Kingdom Study on Thursday Nights
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8
March 8, 2007
KINGDOM STUDY:
The Gospel of Matthew
Session 1
1. Gospel means "Good News"
2. Four Gospels
- Matthew - King
- Mark - Servant
- Luke - Son of Man
- John - Son of God
John 20:31: But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the
Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
3. Matthew's Unique Qualities
Author
Matthew 9:9: As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting
at the tax collector's booth. "Follow me," he told him, and Matthew
got up and followed him.
Genealogy
Prophecy
Focus
Matthew 15:24: He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel."
Matthew 10:5-7: These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions:
"Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather
to the lost sheep of Israel. As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of
heaven is near.'"
Matthew 5:17: "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the
Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them."
Arrangement (3s & 7s)
4. Matthew 1:1: A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David,
the son of Abraham:
"Son of David"
2 Samuel 7:8-13: "Now then, tell my servant David, 'This is what the
LORD Almighty says: I took you from the pasture and from following the flock
to be ruler over my people Israel. I have been with you wherever you have gone,
and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name
great, like the names of the greatest men of the earth. And I will provide a
place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home
of their own and no longer be disturbed. Wicked people will not oppress them
anymore, as they did at the beginning and have done ever since the time I appointed
leaders over my people Israel. I will also give you rest from all your enemies.
The LORD declares to you that the LORD himself will establish a house for you:
When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your
offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish
his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish
the throne of his kingdom forever.
"Son of Abraham"
Genesis 12:1-3: The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your
people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you. I will
make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses
you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."
5. A King Needs a Kingdom to Rule
Genesis 1:26, 27: Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in
our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the
air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that
move along the ground."
Exodus 19:3-8: Then Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from
the mountain and said, "This is what you are to say to the house of Jacob
and what you are to tell the people of Israel: 'You yourselves have seen what
I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself.
Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will
be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for
me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words you are to speak
to the Israelites." So Moses went back and summoned the elders of the people
and set before them all the words the LORD had commanded him to speak. The people
all responded together, "We will do everything the LORD has said."
So Moses brought their answer back to the LORD.
6. Genealogies
Abraham to David
Matthew 1:2-6: Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob,
Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, Judah the father of Perez and Zerah,
whose mother was Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram,
Ram the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father
of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father
of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father
of King David.
David to Babylonian exile
Matthew 1:6-11: David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah's
wife, Solomon the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah
the father of Asa, Asa the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of
Jehoram, Jehoram the father of Uzziah, Uzziah the father of Jotham, Jotham the
father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, Hezekiah the father of Manasseh,
Manasseh the father of Amon, Amon the father of Josiah, and Josiah the father
of Jeconiah and his brothers at the time of the exile to Babylon.
Babylonian Exile to Jesus
Matthew 1:12-16: After the exile to Babylon: Jeconiah was the father of
Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, Zerubbabel the father of Abiud,
Abiud the father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor, Azor the father of
Zadok, Zadok the father of Akim, Akim the father of Eliud, Eliud the father
of Eleazar, Eleazar the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob, and
Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who
is called Christ.
The Meaning of "14"
Matthew 1:17: Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to
David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile
to the Christ.
March 15, 2007
KINGDOM STUDY:
The Gospel of Matthew
Session 2
Biblical Overview
Old Testament
Law History Poetry Wisdom Prophets
5 Books 12 Books 1 Book 4 Books 17 Books
New Testament
Gospels/Acts Letters Revelation
5 Books 21 Books 1 Book
1. God's unconditional covenant would be fulfilled in the coming of Jesus
Christ. He is the Promised One-the Messiah!
2. Matthew's Genealogy shows the royal lineage of Jesus.
Matthew 1:11: …and Josiah the father of Jeconiah and his brothers at
the time of the exile to Babylon.
Jeremiah 22:28-30: Is this man Jehoiachin a despised, broken pot, an object
no one wants? Why will he and his children be hurled out, cast into a land they
do not know? O land, land, land, hear the word of the LORD! This is what the
LORD says: "Record this man as if childless, a man who will not prosper
in his lifetime, for none of his offspring will prosper, none will sit on the
throne of David or rule anymore in Judah."
