Bible Study WELCOME TO AN IN DEPTH STUDY OF MATTHEW'S GOSPEL.
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Desire to be a vessel of honor unto the Lord Jesus Christ?
Join For His Glory for a discussion on how
https://christianforums.net/threads/a-vessel-of-honor.110278/
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Taking the time to pray? Christ is the answer in times of need
https://christianforums.net/threads/psalm-70-1-save-me-o-god-lord-help-me-now.108509/
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Thank you Chopper, that's encouraging to me, ...also, this Hamitic culture that I live in does not understand "family" as we do, it's very dark here and absence of Light also includes absence of Love, ...I can say I've sensed/felt more Christian love on this forum than on others I lurked on or visited occasionally, and to be included and/or accepted into this family brings a lump into my throat, ...no matter what your decision is, ...thank you.
Thanks Karl. At some point I'd like to communicate with you in a SAC. There are certain ground rules that have to be followed if you become our teacher. I'm still praying about this decision. I have heard from one person, and would like to hear from more of our Bible Study family.
I'm fine with Karl because he appears to me to be sincere, compassionate, and not demanding or prideful.
It's not like we all just sit back and listen to a sermon. We all share what we can and learn together.
Like reba said, there are many mansions in God's house.
Good News! Karl has agreed to lead our Bible studies starting January 1st or 2nd. Lets let him get settled in during at least the first month. It takes a while to get used to posting a study, like a format, how many verses or a chapter at a time, move fast or slow. Your recommendations will help him formulate a study that meets everyones needs. I you're as nice to him as you were to me, it will be a blessing for you folk and him.
Karl has decided to start with Leviticus. I will not be going away, I'll be active in the study right along with you folk. I'm looking forward to what the Lord has to teach us thru His servant Karl. May God richly bless our study together.
Karl has decided to start with Leviticus. I will not be going away, I'll be active in the study right along with you folk. I'm looking forward to what the Lord has to teach us thru His servant Karl. May God richly bless our study together.
Chopper, I understand you and others were probably shocked at what I said in my thread on The Spirit of Truth. There, I tried to tell a story and it didn't go over well. But seeing that you choose "The Holy Spirit Speaks" as the title for your topic, I feel compelled to share the thoughts that rest on my heart, but I shall try to do so a little more direct, and I believe this to be appropriate for your study. In that thread, I was hoping people would examine what it was that they attributed to the Holy Spirit, seeing that John 15:26 lets us know that Jesus sends the Holy Spirit, or the Spirit of Truth from the Father with the purpose of testifying of Christ.
A few weeks ago in this bible study tread, when covering the scriptures that straight is the way and narrow is the gate that leads to life and few there be that find it; you made a comment about Peter and his Revelation of Christ, for Jesus said unto him that Flesh and Blood had not revealed it unto him, but my Father which is in Heaven. John 15:26 only confirms this same thought, as Jesus sends forth Holy Spirit to testify of Him, being Christ.
In Luke 24, we find after that Jesus had risen, he appeared unto his disciples, and they knew him not. The very same disciples who had walked and talked with Jesus in the flesh, the same disciples that saw and witnessed the miracles that Jesus performed. Taught from the very lips of the master himself. And yet for all of this, they did not know the Spirit of Christ when he walked with them.
Luke 24:15-17 And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?
Luke 24:21 But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel:
Luke 24:25-27 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
Luke 24:30-32 And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures.
Luke 24:43-45 And he took it, and did eat before them. And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures.
Luke 24:49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
2 Corinthians 3:14-15 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.
There are many different Spirits of God, but Jesus told us to listen the a particular one, The Spirit of Truth and Comforter that testifies of Him.
Luke 9:54-56 And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them.
There is no denying that Elijah was a mighty prophet of God, as surely as the Spirit of the Lord was upon him. But when asked if they should call fire down from Heaven as Elijah did, Jesus rebuked them; saying know you not which Spirit you are of?
The scripture tells us that the Just shall live Faith. The scripture also tells us that Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God, who is the Spirit of Truth. We only have but to listen for Him in our hearts. Which Spirit should we be listening for: The Spirit of Wrath or the Spirit of Grace?
Since God's grace rests upon every true child of God, and since God's wrath was poured out upon Christ on our behalf, the Holy Spirit always ministers grace to our hearts and souls. That does not mean that believers will not suffer chatisement or afflictions. But God has wrath for sinners and grace for saints.
If the scriptures I have posted above have helped at all to gain back a little of your trust, then maybe you would indulge me a little bit and consider something as you move forward with your Bible study.
