1) What are the duties/responsibilities of a shepherd? How would sheep behave if they did not have a shepherd?
Read Psalm 23
2) Verse 1 reads “The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want.” What point is David making? David is making an expression of faith in this verse. He has a deep trust in God. God will meet David’s needs physical (food, drink, clothing, shelter) and spiritual (love, peace, security, joy, righteousness, etc.). He’ll never go without. Cross reference Matthew 6: 25-34.
3) Read verses 2-3. What four things does God the Shepherd do for David the Sheep? How is each beneficial to the sheep?
A) He makes the sheep (David) lie down in green pastures - Benefit is rest
Point out to the group that the Shepherd (God) MAKES the sheep (David) lie down (rest) in green pastures. Why is it that the Shepherd (God) has to make the sheep (David) lie down to gain rest? The sheep are about to journey to the next pasture. They need rest in order to make the journey successfully. Can’t stop between pastures for very long. See why in a moment.
Is it necessary for God to make us lie down and rest? What are some ways he makes us lie down? One example is the fourth commandment - Sabbath: God commanded that we rest one day out of seven. What can happen to us if we do not heed God’s command to lie down (rest)?
B) He leads me beside still/quiet waters - benefit is peace. The Shepherd (God) leads the sheep (David) to a place that is peaceful and serene. When the sheep need rest the Shepherd (God) leads them not to places that are chaotic and filled with noise and racket but to a place where they can enjoy His peace. What are some places that God has led you so that you can know peace?
C) He restores my soul. The Shepherd (God) restores the sheep’s (David’s) soul. What does that mean? Restore - to bring back to a former or original state. What do you think David’s soul was like before God restored it? Anger? Sadness? Despair? Frustration? Fear? How did God restore David’s soul? God led David away from whatever it was that changed his soul and made him rest in a place of peace and serenity. In this place David could renew his strength by spiritually feeding on the green grass and drinking the cool waters. Cross reference - Psalm 46:10. How does God restore your soul?
D) He guides me in the paths of righteousness - benefit is doing what God says is right. Why did God guide David in the paths of righteousness? For David’s glory or God’s glory? To bring glory to God’s name.
Who do you rely on when deciding to do what is right? Yourself, someone else, or God? Why do you do what is right? To bring honor to your name or the name of God?
Notice that all of the above comes before what’s next. Why? He’s giving us the strength we need to successfully make it through the difficult part of the journey.
4) Read verse 4. What imagery comes to mind when you hear the phrase “the valley of the shadow of death”? Imagery - sheep walking through a valley. On either side are hungry wolves with red eyes staring at them. Reason why sheep need rest earlier. Can’t stop in the valley of the shadow of death. Reason why he guides us down the paths of righteousness. So that we will continue to walk righteously during the difficult times.
5) Why do the sheep have to walk through this valley? Only way to get to the next pasture. A valley is located between steep mountains. Sheep can’t travel through rocky, steep mountains. Have to go through the valley where danger is constant.
For David as king - He had enemies all around him who wanted him dead in the worst way (Saul, Philistines, his own son Absalom). The shadow of death fell over him regularly. David did not fear the evil that cast the shadow of death, why? God was with him. God’s rod and staff gave him comfort.
6 a) What is the purpose of a rod? Symbol of authority. Used for guiding. The sheep wanders astray from the pack heading for danger the shepherd will tap him with the rod to get him back to safety.
b) What is the purpose of a staff? Staff has a crook at end. Used to pull sheep out of dangerous places - thorn bushes, rivers, steep places, etc.
Both are symbols of God’s mercy/grace Both give us comfort.
c) How does God’s rod and staff comfort us who are walking the valley of the shadow of death?
List examples of “valleys of shadow of death” today - Some examples terminal illnesses, drug addiction, alcoholism, depression, missionaries in dangerous nations (Islamic countries, Asia).
7) Vs. 5 - What imagery comes to mind when you read “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies”? What is so significant about God anointing David’s head with oil? Cleansing from filth. Why does David’s cup overflow? Overwhelming joy of being in the presence of God. Being cared for by God. God was the host, David the guest. Ex. Stephen (Acts chapters 6 and 7)
8) Why does David believe that goodness and mercy/lovingkindness will follow him for the rest of his life? He’s following after the Shepherd (God). After making it through the most difficult part of the journey, David is confident that it will end successfully.
9) Where does David like to call home? House of God. Why? That’s where God lives. He wanted to be in the presence of God forever. Who doesn’t? Here lies the end of the journey.
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Psalm 46
Read Psalm 46.
Explain purpose of Selah. When the singer said “Selah”, he stopped singing for a moment so that the audience could meditate/reflect upon the words he sang.
1) What is the context of this psalm? That is, why do you think it was written? What do you think it was written in response to? Look at some of the phrases in the psalm. God is our refuge/our strength, help in trouble; we will not fear though the world should crumble around us. One gets the sense that Jerusalem was being threatened by an outside power. Speculation that it was Assyria (II Kings 18, II Chronicles 32, Isaiah 36) mightiest empire of that time. Feared by all peoples in the Middle East. Used a combination of brutality/terror and advanced military technology (battering ram – break down towering walls). Imagine you are a citizen in Jerusalem. Your city is surrounded. Walls are being pounded day after day. Once walls come down who knows what will happen to you. For the people of Jerusalem, their world was crashing down around them. As a consequence, people were fearful/panicking. They were like the fable of the little chick screaming “The sky is falling! The sky is falling!” The sons of Korah wrote this psalm in order to calm the people/to reassure the people they had nothing to fear.
2) What terms did the author of the psalm associate with God? Refuge, strength, ever-present help, Most High, Lord of host (NASB)/Almighty (NIV), stronghold (NASB)/fortress (NIV), God of Jacob (refers to God being a keeper of promises)
3) Why would the city of God not fall? Verse 4 & 5 - God is within her. Jerusalem is his city. It is where He dwells. I can imagine people in Jerusalem running around asking “Where is God?” Sons of Korah telling them He is right here. When you are going through a hard time, ever ask the question “Where is God?” as if God is a million miles away or He’s busy with someone else. In truth, for a believer, God is not way out there. He’s right here. Not a church building. God’s house is in your heart. Read John 15:5-7
4) In verse 8, the sons of Korah wrote “Come and see ..”
Who were to come and see? The people of Jerusalem.
What were they to see? see the works of God
By saying “Come and see …” the sons of Korah were striving to get the people’s attention. To get them to stop whatever they were doing/to take their focus off their fears and see the works of God, specifically the desolations God has brought on the earth.
Define the word “desolation” – utter destruction. Can you think of examples of "desolations" God brought upon the earth that the people would remember?
Flood, Sodom and Gomorrah, Plagues on Egypt, Jericho are a few
5) List examples of God's power found in this psalm. He speaks the earth melts; makes wars to cease, breaks the bow; shatters spears, burns chariots with fire (In NIV its shields).
6) Read verse 10. REALLY, REALLY, REALLY think about what this verse is saying.
a) In your own words, what does "Be still and know that I am God" mean?
Stop whatever you are doing externally (physical) and internally (emotional and spiritual) and recognize/understand God and who He is. And know that no matter how dire the situation is in the end God will be exalted, he will receive the glory. Bad news for the heathens, good news for the people of God
b) What did the sons of Korah know about God? Repeat the answers to questions 2-5.
c) How did they know it? They were still. They did not get caught up in the panic and fear prevalent in Jerusalem. They ceased striving and sought God and God revealed himself. They remembered who God is and how in the past He was the Savior of Jerusalem. The army threatening Jerusalem may be powerful and fearful. But the sons of Korah knew God to be more powerful and more fearful.
