Date: Sunday, February 28, 2010
Week 13: Jesus Teaches About Loving Enemies (Luke 6:27-38)
Bible Point: Jesus says to treat others as we want to be treated.
Luke 6:
Prior to our lesson for today . . .
Jesus Is Lord of the Sabbath (also in: Matt 12:1-8 and Mark 2:23-28)
1 Now it happened on the second Sabbath after the first[a] that He went through the grainfields. And His disciples plucked the heads of grain and ate them, rubbing them in their hands. 2 And some of the Pharisees said to them, “Why are you doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath?”
3 But Jesus answering them said, “Have you not even read this, what David did when he was hungry, he and those who were with him: 4 how he went into the house of God, took and ate the showbread, and also gave some to those with him, which is not lawful for any but the priests to eat?” 5 And He said to them, “The Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.”
Healing on the Sabbath (also in: Matt 12:9-14 and Mark 3:1-6)
6 Now it happened on another Sabbath, also, that He entered the synagogue and taught. And a man was there whose right hand was withered. 7 So the scribes and Pharisees watched Him closely, whether He would heal on the Sabbath, that they might find an accusation against Him. 8 But He knew their thoughts, and said to the man who had the withered hand, “Arise and stand here.” And he arose and stood. 9 Then Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one thing: Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy?”[b] 10 And when He had looked around at them all, He said to the man,[c] “Stretch out your hand.” And he did so, and his hand was restored as whole as the other.[d] 11 But they were filled with rage, and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus.
The Twelve Apostles (also in: Matt 10:1-4 and Mark 3:13-19)
12 Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. 13 And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles: 14 Simon, whom He also named Peter, and Andrew his brother; James and John; Philip and Bartholomew; 15 Matthew and Thomas; James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called the Zealot; 16 Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot who also became a traitor.
Jesus’ Sermon on the Plain starts here
Jesus Heals a Great Multitude (also in: Matt 4:23-25 and Mark 3:7-12)
17 And He came down with them and stood on a level place with a crowd of His disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear Him and be healed of their diseases, 18 as well as those who were tormented with unclean spirits. And they were healed. 19 And the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him and healed them all.
The Beatitudes (also in: Matt 5:1-11 … not in Mark?)
20 Then He lifted up His eyes toward His disciples, and said:
“ Blessed are you poor,For yours is the kingdom of God. 21 Blessed are you who hunger now, For you shall be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, For you shall laugh. 22 Blessed are you when men hate you, And when they exclude you, And revile you, and cast out your name as evil, For the Son of Man’s sake. 23 Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven,
For in like manner their fathers did to the prophets.
Jesus Pronounces Woes
24 “ But woe to you who are rich, For you have received your consolation. 25 Woe to you who are full,
For you shall hunger. Woe to you who laugh now, For you shall mourn and weep. 26 Woe to you when all men speak well of you, For so did their fathers to the false prophets.
Love Your Enemies (Luke 6:27-38 also in: Matt 5:43-48 … not in Mark?)
27 “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
28 bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.
29 To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either.
These are offenses to us that invade our sense of honor and of property . . . two very important things to those that hold onto earthly desires
30 Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back.
If someone borrows something from you, don’t keep track of it
31 And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.
the Golden Rule (also Matthew 7:12)
32 “But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.
33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.
34 And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back.
It’s easy to do easy acts of kindness . . . how does that show that you’re a Christian … how does that separate you. It’s interesting how God thinks so little of returning love for love that He doesn’t even account for it here .. like even deserving a “thanks”
35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.
36 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.
Do Not Judge
37 “Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
also Matthew 7:1
38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”
Into your bosom — Alluding to the loose sleeveless coats the Jews wore, into which a large quantity of corn might be received
Who exactly would have been characterized as enemies of the Jewish people? During Jesus' time, the Romans were the despised group. The Romans occupied the Palestine area and imposed heavy taxes on an already poor Jewish community. There was great animosity towards the Romans, as well as anyone who sided with the Roman Empire. Thus, tax collectors, being Jewish, were considered turncoats, because they helped gather together the taxes sent directly to Rome's coffers.
Romans were also hated for the way they controlled the Jewish religious system. Rome appointed the head of the Jewish Sanhedrin. In addition, the Romans appointed the Jewish high priest. This was irreligious meddling in the eyes of the Jewish people. No doubt, when Jesus spoke of enemies, the Jewish people thought about the Roman presence in their land.
These are hard lessons for us earthly creatures . . . BUT if we are well grounded in the faith of Christ's Love and have a personal relationship with Him, it will make these commands much easier for us.
- How can our enemies be kind to us if we are not kind to them first (for a little while anyway!)
- How can our children be kind to each other if we first are not kind to them
- How can our spouse love us in the way we want if we first don’t love them in the way they want
- . . . . .
- How does it feel to do something nice for someone else ??
- What is it like to be treated the way you want to be treated ??
Note on Luke the man:
Luke was not one of the original witnesses who had seen and heard Jesus. But Luke had met some of these witnesses and heard their stories. He spent two years in Caesarea while Paul was in prison there (Acts 24:27). Luke would have found it easy to travel from there to collect information
20100228
Luke 9:28-36
Date: Sunday, February 14, 2010
Study 11: Jesus showed that he is God’s Son.
Bible Study: Moses and Elijah Appear With Jesus (Luke 9:28-36)
What has preceded in Luke Chapter 9
· Sending Out the Twelve
· Herod Seeks to See Jesus
· Feeding the Five Thousand
· Peter Confesses Jesus as the Christ
· Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection
· Take Up the Cross and Follow Him
Jesus Transfigured on the Mount
Luke 9: (also in Mark 9 and Matthew 17)
28 Now it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings, that He took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray.
Luke does not name the mountain.
It was probably Mount Hermon, near Caesarea Philippi .. where Peter had said that Jesus was the Messiah.
However, it could be Mount Tabor if Jesus had returned to Galilee during the week.
These three witnesses were used earlier in Luke 8:51 and later in Matt 26:37
29 As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white and glistening.
Luke does not use the word transfigured (which Matthew and Mark used), perhaps because it had been used so much in the Pagan theology . . But uses a phrase telling that His face had changed far from what it had been
His face shone far beyond what Moses's did when he came down from the mount
Jesus’ robe was white and glistering: in Greek —bright like lightning (a word used only here), to cover himself with light as with a robe.
When Christ humbled himself to pray, he was thus exalted
Matthew 17:2 says that Jesus’ face shone like the sun. Peter, James & John were able to see for a short time what Jesus will be like in his glory
30 And behold, two men talked with Him, who were Moses and Elijah,
Moses, through whom God gave the law, and Elijah, the great prophet, were both there.
This showed that Jesus was more important. He explained what the Law meant, and he made the message of the prophets come true.
Seeing Moses and Elijah would make Peter, James and John stronger in their belief that God’s servants would live again after they had died.
31 who appeared in glory and spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.
It was said in Matthew and Mark that Moses and Elias appeared to them; here it is said that they appeared in glory, to teach us that saints in Heaven are in glory; they shine in glory.
The Greek word that Luke used for Jesus’ death is ‘exodus’.
By his death on the cross, Jesus would rescue men from sin. Moses had rescued the Israelites when they were slaves in Egypt. That event was ‘the Exodus’.
Jesus’ death in Jerusalem would complete the purpose for which God sent him.
32 But Peter and those with him were heavy with sleep; and when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men who stood with Him.
These three were now asleep, when Christ was in his glory, as later on they were, when Jesus was in his agony;
see the weakness and frailty of human nature, even in the best people . . and what need we have for the grace of God.
Nothing could be more important to these disciples, one would think, than the glories and the agonies of their Master; and yet neither one would serve to keep them awake.
What need have we to pray to God for quickening grace, to make us not only alive, but lively!
33 Then it happened, as they were parting from Him, that Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said.
Peter did not understand why Jesus had brought them there
34 While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were fearful as they entered the cloud.
The cloud showed that God was there (Like when Moses went up Mt. Sinai in Exodus 24:15-16).
35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!”
Like at Jesus’ Baptism in Luke 3:22 . . . God was very pleased
36 When the voice had ceased, Jesus was found alone. But they kept quiet, and told no one in those days any of the things they had seen.
be quiet for a time until they understand what God is doing through Jesus
Many years later, Peter wrote of this experience in his second letter (2 Peter 1:16-18).
In this scene the call to listen comes at two levels. There is the divine voice, which stops all discussion between the disciples and Jesus, and there is the central instruction to listen to Jesus. The point in both cases is that instruction is needed, because the path Jesus walks is unexpected. If disciples are to understand that walk and follow in its footsteps, they will need to listen to him.
Why Moses and Elijah?
Moses and Elijah represent Jesus’ connection with God’s long-term plan of redemption.
