God’s demonstration of His love for you
Romans 5:6-9 - Much More - Even more than being justified, we are saved from the wrath to come.
10 -- Much More than enemies reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
11 -- The Greek word translated exult is also translated rejoice, boast, glory, and exalt. “Exult” in English means show or feel elation or jubilation, especially as the results of a success.
12 -- Begins to show the relationship of the two Adams that are parallel and the antithesis, counterpart. As one of a pair of gloves is to its mate, corresponding but in reverse, so is Jesus Christ to Adam.
15 -- Much More The result of Adam had a specific ending -- death; however, in Christ much more the result is unending life.
17 -- Much More With Adam death reigned; much more with Christ, we reign in life.
20 -- Finally, Much More (worded a little differently “abounded all the more”) - Sin had increased; now, much, much more grace abounds.
1 Corinthians 15:20-22, 45-49 - As one of a pair of gloves is to its mate, corresponding but in reverse, so is Jesus Christ to Adam.
Since God so abundantly demonstrated to you His love, you should unalterably pursue Him.
Matthew 5:6 - Do not lose the passion, or make a point to regain the passion.
6:33 Seek His Kingdom unendingly; seek His righteousness
7:7-12 Ask, seek, and knock. Do more, much more, like He did for you. Do not lose heart; and if you do, ask Him to revive you.
Deuteronomy 32:3-4 All His ways are just.
Psalm 89:13-14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.
Isaiah 30:18 Yahweh is a God of justice.
Luke 23:13-25 Jesus was interrogated by Annas, Caiaphas, the Sanhedrin, Pilate, and Herod, and no fault was found.
Jesus was innocent, and Barabbas was guilty. The innocent should be freed, and the guilty be punished, but the opposite happened. Little did anyone understand that the situation with Jesus and Barabbas was a type for all humanity’s redemption.
To understand God’s justice, we must first understand sin.
Romans 6:19 Sin is lawlessness. Matthew 7:23; 13:41-43; 1 John 3:4
Romans 5:10 Sin makes us God’s enemies.
Romans 8:6-8 We were hostile toward God.
Just like Barabbas was insurgent against Rome, we were against God and deserved death by crucifixion. The reason Pilate eventually agreed to crucify Jesus was the people saying he made himself out to be king in the stead of Caesar, basically insurrection, sedition. The Romans punished the insurgent this way so everyone would fear and not rebel. Jesus died for insurrection, and the really guilty one, Barabbas, was freed.
Luke 23:33 When viewed with the other gospels, we understand that 4 others were crucified with Jesus. Luke focuses on these two.
39-43 Again we see a type here, justification through God’s grace, mercy received by the one of faith.
Romans 3:23-31; 5:6-11; 6:1-3 We are justified through Jesus by faith.
Ephesians 6:11-12 Notice the Apostle Paul doesn’t just say “the devil” here, rather he warns about rulers, authorities, cosmic powers, and spiritual forces of evil.
Psalm 89:5-7; Job 1:6-7; 38:4-7 According to these verses there are heavenly beings beside God, including the sons of God and Satan
Genesis 6:4; Deuteronomy 4:19-20; 32:7-9; Daniel 10:12-14; 12:1 We can glean a few details about these heavenly beings. God may have assigned these heavenly beings to serve as guardians over the nations.
Psalm 82:1-8 These “gods” did not guide the people aright; instead they showed partiality to the wicked! As a result of this behavior, God will judge them.
1 Corinthians 10:19-21 It could be that the idols of the nations were not merely statues, but physical pointers to powerful spirits.
Ephesians 6:11-12 Regardless of what the backstory is, it is clear that these spiritual powers are real, and we need to take them seriously.
Christ has defeated them through his ministry (John 12:31-33; 14:30-31), crucifixion (1 Corinthians 2:6-8), resurrection (Colossians 2:13-15), and ascension (Ephesians 1:19-23).
Ephesians 2.4-6; Colossians 2:10 We are seated with him in heavenly places, above all rule and authority.
Colossians 3.1-4 This fact should affect how we live, giving us both confidence and victory.
Revelation 20:1-3 The devil was not created evil; rather, according to Ezekiel 28, he was beautiful and blameless, the cherub anointed to cover in Eden. He became evil in the garden. He was lifted up with pride and motivated by jealousy of God.
Genesis 3:14 His fall seems to be simultaneous with Adam’s and Eve’s for after their fall the devil is cursed.
Revelation 12:4 - Sometime between the fall of man and the flood, he convinced 1/3 of the angels to join with him against Yahweh. Revelation 5:11 John’s vision there are myriads of myriads (exceeding great, countless), and thousands...
2 Peter 2:4 and Jude 1:6. Some of these demons were locked in chains awaiting their final judgment in the abyss, the same place the devil will go.
2 Corinthians 11:3-ff The devil tries to deceive us as he did Eve.
Revelation 12:9 He deceives the whole world.
John 10:10 He is the thief that steals, kills, and destroys.
Revelation 12:10 He is the accuser of the brethren.
Ephesians 2:2 He is the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works within the children of disobedience.
1 Peter 5:8 Our adversary
2 Corinthians 4:4 He is the god of this age, the object of man’s worship.
Ephesians 6:12 Our struggle in life is against him.
5 -- Acts 24:15; Daniel 12:2 Two resurrections (everlasting life or everlasting contempt) separated by 1,000 years
John 5:29 Resurrection of life or resurrection of judgment
Luke 14:14 The first is the resurrection of the righteous - 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
1 Corinthians 15:1-ff Called “the resurrection of the just”
Luke 20:36 The children of God, being the children of the resurrection
Hebrews 11:35 The better resurrection
9 -- During the 1,000 years, many people will be born, and the earth will be repopulated. These people live during a time when the temptations of the devil are nonexistent, so perhaps they (like all those before them) must decide the lordship of Christ when facing evil choices. Apparently, many are deceived.
11-15 -- The second resurrection and final judgments for all those who were not included in the first resurrection including those born in the millennial
The lake of fire is a symbol of eternal destruction, not a literal lake. It is the same as Gehenna, but it is different from hell, which is the common grave of mankind. It occurs five times 19:20; 20:10, 14, 15; 21:8. The following are cast into the lake of fire:
Devil and his angels - Matthew 25:41
Death cannot literally be burned.
Hades or the grave cannot be harmed by literal fire
The beast and false prophet
All the unrighteous
The Lake of fire is a symbol of eternal destruction; it is the second death. The first kind of death mentioned in the Bible resulted from Adam’s sin. This death can be reversed by resurrection and will eventually be eliminated by God --1 Corinthians 15:21, 22, 26. There is no release from the symbolic lake of fire.
2 Thessalonians 1:9 The symbolic lake represents eternal punishment in the form of permanent destruction.
Gehenna (Greek ge'en·na) is mentioned 12 times in the Bible. Like the lake of fire, it is a symbol of eternal destruction. Although some translations render this word as “hell,” Gehenna is different from hell (Hebrew “sheol;” Greek “hades”).
Millennial Kingdom:
ӢJerusalem will be the capital city of the world
Matthew 5:35
Psalms 2:6; 148:1 and 2, 8; Psalm 110:1-3
Isaiah 2:2-4
Jeremiah 3:14-18
Micah 4:1-8
Zechariah 14:8 and 9
ӢThe Messiah will rule over a re-gathered Israel
The nation of Israel will come back to their land
Jeremiah 3:14, 18; 23:5-8
Ezekiel 39:25-29
ӢDavid will rule as vice-regent over Israel
Hosea 3:4 and 5
Isaiah 55:3 and 4
Jeremiah 30:3, 7-9
Ezekiel 34:23-34; 37:24 and 25
ӢThe twelve apostles will judge the twelve tribes of Israel
Isaiah 1:26 and 27
Psalm 122:5
Matthew 19:28
Luke 22:24-30
Matthew 20:20-28 Servant leaders
ӢAll the saints will reign with Christ as kings and
priests on the earth
Revelation 1:5 and 6; 2:26 and 27; 3:21; 5:9 and 10; 20:4-6
1 Corinthians 6:2
2 Timothy 2:12
Psalm 149:5-9
Daniel 7:18, 22, 27
Luke 19:11-17
ӢThere will be a rule of law; judgment in righteousness, equity, and justice
Isaiah 16:5
Psalms 96:10; 98:1-9
Isaiah 2:3-5; 11:1-5; 26:4-9; 42:4; 51:4, 7
Jeremiah 23:5; 33:15
Ezekiel 45:9 and 10
Micah 4:2 and 3
Those that rule during the millennial Kingdom will not be as the corrupt leaders or politicians of today. In that day, those that reign will be righteous rulers.
