les
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Posts posted by les
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Q6. (John 19:30) What had Jesus
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Q5. (John 19:28) What do you learn from Jesus
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Q4. (Mark 15:34) What does Jesus’ Fourth Word from the cross teach us about faith?
when he bore our sins on the cross and had to receive the full force of the Fathers terrible wrath and judgment; for all our sins: the sins He had not committed . He hang there in total agony and felt for the first time totally alone and rejected. Yet he called out to the only one who could save him, who could carry Him through this dreadful but momentary ordeal to the hope He knew was near at the end after fulfilling His task. He trusted in His father even at the most desperate moment and knew ,though for now He had to bear this alone ,soon He would be reunited with His father and looked forward to the end result to keep Him focused and able to get through this dreadful ordeal. Faith well placed upon a trully Good and faithful God never fails even at the darkest most dissmal hour for it is a living, persevering faith .nobody can get through these dark hours without total trust, inspite of the pain, inspite of the utter feeling of rejection and desertion ,Jesus cried out to the one He knew loved Him totally and would never discard Him. But it did not mean that the Feelings He had to endure were any easier to bear. but faith holds on inspite of seeming insurmountable odds.
About commitment? about love?
God chose Jesus before the creation for our benefit 1 peter1:20 . He himself said when the time drew near for His death in John 12:27-28 Now my heart is troubled and what shall I say? Father , save me from this Hour ? No it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name ! all was done to fulfill God's plan for the salvation of His fallen creation and all was to uphold God's glory .Jesus was commited to His task and always set aside His desires to fulfill the Father's will. through all it would take even to the point of dying He stayed commited to his task the salvation of man from his sins and all was done to glorify the Father John 17:1 "Father , the time has come . glorify your Son, that your Son may Glorify you." in the garden before His arrest he was so overcome by the ordeal ahead where for the first time He would have to bear it all alone as He took upon Himself our sin and received full force the Fathers judgment and wrath for sins, offense, still He prayed NOT MY WILL, BUT YOURS BE DONE . He knew why he came and to what purpose He was called. but from eternity past, to His life upon this earth, and the rejection of those He had made who were his own yet they refused to accept Him up untill the cross and death He stayed true to His task and loved to the very end.
What effect should this understanding have on our lives? it should totally transform us!!!!!
how can anyone who understands the cost and the great love poured out upon us ungrateful, hostile, totally wicked and perverse people leave us cold and untouched . so much was given for us and we can't begin to even fully appreciate the full benefits we have gained by Jesus suffering and death.......... we owe him everything..... our very lives ,totally and freely surrenderd and submitted to him for obedience that will result in fruit in our lives that will be all to the Glory of God who loved us so extremely and so perfectly even when we did not deserve it. added to this the fact that without the cross we would still be dead in our transgressions unable to save ourselves and doomed to bear for all eternity the penalty for our offenses toward a holy God who offered all that was most precious to save us and offer a new life with all the benefits of being acknowledged as His Children .....am totally awed and grateful and all my life i pray to be able to love Him back and do all He planed for me as He lives in me and transforms me and molds me to be like Him all to the glory of His name . Ilove Him because He first loved me oh how awesome is that..... to be loved and known by God himself.
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Q3. (John 19:26-27) Why does Jesus make St. John responsible for his mother Mary? What does this tell us about Jesus? How should we apply this in our own lives?
AS the eldest son Jesus was according to the custom the one responsible for the welfare and support of his widowed mother,His other siblings at this point did not yet believe in Him so he gave John who was a faithful disciple and one who trully loved Him the task of taking care of his mother and looking after her needs.
Jesus great selfless love always did things for the benefit of others even in His final agony He took time to settle the well being and future of His mother . love motivated all He did . in the end everything in the law was also fulfilled he did all it required. He lived a perfect life and died in perfect obedience to His Fathers will.
by showing us by His example Jesus made it clear that the command to Honor your father and your mother was to be taken seriously and we always should care and make provision for our parents especially when they are older and cannot take care of themselves . today, it is sad that many remove the old and infirm from their homes turning over their care to institutions in the guise of providing better care for them but neglect them by withdrawing and depriving them of the family's love and comforting presence when they need it the most. Jesus tenderness and love made sure His mother would be comforted ,cared for and taken in as a loved and important member of John's family.
