II Corinthians 5:7 - for we walk by faith, not by sight. What does that mean?
Define faith - (Hebrews 11: 1) the assurance (literal translation of the word assurance is “substance”) of things hoped for; the evidence/certainty/conviction of things not seen. Paraphrase - Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Define doubt - NOT being sure of what we hope for and Uncertain of what we do not see.
Example of difference between the two - Kid stuck in a tree. Father is below telling kid to jump, I’ll catch you. Father tells kid to close his eyes and jump.Read Matt. 14:22-33. Explain what’s going on.
Jesus had finished teaching the crowds. He sent the disciples on ahead to Bethsaida by boat while He sent the people on their way home. That evening Jesus decided to spend some quality time with the Father. He went by himself to a mountain to pray. Meanwhile, the disciples are on the Sea of Galilee. They’re having a hard time of it. The wind is blowing real hard kicking up huge waves. The boat is being tossed around like a ping pong ball. And it’s pitch black dark. After midnight. Sometime between 3 AM and 6AM one of the disciples sees something out on the water. He’s like “Nah, it can’t be anything.” This something is coming closer. Other disciples see what looks to be a person. But it can’t be, a person can’t walk on water. Therefore, it must be what? A g-g-g-g-ghost! The disciples proceed to freak out. Screaming at the top of their lungs. Quickly they heard a voice from the “ghost” cry out, “Be brave! It’s me, don’t be afraid!”
1. Why do you think Jesus was walking on the water? Did he need to stretch his legs after praying most of the night? He probably wants to help his boys out. May have saw them from the mtn. Having a hard time getting across the sea. Wanted to give them comfort. Help them to get through the storm. Or test their faith.
2. Why didn’t Jesus identify Himself to the disciples? Instead of saying “it is I,” why didn’t He say “it is I, Jesus!”? Test of faith. See Mark 6:52 Insight about what? Faith in Jesus to handle any situation no matter how dire the circumstance. However, there was one disciple who seemed up to the challenge.
3. vs. 28. Which disciple spoke up? Peter. What did the disciple say? Lord, if it's you, tell me to come to you on the water. What was Jesus’ response? Come on
4. vs. 29 What does Peter do? Steps out of the boat. One foot at a time, he started walking towards Jesus. Give Peter his props. With waves still crashing against the boat and wind howling, Peter stepped out. The other 11 were still freaking out. Why do you think he did this? What insight do you get into Peter’s character/himself? Courage, willingness to take risks. Characteristics Jesus saw in Peter that made him the Rock. Characteristics Peter didn’t know he had in himself. Jesus was bringing them to the forefront here on a stormy sea.
4. How does Peter illustrate the definition of faith?
What was Peter’s hope? The voice crying out to him was Jesus. Was he sure of that hope? Did his hope have substance? Did he have assurance? Yes. His hope was that the person telling Him to come was his Master and not a ghost. Otherwise he would never gotten out of the boat in the middle of a storm. Was Peter able to clearly see Jesus? No. It was pitch black dark. All he had to go on was a voice. Despite that, Peter was certain of what he did not see.
What do you think the other guys in the boat were saying to Peter as he was about to step out onto the stormy waves? Probably trying to pull him back into the boat. “Are you
nuts? You can’t walk on water! You’re going to drown. Look at those waves! Even if you could, that’s not the Master! It’s an evil spirit, a demon. He’s going to kill you!” The other guys, his own brother Andrew, are doing everything they can to keep Peter in the boat. They thought the safest place to be was in a boat being tossed around by waves and wind, not with Jesus. (Place you think is safe may not be.) What does Peter do? Gets out of the boat and starts walking towards Jesus. Is the storm still blowing? Yes. No “peace be still” moment. Peter’s focus is on making it to Jesus. Storm not an issue. As a consequence Peter found himself walking on water.
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
We live in a chaotic world. Days of uncertainties. They instill terror, fear, worry, anxiety in our hearts. We can be like a boat on stormy waves being battered. In the midst of this chaos and uncertainties, you here a still small voice say “Be brave. It’s me, don’t be afraid! Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest. Come to where I am.” What is your response? With whom do you identify? The eleven who stayed in a boat that was being tossed around by the waves? Or with Peter who got out of the boat and walked into the teeth of the storm to get to where Jesus was?
