April 8, 2016

Mark

Filed under: Old and New Testament — Adam Osborne @ 3:18 pm

Chapter 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16

Introduction

Author: Mark

Theme: The life and teaching of Jesus Christ the Savior

Stories include: Jesus’ baptism and temptation; Jesus calms a storm; Jesus heals a boy; the Lord’s Supper; the garden of Gethsemane; Jesus is executed but rises from the dead.

THE GOSPEL OF MARK

Chapter One

John the Baptist Prepares the Way

1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. ²As it is written in the Prophets:

Behold, I send My messenger before Your face,
Who will prepare Your way before You.
³The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
Prepare the way of the Lord;
Make His paths straight.

⁴John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance ^[b]for the remission of sins. ⁵Then all the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, went out to him and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.

⁶Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. ⁷And he preached, saying, There comes One after me who is mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose. ⁸I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.

John Baptizes Jesus

⁹It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. ¹⁰And immediately, coming up from the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove. ¹¹Then a voice came from heaven, â€œYou are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Satan Tempts Jesus

¹²Immediately the Spirit ^[e]drove Him into the wilderness. ¹³And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to Him.

Jesus Begins His Galilean Ministry

¹⁴Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel ^[f]of the kingdom of God, ¹⁵and saying, â€œThe time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.

Four Fishermen Called as Disciples

¹⁶And as He walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. ¹⁷Then Jesus said to them, Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men. ¹⁸They immediately left their nets and followed Him.

¹⁹When He had gone a little farther from there, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the boat mending their nets. ²⁰And immediately He called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went after Him.

Jesus Casts Out an Unclean Spirit

²¹Then they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and taught. ²²And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

²³Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, ²⁴saying, â€œLet us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are the Holy One of God!

²⁵But Jesus rebuked him, saying, Be quiet, and come out of him! ²⁶And when the unclean spirit had convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him. ²⁷Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him. ²⁸And immediately His fame spread throughout all the region around Galilee.

Peter’s Mother-in-Law Healed

²⁹Now as soon as they had come out of the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. ³⁰But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick with a fever, and they told Him about her at once. ³¹So He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and immediately the fever left her. And she served them.

Many Healed After Sabbath Sunset

³²At evening, when the sun had set, they brought to Him all who were sick and those who were demon-possessed. ³³And the whole city was gathered together at the door. ³⁴Then He healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew Him.

Preaching in Galilee

³⁵Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a ^[k]solitary place; and there He prayed. ³⁶And Simon and those who were with Him searched for Him. ³⁷When they found Him, they said to Him, Everyone is looking for You.

³⁸But He said to them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth.

³⁹And He was preaching in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and casting out demons.

Jesus Cleanses a Leper

⁴⁰Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, â€œIf You are willing, You can make me clean.

⁴¹Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, I am willing; be cleansed. ⁴²As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed. ⁴³And He strictly warned him and sent him away at once, ⁴⁴and said to him, See that you say nothing to anyone; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing those things which Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.

⁴⁵However, he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the matter, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter the city, but was outside in deserted places; and they came to Him from every direction.

Chapter Two

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Jesus Forgives and Heals a Paralytic

2 And again He entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that He was in the house. ²Immediately many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And He preached the word to them. ³Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. ⁴And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying.

⁵When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, Son, your sins are forgiven you.

⁶And some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, ⁷Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?

⁸But immediately, when Jesus perceived in His spirit that they reasoned thus within themselves, He said to them, Why do you reason about these things in your hearts? ⁹Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, Your sins are forgiven you, or to say, Arise, take up your bed and walk? ¹⁰But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins He said to the paralytic, ¹¹I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.¹²Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, We never saw anything like this!

Matthew the Tax Collector

¹³Then He went out again by the sea; and all the multitude came to Him, and He taught them. ¹⁴As He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, â€œFollow Me.â€ So he arose and followed Him.

¹⁵Now it happened, as He was dining in Levi’s house, that many tax collectors and sinners also sat together with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many, and they followed Him. ¹⁶And when the scribes and Pharisees saw Him eating with the tax collectors and sinners, they said to His disciples, How is it that He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?

¹⁷When Jesus heard it, He said to them, Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.

Jesus Is Questioned About Fasting

¹⁸The disciples of John and of the Pharisees were fasting. Then they came and said to Him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?

¹⁹And Jesus said to them, Can the friends of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast. ²⁰But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days. ²¹No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; or else the new piece pulls away from the old, and the tear is made worse. ²²And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine bursts the wineskins, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But new wine must be put into new wineskins.â€

Jesus Is Lord of the Sabbath

²³Now it happened that He went through the grainfields on the Sabbath; and as they went His disciples began to pluck the heads of grain. ²⁴And the Pharisees said to Him, â€œLook, why do they do what is not lawful on the Sabbath?

²⁵But He said to them, Have you never read what David did when he was in need and hungry, he and those with him: ²⁶how he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the showbread, which is not lawful to eat except for the priests, and also gave some to those who were with him?

²⁷And He said to them, The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. ²⁸Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.

Chapter Three

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Healing on the Sabbath

3 And He entered the synagogue again, and a man was there who had a withered hand. ²So they watched Him closely, whether He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might ^[a]accuse Him. ³And He said to the man who had the withered hand, Step forward. ⁴Then He said to them, Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill? But they kept silent. ⁵And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, â€œStretch out your hand. And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other. ⁶Then the Pharisees went out and immediately plotted with the Herodians against Him, how they might destroy Him.

A Great Multitude Follows Jesus

⁷But Jesus withdrew with His disciples to the sea. And a great multitude from Galilee followed Him, and from Judea ⁸and Jerusalem and Idumea and beyond the Jordan; and those from Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they heard how many things He was doing, came to Him. ⁹So He told His disciples that a small boat should be kept ready for Him because of the multitude, lest they should crush Him. ¹⁰For He healed many, so that as many as had afflictions pressed about Him to touch Him. ¹¹And the unclean spirits, whenever they saw Him, fell down before Him and cried out, saying, You are the Son of God. ¹²But He sternly warned them that they should not make Him known.

The Twelve Apostles

¹³And He went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him. ¹⁴Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach, ¹⁵and to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons: ¹⁶Simon, to whom He gave the name Peter; ¹⁷James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James, to whom He gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder; ¹⁸Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Cananite; ¹⁹and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him. And they went into a house.

A House Divided Cannot Stand

²⁰Then the multitude came together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread. ²¹But when His own people heard about this, they went out to lay hold of Him, for they said, He is out of His mind.

²²And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, He has Beelzebub, and, By the ruler of the demons He casts out demons.

²³So He called them to Himself and said to them in parables: How can Satan cast out Satan? ²⁴If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. ²⁵And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. ²⁶And if Satan has risen up against himself, and is divided, he cannot stand, but has an end. ²⁷No one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. And then he will plunder his house.

The Unpardonable Sin

²⁸Assuredly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they may utter; ²⁹but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation ³⁰because they said, He has an unclean spirit.â€

Jesus’ Mother and Brothers Send for Him

³¹Then His brothers and His mother came, and standing outside they sent to Him, calling Him. ³²And a multitude was sitting around Him; and they said to Him, Look, Your mother and Your brothers are outside seeking You.

³³But He answered them, saying, Who is My mother, or My brothers? ³⁴And He looked around in a circle at those who sat about Him, and said, Here are My mother and My brothers! ³⁵For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother.

Chapter Four

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The Parable of the Sower

4 And again He began to teach by the sea. And a great multitude was gathered to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat in it on the sea; and the whole multitude was on the land facing the sea. ²Then He taught them many things by parables, and said to them in His teaching:

³Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. ⁴And it happened, as he sowed, that some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds ^[a]of the air came and devoured it. ⁵Some fell on stony ground, where it did not have much earth; and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of earth. ⁶But when the sun was up it was scorched, and because it had no root it withered away. ⁷And some seed fell among thorns; and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no crop. ⁸But other seed fell on good ground and yielded a crop that sprang up, increased and produced: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.

⁹And He said to them, He who has ears to hear, let him hear!

The Purpose of Parables

¹⁰But when He was alone, those around Him with the twelve asked Him about the parable. ¹¹And He said to them, To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables, ¹²so that

Seeing they may see and not perceive,
And hearing they may hear and not understand;
Lest they should turn,
And their sins be forgiven them.

The Parable of the Sower Explained

¹³And He said to them, Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables? ¹⁴The sower sows the word. ¹⁵And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts. ¹⁶These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; ¹⁷and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they stumble. ¹⁸Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, ¹⁹and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. ²⁰But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.

Light Under a Basket

²¹Also He said to them, Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Is it not to be set on a lampstand? ²²For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light. ²³If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.

²⁴Then He said to them, Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given. ²⁵For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.

The Parable of the Growing Seed

²⁶And He said, The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, ²⁷and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how.²⁸For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head. ²⁹But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.

The Parable of the Mustard Seed

³⁰Then He said, To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we picture it? ³¹It is like a mustard seed which, when it is sown on the ground, is smaller than all the seeds on earth;³²but when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out large branches, so that the birds of the air may nest under its shade.

Jesus’ Use of Parables

³³And with many such parables He spoke the word to them as they were able to hear it. ³⁴But without a parable He did not speak to them. And when they were alone, He explained all things to His disciples.

Wind and Wave Obey Jesus

³⁵On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, â€œLet us cross over to the other side. ³⁶Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. ³⁷And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. ³⁸But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, â€œTeacher, do You not care that we are perishing?

³⁹Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, Peace, be still! And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. ⁴⁰But He said to them, Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith? ⁴¹And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!

Chapter Five

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A Demon-Possessed Man Healed

5 Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes. ²And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, ³who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains, ⁴because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him. ⁵And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones.

⁶When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him. ⁷And he cried out with a loud voice and said, â€œWhat have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me.

⁸For He said to him, Come out of the man, unclean spirit! ⁹Then He asked him, â€œWhat is your name?

And he answered, saying, My name is Legion; for we are many. ¹⁰Also he begged Him earnestly that He would not send them out of the country.

¹¹Now a large herd of swine was feeding there near the mountains. ¹²So all the demons begged Him, saying, â€œSend us to the swine, that we may enter them. ¹³And at once Jesus gave them permission. Then the unclean spirits went out and entered the swine (there were about two thousand); and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and drowned in the sea.

¹⁴So those who fed the swine fled, and they told it in the city and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that had happened. ¹⁵Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. ¹⁶And those who saw it told them how it happened to him who had been demon-possessed, and about the swine. ¹⁷Then they began to plead with Him to depart from their region.

¹⁸And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him. ¹⁹However, 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. ²⁰And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled.

A Girl Restored to Life and a Woman Healed

²¹Now when Jesus had crossed over again by boat to the other side, a great multitude gathered to Him; and He was by the sea. ²²And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name. And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet ²³and begged Him earnestly, saying, My little daughter lies at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live. ²⁴So Jesus went with him, and a great multitude followed Him and thronged Him.

²⁵Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, ²⁶and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse. ²⁷When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. ²⁸For she said, If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.

²⁹Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the ^[f]affliction. ³⁰And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, Who touched My clothes?

³¹But His disciples said to Him, You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, Who touched Me?

³²And He looked around to see her who had done this thing. ³³But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. ³⁴And He said to her, Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.

³⁵While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house who said, Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?

³⁶As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, Do not be afraid; only believe. ³⁷And He permitted no one to follow Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James. ³⁸Then He came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and saw a tumult and those who wept and wailed loudly. ³⁹When He came in, He said to them, Why make this commotion and weep? The child is not dead, but sleeping.

⁴⁰And they ridiculed Him. But when He had put them all outside, He took the father and the mother of the child, and those who were with Him, and entered where the child was lying. ⁴¹Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, Talitha, cumi, which is translated, Little girl, I say to you, arise. ⁴²Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age. And they were overcome with great amazement. ⁴³But He commanded them strictly that no one should know it, and said that something should be given her to eat.

Chapter Six

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Jesus Rejected at Nazareth

6 Then He went out from there and came to His own country, and His disciples followed Him. ²And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue. And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands! ³Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us? So they were offended at Him.

⁴But Jesus said to them, A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.⁵Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. ⁶And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching.

Sending Out the Twelve

⁷And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits. ⁸He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff ”no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts” ⁹but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics.

¹⁰Also He said to them, In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place. ¹¹And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!

¹²So they went out and preached that people should repent. ¹³And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.

John the Baptist Beheaded

¹⁴Now King Herod heard of Him, for His name had become well known. And he said, John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him.

¹⁵Others said, It is Elijah.

And others said, It is the Prophet, or like one of the prophets.

¹⁶But when Herod heard, he said, This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the dead! ¹⁷For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife; for he had married her. ¹⁸Because John had said to Herod, â€œIt is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.

¹⁹Therefore Herodias held it against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not; ²⁰for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him. And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.

²¹Then an opportune day came when Herod on his birthday gave a feast for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee. ²²And when Herodias daughter herself came in and danced, and pleased Herod and those who sat with him, the king said to the girl, Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you. ²³He also swore to her, Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom.

²⁴So she went out and said to her mother, What shall I ask?

And she said, The head of John the Baptist!

²⁵Immediately she came in with haste to the king and asked, saying, I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.

²⁶And the king was exceedingly sorry; yet, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he did not want to refuse her. ²⁷Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded his head to be brought. And he went and beheaded him in prison, ²⁸brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother. ²⁹When his disciples heard of it, they came and took away his corpse and laid it in a tomb.

Feeding the Five Thousand

³⁰Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught. ³¹And He said to them, Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while. For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. ³²So they departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves.

³³But the multitudes saw them departing, and many knew Him and ran there on foot from all the cities. They arrived before them and came together to Him. ³⁴And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things. ³⁵When the day was now far spent, His disciples came to Him and said, This is a deserted place, and already the hour is late. ³⁶Send them away, that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy themselves bread; for they have nothing to eat.

³⁷But He answered and said to them, â€œYou give them something to eat.

And they said to Him, Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give them something to eat?

³⁸But He said to them, How many loaves do you have? Go and see.

And when they found out they said, Five, and two fish.

³⁹Then He commanded them to make them all sit down in groups on the green grass. ⁴⁰So they sat down in ranks, in hundreds and in fifties. ⁴¹And when He had taken the five loaves and the two fish, He looked up to heaven, blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to His disciples to set before them; and the two fish He divided among them all. ⁴²So they all ate and were filled. ⁴³And they took up twelve baskets full of fragments and of the fish. ⁴⁴Now those who had eaten the loaves were ^[h]about five thousand men.

Jesus Walks on the Sea

⁴⁵Immediately He ^[i]made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while He sent the multitude away. ⁴⁶And when He had sent them away, He departed to the mountain to pray. ⁴⁷Now when evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea; and He was alone on the land. ⁴⁸Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them. Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by. ⁴⁹And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out; ⁵⁰for they all saw Him and were troubled. But immediately He talked with them and said to them, â€œBe^[j] of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.â€⁵¹Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased. And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled. ⁵²For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened.

Many Touch Him and Are Made Well

⁵³When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret and anchored there. ⁵⁴And when they came out of the boat, immediately ^[k]the people recognized Him, ⁵⁵ran through that whole surrounding region, and began to carry about on beds those who were sick to wherever they heard He was. ⁵⁶Wherever He entered, into villages, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched Him were made well.

Chapter Seven

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Defilement Comes from Within

7 Then the Pharisees and some of the scribes came together to Him, having come from Jerusalem. ²Now when they saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled, that is, with unwashed hands, they found fault. ³For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands in a special way, holding the tradition of the elders. ⁴When they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other things which they have received and hold, like the washing of cups, pitchers, copper vessels, and couches.

⁵Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?

⁶He answered and said to them, Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written:

This people honors Me with their lips,
But their heart is far from Me.
⁷And in vain they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.

⁸For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do.

⁹He said to them, All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition. ¹⁰For Moses said, Honor your father and your mother; and, He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.¹¹But you say, If a man says to his father or mother, Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban (that is, a gift to God), ¹²then you no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother, ¹³making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do.

¹⁴When He had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them, Hear Me, everyone, and understand: ¹⁵There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man. ¹⁶If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!

¹⁷When He had entered a house away from the crowd, His disciples asked Him concerning the parable. ¹⁸So He said to the Are you thus without understanding also? Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him, ¹⁹because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods? ²⁰And He said, What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. ²¹For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, ²²thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. ²³All these evil things come from within and defile a man.

A Gentile Shows Her Faith

²⁴From there He arose and went to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And He entered a house and wanted no one to know it, but He could not be hidden. ²⁵For a woman whose young daughter had an unclean spirit heard about Him, and she came and fell at His feet. ²⁶The woman was a Greek, a Syro-Phoenician by birth, and she kept asking Him to cast the demon out of her daughter. ²⁷But Jesus said to her, Let the children be filled first, for it is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.

²⁸And she answered and said to Him, Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs under the table eat from the children’s crumbs.

²⁹Then He said to her, For this saying go your way; the demon has gone out of your daughter.

³⁰And when she had come to her house, she found the demon gone out, and her daughter lying on the bed.

Jesus Heals a Deaf-Mute

³¹Again, departing from the region of Tyre and Sidon, He came through the midst of the region of Decapolis to the Sea of Galilee. ³²Then they brought to Him one who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech, and they begged Him to put His hand on him. ³³And He took him aside from the multitude, and put His fingers in his ears, and He spat and touched his tongue. ³⁴Then, looking up to heaven, He sighed, and said to him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened.

³⁵Immediately his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was loosed, and he spoke plainly. ³⁶Then He commanded them that they should tell no one; but the more He commanded them, the more widely they proclaimed it. ³⁷And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, â€œHe has done all things well. He makes both the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.

Chapter Eight

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Feeding the Four Thousand

8 In those days, the multitude being very great and having nothing to eat, Jesus called His disciples to Him and said to them, ²I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat. ³And if I send them away hungry to their own houses, they will faint on the way; for some of them have come from afar.â€

⁴Then His disciples answered Him, How can one satisfy these people with bread here in the wilderness?

⁵He asked them, How many loaves do you have?

And they said, Seven.

⁶So He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. And He took the seven loaves and gave thanks, broke them and gave them to His disciples to set before them; and they set them before the multitude. ⁷They also had a few small fish; and having blessed them, He said to set them also before them. ⁸So they ate and were filled, and they took up seven large baskets of leftover fragments. ⁹Now those who had eaten were about four thousand. And He sent them away, ¹⁰immediately got into the boat with His disciples, and came to the region of Dalmanutha.

The Pharisees Seek a Sign

¹¹Then the Pharisees came out and began to dispute with Him, seeking from Him a sign from heaven, testing Him. ¹²But He sighed deeply in His spirit, and said, Why does this generation seek a sign? Assuredly, I say to you, no sign shall be given to this generation.

Beware of the Leaven of the Pharisees and Herod

¹³And He left them, and getting into the boat again, departed to the other side. ¹⁴Now ^[a]the disciples had forgotten to take bread, and they did not have more than one loaf with them in the boat. ¹⁵Then He charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.

¹⁶And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have no bread.

¹⁷But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, Why do you reason because you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive nor understand? Is your heart still hardened? ¹⁸Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember? ¹⁹When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments did you take up?

They said to Him, Twelve.

²⁰Also, when I broke the seven for the four thousand, how many large baskets full of fragments did you take up?

And they said, Seven.

²¹So He said to them, How is it you do not understand?

A Blind Man Healed at Bethsaida

²²Then He came to Bethsaida; and they brought a blind man to Him, and begged Him to touch him. ²³So He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the town. And when He had spit on his eyes and put His hands on him, He asked him if he saw anything.

²⁴And he looked up and said, I see men like trees, walking.

²⁵Then He put His hands on his eyes again and made him look up. And he was restored and saw everyone clearly. ²⁶Then He sent him away to his house, saying, Neither go into the town, nor tell anyone in the town.

Peter Confesses Jesus as the Christ

²⁷Now Jesus and His disciples went out to the towns of Caesarea Philippi; and on the road He asked His disciples, saying to them, â€œWho do men say that I am?

²⁸So they answered, John the Baptist; but some say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.

²⁹He said to them, But who do you say that I am?

Peter answered and said to Him, You are the Christ.

³⁰Then He strictly warned them that they should tell no one about Him.

Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection

³¹And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. ³²He spoke this word openly. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. ³³But when He had turned around and looked at His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying, Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.

Take Up the Cross and Follow Him

³⁴When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, â€œWhoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. ³⁵For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. ³⁶For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? ³⁷Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? ³⁸For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.

Chapter Nine

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1 And he said to them, Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power.

The Transfiguration

²And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, ³and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them. ⁴And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. ⁵And Peter said to Jesus, Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah. ⁶For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified. ⁷And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, This is my beloved Son; listen to him. ⁸And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only.

⁹And as they were coming down the mountain, he charged them to tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. ¹⁰So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead might mean. ¹¹And they asked him, â€œWhy do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?â€ ¹²And he said to them, Elijah does come first to restore all things. And how is it written of the Son of Man that he should suffer many things and be treated with contempt? ¹³But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written of him.

Jesus Heals a Boy with an Unclean Spirit

¹⁴And when they came to the disciples, they saw a great crowd around them, and scribes arguing with them. ¹⁵And immediately all the crowd, when they saw him, were greatly amazed and ran up to him and greeted him. ¹⁶And he asked them, What are you arguing about with them? ¹⁷And someone from the crowd answered him, â€œTeacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a spirit that makes him mute. ¹⁸And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able. ¹⁹And he answered them, O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me. ²⁰And they brought the boy to him. And when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. ²¹And Jesus asked his father, How long has this been happening to him? And he said, From childhood. ²²And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us. ²³And Jesus said to him, If you can. All things are possible for one who believes. ²⁴Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, I believe; help my unbelief! ²⁵And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again. ²⁶And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse, so that most of them said, He is dead. ²⁷But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. ²⁸And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could we not cast it out? ²⁹And he said to them, This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.

Jesus Again Foretells Death, Resurrection

³⁰They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he did not want anyone to know, ³¹for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise. ³²But they did not understand the saying, and were afraid to ask him.

Who Is the Greatest?

³³And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, â€œWhat were you discussing on the way? ³⁴But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. ³⁵And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all. ³⁶And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, ³⁷Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.

Anyone Not Against Us Is for Us

³⁸John said to him, â€œTeacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us. ³⁹But Jesus said, Do not stop him, for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. ⁴⁰For the one who is not against us is for us. ⁴¹For truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will by no means lose his reward.

Temptations to Sin

⁴²Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. ⁴³And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. ⁴⁵And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. ⁴⁷And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, ⁴⁸where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched. ⁴⁹For everyone will be salted with fire. ⁵⁰Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.