Jeremiah 23:5, 6: "The days are coming," declares the LORD, "when
I will raise up to David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and
do what is just and right in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel
will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The LORD Our
Righteousness.
3. The Birth of Jesus (Virginal Conception)
Luke 1:28: The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly
favored! The Lord is with you."
Luke 1:38: "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it
be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.
Traditions About Mary
Mary as Mediatrix
1 Timothy 2:5: For there is one God and one mediator between God and men,
the man Christ Jesus.
Immaculate Conception
Romans 3:23: For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Perpetual Virginity
Matthew 13:55, 56: "Isn't this the carpenter's son? Isn't his mother's
name Mary, and aren't his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? Aren't
all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?"
Assumption
Matthew 15:1-7: Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus
from Jerusalem and asked, "Why do your disciples break the tradition
of the elders? They don't wash their hands before they eat!" Jesus replied,
"And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?
For God said, 'Honor your father and mother' and 'Anyone who curses his father
or mother must be put to death.' But you say that if a man says to his father
or mother, 'Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is a gift
devoted to God,' he is not to 'honor his father' with it. Thus you nullify
the word of God for the sake of your tradition. You hypocrites! Isaiah was
right when he prophesied about you:"
Co-Redemptress
2 Corinthians 5:21: God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that
in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Remember
Absolutes
Convictions
Preferences
4. The Holy Spirit
Matthew 1:18: "A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are
no more."
Genesis 1:1, 2: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep,
and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
5. Purpose of Jesus
Matthew 1:21: "…he will save his people from their sins."
6. Prophecy
("Putting the Prophetic Books into Context" from Discipleship Journal,
pg. 41.)
Isaiah 7:13, 14: Then Isaiah said, "Hear now, you house of David! Is
it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of my God
also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with
child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel."
Isaiah 9:1-7: Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were
in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,
but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea,
along the Jordan- The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on
those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. You have
enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people
rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder. For as in
the day of Midian's defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the
bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. Every warrior's boot
used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning,
will be fuel for the fire. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful
Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase
of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne
and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish
this.
March 22, 2007
KINGDOM STUDY:
The Gospel of Matthew
Session 3
1. The Purpose of Jesus Coming
Matthew 1:21: "She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him
the name Jesus because he will save his people from their sins."
2. The Importance of Prophecy
The chance that any man might have lived down to the present time and fulfilled
eight prophecies is 1 in 1017 or 1 in 100,000,000,000,000,000.
(Josh McDowell, Evidence That Demands a Verdict)
3. Magi from the East
Matthew 2:1, 2: After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time
of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is
the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and
have come to worship him."
4. The Religious Leaders
Chief Priest
Pharisees
Scribes
Sadducees
5. Gifts for Jesus
Matthew 2:11: On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother
Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures
and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.
Gold - For a king
Incense - For a priest
Myrrh - For a Savior
6. The Time in Egypt
Matthew 2:13: When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph
in a dream. "Get up," he said, "take the child and his mother
and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search
for the child to kill him."
7. The Return to Nazareth
Matthew 2:19, 20: After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream
to Joseph in Egypt and said, "Get up, take the child and his mother and
go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child's life
are dead."
8. The Silent Years
9. Luke's Gospel
Luke 2:21-24: On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he
was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived.
When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed,
Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written
in the Law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the
Lord"), and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law
of the Lord: "a pair of doves or two young pigeons."
Circumcision
Redemption of the First Born
The Purification After Childbirth
10. The Early Years of Jesus
Luke 2:40: And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom,
and the grace of God was upon him.
Luke 2:51, 52: Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient
to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew
in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
March 29, 2007
KINGDOM STUDY:
The Gospel of Matthew
Session 4
1. Jesus and His Birth
Luke 2:21-24: On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he
was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived.
When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed,
Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written
in the Law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the
Lord"),and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law
of the Lord: "a pair of doves or two young pigeons."
Circumcision
Redemption of the First Born
The Purification After Childbirth
2. The Early Years of Jesus
Luke 2:40: And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom,
and the grace of God was upon him.
Luke 2:51, 52: Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient
to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew
in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
3. John the Baptist
Matthew 3:1-3: In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert
of Judea and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."
This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: "A voice of one
calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for
him.' "
Malachi 4:5: "See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great
and dreadful day of the LORD comes."
