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Does He really mean this? I have to go with my core belief that the Holy Scriptures are inerrant and complete. I don’t think an expository or exegesis is needed to fully comprehend seven words You cannot serve both God and money." Jesus is saying it cannot be done! I always enjoy when science proves the Bible. Please read the following: “Professor Earl Miller, a neuroscientist at the world-renowned Massachusetts Institute of Technology scanned volunteers’ heads while they performed different tasks and found that when there is a group of visual stimulants in front of you, only one can receive focus. This is particularly true when we try to perform similar tasks at the same time - such as writing an email and talking on the phone - as they compete to use the same part of the brain. As a result, your brain simply slows down. Even just thinking about multi-tasking can cause this log-jam, as Glenn Wilson, a psychiatrist at the University of London, reported a few years ago. This is why Professor Miller, for one, is highly wary of the multitasking lifestyle. ‘People can’t do it and when they say they can, they’re deluding themselves,’ he says. ‘The brain is very good at deluding itself.’” So we see, as always, Jesus’ teachings are inerrant and infallible even by today’s knowledge and iconic thinkers. Is this hyperbole? Figurative? Literal? I would say “literal” because it is a direct statement not involving an exaggeration (Hyperbole) or representing a figure or resemblance (figurative). It is literal, a word for word actuality. Can wealthy people serve God in actual fact? Only God can know a person’s heart and motivations. However, Job, Abraham, Isaac, David, Joseph, and Solomon we are told were wealthy AND faithful during antiquity. Looking at today’s philanthropic lists, some of the richest people in the world are donating https://www.looktothestars.org/news/14430-the-worlds-most-generous-donators to worthy causes such as children, education, health, homelessness, family/parent support, etc.

What do these verses teach us about God's relationship to us? I believe they point out that God is the ultimate Father, He will only give us what is best for us. His omniscience enables Him to know unequivocally the absolute most propitious answer to our request, and He will give it with judicious timing. What do they teach about God's characteristic response toward us? We can trust God to give us an answer that is relevant and personalized for us by our Creator Himself… our Father who art in heaven. We can be assured that God will work it out for good, it is His nature. How does this differ from a cynical view of God? Cynicism is defined as people who think others are generally selfish, dishonest, and not trustworthy. Therefore I guess they would be suspicious of God’s very nature of love, grace, and compassion. Faith would be a concept that would be beyond their comprehension. Why is a positive understanding of God important to be able to pray with faith? To me, the greatest example of praying with faith, in all of Scripture, is in the Garden of Gethsemane when our Lord says: “And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto Thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what Thou wilt”. (Mark 14:36). That’s faith, knowing fully what was ahead for Him yet glorifying God by submitting to His purpose. This is an excellent example for us to follow, we are to make our desires known to God and remember that above all His Will be done. Then bringing Him the glory for His answer.

Jesus says that one's inner self will eventually become apparent (Matthew 12:34). What kinds of "fruit" might be clues to a false prophet? I would think the greatest test of a false prophet is his/her teaching. Does it line up with the consistent teaching of the Word of God? If not, it is false. This means we must know our Bibles ourselves. The best defense against a counterfeit is to know the original. Study and learn the Word of God so thoroughly that you would be able to recognize the false teachers. All messages of hope of deliverance apart from faith in Christ are all false gospels of a false salvation declared by false prophets.

Jesus says that one's inner self will eventually become apparent (Matthew 12:34). What kinds of "fruit" might be clues to a false prophet? I would think the greatest test of a false prophet is his/her teaching. Does it line up with the consistent teaching of the Word of God? If not, it is false. This means we must know our Bibles ourselves. The best defense against a counterfeit is to know the original. Study and learn the Word of God so thoroughly that you would be able to recognize the false teachers. All messages of hope of deliverance apart from faith in Christ are all false gospels of a false salvation declared by false prophets.

