crissy464

1. Why do you think God chose someone like John to be Jesus' forerunner? He was called of God to preach a message of repentance. John’s message of moral reform, symbolized by baptism, was God’s way of preparing Israel for the coming of the Mightier One—the Lord Jesus Christ. He would be great in the eyes of the Lord. he wouldn’t drink wine or liquor; and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, He was chosen by God before he was born God chose John because he was a man that would declare God's message plain and straight forward 2. How can we be sure that all our personal differences are part of God's plan and purpose? Can't some be patterns of sinful reactions to past events? (Let's resist the temptation to get too deep into the mystery of predestination. Grin.) God’s plan and purpose for our lives are guided by a divine plan or purpose. Our differences wheterphysical, emotional or intelectual are woven Into our existence. These differences serve a greater purpose, contributing to the richness and diversity of human experience. They allow us to learn, grow and fulfill our roles in the grand design.It’s true that some of our differences may arise from past experiences, including sinful reactions. These could be patterns of behavior learned over time. However, even these patterns can be part of God’s plan. They provide opportunities for growth, redemption, and transformation. For instance, someone who has struggled with anger might learn compassion through their experiences. Their journey toward healing becomes part of their purpose. 3. John was raised in the desert. What kinds of circumstances has God used as a training ground for your preparation? Our lives are God’s training ground. Through trials, tribulations, and fervent prayer, we learn to overcome and persevere. As we study God’s Word, we discover His guidance, shaping us into vessels fit for His purposes. In the desert’s heat, God molds us, fortifies our faith, and equips us for the ministries ahead. Let us embrace these training grounds, glorifying Him wherever He plants us, reflecting the attributes of Christ to the world 4. How dependent are you upon what others think and say about you? How can you change this without becoming callous? What others’ opinion can significantly impact our will-being and self esteem. Develop self awareness by reflecting on your values, strengths and beliefs. Trust your own judgement. Share you feelings with a friend about how you feel when someone says something to you and it affects you. Remind yourself that you can’t please everyone, and that’s okay. Focus on being true to yourself rather than seeking universal approval. Treat yourself kindly when you encounter negative opinions. Acknowledge that everyone makes mistakes and has imperfections. Cultivate self-compassion by speaking to yourself as you would to a friend in a similar situation. Remember that you have the power to shape your self-image and reduce dependency on external validation. It’s a gradual process, but with practice, you can find a balance between considering others’ opinions and maintaining your authenticity. 5. What would you say to a person suffering from chronic guilt over past sins? How can guilt be healthy? How can guilt be unhealthy? Seek solace in confession, whether to a trusted friend, a spiritual guide, or even in silent prayer. Acknowledge your humanity, for we all stumble on this journey. Guilt can corrodes self-esteem, sabotages relationships, and harms our well-being. Guilt can be a teacher. Remember, guilt dances on the tightrope between healing and harm. Listen to its melody, but don’t let it drown you.

1. Why do you think John the Baptist calls people a brood of vipers, a den of snakes? They were people that didn’t believe and they came because they wanted to see what was going on, or maybe they wanted to be baptised. 2. How did the Jews' religious pride in Abraham keep them from taking John's call for repentance seriously? How could religious pride have that same effect on us? They had Abraham as their father, they responded personally to God and his call. They believed that they were children of God so they needed not baptism 3. In what way does sharing clothing and food with the poor constitute meaningful repentance? What ways do you find to do this in your everyday life? To share clothing and food with those less fortunate requires that we repent of selfishness and greed. True repentance turns one away from trusting in self or material security to trusting in God. As a result, one is able to let go of things once grasped tightly. A repentant life is a changed life, not in that perfection is ever attained but in that the fruit of repentance — a change in action and attitudes — becomes discernible in a person’s character 4. Tax collectors were tempted to collect more than was due them. How does this same temptation show up in your line of work or education or home? When people try to sell something for more than it’s worth. There trying to get over on them. This is a dishonest action 5. How will we know when we have repented? What are the fruits of genuine repentance? When we put God first. The fruits of repentance is a changed life. A change of desire, turning away from sin and turning to the Lord, with a new life 6. How does discontent with our lot in life cause us to sin? What would constitute repentance in this circumstance? Lack of trust with God.

1 ) What sources does Luke use as he prepares his Gospe.? (1-2) Luke used written sources like the Gospel of Mark ,the Q source or The Sayings of Jesus and the L source. The Gospel of Mark provided a foundational framework for Luke, especially in describing Jesus’ ministry and events. The Q source was a collection of sayings attributed to Jesus. And the L source was from material not found in other gospels 2) What does it mean to be a "servant of the word"? (1:2) What does such a servant do? How does such a servant act? What is the "word" he serves? A servant, one who serves, is one whose whole life should be dedicated to serving his master. He acts according to his Master's will, does his Master's commands and fulfills His wishes. The Word is the Gospel, the teaching of Christ about the Kingdom of Heaven 3) What makes Luke an especially good narrator of Jesus' life? How has he prepared for this task? (1:3) Is there any way to find "certainty" about the Christian faith? How certain is the Gospel of Luke? What is the certainty we seek? Why do we seek certainty? (1:4) Luke decided to create his own account of Jesus’ life and teachings to offer a well-researched, orderly, and culturally relevant narrative for his intended Gentile audience, emphasizing Jesus’ compassion and salvation for all, including marginalized individuals. He followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account. He paid special attention to details. 4) is there any way to find 'certainty about the Christian faith? how certain is the Gospel of Luke? What is the certainty we seek? why do we seek certainty? Reading the Gospel will help of find proof of things that have happened. Faith is a belief that can’t be proven. we want to be sure that what we believe is true.

