:thesngroup

2010-10-05

SN - notes from 10/2/10 - the awakening conference 2010

Relational Evangelism

I. Definition -

re·la·tion·al (adj.)

1. Of or arising from kinship.

2. Indicating or constituting relation.

e·van·gel·ism (n.)

1. the act of proclaiming good news.

2. Zealous preaching and dissemination of the gospel, as through missionary work.

Conversion Responses

A friend or relative 78%

Pastor 06%

Sunday school 05%

Church service or program 03%

Walk-in off the street 03%

Special need 02%

Personal visitation 02%

Evangelistic crusade or TV show 1/2%

(Source: Church Growth, Inc.)

II. EXEMPLIFICATION (of relational evangelism) -

A. Jesus

1. His life was relational -

Luke 5:30-31 - And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”

Luke 7:34 - “The Son of Man has come eating and drinking and you say, ‘Look, a glutton, a winebibber, and a friend of tax collectors and sinners’ “

Luke 19:5-7 - When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.

All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a ‘sinner.’ ”

2. His method of ministry was relational:

a. in His discipling of the 12 (they were not technically saved until John 20:22)

b. in His sending of the 12 disciples - Luke 9:1-6 - mission #1 involved staying in the house you were ministering (preaching and healing) to.

c. in His sending of the 70 - Luke 10:1-12 - mission #2 also involved remaining in one house and (not going from “house to house”) serving the household by healing and preaching.

3. His teaching was relational:

a. Mt. 22:36-40 - “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law? Jesus replied: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.

And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

4. His death was relational -

a. Luke 23:42-43 - Then he said to Jesus, ” Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And Jesus said to him, “assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in paradise”.

5. His resurrection was relational -

a. John 21:12 - Jesus said to them, ‘come and eat breakfast’.

6. His ascension was relational -

a. Matthew 18:20 - “…and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age”.

B. The early church

1. Their main concept of ministry was relational

a. as a whole -

Acts 2:46-47 - So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

b. individually -

1 Thess. 2:8 -

So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.

Acts 14:1-3 - Now at Iconium they entered together into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed.

But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.”

II. Foundation (of relational evangelism) -

a. The only correct foundation we can have for evangelism of any sort is a right and rich relationship with Jesus. If this is not present, evangelism becomes:

1. legalistic

2. forced

3. argumentative

4. an area of pride

5. more about the sharer and less about the gospel

b. Our relationship with Jesus is integral for authentic, effective relational evangelism. We need it for proper evangelical motivation ——>

III. MOTIVATION (for relational evangelism)

A. Love

Mt. 22:36-40 - “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law? Jesus replied: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.

And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)

B. Compassion

Mat 9:36 - But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.

Mat 14:14 And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.

also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’

Mat 15:32 - Now Jesus called His disciples to Himself and said, “I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat. And I do not want to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way.”

Mat 18:27 “Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.

Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’

Mat 20:34 - So Jesus had compassion and touched their eyes. And immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed Him.

Mar 1:41 - Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.”

Mar 5:19 - However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you and how He has had compassion on you.

Mar 9:22 - “And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.

Luk 10:33 - “But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion.

Luk 15:20 - “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.

C. Fear

Jude 22-23 - And on some have compassion, making a distinction; but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.

IV. APPLICATION (for relational evangelism)

A. The foundation is our relationship with Jesus.

B. From this, we cultivate a love, compassion, and fear for the lost.

C. This mixture of love, compassion, and fear combines with our people skills, passions, gifts, calling, and location = relational evangelism.

D. Relational evangelism is broad - it’s foundation is a relationship with Jesus, its motivation is a love, compassion, and fear for the lost (regardless of how lost), it’s application can be:

1. service - Mark 6:37 - But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.”

2. apologetics - 1 Peter 3:15 - “…but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect…”

3. testimony - Mark 9:25 - He answered, “Whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.”

4. invitation - Mark 1:17 - “Then Jesus said to them, “Come follow Me and I will make you fishers of men”.

5. truth - 1 Cor. 6:19-20 - Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.

our relationship with Jesus -> our love/compassion/fear for the lost -> relational evangelism = invitation/apologetics/service/truth/testimony

2010-09-27

SN - notes from 9/25/10

The crucifixion of Jesus pt. 6 - Profiling Peter

Mark 14:66-72

I. The prelude:

A. The Request of Satan

Luke 22:31

observation 1 - of all the ways the devil could have “sifted” Peter, he focused on attacking his relationship with Jesus.

observation 2 - of all the ways the devil could have attacked Jesus, he focused on His relationship with the Father (worship me and I will give you all these kingdoms).

B. The Prayer of Jesus

Luke 22:32

C. The Grace of Jesus

Luke 22:32

Mark 14:28 - But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.

and

Luke 24:25 - The Lord has indeed risen again an appeared to Simon!

D. The Vow of Peter

Luke 22:33

E. The Prophecy of Jesus

Luke 22:34

II. The Denial Scenario

1 - v54 - Peter followed Him at a distance

observation 1 - in terms of relationship, we should never follow Jesus from a distance, but should walk closely to Him - our relationship with Him is the most important thing.

observation 2 - in terms of repentance - Peter has turned from running away, and returned to following Jesus. ”From a distance” is at least a start, and is better than going in the other direction away from Jesus.

Zec 1:3 - “Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts: “Return to Me,” says the LORD of hosts, “and I will return to you,” says the LORD of hosts.

Mal 3:7 - Yet from the days of your fathers You have gone away from My ordinances And have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you,” Says the LORD of hosts.

2 - v66 + 67 - Peter warms himself by the enemy’s fire

observation 1 - typically, this is used to show how we are not to find warmth with the enemies of God/world.

BUT

John 17:15 - I do not pray not that You should take them out of the world, but that You would keep them from the evil one.

John 17:18 - As You have sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.

Luke 6:27 - But I say to you who hear, love you enemies, do good to those who hate you.

Luk 7:34 - The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!

Luke 15:7 - I tell you that likewise there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 just persons who need no repentance.

Mt. 22:36-39 - “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law? Jesus replied: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.”

observation 2 - In our modern day context, I can think of no better place for Christians to be than sharing a fire with those who don’t know Jesus - share your hot dogs too :).

observation 3 - our compassion and love for the lost is what provides the best vehicle with which to share the gospel with them -

no love = no effect.

3 - v68 - denial #1

4 - v70 - denial #2

5 - v71 - denial #3 - with collateral damage

observation 1 - he cursed and swore (Mark)

observation 2 - He emphatically lied (Matthew and Luke)

observation 3 - He did both (cursed and lied) in front of Malchus’ relative - the one he had tried to kill in the garden.

observation 4 - so, Peter basically tried to murder the enemy, denied Jesus/lied to the enemy, cursed in front of the enemy, and did all of this in front of people who needed Jesus.

1 Cor. 15:34 - Awake to righteousness and do not sin for some do not have the knowledge of God.

Prov. 25:26 - The righteous man who falters before the wicked is like murky spring or a polluted well.

THE RESULTS

1. Satan succeeded in sifting Peter - his relationship with Jesus (denied x 3), and his relationship with the lost (attempted murder, lying, cursing) were ground to dust.

2. Peter succeeded in blowing it and weeps bitterly. Likely battling horrific condemnation.

3. Jesus restores lovingly. He had called it already! He wasn’t surprised!

John 21

v12 - come and dine = relationship restored

v15-18 -

Do you love me? x 3

Feed my lambs and sheep x 3

Follow me.

= motivation, effectiveness, and purpose restored

observation 1 - notice He didn’t ask if he was sorry, or make him promise not to blow it again, or make him get 1 million accountability partners (not that accountability isn’t important) - His questions focused on Peter’s love for Him.

observation 2 - this is where the devil will always focus his greatest attacks - your love and relationship with Jesus.

Acts 1:15 (to the 120 disciples), Acts 2:14 (to the soon to be converts), and Acts 10:9 (prayer to Jesus) = Peter is relational, restored, and reloaded.

1. be aware that the devil has aggressive and subtle plans to sabotage your relationship with Jesus.

2. be aware of your witness 24/7

3. be aware that Jesus loves you and wants your real (not fake) love too. He died to have it.

2010-09-21

SN - notes from 9/18/10

The Crucifixion of Jesus pt. 5 - the betrayal and arrest

Mark 14:42-65

I. Be ready

v42 + 43 - now you see why He wanted them praying - it wasn’t just for Him.

observation - Jesus knew this would be their first real test of faith and perseverance - this is why He had some “watch and pray” and some “wait” while He prayed. The waiting periods and the prayer seasons help to cultivate resilience and perseverance.

v44 - “whomever I kiss…”

observation - amazing that this same physically unremarkable, incarnate God was the One that dwelled in unapproachable light eons before this time. Remarkable humility!

