Acts 2:1-4 The promise of the Father came on the day of Pentecost. Acts 1:4-8 − They were to wait until the gift came after Jesus ascended. Acts 2:32 and 33 − Jesus sent forth this gift.
Genesis 15 When God made a covenant with Abram, He received the sacrifice by fire provided from God firmly establishing the covenant with Abram.
Exodus 3:2 When God called Moses, fire appeared out of the midst of a bush.
Exodus 13: 21 and 21 In the wilderness, God provided by night for 40 years a pillar of fire signifying His presence.
Exodus 19:18 God appeared on Mount Sinai with fire.
Leviticus 9:23 The fire of God consumed the sacrifice when they dedicated the tabernacle.
Numbers 3:4 Nadab and Abihu died before the LORD when they offered strange fire before the LORD.
Judges 6:20 and 21 When Gideon was called, the fire of God consumed the offering with fire.
1Kings 18:38 Elijah's sacrifice was received by the fire from heaven.
2Chronicles 7:1-3 When Solomon dedicated the temple, the sacrifices were received by God with His fire from heaven.
When cutting a covenant like with Abraham and Mount Sinai, God did so with fire. Fire from heaven appeared when God called someone such as Moses and Gideon. The fire of God signified His presence with the people. At the dedication of the tabernacle and the temple, the sacrifice was accepted by fire from heaven. On Pentecost, the fire of God came down in a vision for one last time. On Pentecost, a new covenant went into full force. The apostles and the entire Church were called to carry out a new ministry. A new dwelling place of worship began on Pentecost because now the people make up the temple of God.
Acts 2:4 The fire never appeared again, but the tongues continues to this day. Clearly stated in Acts 10 and 19, believers spoke in tongues. In Acts 8 and 9, tongues is implied.
1Corinthians 12:1-11 Everyone who desires can speak in tongues.
1Corinthians 14:2, 14-18 It is a great way to bless God!
Malachi 1:6 (NKJV)
6 "A son honors his father, And a servant his master. If then I am the Father, Where is My honor? And if I am a Master, Where is My reverence? Says the LORD of hosts To you priests who despise My name. Yet you say, 'In what way have we despised Your name?'
Malachi 1:7-8 (NKJV)
7 "You offer defiled food on My altar. But say, 'In what way have we defiled You?' By saying, 'The table of the LORD is contemptible.'
8 And when you offer the blind as a sacrifice, Is it not evil? And when you offer the lame and sick, Is it not evil? Offer it then to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you favorably?" Says the LORD of hosts.
Deuteronomy 6:5-7 (NKJV)
5 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.
6 "And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.
7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.
Philippians 2:3-4 (NKJV)
3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
Luke 2:48-52 (NKJV)
48 So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, "Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously."
49 And He said to them, "Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?"
50 But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them.
51 Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
Jeremiah 14:20-22 (NKJV)
20 We acknowledge, O LORD, our wickedness And the iniquity of our fathers, For we have sinned against You.
21 Do not abhor us, for Your name's sake; Do not disgrace the throne of Your glory. Remember, do not break Your covenant with us.
22 Are there any among the idols of the nations that can cause rain? Or can the heavens give showers? Are You not He, O LORD our God? Therefore we will wait for You, Since You have made all these.
Ephesians 6:1-3 (NKJV)
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
2 "Honor your father and mother," which is the first commandment with promise:
3 "that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth."
Luke 1:38 (NKJV)
38 Then Mary said, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.
1 Samuel 1:27-28 (NKJV)
27 For this child I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my petition which I asked of Him.
28 Therefore I also have lent him to the LORD; as long as he lives he shall be lent to the LORD." So they worshiped the LORD there.
1 what we seek determines what we do and what we think what we crave
2- the great key to Christian is thinking about the things above and no the things on earth. What we expose ourselves to is what we will think. What you seek determines what you think
3 and 4 we are complete in Christ we now have a new life that we can choice to live which we did not have before Christ, a life so superior in every way that there is no comparison with the old. The intense or severe problem we face is 1) we are ignorant of the new life 2) we are tempted into thinking that aspects of the old are more desirable and 3) we believe it is impossible to live the new life. Home fellowship coordinators, this is the battle we all face and need help with.
Immorality is illicit sexual conduct which includes adultery, fornication, homosexuality, lesbianism, intercourse with animal, close relatives and porn Read Lev. 18:6-23 Impurity follows immorality because it is the result.
Passion, which is inordinate affection and lust, seem to go together. Seeking evil rather than good again determines lifestyle.
Greed is the emotion that runs our economy today.
Proverbs 8:36; 7:26-35; 6:12-15; 5:3-11
8 the great deception is I cannot do this it is impossible for me see chapter 2:18-23 caged animals
9 Buds' land and clean up day.
11 things apply to all no matter your worldly status . We are a new age church and we are new age people. 1:24-29
12 -- 1:21-22
HEART OF COMPASSION IMMORALITY
KINDNESS IMPURITY
HUMILITY EVIL PASSION
GENTLEMESS EVIL DESIRE
PATIENCE GREED
BEARING WITH ON ANOTHER ANGER
FORGIVING WRATH
LOVE MALICE
PEACE OF CHRIST RULE SLANDER
THANKFUL ABUSIVE SPEECH
LIE TO ONE ANOTHER
Matthew 26:26-29 The new covenant is a covenant of forgiveness.
Romans 3:21-25 With redemption in Christ, our sins are passed over.
Ephesians 1:7 and 8 Through his blood, we have the forgiveness of our trespasses.
Ephesians 2:1-8 By grace we are saved from our sin and the consequences thereof.
Colossians 1:13 and 14; 2:13-15 In him, we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Psalms 103:1-ff Three phrases that describe the degree of forgiveness are: 1) high as the heavens above the earth, 2) as far as the east is from the west, 3) from everlasting to everlasting.
Psalms 136 The loving kindness of Yahweh is everlasting.
Matthew 5:43-45 Be like God -- love your neighbor, which is impossible to do if you have not forgiven.
Matthew 6:12-15 Forgiveness is not optional; rather, it is required.
Matthew 18: 21-ff Jesus emphatically communicated the need to forgive.
Hebrews 12:15 The lack of forgiveness is a root of bitterness.
1John 1:5-2:2 God is faithful and righteous to forgive us of our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Matthew 28:18-20 The great commission
1 Timothy 2:3 and 4 If indeed this is the great desire of God, then He will help us to bring it to pass.
2 Peter 3:9 He longs for the age to come more so than we do.
2 Corinthians 5:17-21
Psalms 51:12-15
Acts 4:29-31 Passion for the unsaved
Ephesians 6:19 and 20
Colossians 4:3
How do we do this?
1. Pray for your community.
2. Look for opportunity to speak.
3. Think of one person that you know that you can witness to.
4. Think through what you are going to say.
5. Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount offered great reward for following him.
6. Use basic human relations techniques, such as complimenting people.
7. Get into situations in which it is easy to speak.
8. Believe we can do this because it is the will of God; the light shines brightest in the darkness. We can do this!
9. Each one win one!
Through a study of the Scriptures, one can gain insight about the Messiah. His death, sufferings, and resurrection are all prophesied in the Old Testament. However, until these events actually happened, the wisdom of God was veiled in a mystery.
Acts 13:22-27; 17:1-3; 26:22-23; 28:23
The Apostle Paul used the Hebrew Scriptures in teaching these New Testament realities.
I Corinthians 15:3 and 4
The Scriptures (the Old Testament) tell of the death and resurrection of Christ.
Romans 16:25-26
The mystery was kept secret since the world began. Paul used the Old Testament Scriptures -- the Scriptures of the prophets -- in revealing the truths relating to the mystery in the book of Romans. Romans 15:9 (quote from Psalms 18:49 & II Samuel 22:50); Romans 15:10 (quote from Deuteronomy 32:43); Romans 15:11 (quote from Psalms 117:1); Romans 15:12 (quote from Isaiah 11:10)
I Corinthians 2:6-8
Had the princes of this world known the wisdom of God in the mystery, they would not have crucified Jesus Christ.
What's the Mystery???
Mystery: something not understood or beyond understanding; something strange or unknown which has not yet been explained or understood
This definition holds true in Scripture. A mystery is something that is not understood. Jesus taught that the parables revealed "the mysteries" of the Kingdom of God. (Matthew 13:9-13)
The wisdom of God is recorded in the Old Testament Scriptures. However, until God revealed the meaning, the understanding was hidden. It was a mystery. Mark 9:31-32; Luke 9:44-45; 18:31-34
Ephesians 3:1-10
The revelation given to the Apostle Paul put understanding to what Moses and the prophets spoke.
Colossians 1:20-29; 2:1-3
The riches of the glory of this mystery -- Christ in you, the hope of glory! In this mystery of Christ, are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
The Mystery of God is not yet complete. The end has not yet come. (I Corinthians 15:51-52; Revelation 10:7)
Romans 11:18-33
The Mystery of God is filled with depths and riches of wisdom and knowledge.
CROSS TO THE RESURRECTION
Matthew 27:57-60 Joseph from Arimathea
Matthew 27:61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary
John 19:39-42 Nicodemus
THE RESURRECTION
Matthew 28:2-4 Women came again.
John 20:1-10 Peter and the other disciple ran to the tomb.
John 20:11-18 Mary sees Jesus.
Matthew 28:5-7 Angel and the women
Luke 24:4-44 Two men on the road and Jesus
John 20:21-24 Jesus and the his disciples
WHAT THE RESURRECTION MEANS TO US
Romans 1:1-3 Proof that Jesus is the Son of God, the Messiah and Savior
Romans 6:1-11 Connection or identification - old dead, new alive
1 Corinthins 15: 20-23 Firstborn, which means we too will be raised
WE ARE WITNESSES OF THE RESURRECTION
2 Corinthians 5:14-21
Acts 2:22-32
Acts 3:13-26
Acts 4:5-12, 23-31; 5:14, 20, 27-32
Philippians 3:9 and 10
Leviticus 4:14 -- 20
First acknowledge the sin. This first step seems like it should be apparent, but it is often not so for people are slow in acknowledging sin.
Bring sacrifice to the door of the tent.
Lay hands on the head of the animal to identify with the transfer of sin to the animal.
