Old Testament
1. The duties of the Kohanites, Gershonites, Merarites.
- Moving the Tabernacle. Keep Holy thigs holy, keep the sacred things sacred.
- Don't touch the holy things if that's not your job. You will be put to death. (this comes up later in the OlD Testament)
- Ministry of work. Not for priestly duties, but to do the heavy lifting for God. Shouldn't more of us be doing this? Everyone wants to be in charge. Wants to be up front and acknowledged. Who is left to do the grunt work?
- This thought may apply more to the New Testament for us, but are we spending too much time and effort wearing the cross, and not so much on bearing the Cross?
2. Unclean things banned from the camp.
3. Protecting marital faithfulness.
- "The husband will be innocent of any guilt in this matter, but his wife will be held accountable for her sin."
- Doesn't say anything about the man being unfaithful???? We will have to wait and see if this gets addressed.
New Testament
4. The Sadducees approach Jesus. The scripture clearly says that hese religious leaders did not beleive in resurrection. Strange that they would ask about what happens after the resurrection.
- Jesus' answer is that our earthly concepts of marriage and intimacy will change, be washed away with our "old selves". That all of these pleasures will be shared with God.
5. Sadducees- definition- Sadducees rejected oral Torah (first 5 books of bible), and created new interpretations based on a literal understanding of verses. In their personal lives this often meant an excessively stringent lifestyle from a Jewish perspective. An example of this differing approach is the interpretation of, "an eye for an eye". The Jewish understanding for centuries was that the value of an eye was to be sought by the perpetrator rather than actually removing his eye too. In the Sadducees' view the law was to be taken literally, contrary to that traditional interpretation. From the point of view of the Pharisees, the Sadducees wished to change the Jewish understanding of the Torah.
6. The most important commandments...
- Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”
- Only two commandments to worry about. Love God with all your heart. Love your neighbors as yourself. You know, if we could embody these two rules and nothing else, all the other commandments, and in fact, all of life would fall into place.
- Unfortunately, we are not whole-hearted. Jesus came to heal the broken-hearted and to set the captive free. We are not whole-hearted and we are not free.
- Our hearts are divided. We try to serve too many gods. Money, our ego, our career, our children. Don't you know people who would at least say that they would sacrifice anything and everything for any one of these things. Well, if we think we can make such a huge sacrifice to get ahead in our workplace, why can't we use that same single-mindedness to get to God?
- And love your neighbor as yourself? What would happen if you just thought of this phrase every time you were about to open your mouth to make a smart remark about someone? Or to speak about someone else in a not-so-flattering way? Or to gossip? Or just think before you said anything..."What if someone else were saying this about me? How would it make me feel when I found out?"
- Feeling convicted yet?
- Our hearts are broken, and we are not free. That's what Jesus came for, and why He should be living in our hearts all the time.
7. The people like Jesus' teaching. That's a problem for the Pharisees, the Saducees and as we talked about yesterday, the Herodians.
Psalm
8. "O God, we meditate on your unfailing love.." Even the Old Testament tells us we should meditate on things.
Proverbs
9. "Lazy people irritate their employers..."
See you next post...
Showing posts with label Pharisees. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pharisees. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Numbers 2-3:51; Mark 11:27-12:17; Psalm 47:1-9; Proverbs 10:24-25 (New Living Translation)
Old testament
1. How to set up camp...around the Tabernacle.
2. How to organize the march.
3. Geneology of Aaron and Moses. Remember that Aaron had lsot 2 of his sons.
- The tribe of Levi will attend to the furnishings of the Tabernacle.
- The trobe of Levi will stand in for the firstborn of the Israelites who belong to God. They are consecrated by His destruction of the firstborn of the Egyptians.
- The Levite number 22,000. The real firstborn males of the Israelites number 22,273.
- The extra are redeemed with a set price of silver to be paid to the Tabernacle.
New Testament
4. Mark has already established a theme with his first two stories. How can it be that Israel's faith, rooted in God's Old Testament revelation, had become futile and empty? What was it that had distorted in practice the beauty of the faith God Himself had revealed?
5. Empty authority.
- The chief priests and religious teachers had never commissioned or recognized Jesus, So they liked to think that He spoke without any real religious authority. This despite the fact that Jesus did speak as a Man with authority, unlike their official leaders. Jesus question to them showed how empty their "authority" was. The obvious answer, to anyone who has spiritual authority is that John's baptism derived ultimately from God. So anyone who exercises authority must refer to God and God's will in making his decisions.
6. Misuse of authority. (Parable of the evil farmers)
- Jesus told the parable of the person who prepared the land and planted a vineyard. The leaders realize that Jesus has spoken this parable against them, and became even more determined to arrest Him. They had not used their authority as God's agenst to serve Him at all! They had misused their authority, seeking only their own benefit. Their fathers had been willing to kill God's servants, the prophets, and now this generation was eager to kill His only Son!
