Perry’s Scope: Christian sermons, lessons, and resources for teachers

2.      Your life journey will be an adventure if you walk with God.

3.      2 Timothy 3:14-17

I.       A God  (Psalm 19:1)

Christ’s relationship to the Universe – As God (Colossians 1:16-17)

Think about what it means to be Creator of the Universe.

II.    THE God

Will Rogers said, “You can summarize American History into two great movements: the passing of the Buffalo and The passing of the buck.”

Things written aforetime were for our learning

•         The God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, etc. – Exodus 3; 4; 1 Kings 18:36; Acts 3:13;
•         The God of Israel – 1 Kings 8:22-26

III.  MY God

A.     Christ’s relationship to You (Colossians 1:21-23)

God came to earth in order to reconcile all of us to himself by means of the cross.

Jesus paid the full price. He offers you a gift of salvation.

B.     Ruth (1:16) —

C.     David – 2 Samuel 22:1-3

D.     Thomas – John 20:27-29

E.     Yeshua (Jesus) – Psalm 22

IV.  OUR God

No believer is complete by himself, we are to minister to one another, as a family. (Source unknown).

A.     There are no loners as disciples of Yeshua (Jesus)

B.     We are a community of believers – Matthew 16.18; Acts 2.42-47

C.     We don’t go it alone – F-S-HS + community of faith

John Adams said, “There are two types of education: One should teach us how to make a living, and the other how to live.”

Are you a 1 mile worker or a 2 mile worker? Do you do only the bare minimum or do you go the 2nd mile and leave the mark of excellence on your work? People always remember second-mile-worker.

Aren’t you glad God went the second mile for you?

1.      Part of a daily Jewish Prayer (by men):

“Blessed are you, LORD our God, King of the Universe, for not having made me a Gentile.”

“Blessed are you, LORD our God, King of the Universe, for not having made me a slave.”

“Blessed are you, LORD our God, King of the Universe, for not having made me a woman.”

2.      Women had a big teaching/serving role at home:

My mom taught me so many things, like…

*Spiritual habits – “You’d better pray that comes out of the carpet.”

*How to appreciate a job well done – “If you and your brothers are going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning.”

*Logic – “Because I said so, that’s why!”

*More logic – “If you fall out of that tree and break your neck, you won’t be going to the mall with me.”

*Justice – “One day you’ll have kids and I hope they turn out just like you!”

3.      Think of how often in scripture it is the woman who is the vehicle for ministry.

•          Who prompted Jesus to perform His first miracle? A Woman!
•          Who ministered to Christ during His public ministry? The women!
•          Who anointed the body of Jesus? The women!
•          Who stayed with Jesus throughout his trial and crucifixion? The women!
•          Who were the first witnesses to the resurrected Savior? The women!
•          Who makes up the majority of the population of most churches today? The women!

4.      In the final chapter of Romans, Paul sends greetings to numerous people in Rome. Among those are at least 6 women (depending upon translating the names) – Note from Romans 16:1-16

I.       God’s Esteem for People

A.     Dignity Through Design

1.       Created in the Image of God – Genesis 1:27; Matthew 19:4
2.       Created Male and Female

B.     Dignity Through Demonstration

1.       God’s Love for Us – Romans 5:8
2.       Our Love for Him
3.       Our Love for One Another

II.    Jesus’ Regard for Women

A.     Yeshua (Jesus) is Inclusive by Nature

1.       He did not come to exclude but to save – Luke 19:10
2.       This included men and wome

B.     Yeshua (Jesus) Honors Women:

1.       He Addressed Women in Public

a.   Unusual – “Bleeding Shoulder Pharisees” covered their eyes so they would not lust after women and ran into walls

b.   Samaritan Woman – John 4

c.   Woman in Adultery – John 8

d.   Widow of Nain – Luke 7

e.   Woman with Issue of Blood – Luke 8

f.    Included women as part of his teaching –

• Queen of the South – Matthew 12:42

• Woman Leavening the Loaf – Matthew 13:33
• Woman with Lost Coin – Luke 15

4.      He Held Women Accountable for their Sins

•         Level of equality with men – no excusing
•         Samaritan Woman – Not your Husband
•          Woman in Adultery – Sin no more

5.      He Ministered TO Women

• Healed Peter’s Mother-in-Law – Matthew 8:14-15
• Raised the Widow’s Son and gave him back to her (Luke 7)
• Jairus’ Daughter – Luke 8
• Mary and Martha at Lazarus’ Tomb – John 11