Let’s say your like Peter. The voice you hear is the unmistakable voice of Jesus. In order to get to him, you have to get out of the boat and walk through the chaos and uncertainties of life and all the fear, worry, and anxiety it creates. You have to shut out the cries of other people in the boat (family, friends, co-workers) telling you to stay in the boat. Going to Jesus is too risky, is crazy, is insane, is foolish, is irresponsible, etc. What does it take to get out of the boat? FAITH. Nothing or no one is going to keep you from walking to Jesus. You get out of the boat and start walking to where you heard the voice of Jesus - one step at a time. The chaos and uncertainties of this world are still blowing, but they are not an issue. You are completely focused on Jesus. As a consequence, you find yourself, like Peter, walking on water.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Walking With Peter: Second Encounter
1. a) If Jesus was standing in front of you and looked at you, what would He see?
Physical appearance? Greg Crawford - 30 lbs. overweight, receding hairline, arthritic knees, can’t run more than a minute without gasping for breath? Jesus - Nope! Can’t use you.
Bank account? Archivist. Middle class professional job. Jesus - Can’t use you. Don’t make enough coin.
Your faults/weaknesses? Greg, you got issues. You’re introverted. Lead a dull, boring life. Can’t use you.
Your heart? Sees a heart passionate for Him. Totally in love with Him. Desire to have an on-going relationship with Him. Also sees potential. Sees that Greg has unique qualities/gifts/talents to serve. Qualities/gifts/talents that He created in me and in you so that we can serve Him in our unique way. Jesus - I can use you!
b) Do you see in yourself what He sees? Or are all you see are the first three?
Personal testimony - A while back, God looked deep into my heart. Saw potential in me to be a servant of His. He saw that I had the knowledge/gift/skill to be a teacher. I was like, Whoa!, wait a minute. At the time, I was a major introvert. Didn’t like crowds. Didn’t go out of my way to talk to people. I sure didn’t like standing in front of people where everybody’s eyes were on me. When I did, I’d get these tics. It took some convincing by the Holy Spirit and peer pressure, but I gave in. Taught Sunday School class. It was great!. No nervousness. No tics. It was if as I had been doing it for years. God taught me something about the areas of my life that I considered to be weaknesses/faults (my personality). Where I am weak, He makes me strong. Point out Apostle Paul. In Corinthians 12, Paul refers to a thorn in His that he perceived to be a weakness. It made life difficult and Paul wanted God to remove it. God refused to remove the thorn/weakness. Why? What kind of person would we be if we had no weaknesses? Prideful, arrogant, egotistical. We would no longer need God. God’s response to Paul. II Corinth. 12:9 - My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Another way of saying it - Don’t worry about your weakness, I got your slack! I’m still somewhat introverted. I’m still not crazy about standing up in front of people and talking. It’s still a weakness. But when the opportunity arises for me to speak God’s Word … God’s strength takes over my weakness. Like spinach to Popeye. Anyone with a similar testimony?
Read I Corinthians 1:25-31. Who did Jesus call to be his disciples? The most educated men of the age? Wealthiest? The mightiest? Who did He choose to be the first leader of His Church? Peter - an uneducated, smelly, muddy fisherman who had a quick temper and a quick tongue. Peter had weaknesses. Jesus knew they were there. Now if Peter would only trust Jesus, he could overcome those weaknesses and be the Rock Christ saw him to be. But first, Peter had to follow Jesus. After their first encounter, I don’t think Peter is convinced enough to be a follower of Jesus. I don’t think he was convinced that Jesus was the Messiah or that he himself was a “rock.” Peter went back to fishing. Turn to Luke and you’ll see.
Read Luke 5:1-11
2. Jesus was preaching the Word of God to the people along the lake of Gennaseret. He saw two boats and fishermen cleaning their nets. Jesus stepped into one of the boats. Whose boat did he get into? Simon’s. Coincidence? Evidence of Jesus’ persistence. Doesn’t take no for answer very easily. Ask Moses, Gideon, Jeremiah, Jonah.
Simon heard Jesus’ teaching probably for the first time. He heard Jesus teach the Gospel – repentance from sins and what the kingdom of heaven was really like.