7. Hipocrisy.
- The Pharisees and Herodians came to try to trap Jesus. The Herodians were a political party that beleived in accommodation with the Romans. To them Jesus seemed a dangerous revolutionary. Both these groups, usually opposed to each other, feared Jesus and hated Him passionately. His answer to their trap: Let Caesar have his things, but give God your heart.
- There it is again...give God your heart!
Psalm
Proverbs
8. "The fears of the wicked will be fulfilled; the hopes of the godly will be granted."
9. "When the storms of life come, the wicked are whirled away, but the godly have a lasting foundation." A lasting foundation!
See you next post...
1. How to set up camp...around the Tabernacle.
2. How to organize the march.
3. Geneology of Aaron and Moses. Remember that Aaron had lsot 2 of his sons.
- The tribe of Levi will attend to the furnishings of the Tabernacle.
- The trobe of Levi will stand in for the firstborn of the Israelites who belong to God. They are consecrated by His destruction of the firstborn of the Egyptians.
- The Levite number 22,000. The real firstborn males of the Israelites number 22,273.
- The extra are redeemed with a set price of silver to be paid to the Tabernacle.
New Testament
4. Mark has already established a theme with his first two stories. How can it be that Israel's faith, rooted in God's Old Testament revelation, had become futile and empty? What was it that had distorted in practice the beauty of the faith God Himself had revealed?
5. Empty authority.
- The chief priests and religious teachers had never commissioned or recognized Jesus, So they liked to think that He spoke without any real religious authority. This despite the fact that Jesus did speak as a Man with authority, unlike their official leaders. Jesus question to them showed how empty their "authority" was. The obvious answer, to anyone who has spiritual authority is that John's baptism derived ultimately from God. So anyone who exercises authority must refer to God and God's will in making his decisions.
6. Misuse of authority. (Parable of the evil farmers)
- Jesus told the parable of the person who prepared the land and planted a vineyard. The leaders realize that Jesus has spoken this parable against them, and became even more determined to arrest Him. They had not used their authority as God's agenst to serve Him at all! They had misused their authority, seeking only their own benefit. Their fathers had been willing to kill God's servants, the prophets, and now this generation was eager to kill His only Son!
7. Hipocrisy.
- The Pharisees and Herodians came to try to trap Jesus. The Herodians were a political party that beleived in accommodation with the Romans. To them Jesus seemed a dangerous revolutionary. Both these groups, usually opposed to each other, feared Jesus and hated Him passionately. His answer to their trap: Let Caesar have his things, but give God your heart.
- There it is again...give God your heart!
Psalm
Proverbs
8. "The fears of the wicked will be fulfilled; the hopes of the godly will be granted."
9. "When the storms of life come, the wicked are whirled away, but the godly have a lasting foundation." A lasting foundation!
See you next post...
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Leviticus 19-20:21; Mark 8:11-38; Psalm 42:1-11; Proverbs 10:17 (New Living Translation)
Old Testament
1. "...You must be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy."
2. Respect for parents, Sabbath, the elderly.
3. Do not worship other idols. "I am the Lord your God."
4. The proper way to offer sacrifices.
5. Leaving food for the poor in the feilds...gleaning.
6. Do not steal or cheat.
7. Do not swear using the Lord's name.
8. Pay wages on time.
9. Do not pervert justice for the rich or poor.
10. Do not gossip.
11. "Do not nurse hatred in your heart..." Feeling convicted yet?
12. No cutting or tatooes.
13. Numerous ways not to have sex, again.
14. Don't offer your children to Molech. Molech (Moloch) is another name for Ba'al (Baal).
15. Avoid spiritual prostitution. You are set apart to be holy.
16. Punishments seem to come in two categories separation or death!
New testament
17. The Pharisees want to see miraculous signs.
18. The disciples lament, then argue that they have forgotten to bring food. Again.
- Jesus laments, the disciples aren't getting it. He has fed the 5,000 and the 4,000 with very little and had food left over.
- It's not about the signs or the food. It's about the hearts. All their hearts are hard. The Son of God is standing in their midst and they are asking for magic tricks.
19. Jesus heals the blind man. He does this in 2 steps. Perhaps demonstrating to the disciples that they too see incompletely. At least until they make that final leep of faith.
20. Jesus finally asks them, "Who do people say I am?"
- They give several answers, but Peter...you've got to love Peter...Peter replied, “You are the Messiah.”
21. Jesus predicts His death and resurrection. but again, the disciples don't want to hear this. Don't they know about the prophecies?
Psalm
22. "As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God."
23. "...But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me"
24. "Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again— my Savior and my God!"
Proverbs
25. Discipline gives life.
26. Quote- Some people regard discipline as a chore. For me, it is a kind of order that sets me free to fly- Julie Andrews
See you next post...
1. "...You must be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy."
