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THE ARRIVAL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (Part 2)

THE ARRIVAL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
(Part 2)

Text: Selected Scriptures (NASB)

Introduction: It had been prophesied by the prophet Joel that in the last days God would pour out His Spirit on all flesh.

[READ Joel 2:28-32]

28 “It will come about after this
That I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind;
And your sons and your daughters will prophesy,
Your old men will have dreams,
Your young men will see visions.
29 And even on the male and female servants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days.
30 I will display wonders in the sky and on the earth,
Blood, fire, and columns of smoke.
31 The sun will be turned into darkness,
And the moon into blood,
Before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes.
32 And it will come about that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord
Will be saved;
For on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem
There will be those who escape,
Just as the Lord has said,
Even among the survivors whom the Lord calls.

The future ministry of the disciples depended on them receiving the Holy Spirit and relying on His power (Acts 1:8-9). Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit of truth, the Helper, would abide with them forever. This Spirit, who had dwelt with them, would now be in them (Jn. 14:16-17).

I. HISTORICAL & APOLOGETICS BACKGROUND

Jesus promised that His disciples, those who trusted in Him as Savior and Lord, would be baptized with the Holy Spirit.

[READ Acts 1:4-5]

4 Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, “Which,” He said, “you heard of from Me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

In the same way, all believers at the moment of salvation are baptized in the Spirit. When we believe, we are sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.

[READ Eph. 1:13-14]

13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation -- having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of the promise, 14 who is a first installment of our inheritance, in regard to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.

This baptism of the Spirit is a one-time event.

[READ 1 Cor. 12:13]

13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

The New Testament does not command believers to be baptized with the Holy Spirit. It is not an experience we are to seek, but rather it is God’s action performed on the believer at the moment of regeneration. Believers are, however, commanded to be filled with the Spirit, which means to be controlled by the Spirit.

[READ Eph. 5:18]

18 And do not get drunk with wine, in which there is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit ….

To be filled with the Spirit involves confessing all known sin and dying to self. As we walk in the Spirit, we will manifest the fruit of the Spirit.

[READ Gal. 5:16-23]

16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. 17 For the desire of the flesh is against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, in order to keep you from doing whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. 19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior, 20 idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, 21 envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

The fruit of the Spirit will show itself clearly as we live a life pleasing to God.

[READ Col. 1:10]

10 So that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;

We will also be conformed to the image of Christ (Rom. 8:29), and in a right relationship with those around us (Col. 3:16 - 4:1).

It is staggering to see God’s providence at work throughout the Bible, and Pentecost is no exception. God had providentially ordained that it would be during Pentecost, when men from many countries were present, that the Holy Spirit would descend from heaven. Acts 2 mentions Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, Libya, and Rome. This list of nations recorded in Acts reminds us of the list of nations in Genesis 10 at the tower of Babel. At Babel, God confused the language and dispersed the people around the world as judgment for their foolish pride. Now, at Pentecost, God reversed the confusion experienced at Babel with the miracle of speaking in tongues. Now people of all languages could understand! And God’s purpose that the gospel be spread to all nations was launched way beyond the borders of Jerusalem to many nations as the men in Jerusalem that day returned to their homes.

II. THE WORK OF THE SPIRIT
If you are in Christ, you have received the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit empowers us to do many things, but we might not recognize all the things that Scripture teaches about the Spirit’s work in our lives.

[READ Eph. 1:13-14]

The Holy Spirit seals us as the guarantee that God will raise us to new life in heaven to His glory.

[READ Gal. 5:22-26]

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25 If we live by the Spirit, let’s follow the Spirit as well. 26 Let’s not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.

The Holy Spirit produces the fruit of righteousness in us, allowing us to walk in His power so that we do not fulfill the passions of our flesh.

[READ Jn. 14:15-18]

15 “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.
16 I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, so that He may be with you forever; 17 the Helper is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him; but you know Him because He remains with you and will be in you.
18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you.

The Holy Spirit abides in us to help us obey Christ and be in fellowship with God.

[READ 1 Cor. 2:10-16]

10 For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. 11 For who among people knows the thoughts of a person except the spirit of the person that is in him? So also the thoughts of God no one knows, except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God. 13 We also speak these things, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.
14 But a natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But the one who is spiritual discerns all things, yet he himself is discerned by no one. 16 For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he will instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.

The Holy Spirit enlightens our minds to the spiritual truths that we were formerly dead to, helping us discern truth from error.

[READ 1 Cor. 12:4-11]

4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. 6 There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. 7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.

The Holy Spirit gives gifts to each believer that he or she uses in serving the body.

[READ Rom. 8:12-17]

12 So then, brothers and sisters, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh -- 13 for if you are living in accord with the flesh, you are going to die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons and daughters of God. 15 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons and daughters by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.

The Holy Spirit empowers and leads us to avoid the sins of the flesh and assures us of our adoption as children of God.

This is just a sample of all the Holy Spirit does! God the Holy Spirit is dwelling in us, empowering us to do all that God has called us to do. I would encourage you to spend some more time this week looking through these additional passages to develop a deeper understanding of the Spirit’s work (see 1 Cor. 12; Acts 7:51, 13:2-4, 15:28, 20:28; 2 Tim. 1:14; Jn. 3:5-8, 14:26; Eph. 3:16, 4:3-4, 4:30, 5:18; Rom. 8:9-11, 8:26-27, 15:16).

III. APPLICATION

* As you consider the work of the Holy Spirit, how has your thinking changed from the time that you were first saved (or even before your salvation)? Discuss.

* On Pentecost, Peter preached in power before the crowd, boldly proclaiming the truth rather than denying Christ. What changed between the night of Jesus’ arrest, when Peter denied knowing Christ, and his preaching at Pentecost? First, Peter had seen the risen Savior and had been restored by Him. Second, Peter had also been empowered by the Holy Spirit. The indwelling of the Spirit is the major reason that Peter could boldly proclaim those truths and continue to spread the truth of the gospel in the face of much persecution.

THE ARRIVAL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT -- Part 2 - Study Guide

THE ARRIVAL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT -- Part 2

Answers (Lesson 154) - Nov. 20, 2024 - Supplemental Study

TEXT: Selected Scriptures (NASB)

INTRODUCTION: Joel 2:28-32

I. HISTORICAL & APOLOGETICS BACKGROUND

Jesus promised that His disciples, those who trusted in Him as Savior and Lord, would be baptized with the Holy Spirit.

Acts 1:4-5

In the same way, all believers at the moment of salvation are baptized in the Spirit. When we believe, we are sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 1:13-14

This baptism of the Spirit is a one-time event.

1 Corinthians 12:13

Ephesians 5:18

To be filled with the Spirit involves confessing all known sin and dying to self. As we walk in the Spirit, we will manifest the fruit of the Spirit.

Galatians 5:16-23

The fruit of the Spirit will show itself clearly as we live a life pleasing to God.

Colossians 1:10

We will also be conformed to the image of Christ (Rom. 8:29), and in a right relationship with those around us (Col. 3:16 - 4:1).

Today, people from most every language can understand the gospel! God’s purpose that the gospel be spread to all nations was launched way beyond the borders of Jerusalem to many nations as the men in Jerusalem that day returned to their homes.

II. THE WORK OF THE SPIRIT

If you are in Christ, you have received the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit empowers us to do many things, but we might not recognize all the things that Scripture teaches about the Spirit’s work in our lives.

Ephesians 1:13-14

The Holy Spirit seals us as the guarantee that God will raise us to new life in heaven to His glory.

Galatians 5:22-26

The Holy Spirit produces the fruit of righteousness in us, allowing us to walk in His power so that we do not fulfill the passions of our flesh.

John 14:15-18
The Holy Spirit abides in us to help us obey Christ and be in fellowship with God.

1 Corinthians 2:10-16

The Holy Spirit enlightens our minds to the spiritual truths that we were formerly dead to, helping us discern truth from error.

1 Corinthians 12:4-11

The Holy Spirit gives gifts to each believer that he or she uses in serving the body.

Romans 8:12-17

The Holy Spirit gives empowers and leads us to avoid the sins of the flesh and assures us of our adoption as children of God.

This is just a sample of all the Holy Spirit does! God the Holy Spirit is dwelling in us, empowering us to do all that God has called us to do.

Let me encourage you to spend some more time this week looking through these additional passages to develop a deeper understanding of the Spirit’s work (see 1 Cor. 12; Acts 7:51, 13:2-4, 15:28, 20:28; 2 Tim. 1:14; Jn. 3:5-8, 14:26; Eph. 3:16, 4:3-4, 4:30, 5:18; Rom. 8:9-11, 8:26-27, 15:16).

III. APPLICATION

As you consider the work of the Holy Spirit, how has your thinking changed from the time that you were first saved (or even before your salvation)?

On Pentecost, Peter preached in power before the crowd, boldly proclaiming the truth rather than denying Christ. What changed between the night of Jesus’ arrest, when Peter denied knowing Christ, and his preaching at Pentecost? First, Peter had seen the risen Savior and had been restored by Him. Second, Peter had also been empowered by the Holy Spirit. The indwelling of the Spirit is the major reason that Peter could boldly proclaim those truths and continue to spread the truth of the gospel in the face of much persecution.

THE ASCENSION & GREAT COMMISSION (Part 2)

THE ASCENSION & GREAT COMMISSION
(Part 2)

Text: Selected Scriptures (NASB)

Introduction: The great commission was not a new commandment. God’s heart has always been for the nations. God’s covenant with Israel in the Old Testament wasn’t for their sake alone; God had always intended that Israel would be a light to the nations.

[READ Isa. 42:6, 49:6, 60:3]

42:6 “I am the Lord, I have called You in righteousness, I will also hold You by the hand and watch over You, and I will appoint You as a covenant to the people, as a light to the nations ….
49:6 He says, “It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the protected ones of Israel; I will also make You a light of the nations so that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”

60:3 Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.

