Bible Teaching

The Psalms, #2

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In a previous post, I introduced you to the genre of Psalms known as lament. Laments came from those times of great questions, from persecution, from hardships, and events that cause us to wonder where God is, or to wonder if God is going to be trustworthy.

There are over 60 Psalms classified as laments. Some scholars choose to ignore the lament, denying the existence of these emotions. Some have simply stated that “if we have faith” we will not experience times that bring about lamentations. I do not agree with that and obviously, the Holy Spirit, the one who breathed these words into the heart of the writer did not believe that way either. Difficult times wreak havoc on our emotions.

As I’ve studied many of the laments, I believe they were placed in God’s Word for the purpose of showing us how to handle those emotions when they come rather than allow them to handle us.

We all experience times of doubt, fear, helplessness, and hopelessness but we do not have to camp there. The Word of God encourages us to express these emotions to God and allow Him to speak to us from those times. Too often we do two things in these dark times. We deny them, put on a “happy face” and pretend that all is well. Even when we pray, we try to convince God that we’re okay. But He knows better. And He is waiting for us to come clean. To confess we are having a tough time. To ask for His help and to put our trust in Him. Too often we carry guilt over our emotions which causes us to hide or feel condemned.

Perhaps the most famous of the laments is Psalm 22. This was the Psalm Jesus quoted while hanging on the cross. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest.”

The psalmist is being honest with his emotions. Jesus was being honest with His emotions. I believe the greatest source of pain for Jesus during all His trials and abuse as He was crucified was feeling separated from God. That was the “cup” He was asking to pass on in His prayer in Gethsemane.

Look though at the next line of Psalm 22. “YET you are enthroned as the Holy One, you are the one Israel praises. In you our ancestors put their trust; they trusted you and you delivered them. To you they cried out and were saved; in you they trusted and were not put to shame.”

What a great prayer. We too can pray a prayer like that. Admit that times are tough; admit that we feel separated from God; admit that we do not always know what to do, then confess that you have confidence and know that God is more than able to bring you through this season.

God hasn’t changed. He’s the same today as He was while Jesus was on the cross or while David was being run out of town. He’ll do the same for you!

Always in Pursuit!

Don

The Psalms, #1

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My study of the Psalms has been a continual journey for many years now. When I first started, one of the things I realized about the Psalms was that every emotion I had ever experienced was found in the Psalms.

I could find Psalms that spoke of joy (Psalm 16 & 33). Psalms that speak of God as our fortress when I was feeling threatened (Psalm 18). I could find the promise of God being my strength when I felt weak. (Psalm 28 31, & 40) There are even Psalms that speak of anger but that’s for another day.

Of course, we all love and can quote the 23rd Psalm, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.”

There are various “kinds” or “types” of Psalms. (These are called, “genres.”) One of my favorites is the, “lament.”  A very simple definition of a lament is that it starts off kind of whiny but ends up in victory.

Ever feel kind of whiny? Things aren’t going like we want them to go. Seems like every time we turn around, we are having a conflict with someone. We don’t understand what’s happening or why it’s happening. We don’t know what to do and we feel helpless and even hopeless.

Instead of sitting down and eating a can of worms, the psalmist gives us a great plan for dealing with these emotions. He lets us know that it’s okay to express these emotions, especially to God. Denying you feel this way will only lead to an explosion down the road and there will be innocent victims.

Psalm 3 is a lament of David. He was having a really bad day. His son was trying to kill him You can read the whole story starting in 2 Samuel 15.) Take a moment to read the first four verses in Psalm 3. The first four verses are understandably “whiny.” “Lord, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! Many are saying of me, ‘God will not deliver him.’” Take note though, David didn’t stay there. He pulled from his past. He drew from the faithfulness of God in days gone by. Listen to what he says, “BUT you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts up my head high. I call out to the Lord, and He answers me from His holy mountain.”

Even though things aren’t going like we want them to go these days and maybe even for many more days to come doesn’t mean we are helpless and hopeless. Don’t forget that important word “BUT.”  It’s okay to express your emotions to God. He can handle them. He understands. Best of all, He can bring comfort, peace and joy in these times. He is more than able to bring you through victoriously.

Tomorrow we’ll look at the most famous lament, Psalm 22. Jesus quoted this Psalm from the cross when He was having a bad day.

Always in Pursuit!

Don

Passion Week–Resurrection

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You can read about the Resurrection of Jesus in all four Gospels (Matthew 28:1-13; Mark 16:1-20; Luke 24:1-49; and John 20:1-31) You’ve probably heard many sermons/teachings about the Resurrection. It’s an exciting story that causes our hearts to burn with love, joy and hope.