2. Respect for parents, Sabbath, the elderly.
3. Do not worship other idols. "I am the Lord your God."
4. The proper way to offer sacrifices.
5. Leaving food for the poor in the feilds...gleaning.
6. Do not steal or cheat.
7. Do not swear using the Lord's name.
8. Pay wages on time.
9. Do not pervert justice for the rich or poor.
10. Do not gossip.
11. "Do not nurse hatred in your heart..." Feeling convicted yet?
12. No cutting or tatooes.
13. Numerous ways not to have sex, again.
14. Don't offer your children to Molech. Molech (Moloch) is another name for Ba'al (Baal).
15. Avoid spiritual prostitution. You are set apart to be holy.
16. Punishments seem to come in two categories separation or death!
New testament
17. The Pharisees want to see miraculous signs.
18. The disciples lament, then argue that they have forgotten to bring food. Again.
- Jesus laments, the disciples aren't getting it. He has fed the 5,000 and the 4,000 with very little and had food left over.
- It's not about the signs or the food. It's about the hearts. All their hearts are hard. The Son of God is standing in their midst and they are asking for magic tricks.
19. Jesus heals the blind man. He does this in 2 steps. Perhaps demonstrating to the disciples that they too see incompletely. At least until they make that final leep of faith.
20. Jesus finally asks them, "Who do people say I am?"
- They give several answers, but Peter...you've got to love Peter...Peter replied, “You are the Messiah.”
21. Jesus predicts His death and resurrection. but again, the disciples don't want to hear this. Don't they know about the prophecies?
Psalm
22. "As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God."
23. "...But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me"
24. "Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again— my Savior and my God!"
Proverbs
25. Discipline gives life.
26. Quote- Some people regard discipline as a chore. For me, it is a kind of order that sets me free to fly- Julie Andrews
See you next post...
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Leviticus 4-5:19; Mark 2:13-3:6; Psalm 36:1-12; Proverbs 10:1-2 (New Living Translation)
Old Testament
1. Procedures for sin offering. Sins of the priest, community, individuals. Inadvertant (unkown at the time of the sin)and intentional sins.
2. Procedures for guilt oferings- defiling sacred property of God, breaking God's commandments.
- The lesson here is that sins have to be paid for to be forgiven. We learned back in the story of Adam and Eve that blood and sacrifice were part of getting them back on track with God. Remember, they clothed themselves with fig leaves. When God showed up He clothed them with animal fur...where do you think He got it?
3. However, the real lesson here, especially for us Gentiles, is the need for a blood sacrifice to redeem us, and restore our relationship to God. And, as we will see in the new testament, in case you don't already know...that was Jesus! But we will come to this again later.
4. Yesterday the text alluded to the "salt of the covenent." Salt was mentioned again in church this morning, and I thought everyone may not understand the significance of salt.
- The role of salt in the Bible is relevant to understanding Hebrew society during the Old Testament and New Testament periods. Salt is a necessity of life and was a mineral that was used since ancient times in many cultures as a seasoning, a preservative, a disinfectant, a component of ceremonial offerings, and as a unit of exchange. The Bible contains numerous references to salt. Depending on where and how it is mentioned it is probably being used metaphorically (instead of another term or phrase.) It has been used to signify permanence, loyalty, durability, fidelity, usefulness, value, and purification.
- Old Testament: The Hebrew people harvested salt by pouring sea water into pits and letting the water evaporate until only salt was left. They used the mineral for seasoning and as a preservative. In addition, salt was used to disinfect wounds. Salt also had a significant place in Hebrew worship. Salt was included in the Levitical offerings. In Leviticus 2:13, God commanded that "every oblation of thy meat offering shalt thou season with salt; neither shalt thou suffer the salt of the covenant of thy God to be lacking from thy meat offering: with all thine offerings thou shalt offer salt."
- This is the Old Testament section, but the Salt and Light metaphors in the Sermon on the Mount include a direct reference to salt: "You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot." (Matthew 5:13). Similarly, in Mark 9:49-50, Jesus says that "Everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good, but if salt becomes insipid, with what will you restore its flavor? Keep salt in yourselves and you will have peace with one another." What is Jesus trying to say to us here? Perhaps Jesus is simply saying that everybody has inherent value. Keep God’s gift of inherent worth inside yourself (cherish God's gift) and you will have peace with one another.
- Jesus calls his disciples (and, perhaps, the crowds listening to the Sermon on the Mount), "the salt of the earth." He may be simply be referring to their role in purifying the world.
- In Roman times, salt was an important item of trade and was even used as money. Roman soldiers received part of their pay in salt. "Salt of the Earth" may, in this context, refer to the listeners' value.
- Enough about salt!
New Testament
5. Jesus calls Levi (Matthew), the tax collector. Jesus has dinner with tax collectors and known sinners. The annoys the Pharisees...Jesus points out to them that it is not well people who need a doctor, but the sick. Wow!
- What's wrong with tax collectors (in the bible)?. Tax collectors are mentioned many times in the Bible. They are generally described as being greedy, and taking more money than they are entitled to.
