition, intimidation, destruction. Seeing shame and depression, “I know your works, Satan.” - Martin Luther These are all the works of our enemy. He deceives, devours, destroys
In society, Our enemy works today to destroy the bonds of marriage and sexuality. He works to tear families apart, to leave mothers and children abandoned & men alone. Remember, “it is not good for man to be alone”. Man needs the bond of marriage.
God’s people have always faced opposition when doing God’s work. We will face opposition when we build God’s kingdom. Temptation to compromise, to fear. How can we stand against such opposition? Eph 6.12-13
How can we stand “against the cosmic powers of this present darkness”? • Realize you are in a battle with a real enemy • Recognize our battle is not against people, but a spiritual enemy • Rely on God’s truth, righteousness, gospel, faith, salvation and prayer
Last week: God is Faithful to His Word: He promised to return Israel from exile (Jer 29:10) God is sovereign over the nations He raised up Babylon to punish Judah (Hab 1:12) And Medo-Persians to punish Babylon (Jer 50:18) God is faithful to his covenant God promised Abraham through him all nations will be blessed (Gen 12:3) God’s promise to David, “your throne shall be established forever.” (2 Sam 7:16) Giving Ezra 2:68-70 A free will thank offering – for the safe journey and to re-establish worship Leaders gave generously and the people followed (Nehemiah 7)
Worship Ezra 3:1-6 Setting up the altar They were afraid of other nations but their priority was not physical defenses nor was it personal comfort. Their first priority was to re-establish worship. No temple yet, just an altar to offer sacrifice.
They gave silver, gold, garments for priests, now grains, oils, and livestock.
Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added to you. Work Ezra 3:7-13 Laying the Foundation
if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?" (Ps11.3)
Lay new foundations. The key to spiritual renewal is to not give up when we fail or struggle with consistency. After Judah’s sin and God’s punishment, his intention was to restore and renew. He would see his people return to the land, re-establish worship and renew his relationship with them.
‘Who says of Cyrus, 'He is my shepherd, and he shall fulfill all my purpose'; saying of Jerusalem, 'She shall be built,' and of the temple, 'Your foundation shall be laid.’”’ (Isaiah 44:28)
Word They were dedicated to the Word of God. • “They built the altar of the God of Israel to offer burnt offerings on it as it is written in the Law of Moses” (v. 2) • “They offered… burnt offerings morning and evening” (v. 3) cf Ex 29:39 • “They kept the Feast of Booths, as it is written” (v. 4)
Unity Emphasis on unity: • The people gathered together (Ezra 3:1); • the workers stood together (v. 9); • the Levites sang together (v. 11a); • the people worked together to lay the foundation (vv. 8-9) • the people praised the Lord together for His goodness (vv. 11b) Their tasks were varied, but they all had one goal before them: to glorify the Lord by rebuilding His temple. This is what Paul had in mind when he wrote “make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose” (Phil. 2:2).
Patience - They did not give up in fear nor disappointment
•605 First Jewish exiles deported to Babylon •597 Second deportation to Babylon •586 Jerusalem destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar —Third deportation to Babylon •539 Cyrus, King of Persia, conquers Babylon •538 Cyrus issues his decree to the Jewish exiles •537 About 50,000 Jews return to the land, led by Zerubbabel and Joshua •536 Foundation of the temple laid •536–520 Work interrupted because of official opposition •520 Work resumed; ministry of Haggai and Zechariah •515 The temple completed •458 Ezra the scribe arrives in Jerusalem •444 Nehemiah arrives; walls rebuilt, gates restored
Ezra 1:1-4 V. 1. Cyrus King of Persia – conquered the Babylonian Empire 539 BC “word of the Lord by Jeremiah might be fulfilled… the Lord stirred up Cyrus.”
God is Faithful to His Word: His promise to return Israel from exile Written c688 Fulfilled 538 (140 yrs before) 'who says of Cyrus, 'He is my shepherd, and he shall fulfill all my purpose'; saying of Jerusalem, 'She shall be built,' and of the temple, 'Your foundation shall be laid.’”’ (Isaiah 44:28) Written c594 Fulfilled 538 (56 yrs before) '"For thus says the Lord : When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. ' (Jeremiah 29:10)
God is sovereign over the nations God raised up Babylon to chasten the people of Judah 'Now I have given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, my servant (Jer 27:6a) God raised up Cyrus to defeat the Babylonians 'Thus says the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have grasped, to subdue nations before him and to loose the belts of kings, to open doors before him that gates may not be closed:’ (Isaiah 45:1) He calls pagan kings – “my servant” and “my anointed” claims as his servants.
Nebuchadnezzar: “his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation; all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand, or say to him, “What have you done?” (Dan 4:34b-35a) Ezra 1:5-7 V. 5. “ God had stirred to go”. God had stirred the heart of Cyrus to let them go, now stirs the hearts of 50,000 people to go. “The same God who ordains the end (rebuild the temple) also ordains the means (people willing to go to Judah and work).”
vv. 6-8 As when Israel left Egypt with treasure from the Egyptians, they leave Babylon with the treasure taken from them – and with gifts from their neighbors
“Sheshbazzar” is probably Zerubbabel (governor of Judah)
Ezra 2:1-2 v. 2. Zerubbabel – governor of Judah. Jeshua – high priest.
God is faithful to his covenant In spite of their sins, these exiles were God’s chosen people and children of the covenant he had made with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The nation had broken the covenant, but the Lord remained faithful to his word. He called the Jewish nation to bring blessing to all the earth, and he would see to it that they fulfilled their mission. Through them the world would receive the knowledge of the one true and living God, the written Word of God and ultimately the Savior of the world. – Warren Wiersbe
Ezra 2:68 – people gave a freewill offering for the work A decay in the quality of a nation’s leaders is an indication of trouble. “When small men cast long shadows, it’s a sign that the sun is setting.” – Walter Savage Landor Leaders gave generously and the people followed (Nehemiah 7)
Everyday people left captivity to give themselves to something big. To be the community of God’s people. We should give ourselves to God’s community.
Ephesians 6:5-9 V. 5. ‘Doulos’ – translated as “slave”, “servant”, or “bond servant” We think of the slaves in terms of the 18th and 19th centuries with people captured, shipped to the west under brutal and inhumane treatment as property.
The slavery that existed in the Roman empire had some differences. Outside of Italy 1 in 5 people were slaves. Slaves were not citizens, had no rights. They worked in fields, in mines, some were forced to be gladiators in Italy. They may have been captured in war, or may not have been able to support themselves so they may have “voluntarily” sold themselves to be housed and fed.
What does this have to do with us? A bond servant/master is not too dissimilar from our society’s employee/employer relationship.
The slaves that Paul was writing to were primarily domestic servants. Bond servants were contracted for 7 yrs, after which they were paid and freed Many household slaves were better off than free people in poverty. They were part of the household, so Paul addresses them here: Husbands/wives, fathers/children, masters/slaves.
Serving at Your Job • With fear and trembling in sincerity… as to Christ (5b) o Usu., used of people in God’s presence. Reverently and sincerely. • Not serving the eye, as pleasing men (6a) o Not working to be seen with the goal of just pleasing the boss. • As slaves of Christ, doing the will of God (6b) o Serving as ultimate allegiance to Christ, doing God’s will gladly. • Wholeheartedly, as serving the Lord (7) o Wholehearted work honors and glorifies the Lord.
There is no distinction between the sacred and the secular in our lives. Doing your job is directly related to Christ’s rule over your life. Any and every task, however menial, falls within the sphere of Christ’s lordship and is done in order to please him.
V. 8. Nothing escapes our heavenly Master’s attention. He will reward the good deeds done by each and every one. Slaves will be rewarded by their heavenly Lord at the day of final judgment for the good that they do.
There will be a heavenly reward for even menial, earthly tasks done in honor of Christ.
This means work is honorable. When done out of reverence for Christ even the most menial tasks have value. Work can be a form of worship, offering your labor to Christ.
v. 9. “Masters, treat your slaves in the same way” – shocking to slave owners. if you are over someone, your attitudes and actions are to be governed by their relationship to their heavenly Lord.
Masters are motivated to treat their slaves in the same way because • Both servant and master have the Lord as their Master and are accountable to him • The Lord is completely impartial and unimpressed with social status
To be a slave or servant was a menial and despicable thing. In Israel, the idea emerged that it was a privilege to be a slave or servant of God. OT heroes were often called servants of God. Isaiah prophesied of a servant of God (Jesus). The NT refers to Jesus as a servant. Paul, James, Peter and Jude all refer to themselves as slaves or servants of Christ.
• We are called to work reverently, sincerely, wholeheartedly. • We are called to work in a way that honors Christ as our Lord. • God sees sincere work and will reward it (even if no one else does). • Bosses will answer to the same Master in heaven for their treatment of their subordinates.
Martin Luther called this a Haustafel, ‘house-table’ or ‘rules for the household’ Rules for relationships at home: husbands/wives, parents/children, master/servant Pattern: role, command, motivation The motivation here is not the state, not pop psychology, - but reverence for Christ – to follow Christ’s example. Live out what Christ has done in your life – especially in your home.
Ephesians 5:22-33 V. 22. Previous section ends: “submit to one another out of reverence to Christ.” The subject of submission is wildly unpopular, often watered down. Paul writes within the church, we should submit to each other. Consider others’ needs more important than your own.
Why does Paul addresses wives first? Perhaps the idea is that if a woman is unwilling to submit, it doesn’t matter if her husband is George Patton or George Washington, or some guy named George. Your husband cannot lead if you refuse to follow.
It does not mean that the wife has no voice in her home Husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way… so that your prayers may not be hindered. (1Pet3.7a,c)
It does not mean that she is less important role or has less value The verb used here is used of Jesus Christ, our Lord too.
Motivation for the Love of a Husband and Respect of a Wife Wives Submit to Your Husbands • The motivation is out of reverence for Christ Husbands Love your Wives • The motivation is the sacrificial love Christ showed his church
The Love of a Husband and Respect of a Wife • Unify Christian couples in oneness o Husband and wife function together as ‘one flesh’ (v. 31; Gen 2:24), not as two autonomous individuals • Reflect (and honor) the relationship between Christ & his church (vv. 22, 25) • Foreshadow God’s intention of bringing all things into unity in Christ (1:10) The Love of a Husband for His Wife • It is a sacrificial love (v. 25) o V. 25. “…Christ loved… and gave himself…” o Paul used the same word about Christ’s love for him in I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Gal 2:20 [emphasis added]) o It is a love that loves dearly, favors, prefers, cherishes o Its use in the Bible is love that wants the best for someone else o We favor our wives. We include them. We want to know their thoughts and feelings. We desire interaction. We value the intellect of our wives. We value the gifts of our wives. We encourage and speak life into our wives. So we walk in mutual submission. • It is an initiating headship (v. 26) o Christ did not wait until we asked, pleaded, begged o He gave himself for our benefit before we asked o Leaders initiate what is good: finances, child discipline, spiritual leadership, your relationship as a couple (get the calendar and the check book and put priority on your marriage) • It is a selfless love (vv. 28-29) o Paul rips open our selfishness. “Love your wife like you love yourself”. I know a lot of men who love what their wives do for them more than they love their wives
Ladies, What do you do in areas where you are not on board with your husband? Is it immoral or unethical? don’t follow. Is it a difference of opinion? Be respectful, discuss your concerns, thoughts Work together to get on the same page. Stop fighting to win an argument, start fighting to for your relationship.
Husbands Are there areas that you have lorded over your wife? That’s sin. You need to talk with her, get her input, ask for her insight, use her gifts. Are there areas where you’ve been selfish, self-centered? You need to confess – own it. Practice sacrificing for your wife
Living in light of your calling in Christ • Walk worthy of your calling (4:1) • Walk in holiness (4:17) • Walk in love (5:2) • Walk wisely (5:15) The Christian life is in stark contrast to that of unbelievers. The difference is like light and darkness (Eph 5:8).
Ephesians 5:15-21 v. 15 Be very careful, then how you live 1. Not as unwise, but as wise (v. 15b) 2. Not foolish, but understanding the Lord’s will (v. 17) 3. Not drunk with wine, but filled with the Spirit (v. 18)
“carefully” – accurately, precisely, not careless, not without thought. How we live matters. There are people who think once they are saved, how they live does not matter. It matters. We are to manifest outward in our lives what has happened inside. By God’s grace, you are freed from the bondage of sin and death. You are liberated to live a new life in Christ.
v. 16. ‘Making the best use of the time’ – lit., “redeem the time” the Lord gives us opportunities daily to live out our new lives, to build his kingdom, to reflect his character, give him glory
“The days are evil” – Controlled by the prince of the power of the air (Eph 2:2), who is opposed to God and his purposes. The days are evil – God’s people CANNOT sit idly by. The lost are living and dying in sin. The enemy steals, kills and destroys. He goes around like a roaring lion, seeking for someone to devour.
We MUST engage with the world. We MUST use our resources wisely. The church is the new humanity that God has created in Jesus Christ. We hold the answer to hopelessness. We know the way for the lost man or woman to be reconciled to God. We know the one Who is victorious over sin and death. “Redeem the time because the days are evil.” v. 17. Ties to OT Proverbs: the fool is careless, despises wisdom, refuses to acknowledge his dependence on God. The wise man understands the will of God – we learn what pleases God and live accordingly; from believing in God’s salvation through Christ to living a godly life.
v. 18. ‘do not get drunk with wine’ – a negative counterpart like wise/unwise, foolish/understanding, drunk with wine/filled with the Spirit
“Be filled with the Spirit” (v. 18) • Speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, songs (v. 19a) • Singing and making music to the Lord (v. 19b) from the heart • Giving thanks to God (v. 20) • Submitting to one another (v. 21)
V. 20. “giving thanks to God” ‘always or constantly’ Everything we have is from God. His blessings are innumerable. Even in suffering we have reasons for joy and thanksgiving. The opposite of thanksgiving: grumbling, complaining, taking blessings for granted
v. 21. ‘submit to one another’ – lit., ‘arrange under’ God has established order in the world. We are all subject to authority. All of us are under authority at work, the authority of government, even spiritual authority.
out of ‘reverence’ of Christ – lit., ‘fear’, not ‘terror’ of Christ, but recognition that he is Lord and will return as Judge of the earth.
Walk wisely – are there things the Spirit has been convicting you to stop? • Toying with sins? Or time wasters that leave you feeling empty? • Things you need to re-start? Prayer life? Reading or memorizing Scripture? • More intention on being a light at work or class, not blending into dark? • Redeem the time because the days are evil Be filled with the Spirit • Do you have a mouth of someone redeemed? Full of praise, worship, thanksgiving? • Lord, help me be thankful, remind me of your countless blessings • Let my mouth declare to others and to you of your goodness to me.
(Lk 2:10–11).
Ephesians 4:28-32 Our speech should be “good for building up”. “The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life” (Prov 10:11a) “The lips of the righteous feed many” (Prov 10:21a) “The tongue of the wise brings healing” (Prov 12:18b)
Ephesians 5:1-14 Vv 1-2 Be imitators of God and live a life of love. Imitators of God – as beloved children – we have been adopted into God’s family. We have experienced the riches of God’s love, and we should imitate him. How to walk (live) in light of what God has done in Christ: • Walk worthy of your calling (4:1) • Walk in holiness (4:17) • Walk in love (5:2)
Live a life of love because Christ loved us and gave himself up for us. We are called to live lives that conform to Christ’s – sacrificial love for others.
v. 3 Sexual immorality – usually refers to adultery, prostitution “All impurity” – all corrupt sexual behavior (lust, pornography, homosexuality) “or covetousness” – greed – coveting someone else’s body These are serious and should not even be mentioned among God’s people.
v. 4. Sinful speech: obscenity, foolish talk, coarse joking “Filthiness” (obscene) speech. “Foolish” – silly speech. “Crude joking” – degrading. These all refer to a dirty mind expressing itself in vulgar speech. Live in purity of body and speech.
vv. 5-6. Warnings: exclusion from God’s kingdom and experiencing his wrath.
v. 7-14. Contrasts the difference between light and darkness, Christ follower and non-Christ follower.
v. 8. You were darkness (not just in, but being), but now you are light in the Lord. - Walk (live) as children of light. Because you of Christ’s love, he has rescued you from darkness into light. Live in light. Don’t go back to darkness in sexual immorality and sinful speech. v. 9. - Fruit of a life of light is good and right and true. These are supernatural attributes of God expressed in the life of the believer through renewal by the Holy Spirit.
v. 10. Discern what is pleasing to the Lord – test, examine, evaluate what is right.
v. 11. Light and darkness are incompatible – it is completely inappropriate to live in light and then adopt the lifestyle of those who are still in darkness. “Works of darkness” are useless, unproductive. “Expose them” – live your life in such a way that there is a vast contrast between the life of a Christ-follower and someone who does not follow Christ.
V. 12. Sexual immorality is so shameful, it should not even be discussed. It is alien to the life of a believer.
V. 13-14a. The function of the light is twofold: it exposes the sins of unbelievers, and transforms them so that they enter the realm of light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son (Col1.13)
14b. May be a fragment of an early Christian hymn. It has OT influence of prophets calling people out of sleep or death to God’s light. • Isaiah 26:19 “You who dwell in the dust, awake and shout for joy!” • 60:1 “Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you” • Jonah 1:6 “How can you sleep? Arise, call upon your god!”
From Darkness to Light • There is a sharp distinction between the life of God’s people and the world • It is imaged as light and darkness o No middle ground or shades of grey • Christian values are opposed to the world’s o Our values include purity of body and speech o We are not corrupted or defeated by darkness • Christ has called us to wake and rise from the dead o He has shone upon us so that we may be light o Our lives are to shine and expose the darkness o Some in darkness may see and enter the light
In Eph 4:17-24, Paul talked about the old lives of the Ephesians that were not changed by Christ and the new life in Christ.
You are being transformed, renewed, regenerated. Your new life in Christ is nothing like your old life. Paul exhorts, put off the old life like old clothes, put on new life like new clothes.
Ephesians 4:25-5:2 V. 25. Put off falsehood. Speak the truth. There are obvious parallels between Eph 4 and Zech 8. These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another (Ze 8:16) ’emeth – Hebrew for truth occurs 5x in Zech 8. Alētheia (alAYthaya)– Greek for truth occurs 4x in this chapter, 6x in chs 4-6
Zech 8 speaks of the new Jerusalem, the place where renewed people of God live. Isaiah 2:2 says the nations will flow to the house of the Lord. Why? The integrity of God’s people will reflect God’s presence among them. And in response, peoples and nations say, “Let us go, for we have heard that God is with you.” (Zech 8:23b)
David committed adultery and conspired to have her husband killed – in secret, but God knew and sent Nathan to declare the truth publicly what David in secret. In repentance he wrote in Psalm 51:6a “You delight in truth in the inward being” “Purge me… wash me… blot out all my iniquities” “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” -Ps 51:10
God desires truth in your life, in your speech, all the way to your inner being. He can purge you, wash you, change your heart, renew your spirit.
When God changes hearts of his people & they put off falsehood and speak truth, the world takes sees and comes streaming to God, who is renewing us in his truth.
vv. 26-27 “Do not sin in your anger” God knows we will get angry. The exhortation is don’t stew in your anger. One of our problems: When other people sin against us, we sin right back - And we feel justified to sin in response. Like their sin is wrong, but ours is right
“do not let the sun go down on your anger.” Be quick to resolve your differences. Be quick to forgive. You’re going to have differences in your marriage – we want to win arguments.
Married 25 years. Figured out: There is no argument worth ruining our relationship. There is nothing that is worth allowing to separate us.
Satan whispers to you when you’re stewing in anger and unforgiveness. “You deserve better than this.” That is the voice of destruction. Relationships that last are the ones in which you are loving, but honest. Where you have differences; but can work through them. Where you don’t have to win every time. “Be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.”- James 1:19b Be quick to resolve your differences. Be quick to forgive.
v. 28. Do not steal; work. Be honest.
v. 29 “No corrupting talk” The renewed life, that work of the Holy Spirit in us is renewing our inner being. It works out in the hard work of our hands, now the speech from our mouths. “Corrupting” is rotten, like a rotten tree makes rotten fruit. Rotten, decaying fish. Language that is harmful: abusive, vulgar, slander.
Our speech should be “good for building up”. “The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life” (Prov 10:11a) “The lips of the righteous feed many” (Prov 10:21a) “The tongue of the wise brings healing” (Prov 12:18b)
v. 30. “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God” God has stamped us with his own character and guarantees his protection. The Spirit is grieved when God’s people continue in sins that divide the body. The seriousness of continuing in sin is this: you grieve the Spirit of God.
Vv. 31-32. Put away all anger; be kind and forgiving “As God in Christ forgave you.” Forgive others as you have been forgiven – completely, unconditionally
Ephesians 4:17-19 V. 17. Emphatically: I say, testify in the Lord – in Christ’s authority: “you must not live like Gentiles pagans any longer.” Do not to fall back into the way of thinking and behavior of your former life.
Sin rules the lives of those outside of Christ • Their minds are futile, their understanding darkened • Their lives are alienated from the life of God • Their senses are dulled and calloused • They are in ignorance because their hearts are hardened Sin has corrupted the whole of their lives.
Futility of their minds – their pursuits are pointless, futile, worthless. -Wealth, Materialism, Religions are empty and hopeless. These things promise fulfillment but they cannot deliver. They are futile, folly. Only Jesus Christ has the remedy for sin. Only he can fulfill / human flourishing.
V. 18. “darkened in their understanding” Their mind-set has been drastically affected (v. 17b).They are blind to the truth. They are alienated from God because of their ignorance of him.
Romans 1 – mankind’s problem is not that he does not know enough about God, it is that he ignores what he knows about God. Man is culpable for this.
V. 19. They have become calloused, “lost sensitivity”. Sin has a dulling effect. You cannot excuse your own sin. It hardens your heart. Given themselves to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. (No shame for themselves, no respect for others, not restrained by morality)
Ephesians 4:20-24 Vv. 20-21. ‘You did not learn Christ that way’ - the difference is stark. – ‘to learn a person’ is without parallel V. 21. They heard about him and were taught in him. They didn’t just receive Jesus, they accepted the disciples’ teaching about him and his salvation.
Vv. 22-24 The Content of This Christian Instruction (21) • Put off – your old, corrupt self (22) • Be renewed – in the spirit of your minds (23) • Put on – the new self created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness (24)
Putting off and putting on is a word picture for the transformation of believers. • But put on the Lord Jesus Christ and do not make provision for the desires of the flesh. (Romans 13:14) • knowing this, that our old man was crucified together with him, in order that the body of sin may be done away with, that we may no longer be enslaved to sin. (Romans 6:6)
V. 23. Paul does not stop with ‘quit living the old life.’ God’s work in us is to renew our minds to live new lives to reflect God’s image.
Renewed / Reformed / Transformed Renewal occurs in the sphere of ‘the spirit of your mind’ – in the inner being. • and have put on the new man that is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of the one who created him, (Colossians 3:10) • ‘Be transformed by the renewal of your mind’ (Rom. 12:2b)
Renewal is by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. • he saved us, not by deeds of righteousness that we have done, but because of his mercy, through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit, (Titus 3:5)
Renewal is a cooperative effort • Therefore my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For the one at work in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure, is God. (Philippians 2:12-13)
V. 24. God is both the author of this new work. He is the pattern or model also. God is making us righteous and holy because he is righteous and holy.
Believers are to become what they are in Christ.
The condition of Gentiles outside of Christ • blind to the truth • alienated from God • abandoned to all kinds of degrading sins
The condition of those in Christ • ongoing transformation of the mind • leads to just and holy living • reflects the character of God
Ephesians 4:1-6 In the first half of Ephesians the apostle has unfolded for his readers the eternal plan of God with its goal of summing up all things in Christ.
Having reminded his readers of the high destiny to which God has called them, Paul now shows the hope of this calling requires them to live in keeping with it.
V. 2. On the basis of God’s mighty salvation in Christ, the readers are now admonished to lead lives that are in keeping with their high destiny and calling.
They have already been called into the blessings of salvation (1:3–14) with its wonderful hope (1:18). They have been united with Christ in his resurrection and exaltation so that they now share in his rule over the new creation (1:20–22; 2:6)
The general admonition is amplified in what follows by means of three modifiers that include four graces • Humility – Considers others better than yourself, concerned about others • Gentleness – Considerate, not demanding your own way • Patience – Makes allowance for others’ shortcomings, endures wrong • Loving forbearance – Loving patience even in tensions and conflicts
V. 3. The Spirit has created unity, you must maintain it. Jesus has wrought reconciliation and unity of sinners into a new humanity.
If you live with no consideration for others, If you demand your own way; “my way or the highway” If you cannot stand others’ shortcomings, That is saying that Christ’s sacrificial death is of no real consequence to you.
V. 4. Sevenfold oneness of the church. There is oneness in Christ’s church because there is oneness in the Father, the Son and the Spirit. The church is one body bought by the blood of Jesus, unified by his Spirit indwelling us under God, the Father, who is over, through, and in all.
He is supremely transcendent over all and pervasively imminent through and in all Jer 23:24 - Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the LORD. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the LORD. Ephesians 4:7-10 V. 7. Grace was given to each of us as a gift, not for our own benefit, but to benefit each other. Everyone has a gift from God to be used to grow the church. “There is diversity in our unity for greater maturity.”
V. 8. Christ’s giving of gifts is supported by a quotation from Psalm 68:18.
When you ascended on high, you led captives in your train; you received gifts from men.
The psalm is a call for God to come rescue his people. Yahweh descended to deliver his people and triumph over his enemies and then ascended to his dwelling place. Paul uses the quote to say that he saw in Jesus’ exaltation a further fulfillment of this triumph of God.
Numbers 18:6 – And behold, I have taken your brothers the Levites from among the people of Israel. They are a gift to you, given to the LORD, to do the service of the tent of meeting.
V. 9. The “descent” of Christ has been thought to be Jesus entering hades, but the text just says here that he descended into the lower regions of the earth, probably meaning that he descended from heaven at his incarnation and maybe further descended in death.
V. 10. Focus is on Christ’s ascent when he was seated in power in heaven.
Ephesians 4:11-14 What gifts did Christ give the church? Spiritual gifts for each to serve others. Specifically, Paul says Christ gave the church leaders: apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, and teachers. For what purpose? That they would build up the church to maturity. So that the church may cause Christ to “fill all things.” Walk worthy of your high calling into Jesus’ salvation • Be considerate and patient with each other – how you treat others reflects what you believe about Jesus’ sacrifice. • Leaders are given to build and mature the body – for saints to minister.
John 20:1-20
V. 1. “First day of the week” The resurrection of Jesus was so monumental that it changed culture, worship, even the way we keep time. Christians began Sunday worship this day instead of Saturday sabbath.
Mary Magdalene is mentioned in all 4 gospels at the tomb this morning, but different women are said to be with her (Mary the mother of James and Salome). Perhaps Mary was there first and returned with other women, or perhaps these women were with her the whole time, but only Mary Magdalene is mentioned because she was a key figure in the church or as the first witness of the resurrected Jesus.
John doesn’t mention the stone before, but a large stone was set in front of this cave-like tomb. Matt writes that the tomb was sealed and guards posted. No one saw the resurrection but each gospel writer presents evidence of the eye witnesses of what they saw – the stone was rolled away.
V. 2. Mary Magdalene ran to Peter and John. No one has any idea of resurrection. She thinks someone has stolen the body.
Vv. 3-4. Peter and John ran to the tomb. John got there first.
V. 5. “John sees linen cloths lying there.” Jesus body was not embalmed like we do today. His body was wrapped in strips of linen like a mummy. They used fragrant spices and perfumes to cover the smell of decay.
V. 6. Peter gets there second, but busts in. He sees the linen cloths lying there – they were not strewn all over like the body had been unwrapped, more like the body of Jesus passed through them and left them where they lay. The cloth around his face was folded neatly. Stone removed. Burial cloths left lying. Face cloth folded Empty tomb. This was no grave robbery, it was the power of God.
Vv. 8-10. John believed – not sure what he believed. He still did not understand the Scriptures about the resurrection. Resurrection was not even in their minds.
V. 11-12. Mary Magdalene returns to the tomb. Perhaps John has compressed the events from the appearance of the angels and Jesus’ appearing to her. In the other gospels angels appeared to the women.
V. 13. “Why are you weeping?” A gentle rebuke. For Mary, it is that someone has taken the body of Jesus. She has no place to mourn for him.
V. 14. Jesus now appears, but she doesn’t recognize him. Two men on the Emmaus road were ‘kept from recognizing him’ (Lk. 24:16), Mark says he appeared to them ‘in a different form’ (Mk. 16:12); the disciples in the boat on the lake of Tiberias did not recognize the man on the shore (Jn. 21:4)
V. 15. Jesus asks again why she weeps. She has no reason to mourn. Jesus is alive. He has overcome sin. He has conquered death. He died, was buried in a tomb, but then rose again and left death behind.
“Whom are you seeking?” An invitation to think about what kind of Messiah she thought Jesus was. Mary exhibited a grand devotion to Jesus Her estimation of Jesus was far too small.
If Jesus was just a moral teacher or religious leader, what do you do with the resurrection?
V. 16. The good shepherd ‘calls his own sheep by name … and his sheep follow him because they know his voice’ (Jn 10:3–4)
V. 17. This is not a time for clinging to me. I am ascending. Go, tell the others,
V. 18. Stone removed. Burial cloths left lying. Face cloth folded Empty tomb. Now an eye witness, “I have seen the Lord.”
V. 19. Doors locked in fear. Jesus came and stood in their midst, spoke “peace.” Jesus is alive and speaks today, “Who are you seeking?” • He has overcome sin and death. He left death in his tomb. • He is God’s plan to forgive our sin, reconcile our relationship w/ God Jesus enters our sorrow and fear with peace. Is he calling you? asz
Prepare for Easter: Spend time on the Via Dolorosa- the way of suffering Time at the foot of the cross – the symbol of suffering and death And at the tomb where Jesus was laid and and remained for three days, but from where he was raised
We may never get to travel to Jerusalem, but I pray that we can walk through the Scriptures and wrestle with the significance of Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection.
John 19:1-16
One of the most perplexing questions about Jesus is “Who caused Jesus to suffer?” Had we been there on that Friday and seen Jesus before Jewish leaders and Roman officials, had we seen him whipped, beaten, mocked, tortured and killed, had we known his innocence, we would ask, “who did this?” “Who caused him to suffer?l
Fearful men, bloodthirsty men, corrupt men conspired to kill Jesus. Jewish religious rulers conspired to kill Jesus out of jealousy. The Roman soldiers were violent and bloodthirsty men. They enjoyed the sport. The Roman governor washed his hands of the matter, but allowed a man he knew was innocent to be killed, fearful of a disturbance.
But it wasn’t just because of the sins of these men that Jesus suffered. John 1 says that Jesus is a light sent into a dark and sinful world. But He was rejected.
John 3:19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.
It was as though God sent his Son as a light into the dark world, but we loved the dark so much we said, snuff it out. Turn off the light. We love darkness, we don’t want our sin to be exposed. Your sin and my sin and the sins of all mankind caused Jesus to suffer.
It was also God’s will that Jesus should suffer.
Acts 22:22-23 22 "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know- 23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.
Isaiah 53:10 Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.
Who caused Jesus to suffer? Sinful man in a specific place and time caused Jesus to suffer. All men over all time caused Jesus’ suffering by all our sin. This was according to God’s plan and foreknowledge.
Why did Jesus suffer? Why did God allow it, even plan for it? Jesus did not deserve to suffer. He was sinless.
1 Perter 2:22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.
Our sin provoked the wrath of God.
Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.
In the Bible a metaphor used for wrath is a cup or bowl of strong drink poured out. Jesus prayed before his arrest in Gethsemane
Matthew 26:39b "My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will."
Because Jesus substituted himself for us Why did Jesus suffer? Because he took the wrath of God for you and me – propitiation. Jesus took the cup of God’s wrath for me and you. He absorbed our punishment.
1Pet3.18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit.
You cannot be tolerant of your own sin. Lust, indifference about building God’s kingdom, lukewarm love for Him. We are forgiven – but even more, we are rescued from bondage to sin. Know the price that was paid, we cannot linger in it any longer. Thank God for absorbing God’s wrath for your sin.
Paul prays for the Ephesians that what he has been teaching them may be manifest in their lives. He stopped himself and explained their place in God’s cosmic redemption: God will put you on display so that heavenly beings can see God’s wisdom in you. Specifically the unity of the church under the authority of Christ. The church is a picture of what is coming for all the cosmos: Christ’s rule as king.
Ephesians 3:14-17a 14. “For this reason” What he started in v. 1, he now resumes his prayer
- “I bow before the Father, from whom every family is named” Phil 2:10 “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,” “family”, clan, tribe, nation – God is Creator and, therefore, Father to all. “Is named” – every family’s existence and significance is dependent on God.
Ephesians 3:17b-19 “According to his riches in glory” When Paul prays, he often uses the words to describe the resources of God available to believers: “fulness, abundance, riches.” We are so hungry, so thirsty, so empty. This world leaves us dry, disappointed, frustrated, longing, empty. God has fullness, abundance, and unsearchable riches for us. God, unlike anyone or anything else, can fill out of His fullness, abundance, riches.
Paul prays that they may be strengthened with [God’s] power. Through his Spirit in your inner being That Christ may dwell in your hearts
The Spirit gives wisdom and revelation and now power to believers. Where? In our inner being, in our hearts. It is the center of our being and will. This is where the Spirit does His work. Where Christ dwells in us. In religion, rules are focused on the outer being, behaviors, actions. But the work of the Holy Spirit is within our hearts and center of our conscience.
Here, the Ephesians were losing heart over Paul’s imprisonment. In 2 Cor 4, Paul says, we are afflicted, perplexed, persecuted, struck down…
2 Cor 4:16 “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.”
He that believes in God as his God, believers God is always present with him, according to His promises. In the worst of times, God is present with His people. And can there be any cause of heart trouble to such souls as have always the presence of God with them, whose presence makes heaven, and in whose presence is fulness of joy? (Ps 16:11) – John Bunyan
There is for the believer a strength from the Spirit within that is greater than the affliction without. Ephesians 3:17b-19 17b. Strengthened by the Spirit, by Christ dwelling in their hearts, they are “rooted and established in love.” Love is foundational (rooted, established). Love describes God’s character. God’s love for the world is the reason given for His sending Christ into the world. Jesus gave his life for his people out of his love.
Because of the great love with which he loved us, He made us alive w/Christ (2:4)
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Paul prays for strength to comprehend the dimensions of some object: the power of God, the mystery of salvation, the wisdom of God, the love of Christ.
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“And to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge” Despite his readers being believers, they do not adequately know Christ’s love. Christ’s love for his followers is so big it surpasses our ability to fully know it. Paul prays for God’s help to comprehend Christ’s immense love for them.
Christ’s love is so great that one can never know it fully. We can never plumb its depths or comprehend its magnitude. No matter how much we know of the love of Christ, how fully we enter into his love for us, there is always more to know and experience. – Leon Morris
19b “That you may be filled with all the fullness of God” May God fill you that you might truly be filled and not turn to empty idols.
Paul’s prayer: inner strength by the Spirit & greater grasp of Christ’s love for you.
Ephesians 3:1-13 Revelation of the Mystery of the Gospel Ephesians 3:1-6 V. 1. Paul starts his prayer, but interrupts it with a digression about his ministry in revealing the mystery of the gospel “A prisoner on behalf of you gentiles (nations)” Paul was imprisoned because he taught that people are made right before God by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ no by the Law.
Italian-based Center for Studies on New Religions, 90,000 Christians were killed for their beliefs worldwide in 2016
V. 2. Paul received a stewardship from God, by God’s grace, again for the nations.
V. 3. Paul received a revelation, Jesus appeared to him on the Damascus road.
Galatians 1:12 For I did not receive it [the gospel]from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.
V. 4. “The mystery of Christ” there is a mystery that is disclosed in Jesus Christ. That mystery is that God has appeared to us in the person of Jesus Christ.
Romans (16:25–27), Paul says the gospel is ‘the revelation of the mystery which was kept secret for long ages’, Colossians 1:25–27, ‘the word of God’ is ‘the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations’.
V. 5 this mystery was not known to previous generations, but to apostles and prophets – and they made it known to others, and they to others through today.
This was God’s plan from before creation. He would save sinners by taking on flesh, and then sacrificing himself to demonstrate his grace as a substitute for us. We are saved by grace through faith, apart from the Law “Mystery” means something that was once hidden, but is now revealed, “open secret”
V. 6. Gentiles [the nations] are included in the people of God. 1. Fellow heirs (God promised Abraham all the families of the earth would be blessed through him. We re recipients of God’s promise, fulfilled by Christ.) 2. Members of the same body (The nations are included in the people of God, on the same footing as the Jews.) 3. Partakers of the promise (Most fully understood as partaking in the Spirit. He manifests God’s presence among his people, the Spirit is indeed the epitome of God’s promise.)
Ephesians 3:7-13 V. 7. “The gift”, “God’s grace”, “given to me”- Paul says, ‘God gave me the gift of the mystery of the gospel.’
“By the working of his power” God’s power transformed Paul and empowered him to fulfill God’s calling.
V. 8. “I am the very least of the saints”, ‘least among the apostles’, (1 Cor. 15:9) or ‘Chief of sinners, (1 Tim. 1:15). Because Paul was opposed to Christ and his church. But God called Paul as preacher to the nations of the unsearchable riches of Christ.
“Riches of Christ” all he has and bestows to those who have faith in him.
V. 9 to make everyone know the mystery hidden for ages in God
V. 10. That through the church God’s manifold wisdom would be known. Manifold- poetic term meaning variegated, like multi-colored or multi-sided – richly diversified nature of God’s wisdom manifest in the church.
To the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places probably include the whole host of heavenly beings, good and bad alike, but Paul’s specifically addressing demonic forces.
The church ‘provides the angelic powers [with] a tangible reminder that their authority has been decisively broken and that all things are to be subject to Christ’. A.T Lincoln, Paradise
Demonic power and authority cannot stop the wisdom of God manifest in the church. The unification of Jews and gentiles in the church is a foreshadowing of how God will bring everything under the rule and reign of Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 2:19-22 The House of God Ephesians 2:19-22 19. Paul uses the imagery of a household. We were once outside of the household of God. We did not belong there.
We are citizens, saints, and members of God’s household • Identity – We are God’s own possession • Security – We have God as our treasure • Belonging – We belong to Christ and his church
Identity 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
Security Thomas Brooks, in his book, Heaven on Earth, tells the story of Alexander the Great, who gave away his gold when he went on a hopeful expedition. When asked why he would leave his riches behind, he said, “For the hope of greater and better things.” The same with us. If we are confident of greater and better things inChrist, we will have the freedom to live radically for Jesus.
If I trust God with to provide for me and defend me. If I truly believe that He is my greatest treasure, then I can live free of fears and insecurities. Free from fear of having no meaning, no purpose, no significance. If I find purpose, meaning, treasure in Christ, then I am secure in him. We try to keep on hand on the world and one hand on Christ. We hang on to lies of the world: this person will fulfill you. You’ll be complete when you get this job, have so much money, when you arrive at this place in your career.
Belonging From the perspective of belonging to the people of God.
“If I had never joined a church till I had found one that was perfect, I should never have joined one at all; and the moment I did join it, if I had found one, I should have spoiled it, for it would not have been a perfect church after I had become a member of it. Still, imperfect as it is, it is the dearest place on earth to us.” - Charles H. Spurgeon
20. Paul changes metaphors for who we are in Christ.
We have the privilege of being the temple of God, where he dwells. • Structure o Apostles and prophets are its foundation - teachers and prophets of the gospel) [“Apostles” - those specially sent by Christ. “Prophets” (OT? NT? Prophesying apostles?] o Christ is its cornerstone - everything is built upon him, supported by him and determined by him o Transformed believers are its building stones • Cohesion and growth - joined together and grows by its union to Christ • Present function – worship • Future destiny – the place where God dwells with his people forever.
