Read Genesis 6:1-9
1. Read verses 1-2. What’s happening on earth? As time passed the godly descendants of Seth (sons of God) intermarried with the ungodly descendants of Cain (daughters of men.) Why did the sons of God marry the daughters of men? They chose only by the eye: They saw that they were fair - Which was all they looked at. The sons of God based their choice on the how the daughters of men looked on the outside. They were not concerned with the beauty or ugliness of their hearts. What was the result of this unholy union - The godly descendants of Seth became corrupted by the sinful lifestyle of the descendants of Cain. Humanity did as they pleased. No longer respected God. No longer obeyed God. Wickedness ran rampant in the world.
2. Read verse 3. What decision did God make? God said that He will not abide with man forever. Why? For man is flesh. The Hebrew word refers to not only physical flesh but also to man’s predisposition to sin … to be disobedient … to make mistakes. God was unhappy with the sinful condition of humanity. It covered the earth. God made a pronouncement. Man’s days shall be 120 years. There are two interpretations concerning this statement. A) God said man’s life span will be no longer than 120 years. No more living to be 900 years old. B) God is saying “I’m going to give humanity 120 years to get their act together. I could wipe them off the planet now, but I am going to give them ample time to repent … turn away from their sin and back to Me. After 120 years, humanity continues to ignore me and my ways and follow after all that is evil, I will turn from them … I will separate myself from them … I will bring my wrath down upon them.” I lean towards interpretation B. Why? a) If you look at the life spans of people after the flood, they live longer than 120 years. b) It is so God to show mercy and grace before He pours out his wrath. Prime example - The Book of Jonah. God sent Jonah to speak against the wicked city of Nineveh. “Forty days and you will be overthrown.” Why did God give the city 40 days? He could have gone ahead and destroyed the city. God was giving the Ninevites the opportunity to repent. The Ninevites got the message and repented. God showed grace and mercy and spared the city. God doing the same thing here in Genesis.
vs. 4-6: Nephilim refers to giants. People who were very tall and bulky. 7-9 feet tall. During this time, men of renown and fame lived. Nothing more said about them. Despite the might and fame of individuals, the humanity continued their plunge into evil and wickedness. 120 years pass and God evaluates the spiritual condition of humanity.
3. What conclusion does God reach concerning the spiritual condition of humanity? The wickedness of man was great. Every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. What does that mean?
4. vs. 6. What is God’s reaction to what he sees? God was sorry that he had ever made humanity. Wow!!! Let that sink in for a moment. God’s heart was broken by humanity’s state of evil. What He was seeing caused him pain. Why? Going back to creation of Adam and Eve, God’s relationship with humanity was unique in all of creation. He shared an unexplainable bond with humanity. His relationship with humanity was different from what He shared with anything else in Creation including angelic beings. God gave humanity all of Creation to rule over and take care of. What does humanity now give God in return? Evil, wickedness, disrespect, selfishness, pride. We don’t need you God. We don’t want you. Illustration: parent-child relationship
5. What does God pronounce in verse 7? I am going to wipe out (illustrate with eraser)/destroy/exterminate every living thing that walks or flies on the earth. It will be as if they never existed. The earth will be as it was on Day 4 of Creation.
6. What does verse 8 say? God was ready to rain down destruction upon all living things on the earth. Before He did, one individual got his attention. A man named Noah. God said “I like this guy.”
7. vs. 9 Why did Noah find favor with God? a) Righteous man – did what is right. b) blameless in his generation – he was a man of strong moral character, a man of integrity unlike other people his age. No fault could be found in Noah. No skeletons in his closet. Noah was no hypocrite. c) Noah walked with God. Walked - Hebrew word is halak - translation - to walk as a lifestyle, pattern of conduct. Noah made it a priority to develop a relationship with God. When everyone else on the planet was walking away from God, Noah walked with God. Why? For the same reason his great-grandfather Enoch did. See last Sunday’s lesson.
Read Genesis 6:10-22
Once again we are told the spiritual condition of humanity in Noah’s days. Jesus described it this way in Luke 17:26-27: “Just as it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of Man. They were eating and drinking and marrying and being given in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all.” People lived their lives however they wanted. They lived as if tomorrow was a given. They lived with no respect for God.
8. What did God tell Noah? a) I’m going to destroy every living thing because they are violence – cruelty/injustice. b) I want you to build a very big boat because I’m going to destroy the world by a flood of waters. 450 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet high. Cubit – ancient measurement; equal to the length from a man’s elbow to fingertips. Here are the instructions. c) The reason for building the big boat – to save Noah, his wife, his three sons and their wives. And a whole bunch of animals.
9. What was Noah’s response? He did everything God told him to do. What would have been your response? Many commentators point out that it had never rained water on the earth. See Genesis chapter 2. A mist from the ground watered the plants. Also Noah is up there in age. Not a spring chicken. How do you think Noah’s neighbors reacted to Noah building a huge boat?
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Enoch Walked With God …
Recap legacy of Cain. Repeat last phrase in the last verse of Genesis chapter 4. Legacy of Seth.
Read Genesis 5:18-22
1. What does it mean to walk with God?
Walked - Hebrew word is halak - translation - to walk as a lifestyle, pattern of conduct.
Further define Enoch’s relationship w/ God. Hebrews 11:5-6
2. What does the writer of Hebrews mean when he wrote that Enoch “had this testimony”(KJV) - on record, evidence; “obtained the witness” (NASB); “commended” (ESV, NIV) - worthy of notice.
3. What was Enoch’s testimony, witness, commendation? Pleased God
4. How did Enoch please God? Faith
5. What did Enoch have faith in? a) God exists. You might say “Big Deal!” That’s not hard to believe in. In Enoch’s days on earth it was a big deal. It could be argued that Enoch was one of only a few in all the world who believed that God existed. Think about that. There was no Bible, there were no prophets/preachers, there were no priests. All Enoch had was the world around him. World in bad shape. Only couple chapters away from the Flood. Somehow Enoch was able to believe there was one God who created everything and was deserving of his worship.
b) Believed that God rewards those who seek God. The word “seek” in Greek is defined as – to investigate, scrutinize – in depth, leave no stone unturned. Ex. Lose wallet at Mt. Pleasant. God wants us to be CSI Christians.
