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.
Romans 16:25-27 The mystery had been kept secret until Paul revealed it in his writings which he did using the Scriptures of the prophets. "Mystery" does not mean the information was not given, rather that it was not understood.
Romans 3:21-29 God's detailed plan of redemption was a mystery as was the inclusion of the Gentiles.
Romans 11:17-36 The Gentiles were grafted into Israel.
Romans 9:6-13 The true Israel of God is made up of those who have faith from both the Jews and the Gentiles. Galatians 6:11-ff
1 Corinthians 2:1-16 The spirit of God makes known the mystery, which is centered in Jesus Christ and his crucifixion.
Ephesians 1:7-10, 3:1-6 "...Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel"
Ephesians 3:7-13 "...The unfathomable riches of Christ, and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things"
Colossians 1:25-29 "Christ in you, the hope of glory"
Colossians 2:1-12 "Ye are complete in him"
Hebrew 13:5 and 6 "I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you," so that we confidently say, "The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?"
Genesis 27:41-46 Esau bore a grudge against Jacob and planned to kill him.
Genesis 28:1-22 God promised to be with him and fulfill the promises made.
Genesis 32:6-8 Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed (great pain or sorrow, anxiety; trouble).
Genesis 32:9-32 He did the right thing with his fear, and that is he asked God for help. God helped him to experience faith.
The name Israel means "God prevails." The name Israel was forever attached with this great record and lesson "with God you shall prevail, in His strength not your own."
1 Samuel 17:11, 31-37, 44-47 David had no fear because his confidence was in Yahweh.
Psalm 34:1-10 David turned to Yahweh when faced with fear, and again God answered his prayer.
Psalm 23:1-10 No matter the circumstance, David had no fear because he knew God was with him.
Isaiah 41:1-16 No fear because God is with them
Mark 5:36 "As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe."
John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
Romans 8:15 "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father."
2 Timothy 1:7 "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."
1 John 4:18 "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear: because fear hath torment. He that fears is not made perfect in love."
Jeremiah 17:5-8 Blessed is the man who trusts in Yahweh.
Hebrews 13:5 and 6 The Lord is my helper.
Acts 4:1-4 About 5,000 believed!
Verse 5 The rulers of the Jews were the Sanhedrin, great council of the nation. Powerful men try to intimidate others.
Acts 4:7 An intimidation tactic such as senate hearings
Verse 8 He was entirely under the influence and power of the holy spirit.
Luke 1:41 and 67 To be filled with anything is a phrase denoting that all the faculties are pervaded by it, engaged in it, or under its influence.
Acts 3:10 "Were filled with wonder and amazement"
Acts 5:17 "Filled with indignation"
Acts 13:45 "Filled with envy"
Acts 13:52 "Filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost"
Acts 4:11 The stone - Psalm 118:22; Isaiah 28:16; Matthew 21:42
Peter spoke the right verse to the situation. He was not at all intimidated by these bullies.
Luke 20:1-19 Peter followed the example of his Lord.
2 Timothy 1:7 and 8 God has not given us a spirit of fear.
Acts 4:12; 1 Timothy 2:5 and 6 Salvation is to be obtained in Christ alone.
Acts 4:13 Peter had the confidence and boldness because of the holy spirit and his persuasion that he had the authority in Christ to do what he was doing.
Verse 14 Seeing the man, what could they say?
Acts 4:16 These boys were having a rough go of it.
Acts 4:21 Because they refused to be intimated, the only thing these very powerful men could do was threaten more.
Verse 22 Fear tactics did not work with Peter because he was filled with the holy spirit.
Acts 5:17 Remember what these same men did to Jesus because they were filled with jealousy.
Acts 5:28 Right back to the bullying tactics
Verse 29 Peter is not intimated or sheepish.
Acts 5:42 They could not be pushed around. Romans 8:15-17
Philippians 1:8 The most effective way to influence another is to pray for that person.
Verse 9 Love always remains the main thing. We should acknowledge the connection between prayer and love. God's love is founded upon knowledge which is gained from the Scriptures and experienced in life. Discernment or judgment is again of vital importance. James 1:5 says we lack wisdom and can ask for it.
Verse 10 The aim is to stay pure and without offense until the day Christ comes back. We want to maintain faith until the end.
Verse 11 Righteousness in the heart produces love, kindness, gentleness, honesty, truth, meekness, goodness.
Colossians 1:9 -- Three matters: knowledge, spiritual wisdom, and understanding
- Knowledge is gained by knowing and doing. James 1:22-24
- Spiritual wisdom is gained by asking and acting. James 1:5; 3:13-18
- Understanding is gained by the spirit and faith. James 2:14-ff
Colossians 1:10 The aim of knowledge, wisdom, and understanding is a walk that is pleasing to God.
Verse 11 Strengthened to meet temptations and to bear up under the various trials of life
The only way to live as Christians is according to God's glorious power. Again, the aim of all is steadfastness. Hebrews 10:19-ff
Patience and joy -- Romans 5:1-5
Colossians 1:12 Giving thanks to our Father should be normal. Ingratitude is difficult to take. Colossians 3:15-17
2 Thessalonians 3:1-5 The concern again is the love of God and steadfastness of Christ.
Ephesians 1:15-23; 3:14-21
Jeremiah 17.5-8: a bush in the desert or a tree by the stream
Four examples of trusting in God:
Jericho: (Joshua 6.1-21)
Have the men of war march around the city once per day for 6 days. Take 7 priests and have them blow trumpets continually before the ark as you march. On the 7th day, march around the city 7 times. After that, everybody yell, and the walls will fall flat.