Read to class this summary of what sons of Korah were saying in Psalm 46:
Though our world comes crashing down around us, we will not fear. God is our refuge, our strength, our ever present help in times of trouble. God lives with us. This is His home. He will protect us. He will defend us with his awesome power. God has done it before. He will do it again. God will bring us peace.
The reason why the sons of Korah could sing this is because they stopped (stopped being fearful/being anxious/panicking) and took the time to know/recognize/understand God. As a consequence, they were know longer afraid, but filled with boldness and courage.
7) a) When your world comes crashing down around you, what is your initial response?
Examples: running away, fear, anger, anxiety, blame God or others for the situation you are in, feel abandoned by God, doubt God’s power, forget the past times He has helped you through difficult situations.
What is God telling you to do? Be still, know who I am.
Does that make sense? Rationally, no it doesn’t. It doesn’t make sense to stand still with no fear in front of a crumbling mountain or a tidal wave. But the sons of Korah said they could. Verses 2 and 3. Why? They knew God - His power and His promises.
8) What can prevent us from being still and knowing God? Schedule, stress, questions about the future, job, school, worry, anxiety, activities, entertainment, ministry
If your Assyria is despair; be still; know God's hope.
If your Assyria is unconfessed sin; be still; know God's forgiveness.
If your Assyria is drugs/alcoholism/pornography; be still; know God's freedom from addiction.
If your Assyria is unemployment; be still; know God's provision.
If your Assyria is uncertainty about the future; be still; know God's patience/trust.
If your Assyria is stress; be still; know God's peace.
If your Assyria is grief; be still; know God's comfort.
If your Assyria is pain; be still; know God's healing.
APPLICATION:
Take time to be still/cease striving and know God through prayer, worship, His Word, reflection/remembering. Whatever the situation is, take focus of it and put it on God and He will reveal Himself to you. You will gain the boldness and the courage to confront the situation you are in. In the end, when it is all said and done, God will be exalted.
Explain purpose of Selah. When the singer said “Selah”, he stopped singing for a moment so that the audience could meditate/reflect upon the words he sang.
1) What is the context of this psalm? That is, why do you think it was written? What do you think it was written in response to? Look at some of the phrases in the psalm. God is our refuge/our strength, help in trouble; we will not fear though the world should crumble around us. One gets the sense that Jerusalem was being threatened by an outside power. Speculation that it was Assyria (II Kings 18, II Chronicles 32, Isaiah 36) mightiest empire of that time. Feared by all peoples in the Middle East. Used a combination of brutality/terror and advanced military technology (battering ram – break down towering walls). Imagine you are a citizen in Jerusalem. Your city is surrounded. Walls are being pounded day after day. Once walls come down who knows what will happen to you. For the people of Jerusalem, their world was crashing down around them. As a consequence, people were fearful/panicking. They were like the fable of the little chick screaming “The sky is falling! The sky is falling!” The sons of Korah wrote this psalm in order to calm the people/to reassure the people they had nothing to fear.
2) What terms did the author of the psalm associate with God? Refuge, strength, ever-present help, Most High, Lord of host (NASB)/Almighty (NIV), stronghold (NASB)/fortress (NIV), God of Jacob (refers to God being a keeper of promises)
3) Why would the city of God not fall? Verse 4 & 5 - God is within her. Jerusalem is his city. It is where He dwells. I can imagine people in Jerusalem running around asking “Where is God?” Sons of Korah telling them He is right here. When you are going through a hard time, ever ask the question “Where is God?” as if God is a million miles away or He’s busy with someone else. In truth, for a believer, God is not way out there. He’s right here. Not a church building. God’s house is in your heart. Read John 15:5-7
4) In verse 8, the sons of Korah wrote “Come and see ..”
Who were to come and see? The people of Jerusalem.
What were they to see? see the works of God
By saying “Come and see …” the sons of Korah were striving to get the people’s attention. To get them to stop whatever they were doing/to take their focus off their fears and see the works of God, specifically the desolations God has brought on the earth.
Define the word “desolation” – utter destruction. Can you think of examples of "desolations" God brought upon the earth that the people would remember?
Flood, Sodom and Gomorrah, Plagues on Egypt, Jericho are a few
5) List examples of God's power found in this psalm. He speaks the earth melts; makes wars to cease, breaks the bow; shatters spears, burns chariots with fire (In NIV its shields).
6) Read verse 10. REALLY, REALLY, REALLY think about what this verse is saying.
a) In your own words, what does "Be still and know that I am God" mean?
Stop whatever you are doing externally (physical) and internally (emotional and spiritual) and recognize/understand God and who He is. And know that no matter how dire the situation is in the end God will be exalted, he will receive the glory. Bad news for the heathens, good news for the people of God
b) What did the sons of Korah know about God? Repeat the answers to questions 2-5.
c) How did they know it? They were still. They did not get caught up in the panic and fear prevalent in Jerusalem. They ceased striving and sought God and God revealed himself. They remembered who God is and how in the past He was the Savior of Jerusalem. The army threatening Jerusalem may be powerful and fearful. But the sons of Korah knew God to be more powerful and more fearful.
Read to class this summary of what sons of Korah were saying in Psalm 46:
Though our world comes crashing down around us, we will not fear. God is our refuge, our strength, our ever present help in times of trouble. God lives with us. This is His home. He will protect us. He will defend us with his awesome power. God has done it before. He will do it again. God will bring us peace.
The reason why the sons of Korah could sing this is because they stopped (stopped being fearful/being anxious/panicking) and took the time to know/recognize/understand God. As a consequence, they were know longer afraid, but filled with boldness and courage.
7) a) When your world comes crashing down around you, what is your initial response?
Examples: running away, fear, anger, anxiety, blame God or others for the situation you are in, feel abandoned by God, doubt God’s power, forget the past times He has helped you through difficult situations.
What is God telling you to do? Be still, know who I am.
Does that make sense? Rationally, no it doesn’t. It doesn’t make sense to stand still with no fear in front of a crumbling mountain or a tidal wave. But the sons of Korah said they could. Verses 2 and 3. Why? They knew God - His power and His promises.
8) What can prevent us from being still and knowing God? Schedule, stress, questions about the future, job, school, worry, anxiety, activities, entertainment, ministry
If your Assyria is despair; be still; know God's hope.
If your Assyria is unconfessed sin; be still; know God's forgiveness.
If your Assyria is drugs/alcoholism/pornography; be still; know God's freedom from addiction.
If your Assyria is unemployment; be still; know God's provision.
If your Assyria is uncertainty about the future; be still; know God's patience/trust.
If your Assyria is stress; be still; know God's peace.
If your Assyria is grief; be still; know God's comfort.
If your Assyria is pain; be still; know God's healing.
APPLICATION:
Take time to be still/cease striving and know God through prayer, worship, His Word, reflection/remembering. Whatever the situation is, take focus of it and put it on God and He will reveal Himself to you. You will gain the boldness and the courage to confront the situation you are in. In the end, when it is all said and done, God will be exalted.
