John 8:29-44 The word will set you free. The religious zealots were convinced they had God and were living the good life, yet they were really living in slavery with no control over their lives. Hearing and doing the words of Jesus set you free.
Romans 8:1-6 The law of the spirit of life provides life and peace.
Galatians 5:1, 13-26 The good life comes with obedience to the words of Jesus.
James 1:22-25 Hear and do.
Isaiah 48:17 and 18 Abundant living for those who pay attention to God’s words
Isaiah 66: 1 and 2 God will look to those who tremble at His Word.
Mark 3:33-35 Jesus considers those who do the will of God to be his family, not those of a biological connection.
John 12:46-50 God’s commandment is eternal life. This is stated as a simile meaning if you hear and keep His commandments you will have eternal life.
14:21 Obedience is the evidence or proof of true love for the Lord.
Matthew 7:24-27 Storms come for everyone; no one is exempt. The question is will your foundations be strong enough to sustain the storms?
1 Corinthians 12:31 - Love is the more excellent way.
Matthew 22:36-40 The whole Old Testament depends on love.
Luke 10:25-27 What must I do to inherit eternal life?
1 Corinthians 13:1-ff - Godly love is based upon obedience to the Scriptures, while human love is conditioned upon the relationship held with others.
1 Corinthians 13:1-3 - God desires for His children to do all these things but not outside of love. Love is that which God wants first and foremost from us.
4-8 - God is the standard because, according to 1 John 4:8 and 16, "God is love." Agape, therefore, is supernatural love. It is doing that which is not natural to do.
4 - Love is Longsuffering
1 Peter 3:20; Exodus 34:6 - It is to be long on patience with others even if their actions are evil. God’s patience with humanity is mind-boggling.
2 Peter 3:9 and 10 - God wants His children to behave as He does.
Ephesians 4:1-3; 1 Thessalonians 5:14 and 15; James 5:7-9
1 Corinthians 13:4 - Love is Kind - Luke 6:35 and 36
Nehemiah 9:17 - That God did not forsake them was indeed great kindness.
Romans 2:4; Titus 3:3-5; Ephesians 4:31 and 32; 2:7
The ugliness of envy stands out clearly in contrast to longsuffering and kindness. Envy is a painful or resentful awareness of an advantage enjoyed by another joined with a desire to possess the same advantage.
1 Corinthians 4:6 and 7 - Love does not brag and is not arrogant.
Knowledge can cause people to get puffed up. However, when knowledge is used properly, love and edification result.
5 - Does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own.
Philippians 2:2 and 3
Love Is Not Provoked - Matthew 5:38 and 39
Love Does Not Think Evil. Love rejoices not in iniquity; love rejoices in truth.
1 Peter 3:8-12
1 Corinthians 13:7 - All things according to the Word
1 Peter 4:8
1 Corinthians 13:8-10 - Love never fails; everything else comes to an end.
12 - The spiritual abilities we now have are like children’s toys compared to that which will be ours when Christ returns.
Verse 13 - Love is the greatest!
Jesus and Pharisees
1. Mark 2.16-17 16 And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, "Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?" 17 And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners."
2. Mark 3.1-6 1 Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there with a withered hand. 2 And they watched Jesus, to see whether he would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse him. 3 And he said to the man with the withered hand, "Come here." 4 And he said to them, "Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?" But they were silent. 5 And he looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out, and his hand was restored. 6 The Pharisees went out and immediately held counsel with the Herodians against him, how to destroy him.
3. Matthew 23.23-26 23 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. 24 You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel! 25 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26 You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean.
what do you think when you hear the Pharisees?
- “Yeah, Jesus, give it to those no-good Pharisees”
- “I can’t stand Pharisees”
- “nothing worse than a Pharisee”
- “man, I gotta watch myself, because I don’t want to fall into that same way of thinking”
history of Pharisees
- Pharisees were the separate ones--”those who dedicated themselves to taking God and his law seriously
- Shaye Cohen:* “Practically all scholars now agree that the name “Pharisee” ...means ”˜one who is separated’”
- ancient Jewish historian Josephus:** “They are extremely influential among the masses”
- Josephus:*** “[T]he Sadducees are able to persuade none but the rich...but the Pharisees have the multitude on their side.”
- not professional hypocrites
- wanted to live according to God’s commands
- which is why, they couldn’t help but looking down on the poor unwashed masses, the am ha eretz
the dark side of holiness
- it’s so easy to slip into moral superiority
- to think other’s sins are worse than your own
- as you conquer sins, and put some time between you and them, you start to feel like anyone who is still caught in that behavior is so behind or backwards or not with it
- you quit lying to people, say 10 years ago
- when you see someone lying, it’s hard not to look down on them”¦oh, they’re still lying to people
Romans 2.1-4 1 Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. 2 We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. 3 Do you suppose, O man-- you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself-- that you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?
- we’re convinced God’s going to grade on a curve
- I’m not as bad as other people
- murderers, rapists, and child molesters
Even David struggled with this very issue!
2 Samuel 12.1-4 "There were two men in a certain city, the one rich and the other poor. 2 The rich man had very many flocks and herds, 3 but the poor man had nothing but one little ewe lamb, which he had bought. And he brought it up, and it grew up with him and with his children. It used to eat of his morsel and drink from his cup and lie in his arms, and it was like a daughter to him. 4 Now there came a traveler to the rich man, and he was unwilling to take one of his own flock or herd to prepare for the guest who had come to him, but he took the poor man's lamb and prepared it for the man who had come to him."
- David grew very angry
- David: “As the LORD lives, the man who has done this deserves to die”
- Nathan: “You are the man!”
Luke 18.9-14 9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10 "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.' 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."
Dale Tuggy: “God would rather have ten humble Trinitarians that are trying to follow Jesus every day, and act his teachings in their daily lives, he’d rather have ten of those guys than one constantly battling and self-righteous, angry, condemning, doctrine-obsessed Unitarian, who’s got the correct theology. So”¦don’t be that guy. If we’re that guy, the movement’s doomed.”
but, this issue runs deeper than
- pharisaic hypocrisy
- foul language
- doctrinal arrogance
Frederick Douglass
I find, since reading over the foregoing Narrative, that I have, in several instances, spoken in such a tone and manner, respecting religion, as may possibly lead those unacquainted with my religious views to suppose me an opponent of all religion. To remove the liability of such misapprehension, I deem it proper to append the following brief explanation. What I have said respecting and against religion, I mean strictly to apply to the slaveholding religion of this land, and with no possible reference to Christianity proper; for, between the Christianity of this land, and the Christianity of Christ, I recognize the widest possible difference--so wide, that to receive the one as good, pure, and holy, is of necessity to reject the other as bad, corrupt, and wicked. To be the friend of the one, is of necessity to be the enemy of the other. I love the pure, peaceable, and impartial Christianity of Christ: I therefore hate the corrupt, slaveholding, women-whipping, cradle-plundering, partial and hypocritical Christianity of this land. Indeed, I can see no reason, but the most deceitful one, for calling the religion of this land Christianity. I look upon it as the climax of all misnomers, the boldest of all frauds, and the grossest of all libels. Never was there a clearer case of "stealing the livery of the court of heaven to serve the devil in." I am filled with unutterable loathing when I contemplate the religious pomp and show, together with the horrible inconsistencies, which every where surround me. We have men-stealers for ministers, women-whippers for missionaries, and cradle-plunderers for church members. The man who wields the blood-clotted cowskin during the week fills the pulpit on Sunday, and claims to be a minister of the meek and lowly Jesus. The man who robs me of my earnings at the end of each week meets me as a class-leader on Sunday morning, to show me the way of life, and the path of salvation. He who sells my sister, for purposes of prostitution, stands forth as the pious advocate of purity. He who proclaims it a religious duty to read the Bible denies me the right of learning to read the name of the God who made me”¦ The Christianity of America is a Christianity, of whose votaries it may be as truly said, as it was of the ancient scribes and Pharisees, "They bind heavy burdens, and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders, but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers”¦Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint, and anise, and cumin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith; these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. Ye blind guides! which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter; but within, they are full of extortion and excess”¦Such is, very briefly, my view of the religion of this land; and to avoid any misunderstanding, growing out of the use of general terms, I mean by the religion of this land, that which is revealed in the words, deeds, and actions, of those bodies, north and south, calling themselves Christian churches, and yet in union with slaveholders. It is against religion, as presented by these bodies, that I have felt it my duty to testify.****
even as I read this description, what thoughts are aroused in your heart?
- “those hypocritical southern plantation owners; how could they?”
- “if I was alive back then I wouldn’t be a slave holder”
- self-righteousness
- these plantation owners are sincere bible-believing Christians, yet their hypocrisy is so evident we can barely stand to look at it
- are you better than they?
- do you think because we live in an enlightened age with superior technology and information access that we are above them?
- well, then you are the same as they since that is the same superiority attitude they used to justify the holding of slaves
so what’s the solution?
Tim Keller’s moral performance narrative vs. grace narrative
- what makes you so great?
