Easter has become a celebration of many things. Some celebrate the birth of spring. Others believe we are paying homage to the fertility “gods”. Many are simply glad to get a little time off work and eat chocolate or little tasty sugar chickens. Sadly a growing number of people have no idea what Easter is really all about.

Jesus Christ who was born of a virgin lived without sin (the only person to do this) and is the son of God. He was crucified on a cross. On one hand He was killed for His claims to the Kingdom of Heaven. On the other hand He was killed because He took on the sins of His people. His people are those who trust in His redemptive work accomplished on the cross and that which followed. You see man thought killing Jesus was to stop a blasphemer, but the truth is He was born to die. Man really couldn’t stop the murder of Christ if he wanted to. Jesus died as the only righteous one in the place of sinners. He paid the penalty for sin. He accepted the wrath of a Holy God. God’s wrath is poured out on sin and Christ took that sin (mine and others) on himself on Calvary’s Hill hanging on the cross. What happened next is the miracle we celebrate during the Easter season.

Jesus Christ gave up the ghost (died). He was taken down from the cross and laid in a borrowed tomb (grave). A great stone was rolled in front of the entry way of the tomb. At the end of three days and nights some of His followers came to anoint His body, but…. His body was not there. Angels asked the ones who were present “why seek ye the living among the dead?” Jesus was alive! Yes, He was raised from the dead! This man had given up the ghost and now had taken His life back up. He has power not only over life but also over death. He is Lord! Easter is a celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ!

John 3:1-21

        I.            A Call to Hope in Him

1. Our hope is in Christ

                                                              i.      He is eternal life

• He is our hope for eternal life
• He is the reunion maker for believers in Heaven

      II.            A Call to His Help

Our Lord is with us always (said AFTER resurrection)

  i.      He is our comforter in all circumstances/good and bad

  ii.      He is our keeper and conviction (evidenced in John 17; Passion Prayer)

• He empowers us against sin
• He keeps us in spite of sin/He is faithful to forgive us when we ask

    III.            A Call to Holiness through Him see vs. 19&20 (Also evident in the words; “woman behold thy son”)

1. He gives His People understanding

•    His own submit to His directing see vs. 21

    IV.            A Call to Hold to Truth as His

1. Our witness is to Him not to ourselves – it is not only for Christ, but actually to Him. That is why Paul said, “do all things as unto the Lord”.

Christ’s Passion Week

Crowds visit Jesus and Lazarus in Bethany (John 12:9)

Triumphal Entry (John 12:12-19)

Cursing the fig tree (Mark 11:12-14 )

Request of some Greeks (John 12:20-26)

Cleansing the Temple (Matthew 21:12-13)

Withered Fig Tree (Mark 11:22-25)

Official Challenge of Christ’s Authority (Mark 11:27-33)

The Olivet Discourse

The Last Supper (Matthew 26:26-29)

Prayers 1. The Passion Prayer (John 17) 2. The Prayer in the Garden (Matthew 26)

Betrayel and Arrest (Matthew 26:47-56)

Trial (Matthew 26:57-68; 27:1, 27:11-31)

Crucifixion (Matthew 27:32-56)

Burial (Matthew 27:57-61)

Resurrection (Matthew 28)

A pastor or teaching minister of the church can usually discern the spiritual temperature of the congregation after careful prayer and observation. This is often the way God directs us to the right book to study at the current time. We must remember that the people in our congregations are not usually going to spend as much time in personal Bible study as we do, therefore they are not as familiar with bigger theological terms. Because of our need to stay in the Word we are also more aware of both fundamental doctrine’s, deeper truth’s, and interpretive passages (passages that explain other passages). With this in mind the first suggestion I offer is to keep things simple in language. You want every person in the congregation to be able to understand what you are teaching. Some of the more difficult passages can be made understandable to the people when we keep our language understandable.

Now you have chosen a book to study, teach, and/or preach through. What next? Read, Read, Read, and then Read. The first step is to begin reading the Bible Book as often as you can. It is also important for us to be reading through the Bible from beginning to end. Each time we finish we should start over. Reading through the Bible at whatever pace you can do is foundational to proper Bible interpretation. As God unfolds His Redemptive Plan page after page we begin to understand things. For instance, when we read Exodus Ch. 12 we learn of the Passover in Egypt. When we come to the Gospel’s and read of the Lord’s Supper and His death on the cross we begin to understand He is our Passover and the final satisfactory Passover in God’s eyes. When we come to Hebrews it is confirmed. Careful reading is key to understanding and interpreting Scripture.

