Howdy

If you are still on pace to finish the NT Challenge be sure to sign up in the Fellowship Hall. If you are still with us you have completed most of the New Testament!

Congratulations!
Pat yourself on the back.
Buy yourself a blizzard at DQ, get extra stuff on top even......

Just keep reading.

High Priest

The High Priest woulld offer sacrifces for his own sin and for the sin of the people

Jesus only made one sacrifice at the cross.

Why only one? Because he was without sin. A lamb without blemish or defect.

"Which of you can prove me guilty of sin" Jesus asked.

Jesus was sacrificed at the cross for our sin.

The High Priest became the sacrifice.

T-minus 18 days

If you have made it this far, then you have made it through 64 days of the challenge. Only 18 more to go. Keep it up we are nearing the finish line!

"No one servvng as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs-he wants to please his commanding officer" (2 Tim. 2:4 NIV).

We are soldiers of Jesus Christ.

"Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus" (2 Tim. 2:3)

This is good to remember because it is easy to become entangled in civilian affairs.

In fact, we are so intangled some would be surprised to learn that there is a war going on.

"Put on the full armor of God....our struggle is not against flesh and blood....take up the shield of faith....and the sword of the Spirit" (Ephesians 6)

"Fight the good fight of faith" (1 Timothy 6:12)

worst of sinners

Are Christians saints or sinners?



1 Tim 1:15-16
"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners-of whom I am the worst."



We expect Paul to say he was the worst.

Instead he indicates that he is still the worst of sinnners even after being saved.



Yet he calls all the Christians in Ephesus "saints". (Eph. 1:1)

Saints=holy ones= the opposite of sinners.


So are we saints or sinners?


We are simultaneously both.

At the same time saint and sinner.


Sinners by deed, saints by grace through faith in Jesus.

God's will for my life

What is God's will for my life?

We generally ask this question when we need direction in a relationship, job, or any major decision.

The Bible indicates that God's will is the same for every person.

"It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality" (1 Thessalonians 4:3 NIV)

Sanctified=made holy=becoming like Jesus

God's will is that we become like Jesus. Also 1 Thessalonians tells us,

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Joyfulness,, thankfulness, and prayerfulness are also God's will for our life.

Savior

Jesus is the Savior.

He saves us from our self.

He saves us from our sins.

He saves us from alienation with God.

1 Thessalonians identifies Jesus as the one "who rescues us from the coming wrath" (1:10 NIV).

Wrath? Whose wrath.....man's, the devil's, nature's?

Jesus clairifes, "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him" (John 3:36).

Jesus saves us from God's wrath.

war

To what can we compare the Christian life?

A walk in a garden.
An afternoon nap.
A church picnic.

Ephesians tells us to put on armor because we are at war.
Helmet, shield, sword, and breastplate because we have an enemy.

Arrows are being fired in our direction.
Arrows hurt.
Arrows pierce.
Arrows kill.

"Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one" (Ephesians 6:16 NKJV)

Today, remember that we are at war.

he likes us

God loves us (John 3:16).

He also likes us.

"...he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure..." (Ephesians 1:5 NIV)

He not only saved us because he loves us, but he also adopted us because he likes us.

The Apostle Paul was a man of prayer and mighty miracles.

"God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and thier illnesses were cured.." (Acts 19:11 NIV)

However, sometimes God said "No" to Paul's prayers.

"Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take [the thorn] away from. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:8-9)

Sometimes God's power is demonstrated in unanswered prayer.

Don't forget to recycle

Well here's the goal for the day, it's a big one.



"...and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ" (2 Cor. 10:5)



Every thought that is unlike Christ is to be thrown into recycle bin.

Every selfish, prideful, harmful, envious, jealous, angry, unforgiving, greedy, stingy, negative thought.

I'm gonna need a bigger bin.

Trinity

Christians believe in the Trinity.

God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

The Divinity of the Father and Son is not difficult to find in Scripture.
(Gospel of John especially)

The Divinity of the Holy Spirit is a little less obvious.

However today we read:
"And we... are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." ( 2 Corinthians 3:18 NIV emphasis added)

The Temple

The Temple was a large building made of massive stones.

The Temple was place of worship.

A place for fellowship with God.

A place of sacrifice.