Thursday, August 16, 2012
WHEN JESUS GETS ANGRY Pt. 3
6. vs. 23-24 – What is the fourth woe? The Pharisees and teachers of the Law are faithful in their tithing, but they neglected to obey the spirit of the Law – justice, mercy, and faithfulness to their fellow man. Deuteronomy 14:22 - You shall tithe all the yield of your seed that comes from the field year by year. God was referring to seeds that produced agricultural crops such as wheat, barley, grapes, olives, etc. The Pharisees practiced extreme seed tithing. They tithed the produce from small home garden seeds such as dill, mint, and cumin. Moreover, paying tithes with dill required that the seeds, leaves and the stems were to be used. Otherwise, the tithe would be rejected. The strict Pharisee would carefully strain his drinking water through a cloth to make certain he did not swallow a gnat, the smallest ceremonially unclean animal. But Jesus said that they had no problem swallowing a camel, one the largest unclean animals. The purpose of analogy – the Pharisees were faithful to strictly observe the Law to the “t” so that people could see how “clean” they were, but when it came to the spirit of the Law – justice, mercy, faithfulness to God and fellow man – they were “unclean.” Does the fourth woe exist today? Are there church attenders who are faithful in giving their tithe, read their Bibles everyday, can tell you the difference between Calvinism and Arminianism, explain the Holy Trinity, but when it comes to looking out for the needs of others – show justice and mercy – faithfulness - stand beside them through thick and thin – they are sorely lacking.
7. vs. 25-28. What is Jesus saying to the Pharisees and teachers of the Law in the fifth and sixth woes? Outwardly you appear clean, righteous, and spiritual to others with your phylacteries, tassels, tithing, praying, and works, but within you are full of greed, selfish, hypocrisy, and lawlessness. The Pharisees and teachers of the Law believed it was one’s ability to follow the Law and oral traditions that made a person “clean” or “unclean.” When in truth, it is what is in our heart that makes us “clean.” Read Matthew 15:10-20. Jesus really hurt the Pharisees with these two woes. They went to great lengths to keep their physical appearance clean. A speck of dirt on their clothes or skin made them “unclean.” Whitewashed tombs – Why were tombs painted white? A person who stepped on a grave was ceremonially unclean (Numbers 19:16), so graves were whitewashed to make them easily visible, especially at night. They appeared clean and beautiful on the outside but were dirty and rotten on the inside. Ex. Hollywood Cemetery. Do the fifth and sixth woes exist today?
8. What is the seventh woe? The Pharisees and teachers of the Law built themselves up in the eyes of the people by tearing down their ancestors. They said if we lived in the days of our ancestors we would not taken part in the persecution and murder of the prophets. We would have defended the prophets. We would have died with them. Jesus was like “OH PUHLEEZE!!!!!!!” You guys would have been right there with them in killing and persecuting the prophets. Why? Like Jesus did to the Pharisees and teachers of the Law, the prophets, inspired by God, condemned the people of Israel and Judah for their hypocrisy. Read Isaiah 1:10-17. The reaction of the people (ancestors of the Pharisees and teachers of the Law) towards the condemning words of the prophets was– violence and murder. The Pharisees will respond the same way to Jesus and his followers. Read vs. 34. Does the seventh woe exist today? When you were younger, did you ever point your finger at the previous generation and say “I will never make mistakes they made!”? 20-30 years go by and you’re doing what you said you would not do.
9. vs. 37-39 – Who is Jesus speaking to and what did he tell them? Do his words ring true today? Jesus expands his final woe beyond the Pharisees and teachers of the Law to include all the people of Jerusalem. They were also guilty of violence and murder against the prophets. Despite their guilt, Jesus wanted to reach out to the people to protect them but the people rejected him. He pointed to the Temple and said “Look at your house that you take such pride in … that is so massive and beautiful! It is empty! God no longer lives there! I no longer live there! You reject me, you reject God! You will not see me again until you acknowledge me to be the Messiah, the Anointed One, your king and God!” Is Jesus crying out to millions of church attenders around the USA pointing his finger at their beautiful places of worship and saying “Look at your church that you take such pride in! It is empty! God no longer lives there! I no longer live there! You reject me, you reject God! You will not see me again until you acknowledge with your lips and your deeds that I am your one and only Savior and Lord!”
7. vs. 25-28. What is Jesus saying to the Pharisees and teachers of the Law in the fifth and sixth woes? Outwardly you appear clean, righteous, and spiritual to others with your phylacteries, tassels, tithing, praying, and works, but within you are full of greed, selfish, hypocrisy, and lawlessness. The Pharisees and teachers of the Law believed it was one’s ability to follow the Law and oral traditions that made a person “clean” or “unclean.” When in truth, it is what is in our heart that makes us “clean.” Read Matthew 15:10-20. Jesus really hurt the Pharisees with these two woes. They went to great lengths to keep their physical appearance clean. A speck of dirt on their clothes or skin made them “unclean.” Whitewashed tombs – Why were tombs painted white? A person who stepped on a grave was ceremonially unclean (Numbers 19:16), so graves were whitewashed to make them easily visible, especially at night. They appeared clean and beautiful on the outside but were dirty and rotten on the inside. Ex. Hollywood Cemetery. Do the fifth and sixth woes exist today?
8. What is the seventh woe? The Pharisees and teachers of the Law built themselves up in the eyes of the people by tearing down their ancestors. They said if we lived in the days of our ancestors we would not taken part in the persecution and murder of the prophets. We would have defended the prophets. We would have died with them. Jesus was like “OH PUHLEEZE!!!!!!!” You guys would have been right there with them in killing and persecuting the prophets. Why? Like Jesus did to the Pharisees and teachers of the Law, the prophets, inspired by God, condemned the people of Israel and Judah for their hypocrisy. Read Isaiah 1:10-17. The reaction of the people (ancestors of the Pharisees and teachers of the Law) towards the condemning words of the prophets was– violence and murder. The Pharisees will respond the same way to Jesus and his followers. Read vs. 34. Does the seventh woe exist today? When you were younger, did you ever point your finger at the previous generation and say “I will never make mistakes they made!”? 20-30 years go by and you’re doing what you said you would not do.
9. vs. 37-39 – Who is Jesus speaking to and what did he tell them? Do his words ring true today? Jesus expands his final woe beyond the Pharisees and teachers of the Law to include all the people of Jerusalem. They were also guilty of violence and murder against the prophets. Despite their guilt, Jesus wanted to reach out to the people to protect them but the people rejected him. He pointed to the Temple and said “Look at your house that you take such pride in … that is so massive and beautiful! It is empty! God no longer lives there! I no longer live there! You reject me, you reject God! You will not see me again until you acknowledge me to be the Messiah, the Anointed One, your king and God!” Is Jesus crying out to millions of church attenders around the USA pointing his finger at their beautiful places of worship and saying “Look at your church that you take such pride in! It is empty! God no longer lives there! I no longer live there! You reject me, you reject God! You will not see me again until you acknowledge with your lips and your deeds that I am your one and only Savior and Lord!”
Thursday, August 9, 2012
WHEN JESUS GETS ANGRY Pt. 2
vs. 5: “broad phylacteries” and “long fringes” – The Pharisees and teachers of the Law went out of their way to let everyone know how godly/holy they were in the way they dressed. Phylacteries were boxes containing Scriptures [Exodus 1:9; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Deuteronomy 11:13-21] worn on forehead and arm. According to Jesus, the Pharisees and teachers of the Law wore larger than normal phylacteries. Why? To hold more of the Scriptures for the purpose of gaining public acclaim. Purpose of the tassels – outward remembrance of God’s commandments/God’s deliverance. They were a symbol of holiness [Numbers 15:37-41] According to Jesus, the Pharisees and teachers of the Law wore longer than normal tassels. Why? Same as the phylacteries. Gain public acclaim.