6.      He Received Ministry FROM Women

• Financial Support – Luke 8:1-3
• Anointing His Feet – Luke 7
• Anointing His Head – Mark 14

III. Paul’s Respect for Women

[Rabbi-Disciple Relationship

Paul has a bad rap – not a male chauvinist – Romans 16.1-16

A.     Phoebe (Single Lady?) – 16:1-2

B.     Priscilla (Wife) – Teacher – 16:3-5

C.     Rufus’ Mother (a Mom) – 16:13

Simon of Cyrene had two sons, Alexander and Rufus (Mark 15:21) – this may have been the wife of the man who carried the cross of Yeshua (Jesus)

[When my mom was looking for a car after my dad died, we went to my friend, Ken Pence, who was the Sales Manager at a Lincoln-Mercury dealer in Jacksonville, FL. I was not asking him for any ‘extra-special’ deal, just to treat my mom fairly. He said, “I will treat your mom as if she was my mom.”

Mothers in Yeshua (Jesus) – Matthew 10:29-30

Conclusion

Robert Fulton and Napoleon

Applications

1.       Acknowledge and build relationships with co-laborers in Christ – Male and Female
2.       Women – Do not forget your place – YOU ARE KEY SERVANTS OF YESHUA (JESUS)
3.       Men – Serve and fan the flame for our ladies to excel in Ministry
4.       Remember, we are not a faceless sea of people but a community of individuals making up the body of Christ, each in his or her own place
5.       Whenever we experience a lack of appreciation, remember, God sees and rewards.

1.  THE IMPORTANCE OF FOCUS — Alaskan Pipeline Story

2.      A similar situation occurred for the Jews returning from Babylonian Captivity in the 6^th Century BC

a.       Zerubbabel and about 50K refugees returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls; restore the temple; the priesthood; the religion of the Jewish people

b.      They laid the foundation for the temple, met obstacles and stopped building for about 16 years

c.       God raised up the prophets, Haggai and Zechariah, to stir the hearts of the people to resume the building.

d.      They did their jobs, focusing on the work, not the obstacles.

3.      Zechariah 4:1-10

I.                   The Presence of Overwhelming Obstacles

“If you find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn’t lead anywhere.”

Everything worthwhile has some obstacle. Note some things that confronted the Jewish Builders:

A.     Obstacle #1 – Confusion

1.      Confusion about God’s Revelation – Zechariah did not understand what he saw

a.       Ethiopian (Acts

b.      Our Prayers – “God, what do you want?”

2.      Confusion about THEIR MISSION

a.       Sidetracked with selfish interests (Haggai 1 – wages/houses)

b.      They forgot their mission –Do we?

George Shultz, Story: “Where’s your country?”

B.     Obstacle #2 – Limited Abilities (4:10)

¹⁰ For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.

1.      Their BIG task required: Money; Labor (time & Energy); Sacrificial Leadership; Determined Following; Unity of Purpose

So we built the wall. And all the wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work. Nehemiah 4:6

2.      We do, too – How will we proceed?

C.     Obstacle #3 – A Persistent Enemy

1.      Heathen/Samaritans of the Land

2.      Satan – Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5.8

Enemies of God – Voltaire

II.                The Power to Overcome the Obstacles (4:6)

Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.

A.     Power Is Not:

1.      Our Numbers –

a.       What would happen if we did not count attendance?

b.      Extremes: Small Churches feel Inadequate; Large Churches feel overconfident

2.      Our Wealth

a.       It is God’s – Haggai 2:8

‘The silver is mine and the gold is mine,’ declares the Lord Almighty.

b.      It is useless

 Titanic Story

3.      Our Abilities – God uses ‘earthen vessels’ to do his work – dependent on HIS abilities

B.     Power IS – God’s Spirit Hebrews 13:20-21

1.      God’s Ability (Ephesians 3.:0-21) – immeasurably more than we ask or think

2.      Trust in selves – We lose – we rise no higher than our level of incompetence

3.      God is present to lead us by his Spirit – Romans 8:14 

HS and Dove –

1.      Zerubbabel did finish his task. The second temple was completed.

2.      This was not an ending, it was a beginning of a new era in the history of Israel. [Graduations

3.       We are not so different today. We must overcome the negativity we are fed on every level.

4.      Overwhelming Obstacles are present; power to overcome is there as well.

1.      Power of God in Okinawa seen in 1945

2.      ¹⁶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.¹⁷ For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” Romans 1.16-17