Isaiah 32:1 and 2
ӢThere will be learning and understanding of God in all the earth
Isaiah 11:9; 26:9;
Isaiah 2:3 This could possibly be part of the responsibility of the priests in the millennial Kingdom. During the time of restoration, the priest Ezra taught the people distinctly and caused them to understand the Law (Nehemiah 8:1-8).
Isaiah 29:24; 32:4
Jeremiah 3:15; 23:1-4
Habakkuk 2:14
ӢThere will be peace and safety in the earth
Psalms 46:9; 85:6-13; 122:6-8
Isaiah 9:6 and 7; 32:1, 16-18; 54:13 and 14; 60:17 and 18, 21; 65:21-23; 66:10-13
Jeremiah 23:5-8; 31:23-26
Ezekiel 28:24-26; 34:25-28
Hosea 2:18
Micah 5:2-5, 10-15 Witchcraft and idolatry will be destroyed
ӢThere will be deliverance for the poor and needy
Psalm 72:2, 4, 12, 14
Isaiah 11:3 and 4; 29:17-19; 35:1-10
Ezekiel 45:9 and 10
Jeremiah 33:6
ӢThere will be joy, rejoicing, and singing
Psalms 47:1-9; 67:1-7; 96:9-13; 98:1-9
Proverbs 29:2
Isaiah 12:1-6; 25:6-9; 26:1-4, 19; 35:10; 42:10-12; 51:3, 11; 52:8 and 9; 61:3, 7, 10, 11
Jeremiah 30:18 and 19; 33:7-11
Zechariah 2:10-12
Matthew 25:1-13 Parable of the Virgins: Don’t fool yourself into thinking you’re ready when you’re not.
V1 “Kingdom of heaven” is confusing for us, but rather than thinking of a triple-decker afterlife geography, think of a three-part timeline
“Kingdom of heaven” occurs 32 times (only in the Gospel of Matthew)
“Kingdom of heaven” = “kingdom of God” (Matthew 19:23-24)
Prophecies about God’s Kingdom: Isaiah 35:1-2; Amos 9:13; Isaiah 2:4; Micah 4:6-7; Zephaniah 3:17-19
Matthew 19:28
Jesus said to them, "Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Matthew 25:14-30 Parable of the Talents: Don’t sit on your salvation, but use your talents for God.
- 1 talent = 6,000 drachmas = 16.44 years of labor
- median* USA salary in 2016 was $30,533.31
- 1 talent = $500,000 ($501,967.62)
- 2 talents = $1 million ($1,003,935.23)
- 5 talents = $2.5 million ($2,509,838.08)
*According to the Social Security Administration (Average and Median Amounts of Net Compensation) ssa.gov/OACT/COLA/central.html
Whatever your ability, are you using it to serve the Lord?
Matthew 25:31-46 Judgment of the Sheep and the Goats: Jesus takes it personally how people treat his followers, especially the poor.
This is not so much a parable as it is a prophecy about the end. (See also Matthew 7:21-23; 24:29-31.)
Genesis 14:18 - Jerusalem was first named “Salem,” later “Jebus.”
Salem means “peaceful;” Jerusalem means “city of peace.”
Melchizedek means “king of righteousness” or “righteous king.”
Jesus, at the last super, connected bread and wine with his accomplishments on the cross.
During its long history, Jerusalem has been destroyed twice, besieged 23 times, attacked 52 times, and captured and recaptured 44 times.
Some of the biblical names Jerusalem has been called or will be called:
Zion - Isaiah 12:6; 52:1
The city of David - 2 Sam. 6:12
The city of the great king - Matt. 5:35
The holy city - Isa. 48:2; 52:1; Matt. 4:5
The city of God - Ps. 46:4; 48:1, 8; 87:3
The city of Yahweh - Isaiah 60:14
The city of Yahweh of hosts - Ps. 48:8
The city of righteousness - Isa. 1:26
The holy mountain - Psalm 2:6; 48:1; Isaiah 83; Zechariah 8:3
The city of truth - Zechariah 8:3
The perfection of beauty - Lamentations 2:15
The joy of the whole earth - Lamentations 2:15
The Lord our righteousness - Jeremiah 33:16
The Yahweh is there - Ezek. 48:35
The throne of Yahweh - Jeremiah 3:17
Ariel, the hearth of God - Isa. 29:1
December 6, 2017, the United States officially acknowledged Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and plans to move our embassy there. This decision has caused great turmoil.
December 22, 2017, the UN General Assembly voted to condemn President Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
What happens in Jerusalem is spiritual, at times influenced by Yahweh and at times by Satan.
Exodus 15:17 and 18 - The mountain of Your inheritance; the place Yahweh made for His dwelling
Deuteronomy 12:5, 6, 10, 11, and 26 - Before Israel entered the Promised Land, God told them about the place but did not identify the specific location.
15:19 and 20 - The firstling offering was to be eaten at this place.
16:2, 6 - The Passover was to be sacrificed in this place.
16:11 - People of Israel were to rejoice before God at this place.
16:16 - The three major feasts were to be kept in this place.
17:8 and 9 - High priest’s judgments were to be done at this place.
18:6 - The priests and Levites would minister out from this place.
31:10-12 - Every seven years, the Law was to be read to all Israel from Joshua 10:1. (Adoni-Zedek means “Lord of righteousness.”)
5 - Gibeon had to be punished to prevent any further defections to Israel and to eliminate the threat of their siding with Israel in time of war.
10 - Divine intervention and human efforts worked hand in hand.
11 - When God intervened on behalf of His people with large hailstones, the accomplishments of Israel’s army were dwarfed by comparison. Yahweh won the victory, not the people.
13 - The book of Jashar is also mention in 2 Samuel 1:18.
21 - Israel suffered no casualties.
24 - Feet to the neck, Psalm 110. This practice was widespread in ancient times, and it is pictured in the paintings and reliefs of Egypt and Assyria.
26 - The king of Jerusalem would again be hung on a tree with four others, Jesus, the two malefactors and the two thieves.
Joshua 15:63; Judges 1:19-21 - The Jebusites continued to inhabit Jerusalem even after the King was killed, and all the area around the city was conquered by Israel.
Luke 19:41-44 - Jesus wept over Jerusalem.
Luke 1:26-35 Mary and the angel
Son of David -- Isaiah 16:5; Jeremiah 23:5 and 6; Ezekiel 34:23 and 24; 37:24 and 25; and Amos 9:11
Luke 1:36-55 Mary and Elisabeth
Matthew 1:18-25 Mary and Joseph
Luke 2:1-18 Birth of Jesus Christ
Luke 2:21-38 Simeon and Anna
Matthew 2:1-18 Magi
Matthew 2:17 and 18 Jesus to Egypt
Luke 1:31-33
His name shall be Jesus. Matthew 1:21; Luke 2:21
He shall be great. Ephesians 1:20-23; Philippians 2:9-11; Revelation 5:12
Called the Son of the Highest - John 1:49; 3:18
Given the throne of his father David - Isaiah 9:7
Reign over the house of Jacob
His kingdom shall not end. Daniel 2:44; 7:14 and 27
Birth Prophecies
Matthew 1:23 Virgin shall be with child -- Isaiah 7:14
Matthew 2:6 Bethlehem - Micah 5:2
Matthew 2:15 Out of Egypt - Hosea 11:1
Matthew 2:18 Herod’s murderous response - Jeremiah 31:15
Rabbi: my lord, or my master; title of honor, generally associated with a master of the Torah...The master of Torah, whether disciple or teacher, would demonstrate his mastery not merely through what he said in the discussion of legal traditions or what he did in court but also by how he sat at the table, by what ritual formulas he recited before eating one or another kind of fruit or vegetable, by how he washed his hands, and so on--by performing all mundane acts according to “Torah.”...Long ago, it was taught that the master took the place of the father. The father brought the son into this world; the master would lead him into the world to come. (Dictionary of Judaism in the Biblical Period p. 516)
In what follows we will consider three of Jesus’ teachings on the subjects of authenticity, humility, and love.