Gideon: (Judges 7.2-23)
The Midianites had 135,000 men in their army compared to Gideon's 32,000 (a 4:1 ratio). God dismissed the 22,000 who were afraid leaving an army of 10,000 (a 13:1 ratio). God dismissed 9,700 who knelt down to drink water leaving 300 (a 450:1 ratio). The plan was to surround the camp of Midian, bust the clay pitchers, light the torches, blow the trumpets, and yell out, "A sword for Yahweh and for Gideon!"
Jehoshaphat: (2 Chronicles 20.1-25)
The Moabites, Ammonites, and Meunites decided to attack Judah when Jehoshaphat was king. In fear he called for a fast and prayed to God for help. God responded by Jahaziel that Judah would not need to fight in this battle. The next morning Jehoshaphat put the praise team at the head of the army.
Hezekiah: (Isaiah 36.1-2, 4-15, 18-20; 37.1-2, 8-20, 33-38)
When confronted by the encroaching Assyrian Empire, Hezekiah trusted in God, despite the odds. Rather than striking a deal with the trash talking Rabshakeh, Sennacherib's general, he prayed to Yahweh and trusted in the words of Isaiah the prophet and in so doing defied the superpower of his day.
We are the people who trust in God, especially when times are tough.
Matthew 6.24-33: The opposite of trust is worry
We need not be anxious about the immigrants, the stock market, the terrorists, the culture, politics, and so on--not if our security is in God, and we really believe that he will take care of us.
Matthew 28:1-15 For those who believe, it means everything; for those who don't, it means nothing. (Luke 16 - If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.)
Romans 1:1-4 For me, the resurrection is proof that Jesus is the Christ.
Roman 6:1-12 The resurrection means we can have a new life now. For those who do not believe, theirs is the same old life.
1 Corinthians 15:12-26 If Christ is raised, we are freed from our sins. He is the first fruits. This means we too will be resurrected when he returns.
1 Corinthians 15:42-49 The body with the flesh inherited from Adam is going to change into a glorious like his.
1Thessaloninas 4:12-18 Because Christ is raised from the dead, we have great hope for our future.
Romans 8:17-25 When we are changed, the earth and the world will begin to change.
Hebrews 2:14 and 15 Sickness and death have a termination time already determined.
Isaiah 49:24-26 Eph 4:8 captivity captive
Revelation 20:1-15 The devil, demons, evil people, and all evil will be destroyed forever.
The flesh, the world, and the demon forces of evil are all going to be destroyed because God raised Jesus from the dead.
Matthew 16:17 Flesh and blood refer to humans.
Matthew 19:5 One flesh means one life together.
Matthew 26:41 The human body
Romans 3:10-18 The description of mankind apart from Christ.
Romans:
7:5 Sinful passions
7:14 Bondage of sin
7:18 No good dwells in the flesh
7:25 Law of sin
8:5-7 Hostile to God
8:8 Cannot please God
Romans 5:12-ff The principle of genetics is that everything is after its kind.
Genesis 3:1-ff
They desired knowledge of good and evil.
They were rebellious and disobedient.
They wanted to be their own god.
They experienced shame, a sense something was wrong with them.
They tried to cover themselves or fix themselves.
They hid from God because something was wrong with them -- sin.
They were afraid of God.
They rationalized their sin by shifting the blame.
Women desire their husbands − a want which produces disappointing results.
Men desire work which produces limited and disappointing results.
These propensities are present at birth for every human being. Because they are a part of our makeup, they remain with us throughout life.
Romans 6:5-8; Galatians 2:20 The old self is now dead in Christ.
Romans 8:4-11 Within the child of God, two things are at work − the flesh and the spirit. The mind determines which will have preeminence and thereby will control how we live.
Galatians 5:16-26 "Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passion and desires."
Ephesians 4:17-24 Put off the old self, and put on the new self.
Philippians 3:20and 21 The new body will come with the resurrection.
The Gospel of Peace (Ephesians 6:15)
Ephesians 1:2 and 6:23 Peace is the fruit of grace, a gift from God.
Ephesians 2:14-17 Because of Jesus, we have peace with God and fellow believers.
Ephesians 4:1-3 These virtuous attitudes pave the way for unity.
Matthew 5:3-9 The normal for a Christian is supposed to be peace − peace with God, self, and others. Where we go, we should bring peace.
Galatians 5:14-26 The works of the flesh are contrary to the fruit of the spirit. The fruit of the spirit should be our normal.
The Shield of Faith (Ephesians 6:16)
The flaming arrows of the evil one are propelled at us through the flesh, the world, and demons. These arrows continue until Christ returns.
Ephesians 2:8; 3:12, 17-21
Acknowledge the temptation to sin.
Do not try to extinguish the flaming arrows on your own.
Have faith in Christ that you can be victorious in him.
Pray.
Use the sword of the spirit which is the Word of God.
Live one day at a time.
Get help if you need it.
The Helmet of Salvation (Ephesians 6:17)
Ephesians 1:9-14 Constant engagements in a war can be draining and at times discouraging, so we need to focus on the hope of our salvation.
Romans 8:16-25 We are to arrive at the same conclusion.
(Context is of battling the flesh - chapter 7.)
Ephesians 4:8-16 We are to be striving together, not against each other, to reach the end goal of entering into His glorious Kingdom.
The Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17)
Ephesians 4:17-25
Pray at all times (Ephesians 6:18)
Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.
Ephesians 6:11-13
Ephesians 6:10 We can be strong in the Lord because he already has the victory.
Ephesians 1:19-23; 2:4-6 We are united with him at the right hand which is a place of power and authority.
Ephesians 6:11 and 12 We are in a war − a multidimensional sin war.
Ephesians 2:1-3 The flesh, the world, evil supernaturalism
Ephesians 2:4-10 We are saved, justified, and made righteous by the faith of Jesus Christ. We will be sanctified the same way. We should not mix up salvation and sanctification.
Ephesians 6:13 We need the full armor of God. The evil day is today.
Ephesians 6:14 Loins girded with truth.
Two aspects of truth: doctrinal and personal
Breastplate of righteousness has two aspects also: faith of Christ and walking.
Verse 15 Feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace
We have peace with God through Christ, and we are to be peace makers.
Ephesians 16 Shield of faith:
Ephesians 1:15 - faith in the Lord Jesus
Ephesians 2:8 - saved through faith
Ephesians 3:12 - boldness and confident access through faith in him
Ephesians 3:17 - Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith
Ephesians 6:17 The helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit
Ephesians 6:18 and 19 Prayer is not listed with the armor but is equally as important.
I Peter 1:3-4
We have a "living hope" through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The amount of knowledge, understanding, and thought you have about a future event will greatly influence your level of anticipation.
The Ages of the Earth
II Peter 3:1-13
These things were written to stir up and cause to remember the words of the prophets and the commandments of our Lord and Savior, which were spoken by the apostles.
The old world -- destroyed by the flood (II Peter 3:3-6)
The present heavens and earth (today) -- destroyed by a judgment of fire (II Peter 3:7-11)
The new heaven and earth -- where righteousness dwells forever (II Peter 3:12-13)
The Last Days
The abomination of desolation (Daniel 8:23; 9:27; Matthew 24:15) Many titles for this king: Little Horn (Daniel 7:7-8, 11, 19-21), the Beast (Revelation 13:1-2), the Son of Lawlessness (II Thessalonians 2:3 and 4). This will be a time of Great Tribulation (Daniel 12:1; Matthew 24:21; Mark 13:19).
This time is referred to as the Lord's Day, the Day of the Lord, the Day of Christ, and the Day of Wrath of our God. Devastating events will transpire (Isaiah 34:4; Ezekiel 32:7 and 8; Joel 2:1, 2, 10; Micah 1:4; Matthew 24:29; Mark 13:24; II Peter 3:10, 13; Revelation 6:12-14; 8:7-9; 9:18).
The Return of Christ
After the tribulation of those days, Jesus Christ will descend from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise from the dead and meet the Lord in the air (Daniel 12:1-2; Matthew 24:29-31; I Corinthians 15:51 and 52; I Thessalonians 4:16-17). This is the first resurrection.
All of the saints will follow Christ to earth and slay the beast and defeat the kingdoms of this world (Psalms 2:6-12; 110:6-7; Isaiah 11:4; II Thessalonians 1:7-11; 2:8; Jude 1:14-15; Rev 19:1ff).
The Millennium Kingdom
Christ will rule for 1,000 years and bring everything into subjection. The first resurrection, the one of the just, is at the beginning of these 1,000 years. The resurrection of the unjust is at the end of the 1,000 year reign (Revelation 20:1ff). The book of I Corinthians gives a concise description of this time period (I Corinthians 15:24-26).
The prophets have spoken with great detail about this time when the Messiah will reign from Zion (Isaiah 2:2-4; 11:1-9; Isaiah chapters 32-35; Micah 4:1-3).
The Final Paradise
Revelation 21:1ff; 22:1ff
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Matthew 5:8
Matthew 28:20 He did not mean personally; currently he is seated at the right hand of God.
Acts 1:11 He has promised to return in person at the end of the age.
Jesus' presence is in us through the holy spirit, which enables his influence to be realized by each and every one of his followers.
Relationship with God
Teacher
Strength to carry out the lifestyle Jesus instructs us to live
Empowerment for ministry
RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD
John 14:1-3 I will come again.
Verse 3 "If I go and prepare a place for you, I WILL COME AGAIN"
Verse 18 "I will not leave you as orphans; I WILL COME TO YOU"
Verse 28 "You heard that I said to you, I go away and I WILL COME TO YOU"
Verse 23 "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and WE WILL COME TO HIM."
The very essence of what Jesus is putting forth is that he would come and dwell within his people by means of the holy spirit.
John 14:8-11 The reason Jesus was explaining his relationship with God is that with the advent of the spirit of truth, the same oneness he had with God was soon to be available to his disciples.
John 14:12 The greatest work and certainly not the only work that Jesus did was to maintain a oneness relationship with God.
John 14:13-24 The indwelling of Christ in God in you enables a harmonious relationship to exist.
TEACHER
John 14:25; 16:5-7, 12-15 The spirit will teach and guide into the all truth.
1 Corinthians 2:7-13 The spirit helps us to know the things freely given to us by God.
STRENGTH TO CARRY OUT THE LIFESTYLE JESUS INSTRUCTS US TO LIVE.
Ephesians 3:14-21
EMPOWERMENT FOR MINISTRY
Luke 24:46-49 "Clothed with power from on high"
Acts 1:8
Acts 1:4-11 THE ASCENSION
Their question was whether God would establish the Kingdom then.