3.      Dunamos = Power

a.      Dynamite – Destructive; Dynamo – Constructive

b.      Electricity – Capital punishment; Lighting houses

c.       Nuclear Power – Hiroshima; Energy for our cities

4.      Gospel is intended to be “good news” – can be used to tear down or build up

a.       The same message saved the Hebrews and drowned Pharaoh’s Army

b.      The same message will save the faithful and condemn the disobedient

I.                   The Good News Is God’s Power to Inform

A.     The Facts of the Gospel – 1 Corinthians 15.3-4

³ For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,⁴ that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,

1.      Most here – grew up in church, knowing these facts

2.      Some of us did not grow up with these facts

3.      Either way these are the crucial, essential foundation of our lives

B.     Facts Bring Understanding

A freshman at Eagle Rock Junior High won first prize at the greater Idaho Falls Science Fair, April 26, 1997. . .

1.      While facts are important, we do not have to have a complete understanding of everything God commands us to do

2.      Baptism – Naaman – 2 Kings 5; [A. Campbell – translated NT and discovered baptism meant “immersion” – so, he asked a Baptist preacher to immerse him; 15 years later “baptism for the remission of sin”

3.      Reenact the DBR; Pre-enact our DBR

C.     Understanding Brings Action

1.      Change occurs when we LEARN enough Ephesians 3:4-6

2.      or Hurt enough

[Eastern European Missions AND World Bible School

Remember when people prayed for the Iron Curtain to come down so we could spread the gospel? IT HAS! God did his part. Here is an opportunity to provide Bibles for public schools in Ukraine. $945/school. $1 Million+ will take care of the schools in 2 States. The plan is to accomplish this by end of school year!

II.                The Good News Is God’s Power to Transform – Romans 12:1-2

The true story of the Mutiny on the Bounty . . .

A.     Universal Transformation (Jew/Greek) – Hebrews 4:12-13

1.      Good News – Luke 2:10-11

2.      Bad News – Romans 3:23; 6:23

B.     Personal Transformation – Romans 1.16 (I am not ashamed . . .)

1.      Shame is a big motivator – Dead Messiah?

2.      Impacts Individuals – Paul; Ethiopian; Cornelius; Jailer; Lydia

3.      Impacts Groups of Individuals – Pentecost; Priests (Acts 6.7); Philip at Samaria; HOUSEHOLDS

III.             The Good News Is God’s Power to Reform

A.     When We Fail - 1 John 1:6-7

B.     When We Are Confused – Focus on Yeshua (Jesus)–  Hebrews 12:1-2

Conclusion

1.      Pioneer 10 Story

2.     $Million Sunday for Eastern European Missions; Impact of WBS;

    1.  1 Corinthians 15.3-11

    2.  Eyewitness testimony story.

    3.  So Far we have seen:

a.       Lamb Selection Day – “Palm Sunday”/”Triumphal Entry”/1 Week before resurrection

b.      Lamb Sacrifice Day – Passover

c.       Our Lamb’s Burial – Feast of Unleavened Bread

d.      Lamb’s Resurrection – Feast of Firstfruits

e.       50 Days to Shavuot/Pentecost

4. Post-Resurrection Yeshua (Jesus) to His Apostles – ³ He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. Acts 1.3

