Tag: salvation

Categories
5c

The Narrow Door

Week 100 | Section 112-113a

Podcast: Coming Soon

Section 112 | From Jerusalem to Perea

John 10:40-42
40 He went away again beyond the Jordan1 into the place where John was baptizing at first, and he stayed there. 41 Many came to him. They said, “John indeed did no sign,2 but everything that John said3 about this man is true.” 42 Many believed in him there.

Section 113a | Question about Salvation and Entering the Kingdom

Luke 13:22-30
22 He went on his way through cities and villages, teaching, and traveling on to Jerusalem. 23 One4 said to him, “Lord, are they few who are saved?”5 He said to them,6 24 “Strive7 to enter in by the narrow door,8 for many, I tell you, will seek to enter in and will not be able.9 25 When once the master of the house has risen up,10 and has shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ then he will answer and tell you, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’ 26 Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ 27 He will say, ‘I tell you, I don’t know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity.11 28 There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob,12 and all the prophets in God’s Kingdom, and yourselves being thrown outside. 29 They13 will come from the east, west, north, and south, and will sit down in God’s Kingdom. 30 Behold, there are some who are last who will be first, and there are some who are first who will be last.”14  

Group Dialog:

  1. Locate the regions on Harmony’s map.
  2. Will you be among the saved? Why?
  3. Does God accept everyone who tries to do his best or everyone who believes that Jesus gave himself for the betterment and salvation of the world?
  4. How is it that some are first and others last?
  5. Will there be a time that its too late to be saved?
  6. How can our “striving” influence the affect and effect of our salvation?

Learning Objectives: salvation, grace, devotion, evangelism.

Study Notes:

Categories
Five

The Kingdom of Heaven – part three

The Kingdom of Heaven - part 3

Week 57 | Sections 64 f,g

The Kingdom of Heaven - part 3In Jewish tradition, leaven was associated with sin and also the unleavened bread they ate in the dessert in their exodus from Egypt. Jesus flips the traditional imagery in this parable. While instilling in the apostles an understanding  of how God’s eternal purpose will be carried out through the apostles, and the church today.

Scripture:

Section 64f
[one_half last=”no”]Matthew 13:33-35
33 He spoke another parable1¯2 to them. “The Kingdom of Heaven3 is like yeast,4 which a woman5 took, and hid, in three measures6 of meal,7 until it was all leavened.8” 34 Jesus spoke all these things in parables to the multitudes; and without a parable, he didn’t speak to them, 35 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet, saying, “I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden from the foundation9 of the world.”[/one_half]
[one_half last=”yes”]Mark 4:33-34

 

33 With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it.10  34 Without a parable he didn’t speak to them; but privately to his own disciples he explained everything.11[/one_half]

Section 64g
Matthew 13:36-43
36 Then Jesus sent the multitudes away, and went into the house.12 His disciples came to him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the darnel weeds of the field.” 37 He answered them,“He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man, 38  the field is the world; and the good seed, these are the children of the Kingdom; and the darnel weeds are the children of the evil one. 39  The enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. 40  As therefore the darnel weeds are gathered up and burned with fire; so will it be at the end of this age. 41  The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will gather out of his Kingdom all things that cause stumbling,13 and those who do iniquity, 42  and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be weeping and the gnashing of teeth. 43  Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the Kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.14¯15

Group Dialog:

  1. What godly transformation is happening within your soul?
  2. What is our responsibility in regards to the purposes of God?
  3. Do you know your vocation? Do you feel equipped? How are you preparing yourself to better serve God?
  4. Looking back at the expansive growth of the church in the first century, what questions and convictions do you have for this day and age?
  5. How are you making yourself ready to receive, understand and nurture the good seed in the soil of your life?
  6. What do you anticipate will happen to you in the last days?

Learning Objectives:

The multiplying power of the Gospel, the activity of the Holy Spirit within the Church today, receive the Word and let it work throughout your life as well as throughout your circle of friends; follow Jesus teaching 2Tim 3:10; and be fruitful and feed his sheep (John 21:15-17). See also “The Keys to Building Organizational Capacity” (NCD, Natural Church Development, measuring outcomes, 8 Essential Qualities of Healthy Churches)

Photo: Sourdough tastes delicious. This recipe not only helps us understand this parable, but it turns out some amazing homemade sourdough in about a week.

The preacher’s quote to which Greg referred in the audio was actually lyrics from the 1985 song “Angry Young Men” by Randy Stonehill, (video) (lyrics) (website)

Study Notes:

Categories
Two

Second Miracle in Galilee

Second Miracle in Galilee

Week 25 | Sections 36,37,28
(Broadcast on Nov 16, 2014)

Second Miracle in GalileeWhile Jesus was often performing miracles that were unmistakable divine, his teaching and presence as the Messiah was to evoke a change in heart and practice. Though some still wish to see miracles, salvation and belief come by faith – not signs. So what of our faith, what shall it yield? The answer will be limited to the power of the one in whom we put our trust.