2 Kings 1:8 They replied, "He was a man with a garment of hair and
with a leather belt around his waist." The king said, "That was Elijah
the Tishbite."
4. The Meaning of Baptism
Romans 6:3, 4: Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ
Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through
baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through
the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
Colossians 2:11, 12: In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off
of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with
the circumcision done by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism and
raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from
the dead.
5. His Message - The Threat
Matthew 3:8, 9: Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not think
you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' I tell you that
out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.
6. His Message - The Promise
Matthew 3:11: "I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me
will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry.
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire."
Ezekiel 36:26, 27: I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you;
I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And
I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful
to keep my laws.
Ezekiel 37:14: I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will
settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the LORD have spoken,
and I have done it, declares the LORD.' "
Isaiah 44:3: For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the
dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on
your descendants.
Joel 2:28: "And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your
young men will see visions."
7. His Message - The Demand
Repentance
Separation
Fire
8. The Baptism of Jesus
Isaiah 53:11: After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of
life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many,
and he will bear their iniquities.
God's Blessing
The Trinity
Matthew 28:19, 20: Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing
them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching
them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always,
to the very end of the age."
April 12, 2007
KINGDOM STUDY:
The Gospel of Matthew
Session 5
1. God's Blessing, Our Identity and Temptation
Genesis 1:28: God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase
in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the
birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground."
Genesis 2:15-17: The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden
to work it and take care of it. And the LORD God commanded the man, "You
are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree
of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die."
Genesis 3:1: Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the
LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must
not eat from any tree in the garden'?"
2. Temptation/Trials and Identity
Adam
Abraham
Genesis 22:2: Then God said, "Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom
you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering
on one of the mountains I will tell you about."
Genesis 22:17: "But you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of
good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die."
Jesus and Adam
Romans 5:18, 19: Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation
for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification
that brings life for all men. For just as through the disobedience of the one
man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man
the many will be made righteous.
3. Temptation and Us
James 1:12-14: Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he
has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised
to those who love him. When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting
me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each
one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.
When Tempted
1 Corinthians 10:13: No temptation has seized you except what is common to man.
And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.
But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand
up under it.
Hebrews 4:14, 15: Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone
through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we
profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our
weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-yet
was without sin.
4. After 40 Days
Moses
Exodus 34:27-28: Then the LORD said to Moses, "Write down these words,
for in accordance with these words I have made a covenant with you and with
Israel." Moses was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights without
eating bread or drinking water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the
covenant-the Ten Commandments.
Elijah
1 Kings 19:8: So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he
traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of
God.
5. Our Battle/Warfare
The World
1 John 2:15-17: Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves
the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world-the
cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has
and does-comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires
pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.
The Flesh
Galatians 5:16, 17: So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the
desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary
to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are
in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.
The Devil
John 16:11: And in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now
stands condemned.
Names that Reveal His Position and Power
The ruler of this world (John 12:31; 16:11)-he is the prince of the world system.
The prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2)-his forces surround the earth.
The god of this age (2 Corinthians 4:4)-he influences the changing philosophies
and politics of this planet.
The ruler of the demons (Matthew 12:24; Luke 11:15)-he leads a host of demonic
forces.
Lucifer (Isaiah 14:12; cf. 2 Corinthians 11:14)-he was a light bearer in his
original state, and since his fall, he disguises himself as an angel of light.
The serpent of old (Revelation 12:9)-he has been at work since the beginning
of human history.
The great dragon (Revelation 12:3, 4, 7, 9)-he is a fierce and destructive enemy.
Names That Reveal His Practices
Satan, or adversary (Zechariah 3:1; Luke 22:3; 1 Peter 5:8)-he is a relentless
opponent of believers.
Devil, or slanderer (Luke 4:2; 1 Peter 5:8; Revelations 12:9)-he works to defame
God and his children.
The evil one (John 17:15; 1 John 5:18)-he is completely corrupt.
The destroyer (Revelation 9:11)-he seeks to destroy physical and spiritual life.
The tempter (Matthew 4:3; 1 Thessalonians 3:5)-he entices people to do evil.