Authenticity
Matthew 6:1-18 Jesus teaches us to do righteous deeds for God rather than for people. Then he provides three examples to illustrate what he means:
1. Matthew 6:2-4 giving
2. Matthew 6:5-15 prayer
3. Matthew 6:16-18 fasting
Humility
Mark 9:33-37; 10:13-16, 35-45 The disciples argue about who is the greatest, but Jesus teaches them the first must be the servant of all. In another incident he explains that the kingdom of God belongs to those who are like children.
Love
Mark 12:29-34 The greatest commandment is to know and love God with everything. The second is to love your neighbor as yourself. The key then, is to remove the focus from yourself and put it on others.
John 8.31-32 “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, ”˜If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’”
Are you truly his disciple?
Jesus Christ is the head.
1. The head, the cornerstone upon which everything is built
2. The head, the leader, chief in position and authority
3. The head, the one in charge to whom others submit
4. The head of the body providing nourishment, guidance, and direction to the individual members
The head, the cornerstone
Ephesians 2:20
having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone,
The cornerstone (or foundation stone or setting stone) is the first stone set in the construction of a masonry foundation. This is important since all other stones will be set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position of the entire structure.
Matthew 21:42-45; Mark 12:10-11; Luke 20:17-18; Ps 118:22-23; Acts 4:11-12; 1 Peter 2:4-8; Isaiah 28:16; Luke 6:46-49
The head, the leader, chief in position and authority
At the right hand of God, Jesus has been placed as head over all power and authority.
Matthew 28:18-20; Colossians 1:15-20; 2:10; Ephesians 1:19-23; 2:13-22
The head, the one in charge to whom others submit
Ephesians 5:22-24, 31-32 -- Two become “one flesh” -- “one body”. This is a great mystery (a reference to Christ and the church). Romans 6:12-18; 7:1-6
The head of the body provides nourishment, guidance, and direction to the individual members.
Romans 12:4-5
1 Corinthians 12:11-27 -- Through the one and same spirit
Ephesians 5:15-16 (verses 17-32 - “...if you have heard him and have been taught in him”)
Colossians 2:18-19 (verses 20-23; 3:1-17)
1. God’s Wisdom in Gratitude
1 Thessalonians 5.18; Ephesians 5.4; Colossians 3.15 God actually commands us to be thankful. God didn’t go on and on expounding all the benefits of gratitude; he just “do this”--that is--“be thankful.”
2. Thankful for the Basics
1 Timothy 6.6-8 We need to thank God for the basics. So long as we have food and clothing, let's be content.
3. Thankful for the Family of God
1 Corinthians 12.12-27 In the family of God we support one another, giving care to the member who is suffering and rejoicing alongside the one who is celebrating.
4. Thankful for God’s Attention
Matthew 10.29-31; 6.25-26 God’s so immense, intelligent, powerful. He even created the shovel snouted lizard, and yet he cares for each of us individually.
5. Thankful for the Cross
1 John 4.8-12; John 3.16; When you were lost without hope, without God, by nature following the course of this age, influenced by the prince of the power of the air, full of disobedience, living out the passions of your flesh, carrying out the desires of the body, by nature a child of wrath like the rest of humanity, then God showed us his love by sending his son.
1 Corinthians 11.23-28
God’s commandments are to be obeyed. A commandment is not a suggestion. Throughout the Scriptures, God told His people to obey His commandments.
Deuteronomy 27:10
You shall therefore obey the LORD your God, and do His commandments and His statutes which I command you today.
A person is blessed when he obeys God’s commands.
Deuteronomy 28:1-2; Jeremiah 7:23
However, cursing will come upon a person who is disobedient. Deuteronomy 28:15
Samuel compared disobedience to the sin of divination or witchcraft, iniquity, and idolatry.
1 Samuel 15:22-23a
Being subordinate to another, to be told to obey, is not vogue. It is not always looked on fondly in our society. Human beings are prone to rebellion of authority, rules, regulations, and ordinances. God’s people, the nation of Israel, often times rejected God’s commandments. Jeremiah 7:24-26
In the book of Hebrews, God calls this pattern of disobedience an “evil heart of unbelief.”
Hebrews 3:12 (KJV)
Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
However, in Scripture, when God gave commandment for His people, He never forced them to obey. Mankind has always had the free will to choose. Obedience to God’s commands is never to be burdensome, but rather the motivation for obedience should always be a response of love. The first great commandment is not to “obey,” but it is to “love.” Matthew 22:37-38
Jesus said, if we love him, we will keep his commandments. John 14:15, 21, 23-24
The way you show your love for another is not through vain words or self-centeredness, but rather loving actions of submission and obedience speak louder than anything you might say.
“Don’t tell me that you love me; show me.”
So, too, we express our love for God and for Jesus through loving obedience. 1 John 2:3-6
Do you find it difficult to obey God’s commands? Do you feel as though your Christian walk is draining, difficult, and burdensome? If so, your issue is not an obedience problem, but rather you have a love problem.
John 4:19
We love, because He first loved us.
Psalm 119 -- If you find it difficult to be obedient, try praying some of these prayers from the psalmist. Seek God, and ask Him to change your heart.
Ten Ways We Know God Has Inspired the Scriptures
1. The Bible claims it (Matthew 1:22-23; Mark 12:36; Acts 1:16; 3:18; 4:25; 28:25-26; Hebrews 3:7; 10:15-17; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Revelation 1:1-2)
2. Predictive prophecy
3. Unflattering honesty
4. Health insights
5. Martyrdom
6. Archeology
7. Earmarks of eyewitnesses
8. Historicity of the resurrection
9. Incredible preservation
10. Changed lives
John 14:26, 15:26 The spirit bears witness about Jesus and brings to remembrance what he said.
Engaging the Bible’s Six Major Sections
Old Testament
1. History of Israel (Genesis-Esther): how God deals with His people (positive and negative examples), God’s just laws
2. Poetry (Job-Song of Solomon): prayer examples, wisdom, virtues, dealing with suffering, romance
3. Prophecy (Isaiah-Malachi): an insider look at how God feels about His people’s deeds as well as His future plans
New Testament
4. History of Jesus &Followers (Matthew-Acts): pay close attention to teachings and Jesus’ example, also disciples
5. Epistles (Romans-3 John): understand Christ’s accomplishments; think and behave as a believer in Christ.
6. Prophecy (Revelation): unveiling of heavenly realities, assessment of churches, encouragement, how this age ends and the next begins
Ways of Reading Scripture
1. From start to finish (discovery)
2. Studying a topic (Kingdom of God)
3. Going in depth in one book (Romans)
4. Meditation (Psalms/Proverbs)
5. Visualization (Gospels)
Matthew 15:21-28
Jesus left Israel and traveled to a Gentile country. This is the only record of him leaving the country of Israel during his ministry. It is contrary to what he taught his disciples (Matthew 10:5-6). This woman was a Gentile (Mark 7:26). Why did Jesus travel here and heal this woman’s daughter when he knew that he “was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel?”
Jesus was not doing his own work, but rather he was joining the Father doing His work (John 5:17, 30).
What is the work of God? John 6:29, John 3:16, 2 Peter 3:9, 1 Tim 2:4
The promise of salvation is to every person in the world. All men are invited to join into God’s plan of salvation (Romans 10:9). This is where it begins. The Love of God draws men to himself (Jer 31:3).
We now can join in the work of God, just as Jesus joined the Father’s work (John 17:18; Phil 2:13-16).
The love of Christ compels us to no longer live for ourselves, but rather to now live for him. John 14:21, 23; 15:9-10; 2 Cor 5:14-15; Gal 2:20
How do you recognize an invitation to join in God’s Work? John 5:19-20, 30; 15:5
Jesus watched and listened to understand where the Father was working.
John 4:3-42
Jesus observed what the Father was doing, and he joined in the Father’s work. “Lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest”.
Acts 17:14-34
Paul “observed” the city. His “spirit provoked” him, and he began speaking in the synagogue and in the marketplace “with those who happened to be present.” In the end of this record, one of those who believed was Dionysius “the Areopagite” (meaning he was a member of the court of the Aeropagus). Who set this up so that Paul could reach Dionysius?