I.                   Yeshua’s (Jesus’) Formidable Witnesses

Great Raid Story — POW’s were not forgotten

A.     The Significance of Witnesses –

1.      In establishing a Truthful Situation  Matthew 18.15-16 CF Deuteronomy 19.15

2.      Yeshua (Jesus) even used TWO Parables to establish the truth of some of his teachings

B.     The Sacred Scriptures as Witnesses –1 Corinthians 15.3-11

1.      Declared the Gospel in Advance – Isaiah 61.1 (Luke 4.18)

2.      OT scriptures produced faith in believers of Yeshua (Jesus) – Acts 8, etc.

C.     The Sanctified Saints as Witnesses – 1 Corinthians 15.5-8

1.         References of Jesus’ appearances after His resurrection:

1. TO MARY MAGDALENE AT THE TOMB – JOHN.20:11-17

2. TO THE OTHER WOMEN RETURNING TO THE TOMB – MT.28:9-10

3. TO PETER – LUKE 24:34; 1 COR. 15:5

4. TO THE DISCIPLES ON THE EMMAUS ROAD – LU.24:13-31

5. TO THE 10 DISCIPLES – MK.16:14

6. TO THE 11 DISCIPLES A WEEK AFTER THE RESURRECTION – JN.20:26-29

7. TO 7 DISCIPLES BY SEA OFGALILEE – JN.21:1-23

8. APPEARANCE TO 500 – 1 COR. 15:6

9. TO JAMES THE LORD’S BROTHER – 1 COR. 15:7

10. TO THE 11 DISCIPLES ON THE MT. IN GALILEE – MT.28:16-20

11. AT THE ASCENSION – ACTS 1:3-9

12. TO STEPHEN AT HIS STONING – ACTS 7:55 – 56

13. TO PAUL ON THE DAMASCUS ROAD – ACTS 9:3-6

14. TO PAUL IN ARABIA – GAL. 1:12-17

15. TO PAUL IN THE TEMPLE – ACTS 9:26-27

16. TO PAUL IN PRISON IN CAESAREA – ACTS 23:11

17. TO THE APOSTLE JOHN – REV. 1:12 – 20

2.         PEOPLE and Eyewitness Accounts are important!

II.                Yeshua’s (Jesus’) 40 Day Teachings

A.     Focused on the Scriptures

1.      Emmaus – Luke 24.13-35 (esp. v. 27)

And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

2.      Disciples – Luke 24.36-49 (esp. vv. 44-49)

B.     Emphasized Action

1.      His Coming Ascension

2.      The Coming Holy Spirit (Acts 1.4-5; John 14.15-17; 16.7-10)

Luke 24.49 — ⁴⁹ And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.

3.      Advancing the Kingdom (Rule of God) – Acts 1.6-8

1.      Could all of this have been a hoax? Could Yeshua (Jesus) have manipulated the situation for his own benefit and then the disciples have taken advantage of the situation after his death?

2.      This is only possible IF:

a.       More than 500 people collaborated and were willing to suffer and die for it

b.      Note Paul’s Trials in 2 Corinthians 11.23-29

²³ Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one—I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death.²⁴ Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one.²⁵ Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea;²⁶ on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers;²⁷ in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.²⁸ And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches.²⁹ Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant?

c.       Note the Apostles’ Fate:

SIMON PETER – A FISHERMAN was crucified, head-down, at his own request.

ANDREW, BROTHER OF SIMON PETER – A FISHERMAN was crucified at Patras in Achaia. JAMES, SON OF ZEBEDEE – A FISHERMAN was beheaded – ’put to the sword’ (Acts 12:1-2 following) by King Herod.

JOHN, BROTHER OF JAMES and SON OF ZEBEDEE – A FISHERMAN was banished to the island of Patmos, now one of the Greek islands in the Aegean Sea. He was subsequently freed and died a natural death at Ephesus c AD100.

PHILIP was martyred at Hierapolis.

BARTHOLOMEW, also NATHANAEL was flayed alive, and then beheaded.

THOMAS DIDYMUS – ’DOUBTING THOMAS’ was speared to death in India.

MATTHEW, also LEVI – TAX-COLLECTOR/PUBLICAN was martyred in Ethiopia.

JAMES, SON OF ALPHAEUS was martyred in Egypt.

JUDE, also THADDAEUS was killed with him in Persia.

SIMON THE ZEALOT or PATRIOT was either crucified or hacked to death in Persia

MATTHIAS was martyred in Ethiopia.

PAUL OR SAUL OF TARSUS was beheaded in Rome.

3.      Would you be willing to go through these things for a hoax? Modern Martyrs

4.      The Eyewitness accounts of Yeshua AFTER his resurrection indicate the truth of it/Him

5.      How does this impact us? – It is true; we believe; act; and go “all out” – hold nothing back

1.      Signs

Two preachers were on the roadside with a sign that read, “The End is Near – turn around now before it’s too late”. A passing driver yelled “leave us alone you religious nuts”. Then the preachers heard a loud splash. One preacher said to the other, “Do you think we should have just said “Bridge Out”.

 2.      Importance of “signs” – 1 Corinthians 1.22  (For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom,)

 3.      Ultimate sign of Jesus – empty tomb

 4.      Other signs of Jesus

a.       Prophecies and their fulfillment

b.      7 Feasts (Leviticus 23) –

1)      All Point to Jesus

2)      4 Fulfilled; 3 yet to be

5.      Three feasts lined up in a daily order at the time Jesus died – Passover – Friday; Unleavened Bread – Saturday (Sabbath); First Fruits — Sunday