The accuser (Revelation 12:10)-he accuses us before God and works to make us
condemn ourselves.
The deceiver (Revelation 12:9; 20:3)-he promotes false philosophies and spiritual
counterfeits.
A murderer (John 8:44)-he seeks the death of his victims.
A liar, and the father of lies (John 8:44)-his promises and enticements are
false.
His Program against All Humanity
He opposes the person and program of God. It is his desire to make himself "like
the Most High" (Isaiah 14:14). Thus he seeks the worship and service that
God alone deserves.
He conceals his identity by disguising himself as an angel of light and counterfeiting
the truth (2 Corinthians 11:13-15). He offers good things but through the wrong
means and for the wrong reasons (Matthew 4:3-10).
He deceives the nations (Revelation 20:3) and influences governments to hinder
the spread of the gospel.
He works against the unsaved by taking away the word from their hearts (Luke
8:12) and blinding their minds to the gospel (2 Corinthians 4:3,4).
He inspires spiritual counterfeits-false religions and false prophets (1 John
2:18, 22; 4:3).
He promotes the pursuit of the occult for hidden knowledge and power (Deuteronomy
18:9-13).
He implants wicked thoughts and plans into people's minds (John 13:2; Acts 5:3).
He can inflict disease and death (Job 2:1-7; Acts 10:38; Hebrews 2:14).
His Program against Believers
He seeks to destroy the reputations and ministries of believers (Luke 22:31;
1 Timothy 3:7). If he cannot directly defeat a Christian's ministry, he may
seek to do it indirectly by attacking a loved one.
He incites the persecution of the saints (Revelation 2:10).
He hinders the plans of believers (1 Thessalonians 2:18).
He attempts to make Christians doubt God's love; he seeks to slander God and
cause people to question God's goodness (Genesis 3:1-5).
He accuses believers before God (Revelations 12:10).
He heaps guilt and self-condemnation upon Christians because of their sins and
makes them believe the lie that they must pay for them.
He promotes a neglect of confession of sin (Ephesians 4:26, 27) and defeats
Christians by making them feel that God would not forgive them because they
have committed the same sin so many times before.
He encourages believers to rely on their own strength by making plans and acting
independently of God (2 Chronicles 16:7-10).
He tempts Christians on several fronts: lying (Acts 5:3), sexual sins (1 Corinthians
7:5), unforgiveness (2 Corinthians 2:10, 11), pride and self exaltation (1 Timothy
3:6), discouragement (1 Peter 5:6-10), and worldly preoccupation (1 John 2:15-17;
5:19).
(Kenneth Boa, Conformed to His Image, pp. 342-344)
6. The Nature of Temptation
The Misuse of divine power for the wrong purpose
Private (Matthew 5:3: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the
kingdom of heaven.")
Public (v. 6: "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.")
Power (v. 9: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons
of God.")
We will be tempted at our point of greatest strengths.
We will be vulnerable at times of greatest victories.
7. We Stand Firm and Resist by God's Word
Deuteronomy 8:1-5: Be careful to follow every command I am giving you today,
so that you may live and increase and may enter and possess the land that the
LORD promised on oath to your forefathers. Remember how the LORD your God led
you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you
in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.
He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which
neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live
on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. Your
clothes did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty years.
Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the LORD your
God disciplines you.
Genesis 1:28: God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase
in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the
birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground."
Genesis 2:15-17: The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden
to work it and take care of it. 16 And the LORD God commanded the man, "You
are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the
tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely
die."
Genesis 3:1: Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the
LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must
not eat from any tree in the garden'?"
Genesis 22:2-17: Then God said, "Take your son, your only son, Isaac,
whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt
offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about." 3 Early the next
morning Abraham got up and saddled his donkey. He took with him two of his servants
and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set
out for the place God had told him about. 4 On the third day Abraham looked
up and saw the place in the distance. 5 He said to his servants, "Stay
here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and
then we will come back to you." 6 Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering
and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife.
As the two of them went on together, 7 Isaac spoke up and said to his father
Abraham, "Father?" "Yes, my son?" Abraham replied. "The
fire and wood are here," Isaac said, "but where is the lamb for the
burnt offering?" 8 Abraham answered, "God himself will provide the
lamb for the burnt offering, my son." And the two of them went on together.
