Read Genesis 1:1-13
Text:
1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
2 Now the earth was [a] formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
3 And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.
6 And God said, "Let there be an expanse between the waters to separate water from water." 7 So God made the expanse and separated the water under the expanse from the water above it. And it was so. 8 God called the expanse "sky." And there was evening, and there was morning—the second day.
9 And God said, "Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear." And it was so. 10 God called the dry ground "land," and the gathered waters he called "seas." And God saw that it was good.
11 Then God said, "Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds." And it was so. 12 The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. 13 And there was evening, and there was morning—the third day. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
It is impossible for me to comprehend total darkness. I've toured caves where the guide would turn off all the lights so the visitors could understand what the cave was like without any illumination. The darkness is so complete you can almost feel it. You cannot see anything or anyone...you literally cannot see your hand in front of your face. In that instant comfort seems to flee...there is an overwhelming sense that you aren't alone anymore...and whomever or whatever that is out there with you is not too thrilled with your presence. Evil seems to breed in darkness.
Yet in that type of a setting, God sent his own spirit to hover as he brought his light and goodness to the world. I always wondered about the way this light was created. Did it start slowly, like a sunrise? Or did he just turn on the floodlights all at once?
Monday, April 30, 2007
Friday, April 27, 2007
Apr 27 - Rooted in Love
Read Ephesians 3:14-21
Context: Paul wrote to the Ephesians while he was in prison so they could better understand God's purposes for the church. He has just finished proclaiming God's will that the Gentiles be joint heirs with Israel through the promise of Christ.
Text:
14For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15from whom his whole family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
20Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (NIV)
Footnotes:
Ephesians 3:15 Or whom all fatherhood
taken from www.biblegateway.com
When I think about being 'rooted and established', I can't help but think of some Missouri Primrose plants I purchased about fifteen years ago. They had somewhat leggy stems and pretty pink cup-like blossoms. Over the course of the year these plants thickened up. They bloom in early summer and the foliage turns a rusty color in the fall. The second year they came back with vigor, and in the third year they pretty much took over the garden.
I decided to rip them out and plant something less invasive. I quickly learned that the foot long stems had roots that were much longer and branched everywhere. New stems would grow from any piece of root. To take these flowers out of the garden effectively I would have to take out all of the dirt and start over. To this day I still get 50 - 100 plants that I have to remove. The roots have even extended under the sidewalk to the other side of the garden.
While these flowers are unwanted in my garden, I want Christ to be rooted in me the same way these flowers are rooted in my garden. I want his influence to so permeate my being that nothing in this world can remove it. No matter what I do I want Christ's love and power to continue to sprout in my life and to be reflected in my actions!
Context: Paul wrote to the Ephesians while he was in prison so they could better understand God's purposes for the church. He has just finished proclaiming God's will that the Gentiles be joint heirs with Israel through the promise of Christ.
Text:
14For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15from whom his whole family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
20Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (NIV)
Footnotes:
Ephesians 3:15 Or whom all fatherhood
taken from www.biblegateway.com
When I think about being 'rooted and established', I can't help but think of some Missouri Primrose plants I purchased about fifteen years ago. They had somewhat leggy stems and pretty pink cup-like blossoms. Over the course of the year these plants thickened up. They bloom in early summer and the foliage turns a rusty color in the fall. The second year they came back with vigor, and in the third year they pretty much took over the garden.
I decided to rip them out and plant something less invasive. I quickly learned that the foot long stems had roots that were much longer and branched everywhere. New stems would grow from any piece of root. To take these flowers out of the garden effectively I would have to take out all of the dirt and start over. To this day I still get 50 - 100 plants that I have to remove. The roots have even extended under the sidewalk to the other side of the garden.
While these flowers are unwanted in my garden, I want Christ to be rooted in me the same way these flowers are rooted in my garden. I want his influence to so permeate my being that nothing in this world can remove it. No matter what I do I want Christ's love and power to continue to sprout in my life and to be reflected in my actions!
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Apr 26 - The Believers' Prayer
Read Acts 4:23-30
Context: Peter and John have just healed a 40 year old man who had been crippled from birth. They spoke powerfully to the onlookers about Christ. The priests and the Sadducees were disturbed and they threw Peter and John in jail for the night. The next day the officials released them, but they were told never to speak in Jesus' name again. Peter and John refused to follow those orders.
Text:
23On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. "Sovereign Lord," they said, "you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. 25You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:
" 'Why do the nations rage
and the peoples plot in vain?
26The kings of the earth take their stand
and the rulers gather together
against the Lord
and against his Anointed One.[a]'[b]
27Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people[c] of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. 28They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. 29Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus." (NIV)
Footnotes:
Acts 4:26 That is, Christ or Messiah
Acts 4:26 Psalm 2:1,2
Acts 4:27 The Greek is plural.
taken from www.biblegateway.com
This is the first specific reference to a healing since Jesus has ascended to Heaven. And it's the first time that any of the disciples have been jailed for their beliefs/actions. They weren't exactly sure what the charges against them were (was it illegal to speak of Jesus?), and they didn't know if their fate would be the same as their beloved Saviors'. We don't hear anything about their time in jail...was it spent praying? singing?
After their release, the believer's prayed. I find it interesting that they didn't pray for the threats to be taken away, only for boldness with which to share the gospel message.
How can we change our prayers to focus on the outcome of sharing instead of requests that our difficulties cease?
Context: Peter and John have just healed a 40 year old man who had been crippled from birth. They spoke powerfully to the onlookers about Christ. The priests and the Sadducees were disturbed and they threw Peter and John in jail for the night. The next day the officials released them, but they were told never to speak in Jesus' name again. Peter and John refused to follow those orders.
Text:
23On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. "Sovereign Lord," they said, "you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. 25You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:
" 'Why do the nations rage
and the peoples plot in vain?
26The kings of the earth take their stand
and the rulers gather together
against the Lord
and against his Anointed One.[a]'[b]
27Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people[c] of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. 28They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. 29Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus." (NIV)
Footnotes:
Acts 4:26 That is, Christ or Messiah
Acts 4:26 Psalm 2:1,2
Acts 4:27 The Greek is plural.
taken from www.biblegateway.com
This is the first specific reference to a healing since Jesus has ascended to Heaven. And it's the first time that any of the disciples have been jailed for their beliefs/actions. They weren't exactly sure what the charges against them were (was it illegal to speak of Jesus?), and they didn't know if their fate would be the same as their beloved Saviors'. We don't hear anything about their time in jail...was it spent praying? singing?
After their release, the believer's prayed. I find it interesting that they didn't pray for the threats to be taken away, only for boldness with which to share the gospel message.
How can we change our prayers to focus on the outcome of sharing instead of requests that our difficulties cease?
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Apr 25 - He Prayed That We'd Be One
Read John 17:20-26
Context: Jesus is in the Garden of Gethsemane praying alone while his disciples drift off to sleep. He has prayed in agony asking God to take away the pain to come and he has reconciled his destiny. He prays that his disciples may be sanctified by truth.
Text:
20"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 24"Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. 25"Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them." (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
Can you believe that Jesus actually prayed for you? We, the believers, were on his mind even when he knew his arrest and crucifixion were imminent. It is so sad to me, though, that as a church we have not lived up to his prayer. His top concern for us is that we may all be one. In fact he mentions it three times.