The time of the event remains with the Father.
More important is the immediate task to be witnesses.
Empowerment of holy spirit
God's purpose and the place of the Church in it
Witness and mission must precede the return of Jesus.
His departure was a pattern for his ultimate return.
Get busy now!
What is Jesus doing now?
1 Peter 3:21 and 22 Angels, authorities, and powers are now subject to him.
Matthew 28:18 "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth."
1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 12:24 When we pray to God, we do so through the name of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Mediator.
Hebrews 2:17 and 18 Jesus is the High Priest in heaven.
Hebrews 9:1-14 Jesus is our high priest.
1 John1:5-2:2 He is our Advocate. "Propitiate" - to appease and make favorable; conciliate
2 Corinthians 5:16-21 The time between the ascension and the return is the day of reconciliation. We are ministers of reconciliation.
Ephesians 1:20-23 Jesus is the Head of the Body, which is his Church.
Galatians 1:11 Revelation comes through Jesus Christ.
Revelation 2:1 Jesus is actively walking among the churches as the head of the Church.
Hebrews 4:14-16 Jesus is our helper!
Acts 1:9-11 He is coming back as he left.
Matthew 24:14 Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached to the whole world.
Matthew 24:27-44 We do not know the exact day, but we are certain the day is coming.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:20-27, 35-49 Great comfort
Who is God?
A. The people meet their God (Deuteronomy 4.32-39; 5.1-10, 22-26)
B. The Shema (Deuteronomy 6.4-6, 13-15; Mark 12.28-34)
C. Verses that speak of Yahweh as the only true God (2 Samuel 7.22; 2 Kings 19.19; 1 Chronicles 17.20; Nehemiah 9.6; Psalm 86.8-10; 135.5-7; Isaiah 37.16,20; 44.24; 45.5-7, 18, 21-22; 46.9-10; Jeremiah 10.10-16; Zechariah 14.9; Mark 10.18; John 17.3; 1 Corinthians 8.4-6; 1 Timothy 2.5; James 2.19; Jude 24-25)
Who is Jesus?
A. The birth of the Son of God (Luke 1.31-35)
B. The king of the Jews (Matthew 2.1-6)
C. Who did his followers think he was? (Mark 8.27-30)
D. The Son of Man (Daniel 7.13-14, 18, 22, 27)
E. The sacrifice for our sins (1 Corinthians 15.3-4; Galatians 1.4)
F. The Lord at the right hand of God (Psalm 110)
Shared Attributes of God and Jesus
A. They are both called Lord, Savior, Redeemer, King, Judge, and Rock
B. They both forgave sins, loved, will establish the kingdom and judge the world
C. We could list many other commonalities between God and Jesus
Chart of the Differences between God and Jesus (download slide show)
May we worship the same God that Jesus worshiped (John 20.17; Revelation 3.12)
After 70 years in exile, God allowed the Israelites to return from Babylon, rebuild the Temple, learn His Laws, and begin to worship Him at the place He chose -- Jerusalem. The return from exile happened in three waves.
First Wave -- The Temple is Rebuilt:
Ezra 1:1-11, 2:1-65 About 50,000 people returned to Jerusalem from Babylon in about 538 BC under Joshua the High Priest and Zerubbabel the Governor.
Ezra 3:8-13 Rebuilding the Temple begins around 536 BC, and the foundation is laid.
Ezra 4 Adversaries hinder the Temple work. The enemies of Judah and Benjamin discourage and frighten the people from building. The work is stopped from around 529 BC until around 520 BC.
Ezra 5:1-2; Haggai 1:1-2:5; Ezra 6:1-12 God spoke through Haggai and Zechariah telling the people to get back to work. The people obeyed and finished rebuilding the Temple about 516 BC.
Ezra 6:14-18 The rebuilt Temple is dedicated, and Passover is celebrated.
Second Wave -- Teaching God's Laws to the People:
Ezra 7:6-10 Ezra, a man skilled in the Laws of God, set his heart to study, practice, and teach God's Laws in Israel, and God was with him
Ezra 7:11-26 King Artaxerxes issued a decree supporting and funding Ezra's return to Jerusalem to teach the people God's Laws.
Ezra 8:31-36 Ezra arrives in Jerusalem with about 1,500 men plus women and children.
Ezra 9 Separation from the Canaanite wives -- repentance in a big way
Third Wave -- Jerusalem's Wall is Rebuilt:
Nehemiah 2:1-11 Nehemiah asks to go and rebuild Jerusalem's walls. He arrives around 445 BC.
Nehemiah 2:10; 4:1-3, 6-20; 6:1-14 Tobiah, Sanballad, and Geshem oppose Nehemiah and God in the rebuilding of Jerusalem's wall. Nevertheless, the work continued.
Nehemiah 6:15 The wall was rebuilt in 52 days because the people had a mind to work!
Nehemiah 8:1-8; 9:1-3 Ezra teaches the Law to the people and the people respond with confession of sins, repentance, and worship to Yahweh.
Conclusion:
With God's help, the people returned and rebuilt the Temple and the wall surrounding Jerusalem. They were taught the Laws of God and began worshipping Yahweh again and obeying His commandments.
Key points we can apply in our lives today:
Yahweh is merciful and forgiving
Yahweh is faithful -- He keeps His promises and provides all that we need to finish His work.
Exodus 20:1-3 First commandment
Exodus 20:4-6 Second commandment
Exodus 34:6 and 7 God has a low tolerance for the worship of other gods.
