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)

May 18, 2014 – The Great Commission – A Study of Matthew – The Kingdom of Heaven

May 18, 2014 – The Great Commission – A Study of Matthew – The Kingdom of Heaven

  

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.”

The Kingdom of Heaven

Matthew 10:1-15 – New International Version (NIV)

¹ “Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.

² These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; ³ Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; ⁴ Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

⁵ These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. ⁶ Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. ⁷ As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ ⁸ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.

⁹ “Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts— ¹⁰ no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep. ¹¹ Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave. ¹² As you enter the home, give it your greeting. ¹³ If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. ¹⁴ If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet. ¹⁵ Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.”

What did Jesus give to the twelve disciples (verse 1)?

In your opinion, why would Jesus give Judas “who betrayed him” what he gave to the other eleven (verse 4)?

Where were the twelve to go (verses 5 and 6)?

What were they to proclaim (verse 7)?

What were they to do (verse 8)?

In your opinion, what did Jesus link when he said “Freely you have received; freely give” (verse 8)?

Why were the disciples instructed not to take gold or silver or copper or bag or extra shirt or sandals or staff (verses 9 and 10)?

Who were they to search for when they entered a town or village (verse 11)?

When they entered a home they were to give it a greeting, but what were they to do when they found it was deserving (verses 12 and 13)?

What were the disciples to do if the home was not deserving (verse 13)?

In your opinion, why were they to disciples to shake the dust of the feet when leaving a home or town that would not welcome or listen to them (verse 14)?

In your opinion, what does it mean that “it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town”  (verse 15)?

In your opinion, what does this passage from Matthew 10:1-15 show us about the Great Commission?

Joel 1:13-20 – New International Version (NIV)

^13 “Put on sackcloth, you priests, and mourn;
    wail, you who minister before the altar.
Come, spend the night in sackcloth,
    you who minister before my God;
for the grain offerings and drink offerings
    are withheld from the house of your God.
¹⁴ Declare a holy fast;
    call a sacred assembly.
Summon the elders
    and all who live in the land
to the house of the Lord your God,
    and cry out to the Lord.

¹⁵ Alas for that day!
    For the day of the Lord is near;
    it will come like destruction from the Almighty.

¹⁶ Has not the food been cut off
    before our very eyes—
joy and gladness
    from the house of our God?
¹⁷ The seeds are shriveled
    beneath the clods.
The storehouses are in ruins,
    the granaries have been broken down,
    for the grain has dried up.
¹⁸ How the cattle moan!
    The herds mill about
because they have no pasture;
    even the flocks of sheep are suffering.

¹⁹ To you, Lord, I call,
    for fire has devoured the pastures in the wilderness
    and flames have burned up all the trees of the field.
²⁰ Even the wild animals pant for you;
    the streams of water have dried up
    and fire has devoured the pastures in the wilderness.”

Who was supposed to put on sackcloth and mourn (verse 13)?

What were they supposed to do in the holy fast and sacred assembly with the elders and all who live in the land (verse 14)?

In your opinion, why say “Alas for that day! For the day of the Lord is near” (verse 15)?

What has been “cut off before our very eyes” from the house of God (verse 16)?

What has shriveled “beneath the clods” (verse 17)?

Why do “the cattle moan” (verse 18)?

Why will Joel call on the Lord (verse 19)?

Who will pant for the Lord (verse 20)?

In your opinion, how would knowledge of this statement from Joel that says “Alas for that day! For the day of the Lord is near” have caused the “lost sheep of Israel” to understand the disciple’s message that “the kingdom of heaven has come near” from Matthew 10:1-15?

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

Romans 13:8-14 – New International Version (NIV)

^8 “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. ⁹ The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” ¹⁰ Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

¹¹ And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. ¹² The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. ¹³ Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. ¹⁴ Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.”

What is supposed to be the only debt that remains outstanding (verse 8)?

How can the commandments “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not commit murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet” be summed up (verse 9)?

In your opinion, why does Paul say “love is the fulfillment of the law” (verse 10)?

Why has “The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber” (verse 11)?

What is nearly over (verse 12)?

What is almost here (verse 12)?

What are we to put aside (verse 12)?

What are we to put on (verse 12)?

In your opinion, why would Paul say “Let us behave decently, as in the daytime” (verse 13)?

How are we to clothe ourselves (verse 14)?

What are we not to think about (verse 14)?

In your opinion, how does this teaching that “salvation is nearer now than when we first believed” contrast with the “Alas for that day! For the day of the Lord is near” of Joel 1:13-20 and what can we learn from this?

In your opinion, how does Paul’s teaching about “clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ” help us understand Jesus teaching “Freely you have received; freely give.” From Matthew 10:1-15?

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

   

1 Peter 4:1-11 – New International Version (NIV)

¹ “Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. ² As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. ³ For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. ⁴ They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. ⁵ But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. ⁶ For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.

⁷ The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. ⁸ Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. ⁹ Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. ¹⁰ Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. ¹¹ If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.”

Why are we to arm ourselves with the attitude of Christ (verse 1)?

What do pagans do (verse 3)?

How will pagans respond when Christians do not join in “their reckless, wild living” (verse 4)?

Who will pagans have to give an account to (verse 5)?

In your opinion, what is the link between “the gospel being preached to those who are now dead” and “live according to God in regard to the spirit” (verse 6)?

What is near (verse 7)?

What should we do “above all” (verse 8)?

How should we offer hospitality (verse 9)?

What should we use to serve others (verse 10)?

How should we speak (verse 11)?

How should we serve (verse 11)?

How should God be praised (verse 11)?

In your opinion, how does Peter’s practical instructions about living knowing that “The end of all things is near” help us to understand Paul saying in Romans 13:8-14 to “clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ” because “the day is almost here”?

In your opinion, what does this passage from 1 Peter help us to understand about Joel 1:13-20 “day of the Lord”?

In your opinion, what does this 1 Peter teaching about the end of all things help us understand the disciples proclaiming “The kingdom of heaven has come near” in Matthew 10:1-15?

In your opinion, what does this passage from 1 Peter show us about the Great Commission?

Next, back to Matthew 10:16 – (sprucewhispers.blogspot.com)