Archive for the ‘ Jesus ’ Category

VerseD: Matthew 1:21

“She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

Matthew 1:21, ESV

The God Who saves came to us, becoming weak to save us weak in our sins.

A baby was born, but that baby became a man who died for our forgiveness.

VerseD: John 3:16

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

John 3:16, ESV

Lost in our sin, we were doomed to eternal death and suffering.

Yet, God loves. In His love, He sent Jesus to take our punishment and offer us forgiveness and eternal life.

If we only believe and trust.

This Sunday at Church: Explain to someone about the Incarnation

For this Sunday here’s what you can do: Explain to someone about the Incarnation.   What’s the incarnation? It is the teaching of God coming down as a man to save sinners.  In theology this is called Incarnation. I think this Sunday at church it be good to not only talk about the concept but […]

This Sunday at Church: Explain to someone about the Incarnation

VerseD: Hebrews 11:22-23

By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones. By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.

Hebrews 11:22‭-‬23, ESV

We have a living hope that gives us faith to move forward, for our King is not dead but alive! He has promised He is coming for us!

VerseD: John 8:12

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 8:12, ESV

It is the light of Christ, and should not be our deeds that repel and is not our good works that necessarily draw others to God.

Our goodness and light comes from Christ, and it will either repel or draw others in.

Sermon on the Mount study notes – Matthew 7:24-29

I have started (and with this one finish) a small group series on Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). I am sharing my notes in case anyone else wants to use them with their group. [Reminder that these are only notes!]

Sermon on the Mount – Part 15

Matthew 5:1-2:
Jesus wants to teach the crowds: Who are they? Jewish disciples: People who understand the
Scriptures (at least to a point). Notice from 7:28 the crowds still came along, but this teaching is for His disciples.

What does “blessed” mean?
Based on the first twelve verses, blessed means realizing our own wretchedness and need for a Savior. In other words, it is becoming/being a Christian.

What was discussed last time?

  • Fruit and False Prophets
    • Good appearances and loving works do not necessarily mean faithful Christians
    • Most (if not all) know they are deceiving others
      • The destruction will be quick … and eternal
      • They should be pitied and evangelized! And refuted

Matthew 7:24-27:
Foolish and Wise builders

  • Do not jump to the Genesis 6-9 Flood.
    • The Flood was cataclysmic globally, such that nothing remained. The wise houses remain.
  • See the Psalms, frequently pointing to “The LORD my rock”, as well as Matthew 16:13-19
  • James 1:22-25
  • Let us remember what came before: Fruit and Prophets
    • Ezekiel 13:8-16
    • Compare with the parables of Jesus:
      • Ten Virgins (25:1-13) – Be prepared, our faith cannot save nor sustain others
      • Talents (25:14-30) – Invest in what God has given us, it is to be grown and shared
      • Forgiving (18:21-35) – We give His forgiveness and grace, yet wisely
      • Weeds (13:24-30, 37-43) – Realize the false are mixed in with the true believers
      • Sower (13:3-9, 18-23) – Not all who respond well to the Gospel are saved

Matthew 7:28-9:
“Astonished”

  • Does not mean they believed
    • See Jordan Peterson (as of 12/13/2021)
  • Does not mean they obeyed
  • Does not mean they followed well
    • After explaining communion/following Jesus (John 6), we see John 6:60 and 66 – many found His teachings hard, and they left
    • Luke 8:18-22 – Following Jesus is hard
    • Luke 14:25-33 – How many are told to “just pray and believe” without being told of the cost?

Have we counted the cost?
Are we being wise, studying His Word and applying it; or foolish, taking what we like and throwing out
the rest?
Are we listening to the under-shepherds or the wolves in sheep’s clothing?

VerseD: Luke 12:40

You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

Luke 12:40, ESV

It is not a fear tactic to tell people Jesus is coming and therefore be ready and working out our salvation. Instead it is a reminder to reach as many people as possible for Christ as we can and not delay.

VerseD: Matthew 5:16

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 5:16, ESV

God’s light is put in us by the Holy Spirit when we put our faith in Christ. Then Christ works in us to do good works in this world that some may also trust Him.

VerseD: Romans 5:3-5

Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Romans 5:3‭-‬5, ESV

God wants us to rely on Him, that we could do more than we know. Growing stronger in Christ conforms us ever more to His likeness, and our hope and love grows.

Sermon on the Mount study notes – Matthew 7:15-23

I have started a small group series on Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). I am sharing my notes in case anyone else wants to use them with their group. [Reminder that these are only notes!]

Sermon on the Mount – Part 14

Matthew 5:1-2:
Jesus wants to teach the crowds: Who are they? Jewish disciples: People who understand the
Scriptures (at least to a point). Notice from 7:28 the crowds still came along, but this teaching is for His disciples.

What does “blessed” mean?
Based on the first twelve verses, blessed means realizing our own wretchedness and need for a Savior. In other words, it is becoming/being a Christian.

What was discussed last time?

  • ASK
  • Golden Rule
    • Wide vs. Narrow Gate

Matthew 7:15-23:
“Beware false prophets …”

  • Deuteronomy 13:1-3 – Speak true prophecies, but lead to other gods
    • Can be said also “preach a different gospel”
      • The Gospel: Jesus Christ (fully god, fully man) was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died for our sins on the cross, and three days later rose again.
      • False gospels: We can attain the godhood, are meant to do everything Christ did, are basically little gods
  • • Matthew 24:9-14, 21-28 – Just before Christ’s return, the gospel will be heard everywhere, but deceit will be the highest ever
    • False teachers/prophets saying Christ is found in the wilderness/inner rooms (huge influx of wilderness/secret room prayer ministries in the past 2 decades)
    • False christs? “Christ” means “anointed one” – huge influx of “anointings” and “anointed aposltes, prophets, and teachers” who receive special anointings and revelations
    • They may even perform real miracles and prophecies, “to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.”
  • 2 Peter 2
    • v. 13: Most if not all are aware they are deceiving people!
    • vv. 10b-11: They think they can control demons and “bind and decree against” them. (Obviously, most today have not met a demon like the sons of Sceva did! (Acts 19:11-20, which also points out people burning their magical books, as opposed to groups today offering heavenly viewings (sceances), destiny card reading (Tarot), and things like grave soaking (receiving anointing from the dead), all while offering sure-fire ways to make God do things for your to make your life better (magick)
    • vv. 4-10a: Mentioning the angels of Noah’s day and Sodom and Gomorrah points out those who allow or even celebrate deviant sexual desires (liberal Christianity, possibly even some in the hyper-charismatic movement)
    • vv. 17-22: They are so stuck on making the things of this world “holy” that they get stuck in the things of this world, thinking they are wise they show they are vv. 12-16, chasing money and power (like Balaam) while acting like they are barely evolved from primates.
  • But there end is destruction:
    • vv. 21-23: “Did we not …” – They put on a good show, say all the right things to sound good (how many NAR/liberal churches have orthodox statements of faith?), even accomplish amazing feats (“signs and wonders”, feeding the hungry, helping the homeless, etc.), yet they lead people from Christ.
    • “I never knew you.” – They claimed to know Christ, but like the sons of Sceva, they are merely riding on the coattails of Christ and Paul.

Who are we listening to?

How are we treating Scripture? The Gospel? Jesus? God?