Acts 1:1-3
While on the earth for forty days after the resurrection, Jesus spoke to the apostles about things concerning the Kingdom of God. The book of Acts opens with Jesus speaking about things pertaining to the Kingdom of God. The book of Acts ends with Paul preaching the Kingdom of God (Acts 28:31).
The message of the gospel of the Kingdom of God was the message that Jesus preached during his ministry on earth.
Matthew 6:33 Seek first the Kingdom of God.
Mark 1:14-15 – Jesus came preaching the gospel of the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God is at hand, or the Kingdom of God is near.
Mark 4:1-34 Jesus spoke in parables about things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
Mark 9:1-8
Peter, James, and John at the Mount of Transfiguration were able to see a vision of Jesus in his glorified state. They got to “see the kingdom God after it has come with power.”
Mark 10:14-16
Humility as a little child is a requirement to enter the Kingdom of God. (Matthew 5:3; 18:1-4 – The phrase “kingdom of heaven” is unique to the book of Matthew. In Matthew, the word “heaven” is used metaphorically as the place where God dwells.)
Mark 10:17-30
Here, Jesus equates entering the “kingdom of God” with inheriting “eternal life.” This was the message of the gospel that Jesus preached. It was not all about receiving things in this life, but the overall concern of Jesus, the message he preached, was that which brings a person eternal life – or life in the age to come.
Luke 9:1-2 – Jesus sent out the twelve during his time on the earth to preach this same message – the Kingdom of God. Along with proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom, they were granted authority to heal and bring deliverance.
Luke 17:20-30
The Pharisees questioned as to when the Kingdom of God was coming. They didn’t understand that Jesus was the key to the Kingdom of God and he was standing in their midst. There is a period that first has to take place, and the Son of Man must first suffer many things and be rejected by this generation. We need to watch and be ready as no man knows the day that Jesus will return.
Acts 1:1-11
The message is the same for us today. We are to be witnesses of Christ and preach the Kingdom of God. Today, Jesus is seated at the right hand of God, waiting for the day when he will return and usher in the Kingdom of God on earth. We have been endued with power from on high, having received the promise of the Father, the holy spirit. This enables us to be witnesses of the resurrected Christ unto the remotest part of the earth!
Romans 8:18-25 A clear understanding and constant focus upon the Kingdom are essential because in this age we endure suffering.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18; Psalm 73:25-28 When our focus is on the task and not the goal, life can become difficult and wearing; likewise, focus on the things seen rather than the things not seen causes weariness.
Philippians 3:7-16 To move forward, we must forget the things that are behind whether positive or negative.
Burnout, lassitude, disillusionment, apathy are commonplace when our focus is on self, others, or the world around us; whereas, refreshment, rejuvenation, and revitalization come from focus upon God, our Lord, and our hope.
1 Timothy 6:6-12 Lusting for gain in this world will also drain you. Ours is a fight but not one we do on our own. God is with us and so is Jesus.
Hebrews 6:1-8 We move forward or back but never stay the same.
Hebrews 12:1-3 Jesus is our example.
1 Peter 1:3 and 13-25 Press on. Do not give up. The reward at the end is too great, and the life we have now is rich.
Power and authority in the name of Yahweh
Yahweh is the eternal, everlasting God who was, who is, and who is to come. He is the only true, all powerful God. His name was to be hallowed. It is glorious. The name of Yahweh was to be exalted. Yahweh is powerful. Deuteronomy 32:3; Ps 8:9; Ps 29:1-4; Ps 34:3; Ps 148:1ff
The name of Yahweh is a strong tower (Pr 18:10).
• The priests ministered in the name of Yahweh (Deu 18:5; 21:5)
• A true prophet of God spoke in the name of Yahweh (Deu 18:18-22)
• David the king evoked the name of Yahweh in defeating Goliath (1 Sam 17:45). As king, he blessed the people in the name of Yahweh (1 Chr 16:2).
Jesus was given a name that would be above all others
The name “Jesus” (Yashua) means Yahweh is salvation (Matthew 1:21; Luke 1:31-33).
The prophets spoke of one that would be coming in the name of Yahweh. This one would stand in the strength of Yahweh, in the majesty of the name of Yahweh. The King would be blessed forever. His throne would be forever and ever. He would be anointed above his fellows. His name would be remembered and praised forever and ever.
Psalm 118:22-26
Micah 5:1-4
Psalm 45:1-7, 17
Jesus hallowed the name of his Father, Yahweh (Matthew 6:9). He walked in the power and authority that God had given him. Mark 2:1-12
Jesus came in the name of Yahweh. Mark 11:7-10
Jesus gave his disciples authority (Matthew 10:1). They cast out demons in his name. Luke 10:17
Because Jesus humbled himself by becoming obedient to the death on the cross, God highly exalted his name above all others. Philippians 2:9-11
Jesus has given us authority in his name, which carries the authority of Yahweh
John 17:11-12
John 14:13-14; 15:7 – Abide in Christ. Ask anything in his name!
Mark 16:17-18
Acts 2:38 – Be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, and you will receive the gift of holy spirit.
Acts 3:6 – In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.
Acts 16:18 – Paul said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.”
Invoking the name of Jesus is not magic words. It is to be a lifestyle of discipleship, where one follows the words of Jesus. Matthew 7:21-23; Acts 19:13-17
Matthew 28:18-19 – All power has been given to Jesus in heaven and earth. We have the authority in Christ to make disciples of all nations!
Self-help Industry
- People want to conquer: fear, doubt, anger, hatred, sexual frustration, powerlessness, relationship problems, depression, poverty
- Recidivism: tendency to relapse into previous condition
The Roman Empire
- "To plunder, butcher, steal, these things they misname empire: they make a desolation and they call it peace." --Tacitus (Agricola)
- Crucifixion was standard procedure for conquering revolutionaries.
Jesus conquers, but how?
- Revelation 4 reveals God’s throne room.
- Revelation 5 introduces Christ.
- Revelation 5:5-14 - He surrendered to conquer. He trusted God completely
2:7 ...To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.'
2:11 ...The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.'
2:17 ...To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.'
2:26-27 The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father.
3:5 The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.
3:12 The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name.
3:21 The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.
1. Through Christ God has already won the battle.
2. Face it, call it out, confess it, get real.
3. Surrender admitting you can’t but God can.
4. Trust God to empower you.
5. Take practical steps to conquer.
Revelation 21:2-8; Romans 8:35-39; 12:17-21
Historical record of the resurrection - Matthew 28:1- 4; John 20:4 -17; Luke 24:1- 45; John 20:25 - 29; Matthew 28:17 - 20; John 21:14 - 17; 1 Corinthians 15:4 - 8; and Acts 3:1 - 11
Three great victories with Jesus’ resurrection:
• Attained victory in the spiritual realm
• Freed humanity from the slavery of sin and death
• Ensured God’s purpose of the ages will be achieved
Victory in the spiritual realm, Colossians 2:15:
From Genesis 3 until the cross, Satan had the possibility of winning the spiritual warfare enabling him to remain the god of the world for eternity. When he killed Jesus, he thought he had accomplished his purpose but really facilitated his eternal defeat and God’s ultimate victory.
2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 6:12; Hebrews 2:14; John 12:31; Ephesians 4:8: and 1 Peter 3:22
John 12:31 - Before Jesus, the devil operated in the world almost completely undetected without any resistance.
Freed humanity from the slavery of sin
Colossians 1:13 and 14 - We are rescued from the power of darkness.
Colossians 2:10-15; Romans 6:1-12 - Jesus was our substitute, and we are connected with him in the victory over sin. We are freed from sin. We are no longer slaves of sin.
Romans 8:28-39 - We overwhelmingly conquer.
Ensured God’s purpose of the ages, His dream fulfilled
Colossians 1:15-23; Ephesians 3:8-12 - God will have a family to live with Him eternally.
Garden of Gethsemane prayer (Matthew 26:36-46; Luke 22:39-46)
Arrested in Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:47-56; Mark 14:43-52; Luke 22:47-53; John 18:2-12)
Jesus before Annas’ parent (John 18:13-23)
Jesus before Caiaphas and Sanhedrin in a night trial (Matthew 26:57-75; Mark 14:53-72; Luke 22:54-65; John 18:24-27)
Before Sanhedrin again for morning trial around daybreak (Matthew 27:2; Mark 15:1; Luke 22:66-71)
Appeared before Herod (Luke 23:7-12)
Jesus before Pilate (Matthew 27:11-25; Mark 15:2-14; Luke 23:13-23; John 18:39-19:15)
Sentenced by Pilate around noon (John 19:14; Matthew 27:26; Mark 15:15; Luke 23:24, 25; John 19:16)
Tortured and mocked by soldiers in judgment hall (Matthew 27:26-31; Mark 15:15-20)
Led out for crucifixion on Wednesday morning (Matthew 27:32-34; Mark 15:20-23; Luke 23:26-32; John 19:16, 17)
Hung on cross approximately 9 AM to 3 PM on Wednesday (Matthew 27:35-49; Mark 15:24-36; Luke 23:33-45; John 19:18-29)
Died about 3 PM on Wednesday (Matthew 27:50-54; Mark 15:37-39; Luke 23:45-48; John 19:30-37)
For more information on the four crucified with Jesus, his suffering,
final words on the cross, three days and three nights, and His resurrection see:
JESUS THE CHRIST
Kingdom Studies – Volume Two
Four books of the Bible are devoted to the life of Jesus the Messiah. The books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, often referred to as “the Gospels”, reveal the Biblical record of the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
II Peter 1:20 All scripture is inspired by God. The Gospels do not give four different opinions. Rather they are scripture – the writers were divinely inspired by God.
* A Day in Capernaum
Mark 1:21-28; Luke 4:31-37– Jesus teaches and then casts out a demon in a synagogue in Capernaum
Mark 1:29-31; Luke: 4:38-39; Matthew 8:14-15 – Jesus goes to Simon Peter’s home and heals his mother-in-law.