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Q2. (Luke 23:39-43) Why is the thief
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Q1. (Luke 23:34) Who was most responsible for killing Jesus? What responsibility do you and I bear in this? In what sense was Jesus praying for us?
although we did not nail him to that cross physically, every person who lived and lives in the present time and will come to be in the future is equally responsible for the death of Jesus on that cross in calvary just as if we had put Him there ourselves . technically at the actual time of His death the spiritual Leaders in Israel; who could not receive Him as messiah and Pilate, who agreed to hand Him over to be executed though he found Jesus guiltless; were the ones most responsible for the actual crucifixion and death of our Lord .
isaiah 53: 5-6
But He was pierced for our transgressions , He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him . and by His wounds we are healed.
We all, like sheep have gone astray ,each of us has turned to his own way;and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
this pretty much sums our guilt and God's solution
every sin ever committed by us was paid for on that cross. Gods justice was satisfied but the Son took all of it upon himself and only because the offense against a totally Holy God was paid in full can we enjoy fellowship and be accepted by God; All because of Jesus and only because of Jesus. He freed us from the Guilt of our sin and Freed us from its total control over our lives. all this He bore for our benefit
i believe that when Jesus prayed it was that we would not come under judgment for despising God and His word by having continually sinned against a just and gracious and most Holy God. as sinners we were dead in our transgressions and sins unable to grasp the truth nor love God much less walk in obedience to Him. it was a plea for mercy and forgiveness that what we did against God would not be counted against us and that God's wrath would not be poured on us for our evil behavior and rejection of Him due to our ignorance and hardness of heart. only God's Grace transformed us once He allowed us to see our true desperate state,repent and were drawn to Jesus by The Spirit through faith .mercy all mercy; a plea for those who could not save themselves.for that i am so grateful that He chose not to condemn me for all i've done but instead He chose to forgive me and show me mercy and love.
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Q6. (Matthew 5:10-11) Why should we rejoice when we are persecuted? What keeps this from being some kind of sick masochism, or finding pleasure in pain? Why is the blessing "for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" appropriate for the persecuted?
the christian who is persecuted for his faith is a partaker in the same kind of suffering Jesus endured suffering for doing what is right Jesus promised that those who wanted to lead a righteous life would suffer but the greatest glory will go to those who suffer most for Christ.
this future reward is what allows us to bear with what is painful and rejoice that we are counted worthy to suffer for Jesus and have His approval
when the christians suffer the Spirit of God rests upon them and is able to lift them to strength and endurance beyond the physical dimension.for those who give up everything to live for God and bring Him glory they will inherit all that God has prepared for them they have chosen Him over the world and its treasures so they will be rewarded as God chooses they will have Him, His treasures in His kingdom and all' that contains' are for them
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Q6. (Matthew 5:10-11) Why should we rejoice when we are persecuted? What keeps this from being some kind of sick masochism, or finding pleasure in pain? Why is the blessing "for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" appropriate for the persecuted?
the christian who is persecuted for his faith is a partaker in the same kind of suffering Jesus endured suffering for doing what is right Jesus promised that those who wanted to lead a righteous life would suffer but the greatest glory will go to those who suffer most for Christ.
this future reward is what allows us to bear with what is painful and rejoice that we are counted worthy to suffer for Jesus and have His approval
when the christians suffer the Spirit of God rests upon them and is able to lift them to strength and endurance beyond the physical dimension.for those who give up everything to live for God and bring Him glory they will inherit all that God has prepared for them they have chosen Him over the world and its treasures so they will be rewarded as God chooses they will have Him, His treasures in His kingdom and all' that contains' are for them
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Q5. (Matthew 5:8) Why can people with a pure heart see, know, and discern God? Why can't "chronic" sinners see God? How do we obtain the pure or clean heart that Jesus describes?