1 Kings 11:3-13 Idolatry divided the kingdom.
1 Kings 12:4-6, 10, 11, 20 Rehoboam, Solomon's son, was a fool.
1 Kings 12:26-33 Jeroboam becomes the standard that other kings were measured by regarding evil.
1 Kings 14:30 There was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam continually.
1 Kings 15:25 and 26 Nadab, the son of Jeroboam
1 Kings 15:33 and 34 Baasha, Jeroboam's grandson
1 Kings 16:25, Omri; 1 Kings 16:29-33, Ahab
1 Kings 21:20-29 Ahab did more evil than all that went before him.
2 Chronicles 17:1-19 The LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the example of his father David.
2 Chronicles 14:2-5 Rehoboam - Abijah - Asa
2 Chronicles 15:8-17 The high places were not removed from Israel.
2 Chronicles 18:1-3 The end result was devastating to offspring and Israel.
2 Chronicles 18:4-19:4
2 Chronicles 21:1-7 Jeroham was like Ahab, not David.
2 Chronicles 22:2-4 After Jeroham died, his son Ahaziah ruled.
2 Chronicles 22:10, 12 Athaliah reigned over the land.
Ezekiel 21:26 and 27
Matthew 5:43-ff Neighbors are those near you; whereas, enemies are those distant and antagonistic to you.
Verse 44 Actively pray for your enemies.
Verse 45 Do not show partiality.
Verse 46 Even the worst people in society, those who use others for selfish gain, figure out how to love the ones who love them.
Verse 48 We are to love as God loves.
Luke 6:32-35 In order to do this, we must learn how to die to ourselves.
2 Corinthians 4:10 and 11; Matthew 16:21-27 Peter loved the Lord Jesus and did not want him to suffer and die. Jesus had told Peter God's will, and Peter rejected it and embraced his own will. This is what I want!
Matthew 19:16-22 What must I do to have eternal life? Love your neighbor as yourself. In Mark 10, it says Jesus felt love for him and therefore told him what he needed to do. So, the great question becomes: "What does it mean to love your neighbor?"
Luke 10:25-37 The two great commandments are given. How do we love the unlovable? By having compassion. Offense must be replaced with compassion.
John 13:34 and 35 The new standard for love is to love as Jesus loved.
John 14:15-24 We love him by keeping his commandments.
John 15:9-17 We are to love as he did, and we do this by keeping the commandments.
Romans 5:5-8 The ability to love is given to us in a supernatural way with Christ in us.
Romans 13:8-10 We owe it to God to love one another.
1 John 4:7-21 We love Him because He loved us first.
Matthew 24:12 and 13 Love will grow cold. Because lawlessness multiplies, love grows cold. Sin makes the heart cold. We get lost in the darkness of selfishness and self-centeredness.
Genesis 3:15 The fall was the most cataclysmic event of all time.
Both heaven and earth were greatly ill affected by the fall.
Enmity (hatred) between Satan and humans--especially the Christ.
Her seed represents humanity; and his, demons and children of disobedience.
"He" brings attention to one human, the Messiah.
Head is most vital, and heel the least.
Genesis 49:8-10 Judah will be above all the other tribes. He will be their king, and they will submit to him (which happened with David and will happen again with Jesus).
Genesis 1:14 Just as the sun and moon in their courses mark out the days, months, and years; likewise the stars and planets in their courses mark out the signs concerning God's plan of redemption which culminates in Jesus Christ, the seed of the woman, the Messiah.
The heavens contain 12 conspicuous grouping of stars. Through the ancient world, these 12 groupings, called constellations or signs of the Zodiac, were known and respected as depicting eternal truths.
Genesis 49:9 Judah is symbolized by the lion which is Leo in the Zodiac. The lion lying down is in total control of his domain.
Verse 10 Scepter represents king and rule. "Until Shiloh comes" could be translated until he comes to Shiloh.
Verse 11 First part is abundance, but first must come the day of vengeance (Isaiah 63:1-6).
Numbers 23:21; 24:7-9, 16-19
Revelation 5:5 Lion, tribe of Judah, is Jesus Christ.
Revelation 12:1-17 The whole story is about the birth of Jesus.
Revelation 20:1-10 The victory of the child is complete.
Part One: Herod
Family Heritage
Antipater the Edomite
1. caused strife between Hyrcanus and Aristobulus
2. supported Pompey and Senate but then switched to support Julius Caesar
3. declared procurator by Caesar
Rise to Power
At 25 he is put in charge of military in Galilee
The ___ was so impressed he was elevated to be in charge of the military in Cole-Syria
Once his dad died there was a struggle for power (Antigonus)
After his father was poisoned in 43 BC, Herod had the murderer executed. After returning from a campaign, he was offered the betrothal to the teenage princess Mariamne from the former Hasmonean dynasty who were the titular rulers of Judaea. Although he was legally permitted to have more than one wife, he banished his first wife Doris and her 3-year-old son, also named Antipater, and married Mariamne (known as Mariamne I).
In 40 BC, Antigonus the Hasmonean and the Parthians invaded Judea, and Herod fled Jerusalem to Rome for the first time. There he was elected "King of the Jews" by the Roman Senate however, Herod did not fully conquer Judea until 37 BC. He ruled for 34 years.
