Luke Pt. 5 ~ Approaching Christ

How are you approaching Jesus The Christ? Are you approaching Him as who He is or who you want Him to be? Are you humble or entitled? Are you demanding or grateful? Are you placing Your expectations on Him or letting His expectations direct you? Are you approaching Him with recognition of His authority, or are you in charge? Are you approaching Him at all or keeping a safe distance?

Also in this passage we see the demonstration of The Christ’s authority. The theme of Christ’s authority is woven throughout the book of Luke. Where we are, regarding His authority, has a lot to do with how we approach Him.

Chapter 4:14 – 44

14 Then Jesus returned to Galilee, filled with the Holy Spirit’s power. Reports about Him spread quickly through the whole region. 15 He taught regularly in their synagogues and was praised by everyone. 16 When He came to the village of Nazareth, his boyhood home, He went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures.

  • He is now operating full time in the power of the Spirit (Public Ministry)
  • He was known and respected throughout the general area (as a teacher)
  • But what would happen in His ‘Hometown’?

17 The scroll of Isaiah the prophet was handed to Him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where this was written: 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, for He has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, 19 and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.”

  • This was a known ‘Messianic Prophecy’
  • Everyone without the ‘Good News’ is poor
  • Everyone without God’s forgiveness of Sin in Christ is ‘A Captive to Sin’
  • Everyone without the Gospel is blind, everyone is oppressed (separated)
  • The dawning of God’s Grace in Christ had arrived!

20 He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. All eyes in the synagogue looked at Him intently. 21 Then He began to speak to them. “The Scripture you’ve just heard has been fulfilled this very day!” 22 Everyone spoke well of Him and was amazed by the gracious words that came from his lips.

  • The idea of the Messiah coming was easy…the idea that He was here…
  • It was cool until they figured out He was calling Himself ‘Messiah’
  • They were comfortable approaching Him as a ‘Teacher’ not as God

“How can this be?” they asked. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” 23 Then He said, “You will undoubtedly quote me this proverb: ‘Physician, heal yourself’—meaning, ‘Do miracles here in your hometown like those you did in Capernaum.’ 24 But I tell you the truth, no prophet is accepted in his own hometown.

  • Presuppositions about Jesus, they thought they knew who He was
  • Expectations of Him based on their desires (sin)
  • Selfish desire to have Jesus ‘serve his people’…
  • Jesus knew their thoughts, knew they would never be satisfied

25 “Certainly there were many needy widows in Israel in Elijah’s time, when the heavens were closed for three and a half years, and a severe famine devastated the land. 26 Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them. He was sent instead to a foreigner—a widow of Zarephath in the land of Sidon. 27 And many in Israel had leprosy in the time of the prophet Elisha, but the only one healed was Naaman, a Syrian.”

  • He is addressing their ‘Spiritual Entitlement’
  • Their approach to Jesus is based on what they think they deserve
  • The same story unfolds throughout the scriptures: God has ways we don’t get
  • God has an agenda, are you good with it?
  • God will perfectly choose who receives His: Mercy / Grace / Love / Salvation

28 When they heard this, the people in the synagogue were furious. 29 Jumping up, they mobbed him and forced him to the edge of the hill on which the town was built. They intended to push him over the cliff, 30 but He passed right through the crowd and went on his way.

  • Jesus hits a nerve, the declaration that they were not entitled to God’s favor
  • When the truth is shown to some the reaction is violent
  • I have encountered this anger when confronting people with God’s sovereignty

31 Then Jesus went to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and taught there in the synagogue every Sabbath day. 32 There, too, the people were amazed at his teaching, for He spoke with authority. 33 Once when He was in the synagogue, a man possessed by a demon—an evil spirit—cried out, shouting, 34 “Go away! Why are you interfering with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”

  • He continues to go to synagogues…he is open to being approached
  • Demons know the deal, who Jesus is
  • Those who know who He is know the totality of His authority
  • The identification of Jesus as ‘The Christ’ (Holy One of God)

35 But Jesus reprimanded him. “Be quiet! Come out of the man,” He ordered. At that, the demon threw the man to the floor as the crowd watched; then it came out of him without hurting him further. 36 Amazed, the people exclaimed, “What authority and power this man’s words possess! Even evil spirits obey him, and they flee at his command!” 37 The news about Jesus spread through every village in the entire region.

  • He not only has authority, He uses it for good
  • Some who have seen His authority demonstrated will be convinced…
  • These people don’t try to kill Him!

38 After leaving the synagogue that day, Jesus went to Simon’s home, where he found Simon’s mother-in-law very sick with a high fever. “Please heal her,” everyone begged. 39 Standing at her bedside, he rebuked the fever, and it left her. And she got up at once and prepared a meal for them.

  • The approach was not to demand but ‘Humble Asking’
  • Begging is synonymous with humility. The essence of prayer is begging.
  • The Christ can be approached to heal us and our loved ones…
  • God has shown us throughout the scriptures how we are to approach Him

40 As the sun went down that evening, people throughout the village brought sick family members to Jesus. No matter what their diseases were, the touch of his hand healed every one. 41 Many were possessed by demons; and the demons came out at his command, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But because they knew he was the Messiah, he rebuked them and refused to let them speak.

  • The bringing of family members is others based not self based
  • Approaching Jesus on the behalf of others is an example for us
  • Not all sickness has demonic origins, but some does
  • Christ exercises His legitimate authority, demons can only declare who He is

42 Early the next morning Jesus went out to an isolated place. The crowds searched everywhere for him, and when they finally found him, they begged him not to leave them. 43 But he replied, “I must preach the Good News of the Kingdom of God in other towns, too, because that is why I was sent.” 44 So he continued to travel around, preaching in synagogues throughout Judea.

  • Jesus The Christ had an agenda contrary to their’s. He is not ‘On – Demand’
  • They do well in how they persistently approach Him
  • When God is in your midst you want Him to stay!
  • Approaching from a place of desire for His presence
  • We have to be good with God’s agenda for our lives and others
  • Approaching Him believing He ‘Knows what He is doing’
  • Jesus modeled this approach: ‘Not my will, but yours be done’
  • Submission to God’s will

Submitting to His will for each of us starts with the surrender your life, by, faith to Jesus the Christ.

The Gospel is for this life and Eternity!

Application Questions:

What are some experiences that have shaped how you approach Jesus The Christ?

Can you identify selfish expectations you have placed on Christ

How does your approach to Christ reflect your recognition of His authority in your life?