II. The humility of Jesus

Matt. 11:28+29 - Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Exhibited by:

a. Taking our nature. Php 2:7; Heb 2:16.

b. Birth. Lu 2:4-7.

c. Subjection to his parents. Lu 2:51.

d. Station in life. Mt 13:55; Joh 9:29.

e. Poverty. Lu 9:58; 2Co 8:9.

f. Partaking of our infirmities. Heb 4:15; 5:7.

g. Submitting to ordinances. Mt 3:13-15.

h. Becoming a servant. Mt 20:28; Lu 22:27; Php 2:7.

i. Associating with the despised. Mt 9:10,11

j. Refusing honours. Joh 5:41; 6:15.

k. Entry into Jerusalem. Zec 9:9; Mt 21:5,7.

l. Washing his disciples’ feet. Joh 13:5.

m. Obedience. Joh 6:38; Heb 10:9.

n. Submitting to sufferings. Isa 50:6; 53:7; Ac 8:32; Mt 26:37-39.

o. Exposing himself to reproach and contempt. Ps 22:6; 69:9; Ro 15:3; Isa 53:3.

p. Death. Joh 10:15,17,18; Php 2:8; Heb 12:2.

III. The results of His humility:

1. From the haters - Indignation - Mark 6:3 - Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and dbrother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?” So they were offended at Him.

2. For the believers - Salvation - Heb. 12:1+2 - Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set

before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

3. From the Father - Exaltation Phil. 2:8+9 - Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under

earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

observation - so we see a reverse principle at work, temporal humility on earth leads to eternal glorification in heaven.

IV. Love Jesus?

v45 - Judas - he had been taught by Jesus, lived with Jesus, had seen the miracles, and was empowered by Jesus - however he simply loved money more … and was possessed by Satan.

v46+47 - Peter - similarly to Judas, he had left all to follow Jesus, had been empowered by Him, and had been taught by Him - however, at this point in time, He was impulsive and prayerless … and loved His own idea of the Messiah more than God’s.

observation 1 - this attack could have resulted in a capital punishment - so if Jesus hadn’t healed Malchus, there might have been a Messiah, 2 criminals, and 1 fisherman on Calvary.

observation 2 - as Christians, we do not serve the Lord by taking lives, but by giving up our own.

Rev. 12:11 - And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.

v48 - the scribes, chief priests, and elders, along with the armed guards - had all heard Jesus teaching daily and even just saw another miracle - but their envy towards Him was blinding and they loved position and power more than anything else.

v49 - Jesus had a true scriptural tenacity - He loved us, His Father and the word - and obeyed the latter whole heartedly at all times.

v50- all 11 fled fulfilling Mark 14:27 - they loved their own lives more than His.

v51 - the guy in linen loved being naked more than Jesus - just kidding. This is most likely Mark. His house is mentioned in Acts 12:12 and it is quite likely the place the Last Supper was held. Judas would have went there 1st looking for Jesus, he

probably hopped out of bed in his linen pjs and raced to tell Jesus they were coming. However, his heroic antics stopped there.

V. The trial

v53-55 - Mark does not record the trial before Annas (John 18) - there were several actual trials:

Arrest - > Annas - > illegal “night court” of the Sanhedrin (in text) - > then to an “official” daylight trial of the Sanhedrin -> then to Pilate -> Herod -> Pilate -> cross.

v56-59 - He never said, “this temple made with hands” - just His reference to His body

v60 - Isaiah 53:7

v61-62 - Jesus’ reply indicates that He is the ultimate judge, not this high priest.

v63-65 - He is beaten, much inspired by the fact that this is a their “hour and the power of darkness” (Luke 22)

And so it begins, the Passion of the Christ to save people from their sins.

2010-09-14

SN - notes from 9/11/10

The Crucifixion of Jesus pt. 4 - the prayer in the garden (B)

Mark 14:32-41

In our last study (The Prayer in the Garden - part A), we looked at the beginning of Jesus’ famous prayer and applied it in 2 different ways:

HTL - how to live

and

HTP - how to pray

to review:

HTL 1 = be still

HTL 2 = be aware (depression)

HTL 3 = be real in life

HTL 4 = be awake

HTP 1 = pray like a child

HTP 2 = pray real

HTP 3 = pray watchfully

HTP 4 = pray persistently

HTP 5 = pray flexibly

Tonight, our goal is to continue to learn from Jesus’ prayer in the garden, this time focusing on John’s take on it in John 17.

v1a - “The hour has come” - this profound verse applies to every human being great or small, young or old - you only have so much time on this earth. You either use the time wisely, or you squander it.

observation - His time had finally come! Others had tried to expedite it:

John 2:4 - Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.”

John 7:8 - “You go up to this feast. I am not yet going up to this feast, for My time has not yet fully come.”

John 7:30 - Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come.

observation - live your life with an eternal mindset and do the good works God wired you for (Eph. 2:10). No one can sidetrack God’s plans for you unless He OKs it.

v1b - “Glorify your Son” - from a quick look at this, we can learn to:

1) pray personally

2) pray specifically

3)pray conversationally

v1b - “Glorify your Son” -

from a deeper look at this, we can see:

“Glorify…” = doxazomai - praise, to speak words of praise - Jesus wanted to please His Father. We are not simply obedient or wanting to bring glory to our earthly fathers in order to become their children, we are generally obedient because they love us and we love them.

#1 - This love relationship is foundational to how we act toward them whether good or bad.

#2 - Basically, worldliness seeks to glorify self and others, godliness seeks to glorify God alone.

In terms of our heavenly Father, we can glorify Him for His:

a. Holiness - Ps 99:9; Re 15:4.

Ps. 99:9 - Exalt the Lord our God,

And worship at His holy hill;

For the Lord our God is holy.

b. Mercy and truth - Ps 115:1; Ro 15:9.

Ps. 115:1 - Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us,

But to Your name give glory,

Because of Your mercy,

Because of Your truth.

Rom. 15:9 - “…and that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy, as it is written:

For this reason I will confess to You among the Gentiles,

And sing to Your name.”

c. Faithfulness and truth - Isa. 25:1.

Isa. 25:1 - O Lord, You are my God.

I will exalt You,

I will praise Your name,

For You have done wonderful things;

Your counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.

d. Judgments - Rev. 14:7

Rev. 14:7 - “… saying with a loud voice, ’Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.”

e. Grace - Acts 11:18

Acts 11:18 - When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.”

f. In all things - 1 Cor. 10:31

1 Cor. 10:31 - Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

So, we clearly see that Jesus sought to bring glory to His Father, and lived His life accordingly. What were some His God-glorifying objectives?

In the big picture, “The Son glorified the Father by revealing in the act the sovereignty of God over evil, the compassion of God for men, and the finality of redemption for believers.” (Tenney)

Specifically -

1) v2 - to give eternal life

2) v3 - to make it possible for people to “know” God (through His death), and to get people to want to “know” God (through His life).

observation - eternal life is defined here by “knowing” (ginosko = experiential knowledge) Jesus. If one doesn’t know Jesus, their life is dead and temporal.

3) v4 - to finish the work

observation - our goal is to finish strong as well.

Phil. 3:13 -14 - Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Heb. 12:1-2 - Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith,

who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

4) v4 - to be glorified with God (again in His case)

Col. 3:2 - Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

5) v6 - To manifest (reveal) His name to the 12

observation - ‘Manifest’ means He lived and displayed the name of God - He did not just talk or teach about it. If our Christianity is to have impact, we must do the same.

6) v9 - “I pray for them” - to pray for the 11. It was the 11 who would reach the world, so He focused His prayer on them.

Rom. 8:34 - Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

a. v11a - He prayed they would be “kept” = tereo = guarded/protected

b. v11b - He prayed they would be “one” - unity x 1

c. v12 - He prayed for them to have His joy fulfilled

d. v15 - He prayed they would be in the world, but protected from the prince of this world.

e. v17 - He prayed for their sanctification - they (and we) continue the process via the word

f.v20 - He prayed for future believers

g. v21 - He prayed for unity x 2

h. v22-23 - He prayed for unity x 3

why? v23 - “that the world may know” that God sent Jesus.

i. v24 - He prayed that they would be with Him in heaven one day - a promise of togetherness forever beyond this life alone.

j. v26 - He prayed “love” would be in them

conclusions -

Based on this last prayer, Jesus seemed most concerned about:

1. our protection

2. our unity x 3

3. our joy

4. our presence in the world

5. our sanctification

6. our present time with Him

7. our future time with Him

8. our love

2010-08-29

SN - notes from 8/28/10

The Crucifixion of Jesus pt. 3 - the prayer in the garden (A)

Mark 14:32-41

review - part 2 of our series focused on Jesus’ words as He and the 12 walked to the garden. We noticed how He stressed the importance of His relationship to the Father and their relationship to Him. In sum:

Any effective, real expression of our faith in Jesus (works, obedience, love, fruit, etc.) must be hinged to our relationship with Jesus - without relationship, things become forced, contrived, and quickly get weird.