————–COMMENTS / SERMONS CHAPTER NINE ———————————

WHO IS THE GREATEST

Mark 9:30-41

Rev. Jason Pamblanco, Leonardtown Baptist Church

01.02.22

Jesus predicts his death.
The highlight this time is on John.
This is the only time when Jesus talks about his death, that he talks about being “betrayed”.
Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
Isaiah 53:12 Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, And He shall divide the spoil with the strong, Because He poured out His soul unto death, And He was numbered with the transgressors, And He bore the sin of many, And made intercession for the transgressors.
God had a plan. God turned over Christ for us, to die, for OUR sins.
Acts 2:23 Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death;
While Jesus was talking about his upcoming death, the disciples were discussing who would have the upper hand.
When Jesus sat down, he took the posture of a “teacher.” This is the way the Rabbis taught, sitting down amongst the people being taught.
We need to make sure our church where anyone and everyone feels welcome. We need to get out of our comfort zone and welcome people. Ask people their name. Get to know someone.
Jesus teaches us to “get over ourselves.” Do not think about social standing. Ask yourself, “shouldn’t I know that person?” Don’t avoid them out of pride. Get to know who they are.
Jesus teaches us to be the greatest, we are to be servants of all. He flipped their thinking from what people thought.
Mark 9:38…the problem from John’s perspective was “he wasn’t following us.” Jesus response was “don’t stop him”….
There is no middle ground for Jesus. You are either for him, or against him. There is no middle ground. You are either hot or cold, no lukewarm.
Verse 41… even the simplest kindness done to Jesus, he will receive his eternal reward.
Two simple questions for application from today’s message?
- Are your arms open to receive the overlooked?
- Are your hands out to serve others in Christ’s name? A small act of kindness.
What a privilege we have to serve others. This year let’s serve King Jesus.

———-END OF JASON PAMBLANCO SERMON ON MARK NINE —————

Chapter Ten

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Marriage and Divorce

10 Then He arose from there and came to the region of Judea by the other side of the Jordan. And multitudes gathered to Him again, and as He was accustomed, He taught them again.

²The Pharisees came and asked Him, Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife? testing Him.

³And He answered and said to them, What did Moses command you?

⁴They said, Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce, and to dismiss her.

⁵And Jesus answered and said to them, Because of the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept. ⁶But from the beginning of the creation, God made them male and female.⁷For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, ⁸and the two shall become one flesh; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh. ⁹Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.

¹⁰In the house His disciples also asked Him again about the same matter. ¹¹So He said to them, Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her. ¹²And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.

Jesus Blesses Little Children

¹³Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. ¹⁴But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, â€œLet the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. ¹⁵Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.â€ ¹⁶And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.

Jesus Counsels the Rich Young Ruler

¹⁷Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?

¹⁸So Jesus said to him, Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. ¹⁹You know the commandments: Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal,Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and your mother.

²⁰And he answered and said to Him, Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.

²¹Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.

²²But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

With God All Things Are Possible

²³Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, â€œHow hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! ²⁴And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God! ²⁵It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.

²⁶And they were greatly astonished, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved?

²⁷But Jesus looked at them and said, With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.

²⁸Then Peter began to say to Him, See, we have left all and followed You.

²⁹So Jesus answered and said, Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, ³⁰who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutionsâ€”and in the age to come, eternal life. ³¹But many who are first will be last, and the last first.

Jesus a Third Time Predicts His Death and Resurrection

³²Now they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was going before them; and they were amazed. And as they followed they were afraid. Then He took the twelve aside again and began to tell them the things that would happen to Him: ³³Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and deliver Him to the Gentiles; ³⁴and they will mock Him, and scourge Him, and spit on Him, and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again.

Greatness Is Serving

³⁵Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.

³⁶And He said to them, What do you want Me to do for you?

³⁷They said to Him, Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory.

³⁸But Jesus said to them, You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?

³⁹They said to Him, We are able.

So Jesus said to them, You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized; ⁴⁰but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared.

⁴¹And when the ten heard it, they began to be greatly displeased with James and John. ⁴²But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, â€œYou know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. ⁴³Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. ⁴⁴And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. ⁴⁵For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.

Jesus Heals Blind Bartimaeus

⁴⁶Now they came to Jericho. As He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging. ⁴⁷And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, â€œJesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!

⁴⁸Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, Son of David, have mercy on me!

⁴⁹So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called.

Then they called the blind man, saying to him, Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you.

⁵⁰And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus.

⁵¹So Jesus answered and said to him, What do you want Me to do for you?

The blind man said to Him, Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.

⁵²Then Jesus said to him, Go your way; your faith has made you well. And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road.

Chapter Eleven

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A Different Kind of King

Rev. Mark Dooley, LBC
3.20.2016

Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King

11 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, 2 saying to them, Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 3 If anyone asks you, â€˜Why are you doing this? say, The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.
4 They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway.As they untied it, 5 some people standing there asked, What are you doing, untying that colt? 6 They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. 7 When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. 8 Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. 9 Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,
Hosanna!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!
Hosanna in the highest heaven!
11 Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.

1. Jesus is a unique King. When we encounter Jesus, we encounter a different kind of King. Jesus comes humble, to serve. Instead of riding into town on a Horse, the animal representing war, he came riding into town on a donkey. Kings are born to reign, but Jesus had come to die.

2. Jesus is a self-aware King. Royal kings “strut” and have bravado. But not Jesus, he was meek and lowly. Jesus shies away from publicity, he sought to avoid the lime light. Jesus acted and moved in certain ways, that he knew would enact a response.

3. Jesus is a compassionate King. Jesus wept over Jerusalem. When was the last time you saw a King weep? He opened blind eyes, he healed the sick. What more compassion could he have shown than to die such a horrible death for us? He willingly died in our place so that we do not have to face the wrath of God. He was the suffering servant. In reality he was the spotless lamb of God, but he died for us.

4. Jesus is a righteous King. Jesus tells us what we need to hear, rather than what we want to hear. He warns us of judgment; he warns us of an eternal hell. He does not sugar coat it. See Matt 24 and 25. He tells us that we can not face eternity without him.

Chapter Twelve

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The Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers

12 Then He began to speak to them in parables: A man planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a place for the wine vat and built a tower. And he leased it to vinedressers and went into a far country. ²Now at vintage-time he sent a servant to the vinedressers, that he might receive some of the fruit of the vineyard from the vinedressers. ³And they took him and beat him and sent him away empty-handed. ⁴Again he sent them another servant, and at him they threw stones, wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully treated. ⁵And again he sent another, and him they killed; and many others, beating some and killing some. ⁶Therefore still having one son, his beloved, he also sent him to them last, saying, They will respect my son. ⁷But those vinedressers said among themselves, This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours. ⁸So they took him and killed him and cast him out of the vineyard.

⁹Therefore what will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the vinedressers, and give the vineyard to others. ¹⁰Have you not even read this Scripture:

The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone.
¹¹This was the Lord’s doing,
And it is marvelous in our eyes

¹²And they sought to lay hands on Him, but feared the multitude, for they knew He had spoken the parable against them. So they left Him and went away.

The Pharisees: Is It Lawful to Pay Taxes to Caesar?

¹³Then they sent to Him some of the Pharisees and the Herodians, to catch Him in His words. ¹⁴When they had come, they said to Him, Teacher, we know that You are true, and care about no one; for You do not regard the person of men, but teach the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? ¹⁵Shall we pay, or shall we not pay?

But He, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, Why do you test Me? Bring Me a denarius that I may see it. ¹⁶So they brought it.

And He said to them, Whose image and inscription is this? They said to Him, Caesarâ

¹⁷And Jesus answered and said to them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God.

And they marveled at Him.

The Sadducees: What About the Resurrection?

¹⁸Then some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Him; and they asked Him, saying: ¹⁹Teacher, Moses wrote to us that if a man’s brother dies, and leaves his wife behind, and leaves no children, his brother should take his wife and raise up offspring for his brother. ²⁰Now there were seven brothers. The first took a wife; and dying, he left no offspring. ²¹And the second took her, and he died; nor did he leave any offspring. And the third likewise. ²²So the seven had her and left no offspring. Last of all the woman died also. ²³Therefore, in the resurrection, when they rise, whose wife will she be? For all seven had her as wife.

²⁴Jesus answered and said to them, Are you not therefore mistaken, because you do not know the Scriptures nor the power of God? ²⁵For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. ²⁶But concerning the dead, that they rise, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the burning bush passage, how God spoke to him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? ²⁷He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living. You are therefore greatly mistaken.

The Scribes: Which Is the First Commandment of All?

²⁸Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, Which is the first commandment of all?

²⁹Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is:Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. ³⁰And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment. ³¹And the second, like it, is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.

³²So the scribe said to Him, Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth, for there is one God, and there is no other but He. ³³And to love Him with all the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.

³⁴Now when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, He said to him, You are not far from the kingdom of God.

But after that no one dared question Him.

Jesus: How Can David Call His Descendant Lord?

³⁵Then Jesus answered and said, while He taught in the temple, â€œHow is it that the scribes say that the Christ is the Son of David?³⁶For David himself said by the Holy Spirit:

The Lord said to my Lord,
Sit at My right hand,
Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.

³⁷Therefore David himself calls Him Lord; how is He then his Son?

And the common people heard Him gladly.

Beware of the Scribes

³⁸Then He said to them in His teaching, Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces,³⁹the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts,⁴⁰who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.

The Widow’s Two Mites

⁴¹Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. ⁴²Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a ^[p]quadrans. ⁴³So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; ⁴⁴for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had,her whole livelihood.

Chapter Thirteen

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Jesus Predicts the Destruction of the Temple

13 Then as He went out of the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, Teacher, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!

²And Jesus answered and said to him, Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone shall be left upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

The Signs of the Times and the End of the Age

³Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Him privately, ⁴Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign when all these things will be fulfilled?

⁵And Jesus, answering them, began to say: Take heed that no one deceives you. ⁶For many will come in My name, saying, I am He, and will deceive many. ⁷But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet. ⁸For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines ^[a]and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows.

⁹But watch out for yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues. You will be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony to them.¹⁰And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations. ¹¹But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.¹²Now brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. ¹³And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.

The Great Tribulation

¹⁴So when you see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.¹⁵Let him who is on the housetop not go down into the house, nor enter to take anything out of his house. ¹⁶And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. ¹⁷But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! ¹⁸And pray that your flight may not be in winter. ¹⁹For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be. ²⁰And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days.

²¹Then if anyone says to you, Look, here is the Christ! or, Look, He is there! do not believe it. ²²For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. ²³But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand.

The Coming of the Son of Man

²⁴But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; ²⁵the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. ²⁶Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. ²⁷And then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven.

The Parable of the Fig Tree

²⁸Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. ²⁹So you also, when you see these things happening, know that it is near at the doors! ³⁰Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.³¹Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.

No One Knows the Day or Hour

³²But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. ³³Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. ³⁴It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch.³⁵Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning ³⁶lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. ³⁷And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!

Chapter Fourteen

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The Plot to Kill Jesus

14 After two days it was the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take Him by trickery and put Him to death. ²But they said, Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar of the people.

The Anointing at Bethany

³And being in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, as He sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard. Then she broke the flask and poured it on His head. ⁴But there were some who were indignant among themselves, and said, Why was this fragrant oil wasted? ⁵For it might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor. And they criticized her sharply.

⁶But Jesus said, Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me. ⁷For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good; but Me you do not have always. ⁸She has done what she could. She has come beforehand to anoint My body for burial. ⁹Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.

Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus

¹⁰Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Him to them. ¹¹And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. So he sought how he might conveniently betray Him.

Jesus Celebrates the Passover with His Disciples

¹²Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they killed the Passover lamb, His disciples said to Him, Where do You want us to go and prepare, that You may eat the Passover?

¹³And He sent out two of His disciples and said to them, Go into the city, and a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him.¹⁴Wherever he goes in, say to the master of the house, The Teacher says, Where is the guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples? ¹⁵Then he will show you a large upper room, furnished and prepared; there make ready for us.

¹⁶So His disciples went out, and came into the city, and found it just as He had said to them; and they prepared the Passover.

¹⁷In the evening He came with the twelve. ¹⁸Now as they sat and ate, Jesus said, â€œAssuredly, I say to you, one of you who eats with Me will betray Me.

¹⁹And they began to be sorrowful, and to say to Him one by one, is it I? And another said, isit I?

²⁰He answered and said to them, It is one of the twelve, who dips with Me in the dish. ²¹The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had never been born.

Jesus Institutes the Lord’s Supper

²²And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it,and gave it to them and said, Take, eat; this is My body.

²³Then He took the cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. ²⁴And He said to them, This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many. ²⁵Assuredly, I say to you, I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.

²⁶And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial

²⁷Then Jesus said to them, All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written:

I will strike the Shepherd,
And the sheep will be scattered.

²⁸But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.

²⁹Peter said to Him, Even if all are made to ^[j]stumble, yet I will not be.

³⁰Jesus said to him, Assuredly, I say to you that today, even this night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.

³¹But he spoke more vehemently, If I have to die with You, I will not deny You!

And they all said likewise.

The Prayer in the Garden

³²Then they came to a place which was named Gethsemane; and He said to His disciples, Sit here while I pray. ³³And He took Peter, James, and John with Him, and He began to be troubled and deeply distressed. ³⁴Then He said to them, My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch.

³⁵He went a little farther, and fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. ³⁶And He said, Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me;nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.

³⁷Then He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not watch one hour? ³⁸Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

³⁹Again He went away and prayed, and spoke the same words. ⁴⁰And when He returned, He found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy; and they did not know what to answer Him.

⁴¹Then He came the third time and said to them, Are you still sleeping and resting? It is enough! The hour has come; behold, the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. ⁴²Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand.

Betrayal and Arrest in Gethsemane

⁴³And immediately, while He was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. ⁴⁴Now His betrayer had given them a signal, saying, Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him and lead Him away safely.

⁴⁵As soon as he had come, immediately he went up to Him and said to Him, Rabbi, Rabbi! and kissed Him.

⁴⁶Then they laid their hands on Him and took Him. ⁴⁷And one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.

⁴⁸Then Jesus answered and said to them, Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? ⁴⁹I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize Me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.

⁵⁰Then they all forsook Him and fled.

A Young Man Flees Naked

⁵¹Now a certain young man followed Him, having a linen cloth thrown around his naked body. And the young men laid hold of him, ⁵²and he left the linen cloth and fled from them naked.

Jesus Faces the Sanhedrin

⁵³And they led Jesus away to the high priest; and with him were assembled all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes. ⁵⁴But Peter followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he sat with the servants and warmed himself at the fire.

⁵⁵Now the chief priests and all the council sought testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but found none. ⁵⁶For many bore false witness against Him, but their testimonies did not agree.

⁵⁷Then some rose up and bore false witness against Him, saying, ⁵⁸We heard Him say, I will destroy this temple made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands. ⁵⁹But not even then did their testimony agree.

⁶⁰And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, saying, Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You? ⁶¹But He kept silent and answered nothing.

Again the high priest asked Him, saying to Him, Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?

⁶²Jesus said, â€œI am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.

⁶³Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, What further need do we have of witnesses? ⁶⁴You have heard the blasphemy! What do you think?

And they all condemned Him to be deserving of death.

⁶⁵Then some began to spit on Him, and to blindfold Him, and to beat Him, and to say to Him, Prophesy! And the officers struck Him with the palms of their hands.

Peter Denies Jesus, and Weeps

⁶⁶Now as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came. ⁶⁷And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, You also were with Jesus of Nazareth.

⁶⁸But he denied it, saying, I neither know nor understand what you are saying. And he went out on the porch, and a rooster crowed.

⁶⁹And the servant girl saw him again, and began to say to those who stood by, This is one of them. ⁷⁰But he denied it again.

And a little later those who stood by said to Peter again, â€œSurely you are one of them; for you are a Galilean, and your speech shows it.

⁷¹Then he began to curse and swear, I do not know this Man of whom you speak!

⁷²A second time the rooster crowed. Then Peter called to mind the word that Jesus had said to him, Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times. And when he thought about it, he wept.

Chapter Fifteen

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Jesus Faces Pilate

15 Immediately, in the morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council; and they bound Jesus, led Him away, and delivered Him to Pilate. ²Then Pilate asked Him, Are You the King of the Jews?

He answered and said to him, It is as you say.

³And the chief priests accused Him of many things, but He answered nothing. ⁴Then Pilate asked Him again, saying, Do You answer nothing? See how many things they testify against You! ⁵But Jesus still answered nothing, so that Pilate marveled.

Taking the Place of Barabbas

⁶Now at the feast he was accustomed to releasing one prisoner to them, whomever they requested. ⁷And there was one named Barabbas, who was chained with his fellow rebels; they had committed murder in the rebellion. ⁸Then the multitude, crying aloud, began to ask him to do just as he had always done for them. ⁹But Pilate answered them, saying, Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews? ¹⁰For he knew that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy.

¹¹But the chief priests stirred up the crowd, so that he should rather release Barabbas to them. ¹²Pilate answered and said to them again, What then do you want me to do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?

¹³So they cried out again, Crucify Him!

¹⁴Then Pilate said to them, Why, what evil has He done?

But they cried out all the more, Crucify Him!

¹⁵So Pilate, wanting to gratify the crowd, released Barabbas to them; and he delivered Jesus, after he had scourged Him, to be crucified.

The Soldiers Mock Jesus

¹⁶Then the soldiers led Him away into the hall called Praetorium, and they called together the whole garrison. ¹⁷And they clothed Him with purple; and they twisted a crown of thorns, put it on His head,¹⁸and began to salute Him, Hail, King of the Jews! ¹⁹Then they struck Him on the head with a reed and spat on Him; and bowing the knee, they worshiped Him. ²⁰And when they had mocked Him, they took the purple off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him out to crucify Him.

The King on a Cross

²¹Then they compelled a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, the father of Alexander and Rufus, as he was coming out of the country and passing by, to bear His cross. ²²And they brought Him to the place Golgotha, which is translated, Place of a Skull. ²³Then they gave Him wine mingled with myrrh to drink, but He did not take it. ²⁴And when they crucified Him, they divided His garments, casting lots for them to determine what every man should take.

²⁵Now it was the third hour, and they crucified Him. ²⁶And the inscription of His accusation was written above:

THE KING OF THE JEWS.

²⁷With Him they also crucified two robbers, one on His right and the other on His left. ²⁸So the Scripture was fulfilled which says, And He was numbered with the transgressors.

²⁹And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying, Aha! You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, ³⁰save Yourself, and come down from the cross!

³¹Likewise the chief priests also, mocking among themselves with the scribes, said, â€œHe saved others; Himself He cannot save. ³²Let the Christ, the King of Israel, descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe.

Even those who were crucified with Him reviled Him.

Jesus Dies on the Cross

³³Now when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. ³⁴And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is translated, My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?

³⁵Some of those who stood by, when they heard that, said, Look, He is calling for Elijah! ³⁶Then someone ran and filled a sponge full of sour wine, put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink, saying, â€œLet Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to take Him down.

³⁷And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last.

³⁸Then the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. ³⁹So when the centurion, who stood opposite Him, saw that He cried out like this and breathed His last, he said, â€œTruly this Man was the Son of God!

⁴⁰There were also women looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the Less and of Joses, and Salome, ⁴¹who also followed Him and ministered to Him when He was in Galilee, and many other women who came up with Him to Jerusalem.

Jesus Buried in Joseph’s Tomb

⁴²Now when evening had come, because it was the Preparation Day, that is, the day before the Sabbath, ⁴³Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. ⁴⁴Pilate marveled that He was already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him if He had been dead for some time. ⁴⁵So when he found out from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph. ⁴⁶Then he bought fine linen, took Him down, and wrapped Him in the linen. And he laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock, and rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. ⁴⁷And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses observed where He was laid.

Chapter Sixteen

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He Is Risen

16 Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. ²Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. ³And they said among themselves, Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us? ⁴But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away for it was very large. ⁵And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed.

⁶But he said to them, Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. ⁷But go, tell His disciples and Peter that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.

⁸So they went out quickly and fled from the tomb, for they trembled and were amazed. And they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

Mary Magdalene Sees the Risen Lord

⁹Now when He rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons. ¹⁰She went and told those who had been with Him, as they mourned and wept. ¹¹And when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe.

Jesus Appears to Two Disciples

¹²After that, He appeared in another form to two of them as they walked and went into the country. ¹³And they went and told it to the rest, but they did not believe them either.

The Great Commission

¹⁴Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. ¹⁵And He said to them, Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.¹⁶He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. ¹⁷And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; ¹⁸they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.

Christ Ascends to God’s Right Hand

¹⁹So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. ²⁰And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.

adam@adamosborne.net

Last edit 05.10.25

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Psalms

Filed under: Old and New Testament — Adam Osborne @ 2:15 pm

Psalms

Chapters: | 1 | 2 | 3| 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |9 | |10 | |11 |16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 29 | | 30 | | 31 | | 51 | 63 |84 | 95 |

Chapter 1

The Way of the Righteous and the Wicked

Psa 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

Blessed–literally, “oh, the happiness”–an exclamation of strong emotion, as if resulting from reflecting on the subject. The use of the plural may denote fulness and variety

Psa 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

law–all of God’s word then written, especially the books of Moses

meditate – to moan, growl, utter, speak, muse. See Isaiah 31:4…. the lioness is growling over her prey, she is declaring it hers, it belongs to her. Meditating on God’s word is the same, it is yours, it belongs to you.

Isaiah 31:4 For thus hath the LORD spoken unto me, Like as the lion and the young lion roaring on his prey, when a multitude of shepherds is called forth against him, he will not be afraid of their voice, nor abase himself for the noise of them: so shall the LORD of hosts come down to fight for mount Zion, and for the hill thereof.

Psa 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Jer 17:8 They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.

shall prosper–literally, “make prosper,” brings to perfection.

Psa 1:4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

like the chaff–which, by Eastern modes of winnowing against the wind, was utterly blown away.

Matthew 3:12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

Psa 1:5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

stand in the judgment–be acquitted. They shall be driven from among the good. They will be present for the judgment, but they will not be able to endure it. They will not stand, but kneel.

Mat 25:45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. Mat 25:46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

Psa 1:6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

knoweth the way–attends to and provides for them

Hebrews 4:13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

Hosea 13:5 I did know thee in the wilderness, in the land of great drought.

way of the wicked–All their plans will end in disappointment and ruin

Proverbs 4:19 The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.

Summary of Chapter 1. There are two paths in life you can take. One path leads to life, the other path leads to death.

Deu 30:19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: Deu 30:20 That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.

Chapter2

Chapter3

Chapter4

Chapter5

Chapter6

Chapter7

Chapter8

Chapter9

Chapter10

Chapter11

Chapter12

Chapter13

Chapter14

Chapter15

Chapter16

Chapter17

Chapter18

Chapter 19

The Law of the Lord Is Perfect

Psa 19:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
Psa 19:2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
Psa 19:3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
Psa 19:4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
Psa 19:5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.
Psa 19:6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.

God speaks through his creation! There are some things that we can learn about God through his creation.
He exists. The heavens declare the glory of God.

We learn about God through General Revelation, available to everyone. You don’t need scripture to know that God exists.

All of creation tells us that God is a designer. He designed everything for a purpose. Man needs oxygen, so God created plants to give us oxygen. Think about the physics involved on this earth spinning around like a globe on an axis!

God’s stamp, his signature is on everything. He is a God of order, power, laws, omnipotence,

God is a caring God, God is a loving God, just look at nature.

It doesn’t matter if you believe it or not, God’s glory is happening every day. The heavens declare the glory of God every day.

It doesn’t matter what your IQ is, it doesn’t matter what language you speak.

See Romans Chapter One!

Psa 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
Psa 19:8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
Psa 19:9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
Psa 19:10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
Psa 19:11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.
Psa 19:12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.
Psa 19:13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
Psa 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

God speaks through His Word.
The “law” (the Old Testament); the statutes.

They are telling us God’s truths.

God’s GRACE is revealed in His written Word.