6. Then we have questions regarding fasting. Jesus' answer to this is that the disciples should not be fasting, but filling themslves while He is with them. They should be loading up on the knowlege (and words) that Jesus can give them. Not piously sitting in a corner waiting for someone or something to come along and enlightenment. The Enlightenment is standing right here in front of them!
7. Then we have the new cloth/old cloth and new wineskin/old wineskin examples. What I think Jesus is trying to say is, how can you take your new, open and enlightened mind and stuff it into an old way of thinking. These are ideas the scribes and Pharisees should have been teaching the people all along. Not just how to make all their appropriate sacrifices, and how to cross all the "t"s and dot all the "i"s to get into the kingdom of God...but how to treat, and especially love others. Not to put themselves first, as the Pharisees did, but to be humble, put others first. Not to fast for show, but to fast for God!
8. More about the law. He uses King David and the holy bread in the temple as a counter argument.
9. Jesus heals on the Sabbath. What was He thinking? He was thinking that we are here to do good always, even on the Sabbath; and to good to all people, even if they aren't members of our church.
10. The Pharisees have had enough. They get with supporters of Herod and plot to kill Jesus. Herod??? They must be desperate. Also remember that the Jews were subject to Roman rule. They could try Jesus all they wanted, but without the input from the Romans, they couldn't kill Him.
- Which Herod? Herod Antipas (20 BC-c. AD 40), tetrarch of Galilee and Peraea, who ordered John the Baptist's death and mocked Jesus.
11. Anyone trying to follow along, who hasn't done this before is probably thinking...this sounds like the last book we did, Matthew.
- These two books are part of what's called the synoptic gospels. This word is from Greek, "syn" (together) and "opsis" (seeing). The synoptic gospels are the first three gospels found in the New Testament- Matthew, Mark, and Luke. These gospels often recount the same stories about Jesus, generally follow the same sequence and use similar wording. These three books are contrasted with the gospel of John. The phrase was coined specifically to deal with analyzing and understanding the similarities and differences between the first three gospels.
Psalm
12. "Sin whispers to the wicked, deep within their hearts." What is it God is after? Our hearts.
13. "How precious is your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter
in the shadow of your wings." All humanity.....
Proverbs
14. "Tainted wealth has no lasting value, but right living can save your life." Save you from eternal separation...
Note- back at the beginning of today's reading there was a lot about sacrifice and blood. I tried to say along the way that this is a prelude to the perfect sacrifice that Christ made for us. Christ' sacrifice was required to cover our sins. Covering sin, as it turned was bloody, tedious, cumbersome and oppressive work.
- The crucifixion and death of Christ changed that! Remember what happened at the cross. Remember the sacrifice to end all sacrifices. The sacrifice to cover our sins. Christ came and shed His blood and became a sacrifice. This is why we wade through all that stuff at the beginning. That's why we need to know about sacrifices, and what they're for, and what they mean.
- This is the story of God and His relationship with people. And He sent His Son to restore that relationship!
See you next post...
1. Procedures for sin offering. Sins of the priest, community, individuals. Inadvertant (unkown at the time of the sin)and intentional sins.
2. Procedures for guilt oferings- defiling sacred property of God, breaking God's commandments.
- The lesson here is that sins have to be paid for to be forgiven. We learned back in the story of Adam and Eve that blood and sacrifice were part of getting them back on track with God. Remember, they clothed themselves with fig leaves. When God showed up He clothed them with animal fur...where do you think He got it?
3. However, the real lesson here, especially for us Gentiles, is the need for a blood sacrifice to redeem us, and restore our relationship to God. And, as we will see in the new testament, in case you don't already know...that was Jesus! But we will come to this again later.
4. Yesterday the text alluded to the "salt of the covenent." Salt was mentioned again in church this morning, and I thought everyone may not understand the significance of salt.
- The role of salt in the Bible is relevant to understanding Hebrew society during the Old Testament and New Testament periods. Salt is a necessity of life and was a mineral that was used since ancient times in many cultures as a seasoning, a preservative, a disinfectant, a component of ceremonial offerings, and as a unit of exchange. The Bible contains numerous references to salt. Depending on where and how it is mentioned it is probably being used metaphorically (instead of another term or phrase.) It has been used to signify permanence, loyalty, durability, fidelity, usefulness, value, and purification.
- Old Testament: The Hebrew people harvested salt by pouring sea water into pits and letting the water evaporate until only salt was left. They used the mineral for seasoning and as a preservative. In addition, salt was used to disinfect wounds. Salt also had a significant place in Hebrew worship. Salt was included in the Levitical offerings. In Leviticus 2:13, God commanded that "every oblation of thy meat offering shalt thou season with salt; neither shalt thou suffer the salt of the covenant of thy God to be lacking from thy meat offering: with all thine offerings thou shalt offer salt."