The church is not a place, it is a people. God dwells with His people by his Spirit, individually and especially corporately.
1 Peter 2:5
We once were separated from the Messiah, outside the covenant community, without God and without hope—now we are being built into the dwelling place of God himself.
Closing What are you pursuing? Where are you putting your trust? Where do you find your identity? Your significance? Your purpose? Are you hoping you’ll finally be happy when you get so much money? have a certain job? A certain relationship? Happiness is always just out of reach in the world. Those can all be good things, but they are not ultimate things. They can never deliver. There is security within the house of God. A relationship with Christ is what is missing. “For the hope of greater and better things.” Find significance, joy, purpose in Christ. Lay hold of greater things. Matt 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
You individually and corporately make up the Church, the temple of God where God dwells. We are called to be holy. To flee from sin, not cling to it. We are called to a life of confession and repentance. Confessions is agreeing with God about our sin. Repentance is turning from sin, toward God.
Ephesians 2:11-22 Brought Near Ephesians 2:11-12
Ephesians 2:13-15 V13. Far off… brought near to God by the blood of Christ. God has come near to us in Christ, and brought us near to himself.
V14. “He is our peace.” He brought reconciliation b/n us and God and oneness b/n Jew and Gentile. He has brought peace (wholeness) to us.
“Broken down the dividing wall of hostility” – likely the law itself, which required a separation b/n Jews and gentiles, and caused Jews to take pride in their heritage & look down on gentiles.
Many of the other laws were designed to set Israel apart and make them distinct, and of course in Jesus’ and Paul's own day the temple itself provided a powerful illustration of the division, the distinction, the alienation, the estrangement, between Jew and Gentile. There was the Inner Court in which the priests went, and then around it the Court of the Laymen of Israel, and then around that the Court of the Women of Israel; and then, five steps down, behind a three-cubit wall, was the Court of the Gentiles.
at the entrances to the Court of Israel where the men and the women of Israel would be allowed, there would be messages in Greek to any Gentile who had the idea of stepping into those Jewish-only courts, and that message said basically this: “Anyone unauthorized entering into this Court has himself to blame for his ensuing death.”
V15. “Abolishing law…” best understood as the law-covenant, replaced by better covenant Hebrews 8:13 “in speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete.”
Ephesians 2:16-18
V16. God reconciles Jews and gentiles alike into one body –the church. What divides the world: race, ethnicity, economic status – abolished by Christ. Unified in the church. No one is better than anyone else. We are beggars, it is true. So that we are all one. A new creation, God’s workmanship.
V17. “He preached peace to near and far off” from Isa 57:19, the Lord says, “Peace, peace, to the far and to the near.” We might say the goal of the gospel is to bring peace, reconciliation to God through the sacrifice of Christ.
V18. “Access in one Spirit to the Father”. We have peace w/ God & access to him. Paul may have in mind offering a sacrifice to gain access to God’s presence. We have free access to God’s sanctuary through Christ.
We don’t have access to God like the Jews did, we have a better covenant. OT sanctuary was limited by space. We can meet God anywhere, any Time Only priests could enter the presence of God. Sinful priests made their own sacrifices, then for people. Jesus once for all.
We were far off from God’s people, excluded from his covenants, without hope and without God. We were strangers, aliens, and separated.
We were far off, but God brought us near to himself through Jesus Christ.
• You were far from God, Christ brought you near • You were aliens, he made peace between Jews and gentiles • You were without God, he reconciled you and gave you access to God • You were strangers to God’s promises, he made you citizens of God’s household
The best thing about Christianity is not that you get rich or famous or powerful. You get God.
Deuteronomy 4:7. And there Moses says, as he reflects on Israel's privileges amongst the Gentiles (Deut. 4:7):
Ephesians 2:11-22 Profoundly Forgiven, One in Christ Ephesians 2:11-12 The Way to Lukewarm Faith • Believe you were already near God when he saved you • Consider yourself as deserving God’s goodness • Don’t think about your need for God’s forgiveness • Think of your own sin as no big deal The Way to Passionate Faith Remember life B.C. (before Christ) • Separated from Christ (and salvation) • Alienated from Israel (outside God’s people) • Jesus is King of a Israel and the Jewish Messiah • 4 They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises.5 To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen. (ROM 9:4-5) • Strangers to covenants of promise (God’s promise of His goodness) • Having no hope • they did not share the hope of Israel in the promised messiah - no salvation, no resurrection • Without God in the world • Powerless, destined to die in sin, forsaken by God • Worse: under God’s judgment
Luke 7 Jesus went to the house of a Pharisee named Simon A woman who had been a prostitute was there. She washed Jesus feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. The Pharisee was appalled. How could Jesus let her touch him? Jesus told a parable, suppose two men owed a debt. One owed 500 denarii, the other 50. When neither man could pay, the lender canceled their debt. Which one will love him more?
He who is forgiven of much, loves much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.
Our love for Christ, our passion for relationship with him is dependent on us remembering: “I am hopeless, forever lost without you”
Ephesians 2:13-15 V13. Far off… brought near to God by the blood of Christ. God has come near to us in Christ, and brought us near to himself.
V14. “He is our peace.” He brought reconciliation b/n us and God and oneness b/n Jew and Gentile. He has brought peace (wholeness) to us.
“Broken down the dividing wall of hostility” – likely the law itself, which required a separation b/n Jews and gentiles, and made the Jews look down on gentiles.
V15. “Abolishing law…” best understood as the law-covenant, replaced by better covenant Hebrews 8:13 “in speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete.”
Ephesians 2:16-18
V16. God reconciles Jews and gentiles alike into one body –the church. What divides the world: race, ethnicity, economic status – abolished by Christ. Unified in the church. No one is better than anyone else. We are beggars, it is true. So that we are all one. A new creation, God’s workmanship.
V17. “He preached peace to near and far off” from Isa 57:19, the Lord says, “Peace, peace, to the far and to the near.” We might say the goal of the gospel is to bring peace, reconciliation to God through the sacrifice of Christ.
V18. “Access in one Spirit to the Father”. We have peace w/ God & access to him. Paul may have in mind offering a sacrifice to gain access to God’s presence. We have free access to God’s sanctuary through Christ.
We don’t have access to God like the Jews did, we have a better covenant. OT sanctuary was limited by space. We can meet God anywhere, any Time Only priests could enter the presence of God. Any believer can. Sinful priests made their own sacrifices, then for people. Jesus once for all.
Remember your life before Christ. Remember the distance Christ went to to save you. Ask God for a greater passion for Christ in your life. Ask God to help you see others’ need for God is the same as yours. “We are beggars. This is true.” -Martin Luther
Ephesians 2:1-10 We Are God’s Workmanship Paul’s prayer for the saints: To know God and • the HOPE to which he has called you • the GLORY of his inheritance in the saints • the immeasurable greatness of his POWER toward us
Why do we struggle to keep a passion for Christ? Why don’t we share our faith with our friends, classmates, coworkers? We forget how great is our Savior.
Ephesians 2:1-3 In a state of sin and death (v. 1) • We were dead in our trespasses and sins, not sick, spiritually dead. • In bondage to evil • In an evil (world) environment (v. 2b) o We were Influenced by wickedness around us • An evil enemy (prince of the power of the air, spirit of disobedience (v. 2) o We lived in the realm of the enemy, the devil, in his kingdom, under his influence • An evil nature (our flesh) (vv. 2a, 3a) o We followed the wickedness of the world By nature children of wrath (v. 3) • We are wicked by nature, corrupted by sin. • Deserving God’s wrath because He is good and just
Two points of application: 1. Unbelievers around you are caught in the realm of sin. They are dead. They need rescue. They need to hear of the hope of Jesus Christ in your life.
- We were hopeless, helpless on our own. We were dead. We needed a savior. We didn’t new start, we needed new life under a new ruler. When we see how lost and hopeless we were, Jesus Christ becomes more precious to us. The greatest quenching of our passion for Jesus is that we didn’t need his salvation that much. We need a greater passion for Jesus Christ and we need the ministry of reminding to stoke the fire of passion in our hearts. A passion that says, “I am a great sinner, but Christ is a greater Savior.” Ephesians 2:4-9 Because of His Mercy and Love God Made Us Alive with Christ
“But God” acted on our behalf. He came from heaven to reverse our hopeless condition. V4. God’s saving initiative is found in his mercy (v.4), his great love (v.4), his rich grace (vv. 5, 7, and 8), and his kindness to us in Christ Jesus (v.7).
V5. we were dead, but God made us alive in Christ -when Jesus you believed in Jesus Christ, his resurrection became your spiritual resurrection. His new life became your new life.
V6. In vv 2-3 we saw that we were in bondage to sin by an evil enemy, an evil world, and our own evil nature. No longer under the power of the prince of the power of the air. God raised us up with Christ. We are now above all that spiritually with Christ in the heavenly places.
Life With Christ • From death to life • From bondage to evil to exaltation • From wrath to grace
V7. God’s purpose in our salvation is that the glory of his kindness may be known in us.
Ephesians 2:8-10 V8. Grace is a key theme in Ephesians, it means God saved acted to rescue us from our sin and death as a gift, free and unearned. We did nothing to deserve it. He just acted on our behalf because he is kind and loving.
V9. Not by our own works, not by our own effort, but by the gift of the grace of God.
V10. Tim Thiessen: God is crafting us, refining us, hammering out a shape, removing impurities, grinding away at our rough edges. To make us into a tool in his hand to do His work. At home, at work, at school.
We are passionate about those things in our lives that have big impacts. You were dead, in bondage to wickedness and sin, under God’s wrath. But God made you alive, exalted you, and lavished his grace on you. We have a great mission, to work to show God’s glory, to tell of his goodness, to give our families and our church godly direction, to live our new lives with a passion for our Savior.
Ephesians – Who We Are in Christ Vv. 1-2 Ephesians is a letter from the Apostle Paul to Christians. It was most likely intended to be shared with churches in several cities in Asia Minor. Ephesus was the major city of the region. In the book of Acts, we read that Paul had stayed in Ephesus for a long time. When he left the region to return to Jerusalem, the church leaders met him and wept over him because they did not think they would see him again. This letter was most likely written by Paul during his first imprisonment in Rome. Vv. 3-14 After his greeting, Paul usually opened his letters with thanksgiving, often, “I thank God because I have heard of your faith in God, your love for each other and your hope in the gospel.” Ephesians is different. He opens with a long declaration of praise to God for His redeeming purposes. Vv. 3-14 are one long sentence in the original Greek (202 words). In the Old Testament, the Israelites spoke words of praise to God. Psalm 103: Bless the Lord, o my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, o my soul, and forget not all his benefits. Psalm 72:18 Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things. These were called in Hebrew, berekah’, which means to bless. The span of Paul’s blessing is from eternity past (v. 4) to eternity future (vv. 10, 14) to the heights of unifying all creation (v. 10) to the depths of redeeming us sinners (v. 7). God’s blessing of every spiritual blessing in Christ: • God has elected us for his own purposes (v. 4), • God has adopted us as his sons and daughters (v. 5), • He has made known to us His will (v. 5), • He has shown us his unending grace (v. 6), • He has forgiven and redeemed us (v. 7), • In His wisdom he has lavished grace on us (v. 8), • He has revealed to us the mystery of his purpose (v. 9), and • He will unify all things in Christ (v. 10)
God is unifying everything in all creation in Christ Jesus. The impact of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection is on the cosmic scale.
Paul’s introduction to Ephesians is an outburst of praise to God for his purpose in salvation.
The sphere within which the divine blessing is given and received is God the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
‘In Christ’, ‘in whom’, or ‘in him’ appears eleven times. In Christ, (because of our incorporation in him) • God has blessed us (v. 3) • We have become God’s people (vv. 11–12), • we have been sealed as belonging to God (vv. 13–14), Through Christ, God has created a new humanity.
In Christ God is bringing everything back into unity under his rule (1:9, 10)
“That we… might be for the praise of his glory.” Three times we are called to praise the glory of God. (vv. 6, 12, 14).
The beginning of the year is a great time to think about our priorities, our focus.
Is your life an expression of praise? • Personal devotion, Bible study, prayer, worship? • Marriage? • Home environment? • Finances? • Work? • Thoughts? What you watch?
There is no greater pursuit in all the universe than to give all of yourself to the praise of God. In each area, allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you about greater love, greater obedience, greater praise of God.
Jesus is the Son of David, rightful and eternal king of God’s people. Jesus is the Son of Abraham through whom God will bless all nations. Everyone who hopes in Jesus Christ will find the grace and mercy of God.
Matthew establishes Jesus’ pedigree, Jesus is comes from a line of patriarchs and kings… and sinners. Matthew then sets out other prophecies and foreshadowing from the OT that Jesus fulfills. He hints at Jesus ’miraculous conception, the rhythm is: he was father of him, he was father of him.
Matthew 1:16 and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.
He very specifically points out that Joseph was not the biological father of Jesus.
Matthew 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.
- Joseph and Mary were betrothed, more serious than today’s engagement. To separate a betrothed couple required a divorce
While they were betrothed, Mary was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. This is the miracle of the virgin conception of Jesus Christ. And so there is no misunderstanding: The Scripture’s claim: God has come to us with a woman as his mother, and God as his Father. He is unique in all the universe: This child is both God and man.
Jesus is the Son of David, rightful and eternal king of God’s people. Jesus is the Son of Abraham through whom God will bless all nations. Jesus was conceived miraculously as both fully man and fully God.
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Joseph knows nothing about what has happened, so he assumes Mary has been unfaithful. He is a righteous man (not perfect, but upright in character and generally faithful to God’s demands). He intended to divorce Mary quietly or privately, not to public ally shame her.
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God intervenes, sends an angel by dream and explains to Joseph. Even reminds Joseph of his Messianic lineage, calling him, “son of David.”
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“You shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” “Yeshua” “Yahweh is salvation” or “the Lord saves”
This is an echo of Psalm 130:8, one of the Songs of Ascents.
And he will redeem Israel from all his iniquities.
Jesus is the Son of David, rightful and eternal king of God’s people. Jesus is the Son of Abraham through whom God will bless all nations. Jesus was conceived miraculously as both fully man and fully God. Jesus will save his people from their sins.
As fully God, Jesus was able to pay the eternal penalty for our sins for which finite humanity could not atone. As fully human he could be our adequate representative and substitutionary sacrifice.
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All this took place to fulfill what Isaiah prophesied 700 years prior. In Jesus, God faithfully fulfills his promises and his plans.
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Isaiah 7 and 8 refer to a sign, a work of God, a remarkable event by which we would know God was doing something significant: the virgin conception of Jesus is a sign to anyone who will listen. God is drawing attention, but attention to what?
Jesus is Immanuel, God with us.
Jesus is the Son of David, rightful and eternal king of God’s people. Jesus is the Son of Abraham through whom God will bless all nations. Jesus was conceived miraculously as both fully man and fully God. Jesus will save his people from their sins. Jesus is Immanuel, God with us.
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God himself has come into our world, into our frailty, into our fears, into our poverty, into our brokenness, into our forsaken state.
And that’s not even the best news, the best news is, he came to be with us to save us.
Emmanuel – Faithful Through the Ages
I. Jesus is the Son of Abraham (1, 2) a. Jesus is the One in whom God's ancient promises to Abraham find their fulfillment. b. Genesis 12:3 “I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." c. God is faithful. He kept his promise. The seed of Abraham is born.
Application: All the nations are blessed by this child who was born. By his life and death and resurrection, anyone can receive the grace of God.
Oh, that the world might know what you know, your lost family members, class mates, coworkers. What an opportunity at Christmas to share your faith.
What a privilege we have to go or to give to those who would go to Asia, Africa, to cities where people do not know the grace that is found in Jesus Christ.
II. Jesus is the Son of David (1, 6) a. “Christ” Greek equivalent of the Hebrew “Messiah”, “anointed one” b. Jesus, anointed son of David. He is the heir to the throne of David c. 2 Samuel 7:16 “And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.” d. God kept his promise. Jesus is the descendent of David who will rule on David’s throne forever.
I. Christ's birth demonstrates God's power, grace, and faithfulness (1:1-17) A. God's power 1. God preserved his people through the Exile (1:11,12) 2. He caused Jesus to be born by a virgin (1:16)
B. God's grace (1:3,5-7,11,16) all of these people experienced the grace of God and even more so are included in the lineage of Jesus by God’s grace. 1. To women - Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba (3 or 4 known for sexual immorality) (Not the more dignified: Sarah, Rebecca or Rachel)
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To sinners - David, Bathsheba (adultery and murder) Solomon (pursued multiple women and their false gods) Jeconiah
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To Gentiles – Rahab (Canaanite), Ruth (Moabite), Bathsheba (possibly a Hittite)?
C. God's covenant faithfulness (1:1-17) 1. To Abraham, To David, To his people
Application: Sin will not be the end of man.The fall will not be the last word over mankind. This is “Grace that is greater than all our sin.” III. Jesus’ birth is the greatest testament to God’s faithfulness. IV. Through millennia, through generations, through rising and falling of kings and kingdoms, through wars and exile, God kept His covenant promises to His people in the birth of Jesus Christ.
Application: 1. Jesus has come. He is coming again. Generations of his people waited, in expectation of his coming. They wondered, “When will the blessing of Abraham come?” “When will the Son of David would take his throne?” Peace, stability, prosperity.
We wait in expectation – the struggles we have will be no more, pain and death will be a memory.
- He could return today, or tomorrow. The Bible tells us, don’t be unprepared. He will come when we do not expect it. What would you have him find you doing?
Genesis 2:18-20 18. "Not good" every day of creation was declared "good" by God. Heb: towb It was not good for man to be alone. He is unable to carry out God's command alone. He cannot image God alone.
"Helper" - Heb: 'ezer. "Help" or "aid". Comes from root to "gird" or "surround" Used 6 times in the Pentateuch. 2 here for woman, 4 times about God. Ex 18 - Moses names his son Eliezer "God... was my help." Helper does not mean inferior. It does not mean less important or significant.
Man cannot fulfill the calling to bear God's image. Man and woman are together to bear God's image and fulfill God's calling.
"Fit" - "suitable" in other translations. Heb: 'neged. Can mean the front part, or what's in front of you. It is used to compare and contrast. Like setting two things in front of you. E.g., Who is like God? No one. All nations are as nothing before (neged) him.
- No creature was "fit" or "suitable" for man. Woman "fit" for him, "corresponds to" him. She is like him. (Not inferior)
This is the idea of complementarianism in the Bible. The idea that man and woman complement each other. Man's weaknesses are shored up by woman's strengths. And vice versa.
Man and woman are more complete together.
Genesis 2:19-23 21. She was made from a rib from Adam's side - shows closeness, intimacy. She comes from his side and they are called to stand side by side.
Many couples argue over issues: they face off, go head-to-head, toe-to-toe. They never learn to resolve issues. Never stand side by side on an issue. That's the goal. Get on the same side, instead of pushing to get your way. Push on the problem together.
Genesis 2:24-25 24. Men, when you marry, you are called to a new family. Let mamma go. And hold fast to your wife - one of the sins of Israel was men leaving their wives No, hold fast to her. Do not leave her. Husbands and wives are called into oneness - not struggle to get their own way. To work together to build a home, raise children, serve the body of Christ.
1 Peter 3:3-4 Women are beautiful. God's creation got better and better through the week. There is a tendency for a woman to focus on her physical beauty. And for others, esp. men, to exploit her physical beauty. God has made woman much more than that. Let your inner beauty be expressed. This is like the idea of God's glory, it radiates, shines out. Let your inner beauty shine: dignity, hard work, providing,
How do these work together? Biblical Manhood: work spiritual direction (Word) sacrificial love
Biblical Womanhood: help radiate inner beauty honor
God has set the responsibility on man to work, cultivate at work and home. To build, bring order in order to provide and to image God at work and home. He calls women to help cultivate, bring order, to image God at work and home.
Men and women are called together to fulfill an epic adventure to glorify God with our lives, to make a difference in the lives of others to make known the wisdom and kindness of God that is Christ in us.
Husbands and wives are called into oneness, to work together to fulfill God's calling.
You do not have to be married to fulfill God's calling. Women are called to help, gird, build up, strengthen - mind your words. Show honor to your husband, start with small things. Trouble honoring man? Trust God by allowing Him room to work.
In His Image pt 4 Manhood Genesis 2:7-15 then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature. And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there he put the man whom he had formed. And out of the ground the Lord God made to spring up every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. A river flowed out of Eden to water the garden, and there it divided and became four rivers. The name of the first is the Pishon. It is the one that flowed around the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold. And the gold of that land is good; bdellium and onyx stone are there. The name of the second river is the Gihon. It is the one that flowed around the whole land of Cush. And the name of the third river is the Tigris, which flows east of Assyria. And the fourth river is the Euphrates. The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.
God planted the garden of Eden and made it ordered and productive. He provided for man, and then told Adam, "keep it" continue to cultivate it. The Hebrew word is used in sense of keeping garden, or to watch over livestock. It means to keep, watch over, guard or protect.
Eden was paradise on earth, yet man was called to work. We think of paradise as resting, but, work is necessary for man.
"Some occupation is necessary to happiness. Lazy people would not enjoy even Eden itself. A perfect man is a working man." - Charles Spurgeon
Aspects of Biblical Manhood Working - keeping, watching, protecting, ordering, producing, cultivating, providing
The second aspect we see in Eden, God gives his instructions about which fruit could be eaten to Adam. Adam is to take the lead in following God's direction.
Genesis 2:16-17 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” Aspects of Biblical Manhood Working Spiritual direction - giving direction from God's Word, leading by example a life of loving and obeying God
Speak God's truth - talk about what you are grateful for at dinner. Turn off the TV and the games and talk to your kids about what God says is good and bad, right and wrong. Loving enemies, showing kindness to those in need...
Demonstrate courage to follow God Let your family see your attempts to follow God - even when you don't do well. Pray for things that you need the Lord's help with. Let them hear some of your struggles at work to do the right thing.
Display humility - admitting when you're wrong, asking for forgiveness The cross allows me to own up to my own failures. I can admit to my wife when I have a bad day and come unhinged on her. I can confess, "that was my fault, I was in a bad mood, I need to ask for your forgiveness, I'm supposed to treat you with gentleness, not be careless."
I can confess to my kids - "I was too hard on you. I'm not supposed to exasperate you. I'm not supposed to make you feel like you can never do anything right. The truth is you're learning - and I'm still learning too. Please forgive me."
Ephesians 5:25-31
The Bible tells us what a man looks like at home: he loves sacrificially. He sacrifices his own comfort, his own wants, he puts the needs of his wife ahead of his own.
Aspects of Biblical Manhood Working Spiritual direction Sacrificial love
Corruption of Biblical Manhood by Sin Work turns into the greatest source of identity and worth Or to laziness and irresponsibility Leadership turns selfish, lording over others Love turns weak into passivity, no standards
Eli and his sons Hophni and Phineas (1 Samuel 3:12-14) David and his son Amnon (2 Samuel 13:21)
In His Image - Imago Dei - part 2
God created humankind uniquely in His image
What does it mean for humankind to be created in God's image? I. We were created to resemble and represent God.
- We were created resemble to God We have the ability to think and act morally Our bodies have physical abilities that mirror God's abilities Social organizations can reflect an even greater abilities to act as God's agent Our gender mirrors God's creativity Marriage images the relationship between Jesus Christ and his church.
Genesis 1:28-31 - the Dominion Mandate
- We were created to represent God Humankind was created to be God's representative, his viceroy or vassal lord on earth. Adam was to spread God's authority over the earth.
Humankind was created to spread the glory of God as His image bearer. - his creativity, organization, building, knowledge, wisdom, relationship, goodness
Isaiah 43:7 everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”
II. Sin corrupted mankind including the relationship between men and women.
In Genesis 3. We see the effects of sin: 1. They felt shame and covered themselves 2. They hid from God 3. They blamed someone else for their sin - man blamed the woman (and indirectly God) and woman blamed the serpent
Genesis 3:16b Your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you.
The result of sin was conflict between the sexes. I didn't have to tell you that. You already knew there is conflict between sexes. You already knew of abuse, violence, and belittling between the genders - and this far more often men abusing women whom God created in his own image.
Apart from Jesus Christ, man is unable to fulfill God's mandate. Sin has corrupted the relationship between men and women. It has kept us from spreading the glory of God - instead, we have spread corruption.
III. In Jesus Christ, God is restoring his image in his people. 1 Peter 3:7, Peter writes that a Christian husband and wife are "fellow heirs of the grace of life." What does that mean? In Christ men and women recover what was meant by being created male and female in God's image. Together, they are to image the glory of God. Together as fellow heirs, they are to inherit the glory of God.
Application How we live matters greatly to God. He created us and redeemed us that we would fulfill God's calling on mankind to resemble and represent him on earth..
Men, love and serve your wife well, sacrificially, selflessly as you follow the example of Jesus Christ, and so bear the image of your Creator.
Women, respect your husband, she reflects the submission of the church to Jesus Christ, her Redeemer.
When families care for poor, sick, elderly, they reflect the kindness and goodness of God and the grace they received by Jesus Christ.
When churches love each other deeply, serve their community, and communicate the gospel, they act as the body of Christ on earth, imaging God to a lost world.
In His Image - Imago Dei - part 2
God created humankind uniquely in His image
What does it mean for humankind to be created in God's image? I. We were created to resemble and represent God.
- We were created resemble to God We have the ability to think and act morally Our bodies have physical abilities that mirror God's abilities Social organizations can reflect an even greater abilities to act as God's agent Our gender mirrors God's creativity Marriage images the relationship between Jesus Christ and his church.
Genesis 1:28-31 - the Dominion Mandate
- We were created to represent God Humankind was created to be God's representative, his viceroy or vassal lord on earth. Adam was to spread God's authority over the earth.
Humankind was created to spread the glory of God as His image bearer. - his creativity, organization, building, knowledge, wisdom, relationship, goodness
Isaiah 43:7 everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”
II. Sin corrupted mankind including the relationship between men and women.
In Genesis 3. We see the effects of sin: 1. They felt shame and covered themselves 2. They hid from God 3. They blamed someone else for their sin - man blamed the woman (and indirectly God) and woman blamed the serpent
Genesis 3:16b Your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you.
The result of sin was conflict between the sexes. I didn't have to tell you that. You already knew there is conflict between sexes. You already knew of abuse, violence, and belittling between the genders - and this far more often men abusing women whom God created in his own image.
Apart from Jesus Christ, man is unable to fulfill God's mandate. Sin has corrupted the relationship between men and women. It has kept us from spreading the glory of God - instead, we have spread corruption.
III. In Jesus Christ, God is restoring his image in his people. 1 Peter 3:7, Peter writes that a Christian husband and wife are "fellow heirs of the grace of life." What does that mean? In Christ men and women recover what was meant by being created male and female in God's image. Together, they are to image the glory of God. Together as fellow heirs, they are to inherit the glory of God.
Application How we live matters greatly to God. He created us and redeemed us that we would fulfill God's calling on mankind to resemble and represent him on earth..
Men, love and serve your wife well, sacrificially, selflessly as you follow the example of Jesus Christ, and so bear the image of your Creator.
Women, respect your husband, she reflects the submission of the church to Jesus Christ, her Redeemer.
When families care for poor, sick, elderly, they reflect the kindness and goodness of God and the grace they received by Jesus Christ.
When churches love each other deeply, serve their community, and communicate the gospel, they act as the body of Christ on earth, imaging God to a lost world.
In His Image - Imago Dei Last week: 1. We see God's kindness and intention for human flourishing in creation. 2. God created mankind uniquely in His image & capable of relationship with Him. 3. God created gender as a reflection of the beauty of His nature.
Genesis 1:26-27
The doctrine of "Imago Dei" in Latin. Meaning, man is made in the image of God, and therefore life has intrinsic value.
Affects on society: abolishment of slavery, equality between genders and races, creation of democracy, protection of the weak in all its forms, justice systems and laws that protect people from harm and punish people who commit harm.
- Resemblance A. Moral excellence - displaying God's goodness. Righteousness, purity, love, forgiveness, humility, holiness, knowledge. Lost in the fall, but renewed in the image of Jesus Christ. Romans 5:19 For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.
B. Moral agency - deciding to do what is good and right Ability to reason, make moral choices, make moral distinctions. Sin has corrupted our decision-making, we choose wrong instead of right. Romans 6:22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.
C. The human body God has no body. He is spirit. But he perceives, he reasons, he speaks, hears, sees Our ears and eyes image God's ability to hear and see. God created us with physical abilities that image his own abilities. Psalm 94:9 He who planted the ear, does he not hear? He who formed the eye, does he not see?
D. Social organizations Individuals are in the image of God, organizations reflect God's image in more depth. God calls individuals to himself, but also families, cities, nations, and especially churches. 1 Corinthians 12:27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.
E. Sexual differentiation A. Mirrors God's creativity by which He brings forth sons and daughters. Men are born physically, biologically through the genders God created. God redeems the children of man and woman and in Christ he adopts them as his own. John 1:12-13
B. The love of a husband for his wife picture's God's love for his people. Ephesians 5:25
C. A woman's respect for her husband images the church's respect for Christ. Ephesians 5:22-24
We are all called to submit to God, submit to Christ, submit to human authorities, human bosses, government, leaders, and within the church to each other. Just as Jesus submitted to God the Father.
Genesis 1:28-31
- Representation Man was created as God's representative, his viceroy or vassal lord on earth. Adam was to spread God's authority over the earth. (Isaiah 6:3)
As God's image-bearer, mankind is to spread the glory of God (Isa 43:7) - his creativity, organization, building, knowledge, wisdom, relationship, goodness
But man sinned and sin corrupted mankind and all creation. Apart from Jesus Christ, man is unable to fulfill God's mandate. In Jesus Christ, God is recovering his image through his people.
Application How we live matters greatly to God. He created us and redeemed us that we would fulfill God's calling on mankind to resemble and represent him on earth.
Men, love and serve your wife well, sacrificially, selflessly as you follow the example of Jesus Christ, and so bear the image of your Creator.
Women, respect your husband, she reflects the submission of the church to Jesus Christ, her Redeemer.
When families care for poor, sick, elderly, they reflect the kindness and goodness of God and the grace they received by Jesus Christ.
When churches love each other deeply, serve their community, and demonstrate and communicate the gospel, they act as the body of Christ on earth, imaging God to a lost world.
Abraham - pt 8 The Substitutionary Sacrifice for Isaac God had promised Abraham and Sarah a son. They waited 25 years. His birth was a miracle, an act of God, born to a barren woman beyond child-bearing age. Isaac was the son of promise. His name, Isaac, means "laughter or he laughs" because both Abraham and Sarah laughed at the thought that they would have a child in their twilight years. Now the unthinkable - God will ask Abraham to sacrifice him - to give him back.
Gen 22:1-2 1. God tested Abraham - the greatest test for Abraham. Tougher than waiting, this test put Abraham in an agonizing choice: Was he willing to follow God's command above his love for his only son?
We see the agony that this must have put Abraham in and wonder why God would do this? God will later condemn the practices of child sacrifice of pagans. Why would God ask this of Abraham? Tension and emotions were high.
- Land of Moriah. In 2 Chron 3:1 a mountain in Moriah in Jerusalem is where the temple will be built by Solomon in 1,000 years. Abraham's sacrifice foreshadowed the sacrifices at the temple. In another 1,000 years, Jesus will worship there.
Gen 22:3-8 3. Abraham's obedience is immediate - he even rose early. 4. A long and difficult for Abraham 3-day journey from Beersheba to Moriah. 5. Abraham asked the 2 servants to stay while he and Isaac went to worship. "and come to you again" Abraham believed that God would somehow return them both. The writer of Hebrews - Abraham believed God was able to raise Isaac from the dead.
Hebrews 11:17-19
- "Where is the lamb for the burnt offering?" The question is a practical one for Isaac, but we see its significance today.. This question echoes through the generations of humanity. We ask, "what will it take for me not to be ashamed before God?" What will it take for my guilt to be washed clean? "Where is the lamb?" How can I overcome the train wreck of my past and bad decisions? What sacrifice can be made to fix what I have broken? "Where is the lamb?"
Fast forward 2,000 years. John the Baptist sees Jesus, and says, "Behold the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world." (Jn 1:29)
- "God will provide the lamb for the offering."
Gen 22:9-14 9. It appears Isaac let himself be bound in obedience to his father. 10. Abraham was ready to make the sacrifice. 11. But an angel stopped him. 12. "You have not withheld your son, your only son, from me" Abraham passed the test. He was obedient even to offer his only son.
Romans 8:32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
- God provided a ram for the sacrifice - the ram was offered instead of Isaac. This is substitutionary sacrifice. God provided a substitute so Isaac could live.
Jesus took on the punishment that our sins deserved as our substitute. 2 Corinthians 5:21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
1 Peter 2:24
- Abraham called the place, Yahweh Yireh, "The Lord will provide."
Be appalled that your sins brought the death of God's Son. Praise God that did not spare his Son, but gave him up for us. Respond in faith that God has substituted Jesus' life for yours. Live the life you received back as a living sacrifice to God.
Abraham - pt 4 Cutting of the Covenant Recap: - Abraham's faith was not perfect, but God kept his promises to Abraham. - Abraham did not receive everything that God promised him in his life, but Hebrews: he received those things from a distance, believed God kept his word. - Abraham believed God's promises and God counted his faith as righteousness He shows how we come into right relationship with God: by believing in his promises - specifically his promise that if you believe Jesus Christ died on the cross for your sins and was raised to life as God accepted Jesus' sacrifice, You are forgiven for your sin and are in right standing with God.
God's Covenant with Abraham Two parties would come to an agreement. Certain practices were common. Foreign to us, but not to the patriarchs. It was like a treaty between two nations.
Genesis 15:7-10 7. I brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans - God saved Abram from godless (Babylon). We are rescued from godless life, empty of meaning, empty of direction, empty of purpose. We are rescued from empty promises of money, success, sexual immorality. We are rescued from God's judgment on godlessness.
- How will I know? God is not angry at Abram's honest seeking. 9-10. Abram cuts the animals in half and arranges them in two lines with a row in the middle.
Genesis 15:11-16 11. Birds of prey appear, an evil omen. They represent opposition to the covenant. Probably represent Egypt who will oppose the covenant and try to keep God's promise from being fulfilled. But nothing can stop God from doing what He intends
Isaiah 14:27 - For the LORD of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, and who will turn it back?
Romans 8:31b - If God is for us who can be against us?
Romans 8:35, 36-39 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
God's promises to us will persevere through trouble, suffering, our sin. Not even death can keep God from fulfilling his promises to us.
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Great darkness, smoke and fire (v. 17). Foreshadowing of God coming to Israel at Mount Sinai in glory to give the Law and led Israel in the desert by a pillar of smoke by day and fire by night.
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400 years as slaves.
- Judgment of the nation that enslaves them and great possession
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Abram will live a good life
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Iniquity of the Amorites is not complete. In the book of Judges, God will give Israel the land of the Canaan. He will use Israel to judge them and take their land. But in his patience, God waits. He gives Canaanites time, to repent, but he knows they won't.
2 Peter 3:9 - The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
God is patient, but we know that the time for his patience will run out. He is just and he will not leave the world to plunge deeper and deeper into darkness. His patience will give way to his justice one day. Be ready.
Genesis 15:17-21 17. Smoke, fire - represent God - his holiness, zeal for righteousness, his judgment "Passed between the pieces" in a covenant, parties might walk between the cut sacrifices as a curse for not keeping to the promises: "if I do not keep this covenant, may this be done to me." If the smoking pot and torch represent God on this covenant walk, where is Abram? What does it mean that God alone walked the covenant? God intended to keep the whole covenant. Foreshadow of Jesus, who we broke the covenant, he bore the curse and was slaughtered for us.
Abraham - Faith, Fear, and Worship Genesis 12:1-3
God makes a covenant with Abram - God will change his name to Abraham later God promises him a nation, a great name, blessing and to bless all the nations through him.
The stipulation: Abram must leave his country, kindred and his father's house and go to the land.
Genesis 12:4-9
4a. It was no small thing to leave your family in those days. Abram would have left everything familiar: home, family, friends. But he trusted that God had something greater for him, so he left.
By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. (Hebrews 11:8)
God regularly calls his people to follow him out of comfort, out of security into a life of faith. He calls us to follow him even though we don't know where he'll lead. God calls you to trust him and follow his leading. Don't let the security and comfort make you miss God's plan for you.
4b. Abram took Lot with him - maybe not perfectly obedient, but seems to be out of generosity. Lot was Abram's nephew. Lot's father, Abram's brother, Haran died.
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ch 11 mentions that Sarai is barren, so they have no children.
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They passed through Schechem, to the oak of Moreh. Schechem is a city in Canaan near two mountains, Mt Gerizim and Mt Ebal. It is also near the oak of Moreh - literally, "oracle, soothsayer, or teacher."
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God had promised this land to Abram,
- God appears, "To your offspring I will give this land."
Two problems 1) the Canaanites already lived there and 2) Abram and Sarai had no children.
What was Abram's response? Anger towards God? Give up and go home? He built an altar to God there. Did Abram receive God's promise? Abram believed God's promise and worshipped him as though the promise was as good as fulfilled. He just set foot in Canaan and worships God at his word.
We do not know the Lord's timing. We do not know his plan. Sometimes all we know is that the Lord is good and faithful to his promises.
When Abram dies in ch 23, all he will own of the promised land is a cave for family burials. But he receives the promises of God by faith.
Hebrews 11:13-16 These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.
They were strangers and exiles on earth. The patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob) were nomadic because they did not receive the promised land. Their descendants wouldn't receive the land for several more generations. But the passage says more than that. They lived by faith in God. They aspired to more than land and property. They looked to a home beyond this existence, a better existence. They desired a home with the their God. God is not ashamed to be their God
- he built an altar to the Lord and called upon the name of the Lord In the midst of the Canaanites, pagan idol worshippers, he "called", "proclaimed" or Martin Luther translated it, "preached" the name of YHWH.
Genesis 12:10-20 - In fear for his own life, Abram lies about Sarai, leads to her being taken into Pharaoh's harem. But God protected her, came to her rescue. Abram demonstrated faith by trusting God and leaving everything. Is God leading you to greater obedience, service? Don't stay in comfort zone Even though the land wasn't his, Abram believed God's promise and worshipped. Waiting for God? What to do in times of waiting? Worship God in faith.
Abraham - Walking in God's Promises
Abraham - "the father of faith"
Genesis 12:1-3
Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” (Genesis 12:1-3)
V. 1. After Noah, the Bible gives account for the different clans, families or nations, called the Table of Nations.
Amongst the 70 peoples, clams, nations listed, God drills down 8 generations and chooses one family, one set of descendants to speak to and to make promises.
"'Go', 'walk,' or 'leave' your country, kindred, father's house." Leave everything and follow me - sounds like Jesus call to his disciples. God asks Abraham to leave everything and everyone for a place God has for him
God is building a people, planning to make them flourish, bless them with land, numerous descendants. He will allow them to become slaves, but makes them flourish in slavery. He will reveal himself to them by giving them the OT Law.
They will be unlike any people on the earth.They will be his people, he their God. It all starts with, "go", "walk", "follow me"
(verse 2) (A) make you great, (B) bless you, (A) make your name great. (verse 3). (B) bless all who bless you, (C) curse him who curses you, (B) bless all nations through you
Observations: 1. Paul and Peter say that the promise of God to bless all nations through Abraham has come. Abraham's descendant, Jesus Christ is God's blessing to all nations, all peoples.
- When you came to know the Lord, you did not know where he would lead you. It all starts with a simple call, leave your old life, follow me... You did not know the journey God had planned for you. He allows times of trouble, confusion, pain... God's plan for you starts with an invitation: "leave your old life behind and follow me."
Application: 1. Abraham's faith is inspiring, but it's not perfect. He and his wife get a little lost along the way. They try on their own to make things happen and make a mistake - but even their mistakes are covered by God.
