Dec 25, 2022. Christmas 2022, John 17:1-5

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MORE THAN A BABY. John 17:1-5. 12/25/2022. CHRISTMAS.

1 Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, 2 as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. 4 I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. 5 And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.

1. A peasant’s birth

                a. The Lord of the universe entered the world in incarnate form in the lowliest of fashions

                                a1. Born to a peasant girl

                                a2. Born away from home in a stable

                                a3. No family was present to aid Mary

                                a4. God had to provide a witness

                b. Jesus had no biological father

                                a1. Joseph was a carpenter from Nazareth in Galilee (a minor town on a trade route)

                                a2. Before Jesus is 30, Joseph passes away

                                a3. Jesus had 4 half-brothers and at least 2 sisters

2. A walk of obscure distinction

                a. Isaiah 53:2 Jesus had no outstanding physical features (not handsome like Absalom, strong like Samson, famous like David, or acclaimed like Solomon)

                b. John 2 he did not reveal his nature until age 30

                c. Through numerous miracles and much amazing teaching, he gained a following and powerful enemies

3. Gloria

                a. What was hidden was his eternal glory as the creator and master of the universe (kenosis – emptying out)

                b. All who saw him did not realize who he was

                                a1. All authority had been given to him (Matthew 28)

                                a2. Before his Incarnation he shared glory with his father, God

                c. No one knew that after he finished his task, he would glorify father who would glorify him

                d. No one knew that the savior was the almighty God

                                a1. Colossians 1:13-20 Jesus is the creator of all things and sustains everything

                                a2. He appeared before Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Isaiah, Gideon, and Manoah

                e. All that he is was hidden behind a veil of human flesh (no light, emanating power, or thunder)

                f. In 3 short years of ministry he gave hints of his ID

                                a1. He healed the lame and leper, made the blind to see, and raised the dead

                                a2. He cast out demons and silenced evil spirits

                                a3. He spoke words no man had ever said

                                a4. He turned water into wine and multiplied fish and loaves of bread

                                a5. He calmed a raging storm with the wave of his hand and by his command

                                a6. He revealed what was in the hearts of men

                                a7. He predicted the future

                g. None of what he did was done in secret

                                a1. At 12 he baffled the learned men of Israel

                                a2. His disciples saw him turn water into wine and calm the storm

                                a3. Many saw Jairus’s daughter raised

                                a4. Thousands witnessed the multiplying of fish

                                a5. Many, including the Pharisees and priests, saw Lazarus rise from the dead

                h. All that Jesus did proved that no ordinary babe had come to Bethlehem over 2,000 years ago

                                a1. Isaiah 7:14 this was Immanuel

                                a2. Isaiah 9:6-7 this was the Everlasting Father

                                a3. John 2:1-2 this was the savior that takes away the sin of the world

                i. All who honor the babe without honoring the God indwelling the babe, miss the point and eternity

                                a1. He could point to stars and say, “I made that”

                                a2. He points to us and says, “I did this for you”

                j. The babe, man on cross, and resurrected Lord = same

Key verse: Colossians 1:13-20

13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. 19 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, 20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.

Dec 11, 2022. II Timothy 4:14-16

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FECKLESS ABANDONMENT. II Timothy 4:14-16. 12/11/2022. #14.

14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works. 15 You also must beware of him, for he has greatly resisted our words. 16 At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them.

1. Detractors

                a. Alexander the coppersmith was a vehement opponent against Paul (perhaps in Ephesus)

                b. Demetrius the silversmith led his guild to stir up Ephesus against Paul (Acts 19)

                                a1. Paul preached that there are no gods made with hands (idols)

                                a2. The silversmiths made money off of making silver images of the Temple of Diana

                c. Alexander was a “worker of brass”

                                a1. Brass is an allow of copper and zinc (a cheap substitute for gold fixtures)

                                a2. Alexander probably made much money off of fashioning brass idols and implements to be used in idol worship (pans, tongs, shovels, flesh forks, and basins)

                                a3. The Gospel message threatened the businesses of idol makers

                d. 4 reactions of opponents to the Gospel:

                                a1. Ignore the messenger and the message

                                a2. Ridicule the message and messenger

                                a3. Provide an alternative message to the Gospel (naturalism, cults, religions…)

                                a4. Actively persecute the messenger

                e. Persecution comes in two forms

                                a1. Unofficial personal attacks

                                a2. Official government sanctioned persecution via condoning anti-Christian actions or official arrests leading to prosecution

                f. Alex., like Elymas in Cyprus, apparently pursued Paul relentlessly, doing much damage to witness

                                a1. This was a personal grudge by Alex.