Herod was run out of Judea and fled to Rome where he was appointed King of the Jews by Senate in 40 bc
Herod supported Antony against Octavian but following the battle of Actium he appeared before Augustus and through a remarkable speech and without apology won the emperor's favor
After three years he re-conquered Judea and became King
At the height of his rule his kingdom reached the size of David and Solomon
Rule
Two most important things:
1. reputation with Caesar
a. taxes
b. keeping the people from revolting
c. naming things after Caesar
2. staying in power
a. discover conspiracy plots
b. kill off any threats
1. Hyrcanus his favorite wife's grandfather
2. Aristobulus his favorite wife's little brother who was 17 and had just been appointed High Priest
3. Mariamne his favorite wife
4. Joseph his brother-in-law
5. his sons Alexander & Aristobulus
6. his son Antipater
Economic policy
Taxes remained high throughout his reign.
Caesarea Maritima port city
Process for making judgments
Story about first imprisonment of Antipater (his son)
Attitude on Religious Matters
External observance is important
Pluralism (No problem building temples to Caesar or other gods)
Family Life
Story about Mariamne
Killing Hyrcanus and Aristobulus
Legacy
1. temple
2. mostly unknown today
3. Upon death his kingdom was split into three sections and ruled over by Herod Archelaus, Herod Philip, and Herod Antipas
Part Two: Overlap
Matthew 2.1-20
verse 2 Worship = pay homage to (i.e. bow before him in recognition that he is king)
verse 3 Why were they all troubled to hear that the King of the Jews had been born?
verse 4 Messiah = King of the Jews (cf. verse 2)
verse 6 a quotation from Micah 5.2
verses 7-8 typical deceptiveness of Herod
verse 11 this is the typical scene at the birth of a king (people paying him homage and giving him gifts).
verse 13 Jesus becomes a refugee in Egypt
verse 15 a quotation from Hosea 11.1
verse 16 though there is no external historical account of this incident, it fits perfectly with what we know of Herod
verse 18 a quotation from Jeremiah 31.15
Part Three: Jesus
Family Heritage
Through mother he was a son of Abraham and son of David (Matthew 1.1)
Son of God (Psalm 2.7-9)
Rise to Power
King by birth (Luke 1.31-33)
Given opportunity to take power by worshipping Satan (Luke 4.5-8)
He emptied himself (Phil 2.5-11)
Rule
Two most important things:
1. relationship with God
a. John 4.34
2. loving others
a. healing (widow of Nain's son)
b. speaking the truth (rich young ruler)
c. dying for others' sins
Building Projects
He will not only rebuild Jerusalem and Israel, but the whole world will be restored
Economic policy
Micah 4.1-4
guaranteed abundance of food
Process for making judgments
Isaiah 11.1-9
Attitude on Religious Matters
Power under through service (least is greatest)
Hypocrisy is detestable, what really matters is what's on the inside
Compassion on the outcast, the weak, the poor, the sick, the demon possessed
Family Life
Family redefined as "whoever does the will of my Father who is in heaven" (Mat 12.48-50)
Totally committed to his family
Legacy
At present, 20 centuries later, there are 2 billion who claim to follow Jesus
When he returns his will rise and rule with him (Rev 2.26-28)
Which is your king?
SAMUEL IS BORN TO HANNAH
HANNAH'S SONG OF THANKSGIVING
MARY'S SONG OF THANKSGIVING
SIMILARITY BETWEEN HANNAH AND MARY
SAMUEL IS BORN TO HANNAH (1 Samuel 1:1-28)
1 Samuel 1:1 Elkanah was a Levite.
Verse 11 She referred to herself as the maidservant which is the same as the Greek word "doulos." In the New Testament -- bond slave. She vowed to give her son to Yahweh.
Verse 14 The high priest was not the best. Her son would eventually take his place.
Verse 20 She became pregnant miraculously.
HANNAH'S SONG OF THANKSGIVING (1 Samuel 2:1-11)
The song of Hannah is a celebration of victory with emphasis on Yahweh's everlasting and universal power and sovereignty.
1 Samuel 2:1 Grateful exuberance -- all that she thinks and does and says is centered in God.
Verse 2 No one Holy, no one besides you, no rock like our God
Verse 3 Warning against the proud
Verses 4 and 5 Two points of view are explained, those who are mighty in the world and those who fall today but will be lifted up by the Lord in the day to come.
Verses 6-8 The Sovereign, Righteous, God blesses some and curses others.
Verse 9 God directs the godly and keeps silent the wicked
Verse 10 Prophecy about the Messiah King
MARY'S SONG OF THANKSGIVING (Luke 1:46-56)
- Grateful exuberance -- her life is centered in praise for God
- Humble state of His bond slave
- Mighty one has done great things, merciful
- Scattered the proud
- Brought down rulers
- Exalted the humble
- Filled the hungry, sent rich away empty-handed
- Gave help to Israel
- Spoke to our Fathers
SIMILARITY BETWEEN HANNAH AND MARY
- Considered themselves the bond slave of Yahweh
- Pregnant miraculously
- Presented first born son to Yahweh
- Hannah had 5 more children and Mary had 6 more
- Song of celebration of victory
- Grateful exuberance
- Exalted Yahweh
- Spoke regarding the prideful and humble
- Received revelation about the Messiah King
- Samuel was the only person besides Jesus Christ to be a Judge, Prophet, and Priest.
Matthew 1:18-25 is the record of the birth of Jesus and the young man Joseph.
Matthew 1:23
"BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL," which translated means, "GOD WITH US."