3. After speaking to the people from Simon’s boat, what did Jesus tell Simon to do? Go out to deep water, put out your nets, and catch some fish. What was Simon’s response? We’ve been trying all night and haven’t caught a single fish, but because you say so we’ll try one more time. How would you characterize His response? What happened next? Simon caught so many fish it took two boats to bring them in. The weight of the fish began to sink the boats.
4. Verse 8. What did Simon say to Jesus? Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man
Why did he say this? Expressed respect for Jesus. He acknowledged Jesus has his superior/master. Simon also acknowledged that there was something special about Jesus. Something different. Something he may/may not have picked up on the first time they met but now was confirmed to be true. It took a miracle to convince Simon that Jesus was more than your average man.
How did Simon see himself? He saw his weakness. He was not a rock. He was a dirty, rotten sinner not fit to be in the same universe as Jesus. Simon pleaded with Jesus to leave because He should have nothing to do with someone as despicable as him. Was what Simon said about himself true? Yes. In acknowledging that he was a sinner, Simon had taken his first step in starting a relationship with Christ/becoming a follower of Christ.
5. What was Jesus’ response to Simon’s words? You’re right Simon. You are a filthy, degenerate sinner. You are not good enough/holy enough to be one of my followers. And walked away. No … Jesus picked Simon up, looked him in the eye and said “Don’t be afraid …” Jesus gave Simon assurance. I’m not going to strike you down. He also gave Simon a new purpose in life
How did Jesus see Simon? Jesus looked beyond Simon’s faults/weaknesses, looked into his heart, and saw a fisher of men - “from now on you will catch men.”
What did Simon do next? Dropped his nets along with James and John, left everything, and followed Jesus. What does everything mean? They left their jobs and families. See Mark 1:19-20.
Application:
1) Do not allow what you perceive to be weaknesses/shortcomings to become obstacles in you serving God. Pray that God will replace your weaknesses/shortcomings with His strength.
2) Know that God does not judge us on the basis of our appearance, personality, wealth, talents, skills, etc. He looks at the heart. Ex. Lottie Moon – weaknesses single, female, full height of 4 feet 3 inches, racism. She became the patron saint of Southern Baptist missions. What does He see when He look in your heart? Do you see what He sees?
3) If you do not know who Jesus REALLY is, do so now. Pray, study the Scriptures, talk to someone who does know Him. Like Peter, you will be amazed and humbled at what you discover about Jesus … and about yourself - both good and bad. When Peter first met Jesus, he didn’t know for certain who Jesus REALLY was. During their second encounter, Peter got a good idea who Jesus really was. Over the next three years, as Peter developed a relationship with Jesus, he learned more about Christ … and about himself - both good and bad.
Physical appearance? Greg Crawford - 30 lbs. overweight, receding hairline, arthritic knees, can’t run more than a minute without gasping for breath? Jesus - Nope! Can’t use you.
Bank account? Archivist. Middle class professional job. Jesus - Can’t use you. Don’t make enough coin.
Your faults/weaknesses? Greg, you got issues. You’re introverted. Lead a dull, boring life. Can’t use you.
Your heart? Sees a heart passionate for Him. Totally in love with Him. Desire to have an on-going relationship with Him. Also sees potential. Sees that Greg has unique qualities/gifts/talents to serve. Qualities/gifts/talents that He created in me and in you so that we can serve Him in our unique way. Jesus - I can use you!
b) Do you see in yourself what He sees? Or are all you see are the first three?
