4/18/12

The color of life


I know that this is a picture, but it looks like a painting to me.  Its as if someone painted everything above the waterline with little dots and the result was both picture and painting.  In reality I understand that the spray from the wave has distorted the image, but the impression remains with me still.  One thing that the picture practically shouts is life.  Its hard to imagine that the person on the surfboard doesn't feel exhilarated with the combination of sea, wave and color.  Yet, I wonder how many of us go through life daily in a humdrum way, living our lives the same way, day after day after day after day until we become numb with the repetition.  But, there is a better way.  We need a guide to help us and the only one that will do is a heavenly one.  Jesus is someone you can trust, someone who will never let you down, someone who will show you what life is all about...
WEB: John Chapter 10

[1] "“Most certainly, I tell you, one who doesn’t enter by the door into the sheep fold, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. [2] But one who enters in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. [3] The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out. [4] Whenever he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. [5] They will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him; for they don’t know the voice of strangers.”" [6] Jesus spoke this parable to them, but they didn’t understand what he was telling them.

[7] Jesus therefore said to them again, "“Most certainly, I tell you, I am the sheep’s door. [8] All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep didn’t listen to them. [9] I am the door. If anyone enters in by me, he will be saved, and will go in and go out, and will find pasture. [10] The thief only comes to steal, kill, and destroy. I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.

In our electronic age, we are bombarded with information.  Our lives are influenced in so many ways by people who do not have our best interest at heart.  Think of all the TV commercials you have seen during your lifetime.  Buy this and life will be better, get my book and you will succeed or lose weight and  really enjoy life.  There is no end to it because its all about greed.  But, there is one voice out there that beckons with a different motive; Jesus.  He is the door to true life (verse 10 above) and really cares.  Trust him and him alone to guide you through life and discover what real life is all about.  Somehow its like I am on the surfboard in the picture and I experience everything I should and nothing can distract me.  This world and all its treasures mean nothing; with God's guidance life becomes painted with all the colors of the rainbow and means something.