Was this something Paul devised, or was this God at work in the city of Athens?
Paul simply joined in God’s work, as he observed the world around him and listened to the working of the spirit.
Acts 18:1-3
Paul’s ministry in Corinth began with Paul joining up with a Jewish couple, Aquila and Priscilla, because they were of the same trade. He worked with them.
Why do you live where you live and work where you work?
Do you believe that God had any influence on these areas of your life? If so, why?
Is it strictly for your benefit, or could it be part of God’s plan?
Open your eyes, and watch to see where you can join in His work.
John 3:14 - 16: God so loved the world that He made a way through His Son Jesus that all mankind could be saved and live eternally.
Deut. 7:7 - 11: God so loved Abraham, Isaac, Jacob/Israel and their descendants that He kept His promise and delivered the children of Israel out of their slavery in Egypt.
Exodus 34:6 - 7: He is THE loving God who is “compassionate and gracious, slow to anger [patient], and abounding in lovingkindness and truth.” He keeps lovingkindness for thousands and forgives our iniquity, transgression, and sin.
Eph. 2:1 - 8: We all were dead in our trespasses and sins before we accepted Christ as our Savior. But, now God, who is “rich in mercy” and “because of His great love with which He loved us” has made us alive together with His Son Jesus and blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ!
He is THE loving God whose desire is that all mankind would be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Tim. 2:1 - 7).
1 John 3:1 - 3: He is THE loving God!
1 John 4:7 - 19: He is THE loving God! He pursues a continuing love relationship that is real and personal with each of us because He LOVES us.
Luke 15:11 - 24 God works with us like the Father in this parable. YHWH loves us no matter what we have done or not done. He knows we are weak humans and that sometimes we drift away. But, He watches for us turn back to Him and welcomes us with arms open wide.
Yahweh loves us and pursues a continuing love relationship with each one of us!
How are we responding to His invitation?
John 5:1-5 Bethesda had two pools surrounded by four roofed colonnades with another between them. A multitude of blind, lame, and paralyzed people spent time there in the shade by the pool.
John 5:6-7 Jesus singles out this one man who has struggled with an infirmity for 38 years. The lame man explains he wants someone to carry him into the water when it gets stirred.
John 5:8-9 Jesus simply commands the man to stand. He doesn’t shout or make a scene. Suddenly, this man’s whole life changes. He will never be the same!
John 5:10-13 Unbelievably, Jesus recedes into the crowd, avoiding any attention he would receive otherwise. It is not yet time to proclaim himself Messiah. Later on, his apostles will heal another lame man and use that opportunity to preach to 3,000 people.
John 5:14-15 Jesus’ statement here is a little cryptic. Some have taken it to mean that the man’s physical infirmity resulted from a sin he had committed. This may be true, but Jesus’ warning could just as well refer to judgment day.
John 5:16-18 Now we come to the main conflict in the chapter. The healed man reported on Jesus to the authorities who promptly confronted him. Jesus’ answers to their inquiries confuse and enrage them.
John 5:19-20 Jesus is like a child, imitating his father. God shows him what He is doing, and the Son works right alongside Him. Jesus is under no illusions about his own potential. For, he says, “The son can do nothing of his own accord.”
“God is actively working in the lives of people around you. Even when you do not recognize it or see God at work, He is active. However, unless God opens your spiritual eyes to recognize what He is doing, you will remain blind to His presence and work.”
-Henry Blackaby, Richard Blackaby, Claude King, Experiencing God (Nashville: B &H Publishing Group, 2008), p. 55.
Acts 16:6-35 The Apostle Paul’s journey to Philippi provides another example of someone who sought to understand how God was at work in the world.
As in the time of Jesus and Paul, God is still at work in the world. Are you looking? He’s doing stuff all around you--at your job, in your neighborhood, with your acquaintances and friends. Are your spiritual eyes open?
Psalm 19.1-6 The heavens declare God's glory
Psalm 104.1-35 The psalmist works through creation, marveling at God's manifold artistry and brilliance.
Psalm 8.1-9 Even though God is so powerful, so transcendent, so majestic, he still cares about us puny humans.
C. S. Lewis' attention to God's every-day marvels:Lewis’s keen, penetrating sense of his own heart’s aching for Joy, combined with his utter amazement at the sheer, objective realness of things other than himself, has over and over awakened me from the slumbers of self-absorption to see and savor the world and through the world, the Maker of the world...
Lewis gave me, and continues to give me, an intense sense of the astonishing “realness” of things. He had the ability to see and feel what most of us see and do not see. He had what Alan Jacobs called “omnivorous attentiveness” (Alan Jacobs, The Narnian, p. xxi.) I love that phrase. What this has done for me is hard to communicate. To wake up in the morning and to be aware of the firmness of the mattress, the warmth of the sun’s rays, the sound of the clock ticking, the coldness of the wooden floor, the wetness of the water in the sink, the sheer being of things (quiddity as he called it). And not just to be aware but to wonder. To be amazed that the water is wet. It did not have to be wet. If there were no such thing as water, and one day someone showed it to you, you would simply be astonished.
He helped me become alive to life. To look at the sunrise and say with an amazed smile, “God did it again!” He helped me to see what is there in the world -- things which if we didn’t have them, we would pay a million dollars to have, but having them, ignore. He convicts me of my callous inability to enjoy God’s daily gifts. He helps me to awaken my dazed soul so that the realities of life and of God and heaven and hell are seen and felt. I could go on about the good effect of this on preaching and the power of communication. But it has been precious mainly just for living.
John Piper, "Lessons from an Inconsolable Soul," Feb. 2, 2010, Desiring God Conference for Pastors
Jeremiah 10:1-16
All man-made idols are vanity. No other “gods” compare to the one true God, the only one. Yahweh is the true God, the living God, an everlasting King! “The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth.”
Deuteronomy 5:24-26
They heard a real voice. A living being, the Creator of heavens and earth. They heard the voice of “the living God.”
Joshua 3:7-10
Moses is now dead. He had led them 40 years in the wilderness. But it was not the man, Moses, who led the children of Israel out of Egypt. Rather, it was Yahweh, the living God, that led them out of Egypt with a mighty hand! Moses was dead, but God was still alive, now working in the man, Joshua!
1 Samuel 17:25, 36
All of Israel was frozen in fear due to the giant, but David saw beyond the flesh. He put his trust in the living God!
2 Kings 19:4; 10-19
Hezekiah put his confidence in the living God. The other gods that the Assyrians had conquered could be cast into the fire and destroyed, for they were no gods, but works of men’s hands--wood and stone. But when they came up against Jerusalem and King Hezekiah, they were not fighting against dumb idols, but they were coming up against the living God.
Daniel 6:20, 26
The group consulted against Daniel, making it a crime worthy of capital punishment for anyone to make a petition to any god other than King Darius. However, Daniel wasn’t praying to just another god; rather, he was petitioning the living God!
Acts 14:6-18
Jupiter was the supreme god of the Roman pantheon, and Mercurius was the god of financial gain, commerce, communication, etc. Paul and Barnabas urged them to turn from these vanities to the living God, which made heaven and earth!
Psalm 84:2
“My heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God.”
2 Corinthians 5:14 -- “Controls” means pressure applied not so much to control as to cause action. It is motivation rather than directional force. The source of the pressure is the love of Christ.
Philippians 1:23-25 At this point in his life, he is an older man who is thinking about dying, but for love’s sake he will continue to live.
Acts 9:23-25 - escaped death; Acts 15:19-24 - stoned to death; Acts 16:22-40 - beaten with rods, thrown in jail; Acts 19 - the center of a city-wide riot....
Acts 21:27-22:21 The love of God compelled him.
2 Corinthians 5:15 -- The word “for” is from a Greek word that can be understood as “instead of” or “in place of.”
Galatians 3:13 -- The curse of the cross was endured by Christ instead of by us.
Romans 5:6-11 The reconciliation is the restoration of a loving relationship with God. God miraculously placed the love of God and the love of Christ in us. We are not compelled by our own virtue, rather by God working in us.
Galatians 2:20 - Who loved me and gave Himself up for me
2 Corinthians 5:15 Paul’s motivation was this great love and is ours also.
Ephesians 2:4-10 The work of God is the ministry of reconciliation.