Personal testimony - A while back, God looked deep into my heart. Saw potential in me to be a servant of His. He saw that I had the knowledge/gift/skill to be a teacher. I was like, Whoa!, wait a minute. At the time, I was a major introvert. Didn’t like crowds. Didn’t go out of my way to talk to people. I sure didn’t like standing in front of people where everybody’s eyes were on me. When I did, I’d get these tics. It took some convincing by the Holy Spirit and peer pressure, but I gave in. Taught Sunday School class. It was great!. No nervousness. No tics. It was if as I had been doing it for years. God taught me something about the areas of my life that I considered to be weaknesses/faults (my personality). Where I am weak, He makes me strong. Point out Apostle Paul. In Corinthians 12, Paul refers to a thorn in His that he perceived to be a weakness. It made life difficult and Paul wanted God to remove it. God refused to remove the thorn/weakness. Why? What kind of person would we be if we had no weaknesses? Prideful, arrogant, egotistical. We would no longer need God. God’s response to Paul. II Corinth. 12:9 - My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Another way of saying it - Don’t worry about your weakness, I got your slack! I’m still somewhat introverted. I’m still not crazy about standing up in front of people and talking. It’s still a weakness. But when the opportunity arises for me to speak God’s Word … God’s strength takes over my weakness. Like spinach to Popeye. Anyone with a similar testimony?
Read I Corinthians 1:25-31. Who did Jesus call to be his disciples? The most educated men of the age? Wealthiest? The mightiest? Who did He choose to be the first leader of His Church? Peter - an uneducated, smelly, muddy fisherman who had a quick temper and a quick tongue. Peter had weaknesses. Jesus knew they were there. Now if Peter would only trust Jesus, he could overcome those weaknesses and be the Rock Christ saw him to be. But first, Peter had to follow Jesus. After their first encounter, I don’t think Peter is convinced enough to be a follower of Jesus. I don’t think he was convinced that Jesus was the Messiah or that he himself was a “rock.” Peter went back to fishing. Turn to Luke and you’ll see.
Read Luke 5:1-11
2. Jesus was preaching the Word of God to the people along the lake of Gennaseret. He saw two boats and fishermen cleaning their nets. Jesus stepped into one of the boats. Whose boat did he get into? Simon’s. Coincidence? Evidence of Jesus’ persistence. Doesn’t take no for answer very easily. Ask Moses, Gideon, Jeremiah, Jonah.
Simon heard Jesus’ teaching probably for the first time. He heard Jesus teach the Gospel – repentance from sins and what the kingdom of heaven was really like.
3. After speaking to the people from Simon’s boat, what did Jesus tell Simon to do? Go out to deep water, put out your nets, and catch some fish. What was Simon’s response? We’ve been trying all night and haven’t caught a single fish, but because you say so we’ll try one more time. How would you characterize His response? What happened next? Simon caught so many fish it took two boats to bring them in. The weight of the fish began to sink the boats.
4. Verse 8. What did Simon say to Jesus? Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man
Why did he say this? Expressed respect for Jesus. He acknowledged Jesus has his superior/master. Simon also acknowledged that there was something special about Jesus. Something different. Something he may/may not have picked up on the first time they met but now was confirmed to be true. It took a miracle to convince Simon that Jesus was more than your average man.
How did Simon see himself? He saw his weakness. He was not a rock. He was a dirty, rotten sinner not fit to be in the same universe as Jesus. Simon pleaded with Jesus to leave because He should have nothing to do with someone as despicable as him. Was what Simon said about himself true? Yes. In acknowledging that he was a sinner, Simon had taken his first step in starting a relationship with Christ/becoming a follower of Christ.
5. What was Jesus’ response to Simon’s words? You’re right Simon. You are a filthy, degenerate sinner. You are not good enough/holy enough to be one of my followers. And walked away. No … Jesus picked Simon up, looked him in the eye and said “Don’t be afraid …” Jesus gave Simon assurance. I’m not going to strike you down. He also gave Simon a new purpose in life
How did Jesus see Simon? Jesus looked beyond Simon’s faults/weaknesses, looked into his heart, and saw a fisher of men - “from now on you will catch men.”
What did Simon do next? Dropped his nets along with James and John, left everything, and followed Jesus. What does everything mean? They left their jobs and families. See Mark 1:19-20.
Application:
1) Do not allow what you perceive to be weaknesses/shortcomings to become obstacles in you serving God. Pray that God will replace your weaknesses/shortcomings with His strength.
2) Know that God does not judge us on the basis of our appearance, personality, wealth, talents, skills, etc. He looks at the heart. Ex. Lottie Moon – weaknesses single, female, full height of 4 feet 3 inches, racism. She became the patron saint of Southern Baptist missions. What does He see when He look in your heart? Do you see what He sees?