I. HISTORICAL & APOLOGETICS BACKGROUND

As early as Genesis, God’s intent to use the nation of Israel as a catalyst to spread His Word to all the world is clear. The judgment at the tower of Babel scattered people across the earth, and nations were formed. This was followed by God’s promise to Abram that through him and his seed “all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Gen. 12:3). God would use Abraham, the father of Israel, in a way that would be a means of blessing all the nations; from his seed, Jesus Christ would come and provide redemption to the world (Gen. 18:18, 22:18). The same promise was then given to Isaac (Gen. 26:4) and then to Jacob as the father of the 12 tribes of Israel (Gen. 28:14).

We know that Israel was God’s chosen nation. And yet God was jealous for all the peoples of the earth – both Jews and Gentiles – that they would worship His name. It is hard to miss the many Gentiles in the Old Testament who were known to be followers of the one true God of Israel. We encounter people like Melchizedek, the king of Salem; Jethro of Midian, Moses’ father-in-law; Rabab, the harlot of Jericho; Ruth of Moab; the widow of Zarephath; and many others like them. And who can forget God sending Jonah to take the message of repentance to the cruel Assyrians of Nineveh? The people of that pagan city believed God, repented of their sins, and turned to the one true God (Jonah 3:5-10).

God did not ordain that Israel alone would receive the blessing of salvation through the Messiah. God called Israel and put her into service to spread His name to the nations of the earth. The decisive fulfillment of God’s covenant with Abraham – that the nations of the earth would be blessed through his offspring – was accomplished in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. God’s plan was that through Jesus, all people – including those from the most pagan nations – can become children of Abraham and heirs of all his blessings through faith in Jesus Christ.

So when Jesus left His followers with the great commission, He was continuing the purpose of His Father that the everlasting gospel would be preached to those who dwell on the earth – to every nations, tribe, tongue, and people – that they would fear God and give Him glory, and that they would forever worship Him who made heaven and earth (Rev. 5:9-10). Now and always, Christians have the great privilege and the solemn responsibility to take the message of the gospel to the nations of the world.

II. WHOSE COMMISSION IS IT?

But wait! This command was given to the 11 disciples and possibly some others who may have been with them, so where do we fit in? That’s the questions I want you to consider.

* Do you believe that you are responsible to spread the good news of the gospel as an evangelist? Discuss.

[READ Mt. 28:18-20]

18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

* In this passage, the disciples were commanded to spread the gospel, make disciples, and teach those disciples all that Jesus had taught them. If Jesus taught the disciples to spread the gospel, would the new disciples be responsible for spreading the gospel, too? This seems to be a natural conclusion; part of being a disciple is to share the message of our Lord and Savior with others.

[READ Lk. 24:46-48]

46 … And He said to them, “So it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And behold, I am sending the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

* To whom were the disciples supposed to preach the gospel? Was the task possible for this small group of disciples who lived over 2,000 years ago? They were to preach to all nations. So, this seems to imply an ongoing effort through more than just these few people and for a time beyond their short lives.

[READ 2 Cor. 5:18-21]

18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their wrongdoings against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin in our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

* According to these verses, what role do those who have been reconciled in Christ have? They are ambassadors for Christ to seek reconciliation between sinners and God, offering others the same hope of salvation they have been given.

* Has your answer to the first question changed in light of these passages? Some understand evangelism as a spiritual gift, but there are no passages that support this plainly (Eph. 4:11-13 is often used).

11 And He gave some as apostles, some as prophets, some as evangelists, some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ; 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.

This passage seems to be referring to the “office” of an evangelist or a training evangelist. Knowing what we have received in Christ should stir our hearts to share that hope and forgiveness with others.

* What would you say hinders you the most from being bold as an ambassador of Jesus Christ and His gospel? Discuss. We need to pray, asking God to remove any fears or doubts that we have. We should also become equipped to share the gospel through personal study and/or a training program.

III. APPLICATION

As we think about the great commission, we might think of it as a global game of “Telephone” continuing through the ages. One disciple shares the gospel message and makes another disciple, who makes another, who makes another, and so on as the gospel is spread around the world and throughout time. But evangelism involves much more than just sharing the gospel; it involves uniting believers to the church through baptism and continuing discipleship through the teaching of the Scriptures and fellowship in a local congregation. Whether we do that in our own neighborhoods and workplaces, or we travel to foreign lands, God can use us to gather many to Himself so they may also offer Him the worship He deserves.

THE ASCENSION & GREAT COMMISSION -- Part 2 - Study Guide

THE ASCENSION & GREAT COMMISSION -- Part 2

Answers (Lesson 153) - Nov. 13, 2024 -Supplemental Study

TEXT: Selected Scriptures (NASB)

INTRODUCTION: The great commission was not a new commandment. God’s heart has always been for the nations. God’s covenant with Israel in the Old Testament wasn’t for their sake alone; God had always intended that Israel would be a light to the nations.

I. HISTORICAL & APOLOGETICS BACKGROUND

God would use Abraham, the father of Israel, in a way that would be a means of blessing all the nations; from his seed, Jesus Christ would come and provide redemption to the world (Gen. 18:18, 22:18). The same promise was then given to Isaac (Gen. 26:4) and then to Jacob as the father of the 12 tribes of Israel (Gen. 28:14).

God did not ordain that Israel alone would receive the blessing of salvation through the Messiah. God called Israel and put her into service to spread His name to the nations of the earth.

The decisive fulfillment of God’s covenant with Abraham was accomplished in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. God’s plan was that through Jesus, all people – including those from the most pagan nations – can become children of Abraham and heirs of all his blessings through faith in Jesus Christ.

When Jesus left His followers with the great commission, He was continuing the purpose of His Father that the everlasting gospel would be preached to those who dwell on the earth, and that they would fear God and give Him glory, and that they would forever worship Him who made heaven and earth (Rev. 5:9-10).

II. WHOSE COMMISSION IS IT?

But wait! This command was given to the 11 disciples and possibly some others who may have been with them, so where do we fit in? Do you believe that you are responsible to spread the good news of the gospel as an evangelist?

Matthew 28:18-20

If Jesus taught the disciples to spread the gospel, would the new disciples be responsible for spreading the gospel, too? This seems to be a natural conclusion; part of being a disciple is to share the message of our Lord and Savior with others.

Luke 24:46-48

The disciples were supposed to preach the gospel to all nations. Was this even possible for such a small group of disciples who lived over 2,000 years ago? This seems to imply an ongoing effort through more than just these few people and for a time beyond their short lives.

2 Corinthians 5:18-21

Those who have been reconciled in Christ are ambassadors for Christ to seek reconciliation between sinners and God, offering others the same hope of salvation they have been given.

Some understand evangelism as a spiritual gift, but there are no passages that support this plainly though Ephesians 4:11-13 is often used.

Ephesians 4:11-13

Peter’s example should be encouraging to us. We share the same relationship with Jesus that Peter did. As sheep of Jesus’ flock, we can be sure that He will care for us just as He did for Peter. When we deny our Lord, He will restore us as we confess our sins. We have an advocate who is perfectly righteous and has paid for our sins. As our Shepherd, He will direct us and keep us.

We need to pray, asking God to remove any fears or doubts that we have. We should also become equipped to share the gospel through personal study and/or a training program.

III. APPLICATION

Evangelism involves much more than just sharing the gospel; it involves uniting believers to the church through baptism and continuing discipleship through the teaching of the Scriptures and fellowship in a local congregation. Whether we do that in our own neighborhoods and workplaces, or we travel to foreign lands, God can use us to gather many to Himself so they may also offer Him the worship He deserves.

JESUS APPEARS TO HIS DISCIPLES (Part 2)

JESUS APPEARS TO HIS DISCIPLES
(Part 2)

Text: Selected Scriptures (NASB)

Introduction: Just to summarize Sunday’s lesson, Jesus rose from the grave on Sunday morning and appeared at least five different times to nearly 20 different people on that first day. He appeared to Mary Magdalene, telling her that He must ascend to the Father (Jn. 20:17). He appeared to the other women who had been at the tomb: Mary the mother of James, Solome, Joanna, and the other women with them (Lk. 24:10; Mk. 16:1). He told them to bring the news to the disciples and to tell them He would come to them in Galilee. Then Jesus appeared to Cleopas and other disciples as they were walking to Emmaus. The two men were discussing the events of the last few days. Jesus then expounded the Old Testament scriptures to them, explaining how they concerned the Messiah (Lk. 24:13-27). Once the disciples recognized Him as Jesus, they returned to Jerusalem to tell the others. When they arrived, they found out Jesus had appeared to Peter as well (Lk. 24:33-34).

I. HISTORICAL & APOLOGETICS BACKGROUND

The central focus of Christianity is the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave. It was this pivotal moment in history, when Jesus conquered death and the grave, that gives humanity hope for all eternity if only they will repent and trust in Christ for salvation. The resurrection happened in real time and history. Paul speaks with all surety and confidence when she says, “Christ has been raised from the dead” (1 Cor. 15:20). He grounds this in both the revelation of Scripture (vs. 3-4), the testimony of those who had seen Him (vs. 5-8), and the historicity of Adam and the entrance of death into creation (vs. 21-22). Because of Christ’s triumphant resurrection from the dead, we can have full confidence in the coming resurrection of the dead when we, in resurrected bodies, will dwell with Christ for eternity (1 Cor. 15:35-49).

The resurrection showed clearly that Jesus Christ had the power to destroy death – the last enemy (1 Cor. 15:26). This realization made the enemies of God shudder at the truth of the resurrection of Jesus. But what could they do now that Jesus was alive again? The only thing they could do was seek to discredit the resurrection. And that they quickly did. The Bible tells us that the chief priests and elders paid a large sum of money to the soldiers who had been guarding the tomb to fund the lie that Jesus’ disciples had stolen the body of Jesus while the guards slept (Mt. 28:11-15). From that first week after His death even to this day, those who refuse to submit to the Lordship of Christ have invented many arguments to try and explain away the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.