Apr. 18 Numbers 27, 28


Apr. 18
Numbers 27, 28

Num 27:1 Then drew near the daughters of Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of Manasseh the son of Joseph; and these are the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, and Hoglah, and Milcah, and Tirzah.
Num 27:2 They stood before Moses, and before Eleazar the priest, and before the princes and all the congregation, at the door of the Tent of Meeting, saying,
Num 27:3 Our father died in the wilderness, and he was not among the company of those who gathered themselves together against Yahweh in the company of Korah: but he died in his own sin; and he had no sons.
Num 27:4 Why should the name of our father be taken away from among his family, because he had no son? Give to us a possession among the brothers of our father.
Num 27:5 Moses brought their cause before Yahweh.
Num 27:6 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
Num 27:7 The daughters of Zelophehad speak right: you shall surely give them a possession of an inheritance among their father's brothers; and you shall cause the inheritance of their father to pass to them.
Num 27:8 You shall speak to the children of Israel, saying, If a man die, and have no son, then you shall cause his inheritance to pass to his daughter.
Num 27:9 If he have no daughter, then you shall give his inheritance to his brothers.
Num 27:10 If he have no brothers, then you shall give his inheritance to his father's brothers.
Num 27:11 If his father has no brothers, then you shall give his inheritance to his kinsman who is next to him of his family, and he shall possess it: and it shall be to the children of Israel a statute and ordinance, as Yahweh commanded Moses.
Num 27:12 Yahweh said to Moses, Go up into this mountain of Abarim, and see the land which I have given to the children of Israel.
Num 27:13 When you have seen it, you also shall be gathered to your people, as Aaron your brother was gathered;
Num 27:14 because you rebelled against my word in the wilderness of Zin, in the strife of the congregation, to sanctify me at the waters before their eyes. (These are the waters of Meribah of Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.)
Num 27:15 Moses spoke to Yahweh, saying,
Num 27:16 Let Yahweh, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation,
Num 27:17 who may go out before them, and who may come in before them, and who may lead them out, and who may bring them in; that the congregation of Yahweh not be as sheep which have no shepherd.
Num 27:18 Yahweh said to Moses, Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him;
Num 27:19 and set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and commission him in their sight.
Num 27:20 You shall put of your honor on him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may obey.
Num 27:21 He shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall inquire for him by the judgment of the Urim before Yahweh: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation.
Num 27:22 Moses did as Yahweh commanded him; and he took Joshua, and set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation:
Num 27:23 and he laid his hands on him, and commissioned him, as Yahweh spoke by Moses.
Num 28:1 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
Num 28:2 Command the children of Israel, and tell them, My offering, my food for my offerings made by fire, of a pleasant aroma to me, you shall observe to offer to me in their due season.
Num 28:3 You shall tell them, This is the offering made by fire which you shall offer to Yahweh: male lambs a year old without blemish, two day by day, for a continual burnt offering.
Num 28:4 You shall offer the one lamb in the morning, and you shall offer the other lamb at evening;
Num 28:5 with the tenth part of an ephah of fine flour for a meal offering, mixed with the fourth part of a hin of beaten oil.
Num 28:6 It is a continual burnt offering, which was ordained in Mount Sinai for a pleasant aroma, an offering made by fire to Yahweh.
Num 28:7 Its drink offering shall be the fourth part of a hin for the one lamb. You shall pour out a drink offering of strong drink to Yahweh in the holy place.
Num 28:8 The other lamb you shall offer at evening: as the meal offering of the morning, and as the drink offering of it, you shall offer it, an offering made by fire, of a pleasant aroma to Yahweh.
Num 28:9 On the Sabbath day two male lambs a year old without blemish, and two tenth parts of an ephah of fine flour for a meal offering, mixed with oil, and the drink offering of it:
Num 28:10 this is the burnt offering of every Sabbath, besides the continual burnt offering, and the drink offering of it.
Num 28:11 In the beginnings of your months you shall offer a burnt offering to Yahweh: two young bulls, and one ram, seven male lambs a year old without blemish;
Num 28:12 and three tenth parts of an ephah of fine flour for a meal offering, mixed with oil, for each bull; and two tenth parts of fine flour for a meal offering, mixed with oil, for the one ram;
Num 28:13 and a tenth part of fine flour mixed with oil for a meal offering to every lamb; for a burnt offering of a pleasant aroma, an offering made by fire to Yahweh.
Num 28:14 Their drink offerings shall be half a hin of wine for a bull, and the third part of a hin for the ram, and the fourth part of a hin for a lamb: this is the burnt offering of every month throughout the months of the year.
Num 28:15 One male goat for a sin offering to Yahweh; it shall be offered besides the continual burnt offering, and the drink offering of it.
Num 28:16 In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, is Yahweh's Passover.
Num 28:17 On the fifteenth day of this month shall be a feast: seven days shall unleavened bread be eaten.
Num 28:18 In the first day shall be a holy convocation: you shall do no servile work;
Num 28:19 but you shall offer an offering made by fire, a burnt offering to Yahweh: two young bulls, and one ram, and seven male lambs a year old; they shall be to you without blemish;
Num 28:20 and their meal offering, fine flour mixed with oil: you shall offer three tenth parts for a bull, and two tenth parts for the ram.
Num 28:21 You shall offer a tenth part for every lamb of the seven lambs;
Num 28:22 and one male goat for a sin offering, to make atonement for you.
Num 28:23 You shall offer these besides the burnt offering of the morning, which is for a continual burnt offering.
Num 28:24 After this manner you shall offer daily, for seven days, the food of the offering made by fire, of a pleasant aroma to Yahweh: it shall be offered besides the continual burnt offering, and the drink offering of it.
Num 28:25 On the seventh day you shall have a holy convocation: you shall do no servile work.
Num 28:26 Also in the day of the first fruits, when you offer a new meal offering to Yahweh in your feast of weeks, you shall have a holy convocation; you shall do no servile work;
Num 28:27 but you shall offer a burnt offering for a pleasant aroma to Yahweh: two young bulls, one ram, seven male lambs a year old;
Num 28:28 and their meal offering, fine flour mixed with oil, three tenth parts for each bull, two tenth parts for the one ram,
Num 28:29 a tenth part for every lamb of the seven lambs;
Num 28:30 one male goat, to make atonement for you.
Num 28:31 Besides the continual burnt offering, and the meal offering of it, you shall offer them (they shall be to you without blemish), and their drink offerings.