Is your prayer life more about directing God’s agenda or humbly asking for His best?

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Luke Pt. 4 ~ Jesus vs The devil (Ch.4:1-13)

This is an important part of the Gospel. Together with Jesus’ Baptism, it serves to validate Christ’s Messiahship as well as prepares Him to fulfill His mission on earth. This story is one of many where we see the uniqueness of Jesus The Christ. He displays the fullness of His divinity while incarnated as a human so we can connect and directly associate with Him. He gives us a perfect example of how we can be united in relationship with God. He sets the bar, and even though we cannot do it every time like He does, we can overcome temptation by becoming self-aware and yielding to God’s spirit.

Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan River. He was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, 2 where He was tempted by the devil for forty days.

  • Jesus example of Biblical Doctrine of ‘Being Filled with The Holy Spirit
  • He already ‘had’ the Spirit, the ‘Filling’ is for supernatural work to be done
  • Led by = Yielded to
  • 40 days is significant: Generally a period of testing
  • The Flood / Spies sent to promised land / Ezekiel on his side

Jesus ate nothing all that time and became very hungry. 3Then the devil said to Him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become a loaf of bread.” 4 But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone.’”

  • Deuteronomy 8:3 “…people do not live by bread alone; rather, we live by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.”
  • The act of not eating anything for 40 days… Previously done by Moses & Elijah
  • Moses & Elijah 40 days on Mt. Sinai (Jesus: High place & Height of Temple)
  • Moses & Elijah meet with Jesus on the ‘Mount of Transfiguration’
  • Devil / Lucifer tries to get Jesus to use His power selfishly (Just like he did!)
  • Life’s not a material / natural thing but rather it flows from a supernatural God
  • The temptation to fulfill physical needs and desires in ‘Inappropriate’ ways
  • We are called to trust God enough to let Him decide how and when our physical needs and wants will be met.

5 Then the devil took Him up and revealed to Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 “I will give you the glory of these kingdoms and authority over them,” the devil said, “because they are mine to give to anyone I please. 7 I will give it all to you if you will worship me.” 8 Jesus replied, “The Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only Him.’”

  • Some high place, the assumption is a mountain top
  • The offer is ‘Earthly’ authority and power if you worship the Devil
  • This must be the same offer Lucifer made to the Angels who fell with him
  • The devil wants Jesus to be divided in His loyalty
  • He doesn’t ask Jesus to not worship God, but to worship him as well as God
  • Jesus answer is our example: A relationship with God must be exclusive!

9 Then the devil took Him to Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! 10 For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order his angels to protect and guard you. 11 And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’” 12 Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’”

  • The Devil wanted Christ to prove who is was to God and as God
  • It was a temptation to use His divinity to get personal attention
  • Jesus models the principle of letting God set the agenda, so He gets the glory
  • This is the temptation to do ‘Show Ministry’ (Stealing God’s Glory)

13 When the devil had finished tempting Jesus, he left him until the next opportunity came.

  • It is possible that there were other temptations in the course of the 40 days
  • Tempted and found sinless (It is no sin to be tempted, giving in is the sin)
  • This was not the end of the temptations Jesus would face

Summary of the temptations (how we can relate them to our lives)

1st: Temptation to pursue our physical needs (lusts of the flesh) Spirit – Control

2nd: Temptation to misdirect our worship or trust to various Idols Commitment

3rd: Temptation to assume God’s will & ‘show off spiritually’ Humility

How we are to fight:

Jesus’ weapon against all three temptations is ‘The Scripture’: it is an example to us!

But you cannot use a weapon you do not know and are not familiar with (David)

That means not just knowing Scripture… (the devil knows Scripture)

You have to practically apply it and live it, building emotional / relational experience

The foundation of an identity as a ‘Disciple’ of Jesus Christ: Scripture Application

None of this works without our surrender to The Biblical Gospel of Jesus Christ!

Application Questions

What have you learned or grown in during seasons of testing or preparation in your life?

What physical areas of ‘Inappropriate Enjoyment’ are you tempted by and struggle with?

What things (including yourself) do you at times put more trust in than Jesus Christ?

Have you ever recognized in yourself a desire to show off spiritually in order to get attention or validation?

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Luke Pt. 3 ~ Jesus and Baptism

What’s the theological significance of John The Baptist’s message & Jesus’ baptism?

What role does baptism play in a ‘Biblical Relationship’ with God?

Luke 3:1-23

It was now the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius, the Roman emperor. Pontius Pilate was governor over Judea; Herod Antipas was ruler over Galilee; his brother Philip was ruler over Iturea and Traconitis; Lysanias was ruler over Abilene. 2 Annas and Caiaphas were the high priests.

  • 30 AD the beginning of Jesus’ ‘Public Ministry’
  • The Scripture is anchored in historic reality, corresponding to other histories

At this time a message from God came to John son of Zechariah, who was living in the wilderness. 3 Then John went from place to place on both sides of the Jordan River, preaching that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven.

  • John had time for preparation in the wilderness
  • Once given his ‘Marching Orders’ he was focused on a single message
  • His message: ‘If you have repented and turned to God to be forgiven, show it in a public proclamation of baptism’
  • The Scripture specifically asserts this message is ‘From God’

4 Isaiah had spoken of John when he said, “He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming! Clear the road for him!

5 The valleys will be filled, and the mountains and hills made level. The curves will be straightened, and the rough places made smooth. 6 And then all people will see the salvation sent from God.’”

  • Connecting the Old Testament with current reality (The arrival of Christ)
  • Our obedience to ‘believers baptism’ is a form of clearing MY road for Jesus
  • The public confession of our faith is a way God reveals himself to ‘All People’

7 When the crowds came to John for baptism, he said, “You brood of snakes! Who warned you to flee the coming wrath? 8 Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’

  • It became ‘Popular’…when crowds came…real confession of sin is not popular
  • John calls out the idea of doing baptism for show, checking it off your list
  • Baptism is not an ‘Insurance policy’
  • It is to signify your acknowledgement of sin & surrender to God 4 forgiveness
  • It is then to be backed up by your life / lifestyle / actions
  • In ‘Believers Baptism’ you give The Body license to hold you accountable
  • It’s not about someone else conferring you in…each Soul is an individual

That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones. 9 Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.”