We are all busy with everyday duties. Making time for Scripture reading is the first step to knowing what you will teach and applying it to daily life. In the days ahead we will look at other helpful suggestions in preparing to rightfully divide the Word of God to serve perishing people the nourishment that strengthens the soul.

Scripture reading plans can be found in multiple places. I find this one extremely helpful: http://www.youversion.com/

You will find plans to read through the Bible in as little as 90 days or in 365 days. Either way you will be blessed and so will the people you serve.

(Originally posted on http://ponderingtruth.wordpress.com April 10, 2009).

Resurrection of Christ

Easter has become a celebration of many things. Some celebrate the birth of spring. Others believe we are paying homage to the fertility “gods”. Many are simply glad to get a little time off work and eat chocolate or little tasty sugar chickens. Sadly a growing number of people have no idea what Easter is really all about.

Jesus Christ who was born of a virgin lived without sin (the only person to do this) and is the son of God. He was crucified on a cross. On one hand He was killed for His claims to the Kingdom of Heaven. On the other hand He was killed because He took on the sins of His people. His people are those who trust in His redemptive work accomplished on the cross and that which followed. You see man thought killing Jesus was to stop a blasphemer, but the truth is He was born to die. Man really couldn’t stop the murder of Christ if he wanted to. Jesus died as the only righteous one in the place of sinners. He paid the penalty for sin. He accepted the wrath of a Holy God. God’s wrath is poured out on sin and Christ took that sin (mine and others) on himself on Calvary’s Hill hanging on the cross. What happened next is the miracle we celebrate during the Easter season.

Jesus Christ gave up the ghost (died). He was taken down from the cross and laid in a borrowed tomb (grave). A great stone was rolled in front of the entry way of the tomb. At the end of three days and nights some of His followers came to anoint His body, but…. His body was not there. Angels asked the ones who were present “why seek ye the living among the dead?” Jesus was alive! Yes, He was raised from the dead! This man had given up the ghost and now had taken His life back up. He has power not only over life but also over death. He is Lord!

Easter is a celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ!

Hebrews 9:24-25

Exodus 12:12-14

                                                                                                      Isaiah 53:4-6

                                                                                                      2Corinthians 5:21

                                                                                                      Galatians 3:13

                                                                                                      1Peter 2:24

Words to Know:

1. Passover = can refer to the Passover festival, the meal, or the lamb sacrificed at the festival.

*Really means exactly what the work implies. It is a passing over something or someone.

1. Substitute = something or someone in the place of another.
2. Propitiation = atoning sacrifice, the means of forgiveness
   1. To make atonement for, with a focus on the means for accomplishing forgiveness, resulting in reconciliation: to have mercy on, be merciful to, make reconciliation.

Romans 3:25; 1John 2:2 & 4:10

1John 2:2 and He is the propitiation for our sins; not for ours only but for the whole world

1. Justification = regulation, requirement, commandment; act of righteousness.
   1. To justify, vindicate, declare righteous, to put someone in a proper relationship with another

Note: In propitiation justice goes up to God’s court on our behalf. In justification love comes down from God’s court through Christ on our behalf.

Introduction:

In Exodus 12 we are introduced to the concept of a “Passover”. What is a “Passover”? It is exactly what it sounds like. It is a passing over some in particular actions. In Exodus 12 we find the Children of Israel in Egypt under the heavy hand of a Pharaoh. Moses has been seeking the deliverance of his kinsmen from Egypt. Pharaoh and his people are perplexed with plagues issued by God. A final plague will break his will. Every first born in Egypt is to die as a final plague. God commands Moses and the Israelites to sacrifice an animal and put its blood on the doorpost of each family dwelling. When the judgment of God is poured out in Egypt He will Passover the home with blood on the doorpost. While the Egyptians mourned the loss of their firstborn children and livestock Israel escapes.

Israel has since celebrated that memorable night with what is known as the Passover. That Passover was memorable. What it was not is final. Each year animals were to be killed as a substitute for the sins of the people. It had to happen each year because it was not final. The lamb to be killed was to be spotless. This was known as sacrifice. Two things that cannot be separated in Scripture are Passover and Sacrifice. For Passover to take place a sacrifice is required as a substitute. God’s justice must be issued by death. Death is a result of sin. “By one man sin entered the world and by one man’s sin death passed upon all men.”(Romans 5:12).

When Passover was celebrated each year the lamb was to be killed at a specific time, presented at a specific time and the meat was to be eaten at a specific time. In Matthew 26:26 we find Jesus eating the Passover Meal with the disciples. This will be the final Passover Meal that is effective. Why? Jesus instituted a new meal by eating the final Passover Meal. Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper. How? By becoming the FULL and FINAL SUBSTITUTE! He not only provided the substitute, He is the substitute.