I.       Passover: The King’s Redemption – 1 Corinthians 5.7

A.     Original Purpose of Passover – Life for the Faithful

1.      Enslaved in Egypt – Call and Leadership of Moses

2.      10^th Plague – Lambs’ blood on doorposts; “Pass Over”; Chet & Chai

3.      Freedom to serve God

B.     Hidden Meanings in Passover

1.      Egypt = Sin

2.      Yeshua (Jesus) = Lamb – John 1.29

3.      Redemption/Freedom to serve God – by the blood of the Lamb  Matthew 26.27-28

II.    Unleavened Bread: The King’s Righteousness  1 Corinthians 5.6-8

A.     Original Idea – Removing Leaven from Houses (Yeshua (Jesus) Cleansing his Father’s House by driving out the money-changers, etc.) – only used unleavened bread (Exodus 12.15)

B.     Hidden Meanings

1.      Sinless Body of Yeshua (Jesus) – Matthew 26.26

2.      Suffering Body of Yeshua (Jesus) – Matzah – Isaiah 53.4-5

3.      Submerged (Buried) Body of Yeshua (Jesus) John 12.23-25

4.      Sabbath Body – Yeshua (Jesus) was in the Tomb on God’s “Day of Rest”

III.             First Fruits: The King’s Resurrection

A.     Original Intent – Celebration of Spring and God’s Replenishing the Earth

1.      God Gives the Best

2.      God Promises – More to Come – Gives to us out of love and concern; Baal out of manipulation

3.      God Has first call on EVERYTHING – first sheaf to God

4.      Man’s willingness to Give to God – FIRST

B.     Hidden Message

1.      God Gave us His Best in Yeshua (Jesus) – Hebrews 1.1-12 (Mark in Bible)

2.      Although Yeshua (Jesus) Died – He lives – forever

3.      There is MORE to Come – WE will be raised to live forever!

 1 Corinthians 15.20-23

SO What?

We have Redemption; Righteousness; Resurrection – So what?

Chameleons or Christians?

We live lives of Redemption; Righteousness; Resurrection Romans 6.1-

We are a type of First Fruits for others –

Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. James 1.18

WARNING SIGNs

1.       Henry Morrison Returning Home
2.       Parades – Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade; Bowl Games; Ticker Tape
3.       A Parade for Yeshua (Jesus) – John 12.12-15

¹² The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem.¹³ So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!”¹⁴ And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written, ¹⁵ “Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!”

4.      Palm Sunday – One Week Before Easter – resurrection celebration

5.      This Day was more than Yeshua’s (Jesus’) journey into Jerusalem and even more than the cross; it included:

I.                   Emotional Connections

A.     Don’t Forget the Emotions of Yeshua (Jesus)

1.      Sorrow – Lazarus (John 11.35); Jerusalem – Luke 19.41-44

2.      Anger – Luke 19.45-46

3.      Excitement – Zacchaeus – Luke 19.9

B.     The Passover Story Employs Emotions

1.      Emotional Events surrounding the Passover (Pesach)

Rollercoaster of emotions – slavery and freedom; dealings with Pharaoh; plagues; death of firstborn

2.      The Lamb – Exodus 12.1-6

a.       The Lamb was part of the family – the reason the shepherd leaves the 99 to find the lost ONE – doesn’t wait for more to be lost; willing to fight the predators

b.      Qualities – One year old male; without blemish; sheep or goat;

C.     The “Triumphal Entry” Was Emotional – For God

1.      His Lamb – 5 days before Passover (John 12.12)

2.      His Son – John 3.16 (one of a kind)

a.       Abraham’s Sacrifice of Isaac – one of a kind son

b.      Riding the Donkey – Yeshua (Jesus) assumes God’s and Man’s parts in the sacrifice

                                            i.      Yeshua (Jesus) was the Lamb to be sacrificed – “God will provide”

ii.      He was also the sacrifice – God sent an angel to stop Abraham – He did not stop himself

iii.      God “cut a covenant with Abraham in Genesis in which he assured him that he would fulfill it by going through the blood path twice – the smoking fire pot and the flaming torch

II.                Expectation Controversies

Josephus, the notable Jewish historian, estimated that two-three million people were involved in the great Passover Feast. It is known that 256,500 lambs were slain at one Passover and that each lamb represented at least ten worshippers. Teeming thousands from all over the world were flooding into the city to observe the Passover. The mass of people and the necessary housing and food arrangements to handle such a mass of people can hardly be imagined.