While the Bible speaks of Jesus showing Himself by many infallible proofs (Acts 1:3), we must acknowledge that we do not have tangible access to those proofs today. But what we do have is the record of all these things and more in the inspired, inerrant Word of God. We can trust all of God’s Word, including the accounts of Jesus’ resurrection and later appearances.

II. GOD’S RESTORATIVE GRACE

From Sunday’s notes, I would like you to take a few minutes to consider the parallels between Peter’s denial of Jesus and Jew’s restoration of Peter. Then, apply some of these ideas to your own life, considering how you may be like Peter. We will discuss what you find in a few minutes.

Time’s up! So, let’s talk about some of the similarities you found between Peter’s denial and his restoration.

* What parallels did you find? (1) There are three instances of questions to Peter that led to denial just as there were three questions that led to affirming his love for Jesus; (2) While in the upper room, Peter had claimed he loved Jesus more than the other disciples and made similar claims as Jesus questioned him at the fireside; (3) Peter was grieved after the third instance in both cases.

[READ Jn. 10:27-30]

27 My sheep listen to My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; 28 and I give them eternal life, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are One.”

* How does this passage help you understand how God’s grace is available in your life even when you fail to honor Him perfectly? Jesus is the good Shepherd who will perfectly guard His sheep. Those who are His will never perish, and no one can snatch away those who are His. In other words, as believers we are being held in the hand of Jesus as the Father holding on around that hand, securing the believer’s salvation.

[READ Jn. 17:9-12]

9 I ask on their behalf; I do not ask on behalf of the world, but on the behalf of those whom You have given Me, because they are Yours; 10 and all things that are Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine; and I have been glorified in them. 11 I am no longer going to be in the world; and yet they themselves are in the world, and I am coming to You. Holy Father, keep them in Your name, the name which You have given Me, so that they may be one just as We are.  12 While I was with them, I was keeping them in Your name, which You have given Me; and I guarded them, and not one of them perished except the son of destruction, so that the Scripture would be fulfilled.

* How does Jesus’ prayer here make it clear that Peter’s denial and restoration were part of God’s plan for Peter? Jesus acknowledged that Judas (the son of perdition) was the only one given to Him by the Father who had been lost. Jesus knew that Peter would deny Him (and had already predicted such), but He also knew that Peter would not be lost. Peter repented unto life; Judas’ remorse led to death.

[READ 2 Cor. 7:10]

10 For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.

* In what ways might you deny Jesus as Lord in your day-to-day life?

* Now, how do you live on a daily basis as a demonstration of the fruit of the Spirit in your life?

* How does the description of Peter’s denial and restoration offer you encouragement as a follower of Jesus when you deny Christ by your actions? We all sin. We all fail to live up to the perfect standard of God’s holiness. But the righteous Jesus advocates for us, having satisfied the wrath of God for our sins and justifying us before the Father. That truth keeps us from despair and exhorts us to strive to live in a way that honors Christ. When we do fail, we can confess our sins, trusting that our faithful God and Father will forgive us because of the work of His perfect Son.

* What encouragement do you find in knowing that there is restoration when we confess our sins to God? Peter’s example should be encouraging to us. We share the same relationship with Jesus that Peter did. As sheep of Jesus’ flock, we can be sure that He will care for us just as He did for Peter. When we deny our Lord, He will restore us as we confess our sins. We have an advocate who is perfectly righteous and has paid for our sins. As our Shepherd, He will direct us and keep us.

III. APPLICATION

[READ Eph. 2:10]

10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

* How does the restoration of Peter by Jesus relate to Paul’s words here in Ephesians 2:10, and how does it relate to your life? Jesus had plans for Peter to accomplish, so His restorative work was to fulfill the future tasks that Peter had been placed on earth to do. Jesus even prophesied of Peter’s future work for the kingdom. Likewise, this promise is given to all Christians, and we know that we have the privilege of working to serve God by serving and loving others.

JESUS APPEARS TO HIS DISCIPLES -- Part 2 - Study Guide

JESUS APPEARS TO HIS DISCIPLES -- Part 2

Answers (Lesson 152) - Nov. 6, 2024 - Supplemental Study

TEXT: Selected Scriptures (NASB)

INTRODUCTION: Let’s quickly summarize Sunday’s sermon on the post-resurrection appearances of Jesus.

I. HISTORICAL & APOLOGETICS BACKGROUND

The resurrection happened in real time and history. Paul speaks with all surety and confidence when she says, “Christ has been raised from the dead” (1 Cor. 15:20).

He grounds this in both the revelation of Scripture (vs. 3-4), the testimony of those who had seen Him (vs. 5-8), and the historicity of Adam and the entrance of death into creation (vs. 21-22). Because of Christ’s triumphant resurrection from the dead, we can have full confidence in the coming resurrection of the dead when we, in resurrected bodies, will dwell with Christ for eternity (1 Cor. 15:35-49).

Christians can have the utmost confidence in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus since God’s Word accurately tells us about these historical events. These central truths of the Christian faith were also witnessed by hundreds of people. Jesus was publicly executed on a cross (Mt. 15:42-47), buried in Joseph’s tomb (Mk. 15:42-47), and seen alive again by more than 500 people at the same time (1 Cor. 15:6).
The resurrection showed clearly that Jesus Christ had the power to destroy death – the last enemy (1 Cor. 15:26). This realization made the enemies of God shudder at the truth of the resurrection of Jesus.

From that first week after His death even to this day, those who refuse to submit to the Lordship of Christ have invented many arguments to try and explain away the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.

II. GOD’S RESTORATIVE GRACE

Take a few minutes to consider the parallels between Peter’s denial of Jesus and Jew’s restoration of Peter. Then, apply some of these ideas to your own life, considering how you may be like Peter.

So, what parallels did you find? (1) There are three instances of questions to Peter that led to denial just as there were three questions that led to affirming his love for Jesus; (2) While in the upper room, Peter had claimed he loved Jesus more than the other disciples and made similar claims as Jesus questioned him at the fireside; (3) Peter was grieved after the third instance in both cases.

John 10:27-30

Jesus is the good Shepherd who will perfectly guard His sheep. Those who are His will never perish, and no one can snatch away those who are His. In other words, as believers we are being held in the hand of Jesus as the Father holding on around that hand, securing the believer’s salvation.

John 17:9-12

Jesus acknowledged that Judas (the son of perdition) was the only one given to Him by the Father who had been lost. Jesus knew that Peter would deny Him (and had already predicted such), but He also knew that Peter would not be lost. Peter repented unto life; Judas’ remorse led to death.

2 Corinthians 7:10

* In what ways might you deny Jesus as Lord in your day-to-day life?

* Now, how do you live on a daily basis as a demonstration of the fruit of the Spirit in your life?

* How does the description of Peter’s denial and restoration offer you encouragement as a follower of Jesus when you deny Christ by your actions?

We all sin. We all fail to live up to the perfect standard of God’s holiness. But the righteous Jesus advocates for us, having satisfied the wrath of God for our sins and justifying us before the Father. That truth keeps us from despair and exhorts us to strive to live in a way that honors Christ. When we do fail, we can confess our sins, trusting that our faithful God and Father will forgive us because of the work of His perfect Son.

III. APPLICATION

Ephesians 2:10

* How does the restoration of Peter by Jesus relate to Paul’s words here in Ephesians 2:10, and how does it relate to your life?

Jesus had plans for Peter to accomplish, so His restorative work was to fulfill the future tasks that Peter had been placed on earth to do. Jesus even prophesied of Peter’s future work for the kingdom. Likewise, this promise is given to all Christians, and we know that we have the privilege of working to serve God by serving and loving others.

JESUS IS CRUCIFIED (Part 2)

Selected Scriptures (NASB)

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JESUS IS CRUCIFIED (Part 2)

JESUS IS CRUCIFIED
(Part 2)

Text: Selected Scriptures (NASB)

Introduction: As we search God’s Word, we come to understand that the death of Jesus Christ was ordained and accomplished by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God Himself (Acts 2:23, 4:28). The prophet Isaiah, nearly 700 years before the crucifixion, wrote that it pleased the Lord to crush the Messiah and put Him to grief. God’s plan had always been that His Son’s soul would be an offering for sin (Isa. 53:10).

I. HISTORICAL & APOLOGETICS BACKGROUND

It ultimately was God Himself who determined, before the foundation of the world (1 Pet. 1:20; Rev. 13:8) to send His Son to live a perfect life, to die, and to be raised again from the dead so that sinners could be forgiven. In fact, this would be the ONLY possible way sinners could be reconciled to the holy, perfect, righteous God.

Here lies the paradox – the tension between man’s responsibility and God’s sovereignty. For despite God’s predetermination of Christ’s death, each person will be held responsible for the role they played in completing God’s plan. It was still an act of “lawless men” as Peter said (Acts 2:23). And Jesus Himself said He must go as had been determined, but woe to the one who betrayed Him (Lk. 22:22).

The death of God the Son – Jesus Christ – on the cross is undoubtedly the most horrific sin ever committed. And yet in it, we see the absolute sovereignty of God. In spite of the evil perpetrated, God’s infinitely good and eternal plan was perfectly fulfilled. The cross shows us more clearly than anything else that God’s perfect purposes will be accomplished in spite of, and even through, the evil intentions of sinners (Rom. 8:28).

II. THE COST OF THE CROSS

We know that there was a lot of physical suffering on the cross, but there was another aspect that we must also consider. We know from Scripture that God’s wrath against sin abides on sinners (Ps. 7:11; Jn. 3:36). Physical pain and death could not atone for this wrath. There was also a spiritual element to the payment Jesus made on the cross – the wrath of God was poured out on Jesus by the Father. We are going to look at several passages of Scripture that help us understand this idea. Interestingly, the place this idea is expressed most fully is in Isaiah 53, rather than a New Testament text.