- it’s not your grit, your looks, your athletic prowess, your intelligence, your holiness
- what makes you great is God saved you and continues to save you
There are two basic ways of thinking about your self-image. One is one I’m going to call a moral-performance narrative. A moral-performance narrative says, “I’m ok, I’m a good person, I feel significant and I have worth because I’m achieving something.” So if you are a liberal person and you feel like, “I’m a good person because I am working for the poor and working for human rights and I’m open minded,” you can’t help, in a moral performance narrative, where your self-image is based your performance as a generous liberal activist person”¦you can’t help but look down your nose at bigots; you can’t but feel superior to bigots. On the other hand what if you are a traditional, religious person and you go to church and you read your bible or you go to synagogue and read your bible or you go to the[]mosque and read the Koran. You're working hard to feel good and serve God, etc. Now in that case, you have to look down your nose at people who don’t believe in your religion. They’re not being as good as you are. Maybe you’re just a secular person and you’re a hardworking decent chap. You can’t help it--if you’re self-image is based on the fact that you’re a hardworking decent chap--you can’t help but look down your nose at people who are lazy. But the gospel, the gospel is something different. The gospel says, “Jesus Christ comes and saves you.” The gospel says, “You’re a sinner.” The gospel says, “You don’t live up to your own standards.” The gospel says, “There is no way you are going to live up to your own standards.” The gospel says, “You have failed; you’re a moral failure and salvation only belongs to people who admit their they’re moral failures.” Jesus came in weakness and died on the cross. He says that salvation is only for weak people; it is only for people who admit they’re not better than anyone else and they just need mercy. If you have a grace narrative, if you say, “The reason I can look myself in the mirror, the reason I know I have significance is because Jesus died for me. I am a sinner saved by grace.” If you say that, then you can’t feel superior to anybody. I’ve got a Hindu neighbor in my apartment building and I think he is wrong about”¦many things but he probably is a better father than me; he could be a much better man, why? “Aren’t you a Christian and he’s a Hindu? Don’t you think you have the truth.” Yeah, but here’s the truth! The truth is I’m a sinner and I’m saved by grace...I’m not saved because I’m a better man. I’m saved because I’m a worse man, really. And so what happens is the grace narrative takes away the kind of superiority and removes that slippery slope that I mentioned in the very beginning, that leads from superiority to separation to caricature and to passive and active oppression. It just takes it away. Now Christians have got to admit in a great degree that we operate out of a[]moral-performance narrative and we don’t have to because we’ve got the gospel.*****
we need humility not smugness
- that doesn’t me we shouldn’t care about holiness
- but it means that as we strive to do what’s right, follow Christ more closely, we don’t start building our since of worth on our accomplishments or disciplines
- we must remember who we were before
- we were the one drunk in the gutter, mouths full of four letter words
- we were the ones enslaved to lust, pornography, premarital sex
- we were the ones cursing, deceiving, back-biting, gossiping, dishonoring
- that was us, that was you, that was me
- anything I’ve overcome was a gift from God--a result of his grace
no longer look down
- so you look at someone out there w/ tattoos and going to parties, do you say to yourself, I’m glad I’m not like that?
- did Jesus say to himself when he encountered the town sinner, “wow, you’re really bad...I’m glad I’m so perfect?”
- no! when you see that person whose caught in the clutches of vanity, whose numbing themselves with drugs and alcohol, whose rebelling against God and doesn’t even know it...you have compassion!
- that’s what Jesus did
- he cared!
- we need to care!
- do you care?
- yes, they’re in sin, which is precisely why we should reach out in love
James 4.10-12 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. 11 Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. 12 There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?
* Shaye J.D. Cohen, From the Maccabees to the Mishnah: Second Edition (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press 2006), p. 152.
** Josephus, Jewish Antiquities 18.1.3-4
***Josephus, Antiquities 13.10.6
****Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave. Written by Himself. (1845)
*****“The Reason for God,” Authors @ Google Talk, March 5, 2008
Three points about the Scriptures: 1) God’s Word is His will; 2) it contains everything needed for life and godliness; 3) only the humble understand it.
God’s Word is God’s will:
2 Peter 1:20 and 21 The Scriptures communicate God’s Word and will.
Galatians 1:11 and 12 Man wrote it, but God authored it. Who the man was is not important.
Numbers 22:22-38 Speak only the word that God told me
23:7-12, 18-24; 24:10-13 Even though Balaam was a spiritist, he spoke exactly what God wanted spoken.
Contains everything needed for life and godliness:
Psalm 19:7-11 God’s Word is perfect.
2 Peter 1:2 and 3 Everything pertaining to life and godliness is found in the Scriptures.
The humble understand:
Psalms 119:12, 26, 33, 66; 27:11; 86:11 Without asking Yahweh to teach you, it is impossible to understand His statutes. God’s position or laws are made known by Yahweh to those who ask for Him to teach them. His statutes are written in His Word.
Psalm 119:27, 34, 73, 125, 144, 169; Proverbs 2:6 Many have tried to read and understand but have failed because they did not ask God for understanding. Colossians 1:9-12
Psalm 119:35 and 36 “Incline” means to be drawn toward an opinion or course of conduct. Far greater than intellectual understanding is experiencing the truth in daily living. Again, this happens as we ask for help.
37 and 40 God can revive us if we turn away from vanity, and we can turn away if we ask for help (119:25, 40, 107, 149, 154, and 156). We all need to be revived, and His Word is the way to do so but not without His help.
38 The great key to reverence for Yahweh
Luke 5:14-16 -- Prayer was vital to Jesus, and he made time no matter what.
6:12 and 13 -- Before making this important selection, he spent the night in prayer.
9:16-18 -- No matter the circumstance, Jesus had the disciples pray.
Matthew 14:23 -- No matter how strained or drained he was, he prayed.
26:36-39 -- His prayer gave him the strength to do the will of God.
Matthew 21:19-22 -- Jesus dynamically illustrated the effectiveness of prayer and vigorously encouraged his disciples to pray.
Matthew 7:7-11 -- Could Jesus be any clearer? Your Lord is telling you to pray for the Father will respond.
John 14:13 and 14, 15:7; 16:23-27 -- During his last teaching before his crucifixion, he gave compelling instructions about prayer.
Matthew 6:5 and 6 -- The first thing Jesus taught is not to be a hypocrite.
7 and 8 -- The concern is not repetition, but vain repetitions because elsewhere we are encouraged to persist. When we pray, we are to engage our hearts.
9-11 -- An outline of prayer for disciples
Luke 11:1-4 -- “Lord, teach us to pray...”
11:5-13 -- Persistence
18:1-8 -- Graphic illustration to drive home the point that we are to persist
INTERCESSION (prayer for others) is one great way that everyone can serve and minister to others. We all have limits in our service, but can all pray for others.
THANKSGIVING -- 1 Thessalonians 5:17 and 18 -- “In everything give thanks.”
PETITIONS (requests) -- Philippians 4:6
2 Peter 2:6-9 -- Lot was just, but he was also foolish and paid dearly for the mistakes he made.
Genesis 12:1-3 -- God called Abram, and Lot, his brother’s son, went with him.
13:1-5 -- Abram was very rich, and Lot also was very blessed.
6-13 -- He set his tent near Sodom.
14:11 and 12 -- Lot and his family moved into Sodom and suffered the consequences.
18:22-33 -- Abram pleads for Sodom primarily because of Lot.
19:1 -- Lot is sitting in the gate of Sodom.
14 -- Lot had daughters and sons-in-law that refused to come out of the city.
16 -- He came into the city a wealthy man and left with nothing but the clothes on his back. This is the first time “mercy” is used in the Bible.
26 -- She did not want to let go of the Sodom lifestyle.
30 -- The angels removed them from Sodom, but Sodom still lived in them.
Exodus 25:17-22; 37:6-9 -- There I will meet with you.
Leviticus 16:1-34 -- On the Day of Atonement, the high priest entered the holy of holies to make atonement for the sins of Israel with blood placed on the mercy seat. Thus, Israel received forgiveness for their sins.
Numbers 7:89 -- Yahweh spoke to Moses from the mercy seat.
Hebrews 9:1-14 -- The old tabernacle and the mercy seat are a type for Jesus the Christ.
Romans 3:25 -- Jesus is the true and lasting mercy seat.
Romans 3:25 (NET) -- God publicly displayed him at his death as the mercy seat accessible through faith. This was to demonstrate his righteousness, because God in His forbearance had passed over the sins previously committed.
Romans 9:1-ff -- God will show mercy to Israel again in the future.
Ephesians 2:1-10 -- God’s mercy to us
Mark 1:14-15; Luke 4:43; Matthew 10:7
Jesus preached the Kingdom of God and instructed his disciples to do the same.
Acts 1:3
After his resurrection, he continued to preach the Kingdom of God.
Acts 19:8
Throughout the book of Acts, the disciples continued preaching the Kingdom of God. Paul was committed to preaching the gospel.
Acts 28:31
The book of Acts closes out with Paul preaching the Kingdom of God.
Romans 1:14-15
Paul was not ashamed of the gospel for it is the power of God for salvation. The gospel message of the Kingdom itself is powerful.
2 Corinthians 2:14-17 We are a fragrance of Christ. We speak in sincerity.
2 Corinthians 4:1-5 We are not to handle the Word of God with craftiness, nor water down the truth. The gospel has been hidden by the god of this age. We need to preach it plainly as it is presented in Scripture. It’s not old, outdated, behind-the-times news. It is the “good news” that transcends generations as well as cultural and political correctness.
2 Corinthians 5:18-20 He has given us the ministry of reconciliation, and He’s committed to us the word of reconciliation. We are ambassadors for the Messiah!!!
1 Corinthians 9:14-22 Paul is the example in the church of commitment to preaching the gospel. It was committed to his trust, and he became a slave of the message to reach all people.
1 Corinthians 10:32-33; 11:1 We are to be imitators of Paul. How did Paul preach the gospel?
Acts 13:14-48 Paul preaching to the Jews
Acts 17:15-34 Paul preaching to Gentiles the people of Athens
1 Corinthians 1:18-24 It may seem foolish that preaching the message brings salvation, but for those who are called it is the power of God!
What did Jesus believe about the Kingdom?