- This is the Old Testament section, but the Salt and Light metaphors in the Sermon on the Mount include a direct reference to salt: "You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot." (Matthew 5:13). Similarly, in Mark 9:49-50, Jesus says that "Everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good, but if salt becomes insipid, with what will you restore its flavor? Keep salt in yourselves and you will have peace with one another." What is Jesus trying to say to us here? Perhaps Jesus is simply saying that everybody has inherent value. Keep God’s gift of inherent worth inside yourself (cherish God's gift) and you will have peace with one another.
- Jesus calls his disciples (and, perhaps, the crowds listening to the Sermon on the Mount), "the salt of the earth." He may be simply be referring to their role in purifying the world.
- In Roman times, salt was an important item of trade and was even used as money. Roman soldiers received part of their pay in salt. "Salt of the Earth" may, in this context, refer to the listeners' value.
- Enough about salt!
New Testament
5. Jesus calls Levi (Matthew), the tax collector. Jesus has dinner with tax collectors and known sinners. The annoys the Pharisees...Jesus points out to them that it is not well people who need a doctor, but the sick. Wow!
- What's wrong with tax collectors (in the bible)?. Tax collectors are mentioned many times in the Bible. They are generally described as being greedy, and taking more money than they are entitled to.
6. Then we have questions regarding fasting. Jesus' answer to this is that the disciples should not be fasting, but filling themslves while He is with them. They should be loading up on the knowlege (and words) that Jesus can give them. Not piously sitting in a corner waiting for someone or something to come along and enlightenment. The Enlightenment is standing right here in front of them!
7. Then we have the new cloth/old cloth and new wineskin/old wineskin examples. What I think Jesus is trying to say is, how can you take your new, open and enlightened mind and stuff it into an old way of thinking. These are ideas the scribes and Pharisees should have been teaching the people all along. Not just how to make all their appropriate sacrifices, and how to cross all the "t"s and dot all the "i"s to get into the kingdom of God...but how to treat, and especially love others. Not to put themselves first, as the Pharisees did, but to be humble, put others first. Not to fast for show, but to fast for God!
8. More about the law. He uses King David and the holy bread in the temple as a counter argument.
9. Jesus heals on the Sabbath. What was He thinking? He was thinking that we are here to do good always, even on the Sabbath; and to good to all people, even if they aren't members of our church.
10. The Pharisees have had enough. They get with supporters of Herod and plot to kill Jesus. Herod??? They must be desperate. Also remember that the Jews were subject to Roman rule. They could try Jesus all they wanted, but without the input from the Romans, they couldn't kill Him.
- Which Herod? Herod Antipas (20 BC-c. AD 40), tetrarch of Galilee and Peraea, who ordered John the Baptist's death and mocked Jesus.
11. Anyone trying to follow along, who hasn't done this before is probably thinking...this sounds like the last book we did, Matthew.
- These two books are part of what's called the synoptic gospels. This word is from Greek, "syn" (together) and "opsis" (seeing). The synoptic gospels are the first three gospels found in the New Testament- Matthew, Mark, and Luke. These gospels often recount the same stories about Jesus, generally follow the same sequence and use similar wording. These three books are contrasted with the gospel of John. The phrase was coined specifically to deal with analyzing and understanding the similarities and differences between the first three gospels.
Psalm
12. "Sin whispers to the wicked, deep within their hearts." What is it God is after? Our hearts.
13. "How precious is your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter
in the shadow of your wings." All humanity.....
Proverbs
14. "Tainted wealth has no lasting value, but right living can save your life." Save you from eternal separation...
Note- back at the beginning of today's reading there was a lot about sacrifice and blood. I tried to say along the way that this is a prelude to the perfect sacrifice that Christ made for us. Christ' sacrifice was required to cover our sins. Covering sin, as it turned was bloody, tedious, cumbersome and oppressive work.
- The crucifixion and death of Christ changed that! Remember what happened at the cross. Remember the sacrifice to end all sacrifices. The sacrifice to cover our sins. Christ came and shed His blood and became a sacrifice. This is why we wade through all that stuff at the beginning. That's why we need to know about sacrifices, and what they're for, and what they mean.
- This is the story of God and His relationship with people. And He sent His Son to restore that relationship!
See you next post...
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Exodus 35:10-36:38; Matthew 27:32-66; Psalm 34:1-10; Proverbs 9:7-8 (New Living Translation)
Old testament
1. More instructions regarding the Ark of the Testimony and the Tabernacle. And, if you read carefully, it sounds as thogh eveyone contributed either in mateials or deed.
2. God has gifted certain craftsmen with the skills they need to perform their tasks. We will cover it in more detail later in the New Testament, but God gives us all specific skills or gifts. The Lord, I think, is generous in His gifting, but none of us has all gifts and talents at our disposal!
3. If you are interested in reading about spiritual gifts, see 1 Corithians 12 (in the New Teastament). It clearly says that we are given these gifts for the common good. Not our own good or our own knowledge, or so we can show off...but for the common good.
Read the whole chapter, it gives a wonderful illustration using bodily senses.