3) If you do not know who Jesus REALLY is, do so now. Pray, study the Scriptures, talk to someone who does know Him. Like Peter, you will be amazed and humbled at what you discover about Jesus … and about yourself - both good and bad. When Peter first met Jesus, he didn’t know for certain who Jesus REALLY was. During their second encounter, Peter got a good idea who Jesus really was. Over the next three years, as Peter developed a relationship with Jesus, he learned more about Christ … and about himself - both good and bad.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Walking with Peter: First Encounter
A. Introduction: Story of Gideon (Judges 6:1-16); Story of David (I Samuel 16:1-13)
1. What is the common thread in these two scriptures? How we perceive ourselves or others is different than the way God does. We tend to focus on the external to in judging others or ourselves. God focuses on the internal. Reread I Samuel 16:7. Other examples: Moses (Exodus chapters 3 and 4) and Jeremiah (chapter 1)
B. Background - John 1:35-39 - Point out that the following is a more detailed account of the calling of Jesus’ first disciples. Events that transpired before the brief “they left their nets to follow Jesus” accounts seen in Matthew and Mark. John and Luke give a more detailed account.
Summary of what’s going on. John the Baptist is hanging out with two of his disciples (Andrew and probably John). Jesus walks by. John the Baptist tells them “The guy I’ve been telling you about? The Lamb of God? The Messiah? There He is.” The two leave John the Baptist to follow Jesus. The two keep their distance behind Jesus. He turns around and sees them following Him and asks them “What do you looking for?” Good question! There’s sermon in that question! What do you seek from Jesus? What are you looking for? Andrew and John probably very nervous and tongue tied spit out - “Where are you staying?” Jesus smiled and said “Come and see.” The two spend the rest of the day with Jesus.
2. What do you suppose Jesus and the two followers of John the Baptist talked about? If you could spend a couple of hours talking face to face with Jesus what would you talk about? What would you ask Him? One question I would ask Him would be, what was it like being human?
C. More Background - Read verses 40-42
Andrew goes looking for his brother. Where do you think he found him? Cleaning fish, repairing his boat, mending his nets, etc. Andrew tells Simon “We’ve found Him! We’ve found Him!” Simon - “Found who?” Andrew - “The Messiah!”
3. What do you suppose Simon’s response was to Andrew’s discovery? My thoughts - Simon said “Yeah right! You’ve been hanging around that crazy John the Baptist fella too long! Andrew - “Come see for yourself” Andrew brought Simon to Jesus.
D. First encounter - The first meeting of Jesus and Simon. This is a big deal moment.
4. When Simon looked at Jesus for the first time, what did he see? A Messiah? On the outside what did Jesus look like? Average guy. No different than any other guy from Nazareth. What did a Messiah suppose to look like? You think Simon was convinced by what he saw that Jesus was the Messiah? I don’t. I don’t think Simon was impressed by what he saw of Jesus.
John, the author of this gospel, makes a point to write that when Andrew brought Simon to Jesus, “Jesus looked at him.”
5. When Jesus looked at Simon, what did He see? A muddy dude smelling of fish? Answer is found in what Jesus said to Simon. Read rest of verse 42. Cephas - Aramaic for rock/stone. Peter - Greek for rock/stone.
6. Why did Jesus name Simon, “Rock”? Simon probably wondered the same thing. What characteristics do you associate with the word “rock”? Strong-willed, unshakable, obstinate, won’t back down.
Jesus looked at Simon, much like God looked at Gideon, David, Moses, and Jeremiah. He looked beyond the exterior. Beyond mud and smell of fish. Jesus looked deep into the heart and soul of Simon. What did He see? He saw a man with a lot of faults (quick temper, impulsive nature, quick tongued, and numerous more negatives.) Jesus didn’t stop there. He looked deeper. And there He saw potential. He saw boldness, steadfastness, determination, strength, all the qualities necessary for Simon to be the leader of His church. What Jesus saw when He first met Simon was not Simon the fisherman but Peter the Rock on whom His Church would be built and the gates of Hell would NOT prevail against him.
7. At this moment in time, did Simon see in himself what Jesus saw? No.
Question to ponder this week - If Jesus was standing in front of you and looked at you, what would He see? Do you see in yourself what He sees?