2 Corinthians 5:15 - He died for us so that we would live for him.
16 -- Previously, Paul had a completely inadequate knowledge of Christ based upon a human viewpoint; now his understanding and ours are not limited to the flesh.
21 -- Christ knew no sin (Matthew 27:4; Luke 23:47; John 8:46; Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 1:19 and 2:22). Jesus did not become sin; rather, he was the sin offering. The same word for “sin” in the Greek Old Testament is translated “sin offering.”
Righteousness of God - Romans 3:21-26 and Philippians 3:7-9
Ephesians 6:5-9 -- Men-pleasers are not God pleasers. We all have the tendency to be on stage looking for others to acknowledge what we do.
Colossians 3:22-25 -- Do your work heartily unto the Lord, and the Lord will reward you now and in eternity, which is much greater than your pay check.
Hebrews 13:20 and 21 -- As much as we have the tendency to please men, we also have Christ working in us to do the will of God
Matthew 6:1-6 -- Yahweh is everywhere present all of the time, so strive always to acknowledge Him and live to please Him.
Colossians 1:27 -- Christ is in you all of the time.
Acknowledge God and Christ in all that you do, and ask to receive help in doing the will of God in everything.
Psalm 33:13-14 -- Yahweh sees all the children of men.
Psalm 139:7-10 -- God is everywhere within the world.
Matthew 6:24-34 -- “Seek...His righteousness” means do the right thing according to God’s standard. Do not cheat or cut corners or do things under the table.
When you are at work, work! The boss or fellow workers have little to do with the work that we do. Live for God and Christ.
“All work” is honorable -- The exception to this is if you work a job that is in direct defiance to God’s will. This would not be honorable work (i.e. prostitution, stealing, lying to get wealthy, a paid assassin for the mob, etc). Sin is wrong, no matter how you label it.
Ecclesiastes 2:4-11; 17-18; 5:10-16
Toil and labor without God is vain -- Vanity and striving after wind (vexation of spirit)
Ecclesiastes 2:24; 3:13; 5:18-20
Work is to be good and enjoyable -- There is no distinction in Scripture between white collar work and blue collar work. All Labor is good and rewarding if it is according to God’s will, done for the Lord, to the glory of God. God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34; James 2:1).
What is your attitude towards work? Do you “tell yourself that your labor is good” (Ecclesiastes 2:24)? God does not put a dollar value on work. We as a society put a different price tag on the value of work and define a “good” job from a “bad” job, but the Scriptures simply put all this under the category of “labor.” The question is: what is your attitude towards work?
What do the Scriptures say about work?
Proverbs 24:30-34; 6:6-11; 21:25-26; Ephesians 4:28; 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
Remember Joseph
Do you ever think you’ve got a hard life, hate your job, despise your situation, wish you had a different career, or think life has treated you badly? If you ever start to feel this way, remember the story of Joseph (Genesis 37:19-28; 39:1-23).
The Example of Paul
Attitude is everything! The Apostle Paul did whatever was needed to move the Gospel. If he had to work, he worked; if he could forego secular work and do full time ministry work, he would do that.
Acts 18:2-3; 1 Corinthians 9:6-12; 2 Thessalonians 3:7-13; Philippians 4:8-13
Maintain an eternal life perspective! Labor for the Lord. Your work is not in vain in the Lord!
John 6:27; Psalm 49:6-20; 1 Corinthians 15:50-58
Genesis 2:4-9, 15 Before sin ever entered the world, God had assigned the first people to work and keep the land where they lived. Therefore, work is not a necessary evil or an inconvenient means of meeting our needs, but work is intrinsic to God’s original design for humanity.
Genesis 1:26 God’s vision for humanity is for us to manage His world, ruling over it as the only creatures made in His image and likeness.
Psalm 145:15-17 In God’s management of the world, He gives all their food. He does not feed us or the animals directly, but through work.
“Look at the places in the Bible that say that God gives every person their food. How does God do that? It is through human work--from the simplest farm girl milking the cows to the truck driver bringing produce to market to the local grocer. God could feed us directly, but he chooses to do it through work. There are three important implications of this. First, it means all work, even the most menial tasks, has great dignity. In our work we are God’s hands and fingers, sustaining and caring for his world. Secondly, it means one of the main ways to please God in our work is simply to do work well.” --Tim Keller, “How Faith Affects Our Work”
Ecclesiastes 2:24-25, 3:12-13; 5:18-19; 8:15; 9:5-10 Although Ecclesiastes projects an overall bleak outlook on life, it also teaches us to work hard and to take pleasure in our toil under the sun. In fact, finding joy in our work is a gift from God.
Isaiah 65:17-25 In the age to come, we are not off on clouds locked in an infinite loop of playing harps and singing praise. That’s not the picture we find in the Bible. The Hebrew prophets portray the Kingdom as a time of building, farming, eating, drinking, and socializing, all to God’s glory.
Revelation 21:10-27 In the beginning, we inhabit a garden, but in the end, a city. Thus, the end is not exactly the same as the beginning but more developed as God’s people continue to work for His glory.
1 Corinthians 15:1-2 You have to receive the gospel and stand in it. The gospel is the means God has provided for salvation! Getting the gospel right is huge!
Romans 1:16 The gospel contains within it power for salvation.
1 Corinthians 15:2 You can’t believe the gospel just once, but you have to hold fast to it.
Kingdom
1 Corinthians 15:3 Christ is a title, not a name. Understanding what "Christ" means is absolutely critical to the gospel message.
John 1:41; Luke 23:2-3 Christ = Messiah = King. What is Christ the King of?
The Kingdom is the time when God sets everything wrong with our world right--an age of unprecedented healing, justice, peace, restoration, and renewal. Those who enter the Kingdom receive eternal life and rule with Christ over the nations.
Cross
1 Corinthians 15:3 Christ died for our sins. Will you accept God’s forgiveness?
Romans 3:23; 6:23 We’ve fallen short; we’ve sinned; we’ve disqualified ourselves from God’s Kingdom.
Resurrection
1 Corinthians 15:4 The resurrection is how God has proved that Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ, the Messiah, the anointed, the King of the coming Kingdom.
1 Corinthians 15:5-8 Here we see the most ancient list of resurrection appearances. These are people the Corinthians could actually seek out and talk to.
The gospel has three elements: the Kingdom, the cross, and the resurrection. We have to be careful not to leave out one of these essential ingredients.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19
All things are from God! God reconciled us to Himself. God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself. We now have this ministry of reconciliation. But God is the one reconciling the world to Himself. He initiated this ministry. Our job is to join in His work.
John 5:17, 19-20
Whatever Jesus saw the Father doing, he also did. The Father showed him what He was doing.
John 16:13-15
As the Father showed His Son what He was doing, now His disciples, by way of the spirit of truth, will be shown.
God is at work in us today to do His will through us.
Eph 3:7, 20; Phil 2:13; Col 1:29; Heb 13:20-21
The book of Acts shows God working in the lives of His disciples through Jesus Christ by way of the holy spirit. God was the one reconciling people to Himself.
Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch--Acts 8:26-35
Who told Philip to go to Gaza? __________________________.
What directed him to join in? ___________________________.
Saul and Ananias--Acts 9:1-19
Whose voice did Paul hear? __________________.
Who told Ananias to go to the house of Judas? _____________________.
Peter and the house of Cornelius--Acts 10:1-34
Why did the Cornelius dispatch men to Joppa to seek Simon Peter? _______________________.
Why was Peter willing to go with these Gentile men? __________________________________.
The call of God in the church at Antioch--Acts 13:1-4; Acts 14:26-27
Who/what caused Paul and Barnabas to leave on this journey? __________________________.
To whom did Paul give credit for the work that had been done? ________________.
The Macedonian call--Acts 16:6-15
Who/what forbid them to speak the word in Asia? _________________________.
Who/what did not permit them to go into Bithynia? _______________________.
What caused Paul and crew to go to Macedonia? _________________________.
Who did they conclude called them to preach there? ______________________.
Why did they go to the river side on the Sabbath day? _____________________.
God directed the ministry of reconciliation. God used various methods to reach people, but He brought about the reconciliation, drawing people to Him, as the disciples joined in His work.