1. The Kingdom to Come (Hope/Judgment)
Matthew 19:27-28 Jesus told his disciples they would rule with him in the Kingdom to come. (See also Revelation 2:26-27.)
The Kingdom to come involves both restoration and judgment.
2. The Kingdom Message (Gospel/Repentance)
Mark 1:14-15 This message should grab our attention! It sounds a lot like the prophets: Isaiah 13:6; Ezekiel 30:3; Joel 2:1; Obadiah 15; Zephaniah 1:14; Matthew 3:2.
The Kingdom gospel inspires repentance. Are you hanging onto sin? (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)
3. The Kingdom Way (Lifestyle/Allegiance)
Luke 11:17-20 Long before Gandhi allegedly said, “Be the change you want to see in the world,” Jesus embodied the Kingdom in his ministry from his exorcisms to his healing ministry to his love ethic.
4. The Kingdom Mindset (Identity/Messiah)
John 4:25-26; 11:21-27 Jesus claimed to be the Messiah and took seriously his role in the age to come.
If you don’t have the Kingdom, you don’t have Jesus!
The Kingdom changes everything! It’s the hope we long for and the judgment we fear; it’s the gospel we share with the world inspiring repentance; it shapes how we live as well as our allegiances; it alters our identity as the royal rulers of the age to come. The Kingdom is a big deal.
Acts 3:17-18 All the prophets spoke of the Kingdom of God. The subject of the Scriptures is Yahweh’s desire and plan for the Kingdom of God on earth.
19-21 “Refreshing” is to restore strength, to renovate, provide freshness and newness. “Restoration” is to bring back to a former position or condition, to bring to the original form.
Genesis 1:26 Originally, man was created to be in God’s image, with His likeness --“ spiritual, holy, loving, compassionate, gracious, longsuffering, forgiving, joyful, peaceful...
Man had dominion over the earth that was paradise.
27-31 Man was never a heavenly body, rather, an earthly body. 1 Corinthians 15:40 - Restoration does not indicate becoming angels living in heaven but becoming spiritual living on a renovated earth.
Acts 1:4-8 Their question was about restoring the Kingdom.
Matthew 6:9-13 “Your kingdom come” - For Jesus, the gospel was and is God’s Kingdom on earth. This is what he preached.
Matthew 4:17, 23 Jesus, not only preached the Kingdom, but demonstrated what it will be like as he lived sinlessly, powerfully, and with dominion over the earth.
Matthew 9:35-10:7 He sent his disciples to preach the same gospel.
Acts 1:8, 14:22, 19:8, 20:25, 28:23, 31 The storyline of the Bible is the Kingdom of God. Christians have been commissioned to preach the gospel, the Kingdom of God.
What do Christians preach today?
The unifying doctrine of Christian religion is: the Trinity, Jesus is God the Son, when you die you go to heaven or hell. They talk about salvation, forgiveness, new birth, healing, abundance... Most have no idea what the Kingdom of God is; therefore, the gospel is not really preached.
“This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.” Mat 24:14
Isaiah 41:5-16 I will strengthen you, I will help you.
Isaiah 43:1-7 Yahweh will care for you now and in the age to come.
Isaiah 44:1-8 Do not tremble, and do not be afraid. I am with you.
Psalm 27:1-10 Fellowship with Yahweh and focus on Him eliminate fear.
27:11-14 Focus on the Kingdom and the promises of God eradicates fear.
Psalm 34:1-22 When David was confronted with fear for his life, he sought Yahweh who delivered him from all his fear.
Psalm 118:5-16 Yahweh is for me; I will not fear. What can man do to me?
Romans 8:26-39 This is a logical presentation to encourage unwavering faith and to dispel all fear. Everything is good; God and Christ are with us; and the Kingdom is coming.
Do not fear: Psalm 56:4 and 11; 27:1; 23:4; 46:1; Romans 8:15; Hebrews 13:6; 2 Timothy 1:7; 1 Peter 3:13-15; 1 John 4:18; Revelation 2:10
Mark 5:36 Do not be afraid, only believe.
Matthew 6:33 and 34
Deuteronomy 13:4 Respect and obedience are the right responses to Almighty God.
Romans 13:1 Submission: wives to their husbands (Ephesians 5:22-24); children to parents (Ephesians 6:1-3); servants are to submit to masters (Ephesians 6:58); younger believers to their elders (1 Peter 5:5). Believers are to submit to leaders in the church (Hebrews 13:17), and all are to be subject one to another (Ephesians 5:21).
Romans 13:1 and 2 If we do not submit to the laws of the government, we will be judged by those laws. All governments are a temporary necessity in this present evil age to maintain a semblance of order until God’s perfect Kingdom comes.
3-5 The word "minister" could also be translated “servant” as it often is in other translations.
Hebrews 11:13 They were persuaded by God’s promises regarding His coming Kingdom to the degree that they determined their lifestyle accordingly.
We are strangers today in this world because our citizenship is reserved in heaven as we await God’s coming Kingdom. Pilgrims are those on a journey to a holy place. Our pilgrimage ends when we enter the Kingdom of God. Strangers and pilgrims do not get all wrapped up in the affairs of the land in which they live. They know their home is elsewhere.
2 Corinthians 5: 17-21 As ambassadors, our citizenship is in God’s coming Kingdom, and we are sent to represent this Kingdom to the world.
1 Peter 2:11 and 12 "Visitation" should be translated “observation.” The day of observation for unbelievers is today.
1 Peter 2:13-17 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man.
Romans 13:6 and 7 Governments cost money; therefore, they levy taxes.
Mark 12:15-17; Matthew 17:24-27 Jesus showed Peter that God would give provision to do what is right in obeying the financial demands of the government.
Romans 13:8 God does not want us to owe anyone because indebtedness may place us in a compromising position to be controlled.
1 John 3:16; 4:11 We owe love because God loved us, and He commands us to love others. Love is the fulfilling of the Law.
Romans 13:9 and 10
Romans 13:11 and 12 We are to maintain an awareness of the urgency of our times.
Romans 13:13 and 14 We must acknowledge the time wasters and cast them off:
Romans 13:14 Casting off and putting on are two separate actions that must be connected. Casting off without putting on is impossible, as is putting on without first casting off.
Romans 12:1 The beginning of the renewed mind is to have the honesty to acknowledge your sin or character defects. The Scriptures define sin and righteousness.
Anger - Pro 14:29; 15:8; 16:32; 19:11, 19; 22:24, 25; 30:33; Ephesians 4:26, 27, 31
Laziness “ Proverbs 6:6-11; 10:3-5; 12:27; 13:4; 18:9; 19:24; 20:4; 24:30-34; 26:13-16; 2 Thessalonians 3:10 and 11
Drunkenness “ Proverbs 20:1; 23:20, 21, 29-35; Ephesians 5:18-20; Genesis 9 -Noah and Ham; Leviticus 10 - Nadab and Abihu
Lying “ Proverbs 12:17-22; 19:9; 21:6; Ephesians 4:25; Revelation 22:15
Romans 12:1 and 2 After we acknowledge our sin, we humbly ask God for help.
Romans 12:3 We can change our thinking by putting on God’s Word.
Matthew 4:1-11 Memorize the correct Word and speak it to the temptation.
Ephesians 4:17-32 The renewed mind is the key to godly living and abundant living.
1 Peter 1:3-5 As opposed to a dead hope, we have a living hope that should affect us in the present. This hope is available to us because of Christ’s resurrection. It is not fragile but imperishable, undefiled, unfading, and reserved in heaven. Your faith activates almighty God’s power to guard and preserve you for that day!
Mark 14:27-42 Sadly, most people (at least in America) believe in the ancient Greek philosopher Plato’s theory of the immortality of the soul over what the Bible teaches us: that the dead are asleep until resurrection. By comparing the last moments of Socrates’ life vs. Jesus’, we can observe the stark contrast between evacuationism and restorationism.
Afterlife Options
1. Evacuation (72% of Americans)
2. Reincarnation (Buddhists, Jains, Sikhs)
3. Annihilation (atheists, agnostics, non-religious)
4. Restoration (some Christians, Muslims, and Jews)
1 Peter 1:3-7, 13-17 If this hope is living in you, then it should change you. Here are eight Kingdom effects:
1. Help you get through trials and suffering
2. Your body matters; part of God’s design
3. What you believe and do determines your destiny
4. Creation itself is good and lasting (stewardship)
5. Understand God’s heart, His dream for the world
6. Understand Jesus’ identity as Messiah
7. Allegiance to God’s Kingdom over other nations
8. Called to live the Kingdom lifestyle now as a witness
Do you have a Kingdom worldview? Are you with Socrates or Jesus? Does the Kingdom affect how you live? As Kingdom citizens, we are not supposed to think and live like everyone else.
Colossians 1:12-13
The father has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light. He has rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son. What is this kingdom?
Matthew 6:10 Jesus asked us to pray “Your kingdom come.”
Matthew 6:33 Seek first the kingdom of God.
Matthew 13:44 This kingdom is worth everything!
Mark 4:30-32 "How shall we picture the kingdom of God?” Today, it is in seed form. But one day it will become great!
Daniel 2:32-35,44 - The stone in the dream of Nebuchadnezzar became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.
Daniel 7:13-14 -- This kingdom will not pass away and will not be destroyed.
Revelation 11:15 -- This kingdom is coming in the future and when the the seventh angel sounds the kingdoms of the world will become the kingdom of our lord and of His Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:50-52 -- This will be the time of the resurrection from the dead.