Slay the animal.
Anointed priest takes the blood in to the tent.
Prepare the animal and offer it on the altar.
Atonement and forgiveness are received.
2 Chronicles 6:18-21 Solomon's great request was when they prayed toward this temple, God would hear in heaven and forgive. They were to identify with what happened at the temple, the sacrifices, atonement, and forgiveness.
Verse 22- Sins against his neighbor
Verse 24 -- Defeated before an enemy because of sin
Verse 26 -- When the heavens shut up and there is no rain because of sin
Verse 28 -- If there is famine, pestilence, or sickness because of sin
Verse 32 -- The foreigner prays toward this house.
Verse 34 - When Your people go out to battle
Verse 36 -- When they sin and are taken away into captivity
John 2:19-21 Jesus referred to himself as the temple that they would destroy; indeed, in many ways he was the temple. Jesus is the place of atonement and forgiveness. Just like the animal sacrifice, the people killed Jesus, the final sacrifice.
Matthew 26:61 The only thing the witnesses could agree upon
Matthew 27:40 With the crucifixion, the old temple was destroyed, Matthew 27:51
He certainly was the temple of God because God dwelt within him. With his death, the temple in Jerusalem became null and void as the center for sacrifice and forgiveness. Jesus from that day forward became the standard for sacrifice and forgiveness. We no longer turn to the temple and pray for forgiveness; rather, our eyes are upon Jesus and the cross for our forgiveness.
Mark 14:58 The new temple today is the Church. Another temple is coming in the future different from all that proceeded.
1 John 1:7-ff
Confess our sin
Repent or stop sinning
The sacrifice has already been offered on the cross.
The blood has been brought into the holy of holies by Christ our high priest.
We must indentify with or lay our hands on Christ and accept that our sins are laid on him.
Receive the forgiveness.
When he returns, the temple in Jerusalem will be much different. It will be similar to the time of David when the people celebrated, praised, and gave thanks without the sacrifices. Jesus will sit on the throne in the temple of God and rule the world.
Genesis 1:1 -- 2:1 The six days of creation
Exodus 7 -- 12 The ten plagues
Exodus 20 The Ten Commandments
Genesis 1:28, 2:8 -- 3:24 Authority given to Adam and Eve
Proverbs 16:18, 29:23 Pride
Hebrews 11:7 -- 10, 17, 22, 24-26 Those of faith
Ephesians 5 YHWH's design regarding authority in the Church and the family
Learning To Listen
God's voice is heard through creation,
Scripture, Jesus, & the spirit.
These will not be contrary to each other.
I Kings 19:1-10
-- Elijah distraught
Exodus 19:10-25 - The LORD on
Horeb (Mountains of Sinai)
The 10 commandments spoken by
God (Exodus 20:1-17)
Exodus 20:18-21 - The people's
response to hearing from God
I Kings 19:11-18 - Elijah on Mount
Horeb
1 - Great & strong wind,
breaking in pieces the rocks
2 - Earthquake
3 - Fire
4 - __________________________
Psalm 46
What are the
three most predominant voices in your life?
1.
2.
3.
Goal For This Week
God Needs You!
Genesis 20:1-17 the first biblical
record on prayer and the first healing. God works in conjunction with
people. God needs you to pray.
Genesis 18: 23-33 Abraham's conversation
or prayer with God.
Genesis 19:29 - The intercessory prayers
of Abraham apparently availed much for God saved the one righteous man
in the city. We cannot calculate the effective our prayers have with
our loved ones.
James 5:16 - The effective prayer of
a righteous man can accomplish much.
Exodus 8:8-15, 28-31 Moses prayed then
God moved
Exodus 32:11- 14 Yahweh changed His
mind due to the prayer of Moses.
2Kings 19:20-35 Hezekiah prayed and
Sennacherib king of Assyria lost 185,000
Church leadership
pray -- Romans 1:8-10
1Sa 12:23 the most important thing
that you can do for the people under your care is to diligently pray
for them "Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should
sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you; but I will instruct
you in the good and right way.
Pray for your church
leadership- Romans 15:30
1Thess. 5:25 - Pray for us!
Prayer for our country
- 2Ch 7:14 and 15 Anyone can
complain about the government but you actually have the authority and
ability to make a difference.
James 5:14 - The effective prayer of
a righteous man can accomplish much.
Matthew 7:7-11; 21:22 Pray with confidence
that God will hear and respond
2Chronciles 14:11 and 12
Luke 18:1-8 Don't give up!
Prophet like Moses Deuteronomy 18:15-19
High Priest like Melchizedek Psalms 110:4; Hebrews 5 and 6; Zechariah 7:12 and 13
King like David Psalm 110; Luke 1:32 and 33
Prophet
John 1:14-18 Moses was the prophet of the Law, and Jesus was the prophet of grace and truth.
John 12:44-50 The words of Jesus give life, eternal life.
Galatians 1:12 The apostles were an extension of the Prophet Jesus. They spoke on his behalf.
Acts 1:9-11 Jesus ascended into heaven and is now serving as our High Priest.
High Priest
Hebrew 2:17; 4:14-16 Today, he serves as our High Priest.
1 Timothy 2:5 "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,"
Hebrews 12:24, 10:11-18 He is the mediator of the new covenant.
1 John 1:6-2:2 Jesus is our advocate with the Father.
Ephesians 1:20-23 He is the head of the Body and walks among the churches.
Revelation 1-3
KING
Psalms 110:1 Yahweh said to Adown which is a human lord. The Messiah is the Lord. Matthew 22:41-46
Acts 3:21 Times of restitution when all things will be made right
Psalms 110:1-7 "He will drink from the brook" most believe refers to the time of Gideon.
Judges 9:1-ff Pressing on to victory; Messiah, like Gideon, faint yet pursuing
He shall not fail nor be discouraged till he has set judgment in the earth.
1 Corinthians 15:22-28 The end will come.
Revelations 20:1-ff Enemies a footstool
1 Peter 1:3-5
Lively hope -- lively in the sense that it is animated, vigorous, intense, active, resilient, and living
Matthew 28:18-20 Our aim is to make disciples in all the world or to all nations.
Making disciples begins with witnessing to the unsaved but includes much more. A disciple is an ardent and committed follower.
John 8:31-36 A disciple is someone who continues in his word and thereby experiences freedom. Disciples accept and assist in spreading the doctrine of another. The way to do this is each one win one who will win one.
Matthew 28:19 The order is to baptize them in three things: 1) the name of the Father, 2) the Son, and 3) the holy spirit.
1) THE NAME OF THE FATHER - Exodus 6:2-8; Exodus 3:13-15. The name of the Father would include everything the name represents. Exodus 34:6
2) THE SON - Luke 1:31 and 32 Jesus will sit upon the throne of David. Acts 28:31 The Kingdom of God and concerning the Lord Jesus Christ
3) HOLY SPIRIT -- Acts 1:8; Luke 24:49 Clothed with power from on high, John 14:16; 16:7
Matthew 28:20 Teaching them to observe all that I commanded you
2 Corinthians 3:5 God enables us through the holy spirit.
Acts 19:8-20 With Yahweh, all things are possible.
God has freely supplied all that man needs to live life abundantly. Everything from Him is gift. We have a responsibility to give to Him.
Israel Gave To God
Exodus 13:2, 12-15; 22:29 and 30 Israel owed God their firstborn and firstfruits.
Leviticus 7:35-38 They were to offer sacrifices to Yahweh.
FIVE FREEWILL OFFERINGS:
- Burnt
- Grain/meal
- Sin
- Guilt/trespass
- Peace
Leviticus 23:1-3, 37 and 38 They were to give Him their time with the weekly Sabbaths and the three annual feasts.
- Unleavened bread
- Firstfruits/Pentecost
- Booths/Tabernacles
We too can and should give to God!
Give Praise and Thanks
Psalms 147:1 Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; For it is pleasant and praise is becoming.
Hebrews 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
Give Tithes and Offerings
Proverbs 3:5-10 Honor Yahweh from your wealth and from the first of all your produce.
Philippians 4:14-20 Our tithes and offerings are a sacrifice acceptable and well pleasing to God.
2 Corinthians 9:6 and 7 When we are generous, God is blessed
2 Corinthians 9:9-15 Our giving blesses God and gives others cause to give thanks to him. We want to be a generous church like those in Corinth.
Serve Your Fellowman
Romans 12:1 Present yourself a living sacrifice, which is your spiritual service of worship.
- Prayer is vital.
- Encourage one another. A smile, kind word, a hug can do a lot for people. Greet one another with a kiss of love.
- Serve one another. Get busy serving one another. In addition to prayer and love, we need help with physical work. This is your church; invest in it! If you want to feel more a part of things, volunteer to serve. We need help!
- Evangelize. Main Street Mission
Ephesians 6:5-8 We are to be always serving the Lord...your servants for Christ's sake.
Share the Gospel
Luke 15:1-10 When someone repents and turns to God, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God.
Give Glory to God by the Way You Live
Matthew 24:32-51 Now is the time to serve, not when our Lord comes back − then is too late.
Matthew 25:14-30 In the day, you want to hear, "Well done good and faithful slave." You do not want to hear, "Throw out the worthless slave into the outer darkness."
"Tithe" means a tenth part or 10%.
Genesis 14:17-20 Abraham gave Melchizedek a tenth or tithes of all the goods out of a heart of love, respect, and thankfulness to God and to give God the glory for the victory.
Genesis 14:21-24 Abraham refused any part of the returned goods because he wanted God to get the glory for the day's victory. He knew that Yahweh was his sufficiency.
Genesis 28:12-19, 20-22 Jacob confirmed that the tithe is the right way for man to believe and respond to God's blessings.
Deuteronomy 14:22-23 The tithe taught the people to reverence and respect God and to hold Him in awe. Tithing is a fundamental way to put God FIRST.
Proverbs 3:5-10 ALL that we have, our God has provided for us. Tithing is our proper acknowledgement to God for His blessings with a heart-felt attitude of love, honor, respect, and thankfulness.
Malachi 3:7-9, 10-12 The Scriptures tell us that God wants to bless His people and provide for our needs abundantly. The Scriptures also tell us that God is just. God gave man freedom of will. When we turn away from God, He has no choice but to refrain from blessing us.