Other translations add following adverbs:
diligently - characterized by steady, energetic application and effort
earnestly - a serious and intent state of mind
sincerely - marked by genuiness
7. What is God’s promise to those, like Enoch, who seek Him? He will reward/bless you - material, emotional, spiritual, (list the gifts of the Spirit) wisdom and knowledge, holiness/godliness, answers to questions. The more time you spend with God the more rewards/blessings you receive. Ultimate reward for Enoch was early entrance into heaven.
8. Faith encompasses both believing God exists and that He rewards those who seek Him. Why are both necessary? Shouldn’t just believing in God be enough? No, it’s not. Read James 2:19.
Review:
Enoch had faith - a) He knew there was a God when practically no else did.
b) Made it a priority to seek God - Developing a relationship/bond. Wanted to receive rewards/blessings from God.
Result - Enoch pleased God to the point where God took him.
9. When did Enoch start walking with God? Genesis 5:22. After he became a father. What was it about being a father that prompted Enoch on a journey with God? When you became a father, did it have an impact on your relationship with God? Life-changing experience. Overwhelming responsibility. Enoch turned to God for guidance, support. By walking with God in his lifetime, Enoch left a legacy for his children, grandchildren, and so on. How do you know that Greg? Genesis 6:9. How did Noah obtain knowledge of God? Enoch passed his faith onto his son Methusaleh. What do we know about him? He lived longer than anyone else. What is the one commandment of the Ten Commandments that comes with a promise? Honor your father and mother so that your days may be long in the land. (Exodus 20:12) Methusaleh passed this legacy of faith to Lamech who passed it on to his son Noah. Imagine if Enoch chose not to walk with God? What would have become humanity during the Flood? Contrast Enoch with Cain. Genesis 4:16 – Cain walked away from the presence of the Lord. His choice reverberated down through his descendants. Result – Lamech who introduced polygamy and bragged about killing a man who bruised him. Don’t ever think that your walk with God only impacts you. Not a Lone Ranger. Your walk with God/your pursuit of God impacts your family, neighborhood, work place, society, etc.
Proverbs 22:6 – Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it. Interpretation - What you teach your children will stick with them for the rest of their lives. They could choose not to obey it but they will not be able to get away from it.
Parents, especially fathers, it is your responsibility to train your children in the way of righteousness/godliness. It is your responsibility to pass down a legacy of faith in God. Not your pastor, not the youth minister, not Sunday School, not VBS, not Youth Camp. They supplement a child’s spiritual growth. They are not to be the main source. It’s your responsibility fathers. It is your responsibility to teach your children to pray, to study God’s word, to minister to others, to seek God, to walk with God. When your children become older, they will remember what you taught them. And God willing, when the time comes for your children to choose between obeying and disobeying God, they will make the right choice to walk with God. They will pass the legacy of faith to their children, and they to their children. Enoch did. My grandfather did. My great-great grandfather was born in North Carolina in the 1820’s. He married and moved to Georgia. He served in the Civil War. After the war, my great-great grandfather was indicted for adultery and mysteriously moved to Alabama where he married a lady half his age (He was 50. She was 25.) Problem: my great-great grandfather never divorced from his Georgia wife. He was a bigamist. He also had a reputation for being an ill-tempered man. My great grandfather was raised in a sinful atmosphere. Consequently, when he became an adult he was much like his father. My great-grandfather was an alcoholic and adulterer. My grandfather was raised in a sinful atmosphere. Consequently, when he became an adult he was much like his father. My grandfather was in his early 20’s when he married my grandmother who was 13. My grandfather was an alcoholic. He regularly came home drunk. Some nights he couldn’t make it to his bed. My grandmother dragged him into bed, chastise him for his drinking, and pray over him. That was the way it was with my grandfather and grandmother for the first 15 years of their marriage. In mid-1930’s my grandfather attended a local revival. God got a hold of him. He went to the altar and surrendered his life to Christ. Not only that, he gave up alcohol and answered the call to preach at the same moment. My grandfather broke the legacy of sin in my family’s heritage. He raised his children to know God and obey Him. He raised my father in a Christian atmosphere. Consequently, when my father became an adult he was much like his father. My father followed after God. Answered the call to preach. Myself, my brother and sister were raised in a Christian atmosphere. Consequently, all three of us when we became adults are much like our father. We all serve Christ, active in our churches, and are raising our children in a Christian atmosphere. We are continuing the legacy of godliness that our grandfather established in our family just as Enoch did in his family. Just as I wonder what would have happened if Enoch chose to reject God and embrace sin as Cain did, I also wonder what would have become of me if my grandfather had chosen to continue in the legacy of sin of his father and grandfather? Thank God he did not.
APPLICATION Examine your walk with God. Do you have a relationship with God similar to Enoch’s? Is your faith based on a belief that God exists AND that God rewards/blesses those who diligently/earnestly/sincerely seek Him? Parents, are you passing that legacy to your children? Does your faith consist of the former (belief in God) and not the latter (diligently/earnestly/sincerely seeking Him)? If not, you’re not truly walking with God. You’re not pleasing God. This failure will have ramifications on your relationship with your spouse, children, friends, co-workers, etc.
Read Genesis 5:18-22
1. What does it mean to walk with God?
Walked - Hebrew word is halak - translation - to walk as a lifestyle, pattern of conduct.
Further define Enoch’s relationship w/ God. Hebrews 11:5-6
2. What does the writer of Hebrews mean when he wrote that Enoch “had this testimony”(KJV) - on record, evidence; “obtained the witness” (NASB); “commended” (ESV, NIV) - worthy of notice.
3. What was Enoch’s testimony, witness, commendation? Pleased God
4. How did Enoch please God? Faith
5. What did Enoch have faith in? a) God exists. You might say “Big Deal!” That’s not hard to believe in. In Enoch’s days on earth it was a big deal. It could be argued that Enoch was one of only a few in all the world who believed that God existed. Think about that. There was no Bible, there were no prophets/preachers, there were no priests. All Enoch had was the world around him. World in bad shape. Only couple chapters away from the Flood. Somehow Enoch was able to believe there was one God who created everything and was deserving of his worship.
b) Believed that God rewards those who seek God. The word “seek” in Greek is defined as – to investigate, scrutinize – in depth, leave no stone unturned. Ex. Lose wallet at Mt. Pleasant. God wants us to be CSI Christians.
