Matthew Chapter 10- Part 3
Warning regarding persecution and to exercise caution while working for the kingdom (Matthew 10:16-23)- Jesus did not want his disciples to have high expectations regarding acceptance of their message. He was sending them as sheep in the midst of wolves (for sheep, provision, protection and guidance comes from the shepherd and sheep rarely retaliate)(on the other hand wolves are predators-them who would violently reject the Gospel). Jesus wanted his disciples to be wise as serpents (serpents slither away speedily on sensing danger) and harmless as doves (not retaliating, gentle even while exhorting or rebuking). Perilous times were ahead. Persecution awaited them in the form of betrayal (even from family) and scourging and bodily harm. They were to bear witness for Jesus before governors and kings and not to worry about what they would speak before high human authorities, for the Spirit of God would strengthen them at the right time. Hatred from people would be common to them and endurance was needed for the work to be finished. Fleeing from one city to another for survival would also be wise rather than accepting martyrdom before time. Seeing the future, Jesus also said, "You shall not have gone over all the cities of Israel, till the Son of man comes." (several explanations for this-The disciples would not have finished going over all the cities of Israel- Till the resurrection/Till Pentecost/Till the judgment came on Israel with the Roman invasion in A.D.70)
Sunday, May 24, 2015
Psalm 150
Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals. Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD. (Psalm 150:1-6) (KJV)
The Psalter ends with a Psalm with multiple exhortations to praise God Almighty. Where to praise him, why praise him, how to praise him and who should praise him are successively outlined by the Psalmist.
Where to praise him- In his sanctuary, in firmament of his power!
Why praise him- For his mighty acts; for his excellent greatness!
How to praise him- With trumpet, psaltery, harp, timbrel, dance, stringed instruments, organs and loud cymbals!
Who should praise him- Everything that has breath!
God is worthy of praise. Often Christian believers praise God when he does something for them. But here the Psalmist exhorts us to praise God for who he is. The one and only great and mighty God who has no equals.
The Psalter ends with a Psalm with multiple exhortations to praise God Almighty. Where to praise him, why praise him, how to praise him and who should praise him are successively outlined by the Psalmist.
Where to praise him- In his sanctuary, in firmament of his power!
Why praise him- For his mighty acts; for his excellent greatness!
How to praise him- With trumpet, psaltery, harp, timbrel, dance, stringed instruments, organs and loud cymbals!
Who should praise him- Everything that has breath!
God is worthy of praise. Often Christian believers praise God when he does something for them. But here the Psalmist exhorts us to praise God for who he is. The one and only great and mighty God who has no equals.
Saturday, May 23, 2015
New Testament- Lesson 78
Matthew Chapter 10- Part 2
Guidelines for the Apostles initial work for the kingdom (Matthew 10:5-15)-
Jesus' priority was to send his newly chosen disciples to the Israelites who as a nation had moved away from God. He forbade them initially to go to the Gentiles. He asked them to preach that the kingdom of heaven is at hand and to heal the sick, raise the dead and cast out demons from those afflicted by them. His command to them was "Freely ye have received, freely give."He did not want them to charge anyone for the message that they were delivering or for the healings or deliverances. He did not want them to be worried about provisions, for they would be provided with, by them who received their message. He wanted them to enquire who in the town or city that they entered was worthy (God fearing & hospitable) and stay with them till they left. From a God fearing rest, they were to visit houses and proclaim the Gospel of the kingdom and make his Messiahship known. If the inhabitants of a house received their message, the disciples work would be fruitful there bringing peace or else it would have no godly fruit resulting in that house. Any house or city that rejected the Gospel would be symbolically condemned by them shaking the dust of their feet when they left the place and that house or city would be finally judged on the day of judgment for rejecting the Messiah and the heavenly gift of salvation through him.
Friday, May 22, 2015
Thursday, May 21, 2015
New Testament- Lesson 40, 41- Questions
New Testament- Lesson 40- Questions
Matthew Chapter 4- Part 4
7. Jesus' Ministry In Galilee- Matthew 4:23-25; Mark 1:39
Teaching, Preaching & Healing: Jesus went about all Galilee, --------- in their synagogues, ---------- the gospel of the kingdom, and ------------- all kinds of sickness. --------- passing between Damascus on the north and Egypt on the south carried his fame far and wide and people with sickness and those tormented by -------were brought to him and he --------- them.
New Testament- Lesson 41- Questions
Matthew Chapter 5- Part 1
1.Sermon on the mount- Matthew Chapters -----; First of 5 discourses in Matthew; Starts with 8 ---------; In the Gospel of Luke, we have the Sermon on the ------ (Luke 6:17-49) with 4 beatitudes followed by 4 woes. The term beatitude comes from the Latin word beatitudo which means "---------". The Beatitudes are eight ------. Each Beatitude consists of two phrases: the condition and the result.