                                a2. Those who hate God will take their angst out on God’s servants

                g. Paul was personally affronted by Alex.

                                a1. Like David, Paul wanted God to avenge him

                                a2. We are supposed to pray for those who despitefully use us, but the damage done to the Gospel message was great (Matthew 5)

                                a3. Paul cries out for justice against Alexander

2. Alone in trials

                a. Paul states that at his first defense

                b. Paul uses a rare double enforced word for forsook (enkataleipo) – to abandon, to leave in a bad strait, to leave behind, or to run away from

                                a1. Just as the disciples ran away when Jesus was arrested, Paul’s fellow believers disassociated from Paul at his trial before Nero

                                a2. Paul does not mention who these unfaithful disciples were (Luke? Aristarchus? Trophimus? Believers from Roman church?)

                c. This abandonment was different from Lord’s case

                                a1. Paul’s friends were fully discipled workers

                                a2. These workers knew trials and opposition

                                a3. Paul expected more courage and commitment from these co-workers of the Gospel

                                a4. Paul counted on having support at trial

                d. Paul prays that the Lord would not hold this against these weaker brethren

                e. Zechariah 13:7 just as Jesus’s disciples came back and were restored (John 21), God can restore any of us

                    when we falter in weakness (Mark 14:43-52)

                f. Even though Paul was abandoned just as Jesus was, God was not done with those who faltered

                                a1. John 21 Peter was used greatly after betrayal

                                a2. Mark was used as he abandoned Paul

                                a3. David was used after his fall into sin

                g. We falter due to fleshly weakness (Matthew 26:41)

                                a1. I John 1:9-10 we can confess and repent

                                a2. I Corinthians 1 God uses flawed people

Key verse: Mark 14:43-52

43 And immediately, while He was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. 44 Now His betrayer had given them a signal, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him and lead Him away safely.” 45 As soon as he had come, immediately he went up to Him and said to Him, “Rabbi, Rabbi!” and kissed Him.46 Then they laid their hands on Him and took Him. 47 And one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. 48 Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? 49 I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize Me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.” 50 Then they all forsook Him and fled. 51 Now a certain young man followed Him, having a linen cloth thrown around his naked body. And the young men laid hold of him, 52 and he left the linen cloth and fled from them naked.

Dec 4, 2022. II Timothy 4:6-12

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LONE, BUT NOT ALONE. II Timothy 4:6-12. 12/04/2022. #13.

6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. 9 Be diligent to come to me quickly; 10 for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica—Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry. 12 And Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.

1. The finish line in sight

                a. After Paul’s strong admonition to Timothy, he says that he is about to depart (this life)

                                a1. By tradition, Paul was beheaded by a sword on the Ostian Way outside Rome in

                                      67 AD

                                a2. Paul describes his martyrdom as a “drink offering” unto God (praise sacrifice)

                                a3. Describes death as a departure (from this corporal life to eternal life with the Lord)

                b. Paul looked upon his departure as finishing the course laid before him (joy and not despair)

                c. Paul’s evaluation of how he ran his race = positive

                                a1. “fought the good fight” = spiritual warfare in which Paul was a good soldier (Eph. 6)

                                a2. “finished the race” = kept true to the course of serving the Lord and witnessing/discipling

                                a3. “kept the faith” = he didn’t back away from faith; not denied Lord; not shirked witness

                d. Paul looked forward to eternal reward (motivator)

                                a1. A crown of righteousness = not a diadem (royal crown), but a stephenous (victor’s crown where he won his spiritual race)

                                a2. Crown given by Lord Jesus, judge of all

                                a3. Anyone who runs his spiritual race well will also receive a victor’s crown of righteousness (for holiness)

                e. To the world, Paul ran a futile race, but in reality he ran the only race worth running

                                a1. All the trappings of the rich are left behind

                                a2. Fame, beauty, and fortune fade away

                f. 1 Corinthians 3 The Day = day of Bema Seat judgment for believers, who will receive rewards (and suffer loss)

2. Timothy’s final visit with Paul

                a. Paul was jailed in the Mamertine Prison in Rome

                                a1. He was lonely, cold, and concerned

                                a2. He felt betrayed and abandoned

                b. Paul urgently wants Timothy to come to him from Ephesians

                                a1. Demas loved the world and had left Paul (a false believer Paul was dismayed by)