Other translations add following adverbs:
diligently - characterized by steady, energetic application and effort
earnestly - a serious and intent state of mind
sincerely - marked by genuiness
7. What is God’s promise to those, like Enoch, who seek Him? He will reward/bless you - material, emotional, spiritual, (list the gifts of the Spirit) wisdom and knowledge, holiness/godliness, answers to questions. The more time you spend with God the more rewards/blessings you receive. Ultimate reward for Enoch was early entrance into heaven.
8. Faith encompasses both believing God exists and that He rewards those who seek Him. Why are both necessary? Shouldn’t just believing in God be enough? No, it’s not. Read James 2:19.
Review:
Enoch had faith - a) He knew there was a God when practically no else did.
b) Made it a priority to seek God - Developing a relationship/bond. Wanted to receive rewards/blessings from God.
Result - Enoch pleased God to the point where God took him.
9. When did Enoch start walking with God? Genesis 5:22. After he became a father. What was it about being a father that prompted Enoch on a journey with God? When you became a father, did it have an impact on your relationship with God? Life-changing experience. Overwhelming responsibility. Enoch turned to God for guidance, support. By walking with God in his lifetime, Enoch left a legacy for his children, grandchildren, and so on. How do you know that Greg? Genesis 6:9. How did Noah obtain knowledge of God? Enoch passed his faith onto his son Methusaleh. What do we know about him? He lived longer than anyone else. What is the one commandment of the Ten Commandments that comes with a promise? Honor your father and mother so that your days may be long in the land. (Exodus 20:12) Methusaleh passed this legacy of faith to Lamech who passed it on to his son Noah. Imagine if Enoch chose not to walk with God? What would have become humanity during the Flood? Contrast Enoch with Cain. Genesis 4:16 – Cain walked away from the presence of the Lord. His choice reverberated down through his descendants. Result – Lamech who introduced polygamy and bragged about killing a man who bruised him. Don’t ever think that your walk with God only impacts you. Not a Lone Ranger. Your walk with God/your pursuit of God impacts your family, neighborhood, work place, society, etc.
Proverbs 22:6 – Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it. Interpretation - What you teach your children will stick with them for the rest of their lives. They could choose not to obey it but they will not be able to get away from it.
Parents, especially fathers, it is your responsibility to train your children in the way of righteousness/godliness. It is your responsibility to pass down a legacy of faith in God. Not your pastor, not the youth minister, not Sunday School, not VBS, not Youth Camp. They supplement a child’s spiritual growth. They are not to be the main source. It’s your responsibility fathers. It is your responsibility to teach your children to pray, to study God’s word, to minister to others, to seek God, to walk with God. When your children become older, they will remember what you taught them. And God willing, when the time comes for your children to choose between obeying and disobeying God, they will make the right choice to walk with God. They will pass the legacy of faith to their children, and they to their children. Enoch did. My grandfather did. My great-great grandfather was born in North Carolina in the 1820’s. He married and moved to Georgia. He served in the Civil War. After the war, my great-great grandfather was indicted for adultery and mysteriously moved to Alabama where he married a lady half his age (He was 50. She was 25.) Problem: my great-great grandfather never divorced from his Georgia wife. He was a bigamist. He also had a reputation for being an ill-tempered man. My great grandfather was raised in a sinful atmosphere. Consequently, when he became an adult he was much like his father. My great-grandfather was an alcoholic and adulterer. My grandfather was raised in a sinful atmosphere. Consequently, when he became an adult he was much like his father. My grandfather was in his early 20’s when he married my grandmother who was 13. My grandfather was an alcoholic. He regularly came home drunk. Some nights he couldn’t make it to his bed. My grandmother dragged him into bed, chastise him for his drinking, and pray over him. That was the way it was with my grandfather and grandmother for the first 15 years of their marriage. In mid-1930’s my grandfather attended a local revival. God got a hold of him. He went to the altar and surrendered his life to Christ. Not only that, he gave up alcohol and answered the call to preach at the same moment. My grandfather broke the legacy of sin in my family’s heritage. He raised his children to know God and obey Him. He raised my father in a Christian atmosphere. Consequently, when my father became an adult he was much like his father. My father followed after God. Answered the call to preach. Myself, my brother and sister were raised in a Christian atmosphere. Consequently, all three of us when we became adults are much like our father. We all serve Christ, active in our churches, and are raising our children in a Christian atmosphere. We are continuing the legacy of godliness that our grandfather established in our family just as Enoch did in his family. Just as I wonder what would have happened if Enoch chose to reject God and embrace sin as Cain did, I also wonder what would have become of me if my grandfather had chosen to continue in the legacy of sin of his father and grandfather? Thank God he did not.
APPLICATION Examine your walk with God. Do you have a relationship with God similar to Enoch’s? Is your faith based on a belief that God exists AND that God rewards/blesses those who diligently/earnestly/sincerely seek Him? Parents, are you passing that legacy to your children? Does your faith consist of the former (belief in God) and not the latter (diligently/earnestly/sincerely seeking Him)? If not, you’re not truly walking with God. You’re not pleasing God. This failure will have ramifications on your relationship with your spouse, children, friends, co-workers, etc.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Cain and Abel pt. 2
7. God gives Cain a warning. What did God mean when He told Cain that “sin desires you, but you must master/rule it”? Hebrew - masal - rule, govern, control. How can one master sin? How could Cain? By doing what is well/right. That involves a change in his heart condition. Stop feeding his anger/his hatred. Listen to God’s Word. God shows him the way out. Warns Cain. Notice how God portrays sin. Not as a taskmaster/slave driver whipping Cain … beating Cain into submission telling him you have to do this/you have to kill your brother. Portrayed as a hungry beast sitting outside the door, ready to pounce on Cain, salivating, he could see Cain of his own free will opening the door to him. God makes it clear. Sin is not to be our master. We are to be the master of it. When we confront sin, we are to take a whip and tame it into submission. (See also Romans 6:11-23, read whole chapter) Christ’s death gave us our freedom from bondage of sin and God’s Holy Spirit gives us the power to rule over it. I wonder sometimes, no, a lot, if Christians live their lives ignorant of the fact they are free from the bondage of sin. Live their lives as if they are still slaves of sin.