If Jesus' teaching about the narrow gate and the narrow road to life is to be believed, what change would this make in how you conduct your life? I DO believe in the narrow gate, I constantly examine myself, my motives, my actions and behavior; I do not want to be beguiled or deceived on to the wide road by letting our eroding morals, and secular complacency influence my sensibility. I continually remind myself that satan can be subtle in his attacks and I try to remain alert and focused on my Saviour Jesus Christ. What difference would it make to how you witness to your neighbors? Since it is their very existence for all eternity I try not to shy away from presenting the Gospel of Jesus Christ. If they do not hear it they cannot make an informed judgement about its validity. I feel it is our responsibility as believers to present the Gospel to others so they can understand the lifesaving work and good news of Jesus Christ regardless of how it’s received and we are viewed. How might it affect your acceptance of Universalism? John 14:6 is my answer to universalism; “Jesus saith unto him, I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me. In Acts 4:8-12 Peter tells the rulers, elders and people of Israel “that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth … is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Which lesson is taught in both the Parables of the Friend at Midnight (Luke 11:5-10) and the Widow and the Unjust Judge (Luke 18:1-6)? To not give up, persistence can convey a sense of urgency/importance of the matter at hand. When people see your unrelenting, incessant determination they realize that action/answers on their part is the only resolution that will be accepted. How do these relate to the commands in Matthew 7:7-8? “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” Asking, seeking, and knocking seem like a normal progression in getting a goal accomplished. The following of these actions in a continuous, persistent manner will eventually yield results.

What do the words "ask," "seek," and "knock" have in common? They all involve/contain a petition and a promise, and in each case we can expect an answer. Also in each case we must exert effort, continued effort if applicable. What distinguishes them from each other? In asking, seeking, and knocking three different senses being considered here. Asking is verbal; Christians are to use their mouths and petition God for their needs and desires. And believers are to seek with their minds—this is more than asking; it is a setting of priorities and a focusing of the heart. To knock involves physical movement, one in which the Christian takes action. Does one word convey more intensity than another? For me it’s asking. We cannot expect to get an answer if we don’t ask. It is us communicating (praying, talking to) our Father, building an intimate, personal relationship with Him. It makes me feel cared for, loved, and secure being able to speak to Him about my life. What is the significance of the present, continuous, imperative tense of these verbs? It stresses continued, persistent action. "Keep on asking, and it will be given you; Keep on seeking, and you will find; Keep on knocking, and it will be opened to you."

What does being steadfast and immovable have to do with the hope of the resurrection? (1 Corinthians 15:58) In our secular world the eroding morals, values, and political correctness that permeates society we must remain steadfast and immovable in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Satan is the subtle great deceiver, apathy is one of his most useful tools. We as Christians must not let ourselves be lulled to sleep, we need to focus on the second coming, be strong in our faith, and let others know there is a new world coming. Why is our labor not in vain in the Lord? I can think of no better way to express my answer than the lyrics mentioned in our text, “Because He Lives” written by Bill and Gloria Gaither, when they were going through a rather traumatic time in their lives: “God sent His Son, they called Him Jesus, He came to love, heal and forgive. He lived and died to buy my pardon, An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives. Because He lives, I can face tomorrow; Because He lives, all fear is gone. Because I know He holds the future; And life is worth the living, just because He Lives!”

What assurance do you have that you will be physically resurrected rather than experience disembodied immortality ? Paul tells us that we will be changed — metamorphosized (1 Cor. 15:51). The body will then be imperishable, immortal, glorious, powerful and spiritual (vs. 42-44, 53). But yet it will be a body, and it will have some continuity with the old body. What does it mean that Jesus is the "firstfruits" (1 Corinthians 15:20) and "firstborn" (Revelation 1:5) from the dead? When Jesus Christ was resurrected, He became the “first fruits” of all who would be raised Colossians 1:18). The Israelites could not fully harvest their crops until they brought a representative sampling (first fruits) to the priests as an offering to the Lord (Leviticus 23:10). This is what Paul is saying in verses 20-22; Christ’s own resurrection was the “first fruits” of the resurrection “harvest” of the believing dead. The “first fruits” language Paul uses indicates something to follow, and that something would be His followers – the rest of the “crops.” This is how Christ’s resurrection guarantees ours.