Even though we all know how the story ends, the Passion Week of Christ is one of the most meaningful stories of the Bible. Every time I read it, something inside me burns.

I love Luke’s account of Jesus walking with the two of His followers on the road to Emmaus in Luke 24:13-35. I get their disappointment. I’ve been disappointed at times by the way God works. But the part I really relate to is their reaction to the words Jesus spoke to them. Their words at that time were, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”

Something inside me burns every time I read about the death and resurrection of Jesus. It’s the foundation of my faith; it’s what brings me hope; and it’s what gives me faith in Him and all that is found in His Word.

There’s one more thing about the Resurrection that causes something inside of me to burn.

The same Spirit that raised Christ from the grave, is living inside you and me. It’s power over death and it’s the power that gives me life. Read it in Romans 8:11: “And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.”

Life. Jesus’ death and resurrection opens the door to each one of us for life, abundantly. This life is for both the here and now, but also for eternity. His death and resurrection defeated death and destruction satan planned for us.

It’s a great promise! Enjoy!

Happy Resurrection Day!

Always in Pursuit!

Don

Easter Sunday Sermon Notes

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Does It Matter?

1 Corinthians 15:1-4

Today’s Bible Reading: Psalm 118:1-7

#1—The Resurrection of Jesus matters because it’s the foundation upon which our relationship with God is based.

1 Corinthians 15:3-4

#2—The Resurrection of Jesus matters because it fulfilled prophecy.

Mark 8:31—

Psalm 16:10-11

#3—The Resurrection of Jesus matters because our salvation depends upon it.

Romans 4:25—

Hebrews 7:25—

#4—The Resurrection of Jesus matters because it’s foundational to our faith.

1 Corinthians 15:14—

#5—The Resurrection of Jesus matters because it paves the way for a future resurrection for all who believe.

1 Corinthians 15:22-23

The Resurrection of Jesus matters because through it, He conquered death; gives eternal life; and has provided a way for us to have life today, and life abundantly.

Passion Week, Day 7

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It’s the Sabbath of Passion Week. Jesus has been in the tomb for two days now. Tomorrow, the third day, is Resurrection Sunday, the first day of the new week.

You can read about this time in Matthew 27:57-61; Mark 15:42-47; Luke 23:50-56; and John 19:38-42.

Even the tomb Jesus was buried in was a fulfillment of prophecy. (Isaiah 53:9) Joseph, a “rich man” and Nicodemus had brought spices to prepare His body for burial. Then they proceeded to place His body in a new tomb that belonged to Joseph of Arimathea. All of this fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah over 600 years prior to these events.

Just for the sake of clarity, allow me to explain how the days were counted. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 that Jesus “died for our sins, according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.”

For the Jews, their days were calculated from sunset to sunset rather than midnight to midnight. Any portion of a day counted as a full day.

Since Jesus was crucified on Friday, it meant the Jewish Sabbath would have started at sunset probably about 6 PM. To keep themselves from becoming unclean for the Sabbath, the Jews would have hurried to get the bodies of the three victims washed, rubbed in spices and wrapped in cloth then into tombs. The idea of allowing them to hang on the crosses during a Sabbath, which was also Passover, was an abomination. This explains why the Romans soldiers broke the legs of the two thieves. Breaking their legs would keep them from gasping for breath and cause death sooner. But since Jesus was already dead when they came to Him, they did not break His legs. This also was a fulfillment of prophecy found in Psalm 34:20. This also goes back to the commands of God to Moses and Aaron regarding the Passover Lamb. Its legs were not to be broken. And since Jesus was the ultimate, once for all Passover Lamb, His legs were not to be broken either.

Let’s get back to counting the days. Even though Jesus died at 3 PM, the time of the Evening Sacrifice but was placed in the tomb prior to sunset, the start of the next day, it constituted a full day, day one.

Day two was the Sabbath, starting at sunset on Friday and lasting until sunset on Sabbath. Day three would have started at sunset on the Sabbath. We know that Jesus rose from the dead early on the morning of the third day, which in our week would have been Sunday, the first day of the week. Always remember, Jewish days are counted from sunset to sunset not midnight to midnight.

That’s how we get the three days.

Always in Pursuit!

Don

Passion Week, Day 6

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The night of the Lord’s Supper and the betrayal would make an action-packed thriller of a novel in our world today.

