Abraham: A Sketch of Young Faith : Genesis 12-14 Big Picture: Movement of the story: 1. God will call Abaham to leave Ur. Traveling with: Sari, Lot. (75) 2. At Oak of Moreh (Controlled Canaanites) God promises the land of Abraham. 3. Famine: Go to Egypt. Tells Sari to say she’s his sister. 4. Come b …

Laodicea is the chief city of a 10-mile, tri-city area of Colossae, Hierapolis, and Laodicea in the southern Phrygia region of Asia Minor During Antiochus the Great in 213BC, over 2000 Jewish families moved here after King Cyrus of Persia made his declaration Jews could leave Maintained a strong Jew …

Israel in the Prophetic Landscape I. The Original Promises to Abraham: 1. Gen. 15: Abrahamic Covenant: Promises. Unconditional: 3. Things: Land, Linage, Lord. 2. That began a Satanic attack: –Who gets the land? –Will the linage survive? Jews. Destroyed? –Lord: Is the Lord from Isaac/Jews, or change …

Ever think about who was famous after the apostles? Polycarp of Smyrna Ignatius of Antioch Lydia Judas the Prophet (Acts 15:32) Silas the Prophet (Acts 15:32) Philip the Evangelist (Acts 21:9) Philip’s four prophetess daughters (Acts 21:9) Agabus the Prophet (Acts 21:10-11) Maxmilla Quadratus of Ath …

Historical Context Sardis was a fortress city, 30 miles south of Thyatira, and was believed to be impenetrable for most of ancient history Was the military staging point for king Artaxerxes invasion of Greece and Alexander the Great’s invasion of Asia Former capital of the Lydian empire with its pea …

Background: *Thyatira was the least significant church of all the seven cities Located 55 miles northeast of Smyrna Only church off the main road the other churches/cities were on Strategically important to Roman military as it connected the Caicus and Hermus valleys where two rivers met Unlike the …

Definitions PTSD: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder that may occur in people who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event, series of events or set of circumstances. An individual may experience this as emotionally or physically harmful or life-threatening and may …

History Founded by the Greeks around 800 BC, Oldest mention of Pergamum comes from Athens born philosopher, historian, and military leader Xenophons in “Anabasis” Tells the story of his mercenary army called “The Ten Thousand” who was hired by Cyrus the younger (great-grandson of King Cyrus who was …

Smyrna was the rival sister city 40 miles north of Ephesus Like Ephesus, Smyrna had a port but it was bigger and did not have the sult problem like Ephesus Smyrna was the real glory of Asia Minor, but Ephesus bent the knee to Rome first and was rewarded as the Roman capital of the region Smyrna mean …

Tabernacles: (2023) I. Biblical Holy Days: A. Three fall Holidays: 1. Yom Kippur: Feast of Trumpets: September 16-17, 2023 (1 Thess / Psalms) 2. Day of Atonement: September 25, 2023 (Hebrews) 3. Feast of Tabernacles/Shelters/Harvest: September 29-Oct 6, 2023. (John and Revelation) (Hanukkah not a “c …

Main Themes Revelation intends to provide comfort for the present and the future. Revelation gives insights into the “tactics” by which the spiritual war is fought. Oldest understanding of Revelation is that it is a collection of over 60 visions John had on Patmos that he organized to make a theolog …

Study Questions, Revelation 21   1. What did you learn that was new to you?   2. I suggested that the New Earth could be this earth resurrected. What do you think? Read this quote from John Piper. What do you think? John Piper: I would say that when Revelation 21:1 and 2 Peter 3:10 say tha …

Revelation 20: Study Questions 1. What did you learn tonight that was new or exciting to you? 2. Why do you think there are so many views of the Millennium? 3. John sees two groups who will rule with Christ; those who were beheaded and those who did not worship the beast. 4. Read Amos 9:13-15, what …

Bible Study: 1. Revelation 19:1-5, Why did the heavenly multitude sing praises to God? –What are some reasons that you have praised God recently? 2. Revelation 19 gives us the great picture of fellowship in heaven. We gather at the table of the Lord (like a wedding feast) and deeply enjoy fellowship …