A.     “Hosanna” – A Triumphant King

1.       We – “save us from Sin
2.      They – Save us from: Rome; Distress; disease; Distresses; Hunger; etc.
3.       Son of David = Political Messia

B.     “Hosanna” – A Sacrificial Substitute

1.       Son of David = The Messiah
2.       Key to understanding is in these two verses:

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. Zechariah 9.9

Behold, the Lord has proclaimed to the end of the earth: Say to the daughter of Zion, “Behold, your salvation comes; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him.” Isaiah 62.11

3.      GOD = the salvation (Yeshua) of Israel – God as his own son and servant will accomplish his purpose in our salvation

4.      Also hints at TWO visits – the First as a humble sacrifice, riding the donkey; the Second as the victorious King of kings (Philippians 2.9-11)

Conclusion

1.       Pointless Things
2.       There was a Coming where:

a.       Yeshua (Jesus) was our sacrifice for sins

b.      He rules over all men

1.       There is another type of coming – a personal one

Hebrews 3.7-8 (cf. Psalm 95.7)

⁷ Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says,

“Today, if you hear his voice, ⁸ do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness,

4.      We MUST Hear and He will come

5.      Honoring Yeshua (Jesus)

1.      You’re the Preacher story!

2.      If someone asked you, “What do you do when you go to church?” What would you say?

3.      Perspective Story

4.      What would happen if we changed how we view what we do at church?

5.      Consider Isaiah’s Experience with God – Isaiah 6:1-8

I.                   Changes in Perspective for Our Worship – From “What Do I Get?” to “What Do I Give?”

A.     From: Sing some songs to: Praising God – Hebrews 13:15

B.     From: Giving Money To: Blessing God with the First Fruits of His Gifts

C.     From: Taking Communion To: Remembering God’s Perfect Sacrifice and His Power in the Resurrection of Jesus

D.     From: Saying Prayers To: Honoring God with the words of our hearts

E.     From: Reading the Bible and Listening to Sermons To: Hearing God’s words for our lives (Shema – Deuteronomy 6.4)

II.                Changes in Perspective Produce Expectations (Isaiah 6:1-8)

Checking Direction Story:

A.     Expect God’s Presence (Isaiah 6:1-4)

1.      Encountering God Changes Lives – Ours and those who follow – Abraham; Moses

2.      A Reminder – Matthew 28:20

B.     Expect a Time of Self-Examination (Isaiah 6:5)

1.      God’s Word is Our Mirror (James 1:22-24)

a.       See Yeshua (Jesus)

b.      See ourselves – Fruit of the Spirit vs. Works of the Flesh

2.      God’s Word Gives Us Right Standards

a.       It is easy to compare ourselves with each other or our culture and feel good (2 Corinthians 10:12)

b.      What happens when we compare ourselves to Yeshua (Jesus)? Luke 5:1-11

C.     Expect a Reminder of Grace (Isaiah 6:6-7)

1.      Goal of worship is not Guilt-Induction – is a time of refreshing (Acts 3:19)

2.      One of the Powerful aspects of the Lord’s Supper is the Grace-Reminder

Richard Foster in his book Celebration of Discipline writes the following: “To worship is to experience Reality, to touch Life. It is to know, to feel, to experience the resurrected Christ in the midst of the gathered community. It is breaking into the glory of God, or better yet, being invaded by the glory of God.”

a.       Baptism is an experience and expression of Grace – Romans 6:1-4

b.      We are reminded that we are not condemned in Christ – Romans 8:1

c.       There is a powerful aspect of grace in our relationship with him – 1 John 1:7

3.      Expression of Gratitude

Victorious athletes react to their victories in a number of ways.

•          Some shake hands
•          Some embrace their teammates or friends tightly
•          Some weep openly
•          Some laugh uncontrollably
•          Some shout and dance
•          Some sit in awed silence

D.     Expect an Inspiration to Serve (Isaiah 6:8)

1.      How do you respond when you receive a gift from someone? Thanks/Reciprocate

2.      We have a similar reaction when we encounter God – he does not beg for servants – it is a natural response

1.      In Bible times the Jewish people looked at their homes as a “Small Temple”

a.       Table = altar

b.      Father = Priest

c.       Parents instructed children in Torah

d.      Family participated in worship activities – Sabbath rituals, Prayer, Community etc.

Even though the Temple was destroyed, the Jewish people live on

 2.      Glad He’s Done

 1.      LBJ Prayer Story

2.      Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.”

² And he said to them, “When you pray, say:

“Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. ³ Give us each day our daily bread, ⁴ and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.” (Luke 11.1-4)

3.      Prayer is a caught and taught activity

I.       The Disciples Had A Sincere Aspiration (11.1)

A.     They Had Made A Keen Observation

1.      John and His Disciples

2.      Yeshua (Jesus) and His Prayers

One person observed that – There are more than 20 references to Jesus prayer life.