Matthew 23:23 Jesus Christ said to continue to tithe but also to perform the weightier matters of the law (justice, mercy, and faithfulness).
II Corinthians 9:5-8 To sow bountifully means to give generously and to give with the right heart -- a heart showing love, reverence, respect, honor, and thankfulness to our Father in Heaven.
Philippians 4:14-20 When we trust God with our finances, He promises to supply all of our need "according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus."
II Corinthians 9:9-15 Generous giving with the proper attitude is glorious to all: God, the giver, the recipients, and those who see the giving.
God desires His people to love and trust Him and be obedient to His commands with our whole heart. Tithing is one of God's commands. Our attitude of heart in obeying is to show love, reverence, respect, honor, and thankfulness to our Father in Heaven for all that He has done for us in this life and all that He will do for us throughout eternity.
1 Corinthians 7:23 You were bought with a price the blood of Christ. The relationship we have with Jesus the Messiah is he is the lord and we are the bond-slave.
The Hebrew and Greek words for "slave" are usually rendered simply "servant," "bondman," or "bondservant." Slavery as it existed under the Mosaic Law has no modern parallel.
Exodus 21:1-6 The master cared for the slave, and the slave served the master. To be a bond-slave was the freewill choice of the slave.
Philippians 2:1-11 Jesus considered himself a bond-slave of God, and he is now our example.
Philippians 3:17 Paul is also our example to follow. He often referred to himself as a bond-slave.
2 Corinthians 4:5 "...Ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake."
Galatians 1:10
Matthew 8:9 The first use in the New Testament reveals the bond-slave is to obey his master. The eye of the slave is upon the hand of the master.
Matthew 20:20-28 The right mind-set is to think of ourselves as slaves and not as masters or lords.
Galations 5:13 You were the slaves of sin, but now you are free to be a slave of the Lord Jesus Christ and to serve one another in love.
Ways of serving:
Prayer is vital Colossians 4:12; Ephesians 6:18 and 19; 1 Timothy 2:1-8
Encourage one another 1 Thessalonians 5:11-18 - A smile, kind word, a hug can do a lot for people.
Romans 16:16; 1 Corinthians 16:20; 2 Corinthians 13:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:26; 1 Peter 5:14 Greet one another with a kiss of love.
Evangelize Matthew 28:18-20; 2 Corinthians 5:16-21
Serve one another Galatians 5:13 - Get busy serving one another. In addition to prayer and love, we need help with physical work. This is your church; invest in it! If you want to feel more a part of things, volunteer to serve. We need help!
Matthew 24:32-51 Now is the time to serve, not when our Lord comes back − then is too late.
Matthew 2514-30 In the day, you want to hear, "Well done good and faithful slave." You do not want to hear, "Throw out the worthless slave into the outer darkness".
Matthew 6:33 Seek first the Kingdom of God.
Many things in life can consume our time, our attention, and our heart's desire, but if we set our minds to seek after God and His kingdom, we will have the proper perspective to live in this world and to serve the Lord Jesus Christ.
Three examples are given in this context:
* Matthew 6:19-21 -- Your treasure
What do you treasure? What is your heart's desire (Psalm 37:4)?
* Matthew 6:22-23 -- Your eye
Where are you looking? What is the focus of your life?
* Matthew 6:24 -- Your service
Whom do you serve? What is at the core of your service?
Matthew 6:25-34 What do you pursue? What is first in your life? If you could choose one thing in your life that is a priority above all else, what would it be?
Ecclesiastes 1:12-17 -- A pursuit of wisdom is vanity and striving after wind.
Ecclesiastes 2:1-17 -- All of the work and pursuits of this life will not bring satisfaction.
Ecclesiastes 12:8 -- All is vanity without God.
Ecclesiastes 12:13 -- The conclusion is fear God and keep His commandments.
Luke 10:38-42 Martha was serving. She was doing work, but she was missing the one thing that was needful. Mary had chosen this one thing. She was listening to the Lord's word.
Philippians 3:3-8 Paul had worldly credentials. Yet, all these pursuits he counted as loss for the sake of Christ.
Philippians 3:9-11 Paul's pursuit was in light of the Hope -- the Kingdom of God -- that he might attain to the resurrection from the dead.
Philippians 3:12-14 Paul did this one thing. He pressed toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus!
1 Peter 3:10-12 God's ability to help is equal to His willingness to help. God answers prayer for those who desire Him and His ways. God has integrity, so hold Him to His word. An attitude of expectancy is appropriate; whereas, arrogance and demanding are inappropriate.
Psalms 107:1 "Lovingkindness" is also translated mercy, kindness, and goodness. Yahweh's loving-kindness has no end and is forever extended to those who seek Him.
Psalms 107:5 The Psalmist writes with descriptive words − wandered in the wilderness, did not find a way, was hungry and thirsty, soul fainted within him.
Psalms 107:6 The all important and often forgotten step -- cry to Yahweh!
Psalms 107:9 The Bible contains written historical records of the many times Yahweh demonstrated His willingness is equal to His ability to help. We must ask and expect help. Yahweh has integrity!
Psalms 107:10 Again, such descriptive language is used that captures the human plight.
Psalms 34:8 -15 Peter read the Old Testament.
Psalms 107:14 The first place to seek help is Yahweh; yet, most often God is the last sought, after everything else has failed. God should be first aid, and the doctors should be third aid. We do not have to do this on our own! Seek help!
Psalms 18:1-7 God responds when we call. We need to be persistent like the widow woman or the importune friend. We may need to declare a fast as they did in Nineveh when they were withdrawing from worldly distractions to focus on Yahweh.
Psalms 107:20 The Word of God is powerful. The centurion in Jesus' day knew the power of the word for he said, "Lord, I am not worthy for You to come under my roof, but just say the word, and my servant will be healed."
Psalm 30:2 and 3; 103:3 and 4; 56:13; 147:3
Psalms 107:30 We do not have to wait until it gets so bad! When you lack peace, joy, love, or hope, stop your normal activity, take time to read the Word and pray to your Father and allow Him to minister to you.
Psalms 107:35 He can take away from the wicked and give to the righteous.
Psalms 43 Consider the loving-kindness of Yahweh our God and Father.
Matthew 22:1 The wedding of a prince is a very special occasion with special accommodations such as attire provided by the king. In our culture, we wear tuxes and wedding dresses.
Matthew 22:7 He is speaking to chief priests and Pharisees. Jesus is the prince, and the wedding feast is yet coming in the future age, but they wanted no part of it.
Matthew 22:10 With Israel's rejection of the Messiah, the doors were open to the Gentiles.
Matthew 22:12 Receiving the invitation is one thing; attending the wedding is another. We must come clothed with the garments provided by the King.
Isaiah 64:6 Our own righteousness is like filthy rags.
Isaiah 61:10 We are clothed in God's righteousness by the blood of Jesus Christ.
Matthew 22:12 Based upon the context, we understand that many are called but those who respond the proper way are chosen. The whole of humanity is called, but only those who respond by faith in Christ will attend the wedding. Israel thought that they were the chosen ones because they were called first. Christians talk the same way today.
Romans 8:28-30 Who decides if we are chosen? God extended the invitation, but you have to respond in the proper way.
Romans 8:29 We will be conformed to the image of His Son, that is in his resurrected form, but not by our own righteousness but the righteousness by which we are clothed in Christ.
Romans 3: 19-26
Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Verse 36 refers to Psalm 44, which makes clear the reference is regarding our love for him.
Romans 8:36 "For thy sake" means in thy cause; or on account of attachment to You. Psalms 44:22
Ephesians 1:3-14 We are chosen to be with Him in glory.
2 Thessalonians 2:13-16 Since we have been called we should stand.
I Peter 1:1- 9
I Corinthians 13:1-3 Love is not an emotion or a feeling; rather, it is a deliberate choice to obey God's Word above our thoughts, feelings, emotion, or desires. God Himself is the standard of His love because, according to I John 4:8 and 16, God is Love.
I Corinthians 13:4 Love is patient, long - suffering or suffers long.
I Peter 3:20; Exodus 34:6; 2 Peter 3:9 and 10 God is very long suffering which means having forbearance and self-restraint before proceeding to action. It is to be long on patience with others even if their actions are evil.
Ephesians 4:1-3; I Thessalonians 5:14 and 15 God wants His children to behave as He does.
James 5:7-9 Today is an evil day with many trials and tribulations, but we can be long - suffering because his coming is drawing near.
Nehemiah 9:17 Love is kind. God is our model to follow regarding this aspect of love.
Romans 2:4 Kindness, goodness, and gentleness can all be translated from the same Greek word.
Titus 3: 3-5 Kindness is contrasted with the hard - hearted attitude of bitterness, wrath, anger.
Ephesians 4:31 and 32 We are to be kind.
Ephesians 2:7 In the age to come, we will experience the full kindness of God.
Luke 6:35 and 36 Our kindness to others is to be unconditional.
Love envies not -- Since everyone in the Church is blessed with God's gracious gifts, there should never be reason for envy.
The end of the year or the beginning of a new year is always a great time to take a mental inventory and to make adjustments.
Matthew 5:3 The humble are blessed today and inherit the Kingdom of heaven in the age to come. The beginning point and lifelong undertaking is to maintain this proper attitude. God can; we can't; He will if we let Him. The impossible is possible if we are humble. God can propel us out of the darkest darkness if we are humble.
Matthew 5:4 Each of these blessed-attitudes is a state of mind determined by individuals rather than something that happens to them. Christ came to preach repentance, to provoke men to mourn over their sins and to forsake them (2 Corinthians 7:10). Sin must be repugnant to us, and if it is not, we need to go back to humility and ask God's help. Those who mourn will be comforted now and in the future.
Matthew 5:5 The gentle or meek are those who willingly receive God's Word and will above their own. The meek inherit the earth when the Kingdom comes. The believers' eternal destiny is eternal life. John 5:19; 6:38 and 39; Matthew 11:29
Matthew 5:6 Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness shall be satisfied.