Sola Scriptura
Psalms 19:7-11
Rev Mark Dooley, Leonardtown Baptist Church
11.5.2017

Psa 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; 8 the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; 9 the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. 11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

1. The world around us reveals God to us. Verses 1 to 6.

Romans 1:19-20 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

The witness within us reveals God to us. Verses 12-14
The Word before us reveals God to us. Verses 7-11

Chapter20

Chapter21

Chapter22

Chapter23

The Lord Is My Shepherd

Note: Notice in Psalms, it is assumed that you believe in God. He is very close, very intimate. In Psalms, the people who do not believe in God are called “fools” (see Psalm Chapter 14).

Psa 23:1 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

This is the summary for the entire 23rd psalm. God is our shepherd, and we will not want or lack anything. This does not mean you will get everything you want, it means you will receive everything you need. When you are going through trails or distress, sometimes you will just get manna, so don’t complain. You need to have an “attitude of gratitude” (Barb Darden catch phrase). God decides what you need, not us.

Sheep/Shepherd is a huge metaphor throughout the bible. It is important for you to understand this relationship or you cannot fully understand the full context of the writers meaning.

John 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

Matt 9:36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.

Luke 15:3-6 And he spake this parable unto them, saying, What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.

Matt 25:31-33 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

Matt 26:31 Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.

Psa 23:2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

We will not lack rest. We will not lack restoration. In Hebrew, it is important here to understand the emphasis of rest, yes he is leading you, which is good, but the emphasis is rest. The purpose of rest is restoration, to be fully recharged. Then, to go back out into the world.

Psa 23:3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

We will not lack guidance. He will never steer you wrong. He will put you on the narrow path, the right path.

Psa 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

We will not lack protection. This also translates in the Hebrew to “deep shadows, deep valleys”…so as you have ups and downs in your life, he will lead you.

Psa 23:5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

We will not lack abundance.

Psa 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

We will not lack hope. “Surely” also translates to ONLY.

Chapter 33

The Steadfast Love of the Lord

Psa 33:1 Shout for joy in the LORD, O you righteous! Praise befits the upright.

befits = literally means to be at home.

Psa 33:2 Give thanks to the LORD with the lyre; make melody to him with the harp of ten strings!
Psa 33:3 Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.

skillfully = We should not give to God anything less than our very best.

Psa 33:4 For the word of the LORD is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness.
Psa 33:5 He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the LORD.
Psa 33:6 By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host.
Psa 33:7 He gathers the waters of the sea as a heap; he puts the deeps in storehouses.
Psa 33:8 Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him!
Psa 33:9 For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.
Psa 33:10 The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the peoples.
Psa 33:11 The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations.
Psa 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!
Psa 33:13 The LORD looks down from heaven; he sees all the children of man;
Psa 33:14 from where he sits enthroned he looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth,
Psa 33:15 he who fashions the hearts of them all and observes all their deeds.
Psa 33:16 The king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength.
Psa 33:17 The war horse is a false hope for salvation, and by its great might it cannot rescue.
Psa 33:18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love,
Psa 33:19 that he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine.

that he may deliver = salvation. The death of Christ on the cross accomplished our salvation!

Psa 33:20 Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.
Psa 33:21 For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name.
Psa 33:22 Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us, even as we hope in you.

The Power of Praise in the Believer’s Life

Psalm 33:1-22

Rev. Mark Dooley

1. The right to praise (verse 1).

2. The rigors of praise (verses 2-5)

3. The reasons for praise (verses 6-19)

(a) God’s creation which exhibits His power (verses 6-9)
(b) God’s control which exhibits His providence (verses 10-11)
(c) God’s care which exhibits His plan (verses 12-19)

4. The results of praise (verses 20-22)

A MIGHTY FORTRESS IS OUR GOD

Psalm 46:1-11

1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. 5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. 6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. 7 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

8 Come, behold the works of the Lord , how he has brought desolations on the earth. 9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire. 10 “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” 11 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

Vv1-3. Gross calamity surrounds us.
Calamity happens to all of us. They are a reality of life. How do you respond to them? We can not handle them on our own.
When you face calamity the only place to run is to Jesus.
Whatever your refuge is, if it is not Jesus, it WILL FAIL you.
Psalm 142:5; John 16:33
Vv 4-7. God’s comfort strengthens us.
God will help us.
God will give you victory and will strengthen us.
Vv8-11. God’s calling sustains us.
Matthew 14. A terrible storms at sea. Out of nowhere Jesus appears, in the midst of them. Jesus walks on the water.
God is an EVER PRESENT help in time of trouble.
Peter started to take his eyes off of Jesus and Peter started to sink.
The wind and waves will come in our lives. We need to keep our eyes ON HIM.

<!!!!!!CHAPTER 51!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!>

Chapter 51

Create in Me a Clean Heart, O God

Psa 51:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
Psa 51:2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

Notice that David says “MINE” iniquity. David is admitting, it is HIS since, no one else. No excuses, it’s his.

Psa 51:3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
Psa 51:4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
Psa 51:5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

Original sin. From the days of Adam and Eve in the garden.

Psa 51:6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

David admits that he knows the Commandments. He knows that God has taught him right and wrong.

Psa 51:7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

David wants more than just forgiveness. He wants to be changed. He wants to put away the old, and enjoy the new. He is struggling, he is passionate.

Psa 51:8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
Psa 51:9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
Psa 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

David is looking for a new heart, a heart that will not do wrong, will not sin. He doesn’t want to sin. He is pleading.

Psa 51:11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
Psa 51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
Psa 51:13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.

Evangelism in the Psalms. David wants to evangelize. He is not content being happy alone, he wants to help others. David is an adulterer, a murder, a liar, but he wants to evangelize. If you feel that you cannot evangelize, that is of the devil. Do not wait until you are perfect, because you will never be perfect, go ahead and evangelize.

Psa 51:14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.
Psa 51:15 O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.

When you have joy, praise is what comes out of your mouth. As God removes those obstacles from you, joy is what naturally comes out.

Psa 51:16 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.
Psa 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

David is recognizing that God has pleasure with a broken spirit and a contrite heart.

Psa 51:18 Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
Psa 51:19 Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.

We should LIVE in Psalm 51, because we sin daily.

REPENTANCE

Rev. Allen Acker, 08.12.2012

Psalms 51:1-12. 1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!

3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. 5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. 6 Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.

7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. 9 Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.

2 truths in this psalm
1. Our sin is worse than we thought.
2. God’s Mercy is greater than we can imagine.

Vv1-2. Mercy is needed.
Transgression – David understood his transgression
Iniquity –
Sin – fell short
Vv 3-6. Confession is offered.
He acknowledges his sins. He admits his sin against the Lord. God defines sin, but we only sin against God. Since God defines sin, it is only against him that we sin.
Vv 7-9. Cleansing requested.
We must be washed in the blood ofChrist
Vv 10:13 Renewal Desired
David desires renewal AND he wants to help others from what he has learned.
He now can worship rightly. We workshop God because He has already paid the price of our sin with His blood. David had previously worshipped himself by putting himself before God
Vv 14-17 Worship Given
Vv 18-19 Blessing Conferred

Chapter52

Chapter53

Chapter54

Chapter55

<!!!!!! CHAPTER 63!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!>

Chapter 63

My Soul Thirsts for You

Psa 63:1 A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;
Psa 63:2 To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.
Psa 63:3 Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.
Psa 63:4 Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.
Psa 63:5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:
Psa 63:6 When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.
Psa 63:7 Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.
Psa 63:8 My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.
Psa 63:9 But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth.
Psa 63:10 They shall fall by the sword: they shall be a portion for foxes.
Psa 63:11 But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by him shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.

“Seeking God in Worship”
Rev Mark Dooley
Leonardtown Baptist Church
8.6.2017

1. A definition of seeking.
Psa 14:1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. Psa 14:2 The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.

Man in his natural state doesn’t seek God. But when you come to Christ, then you will seek God.

2. Who we seek.
thou art my God.

3. When we seek.
Psa 143:8 Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.

Psa 5:3 My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.

Psa 59:16 But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble.

Corporate worship would be a par of our lives. We should seek God when we are alone, daily.

4. Why we seek Him

a. So we can view His glory. Verse 2.
b. To experience His love. Verse 3.
c. To exalt his name. Verse 4.
d. To delight in his abundance. Verse 5.
e. To grasp his Word. Verse 6.
f. T receive his aide. Verse 7.
G So we might know is presence. Verse 8.

John 10:28-30 Joh 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and my Father are one.

Psalm 73

When Life Conflicts With Truth

Psalm 73:1-28
Rev Mark Dooley

1 Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. 2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped. 3 For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 4 For they have no pangs until death; their bodies are fat and sleek. 5 They are not in trouble as others are; they are not stricken like the rest of mankind. 6 Therefore pride is their necklace; violence covers them as a garment. 7 Their eyes swell out through fatness; their hearts overflow with follies. 8 They scoff and speak with malice; loftily they threaten oppression. 9 They set their mouths against the heavens, and their tongue struts through the earth. 10 Therefore his people turn back to them, and find no fault in them. 11 And they say, “How can God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?” 12 Behold, these are the wicked; always at ease, they increase in riches. 13 All in vain have I kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence. 14 For all the day long I have been stricken and rebuked every morning. 15 If I had said, “I will speak thus,” I would have betrayed the generation of your children.

16 But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task, 17 until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end.

18 Truly you set them in slippery places; you make them fall to ruin. 19 How they are destroyed in a moment, swept away utterly by terrors! 20 Like a dream when one awakes, O Lord, when you rouse yourself, you despise them as phantoms. 21 When my soul was embittered, when I was pricked in heart, 22 I was brutish and ignorant; I was like a beast toward you.

23 Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. 24 You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. 25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. 26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

27 For behold, those who are far from you shall perish; you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you. 28 But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.

V 1. Depending upon God’s promise.
Vv 2-14. Doubting God’s Plan. Though he doubted, he did not disobey. He continued to trust and obey. We will all have doubts. But though we will all have doubts we still trust in God.
Vv 15-26. DrawingNear to God’s Presence. True worship puts things in to true perspective. He is all we need. Jesus is all that we truly need.
Vv27 -28. Declaring God’s Praise.

<!!!! CHAPTER 84 !!!!!!!!!!!!!>

Chapter 84

My Soul Longs for the Courts of the Lord

Psa 84:1 To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts!

The ancient Jews believed God dwelt there, in the temple. The temple was the place where they went to meet God. In the Old Testament, God didn’t dwell with the people full time. He met them in the temple.

1Ki 8:27 But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?

Exodus 25:8 And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.

However TODAY, God dwells within us. His Spirit is within us, in our hearts.

1 Cor 3:16-17 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

1 Cor 6:19-20 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Gittith = harp

amiable = loved

Korah = Korahites were gatekeepers. Korah was the great grandson of Levi. Singers of praise. Stands outside all day, creating people as they came in. Think about a modern day bell hop.

LORD = notice the CAPITOL letters of LORD. This refers to Jehovah. Self Existent or eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God: – Jehovah, the Lord.

Psa 84:2 My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.

longeth = kÃ¢saph (kaw-saf’) A primitive root; properly to become pale, that is, (by implication) to pine after; also to fear: – [have] desire, be greedy, long, sore.

courts = chÃ¢tsÃªr (khaw-tsare’) From H2690 in its original sense; a yard (as inclosed by a fence); also a hamlet (as similarly surrounded with walls): – court, tower, village.

heart = (labe) The heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything

crieth = (raw-nan’) A primitive root; properly to creak (or emit a stridulous sound), that is, to shout (usually for joy): – aloud for joy, cry out, be joyful, (greatly, make to) rejoice, (cause to) shout (for joy), (cause to) sing (aloud, for joy, out), triumph.

God = (ale) strength; as adjective mighty; especially the Almighty (but used also of any deity): – God (god), X goodly, X great, idol, might (-y one), power, strong. Compare names in â€œ-el.â€

Psa 84:3 Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God.

hosts = (tsaw-baw’, tseb-aw-aw’) a mass of persons (or figurative things), especially regularly organized for war (an army); by implication a campaign, literally or figuratively (specifically hardship, worship): – appointed time, (+) army, (+) battle, company, host, service, soldiers, waiting upon, war (-fare).

God = (el-o-heem’) gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative: – angels, X exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), X (very) great, judges, X mighty.

Psa 84:4 Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.
Psa 84:5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them.
Psa 84:6 Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.

Baca = valley of tears

Here the author is saying that as he worships the Lord, he can even be happy in the valley of tears.

Psa 84:7 They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God.

Zion = a mountain of Jerusalem

Psa 84:8 O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah.

prayer = intercession, supplication; by implication a hymn

Psa 84:9 Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed.

shield = (that is, the small one or buckler); figuratively a protector; also the scaly hide of the crocodile

anointed = yach maw-shee’-akh STRONGS From H4886; anointed; usually a consecrated person (as a king, priest, or saint); specifically the Messiah

Psa 84:10 For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
Psa 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
Psa 84:12 O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.

<!!!! CHAPTER 95 !!!!!!!!!!!!!>

Chapter 95

Let Us Sing Songs of Praise

Psa 95:1 O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.

LORD: notice, all CAPS. yehÃ´vÃ¢h yeh-ho-vaw’ From H1961; (the) self Existent or eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God: – Jehovah, the Lord.

noise: figuratively to split the ears (with sound), that is, shout (for alarm or joy): – blow an alarm, cry (alarm, aloud, out), destroy, make a joyful noise, smart, shout (for joy), sound an alarm, triumph.

salvation: From H3467; liberty, deliverance, prosperity: – safety, salvation, saving.

Psa 95:2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.

psalms: a song to be accompanied with instrumental music: – singing, song.

Psa 95:3 For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.

God: ‘Ãªl ale Shortened from H352; strength; as adjective mighty; especially the Almighty (but used also of any deity): – God (god), X goodly, X great, idol, might (-y one), power, strong.

For Yahweh is a great God. The object is to exalt Jehovah, the true God, as distinguished from all who were worshipped as gods. The first idea is that he is â€œgreat;â€ that he is exalted over all the universe; that he rules over all, and that he is to be worshipped as such.

Psa 95:4 In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also.

In his hand – In his power, or under his control as his own. That is, he so possesses all things that they can be claimed by no other. His right over them is absolute and entire.

deep places – means the interior, the inmost depth

The strength of the hills is his also – â€œThe heights of the hills are his.â€ The word rendered strength – means properly swiftness or speed in running; then, weariness, wearisome labor; and hence, wealth obtained by labor; treasures. Here the expression means treasures of the mountains; that is, treasures obtained out of the mountains, the precious metals, etc.

Psa 95:5 The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land.

The sea is his – Margin, as in Hebrew, â€œWhose the sea is.â€ That is, The sea belongs to him, with all which it contains.

And he made it – It is his, because he made it. The creation of anything gives the highest possible right over it.

And his hands formed the dry land – He has a claim, therefore, that it should be recognized as his, and that all who dwell upon it, and derive their support from it, should acknowledge him as its great Owner and Lord.

Psa 95:6 O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.

ALBERT BARNES: Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker – The usual attitude of prayer in the Scriptures. See the notes at Dan 6:10; compare 2Ch 6:13; Luk 22:41; Act 7:60; Act 9:40; Act 20:36; Act 21:5. All the expressions here employed denote a posture of profound reverence in worship, and the passage is a standing rebuke of all irreverent postures in prayer; of such habits as often prevail in public worship where no change of posture is made in prayer, and where a congregation irreverently sit in the act of professedly worshipping God. People show to their fellowmen the respect indicated by rising up before them: much more should they show respect to God – respect in a posture which will indicate profound reverence, and a deep sense of his presence and majesty. Reverently kneeling or standing will indicate this; sitting does not indicate it.

Psa 95:7 For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice,
Psa 95:8 Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness:

As in the provocation … – contention. The original is Meribah. See Exo 17:7, where the original words Meribah, rendered here provocation, and Massah, rendered here temptation, are retained in the translation.

Psa 95:9 When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my work.
Psa 95:10 Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways:

ALBERT BARNES. Forty years long – All the time that they were in the wilderness. During this long period their conduct was such as to try my patience and forbearance.

Was I grieved – The word used here means properly to loathe, to nauseate, to be disgusted with. It is translated loathe in Eze 6:9; Eze 20:43; Eze 36:31; and grieved in Psa 119:158; Psa 139:21. It is here expressive of the strong abhorrence which God had of their conduct. Compare Rev 3:16.

With this generation – With the entire generation that came out of Egypt. They were all cut off in the wilderness, except Caleb and Joshua.

And said, It is a people – It is a characteristic of the entire people, that they are disposed to wander from God.

That do err in their heart – In the Epistle to the Hebrews Heb 3:10 where this is quoted, it is, They do always err in their heart. The sense is substantially the same. See the notes at that place.

Psa 95:11 Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest.

ALBERT BARNES: That they should not enter into my rest – as in Hebrew, they enter into my rest. The rest here referred to was the land of Canaan. They were not permitted to enter there as a place of rest after their long and weary wanderings, but died in the wilderness. The meaning is not that none of them were saved (for we must hope that very many of them were brought to the heavenly Canaan), but that they did not come to the promised land. Unbelief shut them out; and this fact is properly made use of here, and in Heb. 3, as furnishing a solemn warning to all not to be unbelieving and rebellious, since the consequence of unbelief and rebellion must be to exclude us from the kingdom of heaven, the true place of rest.

<!!!! CHAPTER 118 !!!!!!!!!!!!!>

Psalm 118

His Steadfast Love Endures Forever

Psa 118:1 Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!
Psa 118:2 Let Israel say, “His steadfast love endures forever.”
Psa 118:3 Let the house of Aaron say, “His steadfast love endures forever.”
Psa 118:4 Let those who fear the LORD say, “His steadfast love endures forever.”
Psa 118:5 Out of my distress I called on the LORD; the LORD answered me and set me free.
Psa 118:6 The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?
Psa 118:7 The LORD is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.

As believers we should engage iin the practice of gratitude. We should daily give thanks for what He has blessed us with.

Psa 107:1 O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psa 107:2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;
Psa 107:3 And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south.
Psa 107:4 They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in.
Psa 107:5 Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.
Psa 107:6 Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.

Psa 118:8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.
Psa 118:9 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.

We have the privilege of gratitude. That is manifest in His protection, His presence, and His provision. God’s hands are bigger than ours, and He can provide for us much more than we could provide ourselves.

Psa 118:10 All nations surrounded me; in the name of the LORD I cut them off!
Psa 118:11 They surrounded me, surrounded me on every side; in the name of the LORD I cut them off!
Psa 118:12 They surrounded me like bees; they went out like a fire among thorns; in the name of the LORD I cut them off!
Psa 118:13 I was pushed hard, so that I was falling, but the LORD helped me.
Psa 118:14 The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.
Psa 118:15 Glad songs of salvation are in the tents of the righteous: “The right hand of the LORD does valiantly,
Psa 118:16 the right hand of the LORD exalts, the right hand of the LORD does valiantly!”
Psa 118:17 I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the LORD.
Psa 118:18 The LORD has disciplined me severely, but he has not given me over to death.
Psa 118:19 Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the LORD.
Psa 118:20 This is the gate of the LORD; the righteous shall enter through it.

Jesus is our righteousness. As believers, we should find joy at the pinnacle of gratitude. We bring only sin to the table, but Jesus brings righteousness. But then, Jesus takes our sins from us, and puts the sins upon himself. By doing this, we are made righteous, because of what he has done for us. Do we display a grateful heart? Do we give thanks to the Lord, whose love endures forever?

Psa 118:21 I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation.
Psa 118:22 The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.

This scripture of course is talking about Jesus. The builders, being the Jews, rejected Jesus as the coming Messiah. But now, Jesus is the cornerstone of which our salvation is made. Jesus, the Lord God almighty.

Psa 118:23 This is the LORD’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.
Psa 118:24 This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psa 118:25 Save us, we pray, O LORD! O LORD, we pray, give us success!
Psa 118:26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD! We bless you from the house of the LORD.
Psa 118:27 The LORD is God, and he has made his light to shine upon us. Bind the festal sacrifice with cords, up to the horns of the altar!
Psa 118:28 You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God; I will extol you.
Psa 118:29 Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!

Psalm 126

Restore Our Fortunes, O Lord

Psa 126:1 A Song of Ascents. When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.
Psa 126:2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.”
Psa 126:3 The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad.
Psa 126:4 Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like streams in the Negeb!
Psa 126:5 Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!
Psa 126:6 He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.

Sermon on Psalm 126:1-6

Our Troubles Are Not Permanent

Rev. Mark Dooley

Leonardtown, Baptist Church

6.19.2016

1. Delight in deliverence (vv. 1-3)
Verse 3: Only the Lord can deliver us. The Lord HAS DONE great things for us. When life isn’t going well, just stop and think, the Lord has delivered us. This fact alone should give us great joy.

2. Persist in prayer (v.4)

3. Be steadfast in service (vv. 5-6)

When we are in Christ, we can be steadfast.

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Better Days Are Coming

Psalms 126:1-6
Rev Mark Dooley 08.26.2012

1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. 2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” 3 The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad.

4 Restore our fortunes, O Lord , like streams in the Negeb! 5 Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! 6 He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.

Vv. 1-3. Deliverance.
â€¢ After 70 years of discipline, God restored the Jews.
â€¢ Colossians 1:20. Have you been set free from your sins through the blood of Jesus Christ?
â€¢ Deut 10:21; Job 5:8-9; 1Sam 12:21; the greatness of God
â€¢ Luke 1:49;

V4 Temperance
â€¢ Rejoicing was tempered by the fact that all of the Jews had not returned with them.
â€¢ Ezra 9:8
â€¢ Some Jews stayed in captivity because it was easier than returning home and rebuilding their homes.

Vv 5-6 Persistence
â€¢ We must be persistent if we are going to be effective for the Lord JesusChrist
â€¢ We must persist in what God has called us to do.
â€¢ Don’t give up. God will deliver.

<!!!!!!!!! CHAPTER 136 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!>

Psalm 136

Chapter 1

His Steadfast Love Endures Forever

Psa 136:1 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psa 136:2 O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psa 136:3 O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psa 136:4 To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psa 136:5 To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psa 136:6 To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psa 136:7 To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever:
Psa 136:8 The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever:
Psa 136:9 The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psa 136:10 To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever:
Psa 136:11 And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever:
Psa 136:12 With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psa 136:13 To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever:
Psa 136:14 And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever:
Psa 136:15 But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psa 136:16 To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psa 136:17 To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:
Psa 136:18 And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:
Psa 136:19 Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever:
Psa 136:20 And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endureth for ever:
Psa 136:21 And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endureth for ever:
Psa 136:22 Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psa 136:23 Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever:
Psa 136:24 And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psa 136:25 Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psa 136:26 O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.

<!!!!!!!!! END END END END END !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!>

His Love Endures Forever

Psalm 136: 1-26

Rev. Mark Dooley,

Leonardtown Baptist Church

Thankful for his person, verses 1-3

There is no other God but Yahweh. All other gods are false god. He is the one and the only. The bible never tries to “prove” it, there is no need.

Thankful for His providence, verses 4-9

Psa 136:4 To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psa 136:5 To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psa 136:6 To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psa 136:7 To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever:
Psa 136:8 The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever:
Psa 136:9 The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever.

God not only created the church, but he sustains His church every day. This means YOU. The church isn’t a building, it’s YOU. You cannot have a church without people. God accomplishes His will through His people.

Thankful for his protection, verses 10-22.