Everyone, we are enslave by sins, the ransom is offered by Jesus Christ. Jesus paid the orice by dieing for us

“You were bought with a price,” he meant that believers were purchased and paid for with the sinless, spotless perfection of Jesus Christ’s blood. Jesus Himself said that He came to give His life as a ransom for us . Since we were obtained at such a tremendous expense, we are to use our bodies to honor God with good deeds: “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago”

In the Old Testament, the concept of a Kinsman-Redeemer holds significant spiritual and symbolic meaning, who bought the freedom if they were in debt were slaves, . Of his relatives In the book of Ruth, Boaz exemplifies the role of a kinsman-redeemer. He is a godly man who acts with respect and dignity, even in tempting situations. Jesus is our Kinsman, he bought our freedom from sin.

With the Lord, and we wait in heaven

The apostles' encounters with the risen Jesus not only solidified their belief in His divinity but also instilled in them a profound sense of hope and empowerment. The resurrection became the cornerstone of their faith, igniting a fervent zeal to share the transformative message of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection with the world.

The disciples had no motive to steal His boy,d and if the roman soldiers had fallened aspeep they woud have benn put to death. Other than this I dont see any reasons to steal is body

Jesus resurrection was when he had risen from the tomb and people saw him. His ascension was 40 days after his resurrection outside of Jerusalem. He was then take up to heaven and he sat at the right hand of God Mark 16:19) Jesus ascension was part of His resurrection from the dead. Now he is at his rightful place with God

We do not really know what the qualities of the resurrected body are, but from the Gospel accounts it does seem that Jesus' body possesses power over material things in a way that is beyond our experience and knowledge. We know that two bodies cannot occupy the same space at the same time.

When they awoke they saw the clothes just laying there the headpiece had been folded. They had come to the tomb to see if it was true what the women had said about the body had risen. They believed then

In these Scriptures we see simple difference, like one angel or two. When the women go to check the tomb they bring anointed oil. Jesus is wrapped in a large linen shroud another time Jesus is wrapped instrips of linen. In Matthew and Mark the resurrection appearances are in Galilee, in Luke the records are in the vicinity of Jersalem. Its just like people to tell a story and leave out or add parts to the story

If Jesus rose from the dead then people would believe in him. If the resurection were true that would mean Jesus really was the Son of God, the LORD of our lives, Some of His enemies believed out of fear there would be something that would happen, others believed the body would be stolen and made to believe there had been a resurrection. They were so deceived. These enemies of Jesus did not want Him to disappear one way or the other for fear He would have even a greater following.

Anyone who believes in Him will live and never die. Sins will die but we will live forever through him.

The result of resurrection for the righteous will be that they will live eternally in full contact and communication with our Lord Jesus and God, His Father. And the unrighteous who are raised to be condemned.

Pilate's wife and the centurion used "righteous" in the sense of innocent of charges, upstanding. However, following Christ's resurrection, the word is used by Jesus' followers with all its theological fullness -- absolute righteousness. Jesus is not merely "relatively good." He is the only Righteous One by virtue of his divinity. “Apart from Christ we have no merit, no righteousness. Our sinfulness, our weakness, our human imperfection make it impossible that we should appear before God unless we are clothed in Christ’s spotless righteousness. We are to be found in Him not having our own righteousness, but the righteousness which is in Christ.” He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous”

Stop, look, and listen

They were called “deacons” and Stephen had all the qualifications which were to be a male, reputable, full of the Holy Spirit and wise.

People weren’t getting enough food, the food wasn’t being distributed correctly. This could have caused alot of problems like turning away from the church and the Lord. God comes to strengthen the church. To make things right. Satan is weakening the church through political correctness, sexual and right-to-life issues, cultural differences, and racism.

God's Word will prevail over all opposition to it. The apostles had been warned previously by the Jewish leaders not to teach in the name of Jesus.

Ananias and Sapphira are guilty of lying. they had sold their property and used some of the proceed to help the church, however they lied saying they used all the proceeds but they had kept some for theirselves. The proceeds were his he didn’t need to lie about not giving all the proceed to the church he could have keep it all. But he lied and just gave some of the proceeds Peter was God’s appointed leader and His representative on earth, so to lie to Peter was the same as lying to God.

When you are content, you may not desire anything more than what you need. Contentment is important in our lives because it allows us to find happiness and peace within ourselves instead of constantly seeking external validation or material possessions. A sense of contentment can change our whole world, leading to a more positive and fulfilling life. Ambition is a person’s willpower to accomplish success, while contentment is being satisfied and happy. To have both It all comes down to balance. You can pinpoint your areas to improve and set realistic goals

2 Corinthians 5:20-21 = Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become righteousness of God." God made Christ, who had no sin, to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. this verse was a very important in all of Scripture for understanding the meaning of the atonement and justification

The Servant Is a Substitute Who Bears Our Punishment. Besides bearing the sins of the people, the Servant in Isaiah also bears their punishment, standing in as a substitute in their place.