November 8, 2015 – The Great Commission – A Study of Matthew – Dying by the Sword and Redeemed by the Blood

  

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.”

Dying by the Sword and Redeemed by the Blood

Matthew 26:47-56 – New International Version (NIV)

⁴⁷ “While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. ⁴⁸ Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” ⁴⁹ Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him.

⁵⁰ Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.”

Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. ⁵¹ With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

⁵² “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. ⁵³ Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? ⁵⁴ But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?”

⁵⁵ In that hour Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. ⁵⁶ But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.”

Who came while Jesus was speaking (verse 47)?

Who sent the “large crowd armed with swords and clubs” to Jesus (verse 47)?

What was the signal that “the betrayer had arranged” (verse 48)?

In your opinion, why did Judas say “Greetings, Rabbi” (verse 49)?

What did the men with Judas do (verse 50)?

Who “reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear” (verse 51)?

What will happen to “all who draw the sword” (verse 52)?

In your opinion, why did Jesus say “do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels” (verse 53)?

What said that “it must happen in this way” (verse 54)?

In your opinion, why did Jesus ask about leading a rebellion and then say that “every day I sat in the temple courts teaching” (verse 55)?

Whose writings would be fulfilled by all that had taken place (verse 56)?

What did the disciples do (verse 56)?

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

Genesis 9:1-7 - New International Version (NIV)

¹ “Then God blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth. ² The fear and dread of you will fall on all the beasts of the earth, and on all the birds in the sky, on every creature that moves along the ground, and on all the fish in the sea; they are given into your hands. ³ Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything.

⁴ “But you must not eat meat that has its lifeblood still in it. ⁵ And for your lifeblood I will surely demand an accounting. I will demand an accounting from every animal. And from each human being, too, I will demand an accounting for the life of another human being.

⁶ “Whoever sheds human blood,
    by humans shall their blood be shed;
for in the image of God
    has God made mankind.

⁷ As for you, be fruitful and increase in number; multiply on the earth and increase upon it.”

Who did God bless and say “be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth” (verse 1)?

What is “given into your hands” (verse 2)?

What is “everything that lives and moves” to be (verse 3)?

What kind of meat must not be eaten (verse 4)?

In your opinion, why will an accounting be demanded “for your lifeblood” (verse 5)?

Who will shed the blood of those who shed human blood (verse 6)?

In whose image is mankind made (verse 6)?

What instruction is given (verse 7)?

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

In your opinion, how are the statement in Genesis 9:1-7 that “and from each human being, too, I will demand an accounting for the life of another human being” and the statement of Jesus in Matthew 26:47-56 that “all who draw the sword will die by the sword” similar?

James 2:8-13 – New International Version (NIV)

⁸ “If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. ⁹ But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. ¹⁰ For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. ¹¹ For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,” also said, “You shall not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.

¹² Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, ¹³ because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”

What “royal law” does James mention (verse 8)?

How are we convicted if we show favoritism (verse 9)?

Who is guilty of breaking the whole law (verse 10)?

In your opinion, what point is James trying to make when he says that “if you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker” (verse 11)?

How should we “speak and act” (verse 12)?

What triumphs over judgment (verse 13)?

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

In your opinion, if an accounting is demanded for anyone who sheds human blood as is stated in Genesis 9:1-7 and if the person who “keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it” as James says in James 2:8-13 then is the same accounting demanded of the one who does not honor the Sabbath and keep it holy and of the one who commits murder?

In your opinion, how does the decision of Jesus in Matthew 26:47-56 to not call the “twelve legions of angels” to rescue Him from the arrest show His obedience to James 2:8-13 where it says to “love your neighbor as yourself”?

1 Peter 1:17-21 – New International Version (NIV)

¹⁷ “Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. ¹⁸ For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, ¹⁹ but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. ²⁰ He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. ²¹ Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.”

How should Christians live out their time in the world (verse 17)?

What were Christians redeemed from (verse 18)?

What did redeem Christians (verses 18 and 19)?

When was Jesus chosen (verse 20)?

Who do Christians believe in because of Jesus (verse 21)?

What did God do for Jesus (verse 21)?

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

In your opinion, how is the scary knowledge that if we have committed any sin make us guilty of breaking all the law according to James 2:8-13 become changed to hope when we understand that our redemption from all those sins is “the precious blood of Christ” that Peter discusses in 1 Peter 1:17-21?

In your opinion, how does “the precious blood of Christ” that Peter discusses in 1 Peter 1:17-21 become our answer for the “accounting” that God demands in Genesis 9:1-7?

In your opinion, how do you think that the fact that Peter was the one who Jesus told in Matthew 26:47-56 that “all who draw the sword will die by the sword” effected his understanding of being “redeemed from the empty way of life” and the “precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect” in 1 Peter 1:17-21?