Christ

                    I.            Spotless Lamb

1. His birth – was not born by sin or from sin. He was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit.
2. His life – fulfilled the law perfectly and also explained it to unwise religious leaders who rejected Him and His teaching.
3. His death – Christ died at the perfect time as the sacrificial lamb. He died when the Passover lambs were to be slain. Also, His blood was spilled all over the city as a result of brutal beatings. Even in death He was perfect by the law.

Because He is sinless He is the perfect Lamb.

                 II.            Sacrificial Lamb

1. His willingness – In the Garden of Gethsemane He said to the Father “not my will but thine be done”

                                                                          i.      Lambs had no choice in the matter of sacrifice, Jesus did. He could have called legions of angels to rescue Him from the hands of His enemies and from the cross. But instead He willingly laid down His life.

                                                                        ii.      Lambs were killed at the hand of men. Jesus didn’t die until He Himself gave up the ghost. He had to choose to accept the beatings and He had to choose to close His eyes in death because death had no hold on Him.

Because He chose to die He is the perfect sacrifice.

               III.            Substitution Lamb

1. He hung as a sinless innocent man on the cross prepared by man for a criminal. This was symbolic in the fact He hung there for all sinners that come to Him by faith.
2. He suffered the wrath of God we deserve.
3. He took our place under the righteous judgment of God.

               IV.            Satisfying Lamb

1. He satisfied the wrath of God toward sin. No other sacrifice is sufficient. Jesus is the final sacrifice. No other sacrifice is necessary because God’s wrath is satisfied in Christ and His substitution, sacrificial, and spotless life, death and resurrection.

Matthew 18:1-6

Has this happened to you?

Phone rings. A child’s voice is on the other end. You ask for Mr. or Mrs. someone and the child voice replies, “they said to tell you they are not here.”

Walk into a home and sit down. Begin talking with the family. After asking how everyone is and how is life you get the usual fine and good. Almost immediately after that answer the child of the home comes in asking if dad will be sleeping on the couch again. Next comes the question, “where is the beer you just had dad?”

Walk through the grocery store. See someone of a different nationality or skin color. Your small son or daughter calls out a derogative name or title for that person. Naturally you know they picked up such things from someone at home, but you respond by saying “I don’t know where you learned that!” Then the child reminds you of the origin. It’s you.

Children are brutally honest. They don’t know how brutal there honesty is but it still cuts to the bone. Children are more than honest. They are open. Do you know of a small child that will refuse to tell you of their injuries “boo boo’s”. Not only will they inform you many of them make it know with a screeching scream followed by tears. They run to you for attention, comfort and care. For some reason adults seem to retreat and hide when we experience hurts. We do so for a matter of pride. We want to appear strong. Really we are weak.

We can learn so much from children. Christ tells His followers they must be like children. The scriptures refer to God’s People as Children on a regular basis. The Old Testament calls the people Children of Israel. The New Testament refers to believers as adopted children, little children and children of light. A clear look at children will teach us how God blesses us when we become like children.

Let’s note in or text taxes have just been paid. Tax season always brings a longing for Heaven for believers. It is also a time when many church goers feel a sense of conceit toward the tax collectors. Most in the church agree with the conceit. It is certainly not looked at as sin. I ask you by way of introduction today, how does Christ see our conceit?

        I.            Children are Honest

Truth comes out without hesitation

•  Christians have a Truth worth telling – Jesus is Lord and saves sinners

Above all we should learn to be honest with God. A lifelong study of the scriptures will teach us who we really are and promote honesty from us toward God.

      II.            Children are Open

Willingness to admit weakness, pain and/or hurt

• Pride doesn’t seem to slow small children/ Pictures a brokenness of heart

Above all we should learn to be open with God concerning our sin. We become willing to live a transparent live after we become open with God about our own lives.

    III.            Children Own nothing

There is no attachment to place or thing

•  Could lead to mission field with no hesitation

We must realize we own nothing. This world is not our home. We are passing through. Everything we are blessed to posses is a gift given to us for use in Christian service to God and fellow man.

    IV.            Children Owe nothing

Remember life before bills?

• The debt is paid by the parents
•  Christ has paid our debt on Calvary

Our lives belong to God. We owe no man anything but to love them. Love as Christ loves. While we were still sinners Christ died for us.

Closing;

Our text today is dealing with the Kingdom of God. Who is greatest in it? Christ is teaching the disciples to humble themselves before God in service.