Your faith does not have to be perfect to follow Jesus. If you have had a difficult time following God, hearing from Him, you'll be encouraged by Abraham.
- Among all the other clans on the earth, God calls Abraham. He calls him to "leave... that in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed".
If you have come to believe in Jesus Christ, you are a recipient of the promise made to Abraham. You are called to be a blessing to the world around you. You are called to share the blessings you have received in Jesus.
Recap: Jesus encouraged his disciples by promising to send the Holy Spirit to his disciples. The Spirit would be their Paraclete - "one called along side" - to help them, strengthen them and encourage them.
The Holy Spirit is fully God. He is eternal, omniscient and omnipresent. The Holy Spirit is a distinct person of our triune God.
The work of the Holy Spirit A. The Spirit inspired the Word of God. (1 Peter 1:11; 2 Timothy 3:16)
For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:21)
B. The Spirit empowers the Gospel message 1. He enabled disciples to "speak the word of God with boldness" (Acts 4:31, 4:8, 6:10, 7:51; 1 Peter 1:12).
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He empowered miracles to accompany the teaching of the word of God a. After Jesus' baptism and temptation, he "returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee" (Lk 4:14), taught (v. 15), cast out demons (vv. 33-36), and healed the sick (v. 40).
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Paul said his ministry of the gospel was carried out "by word and deed, by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God. " (Rom 15:18b-19)
Application: The Holy Spirit's power is necessary for any effective ministry today.
C. The Spirit regenerates sinners. He imparts new spiritual life to those who were dead in sin (See Eph 2:5; John 6:63)
Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ (John 3:5-7)
D. The Spirit sanctifies (or purifies) believers. (See 1 Pet 1:2; 2 Thess 2:13) 1. He helps them grow in obedience to God. (See Rom 8:13) 2. He produces Christ-like character in the lives of believers. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23a)
Application: The fruit of the Spirit produces Christ-likeness in us; helping us grow in obedience to God and glorifying Christ by reflecting his character.
E. The Spirit guides believers 1. He leads them to follow God's moral standards. (Rom 8:4, 12-13; Gal 5:18)
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He leads them in very specific ways. (Acts 8:29; 10:19-20;13:2; 15:28; 16:6-7)
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He helps them pray and intercedes for them
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. (Romans 8:26-27)
F. The Spirit gives spiritual gifts for ministry in building up the church.
To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills. (1 Corinthians 12:7, 11)
G. The Spirit unifies believers.
For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:13)
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (2 Corinthians 13:14)
Application: We need the Spirit for personal spiritual life and in the church for the body to minister and flourish. Let us ask the Father for the Spirit's help.
If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:13)
Last week: Jesus promised that he would send the Holy Spirit to his disciples. He said the Spirit would be their Paraclete - "one called along side" - to help them, strengthen them and encourage them.
Evangelicals have avoided the Holy Spirit because we are uncomfortable with other denominations' unbalanced focus on feeling and lack of Biblical teaching. We need the Holy Spirit, individually to help us, encourage us, strengthen us. The church needs the Holy Spirit for power to carry out our mission.
I. The Holy Spirit is Fully God
A. The Spirit is eternal; He was present and involved in the creation
The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.(Gen1:2)
B. The Spirit is omnipresent
Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! (Psalms 139:7-8 )
Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? (1 Corinthians 3:16)
Application: 1) No matter where I go (or my family and friends) the Holy Spirit is present. As a Christian, the Spirit indwells me and accompanies me in every circumstance and every stage of life. 2) We must recognize the Holy Spirit indwells the church like His temple and maintain unity in our mission.
C. The Spirit is omniscient, He knows the thoughts of God
these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. (1 Corinthians 2:10-11)
Application: The Spirit imparts to us spiritual wisdom from God that we could not comprehend on our own. D. When Peter confronts Ananias, he refers to the Holy Spirit as "God."
But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” (Acts 5:3-4)
II.The Holy Spirit is a distinct person
A. We grieve the Holy Spirit by our sin
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:30)
Application: The Spirit is a distinct person, not merely the power or presence of God. As God the Father grieves over our sin, so does the Holy Spirit.
B. The Holy Spirit is a distinct person of the eternal Trinity with the Father and the Son. (See also 1 Cor 12:4-6; 2 Cor 13:14; Eph 4:4-6; 1 Pet 1:2; Jude 20-21)
And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:16-17 )
D. The Spirit teaches (John 14:26)
E. The Spirit bears witness about Jesus (John 15:26; Romans 8:16)
F. The Spirit prays to the Father on our behalf (Romans 8:26-27)
G. The Spirit knows the thoughts of God (1Corinthians 2:11)
H. The Spirit distributes spiritual gifts to the church (1 Corinthians 12:11)
G. The Spirit personally guides Christians (Rom 8:14; Gal 5:18; Acts 16:6-7)
There is within evangelicals an ignoring of the Holy Spirit. We speak of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Bible, but little mention the Spirit. Francis Chan wrote a book about the Holy Spirit called, "Forgotten God"
When we see other denominations practice things we don't agree with or teach things we don't agree with, our tendency is to take the opposite side. In doing so, we tend to throw the baby out with the bath water.
We see what we believe are excesses in other churches in speaking in tongues or flashy healing services and we think, "that's not balanced, they're not practicing the way the Bible describes orderly worship."
We may be right, but then we make a mistake. We say, we don't want to do that so we avoid it all together. We avoid the teachings of Scripture about healing and tongues and the Holy Spirit. That is a mistake also.
In an attempt to avoid being biblically unbalanced, we have become imbalanced ourselves. We have become ignorant of the person and work of the Holy Spirit.
Teaching about the Holy Spirit can be intimidating or even induce fear in evangelicals. But that is not what the Scriptures teach about what our response should be.
Jesus Farewell Discourse - John chapters 14-17 Jesus will be arrested this night, their leader would be taken away. They are full of sorrow and confusion, and Jesus speaks right to the source of their sorrow.
John 14:15-17 Jesus has been teaching his followers, "love each other like I have loved you." 15. Jesus links love and obedience three times (once more in John's 1st letter) If you love me, you will be devoted to my teaching, you will follow me.
- "Helper" - Paraclete - "called to one's side", "to encourage", in secular Greek, "legal assistant or representative." "Advocate," "counselor". Someone to strengthen, encourage, help.
"Another" helper. Jesus would go to the cross, die, be resurrected, and then ascend to heaven. He continues to be our advocate in heaven (1Jn 1)
The Spirit is present with us on earth, helping and strengthening us - forever.
- "Spirit of truth" Jesus said about himself that He is truth. The Spirit communicates the truth, He bears witness that Jesus is truth.
The world cannot receive him. The world is still lost in sin, still trapped in material things. But in a believer whose sin has been taken away, whose eyes have been opened to truth, whose spirit has been made alive, the Holy Spirit dwells with and in him.
John 14:18-24 18. I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you.
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You will see me - likely a reference to seeing Jesus alive again after his resurrection Because I live, you will live - Jesus resurrection and our regeneration.
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"In that day" prophetic language of significant movement of God. You will know I am in the Father, you in me, and I in you.
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the union of believers to Jesus. This is a pivotal moment in history, prophesied, foreseen in the OT.
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To love Jesus is to follow him in obedience. He who loves the Son is loved by His Father. Jesus will manifest himself - in the resurrection, but also in view of the Spirit's teaching of Who Jesus is and what He has done and of his second coming.
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The Father and Son come and dwell with the believer.
John 14:25-26 26. The Holy Spirit will teach you all things and remind you all that I have said.
The Holy Spirit was promised by Jesus to his followers to give encouragement, comfort, counsel in Jesus' physical absence. He is the continuation of the presence of God with us and within us. He comforts us, guides us, teaches us, strengthens us, helps us. He communicates the truth that is Jesus Christ. We want to embrace the Holy Spirit. We need His work and ministry.
How to Study the Bible Choose a significant portion to study (e.g., book or letter) Study passage by passage (by chapter or paragraph) Get a basic understanding of the passage (Who? What? When? Where? Why?) Start with the question, "What is the point of this passage in its context?" In its local context? In its overall context (all of Scripture)? Do NOT start with the question, "What does this passage mean to me?" Be aware of the type of literature you are reading Narrative, law, poetry, hymns, prayers, wisdom, prophecy, parables, letters. Be aware of the historical setting in which it was written
I. Interpretation Read Esther 4:1-16
Who? Esther, a Jewish girl was chosen as a wife of Persian King Ahasuerus (Xerxes I) and became queen of Persia. Mordecai was her cousin and guardian. Haman was an evil man who plotted to annihilate the Jewish people.
What? Mordecai enlists Esther to help stop Haman's plot to kill all the Jewish people in the Persian Empire.
When? 539 B.C. Persian King Cyrus overthrew Babylon and issued a decree releasing the Jews from captivity (Ezra 1:2-4) 478-473 B.C. The events of Esther in Susa, a capital of Persia 445 B.C. The walls of Jerusalem rebuilt (Nehemiah 6:15)
Where? In the palace of the King of Persia
Why? Mordecai learned of the plot by Haman to annihilate the Jewish people and asks for Queen Esther's help to talk to the king.
What is the point of this passage in its local context?
What is the point of the passage in the overall context of Scripture?
What type of literature is this passage?
What is the historical setting?
II. Application
What does this passage say about God or His purpose?
How does the Holy Spirit speak into my life through this passage?
How do I need to respond?
Help with Interpretation (from Foundations by Holladay and Warren)
Ask the Father for the help of the Holy Spirit. He has the roll of teaching us. (But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. - John 14:26)
"The Word of God apart from the Spirit of God will be of no use to you.... You have the author always accessible. The Holy Spirit has come to abide with us forever. Search the Scriptures, but cry for the Spirit's light and live under His influence." - C.H. Spurgeon
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Understand the Old Testament in light of the New Testament (e.g., OT Law). "Scripture can and does interpret itself to the faithful within - 'Scripture is its own interpreter.'" J.I. Packer (quoting Martin Luther)
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Understand unclear passages in the light of clear passages. (e.g., Paul's recommendation not to marry in 1 Cor 7:1-17 vs his high view of marriage in Eph 5:22-33)
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Understand words and verses in the light of their context. (And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’ - Luke 12:19 ESV) [The parable of the Rich Fool]
"The big problem with Bible study today is that we think it should be easier." -Grant Osbourne
The Bible is inspired by God. If it is inspired by God, then it has his authority.
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, (2 Timothy 3:16)
The Bible is reliable - we have 24,000 ancient copies of New Testament, some that date back to within 25 to 125 years from the original writings.
What is the Bible about? God's salvation through Jesus Christ - illumination Creation - God created everything good and man as his image bearer The Fall - mankind sinned, bringing God's judgment in toils, sickness, death Redemption - God sent His Son into the world to die for our forgiveness Consummation - God will end evil and death and will dwell with His people
How the Bible says it will change your life.
- Like a seed, it can take root and grow into new life.
since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; (1 Peter 1:23)
- Like a sword, in God's hands, it can discern our thoughts and intentions.
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)
In our hands, it can be used to battle the enemy.
and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, (Ephesians 6:17)
- Like food, we are dependent upon it; it gives us nourishment and joy.
But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:4)
Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts. (Jeremiah 15:16)
- Like fire and hammer, it can destroy falsehoods.
Is not my word like fire, declares the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces? (Jeremiah 23:29)
- Like a mirror, we can see our sinful condition and need for change.
For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. (James 1:23-25)
Wrong responses to God's Word: Hear and do nothing (James 1:22)
Right responses to God's Word: Worship Conviction Action
The Bible was written by more than 40 distinct authors, in 3 different languages, over a timespan of 1,500 years. Yet the Bible presents one central theme: How God redeems His people.
One way to understand the Bible is to describe its metanarrative - its all-encompassing story line. In the Bible, God has revealed the story that underlies every true story, and in which every other true story finds its meaning.
The metanarrative of Scripture is summarized in four major chapters or movements: 1. Creation 2. The Fall 3. Redemption 4. Consummation
Creation God creates the cosmos and everything within it out of nothing. He creates everything that exists by the power of his Word. He creates all forms of life; human beings uniquely in his own image, granting us the ability to know him. He gives man authority and stewardship over the creation.
The Fall Humanity disobeys God and suffers the inevitable consequences of God's judgment on their sin. They retain God's image, but it is corrupted by sin. They suffer the consequences of their sin in toil, sickness, suffering and death. All of nature is affected by human sin, suffering decay and corruption. Every human being is born into sin with no rescue.
Redemption God's redemption was promised and foreshadowed in the Old Testament, especially through the people of Israel. In the fullness of time his Son comes and takes on human nature. He lives a perfect life, suffers death on a cross, and rises from the grave. His life was given as a substitute for anyone who trusts in him. He returns to his heavenly Father, gives the Holy Spirit as the guarantee of an eternity in the presence of God himself. What men and women must do, before it is too late, is repent and trust Christ
Consummation God brings everything to a perfect conclusion with Christ's second coming the resurrection of the dead, the final judgment, the division of all humanity into either heaven or hell, and the New Creation ruled over Christ. Death and sickness and suffering are destroyed. God dwells forever with his people in perfect, uncorrupted relationship.
The Bible reveals a divine will, a purpose, a timetable, a fulfillment, and a unity.
making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. (Ephesians 1:9-10)
At the center of the main message of the Bible is Jesus Christ, the Great Redeemer.
But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. (Galatians 4:4-5)
Jesus spoke of the writings of the Law, the prophets, and Psalms finding their fulfillment in his suffering, death and resurrection. (Luke 24:44-47)
Application: 1. God doesn't intend for his divine redemption merely to draw our interest. The history, poetry, symbols, and instructions of Scripture vary in style, but not in their message: all are intended to affect our response to life in a fallen world.
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Change of perspective: John Calvin said the Scriptures are like spectacles. We are to understand the world, sin, death, purpose, identity, society, suffering, right and wrong through the teachings of the Bible.
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Change of purpose: We are to find our purpose and identity in this story. It is the story that frames our thinking and our living. We are to be changed by it, caught up in it, and take up our role within it.
Last week: The Bible is inspired by God.
For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:21)
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, (2 Timothy 3:16)
I. Jesus recognized God as the source of the Bible. (From Foundations by Holladay and Warren)
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Jesus recognized the Spirit as the author. He said to them, “How is it then that David, in the Spirit, calls him Lord, saying, “‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet”’? (Matthew 22:43-44)
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Jesus quoted the Bible as authoritative. But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” (Lk 11:28)
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Jesus proclaimed the uniqueness of the Bible. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. (Matthew 5:18)
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Jesus called it the “Word of God.” “thus making void the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And many such things you do.” (Mark 7:13)
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Jesus believed the people and places of the Bible were real.
He believed the prophets “So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand)” (Matthew 24:15)
He believed in Noah Just as it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of Man. (Luke 17:26)
He believed in Adam and Eve He answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female” (Matthew 19:4)
He believed in Sodom and Gomorrah Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town. (Matthew 10:15)
He believed in Jonah For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. (Matthew 12:40)
To deny the inspiration of Scripture is to reject the integrity of Christ. – David Platt Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, (Luke 24:44-46)
II. Since we do not have the original documents of the New Testament, how reliable are the copies that we have today? ( from A Ready Defense by Josh McDowell)
Ancient manuscripts of the New Testament in existence today: • 5,300 Greek manuscripts • 10,000 Latin manuscripts (Latin Vulgate [4th century Latin translation]) • 9,300 other early versions • 24,000 manuscript portions of the New Testament
Two questions to judge how reliable ancient manuscripts are to the original texts: 1. What was the time span between the original writing and the manuscript? (The closer in time to the original document, the higher the confidence in the manuscript.) 2. How many manuscripts are available to compare? (The more manuscripts there are, the higher the confidence in the manuscripts.)
The New Testament compared to other ancient writings.
“There is no body of ancient literature in the world which enjoys such a wealth of good textual attestation as the New Testament.” - F.F. Bruce
There is at work in our society and around the world a deliberate push away from God. There is a world view or perspective on life that is in opposition to Christian teaching. And it is pervasive. You can see its beliefs on TV, in movies, books, in politics, in schools, colleges and universities.
It is a secular world view, that sees religion as superstition. It sees a God as something believed in by uneducated people. It sees religion as part of the problem - maybe THE problem.
Contrast: Two very different world views: one says the Bible is harmful the other; essential.
It is important to know: What do you believe? Why do you believe what you do? The most significant question for Christians, what do you believe about the Bible Is the Bible true? Is it from God? all of it? Some parts? Is the Bible relevant today? Is it to be taken as a work of fiction or fact?
I. The Bible claims to contain the very words of God. It contains more than 3,000 occurrences of, "thus says the Lord."
Giving the Old Testament Law to Moses (Exodus 24:12)
In Old Testament wisdom literature (Psalm 2:7)
In Old Testament prophecy of the fall of Babylon For thus the Lord said to me: (Isaiah 21:6)
In the New Testament (Matthew 2:13)
II. The Bible itself claims to be "God-inspired" or "God-breathed." All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, (2 Timothy 3:16)
What does it mean that the Bible was "God-inspired" or "God-breathed"?
"Inspiration does not mean simply that the writer felt enthusiastic, like Handel composing "The Messiah." Nor does it mean that the writings are necessarily inspiring, like an uplifting poem. As a process, it refers to the writers and writings being controlled by God. As a product, it refers to the writing only, as documents that are God's message." - Norman Geisler
- Inspiration means God wrote the Bible through people.
For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:21)
- Inspiration means the Holy Spirit is the author.
“Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David... (Acts 1:16a)
And the Spirit of the Lord fell upon me, and he said to me, “Say, Thus says The Lord... (Ezekiel 11:5a)
- Inspiration means God's Word is to be our final authority.
For the word of the Lord holds true, and everything he does is worthy of our trust. (Psalm 33:4)
Two important words about inspiration: 1. Verbal: God inspired the words, not just the ideas. (Matthew 5:18; 22:43-44 - Jesus based his argument on the single word "Lord.")
- Plenary: God inspired all, not just part (see 2 Timothy 3:16) This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him. (Psalms 18:30)
Inspiration has been affirmed throughout Christian history. "We must not suppose that the language proceeds from men who were inspired, but from the Divine Word which moves them." Justin Martyr (100-165 A.D.)
Key question: Is the Bible meant to be taken interpretively or authoritatively?
Two applications of inspiration for life; 1. Understanding God's inspiration increases my confidence in the Bible.
- The truth behind inspiration is that I can trust his a Word above my feelings, values, opinions, and culture.
"We must make a great difference between God's Word and the word of man. A man' sword is a little sound that flies into the air, and soon vanishes; but the Word of God is greater than heaven and earth, yea, greater than death and hell, for it forms part of the power of God, and endures everlastingly." - Martin Luther (1483-1546 A.D.)
Finding Joy - John 4 Previous weeks 1) We find joy in God's presence We often experience it in corporate or private times of worship. 2) We find joy in being transformed by God Following and delighting in God's instruction
How happy are you with life now? Scale from 1-10. 1 distraught. 10 jubilant.
How happy were you last week? 1 yr ago? 10 years ago? 20? How happy will you be with life next year? We are never fully satisfied because nothing in this life is able to satisfy us.
John 4:7-10 9. Jews and Samaritans were rivals. If a Jew came into contact with a Samaritan, he may become unclean and unable to participate in the Jewish religious life. Jesus is not defiled by what is unclean, but sanctifies what he touches. Those who touched lepers became unclean, when Jesus touched a leper, he was healed
- "If you knew the gift of God" - eternal life - life with God "Living water" Jesus uses a phrase with dual meaning. 1) Living water would be running water, fresh as from a spring, not from a well. The woman was drawing well water, but Jesus offered living water. 2) Jesus had in mind OT imagery: God's grace flowing, cleansing, life
Jeremiah 2:13 for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water.
John 4:11-15 14 Jesus' water quenches the thirsty. It satisfies. It fills. It satisfies people who are thirsty, not for water, but for God.
This water will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life, a reference to the Spirit who gives life (6:63). Isaiah 55: ‘Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters … that your soul may live.’ God promises to make ‘an everlasting covenant’ with all who come—not only with Israel but with ‘the peoples’, ‘nations that do not know you’.
John 4:16-18 16. She misunderstood Jesus' metaphor of living water, but, more importantly, she doesn't understand her own need. Jesus points out her messy life and ties it to this discussion. "You need this life I'm offering. Your life is a mess because you don't have me." Your life is cracked and broken, and you're trying to fill those cracks with men. But their all broken too. That won't work.
Isn't that the world? Broken and running after anything to try to fix it? Money, popularity, sex, relationships, success, looks, etc.
But isn't that us too?
We try to fix our disappointments by finding fulfillment in other places. Recovering Redemption, Matt Chandler and Michael Snetzer identify 4 broken wells that we run to to try to fix our disappointments: 1) Ourselves - a better version of us - more disciplined 2) Others - man/woman, children - pressuring someone to fix our problems 3) The world - gadgets, games, lusts, substances, food, shopping, entertainment 4) Religion - trying to prove your worth to God who loves you unconditionally
We find joy when we turn from that which cannot fully satisfy to Him Who is able to satisfy completely.
Jesus brings up the 6 men she has lived with. Why? 1) She did not understand her need for him. 2) She did not see that her relationship problems stemmed from her broken life without Jesus in her life. 3) Jesus commonly addressed people's sin, hopelessness, guilt, and need to offer his healing. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. He will offer his life to forgive us when we forsake God to pursue something else He will forgive our idolatry. And he will cure us of it. He does not just cover over our sin, he removes it from us.
Psalm 63:1-7
Finding Joy - Psalm 1/Romans 12:1-2
Psalm 1:1-2 V. 1. "Blessed" - how blessed, how happy is the man
The blessed man does NOT: Walk in the counsel of the wicked Does not take the advice, perspective, values of the wicked Stand in the way of sinners Is not influenced by the lifestyles of the wicked Sit in the seat of scoffers Does not descend to participating in godlessness and mocking the godly
The wicked descends. He grinds to a halt: walking, standing, sitting. Caught up in the wisdom of the world. There is all the difference in the world between a Christian view the world's view. We view God as real, a personal God, Creator of all, and good. We view people as created by God to bear his image, but corrupted by sin. We see sin as what's wrong with the world and the solution as Jesus Christ.
The world we live in is becoming more and more secularized. Religion is viewed more and more as passé.
In a couple of generations, we have seen the culture of our country turn from a belief that all people should live according to the teaching do the Scriptures to those who say that people should live according to the Scriptures are unacceptable.
V. 2. You expect it to say, he hangs with righteous people, certainly a place for that. The blessed man delights in the law of the Lord.
Delights, desires, finds pleasure in God's law or instruction. He delights in God's way, God's thoughts, God's values - NOT the world's.
You will delight in something. You will find delight and desire in something. As Christians, we must know that things and people can never fully satisfy us. To put them into the place of God as our delight, our treasure, is to make a good thing an idol. And finding direction from our culture is foolishness. We are perfectly useless as Christ-exalting Christians if all we do is conform to the world around us. And the key to not wasting our lives... Paul says, is being transformed. - John Piper
Romans 12:1-2 V. 1. Paul calls on believers in Rome to live their whole lives as an act of worship. We talked last week about where we can find lasting joy. Unquenchable joy is found in the presence of God - we encounter joy in worship
- Do not be "conformed" to this world. "Do not walk with the wicked, stand in the way of sinners, nor sit with scoffers."
Do not be "conformed" to this world. To conform to a pattern. Be "transformed" by the renewing of your mind.
Transformed is used one time in the gospels, namely, about Jesus. “And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light” (Matthew 17:2; Mark 9:2).
It means to change form - our word metamorphosis comes from it. We cannot conform to the pattern of the world, we must be transformed. That does not mean that we trade our old worldly behaviors for new ones. That’s included. But you can avoid all kinds of worldly behaviors and not be transformed.
The Christian alternative to immoral behaviors is not a list of moral behaviors. It is the triumphant power and transformation of the Holy Spirit through faith in Jesus Christ. So transformation is a profound, blood-bought, Spirit-wrought change from the inside out. - John Piper
"His delight is on the law of The Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night."
Let me encourage you - here in corporate worship, and alone your home in quiet time, over meals with your family or friends; delight in his instruction, be thankful for his kindness, desire His presence.
Listen to the description of the man who follows the Lord - not perfectly, not 100% consistently, but day after day and year after year, following the Lord. Psalm 1:3
Finding Joy - Psalm 43
God created us with the capacity and the desire for joy. But it any time we think we have some joy in our lives, it is always intermingled with fear, frustration, or anxiety. How do we find lasting joy? Where do we go?
Psalm 43:1-5 1. Starts with a petition - a request of God - for vindication. Defend me. Free me from these accusations. His enemy: ungodly deceitful, wicked. He asks God to plead his cause in the presence of his enemy. 2. "For", "because" You are my refuge. the psalmist's stronghold. He declares his faith in God, but intermingled with it is feeling of rejection. He asks himself, why am I mourning because of this opposition?
We see circumstances don't seem to match what we believe God should do. "God is my stronghold so why am I afraid?" "Why do I feel rejected?" We live in confusion, a fog, where we try to reconcile what we believe with what we see.
- "Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me" He asks for God to send his light and truth. He sees them personified as guides to lead him out of this fog and into worship. To the tabernacle.
Light - understanding and life Truth - God's word
He recognized that he could not find his way out of this fog by his own understanding. He could not rely on his intellect or emotions to find his way. He needed God's light - God's understanding to find his way.
So many times we get into difficult circumstances and our emotions get balled up and we cannot think our way through. Listen to the prayer of the psalmist: "Send your light and truth; let them lead me" "I cannot figure this out on my own, God, I need you." "I can't trust my emotions or my abilities, send your light and truth."
His prayer, lead me to the place of worship. Why would he ask this? He's seeking shelter from an enemy. Why wouldn't he ask to be brought into some fortress, some walled city?
The place of worship is a shelter. It is a stronghold. When he gets to the place of worship, he remembers the majesty and glory of his great God. He remembers that his own sins are atoned for there and that God is for him.
There is more going on than an enemy pursuing him. There is always a spiritual element to our fears and our joys. Will we, in those times, hold on to our faith! Will we say, "You are the God in whom I take refuge"? Even in the midst of doubt, "why have you rejected me"?
- The psalmist vows, bring me to the place of worship and I will praise you. I will praise "God my exceeding joy." simchah' joy, gladness
God, in the middle of my trouble, in false accusations, lead me to the place of worship and I will worship you. In the midst of my circumstances, you are my joy.
"My God" Martin Luther, "The sweetness of the gospel lies mostly in pronouns." He is God, but particularly, he is my God.
- He ends by asking himself. "why are you cast down?" "Why am I in turmoil?" And he gives himself correction, "hope in God". Have confidence in him. He his my salvation and my God.
How do we have joy in the midst of joyless circumstances? In the confusion, in the fog of fear, disappointment, anxiety, We asks God, "send your light and truth". Guide me back to you. Guide me to the place of worship where you are glorified, exalted, magnified. And my enemies and fears shrink in the glory of God's presence.
What we are about to read is the climax of Matthew's gospel. It is central to Christian history. It is the most pivotal event in human history. It is the whole key to Christian understanding of who is God and what His intentions are toward mankind?
After a tortuous death on a Roman cross and lying in death for three days, Jesus was raised from the dead; his body brought back to life. This is the resurrection and exaltation of Jesus Christ.
Matthew 28:1-10 1. Mary Magdalene and Mary, mother of James and Joseph go to the tomb early that Sunday morning to anoint Jesus’ body with spices to give him a more appropriate embalming, they expect to see a stone covering the tomb and a body inside.
- An angel moves the stone away, but after Jesus is already raised. The quake is another sign from heaven of something significant - the first was Jesus death, now the discovery of his resurrection.
Notice that the resurrection has already happened. The stone was rolled away not so Jesus could get out, but so that other people could get in and see the tomb where his dead body was laid. - he is no longer there.
3-4. The appearance of the angel stuns the guards.
5-6. "Jesus who was crucified" to be clear, no confusion, not the wrong tomb. Jesus whom they saw crucified and dead and then buried in this tomb was raised.
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Tell his disciples, he will see you in Galilee.
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Feeling joy and fear.
9-10. Jesus appeared and is worshipped. "Go tell my 'brothers'". Even after they abandoned him, Jesus refers to his followers as brothers. He forgives those who abandon him.
The resurrection demonstrates 1. God vindicated Jesus and reestablished him as Lord of all.
Hebrews 10:12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God.
- God's promises are true and kept by a living Savior.
2 Corinthians 1:20 For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.
The most important promise is that Jesus saves sinners. The crucifixion of Jesus was no accident. The world had not gone out of control. It was according to God's "definite plan and foreknowledge." That whoever believes that Jesus suffered and died on the cross for the purpose of taking on their punishment can be forgiven by God of all their sin.
Matthew 27:32-40 Matthew records how weak and powerless Jesus was. Roman soldiers forced criminals to carry the cross member to the place of crucifixion. This was to torment the criminal and teach onlookers to fear the power of Rome. The victim was then lifted up to the upright.
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Jesus is so weak from the scourging that he cannot carry the beam himself. Simone of Cyrene was forced to carry it.
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While Jesus hangs there, soldiers gamble for his clothes. Prophesied... Psalm 22:19 "they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots."
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Soldiers keep watch over Jesus so that his slow death cannot be interrupted. Jesus hangs there in pain, in shame, and powerless.
39-40. Passers by mock Jesus.... "You who were going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in 3 days save yourself"
It took 46 years to build the temple. Preposterous that would Jesus rebuild it. The great cathedrals in Europe took more than a lifetime to build. None was ever fully constructed by its original architect. What power would it take to rebuild the temple in three days. Yet Jesus hangs utterly powerless on the cross. The mockers are engaging in rich irony - this man who claimed such power is powerless.
We know what Jesus actually said, it is recorded in John 2 John 2:19-22
But after his resurrection they remembered his words and believed. Afterwards, they understood that he was talking about his body. Why did Jesus use the temple as a metaphor for his body? The temple was the meeting place between holy God and his sinful people. It was where the sinner offered a sacrifice, atonement (covering over of sins).
This side of the cross, Jesus pays for our sins by his own sacrifice, Jesus himself becomes the great meeting place between God and man. It is not just that Jesus in the incarnation serves as the temple of God. Jesus says, "Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up."
"It is in Jesus' death, in his destruction, and in his resurrection that he meets our needs and reconciles us to God, becoming the temple, the supreme meeting place between God and sinners.
Here is the glory, the paradox, the irony: the mockers think they are funny as they mock Jesus' pretensions and utter weakness after he claimed he would rebuild the temple in three days. There is a deeper irony: it is precisely by staying on the cross in abject powerlessness that Jesus establishes himself as the true temple and comes to the resurrection in fullness of power." - DA Carson
Jesus could have come down in power at any time of his choosing. He had the authority of heaven, the power of God at his disposal. When Jesus was arrested, Peter drew a sword and cut off a man's ear. Jesus rebuked him and said, I could ask my Father for 12 legions of angels, but how would the scriptures be fulfilled? (Matthew 26:51-54)
Jesus could have laid down his weakness and picked up his power and overcome all the power Rome could muster. It was not nails that held Jesus to the cross, it was his love, obedience, joy, goodness, glory. Jesus took on weakness precisely so he could die on the cross.
He is an example for you to follow in humility. To lose your life in order to find it. Philippians 2:5-8
Being a servant means Putting other's needs ahead of your own Cultivating an attitude of humility
The Table - the Wedding Feast of the Lamb
The Scriptures reveal that God longs to dwell with His people. With instructions on building the Tabernacle and it's furnishings and the clothing of the priests, God reveals his intent.
Exodus 29:45-46 I will dwell among the people of Israel and will be their God. And they shall know that I am the Lord their God, who brought them out of the land of Egypt that I might dwell among them. I am the Lord their God.
45 God's desire is to dwell with his people. 46 God brought the Israelites out of Egypt that he might dwell with them. The Tabernacle was located in the center of the Israelite's camp. God was present within the most holy place within the tabernacle. While God dwelt among the Israelites within the tabernacle, & later within the temple in the city of Jerusalem, God's dwelling with man was at a distance.
The relationship that God desires with his people is over and over in the OT presented as far more intimate: a bride and bridegroom. Where God himself is the bridegroom of his people Israel.
Isaiah 62:5b As the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.
Usually the OT image of God as bridegroom and Israel as bride is a negative one where Israel is viewed as an unfaithful bride.
Image is extended in the NT with Jesus the bridegroom and the church his bride. Jesus is presented as the bridegroom who sacrifices himself to prepare his bride for the wedding.
In Revelation 19 John has a vision of what is called the wedding feast of the Lamb. It envisions the final celebration marriage supper of Jesus with his bride, the church.
Revelation 19:6-9
Revelation 21 has a similar metaphor. The church is viewed first as a holy city, and then as a bride adorned. Revelation 21:1-2 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
The bride is prepared - dressed in fine, bright, pure linen. "It was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen" "Fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints" - the saints built upon what Jesus had done. He redeemed her, saved her, died for her sins, cleansed her from her shame and guilt, absorbed God's wrath for her disobedience, sealed and sanctified her by His Spirit and she did righteous deeds, empowered by his Spirit.
"The joy, the intimacy, the knitting together of soul and mind and heart and body, which we know best in our small corner with marriage, is only an indication of the kind of intimacy and joy we will experience when the church is united with Christ forever." DA Carson, The God Who Is There
This is the final fulfillment of God's desire to dwell with his people.
Revelation 21:3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.
The imagery is not just a wedding, but the ultimate celebration. The anticipation could not be higher. This is viewed as the end of everything that stood between God and his people. The end of the corruption of sin. The end of the tyranny of death.
Revelation 21:4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
The central focus of the bridegroom & bride imagery is 1) anticipation of the joy of fully restored intimacy with God and 2) preparation of the bride to meet her bridegroom.
Jesus Is King - the man who is mocked as king is King
Matthew 27:27-31 Governor's soldiers stripped Jesus and put a scarlet robe on him, pretending he is a royal figure. Make a crown of strands of vine thorns they twisted together, pushing it down on his head. They put a staff in his hand and pretend it's a royal scepter. They beat him and mock him, saying, "Hail, king of the Jews."
- The charge against Jesus that was nailed above his head: "This Is Jesus, the King of the Jews"
The Romans, the crowd, the Pharisees, the high priest, all reject Jesus as king.
In those days a king ruled and reigned with authority. In Jesus' day the king's word was the law of the land. His commands carried out.
Kings ruled from thrones and height platforms so they could be seen and heard. They wore royal clothes, perhaps a crown or a scepter to show their status
If Jesus was a king like other kings, like other rulers, then surely he was a failed king. Jesus was raised up on a cross like a criminal, naked and in shame. He did not look like an earthly king with fine clothes. He did not speak like an earthly king, giving orders, lording over his subjects, making his will known. He did not wear a crown of gold and jewels.He did not bear a scepter.
If Jesus was an earthly king, surely he was a failed king. So the soldiers mock him, sarcastically, "Hail, king of the Jews"
There are two layers of irony: the soldiers' mockery of Jesus was meant to be ironic. When they exclaim, "hail, king of the Jews" they mean the exact opposite. The do not believe Jesus is king of the Jews, but a criminal.
But Matthew sees an even deeper irony, while the soldiers ridicule Jesus, their words are actually true, the opposite of what they mean. Carson: "They speak better than they know." Jesus is the king of the Jews. The man mocked as king - is the king. They all misunderstood Jesus' kingship. Jesus came the first time in humility, offering forgiveness, healing the sick, his yoke was easy, his burden is light.
He rode into Jerusalem in his last week on a donkey. Zechariah 9:9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
"Jesus came the first time in weakness to suffer for our sins. When he comes again, he will judge the world, putting a final end to all evil, suffering, decay, and death." - Timothy Keller
In Revelation, in the early chapters, Jesus is celebrated as the sacrificed Lamb of God. Later, Jesus is described as a warrior king who utterly defeats his enemies.
Revelation 19:11-16 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.
This time that we are in is an opportunity that God has given us to enter into the grace that Jesus Christ offers. But one day that window will close. There will be those who have accepted Jesus' kingship in their lives and those who have not.
2 Corinthians 6:1-2 Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
Last week: 1) Jesus' greatest commandments involve relationships - Love God and People 2) Paul wrote: put to death or take off like filthy clothes (sexual immorality, anger, lies) they are toxic to relationships. 3) As children of God, put on compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience. 4) Over it all put on love.
Colossians 3:15-17 15. "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts." Peace - well-being, wholeness. B/c of what Jesus has done, my soul is well. "Rule" is to umpire or judge. Let peace rule in your hearts, home, church. Set the table with peace. Have you been around a table of anger? Discord? Jealousy? Criticism? When we live in the peace of Christ, we reflect his image and his work in us.
- "Let the word of Christ dwell in (each of ) you richly. " Let Christ's words live with you, influence you, like your companion. Inward: let the word of Christ dwell in you. Outward: Teaching and admonishing each other. You cannot be a stranger to the word of Christ and have wisdom to share.
Singing has been a part of Christianity from the beginning. Music is a gift to express our faith or to worship God or declare his goodness. These are all part of the Christian ethos.
- Do everything in the name of The Lord Jesus. Reflect Jesus in all that you do. Be intentional in living to honor God.
Paul moves on to answer the question, how do I glorify God in my home? Martin Luther referred to passages like these as haustafel or "house-table" a list of rules for life at home.
The idea carries from v. 17, in your relationships honor The Lord. For your whole life thought and behavior, in the church and in your family, at home and at work - honor the name of The Lord Jesus Christ.
Colossians 3:18-21 Paul addresses three relationships in each. He first speaks to the subordinate party first, but then addresses both parties in each relationship.
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Wives are asked to voluntarily submit to their husbands - in The Lord. It is not absolute surrender of her will. Nor is there any thought that she is inferior to her husband. Paul uses this same word to describe Jesus and he is lord of all. Her submission is in response to her relationship with Jesus. Her submission honors her husband and affirms his leadership in their home.
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The parallel: the husband is to love his wife. Agape is used here, the word for God's love: selfless, self-giving, unconditional, serving her for her entire well-being. Keeping his wife's ultimate good at all times. He Leads by serving her well. Do not "be harsh" (embitter).
It is hard to submit. It is hard to love self-sacrificially. Sin in us pushes back on those commands. Ultimately, we want marriage to be about us, meeting our needs, fulfilling us.
Ladies, when you submit to your husband, you honor Jesus Christ. Men, when you love your wife sacrificially as Jesus loves his bride, you honor him. Your marriage is not primarily about your fulfillment, but about honoring God.
Many people walk around feeling sorry for themselves that they aren't getting enough out of their marriage. "I'm just not getting all my needs met." You're not going to. No one gets all their needs met in marriage. There isn't a man or woman who can meet all your perceived needs. But we serve a Savior Who does. If you are looking for fulfillment, you will find it in him. Then you can willingly submit, love sacrificially.
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Children, obey your parents in everything. Why? It pleases The Lord. Obey tour parents out of a desire to please The Lord.
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Fathers, do not provoke your children lest they become discouraged. "Provoke" - stir up. Constantly criticizing or never acknowledging their effort. That they can never measure up to your expectations, that they are of no worth Your children are not primarily about your fulfillment, but about honoring God.
Colossians 3:22-24. There is no sacred/secular divide. Even at work, you are serving The Lord.
- An unbalanced schedule
That means either if you’re overworked or you are under worked you’re going to lose your passion for life and lose your passion for God.
You need both in your life -- both input and output. You need both rest and work.
Too much work will cause you to lose your passion. Too much nothing -- boredom -- will cause you to lose your passion.
In this room, today my guess is we are split about 50/50 some of you are working too hard and some of you are not working hard enough.
Psalm 127:2
I love that, I long for this kind of lifestyle. I am over extending myself in every area of life and for some reason I think it’s normal.
James 4:17
With more knowledge comes more responsibility. We need to have an outlet for all that knowledge and wisdom.