Psa 136:10 To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever:
Psa 136:11 And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever:
Psa 136:12 With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psa 136:13 To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever:
Psa 136:14 And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever:
Psa 136:15 But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psa 136:16 To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psa 136:17 To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:
Psa 136:18 And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:
Psa 136:19 Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever:
Psa 136:20 And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endureth for ever:
Psa 136:21 And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endureth for ever:
Psa 136:22 Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Who do you rely on for your protection? Our government, our police force, can NOT provide us with ultimate protection. But the abundance of violent crime and murder prove that even they can’t always protect us. But if you belong to God, He will keep you until the very end. Although you might face danger on this earth, that is not the end of it. Even after you die, you will be with God forever more.

Thankful for his provision, verses 23-26.

Psa 136:23 Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever:
Psa 136:24 And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psa 136:25 Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psa 136:26 O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.

In Jesus we find our ULTIMATE provision. When God frees us from our enemies, we must remember that the last enemy is death. God frees us from our last enemy. Semper Fi, Forever Faithful, is what we should be for God, because He is forever faithful.

Chapter 105

Psa 105:1 O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people.
Psa 105:2 Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works.
Psa 105:3 Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.
Psa 105:4 Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore.
Psa 105:5 Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;
Psa 105:6 O ye seed of Abraham his servant, ye children of Jacob his chosen.
Psa 105:7 He is the LORD our God: his judgments are in all the earth.
Psa 105:8 He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations.
Psa 105:9 Which covenant he made with Abraham, and his oath unto Isaac;
Psa 105:10 And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant:

Psa 105:11 Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance:
Psa 105:12 When they were but a few men in number; yea, very few, and strangers in it.
Psa 105:13 When they went from one nation to another, from one kingdom to another people;
Psa 105:14 He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes;
Psa 105:15 Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.
Psa 105:16 Moreover he called for a famine upon the land: he brake the whole staff of bread.
Psa 105:17 He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant:
Psa 105:18 Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron:
Psa 105:19 Until the time that his word came: the word of the LORD tried him.
Psa 105:20 The king sent and loosed him; even the ruler of the people, and let him go free.

Psa 105:21 He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance:
Psa 105:22 To bind his princes at his pleasure; and teach his senators wisdom.
Psa 105:23 Israel also came into Egypt; and Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham.
Psa 105:24 And he increased his people greatly; and made them stronger than their enemies.
Psa 105:25 He turned their heart to hate his people, to deal subtilly with his servants.
Psa 105:26 He sent Moses his servant; and Aaron whom he had chosen.
Psa 105:27 They shewed his signs among them, and wonders in the land of Ham.
Psa 105:28 He sent darkness, and made it dark; and they rebelled not against his word.
Psa 105:29 He turned their waters into blood, and slew their fish.
Psa 105:30 Their land brought forth frogs in abundance, in the chambers of their kings.

Psa 105:31 He spake, and there came divers sorts of flies, and lice in all their coasts.
Psa 105:32 He gave them hail for rain, and flaming fire in their land.
Psa 105:33 He smote their vines also and their fig trees; and brake the trees of their coasts.
Psa 105:34 He spake, and the locusts came, and caterpillers, and that without number,
Psa 105:35 And did eat up all the herbs in their land, and devoured the fruit of their ground.
Psa 105:36 He smote also all the firstborn in their land, the chief of all their strength.
Psa 105:37 He brought them forth also with silver and gold: and there was not one feeble person among their tribes.
Psa 105:38 Egypt was glad when they departed: for the fear of them fell upon them.
Psa 105:39 He spread a cloud for a covering; and fire to give light in the night.
Psa 105:40 The people asked, and he brought quails, and satisfied them with the bread of heaven.
Psa 105:41 He opened the rock, and the waters gushed out; they ran in the dry places like a river.
Psa 105:42 For he remembered his holy promise, and Abraham his servant.
Psa 105:43 And he brought forth his people with joy, and his chosen with gladness:
Psa 105:44 And gave them the lands of the heathen: and they inherited the labour of the people;
Psa 105:45 That they might observe his statutes, and keep his laws. Praise ye the LORD.

Remembering Deliverance

21Aug2016

Rev. Mark Dooley, Leonardtown Baptist Church

Psalm 105:-145

Remember God’s Gracious election. Verses 1-15
Remember God’s wise preparation. Verses 16-25
Remember God’s awesome judgments. Verses 26-41
Remember God’s dependable promises. Verses 42-45

adam@adamosborne.net

Last edit 05.10.25

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Romans

Filed under: Old and New Testament — Adam Osborne @ 1:54 pm

Romans

CHAPTER 1

A Letter to the Romans – Gospel Greetings

Romans 1:1-7
1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,
2 which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures,
3 concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh
4 and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,
5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations,
6 including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ,
7 To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

The letter of the Romans is a representation of the full Gospel. It provides a representation of the entire Scripture. Many consider Romans to be the most important letter ever written.

How can a converted Pharisee write such a letter? What is it about Romans that has had such a significant influence on the Church? Romans is a pure representation of the Gospel. Romans clearly represents the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Romans is not a book… it is a letter. Paul wanted to go to Rome, but had not made it yet… in advance of his travel to Rome, he wrote this letter. To address issues in the Church, Paul approached it by clearly laying out the truth of the Gospel:

Chapters 1-11 – Gospel Explained
Chapters 12-16 – Gospel Applied

God uses ordinary Christians to do amazing things.

Paul is motivated by three things:

1) A Gospel Centered Calling (v. 1)
Paul desires a fellowship with the Christians in Rome… Christians he hasn’t even met. He wants to properly introduce himself. He provides his credentials:

* A servant/slave to Jesus Christ. He does not belong to himself… he belongs to Jesus! He is completely owned by God. He is a devoted servant of Jesus Christ.
* An apostle. An ambassador to represent Jesus Christ. As a result, Paul’s writings had the full weight of Christ behind them. He had a purpose. He was set apart for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Paul wasn’t set apart for this purpose when Christ transformed him on the road to Damascus.

Galatians 1:15
15 But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace,

Paul knew that he was called to be an apostle before he was born!

2) A Gospel Saturated Message (v. 2-4).
Paul provides a summary of the Gospel. He provides the source and substance of the Gospel.
The source of the Gospel is GOD! This is not Paul’s gospel. It didn’t originate with the apostles. It originated with God Himself! Grace is not limited to the New Testament. It is found throughout Scripture… starting with Genesis 3. Throughout the Old Testament, a promise is made and foreshadowed.
Since it belongs to God, it is not ours to change! We need to accept the entirety of Scripture. We have no responsibility or authority to change the Gospel. God doesn’t need our creativity. The Gospel stands on its own. The Gospel of God is about Jesus Christ! No Jesus, No Gospel! Note that Paul doesn’t just identify the subject of the Gospel being God’s Son, he further clarifies that God’s Son is Jesus Christ our Lord!

2 Samuel 7:12-13
12 When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom.
13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.

Matthew 1:1-17
1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
2 Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers,
3 and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram,
4 and Ram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon,
5 and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse,
6 and Jesse the father of David the king. And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah,
7 and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asaph,
8 and Asaph the father of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah,
9 and Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah,
10 and Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and Manasseh the father of Amos, and Amos the father of Josiah,
11 and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon.
12 And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Shealtiel, and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,
13 and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor,
14 and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud,
15 and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob,
16 and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.
17 So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations.

Paul is saying that Jesus was appointed as Our Lord through his death and resurrection. He went from a lowly servant to The Eternal King! The Eternal Lord must be able to overcome death… JESUS DID!

Stop trusting in yourself… trust in our eternal Savior! This is the Good News that makes us who we are!

3) A Gospel Driven Mission (v. 5-7).
Paul’s mission was clear. To bring about the obedience of Faith… the activity of Faith, responding to the Gospel. The Gospel produces obedience. The Gospel transforms us. A Gospel separate from obedience doesn’t make sense. He does not perform this mission for his own sake… he does it for the sake of the name of Jesus Christ!

We should be compelled by Paul’s mission and focus. Is our life focused on the mission of sharing the Gospel and strengthening the faith of others? Is Christ the focus of our life (vs. ourselves)? Do we shine His light in everything we do?

Based on the sermon of Pastor Adam Polk on 10 September 2017.

CHAPTER 4

Sola Fide – Through Faith Alone

Romans 4:1-8 and Luke 18:35 – 43

Rev. Mark Dooley, Leonardtown Baptist Church

11. 19.2017

Abraham Justified by Faith

Romans 4:1 What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” 4 Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. 5 And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, 6 just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works: 7 “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; 8 blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”

Jesus Heals a Blind Beggar

Luke 18:35 As he drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. 36 And hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what this meant. 37 They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” 38 And he cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 39 And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 40 And Jesus stopped and commanded him to be brought to him. And when he came near, he asked him, 41 “What do you want me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, let me recover my sight.” 42 And Jesus said to him, “Recover your sight; your faith has made you well.” 43 And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.

- BELIEF – The basis of justification by faith. VV. 1-3

Ephesians 2:9 Salvation is “not from works, so that no one can boast.”

Genesis 15:6 Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him for righteousness.

- RIGHTEOUSNESS – The application of justification by faith. VV. 4-5

Ephesians 2:8 You are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is God’s gift.

FORGIVENESS – The tangible blessings of justification by faith. VV. 6-8
Luke 18:38 Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me…….your faith has saved you

CHAPTER 5

Romans 5:1-11 (ESV)
Rev. Mark Dooley
12.27.2015

5 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. ²Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. ³Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, ⁴and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, ⁵and 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.

⁶For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. ⁷For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— ⁸but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. ⁹Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. ¹⁰For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. ¹¹More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Looking under God’s Christmas tree, THE CROSS. We find precious gifts under the tree.

JUSTIFICATION

PEACE

ACCESS

HOPE

TRIUMPH

DELIVERANCE

RECONCILIATION

: We are now reconciled with Christ, brought back to a relationship with Christ. We could never reconcile our debt to God, but Jesus Christ paid our entire debt, for everyone, out of a pure gift of love.

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 9

SOLA GRATIA – BY GRACE ALONE

Romans 9:6-29

Rev. Mark Dooley, Leonardtown Baptist Church

11.26.2017

Rom 9:6 But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, 7 and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 8 This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring. 9 For this is what the promise said: “About this time next year I will return, and Sarah shall have a son.” 10 And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, 11 though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad, in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls 12 she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” 13 As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” 14 What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means! 15 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. 17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” 18 So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills. 19 You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?” 20 But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” 21 Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use? 22 What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, 23 in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory 24 even us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles? 25 As indeed he says in Hosea, “Those who were not my people I will call ‘my people,’ and her who was not beloved I will call ‘beloved.'” 26 “And in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ there they will be called ‘sons of the living God.'” 27 And Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: “Though the number of the sons of Israel be as the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them will be saved, 28 for the Lord will carry out his sentence upon the earth fully and without delay.” 29 And as Isaiah predicted, “If the Lord of hosts had not left us offspring, we would have been like Sodom and become like Gomorrah.”

You are saved by grace.
You are kept by grace.
You will die by grace.
We contribute nothing, anything we try to contribute to it, we slap grace in the face.
If God was fair, we would ALL bust hell wide open.
We should be thankful today that God doesn’t act by fairness, but he operates by grace.

Verse 13 As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”

Luke 14:26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.

What does this mean? This means that God has to be your number one love. You must love the Lord, first and foremost, loving the Lord supremely over all.

Romans 8:29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

Praise God that He chooses to love us, to save us. God wants everyone to be saved.

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

1 Timothy 2:4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

CHAPTER 10

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April 3, 2016

Luke

Filed under: Old and New Testament — Adam Osborne @ 9:59 am

Chapter 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 |

Getting Acquainted with the book of Luke

Like other Gospels, Luke’s Gospel recounts the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, the Son of God, who fulfills all of his Father’s saving promises.
Unlike other Gospels, Luke has a companion volume—Acts—in which salvation advances, in Jesus’ name, to “the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
Luke’s Gospel invites us to be part of this worldwide spread of the Christian message by showing how Jesus brings salvation to the last, the lost, and the least.
Luke’s Gospel describes a world turned upside down.
- Sinners are saved while religious leaders are exposed as frauds.
- “Outsiders” embrace Jesus while “insiders” reject him.
- The poor rejoice while the rich are “sent away empty” (Luke 1:53).
Because such paradoxes can create doubt, Luke writes to assure us that Jesus represents the fulfillment of God’s saving purposes.
The most glaring paradox Luke presents is that of Jesus himself.
No person has ever lived more faithfully than Jesus, yet no person has ever endured more suffering.

As it points us to Jesus’ cross and resurrection, Luke’s Gospel prepares us to follow Jesus through hardship and humiliation, strengthened by faith in the God who exalts the lowly.

Date and Historical Background

Luke was likely written in the early 60s, sometime after the events described in Acts 28but before two major events—Paul’s martyrdom in AD 64/65, and the destruction of the temple in AD 70.

This means that Luke wrote within decades of Jesus’ ministry and death.
In Luke’s day, the Christian message had spread throughout Palestine, Asia Minor, Greece, and Rome.

This is a hard question, but what enabled the Christian message to spread through this region so easily?

The stability of the Roman empire enabled Paul and other Christian missionaries to travel extensively, preaching to Jews and Gentiles alike. (TAKE NOTE OF THAT STATEMENT…. The Roman empire enabled …..something to remember)…..we’ve heard about how God waited until it was time, or until all things were ready, to bring Jesus into the world. Well, according to that statement, God waited until the Roman empire established “easy travel” to bring Jesus into the world…so that the Gospel could be spread easily.

Both groups (Jews and Gentiles) had difficulty accepting the possibility that a crucified man could be the Savior of the world—
If you were a Jew, what did death by crucifixion represent:
- Jews because crucifixion represented a divine curse,
If you were a Gentile, what did crucifixion represent?
- weakness and humiliation.
Other questions were raised by the fact that many Gentile “outsiders” were embracing Jesus, while many Jewish “insiders” continued to reject him and his followers.
Luke wrote, at least in part, to reassure readers that the message about Jesus is true, despite such paradoxes.
Today, Luke’s Gospel continues to offer assurance to anyone who wrestles with the challenges of trusting and following Jesus.

A Chapter-by-Chapter Summary of Luke.

Part 1: The Birth and Early Life of Jesus

Luke 1: The book begins by introducing John the Baptist, whose birth is prophesied by the angel Gabriel. The angel then visits Mary, announcing the birth of Jesus. Mary’s response, the Magnificat, is a powerful expression of faith.

Luke 2: Jesus is born in Bethlehem, visited by shepherds and wise men. He is presented at the temple, and Simeon and Anna prophesy about Him. Jesus grows in wisdom and stature.

Part 2: The Ministry of John the Baptist and the Beginning of Jesus’ Ministry

Luke 3: John the Baptist begins his ministry, preaching repentance and baptizing people. Jesus is baptized by John and is declared the Son of God.

Luke 4: Jesus is tempted by Satan in the wilderness, then begins His ministry in Galilee. He reads from Isaiah in the synagogue and performs miracles.

Part 3: Jesus’ Ministry and Teachings

Luke 5: Jesus calls Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John to be His disciples. He performs a miraculous catch of fish.

Luke 6: Jesus chooses the Twelve Apostles. He delivers the Sermon on the Plain (similar to the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew), teaching about blessedness, love for enemies, and judgment.

Luke 7: Jesus heals a centurion’s servant and raises a widow’s son. He forgives a sinful woman and is questioned by John the Baptist’s disciples.

Luke 8: Jesus casts out demons, heals the sick, and calms a storm. He raises Jairus’ daughter and heals a woman with a bleeding disorder.

Luke 9: Jesus sends out the Twelve Apostles. He feeds the five thousand, reveals His identity as the Messiah to Peter, and foretells His suffering and resurrection. The Transfiguration occurs.

Luke 10: Jesus sends out seventy-two disciples. He tells the parable of the Good Samaritan.

Luke 11: Jesus teaches about prayer, fasting, and the Holy Spirit.

Luke 12: Jesus warns His disciples about hypocrisy and fear. He teaches about wealth and stewardship.

Part 4: Jesus’ Journey to Jerusalem

Luke 13: Jesus heals a woman with a deformed spine and discusses the Kingdom of God.

Luke 14: Jesus heals a man with dropsy on the Sabbath and teaches about humility and invitation.

Luke 15: Jesus tells the parables of the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and the Prodigal Son.

Luke 16: Jesus tells the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus and warns about wealth.

Luke 17: Jesus teaches about faith, forgiveness, and the coming of the Son of Man.

Luke 18: Jesus tells the parable of the Persistent Widow and the Pharisee and Tax Collector. He blesses children.

Luke 19: Jesus encounters Zacchaeus and tells the parable of the Ten Minas.

Part 5: Jesus’ Final Days in Jerusalem

Luke 20: Jesus answers questions about paying taxes, the resurrection, and the Messiah.

Luke 21: Jesus predicts the destruction of Jerusalem and the end times.

Luke 22: Jesus institutes the Lord’s Supper, prays in Gethsemane, is arrested, and stands trial.

Luke Chapter 1

Objective:

To explore the themes of promise, faith, and doubt as exemplified in the lives of Elizabeth and Zechariah.

COMPARING “LUKE” to the other three Gospel’s. Let’s briefly begin with a quick overview of the Gospel writers (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John).

Matthew

Author: Believed to be Matthew, a former tax collector who became one of Jesus’ twelve disciples. A Jew.
Audience: Primarily Jewish Christians.
Focus: Presents Jesus as the Messiah, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies.
Style: Emphasizes Jesus’ teachings and authority, often using lengthy discourses.

Mark

Author: Traditionally attributed to John Mark, a companion of Peter.
Mark was a Gentile. While he was closely associated with the early Christian church and likely converted to Christianity, his background was not Jewish.
Audience: Roman Christians.
Focus: Presents Jesus as a servant of God who suffers for the sake of others.
Style: Fast-paced and action-oriented, highlighting Jesus’ miracles and deeds.

Luke

Author: Luke, a Gentile physician and companion of Paul.
Audience: Both Jewish and Gentile Christians. BUT, Matthew Henry said “Luke was a Gentile, writing to a Gentile audience”….which makes sense, since he addressed this book to “Theophilus.”
Focus: Presents Jesus as the Son of Man who came to save all humanity.
Style: Detailed and informative, with a strong emphasis on the human side of Jesus.

John

Author: Traditionally attributed to John, one of Jesus’ closest disciples.
John, the author of the Gospel of John, was a Jew.
Audience: Believed to be a broader Christian audience.
Focus: Presents Jesus as the divine Son of God.
Style: Theologically deep, with a focus on Jesus’ identity and teachings about eternal life.
Luke was a physician, and a Gentile convert to Christianity.
Luke’s purpose in writing his Gospel, which is stated in the first few verses today: to provide a detailed and orderly account of Jesus’ life and ministry, especially for Gentile believers.
Introduce the Theme of chapter one: God’s promises and faithfulness.

THE DEDICATION TO THEOPHILUS

1 Many have undertaken to compile a narrative about the events that have been fulfilled among us, ²just as the original eyewitnesses and servants of the word handed them down to us. ³So it also seemed good to me, since I have carefully investigated everything from the very first, to write to you in an orderly sequence, most honorable Theophilus, ⁴so that you may know the certainty of the things about which you have been instructed.^,

ASK: Does anyone know what language Luke wrote in? I mean was it Greek, Aramaic, Hebrew, or what? (Greek…remember…he was a Gentile).

ASK: OK, what are your thoughts about this INTRO from Luke? Any thoughts about the writing, or the path that Luke is taking here at the very beginning of his writing?

CSB STUDY NOTES 1:1–4 Using elegant Greek, Luke begins his narrative about the events of Jesus’s life and ministry with a formal preface. This was a common practice in historical works of Luke’s era. His prologue (1) acknowledges previous treatments of the subject, (2) states his methodology, (3) identifies the recipient, and (4) articulates his purpose in writing.

FSB 1:1 many have attempted Indicates that Luke is familiar with other sources that discuss Jesus…

ASK: So….what does that mean? What other sources?
ASK: DOES this mean that Luke was familiar with other Gospels?
Gemini:
- Luke 1:1 states, “Many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been fulfilled among us.” This suggests that there were other accounts or writings circulating about the life and ministry of Jesus at the time Luke was writing his Gospel.
- Luke is acknowledging the existence of these other narratives, but he also emphasizes that his own account is based on careful research and eyewitness testimony. This suggests that he believed his Gospel to be a more accurate and reliable portrayal of the events surrounding Jesus’ life.
The unique content in Luke—material not found in the other Synoptic Gospels (Mark and Matthew)—is the result of his research (see Luke 1:3) and access to sources not available to Mark or Matthew.

ASK: Who or what is “Theophilus?” What do your commentary bibles say?

From https://www.gotquestions.org/Theophilus-Luke-Acts.html#:~:text=The%20name%20%E2%80%9CTheophilus%E2%80%9D%20literally%20means,Theophilus%E2%80%9D%20is%20just%20a%20generic

The fact is that we really do not know who Theophilus was, which is why there are several different theories as to who he might be. No matter how much evidence there may or may not be for each theory, the simple fact is we do not know who Theophilus was because the Bible does not identify who he was.

The name “Theophilus” literally means “loved by God,” but carries the idea of “friend of God.” This has led some to believe that “Theophilus” is just a generic title that applies to all Christians. However, from the context of Luke and Acts, it seems clear that Luke is writing to a specific individual, even though his message is also intended for all Christians in all centuries. While both the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts have applications for all Christians, they were probably written to a specific individual whom Luke addresses as “most excellent Theophilus” (Luke 1:3).

Since it seems clear that Theophilus was an actual person, we will look at what we do know about him from the Bible and then discuss a few of the many theories as to who he might have been. First, it is important to note that Luke addresses him as “most excellent,” a title often used when referring to someone of honor or rank, such as a Roman official. Paul used the same term when addressing Felix (Acts 23:26; Acts 24:2) and Festus (Acts 26:25). Therefore, one of the most common theories is that Theophilus was possibly a Roman officer or high-ranking official in the Roman government.

Another possibility is that Theophilus was a wealthy and influential man in the city of Antioch. There are second-century references to a man named Theophilus who was “a great lord” and a leader in the city of Antioch during the time of Luke. Such a man would fit the description, as many scholars believe that Theophilus could have been a wealthy benefactor who supported Paul and Luke on their missionary journeys. That would account for Luke’s wanting to provide an orderly and detailed account of what had happened.

Another theory about who Theophilus was is that he was the Jewish high priest named Theophilus ben Ananus. Theophilus ben Ananus was high priest in Jerusalem in A.D. 37-41. He was the son of Annas and the brother–in-law of Caiaphus. While less popular, this theory seems to be gaining popularity among some groups. Still another theory is that the Theophilus Luke was writing to was a later high priest named Mattathias ben Theophilus, who served in Jerusalem in A.D. 65-66.

Yet another theory about the identity of Theophilus is that he was the Roman lawyer who defended Paul during his trial in Rome. Those who hold this theory believe that Luke’s purpose in writing Luke and Acts was to write a defense of Christianity, somewhat akin to a legal brief. If this theory is correct, Luke’s writings were designed to defend Paul in court against charges of insurrection and, at the same time, to defend Christianity against the charge that it was an illegal, anti-Roman religion.

