August 18, 2024 – A Study of Matthew – Abundant Grace

Abundant Grace

Genesis 38:12-30 - New International Version (NIV)

¹² After a long time Judah’s wife, the daughter of Shua, died. When Judah had recovered from his grief, he went up to Timnah, to the men who were shearing his sheep, and his friend Hirah the Adullamite went with him.

¹³ When Tamar was told, “Your father-in-law is on his way to Timnah to shear his sheep,” ¹⁴ she took off her widow’s clothes, covered herself with a veil to disguise herself, and then sat down at the entrance to Enaim, which is on the road to Timnah. For she saw that, though Shelah had now grown up, she had not been given to him as his wife.

¹⁵ When Judah saw her, he thought she was a prostitute, for she had covered her face. ¹⁶ Not realizing that she was his daughter-in-law, he went over to her by the roadside and said, “Come now, let me sleep with you.”

“And what will you give me to sleep with you?” she asked.

¹⁷ “I’ll send you a young goat from my flock,” he said.

“Will you give me something as a pledge until you send it?” she asked.

¹⁸ He said, “What pledge should I give you?”

“Your seal and its cord, and the staff in your hand,” she answered. So he gave them to her and slept with her, and she became pregnant by him. ¹⁹ After she left, she took off her veil and put on her widow’s clothes again.

²⁰ Meanwhile Judah sent the young goat by his friend the Adullamite in order to get his pledge back from the woman, but he did not find her. ²¹ He asked the men who lived there, “Where is the shrine prostitute who was beside the road at Enaim?”

“There hasn’t been any shrine prostitute here,” they said.

²² So he went back to Judah and said, “I didn’t find her. Besides, the men who lived there said, ‘There hasn’t been any shrine prostitute here.’”

²³ Then Judah said, “Let her keep what she has, or we will become a laughingstock. After all, I did send her this young goat, but you didn’t find her.”

²⁴ About three months later Judah was told, “Your daughter-in-law Tamar is guilty of prostitution, and as a result she is now pregnant.”

Judah said, “Bring her out and have her burned to death!”

²⁵ As she was being brought out, she sent a message to her father-in-law. “I am pregnant by the man who owns these,” she said. And she added, “See if you recognize whose seal and cord and staff these are.”

²⁶ Judah recognized them and said, “She is more righteous than I, since I wouldn’t give her to my son Shelah.” And he did not sleep with her again.

²⁷ When the time came for her to give birth, there were twin boys in her womb. ²⁸ As she was giving birth, one of them put out his hand; so the midwife took a scarlet thread and tied it on his wrist and said, “This one came out first.” ²⁹ But when he drew back his hand, his brother came out, and she said, “So this is how you have broken out!” And he was named Perez. ³⁰ Then his brother, who had the scarlet thread on his wrist, came out. And he was named Zerah.

When did Judah go “up to Timnah” (verse 12)?

What did Tamar do when she found out that her father-in-law was “on his way to Timnah to shear his sheep” (verses 13 and 14)?

Why did Judah not recognize Tamar (verses 15 and 16)?

What pledge did Tamar want (verse 18)?

Why could the Adullamite not deliver the young goat (verse 22)?

How did Judah react when he found out that Tamar was pregnant (verse 24)?

What message did Tamar send to Judah (verse 25)?

Why did Judah say that Tamar was “more righteous” than he was (verse 26)?

Why was the firstborn of Tamar’s twins named Perez (verse 29)?

What was Perez’s brother named (verse 30)”

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about the need for abundant grace?

Leviticus 18:15, 24-30 – New International Version (NIV)

¹⁵ “‘Do not have sexual relations with your daughter-in-law. She is your son’s wife; do not have relations with her.

²⁴ “‘Do not defile yourselves in any of these ways, because this is how the nations that I am going to drive out before you became defiled. ²⁵ Even the land was defiled; so I punished it for its sin, and the land vomited out its inhabitants. ²⁶ But you must keep my decrees and my laws. The native-born and the foreigners residing among you must not do any of these detestable things, ²⁷ for all these things were done by the people who lived in the land before you, and the land became defiled. ²⁸ And if you defile the land, it will vomit you out as it vomited out the nations that were before you.

²⁹ “‘Everyone who does any of these detestable things—such persons must be cut off from their people. ³⁰ Keep my requirements and do not follow any of the detestable customs that were practiced before you came and do not defile yourselves with them. I am the Lord your God.’”

What is forbidden with “your daughter-in-law” (verse 15)?

Who had become defiled (verse 24)?

Why was the land “punished” (verse 25)?