2. There are 7 beatitudes mentioned in the book of ------------- (Rev. 1:3, 14:13, 16:15, 19:9, 20:6, 22:7, 22:14).
Matthew Chapter 4- Part 4
7. Jesus' Ministry In Galilee- Matthew 4:23-25; Mark 1:39
Teaching, Preaching & Healing: Jesus went about all Galilee, --------- in their synagogues, ---------- the gospel of the kingdom, and ------------- all kinds of sickness. --------- passing between Damascus on the north and Egypt on the south carried his fame far and wide and people with sickness and those tormented by -------were brought to him and he --------- them.
New Testament- Lesson 41- Questions
Matthew Chapter 5- Part 1
1.Sermon on the mount- Matthew Chapters -----; First of 5 discourses in Matthew; Starts with 8 ---------; In the Gospel of Luke, we have the Sermon on the ------ (Luke 6:17-49) with 4 beatitudes followed by 4 woes. The term beatitude comes from the Latin word beatitudo which means "---------". The Beatitudes are eight ------. Each Beatitude consists of two phrases: the condition and the result.
2. There are 7 beatitudes mentioned in the book of ------------- (Rev. 1:3, 14:13, 16:15, 19:9, 20:6, 22:7, 22:14).
Wednesday, May 20, 2015
New Testament- Lesson 77
Matthew Chapter 10- Part 1
Jesus chooses and ordains 12 disciples (Matthew 10:1-4)(Mark 3:13-19)(Luke 6:12-16)- Luke writes that before Jesus took this major decision to choose and ordain 12 disciples whom he named apostles (apostle-one who is sent away, emissary, messenger), he spent a whole night in prayer. When it was day, he went up on a mountainside and called his disciples to him and chose 12 of them, to be with him, so that he might send them out to preach. He gave them power against unclean spirits (devils/demons) to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sicknesses.
Matthew names Simon Peter as the first disciple chosen and then names the others. An easy way to remember the names of the disciples is Simon, Simon, James, James, Judas, Judas, Mathew, Thomas, Andrew, John, Philip, Bartholomew (Nathanael).
2 Simon are Simon whom Jesus named Peter (brother of Andrew) and Simon Zelotes or Simon the Caananite.
2 James are James, the son of Zebedee (brother of John) and James the son of Alphaeus.
2 Judas are Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed Jesus) and Judas (Lebbaeus, Thaddaeus) (brother of James)
Jesus surnamed James and John, sons of Zebedee, as Boanerges, which means "the sons of thunder."
Jesus chooses and ordains 12 disciples (Matthew 10:1-4)(Mark 3:13-19)(Luke 6:12-16)- Luke writes that before Jesus took this major decision to choose and ordain 12 disciples whom he named apostles (apostle-one who is sent away, emissary, messenger), he spent a whole night in prayer. When it was day, he went up on a mountainside and called his disciples to him and chose 12 of them, to be with him, so that he might send them out to preach. He gave them power against unclean spirits (devils/demons) to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sicknesses.
Matthew names Simon Peter as the first disciple chosen and then names the others. An easy way to remember the names of the disciples is Simon, Simon, James, James, Judas, Judas, Mathew, Thomas, Andrew, John, Philip, Bartholomew (Nathanael).
2 Simon are Simon whom Jesus named Peter (brother of Andrew) and Simon Zelotes or Simon the Caananite.
2 James are James, the son of Zebedee (brother of John) and James the son of Alphaeus.
2 Judas are Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed Jesus) and Judas (Lebbaeus, Thaddaeus) (brother of James)
Jesus surnamed James and John, sons of Zebedee, as Boanerges, which means "the sons of thunder."
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
Monday, May 18, 2015
Sunday, May 17, 2015
Saturday, May 16, 2015
365 Nuggets Of Gold-23
For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end. (Psalm 48:14)
John, the Apostle writes...
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. (John 1:12)
And if this is your testimony, then know that your relationship with God is forever and ever, as the Psalmist says....he will be your guide even to the end.
Wikipedia gives the definition of Guide as....a person who leads travelers or tourists through unknown or unfamiliar locations. In our wilderness journey to the heavenly Canaan as believers in Jesus Christ, we have the perfect guide in the Holy Spirit of God.
Whatever be your age and circumstance today, Jesus' promise to you is...I am with you always, even to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:20)
Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face evermore! (Psalm 105:4)...He will guide you by the Holy Spirit continually.
John, the Apostle writes...
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. (John 1:12)
And if this is your testimony, then know that your relationship with God is forever and ever, as the Psalmist says....he will be your guide even to the end.
Wikipedia gives the definition of Guide as....a person who leads travelers or tourists through unknown or unfamiliar locations. In our wilderness journey to the heavenly Canaan as believers in Jesus Christ, we have the perfect guide in the Holy Spirit of God.
Whatever be your age and circumstance today, Jesus' promise to you is...I am with you always, even to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:20)
Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face evermore! (Psalm 105:4)...He will guide you by the Holy Spirit continually.
Friday, May 15, 2015
Thursday, May 14, 2015
365 Nuggets of Gold-22
Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord. (Psalm 31:24)
Are you one who encourages others, especially fellow believers? I can hear a few voices say, "I have enough problems of my own, how can I encourage others?" Well, Psalm 31 is sung by a man who had enough problems and many enemies who desired to see him dead. Some of the matters that he sings in the Psalm gives us an indication of that....Free me from the trap that is set for me.....my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my body with grief.....I have become like broken pottery........there is terror on every side......