  • God knows where you are regarding a true confession of Christ as Lord
  • His judgement is perfect
  • Good Fruit = Repenting of your sins & turning to God V. 8 (surrender)
  • Don’t produce good fruit, thrown into the fire

10 The crowds asked, “What should we do?” 11 John replied, “If you have two shirts, give one to the poor. If you have food, share it with those who are hungry.” 12 Even corrupt tax collectors came to be baptized and asked, “Teacher, what should we do?” 13 He replied, “Collect no more taxes than the government requires.” 14 “What should we do?” asked some soldiers. John replied, “Don’t extort money or make false accusations. And be content with your pay.”

  • In order for John to baptize them he wanted to be sure they were serious
  • Baptism is meant to awaken you to the spiritual reality of surrendering your life
  • Baptism is a proclamation / confession of Christ as Lord following His example
  • Then there is practical living that shows the influence of Christ’s Lordship
  • The Scripture is teaching a ‘Both And’: Baptism & Surrendered Living

15 Everyone was expecting the Messiah to come soon, and they were eager to know whether John might be the Messiah. 16 John answered their questions by saying, “I baptize you with water; but someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandals.

  • There was a buzz prior to John The Baptist about the coming Messiah
  • John knew his baptism was not what determined forgiveness
  • He speaks of what he is doing will be totally overshadowed
  • This example describes the difference between him and Jesus (God v man)

He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 17 He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into his barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire.”

  • The coming Messiah will ‘Immerse’ / ‘Baptize’ everyone in His ‘Person’ or His ‘Wrath’
  • Reminiscent of Simeon’s prophecy, the Messiah would define redemption
  • There is no place between: either the barn or never-ending fire

18 John used many such warnings as he announced the Good News to the people. 19 John also publicly criticized Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee, for marrying Herodias, his brother’s wife, and for many other wrongs he had done. 20 So Herod put John in prison, adding this sin to his many others.

  • Luke uses the term ‘Good News’ that is, forgiveness from God for sin
  • Herod was not a legit King, John had a low tolerance for fakers

21 One day when the crowds were being baptized, Jesus himself was baptized. As he was praying, the heavens opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit, in bodily form, descended on him like a dove. And a voice from heaven said, “You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy. ” 23 Jesus was about thirty years old when he began his public ministry.

  • Among the crowds… the example is a very public situation
  • God Himself (Jesus Christ) initiated being baptized
  • He took it very seriously; as He was praying…
  • Father confers His blessing on Son for obedience (fulfilling all righteousness)

(Matthew 3:13-15)

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.

The rest of the chapter is a genealogy of Jesus’ earthly father’s heritage

It was 77 generations from Adam to Jesus.

The first and last lines of the genealogy: Jesus was known as the son of Joseph. Adam was the son of God.

Application Questions:

Why is John The Baptist’s message important to understanding who Jesus is?

Why does John preach repentance demonstrated in baptism?

What is the connection between baptism and God-centered living?

Why is Jesus’ public baptism in all four gospel accounts?

What role does baptism play in a ‘Biblical Relationship’ with God?

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Luke Pt. 2 ~ Jesus and The Temple (Ch. 2:21-54)

The Gospel of Luke is a journey starting with an amazing coming and ending with an even more incredible going. The Advent of The Messiah, The Christ… It’s a big deal! It is not by chance that Luke writing under control of the Holy Spirit points out a strong connection between Jesus and The Temple in Jerusalem. To truly understand the ‘New Covenant’ that Christ brings we need to keep it connected to the previous revelation of God and the Temple is a central part of that

21 Eight days later, when the baby was circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel even before he was conceived. 22 Then it was time for their purification offering, as required by the law of Moses after the birth of a child; so his parents took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord.

  • Circumcised on 8th day & named as the angle instructed
  • Then 5 day walk (65 miles) to The Temple
  • It is totally ironic that Joseph & Mary take Jesus to present him to ‘The Lord’

23 The law of the Lord says, “If a woman’s first child is a boy, he must be dedicated to the Lord.” 24 So they offered the sacrifice required in the law of the Lord—“either a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

  • They buy the birds, take them to the priests, they are killed as a sacrifice

25 At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him 26 and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.

  • There were groups of devout Jews who were focused on the Messiah
  • Simeon was being led by The Holy Spirit to anticipate the Lord’s Messiah
  • He thought the Messiah was just for Israel…

27 That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, 28 Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying, 29 “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. 30 I have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared for all people. 32 He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!”

  • The place to see God’s Salvation was the place it had been foreshadowed
  • Simeon was in the place where Law would meet Grace…The Temple
  • He knew what he was looking at the moment he saw Jesus the Messiah
  • Waiting for Israel’s Salvation, but when he saw IT, he knew it was for everyone
  • The Christ / Messiah is how God has chosen to reveal Himself to all people

33 Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, and many others to rise. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. 35 As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.”

  • Remember the Wise Men had not come yet, just some Shepherds…
  • Mary visited by Gabriel & her experience with Elizabeth
  • Joseph visited in a dream by an angel
  • Simeon’s ‘pronouncement / prophecy’: big picture, then personal about Mary
  • The Temple is the place where God had revealed Himself to his people before

36 Anna, a prophet, was also there in the Temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher, and she was very old. Her husband died when they had been married only seven years. 37 Then she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four.

  • The title of ‘Prophet’ was serious business (you had to be right EVERY time)
  • Being this old and still being called a prophet meant you were the real deal

She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer. 38 She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem.

  • She was anchored to the Temple
  • She happened to be there when Simeon declared what God had shown him
  • Her first response is praise, then she turns into a messenger (great credibility)

39 When Jesus’ parents had fulfilled all the requirements of the law of the Lord, they returned home to Nazareth in Galilee. 40 There the child grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on him.

  • Based on the Gospel of Matthew this didn’t happen for two more years and then a stay in Egypt before getting back to nazareth
  • Wiser than normal… Obvious favor of God upon Him

41 Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. 42 When Jesus was twelve years old, they attended the festival as usual. 43 After the celebration was over, they started home to Nazareth, but Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents didn’t miss him at first, 44 because they assumed he was among the other travelers. But when he didn’t show up that evening, they started looking for him among their relatives and friends.

  • Yearly trek to Jerusalem for Passover Festival was common
  • When the festival was over everyone headed home, except Jesus
  • They assumed he was with other family, but is a no show @ dinner…

45 When they couldn’t find him, they went back to Jerusalem to search for him there. 46 Three days later they finally discovered him in the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers, listening to them and asking questions. 47 All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.