As Christian believers we have segmented ourselves beyond recognition. I don't have any idea how many denominations there are, and more probably pop up each week because we can't agree on what the Word says. And each group believes that it has the right answer.
I may be on a soap box here, but why is it that we stick so closely to our own kind? Even FCCF, which proclaims to be nondenominational, doesn't interact with other churches in the area. It seems that we could really change the world, or at least our little part of it, if we could join together with the others, Baptist, Church of God, Nazarene, etc. and focus on what Christ wanted us to do -- to be in unity to let the world know that God sent his son for our sakes. Imagine the change that all the Christian teens, banded together, could make in our schools. That all the Christian women and men could make in our community. Do we rejoice over sinners saved and baptized in any facility other than our own?
It feels like we have let Jesus down.
Context: Jesus is in the Garden of Gethsemane praying alone while his disciples drift off to sleep. He has prayed in agony asking God to take away the pain to come and he has reconciled his destiny. He prays that his disciples may be sanctified by truth.
Text:
20"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 24"Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. 25"Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them." (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
Can you believe that Jesus actually prayed for you? We, the believers, were on his mind even when he knew his arrest and crucifixion were imminent. It is so sad to me, though, that as a church we have not lived up to his prayer. His top concern for us is that we may all be one. In fact he mentions it three times.
As Christian believers we have segmented ourselves beyond recognition. I don't have any idea how many denominations there are, and more probably pop up each week because we can't agree on what the Word says. And each group believes that it has the right answer.
I may be on a soap box here, but why is it that we stick so closely to our own kind? Even FCCF, which proclaims to be nondenominational, doesn't interact with other churches in the area. It seems that we could really change the world, or at least our little part of it, if we could join together with the others, Baptist, Church of God, Nazarene, etc. and focus on what Christ wanted us to do -- to be in unity to let the world know that God sent his son for our sakes. Imagine the change that all the Christian teens, banded together, could make in our schools. That all the Christian women and men could make in our community. Do we rejoice over sinners saved and baptized in any facility other than our own?
It feels like we have let Jesus down.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Apr 24 - David's Prayer
Read 2 Samuel 7:18-24
Context: David has just recently added Israel to his kingdom and has settled into his palace. He realized that it wasn't right for him to live in a palace of cedar when God 'lived' in a tent. He decided to build a temple. God told him (through the prophet Nathan) to stop work; David's son was the one who would build the temple, and He promised that David's descendants would rule for eternity.
Text:
18 Then King David went in and sat before the LORD, and he said:
"Who am I, O Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? 19 And as if this were not enough in your sight, O Sovereign LORD, you have also spoken about the future of the house of your servant. Is this your usual way of dealing with man, O Sovereign LORD ?
20 "What more can David say to you? For you know your servant, O Sovereign LORD. 21 For the sake of your word and according to your will, you have done this great thing and made it known to your servant.
22 "How great you are, O Sovereign LORD! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears. 23 And who is like your people Israel—the one nation on earth that God went out to redeem as a people for himself, and to make a name for himself, and to perform great and awesome wonders by driving out nations and their gods from before your people, whom you redeemed from Egypt? [a] 24 You have established your people Israel as your very own forever, and you, O LORD, have become their God. (NIV)
Footnotes:
2 Samuel 7:23 See Septuagint and 1 Chron. 17:21; Hebrew wonders for your land and before your people, whom you redeemed from Egypt, from the nations and their gods
taken from www.biblegateway.com
David was really excited about his idea to build a fabulous temple for the Lord. He knew that this would be a way to serve God that would have lasting value and he knew he was capable of the task. Yet God had other plans.
There have been several times in my life when I decided that God 'needed' me to do something special for him. I had all the skills, the idea, and the means to be a fantastic servant. Unfortunately that wasn't what God wanted from me at the time. He had other plans...sometimes the plans were even more amazing, other times he just wanted me to wait. It was often frustrating and I wasn't nearly as quick to give God praise as David was. Now if I can just learn to wait for Him to tell me what he needs instead of trying to tell Him!
Context: David has just recently added Israel to his kingdom and has settled into his palace. He realized that it wasn't right for him to live in a palace of cedar when God 'lived' in a tent. He decided to build a temple. God told him (through the prophet Nathan) to stop work; David's son was the one who would build the temple, and He promised that David's descendants would rule for eternity.
Text:
18 Then King David went in and sat before the LORD, and he said:
"Who am I, O Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? 19 And as if this were not enough in your sight, O Sovereign LORD, you have also spoken about the future of the house of your servant. Is this your usual way of dealing with man, O Sovereign LORD ?
20 "What more can David say to you? For you know your servant, O Sovereign LORD. 21 For the sake of your word and according to your will, you have done this great thing and made it known to your servant.
22 "How great you are, O Sovereign LORD! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears. 23 And who is like your people Israel—the one nation on earth that God went out to redeem as a people for himself, and to make a name for himself, and to perform great and awesome wonders by driving out nations and their gods from before your people, whom you redeemed from Egypt? [a] 24 You have established your people Israel as your very own forever, and you, O LORD, have become their God. (NIV)
Footnotes:
2 Samuel 7:23 See Septuagint and 1 Chron. 17:21; Hebrew wonders for your land and before your people, whom you redeemed from Egypt, from the nations and their gods
taken from www.biblegateway.com
David was really excited about his idea to build a fabulous temple for the Lord. He knew that this would be a way to serve God that would have lasting value and he knew he was capable of the task. Yet God had other plans.
There have been several times in my life when I decided that God 'needed' me to do something special for him. I had all the skills, the idea, and the means to be a fantastic servant. Unfortunately that wasn't what God wanted from me at the time. He had other plans...sometimes the plans were even more amazing, other times he just wanted me to wait. It was often frustrating and I wasn't nearly as quick to give God praise as David was. Now if I can just learn to wait for Him to tell me what he needs instead of trying to tell Him!
Monday, April 23, 2007
April 23 - Hannah's Prayer
Read 1 Sam 2:1-10
Context: Hannah was married to Elkanah and she was unable to bear children. Elkanah's other wife, Peninnah, had many sons and daughters, and she loved to tease and taunt Hannah about it. At their annual trek to worship and sacrifice to the Lord at Shiloh, a priest saw Hannah praying fervently (he thought she was drunk). Hannah promised the Lord that, if he would give her a child, she would give him over to the Lord. Samuel was born, and after he was weaned Hannah too him to Shiloh and left him there with the priests to serve the Lord. This is her prayer after she turned him over.
Text:
1 Then Hannah prayed and said:
"My heart rejoices in the LORD;
in the LORD my horn [a] is lifted high.
My mouth boasts over my enemies,
for I delight in your deliverance.
2 "There is no one holy [b] like the LORD;
there is no one besides you;
there is no Rock like our God.
3 "Do not keep talking so proudly
or let your mouth speak such arrogance,
for the LORD is a God who knows,
and by him deeds are weighed.
4 "The bows of the warriors are broken,
but those who stumbled are armed with strength.
5 Those who were full hire themselves out for food,
but those who were hungry hunger no more.
She who was barren has borne seven children,
but she who has had many sons pines away.