8. Did Cain listen to God’s warning? No. Cain’s anger/hatred/bitterness towards God continued to build. Cain directed his anger at God toward who? Abel.
9. Why did Cain kill Abel? Perhaps Cain’s way of getting back at God for rejecting his offering … rejecting him. Was it an act of impulsive anger or was it premeditated? Premeditated. Cain planned Abel’s murder. He called out to his brother to come into the field and there Cain killed his brother.
10. Why did God question Cain concerning Abel’s whereabouts? Did He not know that Abel was dead? Offer of repentance to Cain. Same as God did for his parents.
11. How would you characterize Cain’s response? No repentance. Prideful. Arrogant.
12. How did God punish Cain? He denied Cain what he enjoyed most – working the land/being a farmer. Cain will be a nomad wandering from one place to the next. How would you characterize Cain’s response to his punishment? Self-centered. No remorse for his actions.
13. Why did God “protect” Cain by putting a sign/mark on him so that no one would kill Cain? Vengeance is mine saith the Lord. God would enact vengeance on Cain, not man.
14. What did Cain do in verse 16? Cain walked away from God.
15. Did Cain’s sins impact only himself or were others impacted? Parents and future generations. Read Genesis 3:19-24. Cain’s descendant did great things (tentmaking, music, iron work). When you die, do you want to be known for being a great archivist, engineer, computer tech or do you want to be known as a great follower of God? Someone walked faithfully in obedience to God? Cain’s descendant Lamech introduced polygamy to the world. Lamech perverted God’s design for marriage – one man and one woman. Lamech killed a man who injured him. Hebrew word for wound – bruise. The poetic form of the text indicates that Lamech bragged to his wives about what he did. He made light of God’s actions toward his ancestor Cain.
16. What do you believe was going through Adam and Eve’s mind when they found Abel dead and that their first-born son was responsible? Words of God in the garden. Learned the meaning of death. First time they saw a dead human. Wages of sin. The guilt they must have felt, particularly Eve.
8. Did Cain listen to God’s warning? No. Cain’s anger/hatred/bitterness towards God continued to build. Cain directed his anger at God toward who? Abel.
9. Why did Cain kill Abel? Perhaps Cain’s way of getting back at God for rejecting his offering … rejecting him. Was it an act of impulsive anger or was it premeditated? Premeditated. Cain planned Abel’s murder. He called out to his brother to come into the field and there Cain killed his brother.
10. Why did God question Cain concerning Abel’s whereabouts? Did He not know that Abel was dead? Offer of repentance to Cain. Same as God did for his parents.
11. How would you characterize Cain’s response? No repentance. Prideful. Arrogant.
12. How did God punish Cain? He denied Cain what he enjoyed most – working the land/being a farmer. Cain will be a nomad wandering from one place to the next. How would you characterize Cain’s response to his punishment? Self-centered. No remorse for his actions.
13. Why did God “protect” Cain by putting a sign/mark on him so that no one would kill Cain? Vengeance is mine saith the Lord. God would enact vengeance on Cain, not man.
14. What did Cain do in verse 16? Cain walked away from God.
15. Did Cain’s sins impact only himself or were others impacted? Parents and future generations. Read Genesis 3:19-24. Cain’s descendant did great things (tentmaking, music, iron work). When you die, do you want to be known for being a great archivist, engineer, computer tech or do you want to be known as a great follower of God? Someone walked faithfully in obedience to God? Cain’s descendant Lamech introduced polygamy to the world. Lamech perverted God’s design for marriage – one man and one woman. Lamech killed a man who injured him. Hebrew word for wound – bruise. The poetic form of the text indicates that Lamech bragged to his wives about what he did. He made light of God’s actions toward his ancestor Cain.
16. What do you believe was going through Adam and Eve’s mind when they found Abel dead and that their first-born son was responsible? Words of God in the garden. Learned the meaning of death. First time they saw a dead human. Wages of sin. The guilt they must have felt, particularly Eve.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Cain and Abel pt. 1
Read Genesis chapter 4:1-16
1. What do you think Adam and Eve’s reaction was to the birth of their first child Cain? For Eve, the curse became real. Experienced a painful birth.
2. From what little is written about Cain and Abel in verse 2, what do you learn? They’re different. One liked to work with animals and the other with plants (wheat, vegetables, fruit). One was a shepherd and the other was a farmer. Ex. Kevin and myself.
3. Why did God accept Abel’s offering and reject Cain’s? (See also Hebrews 11:4)
a) vs. 3-4. What did Abel offer? Firstborn of his flock and their fat portions. See Leviticus chapter 3. Abel offered the best of the best from his labors. The fat portion was burned creating an aroma that pleased the Lord. How did Abel present his offering? Read Hebrews 11:4. By faith … Abel’s offering demonstrated his faith in God. It demonstrated the trust/confidence he had for God. It demonstrated the respect Abel had for God. How? Even though I am sacrificing/offering/tithing (at this time wealth based not on currency, but on size of herd or farm) my best animals to God, He will take care of me. Abel was not selfish. He did not keep the best of his flock for himself. How did God respond to Abel’s offering? He respected Abel’s offering. Found it acceptable. God acknowledged Abel as being righteous … doing what is right. Abel showed respect for me, I will return that respect to him.
b) What did Cain offer? Fruit of the ground. What’s missing from the description? The best, the first, without blemish. What impression do you have of Cain’s offering? Doesn’t seemed he offered God his best. Doesn’t seem Cain respected God enough to give Him his best. Doesn’t seem Cain has much faith in God. He appears to be selfish. Cain is keeping the best of his fruits for himself. How did God respond to Cain’s offering? God did not respect it. He found it unacceptable.
c) What’s more important to God, the offering or the condition of the heart of the one presenting the offering?