Jesus is connected to both the Old Testament law and prophets.
He is not canceling or abolishing either.
His connection to these great men of faith is normal and expected.
the scene shows how Jesus stands superior to both men, who were great leaders in the history of Israel.
Luke makes the Moses connection explicit in various texts (Acts 3:18-22; 7:35-37), while Elijah is consistently a figure of “end times” hope (Lk 1:16-17, when John is pictured as such a figure). The event suggests two great periods of Israel's history, the exodus and the end-time hope of deliverance.
We go to work and go to church with the same people all the time .. But how much do we know about them ??
The disciples sure learned a lot about Jesus at this event.
If you had to prove that Jesus is God, how would you do it.
How were the disciples feeling ??
NOTES:
Luke was not one of the original witnesses who had seen and heard Jesus. But Luke had met some of these witnesses and heard their stories. He spent two years in Caesarea while Paul was in prison there (Acts 24:27). Luke would have found it easy to travel from there to collect information
The disciples are trying to come to grips with what is happening. In their view Jesus is another great figure, like Moses and Elijah. He will found a people like Moses and sustain them through hope like Elijah. So Peter suggests they together celebrate Tabernacles, a feast that looked forward to the “end times” (also called the Feast of Ingathering, Ex 23:16; 34:22; Lev 23:34; Deut 16:13; Zech 14:16-21). They should build three booths in honor of Jesus and his colleagues. The suggestion is eminently reasonable, except that it understates Jesus' relationship to his two witnesses. Peter wants to enjoy the moment and prolong it in celebration. He wants to stay on the mountaintop for as long as possible.
But Luke makes it clear that Peter has spoken because he did not know what he was saying. The voice from heaven explains: they need to listen to Jesus so they will understand his uniqueness, call and destiny to suffer. Also, their role is not merely to contemplate Jesus but to serve him. Celebration awaits in the future, but now is a time for instruction, response and action.
The voice from heaven speaks before Jesus responds. As was the case with the baptism, the voice describes who Jesus is. With the voice came the cloud that envelops them and leaves them fearful. The cloud symbolism is significant, though its meaning has engendered some controversy. The cloud could indicate God's presence as the heavens descend to the earth. But more likely is the suggestion of the new age's arrival, an age like that which founded the nation of Israel, when God's glory was present and overshadowed the people (especially Ex 40:35 LXX; also Ex 13:21-22; 16:10; 19:16; 24:16; 40:34-38).
The voice speaks of Jesus as my Son, language that recalls Psalm 2:7. Whom I have chosen highlights Jesus' unique, elect status. The wording seems to be a conceptual allusion to Isaiah 42:1: here is God's chosen instrument of deliverance. The third remark is crucial, because it adds to the remark made at the baptism. Listen to him recalls the language of Deuteronomy 18:15. Jesus is a second Moses who brings a new way for God's people. The disciples must listen to this Jesus. Their tendency is to assume they know who Jesus is and what he is about, but as his instruction shows, there are some surprises coming. He is greater than his extremely illustrious witnesses. The disciples need to sit at his feet and learn.
Instantly everything returns to normal. The disciples are so overwhelmed that they remain silent about this event for years. The testimony of 2 Peter 1:16-21 tells us why. Only in light of the resurrection did they come to understand Jesus' majesty and glory. The transfiguration was confirming testimony to the glory of Christ, and the resurrection was the crowning endorsement. Revealed in light, he is the light. With the "exodus" came understanding--but only after much listening. When we are with Jesus, we experience the cloud of glory, if we have ears to hear.A Failed Miracle and a Call to Listen (9:37-43)
The transfiguration called the disciples to listen to Jesus.
Study 11: Jesus showed that he is God’s Son.
Bible Study: Moses and Elijah Appear With Jesus (Luke 9:28-36)
What has preceded in Luke Chapter 9
· Sending Out the Twelve
· Herod Seeks to See Jesus
· Feeding the Five Thousand
· Peter Confesses Jesus as the Christ
· Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection
· Take Up the Cross and Follow Him
Jesus Transfigured on the Mount
Luke 9: (also in Mark 9 and Matthew 17)
28 Now it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings, that He took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray.
Luke does not name the mountain.
It was probably Mount Hermon, near Caesarea Philippi .. where Peter had said that Jesus was the Messiah.
However, it could be Mount Tabor if Jesus had returned to Galilee during the week.
These three witnesses were used earlier in Luke 8:51 and later in Matt 26:37
29 As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white and glistening.
Luke does not use the word transfigured (which Matthew and Mark used), perhaps because it had been used so much in the Pagan theology . . But uses a phrase telling that His face had changed far from what it had been
His face shone far beyond what Moses's did when he came down from the mount
Jesus’ robe was white and glistering: in Greek —bright like lightning (a word used only here), to cover himself with light as with a robe.
When Christ humbled himself to pray, he was thus exalted
Matthew 17:2 says that Jesus’ face shone like the sun. Peter, James & John were able to see for a short time what Jesus will be like in his glory
30 And behold, two men talked with Him, who were Moses and Elijah,
Moses, through whom God gave the law, and Elijah, the great prophet, were both there.
This showed that Jesus was more important. He explained what the Law meant, and he made the message of the prophets come true.
Seeing Moses and Elijah would make Peter, James and John stronger in their belief that God’s servants would live again after they had died.
31 who appeared in glory and spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.
It was said in Matthew and Mark that Moses and Elias appeared to them; here it is said that they appeared in glory, to teach us that saints in Heaven are in glory; they shine in glory.
The Greek word that Luke used for Jesus’ death is ‘exodus’.
By his death on the cross, Jesus would rescue men from sin. Moses had rescued the Israelites when they were slaves in Egypt. That event was ‘the Exodus’.
Jesus’ death in Jerusalem would complete the purpose for which God sent him.
32 But Peter and those with him were heavy with sleep; and when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men who stood with Him.
These three were now asleep, when Christ was in his glory, as later on they were, when Jesus was in his agony;
see the weakness and frailty of human nature, even in the best people . . and what need we have for the grace of God.
Nothing could be more important to these disciples, one would think, than the glories and the agonies of their Master; and yet neither one would serve to keep them awake.
What need have we to pray to God for quickening grace, to make us not only alive, but lively!
33 Then it happened, as they were parting from Him, that Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said.
Peter did not understand why Jesus had brought them there
34 While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were fearful as they entered the cloud.
The cloud showed that God was there (Like when Moses went up Mt. Sinai in Exodus 24:15-16).
35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!”
Like at Jesus’ Baptism in Luke 3:22 . . . God was very pleased
36 When the voice had ceased, Jesus was found alone. But they kept quiet, and told no one in those days any of the things they had seen.
be quiet for a time until they understand what God is doing through Jesus
Many years later, Peter wrote of this experience in his second letter (2 Peter 1:16-18).
In this scene the call to listen comes at two levels. There is the divine voice, which stops all discussion between the disciples and Jesus, and there is the central instruction to listen to Jesus. The point in both cases is that instruction is needed, because the path Jesus walks is unexpected. If disciples are to understand that walk and follow in its footsteps, they will need to listen to him.
Why Moses and Elijah?
Moses and Elijah represent Jesus’ connection with God’s long-term plan of redemption.
Jesus is connected to both the Old Testament law and prophets.
He is not canceling or abolishing either.
His connection to these great men of faith is normal and expected.
the scene shows how Jesus stands superior to both men, who were great leaders in the history of Israel.
Luke makes the Moses connection explicit in various texts (Acts 3:18-22; 7:35-37), while Elijah is consistently a figure of “end times” hope (Lk 1:16-17, when John is pictured as such a figure). The event suggests two great periods of Israel's history, the exodus and the end-time hope of deliverance.
We go to work and go to church with the same people all the time .. But how much do we know about them ??
The disciples sure learned a lot about Jesus at this event.
If you had to prove that Jesus is God, how would you do it.
How were the disciples feeling ??
NOTES:
Luke was not one of the original witnesses who had seen and heard Jesus. But Luke had met some of these witnesses and heard their stories. He spent two years in Caesarea while Paul was in prison there (Acts 24:27). Luke would have found it easy to travel from there to collect information
The disciples are trying to come to grips with what is happening. In their view Jesus is another great figure, like Moses and Elijah. He will found a people like Moses and sustain them through hope like Elijah. So Peter suggests they together celebrate Tabernacles, a feast that looked forward to the “end times” (also called the Feast of Ingathering, Ex 23:16; 34:22; Lev 23:34; Deut 16:13; Zech 14:16-21). They should build three booths in honor of Jesus and his colleagues. The suggestion is eminently reasonable, except that it understates Jesus' relationship to his two witnesses. Peter wants to enjoy the moment and prolong it in celebration. He wants to stay on the mountaintop for as long as possible.