6 "The LORD brings death and makes alive;
he brings down to the grave [c] and raises up.
7 The LORD sends poverty and wealth;
he humbles and he exalts.
8 He raises the poor from the dust
and lifts the needy from the ash heap;
he seats them with princes
and has them inherit a throne of honor.
"For the foundations of the earth are the LORD's;
upon them he has set the world.
9 He will guard the feet of his saints,
but the wicked will be silenced in darkness.
"It is not by strength that one prevails;
10 those who oppose the LORD will be shattered.
He will thunder against them from heaven;
the LORD will judge the ends of the earth.
"He will give strength to his king
and exalt the horn of his anointed." (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
I admire Hannah's strength and her willingness to follow through on a promise to God. While I imagine she had plenty of talks with God on her way up to Shiloh begging him to release her from her vow, she still carried through. This prayer is not one of a distraught mother losing her only child, it is the prayer of a faithful woman worshiping and praising God.
It helps me to remember this prayer in difficult times. Our God is so much bigger than any trials and troubles we have. His strength will prevail!
Context: Hannah was married to Elkanah and she was unable to bear children. Elkanah's other wife, Peninnah, had many sons and daughters, and she loved to tease and taunt Hannah about it. At their annual trek to worship and sacrifice to the Lord at Shiloh, a priest saw Hannah praying fervently (he thought she was drunk). Hannah promised the Lord that, if he would give her a child, she would give him over to the Lord. Samuel was born, and after he was weaned Hannah too him to Shiloh and left him there with the priests to serve the Lord. This is her prayer after she turned him over.
Text:
1 Then Hannah prayed and said:
"My heart rejoices in the LORD;
in the LORD my horn [a] is lifted high.
My mouth boasts over my enemies,
for I delight in your deliverance.
2 "There is no one holy [b] like the LORD;
there is no one besides you;
there is no Rock like our God.
3 "Do not keep talking so proudly
or let your mouth speak such arrogance,
for the LORD is a God who knows,
and by him deeds are weighed.
4 "The bows of the warriors are broken,
but those who stumbled are armed with strength.
5 Those who were full hire themselves out for food,
but those who were hungry hunger no more.
She who was barren has borne seven children,
but she who has had many sons pines away.
6 "The LORD brings death and makes alive;
he brings down to the grave [c] and raises up.
7 The LORD sends poverty and wealth;
he humbles and he exalts.
8 He raises the poor from the dust
and lifts the needy from the ash heap;
he seats them with princes
and has them inherit a throne of honor.
"For the foundations of the earth are the LORD's;
upon them he has set the world.
9 He will guard the feet of his saints,
but the wicked will be silenced in darkness.
"It is not by strength that one prevails;
10 those who oppose the LORD will be shattered.
He will thunder against them from heaven;
the LORD will judge the ends of the earth.
"He will give strength to his king
and exalt the horn of his anointed." (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
I admire Hannah's strength and her willingness to follow through on a promise to God. While I imagine she had plenty of talks with God on her way up to Shiloh begging him to release her from her vow, she still carried through. This prayer is not one of a distraught mother losing her only child, it is the prayer of a faithful woman worshiping and praising God.
It helps me to remember this prayer in difficult times. Our God is so much bigger than any trials and troubles we have. His strength will prevail!
Friday, April 20, 2007
Apr 20 - Prophecy Fulfilled
Read Luke 24:44-53
Context: two of Jesus' followers were taking a walk from Jerusalem to Emmaus after Jesus had died on the cross. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened when Jesus appeared and walked with them. They didn't realize who he was until dinner, when he opened their eyes so they knew who he was, then he disappeared. The two returned at once to Jerusalem to tell the Eleven. Jesus came to stand among them while they were talking.
Text:
44He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms."
45Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48You are witnesses of these things. 49I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high."
The Ascension
50When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. 52Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
Of all the miraculous thing that Jesus did, his asencion must have been the most magnificent. I wonder if those watching heard the music of angels as the doors of Heaven opened? Did they get a glimpse of Heaven as he disappeared, or did he just 'fade away' into the sky as he rose higher? What a promise of hope he left...clearly demonstrating that he was going to be with the Father, and he told of a gift of power yet to come!
This week in class our lesson is "Just Who is Jesus, Exactly, and Why Did He Become Man?" Whether you grew up in the church or outside of it, you have heard many answers to this question...both biblical and non-biblical. Many of the things we have been taught, even within the church, don't have evidence to validate them. Steve will take us through a biblical search to learn the truth.
Context: two of Jesus' followers were taking a walk from Jerusalem to Emmaus after Jesus had died on the cross. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened when Jesus appeared and walked with them. They didn't realize who he was until dinner, when he opened their eyes so they knew who he was, then he disappeared. The two returned at once to Jerusalem to tell the Eleven. Jesus came to stand among them while they were talking.
Text:
44He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms."
45Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48You are witnesses of these things. 49I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high."
The Ascension
50When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. 52Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
Of all the miraculous thing that Jesus did, his asencion must have been the most magnificent. I wonder if those watching heard the music of angels as the doors of Heaven opened? Did they get a glimpse of Heaven as he disappeared, or did he just 'fade away' into the sky as he rose higher? What a promise of hope he left...clearly demonstrating that he was going to be with the Father, and he told of a gift of power yet to come!
This week in class our lesson is "Just Who is Jesus, Exactly, and Why Did He Become Man?" Whether you grew up in the church or outside of it, you have heard many answers to this question...both biblical and non-biblical. Many of the things we have been taught, even within the church, don't have evidence to validate them. Steve will take us through a biblical search to learn the truth.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Apr 19 - Prepare the Way
Read Luke 1:68-79
Context: Zechariah, the priest, was the husband of Elizabeth. They were childless, and on the day Zechariah was chosen to go into the temple of the Lord to burn incense, an angel of the Lord appeared to him. He was told that he would become a father, and because of his disbelief Zechariah was unable to speak until his son, John the Baptist, was born. This was his prophesy once John was born.
Text:
68"Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,
because he has come and has redeemed his people.
69He has raised up a horn[a] of salvation for us
in the house of his servant David
70(as he said through his holy prophets of long ago),
71salvation from our enemies
and from the hand of all who hate us—
72to show mercy to our fathers
and to remember his holy covenant,
73the oath he swore to our father Abraham:
74to rescue us from the hand of our enemies,
and to enable us to serve him without fear
75in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.
76And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High;
for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,
77to give his people the knowledge of salvation
through the forgiveness of their sins,
78because of the tender mercy of our God,
by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven
79to shine on those living in darkness
and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the path of peace." (NIV)
Footnotes:
Luke 1:69 Horn here symbolizes strength.
taken from www.biblegateway.com
So the time had come. God knew that Israel needed their savior, and he set the plan in motion. However, he knew the Israelites doubting hearts wouldn't accept Jesus as the Christ because he didn't fit the mold of their expectations. So he surrounded this child with a series of witnesses and helpers. Not because Jesus needed the help, but to ensure that the people were fully prepared to accept him.
God does the same thing today....he's prepared us to be the ones to "go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins" (note, it doesn't say that we will forgive sins, only that we will give the knowledge about salvation through forgiveness). Luckily we don't have to wear camel hair and eat locusts!