Many scholars believe Jesus and his disciples, minus Judas, left the Upper Room and walked to the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus spent time praying. This was when He invited Peter, James and John to join Him, but they couldn’t stay awake. You can read this account in Matthew 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42; and in Luke 27:40-46).

As you read the account of this time, I would challenge you to note the agony Jesus must have felt.  I would assume He felt very alone. One of His best friends, Judas, was leading a band of soldiers to come and arrest Him. Three more of his best friends, Peter, James and John, could even stay awake to pray with Him. The Luke account says that “His sweat was like drops of blood” indicating a great deal of stress upon His body.

In Matthew 26:39 He pleaded with God, His Father, about whether “this cup be taken” from Him. I don’t believe this was a request to avoid the suffering or to avoid death. His suffering and His death were part of the plan He signed on for, before the beginning of time. The separation from God was part of the plan too, but it was just about more than He could bear.

The idea of being separated from God brought about great stress in the life of Jesus. I’m thinking we might need to learn a lesson from that. We need to make sure we don’t allow anything, sin, to get between us and God. That’s what happened in the Garden with Adam & Eve. They allowed doubts which turned into sin, to separate them from God. And look at the mess it caused!

Back to the Garden of Gethsemane. I believe the arrest of Jesus happened about midnight, or perhaps a little earlier. Keep in mind, that Jesus was placed on the cross at the time of the morning sacrifice which was 9 AM. The next nine hours were jammed packed.

There were six judicial trials that happened from the time Jesus was arrested and taken away to the time He was nailed to the cross.

There were five rules pertaining to all trials at this time.

#1—A trial was never to be conducted at night

#2—The accused could have an attorney speak on their behalf

#3—The accused could not be declared guilty without reputable witnesses

#4—Members of a Jewish court, after hearing testimony in a capital crime, were not allowed to render an immediate verdict. They were required to adjourn for two day and two nights before returning and hear once again the testimony against the accused

#5—The Sanhedrin was supposed to vote, one person at a time. The youngest members were to vote first so they would not be influenced by the older members. Since there were 70 members to the Sanhedrin, this would have taken a great deal of time.

Here’s a list of the trials along with the Scripture references:

Trial #1—Before Annas, ex-high priest of the Jews, owner of the Bazaars of Annas, the marketplace set up in the Temple Courts—John 18:13-23

Trial #2—Before Caiaphas,  the current High Priest and son-in-law to Annas along with the entire Sanhedrin—Matthew 26:57-68; Mark 14:53-65; John 18:24

Trial #3—Before the Sanhedrin—The seventy ruling men of Israel—Mark 15:1a; Luke 22:66-71

Trial #4—Before Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea—Matthew 27:11-14; Mark 15:1b-5; Luke 23:1-7; John 18:28- 38

Trial #5—Before Herod Antipas, Roman governor of Galilee—Luke 23:8-12

Trial #6—Back to Pilate—Matthew 27:15-26; Mark 15:6-15; Luke 23:18-25; John 18:29-19:6

At the end of the six trials, it is probably 7 AM. All trials were illegal. Five times Jesus is declared innocent by Pilate and by Herod. Yet the Jews still called for His death. They even traded a known murderer, Barabbas, for the life of Jesus.

I think the cross Jesus was hung on had been prepared for Barabbas. But just as He did for you and me, Jesus took the place of this renowned sinner.

Pause for a just a bit, think about it, an innocent man, a sinless man, the Son of God, took your place, took my place, on the cross!

Always in Pursuit!

Don

Passion Week, Day 5

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Day 5 of Passion Week is traditionally known as Maundy Thursday. It also has been known as Holy Thursday.

The word “maundy” comes from the Latin and means “command.” On this day, Jesus spends several hours with the disciples in the Upper Room. They celebrate the Passover Meal but during the meal, Jesus institutes the Lord’s Supper. He also commands them to “love one another as He had loved them” and He demonstrates what it means to be humble and to be the servant of all.

This will be a little different than the previous Passion Week writings, but I hope and pray you will be challenged by it.

We know from Scripture that Jesus kept the Jewish holy days. From the time He was a child, He would travel to Jerusalem to keep the feasts. In some ways it makes sense because they were all about Him.

This day of the Passion Week was the time spent in the Upper Room, the Passover Meal which became the pattern for the Lord’s Supper was instituted.

 Perhaps the most impactful lesson was when Jesus demonstrated what it meant to be a servant to all. He put on the servant’s apron, took the basin and towel, and proceeded to wash the feet of each disciple. You can read about this in John 13.