But Luke makes it clear that Peter has spoken because he did not know what he was saying. The voice from heaven explains: they need to listen to Jesus so they will understand his uniqueness, call and destiny to suffer. Also, their role is not merely to contemplate Jesus but to serve him. Celebration awaits in the future, but now is a time for instruction, response and action.
The voice from heaven speaks before Jesus responds. As was the case with the baptism, the voice describes who Jesus is. With the voice came the cloud that envelops them and leaves them fearful. The cloud symbolism is significant, though its meaning has engendered some controversy. The cloud could indicate God's presence as the heavens descend to the earth. But more likely is the suggestion of the new age's arrival, an age like that which founded the nation of Israel, when God's glory was present and overshadowed the people (especially Ex 40:35 LXX; also Ex 13:21-22; 16:10; 19:16; 24:16; 40:34-38).
The voice speaks of Jesus as my Son, language that recalls Psalm 2:7. Whom I have chosen highlights Jesus' unique, elect status. The wording seems to be a conceptual allusion to Isaiah 42:1: here is God's chosen instrument of deliverance. The third remark is crucial, because it adds to the remark made at the baptism. Listen to him recalls the language of Deuteronomy 18:15. Jesus is a second Moses who brings a new way for God's people. The disciples must listen to this Jesus. Their tendency is to assume they know who Jesus is and what he is about, but as his instruction shows, there are some surprises coming. He is greater than his extremely illustrious witnesses. The disciples need to sit at his feet and learn.
Instantly everything returns to normal. The disciples are so overwhelmed that they remain silent about this event for years. The testimony of 2 Peter 1:16-21 tells us why. Only in light of the resurrection did they come to understand Jesus' majesty and glory. The transfiguration was confirming testimony to the glory of Christ, and the resurrection was the crowning endorsement. Revealed in light, he is the light. With the "exodus" came understanding--but only after much listening. When we are with Jesus, we experience the cloud of glory, if we have ears to hear.A Failed Miracle and a Call to Listen (9:37-43)
The transfiguration called the disciples to listen to Jesus.
Luke 4:22-30
Date: Sunday, January 31, 2010
Study 9: Jesus deserves our love and gratitude.
Bible Study: Jesus Is Rejected in His Hometown (Luke 4:22-30)
SCRIPTURE STUDY
We last left with Jesus reading/teaching at the Synagogue in his hometown.
Luke 4:
22 So all bore witness to Him, and marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth. And they said, “Is this not Joseph’s son?”
They marveled at His words, but they could not even see that this was the Son of God
23 He said to them, “You will surely say this proverb to Me, ‘Physician, heal yourself! Whatever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in Your country.’”
24 Then He said, “Assuredly, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own country.
25 But I tell you truly, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a great famine throughout all the land;
26 but to none of them was Elijah sent except to Zarephath, in the region of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow.
· This was talked about in 1 Kgs 17:9-24 during a drought God told Elijah to go there
27 And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.”
· This was talked about in 2 Kings 5 when Elisha healed Naaman of leprosy
28 So all those in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath,
29 and rose up and thrust Him out of the city; and they led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, that they might throw Him down over the cliff.
30 Then passing through the midst of them, He went His way.
Jesus, Elijah, and Elisha had done miracles at other places because of the disbelief here “at home”
Elijah and Elisha were going to the Gentiles.
This really got them upset!
SUMMARY
Jesus' audience, the Jews, failed to see his true identity.
Instead, they were enraged by his teachings.
Jesus referred to himself as called to go to all people. God wanted all people!
Jesus' audience rejected His teaching and rejected what was really great news--God came to love and help all people. They simply missed the point of Jesus' amazing message.
NOTES
· Zarephath -- a Phoenician coastal city located about 10 mi south of Sidon (in modern Lebanon) and thus in Gentile territory; the Greek and Latin form of the name is Sarepta
CONVERSATION
If you met Jesus face to face, what would your reaction be ??
What has Jesus done for you ?? (and how does that make you feel ??)
What are some practical ways that we can respond to Jesus in everyday situations ??
Study 9: Jesus deserves our love and gratitude.
Bible Study: Jesus Is Rejected in His Hometown (Luke 4:22-30)
SCRIPTURE STUDY
We last left with Jesus reading/teaching at the Synagogue in his hometown.
Luke 4:
22 So all bore witness to Him, and marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth. And they said, “Is this not Joseph’s son?”
They marveled at His words, but they could not even see that this was the Son of God
23 He said to them, “You will surely say this proverb to Me, ‘Physician, heal yourself! Whatever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in Your country.’”
24 Then He said, “Assuredly, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own country.
25 But I tell you truly, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a great famine throughout all the land;
26 but to none of them was Elijah sent except to Zarephath, in the region of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow.
· This was talked about in 1 Kgs 17:9-24 during a drought God told Elijah to go there
27 And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.”
· This was talked about in 2 Kings 5 when Elisha healed Naaman of leprosy
28 So all those in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath,
29 and rose up and thrust Him out of the city; and they led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, that they might throw Him down over the cliff.
30 Then passing through the midst of them, He went His way.
Jesus, Elijah, and Elisha had done miracles at other places because of the disbelief here “at home”
Elijah and Elisha were going to the Gentiles.
This really got them upset!
SUMMARY
Jesus' audience, the Jews, failed to see his true identity.
Instead, they were enraged by his teachings.
Jesus referred to himself as called to go to all people. God wanted all people!
Jesus' audience rejected His teaching and rejected what was really great news--God came to love and help all people. They simply missed the point of Jesus' amazing message.
NOTES
· Zarephath -- a Phoenician coastal city located about 10 mi south of Sidon (in modern Lebanon) and thus in Gentile territory; the Greek and Latin form of the name is Sarepta
CONVERSATION
If you met Jesus face to face, what would your reaction be ??
What has Jesus done for you ?? (and how does that make you feel ??)
What are some practical ways that we can respond to Jesus in everyday situations ??
Luke 4:14-21
Date: Sunday, January 24, 2010
Study 8: Jesus came for all people.
Bible Study: Jesus Teaches in the Synagogue (Luke 4:14-21)
Luke 4:
Jesus Begins His Galilean Ministry
14 Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and news of Him went out through all the surrounding region.
Jesus had just returned from His time in the wilderness being tempted by Satan
Word had gotten around that He did not give in to any of the temptations … which most would have
15 And He taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.
Jesus Rejected at Nazareth
16 So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read.
Showing that he had a desire to read the Scripture to the congregation (Matthew 13:54; Mark 6:2).
It was the Jewish custom to read standing, but to preach sitting.
17 And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written:
So the scroll was given to Him and he read . . . As follows:
18 “ The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
Holy Spirit = Triune God
Directly + Interpretation from: Isaiah 61:1 + 42:7 + 58:6
19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.”
the year of jubilee, when all, both debtors and servants, were set free
20 Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him.
21 And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
You heard Me and hear I AM
Jesus went to his hometown of Nazareth.
he did as was his regular custom -- Christ taught in their synagogues, their places of public worship
where they met to read, expound, and apply the word, to pray and praise.
The emphasis Luke places on this description shows that Jesus was a pious Jew. He showed consistency in his religious behavior.
All the gifts and graces of the Spirit were upon him
by Christ, sinners may be free from the bonds of guilt
He came by the word of his gospel, to bring light to those that sat in the dark, and by the power of his grace, to give sight to those that were blind.
He preached during the acceptable year of the Lord.
liberty is already “in season”
This was no doubt a divinely arranged moment, for the Scripture reading was specific to the identity of Jesus. Jesus handed the scroll back to the attendant, who then placed the scroll in its secure location in the synagogue. Jesus then sat to instruct on what he had read.
This story helps us understand synagogue procedures. Jesus used such a gathering to help people understand who he was, as well as his mission in the world.
THIS was when Jesus wanted to reveal Himself . . . Not at the wedding.
Study 8: Jesus came for all people.
Bible Study: Jesus Teaches in the Synagogue (Luke 4:14-21)
Luke 4:
Jesus Begins His Galilean Ministry
14 Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and news of Him went out through all the surrounding region.
Jesus had just returned from His time in the wilderness being tempted by Satan
Word had gotten around that He did not give in to any of the temptations … which most would have
15 And He taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.
Jesus Rejected at Nazareth
16 So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read.
Showing that he had a desire to read the Scripture to the congregation (Matthew 13:54; Mark 6:2).
It was the Jewish custom to read standing, but to preach sitting.
17 And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written:
So the scroll was given to Him and he read . . . As follows:
18 “ The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
Holy Spirit = Triune God
Directly + Interpretation from: Isaiah 61:1 + 42:7 + 58:6
19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.”
the year of jubilee, when all, both debtors and servants, were set free
20 Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him.