What were the Israelites to keep (verse 26)?

What had the “people who lived in the land before you” done (verses 26 and 27)?

How will the land react if the Israelites defile it (verse 28)?

Who should be “cut off from their people” (verse 29)?

What are the Israelites to keep (verse 30)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about the need for abundant grace?

In your opinion, what does Leviticus 18:15, 24-30 help us understand about the interaction between Judah and Tamar in Genesis 38:12-30?

Matthew 1:3-4 – New International Version (NIV)

³ Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar,

Perez the father of Hezron,

Hezron the father of Ram,

⁴ Ram the father of Amminadab,

Amminadab the father of Nahshon,

Nahshon the father of Salmon,

Who was the father of Perez (verse 3)?

Who was the mother of Perez (verse 3)?

Who was Perez the father of (verse 3)?

In your opinion, who is out of place in the genealogy presented here (verse 13)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about the need for abundant grace?

In your opinion, how does Genesis 38:12-30 effect our understanding of the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1:3-4?

In your opinion, how does Leviticus 18:15, 24-30 calling the relationship between Judah and Tamar detestable impact our understanding of the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1:3-4? 

1 Timothy 1:8-17 – New International Version (NIV)

⁸ We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. ⁹ We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, ¹⁰ for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine ¹¹ that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.

¹² I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. ¹³ Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. ¹⁴ The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

¹⁵ Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. ¹⁶ But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. ¹⁷ Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

What is “good if one uses it properly” (verse 8)?

Who was the law made for (verse 9)?

What had God entrusted to Paul (verses 10 and 11)?

Why does Paul “thank Christ Jesus” (verse 12)?

What had Paul once been (verse 13)?

What was Paul shown (verse 13)?

How was “the grace of our Lord” poured on to Paul (verse 14)?

Who did Christ Jesus come “into the world to save” (verse 15)?

What did Paul consider himself (verse 15)?

Why did Paul say he was shown mercy (verse 16)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about the need for abundant grace?

In your opinion, using 1 Timothy 1:8-17 who in Genesis 38:12-30 would the law have been made for?  Who would be eligible for God’s abundant mercy?

In your opinion, how does Leviticus 18:15, 24-30 talking about the way detestable things defile the people and the land help us understand why 1 Timothy 1:8-17 says that the law is for the lawbreakers and the rebels?

In your opinion, how does the fact that Judah and Tamar are included in the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1:3-4 testify to the abundant grace that 1 Timothy 1:8-17 proclaims?

In your opinion, what do these passages from Genesis, Leviticus, Matthew, and 1 Timothy teach us about the ability of grace to redeem the detestable?

In your opinion, how can we thank the One who has blessed us with abundant grace today?

(sprucewhispers.blogspot.com)

August 11, 2024 – A Study of Matthew – Beginning with Belief

Beginning with Belief

Genesis 15:1-6 - New International Version (NIV)

¹ After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision:

“Do not be afraid, Abram.
    I am your shield,
    your very great reward.”

² But Abram said, “Sovereign Lord, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?” ³ And Abram said, “You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir.”

⁴ Then the word of the Lord came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir.” ⁵ He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”

⁶ Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

Why was Abraham (called Abram here) not to “be afraid” (verse 1)?

Why did Abraham say “what can you give me” (verse 2)?

Who did Abraham say would be his heir (verse 3)?

Who did God say would be Abraham’s heir (verse 4)?

How many offspring did the Lord say Abraham would have (verse 5)?

What did Abraham do (verse 6)?

What was credited to Abraham (verse 6)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, how does this passage help us define belief and faith?

Matthew 1:1-2 – New International Version (NIV)

¹ This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham:

² Abraham was the father of Isaac,

Isaac the father of Jacob,

Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers,

Who does Matthew say “Jesus the Messiah” is the son of (verse 1)?

Who does Matthew say is the “son of Abraham” (verse 1)?

Who does Matthew say Abraham is “the father of” (verse 2)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, how does this passage help us define belief and faith?

In your opinion, what did Abram, who God later renamed Abraham, do in Genesis 15:1-6 that put him in the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1:1-2?

Romans 4:13-25 - New International Version (NIV)

¹³ It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. ¹⁴ For if those who depend on the law are heirs, faith means nothing and the promise is worthless, ¹⁵ because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression.

¹⁶ Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. ¹⁷ As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.” He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not.

¹⁸ Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” ¹⁹ Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. ²⁰ Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, ²¹ being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. ²² This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” ²³ The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, ²⁴ but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. ²⁵ He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.