9 When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar
there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the
altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then he reached out his hand and took the knife
to slay his son. 11 But the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven,
"Abraham! Abraham!" "Here I am," he replied. 12 "Do
not lay a hand on the boy," he said. "Do not do anything to him. Now
I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your
only son." 13 Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram [a]
caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt
offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide.
And to this day it is said, "On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided."
15 The angel of the LORD called to Abraham from heaven a second time 16 and
said, "I swear by myself, declares the LORD, that because you have done
this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you
and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand
on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their
enemies,
Romans 5:18-19: Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation
for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification
that brings life for all men. 19For just as through the disobedience of the
one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one
man the many will be made righteous.
James 1:12-14: Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when
he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised
to those who love him. 13When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting
me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14but
each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.
1 Corinthians 10:13: No temptation has seized you except what is common to man.
And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.
But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand
up under it.
Hebrews 4:14-15: Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone
through the heavens,[a] Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith
we profess. 15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with
our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we
are-yet was without sin.
Exodus 34:27-28: Then the LORD said to Moses, "Write down these words,
for in accordance with these words I have made a covenant with you and with
Israel." 28 Moses was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights without
eating bread or drinking water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the
covenant-the Ten Commandments.
1 Kings 19:8: So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he
traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of
God.
1 John 2:15-17: 15Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone
loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16For everything in the
world-the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what
he has and does-comes not from the Father but from the world. 17The world and
its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.
Galatians 5:16-17: 16So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify
the desires of the sinful nature. 17For the sinful nature desires what is contrary
to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are
in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.
John 16:11: and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now
stands condemned.
Matthew 5:3-9: 3"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom
of heaven. 4Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5Blessed
are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6Blessed are those who hunger
and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy. 8Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will
see God. 9Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
Deuteronomy 8:1-5: Be careful to follow every command I am giving you today,
so that you may live and increase and may enter and possess the land that the
LORD promised on oath to your forefathers. 2 Remember how the LORD your God
led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test
you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his
commands. 3 He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with
manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does
not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.
4 Your clothes did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty
years. 5 Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the LORD
your God disciplines you.
April 19, 2007
KINGDOM STUDY:
The Gospel of Matthew
Session 6
1. Jesus Begins His Public Ministry
Matthew 4:12: When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he returned
to Galilee.
John Arrested
Matthew 14:1-12: At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus,
and he said to his attendants, "This is John the Baptist; he has risen
from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him." Now Herod
had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, his
brother Philip's wife, for John had been saying to him: "It is not lawful
for you to have her." Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the
people, because they considered him a prophet. On Herod's birthday the daughter
of Herodias danced for them and pleased Herod so much that he promised with
an oath to give her whatever she asked. Prompted by her mother, she said, "Give
me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist." The king was distressed,
but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request
be granted and had John beheaded in the prison. His head was brought in on a
platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother. John's disciples
came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus.
He left home
He fulfilled prophesy
Isaiah 9:1, 2: Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were
in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,
but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea,
along the Jordan-The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on
those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.
2. Jesus' Message - Preaching
Repentance - To change ones mind. To turn away from the world and to God.
The Kingdom of God
3. Jesus and His Disciples
He called them
A call to salvation
Romans 8:30: And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also
justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
2 Timothy 1:9: Who has saved us and called us to a holy life-not because of
anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was
given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time.
A call to sanctification
1 Peter 1:15: But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;
A call to service
4. The Disciples
Qualities
Groupings/Lists
The Twelve
Luke 6:12-16: One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and
spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to
him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles: Simon (whom
he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew,
Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, Judas son of
James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.
The Three
Matthew 17:1: After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother
of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.
Matthew 26:36: Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane,
and he said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray."
The One
Matthew 16:17-19: Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah,
for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell
you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates
of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven;
whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on
earth will be loosed in heaven."
Their Qualities
The Invitation
Matthew 4:19: Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers
of men."
Their Response
Matthew 4:20: At once they left their nets and followed him.
Matthew 4:22: and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed
him.
5. Jesus' Expanding Ministry
Teaching
Preaching
Healing
Matthew 14
John the Baptist Beheaded
1At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus, 2and he said
to his attendants, "This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead!