1. What is the common thread in these two scriptures? How we perceive ourselves or others is different than the way God does. We tend to focus on the external to in judging others or ourselves. God focuses on the internal. Reread I Samuel 16:7. Other examples: Moses (Exodus chapters 3 and 4) and Jeremiah (chapter 1)
B. Background - John 1:35-39 - Point out that the following is a more detailed account of the calling of Jesus’ first disciples. Events that transpired before the brief “they left their nets to follow Jesus” accounts seen in Matthew and Mark. John and Luke give a more detailed account.
Summary of what’s going on. John the Baptist is hanging out with two of his disciples (Andrew and probably John). Jesus walks by. John the Baptist tells them “The guy I’ve been telling you about? The Lamb of God? The Messiah? There He is.” The two leave John the Baptist to follow Jesus. The two keep their distance behind Jesus. He turns around and sees them following Him and asks them “What do you looking for?” Good question! There’s sermon in that question! What do you seek from Jesus? What are you looking for? Andrew and John probably very nervous and tongue tied spit out - “Where are you staying?” Jesus smiled and said “Come and see.” The two spend the rest of the day with Jesus.
2. What do you suppose Jesus and the two followers of John the Baptist talked about? If you could spend a couple of hours talking face to face with Jesus what would you talk about? What would you ask Him? One question I would ask Him would be, what was it like being human?
C. More Background - Read verses 40-42
Andrew goes looking for his brother. Where do you think he found him? Cleaning fish, repairing his boat, mending his nets, etc. Andrew tells Simon “We’ve found Him! We’ve found Him!” Simon - “Found who?” Andrew - “The Messiah!”
3. What do you suppose Simon’s response was to Andrew’s discovery? My thoughts - Simon said “Yeah right! You’ve been hanging around that crazy John the Baptist fella too long! Andrew - “Come see for yourself” Andrew brought Simon to Jesus.
D. First encounter - The first meeting of Jesus and Simon. This is a big deal moment.
4. When Simon looked at Jesus for the first time, what did he see? A Messiah? On the outside what did Jesus look like? Average guy. No different than any other guy from Nazareth. What did a Messiah suppose to look like? You think Simon was convinced by what he saw that Jesus was the Messiah? I don’t. I don’t think Simon was impressed by what he saw of Jesus.
John, the author of this gospel, makes a point to write that when Andrew brought Simon to Jesus, “Jesus looked at him.”
5. When Jesus looked at Simon, what did He see? A muddy dude smelling of fish? Answer is found in what Jesus said to Simon. Read rest of verse 42. Cephas - Aramaic for rock/stone. Peter - Greek for rock/stone.
6. Why did Jesus name Simon, “Rock”? Simon probably wondered the same thing. What characteristics do you associate with the word “rock”? Strong-willed, unshakable, obstinate, won’t back down.
Jesus looked at Simon, much like God looked at Gideon, David, Moses, and Jeremiah. He looked beyond the exterior. Beyond mud and smell of fish. Jesus looked deep into the heart and soul of Simon. What did He see? He saw a man with a lot of faults (quick temper, impulsive nature, quick tongued, and numerous more negatives.) Jesus didn’t stop there. He looked deeper. And there He saw potential. He saw boldness, steadfastness, determination, strength, all the qualities necessary for Simon to be the leader of His church. What Jesus saw when He first met Simon was not Simon the fisherman but Peter the Rock on whom His Church would be built and the gates of Hell would NOT prevail against him.
7. At this moment in time, did Simon see in himself what Jesus saw? No.
Question to ponder this week - If Jesus was standing in front of you and looked at you, what would He see? Do you see in yourself what He sees?
Overview of the Gospels (cont'd)
IV. John
Author – John was a disciple of Jesus. He, along with his brother James and Peter, were closest to Jesus. They were present for all his teachings and every miracle.
When – Written about 80 A.D.
Outline:
-Baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist and calling of first disciples (chapter 1)
-Ministry of Jesus (chapters 2-17)
-Death and Resurrection (chapters 18-21)
Key verse: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (John3:16-17)
Interesting facts – John was written differently from the other Gospels. John took a more thematic than biographical approach in writing his gospel. Read John chapter 1. Theme of John’s Gospel – eternal salvation comes through Jesus alone. Examples – Nicodemus (John chapter 3), the Samaritan woman (John chapter 4), the blind man (John chapter 9.)