While each of these theories holds possibilities, it seems most likely that Theophilus was a high-ranking or influential Gentile for whom Luke wanted to provide a detailed, historical account of Christ and the spread of the gospel throughout the Roman Empire. Whether this Theophilus was a wealthy relative of Caesar, an influential government official, a wealthy benefactor who supported Paul or Paul’s Roman lawyer does not really matter. We cannot know for sure who Theophilus was, but we can know what Luke’s intentions for writing were. His stated reason for writing to Theophilus was “that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught” (Luke 1:3-4). Luke wrote an historical account of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and detailed the spread of Christianity throughout the Roman Empire. His intention was to give Theophilus certainty that the “things he had been taught” were indeed true and trustworthy.

MATTHEW HENRY: Theophilus is thought to be a Roman official, or at least a person in high rank. Luke’s intention was to present to Theophilus an orderly account of the gospel. Apparently, Theophilus was already familiar with some parts of the gospel, but Luke wanted him to know with certainty concerning the things about which he had been instructed.

NOTE: THE FSB AND CSB STUDY notes basically say the same thing….several options, nobody knows for sure who Theophilus was.

OK, moving on to the next section in Luke, Chapter 1 …

1. The birth of John the Baptist foretold (Luke 1:5–25)

⁵In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest of Abijah’s division named Zechariah. His wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. ⁶Both were righteous in God’s sight, living without blame according to all the commands and requirements of the Lord. ⁷But they had no children because Elizabeth could not conceive, and both of them were well along in years.

⁸When his division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, ⁹it happened that he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense. ¹⁰At the hour of incense the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. ¹¹An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. ¹²When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified and overcome with fear. ¹³But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. ¹⁴There will be joy and delight for you, and many will rejoice at his birth. ¹⁵For he will be great in the sight of the Lord and will never drink wine or beer. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit while still in his mother’s womb. ¹⁶He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. ¹⁷And he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to make ready for the Lord a prepared people.”

¹⁸“How can I know this?” Zechariah asked the angel. “For I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years.”

¹⁹The angel answered him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and tell you this good news. ²⁰Now listen. You will become silent and unable to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time.”

²¹Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah, amazed that he stayed so long in the sanctuary. ²²When he did come out, he could not speak to them. Then they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He was making signs to them and remained speechless. ²³When the days of his ministry were completed, he went back home.

²⁴After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived and kept herself in seclusion for five months. She said, ²⁵“The Lord has done this for me. He has looked with favor in these days to take away my disgrace among the people.”

OK…..LET’S BREAK THESE VERSES DOWN, ONE BY ONE.

VERSE 5, 6, 7, 8 – In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest of Abijah’s division named Zechariah.

Abijah’s division. What is that all about? Who is Abijah, and what’s a division?

Zechariah’s service as a priest involved a complex system of rotation and responsibilities within the Levitical priesthood. Here’s a breakdown of his role:

Division of Abijah: Priests were divided into 24 divisions, each serving a specific week of the year. Zechariah belonged to the division of Abijah.
Lot Selection: When his division was on duty, priests were chosen by lot to perform specific temple tasks.
Burning Incense: In Zechariah’s case, he was chosen to burn incense, a sacred ritual performed in the Holy Place of the temple. This was a highly honored and privileged task.

Key points of the priestly duty:

It was a ceremonial role, symbolizing the people’s prayers ascending to God.
It required strict adherence to ritual purity and holiness.
It was a public act of worship on behalf of the people.

Zechariah’s position as a priest, and specifically his role in burning incense, provided a solemn and sacred context for the angelic visitation and the subsequent announcement of John the Baptist’s birth.

This system of priestly divisions is described in more detail in 1 Chronicles 24.

(verse 5 continued) His wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. ⁶Both were righteous in God’s sight, living without blame according to all the commands and requirements of the Lord. ⁷

How would you explain verse 6….both were righteous…etc. What would that look like to you?

Righteous in God’s sight: This means they lived their lives in a way that was pleasing to God. Their actions and attitudes aligned with God’s moral standards.
Living without blame: They were free from wrongdoing. Their lives were characterized by integrity and honesty.
According to all the commands and requirements of the Lord: They faithfully obeyed all of God’s laws and regulations as outlined in the Old Testament.
Essentially, Zechariah and Elizabeth were devout and obedient followers of God, living exemplary lives according to the religious standards of the OT.

VERSE 7. But they had no children because Elizabeth could not conceive, and both of them were well along in years.

And what other couple in the bible, had a baby, and were well along in years?

Abraham and Sarah

VERSE: ¹⁰At the hour of incense the whole assembly of the people was praying outside.

ASK: What’s this “at the hour of incense” all about? What is significant about this hour?

The hour of incense refers to the specific time of day (every day) when incense was burned in the temple as part of the daily sacrificial ritual. This was a significant moment in the Jewish religious calendar, and it marked a time of heightened prayer and devotion. Here are some key points about the hour of incense:

Timing: It’s believed to have been around 3:00 PM in the afternoon.
Significance: ASK: DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT THE BURNING INCENSE REPRESENTED? The burning of incense symbolized the prayers of the people ascending to God.
Prayer Time: The people would often gather outside the temple to pray during this time, as indicated in Luke 1:10.

So….”a time of heightened prayer and devotion.” ….. so… is that something that should make us ponder and wonder about us? Is that something we do? Why or why not? Is that an “old testament” thing, or is it for us to?

¹⁸“How can I know this?” Zechariah asked the angel. “For I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years.”

Now, let’s start where we left off…..verse 11.

¹¹An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense.

Is there any significance to “standing to the right of the alter?”

The angel’s position at the right side of the altar of incense in Luke 1:11 carries several important implications:

Divine Presence and Power: The right side is often associated with strength, authority, and favor in biblical symbolism. The angel’s placement on the right side emphasizes the divine power and authority behind the message he brings.
Proximity to God: The altar of incense was seen as a point of connection between heaven and earth. The angel’s position near it signifies a close proximity to God, underscoring the divine nature of the message he is about to deliver.
Counteracting Fear: Zechariah was filled with fear upon seeing the angel (Luke 1:12). The angel’s placement on the right side, a position of strength and authority, may have been intended to reassure Zechariah and to convey the importance of the message he was about to receive.

In summary, the angel’s position at the right side of the altar of incense is not merely a detail but a carefully chosen symbolic representation of divine power, authority, and the blessings to come.

¹²When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified and overcome with fear.

ASK: “WHY” terrified and overcome with fear?

Here are a few reasons for his fear:

Uncommon Occurrence: Angelic appearances were rare, and most people would have never encountered one in their lifetime.
Sacred Setting: The temple was a holy place, and the sudden appearance of a celestial being would have been deeply unsettling.
Overwhelming Presence: The glory and majesty of an angel could be intimidating and awe-inspiring, inducing fear in those who beheld them.

¹³But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard.

ASK: “Do not be afraid.” Off the top of your head, when dealing with Angels appearing, when have we heard that phrase before?”

Other Angels Who Said “Do Not Fear”

The Angel to Mary, Mother of Jesus (Luke 1:30): The angel Gabriel tells Mary not to be afraid when he announces that she will conceive and bear the Son of God.
The Angel to the Shepherds (Luke 2:10): The angel reassures the shepherds, frightened by the appearance of the Lord’s glory, with the words, “Do not be afraid.”
The Angel to Joseph (Matthew 1:20): An angel appears to Joseph in a dream and tells him not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife.
The Angel at Jesus’ Tomb (Matthew 28:5): An angel tells the women who have come to visit Jesus’ tomb not to be afraid, announcing Jesus’ resurrection.

VERSE 13: Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John.

ASK: John was NOT a family name, so this prophecy was braking Jewish tradition. What is the significance of the name “John” in this verse? Does anyone know what the name John means in Hebrew?

The name John is Hebrew for “Yahweh is gracious.” This name is deeply symbolic and prophetic, foreshadowing the role of John the Baptist in preparing the way for Jesus Christ.
Here’s a breakdown of its significance:
Divine Grace: The name emphasizes God’s grace and mercy, which is a central theme in John the Baptist’s message.
Prophetic Role: John’s name reflects his role as a herald of God’s grace, preparing the way for the coming of the Messiah.
Contrast with Law: The name “John” stands in contrast to the Law, which focuses on human obedience. John’s message is about God’s grace and forgiveness.
By giving John this name, God revealed the nature and purpose of his son’s life before he was even born, highlighting the divine plan and purpose behind his ministry.

¹⁵For he will be great in the sight of the Lord and will never drink wine or beer.

ASK: What does “never drink wine or beer” indicate? Who else do we remember that had this requirement too?

FSB 1:15 never drink wine or beer Like Samson and Samuel, John the Baptist was to be a Nazirite from birth (see Num 6:1–4; Judg 13:2–5; 1 Sam 1:11).

ASK: Someone tell us what else does being a Nazirite meant, besides not drinking wine or beer?

FSB: According to Num 6, Nazirites were Israelites who were separated or consecrated for God’s service. They were to abstain from wine and strong drink, vinegar products, and anything produced from grapes. They also had to take care not to come into contact with dead bodies. They were not permitted to cut their hair until their vow was complete, at which time they were to offer sacrifices to Yahweh.

VERSE 15 Continued. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit while still in his mother’s womb.

ASK: OK, let’s brainstorm. There is more to this verse than meets the eye. Explain the significance of that verse. Explain what this would mean.

This extraordinary statement indicates that John the Baptist was set apart for a special purpose from the very beginning of his life.

Unique Anointing: Being filled with the Holy Spirit while still in the womb is a unique occurrence in Scripture, emphasizing John’s special calling as a prophet and forerunner of Christ.
Preparation for Ministry: This divine endowment prepared John for the demanding role he would play in preparing the way for the Messiah.
Power and Authority: The presence of the Holy Spirit within him would grant him the power and authority to fulfill his prophetic mission.

Essentially, this verse highlights the extraordinary nature of John the Baptist’s calling and the supernatural power that would accompany his ministry.

ASK: What do you think? When reading about John the Baptist, which is always read when we read about Jesus, do you really think about the anointing, power, authority and role of John the Baptist? Or, do we just overlook him because along comes Jesus?

ASK WHAT THIS MEANS: ¹⁶He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.

This verse outlines the primary purpose of John the Baptist’s ministry: to bring about a spiritual revival among the people of Israel.

Conversion: John’s mission was to lead people away from their sinful ways and towards a renewed relationship with God.
Restoration: He would play a crucial role in restoring the spiritual health of the nation, which had drifted from God’s ways.
Preparation: His ministry would prepare the hearts of the people for the coming of the Messiah.

Essentially, John was to be a catalyst for spiritual transformation, turning people back to God and preparing the way for the Savior.

VERSE 17: And he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah,

ASK: In verse 17, what would the spirit and power of Elijah indicate? What do we know about Elijah, and what mental picture is this giving us?

Elijah-like Spirit: John will possess the same spirit and power as Elijah, a prophet known for his fiery zeal and confrontational style.

19 The angel answered him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and tell you this good news.

ASK: Someone tell us everything we know about the angel Gabriel.

The Angel Gabriel: God’s Messenger

The Angel Gabriel is a prominent figure in both the Old and New Testaments, known primarily for his role as a divine messenger.

Here’s a brief overview of his appearances:

Daniel (Old Testament): Gabriel appears to Daniel in the book of Daniel, interpreting a complex vision and revealing future events (Daniel 8:16).
Zechariah (New Testament): As we’ve seen, Gabriel appears to Zechariah to announce the birth of John the Baptist (Luke 1:19).
Mary (New Testament): Gabriel also appears to Mary, announcing the miraculous conception and birth of Jesus Christ (Luke 1:26).

ASK: What are some of the Key characteristics of Gabriel include:

Divine Messenger: He is clearly a high-ranking angel, directly commissioned by God to deliver important messages.
Revealer of God’s Plan: Gabriel’s appearances often involve unveiling significant aspects of God’s plan for humanity.
Bringer of Good News: While his messages can be challenging, they ultimately convey hope and promise.

Gabriel’s role in Scripture highlights the importance of divine revelation and the active involvement of heavenly beings in God’s plan for salvation.

20Now listen. You will become silent and unable to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time.”

ASK: Is there anything significant to learn from verse 20?

GEMINI: This verse reveals a significant consequence for Zechariah’s doubt of the angel’s message.

Punishment for Doubt: Zechariah’s temporary muteness serves as a form of divine discipline for his lack of faith in God’s promise.
Emphasis on Belief: The verse underscores the importance of believing God’s word and trusting in His promises.
Fulfillment of Prophecy: The angel assures Zechariah that the promised birth will undoubtedly occur, even if he does not believe it.

MATTHEW HENRY: If you want a sign for the support of our faith, it shall be one that it also the punishment of our unbelief. He lost his hearing as well as his speech. (not sure where he gets that, but bunches of other commentaries said he lost his hearing too).

22 When he did come out, he could not speak to them. Then they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary.

What’s the most likely scenario here? How would they realize that he had seen a vision?

The people realized Zechariah had seen a vision based on two key observations:

His Inability to Speak: Zechariah’s sudden loss of speech was an unusual and unexpected occurrence. This was a clear deviation from his normal behavior and suggested something extraordinary had happened.
His Gestures: Zechariah’s attempts to communicate through signs indicated a mental and emotional state that was not typical. This nonverbal communication further suggested a profound experience that had left him speechless.

²⁴After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived and kept herself in seclusion for five months. She said, ²⁵“The Lord has done this for me. He has looked with favor in these days to take away my disgrace among the people.”

ASK: Does anyone’s study bible have any notes for the seclusion for five months? Here is what the CSB Study Bible said:

CSB: 1:24–25 Elizabeth withdrew and kept herself in seclusion for five months after she miraculously conceived. ASK: Why did she do this?

Some speculate that she feared miscarrying during the early months of pregnancy.
More likely she recognized that her unusual pregnancy would draw unwelcome attention if it became widely known.
Better to have a restful start to a pregnancy that came so late in life.

VS 25 take away my disgrace among the people. Matthew Henry said something “interesting” about disgrace among the people:

Fruitfulness was looked upon to be so great a blessing among the Jews, because of the promise of the increase of their nation, and the rising of the Messiah among them.
It was a great reproach to be barren.
Those who were so, though ever so blameless, were concluded to be guilty of some great sin….

Luke 1:26 to 38

GABRIEL PREDICTS JESUS’S BIRTH

²⁶In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, ²⁷to a virgin engaged^, to a man named Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. ²⁸And the angel came to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you.” ²⁹But she was deeply troubled by this statement, wondering what kind of greeting this could be. ³⁰Then the angel told her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. ³¹Now listen: You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. ³²He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David. ³³He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will have no end.”

³⁴Mary asked the angel, “How can this be, since I have not had sexual relations with a man?”

³⁵The angel replied to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. ³⁶And consider your relative Elizabeth—even she has conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called childless. ³⁷For nothing will be impossible with God.”

³⁸“See, I am the Lord’s servant,” said Mary. “May it happen to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.

GABRIEL PREDICTS JESUS’S BIRTH

VERSE 26 In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, ²⁷to a virgin engaged^, to a man named Joseph, of the house of David.

ASK: In the sixth month. What sixth month?

CSB STUDY NOTES: 1:26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, Gabriel, the same angel who had appeared to Zechariah previously (v. 19), was dispatched by God to Nazareth. This was a small village in Galilee, a region north of Judea and Samaria.

27 to a virgin engaged^, to a man named Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.

Virgin – ASK: Any thoughts or input here? Talk to me about the word virgin.

FSB NOTES: 1:27 a virgin = Luke calls Mary a virgin twice in this verse to demonstrate that Jesus’ conception was an act of God.

Throughout his Gospel, Luke draws extensively from the book of Isaiah.

By doing so, he portrays Jesus’ life through Isaiah’s theological lens.
In this verse, Luke alludes to the Septuagint (ancient Greek translation) version of Isa 7:14, applying Isaiah’s prophecy about the virgin (parthenos in Greek) being with child as a reference to Mary’s miraculous conception.
In this way, Luke portrays Jesus as God’s promised Messiah.
Isaiah 7:14 “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
Matthew 1:23 virgin = Greek word Parthenos
Mark: The Gospel of Mark does not explicitly mention the virgin birth of Jesus. The narrative begins with Jesus’ baptism and public ministry, bypassing the events surrounding His birth.
John: The Gospel of John does not explicitly mention the virgin birth of Jesus. However, it does allude to Jesus’ divine origins and pre-existence.

CSB NOTES: parthenos

Greek pronunciation [pahr THEHN ahss]

CSB translation virgin

Uses in Luke’s Gospel 2

Uses in the NT 15

Focus passage Luke 1:27, 34

In the Greek NT, parthenos (virgin) connotes an unmarried female virgin of marriageable age.
Both Matthew and Luke acknowledge that Mary was a parthenos at the time she conceived Jesus (Mt 1:20, 23; Lk 1:27, 34), and Matthew indicates that she remained a virgin while she carried the child to term (Mt 1:25).
- Matthew 1:25 He married her ²⁵but did not have sexual relations with her until she gave birth to a son. And he named him Jesus.
- ASK: TRIVIA QUESTION….WHY DO YOU THINK MATTHEW MENTIONED THAT SHE STAYED A VIRGIN UNTIL AFTER SHE GAVE BIRTH? (I have no idea)
Both books mention the salvific significance of Jesus’s birth (Mt 1:21; Lk 1:31–32).
However, Matthew alone indicates the prophetic significance of Jesus’s birth by a virgin (Mt 1:23).
- Matthew 1:23 See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name him Immanuel,
According to Matthew, Mary was the fulfillment of a prophecy given through the prophet Isaiah, who described a virgin (Is 7:14; parthenos occurs here in the Greek OT) who would give birth to a child to be named Immanuel.
OK, I KNOW WE ARE STUDYING LUKE, NOT MATTHEW, BUT PLEASE TELL ME THE SIGNIFICANCE OF MATTHEW’S USE OF THE WORD “IMMANUEL” AND THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THAT VERSE:
- Meaning of Immanuel: “Immanuel” is a Hebrew term that means “God with us.” This emphasizes the idea that Jesus is not merely a human being but the divine presence of God dwelling among humanity.
- Fulfillment of Prophecy: This statement fulfills the prophecy found in Isaiah 7:14, which foretold the birth of a child by a virgin who would be called “Immanuel.” This connection reinforces the understanding that Jesus is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies.
- Divine Nature: The name “Immanuel” highlights the divine nature of Jesus, emphasizing His unique identity as both fully God and fully human.
- Hope for Humanity: The phrase “God with us” offers hope and reassurance to humanity, suggesting that God is present and active in the world, working for the salvation of His people.

28 And the angel came to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you.”

ASK: What are your thoughts here? WHY WAS MARY “FAVORED”?

CBS STUDY NOTES: 1:28–30 Mary was favored because the Lord set his undeserved grace upon her, not because she had earned good standing. Understandably, she was deeply troubled by Gabriel’s visit and greeting, wondering how she had come to receive such an honor. Gabriel’s admonishment that Mary not be afraid was the same thing he said to Zechariah (v. 13).

“WHY DID GOD CHOSE MARY?” FROM “GOTQUESTIONS.ORG.”

Mary was of the right lineage. Luke traces Mary’s lineage through David, Boaz, Judah, Jacob, Isaac, and Abraham. Her son would be qualified to bear the title Son of David and be the righteous “Branch” that was to come from David’s family (Isaiah 11:1).
2. Mary was engaged to a man whose heritage would require him to visit Bethlehem at just the right time. Micah 5:2foretold the birthplace of the Messiah, pinpointing Bethlehem in Judah. Many virgins may have known God’s favor and may have descended from King David’s line, but not many would also be in the small town of Bethlehem when it was time for the Messiah to be born.

3. Mary was a virgin. It was critical that the mother of the Messiah be a virgin in order to fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah 7:14: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” Matthew reminded his readers of that prophecy, which was crucial in verifying Jesus’ identity (Matthew 1:23). She could not be married, or the world would assume Jesus had an earthly father. She could not have a bad reputation, or no one would have believed her story about a virgin birth, not even her own family. The virgin birth, in bypassing a human father, circumvented the transmission of the sin nature and allowed the Messiah to be a sinless man.

4. Mary was from Nazareth. Prophecies given hundreds of years before Jesus’ birth declared that the Messiah would be of little reputation (Isaiah 53; Zechariah 9:9; cf. Matthew 2:23). To be called a Nazarene or a Galilean was something of an insult in those days (see John 1:46). Had Mary been wealthy, socially prestigious, or from an affluent city, Jesus could not have easily connected with lowly people, the ones He’d come to save (Luke 19:10; Mark 2:17). But because He was from Nazareth, Mary’s hometown, the humility and commonness prophesied about Him was fulfilled.

God may have had more reasons for choosing Mary of Nazareth, but we will have to wait until we get to heaven to find out what they are. Mary was just a person God used for His purposes. Because of certain misunderstandings about Mary, it is important to note that she was not chosen because she was more holy than other people. The angel’s address to her as “highly favored” and “blessed” (Luke 1:28, NKJV) is a reference to the uniqueness of her pending task, not to any level of virtuousness she had attained. Mary was surely a godly woman, but that is not the point. Gabriel’s emphasis was on her privilege, not her piety. She had “found favor with God” (verse 30), but that says more about God’s goodness than Mary’s. She was the recipient of God’s grace, His undeserved favor.

Mary gives us an example of total devotion to the Lord in her answer to the angel Gabriel: “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be unto me as you have said” (Luke 1:38). May we have the wisdom and grace to answer God’s call, whatever it is, the way Mary did.

²⁹But she was deeply troubled by this statement, wondering what kind of greeting this could be.

ASK: Obviously, this announcement would trouble anyone, but why do you think Mary was troubled?

GEMINI: Several factors contributed to her distress:

Unexpected Encounter: The sudden appearance of an angel in her home was undoubtedly startling and unsettling.
Unfamiliar Greeting: The angel’s greeting, “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you,” was extraordinary and perplexing. Mary likely wondered about the meaning of such a unique salutation.
Understanding the Implications: The implications of the angel’s message were profound and would have caused Mary to consider the potential consequences of what was being asked of her.

Mary’s reaction is a natural human response to an overwhelming and unexpected event. Her trouble suggests a deep sense of humility and a desire to understand the full meaning of the angel’s message.

³⁰Then the angel told her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.

ASK: Any thoughts here?

GEMINI: This verse is a crucial turning point in the narrative.

Reassurance: The angel begins by calming Mary’s fear, a common theme in angelic encounters.
Divine Favor: The core message is that Mary has found favor with God. This is a remarkable declaration, suggesting a divine election and purpose for her life.

It’s important to note that this “favor” is not earned but freely given by God, emphasizing the concept of grace.

³¹Now listen: You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus.

ASK: Discuss the significances of this verse:

GEMINI: 1:31–33 The miracle that would cause Mary to conceive and give birth to a son would be a far greater miracle than the one that caused Elizabeth to conceive in old age (vv. 13, 18) because, unlike Elizabeth, Mary was still a virgin (v. 34).

The name Jesus is equivalent to the Hebrew Yehoshua (Joshua), meaning “the Lord is salvation.” MATTHEW HENRY not only points out that Jesus’ name means “The Lord will save”… he also makes a good point that Jesus is the Savior that the world needs, rather than such a one as the Jews expected.

³²He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David. ³³He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will have no end.”

Being the Son of the Most High means Jesus was the Son of God himself (v. 35) because God created the life in Mary’s womb without the aid of a human father (see note at vv. 34–35).
Humanly speaking, though, Jesus’s lineage would be traced legitimately through the royal family of David because Joseph, Jesus’s adoptive father, was a descendant of David.
This made Jesus heir to David’s throne according to God’s eternal covenant (forever … his kingdom will have no end, v. 33; see 2Sm 7:13, 16).
- 2 Samuel 7:13 & 16 He is the one who will build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 16. Your house and kingdom will endure before me forever, and your throne will be established forever.’