God is Holy and pure nothing corrupted or impure can stand before Him without being destroyed .sin separates us from God and completely warps our ability to percieve Him and grasp His will and revelation for us.the pure heart required to see God is not in our ability or within our grasp to attain.Christ alone can cleanse us from all unrighteousness so it is Him that makes us pure .it is His nature we receive when we receive Him by faith as Lord and savior so a true believer is positionally perfect in Gods sight because it is Christ righteousness God sees .jesus being God can present us perfect before God ,holy and pure
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Q4. (Matthew 5:6) How can an intense desire for righteousness put you at odds with the world? What sort of righteousness is Jesus talking about, do you think? What promise are we given in this Beatitude?
the world operates on compromise to get what we want. true righteousness seeks for truth and follows it no matter what the cost so to stand fast on what is right will instantly put you at odds with the worlds ways since whats right for me at this moment , what will be most useful to get me where i want to be is quite the thing to do in that circle.the righteousness Jesus is talking about here is the righteousness of God made available to us through Christ it is alien to our nature but the promise for those who truly desire it ; as a hunger and thirst needs satisfying ,God will fill them with it
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Q3. (Matthew 5:5) How does this sort of gentleness contrast with the world's ideal? How is humility important to Christlikeness?
Jesus taught to be greatest you need to be servant of all; the world can not accept this as it teaches power, position, independence, success meassured in wealth,all to be first at any cost .
to bear all trials and offenses with patience and humility can only be accomplished through the Holy Spirit transforming our hearts to Christs likeness for He modeled perfect meekness and humility though He was God and could have so easily have pulled rank on everyone .He lived turn the other cheek and love others as yourself,and love God and honor Him above all. there was nothing weak in Jesus sacrifice he purposefully set out to do what He came to do. when we choose to operate on the same level as our Lord it is not weakness but Gods power working in us and through us
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Q2. (Matthew 5:3-4) Why is it necessary to be aware of your spiritual poverty before you can become a Christian? What kind of mourning is necessary for a person to become a Christian? What kind of mourning is a common experience of Christians? (See Isaiah 61:2-3; Ezekiel 9:4.)
unless we see how empty of true meaning are our lives and how distant we are from God ,and how horribly short we come up to His standard which is perfection unless we understand our pain only Jesus can heal and only He can sattisfy us and only in Him are we complete and secure.unless the spirit of God reveals our true state we are completely unaware of our situation and unable to turn away from our current ways and turn to Christ for restoration and forgiveness .
as christians we should mourn 'sins' effects in the world ;injustice, cruelty, , greed all maner of corruption and every offense against God.
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Q1. (Matthew 5:3-11) Each Beatitude consists of two parts. What are these parts? Why do you think Jesus made each Beatitude a paradox? What is the relationship of the Beatitudes to the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)?
the beatitudes consist of a character trait of the kingdom citizens and the promised blessing God will endow
the good news jesus proclaimed was for the poor .......those who saw their need and turned to Him for freedom and a new life provided only by God to those who understood their utterly bankrupt state (spiritually speaking)so Jesus spoke in paradox to show even more dramatically how different Gods ways were from the accepted norms of that day where outward compliance was more accepted without any inward conviction and renewal Jesus desired a heart conviction and a mind and life transformation these were those to whom the kingdom would be revealed and who could partake of His promised blessings
the fruit of the spirit all correlate to the character traits the kingdom citizens would manifest
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Q4. Read Matthew 8:5-13; 21:33-44; 22:2-13; 24:14; and 28:19. What do they have in common? What relation does the visit of the wise men have to Matthew's theme of bringing the Gospel to the Gentiles? How should we be applying this mandate in our own lives?
that God sent Jesus for all men even gentiles and the good news of the gospel is to be preached to all nations because He gives the authority.most of the Jews rejected this great gift but the gentiles represented by the magi would receive him and receive the promises of God through Jesus. we should be fulfilling the great commission and bringing the gospels message to all who will listen they too may choose to receive the Lord as savior and master of their lives.we who have received Him should be living a life of love and obedience evident to all and so honoring our savior
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Q3. (Matthew 2:11b) Why was it appropriate for the Magi bring gifts to the Christ-child? How does the extravagance of their gifts reflect their heart attitude? What kinds of gifts are appropriate for us to bring?
the prophecy in micah 5:2-4 stated Jesus's divinity and pointed to His mellinnial kingdom.the magi understood the importance of this KING so they sought Him out and came with the most precious gifts they had (their treasures) if we give what is most precious it means we withold nothing, they totally sought to honor HIM. Jesus gave everything to save us we owe Him everything we have our talents our resources our time here on earth ,our very lives in fact!!!! by creating us and in ransoming us He is our rightful owner so it is due Him . the love He showed we can't even begin to appreciate while we live on this earth but it is extravagant, perfect and demands reciprocation.