Mark 1:32-34; Luke 4:40-41; Matthews 8:16-17 – That evening Jesus heals many
Mark 1:35 – 38; Luke 4:42-43 Early the next morning Jesus goes away to pray. He declares that he must go preach in other cities.
Jesus was not doing his own will. Nor was he doing the will of the people. He was doing his father’s will, living for His purpose. He never lost sight of his purpose- to preach the kingdom of God. He did not get side tracked by self promotion or vain ambition.
*The day Jesus fed 5000 and walked on the water
Mark 6:30-32; Matthew 14:13; Luke 9:10; John 6:1– They attempted to get away to a secluded place.
Mark 6:33-34; Matthew 14:14; Luke 9:11; John 6:2-3-– Crowds followed them on foot. Jesus preached the kingdom of God and healed the people.
Mark 6:35-44; Matthew 14:15-21; Luke 9:12-17; John 6:5-14 – Jesus feeds five thousand with five loaves and two fish.
Mark 6:45-46; Matthew 14:22-23; John 6:15-16– Jesus sends the crowd away, and goes away by himself into a mountain to pray.
Mark 6:47-52; Matthew 14:24-33; John 6:17-20 – Jesus walks on the water (Peter too!)
Mark 6:53-54; Matthew 14:34-35; John 6:21 – The boat arrives at Gennesaret and the people recognize him.
John 6:22-71 – The next day at the synagogue in Capernaum, Jesus teaches that he is the bread of life.
Find out who the real St. Patrick was. Join Sean Finnegan as he separates the man from the myth and narrates the riveting tale of a kidnapped teenager who dared to bring a message of hope to the savage Irish tribes.
Learn how Saint Patrick escaped from slavery and how he eventually became the most successful missionary of his century. St. Patrick’s day will never be the same. This message will surprise you.
1 Corinthians 15:45-48 Both were brought into the world without sin and both have progeny (descendants).
Everyone is born connected to Adam and inherits the same characteristics. Christians are connected to God through Jesus and inherit the same characteristics.
49 – The context refers specifically to the time when Christ returns. Until then, we have both: the likeness of the earthy and the likeness of the heavenly.
21 and 22 Their impact is indeed profound and completely contrary to one another.
Genesis 1:11, 12, 21; 5:3 As with the plant and animal kingdoms in which everything is after its kind, so it is with mankind. The seed for offspring in humans is also within them.
Genesis 1:27 and 28 Adam originally was created after God’s kind, but after the fall Adam’s kind, mankind, was much different
Ephesians 2:1-3 We are born dead in trespasses and sins without God.
Romans 5:11 “Exult” - the obsolete meaning is “to leap for joy”; to be extremely joyful.
“Reconciliation” is to bring back together that which has been separated, especially in relationships.
Romans 5:12-ff We are connected to both Adams.
Adam
Sin entered into the world
Death through sin
Death reigned over all
Transgression of one [Adam] many died
Judgment from one [Adam] resulting in condemnation
One transgression resulted condemnation to all men
One man’s [Adam’s] disobedience many were made sinners
Sin reigned in death
Romans 8:1-15 We are no longer under the law of sin and death! Christians have free will to choose the way to live according to the spirit or the flesh.
2 Corinthians 4:17 In Christ is not a makeover, rather a new creation.
Three contrasts are set forth in Ephesians:
Ephesians 2:1-3 Dead, course of this world, prince of the power of the air, disobedience, lusts of the flesh, indulging, children of wrath
2:11 and 12 Gentiles (excluded), uncircumcised (misfits), separate from Christ, excluded, strangers to covenant, no hope, without God
2:13, 14, 19, 22 Near, peace, fellow citizens, God’s household, God’s dwelling place
4:17-23 Futility, darkened understanding, ignorance, hardness of heart, callousness, sensuality, impurity, greediness
4:24 New self is created in righteousness, holiness, and truth.
1 Peter 3:3 and 4 “You are so beautiful to me.”
Ephesians 4:20-25 Two yous in one − old self and the new self. We need to remember and rely on the supernatural.
Ephesians 6:10-12 Be strong in the Lord and the power of His strength. Dead in trespasses and sin
Alive together with Christ.
1 Peter 1:18-19
We’ve been redeemed with the blood of Christ.
To redeem is to buy back, to pay off, to clear a debt by payment; to exchange for money or goods; to recover possession or ownership of by payment of a price; to liberate by payment of a ransom.
Why did we need to be redeemed? Redeemed from what?
John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
WHY AM I HERE? WHAT IS LIFE?
John 5:24; 6:27, 40; 11:25; Romans 6:23
Romans 5:12-14
Now redemption makes sense. The sin is not just sins that I have committed, but rather it is sin itself − something all humanity inherited from Adam. All of us, no matter who we are, have the sentence of death appointed for our future. It doesn’t matter how young you are or how old you are; it doesn’t matter if you are a good person or a bad person; it doesn’t matter if you are rich or poor. “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” The redemption that was purchased through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ bought us eternal life – that even if I we die, we have a promise of life in the age to come. Our lives will be redeemed from the grave!!! Wow! How do you get this eternal life?
Psalm 49:1-15
“No man can by any means redeem his brother Or give to God a ransom for him − For the redemption of his soul is costly, And he should cease trying forever −That he should live on eternally, That he should not undergo decay.”
Matthew 16:26 – You could gain the whole world, but lose your soul. No one could pay the price on his own. The cost was more than anyone could pay. There is nothing you can do to redeem yourself. We needed a redeemer
In the Old Testament law, there were sacrifices, temporary offerings for atonement of sin. These practices were instituted to teach and to instruct, but they could never fully redeem humanity. That’s why they had to do them week after week, year after year. The lesson was that a sacrifice was necessary for redemption. However, only a perfect sacrifice could make the necessary payment for the redemption of sin and the salvation of humanity.
Hebrews 9:11-12, 15
The redemption in Christ is for eternal inheritance! Praise God! Hallelujah!
2 Corinthians 9:8; Philippians 2:13; 4:13 - God is our sufficiency; therefore, we are dependent on Him. Our worth, importance, purpose, our good feeling about ourselves come from God, not people.
Proverbs 16:18 As independent ones, we do not need God or others. Our worth, importance, purpose, and good feeling come from self; therefore, we are controlling everyone and everything. Lust and covetousness are our normal; work and accomplishments are vital to our wellbeing.
Matthew 6:1-5 - The codependent person has people for their sufficiency. They find their worth, importance, purpose, and good feeling in how others need and respond to them. They are people-pleasers and crave attention from others. They shine in crisis situations because they feel needed.
1 Corinthians 12:12-27; Ephesians 4:1-3 God-dependent people are the only ones who can have godly relationships with others.
John 13:12-17, 34 We are happy if we hold the mindset Jesus had while washing their feet. He served without human compensation in mind. As we love each other like Christ did, our relationships will not be codependent or self-centered.
Luke 22:24-27; Romans 12:10; Philippians2:3 - Like Jesus, we discipline ourselves so that our dealings with others is not about self but about them, not what we can get but what we can give, not the love we receive but the love we can give.
Matthew 7:1ff Because God is our sufficiency, we can love others as we want others to love us.
Colossians 3:10-17 Never forget that everyone has a self-centered nature that prompts unrighteous actions and ungodly words. If you take the others’ actions personally, then you are back to your own self-centeredness.
rational vs. irrational fear
- Should be afraid of jumping off the roof
- Should be afraid of touching a live wire
- Should be afraid to start a fight with the police
- Shouldn't be afraid to leave the house
- Shouldn't be afraid of all strangers
- Shouldn't be afraid of the dark
problems with fear
- Paralyzes, prevents, holds back, limits
- Robs you of joy
- Can cause health problems
1 Timothy 1:7 “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.”
1 Samuel 17 Why was David so different from everyone else when Goliath came out?
Psalm 91 The key to overcoming fear
three steps to overcome fear
1. Analyze your fear
2. Face your fear
3. Ask others for help
Hebrews 2:14-15 Christ came to free us from the ultimate fear.
Ephesians 6:11-13 - All of humanity is in the midst of a spiritual hostile conflict that has raged on for ages. The two opposing forces are Yahweh (the one true God) and the devil (the god of this age). God wants everyone to enter into His glorious Kingdom that begins when Christ returns, and the devil wants to keep everyone out of the Kingdom.
2 Corinthians 4:4 - Satan is the god of this age.
1 Peter 5:8 - Everyone is attacked by the devil.
Ephesians 2:1-3 - Ignorance, forgetfulness, or laziness does not exempt one from the struggle; rather, it dooms one to defeat.
The fronts are: 1) the world, 2) the demonic realm, and 3) the flesh.
Ephesians 6:14 - GIRD YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH.
John 8:44 - The primary way the devil operates is with lies.
Ephesians 1:4 and 5 - WHAT WE HAVE EXPERIENCED IS WHAT WE BELIEVE.
John 8:31 and 32 - The truth will set you free
Ephesians 6:14 - PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Ephesians 4:21-24 - The breastplate of righteousness has everything to do with living rightly according to our new self.
Ephesians 4:25 - The lifestyle of a believer is based upon the truth that Jesus has brought and communicated.
Ephesians 5:3-7
Ephesians 6:15 - HAVE YOUR FEET SHOD WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE.
Ephesians 1:2; 6:23; 2:14-17; and 4:1-3 - In the epistle of Ephesians, the subject of peace is highlighted. Peace is fundamental to our well-being and necessary in order to stand in this evil day.
Ephesians 6:16 - TAKE UP THE SHIELD OF FAITH.
Hebrews 11:1
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
Faith is the confidence and trust that we have toward that which God promises.
Ephesians 6:17 - TAKE THE HELMET OF SALVATION.
Ephesians 1:13 and 14 - We can never escape the reality that we live in an evil time; consequently, the spiritual battle rages on.
Hebrews 11:13-16
Ephesians 6:17 - THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT WHICH IS THE WORD OF GOD
Ephesians 6:18 - Pray.
Luke 18:1-8 We are told to persist in prayer.