A place of music.

A place of joy.

The Temple is still around; however, it is no longer made of stone and it's no longer located in Jerusalem.

The Temple is now located in the mirror. The Temple is wearing tennis shoes, jeans, and glasses.

"Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit" 1 Corinthians tells us.

A place to meet with God 24/7. Eat w/ God. A place of Music. Joy. Sacrifice. Worship.

understanding

Is Christianity hard to understand or easy?
Sin separates us from God. All have sinned.
Jesus Christ died for our sins and rose from the dead to put us in right standing with God.


"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who being saved it is the power of God" (1 Corinthians 1:18 NKJV)

"But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned" (2:14)

more than saved

Are you saved?
That's lingo for asking if someone is a Christian.
It is biblical (Romans 5:9) But there's more.

A fireman can run into a burning building and "save" a family he's never met before.
A doctor can perfom an emergency surgery on a patient and "save" him. After the surgery, the doctor goes to lunch and never talks to or sees the man again.

It is possible to save someone and not even like them.

God saved us through Christ, but even more than that, we are also reconciled to him.

Friends reconcile. Couples reconcile. God and sinners reconcile through Jesus.

That means we are going to be spending a long time together.

That's what He wants.

atheism

All men believe in God. Always have always will.
Deep down all men know that God exists.

However, instead of worshiping Him, they "suppress the truth by their wickedness" (Romans 1:18 (NIV)
"..Men are without excuse" (1:20) because of the beauty and complexity of creation.
"For although they knew God, they neighter glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him" (1:21)
"They exchanged the truth of God for a lie" (1:25)
"Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind..." (1:28)

Apparently, God doesn't believe in atheist.

gospel

Paul has an opportunity to preach before the governor Felix, a powerful and influential man.



With this kind of opportunity how would he present the gospel?
a) How to have a happy life?
b) How to be rich & healthy?
c) Positive thinking?

"...He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid..."

Before people can appreciate the good news of Jesus they must be aware of the bad news.
God's righteousness. Our lack of self-conrol=sin. The Judgment.

"What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God-through Jesus Christ our Lord!" -Apostle Paul (Rom. 7:24-25)

passing the torch

Peter has been on center stage from Acts 2-12.
However, Paul is taking over the lead role in the story.
In today's reading the Gentiles are coming to faith.
Later Paul will call this a mystery.

Abraham's seed is becoming a blessing to all people's through the Gospel.

Domino's, DQ, and Acts

I am very thankful for Peter's vision in Acts 10.
Yesterday I had pepperoni pizza for lunch and a bacon cheeseburger for dinner.

Jesus & Moses

Moses was considered to be one of the greatest men of O.T.
"We are disciples of Moses" the Pharisees announced (Jn 9:28)

Moses prophesied that God would raise up a prophet just like him, and anyone who does not listen to this prophet will be cut off from God's people.

In the N.T., Stephen stands up and declares that Jesus is the one Moses was talking about.

But how is Moses like Jesus?

Jesus did not part the Red Sea, bring down commandments from Mt. Sinai, or confront Pharaoh.

So why did Stephen say Jesus is the prophet just like Moses?
His answer is surprising.

"The is the same Moses whom they had rejected..." (Acts 7:35)
"But our fathers refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected him..."(Acts 7:39)

Jesus and Moses both sent for salvation. Both rejected by their people.

The change

What comes to mind when you think of Peter?
Walking on water? His confession of faith? Baptizing 3000 people?

I think about his denial of Christ 3x

"Jesus" --"Nope doesn't ring a bell". "Never heard of him." "I promise, I don't know him."

The book of Acts gives us a very different picture of Peter.

Peter is now shockingly bold.
"Now when they saw the boldness of Peter....they were astonished" (Acts 4:13 ESV)

What's gotten into Peter?

A motivational seminar? A new hairstyle? Vitamins?

The difference is Peter is now "filled with the Holy Spirit" (4:8)

acts

That's an unusual name for a book: Acts.

What does it mean? Acts chronicles the early church.

Some Bibles might say the Acts of the apostles.

The first couple chapters could be titled the Acts of the Holy Spirit.

Look how prominent the Holy Spirit is in Ch.'s 1 and 2.