General questions: 1. What did you learn tonight you did not previously know? What was new or exciting to you? 2. In spiritual terms, what does a harlot represent? (The harlot represents those who worship something other than the true God, or have once worshiped God, but later turned away from Him.) …

Study Questions Revelation 15-16: 1.What did you learn that was new tonight? What excited you the most?   2. The saints in heaven worshiped God for a victory they did not yet fully have. They sang praises to God as he prepared to destroy the enemy. –What are some songs we sing that look forwar …

1. What did you learn that was new in this passage? 2. What was the most disturbing parts of this teaching? 3. What encouraged you the most? 5. What are some applications you see for Revelation 13-14? –Evil will rise up in many forms. (Gov) (Church) (Culture) –Christians should be prepared for oppos …

1. What did you learn you’d not known before? 2. The dragon represents Satan. Why do you think the Bible uses the imagery of a great dragon to represent the devil? 3. What is the primary message of this passage? 4. What are some ways historically Satan has attacked Israel? What are some ways today t …

Revelation 10 Study Questions General questions: 1. What did you learn that you didn’t know before this study? 2. How did this study personally encourage you or grow your faith? 3. Wiesbe and other commentator see the angel in Revelation 10 as Jesus. Are there any problems with this view? –He takes …

Revelation 9 Study Questions 1. Do you think the star fallen in v.1 is an angel or a demon?   2. As followers of Jesus, what are some ways we see demonic activity: –Raging against God’s Church? –Stirring sexual rebellion? –Harming marriages?   3. Read Joel 1:1-7 and Revelation 9:7-12. – …

Revelation 8, Thunder Prayers 1. What are some ways you’ve seen God dramatically answer prayer? 2. What are some things you’ve asked God for that took a long time for God to answer? 3. What are some things you’ve asked for that God said “no” to? 4. How does believing only in a God who show’s kindnes …

1. What did you learn that you did not know before this study? –What blew you away? Excited you? 2. Revelation 7:9 says that salvation “belongs” to God. What does that mean? How does salvation belong to God? 3. Read Revelation 7:15-17. –Make a short list of the promises in this short passage. (Take …

Revelation 6, Study Questions 1. What are some ways our views of God are limited? 2. Matthew 24:1-14 is called the Olivet Discourse. Jesus talks about the end times. In 4, what is Jesus practical application to all that he is about to say? 3. In what ways does white symbolize holiness or cleanliness …

Group Questions: Read Revelation 5:8-14 1. What is most striking to you about worship in heaven? 2. Why do you think the elders are holding bowls that are full of prayers? (5:8) 3. What is “new” about this song compared to the song in 4:11? The song in 4 praised him as powerful creator. This new son …

Revelation: Study Questions Session 1 General: What are some new things you learned tonight? Where are some area’s of the world where Christians are suffering today? Practical: The early church experienced many forms of persecution. What are some things modern Christians will be persecuted for? What …

Review Teachers speaking a “gospel of circumcision” entered the Galatian church and undermine Paul Paul rebukes these teachers He reflects on his years of ministry preaching His gospel that he received from Christ, and affirmed by Peter and James He reflects that he brought gentile believers to Jeru …

This week is a heart check Brings forefront and reminds us what sin is Gives examples of what walking by the Spirit can conquer Example: When you leave base and see the victorious battles the Marine Corps has won Preamble 1: Acts of the Flesh are Obvious (Vs. 19) 19 The acts of the flesh are obvious …

Up until this point, Paul has repeatedly emphasized the unity of the church in message, mission, love, and freedom Last week, he emphasized that Christ has set us free, and its up to us to live in that freedom *A identifying marker of the Christian is freedom! If you asked people the first words tha …

*This Section is effectively a Poem in the middle of Paul’s letter Galatians 1-4 is Paul telling us how to think about the kingdom and the church Galatians 5-6 Paul tells us how we should live in that proper frame of mind *Galatians 5:1-12 is the conclusion of Paul’s section on the proper way to thi …

Question: Would you be willing to lose a limb and live free or keep your body whole and live as a slave? This entire letter, Paul has reinforced his primary concern of church unity Paul throws a curveball. He gives an example of when to divide people from the church, and not unite or invite them in …