Matthew 6: 33 To be satisfied is a very great blessing. James 1:3 and 4
Matthew 5:7 The merciful will receive mercy (Colossians 3:12). Jesus gave the story of the Good Samaritan as the example of a merciful person. Humility, mourning, hunger for righteousness all precede mercy.
Matthew 5:8 The pure in heart see God. Proverbs 4:23; Jeremiah 17:9 and 10; Psalms 27:14; 73:26; 51:10; 86:10-12; 119:32-36; 141:3 and 4; Isaiah 57:15
Matthew 5:9 To be a peace maker, one has to have the previous attitudes. People who are overly concerned about themselves will always have trouble making peace. Self interested people cause strife and divisions. Matthew 5:21-48
Matthew 5:10 - 12 We are blessed when we are persecuted if we respond the right way.
Matthew 5:13 - 16 We are salt and light when we live the way Jesus puts forth in this teaching.
Luke 1:5 The birth narrative begins and ends in the temple -- Luke 2:21-24
Zechariah and Elizabeth -- Luke 1:6-80
Mary and Joseph -- Luke 1:26-2:28
Shepherds -- Luke 2:8-20
Simeon -- Luke 2:25-36
Anna -- Luke 2:36-38
Luke 1:7 Barren women and the redemption of Israel illustrate man's impotence or futility compared to God's miraculous and merciful provision -- Sarah (Genesis 18), Rebekah (Genesis 25), Rachel (Genesis 30), the mother of Samson (Judges 13), and Hannah (1 Samuel 1 and 2).
Luke 1:10 Prayer and incense are connected -- Ezra 9:5-15; Revelation 8:3.
Luke 1:11 The angel of the Lord in the Old Testament is also the angel of Yahweh.
Luke 1:15 The prohibition against wine and strong drink indicates John to be a Nazirite. Numbers 6 has the laws of the Nazirites. Both Samson and Samuel were under the Nazirite vow.
Luke 1:16 Malachi 2:6
Luke 1:17 Malachi 3:1-ff John is the eschatological Elijah. Jesus makes plain the connection in Matthew 11:7-19.
Luke 1:28 Yahweh is with you!
Luke 1:32 The Davidic dynasty -- 2Samuel 7:8-16; 1Chron 17:13 and 14; Psalm 89
Luke 1:35 Acts 1:8 The holy spirit facilitates God's workings.
Luke 1:37 These words built her faith.
Luke 1:50 Psalms 103:17
Luke 2:1-7 The birth
Luke 2:8-20 The shepherds
Luke 2:21- 35 Simeon
Luke 2:36- 38 Anna
Exodus 34:5 -- 7 God is compassionate and merciful. He is willing to forgive our sin, and He tells us that throughout the Scriptures
Psalms 103:8 -- 13 God is merciful, gracious, patient, and forgiving to them that fear Him.
1 John 1: 5 -- 10 God knows our frame and that we miss the mark at times, but, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness when we confess our sins.
2 Chron. 7:14 Are we seeking forgiveness today? Then we need to humble ourselves, pray, seek God's face, and turn from our wicked ways.
Luke 15:11 - 12 The inheritance was freely given to them because of the loving generosity of their father.
Luke 15:13 The younger son by wasting his inheritance on loose living showed little regard for his father's loving generosity.
Luke 15:14 -- 16 The younger son began to be in want and ended up in "hog country."
Luke 15:17 -- 19 The younger son, realizing that he had sinned against heaven and before his father, decided to humble himself, confess his sin, and ask to be a servant in his father's house because he believed he was no longer worthy to be a son.
Luke 15 20 -- 24 The love and compassion of the father is OVERWHELMING! That is exactly how God is with us. When we repent and return to God, He welcomes us with open arms.
Psalm 51:1 -- 17 David humbled himself, prayed, sought God's face and turned from his wicked ways, and received God's forgiveness.
2 Chron. 33:1 -- 16 Manasseh did MUCH evil in God's sight. Yet, when Manasseh prayed and "humbled himself greatly," God heard his prayer and allowed him to return to Jerusalem to make things right.
Psalms 147:1, 4-5; Psalms 19:1; Genesis 1:14 The heavens tell of the glory of God.Matthew 2:1-2, 9-10 What was his Star? Who were the Magi?
- Priestly caste
- From the East -- Parthia, Media, Persia, Babylon
- Interpreting divine matters for kings and rulers
- Diligent in their study of the heavens
- First appear in the Bible in Daniel
Daniel 2:48; 5:11-12 Daniel was made "chief of the magi"Dating "his star"- The historian, Josephus, writes that Herod died shortly after a lunar eclipse. There was a partial eclipse in March of 4 BC. However, there was also a total eclipse in January of 1BC. Significance of Leo (The lion)
Genesis 49:9-10; Numbers 24:17; Revelation 5:5
The tribe of Judah is represented by the lion.
The Messiah came from the tribe of JudahThe six astronomical events in Leo that captured the Magi's attention August 3BC Jupiter and Venus in conjunctionSeptember 3BC Jupiter and Regulus in conjunction February 2BC Jupiter and Regulus in conjunction May 2BC Jupiter and Regulus in conjunction June 2BC Jupiter and Venus in conjunction August 2BC Jupiter and Mars in conjunction massing of planets Venus and MercuryMatthew 2:9-10 The star stood. This could be the astronomical phenomena called retrograde motion.Daniel 9:24-27 Daniel prophesied about the coming of the Messiah. Revelation 12:1-5 In the year 3BC, this celestial wonder appeared in the sky on September 11th.Acts 1:11; I Thessalonians 4:16-17 We can be convinced the Messiah is coming again.
Matthew 1: 18-25 the phrase the angel of the Lord is frequently in the Old Testament and is always referring to Yahweh.
Genesis 16:6-12
Matthew 2:12-ff
2:15 - Hosea 11:1 referring to Israel coming out of Egypt but also Jesus coming out of Egypt.
Matthew 2:13-19
Matthew 3:1-3 Isaiah 4O:1-8 NASB acknowledges Yahweh when quoting from the OT by putting LORD in caps
Matthew 4:1-11
Matthew 5:33
Matthew 7: 21-23 the first place in the NT were Lord refers to Jesus. The New Testament is written in Greek and not Hebrew. In the Hebrew the word Adonia is used primarily when speaking about God and Adon when speaking about men.
Genesis 15:1-8 Adonai
Genesis 18:1-3, 12; 23:6-11 Adon
Mathew 7:23 no distinction is made so we must understand from the context and scope of scriptures and not preconceived doctrines
Matthew 8:1-ff
Revelation 1:1-8
Revelation 4:8-11; 7:14; 15:1-4; 16:7
Revelation 22:20 and 21
Exodus 15:2 --"Yah" is an abbreviated and oft poetic form of the name "Yahweh." It is primarily used in songs and compound words. The term is generally found where the subject theme dwells upon a rejoicing over victory and deliverance or where there is an acknowledgment of God's mighty hand and salvation.
Psalms 68:4; 118:14; Isaiah 12:2; 26:1-4 Yah is used 46 times in the Old Testament, 40 of which are in the book of Psalms, the book of songs and prayers.
Exodus 15:1- 22 The song is after the great exodus from Egypt which is a type for what will happen at the end of the age.
Isaiah 11:1- 16 In the context, "in that day" refers to the end of the age.
Isaiah 12:1- 6 This follows the context which is talking about the future while remembering the past.
Isaiah 12:2 The wording is identical to Exodus 15:2
Revelation 15:1-5 This refers back to the song of Moses in Exodus 15 which was also referenced in Isaiah 12.
Revelation 19:1-6
"Hallelujah" is made up of "hallelu," praise, and "Jah" or Yah; so, "hallelujah" means praise Yah.
Hallelu-Yah is used 26 times in the book of Psalms and is usually in the plural imperative which is a command to praise Yah. So, it could read, "You praise Yah" or "Praise Yah, you people."
01984 is the Hebrew word "halal," and 03050 is "Yah."
Hallelu-Yah
01984 is the Hebrew word "halal," and 03050 is "Yah."
Ps 102:18 This will be written for the generation to come, That a people yet to be created may praise the LORD .
Ps 104:35 Let sinners be consumed from the earth And let the wicked be no more. Bless the LORD, O my soul. Praise the LORD !
Ps 105:45 So that they might keep His statutes And observe His laws, Praise the LORD !
Ps 106:1 Praise the LORD ! Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; For His loving kindness is everlasting.
Ps 106:48 Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, From everlasting even to everlasting. And let all the people say, "Amen." Praise the LORD !
Ps 111:1 Praise the LORD ! I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart, In the company of the upright and in the assembly.
Ps 112:1 Praise the LORD ! How blessed is the man who fears the LORD, Who greatly delights in His commandments.
Ps 113:1 Praise the LORD ! Praise , O servants of the LORD, Praise the name of the LORD.
Ps 113:9 He makes the barren woman abide in the house As a joyful mother of children. Praise the LORD !
Ps 115:17 The dead do not praise the LORD , Nor do any who go down into silence;
Ps 115:18 But as for us, we will bless the LORD From this time forth and forever. Praise the LORD !
Ps 116:19 In the courts of the LORD'S house, In the midst of you, O Jerusalem. Praise the LORD !
Ps 117:2 For His loving kindness is great toward us, And the truth of the LORD is everlasting. Praise the LORD !
Ps 135:1 Praise the LORD ! Praise the name of the LORD; Praise Him, O servants of the LORD,
Ps 135:3 Praise the LORD , for the LORD is good; Sing praises to His name, for it is lovely.
Ps 135:21 Blessed be the LORD from Zion, Who dwells in Jerusalem. Praise the LORD !
Ps 146:1 Praise the LORD ! Praise the LORD, O my soul!
Ps 146:10 The LORD will reign forever, Your God, O Zion, to all generations. Praise the LORD !
Ps 147:1 Praise the LORD ! For it is good to sing praises to our God; For it is pleasant and praise is becoming.
Ps 147:20 He has not dealt thus with any nation; And as for His ordinances, they have not known them. Praise the LORD !
Ps 148:1 Praise the LORD ! Praise the LORD from the heavens; Praise Him in the heights!
Ps 148:14 He has lifted up a horn for His people, Praise for all His godly ones; Even for the sons of Israel, a people near to Him. Praise the LORD !