This is not easy, as a matter of fact Paul tells Timothy that it’s like bodybuilding. He says in
1 Timothy 4:7
Don’t just sit around and read about bodybuilding you need to actually get your hands on the bar in order for it to change you. If you just read about Christianity and never get out and practice it you will not be changed and you will live a passionless life.
- An unused talent
1 Peter 4:10
- An unconfessed sin This is a big one. Few things rob us of joy rob your confidence rob your passion more quickly than guilt. Here’s how it works with us with guilt, the sin in our lives. We don’t walk around thinking, "I have a sin in my life. I am a guilty person."
Psalm 38:4-6 1 John 1:9-11
- An unresolved conflict
Conflict just drains the passion right out of you. Do you ever start a day and it’s going to be a great day -- you know it. You just fly out of bed. You’re awake from the moment you get up. You’re ready for the day -- shower, breakfast -- you’re ready. You’re on the way out the door and you have a fight with your husband or your wife you or you have to fight with the kids to get them ready. How many of you did this this very morning? It’s like the air going out of a tire when the conflict comes. That’s what conflict does to us. It takes all the passion out of our lives. Your attitude all of a sudden just goes flat.
Job 5:2 Job 18:4
- An unsupported lifestyle
Sometimes you lose passion for God because you’re not spending time around other people who have a passion for God. You’re not spending time around other Christians. You’re not getting any fellowship. I love this incredibly practical verse in Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, just common sense from the Bible.
Hebrews 10:24-25
If we don’t spend time with other believers we will lose our passion for God.
- An unclear purpose
When you forget the purpose of your life that is a sure way to kill your passion for life and for God. If you don’t know the purpose for life, why bother? Why get up in the morning? Why put forth the effort? Why get out of bed? Life without purpose is activity without direction. It’s motion without meaning. Life without purpose is trivial, petty, and pointless.
Isaiah 49:4
- An undernourished spirit will kill your passion.
Every day you face all kinds of circumstances that conspire to shrink your spirit and shrivel your heart. You’re going to get up tomorrow morning. You’re going to have distractions and disappointments. You’re going to have conflicts and you’re going to have changes and challenges. You’re going to have problems and pressures. You’re going to have frustrations and fears and failures and fatigue. All of these things fall in on you to shrivel your heart and shrink your spirit.
John 3:16,17
Love Deeper
This is the time of year when love is on everyone’s mind. This may or may not be a good thing that depends on whether or not you are in a couple or single. Today I want to talk about love… a different kind of love.
I want to talk about a passionate love for Christ. We are called to love him. We are commanded to love him even.
Let’s talk about passion for a minute here.
Nothing great is ever accomplished in life without passion. Nothing great is ever sustained in life without passion. Passion is what energizes life. Passion makes the impossible possible. Without passion life becomes boring. It becomes monotonous. It becomes routine. It becomes dull. God created you to have passion in your life and He wants you to live a passionate life. Passion is what mobilizes armies into action. Passion is what causes explorers to boldly go where no man’s gone before. Passion is what causes scientists to spend late night hours trying to find the cure to a dreaded disease. Passion is what takes a good athlete and turns him or her into a great athlete where they’re breaking records. You’ve got to have passion in your life.
In America, its ok to be passionate about lots of things… like
Movies Sports Politics Fashion and clothes Throw pillows you know who you are (if grace is in here) The only thing I can’t be passionate about is God. It’s not pc its offensive.
If you do a google search for “things people are passionate about” you get 116 million results
You can have a Passion for Birds, A Passion for Books, A Passion for Cactus, A Passion for Chocolate (I get that one), A Passion for Fashion, ... for Fishing... for Flying, ... for Gardening, ... Golf, Hunting. There’s even people with a Passion for Mushrooms (those people are smoking them. They are not eating them -- putting them in a salad. They are smoking those things. Take my word for it… Don’t click on those sites.) A Passion for Needlepoint, Pasta, Ponies. There’s even people with A Passion for Potatoes, for Roses, for Shoes. There’s even sights for people that have A Passion for Steam. I can’t figure out what that one’s all about! I don’t know why you’d get passionate about steam.
I can be passionate about anything but my God, my religion, my faith, my relationship with Jesus.
I can shout my head off. I can get excited. I can get hoarse from yelling so loud. When my team loses, I can cry. Nobody thinks that’s a big deal. When my team wins, I can jump up and dance around and wave my hands in the air. If I do that at a game people go, "He’s a real fan!" If I do that in church people say, "He’s a fanatic! He’s a nut case." You don’t want to get too emotional about your faith. Its ok about anything else but not that.
Let’s look at scripture and see what God says we should be passionate about.
Mark 12:28-34
God wants us to be in love with him… so much so that we love our neighbors and we love them so much that they see Jesus in us and turn to him. God wants us to be passionate about him. He wants us to burn with a desire for him that only love can explain. When you are in love with someone everyone around you knows, you are in love… they know you are in love with that person. That person knows you are in love with them.
Do the people around you know you are in a committed relationship with Jesus? Does Jesus know you are in a committed relationship with him?
Revelation 3:15-18 Spit is more like vomit… talk about the diff between hot is what he wants and cold is better for his reputation if you are not passionate about him. Warm is people know you have a relationship with Jesus but you are cheating on him with other things. You are smearing his good name.
Next week we are going to talk about Seven passion killers and what keeps you from having that constant passion for the Lord.
I Am the True Vine
John 15:1-4 1. Last of Jesus' 7 "I am" statements. "True" vine. Israel was referred to as a vine or vineyard in the OT a dozen times God lavished his care and attention on her. Despite that Isa 5 says she produced bad fruit. Ez 15 says she was a useless vine.
Jesus is the True Vine - He will do what neither Israel (nor we) could do. He will produce good fruit. What we could never do, Jesus will do.
God the Father is the vine dresser, the farmer. 2. The Father desires fruit (mentioned 8 times), so he (1) takes away fruitless branches, (2) prunes fruitful branches to be more fruitful.
Cut off - seems to refer to those who profess to be a follower of Christ, but is not a true follower. Bears no fruit, so it is dead.
- The disciples had been cleansed by Jesus' message - they believed Jesus words In 13:6-10, Jesus goes to wash Peter's feet, but Peter refuses. Jesus responds,"if I don't wash you,you have no share with me." Peter says, "then wash feet, hands and head too" Jesus - "the one who has bathed does not need to wash... he is completely clean"
"Prunes" in v. 2 and "clean" in v. 3 come from the same Greek word. English uses he word "prune" for cleaning dead branches from a tree. Greek uses the same word to mean "prune" or "clean" from filth, wash away impurities. Followers of Jesus are already "clean" and are in need of "cleaning" or "pruning"
How are we pruned? Usually in difficulty like in persecution or trouble.
For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives. Hebrews 12:6
In Hebrews it says, God disciplines us in love. In John, He prunes us to make us more fruitful. In other passages, persevering faith in trouble proves our genuineness.
God's purpose in suffering (from Desiring God) Repentance: to turn us from treasuring anything above God Reliance: to learn to trust God and not ourselves or something else Righteousness: to share his righteousness and holiness Reward: for a great reward in heaven Reminder: to remind us of Jesus' suffering on our behalf
- A fruitful life is lived only in deep, abiding relationship with Jesus. I want a fruitful life. Not a busy life. Not filled with stuff and noise. I want to grow in my character to be more like Jesus. I want to grow in love for other people.
What is abiding? Coming to faith in Christ, continuing in faith throughout seasons of life, walking in loving obedience with him.
If you hear nothing else I say today hear this, you need to be in the Word, you need to be in prayer, you need to be in fellowship with other believers. And you need to do whatever draws you close to Jesus Christ. Study, worship, service, meditation, journaling, giving, fasting, teaching?
John 15:5-11 5. In Christ we can have fruitful lives. What fruit is he talking about? Inward: Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, self-control Outward: Love for people
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Three possibilities: 1) Christians who lost their salvation, Christians who lose their reward but not salvation, 3) professing Christians who are not genuine.
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In abiding with Christ, my heart and mind are changing to want the will of God.
- God is glorified as we grow in Jesus' character and love.
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Jesus has loved us in the same way that God loves him. Abide in my love (3 x)
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Love and obedience are entwined. As we grow in love with Christ, our obedience grows.
- That you may have my joy in you and your joy will be complete.
The picture of a life well lived... A life lived with Jesus Christ... growing in His character... receiving and giving his love...experiencing his joy, full joy in life.
I am the way, the truth, and the life
Jesus is the bread of life - he gives sustenance (6:35, 48, 51), the light of the world, he reveals the Father and redemption (8:12; 9:5), the gate (10:7, 9), and the good shepherd who cares for his flock (10:11, 14), the resurrection and life - he gives life, new life, resurrected life (11:25).
John 14:1-3 1. Troubled - agitated, stirred up, inward commotion Disciples are in turmoil and more is coming. They are back in Jerusalem. The ruling Jews had tried to have Jesus stoned or arrested. Jesus told them he was going away, he would die, one of them will betray him, Peter will deny him, Satan was against them, and they would all fall away. Jesus speaks to their fear, turmoil, troubled hearts.
"Believe in God, believe in me." Probably a command
- Many rooms - unfortunate translation in "mansion" The word does not mean a mansion. It means “dwelling” or “abiding” places. The focus is not on the housing, but with the relationship - God's people will dwell, abide with Him.
Jesus' departure was through the passion and resurrection of Jesus. He will prepare the way for believers to enter into God's home.
- "I will come back" probably a reference to the rapture. "That where I am, you will be also."
John 14:4-6 4. "And you know the way"
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Thomas, "we don't know where you are going, how could we know the way?" They will be bewildered until they see Jesus resurrected.
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"I am The way" Jesus is the way to the Father Jesus is the bridge over the chasm between you and God. Jesus leads us home.
Jesus is the "Way" because he is "Truth" and "Life." Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth (Ps 86:11a,) You make known to me the path of life” (Ps 16:11a)
Jesus didn’t say He would show the truth or teach the truth or model the truth. He is the truth. Truth personified. He is the source of all truth, the embodiment of truth and therefore the reference point for evaluating all truth-claims. - Randy Alcorn
"No one comes to the Father except through me." People see that as exclusive or condemning.
Jesus offers not condemnation, but an invitation: come home.
Follow thou me. I am the way and the truth and the life.
Without the way there is no going; without the truth there is no knowing; without the life there is no living.
I am the way which thou must follow; the truth which thou must believe; the life for which thou must hope.
I am the inviolable way; the infallible truth, the never-ending life. I am the straightest way; the sovereign truth; life true, life blessed, life uncreated. - Thomas a Kempis
Jesus' Parable of the Prodigal Son Younger son wanted his inheritance before his father died - like he was dead. Spent his father's money (scattered) on wild living. Found a job, included keeping pigs. He found himself hungry for the pigs' food. He came to himself. My father's servants have food to spare. He headed back home, practicing a speech - "I don't deserve to be your son, let me be your servant" His father sees him a long way off and runs to him, hugs and kisses him. Puts a robe on him and a ring. Throws a party for him with food, dancing, and music. "We had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ ”
I am the Light of the world (John 8:12)
John 8:12 is a continuation of John 7, when Jesus was teaching during the Feast of the Tabernacle or the Feast of Booths - or huts. Celebration of how The Lord provided for the Israelites in their 40 years of wandering in the desert.
Part of that celebration in Jesus' time included lighting 4 enormous candelabras in the court of women in front of the temple. A remembrance of light that God provided with the pillar of fire in the desert.
V 12. Jesus speaks during or right after the celebration. Jesus as Light of the World Reveals Who God is and His plans for us Exposes our sin Lights our way so we know how to live Enters our darkness and drives it away Gives us hope against darkness "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." John 1:5
Jesus begins with this beautiful statement, but is interrupted by the Pharisees over and over and talks about who his witness is, who is father is. It seems like the Pharisees got Jesus off track.
But Jesus allows the conversation to go there because the focus is Jesus' Relationship with the Father. He makes at least 7 statements about his relationship with his father.
He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature. (Hebrews 1:3a) Jesus is the light of the world because of his unique relationship with his Father. He is the light because he reveals the Father to us.
How do we have the Light of the world in our lives?
"I am the light . . . Whoever follows me . . . will have the light . . ." You will have me, he says, as your light. If you follow me, you have me. I am yours. I am your Shepherd, your Sacrifice, your Bread from Heaven, your God, and your Light. "You will have the light of life." What is the connection between light and life? John 1:4 gives the answer: "In him was life, and the life was the light of men." The life gives the light. The life Jesus has, he shares with those who follow him. We are dead & blind until the life of Jesus is given to us by the Spirit; then we see.
13-14 testimony had to be established by 2 witnesses to be accepted. Jesus' answer, "I am the only one qualified to witness about a God and his plans."
Not that anyone has seen the Father except he who is from God; he has seen the Father. (John 6:46) I am the God's only witness. No one else has seen him. No one else has lived in heaven. Jesus alone knew his mission.
15-16 Jesus does not judge like his critics. His judgments are done with his Father
17-18 Jesus bore witness about himself. He claimed to be Bread of Life, Light of the World, the Good Shepherd, the Way, the Truth, the Resurrection and Life.
19-20. "Where is your father?" Maybe said because Jesus said his father testified about him; they thought he meant Joseph and they pointed out he was gone. In the treasury, probably in the court of women.
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Jesus will return to heaven. If they do not believe in him, they will not go to the Father; they will die in their sin.
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they are so lost. Their minds are on the physical when Jesus is speaking to them about spiritual things. He says "my Father" meaning God, they think Joseph. He says "I'm going away", meaning returning to heaven, they think, suicide
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"You are from below, I am from above. You are of this world, I am not..."
v 24, "Unless you believe that I am he [literally, "I am"] you will die in your sins." "Open your eyes and see that I am the light of the world, one with the Father"
25-27 Jesus keeps saying it over and over — he is from the Father and he speaks what the Father speaks. How will they come to face what they cannot see?
28: "So Jesus said to them, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am ['he' is added]."
I Am the Breadof LifeWhy do you believe in Christianity? Why do you be piece in Jesus?Sometimes we have doubts and we need to look again at why we believe.Sometimes we have a hard time expressing what we believe to others.How can we be con$dent about what we believe?At Christmas we read an eye witness, named John, wrote, John &'&4And the Word became )esh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory,glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. We can read the testimonies of the people who saw Jesus.Another way to be sure about what webelieve is to see what Jesus said aboutHimself. Who did Jesus say he was?
Christmas 2016 - O Come, O Come, Emanuel John 1:1-3 John used the word "Word" to refer to Jesus in his gospel intro. Why refer to Jesus as "the Word"? He was capturing the full nature of Who Jesus is. He opens by saying Jesus existed with God before creation, and was God.
John 1:4-5 He says life was in Jesus, the Word. And his life was the light of men.
Creator, life, and light. He was full of grace and truth. We saw his glory. Jesus the clearest self-expression of God.
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. (Hebrews 1:1-2)
In the OT, God used words to describe His nature and His purpose. In the NT, God did not speak with more words, but with Jesus Christ.
John 1:14-18. The God of creation, the author of life, the source of life and light humbled himself and became a man. Emanuel, God with us. The incarnation; God in flesh. Jesus, fully God and fully man.
- "Dwelt" is the Greek word for tabernacle or tent. It is a reference to the tent used by the Israelites as a moveable temple. It is where God dwelt among his people, where God met with sinners. We do not need Moses as a mediator. Unlike in Moses' day, Jesus is approachable. The tabernacle was a foreshadowing of the greater meeting place for God & man God sent His Son to meet us where we live.
DA Carson points out that Exodus 33 & 34 are paralleled in John 1:14-18.
Moses said, “Please show me your glory.” And he said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The Lord.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live.” (Exodus 33:18-20 ESV)
- "Show me your glory..." God said, "I'll show you my goodness." God's glory is his grace and mercy toward sinful man.
- I will be gracious, show mercy... 20. You cannot see my face and live.
God put Moses in something like a cave and passed before him with his hand covering him. And Moses sees like the afterglow of God's glory.
The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, (Exodus 34:6 ESV)
This phrase is used to describe God over and again in the OT.
"Steadfast love" is "hesed" - grace, loving kindness, loyal, stubborn love "Faithfulness" is "'emet" - truth. "Love and faithfulness" or equally translated, "grace and truth"
When God speaks, it is truth.When God acts, He acts in truth. God always speaks and acts out of His holiness. He is always faithful, always true. God is so faithful that every promise he makes is regarded as true. Every word is truth, every word is faithful, every promise is truth.
Exodus 33-34 John 1 . You cannot see my face (33:20) No one has seen God (18) Abounding in grace and truth (34:6) Full of grace and truth (14, 17) Show me your glory (33:18) We have seen his glory (14)
16-17. "grace upon (or after) grace" Some theologians believe that the Law was a means of grace, but we have now received greater grace in Jesus Christ.
What if you, like Moses, asked God, "please show me your glory"? What an impact on your life: to see God's greatness and kindness to you. To put your problems in perspective with the God Who loves you.
What if you, like Moses, said, "Lord, I will not go without your presence"? What if you did not leave your house or interact with the world - your coworkers or your boss or your kids or your husband or wife - until you spent time in the presence of Jesus? What impact would that make? His peace ruling over your trouble. His goodness expressed through you. His kindness lived out in you.
Christmas 2016 - O come, O come, Emmanuel John 1:1-18 Vv 1-2. The Word - always existed, with God, was God. Why does John refer to Jesus as the "Word" in the introduction? He does not use the term again after these 18 verses. He uses other titles for Jesus: Son of God, Christ, Messiah.. Why not use one of those terms?
DA Carson proposes that John, carried along by the Holy Spirit, wanted to capture the full scope of who Jesus is and what He did.
He uses a term that was significant both to Jews and to Greeks. To Jews, the word, "word" was used of the word of God from the OT.
V. 3. Creator Genesis, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." "And God said," He spoke all creation into existence by his word. The word of God was the agent of creation.
He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction. (Psalms 107:20 ESV)
God's word is the standard of holiness I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. (Psalms 119:11 ESV)
In Jeremiah 1 and Isaiah 9, the word of God reveals God and his intentions.
John is saying, Jesus is the ultimate word of God: Jesus is the agent of creation Jesus brings healing and deliverance Jesus is the ultimate standard of God's holiness Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God
Jesus is all of those things as the ultimate word of God. In the OT, God revealed Himself through the words of the Law, the words of the prophets, through the poetry of the wisdom books. In the NT God spoke, not with just words, but with His Son. Jesus is God. He is not just a good teacher or a prophet. He is God incarnate, God in flesh. God and man. Jesus is the ultimate expression of God: Creator, Healer, Deliverer, Holy God.
In Greek, "word" is "logos" "Word" meant to the Greeks "the reason that governs the world. " We use it in our "ologies". The understanding or thought about a topic. Theology - understanding of God. Biology - the thought (or study) of life.
Vv 4-5 "life and light" - life in Him as ever-existing God Who gave life to everything that is living. His light is illumination of Who God is: what god is like in His perfect being What man is like: sinful, rebellious, rejecting God, needing a Savior
Vv 6-8 Application: You exist because God created you. ...all things were created through him and for him. (Colossians 1:16b ESV)
You were created for him, to love him with all your heart, soul, mind, strength. He asks for you to love Him with all of your being. "O come, let us adore him."
Jesus lays 2 claims on your life: 1) He created you and 2) He bought you back from sin with the payment of a ransom that was his life for yours. "You are not your own, you were bought with a price, so glorify God with your body." (1 Cor 6:19b-20)
He asks for you to glorify him with the new life that He gives you. To no longer live for yourself, but for him who loved you and gave himself for you.
Vv. 9-11 "the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him." "He went to his own people, the Jewish nation, but they rejected him. How is it that the Creator could come to His creation and not be recognized? 1) The enemy blinds us. 2) Our idolatry has us imaging God in a form that serves us. DA Carson: We un-god God, and make ourselves gods.
Vv. 12-13. "All who receive him, all who believe in him, he gave rights to be children of God.
God promised Abraham, Isaac and Jacob to bless them, give them descendants, to give them the promised land and to bless all nations through them.
Pharaoh had enslaved Israel. Under his power, he would keep Israel from God's promises. But God acted powerfully against Egypt and for Israel to keep his covenant.
Exodus 10:1-7 2. "That you may tell your children" "How I dealt harshly (humiliated) with Egypt" I performed signs among them (punishing Egypt, but delivering Israel) I am The Lord - there is no other, no other god to serve, love look to.
Deuteronomy 6:20-23 “When your son asks you in time to come, ‘What is the meaning of the testimonies and the statutes and the rules that the Lord our God has commanded you?’ then you shall say to your son, ‘We were Pharaoh’s slaves in Egypt. And the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand. And the Lord showed signs and wonders, great and grievous, against Egypt and against Pharaoh and all his household, before our eyes. And he brought us out from there, that he might bring us in and give us the land that he swore to give to our fathers.
I. Tell your children - of their salvation, God's goodness to you in good and bad
II. 23. "He brought us out to bring us in" Out of captivity into freedom Out of death into life Out of Egypt into the promised land
Jesus brought us out from - captivity/slavery to sin, darkness, death, Satan's power Jesus brought us into - forgiveness, freedom, light, life, love/relationship, kingdom Come out of sin, darkness, alienation, and death. Come into forgiveness, light, relationship, and life.
2a. "How I dealt harshly with Egypt"- literally, "humiliated" One of the themes of the Exodus is Yahweh triumphing over Pharaoh and all the false gods of Egypt. God's victory over them was complete. This theme of God crushing his enemies is key to Christianity. If God is God, then He must be superior to other false gods. He must be greater than His enemies. What hope do we have to escape sin? What hope do we have against an enemy that seeks to steal, kill and destroy us? What hope does the sinner have? The immoral, addict, greedy, idolaters? What hope do we have to escape the judgment of death?
Colossians 2:13-15 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
We were dead in sin. He made us alive with Christ. He forgave our sins. Canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness in the OT Law We stood condemned, but he took our condemnation on himself on the cross. He disarmed his enemies, humiliated them, triumphing over them by the cross.
As Jesus was dying in disgrace on the cross, the enemies of God believed they had won. Hatred, jealousy, violence, betrayal, and unbelief put Jesus of the cross.
But God triumphed through the cross, through the redemptive work of Jesus. He publicly disgraced his enemies. He revealed them for who they were. And he shows sin for what it is: disgraceful, deserving death. He shows the enemies of God for who they are: dark, scheming, lying, destructive
And he asks all mankind, "will you stay here in sin? In the kingdom of the enemy?" Or will you escape into my redemption? Will you come into the kingdom of my Son? The kingdom of my covenant of grace and mercy, freedom, and life. Will you accept my victory over your sin? Will you come out? Will you come in?
The Israelites followed God out of slavery, but they did not follow him into the promised land. Have you come out? Have you come in? In the NT, "coming in" looks like relationship - are you in?
The Exodus account is God's rescuing, redeeming, and delivering Israel from slavery under an oppressive enemy to freedom. It is a foreshadowing of the greater work of Jesus Christ
Israel was in captivity when God saw their misery & heard their cries What was our condition when God sent Jesus to rescue?
Through the plagues God demonstrated his power over the false gods of Egypt How has he demonstrated his power over our enemies? Judgment on God's enemies, mercy toward God's people, knowledge of the Lord
God showed mercy to the Israelites, but judgment on the Egyptians. what distinction did God make between the Israelites and the Egyptians? What distinction is there today between Gods people and those who are not?
Increase in the severity of the plagues. Death of livestock and slaves, sickness Exodus 9:1-7 5th plague on livestock 1. Let my people go that they worship me. - freedom to worship me 4. A distinction - grace for God's people; judgment for God's enemies. 5. The Lord set the time! as he let Pharaoh set the time of relief from the 2nd 7. Pharaoh's heart was hard, "unyielding". Pharaoh hardened his hear/ God hardened his heart. Pharaoh's, his officials, and the Egyptians hearts are described as hardened. "pharaoh hardened his heart," "God hardened his heart," And "his heart was hard
God had a purpose behind Pharaoh's stubbornness God determined the time to end of the plagues and release Israel God demonstrated his authority over physical and spiritual realms
Exodus 9:8-12 6th plague of boils 11. Magicians could reproduce some early signs, but in later ones recognized god's power was behind them. Now, they could not stand before Moses
Exodus 9:13-35 7th plague of hail 15. "I could have wiped you from the earth" God is using restraint in judging Egypt.
- "I have raised you up for this very purpose that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth." How had Pharaoh risen to power of the most powerful nation of its time? God raised him up and allowed Pharaoh to reign.
This passage is a kind of proto-evangelium, an early call to the whole world (used 3 times in vv14-16) to appreciate what the plagues ultimately show: There is one God in control of all things He alone can save
The world needs to recognize “there is no one like me in all the earth” (v14) and that the will of God is “that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth” (v16).
Philippians 2:9-11 ESV Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
- Those who feared the word of The Lord found shelter
- Those who ignored the word of The Lord - their slaves and animals died
27-28. This time I have sinned. We were wrong, The Lord is right. Pray for him to take away the hail. He wanted the hail to stop, nothing more. Not true repentance, he had no intention of change, no desire for God.
He did not want God's lordship, just for God to remove his suffering. This is textbook hard heart: No true repentance, no acknowledgement of God's lordship, no desire to draw closer to God, only asking for his help.
2 Corinthians 4:4, 6 NIV 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. 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 Godʼs glory displayed in the face of Christ. The god of this age still has captives. But our God still rescues, still frees, still redeems.
Exodus - Redemption The book of Exodus is the account of how God rescued the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, freeing them to become his people and He their God. But it is even more significant than that. The Exodus account is a foreshadowing of the greater work of Jesus Christ in our deliverance, redemption, and salvation.
Frogs were among the Egyptian sacred animals. Heqet, was a frog-headed goddess; an emblem of fertility and childbirth. Egyptians might not kill them; yet they destroyed their comfort and happiness Their animal-worship was proved absurd and ridiculous.
9-10. Moses let Pharaoh pick the time... "So you may know there is no one like The Lord our God."
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- Pharaoh saw that there was respite. Literally, "a breathing-space." He hardened his heart. Pharaoh would see the signs and wonders first hand, but he would not yield.
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"I will set apart the land of Goshen where my people live" "Set apart" pa-la - separate, sever, distinguish
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- A division. Literally "a redemption," i.e., a sign that they are redeemed from bondage, and are "My people," not thine any longer.
God's acts would literally separate the Israelites from the Egyptians. But also, God's acts would be the distinction between the Israelites and Egyptians He will strike the Egyptians with plagues, but spare the Israelites. At the Passover, the Israelites' doors will be covered with the blood of the Passover Lamb, not the Egyptians. The Israelites experience God's grace, the Egyptians God's judgment. The Israelites will be the people whom God had redeemed and delivered.
Redemption: Deliverance from bondage based on the payment of a price.
In the NT God makes a difference between his chosen people and the rest of the world, through his Son's redemption of them by his blood, out of every kindred, tongue, people, and nation.
- God's redemption is the difference between Israelite and Egyptians. Deuteronomy 7:7-8 The Lord did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But it was because the Lord loved you and kept the oath he swore to your ancestors that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt.
We are no better than the people around us. But we too often look down our nose at people who do not live like we do. What sets you apart? What makes you different? The grace and mercy of God.
- Separation theme: in the NT, Jesus told parables about a final separation of people. He told of a time coming at the end of time when He will separate people: those redeemed by God, who have believed in Jesus' redemption.
Matthew 25:31-32 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats."
The Bible is clear that there will be a separation and distinction at the end. All of us who have believed that Jesus Christ gave his life as a ransom for us, rescuing us from the darkness in this world and forgiving our sin.
But there will be others who reject God's grace and face His judgment. We don't like to think in those terms, but we need to pray and speak to them
- Pharaoh, "pray for me." Egyptians had many gods. Pharaoh must have seen Yahweh as another god.
Colossians 1:13-14 We are born into a world of darkness, cut off from fellowship with God. The Bible describes this fallen world as being in a realm of chaos, evil, and judgment — a dreadful state of misery in which we were dead in wickedness.
God makes a distinction between his children and the rest of fallen humanity It is His redemption - the ransom he paid by Jesus' death, that delivers us from the “domain of darkness”
The book of Exodus is the account of how God rescued the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, freeing them to become his people and He their God. But it is even more significant than that. The Exodus account is a foreshadowing of the greater work of Jesus Christ in our deliverance, redemption, and salvation. Colossians 1:13-14
Exodus 7:1-7 1. "I have made you like God" - Moses is God's representative to Pharaoh. Literally speaking for God, telling Pharaoh what God demanded.
- "I will multiply my signs and wonders" There are "signs" (some miraculous, some not) throughout the Bible. There are two specific clusters of signs and wonders in the Scriptures.
- Israel's release from Egypt
- Ministry of Jesus and his Apostles
The signs and wonders in Israel's release are the 10 plagues that God uses to judge Egypt and release the Israelites.
The plagues demonstrate that the Lord, the God of the Hebrews, has power and authority over Egypt and her gods.
The Israelites were powerless against Pharaoh, but The Lord will show by multiplying signs and wonders that He is The Lord and there is none like Him.
Exodus 7:14-18, 19-24 The first plague would strike at the center of Egypt's financial and spiritual center.
The Egyptians worshipped Hapi, the god of the Nile and two other gods that they believed controlled the annual flooding of the Nile.
But God would demonstrate that He is the God of the Nile. He is the God Who brought them water for drinking, and growing crops, and fish.
Water changed to blood is a foreshadowing of God's judgment.
Each successive plague demonstrates God's power over the physical world of the Egypt: Nile, frogs, gnats, flies, livestock, health, weather, light, and life and death. Each successive plague also demonstrates God's power over the supernatural. God is The Lord, not the Egyptian gods, not even Ra, the god of the sun, not even Pharaoh, who was worshipped as a demi-god.
One by one, God is revealing He is The Lord and the Egyptian gods are frauds. Through the 10 plagues on Egypt - God reveals His power and authority as supreme. - He exposes the false gods of Egypt as frauds. - His acts bring judgment on the Egyptians. - His acts demonstrate His kindness to Israelites.
In the Gospels, Jesus performs signs and wonders. He taught with authority, heals the sick, makes a paralytic walk again, healed leprosy, he speaks peace to a storm and to rough seas, he raises a dead girl to life and then a man who was dead for three days - and then he raises himself from the dead . He is The Lord over sickness and disease, He is The Lord over creation, He is The Lord over spiritual powers, He is The Lord of life and death - even his own.
We need God to reveal our idols for what they are: frauds.
When you chase after wealth or popularity or beauty you need him to show you that they are all frauds. They are not bad on their own, but when they become your pursuit, they are idols. He alone is The Lord. There is no other. He will allow your idol to fail you so that you can turn from it to Him. It is an act of grace that God pulls back the curtain on our idols to show us they cannot do what they promise. Only he can.
- "You will know I am The Lord." The Egyptians will know that Yahweh is Lord Exodus 6:7 "then you (Israel) will know I am The Lord."
God uses the enslavement of Israel to reveal Himself and His plans for His people. He is the Lord Who keeps His promises. He is The Lord Who is powerful. He is the Lord Who will fight for His people. He is The Lord Who brings freedom. The response of the Egyptian captors will be defeat. His people's response will be worship - serving God instead of Pharaoh. (v. 16)
The book of Exodus is the account of how God rescued the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, freeing them to become his people and He their God.
But it is even more significant than that. The Exodus account is a foreshadowing of the greater work of Jesus Christ in our deliverance, redemption, and salvation.
The OT helps us understand the NT. And the NT helps us understand the OT. The OT points to God's ultimate plan for salvation, Jesus Christ
Exodus 4:1-9 signs for Moses - staff becomes a snake, his hand leprous / restored man, ordinary instrument, used by God to accomplish God's signs and wonders Exodus 4:10-13 "send someone else" "Clergy-ism", Para-church ministries - Average Christian gives away the privilege of seeing God move through him/her. Leaves people convinced of their own limitations, no faith in God's power to work through them. Do not limit your roll in the kingdom by your lack of faith for God to move through you. God will accomplish all that He desires in your life. Will you let Him?
Chapter 5 Moses and Aaron go to Pharaoh and tell him YHWH says to let them go worship Pharaoh says, "who is YHWH?" Moses said, "who am I that you should send me?" God answered, "I am who I am"
Pharaoh makes their work harder.
Exodus 5:22-23; 6:1 "You have brought trouble, Pharaoh has brought trouble, you have not rescued"
God, "my mighty hand" will deliver you. God will do the work of deliverance, God will work on behalf of his people. They will be saved by God's actions, not their own.
"Mighty hand or arm" was to refer to Pharaoh and his power. Pharaoh was worshipped as a god. He was powerful, especially over the lives of the Israelites. God is saying, "I will demonstrate my power over Pharaoh and the false gods of Egypt."
Exodus 6:2-5 I am the LORD (YHWH). I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac and Jacob as God Almighty (El Shaddai). But by my name the LORD (YHWH) I did not make myself known to them.
El Shaddai - "God Almighty" or "God Most Powerful" - spoke of God's power over all other gods, over all creation.
YHWH - "the Existing One". God's personal name. God's covenant name.
The original word, YHWH was considered too sacred to pronounce. Instead, Adonai (my Lord) was substituted in reading. By the time a vowel system was invented, the Hebrews had either forgotten how to pronounce YHWH, or they purposely substituted the vowels for Adonai, resulting in the name "Jehovah."
Jehovah is the sixteenth century form of YHWH with “a,” “o” and “a” (the vowels from Adonai, “my Lord”) inserted between each consonant -- Latinizing the word, changing the “Y” and “W” to “J” and “V.”
Exodus 6:6-8 "I will bring you out... I will free you... I will redeem you... I will take you as my own people... I will be your God... I will bring you to the land... I am the LORD."
Release from oppression, freedom from slavery, redemption, adoption, God choosing us, all in the Exodus account. Divine act of God's love that he lavishes on us that we are called his children.
1John 3:1a See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!
When we put our faith in Jesus and his work on the cross, our spiritual heritage changes from sons of Adam, of the fall, to sons of God, adopted into His family.
The book of Exodus is the account of how God rescued the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, freeing them to become his people and He their God.
But it is even more significant than that. The Exodus account is a foreshadowing of the greater work of Jesus Christ in our deliverance, redemption, and salvation.
The OT helps us understand the NT. And the NT helps us understand the OT. The OT figures and structures were pointing to God's ultimate plan for salvation, Jesus Christ.
It starts with Egypt's enslavement of Israel. Egypt's enslavement of Israel God had made a covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Israel). God had promised to multiply them, bless them, bless all nations through them and to give them the promised land.
Exodus 1:11-14 11. Slave masters over them to oppress them 14. Made their lives bitter, used them ruthlessly
Exodus 1:22 To reduce the numbers of the Hebrews, Pharaoh had newborn boys killed. Pharaoh's rely over them had become almost absolute. Over life and death. Pharaoh's rule over the Israelites was a direct challenge to God's covenant promises.
We too have been enslaved, taken captive by sin.
John 8:34 Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin."
We were slaves to sin and oppressed by the enemies of God. Even leading to our own deaths. But God will not have it. He has made promises. He has chosen Israel. He will not leave her to serve Pharaoh and the dark forces of Egypt.
Chapter 2 one of the Hebrew boys born in this time was rescued. His mother put him in a basket and he floated down the Nile to a daughter of Pharaoh. He was nursed by his own mother but grew up in Pharaoh's house. He saw an Egyptian beating an Israelite and killed him. He fled to Midian on the other side of the Red Sea and the Sinai peninsula.
Exodus 3:1-4 1. Mt Horeb - another name for Mt Sinai. 2. In flames of fire - smoking firepot, torch, pillars of smoke and fire. Powerful, but unapproachable. This was not the ultimate God with his people. This is just a taste. Jesus will come and live here - approachable, touchable.
Exodus 3:5-6 Sandals removed in reverence. Face hidden in fear in Moses' unworthiness.
Exodus 3:7-10 I have seen their misery I have heard their crying I am concerned about their suffering I have come down to rescue them God sees our suffering, he hears our cries, he cares when we suffer. He comes to rescue. When we were lost in sin, He sent a Shepherd to bring us home. When we were sold as slaves to his enemies, He sent a Redeemer. When we struggle in this life, He sends a Helper, Comforter, Counselor. One day, He will send again our Savior to finish His work.
I am sending you - more on this in a future sermon
Exodus 3:11-15 11. "Who am I?" That is the wrong question. The question is not, "am I able?" Not, "am I competent?" Not, "am I capable?" We all ask this: husbands/wives, fathers/mothers, trying to live as Christians As men. As women. In suffering. "Am I able?" The question is, "who is with you?"
"If God is with us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31b)
- God refers to himself as "I Am" ha-yah asher ha-yah. "I Am Who I Am." Later, "YHWH", "Yahweh" or "Jehovah"
- "The local church is the hope of the world." - Bill Hybels
- The church is not a place, it is a people.
- The church is not perfect, but it is beautiful.
- The church is not based on contract terms, but covenant relationship.
How do people from different backgrounds, views become a unified body? How do people who once did not know each other, love and serve e/o? How are the poor helped, sick prayed for, immature taught?
1 Corinthians 12:4-6 Three times in verses 4–6 he refers to the workings of the Spirit under three different words 1. gifts, charisma - same Spirit 2. service, diakonia - same Lord 3. working, energēma - same God There are a variety of gifts, service, working - all from the same source - God.
These are gifts for the church, not the individual, for service to the church, empowered by he Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 12:7 Manifestation of the Spirit are given to each one, for the common good. Each believer is given by God spiritual gifts for the good of the church.
1 Corinthians 12:8-11 8. Message of wisdom - revelation of the wisdom of God centered in the cross of Christ - a word to help others understand all that they have been given at the cross of Christ. Someone struggling with guilt or shame, the wisdom of God shows him Jesus carried that to his grave and you do not carry it any longer. Someone struggling to grasp the love of God, message of wisdom shows them Jesus' death was not a random act, but will of god to demonstrate his love for you Message of knowledge - the application of wisdom. "Do you not know you are God's temple - stop destroying it with arguing" "Do you not know a little yeast works through the dough - get rid of sin"
- Faith - extraordinary trust in God. A person going through a severe trial is encouraged by a gift of faith that says, we can believe in the goodness of God in this. We don't know what he's doing, but He will bring about good for us.
Healing - simply to restore health, as we see of Jesus and the apostles
- Miraculous powers - "effective acts of power. " The phrase used here used two words from energy and power. It was used of miracles performed by Jesus and his followers in exercising demons, healing the sick, and raising the dead.
Prophecy - ability to declare a message of God for his people. Strengthens, encourages comforts (14:3)
Distinguishing between spirits - ability to judge if words or people are God-given, Spirit-driven or from an evil or worldly source
Speaking in different kinds of tongues and interpretation of tongues - ability to supernaturally speak in a language unknown to the speaker. Ability to translate an unlearned language.
- Spiritual gifts are empowered by and distributed by the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 12:12-26 The body is made of many parts, each one indispensable for the body to function. God has organized the body just as he wanted. There is no superiority among the gifts nor among the members. Each member should honor and have concern for the other member.
1 Corinthians 12:27 You are the body of Christ and each one of you is a part of it.
We all have a function here, that is based on serving and loving each other well.
What is your spiritual gift? Wrong question... How has God gifted you to serve, honor, and demonstrate his love for his people?
- "The local church is the hope of the world." - Bill Hybels
- The church is not a place, it is a people.
- The church is not perfect, but it is beautiful.
People are accepted by God, shown God's grace, given new life No longer living in guilt and shame Redeemed - bought back - from slavery to sin Rescued from hopelessness and darkness Empowered by the Spirit to live a new life
Covenant vs. contract. Belonging to each other in relationship. We read the 59 "one another's" in the NT. Be kind to one another, honor one another above yourself. We do not demand from each other, "as long as you do this, I'll stay" But instead, "i want to be this for you." We work out here how to be less selfish, more loving, more Christ-like. Jesus calls us not just to go to church, but to be the church, love each other, care for each other, have a loyalty to each other, be involved in each other's lives.