Does this mind-set exist today? Do church attenders associate clothing and/or physical appearance with being a “true” Christian? Give examples. Should it exist? Read Acts chapter 15.
vs. 6-12: The Pharisees and teachers of the Law loved the “perks” that came with their position in Jewish society. If someone did not show them the “respect” owed to them, they were insulted and let everyone know you insulted them. Jesus made it clear to the crowds and his disciples that only God and His Son were deserving of the “respect” the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law demanded. Does this mind-set exist today? Do church attenders crave the respect/honor/glory/limelight? Do they regard serving God as a means to build themselves up? Give examples. Grove Hill MP church. Should it exist? Read James chapter 2.
WHEN JESUS GETS ANGRY Pt. 2
Read Matthew 23:13-36
1. What is a hypocrite? A person who pretends to have virtues, moral or religious beliefs, principles, etc., that he or she does not actually possess, especially a person whose actions belie stated beliefs. The Greeks associated the word with actors.
2. vs. 13 – What was the first woe Jesus directed at the Pharisees and teachers of the Law? They denied people access to God. The slam the door shut so that no one can enter the kingdom of heaven, not even themselves. How? The Pharisees and teachers of the Law can’t enter because of their unrighteousness and hypocrisy. The Pharisees and teachers of the Law deny others entry into the kingdom of heaven by a) placing upon them the heavy burden of the oral laws and traditions that the people could never live up to and b) The hypocrisy of the Pharisees and teachers of the Law turned people away from entering the kingdom of heaven. Does the first woe exist today? Explain. What is a main reason, if not the number 1 reason, why nonbelievers reject Christianity/visit church? Churches are full of hypocrites. How do nonbelievers make that judgment? They see how church attenders act Monday-Saturday and it is not the same as church attenders act on Sunday.
3. vs. 15 – What was the second woe Jesus directed at the Pharisees and teachers of the Law? They will do whatever it takes to convert someone to their beliefs. When they succeed, that person becomes spiritually worse than they are. That person becomes brainwashed. It is nearly impossible to convince that person to reject the lie they believe to be truth and/or accept the truth they believe to be a lie. Does the second woe exist today? Explain.
4. vs. 16 What does Jesus call the Pharisees and teachers of the Law? Blind guides. Why? They are teachers who have no clue where they are going. They think the path they are teaching/leading leads to heaven when in fact they are leading people to hell.
5. vs. 16-22 - what is the third woe? What is the purpose of taking an oath? A solemn appeal to something sacred to witness one's determination to speak the truth, to keep a promise, etc. The Pharisees and the teachers of the Law differentiated between which oaths were binding and which were not. This allowed for evasive oath taking. Example – The Pharisees and teachers of the Law taught that if you made an oath by the temple, it was not binding; however, if you made an oath by the gold found in the temple, you had to fulfill you’re oath. Jesus condemned this deceitful behavior. He insisted that people tell the truth with no conditions. Does the third woe exist today? Explain. The word of a Christian should be trustworthy.
Does this mind-set exist today? Do church attenders associate clothing and/or physical appearance with being a “true” Christian? Give examples. Should it exist? Read Acts chapter 15.
vs. 6-12: The Pharisees and teachers of the Law loved the “perks” that came with their position in Jewish society. If someone did not show them the “respect” owed to them, they were insulted and let everyone know you insulted them. Jesus made it clear to the crowds and his disciples that only God and His Son were deserving of the “respect” the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law demanded. Does this mind-set exist today? Do church attenders crave the respect/honor/glory/limelight? Do they regard serving God as a means to build themselves up? Give examples. Grove Hill MP church. Should it exist? Read James chapter 2.
WHEN JESUS GETS ANGRY Pt. 2
Read Matthew 23:13-36
1. What is a hypocrite? A person who pretends to have virtues, moral or religious beliefs, principles, etc., that he or she does not actually possess, especially a person whose actions belie stated beliefs. The Greeks associated the word with actors.
2. vs. 13 – What was the first woe Jesus directed at the Pharisees and teachers of the Law? They denied people access to God. The slam the door shut so that no one can enter the kingdom of heaven, not even themselves. How? The Pharisees and teachers of the Law can’t enter because of their unrighteousness and hypocrisy. The Pharisees and teachers of the Law deny others entry into the kingdom of heaven by a) placing upon them the heavy burden of the oral laws and traditions that the people could never live up to and b) The hypocrisy of the Pharisees and teachers of the Law turned people away from entering the kingdom of heaven. Does the first woe exist today? Explain. What is a main reason, if not the number 1 reason, why nonbelievers reject Christianity/visit church? Churches are full of hypocrites. How do nonbelievers make that judgment? They see how church attenders act Monday-Saturday and it is not the same as church attenders act on Sunday.
3. vs. 15 – What was the second woe Jesus directed at the Pharisees and teachers of the Law? They will do whatever it takes to convert someone to their beliefs. When they succeed, that person becomes spiritually worse than they are. That person becomes brainwashed. It is nearly impossible to convince that person to reject the lie they believe to be truth and/or accept the truth they believe to be a lie. Does the second woe exist today? Explain.
4. vs. 16 What does Jesus call the Pharisees and teachers of the Law? Blind guides. Why? They are teachers who have no clue where they are going. They think the path they are teaching/leading leads to heaven when in fact they are leading people to hell.
5. vs. 16-22 - what is the third woe? What is the purpose of taking an oath? A solemn appeal to something sacred to witness one's determination to speak the truth, to keep a promise, etc. The Pharisees and the teachers of the Law differentiated between which oaths were binding and which were not. This allowed for evasive oath taking. Example – The Pharisees and teachers of the Law taught that if you made an oath by the temple, it was not binding; however, if you made an oath by the gold found in the temple, you had to fulfill you’re oath. Jesus condemned this deceitful behavior. He insisted that people tell the truth with no conditions. Does the third woe exist today? Explain. The word of a Christian should be trustworthy.
Thursday, August 2, 2012
WHEN JESUS GETS ANGRY Pt. 1
Read Matthew 23:1-12
Setting: Jesus is at the Temple.
1) Who is listening to Jesus? The crowds, the disciples. And if you read the previous two chapters, Pharisees and the teachers of the Law.
2) How does Jesus characterize the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law in these verses? Egotistical, narcissistic, prideful, arrogant, knowledgeable,
vs. 2: “sit on Moses’ seat” – symbolized a position of authority. The Pharisees regarded themselves as the authorized successors to Moses. In other words, we have a monopoly on God. The only way to God is through us. John the Baptist and Jesus are heretics. Does this mind-set exist today? Give examples. Should it exist? Read Mark 9:38-40
vs. 3: Do what the Pharisees and teachers of the Law say but not what they do. They do not practice what they preach. Jesus expounds on this later.
vs. 4: “Heavy burdens” – reference to the thousands of oral laws that the Pharisees regarded as having equal authority with the Scriptures. They taught the people that if you want to be righteous …if you want to know God’s blessing and not God’s curse/wrath … you have to know and follow all the oral laws as well as the Scriptures. Read Matthew 11:28-30: The “labor” and “heavy laden” Jesus is referring to are the oral laws taught by the Pharisees. Rather than give people joy and hope, the oral laws made them miserable and hopeless. They couldn’t remember the thousands of oral laws. If they could not live by the oral law, they were condemned by God according to the Pharisees. Does this mind-set exist today? Do church attenders place additional conditions on being a Christian beyond what the Scriptures say? Give examples. Should it exist? Read Romans chapters 14 and 15.
vs. 4: “they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger” – Pharisees and teachers of the Law have no problem placing burdens on the people; however, they are not willing to place it upon themselves. The Pharisees did not hold themselves accountable to obeying the oral laws the way they did the people. They had no problem judging/condemning others who did not follow the oral laws traditions they taught, but rarely if ever did they judge themselves. Who judges/condemns the Pharisee or the teacher of the Law for failing to abide by the oral laws? No one. They regarded themselves to be above everyone else. Does this mind-set exist today? Do church attenders pass judgment on others and yet fail to live up to the standards of perfection they have set for others? Give examples. Should it exist? Read Matthew 7:1-5; Romans 3:23
Setting: Jesus is at the Temple.