Context: Zechariah, the priest, was the husband of Elizabeth. They were childless, and on the day Zechariah was chosen to go into the temple of the Lord to burn incense, an angel of the Lord appeared to him. He was told that he would become a father, and because of his disbelief Zechariah was unable to speak until his son, John the Baptist, was born. This was his prophesy once John was born.
Text:
68"Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,
because he has come and has redeemed his people.
69He has raised up a horn[a] of salvation for us
in the house of his servant David
70(as he said through his holy prophets of long ago),
71salvation from our enemies
and from the hand of all who hate us—
72to show mercy to our fathers
and to remember his holy covenant,
73the oath he swore to our father Abraham:
74to rescue us from the hand of our enemies,
and to enable us to serve him without fear
75in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.
76And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High;
for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,
77to give his people the knowledge of salvation
through the forgiveness of their sins,
78because of the tender mercy of our God,
by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven
79to shine on those living in darkness
and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the path of peace." (NIV)
Footnotes:
Luke 1:69 Horn here symbolizes strength.
taken from www.biblegateway.com
So the time had come. God knew that Israel needed their savior, and he set the plan in motion. However, he knew the Israelites doubting hearts wouldn't accept Jesus as the Christ because he didn't fit the mold of their expectations. So he surrounded this child with a series of witnesses and helpers. Not because Jesus needed the help, but to ensure that the people were fully prepared to accept him.
God does the same thing today....he's prepared us to be the ones to "go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins" (note, it doesn't say that we will forgive sins, only that we will give the knowledge about salvation through forgiveness). Luckily we don't have to wear camel hair and eat locusts!
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Apr 18 - The Ultimate Sacrifice
Read Isaiah 53:6-12
Context: Continuation from yesterday
Text:
6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
7 He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before her shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
8 By oppression [a] and judgment he was taken away.
And who can speak of his descendants?
For he was cut off from the land of the living;
for the transgression of my people he was stricken. [b]
9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked,
and with the rich in his death,
though he had done no violence,
nor was any deceit in his mouth.
10 Yet it was the LORD's will to crush him and cause him to suffer,
and though the LORD makes [c] his life a guilt offering,
he will see his offspring and prolong his days,
and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand.
11 After the suffering of his soul,
he will see the light of life [d] and be satisfied [e] ;
by his knowledge [f] my righteous servant will justify many,
and he will bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, [g]
and he will divide the spoils with the strong, [h]
because he poured out his life unto death,
and was numbered with the transgressors.
For he bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors. (NIV)
Footnotes:
Isaiah 53:8 Or From arrest
Isaiah 53:8 Or away. / Yet who of his generation considered / that he was cut off from the land of the living / for the transgression of my people, / to whom the blow was due?
Isaiah 53:10 Hebrew though you make
Isaiah 53:11 Dead Sea Scrolls (see also Septuagint Masoretic Text does not have the light of life .
Isaiah 53:11 Or (with Masoretic Text) 11 He will see the result of the suffering of his soul / and be satisfied
Isaiah 53:11 Or by knowledge of him
Isaiah 53:12 Or many
Isaiah 53:12 Or numerous
taken from www.biblegateway.com
Verse six says we have all gone astray. How many bulls, goats, lambs, and doves would we have to raise to keep making sacrifices for sin? Just imagine the uproar from the PETA group if those sacrifices were still being made today!
God had lots of choices in the way he moved the Israelites to the new way of thinking. Over the years, sacrifices had become ritualized and many lost the remorse and reverence that went with the process of making an offering to the Lord. God could have repealed the law, but the law was created for our own good...to repeal it meant that even more evil would infest the world. He could have sent a really big bull and relayed to the people that it was the last one to be sacrificed, but that would remove the personal connection. He could have had any man fulfill that role, but again people would see that as disconnected to their own sin.
Instead he sent the one most precious to him, his son. Wholly man and wholly God, only he could legitimately take the weight of our sin on his shoulders and provide salvation personally to each one of us.
Context: Continuation from yesterday
Text:
6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
7 He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before her shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
8 By oppression [a] and judgment he was taken away.
And who can speak of his descendants?
For he was cut off from the land of the living;
for the transgression of my people he was stricken. [b]
9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked,
and with the rich in his death,
though he had done no violence,
nor was any deceit in his mouth.
10 Yet it was the LORD's will to crush him and cause him to suffer,
and though the LORD makes [c] his life a guilt offering,
he will see his offspring and prolong his days,
and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand.
11 After the suffering of his soul,
he will see the light of life [d] and be satisfied [e] ;
by his knowledge [f] my righteous servant will justify many,
and he will bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, [g]
and he will divide the spoils with the strong, [h]
because he poured out his life unto death,
and was numbered with the transgressors.
For he bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors. (NIV)
Footnotes:
Isaiah 53:8 Or From arrest
Isaiah 53:8 Or away. / Yet who of his generation considered / that he was cut off from the land of the living / for the transgression of my people, / to whom the blow was due?
Isaiah 53:10 Hebrew though you make
Isaiah 53:11 Dead Sea Scrolls (see also Septuagint Masoretic Text does not have the light of life .
Isaiah 53:11 Or (with Masoretic Text) 11 He will see the result of the suffering of his soul / and be satisfied
Isaiah 53:11 Or by knowledge of him
Isaiah 53:12 Or many
Isaiah 53:12 Or numerous
taken from www.biblegateway.com
Verse six says we have all gone astray. How many bulls, goats, lambs, and doves would we have to raise to keep making sacrifices for sin? Just imagine the uproar from the PETA group if those sacrifices were still being made today!
God had lots of choices in the way he moved the Israelites to the new way of thinking. Over the years, sacrifices had become ritualized and many lost the remorse and reverence that went with the process of making an offering to the Lord. God could have repealed the law, but the law was created for our own good...to repeal it meant that even more evil would infest the world. He could have sent a really big bull and relayed to the people that it was the last one to be sacrificed, but that would remove the personal connection. He could have had any man fulfill that role, but again people would see that as disconnected to their own sin.
Instead he sent the one most precious to him, his son. Wholly man and wholly God, only he could legitimately take the weight of our sin on his shoulders and provide salvation personally to each one of us.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
April 16 - What Are The Chances?
Read Isaiah 53:1-5
Context:This is in the middle of the second portion of Isaiah's prophecy called "The Book of Comfort" (chapters 40 - 66). While the first 'book' of Isaiah refers to the judgement of Israel, God now speaks of the future and salvation of Israel.
Text:
1 Who has believed our message
and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot,
and like a root out of dry ground.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
3 He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.
Like one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4 Surely he took up our infirmities
and carried our sorrows,
yet we considered him stricken by God,
smitten by him, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
According to Josh McDowell's New Evidence Demanding a Verdict, the man Jesus fulfills 61 prophesies of the Old Testament regarding the coming Christ. McDowell references Peter Stoner's book, Science Speaks, reports that the chance of anyone living in our history might have fulfilled eight of these probabilities is 1 in 10 to the 17th power (100,000,000,000,000,000). In an attempt to make this number explainable, he gives the following example:
"(Suppose that) we take 100,000,000,000,000,000 silver dollars and lay them on the face of Texas. They will cover all of the state two feet deep. Now mark one of these silver dollars and stir the whole mass thoroughly, all over the state. Blindfold a man and tell him that he can travel as far as he wishes, but he must pick up one silver dollar and say that this is the right one. What chance would he have of getting the right one?"