In John, Jesus says the following:
John 6:35 - Then Jesus declared, I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.
John 8:12 - When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.
John 10:7, 9 - Therefore Jesus said again, I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep … I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture.
John 10:11 - I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
John 11:25 - Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies.
John 14:6 - Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 15:5 - I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
The words “I am” should sound familiar. They echo what God said to Moses in the book of Exodus when Moses asked God what he should say to the people with they ask Moses who sent him.
Moses said to God, Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, The God of your fathers has sent me to you, and they ask me, What is his name? Then what shall I tell them? God said to Moses, I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you. (Exodus 3:13-14)
God then told Moses to tell the people that He will save them from slavery and that He would do so through His servant Moses. A millennia later, God sent Jesus to earth to tell the people that He will save them from slavery to sin and death and that He would do so through His Son Jesus.
Author – John was a disciple of Jesus. He, along with his brother James and Peter, were closest to Jesus. They were present for all his teachings and every miracle.
When – Written about 80 A.D.
Outline:
-Baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist and calling of first disciples (chapter 1)
-Ministry of Jesus (chapters 2-17)
-Death and Resurrection (chapters 18-21)
Key verse: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (John3:16-17)
Interesting facts – John was written differently from the other Gospels. John took a more thematic than biographical approach in writing his gospel. Read John chapter 1. Theme of John’s Gospel – eternal salvation comes through Jesus alone. Examples – Nicodemus (John chapter 3), the Samaritan woman (John chapter 4), the blind man (John chapter 9.)
In John, Jesus says the following:
John 6:35 - Then Jesus declared, I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.
John 8:12 - When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.
John 10:7, 9 - Therefore Jesus said again, I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep … I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture.
John 10:11 - I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
John 11:25 - Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies.
John 14:6 - Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 15:5 - I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
The words “I am” should sound familiar. They echo what God said to Moses in the book of Exodus when Moses asked God what he should say to the people with they ask Moses who sent him.
Moses said to God, Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, The God of your fathers has sent me to you, and they ask me, What is his name? Then what shall I tell them? God said to Moses, I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you. (Exodus 3:13-14)
God then told Moses to tell the people that He will save them from slavery and that He would do so through His servant Moses. A millennia later, God sent Jesus to earth to tell the people that He will save them from slavery to sin and death and that He would do so through His Son Jesus.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Overview of the Gospels
Why were the Gospels written? Looking at when they were written, many of the first generation Christians who had seen Jesus and the apostles were disappearing. A second generation that had never witnessed Jesus and the apostles was emerging. The Gospels were written for them and future generations of believers so that they would know and remember Jesus and the beginnings of Christianity.
I. Matthew
Author – Matthew was a disciple of Jesus. He was a tax collector before becoming a disciple. He was also called Levi.
When – Written sometime between 60 and 80 A.D.
Outline:
-Birth and Early Life (chapters 1-4)
-Ministry of Jesus (chapters 5-20)
-Death and Resurrection (chapters 21-28)
Key verse: Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Matthew 28:19-20)
Interesting facts – Matthew quotes Old Testament Scripture more than the other Gospels. What does that tell you as far as whom his Gospel was directed at? The Jews. Matthew was providing them with evidence that Jesus was the Messiah prophesied by the writers of the Old Testament. It’s perhaps why Matthew was made the first Gospel. It bridges the Old Testament with the New Testament.
II. Mark
Author – John Mark. The home of Mark’s mother served as a church where the first Christian’s gathered (Acts chapter 12.) His cousin Barnabas was a Christian missionary. As a young man, Mark went on missionary trips with Barnabas and the second pillar of the early Christian movement Paul. Mark was the source of a strong disagreement between Barnabas and Paul (Read Acts 15:36-41.) Mark matured from this bad experience to become a leader in the early Church. At the end of his life, Paul praised Mark for being helpful to him in his ministry (II Timothy 4:11.) Peter refers to Mark as “my son” (I Peter 5:13). Tradition holds that Peter was Mark’s primary source in writing his gospel.