  • They go back and search for two days (one day to get there, two searching)
  • Think how distressed they must have been!
  • And there he is in the Temple, in the mix, blowing people’s minds!

48 His parents didn’t know what to think. “Son,” his mother said to him, “why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere.” 49 “But why did you need to search?” he asked. “Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?” 50 But they didn’t understand what he meant.

  • Shocked to find their 12 yr old son trading scripture insight w/ religious teachers
  • They are hurt that Jesus had been inconsiderate of them
  • Jesus is confused they didn’t know where he was, he thought it was a given
  • He didn’t realize they didn’t understand his connection to the Temple

51 Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. And his mother stored all these things in her heart. 52 Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.

  • This is not to say that he had not been obedient previously
  • Good translation: ‘He continued to be obedient’
  • Mary is putting all the pieces of the puzzle together
  • Again the mention of Christ’s wisdom and favor with God AND everybody…

Application Questions:

Why does this scripture detail a connection between Jesus and The Temple?

Since Jesus came to end the need for the Temple, why is it the location of this story?

Where do you see connection between the Temple and The Messiah?

What’s significant about Jesus being at the Temple in this story & throughout his life?

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Luke Pt. 1 ~ Prelude to The Advent

The story behind the story. The ‘prequel’ to Christ’s birth! Amazing in it’s own right, not talked about as much. In the beginning of the book of Luke we see the background of fulfilled prophecy and how this story has been coming together, setting the stage for the advent of Christ Jesus!

1-4

Many people have set out to write accounts about the events that have been fulfilled among us. They used the eyewitness reports circulating among us from the early disciples. Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write an accurate account for you, most honorable Theophilus, so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught.

  • This was written to be a verified, credible history of sorts.
  • An attempt to codify the oral tradition of the Gospel

Our story begins with a Jewish priest named Zach and wife Beth

5-7

When Herod was king of Judea, there was a Jewish priest named Zechariah. He was a member of the priestly order of Abijah, and his wife, Elizabeth, was also from the priestly line of Aaron. Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations. They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to conceive, and they were both very old.

  • Serious compliment to be seen as ‘righteous in God’s eyes’
  • Childless and old…reminiscent of Abraham & Sarah

Zachariah was taking his turn to offer incense at the temple in Jerusalem (big honor). He is in the Holy Place, alone and he is visited by Gabriel The Angel. Zach is scared to death!

13 & 15b-17a

But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John…

He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth. And he will turn many Israelites to the Lord their God. He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord.

  • The Angel tells Zach he and Beth are going to have a very special son
  • The spirit & power of Elijah is significant (prophetic forerunner of the Messiah)

18-20

Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I be sure this will happen? I’m an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years.” Then the angel said, “I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was he who sent me to bring you this good news! But now, since you didn’t believe what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time.”

  • He wants some kind of assurance, which is not a faith move
  • Gabriel makes it clear he is speaking for God Himself…
  • Gabe strikes Zach ‘speechless’

Zach goes home and even though he cannot speak, he and Elisabeth conceive! It is seen as a miracle…and the scene shifts to Nazareth…

26-28

In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!”

  • Gabriel is on another visitation
  • We see who Mary and Joseph are
  • He calls her ‘Favored’…quite an understatement!

29-33

Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!”

  • 1st Gabe told of the forerunner of the Messiah, now he is announcing the Christ
  • This description can only be about One: The Messiah / The Christ

34-37

Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.” The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month. For the word of God will never fail.”

  • Mary is questioning in a different way & questioning a different thing than Zach
  • Gabe puts the two stories together of the miracle births, one is unprecedented
  • All that Gabriel say is the actual ‘Word of God’
  • Mary’s response: “I am the Lord’s servant”

39-43

A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town where Zechariah lived. She enered the house and greeted Elizabeth. At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me?

  • John the Baptist in the womb, is filled with God’s Spirit
  • Beth, filled with The Spirit proclaims the 1st recognition of Jesus as Lord!
  • She is humbled when she gets the whole story

Then Mary breaks out in an epic song of praise V46-55. The last line: “For He made this promise to our ancestors, to Abraham and his children forever.” This is explaining to the gentiles how all of this is been in the works thru the Jews for centuries…the whole story of the Bible… (Then Mary stays 3 months, came @ 6 mo) Then John the baptist is born…Zach gets his voice back. He speaks of prophecy to be fulfilled in his son & ultimately The Messiah

68-73

Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited and redeemed his people. He has sent us a mighty Savior from the royal line of his servant David, just as he promised through his holy prophets long ago. Now we will be saved from our enemies and from all who hate us. He has been merciful to our ancestors by remembering his sacred covenant—the covenant he swore with an oath to our ancestor Abraham.

  • Has visited…Has sent… he is talking like it has already happened (faith)
  • Declaring how this Savior to be born will bring salvation
  • Fulfillment of the covenant oath God made to Abraham

76-79

“And you, my little son, will be called the prophet of the Most High, because you will prepare the way for the Lord. You will tell his people how to find salvation through forgiveness of their sins. Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.”

  • John is to prepare the way…play the Elijah role
  • All humanity is overshadowed by death, but now there is a path to avoid death!
  • This is what God is offering each of us through His Son: Total Peace!

Application Questions:

Do you consider this account to be valid and true? Why or why not?

Why do you think God chronicled all of this prior to Jesus’ birth?

What’s significant in how Mary & Zachariah react differently to Gabriel’s announcements?

Do you want what God is offering in His Messiah?

/by

When they saw The Star they rejoiced! (Knowing you are in the place God is working)

I pray we are all ‘Joining The Wise Men’. They saw the supernatural work of God and they wanted details. This ‘Star’ was no normal occurrence; A miracle that makes Jonah look explainable. They knew what the set up of the stars was, Christ’s Star was outside the natural. These guys were Astronomers, they studied the stars…they knew what should be where at certain times of the year. They had seen the normal stars, so this one stood out…They were willing to believe miracles can happen, are you?

Matthew 2:1-16

Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, 2 “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.”