Ps 149:1 Praise the LORD ! Sing to the LORD a new song, And His praise in the congregation of the godly ones.
Ps 149:9 To execute on them the judgment written; This is an honor for all His godly ones. Praise the LORD !
Ps 150:1 Praise the LORD ! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty expanse.
Ps 150:6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD . Praise the LORD !
Names with Yah:
Elijah from the Hebrew Eliyahu (El E Yah who)which means Yah is my God
Isaiah from the Hebrew Yeshayah (Yes she yah) which means Salvation of Yah
Jeremiah from the Hebrew Yirmyah ( Yirm Yah)which means Whom Yah has appointed
Joshua from the Hebrew Jehoshua (You shoe ah) which means Yahweh is salvation
Joshua 5:1-9 - Genesis 17:11-14 Failure to circumcise their children reflected their unbelief and broke the covenant. The covenant was reestablished with a new generation.
Joshua 5:10 The Passover foreshadowed the new covenant that would come with Christ.
Joshua 5:15 After reconfirming the covenant and participating in the Passover, the captain (ruler or prince) of Yahweh's host appeared to Joshua. "Host" means army or multitude. The same Hebrew word is also translated army, war, and battle.
"Yahweh of hosts" is used about 230 times in the Old Testament, revealing yet another aspect of the God we worship. Genesis 1:1 ELOHIM - the Creator is the supreme or ultimate reality, the one true God. Genesis 14:18-23 ELYON - the Most High God is the possessor of heaven and earth.
Genesis 17:1-9 EL SHADDAI - Almighty God is the covenant keeping one.
Joshua 6:1-5 They took the city because Yahweh of hosts battled for them. He is in charge of the armies of heaven and earth.
1 Samuel 17:45-47 David knew the battle was Yahweh's. In order for Yahweh of hosts to be victorious, someone must step up and fight on His behalf. The Israel army was frozen in fear because they did not relinquish the battle to Yahweh. They tried to do it themselves.
2 Samuel 7:1-8:8 Yahweh of hosts caused David His servant to be successful in conquering the nations around him.
1 Chronciles 11:9 "David became greater and greater, for the LORD of hosts was with him."
1 Kings 22:15-40 No matter what man does, Yahweh accomplishes His purposes because He is Yahweh of hosts.
2 Kings 3:13-ff By the mouth of Elijah, we are again told that Yahweh of hosts wins the battle.
Psalm 24 "Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah."
Psalm 46
Psalms 94:1-23 For the first 11 verses, the psalmist is venting about the problem. The remainder of the psalm, he changes his focus to Yahweh which builds his faith.
Psalms 94:12 Blessed is the man who is disciplined and taught by Yahweh.
Psalms 94:22 Yahweh is firm, certain, unmovable, powerful, with great stability as a rock; in Him, we find our shelter. In Him, even in Him alone, we find safety. Let the world rage as it may; we are safe in the arms of our God.
Deuteronomy 32:1-47 Yahweh is the rock of our faith and our salvation.
Deuteronomy 32:4 God had been true to His covenant with their fathers and with them. Nothing that He had promised had failed; therefore, if their national experience had been painfully checkered by severe and protracted trials, it was traceable to their own perverse conduct and not to any vacillation or unfaithfulness on the part of God.
Deuteronomy 32:18 Idolatry destroys faith for many reasons. When Yahweh is central and the focus, faith soars. When other gods, the world, or our problems are central and the focus, faith diminishes quickly.
Deuteronomy 32:25 When the believer turns on God, he becomes an enemy and suffers severe consequences.
1 Samuel 2:1-10 She had a perspective that magnifies God and encourages faith.
2 Samuel 22:1-7 David cried to Yahweh with the confidence that his rock would help.
Psalms 62:1-12 Yahweh is my rock and salvation.
Psalms 95:1-11 After Israel finally left Egypt, they found themselves in the wilderness, and they constantly doubted Yahweh. Yet, He consistently endeavored to help them believe that He was the one true God.
Hebrews 3:6-8 The years Israel was in the wilderness, God calls "provocation" because they constantly provoked God to anger with their sinful, unbelieving behavior. The first year alone, they tempted Him ten times.
Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice;
Surely they shall not see the land which I swore unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked me see it:
(Numbers 14:22-23 AV)
Daniel Timeline
In concurrence with
the prophets Jeremiah and Ezekiel and books of II Kings & II Chronicles
625BC
Jeremiah begins to prophecy in the
13th year of the reign of Josiah (Jer 25:1-3)
622BC
* Approximate date for the birth of
Daniel
608BC
Jehoiakim begins to reign in Judah.
He reigns for eleven years (II Ki 23:36; II Chr 36:5)
604BC
Nebuchadnezzar invades Jerusalem,
takes first wave of Judeans captive to Babylon in the third year of
the reign of Jehoiakim. The exiles including Daniel, Hananiah,
Mishael, and Azariah. (Daniel 1:1-6) Daniel is possibly around
18 years old*
603BC
Daniel interprets the dream of Nebuchadnezzar
(Daniel 2:1)
597BC
Jehoiakim's son Jehoiachin rules
in Jerusalem for 3 months (II Ki 24:8; II Chr 36:9)
597BC
Nebuchadnezzar invades Jerusalem again,
removes Jehoiachin from being king and takes him, along with his family
and 10,000 mighty men of valor, in exile to Babylon in this second
wave of captivity. (II Ki 24:8-15; II Chr 36:10). Ezekiel the
prophet came either with this group, or with Daniel -- seven years
earlier (Ez 1:1-3). Nebuchadnezzar appoints Zedekiah as king in
Judah. Zedekiah rules for eleven years (II Ki 24:17-18; II Chr
36:10-11).
596BC
Jeremiah writes a letter of exhortation
(from Jerusalem) to the exiles in Babylon. Prophecies of a return
in 70 years (Jeremiah 29:1ff)
591 -- 587BC
While in captivity in Babylon Ezekiel
gives vivid prophecy about the God's judgment on Judah and the impending
siege and destruction of Jerusalem and the temple (Ezekiel chapters
1 through 24)
586BC
The destruction of Jerusalem and the
temple (after over a year of siege on the city). (II Ki 25:1-21; II
Chr 36:17-20). Third carrying away of Judeans to Babylon
(II Ki 25:11; II Chr 36:20; ).
580BC
Possible date of the record in Daniel
chapter three -- Meshach, Shadrach, and Abednego and the fiery furnace
(Daniel chapter 3).
572BC
In 25th year of captivity,
Ezekiel prophecies of the restoration of the city of Jerusalem (Ezekiel
40:1ff -- 48:1ff).
570BC
Possible date of the record in Daniel
chapter four -- the second dream of Nebuchadnezzar and it's fulfillment
one year later, with Nebuchadnezzar going mad -- into the wilderness
for seven years.
561 -- 559BC
Reign of Evil-Merodach -- successor
of Nebuchadnezzar in Babylon. (II Ki 25:27-30; Jer 52:31-34).
559 -- 557BC
Reign of Nehglissar, king of Babylon.
557 -- 539BC
Reign of Nabonidus, king of Babylon.
Likely that his son Belshazzar ruled as king in the province of Babylon,
towards the end of his reign.
542BC
First year of rule under king Belshazzar
-- vision in Daniel chapter 7
540BC
Third year of rule under king Belshazzar
-- vision in Daniel chapter 8
539BC
Record of the writing on the wall
and the Persians' defeat of the Babylonians by Cyrus the Great and
Darius the Mede - Daniel 5:1ff
538BC
Daniel and the Lion's Den (Daniel
6:1ff). Daniel is approximately 84 years old. *
538BC
First year of rule by Darius the Mede.
Daniel's answer concerning the 70 year return to Jerusalem as prophesied
by Jeremiah. (It has been 48 years since Jerusalem was destroyed).
Daniel 9:1ff.
Also the vision of Daniel in chapter
11-12.
536BC
Third year of Cyrus, king of Persia
-- vision in Daniel chapter 10.
*- Actual dates for the age of Daniel
are never recorded. The first chapter of Daniel indicates
these men were to be educated and able to serve in the king's court.
The term "youth" would seem to indicate young men, possibly elder
teenagers. The eighteen year old reference for the year
of captivity is simply as a point of reference. Daniel's
actual age could be different than indicated in this chart.
Daniel was a faithful man his entire life. From a young man until his old age, he lived righteously among the nations; he maintained wisdom and peace. His life was a shining beacon and a witness for the one true God.
Other Scriptures provide more details of the times in which he lived. Jeremiah, Ezekiel, II Kings, & II Chronicles give more details about this time in history.
Daniel 1:1-7 Daniel was well aware of the Scriptures. In considering his current situation, Daniel could have understood that his circumstance was foretold by the words of the law and the by the words of the prophets. God said, if they disobeyed they would be scattered from their land. However, God also promised, that if, while in their captivity, they would humble themselves, that He would not forsake them (Deuteronomy 28:15-67; Leviticus 26:41-45; I Kings 8:46-53).
Daniel 1:8-21 Daniel made up his mind, he "purposed in his heart" (KJV), "resolved"(NIV).
Daniel 2:1-14 Daniel's reaction is one to be admired. Daniel replied with "discretion and discernment," "counsel and wisdom," "wisdom and tact." He didn't reply with fear and anxiety, anger and bitterness, worry and frustration. Daniel was a wise man. His wisdom surpassed all the minds of the great men of Babylon. How did Daniel respond with such wisdom? James 3:13-18
We too have been told of tribulations that may come our way in this world. We are called to be wise in this world (Matthew 10:16; Luke 21:10-15; Ephesians 5:16-17; Colossians 4:5).
Daniel 2:15ff This opened the door for Daniel to declare his God.
There were times he received encouragement from his contemporaries.
Jeremiah 29:1-14 -- Imagine what this letter did for the heart of Daniel and the other sin exile.
Ezekiel 11:14-20 -- Ezekiel, a fellow exile in Babylon, spoke these words of hope.
Daniel 6:1ff Daniel's life had surpassed five kings of Judah and five rulers in Babylon. He prospered in a foreign land. He knew experientially that all nations were in the hands of the Almighty. Now toward the end of his life, Daniel still maintained faithfulness to God. He was unwavering in his conviction to God. What a testimony for us today!