Tonight we will be taking a look at Jesus’ prayer in the garden both in terms of practice (as in how to pray - HTP) and content (as in how to live - HTL).

Next week we will do the same thing, but use John 17 as our reference point.

I. Prior to His prayer

How To Live (HTL) #1 - “Sit here while I pray” - in Ps. 46:10, we are told to “be still” knowing that “He is God” -

be still = rephah = to let hang, to be weak

this is easier to do when you compare Ps. 46 with the thought that He still takes time to pray for you - you matter that much to Him, and that is often an easy thing to forget.

HTL #2 - “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful - part 1”… - Jesus became depressed, until heaven, you will too. Recognize it as either biological or spiritual, and attack either (especially the latter) with prayer, fellowship, and the promises of God.

It is not a sin to seek medical help for the former. Is it a sin to use prosthetics for missing limbs?

HTL #3 - “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful - part 2”…

- Jesus was real in how He lived and about the things he was going through - here, we see that He had people in His life to talk with and pray with. Be real in your conversation and seek friendships that actually spur you on..

HTL #4 - “Stay here and watch” - we are always to be aware and awake for our sakes and others (in a non-nosey way) remembering that the devil is always roaming. The is command to take watch will have specific locations and seasons - there’s was the garden for a short period of time.

Rom 13:11 - And that, knowing the time, that now [it is] high time to awake out of sleep: for now [is] our salvation nearer than when we believed.

1Cr 15:34 - Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak [this] to your shame.

Eph 5:14 Therefore He says: “Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.”

II. During His prayer (in Matt. 26, Mark 14, and Luke 22)

How To Pray (HTP) #1 - “Abba” - Jesus uses this title when teaching the 12 how to pray, 3X in His prayer for crucifixion alternatives, and 4X in His prayer for the 12 and the future church. Recognize you are praying to a limitless (all things are possible for You) loving “dad”.

HTP #2 - “Take this cup and away from me” - Jesus was real in how He prayed - He prayed His fears. Be real in your prayer life.

HTP #3 - “Watch and pray” - one key to avoiding temptation is to have a prayer life that is not static, but that is alive and flowing based on what you are “watching” in life.

“Watch and pray” is also used in the context of eschatology:

Mark 13:33 - “Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.

Luke 21:36 - “Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

HTP #4 - “again He went away and prayed” - Jesus was constant in His prayers and prayer life. Pray with persistency.

Luke 18:1-8 - The parable of the persistent widow.

Luke 11:5-8 - The parable of the persistent friend.

Matt. 7:7 - Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

HTP #5 - Matt. 26:39 - “…nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” Jesus put the will of the Father over His own will and desire. Pray with flexibility recognizing God is sovereign and He seems to like to use “audibles”.

HTL 1 = be still

HTL 2 = be aware (depression)

HTL 3 = be real in life

HTL 4 = be awake

HTP 1 = pray like a child

HTP 2 = pray real

HTP 3 = pray watchfully

HTP 4 = pray persistently

HTP 5 = pray with flexibility

2010-08-12

Creationfest 2010 - Ephesians 4:17-32

Putting off the Old Man - Ephesians 4:17-32

For these notes, Ephesians 2:1-10 notes, and Jesus and Evolution notes, please go to:

www.thesngroup.net and click on blog/news.

v17 - no longer walk as the Gentiles walk…

why?

because you were:

1:4 - chosen

1:5 - adopted

1:7 - redeemed

1:7 - forgiven

1:11 - have obtained an inheritance

1:13 - sealed

2:1 - made alive

2:4 - loved

2:6 - raised up

3:20 - empowered

4:12 - equipped

So the #1 way to put off the old man = remember the cross

observation - time spent memorizing promises and other verses that remind you that Jesus cares will never be w/o value

The #2 way to put off the old man was in v14 - do not be like children (in terms of doctrine) = maintain orthodoxy (aka - right doctrine)

observation 1 - notice v20-21 - “…but you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus”

observation 2 - personally study the scriptures; ensure you are in a bible teaching church; join a small group; listen to tapes, cds, podcasts; read edifying books

The #3 way to put off the old man is alluded to in v12 (equipping the saints), v16 (by which ev. part does its share) and v17 (do not walk as the Gentiles walk) = maintain orthoproxy (aka - right practice)

observation - it is easy to think that exhortations to “do good” are just optional for certain kinds of Christians - this is completely unbiblical - we are all called and created “to do good works” (Eph. 2:10)

James 1:27 - Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.”

Micah 6:8 - He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Jeremiah 22:3 - Thus says the Lord: Do justice and righteousness, and deliver from the hand of the oppressor him who has been robbed. And do no wrong or violence to the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place.

Ezekiel 16:49-50 - Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy. They were haughty and did an abomination before me. So I removed them, when I saw it.

Zechariah 7:9-10 - Thus says the Lord of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another, do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart.

Luke 10:37- The parable of the Good Samaritan

The #4 way to put off the old man is in v.18 - not being alienated from the life of God = aka - maintain relationship

observation 1 - any effective, real expression of our faith in Jesus (works, obedience, love, fruit, etc.) must be hinged to our relationship with Jesus.

observation 2 - Jesus stressed the importance of relationship in the garden prior to His death -

John 14:7-14 = relationship and works

John 15:1-17 = relationship and fruitfulness

John 15:18-25 - relationship and opposition (John 5:44)

John 15:26-27 - relationship and evangelism

John 16:16-19 = relationship and confusing times

John 16:20-22 = relationship and the ups and downs of life

John 16:23-24 = relationship and prayer

John 16:25-33 = relationship and spiritual failure

So, the main point we can draw from Jesus’ “pre-garden” teaching is that a relationship with Him is foundational to living effectively and to putting on the new man - remembering, orthodoxy, and orthoproxy all stem from relationship.

things to avoid -

v25 - lying - God doesn’t and the devil does - enough said.

Pro. 12:22 - Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,

But those who deal truthfully are His delight.

Exo. 20:16 - You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor

Numbers 23:19 - “God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?

Jo. 8:44 - You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.

Ephesians 5:15 - Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.

v26 - anger - is not necessarily sinful. It may, however, become sinful when causeless, or excessive, or protracted (Matt. 5:22; Eph. 4:26; Col. 3:8)

Matt. 5:22 - But I say to you that awhoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment.

Col. 3:9 - Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge raccording to the image of Him who created him,

v27 - nor give place to the devil - the sins prior and after all give him room to work and should be avoided at all costs.

v28 - stealing - the goal is to be a giver, if one steals he is only a taker.

Ex. 20:15 - You shall not steal

John 10:10 - The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

v29 - corrupt word = rotten or worthless - changes culturally

Col. 3:8 - But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.

v30 - do not grieve the Holy Spirit… - if you are convicted by something “grey”, don’t do it.

Rom. 14:23 - But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.

v31 - Let all bitterness (Heb.12:13-14), wrath (with wine), anger, clamor (an outcry), and evil speaking (slander), be put away from you, with all malice (depravity - like “futility” in v.17)

v32 - instead, be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving - basically be…

Romans 13:9 - For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, i“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

conclusion 1 -

Putting on the new man and dropping the old one is purposeful b/c the world is watching -

1 Cor. 15:34 - Awake to righteousness and do not sin for some do not have the knowledge of God.

conclusion 2 -

Putting on the new man and dropping the old one is easy if you are simply in relationship with Jesus!

2010-08-10

By Grace Through Faith - Ephesians 2:1-10

Hey - this are the “rough” notes from the 1st session I did at Creationfest 2010 in the UK

By Grace Through Faith – Ephesians 2:1-10

Context –

Paul has just pointed out in the end of chapter 1 all that the rez of Jesus has brought forth practically.

He now turns his attention to all that the rez has brought forth to us personally.

v1 - b/c we were all dead in trespasses and sins

Trespasses speaks of man as a rebel, sins speaks of man as a failure. “Before God we are both rebels and failures.” (Stott)

Sin also makes us:

1) Blind (2 Corinthians 4:3-4)

2) A slave (Romans 6:17)

3) A lover of darkness (John 3:19-20)

4) Sick (Mark 2:17)

5) Lost (Luke 15)

6) An alien, a stranger, a foreigner (Ephesians 2:12; 2:19)

7) A child of wrath (Ephesians 2:3)

8) Under the power of darkness (Colossians 1:13)

v2 - notice “once” here and in v. 3 - this should be the “old you” not the “new you”.

We need Jesus!!

1) b/c we were all stuck in the course of this world

2) v2 - b/c we were all “ruled” by Satan

3) v2 - b/c we were all “sons of disobedience” - aka “sons of Adam” (see Romans 5:12)

4) v3 - b/c we all conducted ourselves based on the lust of our flesh and mind

5) v3 - b/c we were all children of wrath

Wrath?

Can a loving God have wrath?

wrath - a word denoting the active feeling of God against sin, expressing in human categories an important attribute of God: that he is holy and righteous and rejects everything that is not.