21 And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
You heard Me and hear I AM
Jesus went to his hometown of Nazareth.
he did as was his regular custom -- Christ taught in their synagogues, their places of public worship
where they met to read, expound, and apply the word, to pray and praise.
The emphasis Luke places on this description shows that Jesus was a pious Jew. He showed consistency in his religious behavior.
All the gifts and graces of the Spirit were upon him
by Christ, sinners may be free from the bonds of guilt
He came by the word of his gospel, to bring light to those that sat in the dark, and by the power of his grace, to give sight to those that were blind.
He preached during the acceptable year of the Lord.
liberty is already “in season”
This was no doubt a divinely arranged moment, for the Scripture reading was specific to the identity of Jesus. Jesus handed the scroll back to the attendant, who then placed the scroll in its secure location in the synagogue. Jesus then sat to instruct on what he had read.
This story helps us understand synagogue procedures. Jesus used such a gathering to help people understand who he was, as well as his mission in the world.
THIS was when Jesus wanted to reveal Himself . . . Not at the wedding.
John 2:1-11
Date: Sunday, January 17, 2010
Study 7: Jesus did miracles to show us that He is God.
Bible Study: Jesus Performs His First Miracle (John 2:1-11)
· the exact location of Cana is uncertain
· it is certain that this was a town located in the region of Galilee (John 21:2)
· the name Cana literally means "the nest"
· Cana was also a point of origin for a particular nobleman who later sought out Jesus to help his ailing son (John 4:46)
· Cana is also the home of Nathaniel, one of Jesus' disciples (John 21:2)
John 2:
1And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:
The third day after John the Baptist saw Jesus and Jesus went on choosing His disciples
2And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.
Probably the wedding of a relative or a very close friend
3And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus said to him, They have no wine.
4Jesus said to her, Woman, what have I to do with you? my hour is not yet come.
Woman = not impolite, but does distance Jesus from Mary
Jesus uses the same term in love from the cross (John 19:26)
“your concern and mine are not the same”
He was not ready for His first miracle yet . . to be revealed as Christ
Mary is not worthy of the idolatry she receives
5His mother said to the servants, Whatever he said to you, do it.
6And there were set there six water pots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. (1-firkin = 84-gallons)
7Jesus said to them, Fill the water pots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.
8And he said to them, Draw out now, and bear to the governor of the feast. And they bore it.
9When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not from where it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,
10And said to him, Every man at the beginning does set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but you have kept the good wine until now.
· Jesus not only changes water to wine . . . but to fine wine!
11This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.
This transformation of water to wine is like the one He makes in us
MIRACLES . . . ??
Kids vs. Adults
Study 7: Jesus did miracles to show us that He is God.
Bible Study: Jesus Performs His First Miracle (John 2:1-11)
· the exact location of Cana is uncertain
· it is certain that this was a town located in the region of Galilee (John 21:2)
· the name Cana literally means "the nest"
· Cana was also a point of origin for a particular nobleman who later sought out Jesus to help his ailing son (John 4:46)
· Cana is also the home of Nathaniel, one of Jesus' disciples (John 21:2)
John 2:
1And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:
The third day after John the Baptist saw Jesus and Jesus went on choosing His disciples
2And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.
Probably the wedding of a relative or a very close friend
3And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus said to him, They have no wine.
4Jesus said to her, Woman, what have I to do with you? my hour is not yet come.
Woman = not impolite, but does distance Jesus from Mary
Jesus uses the same term in love from the cross (John 19:26)
“your concern and mine are not the same”
He was not ready for His first miracle yet . . to be revealed as Christ
Mary is not worthy of the idolatry she receives
5His mother said to the servants, Whatever he said to you, do it.
6And there were set there six water pots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. (1-firkin = 84-gallons)
7Jesus said to them, Fill the water pots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.
8And he said to them, Draw out now, and bear to the governor of the feast. And they bore it.
9When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not from where it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,
10And said to him, Every man at the beginning does set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but you have kept the good wine until now.
· Jesus not only changes water to wine . . . but to fine wine!
11This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.
This transformation of water to wine is like the one He makes in us
MIRACLES . . . ??
Kids vs. Adults
Luke 4:1-13
Date: Sunday, January 10, 2010
Study 6: With Jesus' help we can resist temptation.
Bible Study: Satan Tempts Jesus (Luke 4:1-13)
Matthew 4:1-11 ; Mark 1:12,13
Background The Nature of the Temptations
Jesus' temptations dealt with expectations people had about the coming messiah. Satan taunted, "If you do this, then…" Jesus resisted knowing he must be a messiah that brings more than what people thought they needed. The first temptation was to be a bread Messiah--"If you feed them, they will follow you." The second was for Jesus to be a spectacular Messiah--"Do miracles and wow the people. Then they will really appreciate you." Finally, Satan wanted Jesus to simply be a political leader, bowing to him and ruling the nations. Jesus knew that all these options were less than his real mission. He was to save people from their sins. Satan's temptations were diversions designed to knock Jesus off track. Jesus wouldn't have anything to do with it! Instead, the temptation experience focused Jesus towards his true purpose to take away the curse of sin.
Satan Tempts Jesus
1 Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,
He was led by God into Temptation --- God never tempts us, but . . .
2 being tempted for forty days by the devil. And in those days He ate nothing, and afterward, when they had ended, He was hungry.3 And the devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.”
4 But Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’” --- Jesus quotes Deut 8:3
5 Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. 7 Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.”
8 And Jesus answered and said to him, “Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’” --- Jesus quotes Deut 6:13
9 Then he brought Him to Jerusalem, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here.
10 For it is written: ‘ He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you,’ 11 and,
‘ In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’” --- Satan quotes Psalms 91:11,12
12 And Jesus answered and said to him, “It has been said, ‘You shall not tempt the LORD your God.’” --- Jesus quotes Deut 6:16
13 Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time.
Jesus Begins His Galilean Ministry
14 Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit
Every one of Jesus’ responses are from Scripture . . . how important is it to know the Bible?
Jesus was tempted in the face of conditions like we are … Adam/Eve were not.
Jesus did not have the bondage to sin like we have … this was a question of conflict.
We (and the Israelites of the OT) are delivered from bondage . . . temptation comes from conflict.
The Israelites were delivered from Egypt, they did not fight there . . . it was in Canaan that they fought and had conflicts.
As Christians, we are delivered from our bondage to sin . . . we are still tempted by the conflicts we face.
the temptations are arranged according to their moral order:
Luke re-ordered some of them from Matthew’s account . . Luke occasionally wrote logically instead of chronologically . . . And also may have wanted to put the Temple episode last .. due to the times.
bodily need
the world
Spiritual
In each the Lord maintains the positions of obedience to and dependence on … God
A simple principle, which protects us in every attack, but by its very simplicity, is perfection.
We find that simple obedience directed by the Word is the only weapon employed by Jesus. This obedience requires dependence on God, and trust in God, in order to accomplish it.
Satan is overcome and powerless before us when we act according to the power of the Holy Spirit. Bodily need would have become lust if self-will had entered into it, instead of dependence on the will of God;
the world and all its glory is in fact the kingdom of Satan (and it was on that ground that Satan tried to bring Jesus, and showed himself to be Satan in so doing);
self-exaltation in a religious way through the things which God has given us-these were the points of the enemy's attack. But there was no self-seeking in Jesus.
It is in temptation that obedience, having no will but that of God, dependence, the use of the Word, and giving ourselves completely to God, that we can gain the victory over it.
In all this the first Adam failed.
After Christ's victory, we also as servants of Christ gain actual victories, or rather the fruits of the victory already gained in the presence of God.
We fall short so we have God’s Grace . . . we should not reject His Grace.
Matthew and Mark talk about angels ministering to Jesus afterwards.
The next verse in the Bible (in Luke):
Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit
— Being more abundantly strengthened after the conflict.