Would you agree, that if I said the church is “growing” you would assume it means its getting larger? More people at service? More worship services? More campuses? Paul doesn’t define “church growth” by the size of the church, but by the size of their faith To Paul, church growth doesn’t mean the ch …

The Things that Divide Us: Galatians 3:1-14 The Thing that was dividing the church at this moment was circumcision, but really, it was something (tradition, doctrinal position, etc.) that they valued MORE than the people within the church Things that similarly divide us: Most denominations are break …

Ever witness or experience a church fight? Ever experience a bad church decision? First two chapters of Galatians addresses the leaders of Jerusalem church, then he pivots to the Galatian church in Chapter 3 Recap Roman authority, pagans, Jewish establishment, Jewish believers, and Gentile Believers …

Context Matters Example: My Son’s essay on the Boston Tea Party He had the right context, right characters, right places, but missed the prime point Bible study is like art: Michelangelo’s job was to cut away everything that is not David…problem is sometimes we have a block of marble (piece of scrip …

The Lord’s Supper is described in detail 3 places: 1. The Synoptic Gospels. Matthew 26:17–29; Mark 14:12–25; Luke 22:7–38; 2. By Paul in I Corinthians 11:23–25. 3. In John 6:22-59. Jesus used bread and blood to refer to salvation; symbolized in the Supper.   I. I want to take you there! 1. He s …

Angels and Demons in the Life of Jesus: I. His Birth 1. Announcement to Zechariah. (Luke 1:8-24) 2. Announcement to Mary. (Luke 1:26-38) 6 Promises to Mary: –You will be pregnant. –He will be great. –He will called Son of the Most High. –God will give him the throne of King David –He will reign …

I. Activity of Satan and Demons. A. Demonic Tactics: 1. Lies (John 8:44) 2. Deception (Revelation 12:9) 3. Idolatry (Deuteronomy 32:16-17, 1 Corinthians 10:20) 4. Murder (John 8:44, Psalm 106:35-37) 5. False doctrines. (1 Timothy 4:1) 6. Set traps. (2 Timothy 2:24-26) B. Targets: 1. The Home. 2. The …

Demons part 1 (Demonic Origins) Series: Angels, Demons and the Son of God I. What Are Demons? 1. Evil angels who sinned. 2. From the beginning parts of history he has opposed God. (John 8:44, 1 John 3:8) 3. Gap theory. (Between Gen 1:2 and Gen 1:3 is a gap that allows for a season of Satanic rebelli …

Angels, part 1-2 (Bible study series, Angels, Demons and the Son of God) I. What are Angels? Created Spiritual Beings. (Colossians 1:15-16) 1. When were they created? (Ex. 20:11, Gen. 2:1, Job 38:4-7) 2. Other Names for Angels. (Job 1:6, Psalm 89:7, Hebrews 1:14, Daniel 4:13) 3. Spirits without phys …

Malachi: Written to people living in Jerusalem. About 100 years after the Exile. They were unfaithful to the covenant law.   I. Malachi organized series of Six arguments: Argument 1: I Love you. (Malachi 1:1-5) Esau represents those who reject covenant with the Lord. Jacob (Israel) represents t …

Joel (an overview) Joel is a series of sermons. Probably written late in Old Testament history. After the exile and return from Babylon, since He quotes Isaiah, Nahum, Zephaniah, Obadiah, Ezekiel and Malachi. He probably ministered during the time of Nehemiah. Interesting, he never tells the people …

The work of the prophets: 1. Preachers. 2. They brought anticipation of four major things: Coming judgment. Disasters. Hope from Yahweh. Far future hope of a Messiah. 3. Major sins confronted by the prophets: 4. Prophets: Former prophets, “prophetic history.” Latter prophets, (Major prophets) (minor …

Luke 3:4-13  4 As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. 5 Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall become straight, and …

Example: Ava’s first night in hospital Three Realities I experienced in that situation: The limit of my human ability was Prayer I would have fought through anything to get the help she needed Any delay to get her the help would seem to endanger her life The Situation 40 Now when Jesus returned, a c …