We have in the book of Acts a picture of how the NT church spent their time together, what they did, what they valued...
Acts 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
"Devoted" constant, continually, steadfast in teaching, fellowship, breaking bread and prayer. Continually devoting themselves.
How do we pray?
Ephesians 6:18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
Pray in the Spirit - We are enabled by and guided by the Spirit. Romans 8:26 - The Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. We pray with the strength of the Spirit. We pray with the guidance of the Spirit.
Pray on all occasions - how? Continually being in prayer.
Pray with all kinds of prayers and requests - praise, confession, thanks, petition, intercession
Pray for all the Lord's people - locally, nationally world-wide.
1Timothy 2:1-2 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
Pray for those in government and authority.
Special prayers in the church.
James 5:13-16 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
Pray for the sick.
In Revelation 5 and 8, John sees bowls of incense before God that burn continually before him. This image shows 2 things: that prayers are continually offered and that the prayers of God's people are always before him.
I believe that the local church is the hope of the world. - Bill Hybels
The beauty of the church is the power to transform the human heart. This is the power of the love of Jesus Christ, the love that conquers sin and wipes out shame and heals wounds and reconciles enemies and patches broken dreams and ultimately changes the world one life at a time. The radical message of that transforming love has been given to the church. - Bill Hybels
We have in the church the message of God's great redemption, the guidance and example of Jesus, and the power of the Holy Spirit within us.
Ephesians 2:17-19 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household,
- God is reconciling (bringing peace) all people to himself through Jesus Christ. The Jews had the OT Law, the Prophets, a covenant relationship with God. Near. The Gentiles had no relationship with God, no revelation of God. Far.
But through the power of Jesus' sacrifice, those two groups of people have been brought together into a new creation: the forgiven, the redeemed, saints.
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Jesus has restored what was lost at the fall: relationship with God the Father.
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Jesus has unified people of all backgrounds into one body by his Spirit. We have a home together, a place where we belong.
Is it perfect? No. Who of us belongs in a perfect church? Part of God's plan is that when we come together, we grow in Christ-likeness. We serve each other, pray, rejoice, weep together, forgive each other.
The challenge of church is that people have been hurt in churches, disappointed. If you haven't been disappointed here, you just haven't been here long enough. Some people experience more than disappointment, but hurt from church. Harsh leadership, sinned against by words or actions of church people.
Easy to lose faith in the church. But God's plan is for us to work out our salvation here, together.
Ephesians 4:32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Kind (good, not harsh, not bitter) Jesus use: "my yoke is easy, my burden light" Comparing himself and his teaching to the Pharisees. Don't be a Pharisee. Compassionate (tender hearted), having strong "bowels." Strong heart for each other. Forgiving (show grace, grant pardon). Just what we received from Jesus.
Why would Paul command us to be kind, compassionate and forgiving. Relationships cannot last without them. We will hurt each other, disappoint each other, miss seeing a need.
We learn how to forgive, but we also learn that we are in need of forgiveness. We learn that we can be selfish, self-centered, apathetic, careless. Jesus forgive the whole lot of us.
Ephesians 2:20-23 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
"Foundation of the apostles and prophets" good discussion.
Paul envisions a building Jesus is the cornerstone The parts Joined together Rising up to become a holy temple - the place where God dwells with man.
Paul takes OT structure of where God and man come together. He says that is the church - people together, living with God by his Spirit.
There is nothing like the church - people of all ethnicities, socio-economic backgrounds, united together by God's great work. The hope of the world.
Full notes: I believe that the local church is the hope of the world. - Bill Hybels
The beauty of the church is the power to transform the human heart. This is the power of the love of Jesus Christ, the love that conquers sin and wipes out shame and heals wounds and reconciles enemies and patches broken dreams and ultimately changes the world one life at a time. The radical message of that transforming love has been given to the church. - Bill Hybels
We have in the church the message of God's great redemption, the guidance and example of Jesus, and the power of the Holy Spirit within us.
Ephesians 2:17-19 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household,
- God is reconciling (bringing peace) all people to himself through Jesus Christ. The Jews had the OT Law, the Prophets, a covenant relationship with God. Near. The Gentiles had no relationship with God, no revelation of God. Far.
But through the power of Jesus' sacrifice, those two groups of people have been brought together into a new creation: the forgiven, the redeemed, saints.
-
Jesus has restored what was lost at the fall: relationship with God the Father.
-
Jesus has unified people of all backgrounds into one body by his Spirit. We have a home together, a place where we belong.
Is it perfect? No. Who of us belongs in a perfect church? Part of God's plan is that when we come together, we grow in Christ-likeness. We serve each other, pray, rejoice, weep together, forgive each other.
The challenge of church is that people have been hurt in churches, disappointed. If you haven't been disappointed here, you just haven't been here long enough. Some people experience more than disappointment, but hurt from church. Harsh leadership, sinned against by words or actions of church people.
Easy to lose faith in the church. But God's plan is for us to work out our salvation here, together.
Ephesians 4:32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Kind (good, not harsh, not bitter) Jesus use: "my yoke is easy, my burden light" Comparing himself and his teaching to the Pharisees. Don't be a Pharisee. Compassionate (tender hearted), having strong "bowels." Strong heart for each other. Forgiving (show grace, grant pardon). Just what we received from Jesus.
Why would Paul command us to be kind, compassionate and forgiving. Relationships cannot last without them. We will hurt each other, disappoint each other, miss seeing a need.
We learn how to forgive, but we also learn that we are in need of forgiveness. We learn that we can be selfish, self-centered, apathetic, careless. Jesus forgive the whole lot of us.
Ephesians 2:20-23 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
"Foundation of the apostles and prophets" good discussion.
Paul envisions a building Jesus is the cornerstone The parts Joined together Rising up to become a holy temple - the place where God dwells with man.
Paul takes OT structure of where God and man come together. He says that is the church - people together, living with God by his Spirit.
There is nothing like the church - people of all ethnicities, socio-economic backgrounds, united together by God's great work. The hope of the world.
Where have all the men gone?
One of the main reasons men have stopped going to church altogether is the way they view Christianity and Jesus himself. Men are very particular about the type of people they follow. All of my leadership studies have shown people, men, in particular, will not follow a lesser leader. Of you have been in the workforce you have experienced this yourself. Think of a boss you have ever had that you thought was incompetent, under-qualified and an all-around idiot. Did that make it easy to get up in the morning to go to work? How long did you keep that job? Men take this a step further with Jesus. We look at him and all depends on how we view him on whether or not we get up and go to church.
David Murrow says that over the years he has offered this quiz to thousands of people of all religions and backgrounds believer or not. And over 90% of the time people much like I am sure you did have chosen set B to more closely describe Jesus. Here is the fun part, it is a trick question… The list is from the book Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus. Set A is used to describe men and set B is used to describe women. This is how we view Jesus today. Men do not want to follow a feminine man into spiritual battle.
We talked about the gender gap last week. This week I want to show you how we can fix this gap, not just in this church, but all churches. We need to get men active in the church. They need a place to serve and it is up to the church give them an opportunity to serve. Men don’t want to sit in the pews and do nothing. “Men are not led into action unless there is danger involved.”
What we have now is a church that is culturally relevant but not spiritually relevant. To men, it’s like have a men’s softball league that never plays a single game. They get together every week sometimes two or three times a week and talk about playing. They go over the fundamentals they read books on it and watch videos about softball but they never play. Why would a man stay in that league for very long? He wouldn’t!!! This is a typical church today. We get together and talk about what the church should do in this world to change it and then we never actually do any of them. To the men of the world, we are all talk and no action.
What can we do to bring the men back to church? We need to get back to the model of the first church. We need to get out and fish for men!!! Jesus called his first church leaders and told them he was going to make them fishers of men. Let’s look at this in scripture. The first calling.
Scripture: Luke 5: 1-11.
When faced with the true character of Christ Simon was changed. He followed Jesus and made a difference in the world. He followed him in a real authentic relationship. If men were to get to know Christ for themselves, they would follow him without hesitation. I am going to do my best to help us get men back into this church. I will not sleep until I have made a difference in this church. when I am done with this church I will go out into the world with the men I will equip to help change the world.
The best way to do that is to go fishing. We have to fish for men right where we are. Start fishing!!!! Today the Trail Life boys are going fishing and you can bet I am going to talk to them about fishing. It is what Jesus would do so who am I to argue with perfection?
I am sending you home with a decal. You can put it on your car or wall at home. you can get a picture frame and put a cool background in it and put it on the glass. there are lots of things you could do with it. I just want you to remember to fish it is the best way to a biblical church. we need fishers, not SeaWorld employees. I'm begging you FISH!!!!
Proverbs has wisdom passed down from father to son. Chapters 1-9 are King Solomon's wisdom passed to his children.
Three kinds of parents 1. Uninvolved - not engaged in teaching, discipline, play 2. Over-involved - takes over the child's life and decisions; rescues from every struggle 3. Involved - balanced in child's life - playing, teaching, discipline, but allows child to be his or her own person; allows child to learn from mistakes.
Three kinds of Parenting: a. Permissive Parenting – loving, accepting, but not holding standards b. Authoritarian Parenting – heavy on rules, accountability, punishment, but light on love, encouragement. c. Authoritative Parenting – brings the strengths of both, provides structure, rules, firmness, accountability, but balanced with encouragement; focused on the relationship.
Rules without relationship result in rebellion; relationship without rules results in chaos.
The goal of Christian parenting is to raise adults who love & glorify God with their lives.
Discipline Children are sinful and need correction and discipline Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far away. (Proverbs 22:15)
Discipline is loving to your child Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them. (Proverbs 13:24)
Steps in discipline 1. Be clear about your expectations - you cannot discipline if you have not told them what you expect and what they can expect
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Give a warning or reminder if appropriate
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Give appropriate discipline - Be consistent, follow through, be loving, not angry. The goal is correction and teaching. Discipline maintains the relationship. Punishment excludes relationship.
Discipline and age Infants and toddlers - Focus is on meeting needs. No concept of disobedience, only redirection is appropriate. Preschool age 18 months to 5 years - Focus is on discipline. Use redirection, timeout, physical discipline is light. An 18 month to two year old understands "no", some things are off limits. A 4-5 year old understands rules. School age 5-11 - Focus is on training, teaching how to be responsible. Corporal punishment reserved for outright defiance or harming others. Loss of privileges increases as children approach adolescence. Teenagers - loss of privileges.
Speaking of teenagers, King Solomon in those 1st 9 chapters to his children spent 2 1/2 chapters warning his sons against sexual sins. We have to discuss how God intended and did not intend sex with adolescents. "The talk" needs to take place between you and your 10 yr old, then in more detail at 12ish and 14ish.
Spiritual maturity - sin, confession, repentance, faith 1. When they make mistakes, usher your child to the cross. Tell them of your own sins, that we all sin and are in need of forgiveness. 2. Help them understand that sins hurt relationships and reconciliation is needed by confession and repentance. 3. Help them find relief from sin and shame by faith in Jesus' sacrifice.
We are presenting God to our children. God is using you to prepare them for their own relationship with Him. Teach young children the beauty and majesty of God, his power and creativity. Teach school age children about the love that Jesus demonstrated for them. Teach adolescents about the mercy and forgiveness found in Jesus. Walk them into God's presence.
Fool Proof part 4 - Wisdom for Life from Proverbs
I know something about you, because the same is true of me... The greatest regrets in your life are times that you ventured off the path Maybe that's why you're here, or why you came to Christ, "I need someone to help me stop making a mess of my life."
Proverbs says if you'll follow its wisdom, it will make make your path straight, it will keep you from falling. It will help "fool proof" your life.
Proverbs 4:1-9 King David teaching his son Solomon as a boy. Wisdom is an inheritance. We inherit from our parents how to live - by their teaching and their actions. We have the responsibility to pass on godly wisdom to our children and GC.
- Lay hold of my words Keep my commands
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Get wisdom, get understanding Do not forget, do not swerve from them, 6. do not forsake wisdom
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Wisdom is supreme, so Get wisdom, Though it cost all you have, get understanding.
David laid it out for Solomon. Of all your pursuits in life, this is the most important. Wisdom is the greatest treasure.
Knowing how to live, how to make good choices, how to understand the world and your place in it - how to live a life in line with God - that is most important.
Even if it costs you everything else, godly wisdom - a godly life - is worth it, so pursue it above everything else.
These words had an impact on Solomon. In 1 Kings 3, Solomon asked God for a discerning heart above all else. He collected and wrote his own wisdom in 24 chapters of Proverbs. He would become a wise man, the wisest man, until the coming of Jesus Christ
For is today, the proverbs teach us how to live a godly life, how to teach our children, and how to illuminate the path of a godly life for other people.
Our pursuit of wisdom should be like Solomon's. Get wisdom, though it cost you everything, get understanding.
For believers, wisdom is embodied in a person, a Jesus Christ. We should pursue him above every other pursuit.
Jesus is the ultimate wiseman of Proverbs. He is supremely wise. - He lived in perfect wisdom - showing us how to live a godly life. - He taught wisdom - teaching us how to find God, forgiveness, redemption.
1Corinthians 1:26-31 26. We were not wise 27-28 but God chose us - the weak and lowly - to demonstrate his wisdom in us. 29 no one can boast about being wise, except God alone. 30 Jesus has become our wisdom - - Righteousness - acceptable to God, -our right standing before God - holiness - purification, consecration - our state in Christ - redemption - deliverance, release by payment of ransom - our freedom by Jesus' payment
Colossians 2:1-3 Paul prays for the church to possess and understand the fullness of the sweeping scope of what Jesus has done for them. Not some new blessing, but comprehension and possession of all that Christ has accomplished for them Right standing with God, purity, freedom in Christ and so much more...
- In [Christ] are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
So, lay hold of Jesus. get Christ Jesus. Jesus is supreme, so Get Christ Jesus, Though it cost all you have, get The Lord Jesus.
Close: pursue Jesus. Seek Jesus above all else. In quiet time - and in community.
Wisdom for Marriage. Proverbs 3:27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.
Give the love your spouse receives Gary Chapman - The Five Love Languages • gift giving, • acts of service, • words of affirmation, • quality time, • physical touch
How do you know how your spouse receives love? Ask. It will change your marriage.
Give forgiveness to your spouse Proverbs 17:9 He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.
God calls us to forgive. Jesus said to forgive as we have been forgiven.
Speak life into your spouse Proverbs 18:20 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
“Death” is speaking out of your flesh—your hurt, anger and pain. “Speaking life” is: • Affirming your mate’s character and actions. • Accepting your mate’s strengths. • Encouraging your mate’s destiny and potential. • Sharing the truth in love.
You are either building up and will enjoy a harvest from your words or you are tearing down.
Rejoice in your spouse Proverbs 5:18 May your fountain be blessed and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth.
Rejoice in the good things about your spouse. Don't let your marriage stagnate. • Spend one-on-one time together daily • Get away together regularly. • Identify distractions and minimize them. Turn off the phone & TV. • Give gifts, make calls, have dates and have fun together.
Fool Proof - Wisdom for Life from Proverbs
The word “proverb” means “to be like,” Proverbs is a book of comparisons between common, concrete images and life’s most profound truths.
Priests gave the Law, Prophets gave a Word from God, & Sages gave wise Counsel.
I know something about you, because the same is true of me... The greatest regrets in your life are times that you ventured off the path When you look back to at your life there are things you wish could change, because you lost sight of what was important and made some bad decisions
The Bible makes some incredible claims. The book of Proverbs especially. Proverbs says if you'll follow its wisdom, it will make make your path straight, it will keep you from falling. It will help "fool proof" your life. Maybe that's why you're here, or why you came to Christ, "I need someone to help me stop making a mess of my life."
Proverbs 2:1-5 1. If you accept my words (wisdom), store up my commands... 2. Listen and apply wisdom 3. Yearn for it 4. Seek it
- Then you will understand the fear of The Lord. Proverbs says over and over that wisdom begins with a right understanding of God and His relationship with people.
Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
God is to be feared - in the sense of respected, honored, revered. We are to recognize His supremacy. God is supreme in person, power, and position.
His person: He is holy, compassionate, loving, forgiving, good, triune His power: Daniel 4:35 All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: “What have you done?” His position: He rules and reigns over all creation. He has no equal. He rules and reigns over you and me.
Wisdom begins with this realization: God is supreme. There are countless people who reject God's authority will not accept his rule. They will always struggle to live a right life, because outside of God, what is right is impossible to define.
The world needs a people who have been changed by God. People who are a city on a hill, showing others the right way to live. I'm not talking about being legalistic or hypocritical.
I'm talking about living like your life has been changed by Jesus Christ. I'm talking about people who have seen what Jesus has done.
Proverbs 2:6-8 The Lord will give Victory, shield, guard, and protect
Proverbs 2:9-11 Then you will know what is right, just, fair, and every good path. Every good path - as a parent, husband/wife, in business, in relationships..,
It matters how we live. The world is watching. They need to see a people who are different - set apart. Living lives that are right, just, fair, and good.
Proverbs 4:18-19 The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.
The world needs to see godly lives lived out among them. They need the path lighted for them so they can see how to live. Are you wrestling with God over some area? Lust, greed, control? Let go. Do you need to repent and turn to God?
Daniel - Thriving in Babylon - Part 3
Like Daniel we have three distinctions or advantages over our culture We have God's favor - God was faithful and showed grace even in exile We have God's wisdom - God is the source of all wisdom and shares it Our God is in control - even when it seemed His people were defeated
Daniel 3:1-7 King Nebuchadnezzar had a golden idol built. He gathered all his government officials and directed that they worship the idol. May have been an attempt to create unity in group of internationals.
We are asked to bow down at the feet of idols in our culture
"An idol is anything we want more than God, anything we rely on more that God, anything we look to for greater fulfillment than God... Idolatry is believing that whatever our sinful selves lust after is better than Christ." - Nancy Pearcy
What do you see in commercials? On magazine covers? Our culture bows down to those things that we look for Power, possessions, pleasure, sex, entertainment, prestige, beauty.
But we are to live as exiles, foreigners here, like we do not belong here. We have different values. Our worship is directed toward God - and no where else.
But idolatry creeps into our hearts. We want something or someone besides Christ to rely on or to be fulfilled. A ship can sail over water, but when it starts to take on water, it's in trouble. We can live in this culture, but we cannot participate in its idolatry. We need to ask God to search our hearts for what we want more than Him.
God calls us to reserve our worship for him alone.
Daniel 3:8-12
Daniel 3:16-18 "God is able to save us... And will rescue us... But even if he does not, we will not worship your god."
Does God rescue everyone who is threatened for their faith? Sometimes he does Does God heal everyone who prays? Sometimes he does God always gives strength and grace - and faith is rewarded if not in this life, in the life to come, These three men believed that God could deliver them, but they would trust Him even if He didn’t.
God I believe you are able, but even if you do not rescue me, I will still believe.
Daniel 3:24-27 Who is the fourth man in the fire? An angel? Pre-incarnate Jesus Christ? God entered the fire with his people and protected them
Peter 2:11-12 Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
In an unbelieving culture, God calls us to Live as exiles and foreigners Be resolute against sin Bless the people around us
Daniel - Thriving in Babylon
Daniel 1:1 605 B.C. King Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem. God allowed the Babylonians to conquer his people. Why? A century before Isaiah them that if they continued to worship idols, oppress the poor, desert their wives, that He would exile them out of Israel.
Habbakuk couldn't understand why god would allow a pagan nation to chasten God's people.
Jeremiah prophesied about it and even lived to see Judah's defeat.
Wiersbe: God would rather his people live in exile in a pagan nation than living like pagans in the Holy Land and disgracing His Name.
Daniel 1:2 The fall of Jerusalem looked like the triumph of the pagan gods over the God of Israel. When the enemies of God are succeeding, God is still in control.
Daniel 1:3-5 God was preserving a remnant of faithful followers - and He would use the pagan King Nebuchadnezzar to feed them, teach them, and protect them.
Daniel will live to see Israelites under another pagan king allowed to return to Jerusalem to rebuild.
Daniel 1:6-7 Babylonians rename the Jewish boys
Hebrew name & meaning / Babylonian name & meaning Daniel - God is my judge / Belteshazzar - Bel, protect his life Hananiah - The Lord shows grace / Shadrach - under command of Aku Mishael - who is like God? / Mishach - who is like Aku Azariah - The Lord helps / Abednego - servant of Nego
An attempt to redefine who they are and whose they are. By changing their god, the Babylonians hoped to change the identity of these boys You hear that it does not matter what you believe, that you can believe in anything, just believe in something.
It matters who you worship. It shapes our lives, our character, Is it not obvious?
Daniel 1:8-9 Royal food and wine - the best table in the known world. Daniel and his friends were resolute - they would not defile themselves.
This was more than just food, more than diet. This was a question, will you abandon your faith? Will you walk away from your God? Or will you walk by faith and follow him, no matter the consequences?
Daniel resolved not to defile himself. Resolved - suwm leb (soom lave). Set his heart. Before the food was set before him he had already made up his mind.
You cannot wait until temptation comes to make up your mind. You have to do it ahead of time. Will you go along to get along? When you are told to keep your religion to yourself? Will you? When you are tempted by sin, will you defile yourself? When you are on the internet and tempted to go places you should not go, will you defile yourself? How will you prevent it? You have to set your heart now, whom will you serve when the time comes?
V. 9 Even in the punishment of exile, God showed grace and remained faithful.
Daniel 1:15-19 What we will see in this book of Daniel is... Daniel and his friends thrived in a land of pagans because they followed the True God.
Rejoice - Gratitude We find joy in God's presence - God wants us to have joy, lasting happiness. In friendship - partnership, fellowship, sharing in something greater. In purpose - giving our lives to something bigger than ourselves. In service - we are wired by God to enjoy serving others. In our identity - united with Christ, accepted and pleasing to God
Philippians 4:4-7 4. Rejoice! Paul's command to rejoice, be glad Why would Paul have to command us to be glad, to feel joy or express joy? Because we let other things possess our thoughts and miss out on joy. We let other things steal our joy. Practice experiencing and expressing joy.
6-7. Anxiety. Worry can consume our thoughts. What is the last thing you think of at night, first thing in the morning? You can't let those things rob you of the joy around you. What do we do? Entrust your life to God. Pray for help, With thanks - you are praying to Almighty God. He is your friend. As a result, God's peace will guard your heart and mind.
Philippians 4:8-9 Are people good or evil? Is the world full of darkness or light? There's a mix, right? There is enjoyment in a cup of coffee, a good meal, time spent talking with people you love or someone you don't even know, good music or other art.
The world is a dark, brutal place, but it is also filled with beauty, wonder, love. There is goodness all around us, think on those things. There are movies and books that tell stories of redemption, good triumphing over evil, self-giving love, standing against wrong and evil. They are good and we can thank God for them - even if the writer and actors have nothing to do with Christ.
People are sinful, yes, but they are also image-bearers of God. Half-glass full. Your husband, wife, child, mom, dad, coworker, classmate. None of us is full, but The Lord has left his fingerprint on all of us. Don't be constantly critical of others, find the good in them.
Philippians 4:10-13 The church had heard Paul was in prison and they sent Epaphroditus to him with a gift to show their concern for him. They had a desire to bless him, now with Paul in prison, they had opportunity It is good to bless others - and to let others bless you. It helps us remember we don't have it all together, we need each other.
It sounds like Paul is saying "thanks for the gift, but I don't need it", to our 21st C. Ears. But he is taking them out of the category of sponsors and into friends.
"I don't rejoice over the gift, but over our renewed friendship (lit. "Blossom again")
"I have learned to be content whatever the circumstance." Humbled to abounding, abounding to lacking No matter my circumstance, I can be content by the strength of Christ.
"When I have bounty, Christ is sufficient. When I am in need, Christ is sufficient!
Our lives are half full and half empty. We have marriages, but marriage is hard. We have friends, but friendship is hard. We earn a living, but work is hard.
What do we do? Give up? Complain? No, grumbling only makes it harder
Be grateful. Think about the good in your spouse, kids, work, friends, church. Nothing in this life is perfect, but there is good all around you.
Practice experiencing and expressing joy.
Rejoice - Identity Philippians - letter from Paul, saturated with joy. Where does Paul find joy? Where does he say to look for it?
We find joy in God's presence - God wants us to have joy, lasting happiness. In friendship - partnership, fellowship, sharing in something greater. In purpose - giving our lives to something bigger than ourselves. In service - we are wired by God to enjoy serving others.
Philippians 3:1-3 1. Rejoice in The Lord - like the psalms, Paul reminds us to worship, praise God 2. There esteemed men trying to convert Christians into Judaism. Watch out x3 for the Judaizers. Why would a grown man want to be circumcised?
1). People were prideful in whom they followed. This was part of the hierarchy of their society - something to feel good about yourself - and looking down at other people.
2). It was becoming more difficult to be a Christian. Christianity enjoyed 5 years of peace before the 1st persecution broke out in the stoning of Stephen. After that, they suffered tremendous persecution by the Jews.
As a result Christians fled and Christianity spread outside of Judea. The Roman government at first saw Christianity as an offshoot of Judaism. Under Roman rule, you could only practice government-approved religion. When the Roman government learned that Christianity was different, it started systematic persecution of the church.
It would have been enticing for a convert to Christianity to be like a Jew to fit in. To hide his Christian views for something more acceptable.
The church has been under pressure from government and society from the beginning to fit in, to just be quiet and go along.
We are in those times in our society. There is tremendous pressure to keep your faith to yourself. The government will tell you what is moral. Society will dictate what is acceptable. Just close your mouth and fit in.
The only hope for the world is Jesus Christ. He holds all truth and wisdom. He defines what is good and right, not some human leader. There is no hope for our society or the world outside of Jesus Christ.
3). They thought circumcision would make them acceptable to God. They were told they could not be a part of the blessing of Israel without this outward sign. It was a way to earn God's favor and acceptance. 3. Paul says, no way, we are the true circumcision, the true worshippers of God, glory in Christ and put no confidence in the flesh.
We struggle with this too. We think we have to beat ourselves up or do things to be acceptable to God. Paul will say in the strongest language, the only thing that matters is my union with Christ, hiding my life in his. If you are united with Christ, you are accepted and pleasing to God. God delights in you. God finds joy in you - a child of his whom he is redeeming. A lost son or daughter who has been found.
Philippians 3:4-6 Paul's credentials in his flesh. What he used to pursue.
Philippians 3:7-11 "I take everything I wanted to be - all the status, education, zeal - I consider it loss (not gain) and rubbish (dung).
For the sake of Christ For the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ That I may gain Christ Be found in him I want to know Christ
My status in society is irrelevant - rubbish. My identity in Christ is all that matters
Philippians 2:1-4 1. If you have experienced in God encouragement, comfort, fellowship win the Spirit, 2. Then be unified in mind and in love for each other.
Complete my joy - Paul rejoices in seeing their lives reflect the difference that Christ is making in them. He wants to see them mature into giving people. People with the priority of love.
Let the love you have received spill over into the lives of the people around you.
- Not in selfishness or conceit, but with humility - he will show us what humility looks like: consider others more important than yourself.
I have to remind myself, "I am a servant"
Think about not just your needs but the needs of others. Be considerate. Put other people's needs ahead of your own. In conversation In action In prayer
Philippians 2:5-11 He gives the example of Christ Who left the glory of heaven to serve us. He is God, but gave up the honor and glory of being God to be a slave.
- He emptied himself It is in giving that we receive - St Francis of Asisi
We experience deep joy not when seeking it, but when we give ourselves away.
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Honor of being God to Becoming a man to Becoming a slave to Dying a humiliating death - all for you.
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God the Father exalted him above all else,
Rejoice! United in God's Redemption We all want to be happy. We search for happiness. We make decisions throughout our day to do what we think will make us happy.
There's nothing wrong with that. God is happy, joyful, there is joy in his presence. Psalm 16:11
Jesus came to turn our sorrow into joy. God wants us to be happy.
We are not great at knowing what makes us happy. We know what we want, a vacation home, a new car, to retire early, successes at work, success for our kids. But we are not good at predicting life once we get what we want.
We see that if you take people that are successful and getting what they want and compare them to the people who are just struggling to live, you find the same level of happiness. People who get what they want are no happier than people who don't get what they want. There is something else, some other factor that brings us happiness.
Philippians is a letter about joy. Paul is not getting what he wants. He's in prison. He mentions being in chains 4 times, but rejoicing too.
Phil 1:12-14 Philippians sent epaphroditus What has happened to me: 60-62 AD. From his Imprisonment at Jerusalem through his imprisonment at Rome. Riot, the two-year imprisonment at Caesarea, the appeal to Caesar, the threat on his life, the trip to Rome with its shipwreck, his house-arrest and imprisoned in Rome.
Paul expected suffering. He talked about it being normal to the Christian life. 1 Peter 4:12 John 16:33b When Jesus returns to finalize the redemption of creation, when his resurrection power will make all things new, he will take away all sorrow and suffering. We live in a broken world that is waiting its final redemption. If you expect marriage to be a fairy tale, you'll be disappointed. You are two sinners trying to live together. Marriage is hard. Paul saw God's redemption in goodness and suffering. The alchemy of life (Matthew Henry) No one could turn lead into gold. God is the only true alchemist. He alone can turn the base things in our lives into gold. Paul says, they put me in prison to stop the spread of the gospel, but the opposite is happening. The guards are coming to know that Paul is imprisoned because of Christ. These hardened, pagan men were chained to the greatest evangelist of all time. At the end of the letter, "all the believers from Caesars household greet you."
Philippians 1:15-18. Brothers have been encouraged to speak the word of God. Some for good motives, some for impure motives.
There is not an evident one-for-one relationship between every bad thing and every good thing. But God is able to turn the base things into our lives, the suffering into glory.
What is the gold in Paul's words? His freedom? No, it was the spread of the gospel. God was working through Paul's suffering.
Paul saw his life united with God's great redemption. Philippians 1:19-21 Whichever, I will bring honor and glory to Jesus. His identity is caught up in this divine narrative where God is overcoming evil and giving life to the dead. Paul saw his life - both suffering and good times - as part of the overarching message of the unconquerable Jesus Christ. He found satisfaction in uniting his life to something much bigger to himself.
His life was more than Facebook, video games, even being absorbed in his own pain, more than his own consumption.
We have lost being caught up in a bigger story. Shawn Kelly - the most significant threat to our culture is nihilism - the death of meaning and stories. Where there is no more adventure, no more meaning.
How can we find meaning, peace? In Jesus, here is a story of a redeeming God Who graciously offers Himself to bring peace, well-being, forgiveness. Our lives, like Paul's, can be seen from the view that my life is no longer about myself, but about God, the source of life and new life.
May we participate in God's great story of redemption through the grace we show, the way we give ourselves to others, the way that we live for the honor and glory of Jesus.
People are not on a truth quest; they are on a happiness quest. Andy Stanley We all make decisions to be happy. We buy ice cream because we think it will make us happy or healthy food because we think healthy will make us happy.
We are not great at what makes us happy. Culture - ads tell us with images that their product will make us happy.
But he finds that people are no happier having what they want than the people struggling to survive.
What are the things we should want that will contribute to our joy. How does Paul find joy and how does he say we can find joy. Paul has nothing that we would think would make him joyful - he has no power, fame, it is believed that he wrote this letter from prison - he had no freedom. Even so, He refers to joy 16 times in this letter, "I am glad... I rejoice... you rejoice."
To sum up what contributes most to a happy life: friends. "Happiness is more about WHO than WHAT." - Andy Stanley
The letter to the church in Philippi has no correction, it is a letter to friends. Philippians 3:1-11 Happiness is more about our relationships than the things we have. A parent is no happier than his or her least happy child. A husband is no happier than his wife, and vice versa. It's not the stuff in our lives, but the who. The kind of relationships that contribute to happiness... We can have relationships that make us feel insecure.
Friendship is necessary for you; you were made for relationship, to be like your Creator. All of creation was good, but it was not good for man to be alone.
God gave Paul friends out of people that were his enemy. Marks of friendship - Josh Swanson - Hope Evangelical Church, Alb, Nm The first mark of friendship is partnership. (Philippians 1:5) Koinonia - fellowship. Don't think of pot luck, think Lord of the Rings. Drawn together for something larger than themselves. In their pursuit to destroy the ring, they developed deep friendship. Lovers admire each other, but friends are about something outside of themselves - a pursuit, a journey, a great cause.
Paul is devoted to a great cause, a journey, something bigger than himself. He found in the Christian community in Philippi people with the same view. They had different personalities, different callings on their lives, different gifts, but as they loved The Lord and followed him, they developed deep friendships. This is Christian community - sharing something greater than friendship. They share the grace of God, the blessing of receiving and giving forgiveness... (Philippians 4:14-16) V5. Paul received financial support from Philippi - maybe the only church he received from. He served them, they served him. They supported them. He was vulnerable to them and allowed them to provide for him.
The third mark is genuine concern. (Philippians 2:4) Paul has this for them he calls them to have that same concern for others. Put others in the community ahead of yourselves - we see to our own happiness all the time. The next time you talk to someone, eat with someone, ask yourself, not "was I encouraged? Did they ask about my life?" Ask, did I encourage them? Did i show genuine concern?"
The forth mark is candor. (Philippians 4:2-3) Paul calls them to agree and get along. It's not just affection and grace, but with truth and candor. We all need people in our lives who will tell us with love when we're wrong. It's going deeper, willing to talk about real stuff.
Most of us long for deep relationships but we are not experiencing them. Why? Time? I think it's something deeper. I think we make time for what we want. I think we are insecure and afraid. The things that open you up for a rich relationship also open us up to being exposed, vulnerable and hurt.
All of us approach broken people as broken people. We are so insecure, so broken, how can we ever find deeper friendships? There is a third friend, Jesus. He invites us to be more than servants, but his friends. We can find forgiveness, strength, healing for our own wounds.
Rejoice! United in God's Redemption We all want to be happy. We search for happiness. We make decisions throughout our day to do what we think will make us happy.
Phil 1:12-14 What has happened to me: 60-62 AD. From his Imprisonment at Jerusalem through his imprisonment at Rome.
Paul expected suffering. He talked about it being normal to the Christian life.
Paul saw God's redemption in both goodness and suffering. V. 13 The guards are coming to know that Paul is imprisoned because of Christ. V. 14. Most brothers were speaking more courageously and fearlessly. God was working through Paul's suffering.
Philippians 1:15-18. Brothers were encouraged to speak the word of God. Some for good motives, some for impure motives.
Paul saw his life united with God's great redemption. Philippians 1:19-21 "i might die as a martyr or I might be freed." Whichever, I will bring honor and glory to Jesus.
Paul's understanding of his circumstances caught up in this divine narrative where God is overcoming evil and giving life to the dead.
Paul saw his life - both suffering and good times - as part of the overarching message of the unconquerable Jesus Christ.
He found satisfaction in uniting his life to something much bigger to himself. His life was more than Facebook, video games, even being absorbed in his own pain, more than his own consumption. We have lost being caught up in a bigger story. Sean Kelly, chair of the department of philosophy at Harvard University "the most significant threat to our culture... is nihilism - the death of meaning and stories. Where there is no more adventure, no more meaning."
Bertrand Russell, the British philosopher, mathematician, political activist and Nobel laureate, before his death said: "There is darkness without, and when I die there will be darkness within. There is no splendor, no vastness anywhere, only triviality for a moment, and then nothing."
How can we find meaning, peace? Suffering is inevitable. How can we find joy in suffering?
In Jesus, here is a story of a redeeming God Who graciously offers Himself to bring peace, well-being, forgiveness. Our lives, like Paul's, can be seen from the view that life is no longer about myself, but about God, the source of life and new life.
May we participate in God's great story of redemption through the grace we show, the way we give ourselves to others, the way that we live for the honor and glory of Jesus.
Resng in His Favor !"#$ " %&' " ()" ++"$, - !./ &+ ! " '#"$+"0+ " 1&""+ "" $ -"+ "&$$ 2"" , 3" – (eudokia) ++ ", 4 " &!"12$ "1+ 2" The Lord shows Moses his glory. Exodus 33:18-20 18 Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.” 19 And the LORD said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 20 But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.” Exodus 34:5-7 5 Then the LORD came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the LORD. 6 And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation.” 5 % +""& &$ +"&!&2 22 $ ! 6 1& + !+" $ 7 8"+ &2"" $92+"2/ +"& Isaiah 64:6 All of us have become like one who is unclean, [All. Unclean like someone with a terrible disease who are not allowed to participate in religious ceremony.] and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; [Righteous acts are filthy rags, what about your unrighteous acts.] we all shrivel up like a leaf, [the effects of sin] and like the wind our sins sweep us away. All the while, God knew that you were a mess. He knew that all you had to o
Easter is a celebration. It is recognition that Jesus Christ is victorious.
On Friday, he took the worst of hatred and violence of men. On a Sunday, he overcame the sins of man was raised to life. On Friday, he bore the burden of our all sins. On Sunday, his Father declared that his sacrifice was accepted. On Friday, death took his body. On Sunday, he left death in his grave. On Friday, he was crucified as a criminal. On Sunday, he arose the King of kings.
We serve a victorious king. He overcame our sins, he bore our penalty and he defeated death. Jesus paid it all
There is not a day that goes by, there is not a situation in your life that is not affected by the victory of Jesus.
Isaiah 53:4-6
Isaiah was a prophet 740 to 700 BC. God gave him these words as a prophesy of Jesus Christ, the servant of God who would suffer – not because of his own sin – but suffer on behalf of others. “He… for our…”
Jesus took on our • sicknesses, • sorrows, • transgressions (peshah rebellion, sinful acts), • iniquities (aVON, depravity, guilt – not behavior, but the sinfulness of our hearts and minds), • punishment (our sins deserved capital punishment)
Easter is not a day to feel guilt and shame that Jesus had to die for us. Easter is a day to celebrate that Jesus has taken away our guilt and shame.
Because Jesus paid it all. And the Father found Jesus’ sacrifice acceptable, because after three days in death, God raised him to life.
Ephesians 2:4-6 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,
Go to the cross, you will find forgiveness for your sins. Go to the empty tomb, you will find new life.
Family Life - Winning a Generation
Judges 2:6–14
While the memory of God's greatness and his kindness toward Israel was alive, the people maintained their devotion to God.
Joshua and his generation kept the memory of God's mighty acts alive among the people.
When the knowledge of God is preserved in a community, faith is nourished and obedience flourishes.
If we allow our children to grow up without this knowledge of God, we create not only ignorance and unbelief, but also their destruction.
It is the duty of all parents to teach their children about God and his saving work, so that the next generation will know and be saved.
Psalm 115:4-8 You become what you worship
Tell your children of God's greatness and of His kindness to your family.
Deuteronomy 6:4–9 Known as "Shema Israel" the first two words in Hebrew, "Hear O Israel" Observant Jews say it in prayers twice a day and teach their children to say it as their last words of the day before they go to sleep.
Two priorities: 1) Love The Lord with all your heart and 2) Teach your children to love The Lord.
It starts with you. Are you living so that your family sees your love for God? Do they see that your relationship with God is a priority or an after thought?
Your kids will listen to what you say, but they will do what they see you do.
Teach your kids that love for God begins with respect for you.
Proverbs 13:24: "He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him."
Proverbs 19:18a: "Discipline your son while there is hope; do not set your heart on his destruction."
Proverbs 22:15, "Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it from him."
Proverbs 23:13, 14: "Do not withhold discipline from your child; if you strike him with the rod, he will not die. If you strike him with the rod, you will save his soul from Sheol."
Proverbs 29:15, 17, "The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother . . . Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart."
Hugging and kissing, and tumbling, loving, forgiving, and spending time with your children are all just as important as spanking.
Palm Sunday - Welcome the King
The week had finally come for which Jesus had been born - the week He would bear the penalty for our sin. The week begins with praise and a crowd affirming that Jesus was the Messiah. Jesus always did things deliberately, but now especially, this last week.
Matt, Mark, Luke spend 1/4 of their gospels on this last week. John spends 1/2. It tells us the importance of what is happening these 8 days. The long-expected King was coming to His people in their capital city.