The disciples will be baptized in the Holy Spirit (1:5)
The Holy Spirit will provide them with power (1:8)
Scripture is inspired by the Spirit (1:16)
The Spirit enabled them to speak in tongues (2:5)
God has given Jesus the Holy Spirit (2:33)
Jesus pours out the Holy Spirit (2:33)
When people are baptized and repent they receive the Holy Spirit (2:38)
The Spirit is a gift (2:38)

The apostles are becoming just like Jesus through the Holy Spirit.
The same Holy Spirit we receive today.

things to do

In Exodus, God gave the Israelites 10 commandments to follow.
Ranging from worship to marriage to property and even to thoughts (coveting).
In John's Gospel, Jesus gives almost no commands.

Up to this point, Jesus commands people to believe he is from God. (John 6:29)
He says we should wash one another's feet. (Literal ? Maybe. John 13:14)
Finally, he commands that we "love one another" (13:34)


Thus far 2 commands and 1 should.

I've got the believing part down.

The others are on my things to do list.

from birth

"As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him,'Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents that he was born blind?" (John 9:1-2)

"Neither" answers Jesus. (9:3)

"You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!" (9:34) the Pharisees shouted at the man who once was blind.

Morning, noon, or night?

When are you reading the Bible for the challenge?

First thing in the morning?
At lunch?
Or in the evenings?

Just curious. Let me know.

Signs

Remember that Mel Gibson movie "Signs"?

Crop circles forming out in the field and strange sounds coming in over the radio.

We are held in suspense wondering, "What is the meaning of these signs?"

In the last few minutes of the film, we discover that aliens are attempting to take over the world.

In John 2, Jesus turns water into wine and it is not called a miracle but a "sign".

Nicodemus tells Jesus, "...no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him" (3:3)

Chapter 4 continues the theme with the healing of the official's son.

What do these signs mean?

Actually it is kinda similar to the movie.

A visitor from another place has arrived on earth.

Not to destroy but to save.

He did not come from Bethlehem or from Mary; instead Jesus tells Nicodemus that he came from heaven (3:13)

As you read, pay attention to how many times Jesus points out that he is from heaven or above.

Understanding

The Bible is not an easy book to understand.
It is filled with names and places from 2000 years ago.
Genealogies, visions, and Jewish customs add to the difficulty.

Apparently, the Bible was even tough for the disciples to understand.
"How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken" (Lk 24: 25) Jesus exclaims.
So he helped them understand the Bible by explaining what it said about him.
In verse 32 Jesus "opened the Scriptures" to them.
Finally, in verse 45 "he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures".

Jesus opens eyes to see, ears to hear, and minds to understand the Bible.
Are you learning new things about Jesus?
He's helping us understand the Scriptures.
He is alive you know.

And that's the point of Luke 24 (and the whole Bible!)

Reading w/the parents

Tonight Brandi & I read with my parents. It was great reading and discussing Scripture with family.
Most of our discussion dealt with Jesus unusual command for the disciples to purchase a sword (Lk 22:36).
Why should they buy a sword if Jesus tells them not to use their swords in the very same chapter (v.51)?
What's going on here?
Unfortunately, I had no idea the answer to this question so I just shrugged my shoulders.
The notes in my mother's Bible were a great help.
The admonition to buy swords is a signal that things are changing in how the world will treat the disciples.
Up to this point, they have been received warmly as they performed miracles and preached in Jesus name (Lk 22:35), "But now.....if you don't have a sword...buy one" (Lk 22:36).
The warm reception is over and the persecution is beginning.

What a blessing to have Bibles with notes in them!

rummage

:) Jesus loves you.

At rummage sale right now..
It's raining.
Raining on the righteous and unrighteous.
God is good.

Peace on Earth

Imagine world peace. The end of terrorism, bombs, and war.

Peace at work between coworkers, employees, and employers.

Peace at home. Husbands, wives, and kids all getting along.

Beautiful thought. Maybe it will happen.

Unfortunately, Jesus just dropped an atomic bomb in Luke 12.

"Do you think I came to bring peace on earth?" (12:51) He asks.

"Yes! Of course. Peace on earth goodwill toward men" we say.

Well we're wrong.

"No, I tell you, [not peace] but division." He replies

Just when you think you have Jesus figured out.