That is why miraculous powers are at work in him."
3Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison because of
Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, 4for John had been saying to him: "It
is not lawful for you to have her." 5Herod wanted to kill John, but he
was afraid of the people, because they considered him a prophet.
6On Herod's birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for them and pleased Herod
so much 7that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. 8Prompted
by her mother, she said, "Give me here on a platter the head of John the
Baptist." 9The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner
guests, he ordered that her request be granted 10and had John beheaded in the
prison. 11His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried
it to her mother. 12John's disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then
they went and told Jesus.
Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand
13When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary
place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. 14When
Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their
sick.
15As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, "This is a
remote place, and it's already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can
go to the villages and buy themselves some food."
16Jesus replied, "They do not need to go away. You give them something
to eat."
17"We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish," they answered.
18"Bring them here to me," he said. 19And he directed the people to
sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up
to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples,
and the disciples gave them to the people. 20They all ate and were satisfied,
and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left
over. 21The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women
and children.
Jesus Walks on the Water
22Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of
him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23After he had dismissed
them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he
was there alone, 24but the boat was already a considerable distance[a] from
land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
25During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the
lake. 26When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified.
"It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear.
27But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be
afraid."
28"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you
on the water."
29"Come," he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
30But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out,
"Lord, save me!"
31Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little
faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"
32And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33Then those who
were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."
34When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. 35And when the men
of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country.
People brought all their sick to him 36and begged him to let the sick just touch
the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed.
Isaiah 9:1-2:
To Us a Child Is Born
1 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress.
In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in
the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along
the Jordan-
2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in
the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.
Romans 8:30: And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also
justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
Romans 8:30: And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he
also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
2 Timothy 1:9: who has saved us and called us to a holy life-not because of
anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was
given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,
1 Peter 1:15: But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you
do;
Luke 6:12-16: One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and
spent the night praying to God. 13When morning came, he called his disciples
to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles: 14Simon (whom
he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, 15Matthew,
Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, 16Judas son
of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.
Matthew 17
The Transfiguration
1After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James,
and led them up a high mountain by themselves.
Matthew 26:36
Gethsemane
36Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said
to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray."
Matthew 16:17-19
17Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not
revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. 18And I tell you that you
are Peter,[a] and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades[b]
will not overcome it.[c] 19I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven;
whatever you bind on earth will be[d] bound in heaven, and whatever you loose
on earth will be[e] loosed in heaven."
Footnotes:
Matthew 16:18 Peter means rock.
Matthew 16:18 Or hell
Matthew 16:18 Or not prove stronger than it
Matthew 16:19 Or have been
Matthew 16:19 Or have been
Matthew 4:19-22
19"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers
of men." 20At once they left their nets and followed him.
21Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his
brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their
nets. Jesus called them, 22and immediately they left the boat and their father
and followed him.
Matthew 4
The Temptation of Jesus
1Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.
2After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3The tempter came
to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become
bread."
4Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but
on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'[a]"
5Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point
of the temple. 6"If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw
yourself down. For it is written:
" 'He will command his angels concerning you,
and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'[b]"
7Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God
to the test.'[c]"
8Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms
of the world and their splendor. 9"All this I will give you," he said,
"if you will bow down and worship me."
10Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship
the Lord your God, and serve him only.'[d]"
11Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
Jesus Begins to Preach
12When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he returned to Galilee.
13Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in
the area of Zebulun and Naphtali- 14to fulfill what was said through the prophet
Isaiah:
15"Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,
the way to the sea, along the Jordan,
Galilee of the Gentiles-
16the people living in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death
a light has dawned."[e]
17From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of
heaven is near."
The Calling of the First Disciples
18As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon
called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake,
for they were fishermen. 19"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and
I will make you fishers of men." 20At once they left their nets and followed
him.
21Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his
brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their
nets. Jesus called them, 22and immediately they left the boat and their father
and followed him.
Jesus Heals the Sick
23Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the
good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.
24News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were
ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed,
those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and he healed them. 25Large crowds
from Galilee, the Decapolis,[f] Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan
followed him.
April 26, 2007
KINGDOM STUDY:
Session 7
1. The Sermon on the Mount is the Essence of Jesus' Teaching
Matthew 4:17: … "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."