You have just finished the part in the book of Mathew that gave you the sermon on the mount and the beatitudes. You have heard the instruction that Jesus has commanded you to follow and obey. Love your enemy, Bless those that curse you, and do good to those that hate you. Forgive one another, as I have forgiven you. This is what you have been instructed to do.
Now in your Bible study, you will be moving into the chapters where we find Jesus condemning the Pharisees and pronouncing the judgement upon Jerusalem: Woe unto you scribes and Pharisees, Hypocrites.
Matt 23:15-17 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves. Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor! Ye fools and blind:for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?
Here is the question I want you to think about as you move forward into these chapters with your Bible Study. When you hear the words that Jesus spoke to the Pharisees: Do you hear them as the words of Jesus condemning the Pharisee, or do you hear them as the Pharisee being condemned? One goes forth thinking himself a judge, the other as already judged.
You have just finished the part in the book of Mathew that gave you the sermon on the mount and the beatitudes. You have heard the instruction that Jesus has commanded you to follow and obey. Love your enemy, Bless those that curse you, and do good to those that hate you. Forgive one another, as I have forgiven you. This is what you have been instructed to do.
Now in your Bible study, you will be moving into the chapters where we find Jesus condemning the Pharisees and pronouncing the judgement upon Jerusalem: Woe unto you scribes and Pharisees, Hypocrites.
Matt 23:15-17 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves. Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor! Ye fools and blind:for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?
Here is the question I want you to think about as you move forward into these chapters with your Bible Study. When you hear the words that Jesus spoke to the Pharisees: Do you hear them as the words of Jesus condemning the Pharisee, or do you hear them as the Pharisee being condemned? One goes forth thinking himself a judge, the other as already judged.
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This is a Bible study thread, so do not respond to this. But your theology seems to be a bit backwards and out of joint. For the wrath of God is withheld from sinners by the Grace of God.
Isaiah 54:9-10
For this is as the waters of Noah unto me:
for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth;
so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee.
For the mountains shall depart,
and the hills be removed;
but my kindness shall not depart from thee,
neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed,
saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.
I see the Pharisees, at first, being judged by Jesus, and going away as being judged....Unfortunately, the Pharisees refused to believe that they were judged.
You have given an observation of what transpired during this encounter, but you have not approached to considering the question that I asked. We are to listen for the Spirit of Christ that we may hear the Word of God, the spirit of truth. I do not ask about the words written on the page, I ask you to consider what you perceive within yourself when you hear these words. Do you think of yourself as Jesus passing judgement and condemnation to Pharisee? Or do you think of yourself as the Pharisee being judged?
When I am studying the actual words and the thoughts behind it, I wonder just how much I am like the Pharisee. Do I expect others to live by a standard that I don't live by myself? Do I add to what the scriptures say putting burdens on them determined by something other than God's word? Do I forget to be merciful, kind, and gentle as the Lord is with me? Am I truly empathetic when I look at the struggles of others or is my heart cold?
Day 92 Thursday 12/18/14 Matthew 10:16-20 The Holy Spirit Speaks.
Matthew 10:16 "Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
10:17 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;
10:18 And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.
10:19 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.
10:20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you."
Wow, talk about a scary assignment! Jesus was pulling no punches here, He was telling His Disciples the absolute truth of what they were facing as they go out into a world of hostility toward them as they become the spokesmen of their Master Jesus the Messiah. Sheep are no warriors! Sheep are these innocent animals that constantly depend on the shepherd for their safety. Their defense against the wolves of Jewish antagonists would require a superhuman wisdom. Jesus compares such wisdom to a serpent. The Egyptians used the serpent in their hieroglyphics as a symbol of wisdom. I think I can remember a head dress of an Egyptian ruler that had the head of a serpent sticking up on the front of it.
I see two figures of the animal world being represented here. One is the serpent, the other is a dove. The serpent's wisdom is famous for zipping out of danger. I know this to be true because I used to spend times in the woods, hunting, gathering firewood for the Winter and so on. Whenever I would get close to a snake, the only time I knew about it's presence was when it slithered away avoiding my boot. The dove on the other hand is so trusting that It can be easily caught of killed. I have mourning doves in my back yard that enjoy what falls to the ground from my bird feeder. I can approach them quite easily. I enjoy watching them, they are so innocent and trusting of other birds and the squirrels.
Now, Jesus leaves speaking of the animal world and declares where the real danger lies. Men are dangerous to say the least. To be wise as a serpent would be to be wise to their deceptions and traps. The model to follow was Jesus Himself. To be harmless as a dove would be for the Disciples to live inoffensive in the face of opposition. They were not to raise arguments and therefore open themselves up to unnecessary abuse.