1 Corinthians 15:21-25- Christ will reign until he puts all enemies under his feet. (Psalm 110:1)
This is the time of the regeneration (Mt 19:28)
This is the times of refreshing (Ac 3:19)
This is the period of restoration (Ac 3:21)
Psalm 2:1-12 -- David prophesied of time of the LORD’s anointed -- the Messiah
Isaiah 2:2-4 -- Wars will cease
Isaiah 11:1-5 -- There will be rule of righteousness and faithfulness. The poor and afflicted of the earth will be judged with fairness
Isaiah 11:6-10 -- Even the animal kingdom will live in peace with each other and with mankind.
Isaiah 35:1-7 -- The planet will change. Parched place will blossom with vegetation! Those who are sick will be healed.
Isaiah 35:8-10 -- There will be everlasting joy. Sorrow and sighing will flee away!
Listen in to Francesca's amazing story from abject poverty and unrelenting hardship in the Congo to her arrival in America. See how God was with her through it all and how she came out on top in the end.
1 --“ Written to those who have passed into the spiritual realm, Christ is your Lord. We are not seeking the new life; rather, we have it and now are to manifest it. We must keep seeking spiritual matters while avoiding the earthly. What we really have is a daily reprieve contingent on the maintenance of our spiritual condition.
2 --“ Use your will and self determination to set your mind.
3 --“ The impulses and longings of our self-centered life died; therefore, they no longer have power over you. You can do it! 1 John 4:4; Philippians 4:13; Romans 8:37
4 --“ We already have the promise but not yet the reality. We are other world minded.
5 --“ “Immorality” is the Greek word “porneia” and is mostly translated “fornication.” Our society today is oblivious to God’s Word on this subject. Fornication includes premarital sex, extramarital sex, homosexuality, and sex with children or relatives.
6 --“ The wrath of God refers to judgment in the age to come. So, if you are involved in immorality, stop it. You have the ability to stop by seeking what is above.
8 --“ With our new life, we are different, so stop all the nonsense.
10 --“ Put off the old, and put on the new. If we seek the things above, pray, strive to live this right way, a new attitude will be given us without any thought or effort on our part. It just comes; that is the miracle of it!
Romans 6:1-6; Ephesians 4:21-24 The new you is God-like.
11 --“ Do not believe the lie. You have Christ in you. He is all and in all.
12 --“ Behavior in relationship to others is not the same because it’s not all about you.
Heart of compassion --“ Ephesians 4:17-20 Jesus taught in Luke 10:25-37, compassion Philippians 2:1-ff
Kindness --“ Ephesians 4:31 and 32
Colossians 3:13 --“ Forgive. Let it go now. You can do it!
14 --“ Above all else, love. 1 Corinthians 13:13
15 -17 --“ Be thankful.
23 --“ Whatever you do, do it heartily unto the Lord.
1 The doctrine of substitution and identification is we died with Christ, we were buried with Christ, we were raised with Christ, we ascended with Christ, and we will be gathered with Christ when he returns.
What we seek determines our thought life and activity.
2 You determine to think about spiritual matters rather than worldly things. When Jesus was on the cross, Psalm 22 was on his mind.
3 2 Corinthians 5:15-17 Old things have passed away. Philippians 3:12 i.e. David’s child
4 Christ is coming back; keep your eyes on that day.
5-9 We haven’t the time in the swiftly moving moments of this life for the nonsense of sinful behavior. This conduct was ours because we were self-centered.
10 We have the choice of the old self or the new self. The new is created in the image of God.
Ephesians 4:20-24 The new self is created to be like God in righteousness, holiness, and truth. Live like God.
Colossians 3:11 Everyone has the same new life.
12 The new lifestyle has these qualities: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness...
14 Love is the perfect bond of unity (Philippians 2:1-11). Love is everything!
15 Let peace rule (Philippians 4:4-9). God will provide peace if you ask and seek, so much of our anxiety is rooted in our unwillingness to allow God to be in charge.
John 14:27 You have been given peace.
17 Do you want a blessed life? Be thankful.
Psalms 105:1 and 107:22
Psalms 46:1-3 No matter what calamity may befall us, Yahweh is present to help.
7 --“ No matter the roar, Yahweh is with us.
10 --“ Anxiety, fear, racing thoughts, etc. avail nothing; rather, be still and know.
KJV - Be still, and know that I am God
NET - He says, "Stop your striving and recognize that I am God!
NJB - Be still and acknowledge that I am God, supreme over nations, supreme over the world.
Deuteronomy 31:1-8 Yahweh goes with you; there is nothing to fear.
Hebrews 13:5 and 6 I will never leave you nor ever forsake you.
2 Chronicles 14:1-15 Four important actions to acknowledge:
1) eliminate idolatry,
2) stop trying to figure things out on your own,
3) know God will help,
4) pray and ask for help.
15:2 Yahweh is with you when you are with Him!
4 - Because they turned to Yahweh, He let them find Him.
15 --“ They sought Him earnestly, and He let them find Him. Yahweh is present, but only those who seek Him know it.
1 Chronicles 28:9 To Solomon, the same promise
Jeremiah 29:11-14 The promise has always been the same.
Deuteronomy 4:25-31
Matthew 7:7-12 Do you want God in your life? Yahweh is with us, and if we seek Him, He will allow us to find Him.
Deuteronomy 6:4 This verse begins the passage known as “the Shema.”
Shema Yisrael, Yahweh eloheinu, Yahweh echad
Hear, O Israel: Yahweh [is] our God, Yahweh [is] one
Deuteronomy 6:5 Not only is God one, but we are to love Him with everything we have, including all our heart, all our soul, and all our might. These are more than just words on a page for Jews. It’s what they die for, what they live for.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 Jews say the Shema each morning and night in obedience to this command. The Shema is not a silent belief but something spoken aloud daily.
Deuteronomy 6:8 For prayer, Jews wear tefillin, small black leather boxes with scrolls in them.
Deuteronomy 6:9 On Jewish homes all around the world you can find mezuzah, small decorative cases hung on their door posts containing scrolls.
Deuteronomy 6:10-15 Sadly, Israel did forget God’s commands, and they did worship other gods, which resulted in their exile from the Promised Land. However, after they returned, they remembered.
How do we process this as Christians? We must look to Christ and see what he said about this idea. Did he accept it, reject it, or change it?
Mark 12:28-34 Jesus and the scribe completely agree on who God is. “He is one, and there is no one else besides him.” Jesus knows the Shema and endorses it. What about you?
Exodus 6:6 and 7 What does God want?
Deuteronomy 7:6
Ezekiel 36:23-28 In the end, God’s dream of a holy family will be fulfilled.
Galatians 1:1-4 God, our Father
3:21 This section speaks to the Jews who wanted to continue in the Law. The purpose of the Law was not to bring righteousness.
24 The Law was a tutor until Christ came.
25 Now that Christ has come, we no longer need the tutor.
4:1-7 Because of Jesus, the Jews can have an entirely different relationship with God. He is their Abba Father if they accept Christ as Lord.
Ephesians 1:1-3 God is our Father, and He is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1:15-17; 3:14; and 5:20 We pray to our Father in the name of Jesus Christ.
2:11 We were Gentiles, not the people of God.
12 We were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship, strangers to the covenants, had no hope, and were without God.
13 We are brought near by the blood of Christ.
15 Jesus took everything out of the way that separated us from God and Israel.
18 Through him, we now have access to the Father.
19 God is our Father, and we are in His household.
22 We are now God’s habitation.
Psalm 4:1-8 Either God is, or He isn’t. The trustworthiness of Yahweh is our meditation, not the trials and tribulations. Whatever we ponder magnifies and influences our faith.
Psalm 31:1-24 An excellent example of prayer by a believer in distress.
Psalm 37:1-11 Trust, delight, commit, rest, cease, and be humble. God has your back.
Psalm 40:1-17 There is only one way up and out of our troubles, and that is to trust in Yahweh.
Psalm 115:1-18 Trust in Yahweh.
Psalm 125:1-5
Proverbs 3:1-12 The first step in trusting Yahweh is the acknowledgement of our inability to handle life on our own. This means we will be stripped of all pride and surrender to His ways that are so much better than ours.
Isaiah 26:1-4 Controlling our mind to focus on Him is the beginning of trust.
Romans 8:28-39 We have every reason in the Scriptures to have trust in Yahweh.
Hospitality to the Saints
Romans 12:13 “Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.”
Hospitality = stranger love
Seek to show = to run, persecute, chase after
Hospitality to the Stranger
Lev 19:33-34
33 When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. 34 You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.
Genesis 18:1-10 Abraham and Sarah showed hospitality to travelers.
Luke 14:12-14 Jesus was passionate about showing hospitality to the needy.
Matthew 25:31-40 Jesus saw refusing kindness like hospitality to the needy as a major problem on judgment day.
Hospitality to the Unbeliever
2 Kings 6:19-23 When the king of Israel showed hospitality to his enemies, they stopped attacking.
You can be hospitable here at Living Hope by welcoming people and reaching out to those you don’t know.
Are you ready for the hospitality challenge?
The Feast is called Booths, Tabernacles, Sukkot, and Ingathering and is one of the three pilgrimage feasts the men of Israel were to observe by going to Jerusalem to celebrate. The feast begins five days after the Day of Atonement and at the time the fall harvest had just been completed. It was a time of joyous celebration as the Israelites acknowledged God’s continued blessing in the current harvest and remembered His provision and protection during the 40 years in the wilderness.
Leviticus 23:39 “ The 15th of the seventh month called Tishri was usually late September to mid-October.
40-44 “ The 8th day became a separate holiday known in Hebrew as Hoshanna Rabba (in English, “the Great Hosanna”).