Examples of spiritual gifts:
- utterance of wisdom
- utterance of knowledge
- faith
- gifts of healing
- working of miracles
- prophecy
- discernment
- tongues
And all of these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses! ...as the Spirit chooses!
In plain English, some of us can lead, or preach, or sing, or prophecy, or even
discern...but I don't think there is anyone who can do all of these things exceptionally well. Now, being human, many of us think we can do it all...but we are commanded to do as the Lord has gifted.
3. The people give and give, and it's too much for the craftsmen to use. Moses must restrain the people from bringing things.
- When is the last time you heard that from your church or your favorite TV ministry...stop bringing / giving / sending in money, we have too much?
- This leads me to a random thought about tithing. Tithe in it's purest sense means 1/10th, or 10%. Tithes are to be given, I believe, as thanks to God, for what He has given us. For all He does for us. For all we take for granted. And what do we have that has not come from God?
- I think many people misunderstand tithing and give out of a place of fear. The fear is that God won't keep giving them what they want, won't keep giving what they have asked for, or take something away from them. The fear that people wround them will think less of them.
- Or worse, they confuse it with a membership fee.
- We tithe as thanks, not as obligation or duty. As a covenant with God...not with other men. We strive to help those places and organizations which feed us spiritually. And that is why we go to service, isn't it. To be fed and replenished, so that we can go back out and help feed a hungry world?
- How many of you know people who go to church every Sunday, pay their tithes or dues, and get back to everyday life as soon as the service is over. Sunday worship is just a bump in the road of a very busy life...well, it shouldn't be.
- I am not saying that you should or shouldn't tithe. You should know what it is and understand why you do it. Anyway, back to today's text.
4. Instructions for the Tent of the Meeting.
New testament
5. Simon of Cyrene was the person compelled by the Romans to carry the cross of Jesus as Jesus was taken to his crucifixion at Golgotha.
6. The soldiers give Him gall to drink. Actually some of the other gospels much more clearly say that on arrival at Golgotha, Jesus was offered wine laced with myrrh to lessen the pain, but he refused it.
7. Jesus is crucified...His crime,"King of the Jews"
8. Two theives were crucified also.
9. Look carefully at the passage, verse 43. When the leading priests say, " He trusted God, so let God rescue him now if he wants him! For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” ... These are the chief priests talking, the leaders of the people. His crime, in their minds does not seem that He proclaimed that He was King of the Jews...but that He trusted God, and God did not act in a way the priests deemed appropriate.
10. The prayer that Jesus says can be found in Psalm 22:1. We talked about this particular Psalm briefly in January.
11. As Jesus dies, the veil is torn.
- Looking back at Exodus, this is the veil outside "The holiest of holy" place. Here only the high priest can go to offer atonement for the sins of the people. He can only go once a year, and has to waer a bell and rope, so God doesn't carry him away.
12. The soldiers belive that this was the Son of God.
13. Joseph of Arimethea claims the body and puts it in his tomb.
14. The Pharisees obtain a Roman guard so that the disciples don't steal the body to try to fool everyone about the resurrection. Who is the fool?
Psalm
15. "I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises." That wouldn't leave a lot of room for what uasually comes out of our mouths. Hmmm....
16. "I will boast only in the Lord"...Only in the Lord, from which comes all my help and hope.
17. "I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears."
- There's a lyric by Selah, that says, " God will take away all your pain, IF you choose to let them go."
Proverbs
18. "But correct the wise, and they will love you."
- Perhaps we should check our reaction when someone tries to correct us. Or when we do it to others. Is our correction factual? Is it in love?
See you next post...
1. More instructions regarding the Ark of the Testimony and the Tabernacle. And, if you read carefully, it sounds as thogh eveyone contributed either in mateials or deed.
2. God has gifted certain craftsmen with the skills they need to perform their tasks. We will cover it in more detail later in the New Testament, but God gives us all specific skills or gifts. The Lord, I think, is generous in His gifting, but none of us has all gifts and talents at our disposal!
3. If you are interested in reading about spiritual gifts, see 1 Corithians 12 (in the New Teastament). It clearly says that we are given these gifts for the common good. Not our own good or our own knowledge, or so we can show off...but for the common good.
Read the whole chapter, it gives a wonderful illustration using bodily senses.
Examples of spiritual gifts:
- utterance of wisdom
- utterance of knowledge
- faith
- gifts of healing
- working of miracles
- prophecy
- discernment
- tongues
And all of these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses! ...as the Spirit chooses!
In plain English, some of us can lead, or preach, or sing, or prophecy, or even
discern...but I don't think there is anyone who can do all of these things exceptionally well. Now, being human, many of us think we can do it all...but we are commanded to do as the Lord has gifted.
3. The people give and give, and it's too much for the craftsmen to use. Moses must restrain the people from bringing things.
- When is the last time you heard that from your church or your favorite TV ministry...stop bringing / giving / sending in money, we have too much?