  • About that time…actually TWO YEARS after Christ was born!
  • ‘Wise Men’ = Magi / Astronomers (Two Places they came from)
    • Arabs (As descendants of Ishmael they would know scripture)
      • Facade on the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem
    • Persians (Descendants of people led by Daniel, they would know scripture)
  • Came to Jerusalem; general location of Star (not visible when they arrive)
  • Star was foretold: Numbers 24:17 “I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel…”
    • Messianic prophecy, they found the scripture once they had seen the star
  • This whole process of figuring it our may have taken a while, then to travel…
  • They showed up asking about ‘The King of the Jews’ who had been born

3 King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem. 4 He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?” 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said…

  • Herod was disturbed because he was an ‘Illegitimate King’! (everybody knew it)
  • Knowing they spoke of the Messiah, he consulted the experts on Scripture
  • The exact location was to be Bethlehem…

“for this is what the prophet wrote: 6 ‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities of Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’” (Micah 5:2 & 4)

  • Maji would know of Numbers (1300 BC) but not of Micah (700BC)
  • Bethlehem was David’s hometown

7 Then Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared. 8 Then he told them, “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too!”

  • Herod doing everything on the sly
  • “Find him for me so I can kill him, um, I mean worship him”

9 After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were filled with joy!

  • Why were they filled with Joy? They were in the right place!
  • What was this ‘Star’? Perhaps The Shechinah Glory of God
  • It came and went some… not a normal star
  • Being where God is working fills you with joy!

11 They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

  • House, not stable
  • Three gifts, but we don’t know how many guys
  • Gold for a King / Frankincense used by Priests / Myrrh to embalm the dead
  • The three gifts underline the Messiah’s offices as prophet, priest and king.

12 When it was time to leave, they returned to their own country by another route, for God had warned them in a dream not to return to Herod.

  • They listen to God not Herod
  • They had played their role: to give credence to what God was doing

13 After the wise men were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up! Flee to Egypt with the child and his mother,” the angel said. “Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”

  • Joseph had experience with ‘God Dreams’ and knew what to do
  • Herod would be a threat (because he was threatened) until he died

14 That night Joseph left for Egypt with the child and Mary, his mother, 15 and they stayed there until Herod’s death. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “I called my Son out of Egypt.” (Hosea 11:1)

  • More prophecy connected to Jesus’ life

16 Herod was furious when he realized that the wise men had outwitted him. He sent soldiers to kill all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under, based on the wise men’s report of the star’s first appearance.

  • Since his plot to secretively find the Messiah had been thwarted he went big
  • This is how we know the wise men were not there at the birth of Christ
  • It was two years later!

Application Questions:

How do you react to something that is beyond explanation (Miracles) in your life?

What are ways you can follow some ‘Wisemen’ to be where God is working?

How might you specifically be willing to take chances and be persistent to see God working?

Why might there be a connection between miracles you have seen and your belief in miracles?

The conclusion about the Star of Bethlehem: It cannot be explained by science. It was a special, supernatural light created by God just as we are, to be a celebratory sign of the birth of His Son made man. Simply put, it was a miracle of light to herald a miraculous virgin birth of the One sent to save us. Hallelujah!

/by

Ecclesiastes: What’s The Point? Pt. 9

THE TIME IS NOW

Oh to be younger again…Youth is wasted on young people! Older people often miss today because they are focused on yesterday. As the ‘Teacher’ wraps up this writing. he makes an appeal to live with eternal urgency.

Ch. 11:7-10

7 Light is sweet; how pleasant to see a new day dawning. 8 When people live to be very old, let them rejoice in every day of life. But let them also remember there will be many dark days. Everything still to come is meaningless.

  • Each day can be enjoyed & is reason to rejoice, because hard times will come
  • You may see light today, yet tomorrow may be dark and unintelligible

9 Young people, it’s wonderful to be young! Enjoy every minute of it. Do everything you want to do; take it all in. But remember that you must give an account to God for everything you do. 10 So refuse to worry, and keep your body healthy. But remember that youth, with a whole life before you, is meaningless.

  • Use your youth to the fullest, you will never be young again under the sun…
  • Be a steward of the vitality you have and be accountable to God in how you live
  • Refusing to worry is being ‘God Dependent’
  • Value health, it doesn’t get any easier to stay fit, so if you can’t do it now…
  • But don’t make an idol of your youth (enjoy responsibly)

Chapter 12

1 Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, “Life is not pleasant anymore.” 2 Remember him before the light of the sun, moon, and stars is dim to your old eyes, and rain clouds continually darken your sky.

  • Terms ‘Remember’ & ‘Honor’ have to do with Loyalty & Devotion… (Priorities)
  • It’s easy to justify living 4 yourself now and ‘Planning’ to live 4 God in the future
  • Orientate your life to God now while your physicality is the best it will ever be
  • Life gets more complicated, you get more limited physically; people blame God
  • Devote your life to him now because ‘It’s all down hill form here’ (after 35)

3 Remember him before your legs—the guards of your house—start to tremble; and before your shoulders—the strong men—stoop. Remember him before your teeth—your few remaining servants—stop grinding; and before your eyes—the women looking through the windows—see dimly.

  • When we have youth and vitality we can be complacent about our need for God
  • If you can depend on God when you are strong you will when you are weak

4 Remember him before the door to life’s opportunities is closed and the sound of work fades. Now you rise at the first chirping of the birds, but then all their sounds will grow faint.

  • We only have so long to be productive and build things (Stewardship)
  • Give God your best years, serving eternal purposes while you can

5 Remember him before you become fearful of falling and worry about danger in the streets; before your hair turns white like an almond tree in bloom, and you drag along without energy like a dying grasshopper, and the caperberry no longer inspires sexual desire. Remember him before you near the grave, your everlasting home, when the mourners will weep at your funeral.

  • Devote your life to him before you have to be careful, while can take chances
  • There is a time coming when your body will lose it’s desires & passions
  • We are all dying…this body has one destination: the grave!

6 Yes, remember your Creator now while you are young, before the silver cord of life snaps and the golden bowl is broken. Don’t wait until the water jar is smashed at the spring and the pulley is broken at the well. 7 For then the dust will return to the earth, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.

  • We are all going to breakdown physically, literally to dust (everything decays)
  • This body will be dust, but our Spirit is in God’s hands

8 “Everything is meaningless,” says the Teacher, “completely meaningless.” 9 Keep this in mind: The Teacher was considered wise, and he taught the people everything he knew. He listened carefully to many proverbs, studying and classifying them.

  • The pronouncement of ‘Meaninglessness’ comes from a place of ‘wisdom’
  • He amassed the knowledge of all known wisdom and shared it

10 The Teacher sought to find just the right words to express truths clearly. 11 The words of the wise are like cattle prods—painful but helpful. Their collected sayings are like a nail-studded stick with which a shepherd drives the sheep.