                                a2. Others were sent to minister elsewhere

                c. Only Luke was with Paul

                d. Paul tells Timothy to bring Mark with him

                                a1. Mark = useful to Paul in ministry

                                a2. Paul had earlier rejected Mark after he had departed from the 1st missions journey

                e. Paul wants Timothy to bring his cloak, books, and parchments (portions of Scripture)

3. Ending well

                a. Paul ended his race well and had no doubt about the rewards that lay before him

                                a1. We can know the will of God and do it

                                a2. Paul knew that he had done all that the Lord had called him to do (his focus)

                b. A worldly focus brings temporal rewards only

                c. Yet, Paul wanted his friends around him at end

                                a1. Matthew 26 Jesus wanted the comfort of his disciples in his final hours

                                a2. Psalm 139:1-12 Paul was not alone, even if others had left him, for the Lord was there

                d. Paul did not want to winter in prison without his cloak, books, and some company (often we need to stand alone, but God is still with us and always at work (Elijah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel)

Key Verse:  Psalm 139:1-12

1 O Lord, You have searched me and known me.

2 You know my sitting down and my rising up;

You understand my thought afar off.

3 You comprehend my path and my lying down,

And are acquainted with all my ways.

4 For there is not a word on my tongue,

But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.

5 You have hedged me behind and before,

And laid Your hand upon me.

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;

It is high, I cannot attain it.

7 Where can I go from Your Spirit?

Or where can I flee from Your presence?

8 If I ascend into heaven, You are there;

If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.

9 If I take the wings of the morning,

And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

10 Even there Your hand shall lead me,

And Your right hand shall hold me.

11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall [d]fall on me,”

Even the night shall be light about me;

12 Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You,

But the night shines as the day; The darkness and the light are both alike to You.

Nov 27, 2022. II Timothy 4:1-5

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PAUL’S FINAL CHARGE TO TIMOTHY. II Timothy 4:1-5. 11/27/2022. #12.

1 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

1. Strongest imaginable charge

                a. Paul gives his final charge to Timothy

                                a1. Right after admonishing him to trust in and obey the Word of God (his guidebook)

                                a2. Just before Paul’s final farewell and blessing

                b. Paul had admonished Timothy to stand strong, be faithful, use the Word, rebuke evil, and stay true to his calling

                c. Paul’s charge to Timothy is as strong as it could be

                                a1. God is Paul’s witness

                                a2. Jesus will judge the works of the living (a reference to both the rapture and Judgment of the Nations) and dead (the believers for rewards and lost for eternal condemnation)

                                a3. Jesus will set all things aright when he appears and sets up his kingdom (Matthew 25)

                d. Timothy (and all) will give an account of their calling

                                a1. Timothy must keep his accountability in mind

                                a2. Those who triumph through trials do so eternally (I Corinthians 3:12-15)

2. Ministry of the Word of God

                a. Timothy is told to preach (proclaim, announce) the Word

                                a1. Always ready in season and out of season (formal teaching times and daily unplanned encounters with people)

                                a2. The gospel message is paramount (rescue)

                b. Fivefold approach to witnessing:

                                a1. CONVINCE – to convict of error or reprove (to boldly demonstrate sinful life of hearer)

                                a2. REBUKE – to adjudicate or censure (to warn of dire consequences for sin)

                                a3. EXHORT – to admonish, beseech, or urge (parakaleo – called alongside, in this case, not to comfort, but to encourage repentance)

                                a4. IN ALL LONGSUFFERING – patience, endurance, perseverance (makrothumia – long tempered; neither quitting or wrathful)

                                                b1. Even though we try to convince the lost of sin and call to repentance, we are called to be patient and loving doing so

                                                b2. An angry witness is fleshly and not led by the Holy Spirit

                                                b3. The Lord and Paul saved angry rebukes for false teachers and hypocrites

                                a5. TEACHING – instruction in truth and guidance

                c. Paul gives four final admonitions:

                                a1. BE WATCHFUL – to soberly be alert (refers to both alertness to leading of Spirit and of the opposition of evil against truth)

                                a2. ENDURE AFFLICTIONS – “remain under” trials while serving the Lord (neither quitting or complaining – great testimony to endure)