1) Who is listening to Jesus? The crowds, the disciples. And if you read the previous two chapters, Pharisees and the teachers of the Law.
2) How does Jesus characterize the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law in these verses? Egotistical, narcissistic, prideful, arrogant, knowledgeable,
vs. 2: “sit on Moses’ seat” – symbolized a position of authority. The Pharisees regarded themselves as the authorized successors to Moses. In other words, we have a monopoly on God. The only way to God is through us. John the Baptist and Jesus are heretics. Does this mind-set exist today? Give examples. Should it exist? Read Mark 9:38-40
vs. 3: Do what the Pharisees and teachers of the Law say but not what they do. They do not practice what they preach. Jesus expounds on this later.
vs. 4: “Heavy burdens” – reference to the thousands of oral laws that the Pharisees regarded as having equal authority with the Scriptures. They taught the people that if you want to be righteous …if you want to know God’s blessing and not God’s curse/wrath … you have to know and follow all the oral laws as well as the Scriptures. Read Matthew 11:28-30: The “labor” and “heavy laden” Jesus is referring to are the oral laws taught by the Pharisees. Rather than give people joy and hope, the oral laws made them miserable and hopeless. They couldn’t remember the thousands of oral laws. If they could not live by the oral law, they were condemned by God according to the Pharisees. Does this mind-set exist today? Do church attenders place additional conditions on being a Christian beyond what the Scriptures say? Give examples. Should it exist? Read Romans chapters 14 and 15.
vs. 4: “they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger” – Pharisees and teachers of the Law have no problem placing burdens on the people; however, they are not willing to place it upon themselves. The Pharisees did not hold themselves accountable to obeying the oral laws the way they did the people. They had no problem judging/condemning others who did not follow the oral laws traditions they taught, but rarely if ever did they judge themselves. Who judges/condemns the Pharisee or the teacher of the Law for failing to abide by the oral laws? No one. They regarded themselves to be above everyone else. Does this mind-set exist today? Do church attenders pass judgment on others and yet fail to live up to the standards of perfection they have set for others? Give examples. Should it exist? Read Matthew 7:1-5; Romans 3:23
Thursday, July 26, 2012
WHEN JESUS GETS ANGRY – PRELUDE
Background:
Pharisees – A Jewish religious and political group that maintained a strict observance of the Mosaic Law (the first five books of the Bible and more specifically Deuteronomy) as well as oral laws and traditions passed down by word of mouth over a period of centuries. The Pharisees asserted that the Scriptures were not complete and could therefore not be understood on their own terms. In other words, God was not specific enough when He gave the Law to Moses. The oral laws and traditions functioned to elaborate and explain what was written. Pharisees taught that these oral laws and traditions had the same authority as the Law/God’s Word. Guess who were the only ones who knew these oral laws and traditions?
Example – the Law says that a person is to observe the Sabbath and keep it holy by not working. What qualifies as work? The Pharisees “added” to God’s word by defining what is work – spitting on the ground to make clay, brushing one’s hair, wearing a hairclip, starting or extinguishing a fire, carrying a mat, writing or erasing letters. Items normally used for work could not even be touched on the Sabbath. They were off-limits for fear of "accidental" use. Examples – touching a hammer or looking in a mirror. In all, the Pharisees developed 39 categories of work prohibited on the Sabbath. Within these 39 categories, well established by the time of Jesus, came the thousands of specific rules governing each situation and contingency to avoid desecrating the Sabbath. In addition to oral laws and tradition related to the Sabbath, there were thousands and thousands more to explain the Law God gave to Moses. Written all down, they would make the IRS code look like a children’s book. According to the Pharisees, a person who fails to abide by these man-made rules is a sinner despised by God and man.
The Pharisees were the religious examples for the Jewish people. They went out of their way to let everyone know how godly/holy they were in the way they dressed (phylacteries – boxes containing Scriptures [Exodus 1:9; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Deuteronomy 11:13-21] worn on forehead and arm; tassels – remember God’s commandments/God’s deliverance symbol of holiness [Numbers 15:37-41] – longer the tassels the holier you were, worshipped (pray, tithe, fast), and related to others (avoided unclean people – sick, poor, Gentiles, tax collectors.)
The Pharisees regarded themselves as the sole interpreters of the Law. The people were to listen to them if they wanted to know what it took to receive God’s love and blessings The Pharisees’ knowledge of the Law, the oral traditions, and extreme devotion to God earned them the respect of the people which enabled the Pharisees to greatly influence public opinion.
The Pharisees despised Jesus for the following reasons. He taught as one who had authority to interpret God’s Law/to speak on behalf of God but that authority did not come from the Pharisees. Also, Jesus regularly broke the oral laws and traditions espoused by the Pharisees – He “worked” on the Sabbath, touched sick people, fraternized with “sinners,” etc. Finally, Jesus’ growing popularity among the people undermined the Pharisees’ influence over the people.
Teachers of the Law/Scribes – Jewish scholars who were professionally trained in the development, teaching, and application of Old Testament law.
Read John 8:1-11
1. vs. 2 Where was Jesus and what was he doing? In front of the temple, teaching the people. Jesus was on Pharisee/teachers of the law turf. The people came to the temple to offer sacrifices and hear God’s word as taught by the Pharisees/teachers of the Law. What Jesus taught differed from what they taught. Read the Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew chapters 5-7. “You have heard it said this (from Pharisees/teachers of the Law) … but I (Jesus) tell you this.” Angered the Pharisees/teachers of the Law. Why? They did not give Jesus the authority to teach. What Jesus taught differed from their “official” teaching.
2. What happens in verse 3 and 4? Put yourself in the crowd that day, describe in your words what you see and hear. As you are listening to Jesus’ words, you hear a big commotion behind you. Men dragging a woman, perhaps covered with only a blanket, through the crowd. They are screaming epithets at her … spitting on her … she may be bruised and bleeding. They drop her in the middle of the huge crowd right in front of Jesus.
3. What did the Pharisees and teachers of the law say to Jesus? This woman was caught in the act of adultery. We saw it with our eyes. The Law of Moses (the Scriptures/Word of God) commanded that such women be stoned. What do you say Jesus?
4. What was their motive for asking this question? They wanted to trap Jesus.
5. How was this situation a trap for Jesus?
A) If Jesus said, “This woman is to be stoned to death! Give me a rock! I will be the first to strike her!” Jesus’ reputation among the people would be damaged. Jesus’ teaching was one of love, mercy, compassion for sinners. He would have been viewed by the people as a hypocrite.
B) Only the Roman authorities could carry out death sentences. If Jesus said “stone her,” the Pharisees and teachers of the Law could have him arrested and put on trial by the Romans.
C) If Jesus said “do not stone her,” the Pharisees and teachers of the Law could accuse him before all the people in the temple court of violating the Mosaic Law. Jesus’ ministry would come to a halt.