Christ's being led into the wilderness gave an advantage to the tempter; for there he was alone, none were with him by whose prayers and advice he might be helped in the hour of temptation. He who knew his own strength might give Satan advantage; but we may not, who know our own weakness. Being in all things made like unto his brethren, Jesus would, like the other children of God, live in dependence upon the Divine Providence and promise. The word of God is our sword, and faith in that word is our shield. God has many ways of providing for his people, and therefore is at all times to be depended upon in the way of duty. All Satan's promises are deceitful; and if he is permitted to have any influence in disposing of the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them, he uses them as baits to insnare men to destruction. We should reject at once and with abhorrence, every opportunity of sinful gain or advancement, as a price offered for our souls; we should seek riches, honours, and happiness in the worship and service of God only. Christ will not worship Satan; nor, when he has the kingdoms of the world delivered to him by his Father, will he suffer any remains of the worship of the devil to continue in them. Satan also tempted Jesus to be his own murderer, by unfitting confidence in his Father's protection, such as he had no warrant for. Let not any abuse of Scripture by Satan or by men abate our esteem, or cause us to abandon its use; but let us study it still, seek to know it, and seek our defence from it in all kinds of assaults. Let this word dwell richly in us, for it is our life. Our victorious Redeemer conquered, not for himself only, but for us also. The devil ended all the temptation. Christ let him try all his force, and defeated him. Satan saw it was to no purpose to attack Christ, who had nothing in him for his fiery darts to fasten upon. And if we resist the devil, he will flee from us. Yet he departed but till the season when he was again to be let loose upon Jesus, not as a tempter, to draw him to sin, and so to strike at his head, at which he now aimed and was wholly defeated in; but as a persecutor, to bring Christ to suffer, and so to bruise his heel, which it was told him, he should have to do, and would do, though it would be the breaking of his own head, Genesis 3:15. Though Satan depart for a season, we shall never be out of his reach till removed from this present evil world.
Study 6: With Jesus' help we can resist temptation.
Bible Study: Satan Tempts Jesus (Luke 4:1-13)
Matthew 4:1-11 ; Mark 1:12,13
Background The Nature of the Temptations
Jesus' temptations dealt with expectations people had about the coming messiah. Satan taunted, "If you do this, then…" Jesus resisted knowing he must be a messiah that brings more than what people thought they needed. The first temptation was to be a bread Messiah--"If you feed them, they will follow you." The second was for Jesus to be a spectacular Messiah--"Do miracles and wow the people. Then they will really appreciate you." Finally, Satan wanted Jesus to simply be a political leader, bowing to him and ruling the nations. Jesus knew that all these options were less than his real mission. He was to save people from their sins. Satan's temptations were diversions designed to knock Jesus off track. Jesus wouldn't have anything to do with it! Instead, the temptation experience focused Jesus towards his true purpose to take away the curse of sin.
Satan Tempts Jesus
1 Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,
He was led by God into Temptation --- God never tempts us, but . . .
2 being tempted for forty days by the devil. And in those days He ate nothing, and afterward, when they had ended, He was hungry.3 And the devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.”
4 But Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’” --- Jesus quotes Deut 8:3
5 Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. 7 Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.”
8 And Jesus answered and said to him, “Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’” --- Jesus quotes Deut 6:13
9 Then he brought Him to Jerusalem, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here.
10 For it is written: ‘ He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you,’ 11 and,
‘ In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’” --- Satan quotes Psalms 91:11,12
12 And Jesus answered and said to him, “It has been said, ‘You shall not tempt the LORD your God.’” --- Jesus quotes Deut 6:16
13 Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time.
Jesus Begins His Galilean Ministry
14 Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit
Every one of Jesus’ responses are from Scripture . . . how important is it to know the Bible?
Jesus was tempted in the face of conditions like we are … Adam/Eve were not.
Jesus did not have the bondage to sin like we have … this was a question of conflict.
We (and the Israelites of the OT) are delivered from bondage . . . temptation comes from conflict.
The Israelites were delivered from Egypt, they did not fight there . . . it was in Canaan that they fought and had conflicts.
As Christians, we are delivered from our bondage to sin . . . we are still tempted by the conflicts we face.
the temptations are arranged according to their moral order:
Luke re-ordered some of them from Matthew’s account . . Luke occasionally wrote logically instead of chronologically . . . And also may have wanted to put the Temple episode last .. due to the times.
bodily need
the world
Spiritual
In each the Lord maintains the positions of obedience to and dependence on … God
A simple principle, which protects us in every attack, but by its very simplicity, is perfection.
We find that simple obedience directed by the Word is the only weapon employed by Jesus. This obedience requires dependence on God, and trust in God, in order to accomplish it.
Satan is overcome and powerless before us when we act according to the power of the Holy Spirit. Bodily need would have become lust if self-will had entered into it, instead of dependence on the will of God;
the world and all its glory is in fact the kingdom of Satan (and it was on that ground that Satan tried to bring Jesus, and showed himself to be Satan in so doing);
self-exaltation in a religious way through the things which God has given us-these were the points of the enemy's attack. But there was no self-seeking in Jesus.
It is in temptation that obedience, having no will but that of God, dependence, the use of the Word, and giving ourselves completely to God, that we can gain the victory over it.
In all this the first Adam failed.
After Christ's victory, we also as servants of Christ gain actual victories, or rather the fruits of the victory already gained in the presence of God.
We fall short so we have God’s Grace . . . we should not reject His Grace.
Matthew and Mark talk about angels ministering to Jesus afterwards.
The next verse in the Bible (in Luke):
Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit
— Being more abundantly strengthened after the conflict.
Christ's being led into the wilderness gave an advantage to the tempter; for there he was alone, none were with him by whose prayers and advice he might be helped in the hour of temptation. He who knew his own strength might give Satan advantage; but we may not, who know our own weakness. Being in all things made like unto his brethren, Jesus would, like the other children of God, live in dependence upon the Divine Providence and promise. The word of God is our sword, and faith in that word is our shield. God has many ways of providing for his people, and therefore is at all times to be depended upon in the way of duty. All Satan's promises are deceitful; and if he is permitted to have any influence in disposing of the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them, he uses them as baits to insnare men to destruction. We should reject at once and with abhorrence, every opportunity of sinful gain or advancement, as a price offered for our souls; we should seek riches, honours, and happiness in the worship and service of God only. Christ will not worship Satan; nor, when he has the kingdoms of the world delivered to him by his Father, will he suffer any remains of the worship of the devil to continue in them. Satan also tempted Jesus to be his own murderer, by unfitting confidence in his Father's protection, such as he had no warrant for. Let not any abuse of Scripture by Satan or by men abate our esteem, or cause us to abandon its use; but let us study it still, seek to know it, and seek our defence from it in all kinds of assaults. Let this word dwell richly in us, for it is our life. Our victorious Redeemer conquered, not for himself only, but for us also. The devil ended all the temptation. Christ let him try all his force, and defeated him. Satan saw it was to no purpose to attack Christ, who had nothing in him for his fiery darts to fasten upon. And if we resist the devil, he will flee from us. Yet he departed but till the season when he was again to be let loose upon Jesus, not as a tempter, to draw him to sin, and so to strike at his head, at which he now aimed and was wholly defeated in; but as a persecutor, to bring Christ to suffer, and so to bruise his heel, which it was told him, he should have to do, and would do, though it would be the breaking of his own head, Genesis 3:15. Though Satan depart for a season, we shall never be out of his reach till removed from this present evil world.
Luke 3:7-18
Date: Sunday, December 13, 2009
Study 2: Repenting prepares us for Jesus.
Bible Study: John Prepares People for Jesus' Coming (Luke 3:7-18)
Historical Background:
Israel had forsaken the Lord.
The goodness of God had still left the people in their land; but the world was under control of the Gentiles (Greeks/Romans).
Israel was now called to repent, to be forgiven, and to take a new place through the coming of the Messiah.
Thirty years have now passed since the birth of John and Jesus and it is time for the beginning of the ministry of Jesus Christ.
John and Jesus are both around the age of thirty when John begins his ministry of announcing the arrival of the Messiah and about six months later the Messiah steps on to the scene.
It was a very private 30-years for Jesus and John .. they didn't have any public ministry for those 30 years.
All we know about Jesus during these years we find in chapter 2 verse 40, "And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him." and verse 52, "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.”
God now breaks 425 years of prophetic silence. The last prophet that spoke was Malachi.
Before a king made a journey to a distant land, the roads he would travel were improved . . . In this same manner, moral and spiritual preparation for the Messiah was made by the ministry of John the Baptist.
What we have in the verses for today is just a sample of what John preached all day, every day, week after week, month after month. . . it gives us a pattern for our own preaching.
Luke 3:7-14 7 Then he said to the multitudes that came out to be baptized by him, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. 9 And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” 10 So the people asked him, saying, “What shall we do then?” 11 He answered and said to them, “He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.” 12 Then tax collectors also came to be baptized, and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” 13 And he said to them, “Collect no more than what is appointed for you.” 14 Likewise the soldiers asked him, saying, “And what shall we do?” So he said to them, “Do not intimidate anyone or accuse falsely, and be content with your wages.”
John uses strong words to address the crowd coming to him. They were coming to be baptized, which was a good thing. But John saw a deeper problem. They came to perform a religious act, but their hearts weren't changed. He called the whole lot of people a bunch of snakes.
Isaiah 59:5 -- They hatch vipers’ eggs and weave the spider’s web; He who eats of their eggs dies, And from that which is crushed a viper breaks out.