Micah 6:6-8 "With what shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?" He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
Hosea 6:6 – For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.
I Samuel 15:22 - Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.
Abel’s offering - Presented by faith from the heart of one who was righteous. Abel followed after God. He did what was right in the sight of God. God looked at the offering and then looked into the heart of the one giving it. What He saw pleased Him because it was the heart of a man who was faithful …. Who did what was right. Abel’s offering … his worship … was an extension of his faith … his consistent walk with God.
Cain’s offering - Presented not in faith and not from a righteous heart. Cain did not follow after God. He did not do what was right in the sight of God. God looked at the offering and then looked into the heart of the one giving it. What He saw displeased Him because it was the heart of a man who was not faithful …. who did not do what was right. Cain’s offering was rejected because of his lack of faith … his inconsistent walk with God.
What God is looking for in the heart of a worshipper/the presenter of an offering - faith, righteousness, obedience, justice, love, kindness, humility, knowledge of God, truth/honesty.
4. What does what we just learned about Cain and Abel’s offerings teach us about our approach to worship? What should our attitude be/the condition of our heart? On Sunday morning, you present your offerings of worship (song, prayer, tithes); God hears and sees your offering; He then looks into your heart, what does He see, a heart like Abel’s or Cain’s?
If He sees it like Cain’s you might want to check the condition of your heart on Mon., Tues., Wed., …. The condition of your heart (your walk with God/your faith) from Monday to Saturday carries over to your worship on Sunday.
You have a heart problem Monday-Saturday. Go to church on Sunday. Sing the songs, say Lord’s Prayer, tithe 10%, listen to sermon, or you just showed up for church (for a lot of folks that’s worship) You leave church expecting God to bless you, put a check mark by your name in the Book of Life, give you a pat on the back and say “Good job”. But God doesn’t see it that way. He looks into the heart and He sees a heart like Cain’s. It lacks faith/lacks righteousness/lacks obedience/lacks kindness … He rejects your worship/offering because it is not truthful/not honest. Example – Pharisees.
You have a healthy heart Monday-Saturday. Go to church on Sunday. Participate in worship (music, prayer, tithing, listening). God sees your worship/offering. Looks into your heart and sees a healthy heart because Mon.-Sat. it has fed on faith, righteousness, obedience, knowledge of God, … And He accepts your worship/offering because it is truthful/honest.
The heart you have Mon.-Sat. is the heart you have on Sunday morning. Have a heart problem, you don’t get a brand new heart on Sunday morning just because its Sunday and you’re going to church.
5. How did Cain react to God’s rejection of his offering? Angry, face was downcast. You could see his anger visible on his face. Cain’s reaction says a lot about the condition of Cain’s heart prior to presenting his offering. It says a lot about the path Cain is walking (Broad way that leads to destruction.) Why did he react this way? Did not like being rejected/ignored. Unfair. “God, do you know how hard it was for me to raise this food? You should! You cursed the ground making it difficult for me to farm. I put blood, sweat, and tears into raising this food! How dare you reject my offering? Being a farmer is a lot harder than being a shepherd. All you have to do is stand and watch the herds!” Ephesians 4:26-27 - In your anger do not sin … do not give the devil a foothold.
6. What was God’s response to Cain’s reaction? Why are you angry Cain? If you do well (righteous), I’ll accept you. (not offering, YOU!) Also, God pointing out to Cain the reason his offering was not accepted was because he, Cain, had a problem. Cain did not share that opinion.
1. What do you think Adam and Eve’s reaction was to the birth of their first child Cain? For Eve, the curse became real. Experienced a painful birth.
2. From what little is written about Cain and Abel in verse 2, what do you learn? They’re different. One liked to work with animals and the other with plants (wheat, vegetables, fruit). One was a shepherd and the other was a farmer. Ex. Kevin and myself.
3. Why did God accept Abel’s offering and reject Cain’s? (See also Hebrews 11:4)
a) vs. 3-4. What did Abel offer? Firstborn of his flock and their fat portions. See Leviticus chapter 3. Abel offered the best of the best from his labors. The fat portion was burned creating an aroma that pleased the Lord. How did Abel present his offering? Read Hebrews 11:4. By faith … Abel’s offering demonstrated his faith in God. It demonstrated the trust/confidence he had for God. It demonstrated the respect Abel had for God. How? Even though I am sacrificing/offering/tithing (at this time wealth based not on currency, but on size of herd or farm) my best animals to God, He will take care of me. Abel was not selfish. He did not keep the best of his flock for himself. How did God respond to Abel’s offering? He respected Abel’s offering. Found it acceptable. God acknowledged Abel as being righteous … doing what is right. Abel showed respect for me, I will return that respect to him.
b) What did Cain offer? Fruit of the ground. What’s missing from the description? The best, the first, without blemish. What impression do you have of Cain’s offering? Doesn’t seemed he offered God his best. Doesn’t seem Cain respected God enough to give Him his best. Doesn’t seem Cain has much faith in God. He appears to be selfish. Cain is keeping the best of his fruits for himself. How did God respond to Cain’s offering? God did not respect it. He found it unacceptable.
c) What’s more important to God, the offering or the condition of the heart of the one presenting the offering?
Micah 6:6-8 "With what shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?" He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
Hosea 6:6 – For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.
I Samuel 15:22 - Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.
Abel’s offering - Presented by faith from the heart of one who was righteous. Abel followed after God. He did what was right in the sight of God. God looked at the offering and then looked into the heart of the one giving it. What He saw pleased Him because it was the heart of a man who was faithful …. Who did what was right. Abel’s offering … his worship … was an extension of his faith … his consistent walk with God.
Cain’s offering - Presented not in faith and not from a righteous heart. Cain did not follow after God. He did not do what was right in the sight of God. God looked at the offering and then looked into the heart of the one giving it. What He saw displeased Him because it was the heart of a man who was not faithful …. who did not do what was right. Cain’s offering was rejected because of his lack of faith … his inconsistent walk with God.
What God is looking for in the heart of a worshipper/the presenter of an offering - faith, righteousness, obedience, justice, love, kindness, humility, knowledge of God, truth/honesty.