A New and Better REALITY Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Day 1 of Creation Features- Genesis 1:3-5 Begins the creation process John 1- God is starting a new creative process God allowed light John 1:4- God said, Let there be Jesus The Light was good John 1:4- Jesus is th …

Nicodemus appears in three passages of Scripture in the Gospel of John and has a possible mention in the Talmud, the body of Jewish civil and ceremonial law and legend. In each passage we see Nicodemus grow in faith. The Curiosity and Conviction of Nicodemus (John 3:1-21) Who is Nicodemus? Nicodemus …

John 1:43-51 43 The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.”44 Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. 45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also …

The point 11 What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him. John never refers to Jesus miracles as miracles, rather signs of His revealed glory The miracle, therefore, acts as a sign for His glory His glory is …

7 Things God Wants Me to Know About Him Exodus 3 I. God wants me to Know his AWESOMENESS. Exodus 3:1-3 Theophany’s: In the Old Testament: When God appears in any form = Theophany. Theophany simply means: Appearance of God. When God makes himself visible. He doesn’t just send an angel or send fire do …

What is Truth? How one lives and dies, what and who one values, and what one believes is dependent upon how one answers this question. Pilates Search for Truth 28 Then the Jewish leaders took Jesus from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor. By now it was early morning, and to avoid ceremonia …

Problem: Looking for Relief in the Wrong place Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish festivals. 2 Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda[a] and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. 3 Here a great number of disa …

Men and Women at wells Abrahams servant met Rebekah at a well (Genesis 24:10-27) Jacob meets Rachel at a well (Genesis 29:1-11) Moses meets Zipporah at a well (Exodus 2:15-22) Woman praised as a “well of living water” (Song of Solomon 4:15) God reveals the promise for Ishmael to Hagar (Genesis 16:6- …

John 11:1-36   Focuses with Grief Perspective of MISSION Proper and Improper Perspectives of mission can be source of Pain or Peace Perspective of TIME Working in the finite makes us miss the infinite Flow of EMOTON Emotion is never wrong in itself, but what it flows to or from can be Grief extends …

The Death and Resurrection of Jesus Matthew 27-18 I. Final Events at the Cross: There are seven last words from the cross. Each writer focuses on different elements of the cross. 1. The mystery of Simon of Cyrene. (Mark 15:21) What happened to him is hinted at in Romans 16:13. 2. They crucify him at …

  Matthew 24:1-2: Sets the stage for Jesus’ prophecy of end time events. The prophecy in Matthew 24 has a short term and long term fulfillment. If Jesus can rightly predict precise events still decades ahead of time, he validates his position to speak about events even further out. I. Signs of …

This is the sermon that killed Jesus *What was it that Jesus preached here that made it worthy of His execution? Answer: Jesus pins Halakhah (Jewish Law) against Torah (Gods Laws) Quick Note: Look at your bible version and tell me if Verse 14 is missing…if so Why? What is a woe? In Matthew, Jesus is …

Matthew 24:36-Matthew 25:13 contains five thematic phrases or words of: No one knows the time or hour Anchors the knowledge of the bridesmaids To Keep watch Anchors the mission of the bridesmaids Be Wise Anchors the possession/character of the bridesmaids This is exposed by the delay of the parable …

This parable belongs as a triple parable with the parables of the Two sons and the Tenant in Matthew 21:28-46 that focuses mainly on judgment and election In this parable, Jesus: Destroys the Jewish assumption of election Exposes the Illogical and offensive rejection of Gods invitation to the kingdo …

The Gospel System intends to reverse the Values of the World: The Kingdom reverses the world value of marriage and family (Matthew 19:1-12) The Kingdom reverses the worlds value of people (Matthew 19:13-15) The Kingdom reverses the worlds definition of wealth (Matthew 19:16-22) The Kingdom reverses …

Treatment: Treat other as you want to be treated – Matthew 6:12 Judgment: The same measure you judge will be returned to you – Matthew 7:2 Mercy: Blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy – Matthew 5:7 Justice: Eye for an eye, tooth for tooth, mercy for mercy, grace for grace- Matthew 5: …