In your opinion, what do these passages, from Matthew, Genesis, James and 1 Peter show us about the Great Commission?

Next, back to Matthew 26:57 – (sprucewhispers.blogspot.com)

November 1, 2015 – The Great Commission – A Study of Matthew – Gardens and Prayer

  

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.”

Gardens and Prayer

Matthew 26:36-46 – New International Version (NIV)

³⁶ “Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” ³⁷ He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. ³⁸ Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

³⁹ Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

⁴⁰ Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. ⁴¹ “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

⁴² He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”

⁴³ When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. ⁴⁴ So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.

⁴⁵ Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. ⁴⁶ Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

Where did Jesus go with the disciples (verse 36)?

What did He instruct the disciples to do “while I go over there and pray” (verse 36)?

Who did Jesus take with Him (verse 37)?

In your opinion, why did Jesus begin to “be sorrowful and troubled” (verse 37)?

How was Jesus’ soul (verse 38)?

What did Jesus ask to be taken from Him (verse 39)?

Whose will did Jesus pray to be done (verse 39)?

What were the disciples doing when Jesus returned to them (verse 40)?

In your opinion, why did Jesus say “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” (verse 41)?

What is different between Jesus’ first prayer and His second prayer (verses 39 and 42)?

Why were the disciples sleeping (verse 43)?

What did Jesus do a third time (verse 44)?

Who is the “Son of Man” delivered to (verse 45)?

Who is coming (verse 46)?

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

Genesis 3:1-7 - New International Version (NIV)

¹ “Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”

² The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, ³ but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’”

⁴ “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. ⁵ “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

⁶ When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. ⁷ Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.”

Who is “more crafty than any of the wild animals” (verse 1)?

What did he say to the woman (verse 1)?

How did the woman respond (verses 2 and 3)?

In your opinion, how is her answer about the tree that is in the middle of the garden different from God’s instruction (verse 3)?

How did the serpent contradict God (verse 4)?

In your opinion, how is the serpent’s statement a truth and how is it a lie (verse 5)?

What made the woman want to eat the fruit (verse 6)?

Where was her husband and what did he do (verse 6)?

How did eating the fruit change the couple (verse 7)?

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

In your opinion, why was the outcome of Jesus’ time in the garden in Matthew 26:36-46 different from Adam and Eve’s time in the garden in Genesis 3:1-7?

Hebrews 5:7-10 - New International Version (NIV)

⁷ During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. ⁸ Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered ⁹ and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him ¹⁰ and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.

When did Jesus offer up “prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears” (verse 7)?

Who did Jesus offer the “prayers and petitions” to (verse 7)?

Why were Jesus “prayers and petitions” heard (verse 7)?

How did Jesus learn obedience (verse 8)?

When did Jesus become “the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him” (verse 9)?

What was Jesus designated by God to be (verse 10)?

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

In your opinion, what can we learn from the fact that Eve and then Adam choose to believe the serpent about the fruit and in eating it they choose death in Genesis 3:1-7 and Jesus went with “prays and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death” but then chooses obedience to death in Hebrews 5:7-10?

In your opinion, how does Paul’s discussion of the prayers of Jesus in Hebrews 5:7-10 help to understand more about Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane in Matthew 26:36-46?

James 1:12-18 – New International Version (NIV)

¹² “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

¹³ When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; ¹⁴ but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. ¹⁵ Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

¹⁶ Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. ¹⁷ Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. ¹⁸ He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.”

Who is blessed (verse 12)?

What will that person receive that the “Lord has promised to those who love him” (verse 12)?

What should we not say when we are tempted (verse 13)?

When is “each person” tempted (verse 14)?

What does “desire” give birth to after it is conceived (verse 15)?

What does “sin” give birth to when it is full-grown (verse 15)?

In your opinion, why does James tell us “don’t be deceived” (verse 16)?

Where does “every good and perfect gift” come from (verse 17)?

How does the heavenly Father choose “to give us birth” (verse 18)?

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

In your opinion, how does the discussion of Paul in Hebrews 5:7-10 about the way Jesus prayed, suffered and learned obedience help us to understand how to persevere under trial as instructed by James in James 1:12-18?

In your opinion, how does the story of Adam and Eve falling prey to temptation in Genesis 3:1-1-7 illustrate for us the instruction of James in James 1:12-18 that “each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed”?

In your opinion, do you think that Jesus concluding with “your will be done” in His pleading for the cup to be taken from Him in Matthew 26:36-46 was because He focused on some variation of the truth that “every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” as James says in James 1:12-18?

In your opinion, what do these passages, from Matthew, Genesis, Hebrews and James show us about the Great Commission?