These "men" would be enemies of the Gospel. For the most part, the enemies of the Gospel, IMO, would be the Jewish Sanhedrin, who would take them to the synagogues and scourge them. The following is a description of the scourge presented by Albert Barnes, compliments of e-Sword:
Scourging, or “whipping,” is often mentioned in the New Testament as a mode of punishment. The law of Moses directed that the number of stripes should not exceed 40, but might be any number less, at the discretion of the judge, Deu_25:2-3. The person who was sentenced to scourging was formerly laid upon the ground, and the blows inflicted on his back in the presence of the judge. In later times the criminal was tied to a low post. Scourging is still practiced in the East, but the blows are commonly inflicted on the soles of the feet. It is called the “bastinado.”
The instrument formerly used was a “rod.” Afterward they employed thongs or lashes attached to the rod. To make the blows severe and more painful, they sometimes fastened sharp points of iron or pieces of lead in the thongs. These were called “scorpions,” 1Ki_12:11. The law was express that the number of stripes should not exceed forty. The Jews, to secure greater accuracy in counting, used a scourge with three lashes, which inflicted three stripes at once. With this the criminal was struck thirteen times, making the number of blows thirty-nine. Paul was five times scourged in this way. See 2Co_11:24.
The Romans did not feel themselves bound by the law of the Jews in regard to the “number” of stripes, but inflicted them at pleasure. Thus our Saviour was scourged until he was so weak as not to be able to bear his cross. This was often done in the synagogue. See Mat_23:34; Act_22:19; Act_26:11.
V.18 Is to me very interesting. These Disciples were to represent Jesus and the Gospel of the Kingdom to very influential rulers of the land and to the Sanhedrin. Upon such testimony that these "men" would reject, once they faced the final judgment of mens hearts, the disciples witness would be against these "men" which would send them to the second death.
Vs.19,20 Is a wonderful position for the Disciples at their trial, or for any Christian when they are brought before a Judge because of an accusation that they were preaching the Gospel in lands that prohibit such teaching or preaching. That Disciple, or in the future a Christian should not rehearse their defense because the Holy Spirit is the Lawyer or Counselor in such cases. Some people, thru pride, represent themselves in court. What a foolish endeavor! That person is usually proved to be a fool.
We serve a GREAT BIG GOD! we are like dumb sheep when it comes to defending Christianity and defending our Savior. It is always very wise to pray to the Lord for His intervention in such cases and trust that He will, thru the Holy Spirit give us the necessary words to speak in our defense or to defend the Gospel. A Christian is a child of God, let Daddy do the talking!!
Matthew 10:16 "Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
10:17 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;
10:18 And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.
10:19 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.
10:20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you."
Wow, talk about a scary assignment! Jesus was pulling no punches here, He was telling His Disciples the absolute truth of what they were facing as they go out into a world of hostility toward them as they become the spokesmen of their Master Jesus the Messiah. Sheep are no warriors! Sheep are these innocent animals that constantly depend on the shepherd for their safety. Their defense against the wolves of Jewish antagonists would require a superhuman wisdom. Jesus compares such wisdom to a serpent. The Egyptians used the serpent in their hieroglyphics as a symbol of wisdom. I think I can remember a head dress of an Egyptian ruler that had the head of a serpent sticking up on the front of it.
I see two figures of the animal world being represented here. One is the serpent, the other is a dove. The serpent's wisdom is famous for zipping out of danger. I know this to be true because I used to spend times in the woods, hunting, gathering firewood for the Winter and so on. Whenever I would get close to a snake, the only time I knew about it's presence was when it slithered away avoiding my boot. The dove on the other hand is so trusting that It can be easily caught of killed. I have mourning doves in my back yard that enjoy what falls to the ground from my bird feeder. I can approach them quite easily. I enjoy watching them, they are so innocent and trusting of other birds and the squirrels.
Now, Jesus leaves speaking of the animal world and declares where the real danger lies. Men are dangerous to say the least. To be wise as a serpent would be to be wise to their deceptions and traps. The model to follow was Jesus Himself. To be harmless as a dove would be for the Disciples to live inoffensive in the face of opposition. They were not to raise arguments and therefore open themselves up to unnecessary abuse.
These "men" would be enemies of the Gospel. For the most part, the enemies of the Gospel, IMO, would be the Jewish Sanhedrin, who would take them to the synagogues and scourge them. The following is a description of the scourge presented by Albert Barnes, compliments of e-Sword:
Scourging, or “whipping,” is often mentioned in the New Testament as a mode of punishment. The law of Moses directed that the number of stripes should not exceed 40, but might be any number less, at the discretion of the judge, Deu_25:2-3. The person who was sentenced to scourging was formerly laid upon the ground, and the blows inflicted on his back in the presence of the judge. In later times the criminal was tied to a low post. Scourging is still practiced in the East, but the blows are commonly inflicted on the soles of the feet. It is called the “bastinado.”