Isaiah 7:1-13 The context behind this prophecy. King Pekah from northern Israel and King Rezin of Aram (Syria) had formed an alliance and were going to attack King Ahaz and the nation of Judah. The prophet Isaiah gave the word of the LORD to Ahaz.
Isaiah 7:14 The word "virgin" is the Hebrew word almah. Two Hebrew words are translated "virgin" in both the KJV and the NASB versions -- bethulah (virgin) and almah (young woman). The word almah can mean a young married woman as it is used in Proverbs 30:19. However, it can also mean a young woman who is unmarried and a virgin.
Genesis 24:16a; Genesis 24:43a The first usage of these two Hebrew words. Both almah and bethulah are used to describe the same young woman, Rebekah -- a virgin.
The dual meaning of Isaiah 7:14
This use of almah in Isaiah 7:14 is very significant. It can have an ambiguous meaning. It is a prophecy with a dual meaning, fulfilled at two different times.
- The first fulfillment occurred shortly after it was spoken. Isaiah the prophet had a son born of a young woman (almah), the prophetess.
- The second fulfillment occurred over 700 hundred of years later with the birth of Jesus the Messiah, born of Mary, a virgin (almah).
The name Immanuel means "God with us" or "with us is God". It is important to note that this does not necessarily mean that "God is for us" but rather "God is with us." God can be with His people in judgment just as much as He can be with His people to bring salvation. Many times in the Bible, signs are symbolic of Israel's unbelief. The context of this prophecy continues.
Isaiah 7:14-17 A child would be born of an almah (young woman). Before this child knew enough to refuse evil and choose good, the land of these two kings (Israel and Syria) would be forsaken.
Ahaz did not believe the words of Isaiah. He was afraid. So instead of believing Isaiah, Ahaz took matters into his own hands. Ahaz paid the King of Assyria to attack these other two kings. (II Kings 16:7-19); however, that was not the end of the matter. The king of Assyria didn't stop with just Syria and Israel. The Assyrians began attacking the southern tribe of Judah as well. This was an evil time for the nation of Judah, and the LORD was provoked to anger (II Chronicles 28:16-25). God was with His people in spite of their unbelief and their unfaithfulness.
First fulfillment of "Immanuel" predicted -- the son of Isaiah.
Isaiah 8:1-18, 22 God was with the nation of Judah in judgment. It was a time of darkness and distress.
Second fulfillment of "Immanuel" predicted -- Jesus, the son of Mary
Isaiah 9:1-7 A great light would shine on them! A child would be born that would sit on the throne of David forevermore!
NONCHRISTIANS' DESCRIPTION:
Ephesians 2:1-3 1) Living dead, 2) standard for life was this present evil age, 3) slaves of Satan, 4) lived in the lust of the flesh and mind, 5) destined for wrath
Colossians 1:21 We were alienated and hostile, engaged in evil deeds.
Romans 3:16 and 17 "Destruction and misery are in their paths, and the path of peace they have not known."
GOD'S INDESCRIBABLE GIFT:
John 3:16 God so loves you!
Romans 3:20-26 The only possible way for anyone to be justified is by God's grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 2:4-10 We have been saved by grace.
FREEDOM
Galatians 1:4 We have been rescued from this present evil age.
Colossians 1:13 Rescued us from the domain of darkness
2 Corinthians 5:17 All things are new. We have a new life in him.
Colossians 3:1-14 We have a new life, a new way of doing everything, and so much to be thankful for.
THANKFUL
Colossians 3:15 Be thankful.
Colossians 3:16 We should have thankfulness in our hearts.
Colossians 3:17 We should be thankful in everything we do.
Daniel 4:1 Nebuchadnezzar was the most powerful man on earth. He was the king of the world power of Babylon. He wrote this communication after God humbled him.
Daniel 4:1-18 The dream
Daniel 4:19-27 The interpretation
Daniel 4:28-33 The reality
Daniel 4:34-37 The awakening, true sanity
Daniel 5:1-6 Belshazzar was without excuse since Nebuchadnezzar was his father. He saw the handwriting on the wall.
Daniel 5:7-22 He did not humble his heart.
Daniel 5:23-27 "Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting."
Daniel 5:28-31 That very night, Darius the Median took the kingdom. They came into the palace, found the king and his nobles under the influence of alcohol, and destroyed them.
Proverbs 16:5 The proud person is an abomination to Yahweh
Proverbs 26:12 More hope for a fool than for a prideful person
Job 38:1-42:17 The humble one acknowledges that Yahweh is the Almighty God. The proud is primarily centered on self.
Exodus 34:6; Ephesians 2:7-10 The humble are thankful; everything is about grace. The proud lack genuine gratitude.
Psalms 51 The humble is aware that he has no right to question or judge Yahweh. The proud complains against and blames God.
Galatians 6:1-10 The humble ones do not see themselves as better than others.
The proud compare themselves to others and feel good that they are not so bad.
Luke 18:1-8; Matthew 6:9-13 Humble people pray. The proud don't need to pray or do not have the time.
Philippians 2:3-16 The humble prefer others over themselves. The proud prefer themselves over others.
1 Corinthians 4:7 Humble people realize they do not know everything. The proud think they know all.
James 4:6-10 God gives grace to the humble and resists the proud.
Acts 2:22 and 23 Peter is speaking in the most public place in Jerusalem and saying things that would assure public and religious resistance, things for which he saw his Lord crucified. Why is he so bold?