Next two weeks will be in Matthew 18 that describes the community of faith in the kingdom Qumran community had a Manual of Discipline found in dead sea scrolls, here Jesus Provides a Manual of Disciples Unlike the Manual of Discipline that gives rules, Jesus Manual of Disciples gives Proper behavior …

There were no banks in 1st century Palestine Robbers/bandits would raid Homes often burned down Armies would scorch earth How wealth was preserved: Distribute in commerce and foreign assets Buy homes, land, or disperse through merchants Hide and bury the wealth There were professional treasure hunte …

Question: Why does the Kingdom of Heaven seem so underwhelming? 31 He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. 32 Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tr …

Each parable stands by itself, meaning what soil represented in the parable of the Sower is not what it means in this parable This parable tends to focus our hearts on other elements that distract us from the main point of the parable Matthew 13:24-30 / Matthew 13:36-43 Four Elements of the Weed (Da …

Found also in Mark 4 and Luke 8 Acts as the most significant parable in all gospels Each use this parable as an introduction and foundation to parables Contextual Reminders for parable: Jesus emphasizes the intention of the heart throughout His entire teaching Sermon on the mount (Matthew 6:1-21) Wh …

1-2/3s of all of Jesus documented teachings are in parabolic form…if we want to understand Jesus’ teachings, we must understand parables Children and adults do not say, Tell me some facts, they say, Tell me a story A 2015 Princeton study hooked up a story teller and listeners onto a MRI, and they fo …

Matthew 12 Emphasizes the SUPREMECY of Jesus and His MISSION “Lord of the Sabbath” (Vs. 8) “Greater than the temple” (Vs. 6) “Greater than Solomon” (Vs. 42) “Greater than Jonah” (Vs. 41) *Remember Matthew 1 genealogy: emphasizing Christ is ultimate Jew, king, and Messiah Four Main Themes in Mathew 1 …

How to Answer God When He Calls 10 Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. 2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and h …

*Matthew 5-7 emphasize the teaching ministry of Jesus. Chapter 8 emphasizes the healing Ministry of Jesus Jesus’ Example and the Point of Ministry: Ministry should TEACH Ministry should HEAL Ministry should RESTORE Ministry should SERVE The Point of Jesus’ Healing: Gospel of John: Healing emphasize …

Unbelievers FAVORITE Passage 7 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?  …

Matthew 4:4 – Jesus rebukes Satan with “Man is not to live on Bread Alone” Matthew paints Jesus life as re-living the history and failures of Israel. In this sermon and commentary on the law, Jesus gives the answers as to HOW to succeed where Israel failed. Matthew structures His Gospel where Christ …

How to Give 6 “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. We’ve talked a lot about the supreme intention of the heart, same principle applies here, BUT also view from a principle of supreme inten …

Its about the heart stupid! Intention matters as much as Action C.S. Lewis “Great Divorce”: the one who greets you in heaven is the one who held offenses against you Any holy or good thing is only holy and good if it comes from holy and good intention Much of Jesus’ problem with Pharisees is that th …

*Jesus is laying out the Gospel SYSTEM Jesus is exposing our need for Him Jesus is setting up comparison to the Pharisees 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. – Matthew 5:20 T …

1. Take a moment and review the three fall Holy Days:–Rosh Hashana: The Biblical New Year.–Yom Kippir: The Day of Fasting. (Fulfilled by Jesus)–Tabernacles: A Biblical Thanksgiving. 2. Why did God want them to remember that their descendants had lived in booths?Lev. 23:43 so your descendants will kn …

Group Questions: 1. Have you ever spent time fasting?  What was it like?This day of fasting is wholly fulfilled by Christ on the Cross.  Yet the discipline of fasting can still have value on our walk with God.   2. What are some benefits of fasting?–Causes us to take sin serious.–Helps us focus on p …

Group Questions: 1. Psalm 81 is a Psalm written about the Feast of Trumpets. I’ve included it with my own notes. 2. God uses many symbols to communicate his redemptive nature. What are some symbols of God’s forgiveness in the Bible?   Some of my thoughts: –Stones thrown in water. –The cross its …

