debs4jc

This reminds me of Jesus' parable about the wheat and the tares. There will always be uncommitted people mixed in with the comitted believers of our church fellowships. While Jesus teaches us not to worry about weeding them out, we do need to guard against their influence. The word of God I'd our guide that never changes. Testing any new teaching or innovative idea against scripture will help keep us on the right path. Teaching from the word the true meaning of worship will also help. Hmmmmmm...it's been a long time since I heard a sermon on that tooic, come to think of it. I think many pastors are scared to address this topic.

Q2. (Ezra 3) Rebuilding the temple in order to restore worship is the point of all this work. Is your personal worship what it should be? What foundations do you need to lay again in your personal restoration and revival of faith? I'm sure that my personal worship is not ll that it should be. I know that I often let spending time with God slide when I get busy with other activities. Yet I will still find time for vegging out on the sofa in front of the TV. Ineed to make it a habit to seek rest and restoration in spending time in th presence of the Lord instad of turning to this familar and easy way to spend my "down time"

I think only some returned because of the hardships that would have been involved in such a journey. Those who stayed may have had legitimate reasons why the could not make the journey, but there were also some that had become comfortable where they were. After 70 years the younger people would not have even remembered their homeland. They would have only known about it from the teachings of their elders. This impresses on me the importance of passing down a longing for Heaven and for serving God to the younger generation. They are the ones we will need to take over what we will eventually not have the strength to do.

What does it tell us about the status of the Lamb that he is worshipped alongside "him who sits on the throne"? (5:13-14) It tells us that Jesus must be equal to God (In fact He IS God) because no being deserves the same worship given to the Father except The Father Himself. Jesus is our worthy, glorious, wonderful, praiseworthy, Lamb who is not only of God but who IS God. Praise be to the Lamb!

What's the significance of Christians "reigning on the earth"? Of being "priests"? Do you think we are to "reign" now or later (or both)? The significance is that Christ has not only redeemed us-He has redeemed us with a purpose. We have the priviledge of serving Him. We have the priviledge of being priests-which was once an exclusive priviledge given only to Aaron's family. Now all believers can enter the throneroom and have direct access to the Father through our prayers and petitions. We can intercede on the behalf of others, we can minister to them because of our status as priests. I think they are singing and celebrating our future reign in these verses. Someday we will be given future responsibities that are hard to even imagine now. We can certainly also prepare for this reign now, however, and I do think Christians reign in small capacities even now. When we take a part of this sinful, fallen world and use it for God's glory it is a part of the reigning process. Leading someone to Christ, celebrating Him in art and music, being the very best at our jobs-no matter what they are, these call all be examples of how Christians use the influence we have in the world to bring it into Christ's Kingdom.

What has the Lamb done to "triumph" (5:5) and so become worthy to take the scroll and open its seals? (Hint: See the "for" or "because" clause in 5:9 for the answer.) The Lamb has triumphed by His perfect obedience to the Father--He obeyed Him to the point of death on the Cross. Because of this He made it possible for men and women to be redeemed from sin so that they could serve the Father. Jesus' perfect obedience is what won Him the victory--may we follow in His example.

Decode (identify) each of the following symbols that relate to the Lamb (5:6): The lamb itself represents .... Standing after being slain indicates ... Horns represent .... Eyes represent ... The number seven carries the idea of ... To summarize, then, the Lamb has the qualities of being of ... The Lamb represents Jesus, the lamb that takes away the sins of the world Standing indicates His resurrection Horns represent His power and authority Eyes represent He is all seeing The number 7 carries the idea of perfection, completeness Jesus is the perfect complete sacrifice who triumphed over death and now reigns with all authority and power. Prais His name.

Why is the Lamb called "the Lion of the tribe of Judah" and "the Root of David"? What do these titles signify about him? He is called the "lion" to signify that He is the ruler-Messiah foretold in the Genesis prophecy. And now at this point in the Revelation narritive He is going to completely fulfil that role. As a "lion" He has power, authority, fierceness--He will rule over all the kings of the earth. The "root" title signifies that He is descended from David, and from the remnant of faithful Jews that were left after so many turned away from God. When Isaiah made those prophecies he was sent to warn the people of God's wrath but told that they wouldn't listen to him. God would cut down the tree that was Israel as a result--yet a stump, a faithful remnant would remain. From this "root"--and specifically from the descendents of Jesse/David would come the ruler-Messiah. So this is tying Jesus to His roots--pointing out His humanity and that He is the fulfillment of these prophecies. Just as John the Baptist pointed us to the Isaiah prophecies earlier, here it is done again. Now ALL the prophecy will be fulfilled, and the Lion takes his place as the rightful ruler of the Earth.