4. What does what we just learned about Cain and Abel’s offerings teach us about our approach to worship? What should our attitude be/the condition of our heart? On Sunday morning, you present your offerings of worship (song, prayer, tithes); God hears and sees your offering; He then looks into your heart, what does He see, a heart like Abel’s or Cain’s?
If He sees it like Cain’s you might want to check the condition of your heart on Mon., Tues., Wed., …. The condition of your heart (your walk with God/your faith) from Monday to Saturday carries over to your worship on Sunday.
You have a heart problem Monday-Saturday. Go to church on Sunday. Sing the songs, say Lord’s Prayer, tithe 10%, listen to sermon, or you just showed up for church (for a lot of folks that’s worship) You leave church expecting God to bless you, put a check mark by your name in the Book of Life, give you a pat on the back and say “Good job”. But God doesn’t see it that way. He looks into the heart and He sees a heart like Cain’s. It lacks faith/lacks righteousness/lacks obedience/lacks kindness … He rejects your worship/offering because it is not truthful/not honest. Example – Pharisees.
You have a healthy heart Monday-Saturday. Go to church on Sunday. Participate in worship (music, prayer, tithing, listening). God sees your worship/offering. Looks into your heart and sees a healthy heart because Mon.-Sat. it has fed on faith, righteousness, obedience, knowledge of God, … And He accepts your worship/offering because it is truthful/honest.
The heart you have Mon.-Sat. is the heart you have on Sunday morning. Have a heart problem, you don’t get a brand new heart on Sunday morning just because its Sunday and you’re going to church.
5. How did Cain react to God’s rejection of his offering? Angry, face was downcast. You could see his anger visible on his face. Cain’s reaction says a lot about the condition of Cain’s heart prior to presenting his offering. It says a lot about the path Cain is walking (Broad way that leads to destruction.) Why did he react this way? Did not like being rejected/ignored. Unfair. “God, do you know how hard it was for me to raise this food? You should! You cursed the ground making it difficult for me to farm. I put blood, sweat, and tears into raising this food! How dare you reject my offering? Being a farmer is a lot harder than being a shepherd. All you have to do is stand and watch the herds!” Ephesians 4:26-27 - In your anger do not sin … do not give the devil a foothold.
6. What was God’s response to Cain’s reaction? Why are you angry Cain? If you do well (righteous), I’ll accept you. (not offering, YOU!) Also, God pointing out to Cain the reason his offering was not accepted was because he, Cain, had a problem. Cain did not share that opinion.
The New Testament: Is it authentic?
1) Did Jesus write an autobiography?
No. There are no direct writings of Jesus.
2) Who wrote the Gospels?
Matthew – Jew – former tax collector – one of the twelve disciples (see Mk. 9:9) – written possibly 55-70 AD
(John) Mark (see Acts 12:25) – not one of the twelve disciples – believed to largely be written from accounts of Peter and to be the first gospel written (~ 55-70AD)
Luke – physician – not one of the twelve disciples – wrote a chronological account (~55-70 AD) – believed to have been written after Mark
John – Jew - fisherman – one of the twelve disciples – believed to be the last gospel written (due to some references that may have come from the others) (~75-90 AD)
3) If the disciples of Jesus and later followers wrote the Gospels and the New Testament and were just “making it up”, why does it make them look so bad? For example:
Peter:
- loses faith when walking on water Mt.14:22-32 (Lk. 8:22-25; Mk. 6:45-51)
- called ‘satan’ Mk. 8:31-34 (Mt. 16:21-24)
- denies Jesus Mk. 14:66-72 (Mt. 26:69-75; Lk. 22:54-62; Jn. 18:15-18, 25-27)
Peter looks (by his own account really in Mark) to be weak in his faith, to have little understanding of what Jesus was saying and to be fearful and timid. The question is why he is portrayed as such when it isn’t necessary just to tell the story of Jesus. My feeling (and that of many others) is that this testifies the truth of what was being told (i.e. you can tell if someone is telling the truth by how they make themselves look). This is not to criticize the disciples because I can see myself acting similarly, but rather to hold them up as an example of truthful messengers (no doubt guided by the Holy Spirit).
Other examples:
- incorrectly corrected others (Lk. 9:49-50)
- incorrectly tried to prevent children from coming to Jesus Mk. 10:13-16 (Mt. 18:13-14; Lk. 18:15-17)
- argue about who is greatest Mk. 9:33-35 (Lk. 9:46-48)
- did not understand who Jesus really was Lk. 9:42-45
- afraid of storm (with Jesus) Lk. 8:22-25
While there are passages in the gospels that show the disciples performing signs, there are many examples of the disciples making many mistakes and being corrected (rebuked) by Jesus. (As was pointed out in during our class, these men weren’t highly trained or educated in the scriptures so it is not surprising that they didn’t understand many things and it is clear that they don’t clearly understand Jesus or his purpose until later). What these do is show that the writers of the gospel were not very interested in their own prestige or how they might look by their own accounts. Again, why do this if you are just making it up? Why not simply omit these areas or increase your role and apparent understanding? Why not have Jesus compliment you?
Gethsemane – fell asleep Mk. 14:32-41 (Lk.22:47)
This is a great example of truth in telling. The disciples fall asleep when Jesus tells them to stand watch (not once, but twice!) right before he is taken away.
4) Where were they (the disciples) when Jesus was crucified? (Jn. 19:25-27; Lk.23:49)
None of the disciples (except John who says nothing in defense of Jesus) were at his crucifixion. They were all away in hiding (probably in fear).
5) Who buried Jesus? (Jn. 19:38-39)
Joseph of Arimathea (a member of the Sanhedrin) and Nicodemus buried him. Again, where are the disciples? In a work of fiction, wouldn’t the disciples wanted to appear more assertive here, perhaps demanding his body or at least helping bury him?
6) After his crucifixion, whom did Jesus appear to?
(Jn. 20; Mt. 28; Mk. 16; Lk. 24 – note Mk. 16:14)
First?