6. How did John, author of this Gospel and disciple of Jesus, know this was a trap for Jesus? Read Leviticus 20:10; Deuteronomy 22:22 – Where’s the man? How did the Pharisees and teachers of the Law catch this woman committing adultery? Perhaps the man she committed adultery with was one of her accusers? The Pharisees and the teachers of the Law were responsible for teaching and explaining to the people God’s word so that they could live righteous lives. At this moment, they are perverting it for their own selfish gain. Let’s be real. What’s happening here was not about the woman. She was just a tool the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law were using in order to damage Jesus’ reputation in the eyes of the people.
7. If you were the woman, what are you thinking/feeling at this moment? Afraid, humiliated, ashamed
8. In the last half of verse 6, what did Jesus do and why? Jesus bent down and began writing on the ground. Greg’s interpretation – He was letting the Pharisees and teachers of the Law have their say. Get it all out before He said His piece.
9. vs. 7 and 8. What did Jesus say and do? Why? Jesus stood up and said “if any one of you is without any sin … if any of you have never sinned or cannot sin … you can cast the first stone.” And then Jesus bent down and began writing on the ground again. Greg’s interpretation – Jesus wanted to give his words time to sink in to the hearts of the woman’s, and His, accusers and convict them.
10. vs. 9 What happened? Was there a pattern? What was significant about the pattern? One by one the woman’s accusers walked away starting with the oldest down to the youngest. The oldest had committed more sins than the youngest.
11. What do you think the woman was thinking/feeling at this moment? Shock, amazement.
12. What questions did Jesus ask the woman? Was there someone there who could?
Where did everybody go? Is there no one left to condemn you? Is there no one left to pass judgment on you? The woman’s response was “No one, master.” Was there someone left who could? Yes – Jesus. He was the only one left who had never sinned or could not sin. He could pass judgment upon the adulteress woman and stone her.
13. vs. 11. What did Jesus say to the woman? I don’t condemn you either. Go. And from this point on sin no more.
14. What lessons do we learn from the actions of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law? Men who were responsible for teaching and explaining God’s Word to the people so that they could live righteous lives used/perverted God’s Word for their own selfish gain. Men who praised themselves for being holy and Godly used ungodly methods in order to trap Jesus. They were being hypocrites. The hypocrisy of the Pharisees and teachers of the Law angered Jesus. From the actions of Jesus? John 3:17 – “For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world but that world through Him might be saved.”
Pharisees – A Jewish religious and political group that maintained a strict observance of the Mosaic Law (the first five books of the Bible and more specifically Deuteronomy) as well as oral laws and traditions passed down by word of mouth over a period of centuries. The Pharisees asserted that the Scriptures were not complete and could therefore not be understood on their own terms. In other words, God was not specific enough when He gave the Law to Moses. The oral laws and traditions functioned to elaborate and explain what was written. Pharisees taught that these oral laws and traditions had the same authority as the Law/God’s Word. Guess who were the only ones who knew these oral laws and traditions?
Example – the Law says that a person is to observe the Sabbath and keep it holy by not working. What qualifies as work? The Pharisees “added” to God’s word by defining what is work – spitting on the ground to make clay, brushing one’s hair, wearing a hairclip, starting or extinguishing a fire, carrying a mat, writing or erasing letters. Items normally used for work could not even be touched on the Sabbath. They were off-limits for fear of "accidental" use. Examples – touching a hammer or looking in a mirror. In all, the Pharisees developed 39 categories of work prohibited on the Sabbath. Within these 39 categories, well established by the time of Jesus, came the thousands of specific rules governing each situation and contingency to avoid desecrating the Sabbath. In addition to oral laws and tradition related to the Sabbath, there were thousands and thousands more to explain the Law God gave to Moses. Written all down, they would make the IRS code look like a children’s book. According to the Pharisees, a person who fails to abide by these man-made rules is a sinner despised by God and man.
The Pharisees were the religious examples for the Jewish people. They went out of their way to let everyone know how godly/holy they were in the way they dressed (phylacteries – boxes containing Scriptures [Exodus 1:9; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Deuteronomy 11:13-21] worn on forehead and arm; tassels – remember God’s commandments/God’s deliverance symbol of holiness [Numbers 15:37-41] – longer the tassels the holier you were, worshipped (pray, tithe, fast), and related to others (avoided unclean people – sick, poor, Gentiles, tax collectors.)
The Pharisees regarded themselves as the sole interpreters of the Law. The people were to listen to them if they wanted to know what it took to receive God’s love and blessings The Pharisees’ knowledge of the Law, the oral traditions, and extreme devotion to God earned them the respect of the people which enabled the Pharisees to greatly influence public opinion.
The Pharisees despised Jesus for the following reasons. He taught as one who had authority to interpret God’s Law/to speak on behalf of God but that authority did not come from the Pharisees. Also, Jesus regularly broke the oral laws and traditions espoused by the Pharisees – He “worked” on the Sabbath, touched sick people, fraternized with “sinners,” etc. Finally, Jesus’ growing popularity among the people undermined the Pharisees’ influence over the people.
Teachers of the Law/Scribes – Jewish scholars who were professionally trained in the development, teaching, and application of Old Testament law.
Read John 8:1-11
1. vs. 2 Where was Jesus and what was he doing? In front of the temple, teaching the people. Jesus was on Pharisee/teachers of the law turf. The people came to the temple to offer sacrifices and hear God’s word as taught by the Pharisees/teachers of the Law. What Jesus taught differed from what they taught. Read the Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew chapters 5-7. “You have heard it said this (from Pharisees/teachers of the Law) … but I (Jesus) tell you this.” Angered the Pharisees/teachers of the Law. Why? They did not give Jesus the authority to teach. What Jesus taught differed from their “official” teaching.
2. What happens in verse 3 and 4? Put yourself in the crowd that day, describe in your words what you see and hear. As you are listening to Jesus’ words, you hear a big commotion behind you. Men dragging a woman, perhaps covered with only a blanket, through the crowd. They are screaming epithets at her … spitting on her … she may be bruised and bleeding. They drop her in the middle of the huge crowd right in front of Jesus.
3. What did the Pharisees and teachers of the law say to Jesus? This woman was caught in the act of adultery. We saw it with our eyes. The Law of Moses (the Scriptures/Word of God) commanded that such women be stoned. What do you say Jesus?
4. What was their motive for asking this question? They wanted to trap Jesus.
5. How was this situation a trap for Jesus?
A) If Jesus said, “This woman is to be stoned to death! Give me a rock! I will be the first to strike her!” Jesus’ reputation among the people would be damaged. Jesus’ teaching was one of love, mercy, compassion for sinners. He would have been viewed by the people as a hypocrite.
B) Only the Roman authorities could carry out death sentences. If Jesus said “stone her,” the Pharisees and teachers of the Law could have him arrested and put on trial by the Romans.
C) If Jesus said “do not stone her,” the Pharisees and teachers of the Law could accuse him before all the people in the temple court of violating the Mosaic Law. Jesus’ ministry would come to a halt.
6. How did John, author of this Gospel and disciple of Jesus, know this was a trap for Jesus? Read Leviticus 20:10; Deuteronomy 22:22 – Where’s the man? How did the Pharisees and teachers of the Law catch this woman committing adultery? Perhaps the man she committed adultery with was one of her accusers? The Pharisees and the teachers of the Law were responsible for teaching and explaining to the people God’s word so that they could live righteous lives. At this moment, they are perverting it for their own selfish gain. Let’s be real. What’s happening here was not about the woman. She was just a tool the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law were using in order to damage Jesus’ reputation in the eyes of the people.
7. If you were the woman, what are you thinking/feeling at this moment? Afraid, humiliated, ashamed
8. In the last half of verse 6, what did Jesus do and why? Jesus bent down and began writing on the ground. Greg’s interpretation – He was letting the Pharisees and teachers of the Law have their say. Get it all out before He said His piece.