  • This scripture is meant to communicate truth, direct revelation from God
  • The hard reality of the choice we must make: God-life or Me-life
  • We need hard, painful yet helpful lessons and guidance
  • We are the sheep, God’s Word is the nail-studded stick

12 But, my child, let me give you some further advice: Be careful, for writing books is endless, and much study wears you out.

  • Don’t get caught up in the purely intellectual pursuit of learning
  • Knowledge needs to be seasoned with living

So here is the end!

What is the conclusion of the wisest person who ever lived?

13 That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. 14 God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad.

  • Fearing God & Obeying in relationship is the sum of what our existence is
  • We are made to live for Christ!
  • He has the last word and ALL the information…everything!

Application Questions:

How do you intentionally honor God and enjoy the season of life you are in?

How can you build a lifestyle of ‘God Remembrance’ sooner rather than later?

Why do you think living longer would over stress an unstable relationship with God?

How can you more frequently expose yourself to some painful but helpful wisdom?

/by

Ecclesiastes: What’s The Point? Pt. 8

Wisdom is Expressed in Humility

Practical application: The nitty gritty…it is a blessing…not so great at the time. This is at the heart of the Discipleship Process; refinement and shaping. Teachability born of Humility is the essential attitude of the Serious Disciple, for us, Jesus Christ’s Body, it is true Wisdom.

This Book & today’s passage , define wisdom from Human & Heavenly standpoints: Big Picture and Daily Picture (Eternal Perspective creates Relationally Skillful Living)

Big Picture of Humility & Teachability: Salvation: The necessary humility to surrender. Daily Picture: Embody the Humility Christ modeled & taught to bless others and ultimately glorify God!

So is Wisdom about Skillfully living relationally with Humility & Grace here ‘Under The Sun? Or is Wisdom express in being teachable and humble before God and surrendering your life to His purposes and ways focused on eternal things? Yes! Both and Each!

At the core of Wisdom is humility because the enemy of Wisdom is Pride. Pride destroys Wisdom & Pride is the father of all sin. The denial of Pride is the crucial mistake you and I can make: “I am not being proud, I’m just right”

Pride keeps us from being who God wants us to be; under the sun and eternally. So we can choose to value and intentionally pursue humility & teachability. Our text today points us in God’s direction and gives us practical ways to: Recognize Pride / Surrender Control of our need to be right & ‘Know It All’ / Let the reality of God’s sovereignty drive our value of being meek & teachable / Focus on problem areas to watch for Pride leading to lacking wisdom.

Ch. 10

1 As dead flies cause even a bottle of perfume to stink, so a little foolishness spoils great wisdom and honor. 2 A wise person chooses the right road; a fool takes the wrong one. 3 You can identify fools just by the way they walk down the street! 4 If your boss is angry at you, don’t quit! A quiet spirit can overcome even great mistakes.

  • The application of wisdom includes the exclusion of ALL foolishness
  • There is no wisdom in false bravado: Wisdom is about being teachable!
  • Humility is necessary for teachability

5 There is another evil I have seen under the sun. Kings and rulers make a grave mistake 6 when they give great authority to foolish people and low positions to people of proven worth. 7 I have even seen servants riding horseback like princes—and princes walking like servants!

  • It is a lack of humility that clouds the judgement of people in power
  • Kings and Rulers are known for their lack of humility & teachability
  • Arrogance in leadership is the norm ‘Under the Sun’

Arrogant Leadership is Rejected in Christ’s Kingdom

But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:25-28

8 When you dig a well, you might fall in. When you demolish an old wall, you could be bitten by a snake. 9 When you work in a quarry, stones might fall and crush you. When you chop wood, there is danger with each stroke of your ax.

  • There are inherent risks associated with whatever you undertake
  • The wise approach is a humble approach: realistically accessing the situation

10 Using a dull ax requires great strength, so sharpen the blade. That’s the value of wisdom; it helps you succeed. 11 If a snake bites before you charm it, what’s the use of being a snake charmer?

  • Utilize the skill and resources that you have to minimize risk and danger
  • Success is good…are you humble enough to glorify God with it?

12 Wise words bring approval, but fools are destroyed by their own words. 13 Fools base their thoughts on foolish assumptions, so their conclusions will be wicked madness; 14 they chatter on and on. No one really knows what is going to happen; no one can predict the future.

  • What are wise words?
  • Your ‘World View’ colors your analysis of events and circumstances
  • Foolish Assumptions: A ‘World View’ that doesn’t recognize the ‘World Maker’
  • Bad data in = bad conclusions
  • The less than humble desire to predict the future: foolishness!

15 Fools are so exhausted by a little work that they can’t even find their way home. 16 What sorrow for the land ruled by a servant, the land whose leaders feast in the morning. 17 Happy is the land whose king is a noble leader and whose leaders feast at the proper time to gain strength for their work, not to get drunk.

  • A basic definition of a fool is one who doesn’t value work
  • Worthy leadership knows the right time to do things
  • Doing things at the right time is about giving your emotions and time to others
  • Are you teachable about how you set priorities and manage your time?

18 Laziness leads to a sagging roof; idleness leads to a leaky house. 19 A party gives laughter, wine gives happiness, and money gives everything!

  • Wisdom is about doing what needs to be done when it needs to be done
  • Ecc. 3: For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven
  • These are all things that have value: ‘Under The Sun’

20 Never make light of the king, even in your thoughts. And don’t make fun of the powerful, even in your own bedroom. For a little bird might deliver your message and tell them what you said.

  • It is wise to stay humble regarding those who have power over you
  • You don’t know what might be repeated…(lots of ‘little Birds’ out there)
  • Wisdom expressed in humility is not saying things you don’t want repeated

Ch. 11:1-6

1 Send your grain across the seas, and in time, profits will flow back to you. 2 But divide your investments among many places, for you do not know what risks might lie ahead.

  • Branching out into new markets & diversification of your investment (change)
  • It is wise because it recognizes our lack of control & builds ‘God Dependance’
  • The ultimate humility of being ‘The Created’ under the authority of ‘The Creator’

3 When clouds are heavy, the rains come down. Whether a tree falls north or south, it stays where it falls. 4 Farmers who wait for perfect weather never plant. If they watch every cloud, they never harvest.