Preliminary thoughts on tonight’s study: The Gospel is not simply a message, nor is it wrapped up in a single event on the cross. The Gospel is a SYSTEM! Sermon on the Mount highlights the underpinning principles of the kingdom system i.e. the Gospel 17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the …

Matthew 5:8-12 Previous Week: Citizen Requirement 1: We enter a Monarchy with a King who does not need us Citizen Requirement 2: We must be Desperate for Action and Willing to Work Citizen Requirement 3: We must be Teachable and in Control Citizen Requirement 4: We must Obey the Laws of the Kingdom …

Why is this Psalm so important? 1. Most quoted Psalm in NT: Quotes 33 times from Matthew to Revelation. Psalm 110:4 is quotes 5 times in the New Testament. Psalm 110 is quotes 10 times in Hebrews. There is a doctrinal thesis out that argues Hebrews is structured around Psalm 110. At Pentecost Peter …

Matthew 4:23-5:12 Jesus begins to proclaim the Kingdom of God is here In the sermon on the mount, He lays out the new system He brings with that kingdom He starts with the beatitudes that lays out the requirements to become citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven *All of Jesus’ teachings in Matthew reinfo …

12 When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee. Two views on this: Matthew states two facts but not dependent on each other Fact 1: John was arrested Fact 2: Jesus moved to Galilee Jesus withdrew to Galilee BECAUSE John was arrested Galilee was a growing economic region …

To use the word “temptation” is inappropriate here. Reality is the “testing” or “trial” of Jesus Temptation is a struggle to do something you shouldn’t do (certainly the case here), but testing or trial goes deeper. Testing is a metric of comparison…it’s a measurement. Greek word here is “Peirazo” m …

Matthew 3 is literarily, theologically, and contextual rich Matthew 3 is dense with purpose, message, and action Baptism of repentance Clearing way for Messiah Promise of Holy Spirit (purification and judgment) 3 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea 2 and saying, …

Context for Bible Study Historical context Literary context Biblical context Cultural context Religious context Political context Emotional Context Read Sham’s Refugee Story Matthew 2:13-18  When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child an …

*Remember Matthew 1 – Matthew intends to communicate Jesus as the Messiah, Son of David, Son of Abraham i.e. the perfect and fulfilled promise of a Savior, King, and Israel Notes on Tonight’s discussion: We will discuss, and learn something tonight that may make us uncomfortable on multiple levels, …

Genealogy feels a Jewish “apologetic” gap Temple has been destroyed which is where they kept genealogy records Both Luke and Matthew preserve it for eternity Matthew 1 tells his readers what his gospel is all about He prepares to prove to them three things: Jesus is the Messiah, the son of David, th …

Expected Challenges in Matthew Culture Clash When you read Matthew, you are meeting with an ancient Jew in a tent discussing their Jewish Messiah Our Greek mindset develops different thought tracks than a Hebraic mindset Greeks valued wisdom and knowledge, but that was not the story of Israel Metaph …

Resurrection Day scene When we read the gospel narratives we typically read it as one narrative, like a newspaper report, but its more like a police report: a composite of numerous perspectives Peter John Mary Magdalene Salome and Mary, mother of James Tomb guards Example: My wife said both kids are …

Book of Exodus intends to reveal God’s NAME The REAL Name for the book of Exodus is “The book of NAMES” Notice who is and is not named in Exodus (Pharaoh not named, midwives are) “I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob as God Almighty,[a] but by my name the Lord[b] I did not make myself fully …

The Story of Cain and Abel is NOT about first death, first murder, jealousy, etc.; rather surrounds the concept of INTIMACY 4 Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, “I have gotten[a] a man with the help of the Lord.” In Hebrew, names were not simply an identifier but mo …

Last Week Lenses for Book of Revelation Read through the lens of Suffering Must understand the Old Testament Read within the context of the 7 Churches Must understand the Beginning to understand the End Another Lens: You must Read Revelation through the lens of COVENANT Revelation embodies and compl …