It portrays the repentance and the qualities of righteousness which belong
in God's Kingdom.
When God rules, this is what believers and the community of believers looks
and acts like.
Jesus calls us to a different kingdom and different values.
2. The Sermon on the Mount is a Genuine Sermon Preached by Jesus (Compare
Luke 6:17-49)
Matthew 5: 1, 2: Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and
sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them saying:
3. An Overview
A Christian's Character -Matthew 5:3-12
A Christian's Influence - vv. 13-16
A Christian's Righteousness - vv. 17-48
A Christian's Devotion - Matthew 6:1-18
A Christian's Ambition - vv. 19-34
A Christian's Relationships - Matthew 7:1-20
A Christian's Commitment - vv. 21-27
4. Key Points to Remember
God's Kingdom and the world's systems are vastly different
Matthew 5:20: For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of
the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the
kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 6:8: … do not be like them…
Embracing and living out the values of God's Kingdom is possible for believers
only.
Jeremiah 31:33: "This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel
after that time," declares the LORD. "I will put my law in their minds
and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people."
Ezekiel 36:26, 27: I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you;
I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And
I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful
to keep my laws.
We do not achieve God's grace by obeying the Sermon on the Mount. We simply
reveal God's free gift of grace in us.
5. A Christian's Character
Admitting our spiritual poverty - Matthew 5:3: "Blessed are the poor in
spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
Mourning our sinful condition - Matthew 5:4: Blessed are those who mourn, for
they will be comforted.
Yielding to God's strength - Matthew 5:5: Blessed are the meek, for they will
inherit the earth.
Pursuing God completely - Matthew 5:6: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst
for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Giving away what we have received - Matthew 5:7: Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Healing our hearts - Matthew 5:8: Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will
see God.
Becoming a peacemaker (reconciliation) - Matthew 5:9: Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
2 Corinthians 5:17, 18: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;
the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us
to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.
Expecting to be treated like Jesus - Matthew 5:11: "Blessed are you when
people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you
because of me."
Anticipating a great reward - Matthew 5:12: " Rejoice and be glad, because
great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets
who were before you."
6. A Christian's Influence
Matthew 5:13-16: "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses
its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything,
except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world.
A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it
under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone
in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may
see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
Salt
Light
John 9:5: While I am in the world, I am the light of the world."
Good Deeds Our Father's praise
The Significance of the Father for Jesus and Us
7. A Christian's Righteousness
The focus of Jewish Leaders -The obedience to the Law (from Genesis to Deuteronomy
there are 613 commandments [248 positive and 265 negative])
The focus of Jesus - The heart
Matthew 22:27-40: 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."
May 3, 2007
KINGDOM STUDY:
Session 8
1. Last Time
A Christian's Character -Matthew 5:3-12
A Christian's Influence - vv. 13-16
A Christian's Righteousness
Jesus and the Law (v. 17)
Galatians 4:4: But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a
woman, born under law.
- The Ceremonial Law
- The Judicial Law
- The Moral Law
The Believer and the Law
Romans 8:2-4: Because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life
set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to
do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own
Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned
sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might
be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according
to the Spirit.
- The spirit of the law is paramount, not the letter
- Our attitude and actions should be positive, not negative
- Christians should focus on internal/heart matters, not external/head matters
2. A Christian's Devotion: Meeting Needs - Matthew 6:1-4
- A General Principle - v. 1
- Critical Issues:
- Our motive
- Our balance
- Our expectations
3. Our Works for God will be Rewarded by God - Matthew 6:4
1 Corinthians 3:10-15: By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation
as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should
be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one
already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using
gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for
what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with
fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has
built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer
loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.
There is no reward from God if our goal is to seek a reward from men.
4. A Christians' Devotion: Prayer - Matthew 6:5-15
Prayer is entering into the presence of God because of our relationship with
Him.
Key Issues:
- Why I Pray
- Where I Pray
- How I Pray
- Private/Public Prayer
- Our Reward for Praying
5. A Christians' Devotion: Fasting - Matthew 6:16-18
Fasting was practiced by Jews
Jesus Fasted
Jesus Encouraged Fasting
Matthew 9:14: Then John's disciples came and asked him, "How is it that
we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?"