[READ Isa. 53:1-12]

1 Who has believed our message
and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
2 He grew up before Him like a tender shoot,
and like a root out of dry ground.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to Him,
nothing in His appearance that we should desire Him.
3 He was despised and rejected by mankind,
a Man of suffering, and familiar with pain.
Like one from whom people hide their faces
He was despised, and we held Him in low esteem.
4 Surely He took up our pain
and bore our suffering,
yet we considered Him punished by God,
stricken by Him, and afflicted.
5 But He was pierced for our transgressions,
He was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on Him,
and by His wounds we are healed.
6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to our own way;
and the Lord has laid on Him
the iniquity of us all.
7 He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet He did not open His mouth;
He was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before its shearers is silent,
so He did not open His mouth.
8 By oppression and judgment He was taken away.
Yet who of His generation protested?
For He was cut off from the land of the living;
for the transgression of my people He was punished.
9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked,
and with the rich in His death,
though He had done no violence,
nor was any deceit in His mouth.
10 Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush Him and cause Him to suffer,
and though the Lord makes His life an offering for sin,
He will see His offspring and prolong His days,
and the will of the Lord will prosper in His hand.
11 After He has suffered,
He will see the light of life and be satisfied;
by His knowledge My righteous servant will justify many,
and He will bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore I will give Him a portion among the great,
and He will divide the spoils with the strong,
because He poured out His life unto death,
and was numbered with the transgressors.
For He bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors.

* How is Jesus described? There was nothing beautiful about His appearance that would have attracted people to Him.

* How was Jesus treated? He was despised by men and rejected by them. He was stricken, pierced, crushed, oppressed, afflicted, and led to slaughter. He was killed with the wicked (the two thieves) and buried in a rich man’s tomb (Joseph of Arimathea).

* How did Jesus respond to this treatment? He did not open His mouth in His own defense.

* What idea is repeated multiple times in verses 4 through 6? Jesus took our sins/sorrows/grief upon Himself. This idea is repeated in parallel form in these three verses.

* Who was responsible for crushing Jesus and putting Him to grief? God the Father (the LORD).

* In verses 10-12, what was made an offering for guilt? Jesus’ soul was made an offering for sin; His soul was poured out to death. It was this anguish of His soul that God the Father saw, and by it He was satisfied.

* What word is used in verse 12 to describe what Jesus did for sinners, and how does it describe what Jesus did on the cross? Jesus made intercession for transgressors. He was acting as an intermediary between God and man. Rather than sinners receiving the wrath of God, Jesus took that wrath upon Himself.

* What idea do you see repeated throughout this passage? The idea of the Messiah bearing the sins of others (borne our griefs; carried out sorrows; laid on Him the iniquity; bore the sin of man, etc.) is repeated.

* If you were to summarize Isaiah 53 in a sentence, what might you say? Suggestion: God the Father was pleased to pour out His wrath against sinners on His perfect Son who satisfied the wrath of God to justify the sins of many.

The perfect, righteous Son of God willingly poured out His soul on the cross to absorb the wrath of His Father that was poured out on Him so that the plan of redemption could be completed.

Justice was satisfied. Wrath was appeased. Mercy was extended. Love was demonstrated. Redemption was accomplished. Salvation was made available to all who would repent and trust in Jesus’ finished work on the cross.

Paul offers us several clear descriptions of what was accomplished on the cross. First, let’s look at Romans 5:6-11.

[READ Rom. 5:6-11]

6 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will hardly die for a righteous person; though perhaps for the good person someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11 And not only this, but we also celebrate in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

* What connection does this passage from Romans have to what we just read in Isaiah 53? The idea of Jesus dying in the place of sinners is in both passages, as well as the idea that it was God’s plan to demonstrate His love toward us.

* When did Christ die for us? While we were still ungodly sinners.

* What did His death save us from? He saved us from the wrath of God the Father, though the Trinity is fully united in all of these acts.

* What words are used to describe what His death accomplished? Justified by His blood; saved from wrath; reconciled to God by the death of His Son.

Now let’s look at 2 Corinthians 5:12-21.

[READ 2 Cor. 5:12-21]

12 We are not commending ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to be proud of us, so that you will have an answer for those who take pride in appearance and not in heart. 13 For if we have lost our minds, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; 15 and He died for all, so that those who live would no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose on their behalf.
16 Therefore from now on we recognize no one by the flesh; even though we have known Christ by the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer. 17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, this person is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their wrongdoings against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin in our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

* What is the connection between the message Paul was preaching and what Isaiah wrote about? Paul was proclaiming the truth that God has reconciled people to Himself through the death of Jesus.

* According to verse 21, how was this reconciliation accomplished? God the Father made Jesus, who was sinless, to be sin for us. This mirrors the language from Isaiah of being wounded for our transgressions and being bruised for our iniquities.

* What exchange is described in this verse? Our sin was placed on Christ, and His righteousness was placed on those who are in Christ.

While they have certain nuances to them, we use words like reconciliation, redemption, pardon, forgiveness, atonement, salvation, ransom, propitiation, and others to describe what was accomplished on the cross. The essence is summarized in the “Great Exchange” of 2 Corinthians 5:21 where Paul wrote, “He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” The Father saw the labor of the Son and the sacrifice brought satisfaction as the plan was accomplished.

We often remember the physical cost of the via dolorosa (the way of the suffering) and the suffering we can visualize. But as we see in these passages, Jesus suffered much more than His physical wounds. The cost of the cross was a spiritual price that went much deeper than mocking and physical beating. Jesus made offering for our guilt by pouring out His soul to death, bearing our sins and the wrath of God that those sins demanded. Jesus didn’t just bear the weight of the cross and the lashes of His flogging; He bore the weight of God’s wrath against sin.

III. APPLICATION

As Jesus hung on the cross, He faced an amazing amount of physical torment. Movies have been made that attempt to depict this reality, but these movies cannot capture the real nature of what was happening at the level of the soul. Jesus had not known a moment of displeasure from His Father. During eternity past, the Father and Son had lived in perfect fellowship with the Spirit, and Jesus had never sinned while on the earth to break that fellowship or face any displeasure. But the perfect, sinless Lamb of God faced the wrath of God against sin as it was poured out on Him while He hung there.

There is no wonder He cried out in anguish, feeling forsaken by His Father as He faced the wrath earned by mankind’s sin. The cup of wrath was held to the lips of the Son by the Father’s hand, and He drank it to the dregs (Ps. 75:8; Mt. 26:39, 42).

When He knew that His work of enduring the Father’s wrath was completed, Jesus cried out, “It is finished!” And it was. The debt owed for sin from the fall of Adam to the consummation was paid for on the cross. And unlike the sacrifices that had to be continually offered by the priests to cover sin, the blood of Jesus was a perfect sacrifice that would never need to be repeated (Heb. 9:11-15).

For those who believe in this finished work of Jesus on the cross and repent of their sins, eternal life in the presence of God is their future. For all of those who do not acknowledge these truths, the penalty of God’s wrath abides on them (Jn. 3:36), and their future is one of suffering for their sins in hell (Rom. 2:5-11).

But we also need to remember that Jesus’ death was not the end – His resurrection is also an important part of our redemption and justification. But we will have to save that for another lesson.

JESUS IS CRUCIFIED -- Part 2 - Study Guide

Answers (Lesson 150) - Oct. 23, 2024 - Supplemental Study

TEXT: Selected Scriptures (NASB)

INTRODUCTION: As we search God’s Word, we come to understand that the death of Jesus Christ was ordained and accomplished by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God Himself (Acts 2:23, 4:28).

I. HISTORICAL & APOLOGETICS BACKGROUND

Despite God’s predetermination of Christ’s death, each person will be held responsible for the role they played in completing God’s plan. It was still an act of “lawless men” as Peter said (Acts 2:23).

The death of God the Son – Jesus Christ – on the cross is undoubtedly the most horrific sin ever committed.

The cross shows us more clearly than anything else that God’s perfect purposes will be accomplished in spite of, and even through, the evil intentions of sinners (Rom. 8:28).

II. THE COST OF THE CROSS

We are going to look at several passages of Scripture that help us understand this idea. Interestingly, the place this idea is expressed most fully is in Isaiah 53, rather than a New Testament text.

Isaiah 53:1-12

There was nothing beautiful about Jesus’ appearance that would have attracted people to Him. He was despised by men and rejected by them. He was stricken, pierced, crushed, oppressed, afflicted, and led to slaughter. He was killed with the wicked (the two thieves) and buried in a rich man’s tomb (Joseph of Arimathea). Remember, Jesus did not open His mouth in His own defense.

In verses 4-6, the idea that Jesus took our sins/sorrows/grief upon Himself is repeated in parallel form in these three verses. We also learn that it was God the Father who was responsible for crushing Jesus and putting Him to grief.

Verses 10-12 tell us that Jesus’ soul was made an offering for sin; His soul was poured out to death. It was this anguish of His soul that God the Father saw, and by it He was satisfied. On the cross, Jesus made intercession for the transgressors. He was acting as an intermediary between God and man. Rather than sinners receiving the wrath of God, Jesus took that wrath upon Himself. Throughout this passage the idea of the Messiah bearing the sins of others is repeated.

If you were to summarize Isaiah 53 into one sentence, what do you think you would say? Here’s a suggestion: God the Father was pleased to pour out His wrath against sinners on His perfect Son who satisfied the wrath of God to justify the sins of many.

The perfect, righteous Son of God willingly poured out His soul on the cross to absorb the wrath of His Father that was poured out on Him so that the plan of redemption could be completed.

Paul offers us several clear descriptions of what was accomplished on the cross. First, let’s look at Romans 5:6-11.

Romans 5:6-11
The idea of Jesus dying in the place of sinners is in both this passage and Isaiah 53, as well as the idea that it was God’s plan to demonstrate His love toward us. Christ died for us while we were still ungodly sinners. His death saved us from the wrath of God the Father, even though the Trinity is fully united in all of these acts. We have been justified by His blood; saved from wrath; and reconciled to God by the death of His Son.

2 Corinthians 5:12-21

Paul was proclaiming the truth that God has reconciled people to Himself through the death of Jesus. He did this by making Jesus, who was sinless, to be sin for us. This mirrors the language from Isaiah of being wounded for our transgressions and being bruised for our iniquities. The “great exchange” described in this verse is that our sin was placed on Christ, and His righteousness was placed on those who are in Christ.