While I think this was hugely impactful, it is obvious that this too zoomed over their heads because just a little later, they broke out in the old argument about who among was or would be the greatest.

Earlier, Jesus sent two disciples to prepare the “Upper Room” for their celebration of the Passover Meal. Tradition says the man they encountered was the young man Mark, and the home they ate the Passover Meal was his mother’s Mary upper room.

It was during this time at the meal, Jesus announced that one of them would betray Him.

I’ve always been intrigued over the concern that each one expressed about who the betrayer would be. In Matthew’s account of this, Matthew 26:22, it appears that each of them asked1 the question, “Surely not I, Lord?” They were appalled at the thought of one of them would betray Jesus. But they all asked if it was going to be them.

It appears Judas was not part of this conversation because it was several minutes until Judas addressed the issue by saying, “Surely, not I, Rabbi?”

In John’s account of this, John 13:27, this was when Jesus told Judas, “What you are about to do, do quickly.”

They finished the meal, Jesus taught on the ministry of the Holy Spirit John 14-16. He also prayed His High Priestly Prayer, the actual Lord’s Prayer in John 17. They sang a hymn, probably one of the Hallel Psalms (perhaps Psalm 116, 117 or 118), and left for the Garden of Gethsemane where His arrest took place.

Before moving on, I’d like to make an observation regarding the disciples. The evening started with Jesus taking the servants apron and performing the act of washing the feet of the disciples. This would have normally been done by the youngest servant, or the lowest servant of the house.

An interesting thing happens here in Luke’s account. Luke 22:24 tells us that at this point in the evening, the disciples once again began arguing among themselves as to which one of them was the greatest. This was not the first time an argument like that had broken out.

I realize they were young, but they just witnessed their “Lord” and “Master” put on the servant’s apron and wash their feet. They missed it. It “zoomed” right over their head. Jesus’ response was to teach how they were to all be like the youngest, assuming nothing. He also taught that the one who rules, also serves.

The commands of the evening were to love one another; serve one another; and never forget the broken body and the shed blood of Christ, who willingly gave Himself, as a ransom for all.

What areas of your life do you see yourself as a servant? Are there areas of your life where you see yourself as “being served?” How do you think that would fit into the teaching of Jesus to His disciples? Could it be there needs to be a change in your thinking?

Always in Pursuit!

Don

Passion Week, Day 4

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This day of the Passion Week is not mentioned specifically in the Scriptures. On the charts detailing the Passion Week, it is sometimes referred to as “A Day of Rest.”

It followed a jam packed three days, First, the Triumphal Entry; then the Clearing the Temple; followed by the Confrontation with the Priests and Elders in the Temple.

Jesus and the Disciples probably returned to Bethany, the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus.

I believe this was the time when the Olivet Discourse was given (Matthew 24, 25; Mark 12:35-37; Luke 20:41-44).

The setting would have been atop the Mount of Olives, overlooking the city of Jerusalem.

The Olivet Discourse is the final of five teachings given by Jesus and recorded by Matthew. Essentially, it is Jesus’ response to three questions posed by the disciples in Matthew 24:3.

The three questions and their answers are: “When will these things happen?” (answered in Matthew 24:36) “What will be the sign of your coming?” (answered in Matthew 24:30-35) and “What will be the sign of the end of the age?” (answered in Matthew 4:4-29)

Notice that Jesus answered their questions in reverse order.

In the Olivet Discourse, Jesus reminds the disciples to not get so caught up in trying to figure everything out that they miss out. He was also wanting the disciples to “be righteous,” rather that simply to “appear righteous.” The Pharisees had done a pretty good job of this. They were so focused on dotting every “i” and crossing every “t” that they forgot to make sure they were taking care of business, watching and always being prepared for these things to happen.

In Matthew 24:36, Jesus tells them that, “No one knows about the day or the hour.” He then proceeds to liken the day of His coming to the times of Noah. It was evil; people were completely disregarding the call to repent; and were eternally lost when the door to the Ark was closed.

I guess the moral of that lesson is to make sure we “don’t miss the boat.” Jesus proceeded to try and help the disciples not to miss the boat.

Jesus tells two parables in Matthew 25. The first (Matthew 25:1-13) is the Parable of “The Ten Virgins.” You remember it from Sunday school. Five were wise, five were foolish. The foolish ran out of oil and ultimately missed the coming of the Bride Groom because they were not prepared.