1.        He prayed often (Luke 5:16)
2.       He prayed early in the Morning (Mark 1:35)
3.        He prayed late at Night (Luke 6:12).
4.       He prayed at the beginning of His ministry. . . (Luke 3:21-22)
5.        He prayed before He chose His 12 disciples. . . (Luke 6:12-13)
6.        He prayed all thru the night (Luke 6.12-13)
7.        Jesus prayed before the confession that He was the Christ. . . (Luke 9:18-20)
8.       Jesus prayed before His Transfiguration . . .( Luke 9:28-29)
9.         Jesus prayed before He taught His followers. . . (Luke 11:1)
10.         He prayed while He was teaching others. . . (Matthew 11:25-26)
11.         He prayed after He ministered to others. . . (Matthew 14:23)
12.         Jesus prayed before healing the crowds. . . (Mark 1:35)
13.         Jesus prayed before feeding the 5,000.( Mark 6:41)
14.         Jesus prayed before healing the man who was deaf and mute. . . (Mark 7:34)
15.         Jesus prayed before bringing the dead back to life . . .( John 11:41-43)
16.         Jesus prayed for His friends. . . (Luke 22:32)
17.         Jesus prayed for His disciples. . (John 17:9-16)
18.         Jesus prayed for all Christians. . . (John 17:20)
19.         Jesus prayed before the cross . . . (Luke 22:39-42)
20.         Jesus prayed on the cross . . . (Luke 23:34)
21.         Jesus prayed with disciples after his resurrection (Luke 24)
22.         And now Constant Intercession (Hebrews 7:25

3.      Our Observation of the Early Church – Acts 2.42-47

B.     They Had High Expectations in Prayer

1.      Opposition to Enemies – “Fire from Heaven” (Elijah – 2 Kings 1); Luke 9.51-55

2.      Greatest in Kingdom – James and John – right and left hands

3.      Prayer – more than a “Bat Signal”; Shopping List – Andrew Carnegie – I don’t pray because I do not need anything.”; Good Luck Charm (athletic events)

II.    Yeshua (Jesus) Made A Simple Summation (Luke 11.2-4)

A.     Yeshua (Jesus) and His People Participated in MANY Prayers (1 Thessalonians 5.17)

1.      Temple Prayers – 9 AM; 3 PM

2.      Blessings through the day

3.      Not vain repetition – sincere presentation

Vain Repetitions

B.     Yeshua (Jesus) Gives the Highlights

1.      (Our) Father

a.       Personal Aspect – Father

b.      Family Aspect (Our)

c.       Intimacy – Abba

d.      Boldness – Hebrews 4.14-16

e.       Superior – We request boldly but with humility

f.       Hallowing His Name – Adoration; Making Holy

2.      Kingdom Come

a.       Rule and Reign of God – not territories or buildings – hearts of people

b.      To advance in the world by: Preaching gospel; Obeying commands of God

3.      Daily Bread

a.       Thanksgiving – 1 Thessalonians 5.16-19

b.      People who will miss the world to come – people who dwell on past; future; what is above; what is below and forget about today

c.       Psalm 23 – Green Pastures – Alfalfa field vs. Desert grazing

d.      Manna – enough for right now

e.       Feeding 5000 – Mark 6.39: ³⁹ Then he commanded them all to sit down in groups on the green grass.

4.      Forgive Our Sins

a.       Implications – Repentance and Confession – Psalm 51.1-5

b.      Forgiving each other

c.       God places a high priority on our community – Leviticus 19.18

Lord Herbert: “He who cannot forgive others, breaks the bridge over which he himself must someday pass.”

5.      Lead Us Not into Temptation

a.       Trials can strengthen (James 1.2)

b.      Tests can lead to sin (Genesis 50.20)

1.      We may feel obligations to pray – sometimes a sense of duty is the only thing that keeps us going – but don’t you think God wants more?

An Obligation Story

2.      A Prerequisite to Prayer is Faith – really believing God will answer

²²And whatever you ask for in prayer, having faith and [really] believing, you will receive. Matthew 21.22 (AMP)

3.      As William Carey once said, “Prayer is my real business! Cobbling shoes is a sideline; it just helps to pay expenses.”

4.      Take it home; Parents, remind your children of God, His Love, and His desire to communicate with them; HOME Groups; anyone who is close

1.      Ignorance and the Bible (Illustration)

Someone once asked, “What’s the difference between ignorance and apathy?” A man replied, “I don’t know and I don’t care.” And that’s about how it is when it comes to many people in regard to the Word of God. “I don’t know anything about the Bible and I don’t care.”