Matt. 7:7 and 8 Keep on asking; keep seeking; keep knocking
Matt. 24:42-25:13 Be on the alert. Will he find faith?
Gal. 5:1-14 Don’t bite and devour one another, instead love; pray; keep the faith.
5:15-26 Instead of challenging and envying one another, pray for one another.
Hang on. When we get knocked down; we get back up; get down; get back up. Be resilient!
Deut. 9 Moses interceded on behalf of the people and asked for God’s mercy.
Eph. 6:18 “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;”
1 Tim. 2:1-4 First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
James 5:13-16 Pray for and encourage each other.
Job 13:13-19
v. 15 “Though He slay me, I will hope in Him.”
1 Peter 1:13 Prepare your minds for action. Your faith and hope are in God.
Rev. 8:3 and 4 Our prayers are in the throne room of God!
Matthew 6:1-6 God wants heart, not detached, religious activity. "My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways" (Proverbs 23:26). Matthew 6:5 and 6 The very first thing that Jesus taught about prayer was not to be a hypocrite. Verses 7 and 8 Prayers are not to be conducted in a mechanical, mindless fashion. Repetition itself is not the concern, rather vain repetition which is much talking without concern or thought for that which is being said. Verse 9 "Our Father" - Our prayers are not to some remote, uncaring, and untouchable deity; rather, they are to the ever present, always loving, and approachable Father. "Which art in Heaven" - Directs our attention to the utter magnificence and might of the One Who is our Father. Deuteronomy 10:14; Isaiah 40:12; Ephesians 3:20 Humility is the only proper perspective for prayer. "Hallowed" means to sanctify, to render, or acknowledge as holy. Isaiah 57:15; Revelation 4:8 Yahweh is holy, holy, holy. Matthew 6:10 When the Kingdom comes, then His will only will be done. Verse 11 Each day, we are to pray this prayer. We are to live each day without being distracted by the past or future. Daily bread includes the necessities in the physical and spiritual. Matthew 6:12 We are told to ask God for His forgiveness at least daily. 1 John 1:9 God is willing to forgive; however, He insists that we also forgive others. Matthew 6:14; Ephesians 4:32 Forgiving others is not optional if we want God to forgive us. Matthew 6:13 Lead us not into temptation Matthew 26:41; 2 Peter 2:9 Luke 11:1-4 Similar prayer
Name (Exodus 3:13-16; Revelation 1:8; 4:8): God’s name, Yahweh, comes from the verb “to be.” He is the one who was, who is, who is to come—the only being who does not depend on something else for existence.
Creation (Psalm 104): From grass to guinea pigs, lemons to lions, clouds to capillaries, He made it all! By looking at creation, we find inspiration to praise the Creator.
Egypt (Exodus 5:1-2; 9:13-16): The ten plagues demonstrate God’s power over nature as well as His superiority over all of the other so-called gods.
Covenant Keeper (Exodus 6:2-8; 12:40-41): When God makes promises, He keeps them. Since He does not suffer the effects of old age or die, He is the only one who can always make good on what He said He will do.
Holy Judge (Exodus 15:1-19; Isaiah 6:3): God is neither a pushover nor is He afraid to use His great power to avenge His beloved. However, He is holy, holy, holy and never loses control or misjudges a situation.
Lover (John 3:16; 1 John 4:8-19): Not only did He create the world out of love, but He so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son to die for our sins.
Our Response (Deuteronomy 6:4-5): Love Him with everything, including praising Him, obeying Him, and telling others about Him.
1. Through the spirit, we experience God’s love.
2. The spirit enables us to love God.
3. The spirit gives us the capacity to love others just like Christ.
Romans 5:5-10 – God had His Son die for our sins. We are saved from wrath and offered eternal life, which is all motivated by God’s love for us. As we accept God’s love for us, the tormenting and ugly beliefs and feelings we have about ourselves fade away because the most important one of all loves us.
Romans 8:14-17 – Hard-heartedness and indifference toward God are replaced with the tenderheartedness and passion for our Father.
Galatians 5:13-16 – The will of the flesh is self-centered, without concern for God or others. The spirit enables us to love others genuinely.
Philippians 1:12-20 – Paul was in jail, not because he committed any crimes, but because he endeavored to help people to be saved. Yet, in these circumstances, he did not complain and cry “poor me,” rather he maintained a loving attitude. Instead of submitting to the temptations of anger, ingratitude, grumbling about injustice, blaming God or others, or doubting himself, he was thankful.
1 Timothy 1:13-16 – Paul was completely free of the lies that encased most everyone else. He truly had died to himself. He did not take those circumstances as a personal attack on him. He did not take things personally because he did not believe lies about himself. He understood the wrong actions of others were due to the wrong beliefs they held, even if they had an impact on him. He understood because he never had forgotten the evil he had committed while thinking he was doing a service to God.
Matthew 2:1-4 – If when we serve others we feel important, valued, significant, indispensable, or rejected, unimportant, unappreciated, or insignificant, our motives may not be aligned with the love of God.
1 John 4:9-11, 19 – We love others because God loved us!
1 John 3:16-18 – Thinking about loving others or only having good intentions is not enough.
Jesus is the Messiah, the one who fulfilled the words of all the prophets. He is the one who was to come. He is the prophet like unto Moses, the priest like unto Melchizedek, and the king like unto David. He was born of a woman, a human being, from the line of King David, of the tribe of Judah.
Luke 1:26-33
This one born of Mary would receive the throne of his Father David. His kingdom would have no end. He would be great and would be called the Son of the Most High. This angelic declaration to Mary is a direct fulfillment of the great messianic promise given to King David (I Sam 7:9-14; I Chr 17:8-13). God would be the Father of this future descendent of David. He would be God’s son. (Ps 2:2, 6-7; Ps 89:3-4, 27-28).
Luke 1:34-35 “How can this be?”
Matthew 1:18-20 – The birth (GK genesis) of Jesus
• The holy spirit will come upon you.
• The power of the Most High will overshadow you.
• The child conceived in her is of the holy spirit.
…And for that reason the holy child shall be called the Son of God.
Romans 1:3-4 – Jesus was both the Son of man, a descendent of David, and the Son of God, conceived of the holy spirit.
John 20:30-31 The signs recorded in the book of John were written so that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of God, and that believing you might have life in his name.
John 1:14 – The word became flesh, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father.
The word had been declared by the prophets − a promise of the coming one that would redeem humanity and crush the serpent under his feet.
Genesis 3:15 – The seed of the woman would bruise the head of the serpent.
Genesis 22:18 – Through Abraham’s seed all nations of the earth would be blessed.
Numbers 24:17 – A star shall come from Jacob. A scepter shall rise from Israel.
Genesis 49:10 – The scepter would not depart from Judah until Shiloh comes.
Psalm 132:11; Acts 2:29-30 – The fruit of David’s body would sit on the David’s throne.
Luke 1:54-55 – He has given help to Israel as He spoke to our fathers.
Luke 1:69-70 – He raised up a horn of salvation in the house of David, as spoken by His holy prophets.
Luke 2:11-12 – Good news of great joy for all people – there has been born a Savior, Christ the Lord.
Luke 3:21-22; John 1:32-34 – At his baptism, God declared that Jesus is the Son of God.
John 1: 41-50 – They understood that this anointed of the LORD was the Son of God.
Matthew 16:13-16 – The Christ, the Son of the living God
Mark 15:39 – At his death, the centurion declared that this one was the Son of God.
Romans 1:4 – Through the resurrection from the dead, he is marked out as the Son of God.
John 3:16 – What do you think of Jesus? Do you believe in the Son of God?
The Old Testament is filled with prophecy about the coming Messiah, whom we now know to be Jesus. Many types or examples are also in the Old Testament with none more significant than those that represent the three-pronged ministry of Jesus the Messiah. His predominate work as a prophet has been done, his priestly service is happening now, and his kingship will be fulfilled in the future after he returns.
Both “Messiah” and “Christ” mean anointed one. “Anointed” means chosen by divine election, consecrated. Jesus, the Son of God, was anointed as a prophet, priest, and king.
Jesus the ProphetDeuteronomy 18:15-22 Moses foretold that there would be a prophet like him. All of the true prophets were like Moses in that they spoke to the people on behalf of Yahweh. Moses is the mediator of the old covenant, and Jesus is the mediator of the new covenant.
Acts 3:17-26 Jesus is the prophet like Moses.
Galatians 1:6-12 The revelation of the Old Testament came from God through the prophets; the revelation of the New Testament again comes from God through Jesus, the prophet like Moses. Jesus was the last great prophet regarding the new covenant and that which is recorded in the Bible.
Jesus the PriestLeviticus 16:15-19 - The most important duty of the high priest was to conduct the service on the Day of Atonement.
Hebrews 9:1-28; 10:10, 12 Jesus, our high priest, offered himself as the sacrifice for our sins. Through Christ’s sacrifice for us, we are sanctified and set apart for God.
1 Timothy 2:5 Jesus is the mediator between God and men.
Jesus the King2 Samuel 7:12; Isaiah 9:7; Jeremiah 23:5 God promised David that a descendant of his would rein on the throne of Israel forever. To the Jew, the son of God, messiah, and king are all equivalent
Luke 1:27-33
Jesus is the prophet like Moses, the priest like Melchizedek, and king like David.
What does all of this mean to us today? As our prophet, his words written in the New Testament are God’s words specifically to us. As our priest, he provides remission of sins and forgiveness as we ask. As our king, he reigns in our hearts now.
MIRACLES
Isaiah 35: The prophet envisions a renewed world when the desert will bloom, the weak will find encouragement, the blind will see, the deaf will hear, the lame will leap, the mute will shout, and all will worship God joyfully.
Isaiah 61: God acts bringing good news to the afflicted, liberty to the captives, vengeance to the wicked, and comfort to all who mourn. His people will rebuild, serve as priests, and possess a double portion in the land. As the earth brings forth sprouts, so God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up.