III. APPLICATION

There is no wonder Jesus cried out in anguish, feeling forsaken by His Father as He faced the wrath earned by mankind’s sin. The cup of wrath was held to the lips of the Son by the Father’s hand, and He drank it to the dregs (Ps. 75:8; Mt. 26:39, 42).

The blood of Jesus was a perfect sacrifice that would never need to be repeated (Heb. 9:11-15).

But we also need to remember that Jesus’ death was not the end – His resurrection is also an important part of our redemption and justification. But we will have to save that for another lesson.

JESUS IS ARRESTED (Part 2)

JESUS IS ARRESTED
(Part 2)

Text: Selected Scriptures (NASB)

Introduction: When we left off on Sunday, Jesus had been arrested and taken to the home of the high priest to be accused and condemned in a sort of kangaroo court by the council of elders. The events we will look at this morning took place during the dark, nighttime hours of Thursday evening.

I. HISTORICAL & APOLOGETICS BACKGROUND

When Jesus predicted His coming crucifixion and that His disciples would fall away, you will recall that Peter proudly proclaimed that he would never fall away (Mk. 14:27-29). And when Jesus told Peter that Satan had requested to sift him like wheat, Peter boldly retorted, “Lord, I am ready to go with You both to prison and to death” (Lk. 22:33). Then, when the soldiers came to arrest Jesus, it was Peter, trying to prove his courage and devotion, who drew a sword and whacked off the ear of the servant of the high priest.

Just a few hours later, Peter denied knowing Jesus three times. How could this happen? This was Peter, the great leader of the apostles – the one who showed such confidence and boldness! And this was not just a momentary slipup, but Peter’s denials occurred over a period of two hours. While the first one may be excusable since he was caught off guard, the next who were most definitely deliberate.

Judas also denied Jesus by betraying Him. Judas, too, felt some remorse. But he went out and hanged himself (Mt. 27:3-5). Peter, instead, wept bitterly, but his faith did not fail. He showed up at the tomb on Sunday. He was in the upper room with the other disciples. Though he had failed, he persevered in faith. What made the difference? Judas was not a true believer in Jesus. Jesus called him a devil, unclean, and the son of destruction (Jn. 6:70-71, 13:10-11, 17:12). Though Judas felt sorrow for his actions, it was not godly sorrow that leads to repentance, but worldly sorrow that leads to death (2 Cor. 7:10). Peter, on the other hand, was a true believer. His sorrow did lead to repentance and restoration.

In Luke 22, Jesus predicted that Peter would deny Him. But He had also prayed that Peter’s faith would not fail. And Peter’s faith did not fail. He stood up on the day of Pentecost and preached a powerful sermon – and 3,000 were converted. Peter continued to preach – and tens of thousands were converted in Jerusalem.

From Peter, we learn that we must be very cautious in our self-confidence. We are human, we are not exempt from falling into sin or denying our Lord. The Bible warns us about misplaced self-confidence (1 Cor. 10:12; Gal. 6:1). The second thing we can learn from Peter’s experience is that God is faithful. As Jesus prayed for Peter’s faith not to fail, so He intercedes for us (Heb. 7:25). As Peter weas forgiven by Christ, so we, too, can be forgiven as we confess our sins (1 Jn. 1:9). God has promised to continue the work He has begun in us (Phil. 1:6). Praise God that those whom He predestined, called, and justified, He will also glorify (Rom. 8:30)!

II. THE TRIALS OF JESUS

On Sunday, we will be looking in more detail at the trials and crucifixion of Jesus, so we’re going to finish today’s lesson by looking at the big picture view of the events from the arrest of Jesus to His crucifixion. As we read through the following passages, we are going to cover the six different trials Jesus faced over a period of about 12 hours. We know He went to the garden fairly late in the evening, allowing time for eating, washing the disciples’ feet, Judas assembling his aides in arresting Jesus, additional teaching in John 14-17, and praying – all of this happened after sunset. For the purposes of today’s study, we’ll assume that the arrest happened at some point near midnight.

In each section that we read, I want you to be looking out for two ideas: who was the authority and what happened to Jesus.

[READ Jn. 18:1-3]

1 When Jesus had spoken these words, He went away with His disciples across the ravine of the Kidron, where there was a garden which He entered with His disciples. 2 Now Judas, who was betraying Him, also knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with His disciples. 3 So Judas, having obtained the Roman cohort and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons.

The arrest was at the hands of the guards of the chief priests and the Roman authorities with them. Jesus was bound and taken by force by those with lanterns, torches, and weapons, but He went willingly.

[READ Jn. 18:12-13, 19-23]

12 So the Roman cohort [normally 600 men], the commander, and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound Him, 13 and brought Him to Annas first; for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year.

19 The high priest then questioned Jesus about His disciples, and about His teaching. 20 Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world; I always taught in synagogues and in the temple area, where all the Jews congregate; and I said nothing in secret. 21 Why are you asking Me? Ask those who have heard what I spoke to them. Look: these people know what I said.” 22 But when He said this, one of the officers, who was standing nearby, struck Jesus, saying, “Is that the way You answer the high priest?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If I have spoken wrongly, testify of the wrong; but if rightly, why do you strike Me?”

Jesus appeared before Annas, the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest. Annas questioned Jesus, and one of the officers struck Jesus for His response.

[READ Mt. 26:57-68]

57 Those who had arrested Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together. 58 But Peter was following Him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and he came inside and sat down with the officers to see the outcome.

59 Now the chief priests and the entire Council kept trying to obtain false testimony against Jesus, so that they might put Him to death. 60 They did not find any, even though many false witnesses came forward. But later on two came forward, 61 and said, “This man stated, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to rebuild it in three days.’” 62 The high priest stood up and said to Him, “Do You offer no answer for what these men are testifying against You?” 63 But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest said to Him, “I place You under oath by the living God, to tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God.” 64 Jesus said to him, “You have said it yourself. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

65 Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has blasphemed! What further need do we have of witnesses? See, you have now heard the blasphemy; 66 what do you think?” They answered, “He deserves death!”

67 Then they spit in His face and beat Him with their fists; and others slapped Him, 68 and said, “Prophesy to us, You Christ; who is the one who hit You?”

Jesus was led before Caiaphas, the high priest, where false witnesses were brought to accuse Him. After Jesus acknowledged that He is the Son of God, the high priest accused Him of blasphemy, and those present mocked, spat upon, and hit Him repeatedly.

[READ Lk. 22:66-71]

66 When it was day, the Council of elders of the people assembled, both chief priests and scribes, and they led Him away to their council chamber, saying, 67 “If You are the Christ, tell us.” But He said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe; 68 and if I ask a question, you will not answer. 69 But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” 70 And they all said, “So You are the Son of God?” And He said to them, “You say correctly that I am.” 71 And then they said, “What further need do we have of testimony? For we have heard it ourselves from His own mouth!”

[Point out the timing of this event, coming at dawn.] Jesus now appeared before the full council of the elders (the Sanhedrin) and again acknowledged that He is the Son of God. The council announced Him guilty of blasphemy.

[READ Lk. 23:1-7]

1 Then the entire assembly of them set out and brought Him before Pilate. 2 And they began to bring charges against Him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to pay taxes to Caesar, and saying that He Himself is Christ, a King.” 3 Now Pilate asked Him, saying, “So You are the King of the Jews?” And He answered him and said, “It is as you say.” 4 But Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no grounds for charges in the case of this man.” 5 But they kept on insisting, saying, “He is stirring up the people, teaching all over Judea, starting from Galilee, as far as this place!”

6 Now when Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. 7 And when he learned that He belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, since he also was in Jerusalem at this time.

The whole council led Jesus before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, where the Jews presented charges against Jesus. Hearing He was a Galilean, Pilate had Jesus sent to Herod for trial, because Herod was tetrarch of Galilee and Perea.

[READ Lk. 23:8-12]

8 Now Herod was overjoyed when he saw Jesus; for he had wanted to see Him for a long time, because he had been hearing about Him and was hoping to see some sign performed by Him. 9 And he questioned Him at some length; but He offered him no answer at all. 10 Now the chief priests and the scribes stood there, vehemently charging Him. 11 And Herod, together with his soldiers, treated Him with contempt and mocked Him, dressing Him in a brightly shining robe, and sent Him back to Pilate.  12 And so Herod and Pilate became friends with one another that very day; for previously, they had been enemies toward each other.

Jesus appeared before Herod Antipas where He did not answer Herod and his men even as they mocked and abused Jesus. They returned Jesus to Pilate, wearing “splendid clothing.”

[READ Lk. 23:13-25]

13 Now Pilate summoned to himself the chief priests, the rulers, and the people, 14 and he said to them, “You brought this man to me on the ground that he is inciting the people to revolt; and behold, after examining Him before you, I have found no basis at all in the case of this man for the charges which you are bringing against Him. 15 No, nor has Herod, for he sent Him back to us; and behold, nothing deserving death has been done by Him. 16 Therefore I will punish Him and release Him.” 17 [Now he was obligated to release to them at the feast one prisoner.]

18 But they cried out all together, saying, “Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas!” 19 (He was one who had been thrown into prison for a revolt that took place in the city, and for murder.) 20 But Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again, 21 but they kept on crying out, saying, “Crucify, crucify Him!” 22 And he said to them a third time, “Why, what has this man done wrong? I have found in His case no grounds for a sentence of death; therefore I will punish Him and release Him.” 23 But they were insistent, with loud voices, demanding that He be crucified. And their voices began to prevail. 24 And so Pilate decided to have their demand carried out. 25 And he released the man for whom they were asking, who had been thrown into prison for a revolt and murder; but he handed Jesus over to their will.

Jesus was again before Pilate who desired to release Him. However, the Jews asked for Barabbas to be released and cried out for Jesus to be scourged and crucified. Matthew 27:27-31 describes the further mocking by the soldiers, the crown of thorns, and how He was led to His crucifixion.