Deuteronomy 16:1-8 “ Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread were in remembrance of leaving Egypt. The feast was also a type for Jesus’ sacrifice as the Lamb of God.
9-12 “ The Feast of Weeks, later called Pentecost, was designed to celebrate and remember they were slaves in Egypt. The feast was also a type for Jesus’ sending the holy spirit after he ascended.
13-15 “ The Feast of Booths was a time of rejoicing and remembrance of their time in the wilderness after leaving Egypt, and as of yet there has been no fulfillment.
16 and 17 “ For three feasts they were to go up to Jerusalem and celebrate annually.
Deuteronomy 31:1, 2, 9-13 “ Every 7 years during the Feast of Booths, they were to read the Law. The 7th year was the Sabbath year when the land rested and debts were forgiven. The 50th year was the jubilee when everyone returned to their family land (Leviticus 25).
1 Kings 8 and 2 Chronicles 6 “ Solomon brought the Ark of the Covenant into the Temple during the feast of booths. Since the ark (like the Israelites) was under a tabernacle, it was fitting for Solomon to wait 11 months after the Temple was finished to dedicate it during the feast. The year was also a Jubilee year when all the lands of Israel were returned to the people and all debts forgiven.
2 Chronicles 6:32 and 33 “ Solomon included foreigner Gentiles in his prayer.
Ezra 3:1-7 When the people returned from captivity to rebuild the Temple, they celebrated the Feast of Booths, so again it was connected with the Temple.
Nehemiah 8: 13-18 “ Again they celebrate the feast of booths.
Jesus may have been born during the feast of booths.
John 7:37-39 Jesus prophesied about the outpouring of the spirit during the Feast of Booths.
Zechariah 14:1-ff “ When Jesus returns Feast of Booths will again be celebrated. He will enter the Temple like the ark did in the time of Solomon. The Scriptures will again be read for all the world to hear, and it will be a time of Jubilee when Israel receives the land of their fathers and all debts will be forgiven.
Psalm 16:1-11 The psalmist looks to God as his refuge, only good, and the portion of his inheritance. No matter what people do in the land, he stays true to Yahweh, finding the fullness of joy in His presence. Because he sets God continually before him, nothing can shake him. In this little psalm, we learn the key to a properly ordered heart.
We cannot let other pursuits, even good ones, replace God as our ultimate treasure. Here are some of what we allow to take priority over God:
- Lust: Solomon (1 Kings 11:3-4)
- Money: Gehazi (2 Kings 5:20-27)
- Spouse: Samson (Judges 16:4-6, 15-17)
- Popularity: Saul (1 Samuel 15:9-30; 18:6-9)
- Respect: Levite (Judges 17-18)
- Career: Jeroboam (1 Kings 12)
Your issue may not be one of these. One way to find out what has captured your heart above all else is to ask the question, “What thing, if you lost it, would devastate you to such a degree you couldn’t go on?”
“An idol will always break your heart because no created thing can bear the freight of your deepest hopes or the weight of your soul’s longings. Idols will always break your heart.” --Tim Keller
The Scriptures also provide several positive examples of keeping God first:
- Abraham was willing to give up Isaac (Genesis 22:2, 12, 16-18)
- Joseph wouldn’t sell out God no matter how much he suffered (39:9; 40:8; 41:16)
- Jesus said his food was to do the will of God (John 4:34)
Ironically, by living for God, you will become a better parent, employee, or friend. With God first, you won’t put all of that pressure on other pursuits to provide what only God can--true fulfillment.
3 aspects of love: 1) God’s love for us, 2) our love for Him, 3) our love for others
Romans 5:5-10 The proof that our hope will not disappoint is God’s love poured out in us. Christ died for us when we totally did not deserve it. As we experience God’s love for us, the ugly beliefs about ourselves will disappear.
Romans 8:14-17 “Abba” is a term that expresses warm affection and family confidence.
Galatians 5:13-16 The ability to love others as God has loved us comes with the holy spirit. The walk of the flesh is self-centered, without concern for God or others. The spirit enables us to love others genuinely like God loves.
Philippians 1:12-20 Paul’s transformation and subsequent life are held up in Scriptures as examples for every believer to follow. He did not take the acts of others personally because he did not believe lies about himself.
1 Timothy 1:13-16 Love, joy, and peace are the fruit in someone who believes truth and is influenced by the spirit of truth. Anger, jealousy, revenge, self-doubt, condemnation, “poor me” attitude, etc. are the result in someone who believes lies about himself, others, or God.
Matthew 6:1-4 The motive for service to others is vital.
1 John 4:9-11; 19 Our love for others is due to God’s love for us. It is God-directed.
1 John 3:16-18 The spirit makes possible a fuller realization of God’s love for us and equips us to love Him and to love others as Christ loved his disciples.
1 Corinthians 13:1-3 All service is to be centered in love.
13 -- “But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.”
Ephesians 6:10 Jesus has the victory. 1:19-23; 2:4-6 We are united with Jesus.
6:11 and 12 We are in a multidimensional sin war.
2:1-3 The three fronts we face are: 1.) the world, 2.) evil supernaturalism, and 3.) the flesh.
6:13 We need the full armor of God so as to not become discouraged and quit.
14 Loins girded with truth -- The two aspects of truth are 1.) doctrinal, and 2.) personal. Two dangerous common doctrinal lies are "saved by works" and "once saved, always saved." Personal lies like "I am no good," "I am a loser," ugly, stupid, damaged, unlovable, undesirable, inferior... cause overpowering negative feelings and unbelief.
Breastplate of righteousness -- 4:21-24 Two aspects of righteousness: 1.) faith of Christ, and 2.) walking righteously
6:15 Feet shod with peace -- Two aspects of peace: 1.) faith of Christ, peace within, and 2.) walking with peace without.
1.) 1:2; 6:23; 2:14-17, and 2.) 4:1-3; Matthew 5:3-9
6:16 The flaming arrows of the evil one are propelled at us through the flesh, the world, and demons.
6:17 The helmet of Salvation -- 1:9-14 The flesh, the world, and the demons will be destroyed when Christ comes back -- part of our hope.
6:17 The sword of the spirit which is the word of God (4:17-25)
Why the blood of Christ? Because God is just and is the justifier for man’s sin. Why the blood? Because it brought atonement for us and freed us from the burden of sin.
Blood itself represents life. Thousands of years before medical science understood the significance of blood, this great truth was spoken in the Law of Moses.
Leviticus 17:14a
For as for the life of all flesh, its blood is identified with its life.
We cannot live without blood. Blood represents physical life. From antiquity, the sacrifice of blood acted as an agent in a binding agreement – a blood covenant. Shedding blood or “cutting a covenant” goes back to the book of Genesis, with early covenants made to Abraham in cutting animal sacrifices in Genesis 15 and cutting the skin in circumcision in the everlasting covenant in Genesis 17.
Luke 22:20 – Jesus spoke of his blood as a new covenant.
The book of Hebrews compares the old covenant with the new covenant.
Hebrews 9:18-22– The first covenant was inaugurated with blood.
Exodus 24:3-8 – God made promises to bring them to the Promised Land. The people agreed that they would do all the words that Yahweh had spoken. Moses then cut the covenant, shedding blood.
Hebrews 8:6 – Jesus is the mediator of a better covenant, enacted upon better promises!
Hebrews 9:11-12 – Through his blood, we have “eternal redemption!”
Hebrews 9:13-15 – Those who have been called “may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.”
Hebrews 9:23-28 – “He will appear a second time for salvation…to those who eagerly await him.”
So how should we live in light of the shed blood of Christ and the new covenant?
Hebrews 10:19-25
Hold fast the confession of our hope.
Consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds.
Don’t forsake our assembling together, but encourage one another.
The day is drawing near. Christ is coming back! A blood covenant was cut!
Hebrews 10:26-29 – Don’t insult the spirit of grace and disregard the blood of the covenant.
Hebrews 10:35-36, 39 – Do not throw away your confidence. Endure, knowing assuredly through the blood of the covenant that God will absolutely bring to pass what has been promised.
Hebrews 12:18-29 – Compares the time of the old covenant on Mt Sinai with the future Kingdom, Mount Zion. This Kingdom cannot be shaken!
Leviticus 16:21-22 The Day of Atonement was a special holy day when the high priest atoned for the sins of the entire nation.
Isaiah 53:4-6, 11-12 Jesus bore our griefs, our sorrows, our iniquities, and our sins.
1 Peter 2:24
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.
Hebrews 9:6-14 Christ is both the high priest and the sacrifice to make atonement, cleaning our consciences from dead works to serve the living God
Hebrews 10:1-4 The old animal sacrifices were limited in that the priests needed to offer them repeatedly since they did not make people perfect or cleanse their consciences from sin.
Hebrews 10:10-22 Through Christ’s one super sacrifice, he perfects those who are being sanctified and eliminates the need for any future offerings.
Romans 6:6-7, 11-14, 17-18, 22-23 Because of Christ, we are no longer enslaved to sin; we are liberated to serve God. However, this is a daily decision you must make. Whom will you serve?
When Adam sinned, he and all of humanity that followed lost innocence, life, and godliness. God’s plan for man’s redemption with the blood of Jesus is centered in His justice and righteousness. The beginning of understanding why the blood is understanding God’s justice
Deuteronomy 32:3 and 4 – One of Yahweh’s holy attributes that distinguish Him as the only true God is justice.
Psalm 99:4 – Yahweh is the one who determines righteousness, justice, and equity and as such He is the ultimate authority and enforcer.
Psalm 89:14 – He is the supreme judge qualified by all that He is – just, righteous, loving, merciful, gracious, long suffering….