Q6. In what way does each celebration of the Lord's Supper anticipate a future Passover meal? (Matthew 26:29; Luke 13:28-29; 14:15; 22:30; Revelation 19:9; 1 Corinthians 11:26) The Future Marriage Supper of the Lamb No little cups of grape juice here our cups are filled to overflowing No thin wafers of bread our baskets have many pieces left over And the Bread of life stands at the head of the table no bitter herbs or saltwater tears all tears and suffering have been washed away no Angel of Death someone forgot his invitation sweet fruit, sweet fellowship, sweet drink, sweet love and the sweetest gift of all--being in the prescense of the Lord Jesus Forever Amen

Why should the words, "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins" (Matthew 26:28) fill us with sorrow? Why should they fill us with joy? They fill me with sorrow because they indicate the suffering that my Lord Jesus had to go through. Blood cannot be poured out with inflicting pain and suffering. This had to be done because of my sin--oh how I wish it didn't have to be. But it was done to show the Father's love to me and to provide a way for me to be saved and join in the great marriage feast of the Lamb. That fills me with joy.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Q4. Why is it so important to forgive those who have offended us before partaking of the Lord's Supper? In what sense are the Lord's Supper and unforgiveness incompatible? God has given us intructions to examine ourselves before partaking of the Lord's supper. If there is unforgiveness in our heart it is far better for us to discover it there ourselves and take care of it (with God's help). If we don't, God will judge us. God is merciful, but He is also just too. This is clearly illustrated in the parable of the unrepentant debtor who did not want to forgive a small debt after he had been pardoned for a huge debt. If we can't forgive after being forgiven ourselves than God will judge us and hopes that we will learn our lesson. The Lord's supper is all about remembering Jesus' sacrifice which was given in order that we might be forgiven. It would be a slap in the face to God to participate and look like we were one of His people, when really we were harboring a grudge against a brother or sister in our heart. It would be like saying, "I really don't care how much you forgave me God, I don't want to remember that, It's more important to me that x person has done me wrong". Are we lost if we struggle with forgiveness even if we have accepted Christ? I don't think so, but we have a clear responsibility to allow the Holy Spirit to work in our lives so that we can be more forgiving.

What is the significance to us of drinking Jesus' blood and eating his flesh (John 6:53-56). Let's not argue whether this is meant literally or figuratively. Whichever it is, what does that act signify for us? Why was this such a radical idea for Jesus' disciples? (John 6:60, 66) In what way should it be a radical idea for us? Symbolically this could be seen as a way to explain how we have to "feed off" of Jesus in order to be fruitful and to live the Christian life. It reminds me of abiding in the vine--we have to so intimately identify with Jesus and abide in Him that it is as if we are feeding off of His body and drinking His blood. That takes commitment--on our part to keep coming to the table--and on His part to provide the meal. And providing the meal required the ultimate sacrifice of His death. To the disciples it would have seemed like a crazy idea to some, revolted others. I watched a movie where a group of people had to eat the bodies of the dead in order to survive after a plane crash in the mountains. They even made an agreement with each other that "if I die, it's OK for you to eat me". It disturbed me for days afterwards. Some would have left because of that, others because from the way Jesus said this they probably knew what kind of commitment he was asking from them. They realized He was not the conquering hero leader they wanted and they were unwilling to give Him that kind of commitment.

Q2. Compare the annual Jewish Passover celebration meal in Jesus' day with the Christian's celebration of the Lord's Supper. Where are the similarities? Where are the differences? Who: The passover was for Jews only, the Lord's Supper is observed by all followers of Jesus When: The Passover was celebrated once a year in rememberance of the Exodus from Egypt. The Lord's supper is celebrated 'as often as we come together' in rememberance of Christ. Where: The passover was celebrated in Jerusalem, in Jewish homes. The Lord's supper is celebrated wherever Christians may be, in homes, in churches, outside, wherever. What: The passover consisted of lamb, unleavened bread, fruit puree, bitter herbs, and wine. It was a full meal. The Lord's supper is only wine and bread. How: The Passover meal is presided over by the head of the household, usually things are served in a traditional manner with ceremonial words and songs. The Lord's supper is usually presided over and served by men of the church, the ceremonies vary according to tradition but usually some words are spoken before the elements are served. Why: The Passover celebrated deliverance from the Angel of Death, the Lord's supper celebrates deleverance from Sin.