Scripture:

Section 36 | John 4:43-45
43 After the two days he went out from there1 and went into Galilee.2   44 For Jesus himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his own country.3 45 So when he came into Galilee, the Galileans received him, having seen all the things that he did in Jerusalem at the feast,4 for they also went to the feast.

Section 37
[one_third last=”no”]Mathew 4:17
17 From that time, Jesus began to preach,5 and to say, “Repent!6 For the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]Mark 1:14b-15
preaching the Good News of God’s Kingdom, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and God’s Kingdom7 is at hand! Repent, and believe in the Good News.”[/one_third]
[one_third last=”yes”]Luke 4:14b-15
and news about him spread through all the surrounding area. 15 He taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.[/one_third]

Section 38 | John 4:46-54
46 Jesus came therefore again to Cana of Galilee, where he made the water into wine.8 There was a certain nobleman9 whose son was sick at Capernaum.10  47 When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to him, and begged him that he would come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death.11 48 Jesus therefore said to him, “Unless you see signs and wonders, you will in no way believe.”12  49 The nobleman said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.”13  50 Jesus said to him, “Go your way. Your son lives.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way.14 51 As he was now going down, his servants met him and reported, saying “Your child lives!”15  52 So he inquired of them the hour when he began to get better. They said therefore to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour, the fever left him.” 53 So the father knew that it was at that hour in which Jesus said to him, “Your son lives.” He believed, as did his whole house. 54 This is again the second sign that Jesus did, having come out of Judea into Galilee.16

Group Dialog:

  1. What is the buzz happening in you small group and church about what Jesus has said and done among you and throughout history?
  2. Discuss the importance of repentance and believing the Good News.
  3. Should we expect or pray for miracles to happen in this day and age?
  4. What must we learn of faith, trusting the word of God, the prayer of the righteous, and asking?

Learning Objectives:

Repentance, we are given grace through faith, trust in Christ, faith that heals, take Jesus at his word, promises of God, acting in faith.

Study Notes:

Categories
Two

Ripe for Harvest

Ripe for Harvest

Week 24 | Section 35b,c

Ripe for HarvestNo bones about it, Jesus was certain of his identity and word of his deeds were spreading as quickly as the sun was ripening the grain fields.  The air was being filled with the sweet aroma of a promise – a harvest of souls and the hope of Israel.

Scripture:

Section 35b | John 4:27-38
27 At this, his disciples came.1 They marveled that he was speaking with a woman;2 yet no one said, “What are you looking for?” or, “Why do you speak with her?”3  28 So the woman left her water pot,4 went away into the city, and said to the people, 29 “Come, see a man5 who told me everything that I did.6 Can this be the Christ?”7 30 They went out of the city, and were coming to him. 31 In the meanwhile, the disciples urged him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.” 32 But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you don’t know about.” 33 The disciples therefore said to one another, “Has anyone brought him something to eat?” 34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.8 35 Don’t you say, ‘There are yet four months until the harvest?’ Behold, I tell you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, that they are white for harvest already. 36 He who reaps receives wages and gathers fruit to eternal life; that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. 37 For in this the saying is true, ‘One sows, and another reaps.’ 38 I sent you to reap that for which you haven’t labored. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.”9

Section 35c | John 4:39-42
39 From that city many of the Samaritans believed in him because of the word of the woman, who testified, “He told me everything that I did.”10  40 So when the Samaritans came to him,11 they begged him to stay with them. He stayed there two days.12 41 Many more believed because of his word. 42 They said to the woman, “Now we believe, not because of your speaking; for we have heard for ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.”13

Group Dialog:

  1. Have you ever felt as though you were fully welcome and accepted by another even though you had been feeling and treated as a social outcast by others? What was that moment like?
  2. What might have happened within the heart and mind of the Samaritan woman during this interaction? (review section 35a | John 4:5-38)
  3. What has been your response in the past when you have heard/understood Jesus’ words to you? What was the effect?
  4. What repercussions might there be to sharing or not sharing the good news with others?

Learning Objectives:

Our testimony, conviction, witness, work of God, vocation,  healing, serving others, foreknowledge, law and grace, cross-cultural ministry

Photo: Native wheat growing on the highlands of the pacific coast in Big Sur.