Next, back to Matthew 26:47 – (sprucewhispers.blogspot.com)

October 25, 2015 – The Great Commission – A Study of Matthew – Disowning and Redemption

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 Redemption

Matthew 26:31-35 – New International Version (NIV)

³¹ “Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written:

“‘I will strike the shepherd,
    and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’

³² But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”

³³ Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”

³⁴ “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”

³⁵ But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.”

When did Jesus say the disciples would “fall away” (verse 31)?

What will cause the “sheep of the flock” to be scattered (verse 31)?

When will Jesus  go ahead into Galilee (verse 32)?

What was Peter’s reply (verse 33)?

Before what event did Jesus say as that Peter would “disown me three times” (verse 34)?

In your opinion, why did Peter and the other disciples say “even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you” (verse 35)?

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

Zechariah 13:7-9 - New International Version (NIV)

⁷ “Awake, sword, against my shepherd,
    against the man who is close to me!”
    declares the Lord Almighty.
“Strike the shepherd,
    and the sheep will be scattered,
    and I will turn my hand against the little ones.
⁸ In the whole land,” declares the Lord,
    “two-thirds will be struck down and perish;
    yet one-third will be left in it.
⁹ This third I will put into the fire;
    I will refine them like silver
    and test them like gold.
They will call on my name
    and I will answer them;
I will say, ‘They are my people,’
    and they will say, ‘The Lord is our God.’”

How does the Lord Almighty describe the shepherd that He commands “awake, sword, against my shepherd” (verse 7)?

Who will be scattered when the shepherd is stricken (verse 7)?

What will be turned against “the little ones” (verse 7)?

How many will be left “in the whole land” (verse 8)?

In your opinion, why will the remnant be “put into the fire” and refined like silver and tested like gold (verse 9)?

What will the remnant call on (verse 9)?

Who will answer them when they call (verse 9)?

What will the Lord Almighty call the remnant (verse 9)?

How will the remnant respond to the Lord Almighty (verse 9)?

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

In your opinion, what can reading Zechariah 13:7-9, the context of the verse that Jesus quotes in Matthew 26:31-35, help us understand about why Jesus is saying that the disciples will disown him in the Matthew passage?

Galatians 3:7-14 - New International Version (NIV)

⁷ “Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. ⁸ Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” ⁹ So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.

¹⁰ For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” ¹¹ Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.” ¹² The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, “The person who does these things will live by them.” ¹³ Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” ¹⁴ He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.”

Who are children of Abraham (verse 7)?

What foresaw that “God would justify the Gentiles by faith” (verse 8)?

Who was the gospel “all nations will be blessed through you” announced in advance to (verse 8)?

Who is blessed with Abraham (verse 9)?

Who is under a curse (verse 10)?

What is written about them (verse 10)?

How will “the righteous” live (verse 11)?

In your opinion, why is the law not based on faith (verse 12)?

How did Christ redeem us “from the curse of the law” (verse 13)?

What blessing “might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus” (verse 14)?

How do we receive “the promise of the Spirit” (verse 14)?

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

In your opinion, how does the message of Paul in Galatians 3:7-14 help us to understand about the way the “shepherd”, the “man who is close to me”, from Zechariah 13:7-9 will be stricken?

In your opinion, what does the passage from Galatians 3:7-14 help us to understand about why Jesus said “the shepherd”, who He understood was Himself, must be struck and the sheep scattered according to Matthew 26:31-35?

Revelation 1:4-8 – New International Version (NIV)

⁴ “John,

To the seven churches in the province of Asia:

Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, ⁵ and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, ⁶ and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.

⁷ “Look, he is coming with the clouds,”
    and “every eye will see him,
even those who pierced him”;
    and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.”
So shall it be! Amen.

⁸ “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”

Who is this message to (verse 4)?

What blessing is given to those who receive the message (verse 4)?

In your opinion, who is “him who is, and who was, and who is to come” (verse 4)?

In your opinion, who is “the seven spirits before his throne” (verse 4)?

How is Jesus Christ described (verse 5)?

In your opinion, who is “him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood” (verse 5)?

What are we to do as “a kingdom and priests” (verse 6)?

Who “is coming with the clouds” (verse 7)?

What will “all peoples on earth” do (verse 7)?

How does “the Lord God” describe Himself (verse 8)?

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

In your opinion, how does Revelation 1:4-8 show what the redemption that Paul talks about in Galatians 3:7-14 allows us to become and to do?

In your opinion, how does Revelation 1:4-8 show that those who Zechariah 13:7-9 says “call on my name” and who say “the Lord is our God” will relate to God in heaven?

In your opinion, what is the significance of the fact that Jesus, who in Matthew 26:31-35 said “this very night you all will fall away on account of me” is the one who is described in Revelation 1:4-8 as “the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth”?

In your opinion, what do these passages, from Matthew, Zechariah, Galatians and Revelation show us about the Great Commission?

Next, back to Matthew 26:36 – (sprucewhispers.blogspot.com)