In what way did the lambs on the first Passover protect the families of God's people? (Exodus 12) What is the primary point of comparison between the first Passover lambs and what Christ did for us as our Passover Lamb? The lambs provided the blood which was smeared on the doorframes as a sign to the angel of death. When the families were obedient and did this in faith the angel passed over them. The blood of the lambs is like the blood of Christ, when applied by faith to our hearts it keeps us from death. Also, the blood on the doorframes is remarkably like the blood on the cross--if you traced the blood on the top downward and the blood on the sides across it would even make a cross. It was a foretelling of Christ's sacrifice for us. Christ sacrificed His body to provide the blood for us that would save us from death and give us life.

Extra Credit: In what sense have we been set free or released from slavery to sin? Why do we need the Holy Spirit to help us keep this freedom? The analogy of the caged bird really summed this up well! We have been set free, we no longer have the burden of striving to fulfill every requirement of the law. Yes, the sinful nature is still with us, but gradually through the work of the Holy spirit it diminishes. As in the cage illustration, over time the Spirit helps us to stay out of the cage more and more and experience the joy of flying free. The Holy Spirit also helps us because we no longer have the rules of the law. We don't have things spelled out for us to that in each situation we know we are to do xyz. The Spirit guides us and shows us how to live according to the "law of grace" so that we can become more like Christ. The Spirit also seals us--give us assurance--so that we know we belong to Christ. Satan has no power to us out of the Father's hand--there is no way we can lose our salvation when the Spirit resides within us.

According to the slave-ransom analogy, who is the slave? What is he enslaved by? Who offers the ransom? If Satan is involved in the enslaving process, why isn't the ransom paid to him? Why isn't the slave-ransom analogy spelled out completely in the New Testament? I am the slave, along with all of mankind, before I accept the ransom and am set free. We are enslaved by our "empty way of life", our sinful natures that make sin seem like the best way to live. God offers the ransom through the sacrifice of His son. The ransom isn't paid to Satan because Satan is not the one who enslaves us--sin is. Even if Satan was removed from the picture people would still fall into sin. The analogy is completely spelled out because it isn't meant to be a complete picture, only a way for us to understand the seriousness of God's act and our response to it. Sin is not a person that the ransom can be paid to, it is a way of living that enslaves us.

How should we disciples apply the principles: "You are not your own, you were bought with a price"? How should this affect our living? We should realize that our Lord is not simply a wise teacher that we have chosen to learn from and follow, He is our owner, our master, our Lord. We owe all of our obedience to Him, since we are not our own anything wrong that we do is a direct affront against Him. Our living should be radically affected by this, every moment of every day we should be striving to please Him.

In the New Testament world, what class of humans were freed by payment of a redemption price or a ransom? Why do you think that Jesus, Peter, and Paul used this analogy in this week's theme verses. What about the Christian life does it help explain? Slaves or prisoners of war could be freed by the payment of a ransom in Jesus' day. It was a practice that the listeners would be familar with, and it helps us understand what Jesus did for us. It explains that sin makes us slaves--something that the deceiver keeps us from seeing. Sin seems so good, so fun, we don't realize that it holds us in a powerful grip and that we lose our freedom to it. Like an addict, we lose our ability to stop doing it and to do what is good instead. But Jesus frees us from the slavery of sin by paying the ransom with His blood. He unshackles with His grace and we have freedom from sin. And we belong to God, as His precious children that He will never let go of. We don't have to fear ever being made a slave again--Once God owns us He will never let us go.

Which single New Testament passage best sums up for you the lessons of Isaiah 53? Why did you chose this passage? I chose 1 Peter 2:24-25: To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth." (quotes Is 53:9) When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. (quotes Is 53:5) For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls." (1 Peter 2:24-25) This passage explains how Christ suffered willingly for us, how He bore the burden of our sins. It explains how He did this so that we might "die to sin" , that is He died in our place so that we wouldn't have to. And so that we could "live for righteousness" and be healed. Now we can be free of the curse of sin and live free, whole lives. And we can return to "the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls"--that is we can enjoy a right relationship with God. All praise to the Lamb of God--our Lord Jesus!