Matthew 21:1-11
Jesus and all the Jews were preparing for the Passover the next week. It began with a weeklong festival called the Feast of Unleavened Bread and ended with the Passover. The Passover commemorated the deliverance of Israel from bondage. Passover was celebrated to remember that God had delivered Israel from slavery under the Egyptians. God instructed them to sprinkle the blood of a lamb over their doors. That night, the angel of death came over Egypt and took the firstborn of every house except for those whose doors had the blood of a lamb; they were saved. The whole of Israel was saved then too as they left Egypt and slavery.
What an incredible scene, Jesus, the true Passover Lamb, coming to celebrate the festival that foreshadowed His coming for 1475 years.
v. 1 - traveled east to west: Bethany, Bethphage, Jerusalem - took them over the Mount of Olives and through the Kidron valley, east of Jerusalem.
vv. 2-3 - Jesus demonstrated his omniscience, seeing a donkey and a colt. (The other gospels just mention the colt.) If Jess's knows what's going on with livestock, he knows every detail of you life.
vv. 4-5 - He came on an unbroken donkey, which was more symbolic than useful. 550 years prior to this event, Zechariah saw Jesus' coming to bring peace.
He rode in on a donkey because it was foretold that 1) He was the King who had been promised, the Messianic King. 2) not a king of war, but a king of peace.
He challenged the people and rulers of Jerusalem to either accept or reject him as their king of peace.
vv. 8-9 - An act of honor, respect, praise of Jesus as Messiah. From Psalm 118 - part of the Hallel Psalms (115-118) that were sung at the Passover meal to celebrate Israel's escape from slavery in Egypt.
"Hosanna!" which means "save!" The term became an exclamation of praise. Comes from two words:
Yaw-shah'; to be open, wide or free, i.e. (by implication) to be safe, to free:— to help, preserve, rescue, save. Carries the idea of freeing or delivering or releasing or liberating. It has a broad meaning. Save me from sin, from trouble, from suffering, from whatever confines me. Save my family from financial struggle, from illness, from broken relationships. Save my community from child abuse, absent fathers, violence, greed. Save the nations from oppressors, wars, famine, disease.
Anna – ah now! I beseech you. Oh now! Pray now! It is a plea for God to act to bring about His purpose, His salvation.
Psalm 118:25-26 "Now, Lord, save us, now, Lord, fulfill your purposes for us, now." There was an urgency in their praise of Jesus. They were praising and praying, "Lord, save us. We beseech you. Save us now!"
Vv. 10-11 Jesus' triumphant entry caused the eyes of Israel to be on him. It forced the Sanhedrin, the Roman government, and Israel as a whole to decide what to do with Jesus, to welcome him or reject him.
Do we welcome Jesus with that kind of urgency? Or are we half-hearted? "Jesus, come into my life - but not too far. Don't come into these areas of my life, just the parts I want you in. Stay out of my finances and my attitude about my wife and work
We like to keep Jesus at an arms length; close enough to help us when we need him but far away enough that we don't have to change.
Now, Lord, now, save us. Bring about all your purposes, not mine, yours.
Welcome the King. Welcome Jesus into your lives, families, community, world.
There is no organization like the church. She is made up of people who are being transformed into the likeness of Christ. In the letters to the Corinthians, Paul describes the church having • Unity of mind, purpose, spirit • Love in her members that willingly sacrifices for each other • Boldness in the truth of the gospel • Divine power to liberate people from Satan’s stronghold
We do not fight against people, but against spiritual powers opposed to God. (Ephesians 6:12)
Paul uses military metaphors in 10:3-6. • He wages war (10:3); • He has weapons of warfare with divine power (10:4); • He tears down raised defenses (10:5); • He takes captives (10:6); and • He stands ready to punish the rebels (10:6).
What are the strongholds Paul is attacking? They are “arguments” and “pretenses” set up “against the knowledge of God.” The Greek is literally, “every high thing lifted up.” Walls built up against the knowledge of God. No human argument can stand against God’s power.
“We take captive every ‘thought.’” Translated elsewhere “mind” or “design.” • The minds of the Israelites were hardened, necessitating Moses’ veil (3:14) • The minds of unbelievers have been blinded by the God of this world to keep them from seeing the light of gospel of the glory of Christ (4:4) • Satan has ensnared the Corinthians “thoughts” like he deceived Eve (11:3) Satan holds their minds hostage, and Paul is prepared to fight to liberate them. We are not engaged in a war against people, but for people.
What are Paul’s weapons? • The power of the gospel – forgiveness and cleansing by Jesus’ blood (1 John 1:9) • Prayer and fasting - Prayer is not just preparation for the battle; it is the battle. • The Word of God - "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." (1 John 2:14b) • Our testimony – “They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony” (Rev 12:11a) • Our weaknesses demonstrating God’s strength (2 Cor 12:7-10) • Holy lives – “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matt 5:16)
What does this tell us of the spiritual realm? The world is at war for the minds of people. Paul sees Christians as lighting the way to God in a dark world. • We spread the knowledge of God like a fragrance every where we go (2:14) • God makes his light shine in our hearts (4:6) • We are Christ’s ambassadors, reconciling people to God (5:20)
Family Life - Part 1 Redemption
Reading the book of Hosea Warren Wiersbe wrote commentaries with titles like, "Be Joyful" for Philippians. "Be Faithful" for Paul's letters to Timothy. For Hosea, his title is "Be Amazed"
Hosea is a prophet sent by God to the northern kingdom of Israel to warn them that their sins against each other and, especially their idolatry against him, he is going to allow them to be defeated by the Assyrians.
But before he does, God sends Hosea as a living metaphor. He tells Hosea to take a prostitute for his wife.
Hosea 1:1-3
Gomer will leave Hosea and go to another man. Hosea had the humiliating responsibility of buying back his own wife.
Hosea 3:1-3
God used Hosea and his adulterous wife as a picture of God and his people. Despite their adultery over and over, God demonstrates a jealous, stubborn, relentless, unconditional, loyal love that says, "I will not give up on you." "I will not let you go."
That's amazing. No matter how we have turned away from God. No matter how we have rejected his love for us, his love doesn't run out.
Hosea 11:1-4 "the more I called Israel, the further they went from me."
Hosea 11:8 "How can I give you up?" "My heart is changed."
This is why Wierbe titled the commentary on Hosea, "Be Amazed" The hesed love of God, that jealous, relentless, stubborn, loyal, unconditional love of God is amazing.
"How deep the Father's love for us, How vast beyond all measure That He should give His only Son,To make a wretch His treasure" 1. Remember you are both reacting out of brokenness. Why do you keep sinning against each other? Because you're both sinners.
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Recognize your contribution to the hurt. "If I'm hurting, you must be hurting too." Feelings of hurt, rejection, anger, bitterness are real and probably felt by both.
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Resist the devil and his accusations against your spouse. James 4:7 "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." Satan is the "accuser of the brothers." When you have no positive thoughts about your spouse, when you start thinking, "I'm doing everything, and he/she's doing nothing." Or... "It would be easier just to walk away." Those are all lies. Don't participate.
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Release (forgive) your spouse from their sins against you. Make a list. Let it go. Unforgiveness is poison. It poisons you. It steals your joy. It makes you bitter and miserable.
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Redeem your relationship. In response to God, love your spouse - unconditionally Hosea 3:1 "Go, show your love to your wife again."
This is not a one-time thing. God showed me this when we were in a crisis, but I use it constantly in my marriage. Brenda and I are imperfect people. We miscommunicate. We have days that we cannot seem to connect. We hurt each other. We have to stop. Wait. We are not going back to: Feeling hurt and hurting back or Feeling hurt and withdrawing.
I am going to show my love to my wife again, and again, and again. I find this endless supply of love for my wife is not in me. There is an endless supply of love in Jesus Christ who loved me and gave himself for me. I release you, because I have been released. I love you with a stubborn, relentless, unconditional, loyal love because God loves me with a stubborn, relentless, unconditional love.
We Are the Church - Part 3 - since we have such hope, we are very bold
1 Corinthians 3:1-3 False teachers came with letters of recommendation. V. 2-3. Paul said, you are my letter, my credentials; your new lives in Christ. V. 3. OT prophets said a day would come when God would change men's hearts
Ezekiel 36:26-27 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.
The Old Covenant specified crime and punishment. In the new covenant the Holy Spirit changes the hearts of men. He changes our wills and our desires. He changes us from the inside out.
1 Corinthians 3:4-6
1 Corinthians 3:7-11
Ministry of Moses Ministry of the Spirit Engraved on stone (v. 7) Engraved on human hearts (v. 3) Letter of the Law (v. 6) Of the Spirit (v. 6) Brought death (v. 7) Brings righteousness (v. 9) Glorious (v. 7) More glorious (v. 9) Fading glory (v. 7) Surpassing glory (v. 10)
1 Corinthians 3:12 Paul is not just comparing the old covenant and the new covenant, he is telling the Corinthians, "this is why I'm so bold in my teaching."
Why was Paul so bold, because: It was glorious that God spoke to Moses on Mt Sinai. It was glorious that God Himself gave the Israelites Laws to govern their relationship with Him and each other. It was glorious that God's presence filled the mountain in awesome power. It was glorious that Holy God came to Moses, a sinful man and spoke to him.
Paul writes, the ministry of the Spirit that I received is even more glorious. He's not comparing himself to Moses, he's comparing their message or ministry. "What i have preached to you is more glorious than God's delivering the Law."
"Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold."
1 Corinthians 3:13-16
Do we have that view of the gospel? Do we recognize what treasure we have in us? What power is at work within us by the Holy Spirit indwelling us? The giving of the OT Law was glorious, but ultimately, it condemned sinners.
The ministry of the Spirit - Makes sinners righteous - Imparts life to those dead in their sins - Has power to change lives
Do we, like Moses, wear a veil? Do you cover the glory of the the Spirit's work in us? Do you try to blend in to the lost around you?
The society around us is in desperate need of seeing the hope of the gospel. Your coworkers, classmates, family members need to see that there is hope. Hope for forgiveness, not just condemnation.
People need to see that there is hope for change - transformation. That they there is hope for broken marriages, broken family ties. There is hope to be freed from addictions. God is in the business of changing minds, and hearts, and lives.
1 Corinthians 3:17-18 V. 17. Freedom - from the Law OR freedom to speak boldly, comprehend spiritual things because the veil of darkness has been lifted from our eyes.
V. 18. We are being transformed into the likeness of Jesus Christ. When we encounter the Spirit, like Moses, we are changed, transformed by His glory.
In chapter 12, Paul lists the gifts of the Spirit. Then in chapter 13 he argues that you can have the greatest gifts imaginable, but if you're missing one thing, your amazing gift doesn't count, doesn't even matter.
1 Corinthians 13:1-3
- Not just the gift of tongues, but speaking in tongues of men and angels - without love, you're a hollow sound.
- Not just the gift of prophecy, but can fathom all mystery and knowledge. Or faith that can move mountains. Without love, I am nothing.
- If I give everything - everything, and even give my life. Without love, I gain nothing.
Love is central to a Christian's relationships because love is who God is. He is the source of love.
1 John 4:7-12 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 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. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a
Paul describes love not with adjectives, but with verbs. Other kinds of love, “can remain hidden in the heart. But it is essential” to Christian love “to manifest itself, to demonstrate itself”
Love is a verb. It is not just feeling and intention. It actively demonstrates itself.
Love seeks the good of others. It is being "for" someone.
Application: You and I find that we don't love our husband or wife like we should. We are more "for ourselves" than we are "for our spouses or children." What hope do we have to get out of being so selfish? We must go to the source of love. We must go to God and ask him, "I don't love my spouse or children well, put your love in my heart for my wife/husband or children."
Christians, like no one else should be the biggest encouragers, biggest cheerleaders (not envious), celebrating the accomplishments of others (not jealous). We should be "for" the people around us. We must love excel at loving people, but we are too often indifferent. Are you looking out for yourself? Do people in your church, at work, at school see you as being "for them?" Love is "being for someone"
Not insecure and jealous of what other people have and accomplish. Not running down other people's success or looks or possessions. Not tearing down others, but building up. What comes out of you? Love seeks the good of other people. Are you building people up or tearing them down?
We Are the Church - A Study of Corinthians
Corinth was a major city and seaport, the most important city in its region of Achaia. It was located on a narrow strip of land between the Aegean and Adriatic Seas in modern day Greece. Paul visited Corinth on his second missionary journey. He stayed and taught there for a year and a half (Acts 18).
The church in Corinth was a mess. They struggled with divisions, immorality, pride. They wrote to Paul with questions they had about marriage, Christian freedom, public worship and the resurrection.
The letter can be outlined in two major sections: Chapters 1-6 Paul addressed divisions and disorder in the church. Chapters 7-16 Paul answers questions that the Corinthians had written to him.
The unity of the church 1 Corinthians 1:10-12 "Brothers" - Paul emphasizes the fact that we are all part of God's family.
Paul had spent 18 months in Corinth. Some Corinthians may have heard Peter speak in Jerusalem. Acts 19:1 tells us that Apollos had preached in Corinth while Paul was in Ephesus on his third missionary journey.
The Corinthians drew up camps. "I'm on Paul's team. I side with Peter. I like Apollos."
The problem was not so much differences of opinion as it was divided allegiances.
1 Corinthians 3:5-11 Paul says, we are nothing. Our message is from God - we didn't come up with it. Our purpose is for God's church to be built up - not for our own name. Do no take part in "camp warfare." Beware of ministries that emphasize man and not Christ. (Judge the fruit. Is Jesus glorified or man?) Avoid any teaching that is not foundational Christianity. (Salvation by grace plus works. Acceptance of sin. Focus on material things, not spiritual. Any path to God.) Paul spends half chapters 1-4 talking about the supremacy of God's wisdom.
1 Corinthians 1:20-24 Who has the corner on the market of truth? Baptists? Presbyterians? Methodists? Charismatics? Church of Christ? Christian Church? Who fully grasps the mind of God? Who has total understanding of the Scriptures? We all need to show humility. Celebrate the unity of our faith Focus on the 99% on which we agree Do not let petty things disrupt the unity of Christ's body (see 3:16-17)
Jesus prayed in John 17 that the church, his followers, would be one. We need to take that seriously. Jesus' wants us to live in unity. Anything short of that is sin. We need to be careful to reconcile when we have disagreements.
We all go through times of doubt about what is true. We all wonder about how the Bible stands put to arguments as society changes, questions from science, challenges from people who do not believe. Paul emphatically says against all the wisdom that men can muster, there is on prevailing truth that will outlast them all:
Christ is the power and wisdom of God.
1 Corinthians 3:21-23 All things are yours - all the teachings of Paul, Apollos, Peter - all ours because of what Jesus has accomplished for us.
Unbelievers are swept along by life because they have no foundation As believers, we know what life is about - it is about glorifying God.
Unbelievers may fear death, but Jesus has overcome death in victory. The present and the future - all are ours because we, the church, are in Christ. Jesus Christ has overcome them all.
Present Grace - Part 4 Fruit and Thorns
We live with trouble everyday. From a Christian perspective, we believe this is because of sin. I have sin within me. You have sin within you. When we get together - often sin leaks out. If that's not bad enough, we also live in a fallen world with disease, poverty, violence and death. These things affect us all.
In their book, How People Change, Timothy Lane and David Tripp present an illustration of how we live and react to the fallen world around us. They call it the Heat, Thorns, Cross, Fruit diagram.
Heat - What is your situation? Boss make you mad? Children not listening to you? Parents not listening to you? Conflict with your spouse? Struggling financially? Chronic illness? Living in this fallen world is like living in the heat of the desert.
The big question is not whether or not we will experience heat; the Bible is clear that we will face trouble. The big question is, how do we respond? Do we respond in a sinful way or in a godly way?
Jeremiah 17:5-8 Two men. One is like a bush in the wastelands. The other is like a tree that constantly bears fruit - even in a drought. What makes the difference in the two men? It is where they put their trust, their confidence. Where they get there strength.
The profound thing about this passage is that two men may be planted together, they may experience the same times of drought - hardship, conflict, discouraging times - but their responses are totally different. One is like a shriveled, thorn bush. The other is like a tree that produces fruit - even in a drought.
Thorns - How do you react? Not only do I sin and you sin, but when someone sins against us, what do we do? We often sin in response. Our natural response is what the Bible calls foolish fleshly wisdom. We respond by avoiding, blaming, controlling. We engage in escaping sins, getting angry, and impatient. The Bible is clear, our responses are not forced upon us.
Mark 7:20-23 He went on: “What comes out of a person is what defiles them. For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person.”
Your response comes from inside you. The ugliness of your mouth, that came from your heart.
The terrible thing about our sinfulness is that we sin, and feel justified about it. Is it right to be angry at someone and spread slander about them? Is it right to be frustrated about work and come home and be impatient with your children? Is it right to be numb your hurts with TV or alcohol or food? No, those are all thorns - sinful responses to heat.
The good news of the Bible is that you and I are not destined to sinful responses.
Cross - Who is God and what does he say and do in Christ? The Bible gives us the direction. Galatians 5:19-21 Acts of the sinful nature Galatians 5:22-26 Fruit of the Spirit
Jesus gives us the model or example of a godly, fruitful response. What is a right and godly reaction to unjust circumstance? Look to Christ.
1 Peter 2:22-23 “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.
Remember the two trees? We can be like the thorn bush or the tree with fruit. Proverbs 12:18 There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Fruit - How is God calling me to seek him in repentance and faith?
Present Grace - part 3 community
There is within us all a sinful self that keeps its distance from God and from other people so that it can remain unchallenged and unchanged.
God, in his mercy, desires transformation for us, a change from sinful patterns and attitudes that infect our relationships with God and others.
Ephesians 4:1-6
God wants unity, peace, patience and love within His family - just as He has within Himself. The church is called to be a reflection of her Creator, Savior, and Counselor.
Mat 27:46 About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).
From Psalm 22:1 Hebrew word for Forsaken means... to leave, loose, forsake It speaks of something once bound that was unbound.
Greek word for Forsaken means abandon, desert, leave helpless, totally abandoned, utterly forsaken
Jesus and the Father were bound in perfect relationship, on the cross, Jesus called out, "why have you forsaken me, why have you broken ties with me?"
Jesus was forsaken by the Father so that you would be united with Him and with other believers.
Salvation connects us both to God and His people. We cannot become the Christians we are meant to be alone. What we become, we become together.
What keeps us distant? Busyness Shallow friendships Activities with no real connection to people Self-centered relationships Selfish independence Theology as a replacement for relationship
Community is part of God's plan to transform us into Christ's image. Close relationships make it more likely that you will sin against someone and that someone will sin against you. There will have to be times of confession and forgiveness. You will need to serve and to be served. You will have to give when it is inconvenient. You will have to receive when it challenges your pride.
When did you first understand how selfish you are? When did you first grasp the depth of your sinful pride? It all happened in relationships with others, probably your spouse and children. God uses close community to challenge our sin.
We see our relationship with God as individuals, not as part of a body. Ephesians 3:14-21 read as community, not just individuals.
The present grace that we have been talking about is not just between you and God. Community is a big part of God's plan for you to experience grace and change.
In community our pride, selfishness, and other sinful patterns are exposed, confessed, and forgiven. We come to a greater understanding of the depths of our sin and the depths of forgiveness that we find
We need each others' stories and perspectives to more fully grasp the love and grace of God. Other believers help us see different facets of God's love and redemption. In community our understanding of God's infinite love becomes fuller, stronger and deeper.
Present Grace part 2
We have a firm grasp of past grace when God forgave my sins. We have a firm grasp of future grace when I will dwell in heaven with God. We don't have a grasp of God's Present Grace.
We can think of journey of our lives as a book.
The Last Chapter One of the ways we know what is important throughout a story is by reading the last chapter. The finale of any story reconciles and gives meaning to the plot. Things that didn't make sense at the time are put in perspective in the finale.
The early chapters of humanity after creation was the fall. Without Jesus Christ, the final chapter of men is death, destruction, separation from God and his grace for eternity.
God would not allow the final chapter for his children to end in death and separation. Listen to the final scenes of those who trust Jesus that come out of the tribulation.
Revelation 7:9-17
The final chapter of Jesus' followers is not sin, shame, death and destruction. Our story will end with "praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God forever and ever."
We will be there with the angels, the 24 elders, and the four living creatures celebrating the greatness of God and Jesus who changed the plot of our lives, rescued us from sin and death and gave us eternity in heaven.
Gives perspective to our struggles - maybe the goal of my life is more than my temporary happiness. My life is worth more than working and wanting and buying things. My failures do not define me, my life in Christ defines who I am.
"God is working to accomplish something much greater in me than I am usually even aware of. I need to look at my daily life through the lens of my final destination: Christlikeness in God’s presence." The Present Chapter What needs to change to affect the current chapter of your life? We focus on the things we feel are missing in our lives. My life would be better If I had a different job, If I had a more money, a better marriage, more opportunity. All those things are good, But too often, they take our focus away from what our ultimate goal is. We think, "I'll be happy, fulfilled, complete if only..."
We focus on things outside of ourselves as needing change - not us. We have relationship problems and always think it's someone else's fault. We have been hurt and think that someone else's sin is will always affect our life.
"We tend to believe that the sin that surrounds us is more dangerous than the sin that resides inside us." - Lane and Tripp
James 4:1-3. What causes fights, quarrels - my own wickedness. What needs to change? You and me.
We seek fulfillment in something or someone other than Christ.
The Bible says that is idolatry. We take good things and make them ultimate things. We engage in idolatry whenever take something out of its proper sphere and put it in a place of worship.
The Bible describes the relationship between Jesus and his church like the relationship between a groom and his bride. (Isaiah 54:5)
Ephesians uses Jesus' relationship with his church to instruct men to love their wives.
2 Corinthians 11:1-3
In our relationship with Jesus we find fullness and real help for change and growth. The real issue is not outside of you. It is within you. You need redemption - not at the end of your life - in this present chapter of your life. You need change. You need growth.
The Christian life is built upon the foundation of facing who you really are and trusting who Christ really is.
In our union with Christ, we bring liabilities, but he brings countless assets that make possible our growth and real change in this chapter of your life.
Worthy We celebrate Advent. Advent means "coming" or "arrival." It's a celebration of Jesus first coming at Christmas, his powerful presence with us today by he Holy Spirit, and his second coming in the future.
Matthew 2:1-12
- Jesus is worthy of our attention. V. 2. "we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him" We do not know who the wise men were or why they knew to watch for the sign of the star. Best guess among scholars is that maybe they had the book of Daniel since he was exiled to the east in Babylon.
V. 4. Herod asked where the king would be born - whom did he ask? The chief priests and teachers of the Law - they knew, but were not looking. I find, we are too often like the priests and teachers of the Law. "Yeah, I know." But I am unmoved.
The real fight for us is not whether or not we know what God has done, but whether or not we are moved by it. It's not enough to know your Bible, you have to pay attention to what it says.
We always struggle with the difference between knowing and being moved. Know this, Christmas reveals the struggle we face all the time: knowing Who God is Knowing what Jesus has done and being moved by it.
Take a breath. Let your mind and heart meditate on what all this means. The eternal God has come to earth to live with us. He is worthy of our attention.
- Jesus is worthy of our pursuit. V. 1. And V. 8-9 The wise men's attention turned to pursuit.
Matthew 13:44
Jesus is the only pursuit that is worthy. Everything else is meant to make us long for him. Marriage is beautiful, but it is not enough to satisfy your soul. Work is good, but if you think it can satisfy you, it won't and you will never be full If you think people's approval of you will satisfy you, you'll make yourself a slave
Jesus is the treasure in the field that, even if it costs me everything else, he's worth it.
- Jesus is worthy of our faith. V. 2. V. 11. Faith brought them to Jerusalem, and faith brought them to Bethlehem. They packed some of their wealth to offer as gifts, left their country, traveled across countries to see this king. What do you think they expected? Their gifts were gold (gift for a king), frankincense (an incense - a gift for a deity) and myrrh (a spice used in the embalming process - a gift for someone who is going to die). They probably expected a king's court, a ruling family, people of power and position. They saw a young couple with their baby living in poverty.
What an unlikely king. But in faith, based on what little they must have known, they bowed down and worshipped Jesus as a baby - probably a toddler. We struggle with belief in Jesus, don't we? We know God has been good to us. He's been faithful to us in he past, but when some new struggle comes up, we are like the man whose boy suffered from seizures who looked to Jesus for healing and said, "I believe, help my unbelief."
- Jesus is worthy of our gifts. V. 11b. 1 Peter 4:10-11 Christians are given gifts for the benefit of the church body AND for the praise and glory of God.
We offer our gifts to serve each other - and to glorify God with what he's given us. The lights will be taken down, presents unwrapped, tree boxed up or thrown out. But what we have in Jesus Christ out lasts the seasons. He is worthy.
May we give Jesus our attention, our pursuit, our faith, our gifts.
For centuries, the church has celebrated our Savior's birth for 4 weeks. That celebration is called Advent, which means, Coming. It is a celebration if Jesus' first coming and anticipation of his second coming. We celebrate God's faithfulness to fulfill his promises to send to us a Rescuer, a Redeemer, a Savior. If you believe that Jesus really did come, that God was faithful to all his promises in the OT, then you believe that Jesus is coming again.
The first promise that God would send a Savior is found all the way back in Genesis 3:15 after Adam and Eve sinned and God cursed the serpent. And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head and you will strike his heel.
Throughout the Old Testament, God spoke to His people about this promise and gave them things to watch for in order to recognize the Savior’s coming. God revealed that The Messiah would be born in the line of David (Isa. 9:6-7), He would be from the tribe of Judah (Gen. 49:10) Born in the town of Bethlehem (Mic. 5:2). He would be a Man of Sorrows—crushed, despised and rejected—justifying many through what He suffered (Isa. 53). He would be a light overcoming darkness (Isa. 9:2), He would Good News to the poor (Isa. 61). He would walk in the power of the Spirit (Isa. 42:1).
God also reminded His people not to lose heart as they waited for him to come. God did not fulfill His promise right away. His people waited a long time. They spoke of the promised Rescuer from generation to generation, enduring cycles of war, rebellion, captivity and restoration. They watched and waited—anxiously, expectantly—for God’s faithfulness.
We can all identify with feeling hopeless, helpless and in desperate need of rescue. Especially the weight of sin, which is so heavy and inescapable. We see sin's power in violence, hate, selfishness. We know its effects—both our own sin and that of others. Our world is full of evidence that something is wrong and needs to be made right. The reason we celebrate Advent is because the story of the Garden doesn’t end with man’s rebellion—but with God's redemption.
Romans 5:6-8 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
The celebration of Advent is a celebration of the character of God. Christmas reveals to us Who God is what He is like.
God sees our suffering, hears our prayers and moves in compassion for us.
Psalm 34 When we suffer, we wonder, "does God see what is happening?" Advent reminds us that God does see. He knows our suffering.
God hears our prayers. Psalm 18:5-6
We all know, that when someone is suffering, seeing and hearing is not enough. When someone you love is suffering, you have to be there. You have to grieve with them, you have to share in their suffering.
I can sympathize with someone who is suffering, from the outside, looking in. I cannot say "I know what you're going through, how this feels, how this hurts." But when I have suffered what this person has suffered, I can empathize with them. I can say, "I know your suffering, I know your grief." God has entered our suffering.
God moves in compassion for his people.
Remember this promise from 2 Corinthians 4:
Your suffering, your trial, is meaningful because god is using it to prepare for you an eternal glory that will far outweigh it.
This morning God is telling you to trust him in the midst of suffering. We see in Advent the God who sees our suffering, He hears our prayers. And he moves in compassion on our behalf.
Galatians 6:6-18 We Will Reap a Harvest We have learned in Galatians what the gospel is and is not. The gospel is this: if you believe in Jesus Christ, then, by God's grace, your sins are forgiven, your relationship with your Creator is restored. God not only accepts you, He loves you as his son or daughter. He delights in you. Paul points out how easy it is to miss the truth of the gospel and up believing and practicing something that is false.
In our weakness, we tend to leave the summit of the gospel and slide down one of two slopes to something less than the gospel. First, we slide down to legalism where we act like we have to do more to make ourselves acceptable to God. I have to do these things, follow these rules, "be good" for God to love me. We act like Jesus' death is not enough on its own for God to love us.
Second, we can slide down the slope to licensure, where we be our own god and decide that we can ignore what God says about sex, greed, how we treat people.
Legalism and licensure both lead you back into chains and slavery. Legalism enslaves you with chains of performance, that you have to keep all the plates in your life to make you acceptable. Licensure enslaves you with chains of sin. Paul writes that believers in Jesus Christ are the only ones who are free. Galatians 5:1
The problem with both is they do not trust God.
Paul then moves in Galatians into a description of our new life in Christ. It is a life like no one else on the planet has because it is a life empowered by the Holy Spirit lifting in us, and changing us from the inside out to be more like Jesus. He says my old life died on the cross with Jesus and the new life I have is a new life based on faith, not sin and not religion. Galatians 2:20
Paul describes the new life in the Spirit. Life in the Spirit is a life of active love and concern for others, especially for the community of faith. It is a life of the Spirit's transforming us from the inside out to be more like Jesus. Galatians 6:2
Galatians 6:6-10 6. We should take care of those who teach us the word.
7-8. If you sow lustful thoughts, you will reap sexual immorality. If you sow anger and unforgiveness, you will reap bitterness.
I think our biggest problem is that we sow seeds of lazy attitudes toward God. We sow seeds of reading anything but the Bible, spending time with video games or social media or anything but spending time with God, but we cannot figure out why we're not maturing in our faith. Bewildered that our hearts are cold toward other people.
9-10. Out of a desire to enjoy your relationship with God. If you pray for 15 minutes a day, in a year, you'll pray for a year. If you read your Bible for 5 minutes a day, in a year, a slow reader will read half a million words. In a year and a half, you can read the whole Bible. Bigger than that. Take one line of the word and meditate on it each day - chew on it figure out what it means and how to live it out in your life. In a year 365 biblical points that you took from your mind to your heart and life.
Sow a thought, reap an act; sow an act, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character; sow a character, reap a destiny.
Put seeds in the ground. Contribute to tomorrow. You will reap a harvest (v. 10).
Galatians 6:11-18
Galatians 6:1-5 Bear One Another's Burdens
There is all the difference in the world between someone who has not settled I his heart where his identity and fullness comes from.
A follower of Jesus knows his identity. He has been accepted by the Father and adopted as his son or daughter She is united with Christ, indwelt by the Holy Spirit. At home, he sees his wife as a co-heir with him, not as someone who's sole role in life is to make him happy. Someone he can love freely, selflessly. He sees his children, not as the ultimate source of joy or disappointment, but as opportunities for him or her to pour their love and life into, to impart to them the wonder of God.
Paul continues in how we are to live the life of freedom that Jesus bought for us. It is a life that is walking in, led by, lived by, and keeps in step with the Spirit. It is a life that is free to love people selflessly; what God wanted for us all along.
Galatians 6:1-5 1. "Caught" - ensnared, entangled, has the idea of surprise. Wading in sin, now up to their neck and drowning. NOT hall monitor, looking for infractions of everyone around. But someone who sees a brother or sister who is in trouble.
When do we say something? Not just a bad day. We can become aware of scores of sinful acts, attitudes, disobedience. We say something when a sin is pervasive, when it's a pattern. Anger, lying, not loving toward people. Affecting their relationships. When they've given into sin. They may not even be aware of the problem.
How do we say something? Gently and in humility. The goal is restoring, not punishing. "Mending" a net. "Setting" a fractured bone. First, search your own heart for sin and make sure your motive is restoration.
Matthew 18:15–17 Jesus explains the process of church discipline.
- "Carry each other's burdens" - heavy weight or stone carried a long distance. All Christians have burdens and God never intended for us to carry them on our own. We all have things that are crushing weights - spiritual, financial, relational, kid problems, sickness, grief, depression... We are not meant to live in isolation, struggling on our own.
We miss this in two ways: 1) Pride - I don't need help from anyone else. 2) Self-centeredness - someone should be carrying my burden. Neither is acting in love or concern for others.
"Fulfill the law of Christ" - this is the principle that God intended all along. It was modeled to us by Jesus. He knew he was to in to be killed and he washed the disciples' feet.
You guys help with meals, visits, rides, give financially, help with children, visit and pray for the sick. Continue to grow in this demonstrated love of Jesus.
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There is no room for superiority in the church.
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"Test" used of fiery test of gold. Uses an external standard. Measure yourself. "Am I growing in love and concern for people?" NOT to compare yourself to someone else, but to compare your heart and life to the Scriptures, to Jesus' life.
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Each should carry his own "load". Not like the burden or weight in v. 2. "Load" is used of a ship's cargo or a soldier's pack.
We have all been given areas of responsibility - opportunities to grow in this salvation. People to love and care for. People to share the gospel with. No one can do that for you.
First Corinthians 3:10–15
Galatians 5:16-26 Live in the Spirit 16. Paul used four verbs to designate the Spirit-controlled life of the believer, to walk in the Spirit (v. 16), to be led by the Spirit (v. 18), to live by the Spirit (v. 25a), and to keep in step with the Spirit (v. 25b).
He says if you follow the Holy Spirit, you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. The flesh refers to the areas of your heart, life, and mind that still desire the things that are contrary to the character of God. (vs 19-21)
- The flesh and the Spirit are two warring forces within us, in mortal combat. Do you feel your heart war against what God wants for you? Wrong attitude toward someone - jealousy, bitterness, lust? Do you sense your mind warring against what God wants for you? Justifying your anger, making little of your lust, giving yourself a pass on those sins you want to think are insignificant?
You know how strong your flesh is. The Spirit is greater. He is God alive and at work within you, changing you from the inside out to be more Christ-like.
- The law is external and exposes our actions. The Spirit reveals hearts & motives.
The Spirit Who set us free from bondage to both the Law and to sin empowers us to fulfill the intent of the Law.
Romans 8:3-4 Ways to walk in the Spirit
- Acts of the sinful nature vs. the fruit of the Spirit in vs 22-23. Sexual sins: these 3 have sexual connotation: immorality, impurity, and debauchery. Our society is obsessed with sex, especially with regard to removing boundaries. Sex is powerful, but it cannot stand on its own. God created sex, and then framed it for greatest intimacy. Sex had a weight to it that, outside of the frame that God created, crushes men and women and whole societies.
But when a man gives himself fully to his wife, commits to be with and stay with her forever because he made a covenant promise to her before God. When he says, "I'm not going anywhere" in rich or poor, sick or health - you'll probably have all of that.
When you stay together through good times and tough times, you find out that you were wrong about love. We thought the greatest emotion was in the beginning, that the strongest feelings ebb over time. What you find out is that the deepest emotion, the greatest intimacy, the most meaningful friendship grow as you stay together.
There is greater intimacy, friendship, and togetherness in a committed marriage than in all the promiscuous relationships the world can ever offer.
False worship: idolatry and witchcraft.
Sinful attitudes: "…enmity, strife, jealousy…" Enmity is ill will or hostility. Strife is arguing, quarreling. Jealousy - we all know - wanting something someone else has instead of being happy for them.
Next attitudes and actions: rage, selfish ambition, dissentions, factions and envy. Sinful attitudes lead to sinful actions.
Addictions: drunkenness and orgies
Those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. If you give yourself over to something other than Jesus Christ to find fullness, purpose, rescue, you will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22-23. The fruit of the Spirit - the transforming that the Spirit does in a follower of Jesus.
So the flesh has a broken view of sex, a wrong focus in worship, sinful attitudes and actions, addictions to dull pain. The Spirit of Jesus offers love, joy, peace, patience...
How do you crucify the flesh? 1. You turn your eyes upon Jesus. 2. Build defenses against your struggle (accountability, confession, counseling) 3. Pray for revelation of and healing for your heart's condition.
Galatians 5:1-15 Freedom! Galatians 5:1 We were either enslaved to some vain pursuit of sin that could never deliver what it promised or we were imprisoned to a religion in which we were never good enough and could never do enough. Paul says both of those things are chains, prison, enslavement. But Christ, for freedom, set us free.
So, "stand firm and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." Stand firm in the faith that your acceptance by God was fully earned by Jesus. Stand firm in the faith that God declares you righteous and desires you and adopts you as his son or daughter and delights in you as you are today.
Stand firm in the faith that rescued you from slavery to lust or greed or chemicals. That you thought could help you cope or escape, but were a prison.
If you will take the time to meditate on the fact that through Jesus you have been declared righteous before God and that He delights in you, it will change your whole life.
Galatians 5:2-6 2. Dependence upon keeping the Law leads to devaluing the sacrifice of Jesus.
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If you want to be circumcised, you must keep the whole Law. In legalism, you can never do enough. That's the point of the OT law. You and I cannot be good enough, so it chases us to Jesus Christ.
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Legalism draws you away from Jesus and from grace.
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Our faith is a confidence that we will stand before God declared righteous. This faith is generated by and sustained by the presence of the Spirit in us.
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Doesn't matter if your circumcised/uncircumcised, raised in/out of church.
"The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love." In legalism I'm always comparing myself to other people. Am I'm farther along in my walk than they are? Am I'm walking in greater holiness than they do? Do I don't do the sinful things they do? Do I don't make the bad decisions they do? Stop! You're acting like a jealous sibling trying to outdo your brother or sister for dad's attention. That's where legalism leads you. It makes it all about your own ability. It's all about you! That's not Christianity. Legalism leads to comparison and condemnation of others; Christian faith shows genuine concern for other people. "The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love."
What does true faith in Jesus look like? It is an active love for other people.
Our eyes see differently in faith. Instead of looking at other people for comparison, "I'm not like them." Judging. We see people whom we can serve, "how can I help them, encourage them?"
Legalism grows more impatient and judgmental of people. Christian faith grows in an active demonstration of Christ's love for other people.
Galatians 5:7-12 Paul attacks the Judaizers here. They are causing the Galatians to stumble, infecting true faith with legalism. They will be judged. 11. Paul is defending himself, maybe to having Timothy circumcised (Acts 16)
Galatians 5:13-15 Now Paul addresses the idiotic argument. If we don't have to do anything but have faith in Jesus, not keeping to some religious morality, then people can do anything they want. We have been set free from the chains of legalism and sin - why would we go back to either prison? "Do not indulge in the sinful nature, rather serve one another in love."
In legalism, we compare ourselves to others, look down on others who we judge as not as far along as we are or look to people who are farther along than we are and hope that they stumble. Paul says, "Real faith in Jesus seeks to serve people in love."
Now he says the ditch on the other side of the road is licensure - where I do whatever I want, with no concern for other people, just my own selfish, sinful desire. Paul says, "Real faith in Jesus seeks to serve people in love."
A genuine faith in Jesus changes our hearts from self-centered self-righteousness and selfish sinfulness to genuine concern for people.
Galatians 4:21-31 - Adoption Paul has pointed out the idiocy of exchanging the gospel for the law.
- "Under the Law" The NT says those who follow Jesus will fulfill the Law.
Galatians 5:14
"Under the Law" refers to people who follow the OT Law to have right standing with God, to be accepted by God, to receive God's approval, his blessing.
22-23. Hagar and Sarah - Abraham God comes to Abram and says in Genesis, 12, "I'm going to bless all nations through your offspring (singular)." That is in reference to Jesus Christ. "I'm going to make your offspring (plural) like the stars in the skies, like the sand on the beach. You are going to be a nation."
Abraham is old, his wife is old and has been barren her whole life, but he believes and he goes and tells Sarah. She laughs. Gen 16 - After years of waiting for the promise, Sarah loses hope and gives her maidservant, Hagar, to Abraham. Not an uncommon practice. Not a wise practice. Abraham foolishly accepts. Hagar is pregnant and gives birth to a son (Ishmael), and then, finally, (Gen 21) Sarah gets pregnant and gives birth to a son (Isaac).
Hagar was a slave woman, her son was born "in the flesh". Sarah was a free woman, her son was the result of God's promise.