9. vs. 7 and 8. What did Jesus say and do? Why? Jesus stood up and said “if any one of you is without any sin … if any of you have never sinned or cannot sin … you can cast the first stone.” And then Jesus bent down and began writing on the ground again. Greg’s interpretation – Jesus wanted to give his words time to sink in to the hearts of the woman’s, and His, accusers and convict them.
10. vs. 9 What happened? Was there a pattern? What was significant about the pattern? One by one the woman’s accusers walked away starting with the oldest down to the youngest. The oldest had committed more sins than the youngest.
11. What do you think the woman was thinking/feeling at this moment? Shock, amazement.
12. What questions did Jesus ask the woman? Was there someone there who could?
Where did everybody go? Is there no one left to condemn you? Is there no one left to pass judgment on you? The woman’s response was “No one, master.” Was there someone left who could? Yes – Jesus. He was the only one left who had never sinned or could not sin. He could pass judgment upon the adulteress woman and stone her.
13. vs. 11. What did Jesus say to the woman? I don’t condemn you either. Go. And from this point on sin no more.
14. What lessons do we learn from the actions of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law? Men who were responsible for teaching and explaining God’s Word to the people so that they could live righteous lives used/perverted God’s Word for their own selfish gain. Men who praised themselves for being holy and Godly used ungodly methods in order to trap Jesus. They were being hypocrites. The hypocrisy of the Pharisees and teachers of the Law angered Jesus. From the actions of Jesus? John 3:17 – “For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world but that world through Him might be saved.”
Thursday, July 19, 2012
The other side of “pride”
From much of the discussion between Job and his three friends, it appears that Job may have had some issues with pride (e.g. Job 27:1-6) or may simply have been moved to defend himself and appeared more self-righteous because of this. In any case, the Bible is full of examples of pride and what it may lead to. Here some examples of the opposite of this type of attitude as well as some warnings against it as well as some models of how we should act – particularly with respect to our attitude toward God.
How would you describe the opposite of pride?
humble, not arrogant, down-to-earth, unpretentious
offered in a spirit of deference or submission
Can you give some examples of Biblical figures (or others) that have shown these characteristics?
could add any number – Joseph, David …..
Abraham - Genesis 18:27
Jacob - Genesis 32:10
Moses - Exodus 3:11, Numbers 12:3
Solomon - 1 Kings 3:7-9; 2 Chronicles 1:10, 2:6
Ahab - 1 Kings 21:29
Josiah - 2 Kings 22:18-19
Jeremiah - Jeremiah 1:6, 10:23-24
Daniel - Daniel 2:30
Elizabeth - Luke 1:43
Centurion - Matthew 8:8, Luke 7:6-7
Jesus – the ultimate example (see later)
One great example of contrasting attitudes is given in Luke 18:9-14 (all translations NIV)
To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’
13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’
14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
What is the attitude of the Pharisee? Do we see this attitude today?
I am a “good” person and deserve my reward (i.e. I am “better” than this other “bad” person). By following the rules we earn our reward. It was this attitude that had become prevalent among Jewish religious leaders at the time of Christ.
I have seen this attitude many times inside and outside of churches.
This is the prevailing attitude of many people who don’t really understand Christianity and think that being “good” is what gets you into heaven.
What is the attitude of the tax collector? Why do you think that he was justified in the sight of God?
He didn’t try to justify himself or explain why he deserved God’s approval – he accepted the reality of his situation (i.e. that he didn’t deserve God’s love/support) – that he needed forgiveness.
Another example of pride – this time among the disciples (note this is repeated in three different gospels)
Luke 9:46-48 (also Matthew 18:1-4, Mark 9:33-35)
An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. 47
Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him. 48 Then he said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.”
What is this really saying?
Even the people closest to Jesus failed to grasp the need for humility. We need to humble ourselves and help others – even those that may appear “weak” or somehow “lesser” in human terms as all are equal in the eyes of God (i.e. we all need his grace and salvation).
How should we act toward God? Look at these references and see what they are saying about what our attitude ought to be.
Isaiah 66:2
Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?” declares the LORD. “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.
Micah 6:8
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly[a] with your God.
Proverbs 11:2
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
Proverbs 22:4
Humility is the fear of the LORD; its wages are riches and honor and life.
2 Chronicles 7:13-15
13 “When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, 14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 15 Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.
What is this saying to you?
True humility (see more on false humility later) is required in our relationship with God – we need to understand that we are not “equal” to God and that we cannot simply rely on our thoughts/reason/understanding/actions apart from God to solve our problems. Note that these Old Testament teachings were known among the religious leaders at the time of Jesus, but they had become so focused on the “law” that there attitude was really the opposite of that required by God.
Matthew23:1-11
Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: 2 “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. 4 They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.
5 “Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacteries[a] wide and the tassels on their garments long; 6 they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; 7 they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others.
8 “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. 10 Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. 11 The greatest among you will be your servant. 12 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
What is Jesus saying here? What was the problem the “teachers” were having?
This is a direct addressing of the problem of those who think themselves “better” than others as illustrated in the parable of the Pharisee and tax collector earlier. I don’t think that this means we cannot act as instructors or leaders in some fashion, but we need to do so humbly and not exalt ourselves as “greater”or wiser than anyone else. We all benefit enormously from (and are grateful for) teachers (like Greg or Pastor Barnes or any of those at MPBC), but it is incorrect for anyone to view this as somehow making them greater or more worthy than someone else. (Note that these notes are only some of my thoughts and you should feel free to add your own insights).
Is all humility good? Is this attitude always correct? (see below)
Colossians 2:16-23
Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. 17 These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. 18 Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind. 19 They have lost connection with the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.
20 Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules: 21 “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? 22 These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings. 23 Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.
Galatians 6:12-14
12 Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 Not even those who are circumcised keep the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh. 14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which[a] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
Why should this be our attitude? What is important to remember in our relationship to God?
Sometimes we may be tempted to try and show how much better or wiser we are through some understanding or activity that we have performed. Once again this is not in accordance with what Christ taught. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try and follow God’s laws and teachings or share them with each other (like this discussion), but we need to be careful not to view these as somehow making us superior to others. Note that this is what the early Jewish Christians were attempting to do – first you become a Jew and “do” this (circumcision) and then you become more righteous. In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with keeping a tradition such as circumcision (as Messianic Jews do today) as long as this is not done to show how this makes one superior to others.
Romans 12:3-8
3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your[a] faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
1 Corinthians 3:18-23
18 Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness”[a]; 20 and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.”[b] 21 So then, no more boasting about human leaders! All things are yours, 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas[c] or the world or life or death or the present or the future —all are yours, 23 and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God.
Philippians 2:2-4
then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
I Peter 5:1-4
To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
What is this saying to “church” people/leaders?
Christians (and particularly leaders) should set a good example, but not become prideful based on their abilities or achievements. It is very important (my opinion) to maintain a clear perspective – remembering that we are all sinners (see Romans 3:21-31) and that there is nothing we can “do” to earn salvation (see Ephesians 2:8-10). Also, how are we going to encourage people (especially anyone new to the faith) if we have an attitude of superiority? This is another important aspect of humility.
Jesus – a great illustration of what we should do (my opinion) – John 13:1-5, 12-17
It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
…..
12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
Note that Christ set the example for us by deliberately doing one of the “lowest” tasks for people of his time (washing feet). The fact that he had “… all things under his power…” and still chose to humble himself should be a powerful example to us all of the importance of our attitude to God.