How does Christ's death and resurrection provide an analogy for baptism according to Romans 6:3-5 and Colossians 2:12? Baptism is your personal identification and testimony with the greatest act of human history—the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. As you stand in the water waiting to be baptized and are lowered, you symbolize Jesus willingly dying on the cross. As you are immersed into the water, you symbolize Jesus buried in the tomb. As you are raised from the water, you symbolize Jesus rising from the dead and you walk in newness of life. According to Ephesians 2:4-6, while being "raised with Christ" is still spiritual, not physical, in what way does this union impart real spiritual power? I believe God made us alive together with Christ the moment we made Jesus our personal Saviour, therefore we are indwelled by the Holy Spirit who seals us. Ephesians 1:13-14a: “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance …”

In what way does Christ's resurrection somehow validate that we are saved and forgiven by God? It confirms and verifies that God accepted and approved Jesus’ atoning, sacrificial, voluntary death on the cross to cover our sins. Luke 23:46 - And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit’ Having said this, He breathed His last.” Jesus was determined that His final words be heard. Jesus trusts His eternal destiny to our Father's hands. He knows that there is life with the Father beyond death. We too have this same assurance because of our faith and trust in Jesus our Saviour. If we didn't believe Christ had been actually raised from the dead, how might we have doubts about our salvation? The resurrection is the reality of all that Christianity stands for and embraces. It is the focal point of all Christian teaching; the justification, adoption, sanctification and glorification, as applied to believers, are derived from the significance of the resurrection. John MacArthur states, “If the resurrection of Jesus were just another historical miracle, then Christianity is but a dead religion! In the resurrection God breaks into history; eternity breaks into time; God re-creates humanity; God establishes the social order He intended.”

What kind of credibility would Jesus' ministry have had if he were not raised from the dead, especially when he predicted it ahead of time? He and His disciples/followers would have had zero credibility. 1 Corinthians 15:17 “And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; you are yet in your sins.” The resurrection of Jesus is a testimony to the resurrection of human beings, which is a basic tenet of the Christian faith. Our faith would be useless and we are not forgiven or saved; satan wins- everyone who has died believing in Christ would be in hell. There would be no such thing as having a personal, intimate love relationship with Creator God. Our personal devotions would be imaginary and useless. We would be a slave to whatever our sinful nature desires. In 1 Corinthians 15 Paul gives six disastrous consequences if there were no resurrection: 1. preaching Christ would be senseless (v. 14); 2. faith in Christ would be useless (v. 14); 3. all the witnesses and preachers of the resurrection would be liars (v. 15); 4. no one would be redeemed from sin (v. 17); 5. all former believers would have perished (v.18); and 6. Christians would be the most pitiable people on the earth (v. 19). In what way is the resurrection God's seal of approval on him? The Resurrection proved that Christ was divine by fulfilling the prophecies of His death and by His return from the grave. His authority and power was confirmed to break the bonds of sin and to assure forgiveness and eternal life to all who accept His gift of salvation. The Resurrection revealed Christ's power over death and satan.

Which of the various proofs for the resurrection seems the most compelling to you? Why? The empty tomb! The Jewish leaders themselves did not deny the empty tomb (they couldn’t). They paid the guards to say the disciples stole the body (Matt. 28:11-15), in an attempt to cover up Jesus’ irrefutable Resurrection. The inclusion of Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus as the ones who buried Christ is confirmed and verified in the Holy Scriptures. Both were members of the Jewish Sanhedrin, a sort of Jewish Supreme Court, and Nicodemus was a member of the Pharisees. People of this ruling class were distinguished, preeminent citizens! Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus defied the Sanhedrin and Pharisees by treating Jesus' body with dignity and assuring that He received a proper burial. Joseph boldly asked Pontius Pilate for custody of Jesus' body. Not only did this devout Jew risk ritual uncleanness by entering the quarters of a pagan, but with Nicodemus, another Sanhedrin member, they further contaminated themselves under Mosaic Law, by touching a corpse. No doubt this was political suicide and quite possibly a career ending move by both men. This devotion and loyalty speaks volumes of their commitment to Jesus Christ and authenticates Jesus’ death and burial. If you had a friend who wasn't sure about the resurrection, could you explain why you're sure that Jesus was raised from the dead? I believe I could, by explaining the empty tomb, the undisturbed burial cloths, and the multiple sightings of the risen Jesus by 500+ people; then there is His witnessed ascension back to His place with the Father. The evidence is overwhelming!

How does the disciples' psychological state after the crucifixion provide excellent support for belief in the resurrection? Even though the disciples knew Jesus raised people from the dead (widow's son at Nain; Jairus' daughter; Lazarus) Jesus was alive then, now, He was dead – how could He raise Himself. They were confounded and overwhelmed. They were distraught with grief, their hopes and dreams shattered. They were desperately in fear for their very lives. They had to be experiencing a whole myriad of emotions. Yet after Jesus appeared to them, THEY BELIEVED! They knew it was Christ Jesus, those emotions turned into gladness, joy, and confidence. Only the LORD can evoke such a change.