And that's to fulfill only eight of the 61 prophecies that Jesus fulfilled!
Context:This is in the middle of the second portion of Isaiah's prophecy called "The Book of Comfort" (chapters 40 - 66). While the first 'book' of Isaiah refers to the judgement of Israel, God now speaks of the future and salvation of Israel.
Text:
1 Who has believed our message
and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot,
and like a root out of dry ground.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
3 He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.
Like one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4 Surely he took up our infirmities
and carried our sorrows,
yet we considered him stricken by God,
smitten by him, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
According to Josh McDowell's New Evidence Demanding a Verdict, the man Jesus fulfills 61 prophesies of the Old Testament regarding the coming Christ. McDowell references Peter Stoner's book, Science Speaks, reports that the chance of anyone living in our history might have fulfilled eight of these probabilities is 1 in 10 to the 17th power (100,000,000,000,000,000). In an attempt to make this number explainable, he gives the following example:
"(Suppose that) we take 100,000,000,000,000,000 silver dollars and lay them on the face of Texas. They will cover all of the state two feet deep. Now mark one of these silver dollars and stir the whole mass thoroughly, all over the state. Blindfold a man and tell him that he can travel as far as he wishes, but he must pick up one silver dollar and say that this is the right one. What chance would he have of getting the right one?"
And that's to fulfill only eight of the 61 prophecies that Jesus fulfilled!
Monday, April 16, 2007
April 16 - The Price of Atonement
Read Leviticus 5:1-10
Context: God called to Moses in the desert and spoke to him from the Tent of Meeting about many offerings the Israelites were to make.
Text:
1 " 'If a person sins because he does not speak up when he hears a public charge to testify regarding something he has seen or learned about, he will be held responsible.
2 " 'Or if a person touches anything ceremonially unclean—whether the carcasses of unclean wild animals or of unclean livestock or of unclean creatures that move along the ground—even though he is unaware of it, he has become unclean and is guilty.
3 " 'Or if he touches human uncleanness—anything that would make him unclean—even though he is unaware of it, when he learns of it he will be guilty.
4 " 'Or if a person thoughtlessly takes an oath to do anything, whether good or evil—in any matter one might carelessly swear about—even though he is unaware of it, in any case when he learns of it he will be guilty.
5 " 'When anyone is guilty in any of these ways, he must confess in what way he has sinned 6 and, as a penalty for the sin he has committed, he must bring to the LORD a female lamb or goat from the flock as a sin offering; and the priest shall make atonement for him for his sin.
7 " 'If he cannot afford a lamb, he is to bring two doves or two young pigeons to the LORD as a penalty for his sin—one for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering. 8 He is to bring them to the priest, who shall first offer the one for the sin offering. He is to wring its head from its neck, not severing it completely, 9 and is to sprinkle some of the blood of the sin offering against the side of the altar; the rest of the blood must be drained out at the base of the altar. It is a sin offering. 10 The priest shall then offer the other as a burnt offering in the prescribed way and make atonement for him for the sin he has committed, and he will be forgiven. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
Whenever I read about the sacrifices that were required of the Israelites I immediately get a picture in my mind of a long line of people waiting by the temple. Each has a lamb, goat, or bull next to them with a piece of rope around its neck. The animals are straining to get away or to 'mingle' with each other. Dust is flying from their restless movements, and tempers are running short as the people struggle to control their animals. Passersby look with contempt on all who are in the line, and most hang their heads in shame.
At the head of the line is a priest, dressed in white but you can't tell that any more. He has been slaughtering animals all day and he is covered in blood. The stench of blood and animal 'deposits' is overwhelming. There is no where you can go to get away from the noise. Every few minutes you hear an animal's shrill cry cut short as it is killed. Smoke blows in the wind carrying the smell of burnt meat.
I imagine you wouldn't have to stand in this line too many times before you think twice about sinning.
Context: God called to Moses in the desert and spoke to him from the Tent of Meeting about many offerings the Israelites were to make.
Text:
1 " 'If a person sins because he does not speak up when he hears a public charge to testify regarding something he has seen or learned about, he will be held responsible.
2 " 'Or if a person touches anything ceremonially unclean—whether the carcasses of unclean wild animals or of unclean livestock or of unclean creatures that move along the ground—even though he is unaware of it, he has become unclean and is guilty.
3 " 'Or if he touches human uncleanness—anything that would make him unclean—even though he is unaware of it, when he learns of it he will be guilty.
4 " 'Or if a person thoughtlessly takes an oath to do anything, whether good or evil—in any matter one might carelessly swear about—even though he is unaware of it, in any case when he learns of it he will be guilty.
5 " 'When anyone is guilty in any of these ways, he must confess in what way he has sinned 6 and, as a penalty for the sin he has committed, he must bring to the LORD a female lamb or goat from the flock as a sin offering; and the priest shall make atonement for him for his sin.
7 " 'If he cannot afford a lamb, he is to bring two doves or two young pigeons to the LORD as a penalty for his sin—one for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering. 8 He is to bring them to the priest, who shall first offer the one for the sin offering. He is to wring its head from its neck, not severing it completely, 9 and is to sprinkle some of the blood of the sin offering against the side of the altar; the rest of the blood must be drained out at the base of the altar. It is a sin offering. 10 The priest shall then offer the other as a burnt offering in the prescribed way and make atonement for him for the sin he has committed, and he will be forgiven. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
Whenever I read about the sacrifices that were required of the Israelites I immediately get a picture in my mind of a long line of people waiting by the temple. Each has a lamb, goat, or bull next to them with a piece of rope around its neck. The animals are straining to get away or to 'mingle' with each other. Dust is flying from their restless movements, and tempers are running short as the people struggle to control their animals. Passersby look with contempt on all who are in the line, and most hang their heads in shame.
At the head of the line is a priest, dressed in white but you can't tell that any more. He has been slaughtering animals all day and he is covered in blood. The stench of blood and animal 'deposits' is overwhelming. There is no where you can go to get away from the noise. Every few minutes you hear an animal's shrill cry cut short as it is killed. Smoke blows in the wind carrying the smell of burnt meat.
I imagine you wouldn't have to stand in this line too many times before you think twice about sinning.
Friday, April 13, 2007
Apr 13 - Jesus Breaks the Chains
Read Hebrews 2:10-18
Context: I was surprised to find that there is no evidence showing that Paul wrote the book of Hebrews! He had identified himself in all other letters he wrote, but the author of Hebrews never identifies himself. The teaching is consistent with all of Paul's letters, but the writing style is distinctly different. Some believe it may have been Barnabas or Apollos who penned this letter.
Our text for today is part of a warning to Christians to pay attention to the teaching of Christ so they don't drift away.