Paul's point: he is going to relate this to our being made right (justified). You can't; God can.
- These may be taken figuratively. The Bible has historic, poetic, prophetic writing, but there is very little allegory - stories that are not true, they have a moral lesson. That's not what the Bible is. The OT and NT are true historic fact. The problem with reading the Bible as all allegory, you miss the miraculous work of God. We need to know that God works miraculously in the messed up lives of his people. Paul makes the same point about Hagar and Sarah. Ishmael was born by human decisions, power, design, by a younger a fertile woman. Isaac's birth was a miracle, an act of God being faithful to his promise.
25-26 Hagar: a slave, son born in the flesh, represents the old covenant and present Jerusalem. Sarah: a free woman, son born as a result of God's promise, represents the new covenant and the heavenly Jerusalem to come.
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Quote from Isaiah 54:1
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"You are children of the promise" This is the beautiful work of God's adoption of us as his sons and daughters.
Here's the invitation: believe in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus and his suffering on the cross paid the debt of your sin, you can walk out of this place changed - forever.
The invitation is this…"Do you want to be a slave or do you want to be a son?"
The desire of God is to pull you out of slavery to being a son or daughter. Many of us get caught up in this trap of trying to please God, to modify our behavior, thinking hat will make us acceptable to him. That's the line of Hagar, that's slavery.
You cannot have intimacy with God when you see him as a master who must be pleased. What really changes in the NT and what really deepens your desire for God is this: He wants you as his son or daughter. He delights in you.
Do you know why you have no desire to grow closer to God? Why is it such a struggle to pray and engage with God and his word? You work and worry and wonder, "what is enough?" Jesus is enough.
Take joy in your adoption. Rest in Jesus' finished work. Let it fuel your desire for greater intimacy with God.
Romans 8:14-15
29-31. Get rid of the slave woman.
But many of us struggle to see God as Abba, Dad. You don't want to hang out with a judge. Don't want to play ball or see a movie. But you want to hang with dad, go camp with dad, see a movie with dad. We all long for a relationship with dad. Seeing God as dad changes everything.
Psalm 73:25-26
Psalm 16:11
Galatians 4:8-11 8. "At that time". Paul is going back to before they were converted. 9. Now you know God - rather he knows you. Paul attacks over and again any idea that they have saved themselves. Paul bashes self-righteousness relentlessly in this letter. God found you - you did not find him.
Demons are real and they actively work to draw people away from God.
How can you, after knowing God, go back to false gods and demons? You were slaves. You offered what they demanded, but it was never enough. They were never satisfied. They could never deliver. Idols are terrible masters.
- Paul refers to Jewish observances.
- And then says I fear I've wasted my effort on you.
Some Christians see this verse as a prohibition against any special observances - including Christmas and Easter. The Pilgrims refused to celebrate Christmas. it was a workday. Paul, saw special days as neither mandatory nor inherently bad.
Romans 14:5–6
Two people can celebrate a special day or service or act and have two totally different outcomes: You can see it as doing something to earn God's favor and it is enslavement to demonic forces - it has me at the center. It is self-righteous and self-glorifying. Or, you can see it as an opportunity to worship God, to take in the beauty of Christ, to grow as a follower of Christ.
Any act of worship that has anything other than God at the center, is demonically inspired. Idolatry has replaced God with an idol at the center. Legalism has replaced God with me at the center.
How do we know if we are "in step with gospel," or enslaved to a false religion that has not hope of transforming us and not lead us into a deeper relationship with Christ?
Paul is about to tell you how you can tell the difference in who you're following, and what might be going on in your heart that would reveal where you are with Jesus.
Galatians 4:12-16 12. "Brothers" from "fools". Paul loves these people and hates where they're going - backwards from freedom in Christ to slavery by idols, empowered by demons.
Become like me... Follow me as I follow Christ... Paul was a slave under Law. It didn't work. He says, come to freedom, follow me to Jesus.
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Illness - Paul had some illness that could have made him a burden, but the Galatians showed him unusual kindness.
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It was a trial - painful to see, maybe contagious. Maybe disease of the eye???
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What happened to your joy? One of the ways to know if you're walking in relationship with Christ, there's joy. Not happy all the time. Not ridiculous, my dog just died, but I won't stop smiling.
Paul lays out differences between this false gospel and the truth.
Galatians 4:17-20 17. "Those people" - false teachers. Want to win you over - tell you what you want to hear, make you happy. One of the ways to know you might me enslaved to a religion that honors the demonic instead of Christ. You want your ears tickled. The reality is we all have difficulties in our lives - our own weaknesses, crushing financial situations, wayward children, sick loved ones, marriage struggles.
The beauty of the gospel of Jesus Christ is not that when you come to Christ that everything goes like you want it to go.
The beauty of the gospel of Jesus Christ is that we get God, regardless of circumstance, and he'll be enough. - Matt Chandler
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The motivation behind the false teachers was that they might have a following.
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Paul is in anguish over them until Christ is formed in them.
People who have a heart that has been captivated by the gospel are about Jesus. They want to know Jesus. Paul wants them to know Jesus, follow Jesus, be captivated by Jesus, worship Jesus, make much of Jesus.
The false teacher says, "make much of me." The religious man enslaved to idols says, "do this for me." The man captivated by Jesus says, "it's all about you, Lord Jesus."
Galatians 3:15-4:7 - The Gospel of Grace Last time:True children of Abraham, come through faith, not by observing the Law (6-9) This week: What, then, is the function of the Law? (10-14)
If the Law does not qualify a child of Abraham, then what is the purpose of the Law?
The Mosaic Law was for a specific time and purpose, but was never intended to fulfill God's promise to Abraham. The Law came after the promise to Abraham (15-18) The Law came earlier than the fulfillment of the promise (19-25)
Galatians 3:15-18 16. Covenants cannot be set aside or added to. 17. The promise to Abraham was to his "seed" - Jesus Christ, the true son of Abraham. Jesus was the true son biologically (like the Israelites - and others), in perfect faith, and as the recipient of God's promises. The Law came 430 years after God's promises to Abraham and therefore, cannot nullify the promise. The Law prepared the way for the fulfillment of the promise in the coming of Jesus. 18. God's promises to Abraham were given in grace, so you cannot receive the promises through the Law, which demands specific behavior (works).
Galatians 3:19-25 19. The Law was for a specific time. God had made a promise to Abraham that would not be fulfilled until Christ came. The Law was put into effect between the giving and the fulfillment of the promise.
- The Law was subordinate to Christ's fulfillment: it was added (19), intended to restrain sin and to bring it to light (Romans 3:19-20), it was mediated mediated by angels
21-22. Is the Law opposed to the promise? No, but cannot make you right before God. "The whole world is a prisoner of sin." So that the gift of Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
23-24. Before Jesus, the Law held us as prisoners. The Law was put in charge to lead us to Christ (paidagōgos). A guardian/tutor/guide of boys. Greeks and Romans had trustworthy slaves who were charged with the duty of supervising the life and morals of boys.
- Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the guardian/tutor/guide.
Application: people may see Christianity as a negative, restraining burden. But the opposite is true. Christians are the only people on earth who are free. Everyone outside of Christ is a prisoner of sin or legalism. In Christ, we are free from sin and from the burden of righteousness through works.
Galatians 3:26-29 True sonship 26. If you have faith in Jesus Christ, you are sons of God. You are sons (and daughters) of God's promises (like blessings bestowed on the eldest son) and inheritance.
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Baptized and clothed with Christ. Roman society, when a boy reached the age of manhood, he would remove his childhood robe and put on a toga. It signified his becoming a man and a citizen of Rome. Baptism and clothing demonstrates a change of identity (standing), maturing (from Law to faith), and cleansing.
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Christ covers and removes the divide between Jews and Gentiles, slave and free. We are all one in Christ.
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Faith in Christ makes you a recipient of the promises to Abraham.
Galatians 4:1-7 4:1-2. A child is not much different than a slave - except that he will inherit the estate.
- We were all in slavery under the basic principles - seems that Paul is saying the Gentiles were subject to ceremonialism, similar to the Jews - or that they were under the power of demonic forces.
4-5. Jesus subjected himself to the Law to liberate us and make us sons.
6-7. Since we have received the Spirit of God's Son, our hearts are conscious that God is our Father and we are full heirs.
We were once slaves, outside of God's grace. Now, through faith in Jesus Christ, we are sons of God. Adopted into His family and recipients of freedom from the Law and legalism, the promises of God, the inheritance of Jesus Christ, and the gift of the Holy Spirit living in us.
Galatians 3:1-14 Redeemed
Galatians 2:20 The crucifixion of Jesus is the open display of my own wickedness. Like a look in the mirror - we are afraid to look, but this is the result my sin This is the curse that I deserved. The cross is the end of my arrogant self-reliance. My arrogant thoughts that I was really not far from God are undone. We cannot say, "my sin isn't so bad." My sin deserved a curse that I could not bear. Jesus bore the curse for me
Righteousness comes through faith, not observance of the Law, and is the mark of a true child of Abraham.
Galatians 3:1-5 Paul asks 6 questions that demonstrate a contrast: observing the Law versus believing what they heard, the gospel message: salvation is by grace through faith
Two systems The works of the Law. The works of faith. Flesh. Spirit, Promise Slavery. Freedom, Sonship, Inheritance Sin. Righteousness Death. Life
The Galatians' turning to the Law denied the value of Christ's death
To be a child of Abraham, you must come through faith, not by observing the Law (6-9) What, then, is the function of the Law? (10-14)
Galatians 3:6-9 Paul quotes Ge 15:6 6-7. God credited Abraham with righteousness because he believed; so true children of Abraham are those who believe as he did.
8-9. The significance of Abraham's life for Gentiles - All nations will be blessed through you (Ge 18:18) It is as though Paul's gospel of freedom was preached long before the coming of Christ.
"Those who have faith are blessed." - the blessing of Abraham - that he was blessed by God - favored by God, "graced" by God - is inherited by people who have faith in Jesus, the true seed of Abraham.
The Holy Spirit is the substance of the promise to Abraham and the supreme blessing of Christ's redemption. - A.B. Simpson
Galatians 3:10-14 10. What was the problem with the Law?
Dt 27:26 Places a curse on everyone who does not fully perform the works of the law - curses instead of justifies.
Since no one can fully keep the Law, the Law can only condemn.
Is the Law bad? Paul answers that question later, but no, the Law is good. It showed people how to relate to God, to each other and how to be set apart as God's people.
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The righteous will live by faith. (Hab 2:4) It is the theme on which the letter to the Romans was built.
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Lev 18:5 is lit., "The law is not based on faith.
13-14. Dt 21:23 Anticipates the curse-bearing work of Christ.
Christ delivered us from the curse by his death and brought the promise of Abraham to us through the Spirit.
We were under a curse because of our sin. When we see Jesus upon the cross, we see the curse that we deserved. We are freed from the curse when we accept Jesus' death on our behalf.
We are favored, graced, blessed by God because of the work of Jesus Christ. We have been adopted into the family of Abraham and have received God's promises, his blessing, and his inheritance.
Galatians 2:20-21 The Gospel of Grace
This week we remembered 14 years ago when we experienced the worst act of terror on American soil. Nearly 3,000 people died that day. 343 firefighters, 60 police officers, 2 paramedics. The rest were workers, commuters, tourists, residents, children. We honor their memory. We honor our soldiers who serve to put an end to wicked mens schemes. We refuse to let ourselves forget those wicked acts. We remember those we have lost.
We are horrified, unsettled, even angry that innocent people who were just going to work or traveling to see loved ones or trying to help protect people and save lives were brutally murdered.
Galatians 2:20-21
What does it mean to be crucified with Christ? One of the most shocking things about Jesus is his death. The cross was humiliating, brutal, torturous, gruesome. The contrast between his goodness and his profound suffering shakes you to your core.
First, the crucifixion of Jesus is the open display of my own wickedness. Second, the cross is the end of my arrogant self-reliance. When I look at the cross and see Jesus' suffering, I am undone. My old proud self that loves to think of myself as good enough to be acceptable to God - that old self dies there at the foot of the cross.
All of us like to think of ourselves as good people, just "that far" from God. But the cross is a demonstration of how far we have fallen. When Christ died, I died.
What's left then if I died? "Christ lives in me." Christ remains. He lives and has taken over where my pride and my self-directed life ended. This is what Christianity is. Not just believing in your head the things of the Bible. A Christian has had her pillar of pride toppled, his heart of stone crushed, his arrogant spirit has been broken. His life is now under a new master. "I no longer live, but Christ lives in me."
The new "I" that lives doesn't crave self-reliance, self-direction, or self-exaltation. The new "I" looks away from self and toward Christ. Look to Christ for direction, for courage, for motivation, for acceptance and power to walk in joy and peace and righteousness. Paul contrasts how he was once focused on fulfilling the law in every area of his life, but now the aim, meaning and guiding principle of his life is Christ.
Point of application: That old self needs to be reminded regularly that it's been crucified. When you're selfish, afraid, arrogant, remind that old self that it was crucified with Christ. There is a new man of the house, Jesus Christ lives in me.
I need to be reminded that I have new life in Christ. I no longer live - but Christ lives in me.
Faith in the "Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me."
Jesus gave himself on the cross as an offering for you and me. Roman rulers sentenced him. Jewish leaders opposed him. Soldiers beat, mocked and crucified him. But it was Jesus' love for you and me that compelled him to the cross.
Application: 1 Timothy 1:12-17
Paul: blasphemer, persecutor, insolent opponent of Jesus, ignorant, unbelieving Received: mercy, grace, faith and love I am the chief of sinners, yet God showed me mercy, grace, and love.
We can have a hard time believing or receiving God's love. Christ gave himself for you because he loves you.
We, like Paul, can say, "Jesus loves even me and gave himself for me."
Galatians 2:11-21 No other gospel Galatians 2:11-14 Peter went to Antioch, which consisted mostly of Gentile Christians. Jerusalem council resulted in accepting Gentile believers as fellow Christians, but allowed for the distinctions to continue. What happened, when Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians ate together?
If a Christian Jew ate with a gentile! he would be in danger of violating ceremonial food laws. But If he refused to eat with them, that would undermine the principle that Gentiles should be fully accepted as part of God's family. The matter had been left to the conscience of the individual.
In Antioch, they all ate together, Christian Jew and Gentile together at the table. Peter joined in the fellowship with the Gentiles.
Some men, identified as "from James" - don't know if they were sent by James, Jesus brother and leader of the church in Jerusalem, or if they claimed to be. They are also referred to as the "circumcision group". In Acts 15, there was a group of Christians who were Pharisees who demanded that the Gentiles be circumcised. They came to Antioch, Peter withdrew from the Gentiles. Peter was a leader, his withdrawal made it seem that Gentile Christians could not be fully accepted as part of God's people.
Hypocrisy - acting differently around different people. Why did Peter withdraw from the Gentile believers? He was afraid of what they would think about him - maybe afraid that his behavior would spark trouble within the Jerusalem church.
Application: we all tend to act differently around different people. Our speech may be different, the words we use and the things we talk about. But God calls us to integrity - to be consistent regardless of who we're around. There may be times that we have to walk away from a conversation so as not to take part in it - in gossip, or talking behind someone's back. Walk away or change the direction of the conversation.
That's what happens in middle school - kids build a clique and ostracize other kids. Sometimes adults continue that practice - obviously wrong and sinful.
The other side of the coin is that we all want people to think highly of us. We might put on a face, or speech that we think they want to hear.
Proverbs 29:25
We all want to fit in, be part of a group, but the we are warned not to seek acceptance from people, but from God. Seeking acceptance from people is a snare ( a noose to trap animals, or a ring in a bulls nose to lead it around). Seeking acceptance from people will lead you where you don't want to go.
It's also a trap because being accepted by people is never enough. It will always leave you wanting, you will never be satisfied with it because your soul was built with the need to be accepted by your Creator. If you find your acceptance by Him, other seeking acceptance by people becomes less important - and you can be free of it.
Paul rebuked Peter publicly because his behavior violated a key principle of the Christian faith: A man is justified not by observing the law, but by faith in a Jesus Christ. When Peter and the others came to Christ, they acknowledged that.
Galatians 2:15-21 Paul's closing argument: 1. Jewish Law cannot make anyone right with God (15-16) 2. It is not a sin to not follow Jewish observances (17-18) 3. The Law leads to Christ, not further into legalism (19) 4. We are united with Christ in his death (to self) and new life (20-21)
Paul's argument: The Judaizers say the law can make you right with God, no need for God's grace. The gospel says we are made right with God by his grace given to us in the death of Jesus.
I was crucified with Christ, now Christ lives in me.
Our old self - sinful, selfish, idol-worshipping - died and needs to die. My new self is Christ alive in me.
Old self - old speech, old seeking acceptance by people needs to die. My new life with Christ changes my speech and my sense of acceptance. (Proverbs 11:12 ESV) (Proverbs 12:18 ESV)
Galatians 2:1-21 - No Other Gospel
Can you imagine people at one time learning the gospel and later leaving it? Can you imagine people at one time responding to the simple message that you can receive God's grace and forgiveness if you believe in Jesus Christ and then changing their mind and as if Jesus' death and resurrection weren't enough?
That's what was happening in the churches in Galatia. Paul had traveled there and then false teachers came in and confused the Christians there into thinking that they had to add Jewish Law to their faith or they wouldn't be acceptable to God.
It still happens today. There are religious groups today that mainline Christianity calls cults because they say you are saved by grace, but they add requirement upon requirement if you really want to be saved.
Then there are seemingly mainline churches that have added their own flavor of legalism. Some are charismatic, some are fundamental, and everything in between.
False religions: Christianity: Low view (not serious) SIN THE problem Low view (unneeded) JESUS' WORK THE remedy Low view (not God) JESUS IS GOD High view (sufficient) MAN'S ABILITY Reliant upon God Human effort > GOD'S GRACE > All my effort
These false teachers must have attacked Paul's credibility too, because he spends time defending his own ministry - specifically the gospel he presented.
Paul's defense: 1. Paul received his message directly from Christ (1:12) 2. He was called to this ministry by God (1:15-16) 3. He was not taught this message by anyone else (1:17-22)
Galatians 2:1-10 Paul seems to be responding to someone who is accusing him of preaching a "watered down" gospel to let Gentiles in. His critics must have tried to discredit him as a lesser teacher who had to go to the Big Three - Peter, James and John - to have his message validated.
What's described here is probably the Jerusalem council from Acts 15, but may have been a different time.
Paul's points of his trip to Jerusalem: 1. Paul went to Jerusalem by divine revelation (not human invitation) (1-2) 2. False brothers tried to undermine the freedom the gospel provides (3-5) 3. Paul' ministry and message were recognized as from God (7-9)
The language in this section is broken and abrupt. Paul seems to show some distress in recounting this event. It must have been a tense time. Paul must have been concerned that the church in Jerusalem might make the wrong decision and destroy the ministry to the Gentiles.
Regardless, he went and defended the simplicity and the purity of the gospel. Salvation is by grace, through faith.
V. 10 All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor. Not in odds with what Paul taught, this was not to earn God's favor, or to be self-righteous. Caring for others is a natural response to the gospel. God did for me what I could not do for myself. I will do for someone what they cannot do for themselves.
Galatians 2:11-14 Peter went to Antioch, which consisted mostly of Gentile Christians. Jerusalem council resulted in accepting Gentile believers as fellow Christians, but allowed for the distinctions to continue. What happened, when Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians ate together? In Antioch, they all ate together. When some Jewish men came to Antioch, Peter withdrew from the Gentiles. Peter was a leader, his withdrawal made it seem that Gentile Christians could not be fully accepted as part of God's people.
Galatians 2:15-21 Paul's points:
Paul's closing argument 1. Jewish Law cannot make anyone right with God (15-16) 2. It is not a sin to not follow Jewish observances (17-18) 3. The Law leads to Christ, not further into legalism (19) 4. We are united with Christ in his death (to self) and new life (20-21)
Galatians - 1:11-24 - No Other Gospel
Galatia, a Roman province in modern-day central Turkey. Paul visited cities there on his 1st missionary journey (46-48 A.D.) with Barnabas. (See Acts 13-14.) Paul's letter to the Galatians was written as early as 49 A.D. Or as late as mid-50s A.D. At that time, the church consisted almost exclusively Jewish converts. But Paul's ministry was primarily to lead Gentiles to Christ. Some Jews conspired against Paul & followed him from city to city to try to force Gentile converts to follow OT Law.
These Judaizers were saying that Jesus was not enough; they wanted to add circumcision and OT legalism. Paul said if you do that you are deserting Jesus and turning to a false gospel. Paul will declare that Christians are set free from OT law and the power of sin. The letter to the Galatians has been called the charter of Christian freedom.
Jesus + nothing = EVERYTHING
Galatians 1:11-12 Paul's thesis statement through the end of the chapter.
The message that Paul preached to them about Jesus was not man-made. "No one gave nor taught it to me." I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ (as the source). Or, may mean, Jesus himself was revealed to Paul.
If man had made up a gospel, it would have been man-centered and -glorifying. The gospel is God-centered and God-glorifying. It shows God being divine - unconditionally, unrelentingly loving us and willingly sacrificing himself for us.
God is the Gospel - in love, He gave the gift of Himself - John Piper
Paul's case: the gospel he preached was from Christ alone. vv. 13-14 Paul before conversion vv. 15-16a The revelation of Jesus to Paul vv. 16b-24 After Paul's conversion
Paul will show that only Jesus influenced the message of his preaching, specifically not the apostles in Jerusalem.
vv. 13-14. Paul was committed to annihilating the church. Paul was committed to Judaism and to being a Pharisee. "Traditions of my fathers" is probably reference to the "oral law". Added to the teachings of Judaism extensive rules that set the Pharisees apart. vv. 15-16a Paul quotes from Jeremiah, OT prophet called by God. Paul likely saw his ministry as comparable to Jeremiah's - and even a culmination f the prophet's work.
If God set Paul apart at birth for this ministry of taking the gospel to the Gentiles,
Paul's former life was lived in opposition to God’s will, he still claims that his entire life is part of the sovereign plan of God. Paul's former life did not overcome God's calling on his life.
The gospel is "greater than all our sin."
Notice: who is the subject of Paul's life before his conversion? I persecuted… tried to destroy… I was advancing… and was extremely zealous.
Who is the subject of Paul's life after his conversion? God, who set me apart... called... was pleased... revealed his son.
There is a change of focus and a change of leadership in the life of a believer. All people tend to think of themselves first and foremost, but to believers, God has shown a better way. Jesus calls and says "let me lead you, let me take charge of your life." The wise man says, "Lord, you know better than me." Our worst regrets were when we knew we should listen to God but didn't. We have all learned when I am at my best is when I am in obedience to The Lord.
The gospel is greater than any other calling.
Galatians 1:16b-24 After his conversion he went to Arabia for 3 years, consulting no one. He traveled to Jerusalem, stayed with Peter 15 days and saw James, Jesus' brother Then to Syria and Cilicia, north of Judea - not near the other apostles.
Vv. 23-24 The revelation of Jesus changed Paul's life 180 degrees. The gospel alone has the power to change your life
Galatians - Part 1 - No Other Gospel
Paul had visited cities in Galatia - a Roman province in modern central Turkey on his first missionary journey. 46-48 a.d. with Barnabas (initially John Mark). In Acts 13-14. (Map) sent from Syrian Antioch through Cyprus into Galatia. The church was almost exclusively made of a Jewish converts. Peter had led Cornelius, a Roman centurion to faith. Paul and Barnabas led primarily Gentiles to Christ. Some Jews were jealous and conspired against them - even followed them from city to city to oppose them. Paul was even stoned in Lystra, but may have been brought back to life when believers surrounded his body.
Scholars think Galatians was written by Paul either right after he returned to Syrian Antioch around 49 a.d. Or in the mid-50s a.d. While he was in Ephesus on his 3rd missionary journey.
Regardless, the issues that Paul deals with have to do with what is happening in the church at he time. They did not understand how Gentiles could be part of the kingdom of God. There are Jews who have come after Paul who are telling Christian Gentiles that they have to become Jews - especially be circumcised.
This letter answers the question How does the OT Law apply to Christians? It is also a letter focusing on the freedom that we have in Christ. The letter to the Galatians has been called the charter of Christian freedom. Paul will declare that Christians have been set free from the OT law and the power of sin. Theme of Galatians: "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free." (5:1a)
Galatians 1:1-2 Paul immediately says he was sent to them by God, not men. Paul has to defend himself as some people were saying he was not a legitimate apostle, did not present a legitimate teaching.
The greeting is unusual. In other letters, Paul usually calls his recipients "saints". Here, he just says, "to the churches."
Galatians 1:3-5 Grace and peace - a beautiful greeting - that is what we received in Jesus.
Jesus gave himself - stresses Jesus sacrificing himself - later Paul will say, you are alienating yourself from Jesus - the one who sacrificed himself for you.
Galatians 1:6-10
Paul's letters then usually included a thanksgiving for his recipients. Not to the Galatians, but a rebuke.
I am astonished you are deserting (the word was used for military desertion) the one who called you. You cannot walk away from Jesus. There are two ways to walk away from Jesus: in sin or in legalism. You cannot take the free gift he gave you and say, "I need to do more to be saved. I need to do more to gain God's favor. I need to add to this grace I received to be acceptable to God."
Paul says, "NO!" There is no other gospel - this is the only one. You are saved by the grace of God simply through faith in Jesus Christ.
Jesus + nothing = EVERYTHING
They were twisting the gospel into a religion. They said you need Jesus plus circumcision, plus Jewish law.
v. 6. Back at v. 6 - Paul says, you're not just guilty of some intellectual desertion from theology. Their action is intensely personal: they are abandoning the one who graciously called them to himself.
They were separating themselves from both grace and from the person of Jesus.
v. 7. Paul says, "that's not the gospel, not at all.
vv. 8-9. Eternal condemnation - a cures for anyone who preaches a false gospel.
Set Apart - Redemption What makes the Christians different from the rest of the world? Those same things make the church unique - and irresistible.
1 Peter 1:1-2 "God's elect, strangers in the world"
Video: Christ is the answer to the wicked heart http://www.exploregod.com/is-the-world-better-without-christianity-video "When I think of a world without Christianity, I think of us completely left to our own. " "He's the answer to the wickedness that is in our own hearts."
We all have a sense that there is something wrong in us. Even as children we recognize that we struggle to do the right thing. We do something wrong. And then, when a parent or teacher caught, we lied and claimed we did nothing wrong to try to get away with it.
As adults, we begin to see that the sickness in us actually hurts other people. Men and women - dating or married - hurt each other with careless words. We find that we keep making selfish decisions - even when it hurts someone else.
We all have a sense that there's not only something wrong in the world, but there's something wrong with us.
As Christians, we have from the Bible, an understanding of what is wrong. Our hearts are sick. Our minds have been corrupted. Our desires are twisted. Jeremiah wrote about the sin of Israel. He said in chapter 1 about the sins of his people:
Jeremiah17:1 “Judah’s sin is engraved with an iron tool, inscribed with a flint point, on the tablets of their hearts...
He is saying two things: 1) Sin is a permanent mark on people's hearts. 2) Sin affects people's desire and decisions.
Jeremiah 17:9 "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?"
The "heart" refers to the person as a whole - their mind (thinking) and will (desire). It is their rational and emotional make up. Our hearts deceive - even us. We cannot understand ourselves. Why do we do wrong when we want to do right? Why do we do nothing instead of what's right?
We are sick with a disease that affects our ability to think. It affects the way that we feel about things - and we cannot even understand it. How can we fix it? We can't. We are unable to even diagnose our problem.
But we have a God Who searches the depths of our hearts.
Jeremiah 17:10a “I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind”
God is the searcher of hearts. He searches thoroughly, digging through, examining our hearts. When we cannot understand ourselves, our own motives, why we cannot stop being selfish, failing to do what we know is right, The Lord knows. He knows us better than we do ourselves. He is the searcher of hearts.
How does that help? I know something's wrong. I need something done about it. Where is there hope for change? Where can my mistakes be undone? How can I be redeemed? Does the world have an answer?
Jeremiah 17:14 "Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise."
Only in Christ do we find healing for the sickness of our sin. Only he can search our hearts and heal them.
Jeremiah 31:33-34 “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the LORD. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the LORD,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the LORD. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”
Only in Christ do we find redemption.
What makes the church different - and irresistible? God has set a people apart for himself and for his purposes from OT to NT.
Paul wrote to Christians in Corinth, how to live a an uncommon, set apart life in the midst of a pagan world. How God wants us at Calvary to live uncommon, set apart lives that would point people to Christ.
Corinth was a divided church. They argued and built factions and differing camps on worship order, the pecking order of spiritual gifts, immorality and Christian freedom.
Paul wrote to them to help them be a community of believers, ministering together for the good of the church and for the honor of Jesus Christ. In their infighting and building separate camps, Paul wrote...
I Corinthians 12:31b And now I will show you the most excellent way.
The world is full of politicking, arguments, building walls to separate, trying to outdo each other in arguments - the path of power. But Paul said, I will show you a better, more excellent way: the way of love.
1 Corinthians 13:1-3
If you choose the way of the world - arguments and factions - your arguments will be hollow, empty, annoying. Even if you have all wisdom, if you cannot express it in love, you are nothing. If you give everything and then forfeit your life as a martyr, but did not do it in love, all of it gains nothing.
Love has a way of making what you say authentic. Love has a way of making your beliefs penetrating. Love has a way of making your sacrifices inspiring.
Peggy Noonan, columnist for the Wall Street Journal on the shooting of 9 people at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church In Charleston, SC I have never seen anything like what I saw on television this afternoon. [The victims'] relatives were invited to make a statement in court. They spoke of mercy. They offered forgiveness. They invited the suspect, who was linked in by video from jail, to please look for God.
There was no rage, no accusation—just broken hearts undefended and presented for the world to see. They sobbed as they spoke.
As I watched I felt I was witnessing something miraculous. I think I did. It was people looking into the eyes of evil, into the eyes of the sick and ignorant shooter who’d blasted a hole in their families, and explaining to him with the utmost forbearance that there is a better way.
Why it's that so striking? Why has the whole world taken notice of the mercy and forgiveness offered to a murderer? Because this is not how the world would respond. The world would respond with anger and outrage. The world would respond with calls for justice, not mercy, getting even, not giving grace.
If the church had acted like the world, it would have been like a hollow gong or cymbal. When the church acts like Jesus, the world takes notice. Their words are penetrating, inspiring, authentic because they chose the way of love.
Everyone who follows Christ has a firm set of beliefs. We have a Christian ethic in the scriptures. We believe that the Bible reveals direction for life and they are God's will for men and women to follow. But, how do we point people to God? How do we defend the truth?
Luke 19:1-10 Jesus went to the home of a cheat and had dinner. He had friends who were cheats. The people hated to hear Jesus refer to him as a son of Abraham - a recipient of the promises of God. But Jesus up explained he was lost, but was found.
Did Jesus agreed with what he was doing? Was he saying that his sin was no big deal? He had dinner with Zacchaeus' because Jesus loved him.
1 Cor 13:4-7 Agape love is not sentimentality. Sentimentality is a cheap substitute. Agape love is willing to sacrifice, willing to put others first, willing to forgive,
1 Cor 13:8-13 arguments will not last. Love will be the lasting theme in heaven.
We are called to love, not argue. Arguments are about winning - us, our pride. We are called to real, genuine love. Love that willingly puts others first, willingly sacrifices, forgives, seeks the good of others.
Set Apart - Truth What makes Christians different from the rest of the world? Those same things make the church unique - and irresistible.
1 Peter 1:1-2 "God's elect, strangers in the world"
God has given His church the wisdom of His Word. The Scriptures reveal truth and answer important questions. 1. What's wrong with the world? 2. Who am I and why am I here? 3. What are these times we find ourselves in?
I. What's wrong with the world? A. The world is under the influence of dark forces. We are caught up in a "civil war, a rebellion, and we are living in a part of the universe occupied by the rebel. Enemy-occupied territory - that is what this world is." C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
B. It's not just that there is evil in the world, people are in open rebellion against God. The light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light for their deeds were evil. (John 3:19)
Some believe that the cure for the world is education. Some believe that science will right the worlds' wrongs. Jesus is the only hope. He alone can change hearts and restore broken lives. II. Who am I and why am I here? A. Who am I? Created to bear the image of God Genesis 1:27 ESV So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
B. Why am I here? We are here to bring glory to God. Isaiah 43:6-7 ESV I will say to the north, Give up, and to the south, Do not withhold; bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth, everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”
Ephesians 1:11-14 ESV In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
C. Faded glory, blemished image bearers We were created to bear the image of God, but sin has corrupted that image. John Stott in his short book, Why I Am a Christian, says that being a human being means living as a paradox. Humans are capable of incredible heights of love and compassion, but also depths of cruelty and self-centeredness. We are a paradox: the glory and the shame of humanity.
D. In Christ, you are being transformed to bring glory to God.
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:18 ESV)
III. What are these times we find ourselves in? A. We are in the "last days" The coming of Jesus ushered what is called the last days. Christianity is spreading all over the globe Just as He promised, the Father is giving Jesus the nations as his inheritance. The kingdom of Satan is being plundered as sinners receive forgiveness, release from bondage and life instead of death.
[When people come to faith in Jesus, it] is more than just persuasion; Jesus, as king, is calling together a "flock" over which he rules as Shepherd. - Russell Moore
B. Time of restoration and reconciliation. There is forgiveness for sinners. There is restoration for the creation. The Glory of people lost in the garden will be restored in the people of God.
It is not that the church has come up with truth. We didn't invent it. It was revealed to us and, with God's he, we believe it.
These are not our words, not our ideas; this is truth given to us by our Creator so that we could know who we are, who He is, and what He's doing in the world. (2 Corinthians 5:18-20 ESV)
Set Apart - Forgiveness
What makes the Christians different from the rest of the world? Those same things make the church unique - and irresistible. God has always people apart for himself and for his purposes from OT to NT.
1 Peter 1:1-2 "God's elect, strangers in the world"
When Christians act like Christ in the midst of tragedy or injustice, the world takes notice.
Reuter's news agency report: In the most remarkable moment [of the events], relatives of the shooting victims told Dylann Roof at his first court hearing... that they forgave him despite the hurt they were feeling.
In a time that has seen anger and upheaval from Baltimore to Ferguson, Mo., over how police deal with black Americans, Charleston’s reaction to last week’s crime stood out.
That spirit of forgiveness even in the face of the worst imaginable crime owes much to a Christian tradition that is especially strong in the South.
Video - Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal church - can be stopped after 1:24
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/in-charleston-hatred-is-countered-with-forgiveness/article25049385/
"Since Dylann Roof allegedly shot dead six women and three men at a local church on Wednesday, [June 17]; Charleston, S.C., has responded with a grace and unity that has left the country, and the world, in awe." -Reuters
Matthew 5:38-39 NIV "Resist" - to set one's self against, to withstand, resist, oppose. Do not oppose or stand against an evil person. We want to take revenge, we want to make it right, but Jesus taught, "Show grace, and trust Him with justice."
Matthew 5:43-48 NIV Love people who love you and hate those who hate you - that's how unbelievers live. There's nothing divine about that. The world acts like that.
Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
Is there someone in your life who stands against you? Talks about you? Jesus calls on you to love them and pray for them. How is that possible?
Louie Zamparini was a track star that represented America in the 1936 Berlin Olympics. When America became involved in WWII, Louie enlisted in the Army Air Corps and became a bombardier on a B24.
Louie's plane crashed in the Pacific and he and the pilot, the only survivors drifted in the ocean for 47 days on a raft. A Japanese ship rescued them and of course captured them and they were put through several POW camps.
They were tortured physically and psychologically. Because Louie was an American Olympic athlete, he became the target of the Japanese POW camp leader. This man, was known by the POWs as the Bird. The Bird would fly off into psychotic rage and cruelty, especially against Louie.
When the war ended, Louie returned home. But he was Scarred by his ordeal, suffered from alcoholism, and he and his wife, Cynthia, came close to divorce. What brought Zamperini back from the brink was hearing a Billy Graham sermon in Los Angeles in 1949, a sermon that inspired Zamperini and began the healing process.
In Matthew 18, Jesus told a parable about forgiveness. That a master was owed millions of dollars by a debtor, but the master showed him mercy and forgave his debt. The debtor then went to a man who owed him a few dollars and had him put in prison. The point being, we have been forgiven of so much, there is nothing that we cannot forgive.
Christians forgive because they have received extraordinary forgiveness. Christians show grace because they have received extraordinary grace.
Fathers' Day
I want to accomplish great things. Lord, make me a great leader like Nehemiah.
He had a God-given vision to restore the walls of Jerusalem and God used his leadership and ordinary people to do an amazing work.
Nehemiah 1:2-7, 11 ESV that Hanani, one of my brothers, came with certain men from Judah. And I asked them concerning the Jews who escaped, who had survived the exile, and concerning Jerusalem. And they said to me, “The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire.” As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. And I said, “O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father’s house have sinned. We have acted very corruptly against you and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, and the rules that you commanded your servant Moses.
O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name, and give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” Now I was cupbearer to the king.
Under his leadership, the walls of the city of Jerusalem were rebuilt in 52 days. A task that had been left undone for 140 years was completed in just 52 days through the leadership of a former cupbearer.
I want to live courageously. Lord, give me courage like David
David's faith in God gave him incredible courage to face a giant.
1 Samuel 17:32-37 ESV
What I do is really not as important as who I am. Lord, give me integrity like Joseph
Joseph's brothers were jealous of him. They sold him to traders. He ended up in Egypt and became servant to a man named Potiphar. He maintained his integrity when he was tempted by Potiphar's wife. He was mistreated again, and even though he was innocent, he spent years in prison. He was released and became the second in command of Egypt.
His home country went through a drought and God arranged for a meeting with his brothers who had betrayed him. They were starving and came to Egypt for food.
When they learned who Joseph's identity, and after their father had died, they were afraid that Joseph would use his power and position to treat them like they had treated him.
Genesis 50:19-21 ESV
Even though he had been mistreated, betrayed by his own family, from his powerful position, Joseph showed kindness, forgiveness and integrity.
I remember my place as husband and father - leader of my home. Lord, help me intercede for my family like Moses.
The Israelites sinned over and over and Moses led them to repent and then stood between God and them and pleaded for mercy.
Numbers 14:17-20 ESV
"A family without prayer is like a house without a roof." - Rev. William Jay
Most men that we think of as great aren’t. Mostly they’re just high achievers. But the Bible never commands anyone to be a high achiever. It never tells men to amass great fortunes, build tall buildings, or wield great power.
We have one ultimate purpose: to love God. Lord, give me whole-hearted love for you.
Matthew 22:36-38 ESV
Our calling, our purpose is to love God with our whole hearts, all of our being. The first priority, our most important goal, is to deeply and wholly love God.
Filled with the Holy Spirit Luke mentions the most crucial thing that the apostles needed in order to be the most effective instruments in the hands of the living Jesus. They needed to be baptized with the Holy Spirit. (Acts 1:4–5)
Every believer has the Holy Spirit indwelling him Romans 8:9 ESV
But the Bible uses the word "filled" in a way that expresses a special enabling or ability given by the Holy Spirit in doing the work of God.
Filling with the Holy Spirit is almost always associated with this extraordinary power for ministry in the book of Acts. Notice that when the baptism with the Spirit happens in Acts 2:4, Luke says, “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.” The effect of that filling was a powerful and even miraculous testimony to the truth of Christ that resulted in 3,000 people being converted (Acts 2:41). In Acts 4:8 Peter is filled with the HS and speaks with such power that the Jewish leaders were amazed at his boldness despite his being relatively uneducated (4:13). In Acts 4:31 other disciples were praying and the place where they were was shaken and they were all filled with the HS. The effect was that they spoke the Word of God with extraordinary boldness and Christ-exalting power. In Acts 6 we meet Stephen who is full of faith and the Holy Spirit (v. 5). And Luke tells us in verse 8 that he was therefore full of power and did wonders and signs among the people, but especially in verse 10 the leaders could not resist the wisdom and Spirit with which he spoke. His fullness gave him an extraordinary power for Christ-exalting ministry. In Acts 9:17 Paul is filled with the HS at his conversion and the result was that he spoke with such power that the Jews of Damascus were confounded (9:22). In Acts 11:24 Barnabas was full of the HS and faith and the effect Luke mentions was that “a large company was added to the Lord” (as at Pentecost). In Acts 13:9 Paul was filled with the HS as he spoke to Elymas the magician and God gave him the power to pronounce Elymas blind for a season (13:11).