--- Men spreading evil and taking delight in it ---
John deals with three specific groups
“religious” folks
They don't actually ask for John's advice on how to change their hearts
they were typically blind to their spiritual poverty
John tells this group that their religious games are no good, and that the Jewish religious types aren't given a free pass into God's kingdom
each was to be judged according to his fruits .. even the Jews
the tax collectors, ask for help.
they want to know how to be right before God.
John tells them to operate with integrity as they collect taxes.
a group of soldiers ask for help
these were most likely Jewish soldiers (not Roman)
John encourages the soldiers not to use their authority to scare and bully people.
The professions of tax-collector and soldier were not condemned .. But the common, unethical practices associated with them were.
John speaks to a variety of people in the crowd--both the religious achievers and the religious dropouts.
Generically:
All need to love and help others on a personal basis.
All needed a change of heart as they prepared for the coming of Jesus.
They had to leave their sins behind and move towards their Savior
Repentance was necessary for the remission of sins
the baptism of water was an outward sign of that inward cleansing and renewal of heart
fulfilling of the Scriptures in the ministry of John . . . Isaiah 40:3
3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
“ Prepare the way of the LORD; Make straight in the desert A highway for our God.
removing all that hinders us
If we are not really holy, both in heart and life, our profession of religion and relation to God and his church will be meaningless and will end us up apart from God
John knew that judgment of the Jews was about to come .. And it did 40-years later when Jerusalem was destroyed.
Requirements for Salvation ??
Luke 3:15-18 15 Now as the people were in expectation, and all reasoned in their hearts about John, whether he was the Christ or not, 16 John answered, saying to all, “I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather the wheat into His barn; but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire.” 18 And with many other exhortations he preached to the people.
John did not let pride overcome him
John could only tell the people to repent and assure them of forgiveness upon repentance
he could not work repentance in them, nor give them remission on their sins
John can only baptize with water as a token that they ought to purify and cleanse themselves
but Christ can and will baptize with the Holy Ghost and give the Spirit to cleanse and purify the heart
Man was to repent … God Himself was coming
He baptizes with the Holy Ghost not just a renewal of desires, but power in grace in the midst of evil.
He baptizes with fire. This is judgment that consumes the evil.
What behavior(s) in your life most distracts you from experiencing faith in Jesus Christ?
What steps will you take to prepare your heart for Jesus during this Christmas season? Where do you need to apply an attitude of repentance?
A threshing-floor: Threshing Floors were used in the ancient world to separate grain from the chaff. This was usually a two step process. First, the cut stalks of grain were spread on the threshing floor and a threshing sledge was pulled over the stalks by oxen. The sledge was a simple wooden sled or heavy board with stone or metal spikes on the bottom that would break the heads of grain from the stalks (Isa 41:15-16). The same thing could be accomplished by having the oxen walk over the stalks (Deut 25:4) or by beating them with heavy sticks (Judg 6:11).
The second step was to toss the broken stalks into the air with a large forked tool, usually made out of wood. The wind would blow the lighter chaff to one side, while the heavier grain would fall into a pile, which could then be gathered. This process of separating grain from chaff by wind is called winnowing (Ruth 3:2, Isa 30:24). Because of the need for wind, threshing floors were normally located on hilltops or in large open fields, and were often used as landmarks (Gen 50:10, 2 Sam 6:6) or meeting places (1 Kngs 22:10). Since threshing floors were so crucial to the life of the people, they were highly valued, and were often vulnerable to raids by bandits or rival tribes (1 Sam 23:1).
Because of the process of separating the good from the bad, threshing and winnowing became common metaphors for judgement (Dan 2:35), especially in the prophets (Isa 21:10, Jer 15:7, 51:2, 33, Hos 13:3, etc.). John the Baptist picked up this metaphor and used it as warning of the activity of the Coming One (Matt 3:12, Luke 3:17). Only rarely is the idea of threshing used metaphorically in a positive context (Joel 2:24).
Archaeology –
in 1961 there was discovered a dedication plaque on a building called the Tiberium and on that plaque is the name "Pontius Pilate." Pontius Pilate is a real person. He has the dedicatory plaque because he built the building in honor of Tiberius and called it "Tiberium."
On that plaque he is called "Prefectus." Prefectus was the official title. He was a Roman Prefect...a Roman Prefect. Later on that word in verse...in I think 46 A.D. was changed to Procurator. Sometimes you hear Pilate called a procurator, but that wouldn't have been true until 46 A.D. and Pilate was through in 36, so he was never called a procurator. In 70 A.D. they changed it to alegate(?), he wouldn't have been called that either. By then he was certainly dead. But he was a prefect.
One other person is named, Lysanias, tetrarch of Abilene. He's the only Texan in the group. I don't know if you people realize that Abilene is a Bible name, but it is. And for years critics said Luke is wrong here, he doesn't...Luke's history is bad here because the Lysanias we know about in history lived...died 34, 36 B.C. and he was killed by Marc Antony, so Luke's way off because Lysanias has got to be dead for fifty-some years by this time. That was until recent archaeologists have discovered some tablets with inscriptions showing Luke's accuracy to be precise. The record of these inscriptions tells us there was another man named Lysanias who ruled precisely in the time of John and precisely in the region of Abilene which is north of Galilee and west of Damascus. And so the archaeologists have aided us in supporting the testimony of Luke.
John received the Word:
If you go back in to Genesis 15 you run into the great patriarch, the father of Israel, the greatest of all Jews because he's the first one that launched the Jewish people by the covenant with God, his name is Abraham. And in Genesis 15:1 it says, "The word of the Lord came to Abraham." In 1 Samuel 15:10 it says, "The word of the Lord came to Samuel." In 2 Samuel 7:4, "The word of the Lord came to the prophet Nathan." In 1 Kings 17 it says, "The word of the Lord came to Elijah." And so the word of the Lord, or the word of God coming to someone was indicative of a calling from God, and we find that particularly illustrated among the prophets.
Study 2: Repenting prepares us for Jesus.
Bible Study: John Prepares People for Jesus' Coming (Luke 3:7-18)
Historical Background:
Israel had forsaken the Lord.
The goodness of God had still left the people in their land; but the world was under control of the Gentiles (Greeks/Romans).
Israel was now called to repent, to be forgiven, and to take a new place through the coming of the Messiah.
Thirty years have now passed since the birth of John and Jesus and it is time for the beginning of the ministry of Jesus Christ.
John and Jesus are both around the age of thirty when John begins his ministry of announcing the arrival of the Messiah and about six months later the Messiah steps on to the scene.
It was a very private 30-years for Jesus and John .. they didn't have any public ministry for those 30 years.
All we know about Jesus during these years we find in chapter 2 verse 40, "And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him." and verse 52, "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.”
God now breaks 425 years of prophetic silence. The last prophet that spoke was Malachi.
Before a king made a journey to a distant land, the roads he would travel were improved . . . In this same manner, moral and spiritual preparation for the Messiah was made by the ministry of John the Baptist.
What we have in the verses for today is just a sample of what John preached all day, every day, week after week, month after month. . . it gives us a pattern for our own preaching.
Luke 3:7-14 7 Then he said to the multitudes that came out to be baptized by him, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. 9 And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” 10 So the people asked him, saying, “What shall we do then?” 11 He answered and said to them, “He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.” 12 Then tax collectors also came to be baptized, and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” 13 And he said to them, “Collect no more than what is appointed for you.” 14 Likewise the soldiers asked him, saying, “And what shall we do?” So he said to them, “Do not intimidate anyone or accuse falsely, and be content with your wages.”
John uses strong words to address the crowd coming to him. They were coming to be baptized, which was a good thing. But John saw a deeper problem. They came to perform a religious act, but their hearts weren't changed. He called the whole lot of people a bunch of snakes.
Isaiah 59:5 -- They hatch vipers’ eggs and weave the spider’s web; He who eats of their eggs dies, And from that which is crushed a viper breaks out.
--- Men spreading evil and taking delight in it ---
John deals with three specific groups
“religious” folks
They don't actually ask for John's advice on how to change their hearts
they were typically blind to their spiritual poverty
John tells this group that their religious games are no good, and that the Jewish religious types aren't given a free pass into God's kingdom
each was to be judged according to his fruits .. even the Jews
the tax collectors, ask for help.
they want to know how to be right before God.
John tells them to operate with integrity as they collect taxes.
a group of soldiers ask for help
these were most likely Jewish soldiers (not Roman)
John encourages the soldiers not to use their authority to scare and bully people.
The professions of tax-collector and soldier were not condemned .. But the common, unethical practices associated with them were.
John speaks to a variety of people in the crowd--both the religious achievers and the religious dropouts.
Generically:
All need to love and help others on a personal basis.
All needed a change of heart as they prepared for the coming of Jesus.