Through what did Abraham receive the “promise that he would be heir of the world” (verse 13)?

When would “faith mean nothing” (verse 14)?

What does the law bring (verse 15)?

How does the promise come (verse 16)?

Who is Abraham the father of (verse 16)?

Who “gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not” (verse 17)?

How did Abraham become “the father of many nations” (verse 18)?

What did Abraham do that did not weaken his faith (verse 19)?

Where was Abraham strengthened (verse 20)?

What was Abraham “fully persuaded” of (verse 21)?

Who were the words “it was credited to him” written for (verses 22 through 24)?

Why was “Jesus our Lord” raised to life (verses 25 and 26)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, how does this passage help us define belief and faith?

In your opinion, what does Romans 4:13-25 reveal about how a Gentile today can benefit from being like Abram in Genesis 15:1-6?

In your opinion, how does Romans 4:13-25 add to the family tree of Matthew 1:1-2? 

Hebrews 11:8-16 – New International Version (NIV)

⁸ By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. ⁹ By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. ¹⁰ For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. ¹¹ And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise. ¹² And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.

¹³ All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. ¹⁴ People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. ¹⁵ If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. ¹⁶ Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

Where did Abraham go “even though he did not know where he was going” (verse 8)?

How did Abraham make “his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country” (verse 9)?

Who were heirs of the same promise as Abraham (verse 9)?

Who is the “architect and builder” of the city that Abraham was looking forward to (verse 10)?

How was Sarah “enabled to bear children” (verse 11)?

How many descendants came from the man who was “as good as dead” (verse 12)?

What were “foreigners and strangers on earth” still living by (verse 13)?

What kind of country were the people who lived by faith looking for (verses 14 through 16)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, how does this passage help us define belief and faith?

In your opinion, how does the belief of Abram in Genesis 15:1-6 bear fruit in Hebrews 11:8-16?

In your opinion, how does the faith of Abraham as documented in Hebrews 11:8-16 help us understand the significance in his inclusion of the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1:1-2?

In your opinion, how is the belief, hope and faith of Abraham described in Romans 4:13-25 the foundation for being a stranger on the earth and “looking for a country of their own” of Hebrews 11:8-16?

In your opinion, what do these passages from Isaiah, Matthew, Romans and Hebrews teach us about the importance of belief and faith to Christians?

In your opinion, what does our belief and faith help us hope for today?

(sprucewhispers.blogspot.com)

August 4, 2024 – Isaiah in the New Testament – Victory in Jesus

Victory in Jesus

Isaiah 66:17-24 - New International Version (NIV)

¹⁷ “Those who consecrate and purify themselves to go into the gardens, following one who is among those who eat the flesh of pigs, rats and other unclean things—they will meet their end together with the one they follow,” declares the Lord.

¹⁸ “And I, because of what they have planned and done, am about to come and gather the people of all nations and languages, and they will come and see my glory.

¹⁹ “I will set a sign among them, and I will send some of those who survive to the nations—to Tarshish, to the Libyans and Lydians (famous as archers), to Tubal and Greece, and to the distant islands that have not heard of my fame or seen my glory. They will proclaim my glory among the nations. ²⁰ And they will bring all your people, from all the nations, to my holy mountain in Jerusalem as an offering to the Lord—on horses, in chariots and wagons, and on mules and camels,” says the Lord. “They will bring them, as the Israelites bring their grain offerings, to the temple of the Lord in ceremonially clean vessels. ²¹ And I will select some of them also to be priests and Levites,” says the Lord.

²² “As the new heavens and the new earth that I make will endure before me,” declares the Lord, “so will your name and descendants endure. ²³ From one New Moon to another and from one Sabbath to another, all mankind will come and bow down before me,” says the Lord. ²⁴ “And they will go out and look on the dead bodies of those who rebelled against me; the worms that eat them will not die, the fire that burns them will not be quenched, and they will be loathsome to all mankind.”

Who do those “who consecrate and purify themselves” follow (verse 17)?

 

What will happen to them (verse 17)?

Who is the Lord “about to come and gather” (verse 18)?

What will those the Lord sends “proclaim” (verse 19)?

What will those who are sent bring “to my holy mountain in Jerusalem as an offering to the Lord” (verse 20)?

Who will the Lord select “to be priests and Levites” (verse 21)?

What will “endure” before the Lord (verse 22)?

Who will “come and bow down before” the Lord (verse 23)?

What will the worms that do not die eat (verse 24)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about being victorious?