Other miracle workers: Honi the Circle Drawer (1st century BC), Hanina ben Dosa (1st century AD)
MESSIAHS
Isaiah 11: A descendant of Jesse (king David's father) will establish lasting justice and equity in the land. With the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked.
Isaiah 53: He will not have a majestic appearance, but he will be despised, forsaken, acquainted with grief. He will bear our griefs and sorrows, be pierced through for our transgressions, be crushed for our iniquities. By his scourging we are healed. Oppressed and afflicted, he remained silent. He was cut off yet found his grave with the rich; thereby, he interceded for transgressors and justified the many.
Jewish sources that thought Isaiah 53 referred to the Messiah:
Babylonian TalmudAD 180Targum Jonathan AD 200Midrash Ruth Rabbah AD 850Rabbi Moshe Maimonides AD 1200Zohar via Moses de Leon AD 1290Moshe Ibn CrispinAD 1375
Other leaders of messianic movements: Athronges (4 BC), Judah the Galilean (AD 6), the Samaritan Prophet (AD 36), Theudas (AD 45), the Egyptian Prophet (AD 58), Simon bar Giora (AD 69), Simon ben Kosiba (AD 132)
Who best fits the kingdom age and suffering servant prophecies?
2 Peter 1:3, 20, and 21 The Word of God is truth, and the worldly common view is not.
Romans 1:4 Jesus did many things that showed the world that he was the Son of God, but his resurrection is the irrefutable, certain, guaranteed proof.
Colossians 1:18 Jesus was the first person resurrected from the dead. Others were brought back to life but died again. No one else has been resurrected yet.
Acts 2:25-36 David died, was buried, and stayed in the grave; but Jesus died, was placed in a tomb, and was raised up from the dead.
Ecclesiastes 9:5, 6 and 10 The dead do not know anything. Sheol is from Hebrew used in the OT, and Hades is from Greek used in the NT. Both mean the place of the dead, the kingdom of the grave.
Psalm 6:4 and 5 No mention of You in death
Psalm 30:9; 115:17 The dead cannot praise or declare.
Psalm 146:4 Thoughts perish
The normal traditional view is that at death the human soul or spirit lives on (either in Heaven or in hell or some other intermediate state) pending the final judgment of God. Soul-immortality entered Christianity, not through Scripture, but from ancient Greek philosophy, profoundly influenced by Plato, 428- 348 B.C.
The primary metaphor used to describe death in the Scriptures is “sleep,” which connotes the ideas of inactivity and unconsciousness.
Psalm 13:3; Acts7:60, 13:36, and 1 Corinthians 15:17-20
1 Corinthians 15:20-23 Jesus is the first-fruit of those of faith who will be raised when he returns.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-17
Psalm 100 – This Psalm expresses the attitude of heart we should have when we serve Yahweh.
Serve Yahweh – with gladness
Come before Him – with joyful singing
Enter His gates – with thanksgiving
And His courts – with praise
“It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves.”
God made man. The idea of life itself came from Him. We didn’t originate the idea of being born. We had little to do with being born the first time.
So too, with the new creation in Christ, it is not of ourselves that we receive eternal life. It is by way of God’s sacrifice – the gift of His Son.
Romans 5:6-8
We were helpless. God demonstrated His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. What should be our response to such incredible love? Serve – Romans 12:1, 6-13.
The theme of service out of gratitude for what has been done through Jesus Christ can be seen throughout the New Testament Epistles:
2 Corinthians 5:14-15 – The love of Christ controls/constrains us. Live for the one who died for us.
Ephesians 2:1-10 – It is the gift, the offering, of God – not of ourselves.
Ephesians 4:1-2 Therefore walk in a manner worthy of this great calling.
Ephesians 5:18-20 – Always giving thanks in the name of Jesus Christ to God the Father
Colossians 1:12-14 – Give thanks to the Father, who qualified us to share in the inheritance. He rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the Kingdom of His beloved Son.
Colossians 2:13-14 – We were dead in trespasses and sins. Christ cancelled out these things at the cross.
Colossians 3:1-4 – Since we have died with Christ, we should now live through him.
Colossians 3:14-17 – Be thankful, serve, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
Colossians 3:23-24 – Do it heartily, as for the Lord, rather than for men.
Studies indicate that grateful people can expect the following: feel better, more relaxed, more resilient, less envious, happier memories, less materialistic, less self-centered, more optimistic, increased self-esteem, more spiritual, more social, healthier marriage, kinder, more friendships, deeper relationships, improved sleep, less sick, increased longevity, more energy, more exercise, better management, improved networking, improved goal achievement, better decision making, and increased productivity. Just imagine a drug that could produce these results, without any side effects—and it’s totally free!
2 Corinthians 9:1-2 Hearing about the generous giving of the Christians in Achaia inspired those in Macedonia to contribute towards the fund Paul was collecting to help the poor in Jerusalem
2 Corinthians 9:3-4 Paul had been bragging about the Corinthians and their pledge to give. Now he is going to show up with some friends from Macedonia and he doesn’t want to get there and find that they had forgotten to set aside the money or had changed their minds. If this happened, it would bring shame on both Paul and the Corinthians. Thus, he wisely sends a couple of trusted friends and the letter we now know as 2 Corinthians to ensure that everything is in order when he gets there.
2 Corinthians 9:5 Other translations render the word “covetousness” as “extortion” or “exaction.” Paul doesn’t want to show up and take the Corinthians by surprise. He doesn’t want them to feel forced to give in order to save their reputation. He wants people to think it through ahead of time.
2 Corinthians 9:6 This is a basic principle of how giving works, but we should not take it as some sort of absolute key to health, wealth, and prosperity. (See also 1 Timothy 6:6-11, 17-19.)
2 Corinthians 9:7 Here is a key often overlooked. God doesn’t appreciate it when people give grudgingly or out of a sense of necessity. It should be a cheerful, glad hearted affair, not a compulsion.
2 Corinthians 9:8-11 God will take care of you when you trust him. Think of a farmer who tills the ground and plants seed. He does all he can, but in the end, God causes it to grow and to produce. Verse 9 is a quote from Psalm 112:9
2 Corinthians 9:12-15 The benefit is twofold: first the giving meets the physical needs of the saints and secondly it results in them giving “many thanksgivings to God.” But there is also a third benefit: prayer.
God is good all the time.
God is faithful always.
God is patient continually.
God’s loving kindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1 and 22 Since His loving kindness is everlasting, we say so when we are lost in the wilderness, in prison, in sickness and at sea.
Psalm 118:1-10
Psalm 136:1-ff The reflection of His mighty works and his eternal lovingkindness continually inspire gratitude and therefore joyful living.
Psalm 100:1-5 What we have or do not have is not the determining factor for the good life; thankfulness is the difference maker.
1 Chronicles 16:8 -36 With gratitude, we enjoy peace, faith, joy, stability, and hope. With ingratitude, we have discouragement, frustration, unbelief, depression, sadness, and hopelessness.
1 Chronicles 29:10-22 Israel enjoying the good life
Romans 1:21 The bad life of darkness, feeling sorry for yourself, sense of entitlement, ingratitude, darkness
Romans 1:21 Ingratitude as well as the sense of entitlement form the highway to darkness and hell.
Psalm 107:1-3 Give thanks to Yahweh
Two reasons
1. He is good.
2. His lovingkindness is everlasting.
What follows are four stories of deliverance:
1. Lost in the wilderness
2. Lost in prison
3. Lost in sickness
4. Lost at sea
Psalm 107:4-9 Lost in the wilderness
What relief we experience once we finally get our bearings.
Has God ever delivered you from being lost?
- Then testify, and give thanks to Yahweh for His lovingkindness.
Psalm 107:10-16 Lost in prison
These people were in jail for rebelling against the words of God.
Has God ever delivered you from prison?
- Then testify and give thanks to Yahweh for His lovingkindness.
Psalm 107:17-22 Lost in sickness
Here their sin caused sickness, though this is not always the case.
Has God ever delivered you from sickness?
- Then testify, and give thanks to Yahweh for His lovingkindness.
Psalm 107:23-32 Lost at sea
The ocean can be the most humbling place on earth.
Has God ever delivered you from storms at sea?
- Then testify, and give thanks to Yahweh for His lovingkindness.
Psalm 107:33-43 God punishes the wicked and rewards the righteous.
I don’t want you to get the impression that God always delivers us as if we never suffer any pain, but many times, He does rescue us. When we experience God’s lovingkindness, we should respond. We should not keep it to ourselves, but testify, rallying in God’s steadfast love. Are you ready to testify?
Exodus 34:6 and 7
Psalm 63:3 Your loving kindness is better than life.
Romans 8:28 - God is not the cause of everything that happens. We do have an adversary – Hebrews 2:14; 1Peter 5:8; John 10:10.
8:28 - Regardless of difficult or challenging circumstances in life, God works things together for good as we depend on Him.
8:30 - Called according to His purpose 2Timothy 1:9
Ephesians 1:4-11 The calling is to holiness, blamelessness, love, sonship, praise, redemption, forgiveness, and eternal inheritance.
Romans 8:31 The logical conclusion to God’s call is that He is for us, and no one or nothing can effectively be against us. Psalm 27:1; 118:6; Numbers 14:9; Isaiah 54:17
8:32 - He gave His Son for us. John 3:16; Ephesians 2:4 and 5
Romans 5:1-11 God’s proof of His love
33 - There would be a high degree of absurdity in supposing that God would both justify and condemn the same individual.
34 - How others interact or how we perceive others think about us should no longer determine how we feel or think about ourselves.
35 - The reasonable conclusion is if God is on your side, if He loves you, everything and anything can be endured.
37 - We do not allow ourselves to slip into doubting God’s love or into self-grading analysis because bad things happen.
39 - Such confidence is developed by the understanding of the Scriptures due to study and application.
Psalm 139:6-12 God is always with us.
Hebrews 4:13-16; 13:5 and 6
Philippians 4:4-9 The Lord is near.
Psalms 86; 103:1-18 If God loves you, surely He will answer your prayer.
Psalm 63:3 Your loving kindness is better than life.