Around midnight, Jesus was arrested and faced the first three trials before the Jewish authorities by dawn. Between dawn (around 6 a.m.) and 9:00 a.m., the three trials before the Roman authorities took place. Mark 15:25 put the crucifixion of Jesus at the “third hour,” which would be three hours after sunrise, or 9:00 a.m. In Matthew 27:45, we learn that at noon (the sixth hour) the sky became dark, and at 3:00 p.m. (the ninth hour), Jesus died.

So, within nine hours after His arrest, Jesus had faced six trials, been dragged back and forth across Jerusalem, received multiple beatings and continual mocking, and then was hung upon a Roman cross to endure six more hours of agony.

III. APPLICATION

• How do the details recorded in the Bible regarding Jesus’ trials confirm the authenticity and authority of the Bible? While each of the Gospels presents a slightly different perspective, putting all of the information together gives us a detailed account of times and places, which assures us that the accounts are true. We trust by faith that these accounts are true because they are part of the Word of God, but the details encourage us in our faith.

In the past, some historians doubted the authenticity of the account of Jesus’ trials before Pilate because there was no evidence outside of the Bible that there was a governor named Pilate. In 1961, a stone was found that read: “For the Caesereans. The Tiberium, which Pontius Pilate, the prefect of Judea gave (and) dedicated.”

• Did this discovery prove that Jesus was actually tried by Pilate? While finds like this give external confirmation of the truthfulness of Scripture, they are not the source of authority we look to. It was true that Jesus was tried by Pilate as recorded in Scripture before this stone was found, and it is true after. When we are challenged with claims like these, we need to be sure to look to the Bible as the source of truth and call people to trust what it says, especially about salvation in Christ alone.

JESUS IS ARRESTED -- Part 2 - Study Guide

JESUS IS ARRESTED -- Part 2
Answers (Lesson 149) - Oct. 16, 2024 - Supplemental Study

TEXT: Selected Scriptures (NASB)

INTRODUCTION: The events we will look at this morning took place during the dark, nighttime hours of Thursday evening.

I. HISTORICAL & APOLOGETICS BACKGROUND

When Jesus predicted His coming crucifixion and that His disciples would fall away, you will recall that Peter proudly proclaimed that he would never fall away (Mk. 14:27-29).

When the soldiers came to arrest Jesus, it was Peter, trying to prove his courage and devotion, who drew a sword and whacked off the ear of the servant of the high priest.

Yet just a few hours later, Peter denied knowing Jesus three times. How could this happen?

Judas also denied Jesus by betraying Him. Judas, too, felt some remorse. But he went out and hanged himself (Mt. 27:3-5). Peter wept bitterly, but his faith did not fail. He showed up at the tomb on Sunday. He was in the upper room with the other disciples. Though he had failed, he persevered in faith.

Judas wasn’t a true believer. Jesus called him a devil, unclean, and the son of destruction (Jn. 6:70-71, 13:10-11, 17:12). Judas felt sorrow for his actions, but it was not godly sorrow that leads to repentance, but worldly sorrow that leads to death (2 Cor. 7:10).

In Luke 22, Jesus predicted that Peter would deny Him. But He had also prayed that Peter’s faith would not fail.
From Peter, we learn that we must be very cautious in our self-confidence. We are human, we are not exempt from falling into sin or denying our Lord. The Bible warns us about misplaced self-confidence (1 Cor. 10:12; Gal. 6:1). The second thing we can learn from Peter’s experience is that God is faithful (see Heb. 7:25; 1 Jn. 1:9; Phil. 1:6; Rom. 8:30).

II. THE TRIALS OF JESUS

Now we’re going to look at the big picture view of the events from the arrest of Jesus to His crucifixion. We are going to cover the six different trials Jesus faced over a period of about 12 hours.

In each section that we read, I want you to be looking out for two ideas: who was the authority and what happened to Jesus.

ARREST: John 18:1-3
The arrest was at the hands of the guards of the chief priests and the Roman authorities with them. Jesus was bound and taken by force by those with lanterns, torches, and weapons, but He went willingly.

TRIAL # 1: John 18:12-13, 19-23
Jesus appeared before Annas, the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest. Annas questioned Jesus, and one of the officers struck Jesus for His response.

TRIAL # 2: Matthew 26:57-68
Jesus was led before Caiaphas, the high priest, where false witnesses were brought to accuse Him. After Jesus acknowledged that He is the Son of God, the high priest accused Him of blasphemy, and those present mocked, spat upon, and hit Him repeatedly.

TRIAL # 3: Luke 22:66-71
Jesus now appeared before the full council of the elders (the Sanhedrin) and again acknowledged that He is the Son of God. The council announced Him guilty of blasphemy.

TRIAL # 4: Luke 23:1-7
The whole council led Jesus before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, where the Jews presented charges against Jesus. Hearing He was a Galilean, Pilate had Jesus sent to Herod for trial, because Herod was tetrarch of Galilee and Perea.

TRIAL # 5: Luke 23:8-12
Jesus appeared before Herod Antipas where He did not answer Herod and his men even as they mocked and abused Jesus. They returned Jesus to Pilate, wearing “splendid clothing.”

TRIAL # 6: Luke 23:13-25
Jesus was again before Pilate who desired to release Him. However, the Jews asked for Barabbas to be released and cried out for Jesus to be scourged and crucified. Matthew 27:27-31 describes the further mocking by the soldiers, the crown of thorns, and how He was led to His crucifixion.

Within nine hours after His arrest, Jesus had faced six trials, been dragged back and forth across Jerusalem, received multiple beatings and continual mocking, and then was hung upon a Roman cross to endure six more hours of agony.

III. APPLICATION

While each of the Gospels presents a slightly different perspective, putting all of the information together gives us a detailed account of times and places, which assures us that the accounts are true. We trust by faith that these accounts are true because they are part of the Word of God, but the details encourage us in our faith.

While finds like this give external confirmation of the truthfulness of Scripture, they are not the source of authority we look to. It was true that Jesus was tried by Pilate as recorded in Scripture before this stone was found, and it is true after. When we are challenged with claims like these, we need to be sure to look to the Bible as the source of truth and call people to trust what it says, especially about salvation in Christ alone.

JESUS PRAYS FOR HIS OWN (Part 2)

JESUS PRAYS FOR HIS OWN
(Part 2)

Text: Selected Scriptures (NASB)

[READ Mt. 26:38-39]

38 Then He said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me.”
39 And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.”

Introduction: After praying for His followers, Jesus went into the garden of Gethsemane to pray for Himself. He knew the suffering He faced, and His soul was sorrowful (Mt. 26:38). We can hardly imagine the depths of anguish Jesus must have felt as He cried out to the Father to let this cup pass from Him if there was any other way (Mt. 26:39). And yet, even as He dreaded to drink the wrath of God, He was pleased to obey His Father and to set Himself apart for this task that no other could accomplish.

I. HISTORICAL & APOLOGETICS BACKGROUND

Jesus’ prayer in the garden was full of grief and anguish, presenting an entirely different image than we are used to reading about Jesus. This account has caused confusion and misconceptions, as well as given rise to false teaching.

Some look at this account and say Jesus isn’t God. They point to Jesus’ apparent desire not to go through with the crucifixion. By saying “not as I will, but as You will” (Mt. 26:39), Jesus was distinguishing Himself from God. If Jesus’ will was contrary to the Father’s will, they surely couldn’t be One and the same.

Mormons have gone so far as to teach that Jesus, as merely a man, had to prove Himself as willing to submit to the Father’s will in order to become worthy of providing atonement. Their view emphasizes the free agency of Jesus to submit to or reject God’s plan. In keeping Himself free from sin and submitting to God’s will, He earned the right and power to become the sacrifice for sin. In this way, they teach that Jesus began the process of atonement in the garden.

But these views misinterpret and misrepresent the text. Jesus said, “If it be possible” (Mt. 26:39), but He was not doubting God’s ability or expressing a lack of knowledge in His plan. He was simply expressing His desire that God’s wrath be satisfied in a different way. The fact that He understood God’s plan and recognized that there was no other way is evident in His willing submission to God’s will despite His inward turmoil.
Additionally, Jesus’ desire to avoid drinking God’s wrath does not mean that He didn’t want to be part of the plan of redemption. It just demonstrates the depth of His love in laying down His life for sinners (Rom. 5:8). In fact, there was a way Jesus could avoid drinking God’s wrath, but it would require that none of us ever be redeemed and reconciled to God. However, Jesus’ mission was to seek and save the lost (Lk. 19:10). And so, He submitted willingly to the will of the Father to fulfill the plan the Trinity had agreed to before They even created the world.

We can look to Jesus’ time in the garden and be encouraged, understanding that anything we encounter pales in comparison to what He suffered. The suffering He faced was overwhelming, but He emerged victorious. And now we can find victory in Him, as well. As the perfect God-man, Jesus came into this world to save sinners like you and me.

II. PERFECTLY UNITED IN CHRIST

One of the themes of Jesus’ intercessory prayer in John 17 is unity among those who believe in Jesus. Jesus pointed to His unity with the Father as a parallel to the unity that should be found in the body of Christ. Paul also wrote a great deal about this unity in the church. During the remainder of our time this morning, I want us to examine what it means to be called to such a unity.

[READ Rom. 12:4-6a]

4 For just as we have many parts in one body and all the body’s parts do not have the same function, 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually parts of one another. 6 However, since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to use them properly …

Believers are one body in Christ, and are members of one another.

[READ Gal. 3:26-29]

26 For you are all sons and daughters of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise.

Once in Christ, our worldly divisions are of no consequence.

[READ Eph. 1:7-10]

7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our wrongdoings, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight 9 He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He set forth in Him, 10 regarding His plan of the fullness of the times, to bring all things together in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth.

God’s purpose is to unite all things in Christ.

[READ Col. 3:12-15]

12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so must you do also. 14 In addition to all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ, to which you were indeed called in one body, rule in your hearts; and be thankful.