Two Things the Book of Revelation is… Revelation is meant to be UNDERSTOOD Revelation 1:1-2 Revelation 10:4 – He seals up a portion of the vision so we won’t understand that piece until the due time Revelation 22:10 “Whoever has ears let them hear” repeated throughout Revelation *The fact that Revel …

Esther is NOT about… A Love story Unless romance is defined by competing with 126 other virgins for a husband, proven by sleeping with him, and if chosen, still sharing him with those 126 other women A model for marriage She was not this timid, gentle, submissive woman Esther 9:5-13 Let have another …

Zoom Link Passcode: Y%X2q14 Story of Sampson is about a slow fade to UNFAITHFULNESS Faith VS. Faithfulness Faith: A passive intellectual action that pairs the mind with the heart into faith Jesus changes the heart because that’s what the mind calibrates to You can’t change someone’s heart by changin …

The Stone the Builders Rejected Psalms 118:22 Matthew 21:42 Acts 4:11 *Calvary was a rock quarry. The reason Jesus was killed feet away from the rich tombs (tomb of Joseph Arimathea) was the limestone rocks. Limestone was a smooth and luxurious rock and King Herod mandated the new wall of Jerusalem …

What was the assignment? Israel’s assignment to be light Genesis 12:1-3 Exodus 9:16 Exodus 19:4-6 Isaiah 42:6 Isaiah 49:6 Isaiah 52:10 Isaiah 60:3 Acts 13:47 Israel’s Failure to be light Psalm 44:14 Ezekiel 22:4 Ezekiel 39:7 4X in Book of Jeremiah Jesus’ fulfillment as THE LIGHT John 8:12 Acts 26:23 …

Christ is the center of all things Romans 11:36 – “From, through, and for Jesus are all things” Colossians 1:15-17 Genesis 1 & John 1:1-5 – Christ is the center of creation John 17:1-5 – The cross was for Christ’s glory What’s in it for God? The Condition for the Flood Genesis 6:1-8 Genesis 6:11 …

Exegesis: To draw out of the text Eisegesis: To read into the text Three Approaches Literalistic: Speaks to the ontological nature of the text i.e. the event and people occurred literally as presented. Example: There was a literal Adam and a literal Eve with a literal Tree of Life and a literal frui …

*What do you remember Bethlehem for? Geography is very important to Luke: He uses Geographic progression in his theology In his gospel, Luke starts in Galilee and begins working towards Samaria, Judea, then Jerusalem In Acts, Luke starts in Jerusalem and works towards Judea, Samaria, Galilee, then t …

Sometimes, asking extreme questions exposes a lot about God’s nature and our Heart Absurd questions illicit emotions in us: emotions come from passion, passion from mission, mission from affection Follow the emotion, you find the affection God designed everything in creation from the governing natur …

Goals of 1 Peter Answer a question. How can a free people live in the confines of an enslaved world? Encourage believers: Persecution was beginning. Stabilize the church structure. Primary Points of 1 Peter Saved to a Living Hope The eternal value of our hope, our witness, our faith Called to this p …

*The second coming of Jesus was not the focus of this letter, BUT, the constant belief of His second-coming was so engrained in the expectation of the early church that it shadowed every element of the letter Literary Point 1: 1 Peter 1-2:10 – Living Hope and Holiness “13 Therefore, with minds that …

The verse is not about marriage, rather marriage used as an example to substantiate a larger concept of submission FOR the gospel Application of scripture (submission) is not always as black and white as we like it to be, but is often relative to the political, societal, and cultural environment Our …

1 Peter 2:11-25 Inductive Bible Study: What does the text say? What does it mean? How does it apply to me? *NASB used to prepare study *Summarize vs 11-25 by sentence in your own words. This helps the reader check whether they understand what the writer is saying. Summary: vs 11: Keep from engaging …

Christ is the foundation for EVERYTHING Peter emphasizes the IMPERISHABLE quality that is Christ in chapter 1, and pivots to the FOUNDATIONAL quality that is Christ Uses words like “milk” and “cornerstone” A foundation is something that everything else is built upon Matthew 7:24-27, 24 “Everyone the …