Psalm 97: 1and 2 – The foundation of Yahweh’s holy sovereignty of heaven and earth is justice and righteousness. He had to redeem man justly. i.e.The foundation of the church
Leviticus 6:1-7 – According to God’s standard for justice, restitution, punishment, and sacrificial atonement are required with sin.
Who taught the child about justice that he would react with “hey that’s not fair why does she get a cookie and I don’t?” From childhood we humans long for justice and can become outraged when we detect injustice. Why are we entertained when the bad guy gets what he deserved or when the good wins? The sense of justice seems to be in our DNA; howbeit, our interpretation of what is just may be tilted “a little” from time to time.
Genesis 9:6; Exodus 21:12; Deuteronomy 5:17 – The just consequence for murder is death.
Leviticus 24:17-23 – Justices requires an equitable consequence for a wrong doing. God, not man, determines what is reasonable and right.
What is required to right Adam’s wrong losing innocence, life, and godliness? Jesus, a man born like Adam sinless had to endure all the unrighteous temptations of the devil yet not sin and surrender his innocent life in our place. He was the necessary restitution, punishment, and sacrificial atonement
Romans 5:10-ff – Adam’s sin caused death and the loss of eternal life. One just like him’ a second Adam had to surrender his life as payment. God determined the standard necessary to regain what was lost by Adam, the requirement for restitution, punishment, and sacrificial atonement.
In the Old Testament with the animal sacrifices, we see a shadowy type of the just requirements to regain what was lost, the death of an innocent for the sin of the guilty. Adam lost innocence, life, and godliness.
Romans 3:23-25 – “Propitiate” is to cause to be favorably disposed, appease, conciliate. “Propitiation” is any action which makes a ruling power more lenient toward the offender. The fit of candy to an injured or angry sweetheart. Hebrews 2:17; 1 John2:2 and 4:10
Romans 3:26 – God is just and the justifier.
John 11:7-10, 14-16 Thomas speaks up when Jesus reveals his plan to go see Lazarus’ family.
John 14:1-11 Thomas asks Jesus to explain what he is talking about at the last supper.
John 20:25-31 Thomas won’t believe what the other disciples were saying until he has proof.
Christianity is not based on a philosophy that helps us make sense of life (though it does that) nor is it based on a set of practices that enable adherents to live the good life (though it does that too) nor is it based on emotional or spiritual experiences that add excitement to life (though it does that as well). It’s based on history—that God actually raised Jesus of Nazareth from the dead.
Romans 1:1-4; Acts 2:22-32 - The resurrection is the definite, absolute proof that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.
Romans 6:1-11; 2 Corinthians 5:15-17 - His resurrection provides for us newness of life; all things have become new; we are a new creation in him.
1 Corinthians 15:1-ff - Because of his resurrection, we are assured that we too will experience resurrection when he returns.
The book of Genesis ends with the children of Israel moving to Egypt due to the famine in all the land. Israel’s (Jacob’s) son, Joseph, had risen to oversee all the land of Egypt under Pharaoh.
Exodus 1:6-14 – A new king arose over Egypt who did not know Joseph. Some suggest that this means an entire new Egyptian dynasty. He appoints task masters over the children of Israel, and they afflict them with hard labor. This time in Egypt is referred to as “the house of slavery/bondage” (Ex 13:3, 14; 20:2; Deu 5:6; 6:12; 8:14; 13:5, 10; Jos 24:17; Jud 6:8).
Exodus 1:22 – This slavery became very evil, as Hebrew baby boys were cast into the Nile.
Exodus 2:1-10 – Moses is born and raised in Pharaoh’s household for forty years. (He was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, mighty in words and deeds – Acts 7:22-23.)
Exodus 2:11-15 – Moses fled Egypt for the land of Midian. He lived in Midian for another forty years, and at around the age of eighty (Ex 7:7), God appeared to Moses.
Exodus 2:23-25 – God remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Exodus 3:1-10 – God speaks to Moses at the burning bush.
Exodus 3:16-22 – God tells Moses that the king of Egypt will not let the children of Israel go, except under compulsion. God will stretch out His hand and strike Egypt with His miracles. In the end, the children of Israel will plunder the Egyptians.
Exodus 5:1 – Moses and Aaron go to Pharaoh and say, “Let my People go….” Pharaoh refuses and makes their labor even more difficult.
Exodus7:1ff - 10:1ff – Yahweh performs His signs: water to blood, frogs, gnats, flies, pestilence on the Egyptian livestock, boils on the Egyptians, hail and fire, locusts, three days of darkness. After each plague, Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not let the children of Israel go.
Exodus 11:1ff – The final plague, death of the firstborn of Egypt
Exodus 12:1ff – The Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and deliverance from Egypt – the house of slavery
Jesus, the Passover Lamb – Jo 1:29, 36; 1 Pet 1:18-19; Rev 5:12; 12:9-11; 1 Cor 5:7
2 Corinthians 5:14-21 – Jesus gave himself a sacrifice for us so that we can now live as a sacrifice for him and for God.
Romans 12:1 – Your holy sacrifice that is acceptable to God and is spiritual service of worship is living for Him and no longer for self.
2 – The how of living for Him is not be conformed but transformed by the renewing of the mind.
3 – The how of renewing the mind is thinking the right way.
4-8 – Serving others is part of our worship of God.
9-21 – Live love and steer clear of selfishness and worldliness.
Hebrews 13:10 – “Altar” by metonymy is used of the sacrifice of Christ. The Jews were still offering animal sacrifice, not understanding or accepting the sacrifice of Christ. Due to their unbelief, they had no right to eat.
11 – Exodus 29:14; Leviticus 4:1-12; 16:27 What happened under the old covenant was a temporary solution for their sin and an example/type for Christ.
13 – To the Jews, he is saying to leave the city and the old sacrifices connected with the old covenant and accept Christ’s sacrifice. Leave the old, even if there is reproach. For non-Jews, leave the old life, get outside the city, the life that everyone else is still involved in.
14 – Everything here and now will come to an end, but there is a city coming in the future.
16 – The true and appropriate sacrifice today is that of praise, thanks, doing good, and sharing.
1 Peter 2:5-12 – We do not offer animal sacrifices but spiritual sacrifices. We proclaim the excellencies of Him. We praise Him, thank Him, and tell others of His greatness.
Philippians 4:10-20 The sacrifice of giving is well-pleasing to Yahweh.
Colossians 2:2 – "That their hearts might be encouraged, having been knit
together in love."
Hebrews 13:15, 16 – Praising God encourages us and is a sacrifice to Him.
Psalm 33:1-22
Ephesians 2:1-10 – Praise Him for all He has done for us. It encourages our souls.
Psalm 46:1, 2
Lamentations 3:19-26 – No matter what is going on around us, God is faithful.
Hebrews 13:16 – We are encouraged, so we can encourage others.
Psalm 107:1-2 – God is good.
Psalm 107:8, 9, 19, 20, 21, 22, 43;
Psalm 105:1-5;
Ephesians 6:18 – It is encouraging to know that someone is praying for you.
Hebrews 3:12, 13
1 Thessalonians 5:11 – Build people up; you can do this!
Romans 8:31
Hebrews 10:23-25
Luke 23:43
Matthew 5:14-16
We are the lights of the world. Let us NOT be the discouragers; rather, let
us be the ones who encourage with love!
Genesis 4:1-8 The first offering reveals there is a right and wrong way to offer.
Hebrews 11:4 Abel offered a better sacrifice than Cain because he did it in faith. Faith is connected to obedience and obedience to instruction. Abel did what he was told; Cain did not (1 John 3:12). Many have followed the way of Cain (Jude 1:11).
The life of the animal was sacrificed.
Genesis 8:20 The offering had to be a clean animal, and God provided the sacrifice (6:19-7:3). Offerings done right are a soothing aroma (8:21) to Yahweh.
Two very significant aspects are: 1. offered as vicarious and substitutionary expiation for people’s sins, 2. a type for man’s eternal expiation with Jesus.
Genesis 15:8-18 First introduction of God’s fire
Leviticus 1:1-3 Male without defect
4 – Laying hands on the animal, the offerors identified with the sacrifices as their substitutes. The sinful lives of the Israelites were committed to the animals, and the acceptability of the offerings was transmitted to the Israelites.
5 – The offeror killed the animal making an unforgettable impression that innocent life was killed for the guilty life as a substitute. The priests had to make the offering on their behalf. Blood was an important part of the sacrifice.
8 – God gave very specific instruction on how to do the sacrifice. Fire completely consumed the sacrifice signifying the sin was completely annihilated.
9 – When done right, the sacrifice is a soothing aroma to Yahweh (vs. 13, 17; 2:2, 9).
1 Peter 1:18 and 19 A lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ
Romans 6:1-11 Christ is our substitutionary sacrifice.
Hebrew 9:11-14 Jesus, the high priest and the sacrifice
Revelation 5:9 By his blood
Matthew 3:11 Baptized with fire
Ephesians 5:1 and 2 Jesus was that sweet-smelling savor.
Habakkuk 2:4 is quoted three times in the New Testament as “the just shall live by faith” (Rom 1:17; Gal 3:11, Heb 10:38).
The book of Habakkuk offers great insight on living in light of God’s promise no matter what the circumstance, the evil, and the violence that surrounds us.
Habakkuk 1:1-4 -Habakkuk’s cry to God for help.
“How long O Yahweh, will I call for help and you will not hear?” Habakkuk looked at the evil going on in his nation, seeing wickedness, iniquity, and violence. He asked God why there seems to be no response. This was during the time of the last years of the nation of Judah, before it was taken into captivity. Habakkuk cried to Go about the wickedness in the land (Jer 5:23-31, 9:2-6).