Acts 2:4 He was filled with the holy spirit (which is an idiomatic way of saying he was empowered and influenced by the holy spirit). When Peter spoke that day, he exercised his free will to allow the Christ in him to have supremacy and thereby to give him boldness, confidence, understanding, wisdom, and authority to speak to and comfort everyone who was present.
Act 2:24-32 From this day forward, the message about Christ is his resurrection. Romans 1:4
Acts 2:33-36 Yahweh said to my Lord (Jesus Christ), Psalms 110
Acts 2:38 Repent and receive the gift of holy spirit.
Acts 3:1-10 Peter, filled with the holy spirit, walked with power and authority.
Acts 3:14 The holy and righteous one
Verse 15 The prince of life
Acts 3:20 Jesus the Christ
Acts 3:21 The period of restoration will be when the Kingdom comes.
Acts 3:22 A prophet like Moses
Acts 4:10 Jesus Christ the Nazarene
Acts 4:27 Your holy servant, Jesus
a prophecy about one to come who would rule the world from Zion (Psalm 2.1-12)
This is Caesar's world
Caesar is Lord
Jesus' Crucifixion (John 18.33-19.17)
...but God raised Jesus from the dead (Acts 2.23-24; 4.10; 5.30; 10.39-40; 13.29-30)
unpacking the meaning of resurrection
- vindication...Jesus is not a fake, a false prophet, a false messiah
- Caesar has power through violent brutality > Caesar merely has power through violent brutality (God has resurrection power)
- why did Jesus have to die?
- Caesar was merely the historical incarnation of Satan's authority over the nations at the time of Jesus
- The battle was cosmic it was not merely between an emperor (or his local representatives--Pilate & Herod) vs. a messianic claimant.
-It wasn't merely between some jealous pharisees and an itinerant Rabbi with whom they disagreed concerning his interpretation of Torah.
-It wasn't merely between some paranoid Sadducees and a charismatic prophet who they perceived as a threat to their arrangement with Rome and decided he needed to be "dealt with" as discretely and quickly as possible.
-No, there were hidden powers at work behind the brutal execution of this itinerant Rabbi. Things were happening on a cosmic scale. The principalities and powers of this present evil age were losing ground. This exorcist had bound the strong man and was plundering his house. This Galilean Jew was a serious threat. He was not only winning in hand-to-hand combat against Satan's minions, he was preaching a message of liberation, and bringing restoration to countless people. He was bringing revival...
- The irony of the cross is two fold. On the one hand, the sign which sarcastically called Jesus "The King of the Jews" (i.e. the Messiah) was confirmed to be doubly ironic because God vindicated his anointed one by raising him from the dead--effectively signing his own signature to the sign.
-On the other hand, Jesus death looked like an extraordinary miscarriage of justice in which the dark forces and the men under their influence declared open season on Jesus. Through heinous beating, mocking, scourging, and finally crucifixion they dominated him, shamed him, discredited him, and even ended his life. Yet, through this very act, God was exposing the evil for what it really was, and his son defeated evil by absorbing the worst Satan could do to him without cracking, without giving in, without crumbling under the wait of injustice. In so doing, God, through his Son, conquered Satan and "defanged" the roaring lion. By willingly allowing his son to be devoured he satisfied the required penalty for all humanity and enabled liberation for all who would later choose it. Thus, Satan slit his own throat, and insured his own demise by carrying out his indignation on our sinless lord and savior.
-God Wins...God's victory through the cross
-----------------------------------
1 Corinthians 2.6-9 (the rulers of this age were clueless)
Col 2 (talk about Roman procession -- perhaps Titus' conquer of Jerusalem)
Eph 1 (Jesus is lord!)
2 Cor 5.17ff (all things are made new...old things have passed away...the world is not the same anymore...)
- there is a new sheriff in town...a new lord of the world...a new savior...a new son of God...a new kind of peace and safety....and a new hope that God will one day send his Son to finish the job
-do you believe that God has defeated Caesar through the cross?
-do you believe that God has defeated evil through the cross?
-do you believe that God has defeated Satan through the cross?
-do you believe that God has defeated sin through the cross?
-do you believe that God has liberated you through the cross?
-...then let us trust in him, let us live the life of the age to come, let us follow Jesus as Lord even before the rest of the world gets on board as a testimony, a foretaste of what is to come!
you are free from sin from Satan from Caesar from the law...now use your freedom to free others (ben Hur on boat scene)
Col 1.19-23
Matthew 11:28 and 29 Jesus is the great example of humility, and we must study if we want to understand it rightly. Humility is an issue of the heart, not an outside thing.
Colossians 2:23 A show of humility (that is looking the part, acting to impress others) such behavior is a monster of hypocrisy. We do not want to look humble; rather, we want to be humble.
Some think that "humility" is another word for mildness. They think it to be a picture of someone who would not say "boo" to another for fear of upsetting the applecart. The humble one is seen as someone who would let sleeping dogs lie and avoid trouble whenever possible, someone who is placid, with a quiet temperament. Jesus was the humblest man who ever lived, and this description does not fit his life.
Genesis 1:1 and 2 God created all, and God holds it all together. He created, and He maintains. Humility is simply acknowledging that which is true.
Luke 8:22-25 When Jesus is in the boat, we should have faith.
Matthew 14:22-33 Peter lost perspective.
Matthew 21:18-22 When we have humility, faith is much easier to manifest because we realize that the answers are in God, not in ourselves.
Matthew 23:1-12 The great Christian paradox is that self exaltation ends in abasement, humiliation.
Matthew 23:12
Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled;
and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.