Mary Magdalene and (in some accounts) Mary the mother of Jesus went to the tomb and he appeared to them. Note that none of the disciples (men) went and this really makes them appear fearful (or cowardly) – especially for a first century Jew.
Later?
He appeared to the disciples (note again in Mk. 16:14 he rebukes them for their lack of faith).
(Why say this if you are making it up? How difficult is this to write for a first century Jewish man?) This would appear to be very difficult to write about oneself and I can’t see why someone writing a fictional account would describe events this way if it weren’t true.
7) Why become a Christian in the first century?
(Jn.15:18-16:4; Acts 5:17-18; Acts 8:1-3)
Jesus warned that the world would hate his followers. The book of Acts records the arrest and whipping (scourging) of his apostles (and deaths of some as well). In Acts 8 we read that the church was scattered from Jerusalem. Does this sound like a great recruiting strategy to get more followers or does it sound like the truth?
What if you were a Jew?
You would be separated from your family and your community who would have nothing to do with you. The Jewish religious leaders would persecute and perhaps beat or kill you. You may be forced out of your homes as many were in Jerusalem.
What if you were a gentile?
Gentiles would be condemned later by Roman authorities for their refusal to support and bow down to the Roman gods (sometime emperors were considered gods). They would later experience waves of persecution (the first major one of these was under Nero ~64-68 AD who blamed Christians for causing the great fire in Rome in 64 AD).
The point here is that there is no worldly incentive to become a Christian (unless you like being persecuted). There is, of course, the infinitely more important fact of salvation through belief. However, if this is a work of fiction, why make it seem so against one’s own self interest to become a Christian? Why not offer some worldly incentive? Our answer is because it is the truth and people heard, understood and believed without any “plus”. (This really does make one wonder where all of the “prosperity” gospel being offered today is coming from. It certainly doesn’t appear to be from the apostles!)
8) What was support for the testimony of disciples? (see 1 Cor. 15:3-6)
Paul reports that, after appearing to the disciples that he appeared to more than five hundred people. So many people saw the resurrected Jesus that the word spread and it became impossible to refute it.
9) After Pentecost (Acts 2), what happened?
Acts 4:13-14
We see that Peter and John who had been so wrong and afraid in the gospel accounts are now preaching with such courage, eloquence and conviction that even the Jewish religious leaders were “astonished”.
Acts 5:12-16, 25-42
We see that the apostles performed many signs and wonders, but that others were afraid to join them. Here again we see the transformation of the disciples at work even when everyone else is afraid.
The latter part of Acts chapter 5 shows that the apostles speak directly to the Sanhedrin and refuse to stop preaching the gospel even though they are threatened with death. Two things to note 1) the transformation in these men and 2) the fact that none of them ever recanted or denied the truth of the resurrection of Jesus despite being threatened with death and being flogged (scourged). In fact (Acts 5:41-42), “Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. 42And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.” Why (if you are making this up) wouldn’t you recant to avoid beatings or possible death?
Acts 14:11-18
A final note (much later) the apostles Paul and Barnabas are confused for gods themselves. This they vehemently deny begging the people not to worship them as they are only men. If you are making a work of fiction, why not be gods yourself?
10) Conversion of Paul – why would make up his story? Why would he become a Christian if it wasn’t authentic?
Acts 9:1-9
Paul’s (Saul’s) conversion on the road to Damascus is well known. What makes it more miraculous is the fact of who he was and why he would ever have had such a “change of heart” if it wasn’t true.
Why convert from his heritage? (Phil. 3:4-6)
Paul (Saul) had everything that you could want in the world; power, prestige, wealth and even his conviction that he was working for God in persecuting Christians. Paul says it best himself:
“4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. 7But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—“ (Phil. 3:4-9)
Conclusion:
So a group of “ordinary” men from a “backwater” province of the Roman Empire claim to have seen someone resurrected from the dead and were able to begin a church that today is the largest in the world and has endured for two millennia. This would appear to someone looking at it from the outside to be really difficult to believe. Imagine that you lived in the first century (and new nothing of Jesus) and someone asked you what you thought people would consider more significant/relevant in two thousand years; the Roman Empire or a carpenter’s son from Galilee.
I am always impressed with how much the disciples change (by their own account) and how often they fall short of any kind of righteousness of their own (just as we all do). This appears to be a testimony to the truth of their story and the spirit that motivated them to do so and that is one reason (in my opinion) that the gospel has lasted. More importantly, this has to be the work of God or it could not possibly have endured.
No. There are no direct writings of Jesus.
2) Who wrote the Gospels?
Matthew – Jew – former tax collector – one of the twelve disciples (see Mk. 9:9) – written possibly 55-70 AD
(John) Mark (see Acts 12:25) – not one of the twelve disciples – believed to largely be written from accounts of Peter and to be the first gospel written (~ 55-70AD)
Luke – physician – not one of the twelve disciples – wrote a chronological account (~55-70 AD) – believed to have been written after Mark
John – Jew - fisherman – one of the twelve disciples – believed to be the last gospel written (due to some references that may have come from the others) (~75-90 AD)
3) If the disciples of Jesus and later followers wrote the Gospels and the New Testament and were just “making it up”, why does it make them look so bad? For example:
Peter:
- loses faith when walking on water Mt.14:22-32 (Lk. 8:22-25; Mk. 6:45-51)
- called ‘satan’ Mk. 8:31-34 (Mt. 16:21-24)
- denies Jesus Mk. 14:66-72 (Mt. 26:69-75; Lk. 22:54-62; Jn. 18:15-18, 25-27)
Peter looks (by his own account really in Mark) to be weak in his faith, to have little understanding of what Jesus was saying and to be fearful and timid. The question is why he is portrayed as such when it isn’t necessary just to tell the story of Jesus. My feeling (and that of many others) is that this testifies the truth of what was being told (i.e. you can tell if someone is telling the truth by how they make themselves look). This is not to criticize the disciples because I can see myself acting similarly, but rather to hold them up as an example of truthful messengers (no doubt guided by the Holy Spirit).