What about those who refuse to acknowledge the power of God?
Psalm 55:19
God, who is enthroned from of old, who does not change—
he will hear them and humble them, because they have no fear of God.
Proverbs 3:33-34
The LORD’s curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous. 34 He mocks proud mockers but shows favor to the humble and oppressed.
Read Isaiah 2
Matthew 23:13-36
Revelation 20:11-15
One very real problem we see today (again my opinion) is “pride” in the form of – “I disagree with the Bible (i.e. word of God) on …” and I am going to ignore, change, “revise” this to make it more appealing or interpret God’s teachings in light of human knowledge/wisdom etc. (see 2 Timothy:1-4). It also displays a lack of respect for (or fear of) God (e.g. see Proverbs2:5, Psalm 55:19, Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, Revelation 14:6-7). This returns us to where Job was – demanding God come down and explain what he did wrong because (like Job) we want to treat God as our peer or equal. Humility means not seeing ourselves as “better” than other people, but also not seeing ourselves as “superior” or wiser (or even the equal of) God.
How would you describe the opposite of pride?
humble, not arrogant, down-to-earth, unpretentious
offered in a spirit of deference or submission
Can you give some examples of Biblical figures (or others) that have shown these characteristics?
could add any number – Joseph, David …..
Abraham - Genesis 18:27
Jacob - Genesis 32:10
Moses - Exodus 3:11, Numbers 12:3
Solomon - 1 Kings 3:7-9; 2 Chronicles 1:10, 2:6
Ahab - 1 Kings 21:29
Josiah - 2 Kings 22:18-19
Jeremiah - Jeremiah 1:6, 10:23-24
Daniel - Daniel 2:30
Elizabeth - Luke 1:43
Centurion - Matthew 8:8, Luke 7:6-7
Jesus – the ultimate example (see later)
One great example of contrasting attitudes is given in Luke 18:9-14 (all translations NIV)
To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’
13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’
14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
What is the attitude of the Pharisee? Do we see this attitude today?
I am a “good” person and deserve my reward (i.e. I am “better” than this other “bad” person). By following the rules we earn our reward. It was this attitude that had become prevalent among Jewish religious leaders at the time of Christ.
I have seen this attitude many times inside and outside of churches.
This is the prevailing attitude of many people who don’t really understand Christianity and think that being “good” is what gets you into heaven.
What is the attitude of the tax collector? Why do you think that he was justified in the sight of God?
He didn’t try to justify himself or explain why he deserved God’s approval – he accepted the reality of his situation (i.e. that he didn’t deserve God’s love/support) – that he needed forgiveness.
Another example of pride – this time among the disciples (note this is repeated in three different gospels)
Luke 9:46-48 (also Matthew 18:1-4, Mark 9:33-35)
An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. 47
Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him. 48 Then he said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.”
What is this really saying?
Even the people closest to Jesus failed to grasp the need for humility. We need to humble ourselves and help others – even those that may appear “weak” or somehow “lesser” in human terms as all are equal in the eyes of God (i.e. we all need his grace and salvation).
How should we act toward God? Look at these references and see what they are saying about what our attitude ought to be.
Isaiah 66:2
Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?” declares the LORD. “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.
Micah 6:8
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly[a] with your God.
Proverbs 11:2
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
Proverbs 22:4
Humility is the fear of the LORD; its wages are riches and honor and life.
2 Chronicles 7:13-15
13 “When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, 14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 15 Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.
What is this saying to you?
True humility (see more on false humility later) is required in our relationship with God – we need to understand that we are not “equal” to God and that we cannot simply rely on our thoughts/reason/understanding/actions apart from God to solve our problems. Note that these Old Testament teachings were known among the religious leaders at the time of Jesus, but they had become so focused on the “law” that there attitude was really the opposite of that required by God.
Matthew23:1-11
Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: 2 “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. 4 They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.
5 “Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacteries[a] wide and the tassels on their garments long; 6 they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; 7 they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others.
8 “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. 10 Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. 11 The greatest among you will be your servant. 12 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
What is Jesus saying here? What was the problem the “teachers” were having?
This is a direct addressing of the problem of those who think themselves “better” than others as illustrated in the parable of the Pharisee and tax collector earlier. I don’t think that this means we cannot act as instructors or leaders in some fashion, but we need to do so humbly and not exalt ourselves as “greater”or wiser than anyone else. We all benefit enormously from (and are grateful for) teachers (like Greg or Pastor Barnes or any of those at MPBC), but it is incorrect for anyone to view this as somehow making them greater or more worthy than someone else. (Note that these notes are only some of my thoughts and you should feel free to add your own insights).
Is all humility good? Is this attitude always correct? (see below)
Colossians 2:16-23
Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. 17 These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. 18 Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind. 19 They have lost connection with the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.
20 Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules: 21 “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? 22 These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings. 23 Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.
Galatians 6:12-14
12 Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 Not even those who are circumcised keep the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh. 14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which[a] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
Why should this be our attitude? What is important to remember in our relationship to God?
Sometimes we may be tempted to try and show how much better or wiser we are through some understanding or activity that we have performed. Once again this is not in accordance with what Christ taught. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try and follow God’s laws and teachings or share them with each other (like this discussion), but we need to be careful not to view these as somehow making us superior to others. Note that this is what the early Jewish Christians were attempting to do – first you become a Jew and “do” this (circumcision) and then you become more righteous. In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with keeping a tradition such as circumcision (as Messianic Jews do today) as long as this is not done to show how this makes one superior to others.
Romans 12:3-8
3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your[a] faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
1 Corinthians 3:18-23
18 Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness”[a]; 20 and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.”[b] 21 So then, no more boasting about human leaders! All things are yours, 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas[c] or the world or life or death or the present or the future —all are yours, 23 and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God.
Philippians 2:2-4
then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
I Peter 5:1-4
To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
What is this saying to “church” people/leaders?
Christians (and particularly leaders) should set a good example, but not become prideful based on their abilities or achievements. It is very important (my opinion) to maintain a clear perspective – remembering that we are all sinners (see Romans 3:21-31) and that there is nothing we can “do” to earn salvation (see Ephesians 2:8-10). Also, how are we going to encourage people (especially anyone new to the faith) if we have an attitude of superiority? This is another important aspect of humility.
Jesus – a great illustration of what we should do (my opinion) – John 13:1-5, 12-17
It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
…..
12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
Note that Christ set the example for us by deliberately doing one of the “lowest” tasks for people of his time (washing feet). The fact that he had “… all things under his power…” and still chose to humble himself should be a powerful example to us all of the importance of our attitude to God.
What about those who refuse to acknowledge the power of God?
Psalm 55:19
God, who is enthroned from of old, who does not change—
he will hear them and humble them, because they have no fear of God.
Proverbs 3:33-34
The LORD’s curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous. 34 He mocks proud mockers but shows favor to the humble and oppressed.
Read Isaiah 2
Matthew 23:13-36
Revelation 20:11-15
One very real problem we see today (again my opinion) is “pride” in the form of – “I disagree with the Bible (i.e. word of God) on …” and I am going to ignore, change, “revise” this to make it more appealing or interpret God’s teachings in light of human knowledge/wisdom etc. (see 2 Timothy:1-4). It also displays a lack of respect for (or fear of) God (e.g. see Proverbs2:5, Psalm 55:19, Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, Revelation 14:6-7). This returns us to where Job was – demanding God come down and explain what he did wrong because (like Job) we want to treat God as our peer or equal. Humility means not seeing ourselves as “better” than other people, but also not seeing ourselves as “superior” or wiser (or even the equal of) God.
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