"Filling" has three related shades of meaning in the New Testament. Pressure or direction Permeation Control
Pleroo has three shades of meaning. The first carries the idea of pressure. It is used to describe wind billowing the sails on a ship, providing the impetus to move the vessel across the water. This depicts the Holy Spirit providing the thrust to move the believer down the pathway of obedience. A Spirit-filled Christian isn't motivated by his own desires or will to progress. Instead, he allows the Holy Spirit to carry him in the proper directions. To be filled with the Spirit means to be carried along by the gracious pressure of the Holy Spirit.
Pleroo can also convey the idea of permeation. Alka Seltzer illustrates this principle. It is transformed in water into clear bubbles, and permeates with its flavor. In a similar sense, God wants the Holy Spirit to permeate and flavor our lives so when we're around others they will know for certain we possess the pervasive savor of the Spirit.
There is a third meaning of pleroo, actually the primary one in the New Testament, which conveys the sense of control. It is used by the Gospel writers to indicate that people were dominated by a certain emotion. In Luke 5:26, after Jesus rebuked the Pharisees and healed the paralytic, the people were astonished and "filled with fear." Luke 6:11
The work of the Holy Spirit and the realities of life
Our lives, messy as they are, come together with the great work of God as Jesus shows His great love to us and we, filled with the Holy Spirit, tell others of our great savior.
How to be filled with the Holy Spirit - Desire it and ask for it (Luke 11:11-13) - Confess and repent of your sins (Acts2:38) - Surrender to God, "I want to be your vessel no matter what is going on in my life." - Persistently pray for it (Luke 11:5-8) - Receive it by faith
Pentecost was the harvest festival, also known as the feast of Weeks, the Feast of Harvest and the day of first fruits. It celebrated the beginning of wheat harvest. It became symbolic of the ingathering of the Jews from other nations where they had been scattered.
This day, it will find its completion in Christ. Pentecost became the feast of ingathering for the nations, when the Church was presented unto God to be an instrument of His glory and a blessing to the world at large.
Acts 2:25-31 From Psalm 16:8-11 Who is the holy one who would not be abandoned to the grave and not see decay? It wasn't King David. David spoke as a prophet and foretold of Jesus, the Messiah who would not remain in a tomb, but be resurrected.
Acts 2:32-35 The sign of the people speaking in foreign tongues - these were witnesses to the fact that God had raised Jesus to life.
Psalm 110:1. The Lord (God) said to my Lord (Jesus) Jesus, whom they considered a criminal was exalted by God and holds the seat at the right hand of the Father in heaven above everyone and everything else. Jesus is Lord.
Acts 2:36-41 Repent, be baptized. Repent means to turn. To be baptized in the name of Jesus is to identify yourself publicly as a follower of Jesus. The church grew that day from 120 to more than 3,000. A harvest of Jews came to believe in Jesus from all over the known world at a feast that God had ordained 1400-1500 years before.
The practice of Pentecost was to take the first fruits harvest of wheat and bake bread that was then waved before The Lord and given as an offering.
Pentecost is about the harvest of Jews who had been scattered all over the world, but were gathered into salvation in Jesus Christ.
Acts 2:41-43 These new believers didn't just add Christianity to their lives; they devoted themselves to their Christian experience.
Acts 2:44-47 In these "golden days" of the church, church people had financial problems. They didn't go away because they became believers.
People were in need and the church acted.
Jesus told them to wait until they received the gift the Father had promised.
They receive the Holy Spirit and was were called to be witnesses - and they acted. They had seen Jesus. They knew that forgiveness and mercy corm God could be found in him. They had experienced it themselves, so they acted.
Pentecost is about the miracle of God coming to us in our fallen condition by the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:1-3 1. Pentecost was 50 days after the Passover Sabbath (in Greek, it means "50 days"). Pentecost was the harvest festival, also known as the feast of Weeks, the Feast of Harvest and the day of first fruits. It celebrated the wheat harvest, and in some Jewish tradition was also associated with the giving of the Law and the Old Testament covenant.
It represented the harvesting and gathering in of the wheat crop. It became symbolic of the ingathering of the Jews from other nations where they had been scattered.
It was celebrated by grinding wheat into fine flour and baking loaves of bread that were waved and presented as offerings to the priests. This day, it will find its completion in Christ. Pentecost became the feast of ingathering for the nations, when the Church was presented unto God to be an instrument of His glory and a blessing to the world at large.
Today, instead of the giving of the OT Law and covenant, there would be the giving of the Holy Spirit to the church. This would be a new kind of harvest and covenant renewal.
- Wind and spirit are the same word in Greek (and Hebrew). At Sinai where the OT Law was given, the fire on the mountain represented the presence of God. Here, perhaps the tongues of fire represent the presence of God through the Holy Spirit for each of the disciples.
Whole house may refer to the temple. The disciples may have been gathered in one of the rooms at the temple.
Acts 2:4-13 A sign was given, people spoke in foreign languages that they didn't know, praising God. In the context of the gathering in - or bringing in the harvest - speaking in the languages of Jews from all over the known world - from Rome to Mesopotamia, Asia Minor to Africa, the island of Crete to the Arabian peninsula.
At its core, Pentecost is like the Incarnation. It is about God coming to us in our fallen, sinful condition.
Acts 2:14-21 17-21. Joel 2:28-32 17-18 Are connected to the period referred to as "the last days" (plural) beginning with the pouring out of the Spirit at Pentecost and stretching for an indeterminate length of time until "the day of The Lord" (singular). This time period is still ongoing.
19-20. Are connected with "the day of The Lord", which may call judgment day. This time and these signs are still to come. When? Soon.
Acts 2:22-24 23 handed over to you by God's purpose and foreknowledge - God ordained the death of Jesus. Wicked men had him killed. Peter went from hiding and denying to stepping up and testifying. 24 But God raised him from the dead, validating his work and ministry. The Spirit empowers believers to honor Jesus Christ. Acts 2:25-31 From Psalm 16:8-11 Who is the holy one who would not be abandoned to the grave and not see decay? It wasn't King David. David spoke as a prophet and foretold of Jesus, the Messiah who would not remain in a tomb, but be resurrected.
Acts 2:32-35 The sign of the people speaking in foreign tongues - these were witnesses to the fact that God had raised Jesus to life. Psalm 110:1. The Lord (God) said to my Lord (Jesus) Jesus, whom they considered a criminal was exalted by God and holds the seat at the right hand of the Father in heaven above everyone and everything else. He is Lord.
Acts 2:36-41 Repent, be baptized. Repent means to turn. To be baptized in the name of Jesus is to identify yourself publicly as a follower of Jesus. The church grew that day from 120 to more than 3,000. A harvest of Jews came to believe in Jesus from all over the known world at a feast that God had ordained 1400-1500 years before.
Being a parent is a holy calling from God, and God never calls us to do a job without providing the power and the plan to do that job successfully. How can we be the moms and dads that really matter?
- Love God. 1John 4:19 We love because he first loved us.
We are incapable of really loving our children until we first love God. Motherhood at its best demands a thriving partnership with God. We cannot give unconditional love until we have received unconditional love. And God is the only source of that kind of love. We can do everything else right as a parent, but if we don't begin by loving God - we will fail.
- Pray continually. I Thessalonians 5:17 "pray continually"
It is never too late to start praying, and it is always too early to stop.
Pray for God's plan – not yours – when praying for your children. Pray that you will see your child through the eyes of God. Pray specific verses of Scripture for your child:
Proverbs 3:5-6 "Lord, I pray that Jessica would trust in you with all her heart and will lean not unto her own understanding. I pray that in all her ways Jessica will acknowledge you and that you will direct her paths."
1 Peter 5:7 "Lord, I pray that Rebekah would cast all her care upon you, because you care for her."
Joshua 1:9 Lord, help Jonathon Be strong and courageous. Help him to not be afraid; or discouraged, for the LORD God you are with him wherever he goes.”
Prayer is an eternal gift we can give to our children Teach them the importance of prayer and teaching them how to pray.
I am convinced that if we pray for our children and with our children, it will change their lives and ours, and give us insight into the heart of God we can gain no other way.
- Give time and direction. Proverbs 22:6 "Train a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it."
It takes time to be a parent - to know and to train our children. Every child comes with a set of characteristics already established by God. Our job is to identify those characteristics and then steer the child toward God.
The original root word for "train" is the term for "the palate, the roof of the mouth, the gums." In the days of Solomon, a midwife delivered the baby, dipped her finger into the juice of crushed dates, reached into the mouth of the baby, and massaged the gums and palate to create a sense of taste and thirst. She then gave the child to the mother so the baby could nurse. Our job as mothers is to develop a thirst in our children for the right things. And that takes time.
There is a popular philosophy today that it doesn't matter the quantity of time that we spend with our kids as long as it is quality time. It does matter! Time spent with children is never wasted. Every minute invested in your child is an eternal investment. Give your children the best of your time – not the leftovers.
Play together, read together, eat together, talk to each other. Be involved in the things they enjoy. Be available.
And just your physical presence is not enough.
Being a parent is the hardest job on earth. It brings out both the best and the worst in us. It requires great sacrifice and limitless energy, but to invest your time and best efforts into a child, and to watch that child grow and develop is to be part of the creative majesty God has given to us.
Be intentional in your time with The Lord. The goal is to grow in relationship with him. What specific needs are you praying for your children? What direction are you giving your children? What is the environment of your home?
Acts of the Apostles - Jesus' Ascension
After Jesus' crucifixion, the disciples were scattered, afraid and disillusioned. They would be transformed. They became fearless. They will risk everything to spread the good news of Jesus. What changed them?
Acts 1:1-5 1. Luke wrote the gospel and Acts 3. Jesus appeared to them over a period of 40 days. The Bible mentions 11 times. Jesus gave them many convincing proofs that he was alive.
He spoke to them about the kingdom of God. He had spoken to them about the kingdom of God before, but now, they began to understand. The kingdom of God is about spiritual matters.
The kingdom of God is the Father restoring the creation that was lost in the fall. The kingdom of God is the Father working through Jesus, the Son, to bring lost people back to the father Who loves them.
Acts 1:6-8
What changed the disciples from fearful to fearless? - They became convinced of Jesus' resurrection. - They received divine power through the Holy Spirit.
"Power" from the Holy Spirit - courage, boldness, confidence, insight, spiritual ability, authority. All gifts of the Holy Spirit to fulfill the mission that Jesus gave his disciples.
Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, to the ends of the earth.
VIDEO https://vimeo.com/113801439
Acts 1:9-11 9. The Greek for "taken up" or lifted up. "Received up" literally 'took under him.' seemed to be supported by the cloud." 10. "as he went." It was a common word meaning to pursue a journey. Jesus departed from earth and journeyed to heaven.
- "received up" used of being taken aboard a ship.
The Father took His Son, Jesus Christ back to heaven.
Jesus' ascension marked the end of his self-limitation and humiliation and return of his rightful glory.
John 17:4 I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.
Jesus' ascension gives us confidence in our faith.
Hebrews 4:14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.
Jesus' ascension is a symbol of his authority, rule, and reign
1 Peter 3:21-22 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.
Jesus' ascension is a foreshadowing of his return
1Th 4:16-17 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.
It's All About Jesus Luke 24:44-53
44-46. The entire OT. It is all about Jesus. His role as a prophet was foretold in Deut 18 (and others) and foreshadowed by Elijah and the other OT prophets.
His role as rescuer was foretold in the psalms and prophets and foreshadowed by Moses leading the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt.
His suffering - mocked, taunted, even his crucifixion - was prophesied in Psa 22:7-8; 14-16 and Isa 53. And foreshadowed in the offering of Isaac and other OT saints. On the cross, Jesus quoted from Psa 22:1
His resurrection was prophesied in Psa 16:9-11 and Isa 53:10-11 and foreshadowed by Jonah, even King David and Daniel.
His kingship was prophesied to be king in Zech 6, and foreshadowed by King David, the shepherd-king of Israel.
All the history of Israel, all the rising and falling of kings and nations, the words spoken by prophets were inspired by God to communicate to us God's great plan. God is redeeming His creation. He bought us back with the payment of His Son. He offers to restore us from the corruption of our own sin. He offers life through faith in Jesus instead of the death that we deserved.
It is all about Jesus.
The disciples upon the road to Emmaus had hoped that it was all about the nation of Israel. You and I believe life is all about us. But God calls us all - from the first disciples to his disciples of the 21st century - to something much greater than ourselves, something of a much grander scope, of far greater importance.
- Repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached to all nations. Repentance - "metanoia" - where we get our prefix "meta" to change it means to change one's mind, as we make up our minds to change course, to make a change.
Forgiveness - release from bondage or imprisonment, pardon. Even though we are guilty, God releases us from the punishment for our sin.
Nations - "ethnos" multitudes, people groups
God's great salvation, his great love, Jesus' sacrifice for us - must be told to all peoples. The greatness of our God, all that He is and has done, it must be told!
Beginning in Jerusalem. Why? 1. God had promised to save Israel as his people first 2. God was offering forgiveness to those who had rejected and killed Jesus 3. Jesus had asked, "Father forgive them, they know not what they do."
For the disciples, it made the least sense. The same rulers who conspired to have Jesus killed were still there. Still in charge
Where's your Jerusalem? Where is it hard to tell about God's love for people about Jesus death and what it means? Where are you intimidated!
Charles Spurgeon said of this verse, "Begin where you are tempted not to begin... where we think that it will not succeed."
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You are my "witnesses" - "martyrs" not just an observer, but when someone sees and testifies as in a trial, you saw something, say something. It was used of referees of games, observing and speaking. Observe a runner step out of course, calls out of bounds.
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I am sending you power - promised by the Father - power "dunames" Strength, power ability - specifically to witness.
50-53. Jesus raised nail-scarred hands in blessing and ascended. Joy. Worship. Praise.
Joy and Amazement
Luke 24:36-43
- This is the evening of the Lord's resurrection, the disciples still in Jerusalem., maybe in the upper room where they had the Passover meal.
Jesus had appeared to Mary Magdalene, the other women returning from the tomb, Peter, and the two disciples on the road to Emaus.
John 20 says they were together with the doors locked for fear of the Jews. Jesus just appeared in their midst. They were will marveling that four different people or groups saying that Jesus was alive and had appeared to them. They must have been afraid that the Jews would want to investigate the disappearance of Jesus' body.
- The disciples thought they were seeing a ghost. Perhaps because of how he just appeared, maybe because they knew Jesus was dead and they could not believe he was alive.
38-40. They had troubles and doubts. Troubled - stirred up, anxious, agitated, restless. "Taraso" was said of an angry sea. Doubts - deliberating, questioning, hesitating. Their emotions and their minds were stirred up, anxious.
But Jesus had answers for their doubts and troubles. He had holes in his hands and feet where he had been put to death and yet he is alive! It was him! Not a ghost, not an imposter, Jesus in his resurrected, immortal body. Our emotions and our minds get stirred up, we become anxious, restless, worrying, but we have a risen Savior who lives in immortality. And he brings peace and he promised he would never leave us or forsake us.
When my emotions are stirred up, and my mind restless, I either doubt Jesus' promised presence, his power to help me, or his goodness.
Charles Spurgeon sermon on these verses, "Let no low thoughts of God come in." One of the great benefits of daily morning quiet time is that before we face the troubles and doubts that our day will bring, we get to remember that Jesus lives and he lives with us. He is present by his Spirit every moment of our lives. He lives and his Spirit never abandons us.
Before he ascended, the last thing he told his disciples, "I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
- "They still did not believe it for joy and amazement." They had gone from doubting out of rejection, "this cannot be." Now that they saw Jesus together, they could not believe Jesus was Alavert because it was too good to be true.
That joy and amazement is the same that you and I still feel when we remember what god has done for us.
Joy and Amazement - As dark as my sin is, as much as I have tried to wash out the stain, the blood of Jesus cleanses me from all my sin.
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I do not deserve the Lord's forgiveness, but He has poured out overflowing mercy and love on me.
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I did nothing to earn God's favor, but trust in Jesus Christ.
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I am accepted by God as I am
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I am being transformed to glorify God with my life
We have so much reason to rejoice and to be Amazed It IS too good to be true - but it IS true!
Joy and Amazement My dark, sinful stains are washed clean. I am unworthy of His grace. I did not earn the Father's favor, Jesus did. I am accepted by God. I am being transformed to glorify God.
The Road to Emmaus
Luke 24:13-35 13. Sunday morning, traveling west 7 miles to Emmaus. 15 Jesus walked with them 16 they were kept from knowing - Luke points out five or so times that God reveals things to certain people as he determines. The apostles are told more things in more detail, hidden things are kept from others. Here, Jesus' identity was hidden from his disciples until he was ready for them to be revealed
- Jerusalem had been in an uproar. Everyone knew what had happened.
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A prophet, powerful in word and deed - did not call him Messiah. Likely because he head died and did not fulfill what the Messiah was supposed to.
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"We had hoped" He would redeem Israel from bondage to Rome. They were walking in defeat when Jesus had won victory.
Defeat in the church 1. Disappointment with God 2. Personal defeat in sin 3. "Losing" ground to an anti-Christian culture
They were so caught up in their disappointment that they missed Jesus' victory.
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We have to trust Jesus Christ. As Savior, he knows what to save us from and what to carry us through.
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Jesus death paid for all of your sin. The fact that Jesus was raised from the dead means that the Father accepted Jesus' sacrifice. God is just; He will not demand payment twice. The burden of your sin - from your past, present and future are atoned for by Jesus' sacrifice.
It Is Well with My Soul My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought! My sin, not in part but the whole, Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more, Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
- Jesus predicted that the there would be upheaval in the world in the end times - wars, catastrophic events on earth, signs in the heavens. But perhaps the most distressing is that people will turn from faith and their hearts will grow cold.
Matthew 24:10-14 10At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
They were so caught up in their disappointment that they missed Jesus' victory. Jesus has overcome!
Their disappointment had them walking the wrong way - away from Jerusalem, away from the fellowship with other believers.
We tend to miss Jesus and withdraw from the source of strength of other believers when we are preoccupied with disappointment. In times of disappointment, we need to be in the presence of Jesus and believers
- Either talking about a Jewish reference to the Jewish belief that the soul departed the body after three days or to Jesus' claims he would be rises again.
22-24 no body, but they still did not believe 27 Jesus talked through the Books of Moses, and all the prophets - the whole of the OT - and showed them it is all about Him!
When life is all about me, it's easy to get caught up in my own disappointments, but if it is about Jesus Christ, then life is about his victory and glory.
Their eyes were opened and their hearts were burning within
The Lord's Supper
On Thursday evening, Jesus gathered with the apostles in an upper room where they could have time for Jesus' last instruction before he would be killed.
Jesus would will teach, show his disciples how to love. Judas will betray him. The religious rulers would lie and drag Jesus off to trial.
But before all of that, Jesus planned to show his disciples what he was about to do and what it meant to them.
Luke 22:14-20 ESV
Jesus had told his disciples on numerous occasions that he would be handed over to the Gentiles, be mocked, insulted, spit upon, flogged, killed and after three days - raised to life again.
But here he tells them that his death was FOR THEM. They would benefit from his death. Jesus was bringing about a new covenant with God. In the old covenant, each man had to offer sacrifices for his own sin. In the new covenant, Jesus was God's offering of all of mankind's sin.
Luke 23:33-34 ESV
Luke 23:44-46 ESV
After Jesus suffered mocking, flogging, insults, and ultimately six hours on the cross, he gave up his life.
Through his suffering, through his death, we find forgiveness for our sins. He took on the punishment that we all deserved so that God could show us grace and mercy. Jesus died so that you could live. His death was for you, if you have come to believe in him and in what he said about his own death and resurrection.
1 Corinthians 11:28-29 ESV
Have you believed? Jesus predicted everything that would happen to him. He went voluntarily to the cross. He laid his life down for you. His death was for you.
1 Corinthians 11:23-26 ESV The Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Message
Luke 24:1-12 ESV
V. 1 Jesus had been crucified on Friday. This was Sunday. The women prepared spices and perfumes to take to the tomb, like we send flowers today, spices and perfumes were their custom to honor the dead.
V2. The first indication of the resurrection. The rock was large, in another gospel, the women talk on the way to the tomb about who they might find to help. In another gospel, we're told that the Romans posted guard outside the tomb. But the stone was rolled away.
V. 3. Jesus' body was not there.
V. 4. Two mean I clothes that shined like lightning - angels.
V 5. The sight of the angels frightened the women. But one of the angels said, why do you look for the living among the dead?
V. 6 he is not here; he has risen! Remember what he told you?
V. 7 he said he would be crucified and raised on the third day
Jesus is risen! His death and resurrection are demonstrated in the act of baptism and in observing the Lord's Supper. His death is for you if you have come to believe in him and that he paid the penalty for your sins.
If you have never believed before, if you have never asked God to accept Jesus' death as an offering for your sin, I'm going to give you the opportunity today.
Please bow your heads. If you have never asked God to forgive you and ask Jesus to come and five you new life, would you today? Jesus death was for you, but only for those who believe in him and in what he did as a gift, for you to be forgiven by God, and find reconciliation with the Father.
God, I know that I am a sinner. I know that I deserve the consequences of my sin. However, I am trusting in Jesus Christ as my Savior. I believe that His death and resurrection provided for my forgiveness. I trust in Jesus and Jesus alone as my to save me. Thank you Lord, for forgiving me! Amen!
New life - New Hope
2Cor 5:7 if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come
A child born into a rich family can be said to be born into wealth. A child born to a king can be said to be born to a throne. What about people re-born into the kingdom of God? What is their status? What is their life like? What about their future?
1 Peter 1:3-9 3. In God's mercy, compassion or pity. This was God's action out of his great love. Believers have such a change in Christ that it is called "new life". Like they had been born again. It is a decisive change in status, outlook, and destiny. It refers to the new divine life within us, where sin no longer dwells, but the Holy Spirit dwells, changing us, making us more into the likeness of Jesus Christ.
New life - by God's great mercy, a new and divine life through new birth New hope - not wishful thinking; joyful anticipation through Jesus' resurrection
The hope is that we can live this new life - both now and in the future. The new life now is I am not the same man I was before Christ. I am no longer enslaved to my sin. I am no longer dead because of it. I am alive in Jesus Christ because he took on my sin and it died with him on Calvary. Because He lives, I have new life. I have new hope. I have hope to live a new life, not under the shadows of guilt and shame, But new life in the light of Jesus' resurrected life.
- New inheritance - glory awaiting us in heaven, experienced in part now by the in dwelling Holy Spirit.
It cannot perish, spoil or fade, kept in heaven
- A new Protector - God shields us by his power until He ultimately saves us.
Through faith - faith lays hold of God's shielding. It is like a boat that seeks shelter by docking in a storm. The dock provides shelter. It is firmly fixed, but the crew has to tie to the dock to take the protection. Faith is like those lines that take hold of the security.
6-8 An unquenchable joy - great, inexpressible, glorious joy in present trouble because God's goodness toward us far outweighs our troubles.
Joy - overjoyed, leap for joy, shout for joy, jubilant and thankful exultation
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You have not seen him, but believe in him.
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A great and glorious salvation - we are receiving salvation, what we have so far is just a taste of what God has for us.
God gives you this present and future salvation as a gift because of his great love for you. What you have received so far is just a taste of what's coming
How great is this salvation?
1 Peter 1:10-12
Prophets searched intently for it, trying to understand the grace that God was prophesying through them that was coming
Even the angles long to look into these things. But we lose the awe. We have
- New life
- New hope
- A new inheritance
- A new Protector
- An unquenchable joy
- A great and glorious salvation
2 Cor 5:7 If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come
In the OT only Abraham is referred to as God's friend. It was said of Moses... Exodus 33:11a ESV Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend.
John 15:12-17 - in the NT, Jesus referred to his followers as friends.
- Jesus commands us to love each other - like he loves us.
- Fully demonstrated. He made the ultimate expression of love - he laid down his life for us. 14-15. You are my friends if you do what I command.
Jesus loves his followers as close friends.
The word in Greek is philos, meaning someone who is dearly loved, but even more specifically, a close confidante, a friend to whom we would be willing to share our secrets. This is the word Jesus uses to describe his preferred relationship with us.
Even in the OT, God revealed his plans to people he loved.
Psalm 25:14 ESV The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant.
Genesis 18:17 - God revealed his plans for Sodom and Gomorrah to Abraham The Lord said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do."
It is interesting, though Jesus declared this new relationship no longer as slaves, but friends, that each of the writers of the New Testament used the word "slave" or "servant" to describe their relationship to Him. Paul, Jude, Peter, James - all referred to themselves as slaves of Jesus Christ. Though the Lord said, "I'm calling you friends," there was a willing and humble submission to obey and serve Him.
A servant or slave does not have the relationship to know his master's business. A slave just does what he is told. But Jesus had disclosed to his disciples his Father's revelation to them and to us.
He has revealed to us his plans, his purpose to redeem the lost, heal the broken, forgive the sinner. He has revealed is great salvation and asks us to join him.
Friendship with Jesus involves submitting to his will.
"The friend is a confidante who shares the knowledge of his superior's purpose and voluntarily adopts it as his own. " (Tenney)
Jesus is a friend to sinners. It's easy to take this truth: God loves the whole world, and mistakenly assume that Jesus loves us from a distance, or out of obligation. Or we are somehow covered by the blanket of love he drapes over all of humankind. But we're not so confident in an intimate love with Jesus. The fact is, that's the kind of love that Jesus has for you. He has called you friend. - Keri Wyatt Kent
In Luke 5:20 (NIV) Jesus addresses a paralytic man by saying, "Friend, your sins are forgiven."
Jesus didn’t just think of himself as God almighty, creator of the heavens and earth, and the ruler of the universe. In the truest sense Jesus thought of himself as our friend. The worst accusation the religious leaders could levy against Jesus was, "He’s a friend of sinners." Matthew 11:19 (NIV)
Friendship with Jesus results in becoming like him. 16-17 Jesus chose his disciples for a mission, to join him in his great purpose, his great plan. And his Father answers requests to accomplish that mission.
The steady discipline of intimate friendship with Jesus results in men becoming like Him. - Harry Emerson Fosdick
New Life
2 Corinthians 5:17-21
- New creation - new life. Not reformed, not re-educated, not just improved. Like something exists that did not exist before. Re-created, like a new creature. We are a new creation. We have a new beginning; a new existence.
We have a new source of energy and power to live by the Holy Spirit who indwells us.
We are under a new covenant with God - we stood condemned under the OT Law because of our sin, now we are under grace.
Because of Jesus' work on the cross and his victory over death, all of creation is being and will be renewed.
The affect of sin by Adam was devastating, affecting every generation of man and corrupting all of creation.
The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus has a universal impact. He is bringing life to the dead. sight to blind eyes. new life to dead, broken lives. new hope to lost people. New purpose to the wanderer.
You have new life, new power to live a godly and meaningful life. New standing with God. Before, you and I were condemned. God's holiness demanded the highest standards and we were so far short that we were ashamed, hiding, feeling the weight of our guilt.
- God reconciled us to himself through Christ. We were far from God, farther than we know, condemned before him. But God made an exchange - Christ's death for our lives. Christ's holiness for our sin.
We have a new relationship with God. based on his grace.
We once stood condemned, but now we stand reconciled, not guilty but righteous.
- As part of this new life, we receive new purpose, to be a part in God's reconciliation of sinners.
We have new purpose in life; to be a part of God's purpose to reconcile and plan to bring life to those around us.
- We have a new role, a new opportunity to offer ourselves to something bigger than ourselves. To do something greater than to live this life.
Psalm 119:88 In your steadfast love give me life, that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth.
We have a new ministry and a message: "God is reconciling with sinners."
- We have new righteousness from God.
Job - Blessed Be the Name of The Lord The Last Chapter
What we learn from the view from heaven: Job's suffering was not the result of his sin; it was an attack by Satan to discredit Job's faith and question God's worth.
What we learn from Job's struggle: In Job's suffering, he had times of strength, faith, confusion and doubt - and he spoke to God about all of it. Yet, even in doubt, he believed God was his only hope.
Job 42:1-6
What we learn from God's rebuke of Job: Job had not committed a terrible sin for which he was being punished. God rebuked him for questioning God's sovereignty and justice.
Job 42:7-9
What we learn from Job's friends: People have only a partial (and, therefore, shallow) understanding of suffering. Suffering is not from God's anger or abandonment of his people.
Job 42:10-16
What we learn from Job's restoration: God allowed the suffering and, in the end, rewarded Job's persevering faith - and he did not abandon Job.
James 5:7-11
What we learn about suffering: The Bible doesn't look backwards for a cause and effect relationship for suffering. The Bible looks forward at the result or the outcome of suffering. • Suffering produces fruit of perseverance and maturity (James 1:2-4) • Suffering with perseverance is rewarded by God (James 1:12) • Suffering refines of our faith, proving its genuineness, resulting in praise, glory and honor from God (1 Peter 1:6-7) • Suffering is loving discipline from our Heavenly Father (Hebrews 12:5-11) • Suffering is an opportunity for God to demonstrate his power in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9); to share in Christ's suffering (Philippians 1:9, 3:10)
Job - Blessed Be the Name of The Lord Chapter 16 Job has not caused this suffering by some secret, horrible sin. His friends are convinced: God has only blessing for good people and only judgment for sinful people. Therefore, if Job is suffering terribly, he must have committed a terrible sin.
The same was true of Jesus' disciples of the man born blind in John 9.
John 9:1-3 As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.
Since he was born blind, it perplexed them, how could he receive God's judgment for his sin when he was too young to have sinned when he was blind? Was it his parents who sinned?
There are still people today who believe that suffering comes only to people who deserve it because of their sin.
The Bible reveals a greater purpose for suffering. Jesus' reply, "neither, it was so the works of God might be displayed in his life."
In suffering and weakness, God has a purpose. It is not always to rescue. He does not always bring immediate healing - although he sometimes does and he tells us to ask. Sometimes he allows us to walk through suffering so that he can show his glory in our lives. Sometimes God brings healing, sometimes he gives strength to continue on. Sometimes he brings immediate relief; sometimes he gives comfort for grief.
What a witness to an unbelieving world, what an encouragement to other believers when we can say, yes, I'm hurting, but He is giving me peace. I'm grieving, but he is my rock and refuge. "I'm suffering, but Jesus has walked with me every step of the way."
Job 16:18-21 “O earth, cover not my blood, and let my cry find no resting place. Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and he who testifies for me is on high. My friends scorn me; my eye pours out tears to God, that he would argue the case of a man with God, as a son of man does with his neighbor.
V. 18 Job believes that he may die before he is vindicated.
V. 19 Witness - witness, someone who saw what happened - is in heaven. Advocate - only used here in the OT. Comes from the word to testify - like a lawyer who speaks on behalf of his client. My advocate is on high.
Job sees his witness and his advocate is in heaven, not a person, but God himself. Despite all the suffering that he's going through, he puts all his hope in God.
When we are going through suffering, we may not understand what is happening. We may question God. We might even blame God and be angry with him. But at some point in the process of hurting or grieving, we all have to come to the same conclusion: My only hope is in the goodness of God. He is the only witness Who knows what is happening. He is the only advocate who can speak on my behalf.
V. 20 translated "my friends scorn me" or "my intercessor is my friend"
V, 21 he would argue the case of a man before God.
We have a clearer picture of how this works on this side of of the NT. We have an advocate, a friend in heaven who intercedes for us before the Father.
Hebrews 7 presents Jesus as the ultimate and final high priest who, unlike the OT human high priests, he lives forever.
Hebrews 7:25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
Jesus lives today and forever, and he is interceding for his people before God's throne.
Hebrews 4:14-16
Jesus intercedes for us before God so we can approach the throne of God with confidence that we may receive mercy and grace in our time of need.
Job - Blessed Be the Name of The Lord
Job's friends do what we do when we are suffering, we look for a connection, a cause and effect relationship. We look backwards to try to explain current suffering with prior sin. Then we look around and wonder why us - and why not someone else. But the Bible doesn't look backwards or even seek to explain "why me."
The Bible looks forward at the result or the outcome of suffering.
"The purpose of suffering is seen, not in its cause, but in its result.” -Francis I. Anderson
One of the outcomes of suffering is that it causes us to wrestle with God. We pour out our hearts before him, we ask why, we she'd tears in prayer, we let out our grief and ask God to give us strength because we don't have any more.
When we suffer, we think instinctively that God is far from us, but we have all experienced our closest and dearest times with The Lord in our deepest suffering.
Job 7:11 “Therefore I will not restrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.
Job 10:1 “I loathe my life; I will give free utterance to my complaint; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul.
What Job does not know is that, "In wrestling with God Job was moving in the direction of right relationship with his Maker."
Job is a real and feeling man. He doesn't close off his grief. He doesn't pretend like his loss means nothing. He is not stoic. He feels real hurt, anguish, disappointment, like he's being treated unfairly. And he tells God about it.
When we take our suffering to The Lord, we find new things about him. We find that he gives strength when ours is gone. He gives peace in the midst of storms. He brings comfort that passes understanding. In suffering, we find that Jesus is a nearer Savior than we knew before.
Job 9:2 “Truly I know that it is so: But how can a man be in the right before God?
How can a man be right before God? Job understands the difference between him and God. Although he is "blameless" before God, he knows he is not sinless.
His friends have told him that God causes the sinner to suffer, not the blameless. Therefore, if he is suffering, he must have sinned. So he needs to go present himself to God confess of sin and plead his case.
He responds, I cannot stand before God. No one is not right before him. He is frustrated at the immenseness of God. He cannot stand before a God so powerful and majestic.
Job 9:15 Though I am in the right, I cannot answer him; I must appeal for mercy to my accuser. I must appeal for mercy. He calls God his judge or accuser. Because he is not right before God, because God is so powerful, the only hope Job has is to plead for mercy.
Job 9:32-35
Job longs for someone to come between him and God, a mediator, an arbiter. A negotiator to bring two parties together. Job touched on the mystery through which God would make men right. He foresaw the need of someone who could "lay his hand on both" God and man. We will talk next week about the arbiter. In chapter 16, Job will refer to his witness, his advocate, his intercessor and friend. Today, I want to point you to Job's need for someone to turn away God's wrath.
1 John 2:1-2
Job sees that even though he is "blameless," he is not sinless. He needs someone who can turn aside the wrath of God. "Propitiation" is the effect of Jesus' sacrifice to God. Jesus took the wrath of God for us. how can a man be in the right before God? Jesus
Job - Blessed Be the Name of The Lord
Job 1:1-5 Job was blameless and upright - not sinless, but "complete" meaning spiritually mature. And lived in line with God's will. He feared God and shunned evil. He was blessed with a large family and wealth.
"Sacrifice a burnt offering" - like the patriarchs, he acted as priest for his family. He took seriously the need for atonement for sins - even sins of the heart (not sinful action, but sinful attitude toward God). The matter of cursing God is a key theme in the book.
Job 1:6-12 We, the readers, get to hear two behind-the-scenes events in heaven between God and Satan that Job does not get to hear.
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The angels present themselves to God, demonstrates His power and authority over them.
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Satan, originally an angel of God, was corrupted by his own pride. He became an enemy of God and he wages war against God and God's people. His name means "Accuser". He prowls like a predator, looking for people to attack (1 Pe 5:8-9).
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"My servant Job" implies more than just Job served God, but that Job and God are in a covenant relationship based on oaths. God brings up Job! God set the stage and allows Job to be tested.
The purpose is not just to test Job as an end in itself but to give him the opportunity to honor his Lord.
- "Strike everything he has and he will surely curse you to your face"
Satan wants to prove that Job's allegiance to God is hypocritical. Satan wants to discredit God and His people by showing that God's people don't really love Him, they just love what He does for them.
The attack is on God, through Job.
Job 1:13-19 God grants Satan limited access to Job - first his possessions, then his family, and finally his own health.
Job 1:20-22 Gestures of violent grief in the biblical world.
"The Lord gave and The Lord has taken away" - Job recognizes God's sovereignty in both wealth and suffering. See 2:9-10.
Job recognized that his suffering was somehow the will of God. Then, he praised God.
The Accuser was foiled. Instead of cursing God, Job praised him.
This Job of unshakable faith and wisdom is the same Job who will question God and fall into despondency in the coming chapters. He is a feeling man.
If I am wealthy, I want to honor God with my wealth. If I am healthy, I want to honor God with my health. If I am to suffer, I want to honor God in my suffering.
The primary purpose of Job's suffering was that he should stand before other people and before angels and demonstrate the saving might of God.
Living Wisely Proverbs covers a wide range of topics: youth, discipline, parenting, marriage, money, words, knowing God, truth, speech, and wisdom. Proverbs are not meant to teach doctrine, but they are intended to reveal wisdom for how to live.
The word proverb comes from a Hebrew word that means "to rule or govern." These bits of wisdom provide profound guidance for governing our lives.
We all have a tendency to think we are already wise. We all can look back 10 years ago and think, "wow, I made so many mistakes, I was so foolish. "
The good news is, if you can look back and recognize you were foolish, you are becoming wiser. But what about 10 years from now, what do you think you'll be saying? In our human flesh we all tend to think we know best, but if our own history teaches us anything, it's that we need to show a little humility and look for wisdom
God is the source of all knowledge and wisdom.
Proverbs 3:19-20 He founded the earth by his wisdom. The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens; by his knowledge the deeps broke open, and the clouds drop down the dew.
The apostle Paul ended three of his letters saying praise or glory be to "the only wise God." God alone is wise. Proverbs 2:6
People can gain wisdom through a right relationship with God. This theme is repeated throughout the book of Proverbs and is considered the theme of the book Proverbs 1:7
Wisdom comes through knowing and respecting God. He is to be feared and respected. He is to be rightly seen as an authority over our lives. His word is to be heeded. His truth is not to be ignored. Solomon pleads with his son to seek after God's wisdom because it is the only treasure worth pursuit. Solomon pleads with his son to listen and apply God's truth.
God has the truth, understanding, and wisdom for our lives and we are wise when we seek after his truth and apply it to our lives.
We relate to God as sinners who have broken his law. Solomon asks rhetorically, “Who can say, ‘I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin’?” (20:9). All of us have been afflicted by sin. We need to understand our guilt before a Holy God. We need to apply this truth to understand our problems. We do not just suffer from bad behavior or bad decisions. Our minds and hearts have been warped by sin.
If you wants to gain wisdom and understanding, you must listen to the Lord’s teaching. All wisdom comes from him, including wisdom for your life.
God’s wisdom and knowledge is supreme throughout Proverbs. God is the Searcher of men. He knows us better than we know ourselves. He looks deep into the spirit of men and weighs their motives.
Proverbs 20:27 The spirit of man is the lamp of the Lord, searching all his innermost parts.
While we cannot truly know ourselves, God is the only One who truly knows us, Proverbs 16:2
The way that seems right to us actually leads to death Proverbs 14:12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.
God’s wisdom is true and not our own understanding. Proverbs 3:5-6
God alone has a deep knowledge of us and our motives. If we have any hope of growing and becoming more wise, we have to go to God’s word to become more self-aware and to develop a spiritual deepening through studying his word and knowing him.
Let me encourage you, like the Proverbs do, seek The Lord this year. It's a new year and the very best thing you could do is to meet with Jesus every day, to be in His word every day. To listen to his wisdom about you, your junk, your marriage, your kids and grand kids, your money, your mouth.
It starts with, "You are the only wise God. I need your guidance in every area of my life." We will cover what proverbs says about parenting, the words we speak, and money this month.