  • It rains when it wants to, trees fall where they want to…nature is beyond control
  • As we are able to manipulate nature more we are drawn to more pride
  • Mystery is a good thing
  • Deal with what you have instead of expecting things to be perfect / ‘your way’

5 Just as you cannot understand the path of the wind or the mystery of a tiny baby growing in its mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the activity of God, who does all things. 6 Plant your seed in the morning and keep busy all afternoon, for you don’t know if profit will come from one activity or another—or maybe both.

  • There is so much that is beyond us, if we are humble enough to admit it
  • Do we have a clear picture of God / Good Theology based on Scripture?
  • A proper appreciation for God’s all encompassing power (World & Word)
  • The awe and wonder of God / The ‘Fear of God can and will make us humble

Application Questions:

How much do you value being humble & teachable?

How well and often do you recognize pride in your life?

What is the connection between foolish over-talking and teachability?

It what ways are humility and doing things at the proper time connected?

Why should you pursue Humility?

/by

Ecclesiastes: What’s The point? Pt. 7

The Ultimate Equalizer

Do you spend much time thinking about death, specifically your death? The old saying is there are two things you can count on: death & taxes…

Everyone must face death, no matter your socioeconomic status Death is the ‘Ultimate Equalizer’. What is God’s purpose in making us all face death? How can the reality of death shape this life? How does death help us come to trust in God’s sovereignty?

And how can a healthy understanding of our time being limited help us live the way God desires; with gratitude and consideration? And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. ~ Micah 6:8

Chapter 9

1 This, too, I carefully explored: Even though the actions of godly and wise people are in God’s hands, no one knows whether God will show them favor. 2 The same destiny ultimately awaits everyone, whether righteous or wicked, good or bad, ceremonially clean or unclean, religious or irreligious.

  • Writer seeks to be credible (I am an expert) God’s Spirit speaking thru him
  • BELIEF in the fact that who receives God’s favor is decided solely by Him
  • Admission that God is in charge of EVERYONE’S ultimate destiny
  • You cannot be good enough, clean enough or religious enough to avoid death

Good people receive the same treatment as sinners, and people who make promises to God are treated like people who don’t. 3 It seems so wrong that everyone under the sun suffers the same fate.

  • What we see VS what God sees
  • It seems like injustice to us…what makes us think we know what real justice is?

Already twisted by evil, people choose their own mad course, for they have no hope. There is nothing ahead but death anyway. 4 There is hope only for the living. As they say, “It’s better to be a live dog than a dead lion!”

  • God’s image is compromised by sin, and sin leads to death
  • It creates a hopeless situation we are without power to change

5 The living at least know they will die, but the dead know nothing. They have no further reward, nor are they remembered. 6 Whatever they did in their lifetime—loving, hating, envying—is all long gone. They no longer play a part in anything here on earth.

  • When you are under the power of sin that is all you know
  • This life become the only thing (no perspective beyond this life)
  • And this life is finite

7 So go ahead. Eat your food with joy, and drink your wine with a happy heart, for God approves of this! 8 Wear fine clothes, with a splash of cologne! 9 Live happily with the woman you love through all the meaningless days of life that God has given you under the sun. The wife God gives you is your reward for all your earthly toil.

  • If there is nothing but this life, go ahead: PARTY UP!
  • The search for fulfillment in ‘Stuff’ & ‘People’ and ‘Status’
  • What God gives us ‘under the sun’ is meaningless when it is just about this life

10 Whatever you do, do well. For when you go to the grave, there will be no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom.

  • Living under the sun is about thinking it’s only about this life, this world
  • Is this all there is? What’s The Point?

We have to come to grips with our finite, hopeless reality before we can fully surrender to God’s solution for us to be rescued from it: The Gospel of Jesus Christ!

11 I have observed something else under the sun. The fastest runner doesn’t always win the race, and the strongest warrior doesn’t always win the battle. The wise sometimes go hungry, and the skillful are not necessarily wealthy. And those who are educated don’t always lead successful lives.

  • We judge and assign value based on human / worldly perspective (bad data)
  • Our ideas of ‘Justice’ start with bad data then are influenced by sin
  • We are always looking at an incomplete story

It is all decided by chance, by being in the right place at the right time. 12 People can never predict when hard times might come. Like fish in a net or birds in a trap, people are caught by sudden tragedy.

  • Reality: We have NO CONTROL… How do we deal with that?
  • Our lives happen to us, without the ability to really control them
  • This reality, without a Biblical Relationship with God, can really wreck you

13 Here is another bit of wisdom that has impressed me as I have watched the way our world works. 14 There was a small town with only a few people, and a great king came with his army and besieged it. 15 A poor, wise man knew how to save the town, and so it was rescued. But afterward no one thought to thank him.

  • This is an example of ‘How the world works’…
  • People have always lacked gratitude (Jesus & ten lepers: Luke 17:11-19)
  • When something good happens it’s God we should thank, He made it happen
  • Our level of ‘Thanks-Living’ corresponds to our level of surrender to God

16 So even though wisdom is better than strength, those who are wise will be despised if they are poor. What they say will not be appreciated for long. 17 Better to hear the quiet words of a wise person than the shouts of a foolish king. 18 Better to have wisdom than weapons of war, but one sinner can destroy much that is good.

  • The injustice of how people treat others based on Socioeconomic Status
  • The World judges on a scale we do not have to use

My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism.Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in.If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,”have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? ~ James 2:1-4

  • Human nature is to discriminate, tolerance of oppression results
  • But there is an ultimate equalizer: Death
  • The wisdom to surrender to God is the only answer to the ultimate Equalizer

Application Questions:

How are you with this ‘Everyone’s actions are in God’s Hands’ declaration?

How at peace are you with the idea that this life will end soon?

Looking at your time, emotions and resources, what is the ratio of those things used for ‘Self-Fulfillment’ VS ‘Kingdom-Fulfillment’? (Time. 45 total hrs: 20hrs / 25hrs)

Who are the targets of your discriminating? What is at the root of it?

/by

Ecclesiastes: What’s The Point? Pt. 6

Eternal Vision Provides Meaning

The struggle for meaning is as old as humankind. Where meaning comes from in our lives, how our lives can have eternal meaning is what this Scripture is revealing. Eternal life gives us ‘Eternal Perspective’. This is where we discover meaning and purpose: in the person and work of Jesus The Christ.

Chapter 7:15-29

15 I have seen everything in this meaningless life, including the death of good young people and the long life of wicked people. 16 So don’t be too good or too wise! Why destroy yourself? 17 On the other hand, don’t be too wicked either. Don’t be a fool! Why die before your time? 18 Pay attention to these instructions, for anyone who fears God will avoid both extremes.