Study Notes:

Categories
Two

You Must Be Born Again

You Must Be Born Again

Week 21 | Sections 32 a,b

You Must Be Born AgainNicodemus a pharisee and member of the ruling class of the Jewish council is curious about the miracles Jesus had performed during his first visit to Jerusalem since his baptism. So curious he came in the dead of night, to learn more. His struggles are like many today, for its hard to change our way of thinking. The gospel of God’s grace runs contrary to so many things we’ve been taught. Still, it is the Good News we wish to hear – that God has so much love for us that he provided a way to reconcile us. Al we need do to experience that is believe.

Scripture:
Section 32a | John 2:23-25
23 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in his name, observing his signs which he did. 24 But Jesus didn’t entrust himself to them, because he knew everyone, 25 and because he didn’t need for anyone to testify concerning man; for he himself knew what was in man.

Section 32b | John 3:1-21
1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus,1  a ruler of the Jews.2 2 The same came to him by night,3 and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do, unless God is with him.”4 3 Jesus answered him,“Most certainly, I tell you, unless one is born anew, he can’t see God’s Kingdom.”5 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?” 5 Jesus answered,“Most certainly I tell you, unless one is born of water and spirit, he can’t enter into God’s Kingdom. 6  That which is born of the flesh is flesh. That which is born of the Spirit is spirit.6  7  Don’t marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born anew.’7 8 The wind blows where it wants to, and you hear its sound, but don’t know where it comes from and where it is going. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”8¯9 9 Nicodemus answered him, “How can these things be?”10 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and don’t understand these things?11 11 Most certainly I tell you, we speak that which we know, and testify of that which we have seen, and you don’t receive our witness. 12  If I told you earthly things and you don’t believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?12 13  No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended out of heaven, the Son of Man, who is in heaven.13 14  As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15  that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.14 17 For God didn’t send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through him.15 18 He who believes in him is not judged.16 He who doesn’t believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God.17 19 This is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their works were evil. 20  For everyone who does evil hates the light, and doesn’t come to the light, lest his works would be exposed. 21  But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his works may be revealed, that they have been done in God.”18

Group Dialog:

  1. Have we ourselves been “born again”?
  2. How has the grace of God allowed you to walk in love and obedience differently than obedience to the commandments of God and the customs of the church?
  3. Read and discuss the passages in study note #_.
  4. What patterns of your life (thought and deed) still need to change?
  5. What are the ways your life has changed since becoming born again?

Learning Objectives:

Be born again, justification then sanctification, availability of Jesus, The Messiah will break the adamic curse, our identity will be changed as we are born again Christ’s, let your mind be renewed, we need also to be bonded as the children of God – as one family, propitiation by the sacrifice of Jesus, the affective experience of those who do not receive the effective grace of God.

Study Notes:

Categories
One

Bringing Good News

Bringing Good News

Week 9 | Sections 10,11

Bringing Good NewsJesus’ birth and the praise of the angels is the core content for every Christmas pageant. Children don their woolly ears or carry a staff and a baby is shown as candles glow and cherubs with cardboard wings sing silent night.

Our story today is similar but so much more glorious than we can imagine and more dirty than we care to think. Ah the humility of Christ, God incarnate, born from Mary’s womb to be held in the arms of shepherds and wise men – and to take residence in the soul of every believer.

Birth of Jesus Christ #VR Movie via @BibleVR

Subscribe to see even more films and tours of the Holy Land in Virtual Reality.

Scripture:
Luke 2:1-7 | Section 10

1 Now in those days, a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled.2 This was the first enrollment made when Quirinius1 was governor of Syria. 3 All went to enroll themselves, everyone to his own city. 4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to David’s city, which is called Bethlehem,2¯3¯4 because he was of the house and family of David; 5 to enroll himself with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him as wife, being pregnant. 6 While they were there, the day had come for her to give birth. 7 She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a feeding trough, because there was no room for them in the inn.5

Luke 2:8-20 | Section 11

8 There were shepherds in the same country staying in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock.6 9 Behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 The angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people. 11 For there is born to you today, in David’s city, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 This is the sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a feeding trough.” 13 Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude7 of the heavenly army praising God, and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will toward men.” 15 When the angels went away from them into the sky, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem, now, and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 They came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby was lying in the feeding trough. 17 When they saw it, they publicized widely the saying which was spoken to them about this child. 18 All who heard it wondered at the things which were spoken to them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these sayings, pondering them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, just as it was told them.8

Group Dialog:

  1. Why would people not make room for a pregnant woman? Could it have something to do with the prophesies? What do you make of that?
  2. Why do you think God would have the angels appear to the shepherds? It would have been just as effective to appear to the towns people?  What message might be in this decision and how is the same seen in the life and ministry of Jesus?
  3. Talk about how these shepherds received news that this baby is the Messiah and then went out and told people and how you and your friends first responded to the idea of a Savior, the Messiah, the virgin birth, the resurrection, and the divinity of Jesus?
  4. Talk about the feeling of adoration when you see a new born and the feeling of adoration in worship.