Mark 9:42-50 – New International Version (NIV)

⁴² “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea. ⁴³ If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out.  ⁴⁵ And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell.  ⁴⁷ And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, ⁴⁸ where

“‘the worms that eat them do not die,
    and the fire is not quenched.’

⁴⁹ Everyone will be salted with fire.

⁵⁰ “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other.”

Who are “these little ones” (verse 42)?

What is better than “with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out” (verse 43)?

What is better than “to have two feet and be thrown into hell” (verse 45)?

What should you do “if your eye causes you to stumble” (verse 47)?

Where is the fire “not quenched” (verse 48)?

What will everyone “be salted with” (verse 49)?

What should believers have (verse 50)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about being victorious?

In your opinion, how does Jesus in Mark 9:42-50 magnify the warning given in Isaiah 66:17-24?

1 Corinthians 6:7-11 - New International Version (NIV)

⁷ The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? ⁸ Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers and sisters. ⁹ Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men ¹⁰ nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. ¹¹ And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

What proved that Corinthian Christians were “completely defeated already” (verse 7)?

Who cheated and did wrong (verse 8)?

Who did they cheat and do wrong to (verse 8)?

What will “wrongdoers” not inherit (verse 9)?

What will “the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers” not do (verses 9 and 10)?

What had changed for the Corinthian Christians, who were these things (verse 11)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about being victorious?

In your opinion, how is the sign that Isaiah 66:17-24 said would be set identified in 1 Corinthians 6:7-11?

In your opinion, how are the vivid examples of what it is better to do than be thrown into hell in Mark 9:42-50 replaced with what is actually necessary for people to “inherit the kingdom of God” in 1 Corinthians 6:7-11? 

Revelation 21:1-8 – New International Version (NIV)

¹ Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. ² I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. ³ And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ⁴ ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

⁵ He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

⁶ He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. ⁷ Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. ⁸ But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”

What did John see (verse 1)?

Where was “the Holy City, the new Jerusalem” coming from (verse 2)?

What declared “God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them” (verse 3)?

Why will there be “no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain” (verse 4)?

Who said “I am making everything new” (verse 5)?

What will be the cost for the thirsty to receive water “from the spring of the water of life” (verse 6)?

Who will “inherit all this” (verse 7)?

What is “the second death” (verse 8)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about being victorious?

In your opinion, how is the concept of “the new heavens and the new earth” introduced in Isaiah 66:17-24 fleshed out in Revelation 21:1-8?

In your opinion, what is the difference between being “salted with fire” that Jesus mentions in Mark 9:42-50 and being “consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur” of Revelation 21:1-8?

In your opinion, what does 1 Corinthians 6:7-11 teach us about who will suffer the “second death” of Revelation 21:1-8?  And what must happen to have the “water of life” instead?

In your opinion, what do these passages from Isaiah, Mark, 1 Corinthians and Revelation teach us about the choices we need to make to inherit the “new heavens and the new earth”?

In your opinion, what does it mean to be victorious today?

(sprucewhispers.blogspot.com)

July 28, 2024 – Isaiah in the New Testament – Building God’s House

Building God’s House

Isaiah 66:1-6 - New International Version (NIV)

¹ This is what the Lord says:

“Heaven is my throne,
    and the earth is my footstool.
Where is the house you will build for me?
    Where will my resting place be?
² Has not my hand made all these things,
    and so they came into being?”
declares the Lord.

“These are the ones I look on with favor:
    those who are humble and contrite in spirit,
    and who tremble at my word.
³ But whoever sacrifices a bull
    is like one who kills a person,
and whoever offers a lamb
    is like one who breaks a dog’s neck;
whoever makes a grain offering
    is like one who presents pig’s blood,
and whoever burns memorial incense
    is like one who worships an idol.
They have chosen their own ways,
    and they delight in their abominations;
⁴ so I also will choose harsh treatment for them
    and will bring on them what they dread.
For when I called, no one answered,
    when I spoke, no one listened.
They did evil in my sight
    and chose what displeases me.”

⁵ Hear the word of the Lord,
    you who tremble at his word:
“Your own people who hate you,
    and exclude you because of my name, have said,
‘Let the Lord be glorified,
    that we may see your joy!’
    Yet they will be put to shame.
⁶ Hear that uproar from the city,
    hear that noise from the temple!
It is the sound of the Lord
    repaying his enemies all they deserve.

 

Where is the Lord’s throne (verse 1)?

 

What is the earth to the Lord (verse 1)?

What has “made all these things” (verse 2)?

Who does the Lord “look on with favor” (verse 2)?

What have people “chosen” (verse 3)?

Who answered when the Lord called (verse 4)?