Apr. 18, 19 Luke 11


Apr. 18, 19
Luke 11

Luk 11:1 It happened, that when he finished praying in a certain place, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John also taught his disciples."
Luk 11:2 He said to them, "When you pray, say, 'Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come. May your will be done on Earth, as it is in heaven.
Luk 11:3 Give us day by day our daily bread.
Luk 11:4 Forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.' "
Luk 11:5 He said to them, "Which of you, if you go to a friend at midnight, and tell him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread,
Luk 11:6 for a friend of mine has come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him,'
Luk 11:7 and he from within will answer and say, 'Don't bother me. The door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I can't get up and give it to you'?
Luk 11:8 I tell you, although he will not rise and give it to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence, he will get up and give him as many as he needs.
Luk 11:9 "I tell you, keep asking, and it will be given you. Keep seeking, and you will find. Keep knocking, and it will be opened to you.
Luk 11:10 For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened.
Luk 11:11 "Which of you fathers, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, he won't give him a snake instead of a fish, will he?
Luk 11:12 Or if he asks for an egg, he won't give him a scorpion, will he?
Luk 11:13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?"
Luk 11:14 He was casting out a demon, and it was mute. It happened, when the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke; and the multitudes marveled.
Luk 11:15 But some of them said, "He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of the demons."
Luk 11:16 Others, testing him, sought from him a sign from heaven.
Luk 11:17 But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation. A house divided against itself falls.
Luk 11:18 If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul.
Luk 11:19 But if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your children cast them out? Therefore will they be your judges.
Luk 11:20 But if I by the finger of God cast out demons, then the Kingdom of God has come to you.
Luk 11:21 "When the strong man, fully armed, guards his own dwelling, his goods are safe.
Luk 11:22 But when someone stronger attacks him and overcomes him, he takes from him his whole armor in which he trusted, and divides his spoils.
Luk 11:23 "He that is not with me is against me. He who doesn't gather with me scatters.
Luk 11:24 The unclean spirit, when he has gone out of the man, passes through dry places, seeking rest, and finding none, he says, 'I will turn back to my house from which I came out.'
Luk 11:25 When he returns, he finds it swept and put in order.
Luk 11:26 Then he goes, and takes seven other spirits more evil than himself, and they enter in and dwell there. The last state of that man becomes worse than the first."
Luk 11:27 It came to pass, as he said these things, a certain woman out of the multitude lifted up her voice, and said to him, "Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts which nursed you!"
Luk 11:28 But he said, "On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God, and keep it."
Luk 11:29 When the multitudes were gathering together to him, he began to say, "This is an evil generation. It seeks after a sign. No sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah, the prophet.
Luk 11:30 For even as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will also the Son of Man be to this generation.
Luk 11:31 The Queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and will condemn them: for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, one greater than Solomon is here.
Luk 11:32 The men of Nineveh will stand up in the judgment with this generation, and will condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, one greater than Jonah is here.
Luk 11:33 "No one, when he has lit a lamp, puts it in a cellar or under a basket, but on a stand, that those who come in may see the light.
Luk 11:34 The lamp of the body is the eye. Therefore when your eye is good, your whole body is also full of light; but when it is evil, your body also is full of darkness.
Luk 11:35 Therefore see whether the light that is in you isn't darkness.
Luk 11:36 If therefore your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly full of light, as when the lamp with its bright shining gives you light."
Luk 11:37 Now as he spoke, a certain Pharisee asked him to dine with him. He went in, and sat at the table.
Luk 11:38 When the Pharisee saw it, he marveled that he had not first washed himself before dinner.
Luk 11:39 The Lord said to him, "Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the platter, but your inward part is full of extortion and wickedness.
Luk 11:40 You foolish ones, didn't he who made the outside make the inside also?
Luk 11:41 But give for gifts to the needy those things which are within, and behold, all things will be clean to you.
Luk 11:42 But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, but you bypass justice and the love of God. You ought to have done these, and not to have left the other undone.
Luk 11:43 Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seats in the synagogues, and the greetings in the marketplaces.
Luk 11:44 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like hidden graves, and the men who walk over them don't know it."
Luk 11:45 One of the lawyers answered him, "Teacher, in saying this you insult us also."
Luk 11:46 He said, "Woe to you lawyers also! For you load men with burdens that are difficult to carry, and you yourselves won't even lift one finger to help carry those burdens.
Luk 11:47 Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets, and your fathers killed them.
Luk 11:48 So you testify and consent to the works of your fathers. For they killed them, and you build their tombs.
Luk 11:49 Therefore also the wisdom of God said, 'I will send to them prophets and apostles; and some of them they will kill and persecute,
Luk 11:50 that the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation;
Luk 11:51 from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zachariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary.' Yes, I tell you, it will be required of this generation.
Luk 11:52 Woe to you lawyers! For you took away the key of knowledge. You didn't enter in yourselves, and those who were entering in, you hindered."
Luk 11:53 As he said these things to them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to be terribly angry, and to draw many things out of him;
Luk 11:54 lying in wait for him, and seeking to catch him in something he might say, that they might accuse him.

"THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW" Introduction by Mark Copeland

                       "THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW"

                              Introduction

The book of Matthew has always occupied a position of high esteem in the
faith and life of the church:

"When we turn to Matthew, we turn to the book which may well be called
the most important single document of the Christian faith, for in it we
have the fullest and the most systematic account of the life and the
teachings of Jesus." (William Barclay)

The writings of the early church fathers reveal that it was the most
frequently quoted and perhaps the most widely read gospel during the
first two centuries of the church's history.

AUTHOR

The apostolic origin and canonical rank of the gospel of Matthew were
accepted without a doubt by the early church (ISBE).  Matthew, surnamed
Levi, had been a tax-collector,  one of Jesus' earliest disciples (Mt
9:9; Mk 2:14).  He was chosen to be one of the twelve apostles (Mt
10:2-3).  A close associate of Jesus during His ministry, Matthew's
gospel is a first hand account, unlike Luke who depended upon other
eyewitnesses (Lk 1:1-4).

DATE

Irenaeus says it was written when Peter and Paul were preaching in Rome
(Against Heresies 3.1.1).  Eusebius states that this was done when
Matthew left Palestine and went to preach to others (Historia
Ecclesiastica, III, 24).  Clement of Alexandria said that the presbyters
who succeeded each other from the beginning declared that "the gospels
containing the genealogies (Matthew and Luke) were written first"
(Eusebius, Historia Ecclesiastica, VI, 14).  It is traditionally dated
in the late 50s or early  60s A.D.

THEME

The gospel appears written to Jews, designed to prove that Jesus is the
Messianic king of Old Testament (OT) prophecy.  This is evidenced by
Matthew’s frequent appeal to OT Messianic prophecies.  He quotes from
almost every book in the OT, and twelve times he identifies OT
prophecies as fulfilled in the life of Jesus (Mt 1:22; 2:15,23; 4:14;
5:17; 8:17; 12:17; 13:14,35; 21:4; 27:9).  One could therefore say that
the theme is:
                    Jesus, the King of the Jews

SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS

It is a Jewish gospel.  We've noted its frequent appeal to OT
prophecies.  It's organization is mostly topical, as opposed to strictly
chronological (a common style in Jewish literature).  Thus it appears to
have been written with a Jewish audience in mind.

It is an ecclesiastical gospel.  It is the only gospel which mentions
the word "church".  It foretells its beginning (Mt 16:18), and describes
some of the life in the church (Mt 18:15-17).  It contains lengthy
discourses especially beneficial to those in the church, such as the
sermon on the mount (Mt 5-7), the many parables (Mt 13), and the Olivet
discourse (Mt 24-25).  It contains admonitions important to disciples of
Christ, such as the importance of doing the Father's will (Mt 7:21-23)
and observing all that Jesus commanded (Mt 28:20).  In other words, this
was a gospel designed for use by those in the early church.

It is an evangelistic gospel.  It is a preaching gospel, especially when
compared with the apostles' preaching found in Acts.  It expands upon
the basic elements and points made in their sermons.  Consider these
themes in apostolic preaching:

   *  God's promises in the OT have been fulfilled - Ac 3:18,24
   *  The long-awaited Messiah, born of David's line, has come - Ac 13:23
   *  He is Jesus of Nazareth - Ac 13:23
   *  He went about preaching and doing good through mighty works - Ac
      10:38
   *  He was crucified according to the promise and will of God - Ac
      2:22,23
   *  He was raised from the dead, and exalted at God's right hand - Ac
      2:24,32-33
   *  He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead - Ac
      3:20-21; 17:30-31
   *  Therefore, all should heed His message, repent, and be baptized
      - Ac 2:36-38

All of these points are expanded upon in the gospel of Matthew.

OUTLINE

(adapted from The Wycliffe Bible Commentary)

1. The birth and childhood of Jesus - Mt 1:1-2:23
   a. Genealogy of Christ - Mt 1:1-17
   b. Birth of Christ - Mt 1:18-25
   c. Visit of the Magi - Mt 2:1-12
   d. Flight into Egypt and massacre of the infants - Mt 2:13-18
   e. Residence at Nazareth - Mt 2:19-23

2. The preparation for the ministry of Jesus - Mt 3:1-4:11
   a. The forerunner of Christ - Mt 3:1-12
   b. Baptism of Christ - Mt 3:13-17
   c. Temptation of Christ - Mt 4:1-11

3. The ministry of Jesus in Galilee - Mt 4:12-18:35
   a. Residence at Capernaum - Mt 4:12-17
   b. Call of four disciples - Mt 4:18-22
   c. General survey of the Galilean ministry - Mt 4:23-25
   d. Sermon on the mount - Mt 5:1-7:29
   e. Ten miracles and related events - Mt 8:1-9:38
   f. Mission of the twelve - Mt 10:1-42
   g. Christ's answer to John, and related discourse - Mt 11:1-30
   h. Opposition from the Pharisees - Mt 12:1-50
   i. A series of parables on the kingdom - Mt 13:1-58
   j. Withdrawal of Jesus following John's beheading - Mt 14:1-36
   k. Conflict with the Pharisees over tradition - Mt 15:1-20
   l. Withdrawal to Phoenecia and healing of a Canaanitish woman's
      daughter - Mt 15:21-28
   m. Return to the Sea of Galilee and performing of miracles - Mt
      15:29-38
   n. Renewed conflict with the Pharisees and Sadducees - Mt 15:39-16:4
   o. Withdrawal to the region of Caesarea Philippi - Mt 16:5-17:23
   p. Instruction of the twelve at Capernaum - Mt 17:24-18:35

4. The ministry of Jesus in Perea - Mt 19:1-20:16
   a. Teaching on divorce - Mt 19:1-12
   b. Blessing of the children - Mt 19:13-15
   c. Interview with the rich young man - Mt 19:16-30
   d. Parable of the laborers in the vineyard - Mt 20:1-16

5. The ministry of Jesus in Judea - Mt 20:17-34
   a. Another prediction of Christ's death and resurrection - Mt
      20:17-19
   b. Ambitious request of Zebedee's sons - Mt 20:20-28
   c. Healing of two blind men - Mt 20:29-34

6. The ministry of Jesus in Jerusalem - Mt 21:1-25:46
   a. Triumphal entry - Mt 21:1-11
   b. Cleansing the Temple - Mt 21:12-17
   c. Cursing of the barren fig tree - Mt 21:18-22
   d. Questioning of Jesus' authority and his parabolic answer - Mt
      21:23-22:14
   e. Questioning of Jesus by various groups - Mt 22:15-46
   f. Jesus' public denunciation of the Pharisees - Mt 23:1-39
   g. Olivet Discourse - Mt 24:1-25:46

7. The suffering of Jesus - Mt 26:1-27:66
   a. Plot against Jesus - Mt 26:1-16
   b. The final meal - Mt 26:17-30
   c. Prediction of Peter's denial - Mt 26:31-35
   d. Events in Gethsemane - Mt 26:36-56
   e. Events at the Jewish trials - Mt 26:57-27:2
   f. Remorse of Judas - Mt 27:3-10
   g. Events at the Roman trials - Mt 27:11-31
   h. The Crucifixion - Mt 27:32-56
   i. Burial - Mt 27:32-56

8. The resurrection of Jesus - Mt 28:1-20
   a. Discovery of the empty tomb - Mt 28:1-8
   b. Appearance of Jesus Christ - Mt 28:9,10
   c. Report of the soldiers - Mt 28:11-15
   d. The great commission - Mt 28:16-20

REVIEW QUESTIONS

1) Who authored the book of Matthew?
   - Matthew, also called Levi
   - An early disciple, and an apostle of Jesus Christ

2) Approximately when was the book written?
   - The late 50s or early 60s A.D.

3) What has been suggested as the theme of Matthew’s gospel?
   - Jesus, the King of the Jews

4) What three characteristics of the gospel were noted in the
   introduction?
   - It is a Jewish gospel
   - It is an ecclesiastical gospel
   - It is an evangelistic gospel

5) List the eight sections of the gospel as indicated in the outline
   - The birth and childhood of Jesus
   - The preparation for the ministry of Jesus
   - The ministry of Jesus in Galilee
   - The ministry of Jesus in Perea
   - The ministry of Jesus in Judea
   - The ministry of Jesus in Jerusalem
   - The suffering of Jesus
   - The resurrection of Jesus