1 Peter: Saved to Holiness God meets us where we are at spiritually, emotionally, physically, AND intellectually The average Jew and Gentile were nowhere close to being as educated as we are Christ used simple and easy allegories and parables to communicate; WE make it more complicated Allegories or …

Probably written near the outset of Nero’s persecution of the Church around 64 AD in Rome I. Primary Purpose: 1. Answer a question. How can a free people live in the confines of an enslaved world? If Christianity sets men and women free, makes them equal, gives value to slaves: Won’t a wife be a wor …

Across a 7 year span, Joshua and Israel conquered over 31 kingdoms That is 4-5 battles a year Three campaigns Central Southern Northern Used a Divide and conquer strategy Only Be Strong and Courageous Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord y …

Spiritual Leadership: Moses Moses, like most men, was not a natural Spiritual Leader Men are natural leaders, but when it comes to Spiritual Leadership, women tend to be more spiritually aware Exodus 4:24-26 God charges men with the duty because we would otherwise not do it God gives us the blueprin …

Timeline of Mark in Scripture 4 The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus. 5 When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their helper.” Acts 13:4-5 13 From Paphos, Pau …

Genesis 31:22-32 Spiritual Lesson #1: Sinful Habits are Learned and Adopted We do not inherit sin, we learn and adopt it Ezekiel 18 Our children do not repeat our sin because they are like us, they repeat our sin because they look up to us Our idols become their idols, because they learn to worship …

Conditions for Marriage 18 The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”- Genesis 2:18 Conditions: Be in a Good Place with God Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. – Genesis 2:8 Eden …

1 Kings 3:4-15   Proverbs 1:7   Ecclesiastes 12:13-14   Fear of God is… Stand in awe, reverence, wonder, and fear of God that leads to… Vocation of Man is… Worship God Serve God Trust God Covenant relationship with God Wisdom is to FEAR GOD because it enables us to our Vocation Solomo …

God’s message is intended to be understood Christ does not hold us to a higher or different standard What Jesus Said about the Cross “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” – Matthew 26:28 “And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most …

Sin is… Anything that detracts us from our original vocation of worshiping and serving God The offense of sin is not our moral character, but that we have rejected our vocation The root of sin is Idolatry Sin leads to vocational Exile (synonymous with death) “If you relieve a camel of the burden of …

LESSON FROM COVID PANDEMIC: IF SERIOUS ENOUGH, WE ARE WILLING TO SACRIFICE COMFORTS, LUXURIES, LIFESTYLE, AND EVEN MONEY TO COMBAT A PANDEMIC WHAT IF THE WORLD ATTACKED THE PANDEMIC OF SIN AS VICOUSLY AS WE’VE ATTACKED THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC? HOW SERIOUS SHOULD WE TAKE THE SIN PANDEMIC? Christ put si …

For every Action of God there is an appropriate Reaction from us Discipleship is not just about making you better, but equipping you to make others better Christians Know biblical concepts, but we differ in its degree of application Sometimes, we need reminders of biblical truths because we forget i …

Biblical details give Practical purpose and application God also uses details and symbols to communicate deeper spiritual truths Hebrew reflects a word’s ideal and purpose rather than its literal state of as it is The Tallit was: The most identifiable Jewish garment A Prayer Shawl Used as a covering …

Luke 24:44 Gospel of Luke quotes Psalms 24 times In Acts, Luke quotes Psalms 14 times “The Stones the builders rejected has become the Cornerstone” Psalm 118:22 Luke 20:17 Acts 4:8-12 Two types of people in the Passion Narrative Those who mock and reject Jesus for His claims Those who bear truthful …

Luke’s geographic emphasis leads the reader from Galilee to Jerusalem and in Acts leads the reader from Jerusalem to the end of the world More specifically, Luke is leading the readers to the Temple! Luke’s emphasis on the temple communicates both implicit and explicit messages: Implicit: As the emp …

Luke-Poverty Luke 10:27 I love myself enough to do all I can to: Not go to bed hungry Have a warm place to sleep Have clean clothes Have access to healthcare Fully meet all my needs In the context of Christ’s time, the material poor are those who did not compromise Isaiah 61:1-3 Exegetical Context: …