Habakkuk 1:5-11 – God’s answer to Habakkuk – The Chaldeans/Babylonians are coming
The powerful nation of Babylon will be coming from the north and they will devastate the people and the land (Jer 5:15-17, 6:22-23).
Habakkuk 1:12-17,2:1 – Habakkuk questions this punishment from an evil nation.
Habakkuk 2:2-20 – God’s Answer
Wait for it. It will certainly come. The righteous (the just) shall live by his faith.
Habakkuk 3:1-19 – A prayer of Habakkuk
“Yet I will exult in Yahweh, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.”
Hebrews 10:32-39 – You have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. “The righteous one shall live by faith.”
Esther's audacity to stand for God, no matter the cost, sets a sterling example for all of us. Her courage may just change your life!
Act 1: Queen Vashti disobeys Ahasuerus
Esther 1.15-20
Act 2: The Search for a New Queen
Esther 2.17
Act 3: Haman’ Plot
Esther 3.8-14
Act 4: Esther Takes a Stand
Esther 4.11, 13-14, 16; 5.13-14
Act 5: Mordecai Exalted
Esther 6.3-11
Act 6: Haman’s Demise
Esther 7.2-6, 8-9
Act 7: The Jews Delivered
Esther 8.15-17
What is one area in your life where fear is holding you back?
What is one change you would make in your life if you had the courage of Esther?
Do you think God would back you up if you made this change?
Genesis 41: 50-52 The name of Joseph’s second son was Ephraim, which means “God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.” We have the tendency to determine who or what is the cause of our affliction, and indeed, there can be merit to this thinking; however, there also can be wrong conclusions and damage by such thinking. Joseph’s mindset was the best − looking for God’s help and blessing.
45:1-8 Every day, Joseph did the next right thing by keeping God first, and in the end, all things worked out for good. He could have easily felt sorry for himself and blamed God for his circumstances
50:15 Joseph maintained his godly attitude and saw things the right way. What the devil intends for evil, God can use for good if we are faithful and patient.
Psalms 25:1-ff The waiting room at times can be more difficult than the treatment room.
Psalms 27:14; 37:24; 130:6 Waiting on God has everything to do with our understanding that He is in charge and we are not
Isaiah 30:18; 40:31
Lamentations 3:21-26 No matter how bad our current situation may be, God is still our portion and refuge.
Romans 8:18 We need to make these comparisons.
2 Corinthians 4:17 and 18
Romans 8:28 A statement of truth that is ours to claim
Romans 8:37-39 God’s Word should become our declaration, our God-given entitlement.
2 Corinthians 9:8 God is our sufficiency, not this world, the government, or people.
Philippians 4:13 Memorize and repeat often, especially when you are in difficult circumstances.
The horrors of war were part of their entire life from their birth. Every year, month, and day, they heard of the approaching of the fierce barbaric enemy that was coming closer and closer. The friendly forces diminished day by day until eventually they were unable to defend the capital city. The enemy climbed the mountain and scaled the walls and descended upon the defenseless city wounding, killing, stealing, burning, and destroying everything these 4 boys knew.
The horrifying realties of war assaulted their senses; they smelled the fire, saw the murdering, tasted the destruction, and felt the overwhelming pain of the loss.
In the days that followed, they watched as the conquerors took control, killing all that opposed them and organizing the exile of the few select to march out of their city, country, and life. They were dismayed and terrified when they were included into the ranks of those forced to leave.
Daniel 1:8-21 In all their austere adversity, they stayed faithful to Yahweh, and He blessed them in their negative circumstances.
Daniel 2:12, 13 Darkness and death were at their door.
17 and 18 They turned to God.
27 and 28 Daniel glorified Yahweh.
46-49 In their difficult world and life, God provided for them; yet, they still lived in Babylon.
3:16-18 No compromise
Romans 8:28 The context does not indicate we will have no adversity.
18-25 The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory to come, but the suffering is still here.
2 Corinthians 9:6-12 God is our sufficiency in difficult times.
Philippians 4:12 and 13 The great secret
Exodus 1:8-14 The Egyptians enslaved the Israelites, making their lives bitter with unrelenting hard labor.
Exodus 2:23-25 God hears the cry of His enslaved people.
Exodus 6:5-8 God promises to deliver them from bondage and give them their own land.
Exodus 15:1-4 Moses sings a hallelujah song about God bringing them through the Red Sea.
Exodus 16:11-27 God established the Sabbath with His people through the collecting of manna.
Deuteronomy 5:12-15 The Sabbath celebrates liberation from slavery.
Leviticus 25:3-23 The land enjoyed rest every seven years.
Leviticus 26:2-5, 10-12 If they keep His Sabbaths, then He will prosper them.
2 Chronicles 36:19-21 Israel suffered exile for 70 years so the land could enjoy its Sabbaths.
Nehemiah 13:15-19 Nehemiah fought for the day of rest after Israel returned from exile.
Mark 2:23-28 The Pharisees criticized Jesus’ disciples for picking heads of grain on the Sabbath.
Mark 3:1-6 The Pharisees criticized Jesus for healing on the Sabbath.
Galatians 3:23-25; Ephesians 2:14-16; Hebrews 8:13 The Law is abolished and no longer required for God’s people.
Colossians 2:13-17; Romans 14:5-12 No one should judge you in respect to keeping the Sabbath day.
Genesis 6:1-7 The Hebrew word translated “renown” is “shem” and most often is translated “name.” In the time of Noah, men were busied making a name for themselves rather than glorifying the name of the Lord.
Genesis 11:1-9 “Let us make for ourselves a name” was the concern rather than glorifying the name of Yahweh. Devastation was caused in humanity due to his self-centered desire to make a name for himself.
Deuteronomy 32:1-4; Psalm 113:1-ff The name of Yahweh is to be praised, exalted, glorified, and held on high.
Genesis 12:1-7 Abraham was one of three great men that were given a great name by God.
1 Chronicles 17:1-14 God promised David that He would give him a great name, and indeed that is exactly what happened.
Matthew 1:1, 17 Abraham and David represent the two great covenants, the Abrahamic and Davidic covenants, and Jesus represents the new covenant and the fulfillment of all the covenants.
Philippians 2:-5-6 The serpent, Eve, and Adam all strived to have equality with God; Jesus did not.
7-11 God gave Jesus a name that is above every name, and everyone in heaven and earth will bow before him.
Revelation 3:12 Jesus will be given a new name when the Kingdom comes.
Isaiah 7:14 His name will be Immanuel. Perhaps this is part of his new name.
Isaiah 9:6 He was never called these appellations. Perhaps when the Kingdom comes, he will.
Revelations 2:17 Do not be concerned with making a name for yourself; rather, glorify the name of Yahweh and Jesus.
“How are you doing?” he asked. The response, “I am very busy so I’m doing good.” Conversations like this one are not uncommon in our very busy world today. We have connected busyness with doing well as if it were some kind of virtue. With all the advance information and communication technology available, it seems we should be less busy. As we begin a New Year, taking time to consider how we spend our time and what keeps us so busy would be prudent.
Romans 13:8-14 – The most important concern is always love. How do we spend the precious moments of our life, centered in selfishness or love?
1John 4:11 – Debt promotes slavery the only thing we should owe is love because of God’s love for us we owe it to love others.
1Thessalonians 5:1-11 – We are to “awaken from the sleep” of indifference, hard heartedness, or antipathy that selfishness brings. We are tempted to waste our lives busied with activity of nothingness. Actives that waste our life and time are often center in self and not love for God or our fellowman. The salvation that will be realized when Christ returns is closer now than when we first believed.
1Peter 4:7-11 – Sober is possessing properly controlled faculties, even-tempered, well balanced. Time is needed for prayer, meditation, reading, serving and giving.
Ephesians 5:1-18 – Dissipation is the process of slowly disappearing or becoming less; the act of using all or a lot of money, time, etc., in a foolish way; behavior that shows you are interested only in pleasure, money, etc.
19-21 – Be busy in godliness and helping others to do the same.
1Corinthians 7:25-35 – Live for God.
Isaiah 58:13 and 14 – The Sabbath was not just a Mosaic ordinance it is far more as it was instituted at the creation as a pattern for godly living.
Matthew 2:1-2
“After” Jesus was born…magi from the east arrived. How long after? In the account recorded in Luke chapter two, at the birth of Jesus, shepherds came to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph with a newborn baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger (Luke 2:16). In this record in Matthew, the magi found a young child with his mother in the house (Matthew 2:11). The arrival of the magi could have occurred as much as two years after the event in Luke chapter two (Matthew 2:16).
“Magi from the east” – The word “magi” is the from the Greek word “magos”. They were not Hebrew; they were from the East. Most likely, they were men from the area of Babylon and Persia, men skilled in the science of astronomy and astrology. How did these men from an Eastern religion come to understand that a “king of the Jews” had been born? Perhaps the book of Daniel provides insight (Daniel 1:20-21; 2:47-48).
“His Star” – a phenomenon – a super bright star in the sky, or an astronomical occurrence that these magi interpreted to signify a king of the Jews was born? There is no indication that anyone else saw this star, nor is the brightness of the star ever mentioned, only its significance.
“Where is He who has been born King of the Jews” – This is what “His” star signified to the magi.
Matthew 2:3
King Herod and all Jerusalem were troubled. Herod and rulers in Jerusalem had a respect for these magi from the East.
Matthew 2:4-6
Herod inquired as to where “the Messiah” was to be born. There was an understanding that the Messiah, the Christ, was to be king of Jews. The birth place of the one who was to rule God’s people was prophetically declared by the prophet Micah (4:2) – Bethlehem.