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Q2. (Matthew 2:11a) What do we learn from seeing the Magi prostrating themselves before the child Jesus? What was the significance of this for them? How can we emulate this kind of worship?
though they were men of great rank and wealth the magi knew through the prophecies who this baby was and when they found him after a long search they bowed before him. they humbly acknowledged the lords superior worth and standing. they worshiped Him because they knew His divine lineage and presented their gifts considered precious and fit for a king. in all these things they humbly submitted themselves to Him giving Him the honor due Him .they were so sure of His kingship they saw beyond the outward signs and were able to appreciate His essence we also should be awed by Jesus and humbly submit to His kingship over our lives having an attitude of reverence before Him . He deserves worship ,honor and praise for who He is and what He has done for us .undeserving as we are He withheld nothing from us if we see our utter need for Him and His greatness and exccelent worth we also will fall before Him and worship . not to be able to do this means we fail to grasp the magnitude of HIS PERSON and shows HOW WICKED OUR HEARTS ARE that we despise and dishonor our creator and savior
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Q1. (Matthew 2:1-2; Numbers 24:17) What is the significance of the Star of Bethlehem that the Magi saw? Why do you think the Magi came to find the Christ-child when they saw the star? In what way was does prophecy prefigure this event?
the star of bethlehem was a sign that would announce the messiahs birth this was a sign from God to those who knew prophecy and were waiting and watching for this sign signaling the birth of the greatest king.the magi who could have come from babylon were the jews had been in captivity once and where daniel held a possition of honor heading the court magicians and soothsayers ,may also have learned some of the prophecies concerning the future of israel including the promised messiahs birth some of the prophecies are revealed in numbers 24:17 ;isaiah 9:2; micah5:2 so the magi regarded this sign of enough importance to search for the great king and honor him with presents fit for royalty and worship him ! they prostrated themselves before a 2 year old boy on a dirt floor!!!! men of their stature would do this only if they knew without a doubt this was the ancient of days born to be king of the jews . it is interesting to note that it was foreigners who understood the significance of the Lords birth and were a witness to this event but His own people were mostly clueless to this promised coming of their deliverer.
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Q5. (Luke 2:17-20) Great joy, praise, curiosity, amazement, telling others, thoughtful meditation. Which of these responses to the Good News are present in your life? In what manner do they show themselves? If some are missing, why? What can you do to recover these responses?
all these responses are present in my life at different points and depending on the situation one or another may be more evident joy is especially appreciated by others when circumstances are difficult and i am at peace and joyfull.i think great joy is a fruit of our new life in Christ.praise also is continually expresed in giving God the honor due Him because of who He is and all He does constantly am aware how much we have recieved from the Lord and praise and thanksgiving flow from my heart and mouth...i think we dont appreciate our Lord enogh for what He has accomplished for all men especially those who believe his message and recieve him. am always amazed at HIS great love and patience with us inspite of our faillings i am curious to see Him in all His glory and to learn more from His word for my knowledge of Him equips me to witness more effectively and increases my love for Him .you cant give what you dont have and to be filled by HIS Spirit causes an overflow to others . all these wonderfull benefits and promises of God i recieved though faith in JESUS that came by Gods grace aloneit amazes me constantly how much we are loved and thoughtful meditation comes while i study and when i pray and thats when i see were He wants me to surrender more and what He wants me to do with the time He has allowed me to have.sweet is the time we spend quiet before Him and waiting for His instruction . the only time i feel distant or cold is when i have sinned or become busy and dont consider Him as much. confession and repentance always reconnects me
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the titles given to Jesus by the angels where SAVIOR ; CHRIST ;and THE LORD SAVIOR-soter deliverer;preserver is used of God CHRIST-christos;anointed or messiah ...the one who by His Holy Spirit and power indwells believers and molds their character in conformity to his likeness the title without the article stresses His character and His relationship with believers LORD -kurios having power or authority ;master owner one to whom service is due on any ground ;one who posseses supreme authority. these titles therfore are a testimony to Jesus diety
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Q3. (Luke 2:7-8) Why do you think the message of Jesus' birth comes to shepherds, of all people? Why is Jesus born in a stable with a manger for a bed? This has to be intentional. What point is God making?