The instrument formerly used was a “rod.” Afterward they employed thongs or lashes attached to the rod. To make the blows severe and more painful, they sometimes fastened sharp points of iron or pieces of lead in the thongs. These were called “scorpions,” 1Ki_12:11. The law was express that the number of stripes should not exceed forty. The Jews, to secure greater accuracy in counting, used a scourge with three lashes, which inflicted three stripes at once. With this the criminal was struck thirteen times, making the number of blows thirty-nine. Paul was five times scourged in this way. See 2Co_11:24.
The Romans did not feel themselves bound by the law of the Jews in regard to the “number” of stripes, but inflicted them at pleasure. Thus our Saviour was scourged until he was so weak as not to be able to bear his cross. This was often done in the synagogue. See Mat_23:34; Act_22:19; Act_26:11.
V.18 Is to me very interesting. These Disciples were to represent Jesus and the Gospel of the Kingdom to very influential rulers of the land and to the Sanhedrin. Upon such testimony that these "men" would reject, once they faced the final judgment of mens hearts, the disciples witness would be against these "men" which would send them to the second death.
Vs.19,20 Is a wonderful position for the Disciples at their trial, or for any Christian when they are brought before a Judge because of an accusation that they were preaching the Gospel in lands that prohibit such teaching or preaching. That Disciple, or in the future a Christian should not rehearse their defense because the Holy Spirit is the Lawyer or Counselor in such cases. Some people, thru pride, represent themselves in court. What a foolish endeavor! That person is usually proved to be a fool.
We serve a GREAT BIG GOD! we are like dumb sheep when it comes to defending Christianity and defending our Savior. It is always very wise to pray to the Lord for His intervention in such cases and trust that He will, thru the Holy Spirit give us the necessary words to speak in our defense or to defend the Gospel. A Christian is a child of God, let Daddy do the talking!!
When I think of being wise as serpents and harmless as doves, I think of these figures in the scriptures and how God used them symbolically.
YLT
Num 21:8 And Jehovah saith unto Moses, `Make for thee a burning serpent , and set it on an ensign; and it hath been, every one who is bitten and hath seen it--he hath lived.
Num 21:9 And Moses maketh a serpent of brass, and setteth it on the ensign, and it hath been, if the serpent hath bitten any man, and he hath looked expectingly unto the serpent of brass--he hath lived.
Those who were wise looked with faith.
Son 2:14 My dove, in clefts of the rock, In a secret place of the ascent, Cause me to see thine appearance, Cause me to hear thy voice, For thy voice is sweet, and thy appearance comely.
Son 2:15 Seize ye for us foxes, Little foxes--destroyers of vineyards, Even our sweet-smelling vineyards.
Son 2:16 My beloved is mine, and I am his, Who is delighting among the lilies,
Son 2:17 Till the day doth break forth, And the shadows have fled away, Turn, be like, my beloved, To a roe, or to a young one of the harts, On the mountains of separation!
The dove hides herself in the cleft of the Rock.
Watch out for the little foxes.
Son 2:4 He hath brought me in unto a house of wine, And his banner over me is love,
I'm His beloved and He is mine, His banner over me is love.
YLT
Num 21:8 And Jehovah saith unto Moses, `Make for thee a burning serpent , and set it on an ensign; and it hath been, every one who is bitten and hath seen it--he hath lived.
Num 21:9 And Moses maketh a serpent of brass, and setteth it on the ensign, and it hath been, if the serpent hath bitten any man, and he hath looked expectingly unto the serpent of brass--he hath lived.
Those who were wise looked with faith.
Son 2:14 My dove, in clefts of the rock, In a secret place of the ascent, Cause me to see thine appearance, Cause me to hear thy voice, For thy voice is sweet, and thy appearance comely.
Son 2:15 Seize ye for us foxes, Little foxes--destroyers of vineyards, Even our sweet-smelling vineyards.
Son 2:16 My beloved is mine, and I am his, Who is delighting among the lilies,
Son 2:17 Till the day doth break forth, And the shadows have fled away, Turn, be like, my beloved, To a roe, or to a young one of the harts, On the mountains of separation!
The dove hides herself in the cleft of the Rock.
Watch out for the little foxes.
Son 2:4 He hath brought me in unto a house of wine, And his banner over me is love,
I'm His beloved and He is mine, His banner over me is love.
Karl,
I have been banned from more ¿Christian? forums than I have fingers and toes. The, single, most common, expressed, reason is my refusal to retract my scripture references when discussing punishment for unrepented sin and my inclusion of homosexuality as a sin.