  • Extremes are meaningless to pursue or default to
  • A wise & healthy life begins with the fear of God and is expressed in balance

19 One wise person is stronger than ten leading citizens of a town! 20 Not a single person on earth is always good and never sins. 21 Don’t eavesdrop on others—you may hear your servant curse you. 22 For you know how often you yourself have cursed others.

  • Wisdom is better than position (Western Culture often values the opposite)
  • Wisdom leads to a real assessment of yourself (Romans 12:3)

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.

  • Don’t go in search of what you should not be exposed to
  • Recognize the capacity of others to sin based on YOUR capacity to sin

23 I have always tried my best to let wisdom guide my thoughts and actions. I said to myself, “I am determined to be wise.” But it didn’t work. 24 Wisdom is always distant and difficult to find. 25 I searched everywhere, determined to find wisdom and to understand the reason for things. I was determined to prove to myself that wickedness is stupid and that foolishness is madness.

  • You can’t make yourself wise, you can only cooperate with God doing it
  • True wisdom, God’s wisdom, is totally beyond us. It is His alone to give
  • Using our mental faculties to understand the mind of God will always fall short
  • You get stuck in a humanist / temporal perspective

26 I discovered that a seductive woman is a trap more bitter than death. Her passion is a snare, and her soft hands are chains. Those who are pleasing to God will escape her, but sinners will be caught in her snare.

  • The ‘Seductive Woman’ is often used as a metaphor for passions of the flesh
  • Illegitimate pleasures are traps, snatching us away from God’s will & fellowship
  • Not desiring to please God, doing ‘what we know to be sin’… it enslaves us!
  • ‘Sinners’ = Ongoing Unrepentant Rebellion (Living only for this life)

27 “This is my conclusion,” says the Teacher. “I discovered this after looking at the matter from every possible angle. 28 Though I have searched repeatedly, I have not found what I was looking for. Only one out of a thousand men is virtuous, but not one woman! 29 But I did find this: God created people to be virtuous, but they have each turned to follow their own downward path.”

  • ‘The Qoheleth’ concludes, from HIS observations: Serious lack of virtue!
  • Men only .1% better than women (one in a thousand vs zero in a thousand)
  • The search for virtue in fallen mankind is like chasing the wind… Hevel
  • We are made in HIS image but sin; ‘Unrepentant Rebellion’ destroys our virtue
  • This is all meaningless with solely temporal perspective,

Chapter 8

How wonderful to be wise, to analyze and interpret things. Wisdom lights up a person’s face, softening its harshness.

  • When we can interpret life from God’s / Eternal point of view it limits frustration
  • Eternal perspective gives joy & contentment; relieves stress, confusion & anger

2 Obey the king since you vowed to God that you would. 3 Don’t try to avoid doing your duty, and don’t stand with those who plot evil, for the king can do whatever he wants. 4 His command is backed by great power. No one can resist or question it. 5 Those who obey him will not be punished.

  • Obedience to the authority God has placed us under is the ultimate expression of Wisdom (Eternal Perspective)
  • God’s sovereignty is enacted though earthly authorities: God’s power thru them
  • Obedience to who you are placed under is obedience to God
  • The promise of obedience
  • Every knee will eventually bow… all will be made to obey, we get to choose to!!

Those who are wise will find a time and a way to do what is right, 6 for there is a time and a way for everything, even when a person is in trouble. 7 Indeed, how can people avoid what they don’t know is going to happen? 8 None of us can hold back our spirit from departing. None of us has the power to prevent the day of our death. There is no escaping that obligation, that dark battle. And in the face of death, wickedness will certainly not rescue the wicked.

  • Prioritizing what God prioritizes no matter the circumstances
  • Today is the time to obey…you don’t know what is going to happen tomorrow
  • We have no control over our mortality, this life is finite
  • It is scary business, totally unavoidable
  • Evil ways of manipulating circumstances in life are of no help
    • It is implied that SOMETHING (SomeONE) can rescue…just not wickedness

9 I have thought deeply about all that goes on here under the sun, where people have the power to hurt each other. 10 I have seen wicked people buried with honor. Yet they were the very ones who frequented the Temple and are now praised in the same city where they committed their crimes! This, too, is meaningless.

  • Hurting others while exerting power over them = Oppression
  • Being powerful enough to control public image of you
  • Powerful enough to fabricate a religious persona when you are a criminal
  • The injustice is depressing you have nothing but a temporal perspective

11 When a crime is not punished quickly, people feel it is safe to do wrong. 12 But even though a person sins a hundred times and still lives a long time, I know that those who fear God will be better off. 13 The wicked will not prosper, for they do not fear God. Their days will never grow long like the evening shadows.

  • The rule of law, applied equally as humanly possible, is important to humanity
  • A wicked 70, 80 years VS ETERNITY with God in Perfection & Glory?
  • What is forming your days? Here and now or Eternity?
  • He is not speaking of earthy prosperity but rather eternal prosperity (Heaven)

14 And this is not all that is meaningless in our world. In this life, good people are often treated as though they were wicked, and wicked people are often treated as though they were good. This is so meaningless!

  • More meaninglessness, really?
  • ‘In this life’ There is not perfect justice…not possible in our fallen world
  • People can be misjudged & people can misjudge…

15 So I recommend having fun, because there is nothing better for people in this world than to eat, drink, and enjoy life. That way they will experience some happiness along with all the hard work God gives them under the sun.

  • ‘Under The Sun’ …If all you care about is THIS life under the sun…
  • Unless you find some other purpose to live this life for: ‘Party Up!’
  • Your meaningless enjoyment will be your ‘some happiness’

GOSPEL

16 In my search for wisdom and in my observation of people’s burdens here on earth, I discovered that there is ceaseless activity, day and night. 17 I realized that no one can discover everything God is doing under the sun. Not even the wisest people discover everything, no matter what they claim.

  • Activity to relieve burden doesn’t work, ‘No rest for the wicked’
  • It is not about ‘figuring out’ God,
  • It’s about surrendering you life to Christ and the Gospel
  • The are things beyond our discovery

Application Questions:

What are habits / lifestyle choices that help you have more eternal perspective?

How can you get others to participate in your self-evaluation?

What authority Structures have you been placed under? How is your obedience?

Who do you know that has obvious meaning and purpose in their life? Why?

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