Exodus 34:6 and 7 Keeps lovingkindness for thousands
Numbers 14:28 and Neh. 9:17 God’s lovingkindness is abounding.
Romans 6:1-10 The life with Christ is not just a retooling or remodeling of the old you; rather, it is a completely different life.
2 Corinthians 5:14-17 We are a new creation in Christ. By creation, we mean something that did not exist before. Since there are some things about ourselves that remain the same such as our history, memory, appearance, we are tempted to think behavior modification is all that has occurred.
1Peter 1:23-2:2 The new birth is a core change from the inside out, a supernatural change. What made us who we were is not what makes us who we are today.
Ephesians 2:1-10 From dead in trespasses and sins to alive in the heavenlies is a supernatural miracle that could come only by a gift from God.
We had the impulses and longings of a self-centered person; now we have the impulses and longings of a Christ-centered person.
Colossians 1:13 With the new inside, you can enjoy a new perspective on the world around you. The world does not change, but your relationship to it radically changes. What once was all-important to you becomes insignificant. Values, morals, and desires change; therefore, your activities change as well.
1Peter 1:3-5 With our hope, we now have purposeful life filled with love for God and our fellow man.
Titus 3:1-8 The lovingkindness of God enables us to have lovingkindness to our fellow man, and no longer must we be caught up in the insanity of self-concern.
Isaiah 30:18 - Yahweh longs to be gracious to you.
God is good – all the time; God is faithful – always
Romans 2:4 - Tolerance and patience
Exodus 34:6 and 7 - “Slow to anger,” “patience,” and “longsuffering” are all translations of the same Hebrew words.
Exodus 7-12 - The ten plagues; 13, fire and cloud; 14, the Red Sea is parted; 15, waters of Marah were made sweet; 16, manna; 17, water came out of the rock; 17, Amalek defeated; 19 and 20, God talks to them at Sinai; 21-31, Moses on the mountain; 32, golden calf; 33, Moses asks to see Yahweh’s glory
Ex 34: 6 and 7 God is longsuffering – astoundingly.
“Longsuffering” is an old English word with more meaning than patience because it includes tolerance, patiently enduring lasting offense or hardship, and forgiveness.
Numbers 14:17-22 Ten times in the first year, He pardoned them.
Nehemiah 9:6-31 Yahweh was remarkably longsuffering with them.
Romans 1:20-2:4 - God is patient and forgiving.
1 John 1:7-10
2 Peter 3:3-15
Isaiah 30:18
Romans 2:4 – The goodness of God leads a man to repentance.
Romans 1:16 and 17 – The faithfulness of God leads a man to faith.
Habakkuk 2:1-4 – The righteous live by faith because their focus is upon Yahweh and His promises and not upon self or others.
Hebrews 10:23-25 We have faith in His faithfulness.
Psalm 89:1-3 Yahweh made a covenant with David, and the psalmist (who is living in a time when it seems that God is no longer keeping the covenant) reminds God of the covenant. However, there are two parts to every covenant.
Psalm 89:4 A covenant is a solemn binding agreement between two parties.
6 – Angels are called sons in Job 1:6; 2:1.
7 – According to Revelation 4 and 5, four living creatures, 24 elders and myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands of angels are around His throne.
9 – Creation declares His faithfulness. Psalm 146:6
25-28 – David is a type for Jesus as King. Many times when the Scriptures are talking about David, prophecy specific to Jesus enters in without our notice as is the case here. The covenant that God made with David will be fulfilled with Jesus.
33 – David’s descendants turned from Yahweh and worshipped other gods.
34-37 Yahweh will keep His covenant even if it takes thousands of years because He is faithful. Jeremiah 33:19-26
52 – This psalm was written during the time Israel was in Babylonian captivity, when all looked lost; however, Yahweh remained faithful and had and has a plan.
2 Kings 24:6-16; 25:27-30 Jehoiachin was spared to carry out the covenant.
Psalm 36:5
Hebrews 6:18; Numbers 23:19; Titus 1:2 God is not a man that He should lie.
Lamentations 3:22-26
Hebrews 11:1 – 7
By faith Noah…prepared an ark…and became an heir of righteousness.
Matthew 13:3-9, 18-23
The sower sowed seed and some fell on the roadside…others fell on rocky soil…others fell among the thorns…and others fell on good soil. The good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it and bears fruit.
Matthew 7:21-27
He who does the will of my Father who is in heaven will enter His Kingdom.
John 6:66-69
Peter understood that the Lord Jesus spoke words of eternal life.
1 Corinthians 2:1-16
By the spirit we have the mind of Christ.
1 John 4:4
You have overcome because greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world.
2 Corinthians 12:9
My grace is sufficient for you.
Romans Chapter 8
Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
2 Corinthians 2:11
We are not to be ignorant of Satan’s schemes. He has schemes, methodologies, working behind the scenes.
Ephesians 6:10-13
Our struggles are not in the senses’ realm. The battle is against rulers, against powers, against the forces of darkness, spiritual forces of wickedness in heavenly places.
Most people walk in darkness, oblivious, blinded by the god of this age.
Eph 2:1-3; 2 Corinthians 4:3-4; Acts 26:18
The devil, Satan, is the God of this age. He has a kingdom. He and his spiritual forces rule over kingdoms of this world. Luke 4:5-6; 1 John 5:19
The scriptures open up windows of the Spiritual realm and the battle that rages behind the scenes.
Revelation 12:1-9; Jude 1:9; 2 Kings 6:8-23; Daniel 10:1-20
2 Corinthians 11:3
The devil is subtle, crafty, and seductive. We don’t see him directly. We need to recognize his schemes. Our battle is to recognize the attack.
Don’t be quarrelsome, but rather be gentle to help others escape from the snare of the devil
2 Timothy 2:23-26
Pride / Conceit is part of the devil’s snare
1 Timothy 3:6-7
Covetousness, greediness – the love of money, is part of his weaponry. Fight the good fight!
1 Timothy 6:9-12
Jealousy, selfish ambition, comes from demonic, evil influence.
James 3:14-16
Lust is of the evil one of this world.
1 John 2:16
Idolatry is the worship of other gods, idolatry is actually worshipping devils/demons – the gods of this world. Deuteronomy 32:17; 2 Chronicles 11:15; Psalm 106:37; 1 Corinthians 8:4-7; 10:19-20
Be on the alert! Resist the devil.
1 Peter 5:8-9
Greater is he who is in you, than he that is in the world.
1 John 4:4
Genesis 6:1-7 Who are the “sons of God?”
Job 1:6-7; 38:4, 7; Daniel 3:25, 28 Here the sons of God are angels
1 Peter 3:18-20; 2 Peter 2:4-5; Jude 6-7 The New Testament provides more detail about what happened in the time of Noah
Summarizing What We Know about the Sons of God
1. sons of God are angels
2. they left their proper home and went after “strange flesh”
3. God imprisoned these spirits in pits of darkness until the day of judgment
4. this all happened during the time of Noah
Genesis 6:8-22 In the midst of everything Noah chose to honor God by living righteously
Hebrews says, “by faith Noah…became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith” (Hebrews 11:7)
Peter calls Noah, “a preacher of righteousness” (2 Peter 2:5)
In Ezekiel God uses Noah in his top three list of the most righteous people “Even though Noah, Daniel, and Job were in its midst…they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness” (Ez 14:20)
Matthew 24:36-51 In the end, it will be just like the days of Noah
1Peter 5:8; John10:10; Ephesians 6:11-12 Our adversary is mighty, relentless, and intimating. However….
Jesus’ power and authority during his earthy ministry were but a small taste of his power now and in the future.
John 2:1-11 Jesus had the authority to turn water into wine.
Mark 8:13-21 He provided five loaves for 5,000 with 12 baskets of leftovers and seven loaves for 4,000 with 7 baskets of leftovers and demonstrated his authority to provide daily sustenance for all.
Mark 4:37-41 Authority of the elements
Matthew 14:23-32; John 6:16-21 Authority over gravity
Mark 1:27; 5:1-15 Authority over demons
Matthew 11:5 Authority over all sickness and disease
Mark 5:22-43; Luke 7:12-16; and John 11 Authority over death
Mark 2:1-12 Authority to forgive sins
Jesus’ power and authority now in heaven
Ephesians 1:20-23; 1 Peter 3:22 Authority over all supernatural power save for God
Revelation 5:11-12 He is worthy to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessings.
Jesus will have all power and authority in the Kingdom to come
Colossians 1:15-20; Revelation 5:13-15
Ephesians 6:11 and 12 Indeed our adversary is powerful, but compared to our Lord, he is nothing. Therefore, (Ephesians 6:10) stand strong in the Lord.
Glorifying God is the purpose of our lives! We are called to exalt Him, not just in the church, but in our lives, in the world.
Matthew 9:35-38
V. 37-38 – Jesus: “Father, send someone out there to help these people!”
Matthew 10:1, 7-22, 26-33 – Jesus sends out his disciples.
V. 16-22 – It will be a difficult task.
V. 19-20 – The “Spirit of your Father” would give them the words to speak.
V. 29-31 - The context in which we reach out to the world is: you are valuable to God.
“I am a child of the awesome God.”
We need to put our focus on our great Father rather than on ourselves and our weaknesses.
Acts 3:1-8 – Man healed – Gospel Preached – God is glorified
Acts 4:1-8, 14-22 – As the disciples reached out, things happened just as Jesus said they would.
Acts 4:24-28 – God is exalted.
Acts 4:29-30 – Prayer: “Take note of what is against us, and give us boldness to speak”
Genesis 28:13 God’s original revelation to Jacob
Genesis 31: 3, 13 Over 20 years later, Yahweh tells Jacob to go back to the land.
Genesis 32:7 – 12 Jacob is afraid, so he prays for help.
Genesis 32:24-32 Yahweh answers his prayer.
Yahweh empowers him to wrestle all night − something that is impossible. When it is finally over, Jacob walks away with a limp as a reminder of his own weakness and that with Yahweh you can prevail.