Text:
10In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. 11Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. 12He says,
"I will declare your name to my brothers;
in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praises."[c] 13And again,
"I will put my trust in him."[d] And again he says,
"Here am I, and the children God has given me."[e]
14Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— 15and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. 16For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham's descendants. 17For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for[f]the sins of the people. 18Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. (NIV)
Footnotes:
Hebrews 2:12 Psalm 22:22
Hebrews 2:13 Isaiah 8:17
Hebrews 2:13 Isaiah 8:18
Hebrews 2:17 Or and that he might turn aside God's wrath, taking away
www.biblegateway.com
This is the only text I could find that links the power of death to the devil. Jesus conquered the power of death (the devil) when he rose again. It is interesting to see that Christ frees us from slavery to our fear of death...not from death itself. Because of his atonement for our sins, we have no reason to fear 'the other side'...we can be confident that he stands in our stead so we may be ushered into Heaven! As mere mortals, we still fear the pain that may accompany death, but we have the example of Christ surviving unimaginable pain for us before demonstrating the glory that lies beyond death.
Context: I was surprised to find that there is no evidence showing that Paul wrote the book of Hebrews! He had identified himself in all other letters he wrote, but the author of Hebrews never identifies himself. The teaching is consistent with all of Paul's letters, but the writing style is distinctly different. Some believe it may have been Barnabas or Apollos who penned this letter.
Our text for today is part of a warning to Christians to pay attention to the teaching of Christ so they don't drift away.
Text:
10In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. 11Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. 12He says,
"I will declare your name to my brothers;
in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praises."[c] 13And again,
"I will put my trust in him."[d] And again he says,
"Here am I, and the children God has given me."[e]
14Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— 15and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. 16For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham's descendants. 17For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for[f]the sins of the people. 18Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. (NIV)
Footnotes:
Hebrews 2:12 Psalm 22:22
Hebrews 2:13 Isaiah 8:17
Hebrews 2:13 Isaiah 8:18
Hebrews 2:17 Or and that he might turn aside God's wrath, taking away
www.biblegateway.com
This is the only text I could find that links the power of death to the devil. Jesus conquered the power of death (the devil) when he rose again. It is interesting to see that Christ frees us from slavery to our fear of death...not from death itself. Because of his atonement for our sins, we have no reason to fear 'the other side'...we can be confident that he stands in our stead so we may be ushered into Heaven! As mere mortals, we still fear the pain that may accompany death, but we have the example of Christ surviving unimaginable pain for us before demonstrating the glory that lies beyond death.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Apr 12 - What are We Missing?
Read Jeremiah 5:21-25
Context:Jeremiah (known as the 'weeping prophet') has been assigned the task of telling the people of Israel of their great sin. He brought news of the impending invasion by the Babylonians and the disaster that was to befall Israel. He also told them that this trouble would not last forever.
Text:
21 Hear this, you foolish and senseless people,
who have eyes but do not see,
who have ears but do not hear:
22 Should you not fear me?" declares the LORD.
"Should you not tremble in my presence?
I made the sand a boundary for the sea,
an everlasting barrier it cannot cross.
The waves may roll, but they cannot prevail;
they may roar, but they cannot cross it.
23 But these people have stubborn and rebellious hearts;
they have turned aside and gone away.
24 They do not say to themselves,
'Let us fear the LORD our God,
who gives autumn and spring rains in season,
who assures us of the regular weeks of harvest.'
25 Your wrongdoings have kept these away;
your sins have deprived you of good. (NIV)
www.biblegateway.com
There are religious groups that believe if people have hardship they must not be faithful enough to God. Any bad thing that happens is simply a demonstration that God is angry at you. The Bible does not support this position, in fact it states that there will be trouble in this world.
However, there is also evidence that God rewards or punishes a nation because of their actions. And all actions have natural consequences, good or bad. As a nation, we are much closer to the Israel portrayed by Jeremiah than the one in the few times of devout reverence. What blessings are we missing because of our collective sin?
Context:Jeremiah (known as the 'weeping prophet') has been assigned the task of telling the people of Israel of their great sin. He brought news of the impending invasion by the Babylonians and the disaster that was to befall Israel. He also told them that this trouble would not last forever.
Text:
21 Hear this, you foolish and senseless people,
who have eyes but do not see,
who have ears but do not hear:
22 Should you not fear me?" declares the LORD.
"Should you not tremble in my presence?
I made the sand a boundary for the sea,
an everlasting barrier it cannot cross.
The waves may roll, but they cannot prevail;
they may roar, but they cannot cross it.
23 But these people have stubborn and rebellious hearts;
they have turned aside and gone away.
24 They do not say to themselves,
'Let us fear the LORD our God,
who gives autumn and spring rains in season,
who assures us of the regular weeks of harvest.'
25 Your wrongdoings have kept these away;
your sins have deprived you of good. (NIV)
www.biblegateway.com
There are religious groups that believe if people have hardship they must not be faithful enough to God. Any bad thing that happens is simply a demonstration that God is angry at you. The Bible does not support this position, in fact it states that there will be trouble in this world.
However, there is also evidence that God rewards or punishes a nation because of their actions. And all actions have natural consequences, good or bad. As a nation, we are much closer to the Israel portrayed by Jeremiah than the one in the few times of devout reverence. What blessings are we missing because of our collective sin?
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
April 11 - Death Through Adam, Life Through Christ
Read Romans 5:12-17
Context: Paul is writing to the Romans, Jew and Gentile, explaining God's plan of salvation and righteousness for all mankind. He has presented a short history of faith and grace. He has just finished stating that we were reconciled through Christ's death
Text:
12Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned— 13for before the law was given, sin was in the world. But sin is not taken into account when there is no law. 14Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who was a pattern of the one to come.
15But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! 16Again, the gift of God is not like the result of the one man's sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. 17For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. (NIV)
www.biblegateway.com
This passage has always been confusing to me. It's like Paul is in the middle of an impassioned speech...I can imagine him as a fire and brimstone preacher shouting this out, desperately wanting us to get his point. I'd be writing as furiously as I could to keep up with him and somehow, while writing, I would miss the point.
This verse seems to combine all three elements we will be studying on Sunday...sin, evil, and death. Through sin, evil entered the world causing death to all (I know there is a good argument for which came first, sin or evil...that's a topic for another day!). Jesus came and sacrificed himself as a sin offering for the world, now our souls won't taste death. Yes, we still die in this world, but in a sense death is a reward now...sadness as we leave this world, but eternal joy as we step into the presence of God!
Context: Paul is writing to the Romans, Jew and Gentile, explaining God's plan of salvation and righteousness for all mankind. He has presented a short history of faith and grace. He has just finished stating that we were reconciled through Christ's death
Text:
12Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned— 13for before the law was given, sin was in the world. But sin is not taken into account when there is no law. 14Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who was a pattern of the one to come.
15But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! 16Again, the gift of God is not like the result of the one man's sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. 17For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. (NIV)
www.biblegateway.com
This passage has always been confusing to me. It's like Paul is in the middle of an impassioned speech...I can imagine him as a fire and brimstone preacher shouting this out, desperately wanting us to get his point. I'd be writing as furiously as I could to keep up with him and somehow, while writing, I would miss the point.
This verse seems to combine all three elements we will be studying on Sunday...sin, evil, and death. Through sin, evil entered the world causing death to all (I know there is a good argument for which came first, sin or evil...that's a topic for another day!). Jesus came and sacrificed himself as a sin offering for the world, now our souls won't taste death. Yes, we still die in this world, but in a sense death is a reward now...sadness as we leave this world, but eternal joy as we step into the presence of God!