Deut. 29:23 - ‘The whole land is brimstone, salt, and burning; it is not sown, nor does it bear, nor does any grass grow there, like the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim, which the Lord overthrew in His anger and His wrath.’

2 Sam. 6:7 - Then the anger of the Lord was aroused against Uzzah, and God struck him there for his error; and he died there by the ark of God.

Ps. 103:8 - The Lord is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.

Joel 2:13 - So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the Lord your God, For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm.

Also in Romans 1:18, 2:5, 2:8, 5:9, 9:22

BUT –

The mission of Jesus was to take the wrath of God upon himself. That is the meaning of salvation in the NT - since the time when Jesus was sent into the world, only those who do not believe and do not obey have to worry about the wrath of God - aka “children of wrath”

Back to Ephesians 2

v4 - But God, who is:

1) rich in mercy (see Luke 1:78)

2) has great love for us (Rom. 5:8)

3) has exceeding grace toward us (v7)

4) has kindness toward us (v7)

v8-9 - BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH -

Paul drive his point home with these 2 amazing verses - the gift of salvation is received by faith based on the love of God and not our works.

v10 - our works verify that we are indeed saved by faith. Also, we are “saved” by Jesus so we are now free to do good works – these good works are a unique aspect of our calling - what are you passionate about in terms of service to the Lord and for people? Do it!

Conclusions

1) know that you are loves by God! (grace, mercy, love, kindness, gift, poeima = poem = “workmanship” in v10)

2) know that you are saved by God! (faith displayed through works, fruit, conviction, and continuance) - justification, sanctification, glorification.

2010-08-09

Jesus and Evolution

Hello from Creationfest 2010 in the UK! These are the notes from a seminar I gave entitled “Jesus and evolution” -

Jesus and Evolution

First of all, in terms of creation, you basically have only one of two choices when it comes to explaining it - it was the product of a creator, or it was the product of unguided processes (abiogenesis and evolution).

When it comes to the bible’s take on creation, it firmly and repeatedly asserts that Jesus was the Creator of the universe and everything in it.

John 1:3 - All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.

1 Cor. 8:6 - yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.

Eph. 3:9 - and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ.

Col. 1:16 - For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.

Heb. 1:1-2 - God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds

What is creationism?

6 main views of creationism -

1) young earth creation - day = “yom” - 24 hour day = God created in 7 literal days so the earth is young but has an appearance of maturity (flood “aged” the planet) :)

2) historical creation - “in the beginning” = “rasheed” - an indefinite amount of time. The earth is old, then God created in 6 literal days. :)

3) gap theory - A creation theory that suggests there is a very long time gap between Gen. 1:2 and Gen. 1:3. During this gap, the earth became formless and void, and then God took another crack at the whole creation thing. :(

4) literary framework - the Genesis story is poetic only, and therefore gives us no real information about creation. :(

5) progressive creation (day age) - 1 day = 1000 years or more and God ‘pops’ in and out to create new things - but in Ex. 20:11 - it is clear a day is a day. :(

Ex. 20:11 - For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.

6) theistic evolution - a creation theory that suggests God started the big bang and then used the process of evolution to eventually “lead up” to human beings (aka Adam) - biblically problematic on many fronts, but mainly since the bible states we were created “in the image of God”. :(

As an aside, although 1 and 2 are the most biblical viewpoints, if age was technically that important, the bible would of clearly told us exactly how old the earth is - but it didn’t.

The most important thing to realize is that God did it - creation points to a Creator, and that Creator is Jesus.

If you don’t believe Jesus or at least a Creator did it, you are left with nothing doing it - literally. This “science” is known as abiogenesis.

What is abiogenesis? a = no; bio = life; genesis = beginning The study of how life might have originated from inanimate (non-life) forms.

What is evolution?

6 main definitions of evolution -

1) Change over time; history of nature; any sequence of events in nature. :)

2) Changes in the frequencies of alleles in the gene pool of a population. :)

3) Limited common descent: the idea that particular groups of organisms have descended from a common ancestor (aka the biblical “kind”). :)

4) The mechanisms responsible for the change required to produce limited descent with modification (aka adaptation); chiefly natural selection acting on random variations or mutations. :)

5) Universal common descent: the idea that all organisms have descended from a single common ancestor. :(

6) Blind watchmaker thesis: the idea that all organisms have descended from common ancestors through unguided, unintelligent, purposeless, material processes such as natural selection acting on random variations or mutations; the idea that the Darwinian mechanism of natural selection

acting on random variation, and other similarly naturalistic mechanisms,completely suffice to explain the origin of novel biological forms and the appearance of design in complex organisms. :(

Definitions 1 - 4 do not conflict with biblical theology

Definitions 5 and 6 do conflict with biblical theology. They also are causing much dissention with a growing number of scientists and professors - See www.discovery.org

for a list of over 800 science professionals who collectively state:

“We are skeptical of claims for the ability of random mutation and natural selection to account for the complexity of life. Careful examination of the evidence for Darwinian theory should be encouraged.”

Let’s consider some of the issues and implications associated with definitions 5 and 6:

1. Common Sense

Isaiah 1:18 - “Come now, and let us reason together…”

Again, although the origin of life is technically not evolution, if your goal is to explore the history of life on the planet, you have to study its origin eventually (abiogenesis). Once you arrive, will nothing really be able to produce something? Do we ever assume this with anything we see presently?

Can, “…undifferentiated matter, at some point, become ‘alive’, then conscious, the conceptually proficient, then an ‘I’” ?

(Anthony Flew).

2. Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

Psalm 139:14 - “I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made…”

A. Amino acid specificity

Since all living things are composed of cells, and all cells are composed primarily of proteins, and all proteins are composed of amino acids (AAs) - when you consider how life developed or began, you have to take how AAs might have formed at some point.

A man named Stanley Miller tried this in 1953 - He assembled a closed system into which he pumped a mixture of gases (methane, ammonia and hydrogen). He subjected this mixture to high voltage electrodes and then cooled and trapped any liquids that were produced. What did he produce?

He produced a “soup” that contained around 9 amino acids, 2% of the simplest (glycine and alanine) and traces of 7 others. It was a great experiment, but…

1. This was done in an environment void of oxygen and nitrogen.

2. The AAs were right handed.

3. Miller had to rescue the AAs and cool them or else they would denature.

4. The yield was small.

5. He was the “creator”/designer!

So, it was a good experiment, but did not prove how AAs could form naturally - this is a complicated task with many hurdles!

For example, say you likened amino acids (there are 20 AA’s total) to the alphabet (26 letters total) - and you wanted to take those alphabetical letters and randomly drop them onto the floor until they spelled, “I love Jesus, He rocks”. To figure out the chances of this happening, you would take:

1/26 (letters in the alphabet) to the 17th power (letters in the sentence) = 1 chance in 1 million, 113 trillion octillion!

Since the smallest functional proteins are made up of at least 100 AA’s (compared to the 17 letters in our hypothetical sentence), we do the following:

1/20 (20 known amino acids) to the 100th power (simplest functional protein) - and that result would need to actually be taken to the 400th power b/c the simplest cells are composed of around 400 proteins = 1 chance in 20 to the 40000th power!

And, just so you know, it is estimated that all the grains of sand on the earth’s seashores are only 10 to the 25 power.

On top of this mathematical dilemma, remember, AA’s denature easily in the wrong environment - not a good characteristic to have if you are trying to form simply by chance in the earth’s supposedly volatile, primal oceans.

B. Genomes and Phenomes

Your body’s 100 trillion protein based cells each have a nucleus containing chromosomes which “hold” your genes in DNA. In this DNA double helix lay a spiral of nucleotides (adenine, guanine, cytosine, thymine) that make up your 3.4 billion base paired genome (your genes) - it’s basically your genetic blueprint!

Genes are segments of DNA that code for proteins.

They are like “words” in an instruction manual for building a human.

Chromosomes are like the pages in the instruction manual.

Each “page” contains thousands of “words” (genes) - different types of genes are used to make different types of: cells -> proteins -> tissues -> organs -> systems -> organisms

So your genes are in DNA which are in chromosomes, which are in nuclei, which are in every cell in your body.

Basically, the mother has 23 pages of information in her egg, and the father has 23 pages of information in his sperm - combined, this forms a new human with 46 total pages of information!

As the baby (or anything) grows, this information gets translated from DNA into amino acids which form specific proteins, which form specific cells, which form specific tissues, which form specific organs, which form specific systems, which form specific people!

This same basic format occurs in all living things - DNA gets transcribed and translated into proteins which form cells which are the building blocks of life.

$$$ MILLION DOLLAR QUESTION $$$

When it comes to DNA, how could something evolve to hold information with no initial information to tell it to hold something?

Francis Crick, co-discoverer of DNA, proposed (in a book called Life Itself) that some form of primordial life was shipped to the earth billions of years ago in spaceships—by supposedly ‘more evolved’ (therefore advanced) alien beings -

The very brilliant but very athiestic Richard Dawkins seconded this notion in an interview on the documentary “Expelled” -

So apparently creation points to E.T., Star Trek, and Alien vs Predator, not a Creator.