Position – Above no one.

Power – We Have None. Christ is all powerful.

A child like faith, totally dependent.

Introduction:

N.T. types of books = Gospels, History, Epistles and Prophecy

An Epistle written by the Apostle Paul to the Church at Corinth

Epistle = intended to be published (to be read by the original recipient and others)

Corinth

Standard Worship – Aphrodite, the goddess of love

Morality in Corinth – 1000 priestesses, who were religious prostitutes, lived and worked there and came down into the city in the evening to offer their services to male citizens and foreign visitors.  Chapter 6 lists many of the specific sins of the Corinthian people.

Idolatry, adultery, homosexuality, stealing, greed, drunkenness, extortion and embezzlement

The Church at Corinth – ! Many in the church still practiced the above sins. Squabbles were all in the church accompanied by rivalries.

Vs. 1 – Paul established his authority. He reminds them of the Devine Appointment by Christ. Paul is operating on the call and command of God

• How wonderful it would be if people in the church today
  •  would act on the Word of God and not feelings
  • take serious the call of God the way Paul did

If I could have one prayer answered for our church it would be for us to accept the Great Commission and to carry it out as our reason for existing.

• We would not weight ourselves down with the thoughts of the world – lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and the pride of life.
• We would not weight ourselves down with the competitive nature of human desire

Vs. 1 – Sosthenes – In Acts 18 Sosthenes was a leader in the Jewish synagogue and tried a case for the Jews against Paul. We learn hear the power of the Gospel. Sosthenes had been saved and now worked with Paul.

1. Corinth vs.’s the Church (John Philips Commentary on 1Corinthians pp. 15-16)
   1. Corinth founded by Julius Caesar/The Church founded by Christ
   2. The Great word at Corinth was commerce/The Great Word in the Church is Calvary
   3. Corinth was noted for filth/The Church is noted for its faith
   4. Corinth was a place for business/The Church is a place for believers
   5. The great commodity of Corinth was pleasure/The Great Commodity of the Church is purity
   6. Corinth was a product of the world/The Church is a product of the Word

Resources used during study:

http://www.gty.org/Resources/Sermons/1810_Called-to-be-Saints audio

http://www.gty.org/Resources/Sermons/1811_The-Benefits-of-Being-a-Saint audio

* MacArthur Study Bible, English Standard Version (ESV), Copyright 2010 by Crossway 

*Exploring 1 Corinthians: An Expository Commentary, 2002 by John Philipps, Kregal Publications, ISBN 978-0-8254-3495-2

2 Kings 25:1(use this verse to paint a picture)     

Isaiah 5, (text)

2 Chronicles 26 (supporting study)

In our text we see the physical walls. Scripture teaches us a lot about walls. Walls are built to be protective barriers against the things we don’t want in and to keep in those things we don’t want to get out. In Isaiah 5 God speaks of the hedge around His Vineyard Israel. For the New Testament believer we have walls to protect us;

Family:

1. Marriage – the wall that keeps us faithful, seeking the welfare of our spouse, providing for the physical needs of our spouse, caring for and nurturing our spouse. This same wall is to protect us and keep us from allowing another to take our attention. It belongs to the one you are in covenant with.
2. Parenthood – the wall that keeps our children under our authority and care. Children are the RESPONSIBILITY of parents.    

Church:

1. Leaders – The wall that keeps the church grounded in Truth. Those who are to pray for the church and teach sound doctrine
2. God’s Word – The wall for all to appreciate and stay behind. Keeps all believers from doing those things that displease God. The Word is the wall for the preacher and teacher.

Today we are looking at Old Testament passages. These are dealing specifically with Israel. However, we can learn many New Testament truths uttered toward the Church by reviewing what God has said and accomplished with His Covenant People Israel.

Setting:

Judah had enjoyed 52 years of prosperity under the reign of King Uzziah. During this time Judah became strong in commerce and military strength. They also built walls, towers and modern weaponry. Uzziah made war with Judah’s enemies and built cities in surrounding lands. God indeed helped Uzziah and the people of Judah. Uzziah became proud of “his” accomplishments. He began to overlook the source of power, authority and truth. As a result of Uzziah’s pride Judah became immoral People. Because of Uzziah’s turning from God he and the people would be warned, rebuked and judged. Isaiah is the man God chose to proclaim the message. 