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Apr 10 - Evil Hearts
Read Genesis 6:5-8, also Gen 8:20-21
Context: It has been about 1,000 years since God created man (give or take about 150 years...). The sin that started in the garden has spread and wickedness is widespread.
Text:
Gen 6:5-8 5 The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. 6 The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain. 7 So the LORD said, "I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth—men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air—for I am grieved that I have made them." 8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.
Gen 8:20-21 20 Then Noah built an altar to the LORD and, taking some of all the clean animals and clean birds, he sacrificed burnt offerings on it. 21 The LORD smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: "Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though [a] every inclination of his heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
The story of Noah always convicts me. In a world full of wickedness, he alone stood out and found favor with the Lord. Fast forward to today...our world is again full of wickedness...by God's standards who would be the one who finds favor with him? Who would be obedient to a massive project taking nearly a century to complete?
I know that as Christians many are confident that they, too, are pillars in their church. I wonder what God sees? I'm sure that there were others who thought they, too, were 'good people' and who occasionally worshiped the Lord (Noah had to learn it from somewhere, right?), but they were all focused more on themselves than on what God wanted.
Is that much different than we are today? I wish I could look at the 85% of Americans who proclaim they are Christians (and myself) and say yes....
Context: It has been about 1,000 years since God created man (give or take about 150 years...). The sin that started in the garden has spread and wickedness is widespread.
Text:
Gen 6:5-8 5 The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. 6 The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain. 7 So the LORD said, "I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth—men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air—for I am grieved that I have made them." 8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.
Gen 8:20-21 20 Then Noah built an altar to the LORD and, taking some of all the clean animals and clean birds, he sacrificed burnt offerings on it. 21 The LORD smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: "Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though [a] every inclination of his heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
The story of Noah always convicts me. In a world full of wickedness, he alone stood out and found favor with the Lord. Fast forward to today...our world is again full of wickedness...by God's standards who would be the one who finds favor with him? Who would be obedient to a massive project taking nearly a century to complete?
I know that as Christians many are confident that they, too, are pillars in their church. I wonder what God sees? I'm sure that there were others who thought they, too, were 'good people' and who occasionally worshiped the Lord (Noah had to learn it from somewhere, right?), but they were all focused more on themselves than on what God wanted.
Is that much different than we are today? I wish I could look at the 85% of Americans who proclaim they are Christians (and myself) and say yes....
Monday, April 9, 2007
Apr 9 - Sin in the Garden
Genesis 3:1-7
Context: In the Garden of Eden, soon after man and woman were created.
Text:
1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?"
2 The woman said to the serpent, "We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, 3 but God did say, 'You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.' "
4 "You will not surely die," the serpent said to the woman. 5 "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."
6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
God knew that his creation would fall, and he knew when and how. He knew we would disappoint him over and over. He knew we would try to hide from him and lie about our sins. Yet he still put the Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil in the garden.
Sin is never good for us in the long run, but God works out all things for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28). He never wants us to sin, but we would have no idea of the extent of his love without experiencing his forgiveness. Each of us has taken a bite of the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Without the knowledge of evil, would we really know what is good?
Context: In the Garden of Eden, soon after man and woman were created.
Text:
1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?"
2 The woman said to the serpent, "We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, 3 but God did say, 'You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.' "
4 "You will not surely die," the serpent said to the woman. 5 "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."
6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
God knew that his creation would fall, and he knew when and how. He knew we would disappoint him over and over. He knew we would try to hide from him and lie about our sins. Yet he still put the Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil in the garden.
Sin is never good for us in the long run, but God works out all things for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28). He never wants us to sin, but we would have no idea of the extent of his love without experiencing his forgiveness. Each of us has taken a bite of the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Without the knowledge of evil, would we really know what is good?
Friday, April 6, 2007
Apr 6 - The Long Walk to Jerusalem
Read Mark 10:32-34
Context: After the Transfiguration, Jesus and the disciples left Capernaum and went to the region of Judea across the Jordon. Along the way the Pharisees tried to trip him up with questions about divorce, parents brought their children to him to be blessed, and he met a rich young ruler who wanted to know what he had to do inherit eternal life
Text:
32They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. Again he took the Twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to him. 33"We are going up to Jerusalem," he said, "and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, 34who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise." (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
In this chapter of Mark there is no indication that the disciples really heard Jesus. The next verses portray the discussion the James and John had with him about who got to sit at his right and left hand in heaven. I imagine it frustrated the human part of Jesus that those who were his best friends were arguing about something so pointless when he was facing incredible pain and betrayal in just a few days. I wonder if he argued with himself about each step he took...the man in him wanting to run the other way and the God knowing it was the only way to save the world.
Context: After the Transfiguration, Jesus and the disciples left Capernaum and went to the region of Judea across the Jordon. Along the way the Pharisees tried to trip him up with questions about divorce, parents brought their children to him to be blessed, and he met a rich young ruler who wanted to know what he had to do inherit eternal life
Text:
32They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. Again he took the Twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to him. 33"We are going up to Jerusalem," he said, "and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, 34who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise." (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
In this chapter of Mark there is no indication that the disciples really heard Jesus. The next verses portray the discussion the James and John had with him about who got to sit at his right and left hand in heaven. I imagine it frustrated the human part of Jesus that those who were his best friends were arguing about something so pointless when he was facing incredible pain and betrayal in just a few days. I wonder if he argued with himself about each step he took...the man in him wanting to run the other way and the God knowing it was the only way to save the world.
Thursday, April 5, 2007
Apr 5 - Jesus Provides an Example
Read John 11:38-45
Context:Lazarus has died, and his sisters are mourning. There is a sense of disappointment, maybe even resentment, that Jesus did not come in time to heal his friend like he had healed so many others.
Text:
38Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. 39"Take away the stone," he said.
"But, Lord," said Martha, the sister of the dead man, "by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days."
40Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?"
41So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me."
43When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" 44The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.
Jesus said to them, "Take off the grave clothes and let him go."
45Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, put their faith in him.(NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
Being able to look back is so much easier than being in the midst of something, isn't it? Jesus told his disciples about returning from the grave, but they really didn't get what he was saying. Now he's showing them the possibility and they aren't able to put the two events together. We don't know exactly what the timing was for this miracle, but it occurs in the text right before Jesus is anointed at Bethany the day before he makes is final Triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
Context:Lazarus has died, and his sisters are mourning. There is a sense of disappointment, maybe even resentment, that Jesus did not come in time to heal his friend like he had healed so many others.
Text:
38Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. 39"Take away the stone," he said.
"But, Lord," said Martha, the sister of the dead man, "by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days."
40Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?"
41So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me."
43When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" 44The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.
Jesus said to them, "Take off the grave clothes and let him go."
45Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, put their faith in him.(NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
Being able to look back is so much easier than being in the midst of something, isn't it? Jesus told his disciples about returning from the grave, but they really didn't get what he was saying. Now he's showing them the possibility and they aren't able to put the two events together. We don't know exactly what the timing was for this miracle, but it occurs in the text right before Jesus is anointed at Bethany the day before he makes is final Triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Apr 4 - The Hard Truth
Read Luke 9:22-27
Context: Jesus had recently fed over five thousand people with a small boys' lunch. Later, when he was praying in private with his disciples, he asked them who the crowds thought he was. When asked who they (the disciples) thought he was, Peter answered, "the Christ of God." Jesus warned them not to tell this to anyone...the text continues below.
Text:
22And he said, "The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life."
23Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. 25What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? 26If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. 27I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God." (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
(In other books of the Gospel, this is where Peter jumps up and tells Jesus his death must never happen.)
I wonder what the disciples were thinking about as the result of Christ's statements. I know they were horrified by the thought that he was going to be killed. They had seen the animosity of the Pharisees, but the crowds loved Jesus and the disciples couldn't imagine the Pharisees going so far as to kill someone.
Then there was that statement about them having to 'take up their cross daily' and follow him. They knew what a cross was, but I don't know that it was a topic of regular discussion. If Jesus was our daily teacher, it would be like him saying that for us to follow him we have to sit in the electric chair daily. It wouldn't make any sense.
Yet that IS what he is telling us to do...I struggle with how to apply that in my own life. I can imagine Nicodemus asking Jesus this question, too, "In addition to being born again, how do I die daily?"
Context: Jesus had recently fed over five thousand people with a small boys' lunch. Later, when he was praying in private with his disciples, he asked them who the crowds thought he was. When asked who they (the disciples) thought he was, Peter answered, "the Christ of God." Jesus warned them not to tell this to anyone...the text continues below.
Text:
22And he said, "The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life."
23Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. 25What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? 26If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. 27I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God." (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
(In other books of the Gospel, this is where Peter jumps up and tells Jesus his death must never happen.)
I wonder what the disciples were thinking about as the result of Christ's statements. I know they were horrified by the thought that he was going to be killed. They had seen the animosity of the Pharisees, but the crowds loved Jesus and the disciples couldn't imagine the Pharisees going so far as to kill someone.
Then there was that statement about them having to 'take up their cross daily' and follow him. They knew what a cross was, but I don't know that it was a topic of regular discussion. If Jesus was our daily teacher, it would be like him saying that for us to follow him we have to sit in the electric chair daily. It wouldn't make any sense.
Yet that IS what he is telling us to do...I struggle with how to apply that in my own life. I can imagine Nicodemus asking Jesus this question, too, "In addition to being born again, how do I die daily?"
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Apr 3 - The Sign of Jonah
Read Matthew 12:38-41
Context: Not too long after Jesus had sent out his twelve disciples to witness to surrounding towns, Jesus healed a man possessed by demons. The people were astonished and they were wondering if He were the Christ. The Pharisees quickly claimed he was Beelzebub
Text:
38Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, "Teacher, we want to see a miraculous sign from you."
39He answered, "A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a miraculous sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now one[a] greater than Jonah is here. (NIV)
Footnotes:
Matthew 12:41 Or something; also in verse 42
The Pharisees wanted a sign? Where were they when Jesus healed the man with leprosy, the Roman centurion's son, Peter's mother-in-law, the paralyzed man, the demon-possessed man, and the man with the shriveled hand? How about when he calmed the storm, walked on water, or raised Jairus's daughter from the dead? Each of these miracles have happened before this conversation occurred.
It is really easy for me to look at the Pharisees with contempt...often because I hate those same traits in myself. I ignore the miracles and wonders in my own home hoping for something REALLY amazing. In this day of incredible special effects and easy access to amazing sights, I often downplay the miraculous things that God does in every day life. How about you?
Context: Not too long after Jesus had sent out his twelve disciples to witness to surrounding towns, Jesus healed a man possessed by demons. The people were astonished and they were wondering if He were the Christ. The Pharisees quickly claimed he was Beelzebub
Text:
38Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, "Teacher, we want to see a miraculous sign from you."
39He answered, "A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a miraculous sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now one[a] greater than Jonah is here. (NIV)
Footnotes:
Matthew 12:41 Or something; also in verse 42
The Pharisees wanted a sign? Where were they when Jesus healed the man with leprosy, the Roman centurion's son, Peter's mother-in-law, the paralyzed man, the demon-possessed man, and the man with the shriveled hand? How about when he calmed the storm, walked on water, or raised Jairus's daughter from the dead? Each of these miracles have happened before this conversation occurred.
It is really easy for me to look at the Pharisees with contempt...often because I hate those same traits in myself. I ignore the miracles and wonders in my own home hoping for something REALLY amazing. In this day of incredible special effects and easy access to amazing sights, I often downplay the miraculous things that God does in every day life. How about you?
Monday, April 2, 2007
Apr 2 - Inside the Fish
Read Jonah 1:12-17, Jonah 2:10
Context: Jonah was told to go to Nineveh, but instead he boarded a ship heading for Tarshish, the opposite direction. A terrible storm is raging and threatens to sink the ship. The sailors have realized that God is causing the storm as a result of Jonah's sin.
Text:
Jonah 1:12-17 12 "Pick me up and throw me into the sea," he replied, "and it will become calm. I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you."
13 Instead, the men did their best to row back to land. But they could not, for the sea grew even wilder than before. 14 Then they cried to the LORD, "O LORD, please do not let us die for taking this man's life. Do not hold us accountable for killing an innocent man, for you, O LORD, have done as you pleased." 15 Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm. 16 At this the men greatly feared the LORD, and they offered a sacrifice to the LORD and made vows to him.
17 But the LORD provided a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was inside the fish three days and three nights.
Jonah 2:10 And the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
I always wondered what happened to the sailors who were left on the ship after Jonah was swallowed by the fish. It says that the men greatly feared the Lord, offering a sacrifice and making vows to him. Did they see the fish swallow Jonah, or was he already underwater when the fish found him? They knew that the calming of the seas was an act of God, but did they ever realize that an even greater miracle occurred? Did they know that Jonah survived his deep water experience? We never hear of them again...I wonder if they kept those vows?
Context: Jonah was told to go to Nineveh, but instead he boarded a ship heading for Tarshish, the opposite direction. A terrible storm is raging and threatens to sink the ship. The sailors have realized that God is causing the storm as a result of Jonah's sin.
Text:
Jonah 1:12-17 12 "Pick me up and throw me into the sea," he replied, "and it will become calm. I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you."
13 Instead, the men did their best to row back to land. But they could not, for the sea grew even wilder than before. 14 Then they cried to the LORD, "O LORD, please do not let us die for taking this man's life. Do not hold us accountable for killing an innocent man, for you, O LORD, have done as you pleased." 15 Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm. 16 At this the men greatly feared the LORD, and they offered a sacrifice to the LORD and made vows to him.
17 But the LORD provided a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was inside the fish three days and three nights.
Jonah 2:10 And the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
I always wondered what happened to the sailors who were left on the ship after Jonah was swallowed by the fish. It says that the men greatly feared the Lord, offering a sacrifice and making vows to him. Did they see the fish swallow Jonah, or was he already underwater when the fish found him? They knew that the calming of the seas was an act of God, but did they ever realize that an even greater miracle occurred? Did they know that Jonah survived his deep water experience? We never hear of them again...I wonder if they kept those vows?
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