Acts 1:3 Jesus continued to teach the Kingdom of God.
4 Jesus provided detailed teaching about the holy spirit at the last supper.
John 14:12-31:
- The spirit of truth is our helper.
- The holy spirit is the replacement for Christ himself on earth.
- The spirit helps the disciple like Jesus did before the ascension.
- The spirit of truth will be with the disciples until the end of the age.
- The spirit equips the believer to be just like Jesus.
- The spirit of truth enables Jesus to nurture each disciple.
- The oneness relationship with God, Christ, and the believer is available and understood by means of the holy spirit.
- The holy spirit is a teacher of all things and a reminder of Jesus’ teachings.
John 16:4-33:
- The spirit of truth is more advantageous than the present Christ.
- Christ is now in each person who has spirit which enables him to teach his disciples more effectively than when he was here on earth.
- Disciples have the responsibility to witness the gospel to others, but the holy spirit has the responsibility to convict the hearer.
- The spirit has no separate will or personality; rather, it serves as a means for Jesus to communicate with and empower his disciples.
- The spirit of truth guides the believer into the all truth.
- The genuine use of the spirit always brings glory to Christ and God.
Acts 1:5 Baptism, John and Jesus - Matthew 3:11; Luke 3:16; Mark 1:8; Acts 11:16
6 and 7 Kingdom on their mind
11 He will come back. Now, do what he commanded.
2:1 Who was the “they”? _______________ Where were they? _______________
2 and 3 Was there a rushing mighty wind? Yes or no. Were there tongues of fire? Yes or no.
4 Filled with the holy spirit, they began to do what? ______________________.
Peter answered their question of what this meant by quoting Joel 2:28-32. In your own words, what did it mean? ________________________________________________________________
22 Who performed the miracles, wonders and signs? ___________________
34 Who else besides Jesus ascended into heaven? _____________________
Acts 1.8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
- Peter &John in Jerusalem w/ lame man
- Peter in Judea at Joppa
- Philip in Samaria w/ Simon Magus
- Paul in Athens at Aereapogus
Matthew 28.18-20 18 And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
if you’re a Christ-follower, you’re not like everyone else!
- you have a mission
- you have a missionary mindset
advantages of indigenous missionaries from HeartCry:
1. Human Resources. get more missionaries if you empower indigenous folks
2. Financial Resources. It costs a great deal of money to send and support North American and Western European missionaries. For what it costs to support one North American missionary with a monthly support of $4,000, it may be possible to support 20 indigenous missionaries!
3. Language and Culture. Any cross-cultural missionary will testify that language and culture are two of the greatest obstacles to the work. It often takes a cross-cultural missionary his first term (4-5 years) just to learn the language and adjust to the culture. Five years and a quarter of a million dollars are spent on the mission field to learn the language, adjust to the culture, and do a minimum of ministry. In contrast, the indigenous or native missionary has no need to learn the language or adjust to the culture that he has known since birth. From his very first day on the mission field, the indigenous missionary can concentrate on his two priorities - evangelizing the lost and planting churches.
4. Identification. There is much anti-American and anti-European bias in many of the least evangelized countries of the world. In many people groups, it is virtually impossible for a Western missionary to preach the Gospel, because he is rejected for his nationality long before he has the opportunity to communicate his message! In contrast, the indigenous missionary has little problem with such bias, because he is of the same flesh and blood as his audience
5. No Difficult Transitions. Having experienced the prestige of a Western missionary as pastor, the church is often no longer willing to accept one of its own. This is not a problem when the church is planted by an indigenous missionary and stays w/ that leadership
6. Focus. It seems that many North American and Western European mission agencies have lost their focus. The Great Commission is first and foremost about preaching the Gospel, discipling believers, and planting churches. Many Western agencies seem to have an exorbitant number of missionaries working as administrators and “facilitators,” while few are ministering as preachers and church planters.
regular missionaries are great,
did you know Jesus said:
Matthew 24.14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
how many in America have heard the gospel of the kingdom?
- how many in the capital region have heard?
Barna ranked Albany, Schdy, Troy as the most post-Christian city in America 2013...then they revisted it in 2015
Who will preach the gospel in Troy? Schenectady? Albany? Colonie? Watervliet? etc.
- should we wait for Africa and Asia to send missionaries here?
we’re already here!
we know the language!
we know the culture!
- we have mission.
- let’s get busy doing it
o invite people to church,
o let ppl know you believe,
o share your testimony
o talk to the new person on Sunday after the meeting ends
all it takes is a shift in thinking
- you are an indigenous missionary
John 14:12 What was the greatest work Jesus did? Circle one: healing the leper, healing the blind, raising the dead, walking on water, feeding the multitudes, teaching the gospel.
John 14:9-11, 5:17, 19, 20 Jesus’ three greatest works were: 1) always knowing the will of God, 2) always obeying God, and 3) ______________________.
John 14:12 What are the works of Jesus that we too can do? _________________________________________________________________
John 14:13 and 14; Luke 11:9-13 The holy spirit is the great enabler. God commands us to do many things, and He commands us not to do many things; therefore, we must be able to obey. What enables us to obey? _________________
1 Corinthians 12:1-3 To know the lordship of Jesus is impossible without the holy spirit.
8 Word of wisdom James 1:5-8 The only way to know how to love rightly is if God gives us _______________.
Word of knowledge 1 Corinthians 2:12-14 We can know because we have been given the holy spirit. The natural man cannot understand the things of God. Why? _______________________________________________________________
9 Faith Romans 12:3; gifts of healing and miracles Acts 8:5-7. If God tells you to minister healing to someone, obey, and He heals.
10 Prophecy 1 Corinthians 14 makes clear that He wants all believers to prophesy, speak in tongues, and interpret tongues.
11 God would never ask people to do something they were not able to do. He has given us the ________________.
John 14:12 The greatest work we can do is obey God’s will and thereby evidence our love for Him.
Would the church be better if we loved each other like mothers love their children? ___ yes ___no
What would our church be like if we loved each other like Christ loves the church?
___________________________________________________________________
Was everything that Jesus did an act of love? ____yes _____no
Matthew 8:1-4 - The leper, 5-13 - The centurion, 14-15 - Peter’s mother-in-law, 16-17 - Many with various problems, 28-34 - The two men occupied with demons, 9:1-8 - Paralytic carried by four men
He invited Andrew and the other unnamed disciple to come home with him. He went to Peter and Andrew’s job, went to Peter’s house, found Matthew at his job... He not only loved people who came to him, but he also was aggressive in going to those in need.
John 13:23-25 -- The disciple whom he loved was on Jesus’ bosom.
John 2:14-16 -- Jesus drove out the money changers. Was it loving? ___yes ____no
Matthew 16:21-23; Hebrews 12:4-6 -- When Jesus said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan,” was he loving? ___yes ___no Peter spoke to Jesus because of his love for him, and Jesus spoke to Peter because of his love for Peter. What was the difference? ______________________________________________________
Matthew 23:13-33 -- Jesus repeatedly called the Pharisees “hypocrites.” In verse 33 he said, “You serpents, you brood of vipers, how will you escape the sentence of hell?” Was this the talk of love? ____yes ____no
John 5:17, 19-20 -- Why was Jesus always loving, and how did he know how to love rightly in each situation? ______________________________________________
John 11:3-ff -- Why did Jesus wait until Lazarus was dead? 11:4, 41-42
John 13:34-35 -- We are commanded to love like he loved; therefore, we have been given the ability to do so. If we are to keep this all important commandment, we must be directed by our Lord and hear when he speaks to us.
John 14:15, 21-23; 15:9-17 -- We are to love, and we do so by keeping his commandments.
1 John -- We are commanded to love just like Jesus loved. Some might consider such love to be radically aggressive love.
What adjustments can you make in your life to better love your neighbor? _____________________________________________________________
At the last supper, Jesus shared many important truths with his disciples that they would need to know after his departure.
John 13:1-17
Jesus washed the disciples’ feet and then explained why. Foot washing was an Eastern/biblical custom of service towards others (Gen 18:1-4; 19:1-2; 24:30-32; 43:16-24; 1 Samuel 25:40-41; Luke 7:44; 1 Tim 5:10). Jesus was their Teacher (Master) and Lord. If we are Christ’s disciples, he should be also our Lord and Master (Roman 10:9). If he is our Lord, then we ought to wash one another’s feet. The slave (the servant) is not greater than his master. Neither is the one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. Blessed are you if you “do” these things.