Isaiah 40:1-11 The Israelite exiles under the Babylonian superpower had sunk into massive discouragement. The prophet's words provided comfort, encouragement, and promise of deliverance.
Isaiah 40:4 Anything that could be construed as a barrier to the return of the exiles will be removed.
Isaiah 40:5 The promise is sure because the mouth of the Lord has spoken it.
Isaiah 40:8 Everything else may change, including man, but the Word of God stands forever.
When we read about the promises of Israel returning to Jerusalem, it is hard to think that anyone thought that the promises had been exhausted in the small-scale return to the Promised Land under the leadership of men such as Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah.
1 Peter 1:1 and 2 Peter's readers are also in exile and have sunk into massive discouragement because of the oppression of the Roman Empire.
1 Peter 1:2-6 He speaks of the great Hope just as Isaiah did in his day.
1 Peter 1:13 Three important commands are: 1) prepare your minds for action, 2) keep sober, 3) trust your Hope completely
1 Peter 1:25 The word preached to them was the identical word that Isaiah preached in his day, only with the additional information of Jesus the Christ and all that goes with the veiled information.
1 Peter 2:13-17
1 Peter 3:8-16 Why should I love through it? God said to, and in the end, you get God.
Jesus' Last Words (John 13-17)
John 13.1-17 washing the disciples' feet
John 13.33-35 by your love you will be known
John 14.15-27 spirit of truth as helper
John 15.1-6 parable of the vine and branches
John 15.7-17 abide in him; keep commandment to love
John 15.18-21 the world may hate you
John 17.11-23 Jesus prays that we would be one
Jesus' Example on the Cross
Philippians 2.1-16 the key to unity--humility
Living Proleptically
Revelation 5.9-10 The kingdom will be inhabited with people from ever tribe, language, and nation.
Galatians 3.27-29 In the church ethnicity, social status, and gender barriers are torn down.
1 Corinthians 6.1-11 Our future role as kingdom citizens should shape how we live now.
Matthew 6.33 But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well
Psalms 17:7 Show Your marvelous loving kindness,
Psalms 26:1-12 The prayer of one with passion for God
Psalms 36:5-12 How excellent is Thy loving kindness!
Psalm 51 David, knowing his guilt, asked for loving kindness.
Psalms 143:1-12 David's prayer was for pardon and for relief from enemies; afflictions, as usual, were producing confession and penitence.
2 Samuel 15:1-ff Records an extremely difficult time in the life of David because of Absalom's rebellion
Psalms 63:1-ff David wrote his thoughts during this very painful time of his life.
Jeremiah 9:23-26 The right thing is to glory in understanding and knowing God, for everything else is worthless.
Psalm 136
2 Kings 6:24 The kingdom suffered as it did because of idolatry.
2 Kings 6:25 The ass was deemed unclean food, and the head is the worst part of the animal. Eighty pieces of silver was equal to $50. A cab was the smallest dry measure. The proportion stated here was nearly half a pint for $3. Dove's dung is a kind of pulse or pea common in Judea.
2 Kings 6:31 The king blamed the prophet for his own sin. Blaming the prophet was like blaming God.
2 Kings 7:3 They asked a great question -- "Why do we sit here until we die?" Life has struggles, so what are you going to do? Should we sit here and die or get up and go?
2 Kings 7:11 Action does not always bring such positive results, but inaction most always brings no results. Refuse to sit here and die; rather, get up with God and go.
Acts 5:12-18 When good is done for God, opposition will arise. We are in a war; therefore, every action has a counteraction.
Acts 5:20 The angel did not say to sit here until you die!
Acts 14:1-ff Peter and Paul did not get discouraged, but they stood tall and became more determined to speak the words of God.
2 Kings1:1-4 Ahaziah's mother was Jezebel, a devout Baal worshipper. His grandfather was Ethbaal, the high priest of Baal, and his father, the king of Israel, was also a Baal worshipper.
Deuteronomy 6:1-15 The primary law of God is YAHWEH IS OUR GOD, YAHWEH IS ONE
To understand the Bible rightly, we must of necessity understand God's basic laws and the fundamental truths that are consistent through the Bible.
2 Kings 2:5-18
Exodus 34:6-7 YAHWEH is compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness and truth, keeps lovingkindness for thousands, forgives, yet punishes the guilty.
Deuteronomy 32:3-4 Yahweh is just in all His ways with no injustice.
Psalms 99:1-5; 145:17; 89:14 God is just and equitable.
2 Kings 2:1-14 Some wrongly conclude that Elijah was taken into heaven where he has been ever since.
Romans 8:29; Colossians 1:15 and 18; Revelations 1:5 Jesus is the first human to receive eternal life. Those of faith gain eternal life at the resurrections, and no one other than Jesus has direct access to God until the end when Paradise is reestablished.
Malachi 4:4-6 Prophecy regarding John the Baptist
Matthew 11:13-15; 17:1-13
James 5:16-18 Elijah is an example of faith and prayer.
Ephesians 6:10 A raging, relentless spiritual war which is much bigger than we can handle on our own is always at hand; therefore, we must be strong in the Lord.
Ephesians 1:19- 23; 2:4-6 We are united with him at the right hand.
Ephesians 6:11 and 12 Our warfare has three fronts (Ephesians 2:1-3): the flesh, the world, and evil supernaturalism.
Ephesians 6:13 We need the full armor of God. Our aim is to stand during this evil day, and the devil's aim is to cause us to quit.
Ephesians 6:14 The very first step is to have our loins girded with truth. Satan works with lies and deception; therefore, honesty and truthfulness are mandatory. The word of truth is the gospel of salvation (Ephesians 1:13). The way we grow up into him in all things is by speaking the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). The first instruction regarding putting on the new man is to put away lying and speak the truth with our neighbor (Ephesians 4:21).
Ephesians 6:14 Sinful living must be replaced with righteous living. The breastplate of righteousness is having faith that in Christ we are made to be righteous, and therefore we live rightly. We are to put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness (Ephesians 4:15).
Ephesians 6:15 Those caught up in anger, contention, strife, dissensions, and factions have been pulled into wickedness. God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ have given us peace (Ephesians 1:2; 6:23). "For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us (Ephesians 2:14). Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace (Ephesians 2:15). And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh (Ephesians 2:17). We are to endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:3) and to have our feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace (Ephesians 6:15)."
Matthew 5:3-9 The normal for a Christian is supposed to be peace.
Ephesians 6:16 Take up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming missiles of the evil one. We are saved by faith (Ephesians 2:8).
THE SCRIPTURE CAME BY THE SPIRIT
Galatians 1:6-9 In 2 Corinthians 11:14-15, Paul warns that Satan and his angels can represent themselves as angels of light. Paul uses strong language because he is dealing with a life-and-death issue.
1 Timothy 4:1-2 Deceitful spirits attack God's Word.
Galatians 1:11-12 The gospel of Christ is through the revelation of Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 1:20-21 Men moved by the holy spirit spoke for God.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is God-breathed.
Jeremiah 36:1-8, 15-19, 22-24, 27-31
THE SCRIPTURES ARE UNDERSTOOD BY THE SPIRIT
1 Corinthians 2:9-14 One must have the spirit to understand the Scripture; natural man cannot understand.
THE SCRIPTURES ARE THE POWER OF GOD
Romans 1:16 The gospel is the power of God for salvation.
1 Thessalonians 2:13 The Word of God works effectually in those who believe.
Hebrews 4:12 The Word of God is living and active.
Ephesians 6:17 The Word of God is the sword of the spirit.
Psalms 57:4-6; 64:1-10; 140:1-8 Words are powerful. God's words are most powerful.
Matthew 4:1-11 Jesus spoke God's Word to resist the devil.
Psalm 103:1-14 "As far as the East is from the West, so far has He removed our transgressions from us."
Malachi 3:1-18 God does not change. We can absolutely count on His Word.
Isaiah 55:7 We have no reason to stay away.
Hebrews 9:24-28 God's Word is faithful, Messiah is coming back!
Hebrews 10:19-25 Draw near to God.
Hebrews 11 Examples of faithful living (recommended reading)
Hebrews 12:1-17 Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith.
Colossians 1:13-23 We have been rescued!
Ephesians 1:18-23 Know the hope of His calling.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth, So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
Psalms 103:11 & 12
Luke 10:17-20 Jesus prioritized their thinking. "Names recorded in heaven" implies that Yahweh knows them, and they are in the book of eternal life.
Luke 10: 21-24 Jesus rejoiced because he had meek disciples who received truth and shared with others.
Luke 10:25-28 He understood the essence of the Law which was love. Jesus, and later Paul, summarized the whole of the Law into these two commandments. Jesus was not saying keep the Law, and you will be saved; rather, he was saying to live lovingly.
Mark 10:17-22 He said to eliminate that which hinders us from true discipleship and follow him. If we want to inherit eternal life, we must accept the lordship of Jesus Christ and live accordingly. Jesus loved him, so he told him the truth.
John 12:20-26 We must die to self and serve and follow Jesus.
John 5:24 He who hears and believes will be saved. What does it mean to have faith or to believe?
Matthew 25:31-46 Jesus is giving specifics regarding what he said to the lawyer about loving.
Romans 2:6-11 Have the rules changed?
Romans 6:23 The wages of sin have always been death, and the gift of God, eternal life.
Romans 10:9 and 10 If you are not able to see that the lordship of Christ consists of a lifestyle and not a onetime confession of faith, then you are deceived.
2Corinthians 5:10; Galatians 6:7-9
Ephesians 2:1-10 Without doubt, we are saved by grace. Redemption and salvation could not be available for man unless Jesus had given himself as the sacrifice for our sin.
Hebrews 5:9; 3:6, 14; 10:23, 35-39 We are to hold fast, that is to persevere, to the end.
Matthew 7:21-29 Lordship of Christ has everything to do with obedience.
There are two ditches: "easy believism" (I said a prayer once now I can do whatever I want) and "works salvation" (I have to earn eternal life by doing good works)....is there a third option?