- This leads me to a random thought about tithing. Tithe in it's purest sense means 1/10th, or 10%. Tithes are to be given, I believe, as thanks to God, for what He has given us. For all He does for us. For all we take for granted. And what do we have that has not come from God?
- I think many people misunderstand tithing and give out of a place of fear. The fear is that God won't keep giving them what they want, won't keep giving what they have asked for, or take something away from them. The fear that people wround them will think less of them.
- Or worse, they confuse it with a membership fee.
- We tithe as thanks, not as obligation or duty. As a covenant with God...not with other men. We strive to help those places and organizations which feed us spiritually. And that is why we go to service, isn't it. To be fed and replenished, so that we can go back out and help feed a hungry world?
- How many of you know people who go to church every Sunday, pay their tithes or dues, and get back to everyday life as soon as the service is over. Sunday worship is just a bump in the road of a very busy life...well, it shouldn't be.
- I am not saying that you should or shouldn't tithe. You should know what it is and understand why you do it. Anyway, back to today's text.
4. Instructions for the Tent of the Meeting.
New testament
5. Simon of Cyrene was the person compelled by the Romans to carry the cross of Jesus as Jesus was taken to his crucifixion at Golgotha.
6. The soldiers give Him gall to drink. Actually some of the other gospels much more clearly say that on arrival at Golgotha, Jesus was offered wine laced with myrrh to lessen the pain, but he refused it.
7. Jesus is crucified...His crime,"King of the Jews"
8. Two theives were crucified also.
9. Look carefully at the passage, verse 43. When the leading priests say, " He trusted God, so let God rescue him now if he wants him! For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” ... These are the chief priests talking, the leaders of the people. His crime, in their minds does not seem that He proclaimed that He was King of the Jews...but that He trusted God, and God did not act in a way the priests deemed appropriate.
10. The prayer that Jesus says can be found in Psalm 22:1. We talked about this particular Psalm briefly in January.
11. As Jesus dies, the veil is torn.
- Looking back at Exodus, this is the veil outside "The holiest of holy" place. Here only the high priest can go to offer atonement for the sins of the people. He can only go once a year, and has to waer a bell and rope, so God doesn't carry him away.
12. The soldiers belive that this was the Son of God.
13. Joseph of Arimethea claims the body and puts it in his tomb.
14. The Pharisees obtain a Roman guard so that the disciples don't steal the body to try to fool everyone about the resurrection. Who is the fool?
Psalm
15. "I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises." That wouldn't leave a lot of room for what uasually comes out of our mouths. Hmmm....
16. "I will boast only in the Lord"...Only in the Lord, from which comes all my help and hope.
17. "I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears."
- There's a lyric by Selah, that says, " God will take away all your pain, IF you choose to let them go."
Proverbs
18. "But correct the wise, and they will love you."
- Perhaps we should check our reaction when someone tries to correct us. Or when we do it to others. Is our correction factual? Is it in love?
See you next post...
Monday, February 4, 2008
Exodus 19:16-21:21; Matthew 23:13-39; Psalm 28:1-9; Proverbs 7:1-5 (New Living Translation)
Old Testament Text
1. The people are asked once again to purify themselves.
2. The giving of the Ten Commandments. These are actually some pretty simple and straightforward rules to live by.
-Honor God above all else. How easy to say, and how difficult to do. We put so many other things ahead of God. Our jobs, our money, ourselves, and even our children.
- Rest, and keep the Sabbath set aside for the Lord.
- Honor your parents.
- Don't covet- things, people, other peoples possessions.
-Don't steal.
- Don't lie.
3. Fair treatment of slaves.
New Testament text
4. Jesus' ongoing discussion with the Pharisees. He calls them hypocrites. Much of what they do is for show. I am moved by the passage about tithing the tiniest portion from herb gardens- but not justice, mercy and faith.
Many Christians today are accused of being hypocrites. I think this ia true because we are frequently blided by our "religious" rules and regulations. And we forget that we are dealing with other frail human beings. People who would benefit from a little love and grace. Perhaps they just aren't as well put together as we think we are. Perhaps they are.
Jesus says the Ten Commandments, all the Mosaic teachings boil down to 2 things
- Love God, above all
- Love your neighbor as yourself.
Psalm
5. "The Lord is my strength and sheild...I burst out in songs of thanksgiving"
Poverbs
6. Keep wisdom and insight close
1. The people are asked once again to purify themselves.
2. The giving of the Ten Commandments. These are actually some pretty simple and straightforward rules to live by.
-Honor God above all else. How easy to say, and how difficult to do. We put so many other things ahead of God. Our jobs, our money, ourselves, and even our children.
- Rest, and keep the Sabbath set aside for the Lord.
- Honor your parents.
- Don't covet- things, people, other peoples possessions.
-Don't steal.
- Don't lie.
3. Fair treatment of slaves.
New Testament text
4. Jesus' ongoing discussion with the Pharisees. He calls them hypocrites. Much of what they do is for show. I am moved by the passage about tithing the tiniest portion from herb gardens- but not justice, mercy and faith.