Who dat?

I remember "who dat?" being a popular saying when the New Orleans Saints were in the Super Bowl. However, I have no idea what it means or how it relates to football. (Feel free to email me if you know the short answer)



Anyways, in our Scripture reading today that was a common question of Jesus.



A crowd gathered at a Pharisees house asked, "Who is this...?" after Jesus pronounced a woman's sins forgiven (Luke 7:49)



In the next chapter, same question comes from the disciples, "Who is this?" (Luke 8:25)



Then, even Jesus asks his disciples this question, "Who do you say I am? (Luke 9:20)

The Bible reveals many answers to that question. Here's a small sample:

Christ. The Lamb of God. Savior of the world. Master. Servant.

King. High Priest. Prophet. Son of God. Judge...................

Favorite Scripture

I think I have a new favorite Scripture.

John 3:16? No

Romans 6:23? Nope

I came across it today in Luke 5:27-28 (NIV)

"...Follow me, Jesus said to him, and Levi got up, left everything and followed him."

Levi, what a great name. It just rolls off the tongue.

L-e-e-e-e v-i-i-i-i.

The name Levi is found in the Old & New Testament and means "attached"

It sounds like a great name to me, but perhaps I'm partial.

Posted by: Levi's Dad

Christmas in July

Run to the closet and get your coat, gloves, and scarf. Pour yourself a nice, big cup of hot chocolate with marshallows as we read our Bibles under the Christmas lights.

Feels a little funny reading about the birth of Jesus when it's 85 degrees at 7:15 in the morning.

Mark Completed

2 books completed.

Right now I'm getting ready for church. Looking forward to some feedback on how everyone is doing in the challenge.

Happy Father's Day

Warning! Children do not read this.

When I was 5 we had a family friend named Gary.

Gary was cool.

Gary was funny.

Gary liked to spit.....alot. He spit in the grass. He spit in the lake. He spit out his car. He even spit in his house (into a jug).

Gary was cool, and I wanted to be like Gary so I spit in the grass too.

But I got in trouble by my dad.

Good thing I didn't know the Bible back then.

Because look what I found today:

Mark 7:33 "[Jesus] spit and touched the man's tongue"

Mark 8:23 "[Jesus] took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man's eyes and put his hands on him...."

WOW! Jesus spit.

Sermon

I never know what I am going to preach on from week to week. I read my Bible until something jumps off the page and pokes me in the eyes. (Now you know why I wear glasses.)

It's kind of scary because what if nothing leaps off the page?

But it always does. God is good.

All that to say, a Scripture exploded off the page today in Mark 6.

Jesus preaches in his hometown and "could not do any miracles there" (Mk 6:5 NIV)

Could not or would not?

King James Version "he could there do no mighty work"
NASB "He could do no miracle there"
Amplified "He was not able to do even one work of power there"

What gives? Find out Sunday.

Shhhhhhh

Jesus avoids the spotlight in Mark 1-3.

A demon announces that Jesus is "the Holy One of God" (1:24)
Jesus response, "Be quiet!"

A crowd is gathering outside Peter's house.
Jesus response, "Let us go somewhere else" (1:37)

A leper gets healed.
Jesus response, "See that you don't tell anyone" (1:44)

Why?
1) Jesus says our good deeds should be done in secret. For the praise of God and not men.
2) A city on a hill cannot be hidden. People are promoting Jesus ministry even though he is not.
3) Matthew answers this question in Matthew 12:15-19. Check it out.

Matthew finished

"When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted" (Matthew 28:17 NIV)

Some worshiped!

Some doubted?!

Jesus return

Jesus is returning someday.
It could be today, or it might be in 1000 years.
The point of Matt. 24-25 is that he is returning and we need to be ready for that day.
Although there is persecution, false teachers, an increase of wickedness, war, and drought, "he who stands firm to the end will be saved" (Matt. 24:13). This theme occurs again and again in these chapters.
Being ready for his return is not about knowing the exact date, it's about persevering in faith "because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him" (24:14). So do not be like the wicked servants who started out good , the foolish virgins who began with oil, or the lazy servant who was given a talent.
Jesus is returning someday. It might be today.
Come Lord Jesus.