Love binds everything together in harmony; compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, and forgiveness are necessary for unity.

[READ 1 Cor. 12:4-7]

We have different gifts, abilities, and callings, but there is only one God, and these manifestations of the Spirit are given to us for the common good (i.e., to edify the body).

[READ Phil. 1:27-28]

27 Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; 28 and in no way alarmed by your opponents -- which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and this too, from God.

Paul exhorted the believers to be unified in spirit and mind, working together for the faith of the gospel. This thesis is expounded on in Philippians 2:1-11.

• What does unity among believers look like? Paul often used an analogy of a body, where members have different roles and abilities but work together for the same purpose, driven by the same mind and Spirit.

• What characteristics should we practice as individuals serving the body? We should practice humility, patience, forgiveness, and selflessness. Above all, it is love that binds us together in unity.

• What is the goal or purpose that unifies us? We are unified by our pursuit of Christ and our striving for the sake of the gospel and the kingdom of God.

The Bible has a lot to say about the unity of believers. Paul, especially, encouraged the believers to pursue unity in mind, Spirit, and purpose. He often spoke of the unity of God and the ideal unity of the body of Christ. Let’s look at one of these passages together.

[READ Eph. 4:1-16]

1 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 being diligent to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you also were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.
7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore it says,
“When He ascended on high,
He led captive the captives,
And He gave gifts to people.”
9 (Now this expression, “He ascended,” what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.) 11 And He gave some as apostles, some as prophets, some as evangelists, some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ; 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. 14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of people, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; 15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, that is, Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.

• What are the areas of unity listed in verses 4-6? Paul emphasized the oneness of the Christian church, pointing to unity of body, Spirit, hope, Lord, faith, baptism, and God.

• What illustration did Paul use to depict Christian unity? Paul often used the analogy of a body to depict unity – different parts working together for one purpose.

• What are the saints to be equipped for? For the work of the ministry and for building up the body.

• What is the goal of the body collectively (v. 13)? The goal is the unity of the faith.

• What is the goal of the body for its individuals? The goal of the body is that we all (individually) reach maturity and are filled with Christ.

• What does unity and maturity protect us from? As we grow into maturity individually and in unity with the body, which is collectively growing toward the knowledge of Jesus, we will no longer be so easily caught up in the flighty doctrines and false teachings of men. As a part of the body, we are equipped to grow, and we are also anchored to many others who are pursuing Christlike maturity. This can lead to accountability and correction that can keep us from being drawn astray.

• How can we work toward unity? We must grow up into the head, which is Christ. If we all grow in this same way, we will necessarily be growing together as the body.

• How does the body grow? Each part works properly when it grows into the Head, speaks in love, and walks in a manner worthy of its calling.

As Jesus prayed for His followers, He noted that He and the Father were One. They shared followers, glory, purpose, mission, holiness, word, and name. In turn, Jesus shared these things with us, calling us to be in Christ as He is in the Father. Jesus desired for His followers – all of His followers throughout all time – to be unified, to be perfectly one, so that they world might know Jesus.

JESUS PRAYS FOR HIS OWN -- Part 2 - Supplemental Study

JESUS PRAYS FOR HIS OWN -- Part 2

Answers (Lesson 148) - Oct. 9, 2024 - Supplemental Study

TEXT: Selected Scriptures (NASB)

Matthew 26:38-39

INTRODUCTION: Jesus knew the suffering He faced, and His soul was sorrowful (Mt. 26:38).

Yet, even as He dreaded to drink the wrath of God, He was pleased to obey His Father and to set Himself apart for this task that no other could accomplish.

I. HISTORICAL & APOLOGETICS BACKGROUND

* FALLACY # 1: Jesus isn’t God.
This idea points to Jesus’ apparent desire not to go through with the crucifixion and concludes if Jesus’ will was contrary to God the Father’s will, then they surely couldn’t be One and the same.

* FALLACY # 2: Jesus was just a man.
Mormons have gone so far as to teach that Jesus, as merely a man, had to prove Himself as willing to submit to the Father’s will in order to become worthy of providing atonement. Their view emphasizes the free agency of Jesus to submit to or reject God’s plan. In keeping Himself free from sin and submitting to God’s will, He earned the right and power to become the sacrifice for sin.

These views misinterpret and misrepresent the text. Jesus said, “If it be possible” (Mt. 26:39), but He was not doubting God’s ability or expressing a lack of knowledge in His plan. He was simply expressing His desire that God’s wrath be satisfied in a different way.

The fact that He understood God’s plan and recognized that there was no other way is evident in His willing submission to God’s will despite His inward turmoil.

Jesus’ desire to avoid drinking God’s wrath does not mean that He didn’t want to be part of the plan of redemption. It just demonstrates the depth of His love in laying down His life for sinners (Rom. 5:8).

There was a way Jesus could avoid drinking God’s wrath, but it would require that none of us ever be redeemed and reconciled to God.

However, Jesus’ mission was to seek and save the lost (Lk. 19:10). And so, He submitted willingly to the will of the Father to fulfill the plan the Trinity had agreed to before They even created the world.

As the perfect God-man, Jesus came into this world to save sinners like you and me.

II. PERFECTLY UNITED IN CHRIST

Romans 12:4-6a:
Believers are one body in Christ and are members of one another.

Galatians 3:26-29:
Once in Christ, our worldly divisions are of no consequence.

Ephesians 1:7-10:
God’s purpose is to unite all things in Christ.

Colossians 3:12-15:
Love binds everything together in harmony; compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, and forgiveness are necessary for unity.

1 Corinthians 12:4-7
We have different gifts, abilities, and callings, but there is only one God, and these manifestations of the Spirit are given to us for the edification of the Body of Christ.

Philippians 1:27-28
Paul exhorted the believers to be unified in spirit and mind, working together for the faith of the gospel. This thesis is expounded on in Phil. 2:1-11.

Paul often used an analogy of a body, where members have different roles and abilities but work together for the same purpose, driven by the same mind and Spirit.

As individuals serving the body, we should practice humility, patience, forgiveness, and selflessness. Above all, it is love that binds us together in unity.

We are unified by our pursuit of Christ and our striving for the sake of the gospel and the kingdom of God.

Paul encouraged believers to pursue unity in mind, Spirit, and purpose. He often spoke of the unity of God and the ideal unity of the body of Christ.

Ephesians 4:1-16

In verses 4-6, Paul emphasized the oneness of the Christian church, pointing to unity of body, Spirit, hope, Lord, faith, baptism, and God.

Paul often used the analogy of a body to depict unity – different parts working together for one purpose. The saints are to be equipped for the work of the ministry and for building up the body of Christ.

Verse 13 tells us that the collective goal of the body is unity in faith. Individually, the goal of the body is that we all reach maturity and are filled with Christ.

As we grow into maturity individually and in unity with the body, which is collectively growing toward the knowledge of Jesus, we will no longer be so easily caught up in the flighty doctrines and false teachings of men. As a part of the body, we are equipped to grow, and we are also anchored to many others who are pursuing Christlike maturity. This can lead to accountability and correction that can keep us from being drawn astray.

In order to work toward unity, we must grow up into the head, which is Christ. If we all grow in this same way, we will necessarily be growing together as the body. Each part works properly when it grows into the Head (Christ), speaks in love, and walks in a manner worthy of its calling.

JESUS ESTABLISHES THE LAST SUPPER (Part 2)

JESUS ESTABLISHES THE LAST SUPPER
(Part 2)

Text: Selected Scriptures (NASB)

Introduction: The lesson of the Passover is that God’s wrath could only be satisfied by the death and shedding of innocent blood – in this case the blood of a lamb. Although this sacrifice was repeated year after year, the blood of the lamb would not ultimately satisfy God’s wrath. The Bible tells us these sacrifices were a foreshadowing of the good things to come and that it is impossible for the blood of animals to take away sins (Heb. 10:1-4). These sacrifices pointed to another – the Lord Jesus Christ – who was put to death once for all that He might bring sinners to God (1 Pet. 3:18; 1 Cor. 5:7).

This is the gospel! In this guest room with His disciples, at this last Passover dinner – the last supper – Jesus was preparing Himself and His followers for His death. The annual sacrifices of the traditional Passover celebration would no longer be necessary. For the perfect Lamb of God would soon be slain and bring salvation to those whose names are written in the Book of Life (Rev. 3:5, 13:8).

Today, when we gather around the table of the Lord to remember Jesus’ final sacrifice. We eat the bread, and we drink the cup as we proclaim the Lord’s death (1 Cor. 11:26), waiting expectantly for His victorious return (Mt. 24:27; 1 Thes. 4:16-17).

I. HISTORICAL & APOLOGETICS BACKGROUND

There are four basic views among Christians regarding the Lord’s Supper.

The Roman Catholic Church teaches a view called transubstantiation where the substance, or the essence, of the bread and wine are transformed into the physical body and blood of Christ, though the appearance to our senses remains like bread and wine. It is also believed that through the Eucharist, the benefits of Christ’s death on the cross are being given over and over for the payment of each person’s sins. In other words, Christ is being sacrificed anew each time communion is served.

Most Protestants reject transubstantiation. First of all, Scripture is very clear that Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross was a one-time offering for sin that never needs to be repeated (Heb. 7:25-27, 9:28, 10:10-14).

[READ Heb. 7:25-27, 9:28, 10:10-14]

25 Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them. 26 Such a high priest truly meets our need -- one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. 27 Unlike the other high priests, He does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for His own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when He offered himself.

9:28 … So Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him.

10:10 By this will, we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all time. 11 Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins; 12 but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time onward until His enemies are made a footstool for His feet. 14 For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.

Second, transubstantiation suggests that Jesus’ body and blood are present on the altar each time someone celebrates the Lord’s Supper. But Jesus is not on earth. He is in heaven at the right hand of the Father (Eph. 1:20; Col. 3:1) and will not return until His glorious Second Coming (Heb. 9:28; Titus 2:13).