34 Mary asked the angel, “How can this be, since I have not had sexual relations with a man?”

ASK: When Zechariah questioned Gabriel, what happened? (deaf and dumb). But now, it seems that Mary is asking a question, why is she not “punished” like Zechariah was?

CSB: 1:34–35 The difference between Mary’s response (how can this be) and Zechariah’s (v. 18) is that Mary asked her question not from unbelief but from puzzlement. The answer to Mary’s question about how she could get pregnant without having sexual relations with a man is that the Holy Spirit would overshadow her and cause her to conceive (see note at vv. 31–33). Because the Holy Spirit was the agent of conception, the child (the holy One; 2Co 5:21; Heb 4:15) would be the Son of God.

HERE is the significance of this verse…..verse 34..

This verse marks a pivotal point in the narrative, introducing the concept of the virgin birth.

Question of Possibility: Mary expresses her confusion and disbelief about how the angel’s promise can be fulfilled given her virgin status.
Miraculous Conception: This verse sets the stage for the miraculous conception of Jesus, emphasizing the divine nature of His birth.

This verse is a cornerstone of Christian belief, affirming the unique nature of Jesus Christ as both fully God and fully human.

35 The angel replied to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 And consider your relative Elizabeth—even she has conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called childless. ³⁷For nothing will be impossible with God.”

ASK: Gabriel said consider your “relative”… So, was Elizabeth Mary’s cousin, or Aunt, or what?

CSB: 1:36–37 There is no way of knowing whether your relative Elizabeth means Elizabeth was Mary’s aunt or cousin.

MATTHEW HENRY: It was further encouragement to her faith to be told that her COUSIN, though stricken in years, was with child.

STRONG’S CONCORDANCE: the word “relative” is the Greek word (4773) suggenes, a relative by blood, by extension, a fellow countryman…..

38 “See, I am the Lord’s servant,” said Mary. “May it happen to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.

ASK: What are your thoughts here? “May it happen to me as you have said.”…..do those words teach us anything?

CSB: 1:38 Mary’s response is a classic model of humble commitment (I am the Lord’s servant) and willing obedience (may it be done to me according to your word).

OK, Mary’s response here means more than just that Mary would do what the Lord wants. What does Mary’s response teach US today?
- MATTHEW HENRY. We must, as Mary here, guide our desires by the Word of God, and ground our hopes upon it.

This verse is a pivotal moment in the narrative, revealing Mary’s profound faith and submission to God’s will.

Acceptance of God’s Plan: Mary accepts the extraordinary task given to her without hesitation or complaint.
Humility: Her self-designation as the Lord’s servant reflects a deep sense of humility and dependence on God.
Faith and Trust: Mary demonstrates unwavering faith in God’s promises and His ability to fulfill His plan.

This verse is often considered a model of Christian faith and obedience, showcasing a willingness to surrender one’s own desires for the sake of God’s kingdom.

ASK: What are some of the ways in which we can say, as Americans, that we see our country, our culture, NOT surrendering our desires for the sake of God’s kingdom?

LUKE 1:39-56

MARY’S VISIT TO ELIZABETH

39 In those days Mary set out and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judah 40 where she entered Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped inside her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 Then she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and your child will be blessed! 43 How could this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For you see, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped for joy inside me. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill what he has spoken to her!”

MARY’S PRAISE

46 And Mary said:

My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 because he has looked with favor on the humble condition of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed, 49 because the Mighty One has done great things for me, and his name is holy. 50 His mercy is from generation to generation on those who fear him. 51 He has done a mighty deed with his arm; he has scattered the proud because of the thoughts of their hearts; 52 he has toppled the mighty from their thrones and exalted the lowly. 53 He has satisfied the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering his mercy 55 to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he spoke to our ancestors.

56 And Mary stayed with her about three months; then she returned to her home.

VERSE BY VERSE ANALYSIS:

39 In those days Mary set out and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judah 40 where she entered Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth.

ASK: Why did Mary go see Elizabeth?

CSB: 1:39–45 Mary visits Elizabeth to assist her in the final months of her pregnancy. Given the immense social pressures and stigma that Mary was about to endure as an unwed mother, she likely sought solace in Elizabeth, who would believe the divine nature of her conception.

41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped inside her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

ASK: OK, here in this verse, it is clear that this scripture said that Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit… but….what about baby John? He lept inside Elizabeth….Is there any chance that John was also filled with the Holy Spirit?

Luke 1:15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord and will never drink wine or beer. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit while still in his mother’s womb.
CSB: 1:41–45 The baby (John) being “filled with the Holy Spirit” (v. 15) fulfilled Gabriel’s prediction to Zechariah. But Elizabeth was filled with the Spirit also (v. 41), and the Spirit’s revelations to her were apparently the source of her knowledge about the blessed roles and identities of Mary and her unborn child. When baby John leaped inside Elizabeth, she understood that he had experienced great joy at Mary’s presence.
MATTHEW HENRY: he has interesting notes here. THE BABY LEAPED, this was more than an ordinary motion of the child. It is the same word that is used by the Septuagint for the struggling of Jacob and Esau in Rebecca’s womb (Gen 25:22).

42 Then she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and your child will be blessed! 43 How could this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For you see, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped for joy inside me. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill what he has spoken to her!”

Verse 43…MATTHEW HENRY: She not only bids her welcome, but she sees this visit a great favor, which she thought herself unworthy of. Her son, John the Baptist, spoke similarly, when he said “Comest thou to Me” (Mattt 3:14).

STATE: OK, NOW WE MOVE INTO “MARY’S PRAISE.” ASK: What else is these group of verses, from 46 to 55 called?

CSB: 1:46–55 Mary’s hymn of praise is known as the “Magnificat,” so named for the Latin term rendered as praises the greatness.

ASK: Is there any other verses, in the Old Testament, where the verses are similar to the “Magnificat?”

CSB: It is similar in tone to the song of Hannah (1Sm 2:1–10).

BEFORE we analyze the Magnificat, ASK SOMEONE TO READ 1 SAM 2:1-10. Then we will compare the two.

1 Samuel 2:1-10 Hannah prayed:

My heart rejoices in the Lord; my horn is lifted up by the Lord. My mouth boasts over my enemies, because I rejoice in your salvation. 2 There is no one holy like the Lord. There is no one besides you! And there is no rock like our God. 3 Do not boast so proudly, or let arrogant words come out of your mouth, for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and actions are weighed by him. 4 The bows of the warriors are broken, but the feeble are clothed with strength. 5 Those who are full hire themselves out for food, but those who are starving hunger no more. The woman who is childless gives birth to seven, but the woman with many sons pines away. 6 The Lord brings death and gives life; he sends some down to Sheol, and he raises others up. 7 The Lord brings poverty and gives wealth; he humbles and he exalts. 8 He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the trash heap. He seats them with noblemen and gives them a throne of honor. For the foundations of the earth are the Lord’s; he has set the world on them. 9 He guards the steps of his faithful ones, but the wicked perish in darkness, for a person does not prevail by his own strength. 10 Those who oppose the Lord will be shattered;, he will thunder in the heavens against them. The Lord will judge the ends of the earth. He will give power to his king; he will lift up the horn of his anointed.^,

OK, before moving on to Mary’s PRAISE; what was happening with Hannah? What was this prayer all about that we just read?

Hannah prayed triumphantly because she had experienced God’s faithfulness in answering her fervent prayer.

For years, Hannah had endured the pain of infertility and the taunts of her rival wife. Yet, she maintained her faith in God and poured out her heart to Him in prayer. When she finally conceived and gave birth to Samuel, her joy and gratitude overflowed into a powerful song of praise.

Here are some key reasons for her triumphant prayer:

Answered Prayer: God had miraculously answered her long-held desire for a child.
Overcoming Adversity: She had endured years of suffering and humiliation but had persevered in faith.
God’s Sovereignty: She recognized God’s power and control over her life and circumstances.
Gratitude and Worship: Her heart was filled with gratitude and worship for God’s goodness and mercy.

OK, So, that was Hanna. Now let’s read about Mary…and compare thoughts?

MARY’S PRAISE

46 And Mary said:

OK: Discuss the similarities and the differences between Hannah’s triumphant prayer and Mary’s PRAISE.

Hannah and Mary: Songs of Praise and Hope

Similarities:

Gratitude and Praise: Both Hannah and Mary express deep gratitude and praise to God for answering their prayers.
Humility: Both women recognize their humble status and acknowledge God’s grace in their lives.
Divine Intervention: Both women emphasize God’s power and sovereignty in their lives.
Hope for the Future: Both express hope for the future, with their children playing central roles in God’s plan.

ASK: Do you see any Differences:

Context: Hannah’s prayer is a response to a personal blessing, while Mary’s praise is rooted in a divine, ordained event—the incarnation of God.
Scope: Hannah’s prayer is focused on her personal experience and the fulfillment of her desire for a child. Mary’s praise encompasses a broader perspective, including God’s redemptive plan for humanity.
Prophetic Nature: Mary’s song, often called the Magnificat, contains more explicit prophetic elements, pointing to God’s judgment.

ASK: Is the Magnificat just a Catholic thing or do protestants also celebrate and recognize the magnificat?

No, the Magnificat is not exclusively a Catholic thing. It’s a cherished part of the Christian tradition shared by many denominations. Churches such as Lutheran, Anglican, and Episcopal incorporate the Magnificat into their worship services.

Here are some key points to consider:

A Song of Praise and Thanksgiving: The Magnificat is primarily an expression of gratitude to God for choosing her to be the mother of the Messiah. It reflects her overwhelming joy and wonder at God’s grace.
A Proclamation of God’s Sovereignty: Mary affirms God’s power and authority over all creation. Her recognition of God’s greatness is evident in her description of Him as the “Mighty One” who has done great things.
A Reflection of God’s Mercy: The Magnificat highlights God’s compassion and mercy toward the humble and oppressed. Mary echoes the prophetic themes of God’s preferential love for the poor and marginalized.
A Hopeful Vision of the Future: Mary’s song expresses a deep hope in God’s kingdom. Her words anticipate the fulfillment of God’s promises and the coming of a new era of justice and peace.
A Model of Faith: Mary’s complete trust in God’s plan, despite the challenges and uncertainties she faced, serves as a powerful example of faith for believers.

Discuss the themes of God’s mercy, justice, and salvation as expressed in this song.

God’s Mercy

Focus on the humble: Mary emphasizes God’s attention to the lowly and oppressed, highlighting His mercy towards those who are often overlooked.
Unmerited favor: Her recognition of being chosen, despite being an ordinary woman, underscores the concept of God’s grace and undeserved kindness.
Compassionate love: The Magnificat portrays God as a loving and compassionate Father who cares deeply for His children.

God’s Justice

Overturning the proud: Mary’s proclamation that God “has brought down the powerful from their thrones and lifted up the lowly” emphasizes God’s commitment to justice.
Filling the hungry and sending the rich empty away: This verse suggests God’s desire to rectify social and economic inequalities, demonstrating His justice.
Remembering His mercy: The song implies a continuity of God’s merciful and just actions throughout history.

God’s Salvation

Messianic hope: Mary’s anticipation of the Messiah’s coming reveals her understanding of God’s plan for salvation.
Kingdom of God: Her words point to the establishment of God’s kingdom on earth, where God’s will is done.
Eternal covenant: The Magnificat suggests a promise of salvation that extends to future generations, emphasizing God’s faithfulness.

By examining these themes within the Magnificat, we can gain a deeper appreciation of God’s character and His redemptive purposes.

56 And Mary stayed with her about three months; then she returned to her home.

CSB: 1:56–57 Mary visited Elizabeth shortly after hearing she was “in the sixth month” of her pregnancy (vv. 36, 39–40) and stayed with her about three months. Mary may have returned to Nazareth either shortly before or after the birth of Elizabeth’s son, John. Given their spiritual bond and the great roles their sons would play in God’s plan, it seems likely that Mary stayed for John’s birth.

Luke 1:57 to 80

THE BIRTH AND NAMING OF JOHN

57 Now the time had come for Elizabeth to give birth, and she had a son. 58 Then her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her his great mercy, and they rejoiced with her.

59 When they came to circumcise the child on the eighth day, they were going to name him Zechariah, after his father. 60 But his mother responded, “No. He will be called John.”

61 Then they said to her, “None of your relatives has that name.” 62 So they motioned to his father to find out what he wanted him to be called. 63 He asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they were all amazed. 64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God. 65 Fear came on all those who lived around them, and all these things were being talked about throughout the hill country of Judea. 66 All who heard about him took it to heart, saying, “What then will this child become?” For, indeed, the Lord’s hand was with him.

ZECHARIAH’S PROPHECY

67 Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: 68 Blessed is the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited and provided redemption for his people. 69 He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, 70 just as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets in ancient times; 71 salvation from our enemies and from the hand of those who hate us. 72 He has dealt mercifully with our ancestors and remembered his holy covenant—73 the oath that he swore to our father Abraham. He has given us the privilege, 74 since we have been rescued from the hand of our enemies, to serve him without fear 75 in holiness and righteousness in his presence all our days. 76 And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, 77 to give his people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins. 78 Because of our God’s merciful compassion, the dawn from on high will visit us 79 to shine on those who live in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

80 The child grew up and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel.

HERE WE GO, VERSE BY VERSE

57 Now the time had come for Elizabeth to give birth, and she had a son. 58 Then her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her his great mercy, and they rejoiced with her.

ASK: Anything significant in these two verses? Are there any Gospel thoughts associated with these two verses?

The fact that Elizabeth’s relatives and neighbors “heard that the Lord had been merciful to her” is significant for several reasons:

God’s Mercy is Shared: The joy of Elizabeth and Zechariah’s child was not confined to their household but was shared with the broader community. This highlights the communal nature of God’s grace.
Witness to God’s Power: The birth of John after years of barrenness served as a powerful witness to God’s ability to overcome seemingly impossible circumstances.
Hope for Others: The community’s response suggests that their own hopes and dreams were stirred by Elizabeth’s experience. They saw in her story the possibility of God’s intervention in their own lives.

Essentially, the community’s reaction to Elizabeth’s pregnancy reflects the ripple effect of God’s mercy. Their joy and celebration serve as a testament to the transformative power of God’s love.

59 When they came to circumcise the child on the eighth day, they were going to name him Zechariah, after his father.

OK, what was happening on the 8^th day and why? THEN….Ask what is the significance of the Circumcision?

Circumcision on the eighth day was a significant ritual in Jewish law, as outlined in Leviticus 12:3. It marked the formal entry of a male child into the covenant community of Israel.

Here’s why it was crucial:

Fulfillment of Covenant: Circumcision was a physical sign of the covenant God made with Abraham (Genesis 17:10-14). By adhering to this practice, parents were affirming their commitment to God’s covenant and their child’s inclusion in the people of Israel.
Identity and Belonging: Being circumcised signified belonging to the chosen people of God. It was a marker of identity and community.
Holiness and Separation: Circumcision symbolized a separation from the surrounding cultures and a dedication to a holy life in accordance with God’s laws.

In the context of Luke 1:59, the circumcision of John the Baptist, while fulfilling the Law, also foreshadows the new covenant established through Jesus Christ. While the Old Covenant was marked by outward physical signs, the New Covenant would be marked by a spiritual circumcision of the heart (Romans 2:29).

60 But his mother responded, “No. He will be called John.”

MATTHEW HENRY: ASK: I think we covered this already, but once again, what does the name of “John” mean? (Gracious). Matthew Henry points out that he is to be called John because he shall introduce the gospel of Christ, in which God’s grace shines more brightly than before.

VERSES 60 to 63….they asked his father….why?

FSB: In ancient Israel, fathers held the final naming rights.

64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God.

Opened and his tongue set free…as prophesized by Gabriel in verse 20 of this chapter….. ²⁰And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.”

65 Fear came on all those who lived around them, and all these things were being talked about throughout the hill country of Judea. 66 All who heard about him took it to heart, saying, “What then will this child become?” For, indeed, the Lord’s hand was with him.

Verse 65 and 66… .ASK why did “fear come on all those who lived around them?”

Luke 1:65-66:

The people were afraid because they experienced a supernatural event: the sudden restoration of Zechariah’s speech. This miraculous occurrence was beyond their understanding and challenged their normal perception of reality.

Fear is a common human response to the unknown and extraordinary. The people’s fear was likely mixed with awe and wonder as they witnessed a direct manifestation of God’s power.

OK, NOW MOVING TO ZECHARIAH’S PROPHECY…VERSES 67 TO 80….. Just like we had Elizabeth’s “Magnificat”….. what is Zechariah’s Prophecy called?

1:68–79 Zechariah’s prophecy is traditionally called the “Benedictus,” from the first word (blessed) of v. 68 in the Latin Vulgate Bible….also sometimes known as “The Canticle of Zechariah…(Canticle….a hymn or chant…typically with a biblical text.)

ZECHARIAH’S PROPHECY

67 Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:

OK, to recap….how many people have been filled with the Holy Spirit in this chapter so far?

(4 – Elizabeth; Mary; Baby John; and now Zechariah).

What is that telling us? What is the “significance” of 4 people being filled with the Holy Spirit?

The fact that four individuals—Mary, Elizabeth, John the Baptist (before birth), and Zechariah—are described as being filled with the Holy Spirit is highly significant.

Here’s a breakdown:

Divine Empowerment: Each individual was empowered by the Holy Spirit for a specific purpose, demonstrating God’s active involvement in human history.
Preparation for the Messiah: The filling of these individuals with the Holy Spirit was part of God’s plan to prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah.
Witness to God’s Power: These miraculous events served as powerful witnesses to God’s power and sovereignty.
Unity and Purpose: The shared experience of being filled with the Holy Spirit created a spiritual bond between these individuals, uniting them in a common purpose.

Ultimately, the multiple instances of being filled with the Holy Spirit in Luke 1 highlight the extraordinary nature of the events surrounding the birth of John the Baptist and the announcement of Jesus’ conception. It underscores God’s active involvement in human history and the power of the Holy Spirit to transform lives.

68 Blessed is the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited and provided redemption for his people.

VERSE 68: PROVIDED “redemption” for his people:

OK, this is before Jesus was born. In the Old Testament, how many ways was “redemption” necessary? What types of redemption are outlined in the OT?

GEMINI: Redemption in the Old Testament was a complex concept involving liberation from various forms of bondage. It primarily revolved around:

1. Deliverance from Slavery or Oppression:

Exodus from Egypt: The Israelites were redeemed from slavery in Egypt through God’s powerful acts (Exodus 6:6).
Deliverance from Exile: The return from Babylonian captivity was seen as a redemptive act (Isaiah 43:14).

2. Land Redemption:

Levitical Laws: If an Israelite was forced to sell their land due to poverty, a relative could redeem it (Leviticus 25:25-28).
Jubilee Year: Every 50th year, land reverted to its original owner, symbolizing restoration and redemption.

3. Personal Redemption:

Firstborn Redemption: The firstborn son was considered consecrated to the Lord but could be redeemed by offering a substitute (Exodus 13:13).
Vows and Nazarites: Individuals could make vows to God and later redeem themselves by offering sacrifices (Numbers 6:21).

4. Sacrificial System:

Atonement: Sacrifices, particularly the Passover lamb, foreshadowed the ultimate redemption through Christ. They offered temporary atonement for sins.

Key Points:

Redemption was often tied to the concept of a goel [Hebrew word] or redeemer, typically a close relative.
The sacrificial system pointed to the need for a perfect and final sacrifice.
MAIN POINT OF NEW TESTAMENT REDEMPTION: While these OLD TESTAMENTS methods offered temporary relief or restoration, the complete redemption of humanity from sin and death would only be accomplished through the sacrificial work of Jesus Christ. AND, OBVIOUSLY, THAT’S WHERE WE ARE HEADING IN THE BOOK OF LUKE.

69 He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David,

ASK: “horn of salvation”… what does that mean?

FSB: 1:69 a horn of salvation A metaphor for power (e.g., 2 Sam 22:3; Pss 18:2; 148:14).

70 just as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets in ancient times;

71 salvation from our enemies and from the hand of those who hate us.

72 He has dealt mercifully with our ancestors and remembered his holy covenant—

73 the oath that he swore to our father Abraham. He has given us the privilege,

74 since we have been rescued from the hand of our enemies, to serve him without fear

75 in holiness and righteousness in his presence all our days.

STATE: Verses 71 to 75. CSB STUDY NOTES: 1:71–75 The ministries of John the Baptist and Jesus fulfilled God’s covenant with David (v. 69; 2Sm 7:12–16) and the oath that he swore to … Abraham (see Gn 12:1–3). As a result, in the Messiah’s future reign, Israel would have full salvation from their enemies and would serve God in holiness and righteousness.

76 And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,

CSB: 1:76 John was to be the prophet of the Most High who would go before Jesus, “the Son of the Most High” to prepare his ways (see Is 40:3; Mal 3:1).

Isaiah 40:3 A voice of one crying out: Prepare the way of the Lord in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert.
Malachi 3:1 See, I am going to send my messenger, and he will clear the way before me. Then the Lord you seek will suddenly come to his temple, the Messenger of the covenant you delight in—see, he is coming,” says the Lord of Armies.

77 to give his people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins.

ASK THE GROUP: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN JOHN THE BAPTISTS PREACHING “KNOWLEDGE OF SALVATION” AND THE PREACHING THAT JESUS DID?

John the Baptist’s Preaching vs. Jesus’ Preaching

John the Baptist: A Voice of Preparation

John the Baptist’s primary message was one of repentance and preparation for the coming Messiah. He preached a “baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” (Mark 1:4). His focus was on calling people to turn away from their sins and prepare their hearts for the coming Kingdom of God. His message was a call to action, urging people to change their ways.

Jesus: The Fulfillment of Salvation

Jesus, on the other hand, proclaimed the Kingdom of God as present and offered forgiveness of sins through faith in Himself. His message was one of grace and salvation. While John prepared the way, Jesus came to fulfill the promise.

Key Differences:

Focus: John emphasized repentance and preparation; Jesus emphasized the Kingdom of God and salvation through faith.
Message: John’s message was primarily one of warning and judgment; Jesus’ message was one of grace and mercy.
Authority: John pointed to the coming Messiah; Jesus is the Messiah.

In essence, John the Baptist was a forerunner, preparing the way for Jesus Christ. Jesus, as the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies, brought the Kingdom of God and offered salvation through faith in Himself.

78 Because of our God’s merciful compassion, the dawn from on high will visit us

79 to shine on those who live in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

CSB: 1:78–79 Dawn from on high speaks of the coming Messiah (Mal 4:2 But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings, and you will go out and playfully jump like calves from the stall.). The Lord’s visitation began with John’s birth. The next part of that visit would be Jesus’s birth (2:1–20). The phrase those who live in darkness and the shadow of death echoes Isaiah 9:1–2, which is cited in Mt 4:16. The way of peace with God is through faith in Christ (Rm 5:1).

Isaiah 9:1-2 Nevertheless, the gloom of the distressed land will not be like that of the former times when he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali. But in the future he will bring honor to the way of the sea, to the land east of the Jordan, and to Galilee of the nations. ²The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; a light has dawned on those living in the land of darkness

80 The child grew up and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel.

Yes, there are other references to John the Baptist’s life in the wilderness.