                                a3. EVANGELIZE – share good news; no matter what our calling, all believers are witnesses

                                a4. FULFILL YOUR MINISTRY – complete the course God has set before you

3. Warning of opposition

                a. Men will increasingly not endure sound doctrine

                                a1. Chase fables and seek pleasure (Matthew 24:3-14)

                                a2. They will hate those who witness of Christ, refusing to submit to the Lord and Savior

                b. Having itching ears (desiring to hear pleasing things), they flock to teachers who tell them what they desire

                c. Timothy is to continue to preach the truth in face of both opposition and rejection as a testimony and warning

Key Verse: Matthew 24:3-14

3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” 4 And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. 9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. 10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. 11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

Nov 20, 2022. II Timothy 3:16-17

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THE GUIDEBOOK OF LIFE. II Timothy 3:16-17. 11/20/2022. #11.

16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
1. The miraculous canon

                a. The Bible was written over 1500 years by approximately 40 writers from Moses to John

                                a1. Those who were chosen to pen Scripture were moved by Holy Spirit to do so (II Peter 1:19-21 – Scripture is from the Spirit moving select men to “loosen up” or reveal the Word of God – not interpretation as in KJV)

                                a2. The Bible was not “dictated” by the Spirit, but God used the personality and skills of chosen men to reveal his will

                b. Job = ancient Hebrew, Moses = common Hebrew, John = elementary Greek, Luke = polished Greek

                c. Many genres = narrative, history, poetry, prophecy, figures of speech, allegory, parables, doctrine, wise sayings, prayers, biography…

                d. The Bible accurately reveals positive and negative aspects of biblical characters and heavenly beings

                e. Those who received the Word recognized it as from God and they recognized when writings weren’t of God               

f. The Bible has been preserved, is complete, and any differences in copies are minor and mostly easy to reconcile

2. Exclusive inspiration

                a. God inspired (God breathed) the Word of God

                                a1. Man did not originate the Bible

                                a2. The Bible is a miraculous book that progressively revealed God’s plan and will

                b. Word is specifically to instruct man in ways of God

                                a1. Dt. 29:29 reveals all God wants us to know

                                a2. Revealed over time what each age needed

                c. No other writings are God-breathed and can’t be used to reveal the will of God

                d. The Bible claims exclusive rights as God’s Word

3. The unique and eternal benefit of God’s Word

                a. God’s Word is profitable (beneficial, valuable) to instruct man in all spiritual aspects

                                a1. No other writing, people, or organization can claim the authority given only to Word of God

                                a2. Proper interpretation (literal, grammatical, historical, linguistic, contextual, and natural) of Bible reveals God’s will for man

                b. Profitable for DOCTRINE (lit., teaching)

                                a1. The Bible is designed to instruct us in the ways of God (enlightening, convicting, admonishing, corrective, confirming…)

                                a2. Can’t be interpreted by man’s philosophy, opinions, speculation, desires… (Hebrews 4:12)

                                a3. Psalm 119 the Word of God is complete to lead one into all righteousness

                c. Profitable for REPROOF (to discover or uncover error; convict, rebuke) – reveals deviation from God’s will (John 16:5-11 – a work of Spirit with Word)

                d. Profitable for CORRECTION (lit., to place upright again) – not only does God’s Word tell us when we are wrong, but how to get right again (Psalm 1)

                e. Profitable for INSTRUCTION IN RIGHTEOUSNESS (English word, pedagogy – tutor a child) = the Word tells us how to stay right and teach others correctly

                f. Profitable to thoroughly equip us for all good works

                                a1. Believers are all appointed to be equipped (furnished, fitted out) for God’s service

                                a2. Believers are not saved to sit and enjoy their salvation, but to help others via witness, prayer, teaching, helps, modeling godliness)

                g. We are to equip ourselves by the Word of God

                                a1. The more we know and follow Word, the better equipped we are to be of service

                                a2. Those who know much are more useful than those who know little (Paul vs. Hebrews 5)

Key verse:  Psalm 1

1 Blessed is the man

Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,

Nor stands in the path of sinners,

Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;

2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord,

And in His law he meditates day and night.

3 He shall be like a tree

Planted by the rivers of water,

That brings forth its fruit in its season,

Whose leaf also shall not wither;

And whatever he does shall prosper.

4 The ungodly are not so,

But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.

5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment,

Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

6 For the Lord knows the way of the righteous,

But the way of the ungodly shall perish.