The Servant also bears the punishment deserved by sinners. In what sense, if any, did Jesus bear the punishment due you when he died on the cross? Jesus stood up under the violent wrath inflicted upon him by his killers--a picture of the violent wrath that God has for sin. He endured being forsaken by God--a feeling that must have left him utterly without hope. We always have God to turn to to help us with our problems, but if we lose God than what hope do we have? Jesus bore this terrible punishment to give us hope, joy, and an abundant, eternal life. Praise God!

Isaiah 53 teaches what theologians call "the substitutionary atonement." In what sense does the Servant act as a substitute to bear our sins? Put it in your own words Because I have sinned, I am under a penalty of death (Rom. 6:23). God because of His love and mercy sent Jesus, the perfect sacrificial lamb, to die in my place and act as my substitute. My sins were taken way and transferred to Him, He bore the burden and I no longer have to pay the penalty. Plus I no longer am weighted down by the burden of sin. Sin drags us down with it's guilt and with the frustration of not being able to do what it right. Praise God that we no longer have to suffer under this burden but have freedom from sin through Christ!

Which New Testament parallels to Isaiah 53 convince you that Jesus himself saw his own mission and destiny spelled out in Isaiah 53? If you aren't convinced, what stands in your way? Some of you are such excellent Bible scholars, I was truly blessed by looking at all the scripture references you pointed out. How amazing that the Old Testament so clearly predicates such intimate details of Jesus' life, that is one of the best "proofs" we have that He as who He said He was. The sheer number of New Testament parrallels helps to convince me, they are like a legal case where many isolated bits of evidence combine to present a strong case. I am also most convinced that Jesus saw Isaiah 53 as His destiny by the allusions to it He made from His own lips, such as Matt. 20:28, Mark 9:12, and Luke 22:37. Jesus also clearly told His disciples several times before hand that he must suffer and be killed (such as Mark 10:33-34) so I believe he knew far in advance what His fate must be. He had to be killed by sinners, just like the lamb that is sacrificed by the sinner, to atone for our sins.

From how large a group of people does God remove sins in Isaiah 52:13 - 53:12? In what sense is this a universal sacrifice of salvation? In what sense is Jesus' sacrifice wasted on some people? God removes sins from "many" and "The Lord has laid upon Him the iniquity of us all". God, through Jesus, has allowed for the sins of all mankind to be removed. In the sense that potentially every sin ever committed could be forgiven (because Jesus sacrifice is big enough to cover them all) than the sacrifice is universal. But not all confess with their mouths and believe in their hearts that Jesus is the Christ and was raised from the dead. For those who do not believe the sacrifice seems wasted because it's there for them, just waiting for them to take it, but only they can use it and only they can make that decision themselves and if they don't then that portion of the sacrifice just goes unused. How sad

What do you think God intended animal sacrifice teach us about sin? About holiness? About God's nature? I think God intended animal sacrifice to teach us that sin is very serious business. It seperates us from our relationship with God, with His community, it makes us "unclean" and ultimately it results in our death. Sin could only be taken care of by the death of a pure, unblemished animal--pointing to the ultimate sacrifice provided by Jesus. Sin required the sheddng of blood and the mediating work of a priest to set someone right before God--again, Jesus shed his blood and is our High Priest. We also have to confess our sin and identify with our sacrifice (Jesus). The sacrifices teach us that holiness cannot coexist with uncleanness. WE must be absolutely cleansed of all impurities before we can stand before a Holy God. They also teach us a lot more about God than just His holiness and intolerance of sin. They also show His mercy in allowing a way for us to come close to Him.

In what sense is God's provision of animal sacrifice for forgiveness of sins an expression of his mercy? Were animal sacrifices actually adequate to atone for human sin? It is an expression of mercy because it transferred the death penalty from the sinner to the animal and temporarily covered over their sin so they could enjoy fellowship with God. Without God allowing animal sacrifices His people could not have gotten to know Him. Also the death of an animal, as repulsive as it is, is not as bad as a human having to die. Animal sacrifices are not adequate to atone for sin, or else Jesus' sacrifice would have been unneeded. Animals did not provide the perfect sacrifice of the God-Man that Jesus did on the cross.