Matthew 3:1-2: “In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.'”
Mark 1:4: “John appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.”

These passages reinforce the idea that John lived a secluded and austere life in the wilderness, preparing for his ministry as a prophet and forerunner of Jesus Christ. His choice to live in the wilderness was symbolic of his rejection of the world and his commitment to a life of repentance and spiritual discipline.

Luke 11

LUKE CHAPTER 11

Section 1 – The Lord’s Prayer – 11:1-13

Section 2 – Jesus and Beelzebul, the Strong Man, and True Blessedness – 11:14–28

Section 3 – The Sign of Jonah – 11: 29-32

Section 4 – The Lamp of the Body – 11:33-36

Section 5 – Woes to the Pharisees and Lawyers – 11:37-54 [end]

The Lord’s Prayer

11 Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” ²And he said to them, “When you pray, say:

“Father, hallowed be your name.

Your kingdom come.

³ Give us each day our daily bread,

⁴ and forgive us our sins,

for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us.

And lead us not into temptation.”

VS 1 – “one of his disciples”…. Are we talking the 12 here, or, the 70?
- Several commentaries said it could mean either….the 12 or maybe one of the 70….
VS 1 – Why did the disciples ask Jesus to teach them to pray?
Answer: They saw Jesus praying often and sensed its importance. They wanted to learn how to connect with God like He did, just as John the Baptist taught his disciples.
ASK: vs2- Father….is that a normal way that the Jews would have addressed God?
- CSB: It was unusual for Jews to refer to God as Father. Such an address would seem too personal and familiar.
VS2 – What does “Hallowed be your name” mean?
- Answer: It means “may your name be honored as holy.” It expresses reverence and worship for God.
Vs2 Your kingdom come. ….what does that tell us?
- CSB: some aspects of the kingdom are still future (your kingdom come).
- It is a prayer for God’s rule, justice, and peace to be established on earth, and for people to live under His will.
VS3… Give us each day our daily bread, what does that say to us?
- All people are dependent on the Lord to meet their daily needs, as in give us … our daily bread. It shows dependence on God for our everyday physical needs. It teaches trust in God’s daily
Vs 4 indebted to us. – ASK what does that say to us?
- CSB refers to what is “owed” to us spiritually (i.e., having been sinned against).
Verse 4 forgive us our sins. ASK how are sins and debt related?
- CSB forgive us our sins = sin and debt are related—sin functions like a debt before God and others (Matt 6:12).
Verse 4: As we forgive others. Will God forgive us of our sins, if we are not forgiving other people of their sins against us?
- BARNES: The idea is, that unless we forgive others, God will not forgive us; and unless we come to him “really” forgiving all others, we cannot expect pardon.
- ASK: When we forgive others, then do we “deserve” to be forgiven too?
  - BARNES: It does not mean that by forgiving others we “deserve” forgiveness ourselves, or “merit it,” but that this is a disposition or state of mind without which God cannot consistently pardon us.
- STATE: The phrase lead us not into temptation.”
  - CSB: is in contrast with Christ himself, who was led by the Holy Spirit to be tested by Satan (see note at 4:1–2).
  - It’s a prayer for protection from situations where we might fall into sin and a request for strength to resist evil.

Life Applications verses 11:1-4

Make Prayer a Habit

Just like Jesus, we should pray regularly—not just in emergencies. Prayer deepens our relationship with God.

Pray with Reverence

Begin prayers by honoring God. This reminds us of who He is and puts us in the right mindset.

Trust God for Daily Needs

Rather than worrying about the future, depend on God one day at a time.

Forgive Others Freely

Don’t carry grudges. Forgiveness brings peace and reflects God’s grace to others.

Ask for Spiritual Strength

Temptation is real. Pray for discernment and strength to avoid it.

Use the Lord’s Prayer as a Model

It’s not meant to be repeated mindlessly, but used as a guide for talking to God with sincerity and balance.

Luke 11:5–13 – The Friend at Midnight & Ask, Seek, Knock

⁵And he said to them, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, ⁶for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; ⁷and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’? ⁸I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs. ⁹And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. ¹⁰For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. ¹¹What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; ¹²or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? ¹³If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Student Questions and Answers:

Question: Why did Jesus use the example of a friend who was initially unwilling to help? Doesn’t that make God seem reluctant?
- Answer: Jesus uses this parable as a contrast, not a direct comparison. The point is that if even a human friend, who might be inconvenienced and initially reluctant, will eventually help because of persistence, how much more will our loving Heavenly Father, who is always willing and abundantly able, respond to our prayers.
- The focus is on the effectiveness of persistent asking when approaching a source of help, highlighting that God is far more generous and responsive than the sleepy friend.
Question: What is the difference between “asking,” “seeking,” and “knocking”?
- Let’s look at these 3 verbs: These three verbs likely represent an increasing intensity and earnestness in prayer:

- Ask: This is the basic act of making a request or petition to God, acknowledging a need.
- Seek: This implies a more active and diligent effort. It’s not just asking, but actively looking for God’s guidance, His will, or the answer to the prayer, perhaps through scripture, circumstances, or wise counsel.
- Knock: This conveys a persistent and determined effort, like someone repeatedly knocking at a door, fully expecting it to be opened. It suggests perseverance in prayer, especially when answers are not immediate. Together, they paint a picture of a wholehearted, sustained engagement with God in prayer.

Question: Does the promise “everyone who asks receives” mean I will get absolutely anything I want if I just ask for it?
- Answer:
  1. This powerful promise should be understood within the context of God’s character as a loving and wise Father. He gives “good gifts.”
  2. Sometimes, what we ask for might not actually be good for us in the long run, or it might not align with His perfect will or timing.
  3. Therefore, while God always hears and responds to sincere prayer, the “receiving” might not always be the specific thing we asked for in the exact way we envisioned.
  4. He will always give what is ultimately best, which, as Jesus points out, culminates in the gift of the Holy Spirit.
  5. We can trust His goodness and wisdom in how He answers.

Question: Why does Jesus specifically mention that the Father will give the “Holy Spirit” as the ultimate gift?
- Answer: The Holy Spirit is presented as the most precious and essential gift from God.
  1. For believers, the Holy Spirit is God’s personal presence within them, providing guidance, comfort, strength, wisdom, and the power to live a life that pleases God.
  2. The Holy Spirit helps us understand spiritual truths, transforms our character to be more like Christ’s, and empowers us for service.
  3. By highlighting the Holy Spirit, Jesus points to a gift that meets our deepest spiritual needs and enables a true, vibrant relationship with God.

Question: If God already knows all our needs before we even ask, why is persistence in prayer so important?
- Answer: Persistence in prayer isn’t about convincing a reluctant God or informing Him of something He doesn’t know. Rather, persistence:

- 1. Develops our character: It cultivates qualities like faith, patience, humility, and deepens our dependence on God.
  2. Clarifies our desires: The process of persistently praying can help us understand what we truly need and desire, sometimes revealing that our initial requests need refinement.
  3. Aligns our will with God’s: As we continually bring our requests before God, we open ourselves more to His will and may find our desires changing to match His.
  4. Strengthens our relationship with Him: Consistent and heartfelt communication builds intimacy and trust.
  5. Demonstrates the earnestness of our request: It shows God (and ourselves) the depth of our longing and our faith in Him as the source of all good things.

Life Application Skills to Live By:

Cultivate Persistent Prayer: Don’t give up easily when you pray. Understand that God values your persistent heart and that continuing to bring your requests before Him demonstrates faith and earnestness.
Approach God with Bold Confidence: Know that you can come to God with your needs, no matter how big or small, or what time of day or night. He is not bothered by your requests like the friend in the parable; He is a loving Father.
Trust in God’s Goodness: Believe that God is a good Father who desires to give good gifts to His children. Even if His answers don’t look exactly like what you expected, trust that He knows what is best.
Seek the Gift of the Holy Spirit: Recognize the immense value of the Holy Spirit in your life. Actively ask for the Father to fill you, guide you, and empower you through His Spirit. This is a prayer He is especially pleased to answer.
Be Proactive in Your Spiritual Life (Ask, Seek, Knock): Don’t be passive. Actively “ask” for God’s help and provision. Diligently “seek” His will and His presence in your daily life. Persistently “knock” on the doors of opportunity He may open, and on heaven’s door in prayer.
Develop Relational Trust over Transactional Demands: Understand that prayer is fundamentally about relationship with God, not just a transaction to get what you want. Your persistence deepens this relationship.
Recognize True Needs: While God cares about all aspects of your life, this passage particularly points to the ultimate “good gift” of the Holy Spirit. Prioritize seeking spiritual nourishment and God’s presence above all else, trusting that He will also care for your other needs.

Section 2 = Verses 14 to 28 [top]

Jesus and Beelzebul

¹⁴Now he was casting out a demon that was mute. When the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke, and the people marveled. ¹⁵But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of demons,” ¹⁶while others, to test him, kept seeking from him a sign from heaven. ¹⁷But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls. ¹⁸And if Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul. ¹⁹And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. ²⁰But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. ²¹When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe; ²²but when one stronger than he attacks him and overcomes him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his spoil. ²³Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

Return of an Unclean Spirit

²⁴“When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and finding none it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ ²⁵And when it comes, it finds the house swept and put in order. ²⁶Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there. And the last state of that person is worse than the first.”

True Blessedness

²⁷As he said these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!” ²⁸But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”

Luke 11:14-28: Jesus’ Power, Kingdom Conflict, and True Blessedness

A Summary of the Passage:

This section of Luke’s Gospel details a significant encounter where Jesus’ power over demons is displayed, leading to varied reactions and profound teachings about the nature of His kingdom, the spiritual battle, and the source of true blessing.

Jesus and Beelzebul

Verse 14 question: Did anyone research who “Beelzebul” was?
- Beelzebul, the god worshiped by Philistines in Ekron, had become a nickname for Satan.
VERSE 15 Question: Why did some people accuse Jesus of using demonic power (Beelzebul) when He performed a good miracle like healing the mute man?
- Answer: Their accusation likely stemmed from a combination of factors:

- - Unbelief and Hostility: They may have already been predisposed against Jesus and were looking for ways to discredit Him.
  - Fear of His Power: His undeniable power might have frightened them, and attributing it to Satan was a way to reject its divine origin.
  - Misunderstanding of God’s Kingdom: They may have had preconceived notions about how the Messiah would operate, and Jesus didn’t fit their expectations.
  - Spiritual Blindness: Their hearts might have been hardened to the point where they couldn’t recognize God’s work, even when it was clearly displayed.

Verses 14-16: The Healing and the Accusation: Jesus casts out a demon that was causing a man to be mute. When the demon leaves, the man begins to speak, and the crowds marvel. However, this miracle elicits mixed responses. Some in the crowd accuse Him, saying, “By Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he is driving out demons.” Others, to test Him, demand a sign from heaven.

¹⁷But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls. ¹⁸And if Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul. ¹⁹And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. ²⁰But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

Verses 17-19 Question: How did Jesus argue against the accusation that He was using Satan’s power (verses 17-19)?
- Answer: Jesus used clear logic:

- A Kingdom Divided Cannot Stand: He pointed out that it makes no sense for Satan to fight against himself by empowering Jesus to cast out his own demons. Such internal division would lead to the collapse of Satan’s kingdom.
- The Example of Their Own Followers: He asked by whose power their own exorcists (or “sons”) cast out demons. If they attributed their own exorcisms to God, they were being inconsistent and hypocritical in accusing Him. Their own practices would condemn them.

Verse 19 question: Did the Jews perform “exorcisms?
- FSB: Some Jews practiced incantations intended to ward off or remove evil spirits; for example, among the Dead Sea Scrolls (ca. 250 bc–ad 50), an incantation text commonly called Aramaic Exorcism was discovered.
Verse 20 Question: What did Jesus mean by “if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you” (verse 20)?
- Answer: The “finger of God” is a metaphor for God’s power and direct action (it echoes the language used in Exodus 8:19 when the Egyptian magicians recognized God’s power in the plagues).
- Jesus was saying that His ability to overcome demonic forces was clear evidence that God’s sovereign rule and power (His Kingdom) were actively breaking into the world through His person and ministry.
- His miracles were not just random acts of power but signs that God’s reign was present and confronting the powers of darkness.
Summary – Verses 17-20: Jesus’ Rebuttal – A Kingdom Divided: Knowing their thoughts, Jesus refutes their accusation with logic. He explains that any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall. If Satan is also divided, casting out his own demons, his kingdom could not stand. Jesus then challenges them: if He drives out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do their own followers (or exorcists) drive them out? Their own people will then be their judges. Crucially, He declares, “But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.” This directly links His exorcisms to the arrival and power of God’s kingdom.

²¹When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe; ²²but when one stronger than he attacks him and overcomes him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his spoil.

Verses 21 & 22. Question: In verses 21-22, who is the “strong man,” and who is the “stronger one”? What does this parable teach? Answer:

- The “strong man” represents Satan, who powerfully holds humanity captive to sin and his evil influence. His “palace” is his domain of darkness, and his “possessions” or “plunder” are the people he controls.
- The “stronger one” is Jesus Christ, who, through His life, death, and resurrection, demonstrates His superior power over Satan.
- The parable teaches that Jesus has come to invade Satan’s domain, defeat him, and set people free from his grasp. Jesus is more powerful than Satan and can liberate those who are enslaved.

Verses 21-22: The Strong Man Overpowered: Jesus uses the parable of a “strong man” (Satan) who is fully armed and guards his palace (his domain, those he holds captive). His possessions are safe until “someone stronger” (Jesus) attacks and overpowers him. This stronger one then takes away the armor in which the man trusted and divides up his plunder (those set free by Christ). This illustrates Jesus’ superior power over Satan.

²³Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

Verse 23 Question: What is the significance of Jesus’ statement, “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters” (verse 23)?
- Answer: This statement declares that in the spiritual battle between God’s kingdom and the kingdom of darkness, neutrality is impossible. To not actively align with Jesus and His mission of “gathering” people into God’s kingdom is, by default, to be in opposition to Him and to contribute to the “scattering” or working against God’s purposes. It’s a call for a decisive commitment to Christ.
Verse 23: No Neutrality: Jesus makes a definitive statement: “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.” This underscores that in the conflict between God’s kingdom and Satan’s, there is no neutral ground.

Return of an Unclean Spirit

Question (verses 24-26)?: What is the main lesson of the story about the unclean spirit returning to the empty house
- Answer: The main lesson is a warning against incomplete spiritual change or reformation without true, ongoing occupation by God’s Spirit.
- Merely getting rid of evil influences (the house being “swept clean and put in order”) is insufficient.
- If that spiritual “space” is not then filled with the positive presence and power of God (through the Holy Spirit, God’s Word, and commitment to Christ), it remains vulnerable.
- The person can end up in an even worse state of spiritual bondage if evil returns to an “empty” life.
- It highlights the need for genuine conversion and a life actively filled with God.
CSB: 11:24–26 These verses warn that the exorcism of a demon is incomplete unless Christ enters by faith and indwells the person who is healed. Otherwise, there is nothing to prevent the demon and seven other spirits from reentering and possessing the person. In that case, this person’s last condition is even worse than it was initially.

True Blessedness

Verse 27 & 28 Question: When the woman in the crowd blessed Jesus’ mother (verse 27), was Jesus correcting her or dismissing his mother (verse 28)?
- Answer: Jesus was not dismissing or disrespecting His mother, Mary. Instead, He was redirecting the focus to a higher and more universally accessible form of blessedness. He was teaching that while His physical family ties were unique, true and enduring blessedness comes from hearing God’s word and actively obeying it. This kind of blessing is available to everyone, not just those with a direct earthly connection to Him. He was prioritizing spiritual relationship and obedience over physical lineage.
Verses 27-28: True Blessedness Redefined: As Jesus is speaking, a woman from the crowd, impressed, exclaims, “Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you!” Jesus redirects this sentiment, stating, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” He emphasizes that true and lasting blessedness comes not from a mere physical connection to Him, but from actively hearing and, more importantly, obeying God’s word.

Life Application Skills to Live By:

Discern the Source of Power: True power from God aligns with His character and Word and leads to freedom and order, not the perpetuation of evil.
Recognize the Reality of God’s Kingdom: Understand that Jesus’ actions demonstrate that God’s kingdom is not just a future hope but a present reality that actively confronts and overcomes evil. Live as a citizen of that kingdom.
Acknowledge Christ’s Ultimate Authority: Believe in Jesus as the “stronger one” who has defeated Satan. Place your trust in His power to protect you and set you free from any influence of evil.
Make a Deliberate Choice for Christ: Realize that neutrality in spiritual matters is not an option. Actively choose to be “with” Christ and “gather” for His purposes, rather than passively or actively being “against” Him or “scattering.”
Guard Against Spiritual Voids: Don’t just focus on removing negative habits or influences from your life. Actively fill your life with God’s presence through prayer, His Word, fellowship with believers, and the Holy Spirit. A life merely “emptied” of bad is vulnerable.
Prioritize Hearing and Obeying God’s Word: Understand that the deepest and most enduring blessings come from a consistent relationship with God, characterized by listening to His Word (the Bible) and diligently putting it into practice in your daily life.
Seek True Transformation, Not Just External Change: Aim for a deep, internal change wrought by God’s Spirit, rather than just superficial behavioral modifications. True freedom and godliness come from the inside out.
Don’t Be Swayed by Mere Sentiment or Popular Acclaim: While human praise or emotional responses (like the woman’s cry) can be well-intentioned, always bring the focus back to the foundational truths of God’s Word and the importance of obedience, as Jesus did.

Section Three [top]

The Sign of Jonah

²⁹When the crowds were increasing, he began to say, “This generation is an evil generation. It seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. ³⁰For as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. ³¹The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here. ³²The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.

Can someone give us a Summary:

Crowds demand a sign, but Jesus says they’ll only get the sign of Jonah (a symbol of His death and resurrection). He warns that people of other nations (like Nineveh and the Queen of Sheba) responded better to God’s messengers than this generation is responding to Him.

Verse 29 question: Q: What is “the sign of Jonah”?
A: Jonah’s three days in the fish symbolize Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Verse 31 question: What does this mean? The queen of the South –

In Luke 11:31, “the queen of the south” refers to the Queen of Sheba.

The verse states: “The queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the people of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here.”

Here’s a breakdown of why this is the Queen of Sheba:

Historical Context: The story of the Queen of Sheba visiting King Solomon to hear his wisdom is found in the Old Testament, specifically in 1 Kings 10:1-13 and 2 Chronicles 9:1-12. She traveled a great distance, bringing valuable gifts, to be in the presence of Solomon’s renowned wisdom.
Jesus’s Comparison: Jesus uses the Queen of Sheba as an example to contrast her eagerness to seek wisdom with the lack of response from the people of his own generation. He points out that they have someone “greater than Solomon” (referring to himself and his divine wisdom) in their midst, yet they are not as receptive or eager as the Queen of Sheba was.
“Queen of the South”: This is the title used in the New Testament to refer to this historical figure. “South” likely refers to the geographical location of her kingdom relative to Israel. While the exact location of Sheba is debated, it was generally considered to be in the southern Arabian Peninsula (modern-day Yemen or possibly parts of Ethiopia and Eritrea).

Therefore, when you encounter “the queen of the south” in Luke 11:31 (and also in the parallel passage in Matthew 12:42), it is a reference to the historical Queen of Sheba and her journey to learn from the wisdom of King Solomon. Jesus uses her example to highlight the spiritual blindness and lack of receptivity of his contemporaries.

Someone explain ³²The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.

“The men of Nineveh will rise at the judgment with this generation…”: This refers to the future Day of Judgment when all people will be resurrected and stand before God. The men who lived in the ancient city of Nineveh will be present at this judgment alongside the people who were alive during Jesus’s ministry (referred to as “this generation”).
“…and condemn it…”: The actions of the Ninevites will serve as a condemnation of the people of Jesus’s time. Their response to God’s message will highlight the lack of a similar positive response from those who heard Jesus.
“…for they repented at the preaching of Jonah…”: The people of Nineveh, as recounted in the Old Testament book of Jonah, were a wicked people. However, when Jonah reluctantly preached God’s message of impending judgment, they believed God, proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least. They genuinely repented of their evil ways.
“…and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.”: Jesus then draws a direct comparison between himself and the Old Testament prophet Jonah. He emphasizes that his own message, his miracles, and his very being carry far greater authority and significance than Jonah’s. Despite this, the people of his generation are not responding with the same repentance and faith that the Ninevites showed to Jonah’s much less compelling message.

In essence, Jesus is saying:

“The people of Nineveh, who were not even part of God’s chosen people and only heard a warning of judgment from a reluctant prophet, repented. When the time of judgment comes, their repentance will stand as a stark contrast and a condemnation of you, the people who are now hearing and seeing someone far greater than Jonah, yet you are not repenting.”

The lesson here is a powerful call to recognize and respond to God’s message when it is presented, especially when it comes with greater authority and evidence. The lack of response from Jesus’s contemporaries, compared to the Ninevites’ reaction to Jonah, highlights their spiritual blindness and stubbornness.

SUMMARY OF the passage in Luke 11:29-32, where Jesus speaks about the sign of Jonah and the Queen of the South, offers several powerful “Life Applications” for us today:

Recognize and Respond to God’s Clear Evidence:

Life Application: Just as the Ninevites responded to the sign of Jonah’s preaching and the Queen of Sheba traveled far to hear Solomon’s wisdom, we are surrounded by evidence of God’s presence and truth. This includes the Bible, the witness of believers, and even the created world. We must be open to recognizing this evidence and respond with faith and repentance.
Skill to Develop: Discernment, open-mindedness, a willingness to examine evidence, and humility to accept truth even if it challenges our current beliefs.

Don’t Miss the Greater for the Lesser:

Life Application: Jesus clearly states that “something greater than Jonah is here” and “something greater than Solomon is here.” We can easily get caught up in lesser things – distractions, temporary pleasures, or even religious rituals – and miss the profound presence and message of Jesus Christ.
Skill to Develop: Prioritization, focusing on what is truly important and eternal, and cultivating a deep awareness of Jesus’s presence in our lives.

Genuine Repentance Leads to Transformation:

Life Application: The Ninevites’ repentance was not just words; it involved action – fasting, wearing sackcloth, and turning from their evil ways. Our repentance should also be genuine, leading to tangible changes in our behavior and attitudes.
Skill to Develop: Self-reflection, honesty about our sins, a willingness to change, and seeking accountability in our walk with God.

The Judgment Will Be Based on Our Response to God’s Revelation:

Life Application: Jesus uses the examples of the Ninevites and the Queen of Sheba to illustrate that those who had less revelation responded more readily than those who had the privilege of being in Jesus’s presence. We will be held accountable for how we respond to the clear and abundant revelation of God we have in Jesus Christ and the Scriptures.
Skill to Develop: Taking God’s Word seriously, obeying its teachings, and living in a way that reflects our belief in Jesus.

Don’t Be a Stubborn or Unbelieving Generation:

Life Application: Jesus rebukes his generation for demanding a sign even though they had already witnessed many. We can fall into the same trap of constantly seeking more proof or miracles instead of simply believing the clear message of the Gospel.
Skill to Develop: Faith, trust in God’s Word, contentment with the evidence provided, and avoiding a cynical or demanding spirit towards God.

In summary, Luke 11:29-32 calls us to be a generation that is:

Attentive to God’s evidence.
Focused on the greatness of Jesus.
Genuine in our repentance.
Responsible in our response to God’s Word.
Characterized by faith rather than constant skepticism.