Why are the people who “tremble at” the Lord’s word excluded (verse 5)?

What is “that uproar from the city” and “that noise from the temple” (verse 6)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about God’s house?

Luke 11:24-28 – New International Version (NIV)

²⁴ “When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ ²⁵ When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order. ²⁶ Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first.”

²⁷ As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out, “Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you.”

²⁸ He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”

What does “an impure spirit” do after leaving a person when it does not find a place to rest (verse 24)?

What does it find “when it arrives” (verse 25)?

Why is the “final condition of that person” worse than the first (verse 26)?

Who did the “woman in the crowd” call out as blessed (verse 27)?

Who did Jesus say is blessed (verse 28)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about God’s house?

In your opinion, how would Jesus’s answer to the woman in Luke 11:24-28 been appropriate for all those who Isaiah 66:1-6 was addressed to?

Acts 7:44-60 - New International Version (NIV)

⁴⁴ “Our ancestors had the tabernacle of the covenant law with them in the wilderness. It had been made as God directed Moses, according to the pattern he had seen. ⁴⁵ After receiving the tabernacle, our ancestors under Joshua brought it with them when they took the land from the nations God drove out before them. It remained in the land until the time of David, ⁴⁶ who enjoyed God’s favor and asked that he might provide a dwelling place for the God of Jacob. ⁴⁷ But it was Solomon who built a house for him.

⁴⁸ “However, the Most High does not live in houses made by human hands. As the prophet says:

⁴⁹ “‘Heaven is my throne,
    and the earth is my footstool.
What kind of house will you build for me?
says the Lord.
    Or where will my resting place be?
⁵⁰ Has not my hand made all these things?’

⁵¹ “You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit! ⁵² Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him— ⁵³ you who have received the law that was given through angels but have not obeyed it.”

⁵⁴ When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. ⁵⁵ But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. ⁵⁶ “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”

⁵⁷ At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, ⁵⁸ dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.

⁵⁹ While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” ⁶⁰ Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.

What did “our ancestors” have in the wilderness (verse 44)?

Who “drove out” the nations before the ancestors (verse 45)?

Who “asked that he might provide a dwelling place for the God of Jacob” (verse 46)?

Where does “the Most High” not live (verse 48)?

What is heaven (verse 49)?

How are the people Stephen is talking to “just like” their ancestors (verse 51)?

What did they do to the “Righteous One” (verse 52)?

How was the law they received given (verse 53)?

Who was “furious and gnashed their teeth at him” (verse 54)?

How was Stephen filled (verse 55)?

What did Stephen see (verse 56)?

Who covered their ears (verse 57)?

Where did the witnesses lay their coats (verse 58)?

What did Stephen pray (verse 59)?

When did Stephen fall asleep (verse 60)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about God’s house?

In your opinion, how was the conflict between the religious leaders and Stephen in Acts 4:44-59 anticipated in Isaiah 6:1-6?

In your opinion, what does Jesus’s lesson in Luke 11:24-28 help us understand about the leaders of the house of God in Acts 7:44-59? 

1 Corinthians 3:9-17 – New International Version (NIV)

⁹ For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.

¹⁰ By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. ¹¹ For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. ¹² If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, ¹³ their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. ¹⁴ If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. ¹⁵ If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.

¹⁶ Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? ¹⁷ If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.

What does Paul say we (the Christian readers) are (verse 9)?

How was Paul able to lay the foundation (verse 10)?

Who is the foundation that is “already laid” (verse 11)?

How will everyone’s work “be shown for what it is” (verse 12 and 13)?

When will the builder “receive a reward” (verse 14)?

What will happen if the builder’s work is destroyed (verse 15)?

In your opinion, what does it mean to be “only as one escaping through the flames” (verse 15)?

Who is “God’s temple” (verse 16)?

What are Christians “together” (verse 17)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about God’s house?

In your opinion, how does 1 Corinthians 3:9-17 help answer God’s question in Isaiah 66:1-6 “Where is the house you will build for me?”?

In your opinion, what does reading Luke 11:24-28 and 1 Corinthians 3:9-17 help us understand about how we live our choices today?

In your opinion, how does Stephen’s statement that “the Most High does not live in houses made by human hands” followed by Isaiah’s question “What kind of house will you build for me?” in Acts 7:44-59 provide a basis for understanding 1 Corinthians 3:9-17?

In your opinion, what do these passages from Isaiah, Luke, Acts and Hebrews teach us about who builds the house of God?

In your opinion, how do we build God’s house today?

(sprucewhispers.blogspot.com)