Hosea 12:3 and 4 In the struggles that are beyond your human ability, with Yahweh you will prevail.
Ephesians 6:10-12 Like Jacob, we find ourselves in an impossible situation from a human point-of-view. We cannot wrestle against spiritual powers and win without the help of God and our Lord Jesus the Christ.
11 and 13 The full armor of God includes truth, righteousness, peace, faith, hope, God’s Word, and prayer.
14 – The primary way the devil operates is with lies and deception. He tells you what you want to hear and appeals to your flesh; yet, it is contrary to God’s truth.
Ephesians 4:15, 21, 24, 25; 5:9
6:14 Righteousness is doing the next right thing. 4:24-ff; 5:9-ff
Matthew 6:33 and 34 Live here and now. All you can do is the next right thing now.
Ephesians 6:15 - Peace - 1:2; 6:23; 2:14-17; and 4:3 Peace is fundamental to our well-being and necessary in order to stand in the evil day. We are to be peacemakers, not peace breakers.
Ephesians 6:16 Faith is the confidence and trust we have toward that which God promises. We know God will do everything He says He will do; and therein, we have faith.
17 – Helmet of salvation Ephesians 1:13 and 14; Hebrews 11:13-16
The word of God – knowing and speaking the Word of God are vital to combat the temptations of the adversary
18 With all prayer and petition, pray at all times in the spirit….
The overall instruction is to stand as did Abraham, Isaac, and Israel. We can stand only here and now.
Ephesians 3:1 Prisoner of Jesus Christ
Eph 4:1; Col 4:3; Ephesians 6:19-20
Paul was literally a prisoner. Also, he was bound to the gospel of Christ – the mystery of the gospel.
Ephesians 3:2
The “stewardship” of God’s grace – was given to Paul for others.
Stewardship (oikonomia) – other English versions translate this word in this verse as: dispensation, administration, the way entrusted, ministration.
This is the same word in Ephesians 1:10.
With a view to an administration [oikonomia] – other English versions translate this word as dispensation, a plan; to act upon, to put into effect, have it declared.
Greek - oikonomia - the management of a household or of household affairs; specifically, the management, oversight, administration, of other’s property; the office of a manager or overseer, stewardship (Luke 16:1-8 - a manager; management)
1 Corinthians 9:16-19 – Necessity was laid upon him – he was under compulsion. A stewardship of God’s purpose and plan had been entrusted to his care. Though he was free from all men, he was slave to all.
Ephesians 3:3-4
What I wrote afore in brief – Eph 1:9-10; Eph 2:14-18, or possibly the book of Galatians or Corinthians
Ephesians 3:5 – Not made known to sons of men as it is now revealed
Ephesians 3:6 – That the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body and fellow partakers of the promise of Christ Jesus through the gospel. Eph 2:14-18; Gal 3:8-9; 14; 27-29; Rom 9:4-8; 23-32
Ephesians 3:7-9
Paul was made a minister because of God’s grace.
Ephesians 3:9
And to bring to light what is the administration [oikonomia] of the mystery. Some modern English versions translate the word “oikonomia” here as “the plan” (NET, ESV, RSV). This plan was hidden for ages in God who created all things. Rom 16:25-26; Col 1:25-27
Ephesians 3:10 – “Made known to rulers and authorities in the heavenly places” (Eph 1:20-22; 6:12)
1 Corinthians 2:6-8 – Rulers of this age did not understand.
1 Peter 1:9-12 – The prophets were not serving themselves, but you! Angels long to look!
Ephesians 3:11-12 – The eternal purpose or the purpose of the ages – Ephesians 1:8-12
Ephesians 3:2-12 (NET)
If indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you,that by revelation the divine secret was made known to me, as I wrote before briefly. When reading this, you will be able to understand my insight into this secret of Christ. Now this secret was not disclosed to people in former generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit,namely, that through the gospel the Gentiles are fellow heirs, fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus.I became a servant of this gospel according to the gift of God's grace that was given to me by the exercise of his power.To me– less than the least of all the saints– this grace was given, to proclaim to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ and to enlighten everyone about God's secret plan– a secret that has been hidden for ages in God who has created all things. The purpose of this enlightenment is that through the church the multifaceted wisdom of God should now be disclosed to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly realms. This was according to the eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and confident access to God because of Christ's faithfulness.
Acts 17:1-3: Preaching in Thessalonian synagogue
After the Philippians beat Paul and Silas, they released them from jail and begged them to leave their city. Next, the group traveled to Thessalonica and for three weeks reasoned with the Jews there that Jesus was the Messiah.
We need to look for places to speak to people. If you aren’t around non-Christians, you will never have an opportunity to share your faith. Look for people with whom you have common interests.
Acts 17:4-9: Response in Thessalonica
Some people believed; these formed the nucleus of the Thessalonian church to which Paul later wrote two letters.
The Thessalonians accused them of turning the world upside down. How come people don’t say that about us?
Acts 17:10-14: Preaching to noble-minded Bereans
What a wonderful description! A Berean is someone who neither rejects nor accepts a new teaching but checks it against the Bible to see if it is true.
At this point in the trip, Paul has preached in Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea. In each case, the people have persecuted him and made him leave. Why didn’t he get discouraged?
Acts 17:15-17: Preaching in the Athenian synagogues and marketplace
“His spirit was provoked”: Now we see a major part of Paul’s motivation—compassion.
Acts 17:18-21: Stoics and Epicureans invite Paul to speak.
Pay close attention to how Paul preaches to these Greeks. They do not share the same background as him. They do not believe in the Jewish Scriptures, nor do they believe in Yahweh.
Acts 17:22-29: Paul preaching about God and idolatry
He begins by finding a hook in their culture and then lays the groundwork of who God is.
Sometimes we need to build a bridge before we can even begin sharing the good news with people.
Acts 17:30-31: A call to repentance
Repentance is the goal of sharing the faith with someone. Calling people to repentance and forgiveness was what Jesus commissioned his followers to do before he ascended (Luke 24:46-47) and what they consistently did throughout the book of Acts (Acts 2:36-38; 3:17-19; 20:20-21; 26:17-18).
Acts 17:32-34: Balking and believing
Although the majority sneered, some believed! Those are the ones you are looking for. Don’t worry about the majority; look for the few with open hearts to receive.
Corinth was the capital of the Roman province of Achaia. Athens, only 45 miles northeast, gave Corinth a position of strategic commercial importance and military defense. The city was located so that it had access to two seas − the Aegean about five miles to the east and the Ionian on the west.
The temple of Poseidon was given over to the worship of the Corinthian Aphrodite (probably a counterpart of the Syrian Astarte), whose temple had more than 1,000 female prostitutes. Aphrodite was the Greek goddess of love, beauty, pleasure, and procreation. Her Roman equivalent is the goddess Venus.
2 – Aquila and Priscilla were a couple who associated with Paul from early on.
4 – Paul often went to the synagogue in the many cities he entered because of his desire to win the Jews (as he forcefully expressed in Romans 9:1-3) and because it afforded him opportunity to speak to many people at one time.
5 –The effort remains the same, testifying that Jesus is the Christ, but today the challenge is presenting who Jesus is, what he has done, and what he will do.
6 – No matter how passionate your desire is to help another soul to accept Christ or to change in any way, if he or she does not want it, you cannot make the person change. We must accept the fact the God gave each of us free will that He always honors and we are to do the same.
Paul was one of the most determined, resilient, and flexible men to ever live. Nothing stopped him. Ephesians 6:10-ff
8 – Although he did not have success with the majority of Jews, he did reach Crispus, the leader of the synagogue.
10 – Do not be afraid; go on speaking; do not be silent. I am with you.
28 – Apollos followed Paul in Corinth, and Paul followed Apollos in Ephesus.
1 Corinthians 1:14 Crispus and Sosthenes 1 Corinthians 1:1
1 Corinthians 1:10-13 – Divisions over which man to follow, the first of eleven major concerns are confronted, ten of which are behavioral and one doctrinal (chapter 15, the resurrection)
1 Corinthians 5:1-13 Sexual immorality
6:1-8 Going to the world to settle problems
6:9-11 Again, sexual immorality
Acts 15:35-41 Paul splits with Barnabas and takes Silas.
Acts 16:1-5 Timothy joins Paul and Silas.
Acts 16:6-10 Traveling across Turkey
Acts 16:11-15 Lydia, the first convert in Europe
Acts 16:16-24 From harassment to mob violence to prison
Acts 16:25-34 The Philippian jailor and his family
Acts 16:35-40 Begged to leave the city
Three Lessons for Us
1. Perseverance: Paul traveled hundreds of miles on foot with absolutely no success. Still, he didn’t quit; he pressed on until God opened the door to speak. We can’t allow past failures, scarcity of opportunities, or fears of rejection to push us around.
2. Accommodation: Timothy voluntarily underwent circumcision in full knowledge that it was not necessary for salvation simply so he could be a more effective witness. We can’t let discomfort or inconvenience or even or own personal rights stand above our commitment to reach out to people.
3. Trust: Paul trusted Christ’s direction to avoid Asia and Bithynia. Even in his deepest, darkest moments in the inner prison, his back bloody from a fresh beating, he kept on trusting God. Rather than waiting for God to give us the whole plan, let’s get moving and trust Him to steer us along the way.
1 Timothy 1:12-16 Paul thought of himself as the foremost sinner of all – chief sinner (KJV).
The stoning of Stephen
Acts 6:8-15
Acts 7:1ff – “The witnesses laid aside their robes at the feet of a young man named Saul.”
This is how Saul is introduced in the Scriptures.
Saul Before his conversion (Phil 3:4-6)
Acts 8:1 – Saul was in hearty agreement of putting Stephen to death (Acts 22:19-20).
Acts 8:1-4 The persecution caused the disciples to scatter and begin spreading the gospel outside of Jerusalem.
Acts 9:1-2 – (Acts 9:21; 22:1-5; 26:4-5; 9-12) Saul was leading this persecution, even to foreign cities.