Luke 22:24-27
This account also took place during the last supper. The greatest should become the servant.
Romans 12:1
We are urged to present our bodies a living sacrifice, a spiritual service of worship.
Romans 12:2-11
We are individually members of the body of Christ, “each” having a function to perform.
Ephesians 4:7, 14-16
-- “Each one” of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ’s gift.
1 Corinthians 12:4-6
-- There are a variety of gifts, ministries, and effects, but it is one spirit, one Lord, and one God that works all things in all persons!
1 Corinthians 12:11
-- One and the same spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually.
1 Corinthians 12:27
-- Now you are Christ’s body and individually members of it.
1 Peter 4:7-11
The end of all things is near! So serve!!! As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another.
Philippians 2:1-13
Be intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit. Do not look out for your own interests but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude which was also in Christ Jesus! It is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.
John 15:1--2 -- Who is the true vine_______________, vinedresser (farmer) _______________, branch________________?
Why does the vinedresser cut away dead or overgrown branches or stems?
5 -- Circle the correct answer. “Apart from Jesus, we can do” -- most things, some things, a few things, nothing.
6 -- The branch that does not stay connected to the vine is gathered up and cast into the fire, and it is burned. What will happen to you if you fail to abide in Jesus? ____________________________________________________________
7--8 Jesus’ instruction on prayer during this teaching made clear we are to pray to him or the Father? (Circle correct answer.) John 14:14; 15:7 and 8; 16:23--28
Jesus established a new standard for prayer. Before Jesus, believers prayed directly to Yahweh; while Jesus was on earth, they asked him; and after he ascended, we are to ask the Father in his name. Ephesians 1:15--20; 3:14--21
9 -- To stay connected to Jesus, we are to abide in his ______________, and to abide in his love, we are to keep his _______________________. His commandments are written in the ________________________.
Galatians 1:10--12 The New Testament was given through a revelation of _______________________. When we obey the New Testament, we obey the words of Jesus Christ that he received from the Father.
Jesus is the head of the body or church, and each individual member of the body is directly connected to the head as we obey. He teaches, leads, and guides us to the Father.
Acts 7:54--60 Stephen saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at His right hand. He spoke to Jesus.
8:26--29 An angel and the spirit spoke to Philip.
9:1--9 Jesus got Paul’s attention! In 10--16, we see Jesus told Ananias what to do.
10:1--3 Angel of God spoke to Cornelius; 1 Peter 1:22 -- angels are now subject to Jesus; 13--16 -- Peter referred to the voice as “Lord”; 19 -- the spirit, 28 -- Peter said God had shown him, 34--43.
The Scriptures do not provide a technique or __________ for God speaking to His people. The important issue is that He does speak and that we listen.
Ephesians 1:1--3, 15--17; 6:4--13
Hebrews 2:14--18 Jesus is our__________ in times of temptation.
Hebrews 4:14--16 Because of Jesus, we find grace to help in _________________.
Jesus tells us who he is:
I am the bread of life
I am the light of the world
I am the door to the sheepfold
I am the good shepard
I am the resurrection and the life
I am the way and the truth and the life
I am the true vine
John 14.1-4
variety of ways to understand this:
1. Jesus is coming at your death to take you to heaven
“my father’s house” = heaven
“go to prepare a place” = build a room
“I will come again” = when you die
“take you to myself” = bring you to heaven
2. talking about him coming through the spirit (on Pentecost)
“my father’s house” = “my father’s household”
“go to prepare a place” = his work on the cross atones for our sins so we can enter God’s household
“I will come again” = coming of the spirit
“take you to myself” = dwell in you
cf. John 14.15-28
3. age to come: he goes away and comes back to receive them unto himself (gathering together) so they will be where he is (on earth)
“my father’s house” = temple => God’s presence
“go to prepare a place” = position in the kingdom
“I will come again” = 2nd coming of Jesus
“take you to myself” = resurrection
“that where I am you may be also” = Jesus’ destiny is to rule the world, so we will be with him
“The only other time he’s used the expression it referred to the temple. The point about the temple, within the life of the people of Israel, was that it was the place where heaven and earth met. Now Jesus hints at a new city, a new world, a new ”˜house.’ Heaven and earth will meet again when God renews the whole world. At that time there will be room for everyone.”
--N. T. Wright, John for Everyone: Part Two (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2004), p. 58.
Matthew 25.31-34 "inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world"
John 14.4-11 Jesus claims he is God’s representative
John 14.10 Jesus' works are the Father's works
John 14.24 Jesus’ words are the Father’s words
John 7.16 Jesus’ teaching is the Father’s
John 4.34 Jesus’ food is to do the Father’s will
John 5.19, 30 Jesus can do nothing on his own
also see Jn 6.38; 8.26, 28, 42; 12.49-50
Jesus is the clearest image of God you can get in a human being. Jesus did what God wanted done in a given situation. Jesus said what God wanted said in a given situation. When you looked at Jesus you saw through him to God himself. So, rejecting Jesus is rejecting God. You can’t have God and not Jesus.
John 14.6 Jesus talks in an unusual manner. This one verse is like a bone caught in our society’s throat. Even so, these words are actually good news for our society.
Objection 1: All religions say the same thing, basically
Objection 2: All religions have a bit of the truth (piece of the pie)
Objection 3: The only reason why you believe these facts is because of where you were born in America into a Christian family
Objection 4: Evangelism is arrogant because it involves trying to convince other people that their views are at best inadequate and at worst wrong
The truth is everyone is an “exclusivist.” We can’t help it. It’s how we’re wired. Everyone thinks their take on life is the best!
Jesus is the way! Jesus is the truth! Jesus is the life!
John 11:1-3 Bethany was a village in the region of Judea, about two miles east of Jerusalem.
John 11:4
Jesus knew God’s plan. “This sickness will not end in death.” Jesus didn’t make this up. He always spoke as the Father worked in him (John 5:19; 8:28). Jesus was doing the things he did “for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it.”
John 11:5-8
Much of what is recorded in the Gospel of John in the region of Judea was during times when Jesus traveled to Jerusalem during the feasts (John 2:3; 5:5; 7:1-10; 10:22-23; 12:1). The Jewish leaders grew more and more frustrated, tried to capture Jesus, and in several instances attempted to stone him (John 5:16, 18a; 7:1, 25, 30; 8:59; 10:31, 39). The situation intensified with each trip to Jerusalem.
John 11:9-10 Jesus is the light of the world. We stumble when we walk on our own and don’t remain in the light.
John 11:11-16 Jesus refers to Lazarus’ state of being dead as being asleep. He will wake him up!
John 11:17-19 Many of the Jews had come to Bethany to console Martha and Mary.
John 11:20-27
There is going to be a resurrection in the last days. Jesus spoke of this often. He preached that on last day, his sheep will hear his voice and be raised from the dead (John 5:25, 28; 6:40, 54).
But Jesus “IS THE RESURRECTION!” He is the Son of God, the Christ, who comes into the world.
John 11:28-37 The Jews were right there, again speaking words to mock Jesus.
John 11:38-40 As Jesus said at the start, this would be for “the glory of God.”
John 11:41-42 Jesus prayed this out loud so the people would know that God sent Jesus.
John 11:43-45 Many believed in Jesus because of this miracle.
John 11:46-47, 53 From this day on, the chief priests and Pharisees planned together to kill him.
Acts 2:22-24
About 50 days later on the day of Pentecost, again in Jerusalem at a feast of the Jews, Peter reminds everyone what happened after this event.
1 Corinthians 15:3-6, 12-19 If there is no resurrection from the dead, then Christianity is false and your faith is worthless! And if there is no resurrection, there is no future hope for eternal life.
1 Corinthians 15:20-23 BUT CHRIST HAS BEEN RAISED FROM THE DEAD!!! He is the first fruits from the dead, and in him is our hope for the future. He is “The Resurrection and the Life!”
John 10:1-6 Here we learn several differences between a shepherd and a thief.
1. enters by the door instead of climbing
2. gatekeeper opens to him
3. sheep hear his voice
4. he calls his sheep by name
5. he leads his sheep
6. they follow him and know his voice
John 10:7-10 The shepherd slept at door to keep predators out and the sheep in.