Other examples:
- incorrectly corrected others (Lk. 9:49-50)
- incorrectly tried to prevent children from coming to Jesus Mk. 10:13-16 (Mt. 18:13-14; Lk. 18:15-17)
- argue about who is greatest Mk. 9:33-35 (Lk. 9:46-48)
- did not understand who Jesus really was Lk. 9:42-45
- afraid of storm (with Jesus) Lk. 8:22-25
While there are passages in the gospels that show the disciples performing signs, there are many examples of the disciples making many mistakes and being corrected (rebuked) by Jesus. (As was pointed out in during our class, these men weren’t highly trained or educated in the scriptures so it is not surprising that they didn’t understand many things and it is clear that they don’t clearly understand Jesus or his purpose until later). What these do is show that the writers of the gospel were not very interested in their own prestige or how they might look by their own accounts. Again, why do this if you are just making it up? Why not simply omit these areas or increase your role and apparent understanding? Why not have Jesus compliment you?
Gethsemane – fell asleep Mk. 14:32-41 (Lk.22:47)
This is a great example of truth in telling. The disciples fall asleep when Jesus tells them to stand watch (not once, but twice!) right before he is taken away.
4) Where were they (the disciples) when Jesus was crucified? (Jn. 19:25-27; Lk.23:49)
None of the disciples (except John who says nothing in defense of Jesus) were at his crucifixion. They were all away in hiding (probably in fear).
5) Who buried Jesus? (Jn. 19:38-39)
Joseph of Arimathea (a member of the Sanhedrin) and Nicodemus buried him. Again, where are the disciples? In a work of fiction, wouldn’t the disciples wanted to appear more assertive here, perhaps demanding his body or at least helping bury him?
6) After his crucifixion, whom did Jesus appear to?
(Jn. 20; Mt. 28; Mk. 16; Lk. 24 – note Mk. 16:14)
First?
Mary Magdalene and (in some accounts) Mary the mother of Jesus went to the tomb and he appeared to them. Note that none of the disciples (men) went and this really makes them appear fearful (or cowardly) – especially for a first century Jew.
Later?
He appeared to the disciples (note again in Mk. 16:14 he rebukes them for their lack of faith).
(Why say this if you are making it up? How difficult is this to write for a first century Jewish man?) This would appear to be very difficult to write about oneself and I can’t see why someone writing a fictional account would describe events this way if it weren’t true.
7) Why become a Christian in the first century?
(Jn.15:18-16:4; Acts 5:17-18; Acts 8:1-3)
Jesus warned that the world would hate his followers. The book of Acts records the arrest and whipping (scourging) of his apostles (and deaths of some as well). In Acts 8 we read that the church was scattered from Jerusalem. Does this sound like a great recruiting strategy to get more followers or does it sound like the truth?
What if you were a Jew?
You would be separated from your family and your community who would have nothing to do with you. The Jewish religious leaders would persecute and perhaps beat or kill you. You may be forced out of your homes as many were in Jerusalem.
What if you were a gentile?
Gentiles would be condemned later by Roman authorities for their refusal to support and bow down to the Roman gods (sometime emperors were considered gods). They would later experience waves of persecution (the first major one of these was under Nero ~64-68 AD who blamed Christians for causing the great fire in Rome in 64 AD).
The point here is that there is no worldly incentive to become a Christian (unless you like being persecuted). There is, of course, the infinitely more important fact of salvation through belief. However, if this is a work of fiction, why make it seem so against one’s own self interest to become a Christian? Why not offer some worldly incentive? Our answer is because it is the truth and people heard, understood and believed without any “plus”. (This really does make one wonder where all of the “prosperity” gospel being offered today is coming from. It certainly doesn’t appear to be from the apostles!)
8) What was support for the testimony of disciples? (see 1 Cor. 15:3-6)
Paul reports that, after appearing to the disciples that he appeared to more than five hundred people. So many people saw the resurrected Jesus that the word spread and it became impossible to refute it.
9) After Pentecost (Acts 2), what happened?
Acts 4:13-14
We see that Peter and John who had been so wrong and afraid in the gospel accounts are now preaching with such courage, eloquence and conviction that even the Jewish religious leaders were “astonished”.
Acts 5:12-16, 25-42
We see that the apostles performed many signs and wonders, but that others were afraid to join them. Here again we see the transformation of the disciples at work even when everyone else is afraid.
The latter part of Acts chapter 5 shows that the apostles speak directly to the Sanhedrin and refuse to stop preaching the gospel even though they are threatened with death. Two things to note 1) the transformation in these men and 2) the fact that none of them ever recanted or denied the truth of the resurrection of Jesus despite being threatened with death and being flogged (scourged). In fact (Acts 5:41-42), “Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. 42And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.” Why (if you are making this up) wouldn’t you recant to avoid beatings or possible death?
Acts 14:11-18
A final note (much later) the apostles Paul and Barnabas are confused for gods themselves. This they vehemently deny begging the people not to worship them as they are only men. If you are making a work of fiction, why not be gods yourself?
10) Conversion of Paul – why would make up his story? Why would he become a Christian if it wasn’t authentic?
Acts 9:1-9
Paul’s (Saul’s) conversion on the road to Damascus is well known. What makes it more miraculous is the fact of who he was and why he would ever have had such a “change of heart” if it wasn’t true.
Why convert from his heritage? (Phil. 3:4-6)
Paul (Saul) had everything that you could want in the world; power, prestige, wealth and even his conviction that he was working for God in persecuting Christians. Paul says it best himself:
“4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. 7But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—“ (Phil. 3:4-9)
Conclusion:
So a group of “ordinary” men from a “backwater” province of the Roman Empire claim to have seen someone resurrected from the dead and were able to begin a church that today is the largest in the world and has endured for two millennia. This would appear to someone looking at it from the outside to be really difficult to believe. Imagine that you lived in the first century (and new nothing of Jesus) and someone asked you what you thought people would consider more significant/relevant in two thousand years; the Roman Empire or a carpenter’s son from Galilee.
I am always impressed with how much the disciples change (by their own account) and how often they fall short of any kind of righteousness of their own (just as we all do). This appears to be a testimony to the truth of their story and the spirit that motivated them to do so and that is one reason (in my opinion) that the gospel has lasted. More importantly, this has to be the work of God or it could not possibly have endured.
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