Weekly Teachings

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?

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

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)

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

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.

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 14.1-4 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 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).

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 contains ancient insights that are eerily relevant in our culture today. Though the philosophies and cultural pressures have new names and angles, Pauls’ prescription remains the preventative cure for them as well as us. Colossians 2:1-3 The Apostle Paul has never met the Colossians but he wants to encourage them to stick with what they have learned about Christ. In him God has hidden incredible treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Christ is a big deal. He’s not just another religious teacher or life-coach guru. Colossians 2:4-10 If he can just get the Colossians to grasp how highly God has exalted Christ that will protect them from getting taken in by other religions and philosophies that are harmful to them. Christ is all sufficient and above other rulers and authorities so there is no need to go elsewhere or augment their faith with other allegiances and practices. God dwells in Christ fully (Col 1:19; 2 Cor 5:17) and wants to dwell in them/us as well (Eph 3:19). Ephesians 1:20-23 20 ...he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. Colossians 2:11-15 Christians need not take on Jewish practices to find salvation since through the cross God has made a new kind of forgiveness available. Rather than the expression of Rome’s power to strip and disarm rebels, the cross is where God has defeated the authorities and triumphed over them. The cross is not an embarrassment or cause for shame, but a cosmic victory! Colossians 2:16-17 We shouldn’t let people push us around and judge whether we practice or don’t practice dietary restrictions, Jewish festivals, or the Sabbath. We have freedom in Christ to embrace these shadows or not. Colossians 2:18-23 Asceticism is denying pleasure. Certain philosophical sects taught that pleasure was inherently evil and truly enlightened people should resist gratifying their bodily appetites. Paul comes against this strongly, arguing that Christians should not enslave ourselves to “elemental spirits.” Though strict denial sounds wise, it actually doesn’t help in stopping the indulgence of the flesh. Today, we have the opposite pressure acting on us--hedonism. Commercials tell us, “You deserve this.” Social media users declare, “I’m doing this for me.” Our movies urge us to “Be true to yourself.” All of this is pressure to embrace our desires and live them out regardless of what anyone else says. Whether asceticism or hedonism, Christ has set us free.