When – Written about 60 A.D. Mark is the oldest of the four Gospels.
Outline:
-Baptism of Jesus and calling of the Twelve Disciples (chapter 1:1-20)
-Ministry of Jesus (chapter 1:21-chapter 10)
-Death and Resurrection (chapters 11-16)
Key verse: The most important one (commandment), answered Jesus, is this: Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these. (Mark 12:29-31)
Interesting facts – Mark is the smallest of the four Gospels. Scholars believe Matthew and Luke used Mark as a source for their Gospels.
III. Luke
Author – Luke was a Greek which means he was a Gentile. He played an active role in the growth of Christianity. He was with Paul on many of his missionary journeys. In Colossians 4:14, Paul refers to Luke as a doctor which means he was well educated. Luke’s educational background produced a well organized and detailed account of the life of Jesus. It includes all of the major events and teachings of Jesus, plus a few not found in other Gospels. Examples – Birth of John the Baptist and the boy Jesus in the Temple teaching the teachers.
When – Written about 70 A.D.
Outline:
-Birth and Early Life (chapters 1-4)
-Ministry of Jesus (chapters 5-19)
-Death and Resurrection (chapters 20-24)
Key verse: Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. (Luke 9:23-24)
Interesting facts – Luke wrote his Gospel not to a group of people but to an individual named Theophilus. Read Luke 1:1-4. He is also the author of the Book of Acts.
I. Matthew
Author – Matthew was a disciple of Jesus. He was a tax collector before becoming a disciple. He was also called Levi.
When – Written sometime between 60 and 80 A.D.
Outline:
-Birth and Early Life (chapters 1-4)
-Ministry of Jesus (chapters 5-20)
-Death and Resurrection (chapters 21-28)
Key verse: Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Matthew 28:19-20)
Interesting facts – Matthew quotes Old Testament Scripture more than the other Gospels. What does that tell you as far as whom his Gospel was directed at? The Jews. Matthew was providing them with evidence that Jesus was the Messiah prophesied by the writers of the Old Testament. It’s perhaps why Matthew was made the first Gospel. It bridges the Old Testament with the New Testament.
II. Mark
Author – John Mark. The home of Mark’s mother served as a church where the first Christian’s gathered (Acts chapter 12.) His cousin Barnabas was a Christian missionary. As a young man, Mark went on missionary trips with Barnabas and the second pillar of the early Christian movement Paul. Mark was the source of a strong disagreement between Barnabas and Paul (Read Acts 15:36-41.) Mark matured from this bad experience to become a leader in the early Church. At the end of his life, Paul praised Mark for being helpful to him in his ministry (II Timothy 4:11.) Peter refers to Mark as “my son” (I Peter 5:13). Tradition holds that Peter was Mark’s primary source in writing his gospel.
When – Written about 60 A.D. Mark is the oldest of the four Gospels.
Outline:
-Baptism of Jesus and calling of the Twelve Disciples (chapter 1:1-20)
-Ministry of Jesus (chapter 1:21-chapter 10)
-Death and Resurrection (chapters 11-16)
Key verse: The most important one (commandment), answered Jesus, is this: Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these. (Mark 12:29-31)
Interesting facts – Mark is the smallest of the four Gospels. Scholars believe Matthew and Luke used Mark as a source for their Gospels.
III. Luke
Author – Luke was a Greek which means he was a Gentile. He played an active role in the growth of Christianity. He was with Paul on many of his missionary journeys. In Colossians 4:14, Paul refers to Luke as a doctor which means he was well educated. Luke’s educational background produced a well organized and detailed account of the life of Jesus. It includes all of the major events and teachings of Jesus, plus a few not found in other Gospels. Examples – Birth of John the Baptist and the boy Jesus in the Temple teaching the teachers.
When – Written about 70 A.D.
Outline:
-Birth and Early Life (chapters 1-4)
-Ministry of Jesus (chapters 5-19)
-Death and Resurrection (chapters 20-24)
Key verse: Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. (Luke 9:23-24)
Interesting facts – Luke wrote his Gospel not to a group of people but to an individual named Theophilus. Read Luke 1:1-4. He is also the author of the Book of Acts.
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