Saul’s conversion
Acts 9:3 – Suddenly a light from heaven (Acts 22:6 – “a very bright light;” Acts 26:13 – “brighter than the sun”)
Acts 9:4-7 – Jesus spoke to Saul in Hebrew (Acts 26:14). The men with him saw the light, heard the voice, but did not understand, and did not see Jesus (Acts 22:9).
Acts 9:8-16 – This took courage on the part of Ananias.
Acts 9:17-22 – Saul immediately began preaching!
Acts 9:23 – From the very start, Satan began his assault on Saul, attempting to have him killed.
Acts 9:24-30 – Paul now spends about 10 years in this region of Cilicia and Syria (Gal 1:21).
During this time, the first Gentiles believed and received the holy spirit (Acts 10 – household of Cornelius).
Acts 11:19-26
Acts 13:1ff – The beginning of the first missionary journey of the Apostle Paul
Acts 26:6-19 – Paul recounts his conversion to King Agrippa. Once Paul was called, he was not disobedient to the heavenly vision.
2 Corinthians 5:15 - Paul personally knew that grace caused the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God and therefore wanted others to enjoy the same experience and service with and to God.
The definition of “grace” is unmerited (undeserved and unearned) but freely given love and favor of God toward man.
Acts 8:1-3; 9:1 and 2; 1Timothy 1:11-17 - Paul, once the main proponent and leader of Christian persecution, was himself redeemed and entrusted with the mystery that God kept to Himself for centuries.
Ephesians 3:2-8 - Paul never doubted the privilege that was His and knew exactly where it came from and why – God’s grace.
Ephesians 1:1 and 2 - Considering man’s innate sin and guilt, the only access to God must be by grace. We have no grounds for anything we receive from God, yet the blessings are incomprehensibly bountiful due to their eternal implications. Understanding and embracing grace produces a life enriched with thankfulness, humility, and love. Grace is our personal evidence of God’s love.
3-6 - Why is He so good to us? The explanation provided for His great loving generosities are found in verses 5, 7, 9, and 11. The words “according to” earmark His reasoning and motivation. “According to” sets the standard for what proceeds and sets the agreement or conformity for what follows. The verses show His demonstrated grace and love are in agreement or conformity to His inner desire, His heart for you.
According to:
• The kind intention of His will – 1:5
• The riches of His grace – 1:7
• His kind intention which He purposed in Him – 1:9
• His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will – 1:11
1:6-7 - “Redemption” is to regain possession of by paying a price. 2:1-3 reveal our standard of life or that which we conformed to before Christ (which is again set-off by the words “according to”).
2:1-3 - We were owned by the prince of the power of the air and were slaves to our own impulses and longings. God paid the price or ransom with Jesus to set us free, to rescue us from the devil to become His possession.
1:14 - “Possession” implies we once belonged to the devil and with redemption we now belong to God.
2:4-8 - We move from complete engrossment in the impulses and longings of self-centeredness to salvation that issues in God showing the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in the ages to come. Is there any more contrasting extreme in comparison?
The appreciation of grace is found in understanding what we once were (seldom grasped by anyone) and the reality of what we are now coupled with the promise of our destiny. Paul is our example of someone who really understood grace based on the aforementioned. He never forgot who he was and what he did before Christ, and he strongly embraced the hope.
2 Corinthians 5:15-18; Ephesians 4:29 - Like Paul, we should be driven by the grace that has been given and the hope that is coming to live faithfully and proclaim boldly the gospel of grace.
What motivates you? Does hunger, tiredness, lust, being healthy, living longer, feeling good, looking good, a challenge, making a difference in your world, money, success, love, pleasing others, fear, Kingdom/eternal life, curiosity, having fun, being unique, getting attention, power, popularity, security, stability, selfishness, envy, bitterness, hatred, grief, adventure, duty, honor, or shame? Before delving deeper into this question, let’s consider the example of the Apostle Paul—one of the most driven people in history.
Acts 14:8-23 Barnabas’ and Paul’s time in Lystra swung from the pinnacle of success to the pit of failure. When it all fell to pieces, what did Paul do? Did he quit? What motivated him to keep going?
1 Corinthians 9:15-23 Paul felt compelled to preach the gospel—like he had no choice in the matter. He says, “Woe is me if I do not preach the gospel.” He would do whatever he could to clear away obstacles to reach people, yet he never compromised on what he knew was right.
2 Corinthians 11:23-33 The book of Acts only scratches the surface of what Paul went through to preach the gospel. Here he lists out exactly what he suffered to get the message to everyone he could.
2 Corinthians 4:7-18 The future—the resurrection and glory to come—motivated Paul in the present. It made him dangerous to Satan’s kingdom. He was relentless in his passion to serve God. What about you? Have you lost your drive? Do you need God to reignite your fire?
Ephesians 2:1-3 The tendencies of someone who is born dead in trespasses and sins are not very nice.
Ephesians 4:17-19 “Futility” means a complete lack of effectiveness or point; uselessness; unimportance. “Sensual” means unduly indulging the appetites or sexual pleasure. Sensualist is a system of ethics predicating the pleasures of senses to be the highest good.
Ephesians 4:20-24 We were recreated or reborn or born again to be like our Father. God lives the good life and wants us to have the same.
1Peter 1:14-16 Be like your Father, and make every day Father’s day.
Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8 - "Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts, The whole earth is full of His glory."
Exodus 34:6-7 Yahweh, Yahweh God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; Who keeps lovingkindness with thousands and forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet by no means allows the guilty to go unpunished visiting the iniquity of the fathers unto the children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generation.
Acts 1:5-8; 2:4, 33, 38 We have holy spirit making us like our Father.
Ephesians 4:31-5:12
Galatians 5:16-21 A life riddled with the works of the flesh is the bad life.
22-ff - We have been given the good life through our Lord Jesus Christ, not a life measured by worldly standards of wealth, popularity, power, fame, and indulgences, but a life measured by the fruit of the spirit − love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
Love – Romans 5:5-11; Ephesians 2:1-8
Joy – John 15:11; Phil 4:4-9
Peace – John 14:27; Romans 1:7; 1Cor1:3; Gal 1:3 and 4 We no longer go to bed worrying all night if we are going to be caught for the evil we did during the day.
Patience – Ephesians 4:1-3; Col 1:9-12
Kindness – Romans 2:4; Ephesians 2:3-7; Titus 3:1-4
Goodness – Romans 15:4; Ephesians 5:9 Righteousness, integrity, decency
Faithfulness – Faith
Gentleness – 1Timothy 6:8-12; Galatians 6:1-10; 2Timothy 2:22-ff; 1Peter 3:15
Self-control – Self-discipline, willpower, restraint
5:24 The Greek word “pathema” is by far translated suffer or suffering as we noted in our study of 1Peter 1:11; 4:13; 5:1 and 9
When use the phrase “Passion of Christ,” we are referring to the suffering of Christ, not his desires, longings, or lusts. The next word emphasizes passion and desires.
Acts 1:1-3
For 40 days on earth after his resurrection, Jesus continued to speak about the Kingdom of God.
Acts 1:4-8
The promise of the Father, the baptism of the holy spirit, would be coming. They were to wait. Moreover, once the holy spirit came, they would receive power and were to witness to the remotest part of the earth.
Acts 1:9-12 – The ascension – Mount of Olives
Acts 1:13-15 – The disciples stayed in an upper room. Besides the twelve, there were about 120 disciples before the day of Pentecost.
Acts 2:1 – On the day of Pentecost, they were all together in one place – most likely the Temple (the house of God).
Luke 24:45-53 – “Repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all nations.” They were continually in the Temple praising God.
Acts 2:2-4 – There appeared tongues as of fire distributing to each of them. Fire from heaven demonstrates God’s acceptance of sacrifice, as well as His presence.
Fire Came Down:
• Tabernacle – Leviticus 9:22-24 Fire came down – during the first month (Ex 40:17; Nu 9:1-5 Feast of Passover). The LORD’s anointed (Meshiach) priest offered sacrifice.
• David (the LORD’s anointed, Meshiach) the king offered sacrifice at the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite/Mt Moriah (1 Chr 21:14-18, 26-30; 22:1-2). Fire came down. David begins planning for the construction of the Temple.
• Temple – Mt Moriah (2 Chr 3:1); 2 Chronicles 6:12-42 - Dedication of the Temple. Solomon (the LORD’s anointed (Meshiach) and the priests offered sacrifice, and Solomon prayed. 1 Chronicles 7:1-5 Fire came down - during Seventh Month (2 Chr 5:3; 7:8-10 Feast of Tabernacles).
• Feast of Pentecost – Acts 2:1-4 In Herod’s Temple in Jerusalem. The LORD’s anointed, Jesus the “Meshiach,” at the right hand of God as King/Priest, sent for the promise of the Father, the holy spirit. God could now dwell with His people, the temple,
At Pentecost, God could now dwell with His people, being sanctified by the blood of Christ and cleansed by the spirit of truth, which Jesus had promised. Acts 7:44-50; 1 Cor 3:16; Heb 9:1-15; Heb 10:11-23
Gentiles – Now included – this was always was God’s desire (Nu 9:14; 2 Chr 6:32-33; Is 11:10; 49:6; 60:3; Zec 2:11), but no Gentiles received until Acts chapter 10. In Herod’s Temple, there was a wall of separation for the Gentiles. No Gentiles were allowed beyond the wall. In Acts 21:27-28, Paul was accused of bringing Gentiles into the Temple area, beyond the wall.
Ephesians 2:11-22 Jesus broke down the barrier of the dividing wall. We are now the dwelling place of God!
Deuteronomy 12:5-14 Yahweh foretells of His designated place where His name would dwell and Israel would offer their sacrifices (Deuteronomy 12:26; 14:23; 15:20; 16:2; and 17:8). Yahweh’s dwelling place, His holy house
1 Chronicles 17:9-14 Yahweh said He would build a house for you, a house for David through his descendants, a house of people and that David’s son would build a house for Yahweh.
This is a dual prophesy with Messianic implications. Two of David’s descendants built temples for Yahweh – Solomon and Jesus.