And, last time I checked, science needs to be testable - how does one test for aliens and signs of alien creation?

3. On a theological/philosophical note…

Since we are created in the image of God (Imago Dei), we have 5 key traits in common with Him that evolution cannot explain:

1. Spiritual - if, as some have said, religious ideas were a product of evolution, wouldn’t religion be counterproductive to evolution? This seminar should have been “selected against” :)! Also, do we know of any animals who worship? How can evolution explain this?

2. Moral - How can evolution explain morality? We do not see morality in the animal kingdom, especially the good (social justice) and bad (genocide) extremes of it. We see “kindness” within pods or packs, but a lion isn’t going to help a cheetah who is starving!

“Two things awe me most, the starry sky above me and the moral law within me.” - Immanuel Kant (German Philosopher)

3. Intellectual - Why do we question where we are from, why we are here, or where we are headed? Why do we write poetry, sing songs for no real purpose, create art, and try to understand the universe? No other creatures do this and again, evolution cannot explain this.

4. Volitional - Free will has been a human characteristic since the Garden of Eden. We are not driven by instinct, sex, or hunger, but can make decisions that are either harmful or beneficial to ourselves. Are there animal addicts or animal hunger strikes? Although we often choose poorly, we have the capacity to make wise choices (dieting, celibacy, etc). How could evolution account for this?

5. Relational - Since God Himself exists in a “community” of sorts (Trinity) - we are also social beings who are created to be in a relationship with God and with people. We share the gospel with others in this way - no other creatures proselytize other creatures into being what they are b/c they feel it’s beneficial. Humans are unique!

What are the implications of this?

Why does this even matter?

Based on material evolution, you are a completely purposeless accident based on random mutation and natural selection - you are no better than any other living creature (the only real law is survival), and the only guarantee you get is that one day you will die and become fertilizer. It stops there.

Based on biblical creation, you are not only the amazing product of an omnipotent and omniscient Designer (answers, “where am I from”?), but you also have the answers to the other 2 big questions - Why am I here? You are here (creation) because God loves you (adoration) and in through this love, became a man (incarnation), to redeem you from sin (redemption), clear your guilt (propitiation), give you His glory and holiness (imputation), thereby making peace between you and God (reconciliation) so that you can now have a relationship with Him, and be used by him to love and reach others. You have a purpose!

And…

His resurrection not only verified that all of this was accomplished, but also answers the 3rd question - where am I headed?

“In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:2-3).

“God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away” (Revelation 21:4).

So, with biblical creation, you not only have an explanation of origin and development - but you also know that you are loved, that you have a purpose, and that you have a hope.

With macro-evolution, you have nothing more than a theory in crisis largely driven by the loud voice of atheism with - no hope, no purpose, and no present tense and future tense answers.

Which do you choose?

2010-08-05

SN - notes from 7/31/10

Get the podcast under :thesngroup

or watch live at:

http://calvarychapelcostamesa.com/video/on-demand

The Crucifixion of Jesus pt.2

- the walk to the garden

Mark 14:31-32

Jesus’ conversation with the disciples while en route to the garden (between verses 32 and 32) are likely found in John 14,15, and 16.

This is a very important discourse because it’s one of His last official teachings prior to His crucifixion.

John 14 (just before they head out)

John 14:1-6

v1 - “Let not your heart be troubled…”

observation - this sets the tone for 14, and aspects of the next 2 chapters - He is going to be giving them reasons why their hearts should not be troubled by anything.

reason 1 (v1) - we have a validation (believe in Me)

reason 2 (v2) - we have a destination (heaven)

reason 3 (v3) - we have a culmination (Jesus)

reason 4 (v3) - we have a relationship (with Jesus)

reason 5 (v6) - we know the Way (destination) + the Truth (validation) + the Life (culmination) = all found in a relationship with Jesus!

on relationship

observation 1 - we were created as social beings (similar to the Trinity)

observation 2 - any effective, real expression of our faith in Jesus (works, obedience, love, fruit, etc.) must be hinged to our relationship with Jesus.

John 14:7-14 = relationship and works

John 14:15-31 = relationship and obedience

John 15:1-17 = relationship and fruitfulness

John 15:18-25 - relationship and opposition (John 5:44)

John 15:26-27 - relationship and evangelism

John 16:1-4 = relationship vs religion (v3)

John 16:5-15 = relationship and the Holy Spirit

John 16:16-19 = relationship and confusing times

John 16:20-22 = relationship and the ups and downs of life

John 16:23-24 = relationship and prayer

John 16:25-33 = relationship and spiritual failure

LOSE THE RELATIONSHIP PART AND YOU HAVE:

John 14:7-31 = NO relationship and works/obedience gives you LEGALISM

John 15:1-17 = NO relationship and fruitfulness gives you SPIRITUAL PRIDE

John 15:18-25 - NO relationship and opposition (John 5:44) leaves you DOWNCAST

John 15:26-27 - NO relationship and evangelism can lead to SPIRITUAL PRIDE and CONFLICT

John 16:1-4 = NO relationship and religion (v3) leaves you RELIGIOUS

John 16:5-15 = NO relationship and the Holy Spirit leads to “CHARISMANIA”

John 16:16-19 = NO relationship and confusing times leaves you CONFUSED

John 16:20-22 = NO relationship and the ups and downs of life leaves you IMBALANCED

John 16:23-24 = NO relationship and prayer leaves you PHARISITICAL

John 16:25-33 = NO relationship and spiritual failure leaves you CONDEMNED

So, the main point we can draw from Jesus’ “pre-garden” teaching is that a relationship with Him is foundational to living effectively. Just to recap, a meaningful relationship with Jesus enables us to:

1. produce works

2. produce obedience

3. produce ‘fruit’

4. endure opposition

5. produce evangelism

6. endure confusing times

7. endure ups

8. endure downs

9. produce prayerfulness

10. endure spiritual failure

Jesus exists in relationship; created us for relationship; incarnated, died, and rose to restore relationship; discipled and evangelized in relationship; taught on relationship; and is returning for a new level of relationship -

2010-07-20

SN - notes from 7/17/10

SN 7/17/10 study

The Crucifixion of Jesus pt.1 – post last supper events

Mark 14:27-31

This will be the 1st of a 6 part series bringing us to the end of Mark.

Before we get to Mark, there are some interesting events and dialogue that take place in Luke 22 and John 13 just after the “last supper”.

The events -

1. Jesus washes the disciples feet in John 13:5 - service

2. Satan asks to sift Peter as wheat in Luke 22:31 - know your enemy

3. Jesus intercedes for Peter in response to Satan’s inquiry (Luke) - defeat your enemy

The events -

4. Jesus gives out a new commandment - for His people to love one another (John 13:34-35) - so now there are 3 “love” commandments.

The dialogue -

1. An argument on who the greatest of the 12 was (see also Matthew 18:1, Mark 9:33-34, Luke 9:46 - child example; Matthew 20:20-26 - Zebedee’s wife asks for a favor)

The dialogue -

2. Jesus implies he knows Peter will return to Him after failing miserably (Luke 22:32).

3. Jesus tells Peter to strengthen his “brothers” when he does return (Luke 22:32)

The dialogue -

4. Jesus tells the 11 to be prepared after He’s gone (Luke 22:35)

back to Mark

v27 - all of you will be made to stumble…

observation 1 - if it’s written in the bible, it will happen. That’s why God’s promises are worth memorizing.

observation 2 - the “strike the Shepherd” verse comes from Zechariah 13:7

“Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, Against the Man who is My Companion,” Says the LORD of hosts. “Strike the Shepherd, And the sheep will be scattered; Then I will turn My hand against the little ones.

observation 1 - 1 Peter 5:1 refers to Jesus as the Chief Shepherd

observation 2 - “Companion” in KJ = my Fellow = relation, neighbour, associate, fellow in Hebrew

observation 3 - So this is of course Jesus - it gets interesting when coupled with 2 Cor. 5:19

2 Cor 5:19 - To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

So since God is a triune Being, He essentially struck Himself.

observation 4 - on, “and the sheep will be scattered” - this practically took place then when the 12 “took off” in various ways, but it also takes place now in how we view Jesus. There is a scattering, where some accept Him and others reject Him.

observation 5 - on, “then I will turn My hand against the little ones” - this likely refers to Israel, since the last 2 verses deal with the tribulation. This could not be what happened in 70AD since it did not lead to national repentance and acceptance of Jesus.

back to Mark

v28 - Jesus promises that He would be resurrected and that He would see them in Galilee

observation 1 - His goal was not the cross, it was to restoring things so that a relationship with us would again be possible on both sides. See Hebrews 12:1-2.