Abide in him (John 15.1-11; 2 Peter 2.20-22)
Continue in the faith (Romans 11.17-23; Colossians 1.21-23)
It is possible to fall away (Hebrews 6.4-12; 10.23-31, 36-39)
The Day of Judgment foretold (Matthew 7.21-27; Luke 6.46; Luke 12.8-9)
God wants us to make it (Luke 12.32)
With God's help we can persevere!
Hosea 4:6 Destroyed for a lack of knowledge. No longer in book study but in application of lifestyle.
Not because knowledge was not available, but because they chose to walk without it.
Mark 4:24 Unto you that hear, shall more be given.
I Corinthians 12:1 Not have you to be ignorant
I Corinthians 12:1-ff A more excellent way
I Corinthians 13 Greatest is the love of God
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, self-control.
John 15:4 Abide in me. {living home with family}
John 15:5 Without me, you can do nothing.
John 15:8 So shall you be my disciples.
Matthew 7:20 Know them by their fruits
Benchmarking is a means to be able to see your growth. As we learn to live in the fruit of the spirit, we draw closer to God and become more Jesus-like in our actions.
Fruit: gentleness, kindness, mercy
Psalms 85:10 "Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other."
Mercy and Jesus: Matthew 9:27; 15:22; 17:15; 20:30 and 31; Mark 10:47 and 48; Luke 17:13; 18:38 and 39
Galatians 6:10 As we have opportunity, let us do good to all men.
Romans5:1-5 - The cross
Romans 5:6-8 -The cross is demonstration of God's love for you.
Romans 5: 9 saved from wrath
* Stars will fall from heaven
* Heavens being on fire will dissolve
* The earth will also break up and melt with liquid heat
* 1/3 of the sea and creatures will burn up with fire and die
* 1/3 of mankind (over 2 billion) will be killed by fire, smoke and brimstone
* The heavens will roll like a scroll and every mountain and islands will be moved
* It will be a day with darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness and the sun and the moon will not give their light.
* After the millennium the lake of fire.
Romans 5:9 - we are saved from the wrath of God which again demonstrates God's love for you
Romans 5:10 - you will be saved Isaiah 35:1-10 God loves you!
Ephesians 2:1-11 God saved you by His grace.
Exodus 2:23-25 Enslaved, terrified, badly abused, bully and used for the selfish gain of others, constantly terrorize by the fear of losing their children's lives and well as their own, discouraged, faithless, hopeless, purposeless lives that were in a living hell- Israel in Egypt.
They lived in forced subjection to an egotistical, insane tyrant ruler who gave orders for them to do hard manual labor which was impossible to accomplish. They were forced to do rigorous, hard labor in mortar and brick and all kinds of labor in the field. Pharaoh also gave orders to kill their infant male children immediately after birth. They lived under these circumstances at lest 70 years.
They were without Yahweh the true God because they forsook the ways of their fathers and embraced the false pagan gods of the Egyptians. Why did God you them?
Deuteronomy 7:6-9 numerical amount or extraordinary merits
Deuteronomy 1:26-33 Yahweh demonstrated His loved but they refused to love Him by obeying His commands. They all died in the wilderness with the acceptation of two who believed.
1 John 4:7-12 When grasp the love has for us then we are able to love others. Remember the Gentiles
Ephesians 4:17-20 love puts it together
Romans 5:1-5 leap for joy.
We are in a spiritual war
Jesus was victorious
The devil does not want us to think spiritually because we will be victorious
We Are In a Spiritual War
We learn early in the Bible that the devil is always trying to steal faith from the believers.
The book of Job illustrates this struggle clearly. Faith is flexible. Israel lost faith regularly. The battle is for our faith.
2 Corinthians 11:3 What is behind the scenes? Blind guy in Congo, Anger, loud mouth, introvert
Ephesians 6:10-12 we are in a war which continually rages The great weapon of the devil is to get Christians distracted and forgetful of the warfare because if we are mindful we are powerful, not prefect.
1 Peter 5:8 and 9 be sober and alert because he's coming. Some day more than others we are attacked.
Jesus Knew and was Victorious
Matthew 4 Jesus knew from the beginning that he was in a spiritual warfare and contented accordingly. Jesus withstood the attacks of the devil in the wilderness but the devil came back again. He will until the end.
Matthew 16:23 get thee behind me satan
John 8:44
Mark 5:9 legion -- Go!
Col 2:15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
We Too Can Have Victory
John 14:12
Philippians 4:13 Paul believed he could do whatever he need to do on both ends of the spectrum.
We get discouraged because we struggle or other people struggle however we forget that we are in a constant battle with a powerful, intellectual, experienced opponent that hates us and is relentless. We get a victory today and tomorrow he attacks again. We think I thought I was delivered or healed how come this comes back?
Acts 14:1-ff The apostle Paul was a very spiritual minded person. He understood the spiritual battle and did not seem to forget it unlike most of us.
Hold fast to your faith and do not forget you are in a spiritual battle.
Romans 12:1 Present yourself a living sacrifice; the language and the idea of sacrifice pervade the whole Bible.
Genesis 4:4 -- Hebrews 11:4 God appointed sacrifices as the mode in which acceptable worship was to be offered to Him. To be acceptable, faith was always required. (Romans 10:17 and Hebrews 11: 6)
2Samuel 23:13-17 The cave of Adullam has been discovered about 13 miles west from Bethlehem on a hill some 500 feet high. The sacrifice was of great value, desirable, and given with genuine faith and love. (1Chronicles 11:16-19)
Mark 12:41-44 The gift was something of great value to her, something she would desire, and it was given with genuine faith and love. Giving that which you want or need is of greater value than that which you don't want or need. (I.e. Salvation Army)
Luke 7:36-50 Extraordinary giving! (Parents teach your children to give and to share things that they want)
Luke 22:39-46 The sacrifice was of great value, something he desired, and it was given with genuine faith and love. (surrendering the sinful desires)
Ephesians 5:1-7 His sacrifice is our example. ( Lord, I pour out my desires for You)
Romans 12:1 present your self a living sacrifice. How do we make ourselves a living sacrifice?
One of the ideas behind fasting is giving up the basic desire of hunger for the Lord.
Colossians 2:10-23 As is true with everything in life, we must have the full perspective and not become extreme. (Matthew 6:1-ff)
Mark 12:28-34 Loving God and others is the great sacrifice. (giving what is not required or expected has greater impact on us)
(Ephesians 4:17-19 "Futility" is serving no useful purpose.)
John 3:16 God gave His son!
1 Timothy 1:5 Genuine comes from a pure heart, good conscience, and sincere faith.
1 Samuel 16:7 God looks on the heart and is not hoodwinked by the outside.
1Chronciles 29:17-19 God tries the heart.
Matthew 23:25-28; 15:8 Hypocrites may fool others but never God
Ephesians 4:17-19 "Futility" is serving no useful purpose.
Ephesians 4:20-24 Put on the new self.
Matthew 5:8 The pure in heart see God.
Romans 12:1 God no longer requires a dead sacrifice, rather a living sacrifice. Sacrifices given due to compulsion, coercion, and/or unloving obligation have always been and continue to be repugnant to God.
12:2 We are foreigners, strangers, and pilgrims in our relationship to the world.
Proverbs 23:7 That which is in your heart is in your life. If our thinking conforms to this world, our lives will be conformed to this world. If our thinking is according to God's Word, our lives will be also. Life is determined from the inside out.
12:5 No one can do that which you can do. 1Corinthians 12:14-25
12:6 We cannot divorce loving God from loving our brother.
1John 2:9-11; 3:14-18; 4:10-12, 19-21
Romans 12:9 We are to have no hypocrisy or pretense, rather genuine love.
A gap suggests that there is a break or suspension of continuity. There is a conspicuous difference that reveals a disparity.
As believers, we run into these gaps that challenge our faith, and then we require assistance and support to help us weather these storms. God provides this help in the time of need by standing in the gap for us.
Faith
Romans 10:14-17 Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Abraham's Connection to Faith
Genesis 14:19-21 Abraham's faith was based upon God's promises. He wavered not at the promise of God, through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God.
As we mature as Christians, we grow in faith. This was Abraham's experience. Early in his pilgrimage with God, he wasn't as strong in that faith as it appears he was towards the end of his journey.
Genesis 20:10-20 Abraham lied about Sarai everywhere he went to save his life. This was even after he had been chosen by God to be a party to an everlasting covenant.
Genesis 17:1-4 . . . As for me, behold my covenant between me and thee and will multiply thee exceedingly.
Through God's sovereignty, Abimilech was restrained from sinning. As a result, God presented a major disaster in Abraham's life. Yet, Abraham is called a friend of God and the father of faith.
Genesis 22:1-19 We may have our spirit dampened by the ups and downs of life, our faith diminished as a result of those challenges. The main point to consider here is that Abraham waited 25 years to see the promise fulfilled in Isaac.
Genesis 24:1 "And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age; and the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things."
Christ our High Priest Stands in the Gap
Hebrews 4:14-16 Only Christianity provides such boldness for sinful men and women before a Holy God, and that boldness is based in Christ as our High Priest standing in the gap for us.
The Witness of the Spirit is Our Intercessor
Romans 8:16-19 The blessed hope of the Christian causes us to look ahead with anticipation to this great moment of Christ's return because that's when the curse will be lifted.
Acts 10:1-2 The record in Acts chapter 10 occurs about ten years after the day of Pentecost. The understanding of the Mystery had not yet been revealed. Up until this time only Jews and Jewish proselytes had received the Gospel message and the gift of holy spirit. Caesarea was the primary Roman coastal city in Judea, about 70 miles from Jerusalem. Cornelius was a Gentile.
Acts 10:2-4 Cornelius was a devout man who feared God.
Acts 10:5-8 Joppa was another coastal city about 25-30 miles south of Caesarea.
Acts 10:9-16 At around noon Peter was praying and received a vision. The law gave specific information about unclean animals (Leviticus chapter 11). In this vision, Peter was told to kill and eat. He was given the understanding that what God has cleansed he should not consider unholy.
Acts 10:17-23 God had set up this entire arrangement. The timing of events is incredible.
Acts 10:24-29 Peter understood from the vision he had received earlier that he should not call these men unholy or unclean, but he still did not fully understand why he had been sent to the house of Cornelius.