Amoral; you have no moral code

1. Not admitting of moral distinctions or judgments; neither moral nor immoral.

2. Lacking moral sensibility; not caring about right and wrong.

 Immoral; you claim a moral system but do not adhere to it

Deliberately violating accepted principles of right and wrong

The People of God were acting in Immoral ways. They had laws to live by, but refused to follow. Specifically King Uzziah failed to remain faithful to the Law. “You and I do the same”

As a result of Uzziah’s sin, namely pride, resulted in Leprosy. He was struck with Leprosy while standing in the Temple. Uzziah attempted to burn incense in the Temple and usurp the duties of the priest’s. He did this with a boastful and prideful heart. He was stopped by the priest’s. They removed him from the Temple. He would be confined to his home until his death.

Uzziah had built a powerful business community and could have enjoyed the benefits, but his sin brought truth to him. God is soveriegn. God is in control. God sees our heart.

When we are filled with sin we allow our walls to be weakened. We must keep ourselves strong by seeking God and His will for our lives. We must keep ourselves strong by relying on His strength. We are strengthened by the Word of God.

Read 2 Kings 25 for a picture of what happens when a city is slowly weakened by sin and takes their eyes off the important things. The enemy will begin camping at the door and eventually break through.

Keep your walls fortified

http://www.gty.org/Resources/Sermons/57-1_A-Living-Lesson-on-Forgiveness

Ephesians 4:25-5 & Hebrews 3

We come today to the House of Worship with all kinds of backgrounds. Oh, we think of one another by the occupation we hold. Another identification mark we use is the family each person walks in with or the friends some spend a lot of time with. The personalities we present at church are also on the mind of those we speak with while here. None of the above is what I am talking about. I am speaking of the hidden secrets in your heart and mind! Some of you are now made nervous by hearing those words. You are very aware of the secrets you keep and you really want to keep them just as they are: secrets. Others here do the same in keeping secrets but are not as aware of the fact they are doing it. The truth is we all do this. We have hidden battles we fight daily because of our old sinful nature. We hide these battles for various reasons. Many of the reasons are very valid in our minds. God is working today through His Word and Spirit to expose your hidden sins that He might give you victory.

Far too often we hide our sins because we feel we are alone in the battle against them. Truthfully we are not. We all fight in the same warfare. It is time we realize that and build strength in numbers rather than shrink back with fear and embarrassment. We have been given gifts through other believers. Each person’s gift in the body of Christ is there for the benefit of all the body and ultimately for the Glory of God! Until we all become honest with ourselves, God and our family we will continue to fight without the help that is waiting.

Another aspect of the sin problem plaguing the Church is the role believers are trying to play. We have our calling. Callings are individual and universal. All callings are for the building up of the family of God. The problem starts when we either refuse to perform our callings and or we try to perform another person’s task. Specifically, many people want to take of God’s role and be the judge of another person before they even look at themselves. Those people never look at fellow sinners through eyes of Grace.

Let us look into God’s Word as looking into a mirror and see where our personal blemishes are without considering the blemishes of our neighbor. Today may God convict each one of us, call us to repentance and cleanse us from our sins as we confess them to Him.

        I.            Consider the needs of the modern church and its members

1. Expectations are real and good

                                                               i.      churches have stopped having expectations of people

1. Members/Believers should participate in worship
2. Members/Believers should seek Gods Glory
   1. our worship is His
   2. Our appearance is His = we should no longer dress to attract attention, but to bring glory to God.
   3. Members/Believers should be growing spiritually
   4. Members/Believers should be praying for the church

      II.            Confess the Sin

1. Express a broken heart to God

                                                               i.      Church folk are not broken hearted over the sin the church holds to therefore they never confess sin as sin.

1. This is a result of a lack of Truth intake = Bible reading. The Truth will show you your sin, bring you to repentance and show you the way forward.

    III.            Confirm the Power in the Believer

1. Prove the Holy Spirit in the Believer

                                                               i.      Just as the Children of Israel proved God in the Exodus out of Egypt we today can prove the Lord in us as we come out of the bondage to sin.

There are a lot of mega churches in the world today. A large number of them are in our homeland. Some of them are not built on a solid foundation of faith in Christ, but some of them are. The ones that flourish in the firm foundation of faith have the same things in common. They first see themselves as sinners in need of God’s Grace. Second they confess those sins. Third, each believer knows Christ in them is working out their salvation and strengthening them against the sins they battle. They also find strength through the gifts Christ gives to each believer in the local body. That is the recipe for a healthy church. Unless we recognize our own sin and follow scriptural guidelines we will never grow beyond our current position. As a matter of fact we will continue decaying. Let every believer allow God to search our heart today and begin the growth of each believer and therefore continuing the growth of this church spiritually and in numbers of new believers.