(16-27) – David’s prayer in response
1 Chronicles 21:18-22:5 - The very place that David and Israel received forgiveness as Yahweh accepted the sacrifice by fire was “the” location that God told Moses about.
29:1-20 The pure and lovely heart of David and the people is extraordinarily HOLY.
2 Chronicles 6:1-10, 12-42 Solomon’s prayer of dedication
7:1-3 The glory of Yahweh filled the Temple; 12-22 Yahweh appears to Solomon
2 Chronicles 33:4-9 Yahweh decides with him that it was all over. In the day of Ezekiel, the glory of Yahweh was removed never again to return.
Isaiah 28:16 &17
John 2:13-16 They had desecrated the holy house of God just as in old times.
17-22 Jesus called himself the Temple.
Matthew 21:12 &13, 23-45, 42-44
1 Corinthians 3:16 &17; Ephesians 2:19-22
Acts 2:1-4 The glory appeared again, but this time it was not upon the Temple; rather, it was on the apostles in the Temple.
Ephesians 1:22, 23; 3:19; and Colossians 1:18-20 As the glory of Yahweh filled the Temple today, He fills His new habitation, the church.
Acts 4: 5-12 - Important to note is how this metaphor applies not only to Jesus but also to those who reject him. Peter’s use is very appropriate.
1 Peter 2: 4 -8 We should think of ourselves as the Temple of God, the place of His dwelling. As a living stone of this glorious Temple, how do you want to present yourself?
Exodus 19:5 &6; Isaiah 61:6; Revelation 5:9 and 10 As priests today, saints offer not the animal sacrifices of the old covenant but spiritual sacrifices:
Romans 12:1 Your life; Philippians 4:15 financial offerings; Hebrews 13:16 praise
Two requirements of Christianity
1. Believe gospel
2. Follow Jesus
What it means to follow Jesus
1. Calling Jesus “Lord” means doing what he says (Luke 6:46-49)
2. Resisting the temptation to fashion a Jesus to suit our desires
3. Getting at the real Jesus through Scripture
Reasons to follow Jesus
1. Eternal life (Matthew 19:27-30)
2. Forgiveness (Ephesians 1:7-8)
3. Transformation (Matthew 11:28-30)
Reasons not to follow Jesus
1. Too much commitment
2. Don’t want to be called a Jesus freak
3. Don’t believe it is true
Taking the next step
Calling is Christ-centered
Ephesians 1
3 – Blessed with every spiritual blessing In Christ
4 – God chose us in Christ before the foundation ….
5 – God predestined our adoption as sons through Jesus Christ
6 – God’s grace bestowed on us in the Beloved (Christ)
7 – In Christ we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins
9 – God made known the mystery, which He purposed in Him (Christ)
10 – The summing up of all things in Christ
11 – In Him (Christ) we have received an inheritance
12 – In Christ we would be to the praise of His glory
13 – In Him (Christ) we are sealed with the holy spirit of promise
Ephesians 2
5 – Made us alive together with Christ
6 – Raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly in Christ Jesus
7 – God in the ages to come might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus
10 – God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus
13 – In Christ Jesus brought near by the blood of Christ….
Isaiah 49:5 & 6 The calling has always been Christ-centered.
Ephesians 1:10 - The reference is to the unity which will hereafter exist in the Kingdom of God
Colossians 1:13-20 Everything is fixed in Christ.
Calling is Corporate
The election of Christ involves implicitly the election of the church, obviously; the corporate body of the elect is comprised of individuals. However, the election is primarily corporate and only secondarily individual. The New Testament comprehends believers, not in isolation, but as members of the body of the elect
Ephesians 1:1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12; 2:4, 5, 6, 7, 10, We are called together as a family, one body, a church, the holy temple.
Ephesians 1:22 and 23 Christ is the head; the church is his body.
Ephesians 2:13-16; 3:6-10 One body made up of all those who believe
3:18 – May be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth
4:1-4, 11-16; 25 The way God sees the church is one body.
Colossians 1:18; 2:17-19; 3:15
1Corinthians 12:12-27 The called out make up the body of Christ.
God’s call is for holiness
Ephesians 1:4 & 5, 18
Colossians 1:21 & 22
2Peter 3:13-14
Philippians 1:9-11
Ephesians 3:10 & 11 God’s eternal purpose
Exodus 19:5 & 6
Lev. 26:12
Deuteronomy 7:6, 14:2 & 21; 28:9
Revelation21:7; 22:3-5
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1
You alone are the LORD [Yahweh]. You have made the heavens, the heaven of heavens with all their host, The earth and all that is on it, The seas and all that is in them. You give life to all of them and the heavenly host bows down before You. Nehemiah 9:6
Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created. Revelation 4:11
The heavens are Yours, the earth also is Yours; The world and all it contains, You have founded them. Psalm 89:11
The earth is the LORD's [Yahweh’s], and all it contains, the world, and those who dwell in it. Psalm 24:1
O LORD [Yahweh] of hosts, the God of Israel, who is enthroned above the cherubim, You are the God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. Isaiah 37:16
The LORD [Yahweh] has established His throne in the heavens; and His sovereignty rules over all. Psalm 103:19
Thus says the LORD [Yahweh], "heaven is my throne and the earth is my footstool. Where then is a house you could build for me? and where is a place that I may rest? For my hand made all these things, thus all these things came into being," declares the LORD [Yahweh]. Isaiah 66:1 and 2a
Blessed are You, O LORD [Yahweh] God of Israel our father, forever and ever.
Yours, O LORD [Yahweh], is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Yours is the dominion, O LORD [Yahweh], and You exalt Yourself as head over all.
Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all, and in Your hand is power and might; and it lies in Your hand to make great and to strengthen everyone. Now therefore, our God, we thank You, and praise Your glorious name. 1Chronicles 29:10-13
Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. 1Timothy 1:17
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Who is like You among the gods, O LORD [Yahweh]? Who is like You, majestic in holiness, Awesome in praises, working wonders? Exodus 15:11
Exalt the LORD [Yahweh] our God And worship at His holy hill, For holy is the LORD [Yahweh] our God. Psalm 99:9
….And one called out to another and said, "Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD [Yahweh] of hosts, The whole earth is full of His glory. Isaiah 6:3
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord [Yahweh] God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come." Revelation 4:8
Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy; For all the nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed. Revelation 15:4
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Am I a God who is near," declares the LORD [Yahweh], "And not a God far off?
Can a man hide himself in hiding places so I do not see him?" declares the LORD [Yahweh]. "Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?" declares the LORD [Yahweh]. Jeremiah 23:23-24
The eyes of the LORD [Yahweh] are in every place, watching the evil and the good. Proverbs 15:3
And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do. Hebrews 4:13
The LORD [Yahweh] looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men;
From His dwelling place He looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth,
He who fashions the hearts of them all, He who understands all their works.
Psalm 33:13-15
Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?
If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there.
If I take the wings of the dawn, If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea,
Even there Your hand will lead me, And Your right hand will lay hold of me.
If I say, "Surely the darkness will overwhelm me, And the light around me will be night,"
Even the darkness is not dark to You, And the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to You. Psalm 139:7-12
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Ah Lord GOD [Yahweh]! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You, Jeremiah 32:17
Behold, I am the LORD [Yahweh], the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me? Jeremiah 32:27
I have made the earth, the men and the beasts which are on the face of the earth by My great power and by My outstretched arm, and I will give it to the one who is pleasing in My sight. Jeremiah 27:5
For nothing will be impossible with God. Luke 1:37
Lift up your eyes on high And see Who has created these stars, The One who leads forth their host by number, He calls them all by name; Because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power Not one of them is missing. Isaiah 40:26
It is He who sits above the vault of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers, Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in. Isaiah 40:22
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The LORD [Yahweh], the LORD [Yahweh] God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth;
who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations." Exodus 34:6-7
But the lovingkindness of the LORD [Yahweh] is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children's children,
To those who keep His covenant and remember His precepts to do them.
Psalm 103:17-18
The LORD [Yahweh] is slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, forgiving iniquity and transgression; but He will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generations. Numbers 14:18
The LORD'S [Yahweh’s] lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23
Therefore, the LORD [Yahweh] longs to be gracious to you, and therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the LORD [Yahweh] is a God of justice; How blessed are all those who long for Him. Isaiah 30:18
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Great is our Lord, and abundant in strength; His understanding is infinite. Psalm 147:5
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth Does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. Isaiah 40:28
It is He who made the earth by his power, Who established the world by His wisdom; and by His understanding He has stretched out the heavens. Jeremiah 10:12
Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! Romans 11:33
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You have a strong arm; Your hand is mighty, Your right hand is exalted.
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Lovingkindness and truth go before You. Psalm 89:13-14
The Rock! His work is perfect, for all His ways are just; A God of faithfulness and without injustice, Righteous and upright is He. Deuteronomy 32:4
For the LORD [Yahweh] your God is the God of gods and the Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God who does not show partiality nor take a bribe. Deuteronomy 10:17
But the LORD [Yahweh] abides forever; He has established His throne for judgment,
And He will judge the world in righteousness; He will execute judgment for the peoples with equity. Psalm 9:7-8
"I, the LORD [Yahweh], search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give to each man according to his ways, According to the results of his deeds. Jeremiah 17:10
….Great and marvelous are Your works, O Lord [Yahweh] God, the Almighty; Righteous and true are Your ways, King of the nations! Revelation 15:3
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Declaring the end from the beginning And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, ‘My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’; Isaiah 46:10
2 Corinthians 5:14-17 An entire new life is offered in Christ.
Galatians 5: 22- 24 The fruit of this life is abundant and ends in eternity.
Matthew 22:1-14 Everyone is called, and those who respond are the chosen.
Ezekiel 33:11-20 The deeds of our past do not assure or destroy our present choice.
Deuteronomy 11:18-ff God stays the choice before us so that we have the opportunity to select Him and His ways.
Deuteronomy 30:10-ff
Joshua 24:15