Q2. On the theft theory, what motive might the disciples have to take Jesus' body? What motive might the Romans have? The Jews? Joseph of Arimathea? I, by far, am not the sharpest knife in the drawer but I see no motivating factor for any of these groups to steal/remove the Body of Jesus. The disciples and probably Joseph of Arimathea were paralyzed with fear and grief. They feared a similar fate to that of Jesus by the Scribes and Pharisees because they were known as followers of Jesus. And they were distraught with sorrow and anguish at the heinous murder of Jesus because they did not grasp the meaning of His words and were too embarrassed to ask. The Jewish leaders certainly would not have stolen the body without later unveiling it to suppress/silence Christian preaching, but no such claim was ever made.

What do you think motivates liberal Christian scholars to explain away the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ? My initial thought is the fact they feel “academia” is above reproach. Their “highly educated” view becomes the zenith in rational thought. Where I get confused is if they have such faith and conviction that their view is unerring; how can they give no credence to our innate knowledge which is not learned through either sense experience or intuition and deduction. It is just part of our nature. God provided us with it at creation. Why would they claim that it is unhistorical more than some other event in the first century? Perhaps again to subjugate the masses, a argumentum ad verecundiam, the formal term for an argument using respect for institutions and authority in an attempt to strengthen their argument and provide an illusion of proof. It is one of many errors of logical fallacies that can be made in argumentation.

Why should we continually ask forgiveness? Forgiveness is not based on the actions of others but instead on our own attitude. People will tend to hurt us throughout life. We can look outward at them, stay disgruntled and angry, or we can forgive them and keep our minds focused on our loving relationship with God, knowing and trusting that He will work things out for our good. Forgiveness is giving God the opportunity to exact His justice. How can unforgiveness on our part block God's blessing? Unforgiveness is basically the absence of love. Jesus came to show us the Father's love. If that was Jesus' main objective, then what should ours be? "Whatever you do to the least of these my brethren, you do it unto me." (Matthew 25:40) If we don't forgive others, what does that say about our relationship with God? Jeremiah 5:25 says, “Your iniquities have turned these things away, And your sins have withheld good from you.” How can unforgiveness block God's forgiveness? As the pattern prayer in our lesson states, "For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." (Matt.6:14-15)

Why do we seek to be independent of asking anyone for help? The secular society in which we live, not only advocates but promotes self-sustaining behavior. Asking for help is considered by many as a sign of weakness. We are also no longer a people who are quick to show gratitude. We have spoken so long about entitlements that it rarely occurs to people to express gratitude. When one stops to think about it, the ever increasing reach of satanic influence is permeating society exponentially. Why do we seek to be independent of God? To me this is incomprehensible, how can the creation be, or desire to be, independent of the Creator ??? The only motivation I can think of is pure unadulterated pride and/or an unrealistic obsession for power. To desire independence from or defy the authority and magnitude of Almighty God is derisive. Why should we ask God to "give" us daily bread so long as we can earn a living for ourselves? Our health, our abilities, our intellect, our employment, our very next breath and heart beat are TOTALLY dependent upon God our Father. These are gifts of His grace and mercy that He freely gives to us that we, of ourselves, have neither earned nor deserve. James 1:17 says, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”

In what sense are we asking that the Father's kingdom should come? As our text states, we are asking God to manifest the power and glory of His kingdom in us, and throughout this world. We are asking the Father to hasten the acceptance of Jesus Christ on this earth to usher in His Kingdom. Luke 17:20-21 says “…The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: 21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.” A person is brought into the kingdom of God when a person repents and decides to accept God as his King, and it is something that happens in a person's heart, not a political movement or visible display of God's power. Why are we asking for the Father's will to be done here on earth? I feel completely confident in God’s Divine providence, the governance of God by which He, with wisdom and love, cares for and directs all things in the universe. It is the recognition that God deserves all honor and glory, that God's Will is always the right direction to follow, no matter the circumstances in which we as human beings find ourselves. Proverbs 3:5-6 confirms this: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. How should this prayer affect our living? We need to, as with all scripture, understand the intended context and relevance. More than great literature, each statement in God’s Word is rich with knowledge and meaning. Knowing that this is Jesus’ pattern prayer for us should be all the motivation we need to not only follow it but to implement the concepts into our lives.