Section 4 The Lamp of the Body – 11:33-36 [top]

The Light in You

³³“No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar or under a basket, but on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. ³⁴Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness. ³⁵Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness. ³⁶If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly bright, as when a lamp with its rays gives you light.”

QUESTION: LIGHT: ask, what does “light” usually represent in the bible?
- FSB: light in you is not darkness Light and darkness are often used as metaphors for the spiritual condition.

- ASK: What other verse tells us about our light shining?

Matthew 5:16 “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

LIFE APPLICATIONS TO FOLLOW:

Be a Source of Light, Not Darkness:

ASK: Tell me about our Light? What is our Light supposed to look like, and how do we do that?
- Life Application: Just as a lamp is meant to be seen, our lives, filled with the light of Christ, should be visible to the world around us. We are called to live in a way that reflects God’s love, truth, and goodness, illuminating the path for others. We should not hide our faith or allow darkness (sin, negativity, fear) to obscure the light within us.
Guidance: Actively seek to embody Christ’s character in your daily life. Speak truth, show compassion, act with integrity, and let your good deeds be evident to those around you.

Cultivate a Healthy “Eye” – A Clear Spiritual Focus:

Life Application: Our “eye” represents our inner vision, our spiritual understanding, and our focus. If our hearts and minds are fixed on God and His truth, our whole lives will be filled with spiritual light, guiding our thoughts, actions, and decisions. A healthy spiritual focus allows us to see clearly what is truly important.
ASK: How can we ensure that we have a “healthy eye?
- Guidance: Prioritize your relationship with God through prayer, Bible study, and fellowship. Guard your heart and mind from influences that could cloud your spiritual vision (e.g., worldly values, negativity, sin). Seek wisdom and discernment from the Holy Spirit.

Beware of Inner Darkness Masquerading as Light:

Life Application: Jesus warns us to be careful that the “light” within us is not actually darkness. We can deceive ourselves into thinking we are enlightened or righteous when, in reality, our hearts may be harboring sin, pride, or self-deception. This inner darkness will inevitably affect our whole being.
Guidance: Regularly examine your heart and motives. Be honest with yourself about your weaknesses and blind spots. Seek accountability from trusted believers and be open to correction. Allow the light of God’s Word to expose any hidden darkness within you.

Let Your Whole Being Be Filled with Light:

Life Application: The goal is for our entire being – our thoughts, emotions, words, and actions – to be permeated by the light of Christ. This happens as we consistently cultivate a healthy spiritual focus and guard against inner darkness. When we are fully filled with light, our lives will shine brightly and effectively.
Guidance: Strive for consistency in your faith. Let the principles of the Gospel influence every aspect of your life. Seek to grow in holiness and allow the Holy Spirit to transform you from the inside out.

In essence, Luke 11:33-36 encourages us to be intentional about cultivating inner spiritual light through a clear focus on God, guarding against inner darkness, and allowing that light to shine brightly through our lives for the benefit of those around us. We are called to be beacons of hope and truth in a world often shrouded in darkness.

Section 5 Woes to the Pharisees and Lawyers – 11:37-54 [end] [top]

Woes to the Pharisees and Lawyers

³⁷While Jesus was speaking, a Pharisee asked him to dine with him, so he went in and reclined at table. ³⁸The Pharisee was astonished to see that he did not first wash before dinner. ³⁹And the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. ⁴⁰You fools! Did not he who made the outside make the inside also? ⁴¹But give as alms those things that are within, and behold, everything is clean for you.

⁴²“But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. ⁴³Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seat in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces. ⁴⁴Woe to you! For you are like unmarked graves, and people walk over them without knowing it.”

⁴⁵One of the lawyers answered him, “Teacher, in saying these things you insult us also.” ⁴⁶And he said, “Woe to you lawyers also! For you load people with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not touch the burdens with one of your fingers. ⁴⁷Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets whom your fathers killed. ⁴⁸So you are witnesses and you consent to the deeds of your fathers, for they killed them, and you build their tombs. ⁴⁹Therefore also the Wisdom of God said, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and persecute,’ ⁵⁰so that the blood of all the prophets, shed from the foundation of the world, may be charged against this generation, ⁵¹from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, it will be required of this generation. ⁵²Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge. You did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering.”

⁵³As he went away from there, the scribes and the Pharisees began to press him hard and to provoke him to speak about many things, ⁵⁴lying in wait for him, to catch him in something he might say.

Summary of Luke 11:37-54

This passage records a sharp rebuke from Jesus directed towards the Pharisees and experts in the law. After dining with a Pharisee who was surprised Jesus didn’t wash before eating, Jesus exposes their hypocrisy and inner corruption.

ASK: In summary, what did Jesus condemn the Pharisees for?

Focusing on outward cleanliness while neglecting inner purity: They meticulously clean the outside of the cup and dish but are inwardly full of greed and wickedness.
Neglecting justice and the love of God: They meticulously tithe even the smallest herbs but disregard the weightier matters of the law.
Loving positions of honor and public recognition: They crave the chief seats in synagogues and respectful greetings in the marketplaces.
Being like unmarked graves: They appear outwardly normal but are spiritually defiling to those who come into contact with them.

ASK: When the experts in the law object, what did Jesus condemn them for?

Burden people with laws they themselves don’t keep: They impose heavy and difficult regulations on others.
Honor the prophets their ancestors murdered: They outwardly build tombs for the prophets while inwardly harboring the same spirit of persecution.
Have taken away the key of knowledge: They have hindered people from understanding the true meaning of scripture and entering the kingdom of God.

The passage concludes with the Pharisees and legal experts becoming intensely hostile towards Jesus, trying to trap him in his words.

Student Questions with Answers

Question 1: Why was the Pharisee surprised that Jesus didn’t wash his hands before eating? Answer: According to Jewish tradition and the meticulous practices of the Pharisees, ritual handwashing before meals was considered important for ceremonial purity, not necessarily for hygiene in the modern sense. The Pharisee was likely concerned with Jesus’s adherence to these religious customs. The ritual washing that took place before a meal was an ancient Jewish tradition, but it was not commanded in the Mosaic law (Mk 7:3).

Question 2: What does Jesus mean when he says the Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish but are inwardly full of greed and wickedness?

Answer: Jesus is using this as a metaphor for their hypocrisy. They meticulously observe outward religious rituals but neglect inner righteousness, justice, and love. Their outward piety doesn’t reflect a genuine transformation of their hearts.

Question 3: Why does Jesus condemn the Pharisees for tithing mint, rue, and every herb? Isn’t tithing a good thing?

Answer: Jesus isn’t condemning tithing itself. He acknowledges it should be done. His criticism is that they prioritize these minor details while neglecting the “weightier matters of the law”: justice, mercy, and the love of God. Their focus is misplaced, emphasizing trivialities over fundamental principles.

Question 4: What does Jesus mean by calling the Pharisees “like unmarked graves”?

Answer: Unmarked graves were dangerous because people could unknowingly come into contact with them and become ritually unclean according to Jewish law. Jesus uses this analogy to say that the Pharisees, despite their outward appearance of righteousness, are spiritually defiling and can lead others astray through their hypocrisy and false teachings.

Question 5: How did the experts in the law burden people?

Answer: They imposed numerous and often overly complex interpretations and regulations of the Law, creating a heavy burden for the common people to bear. They focused on the letter of the law without its spirit, making it difficult and joyless to follow God.

Question 6: Why does Jesus say the experts in the law have “taken away the key of knowledge”?

Answer: By their rigid interpretations and self-serving teachings, they prevented people from understanding the true meaning and intent of the Scriptures. They obscured the path to genuine faith and hindered people from entering the kingdom of God.

Life Application Skills Learned from Luke 11:37-54

This challenging passage offers several crucial life application skills for modern believers:

Prioritize Inner Transformation Over Outward Performance:

Skill: Cultivate self-awareness and honestly examine your inner motives, thoughts, and desires. Focus on developing genuine love, justice, and mercy in your heart, rather than just adhering to external religious practices.

Practice Consistent Integrity:

Skill: Strive for consistency between your private life and your public persona. Ensure that your actions and words genuinely reflect your beliefs and values, avoiding hypocrisy.

Discern the Weightier Matters:

Skill: Develop spiritual discernment to understand the core principles of faith – love for God and neighbor, justice, mercy, and humility – and prioritize these over secondary or trivial matters.

Be Aware of the Danger of Legalism:

Skill: Avoid imposing rigid and burdensome rules on yourself and others that go beyond the clear teachings of Scripture. Focus on the spirit of the law rather than just the letter, emphasizing grace and relationship with God.

Examine Your Desire for Recognition:

Skill: Be honest about your motivations for serving and participating in religious activities. Guard against the desire for public praise and recognition, seeking instead to please God in humility.

Be a Source of Spiritual Health, Not Defilement:

Skill: Ensure that your words and actions build up and encourage others in their faith, rather than leading them astray through hypocrisy, negativity, or false teachings.

Be a Facilitator of Knowledge and Understanding:

Skill: Strive to understand the true meaning of Scripture and share it in a way that illuminates and guides others towards God, rather than obscuring it with complex or self-serving interpretations.

Expect Opposition for Speaking Truth:

Skill: Develop courage and resilience to stand for truth, even when it is unpopular or faces opposition. Be prepared for those who may resist or become hostile to challenging words.

In essence, Luke 11:37-54 serves as a powerful warning against religious hypocrisy and a call to genuine inner transformation, emphasizing the importance of aligning our hearts with God’s principles of love, justice, and truth. It challenges us to examine our own lives and ensure that our faith is authentic and impactful.

Luke 12

The Value of Life

Luke 12:4-7

Based on the sermon of Pastor Adam Polk on 17 January 2016.

4 “I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. 5 But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him! 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.

We should be discussing this topic every week, not just on “Sanctity of Life Sunday”.
All life is valuable to God

Jesus is teaching His disciples to be faithful, even in difficult times. They (we) should not out fear persecutors, they (we) should fear God!

Truths:

1) God values all life. Luke 4:4-7 clearly shows that God values all life. Even sparrows, 5 sold for 2 cents, are all important to God (every one of them).
What might be considered insignificant by the world is not insignificant to God. All of creation is important to God, because God owns creation!

2) God especially values human life. In this scripture, the value of human life is noted to be more important to God than the value of sparrows… noting that God cares for each sparrow!

Psalm 139:13-16
13 For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.

God formed us! God was intricately involved in our creation.

So, why are we more important than other life on this earth? Because we were made in His image!

Genesis 1:26-27
26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

We have a spiritual aspect of our lives, we have discernment, we have moral awareness.

God is indeed involved in our creation …but He is also involved in our conformance to His Son throughout our lives.

The issue of abortion continues to be a struggle. 53 million abortions since 1963.
73% of those state to have religious associations.

When we abort a child, we are not protecting the right of the woman, we are challenging the sovereignty of God.

If you are struggling with abortion, reach out to Christ! He loves you!

We must extend this to all aspects of human life. Those with physical and mental challenges, those caught in human trafficking, those who are homeless… He cares about each and every life!

3) God values even the details of our lives. He cares about every hair on our head! God’s care for us doesn’t end when we are born… He is so aware of us, He knows more about us than we know ourselves! God has given us breath, God numbers each of our days. If He is so involved in our lives, we can trust Him in every aspect of our lives. He knows everything we are going through.

So, what can we?

1) Find our value and identity in the Lord. We are valuable because we bear the image of God. We seek to find value in our relationships, in our success, in our appearance. These things are not what defines us. God defines us! We are valuable to the Lord because He created us!

2) Engage in matters of social justice seeking to defend the vulnerable.

Proverbs 31:8-9
8 Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. 9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.

We should actively engage on issues relating to the sanctity of human life… All issues relating to the sanctity of human life. Shine the light of Jesus Christ in your life! Life needs a Gospel voice… It doesn’t need a Republican voice… It doesn’t need a Democrat voice… It needs a Christian voice.

3) Fight for “life”. Get informed and get involved!

You
-Psalm 139 Project
-serve in crisis pregnancy centers
-consider adoption

4) Pray for life! Pray for ways that will help life, not hinder it.

Based on the sermon of Pastor Adam Polk on 17 January 2016.

Jesus on Trial

Based on the sermon of Pastor Adam Polk on 26 September 2021.

Luke 23:1-25 (ESV): Jesus Before Pilate

23 Then the whole company of them arose and brought him before Pilate. 2 And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king. 3 And Pilate asked him, â€œAre you the King of the Jews?â€ And he answered him, You have said so. 4 Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, â€œI find no guilt in this man. 5 But they were urgent, saying, â€œHe stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee even to this place.

Jesus Before Herod

6 When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. 7 And when he learned that he belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him over to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. 8 When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard about him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by him. 9 So he questioned him at some length, but he made no answer. 10 The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. 11 And Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him. Then, arraying him in splendid clothing, he sent him back to Pilate. 12 And Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before this they had been at enmity with each other.

13 Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, 14 and said to them, You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. And after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him. 15 Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him. 16 I will therefore punish and release him.

Pilate Delivers Jesus to Be Crucified

18 But they all cried out together, Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas 19 a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder. 20 Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus, 21 but they kept shouting, Crucify, crucify him! 22 A third time he said to them, Why? What evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death. I will therefore punish and release him. 23 But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed. 24 So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted. 25 He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus over to their will.

Rejection comes in various ways to all of us, but Jesus endured much as He was rejected. He endured rejection so that we could be accepted.

1) An affirmation of innocence.

It becomes apparent that Jesus was innocent of the Chief Priests accusations. Their agenda was to falsely accuse Jesus so that they could put Him to death. They sought false testimony against Him. Pilate focuses on the third accusation – that Jesus is the King of the Jews. After questioning Jesus, Pilate sees no guilt and sends him on to Herod.

Luke wants us to see the innocence of Jesus. Why is it such a big deal that Jesus was innocent? Because it is foundational to the Gospel!

Hebrews 4:15 (ESV): 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

If Jesus wasn’t without blemish, He would not have been an adequate sacrifice for us! We are dependent on His innocence. Jesus was absolutely perfect in every way.

2) A spectacle of injustice.

It is important to see the human element going on behind the scenes. The trial and crucifixion of Jesus was an incredible injustice! Pilate and Herod both found Jesus innocent. However, the Chief Priests continued their protest. They pressured the Government leaders to crucify Him, even after His innocence was declared three times.

(A) This was an injustice fueled by moral blindness.

Everything about Jesus arrest, prosecution, and crucifixion was being driven by the religious leaders! It was not the Government. The religious leaders would have done anything to have Jesus crucified! Sin HAS NO LIMITS! We cannot externally work our way out of sin – it must start with our heart!

(B) This was an injustice fueled by indifference.

Herod and Pilate allow the crucifixion to continueâ€¦ even when they found Jesus innocent! Luke is showing us the folly of indifference. When reading this Scripture, we can find ourselves feeling a bit sorry for Pilate. He tried we can say – but due to his indifference, Jesus was crucified. Â We don’t need a hardened heart to reject Jesus we only need to show indifference. It’s easy to see those who actively reject the Gospel. The danger is being more like a Pilate or Herod – being indifferent to the truth of Jesus. The road to Hell is paved with indifference.

(C) This was an injustice fueled by compromise. V22 – I found no guilt; V24 – their demand should be granted. Pilate was more concerned with the voices of the crowd than with the innocence of Jesus.

If we absorb more from social media and the news than we do from the Word of God, we are on the cusp of falling off the ledge. Don’t compromise yourself!

3) A moment of irony.

Acts 4:23-31 (ESV): The Believers Pray for Boldness

23 When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, 25 who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit,

Why did the Gentiles rage,

and the peoples plot in vain?

26 The kings of the earth set themselves,

and the rulers were gathered together,

against the Lord and against his Anointed

27 for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28 to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. 29 And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, 30 while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.â€ 31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

Although the religious leaders were scheming to crucify Jesus, they ultimately contributed to fulfilling God’s great plan!

Barabbas story could be seen as our story – a guilty man, rightly condemned, being set free through Jesus crucifixion!

1 Peter 3:18-20 (ESV): 18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, 19 in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, 20 because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water.

We are the unrighteous! Jesus stood in our place to accept the guilt and judgment of God! We have been set free from the curse of sin! We have been set free from the guilt of our sin! Shouldn’t our life demonstrate the glory of our salvation? There is nothing we can do to repay God – the gift of our salvation was free to us! It was costly for Christ, but not for us.

Isaiah 53:4-12 (ESV): 4 Surely he has borne our griefs

and carried our sorrows;

yet we esteemed him stricken,

smitten by God, and afflicted.

5 But he was pierced for our transgressions;

he was crushed for our iniquities;

upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,

and with his wounds we are healed.

6 All we like sheep have gone astray;

we have turned every one to his own way;

and the Lord has laid on him

the iniquity of us all.

7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,

yet he opened not his mouth;

like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,

and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,

so he opened not his mouth.

8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away;

and as for his generation, who considered

that he was cut off out of the land of the living,

stricken for the transgression of my people?

9 And they made his grave with the wicked

and with a rich man in his death,

although he had done no violence,

and there was no deceit in his mouth.

10 Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him;

he has put him to grief;

when his soul makes an offering for guilt,

he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days

the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.

11 Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied;

by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant,

make many to be accounted righteous,

and he shall bear their iniquities.

Based on the sermon of Pastor Adam Polk on 26 September 2021.

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He Is Risen
Luke 24:1-12

Based on the sermon of Pastor Adam Polk on 27 March 2016

1 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. 5 And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” 8 And they remembered his words, 9 and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. 10 Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, 11 but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. 12 But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a foundational truth of Christianity. Without it, Christianity fails. As a result, there have been many skeptics attempting to disprove it.
There were skeptics among the religious leaders, the government officials, and the people. However, some of the first skeptics were Jesus’ disciples!

Note that the disciples’ skepticism was captured in the Book of Luke. It would have been easy to “clean up” that part, but Luke captured the truth. The disciples were men growing in their faith and their understanding of Christ Jesus. As we consider the truth of the resurrection and how it impacted the Disciples, we can learn some things.

How does the resurrection impact our walk in faith?

1) The source of faith.
It helps to confirm the source of our faith. Consider walking with Jesus for a few years, watching His incredible miracles, and learning from His teachings.
After Jesus died, the disciples were scattered, confused, and afraid.
When the women went to tend to the body of Jesus, there was no anticipation of Jesus’ rising. They were expecting to tend to a dead body. Many times before Jesus’ crucifixion, He told them that He would rise from the dead… But they were not waiting in excitement.
When the women reach the tomb, they meet two “men…in dazzling apparel”. The women then went to the disciples to tell them about what they saw. However, the disciples did not believe them. They did not believe what Jesus had previously said. We must be careful not to criticize the disciples, because we so often don’t take Jesus at His word. Faith is a continuous battle. Our minds will often reject the truth, even when it is staring us in our face. This should be a reminder to take God at His word, and a rebuke for all those times when we don’t.
Too often we allow the experiences of this life to lead us, instead of trusting in Him. Fear and doubt will fester in our lives if we rely on the world, instead of believing Him.
We have a choice to make each and every day. Will we remember and trust in God’s word, or will we trust in the things of this world?

2) The development of faith.
It reminds us that God is faithful to keep His promises. The resurrection has a big stamp that says, “I am faithful to keep my Word!” It should not shock us when God does what He says He is going to do.

1 Corinthians 15:3-4
3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,

God has proven himself time and time again… But we still struggle with trusting Him.

1 Corinthians 15:12-23
12 Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 15 We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.

20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.

1 Peter 1:3-9
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith–more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire–may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

If you have not yielded to God, call to Him! God has every right to condemn us, but He gave us His Son to die on the cross for our sins. He willingly took the punishment that we deserved. If you believe in Him, your sins will be forgiven! Believe in Him!

3) The obedience of faith.
Peter ran to the tomb. Although the disciples were slow to understand, they started to “get it.”

Luke 24:36-43
36 As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” 37 But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. 38 And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” 40 And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41 And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate before them.

Luke 24:50-53
50 Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. 51 While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and were continually in the temple blessing God.

We watch the disciples going from skeptics to martyrdom. Are we on this path? Is your faith waivering? If so, you are in good company. The disciples of Jesus Christ did the same!

Based on the sermon of Pastor Adam Polk on 27 March 2016

__________________________________

THE WORK OF THE SPIRIT
Luke 24:45-49
Rev Mark Dooley
10.19.2014

45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

1. Forgiveness is ARRANGED and Publicized by God (V. 45). Isaiah 53:3-6
2. Forgiveness is Accomplished and PERFORMED by Christ. (V46)
3. Forgiveness is ANNOUNCED and Powered by the Spirit. (V 47-49)

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Last edit 05.10.25

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April 8, 2016

Mark

Introduction

THE GOSPEL OF MARK

Chapter One

John Baptizes Jesus

Satan Tempts Jesus

Jesus Begins His Galilean Ministry

Four Fishermen Called as Disciples

Jesus Casts Out an Unclean Spirit

Peter’s Mother-in-Law Healed

Many Healed After Sabbath Sunset

Preaching in Galilee

Jesus Cleanses a Leper

Chapter Two

Matthew the Tax Collector

Jesus Is Questioned About Fasting

Jesus Is Lord of the Sabbath

Chapter Three

A Great Multitude Follows Jesus

The Twelve Apostles

A House Divided Cannot Stand

The Unpardonable Sin

Jesus’ Mother and Brothers Send for Him

Chapter Four

The Purpose of Parables

The Parable of the Sower Explained

Light Under a Basket

The Parable of the Growing Seed

The Parable of the Mustard Seed

Jesus’ Use of Parables

Wind and Wave Obey Jesus

Chapter Five

A Girl Restored to Life and a Woman Healed

Chapter Six

Sending Out the Twelve

John the Baptist Beheaded

Feeding the Five Thousand

Jesus Walks on the Sea

Many Touch Him and Are Made Well

Chapter Seven

A Gentile Shows Her Faith

Jesus Heals a Deaf-Mute

Chapter Eight

The Pharisees Seek a Sign

Beware of the Leaven of the Pharisees and Herod

A Blind Man Healed at Bethsaida

Peter Confesses Jesus as the Christ

Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection

Take Up the Cross and Follow Him

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Jesus Blesses Little Children

Jesus Counsels the Rich Young Ruler

With God All Things Are Possible

Jesus a Third Time Predicts His Death and Resurrection

Greatness Is Serving

Jesus Heals Blind Bartimaeus

Chapter Eleven

A Different Kind of King

Rev. Mark Dooley, LBC3.20.2016

Chapter Twelve

The Pharisees: Is It Lawful to Pay Taxes to Caesar?

The Sadducees: What About the Resurrection?

The Scribes: Which Is the First Commandment of All?

Jesus: How Can David Call His Descendant Lord?

Beware of the Scribes

The Widow’s Two Mites

Chapter Thirteen

The Signs of the Times and the End of the Age

The Great Tribulation

The Coming of the Son of Man

The Parable of the Fig Tree

No One Knows the Day or Hour

Chapter Fourteen

The Anointing at Bethany

Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus

Jesus Celebrates the Passover with His Disciples

Jesus Institutes the Lord’s Supper

Rev. Mark Dooley, LBC
3.20.2016

Psalm 73:1-28
Rev Mark Dooley

Psalms 126:1-6
Rev Mark Dooley 08.26.2012

Romans 5:1-11 (ESV)
Rev. Mark Dooley
12.27.2015