They had to leave their sins behind and move towards their Savior
Repentance was necessary for the remission of sins
the baptism of water was an outward sign of that inward cleansing and renewal of heart
fulfilling of the Scriptures in the ministry of John . . . Isaiah 40:3
3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
“ Prepare the way of the LORD; Make straight in the desert A highway for our God.
removing all that hinders us
If we are not really holy, both in heart and life, our profession of religion and relation to God and his church will be meaningless and will end us up apart from God
John knew that judgment of the Jews was about to come .. And it did 40-years later when Jerusalem was destroyed.
Requirements for Salvation ??
Luke 3:15-18 15 Now as the people were in expectation, and all reasoned in their hearts about John, whether he was the Christ or not, 16 John answered, saying to all, “I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather the wheat into His barn; but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire.” 18 And with many other exhortations he preached to the people.
John did not let pride overcome him
John could only tell the people to repent and assure them of forgiveness upon repentance
he could not work repentance in them, nor give them remission on their sins
John can only baptize with water as a token that they ought to purify and cleanse themselves
but Christ can and will baptize with the Holy Ghost and give the Spirit to cleanse and purify the heart
Man was to repent … God Himself was coming
He baptizes with the Holy Ghost not just a renewal of desires, but power in grace in the midst of evil.
He baptizes with fire. This is judgment that consumes the evil.
What behavior(s) in your life most distracts you from experiencing faith in Jesus Christ?
What steps will you take to prepare your heart for Jesus during this Christmas season? Where do you need to apply an attitude of repentance?
A threshing-floor: Threshing Floors were used in the ancient world to separate grain from the chaff. This was usually a two step process. First, the cut stalks of grain were spread on the threshing floor and a threshing sledge was pulled over the stalks by oxen. The sledge was a simple wooden sled or heavy board with stone or metal spikes on the bottom that would break the heads of grain from the stalks (Isa 41:15-16). The same thing could be accomplished by having the oxen walk over the stalks (Deut 25:4) or by beating them with heavy sticks (Judg 6:11).
The second step was to toss the broken stalks into the air with a large forked tool, usually made out of wood. The wind would blow the lighter chaff to one side, while the heavier grain would fall into a pile, which could then be gathered. This process of separating grain from chaff by wind is called winnowing (Ruth 3:2, Isa 30:24). Because of the need for wind, threshing floors were normally located on hilltops or in large open fields, and were often used as landmarks (Gen 50:10, 2 Sam 6:6) or meeting places (1 Kngs 22:10). Since threshing floors were so crucial to the life of the people, they were highly valued, and were often vulnerable to raids by bandits or rival tribes (1 Sam 23:1).
Because of the process of separating the good from the bad, threshing and winnowing became common metaphors for judgement (Dan 2:35), especially in the prophets (Isa 21:10, Jer 15:7, 51:2, 33, Hos 13:3, etc.). John the Baptist picked up this metaphor and used it as warning of the activity of the Coming One (Matt 3:12, Luke 3:17). Only rarely is the idea of threshing used metaphorically in a positive context (Joel 2:24).
Archaeology –
in 1961 there was discovered a dedication plaque on a building called the Tiberium and on that plaque is the name "Pontius Pilate." Pontius Pilate is a real person. He has the dedicatory plaque because he built the building in honor of Tiberius and called it "Tiberium."
On that plaque he is called "Prefectus." Prefectus was the official title. He was a Roman Prefect...a Roman Prefect. Later on that word in verse...in I think 46 A.D. was changed to Procurator. Sometimes you hear Pilate called a procurator, but that wouldn't have been true until 46 A.D. and Pilate was through in 36, so he was never called a procurator. In 70 A.D. they changed it to alegate(?), he wouldn't have been called that either. By then he was certainly dead. But he was a prefect.
One other person is named, Lysanias, tetrarch of Abilene. He's the only Texan in the group. I don't know if you people realize that Abilene is a Bible name, but it is. And for years critics said Luke is wrong here, he doesn't...Luke's history is bad here because the Lysanias we know about in history lived...died 34, 36 B.C. and he was killed by Marc Antony, so Luke's way off because Lysanias has got to be dead for fifty-some years by this time. That was until recent archaeologists have discovered some tablets with inscriptions showing Luke's accuracy to be precise. The record of these inscriptions tells us there was another man named Lysanias who ruled precisely in the time of John and precisely in the region of Abilene which is north of Galilee and west of Damascus. And so the archaeologists have aided us in supporting the testimony of Luke.
John received the Word:
If you go back in to Genesis 15 you run into the great patriarch, the father of Israel, the greatest of all Jews because he's the first one that launched the Jewish people by the covenant with God, his name is Abraham. And in Genesis 15:1 it says, "The word of the Lord came to Abraham." In 1 Samuel 15:10 it says, "The word of the Lord came to Samuel." In 2 Samuel 7:4, "The word of the Lord came to the prophet Nathan." In 1 Kings 17 it says, "The word of the Lord came to Elijah." And so the word of the Lord, or the word of God coming to someone was indicative of a calling from God, and we find that particularly illustrated among the prophets.
Luke 1:68-79
Date: Sunday, December 6, 2009
Winter Week 1: Zechariah Prophesies About Jesus (Luke 1:68-79)
Bible Point: the world needs Jesus.
Background Who Was Zacharias ?
Zacharias was a priest in Jerusalem. His name meant, "The Lord (Yah) remembered." He was married to Elizabeth and the father of John the Baptist. A monumental moment for Zechariah came when he was serving in his priestly role at the Jerusalem temple. While burning incense, an angel of the Lord appeared to him. The angel promised a child to Zechariah, who was quite old at the time. Knowing that his wife was past the childbearing years, Zachariah asked for a sign. The angel responded to his lack of faith by taking away his capacity to speak until the day of his son's birth. Once Zechariah's son was born and named John, his voice returned. Being filled with the Holy Spirit, Zechariah then prophesied about the greater meaning of John's birth, namely the coming of Jesus.
Read Luke 1 : 68-79
v69 -- horn of salvation — a glorious and mighty Savior.
v70 -- who have been since the world began — there were prophets from the beginning.
v74 -- serve him without fear — Without any slavish fear. Here is the substance of the great promise. That we shall be always holy, always happy: that being delivered from Satan and sin, we shall joyfully love and serve God, in every thought, word, and deed.
v76 -- And thou, child — he speaks of John; not as a parent, but as a prophet.
v77 -- give knowledge of salvation by the remission of sins — The knowledge of the remission of our sins being the grand instrument of present and eternal salvation, Hebrews 8:11,12. But the immediate sense of the words seems to be, to preach to them the Gospel doctrine of salvation by the remission of their sins.
v78 -- The day spring — Or the rising sun; that is, Christ.
Zacharias told of the kingdom and salvation of the Messiah.
The gospel brings light with it
In John the Baptist it began
The gospel is discovering;
it shows us where we are in the dark
it gives light to those that sit in darkness
It is reviving; it brings light to those that sit in the shadow of death
It is directing … it guides our feet in the way of peace, love, and happiness
let us diligently seek to grow strong in the grace of Jesus Christ.
Luke 11:33-36 . . . 33 “No one, when he has lit a lamp, puts it in a secret place or under a basket, but on a lampstand, that those who come in may see the light. 34 The lamp of the body is the eye. Therefore, when your eye is good, your whole body also is full of light. But when your eye is bad, your body also is full of darkness. 35 Therefore take heed that the light which is in you is not darkness. 36 If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, the whole body will be full of light, as when the bright shining of a lamp gives you light.”
John 1:4-9 .. 8:12 . . . 1 : 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9 That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.
8 : 12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
Acts 26:13-18 . . . 13 at midday, O king, along the road I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed with me. 14 And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ 15 So I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 16 But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you. 17 I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, 18 to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’
2 Corinthians 4:6 . . . 6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 2:9 . . . 9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
1 John 1:5-7 .. 2:9-10 . . . 5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
2 : 9 He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. 10 He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him.
Over the span of your life, think about the ways Jesus has been described to you. Has he been described as someone you "need" in your life, or someone you might "want" in your life?
How would a sense of "needing" Jesus differ from "wanting" Jesus?
On a scale of 1 to 10, how much do you feel like you depend on Jesus in your everyday routine?
Winter Week 1: Zechariah Prophesies About Jesus (Luke 1:68-79)
Bible Point: the world needs Jesus.
Background Who Was Zacharias ?
Zacharias was a priest in Jerusalem. His name meant, "The Lord (Yah) remembered." He was married to Elizabeth and the father of John the Baptist. A monumental moment for Zechariah came when he was serving in his priestly role at the Jerusalem temple. While burning incense, an angel of the Lord appeared to him. The angel promised a child to Zechariah, who was quite old at the time. Knowing that his wife was past the childbearing years, Zachariah asked for a sign. The angel responded to his lack of faith by taking away his capacity to speak until the day of his son's birth. Once Zechariah's son was born and named John, his voice returned. Being filled with the Holy Spirit, Zechariah then prophesied about the greater meaning of John's birth, namely the coming of Jesus.