Learning Objectives:

Shepherd king, worship, salvation for all, value everyone, patience, prayerful pondering.

Study Notes:

Categories
One

Becoming Strong in Spirit

Becoming Strong in Spriit

Week 7 | Section 8a,b,c

Becoming Strong in SpriitHow delighted Elizabeth and Zechariah must have been when their son was born, not only for the joy of having a child but because of their confidence of what he would be. Indeed, that is the pivotal word in our reading today – ‘be’. Our actions are tied to our being, and our being to the purposes of God. Most certainly Elizabeth and Zechariah were familiar with the saying, “raise up a child…(Prov. 22:6)” and John fulfilled his calling perfectly. May each of us have such a clear understanding of our relationship with God that we abandon any vain activity, embrace our identity as children of the covenant, and then our role in God’s master plan. May we take so seriously our duty as parents and spiritual parents that we make disciples and also point the way to the Savior, tell others of God’s mercy, grace and the horn of our salvation.

Scripture:
Luke 1:57-66 | Section 8a

57 Now the time that Elizabeth should give birth was fulfilled,1 and she gave birth to a son.2 58 Her neighbors and her relatives3 heard that the Lord had magnified his mercy towards her, and they rejoiced with her. 59 On the eighth4 day, they came to circumcise5¯6 the child; and they would have called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. 60 His mother answered,7 “Not so; but he will be called John.” 61 They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name.” 62 They made signs8 to his father, what he would have him called. 63 He asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, “His name is John.”9 They all marveled. 64 His mouth was opened immediately,10   and his tongue freed, and he spoke, blessing God. 65 Fear came on all who lived around them, and all these sayings were talked about throughout all the hill country of Judea. 66 All who heard them laid them up in their heart, saying, “What then will this child be?”11¯12 The hand of the Lord was with him.

Luke 1:67-79 | Section 8b13¯14¯15¯16

67 His father, Zacharias, was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying, 68 “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people; 69 and has raised up a horn of salvation17 for us in the house of his servant David 70 (as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets who have been from of old), 71 salvation18 from our enemies, and from the hand of all who hate us; 72 to show mercy19 towards our fathers, to remember his holy covenant, 73 the oath which he swore to Abraham, our father, 74 to grant to us that we, being delivered out of the hand of our enemies,should serve him without fear, 75 In holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life. 76 And you, child, will be called a prophet20 of the Most High,for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways, 77 to give knowledge of salvation21 to his people by the remission of their sins, 78 because of the tender mercy of our God,whereby the dawn from on high will visit us, 79 to shine22 on those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death; to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

Luke 1:80 | Section 8c

80 The child23was growing,24 and becoming strong in spirit, and was in the desert until the day of his public appearance to Israel.25

Group Dialog:

  1. What experiences have you had in which God has interrupted your routine, answered a prayer
  2. How has the wider community helped develop your faith thus far? Were your parents or god-parents active in that process?
  3. What traditions have been a “marker” helping you keep the faith and continue to grow spiritually?
  4. What role would you like to take in helping others mature spiritually?

Learning Objectives:

Obedience in faith, being-God’s child, God’s plan of redemption & reconciliation, the will of God, God’s promises, prophesy, circumcision and traditions, raise up a child, discipling others

Study Notes:

Categories
One

In the Beginning

In the Beginning

Week 2 | Section 2

In the BeginningAs we continue our chronological study through the Gospels we turn to the Gospel according to John and read his prologue. John’s style of writing is unique as is the voice of every Gospeler1 John highlights: the deity of Christ, and the important distinction of our own humanity and the existence of God the Creator:Created, Incarnation.2

Scripture:
John 1:1-18

1 In the beginning3¯4 was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him. 5¯6 Without him, nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him7 was life, and the life was the light of men.5 The light shines in the darkness,8 and the darkness hasn’t overcome it. 6 There came a man, sent9 from God, whose name was John. 7 The same came as a witness, that he might testify about the light, that all might believe10 through him. 8 He was not the light, but was sent that he might testify about the light. 9 The true light11 that enlightens everyone was coming into the world.12 10 He was in the world,13 and the world was made through him, and the world didn’t recognize him. 11 He came to his own,14 and those who were his own didn’t receive him.12 But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become God’s children, to those who believe15 in his name: 13 who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.14 The Word16 became flesh, and lived among us. We saw his glory, such glory as of the one and only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 John testified about him. He cried out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me, for he was before me.’ ” 16 From his fullness we all received grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses. Grace and truth17  were realized through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has seen God at any time. The one and only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has declared him.18

Study Notes: