June 8, 2014 – The Great Commission – A Study of Matthew – Hearing and Refining

June 8, 2014 – The Great Commission – A Study of Matthew – Hearing and Refining

Matthew 28:18-20 – New International Version (NIV) – The Great Commission

¹⁸ “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Hearing and Refining

Matthew 11:1-15 – New International Version (NIV)

¹ “After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.

² When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples ³ to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”

⁴ Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: ⁵ The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. ⁶ Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”

⁷ As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? ⁸ If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. ⁹ Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. ¹⁰ This is the one about whom it is written:

“‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,
    who will prepare your way before you.’

¹¹ Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. ¹² From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it. ¹³ For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. ¹⁴ And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. ¹⁵ Whoever has ears, let them hear.”

Where did Jesus go to teach and preach after he finished instructing his twelve disciples (verse 1)?

Where was John the Baptist at this time (verse 2)?

What did John send his disciples to ask Jesus (verse 3)?

In your opinion, why did John ask this question (verse 3)?

What were John’s disciples to report to John (verses 4 & 5)?

Who is blessed (verse 6)?

When did Jesus begin to speak about John (verse 7)?

In your opinion, why did Jesus begin his discussion about John with questions (verses 7 & 8 & 9)?

What did Jesus say that John was (verse 9)?

Who does the prophecy that Jesus quoted say that John is (verse 10)?

Even though no one born of women “has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist” how does he compare with those in the kingdom of heaven (verse 11)?

How long has the kingdom of heaven been subjected to violence (verse 12)?

What did “all the Prophets and the Law” do “until John” (verse 13)?

In your opinion, why does Jesus say “if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come” (verse 14)?

Who is supposed to hear (verse 15)?

In your opinion, what does this passage from Matthew 11:1-15 show us about the Great Commission?

Isaiah 29:17-24 – New International Version (NIV)

¹⁷ “In a very short time, will not Lebanon be turned into a fertile field
    and the fertile field seem like a forest?
¹⁸ In that day the deaf will hear the words of the scroll,
    and out of gloom and darkness
    the eyes of the blind will see.
¹⁹ Once more the humble will rejoice in the Lord;
    the needy will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.
²⁰ The ruthless will vanish,
    the mockers will disappear,
    and all who have an eye for evil will be cut down—
²¹ those who with a word make someone out to be guilty,
    who ensnare the defender in court
    and with false testimony deprive the innocent of justice.

²² Therefore this is what the Lord, who redeemed Abraham, says to the descendants of Jacob:

“No longer will Jacob be ashamed;
    no longer will their faces grow pale.
²³ When they see among them their children,
    the work of my hands,
they will keep my name holy;
    they will acknowledge the holiness of the Holy One of Jacob,
    and will stand in awe of the God of Israel.
²⁴ Those who are wayward in spirit will gain understanding;
    those who complain will accept instruction.”

What is the fertile field that Lebanon will be turned into seem like (verse 17)?

Who will hear the words of the scroll (verse 18)?

Who will see out of the gloom and darkness (verse 18)?

In your opinion, why will the humble rejoice in the Lord (verse 19)?

In your opinion, why will the needy rejoice in the Holy One of Israel (verse 19)?

What will the ruthless do (verse 20)?

Who will be cut down (verses 20 & 21)?

In your opinion, what is the significance of identifying the Lord as the one who “redeemed Abraham” (verse 22)?

What three things will “Jacob” do when “they see among them their children, the work of my hands” (verse 23)?

            1)

            2)

            3)

Who will gain understanding (verse 24)?

Who will accept instruction (verse 24)?

In your opinion, since this passage from Isaiah 29:17-24 seems to be referenced by Jesus in His response to John the Baptist in Matthew 11:1-15 what message may Jesus be sending to John the Baptist?

In your opinion, what does this passage from Isaiah show us about the Great Commission?

Malachi 3:1-5 – New International Version (NIV)

¹“I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the Lord Almighty.

² But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap. ³ He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the Lord will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness, ⁴ and the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the Lord, as in days gone by, as in former years.

⁵ “So I will come to put you on trial. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive the foreigners among you of justice, but do not fear me,” says the Lord Almighty.”

Who will be sent (verse 1)?

What will the Lord do (verse 1)?

In your opinion, why will it be hard to “endure the day of his coming” (verse 2)?

Who will the Lord purify (verse 3)?

What will the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem be (verse 4)?

Who will be put on trial (verse 5)?

In your opinion, why does the list of those who God will testify against end in “but do not fear me” (verse 5)?

In your opinion, how do we reconcile the Lord, who in Isaiah 29:17-24 seems to give a message of hope with the Lord, who in Malachi 3:1-5 seems to be giving a message of refining and trail?

In your opinion, what message is Jesus giving to those who were listening to Him in Matthew 11:1-15 when He quotes from Malachi 3:1-5?

In your opinion, what does this passage from Malachi show us about the Great Commission?  

  

Revelation 3:14-22 – New International Version (NIV)

¹⁴ “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:

These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. ¹⁵ I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! ¹⁶ So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. ¹⁷ You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. ¹⁸ I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

¹⁹ Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. ²⁰ Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

²¹ To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. ²² Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Whose words are sent to the church in Laodicea (verse 14)?

In your opinion, why would God say “I wish you were either one or the other” about the deeds of the people in Laodicea (verse 15)?

What will happen because the people of Laodicea are “lukewarm – neither hot nor cold” (verse 16)?

In your opinion, why would people who are “wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked” say “I am rich” (verse 17)?

In your opinion, what should the people of Laodicea use to “buy from be gold refined in the fire” (verse 18)?

How does God treat those who are loved (verse 19)?

Where is God (verse 20)?

Who will have a right to “sit with me on my throne” (verse 21)?

Who is supposed to hear (verse 22)?

In your opinion, how does John’s teaching about buying “gold refined in the fire” in Revelation 3:14-22 help us understand Malachi’s message “He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver” in Malachi 3:1-5?

In your opinion, how does John’s teaching “So be earnest and repent” help us to understand Isaiah’s “Those who are wayward in spirit will gain understanding” in Isaiah 29:17-24?

In your opinion, what does this command in Revelation to “Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches” help us to understand about Jesus command to “Whoever has ears, let them hear” from Matthew 11:1-15?

In your opinion, what does this passage from Revelation show us about the Great Commission?

Next, back to Matthew 11:16 – (sprucewhispers.blogspot.com)

June 1, 2014 – The Great Commission – A Study of Matthew – Disowning and Acknowledging

June 1, 2014 – The Great Commission – A Study of Matthew – Disowning and Acknowledging

Matthew 28:18-20 – New International Version (NIV) – The Great Commission

¹⁸ “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Disowning and Acknowledging

Matthew 10:24-42 – New International Version (NIV)

²⁴ “The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master. ²⁵ It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household!

²⁶ “So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. ²⁷ What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. ²⁸ Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. ²⁹ Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. ³⁰ And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. ³¹ So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

³² “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. ³³ But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.

³⁴ “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. ³⁵ For I have come to turn

“‘a man against his father,
    a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—
³⁶     a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’

³⁷ “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. ³⁸ Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. ³⁹ Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.

⁴⁰ “Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. ⁴¹ Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. ⁴² And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”

What is the student’s relationship with the teacher (verses 24 and 25)?

In your opinion, what is the connection between not being afraid and “for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed” (verse 26)?

What are we to do with what Jesus tells us in the dark (verse 27)?

Where is what it whispered to be proclaimed (verse 27)?

Who should we not be afraid of (verse 28)?

Who should we be afraid of (verse 28)?

In your opinion, what is meant by the discussion about two sparrows being sold for a penny (verse 29)?

What is numbered (verse 30)?

Why should we not be afraid (verse 31)?

Who will be acknowledged in heaven by Jesus (verse 32)?

In your opinion, what will it mean to be disowned before the Father in heaven (verse 33)?

What did Jesus come to bring (verse 34)?

In your opinion, what did Jesus mean when He said He had “come to turn . . .” (verses 35 and 36)?

Who is not worthy of Jesus (verse 37)?

Who is not worthy of Jesus (verse 38)?

Who will lose their life (verse 39)?

Who will find their life (verse 39)?

Who welcomes the “one” who sent Jesus (verse 40)?

In your opinion, why would one who welcomed a prophet as a prophet “receive a prophet’s reward” (verse 41)?

What does Jesus say about “anyone” who “gives even a cup of cold water to one of the little ones” (verse 42)?

In your opinion, what does this passage from Matthew 10:24-42 show us about the Great Commission?

Isaiah 8:11-22 – New International Version (NIV)

¹¹ “This is what the Lord says to me with his strong hand upon me, warning me not to follow the way of this people:

¹² “Do not call conspiracy
    everything this people calls a conspiracy;
do not fear what they fear,
    and do not dread it.
¹³ The Lord Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy,
    he is the one you are to fear,
    he is the one you are to dread.
¹⁴ He will be a holy place;
    for both Israel and Judah he will be
a stone that causes people to stumble
    and a rock that makes them fall.
And for the people of Jerusalem he will be
    a trap and a snare.
¹⁵ Many of them will stumble;
    they will fall and be broken,
    they will be snared and captured.”

¹⁶ Bind up this testimony of warning
    and seal up God’s instruction among my disciples.
¹⁷ I will wait for the Lord,
    who is hiding his face from the descendants of Jacob.
I will put my trust in him.

¹⁸ Here am I, and the children the Lord has given me. We are signs and symbols in Israel from the Lord Almighty, who dwells on Mount Zion.

¹⁹ When someone tells you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living? ²⁰ Consult God’s instruction and the testimony of warning. If anyone does not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn. ²¹ Distressed and hungry, they will roam through the land; when they are famished, they will become enraged and, looking upward, will curse their king and their God. ²² Then they will look toward the earth and see only distress and darkness and fearful gloom, and they will be thrust into utter darkness.”

Who does the Lord warn Isaiah not to follow the way of (verse 11)?

In your opinion, why would the Lord tell Isaiah “Do not call conspiracy everything this people calls a conspiracy” (verse 12)?

How is the Lord Almighty to be regarded (verse 13)?

What will the Lord be “for both Israel and Judah” (verse 14)?

In your opinion, what does it mean to “Bind up this testimony of warning” (verse 16)?

Where is the Lord (verse 17)?

What are Isaiah and “the children the Lord has given me” (verse 18)?

When should a people inquire of their God (verse 19)?

What do people who do not speak according to God’s instruction not have (verse 20)?

In your opinion, why would people who are famished, become enraged and look up and curse the king and their God (verse 21)?

Where will they look and see only distress and darkness (verse 22)?

In your opinion, what does Isaiah’s description of the people who stumble help us understand about the people that Jesus indicated that he would disown in Matthew 10:24-42?

In your opinion, what does this passage from Isaiah show us about the Great Commission?

Romans 5:1-11 – New International Version (NIV)

¹ “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ² through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. ³ Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴ perseverance, character; and character, hope. ⁵ And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

⁶ You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. ⁷ Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. ⁸ But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

⁹ Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! ¹⁰ For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! ¹¹ Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”

Since we have been justified through faith, what do we have with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (verse 1)?

What do we boast in (verse 2)?

In your opinion, why do “we also glory in our sufferings” (verse 3)?

Why does hope “not put us to shame” (verse 5)?

Who did Christ die for (verse 6)?

How does God demonstrate “his own love for us” (verse 8)?

What does being “justified by his blood” save us from (verse 9)?

Who were we when “we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son” (verse 10)?

Who do we boast in (verse 11)?

In your opinion, how do we reconcile the Lord Almighty, who Isaiah says in Isaiah 8:11-22 that we should fear and dread with the God that Paul says in Romans 5:1-11 demonstrates His love for us by sending His Son to die for the ungodly?

In your opinion, how does Paul’s teaching about being reconciled to God through His love teach us about the ones that Jesus will acknowledge before the Father in Matthew 10:24-42?

In your opinion, what does this passage from Romans show us about the Great Commission?

Philippians 1:20-30 – New International Version (NIV)

²⁰  “I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. ²¹ For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. ²² If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! ²³ I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; ²⁴ but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. ²⁵ Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, ²⁶ so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.

²⁷ Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel ²⁸ without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. ²⁹ For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, ³⁰ since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.”

What does Paul “expect and hope” to have sufficiently “so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death” (verse 20)?

Who does Paul say “to live” is (verse 21)?

What does Paul say “to die” is (verse 21)?

In your opinion, is it significant for us that Paul indicated that “If I am to go on living” that it will “mean fruitful labor for me” (verse 22)?

Why is it necessary for Paul to remain in the body (verse 24)?

How should we conduct ourselves “Whatever happens” (verse 27)?

Who is our not being frightened a sign that they will be destroyed (verse 28)?

What two things are granted on behalf of Christ (verse 29)?

In your opinion, how does Paul’s teaching in Philippians 1:20-30 that “to live is Christ and to die is gain” help us understand his instruction in Romans 5:1-11 to “glory in our sufferings”?

In your opinion, what does the discussion in this passage from Philippians about “without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed” help us to understand about “We are signs and symbols in Israel from the Lord Almighty” in Isaiah 8:11-12?

In your opinion, what does this Philippians teaching about “For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him” help us to understand “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven” in Matthew 10:24-42?

In your opinion, what does this passage from Philippians show us about the Great Commission?

Next, back to Matthew 11:1 – (sprucewhispers.blogspot.com)

May 25, 2014 – The Great Commission – A Study of Matthew – Sheep and Discipline

May 25, 2014 – The Great Commission – A Study of Matthew – Sheep and Discipline

Matthew 28:18-20 – New International Version (NIV) – The Great Commission

¹⁸ “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Sheep and Discipline

Matthew 10:16-23 – New International Version (NIV)

¹⁶ “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. ¹⁷ Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. ¹⁸ On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. ¹⁹ But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, ²⁰ for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

²¹ “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. ²² You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. ²³ When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. Truly I tell you, you will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.”

How did Jesus send the disciples our (verse 16)?

In your opinion, what did Jesus mean when he said “Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves” (verse 16)?

What was going to happen to the disciples (verse 17)?

Who are the disciples to witness to when they are “before governors and kings” (verse 18)?

What are the disciples not to worry about when they are arrested (verse 19)?

Who will be speaking when they are “before governors and kings” (verse 20)?

In your opinion, why will family members betray family members (verse 21)?

What will happen to the one who “stands firm to the end” (verse 22)?

What are the disciples to do when they are persecuted in one place (verse 23)?

When will the Son of Man come (verse 23)?

In your opinion, how do we understand the prophecy about when the Son of Man would come (verse 23)?

In your opinion, what does this passage from Matthew 10:16-23 show us about the Great Commission?

Jeremiah 17:5-14 – New International Version (NIV)

⁵ “This is what the Lord says:

“Cursed is the one who trusts in man,
    who draws strength from mere flesh
    and whose heart turns away from the Lord.
⁶ That person will be like a bush in the wastelands;
    they will not see prosperity when it comes.
They will dwell in the parched places of the desert,
    in a salt land where no one lives.

⁷ “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
    whose confidence is in him.
⁸ They will be like a tree planted by the water
    that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
    its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
    and never fails to bear fruit.”

⁹ The heart is deceitful above all things
    and beyond cure.
    Who can understand it?

¹⁰ “I the Lord search the heart
    and examine the mind,
to reward each person according to their conduct,
    according to what their deeds deserve.”

¹¹ Like a partridge that hatches eggs it did not lay
    are those who gain riches by unjust means.
When their lives are half gone, their riches will desert them,
    and in the end they will prove to be fools.

¹² A glorious throne, exalted from the beginning,
    is the place of our sanctuary.
¹³ Lord, you are the hope of Israel;
    all who forsake you will be put to shame.
Those who turn away from you will be written in the dust
    because they have forsaken the Lord,
    the spring of living water.

¹⁴ Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed;
    save me and I will be saved,
    for you are the one I praise.”