What differences do you find between the various resurrection accounts? Matthew is the only writer who records the first appearance to the women, while only in Luke do we find the account of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. The appearance of Mary Magdalene is omitted by both Matthew and Luke. Only John records the appearance of our Lord in the upper room, when Thomas was absent and the appearance on the sea of Galilee. How do you account for differences in eyewitness testimony? If the differences concerned the main points of the story, then there would be justification for doubt, but when the salient points are agreed upon by every witness, insignificant differences add to, rather than subtract from, the validity. None of the details flatly contradicts any others, but in some plausible way they correlate together to supply the larger picture. How might these differences add to the credibility of the witnesses? The venerable scholar, Wilbur Smith said, “In these fundamental truths, there are absolutely no contradictions. The so-called variations in the narratives are only the details which were mostly vividly impressed on one mind or another of the witnesses of our Lord’s resurrection, or on the mind of the writers of these four respective Gospels.”

Why did Jesus' enemies heed his prediction of being raised on the third day even more than his disciples? With their devious minds contemplating a stratagem by Jesus’ followers, they urged Pilate to post a guard and secure the tomb so that no deception could take place. Did his enemies expect him to rise? No, I don’t believe so. If they had, they would not have been so intent and adamant on crucifying Jesus. They were so consumed with pride, hatred, and greed that His crucifixion was their only solution to return to the status quo. This could not happen with Him alive, they probably felt that his followers would disband without their Leader/Teacher. Did his followers? I think they didn’t understand what He was saying—but didn’t want to embarrass themselves by admitting it. Mark 9:31-32 says, “For He taught His disciples and said to them, “The Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him. And after He is killed, He will rise the third day.” 32 But they did not understand this saying, and were afraid to ask Him.” The idea that Jesus could die and then come back to life again was so perverse that they just couldn’t grasp it.

(John 11:23-25) What do you think Jesus meant when he said, "I am the resurrection and the life"? I think it means as we live our lives on this earth believing in Christ Jesus we can be assured that we are living our life at its fullest, and honoring Him. When we physically die our spiritual life continues living for all eternity in His presence, where at Jesus second coming we will be reunited with our glorified bodies and spend eternity with him in heaven. What role will Jesus play in the resurrection of the dead? By his sin, Adam brought about death for himself and the whole human race. Jesus Christ, by His sinless righteous life, substitutionary death, burial, and resurrection, brings about life for mankind. Adam brought death upon all men; Christ will make men alive. Jesus said to Martha, “I am the Resurrection and the Life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die."

According to scripture (John 5:28-29; Acts 24:15), both the righteous and unrighteous will experience resurrection. What will be the result of resurrection for the righteous? John 29 says “those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation”. Acts 23:15 states “ … there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. Those who have placed their faith and belief in Jesus Christ as Saviour will arise in His presence. Those who have chosen not to believe in Him will arise to torment.

How does Job's vision of resurrection (Job 19:25-27) differ from the Jews' former understanding of death as Sheol? As our text says, the Jews didn’t belief in resurrection. When Abraham died, he was "gathered to his fathers”, meaning his bones would be stored with theirs referring to the collecting and storing the bones after the flesh has decomposed. Job however has visions and confidence beyond the grave evidenced by several statements i.e. “I will wait for my renewal to come"; “And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God”; "I know that my Redeemer lives” and “I myself will see Him with my own eyes”. What is progressive revelation? It is the teaching that God has revealed Himself and His Will through the Scriptures with an increasing clarity as more and more of the Scriptures were written. God reveals knowledge in a progressive and increasing manner throughout the Bible.

What was the purpose of the "Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth" regulation? The lex talionis, "law of retaliation was designed to restrain man's vindictiveness, and to be administered as the justice of a formal court. It means is that secular justice is to be equitable, neither excessively harsh nor excessively lenient. Is this law designed to be administered by a court or judge, or by an individual? The context is a court of law giving sentences. The same thing is found in Exodus 21:22-25. This is to be judicial punishment decided by a court. Is it designed to govern judicial action or personal action? It had the double effect of defining justice and restraining revenge. It also prohibited the taking of the law into one's own hands as could happen by vengeance of a family feud.