The Early Church Fasted
Acts 13:2: While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit
said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have
called them."
Fasting is abstaining from food for a certain period of time for a certain
period of time.The motive for fasting and the expectation of our fasting are
crucial.
6. The Lord's/Model Prayer - Matthew 6:9-15
It is an inclusive prayer
It is a model prayer
It is for all Christians
The Address: Our Father
o John 1:12: Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name,
he gave the right to become children of God-
o Galatians 4:6: Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our
hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father."
o Abba/Daddy
In Heaven - His holiness, righteousness, and justice
7. The Petitions
To God - Our recognition of His glory
- His Name
- His Rule
- His Will
To God - Our dependence on His provision
- Daily Bread
- Forgiveness
- Spiritual direction
8. Summary
- For the Christian, all prayer must be God-centered, not self-centered.
- All prayer must begin with the recognition of God's glory, not our needs.
- True effective prayer begins with the proper image of God. In order for
us to have this, we must have the proper estimate of ourselves. (Matthew 5:3)
Genesis 27:18-19: He went to his father and said, "My father." "Yes,
my son," he answered. "Who is it?" Jacob said to his father,
"I am Esau your firstborn. I have done as you told me. Please sit up and
eat some of my game so that you may give me your blessing."
Genesis 32:26-28: Then the man said, "Let me go, for it is daybreak."
But Jacob replied, "I will not let you go unless you bless me." The
man asked him, "What is your name?" "Jacob," he answered.
Then the man said, "Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because
you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome."
" Prayers begin with, continue with, and will always be entering into
the presence of God.
May 10, 2007
KINGDOM STUDY
Session 9
1. True Prayer and Christian Devotion Flows from our Relationship with God.
2. Our Relationship with God Determines How we View Treasure
A Negative Injunction-Matthew 6:19
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust
destroy, and where thieves break in and steal."
A Positive Exhortation- v. 20
"But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do
not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal."
A Proper View of Treasure
Luke 16:8-13: "The master commended the dishonest manager because he had
acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with
their own kind than are the people of the light. I tell you, use worldly wealth
to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed
into eternal dwellings. Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be
trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest
with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who
will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone
else's property, who will give you property of your own? No servant can serve
two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted
to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."
1 Timothy 6:17-19: Command those who are rich in this present world not to
be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put
their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing
to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation
for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
We are Stewards, Not Owners
Hebrews 11:39: These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received
what had been promised.
3. Our Challenge- Matthew 6:20b
"…where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break
in and steal."
" The Problem with Things-Decay, Boredom, Perish
" The Devastating Grip of Treasure-vv. 21-23
"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. The eye is
the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of
light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If
then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
4. A Defining Reality- v. 25
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat
or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important
than food, and the body more important than clothes?"
" The way we look at treasure ultimately impacts our relationship with
God.
5. The Problem of Anxiety/Stress- v. 25-34
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat
or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important
than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the
air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father
feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying
can add a single hour to his life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how
the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that
not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that
is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow
is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or
'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly
Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,
and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about
tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble
of its own.
What this passage teaches and does not teach
Life is a gift from God-so is everything else.
Romans 8:32: He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all-how
will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
6. The Challenge of "Little Faith"-v. 30b
…will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?"
7. Our Relationship with God, Growing Faith in God, and Obedience to God
Determines our Stress Level-vv. 33, 34
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things
will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow
will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
8. Our Relationship with Other People-7:1-5
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge
others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured
to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay
no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother,
'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank
in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and
then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."
A Judgmental Spirit
A Discerning Spirit
1 John 4:1: Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits
to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out
into the world.
9. We Must Treat People with Truth and Discernment- Matthew 7:5
"You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you
will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."
Jesus understood people's needs and treated them as individuals
10. Seeking/Knocking/Receiving- vv. 7-11
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the
door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds;
and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you, if his son asks
for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a
snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your
children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those
who ask him!
The Context is Crucial
I must realize my need and the One who can meet the need
I must preserve my relationship with God
Our Faither will provide
11. The Golden Rule-v. 12
"And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else's property, who
will give you property of your own?"
Matthew 22:37-40: 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.' "
Galatians 5:6: …The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself
through love.
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