Yet amidst all these perilous situations, he trusted in God and made God his refuge. He cried out to God....Deliver me....come quickly to my rescue.....lead and guide me.....redeem me.....be merciful to me.....let your face shine on your servant.....save me in your unfailing love.
God answered his cries for mercy and set him free. Thus he could strengthen others by singing...Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.
God will hear your cry for mercy too....hope and trust in him.....he will set you free...and when he does that...encourage others as David did.
Are you one who encourages others, especially fellow believers? I can hear a few voices say, "I have enough problems of my own, how can I encourage others?" Well, Psalm 31 is sung by a man who had enough problems and many enemies who desired to see him dead. Some of the matters that he sings in the Psalm gives us an indication of that....Free me from the trap that is set for me.....my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my body with grief.....I have become like broken pottery........there is terror on every side......
Yet amidst all these perilous situations, he trusted in God and made God his refuge. He cried out to God....Deliver me....come quickly to my rescue.....lead and guide me.....redeem me.....be merciful to me.....let your face shine on your servant.....save me in your unfailing love.
God answered his cries for mercy and set him free. Thus he could strengthen others by singing...Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.
God will hear your cry for mercy too....hope and trust in him.....he will set you free...and when he does that...encourage others as David did.
Tuesday, May 12, 2015
Bible Study- New Testament- Lesson 73
New Testament- Lesson 73
Matthew Chapter 9- Part 4
4. Jesus heals a woman with a 12 year affliction and raises Jairus' daughter from the dead (Matthew 9:18-26)(Mark 5:21-43)(Luke 8:41-56)
Matthew's version of Jairus the synagogue ruler's 12 year old daughter being raised from the dead and the healing of the woman with the 12 year affliction, is shorter than those of Mark and Luke and he also mentions it after the feast in his house while Mark and Luke mention it after the healing of the demoniac at Gadarenes. Jairus begged Jesus to go with him and lay his hands on his dying daughter and Jesus agreed. But as he went, a multitude thronged around him and a woman with a 12 year flow of blood gathered courage and touched his garment saying to herself that she would be healed if she touched his garment and she was instantaneously healed. Despite the crowd thronging, Jesus realized that power had gone from him and wanted to know who it was that touched him. The disciples told him that his question was strange with such a great crowd jostling but Jesus insisted and finally the woman confessed that it was she. Jesus commended her faith and blessed her. While this happened, some from Jairus' house came and told him not to bother Jesus, for his daughter was already dead, but Jesus assured Jairus by saying, "Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well." Jesus, Peter, James and John, on reaching Jairus' house saw people lamenting for the dead girl, but Jesus told them that the girl was not dead but sleeping. The mourners ridiculed him, but he put them all outside and went with her parents to where the girl lay and took her by the hand saying "Talitha, cumi"(Aramaic language) which is translated, "Little girl, I say to you, arise." Immediately the girl arose and walked; her parents were astonished and Jesus told them to give her something to eat. It's notable here that a despairing woman with a 12 year affliction and a despairing father of a 12 year old received comfort the same day from the healer from Nazareth- "Jesus Christ".
Matthew Chapter 9- Part 4
4. Jesus heals a woman with a 12 year affliction and raises Jairus' daughter from the dead (Matthew 9:18-26)(Mark 5:21-43)(Luke 8:41-56)
Matthew's version of Jairus the synagogue ruler's 12 year old daughter being raised from the dead and the healing of the woman with the 12 year affliction, is shorter than those of Mark and Luke and he also mentions it after the feast in his house while Mark and Luke mention it after the healing of the demoniac at Gadarenes. Jairus begged Jesus to go with him and lay his hands on his dying daughter and Jesus agreed. But as he went, a multitude thronged around him and a woman with a 12 year flow of blood gathered courage and touched his garment saying to herself that she would be healed if she touched his garment and she was instantaneously healed. Despite the crowd thronging, Jesus realized that power had gone from him and wanted to know who it was that touched him. The disciples told him that his question was strange with such a great crowd jostling but Jesus insisted and finally the woman confessed that it was she. Jesus commended her faith and blessed her. While this happened, some from Jairus' house came and told him not to bother Jesus, for his daughter was already dead, but Jesus assured Jairus by saying, "Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well." Jesus, Peter, James and John, on reaching Jairus' house saw people lamenting for the dead girl, but Jesus told them that the girl was not dead but sleeping. The mourners ridiculed him, but he put them all outside and went with her parents to where the girl lay and took her by the hand saying "Talitha, cumi"(Aramaic language) which is translated, "Little girl, I say to you, arise." Immediately the girl arose and walked; her parents were astonished and Jesus told them to give her something to eat. It's notable here that a despairing woman with a 12 year affliction and a despairing father of a 12 year old received comfort the same day from the healer from Nazareth- "Jesus Christ".
Monday, May 11, 2015
Sunday, May 10, 2015
Saturday, May 9, 2015
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