2.      Polls have found:

90% of Americans own at least one Bible; 80% say that the Bible is the most influential book of all time

•          The problem is most Americans aren’t reading the book
•          In this congregation – about 10% of our baptized membership are “Daily Bible Readers” by their own report;

Yeshua (Jesus) quoted from Deuteronomy 8.3 in his testing with Satan in Matthew 4.4:

And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.

•         When was the last time you missed a meal?
•         How often do you miss reading the Bible?

3.      2 Timothy 3.14-17

4.      Parents can have a profound effect on the spiritual development of your children by making the Bible an important part of your life. Let them see you read it; talk to them about it; encourage their study of it –We have included a “Take It Home” activity for you to use with your kids; within your HOME Group; or with anyone you want to share this with

I.       Faith Grows Best When Begun Early (3.15)

•          Daniel Webster: “If there is anything in my thoughts or style to commend, the credit is due to my parents for instilling in me an early love of the Scriptures. If we abide by the principles taught in the Bible, our country will go on prospering and to prosper; but if we and our posterity neglect its instructions and authority, no man can tell how sudden a catastrophe may overwhelm us and bury all our glory in profound obscurity.”

A.     The Significance of Childhood

1.      A time to know God – Ecclesiastes 12.1

2.      Lifelong Impact – Psalm 37.25-26

3.      Becoming child-like – Matthew 18.1-4

4.     And Easier to learn scriptures to recall them as adults – Psalm 119.11 

B.     The Role of Family

1.      God-assigned Responsibility – Deuteronomy 6.4ff

2.      Teaching of Family (and Paul) – ¹⁴ But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it. (3.14)

3.      Grandmother, Lois; Mother, Eunice – Single parents? 2 Timothy 1.5

II.    Faith Grows by Following the Instructions

Listen to what great men in the past have said about the Bible. (via S. Shepherd, “Committed to the Bible”; Sermoncentral.com)

•        Abraham Lincoln: “I believe the Bible is the best gift God has ever given to man. All the good from the Savior of the world is communicated to us through this book.”
•        W. E. Gladstone: “I have known ninety-five of the world’s great men in my time, and of these eighty-seven were followers of the Bible.”
•        George Washington: “It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible.”
•      Horace Greeley: “It is impossible to enslave mentally or socially a Bible-reading people. The principles of the Bible are the groundwork of human freedom.”

A.     “Scriptures” Refers to the Old Testament Writings (3.15)

1.      No NT Canon yet

2.      TaNaKH

3.      Inspired – God-Breathed

B.     Scriptures Point Out Salvation

1.      Foreshadowing of the Messiah and Ultimate Atonement

a.       John the Baptist – Forerunner Mark 1.3 cf. Isaiah 40.1-3

b.      Yeshua (Jesus) – Messiah Matthew 21.1-5 cf. Zechariah 9.9; Matthew 21.12-13 cf. Isaiah 56.7 – Removing leaven in preparation for Passover!

2.      Actions for those who determine to follow Yeshua (Jesus)

a.       Pentecost – Acts 2 and Joel 2

b.      Ethiopian – Acts 8.32 cf. Isaiah 53

3.      Faith in Messiah is the basis for our salvation – Romans 10.17; Acts 8.37 (Here is water)

4.      Authority for Apostles – OT Scriptures – quote all through the NT

C.     Scriptures Provide Instructions (3.16-17)

1.         Torah = Instruction, not Law

2.         Teaching = giving correct information

3.         Reproof = Repairing wrong actions/attitudes

4.         Correction = Repairing the Flaws

5.         Training in righteousness = to make right choices

6.         Complete/Maturity

7.         Good Works – Psalm 1.1-3

Conclusion

1.      The Bible is an amazing Book!

a.       I believe the Bible is inspired because it tells the story of ONE God over many years

b.      Ancient Polytheists created their own religions that suited them and made sense to them – what THEY wanted

c.       God called people who were surrounded by immoral polytheism to become moral monotheists (Deuteronomy 6.4)

d.      This came from God, not men – Israel continually went after other gods – endured persecutors; repented; were restored

e.       God Inspired instructions for his people to live by

2.      Psalm 119.105-106; 111-112

3.      Take it Home

Family time – talk about the value of the Bible (remember Lois and Eunice)

Discuss in HOME Group

Devote Personal Time to It