Late night

It's past my bedtime, but thought I would blog just a bit. Today, I was truly amazed at how many people are reading their Bibles daily. I know it's only been a week but people are actually reading and enjoying their Bibles.
I'm thinking about doing a Q& A time soon over questions people have about our readings. So if you have a question about something you've read this far let me know and I hope to address it soon on a Sunday morning.
We'll see you tomorrow.

Saturday

Today is the first time we will be reading 4 chapters in Matthew. The weekend might be the toughest time for many during the challenge. Monday through Friday is very routine and consistent. The weekend, however, is different. We wake up a little later, do a little cleaning, a little lawn work, a little laundry, a little entertainment, a little eating out and before long the day is over. Don't forget to put a little bit of the Word in your life.

Stories

Jesus loves to teach using stories. In Matthew 13, there are stories about farming, making bread, and garage sales. Why does he tell so many stories? Maybe so his teachings will be memorable, or so that even children will be able understand. However, Jesus quotes from Isaiah to illustrate that his stories are meant to blind some spiritually while giving sight to others, closing the ears of some while opening the ears of others. Therefore, slowly and carefully read these parables so that, "He who has ears, let him hear" (Matt. 13:9)

Humble Jesus

Definition of Modest- adj. "Having or showing a moderate estimation of one's own talents, abilities, and value." (free online dictionary)

Jesus is humble (11:29). He is willing to teach anyone who comes to him regardless of age, sex, race, or financial status. He is the Son of God, yet he welcomes children, sinners, lepers, and tax collectors.
When it comes to being modest, Jesus has an accurate view of his own talents, abilities, and value. In the O.T., the most effective preacher was Jonah. He converted an entire city with a 30 second sermon. The wisest man who ever lived was Solomon. The world's most important building was the temple. The most important day of the week was the Sabbath.
In Matthew 12 Jesus states that he is "greater than the temple" (12:6), the "Lord of the Sabbath" (12:8), "greater than Jonah" (12:41), and "greater than Solomon" (12:42).

Jesus knows his own value. He is after all the "pearl of great price".

Reading with friends

Gary and Bob stopped by the church so we decided to read Matthew 7-9 together. Both of these guys are sharp on the Bible and we had a great discussion. We spent an hour talking about hell, faith, and Jesus authority. I don't know if there is a scarier passage in the Bible than Matthew 7:21-23. Some who thought they were in the Kingdom were denied entrance by Jesus, "Away from me, you evildoers!"

Bob pointed out that in Ch. 8 some thought they were in the Kingdom because of their birth into religious families. However, Jesus was impressed with the faith of a Roman centurion who had probably never even heard of "Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob" (8:11)

Gary's favorite part of the reading was Jesus demonstration of authority over sin as well as sickness in the story of the paralytic. "But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.....Get up take your mat and go home."

Jesus rules! Seriously.

Anyone have a barrel full of fish?

Although I have never shot fish in a barrel, I imagine this is what it is like. There is so much that could be said about this section, but what spoke to me is that I can either live for man or for God. For the world to see or God to see. "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them" (6:1). "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love ...to be seen by men." (6:5) Jesus, on the contrary, lived life for God's praise not men's. So he says when I give, pray, or fast it is to be in secret becuase "your Father who sees in secret will reward you" (6:4).
What spoke to you?

Opening Day

Today is the first day of NT Challenge, and I'm wondering what people thought as they opened up their Bibles and were met with a nice, long genealogy. Did people keep reading or did they hit a speed bump and lose control when they came to Ram, Amminadab, and Nahshon (Matt. 1:4)? Why is this genealogy here? Although it is not exciting reading material, it is important. Jesus is the fulfillment of Old Testament promises to David & Abraham (1:1) As you read Matthew keep an eye out for the word "fulfilled". In today's reading alone, Jesus is the fulfillment of prophecies from Isaiah (Matthew 1:22), Micah (Matt. 2:5), Hosea (2:15), Jeremiah (2:17).

Delighting in Scripture

We are off to a great start! Over 60 people have signed up to take the challenge, and there is still a week remaining before we begin. As you read, let me know when you come across a passage that brings "delight" (Ps. 1:2) like lemonade on a hot summer day. Remember, consistency is the key to hitting the sweet spot of Scripture.