Read Luke 1 : 68-79
v69 -- horn of salvation — a glorious and mighty Savior.
v70 -- who have been since the world began — there were prophets from the beginning.
v74 -- serve him without fear — Without any slavish fear. Here is the substance of the great promise. That we shall be always holy, always happy: that being delivered from Satan and sin, we shall joyfully love and serve God, in every thought, word, and deed.
v76 -- And thou, child — he speaks of John; not as a parent, but as a prophet.
v77 -- give knowledge of salvation by the remission of sins — The knowledge of the remission of our sins being the grand instrument of present and eternal salvation, Hebrews 8:11,12. But the immediate sense of the words seems to be, to preach to them the Gospel doctrine of salvation by the remission of their sins.
v78 -- The day spring — Or the rising sun; that is, Christ.
Zacharias told of the kingdom and salvation of the Messiah.
The gospel brings light with it
In John the Baptist it began
The gospel is discovering;
it shows us where we are in the dark
it gives light to those that sit in darkness
It is reviving; it brings light to those that sit in the shadow of death
It is directing … it guides our feet in the way of peace, love, and happiness
let us diligently seek to grow strong in the grace of Jesus Christ.
Luke 11:33-36 . . . 33 “No one, when he has lit a lamp, puts it in a secret place or under a basket, but on a lampstand, that those who come in may see the light. 34 The lamp of the body is the eye. Therefore, when your eye is good, your whole body also is full of light. But when your eye is bad, your body also is full of darkness. 35 Therefore take heed that the light which is in you is not darkness. 36 If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, the whole body will be full of light, as when the bright shining of a lamp gives you light.”
John 1:4-9 .. 8:12 . . . 1 : 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9 That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.
8 : 12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
Acts 26:13-18 . . . 13 at midday, O king, along the road I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed with me. 14 And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ 15 So I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 16 But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you. 17 I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, 18 to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’
2 Corinthians 4:6 . . . 6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 2:9 . . . 9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
1 John 1:5-7 .. 2:9-10 . . . 5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
2 : 9 He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. 10 He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him.
Over the span of your life, think about the ways Jesus has been described to you. Has he been described as someone you "need" in your life, or someone you might "want" in your life?
How would a sense of "needing" Jesus differ from "wanting" Jesus?
On a scale of 1 to 10, how much do you feel like you depend on Jesus in your everyday routine?
Joshua 6:1-27
Date: Sunday, November 29, 2009
Study #13: God's power works for good in our lives.
Bible Study: God Gives Victory Over Jericho (Joshua 6:1-27)
REVIEW: in chapter 5,
God told Joshua to circumcise everyone (all males under 40)
God stopped providing manna (no longer needed)
Jesus appears to Joshua as the Commander of the army of the Lord.
Background Joshua's Strategy
Joshua had a well thought-out strategy for how he would lead the Israelites in conquering the land of Canaan (see Joshua 5-12). His method was to divide and conquer the major kingdoms in the land.
First, the cities of Jericho and Ai were destroyed.
Next, Joshua moved into the central part of Canaan. In a battle that was soon to follow, Joshua--with God's leadership, guidance, and divine intervention--defeated a coalition of five Canaanite kings.
Then he moved to defeat Canaanite cities to the south.
Finally, he led a campaign into the north. The whole campaign lasted five years with very little Canaanite resistance left!
Joshua 6 . . . The Destruction of Jericho
the siege of Jericho. (vv. 1-5)
Jericho was afraid of Israel and what they had heard about them .. So it shut itself up being well fortified.
They were foolish, strengthening themselves against God.
No warlike preparations were to be made.
the Lord honored the ark (Jesus) and showed that all the victories were from Him.
The faith and patience of the people were proved and increased.
I imagine these words to Joshua spread around to the marching Israelites . . . Imagine the anticipation of the marchers on that seventh time around on the seventh day!
A relationship with Jesus allows us to walk in confidence … with solid anticipation of things to come
How do you think the Israelites WERE preparing for battle before God gave them their instructions ??
Prepared their weapons
Talked strategy
How do you think the soldiers reacted after hearing God’s instructions ??
Shocked
Silly
but they must have trusted God
the city is surrounded. (vv. 6-16) 12 … early in the morning, …15 … they rose early …
Wherever the ark went, the people attended it.
We also must follow Jesus in this same way.
and promised deliverances must be expected from God .. In His time.
The shout:
was a shout of faith for they believed the walls of Jericho would fall
it was a shout of prayer; they cried to Heaven for help, and help came.
Jericho is taken, Rahab and her family are saved. (vv. 17-27) 25 … to this day … 26 … “Cursed be
They DID destroy the entire city.
Jericho was a sacrifice to the Justice of God
As with Rahab and us, our portion of Justice must be assigned as we posses or disregard the signs of Salvation
Rahab did not perish with those that did not believe in God . . Rahab’s Faith “in Christ” brought her Salvation.
God shows the weight of His curse … there is no getting out from under it … it brings ruin
Another event, like the destruction of the Amorites who never turned to God, where God uses His people to give punishment to those who do not believe in Him
Archaeologists have found the cities of Jericho, but don’t know which one the Israelites destroyed … because every one of them were destroyed! (Joshua’s curse in 6:26)
What’s the most surprising thing about this event ??
That the Israelites did what they were told
That the wall really did fall down and Jericho did not attack
Why do you think God waited for the seventh rounding on the seventh day ??
How did God use His power here . . and why ??
Where in your life, right now, do you need God's powerful intervention ??
Study #13: God's power works for good in our lives.
Bible Study: God Gives Victory Over Jericho (Joshua 6:1-27)
REVIEW: in chapter 5,
God told Joshua to circumcise everyone (all males under 40)
God stopped providing manna (no longer needed)
Jesus appears to Joshua as the Commander of the army of the Lord.
Background Joshua's Strategy
Joshua had a well thought-out strategy for how he would lead the Israelites in conquering the land of Canaan (see Joshua 5-12). His method was to divide and conquer the major kingdoms in the land.
First, the cities of Jericho and Ai were destroyed.
Next, Joshua moved into the central part of Canaan. In a battle that was soon to follow, Joshua--with God's leadership, guidance, and divine intervention--defeated a coalition of five Canaanite kings.
Then he moved to defeat Canaanite cities to the south.
Finally, he led a campaign into the north. The whole campaign lasted five years with very little Canaanite resistance left!
Joshua 6 . . . The Destruction of Jericho
the siege of Jericho. (vv. 1-5)
Jericho was afraid of Israel and what they had heard about them .. So it shut itself up being well fortified.
They were foolish, strengthening themselves against God.
No warlike preparations were to be made.
the Lord honored the ark (Jesus) and showed that all the victories were from Him.
The faith and patience of the people were proved and increased.
I imagine these words to Joshua spread around to the marching Israelites . . . Imagine the anticipation of the marchers on that seventh time around on the seventh day!
A relationship with Jesus allows us to walk in confidence … with solid anticipation of things to come
How do you think the Israelites WERE preparing for battle before God gave them their instructions ??
Prepared their weapons
Talked strategy
How do you think the soldiers reacted after hearing God’s instructions ??
Shocked
Silly
but they must have trusted God
the city is surrounded. (vv. 6-16) 12 … early in the morning, …15 … they rose early …
Wherever the ark went, the people attended it.
We also must follow Jesus in this same way.
and promised deliverances must be expected from God .. In His time.
The shout:
was a shout of faith for they believed the walls of Jericho would fall
it was a shout of prayer; they cried to Heaven for help, and help came.
Jericho is taken, Rahab and her family are saved. (vv. 17-27) 25 … to this day … 26 … “Cursed be
They DID destroy the entire city.
Jericho was a sacrifice to the Justice of God
As with Rahab and us, our portion of Justice must be assigned as we posses or disregard the signs of Salvation
Rahab did not perish with those that did not believe in God . . Rahab’s Faith “in Christ” brought her Salvation.
God shows the weight of His curse … there is no getting out from under it … it brings ruin
Another event, like the destruction of the Amorites who never turned to God, where God uses His people to give punishment to those who do not believe in Him
Archaeologists have found the cities of Jericho, but don’t know which one the Israelites destroyed … because every one of them were destroyed! (Joshua’s curse in 6:26)
What’s the most surprising thing about this event ??
That the Israelites did what they were told
That the wall really did fall down and Jericho did not attack
Why do you think God waited for the seventh rounding on the seventh day ??
How did God use His power here . . and why ??
Where in your life, right now, do you need God's powerful intervention ??
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