The following positions are considered to be orthodox views:

Martin Luther taught the idea of consubstantiation, which teaches that the fundamental “substance” of the body and blood of Christ are present alongside the substance of the bread and wine, which remain present. Communion becomes fully bread and wine and full Christ, just as Christ Himself is fully human and fully God at the same time. Thus, the body and blood of Christ are truly received in the Lord’s Supper, making it a means of grace for the Christian’s sanctification. But the bread and wine don’t literally become the body and blood of Jesus, nor is His sacrifice repeated.

Most evangelicals hold to the Symbolic or Memorial view promoted by Swiss Reformer Ulrich Zwingli. This view denies the bodily presence of Jesus in the Lord’s Supper. Instead, the ordinance is seen primarily as a commemoration of His sacrifice. The Lord’s Supper is seen not as a direct experience with the body and blood of Christ but as a memorial service.

French theologian John Calvin taught the Real Presence view, which is somewhat of an intermediate view between Consubstantiation and the Memorial view. Calvin rejected the idea that there is a transformation of substance of the elements, but he also rejected the view that the Lord’s Supper is merely a remembrance of a past event using symbols and figurative language. Calvin insisted on the real, though spiritual, presence of the Lord in the elements. He understood the Lord’s Supper to be an actual means of grace through which the Lord imparts His sanctifying grace to the believer who faithfully partakes of it.

The Lord’s Supper looks backward to what Jesus accomplished on the cross, where His body was broken and His blood was shed to provide eternal redemption. But it also looks forward in anticipation of the future messianic banquet with the risen Christ. This expectation is expressed in the Gospels by Christ’s words: “I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God” (Mk. 14:25). Likewise, Paul wrote, “For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes” (1 Cor. 11:26).

The Lord’s Supper is also to be a time of self-examination (1 Cor. 11:26). We are not to take communion lightly, but it should be a time of reflection, confession of sin, repentance, and celebration as we remember Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf.

II. OUR PASSOVER LAMB

There are many clear connections between the Passover and Jesus in the New Testament. For example, Paul tells us that “Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed” (1 Cor. 5:7).

Now we are going to look at Exodus 12 where we find instructions for the observance of Passover. Each point in this section of our study is related back to this chapter. As we look at this passage, let’s look for connections to Jesus and the new covenant, identifying any Scripture passages that support these connections.

* CHARACTER OF THE LAMB (Ex. 12:5)
[READ Ex. 12:5]

5 Your lamb shall be an unblemished male a year old; you may take it from the sheep or from the goats.

Just as the Passover lamb was to be a male without blemish, Peter described Jesus as the “lamb without blemish or spot” whose blood was shed for us” (1 Pet. 1:19). John the Baptist referred to Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (Jn. 1:29, 1:36). Additionally, the Passover lamb lived among the people for a time just as Jesus did.

* APPLICATION OF THE BLOOD (Ex. 12:7)
[READ Ex. 12:7]

7 Moreover, they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses in which they eat it.

The blood was to be a sign placed on the outside of the house to show that those inside trusted God for salvation from the death that was to come to the firstborn male. While there may not be an exact passage that communicates this idea in the new covenant, we often use the language of being identified by the blood of Christ who is the Lamb slain for us when we talk about our salvation under the new covenant.

* EFFECT OF THE BLOOD (Ex. 12:13)

[READ Ex. 12:13]

13 The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live; and when I see the blood I will pass over you, and no plague will come upon you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.

Many places in the book of Hebrews make the connection between the sacrificial blood of the old covenant (including those offered in the tabernacle) and the better sacrifice in the blood of Jesus (Heb. 9:24-25). Just as the blood on the doorposts was a sign for the destroyer to pass over the house and defer judgment, those who are covered by the blood of Christ in the new covenant will be spared from the final judgment.

* MEMORIAL FEAST (Ex. 12:14-17)
[READ Ex. 12:14-17]

14 ‘Now this day shall be a memorial to you, and you shall celebrate it as a feast to the Lord; throughout your generations you are to celebrate it as a permanent ordinance. 15 For seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, but on the first day you shall remove dough with yeast from your houses; for whoever eats anything with yeast from the first day until the seventh day, that person shall be cut off from Israel. 16 And on the first day you shall have a holy assembly, and another holy assembly on the seventh day; no work at all shall be done on them, except for what must be eaten by every person -- that alone may be prepared by you. 17 You shall also keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread, for on this very day I brought your multitudes out of the land of Egypt; therefore you shall keep this day throughout your generations as a permanent ordinance.

Just as the Passover feast was celebrated with certain elements, the Lord’s Supper is practiced with the elements of bread and wine. Both were intended to be memorials (1 Cor. 11:24-25) of covenants between God and His people.

* Can you think of any other parallels that would be helpful in understanding the connections between the old covenant and the new covenant? Discuss answers.

* Would anyone like to share a summary statement connecting the Passover to Jesus? Allow folks to share.

As we think about these connections, we have another example of the unchanging character of God and how He is involved in directing all of history. Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us, and we can find great comfort in this fact, knowing that God’s judgment will pass over us on the day of judgment because we have been covered by the blood of the Lamb.

III. APPLICATION

* As crude as it may sound, some radical skeptics accuse Christians of being cannibals or acting like zombies who eat the flesh of a dead god during communion. This was also a misunderstanding in the early years of the church, leading to a social stigma on Christians. How would you respond to someone who made such claims about you? From passages like John 6 and Matthew 26, it is not hard to see how some people could come to such a conclusion, but this is where we have an opportunity to share the truth with those who doubt. While some may be too hostile to even listen, we can offer to explain the Lord’s Supper to them as the memorial (and means of grace) it is. As Paul instructs the Colossian church, we must be wise about how we speak, answering each person according to the situation (Col. 4:2-6).

[READ Col. 4:2-6]

2 Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; 3 praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; 4 that I may make it clear in the way that I ought to proclaim it.
5 Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. 6 Your speech must always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.

We do not maintain a right standing before God by anything we do but are seen a righteous because of what Jesus has done on our behalf (Eph. 2:8-10). As we speak to others about our faith, we must remember to do so with gentleness and respect, trusting that as we speak the truth of God’s Word, the Holy Spirit will bring conviction and repentance.

JESUS ESTABLISHES THE LAST SUPPER -- Part 2 - Study Guide

JESUS ESTABLISHES THE LAST SUPPER -- Part 2

Answers (Lesson 147) - Oct. 2, 2024 - Supplemental Study

TEXT: Selected Scriptures (NASB)

INTRODUCTION: This is the gospel! In this guest room with His disciples, at this last Passover dinner – the last supper – Jesus was preparing Himself and His followers for His death. The annual sacrifices of the traditional Passover celebration would no longer be necessary. For the perfect Lamb of God would soon be slain and bring salvation to those whose names are written in the Book of Life (Rev. 3:5, 13:8).

I. HISTORICAL & APOLOGETICS BACKGROUND

There are four basic views among Christians regarding the Lord’s Supper.

* TRANSUBSTANTIATION
The substance of the bread and wine are transformed into the physical body and blood of Christ, and that Christ is being sacrificed anew each time communion is served.

We reject this idea because, first of all, Scripture is very clear that Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross was a one-time offering for sin that never needs repeating.

Hebrews 7:25-27, 9:28, 10:10-14

Second, this view suggests that Jesus’ body and blood are present on the altar each time someone celebrates the Lord’s Supper. But Jesus is not on earth, He is in heaven at the right hand of the Father (Eph. 1:20; Col. 3:1) and will not return until His glorious Second Coming (Heb. 9:28; Titus 2:13).

* CONSUBSTANTIATION
This view teaches that the fundamental “substance” of the body and blood of Christ are present alongside the substance of the bread and wine, which remain present. Thus, the body and blood of Christ are truly received in the Lord’s Supper, making it a means of grace for the Christian’s sanctification. But the bread and wine don’t literally become the body and blood of Jesus, nor is His sacrifice repeated. (Martin Luther)

* SYMBOLIC / MEMORIAL
This view denies the bodily presence of Jesus in the Lord’s Supper. Instead, the ordinance is seen primarily as a commemoration of His sacrifice. The Lord’s Supper is seen not as a direct experience with the body and blood of Christ but as a memorial service. (Ulrich Zwingli)

* REAL PRESENCE
This is an intermediate view between Consubstantiation and the Memorial view. It insists on the real, though spiritual, presence of the Lord in the elements. Meaning the Lord’s Supper is an actual means of grace through which the Lord imparts His sanctifying grace to the believer who faithfully partakes of it. (John Calvin)

II. OUR PASSOVER LAMB

There are many clear connections between the Passover and Jesus in the New Testament. For example, Paul tells us that “Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed” (1 Cor. 5:7).

* CHARACTER OF THE LAMB (Ex. 12:5)

Just as the Passover lamb was to be a male without blemish, Peter described Jesus as the “lamb without blemish or spot whose blood was shed for us” (1 Pet. 1:19). John the Baptist referred to Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (Jn. 1:29, 1:36). Additionally, the Passover lamb lived among the people for a time just as Jesus did.

* APPLICATION OF THE BLOOD (Ex. 12:7)

* EFFECT OF THE BLOOD (Ex. 12:13)
Many places in the book of Hebrews make the connection between the sacrificial blood of the old covenant (including those offered in the tabernacle) and the better sacrifice in the blood of Jesus (Heb. 9:24-25). Just as the blood on the doorposts was a sign for the destroyer to pass over the house and defer judgment, those who are covered by the blood of Christ in the new covenant will be spared from the final judgment.

* MEMORIAL FEAST (Ex. 12:14-17)
Just as the Passover feast was celebrated with certain elements, the Lord’s Supper is practiced with the elements of bread and wine. Both were intended to be memorials (1 Cor. 11:24-25) of covenants between God and His people.

Here we have another example of the unchanging character of God and how He is involved in directing all of history. Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us, and we can find great comfort in this fact, knowing that God’s judgment will pass over us on the day of judgment because we have been covered by the blood of the Lamb.