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

observation 2 - Heaven is not the goal, a relationship with Jesus is!!! It’s all about relationship - Jesus and then people.

v29 - 31 - the 11 talk the talk

observation - as we know, they all did not walk the walk and consequently left Jesus hanging. Radical oaths and promises are useless, and need to be replaced with a humble, consistent daily walk with Jesus.

applications -

1. remember Jesus created you for and died for you to restore - > relationship.

2. be aware of your enemy and fight him effectively.

3. remember that Jesus did the reconciling, we just carry the word of reconciliation

4. love God, love people, love the brethren…in the presence of the world.

5. be a servant.

6. strengthen others.

2010-07-12

SN - notes from 7/10/10

SN 7/10/10 - study

Jesus and the Passover

Mark 14:12-26

REVIEW - The Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread (Exod. 12; 23:15; 34:18, 25; Lev. 23:5-8; Num. 9:1-14; 28:16-25; Deut. 16:1-8; Ezek. 45:21-24), was a 7 day feast celebrating Israel’s deliverance from bondage in Egypt.

OUR STUDY - we will be looking at different aspects of the passover (in the OT and NT) and the “last supper”.

I. The Passover in the OT

Exodus 12

v2 - The passover celebration was to kick off Israel’s official first month of the year - it was to be a preeminent fixture in their current and future culture.

observation - Jesus’ substitutionary death for us should be foundational in a Christian’s world view

v3-4 - The lamb was for all families great or small in size

observation - Jesus died for all people - western, eastern, poor, rich alike.

v5 - without blemish

Observation - Jesus was also with out blemish - perfectly holy (Mark 1:24)

v6a - the lamb stayed with the family for several days

observation - Jesus’ earthly ministry was just for a season - He “sojourned” (John 1) among us

v6b - The whole assembly kills it

observation - human sin ultimately lead to Jesus’ redeeming sacrificial death on the cross (1 Peter 3:18)

v7 - blood on the side posts

observation 1 - it was an obvious choice, but a choice non the less.

observation 2 - it was far more than just a “passing over” - compare Exodus 12:13 with Exodus 12:23

Ex. 12:13 - Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you [are]. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy [you] when I strike the land of Egypt.

Ex. 12:23 - For the LORD will pass through to strike the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the LORD will pass over the door and not allow the destroyer to come into your houses to strike [you].

One could literally say that Jehovah (the Son) is protecting those in the home from the just judgment of Jehovah (the Father) - perfect picture of the cross!

v8 - they ate the flesh of the lamb that night as well (we’ll look at this soon)

observation - after their “salvation” from the destroying angel, they “partook” of the lamb’s body - 2 part scenario -> salvation by the blood of the lamb, and then the “indwelling” of the lamb by eating it.

v15 - leaven forbidden

observation - this is a picture of holy living, the leaven (a type of sin) is not to be eaten or even to be in the house.

v11 - they were now ready to be dispatched out of slavery into the desert en route to the promised land

II. The passover in the NT

v12-16 - the passover preperation

observation 1 - interesting how this donor’s name is never revealed even though he provided the setting for the Jesus’ last meal on earth.

observation 2 - amazing how into the details God is - He cares!

v17-20 - the passover celebration (sort of)

v18 and 20 - the betrayer announced x 2

observation - many emotions are revealed here:

- in John 13:21 - Jesus is “troubled in Spirit” over betrayal (b/c He loved Judas)

- in Luke 22:15 - Jesus wanted to eat with them “with fervent desire…” (b/c He loved them)

- in Matt. 26:22 - “And they began to be sorrowful” (b/c they were all accused, and one was guilty)

v20 - “… if he had never been born”.

observation - since we are born with volition (the power to choose), and since he used his freewill incorrectly, it would of been better for him not to have been born at all

v22-23 - the passover personified -

The Lord’s Supper

v22a - as they were eating

observation 1 - the meal:

1. Hard boiled egg

2. Roasted shankbone of

3. Bitter herbs

4. Greens - parsley, celery

5. Salt water

6. Haroset

7. Matzah

8. Wine

observation 2 - Although the meal is highly symbolic, Jesus only brings attention to 2 aspects of it:

1. the bread - symbolic of his body

2. the cup - symbolic of his blood

**both comprise the Lamb**

He took the focus off of suffering Israel and applied it to the suffering He would endure to free us from sin

v22b - blessed and broke

observation - “blessed” = eulogeo - to celebrate with praises

“break” = klao - to break in pieces and distribute

He celebrating being broken for us

v22c - take and eat

observations - both are choices - He is urging, but cannot force you to this.

v23 - took the cup and gave thanks

observation - “gave thanks” = eucharisto - to feel thankful

He was thankful to shed his blood for you

v24 - the new covenant

observation - compare Exodus 24:8 with Jeremiah 31:33

Ex 24:8 - And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled [it] on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words.

Jer. 31:31 - Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day [that] I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake,

although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:But this [shall be] the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

v25 - the last passover

v26 - He sung a hymn

observation - A Passover meal always ended with singing three Psalms known as the Hallel, Psalms 116-118

random sampling =

- I will take up the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord. I will pay my vows to the Lord now in the presence of all His people. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. (Ps. 116:13-15)

- Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles! Laud Him, all you peoples! (Psalm 117:1)

- You pushed me violently, that I might fall, but the Lord helped me. The Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation. (Psalm 118:13-14)

conclusion -

1. The passover is a picture of Jesus in more ways than one, and a picture of how we are to live our lives.

2. The Lord’s Supper is a picture of how much Jesus loves me - he celebrated, gave thanks, and sung a hymn all in light of dying for our sins - He loves you that much and though you were worth dying for.

2010-07-04

SN - notes from 7/3/10

Watch it live at http://calvarychapelcostamesa.com/video/on-demand

Get the podcast on itunes under thesngroup

SN 7/3/10 - Smelly Christians

Mark 14:1-11

the plot (v1-v2)

v1 - The Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread (Exod. 12; 23:15; 34:18, 25; Lev. 23:5-8; Num. 9:1-14; 28:16-25; Deut. 16:1-8; Ezek. 45:21-24), was a 7 day feast celebrating Israel’s deliverance from bondage in Egypt.

observation - in a time where one was to be “leaven” free, the chief priests and scribes were seeking to murder an innocent Man - all b/c they were envious! (Mark 15:10)

v2 - “uproar” b/c the passover would be an ideal time for the Messiah to show up, and many thought Jesus might be Him. They did it anyway though.

the perfume (v3-v9)

v3a - Bethany is about 2 miles outside Jerusalem

v3b - Simon the Leper is not Simon the Pharisee from Luke 7 - different time, house, woman, anointing, and purpose

general observations -

1. alabaster = calcium carbonate

2. spikenard = a plant whose rhizomes (underground stems) can be crushed and distilled into a thick, intensely aromatic amber-colored essential oil.

3. costly = according to Matt. 20:2, a denarius was a day’s wage - 300 denarii = about a year’s salary for this flask of perfume.

4. Anointed His head, and feet (John 12)

specific observations

1) according to Luke, she used her hair to rub in the oil and absorb the excess - this would mean she smelled like Jesus, and all in the room would of smelled a mixture of their combined scent.

2) 2 Cor. 2:14-15 - Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who

who are perishing.

So be smelly.

“A sweet savour of Christ! It does not consist so much in what we do, but in our manner of doing it; not so much in our words or deeds, as in an indefinable sweetness, tenderness, courtesy, unselfishness, and desire to please others to their edification. It is the breath and fragrance of a life hidden with Christ in God, and deriving its aroma from fellowship with Him. Wrap the habits of your soul in the sweet lavender of your Lord’s character.” (FB Meyer)

How can I be more “smelly”?

a. By living your life based on the “triumph” we have in Jesus.

b. By being at the feet of Jesus (listening and worshipping) - which we will look at soon.

c. By enduring seasons of “crushing” :/

1 Peter 1:6-7 - leads to a “purer” smell

James 1:2-4 - leads to a more “perfect” smell

Acts 14:20-22 - And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”

This might make more sense when “tribulations” are connected to a greater ability in terms of helping others make it to the “kingdom of God” too.

3) Based on Luke 10:38 and John 12:2-8, this was her 2nd time at His feet. The first time, she sat at His feet to hear His word, but this time, she sat at His feet to serve Him - both are integral in our ministry TO Him.

4) Expect opposition when you hear and serve = Martha tried to get her to “help” her serve others, and Judas and some of the 12 “criticized her sharply” for serving Jesus

5) Recognize the need for both (hearing His word and ministering to Him) and be aware of the warfare that will try to keep you from doing both - you must hear and minster to Jesus, before you can effectively hear and serve others.