Who is cursed (verse 5)?

In your opinion, is there a connection between “trusts in man” and “whose heart turns away from the Lord” (verse 5)?

How will that person be cursed (verse 6)?

Who will be blessed (verse 7)?

What will they be like (verse 8)?

In your opinion, what is the significance of the statement “It does not fear when heat comes” (verse 8)?

What is deceitful “above all things” (verse 9)?

Where does the Lord get His understanding of people so He knows how to reward them (verse 10)?

What will people “who gain riches by unjust means” prove to be in the end (verse 11)?

In the midst of a world that sometimes seems to reward those “who gain riches by unjust means” where is our sanctuary (verse 12)?

Why will those who have forsaken the Lord “be written in the dust” (verse 13)?

What does Jeremiah affirm about the Lord’s healing and salvation (verse 14)?

In your opinion, what does Jeremiah’s contrast of the results of trusting in man or in God help us to understand about being sent out “like sheep among wolves” that Jesus talks about in Matthew 10:16-23?

In your opinion, what does this passage from Jeremiah show us about the Great Commission?

Romans 16:17-20 – New International Version (NIV)

^{17  “}I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. ¹⁸ For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. ¹⁹ Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice because of you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.

²⁰ The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.

The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.”

Who does Paul urge the Roman Christians (and us) to watch out for (verse 17)?

How are we to behave toward those we are to watch out for (verse 17)?

What are they serving (verse 18)?

What do they use to “deceive the minds of naïve people” (verse 18)?

In your opinion, after Paul commended the Roman Christians for their obedience, why did he want them “to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil” (verse 19)?

Who will the God of peace soon crush “under your feet” (verse 20)?

What blessing does Paul ask for the Roman Christians (and us) (verse 20)?

In your opinion, how does Paul’s teaching that “the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet” from Romans 16:17-20 help us understand Jeremiah’s comment that those who trust in God will be “like a tree planted by the water” that “does not fear when the heat comes” of Jeremiah 17:5-14?

In your opinion, how does Paul’s teaching about avoiding those who cause division, and about being wise about what is good and innocent about what is evil help us to understand the teaching of Jesus that we should be “as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves” from Matthew 10:16-23?

In your opinion, what does this passage from Romans show us about the Great Commission?

Hebrews 12:1-11 – New International Version (NIV)

¹ “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

⁴ In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. ⁵ And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says,

“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,
    and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
⁶ because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
    and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”

⁷ Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? ⁸ If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. ⁹ Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! ¹⁰ They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. ¹¹ No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”

Who are we surrounded by (verse 1)?

What are we to throw off (verse 1)?

How are we to run “the race marked out for us” (verse 1)?

Who should our eyes be fixed on (verse 2)?

What is the “joy set before” Jesus that allowed Him to endure the cross and scorn its shame (verse 2)?

In your opinion, how does considering Jesus, “who endured such opposition from sinners” help us “not grow weary and lose heart” (verse 3)?

What is the Hebrews (and our) struggle against (verse 4)?

How are we not to respond when the Lord rebukes or disciplines us (verse 5)?

Who does the Lord discipline (verse 6)?

In your opinion, why does Paul equate “hardship” with “discipline” (verse 7)?

What does discipline prove about our legitimacy as Christians (verse 8)?

In your opinion, why does Paul add the words “and live” after saying that we should submit to God’s discipline “How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live!” (verse 9)?

Why does God discipline us (verse 10)?

How does discipline feel (verse 11)?

What does training by discipline produce (verse 11)?

In your opinion, how does Paul’s teaching in Hebrews 12:1-11 about discipline help us understand his instruction in Romans 16:17-20 to avoid those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way?

In your opinion, what does this passage from Hebrews help us to understand about Jeremiah 17:5-14 and specifically “Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.” or does Jeremiah help us understand Hebrews?

In your opinion, what does this Hebrews teaching about “For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” help us to understand “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves” in Matthew 10:16-23?

In your opinion, what does this passage from Hebrews show us about the Great Commission?

Next, back to Matthew 10:24 – (sprucewhispers.blogspot.com)