Acts 10:30-33 Cornelius recounts the incident with the angel and asks Peter to tell him what the Lord has commanded.
Acts 10:34-43 Peter preaches the gospel message to the Gentiles.
Acts 10:44-46 They received the holy spirit. In Acts chapter 8, Simon saw a manifestation of the spirit when Peter and John laid hands on people. Here, the believers who came with Peter saw that the gift of holy spirit was given to the Gentiles when they heard them speak in tongues.
Acts 10:47-48 Peter ordered them to be baptized with water in the name of Jesus Christ. Unlike Acts chapter 8, where they were baptized first and then received holy spirit later, here the holy spirit came upon the household of Cornelius without any water baptism. This record clearly shows that God accepted the household of Cornelius. God had cleansed them. And through their faith, and belief in the Gospel message, they received God's anointing -- the gift of holy spirit.
Acts 11:1-18 After Peter goes back to Jerusalem, the Jewish believers take issue with Peter's actions. He reiterates the entire incident. They had been baptized with the holy spirit. God had given them the same gift. Peter could not stand in God's way. The Gentiles also had been granted repentance that leads to life. Praise the LORD!
Acts 7:54-60 Stephen was ordained along with Philip in Acts 6.
Acts 8:1 In the Church, the Hellenists (the group in which Stephen had been a leader) formed the main target of attack, and they were the ones for the most part who were compelled to leave Jerusalem. "Scattered" is a form of the Greek word diaspeiro which implies a deliberate plan moving forward rather than scattered like ants.
Acts 8:4 As a result of the persecution, they preached with more determination and commitment. They did not cower; rather, they were more aggressive.
V.5 The persecution helped to bring about what Jesus told the apostles on the day of his ascension which is recorded in Acts 1:8.
Acts 8:9 God's perspective regarding magic and the black arts is clear. Deuteronomy 18:9-14
Acts 8:10 People are very attracted to the supernatural.
V.12 Philip preached Christ and the Kingdom of God. They were baptized in water.
V.15 One of the tragic realities in the Church is an emphasis on water baptism and not the baptism of the holy spirit. In the book of Acts, the emphasis was switched. Acts 1:5; 2:4; 10:44-46; 19:6 and 1 Corinthians 12-14
Acts 8:16 In Acts 19, again, we see that those who were water baptized did not receive the spirit and they should have. Acts 10:44 and 11:5
Acts 8:18 The only way Simon could have seen that they received the holy spirit is they manifested it. 1Corinthains 12:7-11
Acts 8:24 Simon still needed to change. Believing that Jesus is the Christ does not mean he is Lord of your life in every aspect.
V.26 Philip had a willingness to be led by the spirit.
V.35 When we have a heart to speak, God opens doors to speak.
The Good News
1. kingdom
a. origin is in Genesis creation
b. promises to Abraham
c. Davidic royal line chosen
i. 2 Chronicles 17.11-14
d. pre-exilic prophets
i. Isaiah 2.1-4
ii. Isaiah 35.4-7
e. exilic prophets
i. Daniel 2.44
ii. Daniel 7.13-14, 18, 22, 27
f. post-exilic prophets
i. Zechariah 14.6-9
g. John the Baptist
i. Message of repentance in light of the coming kingdom
h. Jesus' ministry
i. gospel proclamation (Luke 4.43; Matthew 4.23; 24.14)
ii. teaching the way of Jesus (i.e. Sermon on the Mount)
iii. healing/exorcism
iv. radical acts of love to outcasts
v. parables (Matthew 13)
vi. calling of 12 and promise to reign (Matthew 19.28)
2. crucifixion
a. 1 Peter 2.21-24
i. for our sins
ii. to show us the way of Jesus
iii. to enable us to die to sin and live the way of Jesus
3. resurrection
a. Jesus really is the Messiah (Acts 17.31)
b. defeat of evil (Colossians 2.15)
c. we too will be raised (1 Corinthians 15.20)
4. holy spirit
a. fire of God
i. tongues, prophecy, healing, boldness (Acts 2.4)
b. empowered to live the age to come now
i. fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5.22-23)
Effects of Believing the Gospel
1. given a bright future
a. 2 Timothy 1.10
2. given a new life to live now
a. 2 Corinthians 5.17
b. Romans 6.4
Walter Bruegemann's 19 theses (play first nine in audio plus slides)
1. Everybody lives by a script. The script may be implicit or explicit. It may be recognized or unrecognized, but everybody has a script.
2. We get scripted. All of us get scripted through the process of nurture and formation and socialization, and it happens to us without our knowing it.
3. The dominant scripting in our society is a script of technological, therapeutic, consumer militarism that socializes us all, liberal and conservative.
4. That script (technological, therapeutic, consumer militarism) enacted through advertising and propaganda and ideology, especially on the liturgies of television, promises to make us safe and to make us happy.
5. That script has failed. That script of military consumerism cannot make us safe and it cannot make us happy. We may be the unhappiest society in the world.
6. Health for our society depends upon disengagement from and relinquishment of that script of military consumerism. This is a disengagement and relinquishment that we mostly resist and about which we are profoundly ambiguous.
7. It is the task of ministry to de-script that script among us. That is, too enable persons to relinquish a world that no longer exists and indeed never did exist.
8. The task of de-scripting, relinquishment and disengagement is accomplished by a steady, patient, intentional articulation of an alternative script that we say can make us happy and make us safe.
9. The alternative script is rooted in the Bible and is enacted through the tradition of the Church. It is an offer of a counter-narrative, counter to the script of technological, therapeutic, consumer militarism.
What is a script?
1. it's a story but it is also something that "programs" you
We are the resurrection people. We are the spirit people. We are the kingdom people. We are the future of humanity--those whom God has redeemed in advance of his global redemption project.
We are privileged and commissioned to give the world a foretaste of the kingdom through our actions and words, by modeling a new way of doing relationships, by performing outrageous acts of cross-shaped love to a world that is numb, consumeristic, obsessed with sexuality, terrified of extinction, and generally over busy, under paid, and bored.
We offer the world a new script. We are the people of God who have a prophetic message to deliver, a message of hope and forgiveness...a message of value and purpose...a message of freedom....about a God who is dedicated to fixing up this place and who will one day send his son to make everything wrong with the world right.
This gospel is what I have dedicated my life to, and Lord willing this is what I will continue to preach all my days...although I will always remain open to learning more...who among us can say that we are completely sure that we have all the truth...considering the fact we have been deceived in the past
The greatest gift I could give you is the desire and ability to think on your own, rather than just accept whatever it is I say...so check it out...read this book...ponder it day and night, when you sit down and when you rise up...it is the REVELATION God has given us to know him and to know truth...we neglect it at our own peril
Acts 1:4 and 5 John's baptism not only prepared his repentant hearers for the coming judgment but also pointed them on to that spiritual baptism of which the prophets had spoken.
Acts 1:11 Christ ascended, but his abiding presence and energy fill the whole book of Acts and the whole succeeding story of his people on earth.
1:16 The vacancy among the apostles needed to be filled. The number twelve was significant in that it corresponded to the number of the tribes of Israel and may have marked the apostles out as leaders of the new Israel.
Acts 1:16-20 - Psalm 69:25 and Psalm 109:8
Other Old Testament quotes regarding Judas:
John 13:18 "He who eats my bread has lifted up his heel against me"- Psalm 41:9
John 17:12 "...but the son of perdition, so that the Scripture would be fulfilled."
Matthew 27:9 and 10 -- thirty pieces of silver ...potter's field - Zechariah 11:12 and 13
Acts 1:24-26 They knew the basic requirements to fill the position but were not sure which of the two was the right one.
1:26 - The casting of lots was not about voting of chance. Casting lots was common among the Jews on important and difficult occasions, and it was natural that the apostles should resort to it in this situation.
Proverbs 16:33
The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.
Ex 28:30 ; 1Sa 28:6 They were a certain divinely given means by which God imparted, through the high priest, direction and counsel to Israel when these were needed.
After this incident in Acts 1, there is no historic record of this procedure's being used again because of the presence of the holy spirit.
Acts 13:1-4 Once the holy spirit was given, the way revelation was received was different.
2:1 The day of Pentecost was so called because it fell on the fiftieth day after the presentation of the first sheaf to be reaped of the barley harvest, that is the fiftieth day from the first Sunday after Passover (Lev. 23:15). It is also called "the day of the first fruits." Pentecost is also believed to be the day of the giving of the Law on Sinai.
2:2 "Wind" was used in the Old Testament to symbolize the spirit (Ezek. 37:9-14).
2:3 John said the baptism would be with fire. This was not the first time the fire of God came to this same location.
2:4 The beginning of this Church age was signified by speaking in tongues.
2: 5-13 The event was preparation for the worldwide proclamation of the gospel.
2:17 and 18 The quotation comes from Joel 2:28-32. The context of Joel's prophecy contains a call to repentance in hope of divine forgiveness. Peter echoed the same in his teaching.
2:22 The early apostolic preaching regularly comprises four elements (not always in the same order).
APOSTLES' TEACHING
The announcement of the coming age
The ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus
Citation of Old Testament
Call to repentance
Food and water are essential to sustain life. And yet, there is something far more important than physical food that is necessary for life. That is, the Word of God, and Jesus Christ, the word in the flesh, the bread of life.
John 4:31-35 -- "My food is to do the will of Him who sent me and to accomplish His work."
Job 23:12 -- "I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food."
Jeremiah 15:16 -- "Your words were found and I ate them..."
Mankind has a propensity to crave food. This seems to be normal human behavior. How many people pursue the Word of God with the same resolve, the same passion, the same hunger?
Matthew 5:6 -- "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied."
Matthew 4:1-4 -- "It is written, 'MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.'"
This is a quotation from the book of Deuteronomy.
Exodus 16:1ff The record of manna from heaven
Exodus 16:1 This account occurred one month after leaving Egypt and seeing the mighty signs and wonders of Yahweh
Exodus 16:2-15 The word manna means "What is it?"
Exodus 16:16-36 The manna was completely dependent upon the Word of God.
Numbers 11:1ff The people complained to God in regards to the manna
Why Manna? What was its purpose?
Deuteronomy 8:1-3
The manna was a pragmatic teacher of the truth that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.