Matthew 2:7
Herod inquired as to when the star appeared. The magi could have been observing this star for as much as two years (Matthew 2:11).
Matthew 2:8-11
They came to Bethlehem and found a young child with his mother, Mary, in a house. They presented gold, frankincense, and myrrh. They worshipped him. The Greek word for worship is proskuneo. It means to kneel or prostrate, to do homage, or make obeisance. Among Orientals, esp. the Persians, it meant to fall upon the knees and touch the ground with the forehead as an expression of profound reverence. The son of David, the king of the Jews, was to receive such reverence (Psalm 72).
Matthew 2:12-15 – God warned the magi and Joseph in a dream to depart. Joseph and Mary went to Egypt.
Matthew 2:16-18 – Herod slaughtered all the male children in Bethlehem from 2 years old and younger based on his inquiry of the magi.
Mathew 2:19-23 Mary and Joseph returned to Israel and went back to Nazareth of Galilee.
Luke 1:26 - Gabriel and Mary
1. Gabriel is mentioned in Daniel 8:16; 9:21; Luke 1:19; and 1:26.
2. Gabriel stands in the presence of God (Luke 1:19). The Greek word for “stands” means to wait before a superior.
3. Gabriel is one of only two angels named in the Bible. The other is Michael.
4. The Bible doesn’t call Gabriel the “archangel.” The Book of Tobit (of Catholic and Orthodox canon) identifies the angels as archangels, by tradition not the Bible.
5. Gabriel looks like a man. The name Gabriel means “man of God” or “strength of God.”
6. Gabriel scares people.
7. He anticipates Jesus. Gabriel relays prophecy concerning “Messiah the Prince” to Daniel. He tells Zacharias that John the Baptist will be a forerunner before the Lord, and he tells Mary that her son will be called “the Son of the Most High.”
Matthew 1:18-25 Angel and Joseph
Mark 6:3 – Jesus had four brothers and at least two sisters.
23 – Isaiah 7:14 - Immanuel means “with us is God.”
Luke 1:41-45 – Elizabeth and Mary
46-56 – This section is called the Song of Mary or the Magnificat (from its opening word in the Latin translation).
1 Samuel 2:1-10 – It may be that Mary on her four days’ journey to Elizabeth brooded over the story of Hannah and then uttered her own inspired praise.
2 Samuel 7:26
Luke 1:39-45 – Elizabeth, moved by spirit; 67-79 – Zacharias, filled with spirit; 2:25-32 – Simeon had the spirit upon him; Mary is not said to have the spirit’s influence.
The young woman, Mary, must have understood the Scriptures well.
46 – Psalm 34:3
47 – Hab. 3:18; Isaiah 61:10; and Psalm 35:9
48 – Psalms 136:23; 138:6
49 – Psalm 111:9; Isaiah 57:15
50 – Psalm 103:17; Exodus 20:6
51 – Psalms 98:1; 89:10
52– Psalms 75:7; 147:6; 107:40
53 – Psalms 107:9; 34:10
54 – Psalm 98:3
55 – Psalm 105:42
Luke 2:1-7 Birth of Jesus
8-20 - Shepherds
Luke 1:67 – Zacharias’ words are inspired by God, and they primarily pertain to the Messiah.
68 – A common feature about prophecy is to speak in the present about things that have not yet happened. Jesus was still three months from birth.
69 – He speaks of Jesus, not John, because of the reference to the house of David, and John was from the house of Aaron.
1 Chronicles 17:1-ff; Psalm 89; Jeremiah 33:19-32
71 – Quoted from Psalm 106:7-12
75 – The two important Kingdom covenants connected with the birth of Jesus are the Abrahamic and Davidic, and both are mentioned in this prophecy.
Genesis 22:15-17 – God promised, cut a covenant, and swore to Abraham that He would fulfill the promise made all relating to the coming Kingdom.
76 – The prophecy turns to John. Malachi 3:1
79 – Isaiah 9:1-7 The prophecy ends by returning to the coming of the Messiah.
Luke 1:41-45 – Elizabeth and Mary
46-56 – This section is called the Song of Mary or the Magnificat (from its opening word in the Latin translation).
1 Samuel 2:1-10 – It may be that Mary on her four days’ journey to Elizabeth brooded over the story of Hannah and then uttered her own inspired praise.
2 Samuel 7:26
Luke 1:39-45 – Elizabeth, moved by spirit; 67-79 – Zacharias, filled with spirit; 2:25-32 – Simeon had the spirit upon him; Mary is not said to have the spirit’s influence.
The young woman, Mary, must have understood the Scriptures well.
46 – Psalm 34:3
47 – Hab. 3:18; Isaiah 61:10; and Psalm 35:9
48 – Psalms 136:23; 138:6
49 – Psalm 111:9; Isaiah 57:15
50 – Psalm 103:17; Exodus 20:6
51 – Psalms 98:1; 89:10
52 – Psalms 75:7; 147:6; 107:40
53 – Psalms 107:9; 34:10
54 – Psalm 98:3
55 – Psalm 105:42
Matthew 10:5-7, 16-18 Jesus knows his followers are “sheep in the midst of wolves.” He knows people will persecute them and scourge them.
Matthew 10:19-20 However, in their time of need, God will help them know what to say and do.
Matthew 10:21-22 In addition to persecution from strangers, one’s own family members will hate them and even seek to put them to death—all because of Jesus’ name.
Matthew 10:23 His advice when persecution comes is to run on to the next city and keep sharing the message.
Matthew 10:24-25 They are going to call them names! They are not better than he, are they?
Matthew 10:26-33 Even though others will mock and persecute them, this is not an adequate reason for paralyzing fear.
Acts 4:1-13, 17-21; 5:17-42 After repeated arrests and a flogging, Peter continued preaching publicly.
Acts 8:1-5 When the religious leaders stoned Stephen and a great persecution broke out, Philip went to Samaria and shared the gospel there with a hostile audience.
2 Corinthians 11:24-27; 4:8-18 Though he suffered constant criticism, repeated beatings, and incessant imprisonments, Paul would not quit starting new churches.
The likelihood of suffering this kind of physical violence is much lower in our context. Even so, we still struggle to step out in faith. We need to break out of our comfortable, insulated lives. The holiday season provides plenty of opportunities if you have eyes to see.
- Volunteer somewhere
- Help someone in need
- Invite a neighbor over for dinner
- Go Christmas caroling
- Bring a coworker to our holiday party (Dec 11th at 6:30pm)
- Ask a friend if they want to read the Bible one to one
1:1 – The faithful ones in Christ Jesus are saints; holy ones.
2 – Grace is God’s favor. We have peace with God and, therefore, peace within our souls. Romans 8:5-9 - when we are hostile with God, we have hostility within us.
2:14-17; 4:3; 6:15 – We can have peace with our fellow man even if he wants war.
1:3 – Jesus has a God and Father; he is not his own God. [vs. 17] We are blessed with every spiritual blessing.
4 – Many are called, but only the faithful ones are chosen.
5 – The kindness of God allows us to be His children.
6 – God has freely bestowed His grace upon us so we should praise Him.
7 – The price has been paid to free us from sin. We are forgiven. Colossians 1:12-14
9 – We have been blessed to know and live what has never been known before.
14 – With all the many blessings that are ours now, the greatest is yet to come.
2:1- 7 – From dead in trespasses and sins to seated in the heavenly places by grace, we have so much to be thankful for.
12 – It is vital for us not to forget where we came from so we stay moving in the right direction with the right attitude.
13 – We are brought near by the blood of Christ.
14-17 – Christ is our peace and has given us peace. We are no longer excluded but intimately included into the family of God.
22 – Each of us is part of the habitation of God. His abode is no longer the Temple in Jerusalem or any church building, rather in each and all of us.
3:1-12 – The mystery hidden from the ages is now revealed, and we are part of God’s eternal purpose.
Psalm 32:1 and 2 – One chief characteristic of Hebrew poetry is repetition. Repetition serves the important purpose of reinforcing the message by stating a similar or identical for in different ways.
Simply stated, in the least common denominator, sin is disobedience. Forgiveness is freely and graciously given regardless of whether it is for transgression, sin or iniquity.
3 and 4 – Metaphorical language magnifying the depth and intensity of his despair, hopelessness and the meaninglessness of life apart from the grace of God.
5 – Three simple steps to receive forgiveness 1) acknowledge the sin, 2) stop hiding it, and 3) confess it.
Psalm 139:23 and 24 – Rigorous honesty with ourselves is necessary, or he will continue in life,
afflicted with sin and its consequences. The temptation to hide and not deal with sin is common however, we must not succumb to it.
32:6 – The time of repentance is always now! Many records in the scriptures indicate that the time of repentance can run out for people like in the day of Noah.
32:7 – Life is sweet for the penitent sinner.
32: 8-10– If we allow God to instruct, teach, and guide us we will have the wisdom to live godly lives.
32:11 – Be glad in the Lord and rejoice.
Psalm 38:1 – David knew that God would be dust and rebuking him in anger and disciplining him.
2-4 – God's rebuke penetrated deep into his being. Not all sickness and unrest are due to sin; however, health and peace can indeed be influenced by sin.
5 and 6 – David did not have an “oops, I sinned” attitude; rather, he deeply sorrow all day long because of his sin.
7-10 – When we enjoy fellowship with God, our hearts are filled with joy, peace, and love. On the other hand, this quietness of heart is sin’s result.
11-14 – He received no help from friends or family.
15 -21 – Sin, Satan, is as a roaring lion or a ravenous wolf, we will be devoured without the help of God.
Psalm 51