John 10:11-18 Now we see the differences between a good shepherd and a hired hand
- good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep!
- hired hand flees
- hired hand doesn’t care about sheep
- good shepherd knows his sheep
- sheep know good shepherd
John 10:19-21 The people couldn’t decide on Jesus--if he was crazy or christ
John 10:22-26 They asked him if he was the messiah, but he had already told them. This could refer to how several prophets referred to the king of Israel as a shepherd (Micah 5:4; Jeremiah 23:4; Ezekiel 34:23; 37:24).
John 10:27-28 This is everything! Do you hear his voice? Does Jesus know you? Do you follow him?
John 10:28-30 Often v30 is quoted as evidence that Jesus is God, but this goes against the context. Jesus and the Father are one in protecting the sheep, not in substance.
John 10:31-33 In the Gospel of John, the hostile listeners often misunderstands Jesus. We must be careful not to side with the unbelievers. They thought he was claiming to be God, but Jesus clears this up.
John 10:34-39 Jesus quotes the bible to them (see Psalm 82) to show that someone can be called God when they are carrying out the God’s deeds. Other examples of representatives called God(s) include an angel (Exodus 3:3-6), Moses (Exodus 7:1), judges (Exodus 21:5-6), and the king of Israel (Psalm 45:1-7).
John 6:1-71 I am the bread of life
As manna was the provision for physical life, Jesus is the provision or substance for eternal life.
John 8:12-9:59 I am the light of the world
As the eyes are necessary for physical sight, Jesus is necessary for spiritual sight.
John 10:1-21 I am the door
As the door is the entrance to the sheepfold, Jesus is the door to salvation.
John 10:1-21 I am the good shepherd
As the shepherd lays down his life for the sheep, so Jesus lays down his life for us people.
John 11:1-57 I am the resurrection and the life
As Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, he will raise his disciples to eternal life.
John 14:1-31 I am the way, the truth and the life
Jesus is the only way to the Father.
John 15:1-27 I am the true vine
As branches must stay connected to the vine to produce fruit, so must we stay connected to Jesus to produce spiritual fruit.
Exodus 3:14-15; Revelation 4:8
What should we think when we hear God’s proper name, Yahweh?
What verse other than Exodus 3:14 and 15 captures the essence of His name? _________________ . Review Psalms 30:4; 102:12; 135:13
Jeremiah 23:23-24; Psalm139:6-12
Write what these verses mean to you ___________________________________
Be still and know that I am God...Yahweh of hosts is with us. Psalm 46:10-11
How did Jesus expand our understanding about Yahweh? He called Him ________
Review: Matthew 5:16, 45, 48; 6:1, 4, 6 (2), 8, 9, 14, 15, 18 (2), 26, 32; 7:11, 21
How does religious tradition subtly undermine the name of God?
Psalm 16:11 You will make known to me the______of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand, there are__________ forever.
John 4:20-24 Jesus taught today we worship not in a place but by spirit and ____.
John 14:23 Jesus and God make their abode in those who believe.
Colossians 3:16 and 17 Yahweh is present right here right now.
1 Kings 17:1 Elijah’s name means “Yahweh is my God.” He wants to attack Baal directly, by undermining his alleged weather powers. It will not rain until Yahweh’s prophet says so.
1 Kings 18:5-18 After 3 1/2 years (James 5:17), Elijah meets Ahab again who hasn’t repented or turned away from supporting Baal worship in the land.
1 Kings 18:19-22 Elijah challenges the prophets of Baal and Asherah to a contest. Whoever answers by fire is the true God. This occurs before an assembly of Israelites who stand as witnesses.
1 Kings 18:27 Elijah mocks Baal publicly. He’s certainly not holding back here.
1 Kings 18:36-39 Yahweh comes through, and the people say, “Yahweh, He is God; Yahweh, He is God.”
1 Kings 18:46 Elijah ran before Ahab’s chariot for 17 miles while the rain storm approached. Upon arrival, Elijah’s heart must’ve thought, “This is it! Revival at last!”
1 Kings 19:1-4 However, Jezebel, undaunted by her god’s obvious inferiority to Yahweh, vows to capture and execute Elijah. He’s ready to quit.
1 Kings 19:9-18 Elijah speaks to God at Mount Horeb, where Israel first became a nation when they left Egypt. God asks him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He is worn out; he needs a word from the Lord.
1 Kings 19:13-18 God doesn’t spend much time comforting Elijah, but gives him important work to do. He assures him that he’s not alone, but that 7,000 others are faithful as well. God’s not done with him yet.
Is God done with you, or does He still have more work for you to do? What’s God calling you to do? Is it to volunteer here on Sundays, invite your neighbors over for dinner, invite your coworker to church, start teaching your kids the Bible, go to a foreign land as a missionary, serve the poor, feed the hungry, or clothe the naked? Whatever God’s calling you to do, it’s time to do it.
Colossians 3:16
The past month, we’ve been looking at the book of Colossians. Here in Colossians we are encouraged to let the word of Christ dwell in us richly, to teach and admonish with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in our hearts to God.
Acts 2:47
On the day of Pentecost, after receiving the holy spirit, the disciples were “Praising God, and having favor with all the people.”
What does it mean to praise God?
Praise: the act of expressing approval or admiration; commendation; laudation; the offering of grateful homage in words or song
Praising God is not simply saying, “Praise God,” “Praise You, Lord,” “Praise the Lord.” But rather, praising God is speaking well of God, talking or singing about things God has done.
1 Chronicles 16:4
When David brought the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem, he appointed the Levites to minister in song. They were to celebrate, to thank, and praise Yahweh.
This first psalm presented gives tremendous insight as what it means to praise God.
1 Chronicles 16:7 Thank God for all He has done.
Give thanks to God -- thanking God for all He has done is a big part of praise.
Psalm 30:1-4; Psalm 100:1-5
1 Chronicles 16:8-9 Praise God for His works.
Make known His deeds; speak of all His wonders. Speak about the wonderful things that God has done. Creation itself glorifies God -- Psalm 33:6-9
1 Chronicles 16:10 Praise God for His holy name.
Glory in His holy name -- speak of His name. Jesus prayed -- “Hallowed be thy name” (Mt 6:9).
(Deuteronomy 10:17; 1 Chronicles 29:11-13)
1 Chronicles 16:11-14 Praise God for His judgments.
The judgments of God (the flood; judgments on Egypt; last enemy, death, will be defeated)
1 Chronicles 16:15-17 Praise God for His covenants (the covenant to Abraham, the covenant to David, the new covenant -- eternal Life, the Kingdom to come)!
1 Chronicles 16:18-36 Great is Yahweh and greatly to be praised! Ascribe to Yahweh the glory due His name! And the people said “Amen!” and praised Yahweh!
1 Timothy 6:6-10 -- From the fall, man lost the centrality of God in their hearts and since has endeavored to fill the void with something else. Things God created for God-centered humanity to enjoy are now pursued to replace Him.
Luke 12:13-34 -- Be on guard what occupies your thought life. Is God at the center of things?
Ephesians 5:3; Colossians 3:4 -- Possessions become our focus instead of God with the promise that they will provide for and fulfill us.
Luke 14:26 and 27 -- Family is not to be on the throne of your mind. Consider Abraham’s willingness to surrender his son.
Luke 9:23-25 -- The greatest occupant in our throne room is “self.” We are all plagued from birth with selfishness, self-absorption, and self-indulgence. Hence, the concept of “dying to self” is predominant throughout the New Testament and expresses the true essence of Christian life.
1 Timothy 6:11 and 12 -- Pursue -- to follow or press hard after, with earnestness and diligence in order to obtain, to go after with the desire of obtaining.
The great fight of faith is placing God on the throne instead of self.
Numbers 21:4-9; John 3:14 and 15 -- Looking and believing are synonymous. Israel looked with external eyes; believing is done with the heart. Faith is the gaze of a soul upon a saving God.
Colossians 3:17, 22, and 23; Ephesians 6:5-8 -- Our task (and joy) is constant mindfulness of the Lord.
Colossians 3:24 -- Whatever we do should be in light of the coming Kingdom.
Ephesians 6:12