the birth of Jesus was announced in blazing glory by the heavenly hosts: the witnesses to this event were the shepherds and the announcement proclaimed the birth of a savior that was born to them . the shepherds were the lowest class of people during this time having a very bad reputation but God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things to make known His purpose to seek and save the lost to save us from our sins. the shepherds checked to see if the angels message was true and once they confirmed it was so they spread the good news Jesus being born in the most poor accomodations fit only for animals should make us consider that when He came it was with no royal privelages which would have been His right befitting His real status but as a servant and a sacrificial lamb to save us trom our sins when God proposes to do something He holds noyhing back. the gift of himself is a gift that witholds nothing He chose to humble himself to attain for us salvation
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Q2. Why do you think the journey to Bethlehem was difficult for Mary? Is pleasure an indication that we are in God's will or not? Any examples from your life? Extra Credit: Argue for or against this proposition: "Being a consistent Christian causes more hardships than just going with the flow."
the long journey was difficult even if not pregnant crude paths ,hills ,uncomfortable transportation ,add to that physicall difficulties of the last month of pregnancy back pain ,needing to urinate frequently, swollen feet .... to name a few ! also no family to help her during the delivery no comforts of home not knowing what would happen and how it would feel like to birth the child all these things must not have helped mary be relaxed and expectant of her adventure into motherhood. pleasure is not an indication we are in Gods will look at job, and the apostles they left everything eventually even giving up their very lives for following Jesus .although we may be required to give up a good job or health or possesions for the greater glory of knowing God in a manner made possible if he alone is our security and treasure He allows a peace that defies any human understanding to take hold of our heart and joy is present in any circumstance that we may face. He also provides the strength to overcome or to bear the trials. the Lord called me to ministry and before doing so he impressed this message: one day while i was in prayer He asked me to look outside my room and i did ,there i could see the city and further off the mountains and sea .He asked me to look inside my room and i saw the things i had surrounded myself with my "treasures" i was puzzled but said yes i did and asked Him why he made me check these things out. He then said to me all these things will be destroyed they will not last be carefull what you work for. Since then He has shown me He can prosper me if He so desires it for me but He can also cancel anything that pulls my heart away from Him. the question He always puts in front of me is do i prefer the things and benefits over having Him as what is of most excelent value . He wins every time because He holds my heart and loves me so. in 2timothy 2:10-12 paul puts it plainly and Jesus Himself said to his disciples "in this world you will have trouble but take heart I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD"john 16:33 ; 1 peter4:4; 19 ; 1peter 5:8-9
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Q1. (Luke 2:1-2) Why does Luke name the rulers in 2:1-2? What point is he making?
when luke named the rulers at the time of the census he places the birth of jesus on a historical reference point making sure all future generations would know when he was born giving irrefutable evidence that jesus did exist in history .during the time the gospel was written for sure this event was also fresh upon the minds of those who would read his chronicle of events of the birth and life of jesus
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Q5. (1:24-25) What does Joseph accepting Mary as his wife say about his character? What is the significance for prophetic fulfillment of Jesus as a Son of David that Joseph "named" the child "Jesus"?
joseph in taking mary as his wife proved he believed what the angel said about who it was she was carrying and he wanted to please God more than man by accepting the role set for him . i see him as compasionate ,just and obedient.after the reality of the situation was explained by the angel he accepted mary never judging her again. and in naming the child Jesus joseph accepted Jesus as his own son. becoming the legal father according to their law so effectively transfering his lineage which was of david to his legally adopted son Jesus. so the prophecy about the messsiah being of Davids line was fulfilled
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Q4. (Matthew 1:23) How did the prophetic concept of the virgin conception and the name "Immanuel" find their fullness in the birth of Jesus to Mary?
the sign would be that a virgin would be with child she would have a son and He would be called immanuel which means God with us this was foretold in isaiah 7: 14 in matthew 1:22 the angel who told joseph all this was to take place to fulfill what was said through the prophet Jesus was to be His name ( the Lord saves )the manner of His conception and His divine origin trully made Jesus Christ immanuel God with us once He was born through mary who was a virgin
Q7. Father, Into Your Hands I Commit My Spirit (Luke 23:46)
in Seven Last Words of Christ from the Cross
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