The second parable (Matthew 25:14-30) is, “The Parable of the Talents.” In this story, Jesus puts the emphasis on each of us using the talents (God given abilities) to accomplish His purposes. I would remind you of Ephesians 2:10 were we are told that not only are we God’s workmanship or His masterpieces, but there are also works established for us to do. And God has given each of us “talents” or “abilities” to accomplish those works. We just need to make sure we do what we we’re supposed to do.

Matthew 25 concludes with a great warning. It’s a teaching about the coming judgment. It’s about “sheep and goats” in Matthew 25:31-46. These words were a warning for those who do not live prepared or for those who choose not to use their talents for God’s purposes. There will be judgment. Christ will separate those who were obedient from those who were disobedient.

Again, the big picture here is to always be ready; always be doing the work of God; and always be looking to God as our source.

Always in Pursuit!

Don

Passion Week, Day 3

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On the day following the clearing of the Temple, Jesus returned to the Temple. He started teaching in the Temple Courts. It is apparent from Scripture (Matthew 21:23) that a meeting was going on in another part of the Temple. In this meeting were the chief priests and other leaders of the Temple. When they discovered Jesus, they posed two questions to Him. They asked Him, “By what authority are you doing these things?” “And who gave you this authority?” They knew of no school He attended, nor did they ever give Him instructions about what He taught on.

Here’s what lies behind their question. Based upon rabbinical tradition, those who taught received their authority from one of two places. The first could have been the rabbinical school they attended. There were two. The other source of what they were teaching could be the edicts issued by the Sanhedrin. The Sanhedrin was the ruling body of Jews. It was led by the High Priest and consisted of either 23 or 71 Pharisees, Sadducees and scribes. A member of the Sanhedrin was known as an elder. Most elders would have been highly educated rabbis. All recognized teachers of Israel drew their authority from one of these places, their rabbinical school or the Sanhedrin.

Jesus said He would answer their question if they answered His question. Jesus’ question was, “John’s baptism—where did it come from? Was it from heaven or from men?” According to Scripture, they were afraid to answer His question. (Matthew 21:23-27)

Jesus proceeds to tell three stories or three parables. The first was the “Parable of The Two Sons” found in Matthew 21:28-32.

This was an important use of the word “sons” since the Pharisees considered themselves to be “sons of God” by reason of their descent from Abraham. Jesus was teaching that “sonship” was not based on their lineage but on their obedience to God’s Word.

The underlying issue was the Pharisees were more concerned about appearing to be righteous than being righteous. (Take a moment or two and read through Matthew 23 noting the harsh rebuke of Jesus.)

The second parable is found in Matthew 21:33-41. This parable is called, “The Parable of the Tenants.” It was about an absentee owner of a vineyard who hired some locals to tend to his vineyard. When the owner sent his own servants to collect the profit, they “beat them, stoned them, and killed them.” Every time the owner sent someone, they attacked them. Finally, the owner decided to send his son. He thought “Surely they will respect my son.” But the tenants attacked him and killed him, thinking they would steal the son’s inheritance.

The concluding question was, “What do you think the owner will do to the tenants when he comes.” The answer was, “He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others.”

This parable was a reminder of how many of the prophets of God and others who had been sent to speak on behalf of God had been killed. And now, God had sent His “One and only Begotten” Son. And they were plotting to kill him as well.

The belief is that Jesus was announcing the Kingdom is now available to the Gentiles since the leaders of the Jews rejected it.

The third parable is found in Matthew 22:1-14. It’s the “Parable of the Wedding Banquet.”

In the culture of the day, when you were invited to a wedding, you would need to give up living your life for at least one or perhaps two weeks. (That’s how long weddings lasted.)  As an invited or chosen guest of the wedding, you would devote your full attention to the festivities, eat the food provided and even wear the clothing which was given to you. Everything you needed to live for the duration of the wedding…think Kingdom with me…was provided for you.

Jesus said the “Kingdom” is like a wedding. He didn’t say it was a wedding but was like one. This meant you gave yourself over to the agenda of the Kingdom. The wedding or the Kingdom is to become primary focal point. Once that happens, everything else will be provided. (Matthew 6:33, 34)

One thing sticks out to me in this parable. In Matthew 22:11-13, the king or the host of the wedding, walked about and noticed someone not wearing “wedding clothes.” This person was quickly removed and thrown into the “darkness.”

I believe Jesus included this in His parable to help us know that being part of the Kingdom would require a total “makeover” and not just maintaining the appearance of being part of the Kingdom.

As we give our lives to God, we will be changed, by His Spirit, from the inside out. It’s always our choice. Do we accept His invitation to be part of the Kingdom or do we continue to live as we see fit?

Always in Pursuit!

Don