5) (con’t) - this is why Jesus specified that the poor would always be there to serve (as opposed to Him), and that she had done a “good work for Him”

v8 - “She has done what she could”.

observation - what can you do effectively and uniquely for Jesus?

v9 - Mary’s memorial

observation - significant because she’s a woman, and because she’s not a preacher/teacher, or warrior. God chose to use her story and her unique ministry to Him b/c she was humble, generous, and at His feet.

v10-11 - Judas’ memorial

observation - Although he was always with Jesus, had giftings, and was used by God in more “spectacular” ways than Mary - he was prideful, greedy and just around Jesus.

applications

1. Learn from Mary and stay at the feet of Jesus - be in His word, be worshipful and endure opposition with regard to these things.

2. Learn from Judas and beware of only being close to

Jesus in proximity and not relationship.

3. Be smelly.

2010-06-28

SN - notes from 6/27/10

SN 6/26/10 -

The Temple and the Times - part 2

Mark 13:14-36

review - last week we looked at 2 questions the disciples asked Jesus:

1. When will these things be? (last week’s study)

2. What will be the sign when all these things will be fulfilled?

(tonight)

The answer to the 1st question was - 70 AD - the date the temple was destroyed by Titus.

We (pre-tribulational premillennial dispensational futurists) believe the answer to the 2nd question is still to come in the near future - tonight we look at why we believe this, and what is likely to go down in the end.

I. What and why we believe:

pre-tribulational - a belief that all living Christians will be raptured prior to thribulation. The term “rapture” comes from the Latin translation of the Greek word translated “caught up” in 1 Thessalonians 4:17.

pre-millennial - a theology (based on a literal translation of the bible) that believes that Jesus will literally come back to earth to set up His kingdom for 1000 years.

dispensationalism - a system of biblical interpretation (formalized in the nineteenth century by John Nelson Darby) which focuses on the division of history into (usually) seven distinct periods of time known as “dispensations”.

1. Edenic

2. Adamic

3. Noahic

4. Abrahamic

5.Mosiac

6. Davidic

7. Messianic

futurist - one who believes that the Scripture prophecies of the Apocalypse (the Book of Revelation) will be fulfilled in the future (as opposed to a preterist)

Why do we subscribe to this?

1. When one makes some of the bible figurative, it all becomes convoluted.

2. We never see the righteous and the wicked judged together in scripture (Sodom and Gommorah, the ark).

3. We have good scriptural validation to the rapture in: Luke 21:36, 1 Thess. 4:17, and 1 Cor. 15:52

4. Most of the early church up to 300 AD, were premillennialists - Papias, Irenaeus, Justin Martyr, Tertullian, Hippolytus, Methodius, Commodianus, and Lactantius.

5. Of these men, Papias’s belief in Premillennialism is especially significant since he was a disciple of Polycarp who in turn was a disciple of the Apostle John who penned the statements about a 1000-year reign of Christ in his Book of Revelation.

II. What we believe is going to go down in the future:

v14 - refer to Daniel 9:27 and 11:31

a. version 1.0 - Antiochus Epiphanes (216BC - 164BC) fulfilled this in between the OT and NT times.

According to Barclay, “He desecrated the Temple by offering swine’s flesh on the great altar and by setting up public brothels in the sacred courts. Before the very Holy Place itself he set up a great statue of the Olympian Zeus and ordered the Jews to

worship it.”

b. version 2.0 - it happens again:

2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 - That day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshipped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.

That day, being the “coming of our Lord Jesus Christ”… from 2:1

So in a similar manner to Antiochus, the anti-Christ defiles the temple again in the future.

An early Christian writer named Irenaeus, wrote this in the late second century: “But when this Antichrist shall have devastated all things in this world, he will reign for three years and six months, and sit in the temple at Jerusalem; and then the

Lord will come from heaven in the clouds, in the glory of the Father, sending this man and those who follow him into the lake of fire; but bringing in for the righteous the times of the kingdom.”

v15-20 - why so dire?

Daniel 9:27 - Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; But in the middle of the week he shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate. Even until the consummation, which is determined, is poured out on the desolate.”

Daniel 12:11 - And from the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away, and the abomination of desolation is set up, there shall be 1,290 days (until the end/2nd coming).

observation 1 - “week” can be translated “7” - as in 7 years, this falls in line with Daniel 12:11.

observation 2 - there will be 3.5 years from the time the temple is defiled to the time of the 2nd coming of Jesus.

observation 3 - this rules out the 2nd coming as being a “thief in the night” = rapture.

observation 4 - this reveals why Jesus gives all the warnings - for 3.5 years, after (the middle of the “week”), “consummation” will be “poured” on the “desolate” - aka seal, trumpet, and vial judgments from Revelation!

observation 5 - these judgments wipe out 1/4 (Rev. 6:7) and then 1/3 of mankind (Rev. 9:18) - that equates to around 3.3 billion according to today’s population.

v21-23 - widespread false religion leading up to the tribulation and during the 1st 3.5 years.

observation - v23 = “take heed” x 1

v24 - see Rev. 8:12; and Isaiah 13:9-11, Ezekiel 32:7-9, Joel 2:30-31, Amos 8:9-10, Zephaniah 1:14-15.

v25 - see Rev. 8:7-11

v26-27 - all people will see - see Rev. 19:1-16

observation - “elect” = those saved during the tribulation

v28-30 - be ready, because this will surely happen.

observation - “generation” = race

v31 - the eternality of the word of God!

v32-37 - take heed and watch!

observation -

v33 = “take heed” x 2

v34 = “watch” x 1

v35 = “watch” x 2

v37 = “watch x 3

Whenever Jesus repeats Himself, pay close attention!

applications

1. Take heed and watch!

2. v34 - we have authority - so use it wisely for the Lord

3. v34 - we have work - so do it “unto the Lord” (Col. 3:20) - in quality and with an eternal focus

4. v36 - do not fall asleep! (1 Cor. 15:34)

2010-06-24

Wednesday Night Study Notes - 6/23/10

WN 6/23/10

Curing Idolatry

1 John 5:21

1 Cor. 10:14

1 John 5:21 - “Little children, keep yourself from idols. Amen”

1 Cor. 10:14 - “Therefore my beloved, flee from idolatry”.

broad definitions

definition 1 -

Idol (biblical) - any person or thing regarded with enough admiration, adoration, or devotion that it becomes a substitute to Jesus.

definition 2 -

Worship (general) - reverent honor and homage paid to God, gods, a sacred personage, or to any object regarded as sacred

definition 3 -

Idolatry (general and biblical) - the religious worship of idols

In a nutshell, it’s a temporal thing that gets and keeps your eyes off Jesus - can be a person, image, money, art, earth, pleasure, etc.

types

1. fetishism - Latin = factitious + Italian = facere - to make

The worship of made up things - statues, stone idols, figurines, etc.

Gen. 31:19 (1st instance) - Now Laban had gone to shear his sheep, and Rachel had stolen the household idols (teraphim) that were her father’s.

Romans 1:23-24 - Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

Adrammelech. 2Ki 17:31.

Anammelech. 2Ki 17:31. Ashima. 2Ki 17:30.

Ashtoreth. Jdj 2:13; 1Ki 11:33.

Baal. Jdj 2:11-13; 6:25.

Baal-berith. Jdj 8:33; 9:4,46.

Baal-peor. Nu 25:1-3.

Baalzebub. 2Ki 1:2,16.

Baal-zephon. Ex 14:2.

Bel. Jer 50:2; 51:44.

Chemosh. Nu 21:29; 1Ki 11:33.

Chiun. Am 5:26.

Dagon. Jdj 16:23; 1Sa 5:1-3.

Diana. Ac 19:24,27.

Huzzab. Na 2:7.

Jupiter. Ac 14:12.

you get the idea.

2. Nature Worship - The worship of everything that God created (the sun, moon, stars, and animals as the supposed powers of nature).

2 Kings 23:5 - Then he removed the idolatrous priests whom the kings of Judah had ordained to burn incense on the high places in the cities of Judah and in the places all around Jerusalem, and those who burned incense to Baal, to the sun,

to the moon, to the constellations, and to all the host of heaven.

Deut. 4:19 - And take heed, lest you lift your eyes to heaven, and when you see the sun, the moon, and the stars, all the host of heaven, you feel driven to worship them and serve them, which the Lord your God has given to all the peoples under the

the whole heaven as a heritage.

3. Worldly Worship - The worship of pleasure (sex, drugs, drunkenness), money, and power.

Col. 3:5 - Therefore put to death your members which are on earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

4. Hero Worship - The worship of deceased ancestors, or of heroes - aka, people.

Psa. 106:28 - They joined themselves also to Baal of Peor,

And ate sacrifices made to the dead.

Acts 14:15-16 - But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their clothes and ran in among the multitude, crying out and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you

that you should turn from these useless things to the living God…

Acts 10:15 - And the following day they entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together his relatives and close friends. As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. But Peter

lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I myself am also a man.”

so what’s the big deal with a little idolatry?

1. Idols make you forget Jesus eventually.

Deut. 8:19 - Then it shall be, if you by any means forget the Lord your God, and follow other gods, and serve them and worship them, I testify against you this day that you shall surely perish.

Jer. 18:15 - “Because My people have forgotten Me,

They have burned incense to worthless idols.

And they have caused themselves to stumble in their ways…

2. Idols eventually take over and change you into things you were not meant to be.

murderous

Deut. 12:31 - You shall not worship the Lord your God in that way; for every abomination to the Lord which He hates they have done to their gods; for they burn even their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods.

Ez. 23:39 - For after they had slain their children for their idols, on the same day they came into My sanctuary to profane it; and indeed thus they have done in the midst of My house.

1 Kings 18:28 - So they cried aloud, and cut themselves, as was their custom, with knives and lances, until the blood gushed out on them.

perverse

Ex. 32:6 - Then they rose early on the next day, offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.

Ex. 32:25 - Now when Moses saw that the people were eunrestrained (for Aaron had not restrained them, to their shame among their enemies)…

obsessive

Acts 14:18 - And with these sayings they could scarcely restrain the multitudes from sacrificing to them.

deceptive

Then the priest of Zeus, whose temple was in front of their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, intending to sacrifice with the multitudes.

destructive

1 Cor. 6:9-10 - Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.

So, idolatry can lead to murder, perversion, mutilation, obsession (stalkers/fanclubs), addiction, and ultimately - destruction. This is why we are to “flee” from it and “keep ourselves from it” at all costs -

but how??

by refocusing on Jesus.

1 Thess. 1:9 - For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead,

even Jesus who delivers us qfrom the wrath to come.

Refocus on Jesus because:

1. He alone is the Creator - and is therefore ultimate reality.

Isa. 6:3 - “… the whole earth is full of His glory”!

2. He alone is Savior -

and is therefore ultimate love.

Isa. 45:20 - Assemble yourselves and come;

Draw near together,

You who have escaped from the nations.

They have no knowledge,

Who carry the wood of their carved image,

And pray to a god that cannot

save.

Acts 4:12 - “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Romans 5:8 - “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

3. He alone is King -

and is therefore ultimate consolation.

1Ti 1:17 - “Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, [be] honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

1 Tim. 6:11-16

conclusion =

Get your eyes of anything with an expiration date and get them on (or back on) Jesus!!!

2010-06-20

SN - notes from 6/19/10

SN 6/19/10 - study

Get the podcast under thesngroup on itunes!

The Temple and the Times - part 1

Mark 13:1-13

v1. The temple

1. This temple was originally built by Solomon and then rebuilt by Zerubbabel and Ezra (Ezra 6:15).

2. It was greatly expanded and improved by Herod - nearly 500 yards long X 400 yards wide; built from 19 b.c to 63 a.d. (taking more than eighty years); with individual bricks weighing around 400 tons.

3. It was one of the wonders of the ancient world.

4. It was the center for Jewish life for hundreds of years.

5. People swore by it (Matt. 23:16) and it was considered blasphemy to speak against it (Acts 6:13)

6. The 12 were obviously impressed by it. Jesus was not.

Why?

a. b/c the sacrificial system took place inside and was a “shadow”/”symbolic” (Hebrews 9) of what He would do on the cross

b. b/c the temple had become an idol

Matt. 12:6 - But I say unto you, that in this place is [one] greater than the temple.

c. b/c He knew, regardless of how beautiful, it was temporal and would be destroyed in 70 AD.

d. Don’t worship things with an expiration date - people, things, etc.

v2 - Jesus’ prophecy - within 40 years, Titus was dispatched by Nero to deal with wide spread rebellion from the Zealots.

1. Josephus recorded that 1.1 million Jews were killed and close to 100K were enslaved - many were burned to death as they took refuge in the temple…

a. “Now, as soon as the army had no more people to kill or plunder … Caesar gave orders that they should now demolish the entire city and temple … this was the end which Jerusalem came to.” (Josephus, Wars of the Jews, 7.1.1)

b. Once on fire, all of the gold from the temple melted and went between the stones - to get the gold, the soldiers pulled them apart (somehow) and in so doing, fulfilled Jesus’ prophecy.

2. The literal fulfillment of this prophecy in 70 AD sets the tone for the rest of the prophecies in the chapter - expect them to happen.

v3-4 - 1 mountain top view and 2 questions:

1. When will these things be? (tonight’s study)

2. What will be the sign when all these things will be fulfilled?

(next week’s study)

v5 - Jesus’ “3 part” answer:

1. v5 = applies to both questions

“Take heed that no one deceive you.”

2. v6-13 = answers the 1st question (the destruction of Jerusalem)

3. v14-37 = answers the 2nd question (the end of the world - tribulation) - next week

v6 - False Jesus’ with false teachings will come

1. Many of which are documented in the epistles - Col. 2:8, 2 Tim. 2:17-18 (Hymenaeus and Philetus), 2 Tim. 3:13, 2 Peter 2, 1 John 2:18, 2 John 1:7, Jude 4 - 9;

v7 - wars and rumors of wars (and v8 - nation against nation)

1. Possibly the first Jewish-Roman War (66–70 CE), sometimes called The Great Revolt

v8a - earthquakes -

1. Pliny the Elder described a massive earthquake that destroyed a large section of Asia Minor (Ephesus, Philedelphia, Sardis, etc.) in the year A.D. 17

2. Eusebius is said to have chronicled an earthquake destroying Colossae, Laodicea, and Hierapolis (Chron. Olymp. 210.4) in the 10th year of Nero [AD 64].

3. Tacitus records a quake in the 7th year of Nero (Emperor of Rome from AD 54-68) putting the earthquake around AD 61—Annals 14.27.

4. Jesus does not skirt the age old athiestic question of how a loving God can allow natural disasters - He says that they will happen, so be ready spiritually speaking. This same mentality is also alluded to in Luke 13:4-5

a. Luke 13:4-5 - “Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”

b. The idea is that since sin leads to death (Rom. 3:23), be ready when it’s time to die - by earthquake, tower, old age, etc!

c. So, this aspect of prophesy was fulfilled prior to the destruction of the temple.

v8b - famines

1. A famine was predicted by Agabus in Acts 11:28 and Josephus (Josephus, in his Antiquities of the Jews, Book 20, Chapter 2, Paragraph 1, Line 1, Paragraph 3, Line 37, and Paragraph 5, Lines 51–53) makes mention of a famine which occurred A.D. 45.

2. Tacitus writing in AD 109 and Eusebius (AD 260–340) also confirm this famine taking place during the reign of Claudius Caesar.

3. Plus, Titus surrounded Jerusalem and allowed people in, but not out, to escalate the loss of food and water to the city - this was basically a famine as well.

v9 - delivered to councils

1. Initially - Peter and co. (Acts 5), Stephen (Acts 7), Paul (Acts 23)

2. contextually - numerous times during the persecutions which took place in the reigns of Nero, Domitian, Trajan, Marcus Aurelius, Septimius Severus, Maximinus the Thracian, Decius, Valerian, Diocletian and Galerius

3. In his Annals, Tacitus states that “to get rid of the report (of setting Rome on fire), Nero fastened the guilt and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called Christians by the populace” (The Annals)

This is important b/c Paul points out in:

a. Col. 1:5-6 - “…which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, which has come to you, as it has in all the world…

b. Col. 1:23 - “…of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven…”

c. Rom. 1:8 - First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world.

d. 1 Thess. 1:8 - For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything.

These verses prove v10 - that the gospel was preached to all the nations.

v11 - The Holy Spirit will give you the words to speak

1. Again, this was verified by Stephen (Acts 7) and Peter (Acts 4:8) - to name a few

2. This does not mean to be ignorant of the scriptures so you can “freestyle” it by the Spirit.

a. 2 Tim. 2:15 - Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

b. 1 Pet. 3:15 - But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

c. Ezra 7:10 - For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.

v12 - these undoubtedly took place b/c they do to this day - possibly happened to Paul as well.

v13a - hated for His name’s sake

1. Not hated b/c you are a jerk, or a legalist, or too liberal

2. Ironically Jesus was a friend of sinners, but hated by the most religious people. We love God, love people, whether they love back or not.

3. On turning the other cheek.

v13b - enduring to the end

1. recall from last week that salvation merits a 3 part description:

a. Justification - I repent and accept

b. Sanctification - I continue no matter what

c. Glorification - I reign with Jesus

a. John 8:31 - Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, [then] are ye my disciples indee

b. Acts 13:43 - Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.

c. Acts 14:22 - Confirming the souls of the disciples, [and] exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

d. Acts 26:22 - Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:

e. Rom. 11:22 - Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in [his] goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut o

f. Col 1:23 - If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and [be] not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, [and] which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

g. 1 Tim. 4:16 - Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

h. 2 Tim. 3:14 - But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned [them];

applications -

1. be focused solely on Jesus -stop idolatry in your life - this especially includes the kind that occurs within the church (the temple was the context earlier)

2. be “ready” tonight - life is unpredictable.

3. be hated for the right reason

4. be resilient - continue regardless of the season