Friday, March 30, 2012

Betrayed!


Mo. 4/2/12: Matthew 10:2 – 4 (NKJV)             Who was Judas?
Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.
Who was Judas? Judas was in the inner circle: one of the twelve disciples. Sadly, only Matthew, John and Peter are better known. Do you know the other names?
Tu. 4/3/12: Matthew 26:23 – 25 (NKJV)            What was the prophecy?
He answered and said, “He who dipped his hand with Me in the dish will betray Me. The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.”
Then Judas, who was betraying Him, answered and said, “Rabbi, is it I?”
He said to him, “You have said it.”
What was the prophecy? One who ate with Him would betray Him. How about us?
We. 4/4/12: John 13:1 – 2 (NKJV)             Who laid the trap? Who took the bait?
Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him
Who laid the trap? Who took the bait? The devil laid the money trap and Judas took bait.
Th. 4/5/12: Matthew 26:45 – 48 (NKJV)            What was about to happen?
Then He came to His disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand.”
And while He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and elders of the people. Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him.”
What was about to happen? A kiss of greeting was the betrayal. How sad.
Fr. 4/6/12: Matthew 27:3 – 5 (NKJV)            What was the error in Judas’ remorse?
Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,
saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” And they said, “What is that to us? You see to it! Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself.
What was the error in Judas’ remorse? He wanted to set things right by money to man, not repentance before God.

Friday, March 23, 2012

The Mystery of the Gospel


Mo. 3/26/12: Eph. 1:9 – 10.                   What is the implication of ‘made known’?
having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him.
What is the implication of ‘made known’? It was NOT known previously that the will of God was to gather all things together in Christ at the right time.
Tu. 3/27/12: Eph. 3:3 – 6.                  What was revealed to apostles & prophets?
how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel
What was revealed to the apostles and prophets? The Holy Spirit revealed that the Gentiles would be fellow heirs of God and of the same body. (The Church)
We. 3/28/12: Eph. 3:9 – 10. (NKJV)                  Who all see the mystery revealed?
and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places
Who all see the mystery revealed? The princes and powers in heaven comprehend the many-faceted wisdom of God in the fellowship of the Church.
Th. 3/29/12: Eph. 5:31 – 32. (NKJV)                  What is the great mystery?
“For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
What is the great mystery? The Church is the bride of Christ.
Fr. 3/30/12: Eph. 6:18 – 19.                  Why does Paul ask for prayer on his behalf?
praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel
Why does Paul ask for prayer on his behalf? Paul asks that the Ephesian believers pray that the Holy Spirit will give him the right words to say when he proclaims the mystery of the gospel.

Saturday, March 17, 2012

The Christian Walk


Mon. 3/19/12: Eph. 5:1 – 2 (NKJV)            What is the main attribute of the Christian walk?
Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.
And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
What is the main attribute of the Christian walk? The Christian walks in love.
Tue. 3/20/12: Ephesians 5:3 – 4 (NKJV)            What are NOT in the Christian walk?
But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.
What are NOT in the Christian walk? Fornication, uncleanness, filthiness, foolish talking or coarse jesting are not in the Christian walk.
Wed. 3/21/12: Ephesians 5:17 (NKJV)            What is the path of the Christian walk?
Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
What is the path of the Christian walk? The path is God’s will.
Thu. 3/22/12: Ephesians 5:18a – 19 (NKJV)            What are steps of the Christian walk?
But be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord
What are steps of the Christian walk? Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs sung to the Lord
Fri. 3/23/12: Ephesians 5:20 – 21 (NKJV)            What if the Christian’s path gets rough?
Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God.
What if the Christian’s path gets rough? The Christian gives thanks anyway and submits.

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Elijah and the Widow


Mon. 3/12/12: 1 Kings 17:1, 8-9                  Who would feed Elijah during drought?
And Elijah the Tishbite, of the inhabitants of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, except at my word.”
Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. See, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.”
Who would feed Elijah during drought? God decreed that a widow of faith would feed Elijah.
Tue. 3/13/12: 1 Kings 17:10 – 11                  What was Elijah’s unusual request?
So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, indeed a widow was there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, “Please bring me a little water in a cup, that I may drink.” And as she was going to get it, he called to her and said, “Please bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.”
What was Elijah’s unusual request? Elijah asked the widow to give him water and bread in the drought!
Wed. 3/14/12: 1 Kings 17:12 (NKJV)                  What was the widow’s reply?
So she said, “As the Lord your God lives, I do not have bread, only a handful of flour in a bin, and a little oil in a jar; and see, I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die.”
What was the widow’s reply? ‘Eat it and die’ was indicative of deep despair.
Thu. 3/15/12: 1 Kings 17:13 – 14                  Why did Elijah say ‘do not fear?’
And Elijah said to her, “Do not fear; go and do as you have said, but make me a small cake from it first, and bring it to me; and afterward make some for yourself and your son. For thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘The bin of flour shall not be used up, nor shall the jar of oil run dry, until the day the Lord sends rain on the earth.’”
Why did Elijah say ‘do not fear?’ Elijah spoke God’s word that the food would last till drought’s end.
Fri. 3/16/12: 1 Kings 17:15 – 16                  What was the widow’s response?
So she went away and did according to the word of Elijah; and she and he and her household ate for many days. The bin of flour was not used up, nor did the jar of oil run dry, according to the word of the Lord which He spoke by Elijah.
What was the widow’s response? In faith the widow did what God said and survived the drought. Would we do the same?

Sunday, March 4, 2012

The Preeminence of Christ


Mon. 3/5/12: Colossians 1:13 – 15            What is redemption?
He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
What is redemption? Deliverance from the domain of darkness.
Tue. 3/6/12: Colossians 1:16 – 17 (ESV)            Who is Christ?
For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
Who is Christ? He is the creator and sustainer of all things.
Wed. 3/7/12: Colossians 1:18 (ESV)            Who is Christ?
And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.
Who is Christ? Christ is Preeminent, the head of the Church, His body.
Thu. 3/8/12: Colossians 1:19 – 20 (ESV)            Who is Christ?
For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
Who is Christ? All the fullness of God dwells in Christ.
Fri. 3/9/12: Colossians 1:21 – 22            What was Christ’s work?
And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him
What was Christ’s work? Christ reconciled us to God by His death.