Many Christians today are accused of being hypocrites. I think this ia true because we are frequently blided by our "religious" rules and regulations. And we forget that we are dealing with other frail human beings. People who would benefit from a little love and grace. Perhaps they just aren't as well put together as we think we are. Perhaps they are.
Jesus says the Ten Commandments, all the Mosaic teachings boil down to 2 things
- Love God, above all
- Love your neighbor as yourself.
Psalm
5. "The Lord is my strength and sheild...I burst out in songs of thanksgiving"
Poverbs
6. Keep wisdom and insight close
Friday, February 1, 2008
Exodus 13:17-15:18; Matthew 21:23-46; Psalm 26:1-12; Proverbs 6:16-19 (New Living Translation)
Didn't post yesterday, too tired. So I'll try to make up for it tonight by doing both nights together...
Old Testament text
1. The final stroke against Egypt was the death of each firstborn.
2. Moses moves the Israelites to a hurried preparation. They were told to ask for gold and jewels from the Egyptians. The Lord would move their masters to give. The Israelites were to pack and prepare for a sudden departure. The bread was not to be mixed with yeast- there would be no time for it to rise. A young, unblemished lamb was to be taken into each household. The family was to eat the lamb, taking care not to break any bones. This ceremony is called the "Passover."
3. This is called the Passover because on the night the lamb was slain, God's death angel would move through Egypt. The firstborn of every family would die.Yet the death angel would pass over homes protected by the blood of the lamb.
4. The full significance of this event waited until the coming of Christ. His death on Calvary took place as the lamb of God.
5. God did not lead the Israelites out by a direct route. They needed time to trust God, time to become organized.
6. It was at the "sea of reeds" that the Isrealites realized that the Egyptians were pursuing them. Pharaoh and the Egytian people recovered quickly. The Pharaoh forgot God. But so had the Israelites. They complained bitterly to Moses. Moses' response is an excellent watchword for us today..."Stand still, and watch God deliver you."
7. The Egytians were destroyed.
New Testament text
8. This section begins with Passover week, a few short days before the Crucifixion. There are merchants in the section of the temple reserved for prayer. The preists were selling "approved" lambs and pigeons. Jesus healed the blind and lame brought to Him. The crowds shouted, "Hosanna." The chief proests and scribes saw theses miracles and their hearts were hardened.
9. On His way back to Jerusalem Jesus appraches a fig tree, as if to pluck some fruit for breakfast. The the foliage is luxuriant, there was no fruit. The fig tree of Israel which appeared to be fruitful, was not. It was to wither away, its fruitlessness exposed.
10. What was wrong with the scribes and Pharisees?
- they were empty of authority
- they were untouched by the evidence of transformed (changed) lives, because they didn't care about people.
- their desire was for personal power
- they acted only to be seen and admired by others
- they preached but they did not practice
See you next post...
Old Testament text
1. The final stroke against Egypt was the death of each firstborn.
2. Moses moves the Israelites to a hurried preparation. They were told to ask for gold and jewels from the Egyptians. The Lord would move their masters to give. The Israelites were to pack and prepare for a sudden departure. The bread was not to be mixed with yeast- there would be no time for it to rise. A young, unblemished lamb was to be taken into each household. The family was to eat the lamb, taking care not to break any bones. This ceremony is called the "Passover."
3. This is called the Passover because on the night the lamb was slain, God's death angel would move through Egypt. The firstborn of every family would die.Yet the death angel would pass over homes protected by the blood of the lamb.
4. The full significance of this event waited until the coming of Christ. His death on Calvary took place as the lamb of God.
5. God did not lead the Israelites out by a direct route. They needed time to trust God, time to become organized.
6. It was at the "sea of reeds" that the Isrealites realized that the Egyptians were pursuing them. Pharaoh and the Egytian people recovered quickly. The Pharaoh forgot God. But so had the Israelites. They complained bitterly to Moses. Moses' response is an excellent watchword for us today..."Stand still, and watch God deliver you."
7. The Egytians were destroyed.
New Testament text
8. This section begins with Passover week, a few short days before the Crucifixion. There are merchants in the section of the temple reserved for prayer. The preists were selling "approved" lambs and pigeons. Jesus healed the blind and lame brought to Him. The crowds shouted, "Hosanna." The chief proests and scribes saw theses miracles and their hearts were hardened.
9. On His way back to Jerusalem Jesus appraches a fig tree, as if to pluck some fruit for breakfast. The the foliage is luxuriant, there was no fruit. The fig tree of Israel which appeared to be fruitful, was not. It was to wither away, its fruitlessness exposed.
10. What was wrong with the scribes and Pharisees?
- they were empty of authority
- they were untouched by the evidence of transformed (changed) lives, because they didn't care about people.
- their desire was for personal power
- they acted only to be seen and admired by others
- they preached but they did not practice
See you next post...
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